Christianity in Canadian context finds itself somewhere in between secularised Europe and the dominance Christian culture still holds in the United States of America. Canada is decidedly post-Christian in its secularised public life, but almost a third of the country is still committed to organised religious practice while another third is practising private spirituality.<\/a>[1] The National calendar still observes traditional Christian holidays and the foundational values provided by a Christian ethic continue to undergird much legislation including loving one\u2019s neighbour by making room for the \u2018other\u2019 and minority religious practices and perspectives. As is the case with the majority of western nations, Canadian Christianity has had an uncomfortable marriage with capitalism. But if Walker is correct, the free market of capitalism may be nearing an end as the world begins to feel the limits of expansionism and planetary resources, not to mention the social consequences of unchecked consumption.<\/a>[2] The lingering connection to Christian faith, and Christ\u2019s example of self-denial for the betterment of the whole, offers a possible way forward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simon P. Walker is a British researcher and writer with a background in both biology and theology who examines leadership from the perspective of Human Ecology theory. This perspective takes into account the biological, social and environmental influences on societal makeups and cycles.<\/a>[3] He observes that \u201cWestern society has systematically undermined its own social, moral and economic foundations over the last century. The result is an inevitable fracture of its internal fabric, and an instability that threatens even more catastrophic collapse unless it is remedied as a matter of urgency. The ground beneath us has already shifted and we are witnessing the first signs of subsidence.\u201d<\/a>[4] Unrestrained consumption has put pressure on the planet and increased social unrest in the majority world. The combination is resulting in increasing numbers of migrants and refugees seeking new opportunities in the greater stability of western nations, including Canada. Walker suggests that \u201c[w]hat we need now is greater honesty about what lies in store for us, rather than desperate prevarication in the hope that some other politician or government will have to break the bad news.\u201d<\/a>[5] In the the social ecology spiral that Walker outlines, I want to flesh out two key opportunities for the church to offer relevant and needed input.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first opportunity lies in the radical sector. This is the place where the search for foundational meaning happens. The Protestant work ethic was a key contributor to capitalism, but must be replaced by other key narratives if Christian faith is to offer vision for the next social-economic framework. This narrative must privilege a deep valuing of familial connections, with space for that to be locally nurtured in reimagined family-like social groupings. We must tell a new story of what constitutes health and well being such that it is no longer measured by financial stability and imperial expansion, but instead by relational embededness and material self-control. \u00a0Hyper-individualism sustained by general affluence is contributing to the mental health crisis facing this generation, thus material minimalism might actually increase mental well-being. \u201cOur society needs a distinctive spiritual voice to inform our moral narrative.\u201d<\/a>[6] This morality must reject the value of work for the purpose of competition; that is, an ever expanding economy and instead embrace work as an act of gently engaging the environment and one another towards the higher goal of relational thriving.\u201cCollectivism cannot be simply another reaction to individualism: it needs to become the prevailing paradigm within which we understand currency, value and growth.\u201d<\/a>[7] Already \u201c[h]igher levels of belief are correlated with higher levels of personal happiness, charitable giving, volunteerism, and overall community engagement\u201d<\/a>[8]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n