Published on
October 29, 2020
Video length
58 mins
We have been and are living in a time of upheaval, fear, unrest, and finally so much death. The pandemic has in many places revealed cracks in the veneer of civilization, casting into bold relief the social and economic inequities that run like fault lines through most societies. Racially motivated violence, including at the hands of police forces, have unleashed deep desires for reform and for justice for all people. In and through it all, believers everywhere cry for reassurance, for comfort, for a hope that points to a better path ahead.

A Conversation on Preaching from the book of Romans with Eric Barreto, Mary Hulst, Najla Kassab, Luke Powery, Anne Zaki, moderated by Scott Hoezee

The Symposium on Worship 2021 is not going to look or feel like any past events as the pandemic moves us to new online platforms and events. But we still want to anchor ourselves to a text for some of our worship services and this year Romans 8 seemed right. Few chapters contain such soaring words of both Gospel comfort as well as Gospel hope. We have the comfort and assurance of salvation and of no condemnation in Christ and we have the Spirit to transform us and, through us, to transform our lives and maybe even our societies in these unsettled, broken times. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, Paul shouts and sings at the end of Romans 8. And nothing can keep us from comfort, assurance, hope and yes, also joy during even these difficult days.

Additional resources for preaching during a pandemic from Zeteo Preaching and Worship

Recent Media Resources

The Voice of the Psalms: Sounding Scripture in Contemporary Contexts

This panel considers the psalms as a source of artistic and theological engagement, exploring how musicians and songwriters draw from these ancient texts to navigate the emotional complexity of the human experience. Through diverse musical approaches and cultural perspectives, the panelists will consider how the psalms continue to resonate in modern contexts by offering language for lament and praise, shaping liturgical practice, and fostering resilience in both personal and communal experience.

July 28, 2026 | 71 min video
Roadmap for the Rummage Sale: Latina/o Theology for Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Faith

“Deconstruction” is a popular term among young people who grew up in the Christian church. In this public lecture, Robert Chao Romero will consider the challenge of widespread deconstruction while offering a hopeful path forward. Expanding on Phyllis Tickle’s analogy of the church having a rummage sale of ideas every few centuries, Romero invites us to consider the contributions of Latina/o theology and the history of the Brown Church as valuable resources for reconstruction on the other side of deconstruction.

July 28, 2026 | 80 min video
Singing the Psalms as a Spiritual Practice for Resilience

In this workshop, the McGrath family and Kiran Young Wimberly will discuss how spiritual practices, particularly singing the psalms, can build resilience in our lives. In a retreat-like experience, interwoven with psalms set to Celtic music, we will sing together as we reflect on what brings us joy, strength, and hope so we can flourish in the face of daily challenges.

July 27, 2026 | 75 min video