Weekly Outlook - The new confession, explained

Dear readers, This week, two major stories offer a window into the questions shaping the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ahead of the 227th General Assembly. First, former mission co-workers are beginning to speak publicly after the denomination’s sweeping 2025 cuts to global mission. Their accounts raise difficult questions about trust, transparency and the future of international partnerships — and what accountability might look like as overtures related to those decisions come before GA. Meanwhile, a proposed new confession — years in the making — is moving toward consideration this summer. Designed to articulate “the truths the church must speak” today, the document names contemporary sins and calls the church toward renewed witness in a changing world. If adopted, it could shape Presbyterian theology for generations. Together, these stories point to the deeper work before the church: how we name what has been, and how we discern what comes next. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. We've got a lot of GA content heading your way. If you're worried about hitting our paywall — or have people in your life who you think would benefit from the latest PC(USA) news — we're running a special for first-time subscribers: a year-long digital subscription for $9.95.

Special committee proposes confession specific to the times we live in by Harriet Riley A surprising intersection: Queer theology and disability theology by Tony Stiff  Polyamory, church policy and the limits of regulation by April Stace Church support and care for transgender congregants by Patrice Gaines  Former mission co-workers go public as PC(USA) severance conditions expire by Eric Ledermann The church cannot be silent — but what should it say? by Harriet Riley

In case you missed it... Beyond inclusion White supremacist institutions cannot be reformed to realize Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream. New structures are needed, writes David F. Evans. Climate Justice, Climate Hope: Building a Moral Economy In "Climate Justice, Climate Hope," Michael Malcom and abby mohaupt connect Scripture to today’s climate crisis — casting a vision for a moral economy rooted in care, community and faithful stewardship, writes Amy Pagliarella. Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center awarded nearly $2 million in grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. The camp with PC(USA) connections will use the grant to support critical capital improvements, including facility restoration, expanded capacity, and enhanced accessibility. — Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center A pastor’s clarity is a congregation’s gift Responding to Gary Noonan, Josh Robinson encourages candidates to bring clarity, conviction and self-knowledge into the pastoral search process. Unification Commission, A Corp Board unanimously recommend balanced unified budgets for 2027 and 2028 The budget proposals, which await approval by the 227th General Assembly, are for $90.5 million in 2027 and $97.9 million in 2028. — Mike Ferguson Rebecca Sue: A Sister’s Reflections on Disability, Faith, and Love  In "Rebecca Sue," Kathleen Norris honors her sister’s childlike faith and enduring humanity, offering a moving meditation on disability, family and God’s steadfast care. Review by Amy Pagliarella. Gracious exclusion: Courage to name the no in our yes Can saying “no” be an act of Christian love? Becca Messman explores how boundaries help churches practice deeper, more meaningful inclusion.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

byFaith Magazine - The Highest-Attendance Churches in the PCA

The Highest-Attendance Churches in the PCA By Andy Jones Here are the 50 churches who average the highest attendance in the PCA. READ NOW

Suffering with Honesty and Hope By Adam Tisdale This book approaches suffering from a theological perspective while emphasizing its practical outworking. READ NOW Pastoral Residency Programs Provide Mentoring and Experience By Sarah Reardon More congregations are offering church-based residency programs to prepare men for ministry.  READ NOW The Nearness of Christ By Catherine Duffin Christ is not distant from the life of his church. READ NOW Teaching Kids to Pray Biblically By Jonathan Hooper Is there any sweeter sound to a parent's ear than a child's little voice praying to God? READ NOW

AROUND THE WEB Panama City church reopens sanctuary nearly 8 years after Hurricane Michael   On April 19, First Presbyterian Church in downtown Panama City hosted its first service in its reconstructed sanctuary. The service marked the first time the church has gathered in the sanctuary since October 2018. Celebrating the Homegoing of Rose Marie Miller   Rose Marie Miller, co-founder of Serge, entered the presence of Jesus on March 26, 2026, at the age of 101.  Holiness as the Mission and Apologetic Method of the Church The first lecture in this series focused on the ways in which our culture has shifted over the last several decades from one grounded to some degree in Christian values and worldview to one more properly considered pluralistic and even pagan.  A PCA Kurdistan partnership pioneers a new way to adopt unreached people groups   The sales pitch was: "You guys probably don’t want to do this. I know churches like to see results, and there’s nothing there. It’s going to take years." The vision trip members prayed, and said yes. The Sexual Revolution Can’t Keep Its Promises Review: ‘The End of the Gay Rights Revolution’ by Ronan McCrea FOLLOW  |  DONATE  |  DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RNS Morning Report - Most US adults still support abortion access, despite declines for some Christians

How views on abortion have shifted for some religious groups A new survey by the Public Religion Research Institute studied how views on abortion among U.S. adults have shifted since 2024, and how those beliefs are broken down across religious groups. As RNS national reporter Aleja Hertzler-McCain reports, most religious groups had majority support for legal abortion: Unitarian Universalists (89%), religiously unaffiliated people (82%), Jews (80%), Buddhists (79%), Hindus (78%), Black Protestants (70%), white mainline/nonevangelical Protestants (65%), Hispanic Catholics (62%), white Catholics (57%) and Muslims (54%). However, both white Catholics and white mainline/nonevangelical Protestants have demonstrated a small swing toward an anti-abortion position since 2024. Three religious groups that indicated abortion should be illegal in all or most cases — white evangelical Protestants (72%), Latter-day saints (69%) and Hispanic Protestants (58%) — all supported President Donald Trump in 2024. Only one other group, Jehovah’s Witnesses, had a majority say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. Read Hertzler-McCain’s full report and scholars’ analysis on religious Americans’ evolving abortion views below. Top Stories Most US adults still support abortion access, despite declines for some Christians (RNS) — In a survey conducted throughout much of 2025, 57% of white Catholics said abortion should be legal in all or most cases — down from 62% in 2024. Pope Leo leaves Africa with a message of justice and peace that now faces a test MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (RNS) — Christian leaders say the pontiff’s call for peace, justice and accountable leadership resonated widely, but lasting impact will depend on what follows his departure. NY Zen Center holds memorial service for an AI companion (RNS) — The sensei said this is the first time the Zen Center has memorialized an AI companion, but he doesn’t foresee it being the last. Pope tells inmates ‘you are not alone’ during Equatorial Guinea prison visit at end of Africa tour BATA, Equatorial Guinea (AP) — Leo’s visit to the prison in the Central African port city of Bata followed in the tradition of Pope Francis, who frequently met with inmates on his foreign visits to give them a message of hope. Opinion The radical decision letting the Ten Commandments be posted in Texas classrooms (RNS) — Over 60 years of establishment clause jurisprudence will be overturned if the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals gets its way. Israeli attacks on Christians and Christianity demand answers (RNS) — Without serious accountability, follow-up and a credible investigation into alleged incitement in some religious schools, the attacks against Christians and other people of faith will not stop. ICYMI Church trial date set for ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood (RNS) — Wood has filed a motion to dismiss the case, and the church court will hear arguments on that motion in May. AME Church clergy could recover $44M more in retirement scandal settlement (RNS) — ‘We still have defendants who are fighting, and we have more work to do, but this is a major step forward in this litigation,’ said lawyers involved in the case. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.