Episode #63 – Blayne Banting – Spiritual Formation for the Small Church
Blayne Banting currently works at Briercrest College and Seminary. Over the years he has explored spiritual formation from the perspective of a small church pastor.
Episode #59 – Taylor Croissant – Can Canadian Denominations Survive?
Taylor Croissant serves as United Church minister in Lethbridge, Alberta. He has been concerned that denominations in Canada need to take a hard look at how they work – and if they work!
• Introducing Taylor Croissant. (0:00)
• In the final year of my studies, we had an exchange program with our sister college in South Korea. (3:17)
• Two Hills was the best place for him to work. (5:06)
• The impact of the pandemic on the United Church of Christ’s governance structure. (9:26)
• What would a full organic union look like? (11:57)
• How much authority does the church give to governing bodies? (15:33)
• How do you see a federation and groups that are outside the federation but nevertheless contributing to the federation? How would you see that working? (17:49)
• The issue that separates people within Canada is LGBTQ. (22:24)
• Worship style is going to be another thing that separates people out in Korea. (24:08)
Episode #58 – Ron Johnston – Small Church Network Launches
Ron Johnston, director of Small Church Connections, outlines the new Small Church Network that launches on June 2, 2023
Episode #55 – Wayne Neumiller – Second Time Around
Wayne Neumiller has served a small church in Irma, Alberta – two times! Returning to the same church has meant assessing the viability of a return and preparing for a succession. Practical and principled advice is given by Wayne.
Episode #54 – Calvin Andringa – Fresh and ready to go!
Calvin Andringa is the pastor of Tofield Alliance Church, a small church just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. He has served the church for the last 30 years and has learned some valuable lessons. Calvin shares these thoughts with humility, vision and passion.
Episode #53 – Keith Shields – Small Church Networks are possible
Can small churches use networks to provide sustainability and vitality? Keith Shields tells of three networks that he has studied recently in Canada. These groups of churches (small groups or small churches) have shown another model for church in the 2020’s.
Episode #52 – Rick Heimstra and Lindsay Callaway – Significant Churches
Rick Heimstra and Lindsay Callaway have just completed the final report on the Canadian Evangelical Small Church Survey taken over these past few years. There findings are both predictable and unseen. In this episode we discuss a number of those findings.
Episode #51 – David Bradford – Why bother with the community?
David Bradford has been pastor at the Brooks Alliance church since 2011. One of his great loves is seeing the church reach into their community. David offers practical advice along with principles that will steer a small church into community outreach
Episode #50 – Kevin Driver – Newcomers, welcoming communities and small churches
Kevin Driver is a pastor in Banff, Alberta – one of the most diverse towns in Canada. He speaks to working with newcomers to Canada, integrating cultures into church life, and generally being the church to all nations.
Episode #49 – Paul Warnock – Rest and Relax
Paul Warnock serves as a transitional pastor in Alberta, Canada. His observations and insights on pastoral rest and relaxation come from a rich history. The healthy pastor is the best leader of their congregation. Without rest and relaxation the pastor falls apart and the congregation may follow.