The Faith Today Podcast

Many Canadians are feeling burdened by global economic and political turmoil. Jennifer Bowen of Shalem Mental Health Network chats with host Bill Fledderus about how such stress can impact mental health, relationships and faith communities. She offers suggestions informed by psychology and Christian faith for coping and cultivating peace, resilience and hope in uncertain times.

Christie Thomas is an author, parent and children's ministry leader in Alberta (littleshootsdeeproots.com). Her latest book Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus was published by NavPress in 2024. She chatted with Bill Fledderus about how parents can help plant seeds of faith and help them grow in our children. Little Habits, Big Faith (https://www.navpress.com/p/little-habits-big-faith/9781641587679, https://amzn.to/4hhp0OU) Her new podcast has the same name as her website Little Shoots, Deep Roots. She's also on YouTube as BedtimeDevoMama

The hosts of the Faith Today Podcast -- Karen Stiller and Bill Fledderus -- sit together to reflect on their personal highlights of hosting the podcast and preparing Faith Today magazine editorials over the years.

Workaholism in pastors is a form of spiritual dysfunction. It's also deeply rooted in the life and work of pastors and the expectations of many churches. Dysfunction in the Name of Jesus: Confronting the Idol of Pastoral Workaholism is a new book, edited by James Ellis III, releasing early in 2025. Ellis is an author, seminary professor and a pastor, who has served in Canada and the US, in various churches and chaplaincy roles. In this conversation with Karen Stiller and Sammy Kyreme, Ellis unpacks the roots of workaholism and how pastors and churches can work together to keep everyone healthier. Visit James' website: https://www.jamesellis3.com

How do we make big life changes? How is our purpose bigger than our job? Michael Messenger has travelled the world doing very good work, leading one of Canada's largest Christian charities. Messenger is now moving onto new things and a new season. He invites us into his process of discernment and reflection about making significant life changes. Messenger speaks openly with host Karen Stiller about making big changes and hearing God's call on our lives in different seasons.

Host Karen Stiller moderates a discussion among church specialists EFC President David Guretzki, Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre director Dorothy Pang and Dr. Lee Beach from McMaster Divinity College. The episode also features a Q&A session that took place as part of the event held at Evangel Temple, in October 2024.

John Longhurst has written a faith column for the Winnipeg Free Press for 20 years, and a book of his selected columns was recently published by Canadian Mennonite University Press. The title: Can Robots Love God and Be Saved? A Journalist Reports About Faith.

Angie Peters is the president and CEO of Yonge Street Mission and author of the new book Just Act: We Are the Solution to Poverty. The book is an inspirational guide for people, businesses and community organizations concerned about poverty but feeling hopeless about their ability to make any meaningful difference. Peters shows us all where to begin. Her own personal story reflects her main proposition: “Poverty ended for my family in one generation because of the intervention of ordinary people who cared.” The book answers major questions about poverty, defines the problem, presents inspirational true stories, informs about effective initiatives, and addresses barriers to success. It provides insights deeply rooted in the lived experience of poverty and from system-wide collaborative work with leaders across all industries. Finally, it delivers a set of practical steps that individuals, community organizations, and businesses can develop as a measurable one-year personal or corporate action plan to leverage their unique skills and resources to impact poverty, changing lives in ways that will ripple throughout generations. Details and ordering: https://castlequaybooks.com/products/just-act Bio: https://www.ysm.ca/leadership/angie-peters/

Have you ever felt like connecting with God was difficult? Our guest Julie Lane-Gay explains how simple praying with the Book of Common Prayer can be. She shares stories from her own personal journey with prayer and faith, as well as tips for getting started with the Book of Common Prayer for all Evangelicals. As a bonus conversation, hosts Karen Stiller and Sammy Kyereme talk with Lane-Gay about another part of her work- writing obituaries for others. You can read more insights from Lane-Gay's latest book, The Riches of Your Grace: Living in the Book of Common Prayer(2024). Julie Lane-Gay is a writer and editor in Vancouver, BC. Her work has appeared in a range of publications including Reader's Digest, Fine Gardening, Faith Today, Anglican Planet, and The Englewood Review of Books. She teaches occasional courses at Regent College and en, dits the college's journal, . She lives with her husband, Craig, in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is active in her local Anglican church. To read Julie's work with Fine Gardening: https://www.finegardening.com/author/julie-lane-gay “The Riches of Your Grace” book: https://www.amazon.ca/Riches-Your-Grace-Living-Common/dp/1514008165

A new kind of evangelism Have you ever felt intimidated to share your faith with a co-worker, a friend, loved one or neighbour? Judy Paulsen, professor of evangelism at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto helps us deal with those fears in her sit-down with Hosts Karen Stiller and Sammy Kyereme. Paulsen focuses on Biblical conversion stories as a guide and reflects on how sharing stories of God's work in us encourages relationship with Christ for others. You'll hear the gentle reminder that evangelism is for all today and can be a respectful and relationally grounded process, not an aggressive sales pitch for new converts. Judy has also released a new book entitled, “A New and Ancient Evangelism,” Rediscovering the ways God calls and sends. Wycliffe College biography: https://www.wycliffecollege.ca/users/judy-paulsen Amazon link to Judy's new book: https://www.amazon.ca/New-Ancient-Evangelism-Rediscovering-Calls/dp/1540967069

Does your church look like the neighbourhood where you live? Hosts Karen Stiller and Sammy Kyereme speak with Dorothy Pang, Director of the Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre, about intercultural competency among Canadian churches/faith organizations. How do we better interact with people of different stories, ethnicities and backgrounds? What are the emerging realities for church goers in urban city centres and the worship experiences of second and third generation Canadians? Dorothy Pang brings 25 years of experience in law, business, and executive leadership to the TIM Centre team. She is passionate about creating collaborative environments where diverse teams can thrive and organizational health is optimized. Pang holds a Certificate in Intercultural Studies from UBC and is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (ID) and a certified facilitator of the Intercultural Conflict Styles (ICS) assessment. Dorothy is a dynamic facilitator and public speaker. For 10 years, Dorothy was an executive leader in a large intercultural church in northeast Toronto. She is passionate about helping churches embrace the Rev 7:9 church – a place where all are wholly seen, accepted, and understood. For more information about the Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre, visit https://www.tyndale.ca/tim

Join the hosts of the Faith Today Podcast as they reflect on some of their favourite moments from season seven. Features Karen Stiller, Bill Fledderus and podcast manager Sammy Kyereme.

In addition to being a senior editor at Faith Today, Karen Stiller of Ottawa is an author of several books including Holiness Here: Searching for God in the Ordinary Events of Everyday Life (NavPress, 2024). She talks with her Faith Today coworker Bill Fledderus about holiness in ordinary life, how all believers are holy even if we don't feel that way, grouchy hospitality and slow beauty. Author website: https://karenstiller.com/ NavPress: https://www.navpress.com/p/holiness-here/9781641587457 Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/3VobeBt

Are you predisposed to grumpiness? Does joy feel like an elusive dream? B.C.-based author Alastair Sterne leads us through a contemplation of joy that is theological and practical. As it turns out, gratitude journals work! So does thoughtfully pursuing moments of joy in our daily lives and paying attention. Sterne has a book releasing in October 2024 called Longing for Joy: An Invitation into the Goodness and Beauty of Life, but today you get a sneak peak at some of what joy that book might bring. Sterne also wrote our magazine's May/June cover essay, available in French and English at https://FaithToday.ca/The-kiss-of-joy. Follow Alastair Sterne's work here: https://www.ordinarymatters.org/about

Israel Gimba is an Ottawa evangelist and pastor. He talks with guest host Sammy Kyereme about the heart of the ministry Dunamis Army, how Ignite Saturdays are facilitated, and strategy on how to bring together a united gathering for young Christians. Dunamis Army is behind the worship band Dunamis District and the JON Festival (Jesus of Nazareth), a new annual Christian music festival based in Ottawa. The festival drew thousands together to worship Jesus at its launch October 15, 2023. Connect with Gimba or find out more at dunamisdistrict.com. On Instagram: Dunamis Army @dunamisarmy Dunamis District @dunamisdistrict JON festival @jonfestival Watch a video of this conversation at http://www.faithtoday.ca/Audio-Video/TV/Gathering-young-Christians-with-Israel-Gimba

Welcome to a quiet and gentle conversation about mental health. Dr. Vivette Henry, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at Toronto's Tyndale University, walks us through how to stay in touch with our own wellness, people in the Bible who struggled and what helps us all keep on keeping on.

Brenton Diaz is a trauma therapist in Ontario who works with people who have trauma history including coming from communities where there has been genocide. He serves as the coordinator of the Newcomers' Health and Well-being Program at a charitable community health organization north of Toronto. He teaches on trauma at Tyndale University in Toronto and abroad including Lithuania, Ukraine, Kenya and Malawi, and Ethiopia. He also teaches in the social work departments at two Toronto-area universities. He and his wife Christy volunteer with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, consulting and teaching in Kenya, Rwanda, Dominican Republic, Malawi, Lithuania, Georgia & Ukraine. Free, self-directed course online (seven videos and discussion questions called Trauma-Friendly Church http://www.theefc.ca/trauma-friendly Brent Diaz personal website https://karibudiaz.wordpress.com/

How do pastors keep their hearts and souls healthy? That sounds like a huge topic, but with theologian Ross Hastings leading the way, we kind of did it. Hastings wrote Pastoral Ethics: Moral Formation as Life in the Trinity. We dive into that and then just keep going. If you wonder what pastors really need and how they can nurture it, you will find Ross' insights both challenging and beautiful. Read about Ross Hastings, including a book list: https://www.regent-college.edu/faculty/full-time/ross-hastings

The most successful crowdfunded TV series of all time has been watched 600 MILLION PLUS times across tons of apps, has 10 MILLION social media followers, and has made its way onto major platforms like Peacock, Amazon Prime, Netflix and the CW. Creator/Director, Dallas Jenkins, has been named one of the Top 50 Showrunners in 2023 by The Hollywood Reporter. PLUS, The Chosen was granted an extension from SAG-AFTRA, making it one of the few NEW scripted shows to air in 2024. AND, 8 hours after the S4 trailer dropped, it skyrocketed to #2 on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wisX-CEjoxc SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS: Diverse Representation: The Chosen stands out for its commitment to diverse representation, showcasing characters from various cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, and walks of life. The narrative also explores the universal themes of humanity, faith, and compassion appealing to a broad and multicultural audience. Most Translated Show in History: The series is on pace to be the most translated series in history, as the first three seasons will soon be available in 50 languages with plans to subtitle in more than 600! Exclusive Access to Writers: Gain access the brilliant minds behind the making of The Chosen. Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson will share insights into the creative process, the challenges of crafting such a groundbreaking series and the importance of diverse storytelling. Unique Production Methods: The show has revolutionized television production by adopting a groundbreaking crowdfunded model. Find out how the creators maintain creative control, stay true to their vision, and foster a dedicated and passionate global community of fans!

We've heard about third party investigators into church, seminary or ministry organization abuse scandals, and now we get to hear directly from two investigators about what happens during an investigation, how they carry out their work, and why they feel called to do it. Bob Stenhouse is CEO of Veritas Solutions who brings years of policing experience to his role leading Veritas, which conducts approximately 200 workplace and human rights investigations each year. They also train companies on how to prevent abuse and respond well when it does occur. Randal Rauser is Director of Faith Based Organization Investigations with Veritas, and has been an associate investigator with Veritas Solutions since 2019. He is an author and systematic and analytic theologian who has served as a seminary professor. Stenhouse and Rauser wrote the MarchApril cover story for Faith Today magazine "Disabusing the Church." Veritas Solutions: https://veritassolutions.net Randal Rauser's website: https://randalrauser.com Veritas mission statement: "Our mission statement is our name: Veritas Solutions. We believe that the solutions to the issues faced by our corporate clients will be mitigated on the foundation of truth. Our promise to our clients–We seek the truth and speak the truth–and that makes all the difference."

We are all weary of abuse rocking our churches, seminaries and ministry organizations. Offences range from sexual abuse to bullying and harassment. Our guest Lydia Fawcett brings years of experience in social work and more recently in abuse prevention with the Mennonite Central Committee. She helps us understand what abuse looks like and feels like, and what a healthy culture in our faith communities looks like and feels like. Plus, if you grew up believing Bathsheba was the one in the wrong, you're in good company. You won't want to miss this conversation. Learn about the Abuse Awareness and Prevention Network: https://www.abuseawareness.net Visit the MCC Abuse Response and Prevention page: https://abuseresponseandprevention.ca See and download some of the resources Lydia mentions in the interview: https://abuseresponseandprevention.ca/#resources A look back in time to the Columbia Bible College situation referenced by Lydia: https://www.themaplist.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Murray_Phillips_story_ChristianWeek.pdf

"What if singleness is a life to be lived, and not a problem to be solved?" writes Karissa Sovdi, in a recent Faith Today article exploring singleness in the Church. In this podcast, Karissa, an author, counsellor and facilitator from Victoria, B.C., is joined by Calgary's Barry Danyluk, executive director of SEE Global, a ministry that equips the Church on issues related to singleness, and author of several books on singleness. Karissa, Barry and Karen Stiller have a wide-ranging conversation about singleness and sexuality -- and offer some varied opinions -- what singles can offer to the traditional family model, and how our spiritual families are so much healthier when everyone is seen, heard and valued. Read the Faith Today articles here: https://digital.faithtoday.ca/faithtoday/library/item/11122023/4146295/ Find out about SEE Global here: https://seeglobal.net

What does it mean for the church to truly welcome and include people who live with disabilities? How do we all grow stronger when everyone feels at home and valued? Faith Today's Ilana Reimer, also editor of Love is Moving magazine, interviews Janet Noel-Annable, CEO of Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons). Find out more about Karis: https://christianhorizons.org

Are you a book lover? Has Christian literature shaped your spiritual life? Jeff Crosby is an author himself, and president and CEO of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He came to the ECPA from his position as publisher at IVP and brought with him years of experience within the Christian publishing industry. Jeff speaks to Karen Stiller from the vantage point of an expansive view of the issues facing Christian publishing today, but also as author of the newly released book, The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of our Heart, with other books lined up in the near future about music and about the role of spiritual reading in our lives. More about The Language of the Soul: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506480541/The-Language-of-the-Soul Learn about the ECPA: https://www.ecpa.org

It's been a 200-year journey for a complete Mohawk translation of the Bible to find its way into the world. The first translation in the history of the Bible Society was the translation of the Gospel of John in Mohawk by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804. In 1880, the four Gospels were translated by Sosé Onasakenrat of Kanesatake, In 2023, the Mohawk Bible is now complete, thanks to the tireless translation work of Onasakenrat's great grandson Harvey Satewas Gabriel. Karen Stiller is joined by Phil Wagler, host of the All Things Reconciled Podcast, to speak with Bible translator Harvey Satewas Gabriel and Jeff Green, vice-president of Scripture translation at the Canadian Bible Society. You will enjoy this warm, vulnerable and fascinating discussion that explores the power of language, the beauty of this family history of translation, and what projects like this bring to reconciliation.

How do we navigate deep disappointment and grief, and keep our faith intact? Does God send tragedy our way to help us grow? Author Philip Yancey engages in conversation with Karen Stiller about holding onto God and others in our hardest moments. Philip Yancey visited Canada recently on a speaking tour for Effect Hope, a charity that addresses neglected tropical diseases like leprosy. He is well suited for this work, as a beloved author fearlessly tackling big topics in his bestselling books, like Disappointment with God, Where is God When it Hurts?, and What's so Amazing About Grace, and an extremely transparent memoir Where the Light Fell. https://philipyancey.com https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/undone?variant=40229394579543

FTP Ep. 217. Ephraim Radner is professor emeritus of historical theology at Wycliffe College in Toronto and author of "A Time to Keep: Theology, Mortality, and the Shape of a Human Life" (Baylor, 2016). An Anglican cleric, he has served as a missionary in Burundi and Haiti, and taught and pastored in the United States. He spoke with Faith Today's Bill Fledderus about death and birth, and why he views it essential for Christians to oppose medically assisted dying. https://www.wycliffecollege.ca/users/ephraim-radner https://www.facebook.com/wycliffetoronto https://twitter.com/wycliffe_uoft https://www.instagram.com/wycliffecollegetoronto/

​Anthony Siegrist (https://anthonysiegrist.com/) is the Ontario director of A Rocha (https://arocha.ca/portfolio-items/anthony-siegrist/), a Christian environmental network. He talks with host Bill Fledderus about why some Christians are hesitant to engage in environmental issues, and what churches and individuals might do to start to be engaged.

On September 19, 2023 tensions exploded between Azerbaijan and Armenia over a small territory within Azerbaijan that is home to ethnic Christian Armenians. Craig Simonian, PRN Caucasus Regional Coordinator, joins All Things Reconciled to share the history and reality of this live crisis facing the world's oldest Christian nation, it's impact on the world, and what you can do to make a difference as an everyday reconciler.

​​Martin Kapenda is African Regional Coordinator of the World Evangelical Alliance's Peace & Reconciliation Network and lives in Zambia. Martin's work with children's advocacy and the ministry of peace and reconciliation in Africa, and his vision of the African concept of ubuntu and the African hut as pictures of the way of Jesus are inspiring.

​​Arkanjelo Wani Lemi serves the Evangelical Alliance of South Sudan. As new conflict and people migration impacts his country and Sudan to the north, he has been training pastors and churches to be peacemaking communities. The story of the Prince of Peace at work in South Sudan is a powerful call to church everywhere.

​Arthur Boers, an Ontario professor and pastor, reflects on coming of age in 1960s and 1970s Canada in a Dutch Calvinist immigrant family scarred by the Nazi occupation and outbursts of violence passed from father to son. His journey included leaving the Reformed tradition in which he was raised for the peace-oriented Mennonite tradition and now worshipping in a liturgical Anglican tradition. On the podcast we talk about the benefits of being curious about how our upbringings shaped us, particularly our faith and our idea of gender roles. Arthur Boers is an Anglican priest and author of several award-winning books, including: - The Way Is Made by Walking: A Pilgrimage Along the Camino de Santiago - Living into Focus: Choosing What Matters in an Age of Distractions - Servants and Fools: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. He holds a DMin from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and an MFA from Seattle Pacific University. He has also pastored in urban, suburban, rural and inner-city settings in Ontario and the Midwest and taught at several seminaries. https://www.arthurboers.com/ ​https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/8246/shattered.aspx

​​"Companionship in grief: How we can bring grace to a bereaved person" is an award-winning essay by Susie Colby, published in print last July. The author reads the article for us in this podcast. Susie Colby has worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for over 30 years in Canada, the US and around the world. Originally from California, she now calls Vancouver home. Read the print version at https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2022-Jul-Aug/Companionship-in-grief Details on the award at https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2023-May-Jun/Eight-new-awards-for-Faith-Today

​​The genocide in Rwanda in the 1994 left an indelible mark on the African country. Joseph Nyamutera, who lived through the horrors of that nightmarish spring and summer, shares of his own transformation and of the growth of a reconciled and reconciling people and ministry from the ashes of mourning and lament.

​​​​​​A Short Guide to Reading the Bible Better is a new book by George Guthrie, a professor of New Testament at Regent College in Vancouver. We talk to him about how we can overcome the obstacles the prevent us from using the Bible to grow in our faith. https://www.regent-college.edu/faculty/full-time/george-guthrie https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/products/a-short-guide-to-reading-the-bible-better-2/

​Effective ministry -- and good seminary education -- can both benefit from paying attention to local context, says Anna Robbins, president of Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia. She chats with host Bill Fledderus about a series of initiatives at ADC known as East Coast Theology. https://acadiadiv.ca/east-coast-theology/ https://acadiadiv.ca/president/

​How can we all help reduce the internal and external obstacles that impede women from using their gifts? Cathie Ostapchuk has some ideas. She is cofounder of Gather Women Canada, author of the 2019 book Brave Women, Bold Moves: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Conformity, a consultant, coach and podcaster. She spoke with host Bill Fledderus about her work mobilizing Canadian women to influence their world for Jesus Christ. Related websites: https://www.gatherwomen.com/ https://www.cathieostapchuk.com/ https://www.bravewomenboldmoves.com/

All Things Reconciled: South Africa - The Power of Prayer in South Africa - Series 3 - Episode 1 by Faith Today

​​Do you view yourself as a creative person? Do you wish you had more time to write poetry, paint, knit, work with wood or just colour a picture? This conversation with Canadian Creative Ann-Margret Hovsepian is all about getting you moving more deeply into your creative side -- with a bit of side dip into pondering why colouring has become an activity for adults... Ann-Margret is a Montreal-based author, illustrator and professional and widely-published doodler, who runs Buttercup Design Studio. Visit Ann-Margret's creative and inspiring site: https://www.annhovsepian.com

​Canadian prayer networks have flourished in just the past two or three years. Hear from three national leaders about how their network developed and how they have come to cooperate together for initiatives such as Ignite Prayer and Worship Summits. Includes Chris Byberg (NHOP), Roger Helland (EFC) and Dale Winder (BGEA). https://www.billygraham.ca/pastors-prayer-forum/ https://www.prayerwalkchallenge.ca https://www.TheEFC.ca/Ignite https://www.nhop.ca

David Guretzki is the new president and CEO of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, after serving as its executive vice-president and resident theologian since 2017 and a long stint on its board of directors. He speaks with Bill Fledderus about the EFC's role in the Christian community across Canada and his hopes for the future (and also about astrophotography and his cat Scrunchy).

In November of 2020, Toronto-based Tim Challies and his wife Aileen received the call that is every parent's worst fear. Their 20-year old son Nick had died mysteriously and suddenly on a field at the seminary he attended in the States. Seasons of Sorrow: the pain of loss and the comfort of God is a chronicle of Tim's journey of grief, healing and finding the meaning in the saddest of things. This was a hard conversation to have and to listen to, but Tim brings the hard-earned wisdom and insights of the bereaved that can help us make sense of what can feel impossible to understand. From his experience, we can also learn how to best help those who are experiencing grief. Tim has created study questions to go with the book: https://www.challies.com/resources/seasons-of-sorrow-application-questions-group-study-guide/ There is also a letter of things to say to grieving parents that is so helpful: https://www.challies.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Helpful-Things-To-Say-To-Grieving-Parents.pdf And of course, read about the book here: https://www.challies.com/seasons-of-sorrow/

​Calgary theatre director Val Lieske (Fire Exit Theatre, Ambrose University) talks with us about the importance of training Christian actors and storytellers. She argues these professions are hugely influential in our society but that many Christians make the mistake of avoiding them for a variety of misguided reasons. https://ambrose.edu/profile/val-lieske-ba www.fireexit.ca

Reconciliation, at the core of the Gospel and mission of God in the world, intersects with the experiences we all live. Jeanette Bohm and Phil Wagler wrestle with the hope of reconciliation in their own stories and desire to be increasingly reconcilers in the world.

How does reconciliation move beyond ideas and even theologies to the practical everyday realities of society, politics, church life, family and creation care? Johannes Reimer, Director of the World Evangelical Alliance's Public Engagement Department, unpacks the practical ways reconciliation impacts every area of life.

Can the life of an angry prisoner really be transformed into a witness of God's reconciling mission? Johannes Reimer, Director of the World Evangelical Alliance's Public Engagement Department, reveals how his life from unlikely beginnings became precisely that.

​How can the Church do better with mental health? That is a big and important question these days. Daniel Whitehead is our guest, CEO of Vancouver-based Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. Sanctuary equips the Church to support mental health and wellbeing. Most recently that has meant the launch of the Sanctuary Course, an online, video-based study for small groups, designed to raise awareness and start conversations in local churches regarding mental health. In this conversation Daniel shares his own journey with mental health and the Church, and casts a beautiful vision for all the Church could be. Find out more about Sanctuary: https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org Find out more about the course: https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org/sanctuary-course/

​How can parents best help their children grow in their faith? How can churches best support the parents? We're at a funny moment right now. Some of us have gone back to church in person, lots of us haven't. We're all busy. We all want the best for our children and for them to come to a living and lifelong faith in Jesus. The latest EFC-led partner-built research study will be released this spring. It digs into how parents see their roles in the faith formation of their children, how they work that out in the midst of busy lives and what role the local church plays. Some of that research will surprise you. Lesli van Milligen is Canadian Director Congregational Ministry & Team Lead for Regional Catalyzers of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She joins Karen Stiller to offer encouragement and insights for parents and churches alike.

​​Have you ever wondered if you'd have what it takes to care for a loved one when called upon? Life is full of caregiving surprises, and sometimes more is asked of us than we think we can give. Marjorie J. Thompson has reassuring and encouraging words for us as we dig into the spirituality of caregiving. Author of the recently released Courage for Caregivers: Sustenance for the Journey in Company with Henri J.M. Nouwen ( IVP, 2022) Marjorie answered our questions about how to be brave and how to be real when things get tough with caregiving. We're so grateful for this interview. Be sure to watch a snippet with Marjorie on Faith Today TV at www.faithtoday.ca. Marjorie Thompson is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church USA. She is a teacher, writer and retreat leader who mentored under Henri J.M.Nouwen. https://henrinouwen.org/read/courage-for-caregivers/

​Al Lopus wrote the book, literally, on what a flourishing workplace is. He talks with us about his two decades of work at Best Christian Workplaces Institute and how toxic workplaces can change into places where people love what they do and find deep satisfaction.

​Do you ever think about writing your life story? Dipping your toes into the waters of memoir? A lot of us do, and for good reason. We can share our stories with our children or extended family, or even just use this kind of important writing as a way to understand ourselves and our place in the world better. Carla Funk is a Canadian poet and memoirist who is author of Every Little Scrap and Wonder and most recently Mennonite Valley Girl: A Wayward Coming of Age. She joins us to share the value of this kind of writing and provide practical tips and strategies to start writing our life stories, and keep writing. Visit Carla's site here: https://www.carlafunk.com Read about Carla's books and other writing: https://www.carlafunk.com/books/