For over 35 years, the Calvin Symposium on Worship has annually gathered together worshipers from many Christian traditions across Canada, the US, and beyond, bringing together people from a variety of roles in worship and leadership, including pastors, worship planners and leaders, musicians, scholars, students, worship bands and teams, organists, visual artists, preachers, chaplains, missionaries, liturgists, council and session leaders, and more. Cosponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, the Symposium aims to encourage leaders in churches and worshiping communities of all sizes and settings.
Browse the contents of Symposium on Worship Archive:
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998 - Bringing Biblical Narratives to Life
- Christian worship is rooted in scripture. Biblical narratives are the source for the images and themes that are expressed in every element of public worship. This year's Symposium on Worship and the Arts explores how worship can foster a creative encounter with the biblical text. Together we will learn how master preachers and artists, youth leaders and musicians, actors and worship planners approach the biblical text, and- by the Spirit's power-bring it to life in creative and engaging ways. Come to this year's Symposium expecting to be inspired by this creativity and looking for practical ideas for use in your congregation.
- 1997 - Walk as Children of the Light
- 1996 - Many Voices, One Song
- The church is a chorus of many voices--voices reflecting different age groups, ethnic backgrounds, and economic situatiqns; voices reflecting different forms of artistic and cultural expression; voices of praise and lament, of tradition and of present-day experience. This year's Symposium invites participants to explore some of the ways of blending these "many voices" in harmony with the "one song" of authentic Christian worship.
- 1995 - The Eighth Symposium on Worship and Church Music at Calvin College & Seminary
- 1994 - The Seventh Calvin College Symposium on Worship and Church Music
- 1993
- 1992 - The Fifth Calvin College Symposium on Worship and Church Music
- 1991 - The Fourth Calvin College Symposium on Worship and Church Music
- 1990 - The Third Calvin College Symposium on Worship and Church Music
- 1989 - The Second Calvin College Symposium on Worship and Church Music
- As Christians from many backgrounds and denominations, we join together today to praise God. In so doing, we affirm our unity in Christ and our joy in living the Christian life. With T . S. Eliot, we affirm that the worship of God is the foundation of our lives together. In a world filled with both division and despair, today's activities stand as a testimony to God's power. We also gather together to learn and to share. As leaders of God's people, we are challenged to inspire in them the very zeal for worship and desire for community which we share. It is our prayer that today's activity will encourage all of us toward this goal.
- 1988 - Calvin College Symposium on Worship and Church Music
- Participating in this service were Mr. Kevin J. Bylsma, liturgist; Dr. John Ferguson, organ; Rev. Victor Anderson, piano; and the musical group New Beginning.