CliffsNotes – February 18, 2020

Did you know that we have a small committee reviewing how to best prepare our ministers (and their families) for retirement and how to continue to missionally and pastorally engage with them after retirement? Retired missionary Debbie Hogeboom is leading the team.

This committee has not come about because I received complaints from our retired leaders. I received none that I can think of. I did, however, hear that some were feeling “caught off guard” about their transition into retirement. They were asking good questions: can I not continue to worship in my current church? Can I mentor the new pastor? What do I do when asked about baptisms, dedications, weddings or funerals? Can I continue in my current small group or Bible study? What if they don’t find a pastor right away, by default do I continue to pastor? What about my spouse and their ministries and social engagements? These are important questions, and certainly must be discussed between board, retiring pastor and spouse. These discussions must occur with honesty, clarity and resolutions. Our committee is endeavouring to create a discussion guide and protocol.

There are financial questions that need to be addressed in preparation for retirement.

There are also the new financial, social and ministry realities connected to retirement that need to be addressed. The main players in this conversation are obviously the pastor and spouse, the church and its leadership, the new pastor and spouse, and the FMCIC. There needs to be clear lines of communications, boundaries, policy and ministry opportunities…

I’d love for our retired ministers to feel free and compelled to continue to pursue ministry opportunities within FMCIC. Ken Roth, for instance, in his retirement is leading our National Prayer Team! I can list many others who continue to contribute significantly to Kingdom work through their FMCIC family. I personally am mentored, pastored, encouraged, and blessed by a few.

Actually, allow me to say this stronger: we, the FMCIC need our retired leaders. We need you to visit, care, support, mentor, disciple, PRAY, bless, evangelize, organize, serve, encourage, love the church you have faithfully served.

Pray for this committee:
Debbie Hogeboom (please continue to pray for her as she recovers),
Doug “I love being a grandpa” Wightman,
Vic “not quite retired yet” Stonehouse,
Dennis “no really I am retired this time” Camplin,
David “our beloved and unofficial minister to retired pastors” Dyer and
Uncle Vern Frudd (and Regional Coach, and intentional interim, and…).
If you have any questions or ideas for the committee feel free to reach out to them. Thank you, committee for investing in this very important discussion.

Deb sent this article out for us to consider:
https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/317186-4-reasons-every-church-needs-senior-saints-tim-counts.html

 


MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Church Health Thursdays – Listen to the Tug on Your Heart: https://fmcic.ca/listen-to-the-tug-on-your-heart/
News & Stories Blog – First Response Bags: https://fmcic.ca/first-response-bags/
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: The 2019 New Leaf Advent Reader – : https://www.newleafnetwork.ca/podcast/


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pastor Marcus Emberley – hired as Lead Pastor at Athens FMC, Athens, ON, effective May 1

 

ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES
None Scheduled


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:
June 5-7, 2020 – at Kingsview Free Methodist Church, Etobicoke, ON
November 6-8, 2020 –  location TBA*

Wesleyan Theology:
November 6-8, 2020 –   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:
Ontario course date and location TBA*

Personal and Church Stewardship:
5-week online course (FRENCH) – start date – TBA
6-week online course (ENGLISH) – start date – 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/

October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during the summer and/or fall semesters of 2020. The 2020 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 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
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, ON

 

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.)

Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON
Cornerstone FMC, Prince Albert, SK
Eyebrow FMC, Eyebrow, SK
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON
Pineview FMC, Cloyne, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON
Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON (Rev. Aaron Birtch – Transition Pastor)
Trinity Christian Centre, Dresden, ON
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (Rev. Vic Stonehouse-Transition Pastor)


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Executive Director – Wesley Acres Christian Retreat Centre
Part Time Youth Pastor –  First FM Church
Ministry Intern – Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist