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The Church for the Sake of the World: Urban Challenges Today

This workshop focused on discerning and acting on the call to integrate worship with ministry in order to be with those who are least and last through the example of LaSalle Street Church in downtown Chicago with a 40 year history in social engagement.

March 23, 2010
Feeding the God-Hungry Imagination

While defenders of Christianity attempt to barge through the front door of reason by arguing the case for Christ, the Holy Spirit has been slipping through the back door of the imagination without the church's permission or even notice.

March 23, 2010

In Other Words: A Conversation on Preaching

Sermons usually say in other words what Scripture says, and do in other words what Scripture does --assure, warn, encourage, inform, inspire--. But they say and do Scripture in a great many ways and they can sound very different from each other depending on the acoustics of time, place, and audience.

March 23, 2010
Singing the Psalms Against a Backdrop of Persecution: A View from Pakistan

Find out how the psalms bring hope to suffering Christians in Pakistan and how the psalms can challenge theologians, poets, and musicians around the world to strengthen faith, ministry, and worship.

March 23, 2010
How to Connect Church-Based Community Ministry Programs to Corporate Worship

Starting with his own very diverse church and community connections, Tony Campbell explored the many different ministry opportunities Christians have to deepen relationships between church and community, and offer a variety of ways to celebrate those relationships in worship.?

March 22, 2010

Tending the Heart: Soul Care for Worship Leaders

It is all too easy for worship leaders--preachers and musicians alike-to--slip into "mere professionalism." When that happens, we settle into dull habit, holy things no longer stir our soul, and God becomes distant and even abstract? This session examined that spiritual danger and suggested some practices to "guard our souls."

March 22, 2010
Preaching the Great Stories of Genesis

An absentee father with a son of blistering hate; a frightened man pimping his wife; a penniless mother left to die; a husband beaten down by his wily woman. The stories from Genesis read like last night's news.

March 22, 2010

Faith Formation in Worship

Faith formation is not just for children—all of us are shaped in our faith by the way we come to God in worship. This session considered what it might mean if we have a faith formation focus as we plan worship.

March 22, 2010
Forgotten Ones: Worship and Pastoral Care

Many people have a vision for pastoral care that takes place in homes, hospitals, and institutions, often in times of crisis. But the prime place for pastoral care is in the community gathered for worship, when all who are able gather under the care of the Good Shepherd, and those who cannot attend are still remembered and named.

March 17, 2010