Letters

A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original letters appears below.

In a recent letter of encouragement and support for the ministry of the Renewal Fellowship, and the first issue of Channels, the past Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Rev. Dr. Wayne Smith, shares his view of the church at large, based on his experience and travels during his moderatorial year.

“During my year as Moderator,” he writes, “I had opportunity to see something of the way that we are divided on a good many issues within our denomination, but I had also occasion to see that the phenomenon is not limited to us. It is to be found throughout Christ’s church; indeed it was present in the New Testament church.” But, he continues, “I found during the course of this year as Moderator that nothing is more precious than the gospel of Jesus Christ and that it be proclaimed with clarity and power. Whatever differences we may have must not be allowed to damage the fellowship we share in that gospel. I see that that is exactly the note that is being struck in the first issue of Channels. I rejoice in it.”

The Renewal Fellowship Within The Presbyterian Church in Canada is seeking to be a facilitator for that quality of fellowship. We are seeking the glory of Christ, as the Lord of the Church, within His body, for which He died. We seek to acknowledge that among the varieties of gifts that He, in His ascension, endowed His church with, there is only one that is essential and normative: the gift of love. We are reminded He demands one thing of us as His followers: obedience both to His Word and to His Spirit.

In these past few months, indeed throughout 1983, we have been encouraged by the affirmation that we have received within the Fellowship as we have sought to advance these goals. On Pentecost, or Whitsunday, we will be observing across the country, within many of our churches where there are members, a Day of Prayer both for the ministry of the Fellowship, but also for the work of renewal by the Holy Spirit which it both seeks to advance, and which is broader by far than its bounds. You are invited to share with us in that celebration of the Holy Spirit by getting in touch with our office as to publicity and information available.

But in the meantime, join with us as members of the Fellowship as we seek to call ourselves first, and the church of which we are a part secondly, to the great need that all of us feel for the renewing and energising power of our Sovereign Spirit of God.

Dear Editors:

I am writing to congratulate you (and those who have worked with you) in the production of this first issue. In terms of its technical production – I want to say that it is excellent. If any improvement could be made in this department, it would simply be the inclusion of pictures of the contributors … I think this is crucial … as we will want cumulatively to make responsible spokesmen (women too) familiar by name and sight. . .

A few words about the articles: The two on the W.C.C. were interesting . . . and open (somewhat?) to the charge of uncalled for partisanship. I am sorry that this is so difficult a matter, but surely, when it is known that PCC evangelicals are of two or more minds on a given matter (whether it be ordination or ecumenism) treading softly is in order. Why not a second viewpoint on Vancouver – why not Beyerhaus’ statement also? I am not suggesting that Hans has shown bias – and he has certainly not laboured any points. But the WCC matter is far too sensitive to have been given this one-sided appraisal. As recently as 1979, P.C.C. evangelicals were asking for the WCC’s head on a platter!

Kenneth Stewart
Pastor, St. Andrew’s
Parry Sound, Ontario

Congratulations on the publication of Channels. It is extremely well done.

Harry E. Waite,
General Secretary,
Board of Congregational Life

Channels reached my desk this morning and I wanted to write congratulating you on a fine inaugural issue. I had seen Mallone’s piece earlier and I agree heartily with the decision to place its insights before the Channels readership. I appreciate having on file now the Vancouver “Open Letter” and especially value your personal comments of a World Council of Churches summer. Emilio Castro, it seems to me, has a pretty good handle on the label I still prefer, “evangelical”.

Channels looks good. I mean, it is attractively packaged and a true credit to the Fellowship’s Publications Committee . . .

Brian Ross
Pastor,  St. Andrew’s Humber Heights
Weston, Ontario

Thank you for sending me a complimentary copy of Channels. I enjoyed looking through it, and am glad of the opportunity to bring you my best wishes for your new work with the Renewal Fellowship.

John R. W. Stott
All Souls Church
London, England

It is special to have received a copy of Channels. I am on the Executive Committee of Presbyterians United for Biblical Concerns, and my pastor . . . served as one of the founders of PUBC. It is a real encouragement to receive your warm letter and to know of your group, and the way the Lord is renewing His people and the church all across the world . . .

It is indeed wonderful to see the outstretched network God is establishing with evangelical Christians. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Sarah Blanken
Ministry Assistant
College Hill Presbyterian Church
Cincinnati, Ohio

I was thrilled to see the first copy of your new periodical. Channels. It is a handsome magazine with excellent content. . .

I’m really delighted with the progress you’re making. You can be sure we would like to continue receiving your magazine . . .

There are signs of the Spirit’s stirring in our midst. We celebrate these hopeful signs and continue to work toward the day when we will see a fresh outpouring of the Spirit of God throughout the Assembly.

Matthew J. Welde.
Executive Director,
Presbyterians United for Biblical Concerns

Thank you so much … for sending me a copy of Channels, the new periodical of the Renewal Fellowship in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. I am most interested to have it and will greatly enjoy reading it. . .

Eric J. Alexander
Pastor, St. George’s-Tron
Glasgow. Scotland