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It is hard to be number two.
Ask any second child. When you are number two, you face continual comparisons, constant reminders of differences and disparities. When you are number two, you have to try harder.
A second edition represents a challenge. Especially when the first was greeted with such enthusiasm. We have discovered that in preparing the Winter issue of Channels. The first, inaugural issue prompted such rave reviews that we are stretched to come up with an encore.
In those letters many of you thanked us not only for the quality of layout and production, but also for the excellence of the contents. You noted that we had gained a new stature, and demonstrated a maturity that was positive and unafraid of diversity.
One perceptive remark, made by a minister who recently ‘migrated’ to Southern Ontario from the Atlantic provinces, noted the fact that Channels demonstrates a quality of leadership that is to be found across our church. With a layperson such as Dal Schindell, Elder at Fairview Church, Vancouver, and a minister, such as the Rev. Hans Kouwenberg, of Prince George, responsible for its preparation and publication, we all have much to thank God for.
Indeed one could go on to add that the West seems almost in the vanguard of what has always been best in our Reformed and Presbyterian tradition: a willingness to be open to the Spirit’s reforming Spirit of power, while at the same time resting and testing that openness on the solid base of Biblical and theological truth.
That is the message we want Channels to convey to the church at large. God the Holy Spirit is alive through the resurrection power of our Lord within His Church. We seek to be ‘channels only’ of His power to renew and revive His people. We wish to claim new areas for His Lordship. We do not wish to retreat into a narrowly defined sectarianism. We abjure that partisanship which neither brings glory to Himself nor allows the full freedom of each of us as brothers and sisters together of a common Lord.
We are pleased that one of the most creative people on the West Coast in the field of renewal, George Mallone, will be with us for our 1984 Annual Meetings in Toronto, March 2 and 3. This issue is planned to coincide with those sessions, and we pray it will be used of God to promote the theme: “Renewal: God’s Vision For Our Church.”
Channels, issue number two. A channel, we trust, for renewal and blessing for the entire church. We recommit ourselves to the original vision, and thank you for your encouragement and support.
In fellowship,
A. Donald MacLeod
Chairman.