Despite our best efforts, Advent and the Christmas season can often feel overwhelming, busy and rushed. We want to offer you a gift in this season - the gift of a slowed-down place (at least for an hour or so).

Carve out time for prayer, stillness and silence on Thursday, December 4th and December 11th. Join this Advent Learning Centre space where, together, we'll enter into a time of prayer, silence, and other spiritual practices to make room for what is to come. God’s gaze is always waiting for us, especially in this time of Advent, so we want to slow down and pay attention to the Spirit in our midst. Come be refreshed - come and "be" this Advent season.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Presenters:

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There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-series pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

Join us for a chance to read Mend: An Invitation from Jesus to Return to Land-Based Repair together with others from across Canada. We will hear from author, Jodi Spargur and dig into the book together.

About Mend:

Are you searching for a meaningful way to respond to the challenges of colonization? Mend: An Invitation from Jesus to Return to Land-Based Repair offers a hands-on pathway for Christians in Canada and beyond to pursue a path of repairing right relations. Centred around the story of Zacchaeus from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 19:1–27), this book serves as a guide, recovering repair as central to discipleship and the restoration of communities to health. Let Mend invite you into a journey of hope, transformation and even joy—discover practical steps to embrace repair and experience the life-changing impact of following Jesus to repair the damage of the colonial project.

November 6, 2025 - Reading Introduction, Prologue & chapters 1 together.

November 13, 2025 - Reading chapters 2 - 4 together.

November 20, 2025 - Reading chapters 5-7 & conclusion together.

November 27, 2025 -  Hear from Jodi Spargur about the book and what prompted her to write.

For information on where to pick up a copy of the book, visit newleafnetwork.ca/mend

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Presenter:

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There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-series pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

What does it look like for Canadian churches to move beyond the sidelines and step into faithful presence in the everyday life of their neighbourhoods with wisdom and care? Too often, churches either retreat from community engagement, outsourcing “good neighbouring” to nonprofits and government or rush in with well-meaning passion that, without discernment, can cause harm. 

Neighbour Up! is a four-week Learning Centre series inspired by CareImpact’s newly released small group discipleship resource launching across Canada this October. It is designed for community-minded pastors and leaders who long to see their congregations and communities rooted more deeply in place. This isn’t about adding more programs to an already full church calendar or trying to “fix” neighbourhoods. It’s about activating the whole church to recover the lost art of neighbouring as a way of following Jesus. Take this 4-week journey with us, where together we will explore how the pain points churches often face can be transformed into pathways of discipleship, deeper community, faithful presence, and renewed witness in Canada.

Join us as we learn practical, relational ways to grow in spiritual formation and connect more authentically with the communities God has called us to love.

October 9: Relational Fitness 

Healthy communities start with healthy relationships. We’ll uncover what drives us and what holds us back from building strong, trust-filled connections. Together we’ll explore how strengthening our “relational muscles” in the Church leads to more authentic and resilient communities.

October 16: Holy Disruption

Comfort, packed schedules, and old patterns can keep Christians from following Jesus. We’ll explore how to help churches welcome disruption as an invitation to loosen our grip on our agendas in order to make room for what really matters.

October 23: Rethinking Poverty

Poverty touches all of us in different ways. In this session, we’ll uncover the mindsets and cycles that shape how the Church sees poverty, and explore why addressing them is key to creating space for empathy, dignity, and mutuality with our neighbours.

October 30: Radical Presence

Trauma is all around us, often hidden in plain sight. We’ll explore how to make trauma care accessible for everyday believers who might otherwise shrink back or cause unintended harm in their church or community. Together, we’ll discuss valuable ways to create felt safety in the Church and in the community.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Presenter:

Register

There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-series pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

Are you unsure how to talk about mental health in your Church and Ministry? When anxiety, depression, or emotional struggles affect your church or team, do you feel prepared to respond with care and confidence? What role does mental wellbeing play in helping your faith community truly flourish? 

In this Learning Centre series we will discuss the “What?”, “Why?”, and "How?” of understanding and cultivating mental wellbeing in Church and Ministry. We will explore together some practical, proven strategies for supporting mental wellbeing, not just reactively but proactively, to invest in a flourishing community. By the end of this four-part series, you’ll gain a clearer vision of what flourishing mental wellbeing looks like in Church and in Ministry—and walk away with practical tools to help you cultivate it with confidence and care.

September 11, 2025 - What is "Mental Wellbeing" and how do we see it impacting our Church and Ministries here in Canada? with Tom Jantzi, MA, RP, Director of Counselling Assistance Plan and Clergy Care at Shalem Mental Health Network 

September 18, 2025 - An exploration of practical strategies and mental health tools for supporting mental wellbeing in Church and Ministry with Tom Jantzi, MA, RP, Director of Counselling Assistance Plan and Clergy Care at Shalem Mental Health Network

September 25, 2025 - Supporting Mental and Relational Wellbeing Through Circle Processes with Anne Martin, PhD, Director of Restorative Practices at Shalem Mental Health Network

Mental and relational wellbeing are deeply connected and relational well-being comes with practice.  This session will explore an approach to develop relational well-being through explicit and intentional circle processes.  Participants will learn the “why” of circles and  the basics of how to facilitate circles. Participants will also consider ways to introduce circle processes to their communities.

October 2, 2025 - Effective Decision-Making: Supporting Mental Wellbeing and Community Building Through Fair Process with Anne Martin, PhD, Director of Restorative Practices at Shalem Mental Health Network

Poor decision-making frequently leads to conflict in faith communities. This session will introduce the concept of Fair Process, i.e., that Individuals are most likely to trust and co-operate freely with systems whether they themselves win or lose by those systems when fair process is observed. (Kim & Mauborgne, 1997, 2003) Participants will consider the impact of the lack of Fair Process and ways Fair Process builds community. Participants will also consider ways they can introduce Fair Process to their communities.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Presenters:

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There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-series pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

Since the beginning, New Leaf has advocated for and valued unapologetic Canadian Christian conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, traditions, and locations to help us discern the on-the-ground issues and opportunities facing Canadian church leaders. It seems no better time to celebrate "made in Canada" creativity and faithfulness in Christian ministry.

Across the country, pastors, neighbourhood catalysts, and local practitioners are responding to unique challenges and opportunities with fresh ideas and hopeful action. From coast to coast, these "made in Canada" stories are inspiring, practical, and deeply rooted in place.

Join us each week as we highlight pastors, practitioners and leaders who are reimagining ministry, leadership, and resources in beautiful, courageous, and uniquely Canadian ways. Be encouraged, challenged and inspired. Hear the good news—close to home.

May 1 “Out of Bounds by Design: A Question-driven Coddiwomple”

7 years ago, Jay embarked on a journey, moving out from his lifelong career in pastoral leadership, seeking what he knew not. Today, this stepping into the unknown has turned into a full-blown coddiwomple – a journey with an unclear destination, but crystal clear intentions and driving questions. In this upcoming Learning Centre, join Jay as he shares his specific perspective on the deconstruction/reconstruction journey, the questions that drive him, and some of the surprising twists these questions have generated.

Jay Mowchenko is the founder of Shalom Leadership, sharing his 35 years of non-profit and academic leadership experience by coaching, training and teaching leaders and organizations to bring sustainable flourishing to every aspect of their life and work. He lives in Saskatoon on Treaty 6 Territory with his spouse, Marilou.

May 8 - Jesus cares deeply for kids and, as the Church - the body of Christ! - we can, too! Together, we'll consider how we can joyfully welcome and disciple kids in today’s church, we'll look at some incredible Canadian-made resources, and we'll celebrate the deep impact kids' ministry can (and has!) had in the world around us! Join in for an excellent conversation as well as some helpful resources for your kids' ministry!

Natalie Frisk has worked in ministry for over 15 years. She has a master’s in theological study (biblical studies) and is pursuing a doctorate in practical theology with an emphasis on the spiritual experience of children (slowly!). While she was the curriculum pastor for a multisite church, Natalie published Raising Disciples: How to Make Faith Matter for Our Kids (Herald Press, 2019). She is now director of curriculum for RaiseUpFaith and the Interim children's ministry director for a rural Canadian church.

May 15 - Research shows that the support of a caring adult contributes to the positive growth and development of youth (at-risk and not). Knowing that they are seen, heard, valued and supported as an individual can change the trajectory of their lives.  This is GOOD NEWS.  And somewhere out there, must be research around how meaningful and loving engagement with at-risk youth positively changes the trajectory of the adult's life.  Catherine spends much of her pastoral work week intersecting with the children, youth and families in the Chandler Mowat community, a community marked by low-income, food insecurity, at-risk youth, addiction and single-parent families AND children and youth who long to flourish, make a difference and be counted.  

Catherine will he sharing stories about how being present as a faith community with an egg, a snack pack, a listening ear and partnerships leads to a picture in Isaiah 35 where strength is given to weary hands and courage to knees for the stumbling.  Together we'll explore creative ways of building up the lives of those on the margins through love, relationship and community opportunities.

Catherine Gitzel has been the lead pastor at The Gathering Church in Kitchener, ON for the last 2.5 years, after serving as Associate Pastor for 15 years. The Gathering Church worships at the Chandler Mowat Community Centre and seeks to form meaningful relationships filled with love, resources and community-building opportunities with those living on the margins.  Catherine deeply values time building into young lives, letting them know that they are seen, heard and valued.  She sees her role as pastor as building up the community of God so that they will go and be the community of God. Catherine loves to learn, engage in meaningful conversations, laugh till it hurts and give and receive hugs.  Times by (in!) Lake Huron at "her" beloved Sauble Beach refreshes her soul. 

May 22 - Many years ago, Greg Elford and the team at New Heights Church asked the question together: what would it look like for us to become incarnational and move our community downtown, becoming a catalyst for good in Mission, BC? Come and hear the inspiring story of New Heights Church, Hougen Block Project and The Penny and how their community-focused faithfulness and presence have made a difference in Mission.

Greg Elford is a community-focused entrepreneur and lifelong student of change. Married to his wife Erin for 20 years, they’re raising three kids, which they consider both their greatest joy and their daily workout. With a Master’s in theology and ministry and a background in philosophy, religion, and cross-cultural studies, Greg has spent years initiating projects and guiding communities through change — whether in spiritual settings, business, working with marginalized groups, or community development in Thailand.

He is the lead pastor at New Heights Church and also the founder of the Penny Coffee House in Mission, BC, where he leads a team of 10 baristas in running a café that doubles as a social enterprise. Greg also leads the Hougen Block Project, which uses property management to fund and facilitate charitable initiatives across Mission. 

June 12th - Xenia Chan and Amy Bratton: Engaging Scripture Contextually and Responsibly. Join Professor Xenia Chan and Amy Bratton for a conversation about the practice of Collaborative Preaching that takes place at Riversdale Neighbours church in Saskatoon. Together, they will offer insight into how to respect the original context and historical interpretations, as well as, the current applications when approaching Biblical texts in group conversation.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Presenters

Register

There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-series pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

As Canadians watch and come to terms with significant political shifts in the United States, the phrase "Christian nationalism" is being discussed by politicians, preachers, scholars, and pundits. Some Evangelical Christians are proud to wear the label, while others quickly denounce it.

Many of us who find community and connection at The New Leaf Network have been asking questions about the intersection of faith, power, and politics and the effects of growing Christian nationalism, specifically for us here on Canadian soil committed to following the way of Jesus

Rather than offering a set of predetermined answers and conclusions, we offer this 5-week series to engage these questions together. In humility, let's converse and wrestle with this timely topic alongside Canadian academics, pastors, and practitioners to discuss these questions in community:

- What is Christian nationalism?

- What can we learn about Christian nationalism from both Canadian and German history?

- Is this theology and political movement only alive and well in the United States, or is it already present in Canada's conservative evangelical churches, political movements, and academic institutions?

- How can we decipher the difference between unhealthy nationalism and the healthy self-regard of cultural preservation that Indigenous peoples have so valiantly exemplified against all odds?

- If Christian nationalism is present here in Canada, what shape, flavour, and accent does it have?

- What do scripture and the Jesus path offer us on this topic as pastors and lay leaders? What does Jesus-shaped discipleship look like in this current cultural moment? How can we lead ourselves and others with courage and humility?

Presenter schedule:

March 6th: What is the Difference between Patriotism & Nationalism: what wisdom can we learn from the Confessing Church in Germany? with Jon Coutts, Ambrose University
March 13th: What can Indigenous wisdom offer us in this moment in Canada? with Ray Aldred, Vancouver School of Theology
March 20th: The Myth of Dominion: what wisdom does Canadian history offer us? with James T. Robertson, Tyndale Seminary
March 27th: Christian Symbolism in the Convoy, with Christine Mitchell, Knox College
April 3rd: Discerning a Way Forward Together: what does the Jesus way offer
us in this moment? with Elle Pyke, New Leaf Network

**Bonus week, April 10th: How Then Shall We Live: Sifting through What We Have Learned Together facilitated by Elle Pyke, New Leaf Network
The conversation and learning have been so rich these last few weeks. Some of these sessions have gone on for hours! We've uncovered so much and people want to talk! Join us for a bonus session. In light of everything we've learned or unlearned, how now shall we live? We want to look forward and brainstorm solutions and next steps together.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Presenters

Register

There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-session pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

Join us on February 6th for Stories and relationships: NAIITS' dreams and visions for a different approach to theological formation and the early story of CLC. 

And on February 13th, The ‘d’ word - a fun-serious response time for those questions on decolonization and right relationship that you’ve been afraid to ask. 

On February 20th we’ll be processing together.  After two full weeks of learning and content from NAIITS, we will process together as settlers, deepening our collective learning and insights. We will offer spacious time for conversation together 

And on February  27th: next steps. Our commitment at New Leaf is to take our learning and move it into action steps. Together we will draw out next steps individually in our own discipleship and for our churches, in light of learnings from NAIITS and the broader community.or a different approach to theological formation and the early story of CLC.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Presenters

Register

There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-session pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

Join us in the Learning Centre starting Thursday, January 9th, for an online Book Club featuring the newest book published by New Leaf Press "Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada"

Canadian Christians frustrated with the Church have come ‘Undone’ and are leaving politely, almost apologetically, in what "Blessed are the Undone" calls a Quiet Deconstruction. We will wrestle together to answer the questions the book raises for us as leaders and participants in the Canadian church: what aspects of faith are being questioned, why and what?

Weaving in church history, cultural analysis and personal stories, the authors Angela Bick and Peter Schuurman use canoe camping to illustrate the twists and turns of the spiritual journey. Whether you feel like you’re up the creek without a paddle when it comes to faith or if people you love have lost their bearings, this book and book study community is for you.

From the publisher’s description:

Canadian Christians frustrated with the Church have come ‘Undone’ and are leaving politely, almost apologetically, in what this book dubs a Quiet Deconstruction. Blessed are the Undone asks: what aspects of faith are being questioned, and why?

Weaving in church history, cultural analysis and their personal stories, Bick and Schuurman use canoe camping to illustrate the twists and turns of the spiritual journey. Whether you feel like you’re up the creek without a paddle when it comes to faith, or if people you love have lost their bearings, this book is for you.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Schedule

Week 1 (Jan 9): pages xiii to 54

Week 2 (Jan 16): pages 55-116

Week 3 (Jan 23): pages 117-176

Week 4 (Jan 30): pages 177-243 with co-author Angela Reitsma Bick

Facilitators

TBA

Register

There are two options to access the New Leaf Learning Centre: a monthly subscription or a one-session pass (below). For the monthly subscription, please visit here.

During Advent, many of us practice annual rhythms and traditions as we await the arrival of Jesus at Christmas. Despite our best efforts, Advent and Christmas can often feel overwhelming, busy and rushed. We want to offer you a gift in this season - the gift of a slowed-down place (at least for an hour or so).

Carve out time for prayer, stillness and silence on Thursday, December 5th and December 12th. Join this Advent Learning Centre space where, together with friends, we'll enter into a time of prayer, silence, and other spiritual practices to make room for what is to come. We will offer a mix of ancient and modern prayer practices and postures to slow down and pay attention to the Spirit in our midst. Come be refreshed - come and "be" this Advent season.

Learning Centre sessions are recorded and made available afterwards for those who sign up but cannot attend in person

Facilitators