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
Pastoral Care as a Healing Ministry
By Elizabeth Zook. Pastoral care happens when one walks into a risky situation and then offers oneself as Christ offered himself … to hurt with those who hurt, to cry with those who cry. … Read more
Disappointment with God, by Philip Yancey
Reviewed by Roma E. Bryant. Working from real life situations, Philip Yancey is making a supreme effort to provoke us to give more than a passing glance to three questions that are rarely asked aloud: Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden? … Read more
A Heart for God, by Sinclair B. Ferguson
Reviewed by Jack C. Whytock. Ferguson has tackled the most profound pursuit we are to be engaged upon – to have our hearts yearning ever more to know the richness of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and hence to have an obedient heart. … Read more
Bible Study Opportunities For Adults
By John E. Schwarz. “It is unnecessary to furnish proof that there exists even among Christians a widespread biblical illiteracy … Protestantism will not forever survive if steps cannot be taken to remedy it.” – John Bright … Read more
Dying for the Gospel: The Gordons of Erromanga
By Peter Bush. After the murder of his brother, George Gordon, a missionary to Erromanga in the New Hebrides, James Gordon brought his murderers a message of forgiveness. Both Gordons preferred to train islanders to spread the gospel, and by 1900, 95% of the people of Erromanga were Christians. … Read more
Editorial & Letters
Editor J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg reflects on the Lay Revolution, a phenomenon changing the face of North American Christianity, and reflected in the skill of a layman in the layout and production of Channels and a laywoman as Book Editor. … Read more
Executive Director’s Comment – Contemplative and Meditative Worship Styles
By Calvin Brown. Worship wars are said to be the most common cause of disruption in congregations. When the real cause of unhappiness is examined, the principal offender is not usually the new music but the form of certain types of contemporary worship. … Read more
Why Do Churches Need Spiritual Renewal?
By Clark H. Pinnock. Our churches need to be renewed in the Spirit of God in order to be able to be what God intends them to be. If it were just to attain a euphoric spiritual high, seeking renewal would just be another form of selfism … 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
Worship Workshop: Family Worship
P. Gordon Reid recounts memories of family worship each morning as a reminder that it worked strongly to shape attitudes, convictions, and the deepest parts of his family’s faith. … 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
Unity in the Body
By Jack Charleson. As Christians we have a responsibility to honour the command given by our Lord in the Great Commission. However, there is a tendency for many of us simply to ensure adequate funding is made available through congregational budgets to meet the expenses of others as they seek to carry out the work for us. … Read more
Cote des Neiges Report
On October 1, 1983, almost a hundred representatives of the Renewal Fellowship, from five provinces, met at Cote des Neiges Church in Montreal to hear Dr. Roger Nicole explore the theme of renewal. Sylvie L. Sparks writes of her vision for Reformed ministry in Quebec, and Luc Thibaudeau gives his testimony of his faith journey. … Read more
Margaret Avison, Poet
By J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Margaret Avison, pictured on the cover, has an urbanized, educated imagination. Many of her poems have thoughtful and intriguing word choices. The poetry in her second volume, The Dumbfounding, revealed a deep Christian faith which had not been evident in her earlier work. … 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