Leadership

Singing Poetry

In this workshop led by Jan Kraybill, we looked at and sang some great hymns and songs, and we discussed how best to help our worshiping communities sing poetry with appreciation, enthusiasm, and artistry.

March 2, 2018
Models of Mentorship: Training the Next Generation of Worship Leaders

In this session, a panel of experienced mentors shared the models of mentoring used in their contexts, explored the implicit and explicit goals of each model, and explained how each model trains and equips mentors.

February 9, 2018
Renewed: Lord God, Now Let Your Servants Depart in Peace

Join Greg Scheer as he introduces one of his own songs, based on Simeon’s words in Luke 2:29-32. It works beautifully as a closing song in worship, especially during the season of Epiphany.

December 11, 2017

Renewed: Mary’s Song (Our King of Peace)

Wendell Kimbrough’s setting of Mary’s Song captures the wonder, fear, and obedience of Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message. The song is a perfect fit for Advent, Christmas, and Lessons and Carols services.

December 6, 2017
Stephanie Smith on Raising Lay Leaders from the Margins

Those who experience homelessness, poverty, physical or mental illness, or addiction understand things that more privileged people may never know. Raising up peer chaplains from within this group can lead to renewal in both outdoor and building-based Christian communities.

December 5, 2017
Renewed: Ready My Heart

What if we thought about Christ’s birth as an ongoing reality, rather than a one-time event? That’s just what Lois Shuford’s haunting Advent song “Ready My Heart” does: it helps us prepare our hearts for Christ to dwell in us every day.

November 27, 2017

Round Two: Ordination Best Practices for Ministers, Elders, and Deacons

Our first roundup of ordination resources was so popular that we have now consulted five more experts from five more denominations. Their best practices will help you dig beneath the surface when you ordain or install ministers, elders, and deacons.

November 21, 2017

Indonesians on Diversity among Indonesian Christians

Indonesia comprises thousands of islands on both sides of the equator. Its Christians and seminarians come from many islands, languages, and cultures. They have a lot to learn from each other.

May 11, 2017
Designing Worship from the Bottom Up: Practical Ethnographic Tools for Worship Leaders

The “Faith and Work” movement has become popular in many churches in North America in recent years. Many have sought to bridge the gap between Sunday worship and Monday work by showing how Christian liturgy and theology affect how we approach our weekday work. But our weekday work also affects how we inhabit Sunday worship in profound ways, and those who lead and craft liturgies do well to be attentive to this reality.

March 7, 2017