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Churches must value the disabled

Although churches have become more intentional about inviting persons with special needs into their buildings, there is so much more to learn about the practical implications of full participation in the life of a church family.

Article Article | April 17, 2012

Jubilee: Reflections

This was a handout at one of two plenary sampler sessions that introduced several of the leaders at the Calvin Symposium on Worship and the Arts on Friday, January 14, 2000.

Article Article | February 24, 2011

Hospitality as Paying Attention

Randy Smit sees all of life as a gift and the Lord’s Table as the “quintessential place for experiencing the hospitality of Christ. And so who’s at the table becomes pretty significant.” He suggests focusing less on “fencing the table,” more on opening it to children or others who may be left out.

Feature Story Feature Story | February 07, 2011

Supper at Emmaus painted by He Qi.Image courtesy of Vanderbilt University Divinity Library

How Communion Trains Us in God’s Hospitality

The more that you experience God’s grace through the sacraments and in ordinary life, the more attention you’ll pay to who’s not at the Lord’s Table.

Feature Story Feature Story | February 07, 2011

Let Them Hear: Why Not Get Your Church Looped?

Most parishioners with hearing loss choose not to suffer the hassle and embarrassment of special receivers and headsets. Happily, there’s a better alternative—the broadcast of personalized sound directly through hearing aids.

Article Article | November 19, 2010

The Gracious Gift of Hospitality in Worship - Cindy Holtrop

What does the ministry of hospitality look like in our congregations and in our worship services? This article dives into the correlation between worship and hospitality.

Article Article | November 08, 2010

Forgotten Ones: Worship and Pastoral Care

Many people have a vision for pastoral care that takes place in homes, hospitals, and institutions, often in times of crisis. But the prime place for pastoral care is in the community gathered for worship, when all who are able gather under the care of the Good Shepherd, and those who cannot attend are still remembered and named.

Audio Audio | March 17, 2010

Building a Healthy and Interdependent Church Community

The session presented several practical tools for building a church community that welcomes and embraces diversity in membership. Highlighting examples from churches including members with disabilities, this session offered ideas that allow people to see one another through God's eyes.

Audio Audio | January 01, 2009

Autism and Your Church

If your church is larger than 150 people, statistics say that you have members who fall on the Autism Spectrum, including Asperger Syndrome.

Audio Audio | January 01, 2009

Better Together: The Call for People with and without Disabilities to Worship, Serve, Learn, and Live Alongside Each Other

This presentation addressed practical ways congregations can have a real impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their families living in their community and to make worship more accessible to everyone.

Audio Audio | January 01, 2009

Sunday Morning Worship: Who's not there and why not?

As churches work toward full, conscious and active participation in liturgy, some are noticing patterns of worship attendance. They're reaching out to those absent from Sunday morning worship. A feature story focused on Sunday worship attendance.

Feature Story Feature Story | October 29, 2008

Becoming a Veteran-friendly Church: Pacifists can do this too

How can churches follow the Prince of Peace and yet minister to warriors? Military chaplains and veterans say that this dilemma keeps many congregations from including war concerns in worship or ministering to soldiers and families. A feature story exploring how churches can become veteran-friendly.

Feature Story Feature Story | October 15, 2008

Church Military Support that Any Congregation Can Do

Even if you agree that churches should reach out to armed forces members and their families, you might think your church isn't up to the job. But don't discount what your congregation can do in military ministry.

Feature Story Feature Story | October 15, 2008

Healing in Worship: Hospitality that welcomes everyone as they are

Though you might associate "heal" with "cure," healing in worship is broader. Whether through prayer, hospitality, communion, or laying on hands, it helps people become more whole.

Feature Story Feature Story | February 01, 2008

Overcoming Challenges to Racial and Ethnic Diversity

By looking at successfully diverse churches across the nation, this session revealed critical attitudes for cultivating a hospitable church, perspectives on recent immigration and the neighborhood church, and experiments on musical variety and global awareness.

Audio Audio | January 01, 2008

Hospitality Is Messy

These days hospitality may most often be associated with a Martha Stewart-esque home decor complete with fluffed pillows and fresh flowers placed just so. In Scripture, though, it means something quite different than creating the perfect environment. Instead, hospitality refers to creating a space in which relationships can develop.

Article Article | September 01, 2007

Providence, Preaching, and Pastoral Care

In this session philosopher John Cooper presented key points in the theology and philosophy that undergirds our understanding of God's providential care in a world where terrible things happen all the time. Why do bad things happen to good people? Scott Hoezee connected these thoughts to the pastoral care that preachers can provide from the pulpit. This session aimed to be both rigorously thoughtful and pastorally practical for the life of the church.

Audio Audio | January 01, 2007

How to Welcome Guest Preachers

The way your church welcomes - or fails to welcome - a guest preacher also says something about how visitors experience your church. And if you're the pulpit supply, the way you prepare makes a big difference. A feature story exploring how to welcome guest preachers.

Feature Story Feature Story | October 13, 2006

Profile: How to Prepare When You're the Pulpit Supply

There’s no need to sit back and wait for a congregation to clue you in about your upcoming guest sermon arrangements. Take the initiative to find information that will help you enter a new church feeling confident, prepared, and on time to bring God’s Word.

Feature Story Feature Story | October 13, 2006

All God's Children Have Gifts: Disability and worship

How do you recognize each other's gifts and support each other's needs while avoiding a "you're not like us"? attitude? A feature story exploring ways to be inclusive in worship and make room for those with or without special needs.

Feature Story Feature Story | January 06, 2006