Wabash & New South Connection

Superintendent's Notes Greetings Wabash and New South Conferences. I lost a good friend last week. A friend I have known for almost a quarter of my life. A member of the church I served before I became Superintendent. His name was Phil. Over the past 13 years, Phil served as our head Trustee and sound technician which meant that we had many conversations and worked together countless hours. On top of his time as a Trustee and sound tech, we also served together on trips to Haiti. We have planned, talked, laughed, traveled, sweated and built together. Losing friends is an unspoken challenge in ministry. As my wife and I were following the hearse on the way to the cemetery she asked how I was doing. All I could say was "I don't like this one. This one is too close." By its very nature, ministry is relational. You get close to the people with whom you serve. The very word "koinonia" means "intimate communion" with a community of people. And you cannot have intimate communion without getting close to people.

And sometimes we lose these people. I have spoken to many leaders after a key member of their church has passed away. Their grief is multifaceted because they are grieving as a pastor, a leader, and a friend. Counselors refer to this challenge as living in "Multiple Roles". To be in a "multiple role" relationship or a "dual role" is when a leader relates to a person through different lenses. The leader may at once be a professional, a counselor, a friend and a confidant. In counseling, multiple roles are frowned upon because they can impair the judgment of the counselor, limit their ability to offer good help, and lead to awkward situations. But in the ministry, they cannot be avoided. They must be managed wisely. When John the Baptist was murdered, Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place to be by himself. (Matthew 14:13) The death of his friend, his front runner, his family member, his co-minister, the "pastor" who baptized him, weighed heavily upon him.

Of course when Jesus arrived at his "quiet place", there was a crowd. And remarkably, Jesus had compassion on them and healed them. Somehow, Jesus was able to turn his grief into compassion when his own grief was interrupted. Being the son of God helped, assuredly. But his move from grief to ministry is also a promise for us. Over time, the loss we feel gets redeemed into compassion. Our broken hearts are mended. The Lord brings healing because this is what he does: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1) Somehow, God turns our grief into compassion even when our own grief is interrupted. And like Jesus, we too need our time away in a quiet place. May the Lord help each of us work through the losses associated with ministry. May he be the healer of our broken hearts. Superintendent John R. Lane

Congratulations to JD and Brianna Van Valin on the birth of Caroline Grace. Mom and Caroline are doing well. She was born on Saturday. She is 7 lbs. 6 oz. and is 20 1/4 inches.

Whether you need to finish classes for ordination, need continuing education or would just like to sharpen your skills, here are a few educational opportunities for you.

The River Institute

The River Conference has partnered with Asbury Seminary to offer five classes that are necessary for Free Methodist Ordination: FM History and Polity Wesleyan Theology Church Administration Homiletics and Hermeneutics Pastoral Counseling and Self-Care The cost for all five classes is $1000. Classes begin in September. Follow the link in the button above.

North Eastern Seminary

Northeastern Seminary is offering a 15 week online class called History and Polity of the Free Methodist Church. Students can audit the class for $150 or they can take the class for graduate credit for an additional cost. Students will be expected to participate in occasional evening zoom sessions throughout the semester. Anyone interested may register for the class as a visiting student at the following link: https://www.nes.edu/masters-programs/programs/visiting-students/

Wesley Biblical Seminary

Wesley Biblical Seminary is offering FREE SEMINARY in the fall. Here is their copy: This fall semester Wesley Biblical Seminary is offering free seminary. Yep, you read that right–free seminary. There’s no catch, no angle, no hidden fees. You will only have to pay for the cost of books. If you’re taking 6+ credits, there will also be a $200 technology fee. That’s it.  Fully accredited. Real professors who are experts in their fields. On-campus or online. This is the real deal. Click the button above.

Want to work in a faith-based organization where you can make a difference? Free Methodist World Ministries Center, 770 North High School Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana, is looking for a Strategic Catalyst for Love-Driven Justice.  Location: Individual may be located at the FMC World Ministries Center or work remotely as a member of the WMC team. Ministry/Job Description: Job Type: Exempt, Full-time position Broad Purpose: Working as a member of the XLT (Executive Leadership Team) and leading a group of representatives of justice-related entities, the Strategic Catalyst for Love-Driven Justice will provide leadership in deeply embedding the core value of Love-Driven Justice in the culture of the FMCUSA.

Contacts Wabash/New South Superintendent: John Lane superJohnrlane@gmail.com or newsouthsuper@gmail.com New South New South Assistant Superintendent - Daryl Diddle New South Administrator - Charlie Fiskeaux New South Financial Consultant - Patti McPeake Eagle Ridge Retreat Center Admin Manager- Scott Clark Wabash Wabash Office Manager/MEG Coordinator - Judy Kinnick Wabash Business Manager - Jody Belton African Immigrant Ministries Director- Isaac Bujambi Wabash Park Camp & Retreat Center Director- John Lancaster Wabash Park Camp & Retreat Center Reservations- Renita Joles

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