The statements which TVA says conflicts with its own Anti-Racism, Access & Equity Policy (sadly, the TVA policy is nowhere online) are found here and here on the General Conference’s website. The full text of the letter (PDF download) which TVA sent to the Health Ministry can be downloaded here (thanks to Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist for making this available on their website).

Duane Aubin, a Kanisa Fellowship member, blogged about this issue saying:

“Isn’t the TVA’s decision, to oppose the discriminatory nature of the church’s position, itself also discrimination against the church? How do you oppose discrimination… by discriminating? In effect, the TVA had to choose whom to embrace and whom to exclude, and did so apparently on the basis of the losing group’s very willingness to do the same thing, for whatever reason.”

Others have blogged about this issue:

• Adventist Online – SDAs Barred From Food Fair for Stance on Homosexuality
• Advent Hope – Toronto Vegetarian Association: Christians Need Not Apply
• Spectrum Magazine – Conference Health Ministry Banned from Vegetarian Fair Due to Church Statement

I’m a Seventh-day Adventist vegetarian and I’m conflicted about this issue in many ways.

• I can no longer support an organization that seeks to protect one group based on their sexual orientation, but not mine based on my religious beliefs.
• Also, TVA has decided that all Seventh-day Adventist hold the viewpoints held by the General Conference regarding homosexuality thus doing exactly what TVA is seeking not to do which is to discriminate.

After reviewing the information above, how do you view the decision made by TVA to exclude the Health Ministry? If you’re a vegetarian who’s also Seventh-day Adventist, would you continue to support TVA going forward? If you’re homosexual or a vegetarian who isn’t Seventh-day Adventist, how do you feel about the decision?

A ministry responsible for inspiring, engaging & nurturing children in order for them to have a joyful relationship with Jesus.

Sub-ministries:

• Children’s Church – as scheduled
• Sabbath School Classes: Beginners, Kindergarten, Primary – each Sabbath
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) – every summer
• Adventurers Club (see Pathfinders/Youth Ministry)

Church Administration

A ministry responsible for official church records such as Memberships in and out, and Council minutes. Coordinates all church calendar dates including Children Dedication, Baptism, Communion, etc. [These must be scheduled in advance per annum for excellence in Ministry synergy.] Coordinates the usage of the rooms of the church, and – through the Service Producers – also coordinates the order of morning service. Assists the pastor’s office in scheduling dates and assisting visiting ministers in their ministry to the church. Also, manages the church office.

Sub-ministries:

• Church Office
• Clerks
• Ministerial Assistants
• Service Producer – Coordinates the segments of the weekly Order of Service for all worship services. Also producing an electronic order of service which is emailed out to participants during the week for information and to ensure all participants are assigned in advance. Also prepares hard copies for each Sabbath’s service. Ensures that participants are in attendance and ready for each segment during the Sabbath service. Ensures timely presentations of all aspects of worship so that there is excellence in presentations.

Communications

A ministry responsible for facilitating timely and appropriate internal communications at Kanisa, including writing/scripting, and accurate use of Kanisa’s logo. Responsible for the promotion of the church’s activities and brand within the church & to the community through all contemporary communication tools.

Sub-ministries:

• Online & Social Media Ministry
• Creative & Graphic Arts
• Marketing & Public Relations
• Photography

Education – Sabbath School/Fellowship Study

A ministry responsible for the primary religious education system of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has four main purposes: study of the scripture, fellowship, community outreach and world-mission emphasis. Promotes Christian Education, at all of the Seventh-day Adventist campuses in the GTA and abroad. Supports TDSB and TADSB students. Hosts annual recognition of all students. Corresponds with and reaches out to those students (of all ages, and in either Christian or secular institutions) who are away from home, using various resources to keep them connected to Kanisa and to Jesus Christ. [Refer to Children/Youth/Pathfinders for more information re other initiatives for our children of varying ages.]. Assists in coordination of the Discipleship Model.

Sub-ministries:

• Discipleship
• Fellowship Study
• Go Deep
• Personal & Professional Development
• Young Adult Class

Elders

A ministry responsible for spiritual leadership. Take part in weekly services, preaching, teaching the Word, prayer, Bible study, visitation, mediation and conflict resolution. They may also be called upon to provide support to the congregation on the Pastor’s behalf as undershepherds. Involved in all aspects of church’s functioning life through outreach, nurture and guidance. Various Elders supervise Kanisa’s divisions of ministries: Finance & Administration, InReach, Operations, and OutReach.

Evangeliving

A ministry responsible for providing resources and trains church membership to unite their efforts with church officers in the proclamation of the gospel. It is the ministry which assists the church to claim and reclaim souls. Weekly Evangeliving spotlight shares highlights of our sharing Christ with others. Works along with Member Services and the Elders to introduce visitors to Christ. Leads out and works along with Lighthouse Ministries during baptisms. Leads out in New Beginnings and Discipleship Classes.

Sub-ministries:

• New Beginnings & Discipleship Class
• Ministers in Transit (M.I.T.)
• Community Projects to serve and to share Christ
• Small Group Ministry – The Small Group team members are responsible for organizing and coordinating groups of people (who often share common interests or geographic locations) who meet regularly for the purpose of spiritual edification and evangelistic outreach, and with the goal of multiplication, with designated Small Group Leaders. Small groups and their Leaders function as part of the local church at Kanisa, and Leaders are trained and commissioned via the Pastor’s office.

Health Ministry

A ministry responsible for promoting healthful living through disease prevention, health education and by promoting lifestyles free from alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and unclean foods within Kanisa, and sharing this, our Biblical lifestyle message, with and for the benefit of our Community.

Hospitality

A ministry responsible for coordinating the functions of the church in order for visitors and members to feel welcomed and “at home”. Invites newcomers to share their contact information with Kanisa. Encourages the return to Kanisa, of both newcomers and members by introductions to members and different departments of Kanisa. Organizes & schedules ushers for and at various church functions via Guest Services. Coordinates with Member Services & Evangeliving to follow through with any interests (in membership or those that want to know Jesus Christ) through contact on entrance at the door/s to Kanisa.

Sub-ministries:

• Building Committee (see below)
• Catering
• Guest Services (Ushers/Greeters)
• Ministerial Assistants
• Safety & Security – In conjunction with Hospitality and Building Committee, and in coordination with Children’s Ministry, monitors and ensures security needs of Kanisa’s members & guests.
• Lighthouse** (see details below)

Building Committee

Responsible for monitoring the structure of our church building and grounds. Recommends areas which require maintenance and renovation. Negotiating contracts/conditions with (the) Landlord (i.e. Leases, Payment for damages, etc.) Coordinating the envisioned and mandated future building needs of Kanisa Fellowship.

Lighthouse Gentlemen

Assists in church ordinances: Baptism, Communion & Offering collection. Care of the church property. Possibly some home visitations as assigned by the Pastor’s office along with the Elders. Recognized for dedication in service and soberness of life.

Lighthouse Ladies

Recognized for their spiritual and nurturing qualities. Involved in the preparation of & assistance with the Lord’s Supper. Assists in baptism.

Human Resources

A ministry responsible for focusing on supporting Kanisa with respect to ministry by its members and church officers. These activities normally include recruiting, interviewing and placing of new volunteers. It also includes orientation and training of current ministry leaders and members, and transition and in-the-field officers, for most effective service by each member. Maximizes on and connects members to training opportunities at Kanisa and also those provided by the greater church body – for example via the Ontario Conference etc. Also advises on and assists in implementing around issues related to organizational structure. Facilitates membership participation in Spiritual Gifts Workshops, etc. Implements performance reviews of Directors (and peers), Team Members’ & Ministry’s impact and effectiveness.

Member Services

A ministry responsible for maintaining church membership demographics, membership and attendance statistics at various Kanisa functions. Acknowledge membership celebrations (birthdays, anniversary’s, graduations, etc.) using various resources. Coordinates with Hospitality, Evangeliving, and Eldership in following up on interests in a relationship with Jesus Christ for potential members, and with respect to current members’ needs. Coordinates the social interactions and events for members.

Sub-ministries:

• Social Committee – Coordinates, promotes and facilitates opportunities for social fellowship and recreation for the church.

Nurture Ministry

A ministry responsible for planning activities and programs to ensure that the social needs of members are spiritually met through the following sub-ministries:

Sub-ministries:

• Social Services – compiling and coordinating up-to-date social service resources for Kanisa’s access;
• Food & Clothing – including Kids’ Clothing Swap, Food Drives, and other food and clothing needs for members and community;
• Men’s Ministry – ministry to men of all ages;
• Women’s Ministry – ministry to women of all ages;
• Family Life – ministry to all types of family structures included.

Prayer Ministry – aka “The Furnace” of Kanisa Fellowship

A ministry responsible for providing the opportunity for individuals to pray for the needs of our local congregation and to petition for special needs. Assists with the weekly Prayer Meeting and coordinates with the Pastors office for with prayer with each Sabbath’s speaker, and with the Elders for the weekly Sabbath Furnace Prayer. Assists in visitation and all other prayer needs and services of church such as prayer walks, prayer vigils, weeks of prayer, etc.

Prison Ministry (currently inactive at Kanisa)

A ministry responsible for bringing the gospel to those in need within the prison system.

Religious Liberty (currently inactive at Kanisa)

A ministry responsible for promoting and maintaining religious liberty (i.e. the human right to have or adopt the religion of one’s choice) for all, with particular emphasis upon liberty of conscience.

Stewardship

A ministry responsible for helping members become better stewards of all the blessing God has given them – time, talents, resources, the body temple, relationships – and to assist in the implementation of God’s plan of systematic benevolence (i.e. planned and even sacrificial giving) through the Kanisa and the world wide church system. The department, along with Treasury is also involved in Planning and Budgeting for the church through work of Finance Committee, with Stewardship Director being the chair of same committee.

Treasury

A ministry responsible for maintaining the accounting activities of the church, which include the receipt and disbursement of funds and financial reporting to the church through various forums. The department, along with Stewardship is also involved in Planning and Budgeting for the church.

Technical Services/Audio Visual

A ministry responsible for providing Audio/Visual & Tech support to Kanisa in all of its programmes. Also responsible for the operation and storage of Kanisa’s audio and visual systems.

Sub-ministries:

• Audio Engineers
• Video Engineers
• Multimedia Operators
• Production Assistants

Worship Arts

A ministry responsible for enhancing all Kanisa worship services – including Sabbaths, Prayer Meetings and other services as organized – through the skilled and cultivated gifts of music, praise, drama and dance. Worship Ensemble Leaders usually lead the congregation in worship through songs of praise, in coordination with the Elder on duty for any given worship service, as the Elder and Pastor coordinate prepared items on the Order of Service under the real-time guidance of Holy Spirit in worship. Assists Pastor’s office in organizing for worship and provides ongoing training for members who serve in this segment of ministry.

Sub-ministries:

• Band
• Dance
• Drama
• Kanisa Community Choir
• Special Music
• Worship Ensemble

Youth Ministry

A ministry responsible for providing specialized programs for youth.

Sub-ministries:

• Adventist Youth (AY) a.k.a Kanisa Krew (K2) & Classes
• Federation of Adventist Youth (FAY) - Liaises with Ontario Conference Youth Ministry Department; ensures Kanisa’s participation in Global & Division events (“Just Claim It” Youth Prayer Conference, mission trips, seminars etc.); participates in local FAY region events (prayer & youth rallies, AY Exchange, service activities, etc.)
• Pathfinders and Adventurers (see Children’s Ministry) – Pathfinders – Provides specialized courses for the junior youth in accordance with a set programme, as per the General Conference. Programming, Planning, Recruiting and Supervising, Teaching and Listening to both parents and children are part of a great Pathfinder Club and crucial for the Director.
• Tween & Classes

But however you felt and whatever thoughts came to your mind, my hope is that the first thing you did was seek God for his mercies and grace to help in this time of desperate need for the people of Haiti. Though theirs is a situation unspeakable and unimaginable, yet God is familiar with grief, suffering, and even tragedy. My hope also is that the second thing which crossed your mind was to ask the question: “What can I do” or “What is there to do to alleviate the pain and suffering experienced by so many?” Remember that when one suffers, we all suffer and feel the pain of that suffering. And though the nation of Haiti may be many miles away and most of the individuals who reside there are might be unfamiliar to us, we are all part of the world-wide family of God made in his image. We have a responsibility to act and to act quickly while the need is apparent and the pain so evident.

The first thing I am calling on each of you to do is to continue praying for God’s relentless grace and mercy for the many of who have been left to pick up the pieces of their lives. Pray that God’s protection and preservation be with world leaders as they coalesce their resources to aid the afflicted. Pray for the government and non-government agencies who are there making assessments. Pray for the doctors, nurses, EMS, military and peacekeeping forces from here and around the world who are there giving their time and resources. Pray that God would hear from heaven and heal the land of Haiti (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The second thing which I call on each of you to do is, in addition to your offering for budget this weekend, please bring a love offering with you to give during our Seed Time offering walk this Sabbath, January 16, 2010. We’ll ask for that love offering for the next few weekends so that you won’t be missed in this important venture. That way funds could be directed to ADRA, Adventist Development and Relief Agency who is already there on the ground, and to other non-governmental agencies that are tasked with providing this kind of assistance. In speaking with ADRA this week, I discovered that the cost for shipping food, clothing and other items are twenty times more than they are able to afford, thus they are asking that you refrain, at this time, from donating those items. Calls are being made for money so that agencies on the ground could have access to funds to purchase what is immediately needed. You could also direct your offering to ADRA via their website (www.adra.ca). The Canadian government will be matching for every dollar donated.

Together with you, I look forward to what God will do in blessing and healing the nation of Haiti during this time of great tragedy. See you at service on Sabbath!

Blessings,

Pastor John

places [them] in the crevices of Jerusalem’s Western Wall, a Jewish holy site that faithful believe provides a direct line to the Almighty.

What do you think about this use of Twitter? Is it “more prayer, more power” or does it remind people that they don’t have a direct line to God? Leave your comments below.

Often times, I lose my patience and try to do things on my own. Whenever I do, it never works out. I’ve learn that instead of taking things into my own hands, I need to trust God.

I’ll admit, this is the hardest part. I want things now. For example, I remember going on a speaking engagement that I really wasn’t supposed to do. It was on the Sabbath, plus I didn’t consult God to ask Him what to do (well, I couldn’t because it was Sabbath). I was strapped for cash and saw the four figure engagement as a “sign from God” that I must go. I mean, God wouldn’t put such a lucrative opportunity in my lap if it weren’t for me, right? God is a God of abundance, correct?

Despite my rationale, I never made it to city where I was supposed to speak. I had an unforeseen issue happen at the border and I sauntered home wondering why God was being so mean.

In the months that followed, I realized that I was wrong. I recognize now that I didn’t put God first. Instead of waiting for Isaac, I jumped the gun and went after Ishmael. Perhaps God was testing my obedience, perhaps he was testing my trust in Him. Whatever the reason, I know that I was wrong NOT to put God first in all my plans.

In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3:6

What are some of the reminders you use to remember to put God first while waiting for Him?

The pastor is the CEO. The clergy and/or staff is upper management. Evangelism is sales and marketing. The congregation is the clientele. And there is competition with other corporations (“churches”) in the same town.

But the corporation metaphor has a major problem. Not only is it glaringly absent from the New Testament, it does violence to the spirit of Christianity. Because from God’s standpoint, the church is primarily a family. His family, in fact.

How can the church be defined so it doesn’t use a corporate definition to define its structure?

When I was at a conference a couple of months ago, I used this church as a case study on how Seventh-day Adventist churches can use social media to engage people.

One man in the audience didn’t like what I was saying. Because it was a small audience, he interrupted me, saying:

I think that’s ridiculous. Using that thing would distract the church goers and I can’t possibly see how it can help.

I replied by saying that I’m not here to convince him to do anything. All I’m doing is opening the mind on how churches can stay relevant in a busy marketplace.

How do you feel about churches using tools such as Facebook, Twitter and other social media tools as a way to evangelize in today’s world?

As we were talking, he addressed with me his concern over my foundation. As I probed into his statement, he accurately assessed that I was beginning to rapidly put together a structure, but my foundation was not set. He further elaborated that I may even need to pull back the reigns on the ministry, because the monthly provisions for my family were not fully in place.

There was great wisdom in those words. A structure is only as good as the foundation it is built upon. The foundation determines to what degree and at what pace the structure can be erected. It also determines the longevity of what is built, and the types of adversity the structure can withstand.

This conversation has had me thinking about the following passage of Scripture:

Luke 6:47-49 (NASB)

47 “Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:

48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

49 “But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

The greatest detriment to the lives we are building is the poor foundation work, we all too often settle for. We may hear the words of God, but how often do we fail to implement those very things into our lives. We know we are cutting corners, but we don’t think anyone will ever notice the shortcuts.

Unfortunately turmoil has a way of exposing our frailties, shortcuts and shortcomings. The places we chose to hear, but not obey become glaringly obvious as we watch the structures of our lives come crashing down on the shifting foundations upon which they were built.

Today, I encourage you to evaluate your foundation. Have you taken the time to dig deep and lay your foundation on the bedrock principles of God? If you have, the storms may be fierce, but they will not topple the things God has directed you to build. In the end the structure will stand, unmoved by the tempest, because the foundation never shifted.

Author Resource: Carl Willis is the Lead Pastor/Strategist for Simplicity Church Network and owns the ecommerce site www.healthmartxpress.com

If you answered yes to any of these questions then your Kanisa HR team is looking for YOU! to list your skill or
business in our Services Directory.

This initiative will:

• Help Business owners gain exposure within a Christian organization
• Provide experience to those wishing to volunteer
• Create awareness of skills and services within our membership
• Increase your service and referral network

For more information contact Lettsie Phillips or Janice McIntosh or fill out the Contact form with your interest. If you’re at church, pick up an application form on the guest services table in the Foyer.

Interested advertisers are requested to make a suggested donation of $5 to assist with the printing of this directory.