Resource Search Results

Being the Bridge Between Community and Church in Nepal

Higher Ground Nepal is a social enterprise that includes people from all walks of life in Nepal. Proselytizing is not allowed in Nepal, but when people see others living as the genuine presence of Christ in people’s situations, it makes a difference.

Feature Story | September 02, 2024

Celebrating Christian Worship with Lament in Nepal

Nepali Reformed Churches pastor Arbin Pokharel often describes worship as helping worshipers reenact their identity as God’s people. Doing so honestly means including hospitality, healing, prayer, celebration, and lament.

Feature Story | September 02, 2024

Lent Resource Guide

This list of Lenten art, music, devotions, liturgies, books, and sermons will help you plan worship for Lent and includes resources for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.

Resource Guide | February 20, 2023

Trauma-Informed Care in Church Worship and Life

This topic showcase highlights resources to help churches use trauma-informed practices in church worship and congregational life. Faith communities are more effective when they become more aware of adverse childhood experiences, collective trauma, and other tragedy.

Topic Showcase | March 24, 2020

Becoming a Trauma-Informed Faith Community

Resources to help churches and other faith communities do ministry with people affected by adverse childhood experiences or other trauma.

Topic Showcase | March 19, 2020

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

Mandy Smith on The Vulnerable Pastor

Christian leaders, especially pastors, sometimes feel bad about the gap between their ideal of Christlike ministry and the reality. Pastor Mandy Smith explains that honestly accepting vulnerabilities and human limitations makes room for God’s strength to be revealed in people and congregations.

Conversation | November 05, 2019

Seven Self-Care Tips for Clergy Who Engage Trauma

Clergy and other church leaders called to engage trauma must also practice self-care, or they will burn out and be less effective in helping those who need to address and heal from trauma. These tips help congregants as well, relieving pressure on clergy and church leaders.

Article | October 30, 2019

Anthony L. Bennett on Engaging Trauma in Sermons

Many urban pastors deal with trauma. Some preach without benefit of pay or formal training. This Baptist church gathered its associate ministers monthly to learn about trauma and exegete Scripture to engage people hungry for healing and justice.

Conversation | October 30, 2019

Sherrye Willis and Angela Johnson on Faith-Based Healing from Trauma

Ten African American churches in Texas are focusing on helping youth understand and heal from trauma. This knowledge helps adults become more aware of their own trauma and is changing worship practices.

Conversation | October 15, 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

When Helping Heals: Affirming Global Service in our Churches

Providing charitable support and development assistance to people in need can and does work, but, like any important activity, we must learn how to do it well.

Article | August 22, 2017

When Helping Heals: An Economist and Political Scientist Affirm Global Service

Is it possible to work in international development without hurting those we are helping?

Audio | July 05, 2017

The Economies of Pentecost: Postcolonial Reflections on Pastoral Care, Healing, and Christian Worship

An annotated research guide from the field of practical theology, focusing on pastoral care and the African American experience

Resource Guide | February 24, 2017

Tom Swieringa on Cooperating in Intercessory Prayer

Tom Swieringa co-leads Wyoming Kingdom Enterprise Zone, a church multiplication initiative by Reformed and Christian Reformed churches in Wyoming, Michigan. He has pastored and planted churches in Iowa, Michigan, South Dakota, and Texas. In this edited conversation, he talks about cooperating with God in intercessory prayer, during worship and beyond.

Conversation | October 26, 2012

Healing and Worship

The season of Lent is a good time to be intentional about incorporating prayers for healing into worship and to offer a special service of prayers for healing and restoration.

Article | March 10, 2011

Service Order of Prayers for Healing

A useful resource to order a service for prayers of healing

Article | March 10, 2011

Music and Worship Help Heal Northern Ireland

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is using music and worship to overcome the legacy of "the Trouble" in Northern Ireland. You can apply their insights to political and other differences that divide Christians in your context. A feature story exploring the role of music and worship in healing.

Feature Story | June 19, 2009

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 | February 01, 2008

Worship in Difficult Times

All congregations experience crises, transitions, and conflicts. Worship will be affected by these difficult times, and can be the place where healing begins and continues.

Audio | January 01, 2007