Presbyterian Mission Agency occasional paper Archives

Occasional Paper: The Open Table

Posted October 24th, 2011

This essay explores the debate over “open table” practice — inviting persons who are not baptized to participate in the Lord’s Supper. The author examines the understandings of the gospel… Read more »

Occasional Paper: Between Confessions

Posted March 17th, 2010

By William C. Placher Occasional Paper #3 — What happened in American theology during the quarter century between “The Confession of 1967” and “A Brief Statement of Faith”? The author… Read more »

Occasional Paper: Catholic and Reformed

Posted March 17th, 2010

By John A. Radano Occasional Paper #8 — Monsignor John A. Radano, head of the Western Section of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, offers a review of the… Read more »

Occassional Paper: Spirit’s Gifts — God’s Reign

Posted March 17th, 2010

By Yohan Hyun and Frank Macchia Presbyterian and Pentecostal both begin with the letter “P,” but many believe that is where the similarity ends. Spirit’s Gifts — God’s Reign provides… Read more »

Occasional Paper: Mission from the Margins

Posted March 17th, 2010

By Philip Wickeri Philip Wickeri believes that we are living in a time of fundamental change in the shape and structure of world Christianity. This change creates a crisis that… Read more »

Occasional Paper: The Shape of Pastoral Ministry

Posted March 17th, 2010

By Joseph A. Sittler and Richard R. Osmer Occasional Paper #13 reprints two significant essays that are no longer readily available. “The Maceration of the Minister” by the late Lutheran… Read more »

Occasional Paper: Growing Up Theologically

Posted March 17th, 2010

By Leanne Van Dyk In Theology and Worship Occasional Paper No. 15, Leanne Van Dyk develops a lively metaphor for thinking theologically. Growing Up Theologically spins out the process of… Read more »

Occasional Paper #20 – Pia conspiratio: Calvin’s commitment to the unity of Christ’s church

Posted March 17th, 2010

By Lukas Vischer Occasional Paper #20 gathers together some of Calvin’s statements about unity and provides an interpretive framework for understanding Calvin, the Reformed tradition and our own situation. The… Read more »

Occasional Paper: What Can the Presbyterian Church do to Turn Around Its Long Decline?

Posted March 10th, 2010

by Carol Howard Merritt, pastor, Western Presbyterian Church In this paper, author Howard responds to Beau Weston arguments in “Rebuilding the Presbyterian Establishment.” She addresses a query concerning Presbyterians: What… Read more »