VISION IS A CLEAR MENTAL PICTURE OF A PREFERABLE FUTURE
WEEK 3
Before we continue in our current series about remembering our recent FMCiC journey, I’d like to mention that the National Prayer Team has decided, based on your feedback, to continue the daily national zoom 30-minute prayer times (noon EST, 11:00 CST, 10:00 MST, 9:00 PST) until the end of January. Join in whenever you have the time. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83398497735
We are remembering our journey as the FMCiC in the past few years. We have a rich tradition, and compelling God-inspired, Spirit-filled story.
The Board of Administration’s prayerful and foundational first step, with their new Bishop 6 years ago, was to COVENANT together (click here to read the BOA covenant). We created a working covenant, which means that we continue to review it annually, edit as required, and sign off on it annually. This covenant describes our commitment to one another to pray, listen, do homework, be honest in all conversations, “own” each decision as our own when we leave a meeting, and the like. A board covenant is really an essential first step towards health, and it was a new thing for our BOA.
What is the benefit, essential benefit, of a leadership covenant? Why is this an essential first step for new leaders, or leadership teams who do not yet have a covenant? Why did God deem a covenant to be essential as He was creating a people of God, a nation? A covenant was the first thing He spelled out for Abraham! Are you familiar with the Abrahamic covenant?
A Biblical covenant includes a promise(s) with specific required conditions, and then [sometimes] clauses outlining consequences for not adhering to the conditions. It is generally an “if…then” statement (2 Chronicles 7:14, or Isaiah 58 for examples). For the people of God, the covenant was essentially, “If you obey Me, then I will protect, provide, give you land, and health. In this way all nations will know that I AM God.” For the people of God, as you may know, there was a “wrath-clause” for when they ultimately broke covenant with God and each other.
It is always true that your covenant with God is somehow broken before you break covenant with others and creation. Let me say this one more way: broken relationship with others or even the environment is as a result, or is a natural consequence of a poor or broken relationship with God.
Jesus offers you a covenant, but rather than me spelling it out, take some time (alone, with your family or with your small group) to write it out. Jesus’ new covenant (or “testament”) is why and how we should Church (yes, I just used “Church” as a verb!).
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
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)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None this week
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.
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://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/syllabi/winter/2023/theo-0629
- FMC-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:https://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.
February 15 is the next deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the winter semester 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://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
Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FM Church
Church Profiles Available
Contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – davika.dotson@fmcic.ca (deadline to apply in brackets)
Bracebridge, ON – New Hope FM Church (part-time) [February 14]
Hilton Beach, ON – St. Joseph Island FM Church (full time) [February 7]
Kingston, ON – Polson Park FM Church (full time) [January 31]
Madoc, ON – Madoc Free Methodist/Wesleyan Church (full time) [January 31]
Sault Ste Marie, ON – Hillside FM Church (full-time) [February 21]
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.
Brampton, ON – Bramalea FM Church (Rev. Peter Tursa – Transition Pastor)
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
Kingston, ON – Kingscourt FM Church
Marmora, ON – Marmora FM Church (Pastor Keith Deyo – Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Salmon Arm BC – Lakeside Community Church
Sarnia, ON – New Horizons Community Church (Rev. Mary Lee DeWitt – Transition Pastor)
Seeley’s Bay, ON – Pine Grove Community Church
Tillsonburg, ON – Open Arms Church
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Senior Director of Church Health and Planting – FMCiC National Office
Part-time Children’s Pastor, Part-time Worship Leader – New Hope Methodist Church
Café Manager – Arlington Woods FMC
