Banff 2022

All Things New:
Embracing God-given Curiosity and Hope

As we begin to emerge from a global pandemic, many ministry leaders have felt the invitation to do a life and ministry audit to determine how to better engage with their congregation, family, neighbourhood, and self. What does it look like to flourish in this season of resettling and renewal? How might we engage with our community and cultural context in meaningful ways? What are the emerging trends in congregational life and ministry contexts in North America that can help the local congregation flourish? Where is God inviting you to be a possibility thinker? As we hold in tension the “now” and the “not yet,” God has promised that He is making all things new. What an amazing promise to hold on to when we find ourselves deep within the cycle of disruption, weariness, resettling, and being renewed!

You are invited to join other pastors (and spouses if applicable) at Banff 2022 to explore and learn together—to rest, to worship, to dine, and to dream.

This year we will also once again be offering TIMtalks (Thriving in Ministry). Join us for 5 x 14 jam packed minutes of wisdom from ministry leaders in the trenches, followed by a 1-hour facilitated and generative breakout time designed to encourage, brainstorm, collaborate and inspire towards flourishing.

Presenters: Flourishing Preaching (Jeff Gullacher) Flourishing Generations (Peter Anderson), Flourishing Relationships (Laura Nelson), Flourishing Community (Cailey Morgan), Flourishing Conversations (pending).

Dates: November 7-10, 2022
Location: Banff Springs Fairmont
Time: Check-in 4pm | Begins with Monday dinner at 5pmMST | Ends with Thursday brunch at 10am MST.
Registration: Opens July 1, Earlybird September 8, Closes October 8  
Transportation: Car Rental, Car Pooling, or Banff Airporter
Speakers: Dr. Anna Robbins, Dr. Josh Coutts, Dr. Joel Thiessen
Worship: Craig Bosnick

**Registration fees cover deeply discounted accommodations for 3 nights, meals from Monday dinner to Thursday brunch, and session fees. During registration, guests may book up to 3 extra nights at their own expense post-conference at the CBWC conference rate based on hotel availability. All accommodations are booked on your behalf via the CBWC event planner. Please note that registration fees do not include the Banff National Park Pass. Passes can be purchased HERE.

Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins

Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins serves as President of Acadia Divinity College and Dean of Theology for Acadia University. She came to faith as a child at Central Baptist Church in Saint John, New Brunswick and earned degrees at Carleton and Acadia Universities before leading in various ministry contexts in Atlantic Canada. After completing a PhD in Wales she was appointed to the faculty of the London School of Theology for twelve years, including administrative service as Vice- Principal and Acting Principal. In the UK, she also served in various leadership capacities for the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Evangelical Alliance, Tearfund, and the Baptist World Alliance. Returning to Canada in 2012, she is regarded as a vibrant speaker and visionary leader in the area of faith and culture and has a deep passion for the mission of the church. Anna lives in Wolfville with her husband Peter, their son David, and Goldendoodle Gatsby.

Dr. Joshua Coutts

Dr. Joshua Coutts is Associate Professor of New Testament at Providence Theological Seminary in Otterburne, MB. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh and has taught in theological institutions and churches across Canada and abroad. Joshua has a passion for teaching the scriptures and the conversations they generate about things that matter. He is married to Mary, and they have two young sons, Theo and James.   

Dr. Joel Thiessen

Dr. Joel Thiessen is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University, in Calgary, AB. His research centers on congregations, religious nones, and millennials. He has authored and co-authored several books, including Signs of Life (2021), None of the Above (2020), and The Millennial Mosaic (2019). www.joelthiessen.ca. 

Craig Bosnick

Craig has been pastoring and leading at Southside since 1998 equipping the church as the “Heart” Value Leader in the areas of worship and prayer (those practices that help us love God with all of our hearts). More recently he has developed a community music school called The Shire Music Centre. Craig lives with his wife Beth and their two sons in the Forest Grove neighbourhood in North Burnaby. Craig will be leading us in worship alongside a team of CBWC ministry leaders and pastors from across Western Canada.

NOTE re 2023: 
The CBWC Leadership recognizes that CBWC church budgets will face possible financial pressures over the next couple of years as congregations resettle, interest rates and inflation rise, and we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. With unexpected costs to church budgets of two in-person assemblies back-to-back, and to faithfully steward all of our joint resources well, Banff 2023 has been postponed to 2024 to allow financial margin and recovery. The CBWC Leadership also recognizes that the Banff Conference serves as an important lifeline for mental health and well-being as well as ministry sustainability. Pastors and spouses are encouraged to connect with their regional offices for possible regional retreats and resourcing offered in 2023.Assembly 2023 will also provide an opportunity for connection, encouragement, dialogue, and resourcing.