Faith Formation

Ben Dykhouse on a New Way of Praying

Ben Dykhouse explains why God cares about multicultural worship, and he describes a new prayer model that students learned from C. J. Kingdom-Grier, who gave a one-day workshop.

November 15, 2012 | 3 min video
Randy Weener on Multisensory Worship that Welcomes Neighbors

Randy Weener co-leads Wyoming Kingdom Enterprise Zone, a church multiplication initiative by Reformed and Christian Reformed churches in Wyoming, Michigan. In 2000 he planted a Reformed Church in America congregation in Allendale, Michigan. In this edited conversation, he talks about multisensory worship in that congregation that welcomes neighbors.

September 12, 2012 | 4 min read
How Churches Meet Their Neighbors

Here is the uncomfortable truth about becoming a congregation that loves your neighbors as you love yourselves: You have to go out and meet them.

September 12, 2012 | 7 min read

Becoming Churches that Love Our Neighbors as Ourselves

Representing the love of God to neighbors works best in congregations that have a clear vision reflected in worship and prayer.

September 12, 2012 | 6 min read
Lisa De Boer on Learning to Appreciate Liturgical Art

Lisa De Boer teaches art and art history at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She’s been researching the role of visual arts in North American churches. In this edited conversation, she talks about learning to appreciate worship art that doesn’t match a personal ideal.

September 10, 2012 | 3 min read

Celebration of Baptism

David Rylaarsdam’s family celebrates their baptism birthdays every year with a simple liturgy and cake. He used this baptism birthday liturgy for his son Simon’s 11th baptism birthday.

August 22, 2012 | 2 min read

Elizabeth Broschart on Planning Music in Small Churches

Elizabeth “Beth” Broschart is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church, a small congregation in Boyne City, Michigan. Before that, she pastored a small church in Pennsylvania and helped lead music in churches where her husband was the pastor. In this edited email conversation, she talks about the joys and challenges of planning music in small congregations.

August 8, 2012 | 4 min read
Christian Initiation and Community

A lesson plan to accompany Living Worship curriculum that addresses the design and performance of Christian Initiation rites in light of the on-going life and practice of the Christian assembly.

July 11, 2012 | 2 min read
A Difficult Assignment: Suggestions for Leading in the Sanctuary

This lecture offers some concrete suggestions as to how clergy and musicians can better work together to inspire a worship life that helps others to unwrap the gift of grace.

July 11, 2012 | 1 min read