Guest commentary by Carlton Johnson If I live to be as old as my birthday, I know that I’ll never forget those words. Crystal (not her real name), the love of my undergrad life, had confirmed once and for all on that hot summer morning that being a part of the church was not for her. I felt like a personal failure. I wanted to be with a church girl and Crystal wasn’t going to be one. Unwittingly, I’d invited her to Building Fund Sunday. By the time the pastor was done with the biblical dictates on giving, Crystal had calculated that in order to be considered a “rightly saved person,” she would have to give one-third of her meager college student’s salary. As she exited the sanctuary, it was clear, for her, that heaven was not within reach. To be honest, if I had focused on what was being preached, I would likely have drawn the same conclusion. But, at the time, I was more interested in Crystal than Christ. (At least I’m honest.) Yet, as my own faith journey deepened, I … [Read more...]
-
Commentary 2 mins ago
“I can’t afford to be saved”
Guest commentary by Carlton Johnson If I live to be as old as my birthday, I know that I’ll never forget those words. Crystal (not her real name), the love of my undergrad life, had confirmed once and for all on that hot summer morning that being a part of the church was not for her. I felt like a personal failure. I wanted to be with a church girl and Crystal wasn’t going to be one. Unwittingly, I’d invited her to Building Fund Sunday. By the time the pastor was… continue reading... -
Looking into the lectionary 1 hour ago
3rd Sunday in Lent — March 24, 2019
Isaiah 55:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 Lent 3C Every now and then God unexpectedly puts me in just the right place at just the right time and I am alert enough to recognize that providence is at work. Jill Duffield’s lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlook’s email list every Monday. A few weeks ago I went to a city I’d never been before, on the road for the Presbyterian Outlook, gifted again to be among disciples of Jesus Christ seeking to be faithful in their spheres of influence.… continue reading... -
Book Reviews 24 hours ago
Baptism books for children
Today Is a Baptism Day Anna V. Ostenso Moore and Peter Krueger Church Publishing, 48 pages The Baptism of Your Child: A Book for Presbyterian Families Carol A. Wehrheim WJK Press, 56 pages Baptism Promises Carol A. Wehrheim and Roz Fulcher Flyaway Books, 18 pages These books will go a long way toward helping families understand the theology of baptism — and they include age-appropriate resources to share with baptized children. In many of our congregations we declare: “Remember your baptism and rejoice!” But how do congregations help us remember?… 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 Uncategorized86 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 Reviews61 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.
The Hawk is flying February 12, 2019 Benedictory2 comments “Who let that Hawk out? Whew, the Hawk is flying high today!” I exclaimed as walked into my office from a bone-chilling 21-degree Atlanta morning.
A weird silence fell over the room. As I removed my hat, I saw five co-workers looking at me as if I’d grown another head. One turned his head hard-left like the terrier staring at the gramophone in the old RCA trademark. Suddenly, I realized that the room was filled with folks under 40 and none of them had a clue of what I was talking about.
According to limited published information, the old phrase used to describe biting, gripping, chilly winds originat...
The story of God’s people: Tali Hairston speaks to Next Church March 11, 2019 Outlook Reporting1 comment SEATTLE – “The way the story is told matters,” W. Tali Hairston told the NEXT Church 2019 national gathering during its opening plenary March 11.
Meaning: who is given voice and who is not. Who is left out. Who controls the narrative.
A Seattle native, Hairston is senior advisor for community engagement for Seattle Presbytery. He spoke to this gathering about the elements of transformation and reconciliation – warning the crowd ...
“Move on out!” — Co-moderator challenges Next Church participants to be bearers of good news March 12, 2019 Outlook Reporting1 comment SEATTLE — How can congregations be bearers of good news to their neighborhoods? Co-moderator of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Cindy Kohlmann led a workshop at the Next Church national gathering called “The gospel mandate: Beloved communities and neighborhood churches” highlighting the one church, one book chosen by Kohlmann and co-moderator Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri.
Kohlmann and Cintrón-Olivieri have asked Presbyterians to read “
“I can’t afford to be saved”
3rd Sunday in Lent — March 24, 2019
Isaiah 55:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 Lent 3C Every now and then God unexpectedly puts me in just the right place at just the right time and I am alert enough to recognize that providence is at work. A few weeks ago I went to a city I’d never been before, on the road for the Presbyterian Outlook, gifted again to be among disciples of Jesus Christ seeking to be faithful in their spheres of influence. After speaking one evening at the church, a member came up to talk to me about a local ministry called Community Renewal. He then invited me to their weekly meeting the next morning, a Quaker-style gathering where those who felt moved to speak, spoke. A simple practice yet one, I would discover, that is deeply profound. I went the next day. The large room soon filled with a diverse group of people sitting in a circle of chairs around the entire perimeter of the space. We read one psalm and then one more. Then people spoke or didn’t. Giving thanks. Naming where … [Read more...]
Baptism books for children
Today Is a Baptism Day Anna V. Ostenso Moore and Peter Krueger Church Publishing, 48 pages The Baptism of Your Child: A Book for Presbyterian Families Carol A. Wehrheim WJK Press, 56 pages Baptism Promises Carol A. Wehrheim and Roz Fulcher Flyaway Books, 18 pages These books will go a long way toward helping families understand the theology of baptism — and they include age-appropriate resources to share with baptized children. In many of our congregations we declare: “Remember your baptism and rejoice!” But how do congregations help us remember? What is it that we are remembering? And why is it so important to remember our baptism? In “Today Is a Baptism Day,” the author and illustrator address all of these questions in precise language drawn from the service of baptism. It is beautifully illustrated by Peter Krueger to display the diversity of God’s people. What is especially remarkable about Anna Ostenso Moore’s book is the theology undergirding Christian … [Read more...]
TRANSITIONAL LEADER (PRESBYTERY)
Lehigh Presbytery, consisting of 31 worshiping communities in eastern Pennsylvania, is seeking an individual to serve in a new, full-time staff position (Transitional Leader) for the next three years to assist the congregations and Presbytery leadership move into our new statement of direction. The Transitional Leader will facilitate opportunities for us to challenge and resource each other, so we may boldly risk our comfort for the sake of the Gospel. We envision creating resourcing networks, using new technologies, forming new partnerships, challenging assumptions and practices to live into our calling as part of the body of Christ for such a time as this. Application Deadline is May 1. Send résumés to [email protected] Lehigh Presbytery 710 N Cedar Crest Blvd Allentown PA 18104-3494 lehighpresbytery.org … [Read more...]
PASTOR/HEAD OF STAFF
First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City, Missouri is seeking a 21st century pastor to serve a vibrant, spirit filled community of disciples who participate in the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, and service in mission. This person will supervise a staff of one Associate Pastor, two full-time staff, and others in leadership positions. Additional information can be found on MIF 04265.AHO on the CLC website, clc.pcusa.org, or by contacting the co-chair of the PNC, at [email protected] First Presbyterian Church 324 Madison St Jefferson City MO 65101 fpcjcmo.org Job Type: Full-time … [Read more...]
Most US Christians find Trump signing Bibles inappropriate: poll
(RNS) — If Donald Trump were the pope or another Christian leader, the majority of U.S. Christians likely wouldn’t have minded that he signed a Bible. Only 39 percent of Christians in the U.S. think it would be inappropriate for a pastor, priest or Christian leader to sign the cover of a Bible. Similarly, 35 percent think it would be inappropriate for the pope to do the same. But a Morning Consult poll released Monday (March 18) shows nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Christians in the U.S. found it inappropriate when Trump signed the covers of at least two Bibles earlier this month at a Southern Baptist church in Alabama while visiting a community recovering from a deadly tornado outbreak. The poll comes after videos posted online showed people holding out their Bibles to the president and first lady Melania Trump to sign. Slate reported that a 12-year-old boy was the first to ask Trump to autograph his Bible. Other photos show the president’s signature scrawled in large … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 2597
- Next Page »
Tweet With Us
Be A Facebook Fan
Our World in Photos
Pin With Us