An excerpt from A. Donald MacLeod’s latest book. An explanation for this book. My wonderful 21-year-old grandson, Callum, asked me two questions as we were discussing his future: “What is it like to be a minister, Gramps? How has the ministry changed since you were ordained back in 1963?” It is to respond to these … Read more
Author Archives: A. Donald MacLeod
Heritage as a Sacred Trust
Of the many surprises in the recent General Assembly, and the strange twists that the debates took, none was more surprising than an unexpected recommendation, dependent on the passing of the remits, that we apologize to the United Church of Lachine for past wrongs. The recommendation suggested that a great wrong had been done to … Read more
Dal Schindell: a true “Channel”
Dal Schindell’s death on August 6, 2019 in Vancouver leaves us saddened at the passing of a unique Canadian evangelical who made a significant contribution to the establishment of The Renewal Fellowship within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Dal had a vision for a publication of the organization which had been founded in May 1983. … Read more
Memorial to Rev. Bill Manson
Rev. Bill Manson courageously maintained the church's position on chastity and faithfulness in marriage. He was a frequent contributor to the Presbyterian Record, and carried out a faithful ministry of Bible teaching, pastoral care, and diligent involvement in the courts of the Church. … Read More
Memorial for Rev. Dr. Mariano DiGangi
What was there about this man that God used him so mightily? There was an essential humility, a self-effacing, even self-deprecating, inability to take himself seriously. His ability to cross time zones and emerge from intercontinental air flights was an act of heroic proportions. … Read More
Putting In Its Place: Canadian Presbyterian Independent Journalism
Independent Presbyterian journalism contributed greatly to the debate over Church Union in the 25 years prior to 1925. Following union, a succession of generally short-lived publications sought to keep the church on track. The Renewal Fellowship's Channels was welcomed as giving a whole new face to evangelicals. … Read More
Looking Back Over Twenty Years of Channels
Don MacLeod, the first Chair of the Renewal Fellowship Within The Presbyterian Church in Canada when it was founded in 1982, looks through the seventy-seven issues of Channels over those twenty years and hits some of the highlights and lowlights covered in the pages of Channels, our oganization's magazine. … Read More
Far Formosa is Dear to My Heart
George Leslie MacKay was the first missionary of the Canada Presbyterian Church. He not only pioneered Christian mission in northern Taiwan in 1871, but also transformed the missionary vision of the Canadian Church. His work continues to have a profound influence. … Read More
Our Mission to China
In the mid 1880s, foreign missions became a dominant concern for many young people, who volunteered to go overseas, especially to China. Jonathan Goforth founded the Canadian Presbyterian mission in Honan, north of the Yellow River in China. … Read More
Celebrating Our Cross-cultural Evangelistic Missionary Heritage: The Centenary of James Ira Dickson
The tireless efforts of James Dickson, a Canadian Presbyterian missionary, were seminal in the advancement of Christianity in Taiwan, especially among the hill tribes. His wife, Lillian Dickson, began the Mustard Seed Mission, emphasizing sturdy church buildings, adequate child care, orphan protection, and vocational training. … Read More