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La Verne Tolbert on the Vital Role of Parents and the Church in Raising Children in the Faith

In this episode, Christian educator Dr. La Verne Tolbert shares her hopes and desires for renewed connections between parents and the church in the formative work of raising children in the faith and including children in the worship life of the church.

November 29, 2022 | 26 min listen
Witnessing to the God of Life: Reformation Sunday 91 Service

The World Communion of Reformed Churches in partnership with the 91 leads the annual Reformation Day global worship service in Rome, Italy.

November 28, 2022 | 1 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 | 7 min read

‘By the People for the Good of the People’: A Conversation with Matthew Sigler

In this edited conversation, Matthew Sigler discusses how contemporary youth can find their place in worship by exploring historical church practices.

November 17, 2022 | 13 min read
Rebecca Snippe on Zeteosearch.org

Preachers, worship leaders, teachers, and others who study the Bible often go online to find resources for their research. Sorting through search results is often frustrating. But Zeteosearch.org—a revamped curated search engine—offers thought-provoking results.

November 14, 2022 | 3 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 | 79 min video

A Coherent Ritual Life

What do our daily habits of home and work have to do with weddings, baptisms, or the Lord’s Supper? Dru Johnson and Cory Willson trace the biblical lines of ritual thinking, from the field, office, and factory to worship in the sanctuary and waters of baptism. Recording from the session held in July 2022.

November 9, 2022 | 75 min video
Demythologizing Freedom and the Beloved Community: A Practical Theology

This Recording from the African American Religious Autobiographies Seminar, held in July 2022, highlights the psychological and spiritual profiles of key religious anti-racist figures from the 19th and 20th Century, using practical theology and psychohistory.

November 9, 2022 | 73 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 | 1 min video

New 91 Songs for Climate Change and Creation Care 

Our 2017 annotated list of worship songs about care for creation remains so popular that we have compiled a new list of worship songs to lament climate change and encourage creation care. Many of these songs and hymns have been released since 2018. Others are new to various English-speaking audiences because they come from international hymnals and organizations.

November 7, 2022 | 12 min read
For God So Loved the Cosmos . . . A Service of Lessons and Carols

The Old Testament unfolds the cosmic nature of God’s promised redemption “far as the curse is found.” Reflecting back on the coming of Messiah, Paul not only testified that it was in Jesus Christ that all things were created, but also that in Jesus Christ, God was at work to “reconcile to himself all things.” [Col. 1:15]. In this service of lessons and carols, sung by the Calvin University choirs, hear texts celebrating this all-creation vision of redemption.

November 7, 2022 | 94 min video
Artistic Engagement and Leadership Formation: A Conversation with Stephen Martin

In this edited conversation, Stephen Martin discusses the role of creativity, collaboration, and intergenerational connections in empowering young worship leaders.

October 31, 2022 | 8 min read