I suppose most of us have heard the words “change” and “transition” enough these days to last us a long time. The small course corrections that we all make daily sometimes (often?) result in significant changes down the road, decisions we make with prayer and an ear to God. And then there are the big changes that take us by surprise, coming sooner than expected, or events we should have been prepared for if we were paying attention.

The Presbyterian Record has been part of my life for some 45 years, challenging me, informing me, encouraging me, delighting me. I am sad to see it go. What will fill the empty place it leaves? As part of the Renewal Fellowship I have appreciated the newsletters, prayer chain, daily devotional, annual conference and website. Now as a member of the board, we are considering what we can offer the church to fill part of the need for conversation, stimulation, encouragement.

We too are in transition as we look for a new executive director to help us fulfil our role in supporting renewal in our churches. Three years ago our General Assembly shone a spotlight on the need for renewal and agreed to take measures to help congregations. In the midst of the controversy on human sexuality, our theological differences have been front and centre, overshadowing the urgent need for individual and congregational renewal. The fellowship recognizes the need for leadership in renewal and we will be working to bring people and resources to congregations.

Other agencies of the church will also be doing their part.

Of course, Jesus Christ is the one who gives us new life. Who breathes in us that Spirit. As we draw near to him, to listen, to fellowship, our souls and spirits will be renewed, each of us, and all of us together.

We have some learning to do, not just to live our faith but to be able to talk about it. What encouragement we give and receive when we tell our story and hear others’ stories of how God has been present; and then to move beyond that, hearing from those outside our faith circle, about others’ spiritual quests, what they believe and need, what they are looking for, what they have found. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” How great is the need in our world today for those who can listen and understand, and offer the living water, the bread of life, to those who are hungry and thirsty.

The Renewal Fellowship calls everyone to pray: not just for our church, but daily seeking God, that He would be working through us in everything to draw others to Him.

The temptation is to pull into our shells. However, that is not what Jesus came for. Christ is out there in the streets, in the arenas, in the malls, in the schools, the hospitals, wherever people are. It takes faith and courage and wisdom in the Holy Spirit to be there with people, where they are, making God visible and audible. Then renewal will come.

Tom Cochrane sang “Life is a Highway,” but that musical metaphor of the journey is one that God’s people have been taking to heart for more years than Yonge Street has miles. Ancient Israel’s beginnings were as a travelling people—travelling with God, to God, and sometimes (at least metaphorically speaking) away from God!

We sometimes see that history of travelling begin with Abraham and Sarah. But a quick look at Genesis 11 shows that it actually began a generation earlier, with Abraham’s dad, Terah: “Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot … and his daughter-in-law Sarai … and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan.”

The only problem is that the extended family didn’t make it to Canaan. Genesis says “but when they came to Haran, they settled there.” Like so many journeys, theirs grinds to a halt before reaching the intended destination. And those few verses provide a meaningful reflection point for all of us who would travel with God, both as individuals and as part of the community of the church.

Like Terah and his family we set out, hopefully with enthusiasm, towards a God-given goal, “the promised land,” “the undiscovered country.” We want to be in the place that God wants us to be, and be the people whom God wants us to be. But somewhere along the way, we lose momentum. It may be that life, even life in the church, has worn us down. It may be that, like the church in Ephesus, we have simply abandoned the love we had at first (Revelation 2:4). The journey we began with such enthusiasm has drained us. We want to be done with walking, if only for a while.

And, when that happens, then like Terah we “settle.”

Now, at least in English, “settle” is a word with multiple meanings. In this case it means that they established a home. They put down roots. The problem was that they came to feel at home in a place they weren’t meant to be. Of course, for us, “settle” can also mean accepting less than is due, promised or desired. And they seem to have done that, too!

So here are some questions for us to think about on our journey with the living God, whether as individuals, congregations or as a denomination: Where have we come to feel at home that is not a part of God’s plan for us? Where have we settled for less than God has for us, or stopped short of what God intends for us? And how are we feeling about the journey? Is it still fuelled by that first love, or are we feeling like it has run us into the ground? Has our former momentum been transformed by our settling into inertia?

In physics, momentum is a property of mass in motion. Inertia, however, is the resistance of a mass to any change in motion. For an object that has stopped, or settled, a fresh application of force is necessary to overcome inertia and impart momentum once again. And that’s precisely what happens in Genesis 12 when God calls Abram to get up and go to Canaan—Abram receives a divine impartation of momentum. To me, that’s not a bad description of renewal.

It is time for me to bid this column, the Renewal Fellowship and my Encouragement Road Trips a wistful goodbye. At 67, I can no longer pretend to function at the energy level or capacity I once did. So, after five years of serving the denomination under the Renewal banner, I sadly must hand it on to the next fortunate individual to take on these responsibilities.

I say “fortunate” because it has been a rich and rewarding time. I have met so many of you and shared your pulpits, your homes and even your lives. The Presbyterian family across Canada has a warmth and hospitality that I believe is second to none.

I say “fortunate” because I had the privilege of listening to so many of you. I got to share your hopes and fears, your faith and anxieties and your joys and pain. It was especially poignant when I sometimes realized that I was hearing a story that you had never previously shared.

I say fortunate” because I met so many new friends on the journey. Many I connected with were part of the Fellowship or at least supported the evangelical/conservative/ traditional beliefs we hold. But it may surprise you that a significant number of friends made during this time either subtly or profoundly disagree with me. But we talked and we shared our hearts and we became friends.

I say “fortunate” because I got to witness and experience the generosity of God’s people in new and palpable ways. There was generosity of hospitality. I visited more than 100 churches and stayed in dozens of billets these past five years. From the Atlantic to the Pacific I was welcomed graciously and enthusiastically. There was generosity of prayer. Almost everywhere I visited, inevitably someone would in a quiet moment tell me of their constant or daily prayers for me and the ministry I lead. There was generosity of financial support. As most of you know, the Renewal Fellowship is solely supported by its friends and members and does not receive funds from the PCC. For these sacrifices I am truly grateful. But there was also a generosity of advice. There were many of our educators, senior ministers, committee convenors and Moderators of General Assembly who took the time and effort to speak into this ministry and its direction. Often, these men and women would also serve as sounding boards as our board of directors and I sought to discern God’s direction for our future.

At the end, I seek no credit for any good that was done. To God be all glory. For any mistakes that were made I take full responsibility. My prayer is that the last five years have made a difference as we attempted to serve and to love as our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ commanded and demonstrated.

There is still much to do. I want to encourage the denomination, presbyteries, sessions and members to love and encourage your ministers, educators and leaders as never before. Love them so that they can love and serve you with joy and enthusiasm. “The harvest is great but the labourers are few.”

“Do not be conformed to this age but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

Sometimes a text of scripture sticks in my mind for days and even weeks. While this can be true of music as well, I have come to realize the spiritual significance of these Bible passages that take hold of my consciousness for a time.

When I get captured by a verse or two I try to figure out what God is saying to me through His word. Occasionally, the message is easily comprehended. More often it takes days or even weeks to attain any confidence that I have really heard from the Lord. I am fairly certain this is more my thick-headedness than scripture’s opacity.

A couple of weeks ago Romans 12:2 became the latest verse to “get stuck.” For the first few days I let it roll around in my mind. As it became more pervasively present, I began to ask myself why it was this verse at this time. This did not result in any insight or specific revelation.

Then I moved to realize once again that if it is God trying to get my attention, I needed His help to decipher His message. I should add at this point that this is still a work in progress. Here are some of the questions I am processing.

First, does the scope of what I am supposed to be learning concern only my life or is it intended for my ministry context? I am leaning towards hearing this in terms of both. It may seem obvious that these contexts are tied together. However, as I finish up my time with the Renewal Fellowship this month and face discussions with my congregations and family about my retirement plans, there is some fuzz around whether this is about God’s will for my future post-congregational ministry or while still in my current charge.

The bigger question is this: What is it that my mind has distorted because of the influence of the world and culture so that God has to renovate in my mind and heart before I can discern His perfect will? I continue to struggle with it as I write this. What I can tell you is that I am in great need of having my mind renewed so that the pull of the Kingdom of God can far outweigh the pull of this age and culture.

All this to say many of us face challenges these days in figuring out the perfect will of God. Congregations are trying to discern their futures. We all are struggling with the current issues concerning human sexuality. Many are looking for direction in their families and ministries.

What I know is that God is challenging me with this verse at this time. Maybe it will stick in your mind as it has mine.

I sit here in Blind River, Ont., a Timmy’s stop on the drive from Sault Ste. Marie to Pembroke, I find myself reflecting over the past few weeks. As some of you know, I am roadtripping around Ontario these days. As I visit congregations and ministers, I share encouragement from those who care, pray and give for the journey. This year, in the middle of the roadtrip, I got an all expense paid trip to General Assembly. I am telling you this so you can appreciate why General Assembly was a bit of a blur this year.

Here then are some of the things that made an impression on me in spite of my road weariness. They are not in any particular order other than this is how they came to mind.

General Assembly is about community. Connecting with old friends and new is so much more than a cliché. I experienced much joy and shared such excitement with so many people in a short weekend of time. Ironically it had nothing to do with how much we agreed or disagreed on the issues currently facing us as a denomination.

The Moderator matters. Douglas Rollwage set a tone in his manner, his deportment and especially his careful attention to prayer. One of the fruits of all this was the Young Adult Representatives’ presentation at the end of assembly. It was completely focused on scripture and prayer. It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed the humorous presentations that normally take place. It is just how significant and moving this cohort’s deep and personal prayers were.

Commissioners have a corporate personality and will. I have been to eight GAs in the past 14 years. Often there has been discussion about how ‘different’ or ‘unique’ a particular year is. This was no exception. In the questions on human sexuality before the court and the country, irrespective of their position, the court was set on keeping the process that has been put in place. They resisted both multiple efforts to accelerate and to slow down the eventual decision point, which seems destined to happen next assembly.

Introverts (I’m not one) and ADD/ADHD folks (I am one) pay a heavy price in experiencing General Assembly. There were many of us that returned to our homes planning on at least 24 hours of peace, quiet and rest.

Last, and certainly not least, in prayer times that I had the privilege to host, the theme of God’s sovereignty surfaced many times. We can trust Him. He is faithful. Christ loves his Church more than we can even imagine. And that is why, I believe, the corporate anxiety was lower than last year.

In 2004 as a meditation at a ministerial meeting, our local Catholic priest read us this powerful story. I often think of it and it challenges me and should challenge us all.

(Many unattributed versions of this story exist online; it was written in 1953 by Rev. Dr. Theodore O. Wedel, a canon of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.) – Fred Stewart

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was a once a crude little life-saving station. It was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea; with no thought for themselves, they went out day or night tirelessly searching for the lost.

So many lives were saved by this little station that it became famous. Some of those who were saved, and others, wanted to be associated with the station and give of their time and money to support its work.

New boats were bought and new crews were trained. The little station grew.

Some of the new members were unhappy with the crude building. They felt the rescued needed a more comfortable place as their first refuge.

The building was enlarged, with nicer furniture. Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place, and was re-decorated beautifully and furnished as a sort of club.

Less of the members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions, so they hired lifeboat crews to do this work.

About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet and half-drowned people.

They were dirty and sick, and some of them had black skin, and some spoke a strange language, and the beautiful new club was considerably messed up.

At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s life-saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal life pattern of the club.

But some members insisted that life-saving was their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast. They did. And the same thing happened to them.

If you visit the seacoast today you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, only now most of the people drown.

A great privilege and joy of my work with the Renewal Fellowship is that I get to have a lot of one-on-one conversations with our denomination’s ministers. There are many areas of discussion. I have shared some of the heartbreaking issues that many of our clergy face. What I am going to talk about now however is another common area of concern. There is some unique additional stress for clergy families, much to do with living highly visible lives.

Recently, in a discussion with a minister who was sharing his life and challenges, he revealed some of the specific issues of his ministry, especially as it impacted his kids. This was not a new experience for me. Many ministers with kids at home have issues with schools, moving, congregational expectations and constant scrutiny (real or imagined). This conversation took a different turn when my new friend proposed something he felt would go a long way towards helping families like his.

What he suggested was a gathering of clergy families, kids included, that brought together many of his peers going through similar challenges. He wasn’t too specific about the form of this gathering. He was focused on being able to connect with other families, with opportunities for the kids and spouses to share with others who would understand what they dealt with. What it meant to be a spouse or child of clergy.

Something in me resonated instantly. I have benefitted from friendships and regular gatherings with other ministers that had kids at home when Ruth and I were experiencing the same thing. I also have had ministers share with me how important Music Camp and Dorothy Lake Family Camp were to them and their kids.

Many of our clergy families have neither the resources nor the opportunities to make this happen. It would take a lot of work and money to make this happen. It would take the Holy Spirit igniting a movement in the hearts of many people.

So here is your challenge Canadian Presbyterians. Who is willing to serve in this type of ministry? Who would cook, clean, counsel, babysit or whatever is needed to give these families some time together without the weight of leadership or household tasks? Who is willing to financially support such a project?

I resist proposing anything more specific at this point. If there is interest from both the clergy families and the church at large, putting together a planning group will come. More importantly, I have often seen God’s people come together with the resources, the venue and the volunteers for an idea that serves those who labour daily in the King’s vineyard.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:4-6)

About five years ago, I was visiting my sister at her cottage in the summertime. It was first thing in the morning, the sun was emerging beautifully from her slumber, the mist rising mysteriously and majestically from the water, and I was down at the dock with my Bible in hand and my toes in the water. It was then that I heard that Still Small Voice say to me, “You are destined for my joy.” That experience has long lingered with me—and I believe it’s a biblical message for not just me, but for every believer in Jesus Christ.

We live in dangerous, nervous times. The church is in flux. There’s much to be worried about. But we’re told not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34!), and we are told to be joyful. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” And then, Paul says, tellingly, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

Why are we to be joyful? Because the Lord is near, that’s why. And He is a God of grace. Think about it: We don’t do anything to deserve God’s love, God’s forgiveness, God’s salvation, God’s amazing life and eternity. It is all a free gift given at the precious price of the Lord Jesus himself.

In fact, that can be a fun way of recovering joy: Commit a random act of giving for someone else. One of the most hilarious things you can do is, when you come up to a toll booth on the road, or up to the drive-through at your favourite coffee stop, tell the cashier that your good friend is behind you and say that you’d like to pay for their bill as well as yours. If they catch up to you, you’ll get the most priceless, quizzical looks you’ve ever seen! I’ve done it, and I’ve chuckled for the better part of a half hour afterwards. But isn’t that what Jesus has done for us all? He’s paid our bill, and he is the Lord of Joy.

Every believer in Jesus has been destined for his joy. Our God is a God not only of love and power and grace and holiness, but He’s a God of joy as well. In his book, Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, Timothy Keller summarizes things better than I ever could: “We know of no joy higher than being loved and loving in return, but a triune God would know that love and joy in unimaginable, infinite dimensions. God is, therefore, infinitely, profoundly happy, filled with perfect joy—not some abstract tranquility but the fierce happiness of dynamic, loving relationships. Knowing this God is not to get beyond emotions or thoughts but to be filled with glorious love and joy.”

We look past our circumstances to Him … and we rejoice.

The Canadian vernacular has several expressions, such as paradigm shift, watershed or game changer to describe a significant alteration in life. Things will now be radically different.

The Christian Church has long contended that the historical shift in human existence is Jesus’ resurrection. Jaroslav Pelikan, a renowned historian, expressed this truth thus: “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not—nothing else matters.” Paul expresses similar thoughts in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 concluding, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and … we are of all people most to be pitied.”

The resurrection is pivotal for faith and for hope—and also for the purposes of this article about renewal. Renewal can have many concepts or images. Some are essentially cosmetic in essence, like re-painting a room. Other expressions are more substantive, as in moving walls, adding a room and filling in the swimming pool. And still others are very thorough—the complete razing of the existing bungalow and building a two-storey house, with only some of the original foundation kept intact.

For all my time as a minister of word and sacraments, the theme of “Renewing the Church,” and in particular the Presbyterian Church in Canada, has been on the table. Prior to that period of my ministry, I was a member of the State of the Church Committee (perhaps the token lay and youth representative?) which identified areas for renewal.

If we were to use the resurrection of Jesus as a model through which to assess our persistent search for renewal, what might we learn?

Well, first, the cosmetic variety of change doesn’t appear to be an option. Even those close to Jesus (e.g., Cleopas and Mary) have some initial difficulty recognizing him, so something more than surface change has likely happened. Then there is the mysterious “now you see him, now you don’t” ability of the risen Jesus. He is among his followers one moment, more or less as he always was; and then, without an “Excuse me” or shifting in his chair or opening a door, he’s gone. Thus cosmetic change as a resurrection-shaped renewal option seems to be ruled out.

Setting the physical elements of resurrection aside for a moment, the core essence of Jesus seems little altered by resurrection. The deep compassion that typified his ministry continues to dominate his post-Easter interactions. See, for example, his deliberate and thorough embracing of Peter, who had denied him, and his gentle reaching out to Thomas, the doubter. The aura of enigma that tinged much of his teaching continues as he deepens the disciples’ comprehension of the scriptures, but leaves some things for future discovery under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

So to my mind, if the risen Jesus is the template we use to form the shape and goals of renewal in the PCC, we will pursue change that is substantive, and maybe even thorough, in its nature. Yet it will be change that maintains the root or core of the gospel, which is perhaps as succinctly stated in John 3:16-17 as anywhere else.

So how are we doing? How have we done? From my perspective, as well-intended as these decades of discussions and endeavours have been, I observe mostly cosmetic efforts. We tweak worship music, preach without a tie or collar, institute term eldership, even alter national committee structures, and though all those can be worthwhile, we continue to be essentially a Christendom-shaped church in attitude, approach, structure and practice. We are still rooted as much (or more) in our culture as we are in the resurrection.

Thus, after decades of what appears to be a fruitless pursuit of substantive renewal, I sometimes begin to despair, somewhat like Paul in Romans 7:21-24. Then I read on to verse 25 (“Who will rescue me … ? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”). This triumphant shout of hope is immediately expanded in the following Easter-themed verses of Romans 8. In that glorious portrayal of resurrection hope, I am reminded that God is bringing this groaning creation, this struggling denomination of mine and this wretched mass of brokenness known as Ian Shaw into greater and deeper levels of wholeness because Jesus lives, and because the Spirit is pouring the power of new life into our world through God’s holy, beloved and faithful children.

And maybe one day soon we will see and be part of a substantive, thorough renewal which will reflect and proclaim the joy of resurrection that we have sought for so long. Hallelujah!

February is usually the coldest month for us in Central Ontario; though friends and lovers do have an opportunity to share a little warmth halfway through on Valentine’s Day.

Love is a pretty central theme to Jesus’s teachings and example. Not only was love commanded but it was set out as the primary factor for the discerning of true believers.

In our time and culture the word love is thrown around pretty loosely. It can be used in the context of food, art, momentary intimacy, music and almost anywhere else. So, as Christ followers, how do we know love?

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 gives the following tests (as translated by Eugene Peterson in The Message):

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always ‘me first,’
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

It takes supernatural help to love like this. It is the kind of love all of us would love to receive. In honest moments we know this is extremely difficult to give. Yet I believe it is the gold standard for love that all of us should strive for.

Paul ends this chapter with these words: “But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”

He has linked three commands together. It diminishes his meaning if we pull them apart. They call us to love as God loves by making sure we stay close to the source of this perfect love.

“Trust steadily” requires daily intimacy with our Lord and Saviour Jesus. “Hope unswervingly” comes from living in the atmosphere of hope we can be surrounded with as we experience God’s faithfulness from day to day and generation to generation. “Love extravagantly” calls us to love as the Triune God has always loved us. It is a love that is unconditional, unending and completely void of self benefit. Further, it is a love that takes no account of potential hurts and betrayals. It is love in its purest form.

Love God with our everything: heart, soul, mind and strength. Love our neighbour as ourselves. These are the greatest commandments and prescriptions for renewal.

Renewal of self and renewal of community will lead to renewal of our world. Thy Kingdom come.