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Job Description #1: Director of Music

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.

October 28, 2010 | 1 min read
Job Description #4: Director of Worship and Music

The Worship Director should be fully devoted to God and to the church of Jesus Christ and be committed to expressing that devotion through heart-felt worship consistent with the Evangelical and Reformed tradition.

October 28, 2010 | 1 min read
An Introduction to Pentecost Season and Summer

Your worship planning has likely been marked by a good bit of intensity in recent weeks. The season of Lent followed by Holy Week and Easter require a great deal of effort by worship planners, preachers, and worship leaders. The services have hopefully all had a consistent theme focused on the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord.

October 27, 2010 | 9 min read

With a Shout conference: Presenter Information

Dr. Boogaart has extended his teaching ministry outward by leading many retreats and seminars and by teaching nearly weekly in area churches. He is the author of two books and many articles in Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought, and Western's Reformed Review. Dr. Boogaart also directs Western's Doctor of Ministry degree program.

October 27, 2010 | 3 min read
With a Shout: What Difference Does the Ascension Make for Everyday Life?

This day-long conference exploring the meaning of the Ascension culminated in a community worship service at Woodlawn CRC. The conference and service were co-sponsored by the Dean of the Chapel, Calvin College, and the Center for Excellence in Preaching.

October 27, 2010 | 1 min read

The Role of Prayer in Public Worship

The prayers in a worship service constitute a very sacred time in which the corporate voice of God's people is lifted heavenward. Such efforts should never be done unthinkingly, and such prayers should never be written carelessly. Indeed, in some ways, corporate prayers require more thought than personal prayers because they must address the needs and concerns of many. Let there be careful forethought to the prayers we offer, regardless of whether we offer them extemporaneously or through written form.

October 26, 2010 | 10 min read
Planning for Summer Worship: Constructing Series of Sermons

The summer is a good time to draw the worship planners together to take a look at the season that is past.

October 26, 2010 | 5 min read
Reading Scripture in Public Worship

In all of our worship planning the principle that the Word of God is central must guide us. Since worship is our engagement with God, our group conversation with God, the Word must figure prominently.

October 26, 2010 | 8 min read

The Longest Night - LaSalle Street Church

This service of lament and longing for God's light was held on the night of Wednesday, December 20—the night with the least sunlight of any day on the calendar in the Northern Hemisphere.

October 22, 2010 | 2 min read
Praying the Lord's Prayer During Advent

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer for all seasons. But it comes to us with particular pastoral urgency during Advent and Christmas.

October 22, 2010 | 2 min read