Books briefly noted: Non-fiction
Looking for a new non-fiction read? Amy Pagliarella has you covered.
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But what can I do?
Ashley Mason Brown offers concrete ideas for how faith leaders can assist with lowering the rate of gun violence in the United States.
Pittsburgh Seminary awarded $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish its Faith Forming Families Network
The innovation lab is designed to help ‘rebuild the neighborhood’ as envisioned by the seminary’s celebrated alum, Fred Rogers.
Weeds among the wheat (July 23, 2023)
For the most part, humans can tell the difference between good and evil. And yet, the definition can get messy. What's a seed to do? Mark Hinds looks at the parable of the weeds.
Order of worship — July 23, 2023
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
God is a knowing God — Weekly Christian ed lesson
In this lesson, children will explore this psalm noticing God’s incredibly close relationship with humanity. Then, they will consider how being known by a loving, gracious God blesses us.
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost — July 23, 2023
Looking at the parable of the weeds in Matthew, Teri McDowell Ott discerns two calls for those who read the text.
What role does the national church play after a mass shooting?
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been responding to the "human-caused disaster" of gun violence for 24 years.
Books briefly noted: Memoirs
Amy Pagliarella recommends some of the latest memoirs.
On women pastors and biblical authority: A Presbyterian reflection
Responding to the Southern Baptist Convention's actions to bar female pastoral leadership, biblical scholar Frances Taylor Gench reflects on how the PC(USA) engages Scripture that instructs women to be subservient such as 1 Timothy 2.
The good death of “Ted Lasso”
There are whispers of a "Ted Lasso" spin-off, but Brendan McLean doesn't want one. Applying the hospice principle of a good death to a beloved story can lead to something profound, he writes.
Whitworth University’s new hiring policy will allow LGBTQ faculty
The school in Spokane, Washington, joins a sliver of Christian colleges and universities that have bucked a largely sturdy resistance to hiring married gay faculty.
What the Outlook staff is reading this summer
From nonfiction to YA to poetry, the Outlook staff shares the books they are loving right now.
Before the Streetlights Come On: Black America’s Urgent Call for Climate Solutions
"Put this book in the hands of Black America via churches, classrooms, Black environmentalist affinity groups and green teams! It is a gift to our community that will ignite a passion to address climate change." — Veronica M. Johnson
What Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour taught me about church
"I know my experience at the Eras Tour made me a better pastor," writes Hannah Lovaglio.
The Foundation for Reformed Theology merges with Theology Matters journal
The expanded board also elected Richard E. Burnett to be the executive director of the foundation.
How does your garden grow? — Weekly Christian ed lesson
In this lesson, children will explore the parable of the sower. They will discover the ways God acts like a gardener, joyfully planting seeds of grace, faith, and love in the world.
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost — July 16, 2023
Tara W. Bulger reflects on how Christians are to deal with "people-ee" people.
Order of worship — July 16, 2023
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation.
The sower and the seed (July 16, 2023)
Jesus calls us to open our ears and eyes to recognize God's kingdom in our midst and then to become agents of the kingdom in our creator's world.
Stated clerk ends historic term in historic fashion
Retired Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson shares the joys and challenges of his seven years in the role. Acting Stated Clerk Bronwen Boswell shares her vision for the next year.
Southern Baptists say no to women pastors. But what does the Bible say a pastor is?
The expulsion of Saddleback Church and other congregations for having women pastors led to national headlines. It’s also prompted questions about thousands of other churches where women serve in roles such as children’s pastor or music minister. Can the role’s title get a church in trouble with the SBC?
Let us have a voice: Young adults and advocacy in the church
"There isn't an age requirement to care about humanity," writes Young Adult Volunteer Naomi McQuiller.
Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action
"Moving stories are accompanied by actionable steps, for inside and outside our congregations, with suggestions to work toward personal and systemic change without losing hope." — William Morris
A purposeful gathering
What does it look like to gather people with intention? Teri McDowell Ott explores this question in her editorial for the July/August issue of the Outlook.
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