Books for Church Decline, Conflict and Seasons of Change
Decline, conflict, deconstruction, change… these can all be difficult seasons in the life of a congregation. If you’re in one of these seasons right now we’ve put together a list of books that might help - whether they give you some insight into what’s happening, give you hope for a brighter tomorrow, or just make you feel a little more seen in through this difficult period.
Self-Leadership with Rev. Dr. Peter Coutts
As a leader you’re often focused on others: guiding, supporting, mediating, vision casting to your congregation… But have you ever found yourself wondering, “Who’s guiding me?” It’s a question that many of us in ministry quietly carry, and it’s exactly why we worked with the Rev. Dr. Peter Coutts to develop a Self-Leadership course.
Strengthening Lay Leaders in Seasons of Decline and Transition
When a congregation is in a season of decline, or interim leadership - it can feel overwhelming. Where should we start? What should we focus on? Is there any hope to turn things around? These are big questions and we don’t promise to answer them in a single post, but the following might help shed a little light into a season of ministry that feels darker than usual…
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.
Retreating with Rev. Dr. Kristine O’Brien
This week on the podcast Rev. John Borthwick chats with Rev. Dr. Kristine O'Brien, the Executive Director of Crieff Hills Retreat Centre. Kristine reflects on her shift from congregational ministry to leading Crieff Hills, stressing how vital Sabbath rest and breaks (or "intermissions") are for avoiding burnout and sparking creativity in ministry. She talks about how taking intentional time for rest can refresh ministry leaders, helping them serve more effectively. Kristine also shares how Crieff Hills has evolved, now welcoming a variety of groups—from nonprofits to different faith traditions. The centre focuses on hospitality, spiritual renewal, and even innovative projects like ecological farming. This discussion highlights the importance of rest, creativity, and adaptability for healthy and thriving ministry.
Why you should say “yes” to going to that conference.
“Another event? More time away from the church, more cost, more travel?… is it really worth it?
The short answer is YES! conferences can be vital gatherings for your growth and sustainability in ministry — not just for the sessions and speakers, but for what can happens in between too! So, let’s talk about why attending conferences should be part of your ministry rhythm and why lifelong learning is a gift we sometimes forget to unwrap.
10 Ways to Make Friends in Ministry
Ministry Is Not a Solo Journey! Finding friends in ministry takes effort, but it’s worth it. Having people who understand and support you makes all the difference in sustaining a vibrant, faithful, and joyful ministry.
Loneliness and Isolation as a Ministry Leader
As ministry leaders, sometimes, sadly the Church is the last place that one might look for community.
So where is your community?
Who are your people?
Inspired by these thoughts today, I’d invite you to consider this question of community to curb loneliness and isolation as a ministry leader and in the context of the Church by exploring these suggested resources.
Finding Friends and Community on Facebook
Facebook Groups can offer more than just a distraction; they’re hubs where people from all over the world gather to share, support, and yes, befriend one another. Let’s look at how you can find (or create!) a group that will truly enrich your life and ministry—no sourdough starters required!
Pastoral Care for End-of-Life Ministry
Ministry leaders often find themselves walking alongside individuals and families in some of the most challenging seasons of life. Whether it's offering a listening ear, providing spiritual guidance, or simply being present, pastoral care—especially in the context of end-of-life situations—requires deep empathy and a range of skills that can be emotionally taxing. While caring for others is profoundly rewarding, it can also be draining and complex.
Catching the Spark
What an incredible kickoff to our Catching the Spark Bible Study series! Our Ministry Forum team couldn’t be more thrilled with how the first evening unfolded. Over 80 of you registered for the experience, and it was awesome to see the room with energy, curiosity, and a shared hunger to dig into Scripture together. Seeing such a diverse group—representing various denominations like Presbyterians, Mennonites, Anglicans, Pentecostals, United Church members, and a healthy group of non-denominationals as well - all coming together to study the Word of God was truly a blessing.
Knox Counselling Centre
Knox Counselling Centre provides a range of services, including individual, couple, family, and group counselling, all with a psychospiritual focus. This approach integrates psychological principles with spiritual exploration, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and relationship challenges. While rooted in the Christian academic context of Knox College, the Centre is inclusive and welcomes clients from all backgrounds—no religious or spiritual affiliation is necessary to access services.
Gearing up for the Holidays in Ministry
As ministry leaders gear up for the busy seasons of Advent and Christmas, it’s important to have resources that support both practical planning and spiritual nourishment. Here are some tools, guides, and ideas to help you prepare for a meaningful and engaging holiday season.
Church Mental Health Summit
Your church has the unique opportunity to be a place of purpose, belonging, and hope for your community.
You can reach the lost, the broken, the hurting. And you can be the best expression of Jesus to them. But how do you reach a lost world in need without understanding who they are?
Join the Church Mental Health Summit to better understand the needs in your community. What if free access to this summit made all the difference in reaching the lost?
Cultivating a Spirit of Gratitude in Your Congregation: Giving Thanks to God for Everyday Moments
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us pause to count our blessings and give thanks for the big things in life—family, friends, health, and provision. But gratitude can be so much more than a once-a-year reflection. It’s a spiritual practice that, when cultivated daily, deepens our awareness of God’s presence in the ordinary moments and fosters a spirit of joy and contentment within our communities.
So how can we help our congregations not only experience gratitude during Thanksgiving, but also nurture it as a daily spiritual discipline? Let’s explore some creative ways to guide your church into a habit of recognizing God’s goodness and expressing gratitude in every season.
Introducing: The Ministry Forum Podcast
Today the final piece in the puzzle that is Ministry Forum is dropped into place - The Ministry Forum Podcast. This will be an experiment for us to see what our audience most appreciates.
5 Tech Tools to Boost Efficiency in Ministry
5 practical tech tools that can handle those everyday challenges—like scheduling, writing, and content creation—so you can get back to what matters most: serving your people.
Getting Started with ChatGPT for Church Ministry: A Beginner’s Guide
In this guide, we’ll walk through how ChatGPT can become that helpful companion in your ministry, no matter how familiar—or unfamiliar—you are with technology. The good news is that it’s simpler than you think!
Truth and Reconciliation Through Worship
Worship is not just a time for praise but also for reflection, lament, and commitment. When we include elements of Truth and Reconciliation in our services, we:
Acknowledge the Church’s role and recognize the harm that has been done, particularly in the context of residential schools and colonialism, and taking steps toward healing.
Create Space for Lament, acknowledge the pain and suffering endured by Indigenous peoples, while offering prayers for healing and justice.
Celebrate Indigenous wisdom by incorporating Indigenous spirituality and cultural elements can enrich our understanding of God and creation.
Commit to Action as worship inspires and motivates us to take tangible steps toward reconciliation beyond Sunday morning.
Indigenous Stories Book Club
Starting an Indigenous stories book club in you church or small group is more than just adding another event to the calendar—it’s an opportunity for real transformation. As we listen to the experiences of Indigenous peoples through their own words, we begin to see our shared history in a new light. These books invite us into conversations that matter, challenging us to confront uncomfortable truths while offering a pathway to deeper understanding, empathy, and healing