Skip to content

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Grounded in Faith, Formed in Community

Menu
  • Home
  • Contact Us
Menu

Category: Theological Reflection

Facing the Dust Together: What Kate Bowler’s “Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved)” Taught Me about Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 14, 2018January 28, 2021 by ptsblog
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

For a few years, my middle child was afraid of Ash Wednesday. He’d sit patiently through the homily, mumble along with Psalm 51 as best he could, but balk at the main event: the imposition of ashes. So he’d stay behind in the pew while his brother, sister, and whichever parent wasn’t leading worship filed…

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Twitter
Read more

The Fight for . . . Not Against

Posted on December 18, 2017January 28, 2021 by ptsblog
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

In the midst of polarizing political and denominational battles, the word “fight” may turn many of you away from reading this. However, the fight I’m describing has nothing to do with political rhetoric and is far removed from congregational committees and denominational commissions. It is a fight that no one will know I am in…

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Twitter
Read more

Did We Really Do Things Better Back Then?

Posted on November 17, 2017January 28, 2021 by ptsblog
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

On the Field I got to the soccer field five minutes before the end of practice, in time to hear the closing strains of a plaid-skirted mother’s rant to her friend about the way they teach math these days: “So I said, why are you beginning with centimeters? How hard is it to carry the ones?”…

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Twitter
Read more

Posts pagination

  • Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • …
  • 55
  • Next

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.

Recent Posts

  • Lives of Faith and Service: Distinguished Alums of 2025
  • How Do I Help Someone Struggling With Their Faith?
  • Who Is My Neighbor? – The Rev. Dr. MaryAnn Rennie on Place, History, and Church “for” Community
  • Am I Preaching a Genuine Word?
  • Who Is My Neighbor? The Rev. Kathryn Lester-Bacon on Neighbor, Change, and Mutual Responsibility

Categories

  • Book Recommendations
  • Church Planting
  • Counseling
  • Inside the PTS Curriculum
  • Ministry
  • People of PTS
  • Protestant Spirituality
  • Seminary and Programs
  • Sermon Writing Tips
  • Social Work
  • Theological Reflection
  • Uncategorized
  • Who Is My Neighbor?

Archives

Tags

Bible study Black History Month Call to ministry Christian spirituality church planting church planting for new communities church planting in pennsylvania Communion elements community Community worship doctor of ministry education faith and politics fasting Festivals and holy days Good Samaritan Lent master of divinity mdiv alumni mdiv program mdiv program and social work MDiv program Pittsburgh ministry Ministry conferences and events Mission reflections mission trip pastoral care pastoral counseling Pastoral vocation PCUSA Seminary community seminary experience Seminary experiences sermon writing tips Social justice Spiritual journeys St. Patrick theological education theology and social work Urban ministry Volunteering Women in ministry world mission World Mission Initiative Youth ministry

Top Posts and Pages

  • Sermon Tips: Preaching without Notes
    Sermon Tips: Preaching without Notes
  • A Day in the Life: Undergraduate Fellowship Program
    A Day in the Life: Undergraduate Fellowship Program
  • Fasting and Spending
    Fasting and Spending
  • Ashes to Ashes
    Ashes to Ashes
  • Questions are the answer?
    Questions are the answer?
  • A Funeral Introduction
    A Funeral Introduction
  • Cross-Cultural Outreach - Part II
    Cross-Cultural Outreach - Part II
  • Henry Highland Garnet: Slave, Abolitionist, Pastor, Statesman, and Bivocational Church Planter
    Henry Highland Garnet: Slave, Abolitionist, Pastor, Statesman, and Bivocational Church Planter
  • Gentrification Conversation: Part One
    Gentrification Conversation: Part One
  • Climate Change and the Church
    Climate Change and the Church

Subscribe to Blog via E-mail

Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail.

© 2025 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme