1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
As worship leaders, we need to understand each of these aspects of our local church's "worship culture" in order to choose and adapt worship resources that engage the mind, heart, and spirit of our congregation members. This workshop introduces models and methods from the social sciences, including ethnography, interviewing, and structured observation, that we can use to explore these dynamics within our congregations. It then highlights practical ways how we can use the insights we glean from these methods to more deeply understand and engage our congregations.
View the PowerPoint slides from the presentation.
View the handout on Forming and Asking Interview Questions.
View the handout on Components of a "Worship Culture".
Psalm Talk by Amanda Benckhuysen, recorded at the 2026 Psalms 150 conference, with a visual prayer and embodied response from Dea Jenkins.
A Psalm Talk by Terry M. Wildman and Darlene Wildman on the creation of the First Nations Version of the Bible, with a visual prayer and embodied response led by Dea Jenkins.
An interview with award-winning artist and celebrated painter Joel Schoon-Tanis on the process and creation of his painting "Psalm 1: Growing Trees" at Psalms 150: A Conference Experience.
Psalm Talk by Amanda Benckhuysen, recorded at the 2026 Psalms 150 conference, with a visual prayer and embodied response from Dea Jenkins.
A Psalm Talk by Terry M. Wildman and Darlene Wildman on the creation of the First Nations Version of the Bible, with a visual prayer and embodied response led by Dea Jenkins.
An interview with award-winning artist and celebrated painter Joel Schoon-Tanis on the process and creation of his painting "Psalm 1: Growing Trees" at Psalms 150: A Conference Experience.
This chapel worship service was led by Wendell Kimbrough at Calvin University as part of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s “Dwelling in the Psalms” year.
