Meet Matthew Vines
Don't miss his presentation on the Bible, homosexuality, and how the church's attitudes affect the lives of real people.
A Personal Perspective on Scott Anderson's Ordination
Much has been said and written about the ordination of Scott Anderson this past weekend at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsin. Covenant Network's Interim Executive Director, Nancy Enderle, offers her reflections about this momentous event.
Once the Scales Fell, a Conference Sermon
"Our healing is wrapped up in one another. Apparently, that's the way God designed it." The Rev. Katie Morrison talks about the hard work of circling back, in her sermon preached at the 2010 Covenant Conference in Houston.
"Baptism is every Christian's ordination."
Rev. Dr. Dean K. Thompson, recently retired President of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, spoke in support of Amendment 10-A at the March 1, 2011 meeting of the Presbytery of West Virginia.
Interview with Rev. Dr. Arlo Duba
Dr. Arlo Duba, Professor of Worship Emeritus, retired Dean of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, and PC(USA) Minister of Word and Sacrament, was recently interviewed by More Light Presbyterian Outreach Director, Debra Peevey. Dr. Duba shares his journey, leading to a change of heart and mind regarding the ordination of LGBT persons.
Standing by the Promises
Elder Signe Bell, speaking to New Castle Presbytery prior to their vote to approve Amendment 10-A, reminded Presbyterians of the promises made to all the baptized.
In Support of Amendment 10-A: Time to Move On
A recent post in The Presbyterian Outlook by Kirsten Kingdon, a CovNet Advisory Board member, a church Elder, and a Mom!
Appeal of Prop 8 - Remarks at pre-trial rally
Byers to Prop 8 repeal rally: “My congregation and many, many of my clergy colleagues want the freedom to marry the couples we believe God has called together to make covenants of faithfulness to one another. . . . Overturning Prop 8 gives religious liberty to all congregations and clergy, rather than privileging one group over another.
Fort Worth Pastor Calls Churches to Use Our Bully Pulpits to End Bullying
In a strong Op Ed, Fritz Ritsch, pastor of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, calls on the church to reconsider and change its "bullying" teaching on homosexuality.
Interfaith Clergy Statement of Support for GLBT Teens
In the wake of a rash of suicides after anti-gay bullying and violent attacks on gay people in New York, top faith leaders signed a pledge “to be LGBT and straight people of faith standing together for the shared values of decency and civility, compassion and care in all interactions.” PC(USA) Moderator Cindy Bolbach and Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons were among the national leaders signing the statement.
Covenant Conferences Change Lives!
Kate began attending our conferences as a Coe College student. Now pursuing ordination, she is currently participating in the Pastoral Residency Program at Central Presbyterian in Atlanta.
Tolerance is a Floor, Not a Ceiling
Tolerance should never be mistaken as radically different from intolerance. Thomas Paine best responded to this common error in his book, "The Rights of Man", when he wrote that tolerance was “not the opposite of Intolerance, but is the counterfeit of it. Both are despotisms.” The one, Paine wrote, assumes the right of withholding liberty, while the other assumes the right of granting it.
Declaring a Departure
Blessings on the recently-Reverend Abigail King Kaiser, who was ordained to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Cincinnati, having been examined and approved, with a departure from G-6.0106b, by the Presbytery of San Francisco. Read Abby's powerful Statement of Departure.
The Witness of Archbishop Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, continues to insist on God's love for all - and to challenge people of faith whose actions lead to harm for others.
And Grace Will Lead Me Home: Inclusion and Evangelical Conscience
As presbyteries continue to vote on Amendment 10-A, which would allow for freedom of conscience in the interpretation of what Scripture teaches about same-gender relationships, Mark Achtemeier is among those have testified to a change of mind.