Symbol or substance? Church leaders transact so much business in the language of metaphor and symbol that they can mistake it for reality. When Pastor Trina Zelle of Tempe, Arizona, submitted to the 2010 PC(USA) General Assembly a commissioners’ resolution regarding her state’s Senate Bill 1070, she did not make such a mistake. She chose substance over symbol.
Of all the Christians who will gather for Easter worship services the world over, we Presbyterians have just a slightly greater need to hear about the resurrection.
Tribes are good. Whether we speak of them literally – like Cherokee and Navajo – or figuratively – like family, prayer group, congregation, labor union, alumni club, softball team, or political party – they provide us circles of friendship, of belonging, of learning. Tribes teach community values and reinforce them via tribal rituals.
My grandkids have headed down our snow-covered driveway just in time for me to pull together this Christmastide editorial you will read in late January about summertime with children.
If the 1970s were the “Me Generation“ years and the 80s called “The Decade of Greed,” and the 90s the “Decade of dot.coms,” what about the 00s – what BBC dubbed the “noughties”? What lies ahead for people of faith as they do mission in the ensuing twenty-teens?
As 2010 passes the baton to 2011, we take a few moments to look back, to wring our hands over the year’s disappointments, to lift holy hands in praise for the year’s triumphs.
In all due respect to John Buchanan, my Presbyterian ministerial and editorial-writing colleague serving in the Windy City, when I hear the name Ernie Banks, I don’t immediately think of the shortstop and first baseman known as “Mr. Cub.” Sure, that Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Editor’s Note: Providing editorial commentary in this 2010 Fall Book issue is Roy W. Howard, pastor of St. Mark Church in Rockville, Md., and Outlook book editor.
Why in the world would you set aside a whole month to appreciate your pastor? How many of us — other than athletes and actors — hear “well done” on the way out of work each week … from a whole group of people … and after only an hour’s work?
So Anne Rice — vampire novelist turned recommitted, Jesus-loving Christian — has quit the church, and the blogosphere has gone viral. What’s the big deal? Everybody’s doing it.
The city of Minneapolis could not have been more welcoming to the two or three thousand Presbyterians who gathered for the 219th General Assembly. But her quiet twin brother, St. Paul, also threw open his arms of welcome.
But, would I want to live there? Thousands of Jewish settlers from the United States and Europe do. So do the Palestinians who have been there for four millennia or more.
Six candidates. Five ministers and one elder are standing for election to become Moderator of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
