A big dance floor: building trust and being the church
Middle Governing Bodies Commission wants to engage PC(USA) in setting vision for the future
Latest Posts
Film in review: “Midnight In Paris”
“Midnight In Paris” is Woody Allen at his best: witty, affable, ironic and whimsical.
Film in review: “X-Men: First Class”
The great thing about prequels is that it includes everybody. You don’t necessarily have to be a big fan of the “X-Men” comic book series to understand what’s happening – and, hopefully, it doesn’t disappoint the die-hard fans too much if the backstory doesn’t meet all their high expectations.
C. Ellis Nelson passes away
C. Ellis Nelson, who contributed to the shaping of Presbyterian theological education and Christian education over a 60-year career and who influenced seminarians for many decades, has died in Texas.
Southern Baptist Church reports statistical decline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) – The Southern Baptist Convention reported declines last year in several categories traditionally used as markers of denominational vitality, according to annual statistics released June 9 by LifeWay Christian Resources.
PresHouse at UW-Madison faces tax threat in legislature
MADISON, Wisc. (Special to the Outlook) PresHouse is thriving on the campus, but new tax legislation may shut it down.
My Word: The Presbyterian squabble
I saw an ad in Sunday's Orlando Sentinel taken by some members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who raise questions about the direction of our denomination. Recently, a majority of presbyteries, regional governing bodies of elders and ministers, agreed to amend the constitution of our church to remove explicit language about sexual behavior outside of marriage with more inclusive language about appropriate character for those who are ordained as church leaders.
On the Adoption of the New Form of Government: My Thirty Years of “Presbyterian Pluralism” – Vindicated
Thirty years ago, his doctoral dissertation was titled, "Presbyterian Pluralism: Competition in a Protestant House." The vote on the nFOG stands in..
Making room for the little shots: Reyes-Chow opens door wide to discussion of PC(USA)’s future
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (Special to PNS) The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of
the 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), wonders
what wisdom is possessed by Presbyterians who may not travel in the movers and
shakers crowd at General Assembly or keynote national conferences, or even lead a
regionally influential congregation.
nFOG is approved, Belhar fails: an update on amendment voting
UPDATED JUNE 7, 2011 – A majority of presbyteries have now approved the proposed new Form of Government for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), so it will become part of the PC(USA)’s Book of Order – bringing what some contend is a more streamlined and flexible way for the denomination to operate.
MGB Commission mulls data, identifies some ‘operating assumptions’ Effective leaders, healthy congregations are key to vitality, group told
SEATTLE (PNS) Like a massive ocean liner on a vast sea, the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.)’s Middle Governing Body Commission has begun the long slow turn from
gathering data from the church to formulating recommendations for the mission and
function of presbyteries and synods in a rapidly changing church and world.
Santa Barbara initiative scopes another path for conservatives
Some evangelical Presbyterians from the Presbytery of Santa Barbara are proposing a plan of action in response to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s recent decision to change its ordination standards.
Octogenarian learns how to read so he can better understand Bible
NAIROBI, Kenya (ENI) A film about Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge, an 84-year-old
man who enrolled in primary school in 2003 so he could learn to read the Bible, has
inspired the creation of an educational charity for unprivileged children around the
world.
Japanese church members working to provide relief for ‘triple disaster’
TOKYO (ENI) Japan's Christian Council has decided to establish an office to
coordinate relief operations in Japan and from abroad in response to the devastating
earthquake that struck in February, causing a tsunami and problems at nuclear power
plants.
Presbyterians schedule fast to protest trade agreement
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Special to the Presbyterian News Service) Colombian and U.S. Presbyterians are calling on people in both countries to join a fast in protest of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
Youngil Cho, longtime Presbyterian leader, dies at 77
Presbyterian elder and longtime Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leader Youngil Cho, 77, died May 22 in Raleigh, N.C. A funeral service was scheduled for May 28 at the Korean Presbyterian Church of DuRaleigh.
Hallmark heroes
They did it again. I should have seen it coming when Barbie grabbed the remote control and switched to the Hallmark Channel.
Parsons joins Obama for prayer breakfast
LOUISVILLE, KY. (PNS) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons joined a number of U.S. religious leaders April 19 for the second annual Holy Week prayer breakfast at the White House hosted by President Barack Obama. Obama is the first president to host a prayer breakfast in the White House marking Easter and Holy Week.
Covenanting together for older adults
LOUISVILLE, KY. (PNS) Acting on a recommendation from the 217th General Assembly (2006), two Presbyterian groups have signed a partnership agreement that will help their older adult ministries stay connected.
Don Shriver featured in PBS documentary
The Rev. Donald Shriver Jr., an ethicist and former president of Union Theological Seminary, was featured in a two-part PBS documentary called “Forgiveness: A Time to Love and a Time to Hate.” It aired on Palm Sunday and Easter.
U.S. Senate confirms religious freedom ambassador
Washington (ENI) A New York minister will fill the Obama administration's long-vacant position to oversee international religious freedom after the Senate voted to confirm the Rev. Suzan Johnson Cook for the post.
Contraceptive use is the norm among religious women
Contraceptive use by Catholics and evangelicals is the norm, according to a new report by the Guttmacher Institute, which studies reproductive health issues.
American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us
American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us
by Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell
New York: Simon and Schuster. 688 pages.
reviewed by LOUIS B. WEEKS
Grace. The English noun, as we Christians use it, alludes first to the saving grace God provides in Jesus Christ — “Amazing Grace.”
After Shock: Searching for Honest Faith When Your World Is Shaken
After Shock: Searching for Honest Faith When Your World Is Shaken
by Kent Annan
InterVarsity Press. 137 pages.
reviewed by KIM MONTROLL
“‘Where were you?’ I ask the Haitian teacher I’ve known for years.
Consistency in fundamentals keeps creativity on the rails
When you “go multichannel” — expanding beyond Sunday worship — a critical element of both strategy and execution will be consistency.
Page 662 of 890