The Faith Trends Podcast

Helping Churches Talk about MoneyLori Guenther Reesor says her superpower is helping churches talk about money. And who couldn't use some good advice about how to do that?In this episode, we talk with Lori about what she's learned about money and generosity, and why its so important that we talk about money.https://lgreesor.com/Lori can be reached through https://lgreesor.com/contactHere is the book we discussed.Guenther Reesor, Lori. Growing a Generous Church: A Year in the Life of Peach Blossom Church. Lori Guenther Reesor, 2021. https://lgreesor.com/shop/p/stanton-recipes-ed-1-bkw2k.Here is were you can find some of the research behind the book.Guenther Reesor, Lori Ann. “Theology and Fundraising: How Does Current Canadian Mennonite Praxis Compare to Paul’s Collection for Jerusalem? By.” University of Waterloo, 2007. https://dspacemainprd01.lib.uwaterloo.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/5b09b5c9-2ac6-49ec-af1e-2e07df40fef5/content. Guenther Reesor, Lori Ann. “Using Donor Research to Influence Stewardship Praxis in Mennonite Foundation of Canada’s Constituency.” D.Min., Tyndale University, 2014. https://digitalcollections.tyndale.ca/bitstream/handle/20.500.12730/2248/Reesor_Lori_Ann_Guenther_D_Min_2014.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

What does it mean for words like "religion" to become "polluted"? How does it happen, and can they be cleaned up and made usable again?Watts, Galen, and Sam Reimer. “Symbolic Pollution and Religious Change: The Religious Imaginary of Anglo-Canadian Spiritual but Not Religious Millennials.” Sociology of Religion, June 9, 2024, srae012. https://doi.org/10.1093/socrel/srae012.https://academic.oup.com/socrel/advance-article/doi/10.1093/socrel/srae012/7690204

In this episode, Dr. James Watson talks with Faith Trends about his new ethnographic study of church plants in the Waterloo region. If God has been speaking to you about planting a church you won't want to miss this podcast which is full of ideas and insights.Watson, James. “New Congregations in the Canadian Kaleidoscope: An Autoethnographic Analysis of Thirty New Congregations in the Waterloo Region.” Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research, December 2024. https://ciecr.wycliffecollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/New-Congregations-in-the-Canadian-Kaleidoscope-Dec24-James-Watson-v1.0digital.pdf.To learn more about Dr. Watson's research or the Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research visit [email protected] or email [email protected].

Church is not theatre, and yet there are things we can learn from theatre, and those who study it. Dr. Scott Mealey, who has also been a pastor, talks to us about his research on audience experience, and what it can teach us about how newcomers experience church.Scott's Dissertation: https://utoronto.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/09d0765e-8ab7-4a2c-a687-92d4326ae014/contentFind out more about the CIECR: https://www.wycliffecollege.ca/canadian-institute-empirical-church-researchFind out more about Scott and how to get in touch with him: https://www.wycliffecollege.ca/users/scott-mealey​​

Why do people leave the church? In this episode, Lindsay discusses the findings of a new book that analyzes the testimonies of the "undone," a term that nuances the varied levels of deconstruction from evangelical faith. The authors share challenging stories about church hurt and disillusionment, but offer hopeful insights for the future.More information about the book and its authors can be found here: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/blessedundone

This is the second in a two-part podcast looking at AI. The first was an introduction to AI, and this one examines this cultural moment and AI.https://apologeticscanada.com/ Steiger, Andrew. “A Critical Exploration and Theological Critique of Michael Polanyi’s Structured Ontology.” PhD, University of Aberdeen, 2021.Steiger, Andy. “Artifical Dignity: The Humanizing and Dehumanizing Implications of Polanyi vs. Turing’s Ontology.” In The Inherence of Human Dignity: Foundations of Human Dignity, Volume 1, edited by Angus J. L. Menuge and Barry W. Bussey, 1:217–32. Anthem Press, 2021. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv22d4t3k.Steiger, Andy. “Deciphering Humanity: What Polanyi and the Rosetta Stone Can Teach Us About Being Human.” Tradition and Discovery: The Polanyi Society Periodical 49, no. 1 (2023): 34–38. https://doi.org/10.5840/traddisc20234916.Steiger, Andy, and Sheri Hiebert. Reclaimed: How Jesus Restores Our Humanity in a Dehumanized World. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2020. https://www.amazon.ca/Reclaimed-Jesus-Restores-Humanity-Dehumanized-ebook/dp/B081MXJ26G/.

This is the second in a two-part podcast looking at AI. This one is an introduction to AI, and the second will examine this cultural moment and AI.https://apologeticscanada.com/ Steiger, Andrew. “A Critical Exploration and Theological Critique of Michael Polanyi’s Structured Ontology.” PhD, University of Aberdeen, 2021.Steiger, Andy. “Artifical Dignity: The Humanizing and Dehumanizing Implications of Polanyi vs. Turing’s Ontology.” In The Inherence of Human Dignity: Foundations of Human Dignity, Volume 1, edited by Angus J. L. Menuge and Barry W. Bussey, 1:217–32. Anthem Press, 2021. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv22d4t3k.Steiger, Andy. “Deciphering Humanity: What Polanyi and the Rosetta Stone Can Teach Us About Being Human.” Tradition and Discovery: The Polanyi Society Periodical 49, no. 1 (2023): 34–38. https://doi.org/10.5840/traddisc20234916.Steiger, Andy, and Sheri Hiebert. Reclaimed: How Jesus Restores Our Humanity in a Dehumanized World. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2020. https://www.amazon.ca/Reclaimed-Jesus-Restores-Humanity-Dehumanized-ebook/dp/B081MXJ26G/.

Karl Vaters is the author of four books including De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What’s Next.https://www.amazon.ca/Sizing-Church-Growth-Science-Obsession/dp/0802424252/Karl produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com.His heart is to help pastors of small churches find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church – something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. He also believes that big and small churches can and should work together more often – to the benefit and blessing of everyone.Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry. Episodes feature in-depth interviews about the topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context.Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. He and his wife, Shelley have three children and two grandkids.

Switching up the typical format, Karen Stiller interviews Rick and Lindsay about the importance of properly identifying Evangelicals for effective ministry research.

In this episode of the Faith Trends podcast, Dr. Joel Thiessen, sociology professor at Ambrose University and Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute talks with us about what makes for an evangelistic congregation.You can learn more about Joel at:https://www.joelthiessen.ca/https://ambrose.edu/profile/joel-thiessen-phd Thiessen, Joel, Kennedy Quantz, Arch Chee Keen Wong, Keith Walker, and Bill McAlpine. “Evangelistic Belief and Behavior Among Canadian Congregants.” Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses 51, no. 4 (December 2022): 459–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/00084298211055072.

In this episode, we talk with Andreae Sennyah, Director of Policy at Cardus, to discuss Cardus's research on trends in faith and spirituality among Canadian immigrants and non-immigrants. We discuss why it’s important to understand and appreciate the religious dimension that immigrants to Canada have to offer, and think about how this affects the religious landscape in Canada.Access the research report we discuss in this episode here: https://www.cardus.ca/research/faith-communities/research-brief/religion-and-belief-among-immigrants-to-canada/Discover more research from Cardus here: https://www.cardus.ca/research-library/

John Bowen and Jeremy McClung from the Institute of Evangelism at Wycliffe College https://institute.wycliffecollege.ca/ talk us through their research on trends in conversion to Christianity in Canada, and it's not what you might think. John and Jeremy discuss how their findings can support effective evangelism in our nation.A summary of their findings can be found here: https://institute.wycliffecollege.ca/2024/01/how-and-why-canadians-become-christian-five-lessons-from-recent-research/Their full research report can be accessed here: https://institute.wycliffecollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-GI-Jan-Finding-Faith-in-Canada-Today-1.pdfAlso, introducing Christie Chan as our newest member of The Centre for Research on Church and Faith.

​REV. DR. ANDREW BENNETT is program director for Cardus Faith Communities. He holds a PhD in politics from the University of Edinburgh and degrees in history from McGill and Dalhousie universities. From 2013 to 2016 he served as Canada’s ambassador for religious freedom and head of the Office of Religious Freedom.The Bible and Us: Canadians and Their Relationship with Scripture. https://www.cardus.ca/research/faith-communities/reports/the-bible-and-us-canadians-and-their-relationship-with-scripture/.The Sacred Texts: Canadian perspectives on the Bible, Qu'ran, Torah, and their place in modern society https://angusreid.org/canada-religion-sacred-texts-bible-quran-torah/The Shifting Landscape of Faith in Canada https://www.cardus.ca/research/faith-communities/research-report/the-shifting-landscape-of-faith-in-canada/

​​Does it matter where our worship music comes from and who's writing it? The latest research from Worship Leaders Research revealed that most of the songs we've sung in our churches over the last decade come from the same four sources. You can read about the findings here: http://www.worshipleaderresearch.com/

​The topic of climate change seems to be everywhere these days. From the news, to the families we work with in the global south, there is no escaping it. Multiple reports tell us that it is an important topic for younger generations too. I personally know many young people within my circle including grandchildren who have questions and big concerns about it. That's why we've partnered with A Rocha Canada and Maru/Blue (a leading research organization) to conduct a resource survey to learn more about what Canadian Christians aged 16 to 40 actually think about the topic. Our hope is to better understand next-generation views on the issue in order to better equip and resource the Canadian church to respond to the Spirit's leading in this area. The survey is now open and will open until Nov. 2. We're looking for a minimum of 500 responses.

​​Sam Reimer's new book Caught in the Current: British and Canadian Evangelicals in an Age of Self-Spirituality is available at:https://www.mqup.ca/caught-in-the-current-products-9780228016960.php?page_id=73&https://www.amazon.ca/Caught-Current-Canadian-Evangelicals-Self-Spirituality/dp/0228016967/Sam can be contacted at [email protected]://www.crandallu.ca/staff/sam-reimer/

​​Reflections on the Significant Church report www.TheEFC.ca/SC

​​Bruce Clemenger talks with Lindsay Callaway and Rick Hiemstra about his recently released book The New Orthodoxy: Canada's Emerging Civil Religion.

In this episode we talk with Dr. Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme about her new book Religion, Spirituality and Secularity among Millennials: The Generation Shaping American and Canadian Trends, and we explore the reasons why so many are taking a pass on religion.Dr. Wilkins-Laflamme's book can be found at:https://www.amazon.ca/Religion-Spirituality-Secularity-among-Millennials/dp/1032109211 and she can be contacted at:[email protected]://twitter.com/swilk033

​​Guest host Karen Stiller interviews researches Lindsay Callaway and Rick Hiemstra about how family faith formation in evangelical homes is different than many of us expect.

​How do pastors understand their calling when they also work outside the church? James Watson has spent years researching pastors in multivocational ministry roles and shares with us the challenges and opportunities that come with having multiple forms of employment as a pastor. If you want to learn more about the research James as done, the Multivocational Ministry Project Report is available for download:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5dcdba9db0a67a6df5d6d739/t/5ec8093204e37806001cb60a/1590167859876/2020+Research+Report+Canadian+Multivocational+Project.pdfYou can also check out the chapter he and Mark Chapman contributed to Bivocational and Beyond:https://books.atla.com/atlapress/catalog/book/82And his most recent publication, Tentmakers: Multivocational Ministry in Western Society.https://wipfandstock.com/9781666739978/tentmakers/

​​How Canada moved from affirming the sanctity of human life in and before Rodriguez, to providing "narrow" exceptions in Carter, to MAID whose expansion continues to be fed by arguments for autonomy.Bruce’s Articles:Liberalism and surrogacy, Faith Today (August 15, 2018) https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2018-Jul-Aug/Liberalism-and-surrogacyHow common beliefs fuel assisted death, Faith Today (January 31, 2019) https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2019-Jan-Feb/How-common-beliefs-fuel-assisted-deathA matter for equal protection, Faith Today (March 17, 2020) https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2020-Mar-Apr/A-Matter-for-Equal-ProtectionConscience in an age of choice, Faith Today (September 8, 2020) https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2020-Sep-Oct/Conscience-in-an-age-of-choiceJoining conscience with respect, Faith Today (November 16, 2020) https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2020-Nov-Dec/Joining-Conscience-with-RespectServanthood in a narcissistic age, Faith Today (April 27, 2022) https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2022-May-Jun/Servanthood-in-a-narcissistic-ageThe priority for health care, Faith Today (August 25, 2022) https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2022-Sept-Oct/The-priority-for-health-careBooks and Authors Mentioned by Bruce:Bejan, Teresa M. Mere Civility: Disagreement and the Limits of Toleration. First Harvard University Press paperback edition. Cambridge, Massachusetts: London, England, 2019.Dworkin, Ronald. Life’s Dominion: An Argument About Abortion, Euthanasia, and Individual Freedom. 1. Vintage Books ed. New York: Vintage Books, 1994.Ellul, Jacques. The New Demons. New York: Seabury Press, 1975.Grant, George Parkin. English-Speaking Justice. Toronto: House of Anansi Press, 1998.Lasch, Christopher. The Revolt of the Elites: And the Betrayal of Democracy. 1st ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 1995.Rawls, John. Political Liberalism. Expanded ed. Columbia Classics in Philosophy. New York: Columbia University Press, 2005.Sandel, Michael J. Liberalism and the Limits of Justice. 2nd ed. Cambridge, UK ; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998.Relevant resources from EFC:Euthanasia and palliative care:Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/euthanasiaMAID Expansion Action Kit, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Resources/Documents/Euthanasia-MAID-Expansion-Action-Kit-2021Palliative Care, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/palliativecare.Palliative Care Toolkit, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Resources/Documents/Palliative-Care-Toolkit.Intervention on court cases:Carter case, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/CarterLatimer, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Resources/Court-cases/2001/Latimer-v-The-Queen-2001Rodriguez, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Resources/Court-cases/1993/Rodriguez-v-British-Columbia-(AG)-1993Past bills:Bill C-7, https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Resources/Government/2020/Bill-C-7-to-expand-Medical-Assistance-in-DyingCases and LegislationCases and Legislation:Suicide decriminalized in 1972Rodriguez v. British Columbia (1993) https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/1054/1/document.doR. v Latimer (2001) https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/1836/1/document.doBill C-407 (2005) Senator Francine Lalonde https://www.parl.ca/Content/Bills/381/Private/C-407/c-407_1/c-407_1.pdfDied when the 2006 election was called.Bill C-384 (2009) Senator Francine Lalonde https://www.parl.ca/Content/Bills/403/Private/C-384/C-384_1/C-384_1.PDF:Defeated on second reading 59 to 226Carter v. Canada (2015) https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/14637/1/document.doMAID legislation:C-14 (June 17, 2016) https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-14/royal-assent:https://files.evangelicalfellowship.ca/si/Euthanasia/EFC_Euthanasia_overview_postmortem.pdfC-7 (March 17, 2021) https://parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-7/royal-assent

​​Wong, Enoch. How Am I Going to Grow Up?​: Congregational Transition among Second-Generation Chinese Canadian Evangelicals and Servant-Leadership. Carlisle, UK: Langham Publishing, 2021.Second-generation Chinese Canadian evangelicals inhabit a complex liminal space, positioned between the world of their parents and broader Canadian society. In this study, Dr. Enoch Wong explores the “silent exodus” of these Canadian-born Chinese from their parents’ churches, tracing their journeys to negotiate their cultural, ethnic, and faith identities for themselves. Utilizing both sociology of religion and leadership studies, Wong’s research engages Robert Greenleaf’s concept of foresight in servant leadership to examine the role of church leaders in mediating (or failing to mediate) these transitions for children raised in immigrant churches. This multi-case inquiry offers insight into the concerns of Canadian-born Chinese evangelicals and the cultural and generational conflicts that prompt them to search for new communities capable of understanding their identities and supporting their yearnings – whether inside or outside of the church.

​​Amy Vetter completed a Masters in Leadership and Management at Briercrest Seminary. She's studied women leaders experiences in evangelical churches that have recently changed their policies to allow women to serve in leadership positions and defended her thesis in March 2022.

​Carole Ardell is currently in Calgary co-teaching a seminary course at Ambrose University. Carole met her husband, Steve, while attending Canadian Bible College and Seminary. After graduating, they moved to Prince George, BC and helped plant two churches while starting a tree-planting company and raising their two sons. Carole taught Bible courses at a local school and has served with Arrow Leadership. Recently retired from the family business and eager to further her learning, Carole returned to school to pursue a Doctor of Ministry degree. She continues to be invested in the work of the local church and enjoys teaching in a variety of learning environments.Ardell, Carole. “The Relationship Between Trust and Perceived Relevance of Local Christian Churches in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.” D.Min., Alliance Theological Seminary, 2021.Listeners can contact Carole about her work at [email protected] and 250-612-8644.​Carole's thesis can be found on ProQuest at https://www.proquest.com/docview/2644320699/87A1C372F8764484PQ/1

​​How are women equipped to lead in ministry? Lindsay talks with Marilyn Draper from Tyndale University about her research on women's pastoral internship experiences at seminary. They discuss what it takes for women to flourish as they prepare for and discern full time pastoral work and what works and doesn't work in an internship setting. They also discuss the role of supervisors and congregations in helping form the pastoral imagination of women seeking to enter vocational ministry.

​Times are changing and so is the way we worship. ​In this episode, Lindsay Callaway talks with Mike Tapper, Chair of Religion Department at SWU, and Marc Jolicoeur, Pastor of Worship & Creative Arts in Moncton, NB about their recent study on the trends in worship music in the last 25 years. We hate to make you wait, but an upcoming article from Worship Leader magazine and the March/April Faith Today cover story will shed more light on this research into the rise and fall of worship songs.

​​Join Faith Today podcast host Karen Stiller, tech producer Dave Auyeung, Rick Hiemstra and Lindsay Callaway, hosts of the new EFC podcast Faith Trends, as they go behind the scenes. This is the entire EFC podcast team sharing notes, favourite episodes from the last year, and what they really think and feel about Christmas. A fun and light way to end your podcast listening year!

​Jason is a Canadian Pastor, Chaplain, & Educator living in the Blue Mountains and researching about ministry and technology, online theological education, pastoral formation, and practical theology. In November 2021 he graduated with a PhD in Theological Studies from St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology and received the Governor General’s Gold Medal for achieving the highest academic standing at the graduate level. He and his wife are both ordained Free Methodist chaplains and parents to two amazing children. You can find Jason's blog at www.jasonmills.ca

​Definitions and approaches to evangelism are changing. In this episode, Lindsay speaks with Shaila Visser and Tim Gonsalves from Alpha Canada about a recent study on Gen-Z and evangelism in Canada. They discuss the implications of moving away from a verbal, message-centric conception of evangelism in favour of actions and relationships. Lindsay and Rick share their thoughts after the interview.Shaila Visser https://www.shailavisser.com/aboutTim Gonsalves https://alphacanada.org/our-directors/You can purchase Barna's report Reviving Evangelism in the Next Generation here: https://shop.barna.com/collections/evangelism-collection/products/reviving-evangelism-in-the-next-generation-canada

​What makes pastors resilient in ministry? Lindsay and Rick talk with Briercrest Seminary faculty member and recent PhD graduate, Margaret Clarke, about her research on clergy wellbeing. With a background in therapy and personal experience as a clergy spouse, Dr. Clarke shares about the common stressors and resources available to pastors. We discuss how congregations, denominational leaders, and academic leaders can foster resilience in their pastors. Stay tuned for Rick and Lindsay’s takeaways after the interview.Margaret Clarke https://www.briercrestseminary.ca/faculty/profile/?ID=MargaretClarkeYou can access Margaret's dissertation here: https://harvest.usask.ca/bitstream/handle/10388/13496/CLARKE-DISSERTATION-2021.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

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