Weekly Outlook - 2027 benefits changes from BOP

Dear readers, This September, we're turning our attention to youth ministry — not by talking about young people, but by listening to them and to the people who know them best. Created in partnership with the Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association, this special issue explores what it's like to be a young person in the church today and what it looks like for congregations to walk alongside them with humility, curiosity and care. Inside, you'll find thoughtful reflections from pastors, youth leaders, educators and nonprofit leaders on everything from mental health and youth leadership to the gifts of Black and LGBTQIA+ youth, the realities of ministry in small churches and the growing Youth Solidarity Movement. One of the themes that runs through every article is simple but important: young people are not just the future of the church. They are the church today. Their questions, wisdom and experiences have something to teach all of us. Order extra copies by August 5 to get the best price.  And don't forget our Christmas in July sale, which lasts through tomorrow! Using the coupon XMAS, you can get 10% off our entire archive of Advent resources. We'll start pre-orders for our 2026 Advent devotional in early September, but if you want to get ahead in your planning, I recommend taking a look at our 2025, 2022 and 2021 devotionals, which we've reformatted so they can be used in any year. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

America at 250: Can the church rise to this moment? by Jennifer Butler The Outlook staff will be off August 3-7 for Sabbath by Teri McDowell Ott Polity Matters: What’s in a title? by Carson Rhyne Board of Pensions approves 2027 benefits changes by BOP How Spider-Man shaped my Christian ethics by Brendan McLean  PC(USA) membership decline slows, but congregations continue to close by John Bolt

In case you missed it... Rural Pacific Northwest churches are sharing pastors across denominations to survive Rural Northwest churches are sharing pastors across denominations to cut costs, sustain ministries and keep congregations alive as attendance and clergy numbers decline. — Emma Maple Center of Hope (Haiti) cultivates a new generation of leaders The Center of Hope partnership has nurtured new leaders for a generation. — Gregg Brekke Presbyterian patriotism: Honestly honoring our history In the wake of the PC(USA)'s condemnation of Christian nationalism, Matthew B. Warren explores how Presbyterians can love their country without confusing it with the kingdom of God. A Sabbath prayer Teri McDowell Ott shares a Sabbath prayer on rest, play and freedom from productivity guilt. When Ella Langley and Lil Wayne join the benediction "Class of 2026, receive this final blessing with some help from George Strait, Sabrina Carpenter, Ella Langley, Wendell Berry, Pope Francis, the prophet Micah and Lil Wayne," writes chaplain Maggie Alsup. It's like SparkNotes but for GA. Order today!

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

Weekly Outlook - A surprising shift in PC(USA) membership

Dear readers, I saw my first back-to-school commercial the other day — one of those ads aimed at moms and kids — and it instantly transported me back to childhood. I can still remember the strange mix of excitement and dread those commercials stirred up. How could summer already be ending when it felt like it had just begun? What would this school year bring? I can still smell the freshly polished tile floors of my elementary school and remember the confidence of a brand-new first-day outfit and a pencil case stocked with fresh pencils. We're entering that stretch of summer that's equal parts savoring late evenings and preparing for the season ahead. So, in that spirit, we're getting a head start, too. Beginning tomorrow through July 31, all of our Advent devotionals, liturgies and hymn collections are 10% off with the code XMAS. It's a chance to check one thing off your fall to-do list while saving a little along the way. And if you're still catching up after General Assembly, we've got you covered there, too. Our new post-GA bulletin inserts summarize the assembly's major actions in a format that's easy to share with your congregation. Available in both full-page and half-page versions, they're designed to help your church understand what happened in Milwaukee—without having to sort through hours of reports and debate. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

When Ella Langley and Lil Wayne join the benediction by Maggie Alsup Presbyterian patriotism: Honestly honoring our history by Matthew B. Warren   A Presbyterian founder's antidote to our divided moment by James Calvin Davis PC(USA) membership decline slows, but congregations continue to close by John Bolt New website will enable churches and mid councils to easily prove their federal tax-exempt status by Mike Ferguson Polity Matters: What’s in a title? by Carson Rhyne

In case you missed it... Becoming Neighbors Loving our neighbor sounds simple — Aram Feinberg reviews Amar Peterman's "Becoming Neighbors" and asks if it's as easy as it sounds. The state of our union On America’s 250th anniversary, faith communities model a fragile but hopeful vision of unity grounded in truth, repentance and shared responsibility, writes Teri McDowell Ott. New ministry books for preaching, pastoral care and congregational life Whether crafting sermon series, accompanying grieving people or forming communities of radical welcome, these books offer practical wisdom for church leaders, writes Amy Pagliarella. Why Christians should care about science denialism When misinformation fuels disease outbreaks and deepens inequality, science denialism becomes more than an intellectual debate. It becomes a social justice issue that Christians cannot ignore, writes Elizabeth Haswell. Amid ICE killings, more than 100 clergy from across the US stage protest at Delaney Hall 'I am sick and tired of waking up every morning to see another loved one is dead,' said Charlene Walker, head of Faith in New Jersey. It's like SparkNotes but for General Assembly...

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

Weekly Outlook - Post-GA highlights

Dear readers, Getting back to regular life after General Assembly has felt a bit like stepping out of a wormhole. For one whirlwind week in Milwaukee, the Outlook team spent our days (and many late nights) reporting, writing, editing and sharing the news. It was exhausting and exhilarating — with some fun along the way. The downside? Our brains haven't quite gotten the memo that it's over. More than one of us is still having General Assembly dreams while we re-adjust to normal life. (Please tell me we're not the only ones.) If you closed your laptop after the assembly wrapped up, here are a few stories you may have missed: The assembly delayed work on a new confession — and the decision was more nuanced than it might seem. Commissioners approved the complete divestment of fossil fuels through the consent agenda. Young adults at GA found both deep friendships and deep tensions. The PC(USA) voted to investigate the closure of World Mission following one of the more dramatic plenary debates. One story pairs especially well with that last item. As the denomination wrestles with the consequences of the World Mission closure, Brittany Porch reflects on her congregation's recent mission trip to Peru — a reminder that even amid institutional change, relationships endure and God's love continues to be shared across the world. Happy reading, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. Want the SparkNotes version of GA for your congregation? Pre-order our post-GA bulletin insert, available July 15.

Assembly declines to send proposed confession to presbyteries by John A. Bolt As commissioners debated fossil fuels, Milwaukee’s streets carried a different kind of climate protest by Eric Ledermann Assembly declares Israel’s war in Gaza a genocide by Eric Ledermann A hopeful vision for global mission by Brittany Porch    PC(USA) Young Adult Advisory Delegates struggle to reconcile differences by Gregg Brekke and Mary Mabry Assembly creates commission to investigate World Mission closure by Eric Ledermann

In case you missed it... Faithful witness in divided times: New books on justice, church and public life These authors wrestle with polarization, climate change, racism, incarceration and community — asking what faithful Christian witness looks like in a fractured world. — Amy Pagliarella Spielberg’s Disclosure Day offers wonder — and questions for faith The acclaimed director pairs suspense with reflections on God, empathy and humanity's place in a universe that may be more populated than we imagined, writes Alfred Walker.  A Democratic and Republican Faith: A Public Theology for a Church and Nation in Crisis Reviewer Amy Pagliarella examines Raymond Roberts’ case that America’s democratic ideals are rooted in Protestant theology — and why the church still needs a “thicker” public faith. APCU to embrace PC(USA) seminaries, Presbyterian-founded schools around the world APCU is expanding its institutional membership to include seminaries and Presbyterian-founded institutions around the world. — APCU 227th General Assembly elects Pumroy-Cordero, Schondelmeyer as co-moderators Commissioners elected the pair on the first ballot after participating in a lengthy question-and-answer session with the full slate of candidates. — Eric Ledermann So Jung Kim: Remember her name Whitney Wilkinson Arreche remembers the Rev. Dr. So Jung Kim as a holy agitator whose passion for ecumenism and everyday theology left ongoing ripples. From relief to renewal: What the Jinishian Memorial Program teaches the church about mission As the Jinishian Memorial Program marks 60 years, Greg Allen Pickett explores what its long commitment to local leadership and civic formation can teach the church about mission. Our version of GA SparkNotes for your congregation... available July 15.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.