congregational vitality Archives

Being Christ to those in need grows urgent in Alaska

Posted July 17th, 2020

Economically, Alaska was struggling before COVID-19; now community outreach is more important than ever to help people in need.

Videos bring Hispanic Latino-a community together

Posted July 6th, 2020

Tech-savvy Hispanic/Latino-a ministers created 60 devotional videos to comfort, bring hope and reassure viewers that even in a pandemic God still cares.

‘This is just a change in where we are needed’

Posted June 11th, 2020

As churches, worshiping communities and their leaders continue to grapple with the spread of COVID-19, some are finding ways to live into their commitment to the Matthew 25 invitation.

PC(USA) Hispanic/Latino-a faith community holds firm to faith in God

Posted June 2nd, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on communities of color across the country. And while black and brown people are adversely affected in times of health and economic crisis because of decades of systemic racism and poverty, they remain resilient in their ability to forge ahead despite structural obstacles.

Congregations self-rate ‘fairly well’ after the first few weeks of the pandemic

Posted April 6th, 2020

Technology appears to be the greatest benefit and the greatest challenge of doing church differently during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to a new survey by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Research Services.

How ‘pew sitters’ become doers of the Word

Posted March 19th, 2020

This St. Louis congregation embraced the Matthew 25 invitation and is revitalizing itself by encouraging its members to become engaged in hands-on mission.

New social justice resource inspires children and adults to live out Matthew 25

Posted January 31st, 2020

“Seeing Jesus: Social Justice Activities for Today Based on Matthew 25” includes 60 social justice activities for children, teens and adults to live out the Matthew 25 vision.

A first-ever sit-down

Posted August 5th, 2019

In advance of building the 2021-22 Presbyterian Mission Agency budget and approving the agency’s work plan, the PMA Board and representatives from about two dozen mid councils are meeting together for two days following Big Tent to discern the priorities of both groups.

The power of storytelling

Posted July 18th, 2019

As she’s done for audiences around the country and beyond, the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett is delivering the rationale behind the Matthew 25 invitation during a pair of workshops at Presbyterian Youth Triennium, being held this week at Purdue University.

Is yours a ‘healthy’ congregation?

Posted June 20th, 2019

Theologian Emil Brunner famously stated, “The church exists by mission, just as fire exists by burning.” This didn’t quite sink in until I heard Darrell Guder, former dean and missiologist at Princeton Theological Seminary, put it more clearly for me: “The church does not exist primarily for the benefit of its own members. Instead, it exists for the benefit of those outside its walls.”