This essay explores the debate over “open table” practice -- inviting persons who are not baptized to participate in the Lord’s Supper. The author examines the understandings of the gospel and the church behind each position, offering a new way of thinking about these questions.
By Joseph A. Sittler and Richard R. Osmer
Occasional Paper #13 reprints two significant essays that are no longer readily available. "The Maceration of the Minister" by the late Lutheran theologian Joseph Sittler is an incisive, sympathetic analysis of the plight of ministers. "The Teaching Authority of the Minister in the Reformed Tradition: A Contemporary Proposal" by Richard R. Osmer, the Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary, presents a creative understanding of the office we Presbyterians used to call "teaching elder."
The Office of Theology and Worship believes that "The Shape of Pastoral Ministry" is …
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.
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 Yohan Hyun and Frank Macchia
Presbyterian and Pentecostal both begin with the letter “P,” but many believe that is where the similarity ends. Spirit’s Gifts — God’s Reign provides a glimpse of international ecumenical dialog between Pentecostal-Reformed Christians. Two preparatory papers for the Seoul meeting of the Pentecostal-Reformed Dialogue laid the groundwork for a week of intense theological discussion. The Office of Theology and Worship publishes them for the Church in the hope that they may provide a foundation for conversation within Presbyterian congregations and presbyteries and between local groups of Presbyterians and Pentecostals.
Office of Immigration Issues Bibliography of Resources
These versions of the Iraq-related actions include all changes made by the General Assembly and are laid out for down-loading. Along with the primary action with recommendations, item 11-10, On Building Peace in Iraq, there is the substantial background paper in 11-24, To Repent, To Restore, To Rebuild, and To Reconcile, which was "commended for study" and directed to be posted on the Office of the General Assembly site. These statements, plus an appendix to the study paper, Costly Lessons of the Iraq War, are also posted on the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) website: www.pcusa.org~acswp.
Use these skits in your congregation to promote One Great Hour of Sharing.
See firsthand how your gifts to the 2014 One Great Hour of Sharing supported the ministries of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People:
Find resources to include the smallest members of your congregation, and get excited about One Great Hour of Sharing!