News from the EFC

Defending people with disabilities

Throughout 2020 and into December the EFC and its supporters called for safeguards and limits to be maintained in Canada’s assisted death regulations. A bill proposes to extend assisted death to Canadians whose death is not “reasonably foreseeable,” including people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. In submissions to Parliament, the EFC argued it is crucial to preserve current legal safeguards to protect vulnerable Canadians. More than 50 religious leaders, including many from EFC affiliate denominations, released an open letter in October opposing Bill C-7. The federal government planned to pass this bill by Dec. 18. WWW.THEEFC.CA/C-7

Year-end videos

Two of the EFC’s recent videos are especially inspiring. Have you seen “A prayer for Christian leaders, by youth & youth leaders” and “2020 EFC annual update video”? WWW.THEEFC.CA/VIDEOS

Conversion therapy ban too broad

The EFC submitted a brief to the House of Commons Justice Committee in December regarding a bill that would ban conversion therapy. The EFC agrees with the aim to outlaw coercive, involuntary or abusive practices, but calls for changes to the overly broad definition in the legislation, warning it could limit freedom of expression and criminalize religious instruction on sexuality. WWW.THEEFC.CA/C-6

Faith formation research

The EFC is facilitating a research partnership to investigate barriers to parents’ engagement in their role as primary disciple-makers of their children. The Canadian Evangelical Family Faith Formation Study, which includes 17 EFC affiliate organizations, will also examine the roles churches and

ministry organizations might play in supporting parents as primary disciple makers of their children. WWW.THEEFC.CA/CEFFFS

Online prayer events

The EFC held a national online prayer gathering in November at the beginning of Advent. Participants joined in God-focused worship and Scripture-fed, Spirit-led prayer.

Earlier that month the EFC and the National House of Prayer held a joint online prayer initiative focused on Bill C-7, the protection of life, and those most at risk from Bill C-7, which proposes to remove legal safeguards and expand access to euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Roger Helland is the EFC’s prayer ambassador. WWW. THEEFC.CA/ROGER-HELLAND

Small church research

The EFC is facilitating a research partnership to investigate the ministry and mission opportunities small churches engage in, as well as the challenges that hinder vitality in congregational life and ministry. The Canadian Evangelical Small Church Study, which includes 11 EFC affiliate organizations, seeks to hear particularly from small church pastors or leaders who have stories to tell about the value of small churches in Canada. WWW.THEEFC.CA/CESCS

EFC speakers in your online gathering?

The EFC has local ambassadors in many Canadian provinces and expert staff on a variety of topics, from social issues such as euthanasia, refugees and prostitution to ministry issues such as adoption and youth ministry. The EFC also welcomes requests on new topics. WWW.THEEFC.CA/SPEAKERS