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.
GA 2018: Collision Avoided.
WATERLOO -- Faced with a divisive vote on same-sex marriage, General Assembly 2018 chose a more peaceful path, directing a special committee of former moderators to recommend a way forward in an effort to preserve unity. The committee, which will consist of moderators from 2005-2017, is tasked "to propose a way ahead that allows the … Read more
Renewal at Cedar Tree Ministries
Mary Peter leads a talking circle ministry at Grace Cowichan Presbyterian Church Cowichan — It’s a midweek evening in the sanctuary of Grace Presbyterian Church and 10 people are gathered in a talking circle. Holding a feather, Mary Peter opens in prayer. “What fills your cup?” Peter asks, then passes the feather to the person … Read more
Renewal at Knox Sooke
Sooke, BC — The problem with ministers in the PCC? “You’ve got a bunch of ministers and administrators,” says Rev. Gord Kouwenberg. “We need vision catchers who understand the prophetic role of the clergy. We’re not prophetic in casting vision before the people so that the people are stimulated to act.” Not that he takes … Read more
Renewal at Victoria Chinese
Come, Holy Spirit: A banner at Victoria Chinese Presbyterian testifies the hope we have Victoria BC — Rose Lum points to a collection of photos hanging on the wall on the lower level of Victoria Chinese Presbyterian Church. “My father,” the elder says proudly. Lee Woo was also an elder, back in 1923, when the … Read more
Thriving in Babylon – Christian Living in a Secular World
More than 100 Presbyterians and friends from coast to coast filled a sanctuary at Vaughan Community Church, Thornhill, Ontario, on April 20-21, 2018, for Thriving in Babylon, two days of encouragement and challenge for the Christ-centred, Bible-believing church. To listen to the theme speeches, click here.
Powerful, Spirit-led Prayer
We begin life with the human instinct to connect to our Creator. Children, whether they’ve been raised in a Christian home or not, reach out to God in their thinking. And it continues throughout our lives. Even a professing non-believer might say, “O please, please, please let me find my wallet” as they’re desperately searching … Read more
Shelter and Strength – Pray for General Assembly
Aboard the Queen Of Cowichan – As I approach the bow on the outside deck, I am struck by a gale-force wind. I brace myself against the wall and reach out for the railing. The furious wind seemed to come out of nowhere, but that’s life on the open water of the Strait of Georgia. … Read more
Renewal Fellowship: One Pastor’s Story
I'm not going to lie, but awhile ago I was struggling whether I need to keep my membership in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. It has been heart-aching to hear and see what's been happening in my denomination for the last few years over the topic of sexuality. Also, thinking about my future possible ministry, … Read more
The Fall of Jerusalem
The PCC is getting a ‘poke in the ribs’. Let’s not be afraid to turn and look. Actually, it was spring in Jerusalem, and nine of us Canadian Presbyterian clergy were standing about 50 feet from the Western Wall listening attentively to our guide, Sheera. She awed us with the news that this last vestige of Herod’s wall, which once surrounded the temple mount, was composed of not just the towering rows of huge, cut-stone ashlars visible to us, but of 18 more rows descending below grade. On scribbling down her fascinating commentary, I was interrupted by an abrupt poke in the ribs.