Church Issues series, Number 8
As Presbyterians we find ourselves in a place of enduring contention as to who should be ordained without a clear conception of why we should be ordaining anyone. And if we are unsure of the nature of ordained ministry, we certainly will be unclear as to how the ordained exercise authority. Because we live in the midst of considerable confusion and contention around ordination, the Office of Theology and Worship is proud to present “Ordination and Authority,” two essays by Joseph D. Small, in hopes they will serve to push us to clarity around ordination.
By Lukas Vischer
Occasional Paper #20 gathers together some of Calvin’s statements about unity and provides an interpretive framework for understanding Calvin, the Reformed tradition and our own situation. The Office of Theology and Worship believes that "Pia Conspiratio" is a significant contribution to the church's current struggles over the nature of the church and the character of ecclesial unity.
This study guide, prepared by the Office of Theology and Worship, is written at the request of the 217th General Assembly, Item 04-05:
" ... commended for use by sessions and congregations for study of the Authoritative Interpretation of 1993, commending it to congregations as the historic policy of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)."
The 213th General Assembly (2001) directed the Office of Theology and Worship to conduct a Churchwide dialogue on End-of-Life Issues. As part of the Office of Theology and Worship's continuing work to implement this directive, we are making available in digital format In Life and In Death We Belong To God: Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and End-of-Life Issues, first published in print format in 1995.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Theology has to do with God the creator; science deals with the heavens and the earth that God has created. On the face of it, it would seem that those who speak about God and creation, the theologians, and those who speak about structures and makeup of the heavens and the earth, the scientists, especially scientists who believe in God, ought to have much in common.
Models of Ministry features the recipients of the Florence Iversen Kraft Award, presented first in 2000 and at each General Assembly since. The award goes to a congregation that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in ministry with those who suffer from serious mental illness and their families.
This policy approved by the 218th General Assembly (2008) uses the biblical theme of exile to describe the challenges experienced by persons living with a serious mental illness.
The Presbyterian Serious Mental Illness Network (PSMIN) welcomes those who advocate in the church and greater community for those who have been touched by mental illness. They seek equity, justice, human dignity and full acceptance into the life of the church.
The Presbyterian Health Network (PHN) is the membership organization for congregations, parish nurses, health ministry teams, clergy and others who feel called to speak the language of care and build a community of healing and wholeness.
Some people are hearing God call for a solemn assembly. You can learn what a solemn assembly is through studying these materials.