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Office of Church Engagement

  1. Whitworth University
  2. Church Engagement
  3. Calling Communities
  4. Called to Formational Worship

Called to Formational Worship

Anti-Racism & Christian Worship

Through relationships, study, discussion and worship, the Formational Worship Calling Community seeks to equip participants to nurture engaging and formative worship in our church congregations. This year, we are excited to gather and learn together guided by the theme of Anti-Racism and Christian Worship. Participants will also have opportunities to develop projects around our themes, and generous grant funding is available to support these projects.

Our 2021 cohort brings together pastors and worship leaders from across the country, representing multiple denominations and nondenominational churches. We are excited about the geographical and denominational diversity as we dive into this important issue.

The worship practices of our churches have the potential to both support and undermine our formation as disciples of Christ. The practices of prayer, song, table and Word shape our perspectives on race for good or ill. In the coming year, the Calling Community will gather and listen to the voices of experienced experts in the area of Christian anti-racism, in order to consider how our churches and worship practices can equip and form disciples to actively engage racism in our own lives and communities. As a launching point, we will read and discuss David Swanson's Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity (2020).

The Formational Worship Calling Community is centered on three activities that form the foundation of our learning and work together:

  • Regular gatherings – Held virtually approximately every two weeks, January-June. These gatherings form the core of our work together and provide opportunities to learn, share and build relationships with one another. All books and other materials are provided to participants.
  • Whitworth Ministry Summit – Our group will be invited to participate in the Whitworth Ministry Summit, June 21-24 (free of charge).
  • Projects – Our learning together will inform projects that we will develop to nurture faithful worship in our own churches.