“So here’s the hard truth: if you’re a leader, you’re in the battle of your life. Nothing comes easily, enemies can outnumber allies, and the terrain keeps shifting under your feet.”
I read Allender’s book years ago, and I have referred some to it, and quoted it often. I picked it up a few days ago in order to re-read. In case you are not familiar with Allender, his works are generally substantial. Wounded Heart for instance is an old book but one that oozes with the invitation to welcome Christ’s healing in our lives. Leading with a Limp seemed apropos in light of the season we have come out of as a culture.
Most leaders and pastors that I know have no trouble understanding the metaphor, “leading with a limp”. Many of us have no trouble conceding that we have a limp. The question is, what causes us to limp? For starters, leadership limps can be a result of very hard work. We are tired and did not practice a healthy sabbath-work rhythm. Over COVID I watched as many of you were hurting [limping] because of tiredness.
Some limps are a result of hurts inflicted on us. Cheap-shots people take at you, attacks (especially character attacks), loss, or even crisis. These are hurts that happen which can not be shaken off, or rested-off over a couple of days. For instance, I was speaking with one of you recently who was going to be officiating four funerals, all for beloved members of their church family. Loss always costs us emotionally. We can’t control loss, so I count it in the category of hurt inflicted on us. Hurts inflicted on us, cause us to limp.
Some limps are self-inflicted. We make wrong choices or decisions and we end up getting hurt. The hurt caused by not going to a counselor, the hurt caused by not forgiving, the hurt caused by flirting with addictive substances. I would count sin issues that hurt us in this category. These limps are sometimes the hardest to deal with because of our pride, embarrassment, denial, or lack of self-awareness.
The Bible describes Jacob’s limp as being a result of wrestling with God. Much can be explored here, but in order to stay within my 500-word limit, allow me to say this: God sometimes allows a scar or limp in order for you not to forget.
Now, to be clear, the limp I have as a leader is, for the most part, a good limp. The same type of limp I limped when I played sports. I remember walking off the rugby field, having given all that I have, a little beaten up, muscles hurting, and of course a little tired from the match, BUT very satisfied that I left everything on the field (to those of you who do not play sports, this means that I gave all that I have in order to move the ball forward).
Allender’s book does a nice job of challenging you to become aware of your weaknesses and name them. Limps need to be identified and not masked, or pridefully denied. We all see your limp, so it’s no good trying to hide it!
I’m inviting you to consider if you might have a leadership limp (or if you are not a leader, a non-leadership limp!). Identify the limp prayerfully and with trusted friends, seek healing or resolution.
To my leadership friends, this old book is a worthwhile read.
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On Sunday I celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Picton FM church! 125 years! Thank You, Father, for your faithfulness. Thank you Picton FM for your love and heart for the community. We pray God’s rich anointing on you in this next season, that you would be a people of peace, of prayer, clearly seeing God’s vision for you. We pray courage and strength to be able to do what He is calling for you to do. That you would enjoy His presence as He delights in you!
For more information about the upcoming Recharge 2023 event, please click here.
Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
2nd Tuesday of each month: What’s Got You Thinking?
Check out all the latest photos from around the FMCiC here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery/
Do you know someone who would like to receive CliffsNotes? They can now sign up through the website at: https://fmcic.ca/cliffsnotes-signup/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None this week
ORDINATION SERVICES
April 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET – Pastor Yves Anthonuel, Eglise Evangelique des Mille-Iles, Laval, QC
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 7-9, 2024 – location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
November 3-5 – Holt Free Methodist Church, Mount Albert, ON
Also available:
- Tyndale University – https://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/wesley-studies/courses
- Free Methodist Church-USA Anytime on Pathwright (multiple instructor choices)
- Self-paced, up to 8 months to complete
- 16-week intensive version, select Instructor Vaughan
- Central Christian College online, 6 weeks, asynchronous – deadline to apply: Jan 1 (course runs Jan 9 to Feb 19)
- 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!)
2024 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 2024. The 2024 application forms and instructions will be available later this year to download from the link above. Please use the application forms marked “rev 2024.”
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 2024 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.
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
Madoc, ON – Madoc Free Methodist/Wesleyan Church
Mississauga, ON – Grace Methodist Church
Church Profiles Available
To review the church profiles that are available, please go to our website at this link: church profiles or contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office – davika.dotson@fmcic.ca [deadline to apply in brackets]
Brampton, ON – Bramalea FM Church (part-time) [December 5]
Brantford, ON – The Open Door Church (full-time) [November 28]
Wallaceburg, ON – Charlemont FM Church (part-time) [November 14]
Salmon Arm, BC – Lakeside Community Church (part-time/full-time) [November 14]
Sombra, ON – Zion FM Church (full-time) [November 28]
Preparing Profiles
Once these church profiles become available, they will be listed above as “Church Profiles available” and also on our website at this link: church profiles
Campbellford, ON – Campbellford FM Church (Rev. Leonard Bruce – Interim Pastor)
Cloyne, ON – Pineview FM Church
Dryden, ON – Dryden 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)
Nepean, ON – Arlington Woods FM Church (Rev. Mike Hogeboom retiring May 31/24)
Newmarket, ON – New Hope Methodist Church (Rev. Terry Gibson retiring Aug 31/24)
Orillia, ON – Church on the Hill (Pastor Velma Shewfelt – Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill FM Church (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Seeley’s Bay, ON – Pine Grove Community Church
Tillsonburg, ON – Open Arms Church
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Part-time Worship Leader – New Hope Methodist Church
