A Fresh Start: How to Get the Most Out of Ministry Forum in 2025
As we step into a brand-new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect, refresh, and refocus on the work we’re called to do in ministry. Whether you’ve been connected with Ministry Forum for years or you’re just discovering us, we want to (re)introduce ourselves and share how we can support you in 2025 and beyond.
Our mission is simple: to equip, inspire, and provide what you need, when you need it. Ministry can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone—we’re here to walk alongside you.
1: Subscribe to Our Emails
The easiest way to stay connected is to subscribe to our email updates. Every week, we send practical resources, event updates, and encouragement directly to your inbox. It’s like having a trusted ministry companion that knows exactly what you’re juggling. If you haven’t signed up yet, now is the time!
2: Explore the Resource Hub
Our Resource Hub is growing every month with tools to help you in every area of your ministry. Whether you’re crafting a sermon, teaching a Bible study, or offering pastoral care, there’s something here for you. Here are a few highlights:
Coming Soon:
Conflict Management
Fundraising & Givings
Church Growth
Retirement & Legacy Planning
Administration & Management
+And More
3: Tune In to the Podcast
Every Tuesday, we release a new episode of the Ministry Forum Podcast. Whether you’re commuting, walking, or having a quiet moment with your coffee, these conversations with ministry leaders (just like you) bring fresh ideas for your work.
If you haven’t listened yet, it’s a great way to feel connected and inspired.
4: Follow Us on Social Media
Our social media channels are more than just updates—they’re a space for connection, encouragement, and community. Follow us for diverse up coming events, quick tips, and updates about new resources. Plus, it’s a place to share your thoughts and join the conversation with other ministry leaders across Canada.
5: Ask for What You Need
One of the best ways to use Ministry Forum is simply to let us know how we can help. Are you looking for specific resources? Facing a challenge in your ministry? Send us a message! Our team is always ready to connect you with tools and support.
In this closing episode of the Tending Tomorrow lecture series, Rev. Dr. Joni Sancken addresses the complex task of preaching in a secular age. Drawing on the insights of philosopher Charles Taylor and her own pastoral and academic experience, Sancken explores how secularism, trauma, and the “buffered self” have reshaped how sermons are heard and what people expect from the pulpit. She challenges preachers to engage the imagination, acknowledge human need, and name God's presence as a spiritual discipline. Sancken reflects on the tension between immanence and transcendence in contemporary preaching, offering practical examples and theological insights rooted in trauma theory, narrative preaching, and her Mennonite background. Rev. Aaron Miller’s thoughtful response pushes the conversation further, urging mainline preachers to risk vulnerability, normalize the “weirdness of God,” and reclaim the sermon as a thin space where divine encounter is still possible—even in a disenchanted world.