Worship and Work

(Applications for this seminar are now closed.)

The modern divide between Sunday worship and Monday work has had a devastating impact on the church. Many Christians today report that worship in the sanctuary feels completely disconnected from their work in the world. It’s almost as if they live in two separate worlds. Living their lives in pieces, the pieces–not surprisingly–begin to die.

This week-long seminar is co-directed by Matthew Kaemingk, Katie Roelofs, and Cory Willson, with contributing instruction and participation from The Porter's Gate songwriting collective. Come ready to explore and create new worship practices for your community that will directly engage the working lives of your people. Join a select group of creative musicians, pastors, and liturgists who wish to reconnect worship to the world in a powerful way. Together we will move beyond the theoretical and engage in the practical work of equipping the church with songs, prayers, blessings, and other resources that gather and scatter worshipers to participate in God’s mission through their daily work.

Our weekly rhythm will include morning “classroom” time, afternoon break time, group meals, and a public evening event. Morning sessions will include educational content that will lead directly into intentional space for conversation and creativity. We will work together to create new worship resources and a strategic plan for your congregation to engage the day-to-day lives of your people in and through Sunday morning worship.

This seminar will be offered at no cost to those participants who are selected. Space is limited. All meals and lodging will be provided throughout the week. Participants are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the seminar. 

Recognizing the importance of collaborative, creative energy for this long-term vision, churches are encouraged to send a group of two who can commit to working together on these ideas in their local congregation. Selected participants will be asked to engage in some preparation work in advance of the summer session. Each participant will receive some modest readings and video content to engage before the seminar.