(RNS) — Eugene Peterson, the bestselling author of “The Message” and longtime pastor praised as a “shepherd’s shepherd,” is moving into hospice and receiving palliative medical care. Peterson, 85, was hospitalized Tuesday (Oct. 9) “when he took a sudden and dramatic turn in his health caused by an infection,” according to an email from his son Eric Peterson. The elder Peterson already had been dealing with dementia and congestive heart failure, both of which are progressing, according to his son’s email. He is expected to receive hospice care at home. His son’s email was shared over the weekend in a Facebook post by Robert Creech, professor of Christian ministries at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. “Eugene Peterson has encouraged, formed, and often literally saved the ministry of more than one pastor over the years through his writing and thinking (I would include myself in that list),” Creech wrote in the post. “He has refreshed Scripture for many through his … [Read more...]
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Outpost Blog 5 hours ago
An ordinary ordination
This week we asked our bloggers to reflect on their ordinations. Here are their blogs. I’ve wanted to be a pastor since I was a kid. That’s not true for a large number of people who become ordained as Ministers of Word and Sacrament, but I knew about my calling when I was taking those career exams they made us take in high school and middle school. I remember the test it spitting back out a number of different career choices, most of which didn’t appeal to me. And, to… continue reading... -
Editorials 5 hours ago
Taking a long look
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… continue reading... -
Commentary 3 days ago
Recovering the lost art of reading the biblical languages
Guest commentary by Melissa Ramos How many scholars in the church can read the biblical languages — and I mean really read them? How many can read them without looking up every other word using Bible software and without lexical helps or other technical assists in a single sentence? Biblical scholars who are able to read biblical Greek and Hebrew in the manner described are becoming an endangered species. I would argue that a fair number of New Testament scholars remain who can read Greek; however, I contend that far fewer… 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 Uncategorized78 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 Reviews77 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 Reviews70 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...
Taxation without representation? Mid council leaders release statement addressing proposed per capita increase April 18, 2018 Uncategorized1 comment A group of 40 mid council leaders has written a statement urging the 2018 General Assembly to vote down a proposed General Assembly per capita increase– saying the proposed increase of 39 percent from 2018 to 2019 and another 7 percent from 2019 to 2020 feels like “taxation without representation.”
These mid council leaders contend the number of congregations not remitting per capita will “dramatically increase” if per capita goes up, and that presbyteries would bear the financial burden.
J. Herb...
Eugene Peterson, pastor and author of ‘The Message,’ is under hospice care
Coastal Carolina Presbytery recovers from Hurricane Florence
(PNS) Church congregations throughout Coastal Carolina Presbytery are struggling to repair their own buildings and meet the many needs in their congregations and communities following Hurricane Florence. The devastation is widespread, said the Rev. Dr. Nancy Gladden, who serves as mission coordinator for the East Community in Coastal Carolina Presbytery. Coastal Carolina Presbytery hugs the southern half of North Carolina’s coast and is one of five Presbyteries in North Carolina. A pile of debris sits on the side of Highway 41 just east of Wallace, N.C., in a community called North East. This is the scene on both sides of the road for about 11 miles. Phil Gladden Gladden believes that with some extra support, churches, their congregations and communities can get back on their feet faster. The Presbytery started an online giving fund with the Presbyterian Foundation this week to receive gifts so that they can help churches get space ready for work groups and distribute supplies … [Read more...]
An ordinary ordination
This week we asked our bloggers to reflect on their ordinations. Here are their blogs. I’ve wanted to be a pastor since I was a kid. That’s not true for a large number of people who become ordained as Ministers of Word and Sacrament, but I knew about my calling when I was taking those career exams they made us take in high school and middle school. I remember the test it spitting back out a number of different career choices, most of which didn’t appeal to me. And, to be honest, I don’t remember at this point if it even listed “pastor” as one of the options, but the exam definitely got me thinking. I spent the next eight years exploring and educating myself and making sure of things, but as soon as I got out of college I entered seminary. Getting ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament (or, as they did it “back in my day” in 2012, as a teaching elder) defines the course of your life. It’s true that it sets you apart to a special kind of service, but I know that for a lot of … [Read more...]
Taking a long look
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 application: “Into this climate of often vitriolic and reductive discourse, religious publications need to present a faithful, theologically articulate alternative. Discussion needs to be elevated if we are to discern how to tackle issues that divide and heighten anxiety. Complex problems may not require complex solutions but, as Jonathan Haidt notes in his work, both elephant and rider, heart and head, must be … [Read more...]
Fall books — October 22, 2018
It is that time again: The Outlook’s fall book issue is here. If your reading list needs to be refreshed, you’ll find everything you need in these pages. From new theological reads to essay collections, these pages are filled with reviews of books you will surely want to put on your shelf and go back to often. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Fall books: Briefly noted Outlook book editor Roy Howard helps you build your reading list this season with mini-reviews of a wide range of titles — from theology to children’s books to history to ministry helps. Books in review Six full-length book reviews examine theology in action. Grace in the mechanism Alex Wirth (who calls himself a “millennial”) tells why he now writes sermons and liturgies on a 1950s typewriter. From doing ministry to being community Hsin-hsin Huang (who describes herself as a “recovering Martha”) revisits the meaning of “being church” through the Mary and Martha story in Luke’s Gospel. … [Read more...]
Presbyterians mobilizing to help in Hurricane Michael recovery
LOUISVILLE – As news comes in of the devastating effects of Hurricane Michael, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is organizing a response that will help sustain life and restore hope in the coming days. “Our hearts break and rise up in prayer for the people of northern Florida, Georgia and southeast Alabama,” says Laurie Kraus, PDA director. “Right now, we need the church’s prayers and financial assistance.” “PDA was in communication with the presbyteries that were projected to be in the path of Hurricane Michael,” said Jim Kirk, associate for U.S. disaster response. “Now that the storm has passed through Florida and Georgia, PDA has reached out to the impacted presbyteries and will be deploying national response teams early next week, as well as offering emergency grants. The teams will support the presbyteries with initial assessments and next steps for the response. As happened last year, there have been multiple major hurricanes striking the U.S.” Hurricane Michael was a … [Read more...]
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