Quick index:
Engage with us
Matthew 25 Gathering and Commission – June 10, 2020
Building congregational vitality resources
Dismantling structural racism resources
Eradicating systemic poverty resources
Engage with us
Graphics:
We are a Matthew 25 Church
Matthew 25 Logo – Horizontal with shadows
Matthew 25 Logo – Vertical with shadow
Matthew 25 Logo – Horizontal w/o shadow
Matthew 25 Logo – Vertical w/o shadow
Matthew 25 text only
Matthew 25 Facebook Cover English | Spanish | Korean
Matthew 25 Twitter Cover English | Spanish | Korean
Matthew 25 Presbytery Facebook Cover English | Spanish | Korean
Matthew 25 Presbytery Twitter Cover English | Spanish | Korean
Matthew 25 Yard Sign English | Spanish | Korean
Bible Study, Lectionary and Worship Resources, FAQs
(1) Matthew 25 Bible Study
(2) A Year with Matthew for a Matthew 25 Church Part 1 | Part 2 | Spanish
(3) Worship in a Matthew 25 Church
(4) Matthew 25 Frequently Asked Questions English | Spanish | Korean
Bulletin Inserts
(1) We are now a Matthew 25 congregation!
Videos
(1) Introduction to Matthew 25 — 3 minute version
(2) Introduction to Matthew 25 — 8 minute version
(3) Introduction to Matthew 25 — 40 second version
Matthew 25: Eradicating Systemic Poverty (Domestic) – September 16, 2020
Zoom recording of the Sept. 16 program.
Download the PowerPoint slides.
Stony Point Center and Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary course – “Underpinnings of Systemic Poverty”.
Matthew 25: Dismantling Structural Racism – July 29, 2020
Zoom recording of the June 10 program.
Download the PowerPoint slides.
Stony Point Center and Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary course – “Awakening to Structural Racism”.
Matthew 25 Gathering and Commission – June 10, 2020
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- Zoom recording of the June 10 program.
- Download the PowerPoint slides.
- Each of the presenting congregations also prepared short videos. Click the church name to watch their videos.
- Recommended resources from the program.
Building congregational vitality resources
Book of Confessions, Directory for Worship, Hymns
(1) Resources on Congregational Vitality, PC(USA) Office of Theology & Worship
Curriculum, study guides, manuals, tool kits, policy statements
(1) The work of the PC(USA)’s Vital Congregations office is to help congregations and mid councils deepen their discipleship and take faithful action in their community and around the world. Still in its pilot phase, Vital Congregations initiative has these resources available:
- Vital Congregations Immediate Tool Kit
- Vital Congregations Revitalization Manual
- Vital Congregations Basic Information Packet for Presbyteries
(2) Starting New Worshiping Communities Guide – New and varied forms of church for our diverse and changing culture
(3) Engage Curriculum to help churches become relevant again
(4) Called to Mission: Finding Our Place in God’s Mission – tools and resources for getting involved in international mission work
Videos and films
(1) Ebenezer Church
Books
(1) InterGenerate: Transforming Churches through Intergenerational Ministry by Holly Catterton Allen and Jason Brian Santos. Why and how we should bring generations back together.
(2) Light to the Nations: The Missional Church and the Biblical Story by Michael W. Goheen. Practical suggestions for contemporary churches.
(3) Shift: Three Big Moves for the 21st Century Church by Mark E. Tidsworth. Building disciples in your church.
Magazines and articles
(1) Presbyterians Today – Denominational magazine of the PC(USA)
(2) Horizons – The magazine of Presbyterian Women
(3) Mission Crossroads – The magazine of Presbyterian World Mission
Upcoming events
April 27–30, 2020 – Vital Congregations Gathering, Austin, Texas
June 21–26, 2020 – Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music Conference, Montreat, N.C.
June 28–July 3, 2020 – Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music Conference, Montreat, N.C.
Dismantling structural racism resources
Book of Confessions, Directory for Worship, Hymns
(1) Resources on Structural Racism, PC(USA) Office of Theology & Worship
Sermons
(1) The biblical foundation for our anti-racism work, a sermon by Samuel Son
Curriculum, study guides, manuals, tool kits, policy statements
(1) Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community Antiracism Policy approved by the 222nd General Assembly (2016).
(2) Facing Racism: A Vision of the Interculrural Community Antiracism Study Guides. Series of six study guides appropriate for hour-long discussion.
(3) The Confession of Belhar. Added to the Book of Confessions by action of the 222nd General Assembly (2016). A call for reconciliation and a condemnation of racial injustice.
Videos and films
(1) Flint: The Poisoning of an American City. Documentary follows environmental racism that contributed to lead poising of children and families in Flint, Mich.
(2) Sacred Conversations on Race
(3) Women of Faith who Challenge Systemic Racism and Oppression: Liz Theoharis
Books
(1) No Innocent Bystanders: Becoming an Ally in the Struggle for Justice by Shannon Craigo-Snell and Christopher Doucot. Looks at the role of allies in social justice movements.
(2) Anxious to Talk About It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism by Carolyn B. Helsel. If talking about racism makes you anxious, afraid, or even angry, you’re not alone. Learn to talk about racism with courage and compassion.
(3) Race in a Post-Obama America: The Church Responds by David Maxwell and Otis Moss III. This book offers concerned Christians the chance to clarify terms and issues around racism and discern how to respond.
Magazines and articles
(1) Presbyterians Today – see especially October/November 2017, “Facing Racism: Stories and Resources”
(2) Horizons – see especially July/August 2015, “Mission and Racism”
(3) “Mission is a Mysterious Field: Racism against Roma people,” Presbyterian News Service, January 14, 2013.
Events and Celebrations
(1) Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January)
(2) Celebrate Race Relations/Racial and Intercultural Justice Sunday (January)
(3) Celebrate Intercultural Church Day (June)
Eradicating systemic poverty resources
Book of Confessions, Directory for Worship, Hymns
(1) Resources on Systemic Poverty, PC(USA) Office of Theology & Worship
Curriculum, study guides, manuals, tool kits, policy statements
(1) Study and Devotional Guide on the Sustainable Development Goals of the U.N. to end poverty, fight inequalities and mitigate climate change.
(2) Presbyterian Hunger Program curriculum – Considering our Treasure: A Reflection on Embracing God’s Economy
(3) Presbyterian World Mission Short-Term Mission Trip Toolkit
(4) 6 Ways to End Hunger and Its Causes (3-page resource)
Videos and films
(1) Matthew 25 church in Southern California works to end poverty at a homeless encampment
(2) Presbyterian Giving Catalog 5 Year Anniversary
(4) What is Self-Development of People Sunday?
Books
(1) Reading the Bible with the Damned by Bob Ekblad. This book is full of examples of how Scripture changes lives for those who attend Bible studies and for those who lead them.
(2) The Biblical Jubilee and the Struggle for Life: An Invitation to Personal Ecclesial and Social Transformation by Ross Kinsler and Gloria Kinsler. This book challenges our response as Jesus’ disciples to growing economic and social disparities around us.
(3) Always with Us?: What Jesus Really Said about the Poor by Liz Theoharis. Theoharis reinterprets “the poor you will always have with you” to show that it is actually one of the strongest biblical mandates to end poverty.
Magazines and articles
(1) Presbyterians Today – Denominational magazine of the PC(USA)
(2) Horizons – The magazine of Presbyterian Women
(3) Mission Crossroads – The magazine of Presbyterian World Mission
Events and Celebrations
(1) Volunteer. Live into the teachings of Matthew 25 by exploring disaster rebuilding mission trip opportunities sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
(2) Attend Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day/Ecumenical Advocacy Days, April 24–27, 2020, Washington, D.C.
(3) Read: Dismantling Systemic Poverty
