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“Only God can make the seed grow,” observes Rev. John-Peter Smit, “and only God can make the church grow.” Smit made his comment before getting into the details of an ongoing survey on the health of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
The details aren’t pretty. They suggest that if the church is soil for the seed, it is sorely in need of some tender care.
by Connie Purvis
The Saint John’s Bible follows in the tradition of the painstakingly crafted manuscripts of the Middle Ages. The seven volumes took a decade to create, and feature the work of artist and calligrapher Donald Jackson, who works in the Scriptorium in Wales.
I’ve just read the March issue and feel a rising indignation within me, particularly due to two articles that put Jesus Christ on the same level as any other “saviour”—Two Kinds Of Knowledge—or with Mohammad—Journey To The Centre Of Our Faiths. I don’t get it? I don’t get how anybody who has met Jesus can then say He is not Lord of all Lords, God of all Gods, King of all Kings, Saviour of all saviours.
The buzz from Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers has been about the 10,000 hours of diligent work required to be a success in one’s chosen field. Diana Butler Bass, speaking at Rosedale, Toronto, in late February, mentioned the 10,000 hours while speaking of successful churches she had studied. Gladwell gives the example of the Beatles and Bill Gates, amongst many others, who through a combination of luck and grace were able to spend an extraordinary amount of time perfecting their craft.
by In Kee Kim
John Calvin’s influence on the Korean church is enormous. The largest Protestant denomination in Korea is Presbyterian, and there is not just one, but hundreds of Presbyterian denominations. Presbyterianism has become a big part of the Korean Christian spirituality. This tendency continues on with Korean immigrants in Canada. The majority of Korean Protestants in Canada have a Presbyterian background.
by Laurence DeWolfe
When Jesus talks about a vineyard, what do we see? Acres of neatly tended vines in the Okanagan? Compact and tidy plantings in the Annapolis Valley? Jesus knew tiny and densely planted vineyards, bounded by high stone walls. Vines growing low, spreading out, tangled.
by David Webber
know it will seem a bit odd, like a guy dressed in jeans, Pendleton wool shirt and a Stetson hat listening to Mozart. But I can’t help it; my favourite spring pastimes are bird watching and bear hunting. I guess you could call me oxymoronic, a word I concocted to describe myself as a character of contradictions. But to me, bear hunting and bird watching are completely compatible. I always do them together.
For those of you who live in milder climes, the news of spring may not be so special. But for most of us real Canadians, it is glad tidings as good as the safe delivery of a newborn child. You suddenly feel the energy to clean the mess left in the middle of your garden conveniently covered by snow.
by Brad Childs
There are more than 100 major biblical commentary series, some of which are far better than others. Below, I have compiled a list of my favourite series along with some evaluations for any of you out there thinking about delving a little deeper into your Bibles.
Two book reviews, of The Death Of Adam: Essays On Modern Thought and The Master Teacher: Sermons From Mark
Seven Deadly Sins by L. June Stevenson
Religion began both East and West long before the Hebrews appeared. Before their covenant and law, myth-and-ritual emerged around the globe with evolving humanity. In Mediterranean lands the great mysteries arose, with liturgy and sacraments and union with the god. Then came a different sort of faith, a response to certain traumatic events in the life of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Seven years ago in an editorial for this magazine, I quoted the following passage from Prof. Reg Bibby’s then latest book, Restless Churches. “I am convinced,” he wrote, “that the resources and the will exist for ministry to take place that touches people who are not actively involved in the nation’s churches. … What is required, however, is a clear-cut strategy that is informed by sound research and sound congregational input.”
by Phil Callaway
When our children were young, my wife and I began watching and praying for suitable mates for them. We even took to carrying pictures of our two sons and daughter in my wallet, primarily to barter with other parents. Many were eager to participate in dowry negotiations. I once haggled with a couple in Oregon who were willing to sign papers betrothing their two daughters and son to ours, but when they asked for my house, the talks broke down. (Don’t worry, Jim and Jean, I won’t mention your names.)
I say we start an organization called Arranged Marriages Work Awesome Eh? (AMWAE). Our slogan will be “Save money! Your honeymoon can double as your first date!”
Here are a few of our credos…
by Calvin Brown
Living Faith declares the mission of the Presbyterian Church is to recognize and act on the truth: “As God sent Christ to us, so Christ sends us into the world. We are here to proclaim Christ in word and deed.” It goes on to say that mission is evangelism, the offer of salvation to all people in the power of the Holy Spirit, to be received through faith in Christ.
The question we all need to ask as Presbyterians is: How are we doing?
“Who is in your family?”, by Erin Walton.
