Resource Search Results

How Hymnody Can Help Diversify Contemporary Worship

Contemporary-worship congregations are rediscovering hymns as treasuries of theological depth that express the full range of emotions and Scripture. Singing hymns together helps people connect across generations and cultures.

Feature Story | March 13, 2023

Sharing Hymn Stories Invites Worshipers into Experience

Knowing more about the hymns they are singing helps worshipers feel more connected to God and each other in the universal body of Christ that spans all times and places.

Feature Story | February 07, 2023

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

Singing the Congregation: How Contemporary Worship Music Forms Evangelical Community

We warmly encourage you to engage the book chapter content by posting your insights and wisdom on this page and to read and reflect on the responses posted by others. We look forward to being a global learning community.

Book Excerpt | December 02, 2020

Worship and the World to Come: Exploring Christian Hope in Contemporary Worship

We warmly encourage you to engage the book chapter content by posting your insights and wisdom on this page and to read and reflect on the responses posted by others. We look forward to being a global learning community.

Book Excerpt | October 27, 2020

Where Two or Three (Thousand) are Gathered: The Evolution and Influence of American Megachurch Worship

2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

Video | March 06, 2020

A Tale of Two Rivers: What's Happened in Seventy Years of Contemporary Praise and Worship

2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

Audio | March 05, 2020

Birgitta Johnson on New African American Ecumenical Hymnal

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism is a new Protestant hymnal compiled by a core committee of worship arts ministers and scholars. It goes deep and wide into the multiple streams of black Christian music and worship.

Conversation | January 07, 2019

Birgitta Johnson on Praise and Worship Music

Praise and worship music can lift worshipers’ hearts to God and unite people across culture, religious tradition, and background. But the genre is not meant to be the only kind of music in a congregation’s repertoire.

Conversation | January 07, 2019

Eddie Espinosa on Changes in Contemporary Worship Music

Eddie Espinosa, composer of “Change My Heart, O God,” explains why those who lead worship need to cultivate heart holiness.

Conversation | August 22, 2018

Hidden Secrets from the History of Contemporary Worship

Led by Lester Ruth, this workshop investigates little-known but significant details about the rise and development of this style of worship. Come ready to be surprised about contemporary worship’s complex history.

Audio | May 09, 2018

Serious Play: Insights from Augustine and Other Friends from the Early Church on Leading Worship and Administering Sacraments

Led by Lester Ruth, this workshop explored insights from Augustine and others in the early church that can break open playful, Scriptural imagination for leading in worship.

Audio | May 09, 2018

Beyond “Contemporary” and “Traditional”: Clues to Finding a Third Way

The gulf between “contemporary” and “traditional” worship is sometimes bridged through the pursuit of what some might call the “awkwardly blended” service.

Audio | April 12, 2018

When the Music Fades: The Overlooked Facets of Contemporary Worship's Historical Development

A conversation between Lester Ruth and John Witvliet about contemporary worship, trinitarian lyrics, and the dynamics of church renewal.

Video | May 11, 2017

Christian Worship in North America and Asia

Ecumenical, post-colonial perspectives on varieties of contemporary songs

Video | May 11, 2017

Marcelo Villanueva on Authentic Worship in Argentina

More people are training to lead music and worship in Protestant churches in Argentina. As in churches elsewhere, they must balance using popular songs from other cultures with creating music that helps worshipers live out their faith in the real world.

Conversation | March 23, 2017

From Generation to Generation: Many Voices Singing the One Body

Two hymn writers and collaborators, one Roman Catholic and one Protestant, representing different generations, explore how the demographic, ethnic and denominational differences of contemporary American culture offer challenges and opportunities in crafting new, relevant and faithful song for Christian communities.

Video | March 08, 2017