A tropical wind blowing beneath the palm trees. 100 worshipers in two languages. 30-year-friendships and brand new pals gathered around the table. Hands swinging overhead in joy. Even a conga line to the African praise song, “Siyahamba.” All of this, and more, characterized the joint worship service last month celebrating the work of the Spirit in the 30-year-partnership between Miami Valley Presbytery and the Presbytery of the North Coast in Colombia. The service was one of many highlights...

I often wonder how often the church’s proclamations really make it into the public consciousness. Our denomination’s 227th General Assembly begins in late June; as commissioners debate various proclamations, I hope they will consider whether the statements will mostly annoy other Presbyterians who disagree, or if the declarations will actually help the world look more the way God wants. Perhaps we should look to Pope Leo for a model. According to Google, his recent statement on Artificial...

Toxic polarization is one of the defining traits of American culture in the 21st century. After the assassination attempt at the White House Correspondence Dinner last month, voices were divided. Some on my social media feed shared theories about why the whole event must have been staged; others shared perspectives that the new White House ballroom will prevent such attempts in the future. These posts were more prominent than those who simply decried the specific act of potential violence...