Cliffs Notes: May 16, 2023

Today I’d like to invite you to pray with me for our pastors. A good friend of mine sent me this prayer, and it feels timely. It’s not that I am feeling that the majority of our pastors are in crisis (in fact, most seem to be feeling quite hopeful), but all of them are on a front line, and have generously offered God their careers, time, family life in order to serve us. Frankly, it is a high calling, and I find myself grateful for these women and men. Below are Bible verses connected to a specific prayer request and some samples of how you might pray into that specific request…
 
Pray Blessings and Gratitude over Your Pastor
 
Numbers 6:24-26 — “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
 
Dear Lord, thank you for sending our pastor to shepherd at our Church. I’m grateful for the love you put in the pastor’s heart for You and Your people. I appreciate the unique set of gifts and talents that enrich the pastor’s ministry and bless our church. Would You, in turn, bless the pastor today? Help the pastor to sense Your presence in such a sweet way. Fill the pastor up, Lord and use the pastor for Your glory today. And show me how I can support and encourage. Thanking You for this leader, I pray this in Jesus’ name.
 
Pray for the Courage and Strength of Your Pastor
 
Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
 
Dear Lord, My pastor and their family is on the front line; an easy target for the enemy and his minions. Protect them, help them to “stand”. My pastor is preaching and teaching the Word faithfully, is a community leader, and is always thinking and dreaming about church family plans. Dear Holy Spirit, empower the pastor this day to boldly proclaim the truth of Your Word. Help them be courageous to take on new initiatives. Help the pastor not to grow weary in well-doing or to fall away but provide grace upon grace. I’m thanking You in advance for what You will do in and through our pastor this very day, in Jesus’ name. 
 
Pray that Your Pastor Clearly Sees God’s Direction
 
Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
 
Pray for Your Pastor to Be Renewed with Energy
 
Galatians 6:9 — “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
 
Pray for Your Pastor’s Focus to Increase
 
Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
 
Pray for the Blessing of Wisdom to Increase
 
James 1:5-6 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
 
Pray that Love Will Surround and Encourage Your Pastor
 
John 13: 34-35 — “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
 
Dear Holy Spirit, Today I pray for the fruits of the spirit in our pastor’s life—that love, joy, peace, and patience will guide; that kindness and goodness will be companions; that faithfulness will be the motto, and that gentleness and self-control will be evident to all. Help our pastor to see each person today through Your eyes. And help them to see You in our pastor. I love You, Lord, and I thank You for our pastor, in Jesus’ name.

FINALLY, AN INVITATION FROM A RETREAT CENTRE FOR PASTORS AND CHAPLAINS. This is a beautiful, secluded retreat house, built just for pastors. The setting is quiet, with walking paths, and no electronics to distract. They also have the most comfortable pillows I have slept on! Click here or visit  www.wildernessprayer.com to read more.

There are other retreat opportunities as well, pastors and chaplains. You can click here and visit the FMCIC website to get more information.

 

UPCOMING REGIONAL GATHERING REGISTRATION DEADLINES:

ST. JOSEPH ISLAND FMC REGIONAL GATHERING – being held on Saturday, May 27 – deadline to register is May 17

CRESTVIEW PARK FMC REGIONAL GATHERING – being held on Saturday, June 3 – deadline to register is May 23

ANNOUNCEMENTS

None this week

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:

July 14-16 – West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB

Wesleyan Theology:
November 3-5, 2023 – location TBA*

Also available:

    • Self-paced, up to 8 months to complete
                              OR
    • 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
Kingston, ON – Polson Park FM Church
Madoc, ON – Madoc Free Methodist/Wesleyan Church
Sault Ste Marie, ON – Hillside FM Church

Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church

Church Profiles Available
Contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] (deadline to apply in brackets)

Hilton Beach, ON – St. Joseph Island FM Church (full-time) [May 23]

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 (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) 

Mississauga, ON – Grace Methodist Church
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)
Salmon Arm, BC – Lakeside Community Church
Seeley’s Bay, ON – Pine Grove Community Church

Tillsonburg, ON – Open Arms Church
Wallaceburg, ON – Charlemont FM Church
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FM Church

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Youth Ministry Director – Trulls Road FMC

 
Associate Pastor of Worship Ministry – Northview Community Church