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.
When Helping Heals: An Economist and Political Scientist Affirm Global Service
Is it possible to work in international development without hurting those we are helping?
The Need for Lament: Soong-Chan Rah
Soong-Chan Rah argues that the deeply rooted triumphalism and exceptionalism in the American society are causing the absence of lament in the American churches.
Prophetic Lament
When Soong-Chan Rah planted an urban church near Boston, he began with a series of sermons on the Book of Lamentations, a radical counter-cultural approach to ministry that later became the basis for his book Prophetic Lament.
Eric Mathis on Expanding Teens’ Vision of Worship
Defining “worship” is an essential step for churches that want to start including youth in planning and leading worship. Teenagers long for worship that connects to life issues such as justice, imagination, and the arts.
Kiran Young Wimberly on the Celtic Psalms Project
When she moved to Northern Ireland, Kiran Young Wimberly was surprised to discover how few Presbyterians there knew the Irish and Scottish melodies she’d grown to love in the U.S. Her Celtic Psalms project is helping Protestants and Catholics reconnect with their shared heritage.
Irish Presbyterians on Singing Celtic Psalms
Kiran Young Wimberly and Karen Campbell are musically gifted Presbyterian pastors who have seen how singing Celtic psalms helps bridge communities in troubled places.
Tony Alonso on Liturgical Music as Communal Confession
Tony Alonso notices gaps between what we sing in worship and how we live, including how we choose bilingual songs.
Worship that Calls Us to Reflect God’s Heart for Justice
Bethany Hanke Hoang and Kristen Deede Johnson co-wrote The Justice Calling: Where Passion Meets Perseverance. They explain how weekly worship helps congregations keep working with, and waiting on, God to make all things new.
“The Justice Calling” Authors on Becoming a Just Church
Some churches care deeply about studying the Bible. Others are passionate about justice. Authors Bethany Hanke Hoang and Kristen Deede Johnson offer help for congregations that care or want to care about both.
Deborah Sokolove on Sanctifying Art
Artist, writer and teacher Deborah Sokolove explains why humans need art as much as they need food, water or air.
Rejoicing in Lament
Four pastors and scholars discuss wrestling with incurable cancer, cancerous racism and life in Christ. They offer insights into how congregations can follow the lead of the Psalms in practicing candid lament as an essential part of deeply joyful worship.