On Friday, September 27, Rev. Kenn Ward was presented with the Canadian Christian Communicators Association (CCCA) Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with Canada Lutheran – the official magazine publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
The award is the first of its kind and will be bestowed annually to honour and recognize an individual that has provided significant contribution to the cause of Christian communication throughout his/her lifetime.
“Kenn’s profound knowledge of the church, his deep connection to its people, and his unwavering commitment to sharing the stories, partnerships and missions of our community has been extraordinary,” CCCA president Ken Ramstead shared at the celebratory luncheon.
“He didn’t just edit a magazine, he amplified the heart and soul of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, connecting congregations and inspiring readers and leaders.”
Ward served as the editor of Canada Lutheran for two 10+ year stretches (1991-2003, 2013-2024), where he worked passionately to oversee 193 issues, helping shape the voice of the ELCIC in a meaningful and impactful way.
“I am still flabbergasted, I simply did what I really loved doing,” Ward said when presented with his plaque.
“I realized that the reason it worked is because of the hundreds of people over the years who made it possible to do what I do. They have prodded me, inspired me and supported me along the way. I am very honoured, so thank you very much. I certainly did not expect this but appreciate the recognition.”
Over the years, Ward’s editorial work with Canada Lutheran earned many national awards from the CCCA – previously known as the Canadian Church Press.
Although he began with the ELCIC’s national magazine in Sept. 1991, Ward’s time as editor dates back much further than the ELCIC. Before the ELCIC existed, Canada Lutheran had been the publication of Lutherans in Eastern Canada, beginning in roughly the 18th century. When the ELCIC was formed, the title was gifted to its new magazine.
“I had had a bit of experience with a high school publication. When I was serving the Listowel Ontario Parish a new editor for the synod’s Canada Lutheran was needed. I volunteered and continue to commute to Kitchener once a week to edit it. This continued well into my ministry as pastor of Good Shepherd, Toronto.”
After using Ward’s writing in his ‘new’ magazine in the late 1980s, Canada Lutheran’s first editor, Rev. Ferdy Baglo encouraged him to study magazine editing at Ryerson University.
“However when the job came up, I realized that my love was in serving as a parish pastor,” he said. “As a matter of fact, I had persuaded somebody else to apply for the editor’s position. Jim Taylor of Woodlake Books, a mentor and friend, asked me if I was applying, When I said that my first love was being a parish pastor, he said, ‘Think of it this way. Now the whole church will be your parish.’ And so I applied.”
Ward’s proudest accomplishments with the magazine are not individual awards or accolades, but rather the leadership, education and lived experience that he has been able to provide others during his time as editor.
“That was a principle for me. If I met you, I was looking for a possible way of telling your story,” Ward said. “I also wanted to make sure we were accessible and not too academic sounding for the average person.”
“I tried to help our church tell its story to itself, and in doing so, I wanted to make sure I told the full story, not just the positive stuff, but the whole picture. I wanted to make sure everybody had a voice, not just the people I agreed with.”
With the March 2024 issue having been his last, next up is a lifestyle with fewer pressing deadlines. Currently in the process of downsizing, his wife Diane and he are busy packing boxes as they prepare to move into a new 55+ residence.
“Where we’re moving, a lot of us already know each other,” Ward said. “It will be a new venture, but we’re forming a new community and waiting to see what will come out of that. There’s a lot of wonderful people there and I’m just going to be open to a new way of enjoying life.”
