Grounded in Faith, Formed in Community
“What are some books that every pastor should read?” PTS faculty were asked this question in spring 2023. Consider these 9 recommendations for reading literature to inform your ministry: Shusaku Endo, Silence: A Novel Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist: A Fable about Following Your Dreams Mary Oliver, Thirst Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The…
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…
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…