The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) lost 6 percent of its membership in 2015, and that came after three consecutive years of 5 percent declines. Current membership is just under 1.6 million. The Pittsburgh Presbytery, still one of the nation’s largest, saw a 7 percent decline to 28,518 last year.   Yes, the Rev. Sheldon Sorge has... Continue Reading

We acknowledge the sin of our fathers. In particular, we acknowledge that the sin of racism was present in First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery. Let it be known that this is no longer the heart of the church and that all peoples are welcome.   “First Presbyterian? Who, Where? … Oh yeah, that’s the church... Continue Reading

“As I was reflecting on this past Lord’s Day I was struck by a number of things particularly encouraging to me. God met us as a church in the ordinary and showed us his extraordinary faithfulness, grace, beauty, and power. I compiled 10 quick observations about what affected me this weekend alone.”   Sundays are pretty... Continue Reading

Complacency, cynicism, and despair are too common.  Devoting many years to struggle for a just cause is unusual and is the vocation of unique souls.  John with the help of many others has extracted America’s third largest church from an affiliation unworthy of the Gospel and its preference for life.   On May 19 history... Continue Reading

The six months would also be “enough time” for some critics within the church to “cool down and find answers.” But Adelaja’s Facebook and blog have remained active, and neither they nor the church’s website mentions the sabbatical. Several of those close to him have accused him of thwarting attempts to help or discipline.  ... Continue Reading

The letter to the church, signed by the pastor and clerk of session, said that the “financial settlement was made in part in recognition of the long-standing relationship between FPC Houston and presbytery and in support of the shared mission values that are at the heart of both organizations.”   After agreeing to pay $1-million,... Continue Reading

The requirement that the candidate be “above reproach” provides an introduction and overview of every other requirement that is to follow. Being “above reproach” cannot refer to some sort of moral perfectionism (Paul himself by his own words would be precluded), but rather the phrase refers to reputation within the community.   The Apostle Paul... Continue Reading

The Church of Scotland has become a church you don’t need to go to, with a God you don’t need to believe in and a faith you don’t need to have. The notion of online baptism (even as a ‘discussion’) is the desperate cry of a drowning church clutching at straws.   Normally as we... Continue Reading

We, the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi, being cognizant of our duty to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God,” acknowledge and confess the sin of racism. In particular, we repudiate the 1954 actions of our Session affirming segregation of the races and upholding an unbiblical tradition of worship... Continue Reading

Turning your patient into a man-pleaser may require employment of what we have come to call the “rope-a-dope” technique, outlined as follows: First, make things very comfortable in the church for your patient. When he is very much pleased with himself and neither sober nor watchful, but drunk on ease and set to pastoral autopilot,... Continue Reading