Resource Library

Worship that Blesses the Whole Community with the Whole Gospel

Most Christians know that Jesus calls us to love God with all we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Canaan Community Church changed its worship to truly follow the Great Commandment.

Feature Story | August 06, 2015

Images and Themes in John Calvin's Theology of Liturgy

John Calvin wrote much about the value, purpose, and nature of Christian liturgy.

Article | November 19, 2014

Being a Liturgist

A list of qualities that a liturgist should strive for.

Article | September 17, 2014

Four-Fold Pattern of Worship

An explanation on four-fold worship and its place in history.

Article | September 17, 2014

Bible Study on Worship: Elements of worship

This Bible study with 12 lessons focuses on the key elements of Christian worship and is designed for use by a worship planning team/committee.

Reflection | June 30, 2014

Are all of the elements of the worship liturgy independent stand-alone items? If so, no effort is needed to tie them together. However, if they are all parts of a continuous worship journey, then flow from one to the next is critically important. What we think of as "transitions" are key. If they are done poorly the flow of the worship journey is broken. If done well they enhance the richness of the entire worship experience. In this sectional we'll explore how to link the liturgy into a smooth flowing journey.

Audio | March 04, 2014

Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works

How does the narrative arc of historic Christian worship uniquely tap into our nature as narrative animals?

Audio | February 28, 2014

Leading the Liturgy

The role and function of a worship leader should not be underestimated. The level of engagement for worshipers in a worship service often is influenced directly by the way in which a worship leader functions. The quality of the sermon, the significance of the music and the content of the liturgy needs to be matched by the engaging manner in which the worship leader serves.

Article | February 01, 2013

Baptizing the Nations: Mission, Culture, and Liturgy in the Gospel of Matthew

Research/writing project for 2003 Luce Seminar, “Prospects of Historic Liturgies in a Postmodern Age.” A work in progress.

Academic Article | May 15, 2012

Toward a Liturgical Aesthetic

An interdisciplinary Review of Aesthetic Theory

Article | March 10, 2011

Worship Words Too Important to Neglect

In Worship Words, Debra and Ron Rienstra show why and how to give more attention to your church's worship language.

Feature Story | September 30, 2008

An Invitation to 'The Liturgy of the Hours'

From the age of the Apostles, to the Early Church Fathers, to the Middle Ages, to the present, we are invited to join that great cloud of witnesses who have worshiped God around the clock from hour to hour, from one time-zone to the next, in ceaseless prayer and praise. This session explored how to incorporate the rhythm of what some call 'The Liturgy of the Hours' into busy contemporary life.

Audio | January 01, 2008

Baptism: A Sacrament for the Whole Congregation

This session drew upon biblical passages and confessional and liturgical texts from the Reformed tradition to demonstrate how Christian baptism is a communal, not an individual, sacrament.

Audio | January 01, 2006