ABOUT THIS STUDY
Working with denominations and Christian organizations. The Anticipating Change: A Futures-Oriented Study of Christian Leadership in Canada, led by Dr. Joel Murphy, seeks to better understand how Christian leaders across Canada are experiencing and responding to significant shifts in ministry, including changes related to participation, leadership, culture, technology, and community life.
Are you a Christian faith leader in Canada? Your voice matters.
WHAT PARTICIPATION INVOLVES
Your perspective is important in helping us build a clearer picture of current realities and emerging possibilities for the Canadian church.
– Completing a survey (approximately 20–30 minutes)
– Reflecting on your ministry context, experiences of change, and perspectives on the future
Participation (for individuals over 18+) is entirely voluntary and anonymous. No identifying information will be connected to your responses, and all findings will be reported in aggregate form only.
THE GAP THIS STUDY ADDRESSES
Despite widespread discussion of how the Canadian church is changing, there remains limited empirical, national, and future-oriented data that captures leaders’ own perceptions of contextual disruption, role redefinition, organizational engagement, and their interpretation of the potential impact of emerging trends on their communities.
A FUTURES-INFORMED APPROACH
This study combines systematic national data collection with futures-informed approaches to examine how the pastoral role is being reconfigured and how it might be critically reimagined under different future social conditions. It seeks to understand how faith leaders experience agency, constraint, and envision the future of vocational Christian leadership.
KEY AREAS OF INQUIRY
RESEARCH IMPACT
Findings will inform leadership formation initiatives, denominational strategy conversations, and future research initiatives within the Futuring Hub at the MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions or concerns about this study, please contact Dr. Joel Murphy at joel.murphy@acadiau.ca or the Acadia University Research Ethics Board at stephanie.jones@acadiau.ca | 902.585.1495. (REB#26-33)