Monday Again

This week we will celebrate the defining moment of our faith – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My prayer is that the exhilaration the disciples must have felt when they understood that He was alive, just as He promised, will be experienced all across our tribe this weekend. As the liturgical expression puts it – He is risen! – He is risen indeed!

The General Board met last week in Indianapolis as many items headed toward the upcoming General Conference in Buffalo, NY in June. Since many of the Memorials (the name for General Conference resolutions), if approved, will have impact on our districts and local churches, the General Superintendent invited all the District Superintendents to be present. While they had no vote, they were openly involved in the discussion and interaction. It made for an excellent meeting with good synergy.
Items processed included the work of the membership Working Group; a doctrinal statement on sin; various recommendations dealing with the United Stewardship Fund  and other matters. However, the highlight of the meeting was the interviews with Dr. Wayne Schmidt and Rev. Isaac Smith, candidates for General Superintendent. Both candidates were nominated forward and the election will take place at General Conference.
Full details of the General Conference can be found atwww.wesleyan.org.

• 59 baptisms at Kings Valley over the weekend – that makes 123 for the year to date. PTL for this amazing growth of new life in Christ. Outstanding!
• The district office will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. In the event of needed contact, Peter and I will both be available by cell phone or Twitter.
• Fort Fairfield held a Commitment Sunday last Sunday and the commitments received represented a 65% increase over last year’s actual giving. This was one of the recommendations of the recent Maximizing Impact Weekend at the Fort. Well done.
• I was pleased to have a brief visit in the office last week with Rev. James, the Global Partners Turkic Arabic Area Director. It was my privilege to work with James during my 5 years at GP.
• Moncton currently has a missions team in Cuba and Corbett Ave has a team in Costa Rica.
• Gloria and I went to see Miracles from Heaven on Saturday afternoon. I highly recommend it. Solid. Balanced. Based on a true story.
• I was in Blacks Harbour yesterday and spoke in the service and met with the LBA following. The church is doing very well and the pastoral search is promising. Bruce Cheney is serving effectively in supplying the pulpit presently – thanks Bruce.
• Peter met with the LBA at Miramichi last week and they are unified and optimistic as their pastoral search is moving forward in a very positive manner.
• Peter also did MI coaching follow up visits at Fort Fairfield and Houlton. He also visited with our Bangor pastors as the upcoming merger of our two churches there is fast approaching.

Fish chowder, lobster rolls and gingerbread with whipped cream for lunch yesterday with the LBA at Blacks Harbour. Well done Bonnie Seeley. You’ve gotta love this job!

www.wesleyan.org/4603/lead-like-wesley – click on this link for an opportunity to order Mark Gorveatte’s new book Lead Like Wesley. Very good read. Practical and on point. Check it out.
THOT: “Our parishes will NEVER be missional communities unless we are willing to welcome and love people who do not yet believe and behave as we wish.” – Fr. James Mallon
ON SECOND THOT: “When our spiritual activity prevents us from caring about people who are far from God, we are not becoming disciples, but Pharisees.” – Fr. James Mallon

Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages
Kingswood University offers a TESL Intensive
For three weeks: April 28 – May 13, 2016
No Classes on Wednesdays.
Registration deadline: April 8
Call Admissions at 506-432-4422

NS Children’s Ministry Huddle
Saturday, May 28 – 9 am – 3pm
New Hope Wesleyan Church, Kentville NS.
Pack your van and bring your Children’s Ministry Team!
Refreshments, breakouts, resources, training and equipping!
Only $25/person (5 or more from your church for  $100)
To register your team contact linda.lamos@kingsvalley.ca

Catch God’s heart for your ministry! Explore fresh insights & gain practical ideas as Mark Buchanan helps you cast a fresh – even daring vision for doing church in your community. His down-to-earth experience and perspective will intrigue and inspire you to new heights in ministry, especially among the most neglected.
For more information and to register visit the Church Leaders Forum website.