A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below.
May I say how pleased I am that my article “Imagine” was accepted for publication in the past issue of Channels. It is indeed an honour to have writing included with those written by experienced Christian writers.
Might I make a couple of comments about [Bob Little’s] incisive look at “Renewal and the Presbyterian Church” as outlined in your article, “Can we domesticate the Holy Spirit?” To me, you have “hit the nail on the head” as to the reasons why the moving of the Holy Spirit is so slow within our churches, and somewhat fearful to our people. Your description of the fellowship experienced at St. Andrew’s, Huntsville brought joy to my heart, and your comments on contemporary worship and the place of youth in it, seems to me to be a blessed sign pointing to a renewed life within the traditional churches. I sense that the whole concept of “Evangelism” too, needs airing and clarification because all my life I have noticed an invisible wall separating evangelical congregations and traditional ones within our denomination.
Your article has, for me, been a catalyst to me on some thoughts on (1) Youth in our church life and growth, and (2) “Renewal” as a stranger in much of our church life. As far as “youth” are concerned, in many churches, the later teens and early twenties are sadly missing. I personally feel that there is a desperate need for the churches individually, and as a whole, to become vitally concerned about the general failure to be a true place of worship, fellowship and activity for youth. Many of them know little or nothing about the faith. Yet the future of the church lies in their hands, and with their characteristics of more openness to change their experimentation in forms of worship, surely they can be effective instruments of church renewal. I know that in the Renewal Movement, we experience both the challenge and joy of the “new life” in Christ, as well as the joy of singing both contemporary and traditional Christian songs and hymns, with guitar and other musical accompaniment. I have always found youth from evangelical and renewed backgrounds filled with a joy of belonging to Christ. I think, too, that they might be more open to the understanding of the Gifts of the Spirit in worship and ministering in the name of the Lord. But in no way do I infer that adults of all ages are not open to the moving of the Holy Spirit – no way! Yet, since the future direction of the church as a whole will fall into the hands of our youth, what a field to plant the seeds of renewal for a great harvest in the years to come! The area of youth ministry, it seems to me, is one that needs major concern and major action in the very near future. What can we do about it?
The second area of concern is “Renewal” itself. As I see it, far too many Christian folk lack an understanding of what it is all about. Certain TV evangelists and professed spiritual leaders unfortunately have scared off or turned off many Christians towards anything which smacks of “being born again.” Too much writing about “renewal” comes from those who look at it from the outside. Too few renewed Christians have written about it in a way which would disarm the fears and apprehensions of the many about the moving of the Holy Spirit. The “comfortable pew” is still very strong in churches with strong traditions and more set ways of worshiping and doing things. Growth, as a result, is inhibited, and outreach by congregations less effective.
Yesterday, at Knox Presbyterian Church, Toronto, Dr. Mariano Di Gangi gave a splendid sermon, “You Must Be Bom Again” – one which in beautifully explicit terms allowed his hearers to clearly understand what it meant to be “born again,” and how that affects our thoughts, worship, being and actions as Christians in everyday life. I only wish, as I said to Dr. Di Gangi, that what he said could be heard in other Presbyterian churches. If a tape of his sermon (based on John 3:1-8) is available, I am going to get a copy.
Reverend Little, please forgive me for writing so long a discourse. There are times when I become frustrated when speaking to other Christians, because I am not able to share the excitement and joy which I find in our faith. (They can’t quite understand it.) Your article made me feel so open to sharing some of my thoughts with you. I am sure that there are times when you want to pour out “The Good News” and there is nobody about at the time to share with you. Yet what a challenge the Lord has given to us to do just that! What more can we do to fulfil that challenge at a this time?
Edward P. Mason
Toronto