In this newsletter, we feature a second book we read over the summer, which we would highly recommend for leaders across the Christian theological spectrum: Young Catholic America: Emerging Adults In, Out of, and Gone from the Church, by Christian Smith (sociologist at University of Notre Dame) and others. Next month, we return to our short video resources, hearing from researchers and practitioners on a range of topics of interest to church and denominational leaders.
What We're Reading
Young Catholic America: Emerging Adults In, Out of, and Gone from the Church
by Christian Smith, Kyle Longest, Jonathan Hill, and Kari Christoffersen
This book documents key variables related to successful faith transmission from one generation to the next, with a clear emphasis on the role that the family plays – notably “religious talk” between parents and children – alongside supportive functions that congregations and religious schools hold. This research additionally features the impact that social, denominational, congregational, and familial change over time has on faith transmission, with considerations of what these shifts mean for parents, churches, and religious schools. We encourage you to read this book and listen to Christian Smith’s recent podcast interview on how parents pass religious faith on to their children.
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
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, 2023 (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.