Faithfulness and Improvisation
At its heart, improvisation, (improv) involves creating amidst the unexpected. Can improv be a useful tool for developing and increasing our faith in God and our faithfulness to God? What would happen if we practiced saying “yes, and” to God even when we don’t know what might happen next? Pastor, improv comedy performer, and 2024 Animate toolbox instructor, Jacob Simmons, explores this unique connection in our latest post.
Praying New Ways with Old Psalms
The Psalms are ancient prayers – prayers that Jesus prayed and in which he dwells. When we bravely dive into the Psalms, we find that God is still meeting us afresh in these old words of faith. Reverend Sarah Smoot shares practices to help you embrace the Psalms again or for the first time.
Gospel: The Message Behind the Music
Gospel music unites people in a way that spoken words do not. From work songs to spirituals, hymns, and more, the history and origin of this music is so rich that, for many generations, it has helped African Americans endure hardship and has given them the strength to overcome. Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Campus Worship Associate, Nate Glasper, (and Animate 2024 Worship Leader), explores the significance of Gospel music in this latest post.
Healthy Congregational Worship—Engages All Generations
For centuries, even millennia, congregations have included entire families in worship. While it may be challenging work, the Bible shows precedent that bringing all generations together in worship is a fruitful and healthy model to follow. In his final blog on planning and leading healthy congregational worship, Jonathan Rodgers shares the importance of engaging all generations in the worship life of the church, and practical steps forward to implement this philosophy.
The Creativity of God
Beyond leaving us in awe, God’s creative nature should inspire us, particularly when we see the spark of creativity in ourselves and others. From a biblical perspective, our ability, propensity, and drive to create is evidence of the imago dei, the image of the Creator that resides in each human being. Spend time today reflecting on God’s creativity with Dr. Scott Guffin, who serves as the Executive Director of Christian Ministry at Samford.
How Poetry Helps Us Dwell in Difficulty
Rather than rushing to an answer, poetry allows us to ask questions. Unlike narrative, it doesn’t require a neat ending. Samford Assistant English Professor, Olivia Evans, explores the intersection of poetry and our relationship with God in this latest post.
What We’re Learning About Young People and Worship at Animate: Final Thoughts and Future Study
Young people are teaching us many important lessons through their experiences at Animate 2023. As we continue to study the impact of music and other variables on the participation of young people in worship, we recognize the importance of learning from their perspectives and experiences. Enjoy this final post on our learning about young people at Animate and make plans to join us at Animate 2024 to continue this important conversation!
