April 21, 2020
Condolences to Nova Scotians
The EFC shared the following message on our social media platforms yesterday: “The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada joins with other Canadians in prayer and lament for the lives lost in Nova Scotia over the weekend. Our hearts break for the loss of life.” The death toll is now 23, and so many more are affected and need our prayers.
EFC Letter to Minister of Justice on Bill C-7
The EFC sent a letter to the Justice Minister today, asking him to change Bill C-7 to reintroduce an end-of-life requirement for euthanasia and assisted suicide, and to not remove key safeguards from the law. Add your voice to ask for protection for vulnerable Canadians. Find a new sample letter on the EFC’s website, available as a pdf and as docx, along with information about Bill C-7.
EFC Speakers in Your Online Gathering?
The EFC has local ambassadors in many Canadian provinces and expert staff on a variety of topics. One of them would be delighted to make a live interactive presentation during an online gathering of your community, or to record a video message for your online church service, conference or small group.
Learn more about our speakers, including ambassadors based in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, at www.TheEFC.ca/Speakers. In addition to the list of topics you’ll find there, including social issues from euthanasia to refugees to prostitution, and ministry issues from adoption to youth ministry, speakers are glad to consider requests to speak on unlisted topics. Request a speaker now!
The Actual “Gospel” of Canadians
Faith Today columnist and religious studies professor John Stackhouse has noticed widespread errors in how Canadians—and even Christian theology students—view the gospel. Many seem to know little about the importance of the cross, the resurrection and the Holy Spirit, and think instead in terms of God mainly as someone who can be “prayed to for help in extreme circumstances and will sometimes, although unpredictably, come through.” Read his argument that the “Christianity many shrug at isn’t the real thing” in the latest issue of Faith Today.
Support the production of more uniquely Canadian Christian journalism like this by donating or subscribing to the EFC magazine Faith Today.
Our Collection of COVID-19 Resources for Churches
The EFC is curating a collection of resources for churches at TheEFC.ca/COVID-19. Your contributions of articles, event notifications and other resources can be submitted there.
→ The Vigil, 24/7 prayer for Quebec, April 19-May 3
→ Free Virtual Conference for Women (BWOQ), online, April 21-25
→ How will COVID-19 affect world hunger? (CFGB), online, April 23 at 4 p.m. Eastern
→ Fridays Webinars: Preparing your church for coronavirus (Wheaton/NAE), online, noon Central time, April 24, etc.
→ Teach Me to Study the Bible Workshop (Precept Ministries), online, April 25
→ Good Seed Sunday (A Rocha), nationwide, April 26
→ Ending Poverty Together Workshop (FFTH), online, April 30 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern
Publicize your event for free on our calendar and we will also share it in this email newsletter.
An Online Seminary Course? Why Not?
Online course registrations are now open for many seminaries and Christian postsecondary institutions. Several are listed on our online calendar (TheEFC.ca/Calendar).
→ Trinity Western University online summer courses (courses starting April, May, June, July)
→ Briercrest Seminary Summer Courses (courses starting April 16)
→ Booth UC Online Courses (courses starting May 4)
→ Master’s College & Seminary (courses starting May 4 and June 22)
→ Providence College & Seminary (courses starting Sept. 17)
→ Horizon College (courses starting April, May, June, either free to audit or discounted prices for credit)
→ Ministry and Technology Online Course from Wycliffe College (course starting May 4)
→ Who Is Jesus? (NT II) Online Course from Wycliffe College (daily from May 4 to June 26)
Be sure to check the website of your preferred institution for more learning opportunities. Or visit www.checonline.ca to search a database of Canadian Christian online courses and choose for example from 118 undergraduate courses available in summer 2020.
In Case You Missed It
→ Standing up straighter (Faith Today column by Carolyn Arends)
→ Being church and neighbour in the pandemic (EFC podcast with Preston Pouteaux)
→ Bill C-7 puts lives on the line (latest Canada Watch)
→ Persecution in Algeria leads to church closures (article from WEA Global Ambassador Brian Stiller)
→ Hope in crisis (video by WEA Global Ambassador)