By Zeb Bradford Long. Over the last twenty years, there have been four streams of renewal and movements of the Holy Spirit bringing renewal to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, each with itsr distinctive characteristics but which are deeply interrelated. … Read more
The Manila Manifesto: Twenty-one Affirmations
In July 1974 the International Congress on World Evangelization was held in Lausanne, Switzerland, and issued the Lausanne Covenant. Now in July 1989 over 4,000 of us from about 170 countries have met in Manila for the same purpose, and have issued the Manila Manifesto. … Read more
Liberating the Laity: Equipping All the Saints for Ministry, by R. Paul Stevens
Reviewed by Jim Walton. The book has two basic strands to it: 1. the author’s personal pilgrimage in developing a healthy concept of lay ministry, and 2. instruction – both practical and theological – aimed at liberating the laity for ministry. … Read more
Please Come Home. It Must Hurt a Lot. Don’t Look at Me. I Can’t Talk About It, by Doris Sanford
Reviewed by Elizabeth Zook. Multnomah Press has released four children’s books which attempt to deal sensitively with areas of potential childhood pain. … Read more
Letters
The Editor shares letters received in appreciation for the Wedding Album in the Summer ’85 issue of Channels. … Read more
Testing the Diversity of the Presbyterian Church within Canada
By Jonathan Dent. Jonathan Goforth used the Revivalist models of Finney and Moody in China. In meetings, he prayed, sang hymns, taught the Word, and called for testimony. Hours were spent in the confession of sin and repentance. Revival broke out wherever Goforth went. … Read more
The Culture of Disbelief, by Stephen L. Carter
Reviewed by David Jennings. Until Christians start speaking in the public square, they cannot criticize anyone for not listening. … Read more
Preaching About Life in a Threatening World, by Ronald J. Sider & Michael King
Reviewed by Stephen Self. This book is a practical guide for all preachers interested in preaching more compassionately and effectively on major social issues such as abortion, human rights, economic justice, war, and violence, identifying with people who have inner hurts, needs, and dreams … Read more
Renewing the Church: A Place to Begin
Jack Mills reports on Eugene Peterson’s talk at a recent Renewal Day. If God’s Church can become God-centered instead of man-centered, the opportunities in his ever-changing world will be obvious. … Read more
Neighbourhood Evangelists
By Michael Green. If the leaders of local churches are really serious about liberating the lay people in the congregation for the difficult, challenging, and yet intensely rewarding task of spreading the good news in their neighbourhood, there are a number of important steps to take. … Read more
Christian Renewal: Living Beyond Burnout, by Charles L. Rassieur
Reviewed by Garth B. Wilson. Excessive demands on our energy, strength, or resources may have depleted the “fuel” that keeps our lives vital and moving, but “burn out” is a spiritual matter because we are inclined to “play God”, … Read more
Unfinished Business Is His Business: Helping Adults Resolve Their Painful Pasts
By Bob Moeller. The adult children of dysfunctional homes are known as ACOAs – an acronym for adult children of alcoholics, though the term is applied to a wide variety of dysfunctional home settings. … Read more
Teen Trends: A Nation in Motion, by R. W. Bibby & D. C. Posterski
Reviewed by Jim Walton. The book outlines the extent of the change that has taken place in what was once familiar in our culture, and gives parents, educators, pastors, people in the media, and other significant adults practical advice and steps to take in responding to the trends. … Read more
Burning Bush and Chigge
By Robert K. Anderson. Koreans in Japan have long suffered oppression from the Japanese, and Christian witness there has seen many ups and downs. Work among them has moved from being directed from Korea to being indigenous. Help from the Presbyerian Church in Canada is on a "sister church" basis. … Read more
Renewal: When Church Growth is not Enough
By Harvie M. Conn. Reformation in the church has been reduced to the recovery of proper doctrinal formulations for use by Christians in the church, but no longer is the church at issue with community or society over worldview dimensions … Read more
Study Guide
Questions for discussion by a Mission Committee or Bible study group are presented on each of the three sections: China/Taiwan, the South Pacific Islands, and Japan. … Read more