By Howard & Wilma Cumming. “Well, God,” we prayed, “you called us here. If it was only to close down Calvin, your will be done. But if you really want Calvin to grow, you are going to have to do something about it. We seem to be at a dead end.” … Read more
Novelists, Pastors and Poets
By Eugene H. Peterson — Anyone of us, waking up in the morning and finding ourselves included in that part of the creation called human, sooner or later finds ourself dealing with language, with words. We are the only creatures in this incredible, vast creation doing this. Language is unique to us human beings. Turnips complete a fairly complex and useful life cycle … Read more
Evangelism: A Way of Life, by Rebecca Pippert and Ruth Siemens
Reviewed by Jim Walton. This book is a compilation of twelve inductive Bible studies to help with discovering and understanding a biblical perspective of evangelism and integrating it into one’s lifestyle. … Read more
Living Nativity Scene
By Brenda Shaw. To make the Christmas story a real tangible part of our lives that we could share with our community, we realized that the "Living Nativity" and "Bethleham Walks" taking place in other towns and cities could be part of our Christmas celebration too. … Read more
Nothing will lead us to God
By Jonathan Dent — I had nothing to say. I felt nothing coming to mind. I was experiencing a vacuum, a void, an emptiness. Perhaps it was due to the busy-ness of the previous months. Perhaps it was because it was a lovely sunny summer day. Perhaps it was because we had just driven over 5,000 km to get where we were going. Perhaps it was the caffeine I was drinking or not drinking. In any case, I had nothing to say. Nothing to write. And upon reflection, I believe that this nothingness was the most creative … Read more
The Power of Commitment, by Jerry White
Reviewed by Jack Charleson. We live in a society where there are repeated demands on our time, talents and financial resources. … All this requires that we develop a level of “commitment” in order to be responsible in serving, not only those seeking our involvement, but more importantly, the Lord who is directing our lives. … Read more
One in Five
By Marian Archibald. Almost one in five children and youth in Ontario has a diagnosable mental health disorder. Church members who are uncomfortable with people who are different need to seek more compassion and understanding of those who suffer mental challenges. … Read more
Declaration of Faith Concerning Church and Nation
By Mariano DiGangi. The vibrant echoes of the Barmen Declaration of 1934 made its impact on Canadian theologians. In 1954, after an enlarged committee had been formed to produce a statement of faith expressive of the Lordship of Christ, the Declaration of Faith Concerning Church and Nation took its final form. … Read more
Letters
The Editor shares letters received in appreciation for the Wedding Album in the Summer ’85 issue of Channels. … Read more
A Creative Way to Intercede for your Children
Esther Mcllveen and her husband wrote out separate lists of their aspirations for their three children in detail. Then they came together to share their findings, compare them, and agree upon those things they wanted to pray for. … Read more
Purposeful Suffering
By Bryn MacPhail. Why does God allow suffering? Our heavenly Father, who is all-powerful, all-wise, and all-loving, has a plan when He allows His children to suffer. When we confess that God is sovereign, we confess that He is sovereign over everything — even suffering. And this is a good thing. … Read more
Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity, by Eugene H. Peterson
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Peterson’s threefold concerns are the practice of prayer, the reading of Scripture, and the giving (and) receiving of spiritual direction. This is “a conversation” with this book and not precisely a “book review.” … Read more
Bill Harrison
By Calvin Brown. The leading of the Lord towards Bill's part-time role as Administrative Assistant at the Renewal Fellowship, following retirement from a 30-year career at Procter and Gamble, fulfils a life-long ambition to serve the Presbyterian Church. … Read more
1996 Annual Meeting
Photos by Jack Harewood. Many members and friends of the Renewal Fellowship met March 8 & 9, 1996, at Bridlewood Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, Ontario. Dr. John Stackhouse, from Winnipeg, was the primary speaker and is featured on the cover. … Read more
The 1989 Annual Meeting photo essay
By Jack A. Harewood. The 1989 Annual Meeting took place March 3 & 4 at St. Andrew’s, Islington in Toronto. Over 200 people attended, and Dr. Roberta Hestenes, President of Eastern College, Philadelphia, was the theme speaker. She spoke about renewal and spirituality from the book of Exodus. … Read more
Biblical Models for Handling Conflict,, by Roy D. Bell
Reviewed by Greg Dallimore. Conflict is a dirty word in the church. As Christians, we try to find any number of ways to mask the fact that it exists and that church relationships often break down because of it. This book is a blend of scriptural insight, practical example and trim homily. … Read more
Greater Toronto and Surrounding Communities Impacted by Graham Ministry
Jack Charleson describes the process of preparation for and the results of Mission Ontario with Billy Graham. … Read more