It’s Monday Again
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Gratitude. It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”
It is Pastor Appreciation Month and many of those who subscribe to IMA have direct influence over how your church shows gratitude to the Undershepherd(s) with whom God has blessed you. Here are some great thoughts about why the world is a better place because of your pastor!
In addition to the tangible expressions of gratitude your church family will express to your pastor(s), here are some excellent reminders on how to pray for your spiritual leader(s).
W. Clement Stone once said, “If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.” Last month Kings (Brent Ingersoll) modeled this through Love Week with unprecedented pay-it-forward gratitude to an incredible list of regional organizations and ministries. This included a very generous gift to Caton’s Island – check out the three-minute segment in this presentation to Director Dean Stephenson by Brent and the founding Director Don Ingersoll which begins at time marker 6:50. What would happen for the Name of Jesus if all the churches in our entire region began to do this together?
- Derek Ross serves as the Executive Director of Christian Legal Fellowship. His 90-minute presentation addressing the shifting landscape of religious freedoms in Canada was enjoyed last Thursday by about 25 pastors and lay leaders from both the Central Canada and Atlantic districts.
- These are important days for spiritual leadership to understand how we can best speak up for our religious freedom as we support those like the CLF, EFC, & CCCC, who advocate for evangelical values in our country. Churches are strongly encouraged to become “Friends” of the CLF with an annual membership that includes access to the quarterly Christian Legal Journal.
Ingomar (Brad Eisan) celebrated its 60th anniversary in yesterday’s service with special guest and former pastor Bud Fancy (Presque Isle).
Amanda Oicle (Crossroads Community) in Shelburne, ON, is from Deep Water and was featured in this week’s WesLife article “Church Planting Women are Fueling the Future…” Haven’t subscribed to WesLIfe? Sign up here.
- Our family enjoyed the annual tradition of spending Thanksgiving Weekend at River Haven. The service at Browns Flat Fellowship (Steve BRADLEY) was packed with more than 100 in attendance. The testimony of Emily Agostini was a powerful expression of God’s timely presence in our lives.
- Believability Tour is only 4 weeks away (Nov 1 – Yarmouth, Nov 2 – Halifax). The price is right. The passion is high. Your people will soar. Who should come? Local church influencers. No one should come alone. Think board members, senior leadership, high capacity lay leaders, staff, and next generation leaders you want to develop. The uniqueness of this event is that it is very affordable and designed for lay people/volunteers to come to an inspiring and practical training day. The effectiveness within each church will be based on the number of people that accompany their Pastor so that they together strive to break barriers. This Believability Spotlight from Keynote Speaker AJ Thomas can be shown as an excellent recruitment tool with your leaders. More details below including downloadable promo posters for the day you plan to attend.
- I recently enjoyed a visit at Head of Millstream with new Lead Pastor Kathy Jeffries and her husband Tim. They have moved into the parsonage and are enjoying early connections with the church family and community. Kathy is one of four women appointed/elected as Lead Pastors on the Atlantic District this summer – the highest ever for one year in our history. #raisingleaders
- There were 128 yesterday morning at Woods Harbour (Jason Parker) including a significant number of first-time guests. Jason shared, “We also continued our Skeptic Series as we continue to partner with Yarmouth (AJ Plaizier). God’s presence made the room feel electric! ⚡️ Praise God!”
- Looking for resources on how to MAKE DISCIPLES in your church? Banding Together: A Practical Guide for Disciple Makers Journal and Leader’s Guide are designed to provide a simple strategy for making disciples and starting a disciple-making movement in your church or community. The journal is an essential part of every discipleship group and includes a small group agenda, Bible reading plan, table of contents, prayer guide and several months of journal entries. The leader’s guide provides a framework for disciple-making, a simple step-by-step process for starting a discipleship group and five strategic moves for launching a disciple-making movement.
- Revs. Graham & Rebecca Perry (Saint John First) shared in an exciting baptism yesterday with their son Nathan. There is nothing in ministry that compares with the joy of baptizing your own children!
Congratulations to Dave & Sonja Hartlen on September 29th arrival at 9:02 p.m. of Aria Grace (8 lbs. 5.7 oz.).
Ellen & I were privileged to attend the Saturday wedding of Jedie & Mariah (Cummings) Elliott at Moncton Wesleyan. Jedie’s father (our National Superintendent, Dr. Stephen Elliott) officiated the ceremony. Jedie and Mariah are both on staff at New Hope (Scott Prime).
THOT: Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. (Henry Ward Beecher)
On Second THOT: A critical eye is of some value, but careful, it’s first cousin is a critical spirit. And a critical spirit‘s next of kin is a cynical heart. A cynical heart will rob all joy of recognizing and celebrating the presence of God. (Kevin Queen)
Bonus THOT: If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get. (Frank Clark)
Join hundreds of women at from all over the east coast as we come together to worship God and have fun! Our goal is to create an atmosphere where every woman at Harvest will experience an encounter with God that will impact their life and the people in it.
Join us this fall at Kings Church, October 19 & 20, with special guest speakers Annie F. Downs and Heather Semple. For more information, or to register visit www.harvestconference.ca or call 506-847-5343.
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon visits the Atlantic District!
World Hope International (Canada) and Dr. Jo Anne Lyon are excited to tour around the Maritimes October 21-28! Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emerita of The Wesleyan Church will be speaking at the following events/churches and all are welcome to join:
Oct 21: Moncton Wesleyan Church, 10:30am (Speaking on Women in Leadership)
Oct 23: Kingswood University Chapel, 9:30am
Oct 24: Kingswood University PULSE, 9:30am. This is an educational event for students but local pastors and church staff are welcome to sit in! Please RSVP to ColeRooney@WorldHope.org to ensure seating. Dr. Lyon will be speaking on Kingdom Leadership: Jesus and Paul both practice a Leadership model that embodies men and women working together in equality. This is the full reflection of God and the Kingdom. Principles, attitudes and historical perspective will be explored all through the lens of Scripture
Oct 27 (morning): South Shore Ministerial, Yarmouth Wesleyan Church. This event is for pastors and missions teams. More information to follow soon!
Oct 28: Yarmouth Wesleyan Church, 9:30am & 11am
YARMOUTH WESLEYAN CHURCH
Thursday, November 1st, 9:30-4:30
Keynote Speakers Including : AJ Thomas, Kevin Vincent, Brent Ingersoll, Mike Miller & L.D. Buckingham
THE ROCK CHURCH HALIFAX
Friday, November 2nd, 9:30-4:30
Keynote Speakers: Jerry Reddy, James Mallon, AJ Thomas, Kevin Vincent & L.D. Buckingham
For more information and to register please visit the BLI website.
Download Yarmouth (Nov 1) Promo Poster
Download Halifax (Nov 2) Promo Poster
November 9 – Moncton
November 10 – Halifax
WHAT IS BASE CAMP?
The Ascent Base Camp is a one-day immersion in the vision, values, tools and training that are required for the church planting venture. You will learn from seasoned church planters and get input from church planting strategists who will help you discern if this “climb” is one you should attempt.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
• Senior leaders who bring along younger leaders they are working with.
• Young leaders who may not yet know how God has gifted and called them.
• Anyone who is curious about the calling and challenges of church planting.
• Students who are discerning God’s call for future ministry.
• Those considering a call to ministry, regardless of the specific field, or path.
WHY ATTEND A BASE CAMP?
Like climbing a mountain peak, church planting requires much preparation and skill. The vistas from the peak are not reached without strict training, Spirit-dependency, and much prayer. Many hazards line the path up the mountain. As you consider the call God may be placing on your life – and specifically the potential of planting a church – wisdom would advise that you gain insight from those who have gone before.
Base Camp is just one step along the journey, but as you consider God’s call, it may be that Base Camp will clarify and strengthen your call and your resolve.
COST
• Early Bird Rate – $20 per person
• One Week Prior – $25 per person
For more information and to register: www.ascentbasecamp.com
January 9-12, 2019
Orlando, Florida at The Caribe Royale
More than a minister’s conference. The Gathering is a reunion of ministry family and friends. A sabbath for our souls. Coming together to stop, rest, pray, play and thrive. A chance to celebrate what God is doing in our lives and ministry through meals, stories, inspiration and worship. We know this will be a gathering you won’t want to miss!