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/ MINISTRY ARTICLES
From our District and Ministry Leaders.
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MINISTRY INVESTORS GROUP
Information about our 2019 fall appeal in Bella Bella.
/ AROUND THE DISTRICT
Ministry Updates, Birth Announcements and Churches in Transition.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
District, NGM and other VOH events.
BC & YUKON DISTRICT OF THE PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLIES OF CANADA
2019
SEPTEMBER EDITION
Andy Gabruch | Director of Youth, Young Adults & Family Ministries A leadership hack is a practical way(s) to go further, faster into the call of God over you. I am able to write this for you because, after 17 years of ministry, I AM SIMPLY. STILL. HERE! Still loving God. Still loving people. Still loving ministry. This is the heart of this post – to help you with some leadership and ministry hacks that could help you grow and
influence your ministry further, faster and not blindside you personally. Here they are: Get a mentor Too often we wait for a mentor rather than find one. Don’t wait! Pray, ask, look for a mentor… and, if you can’t find one, you can learn from everyone and
anything. Don’t wait! Be a learner of who you want to be, who you don’t want to be, and be intentional. Ask good questions. Get a budget If you want to thrive, not just survive, in ministry, you need a budget. I know that putting a budget together makes little >> CONT. PAGE TWO
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sense when you can barely live on it, but a budget helps build a plan for you to get creative and allow God to work (because He will provide for you). Pay off debt This is a big one! Take care of your debt. Most pastors don’t take a hack at this one and it limits their potential and calling. Some will tell you that ministry education is too much or that it is necessary, but I think there is a simple solution – work! Work on the side, build a side income with your hobbies, or write! Do what it takes to pay off debt because it will set you up in the future.
What passion, hobby, and/or skill do you have to make a side hustle to help meet your needs as a young pastor/worker?
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Get a weekly “admin” sheet
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Reflect on highs, lows, challenges, joy, and lessons/week
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Have a hobby AND stick with it
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Eat healthy (drink 4L of water/day, stay away from pop, eat whole foods)
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Meet up with your leader/month for coffee and you pay for it. Ask good questions to learn from him/her.
13. NEVER decide to quit after your youth event/program/ retreat/service 14. Find good friends that do life with you… that you can be REAL with. Side note, sometimes this is BEST outside of your church context. 15. Find a counsellor to speak life into you with an objective viewpoint 16. Know your blind spots - it’s ok to embrace your humanity because if don’t, you will get blindsided. In other words, please be honest with yourself! 17. Have an annual self-leadership plan 18. Read a book once a week or monthly. I would encourage a book on leadership, shepherding, and management/month (or listen to it). 19. Challenge yourself EVERY DAY 20. Use Quicken (an online budgeting program). It is GREAT!
What are your blind spots? If you don’t know, who can tell you yours (aka your spouse, good friend, mentor, parent, pastor)?
21. Looking for more practical ways to thrive, not just survive in ministry, feel free to connect with me ANYTIME and/or add to the convo below.
Practical Ideas 1.
Journal every day
12. Pray! Not for stuff or for “things” God to do for you… but to listen… to quiet yourself - let God renew you.
Bringing it home:
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11. Discipline yourself to rhythms in your schedule
Think long term Look at ministry in the long haul… anything worthwhile takes time. Don’t change things too early, push people, or become territorial in your leadership. Work with people, build trust, and love as Christ loves you… you’ll be amazed what God does in your ministry when you love people well for the long haul with no strings attached.
Do you have an active, intentional mentor in your life? If not, why not consider what people are saying about #ANEWME.
Meet with your mentor once a month
10. Educate yourself, beyond podcasts/friends/socials, take a class and grow beyond your preferences.
Deal with your stuff, NOW (or it will slowly kill you in the future) A great leader said that each of us have an average of 3.4 blind spots in our lives. That leader, ironic enough, was Bill Hybels (GLS, Session One, 2015). Nevertheless, we all have them. You need to understand your blind spots and be able to allow God’s Spirit to refine and heal you or they will blindside you. Mentors, personality assessments, personal sin patterns, and insecurity realities will all show you where your blind spots are… don’t let pride sideswipe you! Your call and His mission is too important.
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Keep leading well! Don’t just survive, thrive!
50/30/20 principle – 50% housing, 30% living, 20% saving/giving – budget
>> READ MORE AT
ANDYGABRUCH.CA
Shop at Thrift stores (this one is great)
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Join us for reGroup - regional Church Leadership Seminars to provide leadership training for pastors, deacons, church administrators, lay-leaders, team leaders, youth/young adult pastor, children and preteen pastors and other key volunteers within the local church setting. General Sessions and specialized elective sessions will be facilitated that address specific issues relating to church leadership, multiplication, revitalization, care, and governance.
Register online at bc.paoc.org/regroup
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Len DenBraber | Assistant District Superintendent for Multiplication
I love the “lazy, hazy days of summer” which provide the opportunity for unstructured time with family and friends. But as September gets closer, the itch to return to comfortable rhythms of going back to school and getting back to weekly ministries gets more insistent.
We often rented inflatable games and planned for a barbeque following the service, all in an attempt to welcome everyone back. So, I remember the feeling when we prepared for the predicted return on the second Sunday of September… and they didn’t come back (at least, not in force). After we stored the extra uncooked hamburgers and hotdogs in the freezer and watched the truck with the deflated inflatables drive away, I wondered what happened. I felt like Charlie Brown after Lucy pulls the football away at the last minute: we gave it our best try only to fall flat on our backs.
One of the things I loved most about the fall season was the return to church of all the people who had been away over the summer. Not only did Sunday morning attendance swell, but it was good to reconnect relationally. Every year, my anticipation grew for the Sunday after the Labour Day long weekend when the church would be abuzz with renewed energy and the arrival of some new families. Being conscientious leaders, our team would plan for “Comeback Sunday” or “Kickoff” by doing our best to get volunteers in place, ministry calendars set and promotion prepared. We would also set out extra chairs, make sure our worship team was well rehearsed and the message was engaging.
Most people eventually did return, but not with the explosive 4
“We’re back!” experience of previous years. In fact, it wasn’t until Thanksgiving weekend that we really saw a surge of people return. The next autumn, a similar thing happened, and the following year was no different.
2. Soft-launch Before a new church plant starts, they often soft-launch before opening the doors to the public. They hold full-blown services that are designed to help the team work out the kinks before welcoming the community.
I don’t claim to be particularly intelligent, but it dawned on me after the third year that this was a trend. Something had changed in people’s attendance patterns we had failed to understand:
Think of September as your soft-launch. Don’t compromise the quality of your services and ministries but recognize that the weeks before Thanksgiving are your opportunity to evaluate and adjust before everyone finally returns.
1. People stretch summer out as long as possible. Not too long ago, the start of the school year was the signal summer was over – despite the weather. Now people of all ages and stages are looking for every opportunity to take advantage of good weather for as long as the weather holds up. Families still go camping on September weekends, and savvy empty-nesters capitalize on the good weather and smaller crowds in the early fall to take holidays.
3. Restart Part of the trend we noticed was Thanksgiving weekend often had the excitement we hoped for in September. But by then we were in full swing and anyone plugging in had to play catch-up with us. We effectively penalized them for showing up late.
2. Families take longer to “get organized.”
Instead, intentionally plan to “restart” some ministries on Thanksgiving weekend: start a new preaching series, start a new small group or Bible study the following week, start your 4-week connection process the following Sunday, make sure your youth ministry is doing something especially guest-friendly that week, etc.
The pursuit of recreation into September and beyond also means that parents often put off the usual back-to-school preparations and avoid obligating their children to extracurricular activities in the early fall. This means they are just not ready to return to regular routines in September, including attending church and sending their students to youth group.
The idea is to offer easy ways for people returning later than you expected to connect into the life of the church – without making them feel like they showed up late to the party.
So, what do we do? Do we plan a fall kickoff for those who do return in September; or forget about it altogether? Is it worth the effort to host a comeback Sunday for a relatively small return?
Frankly, it’s inconvenient (and maybe even annoying) that we have to shift our ministry strategies to accommodate the changing priorities of others. But trying to force people into a schedule that works for us but not for them is a losing battle. Instead, look for ways to capitalize on new trends – you may find that in doing so you reach more people more effectively!
Here are some ideas: 1. Adjust your expectations Mid-September is still a great time to capitalize on the momentum a new school year provides. While you might not have the swell of people that used to be typical, it’s a natural time to start new ministries and to welcome new people to the church. Make a big deal of the start of a new ministry season, host the barbeque and rent the inflatables – just recognize you might not have the same level of participation you did in years past.
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John Engels | Former Director of University Christian Ministries This will be my final submission for the Network News. The last 16 plus years in the district as UCM District Director have been fruitful. Nancy and I have been so blessed with an all-star campus staff and board team. I will be taking up the National Coordinator position with Serve Campus Network (Mission Canada, PAOC) on September 1. My new role will very similar to what it was in our district, which is leadership care, multiplication, and ministry expansion to Canada’s post-secondary campuses.
September 1. Seth brings 20 years of UCM experience at SFU, and has a strong track record of leadership multiplication. Be praying for Seth as he transitions into the new role, and that the SFU team will successfully make the adjustment as well. Milly Li will be succeeding Seth as the UCM director role at SFU.
Handing off the baton for Leadership succession is God’s plan throughout the Bible with kings, priests, prophets, and Jesus Christ. Succession can be thought of as the Lord’s command to disciple others. Joshua succeeded Moses, Elisha succeeded Elijah, and The 12 apostles were discipled by Jesus to do the same with others. We get to run our leg in the discipleship race with our families, friends, co-workers, etc. Our focus in UCM is students. The right training and timing are keys to raise up spiritually fit disciples who can take the baton of servant leadership for the next leg of the race. In time, they hand the baton to a qualified servant leader (2 Timothy 2:2).
400,000 full and part-time students have flooded back on BC and Yukon Campuses. Please let students know UCM is on many campuses and share our back to school link with students you know, or call UCM here at the District Office. We would love to connect with them.
>> LEARN MORE AT JOINUCM.ORG
The District Leadership Team has confirmed Seth Greenham as the next UCM District Director! His new role began 6
Text “Give 20� or any other amount to 604-757-2609 Follow the prompts
Register your credit or debit card (first time only)
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New! Online Option for Graduate Studies. What if you could study master’s level courses in the convenience of your home and context of your ministry? Summit Pacific College has invested in technology that offers a real-time online classroom experience for School of Graduate Studies students who cannot attend a class in person.
This delivery format is referred as a “hybrid” model. A student enrolls in the class like everyone else, engages with the learning material and assignments as others in the class, but is present in the class sessions via video conference. In short, an online student misses very little of the dynamics of the classroom experience.
This platform delivers a learning experience The SUMMIT SCHOOL OF GRADUATE in which online students can engage in STUDIES currently offers two certificates, discussions with a professor and class, and each consisting of five courses. receive slides as well as “white board” presentations simultaneously with other students.
The Certificate in Studies in Pentecostal Theology explores the rich world of Pentecostal theology, and will enhance the student’s understanding of contemporary perspectives. The Certificate in Non-Profit Organizational Leadership provides a strong foundation for future and current leaders in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on institutional leadership. The courses are offered in modular format. For more information about the program, courses, and study options contact the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Riku Tuppurainen at deanofgradstudies@summitpacific.ca.
Theory and Application of Biblical Interpretation [BIBE 500] Professor: Dr. Riku Tuppurainen
Students can attend the classes online.
This course is a study of the pivotal principles of biblical interpretation. The aim of the course is to equip the student with sound theory and skills to interpret the biblical text. The focus of this course will be upon an understanding of historical precedents and the application of established hermeneutical principles in Pentecostal-evangelical traditions.
Class Dates: Mon., Sep. 30, 5–9 pm Mon., Oct. 7, 5-9 pm Mon., Oct. 28, 5-9 pm Mon., Nov. 4, 5-9 pm Mon., Nov. 18, 5-9 pm
The course concentrates on three areas. First, the disciplines (exegesis and hermeneutics) are defined and hermeneutical principles are discussed. Secondly, the steps of the interpretative process are studied in detail and applied to selected texts. Finally, the history of interpretation is outlined, including current trends in hermeneutics.
Final Project Submission Date: December 31, 2019 Registration: https://www.grad.summitpacific.ca/upcoming-courses More information: grad.summitpacific.ca or email deanofgradstudies@summitpacific.ca
This course is a part of Graduate Certificate in Studies in Pentecostal Theology program.
>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING COURSES VISIT
GRAD.SUMMITPACIFIC.CA
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Bella Bella Pentecostal Church | Bella Bella, BC
As part of the Ministry Investors Group, three appeals per year are expressed with an explanation of the need and opportunity to give in response to the project (donations of $10 or greater are eligible to receive a tax receipt). Please consider joining today. Investing in God’s work on earth pays eternal dividends. Be a wise investor!
3 times per year, an individual will be asked to give $10 or more.
The Ministry Investors Group is formerly known as the Minutemen/Women program. This program assists smaller and pioneer assemblies with the purchase of property and the construction or renovating of church buildings. It is a creative plan that allows us the privilege of investing and having a share in God’s work in many communities without actually living there. Since 1957, we have raised over $1.4 million through the generosity of our churches and individuals donors. This generous support has enabled our churches to accomplish many necessary capital improvement projects. We invite you to participate with us in God’s Kingdom.
These “small investments” go a long way in helping churches across our district.
That single investment, joined with similar investments, will raise thousands of dollars.
1: Text2Give: text “Give20” or any other amount to 604-757-2609 2: Make a donation online at bc.paoc.org/giving 3: Mail a cheque to our office with “MIG” in the memo
Thank you for your generous response in our last appeal to help Glad Tidings Church in Alert Bay, BC. Together we were able to send $10,415 to help them with the much needed repairs and upgrades to their building. May God bless you for your ministry. Our fall project is to assist Bella Bella Pentecostal Church in Bella Bella. Together we would like to help the congregation with removing and repairing dry-rot in structural support throughout the building, repair failing concrete foundation, replace flooring through the building, and paint repair areas throughout the building. May God bless you as you consider to be a part of improving the Lord’s house in Bella Bella. Thank you immensely for your heart of generosity.
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Andy Gabruch will be concluding his role as Director of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministries of the BC and Yukon District and has been appointed as the Discipleship and Leadership Pastor of Broadway Church in Vancouver. He will begin on January 1, 2020.
Evangel Church in Kelowna. They will be transferring to the Manitoba and Northwest Territories District. Jeremiah Modino has been appointed as Church Planting Apprentice of Citizens Church in Surrey. He began on September 15.
Daniel Gilmore has concluded his role as Assistant Pastor of Evangel Chapel in Fort St. John and has been appointed as a Bible and English Teacher at Christian Life School in Fort St. John. His last day was in June.
Daniel Park has been appointed as English Ministry Pastor of Vancouver Korean Full Gospel Church in Burnaby. He began in August.
Chris Green has been appointed as the Next Gen Coordinator of Highway Christian Fellowship in Sidney.
Castina Pennington has been appointed as part-time Connections Pastor of Evangel Church in Kelowna. She will begin in the fall.
Mark Lewis will be concluding his role as Lead Pastor of Central Christian Assembly in Burnaby and has been appointed as Assistant District Superintendent for Revitalization of the BC and Yukon District. He will begin his new role on October 15. Ralph Lubben has been called as Lead Pastor of Atlin Christian Assembly. He will begin in October. Barry and Ramona Maurer have concluded their roles as Discipleship Pastor and Children’s Pastor (respectively) of
Marcus Shaughnessy has been appointed as the Lay Pastor of Glad Tidings Church in Alert Bay. He began in August. Jason Tischer has been appointed as the Youth Leader of Broadway Church, Port Coquitlam Campus. He began September 1. Nathan Traversy has been appointed as the Youth Ministry Director of Broadway Church in Vancouver. He began on September 1.
Darin and Gabby Graham are excited to announce the birth of their son, Leo Robert. Justin and Rachel Lefebvre are excited to announce the birth of their son, Wyatt Cameron.
Anahim Lake Chapel (Church Replant Opportunity)
Hixon, Lighthouse Community Church
Bella Coola Pentecostal Assembly
Port Alice, Oceanview Assembly (Bi-Vocational)
Burnaby, Iglesia Pentecostal Emanuel (Spanish – bilingual)
Salt Spring Island (Church Replant Opportunity)
Cherryville, Gospel Church (Bi-Vocational)
Vanderhoof, Glad Tidings Church
Chilliwack, Central Pentecostal Assembly
Vernon Family Church
Delta, Sunshine Hills Chinese Church
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September 20-21 – reGROUP, Castlegar September 22 – APCF (Anointed Peoples College Foundation) Graduation, Fort St. James September 23-26 – INDIGENOUS SUMMIT, Fort St. James September 27-28 – reGROUP, Prince George October 18-19 – reGROUP: West Kelowna To find other ev ents ha ppe ni ng October 20 – CAMPUS MINISTRY SUNDAY a r ound our dis tr ic t a nd for mor e October 25-26 – reGROUP, Nanaimo infor ma tion v is it bc .pa oc .or g /e v e nts November 1-2 – reGROUP, Langley November 16 – SENT (for Young Adults) , www.sentgeneration.ca March 29-31 – TIMEOUT (Leadership Retreat) , Abbotsford March 30-April 1 – DISTRICT CONFERENCE, Abbotsford April 26 – SUMMIT PACIFIC COLLEGE GRADUATION CEREMONY, Christian Life Assembly, Langley May 22-24 – HISTORYMAKER WEEKEND, www.historymaker.ca
Emmanuel Church, West Kelowna Sept. 27 Lighthouse Church, Ladner Oct. 5 Broadway Church, Vancouver Oct. 25 Christian Life Assembly, Langley Oct. 26 Comox Pentecostal, Comox Nov. 1
Tickets: $30 Each year, Village of Hope hosts Evenings of Hope to share updates about their projects, to celebrate the lives that have been changed, to say thank you to supporters, and to raise much-needed funds to help continue to provide care for children. The events include dinner and presentations from VOH staff, volunteers, and graduates. VOH welcomes those who already support the work and those who are interested in learning more. You are more than welcome to invite your friends--the more the merrier! vohafrica.com/events OR info@vohafrica.com
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Listed in alphabetical order
Derek Koch – Marketplace Ministers and Chaplains Coordinator Les & Pat Markham – Prayer Ministry Coordinator Marj Pettinger – Counselling Coordinator
Len DenBraber – Assistant Superintendent for Multiplication Andy Gabruch – Director of Youth, Young Adults and Family Ministries Seth Greenham – Director of University Christian Ministries Harold Gutierrez – Director of Cultural and Aboriginal Ministries Darwin Pichette – Assistant Superintendent for Operations Ken Russell – District Superintendent
Bruce Brown, Jim Caruso, Len DenBraber, Hannah Dutko, Dave Funk, Jaz Ghag, Derrick Hamre, Lucas Mitchell, Rebeca Monzo, Darwin Pichette, Kim Quigley, Ken Russell
Bill Ashbee (Fraser Valley), Marco Bessa (Thompson-Shuswap), Wes Daase (Delta/Surrey/New West), Peter Lewis (South Island), Gary Maaser (Far North), Lorrie Anne MacLeod (Kootenay), Paul Moores (Vancouver), Dave Murphy (Northwest), David Postal (North Island), Dan Starlund (Indigenous), Cliff Siebert (Okanagan), Rich Phillips (Cariboo/ Prince George)
Kirsten Anonby – University Christian Ministries Assistant Director Kailei Chang – University Christian Ministries Ministry Support Specialist Allie Hoad – Volunteer Coordinator Carol McPhail – Bookkeeper Laura O’Reilly – Admin for Events Cynthia Oldendorf – Admin for Ministry Operations Janet Rana – Admin for District Conference and Seminars Devan Sylvester – Admin for Communications Val VanderMeulen – Admin for Church and Clergy Records
CONTACT US
Trevor Kempner (North Island), Rex Ng (Vancouver), Steve Pederson (Far North), Shaun Romano (Kootenay), Rob Young (Northwest)
20411 DOUGLAS CRESCENT, LANGLEY BC V3A 4B6 BC.PAOC.ORG | INFO@BC.PAOC.ORG T: 604-533-2232 | F: 604 -533-5405 BCYNPAOC 12
BCYDIST
