Understanding Women in Presbyterian Ministry

Do Presbyterians

Allow Female Pastors?


Understanding Women

in Presbyterian Ministry



When you walk into a Presbyterian church on Sunday morning, you might see a woman standing behind the pulpit. Or you might not. The answer to whether Presbyterians ordain women as pastors depends entirely on which Presbyterian denomination you're asking about.

This confuses a lot of people. They hear "Presbyterian" and assume all Presbyterian churches follow the same rules. But the Presbyterian family tree has several branches, and they hold different convictions about women serving as pastors and elders.


Let me help you understand what these differences mean and why they matter if you're looking for a church home in Houston or anywhere else.



The Short Answer: It Depends on the Denomination


The Presbyterian Church (USA), often written as PC(USA), is the largest Presbyterian denomination in America. They've been ordaining women as ministers since the 1950s and as elders since the 1930s. Women serve as pastors, associate pastors, and in every level of church leadership.


But other Presbyterian denominations take different positions. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) does not ordain women to any teaching or ruling office. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) allows individual presbyteries to decide. ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians permits women's ordination while maintaining a more conservative theological stance than the PC(USA).

So when someone asks, "Do Presbyterians allow female pastors?" the honest answer is: some do, some don't, and some let local churches decide.



Why the Differences Exist


These aren't arbitrary disagreements. They stem from how different Presbyterian groups interpret Scripture and understand church tradition.

Those who support women's ordination point to passages like Galatians 3:28, which declares there is "neither male nor female" in Christ Jesus. They note that women served as prophets and leaders throughout biblical history. They argue that the Holy Spirit gifts people for ministry without regard to gender, and the church should recognize those gifts wherever they appear.


Those who oppose women's ordination typically cite passages like 1 Timothy 2:12 and the pattern of male leadership among the apostles and elders in the New Testament. They believe these establish a permanent structure for church leadership. They often emphasize that this isn't about women's value or capability but about God's design for how authority functions in the church.


Both sides take the Bible seriously. They just reach different conclusions about what it teaches on this particular issue.



A Brief History: How PC(USA) Got Here


The PC(USA) didn't start ordaining women overnight. It took decades of theological reflection, debate, and gradual change.


Women were first ordained as elders in predecessor denominations in the 1930s. The United Presbyterian Church in the USA began ordaining women as ministers in 1956, when Margaret Towner became the first woman ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. The Presbyterian Church in the United States (the southern denomination) waited until 1964 to ordain its first woman minister.


When these denominations merged to form the PC(USA) in 1983, women's ordination was firmly established policy. Today, women serve in every role within the denomination, including as pastors of large churches, seminary professors, and moderators of the General Assembly.

This history matters because it shows that the PC(USA)'s position on women in ministry wasn't a sudden accommodation to cultural pressure. It developed through careful biblical study and theological conversation over many years.



What This Means at St. John's Presbyterian Church


St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston is part of the PC(USA). That means women can serve in any leadership role here, including as pastors and elders. The church recognizes that God calls and gifts people for ministry regardless of gender.

This isn't just a theoretical position. It shapes how the church operates. Women serve on the Session (the governing body of elders). Women teach, lead, and use their gifts in every area of ministry. When the church needs pastoral leadership, gender isn't a barrier to considering qualified candidates.


For many people seeking a church, this matters deeply. Some grew up in traditions that restricted women's roles and found those restrictions inconsistent with what they saw in Scripture. Others simply want their daughters to grow up knowing they can serve God in any capacity He calls them to. Still others believe that the church is healthier when it draws on the gifts of all its members, not just half of them.



How Other Presbyterian Denominations Differ


The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) takes a complementarian position. They believe God created men and women as equals in value but with different roles, particularly in church leadership and family headship. PCA churches do not ordain women as teaching or ruling elders or as deacons in most cases. Women serve in vital ways through teaching other women and children, missions, and various ministries, but not in the ordained offices.


The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) allows each presbytery to decide whether to ordain women. Some EPC churches have women pastors and elders. Others do not. This "agree to disagree" approach reflects the EPC's emphasis on being united around essential doctrines while allowing freedom on secondary issues.


ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians ordains women while maintaining more traditional positions on other issues like biblical authority and sexual ethics. ECO formed in 2012 partly in response to theological disputes within the PC(USA), but women's ordination wasn't one of the breaking points.


These differences aren't minor footnotes. They reflect genuine theological convictions about biblical interpretation, church authority, and how God designed the church to function.



What to Ask When Visiting a Presbyterian Church


If this issue matters to you, here are practical questions to ask when you visit any Presbyterian church:

Which Presbyterian denomination does this church belong to? That will give you the framework for their official position, though individual churches sometimes hold views that differ slightly from their denomination's stated policy.


Do women currently serve in leadership roles here? Theory and practice don't always match. A church might technically allow women elders but never actually nominate any. Or a church might belong to a denomination that doesn't ordain women but still give women significant voice and influence in other ways.


How does this church understand passages about women in ministry? Listen to how they talk about it. Do they treat it as a closed question or an ongoing conversation? Do they show respect for Christians who disagree? Their tone tells you as much as their position.


What opportunities do women have to use their gifts? Some churches that don't ordain women still encourage women to teach, lead Bible studies, serve on mission teams, and participate fully in the life of the church. Others restrict women's roles more broadly.


These questions help you understand not just a church's official stance but their actual culture around women in ministry.



Why This Matters for Church Health


Churches need the gifts of all their members to function well. Scripture is clear that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to all believers for the common good. When half the congregation sits on the sidelines (or limits their service to certain approved areas), the church operates at half strength.


This plays out in practical ways. A church that ordains women has a larger pool of potential leaders to draw from. Women bring different perspectives and experiences to church leadership. They often notice needs and opportunities that others miss. They connect with people who might not otherwise feel seen or heard.


That said, churches that don't ordain women can still be healthy and effective. Their members would argue that following what they believe is God's design for leadership actually strengthens the church, even if it feels restrictive to outside observers. They'd point to thriving ministries led by women in non-ordained roles and argue that limiting ordained office doesn't mean limiting women's impact.


But here's what I've observed over years of ministry: churches thrive when they take seriously the gifts God has given all their members and create space for those gifts to flourish. Whether that happens through formal ordination or other avenues, the principle remains the same.



Beyond the Ordination Debate


Here's something that often gets lost in arguments about women's ordination: the deeper question is about how we recognize and respond to God's calling.


When someone (male or female) senses God calling them to ministry, how should the church respond? Should we first check whether they fit our theological framework, or should we ask whether they demonstrate the gifts, character, and calling that Scripture associates with church leadership?


Different Presbyterian denominations answer that question differently. The PC(USA) says gender isn't a relevant factor. The PCA says it is. The EPC says let local churches and presbyteries decide.


But all agree on something more fundamental: that God calls people into ministry, that the church should carefully discern and test that calling, and that church leaders must meet biblical qualifications of character and gifting.


The ordination debate matters, but it shouldn't overshadow those shared convictions.



What This Means If You're Seeking a Church


If you're looking for a church home in Houston and this issue matters to you, the denomination label gives you a starting point but not the whole story.


Visit the church. Watch who leads and teaches. Listen to how Scripture is handled. Pay attention to the culture, not just the stated policy. Some churches technically permit women in leadership but rarely see women actually serving in those roles. Others might belong to denominations that don't ordain women but still create space for women to lead and contribute significantly.

Ask questions. Good churches welcome honest questions about theology and practice. How they respond to your questions tells you whether this might be a place where you can grow.


Consider what you're looking for. Do you want a church where women can serve as pastors and elders? Then you'll want to visit PC(USA) churches like St. John's Presbyterian, EPC churches that ordain women, or ECO churches. If you hold a complementarian view, you might be more comfortable in a PCA church.


But don't choose based on this issue alone. A church's position on women's ordination matters, but it's one piece of a larger picture that includes worship style, preaching quality, missions focus, community life, and theological depth.



The Heart of the Matter


At its core, the question of women in ministry points to bigger questions about authority, interpretation, tradition, and change.

How do we read and apply Scripture when sincere Christians disagree? How much should church practice adapt to cultural context? What does equality in Christ mean for how we organize church leadership? When should we preserve historic practices, and when should we reform them?


These aren't easy questions. That's why thoughtful Christians land in different places.


What matters most isn't that every Presbyterian agrees on this issue. What matters is that we handle our disagreements with grace, that we stay rooted in Scripture, and that we keep focusing on the mission Jesus gave us: making disciples and meeting human needs.

At St. John's Presbyterian Church, we've landed in a place that affirms women's full participation in ministry and leadership. We believe this best reflects what Scripture teaches and what God's Spirit is doing. We also respect Christians who reach different conclusions while sharing our commitment to the gospel and to serious engagement with God's Word.


The question "Do Presbyterians allow female pastors?" has a complex answer because Presbyterians are a complex family. But complexity doesn't mean confusion. It means recognizing that faithful people sometimes interpret Scripture differently on secondary issues while remaining united on the essentials of the faith.


If you'd like to see what ministry looks like when women and men serve together as elders and leaders, we'd welcome you to visit us on Sunday morning. Come experience a church where gifts matter more than gender, where Scripture is taken seriously, and where the focus stays on following Jesus together.


For more information about Presbyterian worship and beliefs, visit our page on Presbyterian Church Houston: What Makes Our Worship Unique. To learn about our community mission work, see Community Mission in Houston: How St. John's Presbyterian Serves. And if you're exploring faith traditions, check out What Is Presbyterian Worship? Traditions and Beliefs Explained.


About the Author

pastor houston, st johns presbyterian, bellaire texas church, serving since 1956, presbyterian pastor, west bellfort church

Pastor Jon has served St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston for over a decade and is the author of 34+ books on Christian spirit available on Amazon. 


He is an innovator in both the community and at the church, bringing in major initiatives like the Single Parent Family Ministry housing with PCHAS, the One Hope Preschool program, and expanding the community garden that brings together church members and neighbors. 


Under his leadership, St. John's has become known for practical service that makes a real difference in the community. 


His approach is simple: "We're real people who worship and serve Jesus Christ with no frills."

Share This article

The Silence of Heaven: Seeking God When God Feels Distant

By Jon Burnham • October 8, 2025
The Silence of Heaven: Seeking God When God Feels Distant - Job Sermon Series - Sermon 2 of 5
job sermon series, faith in storm, presbyterian preaching, bible study job, st johns houston, trials faith, pastor jon sermon

Sermon Slideshow for Job Sermon 1

By Jon Burnham • October 7, 2025
Job Sermon Series - Sermon 1 of 5 - September 7, 2025

Presbyterian Church Houston: What Makes Our Worship Unique

By Jon Burnham • October 6, 2025
What Makes Our Worship Unique 

Easter Service Houston: Worship and Celebration at St. John's Presbyterian

By Jon Burnham • October 6, 2025
Worship and Celebration at St. John's Presbyterian 

Building on the Rock: Christ the King as Our Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27 Sermon)

By Jon Burnham • October 3, 2025
Christ the King as Our Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27 Sermon) 

When God Feels Silent: Ask, Seek, Knock – Houston Christians' Guide to Persistent Prayer (2025 Sermon)

By Jon Burnham • October 3, 2025
Houston Christians' Guide to Persistent Prayer (2025 Sermon)

Christian Perspectives on Healthy Relationships in Houston

By Jon Burnham • October 3, 2025
Relationship Advice in Houston TX: Building Stronger Bonds Through Faith

Funeral Services Near Me: How St. John's Presbyterian Supports Families

By Jon Burnham • October 2, 2025
Funeral Services Near Me: How St. John's Presbyterian Supports Families When someone you love dies, the last thing you want to think about is logistics. Yet there you are, sitting in a funeral home or standing in your kitchen at 2 AM, trying to figure out where to hold a service for someone who maybe attended church occasionally, or used to go years ago, or never went at all. And you're searching "funeral services near me" because you need a sacred space, a pastor who won't pretend to have known your father when they never met, and a community that won't make this harder than it already is. Let me tell you what we've learned about walking with families through death at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston. This isn't a sales pitch. It's what I wish someone had told me before I conducted my first funeral service as a young pastor, thinking I knew what grief needed. I didn't. But the families taught me. What Most People Don't Know About Church Funeral Services Here's the truth nobody mentions when you're frantically searching for funeral services in Houston: most churches will host a service for community members, even if the deceased wasn't an active member. You don't need to have perfect attendance or a spotless giving record. You just need to call. At St. John's, we've held services for people who hadn't walked through our doors in twenty years. We've celebrated the lives of parents whose children grew up here but moved away decades ago. We've offered our sanctuary to families who found us through that exact search you just did: "funeral services near me." Why? Because death isn't a membership privilege. It's a human reality that deserves sacred response. But not all churches approach this the same way, and understanding the differences might help you make decisions during an already overwhelming time. The Small Church Advantage When Death Comes I've served in larger congregations and smaller ones. At St. John's, we're definitely in the smaller category. On Sunday mornings, we might have 80 people in worship and about that many watching online. Yes, our services are livestreamed on our website each Sunday. Our building is newly remodeled and upgraded. We don't have a coffee bar or a massive staff. But when death visits one of our families, something happens that I've rarely seen in larger settings. The congregation mobilizes. Not because someone assigns tasks or creates spreadsheets (though our Caring & Fellowship Committee does coordinate beautifully). It happens because in a church this size, we actually know each other. When Mary's husband died last spring, our members didn't need to be told what to do. Within hours, someone was organizing meals. Someone else was calling family members who lived out of state. Another person was quietly arranging flowers. The day of the service, our kitchen was full of people who had known this family for years, preparing food for the reception. Not catering staff. Just people who loved them. This is what "funeral support" actually looks like, stripped of corporate language and marketing copy. It's Jim bringing his truck to help move chairs. It's Barbara knowing exactly which hymns the deceased loved because she sat next to her in choir for fifteen years. It's having a pastor who can tell real stories about your loved one because he actually knew them, shared meals with them, prayed with them. You can't manufacture this in a church of 2,000 people. You can organize it, sure. You can create systems and committees and response teams. But there's something different about a community small enough that grief ripples through everyone, where the loss touches people who actually remember. When the Deceased Wasn't a Member: What Really Happens This is the question I get most often from families calling about funeral services: "Is it okay that Dad wasn't really involved in church?" Always yes. Some of the most meaningful services I've conducted have been for people on the edges of church life. The man who came to our community garden every week but never attended worship. The woman whose daughter sang in our choir but who herself struggled with faith after losing a child years ago. The neighbor who used our parking lot for his morning walks and always waved but never came inside. These services require more preparation, actually. I spend extra time with families, listening to stories, learning who this person was beyond religious categories. What made them laugh? What did they care about? What would they want said, or not said, at their funeral? And here's what I tell families who worry their loved one wasn't "religious enough" for a church service: Jesus spent most of his time with people on the margins of religious life. If we're going to follow him, we probably should too. At St. John's, we don't audit someone's spiritual résumé before offering our space and our care. We trust that if you're seeking a sacred space to mark this death, you have good reasons. Our role is to provide that space with dignity and authenticity, not to judge whether the deceased earned it. What a Presbyterian Funeral Service Actually Involves If you didn't grow up Presbyterian, or if you've been away from church for a while, you might wonder what happens during a Presbyterian funeral service. Let me walk you through the typical structure, though we adapt based on family needs and circumstances. The Order of Service Presbyterian funerals follow what we call "A Service of Witness to the Resurrection." That title reveals our theology: we're not just mourning a death, we're testifying to our hope in resurrection. This doesn't mean we skip the grief or pretend death isn't terrible. It means we hold grief and hope together, which is harder and more honest than either alone. The service usually includes Scripture readings that speak to both loss and hope. Psalms of lament sit next to promises of resurrection. We sing hymns, sometimes the ones your loved one sang for decades, sometimes ones chosen by the family. We pray together, naming the pain and the gratitude, the loss and the memories. I give a brief message, usually reflecting on Scripture in light of this particular life. This isn't a eulogy where I tell you how perfect the deceased was (nobody's perfect, and pretending otherwise dishonors their actual humanity). Instead, I try to connect their real life to God's real grace, acknowledging both struggles and gifts. Family members often speak, sharing memories and stories. This can be healing or hard or both. We don't force it, but we create space for it if desired. The service typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour. Long enough to be meaningful, short enough that elderly aunts and young children don't suffer too much. Then we usually have a reception in our fellowship hall, where the real ministry often happens: people eating, talking, crying, laughing, remembering. The Flexibility Factor Here's where smaller churches shine: flexibility. If you need to adjust the service because Uncle Robert is flying in from California and can't arrive until 2 PM, we adjust. If your mother loved folk music instead of traditional hymns, we help you find a guitarist. If your famil We're not running multiple services that day with tight turnarounds. We're not locked into rigid schedules that can't bend. Your family's needs shape the service, not our operational constraints. The Role of Our Caring & Fellowship Committee At St. John's, we have a committee specifically dedicated to caring for members during life's hard moments. The Caring & Fellowship Committee visits homebound members, supports those in the hospital, and coordinates care when families face crisis. When death occurs, this committee becomes crucial. They help organize the reception, coordinate meals for the family in the days following the service, and maintain contact in the months after, when grief deepens and most people have returned to their normal lives. This isn't a formal bereavement program with scheduled check-ins. It's more organic than that, more personal. Someone remembers that this is the first Thanksgiving without Mom and brings a pie. Someone else notices Dad sitting alone at church and invites him to lunch. Small acts of sustained attention that say: we haven't forgotten. The committee also maintains contact with inactive members, which means when someone dies who attended years ago, we often already have relationships with the family. We're not strangers showing up to perform a service. We're part of an extended community that never quite lost touch. The Cost Question Nobody Wants to Ask Let's address this directly because it matters when you're planning a funeral: What does this cost? At St. John's, we don't charge our members or their families for use of the sanctuary for the service or McPhail Hall for the reception. The buildings are simply available. We also have a Memorial Service Meal and hospitality ministry that directs the reception after the service. It's part of what membership means, one of the ways we care for each other from birth to death. For non-members or community families, we ask for a donation to the church that helps cover costs like building use, cleaning, sound system operation, and pastor and staff’s time. There is a musicians fee and the pastor fee is up to you. We've never turned away a family because they couldn't afford our suggested donation. Some families choose to make a memorial gift to the church or to one of our mission partners like Braes Interfaith Ministries, where we serve hundreds of food-insecure neighbors each month. Others arrange for flowers or make donations to causes their loved one cared about. All of this is voluntary. Compare this to funeral home chapel fees, which in Houston can run $500 to $1,500 or more. Church spaces aren't free to maintain, but we're not in the funeral business. We're in the community business, and supporting families through death is part of that calling. What Happens After the Service: The Forgotten Part Here's what most articles about funeral services won't tell you: the hard part isn't the day of the service. That day, you're running on adrenaline, surrounded by people, held up by structure and ritual. The hard part is three weeks later, when everyone has gone home, when you're sorting through your father's clothes, when you're eating dinner alone for the first time in 40 years. At St. John's, we know this. So we don't disappear after the reception ends. Our pastor stays in touch with grieving families for months, sometimes years. Not with formal appointments or therapy sessions (I'm a pastor, not a counselor), but with occasional calls, notes on birthdays and hard anniversaries, invitations to church events that might help you reconnect with community when you're ready. Our Caring and Fellowship Committee continues providing meals if needed, especially for elderly widows or widowers who struggle to cook for one. We invite grieving members to our monthly Keenagers lunches, where older adults gather for food and fellowship. We notice when you're absent from worship and reach out, not with guilt but with care. We also offer resources for grief support groups in Houston and can connect families with Christian counselors if professional help is needed. Small churches don't have every resource in-house, but we know our community and can guide you to good support. Why Location Matters When You're Searching "Funeral Services Near Me" You're searching for "funeral services near me" because proximity matters when you're grieving. You don't want to drive across Houston in traffic while planning a funeral. You want something close, accessible, familiar maybe. St. John's sits at 5020 West Bellfort Avenue, in the Westbury area of southwest Houston. We're easy to reach from Bellaire, Meyerland, Westbury, and surrounding neighborhoods. Our building dates to the 1950s, which means we have the space and parking that older church buildings offer, without the intimidating scale of newer megachurch campuses. We also have a gorgeously remodeled sanctuary we renovated after Harvey. The sanctuary has near perfect acoustics according to the professional musicians we host in our annual Lenten Arts Series. For out-of-town family flying into Houston, we're closer to Hobby Airport although Bush Intercontinental is still within driving range. The neighborhood is safe, the parking is ample, and the building is accessible for those with mobility challenges. But proximity isn't just about geography. It's about emotional accessibility too. When you walk into St. John's, you won't face a massive lobby with coffee stands and bookstores. You'll walk into a church that feels like a church, with people who greet you by name (or learn it quickly), with a sanctuary designed for worship, not entertainment. For some families, especially those from older generations or those who've felt lost in contemporary church culture, this matters deeply. You want a funeral service that feels sacred without feeling sterile, personal without being casual, hopeful without denying the pain. When You Need to Plan Ahead: Pre-Funeral Conversations Nobody wants to think about their own funeral, but I've learned that the families who have the easiest time planning services are the ones who had these conversations beforehand. If you're reading this not because someone just died, but because you're thinking ahead (which is wise, not morbid), consider talking with your family about: Where you'd want your service held Which hymns or music matter to you Scripture passages that have sustained you Whether you want family to speak or prefer just pastoral words What you'd want your service to emphasize about your life and faith You can also talk with a pastor before crisis hits. At St. John's, I'm happy to meet with anyone thinking about end-of-life planning. These conversations are never depressing. Often they're meaningful and even beautiful, as people reflect on what has mattered most in their lives. Some people write their own funeral service, choosing readings and hymns that reflect their faith journey. Others just share general wishes with family, trusting them to make good decisions when the time comes. Either approach works, and both are better than leaving your family guessing during grief. What Makes St. John's Different: The Mission Connection Here's something you won't find in most articles about funeral services, but it matters: where you hold a funeral service makes a statement about what mattered to the deceased and what matters to the family left behind. At St. John's, we're known for mission work. We operate a community garden that supplies fresh produce to food pantries serving hundreds of families weekly. We support an orphanage in Uganda, provide resources to Houston's International Seafarer's Center, and work closely with Braes Interfaith Ministries to meet practical needs in our community. This means when you hold a service at St. John's, you're connecting your loved one's memory to ongoing work that matters. Memorial gifts given in their name support real ministry to real people facing real struggles. The church building where you gather isn't just a pretty space, it's a launching pad for mission work that changes lives. For families who want their loved one's death to somehow contribute to life for others, this context matters. Your father's memorial service becomes part of a larger story about faith in action, about a church community that doesn't just talk about loving neighbors but actually does it, week after week, year after year. How to Contact Us About Funeral Services If you're reading this because you need funeral services now, here's what to do: Call our church office at 713-723-6262. If it's after hours or on a weekend, email Pastor Jon's or text or call his cell number for emergencies. Don't hesitate to call. Death is exactly the kind of emergency pastors expect. When you call, you'll talk with someone who will ask a few basic questions: Who died? When? Are you thinking about a date and time for the service? Is the deceased connected to St. John's in any way? Then we'll schedule a meeting, usually within 24 to 48 hours, where we can sit down together, talk about your loved one, and plan a service that honors their life and supports your grief. Bring photos if you want. Bring other family members who need to be part of the planning. Bring your questions and your stress and your sadness, and we'll work through it together. If you're planning ahead rather than in crisis, the same number works. Just let us know you're calling about pre-planning, and we'll schedule a more relaxed conversation. You can also email us at office.sjpc@gmail.com, though calling is faster if you're in immediate need. What Happens When You Can't Afford a Traditional Funeral Let me address one more reality that families face: sometimes there's no money for a traditional funeral. Maybe the deceased had no life insurance. Maybe medical bills consumed everything. Maybe you're barely covering basic burial costs. At St. John's, we still welcome you. We can hold a simple memorial service with no elaborate flowers, no printed programs if those add cost you can't manage, no expensive anything. We'll gather people who loved this person, we'll pray and sing and remember, and we'll do it with dignity regardless of budget. Some of the most meaningful services I've conducted have been the simplest. A dozen people in our sanctuary, a few shared stories, some tears and some laughter, a commitment of this life into God's care. That's enough. That's actually more than enough when it's genuine. If burial costs are also overwhelming, I can sometimes connect families with resources that help. Houston has organizations that assist with funeral expenses for low-income families. I can't promise solutions, but I can help you look for options you might not know exist. The point is this: dignity in death shouldn't depend on economics. We won't make your grief harder by adding financial stress or making you feel less-than because you can't afford what funeral homes market as "proper" services. A Final Word About Searching "Funeral Services Near Me" You probably found this article because you're in pain. Someone you love is gone, and you're trying to figure out what to do next, where to hold a service that will honor them and support your family and feel somehow adequate to this enormous loss. No funeral service is adequate, actually. That's the hard truth. No matter how beautiful the flowers, how perfect the music, how eloquent the words, nothing makes death okay. Nothing fills the hole left by a person you loved. But sacred ritual helps. Community helps. Having a space where you can name the loss and remember the love and cry without apologizing helps. Being surrounded by people who show up, who bring food, who hug you and mean it, who remember your loved one or commit to honoring them through their presence even if they never met—all of this helps. At St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston, we've been helping families through death since 1956. We're not experts in grief (nobody is), but we're experienced companions for the journey. We know what helps and what doesn't. We know how to hold space for pain without rushing to fix it. We know how to testify to resurrection hope without pretending death isn't terrible. If you're searching for funeral services near you, you've found one option. We're here, we're ready, and we're honored to walk with you through this valley. Come as you are. Bring your grief, your questions, your exhaustion, your faith or your doubt. We'll figure out together how to honor the life that was lived and support the ones left behind. That's what church is for. For more information about St. John's Presbyterian Church and the ways we support our community, visit our page about Christian Church Near Me: Why St. John's Presbyterian Stands Out. If you're also looking for other ways to connect with our faith community, explore our Bible Study Houston: Where to Find Scripture Study That Goes Deeper offerings. And if you're interested in learning more about our mission orientation and what that means, read Mission-Oriented Church Houston: Finding the People Actually Doing God's Work .

Christmas Eve Service Houston: Celebrate with St. John's Presbyterian

By Jon Burnham • October 1, 2025
Christmas Eve Service Houston: Celebrate with St. John's Presbyterian

The Epistle for October 1, 2025

By Jon Burnham • October 1, 2025
The Epistle for October 1, 2025 October 1, 2025   "Faith in the Storm" - Our Job Sermon Series in Book Form Dear Church Family,  As we conclude our Job sermon series this Sunday, I'm excited to share that the sermons, studies, and worship resources we've been using are being published as a book: Faith in the Storm: Finding Hope in the Book of Job. This comprehensive resource will be available on Amazon in the coming days. Over these past weeks, we've walked together through Job's journey—from devastating loss to honest lament, from the silence of God to His voice in the whirlwind, and finally to restoration that honors our scars. Many of you have shared how Job's story has given you permission to grieve honestly while still trusting God. That's exactly why this book exists: to help churches create sacred space for both tears and praise, for questions and faith, for lament and hope. The book includes all five sermons from our series, complete worship liturgies for every season, healing service resources, small group discussion materials, and personal reflection exercises. Whether you want to revisit the sermons we've shared, lead your own study group, or gift it to someone walking through their own storm, this resource transforms Job's ancient witness into contemporary hope. It doesn't offer easy answers—instead, it provides something better: companionship for the journey and trust in the God who speaks through storms. Thank you for wrestling with these hard questions alongside me. Your honest engagement with suffering and faith has shaped this resource. As Job discovered, and as we've learned together: "God speaks in the storm; we trust in God's faithfulness." Grace and peace, Pastor Jon     Advent Innovations Workshop *Saturday, October 4 *McPhail Hall, St. John’s Presbyterian Church Advent is the season that leads us into Christmas—a time of hope, waiting, and preparation. Join us for a workshop exploring fresh opportunities for spiritual formation this year. Together we’ll share ideas and plans for: Creative spirituality and prayer centers Special services of comfort for those who are grieving Educational events for all ages And more ways to deepen our walk with God Come, bring your imagination, and help shape meaningful practices for this holy season. 👉 Register in advance so we have a head count for lunch. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/252387241427054     Healing Hearts: A New Ministry of Care and Encouragement Healing Hearts will meet in the church office building in the Prayer Room on Wednesday, October 8th from 7:00PM to 8:00PM and on Monday, October 27th from 11:00AM to 12:00 Noon. Healing Hearts, a grief and bereavement support group. Led by Lisa Sparaco, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and member of our church, this group will provide a safe and faith-filled space for sharing stories, receiving encouragement, and walking together through seasons of loss. This is not a therapy group, but a ministry of care and prayer for all who grieve. Healing Hearts is open both to members of St. John’s and to the wider community. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your friends and neighbors who may need such support. Meetings will take place in the Prayer Room, beginning in October 2025, on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00–8:00 PM and the last Monday of each month from 11:00 AM–12:00 Noon. This schedule provides both an evening option for those who work during the day and a daytime option for those who prefer not to drive at night.   Men of the Church The Men of the Church meets tonight, Wednesday, October 1, at 6:30 PM in the Session Room. All men are welcome to attend.   Apostle's Creed Class We recite the Apostle’s Creed every Sunday in church. It is an ancient creed – it first appears in a form close to what we recite in 341AD. The creed summarizes essential doctrines and serves as a unifying symbol across various Christian denominations. However, it is very easy to recite the creed by rote without really understanding the importance of these doctrines to our Christian faith. The CE committee is offering an opportunity to dive into the Apostle’s creed to understand where these doctrine come from and why they are important. The class will be on 18 Oct from 8:30am to 2pm. Lunch will be provided. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex so we can get a good head count for the materials and for lunch. We hope to see you there!   Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee for this year is composed of Shirley Boyd, Moderator; Michael Bisase, Clerk; and members Jim Austin, Franklin Caspa, and Wright Williams. If you have a suggestion for someone to serve as elder, please speak with one of them so your candidate may be prayerfully considered. We move forward in trust, asking God to open hearts, provide willing servants, and grant us wisdom in our discernment.   Peacemaking Offering On October 5, We will celebrate World Communion Sunday. We will also collect the Peace and Global Witness Offering . It enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. Envelopes are at the back of the sanctuary. The Peace and Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. 25% retained by congregations to support peacemaking efforts in their local communities. 25% retained by mid councils to support peacemaking efforts at the regional level. 50% supports peacemaking, reconciliation and global witness.   Living Gift Market – November 16, 2025 Mark your calendars! St. John’s will host the annual Living Gift Market on Sunday, November 16, 2025. This special event is part of our Faith in Action ministry, connecting us with global mission partners and providing an opportunity to give gifts that make a real difference in the lives of others . This year, we also plan to enjoy a fellowship meal during the market. Because several of our faithful cooks are ill or caring for loved ones, we are asking for help from the congregation. Beginning this Sunday, a sign-up sheet will be available in the Narthex for those willing to bring a dish. Your contribution will bless the whole church family and help make the market a joyful celebration of giving and sharing. Come, participate, and let’s make this year’s Living Gift Market a true witness to God’s abundance.     Friends of Lulwanda Fellowship Dinner Saturday, October 4, 5-8 PM Memorial Drive Presbyterian On Saturday, October 4, come and see how God is working at Lulwanda Children’s Home! Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. 5-8 pm. $30 per person. Speak to Libby Adams if you plan to attend as she has reserved a table for us. Or, click here to register. We Want to Go Home Are these your dishes? If so, they are in the McPhail Hall kitchen waiting to be taken home! You can contact Virginia Krueger or Alvina Hamilton to pick them up. Thank you!   Alina Klimaszewska will be in Concert Friday, October 3, 7:30 pm, Belin Chapel, Houston Christian University. Alina and Dominika Dancewicz, The Polish Duo, will perform “Myths, Fables and Fairytales.” Don’t miss this wonderful concert.   Sunday Afternoon Zoom Book Study for Adults Have you ever wondered if you are following God’s will for your life? That you got it right? And just exactly how do you know? In the book The Way of Discernment by Steve Doughty, he draws from classic authors like Augustine and contemporary ones like Dietrich Bonhoeffer to reveal powerful ways in which to understand the practice of discernment. This is a study seeking clarity in discovering God’s guidance for both your personal and congregational life. Beginning on September 7 at 1:30pm on Zoom, come and join in from the comfort of your own home. This intriguing study will definitely deepen your faith and bless your spiritual journey. Books are available at Amazon.com (choose the green cover edition). Contact Lynne Parsons for the Zoom link at lynnep@sbcglobal.net. Everyone is invited.   T-Shirts Ready for Pick Up The St. John’s T-shirts will be in this week, we hope, and ready for pickup this Sunday, Sept. 28 after church service. Extras were ordered so if you need more or never got around to ordering, you are in luck! To help defray the cost of their purchase, we are asking for a “love offering” if you are able.   With hearts united in hope, we lift these names into the healing presence of God.  Harriet Harper, in hospice care Tom Edmondson, recovering from spinal surgery Mary Hughes, recovering from shoulder surgery and flu Family of Evie Nielson Holly Darr, health concerns Family of Gerry Jump Karen Alsbrook, health Kelsey Wiltz, health concerns Glen Risley, health concerns Family of Barm Alsbrook, death in family in Tennessee Madalyn Rodgers, Kathleen Captain's sister Joe Sanford, Scott Moore and Alice Rubio Those looking for a job St. Johns College Students Raina Bailey and the families in our PCHAS homes One Hope Preschool families and staff Caring for One Another in Prayer Our prayer list is a vital way we support one another, lifting up joys and concerns before God. From time to time, we update the list to ensure it reflects current needs. If a name has been removed and you would like it added back, please reply to this email and let us know who they are and why you would like them included. Your input helps us pray more intentionally and stay connected to those in need of ongoing support. Thank you for being part of this ministry of care and intercession. Prayer List Update – How Can We Pray for You? As part of our commitment to intentional and meaningful prayer, we periodically refresh our prayer list to ensure we are staying connected with those who need support. If you or someone you previously requested would like to remain on the prayer list, or if you have a new name to add, please reply to this email and let us know. We are grateful for the opportunity to pray with and for you.     Happy Birthday Bryan Boyd (Laurie Henderson’s son) (Sept 27) Linsey Sen-Roy (Sept 28) Dave Muanza (Oct. 1) Virgil Fisher (Oct. 2) Christine Nelson and Amy Caraballo (Oct. 7) Barm Alsbrook (Oct 9) Alice Rubio, Jeffery Herbert(Oct. 10) Stewart Hall (Oct. 14) Brandon Mulder (Oct. 15) Elizabeth Ragan (Oct. 16) Jamie Crawford (Oct. 18) Atillio Ator (Oct. 19) Jonathan Hughes and Fran Urquhart (Oct. 24) James Adams (Oct. 25) Joene Moore and Nathan Herbert (Oct. 28) Happy Anniversary Dan and Linda Herron (Oct. 11) Barm and Karen Alsbrook (Oct. 15) Church Calendar Thursday, September 25 5:00 pm Exercise Class, Building Sunday, September 28, 16 th Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 am Sunday School for Adults, Lectionary, Session Room 11:00 am Worship Service, live in sanctuary and on Facebook 1:30 pm Book Study: The Way of Discernment, Zoom Coming Events Fri, Oct 3, Alina Klimaszewska in concert, HCU Sat, Oct 4, Advent Innovation - Spiritual Formation, 10 – 2, McPhail Sun, Oct 5, Caring and Fellowship Meeting immediately after church in Room 203 Wed, Oct 8, 7 to 8 pm, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Thurs, Oct 9, St. John's Friends United (formerly Keenagers), Potluck, Learn Mahjong Sat, Oct. 11, Blessing of the Animals, Courtyard October 12, Stewardship Season begins Sat, Oct 18, “Apostle’s Creed” Class, Session Room Mon, Oct 27, 11 to noon, Healing Hearts, Room 202 Nov 2, All Saints Service Sun, Nov 16, Living Gift Market Sun, Nov 30, First Sunday of Advent Thurs, Nov 27, Thanksgiving Sat, Dec 13, “What is the Gospel” Class, Session Room Wed, Dec 24, Christmas Eve Service, 7 pm Church Calendar Online For other dates, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/     2025 Session Members and Roles Elders on the Session: Class of 2025 Shirley Boyd: Christian Education Virginia Krueger: Caring & Fellowship Leonie Tchoconte: Caring & Fellowship Elders on the Session: Class of 2026 Barm Alsbrook: Stewardship and Finance Michael Bisase: Buildings and Grounds Jan Herbert: Christian Education Elders on the Session: Class of 2027 Lynne Parsons Austin: Worship Omar Ayah: Faith in Action Marie Kutz: Personnel and Administration Other Session Leaders and Support Staff Jon Burnham: Moderator of Session Lynne Parsons Austin: Clerk to Session Tad Mulder: Church Treasurer Amy Caraballo: Financial Secretary     Kingdom Stewardship: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount Coming next month, as we move into Stewardship Season, we will move into a new sermon series. Throughout "Kingdom Stewardship: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount," we explore how Jesus' teachings guide us in stewarding all aspects of our lives—our blessings, influence, resources, relationships, and faith. By aligning ourselves with kingdom principles, we become effective stewards who advance God's purposes on earth. This series challenges us to examine where our treasures lie, to seek God's kingdom above all else, and to build our lives on the solid foundation of Christ the King. This series thoughtfully incorporates significant dates such as All Saints' Day and Christ the King Sunday, aligning their themes with the overarching focus on stewardship. By pairing teachings from the Sermon on the Mount with complementary Old Testament passages, we gain a deeper understanding of God's call to live as faithful stewards in every area of our lives.   Church Office Hours and Contact Info Our church office is open Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Pastor Jon is typically available on Monday and Tuesday mornings, Alvina Hamilton serves on Wednesdays, and Linda Herron staffs the office on Thursdays. If you need assistance outside of these hours, please don’t hesitate to call us at 713-723-6262. To submit updates for the Prayer List or contributions to the Wednesday Epistle, kindly email Pastor Jon directly. Put "Epistle" in the subject line to make sure it gets in the Epistle. Church Website and Calendar Online Our church website: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/ For dates, times, and events, see St. John’s Calendar online: https://www.stjohnspresby.org/events/ Email Pastor Jon to request an addition to the church calendar or to add an event or article to The Epistle.