Next Webinar: Latest Challenges in Youth Ministry
Join a free EFC webinar Tuesday, Feb. 27 at noon EST as we discuss the latest trends in youth ministry, the challenges facing youth ministry today, and the Canadian Youth Workers Conferences (CYWC). We'll be joined by Sid Koop of Truth Matters/CYWC and by Marv Penner of All About Youth/Youth Specialties Canada. Sign up here so you can participate in the live discussion including asking questions to Koop and Penner.
Canada Summer Jobs: Latest News, How to Respond to Application Rejection
Read the EFC's latest update on what’s happening with the Canada Summer Jobs controversy and the organizations that have applied in Three questions on the Canada Summer Jobs situation after the deadline. EFC President Bruce Clemenger has also released a one-minute video explaining how to respond if you are called directly by your MP to discuss your concerns or if you hear from Service Canada that your application is incomplete without the attestation being checked. The EFC has provided a written analysis of the attestation online, which can help guide your interaction with your MP. The Canadian Council of Christian Charities has provided a letter template that you can send to Service Canada to ask them to accommodate your freedom of religion and conscience. As always, you can contact us with questions and concerns. We are here for you as we walk through this situation together.
For Those in Ontario: Call for Conscience Campaign
The EFC is deeply concerned about the assisted suicide and euthanasia policies and practices being implemented across the country. Earlier this month an Ontario court ruled physicians and medical practitioners do not have freedom of conscience or religion to refuse to participate in assisting people to end their lives. For those in Ontario, the EFC is partnering with the Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience in the 2018 Ontario Call for Conscience Campaign taking place now through March 25. For more information, see www.canadiansforconscience.ca/ontario.
Seven Principles of Praying for Political Leaders
We have a responsibility as followers of Jesus to pray for our political leaders—whether they be federal, provincial or civic—but how can we pray intelligently and faithfully for them? EFC Vice-President and Resident Theologian David Guretzki offers seven principles of praying for political leaders that can guide us in our prayers.
Love Is Moving at Today’s Teens Conference
The EFC’s youth initiative Love Is Moving is a sponsor of Today’s Teens conference on Feb. 24 in Oakville, Ont. Joel Gordon will be leading a workshop, “Living Out Love: Influencing Your Community Closer to Jesus.”
Send Your Pastor to Dinner Contest
The Mar/Apr cover story of Faith Today, which discusses the meaning of food in our faith, also made us ask ourselves: “Isn’t it time we sent some Canadian pastors out for a nice dinner?” Send us the name of your pastor by March 31, tell us what their ministry means to you and your community, and we'll give them a shout-out on social media and enter them in our draw for $50 dinner gift cards, one for a pastor in every province and territory.
How to Continue Your Calling Even After Retirement
Paul Stevens is the author of Aging Matters: Finding Your Calling for the Rest of Your Life. In the Jan/Feb Faith Today, he writes on the true meaning of “calling” – and why we can never retire from our callings: “We do not retire from our callings. Callings persist until our last breath in this life and then, in our resurrection life in the New Heaven and New Earth, we persist in our callings. We will not sing the same worship songs a million times. We will work and minister.”
Podcast: One Church Responds to Canada Summer Job Grant Controversy
In the latest EFC Podcast, Pastor Bob Davies of Kanata Baptist Church shares his church’s response to the Canada Summer Jobs situation. You can also read the letter they wrote to their MP.
Eyes Wide Open to Holy Interruptions
In the latest issue of Love Is Moving, the EFC’s youth magazine, Andrew Porter reveals the importance of making space in your heart and schedule for ‘holy interruptions’ to engage with those who need our attention. “How many of us walk blindly past the lost and the lonely every day because we’re in too much of a hurry to get where we need to go? Jesus, in His selfless love, slowed life down enough to see people and engage with them. Jesus was on his way to get somewhere, but that was not his mission. The festival was secondary. The invalid was primary. We can see people all day, but if we don’t engage them, then we are doing nothing!”
Dispatch from Kyiv: The Power of a Melody, of One Sweet Rose
Brian Stiller of the World Evangelical Alliance visited Ukraine recently and learned about a Canadian-led symphony orchestra helping widows today and the harm caused by Joseph Stalin in 1932. Read his latest Dispatch, The Unexpected.
EFC Director Coming to Calgary
Don McNiven, the EFC’s Director of Affiliate and Donor Relations, will be visiting Calgary from March 5-8. There will be two informational/introductory meetings at Crossroads Community Church, 912 - 19th Street NE, Calgary at 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6th. Everyone is welcome; refreshments will be served. Contact his assistant Bonnie Knoll to RSVP or set up a personal visit.
Publicize your event for free.
→ Ontario Prayer Breakfast, Toronto, Feb. 21
→ Missions Fest Alberta, Edmonton, Feb. 23-25
→ Promise Keepers Canada All In Conference, Ottawa, Feb. 23-24
→ Rise Conference (youth worship leading), Abbotsford, Feb. 23-24
→ Religion & Science: Conspiring Together for Good, Hamilton, Feb. 23
→ Coldest Night of the Year Fundraising Walk, nationwide, 100+ locations, Feb. 24
→ Today’s Teens Conference, Oakville, Feb. 24
→ EFC Webinar on Youth Ministry, online, Feb. 27
→ World Day of Prayer, worldwide, Mar. 2
→ Canadian Youth Workers Conference, Calgary, Mar. 2-3
→ Apologetics Canada Conference, Abbotsford, Mar. 2-3
→ TrueCity Conference, Hamilton, Mar. 2-3
→ Fluid Young Adults Gathering, Oakville, Mar. 3
→ Promise Keepers Canada All In Men’s Conference, Saskatoon, Mar. 3
→ Shining the Light of Prayer on Sexual Exploitation, Burlington, Mar. 4
→ Mission Vision 2017, Fort St. John, Mar. 9-10
→ Promise Keepers Canada All In Conference, Winnipeg, Mar. 9-10
→ Send Your Pastor Out to Dinner
→ Reconciliation: We Need a New Story
In Case You Missed It
→ Three Questions on Poverty Today
→ Dispatch from Brian Stiller on a Moment of Decision for Turkey
→ Podcast: Dispatches from Brian Stiller: Unintended Consequences
→ Kanata Church Responds to Canada Summer Job Grant Controversy
→ Would Our Neighbourhoods Notice If We Left? (Faith Today)
→ How to Grow in Times of Transition (Love Is Moving)
→ The joy of Shrove Tuesday and the solemnity of Ash Wednesday