office of vital congregations Archives

Theology, Formation & Evangelism’s associate director selected for a dean’s position at Columbia Theological Seminary

Posted October 18th, 2022

The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill, associate director for Theology, Formation & Evangelism, has accepted a call from Columbia Theological Seminary to become its vice president and dean of Student Formation and Campus Culture.

Immersion conference at Montreat takes a deep dive into Vital Congregations

Posted September 14th, 2022

The Presbyterian Office of Vital Congregations is inviting people to gather at the beginning of November around Lake Susan at Montreat Conference Center for a deep dive into the seven marks of vital congregations.

The nitty gritty on the city

Posted July 29th, 2022

“The world is hungry for healing and hope,” the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, told the Urban Presbyteries Network conference on Thursday following opening worship. “I want to remind us today to keep the main thing the main thing: the church’s call to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Blooming where we’re planted

Posted July 28th, 2022

Only a preacher as gifted as the Rev. Aisha Brooks-Johnson can take worshipers from “Green Acres” to the heavenly city.

‘Reparations are profoundly biblically correct’

Posted March 1st, 2022

In the final of three forums celebrating Black History Month last week, the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, coordinator of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP); the Rev. Carlton Johnson, coordinator of Vital Congregations; and Christian Brooks, the representative for domestic issues at the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness, addressed the 2022 theme “Resiliency to Recovery.”

Panel discussion looks at why some congregations have seen giving increase during the pandemic

Posted September 2nd, 2021

One result of the pandemic is that members of organizations — churches included — are reimagining their common life together as well as their giving practices.

Maintaining an outward focus

Posted August 26th, 2021

As the Vital Conversations series moved toward one of the most important marks of Vital Congregations — keeping the focus outward rather than inward — organizers landed four speakers for Wednesday’s session uniquely qualified to offer up their experiences and share their views.

Going where Christ went

Posted August 19th, 2021

“What does it mean to actively follow Christ?” the Rev. Carlton Johnson asked three PC(USA) church leaders during a Vital Conversation panel discussion on Lifelong Discipleship Formation Wednesday, which is one Seven Marks of Vital Congregations (see section two).

Among the most vital of conversations

Posted August 12th, 2021

Based on the new commandment Jesus gave in John 13:34, where he instructed his disciples “to love one another, just as I have loved you,” four church leaders were asked how that passage applied to vital congregations — and how this kind of love has been demonstrated or even changed during the pandemic.

Mental health panel discussion leads pastors to reveal the stress of their pandemic losses

Posted July 29th, 2021

During a Pastors and Church Leaders Mental Health panel discussion held this week, four church leaders discussed ways that stress has manifested itself in their lives — and in the lives of those they serve.