Joel Thiessen

Next up … building on a recent article I published on #Catholics and religious transmission, plus in preparation for a public lecture I’ll deliver this Fall on the same subject.

An intriguing & helpful #sociological analysis from @gerardomarti.bsky.social & Mark Mulder: Hartmut Rosa’s ideas on acceleration & resonance help explain Robert Schuller’s #megachurch ministry, with wide application to many #evangelical megachurch contexts. www.researchgate.net/profile/Gera...

I’ve been tasked to lead a session with colleagues, linking insights from my new course on Sociology of Aging with our work with students in the classroom. This thought exercise has driven me back to several sources dealing with the Sociology of Time, namely on slowing down in late modern society. 🤔

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Co-authored article (Emanuel Cusanelli, Arch Wong, @josephroso.bsky.social) now published: "Mental Health & Illness: Perceptions & Experiences in #Canadian Christian #Congregations" in collab. w/@fcinstitute.bsky.social & @sanctuarymh.bsky.social. #mentalhealth journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem - Joel Thiessen, 2025 Along with parents and schools, congregations are part of a “religious transmission ecosystem” with children. Using case study data with a Catholic parish in Ca...

My article, "Planting Seeds: The #Catholic #Parish in the #Religious Transmission Ecosystem" is now available. Stay tuned later this week for the release of another new article that I've co-authored! journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...

As prep continues for new course this Fall, #Sociology of #Aging, I’m encountering some thought provoking chapters in these edited volumes that might help students to consider this subject #theologically too. I want students to grapple with what it means to age well, sociologically & theologically.

Next up …

A thought-provoking read on the many layers to #pilgrimage, including social institutions, social #relationships (pilgrims, #family & friends, fellow pilgrims, volunteers, administrators), and #economics (who can afford to go, locations monetizing pilgrimage sites, refugees forced into pilgrimage).

I have a personal & professional interest in #pilgrimage. I’ve completed two shorter Christian walking pilgrimages (5-7 days, 120km+) with aspirations to do more & longer ones. And then the ties to religion, ritual, belief & community are of interest. About to read this scholarly text …

As I wade further into Sociology of Death & Dying research, I’m also reading theological materials including this book from a Catholic theologian. Material on gratitude, solidarity, humility & surrender were particularly thought provoking, with some possibilities for further empirical exploration 🤔.

Discovered at “This & That Store” (yes, the real name!) in Fogo Island, Newfoundland … might make an appearance in the Sociology of Aging course that I teach this Fall at Ambrose University.

What stories do #congregations tell when confronted with transition and change? And what can other #churches learn in the process toward their own flourishing? Learn more in this fascinating article by Joel Thiessen, Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University.

I enjoy reading how others master their craft. Sections of this book were insightful. I might assign the 25-page “Toolbox” section to my students. Some basic & significant advice to help writers of varying experience. Also, read a lot & write a lot. There is no replacement.

#Vacation begins in a few days, with this eclectic mix of #books to #read …

Finally read Joseph Blankholm’s book (on my shelf for awhile!). Very helpful description & analysis on how heterogeneous the “secular” are (e.g., gender, race, class, beliefs, practices), including useful insights on how internal & external boundaries are drawn between the “pure” & “polluted.”

Teaching a new course this Fall: Sociology of Aging. Reading preparations are well underway …

Co-authored article accepted (w/Emanuel Cusanelli,
@archckwong.bsky.social, @josephroso.bsky.social)! "Mental Health & Illness Perceptions & Experiences in Canadian Christian Congregations," based on collab. with @fcinstitute.bsky.social & @sanctuarymh.bsky.social. Stay tuned for pub. details!

In some respects, these data reveal why Sociology of Aging emerged as an area of study.

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute Is Canada Socialist?

Is #Canada socialist? Check out this thought provoking, witty & professionally produced video by historian James Tyler Robertson who invites us to consider the role of the local #church in society a century ago … and today. youtu.be/TzAwuihLgC8

Teaching a new course on Sociology of Aging this Fall. Here are some of the articles to kick off my summer of reading on this subject …

In one week, I'll be in #Toronto to present new #Canadian research on mental health & #congregations, gathered in partnership with @sanctuarymh.bsky.social. If you're in the #Toronto area, there's still time to register for the entire gathering. Spread the word! #mentalhealth

Events — Church Planting Canada

On May 29th (1:00PM ET), Arch Wong, Professor of Practical Theology at Ambrose University, will be hosting a webinar in partnership with Church Planting Canada. The webinar - "What Should Church Leaders Know About Evangelism?" - will feature data from a recent national survey on #evangelism.

Losing Our Religion? It's Not That Simple | Eh Sayers | Episode 25 Is that Canada in the corner? In the spotlight? Are we losing our religion?  The census found that 12.6 million people reported no religious affiliation in 2021, more than 1/3 of Canada's population. ...

Highly recommended podcast interview with friend, colleague, and co-author, Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme , discussing the 2021 #Canadian census data, with special attention to #religious nones. share.transistor.fm/s/b3bb6fe2

Your church's story Telling and living it for a dynamic future

I'm delighted with how this short feature article turned out, which I wrote with church leaders in mind, based on our recent book at @fcinstitute.bsky.social, The Stories Congregations Tell. www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/20...

Recent Canadian research on co-vocational ministry ... "The pastor cannot (and should not) do everything alone. A healthy co-vocational ministry ... requires intentionally training laity as leaders who could assist the pastor in various ways."

Happy to announce that one of my sabbatical project articles has been accepted for publication: "Planting Seeds: The #Catholic #Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem." Stay tuned for publication details ... plus an announcement forthcoming on another accepted article!

#TheMoment angry geese trapped university students inside their home for days Jory Harris recounts the moment angry Canada geese trapped her and her roommates inside their housing unit at the University of Waterloo for about a week because anyone who stepped outside got attacke...

Brings me back to my graduate school days at @uwaterloo.ca! www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute The Stories Congregations Tell - Flourishing Forward Webinar

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar on our recently released book, The Stories Congregations Tell: Flourishing in the Face of Transition and Change? You can access a recording of the one-hour event here. youtu.be/bC0XBmhvzcE

2025 Ministry Mental Health Summit - Shalem Network From Brokenness to Belonging Join Christians from across Canada at the 2025 NATIONAL MINISTRY MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT where we will be gathering to equip those in our community impacted by mental illness...

On May 21 I'll lead a workshop in #Toronto on mental health & #congregations, drawing on national #survey @fcinstitute.bsky.social in partnership w/@sanctuarymh.bsky.social. If you're in the area, register for the whole 3-day event & spread the word! #mentalhealth shalemnetwork.org/events/2025-...

YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute Gender Light Bulb Moments in Ministry: Canadian Women Pastors' Experiences of Gender Inequality

Recently, @katiesteeves.bsky.social delivered a must-see webinar on #women in #ministry for @fcinstitute.bsky.social, drawing on her #Canadian-based interviews. Included are many helpful recommendations for #churches & #denominations. 20 min presentation, 10 min Q/A. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFvS...