Reviewed by Alan Hartley. The revelation that the Director of Darkness, with minimal effort, has duped the church into digging its own grave, comes in The Gravedigger File, a series of classified memoranda turned over to the church by a defecting Satanic secret agent. By being uncritically identified with the modern world, the church has subverted itself from within. … Read more
Bury the Hatchet
By Esther Mcllveen. This article imagines what it would have been like for Philemon to first read Paul’s letter to him. Put yourself in his place. … Read more
And He Gave Some to Be …
By David Mills. In these days of talk about “lay education”, one is tempted to ask the question why? Should we be talking about educating the whole church? If so, how are we to educate them? We need to consider seriously the consequences of embarking on more effective and wide-spread lay education. … Read more
Regional Renewal Task Force News
Included are reports from the Atlantic Renewal Task Force, the Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec Renewal Task Force, and the Dunamis Conference at Lake George, New York. … Read more
Nothing will lead us to God
By Jonathan Dent — I had nothing to say. I felt nothing coming to mind. I was experiencing a vacuum, a void, an emptiness. Perhaps it was due to the busy-ness of the previous months. Perhaps it was because it was a lovely sunny summer day. Perhaps it was because we had just driven over 5,000 km to get where we were going. Perhaps it was the caffeine I was drinking or not drinking. In any case, I had nothing to say. Nothing to write. And upon reflection, I believe that this nothingness was the most creative … 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
What Stripe of Christian?
By Darrell W. Johnson. The question "What stripe of Christian are you?" has validity amidst theological diversity. Darrell Johnson is not yet what he wants to be: a faithful, grace-filled, grateful, joyful, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, Trinitarian servant who will do all he can to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world. … Read more
Small Town Church: Big God
By Peter Olson. God is very interested in all of our children. He has moved powerfully in this little country church in Erin, Ontario, and He has affected the hearts of children, youth, and adults. Through much prayer and listening on our part, God can accomplish many wonderful things. … Read more
Studies in the History of Worship in Scotland, by eds. D. Forrester and D. Murray
Reviewed by Glen Scorgie. The book includes eleven essays on the form and character of Christian worship in Scotland since the earliest times. It is a welcome supplement to the standard work in the field, namely History of Worship in the Church of Scotland (1955) by William D. Maxwell, who is partisan in his treatment … Read more
A Bad Habit: Summer Non-Attendance
By Wallace Whyte. One of the chief factors contributing to the summer slump at church is the attitude and expectations of the congregational leaders, including the minister. If the impression is given that members are not expected to worship during the summer, they are likely to comply. … Read more
Worship Workshop: Does Chatter Matter?
By James Statham. Are visitors confronted with the irreverent din of chatter or can they get caught up in a sense of expectation that something significant is about to happen as God’s people quietly, prayerfully, prepare themselves for worship? … 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
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
Developing a Vision
By J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Before we can consider what our future vision for ministry might be, we ought to consider what our vision for ministry has been. One way of doing that may be to consider who we are when we worship. … Read more