Mandy Smith on The Vulnerable Pastor
Christian leaders, especially pastors, sometimes feel bad about the gap between their ideal of Christlike ministry and the reality. Pastor Mandy Smith explains that honestly accepting vulnerabilities and human limitations makes room for God’s strength to be revealed in people and congregations.
November 5, 2019
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4 min read
Anthony L. Bennett on Engaging Trauma in Sermons
Many urban pastors deal with trauma. Some preach without benefit of pay or formal training. This Baptist church gathered its associate ministers monthly to learn about trauma and exegete Scripture to engage people hungry for healing and justice.
October 30, 2019
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7 min read
Seven Self-Care Tips for Clergy Who Engage Trauma
Clergy and other church leaders called to engage trauma must also practice self-care, or they will burn out and be less effective in helping those who need to address and heal from trauma. These tips help congregants as well, relieving pressure on clergy and church leaders.
October 30, 2019
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9 min read
Sherrye Willis and Angela Johnson on Faith-Based Healing from Trauma
Ten African American churches in Texas are focusing on helping youth understand and heal from trauma. This knowledge helps adults become more aware of their own trauma and is changing worship practices.
October 15, 2019
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6 min read
Trauma-Informed Congregations and Worship: Being Made Whole
Becoming a trauma-informed congregation means helping people learn, talk, and grieve about what happened to them. Worship can provide a safe space for people to nurture trusting relationships and accept God's healing grace.
October 2, 2019
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9 min read
William A. Dyrness on Visual Imagery in Worship
These video excerpts come from a conversation between William A. Dyrness and John D. Witvliet at the annual Calvin Institute of Christian Worship—CICW—grants colloquium in June 2019.
August 26, 2019
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3 min video
Douglas J. Brouwer on Pastoral Wisdom and Imagination
These video excerpts come from a conversation between Douglas J. Brouwer and John D. Witvliet at the annual Calvin Institute of Christian Worship—
CICW—grants colloquium in June 2019.
August 26, 2019
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1 min video
Curriculum Prepares People to Talk about Racial Reconciliation
Arrabon’s Race, Class, and the Kingdom of God curriculum gives small groups the shared knowledge, language, and practices to effectively address deep cultural tensions and divisions.
August 19, 2019
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8 min read
How to Adapt Race, Class, and the Kingdom of God to Your Setting
Arrabon’s Race, Class, and the Kingdom of God curriculum can be adapted to church and school contexts with varying memberships and time constraints.
August 19, 2019
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7 min read
Mary L. Cohen on Prison Choirs That Churches Can Start
Churches can use this community/prison choir model to embody and invite people into restorative justice. It can help us develop our awareness of our common humanity and help people see God’s love within each of us.
August 12, 2019
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6 min read
Mary L. Cohen on Community Choirs in Prisons
Oakdale Community Choir in Coralville, Iowa, meets in the prison where half its members live. Church choirs and congregations can learn from the principles and practices that make this choir so life-giving. It focuses as much on relationships and potential as on music.
August 12, 2019
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7 min read
Joel Carpenter on Matter and Spirit Exhibition
When U.S. artists and Chinese artists traveled together in China, they learned the unique challenges of expressing Christian faith through the visual arts in each other’s contexts.
July 1, 2019
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7 min read
