What a blessing it is to be positioned in life and in this denomination of ours to focus on renewal. I am not the only Canadian Presbyterian who is emphasizing renewal these days, but as the full-time leader of the Renewal Fellowship within the Presbyterian Church, I get to fill my days praying for, imagining, working towards and trusting God for renewal. What do I mean by renewal? There is … Read More
I have experienced General Assembly as a student representative, twice as a commissioner, twice as a one-day visitor and this year as part of the local arrangements committee. Each gives you a unique perspective. Each has its advantages. Because my responsibilities included staying close to our local arrangements table for most of assembly, rather than … Read more
On Wednesday afternoon of the 2012 General Assembly, just as the Life and Mission Agency's report was coming to an end, Rev. Dr. Clyde Ervine rose to make an additional motion giving priority to the reimagining and renewal of congregations. He gave a stirring and substantial preamble and then presented his additional motion. … Read More
It is always fruitful to discuss Christian leadership. Rather than using words that start with the same letter, in order to communicate insights gained from his personal experience, study, and reflection, the writer uses ten words that rhyme with "lead" as a device to tie this discussion together. … Read More
When suffering happens because of natural disasters, it is because "the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth". Nevertheless, people never seem to expect tragedy, and they are unprepared, or else they assume that God will protect them from it. … Read More
It is the work of the Spirit to create faith. Faith is confidence and trust that the benefits of Christ are mine, that what happened back on the cross and at the empty tomb achieved salvation and that it applies to me here and now. The Holy Spirit is the means by which this salvation reaches even us. … Read More
Dr. Dale Woods of Presbyterian College was the keynote speaker at the 2011 Annual General Meeting of The Renewal Fellowship, held at St. Andrew's, Etobicoke ON in March. Dr. Woods warned us that the Christian community may present itself in radically different forms than those familiar to us. He highlighted three trends that help us reflect on the future: Global, Emergent, and Missional. … Read More
The emerging culture has moved away from texts to images and from books to screens. Those born before 1962 are "immigrants" to this new ethos. "Natives" are in their thirties or younger, and they can't even imagine a world without computers. This presents a challenge to the church to reach them. … Read More
The burden of this superb piece of theological work is to demonstrate the centrality of the descent and ascent of Jesus Christ to Calvin's understanding of salvation as human participation in the life of God. … Read More
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