What’s right about Minnesota Presbyterian churches?
Minnesota Presbyterian churches New Life Presbyterian Church (Roseville), North Presbyterian Church (St. Paul) and Trinity Presbyterian Church (Woodbury) partnered for a youth..
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Thoughts on innovation from a change skeptic
We like to think what we do matters. Has an impact. Changes lives. But does it? I confess: I’m a “change..
Wild Woman: A Footnote, the Desert, and My Quest for an Elusive Saint
Amy Frykholm Broadleaf Books, 217 pages Reviewed by Elizabeth Felicetti “Wild Woman,” a literal and spiritual pilgrimage, deftly blends scholarship and memoir,..
Maybe we just haven’t failed enough: Why the church needs laboratories for young adult ministry
“We are all failures — at least the best of us are.” — J.M. Barrie “Everything stinks till it’s finished.” — Dr. Seuss Who..
Leading With the Sermon: Preaching as Leadership
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Serving the underserved in Congo
Guest commentary by Shannon Jung What would it take to build a hospital in the heart of Africa? Nothing less than God’s..
What’s right about First Presbyterian Church?
First Presbyterian Church — Beatrice, Nebraska In 2019, First Presbyterian Church celebrated our 150th anniversary, and we also installed a new pastor,..
We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry
Mark Elsdon Eerdmans, 239 pages. Reviewed by Philip J. Reed Mark Elsdon shows us the money. Before COVID-19, many of our congregations..
As I leave for Vietnam (50 years ago)
50 years ago — September 6, 1971 The U.S. is preparing to end the 20-year war in Afghanistan. And 50 years ago,..
A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves
Jason DeParle Penguin Books, 400 pages Reviewed by Cathy Chang “A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves” follows three generations..
Safety pins and seminary: Two weeks in residency
Guest commentary by Amy Cerniglia “Does anybody have safety pins?” While driving to campus, a classmate noticed an unraveling thread on my..
The Congregation in a Secular Age: Keeping Sacred Time against the Speed of Modern Life
Andrew Root Baker Press, 288 pages Reviewed by Anthony Robinson As a work of practical theology, this is unusual in its breadth..
When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization
David R. Brubaker (with additional contributors) Fortress Press, 175 pages Reviewed by Charlotte H. Lohrenz David Brubaker encourages religious communities to participate..
Howard Thurman and the Disinherited: A Religious Biography
Paul Harvey Eerdmans, 256 pages Reviewed by Rachel VanKirk Mathews Over the last year, I have heard Howard Thurman’s name many times...
Order of worship — September 5, 2021
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for..
What right about First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua?
First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua — Whitehall, Pennsylvania The way this congregation has pulled together during the pandemic has truly been an..
Called to pray for Afghanistan
Guest commentary by Larry Toney If you’ve been watching the news from Afghanistan, you may have experienced the same anguish I have...
Books as doorways to other worlds
Books have always been an important part of my life. My innate obsession with books has blossomed into a deep appreciation for..
“Northern Lights” & “Better Than Brunch”
Northern Lights: Resurrecting Church in the North of England Jason Byassee Cascade Books, 184 pages Better Than Brunch: Missional Churches in Cascadia Jason Byassee..
Children and church in 2021
This is a picture of my daughter playing in August 2021. Some things are the same from a few years ago. She..
Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges
John Swinton Eerdmans, 245 pages As a therapist, not a week goes by that I don’t see the burden of shame outlined..
An unexpectedly holy Communion: Jesus, is that you?
Guest commentary by William McConnell It was a normal weekend in the life of a denominational “road warrior” in the days before..
Update on Haiti’s situation brings Presbyterians the voices of Haitians and those who walk alongside them
(PNS) David Guervil, who’s been consulting for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Haiti throughout political unrest, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Saturday’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake and..
A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson
Winn Collier Waterbrook, 368 pages Reviewed by Jo Forrest The mere mention of Eugene Peterson’s name arouses a sense of comfort from..
Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as An Exercise in Hope
Esau McCaulley InterVarsity Press, 208 pages Reviewed by Sterling Morse “Learning to drive, you must see the big picture.” This was told..