Presbyterian Panel issues first report on measures of congregational vitality

LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Only 33 percent of members and 22 percent of ministers strongly agree that their church is spiritually vital and..

Presbyterian News Service

Fire destroys Girard, Pennsylvania church

(PNS) The congregation of another Presbyterian church is picking up the pieces following a fire last week. The First Presbyterian Church of Girard,..

Book Reviews

Discerning the Body: Searching for Jesus in the World

Jason Byassee Cascade Books, 264 pages Reviewed by Bob Melone “Where in the world is Jesus?” That is the question that Jason..

Presbyterian News Service

Fire destroys Presbyterian church in Little Rock

(PNS) Authorities are still investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed the 40-year-old sanctuary of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas..

Voices

The correct way to pray

My all-time favorite writing on the subject of prayer is a little article by Wayne Zunkel titled “The posture of the right..

Presbyterian News Service

Presbyterian Historical Society receives Pew Center for Arts & Heritage grant

(OGA) The Presbyterian Historical Society is a 2018 Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Project Grant recipient. The grant award provides $285,000 of..

Outlook Reporting

Voices and votes of the 223rd General Assembly

ST. LOUIS – “How big a voice do we necessarily have?” A young adult advisory delegate asked that question about Presbyterian influence..

Presbyterian News Service

Matanzas seminary’s program in Havana draws wide range of students

HAVANA, Cuba (OGA) Gita, a toddler, sits on her mother’s lap, her head lying on the table in front of them so..

Religion News Service

Church of England plans to test aspiring clergy for skills, aptitude — and narcissism

LONDON (RNS) — Responding to growing concern about the kinds of priests the Church of England is attracting, Anglican leaders are considering expanding..

Book Reviews

On the Brink of Everything

Parker J. Palmer Barrett-Koehler Publishers, 240 pages It may be remarkable to think of Parker Palmer at age 80, but it makes..

Voices

You are special

My earliest memory of Dad’s church is autographing the Order of Service. A pastor’s kid knows not to call the paper the..

Presbyterian News Service

Former co-moderator Denise Anderson joins Presbyterian Mission Agency

LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Denise Anderson, Co-Moderator of the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has accepted a new position..

Voices

Having my say about fossil fuel divestment and shareholder engagement

Guest commentary by Pam McVety Editor’s note: For the next several Fridays, we will publish commentary expressing opinions on and responses..

Looking into the lectionary

9th Sunday after Pentecost — July 22, 2018

2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Ordinary 16B; Proper 11 God is on the move. Jesus is traveling by sea..

Outlook Reporting

Structure and statutes: Presbyterian Mission Agency Board approves A Corporation bylaw changes

This makes one more step down the road. The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board voted July 19 to approve a series of bylaw..

Religion News Service

United Methodist court filings detail proposals for averting schism on sexuality

(RNS) —Documents filed with the United Methodist Church’s top court are shedding first light on specifics of long-awaited proposals to avoid schism..

Book Reviews

Pro-Choice and Christian: Reconciling Faith, Politics, and Justice

Kira Schlesinger Westminster John Knox Press, 136 pages Reviewed by Judith Fulp-Eickstaedt Have you noticed lately that there are issues we can’t..

Voices

Say this, not that

Our words matter. It matters that we speak about God’s call when the nominating committee gets to work. A phone call that..

Outlook Reporting

The 223rd General Assembly: News in brief

ST. LOUIS – Fourteen committees addressed a multitude of issues over the course of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church..

Outlook Features

Living sermons: Ruling elders’ stories of discipleship and faithful living outside church walls

Afriyie Maxine Huie dances. Ashley Armistead runs. Carvel Bennett teaches. This is how they spend much for their time. The wonder of..

Outlook Reporting

Celebrating 200 years of the Presbyterian Outlook at GA

Each year, the Presbyterian Outlook hosts a luncheon on the first Saturday of General Assembly. The gathering gives participants an opportunity to hear from..