Spring 2013 by Free Methodist Church In Canada

The Free Methodist Church in Canada | Spring 2013 | Volume 10, Issue 1

CONTENT COVER Fill ‘ER UP - Refueling is costly business by Rev. Dennis Camplin PAGE 2 Editor’s Desk Taking Stock by Jared Siebert PAGE 3 Managing Stress by Kim Henderson PAGE 4 SABBATICAL LEAVE A PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE by Mary Lee DeWitt PAGES 5 SABBATICAL LEAVE A BOARD MEMBER’S PERSPECTIVE by Don Cook Media and the Church Consider whether social media would work for your church by Loreli Cockram The Little Big Picture Current web stories by Alison McKinnon PAGE 6 Passages Refuel; Take stock and move forward with your money and everything else God has given you by Sandy Crozier PAGE 7 OUR HISTORY: John Wesley and Jennie Haley: Northward to Burundi (1909-1934) by Dan Sheffield ICCM: Past and present Encounter adventures by Paula Moriarity PAGE 8 “HOW CAN I HELP?” IN NIGER Lessons learned while on sabbatical by Jay Mowchenko DID YOU KNOW? The MOSAIC is produced using environmentally responsible processes. The paper is acid-free, contains 10% post-consumer waste material, and is treated with a non-chlorine whitening process. Vegetable-based inks were used throughout the publication and it is 100% recyclable.

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. lisa.howden@fmcic.ca www.fmcic.ca For submissions:

lisa.howden@fmcic.ca Dan Sheffield, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Howden, Managing Editor and Production Mailed under publication agreement #40008369 Return postage guaranteed

Reflecting the diversity of ministry expression within the Free Methodist family

FILL ‘ER UP! REV. DENNIS CAMPLIN REFUELING IS COSTLY BUSINESS

s I write this morning, I am looking out on the whiteness and bleakness of the frozen prairies, but I know that in just a week or so the scene will change completely. Spring will be in full bloom, nature will burst with energy, and the demands of another seeding time will be upon the men and women of the farming community in the great breadbasket of the Canadian prairies. A farmer friend, not too long ago, told me what it costs him just for fuel during the planting season. Yes, his is a large farming operation, but his fuel cost for one month was more than my income for the year! No wonder there was a slight hint of annoyance in his voice as he told of the reality of his business. I get the same feeling when I need to fill my car with fuel – too often, it seems.

Refueling is a costly business! But, it is not as costly as neglecting to give attention to the need to refuel, whether we are talking of fuel tanks in tractors and cars or the physical, emotional and spiritual tanks in each of us. How does the farmer cope with the long hours required during seedtime and harvest? How do young parents keep pace with the demands of their children’s activities, vocations, community involvements, and maybe the care of ageing parents? How does an elected politician keep going through unending demands expressed through the diverse cries of her constituents? How does a teacher stay strong through the growing challenges presented by changing culture, curriculums, and expectations of parents? How do pastors gain the strength to navigate the changing needs and expectations of the congregants and stay focused on presenting the clear word of an unchanging gospel? Every person and every vocation has unique challenges. The common ground is that each of us is faced with rapacious drains on our energy reserves and, in order to be healthy, we must always be replenishing the ‘fuel in the tank.’ But how do we do this? It would be very clever if I could come up with a new formula, or a new gimmick that is guaranteed to ensure that we will not move into the danger of depletion. Or, better yet, if there was a new and easy way to stay in the place where the inflow of energy would match (or even surpass) the demands of outflow, we could then just put it in cruise and journey on! Like in-flight refueling, wouldn’t it be great if we could top up the tank while going full speed ahead? Let me be clear when I say, “I do not have the new gimmick!” I’m going to have to settle for something different. As Peter writes in his second letter, “And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you …” So, there is nothing new here, but a reminder of what we already know! Nor is this a researched scientific paper. Rather it is a collection of ideas and practices that I have learned over the years – and actually continue to learn.

The common ground is that each of us is faced with rapacious drains on our energy reserves and, in order to be healthy, we must always be replenishing the ‘fuel in the tank.’ Remember the questions of a few paragraphs back? In essence – How do we live with enough ‘fuel in the tank’ to meet the demands of our lives in sustainable and godly ways? Know Ourselves We must know who we are and know how to ‘read’ the energy gauge that is unique to us. In his book, Teaching the Dead Bird to Sing, W. Paul Jones tells his story of discovery and renewal. Jones began his journey as a Protestant in the poverty of Appalachia, then earned degrees from Yale, taught at Princeton, became a Methodist minister, served as a chaplain for the Black Panthers, and was later ordained a Catholic priest. “It has been a long pilgrimage,” Jones writes, “strange and wild.” He admits that he came to the unhappy realization along the way that he was a “functional atheist.” He was just going through the motions. And his strength was draining – fast! The hope of resolving his spiritual identity led him to a nine-month visit to an Ozarks monastery in the mid-1980s. Determined to have it out with God, he shares his deepest longing: “I desperately want to believe …. that God is the rightful name for the cause of my having been burned with a brand-shaped WHY.” Well, he made some wonderful discoveries. Basically he concluded that his real struggle seemed to be that as an extrovert, he was intimidated by the spirituality modeled by introverts. Once he understood the

appropriate expression of his unique life he discovered that he had a spiritual song to sing. Living in harmony with who he was restored joy – and energy! When we know ourselves we know what drains us and what energizes us. Some of us are drained by the very thing that revitalizes others – and vice versa! Wherever we are on the extrovert/introvert scale, we must first of all accept ourselves and then give ourselves permission to gain renewal in ways that are right for us no matter what the external pressures seem to be. If we can be healthy to this point, I think we are well on the way to the self-awareness that will draw us to give attention to our reactions and responses that indicate our need to refuel. At this level of health we will know when the warning light is on, and that it is time to do something about it! Know the Cycles of Renewal Here I’m talking about natural cycles, or established norms and laws (if you like) that are designed to renew us. I’m thinking of cycles like day and night. Activity and rest. Established in creation, this daily cycle is designed to bring daily renewal. “We cannot burn the candle at both ends,” the old saying goes. Even though Paul reminded the Thessalonians that “Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you” he also told the same audience, “You are all children of the light and children of the day. “ In the creation narrative and in the early THIS ARTICLE CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 - REFUEL

MOSAIC 2

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Jared Siebert Director of Growth Ministries

Lisa Howden Managing Editor

Know who you are

.N.F.P. – those are my letters. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, those four initials stand for Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving . . . still means nothing? These letters are part of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. There are sixteen possible combinations of preferences. As a staff and led by a qualified instructor, we all completed the Myers-Briggs questionnaire and then examined and discussed how we see and view our environment. The exercise was extremely helpful in realizing, when we interact with each other, how differently two people can perceive the same situation. It really strengthened us as a team to appreciate and respect the differences and understand the kind of support we could provide to other team member going forward. Do you have a trigger(s)? I am not trying to become the new spokesperson for Myers-Briggs in relating the above account to you. My point is that everyone needs time to reflect on their abilities and acknowledge the areas in their lives that could potentially pose problems. Realizing where I am most likely to struggle and falter in a given situation and preparing for it can turn an area of weakness into a strength. For example, I know that in the winter months I really have a hard time arriving at work in the dark and leaving work in the dark – it can affect me in a negative way. My natural tendency is to withdraw and hide at home – which only makes things worse! So what do I do about it? I make plans! I visit my family, meet friends and try to keep myself busy. Family and friends can help Everyone should have at least one truly wonderful friend or family member that can be counted on to help you gain perspective. Sometimes I find myself so close to a situation or so worked up about something that I can’t see the proverbial “forest for the trees!” Having someone that I trust help me slow and rethink my steps is golden. Self-Reflection Here are some of the questions I was asked that I found useful in helping me be more selfaware as I thought and processed my answers. 1. 2. 3. 4.

What are the areas of struggle in your life? Do you know what your triggers are? Are you accountable to anyone? Do you have a plan?

Our FM photo gallery is hosted by Take a look at www.flickr.com/photos/fmc-gallery

The Free Methodist Church in Canada Our Facebook page is a great way to connect to the larger Free Methodist body. Read and post encouraging stories, local FM church events. We also link to articles on the FMCIC website - so you’ll always be in the know!

@FMCIC FMCIC is on Twitter to provide you with news and information, as well as upcoming events. Following twitter.com/fmcic is a great way to stay in the loop!

TAKING STOCK

“T

aking stock” is a key part of the Christian life. Jesus asks us to take stock by counting the costs before we decide to follow him. James encourages us to take stock by looking at, and not forgetting, what we see reflected back to us when we read the scriptures. Paul encourages us to take stock regularly by examining ourselves before we enter into the practice of communion. Just to name a few examples. If it’s important for individual Christians to take stock then what about our churches as a whole? Is it equally important? Here are just a few reasons why taking stock is great thing to do as a church-wide exercise. Taking stock is a way of ascribing value to what we do as church. Retailers invest thousands each year to take stock of their inventory. Why? Because their inventory is their lifeblood. By taking stock, retailers are able to assess what they are losing to theft or damage (and take preventative measures) and to find items that are not selling and therefore taking up valuable space in the store. Retailers are only too happy to spend the time and money required to do good stock taking because of the returns it produces. The same can be true in churches. Taking stock is a way for churches to recognize the value of the people and their efforts. Taking stock invites us to ask important questions. Are we spending time on things that really matter most? Are we expending energy on things that aren’t working any longer? How can we be even more effective?

By doing regular “stock taking” we give ourselves the chance to make numerous smaller changes over time. Leaving it too long can force us into the uncomfortable situation of having to do a massive overhaul. Taking stock can also help us focus on the big picture. There is an old dilemma called being “too busy mopping up the floor to shut off the tap.” Anyone who has worked in churches long enough knows the phenomenon of becoming so focused on the work at hand that we become blind to the situation as a whole. Taking stock as a churchwide exercise affords us the opportunity to step back from our tasks in order to see the bigger picture. Taking stock makes it possible for us to see and act on new ideas that could become real game changers for us. Taking stock can help us get back to the fundamentals. Churches can become cluttered with whats and hows. The process of church-wide self examination can help us do some housecleaning so that the “why” parts of church are seen more clearly. Taking stock can invite people to ask why they are a part of the church. Is it just because they like the preaching and music? Is it because they have simply gotten into the habit? These of course are weak reasons and a weak foundation for the future. Taking stock invites people to replace some of their weak reasons with much stronger ones. Taking stock can also help us rediscover our mission. Taking stock can challenge us to be part of the church because we believe in what the church is doing and where it is going. If your church feels cluttered with activity with no clear sense of direction it might be time to take stock. Given the importance of taking stock how should we do it? There are lots of ways to accomplish this. Taking

SEABASS TRAVELCAST

Follow Jared as he chats with church planters and leaders about their stories www.youtube.com/user/SeabassTravelcast

JARED’S TWITTER FEED @jaredsiebert

stock can be as simple as an informal process and conversation. It could mean concerted spiritual seeking and questioning? It could also mean complex studying, researching and formally restructuring your church life. Different situations call for different approaches. For instance, a church going into transition will need to consider a more formal approach. Transitions are a natural time to ask where the church is heading and what the future will need to look like. If the church treats this process too informally they are in danger of leaving someone out of the conversation and eroding unity. The calendar and regular life of a church can be a great way to schedule in informal stock taking. These can include Sunday morning services at the beginning of each New Year, monthly board meetings, society meetings, or budget setting season. With a little planning and thought each of these moments can be used to do the important work of taking stock. Beyond formal or informal there are also way to focus your stock taking. A key focus question to consider is whether our stock taking should be a deficits-based approach or an assets-based approach. There is value in either. Deficitsbased approaches can be honest conversations about what is not working. These hard conversation can often be very helpful. However, they can also lead to a feeling of hopelessness or lead to a dis-integrated approach to the future. An assets-based approach is designed to focus on what we are getting right. What has worked well in the past? What is working well now? What of the best of all of that stuff are we going to carry forward into the future? This kind of appreciative inquiry can be energizing and empowering to the congregation. However, it can also lead to sweeping real problems off the table in an effort to focus on the positive. However you choose to engage in church-wide stock taking it is important to remember to actually do it. Many churches go months, even years, without truly taking stock. This is a very dangerous habit to form. Not only is it important to schedule, it is equally important to schedule regularly. By doing regular stock taking we give ourselves the chance to make numerous smaller changes over time. Leaving it too long can force us into the uncomfortable situation of having to do a massive overhaul. Taking stock is a key part of our individual lives with Christ. It is also an indispensible activity on the part of the church. Jared Siebert is the Director of Church Development for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | jared.siebert@ fmcic.ca

DONATE TO CHURCH PLANTING Church Planting is vital to the ongoing health and sustainability of our movement. Contact the Growth Ministries department davika.dotson@fmcic.ca or by calling 905.848.2600 ext. 205 to donate.

3 MOSAIC

Kim Henderson Director of Personnel

MANAGING STRESS

he human body is really a remarkable creation. We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14a). When we are in a stressful situation, the body addresses the stress through either a ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ response. This involves a lot of hormones that send messages to vital parts of the body that need to operate together to flee or fight. When we’re out of the stress the body responds by returning to a normal, resting state. We don’t have to consciously think about these responses or give commands so that our pupils dilate or our heart starts pumping faster so that we can run - it just happens. Like everything else that affects our health, there are those who have studied the effects of stress on us and developed a theory. A scientist named Hans Seyle (and many others) believe that stress can be good (eustress) or not so good (distress). Eustress or distress aren’t determined by the type of stressor but by how we perceive that stressor. In other words, we could perceive the stress as a negative threat (which would be distress) or a positive challenge like competing in a sports event (which would be eustress). That kick of adrenalin can be good and actually enables us to perform at our peak. If the stress continues we find that our anxiety increases and our performance starts to slip. When this happens, we’re experiencing distress and the body has a hard time returning to its normal resting state. If the distress is prolonged we become depleted and our health (spiritual, mental, emotional, relational and physical) and our ability to function suffers. What do we do? The world is full of stressors. The biology lesson aside, I’ve written nothing new here. We all know what it’s like to be stressed. Why is it often so challenging for us to take the steps to reduce our stress? I read an article recently that can provide part of the answer. It’s written by Dr. Travis Bradberry, who coauthored Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (this is a resource I recommend). The title of the article was not appealing at all: ‘Stress Literally Shrinks Your Brain’. Researchers at Yale University found that stress actually reduces the amount of grey matter (grey matter is good and we need it) in the areas of the brain associated with self-control. So stress actually makes it harder for us to deal with stress. I then looked at some coloured brain scans that compared the amount of activity in a brain of depressed people versus the brains people who weren’t depressed. There is decreased activity in the brains of people who are depressed. No wonder it’s hard to function! But we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our brains are really very adaptable. They can and do change when we practice new behaviours. Starting to incorporate healthy

Refuel - continued from cover giving of the Law, God clearly established a weekly cycle which ended with a day of rest. Jesus, I think, actually gave the underlying meaning of the Sabbath when he said, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27. Is it fair to say that even today, those who take one day in seven as a ‘set apart’ (holy) day gain benefits not known to those who don’t? Even a quick review of Old Testament practices of festivals and celebrations suggest that there are other appropriate cycles designed to give permission to disengage from the normal routines of life so that renewal and rejuvenation can happen. Many of these happened at various times and seasons throughout the year and others were annual events. A pilgrimage, a celebration, socialization without the restrictions of a 9 to 5 worked together to build sustainability of physical, spiritual and emotional reserves into the lives of healthy and sincere people of God. Jesus often invited his disciples “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31. He knew the value of extended times away from the routines of life, values that go beyond the daily and weekly disciplines of rest. Of course, it is not enough to know about these established

stress-reliving techniques can train our brain to manage stress better when it does come our way. If we do things differently, we will get different results.

e. Here’s one from my mother – take a multivitamin in the months that have an ‘r’ in them (I don’t know the origin on this other than my mom!).

Here are a few tips that can help us keep our stress levels in check - even though for some of us the thought of adding anything extra to our day is enough to stress us out. Start with small changes:

f. Use your support system – it may be tempting to tackle this yourself, but it’s not the best approach, so connect: accountability partners, networks, small group, pastor’s cabinet, friends and family.

a. Nurture your relationship with God – I know that when we’re in the grip of stress this can be hard for some of us. If this is true for you, A Heart Exposed: Talking to God with Nothing to Hide (Steven James) and Guerillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle (Ted Loder) are two good resources that fuel your prayers. b. Take a mini break – select something that you enjoy doing, like stopping to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, listening to your favourite song or taking a quick walk outside (weather permitting) over your lunch hour. c. Start the day well – eat breakfast every day and drink enough water daily so that you’re hydrated. d. Move every day – walk 15 minutes in one direction and then walk back.

g. Take a break from technology – enjoy some time away from a screen and have a conversation with someone in person or do some reading - whatever will restore your energy. h. Volunteer – it’s amazing how focusing on others helps us gain perspective and allows us to be a means of God’s grace in someone else’s life. Remember – start small. Huge changes to your daily schedule aren’t necessary but small steps will help us all be better at managing the stress in our lives. We are fearfully and wonderfully made! Rev. Kim Henderson is the Director of Personnel for The Free Methodist Church in Canada kim.henderson@fmcic.ca

and demonstrated cycles of revitalization. We must match disciplines to what we know! And the disciplines are many – more than sleeping and working. There are activities like physical exercise, social and spiritual celebrations as well as solitude and retreat. In Old Testament days these were structured into the normal routine of a year – and they work best in our lives when we intentionally schedule times for renewal, rest and celebration on a regular basis. Don’t wait until the tank is empty! Don’t Compartmentalize Our Lives Here I’m thinking of the tendency to think that we have physical needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs. We do – but I think there are wonderful connections among these that, when they are healthy, make us the integrated persons that we are. A pastor friend, who is a disciplined runner, experiences spiritual and emotional renewal as he runs! This is because he intentionally makes his running time a time to pray and fellowship with God. Is it any wonder that his emotional health is strong as well? The key here is for comprehensive attention to all of life – and balance and stewardship within the whole. Practice What We Know I’m saying this again for emphasis. In this business of refueling the tank it’s not what we know, it’s what we do!

It is costly to run out of fuel! It is foolish to wait until the warning lights are on before we think about refilling. More than one person I know has been stranded on the side of the road, and greatly inconvenienced because he was determined that he could make it to a filling station where he could save a penny or two a litre! Fill ‘er up – and keep it topped up! Rev. Dennis Camplin is a Network Leader Mentor for The Free Methodist Church in Canada

MOSAIC 4

SABBATICAL LEAVE – A PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

ew Horizons Community Church in Sarnia has intentionally written planned sabbaticals for paid staff into their terms of employment, providing the gift of a two month absence from ministry after every 5 years of service. I use the word “gift” deliberately, knowing that sabbaticals are given, not earned, and that there are significant costs involved. First (but not foremost) is the financial cost if pulpit supply must be out-sourced. Second, there’s the cost in the willingness on the part of the congregation’s leadership to take on increased responsibility to cover ministry areas during the pastor’s absence. And then, gratifyingly (as we all like to think we’d be missed) there is cost in the loss of that familiar person to do ministry, or a perceived loss of “professional” ministerial care. Despite these costs, to this point, I have been blessed to have received two sabbaticals during my tenure here.

Some might argue sabbaticals are primarily to benefit only the pastor, or just an extended vacation. Perhaps there are even some pastors reading this who might consider they are a waste of time and resources, or that they don’t “need” one. I would have to beg to differ ... Unlike some organizations which have specific goals and expectations for what will be accomplished during the time “off,” New Horizons has chosen to give their pastors the freedom to use their time for whatever they deem to be of personal or professional benefit. My two sabbaticals were similar in nature, but involved many different components. Some of my time was applied to ministry away from New Horizons to plan and prepare for Children’s Ministries at Maple Grove. Some was spent in professional development – reading and pondering the offerings of a variety of authors, delving deep into theological positions and cultural issues that the church is confronted with today – the kind of reading that there often isn’t time for during the constant demands of ministry. Time was spent in networking with other community pastors as I visited their congregations and was ministered to on Sunday mornings. Considerable time was spent in sleep! However, I think the greatest blessing of both sabbaticals for me was in the extensive time available to “be still” and spend precious, uninterrupted time alone with God. During my first sabbatical, I planned a significant season of fasting and prayer. I was wrestling with a momentous ministry decision, and wanted clear direction from the Lord. I expected, like Jacob, to “wrestle through the

Coming back from sabbatical, I felt rested and eager to get “back to work”, and noticed a difference in myself. I had renewed enthusiasm and deeper appreciation and love for the lost and the people in my congregation and the leadership team at New Horizons. night”, meaning spending a great amount of time and angst on the issue. Instead, to my delight, God came near almost immediately and provided clarity on the matter on my heart. We then went on to spend the rest of that time together exploring other issues on HIS heart ... and allowing time for rest and pure enjoyment of fellowship with Him. Such precious days that continue to bring refreshment even now in moments of need! I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that in my next sabbatical I was wiser: I again planned “be still” time alone with God, but I left the whole agenda up to Him! Some might argue sabbaticals are primarily to benefit only the pastor, or just an extended vacation. Perhaps there are even some pastors reading this who might consider they are a waste of time and resources, or that they don’t “need” one. I would have to beg to differ, and argue that they are mutually beneficial to both pastor and congregation. Unlike a vacation, where time away is spent travelling with family, or doing projects around the house and a pastor is trying to keep ministry and church life out of his or her thoughts (almost impossible, by the way...it takes me at least two weeks to come close to getting there!) my sabbaticals were both a time to step back and raise my head from ministry, while intentionally keeping it in mind and in heart! They provided time to invite God to give fresh perspective, and new direction, time to rest in Him and do some personal and corporate evaluation and make some needed adjustments in priorities and practices without feeling rushed by the urgency of time. Coming back from sabbatical, I felt rested and eager to get “back to work,” and noticed a difference in myself. I had renewed enthusiasm and deeper appreciation and love for the lost and the people in my congregation and the leadership team at New Horizons. The personal time spent with God resulted in “fresh wind” that inspired all areas of my ministry. The things I had learned and pondered impacted my teaching and preaching, and new insights helped in tweaking some ministry areas and affirming others. People noticed and commented on it. So while my being “off ” was a personal blessing, it was certainly of benefit to the church as well. An unexpected area of blessing to the church was in

growth opportunities as people stepped in to cover ministry areas during my absence. Help came from some unexpected places, and many individuals continued to serve after my return. The congregation rallied to provide all that was needed and more, and found that God blessed their efforts. Although there was some nervousness the first time a staff pastor went on sabbatical, the congregation soon found that ministries carried on, and carried on quite well. Today, with what I believe are six pastoral sabbaticals under their belt, they would pretty much take on another sabbatical as a matter of course, confident that God would provide. I’m just thankful they were glad when I came back! I have seen and have come to appreciate the value of a sabbatical on a pastor’s ministry, health and well being. Contrary to what many pastors would like to believe or admit, the demands of ministry can take a great toll, sometimes even more than she or he is aware of. Being a “second career” pastor I found the difference between a secular career and pastoral ministry astounding. I still find it challenging, and both my sabbaticals have been invaluable in keeping healthy perspective and balance. I am thankful to our church for the gift of sabbaticals. I’m looking forward to my next one. They are gifts that keep on giving! Rev. Mary Lee DeWitt is the Associate Pastor at New Horizons Community Church in Sarnia

Sabbatical Guidance The FMCiC encourages pastors to practice appropriate self-care in all areas of health: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. There are many ways that we can support our pastors in this: •

taking a true weekly Sabbath

•

allowing time for personal retreat (eg. one day a month)

•

providing for a reading week(s)

•

granting a sabbatical

•

A sabbatical is one of the many tools in the ‘toolbox’ that we can use to maintain and improve pastoral health. A sabbatical operates from the perspective of “from health, for health.”

• For more information about sabbaticals please visit the website: www.fmcic.ca >> Ministry Areas >> Leadership Development >> Pastoral Resources >> Sabbaticals

5 MOSAIC

MEDIA AND THE CHURCH: CONSIDER WHETHER SOCIAL MEDIA WOULD WORK FOR YOUR CHURCH “Increasing engagement” is a hot topic in the world of marketing and social media. It is the theme of blog posts and the hub of online efforts, how do we get people to connect to our website or Facebook page or follow us on Twitter? There are innumerable blog posts on how to increase your online engagement that have titles that start off with “7 simple steps…” or “10 top ways…” It’s a similar question church leaders ask about their churches: How do we get people into the church and, once there, how do we get them involved? How do we increase engagement? Despite the “tried and true tricks” that are the subject of many books and blog posts about social media, there is ample evidence of one strategy that works well: go out into the community. It is the same with the church.

SABBATICAL LEAVE – A BOARD MEMBER’S PERSPECTIVE

t has been the practice at New Horizons Community Church of Sarnia to acknowledge that the professional and personal development of our pastoral staff is extremely important for their health and well-being. Knowing that our staff is on call for most of the year as caregivers to our church family 24/7, we have grown to appreciate that our pastors need time where they can step back, rest, reflect and re-energize. As a result, a plan was put in place back in the late 1990’s to allow our pastoral staff to be granted a two-month sabbatical leave during the next year, after each five year period of ministry. During that sabbatical the amount of paid vacation time was reduced by seven days, including one Sunday. The pastoral staff on leave were provided with their regular pay, plus a small stipend to assist with some of their expenses.

“I often wonder what it must be like to ‘walk a mile’ in their shoes, day after day, month after month ... always being the caregiver.” The purpose of this leave was to provide sufficient time for professional development, study or extensive ministry in another venue, while providing spiritual, emotional and physical refreshment. It was granted as a time which they could use in whatever they saw as a need in their personal or professional life. Over the past twelve years that this plan has been in place, some of our pastoral staff have spent their time hiking the trails of the Appalachians, fishing and hiking in Northern Michigan and Ontario with family members, visiting friends and relatives, and fasting and praying to seek God’s heart for their work and the vision for our church. We have asked our staff to provide us with either an oral or written account on their return so that we could learn how the benefit of this time away was put to good use. Personally, I believe our church has greatly benefitted from granting this leave time as the staff members who have been eligible to go have returned refreshed and full of ideas to help us cast a future vision. Often some of the books they had time to read formed the basis for our future strategic planning. We all realize, I’m sure, that our pastoral staff are in a position where they are constantly handling many of the trials and tribulations of others. Seldom is there time enough for them to take care of their own health and personal wellbeing. I often wonder what it must be like to ‘walk a mile’ in their shoes, day after day, month after month ... always being the caregiver. After attending our last General Conference I learned that many of our pastors were struggling with their own emotional and spiritual health just trying to cope with the many changes confronting our world. Trying just to balance how the church can be relevant to this ever-changing 21st century, while maintaining the scriptural principles and tenets of the church of today is no easy task! Sabbatical time away from the day to day operational activities of church life provides the necessary time to reflect and make meaningful plans upon their return. From a Board member’s perspective, I have seen first-hand the dramatic change in staff members who have returned refreshed and enthusiastic having made great use of this block of time. Although there may be added financial costs for the church to provide this leave time, it has also provided other opportunities for other staff members and lay leaders to grow by preaching, mentoring and administrating in areas where they normally would not have done so. This may be useful in times for succession planning, transition planning or perhaps helping some of our lay members to make career decisions about possible ministerial considerations. In summary, churches who are able to provide this sort of an opportunity for the pastoral staff, should certainly consider doing so. The benefits most certainly outweigh the costs involved to make it happen. Mr. Don Cook is a Delegate at New Horizons Community Church in Sarnia, Ontario

I own a social media business that helps train people on Facebook and Twitter and other popular platforms, or start blogs. Often, the people who ask me to train them have been told that opening a social media account is the best possible way to build interest in their business or organization, so they want to learn how to do that. They believe social media is the “magic pill” that will do the work necessary to build up clientele and awareness. I always ask this question in our initial consultation: Do you use social media personally? If they answer, no, I give them the assignment to do that first. Understand how it works, what interests you, what engages you or doesn’t and why. Lurk before you leap. I would give the same advice for churches. Increasingly, social media is an effective way to communicate, evangelize and increase engagement. Online interaction is becoming part of community-building. However, in our efforts to be missional and speak the cultural language, we may jump on the social media bandwagon before considering whether it is an effective communication or evangelism tool for the area where we are planted. We can actually be wasting our efforts if it’s not. Take a step back and evaluate whether you live in a community that would benefit from and use online communication. If so, you can then decipher what platforms might best be used (i.e. Maybe a Facebook page works, but Twitter wouldn’t). Listen to the language of your congregation and neighbourhood, the ways they are communicating with each other. There are plenty of clues that people are connected when they say things like “See you on Facebook!” or if they use intialism, the popular online language (i.e. BRB = Be right back, BTW = By the way). You could also poll your congregation. Who knows, out of that poll, you might find someone in your congregation who is eager to take it on for you (passion is a necessary component to building a social media presence for your church). You do not need to open a social media account just because everyone says you should. Consider your demographic, consider your priorities, consider God’s leading most of all. Loreli Cockram is a lay leader at Barrie Free Methodist Church | loreli@bfmc.org

Soup Kitchen à la Alpha I caught wind (read Bishop Keith sent me an email) of a story unfolding in Sault Ste. Marie. So I contacted Marc McAlister, Senior Pastor at Sault Ste. Marie FMC, to get the scoop ... From Darkness to Light in Salmon Arm, BC The Live Wire, a night club well known by those in the ambulance and police services in Salmon Arm, BC, did not have the best reputation. The club was eventually shut down and was sitting empty when Pastor Ken Dryden and members of Lakeside Community Church went to check out the space ... Why Aren’t We a Church Plant? Snivel, Snivel. A few months ago I asked Dan Sheffield, “Why aren’t we a church plant?” - referring to Uncrowded House, our Hamilton-based house church. Most of you know Dan as the Director of Intercultural and Global Ministries but to me he is that bearded guy in our church who plays guitar, shows our kids scary videos when he leads kid’s time and treats us like guinea pigs for new discipleship studies ... To read the rest of these stories, please visit the website at www.fmcic.ca Alison McKinnon is Social Media Journalist for The Free Methodist Church in Canada. If you have a local church story that needs to be shared you can contact her at alison.fmcic@gmail.com

MOSAIC 6

PASSAGES Appointments Dennis Ball – Associate Pastor – Barrie FMC, Barrie, ON, effective January 14, 2013 Carl Bull – Assistant Pastor – Harrowsmith FMC, Harrowsmith, ON, effective October 15, 2012

Sandy Crozier Stewardship Development Director

Evan Garst – Pastor – Una FMC, Kitchener, effective February 10, 2013 Luke Haggett – Associate Pastor – Chapel Ridge FMC, Stittsville, ON, effective May 1, 2013 Roger Keyzers – Lead Pastor – Barrie FMC, Barrie, ON, effective April 2, 2013 Greg Langille – Lead Pastor – New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON, effective January 5, 2013 Jeremy MacDonald – Assistant Pastor – First FMC, Moose Jaw, effective January 8, 2013 Marc McAlister – Denominational Ministry, Director of Church Health – effective July 1, 2013 Dustin Schellenberg – Lead Pastor – Avonlea FMC, Avonlea, SK, effective January 2, 2013 Ryan Young – Associate Pastor – theStory, Sarnia, ON, effective February 28, 2013

Ordination Approved John Lang (Pastor, Trinity Christian Centre, Dresden, ON) – December 9, 2012 Darrin Lindsay (Associate Pastor, Kingsview FMC, Toronto) – January 20, 2013 Jason Tripp (Pastor, Valleyview Community Church, Blezard Valley, ON) – May 10, 2013

Commissioned Minister Liisa Farrugia (Associate Pastor, Freedom Christian Community, Brantford, ON) – May 5, 2013

Network Leaders Approved Darrin Lindsay Toronto West Network (replacing Howard Olver), March 7, 2013 Michael Tesema Toronto East Network (replacing Howard Olver), March 7, 2013

Ministerial Candidates approved Jeremy MacDonald – Assistant Pastor, First FMC, Moose Jaw, November 19, 2012 Dennis Ball – Associate Pastor, Barrie FMC, October 26, 2012 Evan Garst – Pastor, Una, Kitchener, February 1, 2013 Robert Montgomery – attends O’Connor FMC, Kakabeka Falls, ON, October 26, 2012 Dustin Schellenberg – Pastor, Avonlea FMC, Avonlea, SK, October 26, 2012 Annette Smith – attends Trulls Road FMC, Oshawa, ON, October 26, 2012

Churches in transition Cornerstone Community Church, Almonte, ON Crestview Park FMC, Winnipeg, MB Église Méthodiste Libre de Gatineau–La Lumière, Gatineau, QC Kingscourt (Butternut Creek) FMC, Kingston, ON Kingsview FMC, Toronto, ON Malvern Methodist Church, Toronto, ON Marmora FMC, Marmora, ON New Horizons Community Church, Sarnia, ON Northview Community Church, Regina, SK Sault Ste Marie FMC, Sault Ste Marie, ON The Journey, Niagara Falls, ON The Next Church, Kingston, ON theStory, Sarnia, ON Wesley Chapel, Toronto, ON

FMCIC Calendar This calendar is meant to provide highlights and is not exhaustive

REFUEL; TAKE STOCK AND MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR MONEY AND EVERYTHING ELSE GOD HAS GIVEN YOU

tatistically speaking, by the time you are reading this article, most New Year’s resolutions have long been broken. Our good intentions to live below our means and save have most likely been set aside. And yet, somehow we still find the need to search for a scapegoat to blame as to why we cannot budget and save and be generous. When surveyed on people’s inability to budget and save, one person blamed it on the disappearance of defined pension plans which saved for us without requiring us to think, act or change our lifestyles. Another stated it was hard to save money when there were so “many new attractive goods and services” like iPads and smarter phones. Yet another stated that living beyond our means is too ingrained in our culture for anyone to resist, let alone change. It seems we are all doomed to be enslaved to debt. But something does have to change if we are to live free from debt and as faithful stewards of all that God has given us. God tells us that we are not only to resist being conformed to the pattern of this world, but we are to be ‘transformed’ by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-3). Now if this was just another positive thinking technique it would probably last as long as my New Year’s resolution (which shall never be mentioned again). This is different. It requires a transformation. It requires us to “Refuel; Take Stock and Move Forward” as the generous stewards we were made and called to be.

When we first have an intimate relationship with God, we can then see ourselves not as ‘controlling owners’ but as faithful stewards of all His good graces. Refuel your Budget – Take time to take a deep breath and remind yourself that God himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else... and that only in Him do we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:24-28). As you remind yourself where everything comes from, include your ability and opportunity to work. And as such, treat your work as part of your worship. John Welsey advised us to “gain all we can” in our knowledge, training, abilities, and opportunities in whatever task God has placed before us - but without harming our selves (by overworking) or our neighbours. When he preached this message to the poor and disenfranchised working class of the 17th century it revolutionized the Christian community. Take Stock - Stop thinking about what you don’t have and start giving thanks for what you do have. Life. Breath. Family. Friends. Work. Abilities. The capacity to think and solve problems and create solutions. To plan and save. One of the keys of successful budgeting is to set aside some savings every month so that you can break the cycle of

always turning to debt when ‘life’ happens. John Wesley called us to “save all we can.” He was not just referring to setting aside savings in your budget (which is a really good thing). He more wisely taught to stop wasting the resources you already have. Before you go shopping, take stock of what you already have in your cupboard so that you buy what you need and do not waste what you already have. If you have ever had to clean out the stuff that is starting to grow in the bottom drawer of your fridge, you know what I mean! But this lesson applies to much more than our fridge or our budget. Before you make a purchase, ask yourself, “do I really need this new iPhone 5? or will my iPhone 4 do everything I need it to do?” (For those that know of my issue with iPhone 5 envy, I’m working on it, but keep praying). Learn to take stock of everything - your work, abilities, talents, opportunities, resources and even your community. Don’t waste anything. Look at where God has placed you and what He has given you and then ask how you can best use them to care for those God has placed around you ( family, friends, church, community, the poor, the lonely, the lost). Wesley seemed to realize that owning the newest and the best will not make you a better person. Move Forward – Now this is the step many miss (especially with their annual resolutions). Having a plan or a budget doesn’t mean anything unless you are actually using it, monitoring and adjusting it as life unfolds. But you also want your efforts in budgeting to mean something. To make a difference. In business, we look for a ‘Return on Investment (ROI)’. But if we look at the Parable of the Talents, we discover that God actually expects a return on His investment with us. He will ask us, “What did we do with what He gave us?” Did we spend it all on our self and family? Or did we take what He has given us and invest it in His Kingdom? On others? On those that He cares about - the poor, the widow and orphan, and on those that do not know him - but need to. John Wesley taught that not only do we need to ‘gain all we can’, and to ‘save all we can’, but we need to ‘give all we can.’ Our generosity becomes ‘grace in action’. It is how we conform to His image. Investing yourself, along with what God gives you, is the only way to see a return on His investment in you. And this ‘Return on Investment’ has eternal rewards. The Steward Leader Workshop – based on the book, The Steward Leader – is designed to help church leaders realize the ‘connection’ to transforming communities is about your relationships with each other and the community. If your church is interested in this workshop, please contact sandy.crozier@fmcic.ca.

2013 Ministers Conferences • •

September 24-26 – Wesley Acres October 1-3 – Entheos (Calgary)

Foundational Courses Wesleyan Theology • Ontario – November 1-3, 2013 @ Trulls Rd FMC, Courtice, Ontario • Western Canada – November 1-3, 2013 (location TBA)

Heart of Canadian Free Methodism • Ontario – November 1-3, 2013 (location TBA)

General Conference | May 16-19, 2014

Have you had a chance to visit the website to view the resources for Stewardship Ministries? There are a variety of resources and tools available to download: • • • • •

Stewardship Principles Planned Giving Budgeting tools [Including; budget plan, cash flow tracker, snowball debt repayment plan, debt reduction calculator ... etc] Church Stewardship Downloads Stewardship Workshop resources [Including: borrowing basics, managing God’s money, love & money, etc . . .]

Go to www.fmcic.ca >> Ministry Areas >> Stewardship Ministries >> Downloadable Resources

7 MOSAIC

Paula Moriarity International Child Care Ministries Director

PAST AND PRESENT ENCOUNTER ADVENTURES Over the past few years, ICCM has invited partners to see the growing ministries of the Free Methodist churches and the International Child Care Ministries partnerships, learn about a different culture, and meet your sponsored child.

PRESENT: ENCOUNTER PHILIPPINES 2013 This fall come and encounter the Philippines – Visit Davao City and participate in the street kids ministry and visit our hostels, talk to ICCM graduates, participate in Sunday service at FMC, travel to Bhutan and see firsthand the FMC outreach ministries to the communities. Meeting your sponsored child is always one of the highlights and from past experiences, this has been a transforming moment in a partner’s spiritual journey. If you are interested in Encounter the Philippines 2013, contact our office at 905.848.2600 ext. 224 or by email kathryne.silver@fmcic.ca God is at work in the Philippines and this is a great local/global opportunity to experience it and share your experiences with your church! PAST: ENCOUNTER HAITI 2012 In November, a dream came true for me. I got to go to Haiti with ICCM to visit schools and churches! The children were full of smiles and everybody waved. They were so full of joy, despite the everyday challenges they have to face. Many organizations depict Haiti as a place of hopelessness and despair. However, the innovative pastors/school directors, joyful children and hardworking ICCM staff proved this wrong. Haiti is overflowing with hope. ICCM is giving these children the tools they need to be leaders and to bring their country out of poverty. More than one child said that they wanted to the president or a doctor or lawyer. The things that I saw in Haiti definitely demonstrated the unending joy that you receive when you accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour. | Elizabeth Wales

Before travelling to Haiti I had been thinking about sponsoring a child, I never thought it would happen the following way. God had a plan that I would meet a child that I would sponsor. While at Belanger School, Mondale, the Director of ICCM in Haiti came down the hallway and said “Where’s Cheryl? I have someone here that speaks Spanish. Midjina, a shy eight year old girl in Grade two was introduced to me. I started speaking to her in limited Spanish. She switched to Creole and told Mondale that she lives with her uncle. I told Mondale that if she wasn’t sponsored, I would like to sponsor her. I asked Mondale what led him to introduce Midjina to me. He said that because she spoke Spanish and that I had interest in sponsorship he thought Midjina was a good fit. This meeting would not of happened if not by God’s grace. | Cheryl Burford is the Director of Children’s Ministries, Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church, Ottawa

Lessons Learned ... continued from page 8 • • •

One of my passions is to teach – ask anyone at Weyburn FMC (or my kids!) and they will tell you this. Pastors in Niger need good solid teaching. “Lord, is this how I can help?” My French was barely sufficient for me to get by. “Lord, I’d like to get better at French, how will I do this?” Jennifer Wright, when asked, “How did you come to Africa?” pointed back to a trip her parents took to Africa when she was 14. When my daughter Keisha was younger, she spent a couple years in French immersion school. Now she’s 14. She came home asking, “Lord, does my future have something to do with Quebec?”

These are just a couple of our initial questions upon returning to Weyburn. I’ve only been back from my sabbatical for two days. We’ve only been back in the country for a month. While our warm weather clothes are all unpacked and put away, we’ll be “unpacking” the impact of this trip for years to come. David Platt, in his book, “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream”, challenges each of us to “spend some time in another context”. He says that Christ commands EACH of us to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth,” and that means going. Most of us take a “warm weather vacation” every so often. Can I encourage each of you reading this article you to take one of those vacations and give it to Jesus. Ask “Lord, where do you want US to go?” and go to LEARN. Not to build, or “help,” but simply to be there, see, and ask questions. Our trip has already changed my life, and the journey is just beginning! Rev. Jay Mowchenko is the Lead Pastor at Weyburn Free Methodist Church in Weyburn, Saskatchewan | jmowchenko@weyburnfmc.com

JOHN WESLEY AND JENNIE HALEY: NORTHWARD TO BURUNDI (1909-1934) J W Haley had already taken steps to find a place for Free Methodist ministry in the Great Lakes region in Burundi prior to their furlough in 1926, but upon the family’s return to South Africa in 1927, this would be his over-arching passion. Haley’s eventual move to Burundi in 1934 was an exercise in perseverance over almost a full decade. God’s missionary pull, a sense of the Holy Spirit’s intervention and guidance, and the extremely difficult family, financial and physical circumstances in which he placed himself, would confirm Haley’s belief that national church leaders could also succeed with access to the same mission-empowering God that he served. While the Free Methodist mission department continually waffled between supporting and thwarting his efforts to open work in the Great Lakes region, Haley had ongoing encouragement from the wider mission community. In December 1930 Free Methodist mission leaders once again turned down his request for an exploratory trip to the Great Lakes region. A few weeks later, however, in January 1931, the World Dominion Movement (Roland Allen’s mission research organization), was advocating on Haley’s behalf to Belgian authorities for a mission location in Burundi. When Haley was finally approved for an exploratory trip to Belgian Congo he was received in 1932 by Swedish Pentecostal missionaries and greatly aided by Danish Baptist missionaries as he surveyed the possibilities in Burundi for two weeks. On Haley’s arrival in Burundi in late 1934 to initiate the Free Methodist mission, he was again assisted by Swedish Pentecostal and Danish Baptist missionaries. Soon after starting the new work, a relationship also developed with the National Holiness Missionary Society, the Anglican Church Missionary Society (CMS) and the Friends Africa Gospel Mission where healthy working relationships developed regardless of their theological and organizational distinctives. In July 1935, J W Haley became one of the founders of the Protestant Alliance 1930s: J W and Jennie Haley with children, Peace, of Ruanda-Urundi. A missionary in Blake and Dorothy the Friends mission group confirms “this Alliance was to become unique in the world, as an example of Christian fellowship and unity of purpose among Protestant Missions.” The East Africa Revival, beginning about 1940, first emerged in Uganda and Rwanda among the churches associated with the Anglican Church Missionary Society (CMS). This unique ministry of the Holy Spirit, producing confessions of sin and whole-hearted conversions was characterized by openness, transparency, and great personal warmth and love between believers. When the revival moved into Burundi in 1941, Haley’s Anglican colleagues were not as familiar with these ‘revivalistic’ manifestations. At a large conference of the Protestant Alliance, including both missionaries and nationals, held at Muyebe (FMC mission) in 1942, Haley played a leading role in bridging the gap. CMS mission leader, Dr A C Stanley Smith wrote to Haley: “We in the CMS owe a still greater debt of gratitude because the meetings at Muyebe paved the way to our mission conference at Matana, and there the Lord did great things for us, which humanly speaking might never have happened but for the wider appreciation of revival which your experience gave us.” Now a senior missionary leader in the region (64 years in 1942), Haley would repeat this investment in the Protestant Alliance community again several years later. Meg Guillebaude, in Rwanda: The Land God Forgot? recalls her CMS missionary parents’ reflections on those meetings; In 1945 there was a significant gathering of missionaries of all denominations at Mutaho in Burundi. The speaker was J W Haley of the Free Methodists, a real man of God who emphasized the need for the holiness of God to be reflected by holy living. He was concerned about the lack of unity among the Anglican missionaries and called them together to talk over their difficulties. It is in this context, of a growing, Holy Spirit-fed, Free Methodist church in Burundi, with the respect of mission colleagues from a variety of traditions – evangelical and conciliar – that the Haleys would retire to North America in 1946. The legacy of Haley’s determined endeavour in Burundi lives on with the Free Methodist church community, presently numbering more than 700 congregations and a membership of 113,000, besides adherents (2012). When Haley died in 1951, the Free Methodist-affiliated believers in Burundi, were 2282. A decade before, in 1941, as Haley was laying the indigenous foundation “from the start” there were only 163 members. This represents a growth rate of 1300% over ten years, or an annual growth rate of 130%. [Installment 3]

Our History; Learning from the past is a regular column that will highlight stories about key figures who have played a role in the formation and growth of the Free Methodist Church. Dan Sheffield is the Director of Global and Intercultural Ministries for The Free Methodist Church in Canada | dan.sheffield@fmcic.ca

MOSAIC 8

Global Ministries thinking globally, working locally

Dan Sheffield Director of Global and Intercultural Ministries

“HOW CAN I HELP?” IN NIGER - LESSONS LEARNED WHILE ON SABBATICAL | BY JAY MOWCHENKO The last time I wrote for MOSAIC, it was about the “magic question” that is taking me to surprising places: “How can I help?” I talked about how God is opening doors for myself and our church to help in our “Jerusalem” - the City of Weyburn. In that article, I mentioned that we were taking our family to “the ends of the earth” (Niamey, Niger), and that I intended to ask this “magic question” there. This past November, we did just that.

Why Niamey? Ten years ago, Marilou and I set a faith goal that we wanted to spend some time with our kids in a part of the “Third World” so that all of us could begin to think and live more like “global Christians”. As I was planning for my sabbatical, I contacted Dan Sheffield, our Director of Intercultural Ministries and asked, “When are you going to Africa next?” (Dan has extended an open invitation to anyone who wants to “ride along” with him as he travels around the world) He told me that his next trip was Niamey, in November 2012. It was this trip that formed the central focus of my sabbatical schedule.

Theodore was the first of hopefully many converts from Islam. Did we want to set a precedent that this young, small church would never be able to live up to? “Come to Jesus and we will replace everything you have lost.” An unsustainable practice that would surely doom this church. As a side note, I need to express my gratitude to the people, board and staff of Weyburn FMC for giving me this incredible gift of extended Sabbath rest. Not only am I grateful beyond words, not only is my family immensely stronger and healthier; ultimately, I hope that this gift will bear tremendous fruit for our local church and the FMCiC for many years to come. Back to the trip – even before we hit the ground in Niamey, Marilou and I were pumping Dan with the question, “How can we help?” In the first few days of our visit, I threw out all kinds of ideas that I had cooked up in southern Saskatchewan for how I could help the ministry of the FMCiC in Niger move forward. David Wright and Dan listened patiently to all my ideas and then kindly suggested that I read “When Helping Hurts”, as a way of seeking some answers to my questions. Through reading this book, I came to see that truly “helping” is way trickier than it first might appear. Quite often, our first instinctive impulse is not in fact the best way to help someone. For example, we all know to be cautious when our drug-addicted friend asks to borrow some money. So as we travelled around Niamey and I was exposed to the massive, long-term aid & missionary effort that already exists in Niger, I was deeply humbled and started asking questions instead of proposing solutions. One of the stories in the book that was so powerful to me was the story of “Dancing With The Elephant.” “Missions expert Miriam Adeney tells a story shared with her by

NIAMEY, NIGER: Taking in the market . . . David and Jenniffer Wright, Missionaries in Niamey, Niger walk Jay and Marylou, with their two children

As an example of how tricky it is to “help,” a dear lady in our church gave us some money that we were to give to help an entrepreneur move ahead in their business. What a great idea – one I still affirm. In Niamey, we met Theodore, a young man who had recently converted from Islam to Christ. He had been kicked out of his home and family with only the clothes on his back. As a consequence, he also lost his sewing machine – his means of income as a tailor. Marilou and I thought that our gift could go a long way towards purchasing a new sewing machine, and would also maybe show him that God was taking care of him in his new faith. Discussing it with Dan, Dave and the local pastor, Soter, we discovered that it wasn’t that simple. 1. Theodore was the first of hopefully many converts from Islam. Did we want to set a precedent that this young, small church would never be able to live up to? “Come to Jesus and we will replace everything you have lost.” An unsustainable practice that would surely doom this church. 2. Did we want to stir up jealousy within this young church? We soon found that there were many other aspiring entrepreneurs in this congregation who would also greatly appreciate some assistance. 3. Did we want to continue and encourage the pattern of dependency upon western “white” money that we saw every day in the streets? The questions kept coming. In the end, we decided to either give the money to support David and Jennifer Wright’s missionary work, or return it to the lady in our church Did we make the right choice? We still don’t know. “Helping,” especially cross-culturally, is trickier than you might think! So how CAN we help? Did our visit accomplish anything at all? There are a couple of positive results I’d like to share with you: •

BAPTISM: Jay and Marylou with their children with Missionaries, David and Jennifer Wright attend the baptism of two believers with Pastor Soter.

VERY quickly! (If you’d like to get to know them, check out their blog at niameywrights.blogspot. ca) Preparing for our trip, Dan told me, “It’s hard to express how significant the encouragement to the missionaries and leaders really is.” Did we help in this regard? I sure hope so! David and Jennifer are involved in a “helping” effort that is EXTREMELY long-term. What Niger needs, more than aid, is the gospel lived and spoken effectively within the local cultural context. David and Jennifer are trying to do just that. They are seeking to plant LOCAL churches led by LOCAL leaders. This will be tough slugging – Niger is Muslim territory and contains culture groups that have defied 50 years of Christian missionary efforts. There are multiple tribal and cultural groups, each with their own language. The Wrights need all the encouragement and support they can get! Can I encourage you to ask along with me, “Lord, how can I help David & Jennifer?”

an African Christian friend: Elephant and mouse were friends and decided to throw a party. Animals came, they ate, drank and danced, elephant most of all. Afterward, elephant thought it was best party ever, but could not find his mouse friend. Finally found, but in horror he looked and saw his friend’s little body ground into the dirt. Mouse did not speak. He’d been smashed by big feet of elephant. The African storyteller said, “Sometimes that is what it is like to do missions with you... It is like dancing with an elephant.” (p162) Sometimes it felt like I could see “elephant footprints” everywhere in Niamey.

Our family got to learn about missionary life, up close and personal. We lived with David, Jennifer, Ben & Cole (and Dan!) for ten days. We went from being people who barely knew each other to friends

NIGER MINISTRY CENTRE: The multi-purpose building project in underway!

•

Through my conversations with Dan and Dave, I learned that there’s a lot of relief, rehabilitation and development work going on in Niger through various governments and agencies. Do they need more? I don’t know the answer to that, although it didn’t feel like it to me. But as Dave talked about his efforts to educate and train local pastors, he expressed a deep frustration at the lack of French evangelical resources and textbooks. “It’s as if the French-speaking world is spiritually dead,” he said. This is still ringing in my ears. This statement resulted in three “effects” in my life:

Continued on page 6 - Lessons learned Visit Dan’s blog Culture and the Mission sheffield.typepad.com