The rise of women in the pulpit
The boundary breakers When the Northern Presbyterian Church (United Presbyterian Church in the United States of American) ordained Margaret Towner in 1956,..
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Soul Space: Creating Places and Lives that Make a Difference
Linda Lawrence Hunt Tasora Books, 152 pages Reviewed by Nancy T. Fox “Soul Space” provided a gracious space for my own soul..
Advent devotions — Year A (2019)
Purple-church Advent: Devotions for the congregation Are you looking for theologically sound, inspiring and affordable Advent devotions for the congregation? The Presbyterian..
What’s right about Presbyterian Youth Triennium?
During #PYT2019, art was right! Everywhere I looked, I saw places where youth and adults could draw, paint, decorate and write what..
Twelve Lies That Hold America Captive: And the Truth That Sets Us Free
Jonathan P. Walton IVP Books, 224 pages Reviewed by Jeff Charis-Carlson Readers can take encouragement just from skimming through the blurbs accompanying..
War veteran finds healing, reconciliation during visit to Iraq
(PNS) Fifteen years after being sent to Iraq as a U.S. soldier, the Rev. Matthew Fricker felt compelled to return in response..
You’ve been left behind
As a teenager I lived in constant fear of missing the rapture and being left behind. Wake up late on the weekend..
Our need for superheroes
In 1974, a group of farmers were digging a well in China when they found some unusual pottery. Further excavation discovered over..
What can church music teach us about grace?
Guest commentary by Amy Cerniglia This summer at the Presbyterian Association of Musician’s Music and Worship Conference at Montreat, I enjoyed participating..
Accidental Preacher: A Memoir
Accidental Preacher: A Memoir Will Willimon Eerdmans, 240 pages Reviewed by Kay E. Huggins A memoir is an odd read. With the..
A legacy of impact: A college ministry program shapes future church leaders
The alums are scattered across the country in various ministries, but if you ask them to talk about the genesis of the..
A lot like a bowtie
Guest commentary by William McConnell About two years ago, I went to the dark side. I succumbed to the temptation..
Andrea Mosie
“Every time you handle a sample, you … realize that you’re one of the few who will ever be doing this. …..
Grace or faith?
A Lutheran and a Presbyterian walk into a bar … Presbyterian: ‘’Hey friend, the other day I was thinking about you. I..
The church as pastor (50 years ago)
50 years ago — August 11, 1969 The celebration of our national achievement of space travel and the Apollo 11 moon landing..
Stronger together: How two Presbyterian agencies negotiated a healthy merger
A natural occurrence in the business world, mergers also happen with some regularity in faith communities. When two organizations – be they..
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responding to Dorian in the US and Bahamas
(PNS) As Hurricane Dorian bears down on the North Carolina coast, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) stands ready to respond and already is responding to the..
Freebox, a theology
ISO a hunk of Styrofoam headed to the landfill. My Wednesday started with this post to a neighborhood message board – in..
Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do About It
David Zahl Fortress Press, 250 pages Reviewed by Rachel Landers Vaagenes Seculosity is a made-up word that aptly articulates a current unspoken..
What’s right about Grace Presbyterian Church?
Grace Presbyterian Church — Springfield, Virginia The deep, enduring friendship between the people of Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Virginia, and St...
Protected: Storytelling and stewardship (webinar replay)
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Human Rites: The Power of Rituals, Habits, and Sacraments
Dru Johnson Eerdmans, 176 pages Reviewed by Thomas G. Long The great scholar of ritual Catherine Bell once commented on how dramatically..
Adaptive leadership and stewardship ministry
“We are out of ideas. What else can we do to cultivate giving in the congregation?” Almost every pastor and elder assigned..
Stated Clerk issues prayer for farmers and farmworkers
Extreme weather from violent tornadoes, heavy rain, and intense heat have put farm operations in a difficult place. Add the rising cost..
Turning the Holy Spirit loose in our polity
Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to work as a consultant with numerous congregations and presbyteries around the..