I’m not a big fan of seasonal stewardship campaigns, as they’re often driven by gimmicks. And neither gimmicks nor fundraising ever nurtured faithful givers.
Thought-provoking, relevant, hopeful – wow! All were words used to describe the morning sermon delivered by The Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church and president of Simmons College of Kentucky, as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) celebrated and commemorated the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. last week.
The almost two-century-old sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka, Alabama was destroyed Saturday when a tornado struck the town, which is northeast of Montgomery.
A moving force in the United Presbyterian Church died last week. The Rev. Robert Lamar, a retired pastor, served as Moderator of the 186th General Assembly in 1974.
Because it’s relatively nearby for tens of thousands of Presbyterians and because it’s the site of the 224th General Assembly next year — and also because it’s an important American city with big-city challenges and innovations — Baltimore is the site for Big Tent Aug. 1-3, one of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s signature events.
Below are the 10 films worthy of being called the year’s “Top 10.” Because the list of readers of my on-line journal “Visual Parables” consists mostly of believers, my criteria are different from those of secular critics whose lists you might have already read. Artistic excellence is important, but the films on this list do more than entertain us. Some of their makers seek to challenge viewers to uphold values of love and support (think “Lars and the Real Girl”), and some warn us of the dangers of an inhumane set of values (this year’s “The Hate U Give”). A few explore and expand our spirituality, occasionally enhancing our understanding or appreciation of God (“Come Sunday”). As with my longer reviews in “Visual Parables,” I’ve included one or more relevant Scripture passages in many of the mini-reviews to foster dialogue between film and faith. The titles include a hyperlink so that you can go to the longer review of the film at readthespirit.com/visual-parables for more details.
While sitting in a committee meeting in 2004, Tom Neal asked, “How do we help all our churches get involved in mission?” Since no formal system was in place within the Presbytery of Detroit at that time, he and others worked to create the Hands-On Mission Work Group (HOMWG).
While sitting in a committee meeting in 2004, Tom Neal asked, “How do we help all our churches get involved in mission?” Since no formal system was in place within the Presbytery of Detroit at that time, he and others worked to create the Hands-On Mission Work Group (HOMWG).
On Friday staff at the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and others will hear about a Presbyterian Mission Agency initiative already underway informally and organically in a number of Presbyterian churches.
Every time my wife wants me to try a different recipe that she has prepared, I start finding a reason to say no. I want to ask her, “What is in the recipe? Why do we have to try something different?” These thoughts run through my mind before I eat the new dish.