Theology

Shively T. J. Smith on Howard Thurman and Congregational Hermeneutics

Congregations and lay Christians have methods of interpreting the Bible and faith life even if they can't articulate them. Using Howard Thurman’s image-rich meditations, scholar Shively T. J. Smith offers a visual way to reflect on applying the Bible to faith and ordinary life.

January 19, 2022
Shively T. J. Smith on Visualizing Christian Faith through Howard Thurman's Metaphors

Rather than starting with words and theories of interpretation, scholar Shively T. J. Smith uses Howard Thurman's metaphorical imagery to help congregations visually process how they understand scripture and live out their Christian faith.

January 19, 2022
Intergenerational Church as a Space for Opportunity, Change, and Learning

In this conversation, pastor Theresa Cho of St. John's Church in the Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco shares joys and insights from a historical congregation that is learning to embrace change and be vulnerable in order to live together as an intergenerational, contextual worshiping community.

January 11, 2022 | 73 min video

One Generation Calls to the Next: Youth Agency and Leadership Development

In this conversation, New City Kids president Trevor Rubingh talks with New Generation3 executive director Elizabeth Tamez Méndez on the significance of agency in the spiritual and leadership development of teenagers as they try out their leadership skills with and among their peers.

December 21, 2021 | 44 min video
Mentors to the Next Generation of Leaders

Dale Sieverding, vice chair of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Liturgical Commission and director of LAMP So-Cal—Liturgical Arts Ministry Project in Southern California, reflects on the methodology and results of The Liturgical Arts Ministry Project.

December 16, 2021
Worship in the Big Tent

Playwriter and worship pastor Christopher Greco reflects on the effective use of interruption, surprise, spontaneity, narrative eclecticism, motivated participation, and intergenerational collaboration as tools to engage congregants in worship in the face of significant disparities in age, culture, and Christian tradition, or lack thereof.

December 3, 2021

Co-creating with Diverse Youth 

Proskuneo Ministries, a Jesus-centered multicultural worshiping community, provides multiple spaces for the diverse youth of this town to experience safety, a sense of belonging, and individual and collective agency. 

November 23, 2021

A Light to the Nations: A Service of Lessons and Carols

In an era in which narrow nationalisms are emerging yet again in so many places around the world, how important it is to dwell with the countercultural, global vision of Isaiah’s prophecies. This Lessons and Carols service will be held in person at LaGrave Avenue CRC and livestreamed on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 3:00 and 6:00 PM, EST.

November 16, 2021 | 5 min read
Youth Agency and Creative Worship Ministry at a Christian High School

A campus pastor shares how Vancouver Christian High School youth are showing initiative and taking on emerging leadership roles.

November 11, 2021
Kyle Meyaard-Schaap on the Arts as a Climate Tipping Point

Music and the arts have fueled major movements for justice. Evangelical Christians have the potential to shift climate action. That's why Christian leaders and musicians are creating worship songs and candlelight climate vigils to address climate crisis and work toward environmental sustainability.

October 8, 2021