Canadian ministers
meet at Entheos

By Bill Hall

Editor, Northern Light magazine

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada—Around 50 ministers and wives attended the annual Canadian ministry conference Aug. 20 to 24 at the Entheos retreat center outside of Calgary. Entheos means "in God," and it was an appropriate venue for the conference, which had a theme of "Tend My Soul."

Ross Jutsum of State of the Heart Music Ministry opened the conference by leading worship, which was followed by a communion service.

Michael Feazell, director of Denominational Publications for the Worldwide Church of God, led discussions on various doctrinal matters as well as what it means to be "conformed to the image of Christ" and the ramifications this has on humanity and the church.

Gary Moore, Canadian director, gave an update on the state of the Worldwide Church of God in Canada. Mr. Moore examined the Canadian denominational vision statement and posed the question as to whether the Canadian church is achieving its vision.

Mr. Moore updated the ministry on progress being made in governance issues and in particular the progress being made in the setting up and operation of the Canadian National Church Board, which is made up of nonemployee church members from across Canada. This independent board provides accountability and direction for the Canadian director and Canadian denomination.

He also reviewed the fiscal model for Canadian congregations whereby local congregations are empowered to set goals and use the resources they have available to them.

Finally, he asked if we are doing all we can to make disciples. He observed that our long-term issue is not our survival as a denomination, but how well we participate in the commission of Jesus Christ. Our growth and survival will be an off-shoot of our participation.

Owen Willis, pastor of the Halifax, Digby, Sydney and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, congregations, introduced attendees to the work of Reconciliation Ministries and in particular how this might be a tool in helping heal the rifts between various cultural groups in Canada.

Bill Hall, editor of Northern Light, the Canadian denominational publication, looked at the purpose of the publication. He then sought input on the direction of the magazine and some possible themes for future issues.

Margaret Gibb, president of Women Alive (www.womenalive.org), spent a day with the women at the conference discussing 10 needs of ministers’ wives and issues of personal spirituality. She concluded her day with a combined session where she examined the stages of leadership.

The last full day of the conference was facilitated by Phil Zylla, principal of ACTS Seminaries at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. His 17 years in pastoral ministry, as well as other personal life experiences, enabled him to speak on the stressors in ministry and the formation of a personal spiritual development plan. In his presentation he asked two questions, "Are you prepared to be 100 percent God’s person through your ministry?" and "Are you ‘in love’ with Jesus?"

The conference concluded with a worship service, communion and a farewell barbecue.

Attendees at Lake Louise [Photos by Averil Hall]

Mike Feazell

From left: Perc Burrows, Bill Hall, Ross Jutsum and David Sheridan.

Gary Moore

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002