In a junior high youth group in West Virginia, the group leader asked, “How do you think God takes care of so many needy Christians?” One young lass answered, “The Holy Spirit is like a secretary and helps a whole lot.” … [Read more...]
Presbyterian Outreach Foundation
The Presbyterian Outreach Foundation in Franklin, Tennessee, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. They’ve distributed more than $125 million to more than 50 global partners in 37 countries. They work to build the capacity of global church partners, send and support mission workers, care for vulnerable children and transform lives through mission involvement. … [Read more...]
Books that make me want to be and do better
In May of this year Ibram X. Kendi, director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, published “An Antiracist Reading List” in the New York Times. His list popped my bubble of self-perceived, well-read, wokeness given that, to date, I’ve read one (yes, one) of the books on his list. I plan to correct that in the months ahead. His list, however, inspired me to come up with a list of my own. Not an antiracist reading list (I am not qualified to curate such a resource), but rather a books-that-inspire-me-to-be-better list. “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It takes brilliance and spiritual maturity to pack so much profound wisdom into so few pages. My copy dons various colors of highlighter and pen, revealing the many times I’ve returned to this book for a booster shot of biblically-shaped inspiration for not only my call to ministry but my call to human decency. “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” by … [Read more...]
Staff spotlight: Roy Howard
Pastor, writer, coach and Presbyterian Outlook book editor since 2009, Roy Howard possesses many gifts and shares them generously with the world. Roy serves as the pastor at Saint Mark Presbyterian in Rockville, Maryland, as he simultaneously reads avidly, assigns book reviews liberally and is a supportive friend to his colleagues near and far. Roy’s passion for lived theology is evident in his work to prevent gun violence, promote racial reconciliation and facilitate deep ecumenical relationships. Roy seeks collaboration with diverse partners, always seeks to learn new things and never fails to work hard to cultivate fruit that lasts. We are richly blessed to have Roy as part of the Outlook staff! … [Read more...]
1919: Race Riots, Interracial Commissions and John J. Eagan (20 years ago)
20 years ago — July 19-26, 1999 Approximately “200,000 African-Americans sailed back from World War I - after fighting to make the ‘world safe for democracy’ - they found it was not safe at home for them.” In 1919 blacks rioted in major cities protesting the discrimination and violence to which they were subject. Presbyterian elder John Eagan was concerned and organized the very first Commission on Inter-Racial Cooperation in Atlanta and in the South. “Armed with common sense, he did not try to tell blacks what they needed or wanted. Rather, he encouraged commissioners, black and white, gathered from all over the South and meeting in Atlanta, to find out from African-Americans what they felt and thought about their problems.” Though the commission championed justice under the law and prevention of lynchings – and promoted education, housing and economic justice for blacks – it stopped short of calling for the repeal of “Jim Crow” laws. Eagan was called to develop the Commission of … [Read more...]
Prayer for the Fourth of July
God of all tribes and every nation, on this day of cookouts and fireworks, parades and pool parties, we pause to remember the best of our nation’s aspirations and values. We give thanks for those who made great sacrifices for the sake of the principles of equality and liberty, life and the pursuit of happiness. We lament the many ways and countless times that we have fallen short of the hopes of not only the founders of this nation, but of you, Lord of all. Forgive us for not fulfilling the great aims this country sought to represent to the world. Send your Spirit to help us become the country you call us to be. When we rest and play, eat and celebrate today, do not let us forget those unable to do likewise. Inspire in us a zeal for the equality in which you create all people, a passion to seek abundant life for all people, a relentless drive to provide liberty for all people, and a pursuit of happiness, not only for ourselves and those like us, but for all people. May our … [Read more...]
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