Unity in Division: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025
This isn’t about planning another event or ticking a box. It’s about listening to Jesus’ question: “Do you believe this?” Let that question guide you in the weeks ahead, and take this time to pray for the Church—not just your church, but the Church.
If you decide to participate in this year’s Week of Prayer, know you’re joining with believers across Canada and around the world who are praying for the same thing: unity in Christ. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll catch a glimpse of what that unity could look like.
The Preaching Collective Launching 2025
Whether you’re a first-time preacher or have years of experience under your belt, sermon preparation can feel isolating. It’s often just you, your Bible, and a blank page, with no one around to bounce ideas off or share the weight of the task. But imagine having a group of people who truly understand the highs and lows of preaching, ready to collaborate, encourage, and grow with you. How would that change your confidence, your message and your ministry?
If you can relate so far, we would love for you to consider applying to our Preaching Cohort launching in early 2025. Our Cohort begins with a focused weekend retreat that sets the stage for ongoing of collaboration, mentorship, and skill development. Keep reading to learn how you can get involved.
Online Church: Navigating the Challenges & Opportunities
While many ministry leaders initially embraced livestreaming as a necessity during the pandemic, questions linger about its role in a post-pandemic church. Does online worship weaken in-person attendance? Who benefits most from online church? And how does it align with the theological vision of “church”? Drawing from the latest research and cultural reflections, this post explores the complexities of online church and offers guidance for ministry leaders.
Leadership Fundamentals for Ministry
Every ministry leader, whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a volunteer leading a small group, has encountered moments where they felt stretched thin. Perhaps you’ve wrestled with how to navigate a conflict with a staff member or volunteer. Maybe you’ve struggled to make decisions with clarity and confidence, or you’ve wondered how to rebuild trust in a congregation that has experienced division.
These aren’t just practical problems; they’re spiritual ones too. As leaders in the church, we’re called to model Christ’s example—to lead with humility, grace, and truth. But without intentional development, these qualities can be hard to sustain in the face of daily pressures.
And because at Ministry Forum we believe no ministry leader should have to navigate these challenges alone - we’ve partnered with experts in leadership development to host a 5 week series on the Fundamentals of Leadership for Ministry Leaders. Through this series you’ll gain practical tools and encouragement to lead with authenticity and clarity.
A Fresh Start: How to Get the Most Out of Ministry Forum in 2025
As we step into a brand-new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect, refresh, and refocus on the work we’re called to do in ministry. Whether you’ve been connected with Ministry Forum for years or you’re just discovering us, we want to (re)introduce ourselves and share how we can support you in 2025 and beyond.
Our mission is simple: to equip, inspire, and provide what you need, when you need it. Ministry can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone—we’re here to walk alongside you.
Let Ministry Forum Lead Your Next Bible Study
Imagine offering your church a rich, interactive Bible study experience — without having to plan, prepare, or lead it yourself.
This winter, Ministry Forum is excited to offer The Bible Course from the Canadian Bible Society — an 8-session online Bible study that traces the grand narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. And here’s the best part: we do all the heavy lifting.
The Preaching Collective Launching 2025
Whether you’re a first-time preacher or have years of experience under your belt, sermon preparation can feel isolating. It’s often just you, your Bible, and a blank page, with no one around to bounce ideas off or share the weight of the task. But imagine having a group of people who truly understand the highs and lows of preaching, ready to collaborate, encourage, and grow with you. How would that change your confidence, your message and your ministry?
If you can relate so far, we would love for you to consider applying to our Preaching Cohort launching in early 2025. Our Cohort begins with a focused weekend retreat that sets the stage for ongoing of collaboration, mentorship, and skill development. Keep reading to learn how you can get involved.
8 News Year’s Resolutions for Ministry Leaders
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves pulled in multiple directions — pouring out our time, energy, and love for the sake of others. But as we enter a new year, it's a chance to pause, reflect, and ask: How is God inviting me to lead differently this year? Perhaps through that reflection one of these resolutions will resonate with you.
The Antiracism Course with Selam Debs
In our commitment to provide helpful resources and opportunities for personal growth, we are working with Selam Debs to offer her excellent Self-Led Antiracism Course to interested ministry leaders in our Ministry Forum audience and beyond. The more people who sign up - the more generous the subsidy. The course won’t be released until the late Spring, but we wanted to gauge your willingness to start or go deeper on your personal exploration of anti-racism.
Merry Christmas!
From all of us at Ministry Forum John, Rachel, Sara, Lauren and Mike, may you have a Merry Christmas when it comes and a very happy and healthy New Year!
Social Media for New Years
Preschedule a few social media graphics for the new year, or use them in an upcoming worship service. Here are some idea and images you can use for inspiration or download and use them as is.
Graphics for Christmas 2024
Some simple Christmas graphics you can use on social media, in your paper bulletins or on your worship screens.
A Case for Collaboration
If you're a minister, you know the phrase "Sunday's always coming." It's one of those fun phrases that remind us that no matter how great last Sunday was, you're always six days away from planning the next one. And even though music choice, scripture readings and prayer all require your attention, the piece that takes the most amount of time and energy every week is planning your sermon.
Christmas Eve Resources
Last year, we hosted the Easy Bake Christmas Eve Exchange where ministry leaders shared their little to no prep Christmas Eve service resources. We’ve opened access to that folder again this year, and shared all of the resources below just in case you are looking for something either for Christmas Eve or the Sunday after Christmas. If you have some favourites that you are willing to share freely with the community, let us know and we’ll add it to this post for others (maybe for this year, or for those who need ideas in years to come).
A Digital Detox for Advent: Rediscovering Presence in a Screen-Saturated World
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves at the center of a paradox. We strive to create spaces of connection and reflection, yet we too are vulnerable to the relentless pull of screens and notifications. Our congregations and youth—perhaps even we ourselves—may be longing for a reprieve from the constant hum of digital distraction. What better time to embrace a digital detox than during the season of Advent, a season that calls us to quiet expectation, intentional preparation, and deep reflection?
Advent, the season of waiting for the Light of Christ, invites us to slow down, to make space for what truly matters. It is an ideal time to step away from the noise of the digital world and foster meaningful connections with God, one another, and ourselves.
Retelling the Bible with Rev. Scott McAndless
If there’s one thing we know as ministry leaders, it’s that stories matter. They connect us, teach us, and reveal truths in ways no lecture ever could. Jesus himself taught in parables, captivating his listeners and helping them see God’s kingdom in ways they never expected. Our guest this week, this week on the Ministry Forum podcast - Rev. Scott McAndless has a gift for storytelling—something you can tell as soon as you hear him talk. On this own podcast - Retelling the Bible, he retells a biblical story in a way that makes you sit up and listen, almost as though you’re hearing it for the first time. But it’s not just a creative exercise. It’s about digging into scripture, exploring its richness, and letting it speak in ways that resonate deeply with today’s world.
Leadership Fundamentals for Ministry
Every ministry leader, whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a volunteer leading a small group, has encountered moments where they felt stretched thin. Perhaps you’ve wrestled with how to navigate a conflict with a staff member or volunteer. Maybe you’ve struggled to make decisions with clarity and confidence, or you’ve wondered how to rebuild trust in a congregation that has experienced division.
These aren’t just practical problems; they’re spiritual ones too. As leaders in the church, we’re called to model Christ’s example—to lead with humility, grace, and truth. But without intentional development, these qualities can be hard to sustain in the face of daily pressures.
And because at Ministry Forum we believe no ministry leader should have to navigate these challenges alone - we’ve partnered with experts in leadership development to host a 5 week series on the Fundamentals of Leadership for Ministry Leaders. Through this series you’ll gain practical tools and encouragement to lead with authenticity and clarity.
A Reflection on Clergy and Seminary Student Health
Recent studies have painted a sobering picture of clergy health. The Clergy Health Trends Report from the Duke Clergy Health Initiative, which spans 15 years of data on United Methodist clergy in North Carolina, reveals persistent challenges. Clergy experience significantly higher rates of chronic conditions such as obesity, asthma, and high cholesterol compared to the general population. Seminary students, too, face unique pressures that can disrupt their health routines, making these findings relevant not only for those currently serving but for those preparing for ministry.
Celebrating Diversity in Worship: Lessons from Nigerian Friends
I am extremely blessed to be part of a church that values music and diversity. One area of growth is in our Nigerian membership. About four times a year, we shift the worship to an intergenerational experience. On Sunday November 17, the worship was shaped around the gifts and stories from our Nigerian friends.
Breaking Down the Walls Between Age Groups
For years, churches have been built on a well-meaning strategy: dividing the community into specific age groups to meet their unique needs. It’s the norm in most churches — separate ministries for children, youth, young adults, seniors. It seemed logical and even beneficial at the time. After all, who better to relate to a teenager than another teenager? And wouldn’t seniors rather be with people who understand their stage of life? But over time, these well-intentioned efforts to focus on particular age groups have built something unintended: age silos.