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Written by Earl S. Johnson, Jr.
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Monday, 13 February 2006 12:00 |
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Many of our congregations support missionaries at home and abroad with financial contributions and prayers but how much concrete information do members and officers have about the men and women who serve the church so faithfully? Certainly we can discover more by reading the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study 2006 every day (PDS 70-612-06-450, $8.50.) The companion book, 2006 Children's Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study (ISBN 1-57153-057-6, $ 5.50), is handsomely illustrated and is a great tool to teach elementary and junior high youth about the importance and excitement of mission. To learn about current missionaries on the field, the 2005 Directed Mission Support Guide (PDS, 800-524-2612, Item 68700 05-050) lists the missionaries and the countries they serve. A list of new workers for 2006 is available at the same address. For those who have never had the opportunity to meet a mission worker personally or have not worked on a mission project, a new book provides an inspirational and invigorating glimpse into the life of courageous members who give up so much to proclaim Christ and work to bring healing and justice to other nations. Christ's Globe Trotter, The Legacy of Edward (Ted) Pollock (Franklin, TN: Providene House Publishers, 2005) was writen by Ted Pollock and Beverly Reeve. It chronicles six decades of Ted's breathtaking service with his wife Dolly, his children, grandchildren, fellow church members (he is active in First Presbyterian Church, Pittsford, NY), and friends from all over the world. Those who have been fortunate enough to travel with Ted ( I went on church rebuilding trips to Ethiopia and Mozambique) know him to be a man of indefatigable energy and determination. Even though he is in his nineties he can run most younger men and women into the ground. His enthusiasm about God's work is so high-powered that people meeting him for the first time worry that he might hyperventilate as he describes it.
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Written by Earl S. Johnson, Jr.
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Monday, 02 January 2006 12:00 |
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A woman who lives near the church likes to walk her dogs in the Rockwood State Forest. One day her two Labs disappeared into the brush and a minute later one of them came flying through the air, collapsing in a whining heap on the trail. He had encountered a mother bear and her two cubs in the blackberry bramble and she was not happy to make his acquaintance. The dog survived after all the puncture wounds in his neck healed. Truly he was well shaken and stirred. This story reminded me of the old saying I used to hear a lot as a youngster: "It is easier to catch bees with honey than with vinegar." It is hard to know where it comes from, but it makes a lot of sense. Of course, it is also possible to snare bears with honey and we all know how to be tough on people we meet when necessary. Personally, I prefer honey when I have the choice.
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Written by Earl S. Johnson Jr
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Friday, 16 December 2005 12:00 |
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In the October 3, 2005 issue of The Presbyterian Outlook, the question "How Do We Change the Book of Order?" was answered by reviewing steps and deadlines that must be followed to change our constitution.
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Written by Earl S. Johnson, Jr.
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Monday, 05 December 2005 12:00 |
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Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series of stories entitled: "What is a Presbyterian Elder?" (link to 'For Church Officers' articles)
The word "elder" in the Greek New Testament is presbuteros (for the biblical background see Part 1 in the April 25, 2005 issue). And the question is this: How many different kinds of presbyters are there in the PC(USA)? The answer "one" is correct from an initial perspective. All elders are called by Jesus Christ and are united in one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. They serve one worldwide church. What is more, anyone who is ordained an elder remains so for life unless he or she requests release from office by the session (G-14.0211), joins another denomination, or is temporarily or permanently removed from office for an offense (D-12.0000). In another sense there are two different kinds because there are elders in every congregation who serve various functions. Elders who are currently on the session are what used to be called "ruling" elders, but all other ordained elders in the congregation are still able to serve the Lord's Supper, and be commissioners, committee members, or officers of higher governing bodies (G-10.0102 p; 14.0203).
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Written by Earl S. Johnson, Jr.
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Monday, 17 October 2005 12:00 |
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This question makes three presuppositions: "¢ there really is a being called God; "¢ God wills good things for us; "¢ we can know what this will is. Without the knowledge of God's will it is difficult, if not impossible, to run a church successfully or powerfully. We may have the best administrative principles in place, be purpose-driven, have excellent preaching and full parking lots, but without knowing God's will and doing it, we will always have less than the full church of Christ.
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