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.
September 2, 2008
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4 min read
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.
September 2, 2008
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12 min read
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?"
September 1, 2008
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1 min read
All Stars
Involvement in the arts is an important way for kids of all ages to find their place in congregational life.
September 1, 2008
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1 min read
Kids Creating Art for Worship
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” Christ Community Church takes this quote by cultural critic Neil Postman seriously.
September 1, 2008
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1 min read
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?
September 1, 2008
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1 min read
Making Sense Out of Reading Theology
This article encourages methodical and reflective methods of reading theological texts in order to receive greater enrichment and nourishment from them.
August 26, 2008
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6 min read
Community Worship at Mustard Seed School
How can your Christian school design chapel services that connect with real life? Mustard Seed School in Hoboken, New Jersey, has formed a model called community worship. A feature story exploring worship in one small school in New Jersey.
August 15, 2008
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10 min read
Trinitarian Worship: This doctrine makes a difference in how you worship
What makes worship "work?" Gordon T. Smith and Philip W. Butin are among a growing group of scholars who say that consistently and explicitly naming and invoking the Trinity in worship inspires renewal. A feature story exploring how Trinitarian doctrine shapes Christian Worship.
July 21, 2008
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7 min read
Philip Butin on How Trinitarian Worship Revitalizes Congregations
You’ve probably noticed something about worship. “We all know there are times when the Word is more profoundly proclaimed and profoundly heard,” says Philip W. Butin, president and professor of theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary and author of The Trinity.
July 21, 2008
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4 min read
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.
June 20, 2008
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14 min read
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.
June 20, 2008
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12 min read
