EPC General Assembly: who, what, when, where?
The trees are adorned with oranges, the block is festooned with banners, the volunteers are stationed throughout and the digital media is robust (#epc2015ga). I only had one question after picking up all my materials at registration. “Where’s the schedule?” I admit it. I’m old school. I like a printed schedule of events to help…
Charleston: its time to talk about race, religion, forgiveness and justice
Dylann Roof did not start a race war as he had planned, but he did start a number of conversations that were long overdue. When he walked into the Emmanuel A.M.E. church in Charleston, S.C. last Wednesday night with a heart filled with hate and a fanny-pack filled with ammunition, Roof had a plan and…
Prayers for Charleston
There are times and circumstances in which our prayers arise with groans and sighs too deep for words. This is one of those moments. We come before the Lord grieving for the families, loved ones, friends and neighbors of our precious brothers and sisters in Christ slain in their church in Charleston last night. We…
(Audio): Conversations with Carmen, June 2015
Click here for the audio (Mp3) of our June 16, 2015 “Conversation with Carmen” conference call If you want to download the file, right-click on the link above. For next month’s conversation, if you’ve got a particular item of concern you would like to hear addressed, please send them via email to laymanletters@layman.org or…
Standing firm while the sand shifts on same-sex marriage
On Saturday, June 20, the constitutional language of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will officially change allowing for same-sex marriages to be performed by PCUSA ministers in PCUSA churches. The Supreme Court of the United States is expected to issue its ruling on the matter this month as well. “Where do you stand on same-sex marriage?”…
That Beach: Remembering true heroism on the anniversary of D-Day
Saturday, the sixth of June, marks the anniversary of the World War II battle known as “D-Day.” On this day in 1944, Allied troops landed on the coast of France and secured a foothold that allowed them to begin to take the battle right to Adolf Hitler. More than 9,000 Allied troops were killed or…
The difference between transgendering and being transformed
I have withheld comment on the Jenner-transgender story for several days. I have read what many others have said. I deeply appreciate the contribution to the conversation made by Christians who have dealt with and deal with sexuality and gender issues. I particularly appreciate the story and testimony of Jackie Hill-Perry. I also found Russell…
Why wasn’t Linda Valentine’s resolution good enough in the 1001 debacle?
One of the four employees who as of June 1 is “no longer with the Presbyterian Mission Agency,” has released a statement asking the PMAB to release the report of its independent investigation, because he feels that it “fully exonerates the four employees from any ‘ethical’ wrongdoing, and raises serious questions about the Agency’s actions…
Equipping study: The Nature of the Church. Basic ecclesiology
In 1866, Samuel Stone wrote the hymn The Church’s One Foundation. The words underlie a basic understanding of the Church universal that provides a foundational understanding of ecclesiology. The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord She is His new creation by water and the Word From heaven He came and sought her to…