For over 30 years Norm has directed Touchstone Ministries offering encouragement and teaching friendship in Christ among business, political and spiritual leaders. His mission has been to develop ever-expanding circle of friends who are committed first and foremost to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind and strength. He has been used to nurture a family of leaders whose desire is that their identity is in Christ and their leadership emerges from this.
This first reflection begins with 76 years of my rich family history and 40 fruitful years of spiritual exploration that produced the entity we call Touchstone – offering encouragement, and teaching friendship in Christ among leaders in the business, political, arts, and spiritual marketplaces.
7 Feb 2024
Introduction: Introducing a Series of Reflections on 40 Years of Spiritual Friendship
Pop the corks & pass the butter tarts; June 2024 will mark Touchstone’s 40th birthday.
1984. That year, Apple launched the McIntosh, its first consumer computer; the brand-new video game Tetris was released; then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced his resignation; and a group of friends empowered me to start what would become Touchstone.
Over the past four decades, Touchstone grew into a ministry that offers, encourages, and teaches friendship in Christ among leaders in the business, political, arts, and spiritual marketplaces.
Over the years, friends and colleagues encouraged me to write about my spiritual journey as it has woven together with Touchstone’s. After contemplating this for some time, I realized that I have a storeroom of treasures that ought not to be archived or stowed away, rather, they are tools, treasures, which I’ve brought out again and again, to help people who are part of our community.
This Introduction will serve as the first of several chapters recounting that story, which will be released in podcast and blog formats over the coming six months, culminating in a digital book and print version.
It will also lead up to Touchstone’s 40th Birthday Party on June 9th, 2024, when we will celebrate the Touchstone years one last time. And, you’re all invited.
23 Mar 2023
On Further Reflection-Celebrating A Community and Church Without Walls
Welcome to another of our sporadic and intermittent “On Further Reflections with Norm Allen.” I’m Norm Allen and with me is ErInn Oxford, the executive director of The Dale Ministries. I’m excited to have Erinn with us today, because we’ve been friends for 12 years or something like that, and I have been friends with her husband Dion for longer - but we share ministry in the city, and ministry to people who have needs – I’m on one side of the street - and Erinn is working a different side of the street, with a different kind of person in her enclave in Parkdale.
22 Feb 2023
On Further Reflection-Violence is the Sound Pain Makes
Welcome to another of our occasional and sporadic video blogs. Today I’m delighted to have Stacey Campbell with me - CEO of Prison Fellowship Canada.
20 Oct 2021
Sowing Seeds Of Peace In This Angry, Anxious And Grieving Time
I’ve been thinking about the context in which we’re living at the moment, and the fear, anxiety and anger that seems to be part of our whole cultural experience.
This is a conversation I shared with two people who are very close to me. Dr. Ken Derksen who is close to me - maybe because he’s my neighbour and my doctor. We share our journey in Christ together. He’s also a board member on one of the larger churches in our area.
Heidi Allen is - has the misfortune for several decades to be my daughter. She’s a graduate of Western University in Music, a graduate of Regent College in Theological Studies, and has a degree now in Psychotherapy, so she has her own psychotherapy practice.
12 May 2021
On Further Reflection - The Psalms As Stepping Stones from Darkness Part 2
Today, my friend Mike Janzen – musical artist, writer and composer - and I are going to discuss his new two-volume Psalms project. It’s not just the Psalms project that is of interest, but also because it’s an expression of his journey out of darkness into light as part of his recovery from a concussion injury that he suffered 5 years ago.
29 Apr 2021
On Further Reflection - The Psalms As Stepping Stones From Darkness With Mike Janzen (Part 1)
Today, my friend Mike Janzen – musical artist, writer and composer - and I are going to discuss his new two-volume Psalms project. It’s not just the Psalms project that is of interest, but also because it’s an expression of his journey out of darkness into light as part of his recovery from a concussion injury that he suffered 5 years ago.
16 Jul 2020
On This Journey Together With Hugh Brewster
A conversation with Hugh Brewster
29 Apr 2020
On Further Reflection - Jean Vanier Story
Well, hello there – it’s Norm Allen here with another of our sporadic “On Further Reflections with Norm Allen” series of podcasts and videos. Today, I’ve invited a close friend of mine of long, long-standing, Ron Nikkel, to engage in conversation about the news that we received back in the middle of February about the double-sided life that Jean Vanier had, and the L’Arche International movement had to pay for an agency to do an investigation of complaints against him about sexual misconduct with women that he had been in a counselling relationship with.
9 Mar 2020
On Further Reflection - Transitions Conversation With Pekka Varvas
A conversation with a friend about transitions experienced on the journey
4 Dec 2019
Touchstone - Advent Blog
Advent season’s greetings to you as we launch this latest edition of “On Further Reflection with Norm Allen” in video, audio and written versions. I am going to offer some thoughts about Advent as we have these twenty-four days in December before Christmas Day. I’m going to be answering some questions from a friend of mine who will remain anonymous, which will help the conversation.
18 Nov 2019
The Opposite Of Faith Is Ingratitude
An audio transcript of Norm's new video blog-The Opposite of Faith in Ingratitude. A conversation about the 10 lepers.
10 Jun 2019
Mary.Martha Are Us.WAV
Mary.Martha Are Us.WAV by Norm Allen
23 May 2019
Come Have Breakfast.WAV
Come Have Breakfast.WAV by Norm Allen
8 Apr 2019
Speaking With Jesus Person To Person
A reflection on Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well.
18 Feb 2019
Stories Shape our Lives
A thoughtful reflection from the Gospel of Luke.
18 Jan 2019
Jesus Teaches us to Pray
Welcome to "On Further Reflection with Norm Allen". We plan for this to be a monthly blog & podcast providing in-depth reflections on lessons we’ve learned over our years of the practice of Spiritual Friendship. Over the next few months in these “On Further Reflections”, I will explore conversations that Jesus had with people like us to help us better understand how we can have conversations with him, his Father and the Spirit.
27 Nov 2018
Rest, Silence And Stillness
Welcome to "On Further Reflection with Norm Allen". We plan for this to be a monthly blog & podcast providing in-depth reflections on lessons we’ve learned over our years of the practice of Spiritual Friendship. Over the next few months in these “On Further Reflections”, I will explore conversations that Jesus had with people like us to help us better understand how we can have conversations with him, his Father and the Spirit.
Contact On Further Reflection with Norm Allen
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of On Further Reflection with Norm Allen?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
