This is Us!: Recent Episodes
Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre
Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre assists small churches across Canada. Small churches are designed to thrive and are the backbone of the Christian church scene. Small is not less - small is just right!
Ron Baker interviews Brianna Matchett, a counseling therapist in Calgary, about her ministry and experiences with grief. Brianna emphasizes the importance of relationship and community in small churches, particularly during times of grief. She advises keeping track of grieving individuals, acknowledging their needs, and offering practical support. Brianna highlights the significance of time in alleviating grief's weight and the importance of community and nature in healing. Brianna also stresses the need for small church leaders to teach about grief and involve the community in supporting grieving members.
Lydia Fawcett works with MCC - BC in the area of Abuse and Bullying. She finds that churches are as prone to abuse and bullying as the general society. Her passion to help the vulnerable is evident in this interview.Addressing abuse in small churches.Churches must prioritize listening and learning to prevent abuse, regardless of denomination or beliefs. The importance of truth-telling in a church setting is key, with abuse defined as any behavior that causes harm or injury to another person, regardless of their faith background or socio-economic status.Exploring power dynamics in abusive relationships, with a focus on emotional manipulation and gaslighting.Women in the church experience emotional abuse through gaslighting and lack of agency in decision-making.Communication, abuse, and self-awareness.Fawcett emphasizes self-awareness for effective communication. She reflects on the historical roots of the societal crises related to abuse, tracing back centuries.The importance of churches being safe spaces for healing and growthDon't be afraid to learn and listen deeply – find resources and be willing to grow.
Outline:Paulo's Journey in MinistryPastor Paulo's Church and 5 Fun Days ProgramCommunity Involvement and Networking in ChurchChurch Growth and Low-Income Neighborhood DiscussionCommunity Connections and Church StrategiesSmall Church's Tech Transition Amid Covid-19Small Church Online Presence Strategy
Cheryl Ann Beals serves as Director of Zozo Center for Soul Care located in the Maritimes of Canada. In her work she is dedicated to helping leaders experience the fulness of Jesus through their own soul care. With this depth of experience the leader is than able to lead others into a great encounter with Jesus. The witness of this abundant life expands into relationships around the leaders - bringing Jesus into the community and the world.
Alison Witt works with refugees, particularly in the Hamilton area. She also serves with a Canadian refugee assistance institution called IAFR. Her insight into the compassion ministry of small churches reaching out to refugees is well worth the listen.Refugee ministry with a focus on ESL support and personal stories.0:15Refugee housing and support in Hamilton, Ontario.5:23How churches can help refugees in Canada through home hosting and affordable rentals.12:18Refugee ministry challenges and opportunities for small churches.18:49Embracing newcomers and refugees in small churches.25:15
Brian Siewert is the pastor of a small rural church in Onoway, Alberta. He works with a rural church hub collective in Western Canada. His own experiences gives a personal touch to the love of the rural church. Rural church ministry and family faith development.0:00Small church significance and rural ministry.4:39The strengths and challenges of rural churches in Canada.8:59Resource challenges in rural churches.14:00Challenges facing rural churches and pastors.19:04The challenges and solutions for rural church leaders.24:45
• The tendency to overlook the gospel's impact on daily life. 0:15 • The relevance of the gospel in a secular society. 5:32 • The role of the church in a changing society. 10:28 • Small churches, relationships, and proclaiming the gospel. 14:35 • Church growth and ministry challenges in Canada. 18:16 • Small church ministry and humility. 22:43
Small churches, Jesus, and community outreach in the UK. (0:08)Small churches in the UK and Canada, with a focus on spiritual openness and hunger. (2:28)Rethinking church structures and meeting in non-traditional spaces. (7:48)Non-traditional church spaces and evangelism strategies. (13:30)Revitalizing small churches with aging congregations. (16:13)The importance of prayer and discipleship in Christian movements. (20:51)Encouraging risk-taking in small church ministry. (25:58)
Sam Reimer has just completed a research book called - Caught in the Current: British and Canadian evangelicals in an age of self-spirituality. Reimer speaks to self-discovery and identity in a changing society - with the locus of authority changing from external to internal (religion of the heart). Included is a discussion on the place of denominations in Canada, the turn towards Holy Spirit direction, and the inner voice of the heart taking the place of the external voice of God.
Robbie Kelly pastors at the Celebration Church in Brantford, Ontario. He has lived through a pandemic, a church facility move and a senior leadership upheaval in the past few years. The transitions have come back to flourishing through community.
Sweis serves in the Maritimes of Canada - an area that his seen more than it's share of diversity and despair. His church worked towards helping the community while spreading the Gospel of Jesus.
Kathy serves as a parish nurse in her home church. She is a registered nurse with decades of experience in various areas, including community health, psychiatry, and home visiting.
Blayne Banting currently works at Briercrest College and Seminary. Over the years he has explored spiritual formation from the perspective of a small church pastor.
Wendy Kittlitz oversees both the Clergy Care efforts of Focus on the Family Canada as well as the Kerith Retreat Centres run by Focus on the Family. In this episode she touches on some of the following (with some help from Zoom AI companion): Pandemic Challenges and Self-Care for Frontline Leaders: Ron and Wendy discussed … Continue reading "Episode #62 – Wendy Kittlitz – Why Clergy Care and Kerith Retreats?"
Matt and Sue Craig minister in a small church in the Toronto area. What once was a predominantly white caucasian area has become a multiplicity of cultures. Hospitality is vital, respect of others and listening carefully are a vital part of ministry to a world culture.
Kyle Boone is a pastor in the town of Hamden, Ohio. He has done extensive research into the effect of domestic abuse pertaining to small church ministry. Statistically one in four church attendees will have been in a domestic abuse situation. Do you know how to recognize this and effectively minister in this situation. Hear what Kyle has to say.
Taylor Croissant serves as United Church minister in Lethbridge, Alberta. He has been concerned that denominations in Canada need to take a hard look at how they work - and if they work!
Ron Johnston, director of Small Church Connections, outlines the new Small Church Network that launches on June 2, 2023
The most recent study on parenting faith has been released by a partnership of agencies. Three representatives of those agencies sit down to talk with Ron Baker about the future of parenting faith.
Rick and Lindsay discuss the latest research done regarding evangelical Canadians approach to parenting faith. The research supports parental involvement - with some interesting twists. The place of the church? Again, a rethinking for many is needed!
Wayne Neumiller has served a small church in Irma, Alberta - two times! Returning to the same church has meant assessing the viability of a return and preparing for a succession. Practical and principled advice is given by Wayne.
Calvin Andringa is the pastor of Tofield Alliance Church, a small church just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. He has served the church for the last 30 years and has learned some valuable lessons. Calvin shares these thoughts with humility, vision and passion.
Can small churches use networks to provide sustainability and vitality? Keith Shields tells of three networks that he has studied recently in Canada. These groups of churches (small groups or small churches) have shown another model for church in the 2020's.
Rick Heimstra and Lindsay Callaway have just completed the final report on the Canadian Evangelical Small Church Survey taken over these past few years. There findings are both predictable and unseen. In this episode we discuss a number of those findings.
David Bradford has been pastor at the Brooks Alliance church since 2011. One of his great loves is seeing the church reach into their community. David offers practical advice along with principles that will steer a small church into community outreach.
Kevin Driver is a pastor in Banff, Alberta - one of the most diverse towns in Canada. He speaks to working with newcomers to Canada, integrating cultures into church life, and generally being the church to all nations.
Paul Warnock serves as a transitional pastor in Alberta, Canada. His observations and insights on pastoral rest and relaxation come from a rich history. The healthy pastor is the best leader of their congregation. Without rest and relaxation the pastor falls apart and the congregation may follow.
Kevin Roberts has spent a quater century in pastoral ministry. His own search to understand congregational wellness and long term stability has lead to a number of pertinent observations. Patience, forgiveness, context and other areas are discussed.
Dr. John Scott has been a part of Palliative Care as a physician since the 1970's. He feels strongly that helping people relinquish life is a gift that our society needs to embrace. Canadian society has not done this well and has instead opted for MAiD. Pastors and church leaders can call us into this ministry.
Dr. Margaret Cottle works in the palliative care area of medical health. Her own experiences show that the latest medical termination permission allowed by Canadian legislation falls far short of the vitality of a Christian worldview. In this podcast she wisely corrects some troubling shifts in modern medicine with a view towards a loving and caring compassion for the humans who surround us.
A local church pastor of 30 years, Paul Charbonneau, talks of his encounters with real life people dealing with MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying). His own journey has led him to be pro-active in understanding and practising the culture of pro-living.
Sandra Ryan talks of her work in small churches - encouraging them to be community minded
Dean and Maxine worked in a small church in Chesley, Ontario, while the pandemic was in full swing. Their food ministry increased over this time. Now they are asking what comes next and what will the church look like.
Rod Wilson has pastored churches, served as President of Regent College, worked in the area of psychology, been a father and husband. His years of experience have led him to forsee personal and institutional relational health - using three phrases: Thank you, I'm sorry, and Tell me more.
Marshall and Merrie Eizenga direct Kerith Creek retreat centre in Alberta, sponsored by Focus on the Family. In these past few years they have conducted a number of retreats for couples and singles. From their experience they share wise advice on how to remain resilient and to restore you soul.
Karen Stiller is a pastor's wife, a co-editor of Faith Today, a writer and much more. She shares from her experiences in the big church and the small church. Her wisdom includes vital insight into small church ministry with a passion for the pastor's wife.
Dr. James Robertson is a professor of history at Tyndale University while also serving a two point ministerial charge in Ontario. He has recently written a book titled: Overlooked: The forgotten origin stories of Canadian Christianity published by New Leaf Press.
Susan Saunders served on a refugee resettlement committee, bringing refugees to Bridgetown, Nova Scotia. Her stories are compelling and give a peek into the work a small church may undertake to bring refugees to Canada.
Mark Reece has been involved with refugee resettlement in the Maritimes for over a decade. As a pastor he has navigated the work needed to bring refugees to Canada, has worked with steering teams that provided the ground work, and has seen the love and compassion of the church and community reach out to refugees.
Melissa Davis is currently heading up the music program at Tyndale University in Toronto, Ontario. She has 35 years of experience in music and worship. Her passion is seen in this episode where she talks about her vision and how worship and music can flourish in the small church
David Guretzki serves as the resident theologian for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. In this podcast he talks about the foundation that theology provides for the small church.
Albertos Polizogopolous is a founding member of The Acacia Group. His national practice focuses on the areas of constitutional, commercial, and civil litigation. He provides legal and strategic advice to his clients in all matters relating to litigation and liability. In this episodes he focuses on how this impacts the small church.
Jeremiah Thomas is a church planter in Brampton, Ontario. His family immigrated to Canada in 2009 from Kuwait. His own journey has taken through a philosophy degree, work in the legal profession and into a co-vocational pastorate.
Tim Perry is currently the Dean of Providence Seminary and professor of Theology. He has recently published a book on funerals and the care of souls. He has lived the pastoral life and knows small churches.
Gil Langerack works with the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. The Centre serves thousands of Christian Charities in Canada - facilitating charities in dealing with government, CRA and many other areas.
Heather Malnick is currently the Pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church in Bracebridge, Ontario. She speaks passionately of the opportunity to serve with others in the process of combining three small churches into a cluster and regional model of ministry.
Shaila Visser has headed up Alpha Canada for the last 11 years. In the summer of 2021 Alpha Canada undertook a survey of evangelism in Canada in conjunction with Flourishing Congregation's researcher Joel Thiessen. The results were significant and at some points unexpected!
April Yamasaki served for 25 years as a pastor before venturing into writing as her vocational passion. She speaks to proper care of the soul in order to be effective in ministry and enlivened as a person.
Mike Wood Daly works with the Halo project, a research-based effort to show the social economic contribution of faith communities to the Canadian Society.
Neil Bassingthwaite works with Missions for the Evangelical Free Church in Canada. He has pastored small churches in Saskatchewan and Alberta and is well aware of the need for outreach - while remembering that discipleship is the foundation of mission.