Resource Search Results

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

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

Toronto Designers on Visual Cues to God's Time

First Christian Reformed Church of Toronto, Ontario, planned a worship grant connecting color and the liturgical year. They invited the congregation into the biblical story by collaborating on a permanent artwork. Then the pandemic prevented them from entering the church building. The landscape architect and the architect who led the grant say that this pivot turned out to be a good thing.

Conversation | April 19, 2022

Joyce Ann Zimmerman on 14 Years of Evaluating Vital Worship Grants

During her 14 years on Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s Grants Advisory Board, Joyce Ann Zimmerman evaluated 1,345 grant proposals. She describes essentials of a good grant project.

Conversation | November 09, 2018

Creative, Collaborative Worship

Led by artist Ellen Phillips, this workshop was a time to explore collaborative methods as well as to share ideas for the art of worship.

Audio | May 09, 2018

How Worship Change Happened at American Lutheran Church

This once-aging, now-thriving Lutheran congregation became more comfortable with worship changes by using visuals and stories, reading books together, and sharing over meals.

Feature Story | August 18, 2017

Short Songs: Deepening Our Participation in Worship

Read this viewing guide to find out how you might benefit from watching a one-hour session by Alison Adam, “Short Songs: Deepening Our Participation in Worship.”

Video | March 07, 2017

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Your Church

With one in 68 individuals being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is likely that your worshiping community already includes someone with ASD. If you are a pastor, worship leader, musician, church school teacher, or church volunteer, discover specific ways to identify, interact with, and worship with persons with ASD.

Audio | February 15, 2017

David G. Myers on Hearing Loss in Worship: An Invisible Disability

The older you get, the more likely you are to lose hearing. Most hearing aids and cochlear implants now come with telecoils. Your church can install hearing loop systems that deliver customized sound directly from microphones into T-coil hearing aids.

Conversation | September 15, 2016

Barbara J. Newman on Visual Hospitality in Worship: More than Large Print

The older you get, the more likely you are to experience visual loss. Disability and advocacy expert Barbara J. Newman describes sight-related worship changes that benefit the church as a whole.

Conversation | August 09, 2016

Nancy Foran on a “Wisdom of Our Elders” Service

Residents of senior living facilities often are treated as recipients of worship services presented by visiting groups. Nancy Foran offers an alternative design to receive and honor the wisdom of older adults.

Conversation | August 02, 2016

Stephen Martin on Music that Wakes Up Older Minds

Your students or small group can use hymns and Christian songs to design meaningful personalized worship for older adults living in their own homes or in care facilities.

Conversation | August 02, 2016

Seven Easy Crosses to Make and Use in Worship

Linda Witte Henke describes seven easy ideas for participatory worship with crosses.

Article | December 08, 2015

Seven Models: Collaborative Visual Arts Projects for Worship

Linda Witte Henke describes seven ways for artists and teams to work together in designing visual arts used in worship.

Feature Story | December 08, 2015

Four Essentials for Multicultural Worship

Churches can become more multicultural through traditioned innovation based on prayer, intention, hospitality and discomfort.

Feature Story | October 09, 2015

Jonathan Brooks on Ministering with the Community

The pastor of a church where love makes the difference explains why they no longer do outreach ministry.

Conversation | August 04, 2015

Universal Design, Vertical Habits and Inclusive Worship

Universal design and Vertical Habits help create church worship that touches all our senses and is accessible to all worshipers.

Feature Story | July 01, 2015

Larry Visser on Wedding Music

Here is guidance on what to consider when choosing wedding music for the prelude, procession, ceremony, recession and postlude.

Conversation | June 16, 2015

More Inclusion = Deeply Meaningful Worship

The lessons learned at two seminaries that renewed their chapel worship services can make a big difference in your congregation.

Feature Story | August 29, 2014

Musician Sally Ann Morris on Seminarians Learning Worship

Sally Ann Morris is the chapel musician at Wake Forest University School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She’s involved with each of Wake Div’s twice-weekly, 45-minute chapel services.

Conversation | August 29, 2014