On doppelgängers, bronze snakes and repentance
If American Christians considered our complicity in the genocides of Jewish and Palestinian people, what would we realize about ourselves? SueAnn Shiah reflects.
Latest Posts
Doing more with less: Smaller PC(USA) congregations face new leadership realities
What are small churches to do? Gregg Brekke explores the challenges facing shrinking congregations and how some pastors and presbyteries are addressing the issue.
Exploring Jonah — Weekly Christian ed lesson
In this lesson, children will dig into the complicated prophet Jonah.
Third Sunday after the Epiphany — January 21, 2024
We can hear the urgency in the lectionary texts for January 21, but how does that translate to us today? — Stephanie Sorge
Fear and faithfulness (January 21, 2024)
Sometimes in the face of fear, faithfulness looks like doing nothing, writes Tara Bulger.
Order of worship — January 21, 2024
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
Another dark Christmas in Ukraine
As Orthodox Christmas approaches, we cannot abandon Ukraine to Russian destruction. — Knox Thames
13 emerging faith leaders who made their mark in 2023
2023's rising stars in religion are loud, proud and defiant.
Small is beautiful
"Church vitality is more about spirit than size, and small churches across the country often serve as hubs of connection for small towns and rural areas." — Teri McDowell Ott
The great ends of the (small) church
Budgets and worship numbers matter — but they are not everything, Phil Blackburn believes.
The future of the PC(USA) is pastor-less, and that’s OK.
A church can be viable without a pastor, writes Catherine Neelly Burton. Once we embrace this, churches can go about their work of being Christ’s body.
Oh, the places you will go: Reflections from a multi-faith funeral
Looking at Psalm 121, Karie Charlton reflects that we are all called to respond to each other and participate in the Universal Heart.
For LGBTQ Catholics, new declaration on blessings is welcome — but complicated
Some LGBTQ couples were blessed by Catholic priests before the Vatican declaration came down — whether or not the Vatican approved.
Second Sunday after the Epiphany — January 14, 2024
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” This knowing can be painful and challenging. The truth often is. Yet God pursues us in love and offers us the truth as a path to healing. — Teri McDowell Ott
Wisdom vs. self-help (January 14, 2024)
What is the difference between wisdom and self-help? Tara Bulger asks.
Can you hear me now? — Weekly Christian ed lesson
In this lesson, children will explore 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and will notice ways God may be speaking directly to them.
Order of worship — January 14, 2024
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation
Acknowledging and seeking to heal the wounds of pastors
How can we acknowledge pain while still celebrating the call? Carol Howard and Martha Mitchell discuss the very real problem of clergy burnout and the hope-filled responses of clergy care.
Rethinking the Police: An Officer’s Confession and the Pathway to Reform
"While Daniel Reinhardt is one of many voices in the police-reform conversation, his personal experiences, combined with a calm yet passionate tone, provide a welcome addition to a complex topic," writes Amy Pagliarella.
Church for ‘nones’: Meet some emerging anti-dogma spiritual collectives
These spiritual communities discard doctrine, prefer questions over answers and have no intention of converting anybody to anything.
The spiritual lessons of ‘The Crown’
The history isn’t always right but ‘The Crown’ is always a good family story. And there are lessons for the soul in the telling.
Receiving This Life: Practicing the Deepest Belonging
Kara Root’s message is this: Receive what is. Receive what is difficult. Receive what God is doing. Receive what God has already done. Receive what will be. Receive it all. — Philip J. Reed
Discussion guide for December 2023 issue
In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.
Where is Jesus?
Asking "Where is Jesus?" can help us find love and light in unexpected places and people, writes Bobby Hulme-Lippert.
Cozy post-Christmas reading
Here's a short list of books appropriate for that quiet reading time after Christmas. Enjoy!
Page 53 of 873