Beyond the altar: Prayer as devotion, discipline and public witness Winterbourne Harrison-Jones reimagines prayer as activism, insisting that true communion with God must move beyond the sanctuary and into the streets.

Coalition celebrates PC(USA)’s approval of fossil fuel divestment overture Press release: Supporters of CLJ-02 call the General Assembly's approval of a plan to divest most fossil fuel investments by 2030 a historic milestone after 12 years of advocacy. #GA227

ICYMI: Three honored with Women of Faith Awards The Rev. Adele Langworthy and the Rev. Blanca Estrella Otaño-Rivera and Ruling Elder Selma Jackson are celebrated at biennial breakfast. #GA227

ICYMI: PC(USA) General Assembly votes to hold its next assembly in Puerto Rico The 227th General Assembly approved plans to hold the denomination's first assembly outside the continental United States, adding cultural competency training ahead of the 2028 gathering in Puerto Rico.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost — July 26, 2026 From invasive mustard plants to hidden treasure, the five parables in Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 challenge familiar readings and reveal a kingdom that subverts expectations at every turn, writes Matthew A. Rich.

“Her sounds are welcome” If worship is meant to be a 'work of the people,' how can we welcome everyone, including those who disrupt our expectations? — Rebecca Gresham #Repost

The love of being in community If the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves, then we must stay in community with one another, writes Shani McIlwain. #Repost @askforshani.bsky.social

God with us in the listening "Active listening is more than repeating." — Julie Raffety #Repost

Leading and preaching in the storm: (Re)locating ourselves faithfully amid trauma and chaos We need to consider not only how we respond but how we locate ourselves as those called upon to speak and act faithfully, writes Kimberly Wagner. #Repost

When preaching becomes performance: Confronting the ‘preachies’ What happens when preachers stop believing the words they’re preaching, wonders Whitney Wilkinson Arreche? #Repost

Overcoming loneliness: Churches can play a significant role Don Griggs shares how social connection helps build strong relationships and overcome loneliness — inside and outside the church. #Repost

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost — July 12, 2026 Jacob and Esau’s rivalry reveals a God who works through unlikely people, overturns expectations, and calls us to trust grace over human ideas of righteousness, writes Aaron Pratt Shepherd.

My death and resurrection as a chaplain During his days interning as a hospital chaplain, Eric Nolin found a new understanding of life in Christ, even though it felt like death to get there. #Repost

ICYMI: Hilton Milwaukee, where some commissioners and advisory delegates are staying during #GA227, has two very popular yet unconventional concierges. These two golden doodles, Millie and Sadie, are brought to work with their owner, Rusty, a concierge. (1/3) 📷️: @jonathancwatson.com

Summer reads for weary souls seeking meaning and renewal From birdwatching as prayer to resisting smartphone distraction, these books invite readers into deeper spiritual practices, resilience and renewed attention to God’s presence. @broadleafbooks.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

A service of lament and hope First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas, worships one year after the devastating Hill Country floods.

Grace, mystery, beauty and freedom: Four takeaways of Reformed theology "The thing about Reformed theology is that it is not really aiming to be ‘Reformed.’” — Cynthia Rigby #Repost

Art and innovation: beginning, again Art, says Juli Kalbaugh, can help us see how our lives are more than just the sum of our parts. #Repost

Pastors and the Sabbath: God set the example "Summer is supposed to be a time when time almost stops ... Tell that to the ministers." #Repost #Summer

Assembly declines to send proposed confession to presbyteries #GA227 #NewConfession 🔗: pres-outlook.org/2026/07/asse...

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.

Looking for your next adult education study? "On the Road to Empathy" is a four-session Bible study rooted in Luke and Acts that helps churches examine bias, practice deep listening and move toward Christ-shaped compassion. Perfect for small groups, Sunday school or churchwide conversations.

How the Synod of Lincoln Trails is rethinking boundary training Pastors often leave boundary training knowing the rules but still struggling with conflict, anxiety, and burnout. A new model in the Synod of Lincoln Trails aims to change that, writes Rebecca Blair.

World mission was a prominent topic of conversation leading up to and at #GA227. This year, the Associated Church Press recognized Presbyterian Outlook's coverage of the world mission cuts with an award of merit. Click to read our articles on world mission and ongoing denominational changes.

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.

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.

A hopeful vision for global mission Acknowledging the grief surrounding the closure of World Mission, Brittany Harrold Porch reflects on a recent trip to Peru and offers a hopeful vision for the future of Presbyterian global partnerships.

This September 2026 special issue explores youth ministry by listening to, learning from and celebrating young people and those who accompany them in the church. Developed with help from the Presbyterian Youth Worker’s Association, the issue will help readers better understand today’s youth.

What counts as a disruption in worship? Katrina Pekich-Bundy reflects on neurodiversity, children in worship and the assumptions congregations make about who belongs in the sanctuary. #Repost

As commissioners debated fossil fuels, Milwaukee’s streets carried a different kind of climate protest #GA227 #NakedBikeRide @ericoledermann.bsky.social 🔗 : pres-outlook.org/2026/07/as-c...

Faithful witness in divided times: New books on justice, church and public life These authors ask what faithful Christian witness looks like in a fractured world. @brazospress.bsky.social @fortresspress.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

Pathways to Belonging "Pathways to Belonging" is for those interested in the importance of belonging, and the power of choosing to belong to God, writes Amy Pagliarella. #Repost

My love letter to pastors Bobbi Kaye Jones writes the letter that she wishes someone had written to her. #Repost

We know there is a lot to catch up on from the 227th General Assembly. Thankfully, we put it all in one place! Click the link to read stories you may have missed and stay up to date with those still to come. 🔗: pres-outlook.org/ga/

PC(USA) Young Adult Advisory Delegates struggle to reconcile differences YAADs described sharply different experiences of a reconciliation gathering, with some appreciating the effort and others saying key concerns went unaddressed. @gdbrekke.bsky.social

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost — July 19, 2026 We do not get to decide where or in whom God will show up, writes Ginna Bairby.

Better than Normal: Virtues for an Off-Script Life MaryAnn McKibben Dana's "Better Than Normal" is a warm and practical guide to virtues that help individuals and communities move beyond hollow norms toward genuine flourishing. — Amy Pagliarella @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social

How to help better: A guide for churches supporting non-profits Charissa Howe offers four key tips for churches to more effectively partner with nonprofits and maximize their impact. #Repost

Reckoning with History: Settler Colonialism, Slavery, and the Making of American Christianity William Yoo's work is of interest to all people of faith, who are called to a more honest approach to American history and who seek a faithful way forward for the church, writes John Wilkinson. #Repost

Is anyone else having that post-GA "now what do we do" feeling? Surely not just us, right?

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost — July 5, 2026 Phil Gladden reflects on Jesus’ “easy yoke,” exploring how Christ’s call to discipleship offers rest, freedom and grace on July 4th weekend.

Prayer for the Fourth of July "God of all tribes and every nation, on this day of cookouts and fireworks, parades and pool parties, we pause to remember the best of our nation’s aspirations and values." — Jill Duffield

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.

Assembly declares Israel’s war in Gaza a genocide #GA227 🔗 : pres-outlook.org/2026/07/asse...

We can't believe #GA227 is over! We've had so much fun documenting our journey and are thankful to Caroline and Mary for letting us tag along with them!

Our GA coverage doesn't end with the assembly! Stay tuned more more news and analysis — and don't forget to subscribe for unlimited access. We're currently running a General Assembly special for first-time subscribers. A year of the Outlook for $9.95.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear purple vests! Thank you to all of our volunteers from Milwaukee Presbytery and the Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) for your hard work and friendly faces during #GA227. The Outlook is grateful for your willingness to spreading the light and love of Jesus.

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.

Approved PC(USA) budget for ’27-’28 increased $5.8 million ⭐Click the link in the comments to read more⭐ 🔗 : pres-outlook.org/2026/07/appr...

227th General Assembly elects Pumroy-Cordero, Schondelmeyer as co-moderators 🔗 : pres-outlook.org/2026/07/227t...