Letters from the General Minister

The Long Haul

April 29, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, April 29, 2021 Twenty-five years ago Rev. Harry Hassall published a guide for new church member orientation, Presbyterians: People of the Middle Way. In it he …


Solidarity or Distancing?

April 22, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, April 22, 2021 In last week’s letter I noted how eyewitnesses to the risen Lord turned the world upside down. According to biblical records, those that …


What Have You Seen?

April 15, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, April 15, 2021 Before his crucifixion, Jesus’ primary agenda with his closest followers is to make them disciples. Followers. He seeks to change their way of …


The Most Blessed of Believers

April 8, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, April 8, 2021   The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! This familiar Easter litany, dating back to the church’s earliest days, is more than …


Sitting with Suffering

April 1, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, April 1, 2021 “Sundays only” Christians move directly from the Hosannas of Palm Sunday to the Hallelujahs of Easter Sunday. Jesus’ angry disruptiveness in the temple, …


Hurry Up and Wait

March 18, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, March 18, 2021 Jesus gave his disciples repeated warnings that soon he would be crucified. Understandably, one of their reactions was to object, something Jesus responded …


The Lonesome Valley

March 11, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, March 11, 2021   Jesus walked this lonesome valley He had to walk it by himself Oh, nobody else could walk it for him He had …


The Wilderness Way

March 4, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, March 4, 2021 The Gospel of Mark moves Jesus from the Jordan to the wilderness via catapult. The Spirit casts him there immediately following his baptism, …


Partners In Ministry

February 25, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, February 25, 2021 Together. Our Lord has called us to work together in proclaiming the Good News in word and deed. When Jesus sent out his …


The Church of What’s Happening Now

February 18, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, February 18, 2021 Years ago comedian Flip Wilson did a hilarious sketch with Redd Fox in which they played ministers in the “The Church of What’s …


Unshakable Foundations

February 11, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, February 11, 2021 God is shaking everything! So said the ancient Hebrew prophets to God’s people, as well as to the surrounding nations. Haggai considers this …


Decently and in Order?

February 4, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, February 4, 2021 No Bible text warms Presbyterian hearts more than 1 Corinthians 14:40 – “… all things should be done decently and in order.” Methodists …


Unity and Accountability

January 28, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, January 28, 2021 At what price unity? Advocates of unity and accountability are locking horns these days in the halls of Congress. Those supporting the impeachment …


Choosing Hope

January 21, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, January 21, 2021 Yesterday we witnessed the inauguration of a new American President and Vice-President. Many of the circumstances attending their assumption of office carry forward …


The Vulnerability of Truth

January 14, 2021 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, January 14, 2021 Truthfulness matters. One of the Great Ends of the Church is “Preservation of the Truth.” (Book of Order F-1.0304) In one sense this …