Meet the ‘Nominals’ who are drifting from Judaism and Christianity
They’re rarely at worship services and indifferent to doctrine. And they’re surprisingly fuzzy on Jesus. These are the Jewish Americans sketched in a new Pew..
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Three reasons the American church is ignoring Christian persecution
In her September 27th Daily Beast column, Kirsten Powers drew attention to the woeful silence of the American church in the face of a global..
Appreciation Power
I grew up in a pastor’s home, back in the day when honorifics were standard fare when addressing clergy. I do not..
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Called to be faithful? Or, called to be effective?
In the aftermath of the president's request for authorization of military action in Syria, numerous Christian individuals and organizations reacted immediately, expressing..
Billy Graham’s legacy is fading ‘into the mists of history’
WHEATON, Ill. (RNS) We gathered at Billy Graham’s alma mater over three days to explore his ministry’s place in American history and..
Pope Francis fires a warning shot at church’s ‘top-down’ bureaucracy
(RNS) Pope Francis has once again given a startlingly candid interview that reinforces his vision of a Catholic Church that engages the..
Behind the front lines in Syria
Presbyterians have had a presence in Syria since 1823, and that ministry continues in the midst of the country’s recent turmoil, members of the Presbyterian..
Worshipping-Witnessing Communities
“How very good and pleasant it iswhen kindred live together in unity!” Ps. 133:1 (NRSV) We need sustained conversation. While tweets and..
Bookmark – Shaking Hands with the Devil
Shaking Hands with the Devil: The Intersection of Terrorism and Theology by William J. Abraham Highland Loch Press, Dallas. 180 pages. ..
Editorial – Oktoberfest
Has Pastor Appreciation Month run its course? As your new editor at the time, I suggested in 2006 that October should..
Stated Clerk urges Congress: Stop Playing Politics with People’s Wellbeing
WASHINGTON, DC (PNS) On Friday, the Reverend Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, joined with 33 other leaders of..
Film in review – A Single Shot
Those of us who have ever been hunting before realize that there is a terrible possibility with a high-powered rifle: if you..
Film in review – Rush
“Rush” tells a good story about an intense rivalry between two Formula One race car drivers in the 1970s. James Hunt..
Film in review – Enough Said
We “baby boomers” do not often find a warm, touching, funny romantic comedy for people “our age,” much less one that takes..
Film in review – Don Jon
This month I received a phone call here at the church from a man wanting to know if we hosted 12-step groups. ..
Why Detroit?
Why hold the 2014 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Detroit of all places? That’s a question that Tom Hay,..
Stony Point incorporation debate continues
LOUISVILLE – Members of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board on Sept. 27 laid on the table more questions about the future of..
Walking the walk: Christian faith is action, not just words, McDonald tells PMAB
LOUISVILLE – Talking the talk of Christian faith is not enough, San Francisco Theological Seminary President Jim McDonald to the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board..
Faithful to the end: An interview with Eugene Peterson
Eugene Peterson is one of the best known theologians of our time. Most famous for penning The Message, a contemporary rendering of the..
PMAB rejects pay raise modifications for Center employees
LOUISVILLE – The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) today overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that lower-paid employees at the Presbyterian Center here be..
Selling Jesus: Resisting Consumerism in the Church
In our society everything is marketed, everything sells. Things as benign as cotton balls or power tools require sexy advertising to beat..
First the Nones, now the Spirituals (blog)
“I am spiritual but not religious” is one of the common refrains of our time, especially if you happen to spend a lot..
Book review – Transforming Church Conflict: Compassionate Leadership in Action
by Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger and Theresa F. Latini Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Ky. 270 pages. To those who live..
PMAB asks, “Should Stony Point be incorporated?”
LOUISVILLE – Should the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) incorporate Stony Point Conference Center outside New York City as a separate legal entity? While..
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