Letters from the General Minister

One O’er All the Earth

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 29, 2022 “One O’er All the Earth”  Really? We confess in our creed that the church of Jesus is “one” and “catholic.” We lift our … →

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Homecoming

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 22, 2022 Homecoming* We are entering a season of “Homecoming” – a rich tradition when schools and churches welcome back those who have been away … →

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In Praise of Restraint

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 15, 2022 In Praise of Restraint  At the beginning of a letter in which he has plenty to say, James famously counsels us, “Let everyone … →

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On Making Rules

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 8, 2022 On Making Rules Mike Krzyzewski, the renowned former basketball coach at Duke University, was asked how he went about making rules for his … →

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Measuring Church Vitality

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 1, 2022 Measuring Church Vitality Presbyterians love to document things. The meeting records of the Consistory (the church’s regional governing council) in Geneva during the … →

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Sanctuary

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 18, 2022 Sanctuary “Praise God in his sanctuary!” the psalmist cries out. A sanctuary is literally a place set apart. It is a place of … →

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The Things We Do for Love

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 11, 2022 The Things We Do for Love  Last week’s letter, What’s Love Got to Do with It?, explored the necessity of pastors loving their … →

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What’s Love Got to Do with It?

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 4, 2022 What’s Love Got to Do with It?  Many of you know I like to use popular songs as sermon titles. Last Sunday my … →

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Escaping the Echo Chamber

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, July 28, 2022 Escaping the Echo Chamber The January 6 hearings have revealed a great deal of what went on in the White House in the … →

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A Time to Reflect

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, July 21, 2022 A Time to Reflect Last week you received my letter indicating my plan to retire at the end of this year. Such decisions … →

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225th General Assembly Action Highlights

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, July 14, 2022 225th General Assembly Action Highlights This year’s General Assembly convened over the period of June 17 through July 9. Committees met in person … →

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Remembering Deliverance

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, June 16, 2022 Remembering Deliverance It is human nature to quickly forget occasions when we were set free from distress. The story of just one of … →

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Let It Go

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, June 9, 2022 Let it Go I was not born with the gift of nonchalance. Ever since I can remember, I cared deeply about things being … →

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Confidentiality and Transparency

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, June 2, 2022 Confidentiality and Transparency  Each year, as we orient new members of presbytery committees, we discuss two core values to which our presbytery is … →

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A Passion for Public Justice

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, May 26, 2022 A Passion for Public Justice  Reformed Christians have it in their DNA to care deeply about social justice. Before he was a theologian … →

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