Joel Thiessen
@joelthiessen.bsky.social
Sociologist at Ambrose University, researching congregations, religious nones, millennials, death, and more.
www.joelthiessen.ca
www.joelthiessen.ca
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
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!
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.
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 …
Lost some of my leg room …
September 10, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Lost some of my leg room …
Quiet night by the fire
September 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Quiet night by the fire
Some personal reading this Fall, with much yet to learn in many aspects of life …
September 4, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Some personal reading this Fall, with much yet to learn in many aspects of life …
Not sure I agree with everything in this book, but I do on this: the inability or unwillingness to accept that life is uncontrollable - health, work, money, relationships, etc. - results in a miserable life & even greater attempts for control, often with alienating effects on one’s self & others.
August 12, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Not sure I agree with everything in this book, but I do on this: the inability or unwillingness to accept that life is uncontrollable - health, work, money, relationships, etc. - results in a miserable life & even greater attempts for control, often with alienating effects on one’s self & others.
Next up … building on a recent article I published on #Catholics and religious transmission, plus in preparation for a public lecture I’ll deliver this Fall on the same subject.
August 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Next up … building on a recent article I published on #Catholics and religious transmission, plus in preparation for a public lecture I’ll deliver this Fall on the same subject.
I’ve been tasked to lead a session with colleagues, linking insights from my new course on Sociology of Aging with our work with students in the classroom. This thought exercise has driven me back to several sources dealing with the Sociology of Time, namely on slowing down in late modern society. 🤔
July 31, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I’ve been tasked to lead a session with colleagues, linking insights from my new course on Sociology of Aging with our work with students in the classroom. This thought exercise has driven me back to several sources dealing with the Sociology of Time, namely on slowing down in late modern society. 🤔
As prep continues for new course this Fall, #Sociology of #Aging, I’m encountering some thought provoking chapters in these edited volumes that might help students to consider this subject #theologically too. I want students to grapple with what it means to age well, sociologically & theologically.
July 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
As prep continues for new course this Fall, #Sociology of #Aging, I’m encountering some thought provoking chapters in these edited volumes that might help students to consider this subject #theologically too. I want students to grapple with what it means to age well, sociologically & theologically.
A thought-provoking read on the many layers to #pilgrimage, including social institutions, social #relationships (pilgrims, #family & friends, fellow pilgrims, volunteers, administrators), and #economics (who can afford to go, locations monetizing pilgrimage sites, refugees forced into pilgrimage).
July 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A thought-provoking read on the many layers to #pilgrimage, including social institutions, social #relationships (pilgrims, #family & friends, fellow pilgrims, volunteers, administrators), and #economics (who can afford to go, locations monetizing pilgrimage sites, refugees forced into pilgrimage).
I have a personal & professional interest in #pilgrimage. I’ve completed two shorter Christian walking pilgrimages (5-7 days, 120km+) with aspirations to do more & longer ones. And then the ties to religion, ritual, belief & community are of interest. About to read this scholarly text …
June 26, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I have a personal & professional interest in #pilgrimage. I’ve completed two shorter Christian walking pilgrimages (5-7 days, 120km+) with aspirations to do more & longer ones. And then the ties to religion, ritual, belief & community are of interest. About to read this scholarly text …
As I wade further into Sociology of Death & Dying research, I’m also reading theological materials including this book from a Catholic theologian. Material on gratitude, solidarity, humility & surrender were particularly thought provoking, with some possibilities for further empirical exploration 🤔.
June 23, 2025 at 12:32 AM
As I wade further into Sociology of Death & Dying research, I’m also reading theological materials including this book from a Catholic theologian. Material on gratitude, solidarity, humility & surrender were particularly thought provoking, with some possibilities for further empirical exploration 🤔.
Discovered at “This & That Store” (yes, the real name!) in Fogo Island, Newfoundland … might make an appearance in the Sociology of Aging course that I teach this Fall at Ambrose University.
June 20, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Discovered at “This & That Store” (yes, the real name!) in Fogo Island, Newfoundland … might make an appearance in the Sociology of Aging course that I teach this Fall at Ambrose University.
I enjoy reading how others master their craft. Sections of this book were insightful. I might assign the 25-page “Toolbox” section to my students. Some basic & significant advice to help writers of varying experience. Also, read a lot & write a lot. There is no replacement.
June 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I enjoy reading how others master their craft. Sections of this book were insightful. I might assign the 25-page “Toolbox” section to my students. Some basic & significant advice to help writers of varying experience. Also, read a lot & write a lot. There is no replacement.
June 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Finally read Joseph Blankholm’s book (on my shelf for awhile!). Very helpful description & analysis on how heterogeneous the “secular” are (e.g., gender, race, class, beliefs, practices), including useful insights on how internal & external boundaries are drawn between the “pure” & “polluted.”
June 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Finally read Joseph Blankholm’s book (on my shelf for awhile!). Very helpful description & analysis on how heterogeneous the “secular” are (e.g., gender, race, class, beliefs, practices), including useful insights on how internal & external boundaries are drawn between the “pure” & “polluted.”
Teaching a new course this Fall: Sociology of Aging. Reading preparations are well underway …
May 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Teaching a new course this Fall: Sociology of Aging. Reading preparations are well underway …
Co-authored article accepted (w/Emanuel Cusanelli,
@archckwong.bsky.social, @josephroso.bsky.social)! "Mental Health & Illness Perceptions & Experiences in Canadian Christian Congregations," based on collab. with @fcinstitute.bsky.social & @sanctuarymh.bsky.social. Stay tuned for pub. details!
@archckwong.bsky.social, @josephroso.bsky.social)! "Mental Health & Illness Perceptions & Experiences in Canadian Christian Congregations," based on collab. with @fcinstitute.bsky.social & @sanctuarymh.bsky.social. Stay tuned for pub. details!
May 22, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Co-authored article accepted (w/Emanuel Cusanelli,
@archckwong.bsky.social, @josephroso.bsky.social)! "Mental Health & Illness Perceptions & Experiences in Canadian Christian Congregations," based on collab. with @fcinstitute.bsky.social & @sanctuarymh.bsky.social. Stay tuned for pub. details!
@archckwong.bsky.social, @josephroso.bsky.social)! "Mental Health & Illness Perceptions & Experiences in Canadian Christian Congregations," based on collab. with @fcinstitute.bsky.social & @sanctuarymh.bsky.social. Stay tuned for pub. details!