Below is an extensive archive of book reviews, articles, blog post, news clips, etc. from the archives of CDM (formerly Christian Education and Publications) of the Presbyterian Church in America.

The Kingdom Misunderstood

THE KINGDOM MISUNDERSTOOD PART 1 LEARNING TO PERCEIVE THE KINGDOM CORRECTLY   [Editor’s Note: This is the first of a five-part article dealing with the misperceptions many Christians have of the kingdom of God. What is the role of believers in the kingdom, how are they to impact the broader kingdom? Are there really two […]

From the Editor of Equip – Goodbye to Our Readers

For the past 17 years, Equip to Disciple, formerly Equip for Ministry, has attempted to keep you up to date regarding the training and resources ministryof Christian Education and Publications. We have included information related toCEP’s ministry throughout the church such as conference training and resources.We have attempted to bring to you some of the books that we have felt are mostimportant especially for the leader’s awareness.

Called to Serve, Equipped to Lead

Our emphasis is on teaching sound doctrine, providing transferable teaching tools, offering opportunities for relationship building, and strengthening regional and denominational connectedness, and equipping through seminars and affinity groupings.

How We Teach and How They Learn, Part 15 – What Is Your Objective

No matter what learning style you are trying to reach, you cannot just present facts. Instead, you need to know what your plans (goals) are. In Part 8 of this series, a lesson plan format was presented (available on line). On page one it asks you to think through two things: what is your AIM and what are your Objectives.

A Parent’s Toolbox

Lisa Updike November 16, 2015   This article was originally written for families at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, VA, by the church’s Children’s Ministry Director, Lisa Updike. Therefore, it references practices and resources particular to a local church. However, most of the content gives applicable advice to parents as they seek to help their […]

Children in Corporate Worship

Barksdale Pullen November 16, 2015   During the Perimeter Conference lunch panel discussion, John Kwasny referenced teaching by Dr. Barksdale Pullen on the issue of children in corporate worship.  Many of you have asked about this, so here is a wonderful article he wrote on this several years ago.  (Remember, there are many different views […]

Children’s Ministry 101: Lesson 1 – Begin with Parents

Dr. John C. Kwasny November 11, 2015   This article was originally published by Dr. Kwasny on his blog at One Story Ministries. It can be found here. So, you’ve been called to lead your church’s children’s ministry.  Congratulations!  You are entering into the vital work of telling “the next generation the glorious deeds of our LORD […]

The Fall, the Family, and the Covenant Community

DANNY MITCHELL October 21, 2015   The methodology of any church’s ministry to adolescents should grow out of a marriage between biblical theology and ministry context.  If we understand ministry to youth in its simplest form—believing adults from inside and outside the nuclear family who invest of themselves in children and youth— then we can begin […]

The Fall, the Family, and the Covenant Community

DANNY MITCHELL October 21, 2015   The methodology of any church’s ministry to adolescents should grow out of a marriage between biblical theology and ministry context.  If we understand ministry to youth in its simplest form—believing adults from inside and outside the nuclear family who invest of themselves in children and youth— then we can begin […]

Youth Culture Moment: Afraid to Listen

DANNY MITCHELL October 21, 2015   One of the challenges of being an adult who works with mid-adolescents (13-18 years old) is age. Each year you grow one year older and become one year further removed from the world which teenagers inhabit.  I continue to believe the best way to enter into this world is to [...]

Book Review: Youth Ministry in the 21st Century

DANNY MITCHELL October 22, 2015   Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views. Chap Clark, Ed. (Baker Academic, 2015) Writing book reviews can be a tricky thing. After all, a book review is ultimately only one person’s opinion about a particular book.  I have often wondered why I should trust the opinion of a reviewer […]

The Pray for Me Campaign

Article by Danny Mitchell Because of the realities that a large percentage of young people who connect with the church during their teenage years will end up leaving the church as they move into adulthood and those who stay connected to the church had adult believers intentionally investing in their lives, Tony Souder, the executive [...]

Help! I Need a Speaker

Karen Hodge April 4, 2016   On a weekly basis, I receive phone calls from women across our denomination looking for help. Some have been tasked with pulling off the annual Spring luncheon. They have someone covering table decorations but now they need a speaker ASAP. I hear the anxiety in their voice and I […]

2016 Women’s Love Gift

Since 1974, women in the PCA have supported an annual love gift to promote denominational connectionalism and demonstrate our corporate helper-design as women in the church. The money is raised in various ways such as donations, fundraisers, etc. The Women's Love Gift has blessed committees and agencies such as MNA's Special Needs Ministries, MTW's efforts to [...]

Biblical Manhood

This spring, Grace Covenant PCA of Williamsburg, VA brought together 83 men, ranging from teenagers to college students to graduate students to single thirty-somethings to fathers and grandfathers, for a three-hour Saturday morning seminar on Rediscovering Biblical Manhood. The seminar, conducted by PCA Men’s Ministry Coach Gary Yagel, was what one participant called “a great [...]

Men’s Ministry Around the PCA

There are many resources and upcoming events for men’s ministry in the PCA. Here you will find some valuable resources for mentoring men in your church.

How to Help Men Love God More

A good summary of the goal of men’s ministry is to help men better love God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Bryan Chapel points out, “Spiritual change is more a matter of what our heart loves than what our hands do” (Holiness By Grace). So, what are the barriers that prevent our men from loving God more?

The Task of Christian Education

God has given us a promise in Isaiah and in Habakkuk that the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the water covers the sea. The hymn writer picks up that thought. He changes the venue a bit. He says, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does his successive journeys run.” We believe that. We sing that. God has called upon us to maintain a faithful and energetic Committee on Christian Education

The Task of Christian Education

God has given us a promise in Isaiah and in Habakkuk that the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the water covers the sea. The hymn writer picks up that thought. He changes the venue a bit. He says, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does his successive journeys run.” We believe that. We sing that. God has called upon us to maintain a faithful and energetic Committee on Christian Education

The Kingdom Misunderstood, Part 1

I begin by introducing you to Bill and Mary Wright. Bill is a 34 year old husband and father of two children, Terry 10 and Susan 7. Mary is a stay at home mom and has home schooled her children for a couple years, though they are presently attending a Christian school that meets in their church. Bill and Mary are active church members and clearly demonstrate a love for the Lord that is obvious to others.

Please Don’t Ignore Us Seniors – Seniors’ Week

Each church is urged to identify the week of September 12-17, 2011 as “Seniors’ Week.” Seize an opportunity to recognize this fast-growing portion of our population and in our church life. Commit that time and some creative energy to fulfilling the frequent Biblical command to “Honor elders.”

Targeting Comprehensive Christian Education

It never ceases to amaze me that anywhere in the world you say “Christian Education” people automatically think Sunday school. Is this the only Christian education the church does? If it is, then we are in big trouble. Let me explain….

Book Review: Youth Ministry in the 21st Century

DANNY MITCHELL October 22, 2015   Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views. Chap Clark, Ed. (Baker Academic, 2015) Writing book reviews can be a tricky thing. After all, a book review is ultimately only one person’s opinion about a particular book.  I have often wondered why I should trust the opinion of a reviewer […]

The Juvenilization of American Christianity

Author: Thomas E. Bergler Reviewed by: Stephen Yates, Pastor for Youth & Families at University Presbyterian Church in Las Cruces, NM. Shifting in response to both fluid adolescent culture and fluctuating church support, youth ministry as a field often struggles to hold onto a cohesive identity, not unlike the adolescents it serves. One welcome development in light of [...]

Taking Theology to Youth Ministry

Author: Andrew Root Reviewed by: John Sutton, Youth and Children’s Ministry Director at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, GA. Taking Theology to Youth Ministry (TTtYM) by Andrew Root is the first in a series of four 100-ish page "narrative" books about youth ministry. They follow Nadia, a youth minister who wrestles with what youth ministry is and how she [...]

Featured Book Reviews Summer 2013

The following books are available from the PCA Bookstore Revelation: Let the One Who is Thirsty Come, by Sarah Ivill Sarah’s desire for women to discover the “meat” of God’s Word is evident, guiding the student to discover the truths of Revelation through studying all of Scripture and focusing on Jesus Christ. A PCA Director […]

Help! I Need a Speaker

Karen Hodge April 4, 2016   On a weekly basis, I receive phone calls from women across our denomination looking for help. Some have been tasked with pulling off the annual Spring luncheon. They have someone covering table decorations but now they need a speaker ASAP. I hear the anxiety in their voice and I […]

Please, Show Me How to Help!

CB Campano February 1, 2016   I imagine most of you have had this thought at some point. A friend suffers betrayal, loss, depression, illness, guilt, or the like and, though you are eager to help, you just don’t know how. For the last ten years, I have had the privilege of helping women who […]

Running on Empty

Karen Hodge December 2, 2015   During this time of the year, there are many indicators that our lives are full. Consider all the delicious food that fills our stomachs at holiday meals.  Our wallets are filled with receipts from gifts purchased. Holiday décor overflows all the way to our street. So if our lives […]

A Parent’s Toolbox

Lisa Updike November 16, 2015   This article was originally written for families at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, VA, by the church’s Children’s Ministry Director, Lisa Updike. Therefore, it references practices and resources particular to a local church. However, most of the content gives applicable advice to parents as they seek to help their […]