Lenten Resources Round-Up 2025
The Season of Lent will soon be upon us! If you are preparing sermons, planning worship services, or looking for some personal devotional materials, we’ve gathered resources to support you during this season.
Are you feeling STUCK in ministry?
This isn’t just another ministry event—it’s a conversation that could change the way you, your congregation, and your leadership team think about ministry. Whether you’re a leader looking to renew your sense of calling or a congregation member wanting to better support your pastor, this event is for you.
The Antiracism Course with Selam Debs
In our commitment to provide helpful resources and opportunities for personal growth, we are working with Selam Debs to offer her excellent Self-Led Antiracism Course to interested ministry leaders in our Ministry Forum audience and beyond. The more people who sign up - the more generous the subsidy. The course won’t be released until the late Spring, but we wanted to gauge your willingness to start or go deeper on your personal exploration of anti-racism.
The Preaching Collective Launching 2025
Whether you’re a first-time preacher or have years of experience under your belt, sermon preparation can feel isolating. It’s often just you, your Bible, and a blank page, with no one around to bounce ideas off or share the weight of the task. But imagine having a group of people who truly understand the highs and lows of preaching, ready to collaborate, encourage, and grow with you. How would that change your confidence, your message and your ministry?
If you can relate so far, we would love for you to consider applying to our Preaching Cohort launching in early 2025. Our Cohort begins with a focused weekend retreat that sets the stage for ongoing of collaboration, mentorship, and skill development. Keep reading to learn how you can get involved.
Resources for Engaging Younger Generations
The Ministry Forum Resource Hub is designed to equip churches with practical tools to support you in your ministry context. Here are a few resources we think could be helpful as we consider young people, faith development and the future of the church…
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?
Becoming An Anti-Racist Church - Take a Step
The work of becoming an anti-racist church is not a destination but an ongoing journey of learning, unlearning, repentance, and action. This post is not the final word on the subject but an invitation to begin—or continue—the journey together.
Artificial Intelligence and the Church: A Tool, a Challenge, and an Opportunity
The presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life is no longer a distant concept—it’s here, woven into the fabric of how we work, communicate, and even engage in ministry. From AI-assisted sermon preparation to chatbots answering theological questions, from social media algorithms shaping public discourse to deepfake voices reading Scripture, AI is already impacting the Church.
But as with all technological advancements, the real question is not whether AI should exist in ministry, but how it should be used.
AI, Adaptive Leadership, and the Future of the Church
The Rev. John Borthwick poses some of the most pressing questions ministry leaders are asking today, and ChatGPT—acting as a kind of stand-in conversation partner—responds with reflections on leadership, resilience, and innovation. While AI doesn’t have personal experience, its ability to analyze historical and cultural patterns offers a fresh lens on the opportunities and struggles facing the church today.
Getting Started with ChatGPT for Church Ministry: A Beginner’s Guide
In this guide, we’ll walk through how ChatGPT can become that helpful companion in your ministry, no matter how familiar—or unfamiliar—you are with technology. The good news is that it’s simpler than you think!
The Gift of Quiet
If we’re honest, the word "quiet" can feel elusive—or even threatening—in a world that thrives on noise and speed. For ministry leaders, this is doubly true. Our lives are filled with voices clamoring for attention: sermons to prepare, congregants to counsel, programs to run, and a thousand other demands, all layered against the noise of a chaotic, divided world. It’s tempting to believe that in order to keep up, we must always stay busy, always reacting, always doing. But what if the most important thing we could do for our ministry—and for ourselves—is to stop? To embrace quiet not as a void, but as a profound and holy gift?
Are you feeling STUCK in ministry?
This isn’t just another ministry event—it’s a conversation that could change the way you, your congregation, and your leadership team think about ministry. Whether you’re a leader looking to renew your sense of calling or a congregation member wanting to better support your pastor, this event is for you.
Shaking Off the February Blues: Summer Dreams and Study Leave Plans
With a plan-ful spirit, let me invite you to think ahead to summer 2025 —not just for rest and relaxation but also for renewal, especially if you’re a minister or professional church worker. Whether you take a formal study leave or find time for a personal retreat, summer offers a golden opportunity to recharge your mind, body, and spirit.
Why Christian Unity Matters in a Divided World
The Church is beautifully diverse. Across the globe, Christians worship in different languages, with different styles, and through different cultural expressions. Even within denominations, there are rich variations in theology, liturgy, and ministry. These differences are not obstacles to overcome; they’re gifts to celebrate! They reflect the creative work of God and the depth of God’s kingdom.
Livestream: Ecumenical Service during Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
As we mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we invite you to join us in reflecting on a special ecumenical worship service hosted at Knox College this past week. This annual gathering is a profound reminder of the beauty and strength found in the diversity of Christ’s body. Representing various traditions, perspectives, and experiences, we came together to worship, pray, and celebrate our shared faith in Christ’s vision of love, peace, and reconciliation.
Celebrating 1700 Years of the Nicene Creed
The year 2025 marks a significant anniversary in the history of the Christian Church—the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. In 325 AD, church leaders gathered in Nicaea, now modern-day İznik in Türkiye, to affirm the faith we still hold today through the Nicene Creed. This creed remains one of the most unifying statements of belief across Christian traditions, declaring our shared faith in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Unity in Division: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025
This isn’t about planning another event or ticking a box. It’s about listening to Jesus’ question: “Do you believe this?” Let that question guide you in the weeks ahead, and take this time to pray for the Church—not just your church, but the Church.
If you decide to participate in this year’s Week of Prayer, know you’re joining with believers across Canada and around the world who are praying for the same thing: unity in Christ. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll catch a glimpse of what that unity could look like.
Online Church: Navigating the Challenges & Opportunities
While many ministry leaders initially embraced livestreaming as a necessity during the pandemic, questions linger about its role in a post-pandemic church. Does online worship weaken in-person attendance? Who benefits most from online church? And how does it align with the theological vision of “church”? Drawing from the latest research and cultural reflections, this post explores the complexities of online church and offers guidance for ministry leaders.
Leadership Fundamentals for Ministry
Every ministry leader, whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a volunteer leading a small group, has encountered moments where they felt stretched thin. Perhaps you’ve wrestled with how to navigate a conflict with a staff member or volunteer. Maybe you’ve struggled to make decisions with clarity and confidence, or you’ve wondered how to rebuild trust in a congregation that has experienced division.
These aren’t just practical problems; they’re spiritual ones too. As leaders in the church, we’re called to model Christ’s example—to lead with humility, grace, and truth. But without intentional development, these qualities can be hard to sustain in the face of daily pressures.
And because at Ministry Forum we believe no ministry leader should have to navigate these challenges alone - we’ve partnered with experts in leadership development to host a 5 week series on the Fundamentals of Leadership for Ministry Leaders. Through this series you’ll gain practical tools and encouragement to lead with authenticity and clarity.
A Fresh Start: How to Get the Most Out of Ministry Forum in 2025
As we step into a brand-new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect, refresh, and refocus on the work we’re called to do in ministry. Whether you’ve been connected with Ministry Forum for years or you’re just discovering us, we want to (re)introduce ourselves and share how we can support you in 2025 and beyond.
Our mission is simple: to equip, inspire, and provide what you need, when you need it. Ministry can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone—we’re here to walk alongside you.