“I have often felt that the Church should engage more in the business of tourism.” Scotland’s saints, whose miracles include raising the dead, curing the mad and even saving a queen from execution, could now be asked to perform another miracle – boosting the country’s tourist trade. With visitor numbers in decline as the recession... Continue Reading

The Rev. Deborah A. Block has been elected to serve as chair of the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC), according to Presbyterian News Service. Block, a member of the PPC board since 2004, succeeds Kenneth Godshall. PPC is the denominational publisher for the Presbyterian Church (USA), but through Westminster John Knox... Continue Reading

You’ll almost always hear an exegesis of the books of the Bible. And if you knew what the word “exegesis” means you’re probably already Presbyterian. I had always looked at reformed Presbyterians as being kind of dorky. That’s because the denomination I attended years ago in California was extremely conservative on par with some Mennonite... Continue Reading

“It should be recognised for what it is: a corporation, not a church. Hillsong is really just a sales and marketing operation.” The tax office wants a special national body set up to monitor “not for profit” charities, admitting that churches – such as the multi-million-dollar phenomenon Hillsong – are literally “invisible” to it. And... Continue Reading

The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is considering a recommendation to extend spousal and dependent benefits to same-gender domestic partners. The board is hoping to bring proposals next year and begin implementing changes to the denomination’s Benefits Plan in 2012. Thomas C. Paisley, Jr., chair of the Board of Directors of the... Continue Reading

There is a movement afoot in worship, especially in Presbyterian circles but spreading across all denominations. We are witnessing a resurgence of interest in “old things” when it comes to the faith. Some have said that the recent fascination with returning to ancient worship tools and practices is a reaction to the historical rootlessness of... Continue Reading

Lutherans repented for violent persecution of Anabaptists and for the ways in which Lutheran reformers supported persecutions with theological arguments In what Bishop Mark S. Hanson, President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), described as possibly “the most significant legacy this Assembly will leave,” the Eleventh Assembly of the LWF today took the historic step... Continue Reading

The General Secretary of the RCA, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, has served in the office for 16 years. (General Secretary is similar to Stated Clerk in a Presbyterian context.) The following letter was posted on the RCA website on Tuesday: Dear friends, After much discernment and prayer, it has become clear to me that I should conclude... Continue Reading

The church is marking husband-and-wife day, which is an annual celebration of faith and community. A thousand people each week from dozens of nearby villages pack into this church, situated about 300 miles from Shanghai. Official Chinese surveys now show that nearly one in three Chinese describe themselves as religious, an astonishing figure for an... Continue Reading

The faithful at Golden Isles Presbyterian Church are giving thanks. Their new pastor, the Rev. Alexander Brown, took the pulpit June 6 and was ordained as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). A native of Scotland, Brown grew up in the coastal town of Carnoustie. During his undergraduate education at the University... Continue Reading