January TWO POWER Team members father and son honored this month

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1 TWO POWER Team members father and son honored this month January 2017 Very seldom do you get a father & son who are honored for their very work s sake publically. For both Ray and Lloyd Matheson, this came about due to a life of ministry and service often done behind the scenes unnoticed by the multitudes, but appreciated by those individuals whose lives they have touched. Lloyd Matheson had a great influence upon the development of CBC/CTS & Ambrose. You see in the obituary below that he had a good reputation both in the market place and within the family of God. Lloyd was not an official POWER Team member, since he was not an IW or Pastor, but he had a profound effect on many of our IWs & pastors lives. His celebration of life service is the end of January at First Alliance Church in Calgary. Ray is one of our POWER Team members though he has not officially retired. He is one of the many of our peers, who continues to use the gifts and abilities God has given him to bring hope and God s witness both in the market place (as shown in the article below by the Calgary Herald being chosen as one of the Compelling Calgarians: 20 people to watch in 2017), as well as in the local church. This was published in the Herald January 3, 2017 (see the following from the Calgary Herald)

2 We didn t know what to do, so we called Ray. It is an oft-heard Calgary refrain about 73-year-old Rev. Ray Matheson, pastor of congregational care at First Alliance Church for more than 28 years. I do get a lot of phone calls, admits Matheson, many from people outside his church. The best thing about my job is giving hope to people who have lost it. To tell them, God loves you. This ambassador for God is in demand for hospital and hospice visits, weddings, child dedications and the more than 30 funerals he conducts each year. Even as a boy, the eldest of seven children spent play time pretending to be a pastor. He received his theology degree at Regina s Ambrose University, and Masters of Divinity in Chicago. He worked summers at a mission for homeless people and for servicemen looking for a home. A semester studying Hebrew was followed by 18 years as dean of students at Ambrose and two terms on Regina s public school board the second as chair. When he first arrived at First Alliance, the church had 900 members. Today, 4,000 parishioners from 50 different nations show up on a weekend, Married 42 years, this father of two and grandfather of six sees people during the highs and lows of life. Today, he says, the lows include people who have lost jobs and struggle in conflict, and the tragedy of early deaths. He recently led a funeral of a victim of fentanyl. Availability of drugs is creating so must destruction in the lives of promising young people. But then there is the hope, including a recent visit to a physician dying of cancer. I was able to pray with him, hold his hand, and he is so peaceful now. In both cases, the families were not Alliance Church members. I always say, when you get to the Gates of Heaven, they don t ask what church you go to. Obituary for Dr. G. Lloyd Matheson Lloyd Matheson had the desire of his heart met, when he entered into the presence of his Savior on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, Kaye in He will be lovingly remembered by his seven children; Ray (Dee), Joyce (Floyd) Grunau, Mora (Craig) Bundy, Gerry (Betty), Marion Ratzlaff, Ruth (Morris) Dirks, and Dave. Lloyd was also deeply loved by his 17 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. In 1938 Lloyd began his co-operative work by joining the field staff of the Extension Department of St. Francis Xavier University to develop cooperatives among farmers and fishermen. The university later bestowed on him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his work with cooperatives both in Canada and internationally. In 1955 the family moved to Regina, Sask. and Lloyd served as General Manager of Cooperative Insurance Services (later to be The Co-operators). In 1974 he took an early retirement to join the staff of Canadian Bible College and Seminary now Ambrose University. He also served with the national office of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. Lloyd s life was characterized by his strong faith in Jesus Christ, his humble

3 spirit and sense of humor. Donations in Lloyd s memory can be made to the scholarship in Lloyd and Kaye s name at Ambrose University. We are all grateful to have been touched and influenced by the Matheson family. Marion Ratzlaff visiting her father Lloyd on a recent birthday. Marion lives in Burlington. Do our POWER Team members Change? Here are a couple of pictures that were floating around on the internet of Ed & Carolyn Drewlo. Hair styles have changed. Glasses are an addition. Physical fitness is a priority. Their passion for serving the Lord has not changed. Though retired and still living in Prince George, BC, Ed has been serving as a Transitional Pastor in various locations. Presently he is serving as the Transition Pastor of the Nechako Community (Mennonite) Church in Vooderhoof, BC. Prior to that is was our Trail Alliance Church. Ed writes: it is my privilege and honor to serve the Nechako Community Church as its Pastor during this time of transition. A Transition Pastor works with a church for up to a year or longer between resident pastors ending with a pastoral search for the church s next pastor. I began this service here in October, My home is in Prince George, where I served the Lakewood Alliance Church as its pastor for almost 20 years before beginning this itinerate kind of pastoral ministry in Before serving in Prince George I pastored Alliance churches in North Battleford and Saskatoon. My theological training was at Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina (now Ambrose University in Calgary) and then later at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. I am married to Carolyn, a school teacher, and we are the very grateful parents of four married children and ten grand-children. Carolyn is from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. From time to time she joins me as I serve in these transitional roles.

4 I like to see churches succeed in fulfilling their God-given calling to effectively help people become knowledgeable and enthusiastic followers of Jesus Christ. In addition to working with the Elders Board through transition, my usual pattern is to lead and preach in at least three consecutive Sunday Services each month followed by time in the office of the church through Wednesday of each of those weeks. In my leisure time, I enjoy family-time, travel, study, and various forms of recreation. Hearing the gospel clearly presented 67 years ago, Dec. 10, Norman and Shirley Morris live in Westbank, BC (across Okanagan Lake from Kelowna, where they worship at Mission Creek Alliance). They have had physical challenges, but praise the Lord for their health. Norm writes, Shirley has been a patient and caring wife, and a credit to the cause of Christ. She holds in her heart a deep longing and expectation that Jesus is coming soon. As Solomon says, she is a woman who fears the Lord. For 62 ½ years, I have lived close to a wife of noble character. I have observed her beautiful Christ-like graces, and I am speechless to describe her. Shirley is worth more than rubies or diamonds to me. She has brought nothing but goodness into our marriage all our days. I have not deserved it, but she has always made me look good. She speaks with wisdom, faithful instruction is on your tongue, and our six children arise and rightfully call her blessed. When jostled, love spills over all the edges of her life. The Psalmist wrote, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old, what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. (78:2-4) Norm Morris wrote of hearing the gospel clearly presented Dec. 10, A week later Russ Reid, a first year student at WCBI from Vancouver, Founder and Director of Youth for Christ in Regina and Saskatchewan, led him to Christ in his room on the 3 rd floor of the Men s dormitory of the Alliance school (WCBI) on Saturday morning, Dec. 17, That night at Central Collegiate, before a gathering of about 200 (mostly) young people, Russ asked Norm to testify to what Christ had done for him that morning. His mother was there to find out what he was getting into, and during his first year of studies he led her to Christ. I give God all the praise and glory for anything good that has happened throughout my ministry. Most gladly do I praise our wonderful Lord for the privilege of working and sharing with hundreds of people in several churches of the C & M A. The Lord has granted the increase, -- to Him be the glory. I thank Him for the high honor of serving Him and the local church. I trust others will be encouraged to faithfully follow God, obey and put their trust in Christ. (Deut. 6:6, 7; 11:19) --- Sixty-seven years ago, I heard the greatest news in my life, leading to a significant turning point. You see, I was a country boy who had recently moved, and felt out of place in Regina. During my early teens I lived in a hamlet some distance from the city. One night I walked alone down the railway track. Not knowing if God existed, I prayed that if He did, and required an accounting of my life, that He would show me how I might come to know Him and His will. Later, in Regina, having no passion to achieve anything, I asked, Why am I here? Where am I going? Is there any rhyme or reason to my existence? What shall I do with my life?

5 Mom had given me a Bible a year and a half earlier, so I began to read a chapter per day. I made no headway until the first week of December. Returning to repeat four grade twelve classes, one day in English class an immigrant from Germany handed me a printed invitation and in broken English, suggested I attend a youth meeting on Saturday night, December 10, 1949, at Central Collegiate. At that time I wondered, What is Youth for Christ? Are others looking for answers like mine? Feeling a little nervous, I went to Central Collegiate. The music, film, and speaker (Bob Simpson and soloist Ron Stott, of Sunrise Gospel Hour, a weekly program over a Calgary radio station, all seemed to be addressing me. When I reached the exit door, the usher asked Would you like to know more? Little did he know that question was an answer to prayer! An unskilled counselor almost alienated me, but when Russ Reid, Director of YFC, phoned me in the midweek, we agreed to meet the following Saturday, December 17, That day I responded to the greatest news. When I was ready to surrender to Jesus Christ, Russ led me in a prayer recognizing Jesus as Lord. I asked Him to forgive my sins, to come into my life, and make me the kind of person He wanted me to be. That day I learned that God has a way of announcing His presence in our life, of assuring us that our prayer has been heard, that He has forgiven all our sin and has come to live within us. An almost inexpressible joy and peace came into my life. Feelings of guilt were removed, and peace replaced unrest. I felt for the first time in my life that I was living in harmony with my Creator and His lovely creation. A deep joy replaced my melancholy spirit. This aimless youth, who saw no meaning to his life, became confident that Jesus Christ was in charge of his life and would bring meaning, purpose and direction to it. With the Apostle Paul (Phil. 1:21) I can declare, For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. A guiding principle I have found helpful is Matt. 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Life can be kept simple when I make God s interests my first concern. As I do that, He promises to provide all my needs. To this day I praise the Lord for His mercy and gift of salvation, paid in full, and for his messenger Russ Reid, who followed up the contact within four days, leading to the most important decision and significant turning point in my life, December 17, What Retired Pastor in Canada Drives a Spyder? Six years ago Betty and I (Roy Hubert) retired in Enderby B.C. I always thought that I would never retire. My idea was that you should die in the pulpit. But, because of reasons too many to mention we decided to retire, and we found a lovely place here in Enderby. It wasn t our first choice, but we could afford it, and it was close to the Shuswap which we just love. At first I was miserable and was wondering what in the world we retired for. Then God really spoke to me, about, the fact that He had this plan in mind all the time. Ps. 139:15,16 You(God) were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breather. Every day was recorded in your book!

6 God had given us a new ministry, to the community in which he had planted us. And as Betty said, now Roy you get an opportunity to practice what you have been preaching all these years. God gave us this injunction Simply Do Good. Titus 2:14 Jesus Christ, 14 gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 3:7 I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. So we set out doing good in and small ways all around the neighborhood, and God has blessed that is so many ways. We also got involved in and became members at Vernon Alliance Church where I have had the wonderful opportunity to teach in their Ministry College. This is a one night a week two hour teaching ministry for seven weeks in the spring and the fall. ( Check this out of Roy introducing a Blessings of the Father class at Vernon Alliance) We have also had the privilege of filling in the pulpit in different Alliance Churches. Revelstoke and Nakusp when they were without a pastor. And am at the present filling in at 1 st Baptist Church in Armstrong as they too are without a lead pastor at the present time. I find these rewarding, and also a time to get into the word. I probably spent more time preparing now than when I was in full time ministry. I also have taken up acting and have appeared in two Christmas Plays at Vernon Alliance s One December Evening. Betty has taken up photography and watercolor painting. And is doing a great job in both. She belongs to the Enderby Art Gallery and has had her works on display. Arts are really a big thing here in the Okanagan. Wendy (our daughter) and Peter are involved in the Alliance Church in Kamloops in a big way. Peter is working in the Penitentiary and Wendy is an agent with ReMax. They have three daughters, one of which is married and expecting a boy in April 2017 which will make us great grandparents. Yikes. Shawn (our Son) and Denise are in Red Deer Alberta, where Shawn is one of the three lead pastors in The Crossroads Church. Denise works in the Hospital in the Pharmacy. They have three children also and they are all in high school. We continue to love gardening and have a large Koi fish pond. And of course we love travelling around on our Spyder. Have travelled down the Oregon Coast and have been to Victoria Island. Here is Roy with his REVTOY Spyder in retirement. (can you picture yourself on one of these?)

7 Handing over POWER We are the POWER Team. We were saved by the power of the gospel. We were endued with power from on high. We served under Christ our Sanctified of our Alliance emphasis which is power for service and holy living. Now we have transitioned in various ways from our former ministry. We at Rexdale worked on our succession plan for 4 staff over the past 10 years. To date that has worked seamlessly as our last staff person transitioned this past June. I (Wayne) officially retired from Rexdale staff two years ago, yet Betty and I are still attending (after a year of absence) serving in pastoral care and senior s ministry. Peter Szero posted Handing Over Power July 15 th, I believe this is a good exhortation for each one of us as we transition or have transitioned, and as we are now not serving in the place or at the pace we once did. I have had multiple conversations these past few weeks with pastors and leaders about the importance of healthy transitions, particularly as it relates to succession. Why? I am passionate about Jesus and the proclamation of His glory to the next generation. Over the decades I have repeatedly seen the destructive consequences of leaders who hand over power poorly. Andy Crouch says it best: It is hard to think of many things that do more damage to an organization than leaders who have no plan for how they will hand over power When leaders do not actively plan for the end of their power, and when we who are led by them allow them to indulge in fantasies of unending influence, they are idols, no matter how well disguised (Strong and Weak, IVP 2016). I describe my own 4½-year interior succession process in the final 17 pages of The Emotionally Healthy Leader. Almost three years have passed since that day. Now I find myself speaking much more forcefully, clearly, and directly to my fellow pastor/leader friends. I do so around three words: 1. Stewardship: This is Jesus church not ours. You are going to die. And then God will continue to build His church. We are only temporary stewards of people, their history, their gifts, their talents, and the mission God has for your organization or church. We are shepherds of Jesus sheep, not ours. 2. Identity: You are so much more than a pastor, a board member, a vice-president, a president, or a staff worker. You are the Father s beloved son or daughter. You are married to Jesus, headed for an eternal celebration with Him. Your first calling, like mine, is to behold His beauty and seek His face (Ps. 27:4). 3. Trust: Fear is perhaps the greatest reason so many of us unconsciously avoid stepping out of positional power. What will I do? How will I live financially? Will I be forgotten? At moments like this we are tempted to be stingy not generous, to choose scarcity not abundance. We easily forget the entire Christian life is about trusting Jesus. This is the primary work God has called all of us to do (see John 6:28-29). Our inner monsters emerge when we enter this level of vulnerability. You will need large blocks of time in Scripture with Jesus. You will need wise counselors (e.g. mentors, therapists, spiritual directors, coaches) to speak truth to you when you are tempted to climb down from the cross.

8 But if you persevere, you will discover that after the cross, there is always resurrection. Endings always result in new beginnings. And you will, perhaps for the first time, understand Jesus words to Peter: Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you don t want to go (John 21:18). -Pete Good article found in Seniors/article Resolutions on Growing Old with God Resolutions on Growing Old with God Article by John Piper I do not want to be a grumpy old man. God threatens terrible things to those who grumble (Psalm 106:25-26). Murmuring dishonors God who promises to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Complaining puts out the light of our Christian witness (Philippians 2:14-15). And a critical, anxious spirit dries up joy and peace (Philippians 4:6-7). That is not the way I want to grow old. I want to be like the aging man in Psalm 71. We know he is getting old because he prays; Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me (v. 18). Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent (v. 9). Looking at this man s approach to old age I have formed some resolutions: 1) I will remember with wonder and thanks the thousands of times I have leaned on God since my youth. For you, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth, upon you I have leaned from my birth (v. 5). O God from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds (v. 17). 2) I will take refuge in God rather than taking offense at my troubles. In you, O LORD, I take refuge (v. 1). 3) I will speak to God more and more (not less and less) of all his greatness until there is no room in my mouth for murmuring.

9 My praise is continually of you (v. 6). I will praise you yet more and more (v. 14). 4) I will hope (doggedly) and not give in to despair, even in the nursing home, and even if I outlive all my friends. I will hope continually (v. 14). 5) I will find people to tell about God s wonderful acts of salvation, and never run out, because they are innumerable. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge (v. 15). I will proclaim your might to the next generation (v. 18). 6) I will remember that there are great things about God above my imagination, and soon enough I will know these too. Your power and your righteousness reach the high heavens (v. 18). 7) I will count all my pain and troubles as a gift from God and a path to glory. You who have made me see many sore troubles will revive me again (v. 20). 8) I will resist stereotypes of old people, and play and sing and shout with joy (whether I look dignified or not). I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel (v. 22). My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to thee (v. 23). Happy to be going home (with you), Pastor John Miscellaneous Items Alliance Retiral Fund December Issue Advantages of investing with an Insurance company Insight_CMA_December-2016.pdf Nancy Henry died January 3 rd Funeral Service was held January 10 th at Owen Sound Alliance Church. Nancy and Bill served as IWs Mexico

10 WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT Worker Emeritus Your POWER Team leaders are working on an up-to-date version of Worker Emeritus. Should you have any suggestions for us as we desire to have a national please submit those to us at waynebettyk@rogers.com We are thankful for the WCDistrict who have already taken steps to updated their Worker Emeritus Policy. Harold & Marilyn Woodroof wrote the District Superintened and thanked him for his leadership in recognizing those who have served for many years with the status of Workers Emeritus. They also affirmed that Doug & Judy Wiebe were giving leadership to the POWER Team new will be in the future powerteam@cmacan.org District Meetings: We encourge you, if at all possible, to take advantage of all your district functions (regional gatherings, District Conference, etc). Be present and take the opportunity to touch base with the younger pastors. Ask to sit at their table. Ask if you could pray for him/her and their family on a regular basis. Get their contact information and follow-up monthly with a phone call or to encourage them, pray for/with them. You are valuable to their development and successful ministry. The CONNECTOR We are always welcoming information on your life journey and ministry. This is His story through you, so lets tell others what you have experienced and are now experiencing after a transition in your life and ministry. I know that a number of you (because Betty and I are also) are celebrating significant anniversaries this year as we celebrate 150 years of Canadian life. Please send in your submissions or inform us of those we should contact to get His story that has been lived through them. *************************** Rethinking Retirement -Seminar March 11, 2017 at Tyndale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $30 for those 65+ Register by January 31 st for early bird James Postlewaite, who recently retired from the staff of Peace Portal Alliance Church serves with CHAT Centre for Healthy Aging Transitions. CHAT is facilitating a Christian faith-informed approach to healthy aging and life transitions. chat-carey.ca. Keep your eyes and ears tuned to such seminars in your region. This most recent one is in Toronto and we encourage you to take advantage of it, not only for yourself but for your church. *************************************

11 FOR the Concerned or Theologically Inclined Baptism: DID YOU KNOW that at General Assembly 2017 the issue of baptism will once again come to the floor. I understand that there is a commission working on this. It was brought to the floor to remove baptism as a requirement for membership. This was raised by a church planter who had christians of other christian faiths coming on board but could not be members because they were not baptized subsequent to salvation even though the Alliance desires to go to places where there is little or no witness. Would some of you want to weigh in on this as to why baptism should or should not be a requirement for membership so that POWER Team could make a presentation to the commission if possible. Let me say that the CONNECTOR is not a tool for business discussion but I am risking this one just to get your feedback. Here are some statements that appeared in the 2016 General Assembly Report Page 67 Membership is the pathway through which we disciple people, leading them into a deeper commitment to Christ and His Church, but frequently we see that one aspect of this process of discipling a new believer is to bring them to the place where they desire to follow the Lord in the waters of baptism, and thereby, give testimony to their commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. Page 68 Most new believers need a period of time to grow to the point where they understand the importance of taking the step of obedience to be baptized Page 71 The Board of Directors, having affirmed the conclusion of the Baptism and Membership Committee that there are no internal clear, compelling, and explicit theological reasons that either encourage or insist upon the C&MA s current practice of demanding believer s baptism from those being taken into formal, local church membership, recommends to General Assembly 2016 that: 1. A clear theological definition of believers baptism and some kind of parameters for deciding what may or may not be regarded as such be established. 2. A clear apologia for why the Canadian Alliance has departed from the historical practice of the C&MA in requiring believer s baptism as a pre-requisite for membership be established. 3. A clear theological definition of local church membership be established. The underlined words above are my doing which caused me some concern. Will you weigh in on this and give me your feedback? Send it to waynebettyk@rogers.com

12 Editor s Personal Note The above article #7 I will count all my pain and troubles as a gift from God and a path to glory struck a cord with me as I have been on a pain journey for the past 4 months. Just after I published the Sepember Issue of the CONNECTOR I was struck suddenly with a hernia. The surgeon was sure that I also had a back challenge as well. Following the hernia surgery on September 14/16 the pain never subsided and the surgeon insisted that the next step Wayne & Betty Kerr POWER Team Volunteer National Coordinators and Editors of the CONNECTOR would be a back operation. This forced me to have an MRI, CT scan, Xrays etc which all proved that I was normal (and for some reason, a number of people mocked me for these results). All these tests were great for they indicated I did not have a herniated disc, cancer, etc. but pointed back to a botched hernia operation and that I was one of the chosen few upon whom such a 4-8 month journey is bestowed as the nerves try to find their way back to a proper connection. Never in my life have I gone through such pain which slowed me down a little. I am still in the discovery of this being a gift from God and a path to glory. I am thankful that now I have little pain and I am able to walk and exercise on my spinner again. I was able to carry out most of my ministry obligations but the CONNECTOR has been delayed by a couple of months. Betty and I do trust you had a great Christmas and that 2017 will be filled with joy in knowing the Savior and realizing that every day is a gift from God and a path to glory. -Wayne & Betty Kerr -Canadian POWER Team Volunteer Coordinators