Reviewed by Peter Bush. These are handbooks for the training of elders, with chapters focusing on helping elders develop their leadership skills, enhance teamwork within sessions, and become pastoral care-givers in their districts. … Read more
A Unique Opportunity
Sylvia Cleland outlines her progress to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, and reflects on her education at both Regent College and Vancouver School of Theology. … Read more
From Vision to Reality: Leadership is the Key
By Neal Mathers – We don’t often talk about it but he truth is that leadership has often been identified as the key factor in developing a healthy growing church. If the minister, elders and congregational leaders do not take the lead in developing goals and strategies for church growth then the congregation will reflect this non-growth mentality. … Read more
Letter to the Editor
Edward P. Mason reflects on the article, “Can we domesticate the Holy Spirit?” as a catalyst for some thoughts on (1) youth in our church life and growth, and (2) “Renewal” as a stranger in much of our church life. … Read more
Urbanization: A New Factor in Christian Missions
By W. Stanford Reid. By 2000 55% of the world’s population will be living in cities and by 2050 that will increase to 80%. Churches in our land which are seeking to do missionary work in foreign lands must lay increasing emphasis upon urban mission at all levels. … Read more
Our Alpha Experience
By Andrew Hutchinson. Nicky Gumbel presents a well-grounded understanding of the Christian faith without apology, in a positive, winsome way. Alpha provides for a personal experience of the presence of God, rather than merely talking about God and His mercy. … Read more
Changing on the Inside, by John White
Reviewed by Roma E. Bryant. Inner revolution that results in changing life-styles does take place. Not a case of changing outward appearance, the “change” that John White speaks of is the result of an inner revolution and consequent change. … Read more
A critique of the NCG Report – “Towards a Christian Understanding of Sexual Orientations, Lifestyles and Ministry”
By Victor Shepherd. In 1984 the highest court of The United Church of Canada, The General Council, commissioned a National Coordinating Group to prepare a report “Towards a Christian Understanding of Sexual Orientations, Lifestyles and Ministry”. Many pastors of The United Church are reacting strongly to its anti-theological bias. … Read more
Worship Workshop: A Draft Order for the Lord’s Supper
By Brian J. Fraser et al. In conversations with ecumenical partners, Presbyterian students at the Vancouver School of Theology have a proposed service which they use in weekly worship. … Read more
Renewable Resources: Equipping Presbyterians for the 21st Century
Ian and Linda Shaw report on the Renewal Day in Selkirk, Manitoba, on May 1st. Dr. George Shillington held up the sole key renewal resource for us now and into the century to come as being the Jesus who came to reveal the Father and his will to us. … Read more
The Resistance to Church Union in Canada, by N. Keith Clifford
Reviewed by Hans Kouwenberg. This book provides an excellent overview of the events leading up to and following that hopeful or fateful (depending upon your point of view) marriage or disruption of churches in Canada, outlining the fascinating story in well-documented detail, rich with vignettes. … Read more
The Race: Discipleship for The Long Run, by John White
Reviewed by David Stewart. Although this is a collection of some of John White’s contributions to Christian periodicals over twenty years, the author has skillfully edited and arranged these earlier pieces, with a result that is surprisingly unified under four broad headings: Christian Beliefs; Christian Witness; Christian Discipleship; and Problems of Christian Discipleship. … Read more
Perspectives on the Church Doctrine Report on Human Sexuality
John A. Vissers urges the commissioners to the 120th General Assembly in June to adopt the report of the Church Doctrine Committee: it talks about God. The crisis of faith is that we are being asked to believe in ourselves more and more as sexual beings, and in God less and less. … Read more
Reformation Overview
Reviewed by Albert Bailey. This is a kit designed to help us pass on knowledge of our Reformation heritage to new generations. The compact kit has two videotapes with six half-hour segments, a Leader's Guide with suggestions for ways of developing the programs, and printed resources. … 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