Carved Wooden pews in church in sunshine

The great ends of the (small) church

Budgets and worship numbers matter — but they are not everything, Phil Blackburn believes.

A dark church interior lit by suns rays penetrating through a glass window in the pattern of a crucifix shining on a speech pulpit - 3D render

The future of the PC(USA) is pastor-less, and that’s OK.

A church can be viable without a pastor, writes Catherine Neelly Burton. Once we embrace this, churches can go about their work of being Christ’s body.

Outlook Reporting

Feeling the squeeze: Financial pressures add up for PC(USA) congregations

The cost of maintaining an installed pastor with benefits is a growing concern for churches and presbyteries.

Outlook Horizons Studies

Horizons — The lepers’ encounter

Rosalind Banbury's fifth reflection on the 2023-2024 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study.

Voices

Five free and discounted digital services for churches

Is your church paying for something that it could get for free (or a discount)? Julie Raffety, a pastor and website developer, shares five resources every church should know about.

Outlook Features

The opportunity to practice the inclusivity of Jesus

"As rural people and leaders, we have both an opportunity and an obligation to both witness and testify to Jesus’ inclusive ministry," writes Phillip Blackburn.

Voices

Back to school for churches

Phillip Blackburn encourages rural churches to embrace the start of the school year. Can we learn something new, too?

Teamwork of multi-ethnic and multicultural people working together. Concept of community of different people. Unity and solidarity between people of different cultures. Concept of activist and protest movement. Friendship, solidarity, tolerance and brotherhood among peoples. International and multicultural society and population. Cooperation between communities. Anti-racism protest. Volunteer concept. Collaboration and teamwork between colleagues. People who are active for peace, for a clean environment and for social justice

Voices

How can we care for ruling elders?

In the PC(USA), there’s a lot of focus on pastor burnout — and rightly so. But lay leaders are also facing exhaustion, and we need to care for them, writes Phillip Blackburn.

Podcast Review

Podcast review: “No Small Endeavor”

Eric Nolin reviews the "No Small Endeavor" podcast with special attention given to a recent episode on gun violence.

Voices

Don’t forget rural residents

Phillip Blackburn encourages the PC(USA) to remember the vulnerable outside of the city — and for Presbyterians in rural areas to utilize the gift of community.

Voices

Let’s reframe vitality

Phillip Blackburn offers two tips for thinking about church vitality in rural settings.

Voices

Why you should study the rural church

When Phillip Blackburn began as the director of the University of the Ozarks’ Thriving in Rural Ministry Program, he expected to serve small, dying churches. Instead, he has found livelihood and wisdom.

Outlook Reporting

Small churches seek a way forward

PC(USA) minister and small church consultant Deborah Wright shares lessons from small churches across the country. With her partner Jim Kitchens, she asks: What can small churches do well? How can they dream up a future?