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LaTonya McIver Penny on Inclusion in Black Churches

The common thread in LaTonya McIver Penny’s pastoral and professional lives has been God’s calling to help faith communities, especially Black churches, become more inclusive. Learn why she sees inclusion as broader than welcoming people with cognitive or physical disabilities.

January 31, 2023 | 8 min read
Two Pastors on God at Work in Ordinary People and Places

Moses Chung and Christopher Meehan cowrote the book "Joining Jesus: Ordinary People at the Edges of the Church." They hope these stories will give people and congregations hope, encouragement, and imagination to see what God is already doing in their neighborhoods.

January 23, 2023 | 6 min read
William Phemister on Lively Piano Accompaniment for Hymns

Church pianists who apply William Phemister’s advice can introduce congregations to hymnody or more deeply immerse them in it. Typical worshipers may be surprised to learn that pianists don’t necessarily play every note as written in the hymnal—and there are good reasons why.

January 13, 2023 | 6 min read

Complementary Approaches for Music: Printed, Projected and Orally Taught

Some congregations and worshiping communities sing songs from printed notation, others from projected text and lyrics, others from projected text, and others that are led orally, without anything printed.

December 16, 2022 | 1 min read
Inclusion and Universal Design for Worship

Corporate, intergenerational worship can be designed from the start to include people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, gifts and limitations.

December 16, 2022 | 1 min read

Kevin Secundino on Knowing You’re Not Alone

Participating in Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort and doing a summer ministry internship at his church taught one pre-med student a lot about God’s promises. You can apply some of what he learned to your own congregation.

December 5, 2022 | 6 min read
First Round of Vital Worship Grants awarded for 2023 by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship  

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has announced 15 projects for funding in this first round of grants awarded for 2023-2024, 11 in the Teacher-Scholar stream of Grants and 4 in the Worshiping Communities stream of grants.

November 30, 2022 | 3 min read
La adoración en Efesios: hacer de nuestra vida cotidiana un culto de adoración

La vida cristiana: Una liturgia para la gloria de Dios La adoración en Efesios: hacer de nuestra vida cotidiana un culto de adoración Por Dr. Mariano Avila Arteaga

November 30, 2022 | 12 min read

Witnessing to the God of Life: Reformation Sunday Worship Service

The World Communion of Reformed Churches in partnership with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship leads the annual Reformation Day global worship service in Rome, Italy.

November 28, 2022 | 1 min read
Developing Leaders Every Pastor Wants in the Congregation

Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort offers pathways for students of all majors who want to live out their faith in all of life. This practical program helps them learn how to build community, love the church, and practice leadership no matter where they eventually work, worship, and serve.

November 28, 2022 | 7 min read
‘By the People for the Good of the People’: A Conversation with Matthew Sigler

In this edited conversation, Matthew Sigler discusses how contemporary youth can find their place in worship by exploring historical church practices.

November 17, 2022 | 13 min read