wfn.org | Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Unveils New Resources

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

4-February-1997 
97063 
 
               Presbyterian Publishing Corporation 
                      Unveils New Resources 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--As 1997 begins, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation 
(PPC) has unveiled a major new focus on congregational resources, offering 
Presbyterian churches a wide variety of choices for use in their 
educational ministries. 
 
     The Rev. Robert W. Bohl of Prairie Village, Kan., former General 
Assembly moderator and a PPC board member, praised PPC's commitment to 
complement and enhance the education programs of the denomination's 
churches.  
 
     "For 35 years as a pastor, I have been an advocate of Christian 
education, but in those years we have seen a continued decline of 
participants in Sunday church school," Bohl said. "In the churches where I 
have served, the request has always been for a variety of curriculum 
materials. I am absolutely thrilled to know of a new congregational 
curriculum resources designed to meet the needs of churches in the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). These materials will be a rich supplement to 
our denominationally produced curriculum resources." 
 
     "The Whole People of God," an independently produced ecumenical 
curriculum for all age groups which PPC has begun distributing, is 
lectionary-based and worship centered. It has attracted a large number of 
users in congregations in the United States, Canada, Australia and New 
Zealand.  Currently, almost 600 PC(USA) churches use this curriculum.  PPC 
announced  distribution and editorial partnerships with its producers late 
last year. 
 
     PPC has also played an editorial advisory role in the development of 
new "Witness" materials.  PPC officials say "Witness," an ecumenical 
curriculum for young children through the eighth grade produced by Augsburg 
Fortress Publishers, has been a popular alternative for many Presbyterians 
in recent years. 
 
     PPC is offering several ecumenical curricula and study materials for 
various age groups produced by Cokesbury and the United Methodist 
Publishing House.  They include the "Bible People" series, "Life Search," 
"Adult Bible Studies," "Youth Search," "Bible Lessons for Youth" and "One 
Room Sunday School." 
 
     "Generation Why?" and "Fast Lane," which PPC officials say are widely 
acclaimed as some of the finest ecumenical youth materials being produced 
anywhere, are now available through PPC for senior high, junior high, and 
middle school youth.  Short-term studies from the same publishers -- 
Brethren Press and Faith and Life Press -- include "Who's In Who's Out?" 
"Morphed," "Understanding Gangs," and other topics.  PPC has both 
distribution and developmental consulting contracts with the publishers of 
these materials. 
 
     In response to what it says are congregational desires for high 
quality, demanding and comprehensive Bible studies for use beyond the 
church school hour, PPC is now marketing "Kerygma" and "Disciple." 
 
     "Kerygma" has been developed over the years by a group of 
Presbyterians. According to PPC officials, the studies are "sophisticated, 
results-oriented resources for adults to use during the week or to adapt 
for church school use."  Three foundation and introductory courses are 
offered. Electives include studies which relate the Bible to such other 
media as Handel's "Messiah" and Brahms' "Requiem." 
 
     "Disciple" offers several 34-week studies of the Bible for both adults 
and youth. It features several days of training for leaders, study guides, 
video tapes, and supporting  resources.  These studies have been developed 
by the United Methodist Publishing House. 
 
     "We're excited about working with a variety of highly respected 
religious publishers," said Davis Perkins, PPC president and publisher. 
"Each publisher has goals similar to ours, and offers extraordinarily 
high-quality materials. The ecumenical curricula and Bible studies we're 
offering already enhance Presbyterian values and beliefs, and in most cases 
PPC will also provide Presbyterian editorial consultation for future 
resource development." 
 
     Further information about these and other PPC resources is available 
from PPC's customer service staff at (800) 227-2872. 
 
(Information for this story was supplied by Douglas A. Deatz, PPC's vice 
president for congregational resources.) 

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