Ready to think about spring outreaches? Here are four fantastic outreaches you can do this spring. The sky is brightening. The air is warming. The snow is melting – well, not quite yet. But spring is coming, and this is a great opportunity to reach your community in the coming months. Your church can make a difference in your community by meeting the needs of your community. Building bridges of relationship and connection to the people who are not yet a part of your church but will be one day.

Is your church stuck? Do you find yourself in the tension of organizational structure and relational equity? Once you decide to focus on these seven things, you can begin to work and develop them as you go forward. The blend of organization and organism embedded in each of these areas will keep you growing in numbers while also growing in depth of relationship and commitment to Christ.

Why should I be optimistic about the coming year? “Aside from these five unalterable facts, I know nothing about the course 2023 will take. But, knowing these things, I know enough.” Our Pastoral Care Coordinator, Al Downey, predicts a banner year for Christ and His Kingdom on Earth.

How well can you lead changes in your church or ministry? Organizational change is inevitable. Unfortunately, it’s not easy. The true test of any leader is their ability to lead change in an organization. Pastors must lead change. They must lead it well. Here are five things you can do to lead change well.

What does the latest Census data reveal about the Canadian Church? The Canadian Census for 2021 was released recently, and the insights into Religion, Christianity and the Church in Canada are insightful. Although it’s not a positive picture overall, church leaders must press into this data instead of ignoring it; allow the information to challenge you to innovate, create and re-imagine ministry in Canada in these coming years.

What kinds of successful Kids’ Events are happening in the province? Kathy Zelman, our Children and Family Ministry Specialist, celebrates the wins of the Fall and Christmas season of events – especially outbound!

What can I do to help my church prevail in 2023? We can't see the future, but we can create it. Here is a reflection on ministry in 2022 and a projection for harvest in 2023.

How can our church bless another church or ministry? Now is the perfect time to consider how you can partner for a transformational summer ministry that reaches lost people, gives lift and builds partnership relations.

There are opportunities for the community at Christmas. We know that a lot of our community only attends at Christmas and Easter, so how do we reach them for Christ? Alayne Durand shares what BP Church in Calgary does at Christmas to build relationships all year round.

How can small churches have a big impact on their community this Christmas? Here are some ideas from guest writer Carolyn Wentzel from City South Church.

What are effective ways to reach out at Christmas and have a year-long effect? This Christmas, use creative ways to engage felt needs in your community and create unforgettable experiences for children and families at your church. Ideas that any size church can use in rural or urban settings.

What is your church's 'inviteability' factor? I know it's not a real word, but 'inviteability' is the key piece to growing your church. Don't just tell your people to invite, model it, teach it, train on it, tell stories about it and celebrate it.

How do we reach and retain more people this Christmas? This year could be the FIRST time people in your community attend an in-person Christmas event at a church in a long time or even a lifetime.

Is the church a club for Christians, or is it a force for Kingdom expansion? When Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not stand against it” (Matthew 16:18), was He thinking of a Sunday AM service with 40 minutes of singing and 40 minutes of preaching? Was he thinking of an audience listening to one person talk at them?

Would you consider your church relentlessly outbound? Most Canadian churches are not relentlessly outbound. Most church budgets are focused on staff salaries and building costs. Most pastors and staff spend the majority of their time with Christians. We’ve turned into “Christian Training Centres” or “Clubs for Christians” rather than a Missional Movement; a force of Christ-followers on a mission to reach a lost world.

How can our church become an unignorable force of good in our community? The LoveArmy is mobilizing Christians to allow God to work through them, and we would love for other churches and Christians to join in with us.

How can our congregation increase its influence for Jesus in the community? Imagine your church being promoted by your mayor and city councillors. Can you dream of when your leadership is asked and funded to facilitate events for your town or city? Those opportunities are not only possible, but they are also highly plausible.

What steps can a pastor take to lead a congregation into missional efforts? Cornerstone Community Church is a testimony that small churches in small communities with small budgets can have ‘big vision’ and big expectations in a big God with incredible results.