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Our History

“Building on the Reformed tradition, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation seeks to glorify God by contributing to the spiritual vitality of Christ’s church. To that end, PPC publishes resources that advance religious scholarship, stimulate conversation about moral values, and inspire faithful living.”

Mission Statement

Introducing the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, one of the six entities of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), exists to serve and support the church’s mission. To do so, PPC combines an emphasis on the mission and ministry of the PC(USA) with a strategic focus on customer service and the employment of sound business practices. PPC, which has a religious publishing heritage of more than 180 years, was formally incorporated in 1994 as a nonprofit corporation. In 2018 PPC merged with Congregational Ministries Publishing and began publishing curriculum for the denomination. PPC is financially self-sustaining.

 

PPC carries out its work by building on the Reformed theological tradition and its commitment to the ministry of the Word, the life of the mind, and engagement with the needs of the world. Accordingly, PPC’s publications are intended to address the needs of the denomination, to make original contributions to religious and theological thinking, and to clarify ethical and moral issues that confront church leaders and the wider society. These publications include but are not limited to

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  • curriculum and worship resources for Presbyterian congregations and members,

  • practical and thought-provoking material for pastors and other church professionals,

  • theological and religious books and other materials for use in higher education

  • children’s books for use in churches, homes, public schools, libraries, and the general trade

  • books on spirituality, Bible study, Christian living, life challenges, and social issues for mainline Christian and the religiously unaffiliated.

 

With worldwide distribution of more than 2,500 titles, PPC continues to build one of the most successful and respected publishing programs in the fields of church, academic, and general religious publishing—a program recognized around the world for challenging works by leading authors of diverse viewpoints.

A few of the top moments in PPC's publishing history include:

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  • 1838 — The Way of Salvation Familiarly Explained in a Conversation between a Father and His Children, by Presbyterian Board of Publication becomes the first book published by the Presbyterian church in the United States

  • 1841 — Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin

  • 1958 — William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible series begins

  • 1962 — Race and the Renewal of the Church, by Will Campbell

  • 1966 — The Gospel According to Peanuts, by Robert L. Short

  • 1974 —Human Liberation in a Feminist Perspective, by Letty Russell

  • 1977 — The Bible Makes Sense, by Walter Brueggemann

  • 1982 — Prophesy Deliverance!, by Cornel West

  • 1988 — Westminster Press (Philadelphia) and John Knox Press (Richmond and Atlanta) merge to form Westminster John Knox Press in the reunited PC(USA)

  • 1992 — Women’s Bible Commentary, edited by Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe

  • 2008 — WJK started printing volumes in the twelve-volume preaching commentary series, Feasting on the Word, in partnership with Columbia Theological Seminary

  • 2017 — The first book in the new Flyaway Books imprint is published, Who Counts? by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

  • 2018 — WJK began publishing the new lectionary commentary series Connections, in partnership with Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

  • 2020 — PPC publishes the new children’s curriculum, Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum based on the best-selling children’s story Bible, Growing in God’s Love, edited by Elizabeth F. Caldwell and Carol A. Wehrheim

 

For more information about PPC, visit Contact Us or discover one of our websites.

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