Alpha Canada: Reigniting Hope
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.
Church Bookkeeping
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.
Narratives of Hope and Possibility– PCC Toolkit
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.
New Leaf Resources
The New Leaf Network Learning Centre offers a variety of resources tailored for Christian ministry leaders in Canada.
Proclamation Project from Disciples of Christ Church
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.
Ministry Brands
Ministry Brands provides end-to-end software tailored to the needs of faith-based and purpose-driven organizations.
Principles for Church Growth
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.
The Starfish and the Spider
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.
How to Be Both Multisite and Missional—at Any Church
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.
Church Partnerships: Hub and Spoke Model
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.
Smart Church Management
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.
Reformation Project
The Reformation Project equips ministry leaders to affirm LGBTQ+ Christians through theological training, pastoral support, and church reform strategies.
Inclusive Evangelicals
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.
Invisible Cake Society
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
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.
Student Christian Movement
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
Affirming Connections provides a curated selection of resources aimed at assisting ministry leaders in fostering inclusive and affirming faith communities for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
Blessed are the Undone
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.
Deepening Our Understanding: A Resource in Transgender Identity
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.
Right to Be
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.