“Revising the Directory for Worship: Bread, Bath, and Beyond,” a free webinar hosted by the Company of New Pastors (CNP), will be offered on Oct. 28 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

The webinar is one of a number of events that have been scheduled during the one-year season of study — July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2015 — ordered by the 221st General Assembly (2014) on a proposed revision to the denomination's Directory for Worship, the middle section of the Book of Order, Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The presenter will be the Rev. David Gambrell, associate for worship in the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s office of Theology and Worship and the lead staff person for the proposed revisions.  He briefed the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board on the study process last month.

“The Directory for Worship isn’t just about things like sacraments — the ‘bread and bath’ of the title — but also about all of Christian life as worship to God,” Gambrell said. “That’s the ‘beyond,’ which should be of great interest and relevance to all Presbyterians.”

In order to help pastors, ruling elders, worship committee members, seminarians, and interested others understand the significance and potential impact of the proposed revision, Gambrell will:

  • describe the purpose and history of the PC(USA)’s Directory for Worship; and
  • discuss the process leading to this revision; and detail how the proposed draft seeks to build on the spirit and strength of the current document, while making it more accessible and useful for the church today.

Gambrell’s 30-minute presentation will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A time along with instructions on how participants may provide their feedback in writing to the denomination.

The webinar, which will be recorded and posted for future use, will be the first in a new series of programs at the heart of CNP’s overall focus on pastoral formation for the PC(USA). 

“We are in a unique position to offer resources to pastoral leaders,” said the Rev. Karen Russell, CNP coordinator. “We are making this first presentation available to anyone who is interested as a service to the church and as a way of introducing CNP to those who may not be familiar with the program.”

To register, go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/926631546.