A Milestone for Missional Dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada
Two years ago, a vision was born. Emily Hill and I recognized the urgent need to cultivate a missional imagination within the parishes and missions of our diocese. Soon, a conversation was struck up to explore this potential with other diocesan missioners in the Anglican Church of Canada. We wanted to create a space where Anglicans could explore, reflect, and engage with mission initiatives, innovating ways to renew and transform church communities through intentional engagement with those who had no experience of Christianity and those who had left churches. What started as a dream became a reality on January 30 and February 1, 2025, with the launch of one of the first specifically mission-focused conferences for the Anglican Church of Canada.
The Missional Imagination Conference was made possible as a collective effort. A common vision through the support and collaboration of the diocesan missioners and directors of congregational development from the Anglican dioceses of Niagara, Toronto, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and Kootenay. This collaboration provided a robust foundation for the event, ensuring a wide-reaching impact across the country. The participation and enthusiasm of diocesan leaders and missioners highlighted a shared commitment to reimagining mission and revitalizing the church.
The conference proved to be an inspiring and engaging event that brought together 97 attendees with 15 speakers, all dedicated to fostering a missional mindset within the Anglican Church of Canada. It was designed as a fusion of TED-style talks from overseers, diocesan missioners, and practitioners leading specific mission initiatives. The dynamic format allowed for a rich exchange of ideas and experiences, offering both theological insights and practical applications for local mission efforts.
Some key themes explored during the conference included:
- The role of missional communities in revitalizing Anglican parishes.
- Mixed ecology models—blending traditional and emerging church expressions.
- Theological reflections on mission in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
- The Missional Journey as a theoretical basis for the practice of mission.
- Practical case studies of mission initiatives in Canada.
The differing speakers and topics ensured that attendees gained not only inspiration but also tangible strategies for their own ministry contexts.
One of the most exciting outcomes of the conference was the emergence of a growing new Anglican missional network within the Anglican Church of Canada. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about the future of mission, forming connections that will extend well beyond the event itself. This network has the potential to become a collaborative and supportive community, empowering Anglican missioners—whether they are leading specific mission projects or working within traditional parish structures—to share wisdom, resources, experiences, and encouragement.
Our hope is that this conference will serve as a catalyst for further development of missional initiatives across Canada. We hope that the event will envision future conferences becoming increasingly diverse and inclusive, drawing participation from missioners of specific projects, mixed ecology parishes, and those pioneering new ways of being church.
The success of this inaugural event demonstrates that there is a deep hunger for missional imagination within the Anglican Church of Canada. As we continue to build on this momentum, we look forward to seeing new mission expressions emerge, parishes transformed, and church communities revitalized through the power of imaginative and Spirit-led missions.
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey. May the Missional Imagination Conference continue to inspire and equip Anglicans across Canada for the vital work of mission in the 21st century.
To keep up with what seems to be developing, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/accmissionalnetwork/
Missional Stewardship: Our Primary Business