Warren Kinghorn on Mental Health and Christian Worship
It is far more common to hear about physical ailments than mental ones in congregational prayers and worship. Psychiatrist Warren Kinghorn explains why mental health issues and people with mental illness should be acknowledged in Christian worship.
February 6, 2018
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3 min read
Warren Kinghorn on Mental Illness and Our Deepest Identity
We hear a lot about using person-first language. Yet it is still common to label people with their mental health diagnosis. Christians and churches can offer another way to describe our common human identity.
February 6, 2018
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4 min read
Mark Mulder on Debunking “the Culture of Poverty”
It is important for financially stable churches and Christians to build relationships with those in poverty. But the reason may be different than what you might assume.
December 14, 2017
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6 min read
Congregations and Persons with Dementia: A Story and Ideas to Try
TOGETHER is a new Bible study curriculum designed to include, appeal to, and challenge adults of varying abilities. The new curriculum is building community in ways that enrich worship in congregations and congregation members with dementia.
December 8, 2017
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7 min read
Stephanie Smith on Starting an Outdoor Church
People treated as the last and the least often feel unwelcome inside churches. That is why some church plants create a worshiping community outdoors. Many of their discoveries also apply to indoor churches.
December 5, 2017
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8 min read
Stephanie Smith on Raising Lay Leaders from the Margins
Those who experience homelessness, poverty, physical or mental illness, or addiction understand things that more privileged people may never know. Raising up peer chaplains from within this group can lead to renewal in both outdoor and building-based Christian communities.
December 5, 2017
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6 min read
Round Two: Ordination Best Practices for Ministers, Elders, and Deacons
Our first roundup of ordination resources was so popular that we have now consulted five more experts from five more denominations. Their best practices will help you dig beneath the surface when you ordain or install ministers, elders, and deacons.
November 21, 2017
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25 min read
Renee Reimer on Being Rooted and Grounded in God’s Creation
Worshiping outdoors and bringing nature into worship helped one church experience more connections between God’s creation, worship, and neighbors.
October 10, 2017
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7 min read
Mika Edmondson on MLK’s Theology of Unearned Suffering
Jesus’s example of laying down his life for others inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and the U.S. civil rights movement. This theology of how to engage undeserved suffering can help congregations deal with pain.
October 10, 2017
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6 min read
Barbara J. Newman on Adult Inclusive Small Group Bible Studies
TOGETHER is a new Bible study curriculum designed to include, appeal to, and challenge adults of varying abilities. It aims to build community in ways that may enrich congregational worship.
September 29, 2017
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7 min read
Reggie Smith on Theology Underlying Sociology
What churches profess and what they do sometimes clash. Sharing stories, sitting with those who suffer, praying, and listening in silence for God can help churches harmonize theology and sociology.
September 1, 2017
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7 min read
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.
August 18, 2017
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8 min read
