Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Archives

‘Get acquainted and get familiar with your intended community’

Posted May 11th, 2022

The Rev. Zoë Garry and the Rev. Ezequiel Herrera operate in different ministry settings. But as they found out during an hour-long conversation last week, which can be heard here, they share at least two traits: both are church planters, and both serve God and new worshiping communities in the Synod of the Sun.

One mid council leader’s take on embracing our new reality

Posted November 29th, 2021

Like with many congregations in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), for the 90 or so churches in the Presbytery of Arkansas, worship is now a different experience than it was before the pandemic, the Rev. Stewart Smith said last week during an episode of the Synod of the Sun’s “SunSpots” podcast.

Austin Seminary President Theodore J. Wardlaw announces plans to retire in 2022

Posted November 3rd, 2021

The Rev. Theodore J. Wardlaw, the ninth president of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, has announced plans to retire in 2022.

The Rev. Dr. Rose Niles joins Presbyterian Foundation as field staff

Posted July 30th, 2021

The journey that led the Rev. Dr. Rose Niles to become the Presbyterian Foundation’s newest Ministry Relations Officer began when she was asked to become a ruling elder at the age of 14.

‘It is very good’

Posted July 26th, 2021

After telling the 450 or so people attending the Synod of Lakes and Prairies’ Synod School on Monday that they’re co-creators with God and, as John Calvin once said, “little manifestations of God’s glory,” the Rev. Dr. Jill Duffield proved her point by asking participants to use their cellphones to take first a selfie and then a photo of the people seated around them.

Matthew 25: the real deal

Posted July 8th, 2021

The Rev. Dr. Floretta Barbee-Watkins calls her online outreach “Zoom at Noon,” and Wednesday’s edition “Matthew 25: the real deal.” But it might well have been labeled “Exegeting Matthew 25:31-46 in practical ways everyone can understand.”

With help from its youngest attendees, PAM conference ends on a high note

Posted July 2nd, 2021

Since Friday’s closing worship at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship and Music Conference focused on communion, dozens of loaves of bread from all over the world were spread on the communion table before worshipers. For this service, children were also front and center — right where Jesus wants them to be, according to Mark 10:13-16, one of the texts selected by the conference preacher, the Rev. CeCe Armstrong of St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S.C.

‘We are free’

Posted July 1st, 2021

During Thursday morning’s worship service at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship and Music Conference, the Rev. Cecilia (Ce Ce) Armstrong told those gathered in person and online that she was not going to preach a devotional sermon.

‘You are beloved dust and immeasurably important, yet life is incredibly short’

Posted June 30th, 2021

During worship Wednesday at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Music and Worship Conference, it was Ash Wednesday.

‘Attending with faithfulness to the church’s worship and community’

Posted June 21st, 2021

The first-ever hybrid version of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship and Music Conference began in person Sunday from Montreat Conference Center and includes an entirely online offering June 27 through July 2. View the conference livestream schedule here. Register for the online conference here.