Reynolds Chapman: Local History Matters to God
You might not think often about the land your church sits on or the community beyond your church property. But finding ways to learn local history and include it in worship may help church members become more faithful disciples, more meaningfully draw near to God, and reach people who are disconnected from the church.
Emmanuel Olusola Fasipe on Oral Culture and Christian Worship
Christians who see themselves as "people of the book" read about the Word made flesh. They may treasure "I Love to Tell the Story" in their hymnals yet feel skeptical of Christians who prefer to express and pass on faith through oral culture. A Nigerian worship scholar explains the benefits of oral practices in church worship.
Performing Sermons <i>Latinamente</i>
Jared E. Alcántara, Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, and Lis Valle explore how their shared Latinx identity shapes the way they preach. They define the sermon performed latinamente as an improvisational, interactive, and transformative event embodied in community.
Preparing Our Preaching Pedagogies for the Year 2030
In this paper, Jared Alcántara proposes a twenty-first century preaching pedagogy that he describes as “a turn toward improvisational teaching that is technologically innovative, intentionally collaborative, and strategically diverse.”
Matthew Watson and Justin Fung on Neighborhood Spiritual Histories
Both church planters and established congregations can explore spiritual histories of their church neighborhoods. This helps them better communicate the gospel in the places where God calls them to serve.
A Lion and a Donkey are Standing on the Road: A Scripture Drama on 1 Kings 13
2020 Symposium on Worship | Vesper
A Lion and a Donkey are Standing on the Road: A Scripture Drama on 1 Kings 13
2020 Symposium on Worship | Vesper
Four Types of Advent and Christmas Eve Services: Which Have You Tried?
Experimenting with a different Advent or Christmas Eve worship format may help worshipers connect with the joy and wonder of Christ’s birth. Blue Christmas, Christmas pageants, Las Posadas, or lessons and carols make room for emotions, movement, culture, and people’s gifts.
Redemption: A Choral Reading From Luke 15:11-32
This choral reading of Luke 15:11-32 is adapted for 3 ensemble members.
Struggle: A Choral Reading From 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
This choral reading of 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 is adapted for 2 presenters.
Hope: A Choral Reading From Romans 5:1-5
This choral reading of Romans 5:1-5 is adapted for up to 9 ensemble members.
Praise: A Choral Reading of Psalm 150
This choral reading of Psalm 150 is adapted for up to 20 ensemble members.