Presbyterian Mission Agency Church Transformation Archives

$1 million grant will help renew the 67 congregations in the Presbytery of Cincinnati

Posted October 30th, 2020

The Presbytery of Cincinnati has received a grant of $997,412.00 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Living Churches Initiative under the presbytery’s newly-formed Center for Learning.

Columbia Seminary trustees elevate Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins to full professor

Posted July 21st, 2020

On June 15, the Columbia Theological Seminary Board of Trustees unanimously approved the promotion of Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins to full professor.

A restorative Sabbath

Posted May 10th, 2020

A couple months ago, which now seems a couple lifetimes ago, a pastor friend described an intentional day away from the tasks of ministry as a “restorative day.” It sounded so lovely … and elusive.

Presbyterians reach out, find ways to minister to older adults

Posted April 6th, 2020

Known for their creativity and their ability to improvise, pastors and church educators are passing along what they’re learning about how to reach and minister to the most senior members of PC(USA) congregations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pay attention. Be Astonished. Tell somebody

Posted March 5th, 2020

The Rev. Mike Mather, who along with his longtime friend De’Amon Harges presented Wednesday during the final day of the NEXT Church national gathering, took a walk in South Africa a few years ago with a South African who related a joke about apartheid he’d heard years before.

Virginia church presents a case study on elder-led congregational change

Posted March 5th, 2020

Three leaders from Falls Church Presbyterian Church in Virginia subtitled the NEXT Church national gathering workshop they offered on Tuesday “Practical Principles for Elder-Led Congregational Change,” and they delivered as advertised.

The hope that hopelessness can bring

Posted March 2nd, 2020

The famous quote from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. aside, Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre says the arc of the moral universe “couldn’t care less where it bends.”

The NEXT big thing

Posted March 2nd, 2020

The NEXT Church national gathering roared to life Monday with heartfelt hymns of praise and powerful preaching from the organization’s director, the Rev. Jessica Tate.

New Just Worship documentary explores deep connection between justice and worship

Posted February 27th, 2020

Do you love Jesus? Or are you more into the social gospel?

Cue the string section

Posted January 13th, 2020

Glasgow (Kentucky) Presbyterian String Academy was born, the church’s transitional minister, the Rev. Charlie Evans says, because the church paid attention to what God was saying. It’s a good thing Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky was listening as well.