Rev. Ian ShawBoard Chair “People did whatever they felt like doing.” These words summarize the end of a most sad time in the history of God's people as recorded in the book of Judges. It was a time of moral, relational and political chaos. In some ways that summation faintly echoes the chaos with which … Continue reading Dispelling Disorder, Embracing Truth
Remit Voting Results
From September 2019 through March 2020, each of the 45 presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church in Canada will be voting on the two Remits concerning same-sex marriage and ordination. If a majority of the 45 presbyteries approve, and that majority consists of at least half of the combined total of the constituent members on the rolls of presbyteries, then the remits will go to next year’s General Assembly, which is free to vote “Yes” or “No”. The dates, results, and numbers were supplied to us by members of the courts ... Read more
Read, Share, Study, and Pray
Churches from every nation and persuasion have responded quickly to the pandemic precautions. It’s inspiring. It’s powerful. It’s a witness to the truth that the church will never die. And it testifies to the dictum that the church is reformed and continues to do so. Many churches which are doing things differently have been sharing their practices ... Read more
May this shake us and wake us
Among the notable features of orthodoxy is the belief that God is always at work. He didn’t create the universe and walk away, nor does He just show up from time to time. Our triune God’s hands are in this world, constantly. In that light, what are we to make of the unprecedented reaction to COVID-19, the latest coronavirus that – we are told – is about to infect millions? We can immediately ... Read more
Orthodoxy in the PCC – Where It’s At
In February 2020, The Renewal Fellowship convened three online gatherings of ministers, elders and congregants who adhere to a traditional view of doctrine and theology in The Presbyterian Church in Canada. The participants were, generally speaking, opposed to the remits (proposals) before our church courts to redefine marriage in order to create equal space for … Continue reading Orthodoxy in the PCC – Where It’s At
Cheyne Stoney Creek Overture re: Two-Stream Structure
Whereas since 2014 many studies, overtures, and debates focusing on LGBTQI matters have revealed a deeply divided denomination; and whereas, despite many serious attempts to resolve these deep divisions, the numerous dissents and expressions of profound pain at the 145th General Assembly … Read more
Overture from Eastern Han-Ca Presbytery
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 Canada; and whereas these beliefs of The Presbyterian Church in Canada are found in our subordinate standards – the Westminster Confession of Faith adopted in 1875 and 1889 ... Read more
Grace West Hill Overture re: Safe Place for Congregations
Whereas the beliefs of The Presbyterian Church in Canada are defined in our subordinate standards, and whereas every minister and elder in The Presbyterian Church in Canada affirmed our subordinate standards in their ordination vows; and whereas General Assemblies of our denomination, despite these ordination vows, have nevertheless for several years been discussing changes, referred to as human sexuality issues, that would contravene our subordinate standards ... Read more
To the Life and Mission Agency
In June 2019, General Assembly approved the following recommendation regarding Remits B and C – “That as a matter of urgency, the Life and Mission Agency provide a means for those affected by this decision to express their concerns, views and pain in a safe environment and that the concerns be reported back to the 2020 General Assembly before the report on remits is received and its recommendations considered.” While the Feb. 15 deadline to file these expressions has passed, I am sharing my statement in an effort to encourage prayer ... Read more
A Fresh Round of Overtures
As the March 31st deadline for presbyteries to consider the Remits draws closer, there’s renewed anticipation of what new proposals might be in the wings. Not content with pledges of “liberty of conscience and action” in either Remit, several courts are asking General Assembly for something more concrete ... Read more
Theology Matters
Theology matters – more than you might think. In 2016, a group of university professors published a groundbreaking study which linked mainline congregation growth to traditional, conservative theology. It compared the demographic and religious characteristics of ministers and attendees of growing mainline Protestant churches in southern Ontario with those of declining churches from the same … Continue reading Theology Matters
Renewal News – Winter 2020
In This Issue: Tracking the Remit Voting — 20/20 Vision in 2020 — On the road: Alberta/Saskatchewan/New Brunswick — Renewal’s Winter 2020 Prayer Guide — Regional conversations: Montreal, Moncton, Vaughan, Kelowna, and Calgary — Profile: Zion Charlottetown — "20/20 Vision: Vigilant and Vital" - RF Renewal Day, April 25th … Read more
An overview of the LGBTQ discussion in The PCC
Rev. Andy Cornell has drawn together a history of the reports to the General Assembly, with significant quotations from many of them, showing the shift in views over the years. … Read more
소그룹 기도 가이드
사랑하는 친구 여러분, 끊임없이 변하고 있는 이 세상에서 하나님이 세우신 가치질서를 지키며 살아가려는 사람들에게는 종종 “거꾸로” 가는 사람이란 꼬리표가 붙게 됩니다. 좀 너그럽게 비판하는 사람들은 우리들을 “고리타분” 하다고 말할 것입니다. 하지만 이것은 중요한 사실을 간과하는 것입니다. 우리의 삶이 우리가 믿는 가치들을 따르지 않는 것이라면 우리들은 허공에 매달려 바람에 흔들리는 가지에 불과하다는 사실입니다. 폭풍의 계절을 지나고 … Continue reading 소그룹 기도 가이드
Small Group Prayer Guide
Dear friends, In an ever-changing world, those of us who adhere to established practices are sometimes branded as “backward.” More-gracious critics might just say we’re “old school.” But that’s missing the point, which is that practice must follow principle, otherwise we are just branches swaying in the wind. In this stormy season, our presbyteries are … Continue reading Small Group Prayer Guide
Remarks to Essex-Kent Presbytery on the Remits
Moderator, in my brief time before the court, I will provide several reasons to vote against these remits. I will demonstrate that they will not bring peace to our divided denomination. They will not advance the Kingdom. And they are not in God’s will. I will approach this from three points of view: theological, practical, … Continue reading Remarks to Essex-Kent Presbytery on the Remits
Legal Opinions on the Impact of the Remits
Two advocates before the Supreme Court of Canada have written opinions that if the Remits are implemented in their current form, it will be difficult to effectively defend the position of PCC clergy, congregations, or members who refuse to participate in same-sex wedding ceremonies, with potential resulting liability to the PCC itself. Any member of a church court can forward these legal opinions to their court’s clerk ... Read more
PSALT’s Remit Reflection/Response
From PSALT’s Courts of the Church Team: We are very grateful for the spirit underlying the presentation of the remits to the 145th General Assembly. For a long time and certainly since 2015 this debate has had times of rancour and division. The expressed attitude of the mover of these remits was ... Read more
Why we should not vote by secret ballot
By Rev. Joel Coppieters, in response to the proposal by the Presbytery of Montreal regarding voting for Remits ‘B’ and ‘C’ on October 15, 2019. There are three reasons why we should not proceed by secret ballot. First, throughout this debate there has been a persistent plea for open dialogue with a strong insistence that … Continue reading Why we should not vote by secret ballot
Why I cannot vote in favour of these remits
Remarks prepared by Rev. Joel Coppieters to the Presbytery of Montreal, October 15, 2019 I cannot vote in favour of these remits for biblical reasons. I echo the report the PCC’s own Church Doctrine Committee presented to the 2018 General Assembly, that after years of study we have not seen sufficient biblical grounds to abandon … Continue reading Why I cannot vote in favour of these remits