On this episode of Encounter, Jeff Japinga shares his reflections on how we can be intentional in naming who we are as Presbyterians. We explore why it matters as we explore the distinctive characteristics and particularities that make us PCUSA Presbyterians. We'd love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts with us by writing to [email protected]. Thank you!In this podcast we mention Jeff Japinga's Reformation Day sermon, "Why We Choose to Be Reformed," at Westminster Presbyt...

Ruling elder, Kymberlaine Banks, provides a reflection, reminding us to stand firm in the faith, live in courage, and do everything in love.

Travel along the road with Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava as she shares how her experience of serving a non-Presbyterian church helped her recognize her deep appreciation of Presbyterian polity, governance, and openness to being reformed and solidified her identity as a PCUSA Presbyterian.We'd love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts with us by writing to [email protected]. Thank you!

Author, singer, songwriter, and activist, David LaMotte, invites us to go beyond the hero story narrative and into movement work. Serving together in community, even in committees, can be part of that movement and changes the world!For more of David’s words, find links to his TEDx Talk, book, and music at davidlamotte.comTo assist those still recovering from recent natural disasters, consider a gift to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

How do diverse cultural perspectives help us have a deeper understanding of what it means to be Presbyterian? Guests Princeton Abaraoha and Danelle McKinney share their perspectives, as an African Immigrant and an Indigenous Native American, in this exploration of the space between cultural identities and Presbyterian identity. Danelle and Princeton share the challenges but also the commonalities that align to bridge the gap between the two. As we listen to voices within the rich diversity of...

Spiritual practices don’t always need to be focused around words. Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, ruling elder and Regional Liaison for the Caribbean with Presbyterian World Mission, shares the way that her connection to God is expressed through prayers created in watercolor

“This denomination actually wants to hear from me?” That was the pivotal moment when, as a youth advisory delegate in 1995 that guest Kevin Veldhuisen knew he was a PCUSA Presbyterian. "This I where I belong, this is a good place." An openness to being reformed and hearing from the fullness of the diverse as well as the minority voices within the church's membership and creating space for dialogue and discernment aligns with a stated value of the General Assembly and who we strive to be as PC...

Deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders are companions in ministry and are responding to call by fulfilling particular functions in Christ’s church. The language we use about them is important and sends messages about what we believe. Christian Boyd, pastor and presbytery stated clerk, helps us understand more about some of our word origins and their significance, calling us to lift up all of the ordered ministries

Hello Church People! In this episode, our guest Rodger Nishioka shares how he discovered he was a Presbyterian! We discuss the spiritual developmental process from youth to adulthood and how Presbyterian identity is reflected during different life stages. Rodger provides a profound view of his childhood experiences and explains how being a professor, pastor, and youth coordinator throughout his career has equipped him with tools to help others understand what being a Presbyterian is all about...

Who wears a collar? How about a robe? Christian Boyd, pastor and presbytery stated clerk, explores the history and symbolism of these outward signs of ministry and the direct connection to our Presbyterian beliefs about the ordered ministries of teaching elder, ruling elder, and deacon

What is Presbyterian identity? When did you know, at your core, that you were a PCUSA Presbyterian? In this episode Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shares how the interplay of the theological aspects of our faith and the polity side of things came together and played a role in her realizing that she was indeed a Presbyterian. How does Presbyterian identity inform our practices and how we live out God's mission in the world as the covenant co...

The hosts of the Encounter and Nourish episodes join together to think back on all of the gifts that the second season brought to the listeners – and the hosts. Contribute your own feedback and reflections by emailing them at [email protected].

In this episode referencing the document, Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians in Times of Disagreement, Ruling Elder Sara Pottschmidt joins us to reflect on navigating difficult conversations or conflicts that may raise uncomfortable feelings of disappointment, anger, or even defensiveness particularly as we serve in the various councils of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and beyond.The Standing Rules of the General Assembly remind us that “As Presbyterians, we are ...

Mark Koenig provides a reflection on call with a capital “C” and call with a lowercase “c”, and the way that our calls connect us to community. More on these aspects of ministry as presented by Jack Stotts, are available here.

The 225th General Assembly (2022) introduced and the 226th General Assembly will continue to use equity primes, prompts, and questions to lessen bias and ensure that multiple and diverse perspectives and invited and considered in order that we may "hear the voice of the Spirit contributed by all participants" in our decision-making. Join Amanda Craft, Office of the General Assembly and Robin Pugh, Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, who serve as GA226 Equity Support Coordin...

The work of a commissioner isn't just to one meeting and then they are done? While this may be a surprise to some, Jihyun Oh helps us understand a little more about the service of PC(USA) commissioners and how the rest of us can support them.

Hello Church People! As Mid Council Leaders with years of valuable experience, and also as former Commissioners to the General Assembly and advisory delegates, Fran Lane Lawrence, Forrest Classen, and Eliana Maxim share with us their thoughts, strategies, and ideas on how to prepare commissioners for the overwhelming mental, physical and Spiritual encounters they will have in the next General Assembly. Join us!

Deacon and college student, Axel Obed Nieves Torres, shares his story of call to church leadership and how he connected to the ministries through his God-given gifts, giving all of us a chance to reflect on our own gifts and call. 

Hello Church people! Director for General Assembly Planning, Kate Trigger Duffert, and Manager for General Assembly Business, Ken Tolley, share the ins and outs of this year's processes for Overtures, PC-Biz, and some great pointers for Commissioners, Mid Councils, and church leaders to get involved in the democratic process that GA provides.  [email protected] [email protected]

Joyce Lieberman helps navigate the call we have to vote – in our churches and assemblies but also in our general elections – and how our faith can, and should, connect as we consider our choices. 

Our histories, our stories are a vital part of who we are and more and more we include storytelling as part of our conferences, workshops, meetings, and ministries. Complexifying,  countering, re-examining the stories we tell, and the narratives we believe is not easy work but faithful work. Join Allison Davis and Kyna Herzinger from the Presbyterian Historical Society, Office of the General Assembly, and Lee Catoe, Editor of Unbound, Presbyterian Mission Agency, as they share how engaging...

Sometimes hobbies can connect us to God and to each other and become a deeply meaningful spiritual practice. Priscilla Andre-Colton tells us all about her ministry of praying for others and demonstrating care through her ministry of making and sending cards. 

Rev. Brian Heron shares with us his experience creating conversations and actions with pastoral ministries that envision the legacy of the communities and congregations that are working on transforming their ministerial purpose. As a former Executive Presbyter and now in a transitional position, Rev. Heron provides mid council leaders with tips and guidelines on how a grief-specialized ministry can give a new life to those involved.  You can contact Rev. Brian Heron at [email protected]

As Christians, we are called to seek justice for all of God’s children. Lee Catoe helps us unpack what justice means, ways we can be active in ministries of justice in our contexts, and resources for the journey.