Resource Search Results

A Coherent Ritual Life

What do our daily habits of home and work have to do with weddings, baptisms, or the Lord’s Supper? Dru Johnson and Cory Willson trace the biblical lines of ritual thinking, from the field, office, and factory to worship in the sanctuary and waters of baptism. Recording from the session held in July 2022.

Video | November 09, 2022

New Worship Songs for Climate Change and Creation Care

Our 2017 annotated list of worship songs about care for creation remains so popular that we have compiled a new list of worship songs to lament climate change and encourage creation care. Many of these songs and hymns have been released since 2018. Others are new to various English-speaking audiences because they come from international hymnals and organizations.

Feature Story | November 07, 2022

Artistic Engagement and Leadership Formation: A Conversation with Stephen Martin

In this edited conversation, Stephen Martin discusses the role of creativity, collaboration, and intergenerational connections in empowering young worship leaders.

Conversation | October 31, 2022

Kenneth L. Wallace Jr. on Multiethnic Worship

Multiethnic worship includes but is much more than singing songs from diverse cultures. An ethnodoxologist who identifies as African American Choctaw Pawnee says you need to know your own culture’s stories and gifts to share with and receive from Christians in other cultures.

Conversation | October 25, 2022

Equipping Youth for Church Leadership: A Conversation with Chason Disheroon

In this edited conversation, Chason Disheroon of Baylor University discusses the joys and challenges of empowering youth to lead worship in their local congregations.

Conversation | October 19, 2022

Recommended Songs for Reformation Day or All Saints' Day Worship Services

In every time and place, imperfect and broken people who have been made saints through Jesus Christ are called to offer their gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the body of Christ.

Resource Guide | October 13, 2022

Bridging the Gap Between Youth Ministry and Worship Ministry: A Conversation with Emily Andrews and Mallory Johnson

In this edited conversation, Emily Andrews, executive director of the Center for Worship and the Arts at Samford University, and Mallory Johnson, a student at Beeson Divinity School, discuss the role of mentoring and training in promoting teen leadership in public worship.

Conversation | October 07, 2022

Nikki Toyama-Szeto on Hoping in God Despite Injustice

Individuals and congregations sometimes despair while working for justice. Sometimes they forget that although God invites us to join in justice work, God remains in charge of changing the world. That’s why it’s crucial for justice seekers to stay rooted in Christian community and worship.

Conversation | September 19, 2022

David Lemley on Becoming What We Sing

David Lemley’s book "Becoming What We Sing: Formation through Contemporary Worship Music" recognizes that contemporary worship music [CWM] helps Christians around the world feel close to God. Lemley looks at whether or how CWM moves worshipers from adoration to participation in the mission of God’s church.

Conversation | September 14, 2022

Rebekah Eklund on Practicing Lament

Congregations become more relevant and biblical when they follow the Bible’s lead in bringing lament into worship. Rebekah Eklund’s book "Practicing Lament" shows churches, small groups, and individuals how to voice penitential lament and protesting lament. Learning to practice lament can reconnect people with God and help churches grow in “members of one body” solidarity.

Conversation | August 22, 2022

Bibliography - Children and Worship

A bibliography of resources about children and worship

Article | Bibliography | August 11, 2022

Let the Children Come

Splitting into age-divided worship each Sunday doesn't necessarily result in kids who go on to choose worship as adults. That's why pastors are talking about intergenerational worship.

Feature Story | August 03, 2022

Children and Worship Showcase

A showcase highlighting the importance of including children in meaningful ways in worship, both in the main worship space and in other age-appropriate, unique worship spaces.

Topic Showcase | August 03, 2022

Discipleship, Faith Formation, and Belonging in Worship: A Conversation with Chris Schoon and Elizabeth Tamez Méndez

In this conversation, Chris Schoon, director of Faith Formation Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church of North America, explores with Elizabeth Tamez Méndez the importance of equipping congregations and parents to embrace children and youth as full image bearers and active participants in worship, for the well-being of the intergenerational community.

Conversation | Video | August 01, 2022

Resources by N.T. Wright Related to Christian Public Worship

Nicholas Thomas Wright, known as N. T. Wright or Tom Wright, is an English New Testament scholar, Pauline theologian and Anglican bishop. He was the bishop of Durham from 2003 to 2010. He served as research professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary's College in the University of St Andrews in Scotland until 2019, when he became a senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford.

Audio | Video | July 19, 2022

N.T. Wright on Christian Public Worship

In this series of 14 videos, Tom Wright and John D. Witvliet explore key terms in public worship drawn from scripture in order to offer fresh insights for consideration.

Video | July 13, 2022

Five Tips on Using Digital Tech to Engage Virtual and In-Person Worshipers

Whether you call it virtual worship or online worship, some people will continue to join worship remotely even as others joyfully return to church buildings. Here are five tips for using digital technology as a “both/and” option for hybrid worship services.

Article | June 16, 2022

Pandemic Worship Changes Worth Keeping

So much has changed about church worship since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, soared, waned, and resurges. Those pandemic-forced pivots have created worship opportunities that have helped congregations adapt, find unity amid division, and pursue justice.

Feature Story | June 16, 2022

Paul’s Letter to the Colossians

A reflection on the preaching texts for the 2023 Calvin Symposium on Worship

Reflection | June 15, 2022

A Pastor and Photographer on Creating "God Moments" in Worship

When the pandemic prevented in-person worship, First Church of Windsor, Connecticut, learned how to create liturgical art installations and videos that moved hearts and minds even during virtual and hybrid worship.

Conversation | June 13, 2022