Has this ever happened to you? A family you’ve never seen before shows up at your summer VBS or midweek after-school program. They fill out the registration form as fast as possible, avoid meaningful conversation, wave bye and they’re outa there. Pickup is equally fast. Score points for efficiency, I suppose, but I can’t help … Continue reading Looking at VBS in a New Way
Love: deluxe or economy package?
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
VBS: not just for kids
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
Drama camp: a week of blessing
By Rosemary Forsythe Drama Camp 2018 is now in the history books. Each summer for the past number of years, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Parry Sound, Ontario, has invited children to put together a full-length Christian musical in five mornings. The participants are often visiting grandchildren as well as local children and young people who … Continue reading Drama camp: a week of blessing
Is it always right to be right?
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
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
A very strange thing happened near my home a few weeks ago. It happened quickly, then was over in a few days and left me shell-shocked and amazed. At a busy country crossroads, a billboard was installed consisting of four separate statements, each in its own colourful box: “Bibles back in schools! Let the Bible … Continue reading Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
Authentic, powerful & effective
What’s in a name? If it’s an organization or business – plenty. Pick one, the first that comes to mind. In my head, it’s “Acme Corporation,” the fictitious company in the Bugs Bunny and Roadrunner cartoons. (Don’t ask.) Acme is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the point at which someone or something is best, … Continue reading Authentic, powerful & effective
Don’t let it get you down
I’ve had more than a month to process this year’s General Assembly (GA). While each annual gathering of commissioners representing every presbytery from coast to coast to coast is unique in that never do we get exactly the same people each time, it’s still a fairly accurate cross-section of our denomination. I think of it … Continue reading Don’t let it get you down
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.
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 … Continue reading GA 2018: Collision Avoided.
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 … Continue reading Renewal at Cedar Tree Ministries
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 … Continue reading Renewal at Knox Sooke
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 … Continue reading Renewal at Victoria Chinese
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 … Continue reading Powerful, Spirit-led Prayer
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. … Continue reading Shelter and Strength – Pray for General Assembly
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, … Continue reading Renewal Fellowship: One Pastor’s Story
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.
Tapping into God’s Plan
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
Showing Them Christ
Did you see the screaming headline? “Major Canadian Church Abandons the Gospel to appease LGBTQ lobby.” And with it, a photo of people marching in the Toronto Pride Parade holding signs saying “Presbyterian pride God’s love includes everyone.” What followed was a holy tirade of condemnation of a once-biblical denomination which has, apparently, fully accepted … Continue reading Showing Them Christ