It is that time again: The Outlook’s fall book issue is here. If your reading list needs to be refreshed, you’ll find everything you need in these pages. From new theological reads to essay collections, these pages are filled with reviews of books you will surely want to put on your shelf and go back to often. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Fall books: Briefly noted Outlook book editor Roy Howard helps you build your reading list this season with mini-reviews of a wide range of titles — from theology to children’s books to history to ministry helps. Books in review Six full-length book reviews examine theology in action. Grace in the mechanism Alex Wirth (who calls himself a “millennial”) tells why he now writes sermons and liturgies on a 1950s typewriter. From doing ministry to being community Hsin-hsin Huang (who describes herself as a “recovering Martha”) revisits the meaning of “being church” through the Mary and Martha story in Luke’s Gospel. … [Read more...]
Taking a long look — October 8, 2018
How do we see challenging topics as more than issues to debate, but as stories that impact people? This issue of the Outlook represents a year's worth of work on that very question. A small group of writers met together, prayed together and worked together to craft the content you will find inside these pages. We learned and laughed, wrote and re-wrote and humbly offer the results to you in the hope that these stories will inspire you to tell your own and listen as others share theirs. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Introduction to the “long look” essay project The essays in this issue are the result of a gathering of six pastors and one facilitator. Over the course of nine months, with the theme of“the long look,” they wrote drafts, shared ideas, offered feedback and grew as human beings. “This is my body” by Nanette Banks The chase Lori Archer Raible Outside boys Andrew Taylor Troutman The time machine of music Samuel Son Comes with … [Read more...]
Pastoral leadership — September 17, 2018
As culture changes quickly and extensively, theological education and ministry also takes new shapes. Some of these changes are born of necessity, some emerge through trial-and-error and others after implemented after intentional exploration and study. This issue of the Outlook considers the role of bivocational ministry, shares one seminarian's educational experience and offers insights for innovation in theological education. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Theological education for a new age Dustin Benac suggests three axes that may nurture a form of theological education that is able to adapt to the challenges and opportunities of the current context. Weird and wonderful seminary Seminary can be a testament to the power of lived experience that shapes how students sense God at work through them and in the world. Bivocational exhaustion blessings How does someone fit pastoring, parenting and professional life into a unified calling? Post-Christian … [Read more...]
Church & culture – September 3, 2018
The opioid epidemic. Gun violence. A local tragedy. All across the country, congregations are responding to issues in the headlines that impact their communities. This issue of the Outlook examines how Presbyterian churches are addressing national issues in ways particular to their local contexts and the complicated dynamics of deciding how to act in faith. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Addiction and recovery Presbyterians are responding to the opioid epidemic in many thoughtful and crucial ways. Here’s how a few congregations are meeting their community’s needs. Leslie Scanlon reports. Leaves of the tree A community uses worship service and the planting of a tree to respond to gun violence in Savannah, Georgia. Communities in transition The practice of organizational imagination can help develop new forms of communal life and Christian discipleship. A family systems approach to parking lot meetingsFew things in ecclesial life have the potential … [Read more...]
The 223rd GA – July 30, 2018
General Assembly: 538 commissioners from 170 presbyteries gathered for a week in the heat of St. Louis to work in 14 committees, worship, pray, march, discuss and debate. They voted on issues ranging from climate change to mental health, heard about mission around the globe, created task forces and restructured the denomination. The depth and breadth of their work is too big to be contained in these pages, nonetheless this issue gives you a sense of the scope of the decisions made by the 223rd General Assembly. Visit pres-outlook.org/223GA for more stories and videos. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Voices and votes of the 223rd General Assembly How big of a voice does the PC(USA) have? Commissioners grappled with this and related questions as they made decisions about issues facing the church. Hands and Feet The new initiative inspired Presbyterians to learn and serve in St. Louis. GA impacts the PC(USA)The assembly voted against fossil fuel … [Read more...]
Priesthood of all believers – July 9, 2018
Can a Reformed understanding of the priesthood of all believers transform how Presbyterians live? If every encounter is recognized as God at work among us – bringing priests to us – and enabling us by God’s Spirit to be priests to others, just think how energized life could be! This issue explores what it means to live this calling in community. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. A priest at every elbow Donald McKim considers the vision that all Christians are priests. A letter to watch over you Andrew Taylor-Troutman writes letters to each child about to be baptized in the congregation he serves. Serving the world at a truck stop Sherry Blackman gives a glimpse into ministry at a truck stop in New Jersey where she serves as chaplain. Living sermons Three ruling elders share stories of discipleship and faithful living outside church walls. … [Read more...]
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