Teri McDowell Ott reflects on Psalm 47's call to stillness as both divine command and open invitation — exploring how silence, doubt, and sacred pause open us to the presence of God.
Practical guidance and trusted resources to help pastors recognize mental health concerns, respond in crisis and connect individuals and families to care. Camile Cook Howe, Joseph Feldman and Theresa Nguyen offer their professional advice.
In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.
At Ferncliff, queer Presbyterians named harm, shared stories and reclaimed rest as essential to the church’s ongoing work for justice, writes Bethany Peerbolte.
Paul Seebeck shares how a multi-denominational campaign is drawing attention to reported abuses — and why it matters as the General Assembly takes up Israel/Palestine issues.
Online worship isn’t optional — it’s a vital doorway to connection, care and belonging for those shut out of the sanctuary, writes Brittany Harrold Porch.
Tony Stiff explores how disability and queer theology together challenge the church to expand belonging and reimagine true inclusion.
White supremacist institutions cannot be reformed to realize Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream. New structures are needed, writes David F. Evans.
Responding to Gary Noonan, Josh Robinson encourages candidates to bring clarity, conviction and self-knowledge into the pastoral search process.
Through stories of exclusion, resilience and welcome, Patrice Gaines examines how transgender Christians are finding and reshaping belonging within the church.
Can saying “no” be an act of Christian love? Becca Messman explores how boundaries help churches practice deeper, more meaningful inclusion.
As the PC(USA) considers a proposal on clergy relationships, April Stace argues the church risks regulating relationship structures instead of addressing power, harm and ethical practice.
After losing three close family members, one man finds his faith and a calling to pastoral ministry. Alan Olson reflects on how loss can open the door to renewal.
In "Project Hail Mary," an unlikely friendship reveals that interdependence is woven into creation, writes Brendan McLean.
A neurodiversity lens helps churches move beyond ableist expectations and cultivate worship spaces of belonging, writes Jen Bluestein.
Teri McDowell Ott explores how imagination shapes the future — and why Beloved Community calls us to build a more just and inclusive world.
Andrew Taylor-Troutman shares a personal story of friendship, failure and forgiveness — and how God restores what feels lost.
With a new overture before the 227th General Assembly, a group of Presbyterians argues that shareholder engagement is not enough. Faithful action requires full divestment, writes Fred Milligan.
Maggie Alsup reflects on childhood loss, unanswered questions and the quiet hope carried in a hymn that refuses easy explanations.
When pastoral calls falter, “fit” is often blamed. But the deeper issue is clarity. What if “fit” could be defined, tested and faithfully discerned before a call is extended, asks Gary Noonan?
Jesus spoke constantly about the Kingdom of God, yet many Christians struggle to define it. Sara Pantazes offers four questions to clarify how Kingdom citizenship shapes our lives today.
In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.
Well-meaning words can unintentionally deepen isolation in grief. Mathew Frease explores why platitudes fail and how presence and listening offer something more faithful.
Arianne Braithwaite Lehn invites the Holy Spirit to meet us in grief, reminding us that love, loss, and healing are all held in God’s grace.
A once-quiet question is resurfacing across the denomination. According to Christian Boyd, it could shape how the church calls and equips leaders in the years ahead.
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