Recent years in our denomination have been turbulent. Some fear that our denomination may not, in its entirety, find its way back to authentic Biblical thinking, powerful Spirit-led prayer, and effective Gospel witness. Several of our members have been working on a way forward that was proposed by the Special Committee ... Read more
Our Executive Director
Rev. Andy Cornell My birthplace was London, England in October 1962. I came to Canada as an infant and grew up in the other London, where I attended Western University (history) and Fanshawe College (broadcast journalism) and where I had my first full-time employment, as a reporter at CJBK/BX93 Radio. From there, I felt the … Read more
A Dangerous Precedent
A Joint Statement from PSALT and the Renewal Fellowship. Since the denomination’s beginning, there have been unofficial groups gathering within The Presbyterian Church in Canada. They have been structured to pursue particular goals of Christian ministry. Some have been of an ad hoc nature, with both leadership and focus changing regularly. Others have been organized … Read more
Dear Presbyters
Questions are like tools. Good quality instruments used with skill and care can loosen the machinery and allow a glimpse into the soul of a machine. Or a person. So it is with the question and answer section of the 2021 General Assembly moderator nominee profiles. Kudos to whoever developed this skillful line of questioning, which starts with the comfortable ... Read more
PCC Covenant Opening Worship
I once posted in social media a picture of me wearing a Toronto Blue Jays cap, and my cousin posted along the lines that I look like “a thug from the hood", to which I replied, “I didn't choose the thug life, the thug life chose me.” Most of us here could say something similar about our denomination. We've been born into or have been a part of the PCC for a long time. I, however, like many of you did have the special opportunity of really affirming our denomination through my ordination vows, as I pledged myself and swore to uphold our subordinate standards ... Read more
Stillness to Prevent Illness
"Where is God in all this?" If there's a defining theological question for these times, that's it. In any time of crisis, we search for meaning. Do a search of sermon titles preached in the wake of 9-11 and odds are that is what you will find. In 1938, Rev. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was called to the pulpit at Westminster Chapel ... Read more
A Year-End/New Year’s Message
Gracious Dismissal Final Report
This week, Assembly Council published the minutes of its October 27, 2020, meeting in which the report of its Gracious Dismissal Committee was on the agenda. A majority on the council voted not to receive it "until at least after the General Assembly has dealt with Remits B and C." Notwithstanding this decision ... Read more
Renewal News – Winter 2021
Download the entire issue in PDF format, or read and comment on the individual articles:
- United We Stand by Andy Cornell
- A Cautionary Tale by Ian Shaw
- Renewal Day 2021 — Save the Date! by Andy Cornell
- PresbyCan at a Quarter Century by Andy Cornell
- Profile: First Presbyterian Church, Trail BC by Dr. Dan Boateng
- A Remembrance and a “Reminder” by Andy Cornell
- Board profile: Debbie Stimphil by Andy Cornell
United We Stand
Presbyterians who adhere to traditional standards are working together on two new fronts. “Praying, listening, trusting” was formed in June 2020 for the purpose of praying for six months in order to discern God’s direction for those in orthodoxy. “PCC-Covenant” came together in the fall in recognition of a need to work with one another … Read more