Vatican official calls for “ecumenical catechism”
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A senior Vatican official has called for “an ecumenical catechism” setting forth the common beliefs of the Catholic and major Protestant churches.
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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Presbyterian stats: More older members, more female pastors
LOUISVILLE (PNS) Nearly half of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members (43 percent) are age 65 or older and a larger percentage of pastors than ever (27 percent) are women.
Presbytery recommends non-geographic synod overture
The Presbytery of Santa Barbara has voted to recommend an overture to the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), asking for the formation of a non-geographic synod “to preserve the unity of the PC(USA) without violating the conscience of its members.”
New wave of church fires hits East Texas
(ABP) Two Baptist churches within three miles of each other burned Feb. 8, 9 and 10 in a rash of suspicious church fires in East Texas since Jan. 1.
Ohio church builds college dorm
(PNS) The Kent Church (Ohio) in Eastminster Presbytery broke ground in February on a new living and learning community to house 320 students on church property.
Church leaders distressed at Philippines arrests
(ENI ) Christian leaders around the world have condemned the arrest in the Philippines of a church official and other health workers in the southeast Asian country, and say they are worried about reports of torture being inflicted on those held.
The Hand and the Road: The Life and Times of John A. Mackay
Louisville, Westminster/John Knox Press, 2010, pp. 415.
Ninth Ecumenical Advocacy Days opens with a call to confess God’s work in the world
Washington, D.C. NCC News Service -- The ninth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days opened March 19 with a call to confess that God is at work for the world's transformation in the direction of justice and peace.
Anderson ordination postponed by judicial stay
The Synod Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies has issued a stay of enforcement in a case involving Scott D. Anderson, a gay man who lives in a committed relationship with a partner and who has been approved for ordination by John Knox Presbytery.
Helping Haiti: Seeds crucial to recovery, feeding hungry
Presbyterians who are wondering how they can help with earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti are being encouraged to provide funds for seeds – because having more seeds available quickly for the spring planting season could make a big difference in meeting hunger needs in Haiti in the months to come.
New Erskine lawsuit filed; original lawsuit dropped
A new lawsuit was filed yesterday (March 15) in Greenville, S.C., against the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church by two Erskine College trustees and the executive committee of the Erskine Alumni Association.
Erskine College/Seminary sues Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Erskine College/Seminary in Due West, S.C., has sued the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church over its removal last week of nearly half the members of its board of trustees, according to The Greenville News, Greenville, S.C.
Middle East Study Group released final part of its report
The final pieces of the 150-page report of the Middle East Study Group to the General Assembly have now been released – including the group’s 30 recommendations.
Theologian hailed as pioneer in church activism in South Africa
(ENI) — South African theologian Steve de Gruchy, who died in a river accident near the Drakensberg mountains, has been hailed as a pioneer in church activism, economic and ecological justice.
Herbert Nelson named Washington Office director
The new director of public witness at the Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be J. Herbert Nelson II, a Presbyterian pastor from Memphis.
For further reading: on the special committee’s final report
For further reading:
Blankenhorn, David. The Future of Marriage. Encounter Books, 2007.
Marriage: straight or gay, religious or civil?
A guest commentary by Kazimierz Bern
Gay marriage will not undermine families or the institution of marriage.
Erskine College/Seminary crisis: Course correction or purge?
Is it a needed course correction for Erskine College and Theological Seminary in Due West, S.C. – essential for its theological integrity and fulfillment of its Christian mission?
Middle East Study Group releases 2nd part of its report
The Middle East Study Group has released another part of its report – this time, with sections relating to theological views.
Agree to disagree?
“How can two walk together unless they be agreed?” Amos’ question (3:3-KJV) seems rhetorical, the answer self-evident. But his question begs another: to what degree must the two agree?
Middle East churches: Ordain women!
HARISSA, LEBANON
Delegates to the Fellowship of the Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) voted unanimously last month to adopt a statement urging member churches to ordain women as pastors.
U.S. judge grants political asylum to home-schoolers
WASHINGTON (ENI/RNS) A U.S. immigration judge has granted political asylum to a Christian family from Germany who wants to home-school its children.
Christian parties call on S. Africa’s Zuma to quit over “love-child”
CAPE TOWN (ENI) Two Christian political parties have urged South African President Jacob Zuma to resign for fathering a child out-of-wedlock, saying he is undermining government efforts to fight HIV and AIDS.
Online archive opens the Reformers’ works at Calvin Seminary
GRAND RAPIDS (RNS) Some surprises started unfolding when a team of Calvin Theological Seminary professors and graduate students recently launched the Post-Reformation Digital Library.
Murdered abortion doctor’s church prays for sanctuaries
WICHITA (RNS) The Kansas church where abortion provider Dr. George Tiller was shot to death reacted to the murderer’s guilty verdict in the killing by praying that houses of worship be places of peace.