March 3, 2008

"'And he came to the place of a skull.' Some say that Adam died there, and lies there; and that Jesus, in this place where death had reigned, there also set up the trophy. For he went forth bearing the Cross as a trophy over the tyranny of death: and as conquerors do, so he bare upon his shoulders the symbol of victory."

- John Chrysostom (347-407), homily on John 19

Dozens of All Nations Christian Reformed Church typically come forward to lay on hands for ordinations, baptism, professions of faith, and farewell prayers.

This small strong congregation knows better than to try to be all things to all people. It does what smaller congregations are uniquely suited to do—worshiping and eating together, loving God and neighbor. And it’s working through growing pains with grace.

In his book Effective Small Churches in the 21st Century, Carl Dudley writes, "When church size is measured by human relationships, the small church is the largest expression of the Christian faith."

That’s because, while people in larger churches often think of a small group or committee as their network of care, people in small churches develop caring relationships throughout the congregation.

Read more.

www.calvin.edu/worship/stories/halifax.php

Symposium: Selected Reflections and New Audio

We asked participants to reflect on their time at Symposium and how it will help shape the worship life of their churches and communities. Selected responses are now posted. We invite you to submit your further reflections.

Read more.

Also, audio of selected sessions from Session B is now available.

Listen.

www.calvin.edu/worship/sympos

New Book - What Language Shall I Borrow? The Bible and Christian Worship
by Ronald Byars

This book argues that the communal worship speech that truly honors both the majesty and the intimacy of God is, in fact, biblical language. Far from limiting worship, biblical language encompasses a vast range of speech from poetry and prose to parable and narrative. Byars explains how this language pushes us beyond what we already think we know, requiring us to think about death and resurrection, beginnings and endings, and how to hold on to faith. It is the language of relationship, both in community and in worship.

Read more.

www.calvin.edu/worship/pub

Transforming Culture: A Vision for the Church and the Arts
First Evangelical Free Church of Austin
Austin, Texas
April 1-3, 2008

The symposium brings together pastors, church leaders and artists to discuss the church's relation to the arts and to artists. If you are interested in exploring ways to encourage a more theologically informed, biblically grounded, liturgically sensitive, artistically alive and missionally shrewd vision for the church and the arts, then we welcome you to join us for a stimulating and refreshing two-day conversation. Speakers include Eugene Peterson, Jeremy Begbie, Barbara Nicolosi, Andy Crouch, David Taylor, and John D. Witvliet.

Co-sponsored by The Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

More information and registration.

www.calvin.edu/worship/events/calendar.php

Recent Posts at our Blog

- Too early to think about preaching in the summer?
- 'Christ of the Earthquakes' by Alberto Torres
- Classic Reflections on Lent and Easter

More posts

www.calvin.edu/worship/weblog

Do you know someone who would benefit from reading this web highlighter?  Please FORWARD a copy to a friend.  To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE, please visit www.calvin.edu/worship/web_highlighter and fill in the form including your e-mail address.

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids MI 49546-4402

worship@calvin.edu 616-526-6088