Celebrating 1 Year of MinistryForum.ca
One year ago, MinistryForum.ca launched with a mission to connect, resource, and support ministry leaders across Canada. It has been a year filled with growth, encouragement, and connection as we’ve built up this online community - spaning all aspects of ministry work. As we reflect on this milestone, we’re filled with gratitude for the way Ministry Forum has become a space where ministry leaders can find trusted resources, share insights, and celebrate our diverse faith journeys together! THANK YOU Ministry Forum Community!
Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished in our first year!
150 Web Posts
Since launching, we’ve published 150 blog-style posts on topics that matter deeply to ministry leaders—ranging from pastoral care and preaching to practical ministry tips, trends, and leadership. Every post is created with you in mind, we hope these posts have provided you with inspiration and practical insights for your work. It’s been inspiring to hear from readers who have found guidance, encouragement, and fresh ideas in these articles.
43 Notes of Encouragement from YOU
We’ve received 43 notes of encouragement from the Ministry Forum community sharing how being a part of this community has shaped or impacted their ministry. Whether it’s a simple “thank you” or a story about how a resource, article, or event made a difference, these messages fuel our commitment to serving this community. We’ve kept every note and posted many on our “what people are saying page.”
178 Events Shared
This past year, we’ve promoted 178 events on our events calendar, a place where ministry leaders can find learning opportunities, networking events, and spiritual gatherings across Canada. From webinars and workshops to conferences and retreats, our events page connects leaders with experiences that help foster growth, learning, and community. Got an event other should know about? Send it in and we’ll add it to our calendar.
The Art of Transitional Ministry Part 1 introduces students to intentional transitional ministry leadership. Once called Interim Ministry, The Art of Transitional Ministry Part 1 introduces students to the Arc of Transitional Ministry - featuring deeper conversations about entering systems, assessing needs, considering history and current context, considering the role of conflict and healthy departing. We start in a place believing all ministry is transitional and that understanding congregational systems theory undergirds the work we do. Our goal is to provide pastors with tools for leading in the midst of transition while providing a supportive and safe learning community for exploration and questioning.
Are you a ministry leader looking to deepen your leadership skills and amplify your impact within your church or organization? Join us for five weeks of practical learning and engagement with peers in ministry, guided by seasoned leadership coaches. This series is designed specifically for ministry leaders—pastors, elders, lay leaders, and volunteers—providing tools and strategies to help you navigate the unique challenges of ministry leadership with authenticity, grace, and effectiveness.
A $399 value exclusively for the Ministry Forum audience generously subsized by Ministry Forum.
Jubilee 2025 is a global initiative that builds on the transformative success of Jubilee 2000, which canceled $100 billion of debt for 36 low-income countries.
The Global South faces a devastating debt crisis, with many countries spending more on debt repayments than on healthcare, education or climate action.
This three-day online Zoom conference features authors recently published in the field of open and relational theology. More than 30 books are featured, most of which receive an hour of exploration and discussion!
The conference is hosted Thomas Jay Oord, Jonathan Foster, and Jason Tripp. It features more than 30 books, most of which receive an hour of exploration and discussion!
Step into the captivating, often overlooked world of women's preaching in medieval Europe with international scholar Dr. Carolyn Muessig! This free public lecture offers a chance to discover how remarkable women defied conventions to engage with scripture in bold, creative, and norm-challenging ways. This lecture is a must-attended for preachers, historians, medievalists, and anyone inspired by stories of resilience and subversive faith!
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was critical to establishing a public record of the experiences of Survivors of residential schools and generated 94 Calls to Action for all areas of society to work towards reconciliation. Marie Wilson will speak about her time with the Commission, the ongoing need for truth, healing and justice for Indigenous people in Canada, and where we are today.
Are you a ministry leader looking to deepen your leadership skills and amplify your impact within your church or organization? Join us for five weeks of practical learning and engagement with peers in ministry, guided by seasoned leadership coaches. This series is designed specifically for ministry leaders—pastors, elders, lay leaders, and volunteers—providing tools and strategies to help you navigate the unique challenges of ministry leadership with authenticity, grace, and effectiveness.
A $399 value exclusively for the Ministry Forum audience generously subsized by Ministry Forum.
Virtual meet and greet with the new PCC Intercultural Liaison, Pablo Kim Sun! Pablo will share the vision behind his new role, discuss how churches engage inter-culturally across four key levels, and more. He will also introduce the Intercultural Development Inventory, a helpful tool we plan to launch this Spring in collaboration with the Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre, designed to support churches on their journey to becoming vibrant, intercultural communities.
Gather25 is an unprecedented 25-hour global broadcast event telling the inspiring stories of the global Church, by the global Church.
This is an unprecedented moment in history where technology can connect to Jesus followers from almost every nation, every denomination, and every generation.
Jesus followers in churches, campuses, arenas, and living rooms–from every continent and denomination–will join together across every time zone to watch the Gather25 broadcast that is free to everyone, everywhere.
For 25 hours, Gather25 is inviting believers across the world to pray, repent, worship, and discover how the love of Jesus is transforming the world through everyday people.
This is what Gather25 is all about.
Register to watch the live broadcast: gather25.com
As climate change makes itself felt in many ways, anxiety levels are rising in people of all ages. Join our very own Konnie Vissers, PCC minister, scholar, and founder of The Children’s Garden Collective, as she discusses the role local congregations can play in environmental education, fostering the growth and nourishment of children in this time of eco-anxiety, and finding theological hope through gardening.
Apply Backstory Preaching’s foundational sermon prep framework to crafting sermons throughout the Easter season you believe in and can’t wait to preach. In this process, rooted in prayer and practical tools, you will discover a framework you can rely on week after week to prepare sermons more efficiently and with more joy. You will discover how to experience sermon prep as a spiritual respite, versus as a purely academic exercise.
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
Have you ever been uncertain about how to lead prayer in worship? Have you ever wondered about the words you are using? This online study will help you understand the purpose of various prayers in worship, and also help you develop your own ministry of leading in prayer. Through this series participants will consider prayers of invocation, adoration, and confession, together with specific themes in prayer.
Ministry leaders, this series is meant to complement your ministry context's exploration of the Bible.
Participants who have taken the course have grown in confidence in studying the Bible and finish it seeking more opportunities to go deeper. We'd love if you were to offer this opportunity to your congregations and contexts as a way of supporting your ministry. Feel free to join in or not. No pressure. Let Ministry Forum take the planning and leading off your shoulders this Winter.
We look forward to having a diverse group of participants. This will be an opportunity to meet others across Canada who are passionate about learning more about the Bible and growing in their walk with God in Christ Jesus.
Join The Rev. John Borthwick, Director of the Centre of Lifelong Learning at Knox College as he facilitates this eight-session course online this winter.
A unique and inspiring experience. The Knitting Pilgrim, Kirk Dunn will take you on a journey through the art of knitting and storytelling, exploring themes of faith, creativity, and community
Virtual meet and greet with the new PCC Intercultural Liaison, Pablo Kim Sun! Pablo will share the vision behind his new role, discuss how churches engage inter-culturally across four key levels, and more. He will also introduce the Intercultural Development Inventory, a helpful tool we plan to launch this Spring in collaboration with the Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre, designed to support churches on their journey to becoming vibrant, intercultural communities.
Women are stepping into their calling to proclaim the Gospel, find their unique voice and embrace the future of preaching! If you’re a clergy, student, or simply passionate about the art of preaching, hearing from those who are leading the way can inspire and guide your growth.
This spring, join us for Tending Tomorrow, a full-day event that brings together four leading Canadian women homileticians as they reflect on the current state of preaching in Canada and imagine bold, hope-filled directions for the future.
Do you feel stuck in ministry today?
Gather with colleagues and the guy who wrote the book on that feeling - Dr. Todd W. Ferguson, sociologist, pastor, and author of Stuck: Why Clergy Are Alienated from Their Calling, Congregation, and Career... and What To Do About It. Through his groundbreaking research and firsthand experience, Dr. Ferguson explores why so many clergy feel trapped in their ministries—not because of burnout or a loss of faith, but due to systemic challenges within the profession.
Corporate worship is the work and the joy of the people of God, and when the body of Christ gathers, we are incomplete without the active presence and meaningful participation of children and youth. What can this engagement look like (feel like, sound like, smell like, taste like) in liturgy, and why does it matter to the formation of people of all ages? Canon Wendy Claire Barrie will lead this webinar exploring the theological whys and practical hows of incorporating children and youth into congregational worship.
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
A wildly practical and inspirational three-day event for future thinking family ministry leaders.
Join the annual event that launches teams of kids ministry and youth ministry leaders into brighter future recharged and overflowing with real tools they can use they very next week. In three exciting days, you’ll fill your notebook while a vibrant community fills your soul. Discover one thing every church can do to change everything for the next generation.
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
A conference focused on equipping, encouragement and renewal. Through scriptural teaching, vibrant worship, reflection in the arts, be renewed for ministry.
This transformative experience is designed to address the need for quality preparation in reconciling relationships, particularly within the Canadian context. The tour’s curriculum is developed in collaboration with Indigenous faculty, neighbours, and friends, ensuring a respectful, enriching, and authentic approach to reconciliation.
This course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. New students are welcome to join for Module Three without first completing Module One or Two. Sessions will cover topics including strategies for working with residents, engaging family members, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating sensitive end-of-life issues
Idolatry is not about worshipping physical idols; idolatry is about worshipping false idols. It is about valuing above all what should be valued least of all. Idolatry is about worshipping money over justice, valuing power over responsibility, and praising lies despite the need for truth. Idolatry is human deception, and it is found in our collective cultural histories from biblical times to the present setting in America. Insight into idolatry and its abuse of power is important to understand because such insight, in biblical terms, is related to justice, and justice is an action that requires the truth.
In person and livestream portions
This course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. New students are welcome to join for Module Three without first completing Module One or Two. Sessions will cover topics including strategies for working with residents, engaging family members, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating sensitive end-of-life issues.
Our keynote speaker, Adrian Jacobs, Senior Leader for Indigenous Justice and Reconciliation, will share the story of the 18 year justice journey that is gaining traction in Ontario and Manitoba.
The day will also feature Teresa Howe and Jess Brand from InDwell, exploring faith-based responses to housing challenges, and The Dr. Rev. J. Mark Lewis, sharing how St. Paul’s in Hamilton is transforming lives through affordable housing and community care.
Not only will you hear amazing stories of churches repurposing buildings and seeking to respond tangibly to justice issues but also embracing transformative prayer practices through 24/7 prayer.
This course offers practical skills and theoretical insights tailored to the unique challenges of this environment. New students are welcome to join for Module Three without first completing Module One or Two. Sessions will cover topics including strategies for working with residents, engaging family members, collaborating with healthcare teams, and navigating sensitive end-of-life issues.
Join us for "We Need To Listen" where participants will find:
- support and encouragement
- accountability and celebration
- ideas and strategies
…and most of all, a community of people passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus with the world but sometimes feel alone doing it.
Ministry Forum is delighted to host an online space that will strive to be safe as modelled and facilitated by its hosts where ministry leaders will gather with almost no agenda and where everything is on the table and tangents are welcomed.
Growing Resource Hub
Our resource hub has grown to 81 resources, and we are excited to reach our goal of 200 resources by Spring 2025. Each resource—whether it’s a course, guide, tech tool or podcast — has been chosen to support the diverse needs of ministry leaders. This collection reflects our commitment to curating helpful and accessible resources across a range of topics relevant to ministry today. We’re grateful to everyone who has shared their recommendations and to all who use this library to strengthen their ministries.
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Visitors from Coast to Coast and Beyond!
Since our launch in November 2023, we’ve welcomed 7,100 unique visitors who’ve generated over 12,000 page views. We love knowing that ministryforum.ca has been able to reach people across Canada (and beyond), and we hope to see this number grow exponetially in the coming years as we expand our offerings and grow the community.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this first year, we’re excited to see how MinistryForum.ca will continue to grow and serve you. We’re committed to expanding our resources, sharing stories that encourage, and building stronger connections within this beautiful community of ministry leaders. In the coming year, we’ll continue to focus on creating content that speaks to the heart of ministry, promoting meaningful events, and adding valuable resources to help you thrive in your calling.
Thank you for being part of MinistryForum.ca. Your engagement, feedback, and support have been such a blessing in shaping this community.
Cheers to another year of growth, connection, and encouragement as we journey together in ministry!