1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
The intimate connection between the Spirit and the Church has deep roots in Christian tradition, such that the liturgy, i.e., "the work of the people," is also the work of the Spirit. This presentation will explore the relationship of the Spirit to the liturgy in terms of the Trinitarian economy and the Orthodox doctrine of synergy.
The Psalms have been a great source of inspiration for generations of Christians but children seldom get the chance to interact with more than a handful of Psalms in a meaningful way. This workshop will explore how we can help children do this and why it matters.
This workshop highlighted how our understanding of transformational worship experiences is deepened through a study of worship that included the narratives of church members. Drawing on the insights that are summarized in the book Worship that Changes Lives, participants were encouraged to reflect on the relational dimension of their worship experiences.
“Be still and know that I am God.” That is the exhortation we hear from God in Psalms 46:10. But how possible is this in our modern technological world? What does it mean to be still before God? I used to think I understood
A key part of preaching is having something to say. Another key part is saying it well.
While we often associate "postmodernism" with the explosion of communications technology or the outlandish claims of "deconstruction," this workshop suggested that postmodernism might also mean a return to symbols, icons, and ritual. With this in mind, this workshop explored the shape of worship as evangelism in postmodernity.
This session probed key scriptural texts on the theme of divine glory, reviewed contributions of influential theological texts, and explored the pastoral dimensions of weaving this luminous theme into everyday ministry back home.
What role can drama play in the various elements of liturgy? Drama has been used to introduce sermon topics or themes of worship, but there are even more possibilities. This session explored how drama can enhance the call to worship, confession and assurance, proclaiming the word, offering, and sacraments.
The book of Jonah is replete with themes near to the heart of Christian life, worship, and witness.
This panel of Worship Renewal Grant recipients --from First Christian Reformed Church, Hamilton, Ont.; Eliot Presbyterian, Lowell, Mass.; Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church, Rehoboth, N.M.; and Bridgeway Community Church, Haledon, N.J.-- told their stories of how they are bringing together worshipers of different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. They offered practical ideas of how visual art, music, and testimony can help people honor their heritage and grow in unity.
This presentation addressed some of the wonderful possibilities of working well together as well as some of the pitfalls in the assumptions we make about sound in worship.
In this hands-on workshop, participants delved into the limitless process of multi-colored mono-prints, working with various found objects that are considered to be dead or discarded and seeking to imbue/resurrect them with life through the creative process, thus making a "new creation" --2 Corinthians 5:17--.
