Monday Again

This past week had me in Atlanta from Monday – Friday attending the DS Institute, a meeting of all DS’s with the General Superintendent and Executive Cabinet members. Only one DS was not present and we had excellent synergy in the sessions and the sidebar discussions. We also were challenged by a number of special speakers and peer learning. The meetings were held at the Maxwell Leadership Centre at 12Stone Church – very inspiring setting.

The pastors of all churches across the denomination that average 500 or more in weekly attendance were also at 12Stone for a meeting this week as well. Our DS group met with these pastors for dinner on Tuesday evening. There are some 70 churches in this group and their combined weekly attendance of more than 111,000 represents some 47% of our total attendance. In other words, nearly half of our total weekly attendance is present in less than 5% of our churches. 

We have three churches on our district in the 500+ category and the pastors – Tim Guptill, Bud Fancy, and Brent Ingersoll – are in the pic above along with Eric Hallett, a good Maritimer now serving the Centennial Road Church in Brockville, ON. The three 500+ churches on our district represent approximately 30% of our total attendance and that number is growing. 

Nick ran into a complication this week and ended up back in the ICU and then on to the Operating Room. The liver is in good shape but there was an infection issue that has been corrected and Nick now has a colostomy. He is back in ICU and yesterday was stable and the news looking forward is promising. 

The pastors of our tribe serving in the HRM have been very faithful in caring for Nick and Beth and I commend them for doing so. Beth has repeatedly mentioned to me how much they appreciate the ministry of the tribe. Keep praying. 

• AJ Plaizier candidated at Yarmouth yesterday – 504 present in the AM service. The vote last night involved the official vote of the members- 127 – 0 – and the unofficial vote of the non-members – 124 – 0 – overall 251 – 0. AJ has accepted the unanimous call.
• Moncton baptized 10 yesterday using their new portable tank and with a number of the candidates coming up out of the crowd.
• Peter was at Shelburne yesterday to preach while the Brewers are enjoying a brief vacation.
• Eight Reasons Your Church Should Have an Email Newsletter – go to TomRainer.com and check it out. Deep Water, Sussex, Miramichi and perhaps others of our churches are doing so. Sounds like a It’s Monday Again idea. 

THOT: “I will either find a way or make one.” – Hannibal, Carthaginian military commander

ON SECOND THOT: “To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust him in the dark – that is faith.” – Charles H. Spurgeon 

Hillside Rally 2016 is just around the corner! We couldn’t be more excited for what is in store! Alive from KU will be doing the music, Dave Sylvain from Presque Isle Wesleyan will be the speaker for the weekend. Fun activities, fantastic workshops, and a great time await students at Hillside Rally. Pre-register for $30 (by Feb 12) or late registration $40 – available at  (hillsidewesleyan.com/rally). See you there!

Kingswood tour of Israel in May 10 – 18, 2016.  Cost is between $3,500 – 3,800 U.S. depending on how many people go (the more that go, the less expensive the trip).  This is truly a once in a life-time opportunity to see and experience first-hand the sights and sounds of the Holy Land, and to walk where Jesus walked.  Such an enriching experience. More information can be found on the website.

Pastors and church members are invited to attend “Mission & the Local Church,” a conference with missiologist Chris Wright. The simulcast event of the Evangelical Missiological Society of Canada will be held February 12 at Kingswood University from 9 to 4:30 pm in Wesley Hall. The cost is $20. Lunch is included. For more information, call Eileen Gavel at 506-432-4429 or see https://www.emsweb.org/regions/canada.