Movie Ministry
MovieMinistry provides sermon illustrations, small group Bible studies, free movie clips for sermons and more to assist pastors, youth and lay leaders in using the power of film to communicate and discuss our relationships with God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PresbyGrow?
PresbyGrow is the website for the Office of Church Growth of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). PresbyGrow is intended to be a storehouse of information and resources for anyone engaged in new church development, church growth, and/or congregation transformation. It is also our hope that this website will also be a way for you to connect with us at the National Office of the PC(USA) as well as other Presbyterians/Christians.
What’s the best way to “use” this website?
We like to think that PresbyGrow is pretty easy to navigate, but it is helpful to know the basic layout of the website in order that you may more effectively search for resources.
Most of the content on PresbyGrow is divided into three categories:
- New Churches
- Church Growth
- Transformation
Be aware, though, that there is usually “overlap” with the categories, and an article filed under “church growth” might also be found under “new churches” or “transformation.”
Each of these three categories can be found in the blue, orange, and green boxes on the home page. Clicking on each of the boxes will direct you to that specific page.
The “tabs” located in the green header are simply other ways to categorize information.
- Home
- About
- Calendar
- Resources
- Multimedia
- Connect
Each “tab” describes the type of information, though not the category (although, once you click on a tab, you’ll discover that each genre is subdivided into category). Make sense?
Or–you can always search terms in the “Google search” box, located on the left side of your screen.
If you need help finding anything, please contact us–we’re here to help you!
How do I submit a post/article/resource/etc. to PresbyGrow?
To submit a post/article/resource/upcoming event/etc. to PresbyGrow, simply email us. We will be more than happy to upload your content!
How to I report a site error or broken link?
Email us or call us at 1-888-728-7228, ext. 5088. We will have the problem fixed ASAP.
How do I sign-up for monthly updates about upcoming events, new resources, and other handy info?
Register for our free, monthly, e-newsletter, Growing Edges. To sign up, click here. We do not sell your email address and you can cancel at any time.
Where can I get access to old newsletters?
Newsletters are archived electronically, and can be accessed by clicking here.
Is PresbyGrow on Facebook?
Yes! Search for “Presby Grow” (two words) and be our friend!
Does PresbyGrow have a Twitter account?
Yes! Follow us @PresbyGrow
Church Talk Radio
Church Talk Radio is a weekly radio broadcast for Church Transformation. Tune in on Tuesdays at 10:00 A.M. CST.
(from the website)
Church-Talk is a weekly online LIVE call-in radio show with Drs. Bill and Kris Tenny-Brittian. Each episode is related to one of the hottest Church Transformation topics in the news and conversation today. With relevant tips, awesome guests, and the occasional reparte between the hosts, Church-Talk is becoming one of the most listened to church transformation shows going.
Alban Webinars
The Alban Institute regularly hosts webinars that may be of particular interest to those involved in congregational transformation. Some are “live,” others are “on demand,” and the price for any of them is extremely do-able, especially for leadership teams with a limited budget.
Click here for more information.
Strategic Plan- Charlotte Presbytery
We are grateful that the Presbytery of Charlotte has allowed us to post their Strategic Plan for Building Healthy Churches that was adopted May 19, 2009. This document has been two years in developmen and is to be followed by a “first 18 month implementation plan” to be presented for adoption at their September, 2009 Presbytery meeting.
You are welcome to adapt/use/print etc., any and all of this document. Warren Lesane, Charlotte Presbytery’s Associate for Church Development and the Charlotte Presbytery Church Development Team, are the primary researchers, thinkers, and writers; however, it has been a holistic process involving the entire infrastructure and staff of the Presbytery.
Click here to download the document (.pdf file)
A Letter From Our New Coordinator for Evangelism
Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
I am writing to you to introduce myself as the new Coordinator for Evangelism for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). I have a strong sense of call for this new position, as I look forward to serving you and the church. I believe that the church is the hope of the world. Even though our ministry is filled with beautiful and difficult moments, the grace of God in Jesus Christ continues to change lives and the course of creation.
I have served the church as a local pastor for almost a quarter of a century. For the past 16 years, as founding pastor of Macland Presbyterian Church, I was in a church that experienced growth. We learned together how to share our faith and reach a community for Christ. My heart’s desire is to help others know the fullness of life that comes in a relationship with Christ. I believe churches are hungry for evangelism, but the misconceptions about the “e-word” continue to block any real movement into the realm of faith-sharing. Evangelism is never about forcing our beliefs on others; it’s about communicating the story that has changed our lives.
This story is communicated through our actions and our words. Our social witness is evangelism. When we are in our communities confronting racism, feeding the hungry, working for peace, and relieving suffering, we have the opportunity to share with others about the faith that has changed us and set us free, making us a little more alive, a little less afraid. I can think of nothing better to which to give our lives.
I hope to be able to serve you in ways that will help local churches aid their members in claiming and reclaiming their own stories of transformation. I believe that when we own these stories, we naturally begin to live in ways that release us to live into our stories of faith and share them with others. Therefore, evangelism is linked to every part of our faith experience.
Please let me know how I can help you in your ministry. I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.
Grace,
Ray G. Jones III
Ray can be reached via email at: ray.jones@pcusa.org or by telephone: 1-888-728-7228, ext. 5280
$300 Websites
Many of you starting new churches or looking to update your church website might be interested in Neal Locke’s services. Neal has over 14 years experience designing websites for friends, churches, small business, and individuals.
Click here for more information.
Practicing Our Faith
I’ve been a fan of the website, Practicing Our Faith, for some time. This is good resource for those exploring different kinds of Spiritual Disciplines. I personally believe that congregational transformation will not occur without individuals engaging in intentional spiritual practices and the discipline of prayer.
(from the website)
“This web site is sponsored by the Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith, a project whose purpose is to develop resources to help contemporary people live the Christian faith with vitality and integrity in changing times. The Project is ecumenical in orientation and appreciative of the legacies of a range of Christian traditions. We sponsor seminars, books, conferences and web sites for adults and youth.”
Read This: Plurality 2.0
Adam Walker Cleaveland, member of the Presbymergent Coordinating Group, minister for youth and young adults, and blogger, recently began a series entitled “Plurality 2.0,” in which he invited guest bloggers to write essays about pluralism and ecumenism in the 21st century.
It’s an impressive and highly thought-provoking collections of essays, with even more to come. Pluralism and ecumenism are two issues that are changing the face of the instututional church and these essays would be great for reflection in small groups, Sunday school classes, and those who are re-thinking the church’s role in a post-modern world.
Click here to access the essays.