Robert Joustra, Researcher, Cardus; Rev. John Joseph Mastandrea, Minister, Metropolitan United Church, a member of the Executive for the Toronto Interfaith Council and Chair of the Advisory Committee to City Council; Rev. Brent Hawkes, Minister, Metropolitan Community Church.

Cardus recently completed a report on the relationship between churches, neighbourhoods and city building that explores the role of churches in big cities like Toronto. The heritage value of older church buildings is obviously important but how do congregations stay connected when community demographics change over time? Part of the answer may lie in the work carried out in those buildings. Toronto’s church leaders, and more recently, representatives from the broader faith community, have traditionally played an important role in how their neighbourhoods function, often by filling in the gaps between services provided by municipal governments. There are thousands of “communities” that work to make the “big community” a kinder, gentler place. How do churches and the city connect in a world that is increasingly focused on global issues? When new churches and other places of worship are conceived, do their designers emphasize the needs of the congregation or are they part place of worship and part community centre?