Mission
In Exodus 33, we find Moses and God in the middle of a conversation. The Israelites had been delivered from captivity, but had already turned away from God and turned to an idol—the golden calf. During this conversation, Moses asks God to have mercy on the people and continue to go with them, blessing them with His presence. This was a daring request considering the disobedience of Israel. But God in His great mercy granted Moses his request —answer his deperate cry for the presence of God.
What Moses proceeds to do next blows my mind everytime I read it! Moses could have very easily stopped there, said "thank you" to God and went on his way, much like most of us probably would have. But he goes even further with God, asking of Him an even more daring question than the first, "Now show me Your glory!" What an unbelievable request!
Moses clearly understood something that this generation desperately needs to undestand—that there is only only thing that is ultimate, and this is the glory of God.
At Next Generation Worship, we believe that everything (our lives, our churches, our ministries, etc.) is about the glory of God and His renown or fame in this world. The very existence of man is about and for the glory of God. As the Westminster Catechism affirms, "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." We also believe that this glory, the glory of God, is what God Himself is most concerned about. It is His main agenda.
John Piper said it this way...
The ultimate foundation for our passion to see God glorified is His own passion to be glorified. God is central and supreme in His own affections. There are no rivals for the supremacy of God's glory in His own heart. God is not an idolater. He does not disobey the first and great commandment. With all His heart and soul and strength and mind He delights in the glory of His manifold perfections. The most passionate heart for God in all the universe is God's heart.
Because of this truth, it is out desire to see God receive, from all peoples, the praise He alone deserves. Our mission, ultimately, is the glory of God.
Vision: an emerging generation living worship in view of God’s mercy.
In Exodus 3, we find Moses in another conversation with the almighty God about the deliverance of His people, Israel. Moses asked God who he should say sent him, and God's answer to him is the foundation for what we do at Next Generation Worship Ministries. God says to him, "I AM who I AM...this is My memorial name...the name by which I want to be remembered from generation to generation." Our desire is to pass on the name and the fame of God to an emerging generation and equip them to live worship in view of God's mercy. At NGWM we believe that if there is anything that has been lost and is absent from "church next," it is an awareness of the infinitely, awesome greatness and holiness of God. Only in the light of His greatness do we truly understand His amazing mercy. And it is in view of this mercy that we are to live our lives, lead His church in worship, play our instruments, and offer everything we have before everything He is (Romans 12:1).
Our desire is to "pass on" the name and the fame of God to emerging generations, calling them to live for what is ultimate (the glory of God), and equip them to live worship in view of God’s mercy.
We do this primarily by raising up and equipping emerging lead worshipers to live and lead worship in view of God's mercy. This is done through worship conferences, the Next Generation Network, the Next Generation website, and by coordinating mentoring relationships with experienced worship pastors/leaders throughout the city of Portland and the Northwest.