Two Pastors on Leading by Giftedness and Stewarding Diversity
Kizombo Kalumbula and Artie M. Lindsay Sr. helped found a church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, modeled on leading by giftedness. Gradually Tabernacle Community Church realized that their natural diversity was a gift from God meant to be stewarded during “such a time as this” in American culture.
April 11, 2023
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7 min read
Time Perception and Contextual 91
Mark Charles shares two perceptions of time and how they impact our cultural understanding of a worship service.
April 3, 2023
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16 min listen
Kizombo Kalumbula and Artie M. Lindsay Sr. on Work and 91
Valuing diversity in worship includes but goes beyond multiethnic considerations. It also means helping people of different ages, abilities, and vocations see themselves as living out their part to usher in God’s shalom. Two pastors offer practical insights for congregations interested in work and worship.
March 27, 2023
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5 min read
Jonathan A. Powers on Teaching Hymns Appropriate to Context
If your congregation experiences hymn singing as dull and lifeless, then try Jonathan A. Powers’ advice on finding, introducing, and teaching hymns that will resonate with your worshiping community.
March 6, 2023
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5 min read
Katie J. Graber on Singing with Cultural Appreciation, Not Appropriation
Some congregations worry that singing songs outside their own tradition might be inauthentic or offensive. Ethnomusicologist Katie J. Graber gives reasons for using worship songs from other cultures and eras—and how to do so with proper appreciation and attribution.
February 28, 2023
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5 min read
Intergenerational 91 in Global Contexts
Psalm 148 describes a compelling vision of “young and old together” in worship. In every cultural context, there are unique challenges and opportunities in realizing this vision. Come learn from leaders from four continents about how each generation is invited to participate and contribute to worship—and what barriers, challenges, and changes they are experiencing in their contexts. Come away with new questions to ask about your context—and cross-cultural wisdom to share.
February 8, 2023
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78 min video
LaTonya McIver Penny on Inclusion in Black Churches
The common thread in LaTonya McIver Penny’s pastoral and professional lives has been God’s calling to help faith communities, especially Black churches, become more inclusive. Learn why she sees inclusion as broader than welcoming people with cognitive or physical disabilities.
January 31, 2023
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8 min read
Lamar Hardwick on Disability as Diversity and Full Participation
In this episode, Pastor Lamar Hardwick reminds us that as many worshiping communities seek to become more diverse, celebrating and appreciating the beauty of all types of minds and bodies is an important theme in the life of the church.
December 5, 2022
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25 min listen
Kevin Secundino on Knowing You’re Not Alone
Participating in Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort and doing a summer ministry internship at his church taught one pre-med student a lot about God’s promises. You can apply some of what he learned to your own congregation.
December 5, 2022
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6 min read
Developing Leaders Every Pastor Wants in the Congregation
Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort offers pathways for students of all majors who want to live out their faith in all of life. This practical program helps them learn how to build community, love the church, and practice leadership no matter where they eventually work, worship, and serve.
November 28, 2022
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7 min read
Liturgical Practices of Enslaved Africana People in the American Colonial Period As Witnessed in Select [En]slave[d] Narratives
This recording from the African American Religious Autobiographies Seminar, held in July 2022, presents an examination of enslaved narratives as a genre and primary source of the experiences of enslaved Africana people in the American context and presents select excerpts reflective of their theology and liturgical practice. Reverend Weaver joined us for a night of learning, presenting on her current historical research into the worship practices of early enslaved Americans.
November 10, 2022
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79 min video
Unfinished Business: From the Great Migration to Black Lives Matter
This recording from the African American Religious Autobiographies Seminar, held in July 2022, includes the viewing and discussion of a musical documentary that showcases untold Great Migration [1916-1970] stories of elders from Black churches in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and connects their distinctive history to the contemporary Black Lives Matter movement.
November 9, 2022
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1 min video
