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.
During the course, participants will develop their intercultural awareness and learn about unconscious bias and power dynamics as they work their way through the theology and biblical foundations needed to become intercultural. Participants will also engage with real-life practice scenarios and intercultural tools. This self-paced course includes 3 live group meetings and a facilitator to guide everyone.
Explore the relationship between gender, identity, and faith in this three-session online course from Canterbury College. Led by The Rev’d Chris Brouillard-Coyle, participants will consider how identity shapes theology and engage with different perspectives and stories about God, humanity, and our understanding of ourselves.
What happens to faith when trust is broken, certainty gives way to doubt, or the Church no longer feels like home? Drawing on stories gathered for Blessed Are the Undone, this course explores experiences of faith, deconstruction, and spiritual longing through the music and poetry that give voice to what can be difficult to articulate. Alongside stories of those who have felt dismissed or silenced within Christian communities, participants will engage contemporary musicians and poets whose work wrestles honestly with beauty and brokenness, doubt and belonging, loss and hope. From Leonard Cohen’s “broken Hallelujah” to the work of contemporary songwriters and poets, the course invites us to listen for the sacred beyond familiar religious forms, and to consider how art can open new possibilities for faith, meaning, and transformation.
In our era of post-truth politics, scapegoating persecution of minorities, and re-emerging fascism, Hannah Arendt’s investigations of 20th century totalitarianism and the possibility of resisting its evitable rise have gained fresh urgency. This course introduces Arendt’s thought to new readers through Lyndsey Stonebridge’s acclaimed intellectual biography, We Are Free to Change the World: Hannah Arendt’s Lessons in Love and Disobedience (2024). Faced with what can feel like impenetrable darkness, Arendt insists that we remain free to resist evil’s suffocating allure and choose instead to love our broken, suffering world. Among other topics, we’ll explore her singular insights on love, natality, and the act of thinking itself, and ask what lessons they hold for Christians who want to embrace human plurality and act together with others to offer shalom to a world crying out for healing.
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
What Does the Bible Say About. . .? is a new online series of short discussions on different topics of interest for today’s church. The next in the series is “The End Times”, which compares the New Testament visions of the last days before the in-breaking of God. The webinar will allow for Q & A, and a study sheet for each topic will be posted.
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
Fresh approaches to generosity, stewardship, and sustainable ministry at Funding Ministry Into the Future, November 20–21 in Waterloo. Featuring keynote speakers Grace Duddy Pomroy and Paul Nazareth, this two-day conference brings together church leaders and stewardship professionals for practical workshops, meaningful conversations, and tools to help congregations fund their mission with confidence and hope.
Catching the Spark is now being offered as a WEEKEND experience that explores engaging, interactive ways of reading the Bible. Together, we'll slow down, ask good questions, pay attention to the details of the text, and discover how context, culture, and literary artistry can deepen our understanding of Scripture.
In our roles as helpers, we often see others’ suffering up close. Because we care so much, these experiences can take a toll on our wellbeing, and on how much we’re able to show up for others when they need us. So how do we stay present, compassionate, and useful to our communities in the long term?
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
The Festival of Homiletics brings together inspiring sermons, extraordinary music, and the gifts of the next generation of preachers. Students from Emmanuel College will share seven-minute sermons, offering fresh perspectives and reflections as they develop their voices and calling in ministry.
The CIECR hosts a Research Gathering at Wycliffe College in December each year. Meaningful discussions of new research and findings on congregations and religious trends in Canada (and beyond).
Peer support listeners have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through listening, caring, and offering support to others. To do this well, they also need healthy boundaries that protect both themselves and those they support. This engaging, interactive 90-minute workshop explores how to care deeply without carrying another person's burdens. Through real-life scenarios, discussion, and practical skill-building, participants will learn how to set compassionate boundaries, communicate them with confidence, and support others in a way that is both effective and sustainable. Participants will leave with practical tools they can use immediately to strengthen their peer support relationships while preventing burnout, compassion fatigue, and role confusion.
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
APCE 2027 invites Christian educators and ministry leaders to reimagine their work in a time of fatigue, fragmentation, and change. Rooted in Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones, this gathering explores how God’s Spirit renews, reconnects, and restores what truly matters in ministry today.
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
Join worship leaders, pastors, musicians, artists, and ministry leaders from around the world at the Calvin Symposium on Worship, February 3–5, 2027, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This ecumenical gathering offers inspiring worship services, engaging plenary sessions, practical workshops, and opportunities for meaningful connection across Christian traditions. Explore fresh perspectives on worship, deepen your understanding of faith and practice, and return to your congregation encouraged and equipped. Registration is now open.
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
Explore six contemplative prayer practices that can deepen your relationship with God and strengthen your engagement with the world. Drawing on ancient, modern, and global voices, this three-session course considers how contemplation can nurture justice-focused, self-reflective Christian faith and practice.
Today’s Teens Conference brings together youth workers, ministry teams, and student leaders for practical learning, encouragement, and connection. The 2027 theme, “Ordinary Moments, Eternal Impact,” explores how everyday moments of ministry can make a lasting difference in the faith and lives of young people.
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
Part of Conrad Grebel University College's Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership, these workshops equip church leaders with practical skills for navigating conflict, fostering healthy relationships, strengthening leadership, and helping congregations focus on mission rather than division. Participants may take individual workshops or work toward a certificate designed specifically for ministry contexts.
Preach Collective 2027 will bring together preachers, pastors, and ministry leaders for inspiring proclamation, theological reflection, and meaningful connection. Confirmed speakers include Sarah Bessey, Mihee Kim Kort, Yehiel Curry, and Lizzie McManus Dail. Building on previous gatherings, this event promises opportunities for encouragement, learning, and renewed inspiration in the art of preaching. Dates, location, and registration details are forthcoming. Visit preachcollective.org for updates.
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.
Each section identifies a common communication challenge, offers some practical ways to approach it differently, and includes questions to wrestle with. Use the space provided to make notes about your context, and then take these questions to your staff, volunteers, committees or session. Some may be easy to answer; others might reveal conversations your congregation hasn't had yet.
This collection of six women's retreats, developed and led by Canadian Presbyterian Bonnie Horton, offers practical resources for congregations, women's groups and ministry leaders. Each retreat explores a different theme through Bible study, group discussion, creative activities and shared experiences.
Church AI Toolkit is a free, ecumenical resource for clergy, chaplains, and pastoral caregivers responding to artificial intelligence in ministry and everyday life. It includes a first-response pastoral triage guide, clergy formation materials, theological reflection, values exercises, and sample congregational policies. Topics include AI relationships, deepfakes and fraud, vocation and automation, sermon preparation, pastoral care, human dignity, and ethical discernment.
Original, succinct, authoritative, and peer-reviewed scholarly and scientific research, organised into focused series edited by leading scholars, and provide comprehensive coverage of the key topics in disciplines spanning the arts and sciences.
Divinity Atlas is a free online encyclopedia of world religions, spiritual traditions, and mythologies that emphasizes transparent sourcing, evidence-based scholarship, and public accountability. With thousands of entries, comparison tools, interactive maps, and clearly documented sources, it offers churches, ministry leaders, chaplains, and anyone interested in religious literacy a comprehensive resource for learning about diverse faith traditions and engaging thoughtfully in interfaith contexts.
Katharine Hayhoe is a Canadian climate scientist, author, and public speaker whose work focuses on helping people understand the science of climate change and its implications for communities, public policy, and everyday life. As a Christian, Hayhoe has written and spoken extensively about the relationship between faith and climate action. She encourages churches and Christians to view climate change not only as an environmental issue but also as one that affects human wellbeing, poverty, justice, food security, health, and care for creation.
Everything in one quiet app. Read, study, journal, and share, without juggling five different apps. Tap through to see what's inside.
The Trinity Forum curates conversations and resources that explore the relationship between faith, culture, leadership, and public life. Through readings, podcasts, lectures, webinars, and discussion guides, the platform seeks to help Christians engage thoughtfully with the questions and challenges of contemporary life while drawing on the wisdom of the historic Christian tradition.
Free online Bible study platform offering multiple Bible translations alongside original-language tools, commentaries, dictionaries, maps, reading plans, and other study resources.
Zippee Kids provides affirming children's ministry curriculum and family faith formation resources that encourage curiosity, conversation, and thoughtful engagement with Scripture. Resources support churches and families in exploring biblical stories, spiritual practices, and faith development through age-appropriate lessons designed for real ministry contexts without fear or pressure based lesson tactics.
Being With is a ten-session course that explores Christian faith and life through small-group conversation and storytelling. Designed for those who are curious about faith, returning to Christianity, or on the edges of church life, it requires no previous biblical knowledge. Each session combines personal reflection, attentive listening, a short presentation, and open conversation around themes including meaning, Jesus, church, suffering, prayer, and the cross.
Church Training Center provides consulting, coaching, governance training, and financial leadership support for churches. Its resources help pastors, church councils, treasurers, and lay leaders strengthen governance structures, financial practices, strategic planning, and leadership processes so congregations can steward their mission with clarity and accountability.
The Unthinkable Resource Hub is a curated collection of books, articles, videos, podcasts, guides, courses, and organizations focused on climate change and mental health. Covering topics such as climate anxiety, ecological grief, emotional resilience, climate justice, and community support, it provides evidence-informed resources for individuals, educators, mental health professionals, and faith leaders seeking to better understand and respond to climate-related emotional wellbeing.
Enter the Bible is a free biblical study resource from Luther Seminary that combines accessible scholarship with practical tools for reading and understanding Scripture. Through articles, videos, podcasts, study guides, maps, and introductions to every book of the Bible, it supports personal study, Bible groups, teaching, and preaching while engaging thoughtfully with both faith and biblical scholarship.
Bookkeeping Solutions for Churches provides virtual bookkeeping services tailored to Canadian churches. Services include donation tracking, payroll, CRA compliance support, PSB rebates, audit preparation, board reporting, and financial strategy guidance. The site also offers a free resource library with practical tools for church treasurers and finance teams.
This webinar explores the spiritual, emotional, relational, and practical preparation needed for retirement from pastoral ministry. Featuring Fred Lien, the session addresses identity, grief, communication, financial planning, and family impact, offering guidance for pastors discerning or entering a new season of ministry.
This webinar provides practical guidance for churches navigating pastoral transition. It outlines clear guidelines for preparation, communication, and boundary-setting, and includes reflections from pastors who have experienced leadership succession firsthand.
Leaving Well is a guide from the Saint Paul Area Synod (ELCA) offering theological grounding and practical guidelines for pastors and deacons retiring from a congregation. It outlines boundary expectations, transition practices, and emotional preparation. While written for use within the ELCA, the principles and practices outlined offer a helpful framework for any leader seeking to support healthy pastoral transitions.
The CRC Retirement Roadmap is a collection of articles offering theological reflection and practical guidance for leaders transitioning into retirement. It addresses preparation, financial and logistical planning, relational dynamics, emotional health, identity shifts, and life after full-time ministry, with additional guidance for lay leaders supporting the transition.
The Workbook for Retiring Well offers practical guidance and structured reflection for pastors preparing for retirement. It includes transition planning steps, a retirement timeline, boundary covenant models, and extensive wellbeing questions covering relational, financial, emotional, physical, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of life after active ministry.
Closing Well—Continuing Strong is a retirement planning and transition guide for pastors and their spouses. It includes spiritual reflection exercises, financial planning worksheets, guidance for shaping final years of ministry, farewell and succession planning, boundary-setting after retirement, and a section for lay leaders supporting the transition.
The Mental Health Sunday Toolkit from Hope Made Strong is a free, customizable resource designed to help churches host a focused service addressing mental health. It includes sermon notes, digital assets, a 5-day devotional, small group curriculum, and ongoing ministry ideas. Created by a ministry specializing in equipping churches for sustainable care, the toolkit offers practical, biblically grounded materials to reduce stigma, foster community, and support ongoing mental health conversations within congregational life.
The Studio from the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities is a guided organizational assessment designed to help Christian ministries strengthen governance, leadership alignment, strategy, and operational health. Through a multi-participant online assessment, a detailed report, a facilitated debrief, and curated resources, ministries gain clear insight into how their organization is functioning and where growth is needed. By engaging leaders, managers, and board members together, The Studio supports alignment, informed decision-making, and practical action planning for long-term mission effectiveness.
Ministry leaders can use Wonderhunt’s Easter films as sermon starters, discussion catalysts in small groups, or midweek reflection tools during Holy Week.
Digital ministry leaders can schedule the graphics and short clips to create a cohesive online Easter presence. For volunteer or family ministries, the films work well for intergenerational gatherings where shared viewing leads naturally into conversation and prayer.
Bible Search & Rescue is an online resource designed to help ministry leaders and learners engage Scripture with greater depth and clarity. Drawing from biblical scholarship, it provides accessible explanations of Scripture’s historical context, meaning, and interpretation, while also addressing common misunderstandings about biblical texts. The site includes written resources, a searchable index of topics, and a podcast that explores how careful study can shape faithful leadership and thoughtful discipleship.
Practicing the Way is a free set of tools and courses that helps people build a sustainable prayer and devotional life by practicing the habits of Jesus—without the pressure, noise, or “one more thing” energy of the Christian marketplace.
CIECR is a Canadian-based church research institute offering data, tools, and insights that help leaders understand what is actually happening in churches across Canada and make more grounded, informed decisions.
Living the Questions offers video-based curriculum for congregations and groups looking to explore Christianity in a more open, thoughtful, and relational way, especially for people wrestling with faith, doubt, and belonging.
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!
Pauline Letters is a free Bible study website that connects Paul's life and journeys in Acts with the thirteen New Testament letters traditionally attributed to him. It includes an interactive 3D journey, maps, a documented timeline, letter guides, a seven-session Philippians study, and printable teaching resources.