How we plan worship reflects what we believe worship should be — a transformative, communal experience of observing, trusting, trying, reflecting, and taking chances for the sake of experiencing the Holy One, says pastor Ashley Goff
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Preaching that Matters: Reflective Practices for Transforming Sermons
In Preaching that Matters, Lori Carrell shares answers to that question, drawing on the experiences of thousands of people—preachers and their listeners—whose effort she has studied over many years. As a communication expert, Carrell approaches preaching from a ‘sermon communication’ paradigm. She begins with the task of identifying the spiritually transformative purpose of the sermon and then explores exegeting, organizing, deepening, and delivering the sermon, as well as listening to the listeners and planning for continued transformation. Her own goal is simple: to inspire and equip clergy to make changes that will enhance the transformative power of their preaching.
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Lori Carrell: Listeners’ Response
Alban author Lori Carrell reflects on her learnings as she wrote Preaching that Matters: Reflective Practices for Transforming Sermons.
Read MoreDiscernment as Worshipful Work
I have found that the many little steps in Discerning God’s Will Together, the corporate discernment process that I know best, mirror the order of worship. So we are literally doing worshipful work: turning our work into worship and our…
Read MoreWorship and Education for All
Over the past decade, worship attendance, annual giving, and participation in Christian education have doubled at the United Church of Christ in Norwell, Massachusetts. We have learned that tending to growth requires tending to worship and education for all ages….
Read MoreSpiritual Identity and Worship Planning
by P. Alice Rogers Most people who participate in congregational worship services can describe a service they experienced in which they connected with God in a profound way. When I have asked people to describe such a service, I have heard…
Read MoreCelebrating Vocation in Worship
The church teaches that all people are gifted by their Creator and called by the Holy Spirit to offer themselves in service as a way of giving thanks for all that God has done and continues to do for us…
Read MoreWhy Do We Worship the Way We Have Always Worshiped When People Keep Changing?
For most of my life I have really disliked worship. My wife tells me that if I weren’t a pastor, I would never go to worship. Fifteen years ago she was right about that, although I have managed to change…
Read MoreThe POWR of Planning Worship
Worship planning, whether it’s led by a pastor, a musician, a planning team, or a worship committee, begins with this goal in mind: a well-thought-out liturgy that involves the assembly in authentic praise of God. In most congregations, regardless of…
Read MoreWorship Is Mission
My mandate was clear when they called me to be their pastor: “Help our church to grow.” Looking back, I was very naive. It honestly never occurred to me that the members of a congregation would, on the one hand,…
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