To what institution has God granted the authority to rule concerning such matters of doctrine? Is it a coordinated effort of the church and academy, or a divinely appointed representation of seminary, academy, machine shop, and law office in the officers seated in the courts of the church? And does the church have the authority... Continue Reading

When people want to plant churches in regions that shape America’s culture, they typically relocate to the East or West Coast. In the process they probably fly over or drive through an oft-overlooked area that profoundly affects American culture: Ohio. Yes, Ohio. With its mix of thriving cities, struggling economies and rural communities, Ohio is... Continue Reading

As I left the Wednesday prayer meeting, another pastor welcomed me to the city. He’s been pastoring in New York for years through some tough times. The elementary school where his church meets doubled then tripled their rent within only a few years. And now the church must leave. “You’ll love this city,” he told... Continue Reading

The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s 220th General Assembly will once again deal with the issue of ordination at its biannual meeting to be held June 30-July 7, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pa. With the passage of Amendment 10A from the prior GA meeting in 2010, the PCUSA joined the United Church In October, Scott Anderson an openly... Continue Reading

This positive reaction to community or nondenominational churches reflects other recent LifeWay Research analysis that showed growth among nondenominational churches while Southern Baptists are trending in a membership decline. The majority of Americans have a favorable impression of Southern Baptists, according to a recent LifeWay Research study. However, 40 percent of respondents have an unfavorable... Continue Reading

Can a lay person, not an elected elder or deacon, bring God’s greeting at the start of a worship service? This is just one question asked by a church member in the new Ministry Q&A feature of The Network. The answer was, in short, “no”. But the discussion that followed helped flesh out the background... Continue Reading

The Presbytery also discussed a proposed flexible governance plan… The idea is to create a commission, PGA2, that churches opposed to the ordination of gay and lesbian candidates and ministers would opt to join and through which all candidates for ministry and pastoral transfers would be handled. The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta (PGA) approved a... Continue Reading

Though LaBerge said congregations throughout the country are leaving PCUSA, she also urged attendees to find a way of working within their churches to promote change. She suggested those disenfranchised with their local church leadership try to take an active role in choosing church leaders. A group of area Presbyterians dissatisfied with the Presbyterian Church... Continue Reading

The board of The Fellowship of Presbyterians is meeting this week in Chicago, and we continue to be invigorated as we dream and pray together about a new kind of ministry community. We will soon post drafts of our theology and polity documents and invite your feedback.- But before we turn to the structural pieces,... Continue Reading

Under the amendments, the first-born child of the monarch will now be able to accede to the throne, whether a girl or boy. This would allow a firstborn daughter of the Duke and Duchess (of Cambridge) to take priority in the line of succession. The Queen’s role as head of the Church of England may... Continue Reading