I am always interested in Canadian content. We are similar to the US in many ways, but there are also significant differences.
I recently watched an interview in the Maple Spirit Pulse Series sponsored by the Institute for Religion, Culture and Societal Futures (IRCSF). The IRCSF is a Canadian, non-partisan organization specializing in social scientific and empirical research related to religion, spirituality, and emerging forms of communities of belief and practice.
The host, the Dr. Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme (University of Waterloo) interviewed Dr. Joel Thiessen (Ambrose University) about the research on the key indicators of a flourishing congregation in the Canadian context. Dr. Thiessen is also a part of Flourishing Congregations, another organization that studies the religious landscape here in Canada.
In this interview, Dr. Thiessen states that flourishing congregations are not necessarily about the numbers – the number of ‘bums in the pews’ or the amount of money in the bank. Large congregations do exist in Canada, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are doing well.
He gave three main categories that are used to measure how well a congregation is doing and they are as follows:
- Organizational dynamics
How do they self-identify?
Are they open to change and innovation?
How do they develop leaders?
What are their structural processes?
2. Internal dynamics
How do they encourage discipleship and spiritual formation?
How do people engage in their social networks?
Do they foster diversity?
How are the laity engaged?
3. Outward focus
How are they connected with the community?
Do they engage in evangelism?
Do they engage in community partnerships?
It was also acknowledged that there are many external factors that influence how congregations flourish. The changing religious landscape in Canada is an obvious factor. Immigration has also been a factor for many congregations.
Another interesting trend that was briefly discussed is the ‘circulation of the saints.’ Loyalty to a specific congregation or denomination is declining and with the rise of congregations broadcasting their services online, Christians are on the move – aka church shopping – more so than ever before. So, one congregation may be seeing in rise in their attendance and givings not because of evangelism or discipleship, but because people have left another congregation.
To be sure these are challenging times to be engaged in ministry in Canada!
In what ways is your congregation flourishing? How is God planting seeds of hope and joy?
Blessings, Rev. Emma Duncan
General Presbyter