Next Week’s Webinar: Human Trafficking in Canada
What is the latest on human trafficking in Canada? Who are the victims? What can individuals and Canadian churches do to help with this overwhelming problem? On April 26 at noon EST, join us for our webinar on this issue. Julia Beazley, director of public policy for the EFC, will update us. Register now.
New Audio Podcast: The Humboldt Broncos Hockey Tragedy and How We Can Respond
We interviewed Dave Wells, general superintendent of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). He is also a sports chaplain, and served as Canadian chaplain for the Olympic Games, the Pan Am Games and the Commonwealth Games, where he joined us by Skype from Australia’s Gold Coast. Dave spoke with us about the Humboldt Broncos hockey tragedy, the nature of chaplaincy work in times like this, and how faith and the Church can help in times of tragedy.
New Audio Podcast: Sexual Ethics in the Church with Dr. Aimee Patterson
Dr. Aimee Patterson is a Christian ethics consultant with The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg. She says, "If we're not prepared to hold people to account, that's a problem. If we're not prepared to care for victims, that's a problem. One way to set that culture up is to talk more openly and freely about sex. We need to talk about sex when we preach. We need to understand this is not a new problem." She joined us for a podcast to talk about sexual ethics in the church. You can also read a previous interview with her in Faith Today.
Listen to individual episodes of The EFC Podcast (or subscribe to download each new episode automatically) at Google Play, iTunes, SoundCloud, and RSS (Feedburner). Check out our full list of recent episodes.
New Dispatch from Brian Stiller: Come Before Winter
"To be Orthodox is to be Russian, and to be Russian one assumes you are Orthodox. The most obvious response is that the non-Orthodox are losing freedom to practice their faith as they choose." Read more in the latest Dispatch from World Evangelical Alliance ambassador Brian Stiller.
EFC Leaders in Vaughan and Barrie; EFC Vice-President Teaching at Tyndale
EFC President Bruce Clemenger will speak on the challenges of freedom of religion in the Canadian context and the benefits of networking as Evangelicals as one of several speakers at an event in Vaughan, Ont., called Thriving in Babylon: Christian Living in a Secular World. This multi-denominational conference, April 20-21, is organized by Presbyterians Standing for Apostolic Love and Truth and The Renewal Fellowship Within The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Other speakers include Warwick Cooper, Lee Beach, Gary Stagg, William Webb, John G. Stackhouse Jr., David Haskell, Wes Chang, Peter Bush, and Carmen Laberge.
David Guretzki, Executive VP and Resident Theologian, will be speaking at Covenant Christian Reformed Church in Barrie, ON, on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. His topic will be “Biblical Perspectives on End of Life Issues.” Please call the church at 705-734-0651 if you would like more information.
David Guretzki will also be teaching a course at Tyndale Seminary entitled, “Life in the Mess: A Theology of Forgiveness and Reconciliation,” from April 30 – May 4. See more information here. David is available to speak on this topic to churches and groups as well. Contact Anita Kwan if interested in booking him on this topic or others that you may wish to be addressed.
EFC Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations Don McNiven will no longer be visiting Winnipeg this week, since his trip was cancelled due to the weather and suspended flights. Stay tuned for information on Don's future trips.
Conference for Christian Communicators in Hamilton, Ont.
Two Christian associations of writers, editors and other communicators are holding “Uncovering Truth in an Uncertain World,” a joint national conference in Hamilton, Ont., May 2-4. Anyone involved in communications from newsletter production to website to video to fundraising is welcome to attend. Faith Today senior editors Karen Stiller and Bill Fledderus will be attending. The conference includes a banquet at Sheraton Hotel on May 4, where the annual Canadian Church Press Awards will be announced and presented. Full conference details: www.canadianchurchpress.com. Tickets/registrations: www.catholicregister.org/ccp.
Lightning-Rod Peterson
Jordan Peterson is reviled by many, especially on the left, but what should Christians make of this controversial academic? Our Religion Watch columnist James Beverley offers his opinion in the latest Faith Today. This article is free online, but you can also receive it and future articles in our print magazine by subscribing at FaithToday.ca/subscription.
Allowing a Place for Doubt in Your Youth Group
In the latest edition of Love Is Moving, the EFC’s magazine for youth and youth leaders, Heather Mitton writes about allowing a place for her students to express their questions and doubt in a healthy search for God’s truth. “As the coffee cups emptied, our rowdy group of committed but cheeky Jesus-followers tossed around ideas we’d been wrestling with, and began our regular practice of exploring each other’s difficult questions. When we started on what was meant by the authority of Scripture I saw a familiar look in her eyes. Panic.” Students and youth groups can subscribe to the print magazine for only $2/issue at FaithToday.ca/student.
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→ Thriving in Babylon: Christians Living in a Secular World, Thornhill, Apr. 20-21
→ Women’s Ministries Institute Introduction Day, Cambridge, Apr. 21
→ Church Leaders Forums – World Vision. Victoria, Langley, Calgary, Edmonton, Apr. 24-27
→ CYN Youth Worker Resource Lunch Tour, 12 cities across Ontario and Quebec, Apr. 24-May 3
→ Foundations of Media Strategy, online, Apr. 26
→ EFC Webinar on Human Trafficking in Canada, online, Apr. 26
→ Come Thirsty, Drink Deeply…Because There’s More, Mississauga, Apr. 27-28
→ Empowered to Connect—Conference on Adoption and Connection, North York, Apr. 27-28
→ Reach Conference, Toronto, Apr. 27-28
→ Last Days Bible Conference, Calgary, Apr. 27-28
→ ReBoot Youth Conference, Victoria, Apr. 28
→ Voices for Peace, Toronto, Apr. 28
→ Church Leaders Forums – World Vision. Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Steinbach, May 1-4
→ Light in the Workplace – Abbotsford Prayer Breakfast, Abbotsford, May 2
→ Canadian Church Press Convention, Hamilton, May 2-4
→ Islam in Canada Online Course, online, May 2-July 3
→ Souly Business Canada Conference, Godfrey, May 4-6
→ Reboot Youth Conference, Mississauga, May 5
In Case You Missed It
→ Condolences and Prayers for Humboldt
→ Why Did Tragedy Strike the Humboldt Broncos?
→ New Audio Podcast: Politics and Faith—An Interview with Preston Manning
→ Making Room in Healthcare for Minorities (Faith Today)
→ The Allure of Busyness (Love Is Moving)
→ Lessons in Writing and Faith
→ Hooray for Pastors
→ Some Truths About Truth