Resource Search Results

Psalms Retreats Invite Vulnerability, Build Hope and Trust

When a congregation in Long Beach, California, designed a psalms retreat as part of a worship renewal grant, they had no idea how it would grow and blossom. Engaging with psalms of confession, praise and thanksgiving, lament, and hope and trust has helped hundreds of Christians develop a new language of prayer.

Feature Story | September 12, 2023

Keith M. Douds on Creating Safe Space for Church Groups

Church retreats, church governance meetings, and church small groups require honesty, vulnerability, and transparency to collectively draw closer to God. Psychologist Keith M. Douds explains how and when to step in with grace and preserve safety so that everyone has a chance to share and be listened to.

Conversation | September 01, 2023

Nikki Toyama-Szeto on Hoping in God Despite Injustice

Individuals and congregations sometimes despair while working for justice. Sometimes they forget that although God invites us to join in justice work, God remains in charge of changing the world. That’s why it’s crucial for justice seekers to stay rooted in Christian community and worship.

Conversation | September 19, 2022

Visio Divina: Sacred Seeing to Encounter God

Just as lectio divina invites people to meditate on scripture, visio divina helps people pray with art. Visio divina, which translates as “divine seeing,” uses silence and images to help worshipers reflect and respond to God in ways other than listening to a sermon or singing praise songs.

Feature Story | November 03, 2021

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

Leopoldo A. Sánchez M. on Sculptor Spirit

It is impossible to become more like Jesus on your own. A new book offers five ways to recognize how the same Spirit who worked in Jesus’ life can shape us to be more Christlike.

Conversation | December 10, 2019

Tim Shapiro on How Your Congregation Learns

Many congregations suspect they need to change but don’t know how. Tim Shapiro’s book describes eight steps that healthy congregations can take to learn together. These learning journey stages have parallels to elements of Christian worship.

Conversation | November 12, 2019

Godspeed: Holy Pacing for Faithful Ministry

2019 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Seminar

Audio | May 15, 2019

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

Revelation 21-27: The New Heaven and Earth

A worship service held at Worship Symposium 2017

Video | March 13, 2017

L. Gregory Jones on Traditioned Innovation in Worship

Worship conversations change when you choose to see tradition as a lively center from which to innovate. This provides common ground between those who fear change and those who overvalue change.

Conversation | March 11, 2016

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

Six Tips on Teaching Worship in Seminaries

Two seminaries seek the sweet spot among worship classes and chapel services. They aim to produce ministers ready to lead worshipers in full, conscious, active participation.

Feature Story | August 29, 2014

John Huizinga on Worship Change Accountability

John Huizinga is pastor of Lombard Christian Reformed Church in Lombard, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. He works to develop leaders within the congregation to take ownership of various church ministries.

Conversation | August 04, 2014

Combining Two Worship Services Renews Congregation

Lombard Christian Reformed Church in metro Chicago used to have both a traditional service and a contemporary service. Now everyone attends a single, Sunday-morning service. It’s not blended worship. Instead, the worship renewal results from slowly and yet actively responding to the Holy Spirit.

Feature Story | August 04, 2014

C. J. Newendorp on Ancient-Future Church Renewal

C.J. Newendorp is a pastoral intern at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, California, and an MDiv student, class of 2015, at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Conversation | August 04, 2014

Kathy Smith on Getting the Most from the Calvin Symposium on Worship

Kathy Smith is associate director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and manager of grant programs. She speaks at conferences, seminars, and churches around the world. In this edited conversation, she explains how to prepare for, experience, and benefit from the annual Calvin Symposium on Worship.

Conversation | November 15, 2012

Coop's Column - Spirit at Work: Power to Make Our Lives Anew

When, as part of their Sunday worship, Jesus' followers join to declare, "I believe in the Holy Spirit," they’re saying a mouthful - a large mouthful.

Reflection | May 31, 2011

Come to Me and Rest - Psalm 23, Matthew 11 - sermon notes

Sermon notes about rest, renewal and restoration.

Worship Service | February 24, 2011

Come to Me and Rest - Psalm 23, Matthew 11

A service plan for Lent focused on the message of rest, renewal and restoration in Psalm 23 and also being conscious of the restlessness and agitation that so often mark our lives. Part of a Lenten series focused on "Walking with God through Psalm 23."

Worship Service | June 01, 2005