Friends Sharing the Good News

St. Paul's, Simcoe, Ontario, is the home of a ministry to seventeen adults with a developmental disability. They meet twice a month for worship, including some vibrant singing, Bible story and open prayer; a craft or activity time, but the important part of their times together is just being friends. … Read More

Effective Gospel Witness

Simon Sinek, in his book “Start With Why” argues that many people, organizations, and companies know WHAT they do and some even know HOW. But a very few know WHY. WHATs are our products or services we provide. HOWs are meant to communicate what makes us special or sets us apart from others who do … Read more

The Fall of Jerusalem

The PCC is getting a ‘poke in the ribs’. Let’s not be afraid to turn and look. Actually, it was spring in Jerusalem, and nine of us Canadian Presbyterian clergy were standing about 50 feet from the Western Wall listening attentively to our guide, Sheera. She awed us with the news that this last vestige … Read more

A Spirited Life: Calvin on the Holy Spirit (Part 2)

Although Calvin takes sin and the fall very seriously, he sees the Spirit at work in the whole of creation. For Calvin, the fundamental human problem is that we ascribe praise incorrectly and we accept praise incorrectly. Because of idolatry and ingratitude, we no longer know God. … Read More

Seeking Grace Under Fire

As I sat to write this, we were exactly halfway through the federal election campaign and the ‘V’ word had captured media attention. No, not ‘V’ for vote, but ‘V’ for violence – a party leader cancelled an event due to concerns for safety. The violence was a more vociferous threat than virulent action … Read more

Renewal for the next generation

Millennials and the church today. Why aren’t millennials going to church? Where are all of the young adults? How is the church going to survive in the coming years with a missing generation? Many have tackled these questions, including pastors, sociologists, and research study groups. Some argue that millennials view the church as hypocritical and … Read more

He is Risen!

He is risen, indeed! It is an ancient liturgy translated into countless tongues and spoken by billions since the historical event of the resurrection. It is the core of the Church’s Easter worship. It is the centre of Christian belief over the past two millennia. It is the announcement that reminds us that Jesus is … Read more

Is it always right to be right?

One hopes it was God’s Spirit, but some might demur it was the second large helping of dessert; nonetheless, I awakened before I wanted to with a saying looping repeatedly through my mind. I know it is tempting for a few close friends to substitute ‘loopy’ at this point! The looping phrase is one often spoken, but I suspect the words seldom reflect one’s actual opinion. You may have used it yourself. It begins, ‘I could be wrong, but…” … Read more

Remaining as a faithful presence in the PCC

On January 29, 2022, a total of 60 people gathered via Zoom for “Called Together — a Time of Encouragement” for evangelical/orthodox/traditional believers within The Presbyterian Church in Canada who remain called to the places where we currently worship and serve — but may feel isolated and discouraged. But we are not alone. Speaker Rev. … Read more