gifts Archives

Gracie finds her gift, and so do we

Posted June 21st, 2022

The educator and author who for 15 years has brought Presbyterians the adventures of Gracie the fish recently revealed to a Between Two Pulpits audience the secret to keeping her underwater tales current: Take an annual trip to the local aquarium.

Honing a church’s mission

Posted May 27th, 2022

Three years ago, if you were to ask Austin, Texas, residents what they knew about Hope Presbyterian Church, chances are they would have remarked on the beautiful roses on the property. Not much would have been said about its mission — until now.

Minute for Mission: Pentecost Offering

Posted May 25th, 2022

“We plan and God laughs” is identified as a Yiddish proverb, the title of a book or two and the headline of multiple online articles meant to help people navigate periods in life when personal plans seem to disintegrate in front of their eyes. When we hear or read the proverb, it can be difficult not to nod along, especially when the phrase encapsulates something most of us have experienced: a perfect resume or proposal sent, but no word back; a flawless itinerary dissolved by the smallest delay; an event set to begin, upended by a storm; a setback or an entirely “new normal.”

Final in the Matthew 25 video discussion series released

Posted May 24th, 2022

“Engaging Matthew 25 Through Film – Building Congregational Vitality” is a video guide that helps the reader answer the question: What is congregational vitality?

Giving came naturally to the ‘Bread Lady’

Posted March 23rd, 2022

When Doris Brown, a member of Sherrill’s Ford Presbyterian Church in Sherrill’s Ford, North Carolina, was invited to write a prayer for the 2020–21 Presbyterian Giving Catalog, the words she penned revealed a singular truth about this extraordinary woman’s life and legacy. Brown lived to serve.

Minute for Mission: Giving Tuesday

Posted October 19th, 2021

Giving Tuesday allows us to celebrate what makes us proud to be Presbyterian.

Rethinking stewardship approaches

Posted August 24th, 2021

I am not usually a fan of a pastor or someone in my position using themselves as a good example. If pastors tell a story from their lives in a sermon, I think it should be a story about how they learned something about their faith because of a failing or a shortcoming, or a story about something funny that happened to them. I also think pastors should never use their children as examples, especially if the child is in worship. The last thing preachers’ kids need is to have more attention drawn to them.

Doubling the giving by working together

Posted May 14th, 2021

Jenn Chow, a hospice nurse, ruling elder and member of the worship team at Living Hope Church in Port Hueneme, California, and her husband, Sean, associate for training and leadership cohorts for the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s 1001 New Worshiping Communities, know their way around new church plants and their leaders. And they really like them.

Minute for Mission: Pentecost Offering Sunday

Posted April 29th, 2021

Who have been your most influential teachers? All types of teachers — at school, at church, at work and in families — help shape who we become. We are grateful for all our teachers.

Minute for Mission: Legacy Giving Sunday

Posted April 27th, 2021

Caroline Davis Rourk has been a member of her church for her entire life. It’s a place of hope, friendship and a place that challenges her spiritually. And it’s a place that she wants to be around for generations to come.