Reviewed by Jack Charleson. We live in a society where there are repeated demands on our time, talents and financial resources. … All this requires that we develop a level of “commitment” in order to be responsible in serving, not only those seeking our involvement, but more importantly, the Lord who is directing our lives. … Read more
Introducing Channels Magazine
The Renewal Fellowship within The Presbyterian Church in Canada was founded in May 1982, and during the next year, plans were made to begin a magazine to reassure isolated and sometimes discouraged Presbyterians in Canada who wanted renewal that they were not alone. Word associations with media, communication, and television channels resonated with the old hymn, “Channels only, blessed Master”, and suggested the name Channels. And so, Channels – intended to be an instrument of blessing for The Presbyterian Church in Canada – debuted in the fall of 1983.
Over the next 23 years, some 66 issues were published. Channels succeeded in placing the Renewal Fellowship within a broader national and international context. Publishing articles written by internationally known authors such as Eugene Peterson, James I. Packer, Michael Green, Darrell Johnson, and John G. Stackhouse Jr. helped members of the Renewal Fellowship to realize that they were a part of a much wider movement.
Recognizing the high quality of this magazine prompted a desire to make a digital archive of all 66 issues. Each article is presented in text format, and at the bottom, a searchable, downloadable PDF copy of the issue opens at the page where the article originally appeared. Enjoy!
The Joy of Presbyterian Sex
By A. Donald MacLeod. A summary of a recent retrospective on the Report of the Special Committee on Sexuality of the Presbyterian Church (USA) titled Keeping Body and Soul Together, and presented to the last (203rd) General Assembly. … Read more
The Next Assembly
By Mariano Di Gangi. Some ecclesiastical conventions commence with invocation but conclude with provocation. Each General Assembly has its own character. At times, there is a prevailing calm. At others, vigorous debate and proliferating dissent. Much depends on the issues before the court … Read more
The Untapped Power of Sheer Christianity, by Clark Pinnock
Reviewed by Edmund F. Bloedow. Athough this is essentially a personal testimony, it is also a strong call to return to and/or stand fast in the faith by: 1) “Loving the Truth”: 2) “Walking in the Spirit”: and 3) “Obeying the Lord”. … Read more
What To Expect From Your New Senior Pastor
Anonymous. 43 rules for driving him out of the ministry or out of his mind … Read more
The Church and Politics
By J. Barry Forsyth. Do you think the Church should take a stand on political issues? In recent years, the World Council of Churches has been embroiled in controversy over the fact that it supported (directly or by implication) Robert Mugabe’s guerrillas of Zimbabwe against the white “racist” government of Ian Smith. Were they right or were they wrong to do that? … Read more
Ethic of God’s Reign
By Arthur Van Seters. If the Kingdom or Reign of God is unexpected newness, its ethic is unlikely to conform to conventional wisdom; it is most likely to be significantly different from what people expected, both then and now. … Read more
1994 Annual Meeting
Photos by Jack Harewood. On March 4 & 5, about 200 met at Central Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, Ontario, for the 1994 Annual Meeting. Eugene Peterson, from Regent College, was the speaker. … Read more
Maria’s Legacy
Esther McIlveen’s nostalgic article reminds us how the example of a godly parent is an ongoing encouragement to live wholesomely in challenging circumstances. … 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
The Christian Faith and Homosexuality, by David F. Wright
Reviewed by John Vaudry. This booklet attempts to answer two objections to the conservative position on homosexuality. … Read more
Letter to the Editor
By Jeremy Ashton. I do not believe the RFPCC intends to be primarily a clergy support organization. Yet, the intellectual tone of the contents of Channels, and the somewhat ministerially specialized nature of other presentations of the Fellowship, suggest this. … Read more
Worship Workshop – Can These Dry Bones Live?
Calvin Brown presents this new song by the Rev. Roland Wells Jr. of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. … Read more
Motions to be considered at the Annual Meeting
Some motions that will be considered at the Annual Meeting, to pursue a closer relationship with Presbyterian and Reformed Renewal Ministries International, and and overture to seek formal recognition as an official autonomous organization within the PCC. … 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
Youth Alpha as a Profession of Faith Class
By Jim Walton. Youth Alpha involves a little more work than its adult counterpart. You can't turn on a videotape and expect the young people to "tune in". One has to "create" the Youth Alpha talk and session from the outline given in the Leader's Manual. … Read more