Why should Christians care about creating diverse worship experiences? Here at the Urbana conference, the worship has represented a cosmopolitan range of cultures, languages, and worship styles. The worship team also made news earlier this week when they wore #blacklivesmatter shirts on stage. What motivates this focus on diversity? In this session, the worship team offers a biblical basis for diverse worship, some frameworks and values that shape the team's approach, and some practical ways to bring the worship … [Read more...] about Why should Christians care about diverse worship?
worship
The Earth is the Lord’s: Worship as Vocation (Scholar’s Compass)
Reading Psalm 24 Reflection I had an amazing week at the Lausanne Creation Care and the Gospel conference. Many of those present were involved in very active work to care for God's creation, whether that meant working for a missions organization that helps communities improve agriculture and care for the environment by planting trees, or facilitating Christian academics to partner with local organizations in ecological research. … [Read more...] about The Earth is the Lord’s: Worship as Vocation (Scholar’s Compass)
Advent Awakening: How The Story of the Wise Men Can Transform Our Worship Once Again (Scholar’s Compass)
Reading Matthew 2:1-12 (Visit of the Wise Men) Reflection As I sank down in my chair, I felt deeply frustrated. Another ‘through the bible in a year' reading finished. My smartphone app congratulated me with a ‘great job,' but it felt hollow and empty. I had read the words, but they weren't transforming me. Have you ever felt that way? Like you understand what you're reading, but that it's doing little to reach the rest of you or impact your life? … [Read more...] about Advent Awakening: How The Story of the Wise Men Can Transform Our Worship Once Again (Scholar’s Compass)
James K.A. Smith on “Liturgical Discipleship”
Discipleship, becoming Christ-like, empowered by the Spirit to image God to the world is not magic. Nor is it merely intellectual. It's a matter of re-forming our loves, re-narrativing our identities, re-habituating our virtue. And that is centered in the practices of the people of God gathered by the Spirit around Christ's Word and the table. Love takes practice. Worship is our gymnasium. . . . -- Conclusion to James K.A. Smith's presentation Liturgical Discipleship: Worship as the Center of Spiritual … [Read more...] about James K.A. Smith on “Liturgical Discipleship”
Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi
Last time we looked at the shepherds, wondering what they could teach us. Now we are headed to the other end of the cultural spectrum to the Magi. A few picky details to clear up: they were probably not kings. Most likely they are Persian astrologers. We don't know how many of them there were, but three gifts are mentioned - gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (perfume). Talking about the Magi pushes the boundaries for thinking about Advent, because the Magi don't enter into the story until almost two years after … [Read more...] about Supporting Cast to the Christmas Story: The Magi