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© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Imagine singing “In the Bleak Midwinter” during the long hot days of Christmas in South Africa. The Bible is rich enough to include themes and symbols more relevant to living out Christian faith in the Global South.
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.
Integrating youth leadership throughout the church is a new paradigm. But churches are reaping the benefits of mentoring youth to plan and lead worship.
When congregations empower teenagers to use their gifts in meaningful ways over time, teens are more likely to imagine themselves as faithful disciples and devoted worshipers for decades to come. Two summer programs in worship, theology, and the arts inspire teens and mentors.
Because so many people search our website for ordination resources, we consulted five experts from five denominations. Their best practices will help you dig beneath the surface when you ordain or install ministers, elders and deacons.
An annotated research guide from the field of sociology
This article, translated into Amharic, comes from the Prologue of The Worship Sourcebook and explores elements of planning and leading congregational worship.
Richard Henry Boyd was determined to give Jim Crow-era African-Americans their own voice in worship. Calvin College history professor Eric Washington tells the story of how the hymnal he published helped do that.
Six pastors and scholars share ideas to help congregations authentically practice God’s vision of shalom in worship and at work.
Your students or small group can use hymns and Christian songs to design meaningful personalized worship for older adults living in their own homes or in care facilities.
A conversation with researcher Ricardo L. Franco on the Latino Protestant Congregations project.
Seven scholars, pastors and musicians discuss how Protestants and Catholics can and should together observe the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017.
