By Chris Yue. Small groups have always been used powerfully by God. He knows the power of community. And if we ourselves have enough community in our lives, there are many who need to be blessed by us. We need each other. … Read more
Category
Showing: 1 - 17 of 45 RESULTS
Worship
Contemporary Worship at St. Paul’s, Ottawa
By Sarah Lee and Mark Richardson. At St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, contemporary worship emphasizes God and his Word, and shapes a space where people can worship in spirit and in truth, in a spirit of freedom. Although aimed at younger people, many seniors appreciate it and even prefer it over the traditional service. … Read more
In Love With God – Coquitlam Presbyterian Church
By Bob and Olive McBay. A closer walk with the Lord is encouraged at CPC by a growing emphasis on prayer, Bible Study groups, men's and women's ministries, outreach to children and youth, care of newcomers, reminders of the monthly Renewal Fellowship prayer meetings, Spirit-led sermons, and making Jesus the centre of everything. … Read more
What Do You Think Are The Church’s Biggest Problems?
By Mariano DiGangi. At the risk of appearing judgmental, the author recognizes the church's biggest problems as moral erosion, conflict over contemporary and traditional worship styles, and declining membership. Church growth happens under relevant biblical preaching, among people who see themselves as responsible for spreading the faith. … Read more
Bryden on Preaching
By Robert K. Anderson. Dubbed a "Barthian" by those who like to use labels, Principal Bryden claimed allegiance to no particular school of thought, except as it was founded upon the Scriptures. In the pulpit he was like a flame, and his "asides" were reputed to be better than his lectures. … Read more
The Revival of Storytelling
By Fred Ash. There is a revival afoot, a return to the simplicity of storytelling by which one person sits (or stands) before a group of listeners and tells them a story — no fancy equipment, no elaborate props, no information technology, just a storyteller and her voice. … Read more
The Short Story of Zacchaeus
By Fred Ash. This story is an example of storytelling, as covered in the previous article, "The Revival of Storytelling", by Fred Ash. … Read more
The Big Church Supper
By Fred Ash. The purpose of this sketch, for presentation in a church setting, is that of Jesus' Parable of the Great Banquet, to remind the congregation of their real calling to seek and to save the lost and that Christ will build His Church with or without them. … Read more
Building Community in Worship
By Marva J. Dawn. God wants our churches to be genuine communities. Unfortunately, church memebers seem almost always to be fighting each other, and having designated greeters doesn't guarantee hospitality towards strangers by the members. What can be done to nurture community in churches? … Read more
On Growing Gardens
By Cassandra Wessel. Growing a church is like growing a garden. Some days, it seems as if the field is barren and nothing is happening. Other days, people begin to come into the church like sprouts appearing in the garden. Churches grow through hard work and lots of prayer. … Read more
Worship
By Marva Dawn. Panicking over declining numbers, many churches are seeking to attract unbelievers through worship. However, this robs God of the worship due Him, and causes Christians to reduce their evangelistic efforts. Good worship will always be evangelistic, but its purpose is to worship God. … Read more
I Know Not How To Pray
By James B. Torrance. The music and lyrics of this hymn appear in the searchable, downloadable PDF of the original magazine … Read more
Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace, by James B. Torrance
Reviewed by Garth Wilson. This book expands on the answer to the first question in The Westminster Larger Catechism: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and fully to enjoy him forever." Worship does involve enjoyment, but it is the enjoyment of God, not for our enjoyment. … Read more
Executive Director’s Comment – Contemplative and Meditative Worship Styles
By Calvin Brown. Worship wars are said to be the most common cause of disruption in congregations. When the real cause of unhappiness is examined, the principal offender is not usually the new music but the form of certain types of contemporary worship. … Read more
Top Ten Reasons Why I Think That the New Revised Book of Praise (1997) Deserves a Place Among Your Resources for Worship
By J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Several reasons commend the 1997 Book of Praise for use, including frequently sung hymns, favourite gospel songs, new praise choruses that some folk used to think weren't Presbyterian, and prayers, poems, creeds, and words of hymns without music. … Read more
A Big God
Anonymous. As we look only to God to meet our needs, rather than to ministers, sermons, and programs, our churches will change from bickering, unhappy places, to homes of joy and praise. … Read more
Go to Church? Why Bother?
By Ed Smith. Although some people consider church services to be boring, we go above all to worship God – to show that we love Him, and to thank Him for all the wonderful things He does for us – one of the easiest things and also one of the hardest. … Read more