Our gifted speaker, Rev. George Anderson, gave a presentation on "Prayer Saturation and the Fullness of the Spirit" at the Renewal Day on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Cornerstone Community Church, Kleinburg, Ontario. To listen to George's two-part address on Spirit-directed prayer, click here.
Eyes Wide Open
I love following electoral politics: the leadership races, debates, speeches, campaigns, the who’s who, the cabinet and its rising stars, the leaders in waiting, and the has-beens who are hanging on. I’ve worked for candidates in municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns. I am a member of a national party. In my university days, I was … Continue reading Eyes Wide Open
When Reforming Isn’t Good
We love what’s new – cars, homes, clothing, technology. It’s what fuels the entertainment industry and the news business. It explains the vast success of the Internet, social media, fashion and entertainment industries, and our appetite for news. It also (partially) explains why many in the church are so vocal in their campaigns to change … Continue reading When Reforming Isn’t Good
That Difficult Fruit
We know the fruits of the Spirit. Drummed into our heads – either by memory or by that catchy kid’s tune – you can probably rhyme them off: “love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” (Galatians 5:22-23). We have no problem embracing and working on the first eight fruits. But that’s … Continue reading That Difficult Fruit
Deceived by Packaging
How often do we stop and consider the meaning of our words – the absolute and true meaning? Take the word "resolution". In everyday use, especially at this time of year, it refers to a New Year’s decision to change. Frequently, the resolution dies within a few weeks or months. Life goes on. But check … Continue reading Deceived by Packaging
I think I can? I know I can!
These unforgettable lines from the 1930 children’s classic, The Little Engine That Could, became a motivational mantra for generations. And they are just as powerful today. I read the story – via PowerPoint – at our after-school kids program recently. It was an illustration of Proverbs 28:20: “A faithful person will be richly blessed.” I … Continue reading I think I can? I know I can!
Speak Up!
At first glance, 105 pages of reading isn’t all that much. But not all reading is equal. The stack of documents each congregation is being asked to study and report on by the end of January contain some profound and hugely divisive material. We know that many in The Presbyterian Church in Canada pay no … Continue reading Speak Up!
Renew Your Commitment
Rediscover the Book. Rev. Douglas H. Rollwage, Moderator of the 142nd General Assembly, delivered a powerful message at the opening worship of the 143rd General Assembly in June 2017. His message meshes perfectly with Renewal Fellowship's prayer for "a deep hunger for the teaching of the Bible and its authority." Sermon for the 143rd General … Continue reading Renew Your Commitment
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, … Continue reading It’s Okay! You’re Not Alone
A Prayerful Presence at General Assemblies
Report From The Floor of GA 2017 Commissioners to 2017 General Assembly chose neither the narrow path nor the wide avenue on the issue of human sexuality, opting instead to take a rocky road.A decision on whether to allow ministers to immediately bless same-sex marriages and begin the process to redefine marital union was deferred. … Continue reading A Prayerful Presence at General Assemblies
Personal Renewal Through Pilgrimage and Spiritual Direction
The 2017 Renewal Fellowship Renewal Day Conference was held on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Barrie, Ontario. To listen to the presentations by Rev. Douglas Rollwage, Rev. Jeff Loach, and Rev. Matthew Ruttan on the conference theme, "Personal Renewal", click here.
Mistakes Preachers Make
Rev. Dr. Kevin Livingston Seven years ago, I left congregational ministry to teach at Tyndale Seminary. I moved from preaching lots of sermons to listening to lots of sermons by seminarians in my preaching classes. I've heard many thoughtful messages from these budding preachers, but I've also listened to some that weren't quite ready for … Continue reading Mistakes Preachers Make
Index of Archived Articles
The articles that were published online by the Renewal Fellowship from 2008 to 2016 are indexed on this page. … Read More
Consider Faith Today
On behalf of the Board of the Renewal Fellowship, I want to extend our thanks to the Presbyterian Record for what it has meant to many Presbyterians past and present across our denomination. Over the years, we have benefited from the shared experience of having a national printed periodical that connected, challenged, and gave voice … Continue reading Consider Faith Today
A Year in the Life
I retired four years ago after 39 years as a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC). This naturally put me out of the loop for a while with much of what goes on nationally in our church. But my vantage point has improved due to a year of frequent online meetings with more … Continue reading A Year in the Life
Two-Faced Renewal
The ancient Roman god, Janus, was portrayed with two heads looking in opposite directions. January, the first month in a new year, shares this concept of "double vision" – conveying the sense that as a new year begins and we're now focussing forward, we are not quite free of where we have been. That's a … Continue reading Two-Faced Renewal
A Call to Prayer
I suppose most of us have heard the words “change” and “transition” enough these days to last us a long time. The small course corrections that we all make daily sometimes (often?) result in significant changes down the road, decisions we make with prayer and an ear to God. And then there are the big … Continue reading A Call to Prayer
Mass in Motion
Tom Cochrane sang “Life is a Highway,” but that musical metaphor of the journey is one that God’s people have been taking to heart for more years than Yonge Street has miles. Ancient Israel’s beginnings were as a travelling people—travelling with God, to God, and sometimes (at least metaphorically speaking) away from God! We sometimes … Continue reading Mass in Motion
Five Years of Fortune
It is time for me to bid this column, the Renewal Fellowship and my Encouragement Road Trips a wistful goodbye. At 67, I can no longer pretend to function at the energy level or capacity I once did. So, after five years of serving the denomination under the Renewal banner, I sadly must hand it … Continue reading Five Years of Fortune
Understanding and Interpreting the Bible
Virtually all branches of the Christian Church refer to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the standard of belief with regard to their doctrine and to their practices of faithful living and rituals. In spite of that common affirmation, the diversity of doctrine, practices, and rituals among those who self-identify as Christians … Continue reading Understanding and Interpreting the Bible