Fall 2010

The Free Methodist Church in Canada | Fall 2010 | Volume 7 Issue 3

Reflecting the diversity of ministry expression within the Free Methodist family

CONTENT OUR GENERAL CONFERENCE COORDINATOR | GC 2011 COVER Our 2011 General Conference Coordinator | Meet Chris Lewis A word from our Conference Coordinator

by Chris Lewis Upcoming Foundational Course

Meet

PAGE 2

Chris Lewis

Editor’s Desk Regional Gathering - Round Three

by Jared Siebert Free Methodist Numbers PAGE 3 Ministers Conference 2010: Following Jesus, Leading Others

by Kim Henderson Student Ministries Update PAGES 4-7 God has something more in mind for His Kingdom!

by Bishop Keith Elford PAGES 8 & 9 Getting There is Half the Fun! Rev. Daniel Graham Godly Conversations Pastor Phil Hamilton Gathering Together Rev. Doug Dawson Thoughts About Worship Pastor Ryan Young Learning From Moses Rev. Keitha Slack A Reflection on the Pastor’s Gathering at Wesley Acres Rev. Ron Bartolo PAGE 10 Passages Giving Richly

by Sandy Crozier PAGE 11 General Conference 2011

INTRODUCTION After our General Conference in 2008, the former Conference Coordinator, Tanya Prinsep, who had served so tirelessly, faithfully and competently in both 2005 and 2008 was not going to be able to work with us again in 2011.

And so the search began! The role of the coordinator is not a simple one – they are responsible for the smooth running of the conference. They organize, plan, coordinate, direct every detail and work under extreme pressure due to the countless details involved in planning our event.

In March of 2009 Bishop Keith Elford attended The Evolving Church: Amidst the Powers, a conference hosted by the Epiphaneia Network (of which Chris Lewis is a founding member), and the introduction was made!

We are pleased that Chris agreed to partner with us! He has been working with the General Conference Planning Committee since September 2009.

International Child Care Ministries PAGE 12 Learning in Sri Lanka

by Rev. Jason Johnson

MOSAIC

is a publication of The Free Methodist Church in Canada

4315 Village Centre Court Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1S2 T. 905.848.2600 F. 905.848.2603 E. mosaic@fmcic.ca www.fmcic.ca For submissions: mosaic@fmcic.ca Dan Sheffield, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Howden, Managing Editor and Production Mailed under publication agreement: #40008369 Return postage guaranteed

ABOUT OUR CONFERENCE COORDINATOR Chris is a graduate of Tyndale University College (B.A., Religious Studies) as well as Eastern University (M.A., International Development) but has branched out from his conventional studies to form Simple Events, an organization committed to serving the event management needs of the non-profit community in Canada. Chris is

also is one of the founders of Epiphaneia Network, a group whose purpose is to continually challenge the Church in Canada to consider what Jesus is asking her to be, here, today. Chris has been part of Wesley Chapel for the past few years although recently he decided to move to Sarnia and now finds himself at home with the good folks at theStory, a Free Methodist church plant.

Second, all members of the FMCiC have the opportunity to introduce resolutions to the General Conference according to provisions in Par. 410.5 of The Manual of the FMCiC. As you prayerfully consider introducing a resolution please remember that a resolution must: a)

Have the support of a delegate of the General Conference (lay or ministerial delegate).

A WORD FROM OUR CONFERENCE COORDINATOR

b)

Be received at the Ministry Centre by February 15, 2011.

O

Third, would you consider joining us as an individual or corporate partner of the General Conference? As you can imagine the cost to host an event of this magnitude is substantial and any gift you could provide, either individually or as a corporate partner would be greatly appreciated. For specific details regarding the different opportunities we have available please contact me.

n a cool morning in October the long weekend in May 2011 feels like a dream and yet that very long weekend has already been a year in the making and is only just six months away. The General Conference Planning Committee has been hard at work to ensure that all of the details, big and small are addressed in order for you to focus on what “We’d better get on with it, strip down, start running, never quit – eyes fixed on Jesus” will mean as a denomination and in your local context.

As the conference approaches there are a number of ways to join us in the process of ensuring a successful General Conference.

First, as the Study Teams will be reporting at General Conference we invite you to submit your ideas on possible topics or directions as soon as possible to these study teams for consideration. The Study Teams and their objectives are available on the denominational website and the leaders are expecting your input.

Chris Lewis is the 2011 General Conference Coordinator. You can email him at chris@simpleevents.ca

PLEASE NOTE To read through the Delegate Timeline, review resources, see a list of the Study Teams and Chairs and for information about booking your hotel room ... turn to page 11.

Upcoming Foundational Course Personal and Church Stewardship Instructor: Mrs. Sandy Crozier Date: January 18-20, 2011 Location: Western Canada - Arlington Beach Camp and Conference Centre Cymric, SK

Course Description The purpose of the stewardship foundational course is to educate and inspire regarding biblical stewardship. We will examine biblical stewardship from both a personal and church management perspective.

visit our website @ www.fmcic.ca

MOSAIC 2

EDITOR’S DESK Creating points of connection My very good friend, Heidi, moved to Copenhagen about two years ago and since then our correspondence has taken place via email, facebook and a phone call now and then. So when I received an excited call from her one Friday afternoon to let me know that there had been a change in her flight itinerary and she would be stopping over for a few hours in Toronto the following day, I was delighted.

I quickly re-arranged my schedule, as I had made plans for the following afternoon. I mentally ran through the list of “weekend errands” – quickly separating my list into two categories – things that could wait and those that could not.

That done, I picked up my coat, my list in hand and spent the rest of the afternoon rushing around trying to get it all done.

By the time the plane landed and Heidi had worked her way through the security line we only had three hours to spend. There was not enough time to leave the airport and so we found a quiet spot and chatted until it was time for her to board her next flight.

That three hour window managed to eat up a lot of time that weekend.

In a very pragmatic sense it was not at all practical, but it was wonderful and I would not have given up the opportunity of seeing my friend for anything.

There is something about meeting “face to face” that connects us as nothing else can. In our Free Methodist context connecting becomes an even greater challenge. There is a commercial that I’ve been listening to on the radio for the last few weeks. Here is my paraphrased version . . . “It takes 4.5 hours to drive from one end of Switzerland to the other (419 km), but it’s a 6,475 km trek (roughly 5-6 days) to drive across Canada” – this is a big place!

There are many positives that arise from Canada’s vast expanse – there are more lakes, mountains, plains, rivers, coastline, glaciers, bears, wolves, cougars, and other wild life than almost anywhere else in the world. We live in an awesome place! There are also drawbacks – one of the most noticeable within our movement has been trying to keep a strong sense of connection between all of us across so many kilometres.

We have very few opportunities to gather together. We will be meeting corporately for our General Conference in Mississauga in May of 2011 (this happens once every three years). There were nine Regional Gatherings that took place across Canada this past spring and summer (these take place in the years that we don’t meet as a conference).

REGIONAL GATHERING – ROUND THREE

2010

marks the third time I have been involved in Regional Gatherings. Each time is a truly exhausting marathon that spans most weekends for a three to four month period. The time away from family, the expense, and the effort make it easy to question whether or not it is all worth it. My answer after the third round is still a resounding “Yes!” There is no other scheduled event that we do as a denomination, outside of General Conference, that connects us on as many levels.

Regional Gatherings connect us as leaders: Lay leaders, local pastors, network leaders and national leaders. It is truly a rare occasion to have us all in the same room.

These moments have produced several very important results.

The first result is better communication.

Over the last number of Regional Gatherings the National Leadership Team has taken time to ask you, as local leaders, questions about how better to serve your churches. Your answers have produced Regional Gathering in Merritt, BC - June 2010 vital insights and suggestions that we have incorporated into the direction of the national Free Methodist Church. However, the question asking doesn’t just go one way. We have created space throughout the gathering in our check-in times, over lunch and at the end of the day for local leaders to ask the National Leadership Team questions as well. Local leaders use these opportunities to ask clarifying questions, seek advice, and seek support. These opportunities create a vital link between the local and national level.

Another result of being together is that lay leaders are finding support and connections beyond the local church.

The oft repeated maxim that “20% of the people do 80% of the work” is a major challenge in many of our churches. As such, leadership at the local level can often be a lonely and frustrating task. Through Regional Gatherings local church leaders are able to share their frustrations and successes with people doing similar jobs in other congregations. New ideas are shared in these discussions and folks often leave with a newfound sense of direction and resolve. While this may not solve all the problems in a local church it certainly can make some of them smaller and more manageable.

We have heard several stories of churches pooling resources and working together on missions projects, training issues, and even on the beginnings of new churches.

Another more tangible benefit of Regional Gatherings has been the emergence of new joint ventures between churches.

We have heard several stories of churches pooling resources and working together on missions projects, training issues, and even on the beginnings of new churches. These shared projects are healthy signs of God at work among us.

Regional Gatherings will continue to play a key role going forward in The Free Methodist Church in Canada. At the three-year mark we are extremely pleased with how this idea has taken shape. God continues to surprise us at the way he is knitting us together as a movement and helping us face the challenges ahead together.

Rev. Jared Siebert is the Director of Growth Ministries for The Free Methodist Church in Canada. You can contact Jared via email at jared.siebert@fmcic.ca

Church Planting is vital to the ongoing health and sustainability of our movement.

On page eight and nine of this issue of the MOSAIC you will hear from some of the attendees as they share how these gatherings impacted them.

In meeting with my friend, there were only two schedules that we needed to coordinate. I know the planning multiplies exponentially for all of us to come together for General Conference and Regional Gatherings – we are all busy . . . but I believe we reap the benefit of that face to face time, no matter how brief it is.

Lisa Howden Managing Editor

Can we count you in?

Contact Davika Dotson [davika.dotson@fmcic.ca], Growth Minstries department, if you would like to donate to the 100 Church Challenge.

FM Numbers

In the interim as we count down the days to our “face to face” in May 2011, let’s make an effort to stay connected.

Perhaps you are wondering how to do that - through the Ministry Centre’s main vehicle of communication – the listserv, through reading the Bishop’s Notes, attending Network group meetings and reading the MOSAIC, of course :)

As a movement we are putting out a call to 100 churches to support church planting across our country by generously giving $3700/year – that’s $308/month; or $10.15 a day! . . to the Church Development Giving Stream.

What is Core?

Core Giving from local churches primarily supports the ministry of our National Leadership Team (NLT) and the ministry areas they represent.

Core Giving funds the oversight, empowerment and administrative ministries of the NLT.

Report on Core Core for the nine months ending September 2010 came in at nearly

Giving Streams While Core has improved significantly from a month ago, overall Giving

$832,000 which is just over $3,000 below ‘09 levels of $835,000. This is a significant improvement from previous months of being down nearly

Streams are below 2009 levels by approximately $34,000.

Of concern is the significant and growing drop in giving

to the Global Missions $22,000 as reported in August and from being down as much as $39,000 Giving Stream and the Local churches are asked to contribute against year ago levels reported in May. impact this may have beyond 2010. a tithe (10%) of their monthly Operating Many thanks to those churches that Receipts toward these leadership have made catch up payments for Core If you require more ministries. information contact our in September and for those churches who continue to faithfully provide a tithe Administrative and Financial Services Team at the Ministry of general givings monthly to Core.

Centre.

3 MOSAIC

Stronger Together Student Ministries Conference 2010 PHOTO GALLERY MINISTERS CONFERENCE 2010: FOLLOWING JESUS, LEADING OTHERS

T

he focus of this year’s Ministers Conference was leadership, with an emphasis on the leader knowing him/herself while (and sometimes before) leading through change, conflict and so on. This focus highlighted the importance of self-awareness; that is, in order to lead well, we must first understand ourselves.

Self-awareness is becoming the #1 quality that others seek in their leaders, whether in hiring, credentialing or promoting: “... a proper understanding of our creation in the imago Dei (image of God) also teaches us that what is most important to God is not what we do but who we are. Secular leadership experts ( James O’Toole, Stephen Covey, Noel Tichy, John Kotter, Peter Block, Warren Bennis, Max De Pree, Peter Drucker) are waking to the fact that the key to leadership effectiveness is self-awareness. In Christian terms this means that the leader, through self-awareness and self-criticism, is the one who is transformed first.” *

In the space of two days, lots of topics are discussed in person, such as: • personal tracking status • how to start tracking • personal transfer status • questions about Leadership Scholarship Plan and Special Scholarships (along with the inevitable forms to complete) • specific concerns • arranging dates for network or board meetings • questions about foundational courses and course offerings • MEGaP interview follow-up • questions on CEUs (continuing education units) By the way, these conferences count for eight hours toward a CEU (one CEU is 24 hours). Don’t forget to include this when filling out your CEU form to submit at performance appraisal time http://www.fmcic.ca/leadership-development/ jdpas/jdpas-tools - then select Form 5 – Delegate’s Report.

The Student Ministries Leadership group was able to meet at Wesley Acres for some immediate and longrange planning. Those who work with students also connected one evening over a BBQ – our thanks to Darrin Lindsay for organizing this as well as to the Browns for providing the location – and the BBQ!

I realize the phrase ‘time well spent’ is owned by A&E, but I believe it also applies to our time together at the Ministers Conference 2010 (east) - Kim Henderson (left) speaking with Matthew conferences. It applies as well to those McEwen; Glen Coates (far right) with Phil Kay. four columns Dan introduced us to, This focus came through in our devotionals (Romans so that we’re always learning more about what it means to be a 7 and 8) and our teaching/interacting times with Bishop Christ-follower first and foremost.

Keith, Dan Sheffield, Cliff Fletcher and Doug Griffin. Dan’s guidance through the Internal Languages helped us all to work * The Steward Leader – Transforming People, Organizations and Communities by R. Scott toward increasingly healthy self-awareness. This provided an Rodin, p. 18 opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work on an area in our lives that needed some direct attention as we moved from column Rev. Kim Henderson is the Director of Personnel for The Free Methodist Church in Canada. one to column four . God is at work in us, as we continue to You can contact Kim via email at grow in self-awareness in that area, to bring about the needed kim.henderson@fmcic.ca changes so that we become more and more whole – and less and less conflicted! (If you are intrigued by this and want more information about the Internal Languages please contact Dan Sheffield.)

UPCOMING EVENT

In Christian terms this means that the leader, through self-awareness and self-criticism, is the one who is transformed first.

Cliff and Doug both shared part of their inner journey as leaders and how that inner journey provided insights into their leadership. As follow-up from Doug’s talk, for those who are interested in the APEST resource (a tool to identify the fivefold giftings of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd/pastor or teacher in Ephesians 4:11) here is the link for the online test: http://www.theforgottenways.org/apest/ From a ‘personnel’ perspective, both conferences provided a wonderful opportunity for face to face connections and conversations, as I get to know more people better. In many ways, these are like family reunions! I particularly enjoyed meeting Ken Dryden (Lakeside Community Church in Salmon Arm, BC) and Kevan Sears (Wawota FMC in Wawota SK) in person at Entheos for the first time, after many phone and email conversations.

CANADIAN YOUTH WORKERS CONVENTION

TORONTO December 2-5, 2010

www.cywc.com

MOSAIC 4



has something more in mind

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOU READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE FROM THE REVELATION 7:9-10?

Actually, this issue was behind the resolutions about intercultural training and ministries passed by the 2008 General Conference. How can we think about building the kingdom of God on earth in line with what He has in mind for heaven?

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Now let me ask you a question. Will this really happen or is this just a fantasy?

It will happen!! Heaven is going to be a wonderful place and the passage from the Revelation says that every nation (socio-political group), every tribe (culture), every people (ethnic group) and every tongue (language) will be represented before God’s throne. Can you imagine what it will be like to be in a great sea of people from every nation, tribe, people and language? It’s going to be awesome!

Wouldn’t it be awesome if it happened right here on earth… now? Or would it?

Or can it? And would anything need to change in our hearts to allow it?

Some of us live in contexts of huge obvious diversity . . . and others live in communities where on the surface we all look alike, but all of us have “other” people around us who are different from us in some way. Media reports say that the Canadian government is introducing initiatives to attract people immigrating to Canada to settle in rural areas of the country and so even in our rural areas, we need to think about this topic.

Let’s consider Genesis 1: 27 and work our way forward to see what God set up and think together about what He wants to do in our hearts and ministries. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”. In your mind as we go along, imagine a large table representing God’s kingdom table and let’s do some Bible study about who will be seated at it. He created a man.

But God has something more in mind. His kingdom will also have women. OK, so from Genesis 1, we have Adam and Eve - a Middle Eastern man and woman, and it occurs to me that neither spoke English.

Here’s my conviction from reading the scriptures: “God has something more in mind for His kingdom!” Let’s fast forward through time to the New Testament and observe the Lord working with Peter and Paul…

Living with this reality that “God has something more in mind for His kingdom!” is not as easy or simple as we might think – at least it wasn’t for our friends, Peter and Paul. In the New Testament, we have pretty open and authentic and even embarrassing stories of how God worked with them to enable them to see His kingdom vision.

5 MOSAIC

for His

Kingdom!

BY BISHOP KEITH ELFORD

Some of us live in contexts of huge obvious diversity …and others live in communities where on the surface we all look alike, but all of us have “other” people around us who are different from us in some way.

Acts 2. On the day of Pentecost, Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, preached a powerful message. After he was finished, the scriptures say: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children…’ (What wonderful news!! And I wonder if he fully understood what he said next) ‘…and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” (Acts 2:38-39) From what we will see later, Peter was likely assuming that the children of “the promise” were Jews like him – though living at a distance from Jerusalem.

out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.

So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

It seems that God has something more in mind for His kingdom! The Holy Spirit said, “Do not hesitate to go with them...” But who were they? Gentiles! As it turns out, he shared the gospel with these Gentiles, the Holy Spirit fell on them, they spoke in tongues just like the original Jewish disciples did on the Day of Pentecost, and Peter said in front of all of them: … “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Did Peter understand what it would mean to live into what he had just said….people from every nation? He may not have fully grasped this yet.

Galatians 2. We have this embarrassing moment in Antioch. Peter was in Antioch, a very Gentile town and we don’t know if what Peter did was subtle or obvious – but Paul noticed!

Acts 10. Peter has an unusual experience. Here’s the story. “About noon the following day …, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’”

Peter is at the table enjoying his new Gentile friends – perhaps they were even swapping fishing stories –and then he stops talking, turns a bit red in the face, and carefully makes his way to another table. Why? Because Christians from Jerusalem – the most Jewish of Jewish places on earth – were standing in the doorway. Paul tells us that he “opposed Peter to his face” – and I doubt that Paul was subtle. “What’s going on, Peter? Before these Jewish Christians came you were very comfortable at that table.

Are these Gentiles now second class because the real Christians have arrived?”

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called

Of course this was a huge issue that the Jerusalem Council struggled with in Acts 15. To express the issue in terms of the way that Peter was behaving, Paul was really saying, “Peter, do non -Jewish people have to first become Jewish-like-you-and-people-likeyou before they are accepted by God at His table?”

MOSAIC 6

So we come to the question of identity. Is Peter a Christian working class Jew? Or is he a Jewish working class Christian?

If that was the case what would a real Christian look like? (Let’s go there for a minute. Perhaps that’s where Peter was in his mind. We can be there too if we’re not alert.) Let’s do a profile on Peter. First, he was male, Jewish – properly circumcised… a Galilean – and so a little less sophisticated than the urbane Jews in Jerusalem.

A fisherman, working-class – so he at least knew what it meant to do an honest day’s work!! If this is the profile of whom God accepts at his table most of us are in trouble!

Thankfully, “God has something more in mind for His kingdom!”

So we come to the question of identity. Is Peter a Christian working-class Jew? Or is he a Jewish workingclass Christian? And, of course, I’m not asking that question just about Peter, but I am asking the question about myself….and about you. How should I describe myself ?

Am I an English-speaking middle-aged Christian Canadian or a Canadian English-speaking middleaged Christian? When you and I define ourselves, is “Christian” an adjective that is added onto our identity?

Or, is “Christian” our new identity, and things like race, language, age, social status are there… though real… are actually secondary.

Let’s turn to Paul’s story ...

Acts 9. We remember that Paul had letters from the high priest to go to Damascus to imprison anyone who belonged to “The Way”. As he neared Damascus he was blinded by a light from heaven and Jesus revealed himself to Paul in a powerful way. It was his time to begin to learn that: “God has something more in mind for His kingdom!”

Previously in Paul’s mind, Pharisees like himself were definitely assured a seat at God’s table. But now it seems that Jewish Christians - people who belong to “The Way”

(members of this Jewish sect following Jesus of Nazareth) will also be seated at God’s kingdom table.

Of course, God continued to work in Paul’s heart and we now know him as the apostle to the Gentiles!!

So Gentiles are now at the table! But only respectable Gentiles???

In Galatians 3:26-28, Paul wrote strong words to the Christians at Galatia because they saw themselves as “the seed of Abraham” – the better Christians because they were Jewish. In their minds, people who wanted to become Christians needed to become like them – Jewish first, and then Christian. Paul wrote: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Hold on. Let’s rewind and replay. Slaves?? In the ancient world, slaves were just one level above animals.

Would they be at the table? What next!!

With his background as a Pharisee, Paul was a sophisticated Jew. But, in jail, he met a slave named Onesimus - a bad slave, a runaway slave. But he also knew Philemon, the slave’s owner, and this is what he writes to him in the book of Philemon: I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart— back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel…Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

“God has something more in mind for His kingdom!”

Slaves are at the table.

Corinth. A very tough seaport city, but all kinds of X-rated people were coming to Christ -people who were sexually immoral, idolatrous, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy materialists, drunkards, slanders and swindlers. Can these X-rated people be Christians? Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:11: [X-rated]… that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. What they were is not what they are now. All these X-rated sinners saved by grace are at the table. “God has something more in mind for His kingdom!”

From the New Testament we see that the Holy Spirit was constantly stretching people like Peter and Paul to recognize that the Kingdom of God on earth, the Body of Christ, is made up of all kinds of diversity. As the Holy Spirit continued to reach out into different parts of the world, the Church was challenged with the issues of different languages, different cultures… What about slaves? Can they be Christians? What about people of different skin colour? Acts 8. Here’s a Jewish man from Ethiopia asking Philip what he must do to be saved and if he can be baptized. Now we’ve got Africans at the table!!

The Kingdom is to be made up of people from all kinds of different backgrounds, cultures, sub-cultures, life experiences and degrees of brokenness – some very different from where we have come. What do we do with this impulse inside us that says, “Wouldn’t it be nice if they became Christians… just like me?” Like Peter and Paul, we have to allow God to transform us. “God has something more in mind for His kingdom!” They’ll be in heaven – all of kinds of different people – all of them right near you!!

Do you still want to go?

1 Corinthians 12:12-27. We know this is passage on the gifts of the Spirit, but it is also an important passage on the Body of Christ because it tells us both what God has in mind for His Kingdom and why.

7 MOSAIC

Bishop Keith Elford’s elementary school class (all grades) photo.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.

So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.

If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

With all due respect to the Scriptures, let’s insert uneasy applications as we continue to read through the next verses.

The eye ( Jewish Christian) cannot say to the hand (Arabic believer), “I don’t need you!” And the head (wealthy Christ follower) cannot say to the feet (the street person disciple), “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker (mentally delayed Christians who remind us to love our friends and not take ourselves so seriously) are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable (the X-rated people on the list above) we treat with special honour.

And the parts that are unpresentable (who do you want to put here?) are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Implying that if any part is missing, the Body is incomplete.

In other words, God’s plan is for the diversity coming in the Kingdom of heaven to already be showing up in the kingdom of God here on earth. Why? The passage helps us: “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you”. In other words, the Lord is not saying that it would be nice if there is diversity in the Body. He is saying that diversity where every part is represented is necessary for the Body to be complete.

Now why is this?

The different parts of the Body of Christ need each other because each part, if it is participating as it should, brings something to the other parts that they don’t have. The kingdom changed when a woman was added and then again when people of the Way were added and then again when working-class Galileans were added and then here comes all the different kinds of Gentiles! When we start with the vision of heaven, it’s easier to see more clearly what the Lord wants on earth.

As we have been observing experiences in the Scriptures, we have been building a picture of who is seated at the table of the Kingdom of God – not in heaven but here on earth. It seems that God often wants to seat different people near us. By grace, we have a place at his table. Yet, the sobering truth is that we decide who is welcome to sit near us at His table by who we will build relationships with and who we will welcome to our fellowship. I invite you to think about your experiences at His table as I tell you about some of mine.

I started out at a very small corner of His table. I grew up in a small community. My elementary school had all eight grades in one room and there were usually less than 30 students. As you can see from my classroom picture (above) we were all the same on the surface.

I had never known a person of a different race and one of my embarrassing memories as a fourth or fifth grader is shouting derogatory racial chants with about a dozen other kids at the Chinese farmer and his sons as they herded their cattle down the road past the school.

I met one of those Chinese sons in high school, became good friends and he is one of the first people that I led to the Lord. God seated the Chinese at the table that He had prepared for me and it got better.

Prior to going to university, I had never met a black person. When I got the letter informing me that my roommate’s name was Zachariah Rucintango, I couldn’t even pronounce this Burundian’s African name. As we lived and laughed together – especially when the room was full of Africans, I learned that I didn’t know anything about really singing praise to the Lord or about how little some stuff matters. God seated the Africans near me at His table and it got livelier. And of course in my role as bishop, He has seated people from almost every continent near me. Even though it has not always been comfortable, I’m so glad I’m near them at His table.

Back to university - I met a woman. She wasn’t the first woman that I had met, but she did become my wife and over the last 37 years I’ve learned that not everything has to be practical and sensible. Some things just need to be there because they are nice and on some occasions I have needed an attitude adjustment because I needed to

be nice. God has seated lots of women at my corner of the table, but only one lives with me. They all stretch me and it’s good to have them there.

Prior to going to university, I had never met a black person. When I got the letter informing me that my roommate’s name was Zachariah Rucintango, I couldn’t even pronounce this Burundian’s African name If you know me, you know how I dress and generally what I look like. I don’t spike my hair, I don’t wear an ear ring, but I know lots of people who do and I used to be both intimidated and annoyed by them. But God seated them at His table near me and the table conversation became more and more interesting. I am glad that they are there too.

Let me close by taking us back to the big picture. We accept that every nation, tribe, tongue and people will be represented around the throne. Nobody argues about that. This is the will of God and it will happen!

Now a couple questions. After reflecting on who’s going to be there, do you still want to go to heaven? If every nation, tribe, tongue, culture – even subculture – will be before the throne of God, how is God going to get them all there? Who will deliver his invitation?

In summary, some tips for living as a Kingdom person where there are “others”:  “God always has something more in mind for His kingdom!” That’s true in your corner of His table too. Don’t tip the chairs up…  Who He brings to seat near us at His table is not always comfortable, but it’s good.  Enjoy being who you are at the table.  Enjoy what else is going on at the table. It’s OK. Because God intends to stay with His plan, more are coming…. likely different from you in some way!

Author’s footnotes: Those who attended the 2010 Regional Gatherings will recognize that this is a re-telling of the presentation that I gave there. I’m indebted to Dan Sheffield for foundational concepts that came from his book The Multicultural Leader.

Rev. Keith Elford is Bishop of The Free Methodist Church in

MOSAIC 8

NINE REGIONAL GATHERINGS AND TWO MINISTER’S CONFERENCES IN SIX MONTHS AND SEVENTEEN DAYS! Both the Regional Gatherings and the Ministers Conference provide a great venue to introduce local church leaders to one another (so that they can build relationships and potentially give assistance to one another); to give an opportunity for the NLT to visioncast to lay leaders and pastors between General Conferences; to increase missional momentum and counteract feelings of isolation and to facilitate the formation of partnerships between churches.

Here are a few stories from some attendees …

GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN! Out here in Western Canada, people do indeed measure driving time in hours. When I lived in Ontario, driving two hours to see relatives likely meant an overnight visit – but out here, you could easily find yourself returning home the same day. Now, to be sure, driving the prairies is far easier. Prairie roads tend to stretch for miles before you see another bend, another hill, or even another car!

Yet still, the road can be very long.

I was reminded of this western phenomenon once again as I travelled to the October 2010 Minister’s Conference in Calgary. Four of us carpooled; the closest rider (from Saskatoon, SK) was in the car for 7 hours; the furthest (from Roblin, MB) was in for 11. That’s a lot of time on the road. That’s a lot of time TOGETHER on the road!

Yet, I found that the hours ticked away rather quickly.

Was it because I got to listen to my iPod pre-loaded with my favourite 80’s music? No. It’s because we chatted. In the hours we spent in a vehicle together, we four ministry colleagues talked about our journeys of faith; our call to ministry; the church bodies whom we serve; opportunities for sharing the gospel in our communities; “shop talk” about the intricacies of being a pastor; and, of course, our families.

Though I did indeed bring my iPod loaded with my favourite 80’s music (you know – for those inevitable long gaps in conversation), I found that it was more fun to turn it off and get to know my colleagues. They are great folks, and I am glad to serve alongside them.

Perhaps the quality time provided by the conference organizers was not the only ingredient in making this trip a valuable experience; maybe quantity time in the car was good for us too.

Rev. Daniel Graham is Lead Pastor at Cornerstone FMC in Prince Albert, SK

9 MOSAIC

GODLY CONVERSATIONS

THOUGHTS ABOUT WORSHIP

There’s something sacred and refreshing about spending quality time with co-labourers in Christ who are united by a common goal and purpose. Times away at regional gatherings, network meetings and general conferences provide a natural venue for godly conversation, fellowship and resourcing. The Ministers Conference at Wesley Acres this September was especially impacting for me personally, as I am in the midst of some big life changes and adjustments to my roles in ministry. As I worked through a self-awareness exercise presented by Dan Sheffield, I became aware of some of the ungodly mindsets and assumptions that have been hindering my ability to see a greater effectiveness in my ministry for Christ. That time of personal reflection then flowed into discussions with other pastors and leaders about the struggles and difficulties of church leadership.

Through those conversations I was reminded of the amazing joy it is to work alongside brothers and sisters who lead from a place of honesty and transparency, and who have a genuine passion for the Gospel. Through all the ups and downs of ministry, it is encouraging to step back and remember that we’re not in this alone. The Lord is doing some amazing things in and through our movement and its leaders, and I am excited to see what God has in store for our future.

I remember being a college student and complaining about the style of worship at the church I was attending.

This complaint was registered in the context of a conversation I was having with a man I considered to be both a friend and mentor. He said something in response to my sour grapes that I still carry with me, “If worship is about us, it will never be good enough, regardless of how hard we try. If worship is truly about God and He is in us, enlivening us, worship can not fail. Because when this happens our heart is tuned to God and we acknowledge His presence and He enters our hearts, regardless of the style or flawed human media that we use to try to capture the essence of worship.”

Pastor Phil Hamilton is a Ministerial Candidate and the Assistant Pastor at Asbury FMC in Perth, ON

Leading worship at Wesley Acres surrounded by friends was a genuine privilege. God used conversation, nature and music to tune my heart to worship Him. We used hymns, thoughtful liturgy and other songs as conduits and highways of worship. And we worshipped. But I don’t think God cared so much about the style, as much as He enjoyed us, His people gathering around Him. God You are unfathomable and amazing. May we continue to breathe Your grace and mercy as we strive to tell people Your Good News: You have freed us, You want to know us, You want us to love and serve others.

Thank you.

Pastor Ryan Young led worship at the Ministers Conference (east). He is a Ministerial Candidate and an Associate Pastor at New Horizons FMC in Sarnia

I heard God speak about what He needed me to work on in my own life. As we participated in Communion together I was reminded of how God has worked through the ages and how He continues to work in me. As I interacted with my network, we were able to discuss and share what God was saying to us through the sessions.

When it was time to pack up and head out, I left with a fresh perspective, a mind that was refocused, and a recommitment to the calling that God has for me and the congregation I work with.

Was I excited to attend the conference? Not exactly!

Am I glad I attended? Absolutely! As a result I am now looking towards General Conference with anticipation that God will continue the good work He has begun in us as the church.

Rev. Keitha Slack is Lead Pastor at Saskatoon FMC in Saskatoon, SK

A REFLECTION ON THE PASTOR’S GATHERING AT WESLEY ACRES “Change may not be easy, but it sure is necessary.”

That sentiment sums up what I have taken from this year’s Pastor’s Gathering at Wesley Acres. It’s a theme that was touched on by each of the speakers, and carried on in numerous discussions throughout our three-day stay. I was challenged to look at change personally, in the context of leadership and interpersonal relations, the corporate body, and how we reach out to others.

GATHERING TOGETHER This year our Regional Gathering was held in Brantford, Ontario. Our congregation’s representative was our new treasurer and it was his first denominational event.

I noticed that he was very involved in discussions and seemed to be quite interested in what was going on among the congregations represented. He even participated in one of Jared’s “interesting games”. The next day he placed this note on his Facebook site: “Regional Gatherings are awesome!!” He was deeply impressed with the openness of those attending as they shared their victories, challenges and their visions for the future of ministry.

Personally I have been blessed to be both part of the Minister’s Conference that was recently held at Wesley Acres and the Regional Gathering of this past spring. Over the past few years I have seen a noticeable change taking place. The level of personal sharing and vulnerability has increased dramatically. This has led to deeper times of prayer for one another, a commitment to help one another, and a rise in the trust level. I hope these valuable gatherings will continue as I believe it will help strengthen the movement called Free Methodism.

Rev. Doug Dawson is pastor of Open Arms in Tillsonburg, ON

LEARNING FROM MOSES “Another conference...another event... I am so busy already...” those were the phrases running through my mind as I scrambled to prepare for this year’s minister’s conference. After a seven hour drive the day before and an all-day network meeting, my brain and body were weary. As I entered the first session, I still felt tired and my head was swimming with tasks that I knew awaited me in Saskatoon. The worship session started and I could feel my spirit slowly unwinding as I began to centre on Christ and less on my circumstances. It was God preparing me for what was coming next. Bishop Keith welcomed us and began to reflect with us on Moses as a leader. He took us through the various stages of Moses’ life and how God had prepared him for this task of leading the Israelites through the desert. He spoke about how Moses had to be re-oriented or reminded that God would change the people – not Moses. In fact the people were God’s and not Moses’. A timely reminder that what is happening in our churches is not about us, but about God working through us. Something shifted inside of me, God spoke and thankfully I was listening.

The remainder of the conference was then viewed through this renewed lens of discovery. As I spoke with other pastors I heard stories of God, uniquely, at work in their congregations. As the other presenters spoke

Dan Sheffield’s exercise was equally challenging and disturbing, because it forced us to look at change and the underlying belief systems that prevent that change from taking place. Dan commented that, as churches, we will often allocate large portions of time and resources to achieve our Vision Statement, but do not take the time to identify those underlying beliefs that serve to prevent change from occurring in the first place! I would encourage people to get a hold of Dan for this material, as I feel that it could be used very effectively both individually and in groups to look at how we address problems.

Bishop Keith took us through the life of Moses to show how God changed his perspective on leadership, and Doug Griffin laid down the challenge of creating different-cultured churches that reach our communities in a more relevant fashion. Cliff Fletcher’s reflection on his transition from Barrie to Whitby was honest, and highlighted the difference between being “Restless” and “Stirred”, and the importance of having a leadership team gifted in the five-fold ministry of the New Testament church.

I fully enjoyed my time at the Gathering, and look forward to the ripple effects throughout the FMC, as we embrace godly change.

Rev. Ron Bartolo is the Assistant Pastor at Polson Park FMC in Kingston, ON

M O S A I C 10

PASSAGES Appointments Dean Babcock – Associate Pastor-Missionary to Malawi, New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON, effective July 6, 2010 Carl Bull – Intentional Interim Pastor, Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON, effective October 4, 2010 Edrice Clermy – Pastor, l’Église Évangélique des MilleIles, Laval, Quebec, effective September 16, 2010 Liisa Farrugia – Assistant Pastor, Freedom Christian Community, Brantford, ON, October 6, 2010

GIVING RICHLY

Sam Laitinen – Assistant Pastor, Rustle, Kingston, ON, effective August 20, 2010.

T

Randy Miller – Associate Pastor (Executive) at Lakeview FMC, Saskatoon, SK, effective August 25, 2010 Pierre Sanambe – Pastor, ÉML l’Esperance (church plant), Quebec City, QC, effective July 6, 2010

his being my first experience with both Regional Gatherings and the two Ministers Conferences, I was amazed at how important being ‘connected’ really is. I witnessed pastors encouraging one another through their own vulnerability; learning from one other’s experiences and even spurring one another on to good works in every day ministry.

“If there is anything that God uses during our lifetime to test our hearts, it is money. If we use our wealth only to enrich ourselves, it will poison us and undermine the generosity of Christ. Though it is counter cultural, we must move from an attitude of ‘getting rich’ to an attitude of ‘giving richly’ in response to the grace of Christ.”

Even delegates and lay leaders that attended the regional gatherings expressed being encouraged at being part of the ‘body’ of a larger church.

And as they became aware of the heart and vision of this ‘larger body’ many expressed a desire to both stay connected and to help one another. In response to this, we will be posting a ‘church classifieds’ section on our website where churches can recycle ministry items and tools that they no longer need – so that other churches that may otherwise not be able to afford them would be blessed by someone else’s generosity.

So, how do we as a church disciple people in moving from getting rich to giving richly?

Network Leader Changes Rick Hamilton – (replaces Rusty Crozier) - East Ontario Blend Network), effective July 1, 2010 Vern Munshaw – (replaces David Moore)- Manitoba/ Saskatchewan Small Church Network, effective October 22, 2010 Grant Wolfe – (replaces Jennifer Anderson) – SW Ontario Larger Church Network, effective January 1, 2011

Ministerial Candidates approved Liisa Farrugia – Assistant Pastor, Freedom Christian Community, Brantford, September 28, 2010 Munetoshi (Toshi) Hatsusegawa – Wesley Chapel Japanese Church, Toronto, September 28, 2010

Transfer in as Ordained Minister Edrice Clermy - (Pastor at EML des Mille-Iles) from Evangelique l’Eglise Chretienne de Carrefour in Haiti, effective August 20, 2010

Transfer out Larry Hart - to the Brethren in Christ Church, effective August 31, 2010

In a denomination where 25% of our churches are church plants – where many of these pastors work on little or no pay – the need for such generosity is great.

However, simply creating a forum for sharing resources is not enough to create a culture of generosity within our churches.

Ordination approved and service scheduled Felix Chow - November 7, 2010 at 3:00 pm at Malvern Chinese FMC, Scarborough, ON Fred Merritt - November 14, 2010 at 3:00 pm at Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON Ron Bartolo - November 28, 2010 at 4:00 pm at Polson Park FMC, Kingston, ON

Change of Status Peter Banks - Released for Service Beyond the Denomination – Houghton Academy Dorm Supervisor, Houghton NY, effective October 14, 2010 Stanley Hanna – Released for Service Beyond the Denomination – Pastor, St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Gatineau, Quebec, effective August 9, 2010 Doug McLeod – Released for Service Beyond the Denomination – Pastor, Painswick United Church, Barrie, ON, effective September 1, 2010 Mark Mealey – Leave of Absence-Secular Employment, effective August 26, 2010 Jim Peetoom – Retired, August 20, 20/10 Dwayne Tanner – Retired, July 19, 2010 Jennifer Wagar – Leave of Absence-Personal Reasons, effective July 16, 2010

Churches in transition Arlington Woods FMC, Ottawa, ON Asbury FMC, Perth, ON Avonlea FMC, Avonlea, SK Barrie FMC, Barrie, ON Bramalea FMC, Brampton, ON Eyebrow FMC, Eyebrow, SK Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, ON Surrey FMC, Surrey, BC Trulls Road FMC, Courtice, ON Vennachar FMC, Cloyne, ON Westport FMC, Westport, ON

God uses generosity to root out selfishness from our hearts and to transform our hearts as His beloved children. How we handle our money becomes part of this transformation.

As a denomination, generosity is one of our core values and is part of our ‘ethos’ – that is, it is to form our very character. But this is not something that can be simply mandated from above – as in “we will now be generous!” This is something that must be embraced by the leadership, but also discipled at the grassroots.

But for many people, before they are able to give generously they must first be free to give – free from debt and free from our culture’s ethos of always needing more.

This is why we offer seminars such as how to live free from debt, how to deal with money within your marriage and preparing for college debt – before, during and after you take on student debt.

But we cannot stop just at teaching people how to get out of and avoid debt. Generous stewardship involves not only faithfully stewarding all that God has given you, but also using what God has blessed you with (including your money, time, abilities, relationships, location, etc.) to be a blessing to others.

God uses generosity to root out selfishness from our hearts and to transform our hearts as His beloved children. How we handle our money becomes part of this transformation. A great quote by Johnny Hunt states that:

Generous churches are led by generous pastors, leaders and church boards. If we want to create a culture of generous stewardship in our churches, we need to embrace, adopt, model, teach and celebrate generous stewardship – starting from the leadership of our churches. Someone once said that Generosity has to be caught and not taught.

We must ask ourselves: Do we passionately encourage generosity not because we must meet our budget but because this is how God transforms our hearts? Do we faithfully steward our resources so that we have as much to give as possible in order to reach out to a lost and hurting world? Do our budgets encourage and reflect our ethos of generosity? Does our spending match our words?

So, as we continue to gather together in our Regional Gatherings and Conferences, let’s celebrate what God is doing in each other’s lives and churches and be generous with our encouragement and freely give to support what God is doing through our church. Let’s continue to open ourselves up to each other in order to learn from each other and be generous with our grace and understanding to our communities. Let’s continue to spur one another on to good works and look for ways to be generous with all that God has given us. And in doing so, let’s help each excel in giving richly.

Sandy Crozier is the Stewardship Development Director for The Free Methodist Church in Canada. You may contact Sandy at sandy.crozier@fmcic.ca

VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES www.fmcic.ca select “Stewardship Ministries” on left side menu Here are just some of the resources: • Personal Stewardship • Gift Planning • Give Yourself Away • Getting and Staying out of Debt

11 MOSAIC

GENERAL CONFERENCE 2011| MAY 2011 Delegate Timeline January 31, 2011

Plan for this Pre-General Conference Event Delegate credentials are due.

February 15, 2011 General Conference Resolutions are due.

February 28, 2011 All Reports to be received from Study Teams and affiliate ministries.

March 15, 2011

Resolutions are posted on website.

March 31, 2011

Distribution of reports to delegates.

March 31, 2011

Study Teams to submit all AV requirements to Coordinator.

April 15, 2011

All workshop material and submitted to Coordinator.

April 20, 2011

NLT State of the Work, BOA, MEGaP reports distributed to delegates.

April 29, 2011

Last day to book rooms at hotel

May 1, 2011

Submission of any and all powerpoint/ video presentations.

requirements

Hotel Reservations

Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel | 901 Dixon Road - Toronto, Ontario M9W 1J5

The FMCiC and Epiphaneia Network invite you to “A Day with Phyllis Tickle” on Friday, May 20, 2011 from 9am - 3pm at Toronto Airport Marriott. This pre-General Conference event features Phyllis Tickle, the former editor for Publishers Weekly and author of numerous books on spirituality including the wildly popular The Divine Hours prayer book series as well as The Words of Jesus, Prayer is a Place, The Great Emergence how Christianity is changing and why and many other titles. Phyllis is an editor, renowned author, sought-after lecturer and playwright.

The cost for the event is $39 for General Conference delegates and tickets can be purchased at simpletickets.ca. For more information, please visit epiphaneia.ca or call 416.994.8960.

Study Teams and Chairs HEALTHY CHURCHES – HERE AND BEYOND Jay Mowchenko - Chair DEVELOPING LEADERS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW (Ministerial Education, Guidance and Placement) Kim Henderson - Chair SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TASK TEAM (BOA Executive, Subcommittee Chairs, NLT) Randy Miller - Chair CAREFUL THINKING ABOUT GOD’S TRUTH (Study Commission on Doctrine) Bishop Keith Elford – Chair

General Conference Resources on website

To book your hotel room at the General Conference special rate, visit the www.fmcic.ca website and follow the link on the top bar “GC2011” or call the toll-free at 1.800.905.2811

For more information and resources about our upcoming conference please visit www.fmcic.ca and select “GC 2011” on the top menu bar.

We encourage all delegates to watch “The Role of the Delegate”, a short presentation by Bishop Keith Elford. You may download Resolution form as well review the complete list of Study Team members and chairs.

Sri Lanka - continued from page 12 “Why not?” they asked.

“Because Jesus tells us to love.” he said.

After traveling through five provinces, 18 cities and sharing about ICCM at 12 Free Methodist churches, I survived!! Overall, it was a wonderful time to share ICCM’s vision of activating change locally to impact children globally; and how our churches can focus on an area of the world and partner with children there to make a deeper impact in their lives.

Another pastor runs his church amongst factory workers in a tea-leaf plantation. Finally, another pastor shared with me the story of how he planted each of his seven churches.

Last year while I was in Kenya, this picture was taken at our school located in the Kibera slum. Out of all the ‘God moments’ that I experienced in Kenya, this picture was the pinnacle of my trip. As 267 children clapped and cheered in unison to call for each teacher to jump around the skipping rope once – the whole place erupted in laughter, joy and excitement! What I see in this picture is a glimpse of shalom – the way the world ought to be. It is in that moment that these children are not thinking about their living conditions or if they have eaten that day; they are being what they are supposed to be - children. As followers of Christ we want to see shalom become a reality. We have the opportunity to partner with children around the world. Your church can impact many lives by focusing on a specific area of the world and partnering with children there. Contact us for more information about ICCM.

I came down to encourage the pastors here. How ironic! It was I who was encouraged—to re-think what “doing church” currently means, indeed, what it should mean. You see, deep down in my heart I always believed the gospel is efficacious without all the add-ons. For example, in our church we have excellent music on Sunday mornings but the gospel will still be efficacious without excellent music. We have a seminary-educated, professional Lead Pastor but the gospel will still be efficacious without a seminaryeducated, professional Lead Pastor. We use laptops, video projectors and media program to ensure a modern service but the gospel is still efficacious without those things. And so my heart resonates

Paula Moriarity International Chid Care Ministries paula.moriarity@fmcic.ca www.childcareministries.net

with these pastors who have only their unwavering faith, Samson-like courage, the Word of God and the power of the gospel flowing in them, through them and out from them to their families and communities.

As I prepare to return home, some questions flow through my mind. Do I have what it takes to make the ascent to something greater in and for our church? Do we as pastors across our great nation have what it takes to make the ascent? Can the FMCiC make the ascent to truly see healthy churches within the reach of everyone here and beyond?

Though my shirt is damp and my brow is wet with sweat, I make it to the top of the ancient stairs and back to my hotel room. Though it was a tough climb – my jelly legs and burning lungs are proof – it wasn’t as hard and didn’t take as long as I thought it would.

Rev. Jason Johnson is the Lead Pastor at West Springs Free Methodist Church in Calgary, AB

M O S A I C 12

LEARNING IN SRI LANKA

I

’m running down the gravel cart path; not an easy thing to do in open-toed sandals.

There are thick woods on either side and it’s getting dark. Ten minutes ago I had enough light to take pictures of myself on the rocks in the river but it’s dark now.

I need to get back because the ancient steps up the steep hill behind the hotel will be hard to find without light. I’m out of breath so I slow to a walk. I intentionally take a deep sniff ; the air smells great. It rained earlier in the day, which always accentuates the smells. I look around and take in as much of the lessening view as I can. I’m still amazed I’m here. Ahead on the next rise, two large four-legged shapes walk onto the path. This is, to me, a new and wondrous and enchanting country so they could be just about any kind of animal. Most people in my place might be afraid but being from Calgary I can spot a cow anywhere. The pair are at the base of the ancient steps. I say hi to them and begin what I expect will be a long and slow ascent to my hotel room. Halfway up I’m breathing heavily and sweating profusely. What a climb!

I’ve been in Sri Lanka for almost a week now and I have one more week to go.

I came down at the invitation of Dan Sheffield and with the gracious and generous support of my wife, Esther, and my church, West Springs Free Methodist Church. The team consists of Dan, Ben Gomez and me. My main tasks are to encourage the local pastors and do some teaching and preaching at a pastor’s camp.

Church work aside, this is an adventure of a lifetime. It is a trip of several firsts and one fortieth for me. It’s my first time off our continent, my first time this close to the equator and I’ll turn forty while here. Even this early in the trip I’ve had some memorable experiences.

I decided to strike up a conversation with my aisle-mate when we landed in London on the first leg of my trip. I leaned over and asked, “Are you from here?”

“Why are you asking?” he said.

Uh-oh, I thought. This isn’t going well.

“Just curious,” I said.

“

We use laptops, video projectors and media program to ensure a modern service but the gospel is still efficacious without those things.

A rap on my door woke me; five hours went by way too fast!

We leave in fifteen minutes, Dan said through the door.

I’m up, I called back.

I quickly got myself ready. We gathered at our van waiting on the street. It felt so clandestine—five pastors and their driver loading their things in the back of a van in the dark, early morning hours on a quiet, sparsely lit street. I was offered the spot of honor, riding shotgun, which Dan said I should take. We prayed together and then we were off. We were about two hours into our trip when I began to fidget. I had to go to the bathroom badly. With each passing gas station that was closed I wondered how long I could last. Finally we passed a sign that read, “Rest and Go, 2 km” and it had the international sign for toilet on it. I pointed to the sign and said one word to our driver, bathroom?

“Three minutes,” he said. Sweet!

Three minutes later he stopped on the side of a busy highway and pointed to the ditch. There you go, he said. Somewhere along the line “rest-stop bathroom” and “ditch on the side of a busy road” came to mean the same thing. I made a note to myself to talk to our interpreter about that.

Adventurous escapades aside, before I left Canada I asked God to let me see Him at work and I haven’t been disappointed! I’ve experienced what I call “the gospel in a vacuum” – that is, God working in the lives of men and women despite the lack of what we have come to expect and demand back at home. Let me explain. In North America we believe that in order for God to work we have to have updated buildings,

[above - left to right] Sri Lankan leaders: Rev. Jeyamani, Pastor Mendes, Rev. Ben Gomez, Rev. Dan Sheffield, Rev. Jason Johnson (behind), Rev. Kumarasiri, Rev. Lazarus (far right) with several FMCIC built housing residents

Oh, he said, and then proceeded to tell me his story.

He’s from Poland and he and nine others are on their way back home from a three week excursion through coastal BC and Alaska. I’m blessed to see his face light up as he talks about Canada—the expanse, the numerous little towns, the friendliness of the people and the pride we take in our communities.

“Every small town has a visitor centre,” he said. “You don’t find that in Poland – maybe in the big cities, but not the smaller ones.”

We chitchatted until it was time to deplane. The last time I saw him he was waiting for a bus to take him to Terminal three and he was sporting a large, white cowboy hat.

Out of place here in London, probably in Poland too, but it reminded me of home.

Once in Sri Lanka and safely at the Free Methodist Ministry Centre in Colombo, we began making plans to drive out to Batticaloa located on the east side of the island – a seven hour trip. We decided to depart at 3 am the next morning. It was ten PM when I finally turned in, having been awake for nearly fifty hours straight! I cranked up the AC, turned out the lights, faced northwest to say goodnight to my wife, and then went to bed.

”

[above] Rev. Jason Johnson teaching at a Youth Camp just outside Kandy, Sri Lanka; being translated into Tamil and Singhala.

money, paid staff, tradition appreciation and/or seeker-sensitivity, freedom, excellent vocals and musicality, expanding programs that meet an increasingly demanding society, marketing, inspiring statements, computers, the internet, sound systems, the latest curriculum and a membership in a large teaching-church organization. Read any article on “How To Grow Your Church” and I’m sure you’ll find a lot more gospel “addons.” I wonder if we’ve ever dared ask, “Can we be the church and have an impact in our communities without the above list?” Is the gospel efficacious in a vacuum? I believe it is and now I’ve seen it happen!

One pastor I met makes Sri Lankan chips to fund his family and his ministry.

Another pastor meets in what I think was supposed to be a stall for an animal. One church had a prayer meeting while angry people threw rocks at the building. Our driver, who is also a pastor, runs his church in the middle of twelve Buddhist temples, in a country that is predominantly Buddhist and where Christianity is often the target of angry outbursts. He told me the story of his being a recipient of an “angry outburst.” When the police asked if he wanted to file a report, he said no.

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