iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

On October 16, join Rebeca Heringer and Ellen Duffield for a webinar about co-vocational congregations in Canada. Based on the voices of co-vocational pastors and denominational leaders from across Canada, this research shows key areas to consider when planning for thriving co-vocational ministries.

flourishingcongregations.org

Weaving Threads of Co-Vocational Ministry: A Framework for Thriving Congregational Leadership in Canada – Flourishing Congregations Institute

Rebecca Heringer, Co-Vocational Canada Researcher at Briercrest College and Seminary; Ellen Duffield, Adjunct Professor of Leadership and Management at Briercrest College and Seminary

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Check out our newest video series on the Flourishing Congregations Construct! In these short 60-90 second videos, Dr. Joel Thiessen, Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University, talks about the aspects that work together to contribute to congregational flourishing. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

youtube.com

The Flourishing Congregations Construct - YouTube

These videos detail the 11 aspects of the Flourishing Congregations Construct over 3 overarching domains. For the Construct Diagram and other resources, visi...

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

We are excited to release our new 90 second video on the Flourishing Congregations Institute! More videos to be released soon, intended to assist #Canadian #church #leaders interacting with Canadian #data! #congregations www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0fG...

youtube.com

Welcome to the Flourishing Congregations Institute

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Every #church tells a #story. The question is: Is it the right one? In a recently-released episode of the Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr. spoke with Joel Thiessen about The Stories Congregations Tell, a research project exploring why some churches flourish or struggle during transition.

flourishingcongregations.org

Why Every Church Needs a Better Story – Flourishing Congregations Institute

Every church tells a story. The question is: Is it the right one? In a recently-released episode of the Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr. spoke with Joel Thiessen, professor of Sociology a...

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

The Radiance Family Society, in collaboration with the Canadian Poverty Institute at Ambrose University, is leading a research project “THRIVE - Supporting Healing and Accountability in Faith Communities.” Please consider participating in this study using the survey link below.

questionnaire.simplesurvey.com

THRIVE Project Survey

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Sarah Han, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Tyndale University, poses the following question in her recently released Flourishing Forward Blog: "Are we intentionally seeing our #phones as portals to online spaces where God is sending us to actively engage in His missional work?"

flourishingcongregations.org

How to Missional on Your Phone (Even if You’re Not a Gamer) – Flourishing Congregations Institute

Are we ready to meet the next generation in the digital spaces they already call home? This post explores how followers of Christ can shift from being mere screen consumers to active creators to build...

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Join us for FREE to celebrate the new book, Pastoral Calling Reimagined: Celebrating the Spirit’s Abundant Invitation, with contributor Clara King and special guests, editor Gordon T. Smith, & Joel Thiessen on May 3rd, 2026, 7 pm at the Anglican Diocese Office, 8336 34 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB.

newleafnetwork.ca

Calgary Book Launch - Pastoral Calling Reimagined — New Leaf Network

Save the Date for May 3 in Calgary, AB

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Lindsay Callaway, “The Varied Landscape of Women's Church Experiences,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the event here.

youtu.be

The Varied Landscape of Women's Church Experiences

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Join Lindsay Callaway, Senior Researcher at the The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about a recently released study, Women in the Canadian Evangelical Church. *This special 45-minute webinar features a guided conversation with a church leader respondent.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

"While churches see parents at the center of disciplining the next generation, a perceived problem is that parents are not terribly invested in the spiritual formation of their children." Joel Thiessen, Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University, in our recently released Flourishing Forward Blog.

flourishingcongregations.org

The Truth about Churches Discipling Children and Teens – Flourishing Congregations Institute

The truth about churches discipling children and teens is they are doing so in a religious transmission ecosystem that includes and depends upon parents, schools, peers, media and social media, and ot...

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Sam Reimer, “Self-Spirituality in your Church: Implications for Discipleship,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.

youtu.be

Self-Spirituality in your Church: Implications for Discipleship

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Many #evangelism programs leave believers with little confidence in how to engage the real people in their lives. The Message Canada's Everyday Witnesses conference takes a different approach. Sign up for the Everyday Witness conference (March 7, 2026, Wycliffe College, Toronto) below.

messagecanada.org

Everday Witness Conference • Toronto

Equipping the Church for Evangelism Today

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Join Sam Reimer, Professor of Sociology at Crandall University, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book Caught in the Current. In this webinar, Reimer unpacks the central assumptions of self-spirituality, and how it affects #evangelical congregations.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Angela Reitsma Bick, “The Spiritual Discipline of Deconstruction,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here. youtu.be/r-1JlbpaC9I

youtu.be

The Spiritual Discipline of Deconstruction

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada. *This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Explore the relationship between Christianity and culture in this video with James T. Robertson, Associate Professor of Christian History at Tyndale University. This video offers a nuanced look at how images of the divine reflect—and often reinforce—human narratives, sometimes in problematic ways.

youtu.be

Defending White Jesus

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Ross Lockhart, “Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.

youtu.be

Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Our event is just a few days away, and there is still time to register. Join us on October 10 with Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for a #webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Curious about what helps #Canadian congregations flourish forward in ministry? Join Canadian researchers and #church leaders for four half-hour webinars on topics intended to help congregations flourish. Learn about the Flourishing Forward Webinar series and save your spot by visiting our website.

flourishingcongregations.org

Upcoming Events – Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

What stories do #congregations tell when confronted with transition and change? And what can other #churches learn in the process toward their own flourishing? Learn more in this fascinating article by Joel Thiessen, Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University.

flourishingcongregations.org

Your church’s story – Flourishing Congregations InstituteBluesky

In this article, sociologist Joel Thiessen shares some great ideas from his recent research on how a church can tell and live its story for a dynamic future. This article was originally published by F...

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

What makes a great #church leader? Research shows that patience and intentionality are key. Discover why in this insightful video by Elizabeth Millar, Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research, Wycliffe College.

youtu.be

Two Good Habits of Canadian Christian Pastoral Leaders

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Our webinar is just ONE WEEK AWAY, and there's still time to register. On May 29th (1:00PM ET), join Arch Wong, Professor of Practical Theology at Ambrose University, in a webinar featuring data from a recent national survey on #evangelism. Register now!

churchplantingcanada.ca

Events — Church Planting Canada

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Is #Canada socialist? Check out this thought provoking, witty & professionally produced video by historian James Tyler Robertson who invites us to consider the role of the local #church in society a century ago … and today. youtu.be/TzAwuihLgC8

youtu.be

Is Canada Socialist?

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

On May 29th (1:00PM ET), Arch Wong, Professor of Practical Theology at Ambrose University, will be hosting a webinar in partnership with Church Planting Canada. The webinar - "What Should Church Leaders Know About Evangelism?" - will feature data from a recent national survey on #evangelism.

churchplantingcanada.ca

Events — Church Planting Canada

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Join #Christians from across #Canada at the 2025 NATIONAL MINISTRY MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT. If you attend, you’ll hear Joel Thiessen present on normalizing (and stigmatizing) mental health and illness in congregations on Wednesday May 21st, 2025. You can register for the summit here: lnkd.in/gY89zxA2

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

"Canadians are increasingly less inclined toward participating in structured religious activities and are less inclined to belief in God." Rev. Dr. Lee Beach, Associate Professor of Christian Ministry at McMaster Divinity College, in our most recent Flourishing Forward release.

flourishingcongregations.org

Hope For the Future: The 2021 Canadian Census – Flourishing Congregations InstituteBluesky

I am an editor for the journal Post Christendom Studies. In the most recent issue we asked a number of scholars to reflect on the 2021 Canadian census with a view to understanding the implications of ...

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar on our recently released book, The Stories Congregations Tell: Flourishing in the Face of Transition and Change? You can access a recording of the one-hour event here. youtu.be/bC0XBmhvzcE

youtu.be

The Stories Congregations Tell - Flourishing Forward Webinar

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Would you like to learn more about #preaching? Check out our recent Flourishing Forward release with Rev. Dr. Sarah Han, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Tyndale University.

flourishingcongregations.org

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

In less than one week, we will be hosting a #FREE webinar on our new book, The Stories Congregations Tell. In this webinar, you'll hear from the authors and three practitioners, including Dr. Sarah Han, Linda Nicholls, and Fr. James Mallon. The webinar will occur on April 1, 10:00AM to 11:00AM MST.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Katie Steeves, “Gender Light Bulb Moments in Ministry: Canadian Women Pastors' Experiences of Gender Inequality,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.

youtu.be

Gender Light Bulb Moments in Ministry: Canadian Women Pastors' Experiences of Gender Inequality

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute

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Reposted by Flourishing Congregations Institute

Joel Thiessen @joelthiessen.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

If you’re in Calgary, register to hear me present on 2 projects from sabbatical research this Wednesday at Ambrose Research Conference. Presentation on religious transmission w/children in Catholic parishes & author-meets-critics session on new book, The Stories Congregations Tell. ambrose.edu/arc

ambrose.edu

Ambrose Research Conference | Ambrose University

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Our event is just a few days away! Join us Friday, 11:30AM MT, to hear Katie Steeves, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Trinity Western University and Associate Director of Research at the Flourishing Congregations Institute present on #Canadian #Women Pastors' Experiences of Gender #Inequality.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Register for our FREE webinar with Katie Steeves, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Trinity Western University and Associate Director of Research at Flourishing Congregations - "Gender Light Bulb Moments in Ministry: Canadian Women Pastors' Experiences of Gender Inequality." March 21, 11:30AM MT.

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Flourishing Congregations Institute @fcinstitute.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Join #Christians from across #Canada at the 2025 NATIONAL MINISTRY MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT. If you attend, you’ll hear Dr. Joel Thiessen, Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University, present on normalizing (and stigmatizing) mental health and illness in congregations on Wednesday May 21st, 2025.

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