Love the purpose, not the method. It is natural for church communities to reflect carefully on changes to worship methods, i.e., the order of service, music style, the building, etc., especially when it involves introducing something new, like a television screen, on the chancel. As ministers and congregants strive to foster deeper engagement with the…

Why We Feel Stuck We feel stuck because we believe what our senses and our self-made stories tell us. Our senses present us with appearances of reality. These appearances are powerful; they feel immediate, concrete, and undeniable. Add to this the stories our mind creates, stories of who we are, what we need, what others…

This week, I was asked a question by a church member who is unable to attend a New Church congregation: “Is it possible to meaningfully participate in Holy Supper at a local church that doesn’t offer traditional elements of bread and wine?” To answer that question, it is useful to ask yourself what matters more:…

If your reading of the WORD is not radically transforming your Life, you’re reading it wrong! A core principle of reading God’s revelation is recognising that the images and representatives, whether men and women, places, objects, or other biblical figures, are not the final reality, but tools pointing us to spiritual truths. When we become…

Barriers to Self-Improvement Self-improvement is at the heart of spiritual life in the New Christian tradition. The Lord’s call is not simply to adopt outwardly moral behaviours, but to engage in real inner work, examining ourselves through the light of the Word, humbly acknowledging our errors, and turning to Him for regeneration. Yet, anyone who…

There is no requirement to make yourself “better,” reach a certain standard of behaviour or attain a supposed worthiness before you come to the Lord. Within the church, the concept of “act precedes and willing follows” is used as a way of expecting conformity to a standard of behaviour in order to be acceptable or…

As Canada Day approaches, we have the perfect moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of loving our country. The New Church views true love for one’s country as much more than outward celebrations or blind allegiance. Real patriotism, from this perspective, is fundamentally spiritual: it involves loving our neighbour, setting aside selfishness, and infusing…

Recognising the Self While Living the Word The path of spiritual growth is marked by self-discovery and humility, particularly as we strive to live the Word in the inner life of our minds. One of the most profound aspects of the New Christian journey is coming to recognise the distinction between heavenly states given by…

Open the Door – Signs of Spiritual Growth In a world that is increasingly divisive and angry with its neighbours, it is essential to turn back to something higher, something unchanging, so we can regain our bearings and strive to move forward in a healthier direction. When moving forward in new ways or pursuing spiritual…

Living Experience of Truth A person cannot be taught so well by description but by living experience (AC n.892) The idea that a person learns best through real-life experiences rather than just descriptions is a significant concept, especially in both natural and spiritual education. In the context of New Church beliefs, there is a crucial…