Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

October 11, 2024

The PC(USA)’s Christian Zionism working group, which consists of the Presbyterian World Mission’s Middle East and Europe office, the Office of Public Witness, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and members of the Israel Palestine Mission Network (IPMN), is holding an online book study series that begins October 24 at noon Eastern Time and will run on successive Thursdays through November 14. The book to be studied is the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb’s “Decolonizing Palestine: The Land, the People, the Bible.”

Stated Clerk to assume leadership immediately

October 10, 2024

Rick Jones | PC(USA) Communications Director

DENVER

The Unification Commission has announced that the Rev. Jihyun Oh has been named as Executive Director and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly for the interim unified agency. Oh, who was elected Stated Clerk at the 226th General Assembly (2024) of the PC(USA) last summer, begins her new role immediately. The commission’s unanimous vote Thursday means that the staff of both the Office of the General Assembly and Presbyterian Mission Agency report to Oh and that the role of PMA President and Executive Director has been phased out. 

October 10, 2024

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish a program called “Worship for the Whole People of God.” A variety of new resources will be created to help congregations as they engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. 

October 10, 2024

Being a church treasurer has become more complex in recent years. This largely volunteer job goes far beyond simply doing the math to ensure the books are balanced and the bills are paid. Today, church treasurers and church staff in general need to be aware of the many ways the church can be defrauded, either by internal trusted people or by scammers who find ways to trick staff into disclosing information.

October 9, 2024

During its fall meeting this week, the Synod of Lakes and Prairies approved a new policy of restorative actions.

October 9, 2024

The threat of another ferocious hurricane has prompted prayers and concern from Presbyterians as Hurricane Milton heads for storm-weary Florida.

October 9, 2024

“Our use of language, symbols and cultural forms in Christian worship is founded on the gift of Jesus’ incarnation,” said the Rev. Dr. David Gambrell, quoting the Book of Order (W-1.0301), in his opening for a video addressing copyright issues in worship. The same passage in the Book of Order later states, “Through Jesus Christ, we may speak truthfully to God and lift up our hearts with gratitude.” The video, “Copyrights in Worship: Words,” is the second in a series of six short videos produced by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through a collaboration between its Office of Theology & Worship, legal staff and Communications team.

October 9, 2024

The Rev. Dr. John McClure, an ordained minister in the PC(USA) who taught homiletics at both Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, is delivering three talks this week as part of the Beecher Lectures at Yale Divinity School.

October 9, 2024

Grace Pomroy took her position as director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota with joy. When she entered the building, it was empty except for two people — one wearing a makeshift mask and rubber gloves. Papers to be signed were shoved back and forth down a long table.   It was March 2020.

October 8, 2024

In the midst of the devastation from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church (BMPC) has become a refuge for those seeking food and comfort in a time of crisis.  

October 8, 2024

On Monday, less than a month before a pivotal presidential election, a panel convened by Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation took on the issue of Christian nationalism at home.

October 8, 2024

gathering will be held in Memphis, Tennessee, and online from Jan. 29-Feb. 1. This year’s theme is “Wrestling with God and Church Toward a More Beloved Community.”

October 8, 2024

As Presbyterians in the U.S. prepare to celebrate Reformation Sunday on the last Sunday of October along with millions of other Reformed church members across the globe, the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) is once again offering a fascinating glimpse into the key events and figures of the Protestant Reformation.

October 7, 2024

How do hymns do theology? How much interpretive work is possible within the limits of poetic expression? How does any of this make for more compelling and memorable sermons? The Rev. Dr. Catherine E. Williams, Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship and the Director of Chapel Worship at Lancaster Theological Seminary, handled all those questions and more during a fascinating and engaging talk last week as part of the “Equipping Preachers” series offered most months by the Synod of the Covenant.

October 7, 2024

Pastors receiving training from the PC(USA)’s Transitional Ministry Education Consortium learn one thing from the get-go: All ministry is transitional ministry.

October 7, 2024

Speaking for the third time this year as part of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church’s McClendon Scholar in Residence Program on Saturday, the Rev. Dr. Brian McLaren shared his thinking on what the world needs most from Christians today.

October 4, 2024

When word began to circulate that western North Carolina had suffered massive damage from Hurricane Helene, one of the landmarks that came to the mind of many Presbyterians was Montreat Conference Center.

October 4, 2024

As Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2024 opened in Portland, Oregon Sept. 23, attendees had probably seen the “Keep Portland Weird” slogan in several places. The annual conference is presented by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

October 4, 2024

“What does it feel like to be stuck?” asked the Rev. Sara Hayden, host of the “New Way” podcast, a production of the 1001 New Worshiping Communities (1001 NWC) movement. Her guest, Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, deputy executive director for Vision and Innovation at the Presbyterian Mission Agency, gave both a theological answer and a personal anecdote. According to Schlosser-Hall, to be stuck is to be without confidence and faith, i.e., lacking in “con-fidelis.” Feeling stuck reminded him of driving a brown Ford Pinto station wagon in high school and having to navigate the North Dakota winters with only rear-wheel drive. Sometimes, one needs more to get unstuck and stop spinning one’s wheels than to exert more effort doing the same thing. Sometimes, one needs a group of people pushing from behind or sand to help with traction under one’s tires.

October 3, 2024

The perils of the Civil Rights Movement and the need for continued racial healing and activism were apparent as the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program took a group on a humbling journey through the Deep South and to other historically significant spots.