How do Canadian congregational and denominational leaders in Catholic, mainline, and conservative Protestant settings perceive and define what constitutes a flourishing congregation? Drawing on interview and focus group data with over one hundred leaders across Canada, we bring to description the perceptions, narratives, and experiences that church and denominational leaders hold about flourishing congregations.
Featured Article
What is a Flourishing Congregation?
Shared Stories: Promise Practices in Canadian Churches
November 26, 2018
We hosted a national gathering of nearly 160 church and denominational leaders from across theological traditions and regions in Canada. These videos capture some of the panel conversations, plenary presentations, and congregational survey data from phase two of our research.
Presentation Slides
Download survey data slides from Joel Thiessen's presentation, "A View from the Pew."
Flourishing Congregations Institute Launch
November 26, 2016
We formally launched the Institute with an event at Ambrose University. These videos capture presentations from phase one of our research as well as a panel conversation with Dr. Reginald Bibby and Dr. Sam Reimer, leading sociologists of religion in Canada.
Session 1 - Setting the Stage: Religious and Cultural Landscape in Canada
Session 2 - Flourishing Congregations in Canada: Preliminary Observations
We partnered with NewScoop YYC to host a series of online discussions on various topics related to congregational life (e.g., leadership, church buildings). These videos capture those discussions.
TYPES OF CONGREGATIONS
LARGE CONGREGATIONS
Approximately 150 Protestant congregations in Canada have 1000+ weekly attenders. A 2015 national study uncovered some of the general demographics, staffing, programs and self-understandings of Canada’s largest churches.
Protestant churches in Canada with 2000+ weekly attendance.
CHURCH PLANTS
Below is a starting list of networks in Canada devoted to church planting.
Know of other groups?
Rural and Small Congregations
Below is a starting list of networks in Canada devoted to rural-based ministry.
Centre for Rural Community Leadership and Ministry
Know of other groups?
READINGS
Want to learn more about flourishing congregations, and the different methodological, theoretical, conceptual, empirical, and practical aspects to this project?
WEBSITES
Below are links to a series of congregational studies elsewhere, as well as tools and resources to help congregations who wish to flourish.
Hartford Institute for Religion Research (USA)
National Congregations Study (USA)
Center for Congregations (USA)
U.S. Congregational Life Survey
Natural Church Development Canada