Bill to Ban Conversion Therapy Passes in House of Commons and Senate
Senators passed a new bill to ban conversion therapy late this afternoon with minimal debate and without sending it to committee for further study. Bill C-4 bans conversion therapy for both adults and minors. The bill will take effect 30 days after the bill receives royal assent. The EFC is concerned that the definition of conversion therapy is overly broad and we will continue to study the bill’s impact on freedom of expression and religion. For more information on the bill, see TheEFC.ca/C4.
Post-Pandemic Missiology Seminar and Conversation for Ministry and Church Leaders
Canadian ministry and church leaders are invited to “A Post-Pandemic Missiology: A Candid Conversation with Denominational, Regional, and Network Leaders,” a hybrid event taking place December 14 both at Wycliffe College in Toronto and online and co-hosted by the EFC along with partners Wycliffe College and WayBase. The conversation will be led by author and speaker Ed Stetzer. Register here.
The Scattered Flock and the Call to Fellowship: Column by EFC President
Nearly two years of the Covid pandemic has left society and the Christian Church fractured and weary. In his latest column, Bruce Clemenger asks, “In the midst of turmoil and in a fractured and divisive society, what will be our witness? Will we extend care and respect to pastors, affirming that they have weathered uncertainty and disagreements, critique and judgment while seeking to be pastoral and care for those in need of comfort and guidance, care and support?”
New EFC Weekly Prayer Prompts
This week’s prayer request is about children and pornography. Pray for the protection of children in front of and behind the screens and holding pornography platforms responsible.
You can learn more on this topic at TheEFC.ca/Pornography. Each week at we rotate through a prayer request from each of these five areas: Sanctity of Life, Care for the Vulnerable, Church and Mission, Family and Community, Religious Freedom. We also list an EFC affiliate group to pray for.
This week, we highlight Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ is a worldwide Christian movement working with young people around the globe.
Covid 19 and the restrictions have a significant impact on our lives. The EFC continues to offer new Friday@4 pandemic-focused prayer suggestions each week at TheEFC.ca/Covid-19.
→ Philosophy in the Reformed Tradition (ICS, Redeemer University), online, Dec. 8-11
→ Fighting the Evil of Corruption (Global Network on Integrity), online, Dec. 9
→ Bells on Bay/Bank Street (Intriciti), Ottawa Dec. 10
→ Watercooler Break for Communications Workers (CCCA), online, Dec. 10, Jan. 14
→ A Post-Pandemic Missiology for Ministry Leaders (Wycliffe College/Waybase/EFC), online, Dec. 14
→ Tips from the Winning Christian Communicators: Writing Categories (CCCA), online, Dec. 17
→ Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry (FILL/Wycliffe College), online Monday mornings for 12 weeks starting Jan. 10
→ Celebrate Recovery for Women in Ministry/Pastors’ Wives, online starting Jan. 13
→ Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25
→ OneWay Ministries Workplace Summit, online and in Ottawa, Jan. 19
In Case You Missed It
→ Beyond Pestilence and Flood – The Story of a B.C. Church (Faith Today blog and video interview)
→ No Cure for Being Human and Just Being Wonderful with Kate Bowler (Faith Today podcast)