Resource Search Results

Traditional Keerthanai Concert with English Translations

This Manamahizh Keerthani Kuzhu concert in India includes Tamil-language Christian keerthanai praise and devotional songs sung in the traditional manner. Group members sang in Tamil but translated the lyrics into English.

Article | May 02, 2024

Tamil Christians Revive Keerthanai Music

Christians in South India are reviving keerthanais, poems of Christian praise and devotion sung in the Tamil language. They are working to bring this cultural expression back into church worship

Feature Story | May 02, 2024

Susheila Williams: Using the Arts to Express Tamil Christianity in India

Susheila Williams, a scholar, painter, and music enthusiast, draws on her native language and culture to express Tamil Christianity in India. She uses her education, privilege, and biblical faith to improve the lives of women, especially those who are most marginalized.

Feature Story | May 02, 2024

Anne Emile Zaki on Global Growth in Mutual Learning

An Egyptian seminary professor and preacher explains the importance of “a posture of general humility” so that global Christians can learn from and worship with each other.

Conversation | February 01, 2024

Decades-Long Spiritual Formation

An international pastoral leader, a public theologian, and a young scholar explain how the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has impacted them—and made room for them to influence CICW and others.

Feature Story | February 01, 2024

Intergenerational Worship in Global Contexts

Psalm 148 describes a compelling vision of “young and old together” in worship. In every cultural context, there are unique challenges and opportunities in realizing this vision. Come learn from leaders from four continents about how each generation is invited to participate and contribute to worship—and what barriers, challenges, and changes they are experiencing in their contexts. Come away with new questions to ask about your context—and cross-cultural wisdom to share.

Video | February 08, 2023

Kai Ton Chau on Worship and Culture Worldwide

Kai Ton Chau teaches Calvin University students to articulate different cultural values so they can discuss and appreciate diverse forms of Christian worship. You can do something similar in your school, church, or worship context to build cultural intelligence among Christians.

Conversation | September 27, 2021

How Music Deepens Participation in the Lord's Supper and Baptisms: Insights from Global Cultures

2019 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Seminar

Audio | April 12, 2019

Christian Worship in North America and Asia

Ecumenical, post-colonial perspectives on varieties of contemporary songs

Video | May 11, 2017

Music from African-American Traditions for Use in Any Congregation

One of the remarkable stories about music that has emerged out of African-American communities is its reception in communities of diverse cultural backgrounds all over the world.

Audio | February 15, 2017

A Sweet Sound: Absorbing God's Word in the Language of the Heart

What changes when a person hears God’s Word in their own language as opposed to their second or third language? How does the translation of key theological terms into a person's mother tongue change their understanding?

Audio | February 14, 2017

The Evangelical Mosaic: Patterns and Tensions in 21st Century Worship

How do we communicate the relevance of Scripture? How do we engage music and the arts? How does our worship connect with our witness in the world?

Audio | February 14, 2017

Victoria Emily Jones on Gazing as a Spiritual Practice

Though she is passionate about Christian art, especially visual art, Victoria Emily Jones knows that congregations are full of “non-art” people. Her blog aims to help people of faith interpret, enjoy and use art in worship and private devotions.

Conversation | December 14, 2016

'Glocal' Worship: Experiencing the fullness of Christ

Come and find out ways to experience the ‘All Nations’ in the context of local ministry.

Audio | March 04, 2016

Music in Culture, Music in Worship: Different Roles and Goals

Someone on social media recently sent out a photo of two young boys lost in worship. This photo reminded me of John Calvin’s famous words, “My heart I offer to you Lord, promptly and sincerely.”

Article | December 18, 2014

Celebrating Christmas in Pakistan

The month of December brings joyful tidings across the world as more than two billion people anticipate celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25 although the Orthodox churches celebrate 12 days later.

Article | December 10, 2014

Sing Your Prayers for the Worldwide Church

These resources will help you combine songs and prayers so your whole congregation can pray together for global Christians and international issues.

Article | April 28, 2014

Public Intercessory Prayer that Renews Worship

Want a no-cost, non-controversial way to renew worship for all ages in your congregation? Start praying for the worldwide church.

Feature Story | April 28, 2014

Wise Church: Learning from the World-Wide Church

Whether in Toledo, Toronto, Taipei, Tehran, or Tegucigalpa, worship of the Triune God has many commonalities, and followers of Jesus have much to learn from one another.

Audio | February 27, 2014

Singing Songs from the Global South in a North American Church Context

In this workshop we will sing songs of faith from around the world, share experiences of learning to sing these songs by reflecting together on how to meet the challenges of introducing foreign languages, alternate instrumentation and movement in a predominantly Euro-North American context.

Audio | February 21, 2014