Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
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Posts with tag: ministry
October 1, 2012Pastors Ministering In the Midst of Poverty
There is great potential for growth in the church in Congo. Training and empowering pastors to minister well to their people in this environment of significant material poverty is a challenge.- Posted at 10:41 a.m.
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September 18, 2012
Learnings from Others Failures
Can we learn how to live and thrive by learning why others failed to start?- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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May 16, 2012
Elward Ellis: “Into the glorious company of the saints in light.”
Elward Ellis, a member of the Re-Forming Ministry Core Cluster, has completed his baptism in death. We are honored to stand with those who bear witness to Elward’s love of and faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
- Posted at 11:06 a.m.
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April 17, 2012
Three Main Things
As I continue to grow as a follower of Jesus, I rethink much of the way in which I was trained for ministry. I’ve experienced training in sharing faith. But if I’m not in relationships with people outside the church, I have no context in which to share. I’ve learned the importance of casting a compelling vision, but I did not learn so much about developing a community in which the life we live in Jesus is the essence of our attraction. I learned the significance of a ministry bathed in justice and mercy, but that mission was not connected to a close walk with Jesus.
- Posted at 4:11 p.m.
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February 22, 2012
Ministry Widgets
I stopped selling ministry widgets years ago. I know it’s a strange way to start a blog, but have you ever in your ministry felt like you were selling widgets? Have you ever felt like a church or ministry of the church was selling you a widget?
- Posted at 12:45 p.m.
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February 15, 2012
"The Job Isn't Finished..."
There is an old saying (well, not “old” as in “ancient,” but old nonetheless) that goes: “The job isn’t finished until the paperwork is done.” I’m remembering that aphorism because today we have released on our website updates of the standard forms for the preparation for ministry process (click here to go to the website). Normally we would just announce the updates and I wouldn’t blog about the subject, but I want to take advantage of this opportunity to reflect a bit on why such paperwork is important to the “job” of preparing for ministry.
First, here is a quick …
- Posted at 4:22 p.m.
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February 6, 2012
Sometimes, almost always when you least expect it
Submitted by: Gina Yeager-Buckley
Sometimes, almost always when you least expect it (which, let’s face it, could be another blog in and of itself) you are the vessel for God’s voice. For me, it’s generally when I’m the LEAST prepared or postured to do so. This was the case last week. While attending at a large annual conference for Christian Education, I spent many hours in a booth representing the ministries associated with my office. Conversations were abundant. But late one evening when things were slowing down and folks were retiring for the evening, a woman, who introduced herself as …
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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November 2, 2011
Featuring our Staff
Our kitchen staff is often seen as behind the scenes but when we really look at it, they are some of our frontline greeters and ambassadors for our program. When respected and given the support they need, they go along way in delivering the welcoming Christian hospitality we are known for in camp and conference ministries.
- Posted at 11:32 a.m.
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October 14, 2011
Reaching Out at 5,000 Feet
Taking a fresh look at our mission focus as the Church and society continues to change around us.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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August 11, 2011
Helper or Accuser?
In our house we have a scale. I've been thinking about that scale as I have worked on publishing "A Pastoral Rule." I had two reactions to the Rule. On the one hand, it was energizing. On the other hand . . .
- Posted at 1:39 p.m.
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August 2, 2011
Another Blog from the Eco-Stewards
Eco-Steward Gerard Miller studied modern languages, linguistics and intercultural communication at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. He is working this summer as an intern at Greenwood Farm in Hardin, Montana. Here he reflects on a day from our June Eco-Stewards Program. Looking back on our week of active learning in Eastern Montana, the one thing [...]
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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July 26, 2011
Another Blog from the Eco-Stewards
There is another new blog post on the Eco-Stewards Program blog from Eco-Steward Andrew Fultz-Morrison, who is interning this summer at Krislund Camp in Pennsylvania. In the post Andrew reflects on events from the Eco-Stewards weeklong program in Montana as well as his internship at Krislund.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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June 23, 2011
Eco-Steward Program 2011
The Eco-Stewards Program website has been updated to include the a multimedia presentation created by program participants and program leader and journalist, Becky W. Evans. The 2011 program in Montana focused on "reconciliation and sustainability through agriculture, health and green building" in the context of the Crow Reservation and surrounding areas.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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June 21, 2011
Who Do THEY Say We Are?
As our sites branch out into being mission support centers, finding and engaging in the work of the greater Church outside, or in concert with the site based resources, they are running into many “ah ha’s” as well as many confused looks as to why camp and conference centers should or can be helpful in many areas of ministry.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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June 2, 2011
Why? Community Building as THE Mission
Just had a wonderful conversation with Rev. David Ensign, (for those of you who knew Rev. John Ensign, long serving director of Camp Hanover, David is his nephew) exploring where the ministry of camp, conference and retreat is heading. It...
- Posted at 10:11 a.m.
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