It was a wonderful weekend!
Karlene and I were in Quebec for a FM leadership conference. On Friday night I spoke at the young adult event. I had an inspiring conversation with a couple of young men (both about 24) who are recent converts. My one new friend told me a short version of his story. He said that about 6 months ago he started asking questions about his life, the meaning of life, and his purpose, “there has to be more” he thought. While these questions were whirling around his head, he had reconnected with an old high school friend – “we weren’t close or anything, he just befriended me on Facebook”. In their short Facebook exchange the friend he had just connected with invited my new friend to his church. I said that that must have felt like a strange request, and he said “totally, but I really wanted to go!” He went, was greeted at the door by his high school friend, shortly after that became a believer, was baptized, and he said with a huge grin, “I’ve never looked back!”
Oh church, to not resist those gentle prods by the Holy Spirit to call, contact, visit someone that comes to mind. Be brave and invite! God was already at work in this man, and the old high school friend had only to be brave and listen to our Gentle Shepherd’s nod to make the invite at that moment. Easy peasy – because of prevenient grace!
On Saturday I spoke at the plenary session for leaders and then Marc McAlister and Karlene were workshop speakers. Marc then spoke at the service in the evening. It was a great time of fellowship with our church family in Quebec. Have you met Pastor Felix of our Sherbrooke church? If not you need to – in fact you would do well to learn about and pray for all our churches in Quebec as do for all our other churches across Canada. Pastor Felix accepted this pastorate while he was still a single student. The hour and a half drive from his home in “Montreal to Sherbrook is not such a big deal when you are single”, he said. Today, he has a very demanding job with GE that takes him all around the world, and more importantly he is married with two small children. Can you imagine: very high level and demanding career, two small children and his church 1.5 hours away – every weekend! Pray for our bi-vocational, and even a couple of tri-vocational pastors who do what they do for the sake of Christ…
On Sunday morning Karlene and I were at the opening Sunday for Pine Orchard family camp (I spoke and Karlene sang). A gifted young adult worship team ushered us beautifully into His presence. I believe that God has something good in store for Pine Orchard’ers this week…
The World Council of Bishops has set August 23 as a Global Day of Prayer for the Free Methodist Church Internationally. The focus of prayer is “decade of harvest!” Would you please pray?
One last note: I was glad to hear that Tearfund already has 31 FM churches committed to World Relief Sunday. They are 9 short of their goal… Please be sure to prayerfully consider this opportunity and don’t forget to register. To our French speaking churches, all the material is now available to you in French.
Find out more about the Fall Ministers Conference
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – 3 Church Methods That Need to Change: https://fmcic.ca/3-church-methods-that-need-to-change/ New
News & Stories Blog – Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church steps up in fight against human trafficking: https://fmcic.ca/harrowsmith-free-methodist-church-steps-up-in-fight-against-human-trafficking/
the conneXion – a Free Methodist theology blog: 3 Minute Theology 2.5: Knowing the Bible Inside Out: https://fmcic.ca/3-minute-theology-2-5-knowing-the-bible-inside-out/
New Leaf Podcast: Jeff and Jan Steckley – Contemplative practice, second half of life & the art of starting: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-53-jeff-and-jan-steckley-contemplative-practice-second-half-of-life-the-art-of-starting/
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
PHOTO GALLERY
Annual Convention of the Free Methodist Church of Quebec/Convention annuelle de l’Église Méthodiste Libre du Québec
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Kim Henderson has been appointed as Interim Pastor at New Horizons Community Church, Sarnia, ON, effective September 1, 2018.
Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule
Dave Moriarity, Almonte, Ontario – ordination service on October 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm, Cornerstone Community Church, Almonte, ON
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
November 2-4, 2018 in Ontario (location TBA*)
Wesleyan Theology:
June 7-9, 2019 – location TBA*
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
Personal and Church Stewardship
6-week online course – start date TBA
6-week online course (FRENCH) – Fall 2018
Culture and the Missional Church:
Course starts October 9, 2018
Advance online engagement: Oct 9-Nov 1 / In-class: Nov 2-3 at Barrie FMC, Barrie ON
(deadline to register – October 4)
(*these locations will be selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
Registration is online for all courses at this link: https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/. Those tracking for credentialed ministry should take the Heart course first and then Wesleyan Theology if possible.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The next deadline is October 15, 2018 to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for courses taken during both the spring/summer and fall semesters of 2018.
October 15 is also the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships.
Here is the link for both types of scholarships: https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Asbury FMC, Perth, ON
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON
Odessa FMC, Odessa, ON
Church Profiles available
Contact Susan DePlanché in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] or 289-228-1225 (deadline to apply in brackets)
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB (Aug 14)
Preparing Profiles
(If you are interested in seeing the profile for any of these churches, please contact Susan in the Leadership Development Office [[email protected] or 289-228-1225] and the profile will be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available.)
Athens FMC, Athens, ON (Angel Valentin-Transition Pastor)
New Horizons Community Church, Sarnia ON (Kim Henderson – Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill Chinese & English Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK
PASTORS IN TRANSITION
Glen Coates
David Greene
Jason Johnson
Fred Merritt
Jay Mowchenko
Derek Spink
Randy Williams
Grant Wolfe
Mary-Elsie Wolfe
Wesley Wood
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church
Associate Pastor – Verona FM Church
