Tag: church
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The Missing Cup
My latest column in the Christian Courier. ___________________ TIS THE SEASON OF THE HOLIDAY coffee cup. Whether you prefer to line up at Second Cup or Starbucks, your paper cup will evoke a festive and holiday spirit. It will do so, of course, without reference to any traditional Christian teachings concerning the birth of the…
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Quebec and Religion: Response
In the light of Quebec’s proposal of a new “secularism” law today, I share this (entirely appropriate and relevant) statement of the Presbytery of Montreal from 2014. Response to Bill 60 from The Presbytery of Montreal, of The Presbyterian Church in Canada (2014) The Presbytery of Montreal, a body of the Presbyterian Church in Canada,…
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Belonging and Exclusion – A Conversation
The latest issue of the Christian Courier takes the question of belonging as its theme, with a particular focus on issues of race and culture. Here is my “column” for this issue. __________________ The theme of belonging is rich with challenge and possibility and it seemed to me that I would do better not to…
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Rocks, boulders, pebbles, alive?
Stones of all kinds were a feature of my family’s vacation this past month – a vacation that included two weeks on the West Coast. We spent time in and around Vancouver, and then up the coast into Alaska. Everywhere there were stones. With the tide out, wandering on rocky beaches – more stones than…
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Sola Scriptura: A Baptismal Defense
A talk presented to a conference hosted by the Presbyterian Committee on History and The Presbyterian College – as part of ongoing celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Still in somewhat rough form, but clear enough to follow. _____________ Some days you feel like you’ve drawn the short straw. And let me confess…
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saying goodbye – with grace in Christ
They are those who pray for the sick or the stricken among us, and seek their comfort. Those who pray for the poor, and support them in their need. Those who pray for the lonely, and visit them in their isolation. Paul invites us: Put yourself in the service of such people. Submit to them.…
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division, baptism, unity — or, who we are
Let me begin this morning by reading again just a few words from 1 Corinthians chapter 1. For me these particular words are more than a little odd – they almost stick out like a sore thumb – and for that reason I want to start with them. Paul writes these words to the church…
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“may I have a word” — confession and correction #sermon
Has anyone every pulled you aside and said: “You know, what you are doing is really not a great idea.” Has anyone ever pulled you aside and said: “You know, you better stop and think about what you’re saying.” When someone pulls you aside it’s generally because they care about you – they want to…
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change in the church – free to experiment
An article printed in this month’s Presbyterian Record, based on a blog post from a year ago. [The image to the right is of the cover of The Presbyterian Record from 50 years ago!!] ______________ Change has been in the air at Kensington, Montreal, over the past six years as the congregation has adopted global…
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Congregational Aesthetics – beyONd our walls (3/3)
In this short blog series I’ve been exploring this question: What is the aesthetic profile of your congregation. Otherwise put: What do the artwork and architecture and liturgical accoutrements of your congregation reveal about its faith and identity? And how do they shape your faith and discipleship? In my first post I explored how we might respond to…
encrusted words 