Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 18:2 (Fall 2021)
Article: Implementing Biblical Principles For Effective Church Life In A Canadian Context
Author: Gary Smith

JBTM 18:2 (Fall 2021) p. 241

Implementing Biblical Principles For Effective Church Life In A Canadian Context

Gary Smith

Gary Smith is lead pastor of Bow Valley Baptist Church, Cochrane, Alberta, and has served as the North American Mission Board’s Church Planting Catalyst in Canada.

What is so unique about Canada, eh? Everyone knows it is colder and further north than most of the United States. But is it unique enough to merit its own way of applying biblical principles for effective church life?

The Canadian context is quite different, however, in more ways than many realize. Considering that, this article will use 100% Canadian content (Canadian authors, church planters, pastors, or others who have served in the Church) to give perspective on principles for effective church life in this unique context. First, one must uncover some of the differences that are unique to a Canadian perspective, then discover what biblical principles have driven effectiveness within the unique Canadian church and culture.

One might not know that there is a vast difference between Canada and the United States when it comes to religious differences.1 Observe some comparisons between statistical data of the United States and Canada to bring clarity to the differences between these two neighbors2:

• More than seven-in-ten Americans (73%) and a (slight) majority of Canadians (52%) describe themselves as “very spiritual” or “moderately spiritual.”
• A third of Canadians (32%) say they are atheist, agnostic, or have no religion, compared to only 19% of Americans.
• In addition, 69% of Canadians either never attend religious services or do so only for special events such as

JBTM 18:2 (Fall 2021) p. 242

weddings, funerals, or baptisms, compared to 41% of Americans.

• Attendance to religious gatherings is significantly higher in the United States than in Canada. While 38% of Americans say they go to a church, temple, or synagogue at least once a week, only 16% of Canadians follow the same path.
• Finally, 48% of Americans say religion is “very important” to them personally. In Canada, only 24% of respondents feel the same way.

As one can see, there are significant differences in the religious thoughts and practices between Canadians and Americans. This is the reason the author and his family moved to Canada as church planters from Omaha, Nebraska, to strive to impact the greater lostness in the Canadian culture versus the American culture. In the process, the vast differences that were, and are, between the US and Canada, became evident....