Presence-Centered Churches
Dr. Roger Helland, Prayer Ambassador, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
Check out this short 5-minute video, the first in our video series on
Presence-Centered Churches.
Recommend Resource
Pursuing God's Presence: A Practical Guide to Daily Renewal and Joy by Roger Helland
Balancing Scripture and Spirit, pastor and professor Roger Helland shows pursuing God's presence isn't about seeking signs and wonders -- it's about seeking God's kavod: His radiant glory, His manifest presence. Sorting through common fears and misunderstandings about God's presence, Helland offers biblical and practical teaching. God's kavod changes everything. When you learn to seek, experience and host His presence, it will transform you -- and the world.
New Research Projects at the Institute!
We are excited to announce two new projects starting at the Institute in 2023-2024. To access research findings from some of our recent case study research, visit our website.
First, we are partnering with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries on a national survey, exploring the topic of mental health in congregations. Stay tuned for more details, with hopes to launch the survey in early 2024.
Second, we received funding from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the Jack Shand Research Grant program to explore this question: How and why are congregations approaching faith transmission and spiritual formation among children and teens in the ways they do, and what appears to be working or not and why? This research question will anchor case study research in two congregations, with hopes to possibly expand research on faith transmission in several congregations across Canada in the future.
Upcoming Events
Table – A Shared Feast: Nourishing Hope for a Flourishing Future Church in Canada
October 12 - 13, 2023
Waterloo, Ontario and Online
Come to the Table, New Leaf's second annual feast for pastors, priests, church planters, ministry leaders, academics, artists, poets, neighbourhood catalysts, creatives, and Jesus-followers from any tradition longing for an oasis and a shared feast of hope. Help frame a vision for ministry in the present, with an eye towards a hopeful and healthy future for the church in Canada.
The Global Leadership Summit
October 19 - 20, 2023
In-Person across Canada
Taking place over two days, The Global Leadership Summit is packed with leadership content from inspirational speakers, ranging from industry leaders to academics and practitioners. Learn from leaders within and outside of your field, and join the Canadian broadcast of this transformative event in your city today. A full list of cities is available on the website.
Church Planting Canada -The Congress 2023
October 24 - 26, 2023 First Assembly, Calgary, AB
Church Planting Canada will continue to cast a nation-wide collaborative vision that serves as a guiding framework for a gospel movement. Their prayer is that this blueprint might inspire numerous mini-movements across Canada, that together, we would reverse the current trajectory of the Canadian Church while restoring gospel proximity to every Canadian.
Priests Leading Adaptively
November 2, 16, 30, 2023 | 6-8pm Eastern
This November, discover new ways to lead adaptively with skills you already have! During this 3-session Zoom course, Rev. Clara King will teach you about the core theory of Adaptive Leadership in a vibrant new way. The course covers: 1) The six core competencies of leadership 2) Understanding and changing the organizational culture of your congregation 3) How to view conflict as a leadership resource you can steward wisely. If you are looking for usable practices to reinvigorate your day-to-day leadership journey, this is the course for you!
Theory of Change (Fall 2023)
Nov 6-20 (weekly)
Are you planning to change, grow or add a ministry? A Theory of Change is your ministry’s story of how you believe change will unfold.
What impact are you having? How do you know? What difference is your ministry or program making? Learn what your mission is and understand the roles in achieving it.