Idols In Every Church

As statues come down and teams change their names during this summer of unrest, I wonder about the monuments and memorials in our own churches. It’s good that people are noticing the names and histories behind all those centrepieces in our public squares. Until now, it was only history buffs who paid any attention … Read more

A Dualling Dynamic

While a conversation about colonialism in the PCC is vital and overdue – as described in my May 2nd column – there’s another dynamic begging to be addressed. Mostly absent from April’s Renewal Day discussion was the voice of those in orthodoxy who believe they have no future … Read more

Addressing the Colonial Mindset

We mix and mingle among those with whom we’re most comfortable. Shared interests and culture are at the top of the list. As a student at Knox College, I was delighted to find people from my same culture and age group. We hit it off and stuck together. I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t make much of an attempt to get to know those whose first language was not English … Read more

20/20 Vision: Vigilant and Vital

More than 100 people joined us for our first online Renewal Day and AGM on Saturday, April 25th, 2020, using Zoom Webinar. The theme was “20/20 Vision: Vigilant and Vital.” Speaker Rev. Jonathan Hong, of Toronto Korean Presbyterian Church, spoke about the current theological division in the denomination … Read more

Dispelling Disorder, Embracing Truth

Rev. Ian ShawBoard Chair “People did whatever they felt like doing.” These words summarize the end of a most sad time in the history of God’s people as recorded in the book of Judges. It was a time of moral, relational and political chaos. In some ways that summation faintly echoes the chaos with which … Read more

Read, Share, Study, and Pray

Churches from every nation and persuasion 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. Many churches which are doing things differently have been sharing their practices … Read more

May this shake us and wake us

Among the notable features of orthodoxy is the belief that God is always at work. He didn’t create the universe and walk away, nor does He just show up from time to time. Our triune God’s hands are in this world, constantly. In that light, what are we to make of the unprecedented reaction to COVID-19, the latest coronavirus that – we are told – is about to infect millions? We can immediately … Read more

To the Life and Mission Agency

In June 2019, General Assembly approved the following recommendation regarding Remits B and C – “That as a matter of urgency, the Life and Mission Agency provide a means for those affected by this decision to express their concerns, views and pain in a safe environment and that the concerns be reported back to the 2020 General Assembly before the report on remits is received and its recommendations considered.” While the Feb. 15 deadline to file these expressions has passed, I am sharing my statement in an effort to encourage prayer … Read more