The veil of the temple was rent in twain … . That gospel verse captured my imagination while worshiping in Elim Bible Institute’s Maundy Thursday chapel service in 1974. As it crossed my mind, the whole biblical narrative flashed before my eyes.
“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?
In a Newsweek issue focusing on the outpouring of post-earthquake support for Haiti, Editor Jon Meacham resisted the pull toward collective self-congratulation.
This edition of the Outlook was heading to the printer when news broke of a devastating 7.0 earthquake hitting Haiti, already the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
The time has come to turn the page from a black-and-blue magazine serving a black-and-blue church to become a high-def, full color, twenty-teens magazine informing and empowering a high-def, full color, twenty-teens church.
What a decade it’s been! Just as December 7 became a defining date for the 20th century, so, too, September 11 stands as the defining date for the new century, at least so far.
So how will you spend Christmas afternoon? The one thing I don’t miss now that I’m no longer serving as a congregation’s pastor, is the way I used to spend Christmas afternoons.
Many a story, many a poem, many a carol has been written about the experience of Mary and Joseph finding “no room in the inn.” For them it was no mere sentimentality that they had to eat, sleep and give birth in a smelly stable-cave. And that happened in their family’s hometown.
Piety – bad word: places greater emphasis upon religious experiences than on Biblical theology; evokes images ranging from holy rollers to self-righteous Pharisees.
Hallelujah. The General Assembly Mission Council is going to meet its budget without cutting staff (see p. 7). Now that we’re not in a state of crisis, let’s talk turkey about our giving. Let’s think theologically about our financial management. Let’s handle our money like the Presbyterian and Reformed – P&R – believers we claim to be.
Telling the truth is a hard thing to do. The preliminary report of the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage (S.C.) tells the truth with stunning, spectacular clarity.
Holy Spirit revival breaks out on campus. Students descend upon the chapel for worship services that last for days. Classes are suspended for a fortnight to make room for this spontaneous divine visitation.
So what about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Washington Office (WO)? What’s ahead for the program heralded by some as a bright light on Capitol Hill and excoriated by others as a black hole?
We now interrupt the Presbyterians’ celebration of John Calvin’s 500th birthday to listen into our Baptist neighbors’ celebration of their 400th birthday.
As a charter member of a brand new non-denominational church — fresh out of college with a B.A. in religion and philosophy — I held high hopes of becoming the church’s pastor.
We had just begun to unload the U-haul in the manse driveway — in anticipation of beginning our first ministerial call — when an older gentleman rolled up in his car.
