Saturday, June 1, 2024

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

A one-day conference designed to spark innovation in how we do and be Church in today's context.

Kicking off the event, we're thrilled to welcome Brady Shearer from Pro Church Tools, an energetic Canadian church influencer, for a rare keynote on mission-centric creativity through social media. This will be followed by an insightful interview with Kevin Coghill of Royal City Mission in Guelph, ON, a beacon of community-focused ministry in Guelph, Ontario.

After lunch, we'll dig into the theology of land and church buildings, hearing from those who use their buildings to connect with the communities around them and from a church growing through small groups meeting across the city.

We'll end the day with a compilation of stories and videos from churches and ministry groups across Canada doing and being church in new and creative ways—come be inspired!

Keynote:
The 1-Page Church Social Media Plan

Brady Shearer, Creator of Pro Church Tools. Helping churches navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years

More About Brady Shearer

Tickets

In Person Tickets: $75/person
Online Tickets: $25/person
Note: Meals and accommodation will be your responsibility.

                   Buy Your Ticket Today                   

*For General Assembly Commissioners: Accommodation and extra meal costs are the responsibility of those who will be attending this event. An invoice will be sent to those individuals for these costs following the Assembly. For those commissioners from presbyteries eligible to fly, they will be accommodated on Saturday night and for breakfast at the Assembly’s expense.  Anyone coming in on Friday will be charged for accommodation and breakfast.

Creative Speakers & Leaders

Kevin Coghill, Executive Director and Pastor at Royal City Mission.

We’ll interview Kevin Coghill and hear about the history of Royal City Mission and how they’ve remained steadfast in their mission through challenges and changing landscapes.

Royal City Mission offers a welcoming space, sheltered from the elements and serve over 1,800 meals a week to those who need it. They are a church of community, serving community. Committed to relationship building, justice and beauty.

Here is what Kevin has to say about the church - Mission is who we are; a faith-based organization engaging in downtown life. Guelph is known as the ‘Royal City’ and we embrace being a hub of connection in this city. We partner with individuals, businesses, churches, and community groups from across this beautiful city.

Learn More About Royal City

David Kupp PhD. BA. MA., Research Fellow at Wycliffe College

David Kupp will present ReImagining Church, Land & Community – an emerging dialogue. Together many of us want to change the narrative of decline around Canada’s church lands and properties, into storylines about redeveloping church assets for flourishing neighbourhoods and urban wellbeing.

Thousands of churches closed in Canada over the last 10 years; many disappearing to the private market. In the next 10 years many more churches will redevelop, sell or close.  Some church properties are underutilized; other congregations are awakening to possibilities for justice and partnership within their neighbourhoods. Many of these church transitions have occurred without adequate theological reflection. A new coalition – Reimagining Church, Land and Community, facilitated by Tim Dickau and David Kupp, is calling denominations into dialogue with each other. And with other stakeholders – urban organizations, municipal planners, Indigenous groups, non-profits, artists, housing agencies. Numerous voice from the PCC world are involved. So how might we redevelop our urban spiritual spaces with their existing assets of bricks, mortar, and land? As various pressures force churches across the country to reconsider their properties and building assets, this is also an opportunity to think more deeply and theologically about our relationships on and to the land, and with each other.

Location

Wilfrid Laurier University - Bricker Academic Building
27 Bricker Ave, Waterloo,
Upstairs BA 201

 

Schedule

  • Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for registration, refreshments and mingling.

  • The One Page Social Media Plan - Brady Shearer, Creator of Pro Church Tools. Helping churches navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years

  • Discover impactful ways to engage and serve your local community from Kevin Coghill, who helped transform his church into a thriving mission-centered community hub.

  • Please visit one of the great spots around the University for lunch.

  • Together many of us want to change the narrative of decline around Canada’s church lands and properties, into storylines about redeveloping church assets for flourishing neighbourhoods and urban wellbeing. Thousands of churches closed in Canada over the last 10 years; many disappearing to the private market. In the next 10 years many more churches will redevelop, sell or close. Some church properties are underutilized; other congregations are awakening to possibilities for justice and partnership within their neighbourhoods. Many of these church transitions have occurred without adequate theological reflection. A new coalition – Reimagining Church, Land and Community, facilitated by Tim Dickau and David Kupp, is calling denominations into dialogue with each other. And with other stakeholders – urban organizations, municipal planners, Indigenous groups, non-profits, artists, housing agencies.

  • Discussion with Leaders from Two Rivers Church Engage in conversation about the dynamics of home churches and small groups, exploring their roles in nurturing personal connections and spiritual growth within the church body.

  • Be inspired by stories from churches of all sizes across Canada, demonstrating how they are embodying the hands and feet of Jesus in both grand and modest ways.

Food

Walking Distance

  • Location: 185 King St N
    A Place to Meet With F-R-I-E-N-D-S Authentic Flavoured Indian Street Food

    View the Menu

  • Location: 210 King St N

    Osmow's Shawarma
    Mucho Burrito
    Papa Johns
    Mr. Puff’s
    Rosel’s flavours for life
    Juicy Birds
    Noon Moment

  • Location: 238 King St N

  • Location: 247 King St N

    Starbucks
    Church’s
    Philthy Phil’s
    Menchies
    Booster Juice
    Arcade Bar
    Fresh Burrito
    Twisted Indian
    Mozy’s Shawarma

    The building just beside this plaza (253 King St N) includes:

    Gino’s Pizza
    Gyubee Japanese Grill
    GongCha
    Burger Factory
    Sultans(Mediterranean)
    Penny’s
    Potluck(Caribbean)

    Plaza B Location: 255 King St N

    Melt “wich”
    The Poke Box
    Subway
    Freshii
    Galito’s
    Chatime
    Fat Bastard Burritos
    The Chef Signature
    Later Pizza
    Thai Express
    The Owl of Minerva
    Lazeez Shawarma
    Smokes Poutine

    Plaza C), 258 King St N, includes:

    Kim’s Kitchen
    Burrito Boyz
    214 Pizza
    The China Bowl

  • Location: 272 King St N
    About: We are proud of the many unique homemade items on our menu like the daily soup, panzerottis, pizzas, 10oz burgers, lasagna and of course chicken wings. We consistently strive to deliver a memorable and fun experience with great food and service. Three decades later we are still an independent family-owned business.

    View Menu

  • Location: 109 King St N
    There are several Tim Horton’s locations close by, this is the closest option.

  • Location: 27 University Ave
    View the Menu

  • Location: 31 University Ave
    View the Menu

  • Location: 33 University Ave
    View the Menu

Driving Distance

  • Location: 185 King St N
    12 Minute Walk


    Mel’s Diner
    Onnuri Korean Fusion
    MoMo Kimbap and Japanese Noodles
    Machi Machi Bubble Tea
    Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle’s
    Asakusa Ramen
    IPHO Vietnamese Cuisine
    Burger King

  • Location: 65 University Ave
    12 Minute Walk

    Tim Hortons
    Wings Up
    Guac
    Boardwalk
    Crabby Joe’s
    Papa Panchos

  • Location: 183 Weber St
    12 Minute Walk

    lunch and breakfast eatery

  • Location: 238 Weber S
    t15 minute walk

  • Location: 85 University Ave
    15 minute walk

  • Location: 85 University Ave
    15 minute walk

  • Location: 170 University Ave
    16 minute Walk

    Aunty’s Kitchen
    CluckClucks Chicken & Waffles
    Shawerma Plus
    Dagu Hot Pot
    D Spot Desserts
    Yummy Chongqing
    Subway
    Shinwa Asian Cuisine

  • Location: 75 King St. S.
    18 minute walk

    Beertown
    Z-teca
    Watami Sushi
    McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill
    Empress of India
    The Works
    Starbucks
    The Duke of Wellington

Promotional Materials

Help up promote Creative Ways to your congregation or group.

Poster

Download and print the colour poster to hang in your office or around your church.

Size: 8.5 X 11

Download the PDF
Download the PNG

Email

Download the image of your chose and use the suggested text below to include in your congregational email.

Download the Horizontal PNG
Download the Square PNG

Suggested Text:

Pre-Assembly Conference Saturday, June 1st A one-day conference designed to spark innovation in how we do and be Church in today's context featuring Canadian church influencer Brady Shearer from Pro Church Tools and more! Learn More and Register

Slides

Download either the multi or single slide images to use in Power Point or other presentations software on Sunday mornings.

Download the single-slide option

Download the multi-slide option
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4

In Person Announcement Suggested Script:

Have you ever wondered what the future of our church might look like? Well, here’s a chance not just to wonder, but to actively engage and shape it!

On Saturday, June 1st, you’re invited to a pre-assembly conference called Creative Ways: Being Church Today. This unique event is designed to bridge the richness of our traditions with the innovative practices that today’s world demands.

We'll kick off the day with an inspiring keynote from Church Influencer Brady Shearer of Pro Church Tools—a rare opportunity to hear from a leading voice in church and social media. Following Brady, we'll delve into stories from communities like Royal City Mission and Two Rivers Church - both in Guelph, Ontario.

The day will also include a discussion around church building and innovations and a round up of us creative ways large and small churches are reaching their communities across Canada.

Whether you join in person or connect online, this conference is an opportunity to see how vibrant and adaptive our faith can be. Let’s come together to discuss, discover, and decide how we can continue to make our faith meaningful in a rapidly changing world.

For more details or to register visit ministryforum.ca

Single Slide

Multi-Slide (4)