“There is no such thing as being non-political. Everything we say or do either affirms or critiques the status quo. Even to say nothing is to say something.” – Richard Rohr, in the introduction to “politics and religion” issue of Oneing: An Alternative Orthodoxy I attended a workshop on “preaching and politics” at the 2019 NEXT Church national gathering in Seattle. I attended the workshop because I have been uncomfortable preaching anything that smells political, fearing it might cause division within our politically diverse congregation. And yet, anxiety around the state of our nation plagues all, whether on the right or left. Am I willing to preach a radical vision of the Kingdom of God, even if it disrupts our political perspectives? How do I do that without becoming polarizing? The workshop didn’t offer any silver bullets, but its panel of speakers (including Outlook editor Jill Duffield) offered wisdom. Here are some of the nuggets I gathered: Begin with confession, … [Read more...]
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Outpost Blog 4 hours ago
Preaching and politics
“There is no such thing as being non-political. Everything we say or do either affirms or critiques the status quo. Even to say nothing is to say something.” – Richard Rohr, in the introduction to “politics and religion” issue of Oneing: An Alternative Orthodoxy I attended a workshop on “preaching and politics” at the 2019 NEXT Church national gathering in Seattle. I attended the workshop because I have been uncomfortable preaching anything that smells political, fearing it might cause division within our politically diverse congregation. And yet, anxiety around the… continue reading... -
Outlook Reporting 4 hours ago
Will Stony Point Center become a mission arm of the Presbyterian Mission Agency? A look ahead at this week’s PMA board meeting
The leadership of the Presbyterian Mission Agency is proposing a new focus for Stony Point Center— moving from the current emphasis particularly on “radical hospitality” to a broader ministry offering programs and mission experiences that would align with the Matthew 25 focus of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Meditation Space at Stony Point Center The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, meeting in Louisville March 27-29, will consider a recommendation (A.104 An Integrated Vision for PMA and Stony Point Center) from Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, to hire… continue reading... -
Commentary 3 days ago
“I can’t afford to be saved”
Guest commentary by Carlton Johnson If I live to be as old as my birthday, I know that I’ll never forget those words. Crystal (not her real name), the love of my undergrad life, had confirmed once and for all on that hot summer morning that being a part of the church was not for her. I felt like a personal failure. I wanted to be with a church girl and Crystal wasn’t going to be one. Unwittingly, I’d invited her to Building Fund Sunday. By the time the pastor was… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized83 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews66 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews62 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
General Assembly approves per capita increase as last item of business in St. Louis June 23, 2018 Outlook Reporting1 comment ST. LOUIS – The 2018 General Assembly voted June 23 to increase the General Assembly per capita rate to $8.95 per member in 2019 and $8.95 per member in 2020.
That’s an increase of just over 15 percent from the 2018 per capita rate of $7.73 per member. The assembly voted 359-43 to approve that.
Some commissioners argued that the increase will harm the ministry of presbyteries if congregations don’t send the full per capita amount and mid councils try to make up the difference – sending the money to the national church at the expense of mid council ministry.
Others argued that this assembly had voted ...
Appointments to General Assembly Special Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, and Task Groups Continue March 19, 2019 Presbyterian News Service1 comment (OGA) The special committees reviewing the current per-capita based system of funding and reviewing national church financial sustainability have been combined into one, fifteen-member special committee by Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and Cindy Kohlmann, Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly (2018). The combined special committee allows the opportunity to facilitate efficiency and leverage the information needed by both groups while still providing necessary members and expertise for each discrete function.
The Special Committee on Per-Capita Based Funding and National Church Financial Sustainability ...
The story of God’s people: Tali Hairston speaks to Next Church March 11, 2019 Outlook Reporting1 comment SEATTLE – “The way the story is told matters,” W. Tali Hairston told the NEXT Church 2019 national gathering during its opening plenary March 11.
Meaning: who is given voice and who is not. Who is left out. Who controls the narrative.
A Seattle native, Hairston is senior advisor for community engagement for Seattle Presbytery. He spoke to this gathering about the elements of transformation and reconciliation – warning the crowd ...
Preaching and politics
Will Stony Point Center become a mission arm of the Presbyterian Mission Agency? A look ahead at this week’s PMA board meeting
The leadership of the Presbyterian Mission Agency is proposing a new focus for Stony Point Center— moving from the current emphasis particularly on “radical hospitality” to a broader ministry offering programs and mission experiences that would align with the Matthew 25 focus of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, meeting in Louisville March 27-29, will consider a recommendation (A.104 An Integrated Vision for PMA and Stony Point Center) from Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, to hire a consultant to help develop a vision for how Stony Point can be developed as a mission arm of PMA. If the board approves that recommendation, the report from the consultant, Run River Enterprises, would be presented when the board meets again Sept. 26-28. The cost for retaining the consultant is estimated at $38,000, plus about $3,200 in travel expenses. This is a busy week for national Presbyterian … [Read more...]
Faith & gender — April 1, 2019
The topic of gender identity is prevalent in our culture, and yet the church talks little about it. Many in our congregations know what it means to wrestle with gender identity — personally or alongside a family member, friend or parishioner. How equipped are we to have thoughtful theological, pastoral and biblical conversations about what it means to be transgender, gender fluid or nonbinary? Are we prepared to offer informed pastoral care? This issue of the Presbyterian Outlook offers insights and resources that begin to address these questions. Click here to read the issue in the Uberflip reader. Biblical abundance & gender Understanding God as abundant removes limits on an understanding of whom God loves and welcomes into community. The importance of languageA church in North Carolina sought to better understand the transgender experience and walk faithfully with these children of God. Loving the foreigner In New Mexico, a congregation opened their doors to … [Read more...]
PRESBYTERY LEADER
Set in the beautiful Finger Lakes wine region of New York the Presbytery of Geneva seeks a Presbyter to provide leadership in fulfilling its mission, vision and strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for an inspired person to work collaboratively with faithful presbyters. This is a half-time position with benefits, well suited for a creative partnership. Applicants should be able to demonstrate two to five years of leadership and supervisory experience. For more information and to view the MIF go to presbyteryofgeneva.org/employment-opportunities. Send your PIF to search@presbyteryofgeneva.org. Geneva Presbytery 2472 State Rd 54A Penn Yan NY 14527-8981 … [Read more...]
Religious, civil rights groups ask Pompeo to request expert probe of U.S. racism
(RNS) — Scores of religious and civil rights organizations have asked U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to request an evaluation by a U.N. expert of the scope of racism in the country. “While we appreciate the U.S.’s stated commitment to fighting racism, we believe that commitment ought to manifest itself in tangible actions rather than only words,” reads the letter released Thursday (March 21) by the National Council of Churches. “We are deeply concerned by credible reports indicating a frightening resurgence in white supremacy, which has led to a rise in racism and hate crimes against racial, ethnic, and religious minority communities both in the US and abroad as evidenced by the recent horrific and unspeakable mass murder in New Zealand.” The letter says that the U.S. is 16 months late in submitting its periodic report to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which requires that member countries who have agreed to a 1969 treaty submit regular … [Read more...]
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responding to several U.S. crises
(PNS) There was a time, it seems to the Rev. Jim Kirk of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, that specific phenomena were isolated to different parts of the calendar. Spring brought severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, while Western fire season was late summer and fall. “What we’re finding — and this is anecdotal — is less and less defined disaster seasons,” says Kirk, Associate for National Disaster Response for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). “The parameters have expanded with the possibility of severe weather year-round.” Indeed, as spring has sprung, Kirk and PDA personnel are managing several domestic disasters including flooding in the Midwest and late winter severe storms and tornadoes in the Southeast. “I expect PDA will be involved at several levels,” said Greg Smith, a member of the PDA National Response team deployed to the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley to assess damage from flooding that has affected 70 percent of Nebraska, as well as … [Read more...]
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