Reporters: So we hear that Americans are recently returning to religion, especially young people. That true? Reputable Pollsters: Nope. Reporters: Well, our vibes say yeah. So we’re just gonna do 100 articles and podcasts about how Americans are returning to religion.

Just finished #podcast on my recently co-edited book, "The Stories Congregations Tell." I was struck by the questions & implications for #church #leaders in light of empirical #data with #congregations. Stay tuned for the podcast release here & @fcinstitute.bsky.social. riverside.com/shared/snaps...

This is an excellent & short piece on faith transmission that I highly recommend #church leaders & #parents read!

Religious revival among young people in Canada? Latest media piece by reputable reporter @jdl56.bsky.social at @winnipegfreepress.com, featuring several scholars who study #religion in #Canada, including yours truly. www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

In early May, I'll begin teaching a two-week course on Aging. Here is a central thread in the course: “The most prevailing myth is that aging involves degenerative changes in our physical & psychological systems that lead, inevitably, to frailty & ultimately total dependence on others…" 1/3

Last Thursday, I spent an hour on #CBC, talking about #religious #holidays and #religion in #Canada. Listen to the hour-long call in show below. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

I suspect this will be the slide of the semester for students ... talking about peer hierarchies & school. Band pics (grade 10 drummer) & football (grade 12 quarterback). I was part of some VERY different social groups in high school 😂

Next up …

This afternoon, I joined Jill Bennett on 730 CKNW in #Vancouver to talk about #GoodFriday & #religion in #Canada. Listen to the 13 minute clip below. open.spotify.com/episode/2hfP...

I throughly enjoyed my hour-long conversation with Sue Deyell and other callers/listeners at CBC today, talking about #Easter, #religious #holidays, and many other things related to #religion in #Canada. Stay tuned for the recording!

Doing 2 radio interviews tomorrow on why people attend #church at #Easter. Curious what they’ll ask 🤔. Here’s a card someone gifted me during my doctoral research 😃. Also, my 2015 book on why people attend for religious holidays & rites of passage. And another recent book on the subject too!

With #Easter upcoming, this Thursday I'm in studio @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social for hour-long call-in show on #religious #holidays. Returns me to my 2015 book where I explored those who attend for religious holidays & rites of passage. Listen live this Thursday at 12pm MT! www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

The 'Quiet Revival' study that sparked all the recent media & church leader hype over a religious revival among young people has been RETRACTED. I'll have more to say on this as I have more time & space to do so, including on the re-framing that is occurring. www.biblesociety.org.uk/the-quiet-re...

Student presentation on #technology & #education. Student prefaces Q to me: "Back in the day was education like..." That hurt. Students heard you used to have to go to the library to find a book. I used the opportunity to tell students about dial up internet, computer labs & digitized encyclopedias.

Is Canada experiencing a religious revival among young people as is (problematically) being reported in other countries? Recent study with Canadian data puts this question to the test - www.cardus.ca/research/spi.... 1/7

A great Saturday evening, listening to jazz, reading, and warming by the fire.

Tomorrow, my #Sociology of #Education students will present on a public #school system vs school choice that includes independent schools. Here is a recent poll from @angusreidinstitute.bsky.social, showing perceptions in #Alberta on #government funding & education. angusreid.org/wp-content/u...

Join Lindsay Callaway, Senior Researcher at the The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, for an interactive 45-minute webinar about a recently released study, Women in the Canadian Evangelical Church. *This special 45-minute webinar features a guided conversation with a church leader respondent.

I enjoy taking #transit home from a late night at work where, with #jazz or #classical music in my headphones (classical tonight!), I #read & unwind. This #book is turning out to be a serendipitous read during the opening days of #Lent, though this book was not selected as a Lenten read.

My latest piece on religious transmission - aimed at parents and church leaders - based on a recent peer-reviewed article that I authored.

When you’re on drums and have practice for service mid-game, this is the only way to do it … #GoCanadaGo

Maybe I’m late to the game, but today was the first time a student called me “bruh” 🤷‍♂️😂

My article, "Your Church's Story" - based on research at @fcinstitute.bsky.social - was #14 most read article in 2025 at Faith Today. Drawing on research, this article helps #churches to tell & live their #story. www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/20...

In this infographic, Naz, undergrad assisting the IRCSF last term, summarizes some key points from Joel Thiessen's talk last November "Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem." To watch Joel's guest lecture from last November: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtMa...

Good, balanced #Canadian #journalism on the reported #religious revival among young people by @jdl56.bsky.social. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Next up (as part of one reading group that I’m part of) …

I just did another media interview w/Canadian outlet on this topic. I was impressed with the measured questions, analysis & inferences raised, where I (yet again) made a case that we should give “cause for pause” on this reported revival, building on the great work of fellow scholars of religion 👏.

“Sociological realism [vs theological or program idealism] instead summons everyone to appreciate the force of big-picture social contexts on our personal experiences and to realistically face the limits and opportunities in moving forward” (p.367). Fitting conclusion to a very useful book. 👏

In my post yesterday, I wrote, "The narrative of a religious revival in the U.K. appears to be receiving much more attention than data and commentary challenging this narrative." Here's a just published example: www.christiantoday.com/news/2025-wa...

In this infographic, Joanne, undergrad assisting the IRCSF last term, summarizes some key points from Joel Thiessen's talk last November "Planting Seeds: The Catholic Parish in the Religious Transmission Ecosystem." To watch Joel's guest lecture from last November: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtMa...

Along with many demographic & social changes, “religious self-destructions” also played a role in #religion becoming obsolete. Among many examples, “religious scandals were not the straw but the log that broke the camel’s back” (p.243). Pp.229-48 detail many of these scandals. 1/2

227 pages in. Compelling analysis on many fronts, notably on social changes that unintentionally yet powerfully contributed to #religion being obsolete for a growing segment of society. Here are 10 ways that Smith suggests the #Digital #Revolution has been corrosive to religion (p.138-149)… 1/3

For #churches who believe the right #doctrinal ideas or #programs make all the difference: “Without taking into account the larger social structures & #cultural environments within which they operate, great ideas & programs themselves may accomplish little” (p.20). Simply put, #sociology matters.

Been on my shelf for awhile & now it’s time to crack it open & read. Next up …

Among the more insightful #books I’ve read in recent years. I strongly encourage you to join this free webinar, and encourage other #church and #denominational #leaders to do likewise!

(1/3) Elina, undergrad assisting the IRCSF last term, summarizes the following from last November's talk: "Joel Thiessen discussed the concept of religious transmission ecosystems in his guest lecture...

Thesis: “A listening, receptive & responsive heart is precisely what we need as a society & as individuals to lead successful individual lives & to enjoy a successful coexistence” (p.3). 1/4

Guest lecturing this week in a “#Christianity & #Media” course. My preparations brought me back to this feature article @calgaryherald.com in December 2008 on my research as a doctoral student … that article proved pivotal to many more media & public speaking engagements throughout my career since.

From left to right, my reading list through March as I prepare to chart out a new research project in summer 2026.

Enjoyed these books, notably the top one. I may write a lengthier reflection one day. For now, reminded again of a central claim in #theology & recurring observation in my #sociological work: qualitatively different way of ‘being’ for those who concede they are not in #control of their life, God is.

Recent article on #religion in #Canada from @jdl56.bsky.social. www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

Next up …

A fitting article as #Advent reaches its peak before Christmas.

Reading with others this month, which has turned into a thought provoking read during the advent season (for those who understand the fullness of what advent is … and is not).

No shortage of current events in Alberta to inform my #Sociology of #Education course design. I want students to develop robust evidence & reasons for thinking as they do. I'm even more interested in carefully exploring BOTH sides vs researching & reinforcing what they already believe to be true.

Amy, undergrad student assisting the IRCSF this term, highlights the following finding in this poster as particularly interesting from Joel Thiessen's talk last month at St. Jerome's University:

Discover how #Quebec’s historic #churches are being reimagined as vibrant public spaces in this article by Sam Victor, anthropologist and postdoctoral researcher at McGill University.

Latest report from @pewresearch.org "shows no clear evidence of a religious revival among young adults." www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/u...

Did you miss last week’s Flourishing Forward webinar with Angela Reitsma Bick, “The Spiritual Discipline of Deconstruction,” or wish to watch it again or share with others? You can access a recording of the half-hour event here. youtu.be/r-1JlbpaC9I

Brief appearance on @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social, "The Current" (episode: 22-46min mark) - "Gen Z's Return to Religion & Faith." My thoughts on the episode: (1) Pleasantly surprised to see lengthy & positive media coverage of #Christianity in #Canada. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...