Celebrating 1 Year of MinistryForum.ca
One year ago, MinistryForum.ca launched with a mission to connect, resource, and support ministry leaders across Canada. It has been a year filled with growth, encouragement, and connection as we’ve built up this online community - spaning all aspects of ministry work. As we reflect on this milestone, we’re filled with gratitude for the way Ministry Forum has become a space where ministry leaders can find trusted resources, share insights, and celebrate our diverse faith journeys together! THANK YOU Ministry Forum Community!
Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished in our first year!
150 Web Posts
Since launching, we’ve published 150 blog-style posts on topics that matter deeply to ministry leaders—ranging from pastoral care and preaching to practical ministry tips, trends, and leadership. Every post is created with you in mind, we hope these posts have provided you with inspiration and practical insights for your work. It’s been inspiring to hear from readers who have found guidance, encouragement, and fresh ideas in these articles.
43 Notes of Encouragement from YOU
We’ve received 43 notes of encouragement from the Ministry Forum community sharing how being a part of this community has shaped or impacted their ministry. Whether it’s a simple “thank you” or a story about how a resource, article, or event made a difference, these messages fuel our commitment to serving this community. We’ve kept every note and posted many on our “what people are saying page.”
178 Events Shared
This past year, we’ve promoted 178 events on our events calendar, a place where ministry leaders can find learning opportunities, networking events, and spiritual gatherings across Canada. From webinars and workshops to conferences and retreats, our events page connects leaders with experiences that help foster growth, learning, and community. Got an event other should know about? Send it in and we’ll add it to our calendar.
Spaces of Encounter: Interdisciplinary Conversations in Theological Research is a dynamic initiative of the Toronto School of Theology that brings together students and faculty across its member colleges.
Diaconal Ministries Canada and Resonate Global Mission present Moving Forward in Faith, a two-day conference with keynote speaker Danielle Strickland, workshops, and networking, equipping participants to live out God’s mission in their communities.
We start with the premise that all ministry is transitional. As pastors, we are called to be a part of bringing about the kingdom of God. As leaders, we are called to guide congregations and ministry systems with intentionality, seeking to be ever more faithful to God’s call to us in this particular time, in this particular place for this particular purpose.
This webinar outlines the fundamentals of intentional transitional ministry and invites participants into exploring more deeply what how the pieces fit together in our current context.
The North American Academy of Ecumenists 2025 Annual Conference (Nov. 20–21, Brookline, MA) gathers ecumenical scholars and church leaders to explore unity in light of the Council of Nicaea’s 1700th anniversary. The program includes papers, panels, worship, and discussions on theology, history, and practical approaches to Christian unity.
The Flourishing Congregations Institute hosts a webinar with Angela Reitsma Bick on “Quiet Deconstruction” and how churches can make space for doubt, reconciliation, and faith renewal. Based on her book Blessed are the Undone.
On December 4, join us for a conversation with Rev. Dr. Tim Reddish, author of Recollections and Reflections: A Missionary Kid’s African Experience.
Wycliffe College’s Canadian Church Research Gathering 2025 offers keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking for those interested in trends and data shaping the Canadian church. Open to researchers, leaders, and practitioners.
A well-led meeting creates positive energy and builds momentum for the work of the church. This session invites participants to reflect on the facilitator’s role, provides tools for leading meetings well, and offers strategies for inviting differences and managing tension while minimizing unhealthy conflict. This workshop provides skills, strategies and a spirituality for nurturing healthy church cultures in the context of congregational and committee meetings.
It's getting harder and harder to maintain hope in our world. As many of us grow more skeptical about the possibility of change, leaders in many spaces are compelled to continue to preach hope, to hold hope, to model hope. How do we do it? Is hope even practical? Join us as we explore the intersection of faith, hope, and justice, and dive into Hope Theory to learn together how to grow and foster hope in ourselves and in those we lead.
Conrad Grebel University College’s Leading the Church Through Transformation, Change and Renewal is a four-afternoon online workshop for congregational leaders exploring practical strategies for embracing change, fostering renewal, and uniting communities in God’s mission. Facilitators are Betty Pries and Malcolm McKinlay.
The APCE Annual Event 2026 (Jan. 21–24, Pittsburgh & online) explores “Bridging the Gap: Love God, Love Self, Love Neighbor” through worship, plenaries, and 75+ workshops. Features Theresa Cho, MaryAnn McKibben Dana, Evan Moffic, and more.
The Flourishing Congregations Institute hosts Dr. Sam Reimer for a webinar on self-spirituality in congregations and its impact on discipleship. Session description forthcoming.
This course introduces students to intentional transitional ministry leadership featuring conversations about entering systems, assessing needs, considering history, the role of conflict, and healthy departing. Course begins with a live Zoom session on February 5, 2026.
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s Psalms 150: A Conference Experience will replace the 2026 Calvin Symposium on Worship, marking Calvin University and Seminary’s 150th anniversary with a special event exploring the psalms in worship and life.
On February 5, we’ll have guest John Barrett, the newly appointed Associate Secretary for Congregational and Community Ministries (PCC).
This workshop considers several key elements critical for effectively facilitating a consensus process, including a clear purpose for the meeting, focused discussion questions, an agenda that moves items naturally from introduction to discussion to decision, maintaining momentum and building consensus, alongside effective strategies for engaging participant comments.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel remarked after marching for freedom with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “I felt as though my feet were praying.” What does it mean to live our values on the streets? To stand in the breaches and busted places of our society, to rise up with the suffering and to cry out for justice? What it does it mean to live into the Biblical commandment to “Love Thy Neighbour”? How do we hold our discomfort in pursuit of a world redeemed? Rabbi Michael Adam Latz was a congregational rabbi for more than 20 years and served a congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a short distance from where George Floyd was murdered by police officers in May 2020 and the heart of where the recent global uprising for racial justice and reckoning was born. In a moment where a Black man had the life choked out of him by a white police officer, we examine the moral responsibilities of people of faith to rise with the suffering and use our collective power for good.
The Ember Gathering (Oakland, CA) is a new three-day retreat centering inclusive, justice-oriented spirituality through speakers, worship, workshops, and community-driven design. Hosted by Nu Foundation with Oak Life Church.
Conrad Grebel University College’s Nurturing Communities of Belonging is an interactive online workshop for leaders in faith, community, and professional settings, equipping participants with tools to address prejudice, power, and privilege while fostering diversity and inclusion. Facilitator: Cayla Charles.
Ministry can be both deeply rewarding and exhausting. This workshop invites clergy and their primary support teams into a gentle space of reflection, rest, and renewal. Together, we will explore spiritual practices and support structures that nurture resilience and sustain the call to serve with joy.
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
Giving and receiving feedback is difficult. This session wrestles with the conundrum of feedback, exploring the benefits and risks of these tough conversations alongside concrete strategies for managing such conversations well, especially in contexts when dynamics of power influence how feedback is given and received. In addition, this session addresses how to transform “people problems” into easier-to-solve “situation problems.”
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
It seems that polarized conversations are all around us, including in our congregations. This session considers the dynamics of polarities and the risks of either-or thinking, while proposing a concrete tools for transforming deeply entrenched differences, and embracing the power and possibility of both-and thinking.
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
A well-led meeting creates positive energy and builds momentum for the work of the church. This session invites participants to reflect on the facilitator’s role, provides tools for leading meetings well, and offers strategies for inviting differences and managing tension while minimizing unhealthy conflict. This workshop provides skills, strategies and a spirituality for nurturing healthy church cultures in the context of congregational and committee meetings.
The Henri Nouwen 30th Anniversary Conference (May 14–16, 2026, Toronto) gathers scholars and seekers to explore how Nouwen’s spirituality offers a prophetic and healing response to today’s global and personal challenges.
How are we, as leaders, attending to our interior journeys of faith? How are we attending to our own needs for healing and transformation? How do we mindfully support the congregations and organizations we are serving? This session considers several spiritual disciplines to support healthy leadership practices.
Ministry involves coming alongside those with whom we minister, through both the joys and challenges of life, inviting us into deep and profound interactions with those we serve. In this context, it can be challenging to define and set boundaries; yet, to do so is critical for healthy relationships. This interactive session is intended for all leaders who wish to establish healthy boundaries in the context of ministry.
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
Growing Resource Hub
Our resource hub has grown to 81 resources, and we are excited to reach our goal of 200 resources by Spring 2025. Each resource—whether it’s a course, guide, tech tool or podcast — has been chosen to support the diverse needs of ministry leaders. This collection reflects our commitment to curating helpful and accessible resources across a range of topics relevant to ministry today. We’re grateful to everyone who has shared their recommendations and to all who use this library to strengthen their ministries.
Visitors from Coast to Coast and Beyond!
Since our launch in November 2023, we’ve welcomed 7,100 unique visitors who’ve generated over 12,000 page views. We love knowing that ministryforum.ca has been able to reach people across Canada (and beyond), and we hope to see this number grow exponetially in the coming years as we expand our offerings and grow the community.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this first year, we’re excited to see how MinistryForum.ca will continue to grow and serve you. We’re committed to expanding our resources, sharing stories that encourage, and building stronger connections within this beautiful community of ministry leaders. In the coming year, we’ll continue to focus on creating content that speaks to the heart of ministry, promoting meaningful events, and adding valuable resources to help you thrive in your calling.
Thank you for being part of MinistryForum.ca. Your engagement, feedback, and support have been such a blessing in shaping this community.
Cheers to another year of growth, connection, and encouragement as we journey together in ministry!