Effective Gospel Witness

Simon Sinek, in his book “Start With Why” argues that many people, organizations, and companies know WHAT they do and some even know HOW. But a very few know WHY. WHATs are our products or services we provide. HOWs are meant to communicate what makes us special or sets us apart from others who do … Read more

Thank God for Holy Spirit revival

You’ve probably seen the news of what’s going on at Asbury University, a private Christian college in Kentucky. It started during a regular chapel service on February 8 – but didn’t stop. “After the benediction, the gospel choir began to sing a final chorus—and then something began to happen that defies easy description. Students did … Read more

Sharing the Gospel Today

The emerging culture has moved away from texts to images and from books to screens. Those born before 1962 are "immigrants" to this new ethos. "Natives" are in their thirties or younger, and they can't even imagine a world without computers. This presents a challenge to the church to reach them. … Read More

Intentional Spiritual Community

Having just finished the three-day retreat for Presbyterian Church in Canada ministers – two full days bracketed by two half days – at Crieff Hills, I spent some time listening to the comments of the other participants, and was struck by how often certain words came up. With that in mind, I decided to expand on them a little: community, blessed, discipline, relationship. … Read More

Helping Clergy Families

A great privilege and joy of my work with the Renewal Fellowship is that I get to have a lot of one-on-one conversations with our denomination’s ministers. There are many areas of discussion. I have shared some of the heartbreaking issues that many of our clergy face. What I am going to talk about now … Read more

A Spirited Life: Calvin on the Holy Spirit (Part 2)

Although Calvin takes sin and the fall very seriously, he sees the Spirit at work in the whole of creation. For Calvin, the fundamental human problem is that we ascribe praise incorrectly and we accept praise incorrectly. Because of idolatry and ingratitude, we no longer know God. … Read More

Trusting God Enough

By Rev. Denise Allen-Macartney Lately, I have been reading the Old Testament book of Numbers; not always riveting prose. Yet God often catches me unawares. Today was one of those moments. In Numbers 20:1-13, the people are at Kadesh in the desert of Zin. Miriam has just died and been buried. There is a drought. … Read more

Renewal renewal

RF proposes a new way forward. Faced with ongoing deficits and a declining bank balance, the Renewal Fellowship is proposing significant changes in the way it operates. Starting March 1, the Executive Director’s call will be cut in half as the Fellowship eliminates road trips and focuses mainly on online encouragement, support and advocacy for … Read more

It’s Okay! You’re Not Alone

Sunny skies and smooth sailing are the exception rather than the norm for those who have truly given their hearts and lives to Christ. This is a fallen world, after all. Storms come and go and promise to return. The Presbyterian Church in Canada is about to head into some very choppy waters. Congregations, sessions, … Read more

Germaine’s Message of Hope

At the 2018 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, held in Waterloo, Ontario, Rev. Germaine Lovelace, a member of Renewal Fellowship’s board of directors, delivered a powerful message to the church: “What God is calling us as Presbyterians is to take nothing with us.” Watch the entire video.