Where many churches have become introverted, self-serving, and closed, the author, in addition to his pastoral responsibilities at St. Andrew's, Parry Sound, has been involved in sending short-term mission teams to Nicaragua for the past 7 years under the auspices of Threefold Ministries. … Read More
I retired four years ago after 39 years as a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC). This naturally put me out of the loop for a while with much of what goes on nationally in our church. But my vantage point has improved due to a year of frequent online meetings with more … Read more
Message to General Assembly during morning worship, June 7, 2023. A divine command steered Philip. As a preacher he was to go to the desert road which was not a road, in fact. But Philip followed the command with a childlike innocence and profound trust in God’s mystery. So, there he was, in the wilderness … Read more
I’m not going to lie, but awhile ago I was struggling whether I need to keep my membership in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. It has been heart-aching to hear and see what’s been happening in my denomination for the last few years over the topic of sexuality. Also, thinking about my future possible ministry, … Read more
What’s in a name? If it’s an organization or business – plenty.
Pick one, the first that comes to mind. In my head, it’s “Acme Corporation,” the fictitious company in the Bugs Bunny and Roadrunner cartoons. (Don’t ask.) Acme is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the point at which someone or something is
As I write this, first responders and tow truck operators are untangling 70 vehicles from a massive chain-reaction pile-up on one of Canada’s busiest highways. Squalls and blowing snow warnings have been routine from coast to coast for what seems like a week. And our poor, desperate friends in the Prairie provinces are locked in … Read more
Twenty years ago, the congregation of Valleyview Presbyterian Church constructed a new building at a new location on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta, surrounded only by fields and aspen groves. Twenty years later, this church now stands in the west suburbs of the city of Calgary. Recognizing that Christ has provided a unique opportunity for us to connect with the community that has grown up around us … Read More
In April 2010, the Session of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, decided to advise the Presbytery that their church would be closing in 2011. They were a small, discouraged group of seniors (approximately 15 at Sunday worship). Within days of their decision … Read More
There is great hope for the church. I see it in many places. Generally, where authentic believers and followers of Christ are gathered, we find peace, strength and spiritual growth. Therein lies the hope. In mathematical terms, this hope is directly proportional to the degree in which believers seek genuine and total submission to the … Read more
Helping Christmas visitors connect the dots. My two rural churches will open their doors to a good number of visitors this Christmas Eve, if history is any predictor of the future. As our context becomes more and more secular and un-churched, there is a growing challenge for us to convey more than a partial story … Read more