“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” — Rachel Carson Let’s begin with birdsong. Listen for the winter wren with her bubbly cascading notes, for the mourning dove and his drifting coos that resurrect the long, outdoor days of childhood. Hear the wood thrush whose flutelike ee-oh-lay, ee-oh-lay reverberates through woods. Picture the barred owl who wondrously asks who cooks for you? Who cooks for you? Those sounds coming out of a heart-shaped face. I found it difficult to write about creation and climate change, even though it’s one of the fearless dialogues the church is called to have now. I can’t seem to get the words out. I can’t get the words out because I am afraid. No — I am terror stricken by what our species has done to this good earth. I am petrified by thinning ice, alarmed by worsening storm systems. And I imagine you are, too. But what if we held fast to the possibility that there is much to hope for? What if … [Read more...]
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Outlook Features 15 hours ago
Wonder of all wonders: A tribute to Rachel Carson
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” — Rachel Carson Let’s begin with birdsong. Listen for the winter wren with her bubbly cascading notes, for the mourning dove and his drifting coos that resurrect the long, outdoor days of childhood. Hear the wood thrush whose flutelike ee-oh-lay, ee-oh-lay reverberates through woods. Picture the barred owl who wondrously asks who cooks for you? Who cooks for you? Those sounds coming out of a heart-shaped face. I found it difficult to write… continue reading... -
Outpost Blog 15 hours ago
All are included
We asked our bloggers to share their biggest dreams for the church. Here’s what they imagine. The 5-year-old exclaims, “There’s my friend!” Following his pointing finger, I see a child I have never set eyes upon, running through the sprinkler in her front yard. “You don’t know that child, son. She’s your friend?” “Well, not yet,” he impatiently responds and, with that, he’s off leaving me open-mouthed with wonder. This was the best sermon I’d heard in a month of Sundays. The ancient Celts would say a child is “fresh… continue reading... -
Outlook Features 2 days ago
International Theological Seminary: Preparing ministers for a global reach
EL MONTE, California – With only about 70 students, International Theological Seminary in suburban Los Angeles doesn’t have an impressive campus, a big endowment or an affluent alumni base. It’s not a flashy seminary. While relatively unknown, ITS is perched on the cutting edge of innovation for training church leaders from the global south – one of a number of small, relatively new seminaries that are in the United States, but whose focus is on educating students from other places. Many of those ITS students are mid-career in ministry from… 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 Uncategorized65 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 Reviews64 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 Reviews67 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.
General Assembly approves per capita increase as last item of business in St. Louis June 23, 2018 Outlook Reporting2 comments ST. LOUIS – The 2018 General Assembly voted June 23 to increase the General Assembly per capita rate to $8.95 per member in 2019 and $8.95 per member in 2020.
That’s an increase of just over 15 percent from the 2018 per capita rate of $7.73 per member. The assembly voted 359-43 to approve that.
Some commissioners argued that the increase will harm the ministry of presbyteries if congregations don’t send the full per capita amount and mid councils try to make up the difference – sending the money to the national church at the expense of mid council ministry.
Others argued that this assembly had voted ...
Presbyterian Mission Agency Board issues public statement on ethics investigation April 16, 2015 Outlook Reporting1 comment After spending roughly 12 hours meeting in closed session over two days, the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board emerged with a public statement April 16 about how it plans to address an ethics investigation involving four employees connected with an ethics investigation within the 1001 New Worshiping Communities program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
Shortly after 7 p.m. on April 16, Marilyn Gamm, the board’s chair, announced in a brief statement the decisions the board had made in its closed sessions. Gamm said that:
The board voted to authorize one of the lawyers it has hired,
Hoey files defamation lawsuit against PC(USA) June 25, 2015 Outlook Reporting1 comment A second defamation lawsuit has been filed against the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) A Corporation – the denomination’s corporate entity – stemming from an ethics investigation involving the 1001 New Worshipping Communities program.
Eric Hoey, who has served as the PC(USA)’s director of Evangelism and Church Growth, filed suit in Jefferson Circuit Court in Kentucky on June 16.
Hoey is the second person involved with the investigation to file a defamation suit. Roger Dermody – who was hired in 2010 as the PC(USA)’s deputy executive director for mission, serving directly under Linda Valentine, executive direct...
Wonder of all wonders: A tribute to Rachel Carson
Tagged With: creation stewardship
All are included
We asked our bloggers to share their biggest dreams for the church. Here’s what they imagine. The 5-year-old exclaims, “There’s my friend!” Following his pointing finger, I see a child I have never set eyes upon, running through the sprinkler in her front yard. “You don’t know that child, son. She’s your friend?” “Well, not yet,” he impatiently responds and, with that, he’s off leaving me open-mouthed with wonder. This was the best sermon I’d heard in a month of Sundays. The ancient Celts would say a child is “fresh from God.” Welcome the little children, for they receive you just as you are. In the eyes of a child, you are worthy, you are loved, you are enough. The double-edged sword, however, is that it follows that the grown-up next to you, likewise a recipient of such a child’s grace, is also worthy, also loved, also enough. My dream, then, is that the sign out front of the church would be changed from “All Are Welcome” to “All Are Included.” I think “inclusion” … [Read more...]
Ministry in transition — May 20, 2019
Change comes to congregations in many forms. Inevitably, pastors come and go and the congregation must navigate how best to make the transition from one leader to another. This issue of the Outlook offers insights from a variety of perspectives on how to learn and grow through changes in church leadership. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. The in-between time Interim ministry can be sacred space for congregations — a time to reflect, correct, protect and resurrect. Mission studies A quality mission study complements the prayers of the congregation and the working of the Holy Spirit, helping serve the pastoral call process. A changing benefits structure for a changing church Frank Spencer, president of the Board of Pensions, explains new programs to serve all churches – including those in transition. In God’s hand A church in Pennsylvania shares their story of the call process from beginning to end. … [Read more...]
Co-moderator Cindy Kohlmann preaches at Travis Air Force Base
(PNS) FAIRFIELD, California — In Ephesians, Chapter 2, the reader is reminded that God is rich in mercy and grace, and people are saved through grace, not by good works. On Friday, the Reverend Cindy Kohlmann, Co-Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly (2019) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), shared that passage of Scripture during a worship service at Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, Calif. Kohlmann spent most of the week in the area, participating in a forum held by military chaplains on the growing suicide rate among veterans. The service was held prior to the regular meeting of the Presbytery of the Redwoods. In her message, Kohlmann reminded attendees that no one is immune and good deeds alone will not be enough in the sight of God. “It is by grace that you have been saved, not by works or something you have done. It is by grace. None of us are anything in the eyes of God except by that grace and the immeasurable abundant love of Jesus Christ,” she said. “That … [Read more...]
Survey: 1 in 3 Protestants think more stories of abuse by pastors yet to come
(RNS) — The past year has been filled with stories of alleged sexual misconduct and abuse by Protestant Christian pastors. Bill Hybels retired early from the influential Chicago-area megachurch he founded, Willow Creek Community Church, after being accused of sexual harassment by several women connected to the church. Andy Savage, a megachurch preacher in Memphis, Tenn., resigned after admitting to having an inappropriate sexual contact with a teenager when he was a youth pastor. And a landmark investigation by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News revealed that more than 250 people who worked or volunteered in Southern Baptist churches have been charged with sex crimes over the past 20 years.Most Protestant churchgoers feel they and their children are safe from abuse or harassment at their churches. But many also seem unsure whether new cases of abuse are yet to be revealed. A new survey found that 1 in 3 Protestant Christian churchgoers think there are many … [Read more...]
MINISTER/DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
As a large, dynamic congregation in a world-class university city, First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan seeks an energetic Minister/Director of Youth and Family Ministries to provide leadership over the full spectrum of faith formation for young people and families. FPCAA is searching for a leader who reflects an engaging Christian faith, a welcoming spirit and a love for young people and their families. We are seeking a self-starter with a calling to work with youth between ages 12 and 18. She/he must value full participation of young people in the daily life of the church; incorporating youth in all aspects of worship and leadership; engaging them in intergenerational interactions, involving them in ministries and mission; and advocating for the intergenerational faith formation efforts of FPCAA. Applicants who are passionate and knowledgeable about youth ministry, have an innovative, compassionate spirit, are highly relational with both parents and young people, … [Read more...]
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