Weekly Outlook - Meet Jihyun Oh, PC(USA)’s new stated clerk 👋

Dear readers, Did you know that 40% of seminary students anticipate working as bivocational ministers upon graduation? That's according to a 2022 study run by the organization that accredits PC(USA) seminaries (and others).  This statistic stood out to me in Packard Brown's "Overcoming biases: Navigating secular employment as a bivocational pastor." As a 2021 seminary grad, I began thinking about my classmates, many of whom have full-time ministry jobs and some of whom now work in different or adjacent fields. It's one purpose to prepare students for ministry; it's another competency to teach students (or long-time pastors) how to translate their skills between work cultures with different expectations. Are we preparing our pastors to succeed in a changing culture? Are we preparing congregations to shift their leadership expectations? At the Outlook, we frequently receive Facebook comments or letters to the editor about how the PC(USA) is failing because our membership numbers are dropping year over year or because churches can no longer afford a full-time pastor. I recognize that these comments often come from an authentic place of worry and there is value to self-evaluation. At the same time, I can't help but feel a little excited to see what the Spirit will do with these growing numbers of bivocational pastors. What new lessons will be learned? What new people will be ministered to? In her interview with the Outlook, newly-elected Stated Clerk Jihyun Oh wrestles with the challenges facing the PC(USA) but concludes: "I am so hopeful for the church. I think we’re really on some sort of cusp. I don’t know what that cusp is, but there’s just so much potential, so much energy, so many resources." I can't help but agree, even if there are days when I am anxious or annoyed. Maybe such excitement in the face of declining numbers is foolish ... or maybe it's an expression of faith.  Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor P.S. Is anyone else excited for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies? Those who are (or those who love tattoos) will enjoy this read.

Navigating secular employment as a bivocational pastor by Packard N. Brown Get to know Jihyun Oh, the PC(USA)’s new stated clerk by Teri McDowell Ott and Eric Ledermann The importance behind the General Assembly approval of RSG-05 by Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri Teaching Reformed theology in Trump’s America by David W. Congdon In case you missed it... At the Olympics, athletes show guts, glory – and a lot of ink, including tattoos that profess their faith Gustavo Morello, a scholar of religion, writes about tattoos. Kamala Harris’ multi-religious identity is a map of the future She would be the first presidential candidate with a diverse personal religious and spiritual history that is now far more representative of America’s multi-faith makeup. — Yonat Shimron More than 200 Christian leaders sign letter calling for cease-fire in Gaza The letter comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the U.S., where he is expected to address Congress on Wednesday and meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday. — RNS National Council of Churches decries Supreme Court ruling criminalizing unhoused persons The NCC calls on people of faith among its 37 member communions to take action in their local community. — NCC Deep South Investors Tour: September 8-15 Join Faith and Money Network on a six-day tour through Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, to experience how our country’s legacy of racial inequity persists today in major systems from home ownership to education to banking — and how Hope Credit Union and its investors are working for change. Learn more. Books you should know Outlook Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella offers a list of books to add to your "must-read" list. Being the church — together Our culture breeds an assumption of separation: "they" are the problem. How can the church stand against this, asks Teri McDowell Ott?