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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — In the heart of Puerto Nuevo, a Presbyterian congregation has taken a bold step toward inclusion and renewal by opening the pulpit to laywomen—recognizing their calls, their voices, and their leadership in the life of the church.
En el corazón de Puerto Nuevo, una comunidad de fe ha decidido dar un paso firme hacia el futuro: abrir el púlpito a las mujeres laicas, reconociendo su llamado, su voz y su liderazgo espiritual. El proyecto impulsado por la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Puerto Nuevo, en San Juan, Puerto Rico, no solo ha transformado la dinámica interna de la congregación, sino que también ha dejado huellas en otras iglesias y denominaciones de la isla.
In a world generically “spiritual,” how does a preacher tend to the highest calling of the pastoral life: the tending of souls?
Often the task of preaching falls on the senior pastor or a few gifted speakers. However, congregations need diverse diets and voices to be nourished and equipped by the preaching of God’s word.
While completing a grant on playfulness in worship, Sarah Travis began to see connections between play and trauma. Worshiping God through embodied, imaginative, and story-based practices helps people and congregations stuck in trauma begin to move toward healing and new life.
Resources to help churches and other faith communities do ministry with people affected by adverse childhood experiences or other trauma.
Singing in a good choir is aesthetically satisfying. But choral directors have the opportunity to do so much more. Mark Stover explains how do pastoral ministry in and through choral ensembles. This includes choosing anthems that promote social justice in ways that express God’s wide welcome.
The demographic reality of California—especially Los Angeles, where most Spanish-speaking churches receive many immigrants—inspired Pastor Francisco Zamora of Modus Church and his leaders, Eunice Soriano and Barnett Quiñones, to launch the "Immigrant Church Project.”
In this episode, Nathan Longfield, pastor of Emmaus Church, a newer worshiping community, talks about their year-long project that explored embodiment and trauma-informed practices to more deeply engage in worship as a congregation and community.
Nepali Reformed Churches pastor Arbin Pokharel often describes worship as helping worshipers reenact their identity as God’s people. Doing so honestly means including hospitality, healing, prayer, celebration, and lament.
Higher Ground Nepal is a social enterprise that includes people from all walks of life in Nepal. Proselytizing is not allowed in Nepal, but when people see others living as the genuine presence of Christ in people’s situations, it makes a difference.
Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) often feel left out, even at church. But schools, churches, and agencies can work together to create a sense of belonging that nurtures everyone. Inclusive postsecondary education increases opportunity for employment, independent living, and sharing God-given gifts.
