1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Though no one wants a worship war, discussions about worship change are often more divisive than divine. Howard Vanderwell explains how to ask questions that focus on worship principles, rather than on passions and preferences. A feature story exploring ways to lead worship change, rather than worship wars.
A colleague was asked point-blank at a workshop recently, “Have changes in worship in the last generation been good or bad?” The short answer may be yes. A longer answer was given at a day-long seminar at the Calvin Symposium on Worship 2006.
How do you recognize each other's gifts and support each other's needs while avoiding a "you're not like us"? attitude? A feature story exploring ways to be inclusive in worship and make room for those with or without special needs.
This workshop provided practical ideas for including persons with disabilities in Sunday School classes, youth groups, and adult small groups, based on the speaker's book of the same title.
This conversation between spiritual friends explored the art of writing, hospitality, and the pastoral life. Presented at the 2006 Calvin Symposium on Worship.
Becoming a worship-centered congregation is a profound cultural shift for some congregations and often takes as much as ten years. Using leadership theory and theories of transformational learning, this workshop explored the dynamics of congregational change, resistance to change, and the role of congregational leaders in always pointing toward the worship of God as the church's highest calling.
As Jesus told the disciples at the Last Supper, in this world we will have trouble. Here's how preaching can encourage believers to take heart. A feature story exploring how congregations can hear God's voice despite change and trials.
This worship service plan of prayer for healing was prepared as a pastoral response to a series of deaths, illnesses, and other traumatic events suffered by a local congregation over a short period of time.
A service plan focused on responses and emotions in worship. Our faith gives us reason for great joy, but we also experience much pain and sorrow in this world. Part of a series of sermons pairing together some of the seemingly irreconcilable paradoxes in the Christian faith.
A worship service plan flowing from the statement that Christian faith "can be found in the deepest despair and at the greatest joy." Habakkuk reminds us that true faith does not ignore life's problems, but meets them head on.
A list of thoughts, suggestions and resources compiled in response to the tsunami tragedy of 2004--these are posted in the hope they will guide you in crafting some manner in which your group or congregation can appropriately respond to such events in worship.
A sample church anniversary service based on Psalm 78. The service includes a rehearsal of the story, a recollection and reminder of God's guidance, expressions of thanks and praise, and a commitment to continue faithfully into the future.
