The national gathering for 1001 New Worshiping Communities and Vital Congregations opened on Monday with a welcome reception in the Century Ballroom of the Westin Hotel.
At Perspectives: The Church … Then … Now …Beyond, those engaged in starting new worshiping communities and working to transform existing congregations will worship and learn together from a pair of keynote speakers, the Rev. Dr. Gregory Ellison and the Rev. Becca Stevens.
“I believe the church extends far beyond the congregation or building,” said the Rev. Mary Sellers Shaw. “I am called to build community both inside and outside the church.”
Sixteen-year-old Brandon Earley and his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Neal Carter, chose an unconventional route this summer to grow closer while discussing Scripture, theology and anything else that came to mind during long house spent on a hobby they now share.
On behalf of Presbyterian Mission Agency, during its latest grant cycle the Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRC) recently approved 19 Mission Program Grants to worshiping communities.
The Rev. Edwin Gonzalez Gertz says Light of Hope Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia, didn’t hesitate to become a Matthew 25 church. It provided them the language to articulate who they are.
Scott Galloway’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all Presbyterian pastors. Galloway has followed all three of his preacher forebears — not into the pulpit, but as a storyteller and filmmaker who’s created a product that pastors, church educators and others can use to stimulate discussion and make the weekly readings from the Revised Common Lectionary more relatable to Sunday worshipers.
