ChristianWeek year in review

CW Staff

New Westminster and beyond

Turmoil in the Anglican diocese of New Westminster (B.C.) is causing distress at the highest levels of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Despite staunch opposition, Bishop Michael Ingham officially sanctioned a blessing for same-sex couples in May. Yukon Bishop Terry Buckle attempted to help, but after months of tension withdrew his offer of alternative oversight for those rejecting Ingham’s leadership. Meanwhile, confrontations over same-sex issues continue at the international level. Adding to the problem was the November 2 consecration of openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson in New Hampshire.

Marriage at the crossroads

Thousands of Canadians of all faiths voiced their support for the traditional definition of marriage as one man and one woman for life in the face of pending legislation sanctioning same-sex unions. The federal government began cross-country hearings in early spring on the issue. Meanwhile pro-family groups laboured to convince the courts to maintain the definition, sending out petitions and organizing rallies, some drawing several thousand people and many taking place at offices belonging to Members of Parliament. However, both the Ontario and B.C. Courts of Appeal ruled the current definition of marriage is unconstitutional and ordered Parliament to change it.

Good news for all

Thousands of Canadians took part in the national "Invite the Nation" Alpha initiative, linking hundreds of groups that introduce people to basic Christianity. Hundreds more attended La Danse, a dance and drama production that toured the country with a message of reconciliation between French and English people. Jews for Jesus in Toronto conducted a major public evangelism campaign, encountering serious opposition from groups upholding traditional Judaism. In November, the annual national Church Planting Congress (Outreach Canada) encouraged leaders to get back to the basics when it comes to evangelizing the post-modern world.

Education in flux

Universities and colleges across the country prepared for an overflow of students this fall following the elimination of Grade 13 in Ontario. Christian organizations promoted the idea of taking a year of discipleship training or missions instead. Canadian Bible College moved its campus from Regina to Calgary, while Prairie Grad School in Three Hills, Alberta, shut down suddenly, shocking students and supporters with its plan to refocus on intercultural missions. Master’s College and Seminary prompted a rash of complaints about a lack of due process and miscommunication as the college moved its operations to Toronto and leased its Peterborough campus. The celebration was short-lived for Christian schools in Ontario when the provincial government passed the Education Tax Credit for private religious schools, but rescinded the decision in late November.

Plagues and pestilence

Christian organizations, churches and individuals were quick to give aid as the country reeled under the effects of SARS and Mad Cow Disease. Christians were prominent on the frontlines helping those caught in raging wildfires in the interior of British Columbia and when Hurricane Juan devastated the Maritime coast. Volunteers also took part in relief efforts during spring flooding in Badger, Newfoundland and during a massive blackout in Ontario in August.

Homosexuality challenges free expression

Christian groups sounded the alarm as Bill C-250 made its way through the legislative process. The bill calls for inclusion of homosexuals under the protection of the federal hate-crimes act. Some fear this will impose severe restrictions on those opposing homosexuality and could lead to banning religious texts as hate literature. Already, several Members of Parliament who spoke out against same-sex marriage and homosexuality have been reprimanded. Meanwhile, the Surrey, B.C. school board continued to fight with the courts over books for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students depicting same-sex families, and the B.C. Teachers’ Federation suspended teacher Chris Kempling for making public statements opposing homosexual practice.

Christian media and entertainment grow

The Christian media and entertainment industry continues to prosper. This year saw the production of two major Christian films-The Gospel of John was produced in Canada, while elsewhere Mel Gibson directed The Passion. Garden City Pictures in Niagara Falls, Ontario launched its first film, marketed to churches. In the Canadian music industry, the annual Vibe Awards expanded and announced plans to move from Calgary to Toronto next year. Radio also expanded-a new Christian station opened in Whitehorse; United Christian Broadcasters’ high power station in Belleville, Ontario went on the air; and Faith FM in Kitchener prepared to launch. On the newspaper side, Calgary’s City Light News changed ownership, while ChristianCurrent Manitoba launched in November, joining a network of three other CC papers.

And in other news…

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada played host to the international Lutheran World Federation assembly in Winnipeg July 21-31. The conference happens every six years and was held in Canada for the first time since its inception in 1947. Elsewhere it was a hard year for missionaries-Winnipegger Alana Fife died in a flash flood while serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Java, and Calgary missionary Bruce Balfour was imprisoned in Lebanon, accused of being a spy for Israel. He was released weeks later. War raged in the Middle East as the U.S. declared war on Iraq, while Canadian church and ministry organization representatives made a trip to Africa to view the AIDS crisis firsthand. In November, Fellowship Baptists once again made gender and ministry roles a flashpoint issue.