Ron Rienstra on the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
Christian traditions refer to the prayer before communion as the eucharistic prayer, the Great Thanksgiving, or the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving. If your Lord’s Suppers don’t include this prayer, then you very well may be missing out on a rich opportunity for faith formation.
Ron Rienstra on Liturgical Performance and Improvisation
You might think of performance as totally out of place in Holy Communion. But performance and improvisation can help leaders and worshipers show and tell the gospel with their whole selves.
Worship Songs about Care for Creation
Caring about God’s good creation includes lamenting whatever harms it and joining God’s mission to make all things new. Songs from around the world explore these ideas.
Worship Resources for Creation Care
We confess that God created heaven and earth and everything in it. We sing that this is our Father’s world. Yet, billions of people suffer in places where so much is no longer bright and beautiful. This worship resource guide will help your community plan services that honor our Creator, who invites us to join in caring for the whole creation.
Indonesians on Diversity among Indonesian Christians
Indonesia comprises thousands of islands on both sides of the equator. Its Christians and seminarians come from many islands, languages, and cultures. They have a lot to learn from each other.
Worship Resources for the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church on October 31, 1517. This worship resource guide will help your community plan services of grace and truth as you commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the Protestant Reformation or plan worship for a Reformation Sunday.
Bruce Theron on Decolonizing Worship in South Africa
Imagine singing “In the Bleak Midwinter” during the long hot days of Christmas in South Africa. The Bible is rich enough to include themes and symbols more relevant to living out Christian faith in the Global South.
Bruce Theron on Word and Worship, a South African lectionary resource
Across cultures and denominations, South African churches are growing in unity—thanks to the nation’s first ecumenical sermon and worship resource written in English.
Wendell Kimbrough on Singing Creation Psalms
A regular discipline of writing psalm refrains helped one musician notice psalms in which creation and God’s people call each other to worship the Creator.
Eric Mathis on Expanding Teens’ Vision of Worship
Defining “worship” is an essential step for churches that want to start including youth in planning and leading worship. Teenagers long for worship that connects to life issues such as justice, imagination, and the arts.
First Steps for Including Teens in Planning and Leading Worship
Integrating youth leadership throughout the church is a new paradigm. But churches are reaping the benefits of mentoring youth to plan and lead worship.
Why Youth Need to Be Leading Worship Regularly NOW
When congregations empower teenagers to use their gifts in meaningful ways over time, teens are more likely to imagine themselves as faithful disciples and devoted worshipers for decades to come. Two summer programs in worship, theology, and the arts inspire teens and mentors.