LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Although the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina are now quiet following protests in response to the September 20 shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott by police, area Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastors say the historic and deep-seated sentiment that fostered unrest after this killing remains. “Charlotte is a southern city,” says the Rev. Amantha Barbee, pastor of Statesville Avenue Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. “I’m a Charlottean, so I can talk about my city. Charlotte is a pretty city with pretty people… This has been the mindset my entire 50 years—the highly educated people who live in the right neighborhoods and go to the right church have a wonderful, marvelous life. Those that don’t tend to be ignored or pushed aside.” Although disappointed, she’s not surprised peaceful vigils and marches turned violent the two evenings following Scott’s shooting. Barbee was present at rallies Tuesday and Wednesday as a representative of the Charlotte … [Read more...]
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Commentary 22 hours ago
They didn’t teach us that in seminary!
Guest commentary by Andrew Whaley “They didn’t teach us that in seminary!” How many times have pastors shared this phrase when relating the beautiful and confusing and frustrating stories of ministry? The truth is, though, that there is no way three years of study can help us to gain even rudimentary exposure to the biblical knowledge, theological skill, questions of pastoral presence and leadership ability needed to navigate this lifelong calling. In fact, most of those experiences that seminary did not train us for are only learned in the daily… continue reading... -
Looking into the lectionary 23 hours ago
October 2, 2016 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lamentations 1:1-6; Psalm 137; Luke 17:5-10 Ordinary 27C Proper 22 There are times in our lives when lament is the only response possible. Jill Duffield’s lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlook’s email list every Monday. There are seasons in communities and nations when corporate lament erupts. The words from Lamentations and Psalm 137 resonate as I write this week in the wake of more death, violence and suffering. Bitter weeping, groaning priests, young girls grieving – these images are all too relevant in Tulsa and Charlotte and Syria and… continue reading... -
Outlook Features 2 days ago
30 years of World Mission: An interview with Hunter Farrell
Hunter Farrell, who has served as director of World Mission for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 2007, has announced that he is leaving that position as of Oct. 14 to discern another call. Farrell, 58, had a conversation with the Outlook’s national reporter, Leslie Scanlon, to share some of what he’s learned in his 30 years in international mission work, and talk about what’s next. This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity. Q: How did you decide to leave World Mission, and what do you see ahead for… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized71 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews68 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews74 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
Mission Agency board to meet this week in new structure September 12, 2016 Outlook Reporting3 comments
LOUISVILLE (Outlook) – Hoping to spend more time thinking about big issues facing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Presbyterian Mission Agency board will at its meeting this week put into play a new committee structure and a new way of doing business.
The basic idea: Spend less time at meetings on routine business and more on “generative thinking.”
The agenda for the board’s meeting Sept. 13-16 will be a mix of idea...
Stony Point to work toward financial self-sufficiency June 9, 2014 Outlook Features3 comments LOUISVILLE, KY - After a long and somewhat contentious stretch of trying to figure out the future of Stony Point Center, a plan seems to have emerged — a roadmap for trying to make Stony Point financially self-sufficient within the next three years.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board voted April 24 in favor of a plan that:
Affirms the mission, including interfaith work, of Stony Point Center, a Presbyterian conference center outside New York City. Rick and Kitty Ufford-Chase, Stony Point’s co-executive directors, described as crucial the willingness of the leadership of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ...
Adopting Belhar, the 222nd General Assembly makes history June 23, 2016 Outlook Reporting2 comments PORTLAND, Ore. – The 2016 General Assembly made history by voting June 22 to add the Belhar Confession – a moving call for reconciliation, and a condemnation of racial injustice written in the crucible of the struggle over apartheid – to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Confessions. Belhar becomes the first confession from the global south the mostly-white PC(USA) has ever adopted – and the PC(USA) has done so at a time when racial tension, injustice and violence in the United States make headlines nearly every day.
Christians from South Africa told the assembly they have been waiting for this da...
Charlotte churches regroup after long week of demonstrations, unrest
Presbyterian congregation in Rochester seeks to improve education for poverty-stricken families
(PNS) – Members of Third Presbyterian Church of Rochester, New York believe more needs to be done to improve education in their city and they’ve launched an initiative to do just that. According to a report by the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Rochester is the fifth poorest city in the country with the highest concentration of extremely poor neighborhoods. The report also shows that more than 160,000 people live below the federal poverty line in the nine-county region and children are far more likely to be poor than adults. In addition, blacks and Hispanics have a much higher rate of poverty in Rochester than elsewhere in New York State. Armed with these facts, the church and other faith leaders decided to do something about it, saying children deserve more. “Children in Rochester schools need support that goes beyond teachers or families,” said John Wilkinson, pastor of Third Presbyterian Church. “We aren’t presuming anything negative but whenever other … [Read more...]
Sarmiento joins The Outreach Foundation Staff
FRANKLIN, TN (The Outreach Foundation) - Juan Sarmiento has been named Associate Director for Mission of The Outreach Foundation. He will officially begin his duties on November 1. Since 1979, The Outreach Foundation has connected congregations and people in the United States with church partners around the world in Christ-centered evangelistic mission. Today, Outreach focuses on Presbyterian partners in places in the world where the church is growing and where it is facing opposition. Sarmiento will join the Outreach team that focuses on building mission relationships that help global partners around the world train leaders, start new congregations, expand their outreach programs, and strengthen their ministries of compassion. Rob Weingartner, Executive Director of The Outreach Foundation, observes, “Juan’s love for the Lord and commitment to evangelism are strong and clear. He is thoughtful and articulate, evangelical and Reformed, and will bring to Outreach a winsome … [Read more...]
They didn’t teach us that in seminary!
Guest commentary by Andrew Whaley “They didn’t teach us that in seminary!” How many times have pastors shared this phrase when relating the beautiful and confusing and frustrating stories of ministry? The truth is, though, that there is no way three years of study can help us to gain even rudimentary exposure to the biblical knowledge, theological skill, questions of pastoral presence and leadership ability needed to navigate this lifelong calling. In fact, most of those experiences that seminary did not train us for are only learned in the daily practice of ministry in the church. In August of 2015, I left my first call as a solo pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee, to accept a head of staff position at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Virginia. During our season of discernment, I told the pastor nominating committee that managing a church staff and daily church administration was the area in which I would need to grow the … [Read more...]
October 2, 2016 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lamentations 1:1-6; Psalm 137; Luke 17:5-10 Ordinary 27C Proper 22 There are times in our lives when lament is the only response possible. There are seasons in communities and nations when corporate lament erupts. The words from Lamentations and Psalm 137 resonate as I write this week in the wake of more death, violence and suffering. Bitter weeping, groaning priests, young girls grieving – these images are all too relevant in Tulsa and Charlotte and Syria and Yemen and… and… and. How lonely sits the city that once was full of people. The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to the festivals. Jerusalem has been destroyed and the people are exiled. The author of the introduction to Lamentations in my study Bible writes, “Lamentations is first and foremost an eloquent expression of grief that helped survivors come to terms with the historical calamity they had gone through.” Perhaps this is the Sunday, then, to preach from it. The prophets were right. Sin has painful … [Read more...]
Suicide leaves scars, not the stain of sin (Commentary)
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. (RNS) September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and every September I hear that suicide is the unforgivable sin. As a minister and theologian, I understand the rationale. It goes something like this: Sin is doing something that offends God. It is the pride of trying to be God. And murder is a sin. Because that’s what it says in the Ten Commandments. And because only God can determine life and death. So murder is taking on God’s role. It is a sin. And suicide is an unforgivable sin because if you murder yourself, you aren’t alive to repent of it later. More generous Christians are willing to admit that all sins are forgiven by Jesus’ work of salvation. In this thinking, suicide is a forgivable sin, but still a sin. This fear of condemnation may cause many suicidal individuals to pause, stop and choose another path. Because religious fear trumps psychic fear. But more often, this teaching brings pain to those of us … [Read more...]
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