Weekly Outlook - A turning point in writing a new confession

Dear readers, Most nights at dinner, my husband asks me, “What’s the best thing you read today?” It’s a small question, but a good one — it draws out a specific moment or insight from my workday rather than a vague “it was fine.” Earlier this week, my answer came from Mark Elsdon’s feature in our January issue on church vitality. In “The vital congregation of tomorrow,” Elsdon offers a metaphor that has stayed with me: the church today, he writes, is a bit like Blockbuster in the early 2000s. At that time, more and more people were ordering DVDs through Netflix, and streaming was just around the corner. There was little Blockbuster could do to keep its existing model relevant — and yet, people still wanted to watch movies. In the same way, people will always long for community, purpose and theological grounding. God remains present. What must change is not the heart of the church, but how it moves in the world. “The only way forward in this time of major social and religious change,” Elsdon writes, “is to adapt, change and move forward.” I had never heard our current religious moment named quite this way, but it deeply resonated with me. I suspect I’ll return to this metaphor often — in moments of worry, and as a way of explaining why I remain passionate about, and hopeful for, the church. If this piques your interest, I encourage you to read Elsdon’s feature and to keep an eye on this newsletter as we continue sharing content from our church vitality issue throughout the month. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. Our Lenten devotional is out! You can preorder "Discipleship in a divided age" today! The full product will be available by the end of the day today.

Inside the PC(USA)’s shift in mission and ministry by John Bolt What church decline is revealing about vitality by Mark Elsdon Holding the complexities of U.S. involvement in Latin America by Greg Allen-Pickett Why universalism belongs in the Reformed tradition by Lucus Levy Keppel Two pastors will stand for election as co-moderators of the 227th General Assembly by Mike Ferguson A turning point in the church’s search for a new confession by Harriet Riley In case you missed it... The hollow moral core of ‘Marty Supreme’ ‘Marty Supreme’ is an excellent film about a despicable confidence man. It perfectly reflects our historical moment, writes Jana Riess. Why a 50-year-old Presbyterian confession still matters 50 years later, A Declaration of Faith remains clear, poetic, relevant, writes John Williams. Queen Latifah: The theology of dignity From “U.N.I.T.Y.” to “Ladies First,” Queen Latifah refuses disrespect and insists on dignity. In this episode of “Theology of Hip-Hop” explores faith, Chris Burton reflects on Black womanhood and the image of God. Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Condemns U.S. Military Attack on Venezuela The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship calls upon our fellow Presbyterians to join the World Council of Churches and people of faith and goodwill around the world in condemning the military attack on Venezuela. — PPF The Rev. Jihyun Oh speaks out concerning US military action taken against Venezuela Oh cites numerous General Assembly policies calling instead for nonmilitary and collaborative international approaches. — Jihyun Oh Presbyterian Hispanic Latino leaders call for de-escalation after U.S. strike on Venezuela The National Hispanic Latino Presbyterian Caucus denounces the U.S. strike on Venezuela, citing biblical principles, history and calls for peace. — Dartinia Hull