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.
Highlighted Podcast:
Episode # 84 – James Watson – What are new church plants looking like in Canada
Today’s highlight podcast is with Dr. James Watson recorded on December 10, 2024. We chatted about his latest report (New Congregations in the Canadian Kaleidoscope – Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research) which dropped the following day (December 11th)!
Watson discusses his recent research study completed on new church plants in the Waterloo region of Ontario. He emphasizes the diversity among these churches, likening them to a kaleidoscope rather than a mosaic. Mention is made of three approaches to church planting currently being used across Canada: Innovative approaches, Sustainable approaches and Giftedness approaches – and there are more that could be mentioned.
He also discusses the impact of immigration on Canadian communities and the challenges faced by established churches adapting to cultural change. Watson concludes that small churches must remain invitational and relational to thrive in today’s multicultural context. Check out the podcast at https://youtu.be/O9fYChksGm8