Matthew Puddister, Author at Anglican Journal

Demographic, cultural changes key to declining church membership: Sociologist of religion

Matthew Puddister January 2, 2020

Shifting immigration patterns and broader social changes are key factors in declining membership within the Anglican Church of Canada, according to a sociologist who studies religion in Canada. But while many Protestant denominations face similar challenges, growing congregations also exist within these traditions that share a number of common features.

‘Green shoots’: Community outreach fuels thriving congregations

Matthew Puddister January 2, 2020

Newly released statistics showing that the church’s membership has continued to fall since 2001 have drawn new attention to the outliers of this trend—parishes and congregations across the country that are thriving.

Amidst rising global conflict, Anglicans work for peace on earth

Matthew Puddister December 18, 2019

Through participation in Project Ploughshares and activism in their churches and communities, Canadian Anglicans are living out the call of the Marks of Mission “to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.”

The unpaid labourers

Matthew Puddister December 10, 2019

In Indigenous communities, non-stipendiary clergy tread vast, challenging mission fields, juggling pastoral obligations and putting food on the table Straddling the shores of the Winnipeg

St. Nicholas: A legendary figure with contemporary relevance

Matthew Puddister December 5, 2019

The name of St. Nicholas is commonly associated with the Christmas season, but popular imagination is likely to picture him less as a saint wearing bishop’s robes and more as a plump, jolly man in a bright red suit.

Leading Women to leadership: Binational conference inspires ordained Anglican women to break ‘stained glass ceiling’

Matthew Puddister December 3, 2019

Dozens of ordained women from the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church gathered together Oct. 8-10 for the Leading Women conference, an all-women meeting at the Mundelein Seminary in Chicago that sought to encourage women in church leadership.

National Youth Project inspires homelessness education

Matthew Puddister November 18, 2019

Welcome … Home, the National Youth Project (NYP) for 2018-2020 focused on homelessness and affordable housing, is moving ahead with a new website and multiple new resources available online.

Church engagement with veterans ‘primarily ad hoc’: Bishop ordinary

Matthew Puddister November 7, 2019

Active members of the Canadian Forces (CF) have the benefit of military chaplains, including many Anglican chaplains, to provide pastoral and spiritual care to them and their families. But what happens when those members leave the military?

Indigenous midwives exchange knowledge: PWRDF program shares best practices from Canada, Mexico and Peru

Matthew Puddister November 6, 2019

Earlier this year, Indigenous midwives from Canada, Mexico and Peru came together for two gatherings as part of a three-year pilot project, in which PWRDF is providing more than $100,000 to facilitate the exchange of knowledge by midwives in all three countries.

Queer hymn collection offers ‘much-needed’ resource for LGBTQ+ Anglicans and allies

Matthew Puddister October 24, 2019

Produced by a volunteer committee from the Hymn Society, an ecumenical non-profit association that seeks to promote congregational singing, Songs for the Holy Other includes almost 50 “queer hymns” by and for individuals who identify with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

Election resources go ecumenical

Matthew Puddister October 16, 2019

Anglicans casting a ballot in Canada’s federal election on Oct. 21 will find a range of ecumenical resources to help them learn more about the issues and converse with candidates.

Challenges draw Trinity and Wycliffe closer

Matthew Puddister October 8, 2019

Among the various display booths spread throughout the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre at General Synod 2019, guests and delegates passed one that bore testament to a new spirit of collaboration between two prominent Anglican seminaries in Toronto.

General Synod votes to review governance structures

Matthew Puddister September 24, 2019

An amended motion for a constitutional review passed on the last day of General Synod 2019, setting the stage for a thorough examination of the body’s governance structures.

Marriage vote failure ripples through church

Matthew Puddister September 4, 2019

General Synod’s failure to pass a resolution to amend the marriage canon to expressly allow solemnization of same-sex marriage, followed by a communiqué from the House of Bishops effectively commending diocesan-based decisions on the matter, has triggered a wave of responses across the Anglican Church of Canada.

Matthew Puddister

ARTICLES

Demographic, cultural changes key to declining church membership: Sociologist of religion

‘Green shoots’: Community outreach fuels thriving congregations

Amidst rising global conflict, Anglicans work for peace on earth

The unpaid labourers

St. Nicholas: A legendary figure with contemporary relevance

Leading Women to leadership: Binational conference inspires ordained Anglican women to break ‘stained glass ceiling’

National Youth Project inspires homelessness education

Church engagement with veterans ‘primarily ad hoc’: Bishop ordinary

Indigenous midwives exchange knowledge: PWRDF program shares best practices from Canada, Mexico and Peru

Queer hymn collection offers ‘much-needed’ resource for LGBTQ+ Anglicans and allies

Challenges draw Trinity and Wycliffe closer

General Synod votes to review governance structures

Marriage vote failure ripples through church

Climate change in the North

Faith, Worship, and Ministry resolutions passed at General Synod

Prayer for reconciliation with the Jews passes first reading at General Synod

Church grapples with pain after marriage canon vote—with new developments possible

Marriage canon amendment fails to pass at General Synod

General Synod hears complex ‘lessons learned’ from Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement