Photos by Jack Harewood and David Stewart. The Annual General Meeting and March Renewal Day was hosted by Paris Presbyterian Church on March 8 with enthusiasm and evident joy that set the tone for the whole event. It was a wonderful day and many commented that it was the best Renewal Day they had been to in years. … Read more
Holy God! Holy Church?
By John A. Vissers. The holiness of the church is one of the marks of the church. It refers to the purity of the church's faith and life, and the sanctity of its doctrine and practice. Holiness is at the very centre of renewal. The impetus to sanctification begins with a vision of God's holiness as is found in Isaiah 6. … Read more
Putting In Its Place: Canadian Presbyterian Independent Journalism
By A. Donald MacLeod. Independent Presbyterian journalism contributed greatly to the debate over Church Union in the 25 years prior to 1925. Following union, a succession of generally short-lived publications sought to keep the church on track. The Renewal Fellowship's Channels was welcomed as giving a whole new face to evangelicals. … Read more
Two Books on John Stott
By Ian S. Rennie. At Rugby boys' school, John Stott was led to Christ by E.J.H. Nash, an evangelical Anglican clergyman. Stott spent much of his time, energy, and ability on the renewal of the Church of England and of the historic Protestant denominations of the Western world and the developing world. He had a global influence. … Read more
Our Mission is Evangelism
By Calvin Brown. The Editor introduces this issue’s articles on evangelism and recounts the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Renewal Fellowship. Photos by Jack Harewood. … Read more
Renewal Event Doubles Attendance
By Gail Reid. Tony Campolo challenged the Renewal Network Conference to preach the cross, surrender to the Holy Spirit, make the Bible part of who we are, and love the world into the kingdom. George Sumner, principal of Wycliffe College, an evangelical Anglican seminary, urged the crowd to minister for the sake of the larger church. … Read more
Boldly Going Where God Goes: Kingdom Risks
By John Bowen. The kingdom of God and the work of evangelism do not progress unless Jesus' people are prepared to take risks. The book of Acts holds several examples of evangelism that involved risk-taking. We grow only through change, and change means leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable, and that is risky. … Read more
Active Evangelism: The Canadian Presbyterian Story
By Peter Bush. A conference by this name, held May 24 and 25, 2002, focused on the biblical, historical, practical, and theological roots of evangelism. Six major research papers explored evangelism in the Old and New Testament Testaments, in The Presbyterian Church in Canada over the last 250 years, and in the contemporary Canadian context. … Read more
Culture College
By Dwight Strain. Culture College is an imaginative program that involves the maximum number of youth and the minimum financial and human resources. This Waterloo North Presbyterian Church program targets different age groups with programs such as instrumental music, wood carving, baking, cooking, and model building. … Read more
Wait Training
By Liz Birnie. To engage in spiritual disipline, we need to choose a place that will reduce distractions; stick with a schedule that's right for us; be prepared with an easily understandable Bible, a notebook, and a pencil; and keep going with obedience to His Word, even through those struggles with our human failures. … Read more
Missing Yet Found in Streetsville
By James Lindsay. When the author and his wife Pamela attended an Alpha Course, they gave their lives to the Lord. Allowing Jesus to take control of their destiny has given them a beautiful feeling, with hearts open and not heavy. Their growing relationship with the Lord has given them faith to pray for and receive answers. … Read more
A Walk of Faith from the Beginning – Alpha at Knox, Georgetown
By Hank Van Goult. Putting on an Alpha Course at Knox Presbyterian Church, Georgetown, Ontario, was unexpectedly made more easy when their Interim Moderator, Dr. Douglas McQuaig, offered the resources of his church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Streetsville, Ontario, to help them start up and run their course. … Read more
Contemporary Worship at St. Paul’s, Ottawa
By Sarah Lee and Mark Richardson. At St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Ontario, contemporary worship emphasizes God and his Word, and shapes a space where people can worship in spirit and in truth, in a spirit of freedom. Although aimed at younger people, many seniors appreciate it and even prefer it over the traditional service. … Read more
In Love With God – Coquitlam Presbyterian Church
By Bob and Olive McBay. A closer walk with the Lord is encouraged at CPC by a growing emphasis on prayer, Bible Study groups, men's and women's ministries, outreach to children and youth, care of newcomers, reminders of the monthly Renewal Fellowship prayer meetings, Spirit-led sermons, and making Jesus the centre of everything. … Read more
Evangelism Lives — Even In The Out-Back!
By Pat Allison. The four congregations of the Bass River Pstoral Charge in New Brunswick have learned how to co-operate in presenting the Alpha Course and Children's Summer Festivals in the local fire hall, Christmas pageants with "live" everything, a yearly Women's Day away, and a youth group, "Kent County Christian Youth". … 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
A Cambodian Diary
By Paul Dylla, Marieke Schindell, and Grant Wilson. Fairview Presbyterian Church, Vancouver BC, celebrated its 100th anniversary by undertaking as a missions project: the building of Sunshine House, a home for children orphaned by AIDS in Cambodia. Three members of the congregation travelled to Cambodia, met the children, and recorded their reflections on the experience. … Read more