Ten year officer training

A number of models exist for conducting training sessions for new officers.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

It’s time a pastor’s kid (PK) weighed in on her perspective.

View from the coxswain’s seat

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (1 Corinthians 9:25-26)

GAC outlines budget cuts. 44 staff positions eliminated.

LOUISVILLE – The latest round of budget cuts for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) means that 14 more employees from the denomination’s national staff have lost their jobs.

Summary of Budget Revisions

Mission

· Last year the General Assembly Council committed to and the General Assembly endorsed an increase – for the first time in 50 years – the number of mission workers our church sends out through World Mission. In January, the largest class of mission co-workers in years was trained and commissioned.

Office of General Assembly cuts budget

             LOUISVILLE – The budget for the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) is being cut by $400,000 for 2009 and may be cut by as much as $800,000 for 2010.

Activists to seek support of Tutu and Pope Benedict XVI for Dalits

(ENI) Church leaders and activists recently gathered in Bangkok for a global conference on caste-based discrimination say they want to enlist the support of Pope Benedict XVI and (retired) Archbishop Desmond Tutu for a campaign to promote the rights of 250 million Dalits, people regarded as "untouchable" and who face intolerance because of their ancestry.

Council considers Ghost Ranch future, Washington Office review; $10 million budget shortfall for 2009 on March 27 agenda

LOUISVILLE – While budget concerns and impending layoffs are on the front burner for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) right now, the General Assembly Council also has other concerns bubbling on the stove.

Sidebar: Larges responds to Synod court ruling

 In a telephone news conference, Lisa Larges (See main news story) said she has worked with San Francisco Presbytery on her candidacy for 12 years, and praised the presbytery for being “meticulous and faithful and thoughtful” in its work, saying “I am deeply grateful to San Francisco Presbytery for the journey we have traveled together.”

Leaders consider budget scenario

 LOUISVILLE – Details of proposed budget cuts and staff reductions for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) remained scant March 24, as both the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council began meetings in Louisville.

“Very challenging times” for General Assembly Council meeting March 25-27; $10 million budget cut on the table

LOUISVILLE – This undoubtedly will be a difficult week for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with the General Assembly Council meeting in Louisville March 25-27 to consider budget cuts and layoffs for the church’s national staff.

Wheeler steps down; Henderson new Auburn president

The board of directors of Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City has named Katharine Rhodes Henderson, currently the seminary’s executive vice president, as its new president, effective July 1.

Getting excited and connected: “The Church is ALIVE!”

It’s getting started, but is already full of energy.

Lutherans move to allow gay clergy — sort of

A blue-ribbon panel recommended on Feb. 19 that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America lift its ban on partnered gay and lesbian clergy, but only after the church agrees in principle on gay relationships and respecting the consciences of those who dissent.

Calvin 500 Celebrations

In commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Swiss reformer John Calvin, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches and the Protestant Church of Geneva launched the Calvin ’09 year.

Census report: The times they are a-changin’

While politicians argue whether “change” is coming to America, there’s no doubt real demographic change is happening right now.