Theology

God's Countercultural Invitation to Sabbath Rest

Do you use the words busy, tired, and stressed more than the words peace, rest, and refreshed? If so, Dorothy Bass invites you to receive God's gift of Sabbath. A feature story exploring the need for a Sabbath.

May 13, 2005
Getting to Know Each Other: Pastors from two denominations share stories

Christians sometimes think they must water down their identities to find common ground with people from different Christian traditions. Eleazar Merriweather and John Witvliet offer a refreshing alternative. A feature story exploring relationships between denominations.

April 15, 2005

Seven Ideas for Helping Worshipers Experience Communion More Deeply

Your leeway in celebrating the Lord's Supper will depend on your tradition's liturgical stipulations, doctrines, theology, or church architecture. But chances are that some of these ideas will fit your situation.

April 1, 2005
Rejoicing at the Lord's Supper

Eucharist, communion, table fellowship. Whatever you call this celebration, ask yourself this: Are you receiving all Christ offers through this meal? A feature story exploring the Lord's Supper.

April 1, 2005

Choral Anthems: Fitting great texts to wonderful tunes

It feels off to hear a song about suffering-with upbeat rhythms and in a major key. Other new songs use mixed metaphors or trite emotionalisms. That's why choral directors search for anthems that make a meaningful match between words and music. A feature story exploring fitting texts to tunes in choral anthems.

February 4, 2005
Japanese Church Music: Reaching back and reaching forward

After the first Catholic missionaries visited Japan in 1549, many people became Christians. But less than a century later, Japan expelled all missionaries and priests, banned Christianity, and cut off cultural contact with former trading partners.

January 7, 2005
Reformed Churches Worldwide: A common heritage

The heart of Christian worship remains the same, whether you worship in Ghana, Mexico, China, or Japan, according to worship music expert Emily Brink. A feature story exploring the reformed church around the world.

January 7, 2005

Create Worship Renewal, Not Worship War: Six tips on how to talk about worship

Eighteen people. Umpteen differences. For three years, these Protestant Christians talked through worship war tensions to create a book together. A feature story about the genesis of "Discerning the Spirits."

June 11, 2004
When the Breath of God Blows - Pentecost Sunday - Ezekiel 37, Acts 2

A worship service for Pentecost Sunday celebrating the broad range of the Spirit's work that was reinforced and entered a new chapter at Pentecost--though it did not begin there.

June 1, 2004