Challenge for the 21st century: Can a risk-averse church live up to its ‘gospel of abundance’?
LOUISVILLE What will the Presbyterian church of the 21st century look like?
The Presbyterian Outlook
Creating and curating trustworthy resources for the church, the Presbyterian Outlook connects disciples of Jesus Christ through compelling and committed conversation for the proclamation of the Gospel.
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Presbyteries approve nFOG but shelve Belhar Confession
The votes are in. After roughly five years of discussion, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approved a new Form of Government, intended to be more flexible and to give congregations and presbyteries more latitude in deciding how to do ministry.
Not having the conversation
Once again, Presbyterians could have discussed how race operates among us and how it could operate. The most recent opportunity came through a solid, dynamic theological statement — the first from the Southern Hemisphere considered for inclusion in our Book of Confessions.
MBG group helps chart course for church in a changing world
Seattle (PNS) Like a massive ocean-liner, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Middle Governing Body Commission has begun the long, slow turn from gathering data to formulating recommendations for the mission and function of presbyteries and synods in a rapidly changing church and world.
Midway progress on directives from the 2010 GA
College Ministries: The 219th General Assembly in 2010 voted to restore the denomination’s Office of Collegiate Ministries after an era of declining activity. A “strategic and sustainable plan” will be presented at the 220th GA in 2012.
Religious leaders call for tobacco ban in big leagues
(RNS) Religious leaders are hoping to hit a home run in a campaign to get Major League Baseball players to ban tobacco use on fields and dugouts of the national pastime.
Former GA moderator Bill Lytle dies
LOUISVILLE (PNS) William P. Lytle, a staunch supporter of Presbyterian reunion who served as moderator of the General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) in 1978 — five years before it combined with the Presbyterian Church in the United States to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — died May 27 in Los Gatos, Calif., after a lengthy illness. He was 87.
Longtime church leader Youngil Cho dies
RALEIGH, N.C. Presbyterian elder and longtime Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leader Youngil Cho, 77, died May 22, 2011.
Two conservative groups will share one leader
LOUISVILLE Two conservative PC(USA) groups have announced an agreement to share the services of the evangelical leader Paul Detterman. In addition to his duties as executive director of Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR), Detterman will also serve as administrative consultant for Fellowship PC(USA) for at least one year.
Posthumous David M. Bailey album
LOUISVILLE (PNS) “Watermarked,” an album renowned Presbyterian singer/songwriter David M. Bailey was working on when he died last fall, has been released posthumously.
No two alike
ALBION, N.Y. — As church ladies plant flowers, I’m standing in front of the First United Methodist Church thinking about that warm September day decades ago when I was married here.
When religion is anti-life
I’ve been wondering about the church. Not my local congregation, or even Presbyterians as a whole (although the PCUSA does play a role in this discussion), but the whole ball of wax — the church, in all of its varied configurations.
Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power — And How They Can Be Restored
by Marcus J. Borg
HarperOne. 248 pages.
reviewed by TIMOTHY B. CARGAL
Marcus Borg is a prolific writer of books that present a progressive (some would say “liberal”) approach to biblical scholarship and Christian life in a style easily accessible to a mass audience.
Open Source Church: Making Room for the Wisdom of All
by Landon Whitsitt
Alban Institute. 176 pages.
reviewed by Leigh B. Gillis
What is this book about? Is it about church structure? It can be. Is it about church growth? Sure. Is it about the culture in which we live and the freedom we have in Christ? Definitely.
Global Christian leaders hail Southern Sudan’s independence and assure continued support
Nairobi, Kenya (ENI) Christian leaders from around the world
have pledged support for Southern Sudan, which is set to
become an independent state July 9.
Pakistani religious minorities slam government for giving power over minority issues to provinces
Bangalore, India (ENI) Christians and other minority leaders in
Pakistan have spoken out against the government's move to relegate issues
regarding religious minorities to provincial governments in the
Muslim-majority nation, instead of dealing with them on a national level.
UN seeks more aid for 10 million victims of drought and famine in Horn of Africa
Geneva (ENI) United Nations relief agencies launched global emergency appeals today seeking new aid funds to help 10 million people, including 2 million severely malnourished children, in countries in the
Film in review: “Cars 2”
“Cars 2” is one of those sequels that works OK, but somehow fails to live up to the charm of the original. It’s sweet and harmless, but falls somewhat short of magical.
Film in review: “Monte Carlo”
There’s good reason that Disney singer Selena Gomez is already a star: she has a winsome kind of down-home, girl-next-door charisma.
INDIANAPOLIS – “What is the future of the church, and how do we prepare for it?”
Before the lights were barely out from Big Tent 2011, that’s the kind of complex question denominational leaders began digging into – in a quick, less than 24-hour confab held at a particularly delicate time in the denomination’s life.
2011- Big Tent: ‘Come and See’: Today’s ministry involves innovative models
Indianapolis (PNS) Many of the models of how we organize the church are dying, said the Rev. Susan Andrews, former General Assembly moderator and executive presbyter for Hudson River Presbytery, introducing a panel of innovative church leaders July 1 at the Healthy Ministry Conference opening luncheon here at the Big Tent.
2011- Big Tent: Women as role models… yes we can!
Indianapolis (PNS) When Cynthia Campbell was growing up, she never experienced a woman in a leadership role in the pulpit of her home church in Pasadena, Calif.
2011- Big Tent: Faith meets action: Group helps convert bus stop into community greenhouse
Indianapolis (PNS) About five miles away from the excitement of Big Tent on the afternoon of July 1, a small group of Presbyterians worked with picks, shovels and wheelbarrows to dig a hole about six inches deep, eight feet wide, and 20 feet long. The area will eventually serve as the floor of a greenhouse made from an old bus stop shelter.
2011- Big Tent: God’s economy: Jobs, income gap called human rights issues
INDIANAPOLIS (PNS)In a time of slow recovery from the recession and
growing income inequality among American workers, Presbyterians must
not forget that God also has some ideas about economic theory and income
distribution.
2011- Big Tent: Speaking up: Peruvian children push for environmental rights
INDIANAPOLIS (PNS) Two of the scheduled speakers for World Mission
Matters’ Friday (July 1) plenary at Big Tent here were missing.