Latest Posts

Evangelicals lament a politicized faith; John Huffman: “Our umbrella is large”

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.

New Union-PSCE president urges seminary community to shake off vestiges of past, move into future

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.

Kairos moment: Historic inauguration held during conference on African-American leaders

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.

Mississippi Presbytery and partners dedicate 22 new houses along storm-tossed Gulf Coast

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.

York stepping down as initiative director

(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.

United Methodist Church shuns calls for Israel divestment

(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.

Form of Government Report choices face General Assembly

The 2008 General Assembly in June definitely will be asked to make a choice: take on the report of the Form of Government Task Force now, or put it off for two years, to give the church more time to sift through what the task force is recommending.

Facing off on FOG: Bolbach and Berkley debate the proposed Form of Government

Fittingly, a debate on a proposal to change the denomination’s constitution was held in the nation’s capital on April 6 when National Church hosted a debate on the subject of the recommendations of the New Form of Government Task Force.

“Oyo, keep praying!”

A chicken in church launched a pastor on an l8,000-mile journey depositing him in the middle of a snowstorm without a coat.

What propelled Oyo Nsifek from Africa to Chicago?

The General Assembly is like Groundhog Day

The General Assembly meeting that happens every other year is like Groundhog Day. Attendees start to feel like Bill Murray in the movie: You “wake up” to the exact same issues, and the exact same conflicts, at the exact same meeting we’ve had many times before.

From throne to pew

For nearly forty years of pastoral ministry, I was an occupant of various thrones. Now, I am a grateful sitter on humble benches, and love it.

Recognizing Prospects

At our large urban church, we have a simple guide for recognizing visitors: look in the back 10 pews.

Hunger Program allocates $214,000 to 39 groups for community help

LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) in partnership with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Small Church and Community Ministry office, recently allocated $214,000 to 39 congregation-based community organizations (CBCOs) in urban and rural areas across the country.

North Carolina congregation still reeling after Sunday-morning armed robbery

LOUISVILLE – Nerves are still shaken at North Carolina’s Ridgeview Church following an armed robbery during Sunday service more than two weeks ago.

Judicial Commission says Spahr did not violate the church constitution with same-sex weddings

The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission  (GAPJC) has ruled that Jane Adams Spahr, a California minister, did not violate the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by performing two “ecclesiastical” wedding ceremonies for lesbian couples.

Gradye Parsons nominated to be next PC(USA) stated clerk

LOUISVILLE –Gradye Parsons, currently director of operations for the Office of the General Assembly, has been chosen by the Stated Clerk Nomination Committee as its nominee to be the new stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

New church emerges as struggling congregations come together

It’s the kind of reality that threatens to whack on the head congregations all over the denomination. They’re small already – and getting tinier and older by the day. There’s not enough money to pay a full-time pastor – or if there is, the cash will run out soon.

Presbyterian Center space to be leased; Area of building “prime”

(PNS) The General Assembly Council (GAC) announced April 4 that it has signed a leasing contract for approximately 30,000 square feet of first floor office space at the Presbyterian Center in downtown Louisville.

Episcopalians rebuild California diocese from the ground up

(RNS) Rebuilding a central California Episcopal diocese after a majority of believers there split with the national church will take time and a good cell-phone plan, the diocese’s newly chosen bishop said March 29.

Stony Point Revisited

As a former director of Stony Point Center, I was very interested in — and appreciative of — your recent article on “Stony Point: Iona on the Hudson.” Rick and Kitty Ufford-Chase have suggested an exciting possibility for the future of the center. I hope others will catch and support this vision.

A Presbyterian Church in Russia

While it’s not widely known in the United States, there is an emerging Presbyterian witness in Russia. I came to know it through James Kim, a Korean-American pastor [Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)] in the Dallas area. He knows this church because of its Korean origins.

Proposed Form of Government: Resources, not regulation

“The G.A. ought to help us, not make our life more complicated!” “Why don’t [they] do something useful for a change, not make more rules!” “No wonder denominations are dying!”