Defying the demographics
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is shrinking in membership, because we have fewer members in nurseries than in nursing homes. We’re dying faster than we’re birthing. Our demographics are working against us.
Latest Posts
“We’re in the same boat now:” Collegians challenged to love, to act
MONTREAT, N.C. — They talked about sacrificial love. They talked about the outrageous generosity of God. And they talked about the great adventure of passionate involvement.
New ways to connect and communicate may lead to revitalizing PC(USA)
The demographics make it clear: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) isn’t exactly a cutting-edge denomination. Too old, too white, getting smaller by the day.
California court decision may affect church property disputes
In a number of presbyteries, church property disputes — arising when a congregation decides to leave the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for another denomination — continue to bubble through the judicial system. Some of these cases are being resolved within the presbytery. In others, cases have been filed in the secular courts.
CLPs: Pandora’s box or adaptive leadership?
As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has faithfully sought to develop, grow, and equip leaders for the new millennium, we have simultaneously witnessed in recent decades the expansion of the church’s use of Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLPs). Because the evolving role of CLPs currently claims both its supporters and detractors, it is important that we understand the history of this ministry in order to appreciate its implications for our future.
Ten minutes with Erin Cox-Holmes
Editor’s Note: Erin Cox-Holmes is the “mother hen”’ of the Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) program in Kiskiminetas Presbytery in Yatesboro, Pa., as part her duties as associate general presbyter. She helped develop their original training program more than 10 years ago; she led the updating of that program two years ago; and she serves as technical director of the distance learning component for it, in cooperation with six other western Pennsylvania presbyteries and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She teaches the Christian Education course for Dubuque Seminary’s program for CLPs. Outlook Editor Jack Haberer sat down with her to talk about trends and developments in CLP programs around the church.
Will the real Evangelicals stand up?
The press has recently been full of talk about the voting habits of evangelicals. Reporters have learned not to call theologically traditional Protestants Fundamentalists. Now all members of “the religious right” are referred to as Evangelicals. But this also is a serious error.
Be “customer-driven”
When we use the term “customer-driven,” as opposed to “provider-driven,” to describe best practices in church management and program, we aren’t redefining church members as paying customers in a profit-making enterprise.
Promoting Muslim-Christian understanding: A missionary letter from the world’s most populous Muslim country
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia — While listening to a panel on Islamic economics in Sumatra, Indonesia, I surreptitiously watched the U.S. election returns on my wireless laptop. Strange. So far away and yet so close.
Founder of Habitat mourned as visionary for the poor
NEW YORK — (ENI) Millard Fuller, the founder of the humanitarian organization Habitat for Humanity International, who was later fired by its board, is being mourned as a visionary whose commitment to providing housing for the poor was rooted in his Christian faith.
Reyes-Chow to explore family roots in Philippines during Asia trip Feb. 9-19
LOUISVILLE — Bruce Reyes-Chow has never been to the Philippines, but his visit there this month will be a homecoming of sorts.
Reyes-Chow, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s 218th General Assembly, is a third-generation Filipino — his grandparents are from the Philippines.
Reyes-Chow names special committee to study civil union and Christian marriage
LOUISVILLE — (PNS) Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has selected members for the General Assembly Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage.
Come one, come all to the Big Tent event June 11-13
LOUISVILLE — (PNS) I will admit it up front: This column is an unabashed promotion for the Big Tent event, June 11-13, in Atlanta.
The Big Tent will bring together several of our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) summer conferences in one place at the same time so that participants might experience the breadth and width of the ministries of the PC(USA).
Linda LeBron named 2009 Educator of the Year, Tells APCE biggest need is ‘to help parents nurture their children’s faith, church can’t do it all in one hour on Sunday morning’
SAN ANTONIO — As a child growing up in California, Linda LeBron loved spending time at church with her mother, who was a director of Christian education. “I thought what she did was so much fun,” says LeBron.
John F. Anderson: A tribute
On January 31, one of the nation’s great Presbyterians joined the Church Triumphant. It’s still hard for me to believe John Anderson is gone. By the sheer force of his amazing personality he made his mark on both the church and the world.
John B. Evans, pastor, educator, booster of theological education, dies at 79
LOUISVILLE — John B. Evans, whose life of service to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) included particular devotion to theological education, died Jan. 29 in Davidson, N.C. He had fought cancer for many years.
Reviews of recent film releases
“New In Town”
This is an old story: a fast-track corporate executive is sent to Podunk, U.S.A., to take over the operations of an unprofitable factory and lay off all the deadwood so the bottom line improves. But when she arrives there, all business and clacking high heels and attitude, she’s not exactly received with warmth by the locals, who are wary of her for good reason. She’s likely to fire them all. Plus she’s a bit full of herself. Not a winsome combination in a small town.
Sue Youngsook Yon is among PC(USA)’s first Korean-American Certified Christian educators
DULUTH, GA. (PNS) — Although Sue Youngsook Yon is intimately acquainted with loss, she has also experienced profound rebirth, most recently in following her call to become one of the first Korean-American women to be certified as a Christian educator in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Presbyterian Men schedule national conference April 17-19 in Denver
LOUISVILLE — The annual conference of Presbyterian Men is all set for April 17-19 in Denver with the theme “Challenges Facing Men in the 21st Century.” It will include worship, workshops, fellowship, and a number of keynote speakers.
World Social Forum opens during economic crisis, “opportunity”
(ENI) — Thousands of people are gathering in Brazil for the World Social Forum to address exploitative globalization, while organizers say the economic crisis illustrates that its message, "another world is possible", is more essential and more possible than ever.
Christian thinkers in “financial capital” urge return to basic banking
(ENI)--Calls for a return to basic banking and an economy propelled by values other than greed have been made in London, one of the world's financial capitals, at a conference of Christian thinkers examining the current economic crisis.
Judge praised for investigating case of Jesuits slain in El Salvador
(ENI)--Human rights advocates are praising the decision of a Spanish judge to formally investigate the role of Salvadoran military members in the 1989 murders of six Jesuit priests and two others during El Salvador's 12-year civil war.
COMMENTARY: Not now for NewB, Re-visiting the no-vote option
Reading and reflecting on Erwin C. Barron’s three-part essay on the perennial controversy over ordination of gay and lesbian pastors — (November 10, 17 and 24, 2008 issues of The Presbyterian Outlook), as well as subsequent related letters from readers — has been a discouraging experience for this observer. A highly contentious vote of the presbyteries is coming, and a basis for genuine consensus does not exist. No matter which side “wins” the presbytery balloting in coming months, the issue will not be settled and will not go away. It seems probable that continuing contention in the short term will only delay the adoption of a widely accepted way forward, but that forbearance in the short term could favor success over time.
COMMENTARY: Yes to NewB, Now’s the time
I was five when I was baptized. I don't know why they waited, but one Sunday my parents took me and my little brother to the local Presbyterian Church. I vividly remember standing in front of the congregation, excited, knowing something very special was happening but entirely unsure of what it was. An elder from the Session gave us each a tiny embroidered rainbow as a reminder of God’s Covenant. It still hangs in my childhood room in my parents’ home.
Funeral service Jan. 30 for Anne Rowe, 74
Anne Martin Wilson Rowe, 74, of Fredericksburg, Va., died January 24 at home after a long illness. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, January 30 in The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg.
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