Christianity Commons^™

Book Review: Disability: Living Into The Diversity Of Christ's Body, Ron Bruner

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Disability: Living into the Diversity of Christ’s Body, by Brian Brock. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. 180 pages, $21.99.

A Divine Assignment: Church Supports For Caretakers And Children Impacted By Disabilities, Pamela Scretchen

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

How can the church provide leadership in the area of inclusion and offer families a place of refuge and support? How does the church care for and teach children with disabilities? As a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, I have partnered with congregations to start programs for families impacted by disabilities. Here, we show how a family affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder challenged their church to provide a sustainable program. There is hope that the church can lead inclusion efforts and develop special needs support for caretakers. The article reveals one family’s journey in returning to worship with their autistic son and …

The Next Right Step: A Case Study In Listening For Change When Overwhelmed By Reality, Ashley Crisp, Ashley Stirman

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

In late 2021, two ministers at Highland Church of Christ began a conversation about accessibility and inclusion, primarily aimed at children’s and student’s ministries. The two ministers knew they were adequately able to serve the children and students at Highland that required additional support, but that it was not a sustainable system. They set out on a year-long process of acquiring information, resources, and fresh ideas, in the hopes that these would provide the answer they had been searching for. In late 2022, the answer to their problem became clear: they needed to listen to the people in front of …

The Spiritual Impact Of Disability On Parents And Caregivers, Grant Azbell

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This study was designed to examine the impact of disability on the faith and faith communities of parents and caregivers of persons experiencing disability. This study proceeded by asking nine parents or caregivers of persons experiencing disability a series of seven questions to evaluate the impact of disability on their faith and on their relationship to their faith community. The interviews were conducted on Zoom and the recordings were transcribed and coded to observe discernable patterns and themes amongst the participants. What emerged from the data is important for ministers, church leaders, and anyone wanting to know more about the …

Disability, Difference, And Inclusion In The Church: A Special Issue, Jennifer Reinsch Schroeder

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This introductory article sets the context for the conversations in this special issue of Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry on disability, difference, and inclusion in the church.

When The Fires Die: Religious Critiques Of Revivalism In The Aftermath Of The Second Great Awakening, John D. Bratt, Lester Ruth

Symposium on Worship Archive

A document accompanying a talk on the aftereffects of the Second Great Awakening, including types of critics, common charges, common complaints, and proposed solutions.

God's Providence And The Problem Of Evil: A Challenge To Faith, John Cooper, Scott E. Hoezee

Symposium on Worship Archive

An outline from a workshop focusing on the problem of suffering and evil, responses, sin and evil in Scripture, the limits of our understanding, and nurturing an enduring faith.

Public Biblical Praying, Lester Ruth

Symposium on Worship Archive

The Berekah, or blessing, occurs several times throughout the Bible. Genesis 24:26-27: Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master." Exodus 18:10-11: "Blessed be the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharoah, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians." There are further examples and discussion included in the handout.

Reclaiming Funerals As Christian Worship, John D. Witvliet

Symposium on Worship Archive

Goals:

To encourage each of you to set up a council discussion, adult education sessions about this topic (note: to change, even if to deepen, our practices in the context of the volatile emotions surrounding death is not likely, and may be very counter-productive),

To encourage each of you to select the very best books for your persona and church libraries (one of the best ways to deepen practice is to make the best resources the most available),

To plant the seeds of some constructive questions that can ferment a bit in each of our lives over the next several …

An Invitation To "The Liturgy Of The Hours", Pat Zandstra

Symposium on Worship Archive

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as Fixed Hours of Prayer, Divine Hours, Daily Offices, or Common Prayer teaches us to pray, immerses us in Scripture, unites us with all believers who have gone before us and believers around the world, makes us aware of the passing of time in the liturgical year, provides words for us in tough times, and regularly draws our attention back to God throughout the day.

Christ's Priesthood And Our Praises, Gerrit Scott Dawson

Symposium on Worship Archive

As the eternal Son of God, our Lord has from before time been offering himself to his Father in perfect love. We might say he has ever been completely obedient, though the human implication of a hierarchy involved in obedience obscures the reality. The three co-equal persons of the Trinity give themselves to each other so absolutely that the most abject human obedience to another is pitifully shallow in comparison to the depths of such offering of one divine person to the other, and yet all of this is done not in servility but in total freedom. The very nature …

Concert By Duo Majoya, Marnie Giesbrecht, Joachim Segger

Symposium on Worship Archive

The unlikely marriage of organ and piano, reasons for including this combination in worship: a piano and an organ are found in many or most sanctuaries today, instruments work well together in most situations, when played together either instrument can lead, the piano is a wonderful "stop" or color addition to the organ and vice versa, there is a growing repertoire for piano and organ, it creates great variety of tone colors which helps to draw attention to the words, it can enhance the variety of musical styles of congregational song, it is not difficult to learn this combination provided …

Experiencing God In Worship, Bob Rognlien

Symposium on Worship Archive

"Western Christianity went to sleep in a modern world governed by the gods of reason and observation. It is awakening in a post-modern world open to revelation and hungry for experience.... It is one thing to talk about God. It is quite another thing to experience God." - Leonard Sweet, Post-Modern Pilgrims

"Among adults who regularly attend church services, one half admit that they haven't experienced God's presence in the past year." - George Barna

The more complete the experience of God, the greater the response to God! To read the introduction of Experiential Worship and sign up for the …

Preaching Without Notes, Mike Graves

Symposium on Worship Archive

A note taking document on the brief discussion of the scary side of preaching, how to preach without notes, internalizing the gospel, and personal journey.

An Introduction To The Principles And Practices Of Liturgical Dance, Shelley Marinus

Symposium on Worship Archive

A note taking document for liturgical dance - exploring its purpose (worship, prayer, communion with believers, expressing the story of scripture) and basic elements (music, clothing, props, imagery), as well as scripture references.

Choreography For Worship, Shelley Marinus

Symposium on Worship Archive

A handout for note taking during the workshop to review the purpose of the dance as part of worship and review the basic elements needed for dance in worship, and choreography planning considerations.

Who May And May Not Participate In The Worship Life Of The Church?, Mark Stephenson

Symposium on Worship Archive

A discussion and reflection on disability in the church, presented by Reverend Mark Stephenson, Director of Disability Concerns, CRCNA.

"Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others." (Article 1: Purpose, "Final report of the Ad Hoc Committee on a comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities," United Nations General Assembly, A/61/611, 6 December 2006)

The Conference Choir, Joel Navarro, Tom Trenney, Jonathan Velasco

Symposium on Worship Archive

The Conference Choir were directed by Joel Navarro and Jonathan Velasco, with Tom Trenney at the organ and piano, including sheet music for Kyrie Eleison and O Worship The King (4th verse).

Making Stuff Up: Magically Making Music In The Moment!, Tom Trenney

Symposium on Worship Archive

In many churches, the only time congregations clearly hear the organ as a solo instrument is during hymn introductions. Frequently, there is talking and movement during the prelude. Often, there is mass chaos during the postlude. Use this opportunity to showcase the many colours of your instrument and to set the tone for the music to follow. Introductions must clearly present the key, the tempo, and the character of the hymn to come. Otherwise, be creative!

Thriving As A Keyboard Player In The Diverse World Of Church Music, Cynthia Uitermarkt

Symposium on Worship Archive

In today's church climate, the pianist or organist will need to be fluent in multiple styles: traditional, contemporary, and ethnic. For the classically trained performer, this can mean stretching well beyond the comfort zone. In this session, we will explore philosophical, spiritual, and practical strategies for surviving and thriving.