Welcome! From projection screens to professions of faith, from sacraments to song selections this is where worship teams and planners can connect with others about all aspects of worship.
Worship 
Carol
Joyce
Office of
Maria
When we worship in community, we are blessed when we can engage the gifts and talents of a variety of people to lead various parts of the service. Some of our churches use multiple musicians, some engage the speaking gifts of liturgists to read scripture.
We've argued for years about what to sing in our churches, but rarely talk about how to sing. Leave it to the Wesley brothers to describe a "method" of how to sing. Since Charles wrote hundreds of hymns and John was a minister, it’s fair to say that they knew a think or two about how to sing a song in church. Here are the singing rules credited to John Wesley:
Can you describe worship in a single word? In a high school class on worship, students were challenged to pick a single word that expresed their ideas of worship. Here’s what one of them said:
If you attended Symposium, here is your opportunity to post a quick reflection or share an idea. If you didn't get to go--like me--here's your chance to step up to the bulletin board and read what others in our churches are learning and practicing. Let's learn and grow together!
In our pious haste to assert that worship is all about God and not about us, are we missing out on what the Spirit is trying to do in our lives during times of worship? What does worship have to do with faith formation?
I wish I could go to the Calvin Symposium on Worship this year. However--for a very good reason--my Elders have asked me to stay in Denver at the end of January. So, since I can't go, why don't you go in my place? Take good notes and post them back here so I don't miss out on this great conference.
On Christmas morning everyone will be dressed in their festive best, but look closely--the slightly curved lips and muttered “Merry Christmas” won’t disguise the well of tears barely held back. As we prepare to celebrate in worship, let's also bow in a prayer of hope for those who are in pain this season.
A friend commented on two worship services saying, "One was full of life, the other was not." It made me wonder where the life of worship comes from and how our worship services can be full of life regardless of the style. What brings life to worship and what drains our services
God used words and images to tell the story of his love and presence to his people. In many of our churches, we are comfortable using words in worship, but imagery seems more difficult. What are some of the images that can be used in worship to help convey the message of God
Canadian Thanksgiving is barely passed and US Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Worship planners put so much work into helping other people give thanks during this season, but how good are we at being thankful both to God and to the many people who help us do our jobs?
Anonymous comment cards that invite people to express their personal preferences in worship are actually encouraging the congregation to indulge in selfishness and sin. We need to find healthier ways to engage in conversation about worship.
We CRC folk might hold tightly to our traditions, but one of our most treasured traditions is to change . . . to allow ourselves to be reformed, re-shaped, renewed by God in our personal lives and in our corporate worship. How does your congregation navigate worship changes?
Call it ‘heavenly’ worship planning, if you will. Some worship leaders and pastors dock their worship plans in the cloud, inviting other worship leaders to contribute to the plan—all contributing to the same document without having to drive over to church for yet another meeting.
In the beginning, God created light and land, sun and stars, birds and fish, plants and trees, animals and people. But when did God create music? If the earth was “formless, empty and dark,” was it also silent?
Nobody likes getting a letter of complaint about their work. Worship leaders are no exception. I slipped on my rhino-skinned armour and began to read but the precaution was unnecessary. He simply asked that we put more attention on the Psalms. He said that singing the Psalms had led him to Jesus. I was disappointed to discover how few of them seemed singable. How should we respond to his request?
“Just get ‘em warmed up with a few great songs and put me on!” Week after week, Preachers preach and Worship Leaders lead worship and nobody bothers to check with each other about what direction they are going.
He’s got the whole world in his hands . . . This is my Father’s world . . . In Christ there is no East or West . . . Are these words just lip service to the global reign of Christ or do we look for ways to celebrate and learn from the world-wide family of God? How does worship in your congregation reflect the Father's world?
What do weddings have in common with Ordination and Installation worship services? As churches and pastors make promises to one another, how can we encourage both solemnity and delighted celebration? What's the most creative, celebrative part of an ordination service you've seen?
Some years ago, Elders had to approve the lyrics of a solo; now Elders rarely know the names of the songs before the music starts. Have lay leaders replaced the Consistory in "regulating" worship? Or do Elders still play an active role in setting direction of worship in our churches?
How do we get from blank page to the "Amen?" Out of the hundreds of thousands of options, how did that particular worship service move from scattered, unrelated ideas and pieces into a completed whole? There are those who think it "just happens." You and I know better...
What bothers me about the recent surge in electronic writing is the infectious pretension and self-promoting vanity that seems to pervade the internet. Couple that temptation with the tender topic of worship--and the myriad of opinions accompanying that subject--and we've got a recipe for disaster.
In recent years, it seems to be trendy to point out our individuality in worship. If only I had a dime for every time I heard someone say, “My church is not a typical CRC!” I fear that the comment is more an indication of our western love affair with personal expression and individuality than a true desire to live out godly creativity.