The EFC Granted Intervener Status in Constitutional Challenge to Prostitution Laws
The EFC has been granted intervener status before the Ontario Superior Court in the case involving a constitutional challenge to Canada’s laws on prostitution. The challenge was launched by the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform. Intervener status enables the EFC to make written and oral arguments to the Court in defense of the constitutionality of the current laws.
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 TheEFC.ca/CharitableProLifeToolkit.
Time Is Ticking Down to Take Survey for Pastors of Small Churches
It won’t take long, and we’d love for you to complete our survey. The Canadian Evangelical Small Church Study is gathering important research about the ministry and mission opportunities 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
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.
Bill C-230: Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act
Bill C-230 had its first hour of debate in the House of Commons yesterday. Private member’s bills are a key way to raise awareness and create an opportunity to communicate with MPs on a topic. While the Liberal Party, NDP and Bloc Quebecois indicated they will not support the bill, this is an opportunity to contact local MPs from all parties in support of the bill. It is also a good time to encourage supportive MPs to maintain their support. See the EFC’s website for more information, at www.TheEFC.ca/C-230.
History Lesson: What Made Gregory Great?
Gregory the Great offers us a model of how to follow Christ even when society seems to be crumbling around us: “If in the late modern West we are tempted to lament the demise of Christian influence in our society, Gregory reminds us we are called, as Jeremiah said to the exiles, to build houses, plant gardens and pray for the prosperity of the city.”
Read more in Faith Today’s latest History Lesson column.
Print subscriptions to Faith Today are now free in Canada. Sign up at FaithToday.ca/SubscribeFree.
World Persecution Ranking to be Presented to Parliament
EFC vice-president and resident theologian David Guretzki will bring greetings from the EFC to the 2022 World Watch List Parliamentary Release event on April 13 at 1:30 Eastern. The World Watch List, presented by EFC affiliate Open Doors, identifies the 50 most dangerous places to live as a Christian. It is based on extensive research and considered the most authoritative list of its kind.
Jobs: Find Your Next One, Or Get Your Message Out
The classifieds section at FaithToday.ca lists pastor positions in Oshawa, Toronto, Ottawa, Abbotsford, Sault Ste Marie, Camrose, Uxbridge and other positions such as presidents for Union Gospel Mission Vancouver and for Northwest Seminary & College as well as a digital ministry director (work from home). There are also ads about a Florida house for rent, proofreading services, church insurance and more. Visit FaithToday.ca/Classifieds.
Ontario Prayer Breakfast
The 54th Ontario Prayer Breakfast takes place April 11 from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. This is an annual opportunity for the Christian community to support Members of Provincial Parliament and city councillors in prayer. 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.
This Week’s EFC Prayer Prompts
Prayer is essential to any effective action. Each week at TheEFC.ca/TakeAction 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’s prayer request is about religious freedom. Pray for freedom to worship in places around the world where that freedom is restricted. You can learn more on these issues at TheEFC.ca/ReligiousFreedom.
This week's EFC affiliate highlight focuses on Voice of the Martyrs. VOM is “fulfilling the command of today’s persecuted Church as we share their stories in our monthly newsletter, in books, on the Internet and through television and radio.”
Covid-19 continues to 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.
→ Interface Lectures: Christ in a World of Creativity and Suffering (Niels Henrik Gregersen/Regent College), online/Vancouver, Mar. 29
→ A Theological Reflection on Sociable Artificial Intelligence (Jordan Wales/Regent College), online/Vancouver, Mar. 30
→ An Eco-theology of Wondering, Intervening, and Enmeshment (Regent College), online/Vancouver, Mar. 30
→ Towards a Theology of Disasters (Regent College), online/Vancouver, Mar. 31
→ Ending Poverty Together Workshop (Food for the Hungry), online, Mar. 31
→ Pastors Workshop: Holy Week and Easter (Mark Granville/Regent College), online, 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 Young Adult Conference (Mission Central), Burnaby, B.C., Apr. 2
→ A Day for Churches to Explore Developing Affordable Housing (CityGate Vancouver), online/UBC, Apr. 2
→ Marriage Enrichment Retreat (Focus on the Family), Priddis, Alta., Apr. 1-3
→ Rencontre au sommet, French-language prayer gathering, online, Apr. 4
→ EFC-wide Prayer for Ukraine and Easter, online, Apr. 7
→ 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
→ Women in the Holiness and Pentecostal Traditions (Tyndale/Master’s Seminaries), online/Toronto, Apr. 26
In Case You Missed It
→ Why the Prostitution Laws are Essential, Part 4: Not Just Constitutional but Safer (blog article)
→ Revised Kit on How to Interact With Your MP (Civic Engagement) (aussi disponible en français)
→ John Franklin on How We Can Nourish Ourselves Through the Arts (Faith Today podcast)
→ Equipping Women to Lead in Ministry (Faith Trends podcast)
→ Dix nouveaux articles traduit de « Faith Today » (ten new articles translated into French)
→ Add to Our List of Favourite Worship Songs (Faith Today blog)
→ Welcome Church Resource Helps Canadian Church Welcome Newcomers