On Oct. 26-27, 2017 leaders of dozens of ministries affiliated with the EFC met in Montreal for the annual event known as Presidents Day. One of the agenda items was a report on what Evangelicals are thinking, especially about how God is leading the Church in Canada, based on a series of Canadian Evangelical Forum events. The EFC held these events with partner groups across the country, as described in the article below from a recent issue of Faith Today magazine. Please pray for God’s leading and blessing on the discussions started by these forums and the resulting report. Reprinted with permission from Faith Today (Jul/Aug 2017).
Evangelicals, who have been active in Canada for more than the 150 years of Canadian Confederation, have recently been reflecting on who they are now in the Canadian context and where they’re heading in the future.
To gain a better sense of what Evangelicals are thinking, especially about how God is leading the Church in Canada, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada recently hosted a series of Canadian Evangelicals Forum events with partner groups across the country.
The first forum (Toronto, June 2016) gathered leaders from Ontario and Quebec for two days. Several of the themes articulated by the first participants were echoed by those in later forums. These themes included: While all locations echoed these themes in various ways, each had its own emphasis as well.
- The word "Evangelical" means many different things to different people.
- Evangelicals experience many societal pressures, many of which put them in a minority position within the broader Canadian culture.
- Although the Church’s mission to preach the gospel and serve out of Jesus’ call to follow Him has not changed, it is being practised in some new ways.
- How Evangelicals position themselves in relation to Canadian culture affects how they carry out this mission.
- Working intergenerationally and interculturally is increasingly important. Collaboration is vital to effective mission.
- Developing spiritual postures of trust and listening to God is foundational to the future of the Church in Canada.
For instance, participants at Crandall University in Moncton, N.B., spoke of the value of working with people of other faiths and secular groups when trying to address pressing community needs.
In Burnaby, B.C., where the forum was held with Outreach Canada, ethnic diversity among Evangelicals was noted, as was the need to figure out how to talk about ethics and morality in the broader culture.
Participants in the Calgary forum, hosted by Ambrose University, discussed evidence of fragmentation among Evangelicals. The question was raised, "Do we want to stay divided? Or work on what binds us together?"
In Manitoba, those who gathered at Providence College & Seminary highlighted the Indigenous Peoples component of the evangelical Church and also noted strong resonance with Christians "outside our set" such as Roman Catholics.
The EFC also held a second forum in Toronto with Lausanne Movement Canada and Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre, an effort to include more immigrant and new Canadian church leaders. A major emphasis there was the need to recognize the hearts of many young people are open to the gospel, even while their hearts are being sought by those promoting secular and consumerist agendas.
Forum participants in all places expressed appreciation for the opportunity to talk with others about their concerns and hopes for the future of evangelicalism in Canada. They are also looking forward to some form of follow-up, beyond receiving notes from the events.
Such follow-up will begin as leaders affiliated with the EFC gather in October to study a report on the forum outcomes, and discuss implications for future mission and ministry development. Resources based on their work will likely be produced for church leaders across the country.
What were the key takeaways from all these forums? Evangelicals who talk about the future exhibit a deep trust that the work of Jesus undertaken by Christians in Canada will always be sustained by God, because God’s presence in the world will never be overcome. In prayerful reliance on the Holy Spirit, Canadian Evangelicals can count on new ministry paths unfolding for them, even as the context for that ministry shifts from one generation to the next.
With this kind of confidence, we can celebrate Canada’s 150th with joyful anticipation of exciting and fruitful years to come.
PHOTO CREDITS: Large opening photo above shows participants at the March 2017 forum at Providence College & Seminary in Manitoba. Smaller photo shows EFC President Bruce J. Clemenger at a discussion table at that same event. Both photos by Kayla Hiebert.