Flourishing Congregations construct
What is a flourishing congregation?
From interviews with congregation and denomination leaders across Catholic, mainline, and conservative Protestant settings between Vancouver and Halifax, here are a series of variables that stand out to us – things leaders tell us contribute to, are evidence of, or are aspirations of what they associate with a flourishing congregation. A more detailed article summarizing these findings can be found here.
As our research progresses, especially when we survey and talk with congregants, our conception of what constitutes a flourishing congregation may evolve as well.
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Research Team
Sociology of Religion
Director
Ambrose University
Practical Theology & Religious Education
Associate Director
Ambrose University
Retired Professor Emeritus
Practical Theology
Ambrose University
Personal & Organizational Leadership
Member at Large
University of Saskatchewan
Purpose
Our purpose is to conduct and share Canadian and tradition-specific research on congregations that are flourishing
Mission
Our mission is to bring together academics and practitioners to research the factors surrounding flourishing congregations in Canada, develop tools and resources to help congregations to flourish, and share our research findings with congregations that wish to flourish.
partnership council
Don Moore
Executive Director of The Canadian Christian Business Federation
Rev Dr Don Moore serves as the Executive Director of The Canadian Christian Business Federation which supports business leaders “Connect their Sunday Faith with their Monday Work.”
Previously, as the National Church Ambassador with World Vision Canada, as the Executive Director of Vision 2000 Canada under the auspices of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and as the Dean of Briercrest Biblical Seminary.
He received his PhD from Michigan State University in education studying innovation and change in Christian higher educational institutions. He has been a professor, pastor, author, public speaker consultant, coach and international development leader.
Don is married to Dr Bonnie Mallard who is a University of Guelph professor in immunogenetics. She received the Governor General’s 2017 Award for Innovation at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Together they have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren and an adorable baby kitten and a handsome grand puppy and live on a rural property near Guelph, ON.
The Reverend Wilbert Chin Jon
Vicar General, Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary
Reverend Wilbert Chin Jon is one of the two Vicars General in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary and the Moderator of the Curia.
Fr. Chin Jon was born in the Philippines and ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary in 2004. He has an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication from the Ateneo de Davao University (a Jesuit university in the Philippines) and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario.
The Reverend Bronwyn Corlett
New Ministry Animator, Network and Coaches Coordinator for EDGE at the United Church of Canada
Bronwyn worked with a congregation in Hamilton until beginning her work in Ministry Recruitment with Ministry and Employment at the General Council Office of The United Church of Canada.
Bronwyn now works with EDGE, a network of ministry development.
David Eagle
Research Associate at Duke University
David Eagle received his PhD in sociology at Duke University studying the social organization of congregations in North America. He is presently a researcher with Duke Divinity School's Clergy Health Initiative where he is part of the largest data collection ever done with clergy, a 10-year project to understand the challenges that United Methodist pastors face in terms of their mental and physical health.
He is keenly interested in how religious adherence and belief is changing in congregations in North American and how these changes are impacting the shape of pastoral ministry and theological education. He has published on factors that influence clergy health, megachurches, and trends in religious adherence and attendance in Canada. His website is at www.davideagle.org.
The Rev. Canon Lisa G. Vaughn
Parish Vitality Coordinator - Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
The Rev’d. Canon Lisa G. Vaughn is a cradle Anglican with more than 22 years' experience in church leadership. She is a mission-focused priest and congregational development coordinator who possesses a strong commitment to revitalize parishes, empower leadership and foster discipleship. She serves in the Diocese of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island and lives in Halifax.
Robb Warren
Co-Executive Director of Global Leadership Network Canada
Robb is married to Lois and together they have three amazing daughters. Living in Ottawa, Robb and Lois lead Global Leadership Network Canada. Together, they work with churches and leaders across the country to provide leadership resources that equip Christians by building their skill and inspiring their faith.