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Editorial
“You have come a long way in a short time.”
When Dr. Richard Hutcheson said that of the Renewal Fellowship’s efforts to secure consensus within the Presbyterian Church, we were aware of where God has led us and what He has taught us.
Dr. Hutcheson, author of Mainline Churches and the Evangelicals, was about to conclude his fourth and final talk at our “Dialogue Days” at Crieff. For three days – May 8 through 10 – we had met as a group of Presbyterians concerned that, in a pluralistic church, our differences become a source of strength, not a reason for polarization and division. Dr. Hutcheson’s remarks represented the perspective of an outsider, conversant with the fifteen year history of mainline denomination renewal groups across North America, a man sympathetic to Evangelicals without necessarily being identified with them. He observed that in no other church had the theological spectrum, and leading denominational administrators, been so represented. He reflected that this was greatly encouraaging for the future harmony and effectiveness of our Presbyterian Church in Canada.
We feel that Channels, with this third issue, has come a long way in a short time.
The reason for this was again explained for us by Dr. Hutcheson. Channels reflects that phenomenon which is changing the face of North American Christianity: the Lay Revolution. As never before, laypeople are seizing the initiative, maintaining alternative structures, perpetuating that phenomenon of the Reformation: an aroused laity seeking spiritual renewal and theological rootedness.
Channels is very much a lay effort. The skill of its layout and production is the result of one layman giving his gifts to see it produced. Our new Book Editor is a laywoman. And those of us who are clergy – including the Editor of this magazine and the Chairman of the Fellowship – are aware that without the motivation, commitment and zeal of those in the pew neither this magazine or the organization could ever have come together.
And we are grateful for the response that you have provided for us in this ministry. You have encouraged us with your interest, continued to support this publication, and publicized its existence. In short, you have made of Channels what we had dared to believe it might become: a channel of blessing and of powerful enabling for renewal within our church and beyond.
This copy of Channels appears on Pentecost Sunday. It is timed to coincide with our promotion of that day as a time for prayer for the renewal of our church. For it is ultimately the sovereign Spirit of God who sent by the Lord of the Church, brings alive the Word of our Creator God: “Behold I make all things new.”
With this issue, will you pray again that not only this publication but all of us together, one church, one denomination, one Lord, will be alive to quickening and refreshing influences of His Spirit, instruments of His power.
“Come Holy Spirit, make me a channel of your grace.”
Letters
“. . . You know how I usually – when opportunity arises – point to Reformation doctrine and Biblical basis for what we teach and do. I am appalled by the lethargy of our biblical-conservative ministers in the face of the deadly spiritual decline of our Church. The last time I wrote for ‘Foundations’ I called for a ‘Covenant’ of those who would not only talk, but live a disciplined Christian Ministry. Reaction: zero. I suppose it was not ‘nice’ enough: too disciplinarian, or whatever label people love to hide behind.
What I am saying is that, in my experience, many conservative theologians (I consider every trained Minister a theologian, whether he likes it or not – just like a trained tooth-doctor is a dentist!) keep saying the right thing, the biblical thing, the Presbyterian thing, but collapse when challenged to stick around doing it: they still baptize all comers, marry kids caught in their own unbridled passions, receive into membership children that, spiritually speaking, don’t know whether they are coming or going, and are unable to purge our rolls from adulterers, drunkards, and agnostics. They keep claiming that, as isolated individuals facing a reluctant Session and a Congregation hostile to discipline, they are unable to remedy the Church’s ills without creating havoc. They are right. I should know. I nearly lost my ministerial career ten years ago for trying. What we should have learned from the world around us and church history, too, is that we have to band together and stand or fall together, unless we, too, shall be found guilty of merely playing foghorn in a fog we have helped to create ourselves!
God bless your efforts; I am with you, to be sure. That’s why I write the way I do. Most people in the Conf. of Concern, then Reformation Fellowship, now Renewal Fellowship (what’s next? for lack of obedience?) have fitted too long too well into a scheme which has stolen the Great Commission out from under the Church’s Mission, paved the way for ‘theology’ of liberation, and made our Ministers, far from being ‘fishers of men’ into ‘keepers of an aquarium’. All of which I commend to you not from disillusionment, God forbid, but from the hope that Ezekiel 37 is due any moment now in the history of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.”
Hans W. Zegerius, Pastor St Andrew’s Church, Arthur and Gordonville, Ontario
“… I viewed the first edition of Channels with keen interest. You are obviously seeking breadth and are not sidetracked by polemics, for which you are to be commended. Press on.”
Garth Wilson, Pastor Wychwood-Davenport Church, Toronto
“Good to hear from you and to know of your work with Channels. I have been impressed with what I have seen so far . . .”
Chuck Congram, Pastor St. Andrew’s Church Belle River, Ontario
“… I am beginning in a fresh way to see worship as evangelism. Certainly one of the ways the Holy Spirit brings renewal into our congregations is through music. Would it be a helpful idea if Channels were to feature regularly a page of some of the beautiful scripture music that is now being written for worship? It would probably involve a music editor for Channels. It would be helpful, of course, if music could be printed in the magazine but even if suggestions and ‘where to go’ were included, it would certainly be helpful. The page could also provide a forum for a sharing of music resources for worship.”
Jim Statham, Pastor St. Andrew’s Church Duncan, B.C.
“Please pass on our congratulations to your staff for:
- A well-designed publication
- Good articles
- An excellent balance of the old renewal image and the present renewal direction.
It was an excellent strategic move to relocate the staff in B.C. and to go ‘glossy’. We believe you have all done much to set a framework in which the majority of P.C.C. can at peace work in partnership with the Holy Spirit for renewal.”
Linda and Ian Shaw, Biggar, Saskatchewan