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and pastors and assistants from the Glenview, Oak Arbor, Pittsburgh, Sarver
and Caryndale societies were invited to Toronto for three days of meetings
at the end of February. Bishop Keith, Jay Barry, Pearse Frazier and Derrick
Lumsden joined the Canadian ministers, Brad Heinrichs, Nathan Cole,
Brian Smith, Ron Schnarr and Jim Cooper.
Starting Wednesday morning, each minister had an hour to present a
topic of personal interest and lead the resulting discussion. Topics included:
the Doctrine of Perception; the Doctrine of Divine Providence as it relates
to Permission; How to Teach Appropriate Social Life and Courtship; A
Conversation with the Lord about Pastoring; A New Church Perspective on
Conscience; using the Twelve Tribes Model to Survey a Congregation About
the Direction of the Ministry; and Freedom and Learning (a new way to
organize schools).
The Bishop led two sessions of questions and answers which covered
a variety of topics, some doctrinal, some pastoral, and some relating to
administrative policies.
We also had time for fun and fellowship. On Wednesday night there was
an informal dinner at the manse so that the Caryndale contingent could wait
until the rush hour traffic on 401 (the busiest highway in North America)
improved. On Thursday night the ministers and wives met for dinner at a
steak house conveniently located halfway between Toronto and Kitchener. We
closed after lunch on Friday so that everyone could get back home in time to
be ready to preach on Sunday.
It’s always difficult to arrange to leave your congregation for a few days,
but we all felt the change of scenery and the opportunity to talk to some of
the only people who really understand the daily challenge of our job was
refreshing and encouraging and definitely worth the effort. And the papers
were interesting too!
happy 25th anniversary
The Boynton Beach (Florida) New Church celebrated its 25th anniversary on
April 19. This congregation had its roots in Miami, then began worshipping in
the manse on El Clair Ranch Road in Boynton Beach in 1988.
The church building was completed in 1990 and dedicated on June 24 by
the Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Sr., with 123 adults and 21 children present.
The 25th anniversary celebration included a worship service on The House
of the Lord, a catered luncheon, reminiscences, a slide show, photo album and
memorabilia.
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