Fergusons' New Adventure Begins in 2008 PDF Print Email
by Gordon Ferguson  -  Thursday, 20 December 2007
Leadership >> Shepherds

Theresa and I are excited to announce a significant role change for us in mid-2008, as we come off the staff of the Phoenix Valley Church.

For the past two years, we have been planning to come off staff at the end of 2008, at which time our financial support will come from Social Security payments, some money from retirement investments, along with income from further teaching and writing. However, the date had to be moved up due to opportunities that called for earlier involvement at a level that cannot be met while we are still on the staff.

The key leaders in the Asia-Pacific group of churches have asked me to head up the development of the Asia-PacificLeadershipAcademy. I will serve as the main teacher in 2008, and as Dean of the program afterwards, when we will be bringing in some other teachers with whom to share the teaching load. The Academy will consist of three tracks of training: a track for those who are church supported leaders (Ministry Track); a second track for more mature disciples who can be trained to fill shepherding roles, some of whom will ultimately be appointed elders (Shepherding Track); and a third, individually customized type track to further train those who serve in a variety of leadership roles (Elective Track). The first course of the Academy will be taught in March of 2008, and will use an innovative approach to learning that will be somewhat unique in our movement. A brochure describing the Academy in more detail will be forthcoming very soon.

Theresa and I also have an interest in working again with European churches and church leaders, as we did for well over a decade while on the staff of the Boston Church. The plans for this possibility are in the discussion stage at the moment, but the primary focus in that work would likely be to offer training in the areas of shepherding, marriage and parenting. I have been trained and certified by Family Dynamics to train facilitators for the Dynamic Marriage Program. Last summer, Theresa and I, assisted by another elder couple from Phoenix, Jerry and Karen Jones, trained 47 facilitator couples in the Philippines, the second largest training session ever conducted by Family Dynamics for this program. We plan to offer this training not only in Europe and Asia, but in other parts of the world where we have larger churches. Certainly the need for strengthening marriages is acute almost everywhere, and the Dynamic Marriage Program has been a godsend to help meet that need. www.mmconline.org

This change in role with the Phoenix Valley Church will allow the flexibility to not only be more involved in teaching and training, but to also resume the writing of books and materials for publication. We plan to remain in Phoenix as a home base, still serving as an elder and wife, and also assisting with the ministry staff as available. The other four elders and their wives, along with the ministry staff, have been very supportive of my desire to close out my productive years of ministry doing what I love most and believe I do best − teaching through offering in-depth yet highly practical courses, and writing materials of the same type. Theresa and I have a special place in our hearts for working with churches and leaders in the mission field outside the United States.

We are grateful for the four years of being a part of the ministry staff of the Phoenix Valley Church and for having developed close working relationships with the staff and elder couples here. We are especially thankful that these relationships will continue in spite of the role changes. Although I have already hit the 65 year mark, and we cannot turn back the clock, we are intent on winding it up again! Please pray for us as we begin our new adventure!
Last Updated:   Wednesday, 16 April 2008
 
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