Tag Archives: letter
The Last Mile of the Way
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, December 1, 2022 The Last Mile of the Way My father asked that I sing at his memorial service an old gospel song, made famous by …
What Time is It?
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 17, 2022 What Time is It? Fifty-three years ago, the new jazz-rock band sensation “Chicago” broke onto the popular charts with a song that asked, …
Enough Already
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 10, 2022 Enough Already Every election cycle seems to stoop lower than the former one, as candidates and their promoters savage their opponents with ever-sharpening …
With All the Saints
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 3, 2022 With All the Saints This week marks the church’s annual festival of “All Saints” – something we are far less likely to note …
The Politics of Generosity
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 27, 2022 The Politics of Generosity I have often heard well-intentioned parishioners complain that their pastor’s sermons, or their denomination’s offices, are too “political.” Keeping …
A Friend Among Colleagues
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 20, 2022 A Friend Among Colleagues I am writing from the beautiful grounds of the Krislund Camp and Conference Center, nestled in a central Pennsylvania …
Church Leader Appreciation
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 13, 2022 Church Leader Appreciation Soon after October was designated “Clergy Appreciation Month” in 1994, our congregation’s Sunday School department gave me a plaque honoring …
In Praise of Boldness
A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 6, 2022 In Praise of Boldness Reflecting recently on the legacy of Queen Elizabeth, I entitled my weekly letter “In Praise of Restraint.” In it …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …