Workshop Offerings

Session A:  Friday 8:30-9:30 a.m.

1. Performing the Bible, Jeff Barker
   Are there plays in the Bible? Yes! Dr. Tom Boogaart argues persuasively in Touching the Altar (Eerdmans, 2008) that the ancient Israelites were among the oldest dramatists in history. Jeff Barker has been working alongside Dr. Boogaart in reclaiming some the Bible’s dramatic power. Professor Barker will show video examples of full theatrical enactments of scripture and also provide helpful guidelines for solo presentations of scripture within worship.
2. Sound For Worship: Say goodbye to squawking goose, Kevin Jackson
   What is good sound? Many people have many opinions when that exact question is raised. This workshop will answer that question and help church technicians to create a well balanced and rounded sound.  
3. Global Songs for Worship, Michelle Grimm
   Come and sing worship songs from around the world!  We’ll enjoy music from Africa, Central and South America, Asia and from the Iona and Taize communities.  How can you incorporate these songs into your worshipping context?
4. Does the Organ Belong in the Worship Team?  Blending with Beauty, John Brittain and Judy Congdon
   Many worship leaders and church musicians today, particularly those trained in “traditional” styles of music, are faced with pressure to expand their congregations’  musical diets into less comfortable areas of repertoire.  This workshop, led by a pastor/musician team who regularly collaborate in planning worship at Houghton College,  offers ideas for artfully using the organ as a member of the “contemporary” worship team, and for  thoughtful worship planning that blends old and new with theological integrity and pastoral care.  

Session B:  Friday 9:45-10:45 a.m.

1. Out of the Depths I Cry to the Lord: To Lament is an Act of Worship, Kelvin Friebel
   In contemporary settings, “worship” is often defined and understood exclusively as “praising God”. Yet the rich tradition of the Lament Psalms that comprise about sixty percent of the Book of Psalms  reflect that Old Testament worship also included the heart-wrenching cries to God of despair, anguish, loneliness, depression, and fear.  Within contemporary worship we need to recover that honesty of expression when worshipping in times of disorientation.
2. Story and Worship, Jeff Barker
   In his chapter in the book of essays The Church of All Ages (Alban Institute, 2008), Jeff Barker argues that the church should be a storytelling church. This workshop presents some reasons for the importance of story within worship and also provides some practical tools for making this happen.
3. Enhancing Congregational Song, Michelle Grimm
   We will touch on several topics that lay a sturdy foundation for vigorous congregational singing.  It begins with thorough preparation on the part of the leader  and continues with careful consideration of musical and theological integrity as well as  weaving singing into various parts of the liturgy.  
4. Worship and Prophecy:  Employing the Sunday Sermon to Teach about Worship, Michael Walters
   Pastoral leadership in the worship of the church must not neglect to utilize the pulpit towards this end.  This workshop will suggest texts, themes, and caveats in preaching about worship.   

Session C:  Friday 1:30-2:30 p.m.

1. Rediscovering the Easter Vigil: An age-old service with a fresh approach, Dianne Maynard-Christensen
   Does your church offer an Easter Vigil service?  If so, you know what a magnificent experience it can be.  However, many churches are seeing a decline in attendance at these services.  Vigils can be quite lengthy and inaccessible to children.  Come discover some new ideas of how to create an engaging and relevant service for the entire family.  
2. Story and Worship  (repeat of session B2), Jeff Barker         
   In his chapter in the book of essays The Church of All Ages (Alban Institute, 2008), Jeff Barker argues that the church should be a storytelling church. This workshop presents some reasons for the importance of story within worship and also provides some practical tools for making this happen.  
3. Global Songs for Worship (repeat of session A3), Michelle Grimm
   Come and sing worship songs from around the world!  We’ll enjoy music from Africa, Central and South America, Asia and from the Iona and Taize communities.  How can you incorporate these songs into your worshipping context?  
4. What Should Happen in Worship:  Modern and Postmodern Perspectives on Doxology, Jonathan Case
   Both critics and proponents of the “emerging church” movement frequently talk about “modernity” and “postmodernity.”  What does the shift from the modern to the postmodern hold for our understanding of corporate worship?  This workshop critically examines a few central themes ingredient to postmodern doxology.    

Session D:  Saturday 8:30-9:45 a.m.

1. Worship Planner's Bookshelf,  John Witvliet
   This session will offer an overview of the hundreds of worship-related publications now available, recommendations about some especially helpful resources you may not know about, and ample time for you to ask about resources that you would find especially helpful.
2. Enhancing Congregational Song  (repeat of B3), Michelle Grimm
   We will touch on several topics that lay a sturdy foundation for vigorous congregational singing.  It begins with thorough preparation on the part of the leader  and continues with careful consideration of musical and theological integrity as well as  weaving singing into various parts of the liturgy.
3. Leading Worship:  From Piano to Praise Band, Sharon Johnson
   A practical “hands-on” workshop for pianists/keyboard players.  Topics include:  developing chord chart reading and improvisational skills; creating musical worship sets that include hymns and praise songs; rehearsal techniques for praise teams and bands.  
4. Performing the Bible (repeat of A1), Jeff Barker
   Are there plays in the Bible? Yes! Dr. Tom Boogaart argues persuasively in Touching the Altar (Eerdmans, 2008) that the ancient Israelites were among the oldest dramatists in history. Jeff Barker has been working alongside Dr. Boogaart in reclaiming some the Bible’s dramatic power. Professor Barker will show video examples of full theatrical enactments of scripture and also provide helpful guidelines for solo presentations of scripture within worship.
5. College Students and Worship:  A Conversation, Clara Sanders, coordinator
   What are today’s Christian young people thinking about worship?  Come listen to select Houghton College students speak about their experience of liturgy, music, theology, worship and social action, and more.  Come with questions.