CliffsNotes – February 5, 2019

The FMCiC 3 Year Ministry Plan

Proverbs 29:18 says that without “revelation from God”, or “vision” people will “cast off restraint”, “perish” or my favourite version of this passage, “stumble” all over each other”. A prayerfully discerned, and clearly articulated vision, helps a group of individuals rally around the mission as they contribute with their hearts, gifts, support, and resources (sounds like healthy church). Today you have the opportunity to read and pray about the FMCiC’s 3 Year Ministry Plan. This is a living document, which means that it will change as we pray, take risks, and evaluate. Click here to read full document.

This will discussed at Regional Gatherings: I hope that you make the effort to join me at the one near you! A missionary friend once told me that every Christian needs to pray through “World Watch Guide”: “Persecution is real. It is a daily reality for more than 245 million Christians worldwide. How do we know this? Every year, Open Doors produces the World Watch List to rank the top 50 most dangerous countries to live in as a Christian. It is the product of both desk and field research and is the only document of its kind. Independently audited by the International Institute of Religious Freedoms, it is the most trusted source of information concerning persecuted Christians.” Click here to download a free copy


ANNUAL REPORTS

Attention:  Pastors and Delegates!

It’s that time of year—the Annual Report for 2018 for your church is due on February 20, 2019.  You will find the Annual Report on the home page of our website at fmcic.ca.

Annual Report in Englishhttps://fs1.formsite.com/reports/form141/index.html?1406294972546
Annual Report in French: https://fs1.formsite.com/reports/form144/index.html?1420832672433

This year we have included a guide (pdf) to help you understand and complete the Annual Report. We trust that we will be helpful to you in completing the form. Attached you will find a template (in pdf) to help you gather information from your treasurer (and others) and to note your Network Leader Evaluation numbers before you start to file the report online.

We do appreciate your filing online if possible, but you can fax or mail your report to the Ministry Centre as well – [email protected] / 905-848-2603 Please note:

Network Leader Evaluation – each person who attends Network meetings should file. 

The Lead Pastor’s evaluation of the Network Leader will be included with the Annual Report; all others can file through this link:
Network Leader Evaluation

Please keep in mind that we ask for the same statistics every year for the Annual Report, so a system should be in place to gather this information.  Every church and church plant must file a report.

FMCIC Annual Report Guide
Annual Report 2018
Annual Report 2018 – FR


MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Church Health Thursdays – A Healthy Word for the new Year: https://fmcic.ca/a-healthy-word-for-the-year/
News & Stories Blog – The Story of a Narrative Budget: https://fmcic.ca/the-story-of-a-narrative-budget/
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 Network: Race relations and bringing solutions as the church: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-61-lennett-j-anderson-keitha-ogbogu-race-relations-and-bringing-solutions-as-the-church/
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca


PHOTO GALLERY
National MEGaP Training Weekend


(Re)Imagine Mission is Tearfund Canada’s one-day conference on Integral Mission. Hosted in 4 cities on 4 different days, (Re)Imagine Mission gives pastors and ministry leaders from all across Canada the opportunity to reimagine the face of traditional missions -especially as it relates to our call to serve the poor. As many churches and pastors are already engaged in conversations about the future of local and international missions, (Re)Imagine Mission provides you with an opportunity to hear from knowledgeable speakers and participate in breakout sessions to share your ideas with others. Here is the link to the event: https://tearfund.ca/reimagine-mission/


ANNOUNCEMENTS
None

Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule

Louis Innocent – ordination service on March 17, 2019 at 2 pm, Eglise Methodiste Libre La Foi Des Elus, Repentigny, QC


FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/

Register online through the link above.

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:
*NEW* May 31-June 2, 2019 – Ontario-location TBA*
November 1-3, 2019 – western Canada-location TBA*

Wesleyan Theology:
*NEW* May 31-June 2, 2019 – western Canada-location TBA*
November 1-3, 2019 – Ontario-location TBA*
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)

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 (FRENCH) – start date – TBA 6-week online course (ENGLISH) – start date – TBA (*locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)

 

2019 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/

February 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during Winter semester of 2019.  See instructions and  The 2019 application forms and instructions are now available to download from the link above.

October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during 2019 – apply online from the link above

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs) https://fmcic.ca/introduction-to-continuing-education/

Ordained and Commissioned Ministers (except retirees) are to annually report Continuing Education Units (CEUs) acquired during each year.  Check the link above for information on CEUs, the report form and a list of examples of many different types of life-long learning that can be applied as CEUs.

Note:  For those who attended the fall Minister’s Conferences, add 6 hours of CEU credit when you send in your annual CEU report.


CHURCHES IN TRANSITION Interviewing

Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK

 

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)

None

Preparing Profiles

(If you are interested in reviewing 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) Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK New Horizons Community Church – Sarnia, ON (Kim Henderson-Interim Pastor) Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Abbs So and Shadow Lau-Interim Co-Pastors) Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church