Let us pray in full acknowledgement of our fallen nature. "Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on this broken world, which has been given over to the enemy. May Your pure light shine in the darkness. May we humbly allow Your light to shine in every corner of the church which proclaims Your name. As commissioners to General Assembly make final preparations, grant them rest and peace – especially those who will travel from afar. We pray for technical and logistical mercies for the clerks and staff. We pray for the moderator-elect to be filled with Your Spirit. Have mercy on us. And may we be open for Your Kingdom to come. Amen." … Read the blog
Category Archives: Blog
Executive Director’s Advent Message
Everywhere I go these days, I see giant inflatable Christmas characters: Santa, snowmen, reindeer, elves, Grinches, and even a Christmas dragon (whatever that means.) Every year, it seems to get a little more creative: an inflatable Santa clinging to the side of a chimney, kickboxing gingerbread men, and a Jedi warrior with a candy cane. Seriously. … Read more
Can I get a witness?
There is great hope for the church. I see it in many places. Generally, where authentic believers and followers of Christ are gathered, we find peace, strength and spiritual growth. Therein lies the hope. In mathematical terms, this hope is directly proportional to the degree in which believers seek genuine and total submission to the … Read more
150th General Assembly Report
General Assembly Report Day 1 June 2 - 6:02 p.m. After the first day and a half, this has been the most collegial General Assembly I’ve attended. My experience goes back only a decade, mind you. Courtesy abounds. Part of the reason may be that there's been nothing theologically contentious so far. Opening worship was … Read more
A church for an extraordinary time
We do not live in interesting times. These are extraordinary times. Artificial Intelligence is taking the digital age to a new level. AI is either the saviour of humankind by allowing us to progress technologically at a lightning pace and potentially solve all kinds of problems. Or it's the advent of a super intelligence which … Read more
Now that the deadline has passed
Since Nov. 1, 2022, congregations displeased with the adoption of Remits ‘B’ and ‘C’ which approved parallel definitions of marriage have had the opportunity to embark on a journey toward Voluntary Withdrawal from The Presbyterian Church in Canada. It’s a time-limited offer which expired on May 31, 2024. Now that the deadline has passed . … Read more
Are we on the right track?
Until it was axed, Plugged In was one of two magazines I would literally read cover to cover. It was filled with reviews of TV shows and films from a Christian family perspective. It was well written and relevant and exactly what this young dad needed. The other was The Presbyterian Record – intelligent, newsy … Read more
What do you need right now?
Leafing through the fall 2023 edition of Presbyterian Connection, the denomination’s quarterly newsletter, I find plenty of stories about social justice and activism: racism, aboriginal rights, climate, poverty, hunger, sexuality and affordable housing. There’s content on church business: use of property, social media, travel tales, congregational renewal and stewardship. There’s the usual multi-page spread of … Read more
A new front emerges
Opposition to Physician Assisted Suicide/MAID. Like a typical town hall meeting, Renewal Cafés provide a glimpse into the mind of Christ within the evangelical wings of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. We send an invitation, accept RSVPs and open the door. The conversation then takes a life of its own. The invitation to the July … Read more
Christianity and Liberalism
Classic 1923 text by J. Gresham Machen comes to life again. In this diverse world of ours, we live side-by-side with colleagues, friends, neighbours and even family members who hold sometimes radically different political views, lifestyles and opinions about life. The Presbyterian Church in Canada has never been wholly unified. Progressives and traditionalists have been … Read more