Dr. Michael Wilkinson follows how the Pentecostals became Canada’s largest denomination — and considers what churches and organizational leaders can learn.
In the book, After the Revival: Pentecostalism and the Making of a Canadian Church, TWU Professor of Sociology and past Director of the Religion in Canada Institute, Dr. Michael Wilkinson, together with Laurentian University historian Dr. Linda Ambrose, investigate how Pentecostals in Canada were able to move from a small revival group to become the most prominent evangelical denomination in Canada today.
This summer, Dr. Wilkinson and Dr. Ambrose co-authored an article in Faith Today magazine, focusing on the growth of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), and on the outlook for churches in the post-pandemic era.
Read Dr. Wilkinson's full article in Faith Today magazine (August 2021 Issue - page 39):
Although many churches look at the PAOC seeking to understand and learn from their successful growth, Dr. Wilkinson and Dr. Ambrose explain that their study on the PAOC was focused on organizational maintenance and polity.
“We set out to understand and document what Pentecostals in Canada did after the heady days of revival ended,” they wrote.
“We are intrigued by change over time and also by continuity.”
Together, they made three key observations surrounding church organization and strategic planning, as observed through the PAOC's history.
They conclude with their thoughts on the way forward for churches as Canada emerges from pandemic-era restrictions. “Churches would be wise to ensure they are innovative as Canadians are less inclined to look to organized religion," they write.
"We will be watching with interest to see how Pentecostals and all other expressions of Christianity in Canada attempt to flourish in the 21st century."
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