Archives

Confessional Standards for a Confessing Church

From the Publisher’s Note: […] The term “confessing church” has come to mean something altogether different in the current Presbyterian context, however, as right-wing organizations seek to use confessional statements as theological sledgehammers to bludgeon Presbyterians into a rigid orthodoxy that divisively excludes certain persons from ecclesiastical leadership. It is in this context that Union Theological Seminary— Presbyterian School of Christian […]

Congregational Transformation

This booklet is about Congregational Redevelopment and is one in a series of how-to booklets produced by the Evangelism and Church Development Program Area of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). To redevelop a congregation is to redirect its ministry in response to significant changes that may have taken place either among its membership or in the […]

Cooperative Parish Manual

Cooperative Parish Ministry (Definition) Several congregations that share a common ministry area or region covenant together to envision that parish area as the place in which Christ is calling them into cooperative planning and ministry. While each congregation maintains its own board or session, the covenanting lead to the sharing of ideas, energies, leadership and […]

Critical Moment Of Ministry: A Change Of Pastors

Based on extensive learning from the Alban Institute, this book emphasizes the opportunities for change presented during a pastoral transition. ‘In this invaluable resource for congregations and pastors, Loren Mead has demonstrated again his uniqu ability to see the power and potential in commonplace events in the life of the church. Teo decades of experience, […]

Discovering Your Ministry Identity

This comprehensive workbook combines a series of seven exercises and assessments to help people personally discover who they are in Christ. The range of discovery includes these categories: spiritual fitness, spiritual gifting (from three different angles), ministry burden or passion, team style, personal values, and leadership strengths (Principle Priorities). This broad scope looks at the […]

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 […]

Faith, Hope, Love, and Witness (Leader’s Guide)

An excellent introduction to the new form of church government written in accessible language, this study explains core affirmations and the foundations of Presbyterian polity. Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding is a series of biblically based mini-courses that provides adults with a foundational understanding of the Reformed faith. Each six-session study—written by well-known and respected […]

Faith, Hope, Love, and Witness (Participant’s Book)

An excellent introduction to the new form of church government written in accessible language, this study explains core affirmations and the foundations of Presbyterian polity. Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding is a series of biblically based mini-courses that provides adults with a foundational understanding of the Reformed faith. Each six-session study—written by well-known and respected […]

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 […]