Derek Schuurman on a Reformed Worldview and Artificial Intelligence
Many Christians are wary about rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI). Some think AI has nothing to do with faith or the Bible. Others worry that AI will take over the world. Computer science scholar Derek Schuurman discusses how to connect bytes and beliefs.
July 18, 2024
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6 min read
Derek Schuurman on Using Artificial Intelligence in Church
You are probably used to artificial intelligence (AI) suggesting ways to complete sentences in your emails and texts. Now that AI has the capacity to write sermons and mimic emotional care, how should AI be used in churches?
July 18, 2024
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5 min read
Elizabeth Bajema: All Belong in God’s Family
Churches sometimes see themselves as inclusive simply because they have attendees from group homes. But true inclusion means getting to know people as individuals with gifts to offer in God’s family.
July 10, 2024
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7 min read
Benjamin Brody on Writing New Hymn Tunes
You might think that hymn tunes must always be in four-part harmony. But hymn tune composer Benjamin Brody includes many music styles for congregational singing in his new hymn collection - At the Weaving of Creation: 50 New Tunes.
June 7, 2024
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6 min read
Science and Faith in Harmony: Positive ways to include science in worship
Deborah Haarsma and Scott Hoezee explain how worship that honors God as Creator can defuse culture wars between science and faith.
June 7, 2024
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13 min read
Brian Reichenbach on Including Band and Orchestra Students in Church Music
Playing his trumpet in worship alongside adult instrumentalists profoundly affected Brian Reichenbach’s Christian faith and church life. He works to help congregations give school band and orchestra students a similar grounding.
May 31, 2024
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7 min read
Brian Hehn on an Ecumenical CCLI Top Songs List
CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc.) hugely influences what many congregations sing, so the United Methodist Church began vetting CCLI Top 100 songs in 2015. Since then, song leader Brian Hehn has been encouraging other denominations to vet these popular contemporary worship songs so he can eventually create an ecumenically approved list of CCLI Top 100 songs.
May 21, 2024
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6 min read
Seven Tips for Choosing Contemporary Worship Songs
Does your worshiping community sing contemporary worship songs from the CCLI Top 100 list? If so, maybe you wonder how these songs are forming worshipers’ views of God and the life God calls us to. Worship leaders and contemporary worship experts offer seven tips for evaluating your song choices and filling in gaps.
May 21, 2024
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11 min read
Vetting CCLI Worship Songs for Faith Formation
Several denominations have created or are creating rubrics for vetting CCLI Top 100 contemporary worship songs. Vetting sparks conversations that help worship leaders make faithful decisions about which songs to put on congregations’ lips.
May 21, 2024
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10 min read
Robert Feduccia on the CCLI Song Select Liturgy Section
Churches around the world seek permission to use contemporary worship music from Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc., or CCLI. Late in 2018, CCLI Song Select quietly introduced a liturgical section to help churches select contemporary music that fits the classic ordo, the four-fold pattern of worship. Robert Feduccia explains why.
May 21, 2024
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5 min read
Traditional Keerthanai Concert with English Translations
This Manamahizh Keerthani Kuzhu concert in India includes Tamil-language Christian keerthanai praise and devotional songs sung in the traditional manner. Group members sang in Tamil but translated the lyrics into English.
Tamil Christians Revive Keerthanai Music
Christians in South India are reviving keerthanais, poems of Christian praise and devotion sung in the Tamil language. They are working to bring this cultural expression back into church worship
May 2, 2024
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12 min read
