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Faith-based initiatives

During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama affirmed directly that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. Will his profession be demonstrated in the legislation he promotes and in the leadership he exerts? 

Reaching out to gay friends and family members

In the Dec. 2 edition of the Outlook we published the personal story of Ray Bagnuolo, an ordained, openly gay minister of Word and Sacrament.  Here we publish the personal story of a formerly lesbian church member and executive director of a ministry whose mission is “to equip and educate the church to minister the transforming grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are in conflict with their sexuality.”

(Not so) common courtesy in church hiring practices

Christian churches and organizations are obligated at all levels to observe the highest standards in their employment recruitment policies. When Presbyterian institutions take the low road in  methods to hire new employees, church officers should be gravely concerned.

A world mission glimpse from Tegucigalpa, Honduras

We were gathering in the chapel of the Heifer Project retreat center just north of Tegucigalpa. The Honduran pastors mingled around and started discussing the construction of the small building in which we were meeting. Pastor Fernando started pointing out to me, partially in Spanish and partially with elaborate hand gestures, the differences in the type of bricks used in the wall. Not having an eye or any experience in such things, I had not noticed the difference. But when Fernando pointed it out, the differences were quite obvious.

A providential moment

My future is to do God’s will. For a long time I had felt out of touch with God. I felt that I am not of any use to Him. I have been very sick with migraine headaches and in great pain a good portion of that time. The only thing I could do was lie around the house and read all the theology and history books I could get my hands on.

Film reviews

“Marley And Me” is the story about a dog. Oh, there are some humans who happen to be around at the time, but this movie is all about the big, mischievous Labrador. See him chew holes in everything from couch cushions to drywall. See him bolt with such enthusiasm as to drag the poor leash-holder behind him, desperate to keep the pace. See him cower during thunderstorms, eat his weight in puppy chow, hump the legs of strangers, and generally make himself, well, a forceful presence in the lives of everyone around him.

A New Year’s Resolution

Where better to turn for a source of New Year’s resolutions than the Ten Commandments? Martin Luther’s exposition of the Eighth Commandment*..

New Year’s Commentary: Even amid the darkness, our spirit is unquenchable

In the midst of life, we are in death. Three Royal Marines, young men with everything to live for, were approached by a 13-year-old boy who was pushing a wheelbarrow. Seconds later, they were all reduced to flying body parts. One moment they were vibrantly alive, the next moment their lives were over. The human wreckage from the blast included the devastation visited upon their loved ones.

Reading Calvin in ‘09

James C. Goodloe IV, executive director of the Foundation for Reformed Theology in Richmond, Va., has a suggestion for reading in the New Year  — John Calvin.

How my mind was changed

I rejoiced when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was given the authoritative interpretation that precluded homosexual participation in the ministry of the church in 1978. I thought the issue was settled once and for all. I continued my smugness for more than twenty years when the denomination repeatedly confirmed that interpretation. I was simply so certain that I never read any of the literature being produced about the issue.

Reworking the call process

The pastor of the church we attend is leaving. She was with our church for five years. This is becoming the average tenure for pastors. The Session asked members to stay after church to talk about the future. 

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