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.
Even though schools close for the summer and other enterprises slow down, churches should ratchet up for this critical time when Americans are on the move and in need.
Picturing Christian Witness: New Testament Images of Disciples in Mission, by Stanley H. Skreslet. William B. Eerdmans, 2006. ISBN 0802829562. Pb., 263 pp. $24.
Hope in Conflict: Discovering Wisdom in Congregational Turmoil, by David R. Sawyer. The Pilgrim Press, 2007. Pb., 176pp. $20.
The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical, by Shane Claiborne. Zondervan, 2006. Pb., 368 pp. $12.99.
Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, by Stephen M. Barr. Notre Dame, 2003, pb. 2006. ISBN 0-268-02198-8. Pb., 313 pp. $18.
Encounters with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of John, by Frances Taylor Gench. WJKP, 2007. Pb., 170 pp. $16.95.
In his book Imagining a Sermon (Abingdon, 1990), Tom Troeger suggests a marvelous image for readers in the church. He pictures the shelves of a pastor’s study as a “city,” the residents of whom are the authors of the books whom the pastor engages in conversation through reading.
At a meeting in Washington, D.C., on March 6, the National Committee of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship moved to affirm the “Invitation to Expanding God’s Partnership in Mission” that was created at a consultation in Dallas held in January of this year.
LOUISVILLE — (PNS) Dan Chun, pastor of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-affiliated Church of Honolulu, was honored April 3 in Honolulu for his work in creating and growing the Hawaiian Island Ministries (HIM).
DETROIT—The Rev. Edward H. Koster, current stated clerk of the Presbytery of Detroit, announced April 21 he will stand for election as stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Some people will argue that naturally, “bigger is better” — and before long, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will get to test-drive that theory for a high-speed week in California.
I can’t wait for GA. I can’t wait for this General Assembly 36% more than I couldn’t wait for the past GAs. That’s because we’ll have 36% more commissioners (see p. 6) who will generate 36% more excitement.
WASHINGTON — Evangelical Christians should be defined by their theology — and not their politics — to avoid becoming “useful idiots” of a political party, a group of leaders said May 7 in a new statement.
RICHMOND, VA. – Just like Jesus told Lazarus to rise from the dead and come out from the tomb, and just as he commanded the onlookers to tear away the cloths that marked Lazarus as dead, so too did the Rev. Brian K. Blount call upon the community of Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education to rise from its deadness, unbind itself from its past, and move into what God intends it to be.
RICHMOND, VA – A new “order of the day” was marked and celebrated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) this week as Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education installed the Rev. Brian K. Blount as its president.
LOUISVILLE — As rebuilding along the Mississippi Gulf Coast continues nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina, the Presbytery of Mississippi on May 2 dedicated 22 new houses it built with help from a cadre of partners.
(PNS) After four years of service with the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands (MIJHH), David York has stepped down as director effective April 18 as the campaign comes to a close.
(ENI)--The United Methodist Church, one of the largest Protestant denominations in the United States, has rejected proposals for divestment measures that would have applied pressure on Israel for its occupation of Palestinian territories.
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