LOUISVILLE (OGA) As the nation mourns the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is calling on national leaders to be thorough and not rush to fill the new vacancy. The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, urges Capitol Hill to consider waiting until after the presidential election. Senate Republican leaders have indicated plans to move quickly to get a nominee approved. “We are not in a place right now where we are pressed with some type of decisions that have to be made. The reality is we ought to take our time and see who the next president of the United States might be and offer that person, whoever it might be, the opportunity to put forth a nominee,” said Nelson. “To have a nation that is teetering on the edge of transition, it seems unfair to the electoral process.” Prior to his current role, Nelson served as the director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington, … [Read more...]
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Outlook Features 11 hours ago
Using the Enneagram to help understand ourselves and others
Who are we? Who am I? These are questions that we wrestle with from time to time, perhaps never more than in this time of pandemic. We seek ways understand our behavior and motivation because in all of creation there is little more fascinating than the human. We desire deeply to know what makes people tick, what makes us tick. Why can some people easily solve a complex problem, and others are paralyzed by decision-making? Why can some people access their feelings so quickly, and others seem to not show… continue reading... -
Outpost Blog 11 hours ago
Seeing the sacred: A beloved text, an outdoor vespers service
I heard on my favorite movie podcast that Brad Pitt does “three films for us and one for him.” I think about preaching much the same way. The ratio may not be the same, maybe it’s “five for them and one for me.” It’s one surefire way to keep preaching fresh— preaching those wonderful stories that got you into this wild world of ministry in the first place. Recently, I did one for me. It’s always been my favorite text — Exodus 3, the calling of Moses and the burning… continue reading... -
Worship Resources 1 day ago
Order of worship — September 27, 2020
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for worship use. Please credit Jill Duffield of the Presbyterian Outlook. Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy 09_27_20 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 Uncategorized122 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 Reviews130 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 Reviews124 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.
To see or not to see… family August 26, 2020 Outpost Blog2 comments Several years ago, I struggled with chronic stomach pain. My gastrointestinal specialist prescribed a medication and told me I would be on it for the rest of my life or else I would likely develop esophageal cancer. When I told my family doctor about this new medication, the doctor gave me a grave look and said, “If you’re on that medication too long, you’re bound to get osteoporosis.”
I was stuck between two undesirable outcomes. No matter what I chose to do, my chances of developing a serious health condition increased. It left me feeling discouraged and hopeless that I would ever get better. Thankfully, I d...
A pastoral confession about fall programming September 15, 2020 Outpost Blog1 comment Hey, hey you! Yes YOU! Come a little closer (not closer than six feet though) — I need to keep my voice down.
Can I tell you a secret?
Honestly, it is a little embarrassing.
OK, so can you keep a secret?
Good, good.
Deep breath.
Here we go: I have not planned much beyond this week’s worship. I do not have a plan for fall programming. I did a back-to-school blessing. I considered that Advent is coming quickly. But there is no plan.
Truly, I cannot believe I just said this on the internet. Dear readers, you need to understand, I am a planner through and through. I have a plan for everything...
The gift of a communion sip of juice September 1, 2020 Outpost Blog1 comment The idea of having communion while we are doing worship exclusively online was an easy theological jump.
I quickly wrote up an explanation for the session. Essentially, who I am to say that the Spirit cannot move from where I proclaim the words of institution to the homes of my congregants? Would being together be ideal? Yes. But in these difficult times we need small reminders of God’s grace everywhere we can get them. This tiny meal sustains us on the journey. We embrace taking what we have in our homes and use a variety of elements to break bread together virtually. Goldfish crackers, pancakes, orange j...
Stated Clerk reflects on the life and impact of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Using the Enneagram to help understand ourselves and others
Who are we? Who am I? These are questions that we wrestle with from time to time, perhaps never more than in this time of pandemic. We seek ways understand our behavior and motivation because in all of creation there is little more fascinating than the human. We desire deeply to know what makes people tick, what makes us tick. Why can some people easily solve a complex problem, and others are paralyzed by decision-making? Why can some people access their feelings so quickly, and others seem to not show emotions? Recently, the Enneagram has had a resurgence in popularity. The Enneagram is an ancient tool, thought to have been around since the desert fathers. It is a model for understanding the variety of motivations and fears of the human soul. Unlike other personality-typing systems, the Enneagram’s focus is less on behavior and more on the desires and motivations that compel behavior. Some in Christian circles have been skeptical of the Enneagram. Perhaps some dismiss it as vanity, … [Read more...]
Seeing the sacred: A beloved text, an outdoor vespers service
I heard on my favorite movie podcast that Brad Pitt does “three films for us and one for him.” I think about preaching much the same way. The ratio may not be the same, maybe it’s “five for them and one for me.” It’s one surefire way to keep preaching fresh— preaching those wonderful stories that got you into this wild world of ministry in the first place. Recently, I did one for me. It’s always been my favorite text — Exodus 3, the calling of Moses and the burning bush. I joked with my wife and co-pastor, Lara, that I’d love to do a sermon series where I preach a sermon on each verse of that chapter of the Bible. It’s just plain rife with insight. There’s Moses’ identity crisis. Born a Hebrew amidst Pharaoh’s demonic infanticide, reared by his slave-mother, becoming an adult in Egypt’s throne-room. Twist of all twists, Moses then becomes an ex-murderer vigilante. When we meet Moses in his adult life, he’s taken up the great cliché biblical pastime: shepherding. As I delighted in … [Read more...]
BOOK FOR SALE
Ghosts and Gold: My Story of Ghost Ranch, by Keith Dean Myers. A concise, illustrated, personal account of the Ghost Ranch story, written for general readers, and for people who love Ghost Ranch. Paperback and ebooks are available from online retailers. For more info, email kdmoffice3519@earthlink.net. … [Read more...]
Order of worship — September 27, 2020
You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for worship use. Please credit Jill Duffield of the Presbyterian Outlook. Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy 09_27_20 … [Read more...]
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary president announces retirement
(PNS) David Esterline, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s president and professor of Cross-cultural Theological Education, has announced his retirement effective summer 2021. “Serving as President of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has been one of the great privileges of my life. It has brought deep satisfaction as I’ve watched the changes we have accomplished together in these years,” said Esterline, according to a seminary news release. “I look forward now to watching the great work of the next chapter, as the seminary benefits from the energy and wisdom a new leader will bring.” Board Chair James Gockley said, “During President Esterline’s tenure at the seminary, he has led with integrity — including through the current pandemic — to ensure that Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of faith and learning, dedicated to the formation of women and men for Christian ministry, committed to living, learning, and worshiping together in ways that illustrate God’s generosity and … [Read more...]
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