This past weekend we enjoyed being at Arlington Beach Camp for the SK Regional Gathering. Again, it was so good to be in person! These Regional Gatherers were the most difficult to call in from breaks and lunch, as they were enjoying reconnecting! Thank you Arlington Beach for hosting! On Friday I enjoyed a tour of Briercrest (this was the first time I had been there). Doctors Jay and Jason met with me, two Free Methodists involved in the Briercrest ministry. We also have Professors Allan and Matthew! Briercrest is well Free Methodized. Following that visit, Marc and I were given a tour of the military base in that area, where Free Methodist Chaplain Andrew Klinger serves. It was a good day and I was thankful and proud for our Free Methodist family serving in these ministries. On Sunday morning, I loved being with our church family in Moose Jaw. Such a warm greeting and a beautiful time in prayer. Enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones, including some new Canadians!
Last week I mentioned that I watched a video one of you sent me of an angry sounding preacher, which led to me watching 2 more disturbing “Christians” on social media. 8 minutes that I will never get back.
Canadian research consulting firm Pollara Strategic Insights has launched a “Rage Index,” hoping to measure the mood of Canadians every month. “…48 per cent reported that they are upset with Ottawa’s policy decisions, and 83 per cent were angry with inflation rates. In addition, 79 per cent of the participants reported being angry at rising gas prices, and 55 per cent were angered by the current state of the housing market.
Dan Arnold, the chief strategy officer with Pollara Strategic Insights, succinctly summarized the findings: “A lot of people just seem grumpy right now”.
We are always grumpier in the winter, and summer is the great mood swinger. But still underlying our anticipation of warm sun, BBQ’s and vacation is restlessness, at best, and anger at worse.
What is a Biblical understanding of anger? Start with a working definition of anger (a definition that you can build on), and then consider the Bible and anger.
Now consider your own “rage index”. Are you angry? Other symptoms to pay attention to include tiredness, hurt, sadness, restlessness, easily frustrated or even gossip (any negative talk about someone when they are not in the room). If these are symptoms you are experiencing, if it does not take much to “set you off”, then what should you do? Because allow me to remind us that when we are registering any or all of these symptoms on our own rage index, then we are not about the Father’s business. In the Father’s business, there is truthful talk, constructive talk, honest-talk, refreshing talk, life-giving talk, joyful talk, reconciling talk. This is not to say that followers of Jesus aren’t to be angry, but it is to say
- that our anger is not to separate us any further than we are now, church
- we are not to live angry
- we are not to be easily angered
- we are not to respond out of anger
Today is a soul-check opportunity.
- Social media average needs to come down and I would like the church to lead the way
- Your personal Bible engagement needs to go up
- Pray for FMCiC, bless FMCiC
- Consider your rage index: what is registering inside me, my attitudes, my self-talk? Am I easily set off?
- Who sets me off? What issues or personality types?
- What strategies do you have to get you to joy? (Hint: this has to include Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the Church family He has provided you with. It may also include a therapist, spiritual director, better eating, exercise, creativity and switching from being a Leaf hockey fan).
Exciting news: we have hired a new Senior Director of Church Health, Jervis Djokoto.
Over the years, as a Pastor, leader, speaker, author and musician, Jervis has served thousands through musical programs, teaching, conferences, and retreats for groups of all sizes in Indonesia, the UK, Uganda, India, South Africa, Canada and Ghana. Today he wants to see many more Churches and Christians deepen their understanding and relationship with the Holy Spirit and experience deep Spiritual renewal in Jesus’ name. Jervis lives in the Toronto area with his wife, Robin, and their two children, Evangeline and Joseph.
Jervis officially starts with us this Friday, June 16. Feel free to send him a note of welcome at [email protected].
Finally, to artists and creatives in the Ottawa area. Here is an invitation to a 1-day conference.
UPCOMING REGIONAL GATHERING REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
WEST SPRINGS FMC (AB) – being held on Saturday, June 24 – deadline to register is TOMORROW – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Terry Clyne – Ordained Minister, Lead Pastor at Zion Free Methodist Church – transition to retirement, effective August 31.
Rev. Jervis Djokoto – Ordained Minister (Associated Gospel Churches), Oshawa, ON – appointed as Senior Director of Church Health, effective June 16
Rev. David Dyer – Retired Ordained Minister, Napanee, ON – died on June 11, 2023 (click here for obituary)
ORDINATION SERVICES
None scheduled
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:
Date and location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
November 3-5, 2023 – location TBA*
Also available:
- Tyndale University – https://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/wesley-studies/courses
- 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: June 26, Aug. 21, Oct. 16)
- Central Christian College online, 6 weeks, asynchronous – deadline to apply: Sept 18 (start dates Oct 2 and Nov 12)
- 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.
Send a report online anytime you have hours to submit for CEUs: 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.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Bracebridge, ON – New Hope FM Church
Brampton, ON – Bramalea FM Church
Hilton Beach, ON – St. Joseph Island FM Church
Kingston, ON – Polson Park FM Church
Sault Ste Marie, ON – Hillside 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)
Madoc, ON – Madoc Free Methodist/Wesleyan Church (full-time) [July 25]
Salmon Arm, BC – Lakeside Community Church (full-time) [July 25]
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
Campbellford, ON – Campbellford FM Church (Rev. Leonard Bruce – Interim Pastor)
Cloyne, ON – Pineview FM Church
Dunnville, ON – Dunnville FM Church
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)
Mississauga, ON – Grace Methodist Church
Nepean, ON – Arlington Woods FM Church (Rev. Mike Hogeboom retiring May 31/24)
Orillia, ON – Church on the Hill (Pastor Velma Shewfelt – Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Seeley’s Bay, ON – Pine Grove Community Church
Sombra, ON – Zion FM Church (Rev. Terry Clyne retiring Aug 31/23)
Tillsonburg, ON – Open Arms Church
Wallaceburg, ON – Charlemont FM Church
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FM Church
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
