by Carol Howard Merritt, pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
In this paper, author Howard responds to Beau Weston arguments in “Rebuilding the Presbyterian Establishment." She addresses a query concerning Presbyterians: What can the Presbyterian Church do to end its endemic crisis and turn around its long decline?
By José Luis Casal, general missioner, Tres Rios Presbytery
The most demanding challenge of our time is how to be the church of Jesus Christ with a clear message for the people we serve. The Bible challenges us to see and respond to the “signs of the times.” This paper asks the following: are we to save a system (structure) or humankind?
by José Luis Casal, Carol Howard Merritt, J. Herbert Nelson II, Cynthia Holder Rich and John L. Williams
Have we structured our life together in a way that serves our best aspirations? Do the current institutional arrangements of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) help us flourish? This paper discusses issues from previous generations of Presbyterians and whether some of them to reworked, reshaped ... or even replaced.
by John P. Burgess
In this paper, Burgess explains what thinking theologically about the church looks like and what its sustaining 6 sources will be.
Suppose someone gave you $200 to give to a charity or religious cause. How would you decide where to contribute? We presented Presbyterians that scenario on a 2005 survey, asking them how important each of 12 factors would be in their decision making.
- from the January/February 2009 issue of Presbyterians Today magazine.
Recently in this column I discussed decades-long membership losses in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), but this month I’m addressing an area in which the PC(USA) is growing: the weight of its pastors.
- from the March 2009 issue of Presbyterians Today magazine.
The 1980 foundational document that called for the establishment of a churchwide peacemaking emphasis.
A 2008 survey asked Presbyterians about their volunteering activities. Here are some key findings.
- from the April 2009 issue of Presbyterians Today magazine.
Some months ago I examined the long-term slide in membership numbers within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Despite these steady net losses, donations from individuals to congregations actually increased over the same period, even after accounting for inflation.
- from the May 2009 edition of Presbyterians Today magazine.
To help the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song as it works toward the development of a new hymnal, Research Services surveyed a sample of pastors, music leaders, and members in congregations using the current denominational hymnal.
- from the July/August 2009 edition of Presbyterians Today magazine.