Resource Search Results

Becoming People of Refugia

Extreme weather, declining church influence, and environmental protests affect Christians around the world. Debra Rienstra explains why the biological concept of refugia offers a metaphor for seeing the Spirit at work despite deep disturbances in God's creation and among God's people.

Feature Story | August 30, 2021

Chaplaincy Changes during COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has raised the profile of chaplains and profoundly affected how they do their work. Learn how you and your congregation can pray for chaplains and those they serve.

Feature Story | May 12, 2021

Lucie Eddie Campbell: A Mother of Gospel Music

James Abbington was inspired to insert an old gospel song before the eulogy at the funeral for baseball star Henry “Hank” Aaron. The reaction prompted him to honor the heritage of Lucie E. Campbell, an influential Black gospel musician whom many people have forgotten.

Feature Story | May 11, 2021

Faith Communities and Safe Dwelling Places

Philosopher and author Lee Hardy noticed derelict buildings near his church for decades before realizing that faith-based communities have valuable resources to address the affordable housing crisis.

Feature Story | March 01, 2021

Six Earthkeeping Conversation Tips

Since Christians disagree on climate change, you may think it’s best to agree to disagree. But these six tips can help you find common ground for taking positive action. It all starts with conversation.

Feature Story | January 05, 2021

Creation’s Sabbath

Economic lockdowns and pauses during the coronavirus pandemic offer glimpses of a renewed world. Despite COVID-19’s horrific effects, Christians can choose to reframe their lives in light of the sabbath rest that God intends for all creation.

Feature Story | January 05, 2021

Psalm 9 (and others): God’s Grand Story and the Communion Cross

This interpretation of portions of Psalm 9 and various other psalms was created and submitted by Barbara Sartorius Bjelland and focuses on how God’s grand story of redemption of all creation is woven into the psalms.

Feature Story | Image | December 23, 2020

How to Learn Well in Online Courses: An Invitation to Conversation

Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary offer short-term online courses for lifelong learners. Besides engaging content to address key ministry challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the courses invite students and instructors into a culture of curiosity where they can learn from each other.

Feature Story | November 09, 2020

Church Responses to Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy Loss

After decades of silence, church leaders and congregations have begun accompanying people who mourn losing children before or soon after birth or letting go of dreams to form a family.

Feature Story | June 02, 2020

Intergenerational Worship Model Based on Scripture and Story

Residents of senior living communities often feel cut off from church life. Meanwhile, congregations often feel segregated by age. This participatory intergenerational worship model brings people together around Scripture and life stories.

Feature Story | January 06, 2020

When Local Churches Learn and Worship Together

Four congregations in Durham, North Carolina, discovered that planning worship, learning, and reflecting together helped them be better witnesses in their East Durham neighborhood.

Feature Story | November 26, 2019

Trauma-Informed Worship: Address Trauma to Begin Healing

Most pastors realize that people come to church with deep fears, sorrows, and concerns that often remain unexpressed in worship. But because Mount Aery Baptist Church has worked to become a trauma-informed congregation, its worship services are becoming a communal place of healing.

Feature Story | November 12, 2019

Trauma-Informed Congregations and Worship: Being Made Whole

Becoming a trauma-informed congregation means helping people learn, talk, and grieve about what happened to them. Worship can provide a safe space for people to nurture trusting relationships and accept God's healing grace.

Feature Story | October 02, 2019

Curriculum Prepares People to Talk about Racial Reconciliation

Arrabon’s Race, Class, and the Kingdom of God curriculum gives small groups the shared knowledge, language, and practices to effectively address deep cultural tensions and divisions.

Feature Story | August 19, 2019

Four Ways to Mentor Worship Leaders

Four church leaders describe how they train and mentor worship leaders in their contexts. They try to identify gifts and to make room for everyone no matter their immigration status, age, or gender.

Feature Story | August 16, 2019

Round Three: Ordination Best Practices for Priests, Ministers, Elders, and Deacons

For our final round of ordination resources, we consulted five experts from five more traditions. Their best practices will help you understand the significance of ordaining people as bishops, priests, ministers, elders, and deacons.

Feature Story | March 14, 2019

How Singing through the Psalms Reveals the Excellence of Jesus

Singing through the entire book of Psalms helped Wasilla Bible Church expand its lyrical breadth. This shared Scriptural repertoire is pointing people of all ages toward Jesus.

Feature Story | February 25, 2019

Worship that Cares for People Pastorally

You may think of pastoral care mainly as personal visits to someone’s hospital room or home. But Howard Vanderwell wrote that the entire worship service has “powerful potential for caring for worshipers’ needs.” His book Caring Worship: Helping Worship Leaders Provide Pastoral Care through the Liturgy explains how.

Feature Story | February 13, 2019

Four Types of Advent and Christmas Eve Services: Which Have You Tried?

Experimenting with a different Advent or Christmas Eve worship format may help worshipers connect with the joy and wonder of Christ’s birth. Blue Christmas, Christmas pageants, Las Posadas, or lessons and carols make room for emotions, movement, culture, and people’s gifts.

Feature Story | November 15, 2018

Multicultural Congregations Meet for Combined Worship Services

Three church groups started out as separate congregations sharing one building. Now regularly-scheduled joint worship helps them see themselves as members of one body in Christ.

Feature Story | July 06, 2018

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship