This issue of the EFC Update was delayed for a day by technical issues, which we’re glad to report have now been resolved.
How to Help Those Affected by the Russia-Ukraine War
To learn about EFC affiliates helping Ukraine and how to support their work, as well as to find new prayer prompts on how to pray for Ukraine, see our article.
New Toolkit on Charitable Status of Pro-Life Charities
Our new toolkit describes government plans to change the charitable status of pro-life charities and what you can do. Download the free resource at www.TheEFC.ca/CharitableProLifeToolkit.
Wanted: Pastors of Small Churches
It won’t take long, but we need you to complete our survey. The Canadian Evangelical Small Church Study is investigating the ministry and mission opportunities that small churches engage in, as well as the challenges that hinder vitality in congregational life and ministry. Pastors of congregations of 150 people or less are invited to complete the survey.
English: www.research.net/r/CESCS français : fr.research.net/r/EPEEC
Ontario Prayer Breakfast
The 54th Ontario Prayer Breakfast takes place April 11 from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. This breakfast is an annual opportunity for the Christian community to gather together to support Members of Provincial Parliament and city councillors in prayer. A special prayer for leadership will be offered by several individuals.
Special guests this year include Erin Willson, president of AthletesCAN, and Christopher Gordon, a partner at Ernst & Young, who will be sharing Stories of Hope. You can register at ontarioprayerbreakfast.ca. Virtual space is limited to 1,000.
Why the Prostitution Laws Are Essential, Part 4: Not Just Constitutional, but Safer
Canada’s prostitution laws are not only constitutional, they are safer for those in the sex trade.
Canada’s prostitution laws are being reviewed by MPs on the parliamentary justice committee. The committee is hearing testimony and evidence on the impact of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which passed in 2014. Read more in our latest article.
New Podcasts on the Arts and Equipping Women in Ministry
John Franklin leads Imago, an organization that supports Christians in the arts in Canada. In our latest Faith Today Podcast, he has great insight to share on why art matters so much, and how churches, and individuals can help nurture artists.
How are women equipped to lead in ministry? In a new Faith Trends podcast, EFC researcher Lindsay Callaway talks with Marilyn Draper from Tyndale University about her research on women's pastoral internship experiences at seminary. They discuss what it takes for women to flourish as they prepare for and discern full time pastoral work and what works and doesn't work in an internship setting. They also discuss the role of supervisors and congregations in helping form the pastoral imagination of women seeking to enter vocational ministry.
Faith Today Column: Piercing the Fog of Spiritual War
Truths, half-truths and downright untruths can be the devil’s way of leaving us in a fog of spiritual confusion, says columnist John Stackhouse. How can we better equip ourselves to combat Satan’s attempts to bewilder us? Read more in the latest Christ & Culture column.
Remember, print subscriptions to Faith Today are now free in Canada. Sign up at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree.
Jobs: Find Your Next One, Or Get Your Message Out
The classifieds section at FaithToday.ca is a great place to learn about job openings or to tell others that you’re hiring. Current listings include pastor positions in Ottawa, Toronto, Abbotsford, Sault Ste Marie, Camrose, Uxbridge and more, a digital ministry director (work from home) and a seminary president/dean. There are also ads about a Florida house for rent, proofreading services, church insurance and more. Visit FaithToday.ca/Classifieds.
This Week’s EFC Prayer Prompts
This week’s prayer request is about community. Pray that we as Christians may be salt and light to our communities, collectively helping to offer relief and promote development, foster the arts, provide education and preserve history, and help and care for people in need. Pray for the many ways EFC affiliates work within our Canadian community and the broader international community, strengthening collaboration, meeting individual and community needs and sharing the love of Jesus with those around them.
Check this space each week for one new request related to: Sanctity of Life, Care for the Vulnerable, Church and Mission, Family and Community, Religious Freedom.
We also list one EFC affiliate group to pray for. Pray for Global Scholars Canada, which focuses on the development and support of Christian scholars who are Canadian citizens (or permanent residents) and wish to serve at open-enrollment campuses worldwide.
For pandemic-focused prayer, the EFC also continues to offer new Friday@4 suggestions each week at TheEFC.ca/Covid-19.
→ Spiritual Autobiography Workshop (Ambrose University), online, Mar. 23
→ Apologetics Canada Leadership Summit (for ages 20-27), Agassiz, B.C., Mar. 25-27
→ 1984: Exploring Orwell’s Warnings to the Future (Apologetics Canada), online, Mar. 27
→ Christ in a World of Creativity and Suffering (Regent College), online/Vancouver, Mar. 29
→ A Theological Reflection on Sociable Artificial Intelligence (Regent College), online/Vancouver, Mar. 30
→ An Eco-theology of Wondering, Intervening, and Enmeshment (Regent College), Vancouver/online, Mar. 30
→ Ending Poverty Together Workshop (FH Canada), online, Mar. 31
→ Pastors Workshop: Holy Week and Easter (Regent College), online, Mar. 31
→ Towards a Theology of Disasters (Regent College), online/Vancouver, Mar. 31
→ Ministry Leadership Day with Kevin Vanhoozer (Heritage Seminary), online, Mar. 31
→ Biblical Sexual Ethics (One Way Ministries), online/Ottawa, Apr. 1-2
→ Grow YA Conference (Mission Central), Burnaby, B.C., Apr. 2
→ Marriage Enrichment Retreat (FOTF), Priddis, Alta., Apr. 1- 3
→ Rencontre au sommet, French-language prayer gathering, online, Apr. 4
→ Watercooler Break for Communication Workers (CCCA), online, Apr. 8
→ Personhood and Bioethics with Margaret Somerville (Regent College), online, Apr. 8
→ Ontario Prayer Breakfast, online, Apr. 11
→ The Mediation of Christ in A.B. Simpson’s Teachings (Ambrose University), online, Apr. 12
In Case You Missed It
→ On the Ukraine border with World Vision’s Michael Messenger (Faith Today Podcast)
→ Bill C-230: Freedom of Conscience Act
→ Why the Prostitution Laws Are Essential, Part 3: Violence and Stigma are Inherent to Prostitution
→ Revised Civic Engagement Kit (free tips on interacting with government, aussi en français)
→ Who Are the New Gentiles? (column by David Guretzki)
→ Four New EFC Resources for Churches (webinar recording)
→ Unity Despite Genuine Fear and Anger (Faith Today blog)