Evangelicals in Canada are not clones of their American counterparts.
Political issues may be more swayed in this country by a strong Roman Catholic vote. Most Canadians would view someone saying ‘I’m evangelical’ with suspicion. Fair enough. The perception is strongly coloured by what comes across the 49th.
About 10 percent of Canadians define themselves as evangelical and would just as likely be seen in an Anglican, United or Roman Catholic Church as any denomination such as Baptist or Pentecostal. Church growth is up a bit in Canada, and that growth is seen in immigrant populations.
Canadian evangelicals:
1) Canadian Evangelicals are not just American Evangelicals in toques and skates.
2) Canadian Evangelicals are not threats to Canadian public welfare, but positive contributors to it; and
3) Canadian Evangelicals yet do post a threat to some cherished ideals of our current intelligentsia—and that threat accounts for the recent rash of “Evangeliphobia.”
Our involvement in public life is very different than our US counterparts.
Canadian Evangelicals don’t pay much attention to Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson or Franklin Graham. They’re much more likely to be interested in what Brian Stiller, Don Posterski and Maxine Hancock have to say. Do those names ring any bells?
If you really want to know what Canadian Evangelicals are like, don’t settle for watching religious television. Visit Tyndale University College in Toronto, or Trinity Western University in British Columbia, or Briercrest College and Seminary in Saskatchewan. Read Faith Today magazine and ChristianWeek newspaper. Watch a World Vision broadcast.
This article by John Stackhouse looks at the historical roots of North American faith, how we contribute to our society and the world at large, and what our impact on our society and the world really is.
Published 3 years, 6 months agoCanadians disagree on a lot of things. But we agree on this: fomenting fear and hatred toward an entire group of people is wrong. Yet some of us are doing it again.
It was wrong when French and English Canadians did it to each other. It was wrong when majorities of Canadians did it to native peoples, Jews, Chinese, Japanese, Pakistanis, Muslims and homosexuals. It is just as wrong nowadays when politicians, journalists, academics and others do it to Evangelical Christians.
Why are all sorts of otherwise intelligent people characterizing Canadian Evangelicals as ignorant, right-wing, and—perhaps worst of all (in their opinion)—American?
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Evangeliphobia…I have to remember that. Bene, our Church supports a Pastoral School (CMA, Christian and Missionary Alliance) in Canada. A member of our Church was a Missionary to France and he is retired. His daughter is married to the Dean/Pastor of this School. He is getting ready to graduate his first class of Pastors. I will get the info and e-mail it to you. We find we are becoming more passionate for the people of Canada….because we have ties there now. To hear first hand stories of see of a church of 23 people in a city of 4000 people is bewildering…..tough nut to crack. American term, hope it translates. Is Canada really that much different than the rest of the world to make disciples? God moves slower in Colder temperatures?
If an english speaking pastor attempts a church plant in rural Quebec, then yes, a ‘tough nut to crack’ might be a realistic assumption.
Even with the collapse of the grip the Roman Catholic church held on Quebec, protestants are still held in suspicion.
If it was a plant within an aboriginal area, they have even more reason to dis-trust after church school scandels came to light. Or resource based areas like Newfoundland that went through the same thing.
Any evangelist that perceives Canadians as a homogenous group of people that need to be cracked is going to run into unique responses.
I don’t see 23 in a town of 4 thousand as failure.
No…he is indeed Canadian. Raising Canadian Pastors.
The Alliance College and Seminary (Canadian Bible College) is in Saskachewan if I remember correctly.
We have a common heritage. My evangelical church roots were CM&A. It was educational in understanding the sub-culture and church speak and I still have some respect for their missional commitment.
*waves from Vancouver Island* Been hanging about American blogs in the last few months (during, before, & after the US elections) and it comes as a surprise–although it shouldn’t, and it’s a pleasant surprise–to find that we have Canadian bloggers too. Wonderful to meet you, and interesting to see discussion of the differences & similarities between American & Canadian Christian groups. *broad grin*