It’s Monday Again
Nothing is better in the Kingdom than seeing transformed lives. Over the past two Sundays, Kings (Brent Ingersoll) has celebrated 22 baptisms in its various locations including at some home churches and at Celebrate Recovery – PTL!
Last month, WesLife posted a fascinating article highlighting 25 Wesleyan churches in North America with the highest baptism to attendance ratios in 2019. CLICK HERE to check out this helpful reminder that healthy churches typically experience a ratio of at least 20:1. Making disciples will always be the main thing in our shared mission.
On Saturday, 47 volunteers joined a West Head (Vince Robertson) community initiative called Island Cleanup. It was a beautiful day in Clark’s Harbour and they filled 101 large bags of garbage plus cleaned up rope and traps scattered on the beaches and wharves of Cape Sable Island. Vince shared, “We want to show off the beauty of God’s creation the way He intended it to be! Local media, town & municipality will be honoring our church in the next week.”This idea was birthed during their FUEL day (see below in Upcoming Events). They downloaded six of the free video resources for those being trained in student ministry at West Head. They were inspired by the material to take on this project to serve their community.
The DBA convened by Zoom on Thursday for a full day of district business at hand. Part of this meeting included an overview with AJ Thomas (Deep Water) of some current developments from the Atlantic District Vision Team. We are excited to present this new District Vision in January 2022 at the Kings (Valley Location) Ministerial.In addition, critical decisions were processed re: summer camp ministry and a detailed email was sent to all Atlantic Ministers yesterday regarding these updates. Significant decisions worthy of note included these announcements:
- There will be neither an in-person nor an online District Conference this summer. The General Board has approved districts which deem it best due to pandemic travel restrictions to conduct the business of the District Conference by the DBA in July. This option was also elected last summer.
- On or before June 7th, the DBA will make a final decision regarding Beulah Family Camp pending an open border between NB & NS. The details below in Upcoming Events remain the tentative forward plan.
If you are planning to visit Beulah Camp at any point in the weeks ahead, please double-check the official COVID-19 update before your arrival which is posted at www.beulahcamp.com.
The South DBMD convened all day Wednesday to conduct 12 interviews for Ministerial Students and Licensed Ministers as well as two Ordination Interviews. The majority of interviews have taken place, however, there are a few remaining in May. As always, special thanks to Chair Dale MacDonald (Woodstock) and this excellent board!A word of congratulations to Jamie & Catherine Cambers on the public announcement yesterday of his new position as Executive Pastor at Centennial Road in Brockville, ON, which begins this summer.
The International Wesleyan Church will join TOGETHER at 7:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. (both Eastern Time on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021, to ask God to move in even more powerful ways. We will focus on five themes in prayer amid worship and testimonies from around the world.
- Holy Spirit, fill and lead me
- Use me for breakthrough witness
- The calling of workers —ministers, missionaries and marketplace multipliers
- Disciples making disciples
- Churches multiplied
CLICK HERE for more information and to RSVP
The La Gonave Action Team (with GPHN Director, Dr. Scott Addison) is seeking ways to help support the Wesleyan hospital in Haiti as staff continue to serve sacrificially through this pandemic. Global Partners Heath Network Project “Caring for the Caregivers” (WM06-1422) will provide funds to give hospital staff a bonus at the end of August just in time for back to school, which will help them pay for their kid’s school, books and uniforms, etc. This will be provided again in November, just in time for Christmas. US donations can be made directly to Global Partners HERE and Canadian donations can be made directly to The Wesleyan Church of Canada HERE.
We are so blessed by the leadership of our General Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Schmidt. This week I was privileged to join one of the monthly meetings he offers to District Superintendents. His compassion for those he serves, deep commitment to our shared mission, intentional & focused intercession, wise counsel, and Kingdom collaboration are just a few of the strengths God uses to guide us by his influence.
Who: Canadian Centre of Christian Charities (CCCC)
When: May 5th @ 2:00 p.m Eastern Time
What: A Webinar entitled, “Stewardship of Your People Through Policies and Practices”
Why: It’s easy to overlook the creation and implementation of some HR policies as being unnecessary administrative work; maybe you think your team is too small, or that your employees understand the rules and expectations well enough as it is.
How: CLICK HERE for information and registration
When: May 5th @ 2:00 p.m Eastern Time
What: A Webinar entitled, “Stewardship of Your People Through Policies and Practices”
Why: It’s easy to overlook the creation and implementation of some HR policies as being unnecessary administrative work; maybe you think your team is too small, or that your employees understand the rules and expectations well enough as it is.
How: CLICK HERE for information and registration
Ellen joins me in expressing sincere condolences on behalf of the Atlantic District to Ole Kent and Ann Barger on Tuesday’s passing of his son, Dwight. Thanks to all those who are lifting up and showing tangible support for the entire Kent family during these difficult days of grief. Click here to share a word of comfort to the family.
Points to Ponder
- God guides by what He provides. God also guides by what He withholds. Constraints lead to breakthroughs. Embrace your limitations. If you had everything you wanted, you might miss what you really needed. (Craig Groeschel)
- The only reason to be a leader is to do whatever you need to do to serve the people you are leading. Servant leadership is the only kind there is. (Patrick Lencioni)
- Leaders know that changing things is not as important as changing the right thing. Embrace the process. Embrace the way it feels to change those things. (Danielle Strickland)
All credentialled Atlantic Ministers should have received an email from HQ with login instructions for TWC HUB, our new online reporting system. If you did not receive this email please check your spam folder. CLICK HERE to access the excellent instructional videos for all reports due – especially your Annual Service Report (ASR), Please do notcontact Karrilee at the District Office for assistance until AFTER you have viewed the instructional video and are still having difficulty completing your report. The Local Church Statistical Report (LCSR) email will go out directly from HQ to all Lead Pastors on May 1st. Note to Lead Pastors: Keep in mind there is a separate box to record online attendance which we look forward to celebrating at unprecedented levels in this pandemic year of ministry. Please kindly resist the temptation to include ANY virtual stats in the Primary Worship Average for in-person attendance.
Caton’s Island camp registrations are at a record high for this time of year. All camps are capped at 90 (six pods @ 15 campers) – for an update on which camps still have openings CLICK HERE. It is still a good idea to add your child’s name to the waiting list for full camps as the Province of NB may increase pod size before July.
CLICK HERE to listen as Parker Davis (Framework) shares an exciting announcement about Riverside Camp this summer!
Many Next Gen (Youth & Children) Ministry leaders enjoyed FUEL on February 19-20 with hundreds of participating churches. CLICK HERE to access sixteen video breakouts for your church staff and volunteer training.
World Hope Canada CEO Tanya Nace highlights that their annual Mother’s Day and Father’s Day project has been gaining popularity for the following reasons:
- Churches don’t have to worry about unintentionally hurting individuals who have not been able to be mothers or fathers
- This project saves the church time (and often money) because no shopping or preparations are needed to honour mothers and fathers
- This year, a financial gift in honour of mothers and fathers will relieve some of the pressure from COVID regulations of giving items to people
- The church as a whole gives a gift to help mothers and fathers who are vulnerable and hurting around the world
- The church promotes an outward need that is global in nature while honouring the parents (whether biological or heart) in their congregation.
This year, we are using our tapped water project, TapEffect for our Mother’s and Father’s Day project! Grab more info in this PDF here and click here for a video to share with your congregation!
The Future is Bright: An online gala event!
Join World Hope International Canada on May 14 @ 8:00 p.m. AST / 7:00 p.m. EST for the second annual online gala event! CEO Tanya Nace shares, “Come hang out with us, have fun, and be inspired by the transformative projects that empower kids so they have a chance at a bright future!” CLICK HERE to RSVP.
A tentative plan has been approved that will allow for an on-site six-day Beulah Family Camp 2021! Here are a few of the plans which are based on the assumption of at least a Maritime Bubble. Final decisions will be determined by the DBA on or before June 7th pending an open border between NB & NS.
- The six-day camp will begin with an evening service on Tuesday, July 6 and concluding with a morning service on Sunday, July 11.
- A full four-day program for kids and youth will be scheduled during the mornings of Wednesday – Saturday and each of these days will offer a morning and evening service in the Tabernacle.
- Ordination will be held for the Class of 2020 & 2021 on Friday, July 9 with President Lennox preaching and National Superintendent Steve Elliott presiding.
- Save-A-Seat online registration has been purchased and will be used to preregister all services, programs, and dining hall meals which will be limited based on physical distancing regulations.
- Our Camp Evangelist will be Rev. Jon Wiest (pending border/quarantine restrictions).
What if COVID-19 is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
for leaders to think more strategically
about doing church?
(Will Mancini)
for leaders to think more strategically
about doing church?
(Will Mancini)
Check out these great resources above at www.wesleyan.org – we are blessed by the many ways our denominational leadership serves the front lines of the local church.