Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre
Resourcing Small Churches
Dana Friesen is a writer based in Guelph, Ontario. She shares her personal experiences with dementia in her family and gives practical advice for small churches based on her research of over 200 Canadian churches. The challenges faced by small churches are explored along with the importance of community and relationships, and the need for …
Continue reading “Episode #82 – Dana Friesen – Out of Sorts in the Small Church”
Joanna La Fleur serves with Alpha Canada and also has her own ministry called “The Word Made Digital”. Joanna emphasizes the pervasive nature of digital technology in modern life, likening it to the water we swim in, and highlights the need for self-awareness and learning how to navigate these digital waters effectively. She also acknowledged …
Continue reading “Episode #77 – Joanna la Fleur – Digital Age imperatives for the small church”
Cheryl Ann Beals serves as Director of Zozo Center for Soul Care located in the Maritimes of Canada. In her work she is dedicated to helping leaders experience the fulness of Jesus through their own soul care. With this depth of experience the leader is than able to lead others into a great encounter with Jesus. The witness of this abundant life expands into relationships around the leaders – bringing Jesus into the community and the world.
Alison Witt works with refugees, particularly in the Hamilton area. She also serves with a Canadian refugee assistance institution called IAFR. Her insight into the compassion ministry of small churches reaching out to refugees is well worth the listen.
Refugee ministry with a focus on ESL support and personal stories.
0:15
Refugee housing and support in Hamilton, Ontario.
5:23
How churches can help refugees in Canada through home hosting and affordable rentals.
12:18
Refugee ministry challenges and opportunities for small churches.
18:49
Embracing newcomers and refugees in small churches.
25:15
Brian Siewert is the pastor of a small rural church in Onoway, Alberta. He works with a rural church hub collective in Western Canada. His own experiences gives a personal touch to the love of the rural church.
Rural church ministry and family faith development.0:00
Small church significance and rural ministry.4:39
The strengths and challenges of rural churches in Canada.8:59
Resource challenges in rural churches.14:00
Challenges facing rural churches and pastors.19:04
The challenges and solutions for rural church leaders.24:45
• The tendency to overlook the gospel’s impact on daily life. 0:15
• The relevance of the gospel in a secular society. 5:32
• The role of the church in a changing society. 10:28
• Small churches, relationships, and proclaiming the gospel. 14:35
• Church growth and ministry challenges in Canada. 18:16
• Small church ministry and humility. 22:43
Small churches, Jesus, and community outreach in the UK. (0:08)
Small churches in the UK and Canada, with a focus on spiritual openness and hunger. (2:28)
Rethinking church structures and meeting in non-traditional spaces. (7:48)
Non-traditional church spaces and evangelism strategies. (13:30)
Revitalizing small churches with aging congregations. (16:13)
The importance of prayer and discipleship in Christian movements. (20:51)
Encouraging risk-taking in small church ministry. (25:58)
Sam Reimer has just completed a research book called – Caught in the Current: British and Canadian evangelicals in an age of self-spirituality. Reimer speaks to self-discovery and identity in a changing society – with the locus of authority changing from external to internal (religion of the heart). Included is a discussion on the place of denominations in Canada, the turn towards Holy Spirit direction, and the inner voice of the heart taking the place of the external voice of God.
Robbie Kelly pastors at the Celebration Church in Brantford, Ontario. He has lived through a pandemic, a church facility move and a senior leadership upheaval in the past few years. The transitions have come back to flourishing through community.
Sweis serves in the Maritimes of Canada – an area that his seen more than it’s share of diversity and despair. His church worked towards helping the community while spreading the Gospel of Jesus.