Weekly Outlook - Exegesis exams: "The time for review is now"

Dear readers,  "I don't see any other editors jumping over phones," Teri McDowell Ott joked with Dartinia Hull and me in the lobby of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago.  She was right. We were in a room full of magazine editors, and we were the only ones jumping over a phone. It was for a trend-inspired video that social media producer Jesy Littlejohn was editing together (click through this story to see it). We like being a small staff in many ways. It's easy to pull the curtain back and show our readers the personalities behind the magazine and website. So, we jump over phones! The point of the video was also to showcase that the Outlook staff was together at the Best of the Christian Press Awards. It turned out to be an exciting evening. This year, 67 organizations submitted 821 entries to the 76 categories — and the Outlook was acknowledged with 10 awards! You probably will recognize some of the awarded articles, magazine issues and writers. It may seem like a marketing ploy for us to promote these awards. And, I suppose, in some ways it is — we can say we are an award-winning staff! But I have to tell you, we are proud of this recognition. I am proud. Because we work hard to tell the story of the church, to be helpful to our readers, to create something beautiful. And it's lovely to have someone tell you, even if it's with a piece of paper, "You did a really good job." So, celebrate with us! Jump over a phone if you like. And then we'll continue to do the work to which we are called.  In Christ, Rose Schrott Taylor Outlook digital content editor P.S. Join Outlook staffers Teri McDowell Ott, Dartinia Hull and Jesy Littlejohn today at 3:30 pm EST on Facebook Live to learn about the stories coming GA and how the Outlook plans to cover them! You can find the video on our homepage, where it will also be archived.

Exegesis exams: “The time for review is now.” by Rob Lowry, PCC chair Presbyterian Outlook receives 10 Best of the Christian Press Awards by Rose Schrott Taylor Pastoring in a secular age: Confessions of a recovering deist by Andy Kadzban Kendrick vs. Drake and the parallels with Christian integrity by Chris Burton In case you missed it... The grace in innovation "The practical necessity of innovation in our increasingly post-Christian country is an opportunity, perhaps even a movement of grace," writes Chris Dela Cruz. Union Theological Seminary votes to divest from companies profiting from Gaza war Union, a private, ecumenical school that serves as Columbia University’s faculty of theology but maintains a separate endowment, is the first U.S. institute of higher education known to divest from the war in Gaza. — Fiona Murphy Unification Commission introduces its culture consultant Kelly Beeland has worked with organizations small and large, including the Transportation Security Administration and NASA. — Mike Ferguson Background checks are essential for kids’ ministry. No one knows how many churches do them. Many denominations have passed new policies and procedures to make their churches safer for kids — few check to see if churches follow them. — Bob Smietana Lawmakers unveil statue of Billy Graham in US Capitol Billy Graham’s son, the Rev. Franklin Graham, praised the statue but said his father ‘would want the focus to be on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.’ — Jack Jenkins The N-Word of God "Let the unorthodox nature of this work speak to the body of believers in new and transformative ways that take seriously the past – and present – in hopes of envisioning a more just future." — Jordan Burton Join Faith and Money Network on a Trip of Perspective to Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. On the Deep South Investors Tour, we will deepen our understanding of racial inequity and learn how we can participate in solutions that build wealth for Black Americans. Church for Everyone: Building a Multi-Inclusive Community for Emerging Generations In this post-pandemic moment, "Church for Everyone" sees an opportunity to follow biblical mandates for a more just, equitable and inclusive world. — Omar Rouchon Your summer reading guide — bonus content Outlook Social Media Producer Jesy Littlejohn and Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella offer a deeper look into the minds that curate our reading lists. Plus: all the books you should read this summer.