In 2024, the role of churches in Canada is being questioned in ways that reflect both the shifting societal landscape and an increasingly digitalized world. Once central pillars of community life, Canadian churches now face many modern challenges, ranging from declining attendance to the impact of digital media on how people engage with faith. Disinformation and the bending of truth, often seen at a political level especially in the United States have spilled across borders, instilling distrust not only in government but in institutions worldwide. The rise of far-right ideologies and the specter of fascism further deepen this mistrust, as these forces manipulate narratives to serve their agendas, tinting how people view government and tradition everywhere.
For much of my life, I have been career-driven, placing my faith in humanity rather than an omnipotent god. But in recent years, I’ve found myself returning to the quiet pews of the church, searching for something deeper, a sense of belonging that the screen contained world seemed to lack. Sundays have become sacred for my family, a time when my wife and I, together with our 4-year-old daughter, whose sense of community is just beginning to blossom, come to rest. In the warmth of our small church community, there’s a feeling of connection, a refuge from the constant flutter of my screens. Yet, even as I find comfort in these moments, churches like mine face trials, with one of the major challenges being financial hardship.
The Erosion of Trust in Religious Institutions
At the heart of the modern church’s challenges is a fundamental issue: trust. Over the years, trust in religious institutions has steadily declined, eroded by the church’s perceived hypocrisy, its failure to address the pressing social justice issues of our time, and its struggle to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. The digital age has only accelerated this process, making it harder for churches to control their public image and adapt to the expectations of modern congregants.
One of the greatest drivers of distrust is the gap between what religious institutions preach and what they practice. Many congregants see their churches failing to live up to the moral standards they espouse, whether through institutional scandals, inconsistent teachings, or an unwillingness to confront issues such as gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. When religious leaders fail to embody the values they promote, or when churches appear indifferent to modern justice movements, it creates a profound sense of disillusionment. For many, these inconsistencies have led to a growing skepticism about the church’s moral authority.
Furthermore, as society becomes more secular, religious institutions are seen as increasingly irrelevant. Churches that once stood as pillars of the community now struggle to engage younger generations, who often find traditional doctrines disconnected from the realities of modern life. In all countries we visited, whenever we visit a church, I am always struck by the fact that my wife and I are often the only ones lacking grey hair, and our daughter, Justice, is the only child present. The absence of youth in these spaces underscores the growing disconnection between religious institutions and the lives of younger generations. The decline in attendance reflects this widening gap, as fewer people look to churches for answers to today’s ethical and social questions. To restore trust, churches must rethink their role not as arbiters of authority, but as spaces where people can find meaning, connection, and most importantly community.
Compounding this trust erosion is the church’s perceived failure to take decisive action on the social justice issues that define the current age. Many congregants, especially younger ones, expect their religious communities to lead the charge on issues like racial justice, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Yet, when churches remain silent or slow to adapt, it signals an unwillingness to evolve with the moral imperatives of the time, driving further alienation and eroding trust.
In this context, churches face the challenge of regaining relevance and fostering community in an increasingly fragmented world. They must confront the reality that fewer people are attending services and that a growing number of individuals turn to online spaces for spiritual engagement. Yet, this shift cannot come at the cost of their core mission to serve as places of healing, compassion, and truth. If churches fail to adapt, they risk becoming relics of a past era, out of sync with the values that now drive society forward.
The Role of Churches in Today’s Digital Landscape
The rise of digital platforms has created new challenges for religious institutions, amplifying the spread of misinformation and contributing to the fragmentation of society. Churches, like many other traditional institutions, struggle to navigate this digital age, where trust can be eroded in a matter of moments, and disinformation circulates rapidly. In a world where fewer people attend services and more individuals turn to online spaces for spiritual engagement, I’m often reminded of the stark reality that when my family and I visit church, we seem to be part of a dwindling congregation. The empty pews around us reflect not just a drop in attendance, but a broader shift in how people seek meaning and community in a hyperconnected world.
For churches to remain relevant, they must evolve without losing sight of their core mission to serve as places of healing, reconciliation, and truth. It’s not enough to simply move services online or create digital outreach; the challenge lies in fostering genuine connection in an increasingly fragmented society. Faith communities must adapt to this new landscape, but this adaptation cannot come at the cost of their essence, which is to provide a moral compass and a sense of belonging in a world that is often disconnected.
Rebuilding Trust and Community
Rebuilding trust will require more than just addressing the historical wrongs that have tarnished the reputation of religious institutions. Churches must also confront the ongoing challenges posed by the digital age, where misinformation can fuel division and harm. Just as my family and I find community in our small church, religious institutions must work to recreate that sense of belonging for a broader audience, particularly those who have drifted away.
To thrive in this environment, transparency and outreach are crucial. Churches need to engage in open dialogues, not only with their congregants but with the broader society, addressing issues of justice, inclusivity, and truth. Many faith communities have already begun taking steps toward reconciliation, investing in educational efforts and building bridges with those they have historically wronged. At the same time, religious leaders must embrace the reality of a digital-first world, using these platforms to share accurate information and combat harmful narratives. By fostering a strong online presence that reflects their values of compassion and truth, churches can reach new audiences and re-establish themselves as vital spaces for community and moral guidance in an ever-changing world.
The Transformation of Religious Practices
As churches adapt their traditional practices to thrive in the digital age, many have embraced digital tools and platforms to enhance worship and foster community engagement. Traditional worship practices now evolve through live streaming, social media, and even virtual reality technologies, allowing congregants to participate in services from anywhere. The rise of hybrid church models, which blend in-person and online participation, reflects this shift, making it easier for people to connect with their faith in a more flexible way.
However, amid this digital transformation, the brick-and-mortar church must not lose its essence. In an age where screens dominate our lives, churches have the unique opportunity to become sanctuaries of community a refuge where people can disconnect from the digital noise and reconnect with the human soul. In these physical spaces, we are reminded of the power of presence, where eye contact and a shared moment of silence can transcend the shallowness of virtual interactions. Churches, at their core, should offer more than just spiritual guidance; they must be spaces where people can see and feel the warmth of community, where the bonds of connection are strengthened not through pixels, but through real, human interaction.
While digital tools are invaluable for expanding reach, engagement, and even monetization facilitating spiritual discussions, study groups, and community gatherings across vast distance even in the digital world, we are ultimately reaching out to be part of a community. Yet, places of worship must remain spaces where people come together in person to experience a deeper sense of belonging. These sacred spaces become not just virtual platforms for spiritual practice, but physical refuges for the soul, where the true essence of community can be witnessed and nurtured.
Conclusion
In the face of an ever-evolving digital age and the spread of disinformation, the future of religious institutions hinges on their ability to adapt while staying true to their core mission. The destruction of trust and acts of violence against places of worship have left deep scars, revealing the vulnerability of these institutions. Yet, amid these challenges, there is resilience faith communities, like the one my family has come to cherish, determined to persevere with unity and purpose.
I think back to when I was a kid, and my grandfather would bring us to Sunday mass every week, where we worshiped the institution and its practices. Those experiences left an imprint, but today, churches must evolve beyond simply preserving tradition. Now, more than ever, they must become places where we can worship not an institution or its digital presence, but our shared humanity. Churches need to be spaces where we disconnect from the distractions of the digital age and reconnect with each other in a deeper, more meaningful way.
For religions and denominations, this path forward requires confronting their historical roles where they once held power and control over societies. Today, their relevance depends not on authority but on their capacity to nurture a sense of love and belonging. As the world becomes increasingly fragmented, religious institutions must evolve into sources of community and healing, moving away from being pillars of command. By embracing this transformation from control to care they can continue to serve as essential spaces for faith, reconciliation, and shared humanity in an ever-changing world.
