Resource Search Results

After the Benediction: Putting Faith to Work the Other Six Days

This presentation focused on the multiple avenues through which the supports and relationships available within congregation can meet real needs in the lives of people with disabilities and their families throughout the week.

Audio | April 11, 2018

Warren Kinghorn on Mental Illness and Our Deepest Identity

We hear a lot about using person-first language. Yet it is still common to label people with their mental health diagnosis. Christians and churches can offer another way to describe our common human identity.

Conversation | February 06, 2018

Warren Kinghorn on Mental Health and Christian Worship

It is far more common to hear about physical ailments than mental ones in congregational prayers and worship. Psychiatrist Warren Kinghorn explains why mental health issues and people with mental illness should be acknowledged in Christian worship.

Conversation | February 06, 2018

Mark Mulder on Debunking “the Culture of Poverty”

It is important for financially stable churches and Christians to build relationships with those in poverty. But the reason may be different than what you might assume.

Conversation | December 14, 2017

Stephanie Smith on Starting an Outdoor Church

People treated as the last and the least often feel unwelcome inside churches. That is why some church plants create a worshiping community outdoors. Many of their discoveries also apply to indoor churches.

Conversation | December 05, 2017

Does Church Location Make Any Difference?

Because human beings are embodied creatures, the shape of the material world—in particular, the shape of the built environment—will affect their spiritual lives, both in relation to God and to each other.

Article | October 24, 2017

When Helping Heals: Affirming Global Service in our Churches

Providing charitable support and development assistance to people in need can and does work, but, like any important activity, we must learn how to do it well.

Article | August 22, 2017

Why We Need to Know the History of Our Churches

The fact remains that most American Christians remain startlingly ignorant of critical aspects of their church’s history. Learning this history can help us more faithfully know ourselves, love others, and follow Christ.

Article | August 07, 2017

Columns with Capstone

A visual symbol that can be placed on the cover of service bulletins, within the written liturgy, or on a large screen display.

Image | March 28, 2017

Promoting the Health of Urban-Dwelling Adults and Children

A Nursing Professor’s Vision for the Church in Community

Audio | August 24, 2016

Jonathan Brooks on Ministering with the Community

The pastor of a church where love makes the difference explains why they no longer do outreach ministry.

Conversation | August 04, 2015

Bob Waldrop on How Earth Care Led Him to God

In this edited conversation, based on emails and an April 2013 phone conversation, Bob Waldorp explains how his church work and activism fit together.

Conversation | July 11, 2013

Kristi Holmberg on Hope for Healing the Earth

Like many young adults, Kristi Holmberg is keenly aware of inheriting an earth damaged by previous generations. However, rather than despair or turn cynical, she began during college to connect with Christians who are working toward a just and sustainable future.

Conversation | June 10, 2013

Green Congregations Promote Sustainability

Whether your church goes solar, diverts money from utilities to missions or plants a community garden, you can find creative and sustainable ways to model that the earth is the Lord’s.

Feature Story | May 28, 2013

The Church as Community

A panel of Calvin College students addressed what Christian community means to them, how it relates to the church, why it matters in the world, and how they may think differently about the church and Christian community than previous generations. They also reflected on the significance of worship in terms of establishing and maintaining Christian community both within and beyond the church’s walls. Presented by Todd Cioffi and panel at the 2013 Calvin Symposium on Worship.

Video | February 19, 2013

Rethinking Christian Community: Moving Beyond our Ideals and Disappointments

Plenary address by Christine Pohl presented at the 2013 Calvin Symposium on Worship.

Video | February 19, 2013

Hospitality as a Central Christian Practice

Hospitality is a way of life, and when we offer hospitality, especially to folks who are usually overlooked or undervalued by the larger society, we make a strong statement about who is valuable and good to be with.

Conversation | January 10, 2013

Randy Weener on Multisensory Worship that Welcomes Neighbors

Randy Weener co-leads Wyoming Kingdom Enterprise Zone, a church multiplication initiative by Reformed and Christian Reformed churches in Wyoming, Michigan. In 2000 he planted a Reformed Church in America congregation in Allendale, Michigan. In this edited conversation, he talks about multisensory worship in that congregation that welcomes neighbors.

Conversation | September 12, 2012

How Churches Meet Their Neighbors

Here is the uncomfortable truth about becoming a congregation that loves your neighbors as you love yourselves: You have to go out and meet them.

Feature Story | September 12, 2012

Becoming Churches that Love Our Neighbors as Ourselves

Representing the love of God to neighbors works best in congregations that have a clear vision reflected in worship and prayer.