The Great Continuous Conversion

1 April 2013johnvissers

In a wonderful little book called The Return of the Prodigal Son, the spiritual writer Henri Nouwen reminds us that the world often seduces us to claim a false identity. It’s an illusion that we find everywhere.

The Threat of Resurrection

1 March 2013johnvissers

Theologian Karl Barth once preached a sermon in which he described the resurrection of Jesus as a threat. I like that.

Bearing Witness to Christ

1 February 2013johnvissers

The Assembly Council adopted a motion that asked the church to examine whether it is wise stewardship to support three colleges financially. I spoke in favour of the motion because I believe it is time to think about how our church can prepare its leaders more effectively and efficiently.

One Seamless Garment

1 January 2013johnvissers

I wasn’t in Malawi very long before I started questioning why things are the way they are. The way we consume resources while others go without raises disturbing questions of justice. It also highlights the way materialism seems to bankrupt our souls.

Meeting Jesus in the Bible

1 December 2012johnvissers

I have been trying to talk about what it means to bear witness to Jesus Christ in a secular age. But this begs an important question. Which Jesus and whose Christ?

Congregations Matter

1 November 2012johnvissers

As a denomination we’re beginning to understand in new ways that congregations matter and their existence cannot be assumed.

It Matters to Me

1 October 2012johnvissers

Nothing prepared me for the experience of sitting through the testimony of survivors of residential schools. I winced and I wept. It moved our church’s 1994 apology from my head to my heart.

Christ In All Generations

1 September 2012johnvissers

Our ministry with youth is nothing more and nothing less than a participation with them in what the triune God is doing, across cultures, across social and economic groups and across generations. It involves everyone.

Christ The Center

13 July 2012johnvissers

A few months ago a friend described Jesus Christ with these words, “His centre is everywhere, his circumference nowhere.” It wasn’t an entirely original thought, […]

Don’t Worry

1 June 2012rickhorst

I have found local congregations full of joy, while the “official” or political levels of our church seem to be fraught with worry.

Beautiful

1 May 2012rickhorst

The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same […]

God With Us

1 April 2012rickhorst

Our God is great, but He cares about the little things. How do you honour God?

Predictably Unpredictable

1 March 2012Rick Horst

We all know life can be hectic. Jesus knew it, too. Have churches and church leaders lost the gift of flexibility?

Cracked Cisterns

1 February 2012Rick Horst

Canadians used to take pride in their country’s reputation on the international stage. Today that pride seems to be harder to find. What’s happened to us?

Behind the Wall – SPECIAL: Moderator’s Trip to Israel-Palestine

1 January 2012conniepurvis

“Rick Horst emerges from a shepherd’s cave in Beit Sahour, near Bethlehem.” General Assembly doesn’t usually choose the destination for its Moderator’s international visit. But […]

Finding Forgiveness

1 December 2011Rick Horst

“Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, […]