1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Recent unrest, conflict, and war have caused an unprecedented refugee crisis. The plight of Syrian, Iraqi, and other Middle Eastern refugees has shocked the whole world. Also, many youth and children are trying to enter the United States from Central America to escape violence and poverty.
Los disturbios, conflictos, y guerras de los últimos cien años han causado una enorme crisis. El sufrimiento de refugiados de Siria, Iraq, y otros países del Oriente Medio ha dejado estupefacto al mundo entero. También, muchos niños y jóvenes centroamericanos tratan de entrar a los Estados Unidos para escapar violencia y pobreza.
How can the Bible speak to the hopes and fears of urban people who don’t know anything about the Christian life?
A majority of U.S. Christians born before 1965 are white. However, the fastest growing groups in the U.S. as a whole and in its churches are people of color. Preaching must change to reflect this diversity so that all generations and nations can encounter God through the Word
While some U.S. politicians play on fears about ethnic minorities, changing demographic trends actually offer churches a huge opportunity to create new forms of worship.
This service features the inspiring prayers, songs, and readings from the African American worship tradition, past and present.
Worship conversations change when you choose to see tradition as a lively center from which to innovate. This provides common ground between those who fear change and those who overvalue change.
Come and find out ways to experience the ‘All Nations’ in the context of local ministry.
What does worship look like for a church that is economically, educationally, and culturally diverse?
Each local congregation has its own unique history, geographical and social location, demographic makeup, and mission.
The Micah Groups program brings together pastors from diverse denominational, theological and ethnic contexts, all who desire to become empowered wise preachers. They seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Over time, they build enough trust to have courageous conversations about worship, preaching and justice.
Lay training in both formative and expressive liturgy helps Catholic adults and youth live out their identity in the universal priesthood of all faithful believers. Protestants can learn from this.
