Faith Formation

Warren Kinghorn on Mental Illness and Our Deepest Identity

We hear a lot about using person-first language. Yet it is still common to label people with their mental health diagnosis. Christians and churches can offer another way to describe our common human identity.

February 6, 2018 | 4 min read
Mark Mulder on Debunking “the Culture of Poverty”

It is important for financially stable churches and Christians to build relationships with those in poverty. But the reason may be different than what you might assume.

December 14, 2017 | 7 min read
Congregations and Persons with Dementia: A Story and Ideas to Try

TOGETHER is a new Bible study curriculum designed to include, appeal to, and challenge adults of varying abilities. The new curriculum is building community in ways that enrich worship in congregations and congregation members with dementia.

December 8, 2017 | 8 min read

Stephanie Smith on Starting an Outdoor Church

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.

December 5, 2017 | 8 min read
Does Church Location Make Any Difference?

Because human beings are embodied creatures, the shape of the material world—in particular, the shape of the built environment—will affect their spiritual lives, both in relation to God and to each other.

October 24, 2017 | 10 min read
Renee Reimer on Being Rooted and Grounded in God’s Creation

Worshiping outdoors and bringing nature into worship helped one church experience more connections between God’s creation, worship, and neighbors.

October 10, 2017 | 7 min read

Barbara J. Newman on Adult Inclusive Small Group Bible Studies

TOGETHER is a new Bible study curriculum designed to include, appeal to, and challenge adults of varying abilities. It aims to build community in ways that may enrich congregational worship.

September 29, 2017 | 8 min read
Reflections from a Charlottesville Church . . .

Isaac Wardell, Director of Worship Arts at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, shares reflections from his experience shepherding their Charlottesville congregation in Sunday worship through the trauma of hatred, bigotry, and violence that took place in their small town less than one day before they gathered for worship.

August 28, 2017 | 6 min read
When Helping Heals: Affirming Global Service in our 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.

August 22, 2017 | 6 min read

Why We Need to Know the History of Our Churches

The fact remains that most American Christians remain startlingly ignorant of critical aspects of their church’s history. Learning this history can help us more faithfully know ourselves, love others, and follow Christ.

August 7, 2017 | 6 min read
Ron Rienstra on the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

Christian traditions refer to the prayer before communion as the eucharistic prayer, the Great Thanksgiving, or the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving. If your Lord’s Suppers don’t include this prayer, then you very well may be missing out on a rich opportunity for faith formation.

July 21, 2017 | 8 min read