Martin Luther and All Hallow’s Eve
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Martin Luther and All Hallow’s Eve

In a remote corner of my college office sits two full shelves of ‘tacky religious merchandise.’ Surprisingly, I have not purchased a single item of the collection ranging from the rubber ducky nativity set to the John Calvin bobble head doll. Instead, I simply curate the odd assortment of items that friends and fellow faculty members bring back from their treks around the world. Instead of gold, frankincense or myrrh, these wise men and women present their gifts to me andwait to see whether they will be deemed trick, treat or just plain tacky.

Growing Faith
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Growing Faith

The telephone rang in the midst of a busy day at the college, jarring my attention away from grading papers. I recognized the voice of the caller right away as my friend Rev. Victor Kim, pastor at Richmond Presbyterian Church in Richmond, B.C.

“Hi Ross,” he said. “I’m putting together a Friday night program next month for the families in our church and I wondered if you would be free to come out and speak on Christian parenting?” The question caught me off guard as I am used to presenting to local churches on topics in my theological wheelhouse – missional theology, church leadership, evangelism and preaching.

O Cannabis!
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O Cannabis!

Assuming the Senate doesn’t hold up the process in Ottawa, on July 1, 2018, pot smoking will be legal for recreational use beyond the system already in place for medical marijuana. O Cannabis! In many ways this is the logical next step in a long march toward social values that focus on freedom of the will and self-determination

To the Ends of the Earth
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To the Ends of the Earth

Tanzania was the perfect place to host this latest gathering of the CWME with its theme, “Moving in the Spirit: Called to Transforming Discipleship.” The vibrancy and diversity of the Christian church and its witness in Africa was evident to the 1,000 participants who gathered to worship the Triune God, participate in study of God’s Word, hear from inspiring plenary and workshop speakers, discuss and debate the concepts of mission and evangelism and affirm the “Arusha Call to Discipleship.”