Resources on Shift Worship

Topical Study on Worship Each week Christians gather for worship in mud huts and Gothic cathedrals, in prisons and nursing homes, in storefront buildings and village squares, in sprawling megachurches and old country chapels. In these diverse contexts the style of worship varies greatly. Some congregations hear formal sermons read from carefully honed manuscripts;...

Worship Resources for Welcoming Communities Sermon (Complete) by Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests https://togetherinworship.net/ResourceView/83/22754 Sermon (Complete) by Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests Topics: LGBTQ , Worship Planning , Identity , Hospitality Source: Together in Worship This resource by the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests is a collection of elements of worship that specifically address LGBTQ+ issues or are inclusive of that population.

Worship: What’s Missing? Article by Karl Overbeek https://rca.org/news/worship-what%E2%80%99s-missing Article by Karl Overbeek Topics: Confession , Church , Music , Reformed Church in America Source: Reformed Church in America Karl Overbeek reflects on contemporary worship settings, noting that they are heavy on the music, healthy on the Word, and very light on meaningful prayer.

All Ages Needed for Intergenerational Worship Article by Joan Huyser-Honig http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/all-ages-needed-for-intergenerational-worship Article by Joan Huyser-Honig Topics: Worship , Community , Intergenerational issues Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Though many churches offer multiple worship options, each pegged to an age or generation, Howard Vanderwell and Steve Burger make a case for intergenerational worship that has families worshiping together.

Worshiping with Children at Christmas Children's Sermon by Carolyn C Brown http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/06/year-c-christmas-eve-or-day.html Children's Sermon by Carolyn C Brown Topics: Christmas , Children , Shepherd Source: Worshiping With Children Carolyn Brown offers some fantastic advice for including and engaging children in worship on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Ideas include drama, intentional scripture readings, encouragement to provide childcare for younger children, and more.

Worship Resources Element of Worship by Thom M Shuman https://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/2018/06/liturgy-with-communion-for-july-1-2018.html Element of Worship by Thom M Shuman Topics: Prayer , Liturgy , Worship Planning , Confession Source: Lectionary Liturgies This liturgy draws on 2 Samuel 1, Psalm 130, Mark 5:21-43, and 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 and includes a call to worship, prayer for forgiveness, assurance of pardon, communion, sending, and other worship elements.

Worship Words Article by Douglas J Brouwer https://reformedjournal.com/blog/2009/12/01/worship-words/ Article by Douglas J Brouwer Topics: Worship , Language , Worship Planning , Words Source: Reformed Journal In this article, Douglas Brouwer introduces and reviews the book Worship Words written by Debra and Ron Rienstra. It calls us to a renewed appreciation of words in worship which require both authenticity and excellence.

Why Worship Shouldn't Feel Like Family Article by John Flowers https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/4093/why-worship-shouldnt-feel-like-family Article by John Flowers Topics: Worship , Family , Church , Visitors Source: Ministry Matters Worship that "feels like family" might feel very different for the visitor and the outsider. This article discusses practices of worship that can be experience as exclusionary.

Convergence and Consumption: The Digital Age and a New Ecology of Worship Audio/Video by Shane Hipps http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/convergence-and-consumption-the-digital-age-and-a-new-ecology-of-worship Audio/Video by Shane Hipps Topics: Worship , Technology , Culture , History Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Worship is a product of culture; and culture is born of technology, media, and communication patterns. This presentation explores the major historical shifts in technology and their dramatic impact on worship in the church.

Four Ways to Mentor Worship Leaders Practical How-To by Laura Feliciano http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/four-ways-to-mentor-worship-leaders Practical How-To by Laura Feliciano Topics: Education , Liturgy , Worship Planning , Congregation Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Four church leaders describe how they train and mentor worship leaders in their contexts. They try to identify gifts and to make room for everyone no matter their immigration status, age, or gender.

The life-changing potential of whole-life worship Article by Sara Hargreaves https://engageworship.org/articles/the-lifechanging-potential-whole-life-worship Article by Sara Hargreaves Topics: Worship , Family , Church , Worship Planning Source: EngageWorship Sharing numerous stories of people coming to worship on Sunday, this article contends that worship planners should create a culture of whole-life worship in the church, recognizing and meeting people's diverse histories and experiences.

Pastoral Worship Leadership Article by Edwin M Willmington https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/pastoral-worship-leadership-2/ Article by Edwin M Willmington Topics: Worship , Ministry , Pastor , Music Source: Fuller Studio This article considers the vocation of worship ministry, suggesting that a pastoral worship leader must consider themselves a pastor first and an artist second.

When All Ages Worship Together Article by Joan Huyser-Honig http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/joy-when-all-ages-worship-together Article by Joan Huyser-Honig Topics: Intergenerational issues , Worship Planning , Joy Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship This article explores the importance of intergenerational worship with stories from several congregations. It provides a list of resources and discussion questions at the end.

Playing and Praying with Children in Worship Article by Melissa Florer-Bixler https://www.faithandleadership.com/melissa-florer-bixler-playing-and-praying-children-worship Article by Melissa Florer-Bixler Topics: Worship , Family , Worship space , Children Source: Faith and Leadership Melissa Florer-Bixler argues that giving kids a place in the front of the sanctuary allows them to worship in a way that comes naturally to them: through play.

Sunday Morning Worship: Who's not there and why not? Article by Joan Huyser-Honig http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/sunday-morning-worship-who-s-not-there-and-why-not- Article by Joan Huyser-Honig Topics: Worship , Family , Intergenerational issues , Pastoral leadership Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship As churches work toward full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy, they're reaching out to those absent from Sunday morning worship. A feature story focused on Sunday worship attendance and how to reach out to...

Strategies for Cross-Cultural Music & Worship Article by James Ward http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/8744200959/strategies-for-cross-cultural-music-worship-by Article by James Ward Topics: Worship , Church , Cultures , Congregational Flourishing Source: Global Worship These article excerpts by James Ward on strategies for developing multi-cultural worship discuss latent racial prejudices that obstruct worship planning, techniques for leading a congregation through changes in worship, and challenges that disrupt worship implementation.

Worship Teams, Committees, and Staff Positions Practical How-To by John D Witvliet https://www.reformedworship.org/article/march-2010/worship-teams-committees-and-staff-positions Practical How-To by John D Witvliet Topics: Church , Pastoral leadership , Worship Planning , Leadership Source: Reformed Worship John Witvliet answers some questions about who should lead and plan worship by sharing some models for leadership as well as core values that should be in place no matter the leadership structure.

A Congregation Deepens Worship with Collaborative Visual Displays Article by Edie Gross https://www.faithandleadership.com/congregation-deepens-worship-collaborative-visual-displays Article by Edie Gross Topics: Worship , Art , Congregation , Fellowship Source: Faith and Leadership This article by Edie Gross explores how decorating a church's sanctuary can be a meaningful way to inspire worship, collaboration, and belonging in a congregation.

Ancient Future Faith and Worship Article by Joan Huyser-Honig http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/robert-e-webber-s-legacy-ancient-future-faith-and-worship Article by Joan Huyser-Honig Topics: Worship , Faith , Ecumenism , Cultures Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship This article explores how ancient future worship is about rooting our worship in God's story, meaning that we embody not our culture but God's mission.

COVID Is Devastating, but Decentralized Worship Is a Gift Article by Cory Willson https://www.thebanner.org/columns/2020/04/covid-is-devastating-but-decentralized-worship-is-a-gift Article by Cory Willson Topics: Worship , Priesthood , Ministry Source: The Banner Cory Willson reflects on some of the gifts to be discovered during times of decentralized worship; among them recognizing the priesthood of all believers, reconsidering the interactive nature of worship, and ministering to those immediately around...

Nonverbal Worship Practices that Bridge Differences Article by Joan Huyser-Honig http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/nonverbal-worship-practices-that-bridge-differences Article by Joan Huyser-Honig Topics: Worship , Art , Intergenerational issues , Culture Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Reflecting on the insights of Kai Ton Chau, Joan Huyser-Honig explores nonverbal worship practices, such as using rhythm, dance, instrumental music, liturgical movement, and visual art, that can bridge generational, cultural, and language differences.