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.
Join the "Flashes of Beauty and Moments of Meaning" Spirituality Retreat at Camp Kintail to find peace for your heart and soul. Engage in deep conversations, reflection, and creativity while exploring sacred writings and participating in prayer, music, and movement.
A wildly practical and inspirational three-day event for future thinking family ministry leaders.
Join the annual event that launches teams of kids ministry and youth ministry leaders into brighter future recharged and overflowing with real tools they can use they very next week. In three exciting days, you’ll fill your notebook while a vibrant community fills your soul. Discover one thing every church can do to change everything for the next generation.
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.
In need of some solace? Looking for comfort and consolation in these overwhelming times? Come away for a time of rest at Crieff Hills retreat centre and regenerative farm.
This contemplative retreat is facilitated by Beth Anne Fisher, with a combination of structured sessions, individual quiet time, and free time to rest, explore the Crieff Hills property, and connect with other retreatants. Space is limited to 12 guests.
Cost includes 2 nights’ accommodation, 5 farm-fresh meals, retreat programming and access to the Crieff Hills grounds. A Saturday-only option is available for those not staying over and just attending for the day (3 farm-fresh meals included)
This highly interactive and educational workshop invites you to consider the building blocks that create conflict and those that assist or detract in conflict's resolution. The workshop includes reflection, conversation, and exercises as conflicts are studied and models for addressing conflicts are considered. Significant time will be given to skill building for effective speaking and effective listening. This foundational workshop is valuable for all individuals; case studies will apply conflict principles to a variety of settings including the workplace and the community.
This one-day, in-person workshop will help ordained ministers explore the adaptive challenges that are facing the church, and equip them with new leadership skills to address these challenges. All in-service ordained ministers in the Synod Southwestern Ontario are invited to participate. There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided.
This two-day gathering brings together church and denominational leaders, urban planners, architects, social-purpose developers, researchers, and government partners to explore innovative approaches to church properties. As more congregations face decisions about redevelopment, this event provides space for meaningful dialogue on how faith communities can repurpose land and buildings for justice, sustainability, and community flourishing.
A conference focused on equipping, encouragement and renewal. Through scriptural teaching, vibrant worship, reflection in the arts, be renewed for ministry.
Nicole Massie Martin will help attendees understand how to nail outdated models of leadership to the cross, and what it will take to replace them with Biblical ones.
Hosted by Shalem Mental Health Network, the summit features renowned keynote speakers including Dr. Curt Thompson, Kay Warren, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Professor John Swinton. Through a combination of keynote addresses, workshops, and panel discussions, participants will explore how congregations can be places where those facing mental health challenges experience genuine belonging and purpose.
This transformative experience is designed to address the need for quality preparation in reconciling relationships, particularly within the Canadian context. The tour’s curriculum is developed in collaboration with Indigenous faculty, neighbours, and friends, ensuring a respectful, enriching, and authentic approach to reconciliation.
This course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. New students are welcome to join for Module Three without first completing Module One or Two. Sessions will cover topics including strategies for working with residents, engaging family members, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating sensitive end-of-life issues
Idolatry is not about worshipping physical idols; idolatry is about worshipping false idols. It is about valuing above all what should be valued least of all. Idolatry is about worshipping money over justice, valuing power over responsibility, and praising lies despite the need for truth. Idolatry is human deception, and it is found in our collective cultural histories from biblical times to the present setting in America. Insight into idolatry and its abuse of power is important to understand because such insight, in biblical terms, is related to justice, and justice is an action that requires the truth.
In person and livestream portions
This course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. New students are welcome to join for Module Three without first completing Module One or Two. Sessions will cover topics including strategies for working with residents, engaging family members, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating sensitive end-of-life issues.
Richard Topping is coming to Crieff Hills just before Assembly and offering two events: a photography show and sale in Dove House and an education event
Our keynote speaker, Adrian Jacobs, Senior Leader for Indigenous Justice and Reconciliation, will share the story of the 18 year justice journey that is gaining traction in Ontario and Manitoba.
The day will also feature Teresa Howe and Jess Brand from InDwell, exploring faith-based responses to housing challenges, and The Dr. Rev. J. Mark Lewis, sharing how St. Paul’s in Hamilton is transforming lives through affordable housing and community care.
Not only will you hear amazing stories of churches repurposing buildings and seeking to respond tangibly to justice issues but also embracing transformative prayer practices through 24/7 prayer.
Spirituality and aging expert Carol Orsborn (PhD) speaks to a new generation coming into age with honesty, passion, and grace. Inspired by her reflections and the wisdom of elders from a spectrum of eras and traditions, she shows us how to grow courageously into a new season of life in a society that undervalues age.
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.
This module continues our comprehensive instruction on spiritual care within long-term care settings. Building on foundational knowledge from Module One and Two, this course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. This course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. New students are welcome to join for Module Three without first completing Module One or Two. Sessions will include strategies for working with residents, engaging family members, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating sensitive end-of-life issues
In these challenging times, finding peace and calm can be difficult—it takes intention, and it takes practice. Strong Roots is a contemplative prayer and practice certificate designed to help you deepen your spiritual life, cultivate focus and resiliency, and draw from both ancient and modern traditions of Christian contemplation.
Now in its seventh iteration, the biennial conference will address such challenging questions as, what conceptions of hope encourage and sustain collective action? How do we recognize the gravity of challenges before humanity while working toward a more positive collective future? What understandings of hope can we draw upon to meet the most pressing demands of our time? These topics will be addressed within the framework of our 2025 theme, Fostering Hope in a Divided World.
Jesus: The Most Interesting Word We Have for the World
What does it mean to bear witness to Jesus in a world hungry for something real?
In an age of skepticism and spiritual searching, how can we share the difference Jesus makes—not just in belief, but in the fabric of everyday life?
It is late in the day that the Christian churches have become concerned about the state of the earth. Reparation is one thing, but befriending it is vital, as the earth is a friend of God and a forum of worship older than the Bible. This retreat explores how we respect and sustain our habitat.
This course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. New students are welcome to join for Module Three without first completing Module One or Two. Sessions will cover topics including strategies for working with residents, engaging family members, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating sensitive end-of-life issues.
Some call this is a ‘liminal season’ — a time when individuals and institutions are struggling with surprising forces inside and out, often experiencing disorientation, disengagement, and disenchantment. Leadership in ministry today requires dexterity in navigating the ‘known and the unknown’ of this time.
This 7-week synchronous class beginning on Thursday, October 9, 2025 will meet for 3 hours each week, plus additional time in a cohort group to share case studies. Cohort group and facilitators will coach through strategies for real, on-the-ground situations. Students will complete the class with a greater understanding of systems, processes of change and with a plan to engage in the next steps of ministry.
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!