This issue of the Outlook introduces the candidates standing for co-moderator, moderator and vice moderator, digs deep into the latest data on Presbyterian pastors, and explores what it means to be a member of the household of God. No matter the configuration, how do our communities reflect the character of the One we follow, Jesus Christ Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Meet the moderator candidates Those standing for co-moderator and moderator and vice moderator share their sense of call and hope for the PC(USA). Vocation within the PC(USA) Frank Spencer offers a review of the data on newly ordained pastors and benefits. Adoption Adopting a child mirrors God’s adoption of us all. Embodying parenting and faith Like faith, parenting is just theoretical until it is put in action. Singing the faith Singing with children is an important part of faith formation. The power of family mottos David Lee Jones applies family systems theory to family … [Read more...]
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Outpost Blog 8 hours ago
Three POINTS and a POEM about PREDESTINATION
Predestination is a widely misunderstood term tossed around and utilized in odd ways today. So I thought I might offer to you some of my thoughts on predestination as well as some simple and basic information about it from the vantage point of a humble still-reforming pastor. And I do this in the old-school throwback way of the “three points and a poem.” 1. Predestination is about the end. People begin to talk about things that occur in our daily lives as being “predestined.” They say that they were “predestined” to meet… continue reading... -
What's right? 9 hours ago
What’s right about Carmichael Presbyterian Church in California?
Youth mission trips have been a big part of the church for more than 30 years. This congregation has enabled hundreds of youth to learn and serve from Carmichael to Belize and many, many places in between. These trips are life-changing for the youth mission team members. By working together, our youth bond and learn more about the people they serve and the world in which they live. Our youth mission team members (current and past) are grateful to CPC for their prayers and contributions that give them opportunities to… continue reading... -
Editor's viewpoints 3 days ago
Lord, how is it possible that this is happening again?
Lord, how is it possible that this is happening again? How can we live in a culture where there is a haunting template to school shootings? The breaking news is far too familiar, as are the images of hugging students, emergency vehicles and media trucks as we wait to hear the numbers. We know the routine. How many killed, injured? Has the shooter been arrested or dead, too? Lord, how long? Yes, we pray comfort and support, healing and helpers. Yes, we lament, weep and grieve. But, Lord, we must… 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 Uncategorized53 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 Reviews57 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 Reviews58 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.
PC(USA), A Corporation: Everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask April 25, 2018 Outlook Reporting5 comments Confused, confused, confused.
So many say they are confused by the octopus-like discussions involving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) corporate structure. (Others just shake their heads and walk away.)
The issue will come up again at the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board meeting in Cincinnati April 25-27. Discussions are ongoing, which means that what’s on the table may change between now and when the assembly convenes in June in St. Louis: these proposals may morph.
Dear readers, we cannot tell you where to align yourselves in this dispute. We can, however, attempt to offer a primer of some of the te...
Vision before structure: Presbyterian Mission Agency Board scrutinizes recommendations from other groups April 25, 2018 Outlook Reporting4 comments CINCINNATI – The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board is considering asking the 2018 General Assembly to take the next two years to vet both the details and the vision of recommendations from the Way Forward Commission and the All Agency Review Committee, so that “a more comprehensive and sustainable recommendation can be brought to the 2020 General Assembly.”
That language is contained in a proposed set of comments (P.002 Governance Task Force WFC AARC comment) to the assembly that the bo...
Presbyterian leaders clarify what’s at stake in debates over restructuring April 9, 2018 Outlook Reporting4 comments LOUISVILLE – While no blazing agreement was reached, participants in an April 8-9 conversation regarding the corporate structure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have agreed on some next steps and clarified their sticking points and places of disagreement.
It’s possible that holding this meeting and airing the differences may lower the tension as two competing proposals regarding a reconfiguration of the PC(USA), A Corporation – which is the corporate identity for the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) and the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) -- head towards the General Assembly that will meet in St. Lou...
Letting the Spirit lead — May 21, 2018
What the church can do to help opioid addicts: A Q&A with Raymond Barfield
(RNS) — The opioid epidemic claimed more than 40,000 lives in the U.S. in 2016 alone. And the problem is growing particularly acute in Appalachia. In Tennessee, for example, 80 percent of crimes are drug related. On Friday and Saturday (May 18-19) a conference on opioid addiction will bring clinicians, clergy and educators to the tip of southern Appalachia to begin a yearlong conversation on ways churches can help heal and support those caught in the epidemic’s grip. Among its organizers is Dr. Raymond Barfield, a pediatric oncologist at Duke University who has a joint appointment at its divinity school. For five years he directed a program called “Theology, Medicine and Culture.” He now teaches courses on Christian philosophy and mentors students in the Medical Humanities Study Program. This interview was edited for length and clarity. How did the conference come about? I was asked by Duke to go and give some talks in Bristol, Tenn. After my first talk, I got a tour of … [Read more...]
Presbyterian Mission Agency publishes 2017 Annual Report
LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Following the April 25 approval by the Audit Committee of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, the agency’s 2017 Annual Report has just been published. The full report is available online for reading or downloading. This year’s report features Presbyterian Mission’s work and ministries during 2017 through impactful photographs and stories. A financial section describes the agency’s stewardship of mission and per capita funds, as well as the sources and uses of funds for the entire agency and its departments. Annual reports for prior years are also available online. … [Read more...]
Three POINTS and a POEM about PREDESTINATION
Predestination is a widely misunderstood term tossed around and utilized in odd ways today. So I thought I might offer to you some of my thoughts on predestination as well as some simple and basic information about it from the vantage point of a humble still-reforming pastor. And I do this in the old-school throwback way of the “three points and a poem.” 1. Predestination is about the end. People begin to talk about things that occur in our daily lives as being “predestined.” They say that they were “predestined” to meet their spouse or “predestined” to take that life-changing trip. This is an incorrect usage of the word. Please stop doing this. Predestination is about what will happen in the very end. Christians believe the end has to do with Jesus’ return and that final day in which we all wake up, enjoy the great wedding banquet and watch as the mountains drip with sweet wine! Predestination has to do with what happens then, not now. But God does also care about now and … [Read more...]
What’s right about Carmichael Presbyterian Church in California?
Youth mission trips have been a big part of the church for more than 30 years. This congregation has enabled hundreds of youth to learn and serve from Carmichael to Belize and many, many places in between. These trips are life-changing for the youth mission team members. By working together, our youth bond and learn more about the people they serve and the world in which they live. Our youth mission team members (current and past) are grateful to CPC for their prayers and contributions that give them opportunities to serve and to see the bigger world outside of Carmichael. This year we were able to go to Honduras with members of University Presbyterian and the pastor and his wife from Elk Grove Presbyterian Church. This was an amazing trip. It was hot, hard and one of the most rewarding trips we have ever been on. We are grateful to Students Helping Honduras and the Presbytery of Sacramento for making it possible. — Lisa Torgerson, director of children and youth … [Read more...]
Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus and stated clerk issue statement on Trump’s latest comments on immigrants
(OGA) The Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus and the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, General Assembly Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U,S.A.) have issued a statement in response to President Trump’s comments earlier this week referring to certain immigrants as “animals.” The complete text of the statement, issued May 18: Joint Statement from the Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus and the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), along with the rest of the United States, continues to experience the tearing apart of our social fabric by a president who insists on using inflammatory and divisive language about immigrants in this country. Faithful Presbyterians believe humans are created in God's very own image, and each should be afforded equal respect and dignity. Calling certain immigrants to the U.S. “animals” demonstrates yet again President Donald Trump’s xenophobia. The fact that President Trump defended his … [Read more...]
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