Weekly Outlook - A pastor-less future?

Dear Outlook readers,  The world of content creation is more of an art than a science. I can't tell you the number of times I work with an author to craft a beautiful essay, and it only gets minimal views (see here, for instance). But every once in a while, a story is published at the right time and people engage with it — which means that more people see it and engage with it. As an editor, this is exciting because you know you hit on something meaningful. That happened yesterday on Facebook with Catherine Neelly Burton's article "The future of the PC(USA) is pastor-less, and that’s OK." from our January issue. As of this morning, there are over a hundred comments on our Facebook post. Our readers have some thoughts about the church's future — I'm guessing you do, too, if you saw the subject of this email and opened it.  I don't have any grand opinions worth sharing on this topic, but I can offer you a peek behind the Outlook curtain. We follow these conversations. When there are criticisms and critiques for us, we consider them. Sometimes we share frustration as a staff when people comment about the article without reading the article. Yet, more than anything, we get joy from being a place to host faithful dialogues. As the only independent publisher of the PC(USA), we consider it a part of our mission.  So thank you for reading, and I hope you join the conversation.  In Christ, Rose Schrott Taylor Outlook digital content editor

The future of the PC(USA) is pastor-less, and that’s OK by Catherine Neelly Burton What is Epiphany? by Katy Shevel 13 emerging faith leaders who made their mark in 2023 by Yonat Shimron The great ends of the (small) church by Phil Blackburn In case you missed it... Small is beautiful "Church vitality is more about spirit than size, and small churches across the country often serve as hubs of connection for small towns and rural areas." — Teri McDowell Ott Acknowledging and seeking to heal the wounds of pastors How can we acknowledge pain while still celebrating the call? Carol Howard and Martha Mitchell discuss the very real problem of clergy burnout and the hope-filled responses of clergy care. Receiving This Life: Practicing the Deepest Belonging Kara Root’s message is this: Receive what is. Receive what is difficult. Receive what God is doing. Receive what God has already done. Receive what will be. Receive it all. — Philip J. Reed Rethinking the Police: An Officer’s Confession and the Pathway to Reform "While Daniel Reinhardt is one of many voices in the police-reform conversation, his personal experiences, combined with a calm yet passionate tone, provide a welcome addition to a complex topic," writes Amy Pagliarella. When Jesus Went to Egypt (a free hymn) "O God, we pray for children/ And families coming here/ Now facing separation,/ And filled with grief and fear," writes Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Oh, the places you will go: Reflections from a multi-faith funeral Looking at Psalm 121, Karie Charlton reflects that we are all called to respond to each other and participate in the Universal Heart.