Rural Church Leaders Gather in Arkansas for Regional Ideas Conference  

Church leaders from across Arkansas and surrounding states gathered at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, July 16–18, for the Rural Ideas Conference presented by the Town Square Collaborative.

With participants from Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Disciples of Christ churches, the conference created a vibrant space to explore what it means to be the Church in this time and place — especially in rural communities and small towns.

(Left: Rev. Phil Blackburn, Interim General Presbyter Rev. Jim Poinsett, and Rev. Sara Anne Berger.)

Texas Hill Country Flooding Response Update

Mo Ranch president and CEO, Tim Huchton, posted this brief video talking about the situation.

Our Synod updated their response page here.

In addition, you can give to organizations actively responding on the ground:

·       Church World Service

·       https://pda.pcusa.org/

·       Ferncliff’s Disaster Assistance Ministry

Congregations or youth groups can also build kits. Ferncliff partners with Church World Service to collect and ship hygiene kits, school kits, and flood buckets to affected communities. Instructions for kit assembly can be found here.

The Book of Order requires Boundary Training for members of church sessions at least every three years. More important than the requirement, however, is that Boundary Training provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations within sessions about how churches can create safe, welcoming, and transparent communities.



The PRC (Practical Resources for Churches) has created a series of free and short (no more than 15 minutes) video modules on a variety of topics that, together, fulfill a session's Boundary Training requirement and open the door to discussion. The link to these videos can also be found at the bottom of the homepage at presbyark.org.

Help Shape the Future of Our Presbytery - The Nominations Committee is prayerfully at work, shaping the 2025 leadership teams and beginning the search for a new class of committee members. This is a season of possibility, and maybe—just maybe—you're feeling a nudge to be part of something meaningful.

Is God calling you to serve? Or do you know someone in your congregation whose gifts and spirit would be a blessing to our presbytery? Take a moment to look around—who among you has a heart for ministry, leadership, or connection? Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant presbytery. It starts with people like you. 

Storyboarding the Journey, Designing the 2025-2026 Liturgical Year online, Tuesday, August 12 from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Join Dr. Marcia McFee of Worship Design Studio (WDS) for a storyboarding process to work through plans for the 2025-2026 liturgical year. There will be presentation time and working-on-your-own time with opportunities to chat live with Dr. Marcia during this live Zoom (recording also available afterwards for your convenience). Dr. McFee has long explored the art of worship design through the lens of filmmaking, a metaphor that will extend to this special session focused on discerning powerful themes for the year to come. Get a storyboard going for your community’s unique context!

The next Ruling Elders in Ministry Retreat will take place November 7-8 at the University of the Ozarks. The format will be the one to which you are accustomed. If you have specific areas you would like to discuss, contact Phil Blackburn at pblackburn@ozarks.edu.

Summit on AI and the church from the PC(USA) - On Sept. 2-5, an ecumenical group of several dozen Christians will gather in Minneapolis to engage in conversation about the present and future of Artificial Intelligence and the church. The event, called “Faithful Futures: Guiding AI with Wisdom and Witness,” will also take place online, and registration is free for anyone who wants to participate.

4 Every Generation Conference - On November 4-6, the United Methodist Church will host this in-person conference at The Gathering Methodist Church in St. Louis, MO. Imagine a community where wisdom meets youthful energy—a space where every generation plays a vital role in shaping a fresh, dynamic culture of discipleship. Are you ready to break age barriers and build a faith community where all generations grow, worship, and serve—together? This conference is designed to help churches envision innovative approaches to becoming intergenerational communities where all ages can grow and thrive together in faith.

The next Arkansas Pilgrimage will take place September 4-7 at Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center. Presbyterian Pilgrimage is a purposefully designed program for supporting individual faith renewal and growth. Pilgrimage is a short course in living the Christian faith and is designed to provide a framework for living as Christians in the local church and the world. It is a three-day weekend retreat filled with short talks, music, fellowship, small group discussions and much more. Weekends are led by lay men and women, with the participation and spiritual guidance of ordained Presbyterian Teaching Elders.

Presbyterian Older Adults Ministry Network Conference – On September 17 - 19, 2025 in Boulder, CO, join ministry leaders, chaplains, and lay leaders for fresh insights on older adult ministry. Be inspired by new ideas and leave equipped to deepen your spiritual connection while serving older adults in your community. The workshops will address the evolving challenges faced by older adults and caregivers.

Read this article and learn more!

Opportunities in Older Adult Ministry Grants - If you are looking for funding to jump start a new older adult ministry or to strengthen an existing activity, POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network) members are invited to apply for funds from their Opportunities in Older Adult Ministry Grants.

These $250 to $500 grants are designed to offer POAMN members an opportunity to initiate and build new older adult ministries, to re-imagine and re-shape existing programs, or to be innovative and experimental. Funds may be applied to a single event like a workshop or a recurring activity.

The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions seeks to help members when they need it - so that together we, and our communities, can thrive. This is part of the BOP's holistic commitment to supporting those who serve the Church, so that every member is empowered to bring their fullest, most vibrant gifts to the ministries they serve. 

Your congregations’ ministers and staff may be eligible for a number of grants, each designed to support members’ holistic well-being. Grants for things like adoptions, housing suppliments, minister debt relief, and more are described in the link below.

Wynne Tornado: Long Term Recovery Update - On March 31, 2023, an EF3 tornado hit the town of Wynne, AR. Wynne Presbyterian Church sustained damage from the tornado and the town’s high school was destroyed. Hundreds of residents lost their homes, and the town continues its efforts to rebuild and heal after the terror of this event. 

This video and report from our Synod on Wynne Presbyterian Church will be released in their July newsletter. Thank you, Kathy Lee-Cornell, Director of our Synod's Partnership for Disaster Recovery, for sharing it with us ahead of time!

Montreat Middle Conference - From July 16–20, six middle schoolers and two adult leaders attended the Montreat Middle School Conference, held at Maryville College in Tennessee. The theme, "Wonder-Full," invited youth to explore what it means to be created in God’s image – full of wonder, holy curiosity, and joy. Each day was filled with energetic keynotes, meaningful small group discussions, and inspiring evening worship services. The kids enjoyed the lively recreation time, with games on the lawn and in the gym that helped build community and laughter.

One of the most memorable parts of the week was a simple but powerful phrase: “Hey, you’re wonderful.” Throughout the week, youth greeted each other with this joyful call and response, a reminder of the sacred worth in every person. Our group made new friends from churches across the country and came home with hearts full of connection, discovery, and a deeper sense of God’s presence in their lives. We are grateful for this time to wonder together, and the opportunity to remember that in God's eyes, we are all truly “wonder-full.”

PRC, Practical Resources for Churches webinars you don't want to miss:

The Surprising Power of Small Churches, August 26 at 1:00 pm, led by our own Rev. Phil Blackburn

Reaching New People in New Ways in a Traditional Established Church - on demand - Rev. Brett DeHart

Funding Fresh Ministry Initiatives - on demand - Rev. Brett DeHart

Two New Worship Series out this summer:

The Art of Neighboring, a six-week series from Reformed Worship that explores the greatest commandment. 

The Changemakers, a fully scripted four-week series from the Worship Design Studio for ordinary time and stewardship focus created in collaboration with the Changemakers Initiative.