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Calvin Symposium on Worship, January 29-31, 2009

Program information
Each day of Symposium begins and ends with a complete worship service. Thursday is devoted to seminars which allow in-depth study of worship-related topics. The main schedule of hour-long workshops begins on Friday and is repeated in the same time slots on Saturday. The conference ends with worship Saturday afternoon.

Online registration will open in October.

Wednesday, January 28

Check in
3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Hekman Library Lobby area (see map of Calvin College)
Pick up your name badge, program, and worship service booklets.

5:00 p.m. Welcome dinner for overseas international guests and presenters, Prince Conference Center

Thursday, January 29

7:00-8:30 a.m. Check-in (Hekman Library lobby)
8:30-9:30 a.m. Opening worship service
  Fine Arts Center: Craig Barnes, preaching
9:30-10:00 a.m. Travel time and refreshment breaks (at seminar locations)
10:00 a.m.-12 noon Seminars meet—choose one seminar to attend (seminars continue from 1-3:30 p.m.)
 

Seminar 1: Exploring the Emerging Church: Theology, Culture, Ritual, and Meaning—Jason Clark, Kevin Corcoran, Peter Rollins, James K. A. Smith, Kurt Wilson, Lori Wilson, moderated by Nathan Bierma
Three scholars will present drafts of their work that will result in a book and DVD analyzing and documenting the emergent church movement in the US and the UK.  Two respondents will raise questions of importance to the broader Christian community, especially questions of worship and evangelism. As the day progresses, we anticipate discussions of a cluster of significant themes in emerging church life—from consumerism, conversion, hermeneutics, to ecclesiology, eschatology, deconstruction, and postmodernism—that promise to challenge all participants to deepen their own framework for ministry. Participants will be sent some reading ahead of time with an invitation to ask questions during this day of presentations, video segments, responses, and Q&A. Come to contribute to the conversation.

Seminar 2: Preaching Parables—Craig Barnes, hosted by Scott E. Hoezee
The parables of Jesus were so much more than illustrations or ornaments for his teaching.  They contain deep levels of theological truth, accessible only to those with ears to hear them.  This seminar will explore how to train our ears for parables, and then how to unfold their mystery to a congregation.

Seminar 3: The Holy Spirit in Worship: Learning from the Reformed-Pentecostal Dialogue—Simon Chan, David D. Daniels III, Suzanne McDonald, Setri Nyomi, moderated by John D. Witvliet
Many Christian traditions insist that the Holy Spirit is the main agent who makes worship possible. Yet this basic assertion is practiced in different ways in different traditions and cultures, involving radically different emotional responses, modes of prayer, and approaches to planning and spontaneity.  This session will feature a panel of speakers from both Reformed and Pentecostal traditions who will reflect on several years of dialogue and recent ecumenical statements about the Holy Spirit in worship.  This tradition of dialogue and these recently published statements (which will be available to all participants prior to the session) offer a rich learning environment to more deeply understand and value the vital, life-giving work of the Holy Spirit in our worship.

Seminar 4: Developing Pastoral Excellence—David J. Wood, hosted by Kathy Smith
How can excellence become a matter of habit, not just applied to particular practices and actions?  Given the context of the pastoral life and ministry, what does the “habit of excellence” look like and how is it cultivated?    All too often when excellence in pastoral ministry is discussed, the emphasis is upon a range of individual, even isolated, spiritual practices and the quality of ministerial performance such practices make possible.  In this seminar, by way of contrast, the practice of friendship will be a focal point for exploring the habit of excellence in pastoral ministry.  We’ll also explore how pastoral excellence can be reflected in worship leadership.   

Seminar 5: Grassroots Discoveries on Worship Renewal through Scripture, Sermon, Song, and the Arts, moderated by Betty Grit
Pastors and congregational leaders describe their year long process of worship renewal, sharing wisdom, learning, and practical advice to other congregations seeking to renew worship. With CICW Grant project directors from these congregations: Bridge Street AME, Brooklyn, NY; Bridgeway Community, Haledon, NJ; Covenant Life, Grand Haven, MI; Eliot Presbyterian, Lowell, MA; First Christian Reformed Church, Hamilton, ON; Granite Springs Church, Lincoln, CA; Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church, Rehoboth, NM; South Grandville Christian Reformed Church, Grandville, MI; and St. Luke AME Zion, Grand Rapids, MI.

Seminar 6: The Father and His Two Sons: Visually Encountering the Parable of the Prodigal—Kenneth E. Bailey, Sandra Bowden, Glenn Bulthuis Jr., Larry Gerbens (host), Betsy Steele Halstead (moderator), Ena G. Heller, Steve Prince, Julie Quinn, Jonathan Quist, and Edward Riojas
This seminar will explore the parable of the Prodigal Son and the theme of contextualization with the aim of furthering the dialogue between biblical, theological, historical, and artistic perspectives.  We will begin with insights into the cultural setting of the biblical text itself (in Luke 15).  Then an introduction to the concept of visual communication and interpretation will guide our historical tour of artistic renditions of the parable.  In the afternoon artists who have a piece in the Center Art Gallery’s exhibit on the Prodigal Son will share how they have taken the parable into their contemporary context to communicate its message for today.

Seminar 7: Song Seminar: Composing, Arranging, Writing, Leading, and Publishing New Songs for Worship—Mark Altrogge (worship songs); Edward Doemland (jazz); Robert Hobby (arranging for brass and organ); Greg Scheer, Gerardo Oberman, Horacio Vivares (global); K. Lee Scott (composing for choir); Rae E. Whitney (writing hymn texts); and publishers Kelly Dobbs Mickus (GIA) and Mark Lawson (MorningStar), moderated by Emily R. Brink
A seminar devoted to the creative, liturgical, and spiritual dimensions in song writing, with breakout sessions on  composing songs—both lyrics and music; writing hymn texts; composing/arranging for choir, for jazz, for brass and organ; arranging global songs; as well as advice on copyrights and publishing. Participants are invited to take two of their own compositions (8 copies each; one based on a psalm) for discussion and evaluation during the breakout sessions.   

Seminar 8: They Weren't People of the Book: Finding Jesus' Oral Culture in a Post-literate World—Dennis Dewey, hosted by Randall Buursma 
In this age that many call post-literate, it's helpful for us to remember that Jesus never wrote a book. The storyteller who is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith learned what we call "scripture" (writing) as sound and breath. Because digital culture is secondarily oral, we have much to learn from those who thought of themselves more as "people of the story" than as "people of the book." This workshop will challenge fundamental assumptions about the Bible and the biases of the high-literate academy in studying scripture as a document. The seminar will explore techniques for getting the text off the page, into the heart and out of the mouth.

Seminar 9: Youth, Worship, and the Seven Second Attention Span—Mark Yaconelli, hosted by Darwin Glassford
How do we create meaningful spiritual encounters for young people when they live in a culture of constant physical, emotional, intellectual, and even spiritual stimulation? How do we AVOID designing worship services that are anxious imitations of the marketplace?  Through spiritual exercises, discussion, and lecture, we'll explore an approach to adolescent worship, prayer, and spiritual formation that embodies wonder, heartbreak, and healing.

Seminar 10: Essentials for Conducting in Different Genres: Global Song, Gospel, and Classical, with Joel Navarro, Charsie Sawyer, and Pearl Shangkuan
Three choral conductors, all internationally known colleagues on the faculty of Calvin College, will lead this interactive seminar in training and guiding participants in conducting choral music for worship from the classical tradition, African American gospel tradition, and from diverse global repertoire. In the morning, the leaders will do the conducting and teaching; in the afternoon, volunteer conductors will be given opportunity to lead the group in a master class setting. This seminar is designed for the intermediate to advanced level conductor.
12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch break—pre-paid lunch available at Commons Dining Hall (or Prince Center if your seminar meets there)

1:00-3:30 p.m.

Seminars continue (stay with the same seminar group)

3:30-4:00 p.m. Travel time and refreshment break
Check-in for new arrivals, Hekman Library lobby
Book and music exhibits open
4:00-5:00 p.m. Conference welcome & Plenary address (repeated on Friday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.): Fine Arts Center and College Chapel

Plenary: Worship Renewal in the Latin American Context, Gerardo Oberman with Horacio Vivares and translation by Dianne M. Zandstra

Plenary: Worship Renewal in the North American Context, John D. Witvliet
5:00 p.m. Book and music exhibits open, Fine Arts Center, second level
Also see the art exhibit, Center Art Gallery, Spoelhof Center, first level
And visit the Ministry Resource Center, Hekman Library, fourth floor
5:15-6:00 p.m. Late afternoon vespers (four options)
  A service of Scripture and meditation, prayer and song, led by Mark Altrogge
  Open Our Lips - Declare Your Praise, led by
Keith Brautigam, Baritone
Gregory Alley, Trumpet
Larry Visser, Organ and Piano
  Jazz Vespers, led by Edward Doemland and Rae E. Whitney
A quiet jazz ensemble will support our singing in this early evening worship
  A Service of Evening Prayer,
with chanted psalms and intercessions, led by Kathleen Harmon and Joyce Ann Zimmerman
5:30-7:00 p.m. Dinner Commons Dining Hall (pre-pay or pay at the door)
7:30-8:30 p.m. Evening worship services (repeated Friday evening)
  Fine Arts Center: Frank Thomas, preaching, with participation by Calvin College Gospel Choir
College Chapel: Luke A. Powery, preaching, with participation by Princeton Theological Seminary choir

Friday, January 30

7:30 a.m. Check in (for new arrivals) Hekman Library lobby
8:30-9:30 a.m. Morning worship services (repeated Saturday morning)
  Fine Arts Center: Marva Dawn, preaching
College Chapel: Mary S. Hulst, preaching, with participation by the L.O.F.T. team
9:30 -10:00 a.m. Refreshment break, travel and conversation time
10:00-11:00 a.m. SESSION A: Workshops (repeated on Saturday)
Workshop title, presenter,
and description 		 
A1

Building a Healthy and Interdependent Church Community, Erik Carter and Barbara J. Newman
Discover several practical tools in building a church community that welcomes and embraces diversity in the membership.  Highlighting examples from churches including members with disabilities, we will offer ideas you can try tomorrow that allow people to see one another through God's eyes.

  
A2 Exploring the Emerging Church: Theology, Culture, Ritual, and Meaning, Jason Clark, Kevin Corcoran, and Pete Rollins
This workshop will provide a summary of the Thursday Seminar (same title) panel discussion and provide opportunity for further discussion of key questions and themes. Jason Clark will participate on Friday.		  
A3 Performing Non-narrative Texts, Dennis Dewey
How does the approach to the performance of a non-narrative text such as Paul's Letter to the Galatians or Jesus' Sermon on the Mount differ from the approach to telling the stories of scripture? This workshop will address this question through an interactive performance/response model. 		 
A4 Praying Around the Communion Table: Cultivating a Spirit of Thanksgiving, Paul Galbreath
Discover ways that the prayer of thanksgiving at the Lord’s Supper provides a shape and vocabulary to guide us in lives of gratitude as well as connect our practices in church with the actions in our daily lives.  		 
A5 “There was a man who had two sons….”: A Gallery Walk, Larry Gerbens
Intrigued and blessed by these words and the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we have been privileged to collect and commission art based on this parable of forgiveness and grace. Come walk with us as we encounter these "visual testimonies" to God's grace. 		 
A6 Leadership from Inside Out, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
Leadership at any level and in any setting requires people of character who are capable of creating trust, identifying values, and sustaining vision.  This is true in congregations, classes, boards, and agencies.  Join RCA general secretary Wes Granberg-Michaelson in exploring congregational leadership that is built on and extends from the inner spiritual lives of leaders, and explore how this relates to the dynamics of organizational change.  Wes will draw from his book Leadership from Inside Out for this interactive time altogether.		  
A7 Energizing Congregational Song, Robert Hobby
Using the hymnal, a variety of practical treatments will be utilized to illustrate how organists and choir directors can use resources at hand to enhance texts and styles of congregational song.		  
A8 A Firm Foundation: Biblical Principles of Worship, Ron Man
It is critical that churches base their worship practices upon unchanging, foundational principles from God’s Word. We need a common understanding of what we dare not change from church to church, culture to culture, century to century—even while we celebrate the rich diversity of expression which God delights in and which the New Testament allows for. Twelve principles will be presented as a scriptural framework for thinking about, preaching and teaching on, and planning and leading corporate worship.		  
A9 "Everything…AND the kitchen sink": Using instruments in worship, Robert Nordling
Some large churches have large orchestras, with winds, brass, and nicely balanced strings sections. Unfortunately, very few churches are afforded this luxury. How, then, do we make use of what we do have available – even if only one flute, trombone, and accordion? This practical workshop will discuss and demonstrate arranging music for any combination of instruments, as well as for more standard ensembles, with ideas for incorporating instrumentalists – at any ability level – into their worship music. Members of the Calvin College Orchestra will be present to demonstrate and play musical examples. 		 
A10 Worship, Suffering, and Justice, Setri Nyomi
This workshop explores the phenomenon of vibrant worship in communities in which there is much suffering, and engages participants in discussions around meaningful worship in such settings. It will also explore how social justice can be part of worship while keeping the focus on God.  		 
A11 Principles to Develop Good Vocal Health in Church Choirs, Charsie Sawyer
This workshop will impart accessible ways of achieving good vocal health while expressing praise and prayer to God.  Music leaders will develop tools to help singers produce a better sound, sing with confidence, and enter more deeply into worship with skill and excellence.  
 
A12
 Anthems and Hymns of K. Lee Scott
A reading session featuring a wide variety of styles, voicing and range of difficulty, with commentary by the composer as well as suggestions for use in worship.
  
A13 Singing the Sacraments, Martin Tel
An exploration of the psalms and hymns which have shaped the Christian’s theology of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Strategies will be considered for developing a congregation’s core set of psalms, hymns and songs which support both the action and understanding of the sacraments.		  
A14 Profession of Faith: Can It Be Revitalized? Howard Vanderwell
Our faith formation is marked by certain milestones. One such milestone is public profession of faith or confirmation. When this occurs might vary, but at whatever age, this milestone needs to be vital. We'll explore how to recapture a sense of privilege, make it a celebration, and the importance of regularly reaffirming it.		  
A15 Teens and Worship: Encouraging Creative and Meaningful Worship with Teenagers, Sharon Veltema
Practical suggestions, strategies, and resources to encourage vibrant, meaningful worship with teens will be presented.  We will also discuss the culture of worship among teens – what encourages teens to be excited about worshipping together on a daily basis?  Ideas that have worked, and some that have not worked, will be discussed.  This session is geared towards anyone involved with worship and teens.		  
A16 The Glory of God and Faithful Worship, John D. Witvliet
This session will probe key scriptural texts on the theme of divine glory, reviewing contributions of influential theological texts, and then exploring the pastoral dimensions of weaving this luminous theme into everyday ministry back home.		  
A17 Baptism and Eucharist: Early Celebration and Practice, Joyce Ann Zimmerman
Going "back to the sources" can tell us much about worship practices.  This workshop will trace the first four centuries of Christian celebration and practice of Baptism and Eucharist.  There will be a special focus on the early church's understanding of conversion, the experience of the catechumens, how the sacraments were first celebrated and understood, and the meaning of the many gestures and symbols used.  		 
10:00-12:30 p.m. EXTENDED SESSION A/B: Workshops (repeated on Saturday) Each presenter will offer a brief break within the 2.5 hour time frame. Choose Session A and Session B OR Extended Session A/B.  
 
A/B 1

Jesus Seen Through Middle Eastern Eyes: His Parables, Kenneth E. Bailey
This session will cover “The Good Samaritan,” “The Great Banquet,” “The Compassionate Employer,” and the “Noble Vineyard Owner and His Son;” participants will receive study sheets.  

  
A/B 2 (Saturday only) Getting Past the Fish: The Book of Jonah for Christian Worship, Carol Bechtel
The book of Jonah is replete with themes near to the heart of Christian life, worship, and witness. This workshop will explore ways to get beyond the “fish thing” so that the people of God can listen in sermons for themes like grace, tolerance, humility, and mission.		  
A/B 3 (Friday only) Scripture in Congregational Song: From Psalm Singing to Scripture Refrains, Joyce Borger
An examination of how scripture has been incorporated into congregational song historically and what that may teach us about its use today.  Participants will have an opportunity to sing scripture in a variety of genres and will leave with ideas for incorporating such songs into their congregation’s worship.   		 
A/B 4 Worship Through Visual and Interactive Arts - How to begin, how to develop, Steve Caton
Most, if not all of us eagerly support the idea of worship through art and the senses.  But it still seems to be an elusive worship component in many churches.  How is art created for worship?  How do you generate ideas for art?  How do you get people involved?  How do you ensure art supports the greater scope of the sermon or ministry?  How do you plan for such items? How do you end up not doing it all yourself and burning out?! My team and I have been on a long journey of finding answers to these questions; getting worshippers involved through participation and the senses. This session is back by popular demand, continuing last year's conversation on practical ideas, developing a team and their collaborating skills, and establishing good habits of communication with your team and pastor.   		 
A/B 5 Those “In-Between” Words in Worship, Heidi S. De Jonge and Paul Ryan
Scripture readings, sermons, and songs take up most of the time in a worship service. But it's often what happens in between them that is most telling. Those little words and phrases that welcome guests, introduce songs, and prepare us for prayer make all the difference for encouraging full participation in worship. These phrases are crucial for extending hospitality and for forming congregations for deep engagement with God and each other. This workshop—for both worshipers and worship leaders—will explore their significance and offer lots of tips for anyone who speaks in worship (pastors, worship team members, prayer leaders, deacons, and others).		  

A/B 6

 Multi-Media Preaching: Body, Voice, Sound, Screen, Mary S. Hulst and Quentin J. Schultze
A key part of preaching is having something to say.  Another key part is saying it well.  In this session we'll look at how both "old" (body, voice, dress) and "new" (videos, images, slides) media can be used for effective pulpit communication.  Come with your best ideas ready to share, or some great questions you'd like discussed.  Rookies, Luddites, and Techies all welcome!		  
A/B 7 (Friday only) Conducting Choral Music from Different Traditions and Styles, Joel Navarro and Pearl Shangkuan
This workshop will be interactive in training and guiding the church choir director in conducting music from both classical and global traditions. Volunteer conductors will also be given opportunity to lead other participants in a master class setting. This session is designed for the beginning to intermediate level conductor.  		 
A/B 8 Helping People Experience God in Worship, Bob Rognlien
21st century people crave genuine experiences. It's no wonder they stay away in droves from our one-dimensional worship services and flock to films, concerts, and extreme sports that engage them more completely! If we hope to reach new people through worship we must rediscover biblical worship as a holistic experience of God that uses technology, the arts, ancient traditions, and contemporary culture to engage the whole person. Through multi-media and examples from actual Experiential Worship services, this seminar will show you how to plan and lead worship gatherings where people can encounter God not only intellectually, but physically, emotionally, and volitionally as well. This biblical paradigm brings together many disparate strands of emerging postmodern worship trends and inspires participants to imagine how their own worship ministry can become more experiential and therefore reach more people!		  
A/B 9 (Saturday only) Singing and Praying with Brothers and Sisters Around the World, Greg Scheer with Christina Mandang, Gerardo Oberman, and Horacio Vivares
In the 21st century, increased travel and communication give us unprecedented access to non-western worship music. Hearing and joining with voices from around the globe have the potential to expand and challenge our vision of God and enrich the communion of the saints.  This session will introduce several songs led by people from different cultures in ways that will help connect your congregation’s worship with other Christians around the world.  		 
11:00-11:30 a.m. Travel and conversation time

11:30-12:30 p.m.

 SESSION B: Workshops and lunch options, (repeated on Saturday unless noted)
  Workshop title, presenter,
and description 		 
BL

Lunch (also offered in Session C) We encourage you to break for lunch during Session B or C.
Hot lunch cafeteria-style (pre-pay or pay at the door)

Grant Poster Displays
In the Commons dining hall during Session B and C lunch several Worship Renewal Grant Program (WRGP) posters will be displayed. These posters summarize through picutures and descriptions the projects of grant recipients. See the web for more information about the WRGP.

Commons
BT (Friday only) Tour of Calvin College, Calvin staff
Come and learn more about Calvin College, host institution of the annual Symposium on Worship. View a DVD about the college and take an indoor tour of the campus. This tour and talk is especially geared toward those who have contact with prospective students. 		 
B1

What the Psalms Have to Teach Us about Song Writing, Mark Altrogge
Psalms allow us to express a whole range of emotions in powerful ways and at the same time, they tell us a lot about God.  This workshop will examine how worship song writers can learn from the psalms as they work on their own craft.

 
B2 Moving Word, Moving Worship, Rosanne Barton-DeVries
When God speaks, something happens.  This workshop equips "hearers" of the Word to become physical "movers" of the Word in the worship setting.  Participants will explore a practical, theologically sensitive method for crafting and imaging embodied worship. This introductory session includes demonstrations of choreography and a practicum. Participants will be invited, though not required, to dance. 		 
B3 Rediscovering the Lord’s Supper: Growing Deeper into the Gospel, J. Todd Billings
A renewed theology and practice of the Lord’s Supper can help believers grow into a deeper and multi-faceted vision of salvation. Come and explore the ways in which the Lord’s Supper illuminates the gospel as participation in Christ by the Spirit.		  
B4 The Many Colors of the Voice, Keith Brautigam
Soloists and worship team members are challenged weekly to shepherd the congregation toward meaningful worship. Leaders must regularly employ the vast array of colors possible in every vocal offering.  This session will encounter the vocal, musical, textual, and interpretive techniques singers can use to bring freshness, purpose, and renewed adoration to each week's service.		  
B5 The Drama of Liturgy, Randall Buursma
What role can drama play in the various elements of liturgy?  Drama has been used to introduce sermon topics or themes of worship. We will explore how drama can enhance the call to worship, confession and assurance, proclaiming the word, offering, and sacraments.		  
B6 A Theological Understanding of the Liturgy as the Work of the Spirit, Simon Chan
The intimate connection between the Spirit and the Church has deep roots in Christian tradition, such that the liturgy, i.e., "the work of the people" is also the work of the Spirit. This presentation will explore the relationship of the Spirit to the liturgy in terms of the Trinitarian economy and the Orthodox doctrine of synergy. 		 
B7 Worship that Ministers to the Afflicted, Marva Dawn
Many in our congregations are suffering from chronic illnesses, sudden crises, stresses from work and/or family life, losses of loved ones or of personal abilities, discouragement from situations in the local community or the world.  How do we serve them best in our choices for worship elements, in our preaching?		  
B8 Kaleidoscope: Shifting Perspectives of Faith Formation, Young People, and Intergenerational Worship, Darwin Glassford
An exploration of how our understanding of young people and faith formation ought to enhance appreciation for worship that is intergenerational.  Drawing on current resources, ideas for promoting change and exchanging ideas will outline a strategy for promoting intergenerational worship.		  
B9
 Training and Engaging Lay Leaders of All Ages in Planning and Leading Worship, Betty Grit
This panel of Worship Renewal Grant recipients (Bridge Street AME, Brooklyn, NY; South Grandville Christian Reformed Church, Grandville, MI; St. Luke AME Zion, Grand Rapids, MI; Granite Springs Church, Lincoln, CA) will offer practical ideas to help congregations engage all worshipers from youth to the elderly. 		 
B10 What is Biblical Art? Ena G. Heller
There are many ways to define biblical art. It is art that illustrates biblical narratives; but also art that embodies biblical messages. It is largely Christian art; but not only and not necessarily. It is a welcome “Bible for the illiterates” according to St. Gregory and a disappearing art according to some in the 21st century. Throughout the centuries it has informed and nurtured us, has helped us in prayer and enriched the liturgy—and to this day it continues to surprise. This presentation will take you on an unexpected journey from the early Christian times to the 20th century and from medieval cathedrals to Andy Warhol, in search of an encompassing definition of biblical art.		  
B11 Organ Repertoire for Service Playing, Robert Hobby
This session will be a survey of newly-published organ music (with a few older gems sprinkled in) intended primarily for use in the context of worship. A variety of publishing houses will be represented.		  
B12 Science on Sunday, Scott E. Hoezee
In most churches, preachers and worship leaders generally avoid science in their sermons and liturgies.  At most, preachers may spar with science, challenging its alleged refutations of the Bible and the faith and so leaving the impression that science is the enemy of the church. In this workshop Scott Hoezee will suggest that science can be an excellent partner for preachers in celebrating the gifts and wonders of God that come to us in the handiwork of God's good creation.  The workshop will explore reasons science is a partner in ministry, not a threat to it, and how preachers and worship leaders can use science more positively in their teaching and preaching.		  
B13 Leadership and Communication, Duane Kelderman
Good leadership is more than good communication, but never less.  Listening, empathy, helping, and learning are some of the most natural—and effective—ways we can lead and empower others to lead in the church.  Come for ideas and encouragement aimed at pastors, elders, and other congregational leaders. 		 
B14 Moving Towards Transformation in Changing Communities, CJ Kingdom-Grier
This workshop will include an 11-year case study of worship and the arts in two congregations that are becoming multi-cultural, reflecting their changing communities.  Change happens slowly and usually involves grief.  Worship leaders need to work in concert with the Spirit, using intentional practices that guide congregations through grief to change. Several suggestions for worship planning will be offered.  		 
B15 "Jubilate"—Making a joyful noise through a music and worship ministry in Romania, Richard Mauney
Come hear how the "Jubilate" music/worship ministry in Romania can serve as a model for nationals and missionaries working together in a cross-cultural setting. The ministry, made up of Romanian and American partners, seeks to strengthen churches throughout Romania.  "Jubilate" focuses on leadership training in local churches, and on publishing materials for music and worship ministries. 		  
B16 Too Deep for Words? Preaching in the Language of the Spirit, Luke A. Powery
This session will explore the possibility of discerning the presence of the Holy Spirit in preaching and then discuss some manifestations of the Spirit in sermons, particularly focusing on the expressions of lament and celebration.		  
B17 Prayer in the Life of a Third Millennium Monastery: What We're Learning, Jenn and Tony Tendero
Members of the community will focus on stories from the first year of the Stockbridge Boiler Room, a simple Christian community that practices a daily rhythm of prayer, study, and celebration while caring actively for the poor and the lost.  Participants will be invited to share their experiences with prayer as part of the conversation.  		 
     
12:30-1:00 p.m. Travel and conversation time
1:00-2:00 p.m. SESSION C: Workshops and lunch options (repeated on Saturday unless noted)
Workshop title, presenter,
and description 		 
CL Lunch We encourage you to break for lunch during Session B or C.
Hot lunch cafeteria-style. Pre-pay or pay at door.
Commons

CLF

 (Friday only) A lunchtime conversation with the editor of Reformed Worship, Joyce Borger
 Knollcrest Room
CLS (Saturday only) Plans for a new bi-denominational hymnal, Joyce Borger
Bring your lunch!		 Knollcrest Room
C1

Worship that Changes Lives: The Next Dimension, Alexis Abernethy
This workshop highlights how our understanding of transformational worship experiences is deepened through a study of worship that included the narratives of church members. Drawing on the insights that are summarized in the book, Worship that Changes Lives, participants are encouraged to reflect on the relational dimension of their worship experiences.

  
C2 Moving from Text to Subtext, Craig Barnes
When preachers look deep inside a passage of scripture to find their own congregations, their sermons are transformed from talking about the text to revealing the Word of God for their people.  This seminar offers practical tools for finding the subtext of both the Bible and the congregation.		  
C3 Visual Homiletics: How can we Preach to the Eye as well as to the Ear? Sandra Bowden
This session will set the background for how the church lost contact with images, provide examples of art that help not only illuminate the Scriptures but also inform our theology and delight the eye.  It will show how art can be a vital part of the life of a congregation—from the pulpit to all aspects of church community life. 		 
C4 Worship that Renews the Me and Transforms the Us, Jonathan Bradford with James C. and Rose Dekker
Christians are to be hearers and doers of the word. We pursue meaningful worship, meanwhile the business of worship is often measured by the number of coffee bars and size of parking lots.  But what about urban schools graduating illiterate teenagers? Or prisons bursting at their seams? Or untold millions dying from war, hunger, or disease? Worship must heal these wounds. Drawing from their diverse ministry experience Jim and Rose Dekker (Latin American ecumenical and spiritual direction) and Jonathan Bradford (US urban) will explore the biblical concepts of knowing Christ the servant and serving Christ the Sovereign Lord. All of life must really be worship.   		 
C5 CANCELED
Sounding-out Worship: Charting the Sound of Worship, David D. Daniels III
Worshipping communities can be recognized by the sound that they generate through singing, praying, preaching, and music-making.  Collectively, these various sounds create a soundscape or sonic environment.  More than the type of music used in worship, the soundscape of a congregation includes all the sounds that constitute the worship event.  Whereas in the past Pentecostal, Baptist, Reformed, or Catholic worship might have been easily identified by their respective sound and soundscapes, contemporary worshipping communities borrow from different soundscapes and share sounds.  What are various soundscapes inhabited by worshipping communities today?  How might an inventory be conducted of the sounds that create a soundscape?  How could the soundscape of congregations be expanded?  This workshop will explore the way that a soundscape can serve as a framework to interpret different worshipping communities in the past and present.		  
C6 (Saturday only) Discussion about High-School and College Worship, moderated by Cindy de Jong, coordinator of worship at Calvin College, and Sharon Veltema, teacher for spiritual growth at Unity Christian High School, Hudsonville, Michigan
  
C7 Using Digital Imagery in Storytelling Liturgy and Preaching, Dennis Dewey
We live in an age saturated with images, but our worship is still largely wordy. How can we appropriate and use images that support worship and preaching, rather than compete with them? How can video be used to enhance storytelling? This workshop will provide several samples of how Dennis Dewey has effectively incorporated (largely home-grown) digital elements in worship.  		 
C8 Would Jazz Work in Your Church? Edward Doemland
Reasons for using (or not using) jazz music; how to plan; where to look for musical ideas.  A booklet of musical examples will be provided.  Participants will be invited to sing selected stanzas from the examples and to take the booklet with them.		  
C9 Worship in the Early Church: Unity in Diversity, Young Richard Kim
 As much as worship practices vary across churches, denominations, and cultures in our modern world, the ancient church was also full of diverse (and sometimes conflicting) approaches to worship.  This seminar will explore the history of worship in the early church in the hope that we might learn about, accept, and apply different attitudes and practices in our own times.  		  
C10 Worship and the Word, Ron Man
Many churches, and especially those in the Protestant free-church tradition, need to use the Scriptures more in their worship. This seminar will explore why and how the Bible should inform, infuse and enrich our worship planning and leading. We will also look at practical ways to bring the Word in all its richness into both our regular and our holiday worship services.
  
C11

Autism and Your Church, Barbara J. Newman
If your church is larger than 150 people, statistics say that you have members who fall on the Autism Spectrum (including Asperger Syndrome).  Come find out some basic information about Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as many practical ideas you can use in adult and children's worship settings to increase participation and understanding.

  
C12 Playing from a Leadsheet, Derek Kealii Polischuk
The leadsheet is a concise format for music notation where a single melodic line and symbols for harmonization supplant a full realization. Leadsheet playing is flexible, organized, frequently called for, and can be learned with a simple review of triads, 7th chords, and voicing.		  
C13 Second Life: New Creations, Steve Prince
In this hands-on workshop, participants will delve into the limitless process of multi-colored mono-prints, working with various found objects that are considered to be dead or discarded and imbue/resurrect them with life through the creative process, thus making a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). 		 
C14 Worship Words: An Overview, a Walk-Through, and a How-To, Debra Rienstra and Ron Rienstra
The authors of the featured symposium book Worship Words introduce this practical guide to faithful, fitting, and vivid language in all aspects of worship.  We will explore a sample chapter, trying out examples, exercises, and discussion questions in order to model how the book might be used in congregations or classrooms.		  
C15 When God Speaks through You, Craig A. Satterlee
Based on his book, When God Speaks through You, Craig A. Satterlee will
explore how "holy and active listening" - listening for God's voice speaking in and through the faith community - can occur when church members talk to one another and to their pastors about preaching-and especially the faith convictions they bring to the sermon, which influence both the preaching and influence what is heard.		  
C16 Creating Scripts from the Bible, Dale Savidge
The Bible is a rich source of dramatic material for worship. From medieval tropes to contemporary sketches we’ll survey the ways people have adapted scripture for performance and then we’ll form groups and create original scripture plays. You’ll gain experience with adaptation and leave with a script you can direct next Sunday!		  
C17 Composing Choral Music for Worship, K. Lee Scott
From text selection, to musical development, to notation, this session will cover the basics of writing for voices alone and voices with accompaniment.  Emphasis will be placed on idiomatic vocal lines, natural text inflection, and appropriate accompaniments.		  
C18 Worship in the Chinese Church: A Case Study, Kurt Selles
Based on a case study from Henan province in central China, this session explores the distinctives of worship in a Chinese setting, both in the urban church and the rural church.  The basic question of the session is: What can we learn about worship from the Chinese?  		  
C19

Postmodernism, Worship, and Evangelism, James K.A. Smith
While we often associate “postmodernism” with the explosion of communications technology or the outlandish claims of “deconstruction,” this workshop will suggest that postmodernism might also mean a return to symbols, icons, and ritual.  With this in mind, we’ll explore the shape of worship as evangelism in postmodernity.

  
C20 Preaching As Celebration, Frank Thomas
This workshop will explore celebration as the distinct perspective and genius the African American Church has brought to the preaching task. Participants will discern and discuss the role of celebration in African American preaching and discuss celebrative preaching as a universal characteristic of good preaching in varied cultural contexts.		  
C21 Good Preaching Takes Good Elders, Howard Vanderwell
When preachers and churches talk about improving the quality of preaching, many approaches are considered, but one is frequently missing: the participation of elders.  This workshop explores both the why and how questions of involving elders in supporting and encouraging preachers in their congregations.		  
C22 Children's Books about Worship, Kristen Verhulst
There are a number of wonderful picture books from a range of publishers that help parents and educators teach children about worship. Several books focus on the Christian Year, the psalms, and prayer. Children's books provide another means to welcome and engage children (and adults!) in worship as members of the body of Christ. Please also bring your recommendations.		  
C23 (Friday only) The Revised Common Lectionary: An Introduction, Fritz West
The lectionary offers readings for use in worship, organized by the church year.  Recommended by a majority of the historic denominations in the US, clergy have found their preaching enriched by its systematic selection of scripture.  This workshop surveys its history, structure, and use.		  
C24 Improvisation:  A Conversation about Pastoral Excellence, David J. Wood
This workshop will explore how and why the capacity for improvisation is as fundamental to excellence in ministry as it is to excellence in jazz.   		  
     
2:00-2:30 p.m. Travel and conversation time
2:30-3:30 p.m. SESSION D: Workshops (repeated on Saturday unless noted)
Workshop title, presenter,
and description 		 
D1

Conference Choir Rehearsal, Carl Stam, director

 Fine Arts Center Auditorium
D2

Cultivating a Deep Love for Scripture, Kevin Adams
Shaped by a lifetime of images and values from a culture where God is pushed to the side, people often add biblical knowledge to quips from Dr. Phil, themes of pop song lyrics, and family proverbs, forming a stew of beliefs.  To help form a biblical worldview, we saturated our congregation with a rhythm of scripture memorization that has become a key component of spiritual formation.  Come and learn how this practice has transformed us and our worship.

 
D3 Writing Worship Songs, Mark Altrogge
This session will examine the various dimensions of composing songs for worship,
from their purpose to practical matters like choosing a theme, developing hooks, verses and choruses, etc.		  
D4 Let Them Praise God’s Name with Dancing! Rosanne Barton-DeVries
This workshop equips the novice and experienced dancer with a Biblically-sensitive homiletic for interpreting and translating scriptures, hymns, liturgies and prayers into the language of dance.  Following a brief orientation, participants will create several dances using this method.  This workshop will be particularly helpful for those leading dance and worship ministries. 		 
D5 Why Read Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) on Worship? Harry Boonstra
Abraham Kuyper’s accomplishments were many and he had a stellar career. He served as pastor, theologian, founder of the Free University in Amsterdam, chief organizer of a Calvinist political party, prime minister of the Netherlands. He is, however, less well-known for another major contribution—his writings on worship and liturgy which are still relevant for the church today and will appear in an English translation as Our Worship (Eerdmans, forthcoming).		  
D6 Better Together: The Call for People with and without Disabilities to Worship, Serve, Learn, and Live Alongside Each Other, Erik Carter
Across the country, churches are discovering their incredible capacity to welcome and weave people with developmental disabilities and their families into the life of their congregation. Such churches speak vividly about the ways their worship and ministry have been transformed by very simple gestures of hospitality and inclusion. This presentation will address practical ways congregations can have a real impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their families living in their community and to make worship more accessible to everyone. 		 
D7 Contextualizing Worship: My journey to worship God as a Navajo Christian, Mark Charles
When the first Christian Missionaries came to the Navajo people they unfortunately brought more than the Gospel.  They also brought the message that God could only be worshiped through the Western culture.  This workshop will contain a collection of stories and lessons learned as I journey to understand what it means to be Navajo and Christian.		  
D8 (Friday only): Preaching to Expose the Principalities and Powers, Marva Dawn
Church leaders and other saints in our congregations frequently find themselves struggling with money, technology, politics, the institutional church, etc.—what the Bible calls "principalities and powers."  This workshop will help us understand them better and then will focus on what preachers can do to equip congregants to expose, disarm, and stand against the powers. 		 
D9 Conversations Between Worship Leaders and Worship Technicians, Cindy de Jong and Carl Hordyk
We will address some of the wonderful possibilities of working well together as well as some of the pitfalls in the assumptions we make about sound in worship. 		 
D10 Bridging Cultures: Worship Renewal in Culturally-Diverse Congregations, Betty Grit
This panel of Worship Renewal Grant recipients (First Christian Reformed Church, Hamilton, ON; Eliot Presbyterian, Lowell, MA; Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church, Rehoboth, NM; and Bridgeway Community Church, Haledon, NJ) will tell their stories of how they are bringing together worshipers of different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. They will offer practical ideas of how visual art, music, and testimony can help people honor their heritage and grow in unity. 		 
D11 Worship Planning for Established or Emerging Congregations: Similarities and Differences, Sam Hamstra
After planning worship with established congregations for twenty-five years, Hamstra has begun doing the same for a multi-ethnic church plant.  He will reflect on the similarities and differences of worship planning in both contexts and identify over-arching biblical principles for designing worship that apply to them both. 		 
D12 Helping Your Pastor Become a Better Preacher: Tools for Those Tricky Conversations, Mary S. Hulst
Can we be both truthful and kind in our evaluations of our preachers? Sure, but it takes some finesse, shared goals, and a good sense of humor from all involved. Come and learn how to help your preacher!  A great workshop for elders and others who work closely with the preacher.		  
D13 Helping Children Understand the Psalms, Robert J. Keeley
The Psalms have been a great source of inspiration for generations of Christians but children seldom get the chance to interact with more than a handful of Psalms in a meaningful way.  This workshop will explore how we can help children do this and why it matters.		  
D14 (Saturday only) Resources for acknowledging our military members in worship, Herman Keizer, Jr.
This workshop will examine ways to include in our worship services the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces: look at how to preach about military service; ways to bless those leaving for and returning from the military; family issues when deployed; special prayers for service members; sacramental opportunities for those in service.		  
D15 A Reformed Service with Black Gospel Music from Greeting to Benediction,
CJ Kingdom-Grier
The structure of historic Reformed worship and the songs that come out of the spiritual heritage of Black churches can combine in rich ways; they do not need to collide!  Participants will hear and sing Black music that connects to worship with their congregations and with the wider church, including confessions, litanies, and some of the great hymns of the church.  		 
D16 Leading Worship with Style and Grace, Kimberly Long
Leading worship is more than saying the right words or performing the proper motions. Presiders must rely on a deeply theological spirituality to inform their speaking, gesturing, and moving.  This workshop will explore a presiding style that is rooted in prayer and engages body, mind, and spirit.		  
D17 Jesus: Our Worship Leader, Ron Man
A pastor cannot lead us into God's presence. Nor can a worship leader or a Christian artist, or a song, or singing. Not even worship can lead us into God's presence. Only Jesus can, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This seminar will explore the wonderful truth that when we gather, our living Lord is present and active in our midst—empowering, perfecting and leading our worship. We will see that behind all true worship, regardless of its form or style, is the present mediating ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. 		 
D18 Preparing Musically Satisfying Realizations of Hymn Arrangements at the Piano, Derek Kealii Polischuk
Four-part hymnody can be fleshed out and arranged for the piano in such a way that congregational singing is encouraged through the use of rhythmic devices, reharmonization, and rich voicing.  Basic principles of these techniques will be demonstrated using well-loved hymns.		  
D19 Standards for Excellence in Worship, Paul Ryan
Worship planners and leaders often speak of excellence in worship. What are these standards and who determines them?  In this workshop we will discuss common standards of excellence and consider an alternative standard that will bring grace, vitality, and joy to planners, leaders, and worshipers. 		 
D20 What Stories Reveal God at Work in Your Congregation's Worship? Craig A. Satterlee
Satterlee will share stories of congregational worship in which, upon reflection, God's ongoing presence, speech, and activity are apparent. On the one hand, they are small, unassuming stories of God's involvement in the weekly worship of ordinary congregations. On the other hand, these are stories those congregations lived by, instances in which they experienced God giving them new life and gathering them to share God's work of bringing new life to the world. The themes of the stories are things Christians do when they worship, yet, the stories are not about Christians; they are about God speaking and acting in worship when Christians do these things. The thread that holds these stories together is the connection between God's saving activity in Scripture and God's saving activity in our worship services.
 
D21 Performing Scripts from the Bible, Dale Savidge
You have a script, now what do you do? Together we’ll explore how to put biblical dramas on their feet, through creative approaches to staging and directing. In the process of getting the script ready for performance we’ll explore ways to minister to artists through the process of creating theatre together. 		 
D22 Mentoring Musicians, Greg Scheer
How can we change our leadership paradigm from directing people to helping them grow? Greg Scheer¹s story of mentoring and being mentored is a launching point for a discussion of how we can best nurture those who are involved in our worship ministries for the good of God's kingdom.		  
D23 Space that Speaks: Visual Art in Worship, Ellen VanSchoiack
In this session we will explore ways that visual art can enrich the worship experience.  We will examine design, discuss worship planning, and share ways to involve members of all ages.  You will leave with strategies for building a visual arts program that fits both the space and spirit of your own faith community. 		 
D24 The Revised Common Lectionary: An Interpretation of Scripture, Fritz West
As any selection of scripture entails interpretation, so is the lectionary an interpretative structure.  Using lecture and discussion, diagrams and art, this workshop explores the interpretative slant the lectionary employs to select passages from scripture and relate them one to another.		  
D25 Friendship: What the Church Needs Now, David J. Wood
Friendship has a history of neglect in the history of Christian thought.  This neglect has also diminished its practice in the life of the church.  In this workshop we will explore the reasons for this neglect and the importance of recovering friendship as a central practice of the Christian life.		  
     
3:30-4:00 p.m. Refreshment break, travel and conversation time
4:00-5:00 p.m. Plenary addresses (repeated from Thursday): Fine Arts Center and College Chapel
5:00 p.m. Visit book, music, and art exhibits, Fine Arts Center, second level
5:15-6:00 p.m.

Late afternoon vespers (four options)
A dramatic presentation of Scripture, led by Dennis Dewey

  Jazz Vespers, led by Edward Doemland and Rae E. Whitney (repeated from Thursday)
A quiet jazz ensemble will support our singing in this early evening worship
  Hymn Festival, Robert Hobby
  A bilingual Spanish/English service, led by Gerardo Oberman and Horacio Vivares
5:30-7:00 p.m. Dinner Commons Dining Hall, pre-paid or walk ups welcome.
6:00-7:30 p.m.

Exhibition Reception: The Prodigal Son, Center Art Gallery, Spoelhof Center, lower level

7:30-8:30 p.m.

Evening worship services (repeated from Thursday evening)
Fine Arts Center: Frank Thomas, preaching, with participation by Calvin College Gospel Choir
College Chapel: Luke Powery, preaching, with participation by Princeton Theological Seminary choir

Saturday, January 31

7:30 a.m. Check in (for new arrivals) Hekman Library lobby
8:30-9:30 a.m. Morning worship services (repeated from Friday morning)
  Fine Arts Center: Marva Dawn, preaching
College Chapel: Mary S. Hulst, preaching, with participation by the L.O.F.T. team
9:30 -10:00 a.m. Refreshment break, travel and conversation time
10:00-11:00 a.m. SESSION A: Workshops (repeated from Friday; see above for descriptions)

10:00-12:30 p.m. EXTENDED SESSION A/B: Workshops (repeated from Friday) See above for descriptions. Each presenter will offer a brief break within the 2.5 hour time frame. Choose Session A and Session B OR Extended Session A/B.
11:00-11:30 a.m. Travel and conversation time
11:30-12:30 p.m. SESSION B: Workshops and lunch options; (repeated from Friday) See above for descriptions
12:30-1:00 p.m. Travel and conversation time
1:00-2:00 p.m. SESSION C: Workshops and lunch options (repeated from Friday) See above for descriptions
2:00-2:30 p.m. Travel and conversation time
2:30-3:30 p.m. SESSION D: Workshops (repeated from Friday; see above for descriptions)
3:30-3:45 p.m. Travel and conversation time
3:45-4:45 p.m. Closing Lord's Supper worship service
  Fine Arts Center: Setri Nyomi, preaching, with participation from Conference Choir

Sunday, February 1

A number of Symposium presenters will be participating in worship at local congregations. Also see this partial list of Grand Rapids area churches.

8:30 and 11 a.m., Church of the Servant, location: 3835 Burton Street SE
Rev. Kenneth Bailey, preaching

11 a.m., Grace Christian Reformed Church, location: 100 Buckley Street SE
Diane White-Clayton, participating

5 p.m., Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church, location: Chapel of Calvin College
“The Kingdom of God” – a hymn festival led by Rae E. Whitney. All of the hymns and anthems of the festival are settings of Whitney’s texts. The service will be led by the choirs of Woodlawn and Calvin Christian Reformed Church and will feature settings by the composer and jazz pianist, Ed Doemland

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