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Transformation or re-generation?

Much has been written, printed, and promoted in recent years on just how to effectively address the continuing drop in membership across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — a dilemma that has progressively gripped the denomination for several years now. Page upon page are cluttered with flowing verbiage on just how congregations can, through spiritual renewal and transformation, become sufficiently infused with a spiritual fire and buzz-word theology to stem this dwindling membership crisis and stabilize these staid, established congregations from further erosion.

Beyond the labels

A friend and colleague in ministry with whom I share a number of theological and cultural differences recently commented that I was most surely a “liberal” and that we would never agree on certain things that he held of deep value as a “conservative.”

Legend lost: William C. Placher dies

William C. Placher, the LaFollette Distinguished Professor in the Humanities at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., passed away unexpectedly Nov. 30 in Minnesota at age 60. At the time of his death, Placher was on leave from Wabash and was serving a one-year appointment as the Kilian McDonnell Writer-In-Residence at the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

Six months into it: An interview with Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons

Outlook Editor Jack Haberer recently interviewed Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons about his thoughts looking back at the year 2008 and ahead to 2009. Parsons was elected to the stated clerk position at the 2008 General Assembly in San Jose.

Religion shaped 2008 in big, dramatic ways

(RNS) Barack Obama may have chosen Joe Biden, and John McCain may have turned to Sarah Palin, but in the end the most sought-after running mate in the 2008 campaign never appeared on a single ballot.

NCC’s Christmas Eve special previewing on YouTube

 A 10-minute preview of “Voices of Christmas from the National Council of Churches,” the CBS Christmas Eve special celebrating the 100th anniversary of the NCC, can be found on YouTube.

No room at inns as Bethlehem sees upswing and seeks investors

BETHLEHEM (ENI) — Unemployment has shrunk to 23 percent and hotel capacity is often around 100 percent these days, so things are looking up for Bethlehem says the head of the city's chamber of commerce and industry board.

"While some may gasp at the mention of 23 percent unemployment, when we have witnessed 45 percent unemployment, 23 percent is an improvement," said Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairperson, Samir Hazboun, at a recent meeting with journalists.

WCC members seek revitalization at Seoul meeting

GENEVA (ENI) — Sixty years ago, 147 churches met in Amsterdam to bring into being the World Council of Churches, which is now the world's largest Christian grouping. Today, the organization exists in a world where the landscape for Christianity and other faiths is changing.

At a service at the beginning of 2008 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the WCC, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I, who is often considered the spiritual leader of Christians from the Orthodox tradition, said churches should be prepared to confront their differences honestly, and to examine them in the light of the Scriptures.

University of the Ozarks receives $800,000 gift

University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark., has received a $800,000 gift from the Rogers Foundation in Fairfax, Va., to help expand and renovate its student center.

Scott Anderson enrolled as minister candidate

DUBUQUE, IOWA — The John Knox Presbytery voted here Nov.18 to enroll as a candidate for ministry an inquirer who declared a scruple to the denomination’s ordination standards.

All you need is love?

c. 2007 Religion News Service

Being a child of the 60s, my theology was shaped by those great British theologians, The Beatles, who announced good tidings of great joy: “All you need is love,” followed by “Love, love me do, you know I love you” and “She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah.”

She didn’t have the words

Always we are chasing words, and always

   words recede. 

But the greatest experiences are those for

   which we have no expression.1

U.S. panel criticizes abuse of religious liberty in Iraq

(ENI) — A government-backed independent U.S. commission has recommended that Iraq be designated "a country of particular concern" for what it calls "ongoing, severe abuse of religious freedom".

Survey says most Americans believe in multiple paths to salvation

(ABP) -- A majority of American Christians believe that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life, says a new survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Obama defends choice of evangelical Warren for inauguration

(ENI)--U.S. president-elect Barack Obama has defended his selection of evangelical leader and best-selling author Rick Warren to deliver the prayer at his 20 January inauguration, a move criticized by some gay groups and supporters of abortion rights, saying Warren opposes what they stand for.

Cut off Mugabe’s lifeblood, say Southern African Catholic bishops

(ENI)--The Southern Africa Catholic Bishops' Conference has called on all nations to stop colluding with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe who is trying to stay on as president of his country that has been reduced to pauper status under his rule.