A Thoughtful Listen or Read
I just listened to a podcast that is very inspiring. I don’t believe she identifies as a Jesus follower but her interviewer does. Carrie Nieuwhof interviewed Jacqueline Novogratz. Jacqueline is the founder and CEO of Acumen, a non-profit global venture capital fund, whose goal is to use entrepreneurial approaches to address global poverty.
Click here for a link to the podcast.
This is very Free Methodist – confronting poverty. I’m not sure when Methodists, and then Free Methodists stopped being on the front line of ministry to the poor, but the truth is, most of our churches are not necessarily known for our heart and work among the vulnerable. At its inception in 1860, the newly formed Free Methodist denomination articulated its mission as twofold: “to maintain the Bible standard of Christianity and to preach the gospel to the poor.” Sit with that for a moment. I appreciate that ministry has to be contextual, but this “gospel to the poor” is cornerstone to our movement.
Novogratz says this wonderful thing in the interview: “Moral imagination has the humility to see the world as it is, and the audacity to imagine what it could be.”
That’s pretty good! I’d like to Free Methodize her words, “Sanctified imagination has the humility to see the world as God sees it, and the audacity (faith, courage and authority) to imagine what Jesus would want it to be.” Much to consider in this Free Methodized line. Much for leaders to lead into, and the rest of us to pursue.
In order to accomplish her work, Novogratz has mobilized investors, business people, and coaches around the world to help confront poverty. She explains that the opposite of poverty is not money. The opposite of poverty is dignity.
Finding ways to help people work, build, create, read, and learn are strategies to alleviate poverty. Jesus is all about dignity! He spoke dignity into women, which was radical in His time – sadly, still in our time! He spoke dignity into untouchables (lepers, and unclean), by touching them, speaking with them, loving them publicly. Jesus gives us a clear sense of identity, courage, authority, gifts, and the power to live into the life He has entrusted us with. This is the stuff of dignity, and it is ours to bring to others, especially the poor and marginalized.
I encourage you to take some time to listen to the podcast. Pray, “Lord, do I feel this convicted and passionate? Lord, awaken me or someone in our church with creative ideas about mobilizing me, my church family and my community into coming alongside people who are considered the “least of these”.\”
Grant Writing 02: HOW TO WRITE A GRANT WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL
DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2021 @ 7-8:30 PM ET
Course Outline:
- Language Matters
- Remember the Mission
- Tone Matters
- Learn to Tell the Story
- Answer the Questions
Cost: $45 – less 50% FMCIC Discount Code FMCiC50 = $22.50
What\’s Got You Thinking: https://vimeo.com/627621664/be88db0432
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
2nd Tuesday of each month: What’s Got You Thinking?
3rd Wednesday of each month: Get the Scoop with Lisa and Alison
4th Thursday of each month: Church Health Thursday
Message from Bishop Cliff: https://vimeo.com/
Coffee with Jared: https://vimeo.com/
Mystery Beverage with Marc: https://vimeo.com/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Dr. Christopher Payk – status change from “Attending School” to “Released for Service Beyond the Denomination-Chaplain/Teacher at Morrison Academy, Taipei, Taiwan”, effective October 16, 2021.
ORDINATION SERVICES
October 24 at 3:00 pm – Jessica Isaak – Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
(to attend in person please RSVP at [email protected], or to view via Zoom,
Meeting ID: 823 2606 5913
Passcode: 620543
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82326065913?pwd=QUFzSFBiOCtJRnp6Q3kxaXQ1bW1BZz09)
November 7 at 2:30 pm – Leonard Bruce – Peterborough FMC, Peterborough, ON
November 21 at 3:00 pm – Wilder Boutin – Église Vie d’Espoir, 35, av. Marien, Montréal-Est, QC
Date and time TBA:
Erika Mills – location TBA
Benjamin Platz – Next Church, Kingston, ON
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES http://www.fmcic.ca/
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:
2022 date and location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
2022 date and location TBA*
Also available:
- Tyndale University: https://www.tyndale.ca/
seminary/course/theo-0629
- FMC-USA as a 7-week intensive online course with several start dates: 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:
2022 Date and location TBA*
Personal and Church Stewardship:
5-week online course – 2022 Start Date TBA
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)
SCHOLARSHIPS
2022 APPLICATIONS 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 deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the winter semester of 2022. The 2022 application forms and instructions will soon be available to download from the link above. Please use the application forms marked “rev 2022.”
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 2022 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/
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 attend the fall Minister’s Conferences or the spring Regional Gatherings, add 6 hours of CEU credit for each event when you send in your annual CEU report.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Prince Albert, SK – Cornerstone FMC
Simcoe, ON – Cedar Street Community Church
Church Profiles available
Contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – [email protected] or 416-240-7845 (deadline to apply in brackets)
Harrowsmith, ON – Harrowsmith FMC [full-time] (Nov 2)
Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church [full-time] (Nov 16)
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FMC [full-time] (Nov 16)
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.
Campbellford, ON – Campbellford FMC, (Rev. Jurgen Rausch-Transition Pastor)
Cloyne, ON – Pineview FMC
Frankford, ON – Frankford Community Church
Hamilton, ON – Rymal Road Community Church
Hilton Beach, ON – St. Joseph Island FMC (Rev. David Griggs-Interim Pastor)
New Westminster, BC – First FMC
Oshawa, ON – The Corner Church (Free Methodist / Church of the Nazarene)
Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Sarnia, ON – New Horizons Community Church (Rev. Mary Lee DeWitt-Transition Pastor)
Saskatoon, SK – Lakeview FMC
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
