An Open Letter To Pastors During Covid
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An Open Letter To Pastors During Covid

For a time such as this – a once in a century pandemic – you have been called by God as a minister of the Word and the sacraments. I can reassure you of this. Every word that you say to your people about Jesus and the Kingdom of God matters! Every action that you…

Our Christian witness during COVID-19
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Our Christian witness during COVID-19

“You’re invited to our drive-in service this Sunday with live outdoor preaching!”  Though that line would have made no sense to us a year ago, most Canadian churches have adapted to the restrictions aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19. But some church leaders remain adamant that “for the church to exist, it must gather”…

Business as Usual?
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Business as Usual?

With a fresh face mask for the day hanging off the gear shift, I worked my way through morning traffic heading to St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia. The radio crackled with an interview with a CEO from a large online shopping platform. With the echoes of an Old Testament prophet, he…

Songs of longing
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Songs of longing

How can Christians celebrate Christmas without singing?! In my own congregation, in a survey seeking wisdom on whether, when and how to worship in person again, one person confessed, “I’m not a good singer, but that is what I miss the most.” That comment touched my heart. God loves to hear our praises, and our…

The Doctrine We Never Discuss
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The Doctrine We Never Discuss

Do you remember discussions about free will and predestination? About total depravity or limited atonement? Should women hold church office? Should the church bless faithful, covenanted same-sex marriages?  I’ve been involved in discussions on all these topics, and although they’re important, as I get older, I think that there is a doctrine that should take…

Five church leaders I admire

Five church leaders I admire

For this leadership issue, Christian Courier asked a pastor to identify a few top church leaders of all time and explain. Pastor Mike Abma responded with the following thoughtful list.

Breaking illusions
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Breaking illusions

To be honest, whenever I hear someone say that he or she isn’t a conventional Pastor, I tend to cringe for what might come next. Not because I’m worried they’ll share too much but because I often leave disappointed in the lack of depth in their own transparency

Messy leadership
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Messy leadership

The United States is in a messy, some might say baffling, political season. Canada has just gone through one, although with less bewilderment.

Letter to my son, a new young elder

Letter to my son, a new young elder

Dear son, You are too young to be an elder! (Grin).