1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Nearly every seminary in North America worships together during the week. These services are central to a seminary’s communal life and work, for worship is deeply formative – spiritually, educationally, and institutionally. Yet there is significant variety in the ways in which seminary communities plan for, lead, and learn about worship.
This list is a select review of items of interest found on seminary worship websites, organized according to common themes: Customaries, Denominational Diversity, Stylistic Variety, Curricular Integration, and Other issues.
Surveys are wonderful – though limited – tools for gathering data on worship priorities and practices. The survey used by the CICW/Brehm study group asked broad questions in four categories: Leadership, Liturgy, Community, and Curriculum. Many other research goals and strategies might suggest other questions and/or analytical data-gathering mechanisms.
Paul Ryan discusses the impact of a name and how this changes the understanding behind how we see worship.
A description of Chris O'Reilly and Peter Bush's experience training lay leaders to pray and preach.
Vital questions to ask about worship before calling a minister.
The longer I live, the more I become convinced three things are true: 1. God does exist 2. I am not God. 3. The first two points are worth remembering—always.” Wise words from an aged Roman Catholic priest. How easy to slip into the sin of what St. Paul terms “thinking too highly of ourselves.”
The Purpose of a director of music and worship arts is to equip and shepherd our musicians and worship arts leaders, and with the pastors, to guide and support the worship planning process. The ultimate goal is to support the vision of our church through the worship experience at each individual service.
The Pastoral Musician will be an accomplished musician and a dedicated Christian; one who maintains a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ and who encourages spiritual growth in the persons she/he works with and serves. The Pastoral Musician must also have an appreciation for the Reformed faith.
General Position Expectation for Director of Music: administers and produces all aspects of music. This would include recruitment, training, and leading a varied ministry of music for the congregation in harmony with the church's mission statement.
The Minister of Music, Worship & Fine Arts develops the ministries of music, drama, dance and the visual arts and incorporates these in the worship of the church so that the worship of the congregation is enhanced to the glory of God. This ministry ultimately helps the church fulfill her God-given vision, “to help people from our diverse community grow in their relationship with Christ and with each other.”
A Director of Music helps develop and lead the worship music ministry for the church, in consultation with the senior pastor and other team members, in a way that is consistent with the mission, values, and theology of the church community.
