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.
A study book to help newly elected deacons and elders of the PC(USA) prepare for the offices and responsibilities to which they have been elected.
All too often when a pastor takes up a new assignment or call the same frustrating series of events occurs: everyone experiences a burst of enthusiasm and hope, with Lay people and clergy finding that doors seem to open to new possibilities a few things go wrong, some hopes get dashed, personal differences emerge, old. […]
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 […]
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. […]
Focuses on how churches under 100 in worship can reach out to include more people. It includes: Basic Decisions, Varieties of Small Churches, Obstacles to Growth, The Small Church and the Pastor, Things to Watch for as the Church Grows, Small Church and Morale, Workable Programs, Modeling a Large Church, Staffing the Small Church, Finances, […]
Excerpt from the Introduction: ‘This book is an invitation to begin your journey to learn about Appreciative Inquiry. Appreciative Inquiry is an exciting philosophy for change. The major assumption of Appreciative Inquiry is that in every organization something works and change can be managed through the identification of what works, and the analysis of how […]
In this paper, Burgess explains what thinking theologically about the church looks like and what its sustaining 6 sources will be.
Conflict is a part of life even within the church. Conflict is not, in and of itself, either good or harmful. Conflicts contain the potential for both, depending on how they are handled. This resource identifies and explores basic concepts and tools that can help address the conflict and disagreements that are a part of […]
The struggle to define the small church provides an insight into the problems of small congregations.