Along the Road: A Podcast for PC(USA) Leaders

Andrew Miller, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pleasant, MI, shares several of the ways that church leaders are nourished and formed within one congregation, and the ways that all church leaders can consider their service and call. To contact Andrew directly for specifics of these ministries, email him at AndrewMiller@fpcmp.org . 

Warren McNeill, stated clerk and Wilfredo Garcia, co-chair of the Commission on Ministry share how the flexibility of the “new” Book of Order plays a critical role in enabling the Presbytery of New York City to adapt to changing circumstances while strengthening their mission and ministry and covenantal community of faith. We'd love to hear about polity innovations you are using in your counc...

Writing can connect us to God and each other and can transform us in ways we might not expect. Julie Hester, pastor and writer, shares her own story of how writing helped her in a time of deep grief and how we, too, can grow closer to God through this practice.  To receive Julie’s weekly writing prompts and find out about her writing workshops, visit juliehester.com .

Ellen Crawford True, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Concord, NC, offers a reflection on I Peter 5 while providing inspiring words for the invaluable ministries of ruling elders and deacons. 

This is not your ordinary conversation about representation! Join Anna Kendig Flores and Eric Thomas, co-moderators of the GA Committee on Representation, and Jihyun Oh, Director of Mid Council Ministries and Associate Stated Clerk in the Office of the General Assembly as we continue delving into the nuances of F-1.0403 from the Foundations of Presbyterian polity focusing on the GA Committee on Re...

Nancy Taylor, deacon and executive director of the Presbyterian Historical Society, shares the story of how her call was identified, her service in the church and as a deacon, and her learnings about ministry while living with multiple roles. 

Join Jihyun Oh in the first of two insightful episodes, as she delves deep into the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity F-1.0403 and challenges us to deepen our understanding of our call to live together in a covenantal community of faith.

Presbyterians have a rich history of advocacy and speaking out in faith. This is not just a role for the experts around us. Amanda Craft, manager of Immigration Advocacy in the PC(USA) Office of the General Assembly, talks about the importance of sharing our faith with others and on behalf of others. 

Spending time doing something you love can bring you closer to God. In Stephen Park Choi’s case, that has been making time to hike and enjoy God’s creation, both alone and in the community of others. Stephen serves as the pastor of Stewartsville Presbyterian Church in Stewartsville, NJ.

How do you start conversations with a Session on the Sexual Misconduct policies? What do we do with those bulky insurance coverage documents every year? Am I covered in my state?  We talk with Flor Vélez-Díaz (OGA), April Davenport, and Mike Kirk (Legal Services, A Corp) about the important tasks Mid Councils and Sessions must do every new year as corporations with fiduciary and legal responsibili...

Angela Duffy and Greg Rousos of New Covenant Trust Company share their vast knowledge about how our investments can reflect our values and spirituality, including the ways that the PC(USA) has been involved in responsible investing 

Hello Church People! Today Greg Rousos from the New Covenant Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Presbyterian Foundation, will share and explain how we can multiply the congregation's income with new tools of investment and responsible planning. We talk about how to decide what to look for and will provide guidance into local and federal laws that bind the churches and their finan...

Join Kerry Rice, ruling elder and Deputy Stated Clerk of the Office of the General Assembly, to think further about how our shared governance in the PC(USA) means that all of our roles are important in Christ’s church 

We are all in constant transition, and sometimes we don’t even recognize it. Today we talk with Reverend Mason Todd about transitional ministry and how it supports all types of congregations in all the stages of life and ministry. The tools discussed here are meant to inspire other Mid Councils and Congregations to expand their ministry search and explore new ways to reexamine their ministry. Maso...

Jenna Campbell, Director of Children and Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, OK and the 2023 APCE Enrich Educator of the Year, reminds us of the importance of education in discipleship and offers advice to inspire church leaders as they seek to serve faithfully 

"Parranda!", is the word that Puerto Ricans surprise their friends after hours singing Christmas songs outside of their home. We surprise you with gifts of caroling and Christmas joy. Please enjoy these 5 amazing interpretations from people around our denomination: Joy to the World, sang and played by Rev. David Gambrell. Una Estrella, original song by Rev. Jorge Zijlstra and by Eliud Se...

Join Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, Regional Liaison for the Caribbean and Co-Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly, on a journey through the liturgical seasons surrounding Christ’s birth 

We celebrate the calendar holidays and the liturgical events while reflecting with the Stated Clerk, J. Herbert Nelson II on disciplines that transform leaders and also passive actions that will give strength to your ministry in the long run. These Christmas and Advent stories shared, formed a small pastor's kid from South Carolina to the highest elected official in our denomination. Let&apos...

A reflection by Chip Hardwick, Executive at the Synod of the Covenant, on Hebrews 11 - living out our faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen 

We encounter Tricia-Dykers Koenig and Alex Evangelista, who share stories of how Presbyterian Polity served as an influence for where God called them to ministry. We explore the questions on how our polity is based on Faith, Theology, and the Welcoming and recognition of all voices. Listen to their stories and reflect on how you came to be on this road. Tell us how these stories help you in your m...

Join Michelle Thomas-Bush, Associate Pastor for Youth and their Families at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC, as we look at the importance of the practice of mindfulness as a church leader

We dive in on the topic of worship in our history, in our resources, and in our lives. Have an Encounter with Kate Duffert and David Gambrel, on how worship is an essential part of forming leaders as individuals, a community, and a Kin-dom.

An exploration of the process of ecclesial formation of ruling elders and deacons with Jihyun Oh, Director of Mid Council Ministries and Associate Stated Clerk in the Office of the General Assembly 

In this episode, Tim Cargal and valerie izumi share with us insights on two terms that surround the work and purpose of the leadership in Church: The Call and The Ministry. We will explore theological aspects, personal experiences on both ways of service and how we can provide a space for a Call to grow and a Ministry to bloom. Take your notebooks out, let's ENCOUNTER, we have a lot to talk a...

A reflection on call, vocation, and discernment for ruling elders and deacons with Martha Miller, PC(USA) manager of ministry education and support