According to a recent survey conducted by Lifeway Research, 94 percent of protestant responders believe that teens and children are protected from abuse within their congregation and 93 percent of responders believe that adults are protected from abuse within their congregation. In a twist, 32 percent believe more pastors have abused teens and children than have been reported. I wonder if this could be reflective of the sentiment that “It cannot happen here. …” Or, is this a part of a general fear that, as reports of abuse within other denominations surface, our beloved denomination also has its own horrific stories?
Según una reciente encuesta realizada por Lifeway Research, el 94 por ciento de personas protestantes respondieron que creían que los adolescentes y niños están protegidos contra el abuso dentro de su congregación y el 93 por ciento creen que los adultos están protegidos contra el abuso dentro de su congregación. Sin embargo, el 32 por ciento cree que más pastores han abusado de adolescentes y niños de lo que se ha informado. Me pregunto si esto podría reflejar el sentimiento de que “No puede suceder aquí… ”O, ¿esto es parte de un temor general de que, a medida que surgen los informes de abuso dentro de otras denominaciones, nuestra querida denominación también tiene sus propias historias terribles?
Lifeway Research가 실시한 최근 설문 조사에 따르면, 개신교 응답자의 94%는 십대 청소년들이 자신의 교회 안에서 학대로부터 보호받고 있으며 응답자의 93%가 성인이 자신의 교회 안에서 학대로부터 보호받고 있다고 믿고 있습니다. 반대로 32 퍼센트는 더 많은 목회자가 십대와 어린이들을 학대하는 것으로 믿는다고 보고합니다. 저는 이것이 "여기서는 일어날 수 없다는 감정을 반영하는 것인지 궁금합니다...." 아니면 다른 교단 내에서의 학대에 대한 보고가 수면위로 올라옴과 마찬가지로 우리의 사랑스러운 교단도 끔찍한 이야기들이 있다는 일반적인 두려움의 일부인가요?
A familiar face with the Presbyterian Historical Society is stepping into its main leadership role. Nancy J. Taylor, who has led the Society’s archival efforts for almost ten years, has been named acting executive director by the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in consultation with the PHS Board of Directors.
“We are learning what we’re capable of,” said Selenia Ordóñez. She and I share an anniversary: Ordóñez and her Presbyterian Women’s team began running a retreat center ministry the same week I was installed as a mission co-worker with the Presbyterian Church of Honduras. For the past year, we have both been learning what we’re capable of.
Mabuchi N. Dokowe has 6,204 children. Four of them are her own she is raising with her husband in Lusaka, the capital and largest city in Zambia. The other 6,200 are students in 32 community schools in the southern African nation that she oversees as the director of community schools for vulnerable and marginalized children for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Zambia.
“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:6 The Scripture so eloquently phrased in Psalm 150 graced the bulletin cover as we celebrated the 38th Anniversary of New Life Presbyterian Church (Iglesia Presbiteriana Nueva Vida) in Miami on the last Sunday in April. The church, located on Coral Way, is served by the Rev. Heidi Arencibia. I was honored to be the guest speaker for the service celebrating “Thirty-eight years of life by the grace of God!” (1981-2019).
Calvary Presbyterian Church has had a heart for mission ever since a group of friends gathered in 1944 seeking to have a church closer to their home — in what was then a growing suburb of southwest Wilmington, Delaware. Today, the long legacy of helping neighbors continues with partnerships with organizations like Meeting Ground, a local group addressing homelessness, and Friendship House, which offers transitional housing, a clothing bank and “empowerment centers,” providing those in need with a place to regroup, work on resumes, have a cup of coffee and connect with others. But Wilmington is a big city with lots of opportunities to help others. So, Calvary Presbyterian created what is called “Second Sunday Sharing,” in which the congregation helps one local nonprofit.
More than 250 Presbyterians and their friends marched from the Presbyterian Center to Jefferson Square Park near the Louisville Main Jail Wednesday, delivering words of encouragement, pleas to end the cash bail system — and enough money to free more than 50 people being detained because they can’t raise the cash.
As hopes for peace fade and a humanitarian crisis grows in Colombia, an ecumenical group representing churches and ecclesial organizations in the Latin American country came to the United Nations last month in a visit facilitated by several groups including the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations (PMUN).