Canadian Evangelical Small Church Study

The Canadian Evangelical Small Church Study (CESCS) will investigate the ministry and mission opportunities that small churches engage in, as well as the challenges that hinder vitality in congregational life and ministry. The study seeks to hear particularly from small church pastors or leaders who have stories to tell about the value of the small church in Canada. 

The CESCS is a research partnership between the following EFC affiliate organizations:

• Apostolic Church of Pentecost 
• Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada 
• Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec 
• Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches 
• Canadian Midwest District, Christian & Missionary Alliance 
• Evangelical Free Church of Canada
• Pinewoods Chapel & Vision Ministries Canada 
• Small Church Connections 
• The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada 
• Tyndale University 
• Wesleyan Church of Canada 

Partnership Chair

• Ron Johnston, Small Church Connections

Research Team

• Rick Hiemstra, Director of Research, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
• Lindsay Callaway, Research Assistant, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
• Stéphane Couture, Directeur régional du Québec, l’Alliance évangélique du Canada

Research Process

1. Ministry Consultation (Completed May 2019)
2. Partnership Formation (Completed June 2020)
3. Literature Review (Completed February 2020)
4. Ministry Expert Interviews
5. Small Church Pastor Interviews
6. National Small Church Pastor Survey
7. Consultation on Research Findings 
8. Dissemination of Findings

For more information about the CESCS please contact:

Rick Hiemstra, Lead Investigator
[email protected]
613-233-9868 x332