Joel Thiessen

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Join Lindsay Callaway, Senior Researcher at the The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about a recently released study, Women in the Canadian Evangelical Church.

*This special 45-minute webinar features a guided conversation with a church leader respondent.

I enjoy taking #transit home from a late night at work where, with #jazz or #classical music in my headphones (classical tonight!), I #read & unwind. This #book is turning out to be a serendipitous read during the opening days of #Lent, though this book was not selected as a Lenten read.

My latest piece on religious transmission - aimed at parents and church leaders - based on a recent peer-reviewed article that I authored.

When you’re on drums and have practice for service mid-game, this is the only way to do it … #GoCanadaGo

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Maybe I’m late to the game, but today was the first time a student called me “bruh” 🤷‍♂️😂

Your church's story Sociologist Joel Thiessen shares some great ideas from his recent research on how a church can tell and live its story for a dynamic future

My article, "Your Church's Story" - based on research at @fcinstitute.bsky.social - was #14 most read article in 2025 at Faith Today. Drawing on research, this article helps #churches to tell & live their #story. www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/20...

In this infographic, Naz, undergrad assisting the IRCSF last term, summarizes some key points from Joel Thiessen's talk last November "Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem."
To watch Joel's guest lecture from last November: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtMa...

© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.

Good, balanced #Canadian #journalism on the reported #religious revival among young people by @jdl56.bsky.social. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Next up (as part of one reading group that I’m part of) …

I just did another media interview w/Canadian outlet on this topic. I was impressed with the measured questions, analysis & inferences raised, where I (yet again) made a case that we should give “cause for pause” on this reported revival, building on the great work of fellow scholars of religion 👏.

“Sociological realism [vs theological or program idealism] instead summons everyone to appreciate the force of big-picture social contexts on our personal experiences and to realistically face the limits and opportunities in moving forward” (p.367). Fitting conclusion to a very useful book. 👏

In my post yesterday, I wrote, "The narrative of a religious revival in the U.K. appears to be receiving much more attention than data and commentary challenging this narrative."
Here's a just published example: www.christiantoday.com/news/2025-wa...

In this infographic, Joanne, undergrad assisting the IRCSF last term, summarizes some key points from Joel Thiessen's talk last November "Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem."

To watch Joel's guest lecture from last November: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtMa...

How & why did these scandals matter so much? 1) Digital recording technologies made it easier to publicize misbehaviours. 2) Media devoted more attention to religious wrongs. 3) Public visibility of “righteous” leaders invited close monitoring until some eventually failed. 2/2

Along with many demographic & social changes, “religious self-destructions” also played a role in #religion becoming obsolete. Among many examples, “religious scandals were not the straw but the log that broke the camel’s back” (p.243). Pp.229-48 detail many of these scandals. 1/2

7) Weakened attention spans. 8) Information/stimulus overload. 9) Reduced trust in expert authorities, turning instead inward. 10) Shifted structure of organizations from hierarchy to networks.

For more on HOW/WHY these adversely affect religion, pick up the book. Highly recommended so far! 3/3

1) Digital media a time/attention suck. 2) Online community with fewer commitments. 3) Internet enhanced exposure to dark side of religion. 4) Internet expanded access to learn everything about anything. 5) Private realm to raise questions/doubts. 6) Online support with other dissidents. 2/3

227 pages in. Compelling analysis on many fronts, notably on social changes that unintentionally yet powerfully contributed to #religion being obsolete for a growing segment of society.

Here are 10 ways that Smith suggests the #Digital #Revolution has been corrosive to religion (p.138-149)… 1/3

For #churches who believe the right #doctrinal ideas or #programs make all the difference: “Without taking into account the larger social structures & #cultural environments within which they operate, great ideas & programs themselves may accomplish little” (p.20). Simply put, #sociology matters.

…and my book “None of the Above” with Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme is cited in the 4th footnote on page 2 😉 … importantly, cited in a positive way 👏 though doesn’t go far enough, which Smith’s book seeks to do.

Been on my shelf for awhile & now it’s time to crack it open & read. Next up …

Among the more insightful #books I’ve read in recent years. I strongly encourage you to join this free webinar, and encourage other #church and #denominational #leaders to do likewise!

(1/3) Elina, undergrad assisting the IRCSF last term, summarizes the following from last November's talk: "Joel Thiessen discussed the concept of religious transmission ecosystems in his guest lecture...

Last, Rosa provocatively says: “What did religious institutions have to say or offer during the debates about [any topic] … If we are offered no significant guidance of any sort & are met instead with silence, then we have to conclude that church & religion no longer have anything to say” (p.9). 4/4

I’d add that those well trained in #sociology, notably in qualitative methods, are additionally positioned to help train a “listening heart” that can benefit individuals, groups, and societies. 3/4

Drawing on Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 3:9, Rosa (not Christian) says a “listening heart” posture is uniquely nurtured through religion. Agreed, #religion is positioned well, though he misses many elements of how & why this is so, plus his assessment of conservative religions is too simplistic. 2/4

Thesis: “A listening, receptive & responsive heart is precisely what we need as a society & as individuals to lead successful individual lives & to enjoy a successful coexistence” (p.3). 1/4

Guest lecturing this week in a “#Christianity & #Media” course. My preparations brought me back to this feature article @calgaryherald.com in December 2008 on my research as a doctoral student … that article proved pivotal to many more media & public speaking engagements throughout my career since.

From left to right, my reading list through March as I prepare to chart out a new research project in summer 2026.

Put another way, my life is not my own (#Wesley covenant #prayer captures this beautifully). If truly understood & embraced, this realization fundamentally impacts one’s relationship with #self, #others, #God, and #creation.