Guest commentary by Alina Kanaski “Have you found a church yet?” As a graduated, unemployed call-seeker, I hear this question several times a week, as well as its cousins: “Do you have a job yet?” and “Any prospects?”  And no, I still haven’t found a church yet. I’m interviewing, and looking, and it’s a long, slow process. I just haven’t figured out yet how to tell people that I’m OK with that. Everyone assumes that I must be anxious about it. Most people I talk to about it seem more anxious than I am about my job prospects. They want me to get a job, and they want it to happen yesterday. They want to hear the play-by-play of my latest interviews, and tell me about such-and-such church that’s looking for someone. I’m really not that anxious about it. Yes, I want to work in a church. I want a church; I want the chance to get to know a congregation and stay there and preach every Sunday. I want to experience church in all the ways pastors do that interns don’t, the … [Read more...]

Guest commentary by Lara Hauser I was recently invited to give the charge to the congregation at the installation of a dear friend at his new call. I was honored, but a little surprised he asked. You see, I have been to a lot of installations, certainly more than your average church-goer, and in my experience, the person giving this charge is usually a pastor, or an elder, perhaps a PNC (pastor nominating committee) member or part of the presbytery commission. I am none of those things, but perhaps having been to a lot of installations was my qualification. Briefly, here are my bona fides: I have been a PK (preacher’s kid), PW (pastor’s wife), PS (pastor’s sister), PSIL (pastor’s sister-in-law) ... and the list of pastors who I count as friends, both in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and in other churches, is quite long. I am in a unique position to talk about loving a pastor. I have both observational and first-hand experience. I know quite a bit about the inner life of … [Read more...]

  Guest commentary by Peggy Hinds Giving ourselves generously and hospitably to others is an essential expression of faith. It has to do with more than giving money. Of course, churches need money to maintain ministry. Financial stewardship is a vital part of living faithful and grateful lives. However, the ways we treat others says more about who a congregation is and who we worship than what we put in the offering plate does. Sometimes the best we can give is our presence. Churches that appreciate presence over finances are better equipped to welcome and assimilate visitors, especially those who walk through the church doors with some skepticism. Consider the welcoming statement of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky: “If you are a visitor, we consider your presence with us your offering and we are thankful for your presence.” Members of this particular congregation are encouraged to support the mission and ministry financially, but visitors are not … [Read more...]

Guest commentary by Matthew A. Rich On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 17-year-old Sarah Rhoads was killed in a tragic car accident.   A member of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Georgia, Sarah was on her way to serve as a counselor at a day camp for developmentally delayed children organized by Reid Memorial members. Sarah’s death has deeply affected not only her family and the congregation, but the entire community of Augusta, and even beyond, as she had served this summer at the Massanetta Springs Middle School Conferences and as a member of the 2019 Montreat Middle School Conference. On the Sunday after Sarah’s death, the first time the congregation had gathered since the accident, I offered the following sermon on exile, hope and the faithfulness of God. The Presbyterian Outlookshares it this week as a resource to communities facing tragedy close to home. What can separate us? (Psalm 137:1-6 and Romans 8:31-39) Our first reading this morning comes from the … [Read more...]

Guest commentary by Kris Schondelmeyer Dear church that I love: On August 14, a grand jury report detailing the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church and underlying cover-up was released here in the state of Pennsylvania where I serve as a pastor.  The “40th  Statewide Investigating Grand Jury Report”starts out: “We, the members of this grand jury, need you to hear this.  We know some of you have heard some of it before.  There have been other reports about child sex abuse within the Catholic Church.  But never on this scale.  For many of us, those earlier stories happened someplace else, someplace away. Now we know the truth: it happened everywhere.” This report has triggered emotions that for me are all too personal.  I’ve read numerous Facebook posts from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) colleagues who’ve decried that the Catholic Church must change, and that Catholic leaders must tell the truth now.  Some of these colleagues have even expressed a sense of gratitude … [Read more...]