Category: Booklets & Journals
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Hispanic Ministries
This booklet is part of the Living the Vision series, a resource produced by Evangelism and Church Development, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The purpose of this booklet is to serve as a guide for church leaders in prebyteries, synods and congregations in order for them to minister effectively with and for Hispanics/Latinos. This guide is meant…
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Gun Violence, Gospel Values
This report, approved by the 219th General Assembly (2010), challenges our society’s fatalism and numbness in accepting the highest gun death rates in the world, reviews past church positions and proposes a new “spiritual awakening” approach: a church-related, community-based strategy inspired by “Heeding God’s Call†in Philadelphia, with similar groups in Richmond, Virginia and central…
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From Homelessness to Hope
This report reaffirms the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s historical witness that universal access to safe, descent, accessible, affordable, and permanent housing is a measure and a sign of the coming Reign of God. Through its approval of this report, the 218th General Assembly (2008) also acknowledged that the church must not be expected to address this…
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Living Through Economic Crisis
This social involvement report, approved by the 219th General Assembly (2010), summarizes the wealth of moral resources we have available to draw upon in confronting the current economic crisis. It then proposes basic ways we may support the re-balancing of the economy for fairness. This resolution lifts up five key values: human rights, a covenantal…
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The Power to Change
This policy, approved by the 218th General Assembly (2008), is the first major update of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s energy policy in more than 27 years. This General Assembly policy offers moral guidance and provides practical steps individual Presbyterians, groups and communities may take to change unhealthy energy practices to ensure that there is an…
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Resolution Calling for the Abolition of For-Private Prisons
This resolution was developed by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) and includes an analysis of the arguments for and against for-profit private prisons. The report as a whole was approved by the 215th General Assembly 2003 for church-wide study and implementation. It makes clear that private prisons are not an economic but…
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Resolution Calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the United States
The study is intended to help the church explore the complex issues regarding immigration and ministry to immigrants.
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Iraq: Our Responsibility and the Future
This report will determine procedures and program for the ministry divisions and staff of the General Assembly and its Council. It is recommended for consideration and study by other governing bodies (sessions, presbyteries, and synods). This report is commended to the free Christian conscience of all congregations and the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)…
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The Open Table
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.
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Report on Clergy Recruitment and Retention
In the spring of 2003, the Board of Directors of the Board of Pensions commissioned a Task Force of its Clergy-Directors to review literature, statistical studies, and other materials with respect to the recruitment and retention of clergy for the pastoral ministry, specifically ministry in and with the local congregation… We, along with other General Assembly agencies, are dedicated to helping build…
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A Social Creed for the 21st Century
This booklet provides Biblical, theological and historical background as well as current application ideas for each of the Social Creed affirmations. It also has questions for discussion.
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Fair Trade: A Bible Study
“Everyone asks, ‘What can I do about a billion people living on $1 per day?’ The statistics of world poverty are staggering and emotionally numbing. This remarkable Bible study will change the way you think, warm your heart and, best of all, show the way to be an agent of change. With thoughtful grace, it…