Could we introduce ourselves? Because I think you might not know us.
There’s been some chatter in political circles about a certain party leader visiting three evangelical Christian churches on a recent summer Sunday. I listened to a podcast about politics, where the panelists and host talk about the risk of this kind of visit and whether this is importing US style politics into Canada. They ask questions like, “Why does this raise eyebrows?” “Why isn’t this more risk than reward?”
I was glad when the host asked the panelists, “Why is it different from going to a gurdwara [Sikh temple] which everybody in urban politics does?” It shouldn’t be different – yet it does feel that way. Because of all religious groups, visiting evangelical Christians in their place of worship seems to be interpreted as an ominous harbinger of crossing a political line in Canada.
I am an Evangelical and I work for The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, an association that represents roughly 1.7 million Canadian Evangelicals. It may not be the first thing I tell you about myself because it can shut down conversations. I’ve seen that firsthand when people ask me what I do for a living.
So, who are these evangelical Christians, anyway?
We’re your neighbours, gym buddies and co-workers. We’re often volunteers at community foodbanks, if we don’t host one in our churches.
We are more ethnically diverse than you might think. Many Evangelicals are newcomers to Canada, more than the average Canadian population. For example, according to the 2021 Census, just over one in four Canadians reported being a visible minority, compared to just under half (45%) of Pentecostal Canadians.
Our faith is an important part of life for us. Evangelicals are Christians who are devoted to the Bible as God’s word and emphasize the personal appropriation of the Christian faith through conversion to Jesus Christ. That we receive forgiveness through Jesus is central to our faith. We believe it is important to share our faith with those around us, and to live a life of service to God and others.
Evangelicals engage in public life because it’s one of the ways we love God and love our neighbours.
Our faith is what motivates us to volunteer and donate to charities, both religious and non-religious. StatsCan data reports that weekly attenders of religious services are more likely to donate to charities than the average Canadian. They are also more likely to be among the group of top volunteers that provides the most hours.
Just as Canadians are culturally distinct from their neighbours to the south in many ways, Canadian Evangelicals are, too. Within the Canadian evangelical movement, there is a wide range of denominations and organizations. We hold to the same core beliefs of who Jesus is and how he calls us to live, but we’re not a monolith. We find different ways to serve and live among our neighbours.
There seems to be a growing anti-religious sentiment in Canada. Some minority religious groups face physical violence, attacks and intimidation. We’ve seen an alarming increase in antisemitism in recent months, and fatal attacks against Muslims in recent years. As Canadians, we must take steps to protect minority religious groups and their ability to live safely and peacefully.
Evangelicals in Canada don’t often face physical threats, but we do hear anti-evangelical commentary and see moves to exclude Christians from public life. I know of doors that close, sometimes subtly and sometimes not, on people because of their beliefs and religious affiliation.
For example, some Christian groups who apply for government grants are flagged for review based on their beliefs — not their actions, but their beliefs. University faculty propose excluding applicants to medical school if they would be conscientious objectors to some practices and argue against accommodation of deeply held beliefs.
The religious and cultural diversity of Canadians necessarily means we will, at times, disagree. The EFC has worked with various interfaith groups of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs on issues like education, palliative care and religious freedom for decades. In spite of our deep differences, we’ve found common ground and areas we can work together.
As an Evangelical, I think we need to work together — with people of different beliefs and backgrounds — to seek the best for Canada.
So, for those outside evangelical circles, we would love to get to know you, to volunteer with you, and continue to enrich and renew Canada with you. Will you join us in finding common ground?
As for Evangelicals, let me encourage you to act in accordance with our hope. Let’s continue to reach out to our neighbours, build bridges and be catalysts of peace, seeking reconciliation and offering hospitality.
Wood Block House image © coffeekai (from Getty Images Signature) via Canva.com
Author:
Beth Hiemstra