New Pastors, Board of Administration, Kingsview FM and Orality
NEW PASTORS: This past week, the Ministry Centre hosted the New Pastors Orientation. For those of you who have never been to one of these 2-day events, let me simply say: our FM pastors and churches have SO MANY resources available to them! Committed and competent support staff who love Jesus and pray for you all, are available to help in every area of church life. A National Leadership Team that is always thinking about you, praying, and readily accessible. And when was the last time you checked out the FMCiC website??
BOA: On Friday-Saturday the Board of Administration met. Remember that we committed to a “Build-Design” approach 2.5 years ago in order to address structural / organizational changes that were needed. Now after 2.5 years of “play testing” the “builds” (for example, a new National Prayer Team, teams versus sub-committees, Personnel Team, Regional Coaches, Mentor Team, etc) we are paying careful attention to the “Design” or policies necessary to operate. We commissioned 2 task forces to consider the current FMCIC culture with regard engaging women in ministry, and our relationship to the LGBTQ community – we look forward to their report at General Conference. We have reorganized Global Missions into the new “Intercultural Engagement Team” which has begun to discern God’s leading for FMCIC concerning international and national mission opportunities. I am especially encouraged by the deepening relationship we are nurturing with our own International Child Care Ministries and with Tearfund (global missions).
BOA has now begun to discuss “VISION”. I love this prayerful conversation. Vision is God’s unique assigned responsibility to the FMCIC. We have a shared responsibility with all other Churches within the Body of Christ. The question that each denomination has to ask is ‘what is our unique assignment?’ or ‘What part of the Body are we?’
It was such an excellent time of discussion and prayer and decision making. The BOA has been very intentional about posturing itself to be great listeners to God, you, Canada, and each other. Two important innovations are that they have initiated [and completed] evaluations of one another, and are leaning into the three questions that vision-policy boards ask: 1. Do we have the right vision? 2. Do we have the right leadership? 3. Are we financially healthy? This board is healthy, and FMCIC is in very good hands. Thank you to Harold Gonyou
Greg Pulham
Raquel Matuzewiski
Tamera Goller
Steven Braun
Darryl Dozlaw
Ian Isaak
Rodney Peterson
Paul Millar
Jon Grant
Daniel Graham
David Kreutzweiser
Kingsview: This past Sunday Karlene and I celebrated Kingsview FM’s 56th anniversary. This is truly a church family that is celebrating what it means to be “many nations” but “one”. Inspiring. The atmosphere was so joyful, worshipful and welcoming. Congratulations Kingsview and thank you!
IET: An Intercultural Engagement Team Update from Jason Tripp and Adam Kline:
Recently we had the opportunity to attend the International Orality Network (ION) conference in Toronto. ION is a network of missional organizations that use, teach and develop oral methods of gospel communication around the world. This year the oral traditions of indigenous culture was a highlight, our friend Jonathan Maracle was invited to be one of the panelists and he extended the invitation to us.
The theme of the gathering was “1 Word 4 All: Embodying Jesus in a Post-Textual World” with informative and interactive sessions revolving around the seven gateways of orality, each designed to inform, inspire and challenge us in how we embody Jesus and communicate the gospel in a post-textual world (which North American is quickly becoming).
To our surprise, the fact that the Free Methodist Church in Canada was represented was a real answer to prayer for the organizers, who are eager to partner with denominations interested in developing methods of orality. We’ve posted a few updates and podcasts from the conference in our IET Facebook Group, and you can learn more on the ION website: https://orality.net/about/
Venezuela Refugee Crisis
Pastors and Leaders,
Over the last several months the largest refugee crisis in the Americas has been developing in Venezuela, and sadly, many have not heard about it. Hyperinflation has devastated the economy and millions of people are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries because the Venezuelan government will not allow NGOs in.
Thankfully, Tearfund Canada is responding to the crisis through the local church in neighbouring Columbia, in the port city of Barranquilla, and the IET is asking all FMCiC congregations to support their efforts!
Our partners at Tearfund have provided several resources for your congregation to learn about the need. Attached is a two-page info sheet about the crisis, a link to a two-minute video that can be downloaded, and a link to the Tearfund resource page.
On the resource page you can download a powerpoint, a prayer guide, and you can donate:
https://tearfund.ca/venezuela-resources/
When we give we are part of a larger effort that is happening through Tearfund Canada, and so the IET wants to challenge all FMCiC congregations to join in and give, and when you give the IET will match FMCiC total donations up to $5000 through the Bishop’s Relief Fund – – just be sure when you donate that you write the name of your Free Methodist Church in the LEAVE A COMMENT section (or on the memo of a cheque).
So let us pray for the justice of Jesus to rule and reign over the Venezuelan people, and for the generosity of God to flow through us!
Short Video: https://vimeo.com/367075041
Rev. Adam Kline
Intercultural Engagement Team
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – Things Rarely Drift Towards Good and Healthy: https://fmcic.ca/things-rarely-drift-towards-good-healthy-things/
News & Stories Blog – Tell Your Stories: https://fmcic.ca/tell-your-stories/
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: Ep 70 – the Neighbourhood Series – Erinn Oxford: https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/ep-70-the-neighbourhood-series-erinn-oxford/
PHOTO GALLERY
Kingsview FM 56th Anniversary Celebration
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None this week
Ordination and Commissioning Services
Rev. Todd Stelmach (Kingston, ON) – ordination service date and time TBA
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:
November 1-3, 2019 – Northview Community Church, Regina, SK
June 5-7, 2020 – Ontario location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
June 5-7, 2020 – 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:
Ontario course date and location TBA*
Personal and Church Stewardship:
5-week online course (FRENCH) – start date – TBA
6-week online course (ENGLISH) – June 1, 2020
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early! Note: Tuition payment is not required when registering for a course. Payment is due 10 days before the course begins.)
2020 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
(Note: The Leadership Scholarship Plan and Special Scholarships are now closed for 2019.)
February 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during the winter semester of 2020. The 2020 application forms and instructions will soon be available to download from the link above.
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during 2020 – 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 attend the fall Minister’s Conferences, add 6 hours of CEU credit when you send in your annual CEU report.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Athens FMC, Athens, ON
Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, 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)
Crossroads FMC, Salmon Arm, BC (November 12)
Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, ON (December 3)
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK (December 10)
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.)
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON
Campbellford Free Methodist Church, Campbellford, ON
Pineview FMC, Cloyne, ON
Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON (Rev. Aaron Birtch – Transition Pastor)
The Journey (a FM church plant), Ridgeway, ON
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Executive Director – Wesley Acres Christian Retreat Centre
Executive Director – Arlington Beach Camp and Conference Centre
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist
