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On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Representing the love of God to neighbors works best in congregations that have a clear vision reflected in worship and prayer.
Lisa De Boer teaches art and art history at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She’s been researching the role of visual arts in North American churches. In this edited conversation, she talks about learning to appreciate worship art that doesn’t match a personal ideal.
John Witvliet speaks on "Berakah as a Way of Life" at the 2012 Calvin Theological Seminary convocation.
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
David Rylaarsdam’s family celebrates their baptism birthdays every year with a simple liturgy and cake. He used this baptism birthday liturgy for his son Simon’s 11th baptism birthday.
Acting on sermons about loving your neighbors is easier if you see yourself as able to give, join others in serving, and see your loving service as an act of worship.
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.
Do your church’s sermons disciple worshipers to love God and their neighbors with all they have? What does that love look like in your neighborhood?
In prayer Christians address the triune God - one God in three persons, the God of holiness, love, beauty, and power.
You don’t need a large choir, paid staff, or huge budget to plan music for worship in your small congregation.
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.
A lesson plan to accompany Living Worship curriculum that addresses how liturgy and theology affect and inform each other, especially in connection with the choosing of a liturgy for baptism or dedication or both.
