George Orwell’s classic essay, “Politics and the English Language,” makes the telling point that language “becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts.”1
This article discusses four problems posed by the draft revision of the Form of Government, now before the 2008 General Assembly. My aim is to improve the document, not criticize it. We all want a church government that is simple, clear, dynamic, workable in the 21st century, and faithful to our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Editor’s Note: The e-Link overture discussed in this article is a revised version of an overture proposed but not adopted at the Birmingham GA. The overture was passed by the Beaver-Butler Presbytery and is #010.
Warren Wilson College of Asheville, N.C., last fall issued a challenge to pastors, through The Presbyterian Outlook, to write an “eco-sermon,” exploring “a Christian understanding of our place in creation.”
“Play Ball!” — What a great issue (Outlook, cover date April 21) about baseball, which most thinking people would agree is God’s favorite game.
Recently our church has been studying the shortest books of the Bible. The epistle to Philemon has been of particular interest because it is so focused.
Saying “No” to an aspiring leader isn’t easy.
When an inappropriate person asks for a leadership slot, it can seem kinder, certainly less conflict-laden, to say “Yes” and see what happens.
(PNS) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-related publications and others won awards in the 2007 “Best of the Christian Press” competition sponsored by the Associated Church Press — the oldest and largest religious press association in North America.
The members of the General Assembly Council (GAC) have taken great strides to enlarge our world mission work. In the process, they and Presbyterian Foundation together have sought to deploy all available funds for use in mission and ministry.
However, three proposals coming before the San Jose GA this June 21-28 could alter the way those funds get invested and deployed (see p. 8). If the commissioners handle these proposals well, the mission of the church will be advanced. If mishandled, controls built into the system to ensure proper allocation of funds may be compromised.
It’s a dispute that’s been brewing for the better part of a year, and now has splashed into the open.
The dispute: When there’s a disagreement over how funds restricted by donors should be spent, who decides – the Presbyterian Foundation or the General Assembly Council?
LOUISVILLE — Victor Loyd “Vic” Jameson, who chronicled the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with an uncanny combination of wit and wisdom for more than 30 years, died May 18 in a Santa Fe skilled nursing facility of complications from a fall in his home Aug. 26, 2007. He was 83 years old.
A native of Clayton, N.M., Jameson graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 1949 after serving three years in the U.S. Army during World War II. He taught school in Hobbs, N.M., for two years before discovering his life’s calling as a journalist.
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Citing a ministry characterized by service in a variety of national regions, types of service, and ecumenical initiatives, William Paul “Bill” Tarbell, pastor of Saluda Church in Saluda, S.C., is seeking the position of stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Winfield “Casey” Jones, pastor of First Church in Pearland, Texas since 1986, has announced that he intends to be nominated for stated clerk at the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) this month in San Jose, Calif.
LOUISVILLE — The two top leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have sent a letter to churches, praising those who have responded to the disasters that have struck Myanmar (Burma), China, and the United States and asking all Presbyterians to pray for those who have been affected.
A 100-year-old elm was uprooted and toppled in the parking lot of Anderson Auditorium at Montreat Conference Center, North Carolina, after wind and rainstorms the weekend of May 10-11. Conference center officials also report a large tree leans precariously against the side of Lookout Lodge, and another tree was uprooted outside the Presbyterian Heritage Center — just a few of the numerous
The expanded and updated Web site for The Presbyterian Outlook has new features to help pastors and churches prepare for worship, exchange..
Marsha Mazza, who had been under hospice care, passed away May 12, according to a notice from New Castle Presbytery. Her husband, Carl Mazza, is a candidate for moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The election will be held at the General Assembly next month.
FORT WORTH, Texas – (RNS) The nearly 4,000 United Methodists gathered here at their quadrennial General Conference found themselves in the middle of an intense debate about exactly how their church can reflect its increasingly international family.
During a presentation on metrics and the importance of being guided by measureable outcomes, I could feel apprehension rising and hear the muttering.
Editor’s note: This edition of the Outlook launches the teaching tenure of Laurie Wheeler as the New Testament contributor for the Uniform Lesson Series church school studies. The following essay introduces her humorous side of writing, as she walks us through the Book of Hebrews in the context of an election year.
Editor’s note: The four candidates running in the election for moderator of the 218th General Assembly have responded to the following questions..
The General Assembly Council has approved a mission budget for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for 2009 and 2010 that does not call for layoffs, but would use $7 million in reserves to balance the budget and would require the denomination to raise $2.1 million in new funding for world mission in each of the next two years.
LOUISVILLE – The Synod of the Southwest — concerned that the Presbyterian Foundation isn’t producing as strong a return on investments as is available elsewhere in the financial market — is pushing for change.
How are your teeth? The Form of Government (FOG) section of the Book of Order will climb onto the dentist’s chair for commissioners’ diagnosis when the 218th General Assembly gathers in San Jose, Calif., this coming June 21-28.
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