Addressing the 117th General Assembly the Moderator, John Allan, identifies the challenges within and without the church, and Christ’s answer to those challenges. Our society is no less pluralistic than the society of Paul’s day, in which Christianity flourished. … Read more
Spirit Alive
By Carter Blaisdell. Spirit Alive works on the principle of sending teams to churches to testify, teach, and pray with members in order that the Body of Christ might be built up in faith and witness. … Read more
Missing Persons: Ministry with Persons Who Have Special Needs, by Oliver Ohsberg
Reviewed by Herman de Jong. The author describes various disabilities such as: intellectual impairment, communication impairment, visual impairment, physical impairment, chronic medical problems, and social and emotional disorders, suggests a number of practical ways in which we can help these persons feel welcome and comfortable in our faith communities. … Read more
One Minister’s Testimony
David Marshall outlines his growth in the Christian faith from his boyhood through 37 years of ministry, to his untimely death from cancer. … 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!
The Human Sexuality Report
A promising, seventeen-page interim report on “Human Sexuality” which is now available for study asserts that a Christian sexual ethic will make wise use of tradition, reason and experience, but will subject these to the witness of Scripture. … Read more
Church Renewal Leaders Respond to the “Re-Imagining” Conference
American and Canadian renewal leaders from mainline denominations meeting March 13-15, 1994 in Hamilton, Ontario, expressed profound concern regarding a recent feminist conference planned, funded, and attended by members and leaders of mainline denominations. … Read more
Reflections After The Tree Came Down
By Ian McPhee. Amid much confusing advice from friends regarding the source of his illness, Ian McPhee finds that the most helpful explanation is that illness is one of God's gracious gifts to us. Our privilege is to unwrap it and discover how good and perfect it is. … Read more
Growing Deep in the Christian Life, by Charles R. Swindoll
Reviewed by Jack Charleson. Charles R. Swindoll is pastor of First Evangelical Free Church, Fullerton, California, a broadcaster and prolific author. Over recent years he has given Christians much to think about through his publications and radio broadcasts and in Growing Deep in the Christian Life he encourages us to look back at the root of our Christian faith. … Read more
Ministers: Shepherds or Lawn Service?
By Connie denBok. Biblical stewardship has nothing to do with raising funds and everything to do with raising godly, faithful leaders. Every church leader is a builder of people in God’s house. … Read more
Reflections On The Events Of September 11, 2001
By Calvin Brown. Several excerpts from Calvin's Institutes serve to highlight, amid the innumerable evils that beset human life, the fact that without certainty about God's providence, life would be unbearable. Certainty about God's providence shouts joyous trust towards God in our hearts. … Read more
Living Churches: A Hope of Life and Growth
By George Anderson. “God specializes in graveyards.” This little church which had no Sunday School or Bible study groups and had about twenty adults attending seemed like a valley of dry bones. Humanly speaking the answer seemed to be “No” but the Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Jesus said “Yes.” … 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
The Timothy Principle, by Roy Robertson
Reviewed by Stephen Jenvey. This book covers basic principles needed in one’s life before fruitful discipleship can take place: consistency in the daily devotional life, understanding and being able to explain the plan of salvation, having a prayer plan, and approaches to Bible study … Read more