Soul Work for Better Leadership
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.
We Asked: What Texts Are You Referencing Each Week?
We asked: what texts and resources are you using to prepare your sermons each week? Here’s a roundup of what we heard….
Resource Highlight: Church Training Center
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.
Could a Welcome Video Help Someone Visit Your Church?
The nice thing about video is that it lets people get to know your church before they visit. Instead of just reading about your community, they’re greeted by a real person and can see what a Sunday morning is like.
This doesn’t have to be complicated (actually, it’s better if it isn’t).
It’s Never A Bad Time to Invest in YOU!
It is never a bad time to invest in learning more about YOU… if you haven't taken the time before, maybe this summer is a good time to start.
Resource Highlight: Enter The Bible
Enter the Bible is a free online resource from Luther Seminary that helps readers engage Scripture with greater confidence, depth, and understanding.
A Day at Camp Cairn: Things We’re Still Thinking About
Back in May, our team spent a day at Camp Cairn with staff from the three Ontario Presbyterian camps - Cairn, Gracefield and Kintail. The camps brought their year-round and seasonal staff together before summer began. They did some training and planning, connected with each other, and just enjoyed being together before the busy season started.
Our team was invited to come up for the day and spend some time with the staff and hear about what it’s like to serve in this area of ministry today.
Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello
Summer is often a time of transitions. Sometimes we are saying goodbye and other times we are saying hello. Doing this well can allow people who have served faithfully to leave feeling valued and loved. Welcoming new ministry leaders with intention and care can set them up for flourishing.
Garrett Seminary launches digital resource library for churches
There’s a stereotype about rural churches — that folks who worship there aren’t open to new perspectives, that they won’t engage diverse theologies or biblical scholarship. Anyone who’s lived and worked in those communities knows this simply isn’t true.
Press On - Soccer Sunday at Knox College
Earlier this month, Ministry Forum Director, The Rev. John Borthwick had the opportunity to preach as part of Knox College’s annual Soccer Sunday service - a celebration that brought together faith, community, and the rich history of the beautiful game.
Let’s Raise The Conversation with a Book Walk
Set for official launch in September 2026, the Book Walk Project is already gaining momentum, with successful pilot events held in Guelph, Mississauga, and Toronto. We are inviting congregations across Canada book their own events for this coming year NOW!
Developed in collaboration with Storytime Trail, the program transforms traditional reading into an immersive outdoor experience—encouraging reflection, conversation, and connection across generations.
Add This To Your TBR List
I'll be honest with you. I came to Brené Brown's new book Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit with wide eyed interest and left with a full belly of admiration.
But the journey between those two places had a few bumps worth naming, because I suspect some of you might feel them too.
Does Your Congregation Know How to Invite A Friend to Church?
One of the churches we’re working with through our Virtual Front Porch Initiative shared something in their application that caught our attention. They talked about becoming a church with an intentionally strong culture of inviting.
It’s a phrase not often heard in mainline church circles, but it was intriguing!
Win Free Tickets to The Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship 2026
We're offering one ministry pair the opportunity to attend The Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship 2026 together.
Prayer & Bible Study Initiative Update #1
This Bible Study initiative is supported through a collaboration between Ministry Forum, Dr. Derek Suderman, and Conrad Grebel with the blessing of both MCEC and Mennonite Church Canada, alongside a parallel partnership with Mennonite Church Canada International Witness to support Derek’s teaching in various international contexts.
That’s a Wrap on Season Six of the Ministry Forum Podcast!
If you've missed an episode, or just want to revisit a conversation that resonated with you, now is a great time to catch up. We would be honoured if the Ministry Forum Podcast became part of your summer listening rhythm.
Listening Partner Network Update #1
In April, we held kick-off meetings to gather all those interested in participating in the first cohort of Listening Partners, and we have collected application forms.
In collaboration with other Ontario-based peer support organizations, we have begun building a comprehensive training program for our first cohort of listening partners to ensure they feel well-equipped to engage in listening conversations.
To ensure that all Listening Partners have time to complete their training - and to respect the need for rest and time away during the summer months - we are postponing training for our first cohort to begin in September of this year.
Let’s Talk About General Assembly 2026
No agenda. No expectation that everyone will agree. Just a space to listen well, speak honestly, and reflect together on the updates, reports, conversations, and chatterings from General Assembly 2026.
Resources for LGBTQI+ 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.
The Face Behind Our Learning Offerings
Most of what we offer through CHURCHx’s learning portal bears the fingerprints of someone you've probably never met. Today, I want to change that.