Responding to financial collapse
As financial distress spreads from Wall Street to Main Street, ushering in a recession likely to be long, churches have two fundamental responsibilities.
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Presbyterian-backed desert aid worker appeals littering conviction
LOUISVILLE — A volunteer worker with a Presbyterian-backed humanitarian aid group has filed an appeal after being found guilty of littering for leaving full water jugs in the Arizona desert for undocumented border crossers.
Tulsa church approves buying back its property for $1.75 million
By a narrow margin, members of breakaway Kirk of the Hills Church in Tulsa, Okla., voted Oct. 19 to pay $1.75 million to Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery for the congregation’s land and buildings. They have until Nov. 15 to pay the presbytery.
Church condemns killing of aid worker as ‘offence against God’
(ENI) The United Reformed Church in Great Britain has condemned as "an offence against God" the assassination of Gayle Williams, a 34-year-old Christian aid worker in Kabul, and the chilling comments of those who said they killed her.
Aid worker killed in Afghanistan
Editor’s note: This article was written by staff members of EKKLESIA, an independent, not-for-profit think tank that examines the role of religion in public life. Used by permission.
A woman working with a UK-registered Christian relief organization has been shot dead in Kabul by Taliban militants, who accused her of spreading Christianity among Afghans while assisting people with severe disabilities and training local aid workers.
US religious freedom group warns about Yemen
(ENI) The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has issued a warning about the status of religious prisoners in Yemen, and cited the cases of Baha'is and Christians, who have been imprisoned for months without charge.
Christians protest against U.S. nuclear carrier stationed in Japan
(ENI)--A Japanese Christian leader says he strongly opposes a U.S. nuclear powered aircraft carrier using the port of Yokosuka, south of Tokyo Bay, as a permanent base.
World church leader says Indian PM assured him on Christians
(ENI) The general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Samuel Kobia, has said the Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, had told him that federal assistance would be provided to rebuild churches and Christian houses destroyed in violence against Christians in eastern Orissa state, and peace will be restored in the region.
“W”
The first question that has to be asked is “Why now?” Why release a biopic about a sitting president, right at the end of his second term, and just a couple of weeks before the election for his successor? The answer is obvious: This movie isn’t just about the perceived buffoonery of our 43rd President. It’s also about the whole dangerous collection of manipulators, cynics, lightweights, sycophants, and dim functionaries around him; a collection which, by implication, would still be sniffing the hallways of power were the impending election to proceed in a particular way. Ah, now we get it. This is Oliver Stone’s political statement, under the guise of a documentary-looking caricature study.
Films in review: Cute, Trashy, Scary, Weird, Awkward
“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” is one of those cute little talking animals movies, featuring (the voice of) Drew Barrymore as the upscale, uppity Beverly Hills dog who winds up lost and alone in Mexico City. But she is saved despite herself, learns some self-reliance and some humility, and now we all like her a lot more, plus she has a better perspective, as well. Of course it’s a parable. But it’s sweet and kind-hearted, and the whole family can enjoy it, which in itself is rare enough.
Cultural aliens in a modern Caesarea Philippi
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“Jim Edwards addresses crowd at Presbyterian Gathering XI”[/caption]Christians sensing they are almost aliens in their own cultures have a lot in common with the first century believers, according to Jim Edwards of Whitworth University, who taught a Bible study at the closing session of this year’s Presbyterian Coalition 11th Annual Gathering in Newport Beach, Calif., October 15.
Roberts to Coalition: Why I’m staying
It is ironic that he was chosen to speak on “Why Stay?” at the Presbyterian Coalition’s annual gathering in Newport Beach, Calif., Mark D. Roberts said today (Oct. 15). He isn’t tied to considerations like pension, employment, and medical plan. Some of the oft-cited reasons don’t fly with him.
But he is staying and he has his reasons.
Roberts, senior director and scholar in residence for Laity Lodge, began
Detterman, Roberts point Gathering to possibilities and opportunities
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“Mark Roberts addresses attendees at The Gathering XI”[/caption]“How are we called to minister where we are, until God by his Spirit says move?” asked Paul Detterman, executive director of Presbyterians for Renewal, on day two (Oct. 14) of the Presbyterian Coalition’s 11th annual gathering. “I got the closest thing to an audible from God that said to me, ‘You are not going anywhere,’ and it was not fun,” admitted Detterman.
Religious leaders issue prayer appeal, send letter to al-Maliki, as spate of killings decimate Christian community in Iraq
LOUISVILLE — Religious leaders around the world, including those in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), are asking their members to pray for the Christian community in Iraq and particularly the northern city of Mosul, where more than
two dozen Christians have been murdered in recent days by militant Sunnis.
Middle East reconciliation work “profound challenge” for church
(ENI) Continued violence in the Middle East makes it almost impossible for church workers there to preach peace and reconciliation, the president of the Middle East region of the World Association for Christian Communication, Riad Jarjour, has told a global gathering of Christian communicators in Cape Town, South Africa.
Coalition co-moderator on “The State of the Denomination”
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Coalition Co-moderator Jerry Andrews converses with Gathering XI participant. OUTLOOK photo by Erin Dunigan [/caption]“Our team lost this Assembly. Badly. But the Coalition has already reloaded,” said Presbyterian Coalition Co-Moderator Jerry Andrews in his presentation, “The State of the Denomination,” at the 11th annual Presbyterian Coalition gathering Oct. 13 in Newport Beach, Calif.
11th annual Presbyterian Coalition gathering begins; Theme is “The Place I Have Chosen”
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“Gathering participants confess sins in solemn assembly.”[/caption]“Surely we have no Gospel to proclaim, no mission, and no evangelism if we turn away from the standards that define the life of the believer,” Terry Schlossberg told the opening session of the Presbyterian Coalition October 13 in Newport Beach, Calif.
Mother charged after abandoning newborn at Presbyterian church in Washington state
LOUISVILLE — A 22-year-old woman accused of leaving her newborn baby on the doorstep of a Presbyterian Church in Washington state was charged Oct. 10 with child abandonment.
“Where do we start?”
A Presbyterian church leader looked at possible avenues for seeking health in his large Southern congregation and asked, “Where do we start?”
PCCEC clarifies exegesis exam changes
Concerns have been raised in public arenas in the life of the church about recent changes to the Open Book Bible Exegesis examination. The expression of these concerns points to the important role the examinations play in the larger preparation for ministry process in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
John Calvin and “spirituality”: his teaching on piety
John Calvin’s understanding of piety shaped his followers in very distinctive ways. Active participation in society, intelligent moral character, careful stewardship of human and natural resources are as much a part of Calvin’s piety as corporate worship, devout and disciplined personal and family life, Bible reading, and singing of Psalms.
Why read Calvin today?
It runs against the grain today to suggest that anything past could be of interest, let alone of importance. Nevertheless, A.D. 2009 will be the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. It will be appropriate to celebrate by reading his works, especially because he helps us to remember, and to know, the One born 1,500 years earlier than he.
Reading lessons: Calvin’s fascination with Christian doctrine
When I was in the second grade I led a solitary sort of existence. As a result, I was soon reading at the seventh grade level. Unfortunately this accelerated progress did not last. By the time I reached the seventh grade I was back to reading, as they put it, in an age appropriate way — smack dab at the seventh grade level.
Struggle for the light
The following article is excerpted from the author’s book, Calvin for Armchair Theologians (Westminster-John Knox, 2002).
Analysis of proposed amendments to the Constitution 2008
The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is sending ten proposed amendments and four ecumenical statements to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes.
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