New Works
An exciting opportunity has presented itself in the form of a small church near North Bay who have asked me to come up occasionally and help them get properly organized as a church. They are an enthusiastic group of people and I have greatly enjoyed the times I have been with them planning and getting them set to function as a New Testament Church.

Sharpening the Saw!
This summer I took a course at Seminary and this fall and winter I am taking another. The stimulation of the classroom and the time in Scripture studying the great doctrines of the faith make for an enjoyable and profitable activity.

Discipling & Mentoring
Another activity that brings a lot of excitement to my schedule is the discipling/mentoring program that I am involved in with several promising young men who are taking on leadership roles in their churches. We study the Scriptures together, counsel about life issues, and pray with each other. I am encouraged by their eager enthusiasm to learn about the Lord.

Crisis Counselling
Several Christian leaders in crisis with no one to turn to are being ministered to in their time of need. And then there are numerous unchurched people we connect with regularly to comfort and guide through the maze of their difficulties.

Men’s Bible Study
My men’s Bible study meets twice monthly, (1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:30 pm), and though the group only has 7-8 members we have a great time in John’s Gospel and they are learning not only the contents of the book but also how to study the Bible for themselves.

Susan’s Bible Study
Susan’s Thursday morning Ladies Bible Study at Oakridge Bible Chapel has grown to about 30 women who eagerly listen for an hour and a half as Susan gives them a powerful and substantial study of Scripture. They have recently completed the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew and are looking towards a series in the Psalms in 2004.

Susan’s Titus 2 Ministry
Susan is currently embarking on a ministry to bring older women and younger women into the kind of relationships that the apostle Paul instructed in Titus 2:3-5. Susan is introducing this program this winter utilizing a wonderful tool developed by the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches called Reproducing Spiritual Women, along with LIFEKEYS, a program that helps assess life gifts, spiritual gifts, values and passions. If your Women’s Ministry Team would like to learn more about these programs you can call and arrange to have Susan speak to your team.

Counselling
The counselling ministry covers a range of issues from crisis intervention to premarital counselling and there is a steady stream of people in need to assist. If you or someone you know would like to speak to me, please call and arrange a time to meet.

Preaching
I am offering churches series of sermons on Jonah, the Life of Moses, the Sermon on the Mount, and other topics and books of the Bible. The series can range from 3-4 sessions to 8-12 messages. If your church is looking for some sustained ministry consider having them contact us for some possible dates in the New Year. Also weekend retreats are a popular way to use our ministry for family or men’s/women’s gatherings. Susan had 6 such opportunities in the first half of this year.

Interim Ministry
I am delighted to say that I am now trained in intentional interim ministry. My training through Interim Ministry Network was excellent and will be an asset in many areas of my ministry as I deal with conflict resolution whether it is in the life of the individual or the life of the church.

Current Events
Situations I have dealt with this week include a paedophile, three cancer patients, a fallen Christian worker, a single parent, and two men who suddenly lost their jobs.

A Lonely Transition

It is a dreaded time in old age when a partner has to arrange for their spouse to be put into a seniors’ home where 24 hour supervision and nursing care can be administered. Recently I have become involved with a childless couple as the husband went through the painful experience of making such arrangements for his wife of 59 years.

With no close relatives to assist in the transition he welcomed some encouraging words and comfort as he had to admit he was no longer capable of caring for his loved one at the level she required. I shall be keeping in regular contact with him as he now lives alone. Efforts will be made to have a neighbour teach him some basic cooking skills, how to shop for food, and other things such as how to do laundry, as he seeks to do for himself.

I will also be phoning and visiting each of them from time to time. I will write cards and make phone calls to the wife to help her feel she is not forgotten at this time of trauma and demonstrate to the others in the home that she has people on the outside who care.

People in the golden years of life often discover that things are not as rosy as they would have wished and they usually need someone to come alongside to help them plan the details of life such as mentioned above.

Churches would be well advised to have people on their staff who specialize in this ministry to help smooth out the bumps that inevitably come at this time of life.

Many practical details can be missed as people merely send a potted plant or make a friendship visit to the ones in need. Considerable attention must be given if the seniors among us are to be given the best possible care at such an important time in life.