May 9, 2011
Lesson for May 15, 2011: Thankful Worship (Revelation 7:9-17)
Phil Roberts reflects on Revelation 7:9-17, showing how heavenly worship, salvation through the Lamb, and endurance through tribulation are eternally intertwined.
Worship
Worship explores what it means to honor God with heart, mind, and life—both personally and as the gathered church. Discover Bible-based articles on worship in Scripture, singing and liturgy, the role of preaching and prayer in worship, and leading services that are Christ-centered and spiritually formative. You’ll also find practical guidance for worship leaders and ministry teams on planning gatherings, cultivating congregational participation, and keeping worship rooted in the gospel rather than performance. These resources help believers worship God in spirit and truth.
March 29, 2011
In Praise of Congregational Participation
Becky Ahlberg urges churches to move beyond worship as performance and invite congregations into deeper participation through Scripture, prayer, testimony, Communion, baptism, art, and silence.
February 28, 2011
Lesson for March 6, 2011: Worship Guidelines (1 Timothy 2)
Jeremy Lawson reflects on 1 Timothy 2, urging churches to recover heartfelt prayer as a central part of corporate worship and true communion with God.
November 10, 2010
Worshipping . . . or Watching?
Mark A. Taylor reflects on congregational singing and urges worship planners to move beyond polished presentations toward services that invite meaningful participation.
October 20, 2010
Just One Sunday (a Special Emphasis on Nov. 14)
Churches Invited to Pray for Harvest Workers Churches across North America are invited to join the Just One Challenge on November 14, the Sunday before the National Missionary Convention. The emphasis calls congregations to pray Matthew 9:38 and ask the Lord to raise up preachers, missionaries, and other workers for the harvest. Churches are encouraged to make Matthew 9:38 a worship-service prayer emphasis. The Just One Challenge focuses on asking God to raise up new kingdom leaders. Resources and ideas are available through the Just One Challenge website. Imagine what could happen if every church in North America began to
October 18, 2010
Lesson for Oct. 24, 2010: God”s Universal Reign (Psalm 47)
Brenda J. Lang reflects on Psalm 47, worship, and mission, showing how praise to the God of all nations can help others hear and respond to Christ.
July 18, 2010
Solid Rock
Jennifer Taylor profiles The Rock & The Rabbi, a musical by Danny Hamilton and Gary Richardson that uses storytelling, acoustic music, and simple staging to tell the Gospel story through Peter’s eyes.
July 11, 2010
When Is a Worship Service Not a Worship Service?
John Sloper examines biblical words for worship and reminds readers that true worship requires humility, submission, and a heart bowed before the majesty of God.
July 7, 2010
Hot Days, Fresh Thoughts
Mark A. Taylor reflects on summer’s slower pace as an invitation to reconsider worship, Scripture, and the Spirit’s refreshing work in Sunday gatherings and everyday discipleship.
April 25, 2010
The Arts–A Perfect Opportunity to Invite
Shockley Flick shows how music, drama, dance, and visual arts can help churches welcome newcomers, involve believers, and create meaningful opportunities for evangelism and community.
September 20, 2009
Worship: We Exalt Thee O God
Karen J. Diefendorf reflects on Hebrews 8, Orthodox worship, and Revelation to recover a reverent vision of worship as joining what is already happening before God’s throne.
January 18, 2009
But Did I Worship?
Mark Atteberry reflects on how ministry responsibilities, service mechanics, and Sunday distractions can keep leaders physically present in church while missing the deeper purpose of worship.
December 21, 2008
Questioning Worship
Tom Lawson reflects on how worship often gives us answers, yet Scripture’s questions may follow us home and lead to deeper insight and changed lives.
November 30, 2008
The Difference Advent Makes
Robert F. Hull Jr. reflects on Advent as a season of repentance, Scripture, prayer, and waiting—one that can help churches prepare for Christmas with deeper spiritual focus.
October 22, 2008
Interview with Nikki Grimes
Nikki Grimes reflects on writing, visual art, Christian calling, and the role of beauty, literature, and hope in worship and spiritual formation.
September 14, 2008
The Discipline of Worship
By Becky Ahlberg Worship is a spiritual discipline. It is relationally driven, to be sure, but like any healthy relationship it takes dedicated nurture to overcome our selfish nature. Healthy relationships require constant attention and, yes, discipline. They are dynamic and ever changing. Bookstores are full of books that offer help and insight into building better relationships with parents, children, spouses, coworkers, employers, employees, and even our pets! They all seem to agree we are drawn into relationships by our nature (to love and be loved and to find companionship and meaning for our lives), but we stay in them
September 14, 2008
Honoring God in Weekly Worship
Shockley Flick offers a practical framework for worship planning that honors God, edifies the church, and helps leaders use resources, sermon themes, and congregational “language” wisely.
September 14, 2008
Keeping God in the Worship Planning Process
By Tim Foot A worship service, without divine intervention, is going to be some nice music, maybe some creative elements, and a feel-good message at best! It”s only when we surrender to God”s presence and his ultimate plan that amazing moments happen. So while I like to see the creative process of service planning as a partnership with God, it”s certainly weighted heavily in the heavenly direction! As worship leaders our role, as I see it, is to facilitate a connection with God through worship. It is to do what we can to help folks discover grace, grow, and be
September 14, 2008
More Than Music
Danielle Frankland urges churches to see worship as more than Sunday music, recovering Scripture, prayer, communion, obedience, and whole-life surrender as central acts of worship.
September 10, 2008
Interview with Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson explains how Indian Creek Christian Church plans creative worship experiences around one clear “bottom line” to encourage transformed lives and reach people not yet following Christ.
