The State of the Church in Canada

The Gospel Coalition's regional chapters aim to foster the same cooperation and encouragement on a local level that our council strives to embody on a North American level. So we're thankful for the leaders behind TGC's Ontario Chapter, who will convene their second regional conference, May 29 to 31 at Heritage College & Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario.

Plenary speakers Don Carson, John Neufeld, and Stephen Um will address "The Priority of the Gospel" by expositing Philippians 1 to 4. But the conference also features 16 breakout sessions featuring speakers from throughout Canada. Organizers are particularly excited to welcome David Short to tell the remarkable story of St. John's in Vancouver, the congregational home of J. I. Packer. The church dissented when the Anglican Church of Canada blessed same-sex relationships and consequently lost their property by order of the British Columbia Supreme Court.

The Canada conference aims to help pastors faithfully exemplify gospel-centered ministry. But all are welcome to attend. Early bird registration ($175) ends April 1. The first 50 students can register for $100.

I corresponded with chapter leader and TGC Council member John Mahaffey, senior pastor of West Highland Baptist Church in Hamilton, Ontario. We discussed his hopes for the conference but also explored the overall state of the church in Canada, especially the rapidly changing demographics. After reading the interview, check out his short video on leading a multi-ethnic church and listen to him address "Building Gospel-Centered, Intentionally Multicultural Churches."  Continue at State of the Church