In a prominent place on my study wall hangs a copy of Andrei Rublev’s 15th-century “Old Testament Trinity” icon, a gift from Henri Nouwen for my ordination. When Henri, a Dutch diocesan priest and prolific author, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at age 64 back in 1996, I lost a spiritual father. In the…
We were celebrating a significant milestone for a special friend. Around the lunch table we swapped “quirky stories about Betty” – like mini-eulogies without the funeral. A picture emerged of a kind-hearted, fun-loving, doggedly determined Christian. The showstopper came when her daughters spoke about an incident from their childhood that left an indelible imprint on…
Recently, I spoke with another pastor turned church leadership coach and consultant. Her observation about today’s pastors was strikingly simple: we expect them to do everything. She regularly coaches pastors struggling under the expectation that they become their church’s expert-of-all-trades. Preacher, shepherd, counsellor, strategist, administrator, conflict manager, staff leader, theologian, community leader – and whatever…
How do we turn our pain, our losses and disappointments around and allow God to reveal his greater purpose in them? We work hard, make our plans and try to put all the pieces together. We experience success and accomplishments, mixed with failures and disappointment and then, somewhere along the way, we learn that we…
I don’t normally think of myself as a Luddite, a name given to 19th century protestors who believed the mechanical looms being introduced into England threatened the jobs of skilled weavers and knitters. Nevertheless, I resisted purchasing a smartphone for as long as I could. I have owned personal computers since the late 1980s, and…
If you’re concerned about your child’s parenting style, you’re not alone. Here are a few ways to mitigate conflict in your relationship with your adult children and grandchildren.
My last memory of Philippe* is of him rushing towards the communion table too soon. Before the pastor had recited the requisite story and familiar prayers and issued the invitation. The rest of us remained in our pews waiting for the signal that we were welcome – Philippe didn’t wait. The congregation sat in silence…
The two women on the GO train looked annoyed when I explained they were sitting in a wheelchair-designated space. They huffed and muttered but took the stairs to the upper level of the train car while I turned to latch Janneke’s chair for the start of our trip. Let’s go to the Ex! In August,…
In case you haven’t heard (that’s a joke, of course you’ve heard), Alberta is holding a referendum this month. The most high-profile question Albertans are being asked concerns whether or not the Government of Alberta should initiate the legal process of holding a binding referendum on separating from Canada (whatever exactly that means; the Constitution…
Personally, I am not a wilderness person. I am scared of the big country, can’t hike because of age and inclination, and don’t want to shoot a moose or bear. I like to see them move through our fields, forest and fen when they are not causing problems for the garden or chicken coop. I…
When I started telling people about my engagement to Derek, all that joy felt out of place. The start of 2026 was a precarious time. It seemed as if every month, Meghan and I were editing a news story on a country Trump had threatened or invaded. Several international friends made plans to travel to…
You could say it all started here in Halifax: the Canadian arm of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), that is. After World War II, most of the Dutch immigrants who founded the CRC in Canada arrived by boat at Pier 21. But if you visit Halifax this fall, you’ll no longer find a CRC. Today,…
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