Joel Thiessen
@joelthiessen.bsky.social
Sociologist at Ambrose University, researching congregations, religious nones, millennials, death, and more.
www.joelthiessen.ca
www.joelthiessen.ca
Pinned
Joel Thiessen
@joelthiessen.bsky.social
· Jul 29
Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem - Joel Thiessen, 2025
Along with parents and schools, congregations are part of a “religious transmission ecosystem” with children. Using case study data with a Catholic parish in Ca...
journals.sagepub.com
My article, "Planting Seeds: The #Catholic #Parish in the #Religious Transmission Ecosystem" is now available. Stay tuned later this week for the release of another new article that I've co-authored! journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Still time to register for this free hybrid event on Thursday: www.ticketfi.com/event/6532/l...
Prepping for @stjeromesuni.bsky.social next week on a topic that should interest all church leaders & parents who care about passing religion on to the next generation. Exploring among Catholics w/application across Christian traditions. Register & join in person/online! uwaterloo.ca/st-jeromes/e...
Joel Thiessen | Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem | St. Jerome's University | University of Waterloo
Information on St. Jerome's University Lecture's in Catholic Experience event.
uwaterloo.ca
November 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Still time to register for this free hybrid event on Thursday: www.ticketfi.com/event/6532/l...
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Prepping for @stjeromesuni.bsky.social next week on a topic that should interest all church leaders & parents who care about passing religion on to the next generation. Exploring among Catholics w/application across Christian traditions. Register & join in person/online! uwaterloo.ca/st-jeromes/e...
Joel Thiessen | Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem | St. Jerome's University | University of Waterloo
Information on St. Jerome's University Lecture's in Catholic Experience event.
uwaterloo.ca
November 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Prepping for @stjeromesuni.bsky.social next week on a topic that should interest all church leaders & parents who care about passing religion on to the next generation. Exploring among Catholics w/application across Christian traditions. Register & join in person/online! uwaterloo.ca/st-jeromes/e...
November 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Fascinating read while away for a few days to wrap reading week. Several themes related to my Sociology of Sport class including money, politics, power, rules, media, entertainment, environmental impact & debates about “pure” sport & who gets to decide & why. #Formula1
November 16, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Fascinating read while away for a few days to wrap reading week. Several themes related to my Sociology of Sport class including money, politics, power, rules, media, entertainment, environmental impact & debates about “pure” sport & who gets to decide & why. #Formula1
Been buried under some administration-related research & writing of late. Going to mix it up now, with a book I received for my birthday back in the summer, on a sport I follow (too) closely. #Formula1
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Been buried under some administration-related research & writing of late. Going to mix it up now, with a book I received for my birthday back in the summer, on a sport I follow (too) closely. #Formula1
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Join us for our next free hybrid event with Joel Thiessen from Ambrose University titled “Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem.” 7:30pm-9pm EST on Nov. 27, 2025. Register to attend online or in-person the free event here: www.ticketfi.com/event/6532/l...
November 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Join us for our next free hybrid event with Joel Thiessen from Ambrose University titled “Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem.” 7:30pm-9pm EST on Nov. 27, 2025. Register to attend online or in-person the free event here: www.ticketfi.com/event/6532/l...
I'm looking forward to returning to my alma mater, @uwaterloo.ca, to deliver the Lectures in Catholic Experience @stjeromesuni.bsky.social on Nov.27 on religious transmission. If you're in the area, please join! Or you can register to join the livestream. uwaterloo.ca/st-jeromes/e...
Joel Thiessen | Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem | St. Jerome's University | University of Waterloo
Information on St. Jerome's University Lecture's in Catholic Experience event.
uwaterloo.ca
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I'm looking forward to returning to my alma mater, @uwaterloo.ca, to deliver the Lectures in Catholic Experience @stjeromesuni.bsky.social on Nov.27 on religious transmission. If you're in the area, please join! Or you can register to join the livestream. uwaterloo.ca/st-jeromes/e...
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Join Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor of Christian Courier Magazine, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about her book Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
*This webinar features a conversation with a church leader respondent, following the presentation.
Prep for @sssreligion.bsky.social conference in Minneapolis, including manuscripts for 3 presentations … and maybe most importantly, attire for game 6 & 7 (if necessary). Go @bluejaysbot.bsky.social!
October 29, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Prep for @sssreligion.bsky.social conference in Minneapolis, including manuscripts for 3 presentations … and maybe most importantly, attire for game 6 & 7 (if necessary). Go @bluejaysbot.bsky.social!
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
How hospitable are #congregations to #pastors? Find out in this insightful article by Margaret Clarke Counselling Department Head and Assistant Professor of Couple and Family Therapy at Briercrest College and Seminary.
How Hospitable are Congregations to Pastors? – Flourishing Congregations Institute
How hospitable are congregations to pastors? Pastors are often central in extending care and hospitality in congregations. But they need to be recipients of care by their congregations too, not just t...
flourishingcongregations.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
How hospitable are #congregations to #pastors? Find out in this insightful article by Margaret Clarke Counselling Department Head and Assistant Professor of Couple and Family Therapy at Briercrest College and Seminary.
Just released news article in @cdnaffairs.bsky.social, featuring yours truly along with good friends and colleagues at @nonreligioncf.bsky.social - www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/10/13/t...
The surprising characteristics of non-religious Canadians
Religious 'nones' are Canada’s second largest group after Christians. But their beliefs are more diverse than their name implies
www.canadianaffairs.news
October 15, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Just released news article in @cdnaffairs.bsky.social, featuring yours truly along with good friends and colleagues at @nonreligioncf.bsky.social - www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/10/13/t...
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Ross Lockhart, “Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City
YouTube video by Flourishing Congregations Institute
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Ross Lockhart, “Minority Report: Christian Witness in a Secular City,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here.
Thoughtful piece in @calgaryherald.com by John Pentland. He invites us to use this question when dialoguing with those we disagree with: “Help me understand your point of view.” calgaryherald.com/life/christi...
'Christianity has been distorted to fit political agendas': Pentland
Charlie Kirk service can serve as a reminder to do better in the world and love your neighbours
calgaryherald.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Thoughtful piece in @calgaryherald.com by John Pentland. He invites us to use this question when dialoguing with those we disagree with: “Help me understand your point of view.” calgaryherald.com/life/christi...
Great article on some of the problems, explanations & possible paths forward regarding religious transmission. Though specific to Catholics, many areas of relevance beyond too. churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/a-s...
Religious Transmission: A Solution to the Church's Biggest Problem
Bullivant and Rota on disaffiliation.
churchlifejournal.nd.edu
September 27, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Great article on some of the problems, explanations & possible paths forward regarding religious transmission. Though specific to Catholics, many areas of relevance beyond too. churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/a-s...
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Canadian opinion about the U.S. is at the lowest point since
@pewresearch.org started asking in 2002.
34% of Canadians have a positive view of the United States, down 20 points since last year.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
@pewresearch.org started asking in 2002.
34% of Canadians have a positive view of the United States, down 20 points since last year.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
September 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Canadian opinion about the U.S. is at the lowest point since
@pewresearch.org started asking in 2002.
34% of Canadians have a positive view of the United States, down 20 points since last year.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
@pewresearch.org started asking in 2002.
34% of Canadians have a positive view of the United States, down 20 points since last year.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
Excited to begin reading this new book, harkening back to research I did over a decade ago with ‘marginal affiliates’ & wrote about in my 2015 book, “The Meaning of Sunday.”
September 15, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Excited to begin reading this new book, harkening back to research I did over a decade ago with ‘marginal affiliates’ & wrote about in my 2015 book, “The Meaning of Sunday.”
A word to the wise: “I have often regretted the things I have said, but I have never regretted my silence” (p.4). Makes me think of Proverbs 17:28 that it is better to be thought a fool than proven a fool.
September 14, 2025 at 2:11 PM
A word to the wise: “I have often regretted the things I have said, but I have never regretted my silence” (p.4). Makes me think of Proverbs 17:28 that it is better to be thought a fool than proven a fool.
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
How religion declines in Canada
www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...
Story based on our paper www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...
Story based on our paper www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Paper outlines the three stages of global religious decline
www.winnipegfreepress.com
September 14, 2025 at 4:37 AM
How religion declines in Canada
www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...
Story based on our paper www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...
Story based on our paper www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reading this next with some colleagues …
September 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reading this next with some colleagues …
Book not what I expected. 3 insights. 1) FAITH rooted in belief in/of something unconditionally as real & true on the testimony of another, God. 2) HOPE grounded in humbly & fearfully acknowledging we’re created by & thus separate from God …
September 13, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Book not what I expected. 3 insights. 1) FAITH rooted in belief in/of something unconditionally as real & true on the testimony of another, God. 2) HOPE grounded in humbly & fearfully acknowledging we’re created by & thus separate from God …
Reposted by Joel Thiessen
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Join Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, for an interactive half-hour webinar about his recently released book, West Coast Mission: The Changing Nature of Christianity in Vancouver. Attend this webinar to learn about how Christians are sharing the gospel.
Lots at the surface in the #world: politics, polarization, violence, religion, inequality, education, health, aging, environment & more. I'm thinking back to 2013 quotation from #Canada's PM: "this is not a time to commit sociology." It's always time to commit #sociology 😉 www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Harper on terror arrests: Not a time for 'sociology' | CBC News
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says now is not the time for "sociology," in response to questions about the arrests this week of two men accused of conspiring to carry out an attack on a Via passenger ...
www.cbc.ca
September 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Lots at the surface in the #world: politics, polarization, violence, religion, inequality, education, health, aging, environment & more. I'm thinking back to 2013 quotation from #Canada's PM: "this is not a time to commit sociology." It's always time to commit #sociology 😉 www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Excited about the excellent line up this year. Register today and spread the word!
Curious about what helps #Canadian congregations flourish forward in ministry? Join Canadian researchers and #church leaders for four half-hour webinars on topics intended to help congregations flourish. Learn about the Flourishing Forward Webinar series and save your spot by visiting our website.
Upcoming Events – Flourishing Congregations Institute
flourishingcongregations.org
September 10, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Excited about the excellent line up this year. Register today and spread the word!