From Confirmation or Profession of Faith to Multiple Milestones of Faith
What is confirmation or profession of faith for? Does it certify knowledge, open the communion table, affirm acceptance of baptism, mark a milestone in a continuing faith journey? A feature story exploring the meaning behind profession of faith.
Confirmation and Profession of Faith Practices Are Changing
Two concerns, young adults who drop out of church and adult churchgoers who stop growing in discipleship, are pushing denominations to rethink their approach to the sacraments.
From Lament to Praise
When we gather for worship on New Year’s Eve, we do so to praise God for the past year—to thank God for the wonderful gifts he has given us and to remember his wonderful deeds. But what if our year has not been good? What if, when we think back on the year, all we can remember is pain and heartache?
Epiphany: Words of Hope
The idea for this service began in late November 2007. As a congregation we were not planning to hold a New Year’s Eve or a New Year’s Day service. So we asked the question, "How will we begin the new year on Epiphany Sunday?"
Bringing Our Pain to God: Michael Card and Calvin Seerveld on biblical lament in worship
Lament is an essential ingredient of honest faith, but what does biblical lament look or sound like in real congregations? A feature story exploring how Christians can bring their pain to God in worship.
Interview with C.R. “Kees” van Setten about the Power of Musical Lament to Reconcile Jews and Christians
In this email interview from spring 2008, van Setten tells how the music of lament has helped heal European Christians ashamed of how they’ve treated Jews and helped Jews feel God’s presence. He explains how combining lament and praise can enrich evangelical worship.
From Pastor-centered to Participative Worship
Many churches are renewing their worship by changing some practices, yet remaining true to their worship principles. A feature story about a congregation exploring renewal through teaching and intergenerational involvement.
An Invitation to 'The Liturgy of the Hours'
From the age of the Apostles, to the Early Church Fathers, to the Middle Ages, to the present, we are invited to join that great cloud of witnesses who have worshiped God around the clock from hour to hour, from one time-zone to the next, in ceaseless prayer and praise. This session explored how to incorporate the rhythm of what some call 'The Liturgy of the Hours' into busy contemporary life.
Reclaiming Funerals as Christian Worship
While funerals have often been seen as family affairs or private activities, the fact is that death impacts entire communities: both the faith community and the community at large.
The Most Used Contemporary Worship Songs: Their View of God and of Our Love for God
This session explored how the most-used contemporary songs speak of the Triune God and what God has done to save us.
In Spirit and In Truth: The Role of Chapel in Higher Education
In what unique ways can corporate worship fuel, inspire, and respond to the academic calling of the student and teacher in higher education?
Advanced Vocals and Vocal Arranging
This session covered how to sing effectively as a worship team, and how to make the truths you are singing come alive.