Flourishing Congregations Institute
@fcinstitute.bsky.social
Interdisciplinary, ecumenical research centre, housed at Ambrose University. We research the Canadian Church, providing Canadian data for Canadian church leaders.
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Sam Reimer, “Self-Spirituality in your Church: Implications for Discipleship,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
Self-Spirituality in your Church: Implications for Discipleship
YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute
youtu.be
February 2, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Sam Reimer, “Self-Spirituality in your Church: Implications for Discipleship,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
Learn more about #Catholic #leadership in this fascinating Flourishing Forward article by Carol Ann MacGregor, Vice President Academic and Dean at St. Jerome's University.
Engaged Laity: A Case Study of a Certificate in Catholic Leadership – Flourishing Congregations Institute
Are you a leader who is Catholic or a Catholic leader? This is one of the fundamental questions for participants in the Certificate in Catholic Leadership program at St. Jerome’s University. This non-...
flourishingcongregations.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Learn more about #Catholic #leadership in this fascinating Flourishing Forward article by Carol Ann MacGregor, Vice President Academic and Dean at St. Jerome's University.
Many #evangelism programs leave believers with little confidence in how to engage the real people in their lives. The Message Canada's Everyday Witnesses conference takes a different approach.
Sign up for the Everyday Witness conference (March 7, 2026, Wycliffe College, Toronto) below.
Sign up for the Everyday Witness conference (March 7, 2026, Wycliffe College, Toronto) below.
Everday Witness Conference • Toronto
Equipping the Church for Evangelism Today
messagecanada.org
January 26, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Many #evangelism programs leave believers with little confidence in how to engage the real people in their lives. The Message Canada's Everyday Witnesses conference takes a different approach.
Sign up for the Everyday Witness conference (March 7, 2026, Wycliffe College, Toronto) below.
Sign up for the Everyday Witness conference (March 7, 2026, Wycliffe College, Toronto) below.
When it comes to #religion, #Canadian and #American young adults display a remarkable similarity on at least one point: they’re more interested in matters of #faith than previous generations. Find out why in this article by Ray Pennings, executive vice president and co-founder of Cardus.
Comparing Youth Engagement on Either side of the 49th – Flourishing Congregations Institute
When it comes to religion, Canadian and American young adults display a remarkable similarity on at least one point: they’re hungrier for transcendent truth and more interested in matters of faith tha...
flourishingcongregations.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Join Sam Reimer, Professor of Sociology at Crandall University, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book Caught in the Current. In this webinar, Reimer unpacks the central assumptions of self-spirituality, and how it affects #evangelical congregations.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Join Sam Reimer, Professor of Sociology at Crandall University, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book Caught in the Current. In this webinar, Reimer unpacks the central assumptions of self-spirituality, and how it affects #evangelical congregations.
#Mothers know something about God that can help shape a church’s approach to #mission. This article by Elizabeth Millar, Post Doctoral Research Fellow at Wycliffe College, proposes that what #women know about God through the practice of mothering can help shape a maternal #missiology.
How Mothering Can Inform the Mission of the Church – Flourishing Congregations Institute
Mothers know something about God that can help shape a church’s approach to mission. Based on my dissertation research where I look at the theology within maternal narratives, I propose that what wome...
flourishingcongregations.org
December 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
#Mothers know something about God that can help shape a church’s approach to #mission. This article by Elizabeth Millar, Post Doctoral Research Fellow at Wycliffe College, proposes that what #women know about God through the practice of mothering can help shape a maternal #missiology.
Discover how #Quebec’s historic #churches are being reimagined as vibrant public spaces in this article by Sam Victor, anthropologist and postdoctoral researcher at McGill University.
Sharing spaces, sharing visions: The ethics and politics of making Quebec’s churches public – Flourishing Congregations Institute
Across Canada, historic churches are closing their doors. In Quebec, the pace is accelerating as local dioceses struggle to reallocate funds for repair and maintenance amid the province’s aggressive f...
flourishingcongregations.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Angela Reitsma Bick, “The Spiritual Discipline of Deconstruction,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
youtu.be/r-1JlbpaC9I
youtu.be/r-1JlbpaC9I
The Spiritual Discipline of Deconstruction
YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Angela Reitsma Bick, “The Spiritual Discipline of Deconstruction,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
youtu.be/r-1JlbpaC9I
youtu.be/r-1JlbpaC9I
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Is you congregation really “egalitarian?" This thought-provoking article by Amy Vetter challenges leaders to rethink #church staff culture by creating an environment defined by mutual respect, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to gender #equity in voice, value, and opportunity.
Why Egalitarian Isn’t Good Enough: Rethinking Church Staff Culture – Flourishing Congregations Institute
Policy shifts from complementarian to egalitarian theology have opened the door for women to serve as pastors, yet many still struggle to fully flourish within church staff cultures. This article draw...
flourishingcongregations.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Explore the relationship between Christianity and culture in this video with James T. Robertson, Associate Professor of Christian History at Tyndale University. This video offers a nuanced look at how images of the divine reflect—and often reinforce—human narratives, sometimes in problematic ways.
Defending White Jesus
YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Explore the relationship between Christianity and culture in this video with James T. Robertson, Associate Professor of Christian History at Tyndale University. This video offers a nuanced look at how images of the divine reflect—and often reinforce—human narratives, sometimes in problematic ways.
How hospitable are #congregations to #pastors? Find out in this insightful article by Margaret Clarke Counselling Department Head and Assistant Professor of Couple and Family Therapy at Briercrest College and Seminary.
How Hospitable are Congregations to Pastors? – Flourishing Congregations Institute
How hospitable are congregations to pastors? Pastors are often central in extending care and hospitality in congregations. But they need to be recipients of care by their congregations too, not just t...
flourishingcongregations.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
How hospitable are #congregations to #pastors? Find out in this insightful article by Margaret Clarke Counselling Department Head and Assistant Professor of Couple and Family Therapy at Briercrest College and Seminary.
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Ross Lockhart, “Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City
YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Ross Lockhart, “Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
Our event is just a few days away, and there is still time to register. Join us on October 10 with Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for a #webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Our event is just a few days away, and there is still time to register. Join us on October 10 with Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for a #webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver.
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Curious about what helps #Canadian congregations flourish forward in ministry? Join Canadian researchers and #church leaders for four half-hour webinars on topics intended to help congregations flourish. Learn about the Flourishing Forward Webinar series and save your spot by visiting our website.
Upcoming Events – Flourishing Congregations Institute
flourishingcongregations.org
September 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
What stories do #congregations tell when confronted with transition and change? And what can other #churches learn in the process toward their own flourishing? Learn more in this fascinating article by Joel Thiessen, Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University.
Your church’s story – Flourishing Congregations InstituteBluesky
In this article, sociologist Joel Thiessen shares some great ideas from his recent research on how a church can tell and live its story for a dynamic future. This article was originally published by F...
flourishingcongregations.org
June 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
What stories do #congregations tell when confronted with transition and change? And what can other #churches learn in the process toward their own flourishing? Learn more in this fascinating article by Joel Thiessen, Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University.
What makes a great #church leader? Research shows that patience and intentionality are key. Discover why in this insightful video by Elizabeth Millar, Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research, Wycliffe College.
Two Good Habits of Canadian Christian Pastoral Leaders
YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute
youtu.be
June 2, 2025 at 4:42 PM
What makes a great #church leader? Research shows that patience and intentionality are key. Discover why in this insightful video by Elizabeth Millar, Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research, Wycliffe College.
Our webinar is just ONE WEEK AWAY, and there's still time to register. On May 29th (1:00PM ET), join Arch Wong, Professor of Practical Theology at Ambrose University, in a webinar featuring data from a recent national survey on #evangelism. Register now!
Events — Church Planting Canada
www.churchplantingcanada.ca
May 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Our webinar is just ONE WEEK AWAY, and there's still time to register. On May 29th (1:00PM ET), join Arch Wong, Professor of Practical Theology at Ambrose University, in a webinar featuring data from a recent national survey on #evangelism. Register now!
Is #Canada socialist? Check out this thought provoking, witty & professionally produced video by historian James Tyler Robertson who invites us to consider the role of the local #church in society a century ago … and today. youtu.be/TzAwuihLgC8
Is Canada Socialist?
YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute
youtu.be
May 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Is #Canada socialist? Check out this thought provoking, witty & professionally produced video by historian James Tyler Robertson who invites us to consider the role of the local #church in society a century ago … and today. youtu.be/TzAwuihLgC8
On May 29th (1:00PM ET), Arch Wong, Professor of Practical Theology at Ambrose University, will be hosting a webinar in partnership with Church Planting Canada. The webinar - "What Should Church Leaders Know About Evangelism?" - will feature data from a recent national survey on #evangelism.
Events — Church Planting Canada
www.churchplantingcanada.ca
May 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
On May 29th (1:00PM ET), Arch Wong, Professor of Practical Theology at Ambrose University, will be hosting a webinar in partnership with Church Planting Canada. The webinar - "What Should Church Leaders Know About Evangelism?" - will feature data from a recent national survey on #evangelism.
Interested in learning about co-vocational #pastors? Check out our most recent Flourishing Forward release by Dr. Rebeca Heringer, Co-Vocational Canada Researcher at Briercrest College and Seminary.
Co-Vocational Ministry in Canada: A Passion, An Enduring Challenge, and a Call for Action – Flourishing Congregations InstituteBluesky
How is co-vocational ministry being experienced across Canada? Data from Co-Vocational Canada Symposium reveals insights from denominational leaders, co-vocational practitioners, and academic leaders ...
flourishingcongregations.org
May 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Interested in learning about co-vocational #pastors? Check out our most recent Flourishing Forward release by Dr. Rebeca Heringer, Co-Vocational Canada Researcher at Briercrest College and Seminary.
Join #Christians from across #Canada at the 2025 NATIONAL MINISTRY MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT.
If you attend, you’ll hear Joel Thiessen present on normalizing (and stigmatizing) mental health and illness in congregations on Wednesday May 21st, 2025.
You can register for the summit here: lnkd.in/gY89zxA2
If you attend, you’ll hear Joel Thiessen present on normalizing (and stigmatizing) mental health and illness in congregations on Wednesday May 21st, 2025.
You can register for the summit here: lnkd.in/gY89zxA2
May 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Join #Christians from across #Canada at the 2025 NATIONAL MINISTRY MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT.
If you attend, you’ll hear Joel Thiessen present on normalizing (and stigmatizing) mental health and illness in congregations on Wednesday May 21st, 2025.
You can register for the summit here: lnkd.in/gY89zxA2
If you attend, you’ll hear Joel Thiessen present on normalizing (and stigmatizing) mental health and illness in congregations on Wednesday May 21st, 2025.
You can register for the summit here: lnkd.in/gY89zxA2