Renewed: Ready My Heart
What if we thought about Christ’s birth as an ongoing reality, rather than a one-time event? That’s just what Lois Shuford’s haunting Advent song “Ready My Heart” does: it helps us prepare our hearts for Christ to dwell in us every day.
November 27, 2017
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10 min video
Round Two: Ordination Best Practices for Ministers, Elders, and Deacons
Our first roundup of ordination resources was so popular that we have now consulted five more experts from five more denominations. Their best practices will help you dig beneath the surface when you ordain or install ministers, elders, and deacons.
November 21, 2017
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26 min read
A Conversation with David Crowder
View this conversation with pastoral musician David Crowder and Noel Snyder, program manager at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
November 14, 2017
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27 min video
Does Church Location Make Any Difference?
Because human beings are embodied creatures, the shape of the material world—in particular, the shape of the built environment—will affect their spiritual lives, both in relation to God and to each other.
October 24, 2017
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10 min read
Renewed: Come, Holy Ghost
Introducing the worship song “Come, Holy Ghost / Be Not Afraid” by Bruce Benedict and Ray Mills.
October 16, 2017
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11 min video
Renewed: Come, Holy Ghost
Introducing the worship song “Come, Holy Ghost / Be Not Afraid” by Bruce Benedict and Ray Mills.
October 16, 2017
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1 min video
Mika Edmondson on MLK’s Theology of Unearned Suffering
Jesus’s example of laying down his life for others inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and the U.S. civil rights movement. This theology of how to engage undeserved suffering can help congregations deal with pain.
October 10, 2017
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7 min read
Renee Reimer on Being Rooted and Grounded in God’s Creation
Worshiping outdoors and bringing nature into worship helped one church experience more connections between God’s creation, worship, and neighbors.
October 10, 2017
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7 min read
Barbara J. Newman on Adult Inclusive Small Group Bible Studies
TOGETHER is a new Bible study curriculum designed to include, appeal to, and challenge adults of varying abilities. It aims to build community in ways that may enrich congregational worship.
September 29, 2017
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8 min read
Reggie Smith on Theology Underlying Sociology
What churches profess and what they do sometimes clash. Sharing stories, sitting with those who suffer, praying, and listening in silence for God can help churches harmonize theology and sociology.
September 1, 2017
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7 min read
Reflections from a Charlottesville Church . . .
Isaac Wardell, Director of Worship Arts at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, shares reflections from his experience shepherding their Charlottesville congregation in Sunday worship through the trauma of hatred, bigotry, and violence that took place in their small town less than one day before they gathered for worship.
August 28, 2017
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6 min read
When Helping Heals: Affirming Global Service in our Churches
Providing charitable support and development assistance to people in need can and does work, but, like any important activity, we must learn how to do it well.
August 22, 2017
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6 min read
