Rather than use words alone to demonstrate what I’m suggesting, I will invite you on a multi-sensory journey. Let us move for a moment from a stationary pulpit into the streets and look with fresh eyes and open hearts for a prophetic word preached in the visuals of street arts, graffiti and public installations.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-chicago-mural.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-21 06:45:122019-01-19 16:05:32Public Art as Prophetic Word
Through this new practice, the Holy Spirit transformed my experience of Scripture. As I read the passage in the morning, I started to make it my practice to take a picture of something from that day that reflected the Scripture. As a result, the words stayed with me and truly dwelt in me throughout.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-heart-concrete.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-17 06:25:162019-01-19 16:05:50The Intentional Practice of Imago Scriptura
I love co-writing metaphors for songs, especially with people who have lived through experiences different from my own. They bring fresh language for common experiences, and sometimes they relate uncommon experiences through very relatable images.
When we pass the peace in worship, we don’t reach out only to those we know or feel comfortable with. We pass the peace to anyone seated near us. Many of us look for those we don’t know, and pass the peace that we may get to know them, and allow them to feel welcomed and connected to our congregation. What if, rather than seeing this as a part of worship on Sunday, we could see passing the peace as how we are in the world?
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-peace-sign.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-14 06:57:062019-01-19 16:06:26Passing the Peace: A Daily Practice
Not all of us have the strength or opportunity to live authentically in our places of worship. But what is worship when we hide? What is confession when we are not giving all of ourselves – when we are not SO honest and authentic that we can feel it in our bones?
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-queer-confession.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-10 06:42:132019-01-19 16:06:46Confession through a Queer Lens
Pantomimed digging. Laughter. High fives. Spontaneous prayers. These are not uncommon ways for us to gather ourselves for worship at Immanuel Presbyterian Church’s weekly evening service. Here’s how we suggest implementing paperless liturgy.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-paperless-liturgy-worship.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-09 06:45:502019-01-19 16:07:08Call to Worship and Paperless Liturgy
If worship is providing ways to access God, then its important to think outside the box, the church box, and even the reading/neurotypical box. Where can we allow creative access to God? Where can we open the door to the work of the Holy Spirit? Where can we learn from other individuals’ spirituality?
I grew up in the Evangelical church and suppressed my being gay until my early thirties, when I had a very spiritual and cathartic moment that would change the course of my life forever. I was thirty-two when I came out as gay and Christian, fully affirming myself and LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/12/featured-brave-commons.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-12-19 06:23:162018-12-18 15:25:39A Ministry of Emboldening LGBTQ+ Students
Farm workers have long lived at the bottom of our socio-economic scale. Even today, their pay is abysmal. Farm workers are usually paid by piecework, meaning they work as fast as they can to make as much money as possible.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/12/featured-farm-workers.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-12-17 09:22:362018-12-17 09:22:36Ministry in the Fields
Last week I accompanied my high school daughter to Tijuana. Abigail, a volunteer teacher with Little Brushstrokes, a program for refugee children, wanted to bring art to the migrant caravan children. Our day was different than we could have imagined.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/12/featured-border-ministry.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-12-13 06:14:592018-12-11 15:20:00Ministry at the Border
Public Art as Prophetic Word
/0 Comments/in Worship /by Linda KurtzRather than use words alone to demonstrate what I’m suggesting, I will invite you on a multi-sensory journey. Let us move for a moment from a stationary pulpit into the streets and look with fresh eyes and open hearts for a prophetic word preached in the visuals of street arts, graffiti and public installations.
The Intentional Practice of Imago Scriptura
/3 Comments/in Worship /by Linda KurtzThrough this new practice, the Holy Spirit transformed my experience of Scripture. As I read the passage in the morning, I started to make it my practice to take a picture of something from that day that reflected the Scripture. As a result, the words stayed with me and truly dwelt in me throughout.
Hymns as Songwriting
/0 Comments/in Worship /by Linda KurtzI love co-writing metaphors for songs, especially with people who have lived through experiences different from my own. They bring fresh language for common experiences, and sometimes they relate uncommon experiences through very relatable images.
Passing the Peace: A Daily Practice
/1 Comment/in Worship /by Linda KurtzWhen we pass the peace in worship, we don’t reach out only to those we know or feel comfortable with. We pass the peace to anyone seated near us. Many of us look for those we don’t know, and pass the peace that we may get to know them, and allow them to feel welcomed and connected to our congregation. What if, rather than seeing this as a part of worship on Sunday, we could see passing the peace as how we are in the world?
Confession through a Queer Lens
/0 Comments/in Worship /by Linda KurtzNot all of us have the strength or opportunity to live authentically in our places of worship. But what is worship when we hide? What is confession when we are not giving all of ourselves – when we are not SO honest and authentic that we can feel it in our bones?
Call to Worship and Paperless Liturgy
/1 Comment/in Liturgy & Worship, Resources, Worship /by Linda KurtzPantomimed digging. Laughter. High fives. Spontaneous prayers. These are not uncommon ways for us to gather ourselves for worship at Immanuel Presbyterian Church’s weekly evening service. Here’s how we suggest implementing paperless liturgy.
Worship Outside the Box
/0 Comments/in Worship /by Linda KurtzIf worship is providing ways to access God, then its important to think outside the box, the church box, and even the reading/neurotypical box. Where can we allow creative access to God? Where can we open the door to the work of the Holy Spirit? Where can we learn from other individuals’ spirituality?
A Ministry of Emboldening LGBTQ+ Students
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzI grew up in the Evangelical church and suppressed my being gay until my early thirties, when I had a very spiritual and cathartic moment that would change the course of my life forever. I was thirty-two when I came out as gay and Christian, fully affirming myself and LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church.
Ministry in the Fields
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzFarm workers have long lived at the bottom of our socio-economic scale. Even today, their pay is abysmal. Farm workers are usually paid by piecework, meaning they work as fast as they can to make as much money as possible.
Ministry at the Border
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzLast week I accompanied my high school daughter to Tijuana. Abigail, a volunteer teacher with Little Brushstrokes, a program for refugee children, wanted to bring art to the migrant caravan children. Our day was different than we could have imagined.