Faith Formation

Derek Schuurman on a Reformed Worldview and Artificial Intelligence

Many Christians are wary about rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI). Some think AI has nothing to do with faith or the Bible. Others worry that AI will take over the world. Computer science scholar Derek Schuurman discusses how to connect bytes and beliefs.

July 18, 2024 | 6 min read
Psalms for Families: Devotions for All Ages

Psalms for Families is a devotional e-book for the entire family designed to help parents explore the riches of the book of Psalms with their children and teens. These devotionals will help parents learn more about the psalms as they teach about praise, prayer, and lament.

July 10, 2024 | 1 min read
Elizabeth Bajema: All Belong in God’s Family

Churches sometimes see themselves as inclusive simply because they have attendees from group homes. But true inclusion means getting to know people as individuals with gifts to offer in God’s family.

July 10, 2024 | 7 min read

Rosemary Apol-Hoezee on Dementia and Inclusion

People who’ve served and attended churches faithfully often feel isolated when their cognition declines—and so do their caregivers. Your congregation can take simple steps to become more dementia friendly.

April 29, 2024 | 5 min read
Rosemary Apol-Hoezee on Dementia and Worship

Chaplains have been using the Evening Star worship manual in memory care facilities for almost twenty years. The second edition incorporates new research on dementia to create a worship model that is even better at engaging people who live with dementia.

April 29, 2024 | 6 min read
Cory B. Willson on the Faith/Work/Worship Ecosystem

Theological conversations about faith, work, and worship take on new meaning when they start with the needs, questions, and experiences of workers.

March 11, 2024 | 7 min read

Worship for Workers: Come as You Are

Worship for Workers offers songs, prayers, liturgies, and visual art to help congregants begin to experience God’s presence in new ways in their daily living.

February 21, 2024 | 9 min read
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.

January 23, 2024 | 7 min read
Luke A. Powery on Living the Questions of the Bible

Luke Powery encourages preachers and worshipers to embrace the space and place the church provides to ask questions as a faithful way of Christian discipleship and engaging with God.

December 18, 2023 | 33 min listen

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 | 10 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 | 10 min read