The Great Canadian Migration

Oh, the places you’ll go
My most recent pastoral ministry wrapped up after Easter 2023 with our church merging with another faithful church about an hour north of us. Since then, I have been on a sabbatical, and my family has spent our weekends visiting other faithful, Christ-exalting churches in Ontario (the kinds of churches that stayed open during COVID lockdowns and are engaging in politics and the culture). These weekends have served as an opportunity to do some reconnaissance and try to discern where the Lord might be leading my family. We do not yet know where we will be moving, but we know THAT we will be moving, and hopefully early in the Fall before the twins arrive.

Through my work with Liberty Coalition Canada, I have spent the last three years helping Christians all over the country find solid churches. I have counselled people to have Biblical priorities and lists, and I have attempted to fill good churches with like-minded people. By God’s grace, I have been able to do just that. Therefore, I would be a hypocrite if I did not heed my own advice in looking for a church community. This post will invite you into my thought process, the same process I have encouraged others to work through as they have relocated.

Allow me to get a few things out of the way. First, I am not telling you where to go to church, and I am not telling you where I will be going to church. I want to help Christians think intentionally about these things. Second, all these churches pass what I would like to call a “basic threshold test.” What I mean by that is, they possess the following already, otherwise they would not be in consideration: Elder-governed, expository preaching, Calvinistic, Complementarian, culturally and politically engaged, and they honour Christ as Lord of the State. Third, if you are considering relocating for whatever reason, I hope this helps in your decision-making process. Last, if your church does not pass the basic threshold test, you may want to consider joining a faithful body that is poised for multi-generational ministry in Canada.


Serious about education
This is one of the most important items as my wife and I consider where we move. The education of our children is paramount. I do not think I can stress that enough. Your church must take very seriously the education of its children, doing everything in its power to help parents raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Is the church connected to a classical Christian school? If not, is the church working with and equipping families to build a strong homeschool network or co-op? Does the church disciple parents to take prime responsibility for the education of their children? Any church worth considering must be doing some/all of these. Most contentious of all, if the church/leaders support public, State-funded education, cross them off your list. That is a deal-breaker.

Serious about the Kingdom
Another question to ask is how engaged is the church and its people in the public square? If the church believes it must only preach the Gospel, hide from the world in their holy huddle, and come out of their fallout shelters when the dust settles, you might as well join a Christian club at your local community centre. The Kingdom of God is bigger than the local church, and God’s people are about advancing the Kingdom while we storm the gates of Hell here on earth.

Are people in the church engaged in the political sphere? Is the church having “grown-up” conversations about who we vote for and the future of our country. Are people in the church starting businesses, taking risks, and creating masterpieces? The Lordship of Christ is to be pressed out into every area of life. Christians should make the best art, the best pizza, the best bridges, and the best cabinets. Every inch of this country belongs to Jesus, and Christians should be in the business of pursuing what is true, good, and beautiful in every sphere.


Serious about community
If there is to be any hope for the church to effectively evangelize the lost and change the culture in our country, it must begin with a community of brothers and sisters in Christ who are committed to discipleship, accountability, and friendship. Gone are the days of getting by with simply playing church. Christians must be ready to fight with and die for one another.

Is the church serious about sharpening one another to the glory of God? This looks like intimate groups, prayer gatherings, joy-filled meals, and difficult conversations when needed. Is the church ready to do whatever it must in order to care for and protect one another? We must be there to provide for one another if the worst should happen, such as job loss, disease, or even death. It should be as if the souls of the people are knit to each others’ souls (1 Samuel 18:1).


Final thoughts
There are some other things we have had to consider that I will mention here. They are important, and should be given some thought. You should weigh out the cost of living within your income and employment prospects. You should consider the geography of where you want to live and what really matters to you (e.g. access to lakes, fishing, trails for hiking, and forests). Do you have preferences for the type of corporate gathering (e.g. the songs that are sung, family integrated worship).

Make sure you spend a lot of time praying, a lot of time discussing, and a lot of time seeking wise, godly counsel. By God’s grace, Canada will have churches that are building, fighting, growing, and thriving in the decades ahead. Just make sure you are planted in one of them.