CliffsNotes – September 10, 2019

If I walked into your church this Sunday as a visitor (and no one recognized me) what would my experience be?

  1. Would I be warmly greeted, including an opportunity to have a ‘real’ and life giving conversation? People with the gift of hospitality have that special ability to make others feel at ease and comfortable enough to talk – perhaps about weather and sports at first, but surprisingly quickly enough into something personally meaningful;
  2. What would I see and smell: would the décor be distracting or friendly? And frankly, smell is a thing my friends;
  3. Would I be given the opportunity to sit in the best seat, or are they already taken by the regulars? (BTW where are the best seats in your church? Usually, prime seats for most visitors are back seats)
  4. Would I understand the words in your service if I had no church background? Do you take time to explain and teach what you are doing throughout?
  5. Would I understand your inside jokes?
  6. Are my kids safe? Would my youth be interested in coming back? Would my young adults be approached and even invited to an event or better yet out with new friends?
  7. Would the money-plate be explained? Would the little pieces of bread and little cups be explained in a way that makes clear how these relate to me?
  8. If I ask the person sitting near me, a member of your church, what the vision of this church is, would they be able to tell me? Would your vision inspire me enough to bring home the flyer or pamphlet with your vision and strategic plan in it, to show my family?
  9. Would someone say good bye to me? Would you follow up that week with me with a personal letter or call? Will someone remember my name next week if I return?
  10. Do you regularly run a “Welcome” class or luncheon for new people to hear about you and Free Methodism? Did you know that people want to know your core beliefs up front?
  11. Will someone pray for me by name the week after I visit?
  12. Will I leave with something in my hand, or having been given an invitation to come back, to participate in a Welcome Luncheon, to play hockey, quilt, dance, youth group, bring my kids to a children event… or best of all an invite to lunch or coffee with someone? Will it be clear to me that I can belong and I am welcomed??
  13. ARE ALL THESE QUESTIONS / ANSWERS ADDRESSED IN A THREE YEAR MINISTRY PLAN THAT IS CREATED AND FULLY EMBRACED BY THE MEMBERSHIP? If not, you have a Regional Coach, Director of Leadership Development & Church Health, Director of Church Planting, Director of Administrative Services, Intercultural Engagement Team Leader and Bishop who would love to help you!!

 

This weekend many of our Quebec pastors, spouses and leaders came together in Montreal to do a type of New Pastor Orientation day. Because we had never had a French version of this, we created this opportunity and invited all our pastors and leaders. It was such a good time of fellowship.

On Sunday I worshiped with our Clarenceville, PQ church family. Pastor Normand and Chantal’s church family are warm and welcoming. Every week after service they potluck! Loved that! I especially loved the opportunity (1 before and 1 after) to hear two people’s stories about their journey with God and the love they experienced from this church family. Thank you Clarenceville!

 


MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Church Health Thursdays – Random Things Collide: https://fmcic.ca/marcs-random-things/
News & Stories Blog – Building Bridges into the Community with Robotics: https://fmcic.ca/building-bridges-into-the-community-with-robotics/
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/
Faith and Finances Website: http://faithandfinances.ca


PHOTO GALLERY

Xchange Summer 2019
Journée d’orientation des pasteurs


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pastor Yves Anthonuel – approved as a Ministerial Candidate and appointed as Assistant Pastor at Eglise Evangelique des Mille-Iles, Laval, QC, effective August 15

Pastor Bonzil Noel – approved as a Ministerial Candidate and appointed as Lead Pastor at Eglise de la Revelation Divine, Saint-Leonard, QC, effective August 15

Rev. Dr. Pierre Ndoumai – Lead Pastor at Communaute Chretienne de Moissonneurs, Gatineau, QC – completed the transferred into the FMCiC as an Ordained Minister, effective August 15

Rev. Stephen An – Ordained Minister (Canadian Forces Chaplain) – posting changed to Canadian Forces-5 Wing Air Force Base, Goose Bay, NL, effective August 15

 

Ordination and Commissioning Services 

Belinda Leibel – Commissioning Service at Northview Community Church, Regina, SK – September 22, 2019 at 5:00 pm

James Pedlar – Ordination Service at Wesley Chapel Free Methodist Church, Scarborough, ON – September 29, 2019 at 4:00 pm


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

Wesleyan Theology:
October 25-27, 2019 – Holt Free Methodist Church, Mount Albert, Ontario
(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:
Western Canada course starts October 7 (deadline to register – October 1)
Part One: Oct 7-31 – advance online engagement
PLUS
Part Two: Nov 1-2 – two-day in-person class at Lakeview Free Methodist Church, Saskatoon, SK

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/

October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during either the summer and/or the fall semesters of 2019. The 2019 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 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 attend the fall Minister’s Conferences, add 6 hours of CEU credit when you send in your annual CEU report. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
Caistor Centre FMC, Caistor Centre, ON
Hampton FMC, Saskatoon, SK
New Horizons Community Church – Sarnia, 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 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)
Campbellford Free Methodist Church, Campbellford, ON
Crossroads FMC, Salmon Arm, BC (Vern Frudd – Interim Pastor)
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK
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
Youth Pastor – Malvern Methodist