Flourishing Congregations Institute

Our new book is now available! We offer detailed case study #research & social scientific analysis from 7 dynamic #Canadian #congregations across #theological traditions. Also, theological reflection plus practical & hopeful applications. https://a.co/d/g8XknH0

The book has arrived in the flesh, along with the three co-editors together in one place (Joel Thiessen, Arch Wong, Mark Chapman)! Buy your copy today ... #thestoriescongregationstell. https://a.co/d/gCoowBt

#Canadian #Christians’ beliefs don’t necessarily match what their #churches teach. That’s one of the key findings in a major new study by think tank Cardus & the topic of this week's 4 min Flourishing Forward video with Ray Pennings, Executive Vice President of Cardus. https://lnkd.in/gfN6MCiW

We're excited to release the full report from our study with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, "Mental Health & Illness in Canadian Congregations." #mentalhealth #Canadian #congregations https://lnkd.in/gFtnwTB6

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Mike Wood Daly, DMin, MDiv., “Congregations That Make a Difference in Their Community: The Halo Effect,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here: https://lnkd.in/geezVrFZ

"Research shapes what people think. And if we get that wrong, people will get wrong information, which can lead to misrepresentation, mischaracterization & misunderstanding." Lindsay R. Callaway in new Flourishing Forward release on #evangelicals. https://lnkd.in/giMKZSPU

Our event is just a few days away & there's still time to register! Join us Friday at 1pm MT, where Mike Wood Daly, DMin, MDiv., Flourishing Congregations Institute Fellow, shares his research, "Congregations That Make a Difference in their Community: The Halo Effect." https://lnkd.in/gTsNqFSY

Missed our conversation yesterday with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries where we discussed some of the findings soon to be released in a report on Mental Health & Illness in Canadian congregations? Check it out here, including a short write-up with some of the research findings. https://lnkd.in/gSinU-Q2

9 days until our Institute Fellow, Mike Wood Daly, DMin, MDiv., leads our next FREE webinar on how #Canadian #churches generate measurable economic impact via everyday actions, programs & expressions of faith. 15 min presentation, 15 min Q/A. Register & invite others! https://lnkd.in/gTsNqFSY

With one in five Canadians experiencing a mental illness, many of us are impacted by mental health in some way—through our own lived experience, or by learning about the unique challenges of individuals sitting next to us in church pews. But how is the Church responding? How is our understanding and perception of mental health and illness shaping our church cultures? Do church leaders and congregants feel equipped to support people experiencing mental health challenges and illnesses? Do churchgoers living with mental health challenges feel supported in their faith communities? If this sounds like something you want to learn more about, you aren’t alone! These are the exact questions we explored in our recent research with the Flourishing Congregations Institute. You can read the summary in our latest blog at https://hubs.la/Q02YJKLc0. Here is a quick look at the key findings: 🌿 Canadian churches are moving towards a thicker, more holistic understanding of mental health and illness, but there is still room for growth. 🌿 Leaders and congregants want church communities to feel more equipped to support individuals with lived experience. However, churches aren’t offering many opportunities for people to learn or share about mental health challenges. 🌿 There is a felt need for churches to broaden the scope of mental health support beyond pastoral care. As a reminder, we’ll be having a conversation on Facebook Live with Joel Thiessen of Flourishing Congregations Institute today (Tuesday, November 19) at 3:00pm PST. Join us as we unpack some of these findings and what they mean for the Church today: https://hubs.la/Q02YJG2g0 #SanctuaryMentalHealth #SanctuaryMentalHealthMinistries #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAndFaith #FaithAndMentalHealth #ChurchMentalHealth #ChristianMentalHealth #ChristianityAndMentalHealth #Church #ChurchResource #ChurchResearch #Pastors