May 31, 2005

Only faith communities offer worship.

Secular institutions can give you fellowship, charitable work and many other things normally associated with churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses or worship. But worship is unique.

It's also sometimes done badly -- or at least without much imagination. Newly announced grants from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship are designed to change that in some Christian churches.

Because I'm a Presbyterian, I was pleased to see that the list of recipients contained nine Presbyterian congregations, including one in the Kansas City area, Grandview Park Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Kansas. Grandview Park, a lively and diverse congregation, is to use its grant to "develop a deeper understanding of the theology and practice of worship, educate and train worship leaders from the church's diverse membership and explore ways in which art can enhance the multicultural worship experience in an urban setting."

Profound worship experiences are too rare, if you ask me, especially in mainline Protestant churches. There is much we can learn from other traditions. So I'm glad to see someone putting some resources into improving things.

See my About page to find out how to read online what I've written for The Kansas City Star.

Today's religious holiday: Feast of the Visitation (Catholic).