Great connection with Saskatoon Pastors
I recently returned from Saskatoon again very encouraged after meeting with 6 different church staffs to discuss the launching of a Saskatoon area network focused on transforming the marriages and families within reach of these great congregations. I was very encouraged by the atmosphere of cooperation and found no spirit of competition among these pastors. Instead I sensed a desire to partner with other congregations to move forward on such an important initiative.
The discussions centered around the power of collaboration and the need for the local church to become far more proactive than reactive when it comes to dealing with the family. We discussed the one-year coaching model as well as the potential impact that an ongoing collaborative network focused on marriages and families could have in Saskatoon. I came away full as I saw God’s leading as well as the incredible potential of a network launch in Saskatoon.
National Marriage Week USA Webinar
I took in a great webinar for pastors and church leaders today out of the US discussing what it would take to enrich marriages with a focus on the National Marriage Week scheduled for February 7-14th. I had been invited by Chuck Stetson, a venture capitalist from New York City who called me on Tuesday this week simply to connect again and remind me of the National Marriage Week USA webinar held today. He is the initiator behind this webinar and also spearheaded a survey in the US revealing that American taxpayers are paying nearly 112 Billion dollars a year to deal with the fragmentation of the family.
Speakers like Chuck Colson, Miles McPherson, Christopher West and others spoke so well into what needs to be done to strengthen marriages. Much of what was discussed today is what CMFN is bringing through our coaching as we launch our first network in Saskatoon in a couple of months. I am including a free link to todays webinar and from it you can listen and watch the slides that were presented. It’s worth the listen!
Here is the link – National Marriage Week USA Webinar
You can also visit the Let’s Strengthen Marriage website to learn more of the campaign in the US.
Already full at the D6 Conference in Dallas
I’m presently in the Dallas area for the D6 Conference and what an experience so far. D6 stands for Deuteronomy chapter six where the Hebrew were instructed to teach the truths of God to their kids in the everyday events of life. Today was spent in pre-conference breakout sessions with some of the leading minds in the whole Faith@Home movement including Mark Holmen. There was great synergy in the sharing of ideas and examples of models that are really making a difference in establishing the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured. –I am seriously full and the real conference has even started yet!!
One of the reoccurring stats that comes up when we talk about Faith@Home is that less than 10% of churched kids today have any “faith-talk” time in their homes. I heard that several times today and each time it hit me to the core and each time I was more motivated to be a part of the solution to see that stat turned on it’s head. Imagine a day when kids are so connected to their faith that the first comment out their mouths when faced with a tough choice or crisis is “I really need to pray about that” or “I know what God would have me do.” Or the first person they turn to when seeking answers to life’s dilemmas is Mom or Dad. Who doesn’t long for that kind of connection with their kids.
I spoke with John Trent and Kurt Bruner today who have initiated so much of this discussion around Faith@Home and have co-founded together the Strong Families Innovation Alliance a group of churches who have worked together over the last 2+ years to distill what is happing within this movement. They are both quite interested with what’s happing in Canada as Mark Holmen has shared with them often of what God is doing to seed Faith@Home above the 49th parallel.
So much to take in and so much to share. Stay tuned as I’ll blog some of the practical things I’m learning so my head won’t explode trying to contain it all. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
Things you don’t say to your wife.
Generally speaking as husbands we mean well but oft times the things that get past our lips somehow don’t sound like they did in our heads. This video is a great example of a husbands’ disconnection with his own brain. We’re sorry ladies.
Saskatoon is some great place!
Had a couple of great meetings with two great guys in the great city of Saskatoon. That’s a lot of great in 48 hours!! I always come away charged from my meetings with both of these men and am regularly inspired to go higher and reach farther. After meeting with David White from Circle Drive Alliance Church & Synergy Solutions Group I ‘m supercharged for what lies ahead for a potential network of churches focused on transforming marriages in Saskatoon.
Then a trip to the airport to pick up Faith@Home pioneer, author and friend Mark Holmen from Ventura California. We spent almost 3 hours sharing vision and planning strategy together as we’re working on a Faith@Home coaching model for churches in Canada and the US. Absolutely love Mark’s passion for helping the local church reestablish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured. Great trip!
A giant is awakening
Posted by greg in CMFN, Transformed Marriages on September 9th, 2009
Bruce Clemenger, President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada asked if I’d join a conference call today with 40 leaders from across the US discussing the “Let’s Strengthen Marriage Campaign“. The call was organized by Chuck Stetson out of New York and it covered a seven pillar strategy to strengthen marriage involving Churches, Family, Education, Business, Media, Government and Arts and Entertainment. I was encouraged to hear of several great initiatives taking place in all seven areas in an effort to shore up the falling tide on marriage. I was mostly encouraged though in regards to the effort of collaboration to make it all happen. Within this campaign there is much cross-sector collaboration between the above mentioned pillars which is necessary for real change — on a national level — to materialize. Here in Canada it’s high time we too join forces to do all we can to transform the relational landscape of our Canadian marriages and families.
“On purpose” love!
Posted by greg in CMFN, Transformed Marriages on June 27th, 2009
I spoke with a lady at the CMFN table following a church service tonight and she shared her journey of a struggling start to her marriage . A couple of weeks after her honeymoon she was diagnosed with a mental illness and that put some serious strain on their marriage. It had come to the place where he said he couldn’t take it anymore and was going to leave her, but wouldn’t until he knew she would be okay. She decided there and then she would do three loving things for him intentionally each day. Her “on purpose” love paid off and he fell in love with her all over again. 17 years later they are trusting God as they continue building a strong healthy marriage. Not all troubled marriage have sad endings!
Welcome to CMFN’s new site!
Hey, thanks for dropping by CMFN’s new website!
We’re very excited about all that’s to come as we endeavor together to inspire & facilitate networks of churches across Canada that are passionate about transforming marriages and families. This is officially our first blog and encourage you to navigate the site and make comments. We’ll make regular updates and interact with your comments to keep this relationship dynamic.
A special thanks to Ryan Chantler who has made all this possible through his extraordinary gifts — you truly are the man!