A Brief Apology for Predestination
By Dan Matthewson. Although predestination is a "minority" doctrine today, in Christian history, predestination is a "majority" doctrine. Calvin didn't invent this doctrine – he simply inherited a doctrine resoundingly accepted throughout the annals of church history. … Read more
The Rev. Basil Edward Howell
By Jack Charleson. If it were not for Basil Howell, it is unlikely that the Renewal Fellowship would have been developed and formally constituted on May 8, 1982. … Read more
Letters
Readers correspond with approval for the ministry of Channels. Greg Dallimore responds with an update on his previous Review … Read more
Celebrate Recovery!
By Scott Donaldson and Heather Parker. Celebrate Recovery, a twelve-step, biblically-based recovery program which focuses on principles from the Beatitudes, is a proven ministry which began at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. This is the account of work at Lakeshore St. Andrew's Church near Windsor, Ontario. … Read more
The Transforming Friendship: A Guide to Prayer, by James M. Houston
Reviewed by Eugene H. Peterson. Prayer is friendship with God, and friendships do not thrive on formulas or techniques; we have to be there, put ourselves in company with the other, and see what happens. We are dealing with innerness, something organic, that must grow, not outerness that can be engineered. … 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
On Growing Gardens
By Cassandra Wessel. Growing a church is like growing a garden. Some days, it seems as if the field is barren and nothing is happening. Other days, people begin to come into the church like sprouts appearing in the garden. Churches grow through hard work and lots of prayer. … 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
Spiritual Parenting & the Eldership
By Ian S. Rennie. We should consider that married people as elders on sessions should operate as a husband and wife team, with all married couples having only one vote. … Read more
Letter of Resignation
By John Vissers. Knox Church has been praying for decades that God would renew our theological colleges. Dr. Vissers' appointment as Principal signals the first time that a conservative evangelical minister has led one of our colleges since the early part of this century. … Read more
Living Churches: A Celebration in Whitby
By Ron VanAuken. Celebration! Presbyterian Church began on April 19, 1992, as a mission to the unchurched. A faith mission, it is being supported by the gifts of individuals and congregations who have a vision for the renewal of the church and its mission and a desire to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ. … Read more
The Renewal Fellowship Within The PCC
By Calvin Brown. The Renewal Fellowship is a volunteer organization, committed to renewing spiritual vitality and historic biblical witness within and through the church. Renewal Fellowship activities include organizing renewal conferences, days of prayer, and workshops, and publishing Channels magazine, Renewal News and a quarterly Prayer Calendar. … Read more
Life in the Spirit through Alpha
By George Anderson. The Alpha course is a very helpful renewal evangelism course because it brings together so many spiritual growth principles: an intentional focus on Christ and the Holy Spirit, fellowship over meals, small-group discussion, and friendship evangelism. … Read more
Celebrating Our Cross-cultural Evangelistic Missionary Heritage: The Centenary of James Ira Dickson
By Rev. Dr. A. Donald MacLeod. The tireless efforts of James Dickson, a Canadian Presbyterian missionary, were seminal in the advancement of Christianity in Taiwan, especially among the hill tribes. His wife, Lillian Dickson, began the Mustard Seed Mission, emphasizing sturdy church buildings, adequate child care, orphan protection, and vocational training. … Read more
Worship Workshop: Children and Worship
By Trudy Schalk. Rather than an educational perspective, the aim of Young Children and Worship is to provide a worship perspective, offering children an environment to enter into the stories and experience God’s revelations through the Holy Spirit. … Read more