This past weekend, the FMCiC’s Board of Administration met in person (though COVID did keep one of us away). I am grateful for these individuals who invest a significant amount of time to help lead our movement. These are pastors and lay people who have busy lives, yet still follow God’s nudging to step into this national role. Their names were submitted by their Church families, as women and men who love Jesus, and this love is obvious to all who know them. They are humble people, because humble people don’t have to win the fight, but are quite ready to listen to others, respect others, and learn. This is the experience in the room, even in those moments when we disagree. There is always laughter, and throughout the day, intentional times that we stop and make sure that we are hearing the Spirit’s leading. They are brave. God makes us brave to ask tough questions, reconsider things that we are already doing or not doing yet. Courageous enough to set a path forward that will continue to help us challenge each other to ask (and do!), “what kind of Church does Canada need right now?”
I mention this because this is my hope for your Church family board. Note the underlined words. These are important ingredients in a healthy board. Did you know that your Regional Coach, or a National Leadership Team member would love to help you develop a healthy board?
I mention this because this is also Biblical to have a leadership structure, or organizational structure. Paul wrote about elders, deacons, and alluded to formal leadership in local churches. He wrote specifically of character traits and competencies for leaders. He called the Church to respect this authority structure. It is Biblical to be members of a local Church and to have a healthy functioning organizational structure.
I mention this because I wanted to remind you of the fact these leaders are just like you and me. They love Jesus, they are busy, they are doing their best to step into this role. Please support them with prayer, and the next time you see one, give them a hug in appreciation!
On Sunday I celebrated with the Kingsview FM Church family, their 59th anniversary (I am happy to say that I am younger than Kingsview!). Their welcome was so warm, it was nice reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. The worship was enthusiastic as we celebrated God’s faithfulness. And, of course we ate – Vinola (who worships there and is also yet one more wonderful member of the FMCiC Ministry Center team) who I work closely with and is supposed to have my back regarding spicy food, warned me about the especially hot food that made me turn red and tear up, only after I ate it! Thank you Kingsview for your faithful ministry, and keeping your eye on the horizon for what it means to take responsibility for your community.
Our communications team works hard to provide useful and informative content for our churches. Sometimes their emails may end up in your spam folder or promotions section in your email. Please add their names and emails to your contact list so you will not miss an important email from them.
[email protected]
[email protected]
This past week you should have received an email from them with Remembrance Day videos you can use in your church service and on social media. If you did not receive the email, please send an email to [email protected].
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
2nd Tuesday of each month: What’s Got You Thinking?
4th Thursday of each month: Church Health Thursday
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:
June 2-4, 2023 – location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
June 2-4, 2023 – location TBA*
Also available:
- Tyndale University – “John Wesley’s Theology: Renewing the Heart, Renewing the Church” https://www.tyndale.ca/syllabi/winter/2023/theo-0629
- Offered January 13 – April 10, 2023 in hybrid format: Two Fridays of “live” class (in-person or online) on January 27 and March 17, plus online lectures and discussions.
- Available for seminary or undergraduate credit
- For more info contact James Pedlar ([email protected])
- FMC-USA https://leadership.fmcusa.org/education/courses
- as a 7-week intensive online course: Wesleyan Theology [#74W] Dr. Robert Vaughan – start date: Nov 1 (2023 start dates to be posted soon)
- as a correspondence course (8 months to complete): Wesleyan Theology (#74C), Dr. Allen Wachter
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 and Church 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):
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 will soon be available to download from the link above. Please use the application forms marked “rev 2023.”
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS:
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 (CEUs) 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
Hilton Beach, ON – St. Joseph Island FMC
New Westminster, BC – First FMC
Salmon Arm BC – Lakeside Community Church
Sarnia, ON – New Horizons Community Church
Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FMC
Church Profiles available
Contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] (deadline to apply in brackets)
None available this week
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.
Bracebridge, ON – New Hope FMC (Gary Denniss – Interim Pastor)
Brampton, ON – Bramalea FMC
Campbellford, ON – Campbellford FMC
Cloyne, ON – Pineview FMC
Dunnville, ON – Dunnville FMC (Rev. Neale Robb – Interim Pastor)
Frankford, ON – Frankford Community Church
Kingston, ON – Polson Park FMC
Madoc, ON – Madoc Free Methodist/Wesleyan Church
Marmora, ON – Marmora FMC
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Sault Ste Marie, ON – Sault Ste Marie FMC
Seeley’s Bay, ON – Pine Grove
Tillsonburg, ON – Open Arms Church
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Short-term Preaching Opportunity – New Hope Methodist Church
Unique Associate Pastor Opportunity – Trulls Road FMC
