New Federal Bill to Ban Conversion Therapy
The Justice Minister introduced Bill C-8 yesterday, to add conversion therapy offences to the Criminal Code. The bill defines conversion therapy broadly and includes attempts to modify or reduce sexual behaviour. It creates offences such as receiving a financial or material benefit from conversion therapy, causing a child to undergo conversion therapy or causing a person to undergo conversion therapy against their will. See the EFC's resources on conversion therapy (below), and watch for an analysis of the bill.
Conversion Therapy Bans: Guidance for Churches
Conversion therapy bans are being proposed or passed at all levels of government: municipal, provincial and federal. This joint document from the EFC, Canadian Council of Christian Charities, and the Christian Legal Fellowship summarizes concerns with the bans and suggests wording for communicating with elected officials on this sensitive issue.
Panel on Ending Sexual Exploitation
EFC director of public policy Julia Beazley is attending a panel on Parliament Hill today on ending sexual exploitation in Canada. Sex Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation in Canada: Roots, Realities & Solutions is an event for MPs, Senators and staff, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
Parliamentary Launch of World Watch List
EFC Executive Vice President David Guretzki will be speaking today at Woodvale Pentecostal Church (Ottawa) for the public launch of Open Doors’ World Watch List, which highlights the 50 countries where Christians are most persecuted around the world. He will also speak at the March 11 Parliamentary launch on Parliament Hill. To request your free copy of the 2020 World Watch List, visit www.opendoorsca.org/free-wwl-guide.
Speaking with Pastors on Renegotiating Faith
The EFC’s Rick Hiemstra spoke to a group of Ottawa-area youth pastors this morning on the Renegotiating Faith research. The meeting took place at Alta Vista Baptist Church, at the invitation of Doulos Ministries. Read more about the Renegotiating Faith research on young adult identity formation.
Assisted Dying Bill Rushing Through Parliament
Bill C-7 proposes major changes to the current medical assistance in dying legislation, such as allowing euthanasia for people who are not dying. It is being rushed through Parliament very quickly. Take a few minutes to call your MP to ask for the process to slow down and to express your concern for vulnerable Canadians, such as individuals with disabilities. See the EFC’s analysis of Bill C-7 at TheEFC.ca/Euthanasia for more information.
The Pandemic Challenge
How can your church prepare for and respond to a health crisis such as a viral pandemic? A long-time Faith Today reader asked us to republish a memorable article on this topic. We thought that was a great suggestion, so here is the article, including updated hyperlinks to resources.
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Faith Today.
Podcast: The New Heart of Compassion Canada
Allison Alley recently became the president of Compassion Canada. In this interview, she explores with us the role of the local church in development work, our own spiritual poverty even when we are materially rich, and much more.
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→ Night with the Persecuted Church, Mar. 10 (Ottawa), Mar. 25 (Moncton), Mar. 26 (Fredericton)
→ Biblical Theology of Suffering and Hope Course, Calgary, Mar. 11
→ Mississauga Prayer Breakfast, Mississauga, Mar. 11
→ Theology for Non-theologians Course, Vancouver, Mar. 13-14
→ Legacy Youth Conference, Calgary, Mar. 13-15
→ Business as Mission Conference, Vancouver, Mar. 14
→ Overflowing Women’s Conference, Calgary, Mar. 14
→ EFC Speaker in Melfort, Sask., Mar. 15
→ Four Gospels Many Resurrections Course, Langley, Mar. 20-21
→ Come and Get Equipped—An Answers in Genesis in Conference, Edmonton, Mar. 20-21
→ IMPACT National Men’s Conference, Edmonton, Mar. 21; Regina, Mar. 21; Windsor, Mar. 28
→ Pure Desire Men’s Conference, Calgary, Mar. 21
→ Covenant Awards (Gospel Music), Langley, B.C., Mar. 21
→ EFC Speaker in Red Deer, Alta., Mar. 22
→ Ministry Leadership Day, Cambridge, Mar. 26
→ Open House + Free Parenting Seminar, Toronto, Mar. 26
→ Be Ready Alberta, Calgary, St. Albert, Mar. 27-28
→ The Diaspora Effect: Shaping the Church of the Future, Burnaby, Mar. 28
→ Seen Ministry Gathering, Edmonton, Mar. 28
→ Family Life Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference, Montebello, Mar. 27-29