The EFC has published a variety of resources to equip Christians to reflect on and be equipped for responsible, Christ-honouring civic engagement. To point friends to this webpage, use:
www.TheEFC.ca/CivicEngagement.
Our newest resource in this area is our Civic Engagement Kit. We revised it in March 2022 (aussi disponible en français). It explains how best to interact with your government representatives. Feel free to reproduce and distribute copies in your group or church. TheEFC.ca/EngagementKit- Check out our recent Be Kind to Your MP campaign (Nov-Dec 2021). It's over but still relevant.
- We made our own video on what churches can and can't do during an election (Aug. 2021).
- Parliament has a video on how a bill becomes law (2-minutes on YouTube)
- Caring for politicians in a harsh culture: A pastor and a politician point to a better way (by Preston Pouteaux, from Faith Today, Jul/Aug 2019). Available in English and French
- Webinar on how to be a more politically engaged, active citizen – Recorded discussion with Karri Munn-Venn of Citizens for Public Justice, Glendyne Gerrard of Defend Dignity, and Julia Beazley, director of public policy for the EFC, with host Karen Stiller. From Sept. 26, 2019
Canadian electoral system refresher (revised April 3, 2019)- Being a Faithful Christian, Being a Good Citizen (revised 2019, originally published 2006) briefly addresses Christian citizenship from a biblical perspective and suggests ways Christians can get involved in public life. 3 pages.
- Seven Principles of Praying for Political Leaders, an EFC blog post by David Guretzki (Feb. 2018)
- Christians and Civil Disobedience (revised 2001, originally published in 1991) looks at biblical texts and weighs arguments for and against civil disobedience. This paper can form the basis for thoughtful discussion among Christians on this important issue. 6 pages.
- Being Christians in a Pluralistic Society (revised 2000, originally published in 1997) is a discussion paper by the EFC's former Social Action Commission. It examines definitions of pluralism, liberalism and secularlism, rejects responses such as accommodation and Christendom, and goes on to outline some aspects of Christian pluralism. It ends with eight suggestions for further reading. 7 pages.
- And check out our resources for federal elections at www.TheEFC.ca/Election.
Federal Election Resources
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Voting is one way Christians contribute to society and the public good. When we vote we recognize the profound influence politics has on the lives of all Canadians.
Public policy impacts our lives, influences the way we interact with one another, and helps shape the care and protection offered to our neighbours.
Feel free to reproduce and distribute copies of the following resources in your group or church. To point friends to this webpage, use:
www.TheEFC.ca/Election.
- VIDEO: What churches can and cannot do during elections (2 minutes). How can churches be active during an election and still follow the rules that guide non-partisan participation? A short (and fun) answer from the EFC.
- KIT: Election Engagement Kit 2021. This free 13-page downloadable PDF includes:
- Up-to-date election questions for candidates. A list of 15 key issues for Christians along with suggested questions to ask people running for office.
- Guide to holding an all-candidates meeting
- What churches can and cannot do during elections
- Call to prayer
- BROCHURE IN ENGLISH, FRENCH OR CHINESE: One-page brochure Federal Election: Faith, Voting and Political Engagement. Download and print off copies of this non-partisan brochure to encourage your faith community. Includes quick tips on interacting with candidates, biblical rationale for voting, how churches can get involved without crossing Canada Revenue Agency guidelines and more.
- SLIDES: Election slides for social media and/or group presentations. You can choose to download the full package of 18 slides or just a slide on a single issue, for example elder care or refugees.
- RECORDED WEBINAR: What Churches Can and Cannot Do During a Federal Election. A 45-minute discussion from the 2019 election. Our expert guests were Deina Warren, legal counsel for the Canadian Council of Christian Charities, and Julia Beazley, director of public policy for the EFC. (June 19, 2019)
- ARTICLE IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH: Seeking Election Wisdom. One-page article by David Guretzki, the EFC's resident theologian and executive vice-president, published in Faith Today in 2019.
- Check out related civic engagement resources.
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Ressources pour les élections fédérales
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anglais
Le vote est un moyen par lequel les chrétiens contribuent à la société et au bien public. En votant, nous reconnaissons l’influence profonde de la politique sur la vie de tous les Canadiens.
Les politiques publiques ont une incidence sur nos vies, sur la façon dont nous interagissons entre nous et contribuent à façonner les soins et la protection offerts à nos voisins.
N'hésitez pas à reproduire et à distribuer des copies des ressources suivantes dans votre groupe ou votre église. Pour diriger les amis vers cette page Web, utilisez:
www.TheEFC.ca/Election.
Les ressources ci-dessous ont été préparées pour les élections de 2019. Nous publierons les versions mises à jour pour 2021 lorsqu'elles seront prêtes.
The images below can be used freely without additional permission. Click a slide to preview it in your browser, or click the first option to download them all in one batch.