CliffsNotes – November 19, 2019

FMCiC Funding Model Think Tank

I invited, “Godly, successful, creative entrepreneurs / innovators” who are also FM’ers to come to a Think Tank. This past Friday and Saturday these men and women came together to discuss the current FMCIC funding model. The current funding model includes CORE (your church’s commitment to giving 10% of your total offerings, to FMCIC), and Giving Streams (these are money gifts over and above your Core giving to Leadership Development, Church Planting and Intercultural Engagement Team – formally missions). We also have the wonderful Lorne Park Foundation, investments, generous gift givers to specific projects, and rental income. The problem with our current model is that many of our churches are struggling to pay their pastor let alone fulfill their core giving commitment, therefore Giving Streams giving is difficult. Furthermore, the Directors of Leadership Development, Church Planting, and the IET leader have to appeal to you to give to their Giving Stream – besides doing their important work, they also have to be fundraisers. Fundraisers that are competing for your funds. Now to be clear Giving Streams was a good idea, but perhaps it is time to reconsider the current funding model.

The rules for the think tank brainstorming were simple enough: no rules! We discussed whatever these entrepreneur-financially savvy types wanted. We agreed to not argue about why we couldn’t do this or that, but instead we would listen to each other and run with the ideas that seemed to capture our sanctified imaginations. I obviously can’t say more about their recommendations yet as the BOA has not yet received their recommendations, but I did leave quite encouraged.

By the way why did I invite Godly, successful entrepreneurs to this event? God gifts certain people with the ability to have big ideas, and willingness to risk (entrepreneurs). An idea from God and faith or courage to do it, are a powerful duo much needed in our church. We need our entrepreneurs to use their special gifts to challenge our churches forward. Entrepreneurs don’t generally like being on boards, because they are doers! I’m not suggesting we put them on our boards, but I am suggesting that boards find ways to hear from the entrepreneurs in their church. I created a think tank to make this happen.

This past weekend Karlene and I worshipped with Verona FM, in downtown Verona Ontario. Monthly, this welcoming church family sets up tables instead of using their pews. The order of service is worship in music, conversation, interactive message and coffee with muffins. It is a very good and Biblical idea – I mean, being around a table is a very important New Testament experience. Pews are not a Biblical idea, but eating together is (read 1Corinthians 11 for instance, where communion is a part of the corporate worship experience which just so happens to be a meal together). Now I didn’t just say that pews should not be used! I simply said that “pews” is not a word used in the Bible, but eating together is in the Bible. Thank you Verona for reminding us that corporate worship is not limited to one way only, and can include coffee and snacks! And by the way, they are connecting with community youth: 27 community youth come out to a weekly event that they are running. And by the way there are no youth in the directory, yet!


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/


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:
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
Crossroads FMC, Salmon Arm, BC
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)
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