https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:54:04 +0000 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:54:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/whats-your-skeleton-corporate-worship If you have been called out by your congregation to plan the Sunday service, you know that, sooner than later, you must decide on a skeleton or order for the liturgy. One option, perhaps the most popular, is to begin with last week’s liturgy. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/whats-your-skeleton-corporate-worship Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:54:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/evangelical-liturgist Every congregation has a liturgy, even those congregations which shy away from the word. For them, the word “liturgy” may seem like a dirty word… suggesting the Roman Catholic mass or the Episcopalian prayer book, accompanied by vestments, candles, and altars.” (D.G. Hart & John R. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/evangelical-liturgist Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:01:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/learning-lyrics-god Today’s reading in the One Year Bible includes lyrics written by God! Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/learning-lyrics-god Tue, 07 Apr 2015 15:09:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/when-church-gathers-holidays As the sanctuary filled for the annual Thanksgiving Day service hosted by my Christian Reformed congregation, I couldn’t help but think “This is good.” I witnessed: Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/when-church-gathers-holidays Wed, 03 Dec 2014 21:49:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/power-space-speak Space may exhilarate and space may dishearten. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/power-space-speak Tue, 18 Nov 2014 18:24:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/all-life-worship-really Perhaps you have heard this familiar mantra: "Life is worship!" The most recent occurrence in my life took place while reading Worship Leader (July/August 2014, 10) magazine. After quoting Colossians 3:17, Mark Roberts offers this conclusion: Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/all-life-worship-really Tue, 05 Aug 2014 18:27:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/what-reformed-worship We may answer that question in two ways: prescriptively and descriptively. A prescriptive answer offers essential connections between Reformed theology and Reformed worship. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/what-reformed-worship Wed, 09 Jul 2014 17:53:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/rise-worship-schools During the last few decades the Worship Pastor or Director of Worship or Worship Leader has become a very important position within the ministry team of a local congregation.  In response, many individuals have taken their places in service to local congregations. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/rise-worship-schools Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/time-regulated-worship While few of us spend much time in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, when we do we discover an exciting truth: our God loves to party. In fact, he prescribed three seasonal festivals of worship and remembrance for his people. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/time-regulated-worship Mon, 05 May 2014 18:32:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/current-practices-worship The major challenge facing any instructor teaching a class entitled “Current Practices in Worship” is discovering current practices and trends in Christian worship. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/current-practices-worship Wed, 12 Mar 2014 19:59:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/when-all-else-fails Today I am trying to practice what I preach, that when we are weak, we are strong. I am trying to embrace the idea that we do our best and leave the rest to the Lord, that the Lord perfects our imperfect sacrifices. It’s not working. So I thought I would try blogging. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/when-all-else-fails Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:44:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/multicultural-worship-its-not-just-about-style I am thankful for the responses from students, pastors, and friends to my October 8 blog “Strategies Towards Multicultural Worship!” Interestingly, a common thread ran through those responses, one Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/multicultural-worship-its-not-just-about-style Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:22:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/lets-talk-about-worship-taxonomy With the great diversity of worship practices in American Protestantism, it’s more and more difficult to share meaningful conversations about worship without an agreed upon taxonomy. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/lets-talk-about-worship-taxonomy Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:46:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/strategies-towards-multicultural-worship We will agree that the mission of God is to create a people with representatives from every tribe and nation. It seems to me that one cannot read Revelation 4 and conclude otherwise. Of course, affirming the mission of God differs from participating in the mission of God. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/strategies-towards-multicultural-worship Tue, 08 Oct 2013 10:32:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/did-we-worship-lord-or-just-sing-few-songs Have you ever left a service and asked, “Did we worship the Lord or just sing a few songs? It’s a simple question, one built on a simple understanding of worship: to intentionally and directly declare God’s worth. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/did-we-worship-lord-or-just-sing-few-songs Tue, 06 Aug 2013 13:51:46 +0000