Ruling and teaching elders together
When I was growing up, my dad was clerk of session at our church. He took his role very seriously. He..
Latest Posts
The Secret Knowledge of Princeton Seminary Class of 2006
There are some things every Presbyterian seminarian knows, like how to toss around words like context, paradigm, kataphatic, and differentiated, how to..
Just What We Need—More Advice
Does anyone ever tire of giving advice to new parents? Be sure to swaddle the baby whenever you lay her..
Blog reprint – It’s Not About Us (Or Why Declining Church Attendance Is Not Such A Crisis)
This piece originally appeared on the author's personal blog, "A pastor looks at 40," and is reprinted here with his permission. One..
Editorial: 2BRE—a tough job to decode
It ain’t easy to be a Presbyterian ruling elder. You might be fortunate enough to serve on a session peopled only..
Two ecumenical bodies established for Sudan and South Sudan
GENEVA – Two ecumenical councils in South Sudan and Sudan have now been established. The decision comes after South Sudan’s independence from Sudan..
Richmond: International Conference on Religious Freedom
The International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ICLARS) will hold its third bi-annual conference—Religion, Democracy, and Equality—August 21-23, 2013 in Virginia...
Is God an angry ogre? Presbyterians and Baptists debate
(RNS) The dispute over dropping a beloved Christian song from a new Presbyterian hymnal has widened into a multi-denominational tussle, with Baptists..
COMMENTARY: Islamist suppression could reach U.S. shores
(RNS) Egypt now teeters on the edge of an abyss. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who was in Cairo last week at President Obama’s..
Fossil Free PC(USA): Group urges Presbyterians to learn about, discuss climate change; divest from fossil fuel companies
LOUISVILLE – This weekend, Presbyterians and others interested in learning more about climate change and fossil fuels will gather in Knoxville, Tenn.,..
Idolitics: Why I reject the entire conversation (part 4 in a 4 part blog series)
Editor's note: This is the third of four in a blog series by Jonathan Saur. Each day this week, he will offer a..
Book review – Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
by Reza Aslan Random House, New York, 336 pages Reza Aslan’s new biography of Jesus was released on July 16 and..
Lutherans take surprise step in electing female presiding bishop
(RNS) What started as just another church assembly turned into a historic one for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as members elected the..
Idolitics: Why I am not a progressive… or a liberal… or whatever they call themselves these days… (part 3 in a 4 part blog series)
Editor's note: This is the third of four in a blog series by Jonathan Saur. Each day this week, he will offer..
Stated Clerk calls for prayer in the wake of the escalated violence in Egypt
LOUISVILLE – In light of the continued political unrest and escalated violence in Egypt, Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly,..
Celebrating a Decade of Hearing and Singing New Songs to God: Recognizing the gifts of women of color in the church
LOUISVILLE (PNS) – The voices and perspectives of women of color have too often been devalued, excluded or silenced throughout the history of..
Lutherans elect Elizabeth Eaton first female presiding bishop of ELCA
(RNS) The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Wednesday (Aug. 14) elected the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton as the denomination’s first female..
Idolitics: Why I am not a conservative (part 2 in a 4 part blog series)
Editor's note: This is the second of four in a blog series by Jonathan Saur. Each day this week, he will offer..
Engage Discipleship
A Presbyterian Outlook 90-minute webinar presented by Ray Jones
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 4 p.m. ET
How is your congregation raising up new disciples? Are you looking for new approaches to ignite and engage your discipleship practices?
The Evangelism Office is becoming more convinced that if churches are making disciples, we will be starting new churches, reaching new people and doing justice in our communities.
Reformers want Congress to end ban on pulpit politicking
RNS) A commission of religious leaders has called for clarity in churches’ ability to endorse candidates and issues from the pulpit without..
Christian ethicist Jean Bethke Elshtain dies at 72
(RNS) Christian ethicist Jean Bethke Elshtain, a scholar who shaped national conversations on war and peace from her perch at the University..
Why Christians need the church: An interview with Lillian Daniel
Young people are disillusioned, disenchanted, and in some cases, downright disgusted with organized religion. So while they still want to follow Jesus,..
A moving experience: Presbyterians exit the Big Tent dancing
LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Led by glorious closing worship music provided by Charleston, S.C.-based St. James Presbyterian Church choir, Presbyterians concluded their Big Tent experience Aug...
Connecting online: Roundtable discussion highlights community developed online
LOUISVILLE (PNS) – Community and relationships are positive outcomes in the growing online environment of the church, according to a group of..
Idolitics: Introduction (part 1 in a 4 part blog series)
Editor's note: This is the first of four in a blog series by Jonathan Saur. Each day this week, he will offer a..
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