Symposium on Worship and the Arts
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship will host its annual Symposium on Worship and the Arts from January 11-12, 2002.
The event will bring over 1,000 attendees from around the world to Grand Rapids — worship leaders and planners, pastors, artists, dramatists and musicians from many church traditions who will engage in worship, fellowship, learning and discussion around preaching, drama, organ and piano music, worship planning, visual arts, and congregational song.
In addition to many of the long-standing programs on worship and the arts — planning, preaching, music, drama and dance — there are several new emphases for 2002 (thanks to input from 2001 participants).
For example, there will be:
- several sessions on worship ideas for small congregations
- a new international focus, with leaders from Southern Africa, Scotland's Iona Community and London's Westminster Abbey
- more sessions and leaders in the area of the visual arts
- a participatory conference choir (this year with a focus on African-American gospel music)
- a panel discussion on worship in seeker-driven congregations
- a greater focus on worship's role in healthy congregational life, with presenters from the Alban Institute
The conference kicks off on Friday, January 11, beginning two days of discussions on such topics as:
- Responding to Unexpected Events Such as 9-11
- Biblical Narratives and Black Preaching
- Youth and Worship
- The Bible and Modern Dance
- Avoiding the Worship Wars
- Creative Worship Spaces
- Preaching with Muscle
- Writing Church Dramas
- Blended Worship
- The Ancient Rhythms of Prayer
- Visual Arts in Worship
- Multicultural Music in the Monocultural Congregation
- Visual Presentation Technology in Worship
- The Transportability of African American Preaching
- Teaching Children about Worship and the Music of Worship
See the Institute website for more details.