Ron Baker, Director of the Canadian Small Church Ministry Centre (CSCMC), interviews a variety of people with a deep interest in the Canadian small-church scene.
Episode #77 – Joanna la Fleur
The digital age has been heralded for quite some time. COVID 19 made that sound deafening as churches were plunged into both examining and using digital technology to reach their congregations. And now AI (Artificial Intelligence) is making the church and society pay attention.
Joanna la Fleur, in Episode #77 of the podcast “This is Us: Canadian Small Churches in Action”, talks about her encounters and suggestions for small church work in the digital age. Joanna serves with Alpha Canada and also has her own ministry called “The Word Made Digital”.
Joanna emphasizes the pervasive nature of digital technology in modern life, likening it to the water we swim in, and highlights the need for self-awareness and learning how to navigate these digital waters effectively. She also acknowledged both the opportunities and concerns associated with digital platforms, as utopian promise has moved into such things as addiction and manipulation.
To navigate these waters well the importance of understanding a church’s unique mission and vision cannot be understated. She advises small churches to keep online activities low-key and focused on connecting with their existing congregation, suggesting that small churches could benefit from curating content from other sources rather than trying to produce high-quality, original content. Small church pastors and church leaders need to be curious and seek out diverse perspectives to avoid being trapped in their own echo chambers. Of interest to small churches, Joanna highlights the importance of in-person connections and the limitations of digital interactions.
Finally, Joanna’s main piece of advice for small church pastors and leaders? Try new things, share those experiences with their congregation, and don’t be afraid of the internet and digital tools.
Episode #76 – Brianna Matchett
In the latest “This is Us: Canadian Small Churches in Action” podcast, episode #76, Brianna Matchett, a counselling therapist living in Calgary, gives straightforward advice on dealing with those who are grieving.
Brianna emphasizes the need to keep track of people going through grief and to acknowledge their experiences Grieving individuals often struggle to ask for help – small church caregivers must be attentive and consistent in offering support. Practical ways to support grieving individuals could include help with household tasks, maintaining consistent communication and delivering meals. Brianna expresses the need to stay late and be present over time even when others have moved on.
While the weight of grief can be reduced, the effects of grief remain a part of life. Small steps, including maintaining helpful habits, not becoming isolated and engaging in positive actions can hold back the tidal wave of grief. Some written resources mentioned by Brianna are C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed, Kate Bowler, Everything happens for a reason, and Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch (a fictional account that provides insight into navigating grief)..
Finally, Brianna lays out an overarching piece of advice for small church pastors and leaders. Don’t take the burden of caring for everyone alone! Teach others about grief ministry. Raise up a community of care.
Well spoken, Brianna’s thoughts are worth to listen.
Episode #75 – Lydia Fawcett – The Reality of Abuse and Bullying
Lydia Fawcett works with MCC – BC in the area of Abuse and Bullying. She finds that churches are as prone to abuse and bullying as the general society. Churches must prioritize listening and learning to prevent abuse, regardless of denomination or beliefs. Her passion to help the vulnerable is evident in this interview.
Episode #74 – Jane Peck – Beyond survival – serving the community as a small church
Jane Peck serves as senior pastor at the Hope Chapel in Collingwood, Ontario. A church that has been present in the community for over a century, the current church congregation was eager to reach their community. In this interview, Jane emphasized the importance of keeping an open mind and following God’s will, which can lead to changes or endings of past endeavors. She highlighted the value of looking back at the church’s history, appreciating it and the experiences that have shaped it.