(By Leslie Scanlon, The Presbyterian Outlook). Most congregations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) are small, but most Presbyterians attend larger churches. About two-thirds of those preparing to enter ministry – candidates and inquirers in the PCUSA – come from churches with at least 300 members, which means they may have little or no experience of life…
(By Leslie Scanlon, The Presbyterian Outlook). The All Agency Review Committee and the Way Forward Commission have jointly decided not to recommend a merger of the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The All Agency Review Committee announced that decision Aug. 21, following a two-hour closed session. Both the Way Forward Commission…
(By Leslie Scanlon, The Presbyterian Outlook). Both the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board and the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly are meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico this week – accepting an invitation from the Presbytery of San Juan. Over the past year, Presbyterian leadership has been highlighting justice concerns in Puerto Rico…
By J. Herbert Nelson II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA). {January 27, 2017] President Donald Trump signed an executive order to allegedly protect the nation from terrorists entering the United States. In practice, however, this order serves to further harm those who are the very victims of terrorism, genocide, religious and gender-based persecution,…
(Office of the General Assembly news release). The General Assembly Way Forward Commission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has released its process for receiving initial communications and suggestions from any interested PCUSA groups or individuals. The online form is designed to assist the commission in identifying areas for continued discernment about the ministries and structure of the…
(By Eva Stimson, Office of the General Assembly). Passing the standard ordination exams is a major milestone for candidates seeking to become teaching elders (ministers) in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Until recently, the exam system depended on a cumbersome process involving mountains of paper, hefty fees, travel to test sites, and waits of several months…
(By Leslie Scanlon, The Presbyterian Outlook.) A few months into his term, J. Herbert Nelson – the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s new stated clerk, elected last summer by the 2016 General Assembly – is beginning to offer glimpses into his expanding vision for the denomination. Nelson will preach at a Reformation worship service Nov. 2 at the…
By Steve Salyards, The GA Junkie. Over the last couple of weeks the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has released two sets of data that will be the focus of attention at the upcoming General Assembly. At some point in the next few of months I hope to really drill…
A commentary on the ruling that a session policy governing marriage is discriminatory. I can almost predict the headlines in the secular media: “Court rules Presbyterian church policy against same-sex weddings inherently discriminatory.” They won’t take the time to parse the difference between a presbytery Permanent Judicial Commission and civil court and they won’t care…
The results of the church-wide conversation on the identity and purpose of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have been released by the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA), and it reveals a denomination with a theologically and socially liberal majority which has a strong agreement that Reformed theology is a positive and defining…