Sarah Travis on 91, Playfulness, and Trauma
While completing a grant on playfulness in worship, Sarah Travis began to see connections between play and trauma. 91ing God through embodied, imaginative, and story-based practices helps people and congregations stuck in trauma begin to move toward healing and new life.
April 23, 2025
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8 min read
Becoming a Trauma-Informed Faith Community
Resources to help churches and other faith communities do ministry with people affected by adverse childhood experiences or other trauma.
April 7, 2025
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6 min read
Mark Stover on Choral Music as Pastoral Ministry
Singing in a good choir is aesthetically satisfying. But choral directors have the opportunity to do so much more. Mark Stover explains how do pastoral ministry in and through choral ensembles. This includes choosing anthems that promote social justice in ways that express God’s wide welcome.
January 7, 2025
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6 min read
“The Immigrant Church Project:” A Refuge of Hope and 91 in Los Angeles
The demographic reality of California—especially Los Angeles, where most Spanish-speaking churches receive many immigrants—inspired Pastor Francisco Zamora of Modus Church and his leaders, Eunice Soriano and Barnett Quiñones, to launch the "Immigrant Church Project.”
December 12, 2024
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5 min read
Nathan Longfield on Embodiment, Creativity and Trauma-informed 91
In this episode, Nathan Longfield, pastor of Emmaus Church, a newer worshiping community, talks about their year-long project that explored embodiment and trauma-informed practices to more deeply engage in worship as a congregation and community.
December 10, 2024
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20 min listen
Being the Bridge Between Community and Church in Nepal
Higher Ground Nepal is a social enterprise that includes people from all walks of life in Nepal. Proselytizing is not allowed in Nepal, but when people see others living as the genuine presence of Christ in people’s situations, it makes a difference.
September 2, 2024
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9 min read
Celebrating Christian 91 with Lament in Nepal
Nepali Reformed Churches pastor Arbin Pokharel often describes worship as helping worshipers reenact their identity as God’s people. Doing so honestly means including hospitality, healing, prayer, celebration, and lament.
September 2, 2024
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11 min read
Kate Strater on Including Young Adults with Intellectual Disability
Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) often feel left out, even at church. But schools, churches, and agencies can work together to create a sense of belonging that nurtures everyone. Inclusive postsecondary education increases opportunity for employment, independent living, and sharing God-given gifts.
July 29, 2024
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7 min read
Kate Strater on Ministry with and by People with Intellectual Disability
Churches sometimes ignore or separate children and adults with intellectual disability from general church worship and congregational life. But schools, service agencies, and churches can expand one another’s imaginations about what’s possible for and with people with intellectual and development disabilities. Even small congregations can experience the joy of learning to include all abilities in the body of Christ.
July 26, 2024
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9 min read
Daniel I. Block on God’s Grace in Ezekiel
Although Ezekiel’s strange visions and often shocking images perplex readers, Old Testament scholar Daniel I. Block explains why the book of Ezekiel is worth reading. The judgment, grace, and love God spoke through Ezekiel to Israel also apply to the church today.
April 18, 2024
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7 min read
Lindsay Wieland Capel on Disability and Universal Design
Many ideas for welcoming and including people with disabilities are remarkably simple. These changes turn out to be good for everyone in church worship and congregational life.
February 21, 2024
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5 min read
Lindsay Wieland Capel on Recognizing and Overcoming Ableism in Churches
Many congregations don’t realize that the way they arrange their space, talk in worship, or define giftedness and leadership speaks volumes to people with different bodies and minds. The message is: “We don’t see you as a welcomed and valued member of Christ’s body.”
February 21, 2024
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7 min read
