1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
21st-century worship planners are faced with unique exciting challenges as the church answers the Spirit's call to be a place where all nations and cultures are invited to join in praise.
There are unique and wonderful challenges in following the apostle Paul's example of preaching Christ and Him crucified from the gospels. How do we faithfully communicate the message of Christ from the very words and life of Christ himself? It may seem obvious, but too often men and women are getting it wrong.
This session explored how the most-used contemporary songs speak of the Triune God and what God has done to save us.
How can we use video clips, pictures, and PowerPoint in ways that are creative, but more importantly, truly helpful for communicating the preached Word?
From the age of the Apostles, to the Early Church Fathers, to the Middle Ages, to the present, we are invited to join that great cloud of witnesses who have worshiped God around the clock from hour to hour, from one time-zone to the next, in ceaseless prayer and praise. This session explored how to incorporate the rhythm of what some call 'The Liturgy of the Hours' into busy contemporary life.
A pastor/musician/liturgist from Argentina speaks of the many changes in worship in his country and throughout South America in the past generation, especially with respect to the influence of Pentecostalism. Since many Latin Americans have migrated in recent years to the United States, his perspective may well help North American churches understand better the complex dynamics of worship life in Central and South America.
The best argument for blended worship is that the body of Christ by definition is itself blended - therefore our services should reflect that reality.
This presentation was a lively conversation between Dallas Willard, professor at the University of Southern California, and Neal Plantinga, president of Calvin Theological Seminary.
This workshop offered tools and ideas for creating rich, balanced language in worship. Participants explored principles for and discuss examples of welcoming traditional language gracefully; composing or improvising elements in fresh language; using songs and prayers to worship with the global church; and finding a place for lament. The session was based on the book Worship Words.
This session explored, first, the relationship between Baptismal theology and vocation, and second, a variety of pedagogies designed to invite youth to imagine faithfully their unfolding futures with God.
This workshop discussed what Dallas Willard calls the "elephant in the church" - the general failure of training adult Christians to be dedicated followers of Jesus Christ.
This workshop focused on the formative power of the lectionary when it is read within the theological narrative of the Christian year: the story of salvation.
