"Are we ready for this?" That was the headline in mid-March as pandemic restrictions hit like a tsunami. Thankfully, all those arenas converted to emergency wards were never needed. Now, as we enter phase 2 of the recovery, I ask: Are we ready for a new way of doing church? ... Read more
Author Archives: Andy Cornell
An Opportunity, Not a Threat
One of the most-encouraging aspects of church renewal is seeing the Holy Spirit work in surprising ways. When all appears to be without hope, a Saviour appears. When churches around the world were forced to suspend in-person worship in mid-March, I was blown away by how many of my colleagues immediately opened their virtual doors ... Read more
A Dualling Dynamic
While a conversation about colonialism in the PCC is vital and overdue – as described in my May 2nd column – there’s another dynamic begging to be addressed. Mostly absent from April’s Renewal Day discussion was the voice of those in orthodoxy who believe they have no future ... Read more
Addressing the Colonial Mindset
We mix and mingle among those with whom we're most comfortable. Shared interests and culture are at the top of the list. As a student at Knox College, I was delighted to find people from my same culture and age group. We hit it off and stuck together. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't make much of an attempt to get to know those whose first language was not English … Read more
Response to COVID-19
Churches everywhere have responded quickly to the pandemic precautions. It's inspiring. It's powerful. It's a witness to the truth that the church will never die. And it testifies to the dictum that the church is reformed and continues to do so. In this section, we've created a menu of items in which we can tell … Read more
Online Worship
The Renewal Fellowship would like to publicize churches that are livestreaming Sunday worship services for the benefit of those whose churches are unable to do so. If your congregation is web-casting this Sunday, please send the instructions, and we will publicize it. Here is the information that we have so far ... Read more
Ministry
How now shall we live as pastors, elders, caregivers and believers with a heart for the Gospel and the Great Commission? We may be prevented from most human contact outside our families and close associates, but there are many ways to reach people and to interact. Online meeting tools. There are many options: Zoom, GoTo … Read more
Help
We're not all tech savvy. But it's not difficult to learn. Here are a few selected sources of information. YouTube is a user-friendly way to record and upload and share your videos. For those with zero experience, here's a primer: Create a new channel. You'll need a gmail address to start, so watch the video … Read more
Emerging from COVID-19
You are not alone. While change of any sort is always stressful, we pray that this time will be used to move us closer to God. I firmly believe that God works in times of trouble. You don't have to be a Pollyanna to believe this. We are learning technology in a new way. We … Read more
Read, Share, Study, and Pray
Churches from every nation and persuasion have responded quickly to the pandemic precautions. It’s inspiring. It’s powerful. It’s a witness to the truth that the church will never die. And it testifies to the dictum that the church is reformed and continues to do so. Many churches which are doing things differently have been sharing their practices ... Read more