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David Bailey on Multicultural Power Dynamics

Musician David M. Bailey is the music director at East End Fellowship in Richmond, Virginia. In this edited conversation, he talks about becoming aware of power dynamics in multicultural congregations and neighborhoods. He lives in Church Hill, a neighborhood hard hit by economic decline.

October 11, 2012 | 4 min read
The Reconciling, Sanctifying, Energizing Power of Worship's Urban Beat

East End Fellowship in Richmond, Virginia, started an urban songwriting internship and a gospel choir to reflect its congregational values of incarnation and reconciliation.

October 11, 2012 | 7 min read
How Churches Meet Their Neighbors

Here is the uncomfortable truth about becoming a congregation that loves your neighbors as you love yourselves: You have to go out and meet them.

September 12, 2012 | 7 min read

Randy Weener on Multisensory Worship that Welcomes Neighbors

Randy Weener co-leads Wyoming Kingdom Enterprise Zone, a church multiplication initiative by Reformed and Christian Reformed churches in Wyoming, Michigan. In 2000 he planted a Reformed Church in America congregation in Allendale, Michigan. In this edited conversation, he talks about multisensory worship in that congregation that welcomes neighbors.

September 12, 2012 | 5 min read

Use Baptismal Imagery in Worship and Life

Reading Robin M. Jensen's book "Baptismal Imagery in Early Christianity: Ritual, Visual, and Theological Dimensions" will give you many ideas for deepening baptismal identity in your congregation

August 22, 2012 | 3 min read
Early Christian Baptismal Imagery for Today

Robin M. Jensen’s book Baptismal Imagery in Early Christianity illuminates and illustrates the multiple meanings and biblical metaphors of baptism. It can awaken imagination for Christians and congregations to live into their baptized identity.

August 22, 2012 | 6 min read
Elizabeth Broschart on Planning Music in Small Churches

Elizabeth “Beth” Broschart is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church, a small congregation in Boyne City, Michigan. Before that, she pastored a small church in Pennsylvania and helped lead music in churches where her husband was the pastor. In this edited email conversation, she talks about the joys and challenges of planning music in small congregations.

August 8, 2012 | 4 min read

Why People Still Love Hymnals

If you worship in a church where the music reflects the CCLI Top 25, then you may be surprised to hear that many Christians still love singing and praying from hymnals.

May 30, 2012 | 1 min read
Writing Content for Congregations

The written communication of your congregation has great potential to bless members, newcomers, and the community. Your congregation has unique stories of the love and care of God. It is worth your while to evaluate and tweak current church content and write new materials. Doing so will help people grow together in becoming more like Christ.

May 2, 2012 | 4 min read