Summary

2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

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Details

Most histories of contemporary worship emphasize well-known stories, such as the conversion of hippies in southern California in the late 1960s and the rise of megachurches in the 1980s. While those events are important, there are whole other backstories behind the rise of band-based, technology-driven, hand-raising, extended-singing worship. This workshop laid out a much fuller history than you’ve ever heard before (including a sampling of music through the years) and raised some pastoral questions for discussion.

Recent Media Resources

The Rich Man and Lazarus

This worship service is musically led by Symposium contributor Raymond Wise and the Calvin University Gospel Choir, directed by Nate Glasper. Dennis Edwards delivers the message on Luke 16:19-31, “The Rich Man and Lazarus.”  

March 12, 2025 | 65 min video
The Persistent Widow

This worship service features music led by the Calvin University Capella and the Hope College Chapel Choir, directed by Mark Stover and Eric Reyes and accompanied by organist Rhonda Sider Edgington. Nicole Massie Martin gives the sermon on the persistent widow of Luke 18:1-8.   

March 12, 2025 | 66 min video
Parable of the Good Samaritan

This worship service focuses on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. The Holland Christian High School Symphonic Orchestra, directed by Scott VandenBerg, leads the music with accompaniment from Alexis VanZalen. Calvin University’s Awakening group leads congregational singing featuring a selection of emerging bilingual Korean-English songs. Andrea Bult delivers the message, and students from Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Noel Snyder, guide the liturgy.  

March 12, 2025 | 78 min video