All of us like to think of our churches as safe places. Sadly, many predators take advantage of the trusting and open environment within a church. It is essential that each and every CBWC church take active steps to prevent physical, emotional and sexual abuse within our congregations.

The Preventing Abuse in the Church manual helps churches develop policies and procedures that will protect children, youth and vulnerable adults from abuse.

Read less

Lent is a time for self reflection and repentance. It begins on Ash Wednesday and runs until Maundy Thursday each year.

Resources:

—Subscribe to Biola University’s 2024 Lent Project for daily readings delivered to your email in-box here. Each day of the Lent Project features a Scripture passage, a devotional written by a member of the Biola community, a work of fine art, a poem, and a piece of music.

—Subscribe to New Leaf Network’s Meditations on Lent 2024.

CBOQ Easter Resources

—A Collection of Lent Reflections

—Recommended Books:

40 Days Living the Jesus Creed

The Art of Lent

The Seven Last Words from the Cross

Bread and Wine

Lent and Easter Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen

—Recommended Articles:

https://gravityleadership.com/how-to-lean-into-lent/

https://gravityleadership.com/how-to-fast-for-lent/

—Podcasts:

https://gravityleadership.com/podcast/why-and-how-to-fast-for-lent/

—2021 Holy Week video preaching series available here.

 

We have compiled some resources for Advent readers, Candle readings, and Christmas Eve services. Please view these on our Advent page.

Read less

Through Jesus, we are saved, transformed, forgiven, and given new life and purpose in Jesus. Baptism is symbolic of all these things and publicly shows that we’re serious about following God. Baptism is also a sign of entering the church; God adopts you as His child, giving you new brothers and sisters in the family of believers.

Because we come to faith through a free, personal decision, we practice the baptism of believers. We do not practice infant baptism, reserving baptism for adults and young people mature enough to make a fully conscious and committed decision. Following Biblical example and modeling the life, death and resurrection of Christ, we baptize by full immersion.

Here are some helps for teaching about baptism and how to enfold new children into the congregation:

Read less

Video Series Now Available!

Help your Church Board, Elders Council or Leadership Team grow in best practices for good governance and employment in your church with our new video series, coming soon for free!

This series of short videos can guide you on subjects ranging from protecting the vulnerable to filing reports with the CRA. We hope you’ll schedule a few minutes into each of your 2024/2025 Church Board Meetings to engage these brief primers on practical elements of church leadership and administration.

Visit Board Essentials page.

 

Read less

Church boards have a crucial role in the Body of Christ, as they discern God’s will for the leadership and mission of the local church. Contact your Regional Minister for support in electing a board, and download this helpful resource:

Read less

“I have so appreciated the CBWC's investment in us, as a local church and me as an individual. I still can't believe that you know my name.” -CBWC Pastor

Health and mental health issues, grief, marital stress and church conflict can all affect clergy families. Your Regional Minister is your first call for support, prayer and conversation.

If our staff are not personally equipped to help you deal with your specific struggle, we recommend connections to good resources such as books and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Telus Health One. Follow this link to find access to our Canadian Baptist Benefit Plan. Be aware of all that is offered through your EAP!

Focus on the Family has helpful Clergy Care resources, as do Faith and Health Connection, Shalem Network, and Duke Divinity School.

Read less

Is your church prepared for a crisis? In emergencies, the role of the church is elevated in the community and the church has an opportunity to share God’s love in word and deed.

Read less

Engaging Gospel: Why the Gospel is still Good News is a sermon series designed to help CBWC churches engage more deeply in understanding the Gospel for themselves in a way that might better connect with their daily communities. Visit the Engaging Gospel page for resource downloads and to join the discussion on how we as a family of churches can grow in our understanding and winsome expression of the Good News.

Read less

Century II began as a project of the Baptist Men in 1980. Since then, the campaign has expanded to include donors from the larger CBWC family. We are excited to relaunch this program under a new name, C2, inviting a whole new generation of donors.

Four times a year, we will introduce a new project—each from a different region in the CBWC. Donor’s gifts combine to provide money for projects to improve facilities or equip the church or camp for new and innovative ministry.

Donate to C2 online, or contact your Regional Office to apply your church for a grant.

Read less

Employees within the CBWC family of churches and partners have access to flexible, sustainable benefit options through the extensive Canadian Baptist Benefits Plan.

You will find a wealth of resources on the CB Benefits website including member newsletters, plan guides and booklets, as well as links to important forms.

Read less

Churches aren’t governed by the same privacy protection laws as for-profit organizations, except in British Columbia. Yet protecting the privacy of congregation members is a best practice to strive for.

The CBWC has created some resources to make it easier for churches to explain privacy legislation and its implications.

Privacy Policy Experts:
Vancouver’s First Baptist Church
Email: privacy@firstbc.org

Read less

One of the many ministry resources that the CBWC provides to its churches and pastors is our Sabbatical Leave Plan, which is understood to be leave from employment responsibilities for the purpose of personal renewal and academic pursuit. It is the responsibility of the local church to ensure pieces are in place to promote the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of its pastors as part of ongoing pastoral care.

Our Sabbatical Leave Policy explains the benefit and who is eligible to participate in the plan. The Sabbatical Withdrawal Application Form must be completed before funds can be released to the applicant. For more information, contact lhaugan@cbwc.ca.
Read less

Take up the CBWC’s offer to help you become more effective in finding and supporting staff.

Contact pastoralsettlement@cbwc.ca for detailed information, and check out the resources provided:

Human Resources Toolkit

download Download

Conflict Resolution Toolkit

download Download

Salary Grid 2025

download Download

Salary Grid Letter 2025

download Download
Read less

Cultivate the Love of Reading and Reflecting

Theology for the Ordinary is an opportunity to read and reflect on theological issues, for pastors and congregants alike. Please visit our page for more information.

Read less

The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada affirms the priesthood of all believers and fully supports women and men as being equally called for ministry. The CBWC offers women the encouragement and resources they need to grow in their love for God. Although Women in Focus is no longer a functioning committee of the CBWC, we continue to offer its training programs, Bible study materials and upcoming retreats and other events on their blog.

Read less

Formerly called the Manual for Worship & Service, this resource has been used by Canadian Baptists for decades to assist in the planning of worship services, weddings and funerals, child dedications and other key events in the life of the local church.  Much of its material continues to be invaluable for pastors today, but in this age of electronic tools, its paper format had become less useful to some.

We now present to you Common Expressionthe updated, electronic version of the former Minister’s Manual.  What is new?

Most Scripture references are now quoted in the New Living Translation, unless specifically noted.  This translation continues to grow in usage as it more easily communicates the message to listeners of all ages.

  1. Updated language for some of the liturgies and worship guides
  2. Some additional new material for sample prayers, calls to worship and removal of less useful material.
  3. Easy “cut and paste” format that allows you to extract pieces you want to put into your own documents, phones or tablets.
  4. New low price of $10.00!

*Click below to purchase your copy

 *Please note: You will be taken to the CBWC’s event registration portal to make this purchase. The event is listed as Common Expression. Please fill out all necessary fields to proceed to payment section. Once payment is received, a confirmation email will be sent to you with the downloadable link.

Read less