William Dyrness on aesthetically challenged Protestants
Moses saw God and then gave the law. Contemplating God in the temple inspired David to write songs and psalms. On Pentecost, Peter affirmed what Joel prophesied, that the Holy Spirit moves the faithful to dream dreams and see visions. And, till the Reformation, all Christendom celebrated the link between faith and the visual in worship.
February 3, 2006
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4 min read
The "In Between" Words: How to keep fellow worshipers tuned in
As worshipers move from one element of the service to the next, they need help to understand what they are doing and why. Verbal transitions help them stick with the worship dialogue between God and gathered people.
January 20, 2006
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10 min read
All God's Children Have Gifts: Disability and worship
How do you recognize each other's gifts and support each other's needs while avoiding a "you're not like us"? attitude? A feature story exploring ways to be inclusive in worship and make room for those with or without special needs.
January 6, 2006
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11 min read
Planning Great High School Chapels
As Christian school families are learning from their kids and grand kids, high school chapel services are a lot different than they used to be--and often more appreciated as well. A feature story exploring high school chapels.
December 23, 2005
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7 min read
Praying for Christians in Egypt (and elsewhere)
It was just a simple email between friends--but now a Canadian congregation prays for Christians in Egypt. Your church can just as easily make congregational prayers more global. A feature story exploring the inclusion of Global concerns in our congregational prayers.
December 9, 2005
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9 min read
Presbyterians in India struggle to balance indigenous and received culture
Whether they are drama leaders in a North American mega church or Catholic priests in a Mexican village, Christians everywhere wrestle with how much of culture to appropriate in worship. They debate the difference between yielding to syncretism and following Paul’s desire “to become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some”
December 9, 2005
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3 min read
Using More Psalms in Worship
Find out why Christians from many traditions are rediscovering the Psalter for singing, prayer, and worship. A feature story exploring the use of the psalms in worship.
November 28, 2005
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8 min read
Peer Learning Groups: Putting your heads together to change hearts
Several Christians learning together as peers will accomplish far more than one enthusiastic reader can do alone--especially when these study groups look for the Holy Spirit's guidance. A feature story exploring the benefits of Peer Learning groups.
November 11, 2005
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11 min read
Risks and Rewards of Multistaff Ministry
"Isn't that what we pay staff for?"? is the dreaded question in multistaff churches. Here's advice on involving the entire congregation, not just "the pros" in worship. A feature story exploring the importance of congregational involvement in worship, especially in multistaff churches.
October 28, 2005
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9 min read
Hearing God's Voice through Change: The preacher's role
As Jesus told the disciples at the Last Supper, in this world we will have trouble. Here's how preaching can encourage believers to take heart. A feature story exploring how congregations can hear God's voice despite change and trials.
September 30, 2005
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11 min read
Love Globally, Worship Locally: How to do church as members of one body
As those who led worship at the Reformed Ecumenical Council Assembly learned, global worship involves a lot more than tossing in a song from another country or culture. A feature story exploring Global Worship.
September 16, 2005
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10 min read
Soaking in Scripture: Memorization and public reading
Many churches devote far more planning and worship service time to music, the sermon, and other service elements than they do to public Scripture reading. A feature story exploring the importance of Scripture memorization and public reading.
September 2, 2005
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8 min read
