By Peter Smith, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Yes, the Rev. Sheldon Sorge has seen his share of dwindling Presbyterian congregations shutting their doors in declining neighborhoods or communities. And just last week, he saw yet another congregation leave for a more conservative denomination. But as the general minister of the Pittsburgh Presbytery travels around Allegheny County,…
By Peter Smith Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders are doing plenty of explaining inside and outside their churches these days after their church’s top legislative body took stances in June on two volatile issues — opening the way to same-sex marriages involving its pastors and churches and pulling investments in companies aiding the Israeli-occupation of Palestinian…
By Rev. Sheldon Sorge and Rabbi James Gibson A torrent of controversy has surrounded the recent publication of a curriculum on Israel and the Palestinians entitled “Zionism Unsettled” by the “Israel/Palestine Mission Network,” a study group appointed by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Some Presbyterians believe it presents a fair claim and opens a new path…