There is much that unites us: we worship and serve the same Lord, we hold the same convictions about the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures, and we seek to order our lives and our ministries under the authority of our sovereign God and His revealed Word. Different circumstances will lead us to follow Christ faithfully in different directions, and none of these directions is a better or worse calling than another. ... Read more
Eastern and Western Han-Ca Petitions re: Racism and Marginalization
Editor's Note: These Han-Ca petitions have been supported by a letter from the Chinese Consultation, composed of six congregations – Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, and Celebration Chinese Presbyterian Churches, and by a letter from Chapel Place, an Arabic-speaking congregation. To the Venerable 146th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The Presbytery of … Read more
Western Han-Ca Presbytery Overture re: Sister Denomination
To the Venerable 146th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada: WHEREAS, Korean congregations from 1967 onwards entered into a mutual covenant with the Presbyterian Church in Canada for the reason that our theological and doctrinal beliefs, expression of faith and worship, and governance were in consonance with those of the Presbyterian Church in … Read more
Navigating through the storm when the church is adrift
What can the faithful do when the church is spiritually adrift? When the authority of Scripture is being challenged over sexuality and ordination — what better opportunity to remind ourselves to be anchored in Christ and look for a safe harbour. For inspiration, we turned to our new friends at Cruxifusion, a network of ministers who are centred on Christ ... Read more
Letter to Assembly Council re: Gracious Dismissal
Following the Assembly Council's refusal to receive the report of its own Gracious Dismissal Committee, several members of Psalt drafted the following letter to the Assembly Council, which was signed by 303 people. It was received for information, but unfortunately, no discussion or action was taken on it. Stephen Kendall sent the following reply after … Read more
Presbytery of Montreal Overtures
Ten overtures transmitted by the Presbytery of Montreal:Overture from the Presbytery of Montreal requesting consideration of the report of the Gracious Dismissal Committee before proceeding to discussions about Remits "B" and "C" from the 145th General Assembly (2019).Overture from the Presbytery of Montreal requesting the charting of a clear and non-punitive way forward for congregations … Read more
Voices in the Wilderness
Strike up the band – a renewed chorus of overtures is coming to General Assembly. There's nothing new about overtures in response to our theological differences. For several years, those in orthodoxy have called for a restatement of our traditional understandings. Or, in the face of inevitable change, they've requested more time to study the issues and the ability of congregations to leave the fold. … Read more
Parkwood Ottawa Overture re: Separate Synods
WHEREAS The Presbyterian Church in Canada was formed in 1875 as a union of several branches of the reformed and presbyterian Church, all of which held the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only rule of faith and life and subscribed to the Westminster Confession of Faith as the principal subordinate standard; … Read more
Cote des Neiges Overture re: Non-Geographic Presbyteries
WHEREAS the Presbyterian Church in Canada has accepted the reality that it is deeply divided on the issues surrounding human sexuality; and WHEREAS protracted study and conversation on the issue have not revolved the differences and are unlikely to at any point in the future; and WHEREAS some within the church see the push to … Read more
St. Edward’s Beauharnois Overture re: Theologically Based Presbyteries And Synods
WHEREAS the Presbyterian Church in Canada has long devoted time and resources to studying and debating the matter of LGBTQI sexuality diverting energy away from other important issues; and WHEREAS the debate on this one issue has revealed a larger theological division within the P.C.C., as is evident in the report from the 2019 General … Read more