CliffsNotes – August 28, 2018

This was a very good note to start my Monday (from Pastor Laurie Lemke, Venachar FM):

“Just wanted to share with you that we had a believers’ baptism service at a lake today.  We started the service with two people wanting to be baptized…but God is so awesome……..we baptized six (one of them being my dad)!”

I’d love to start every Monday with a note like this! I bet (if betting was right and good, but it’s not so I only mean “if I were a betting man”) that you would like to be able to write a note like this every Monday!

What about baptism?

Attached is the preparation guide that I have used for years. Follow this link. There is no copyright because I developed it- so feel free to make it your own. This is not prescriptive (i.e. use this booklet), rather it is a resource you are free to use.

How do you prepare people for baptism? The early church created a comprehensive catechism class wherein those who wanted to baptized would participate in church life for up to a year prior to being baptized. In that year they would receive teaching, and the final steps before the Easter baptism would be prayer for “deliverance” from demonization. I don’t think that Scripture can support a year’s waiting time, but there is something important about rigorous conversation regarding this sacred opportunity. Much like pre-marital counseling, there should be healthy preparation time. Baptism can be a witness to the unchurched, a visible sign of my belonging to the Body, a declaration to God about my love to Him and a healing moment. I have seen oppressed souls freed in that moment, stomach issues healed and even a Bell’s palsy healed! I love baptisms!

What does a dynamic baptism service look like? Does it include testimonies, if so, how do you help people tell their story? How often do you do baptisms? What’s the minimum number required for you to fill up the tank? Do you have invitations to give out to friends and relatives of those being baptized? For years, I have prayerfully read a Bible passage that the pastoral team I was on, specifically picked out for each person as blessing. I would then have the passage written on the baptism certificate we hand out. Do you have someone to take lots of pictures so that this moment can serve as a stone of remembrance?

Oh Lord, we pray for revival across our country. That children, young people and adults would turn to You. And we’d love to be a part of this work! Give us courage to tell our stories about You. Help us to be sensitive and brave in order to be responsive to any promptings by You, Holy Spirit, to talk to someone about You. Lord, make Mondays in the FMCIC filled with emails and calls about baptism services. IN JESUS NAME we pray. AMEN.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Find out more about the Fall Ministers Conference


PHOTO GALLERY

Quebec MEGaP
Ministry Centre Staff BBQ


MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Church Health Thursdays – 3 Reasons to Stay in a Church That’s Not Cool Enough​: https://fmcic.ca/3-reasons-to-stay-in-a-church-thats-not-cool-enough%e2%80%8b/ New
News & Stories Blog – Giving Meaning to Their Travels: https://fmcic.ca/giving-meaning-to-their-travels/ 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: 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


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rev. Ross Kingston has been appointed as Lead Pastor at Odessa Free Methodist Church, Odessa, 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
5-week online course (FRENCH) –   October 15, 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

Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON
Melfort FMC, Melfort, SK
West Springs FMC, Calgary, AB


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 available at this time

 

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

 


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist Church
Associate Pastor – Verona FM Church