Letters from the General Minister
Out with the Old! In with the New!
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 12, 2020 Perhaps from this title a reader would expect that I am addressing the stalled presidential transition. But I am referring first of all …
When the Vote Doesn’t Go Our Way
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 12, 2020 Four years ago, half of our country was overjoyed at the presidential election outcome, while the other half reeled in dismay. In those …
Ordinary Christianity in Extraordinary Times
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 5, 2020 Charles Dickens famously begins his Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Today we …
Honoring the Image
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 22, 2020 My father passed away last Friday, October 16. His obituary is published at https://www.musmannofh.com/listings. Rather than trying to prepare a new weekly article …
On Earth as in Heaven?
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 15, 2020 “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) It is the bedrock of God’s self-revelation to Moses. (Exodus 34:6-8) It is the core message of …
Seven Months In – The Church’s Response Today to the COVID-19 Pandemic
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 8, 2020 Last weekend brought the COVID-19 pandemic into new limelight, as the President became ill with COVID, and many in his inner circle were …
The Difference Jesus Makes in a Polarized World
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 1, 2020 What difference does it make to follow Jesus? As a child I was taught (whether intentionally or not): “It’ll save you from going …
The COVID Squeeze
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 24, 2020 (This letter is an expanded version of the cover letter for the September 24, 2020 Pittsburgh Presbytery Meeting Packet.) This week’s presbytery meeting …
In It Together
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 17, 2020 When we embrace the call to serve the church as a pastor, elder, or deacon, we take a big breath, then dive into …
Worship Is A Verb
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 10, 2020 Some of our congregations have opened their sanctuary doors on Sundays, while others continue to offer services only remotely. Several of our congregations …
Unshakable
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 20, 2020 Beloved of God, have you noticed that we are in a time of great shaking? Protests and counter-protests have been escalating into violence, …
The Power of Testimony
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 27, 2020 I grew up in a church that had Sunday night services, which always included time for sharing personal “testimonies” about what God has …
Whom Shall We Fear?
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 20, 2020 Stoking fear and resentment is a powerful way to gain a mass following. Some politicians, and even some preachers, traffic in raising anxieties …
The Legacy We Leave
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 6, 2020 A titan of our age was laid to rest last week. He was small in stature, but mighty in influence. Georgia Representative John …
Saying Yes and Saying No
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, July 30, 2020 The world that God creates, redeems, and renews stands under a great big divine “Yes!” When God declares everything in creation as “good” …