Palm Sunday: Another Advent
Noticing and celebrating Palm Sunday’s allusions to Advent can enrich your congregation’s understanding of Holy Week and how Palm Sunday reflects both Christ’s humble first coming and his glorious return.
Church Polity and Online Sacraments in the Christian Reformed Church
Kathy Smith, Adjunct Professor of Church Polity at Calvin Theological Seminary, reflects on the administration of sacraments in the unique context of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. She advises Christian Reformed churches to practice pastoral flexibility while still abiding by church polity, and provides a historical example from World War II, related by her predecessor Henry De Moor.
Streaming Worship Services and Copyrights in a Time of Social Distancing
In an age of social distancing and remote, online worship due to COVID-19, churches are figuring out how to honor copyrights in entirely new ways, and companies are giving special allowances during this time.
Mark L. MacDonald on Gospel-Based Discipleship and Indigenous Christians
Archbishop Mark L. MacDonald speaks and writes about gospel inculturation in Indigenous ministries, especially among First Nations Anglicans in Canada. Churches everywhere can learn from the Indigenous Gospel-Based Discipleship model for worship, governance, and community life.
Trauma-Informed Care in Church Worship and Life
This topic showcase highlights resources to help churches use trauma-informed practices in church worship and congregational life. Faith communities are more effective when they become more aware of adverse childhood experiences, collective trauma, and other tragedy.
Pandemics and Public Worship Throughout History
As the pandemic COVID-19 brings isolation and unprecedented challenges to congregations around the world, it can be of great comfort to reflect and learn about how Christian churches have responded to epidemics and pandemics throughout history.
Holy Week in Uncertain Times
The pandemic of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has thrown Lent and Holy Week plans into turmoil. But the remembrances and celebrations of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday present opportunities for both innovation and stability amid uncertainty.
Loving Your Neighbor In and Through Worship Practices
2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Plenary
From Longing to Belonging: Connecting through the Language of Worship with Persons Experiencing Dementia
2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop
Praying at the Table, Praying at the Font
2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop
Funeral Practices during COVID-19: Praying for Wisdom in Pastoral and Liturgical Adaptations
During the COVID-19 pandemic, pastors and churches preparing to conduct funerals face unique challenges, particularly restrictions on public gatherings even for those who grieve.
Indigenous Christian Worship Resources: Where to Start
Many congregations are beginning to realize that they live, work, and worship on land taken from Indigenous people. Learning about First Nations and Native American Christians can help worshipers from other cultures see the gospel with new eyes.