Our Top 5 Posts From the Past Year
As we mark the first anniversary of MinistryForum.ca, we’re excited to look back on some of the most impactful content from the past year. These top five posts really cover the breadth of our mission: to equip, inspire, and encourage ministry leaders across Canada. From resources for lay leaders stepping into pastoral roles, to insights into the spiritual lives of Gen Z, to podcasts for every topic under the sun and even a post that just helps take one thing of your Easter to-do list these articles reflect the range of topics that matter most to our community. Let’s revisit these popular posts…
The Pastor-Less Church
One of the priorities that drives our work at the Centre for Lifelong Learning is empowering and building the confidence of lay leaders. To that end, we have been working for some time on developing resources and learning modules specifically for those who are feeling called, either by circumstance or personal discernment, to leading worship and preaching in the local congregation. We are a small team at Ministry Forum so such work takes time but I’m hopeful that within the next month or so we will be launching our first offering to support courageous lay leaders in the Church Today.
Free Easter Graphics for Your Church
Whether you need an graphic for your screens, a picture in your bulletin, or you just want to share something on social media - we’ve got some free to use content below for Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. View this post here and get a head start on Easter graphics for 2025!
Voices on Gen-Z and the Church
Recently, we completed our second Capstone project with some students who attend a Christian University. Their project was to assess the spiritual needs of Gen Z (those born between 1996 and 2010).
We specifically asked these Gen Z students to do this work because they often don’t get a chance to research (speak for) themselves but lots of research is done on this particular generation.
They were also a unique sampling since they were Gen Zs who still identified with the Christian faith and the majority attended a church regularly. This is certainly counter to a recent Barna Group study that stated that only 4% (in the USA) of Gen Z have a biblical worldview. These students are the 4% (or less in Canada, in my opinion)!!
17 Podcasts for Church, Care, Leadership & Learning
This week we are talking PODCASTS. Being a commuter - but truthfully I didn’t need a commute to be a fan of podcasts - I’m often listening to a variety of podcasts. It seems that the Ministry Forum community listens to them too - since they often share recommendations with me.
So if you are looking to fill up your podcast catalog… this post is for you!
As with any ‘recommendations’ we share on Ministry Forum, you are invited to come to your own conclusions when it comes to these suggestion
10 Things to Consider When Choosing Church Management Software
Navigating the complexities of church management can be a daunting task, especially as technology evolves and staff members age. The right church management software (ChMS) can transform your day-to-day tasks, making it easier to focus on your mission and engage your community effectively.
But what IS Church Management Software?
How does it work?
What exactly are we talking about?
Let’s break it down and understand how it can make a difference in your ministry.
Church Management Software (ChMS) is a digital tool designed to help churches manage their day-to-day operations, including tracking attendance, managing member information, organizing events, handling donations, and facilitating communication. It's a valuable resource for pastors, administrative staff, volunteers, and even congregation members.
For example, a minister might use ChMS to schedule pastoral visits, while a Children’s Ministry Coordinator might track volunteer roles and schedules, while the Office Administrator might use the system to track rentals or send congregational emails.