Category: Articles

Discontent can be a destructive energy that harms us physically, emotionally, and relationally. It may be a symptom of ingratitude or an inability to accept one's lot in life – never having "learned to be content whatever the circumstances". At its root, one is shaking an angry fist at God, accusing Him of failing to satisfy one's expectations. This kind of discontent is ... Read more

Dal Schindell’s death on August 6, 2019 in Vancouver leaves us saddened at the passing of a unique Canadian evangelical who made a significant contribution to the establishment of The Renewal Fellowship within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Dal had a vision for a publication of the organization which had been founded in May 1983. … Continue reading Dal Schindell: a true “Channel”

The decision of the 145th General Assembly to adopt option "B" in the Report of the Special Committee of Former Moderators and the subsequent Remits on Human Sexuality and Marriage have caused a range of responses among members of the Renewal Fellowship and throughout our denomination. As a result of a meeting at Vaughan Community … Continue reading A Letter to Evangelicals

WOW! We didn't see that coming. 145th General Assembly lived up its advanced billing. It was intense, deeply emotional, and contentious. In the end, commissioners choose Pathway B – Inclusion – that disappointed and dismayed us. However, the remits (printed below), to be sent down to presbyteries for approval, propose a much less exclusionary avenue. … Continue reading General Assembly 2019

There are many ways to tackle this subject. However, for the brief time we have, I want to explore the theme examining how Jesus approached the Scriptures of His day. First though, some thoughts about the implied verb: thinking. We often define the word as a matter of logic or a left-brained approach – researching … Continue reading Authentic Biblical Thinking

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 … Continue reading Effective Gospel Witness

The Bible is the trustworthy source for God’s truth. The reason we need to think this through is because, if we’re inquiring about things of eternal significance — like heaven and hell — we need to be sure we’re rooted in a source of information and knowledge we can trust. But why can we trust the Bible? To answer that question, I could talk about the biblical passages that highlight how Scripture is inspired by God. But I won’t. I could talk about ... Read more

By Jason Kenney You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” … Continue reading Practicing Collective Neighbourliness

The approach of Lent in concert with a series of recent encounters, conversations and reading drew my attention to Matthew 7:1-5 and from there to Psalm 139. Most of us can count on one hand the number of times we have heard Psalm 139:19-22 read in public and still have fingers to spare. The harsh … Continue reading Logging off and Looking in

Church disputes are not unusual, and neither is their tendency to polarize people. But what’s truly unusual is the rigorous work of self-reflection. That’s how we discover one malady we share in common. It’s this: wanting too little – too little from God. I call it Expectancy Deficit Disorder (EDD) … Read more

They say you remember the first time. I know I certainly do. It was in the 50’s. Yes, I was alive back then! The pastor I remember was a hero to many. My aunt and her family attended the crowded worship services of his congregation. My parents listened most Sunday evenings to the radio broadcast of his sermons. He was a force. Then he was gone. I remember the whispers … Read more

Love and carwashes have something in common. Both enhance function: cars and people. Both also involve decisions. I realized that as I stood at the carwash one day mulling over the range of offers. Of the various choices, the deluxe carwash package provided the best service. It included an undercarriage wash, waxing … Read more

By Janet Lou-Hing A personal story of coming to Christ As the summer comes to an end, I'm sure there are so many faith-building stories from Vacation Bible School (VBS) camps held in churches all across Canada and beyond. I have a story to share that reminded me of the impact VBS had on my … Continue reading VBS: not just for kids

One hopes it was God’s Spirit, but some might demur it was the second large helping of dessert; nonetheless, I awakened before I wanted to with a saying looping repeatedly through my mind. I know it is tempting for a few close friends to substitute ‘loopy’ at this point! The looping phrase is one often spoken, but I suspect the words seldom reflect one’s actual opinion. You may have used it yourself. It begins, ‘I could be wrong, but...” … Read more

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 … Continue reading GA 2018: Collision Avoided.

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, … Continue reading Renewal Fellowship: One Pastor’s Story

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.

Are you ready for an adventure? Then as the bumper sticker says, “Let go and let God.” The truth is, is that we are all seeking, or at least we should be seeking, an adventure when it comes to our Christian lives and to the life of our congregations. However, many times we seem to be stuck in the rut of trying to balance the budget and trying to keep the doors to the church open. But, is this what the Christian life and church life are all about? … Read More