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Healthy congregations — December 17, 2018

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The message of mainline church decline is loud, relentless and familiar. But there is good news, too. Congregations are getting creative, experimenting, reaching out, going deep and recognizing that God is doing a new thing in the world as well as with and through them. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Grace, mystery, beauty and freedom Four themes of Reformed theology contribute to the healing of major wounds in the world. On becoming ecclesial geologists Family systems theory applies a concept from geology: The present is the key to the past. A compassionate church Healthy churches create safe, sacred spaces at the intersection of faith and public life. Robust church rising Something is rising as churches look for greater depth in the postmodern era. … [Read more...]

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African-American Presbyterians (December 3, 2018)

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This issue offers rich portraits of two African-American Presbyterians and one key historically African-American institution that has shaped The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). These stories highlight the many ways the denomination is impacted by African-American faith leaders. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. History, impact, future Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary is one of the institutional reminders of the PC(USA)’s stated commitment to racial/ethnic diversity She dared to say yes Katie Geneva Cannon was the first African-American female Presbyterian pastor and a foremother of womanist theology. A Presbyterian prophet of black power A profile of Gayraud S. Wilmore, a theological educator and key ally in the creation of black theology. … [Read more...]

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Who is my neighbor? — November 12, 2018

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Christians are called to love others because they were first loved by God. The stories in this issue explore how Presbyterians are called to live out that calling — to immigrants, to refugees, to neighbors in their community. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. The loving work of welcome Kent Annan reflects on the biblical response to immigrants and refugees. Sojourners all Sherry Blackman describes how Presbyterians are involved in international advocacy and how churches may be called to respond. When children pray Tony Lin shares a story of crossing paths with a refugee family at church. What’s next for churches who sell their property? Congregations are selling their buildings and engaging soul-searching about they ministry they are called to.  Leslie Scanlon shares two such stories. … [Read more...]

Fall books — October 22, 2018

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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

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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...]

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Pastoral leadership — September 17, 2018

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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...]

Tagged With: leadership • theological education

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