Burning out or bearing fruit

Years ago members of a church I was serving talked about people who had once been very active in the congregation but whom I had never met. I asked someone who these people were.

Benefactors or beneficiaries?

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people. … ” The gifts he gave that were some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the full measure of the full stature in Jesus Christ (Eph. 4: 7-8, 11-13.)

New networks for leaders

The call to leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a call to diverse forms of service. Ruling Elders are also charged to nurture the faith and life of the congregation while encouraging members in worship, service, mission, and care.

Exercise your ministry!

“I really don’t feel qualified. I think a minister should lead the committee — someone who has studied the Bible.”

Elders living, teaching the Bible

The Book of Order makes it clear: Elders “should cultivate their ability to teach the Bible. … ”  

What elders should know about preaching

Preaching forms the theological mind and heart of a congregation. A congregation nurtured by preaching that plumbs the murky depths of truth, preaching that provides a realistic and relevant engagement with the Scriptures, will show signs of spiritual depth and maturity.

Biblical ethics: Who believes that stuff anymore?

While our Presbyterian General Assembly met in San Jose, a presidential candidate out on the stump asked during a speech, “Which passages of Scripture should guide our public policy? 

Women of Faith Award winner Theodora Jackson dies

(PNS) Theodora Grace Jackson, 84, a recipient of this year’s Women of Faith Award at the recent 218th General Assembly, died July 27 in Brewster, N.Y. A memorial service was held July 30 at First Church of Katonah, N.Y.

Embrace the frog

For as long as I have been a pastor (almost 20 years), I have heard my evangelical brothers and sisters use as a paradigm for dealing with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) the parable of the frog in water brought to a gradual boil.

Dangerous Elders

Why have such a conference?

I anticipated that question might be on the minds of many of those who gathered for the first-ever National Elders Conference in Nashville, Tenn., in August 2007.

Indian schools shut down to protest attacks on Christians

Bangalore, India — (ENI) Churches in India are to close about 30,000 of their educational institutions across the country tomorrow (August 29) to protest against continuing attacks by mobs of Hindus in the country's eastern state of Orissa and which Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told bishops, is a "national shame".

Peacemaking Colloquium on gun violence and Gospel values September 15-17

The 2008 Peacemaking Colloquium at Stony Point Center with the theme of “Gun Violence and Gospel Values,” is planned September 15-17 at Stony Point Center, 35 miles north of New York City. 

New mission appointees begin service

(PNS) Twelve new Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission appointees recently completed orientation and have begun their international assignments.

Lakes and Prairies PJC upholds restoration of openly gay minister

Synod of Lakes and Prairies Communications Director

 EAGAN, MINN.  — (PNS) The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies on Aug. 12 dismissed a remedial case filed against the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area that sought to nullify the presbytery’s Jan. 26 action to restore Paul Capetz, an openly gay man, to the exercise of ordained ministry.

Evangelical interviews McCain, Obama on religion and morals

(ENI)--Barack Obama articulated his Christian faith thus dispelling rumors he is a Muslim. John McCain demonstrated an ability to electrify evangelical Christians. And Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren proved Americans can discuss religion and politics without the bitterness, rancor and polarization that characterized the 2004 U.S. election.

Katrina volunteers keep going back; “I’m going to meet God in Mississippi”

This is what people from the Gulf Coast tell Linda Gebetsberger, a pastor from Oregon, every time she heads home. “Let them know that we still need help.”

Church leaders lift up Knoxville faith community after shootings

LOUISVILLE — Four top leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have sent a letter to all of the denomination’s congregations asking them to pray for those affected by the shootings in a Knoxville, Tenn., church on July 27.

The annual stewardship campaign: Burden or blessing

Many elders, deacons, and pastors are less than pleased when the subject of the annual stewardship campaign comes up. In many churches the activities that make up this campaign are the only time the majority of members hear the term stewardship and it is often one of the few times they hear money and faith linked in worship.

Stewardship Resources

Websites that might be helpful:

www.pcusa.org/stewardship

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) resources for annual campaigns stewardship in general and stewardship education. Either: The Stewardship Manual PDS #72530-94-001 or Confident Steward 2.0 – an interactive CD

Stewardship’s spiritual foundations “will preach”

Stewardship season is coming. For most congregations it’s akin to getting a flu shot. Each autumn we volunteer reluctantly to be pricked in the body’s nether regions hoping all the while to be protected against further exposure for another year. It’s no surprise, then, that so many pastors speak reluctantly, if at all, on the topics of money and generosity.

Giving: The Forgotten Spiritual Gift

Does your church play favorites?

Do you give some members special treatment while ignoring others?

Pastors, are you energized by the mention of Stewardship?

Many pastors look at stewardship  as being repetitious and, frankly, less then exciting. Unfortunately, many pastors become extremely uncomfortable regarding the subject of money and giving. They view what seems like endless urgent appeals as a chore and not as an opportunity for their members to grow in their faith. Yet we know that pursuing mission requires financial support. A familiar quote says, “Ever since its invention by the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago, there has been a wonderful way of saying ‘thank you,’ it is called money.”