Jim and Kim Thomas on
Jim and Kim Thomas talk on how their professional musical experiences have shaped how they lead worship and how contemporary music has shaped the church.
Invitation to Christ: Sacramentally Centered Worshiping Communities
In worship, Christ is proclaimed to us not only in the Word that falls on our ears, but also in the “visible words” that are set before our eyes. At the font, God’s grace is washed upon our brows, and at the Lord’s Table, it is received into our hands and tasted with our mouths.
Brad O’Donnell on the changes in the music industry over the last fifteen years
Brad O’Donnell discusses the changes in the music industry over the last fifteen years. The advent of Napster, YouTube, iTunes and similar outlets has brought about huge shifts in how music is marketed and sold. And worship music has become the most popular and profitable subgenre of the Christian music industry.
Learning How to Pray from the Whole Body of Christ
In this workshop, Mark Gornik will discuss how he came to a deeper understanding of God and the Christian life through worshipping with African churches in New York City.
Worship for Post-Modern Times
What kinds of questions should we be asking so that we think about the struggles of young people in post-modern times? How does the Gospel minister to these basic issues of life?
Baptism in Art, Ritual, and Symbol
Using the resources of ancient texts, architectural remains, and visual art, this workshop aims first at uncovering baptism’s meaning for the first generations of Christians who received it and then at how that information can enrich our teaching about, preparation for, and practice of Christian baptism today.
Spirit-People and Embodied Worship
In this workshop, we considered the surprisingly embodied work of the Holy Spirit described in scripture, and think about the importance of the body for those who would become people of the Spirit.
Baptism and Lord’s Supper Renewal Stories
Worship Renewal Grant recipients from diverse congregations described what they are learning about sacramental practices that nurture and strengthen faith in people of various ages and cultures.
Navigating Worship Conflicts with Grace and Truth
This workshop pondered the dynamics of worship conflicts, and suggest steps for navigating through them.
How to Help “Contemporary” Churches Embrace “Ancient” Approaches to Worship
Can congregations with a “praise band” worship culture be led to joyfully embrace the practices of historic liturgy? Yes, if they are allowed to taste it slowly and if they see the evangelical and missional wisdom embedded in the ancient ways.
Worship Together for All Ages: Will it work or is it expecting too much?
Many churches today are eager to present themselves as “intergenerational” in their worship. In a society that so easily separates people by age, developmental level, and experience, can the church succeed in keeping the generations together? Is this idea new and novel, or old and tested? What are the considerations and issues we’ll have to deal with? How do we accommodate different rates of faith development? What are the benefits of succeeding? We’ll draw on each other’s experiences and reexamine the conversations that The Church of All Ages started.
Encouraging Creativity in Your Church
This workshop explored some practical ideas and ways that you can bring creativity back to your worship setting.