CliffsNotes – November 6, 2018

FMCiC 3 Year Ministry Plan

The first CliffsNotes of 2018 stated that we couldn’t keep doing things the same way and expect different outcomes like conversions, growth in membership, stronger finances, growing mission / outreach “beyond”, and the development of new pastors. Before the end of the year I will send out a “state of the work” report which will highlight some of these new efforts and initiatives. These new initiatives prayerfully come from Life Plan, discussions, committees and teams from across the country asking what it will look like for the FMCiC to accept responsibility for its community. The product of this discernment process is the “FMCiC 3 Year Ministry Plan”. This plan must be a dynamic document and will require much prayer, conversation, oversight, communication, amendments, flexibility, courage, and supernatural power (otherwise, it is our best effort, versus His – Canada needs a supernatural Church, in fact I believe that our community is longing for it!). Churches should create the same kind of document. Over the next little while I will introduce sections of the 3 Year Ministry Plan. Below is the first initiative in the document (note that the initiatives are not in order).

“Inspiring Women into Leadership in the FMCIC”: The Board Of Administration has commissioned a high caliber study commission that would create recommendations to encourage women into leadership. The recommendations will be presented at the 2020 General Conference.

This new commission is NOT about is rehashing our current doctrine on women (we are egalitarian, which we believe is the Biblical position). One FM woman wrote about this new study commission, “It IS about living according to the doctrine by identifying barriers hindering women in ministry and specific ways to release and enable women to move into more effective ministry and leadership”.

Our focus will not be on doctrinal or theoretic topics but on very practical ways that will help women engage.

Furthermore, the purpose of the task is not simply to build the FM church by enlarging the pool of leaders but to bring the FM church into ever-increasing harmony with principles of the Kingdom of God, even as it is in heaven.” Well said.

When we live within and towards a Kingdom ethic, “none” and “dones” will see the Church they crave to see: just, healing, creative, alive, free, empowering, safe, supernatural, redemptive, genuine, and loving. Inspiring women into leadership, and empowering women to be FREE to embrace all the gifts God has given them, is a Kingdom ethic, and it is part of our FREE Methodist roots, therefore it is part of our “3 Year Ministry Plan”.


MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Church Health Thursdays – The Flying V:https://fmcic.ca/the-flying-v/
News & Stories Blog – Do You Believe in Miracles?: https://fmcic.ca/do-you-believe-in-miracles/
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

None

Ordination and Commissioning Services Schedule
Pierre Zidor, Montreal, Quebec – ordination service on November 25, 2018 at 2:00 pm,  Eglise Methodiste Libre de Rosemont, Montreal, QC


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 2-4 at Trulls Road FMC, Courtice, ON
June 7-9, 2019 – location TBA*

Wesleyan Theology:
June 7-9, 2019 – 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:
Date and location TBA

 

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

6-week online course (ENGLISH) – start date – TBA

(*locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early!)

 

2019 SCHOLARSHIPS   https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/

February 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during Winter semester of 2019.  See instructions and the 2019 application forms to download from the link above.

October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during 2019 – 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 attended the fall Minister’s Conferences, add 6 hours of CEU credit when you send in your annual CEU report. 


CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing

Dryden FMC, Dryden, ON
Melfort FMC, Melfort, 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)

Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON (Nov 27/18)
Madoc Wesleyan/FMC, Madoc, ON (Nov 27/18)
Weyburn FMC, Weyburn, SK (Nov 27/18)

 

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)
Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
New Horizons Community Church – Sarnia, ON (Kim Henderson-Interim Pastor)
Richmond Hill Chinese & English Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Abbs So and Shadow Lau-Interim Co-Pastors)
Smiths Falls FMC, Smiths Falls, ON


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