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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.
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.
Providing charitable support and development assistance to people in need can and does work, but, like any important activity, we must learn how to do it well.
Differences in musical tastes, aesthetics and priorities are notoriously contentious issues for congregations and ministries to navigate.
Is it possible to work in international development without hurting those we are helping?
At a time of increasing cultural and political polarization, the North American church faces enormous challenges in embodying the unity of Christ and living out Christ's mission in this time and place.
Ecumenical, post-colonial perspectives on varieties of contemporary songs
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.
Christians who bring the gospel to other cultures often struggle to discern the difference between the essence of Christianity and its cultural packaging. That is true in Indonesia as well.
Ethnomusicologist Alfredo Colman encourages musicians who lead congregational songs from other cultures to engage with someone from that culture in order to understand and find ways in introduce songs in worship that respect and honor God and the culture.
Lily Constantine Kakish and Eric Sarwar share their stories of how they have witnessed the identity-shaping impact of singing Psalms and the Lord's Prayer in the Arabic language and tune.
More people are training to lead music and worship in Protestant churches in Argentina. As in churches elsewhere, they must balance using popular songs from other cultures with creating music that helps worshipers live out their faith in the real world.
