Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. (aka Neal) is Senior Research Fellow at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and president emeritus of Calvin Theological Seminary. Neal Plantinga teaches a course annually in Calvin College (he was Dean of the Chapel from 1996 to 2001) and in Calvin Theological Seminary (he was a professor there from 1979 to 1996 and President from 2001 to 2011). He writes for the Worship Institute and participates in its major events as a speaker or as a host for other speakers. In connection with The Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary, and with its Director, Scott Hoezee or with Hulitt Gloer, Neal cohosts seminars for preachers on reading for preaching—i.e., on how a program of general reading (stories, biographies, print journalism) can help the preacher become a better one. His current book project is on that topic. Neal preaches and speaks regularly and also writes articles and books. Neal is married to Kathleen. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.
Paul Ryan is a resource development specialist for worship teams at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and associate chaplain for worship at Calvin College. Paul’s work with CICW includes planning for the Calvin Symposium on Worship, organizing and leading regional training events, developing resources for the CICW website, and networking with church and college campus worship leaders locally and nationally. At the college, Paul directs the Sunday evening student-led worship service LOFT (Living Our Faith Together) and mentors students in the Worship Apprentice Program. Paul’s interests include the implementation and development of worship teams, planning theologically rich and culturally sensitive worship, reviving historical practices for the next generation, creating and integrating new music and media, and cultivating healthy corporate and individual worship habits. Paul is a graduate of Indiana University School of Music (BM, vocal performance) and Calvin Theological Seminary (M.Div) and is an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
