Karin Maag on Prayer in the Reformation Era
Learning from prayer practices of the Reformation era can help congregations and families today deepen their faith, piety, and responses to current events.
December 18, 2023
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4 min read
Anneli Loepp Thiessen on Creating Non-Hymnal Songs
Even when denominations try their best to compile culturally sensitive hymnals, not every congregation can or should use that hymnal. That’s why Anabaptist Worship Network works to include more people and cultures in creating new songs for use in worship.
November 28, 2023
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8 min read
Anneli Loepp Thiessen on Collaborative Songwriting and Copyright
Anabaptist Worship Network used a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship to host a songwriting retreat. A diverse group of Anabaptist songwriters gathered for three days to collaboratively write songs, raising questions around copyright justice and remuneration.
November 28, 2023
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9 min read
Preaching Conversations that Connect Pulpit and Pew
Whether churches call it a message, teaching, homily, or sermon, there’s often a big gap between what preachers think they are saying and what listeners hear. Preaching can become more effective when ministers, priests, deacons, and laypeople learn how to talk together. This two-way preaching conversation requires a cultural shift.
October 5, 2023
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10 min read
Karla J. Bellinger on Lay Contributions to Compelling Preaching
Have you ever gone home from worship disappointed that the preacher or Sunday homily didn’t seem very effective? Recent research reveals that listeners can help preachers help their peers grow closer to God.
October 5, 2023
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10 min read
Psalms Retreats Invite Vulnerability, Build Hope and Trust
When a congregation in Long Beach, California, designed a psalms retreat as part of a worship renewal grant, they had no idea how it would grow and blossom. Engaging with psalms of confession, praise and thanksgiving, lament, and hope and trust has helped hundreds of Christians develop a new language of prayer.
September 12, 2023
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9 min read
Keith M. Douds on Creating Safe Space for Church Groups
Church retreats, church governance meetings, and church small groups require honesty, vulnerability, and transparency to collectively draw closer to God. Psychologist Keith M. Douds explains how and when to step in with grace and preserve safety so that everyone has a chance to share and be listened to.
September 1, 2023
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7 min read
Nine Tips to Effectively Embed Dwelling in the Word
The communal practice of Dwelling in the Word has great potential for building congregational bonds with God, each other, and neighbors. These nine tips can help your church discern God’s promised and preferred future for you as you wait for Christ to return and make all things new.
August 18, 2023
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13 min read
Dwelling in the Word: Simple Practice Leads to Spirit-led Mission
Explore Dwelling in the Word, a communal way of engaging Scripture that helps people encounter God, fellow dwellers, and other neighbors. The change happens over time as people repeatedly listen to and discuss the same passage.
August 18, 2023
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8 min read
Children and Youth Can Dwell in the Word Too
Dwelling in the Word is a tool for helping people of all ages—even children—to read and reflect on the Bible together. Doing so helps them to see the Bible as an ongoing story in which God invites us to participate in God’s mission for the world.
August 18, 2023
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7 min read
Dru Johnson on Bible Literacy, Fluency, and Engagement
Biblical scholar Dru Johnson explains how churches and even the U.S. criminal justice system might be different if more people who identify as Christian were more familiar with the whole of Scripture.
July 7, 2023
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6 min read
Ronnie Farmer Jr. on Positively Addressing Racial Difference
Some Christians think that even talking about racial differences is racist. But the church has a crucial opportunity to promote honest cross-cultural conversations that help people recognize the image of God in every person.
June 19, 2023
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6 min read
