1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
What does Paul mean when he says "count others as more significant than yourselves" in Philippians 2:3? In the modern culture of self-actualization, doesn't this sound like self-denigration? Even more significantly, how precisely can we as Christians demonstrate this mindset, particularly, in the context of Sunday worship? How does this affect one of the critical components of service--the proclamation of the word? This presentation explores the necessity of self-sacrifice in the process of proclaiming and hearing the word, as well as the implications for preparation prior to that proclamation and consequence of ethics and disposition post proclamation. What self-sacrifice is required prior to proclamation for either the pastor or laity and what self-sacrifice results in light of the sermon? The Christ-like mindset of self-emptying will be explored from several dimensions of community life, especially in light of the centrality of God's word on Sunday morning.
Pastor-scholar Andrew Wilkes shares how his worshiping community, Double Love Experience Church, prayed and sang the psalms during the troubling times of 2020. The psalms gave them language and support for praise and lament, and Wilkes asserts that lament is the evidence of faith because we are bringing our troubles to God.
Author and pastor-scholar David Taylor shares how he came to appreciate the psalms and how he encourages people to bring their full, unedited selves to God in prayer and experience a richer and more honest life of faith.
Old Testament scholar Nancy deClaissé-Walford has spent her career studying the ordering of the Psalter. Most of the psalms, she says, are not tied to a particular situation, allowing us to sing and pray them honestly in our own contexts.
Pastor-scholar Andrew Wilkes shares how his worshiping community, Double Love Experience Church, prayed and sang the psalms during the troubling times of 2020. The psalms gave them language and support for praise and lament, and Wilkes asserts that lament is the evidence of faith because we are bringing our troubles to God.
Author and pastor-scholar David Taylor shares how he came to appreciate the psalms and how he encourages people to bring their full, unedited selves to God in prayer and experience a richer and more honest life of faith.
Old Testament scholar Nancy deClaissé-Walford has spent her career studying the ordering of the Psalter. Most of the psalms, she says, are not tied to a particular situation, allowing us to sing and pray them honestly in our own contexts.
A Psalm Talk by Jared E. Alcántara recorded at the 2026 Psalms 150 conference, with a visual prayer and embodied response from artist Dea Jenkins.
