(RNS) — Eugene Peterson, the bestselling author of “The Message” and longtime pastor praised as a “shepherd’s shepherd,” passed away Monday morning (Oct. 22) at age 85. Among Peterson’s last words were, “Let’s go,” according to a statement from his family. “During the previous days, it was apparent that he was navigating the thin and sacred space between earth and heaven,” according to his family. “We overheard him speaking to people we can only presume were welcoming him into paradise. There may have even been a time or two when he accessed his Pentecostal roots and spoke in tongues as well.” Peterson pastored Christ Our King Presbyterian Church, a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation he founded in Bel Air, Md., for 30 years while also writing widely to encourage and develop other pastors. He is best known for “The Message,” his popular paraphrase of the Bible in contemporary language that made the Bible accessible to so many Christians. Altogether, he wrote more than 30 … [Read more...]
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Outlook Features 16 hours ago
Patiently waiting
Author’s note: This is a work of fiction. However, “Connecting Grace” is a real initiative of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, in partnership with the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation, that equips faith communities to be agents of healing for families affected by crime, incarceration, criminalization and stigmatization. Between 2013-2018, I had the honor and privilege of working with James H. Costen Jr. at Johnson C. Smith. During the workday, we shared dreams for this developing initiative. Mr. Costen passed in April 2018. The story that follows is in honor of the… continue reading... -
Book Reviews 16 hours ago
The Templars
Dan Jones Viking Press, 448 pages Dan Jones is a wonderful storyteller and historian. It’s not always clear which skill is foremost. He is perhaps most well known for his massive “The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens who Made England.” No surprise: He’s also a consultant for the History Channel, and his narrative style lends itself well to that task. This book explores the period of the Crusades from 1102-1314, through the slow rise and dramatic fall of the Knights of the Order of the Temple, otherwise known as… continue reading... -
Commentary 4 days ago
On loving pastors
Guest commentary by Lara Hauser I was recently invited to give the charge to the congregation at the installation of a dear friend at his new call. I was honored, but a little surprised he asked. You see, I have been to a lot of installations, certainly more than your average church-goer, and in my experience, the person giving this charge is usually a pastor, or an elder, perhaps a PNC (pastor nominating committee) member or part of the presbytery commission. I am none of those things, but perhaps having… 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 Uncategorized76 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 Reviews69 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 Reviews62 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.
Up and running: Reconfigured Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), A Corporation, board convenes for its first meeting September 4, 2018 Outlook Reporting2 comments LOUISVILLE – The newly-reconfigured board of the Presbyterian Church (U.SA.), A Corporation, is up and running – and the list of questions or issues it may need to take on in the months to come is considerable.
That new board is holding its first meeting Sept. 4-5 in Louisville, with the first day spent on introducing the people and some of the issues involved, and with the board expected to take its first votes Sept. 5, including electing its chair, considering its committee structure and electing at least some officers of the corporation.
The first day’s discussion, however, also demonstrated in broad...
Stony Point to receive year-by-year funding from Presbyterian Mission Agency April 26, 2018 Outlook Reporting2 comments CINCINNATI – The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board voted April 26 to provide at least a year’s funding to Stony Point Center for capital improvements – and voiced its support of Stony Point as being an important ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The board’s Stony Point Sustainability Task Force had asked the board to approve spending $3 million over three years for deferred maintenance and capital improvements at Stony Point, a facility of more than 30 acres about an hour outside New York City.
That money, however, would have had to come from Presbyter...
Taking a long look October 15, 2018 Editorials1 comment The title of the project that has culminated in the articles you will find in this issue of the Outlook is ambitious, audacious even: “Taking a long look: Using long-form, narrative, theological essays to transform issues into empathy and foster thoughtful discussion on contentious topics.” That is a complicated way of saying, “I want to tell stories that will help us talk about difficult topics in nuanced, theological ways.”
Over a year ago I was given the great gift of being invited to apply for a Duke Faith and Leadership Innovation Grant and I wrote the following in my applicati...
Eugene Peterson, author of ‘The Message’ and pastor to other pastors, dies at age 85
Two presbyteries establish funds for Hurricane Michael relief
(PNS) In the aftermath of damage caused by Hurricane Michael, two funds have been established through the Presbyterian Foundation for donors to contribute toward presbytery-led relief efforts. The hurricane hit Florida’s panhandle on October 10 as a Category 4 storm and cut a broad swath of destruction as it moved across the Southeast. Current estimates are that the storm caused more than $6 billion in damage and claimed at least 50 lives. The Presbytery of Florida and Flint River Presbytery are currently assessing damages in their respective regions and working with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the Presbyterian Board of Pensions and the Presbyterian Foundation to find ways to mitigate property losses and restore lives. The Rev. Dr. Roy Martin, general presbyter of the Presbytery of Florida, described the damage caused by the hurricane and its associated tornadoes in graphic terms. “If you were to fly over Lynn Haven [Florida] you would say, if you know your history, … [Read more...]
Mike Ferguson joins PC(USA) news team as Presbyterian News Service editor
LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Blending together a long career in journalism and his Presbyterian faith, Mike Ferguson begins his duties as editor of the Presbyterian News Service (PNS) in Louisville on October 29. “We are thrilled to have a journalist of Mike’s caliber in this position,” said Kathy Francis, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s senior director of communications. “We are pleased he answered God’s call to serve the church full-time.” For more than 25 years, Ferguson has been a reporter at newspapers in five cities in four states. Most recently, he covered municipal government and wrote features for the Billings Gazette in Billings, Montana. Since 2006, Ferguson has volunteered in the General Assembly newsroom, following committee and plenary sessions for readers and uncovering feature stories from the thousands of Presbyterians and ecumenical partners who gather every two years to discern God’s will for the denomination. “Editing and reporting for PNS blends two of my great … [Read more...]
MRTI begins next season of engagement with new guidelines
HOUSTON (PNS) – As the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) gathered here for its first meeting since General Assembly in June, MRTI Vice Chair Kerri Allen opened with a womanist theological reflection on 2 Samuel, exploring the story from the perspective of Rizpah, a concubine of the late Saul. Rob Fohr, director of Faith-Based Investing and Corporate Engagement, talks with MRTI committee members in Houston. Henry Stone “Rizpah has a powerful voice in her silence,” Allen notes. When Rizpah’s sons are publicly executed to settle a blood feud, and their traditional burials neglected by King David, Rizpah responds with a protest that puts her own body on the line — staying with the bodies to protect them until finally David gathers the bones and “allows for the process of public healing to begin.” MRTI’s strategy of witness involves a lot more conversation. But, as with King David, it takes persistence to engage corporations until they listen. While MRTI is … [Read more...]
Patiently waiting
Author’s note: This is a work of fiction. However, “Connecting Grace” is a real initiative of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, in partnership with the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation, that equips faith communities to be agents of healing for families affected by crime, incarceration, criminalization and stigmatization. Between 2013-2018, I had the honor and privilege of working with James H. Costen Jr. at Johnson C. Smith. During the workday, we shared dreams for this developing initiative. Mr. Costen passed in April 2018. The story that follows is in honor of the profound work of Mr. Costen, his father, the Rev. Dr. James H. Costen Sr. and his phenomenal mother, Dr. Melva Costen. I never wanted to be a newspaper reporter, but after three decades, I have fallen in love with it. I love the people I meet. This week, I met Frank Jackson. At the end of the month, Mr. Jackson will be released after serving 24 years, 18 days and six hours in a maximum-security prison for … [Read more...]
The Templars
Dan Jones Viking Press, 448 pages Dan Jones is a wonderful storyteller and historian. It’s not always clear which skill is foremost. He is perhaps most well known for his massive “The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens who Made England.” No surprise: He’s also a consultant for the History Channel, and his narrative style lends itself well to that task. This book explores the period of the Crusades from 1102-1314, through the slow rise and dramatic fall of the Knights of the Order of the Temple, otherwise known as the Templars. It’s a stunning story well told, certainly relevant for today. Jones amasses an enormous amount of details across cultures and religious traditions, language and beliefs. Occasionally one wishes for an editor to bring some focus. Where Jones succeeds is holding the thread of the Templars from a sincere monastic order supported by St. Bernard, called to defend The Holy Land, to a wealthy powerful and military skilled order. Inevitably their power … [Read more...]
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