Central Presbyterian Church creates space for inclusivity in Arkansas
Thanks to grants from 1001 New Worshiping Communities and the Presbytery of Arkansas, Central Presbyterian converted an unused daycare into a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Latest Posts
When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation Beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation
What are church leaders to do when church stops working? Philip J. Reed reviews Andrew Root and Blair D. Bertrand's new book.
The theology of bartending
Jo Wiersema, a University of Dubuque Theological Seminary alum and bartender, shares their ministry behind the bar. Sometimes, they write, you can find the love of God next to a pint of beer.
Our Work is Loving the World
A poem for those affected by Monday's shooting at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Back to school for churches
Phillip Blackburn encourages rural churches to embrace the start of the school year. Can we learn something new, too?
Book recommendation: When you need help forgiving
K. Marie Mainard O’Connell recommends "The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and the World" by Desmond and Mpho Tutu. "It is time to start forgiving the church — and ourselves," writes the pastor.
A litany for Disability Inclusion Sunday
Disability Inclusion Sunday is on September 10, 2023. Churches across the country will be celebrating the gifts that people with disabilities bring to our congregations.
Wishing for the flood: Providing grace when none can be found
God meets us when we are at our lowest, shares Colin Farmer in a personal essay.
Working out conflicts — Weekly Christian ed lesson
In this lesson, children will explore the pathways to reconciliation that Jesus presents to his disciples in Matthew’s Gospel, considering where and how they might address conflicts in their own lives.
Order of worship — September 10, 2023
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
How do we keep the Sabbath holy? (September 10, 2023)
When we lack clarity about how best to interpret a text or how we ought to live our lives, Jesus always asks us to consider how our actions impact others, writes Daniel Frayer-Griggs.
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost — September 10, 2023
Church is a team sport, writes John Wurster reflecting on Matthew 18:15-20.
Living sanctuary: Charlotte church manse becomes temporary home for Afghan refugees
David Bonnema, pastor of Unity Presbyterian Church, shares the mutual learning and growth they found while partnering with a family of Afghan refugees.
We don’t create — We reclaim
After a season of upheaval, Katy Shevel reflects on what it means to reclaim something.
Finding hope in family letters from World War II
Andrew Taylor-Troutman learns about his great-uncle's experience as a soldier in WWII and reflects on the habitual nature of hardship — and grace.
Interim pastors are called to take out the garbage
The work of interim pastors is not often appreciated, but it is necessary.
Breaking the chains of complementarianism: A female seminary student finds her voice
At a young age, Union Presbyterian Seminary student Amanda Shanks felt a call to ministry. Having no model for female leadership in the church, she ignored it until two years ago. What changed?
One voice screaming
Outlook intern Colin Farmer shares how he sometimes feels alone in his desire to end hate and corruption. Yet, even the prophets, he remembers, are called to love their neighbors.
Covenant Families react to early developments in TN legislative session August 22, 2023
The Covenant Families Action Fund supports progress made on TN House Bill 7012 that focuses on secure, responsible storage of firearms, and includes provisions to give away gun locks, tax exemptions for other storage items, and funding for an awareness campaign.
Bittersweet
A poem-prayer for waning seasons and bittersweet changes by Shannon Beck.
A prayer for Labor Day: Finding a new pace
Daniel Heath offers a prayer that recognizes workers and reminds us that we are not defined by our work.
Unification Commission moves up date for unification
The commission's new timeline implements a unified agency on July 1, 2025.
How we do — Weekly Christian ed lesson
In this lesson, children will explore Romans 12:9-21, noticing and wondering about all the ways Paul calls the church to live out its beliefs.
Order of worship — September 3, 2023
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost — September 3, 2023
How can you help challenge the common, negative assumptions? Brian Christopher Coulter looks at Paul and Howard Thurman for examples.
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