

who we are
The Flourishing Congregations Institute started in 2016. We are an interdisciplinary, ecumenical research centre, currently housed at Ambrose University. We collaborate with scholars and practitioners from diverse disciplinary and theological traditions and institutions, across Canadian regions.
Mission
Our mission is to gather, curate, and share Canadian Church data, theological reflection, and practical application for the Canadian Church.
LEADERSHIP Team
Professor of Sociology,
Ambrose University
Professor of Practical Theology & Cross Appointment in the School of Education,
Ambrose University
Assistant Professor of Sociology,
Trinity Western University
partnership council
The Rev. Canon Lisa G. Vaughn (Chair)
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.
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.
Terrel Joseph
Divine Renovation Leadership Coach | Evangelization's Coordinator & Operations Manager @ St Willibrord Catholic Church in Montreal, QC
Terrel recently began serving full-time at his parish as their Evangelization Coordinator & Operations Manager. For 6 years prior to that, Terrel served as a parish vitality facilitator in the Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal, mainly helping Catholic parishes In Montreal move from maintenance model to an intentionally missionary model of church. Since the fall of 2021, Terrel has also been serving as Leadership Coach with Divine Renovation Ministries, coaching pastors internationally through their flagship group coaching program called “Kickstart”.
Prior to his work in parish vitality and leadership coaching, Terrel served as the Campus Minister at the Newman Centre of McGill University from 2011 to 2017.
Terrel holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal where he majored in economics and minored in finance.
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.
Founding Members
Bill McAlpine, PhD
Retired Professor Emeritus
Practical Theology,
Ambrose University
Personal & Organizational Leadership,
University of Saskatchewan