In recent weeks, many Canadian provinces have ended their mask mandates. For the first time in almost two years, we see each other’s faces in grocery stores and perhaps also in church. And yet for the most part there is no feeling of liberation or great cry of joy. To be sure, we like it. … Read more
Category Archives: Response to COVID-19
Prayer and Care in a Divided World
As we work towards the renewal and revival of the church in accordance with Biblical orthodoxy, The Renewal Fellowship is focusing on two priorities in 2022: prayer and pastoral care. To be effective in those two things, we need to understand our church and the world in which we exist. The following essay is intended … Read more
The Next Big Thing
Anniversaries are a great opportunity to press pause and take stock. We look back and note how a watershed moment has changed our world. Sept. 11 is the big one. There’s also Nov. 22, if you’re old enough to remember. And now we have March 11, the day in 2020 when the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 global pandemic. One year later ... Read more
Safe Space to Sow the Seed
I'm a young-enough Christ follower to remember my seeker days. I was a believer in something. God for sure. Jesus, yes. But was He the actual Son of God, the only way to connect to the Creator? I had my doubts. That despite having been raised in church, knowing the Anglican liturgy by heart, having ... Read more
Lessons From the Busyness
"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
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
Reflections on COVID-19
April 2020 - Dr. Clyde Ervine engages the COVID-19 pandemic theologically to discern possible lessons for God’s people as they pursue faithfulness. A month ago, I was enjoying spring weather in Northern Ireland, the place of my birth, meeting family and old friends, talking about this and that, but not about the topic we’ve talked … 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