SAN ANSELMO, Calif. — San Francisco Theological Seminary is again offering a for-credit course for seminarians attending the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), July 3-10 in Minneapolis.
The course is designed to help students understand the structure and mission of the PC(USA), It will also provide a firsthand experience in how the biennial General Assembly meeting works and illuminate issues currently being debated within the denomination.
The course is sponsored by SFTS, the PC(USA)’s Committee on Theological Education and the Office of General Assembly. The co-leaders will be the Rev. David Tomlinson, SFTS professor of ministry, and …
The balanced investment portfolio of the Board of Pensions (BOP) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) staged a robust recovery in 2009, gaining 26.2 percent to a total value of $6.5 billion.
“What a difference a year makes,” noted Judith Freyer, the board’s chief investment officer, noting that in 2008 every class of investments ended the year in the red while last year every class finished on the positive side. “It was an incredibly strong year,” she told the board.
But not quite strong enough, however, to recoup the losses from the meltdown of the global financial markets in 2008. During …
The two presbyteries in New Mexico took a giant step forward in plans to restructure staffing with the calling of the Rev. Sallie Watson as regional presbyter/stated clerk at a special joint meeting of the two governing bodies on February 27.
Because of the scheduled phasing out of Mission Partnership Funds by the General Assembly Mission Council in 2013, the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca and the Presbytery of Santa Fe began a planning process several years ago to find ways of reducing costs and still maintain a vibrant ministry in this vast state.
Rather than merging the two presbyteries, which …
Although he wears military insignia instead of a cleric’s robe, Rear Admiral Mark Tidd understands that a minister’s role does not depend on a uniform.
“The wardrobe does not matter,” he said. “We are all here to serve God.”
A 26-year-veteran of the U.S. Navy, Tidd serves as chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps and deputy chief of Navy Chaplains. He was promoted to the positions in August 2009.
The son of a career Navy officer, Tidd has several military decorations. He has served in leadership positions on the chief of chaplain’s staff and served as a force and fleet …
An international panel of pastors and theologians is drafting a “manifesto” for a new global organization of Reformed churches calling for a clear commitment to church unity as the basis for joint action on economic and ecological justice concerns.
The text — to be presented in June to the Uniting General Council (UGC) of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in Grand Rapids, Mich. — was approved at the conclusion March 8 of a four-day consultation in Cartigny, Switzerland, by a group representing churches in eight world regions.
“What we are preparing is in effect a theological manifesto,” says …
The full 172-page report of the Middle East Study Committee (MESC) to the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is now available.
The 219th General Assembly (2010) will meet July 3-10 in Minneapolis.
The third and final portion of “Breaking Down the Walls” was posted online at the Middle East Peace website today. The most recent release includes committee members’ firsthand accounts of their Middle East experiences, policy recommendations and several appendices.
“This report reflects the extensive, hard work of the study committee and the wealth of experience each member brought to our discussions,” said the Rev. …
It’s almost time for spring cleaning!
If your house is anything like mine, you probably have a lot of stuff you don’t want or need any more. It’s amazing what we have stuffed away in our houses — old books, photos, clothing and other items that are important and serve as significant markers in our lives. However we can’t keep it all.
If we neglect to clean our houses, there will not be room to add anything new.
A few weeks ago, we entered the Lenten season. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, this forty-day period prepares us to live into the …
Navy Reserve Capt. Gregory C. Horn, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister, has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). Horn is currently serving as deputy chaplain, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Arlington, Va.
Horn is pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield, Calif. He has recently served as the senior Reserve Chaplain in the U.S.Marine Corps Office in the Naval Annex. Horn is the second PC(USA) military chaplain selected for Flag Rank in the last year. The first was Rear Adm. Mark Tidd, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy, who is currently the Deputy Chief of …
Quite often these days when two or more Presbyterians gather, opinions spark discourse, discussion and sometimes even debate regarding the future ministry and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Perhaps answers could be found by looking no further than the first few pages of the Book of Order. Here, within the preliminary principles, lies a set of mission statements that are intended to define the life and work of the PC(USA). Called the Great Ends of the Church, these phrases embody the six great purposes of the church. For decades, these axioms have helped establish the course for mission and …
Unlike many other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations over the years, First Presbyterian Church in Texarkana, Ark., has not suffered major losses in membership.
In fact, according to co-pastors Susan and John Arnold, the congregation — in the Presbytery of the Pines — has had the same number on the worship rolls for 60 years.
“They have not declined,” said John Arnold, noting that they have about 120 people in worship each week. “It’s very stable.”
What has happened, however, is that while downtown Texarkana has declined as the population has moved outward, the traditional Presbyterian church has developed ministries helpful …