Category: Congregation

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Is Canada Socialist?

Why is Canada known as a Dominion and not a Kingdom? Did the Social Gospel movement ruin Canadian Christianity? In this video, James Tyler Robertson briefly discusses such questions from the vantage point of Canadian Protestantism at the dawn of the twentieth century. In a time when the church was vital in forming the policies and ideas that would define the nation during that century, Dr. Robertson explores whether or not such concerns validate present-day claims that Canada has become too socialist for its own good.

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The Stories Congregations Tell: Flourishing Forward Webinar 

This is a recording of a webinar related to our book, The Stories Congregations Tell: Flourishing in the Face of Transition and Change. This webinar includes two of the authors, Arch Wong and Joel Thiessen, and three practitioners including Sarah Han, Linda Nicholls, and Father James Mallon. This webinar was originally hosted on April 1st, 2025.

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Three Practices to Unlock Hidden Potential in Preaching 

This video, hosted by Rev. Dr. Sara Han, explores how preaching can ignite a transformational spark by helping listeners actualize their eternal identity in Christ. Drawing from coaching principles like unlocking potential, looking forward, and co-active journeying, this talk equips leaders to disciple others into deeper spiritual growth and lasting transformation. 

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Lessons from Christian witness in Vancouver

Dr. Ross Lockhart shares highlights from his recent research project studying 14 Christian communities in Vancouver, British Columbia where the major of the city’s population now identifies as having “no religion.”  Lockhart provides a summary of his findings with suggestions on areas for pastoral leaders to focus on in order to connect with their secular neighbour.

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Not Dead Yet: Is the Decline of the Canadian Church a Myth?

There is increasing handwringing about the decline of the Canadian Church, but an analysis of our reconciled Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) dataset suggests the story is less bleak and more complex. This blog charts a decade of pre-Covid changes in net churches and charitable giving in eleven major Christian traditions. We find stories of decline, stability, and growth; and discover evidence that losses in congregations may not lead to equivalent losses in denominational engagement.

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New Congregations in Canada

This video, hosted by Dr. James Watson, offers an overview of the creativity of God in calling new congregations into being within Canada. Models, expressions of worship, and cultural implications for our multicultural society are described. Implications for all churches within Canada are explored from a pastoral and missional perspective.

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