Listening for Hope in a Changing Church: A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls
In the latest episode of the Ministry Forum Podcast, Rev. John Borthwick sits down with Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls, Moderator of the 149th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, to explore that very question.
Drawing from her decades of experience as a professor, minister, and theological leader, Pat reflects on the deep joys and challenges of this season in church life and invites us to think critically and faithfully about the moment we are in
The Next Generation and Faith: What Are Today’s Youth Searching For?
For years statistics have pointed to declining church attendance and fewer young adults pursuing ministry. At the same time, new research suggests that Gen Z (born 1997–2012) is not necessarily rejecting faith itself. Instead, they are redefining it, reshaping their spiritual lives in ways that don’t always fit neatly into traditional religious categories.
So what does this mean for churches and faith communities in Canada? How do we listen to and learn from this generation? And perhaps most importantly, how do we create space for conversations about faith that reflect the realities of young people today?
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.
Elevating Lay Leadership
When I was in Saskatchewan recently, I had some insightful conversations about lay leadership in today’s Church. It’s fascinating how the Church passionately aims to empower the laity in congregational roles, yet over the decades, we’ve marginalized these roles through ordered ministries like the Diaconate or lay missionaries. This has resulted in an over-reliance on ordained clergy, who are now stretched beyond capacity and dwindling in numbers…