This is my last Cliff’s Notes for the year. What a year for my family and I: a wildly new, sometimes hard, stretching, and overall wonderful experience. I am consistently asked two questions: 1. How is the new job? 2. How’s the family?
I will start with number 2: How’s the family?
I continue to be very grateful for my family. Abby is a third year student in International Development at Tyndale University. Greg is in the army and almost daily has stories that make his mom and I laugh, scared, and proud (he gave me a great gift of surprising me by coming home a week early and waiting for me in my office while I finished up a meeting). Karlene, after 25 years of worship ministry is having to rediscover what our new ministry life looks like… Karlene has the gifts of vision and faith so ‘new adventures’ excite her!
1. How’s the new job?
Very good! The learning curve is significant. Learning about Ghana, Sri Lanka and Niger. Learning a new personal life rhythm (devotions, exercise, meals, reading, etc). Learning new friendships with a great Ministry Center staff.
Frankly, transition was bumpy, as transitions can be, but if you call bumps on a ski hill “moguls” then those bumps (or moguls) become part of the ski adventure, not something that we need to avoid on the hill. We are enjoying a strong National Leadership Team, Board of Administration, SCOD, and all levels of leadership praying and moving in sync. I am enjoying a new friendship with US Bishops and supportive colleagues from around the world (we, the FMCIC are a part of something very good).
I love the focus on PRAYER! If you have yet to identify a Prayer Point person please do so. You can submit the name to either Ken Roth or myself. It is the desire of the FMCIC to not allow prayer to be merely a “quick prayer” to start our meetings, but the significant ‘more’ that is alluded to in Scripture. FMCIC’s governance is not dependent solely on a doctrinal acknowledgement that Jesus is Head of the Church, but on a prayerful, prayer-filled, prayer-empowered relationship. We must explore fully the opportunity to “enter His presence”, to approach His “throne of grace”, to “pray without ceasing”, to intercede, to listen, to discern, to practice words of knowledge, to have visions and dreams… These supernatural opportunities do not only belong to our Charismatic, or Pentecostal brothers and sisters. Nor do we believe that such experiences ceased in a previous dispensation. These are Biblical, and are part of the more that we need to more fully pursue.
I also love the focus on DISCIPLESHIP-EVANGELISM (seems Scripturally that Evangelism is a part of Discipleship).
Merry Christmas PASTORS, and families of pastors – thank you for being courageous and faithful enough to step into your calling.
Merry Christmas leaders and FMCIC family – thank you for being open to pursuing the “more” opportunity we have in prayer. Thank you for asking good questions about accepting responsibility for your community. Thank you for loving and praying for your pastors. Thank you for guarding the unity of the church, and loving each other.
How’s the new job? I feel very grateful for the opportunity, and I love it… thank you for your prayers, notes, calls and support… I look forward to 2018! Merry Christmas!
Church Health Survey
For all those who have already completed the Church Health Survey – thank you! If you have not yet done so, please take time to complete the 16 question survey. Just a reminder that at least three people should fill out this survey – Lead Pastor, Board Chair, and Delegate. If you would like more people (staff or leaders) to participate, that would be great but we would still like three of you to respond to the survey at this time.
Here is the link to the Church Health Survey
SAVE THE DATE – 2018 REGIONAL GATHERINGS
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – Trickle Down Evangelism:https://fmcic.ca/trickle-down-evangelism/New
News & Stories Blog – A Church with Mission in mind – Interview with Greg Elford :https://fmcic.ca/a-church-with-mission-in-mind-interview-with-greg-elford/New
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: Learning Party Talks – Mark Groleau: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-50-learning-party-talks-mark-groleau/
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FMCIC
Do you know someone who would like to receive CliffsNotes? They can now sign up through the website at:https://fmcic.ca/cliffsnotes-signup/
PHOTO GALLERY
Laurie Lemke’s Commissioning Service
FM Ministry Centre Christmas Party
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Dyan Mouland – appointed as Lead Pastor at Cornerstone Free Methodist Church in Prince Albert, SK, effective January 1, 2018
Ordination and Commissioning
None
SCHOLARSHIPS
The next deadline is February 15, 2018 to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for the winter semester of 2018. More information is available at this link:https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
June 1-3, 2018 in Western Canada (location TBA*)
Wesleyan Theology:
June 1-3, 2018 in Ontario (location TBA*)
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
Personal and Church Stewardship
6-week online course – begins January 29, 2018
Culture and the Missional Church:
Next course date and location TBA*
(*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.
CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON
Rustle FMC, Kingston, ON
Sault Ste Marie FMC, Sault Ste Marie, ON
Church Profiles available
Contact Susan DePlanché in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] or 289-228-1225.
None
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)
Asbury FMC, Perth, ON
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON (Mary Lee DeWitt-Transition Pastor)
Centennial Chapel FMC, Kamloops, BC (Vern Frudd-retiring May 31, 2018)
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON
Grapeview FMC, St. Catharines, ON (Dan Sheffield – Transition Pastor)
Madoc Free Methodist/ Wesleyan Church
Marmora FMC, Marmora, ON (Adam Kline- Interim Pastor)
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK
Odessa FMC, Odessa, ON
Tabernacle de la Grace, Montreal QC
Thunder Bay FMC, Thunder Bay, ON (Andre Korstanje retiring July 2018)
Warkworth FMC, Warkworth, ON
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK
Functioning with approved local arrangements
Avonlea FMC, Avonlea SK
Campbell’s Bay FMC, Campbell’s Bay, QC (Orville White)
Church On The Hill, Orillia ON
Cordova Mines FM Fellowship, Cordova Mines, ON
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON
Eglise Chrétienne Méthodiste Libre de Le Gardeur, QC (Duplan Auguste Lython)
Enterprise FMC, Enterprise, ON
Killarney FMC, Killarney, MB (Raymond Riglin)
Markham FMC, ON (K.K. Leung)
Richmond Hill Chinese & English Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (K.K. Leung)
Roblin FMC, Roblin, MB (Heath Butler)
Surrey FMC, Surrey BC (Nathaniel Prakash)
theStory, Sarnia, ON
Timmins FMC, Timmins, ON (Lewis Byer)
Wesley Chapel Japanese FM Church, Toronto, ON (Misa Mochinaga)
Wyevale FMC, Wyevale, ON
Yarker FMC, Yarker, ON (Ken Babcock)
PASTORS IN TRANSITION
Glen Coates
Roxanne Goodyear
David Greene
Kim Henderson
Jason Johnson
Fred Merritt
Jay Mowchenko
Derek Spink
Grant Wolfe
Mary-Elsie Wolfe
Wesley Wood
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Associate Pastor – Trulls Road FM Church
