Faith Formation

Faithful Anti-Racism Leadership Development Cohorts

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship invites individuals and organizations to participate in an online, month-long, facilitator-led cohort in which participants reflect on their cultural context and develop context-specific ways of promoting cross-cultural learning and faithful anti-racism initiatives.

May 24, 2021
Dileep Athaide on the Coronavirus and Port Chaplaincy

Pope Francis has said, "Without the people of the sea, many parts of the world would starve." Though seafarers aboard ships are essential workers, few people think of them. But port chaplains do. Your church can include seafarers and port chaplains in congregational prayers.

May 12, 2021
Christine McAteer on the Coronavirus and Bus Chaplaincy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, bus drivers and other public transport workers have been praised as essential workers. Yet they remain largely invisible to those with the option to travel by private automobile. Your church can include bus drivers and other essential workers in congregational prayers.

May 12, 2021

Angelique Havenga and Marnus Havenga on Lament, Community, and Ubuntu in the Dutch Reformed Church of Stellenbosch, South Africa

In this episode, pastor-theologians Angelique and Marnus Havenga share with Maria Cornou about what they are learning about pastoring and serving the community as a whole in the Dutch Reformed Church, located in city-center of Stellenbosch, one of the most unequal towns in the country of South Africa.

April 5, 2021
Faith Communities and Safe Dwelling Places

Philosopher and author Lee Hardy noticed derelict buildings near his church for decades before realizing that faith-based communities have valuable resources to address the affordable housing crisis.

March 1, 2021
Lee Hardy on Housing, Justice, and Worship

Completing a grant project on faith communities and affordable housing convinced Lee Hardy that justice and worship are internally linked. That’s why he says worship services should include housing justice, and Christians and congregations should advocate to change unjust systems.

March 1, 2021

Mitri Raheb on Resilience and God’s Faithfulness in Bethlehem

Mitri Raheb is a theologian, public figure, widely published author, and—for 30 years—senior pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. In this episode, Rev. Raheb talks with John Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the worshiping community in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

February 24, 2021
Terry M. Wildman on First Nations Version New Testament

In the new First Nations Version of the New Testament, Terry M. Wildman translates the good news about Jesus, Creator Sets Free, into cadences and concepts that resonate with indigenous First Nations people.

February 22, 2021
John A. Azumah on Fostering Respect between Muslims and Christians

John A. Azumah grew up in a family that practiced traditional African religions and Islam. He became a Christian in high school and has dedicated his life and scholarship to building bridges between Muslims and Christians, especially in Africa.

February 12, 2021

2018 JJ Thiessen Lecture #3 - Discipling Emotion, Singing at the Table, and Mutual Accountability

Violence, Injustice, Trauma, and the Ordinary Practices of Christian Worship in a Social Media Age, a 3-part lecture series with Dr. John Witvliet

February 11, 2021
Lauren Winner on The Dangers of Christian Practice

In this episode, Dr. Lauren Winner, associate professor of Christian spirituality at Duke Divinity School talks about her recent publication "The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin.

January 25, 2021
Victoria White on Inclusion in Circles of Congregations

All Belong will keep helping congregations become welcoming communities for people of all abilities, especially through its innovative Circle of Congregations for Teaching and Learning program.

January 19, 2021