"Voluntary associations" already exist in the PCC, committee told. Among the tasks given by General Assembly to a special committee in response to racism last year was to look into the idea of establishing voluntary associations to provide places of community. Renewal Fellowship’s response was sent in late January. To the Special Committee on Listening, … Continue reading Renewal Fellowship raises its flag
The Joy of Orthodoxy
There are fewer things more joyful than talking about our faith. It’s the stuff which keeps us together. Traditional, historic, evangelical, Christ-centred faith – preservation of orthodoxy, for want of a better name – is why Renewal Fellowship exists. What exactly is orthodoxy? In the view of the Oxford English Dictionary, it’s “belief in or … Continue reading The Joy of Orthodoxy
Let’s be “inclusive” of orthodoxy
Has “liberty of conscience and action” replaced “no divisive course” as the touchstone phrase in our polity? Ministers, elders and deacons promise in our ordination vows to “follow no divisive course but to seek the peace and unity of Christ among your people” and the wider church. It’s widely quoted and tacitly accepted, even though … Continue reading Let’s be “inclusive” of orthodoxy
Download the entire issue in PDF format, or preferably read additional information and comment on the individual articles as follows:
- Orthodoxy in the PCC – Stay 'n Pray, Depart, or Discerning? By Andy Cornell, Executive Director.
- Many reasons to be thankful By Deb Stimphil, RF Board Chairperson.
- PCC Pastor Retreat – "Come to Me" Nov. 7-9, 2022
- Our focus: Prayer and Care – Renewal Café and Listening Ear Here
- On the road again By Andy Cornell, Executive Director.
Orthodoxy in the PCC
No matter what the flavour of our congregation, we are the Stay ‘n Pray group. But we are only part of the family. Among those who adhere to Reformed orthodoxy are those who are Planning to Depart. A few have a plan in place while most are still figuring out a way. Some who have already found New Pasture. And a final group, Discerning, isn’t completely sure where they will be in five years. … Read more
Many reasons to be thankful
By Deb Stimphil, RF Board Chairperson At this time of year, I always want to thank the people that have meant something special in the past year. I want to thank, on behalf of the Board of Renewal Fellowship, all our wonderful supporters. You are very special to the Renewal Fellowship. This year at Renewal … Continue reading Many reasons to be thankful
On the road again
RF Executive Director Andy Cornell, right, talks with Rev. Trevor Payton, Executive Director of Dunamis Fellowship Canada during their fall gathering at Kortright Presbyterian Church in Guelph on Oct. 15. Andy joined the DFC board of directors earlier this year. There's a natural connection between RF and Dunamis as we are all united in reformed … Continue reading On the road again
Renewal News Fall 2022
Download the entire issue in PDF format, or read and comment on the individual articles as follows: Recover Your Life - PCC Pastor Retreat planned for November. Help Support This Retreat. A Time of Transition By Deb Stimphil, RF Board Chairperson. The Minister as Intercessor - An excerpt from A. Donald MacLeod’s latest book. Our … Continue reading Renewal News Fall 2022
A Time of Transition
By Deb Stimphil, RF Board Chairperson. In Psalm 40, David says “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He … Continue reading A Time of Transition
The Minister as Intercessor
An excerpt from A. Donald MacLeod’s latest book. An explanation for this book. My wonderful 21-year-old grandson, Callum, asked me two questions as we were discussing his future: “What is it like to be a minister, Gramps? How has the ministry changed since you were ordained back in 1963?” It is to respond to these … Continue reading The Minister as Intercessor
Living the Name
Renewal Fellowship’s Living the Name prize has been awarded annually since 2010 to Knox College students who show interest and promise in evangelism and mission. Congrats to this year’s recipient, Sonia Brulé. We invited her to share her testimony as she begins her call to ministry. Sonia BruléMy name is Sonia Brulé and I am … Continue reading Living the Name
Living Stones: A Movement of Reformed Churches in Canada
While the Renewal Fellowship's mandate and current mission is to provide Prayer and Care for those who adhere to orthodoxy within the PCC, we recognize that some brothers and sisters are being called to depart. The following announcement was prepared by Living Stones and may not necessarily represent the views of the Renewal Fellowship's leadership. It's … Continue reading Living Stones: A Movement of Reformed Churches in Canada
Is Revival a Lost Dream?
Is the evangelical revival of The Presbyterian Church in Canada a lost dream? Not necessarily. The PCC may be officially affirming. It’s entirely possible that “liberty of conscience and action” regarding participation in ordinations and adherence to traditional definition of marriage may just be short-term accommodations. And it’s disheartening to see a majority of commissioners … Continue reading Is Revival a Lost Dream?
Does it Matter in the Long Run?
The denial of “balance and respect for both definitions of marriage” appeared to be a watershed moment at General Assembly 2022.[i] It revealed what many in orthodoxy have suspected – or feared: That The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) is officially “affirming” in accordance with the adoption of Pathway ‘B’-- “inclusion” – in 2019. The … Continue reading Does it Matter in the Long Run?
Renewal News
Download the entire issue in PDF format, or read and comment on the individual articles. A longer report on "GA Takeaways" appears online than in the PDF version.
In this issue:
- GA takeaways – by Andy Cornell
- We turn to God in prayer – by Deb Stimphil
- Renewal Day and AGM 2022 – by Andy Cornell
- Prayer and Care Continues – by Andy Cornell
- Inspiration via Orthodox Prayer – by Rev. Douglas Rollwage
- Awareness of God's Presence – by Rev. Ed Charlton
- Board Profile – Rev. Jinsil Park
GA Takeaways
Defining moments from General Assembly 2022 The General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada provides a four-day snapshot of the state of the church. Anyone concerned about the evangelical renewal of the church would have heard numerous causes for concern. RF Executive Director Andy Cornell watched the entire proceedings and compiled notable and telling … Continue reading GA Takeaways
We turn to God in prayer
As I am writing this piece, General Assembly has just finished. I spent the time before, during and after the sederunts praying for the moderator, the commissioners, the clerks, the help desk people and the technology. Having been a commissioner last year, I knew what a challenge everyone would face and how important it was … Continue reading We turn to God in prayer
Remaining TRUE to God’s will – after the first church fight
The name of the gathering — “Remaining TRUE to God’s will” — says it all. God’s will speaks TRUTH and we are striving to remain TRUE to it. Our guest speaker, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris, the moderator of the 140th General Assembly addressed us on “After the first church fight”, inspired by the story of complaint, accusation, division, settlement and peace described in Acts 6:1-7. It all worked out in ways they could not have imagined! What might this mean for us today? The video of the entire day has now been posted.… Read more
Inspiration via Orthodox Prayer
When I was asked to contribute a reflection on an ancient prayer, all I had to do was look up from my desk, and there was the answer – an Orthodox Prayer based upon the Prayer of St. Ioannikios, as well as the traditional and ancient Troparia to the Holy Trinity. I had printed out … Continue reading Inspiration via Orthodox Prayer
Awareness of God’s Presence
This devotion is one that I shared at a Renewal Fellowship board meeting in March of 2022 and also shared during a midweek service during Lent. During both we looked at Judges 6:11-7:21, reading just the first part of it and referencing other parts of the section of scripture. This is referencing Gideon, who would … Continue reading Awareness of God’s Presence