Resource Hub
Whether you’re involved in preaching, pastoral care, youth ministry, or any other aspect of church ministry, we hope this collection of tools, articles, and guides is helpful in your context. We endeavour to keep this space updated, if there is a resource you think should be included here please let us know!
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Administration & Management
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.
The Charity Finance Course is practical, self-paced training that equips church and charity leaders with the tools and knowledge to confidently manage financial systems and meet CRA compliance requirements. This online course combines detailed instruction with hands-on resources, to help organizations strengthen governance and build financial integrity.
The Lead Pastor is a community for pastors, church planters and anyone with a passion for building better churches.
The Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC), established in 1972, is Canada's largest association of Christian charities. It supports over 3,400 ministries nationwide by providing resources and guidance to help them operate effectively and with integrity.
CCCC offers services such as legal and financial consultation, human resources support, and training programs. Additionally, it grants accreditation to member charities that meet established standards, assuring donors of their financial and organizational integrity.
For churches in Canada, organizations like Church Bookkeeping offer specialized services tailored to the unique financial needs and regulatory requirements of Canadian churches. Their team of accountants, bookkeepers, and payroll specialists are experienced in Canadian church finance, assisting with tasks such as government reporting, charity receipting, and vision-based financial reporting.
Ministry Brands provides end-to-end software tailored to the needs of faith-based and purpose-driven organizations.
Smart Church Management provides church leaders with resources, training, and tools to manage their ministry's people, time, and finances. Their offerings include online courses, downloadable forms and job descriptions, and a selection of books focused on church administration.
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management platform designed to streamline administrative tasks, including member management, attendance tracking, donation tracking, and worship planning. With built-in communication tools, a free church website, and online giving options, it helps churches stay organized and focused on ministry.
Charity Tracker is a cloud-based case management software designed to assist nonprofits, churches, and community service organizations in managing client assistance, tracking progress, and fostering collaboration. Key features include client intake and management, allowing users to record demographic data, manage assistance records, and set individualized goals for clients.
Text In Church is a communication platform tailored to enhance engagement between churches and their congregations. It offers two-way communication enabling churches to send and receive text messages, facilitating meaningful conversations and relationship building. The platform supports multi-channel communication allowing outreach through text messaging, email, and phone calls to ensure messages reach members via their preferred channels.
Churchteams is a comprehensive church management software designed to streamline administrative tasks and enhance community engagement.
Whether you’re a church administrator, pastor, or volunteer leader, TCN is a valuable resource for navigating the complex responsibilities of church leadership with confidence and professionalism.
Artos Academy is an affordable, accessible online learning platform designed to equip Christians at every stage of their spiritual journey. Artos Academy offers courses to help you learn, grow, and lead in your faith and ministry.
In this Duke Divinity+ non-credit course for church pastors and leaders, you will learn the importance of approaching church administration theologically. More specifically, you will engage church admin as church practices whose theological goals are discipleship, formation, witness, and worship. As such, church administration should be a critically important component of pastoral leadership and competence.
Pro Church Tools is a multimedia company founded by Brady Shearer, dedicated to helping churches navigate the intersection of faith and digital technology. Pro Church Tools aims to equip churches with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively communicate and engage with their congregations and their communities in this digital age. Pro Church Tools provides various resources, including downloads, podcasts, video content, and software all designed to help church leaders and teams master digital communication.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Administration in the Church
It’s the start of Annual Meeting season both in the non-profit and church world. It is where, despite how many words may appear in an annual report, the numbers reign supreme - in most contexts!
But if you’d like to change that dynamic… I’d encourage you to fight the powers and principalities by crafting a narrative budget or a pictorial slide show of the life of your ministry or tell stories and share testimonies, or why not just do all of it?! Celebrate.
Whether you’re a part-time volunteer juggling bulletins and birthday cards, or a full-time administrator navigating cloud storage, scheduling apps, and a phone that won’t stop ringing, your ministry keeps the whole church moving. You may not be preaching or leading Sunday school, but your work is what allows others to gather, give, serve, and feel connected.
In the fast-paced world of ministry, staying informed and inspired can be challenging. Articles and resources can easily pile up, making it hard to keep up. For me, the summer is the time I catch up on reading articles, I try to keep up during the year but it often becomes challenging. Here’s my process for staying on top of content that I WANT to read through, but don’t always have the time on a weekly basis.
Finding the right Church Management Software (ChMS) can be a daunting task. This blog post provides a roundup of ChMS options prioritizing ease of use, customer service, cloud-based access, and affordability.
Choosing the right Church Management Software (ChMS) can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your church’s operations. Here are 10 factors your church leadership team should consider when selecting a ChMS.
Everything in one quiet app. Read, study, journal, and share, without juggling five different apps. Tap through to see what's inside.
Free online Bible study platform offering multiple Bible translations alongside original-language tools, commentaries, dictionaries, maps, reading plans, and other study resources.
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.
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.
The FNV is a faithful re-voicing of the gospel, rich with cultural idioms, relational nuance, and a storytelling rhythm that honours the oral traditions of many First Nations communities. It’s deeply grounded in the text, theologically thoughtful, and beautifully expressed. You’ll hear Jesus referred to as Creator Sets Free, God as Great Spirit, and followers of Jesus as the Sacred Family—language that resonates with Indigenous imagery while remaining true to the message of the New Testament.
God’s Stories: As Told By God’s Children is a radically inclusive, scholarship-informed storybook Bible available in both children’s and adults’ editions. Created by The Bible for Normal People, it blends engaging storytelling with accessible biblical scholarship, inviting readers of all ages to explore the Bible’s beauty, complexity, and many voices while encouraging curiosity, questions, and open conversation.
The BibleProject Podcast, hosted by Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, takes listeners deep into the biblical theology behind BibleProject’s videos and series. Through rich, accessible conversations, it explores the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus—unpacking themes, books, and difficult questions in a way that blends scholarship with approachable storytelling.
The Bible Engagement Project is a free, digital discipleship curriculum designed to immerse your entire congregation—preschool through adults—in a shared journey through scripture. Anchored in the Bible and accessible via mobile or desktop app, this resource provides a comprehensive scope and sequence for intentional spiritual growth, all available at no cost thanks to generous partnerships.
The Big God Project is a full-church curriculum developed in Canada by the Family Church of Heritage Green (Presbyterian Church in Canada). Built around the idea that churches grow best when learning together, it helps congregations—regardless of size or age range—engage the Bible as one body. Every week centers on a theme drawn from the character of God and includes a children’s moment in worship, a teaching video, printable activity sheets, and a hands-on Sunday School lesson. The same theme carries through all pieces so the entire church is learning the same story together.
The Bible for Normal People is a multimedia learning platform and podcast that makes scholarly and inclusive biblical engagement accessible, honest, and often humorous. Co-hosted by Pete Enns and Jared Byas, it’s a space where people deconstruct and reconstruct their faith with thoughtful guidance.
Bible Remixed is a teaching initiative led by Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat offering courses and workshops at the intersection of scripture, justice, and creation care. Grounded in rigorous biblical scholarship and rooted in a lived theology of hospitality and earth stewardship, this resource equips leaders for transformative discipleship in contemporary contexts.
What Is the Bible? is a vibrant and lyrical picture book that invites children to explore the Bible as a beautiful and diverse collection of stories about God, the world, and Jesus. Inspired by Rachel Held Evans’ legacy and completed by Matthew Paul Turner, it helps young readers (and their adults) see how God's story connects with their own lives in accessible, imaginative ways.
Ekkuip Canada is a Cambridge, Ontario-based organization dedicated to equipping Canadian ministry leaders with trusted resources and personalized service. They offer a wide range of products, including Bibles, study materials, curricula, and church supplies, tailored to support various aspects of ministry.
Crossway is a not-for-profit, Christian publishing ministry offering books, podcasts, Bible reading plans, and articles.
The Book of Belonging is an illustrated Bible storybook to help children understand the rich diversity of God's people, emphasizing identity, contemplation, and wonder. It presents 42 Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments, featuring diverse narratives and illustrations that include women, men expressing emotions, and people of color, ensuring that every child can see themselves reflected in the stories. The book encourages imagination and wonder, allowing kids the freedom to explore, question, and discover a personal connection to their Creator.
Crosswalk provides resources that speak to real-life issues and highlight Christian values in an ever-changing world including daily devotionals, Bible study tools or faith-based news coverage, Crosswalk offers a wide range of content to nourish your heart and soul.
Bible Study Printables is a heartfelt initiative dedicated to enriching ones spiritual journey through accessible and engaging resources. Their mission is to provide individuals and families with tools that make studying the Bible both enjoyable and meaningful. The website offers a diverse array of features, including Bible reading plans that guide you through Scripture in a structured yet flexible manner, and Bible study games designed to make learning interactive and fun for all ages.
Open the Bible is a ministry helping individuals experience the transformative power of God's Word. The mission is to open the Bible with people, assist them in opening it for themselves, and equip them to share it with others.
Yale Divinity School (YDS) offers a variety of free resources through its Center for Continuing Education, designed to support churches, clergy, laity, and anyone interested in theological exploration. These resources include podcasts, online courses, video lectures, and small group study materials aimed at expanding understanding of Christian theology, biblical studies, and leadership.
Sparkhouse is a Christian publishing company that creates innovative, engaging faith formation resources for children, youth, and adults. Their curriculum is designed to make faith accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for learners of all ages. Sparkhouse offers various curricula, such as Frolic (for preschoolers), Whirl and Holy Moly (for elementary-aged kids), Connect (for preteens), and Re:form (for teens), among others. Each curriculum aims to help churches and families foster spiritual growth, biblical understanding, and discipleship in creative, age-appropriate ways.
The YouVersion Bible App offers a free and accessible Bible experience across smartphones, tablets, and online platforms. Installed on over 695 million devices globally, it provides access to 3,100 Bible versions in 2,000 languages without advertising.
Bible Project provides invaluable tools for ministry leaders, educators, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible. By offering a variety of accessible and engaging resources, they help foster a lifelong journey of exploring Scripture and its transformative power.
Bible in a Minute offers concise, one-minute summaries of every chapter in the Bible. This resource is ideal for those looking to learn about the Bible through progressive and liberation theology. Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for new episodes.
The Bible / Scripture
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of The Bible
I want to end this series where it all begins: with Scripture. With prayer. With the practices that are supposed to be the foundation of everything we do in our lives of faith exploration.
Starting in January, Ministry Forum will host Chaos and Cosmos: Creation Texts of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) — an 8-week online study led by Dr. Christine Mitchell, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Academic Dean at Knox College. This series will run from January 15 to March 5, 2026 and will offer participants an opportunity to explore the Bible’s creation stories through a variety of lenses, from ancient myth to ecological theology, gender, and beyond.
Sometimes, the best conversations aren't planned. This week on the podcast, we’re sharing an impromptu, off-camera moment that turned into something too good not to share. Dr. Derek Suderman, a Hebrew Bible scholar from Conrad Grebel University College, sat down with us to talk about Bible study—what it is, what it isn’t, and what it could be.
Released in 2021 and led by Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui), the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament is exactly what its name suggests—Scripture translated by Native North Americans, shaped by Indigenous storytelling traditions, and offered in English for both Native and non-Native readers.
The FNV is an invitation to listen differently.
This month at Ministry Forum, we’re paying special attention to intergenerational ministry and next-generation formation. We’re thinking about Sunday School, youth group, and family faith practices. But more than that, we’re thinking about what it means to offer something deeper than attendance and answers. We’re asking how we might invest in a faith that’s real, resilient, and rooted—one that won’t unravel when life gets complex, or when A + B no longer equals C.
As ministry leaders we don’t need to convince you that prayer and Bible Study are vitally important in the life of the Church. They’re not just spiritual practices—they’re the foundation of everything we do. But if we’re honest, we also know that keeping these practices alive in our congregations, and even our personal lives isn’t always easy.
Imagine offering your church a rich, interactive Bible study experience — without having to plan, prepare, or lead it yourself.
This winter, Ministry Forum is excited to offer The Bible Course from the Canadian Bible Society — an 8-session online Bible study that traces the grand narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. And here’s the best part: we do all the heavy lifting.
If there’s one thing we know as ministry leaders, it’s that stories matter. They connect us, teach us, and reveal truths in ways no lecture ever could. Jesus himself taught in parables, captivating his listeners and helping them see God’s kingdom in ways they never expected. Our guest this week, this week on the Ministry Forum podcast - Rev. Scott McAndless has a gift for storytelling—something you can tell as soon as you hear him talk. On this own podcast - Retelling the Bible, he retells a biblical story in a way that makes you sit up and listen, almost as though you’re hearing it for the first time. But it’s not just a creative exercise. It’s about digging into scripture, exploring its richness, and letting it speak in ways that resonate deeply with today’s world.
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves juggling a myriad of responsibilities—sermons to prepare, pastoral care to offer, meetings to attend, and programs to lead. With so much on our plates, adding one more thing—like leading another Bible study—can feel overwhelming.
That’s where Catching the Spark: A Dynamic Bible Study Series can be a gift for you and your congregation this fall.
The OurBible App is a progressive, inclusive Bible study and devotional app designed to support LGBTQ+ Christians, women, and other marginalized groups. It offers a range of devotionals, Bible translations, podcasts, and other resources to help users grow in their faith.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Daily Ripple is an idea we had to build a community of readers and authors. For authors, it’s a chance to share their experiences and their ideas about discipleship. For readers, it’s a chance to disciple in a different way.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
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.
Curious Faith Media offers compassionate, inclusive, and curiosity-driven resources to help families grow together in faith. Through articles, podcasts, videos, and activity prompts for both adults and kids, it equips parents to lead spiritual conversations at home while exploring the depth and diversity of the Christian tradition without judgment or rigid formulas.
God’s Stories: As Told By God’s Children is a radically inclusive, scholarship-informed storybook Bible available in both children’s and adults’ editions. Created by The Bible for Normal People, it blends engaging storytelling with accessible biblical scholarship, inviting readers of all ages to explore the Bible’s beauty, complexity, and many voices while encouraging curiosity, questions, and open conversation.
Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) is a trusted global platform where educators share downloadable resources for nearly every subject and age group. Among its millions of listings, ministry leaders can find a wide range of Christian education tools including Bible lessons, Sunday school curriculum, VBS activities, and lectionary-based materials. Content is created by real teachers and priced affordably—or even free.
Sermons4Kids is a trusted hub for Bible-based children’s sermons and ministry resources. It provides weekly messages rooted in the Revised Common Lectionary or Narrative Lectionary, along with printable activities, crafts, and short videos to help leaders teach the gospel in ways children understand and enjoy. Free and subscription-based options are available for individual leaders or entire teams.
A collection of weekly children’s sermons is designed to help ministry leaders connect scripture to kids’ everyday lives. Created by Pastor John Stevens of Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA), these messages often use inexpensive items from dollar stores as object lessons and follow the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) and Narrative Lectionary. Many congregations find them useful for in-person, hybrid, and fully online worship services.
Messy Church offers an alternative way to be the church with children, parents, grandparents, and friends—all learning together. This ministry creates space for worship, creativity, food, and fun, with a focus on reaching families who may not connect with traditional Sunday services. It’s used by churches across Canada and internationally to build relationships, share stories of Jesus, and foster lifelong discipleship in new ways.
Opening Doors to Discipleship is an online learning hub created by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) and the Office of Christian Formation in the PC(USA). It offers free, self-guided modules to help church leaders, volunteers, and educators deepen their understanding of Reformed theology, improve their teaching skills, and support lifelong faith formation in a variety of ministry contexts.
Liturgies for Parents by Kayla Craig offers prayerful support for caregivers navigating the holy mess of family life. Through books, podcasts, and newsletters, Kayla offers modern liturgies, breath prayers, and reflections to nurture parents’ souls and ground families in sacred rhythms.
The Around the Table Quick Sheets from the PC(USA) Office of Christian Formation equip families and church leaders with creative, portable ideas for integrating faith practices into everyday life. These downloadable tools help build spiritual habits outside traditional settings, ideal for families navigating busy schedules.
Real Kids Real Faith is an online hub offering research-based, practical resources for nurturing children's spirituality in everyday contexts. It empowers families, educators, and ministry leaders to engage kids in authentic, embodied, and inclusive spiritual practices.
What Is the Bible? is a vibrant and lyrical picture book that invites children to explore the Bible as a beautiful and diverse collection of stories about God, the world, and Jesus. Inspired by Rachel Held Evans’ legacy and completed by Matthew Paul Turner, it helps young readers (and their adults) see how God's story connects with their own lives in accessible, imaginative ways.
A Facebook group for any persons in Children's Ministry who are committed to Children's Ministry in a faith that isn't hierarchical, controlling and fundamentalist.
The Book of Belonging is an illustrated Bible storybook to help children understand the rich diversity of God's people, emphasizing identity, contemplation, and wonder. It presents 42 Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments, featuring diverse narratives and illustrations that include women, men expressing emotions, and people of color, ensuring that every child can see themselves reflected in the stories. The book encourages imagination and wonder, allowing kids the freedom to explore, question, and discover a personal connection to their Creator.
The Orange Theory is built on the concept of blending two influential forces—home and church—to foster vibrant, holistic faith in the next generation. Represented by the colour red, the home symbolizes the love, warmth, and personal investment parents and caregivers bring to a child’s faith journey. The church, symbolized by yellow, provides the light of wisdom, guidance, and communal support through teachings and relationships with mentors and peers. When combined, these two colors create orange, a dynamic partnership where church and home work together to create a cohesive, impactful faith experience. This approach encourages church leaders to align with parents as primary faith influencers, equipping them to reinforce biblical values and support spiritual growth at home. By leveraging both environments, the Orange Theory aims to build resilient, relational, and service-oriented faith in children and youth.
Faith Forward is reimagining children’s and youth ministry through forward-thinking approaches to faith formation, community, and theological engagement. Faith Forward equips leaders to nurture young people’s spirituality in ways that are inclusive, contextually aware, and responsive to contemporary challenges. Faith Forward’s mission is to inspire ministry practices that cross traditional boundaries, support diverse expressions of faith, and foster resilience, justice, and compassion in young people.
Dandelion Marketplace is a platform that provides progressive spiritual formation content for families and communities. Dandelion serves as a colander, offering the most reliable resources, without having to sift through fundamentalist search options.
Feasting on the Word: Children's Sermons is a valuable resource for pastors and church leaders who seek guidance on delivering meaningful and engaging children's sermons. Written by Christian educator Carol Wehrheim, the series provides practical suggestions for preparing and presenting sermons based on the Revised Common Lectionary.
Sparkhouse is a Christian publishing company that creates innovative, engaging faith formation resources for children, youth, and adults. Their curriculum is designed to make faith accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for learners of all ages. Sparkhouse offers various curricula, such as Frolic (for preschoolers), Whirl and Holy Moly (for elementary-aged kids), Connect (for preteens), and Re:form (for teens), among others. Each curriculum aims to help churches and families foster spiritual growth, biblical understanding, and discipleship in creative, age-appropriate ways.
ROOTS is an ecumenical partnership of Christian organizations that has been providing lectionary-based worship resources since 2002. Designed for use every week of the year, ROOTS offers two sets of resources: Adult & All Age and Children & Youth.
Looking for resources that won't bore your kids, overwhelm your parents, and scare your volunteers?
We Are KidMin makes it easy to transform ordinary moments into sacred, faith-building connections.
Kids Sunday School Place is an online resource providing materials for children’s Sunday school and kids' ministry, serving both grade school and preschool levels. The site offers a wide range of creative resources including printable lessons, Bible crafts, Christian activities, object lessons, stories, skits, games, and songs, all designed to make teaching Sunday school engaging and rewarding.
The YouVersion Bible App offers a free and accessible Bible experience across smartphones, tablets, and online platforms. Installed on over 695 million devices globally, it provides access to 3,100 Bible versions in 2,000 languages without advertising.
Seeds of Grace offers a suite of Christian education resources designed to support local congregations, staff, volunteers, and families in growing their faith. The initiative draws inspiration from the acacia tree, symbolizing resilience and spiritual growth even in challenging environments. The acacia tree’s use in biblical times for constructing the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle parallels the role of Christian education in building a strong, faith-filled community.
"Worshiping with Children" is a lectionary-based blog offering practical ideas for inclusive, intergenerational worship. It provides resources to help children and adults engage in worship together through scripture reading, prayers, and liturgy, fostering a welcoming and participatory worship environment.
Children’s Ministry
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Children’s Ministry
But by and large, if you're a children's ministry coordinator, a youth pastor, a young adult ministry leader — you're figuring it out on your own. Often without formal training. Often without peers who understand what you're navigating. Often feeling structurally marginalized within a denomination that says it cares about young people but doesn't always resource the people who actually work with them.
And here's the thing that really gets me: these leaders are shaping the future of the church. They're the ones helping young people grow in faith, building relationships, creating the environments where the next generation encounters the love of God. And too often, they're doing it alone.
So we want to experiment with something…
This month at Ministry Forum, we’re paying special attention to intergenerational ministry and next-generation formation. We’re thinking about Sunday School, youth group, and family faith practices. But more than that, we’re thinking about what it means to offer something deeper than attendance and answers. We’re asking how we might invest in a faith that’s real, resilient, and rooted—one that won’t unravel when life gets complex, or when A + B no longer equals C.
Our next Ministry Forum webinar takes place on Wednesday, September 18 at 1:00pm ET. This one focuses on intergenerational ministry, and the questions it invites us to ask about the shape of our worship, our formation practices, and our life together.
We’ll be joined by Dr. David Csinos, a researcher, writer, and educator who has spent years thinking with churches about how people grow in faith. David brings a thoughtful and grounded approach to the work of helping communities include all ages in meaningful ways. His experience is rooted in both theology and practice.
For years, churches have been built on a well-meaning strategy: dividing the community into specific age groups to meet their unique needs. It’s the norm in most churches — separate ministries for children, youth, young adults, seniors. It seemed logical and even beneficial at the time. After all, who better to relate to a teenager than another teenager? And wouldn’t seniors rather be with people who understand their stage of life? But over time, these well-intentioned efforts to focus on particular age groups have built something unintended: age silos.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
An overview of Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church
A round up of Children and Youth ministry curriculums and resources for all different contexts.
Let’s dig into the evolving landscape of Children's Ministry, exploring innovative approaches to engage young minds beyond traditional crafts and pageants. It discusses the importance of integrating children into the wider church life through family worship and community events. In this post we highlight successful examples of churches engaging young people and the larger community.
An overview of a helpful resource: Dandelion Marketplace - a platform that provides progressive spiritual formation content for families and communities.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
A round up of resources to help foster family faith formation and spiritual disciplines.
Join the conversation and bring your favourite, simple, either solo act or highly congregational participatory service to share with the community. We will compile the offerings and share them with anyone who registers. Leave with a few ideas not only for this Christmas Eve but for future ones as well.
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.
Ministry Brands provides end-to-end software tailored to the needs of faith-based and purpose-driven organizations.
Principles for Church Growth by Bob and Mary Hopkins, published by the Anglican Church Planting Initiatives, delves into the multifaceted nature of church growth, emphasizing that it encompasses more than mere numerical increase.
The article identifies four key dimensions of growth: upward growth in maturity and discipleship, inward growth in fellowship and community, outward growth in mission and societal engagement, and numerical growth. Bob and Mary emphasize that the recognition of the Holy Spirit as the sole source of growth, underscoring the necessity to remain connected to the divine in order to bear fruit.
ChMeetings is a church management software designed to streamline administrative tasks and enhance community engagement. It offers a suite of features to meet the diverse needs of churches.
Planning Center is a church management software designed to streamline operations and improve engagement across ministries. It offers a suite of integrated applications, allowing churches to manage people, worship services, small groups, giving, check-ins, event registrations, facilities scheduling, and communications efficiently.
Faithward provides resources and inspiration to deepen faith and fellowship. The name “Faithward” reflects this mission—combining faith and forward movement. Rooted in the Reformed tradition through its connection to the Reformed Church in America, the platform offers a broadly Reformed theological perspective. However, its resources are designed to support Christians from various backgrounds, encouraging spiritual growth and re-imagining the role of the church in today’s world.
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management platform designed to streamline administrative tasks, including member management, attendance tracking, donation tracking, and worship planning. With built-in communication tools, a free church website, and online giving options, it helps churches stay organized and focused on ministry.
GrowChurch is a comprehensive platform dedicated to equipping church leaders with practical tools and strategies to foster both personal and congregational growth.
Gloo is a comprehensive platform designed to empower church leaders and organizations by enhancing community engagement and providing useful insights. One of its standout features is Gloo Messaging, which offers up to 10,000 free message credits monthly, enabling churches to communicate effectively with their congregations through broadcast text blasts, individual messages, and prayer request gathering.
Text In Church is a communication platform tailored to enhance engagement between churches and their congregations. It offers two-way communication enabling churches to send and receive text messages, facilitating meaningful conversations and relationship building. The platform supports multi-channel communication allowing outreach through text messaging, email, and phone calls to ensure messages reach members via their preferred channels.
Churchteams is a comprehensive church management software designed to streamline administrative tasks and enhance community engagement.
Lifeway Research assists and equips church leaders with insight and advice that will lead to greater levels of church health and effectiveness. Frequent surveys on today’s church and culture demonstrate our knowledge of the dynamics of ministry today and our understanding of the realities of the culture we live in.
Stadia church planting guides individuals and organizations through the journey of establishing new churches.
Formerly known as The Center for Progressive Renewal, Convergence champions an inclusive, progressive theological vision aimed at fostering a more just world. The organization emphasizes core values such as collaboration, innovation, courage, and inclusion, seeking to rejuvenate Christian communities and leadership. Through collaboration, Convergence builds trust and shares resources for the common good.
Formed within Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership is dedicated to promoting the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Over the past 17 years, the Center has become a trusted resource for church leadership ideas, research, resources, and training. The Center helps seminary students, clergy, lay leaders, and denominational leaders enhance their leadership effectiveness and develop leadership in others.
The PCC's Building Survey and Congregation Risk Assessment provide insights to help congregations and presbyteries manage their resources effectively. The building survey highlights underutilized properties and the need for strategic planning. The risk assessment identifies congregations vulnerable to closure, suggesting early interventions.
Faith Communities Today (FACT) conducts extensive research surveys and publishes practical reports on congregational life in the U.S. Led by the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership, FACT collaborates with over 25 faith groups and the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The latest survey in 2020 included responses from 15,278 congregations across 80 denominations.
Fresh Expressions helps churches innovate and reach more people for Christ by combining traditional and new forms of worship. It provides resources, training, and support for pastors and leaders to create vibrant, contextually relevant faith communities.
Church Growth
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Church Growth
As younger adults—especially Gen Z and Millennials—begin returning to church, it's tempting to celebrate this as a sign of spiritual renewal. But as Dr. James Tyler Robertson points out in a recent Ministry Forum Podcast episode, we should be cautious before drawing conclusions. New research from Barna reveals a complex picture: the increase is driven primarily by young men, while young women, particularly single mothers, are disengaging. This shift calls for deeper reflection. Rather than rushing to capitalize on attendance trends, ministry leaders are invited to listen well, consider who’s not in the room, and faithfully discern what the Spirit might be doing in this moment. This is not just a resurgence—it’s a realignment. And it demands our careful, curious attention.
Welcoming new members or attendees to your church is an important act of hospitality. Here are several creative ways you can consider welcoming new people into your church.
Creating a new members class or program is essential for helping newcomers feel welcome, understand the church's mission and values, and become active participants in the community. Here are key considerations based on insights from the provided resources
Could it be that the congregational model as it has evolved over the decades is contributing to ordained ministers (and I’d also wonder about paid staff, volunteers, and lay leaders too) feeling constrained or hindered, even fed up with the structure of Church while at the same time not losing their love for the Gospel?
Well, you’ll need to read the book to draw your own conclusions.
The content shared by Fresh Expressions US hosted a series of webinars for what they called “Small Church Week”. There are some good insights here. Check it out for yourself and see if it sparks something creative in your ministry today.
How do you measure success? What is success in ministry? What does that even look like? And by what metrics do we measure such things?
In the congregational setting, it is so often Sunday attendance and offerings. Is that the best way to measure the present reality we are facing.
Congregational Renewal
Be The Church is a ministry initiative designed to address the leadership crisis in the modern church by equipping pastors, developing lay leaders, and fostering a culture of multiplication. Through coaching cohorts, leadership training, strategic resources, and Multiplication Centers, it helps churches regain health, clarity, and Kingdom focus. The goal: 1,000 healthy, multiplying churches that transform 1 million lives with the gospel.
Church Vitalization Canada is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by plateaued and declining churches across the nation. They offer a range of resources and events aimed at revitalizing congregations and fostering growth.
Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada, along with Dr. Joel Thiessen discuss the report, Reigniting Hope: Sharing the Good News in Canada in 2024.
The Narrative of Hope and Possibility initiative by The Presbyterian Church in Canada is progressing with a working group of up to 20 members, representing diverse backgrounds and ministries. Their goal is to gather and share stories that highlight renewal and transformation within the church, especially in uncertain times. This initiative emphasizes the church’s core message of God’s love, forgiveness, and peace through Jesus Christ.
Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada, by Angela Reitsma Bick and Peter Schuurman, examines the experiences of Canadian Christians who have quietly deconstructed their faith. The authors incorporate church history, cultural analysis, and personal narratives, using the metaphor of canoeing to depict the spiritual journey. This resource provides ministry leaders with an understanding of the challenges faced by those questioning their faith and offers perspectives on navigating these complex experiences.
The Navigators of Canada support ministry leaders by fostering relational discipleship through mentoring, leadership development, and spiritual formation across multiple contexts—churches, campuses, neighborhoods, workplaces, and globally. Their model emphasizes long-term presence, practical equipping, and helping individuals become disciple-makers within their natural communities.
ChurchTrac is an all-in-one church management platform designed to streamline administrative tasks, including member management, attendance tracking, donation tracking, and worship planning. With built-in communication tools, a free church website, and online giving options, it helps churches stay organized and focused on ministry.
The Center for Church Renewal helps in revitalizing churches and supporting leaders in their renewal journeys. They offer a free church health assessment to help you evaluate your congregation's current state and identify areas for growth.
Lifeway Research assists and equips church leaders with insight and advice that will lead to greater levels of church health and effectiveness. Frequent surveys on today’s church and culture demonstrate our knowledge of the dynamics of ministry today and our understanding of the realities of the culture we live in.
The Prayer Course is a free, online resource designed to help individuals and groups explore the depths of prayer in an engaging and accessible way. Rooted in the Lord’s Prayer, it offers a series of interactive video sessions that combine practical teaching with reflective exercises, fostering a deeper understanding of prayer’s transformative power.
Spiritual First Aid is a comprehensive program designed to equip individuals with the skills to provide compassionate care during times of crisis. Their on-demand certificate course offers a self-paced learning experience, allowing you to complete it in about six hours. For those interested in group learning, they provide a facilitator-led course structured over six sessions, each lasting 90 minutes to two hours, for in-person, virtual, or hybrid formats.
Partnership for ReNEWal is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting churches as they navigate modern challenges in attendance, financial sustainability, community engagement, and ministry effectiveness. PfR offers a mission-first approach that helps congregations focus on serving others by discovering and embracing their divine purpose, creating actionable ministry plans, and establishing sustainable models for growth and vitality.
NEXT Church is a network within and beyond the Presbyterian Church (USA) that connects church leaders to foster transformation, justice, and resilience in ministry. NEXT Church emphasizes relational strength, leadership development, and confronting oppressive systems to help congregations and leaders embody God’s vision for the common good. The network creates collaborative spaces, equips leaders to navigate cultural change, and promotes experimental approaches to ministry. Resources offered by NEXT Church include Cultivated Ministry for adaptive accountability, the Antiracism as a Way of Being course, and a group-oriented Restoration Bible Study.
The Unstuck Group is a consulting organization that helps churches overcome growth barriers by providing strategic guidance and practical support to pastors and church leaders. Founded by Tony Morgan, the group offers a structured process known as the Unstuck Process, which includes assessment, strategic planning, and ongoing coaching. This approach is designed to help churches clarify vision, align teams, develop effective structures, and create actionable plans for sustainable impact. The Unstuck Group works with churches through both virtual and in-person consulting options, emphasizing alignment, accountability, and follow-through.
Formed within Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership is dedicated to promoting the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Over the past 17 years, the Center has become a trusted resource for church leadership ideas, research, resources, and training. The Center helps seminary students, clergy, lay leaders, and denominational leaders enhance their leadership effectiveness and develop leadership in others.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Congregational Renewal
Change is something every ministry leader talks about… but when does it actually happen? Let’s explore a simple framework that looks at change in a bit of a different way.
What if you could show people the life behind the numbers? What if, instead of just stating that “85 people attended the Easter sunrise service,” you also shared the story of one woman who found deep comfort in that gathering after a hard season of grief? Now that’s a testimony. That’s a window into the Spirit at work.
That’s why we want to encourage (and resource) you to share the stories behind your church’s ministry. Whether you use a video interview, a print out, a live testimony or a slide show, storytelling brings your ministry to life in a way data can’t.
In our fast-paced world, ministry leaders often find themselves swept up in the “adrenaline of busyness.” Consider how mindfulness practices—like meditation apps (Headspace, Calm, Lectio 365) and prayer—can help us notice and tend to our inner life. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is simply stop, breathe, and listen to what our souls are trying to say.
With endorsements from Ministry Forum members and a flexible, accessible design, The Sanctuary Course offers churches a meaningful way to support mental wellness through small groups, staff discussions, or formation programs.
Over the past year we’ve hosted three episodes on the Ministry Forum Podcast highlighting a different facet of how ministry leaders are finding ways to sustain their calling. These episodes aren’t just interviews—they’re invitations - to rest, to renew your sense of purpose, and to learn from the hard-earned wisdom of others who’ve been in the trenches.
In the busyness of church life, many leaders push pause only when they hit burnout. But what if rest could be proactive, healing, and formational—not just a recovery strategy, but a rhythm of resilience?
For pastors and church leaders, the rhythm of constant giving can slowly erode the well of spiritual and emotional strength if not attended to with care. Rest, renewal, and intentional time away are not luxuries, but essential parts of sustaining a healthy and faithful ministry. Whether you're considering a sabbatical, planning a retreat, or simply hoping to find a slower rhythm in your everyday life, these books offer wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools. Below, we've curated a selection of thoughtful reads to inspire rest and support your journey toward spiritual health and vocational sustainability.
Tools and insights for ministry leaders to navigate the complexities of faith transmission and renewal, drawing from recent research, conferences, and collaborative events.
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.
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?
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.
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.
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves at the center of a paradox. We strive to create spaces of connection and reflection, yet we too are vulnerable to the relentless pull of screens and notifications. Our congregations and youth—perhaps even we ourselves—may be longing for a reprieve from the constant hum of digital distraction. What better time to embrace a digital detox than during the season of Advent, a season that calls us to quiet expectation, intentional preparation, and deep reflection?
Advent, the season of waiting for the Light of Christ, invites us to slow down, to make space for what truly matters. It is an ideal time to step away from the noise of the digital world and foster meaningful connections with God, one another, and ourselves.
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.
“Another event? More time away from the church, more cost, more travel?… is it really worth it?
The short answer is YES! conferences can be vital gatherings for your growth and sustainability in ministry — not just for the sessions and speakers, but for what can happens in between too! So, let’s talk about why attending conferences should be part of your ministry rhythm and why lifelong learning is a gift we sometimes forget to unwrap.
In the demanding field of ministry, leaders often find themselves giving continuously, which can lead to burnout if not managed properly. Taking intentional time away through retreats and pilgrimages is essential for rejuvenating the spirit and maintaining a healthy ministry.
Tools and insights for ministry leaders to navigate the complexities of faith transmission and renewal, drawing from recent research, conferences, and collaborative events.
Conflict Management
Conflict Resolution Network offers a wide range of free and low-cost materials to help people learn how to handle conflict better. Their tools are practical, easy to understand, and based on twelve key skills. Whether you’re just getting started or want deeper training, their resources are flexible and widely usable.
Nurturing Church Staff Teams is a self-directed online course designed to help church staff teams grow in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. Offered through ChurchX and created by the Toronto United Church Council, this resource includes 18 videos and 6–12 hours of guided reflection for staff of all roles. It supports healthy team dynamics by encouraging feedback, understanding of personality and gifts, and intentional work on relational patterns.
Peaceful Practices is a free, downloadable curriculum from Mennonite Central Committee that helps adult groups practice healthy communication in the midst of conflict. The curriculum gives nine structured sessions that explore biblical and practical tools for dialogue, empathy, and transformation. The guide requires no special training for facilitators and includes both print and digital versions, available in English and Spanish.
CRG’s work is focused on helping churches deal with deeply rooted conflict. This includes relational breakdowns between staff or board members, unhealthy leadership dynamics, and patterns of communication that are no longer working. CRG is a fit for churches that feel like they have tried internal solutions but still find themselves stuck or divided. They offer structured help for churches that are willing to take an honest look at what is going wrong. Their process can support situations ranging from early leadership tension to larger congregational conflict that has already escalated.
Peaceful Leaders Academy (PLA) offers faith-sensitive conflict resolution training for churches. These online courses equip leaders with skills for communication, conflict coaching, volunteer management, and fostering unity, all framed by values of trust, safety, and inclusion. Programs are designed for pastors, lay leaders, and administrative staff seeking to strengthen leadership and community engagement. PLA also provides downloadable resources and the option to pursue leadership certification, creating a flexible, affordable solution for leaders navigating complex ministry dynamics.
The University of Waterloo’s Conflict Management Certificate Program, housed at Conrad Grebel University College, offers comprehensive training in mediation, negotiation, and leadership, blending theory with practice. Two streams are available: a general track for professional mediation skills and a specialized Certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership for clergy and church leaders. Workshops—delivered online and in person—cover foundational conflict theory, coaching, facilitation, and biblically informed approaches for peaceable congregations. This respected, ADR-approved program equips leaders to manage conflict constructively, reduce division, and strengthen organizational health.
Each video offers a starting point for conversation and reflection, helping ministry teams identify areas of growth and adopt practices that lead to healthier, more cohesive collaboration.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Conflict
Originally shared in August 2025, John reflects on Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, an experience working through the model with Knox College’s Senior Leadership Team, and what it might offer those of us navigating leadership, trust, conflict, and collaboration in ministry today.
We’ve gathered a selection of resources—articles, videos, tools, and book recommendations—to help you and your teams explore these topics more deeply. Whether you are looking to strengthen trust, navigate disagreement with grace, or build clarity around shared goals, we hope this collection will serve as a practical starting point.
Early this year, as a part of Knox College’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) retreat, I was invited to share some insights from Patrick Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” - a book that I had encouraged our leadership to read. Let me state from the outset that the title of the book can be jarring since it appears to label the reader as a part of the dysfunction which has negative connotations
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.
Fundraising & Giving
StoryBrand is a practical framework for clarifying how an organization talks about who it is and why it matters. For churches, it can be especially helpful in naming congregational identity, telling faith stories clearly, and communicating purpose without relying on vague or overused church language. The process helps leaders articulate who their community is in their context and carry that clarity into preaching, storytelling, websites, and printed materials.
Lee Jenkins’ The Stewardship Coach Instagram offers short, practical ideas to help you think and talk about money in ways that connect stewardship to mission rather than fundraising. It’s a quick, accessible source of weekly inspiration for both personal financial habits and church leadership conversations.
The Charity Finance Course is practical, self-paced training that equips church and charity leaders with the tools and knowledge to confidently manage financial systems and meet CRA compliance requirements. This online course combines detailed instruction with hands-on resources, to help organizations strengthen governance and build financial integrity.
GrowChurch is a comprehensive platform dedicated to equipping church leaders with practical tools and strategies to foster both personal and congregational growth.
The Center for Church Renewal helps in revitalizing churches and supporting leaders in their renewal journeys. They offer a free church health assessment to help you evaluate your congregation's current state and identify areas for growth.
NextAfter Institute is the training arm of NextAfter, an online fundraising research lab and consultancy focused on helping nonprofits acquire more donors and grow their revenue in order to increase impact and grow generosity.
NonprofitReady.org offers over 600 free online courses and certificate programs designed to strengthen skills essential for nonprofit and ministry work. Whether you're leading a church, managing staff, working with volunteers, or overseeing operations, this platform provides training in areas critical to ministry effectiveness.
Reliant Creative is a creative agency dedicated to helping churches and Christian nonprofits tell their stories effectively to mobilize the Church for action. They believe that storytelling is a powerful tool to inspire generosity, engagement, and discipleship. With a deep understanding of ministry challenges, Reliant Creative partners with organizations to create tailored solutions for branding, messaging, websites, and digital content. Their work is fueled by the belief that sharing stories of God’s work can grow ministries, build community, and expand the Kingdom.
For ministry leaders, mastering the art of storytelling can have a profound impact on your fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer recruitment, and communication efforts.
The Storytelling Non-Profit, led by Vanessa Chase Lockshin, offers practical tools, courses, and coaching to help tell compelling stories that inspire generosity and deepen connections with your writing for.
REACHRIGHT Studios, a team of pastors, church leaders, and marketers, equips ministries with tools and strategies to grow their impact online.
RallyUp’s Church Fundraising Guide provides practical, step-by-step guidance to help churches plan, execute, and maximize their fundraising efforts. The guide uses some common (and some less common) examples to demonstrate the best practices in organizing a fundraiser at your church.
Kelly, the creator of Nonprofit Marketing Nerd, brings years of hands-on experience in nonprofit marketing and fundraising to provide practical tools and training for leaders like you. Having worked as a Public Relations and Development Director, she understands the challenges of juggling multiple roles and the need for simple, effective solutions to amplify a mission.
The Ecclesiastical Fundraising Hub is a free resource designed to help churches navigate the challenges of fundraising. Whether your church is raising funds for new programs, building projects, or ongoing ministry, this hub offers practical guidance and tools to support every step of the process.
The webinar, "Master the Art of Storytelling to Boost Church Fundraising," features Romal Tune, a sought-after speaker, author, and nonprofit consultant. Hosted by Nonprofit Fundraising Management, this session equips ministry leaders with practical strategies to use storytelling as a tool to inspire generosity and deepen donor connections. Rooted in biblical principles, Romal emphasizes how stories of transformation can showcase the impact of your ministry, engage hearts, and encourage action. With insights on crafting compelling narratives, avoiding common pitfalls, and keeping donors engaged, this webinar is an essential resource for churches seeking to strengthen their fundraising efforts.
Formerly known as The Center for Progressive Renewal, Convergence champions an inclusive, progressive theological vision aimed at fostering a more just world. The organization emphasizes core values such as collaboration, innovation, courage, and inclusion, seeking to rejuvenate Christian communities and leadership. Through collaboration, Convergence builds trust and shares resources for the common good.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Fundraising and Giving
There comes that season in the Church’s life when one turns to stewardship, givings, and fundraising… and budget season!
The Hub Model (Regional Model)
for Congregational Life
The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by authors Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom explores the contrasting dynamics between centralized and decentralized organizations.
In the article How to Be Both Multisite and Missional—at Any Church Cont’d, by Michael Beck, the author continues from part one of an article by the same name, by exploring the concept of the "blended ecology," emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between traditional or "inherited" church models and innovative or "fresh expressions" of church.
In the Michigan District, LCMS podcast episode titled "Church Partnerships – Part 6: Hub-and-Spoke Model," Rev. Randy Johnson discusses the hub-and-spoke model as an innovative approach to church partnerships.
This model involves a central "hub" church collaborating with multiple "spoke" churches or ministries, enabling resource sharing, coordinated efforts, and mutual support.
Diaconal Ministries Canada is a partner agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) dedicated to supporting deacons in their mission to demonstrate God's love within their communities.
Diaconal Ministries Canada supports ministry leaders, particularly deacons, by equipping them with practical tools, coaching, and funding opportunities to enhance their ministry efforts.
Ekkuip Canada is a Cambridge, Ontario-based organization dedicated to equipping Canadian ministry leaders with trusted resources and personalized service. They offer a wide range of products, including Bibles, study materials, curricula, and church supplies, tailored to support various aspects of ministry.
The Starfish and the Spirit: Unleashing the Leadership Potential of Churches and Organizations by Lance Ford, Rob Wegner, and Alan Hirsch explores decentralized leadership models for church organizations.
Lay Leadership
Worship 101 is a practical and encouraging guide for anyone asked to lead worship — especially lay leaders and those without formal training. Written by Anne Miller and published through Seeds of Grace Resources in partnership with Knox College’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, the resource helps worship leaders understand the flow, purpose, and spirit of Christian worship. It offers theological grounding, practical tools, and reproducible checklists to make planning and leading services both approachable and Spirit-led.
This resource is ideal for small churches, house churches, or individual study. It includes closed-captioning options for non-English speakers. Simple to use, it allows viewers to stream or download sermons and project them onto screens for group use. Users can sign up to receive weekly sermons by email.
An online course led by Rev. Dr. Peter Coutts, designed to enhance self-awareness and leadership skills for ministry leaders. Over four units, participants explore self-leadership principles, complete self-assessment tools, and develop personal leadership plans. The course combines video lectures, practical exercises, and reflective activities to help leaders manage their strengths and weaknesses, set meaningful goals, and apply self-leadership in real-world contexts. This course aims to foster intentional personal and professional growth, empowering ministry leaders to lead themselves and their congregations more effectively.
The document "To Preach the Good News: A Handbook about Preaching for Presbyterians in Canada" by Sarah Travis is a comprehensive guide designed to assist preachers in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Leading worship is a vital and deeply fulfilling aspect of church life, especially in these times when many churches are guided by dedicated lay leaders. If you’ve found yourself stepping into this role, perhaps with some trepidation, you’re not alone. We understand the unique challenges you face, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Lay Leadership
There's a quiet exhaustion that many ministry leaders carry: the sense that everything depends on you. The hospital visits. The Bible studies. The sermons. The administration. The pastoral care. The strategic planning. And somewhere underneath all of it, a nagging feeling that if you drop even one ball, someone will notice.
It's a heavy way to live.
We’ve had the privilege of working alongside Anne Miller over the past few months as she prepared to launch her newest resource for lay preachers and worship leaders: Worship 101: A Guide to Planning and Leading (out now!!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
When a congregation is in a season of decline, or interim leadership - it can feel overwhelming. Where should we start? What should we focus on? Is there any hope to turn things around? These are big questions and we don’t promise to answer them in a single post, but the following might help shed a little light into a season of ministry that feels darker than usual…
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…
Every week we’ll ask a question to the community. We hope you’ll provide your thoughts and insights and engage with other lifelong learners on this journey of growth and development.
In a recent episode of the Pivot podcast, the conversation dives deep into the vital yet often overlooked role of laypeople in the church. The conversation sheds light on how small congregations, often seen as burdens, might actually hold the key to the future of our denominations. The episode challenges us to rethink our traditional models, which have long centered on ordained clergy - now stretched thin and dwindling in numbers.
A common challenge that ministry leaders in congregations that find themselves without a minister - either temporarily or those who may never call another minister (full or part-time) - bring to our attention often is - Sunday Pulpit Supply.
Leading worship is a vital and deeply fulfilling aspect of church life, especially in these times when many churches are guided by dedicated lay leaders. If you’ve found yourself stepping into this role, perhaps with some trepidation, you’re not alone. We understand the unique challenges you face, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
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 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.
Disciple First’s Disciple-Making Leader Podcast features an hour-long episode titled “The Necessity for Healthy Conflict Resolution” with Glenn Underhill, Craig Etheridge, and Dr. Bernice Riley. This conversation explores the emotional and relational layers of church conflict and provides practical guidance for navigating it well. With tools like the H.E.A.R.T. framework and a downloadable eBook called Fight Right, this episode offers clear strategies for pastors and ministry leaders who want to address conflict without losing relationships or compromising leadership integrity.
Pastors, Priests & Guides offers soul-restoring retreats and ongoing resources for spiritual leaders navigating exhaustion, shifting church paradigms, and a longing for deeper spiritual practice. This community equips clergy and lay leaders to rest, reconnect with God, and reimagine ministry for today’s world.
The Lead Pastor is a community for pastors, church planters and anyone with a passion for building better churches.
Article “7 Steps for Making Disciples Through Relational Mentoring" by Ken Carter and Audrey Warren.
The New Leaf Network Learning Centre offers a variety of resources tailored for Christian ministry leaders in Canada.
Founder, Karl Vaters, created a resource hub dedicated to supporting small church leaders. Vaters is a pastor with over 40 years of experience in small-church ministry and his website offers a range of materials aimed at helping small churches thrive.
Leading Ideas Talks brings to the table cutting-edge leaders on subjects you care about — navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be.
Faith Matters Network is a womanist-centered organization dedicated to empowering spiritually grounded leaders, social activists, and community organizers to pursue social justice and personal well-being. Through programs built on principles of spiritual sustainability, connection, and accompaniment, Faith Matters Network offers resources, coaching, and cohort-based learning to cultivate resilient leadership among those addressing societal injustices.
In his talk, "What's Next? Options for Struggling Churches," Rev. Dr. John-Peter Smit gives practical advice for churches facing shrinking attendance and financial hurdles. He points out that while the world has changed around them, many churches haven’t adapted, and that’s why they’re losing relevance and members.
The Ministry Collaborative, initiated by the Macedonian Ministry Foundation, has been working for over a decade to support pastors and congregations in developing creative leadership in their communities.
The authors aim to empower clergy by highlighting the systemic issues within ministry, encouraging congregations to offer better support, and inspiring seminaries to adapt their training programs. "Stuck" is recommended for anyone interested in understanding and transforming the landscape of modern ministry.
With a mission to create "leaders worth following," Leadercast has developed over one million leaders across 20 years by delivering valuable content for corporations, associations, chambers of commerce, and more.
Navigating the complexities of leadership can be daunting and overwhelming. With Jenni Catron and her guests as your trusted and experienced guides, your leadership journey can become less overwhelming and more fulfilling. Jenni and the 4Sight team want to help you become a healthy leader who leads a thriving organization. Listen to discover the tools and wisdom you need to gain the 4Sight for success!
Through warm and winsome conversations with a touch of sass, one of America’s most beloved Bible teachers, Margaret Feinberg, uncovers practical ways to spark joy in your life and the lives of others. The Joycast is designed to become the hap-hap-happiest half hour of your week.
The Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast offers personal, practical coaching lessons that take the mystery out of leadership. In each episode of the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, Craig brings you empowering insights and easy-to-understand takeaways you can use to lead yourself and lead your team. You’ll learn effective ways to grow as a leader, optimize your time, develop your team, and structure your organization.
Formerly known as The Center for Progressive Renewal, Convergence champions an inclusive, progressive theological vision aimed at fostering a more just world. The organization emphasizes core values such as collaboration, innovation, courage, and inclusion, seeking to rejuvenate Christian communities and leadership. Through collaboration, Convergence builds trust and shares resources for the common good.
The Canadian Church Leaders Network (CCLN) is dedicated to supporting pastors across Canada to foster renewal and strengthen the Church. Recognizing the unique challenges facing pastors today, the CCLN focuses on providing holistic resources that support leadership development, community building, and cultural engagement. I
An online course led by Rev. Dr. Peter Coutts, designed to enhance self-awareness and leadership skills for ministry leaders. Over four units, participants explore self-leadership principles, complete self-assessment tools, and develop personal leadership plans. The course combines video lectures, practical exercises, and reflective activities to help leaders manage their strengths and weaknesses, set meaningful goals, and apply self-leadership in real-world contexts. This course aims to foster intentional personal and professional growth, empowering ministry leaders to lead themselves and their congregations more effectively.
Formed within Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership is dedicated to promoting the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Over the past 17 years, the Center has become a trusted resource for church leadership ideas, research, resources, and training. The Center helps seminary students, clergy, lay leaders, and denominational leaders enhance their leadership effectiveness and develop leadership in others.
Working Preacher, a resource from Luther Seminary, offers weekly lectionary-based content, blogs, and articles to support preachers. Featuring contributions from over 500 biblical scholars and pastors, it provides trusted resources for sermon development and worship planning.
Fresh Expressions helps churches innovate and reach more people for Christ by combining traditional and new forms of worship. It provides resources, training, and support for pastors and leaders to create vibrant, contextually relevant faith communities.
Leadership Development
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Leadership Development
Originally shared in August 2025, John reflects on Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, an experience working through the model with Knox College’s Senior Leadership Team, and what it might offer those of us navigating leadership, trust, conflict, and collaboration in ministry today.
Ruth Haley Barton’s Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry reminds ministry leaders that we need to take time in solitude to nourish our very souls.
Numbers help us see patterns, and patterns can help us make better decisions for the future.
In an effort to continue to provide simple, small steps in the area of “digital ministry”, here are five simple areas where you can begin paying attention to data right now in your ministry context.
If you track these consistently for one year, you will be in a much stronger position to make decisions this time next year.
When someone in your congregation passes away, it can be a deeply emotional time for everyone, including you. As a ministry leader, you’re there to offer comfort, guidance, and support—but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to the grief and loss. It’s okay to feel sad, to take a moment for yourself, and to acknowledge the weight of the moment. Taking care of yourself isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential.
Here are some simple ways to be gentle with yourself as you walk with others through this difficult time.
Early this year, as a part of Knox College’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) retreat, I was invited to share some insights from Patrick Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” - a book that I had encouraged our leadership to read. Let me state from the outset that the title of the book can be jarring since it appears to label the reader as a part of the dysfunction which has negative connotations
The bulletin needs finishing
Someone’s asking about tables for the potluck
The sink in the church kitchen is leaking again
…And your inbox is full of half-answered emails.
So much of ministry is lived in the swirl of the immediate—reactive, necessary, busy. And sometimes meaningful, yes. But often it leaves little room for the chance to ask: Where are we actually going?
That’s where the idea of a planning retreat comes in - we’re not talking about a long weekend of spreadsheets and strategies. We’re talking about stepping away—literally—from the building and the bulletin and the “Sunday is always coming” cycle. We’re talking about gathering a few thoughtful, trusted leaders from your congregation, and giving yourselves the gift of time and space to ask important questions
“If I wasn’t in ministry tomorrow, what would be left of my faith?”
Carey Nieuwhof (church leader, author and coach) has asked this questions many times through his platform. It names a truth that too many of us are afraid to admit: ministry can become a substitute for relationship. When that happens, our souls grow dry. Our calling becomes a job. Our prayers lose their power. Jesus never called you to produce for Him. He called you to abide in Him.
A growing number of church leaders now serve part-time or alongside other work. Some denominations have embraced this as a way to ground pastors more deeply in the life of their communities. Others are adjusting out of necessity, as congregational resources become more limited. But as Karl Vaters writes, these models are quickly becoming the norm, not the exception.
Tools and insights for ministry leaders to navigate the complexities of faith transmission and renewal, drawing from recent research, conferences, and collaborative events.
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.
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.
When someone in your congregation passes away, it can be a deeply emotional time for everyone, including you. As a ministry leader, you’re there to offer comfort, guidance, and support—but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to the grief and loss. It’s okay to feel sad, to take a moment for yourself, and to acknowledge the weight of the moment. Taking care of yourself isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential.
Here are some simple ways to be gentle with yourself as you walk with others through this difficult time.
As a leader you’re often focused on others: guiding, supporting, mediating, vision casting to your congregation… But have you ever found yourself wondering, “Who’s guiding me?” It’s a question that many of us in ministry quietly carry, and it’s exactly why we worked with the Rev. Dr. Peter Coutts to develop a Self-Leadership course.
As the relaxed pace of summer gives way to the bustling activity of fall, ministry leaders often find themselves navigating a whirlwind of events, meetings, and programs. It can feel like you blink and suddenly it’s Advent, with a non-stop flurry of autumn activities and the resumption of weekly meetings. In the midst of this transition, it’s crucial to bring moments of rest, balance, and self-care into your routine to prevent burnout.
Here are 5 tips to help you embrace this seasonal change mindfully.
In a recent episode of the Pivot podcast, the conversation dives deep into the vital yet often overlooked role of laypeople in the church. The conversation sheds light on how small congregations, often seen as burdens, might actually hold the key to the future of our denominations. The episode challenges us to rethink our traditional models, which have long centered on ordained clergy - now stretched thin and dwindling in numbers.
Could it be that the congregational model as it has evolved over the decades is contributing to ordained ministers (and I’d also wonder about paid staff, volunteers, and lay leaders too) feeling constrained or hindered, even fed up with the structure of Church while at the same time not losing their love for the Gospel?
Well, you’ll need to read the book to draw your own conclusions.
An overview of Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church
We are getting closer to launching our first offerings on CHURCHx (our learning platform for Ministry Forum that joins an ecumenical community of lifelong learners that numbers over 5000). In anticipation of our launch in the coming months, we’d love for you to check out the platform itself - become a member and maybe even try out some of the offerings that are available already from various partners.
An overview of CHURCHx, an online learning platform built to support mission and ministry.
One finding that fascinated me - and connects with how we may be feeling at the moment - was this: almost 100% of pastors acknowledge that it is somewhat true that their mental health is important while half use none of the identified services for personal, spiritual, or mental health support (like counsellors, spiritual directors, coaches, psychotherapists, etc)…
An overview of a helpful resource: Dandelion Marketplace - a platform that provides progressive spiritual formation content for families and communities.
…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!
Tools and insights for ministry leaders to navigate the complexities of faith transmission and renewal, drawing from recent research, conferences, and collaborative events.
Beloved Arise is dedicated to empowering LGBTQIA+ youth to embrace both their faith and their queer identity. Through community-building, affirming resources, leadership programs, and national awareness campaigns, it creates safe spaces for young people of all faith traditions to belong, believe, and be loved—just as they are.
Preaching While Queer is a podcast that amplifies the voices of LGBTQIA+ ministry leaders navigating preaching, pastoring, and spiritual leadership. Hosted by trans seminarian Joshua Clapp, the podcast provides a sacred space for storytelling, connection, and community among queer people of faith.
ProgressiveChristianity.org offers inclusive, inter-spiritual, and developmentally rich curriculum resources for children and teens. Their flagship series, A Joyful Path, nurtures spirituality in kids ages 6–12 through stories, movement, science, and social justice, aligned with the values of compassion, diversity, and open inquiry.
The Reformation Project equips ministry leaders to affirm LGBTQ+ Christians through theological training, pastoral support, and church reform strategies.
Inclusive Evangelicals is a network of evangelical Christians, primarily associated with the Church of England, who advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQI+ individuals in the church, believing that affirming same-sex relationships aligns with biblical integrity. They are committed to fostering unity among Christians, emphasizing that differing views on sexuality should not be a cause for division within the faith community.
The Queer Christian Resources compiled by Invisible Cake Society offer a comprehensive suite of tools and communities that can aid ministry leaders in fostering inclusive and affirming environments within their congregations. These resources address various aspects of LGBTQ+ inclusion in Christian settings, providing theological insights, pastoral care strategies, and community support mechanisms.
GayChurch.org is an online resource dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ Christians and their allies by providing a comprehensive directory of affirming Christian churches worldwide. The site features an Affirming Church Directory™, which allows users to locate congregations that welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ individuals. These churches have confirmed that they do not view homosexuality as a sin and offer full participation in all aspects of church life, including leadership roles and the performance of same-sex marriages.
The Student Christian Movement (SCM) Canada offers a collection of resources aimed at supporting LGBTQ individuals and their allies within Christian communities.
These resources are designed to foster inclusivity, understanding, and affirmation of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.
Affirming Connections provides a curated selection of resources aimed at assisting ministry leaders in fostering inclusive and affirming faith communities for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) developed the resource, Deepening Our Understanding: A Resource in Transgender Identity, authored by Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza and Rev. Shanea D. Leonard, to assist ministry leaders in fostering inclusivity and understanding within their congregations. This guide addresses common questions related to transgender identity, such as the concept of gender beyond the traditional binary framework and the alignment of transgender identities with being created in the image of God. By providing theological insights and promoting compassionate dialogue, the resource aims to equip church leaders with the knowledge to support transgender individuals effectively, thereby enhancing the church's commitment to inclusivity and the full dignity of all people.
The "Bystander Intervention to Support the LGBTQIA+ Community" workshop, offered by Right To Be, is a one-hour interactive training designed to equip participants with strategies to safely intervene when witnessing harassment toward LGBTQIA+ individuals. The training introduces the "5Ds" of bystander intervention: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct, providing practical guidance on applying these methods while prioritizing personal safety. Additionally, the workshop addresses current issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, such as stigma and discrimination related to public health concerns.
AORTA (Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Alliance) is a worker-owned cooperative dedicated to supporting movements for social justice and liberation. They offer consulting, facilitation, and training for individuals and groups focused on social justice, liberation, and anti-oppression work. Their offerings include workshops on facilitation, leadership, conflict, and political education.
Faith Forward is reimagining children’s and youth ministry through forward-thinking approaches to faith formation, community, and theological engagement. Faith Forward equips leaders to nurture young people’s spirituality in ways that are inclusive, contextually aware, and responsive to contemporary challenges. Faith Forward’s mission is to inspire ministry practices that cross traditional boundaries, support diverse expressions of faith, and foster resilience, justice, and compassion in young people.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s National Office, through its Program Coordinator, Carragh Erhardt, offers support for congregations striving to better understand sexuality and inclusion.
LGBTQI2S+ Inclusion
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of LGBTQI2S+Inclusion
As we continue through Pride Month, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusive, welcoming spaces within our faith communities. The Ministry Forum Resource Hub offers a curated selection of resources designed to support churches in their journey toward greater LGBTQI2S+ inclusion. These resources aim to equip ministry leaders with the tools and insights necessary to create environments where all individuals feel seen, valued, and loved.
A reminder to those in our Ministry Forum community who are Presbyterians that the National Office, through its Program Coordinator, Carragh Erhardt, can support you and your congregation as they seek to better understand sexuality and inclusion.
'Clobber texts' refer to specific Biblical passages that have been traditionally used to condemn homosexuality. These texts often become conversation stoppers, preventing open and honest dialogue about LGBTQI2+ inclusion within the church. It’s crucial to reinterpret these texts in a way that aligns with the overarching message of love and acceptance found throughout the Bible.
Music Ministry & Worship Planning
Worship 101 is a practical and encouraging guide for anyone asked to lead worship — especially lay leaders and those without formal training. Written by Anne Miller and published through Seeds of Grace Resources in partnership with Knox College’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, the resource helps worship leaders understand the flow, purpose, and spirit of Christian worship. It offers theological grounding, practical tools, and reproducible checklists to make planning and leading services both approachable and Spirit-led.
Black Liturgies is a contemplative spiritual resource created by writer Cole Arthur Riley, weaving together prayers, poetry, and meditations rooted in the Black experience. Drawing from a deep well of Black literature, Christian tradition, and embodied spirituality, Riley offers a space for rest, justice, wonder, and belonging. Through her book, social media presence, and ongoing Patreon community, she curates liturgies that honour both beauty and lament, inviting individuals and communities to engage in practices that are honest, inclusive, and healing.
Wild Lectionary helps preachers explore climate justice through scripture. Each week, a different contributor offers reflections on the lectionary readings, connecting biblical themes of creation and transformation to the realities of the climate crisis. The resource includes preaching insights and links to additional materials, encouraging engagement with the wisdom of the natural world.
The Hymn Society functions as an ecumenical resource for promoting congregational singing by creating awareness of various traditions and styles, collecting and sharing hymnic data, and modeling community-based events. It encourages songwriting and research in hymnic subjects and supports vibrant congregational singing that reflects contemporary life and thought.
Formed within Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership is dedicated to promoting the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Over the past 17 years, the Center has become a trusted resource for church leadership ideas, research, resources, and training. The Center helps seminary students, clergy, lay leaders, and denominational leaders enhance their leadership effectiveness and develop leadership in others.
Leading worship is a vital and deeply fulfilling aspect of church life, especially in these times when many churches are guided by dedicated lay leaders. If you’ve found yourself stepping into this role, perhaps with some trepidation, you’re not alone. We understand the unique challenges you face, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Zeteo Worship, a collaborative project of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, and Hymnary.org, provides a robust search engine to access over 100 online resources for preachers, worship planners, and Bible students, aiming to inspire and inform sermons and worship planning.
"Still Waters" by Teresa E. Cho offers an array of intergenerational ministry resources, prayer stations, and interactive worship ideas. The focus is on creating inclusive, meaningful worship experiences that engage diverse congregations, reflecting the complex and beautiful nature of God's creation.
Weekly Worship: The Church of Scotland's Weekly Worship provides liturgical material based on the Revised Common Lectionary, aimed at anyone involved in leading worship. It offers diverse perspectives to help leaders reflect on and enhance their worship practices.
Conversations in Worship: Conversations in Worship is a Church of Scotland resource that encourages sharing personal encounters with God within worship communities. It fosters an open, non-judgmental environment, deepening communal bonds and enhancing the worship experience.
The Wild Goose Resource Group and Wild Goose Publications, part of the Iona Community, offer innovative worship resources and publications aimed at fostering justice and peace. These resources include songs, liturgies, and theological reflections designed to inspire and equip ministry leaders for contextual and participatory worship.
A team of artists in ministry who create multimedia resources for worshiping communities of all shapes and sizes.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Music Ministry & Worship Planning
If you’re planning a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, or if you’d like to offer some extra support to those who may be struggling, here are some resources that can help you create a meaningful experience.
Whether you need something refreshing for your morning routine, reflective for your prayer time, or inspiring for your next sermon prep session, we’ve gathered a mix of playlists and albums that bring together thoughtful lyrics, beautiful melodies, and deep faith. From modern hymns to liturgical folk, from progressive worship to songs that wrestle with faith and justice, there’s a little something for everyone.
It’s OKAY, last minute HAPPENS and for that reason, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few resources to help you put together services, activities and events for Holy Week and Easter.
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.
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.
I am extremely blessed to be part of a church that values music and diversity. One area of growth is in our Nigerian membership. About four times a year, we shift the worship to an intergenerational experience. On Sunday November 17, the worship was shaped around the gifts and stories from our Nigerian friends.
For years, churches have been built on a well-meaning strategy: dividing the community into specific age groups to meet their unique needs. It’s the norm in most churches — separate ministries for children, youth, young adults, seniors. It seemed logical and even beneficial at the time. After all, who better to relate to a teenager than another teenager? And wouldn’t seniors rather be with people who understand their stage of life? But over time, these well-intentioned efforts to focus on particular age groups have built something unintended: age silos.
It’s Advent season, and perhaps you’re looking for something different to inspire your worship planning, or maybe you’re thinking about changes for the new year — whether it’s a creative idea for intergenerational worship, a resource to deepen your congregation’s engagement with Advent themes, or just a fresh piece of media to use in a service, here are some resources to help you!
If you’re planning a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, or if you’d like to offer some extra support to those who may be struggling, here are some resources that can help you create a meaningful experience.
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…
Dive into a World of Books with "It's Raining Books – Hallelujah!"
Books have always been a cornerstone of learning and growth in ministry. They inspire, educate, and connect us to a broader world of ideas and perspectives. We celebrate the transformative power of books and are excited to introduce our new course on CHURCHx: It’s Raining Books – Hallelujah!
Leading worship is a vital and deeply fulfilling aspect of church life, especially in these times when many churches are guided by dedicated lay leaders. If you’ve found yourself stepping into this role, perhaps with some trepidation, you’re not alone. We understand the unique challenges you face, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We are getting closer to launching our first offerings on CHURCHx (our learning platform for Ministry Forum that joins an ecumenical community of lifelong learners that numbers over 5000). In anticipation of our launch in the coming months, we’d love for you to check out the platform itself - become a member and maybe even try out some of the offerings that are available already from various partners.
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.
I attended the Calvin Symposium on Worship a couple of weeks ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I had heard for many years that this was a destination for many clergy, staff and leadership teams among colleagues in the PCC. This was my first time - here are my impressions …
Looking for some additional engaging resources for worship? Consider highlighting the Week of Christian Prayer and Unity and PWS&D Sunday. Resources here.
Pastoral Care & Counselling
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.
Canadian Virtual Hospice is Canada’s leading online hub for compassionate, evidence-informed support related to serious illness, palliative care, death, and grief. It offers free tools, videos, and learning modules created with people who have lived experience, alongside clinicians, spiritual care providers, and researchers. From practical caregiving guidance to culturally responsive resources and specialized grief supports for all ages, the platform equips individuals, families, and ministry leaders with reliable information they can trust—anytime, anywhere.
Canadian Virtual Hospice offers a suite of free, compassionate grief-support platforms for all ages: MyGrief.ca for adults, KidsGrief.ca for parents and educators, and YouthGrief.ca for teens and young adults. Developed by grief specialists and those with lived experience, these resources offer clear guidance, real stories, and practical tools to help people understand grief and find steady footing after loss. Ministry leaders, caregivers, and educators can use these modules to support families, equip volunteers, and create informed, caring environments for people navigating one of life’s hardest seasons.
The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada supports the “forgotten mourners”—children grieving the loss of a loved one. Their site offers practical, free resources to help adults talk with kids about death and grief, plus grants and national initiatives that strengthen bereavement care across Canada.
Article “7 Steps for Making Disciples Through Relational Mentoring" by Ken Carter and Audrey Warren.
The centre provides a range of services, including individual, couple, family, and group counselling, all with a psychospiritual focus. This approach integrates psychological principles with spiritual exploration, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and relationship challenges. While rooted in the Christian academic context of Knox College, the Centre is inclusive and welcomes clients from all backgrounds—no religious or spiritual affiliation is necessary to access services.
Playlist for Life is a music and dementia charity founded in 2013 by Sally Magnusson after her mother, Mamie's, death from dementia. The charity aims to improve the lives of people living with dementia by providing them with personalized music playlists.
Music Care is a social enterprise focused on enhancing caregiving experiences through the strategic use of music. It aims to transform care by empowering both formal and informal caregivers to integrate music into their daily practice, thereby enriching the caregiving experience. This approach has reached over 6,000 caregivers and is grounded in research demonstrating the positive effects of music on physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Spiritual Eldercare, founded by Chaplain Elisa Bosley, offers free resources designed to support the spiritual needs of elders, particularly those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The platform provides a variety of dementia-friendly materials, including Bible studies, worship services, and sing-along hymns, tailored to foster meaningful spiritual engagement.
Formed within Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership is dedicated to promoting the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Over the past 17 years, the Center has become a trusted resource for church leadership ideas, research, resources, and training. The Center helps seminary students, clergy, lay leaders, and denominational leaders enhance their leadership effectiveness and develop leadership in others.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Pastoral Care & Counselling
Amber offers a two step plan to connect more deeply with your loved ones, work colleagues, and new acquaintances. And, you know what, it might also make you feel less alone despite the multiplicity of connections you may have.
This week, we’re naming the heaviness of what it means to serve in a care-based vocation. We hold stories of grief and celebration, navigate complex dynamics, and try to remain faithful in contexts that are often under-resourced and deeply in flux. And it’s hard work.
Our Ministry Forum team is working on something to help in this area — the Listening Support Network - which you can read more about in our companion post. This is an area of ministy we are deeply passionate about and one we’ve talked about before. Below is a post we shared a while back and for this week’s theme of “finding support” we decided to revisit with a few updated resources you can dig into today.
We hope something here will help you tend your own soul, support those around you, and maybe even discern new ways to give back.
I’m often in spaces where people are wondering about new models for ministry. Here is one area I’ve been thinking a lot of about…
If you’re planning a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, or if you’d like to offer some extra support to those who may be struggling, here are some resources that can help you create a meaningful experience.
The loneliness epidemic isn't going away, and AI companions aren't the solution. But we have something irreplaceable to offer: the ministry of genuine human presence in the name of Jesus.
In an age of artificial everything, authentic ministry matters more than ever. Yours, Ministry Leader, is the work of connection.
We are in the beginning days of an ongoing conversation about creating cultures of safety, accountability, and grace. This week, we’re opening this conversation up to our Ministry Forum community - we’re talking about toxic masculinity in the church in our companion post and in this post were highlighting several resources that may be helpful to those who have been hurt, and some for those in leadership seeking to better understand and care for them. We hope these will be a helpful starting point for reflection, conversation, and healing.
Thanks to some additional funds from the Lilly Grant Foundation, we’re hosting monthly webinars are several important topics between now and November.
As conversations about the role of chaplains grow—particularly in light of recent reflections on the evolving landscape of spiritual care—we want to offer something practical: a growing list of resources to sustain and inspire you.
In recent years, chaplaincy and spiritual care have undergone significant changes. With fewer people identifying with traditional religion and institutions placing more limits on overtly religious expression, chaplains are being asked to adapt. At the same time, there’s growing recognition of the value chaplains bring—whether faith-based or not. This tension raises vital questions for Christian leaders: How do we offer spiritual care in pluralistic or even secular settings? What distinguishes our ministry when others are also doing this work with compassion, but without faith? These shifts invite us to reflect deeply on our calling and how we serve in today’s complex, spiritually diverse world.
If you’re planning a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, or if you’d like to offer some extra support to those who may be struggling, here are some resources that can help you create a meaningful experience.
In ministry, we often walk alongside individuals and families through some of their most vulnerable times. Grief and loss are universal, yet each experience of them is profoundly personal, making compassionate, thoughtful support essential. Many leaders find it beneficial to have resources on hand to offer meaningful care, comfort, and reflection as they guide their communities through times of loss.
Ministry leaders often find themselves walking alongside individuals and families in some of the most challenging seasons of life. Whether it's offering a listening ear, providing spiritual guidance, or simply being present, pastoral care—especially in the context of end-of-life situations—requires deep empathy and a range of skills that can be emotionally taxing. While caring for others is profoundly rewarding, it can also be draining and complex.
Some guidance on selecting mental health services that align with individual needs, cultural, and faith backgrounds including resources for therapy and highlighting the importance of tailored approaches.
…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!
Caring for those who care is so very important to us. We believe that any ministry leader can benefit from learning from various practitioners and fields how best to support oneself in the helping professions. Here are a few resources…
Prayer
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.
Contemplative Outreach is a global spiritual network of individuals and faith communities dedicated to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel through the practice of Centering Prayer and other contemplative disciplines. Rooted in the teaching of Father Thomas Keating, this international, interdenominational community offers formation, resources, and gatherings that help deepen one’s relationship with God and embody divine transformation in daily life.
The Taizé Community in France is an ecumenical Christian community devoted to prayer, simplicity, and unity among believers. Known for its meditative music, silence, and Scripture readings, Taizé invites people worldwide to encounter God through peace-filled rhythms of worship and reflection. Online, the community offers daily prayers, Bible readings, and live worship streams, making its contemplative practice accessible to individuals and congregations everywhere.
Pray As You Go is a website and mobile app that provides daily audio prayer experiences to help individuals connect with God through scripture, music, and reflective prompts. Developed by Jesuits in Britain, this free resource provides 10–13 minute meditations rooted in Ignatian spirituality, allowing users to pause, reflect, and pray wherever they are—whether commuting, walking, or seeking stillness.
A Visual Guide to Prayer Walking is a thoughtfully designed set of visual prompts and prayers to help individuals and groups engage with God while walking through their neighbourhoods. Created by Randell Neudorf, this guide combines simple drawings and reflective questions to spark fresh ways of praying as you move.
Bless every home offers a platform designed to help individuals and churches spread Christ’s love in their communities. Through its BLESS practices— which stands for Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, and Share your Story—users can build meaningful connections with neighbors.
The Greater Ontario House of Prayer (GOHOP) is a praying community in Hamilton, Ontario, dedicated to cultivating deep spiritual rhythms of prayer, discipleship, and mission. As part of the global 24-7 Prayer movement, GOHOP exists to serve and equip the Church by fostering personal and corporate prayer expressions that unite believers across denominations.
The Lectio 365 App is a powerful tool for spiritual formation, designed to help believers pray and meditate on Scripture throughout their day. Inspired by the ancient rhythms of prayer practiced by Jesus and His disciples, the app invites you to pause three times daily—morning, midday, and evening—to connect with God through prayer and reflection.
Whether you’re seeking to deepen your personal relationship with God or lead your congregation into a more intentional prayer life, Lectio 365 offers accessible, Scripture-centered devotions that bring peace and focus in a busy world.
Prayer & Possibilities is a ministry dedicated to guiding individuals toward a deeper, more vibrant relationship with God through prayer and faith development. Founded by Kathryn Shirey, the platform offers resources designed to help you learn how to pray, deepen your faith, and step into God's possibilities for your life.
Ignatian Resources is dedicated to helping individuals and communities embrace the transformative wisdom of Ignatian spirituality. Ignatian spirituality is based on the work of the Catholic Saint Ignatius of Loyola, taking inspiration from his spiritual exercises and famous spiritual retreats. With a mission to make this timeless tradition accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, Ignatian offer a wide range of thoughtfully crafted tools to deepen faith and encourage personal growth.
Crossway is a not-for-profit, Christian publishing ministry offering books, podcasts, Bible reading plans, and articles.
The Prayer Course is a free, online resource designed to help individuals and groups explore the depths of prayer in an engaging and accessible way. Rooted in the Lord’s Prayer, it offers a series of interactive video sessions that combine practical teaching with reflective exercises, fostering a deeper understanding of prayer’s transformative power.
The Bible Course, offered by the Canadian Bible Society, is an eight-session program designed to enhance understanding of the Bible. Suitable for individuals and groups, whether meeting in person or online, the course provides a comprehensive overview of the Bible's narrative, illustrating how key events, books, and characters interconnect.
Crosswalk provides resources that speak to real-life issues and highlight Christian values in an ever-changing world including daily devotionals, Bible study tools or faith-based news coverage, Crosswalk offers a wide range of content to nourish your heart and soul.
Bible Study Printables is a heartfelt initiative dedicated to enriching ones spiritual journey through accessible and engaging resources. Their mission is to provide individuals and families with tools that make studying the Bible both enjoyable and meaningful. The website offers a diverse array of features, including Bible reading plans that guide you through Scripture in a structured yet flexible manner, and Bible study games designed to make learning interactive and fun for all ages.
Prayer support offerings include: prayer guides and scripture-based articles that focus on practical ways to deepen prayer life, live out faith, and grow spiritually. Faith-building articles tackle topics like overcoming financial anxiety, finding peace in God’s promises, and trusting in His plan for our lives.
Open the Bible is a ministry helping individuals experience the transformative power of God's Word. The mission is to open the Bible with people, assist them in opening it for themselves, and equip them to share it with others.
Founded by pastor and writer John Piper, Desiring God is driven by the belief that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Resources cover a variety of topics such as Christian living, family life, culture and mental health.
24-7 Prayer is a global movement that inspires, equips, and mobilizes individuals to deepen their prayer lives and engage in active service. For personal spiritual growth, 24-7 Prayer offers a variety of resources.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Prayer
Everyday for the last decade or more, I get up before everyone else in my home. Over the years, the practices themselves have evolved. It started initially with a meditation practice that transformed my quite unhinged life at the time (if I’m honest).
It started with a minute or two and grew and grew and grew to an average of 20 minutes a day.
“If I wasn’t in ministry tomorrow, what would be left of my faith?”
Carey Nieuwhof (church leader, author and coach) has asked this questions many times through his platform. It names a truth that too many of us are afraid to admit: ministry can become a substitute for relationship. When that happens, our souls grow dry. Our calling becomes a job. Our prayers lose their power. Jesus never called you to produce for Him. He called you to abide in Him.
This week, we want to speak not just to your ministry role, but to you. Because prayer isn’t just something we do for our congregations. It’s the very place where God meets us, renews us, and roots us in the work of the gospel.
As ministry leaders we don’t need to convince you that prayer and Bible Study are vitally important in the life of the Church. They’re not just spiritual practices—they’re the foundation of everything we do. But if we’re honest, we also know that keeping these practices alive in our congregations, and even our personal lives isn’t always easy.
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.
Looking for some additional engaging resources for worship? Consider highlighting the Week of Christian Prayer and Unity and PWS&D Sunday. Resources here.
Preaching and Sermon Preparation
Free online Bible study platform offering multiple Bible translations alongside original-language tools, commentaries, dictionaries, maps, reading plans, and other study resources.
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.
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.
Worship 101 is a practical and encouraging guide for anyone asked to lead worship — especially lay leaders and those without formal training. Written by Anne Miller and published through Seeds of Grace Resources in partnership with Knox College’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, the resource helps worship leaders understand the flow, purpose, and spirit of Christian worship. It offers theological grounding, practical tools, and reproducible checklists to make planning and leading services both approachable and Spirit-led.
Nevertheless She Preached is an annual conference and growing movement that centers the voices of female, queer, and BIPOC faith leaders. With transformative content, intentional community, and bold theological exploration, NSP challenges oppressive systems and creates space for healing, growth, and liberation in ministry.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) offers a variety of preaching resources through their Proclamation Project, designed to support and equip preachers within the denomination.
Wild Lectionary helps preachers explore climate justice through scripture. Each week, a different contributor offers reflections on the lectionary readings, connecting biblical themes of creation and transformation to the realities of the climate crisis. The resource includes preaching insights and links to additional materials, encouraging engagement with the wisdom of the natural world.
GrowChurch is a comprehensive platform dedicated to equipping church leaders with practical tools and strategies to foster both personal and congregational growth.
Artos Academy is an affordable, accessible online learning platform designed to equip Christians at every stage of their spiritual journey. Artos Academy offers courses to help you learn, grow, and lead in your faith and ministry.
The Work of the People (TWOTP) is a unique spiritual visual library and virtual sanctuary offering films, liturgical resources, and courses that nurture a journey of faith, transformation, and shared humanity. Founded by filmmaker Travis Reed, TWOTP creates a safe space for honest reflection, exploring both the beauty and difficulty of transformation. With a vast and evolving library of short films featuring diverse voices—including theologians, poets, authors, and faith leaders—TWOTP addresses core questions of faith, inclusivity, justice, and human experience. The films can be used in individual study, small groups, or church settings, with topics searchable by keyword, scripture, lectionary calendar, or contributor.
The Narrative Lectionary is a structured calendar of Scripture readings designed for use in worship, focusing on a single main text each Sunday, along with an accompanying text. Unlike traditional lectionaries that often include multiple passages, the Narrative Lectionary emphasizes a narrative approach, guiding congregations through major biblical stories from creation in the Old Testament to the Gospels and through to the Acts and Letters by Pentecost.
The podcast episode "Preaching in the Wake of Mass Trauma" with Kimberly Wagner offers crucial guidance for pastors on addressing mass trauma in their sermons.
The document "To Preach the Good News: A Handbook about Preaching for Presbyterians in Canada" by Sarah Travis is a comprehensive guide designed to assist preachers in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
The Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship (LRPF) honors the legacy of exceptional leaders from Yorkminster Park Church by promoting the ministry of preaching. Since 1987, LRPF has featured distinguished preachers and teachers. The fellowship offers annual events, workshops, and lectures to support continuing education for clergy.
Backstory Preaching provides practical and spiritual support to help preachers improve their sermon preparation and delivery. Offering courses, mentorship, and resources, it aims to make sermon prep more efficient and spiritually enriching. The ministry supports both lectionary and non-lectionary preachers, fostering growth and renewed vitality in their preaching.
Bible Project provides invaluable tools for ministry leaders, educators, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible. By offering a variety of accessible and engaging resources, they help foster a lifelong journey of exploring Scripture and its transformative power.
Working Preacher, a resource from Luther Seminary, offers weekly lectionary-based content, blogs, and articles to support preachers. Featuring contributions from over 500 biblical scholars and pastors, it provides trusted resources for sermon development and worship planning.
Zeteo Worship, a collaborative project of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, and Hymnary.org, provides a robust search engine to access over 100 online resources for preachers, worship planners, and Bible students, aiming to inspire and inform sermons and worship planning.
Weekly Worship: The Church of Scotland's Weekly Worship provides liturgical material based on the Revised Common Lectionary, aimed at anyone involved in leading worship. It offers diverse perspectives to help leaders reflect on and enhance their worship practices.
Conversations in Worship: Conversations in Worship is a Church of Scotland resource that encourages sharing personal encounters with God within worship communities. It fosters an open, non-judgmental environment, deepening communal bonds and enhancing the worship experience.
The Wild Goose Resource Group and Wild Goose Publications, part of the Iona Community, offer innovative worship resources and publications aimed at fostering justice and peace. These resources include songs, liturgies, and theological reflections designed to inspire and equip ministry leaders for contextual and participatory worship.
A team of artists in ministry who create multimedia resources for worshiping communities of all shapes and sizes.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Preaching
We asked: what texts and resources are you using to prepare your sermons each week? Here’s a roundup of what we heard….
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank page, wondering how to begin, or wished you had someone to talk through a tricky passage with, you’re not alone. The Preaching Collective Weekly is here for exactly that reason.
In our churches today, we preach to congregations where people are carrying untold burdens — personal pain, communal grief, generational wounds, every type of trauma. The pulpit is not immune to these realities either. Preachers bring their own scars, questions, and unresolved tensions into the sacred task of proclamation.
Knowing this, how do we preach in a way that acknowledges trauma without re-opening wounds?
How can our sermons participate in healing without bypassing the brokenness?
It’s OKAY, last minute HAPPENS and for that reason, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few resources to help you put together services, activities and events for Holy Week and Easter.
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.
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.
If you're a minister, you know the phrase "Sunday's always coming." It's one of those fun phrases that remind us that no matter how great last Sunday was, you're always six days away from planning the next one. And even though music choice, scripture readings and prayer all require your attention, the piece that takes the most amount of time and energy every week is planning your sermon.
The biblical text lies at the heart of preaching. How do we enter into the text in creative ways that will allow us to speak a fresh word to our communities? We will explore playful approaches to exegesis and preaching that will inspire and revitalize your relationship with the biblical text.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Every week we’ll ask a question to the community. We hope you’ll provide your thoughts and insights and engage with other lifelong learners on this journey of growth and development.
From Guest Writer: Rev. Dr. Sarah Travis “A novice preacher recently remarked to me that they would benefit from more preaching courses. I responded, “So would I!” As a professor of preaching, I am aware that there is more to learn about preaching sermons than one can learn in a lifetime. “
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Join the conversation and bring your favourite, simple, either solo act or highly congregational participatory service to share with the community. We will compile the offerings and share them with anyone who registers. Leave with a few ideas not only for this Christmas Eve but for future ones as well.
Retirement & Legacy Planning
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.
Social Justice and Ethics
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.
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.
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.
Geez is a nonprofit, ad-free print magazine exploring faith, justice, art, and activism for people on the edges of church life. It offers thoughtful storytelling and prophetic imagination that helps leaders engage questions of justice, culture, and faith beyond institutional church language.
The AND Campaign provides a biblical framework for civic engagement, equipping Christians to navigate politics with both compassion and conviction. Through training, local initiatives, and accessible resources, it helps pastors, students, and public servants rise above partisan divides and model Christ-centered unity in the public square.
Black Liturgies is a contemplative spiritual resource created by writer Cole Arthur Riley, weaving together prayers, poetry, and meditations rooted in the Black experience. Drawing from a deep well of Black literature, Christian tradition, and embodied spirituality, Riley offers a space for rest, justice, wonder, and belonging. Through her book, social media presence, and ongoing Patreon community, she curates liturgies that honour both beauty and lament, inviting individuals and communities to engage in practices that are honest, inclusive, and healing.
ProgressiveChristianity.org offers inclusive, inter-spiritual, and developmentally rich curriculum resources for children and teens. Their flagship series, A Joyful Path, nurtures spirituality in kids ages 6–12 through stories, movement, science, and social justice, aligned with the values of compassion, diversity, and open inquiry.
This online workshop bridges Indigenous and Christian worldviews through storytelling and theological reflection. Presented by Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux with response by Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, it explores creation stories, environmental justice, and the implications of worldview for spiritual formation and reconciliation.
Nevertheless She Preached is an annual conference and growing movement that centers the voices of female, queer, and BIPOC faith leaders. With transformative content, intentional community, and bold theological exploration, NSP challenges oppressive systems and creates space for healing, growth, and liberation in ministry.
Gravity Commons offers thoughtful resources—courses, coaching, podcasts, workshops, and community—for Christians seeking to reconstruct a post-deconstruction faith rooted in love, wisdom, and practical formation. Founded by Ben Sternke and Matt Tebbe, Gravity Commons provides relational and experiential tools to help believers cultivate resilient, transformative spiritual lives.
Hope for Children Through Climate Justice is a resource designed to equip Christians and faith communities with legal strategies to hold financial institutions accountable for financing fossil fuels, a major driver of climate change. Developed by the World Council of Churches, it provides practical tools to advocate for children's rights and future generations' well-being through climate litigation.
The New Leaf Network Learning Centre offers a variety of resources tailored for Christian ministry leaders in Canada.
Journeys to the Well is a unique devotional designed to help Jesus followers engage deeply with the call to anti-racism through faith, scripture, and personal reflection. Developed by an ecumenical team from the Canadian Council of Churches, this collection offers diverse voices and experiences from across denominational and cultural backgrounds. The devotional reflects the belief that racism is not just a social issue but a theological one, calling Christians to prayer, repentance, and action in the pursuit of justice.
Using a data-driven approach, FaithX equips churches to assess their strengths, identify missional opportunities, and address community needs. Their consulting services are designed to help churches adapt in a rapidly changing context, with tools and coaching tailored to congregational vitality, leadership transitions, capital campaigns, and community resource mobilization.
NEXT Church is a network within and beyond the Presbyterian Church (USA) that connects church leaders to foster transformation, justice, and resilience in ministry. NEXT Church emphasizes relational strength, leadership development, and confronting oppressive systems to help congregations and leaders embody God’s vision for the common good. The network creates collaborative spaces, equips leaders to navigate cultural change, and promotes experimental approaches to ministry. Resources offered by NEXT Church include Cultivated Ministry for adaptive accountability, the Antiracism as a Way of Being course, and a group-oriented Restoration Bible Study.
Faith Matters Network is a womanist-centered organization dedicated to empowering spiritually grounded leaders, social activists, and community organizers to pursue social justice and personal well-being. Through programs built on principles of spiritual sustainability, connection, and accompaniment, Faith Matters Network offers resources, coaching, and cohort-based learning to cultivate resilient leadership among those addressing societal injustices.
One Day's Pay is a grassroots campaign encouraging settlers and non-Indigenous Canadians to donate a day’s pay (or what they can afford) to Indigenous-led projects, movements, organizations, and nations. Launched on September 30, 2021, Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the initiative seeks to address the legacy of residential schools by prompting meaningful action beyond reflection. Over three years, the campaign has raised nearly $750,000.
This virtual pilgrimage, led by Rev. John Borthwick from St. Andrew's in Guelph, offers a reflective journey through the book 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph. The series aims to deepen understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of the Indian Act on Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The Week is a nonprofit project that creates space for people to explore their responses to the climate crisis, encouraging personal reflection and action.
Season of Creation fosters ecumenical unity among Christians by inviting 2.2 billion believers worldwide to collectively reflect on their relationship with the Creator and the natural world. Held from September 1st to October 4th, this period serves as a time for spiritual renewal and encourages participants to engage in environmental action, reinforcing the importance of stewardship for our planet.
"Me and White Supremacy" by Layla F. Saad is a powerful book that began as a month-long Instagram challenge in 2018 and quickly evolved into a global movement. The book, a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestseller, is designed as a 28-day challenge that guides readers through self-reflection on their white privilege and the ways they may unknowingly perpetuate white supremacy.
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, is an organization that unites Canadian churches and religious organizations in an ecumenical response to the biblical call for justice, kindness, and humility, as outlined in Micah 6:8. Through a deep-rooted Christian identity, KAIROS works with partners worldwide, including Indigenous, migrant, and diaspora communities, to advocate for social and ecological justice.
Our churches could play a revolutionary role in addressing our world’s most pressing problems. We can lead the way in caring for the planet. We can address the needs of the poor. We can become agents of peace. And we can stand for the dignity of all people, beginning with the most vulnerable. In this eight-week intensive, we will help your congregation develop a vision and a plan for organizing your congregation to be a community of spiritual activists (aka disciples), engaging in good work for the common good, inspired by faith, hope, and love.
The Anti-Racism Course with Selam Debs is a comprehensive 12-week program designed for individuals and businesses to dismantle unconscious bias, address systemic racism, and center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and racialized (BIR) communities. With a focus on both self-awareness and activism, the course provides essential tools for developing an anti-racist lens, promoting equity, and engaging in social justice efforts.
The "40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism: Faith-Based Ideas" is a resource from The United Church of Canada designed to guide children through faith-based learning about anti-racism. This resource offers various activities that blend Biblical teachings with practical exercises to foster understanding, empathy, and social justice awareness among young learners. Through interactive and reflective activities, children explore topics like diversity, privilege, and systemic racism, all within a supportive faith context.
For the Love of Creation is a Canadian national initiative that unites faith communities and organizations to promote climate justice through education, reflection, action, and advocacy. This collaborative effort emphasizes Indigenous self-determination and youth empowerment, aiming to mobilize faith-based responses to the climate crisis.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Social Justice and Ethics
It's getting harder and harder to maintain hope in our world. As many of us grow more skeptical about the possibility of change, leaders in many spaces are compelled to continue to preach hope, to hold hope, to model hope. How do we do it? Is hope even practical? Join us as we explore the intersection of faith, hope, and justice, and dive into Hope Theory to learn together how to grow and foster hope in ourselves and in those we lead.
If you’re like our team at Ministry Forum then summer is a time to slowing oyur pace, catch up on good books, and reconnect with the deeper questions that shape our faith and practice. That’s why we want to highlight an offering from our neighbours at the Institute for Christian Studies (ICS): their 2025 Summer Read, featuring Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.
As we continue through Pride Month, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusive, welcoming spaces within our faith communities. The Ministry Forum Resource Hub offers a curated selection of resources designed to support churches in their journey toward greater LGBTQI2S+ inclusion. These resources aim to equip ministry leaders with the tools and insights necessary to create environments where all individuals feel seen, valued, and loved.
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 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.
Worship is not just a time for praise but also for reflection, lament, and commitment. When we include elements of Truth and Reconciliation in our services, we:
Acknowledge the Church’s role and recognize the harm that has been done, particularly in the context of residential schools and colonialism, and taking steps toward healing.
Create Space for Lament, acknowledge the pain and suffering endured by Indigenous peoples, while offering prayers for healing and justice.
Celebrate Indigenous wisdom by incorporating Indigenous spirituality and cultural elements can enrich our understanding of God and creation.
Commit to Action as worship inspires and motivates us to take tangible steps toward reconciliation beyond Sunday morning.
Starting an Indigenous stories book club in you church or small group is more than just adding another event to the calendar—it’s an opportunity for real transformation. As we listen to the experiences of Indigenous peoples through their own words, we begin to see our shared history in a new light. These books invite us into conversations that matter, challenging us to confront uncomfortable truths while offering a pathway to deeper understanding, empathy, and healing
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. How will you be marking this day in your ministry context? For those in our Presbyterian Church in Canada community, I’d suggest supporting one of our Indigenous ministries.
A reminder to those in our Ministry Forum community who are Presbyterians that the National Office, through its Program Coordinator, Carragh Erhardt, can support you and your congregation as they seek to better understand sexuality and inclusion.
'Clobber texts' refer to specific Biblical passages that have been traditionally used to condemn homosexuality. These texts often become conversation stoppers, preventing open and honest dialogue about LGBTQI2+ inclusion within the church. It’s crucial to reinterpret these texts in a way that aligns with the overarching message of love and acceptance found throughout the Bible.
We are getting closer to launching our first offerings on CHURCHx (our learning platform for Ministry Forum that joins an ecumenical community of lifelong learners that numbers over 5000). In anticipation of our launch in the coming months, we’d love for you to check out the platform itself - become a member and maybe even try out some of the offerings that are available already from various partners.
This month is referred to as Black History Month and sometimes Black Heritage or Black Futures Month.
If you are looking for resources to enhance your congregation’s worship life or to engage in learning more about black history, anti-racism, white supremacy, or intercultural ministry, we’ve got a round up of resources on our website this week.
Spiritual Formation & Discipleship
Everything in one quiet app. Read, study, journal, and share, without juggling five different apps. Tap through to see what's inside.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contemplative Outreach is a global spiritual network of individuals and faith communities dedicated to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel through the practice of Centering Prayer and other contemplative disciplines. Rooted in the teaching of Father Thomas Keating, this international, interdenominational community offers formation, resources, and gatherings that help deepen one’s relationship with God and embody divine transformation in daily life.
Curious Faith Media offers compassionate, inclusive, and curiosity-driven resources to help families grow together in faith. Through articles, podcasts, videos, and activity prompts for both adults and kids, it equips parents to lead spiritual conversations at home while exploring the depth and diversity of the Christian tradition without judgment or rigid formulas.
The Bible Engagement Project is a free, digital discipleship curriculum designed to immerse your entire congregation—preschool through adults—in a shared journey through scripture. Anchored in the Bible and accessible via mobile or desktop app, this resource provides a comprehensive scope and sequence for intentional spiritual growth, all available at no cost thanks to generous partnerships.
The Big God Project is a full-church curriculum developed in Canada by the Family Church of Heritage Green (Presbyterian Church in Canada). Built around the idea that churches grow best when learning together, it helps congregations—regardless of size or age range—engage the Bible as one body. Every week centers on a theme drawn from the character of God and includes a children’s moment in worship, a teaching video, printable activity sheets, and a hands-on Sunday School lesson. The same theme carries through all pieces so the entire church is learning the same story together.
Churches can use this study to help new members understand Presbyterian identity or to spark conversation in youth and adult formation settings. It works well for intergenerational learning. Leaders could also use the sessions to shape a short-term Lenten study or a sermon series.
This free, multi-part toolkit from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) helps congregations and households rediscover Sabbath as more than just rest—it's a way of life that includes prayer, hospitality, storytelling, service, and retreat. With practical resources for all ages, the toolkit invites churches to create rhythms that connect people more deeply with God and each other.
The Around the Table Quick Sheets from the PC(USA) Office of Christian Formation equip families and church leaders with creative, portable ideas for integrating faith practices into everyday life. These downloadable tools help build spiritual habits outside traditional settings, ideal for families navigating busy schedules.
TENx10 is an ecumenical initiative aiming to make faith matter more for 10 million young people in the next 10 years. By equipping youth leaders through training, resources, and partnerships, TENx10 seeks to spark a movement of relational discipleship radically focused on Jesus.
The Bible for Normal People is a multimedia learning platform and podcast that makes scholarly and inclusive biblical engagement accessible, honest, and often humorous. Co-hosted by Pete Enns and Jared Byas, it’s a space where people deconstruct and reconstruct their faith with thoughtful guidance.
A Rumour of Hope is a meditative Holy Week devotional designed by Knox Presbyterian Church to guide individuals or small groups through the Stations of the Cross. Combining classic hymns, contemplative practices, and simple prompts for reflection, it invites believers to slow down and enter the story of Christ’s passion with renewed reverence.
The Upper Room is a daily devotional guide that has been encouraging individuals in their spiritual journeys for over 80 years. Published in more than 35 languages and distributed across 100 countries, it offers daily meditations written by readers who share their personal faith experiences. Each meditation includes a scripture reference, a personal story, and a prayer, aiming to help readers connect with God and the global community of believers.
Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada, along with Dr. Joel Thiessen discuss the report, Reigniting Hope: Sharing the Good News in Canada in 2024.
Enter the Bible is an online resource developed by Luther Seminary to assist individuals in engaging with Scripture in a thoughtful, accessible, and faithful manner. The platform offers comprehensive information on all 66 books of the Bible, including summaries, outlines, backgrounds, and discussions on theological themes. All content is created and vetted by Luther Seminary faculty, ensuring reliable biblical learning that incorporates academic insights and addresses theological complexities.
Ekkuip Canada is a Cambridge, Ontario-based organization dedicated to equipping Canadian ministry leaders with trusted resources and personalized service. They offer a wide range of products, including Bibles, study materials, curricula, and church supplies, tailored to support various aspects of ministry.
Bless every home offers a platform designed to help individuals and churches spread Christ’s love in their communities. Through its BLESS practices— which stands for Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, and Share your Story—users can build meaningful connections with neighbors.
Artos Academy is an affordable, accessible online learning platform designed to equip Christians at every stage of their spiritual journey. Artos Academy offers courses to help you learn, grow, and lead in your faith and ministry.
Gospel-Centered Discipleship (GCD) is a ministry dedicated to cultivating writers and resources that make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus. Their mission is to provide content that helps individuals grow in their faith and equips them to disciple others.
The Bible Course, offered by the Canadian Bible Society, is an eight-session program designed to enhance understanding of the Bible. Suitable for individuals and groups, whether meeting in person or online, the course provides a comprehensive overview of the Bible's narrative, illustrating how key events, books, and characters interconnect.
Bible Study Printables is a heartfelt initiative dedicated to enriching ones spiritual journey through accessible and engaging resources. Their mission is to provide individuals and families with tools that make studying the Bible both enjoyable and meaningful. The website offers a diverse array of features, including Bible reading plans that guide you through Scripture in a structured yet flexible manner, and Bible study games designed to make learning interactive and fun for all ages.
Open the Bible is a ministry helping individuals experience the transformative power of God's Word. The mission is to open the Bible with people, assist them in opening it for themselves, and equip them to share it with others.
Founded by pastor and writer John Piper, Desiring God is driven by the belief that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Resources cover a variety of topics such as Christian living, family life, culture and mental health.
24-7 Prayer is a global movement that inspires, equips, and mobilizes individuals to deepen their prayer lives and engage in active service. For personal spiritual growth, 24-7 Prayer offers a variety of resources.
A fresh approach, holistic tools, and time-honoured resources to help you grow in Christ-likeness—and help the church come together—through intentional Christian spiritual formation
Yale Divinity School (YDS) offers a variety of free resources through its Center for Continuing Education, designed to support churches, clergy, laity, and anyone interested in theological exploration. These resources include podcasts, online courses, video lectures, and small group study materials aimed at expanding understanding of Christian theology, biblical studies, and leadership.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Spiritual Formation & Discipleship
This month at Ministry Forum, we’re paying special attention to intergenerational ministry and next-generation formation. We’re thinking about Sunday School, youth group, and family faith practices. But more than that, we’re thinking about what it means to offer something deeper than attendance and answers. We’re asking how we might invest in a faith that’s real, resilient, and rooted—one that won’t unravel when life gets complex, or when A + B no longer equals C.
The OurBible App is a progressive, inclusive Bible study and devotional app designed to support LGBTQ+ Christians, women, and other marginalized groups. It offers a range of devotionals, Bible translations, podcasts, and other resources to help users grow in their faith.
Daily Ripple is an idea we had to build a community of readers and authors. For authors, it’s a chance to share their experiences and their ideas about discipleship. For readers, it’s a chance to disciple in a different way.
A round up of Children and Youth ministry curriculums and resources for all different contexts.
Let’s dig into the evolving landscape of Children's Ministry, exploring innovative approaches to engage young minds beyond traditional crafts and pageants. It discusses the importance of integrating children into the wider church life through family worship and community events. In this post we highlight successful examples of churches engaging young people and the larger community.
An overview of a helpful resource: Dandelion Marketplace - a platform that provides progressive spiritual formation content for families and communities.
A round up of resources to help foster family faith formation and spiritual disciplines.
Technology & Digital Ministry
Everything in one quiet app. Read, study, journal, and share, without juggling five different apps. Tap through to see what's inside.
The AI for Churches Podcast equips ministry leaders to navigate the evolving world of artificial intelligence and how it is colliding with the church world. Episodes explore how AI intersects with church leadership, ethics, discipleship, and digital outreach. Through interviews with pastors, innovators, and tech experts, each episode provides practical insights for harnessing AI tools while staying rooted in biblical principles.
Pulpit AI is an advanced platform that transforms your sermon into multiple forms of content—video clips, discussion guides, devotionals, blog posts, and more—helping churches extend their message beyond Sunday. It also includes a sermon assistant for brainstorming illustrations, applications, and outlines, making it a powerful tool for both sermon prep and digital outreach.
Sermon Shots is an AI-powered platform that helps churches repurpose their sermons into engaging, shareable digital content. From creating short video clips and captions to drafting devotionals, discussion guides, and blog posts, Sermon Shots enables ministry leaders to extend the reach of their messages across multiple platforms with minimal effort.
Ecclesia.ai offers churches and Christian organizations an easy-to-use platform to create custom AI chatbots trained on their own theological, educational, and community resources. Built by the CHURCHx team, Ecclesia helps ministries amplify teaching, foster discipleship, and support spiritual growth through AI tools that respect faith traditions and personal dignity.
Ministry Brands provides end-to-end software tailored to the needs of faith-based and purpose-driven organizations.
Gloo is a comprehensive platform designed to empower church leaders and organizations by enhancing community engagement and providing useful insights. One of its standout features is Gloo Messaging, which offers up to 10,000 free message credits monthly, enabling churches to communicate effectively with their congregations through broadcast text blasts, individual messages, and prayer request gathering.
ProPresenter is a live production and presentation software designed to enhance the quality and efficiency of live events. Its interface allows users to make real-time edits, such as adding videos, images, and audio files to slides during presentations, allowing for seamless delivery without interruptions. The software's multi-screen management capability enables the handling of multiple displays, allowing for different content layouts on each screen or mirroring the main presentation across all screens, supporting up to eight unique outputs. ProPresenter offers broadcast-quality outputs, including separate key/fill outputs suitable for broadcast CG applications, ensuring high-quality visual presentations.
Crosswalk provides resources that speak to real-life issues and highlight Christian values in an ever-changing world including daily devotionals, Bible study tools or faith-based news coverage, Crosswalk offers a wide range of content to nourish your heart and soul.
SamuelThomasDavies.com is a resource hub focused on personal productivity, decision-making, and self-improvement, curated by Sam Davies. Sam’s content includes actionable takeaways from nonfiction books, practical advice on mastering productivity tools like Notion, and insights on building effective habits. Through his blog and email-newsletter, Words Into Works, Sam provides summaries of over 141 books and shares strategies for working smarter and living better.
Learning Forte is an ecumenical team of digital ministry experts, educators, and consultants who assist faith communities, theological institutions, and mission-driven organizations in adapting to digital and hybrid ministry. With a focus on aligning technology and communications with organizational values and context, Learning Forte provides consulting, digital audits, educational resources, and strategy development to enhance online presence and ministry effectiveness.
Pro Church Tools is a multimedia company founded by Brady Shearer, dedicated to helping churches navigate the intersection of faith and digital technology. Pro Church Tools aims to equip churches with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively communicate and engage with their congregations and their communities in this digital age. Pro Church Tools provides various resources, including downloads, podcasts, video content, and software all designed to help church leaders and teams master digital communication.
The YouVersion Bible App offers a free and accessible Bible experience across smartphones, tablets, and online platforms. Installed on over 695 million devices globally, it provides access to 3,100 Bible versions in 2,000 languages without advertising.
Led by digital marketing expert Tim Campbell-Smith, explores the major social media platforms, helping you understand their unique features and possibilities for ministry.
Bible Project provides invaluable tools for ministry leaders, educators, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible. By offering a variety of accessible and engaging resources, they help foster a lifelong journey of exploring Scripture and its transformative power.
Bible in a Minute offers concise, one-minute summaries of every chapter in the Bible. This resource is ideal for those looking to learn about the Bible through progressive and liberation theology. Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for new episodes.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Technology & Digital Ministry
Recently, I read a few Barna articles about artificial intelligence, looking at what Christians are thinking and how church leaders are responding to this evolving reality we all find ourselves in. The insights were encouraging but also unsettling - a dichotomy I found in most of the research highlights.
Social media offers an opportunity to extend the spiritual development of the congregation throughout the week by repurposing the meaningful moments already present in your Sunday service. There are so many ways to do this, but this week I want to focus on prayer.
The prayers offered on Sunday are often very pastoral and tuned to the needs, thoughts concerns, and celebrations of the congregation. You put a lot of time into preparing them and with a little extra intention, you can repurpose them to guide your congregations through the week.
Numbers help us see patterns, and patterns can help us make better decisions for the future.
In an effort to continue to provide simple, small steps in the area of “digital ministry”, here are five simple areas where you can begin paying attention to data right now in your ministry context.
If you track these consistently for one year, you will be in a much stronger position to make decisions this time next year.
As Easter approaches, we can expect that new, returning, or less-than-regular attenders will be checking out our church websites before they visit on April 5 (or in the weeks leading up to it).
You are already thinking about how to prepare your physical space.: planning special services elements, tidying hallways, making sure signage is clear…. all of the things you can think of to make your building feel welcoming.
Let’s make sure your digital space gets the same care and attention.
This week, we're letting you in on the details of one of the first of four major initiatives that we’ll be launching through the support of the Lilly Endowment. This one is all about digital ministry, and we’re calling it the Virtual Front Porch Initiative. For those of you wondering what small steps you could take right now to improve your church’s website, experiment with social media, or think differently about your digital welcome we’ve gathered a few trusted resources.
For this Advent and Christmas season, a different approach felt like it might be helpful. We’ve put together a simple collection of graphics (small “doodles,” really) created to accompany the Revised Common Lectionary readings for each week from now through December 27th. These images are intentionally simple: easy to share, easy to adapt, and meant especially for those who might be juggling many pieces of ministry planning during a busy season. Use one, use a few, use all of them - whatever works best for your context.
We’re starting this dialogue now and continuing it throughout the year. What we gather will shape how we think, what resources we highlight, and how we support each other. So whether you’re experimenting with AI or resisting it altogether, we want to hear from you. Because ministry is not about keeping up with what’s new—it’s about staying connected to what’s real: the people you serve, the calling you’ve received, and the Gospel you proclaim!
We might feel unprepared for this moment, but we are not unequipped. As church leaders we are called to discern and ask deeper questions: not just “can we use this?” or “how quickly can we adopt it?” but “is this good?” “what does it form in us?” “how does it shape the community we are called to serve?”. Discernment will help us stay grounded in wisdom, shaped by scripture, prayer, and community.
That’s the work we want to invite you into in this reflection.
A round-up of ai based tech resources we’ve added to the hub—think of them as friendly helpers ready to make your ministry life just a little bit smoother.
5 practical tech tools that can handle those everyday challenges—like scheduling, writing, and content creation—so you can get back to what matters most: serving your people.
Good Robot is a compelling four-part series from Vox's Unexplainable podcast, created in partnership with their Future Perfect team. The series explores "the stories shaping the future of AI" through a thoughtful lens that balances both the promise and perils of artificial intelligence.
Thanks to some additional funds from the Lilly Grant Foundation, we’re hosting monthly webinars are several important topics between now and November.
If you’re like our team at Ministry Forum then summer is a time to slowing oyur pace, catch up on good books, and reconnect with the deeper questions that shape our faith and practice. That’s why we want to highlight an offering from our neighbours at the Institute for Christian Studies (ICS): their 2025 Summer Read, featuring Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.
Tools and insights for ministry leaders to navigate the complexities of faith transmission and renewal, drawing from recent research, conferences, and collaborative events.
Ministry has always been personal, relational, and deeply rooted in community. But in today’s world, it’s also becoming increasingly complex. Pastoral leaders are navigating more demands than ever—spiritual care, administrative responsibilities, digital engagement, and the constant need to adapt.
It can feel like too much to carry.
While it’s easy to think of social platforms as spaces for announcements, event reminders, or just posting the weekly livestream link… but what if you reimagined the space as a digital sanctuary? A places where faith can be stirred, questions can be explored, and community can be built even beyond Sunday mornings?
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.
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.
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!
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.
Preschedule a few social media graphics for the new year, or use them in an upcoming worship service. Here are some idea and images you can use for inspiration or download and use them as is.
Some simple Christmas graphics you can use on social media, in your paper bulletins or on your worship screens.
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves at the center of a paradox. We strive to create spaces of connection and reflection, yet we too are vulnerable to the relentless pull of screens and notifications. Our congregations and youth—perhaps even we ourselves—may be longing for a reprieve from the constant hum of digital distraction. What better time to embrace a digital detox than during the season of Advent, a season that calls us to quiet expectation, intentional preparation, and deep reflection?
Advent, the season of waiting for the Light of Christ, invites us to slow down, to make space for what truly matters. It is an ideal time to step away from the noise of the digital world and foster meaningful connections with God, one another, and ourselves.
5 practical tech tools that can handle those everyday challenges—like scheduling, writing, and content creation—so you can get back to what matters most: serving your people.
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 OurBible App is a progressive, inclusive Bible study and devotional app designed to support LGBTQ+ Christians, women, and other marginalized groups. It offers a range of devotionals, Bible translations, podcasts, and other resources to help users grow in their faith.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Daily Ripple is an idea we had to build a community of readers and authors. For authors, it’s a chance to share their experiences and their ideas about discipleship. For readers, it’s a chance to disciple in a different way.
Finding the right Church Management Software (ChMS) can be a daunting task. This blog post provides a roundup of ChMS options prioritizing ease of use, customer service, cloud-based access, and affordability.
Choosing the right Church Management Software (ChMS) can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your church’s operations. Here are 10 factors your church leadership team should consider when selecting a ChMS.
Ministry Forum Webinars
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Social Media
A Window Into Your Church
Helping your church reach the people who need you most by turning social media into a life-giving reflection of your mission, offering connection, community, and hope before they ever walk through your doors.
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Becoming Ourselves With AI
A Conversation about change, faith, and possibility.
Curt Hammond, Service Champion at FourSimpleWords.ca and co-founder of the +AI Mindset. Passionate about the positive impact AI can have on our faith communities, he brings warmth, clarity, and a relentless curiosity to this space. Together, we will explore questions of leadership, service, and calling in the age of AI, especially through the lens of “Who are we becoming?”
Designed for faith and lay leaders, this session will create space to wrestle with new possibilities and stretch old hesitations. Come as you are, whether you are already experimenting or still deeply unsure.
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Intergenerational Ministry
More Radical Than We Realize
With Author and Speaker David CsinosIn the midst of an awareness of growing diversity and declining church attendance, many congregations are considering shifting their worship and formation practices to better include people of all ages. Intergenerational ministry is more than just putting people of different generations in the same room. It is a call to reimagine the practices by which faith communities engage in worship and become formed as disciples of Jesus. In this webinar, we will consider theories and practices that help congregations bring the generations together, focusing especially on how leaders can implement gradual changes as they experiment with all-age ministry.
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Trauma-Informed Practice
Fundamental Concepts for Complex Workplaces
TEND Academy
Supporting people with complex needs can be challenging. Providing responsive and compassionate service is only possible when we recognize the pervasive impact that trauma can have on a person’s life and the way they engage with the world. When we reframe our perspective from “what is wrong with you” to “what happened to you,” we help to create an atmosphere of safety, trust, and collaboration.Not available for Rebroadcast
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Putting the Puzzle Pieces of Transitional Ministry Together
We start with the premise that all ministry is transitional. As pastors, we are called to be a part of bringing about the kingdom of God. As leaders, we are called to guide congregations and ministry systems with intentionality, seeking to be ever more faithful to God’s call to us in this particular time, in this particular place for this particular purpose.
This webinar outlines the fundamentals of intentional transitional ministry and invites participants into exploring more deeply what how the pieces fit together in our current context.
Key Learnings:
Understand the elements and movement of intentional transitional ministry;
Understand the systems challenges and anxiety in the midst of change;
Imagine the intentionality of leading through change.
Youth Ministry
Holy Post Media creates podcasts, videos, and articles that help Christians thoughtfully engage with faith, culture, and current events. Launched by Phil Vischer (VeggieTales) and Skye Jethani, this multimedia ministry offers smart, theologically grounded content with a generous dose of humour and hope. Holy Post is committed to historic Christian beliefs, curious exploration, and loving engagement with the world.
Opening Doors to Discipleship is an online learning hub created by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) and the Office of Christian Formation in the PC(USA). It offers free, self-guided modules to help church leaders, volunteers, and educators deepen their understanding of Reformed theology, improve their teaching skills, and support lifelong faith formation in a variety of ministry contexts.
ProgressiveChristianity.org offers inclusive, inter-spiritual, and developmentally rich curriculum resources for children and teens. Their flagship series, A Joyful Path, nurtures spirituality in kids ages 6–12 through stories, movement, science, and social justice, aligned with the values of compassion, diversity, and open inquiry.
TENx10 is an ecumenical initiative aiming to make faith matter more for 10 million young people in the next 10 years. By equipping youth leaders through training, resources, and partnerships, TENx10 seeks to spark a movement of relational discipleship radically focused on Jesus.
Blessed Are the Undone explores the personal and communal journey of deconstructing Christian faith within a Canadian context. Through testimonies, theological reflection, and sociological insights, authors Angela Reitsma Bick and Peter Schuurman present a nuanced, empathetic, yet critical view of what it means to re-evaluate faith today.
Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada, along with Dr. Joel Thiessen discuss the report, Reigniting Hope: Sharing the Good News in Canada in 2024.
The Orange Theory is built on the concept of blending two influential forces—home and church—to foster vibrant, holistic faith in the next generation. Represented by the colour red, the home symbolizes the love, warmth, and personal investment parents and caregivers bring to a child’s faith journey. The church, symbolized by yellow, provides the light of wisdom, guidance, and communal support through teachings and relationships with mentors and peers. When combined, these two colors create orange, a dynamic partnership where church and home work together to create a cohesive, impactful faith experience. This approach encourages church leaders to align with parents as primary faith influencers, equipping them to reinforce biblical values and support spiritual growth at home. By leveraging both environments, the Orange Theory aims to build resilient, relational, and service-oriented faith in children and youth.
Faith Forward is reimagining children’s and youth ministry through forward-thinking approaches to faith formation, community, and theological engagement. Faith Forward equips leaders to nurture young people’s spirituality in ways that are inclusive, contextually aware, and responsive to contemporary challenges. Faith Forward’s mission is to inspire ministry practices that cross traditional boundaries, support diverse expressions of faith, and foster resilience, justice, and compassion in young people.
Dandelion Marketplace is a platform that provides progressive spiritual formation content for families and communities. Dandelion serves as a colander, offering the most reliable resources, without having to sift through fundamentalist search options.
Sparkhouse is a Christian publishing company that creates innovative, engaging faith formation resources for children, youth, and adults. Their curriculum is designed to make faith accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for learners of all ages. Sparkhouse offers various curricula, such as Frolic (for preschoolers), Whirl and Holy Moly (for elementary-aged kids), Connect (for preteens), and Re:form (for teens), among others. Each curriculum aims to help churches and families foster spiritual growth, biblical understanding, and discipleship in creative, age-appropriate ways.
ROOTS is an ecumenical partnership of Christian organizations that has been providing lectionary-based worship resources since 2002. Designed for use every week of the year, ROOTS offers two sets of resources: Adult & All Age and Children & Youth.
Sticky Faith is a comprehensive strategy aimed at helping parents and ministry leaders actively nurture the spiritual growth of young people, ensuring that their faith endures into adulthood. Recognizing that nearly 50% of students abandon their faith after graduating high school, Sticky Faith highlights the critical role parents play as primary influences on their children's spiritual lives. Developed by the Fuller Youth Institute, Sticky Faith is grounded in extensive research involving over 500 young people, 100 churches, and 50 families, providing practical resources for fostering long-term faith.
Bible Project provides invaluable tools for ministry leaders, educators, and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible. By offering a variety of accessible and engaging resources, they help foster a lifelong journey of exploring Scripture and its transformative power.
Bible in a Minute offers concise, one-minute summaries of every chapter in the Bible. This resource is ideal for those looking to learn about the Bible through progressive and liberation theology. Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for new episodes.
Posts From Ministry Forum Covering the topic of Youth Ministry
Recently, I read a few Barna articles about artificial intelligence, looking at what Christians are thinking and how church leaders are responding to this evolving reality we all find ourselves in. The insights were encouraging but also unsettling - a dichotomy I found in most of the research highlights.
But by and large, if you're a children's ministry coordinator, a youth pastor, a young adult ministry leader — you're figuring it out on your own. Often without formal training. Often without peers who understand what you're navigating. Often feeling structurally marginalized within a denomination that says it cares about young people but doesn't always resource the people who actually work with them.
And here's the thing that really gets me: these leaders are shaping the future of the church. They're the ones helping young people grow in faith, building relationships, creating the environments where the next generation encounters the love of God. And too often, they're doing it alone.
So we want to experiment with something…
Could it be true? Is Gen Z really leading a resurgence in church attendance? From the UK to the US—and even here in Canada—data points to a surprising and hopeful trend: young adults are re-engaging with the Church. Reports from the Bible Society, Barna, and CTV’s Your Morning suggest that younger generations are attending more regularly than their elders—a reversal of decades-long patterns. But what does this mean for our congregations, our rhythms, and our readiness to welcome them? At Ministry Forum, we’re digging into these questions and listening closely to those ministering with the Next Generation. We want to know—are you seeing it too? Let’s keep the conversation going.
As younger adults—especially Gen Z and Millennials—begin returning to church, it's tempting to celebrate this as a sign of spiritual renewal. But as Dr. James Tyler Robertson points out in a recent Ministry Forum Podcast episode, we should be cautious before drawing conclusions. New research from Barna reveals a complex picture: the increase is driven primarily by young men, while young women, particularly single mothers, are disengaging. This shift calls for deeper reflection. Rather than rushing to capitalize on attendance trends, ministry leaders are invited to listen well, consider who’s not in the room, and faithfully discern what the Spirit might be doing in this moment. This is not just a resurgence—it’s a realignment. And it demands our careful, curious attention.
This month at Ministry Forum, we’re paying special attention to intergenerational ministry and next-generation formation. We’re thinking about Sunday School, youth group, and family faith practices. But more than that, we’re thinking about what it means to offer something deeper than attendance and answers. We’re asking how we might invest in a faith that’s real, resilient, and rooted—one that won’t unravel when life gets complex, or when A + B no longer equals C.
Our next Ministry Forum webinar takes place on Wednesday, September 18 at 1:00pm ET. This one focuses on intergenerational ministry, and the questions it invites us to ask about the shape of our worship, our formation practices, and our life together.
We’ll be joined by Dr. David Csinos, a researcher, writer, and educator who has spent years thinking with churches about how people grow in faith. David brings a thoughtful and grounded approach to the work of helping communities include all ages in meaningful ways. His experience is rooted in both theology and practice.
As Christians, we believe in a God who called the world “very good” and who invites us into the sacred work of tending, protecting, and renewing creation. That work includes spiritual reflection, practical action, and prophetic witness. Below are a few resources from our Resource Hub that we think might be especially helpful right now as you explore climate justice and faithful living in God’s creation.
The kiddos in our churches grow into teenagers, and transitioning from children’s programs is not always smooth. What are the teens to do on Sunday mornings? Although we include frequent intergenerational experiences at my church, there is not always an obvious fit as teens move into high school. Some join the choir or the livestream team, others become assistants in the Sunday school, and a few float in just on time for coffee and cookies.
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…
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?
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves at the center of a paradox. We strive to create spaces of connection and reflection, yet we too are vulnerable to the relentless pull of screens and notifications. Our congregations and youth—perhaps even we ourselves—may be longing for a reprieve from the constant hum of digital distraction. What better time to embrace a digital detox than during the season of Advent, a season that calls us to quiet expectation, intentional preparation, and deep reflection?
Advent, the season of waiting for the Light of Christ, invites us to slow down, to make space for what truly matters. It is an ideal time to step away from the noise of the digital world and foster meaningful connections with God, one another, and ourselves.
For years, churches have been built on a well-meaning strategy: dividing the community into specific age groups to meet their unique needs. It’s the norm in most churches — separate ministries for children, youth, young adults, seniors. It seemed logical and even beneficial at the time. After all, who better to relate to a teenager than another teenager? And wouldn’t seniors rather be with people who understand their stage of life? But over time, these well-intentioned efforts to focus on particular age groups have built something unintended: age silos.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Every week we’ll ask a question to the community. We hope you’ll provide your thoughts and insights and engage with other lifelong learners on this journey of growth and development.
An overview of Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church
Every week we’ll ask a question to the community. We hope you’ll provide your thoughts and insights and engage with other lifelong learners on this journey of growth and development.
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.
A round up of Children and Youth ministry curriculums and resources for all different contexts.
Let’s dig into the evolving landscape of Children's Ministry, exploring innovative approaches to engage young minds beyond traditional crafts and pageants. It discusses the importance of integrating children into the wider church life through family worship and community events. In this post we highlight successful examples of churches engaging young people and the larger community.
An overview of a helpful resource: Dandelion Marketplace - a platform that provides progressive spiritual formation content for families and communities.
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
A round up of resources to help foster family faith formation and spiritual disciplines.
Join the conversation and bring your favourite, simple, either solo act or highly congregational participatory service to share with the community. We will compile the offerings and share them with anyone who registers. Leave with a few ideas not only for this Christmas Eve but for future ones as well.
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.