Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship promotes the study of Christian worship and the renewal of worship in worshiping communities worldwide.
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship promotes the study of Christian worship and the renewal of worship in worshiping communities worldwide.
The Ministry Resource Center (MRC) is a collection of practical resources for all aspects of congregational ministry and a permanent collection of Hekman Library.
We've loaded this website with a battery of sermon resources and ideas and we are committed to keep adding new material constantly.
Like many denominations, the Christian Reformed Church has too many youth who make profession of faith, go away for college or work—and drop out of church. This trend is pushing churches to ask what profession of faith is for.
The Christian Reformed Church made an express commitment at the 1985 meeting of the Synod to break down barriers and work for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the congregation. The following is the wording of that commitment.
Suggested policy statement on disability for churches to adopt and implement.
This site features more than 1,700 articles for planning and leading worship - including complete service plans, dramas, litanies, seasonal resources, and more.
As many grains are gathered into one loaf, partaking of the elements binds God’s people together into one. Ironically, when church leaders ignore the unique needs of worshipers with disabilities, some are excluded from the sacrament whose very name includes the word union.
Alternating silence and speech and silence is the very rhythm of God, as old and deep in the nature of things as creation itself.
Some of my favorite Sunday school story times are ones that allow kids to take center stage. When a story engages our imaginations, it sticks with us long after the lesson. There are three things I keep in mind each time I tell a story with partners.
Video imagery in worship needs to be grounded in the purpose of worship.
What does it take to become intentional about intergenerational worship?
Given the inevitable craziness of ministry, how can you optimally create space for people to meet with God? How can you deepen your worship leading skills, while avoiding the temptation to drown in the glut of ministry needs? Consider a few other pointed questions.
Most people with disabilities that I know don't want to be pitied. But neither do they want to be reverenced as if they were paragons of virtue or models of triumph of the human spirit. Way too many journalists who feature stories about people living with disabilities frame their stories in the "reverence" light. "Here's Joe who lives with X disability, but look at all he has done! What determination. What spirit. What an example for all of us!" If I lived with a disability...
Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words. This ancient maxim, attributed to Saint Francis, may be more relevant today than ever before.
Bad news never announces that it is coming. Bam...just like that....it's there. I've been occupying the office of Safe Church Ministry for 15 years.
Church Juice's in-depth description and ideas for using Twitter in your church is a must-read if you are considering using Twitter in your church.
Here is a twist to the regular photo rally. It's worth giving it a try!
Christians, as the salt of earth, find comfort in these salt shakers; we can call these ‘churches.’ How can we get out there and be the salt that we’re supposed to be?
Goodbye Generation is a book that captures the voice of today's young adults and their unbiased view of the church, God, spirituality, and more.
There are many things you can do to keep the flame alive and to continue to be a LIGHT in the world. Here are some practical steps you can take to stay on track spiritually and in ministry.
In a world in which we have endless ways to communicate, people are disconnected from each other. The internet provides an opportunity to reconnect with other believers.
The preteens in your group can vary all the way from the boys who profess to hate the opposite sex to the sophisticated young teen whose thoughts have turned to make-up and boys. Here are a few reminders for you to consider as you prepare to teach your middle schoolers.
Being aware of the patterns of development of fourth and fifth graders can help you understand and minister to the unique persons God has placed in your care. Here are few useful reminders.
Having survived learning the basics of reading and writing, children in this age group are (usually!) eager learners. Here are a few “typical” characteristics of this age group.