Worship leaders, including musicians, vocalists, speakers, ministers, members of the worship planning committee and audio video ministry committee, and members enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the exciting concept of Emerging Worship from pastor and musician, Ron Rienstra, held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 21, 2002. Ron is Associate Editor of Reformed Worship  magazine and the leader of a very popular weekly worship service, known as The LOFT, which meets on the campus of Calvin College.

Points stressed during the seminar included that worship leaders are not performers to an audience, but enablers, encouraging the full, conscious, active participation of the congregation. Speakers do not instruct people what to do next but invite the members of the congregation to participate in the act of worship. Contemporary worship includes making creative use of words and music from many times, places, and people to "enlarge our vision of God's kingdom, and situate ourselves properly within it."

The photos below are from the seminar and the contemporary worship service led by Ron Rienstra on September 22, 2002.

Our thanks to Peter Richey for the photos!