IRT Affiliate News

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship offers both rigorous scholarship and practical resources to enrich Christian worship in churches throughout North America.

The Institute is offering a number of seminars and conferences this spring and summer.

May 25, 2006: With a Shout: What Difference Does the Ascension Make for Everyday Life? (Conference)
Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Included in this day-long event will be a community Ascension worship service at 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Dean of the Chapel, Calvin College, and the Center for Excellence in Preaching, Calvin Theological Seminary. Speakers will be Thomas Boogaart, professor of Old Testament at Western Theological Seminary; Gerrit Scott Dawson, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Stephen Davis, Russell K. Pitzer professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California; Greg Scheer, minister of worship at Church of the Servant, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Laura Smit, dean of the Chapel and assistant professor of Religion at Calvin College; and Betsy Steele Halstead, Resource Development Specialist for the Visual Arts, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin College. For details go to http://www.calvinseminary.edu/continuingEd/details/2006/withAShout.php.

June 5–9, 2006: The Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry (PRTH 621) (Academic Course)
Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Taught by Duane Kelderman, Vice President for Administration and Professor of Preaching, and Kathy Smith, Director of Continuing Education and the Making Connections Initiative, both at Calvin College, the central thesis of this course is that strong pastoral identity is the key to sustaining pastoral excellence. Today’s church has witnessed a breakdown of consensus regarding the role of the pastor. This course is a study of the theology and practice of pastoral ministry with a view to creatively and critically engaging changing views of the church and its ministry in our contemporary culture, and enhancing the practice of pastoral ministry. The course will integrate this theological understanding of pastoral ministry with the basic practices of pastoral ministry: worship, preaching, teaching, evangelism, pastoral care, and congregational leadership. Co-sponsored by the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program of the Christian Reformed Church. Details at http://www.calvinseminary.edu/continuingEd/openCourses.php.

July 9–15, 2006: Contemporary Textiles: Beyond Banners (Workshop)
Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts
Participants in this workshop will learn to create textile art that functions liturgically. Students will learn how to design, measure, select fabric, and construct work (with a minimum amount of sewing) for a specific space. In addition, plans for the storage of works and practical ways to maintain the worship environment will be presented. Field trips to various worship spaces in the area will enhance the week’s experience. Taught by Joanne Alberda, a consultant to churches in the process of designing pieces for the liturgical seasons. Formerly a teacher at Dordt College art department for over 30 years, she has been designing and creating liturgical textiles for more than 20 years. For more information go to: http://www.civa.org/workshops.php.

July 11–15, 2006: Global Consultation on Music and Missions 2006 (Conference)
Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota
Select from over 40 seminars and panels to discuss topics related to music and the arts, missions, and indigenous worship around the world. GCoMM 2006 is made possible in part through a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan. More information can be found at http://www.gcommhome.org/2006/index.htm.

July 12–14, 2006: Starting Here, Starting Now: How to Launch and Maintain a Successful Church Theatre Group (Workshop)
Calvin College,Grand Rapids, Michigan
This in-depth, three-day workshop is for those who are or will be involved in drama programs at churches. It will be led by the award-winning Friends of the Groom, a professional theater company with 25 years of excellence in performing for church audiences. Workshop in collaboration with Workshops in Communication. for further detail, to: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/workshops/.

Calvin Studies Society

The primary purpose of the Calvin Studies Society is to engage in and promote the study of the thought, life, and times of John Calvin. The Society also focuses on other figures and subjects related to the Reformed movement of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The 2007 Colloquium theme is "Calvin and Catholicism" and will be held at The University of Notre Dame on April 12-14, 2007. More information will be available soon at their website: http://www.calvinstudiessociety.org.

The International Reformed Theological Institute 

The International Reformed Theological Institute for Reformed Theology (IRTI) is a program associated with the Free University of Amsterdam. Its first aim is “to bring scholars together in common research, mutual support and an exchange of ideas and needs, in order to develop a viable theology for the different situation in which they are working.” The IRTI is based around a worldwide network of scholars, and organized biennial conferences and publishes a journal, Studies in Reformed Theology.

The IRTI has announced that their next conference will be held on July 3-8, 2007 in Romania. The topic for this conference will be on the characteristics of the church with special attention for its unity. For more information, contact the IRTI at IRTI@th.vu.nl or at this address: The International Reformed Theological Institute, Faculty of Theology, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.