Do Not Be Distracted
I know that I got up out of my comfy couch to go to the kitchen for a reason?! I mean, I stood in the middle of our kitchen, scratching my head wondering what in the world I had needed so badly that I left my couch? I retraced my steps to see if that would help. On my way to the kitchen I checked my phone, pet my dog, picked up a piece of paper, put a knife in the dishwasher. These weren’t bad things, but I was distracted and what I had originally stood up for, was lost… So, I stuck a snack in my mouth and went back to the living room. Distraction does that.
Let me first tell you about my good weekend. I worshiped with the Campbellford FMC, on Sunday morning. Something that stood out was their newly formed ministry plan. It is professionally printed on their back wall. It is Biblical, clear, succinct, and measurable. It is broken down into phases, and therefore it will help them not to be distracted. It would inspire members and visitors alike. Thank you Campbellford for reminding FMCiC of the need to create, and make sure that people are very aware of your ministry plan.
On Sunday afternoon I was at the Verona FMC in order to ordain the Rev. Kathy Casement. It was so good to worship (two times) publicly on Sunday. It was good to see and be with people. Pastor Kathy checked with her local public health about serving food, and so we were served light refreshments – it was good to take off masks, eat, drink and visit with good friends! By the end of 2021 I will have ordained 7 people – stop and take that in for a moment. Seven newly ordained ministers in the FMCiC. Seven people who have said yes to God’s calling on their lives, and Church family has affirmed those callings! Certainly, one of the marks of a healthy Church is the development of leaders.
And then to make a good weekend even better, a pastor I was speaking with yesterday told me about someone who had walked away from faith, but was now choosing to make things right with God. The pastor was joyfully telling me how this person said in their visit together, that it was time to invite Jesus into their life! This is exactly the type of visit that pastors hope for! In fact, I also just had this very same conversation with someone this weekend! I love these conversations.
The pastors I know have not signed up for ministry that involves fighting over vaccines, mask wearing, or even politics. They have signed up to lead one more person to Jesus. The followers of Christ, who I most respect and want to be like, desire to be in Churches that are about leading one more person to Jesus. These Jesus-followers are quite uninterested in fights that polarize, and hurt the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, “though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible” (1Cor.9:19).
I wrote this today, Church, to remind you: do not be distracted…
Tuesdays: Cliff’s Notes
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
None this week
ORDINATION SERVICES
September 19 at 2:00 pm – Tyler Lane – Trulls Rd FMC, Courtice, ON
October 3 at 2:00 PM – Blake Found – Uxbridge FMC, Uxbridge, ON
October 24 at 3:00 pm – Jessica Isaak – Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
November 7 at 2:30 pm – Leonard Bruce – Peterborough FMC, Peterborough, ON
November 21 at 3:00 pm – Wilder Boutin – Centre Biblique Louange a L\’Eternel, Montreal, QC
Date and time TBA:
Erika Mills – location TBA
Benjamin Platz – Next Church, Kingston, ON
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://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:
7-week course on Tuesday evenings 7:30-9:30 pm EDT via Zoom starting Tuesday, October 5, 2021
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
2021 APPLICATIONS https://fmcic.ca/
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.
October 15 is the deadline to apply for LSP for any courses taken during the summer/or fall semesters of 2021. The 2021 application forms and instructions are now available to download from the link above. Please use the application forms marked “rev 2021.”
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 2021 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://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
None
Church Profiles available
Contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – davika.dotson@fmcic.ca or 416-240-7845 (deadline to apply in brackets)
Prince Albert, SK – Cornerstone FMC [part-time] (Oct 5)
Simcoe, ON – Cedar Street Community Church [part-time] (Oct 5)
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
Harrowsmith, ON – Harrowsmith FMC
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
Thornbury, ON – Blue Mountain Community Church
Warkworth, ON – Warkworth FMC
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
