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- A new vision for collegiate ministry February 21, 2012Task force outlines ways to reach, love, teach college students February 21, 2012 Presbyterian News Service Bethany Furkin Louisville In order to revitalize collegiate ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Collegiate Ministries task force suggests several steps — establishing a shared vision and brand across the church, creating or renewing 101 c […]Presbyterian News Service (General Assembly Mission Council)
- Paul Simon’s long meandering spiritual journey February 21, 2012February 21, 2012 Religion and Ethics Newsweekly Kim Lawton distributed by Religion News Service Washington In a career that has spanned half a century, American musician Paul Simon says there’s always been a spiritual dimension to his work. But the overt religious references in his most recent album, “So Beautiful or So What,” surprised even him. There are […]Religion News Service
- Chaplains hear call to serve God while serving country February 21, 2012February 21, 2012 Religion News Service Debra Rubin Washington Growing up in Kuwait, Asif Balbale thought he wanted to become a chemical engineer. He never imagined enlisting in the U.S. Navy, much less becoming an imam. Balbale got his engineering degree after immigrating to the U.S. at age 21. With jobs hard to come by, he tried to enlist in the Army, but […]Religion News Service
- Pope contributes to restoration of Algerian basilica February 21, 2012February 21, 2012 Ecumenical News International Eric J. Lyman ROME Pope Benedict XVI is among those contributing to the restoration of the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, in a project that the Vatican said is “a symbol of the brotherhood between Christians and Muslims,” Vatican Radio reported.Church officials were careful to point out that the […]Ecumenical News International
- 2012 Walton Award winner announced February 21, 2012New church development receives $50,000 to further Presbyterian mission in Southern California February 21, 2012 Diverse people come together in worship and mission at New Hope, seeking to make a difference for Christ in their Southern California communities. —Photo courtesy of New Hope Presbyterian Church General Assembly Mission Council by Paul Seebeck, Co […]Mission Program Grants (General Assembly Mission Council)
FOUR ESSENTIALS
Published February 1, 2012FOUR ESSENTIALS
Bill Easum and Thomas Bandy talk about four things that are essential to organizations – vision, mission, basic beliefs, and core values. As I am preparing a new elder training workshop that considers the changes that have been made to the Book of Order those four things have been running through my mind.
I believe the best statement of the vision for the church is found in Philippians 2 when we are told that God’s vision is that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord. Our Book of Order is not as clear although you could probably make reference to the church serving the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
LAOS the whole people of God
Published February 1, 2012LAOS the whole people of God
Joe Small reminded the presbytery in 2010 that the distinction between clergy and laity is an inappropriate one. Laos means the whole people of God so clergy are also laity. We in the church have created a false distinction. In addition he reminded us that ordination set part of the laity apart for particular functions but it didn’t eliminate them from being the Laos or laity.
FIVE STRATEGIC BEHAVIORS
Published February 1, 2012FIVE STRATEGIC BEHAVIORS
Kelly Fryer suggests there are five strategic behaviors that can effect change and also enable a congregation to become the church God intends it to be. Those behaviors are: get focused, set people free, take action, expect surprises, and be hopeful.
Getting focused is about getting in touch with God’s will for your ministry. I often wonder how much time our church members spend discerning what their spiritual gifting is and being nurtured to use these gifts to build up God’s Kingdom. I also ponder how much time our sessions spend discerning what God’s calling is for the church as compared to doing business as usual.
FIVE ELEMENTS OF KINGDOM MINISTRY
Published February 1, 2012FIVE ELEMENTS OF KINGDOM MINISTRY
Noel Castellanos
1. Incarnation: We must have not only the same message as Jesus but the same method. You really reach people when you enter into their world, their hurt and pain. Just as Jesus was God present in the world through his incarnation the church is God present through this incarnational understanding of being church. We need to recognize the church isn’t simply and organization or institution but the being of God in the world.
FIVE ELEMENTS OF KINGDOM MINISTRY
Published January 19, 2012FIVE ELEMENTS OF KINGDOM MINISTRY
Noel Castellanos
1. Incarnation: We must have not only the same message as Jesus but the same method. You really reach people when you enter into their world, their hurt and pain. Just as Jesus was God present in the world through his incarnation the church is God present through this incarnational understanding of being church. We need to recognize the church isn’t simply and organization or institution but the being of God in the world.
2. Proclamation: Proclaiming the truth in love, and in the context of incarnation, is not forcing it down people’s throats. Proclamation is also about formation, describing the kind of people God shapes us into. None of us are comfortable with those who stand on the street corner or knock on our door and try to force us to believe the way they do. However, our reaction to that has been to avoid proclaiming at all or delegating that to others to do. Each Christian needs to become comfortable with their faith story so it can be shared. We also need to recognize that proclamation is more than just preaching, it is our lives in action as well. It is important that we recognize – as James said – that it takes both our words and our deeds together to reach the unchurched.