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November 20, 2018

20 November 2018

National Survey of Canadian Churches

Understanding better how Canadian congregations are responding to the challenges they face is critical to the EFC. To this end, we encourage your participation in the National Survey of Canadian Churches, which is being conducted by the Flourishing Congregations Institute.

Attend our Nov. 28 Webinar on Faith Development and Christian Postsecondary Schools

The initial research from the Renegotiating Faith partnership offers insights into how Canadian young adults reach maturity in life and faith, and the role that churches, mentors and pastors play. But there is more research coming about Christian postsecondary schools. How is Christian identity formed in the midst of Bible college, graduate theological school, liberal arts university or discipleship school? What do parents and pastors need to know about the opportunities and challenges for youth who attend those institutions.

Sign up now to join us Wed. Nov. 28 at noon EST with our expert guests Rick Hiemstra, director of research for the EFC and lead researcher for Renegotiating Faith; Bruce Guenther, associate professor of church history and Mennonite studies at Trinity Western University; and Justin Cooper, executive director of Christian Higher Education Canada. With host Karen Stiller.

Reader Survey Results

Thanks to all 62 people who participated in last month’s survey of EFC Update subscribers. Here are some highlights of what you told us. More than 85% of you have been reading the EFC Update for longer than two years – that’s at least 100 issues! And more than 67% of you read basically every issue. Why you read is to keep up with EFC interventions in courts, government and various social issues (95%), to get news about Christian conferences, partnerships and ministry research (62%), to get links to articles in Faith Today magazine (50%) and as a guide to prayer for the EFC (32%). Most of you like the current length (75%) and are happy to skim over the two lists at the end of each issue (Coming events, In case you missed it). Lastly, half of you say you’d sign up for a trial subscription if we launched a distinct Faith Today email newsletter. Thank you again for helping us reflect on how we’re doing! Feel free to send us feedback anytime at socialmedia@theEFC.ca. And P.S., those who want to hear more from Faith Today can sign up for emails at www.faithtoday.ca/subscribe.

Why People Stop Believing: And What We Can Do About It

There is a new and passionate kind of skeptic out there, one who in the past was a devout, worshipping member of a faith community, writes apologist Paul Chamberlain in the latest Faith Today. Read his essay about what this means for believers today.

Print subscriptions to Faith Today are now available for a special Christmas buy-one-get-one offer. Give someone a year's worth of Canada's best Christian journalism for $29.99, and you'll get a second subscription at no cost that you can give to someone else or keep for yourself. Available for a limited time at www.FaithToday.ca/2for1 or call toll-free 1-866-302-3362.

Remembering Dr. Wendy Peterson (née Beauchemin)

Wendy Peterson, an influential leader in the EFC’s Aboriginal Task Force and later the Aboriginal Ministries Council, is deeply missed. Read a statement by the EFC's president.

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar 

Publicize your event for free.  
→ CCRDA Webinar, The Role of Faith in International Development, online, Nov. 21
→ ELO Entrepreneurial Leaders Forum, Toronto, Nov. 22
→ Hope in the City Breakfast, Toronto, Nov. 22
→ Canadian Youth Workers Conference Moncton, Nov. 23-24
→ Chapel Conference 2018, Vancouver, Nov. 23-24
→ Hold Me Tight Couples Weekend Workshop, Hamilton, Nov. 23-24
→ Shared Stories: Promising Practices in Canadian Churches, Calgary, Nov. 26
→ 2018 Engage Difference! Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry, Schomberg and Barrie, Nov. 26-30
→ EFC Webinar on Youth Renegotiating Faith at Christian Postsecondary Schools, Nov. 28
→ Hope in the City Breakfast, Vancouver, Dec. 5
→ Have Yourself an After-Hours Christmas, Toronto, Dec. 15

In Case You Missed It

FT Interview with Darryl Dash on how to grow your faith
Podcast: What Does the Gospel Have to Do with Poverty
Dispatch from Brian Stiller: The Myanmar Tragedy
Interview with Laywer Albertos Polizogopoulos on the “P.T. v. Alberta” Schools Case