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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...]

Tagged With: healthy congregations

Renouncing white Jesus

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No sooner had James Cone (THE Rev. Dr. James Cone) folded himself into my compact car and clicked the seatbelt, I blurted, “I am sorry for my white Jesus, Dr. Cone.” He glanced at the plastic, sun-bleached, plastic Jesus on my dashboard and said in his signature, high-pitched voice, “Oh, it’s all right, it’s all right.” Driving Cone back to his hotel after his arresting, compelling, profound lecture on “The Cross and the Lynching Tree” counts as one of the highest privileges of my ministry. The lecture took place April 17, 2017. He said of his book, “I put my whole being into it. … I did my best, to do less would be a theological sin.” Those of us in that sanctuary received a gift, as Cone put his whole being into that lecture too. Holding nothing back, saying what he thought, wrestling with the question of how black people kept their sanity in the face of terror and how white people who professed faith in Jesus, the crucified one, could turn around and lynch black people, even on … [Read more...]

Tagged With: African-American Presbyterians

What’s right about Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship?

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Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship — Portland, Oregon Much attention this past summer was given to the plight of adults crossing our southern border with Mexico. They were then detained throughout the country, some at a federal facility in Sheridan, Oregon. Members of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship also learned about the needs of young people (between ages 12- 17 years old) when they attended a World Refugee Day Rally in Portland on June 20. These young people were either separated from their parents on our border, or had tried to crossover alone. They were now being held at the Morrison Child and Family Services in downtown Portland. We learned what the children needed, and we quickly acted. In a week we gathered over $500 worth of soccer balls, frisbees, crayons, markers, coloring books, arts and crafts supplies, along with children and young adult books in both English and Spanish. – Brett Webb-Mitchell, organizing pastor Share your … [Read more...]

Christmas poinsettias

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Presbyterian churches send out all kinds of reminders when it is time to donate funds for Christmas poinsettias or Easter lilies. Some include envelopes to respond. One of my favorites in a Presbyterian bulletin was: “Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want to be remembered.”   … [Read more...]

Pan American Presbyterian School

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Pan American Presbyterian School in Kingsville, Texas, educates many students from Mexico including children of very low-paid Presbyterian preachers. One youth, Joshua Karangwa, is a successful high school senior and planning to go to college. He says: “I have grown closer to God here. Come visit our campus. You’ll never know how much you’re helping until you meet us.” … [Read more...]

Prayer for Advent 

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Ever living, always acting God, as the days grow shorter and the darkness deepens, we bow before you uncertain how to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. How do we make ready for the Savior of world to come to earth? No matter how hard we pray or how much we study, despite our earnest confessions and our desire to repent, we recognize our unworthiness to be in your presence, let alone have you dwell within our hearts. And yet, you make a way for us. You prepare a place for us. You refuse to abandon us. You relentlessly pursue us with your goodness and mercy. You set the table of grace in the presence of our enemies. You invite us to put down our burdens and come to your banquet. You are mindful of us even when we neglect you and one another. Such mercy is too wonderful for us. God of abundant life and loving kindness, during this Advent season, we bow down before you, stunned that you come to us, awed by your annunciation to Mary, hoping to say along with her, “Let it be with us … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

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