Reviewed by Roma E. Bryant. This book helps us to realize that during suffering, we can cope, and that those we think of as giants of the faith still struggled as we do through terrible odds, and still coped. … Read more
Of Church, State and the Political Engagement of Evangelicals
By Bruce Clemenger. The debate about the relationship between church and state has been reignited. Firstly, we should respond to the misperceptions that are rooted in stereotypes, misunderstanding, or bias, and secondly, it is an opportunity to discuss the relationship between church and state. … Read more
Full Time Director
By David MacKenna. The Renewal Fellowship will have, for the first time, a full time Director, The Rev. Robert Little, to speak for and guide the affairs of the Fellowship, building on the dedicated and able leadership of Drs. A. Donald MacLeod and John Vissers as interim directors for the past eight years. … Read more
Reformation of the Church
By James I. Packer. We should not think of reformation as something distinct from the renewal of spiritual life. Every reformation of theology came with personal renewal. Reformation is a divine visitation that begins with personal repentance, prayer, and preparation. … Read more
What Does Revival Look Like?
By Esther Mcllveen. Usually revival is mentioned in connection with the church. I wonder if God is saying to us, “Your emphasis is in the wrong place. Try the home.” … Read more
Sing Out the Carols – People Will Love It!
By Esther and Howard Mcllveen. Carolling isn’t as popular as it once was, so people treasure it even more. It can be done in shopping malls, hospitals, prisons, institutions for the aged and handicapped, or in the open air around residential areas. Advent is the only time in the year when it is culturally acceptable to “invade” a neighbourhood or place with song and greetings. One can sing about “God and sinners reconciled” and greet people without intruding or being mistaken for a sect. … Read more
The Word of God
Thomas F. Torrance underlines the centrality of the Word of God written and the Word made flesh. … Read more
The Dayspring
By David D. Stewart. On the wall of the Memorial Hall in Zion Presbyterian Church, Charlottetown, PEI, is the picture of a ship, the Dayspring, whose birth came about in response to martyrdom and whose career was associated with the first great period of Canadian Presbyterian missionary outreach. … Read more
Introducing Channels Magazine
The Renewal Fellowship within The Presbyterian Church in Canada was founded in May 1982, and during the next year, plans were made to begin a magazine to reassure isolated and sometimes discouraged Presbyterians in Canada who wanted renewal that they were not alone. Word associations with media, communication, and television channels resonated with the old hymn, “Channels only, blessed Master”, and suggested the name Channels. And so, Channels – intended to be an instrument of blessing for The Presbyterian Church in Canada – debuted in the fall of 1983.
Over the next 23 years, some 66 issues were published. Channels succeeded in placing the Renewal Fellowship within a broader national and international context. Publishing articles written by internationally known authors such as Eugene Peterson, James I. Packer, Michael Green, Darrell Johnson, and John G. Stackhouse Jr. helped members of the Renewal Fellowship to realize that they were a part of a much wider movement.
Recognizing the high quality of this magazine prompted a desire to make a digital archive of all 66 issues. Each article is presented in text format, and at the bottom, a searchable, downloadable PDF copy of the issue opens at the page where the article originally appeared. Enjoy!
Working the Angles: the Shape of Pastoral Integrity, by Eugene Peterson
Reviewed by David Sherbino. The three pastoral disciplines are a triangle composed of preaching, teaching, and administration. The angles are prayer, Scripture, and spiritual direction. The need of ministry is to “work the angles.” … Read more
Renewal Coalition Adopts Declaration; Calls Mainline Churches to Evangelical Faith
By the Renewal Coalition. Responding to crises facing many historic denominations, a coalition of twenty-one evangelical renewal leaders drafted this Declaration, a common affirmation on critical theological and ethical standards currently under challenge in their respective communions. … Read more
Letters
Readers correspond with approval for the ministry of Channels. Greg Dallimore responds with an update on his previous Review … Read more
Bridlewood Spiritually Gifted
By Bruce Heal. A most exciting and spiritually encouraging class was taught by our pastor Dan MacKinnon on spiritual gifts, making use of the material in Chuck Congram’s course, Understanding and Using Spiritual Gifts, and Peter Wagner’s book, Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help your Church Grow. … Read more
Natural Church Development, by Christian A. Schwarz
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Christian Schwarz conducted a comprehensive research project with over 1,000 large and small, growing and plateaued participating congregations throughout much of the world to discover certain principles of "natural church development." … 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
The Alpha Course – Affirming Our Faith and Building Community
By Douglas McQuaig. What makes the Alpha Course work are an invitational banquet, home-based small groups, the fellowship of a meal shared, group discussion, prayer and ministry, a weekend retreat, a celebration banquet, and a rolling program of evangelism and spiritual growth. … Read more