small church pastor – Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre

Episode #70 – Brian Siewert – Thou shalt love the rural church

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

Episode #67 – Sam Reimer – Small Churches Caught in the Current

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.

Episode #66 – Robbie Kelly – Calling, community, and transitions in a small church

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.

Episode #65 – Sweiss Ubels – Small Church Community Popups work

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.

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 #62 – Wendy Kittlitz – Why Clergy Care and Kerith Retreats?

Wendy Kittlitz oversees both the Clergy Care efforts of Focus on the Family Canada as well as the Kerith Retreat Centres run by Focus on the Family. In this episode she touches on some of the following (with some help from Zoom AI companion): Pandemic Challenges and Self-Care for Frontline Leaders: Ron and Wendy discussed …

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Episode #61 – Matt and Sue Craig – Welcoming newcomers – stupid things we do and wise things we can do

Matt and Sue Craig minister in a small church in the Toronto area. What once was a predominantly white caucasian area has become a multiplicity of cultures. Hospitality is vital, respect of others and listening carefully are a vital part of ministry to a world culture.

Episode #60 – Kyle Boone – Small churches are affected by Domestic Abuse

Kyle Boone is a pastor in the town of Hamden, Ohio. He has done extensive research into the effect of domestic abuse pertaining to small church ministry. Statistically one in four church attendees will have been in a domestic abuse situation. Do you know how to recognize this and effectively minister in this situation. Hear what Kyle has to say.

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.