A two-day gathering described as “a direct dialogue between Christian leadership and Alberta’s government” is set to take place in Red Deer next month, bringing together senior politicians and pastors. The summit is prompting concern from dozens of faith leaders across the province. 

The Alberta Christian Leadership Summit, set for May 4 and 5, gives top billing to speakers Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and former federal opposition leader Preston Manning. It is organized by Michael Clark, founder and executive director of the Christian Impact Network, who describes himself as “Canada’s Political Missionary.”

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Clark also works as director of advocacy at Liberty Coalition Canada, an organization that provides Canadians “with a Christian conservative worldview of culture, law, and politics.” The coalition recruits Christian political candidates to promote laws that align with what they call “biblical principles.” 

But the framing of the conference has raised concerns among some faith leaders. More than 50 religious leaders from across Alberta released a public statement Monday questioning its scope. The signatories include clergy and lay leaders from 10 Christian denominations (among them, Rev. John Pentland, a member of Broadview’s........

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