VISION IS A CLEAR MENTAL PICTURE OF A PREFERABLE FUTURE
Week 7: Remembering our Recent FMCiC Journey
PRAYER! I have tried to attend the daily 30-minute national Zoom prayer time hosted by our National Prayer Team. The smallest group that I have been a part of was 14 people! I love that a prayer time which was supposed to be daily for one week in January has turned into a prayer time we have continued to run! Try to commit to one weekly. Here are the times (ET – NOON; NST – 1:30 PM; AST – 1:00 PM; CST – 11:00 AM; MST – 10:00 AM; PST – 9:00 AM) and the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83398497735
REMEMBERING: The BOA commissioned TASK FORCES to look in at ourselves and then look outwards to see how we can be more effective ministers of the Gospel – more Jesus-like. Each of these task forces will bring reports to General Conference Thursday April 25 – Sunday April 28, 2024, in Mississauga, Ontario (we did a cost analysis for hosting a General Conference in the West. We hope to have General Conference 2027 in Calgary!).
a) Pastors and members were asking me about our relationship with the LGBTQ2S+ community. They were asking because the world was asking, neighbours were challenging us, and our own families were being confronted with the question. We had begun to talk about this several years ago, at a previous General Conference, but had spoken very little about it since that time. One of our churches was quite conflicted because of a staff issue related to this, but we did not consider at the time that there would be others and other situations like this. But, of course there are many questions now, therefore we have to talk about it. We need to remember what we believe, which is the traditional understanding of singleness and marriage, but of course, we need to learn how to lovingly live into what we believe. Be Jesus-like.
b) Mr. George Floyd was murdered. This caused us to ask important questions about ourselves as a movement. Who are we? What is true or not true about how we do things and say things and believe? We, therefore created a RACIAL JUSTICE & ETHNIC EQUITY TASK FORCE. Another excellent representation of Free Methodists from across the country who have come together to help us live more fully into practical holiness.
The BOA and I have heard and experienced criticism about these two task forces, not many or much, but some. FMCiC family angrily calling us “liberal” or on the other extreme, “closed minded” (or worse). I have heard the accusation that we are on a slippery slope (like the United and Anglican churches) and that “these task-forces are unnecessary”! We are not on a slippery slope path away from the Gospel. The journey of those two other denominations is foundationally and essentially different than ours. Our journey is in tandem with almost every other evangelical denomination in Canada! It is a journey that is all about truth and love, not veering from our current doctrines, but lovingly living into them. Being Jesus-like.
I have heard a few times now, disparaging remarks about FMCiC pursuing reconciliation efforts with our indigenous brothers and sisters. I personally find it baffling that ‘church people’ who are supposed to be ministers of reconciliation, people of justice and people of peace, would not fully embrace this opportunity to LEARN, BEFRIEND, and PURSUE JUSTICE. Again, being Jesus-like.
I had someone say (not an FM’er) that he had never seen racism in the church or even in his community “for that matter”. He was not a hateful man, he just wasn’t aware. When I told him some of the stories that I had heard from members of local FM churches, he humbled-up, a little. “I didn’t know”, he finally said. “Exactly”, I said.
In last week’s Cliffs Notes, I posted an interview, where my friend Yolande, challenged the FMCiC to get to know someone different from themselves. Make the courageous effort to befriend someone who looks different than you and comes from a different place than you. A wonderful challenge FMCiC. Would love to hear your stories…
c) Finally, we need to wonder about children and young people in our church life. We know that they are leaving (as they are in every church) but perhaps we can discern a path forward that changes this trend. Perhaps there are resources for children’s pastors and workers, and youth pastors and workers that the FMCiC can help with. We created the INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY TASK FORCE. Another wonderful group of FM’ers.
Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
2nd Tuesday of each month: What’s Got You Thinking?
(New editions of ‘What’s Got You Thinking?’ will resume a little later in the year)
Check out all the latest photos from around the FMCiC here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Christopher Walls – status changed from “In Transition” to “Released for Service Beyond the Denomination-Institute for Community Transformation (Frontier Ventures), Pasadena, CA”, effective February 17.
ORDINATION SERVICES
None scheduled
2023 FMCIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM https://fmcic.ca/intern-prog/
The FMCiC Internship Program exists to build healthy leaders for The Free Methodist Church in Canada and beyond. We invite any local church interested in participating in the FMCiC internship program to review the detailed information on the website (see link above) and apply online. The deadline to apply for a 2023 FMCiC-sponsored internship is FEBRUARY 28, 2023.
Tyndale University’s Annual Wesley Studies Symposium is taking place on April 25, and once again the Lorne Park Foundation is sponsoring Free Methodist attendance.
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Bastian Chair of Wesley Studies at Tyndale. We are celebrating with keynotes from the two previous Chairs: Victor Shepherd and Howard Snyder. We’ll be exploring the theme, “Heritage and Hope: Wesleyan Wisdom for the Future of Ministry.”
This will be a hybrid event, so you can join via livestream if you aren’t able to make the trip to Toronto.
The Lorne Park Foundation is covering in-person registration for up to 25 Free Methodists. Both ministers and lay people are eligible. Click here to apply for a ticket through Lorne Park (don’t register through the Tyndale website if you are taking this option). The deadline to apply is MARCH 31: https://fmcic.wufoo.com/forms/wesley-studies-symposium-april-25-2023/
If you are going to attend online, registration is $25 +HST and you can do so here: https://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/wesley-studies/annual-symposium
This symposium is worth 6 hours of required Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Ordained and Commissioned Ministers, whether you attend in-person or online.
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES http://www.fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/
Register online through the link above (Tuition payment is not required when registering for a course. Payment is due 10 days before the course begins.)
Lay Ministers tracking for credentialed ministry and those transferring ordination credentials into the FMCIC need to take the following two courses for full credit – and if possible, the Heart course first and then Wesleyan Theology.
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
June 2-4, 2023 – Uxbridge FMC, Uxbridge, ON
Wesleyan Theology:
November 3-5, 2023 – location TBA*
Also available:
- Tyndale University – https://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/wesley-studies
- Free Methodist Church-USA NEW! Anytime on Pathwright (multiple instructor choices)
- Self-paced, up to 8 months to complete
- 16-week intensive version, select Instructor Vaughan (session start dates: Feb. 27, May 1, June 26, Aug. 21, Oct. 16)
- Central Christian College Feb/23 online, 6 weeks, asynchronous
- Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University
Ministerial Candidates tracking for Commissioned or Ordained Minister are required to take the following two courses for full credit. Those who are already commissioned or ordained are required to either audit these two courses for 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) each or take the two courses and complete the assignments for 3 CEUs each.
Culture and the Missional Church:
Date and location TBA*
Personal Stewardship:
5-week online course – Start Date TBA
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
2023 SCHOLARSHIPS:http://www.fmcic.ca/scholarships/
LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP PLAN (LSP) [APPLY TWICE PER YEAR]:
[PLEASE NOTE: The FMCiC preference for LSP is for students to attend one of the approved schools on this list. However, if you decide to apply to a non-approved school, you must first send a request to the Credentialing Coordinator to determine whether the committee will approve funding for you to study at a non-approved school. Along with your request, please include a written explanation as to why you are choosing to study at a non-approved institution. It is strongly recommended that you do this before paying tuition, and well in advance of the LSP deadline. The Credentialing Coordinator, along with the LSP committee, will consider each request individually and according to LSP policy.]
The Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) provides financial assistance to candidates who are studying to meet the educational requirements for credentialed ministry, or for members of conference pursuing continuing education.
October 15 is the next deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the spring, summer and/or fall semesters of 2023. The 2023 application forms and instructions are now available to download from the link above. Please use the application forms marked “rev 2023.”
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS [APPLY ONCE PER YEAR]:
The Special Scholarships provide financial assistance to those who are members of a Free Methodist church pursuing post-secondary education to grow in their Christian faith, to those who are pursuing credentialed ministry, and to members of conference pursuing continuing education.
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during the 2023 calendar year – apply online anytime from the link above. Special Scholarships are awarded in late November/early December each year.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEU’S) https://www.fmcic.ca/introduction-to-continuing-education/
Ordained and Commissioned Ministers (except retirees) are to annually report hours acquired during each year for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Check the link above for information on CEUs, and a list of examples of many different types of life-long learning that can be applied as CEUs.
You can now send a report online anytime you have hours to submit for CEUs. Here is the link: https://fmcic.wufoo.com/forms/continuing-education-unit-ceu-report-form/
Note: For those who attend the fall Minister’s Conferences or the spring Regional Gatherings, attendance is now taken at these events so 6 hours of CEU credit for each event will automatically be recorded.
For those who took courses and/or did in-depth research and learning about how to make the changes required during the pandemic (ie how to live-stream services), add the number of those hours to your annual CEU report.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Bracebridge, ON – New Hope FM Church
Kingston, ON – Polson Park FM Church
Madoc, ON – Madoc Free Methodist/Wesleyan Church
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FM Church
Church Profiles Available
Contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] (deadline to apply in brackets)
Brampton, ON – Bramalea FM Church (part-time) [April 18]
Hilton Beach, ON – St. Joseph Island FM Church (full-time) [March 28]
Salmon Arm BC – Lakeside Community Church (full or part-time – negotiable) [March 21]
Sarnia, ON – New Horizons Community Church (full-time) [February 21]
Sault Ste Marie, ON – Hillside FM Church (full-time) [February 21]
Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church (full-time) [March 28]
Preparing Profiles
If you are interested in seeing the profile for any of these churches, please contact Davika in the Leadership Development Office [see above] and the profile will be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available.
Brantford, ON – The Open Door Church (Rev. Greg Pulham – retiring Apr 30)
Campbellford, ON – Campbellford FM Church (Rev. Leonard Bruce – Interim Pastor)
Cloyne, ON – Pineview FM Church
Dunnville, ON – Dunnville FM Church (Rev. Neale Robb – Interim Pastor)
Frankford, ON – Frankford Community Church
Godfrey, ON – Cole Lake FM Church
Kingston, ON – Kingscourt FM Church
Marmora, ON – Marmora FM Church (Pastor Keith Deyo – Interim Pastor)
Orillia, ON – Church on the Hill
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Seeley’s Bay, ON – Pine Grove Community Church
Tillsonburg, ON – Open Arms Church
Wallaceburg, ON – Charlemont FM Church
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Senior Director of Church Health and Planting – FMCIC National Office
