The horrors of Hallowe’en
Autumn can be a glorious time. We rejoice in fall colours, fresh starts, and relief from the summer’s heat. October is the peak. While the month begins with a rapid build-up to Thanksgiving, it quickly turns dark. This essay is a statement against Hallowe’en that explores the reality of the darkness in which depression and anxiety are endemic, souls are lost, and spirits are troubled, tossed about and tempted by the lies and lures of Satan. … Read more
Defence against the dark arts
Satan is real and is a clear and present danger. This is not a widely accepted truth in many churches. We ignore this to our peril. In our final part on this subject, Ian Mitchell and Andy Cornell shine a light at the art of war in the days leading up to October 31, a significant day in pagan, Wiccan, and occult traditions. … Read more
The enemy is real
Behind the costume masks and jack-o'-lanterns lurks an inconvenient truth: October can be an evil month. It begins with a build-up to Thanksgiving then gradually becomes dark in the slide towards Halloween. This essay explores the reality of the darkness, the power of the contrary spirit, and the vital need for believers to be engaged in spiritual warfare. … Read more
General Assembly 2024
After lengthy and spirited discussion at the 2023 General Assembly, there was anticipation of something similar in 2024. The audacious hope was that different liberal voices who spoke up in defence of liberty in 2023 might show similar support. Sadly, none of that happened. And the entire report and discussion was concluded in only 28 minutes. While the clerks brought a slightly reworded recommendation than 2023, it had the same … Read more
What is a Presbyterian General Assembly?
Rev. Paul Johnston, in blue shirt, takes in the proceedings at General Assembly 2025. A (possibly radical) proposal for a fresh answer. What is a Presbyterian General Assembly. The short answer is it’s the highest … Read more
55 Theses – the Vision and the Hope
PCC Renewal makes its presence known with a bold statement. … Read more
Principles of church planting
It's almost a truism that "Church planting is the most effective method of reaching the unchurched for Christ." It's been a legendary recommendation for decades now. And it is true, but not for the reasons you might think. In fact, most of the things church planters must do to be successful are the very same things that existing congregational leadership teams could do to revitalise their own churches … Read more
From Fearful Retreat to Faithful Witness
The text of the powerful, timely sermon on the work of the Holy Spirit delivered to the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Hamilton, Ontario, based on John … Read more
Live like Jesus, Be like Jesus
What can we learn from the Lord’s personal devotional life? … Read more
Lessons from the Korean diaspora
Han-Ca congregations learn to belong without losing themselves. What does it mean to belong — and not belong — at the same time? That question quietly shapes immigrant life, but it presses even more deeply … Read more
Quebec: an unholy mess of secularism and regulation
Tighter controls, no mercy and a moratorium mean hundreds of congregations are without a home. Mountainside United Church and St. Stephen's Anglican Church, both in Westmount QC, recently sold and are to be converted into condos. … Read more
Bavinck in Brief: God, Simply
God's revelation of His perfect self provides a foundation for our knowledge about the Divine. Third of a series: (1) "Bavinck in Brief: Method as Model", (2) "Bavinck in Brief: A Presbyterian Lifestyle" Dutch theology … Read more
The Art of Healthy Dust-Shaking (2)
Shalom may stick or ricochet back – keep an attitude of peace no matter what. … Read more