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Author: ptsblog

A Pastor to Pastors

Posted on November 20, 2023November 15, 2023 by ptsblog

Nearly a year into her role as director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Donna Giver-Johnston is finding her stride. A Pittsburgh native, she came to the Seminary in January 2023 after 20 years serving as an ordained Presbyterian pastor, most recently at Community PC of Ben Avon…

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Strength in Neighbors

Posted on November 13, 2023November 6, 2023 by ptsblog

Do neighbors matter? When we think about our social lives and wellbeing, our minds typically go first to the people closest to us: family, close friends, romantic partners. But what I’ve come to realize is the importance of “weak ties,” a term coined by Stanford sociologist Mark Granovetter. Weak ties are casual acquaintances, people we…

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Trauma, Abuse, and Redemption

Posted on November 6, 2023November 6, 2023 by ptsblog

I have recently been interested in the idea of theodicy, and as a survivor of childhood trauma and abuse[1] trying to find the meaning of suffering, if there even is one. I am currently working on a devotional book on reading Scripture through the lens of trauma. The study that I have done and the…

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Founded in 1794, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offering master's and doctor of ministry degrees as well as certificate programs. Participating in God's ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit's work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

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