This years’ Ministers Gathering is designed to be a refreshing and refuelling retreat for pastors and ministry leaders who are in need of a fresh word of encouragement. From the speakers to the themes to the schedules, this year will be focused on pouring into you and your family and caring for our souls. Our goal is for our pastors and ministry leaders to feel like they’ve had a 1-week vacation after they’ve been to Ministers Gathering.

How do I handle the intensity of my grief? Al Downey, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, shares 10 points to healthy processing of grief.

Anger-fueled opinions within the rank and file of church attendees are demanding that leaders unequivocally declare a position on the COVID protocol issue, the vaccination war, and most recently the obligation to carry vaccination passports. The intensity of the rhetoric on both sides of the issue borders on hostility, and leaders feel trapped on the plank.

The month of October in North America is set aside as Pastor Appreciation Month. While most people appreciate their pastor(s) throughout the year, October, the month of thanks, is a designated time that you can be intentional in how you appreciate and honour your pastor, pastoral team, and their families.

“We discovered in the past 90 days that it requires a lot of administration to settle in a new country and new community. Getting a SIN number, getting a driver’s licence, our children into the new school to mention just a few. We went out fishing, planned a hunt, and moved into our first rental house, all in 90 days.”
Jacques Lombard and his family's account of coming from South Africa to Peace River, Alberta.

Are you going on vacation this summer? You had better be. If I hear you haven’t, expect a visit from me. Here are some pointers for making it a memorable and refreshing getaway.

Leaders need to be accountable to avoid personal failure

Listening is of greater value than talking.

A prescription for perseverence

Our role is to put our feet into the water, He will provide the wind and create the way forward.

Have you noticed? ABNWT pastors are gritty. You’ve combined passion and perseverance to find a way through the adversity, trauma, and threats of a pandemic. Resilience is what gives grit its elasticity, which is why RESILIENT is a good choice for the word of the year in 2021.

Preparing for an avalanche of mental health issues in 2021.

Four essential ingredients to self-care.

When faced with continuous criticism, health concerns, stress, opposition, or discouragement, resilience is how well a pastor can adapt to the events in her or his life. Resilience is the secret sauce of pastoral fitness.

A call for authenticity in the life of the believer.

The source of fatigue may not be physical. It is imperative that we learn to find rest for our soul.

Imagine if 75% of your church were actively engaged in the discipling of pre-Christians and Christians? What a day that would be.

The average person has no idea what next steps to take to connect into this congregation and what the destination (being a part of the church) might look like. It’s up to us as leaders to create clear and obvious next steps for them.