Ministry-at-Large

Flourishing Congregations Institute | Appreciative Inquiry | Church Leader Development | Pastoral Services

Introduction & Background

What does the “minister at large” designation mean? We are quick to point out that this designation does not refer to the incumbent’s physical size nor to the so designated person having just escaped from something or somewhere. There are a variety of ways the term is applied. In Keith’s case it means he does not have a particular portfolio nor is he assigned to a particular congregation; he is generally available to serve as opportunities or requests for his service arise. This is a non-remunerative role with direct responsibility with and accountability to the Office of the District Superintendent of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, Mid-west District.  Reverend Walker’s credentials are also held and renewed annually by this same Office. He considers himself “on call” to any appropriate requests for his assistance. Dr. Walker also works across denominations and internationally. 

The notion of “ministry,”whether applied to members of cabinet (provincial or federal), their respective “ministries” (i.e., education, social services), or to religious vocations (Church minister) refer to servants (ministers) or service (ministries). Keith’s long time work in ad-ministration is helpfully understood when word “ad” (in Latin: towards) and “ministration” (act of serving) is conceived as “making space and facilitating servants’ services.”

Flourishing Congregations Institute

Together with professors Joel Thiessen, Bill McAlpine, and Arch Wong, Keith is one of the founding members of the Executive Council for the Flourishing Congregations Institute.  Dr. Joel Thiessen is the Executive Director for the Institute and Turning Point Consulting Ltd. is a partner organization, with others, helping to facilitate Institute projects.  The Institute is hosted by major partner, Ambrose University, in Calgary and, since its founding, the institute has been in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan. The four researchers work with denominational and congregational leaders, research collaborators, academics and organizational partners to explore how and why some Christian congregations flourish in Canada.  The researchers have three basic research questions:

1. In what ways do varying traditions (e.g., Roman Catholic, mainline, and conservative Protestant) inform and enrich our collective understanding of flourishing congregations?

2. What roles do leaders, followers, and leadership cultures (e.g., context, values, style, structure, strategies) play in these congregations?

3. What internal and external conditions, catalysts and social – historical variables appear to contribute to flourishing congregations?

Appreciative Inquiry for Churches

Churches who wish to engage whole congregation in discernment processes, strategic planning or focus on core organizational values or principles may wish to engage Keith to facilitate one or more of these initiatives.

Church Leader Development

Keith’s ministries in faith-based settings, include: Teamship; ministry encouragement; staff assessment and learning profiles; board assessments and development; spiritual gift and volunteer engagement strategies; issue and position development; systems analysis and re-design; using community demographics and psychographics; program evaluation; community engagement and developing invitational cultures; elder, ministry area specialist and pastor coaching.

Pastoral Services