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
Category Archives: Response to the Remits
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
General Assembly 2023
General Assembly 2023 may not have included fireworks and momentous decisions, but it was still an eye opening experience. I was there to convene the Renewal Fellowship Prayer Room and act as an observer. July’s Renewal Café will be devoted to a debriefing of GA. Details and invitation below. Here’s my take on GA. DEFINITION … Read more
Wear the Fruit, Keep it Fresh
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul has pointed words about sin in church. Basically, we are not to permit it. Don’t dine with sinners. Cast them out. For those in The Presbyterian Church in Canada who adhere to traditional and Biblical sexuality, it’s a bit late for that. The opportunity passed decades ago. Church law caught … Read more
Let’s be “inclusive” of orthodoxy
Has “liberty of conscience and action” replaced “no divisive course” as the touchstone phrase in our polity? Ministers, elders and deacons promise in our ordination vows to “follow no divisive course but to seek the peace and unity of Christ among your people” and the wider church. It’s widely quoted and tacitly accepted, even though … Read more
Orthodoxy in the PCC
No matter what the flavour of our congregation, we are the Stay ‘n Pray group. But we are only part of the family. Among those who adhere to Reformed orthodoxy are those who are Planning to Depart. A few have a plan in place while most are still figuring out a way. Some who have already found New Pasture. And a final group, Discerning, isn’t completely sure where they will be in five years. … Read more
Living Stones: A Movement of Reformed Churches in Canada
While the Renewal Fellowship's mandate and current mission is to provide Prayer and Care for those who adhere to orthodoxy within the PCC, we recognize that some brothers and sisters are being called to depart. The following announcement was prepared by Living Stones and may not necessarily represent the views of the Renewal Fellowship's leadership. It's … Read more
Is Revival a Lost Dream?
Is the evangelical revival of The Presbyterian Church in Canada a lost dream? Not necessarily. The PCC may be officially affirming. It’s entirely possible that “liberty of conscience and action” regarding participation in ordinations and adherence to traditional definition of marriage may just be short-term accommodations. And it’s disheartening to see a majority of commissioners … Read more
Does it Matter in the Long Run?
The denial of “balance and respect for both definitions of marriage” appeared to be a watershed moment at General Assembly 2022.[i] It revealed what many in orthodoxy have suspected – or feared: That The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) is officially “affirming” in accordance with the adoption of Pathway ‘B’-- “inclusion” – in 2019. The … Read more
GA Takeaways
Defining moments from General Assembly 2022 The General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada provides a four-day snapshot of the state of the church. Anyone concerned about the evangelical renewal of the church would have heard numerous causes for concern. RF Executive Director Andy Cornell watched the entire proceedings and compiled notable and telling … Read more