Summary

We will explore what we can learn from the challenges and gifts of two churches of the recent past, Christ Temple in Jim Crow racism-laced Jackson, Mississippi, and the Anaheim Vineyard Fellowship in the late 1970s.

Listen Online

Details

Often conversations about worship in a congregation are stymied by the inability to get beyond individual reaction to last week’s service. What if a congregation could find more profound ways of discussing worship by looking at historic examples? We will explore what we can learn from the challenges and gifts of two churches of the recent past, Christ Temple (Church of Christ [Holiness] USA) in Jim Crow racism-laced Jackson, Mississippi, and the Anaheim Vineyard Fellowship in the late 1970s.

This seminar is roughly four hours long including two hours of the morning session and two hours of the afternoon session. This is the first half of this seminar. 

Presented at the 2014 Calvin Symposium on 91 

Recent Media Resources

Parable of the Good Samaritan

This worship service focuses on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. The Holland Christian High School Symphonic Orchestra, directed by Scott VandenBerg, leads the music with accompaniment from Alexis VanZalen. Calvin University’s Awakening group leads congregational singing featuring a selection of emerging bilingual Korean-English songs. Andrea Bult delivers the message, and students from Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Noel Snyder, guide the liturgy.  

March 12, 2025 | 68 min video
The Friend at Midnight

This worship service centers on the story of the friend at midnight in Luke 11:5-13. Sandra McCracken, in collaboration with the Calvin University 91 Apprentices and their mentor, Paul Ryan, lead congregational worship. Janette Ok delivers the sermon, and Becca Tellinghuisen leads the scripture reading.  

March 12, 2025 | 53 min video
Parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son

This service of the word and table includes a message on Luke 10 from Kevin Adams, who reflects on the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son. Communion is celebrated following the message. Proskuneo Ministries leads the music, and the Calvin University Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Joanna Wigboldy, guides the liturgy. 

March 12, 2025 | 74 min video