live magazine March-April 2018

live A Baptist resource for women on a mission March - April 2018 ¡ $3.50

A Call to Worship MISSION Strategic Giving Program for 2018 (p3) Integral Mission Explained (p4)

FAITH Worship leaders connect mission and worship (p12)

ACTION A Call to Pray and Fast in April (p18) Register for April conference (p21)

live

cONNECTING

in this issue columns Connect to Mission 3 » Strategic Giving 2018 4 » Integral Mission in Bolivia 6 » Window on Africa 6 » Praying the Issue 6 » CBWOQ Annual Givings Report 7 » One Woman’s Call to Mission 10 » Letting God Lead Pay Attention—the Holy Spirit’s moving Room To Pray 2018 18 » A Call to Pray and Fast in April Connect with Others 20 » We Remember 21 » CBWOQ’s Women’s Conference

features Experience God 12 The Heart of a Worship Leader Being tuned to perfect pitch 14 How to Hear from God as We Worship Desiring what God desires 16 Developing Flow in Praise and Worship How-to’s from a seasoned worship leader

Cover: Tina Rae. Taken by Tina on her mission trip to Costa Rica, the pottery features a traditional style of painting.

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“WORSHIP IS LOVE ON ITS KNEES before the beloved, just as mission is love on its feet to serve the beloved.” I love this perspective from N. T. Wright. It speaks to the link between worship (authentic experience of God) and mission, the link of course being our Lord Jesus Christ.

For many of you, hosting a Baptist Women Sunday includes leading worship.

Worship involves more than singing songs— it is a drawing near to God. In this issue we have invited three experienced worship leaders, including Dr. Melissa Davis, our April conference worship leader, to talk about that process.

We hope that whether we lead or participate in worship, we will grow in awareness, so together we can draw into an authentic experience of God. As part of our continued desire to explore different approaches to pray, our Room To Pray program continues. We are calling Baptist women to come together for consecutive Sundays in April leading up to our April Women’s Conference to pray and fast—for the simple (!) purpose of worshipping God and drawing closer to Him. We’ve also published teachings on prayer and fasting along with more guidelines on our website. Just visit the Room To Pray page on our website (www.baptistwomen.com).

Speaking of our conference, do take a moment and consider coming to our April Women’s Conference. And invite a friend or neighbour to come with you. This is a great chance to deepen your spiritual life and draw closer to God. It’s out of that deepening and drawing in . . . that change happens and mission flows. See you there.

RJ 

VOLUME 91, NUMBER 2 live (formerly The Link & Visitor) began as The Canadian Missionary Link (1878) and Baptist Visitor (1890). Published bi-monthly by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 416-620-2954 Fax 416-622-2308 bwoq@baptist.ca www.baptistwomen.com Executive director Diane McBeth Editor and communications director Renée James 416-651-8967 rsejames@gmail.com Art director Donna Lee Pancorvo of GEPM Group Inc. (www.gepmgroup.com) Contributors Dr. Melissa Davis, Bev Foster, Tim and Kallie Hutton, Rachelle Luk, Tina Rae, Kathleen Soucy Circulation and subscriptions Subscriptions 416-620-2954 live@baptist.ca Subscriptions Individual: $20* (direct or through promoters) US & overseas: $39 All currency in $C unless otherwise noted.

The publication of comments, opinions or advertising does not necessarily imply CBWOQ agreement or endorsement. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in print or on websites without permission. Advertising inquiries and freelance submissions should be addressed to the editor.

Member, Canadian Church Press.

ISSN 2293-5096.

Canada Post Customer Number 1008592.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

*includes HST Funded by the Government of Canada

connect to mission

Strategic Giving 2018

Opoqueri, Bolivia Photo courtesy CBM

Baptist Women launched its strategic giving program in 2017—a fresh way to support the global work of Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) in the areas of vulnerable women, youth and children at risk, relief and community development.

We invited women to pick a specific international project in Kenya, Bolivia or Lebanon and raise funds for that project. Over $11,000 was raised by Baptist women in 2017 for these specific CBM international projects. Thank you for your support! Your givings were part of our overall grant of $80,000 to CBM. For 2018 we invite you to fundraise for specific projects in Kenya and Bolivia. Re-read our January/February 2018 update from Erica Kenny on the Kenya projects for which we’ll raise funds.

In this issue, Tim and Kallie Hutton give us a brief history and an overview of the Integral Mission Initiatives in Bolivia. Your funds will support a rotation of projects led by local churches and their article details the types of projects.

The funds you raise and designate will be Baptist Women’s primary way of giving to CBM.  live • March - April 2018

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connect to mission

2018 Projects Bolivia Integral Mission Projects - $37,000 As the funding cycle in Bolivia does not run the calendar year, funds will be raised for the entire program.

Examples of integral mission projects currently running until mid-2018 include sports ministry, virtual libraries, music education, spiritual education, academic and psychological support in math, accounting and the arts for children and youth, pre-school education.

Kenya Urban Ministries Program Water Filters - $6,400 School Fees - $10,240 Livelihood Training - $18,680 Program Coordinator + Community Facilitators - $ 25,650

Getsemani, Bolivia

Integral Mission in Bolivia How Baptist Women’s strategic giving to international projects in Bolivia makes a difference

by Tim and Kallie Hutton The Huttons are CBM global field staff serving in Bolivia.

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A few years ago Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) refocused its mission statement to “Partnering with local churches around the world to bring hope, healing and reconciliation through word and deed.” While relatively straightforward, this short phrase embodies very rich theology, helping to bring a biblical focus to the organization’s ministry as it grounds itself in the everyday realities of today’s global communities.

In Bolivia, CBM and its partners explored what this missional focus could mean in their particular context. A joint desire to better support neighbourhood churches in their local ministries began to grow. This

Photo courtesy CBM

eventually took root in what is now called Integral Mission Initiatives (IMI). Launched about three years ago, IMI is a collaborative effort between several of our Bolivian partners—the Baptist Seminary, the Centre for Integral Mission and OBADES (the Bolivian Baptist development NGO). Together we work to empower and train churches to actively identify and holistically serve needs within their communities.

Each year IMI specifically supports a select group of churches across the country who have started projects that reach out to their neighbours in practical and robust ways. This national mandate is

significant as more remote locations often receive less attention than churches in larger centres. IMI however, has opened the door for us to work wherever the Holy Spirit leads, and He’s led us to some incredible churches throughout the country.

Along with some financial support, the team mentioned above collaborates to provide participating churches with technical and theological training over the course of one to three years. We strive to help church leaders acquire new skills and gain tools to strengthen their programming.

There is also a strong focus on biblical study as participants take part in workshops and explore the theological basis for serving as a missional church.

Investing in these smaller projects can seem risky; they’re volunteer-driven by congregants who are often new to this kind of ministry. Yet, it’s also in these people that we find our greatest resources: passionate Christians with a desire to live out church in their neighbourhoods. What’s more, while perhaps lacking in some areas, these volunteers are experts in their own communities and bring a wealth of professional and life experience which together adds considerable value.

The IMI projects themselves can be quite diverse; each community has different needs and every church brings its own set of skills. Some churches have a heart for serving young people which is

manifested in myriad ways. For instance, Christ Lives Church runs a daily preschool in the very south of the country on the border of Argentina. In contrast, New Life Church out west in Santa Cruz offers academic support, mentorship, and lunch to struggling teens. In the eastern City of Oruro, Resurrected Christ Church provides programming for at-risk children but has also reached out to youth in their 20s working as shoeshines, providing them with lunch and medical attention, among other things.

There also have been creative projects that focus on vulnerable elderly or women’s populations, and others that address local environmental issues.

IMI’s strength is that, while modest in size, it’s driven by knowledgeable people who care deeply and are committed to bearing witness to Christ through their words and deeds.

On behalf of CBM we would like to offer our sincerest thanks to the Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec who have championed the Integral Mission Initiatives project and who have helped raise funds to support these inspiring churches. 

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connect to mission

A WINDOW on Africa Prayer requests from the Baptist Women’s Union of Africa We continue our prayer partnership with the Baptist Women’s Union of Africa.

These prayer requests come from Marthe Nguime Ekollo, president of the BWUA. Marthe Nguimè Ekollo 1. Let’s thank God for the newly elected president of Liberia. Pray that he will rule with the fear of God.

5. Pray that God will continue to advance His kingdom on our continent.

2. Pray for the insecurity present in most of African countries—that peace will come.

6. Pray that the Lord will make the ground fertile for the Gospel to prevail in Islamic African countries.

3. Pray for peaceful elections in Cameroon in 2018.

7. Pray that Christian leaders will be ambassadors of peace and hope to the people.

4. Pray for All Africa Baptist Fellowship (AABF) staff as they process outcomes from their February meeting in Malawi.

8. Pray that God will grant wisdom, strength and good health to me as I prepare for conferences. 

CANADIAN BAPTIST WOMEN OF ONTARIO & QUEBEC Amounts Contributed by Associations for 12 Months Ended December 31, 2017 Circles Amherstburg

300.00

Canada Central

4,176.25

Elgin

1,425.00

MAD*

C&E

Other

-

-

-

300.00

TOTAL 2017 300.00

TOTAL 2016 300.00

75.00

-

4,251.25

5,984.00

50.00

-

1,775.00

2,000.00

Georgian Bay

8,813.84

1,320.00

-

35.00

10,168.84

7.891.03

South Central

18,132.00

7,230.00

-

-

25,362.00

23,368.75

-

13,835.35

20,059.08

18,847.85

31,760.00

Middlesex-Lambton

13,435.35

300.00

Niagara-Hamilton

12,884.75

2,230.00

200.00

3,533.10

6,678.40

-

100.00

478.80

12,416.30

-

125.00

Norfolk Northern Northwestern Ottawa

2,089.00

240.00

16,080.00

3,840.00

Owen Sound

1,442.20

-

Oxford-Brant

12,826.85

1,480.00

469.00 320.00

410.00 60.00

7,257.20

7,663.20

12,541.30

11,584.20

2,329.00

2,394.15

20,799.00

24,286.99

1,442.20

2,322.72

14,686.85

16,934.80

Quebec

825.00

-

-

825.00

1,170.00

Toronto

9,065.02

5,835.00

40.00

-

14,940.02

19,335.43

20,000.25

1,700.00

75.00

-

21,775.25

28,154.66

4,550.71

300.00

-

-

4,850.71

5,535/75

145,140.92

24,775.00

175,986.82

210,744.76

Trent Valley Western TOTAL

*Monthly Automated Donation

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-

100.00

1,554.00

4,516.90

Praying the Issue • Strategic givings for 2018 (p3) • Bolivia integral missions projects (p4) • All CBM global field staff (p7) • Baptist Women STM to Dixon Ministries (p 9) • Call to pray and fast in April (p18) • Baptist Women’s April Conference (p21)

connect to mission

Photo courtesy K. Soucy Bruno and Kathleen Soucy

One Woman’s Call to Mission Kathleen Soucy—Doing What God Places Before You

Kathleen Soucy and her husband Bruno, are global field staff with Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM), currently working as team leaders – Latin America.

Describe your call to overseas missions I have long had a deep sense that we are not to go through life alone, yet so many of us are isolated from others and God. I believe that we need others who can provide balance, wise counsel and encouragement. Most significantly, we have a deep need for God, the perfect wise Counsellor and Friend. My call to serve God in missions comes out of this passion to accompany others and share His love.

How did God equip and prepare you?

Through life experiences and opportunities, I am aware that God has been equipping and preparing me for serving Him outside of my own culture and country.

An unplanned pregnancy of a family member at age 16 led me into Crisis Pregnancy Ministry (now known as Pregnancy Resource Centers). God taught me about compassion and prayer as I met with young women and couples facing life-changing live • March - April 2018

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decisions. My husband’s experience with cancer at a young age led to work with the Canadian Cancer Society. Here God placed me in roles that allowed me to use gifts I didn’t know I had: facilitator, fundraiser and networker.

At a midpoint in our lives, God led my husband and me to the work of Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM). At that time, we supported the missional movement in our local church and had the opportunity to see the work of CBM in Central America.

Ultimately we were accepted as global field staff.

“I can only do what God places before me.”

While that may sound like a smooth trajectory, let me assure you it has been far from that. Two verses have encouraged me to be open to the opportunities to serve God right where my feet are planted today and also be open to what and where God is leading. They are: Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him; Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

What do you do?

Currently, my husband Bruno and I serve as team leaders for CBM in Latin America.

This involves working with CBM’s field staff, Canadian CBM staff, church partners in Latin America (including Bolivia, El Salvador, Cuba and Nicaragua) and with Canadian church members.

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As we stepped into this expanded role three years ago, I am grateful for our first seven years of ministry (from 2006) with CBM in the very different context of Rwanda. There I had the privilege of working to support women’s efforts to improve their literacy. I was also involved in developing and evaluating projects that supported orphans, vulnerable children and people living with HIV/AIDS, all while working with a talented team of Rwandan colleagues.

In both Rwanda and Latin America, I have also been committed to facilitating short term mission experiences to help the local church be a church with puertas abiertas (open doors) reaching out to the community with God’s love.

In Bolivia, one significant highlight for me has been the opportunity to work in the area of trauma healing as a facilitator, using material developed by the American Bible Society and adapted for Latin America. This participatory study helps the church address and respond to questions like: How do people recover from trauma?

Can the Bible help? What can the church do? and it does so through each participant’s reflection on their own journey through life’s challenges. It has been a humbling and learning experience to be with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures as together we look at what we believe and why, and allow God to speak into our lives.

In Cuba I have been blessed to be invited into a very different culture and perspective through the work of Magali Perez Reyes, who works with Cuban churches in the area of gender. Her work helps the Church to see how gender permeates how people see themselves and others and therefore how they respond, and evaluate and see the future.

Bringing gifted people together to support God’s mission to draw others to Him is another opportunity I am thankful to have as we spend time with partners and churches in other Latin American countries.

While I have seen common threads over the years in what I understand has been my calling, I do see that evolving and changing as God has been working in me.

I also know God is good to provide me with others to do life with.

One godly woman who continues to influence me as I step out each day is Chantal, a Rwandan woman I deeply respect. Her passion is business, doing well with what she has.

She also has a deep sense that her calling is using her talent for business to help women isolated and stigmatized by HIV/AIDS. I asked her how she is able to show up each day in the midst of the devastating circumstances of these women’s lives. Her response was so straightforward and simple and faithful: “I can only do what God places before me.”

James 4:8 (NIV) encourages believers to “come near to God and he will come near to you.” My prayer for us all is that we will be “plugged” into God, expecting to see Him, hear from Him and enabled through Him to work out this calling in each of us: “For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2:10. 

baptist women home mission trip dixon ministrY

In-Canada Mission Trip A chance to get training and experience in cross cultural ministry without flying anywhere July 22 – 27, Toronto $650 includes five nights’ accommodation (college residence); meals for six days, and ministry expenses There will be training in culture, courtesies, fundraising, English as a second language, and gracious ways to share faith.

Along with a partner from Dixon Ministry, we will do in-home English tutoring, help with children’s programs and lead interest groups related to the skills of team members.

We will join in Somali, Middle Eastern and South Asian family life, eat at Somali and other ethnic restaurants (mildly spiced options available), and even visit a Somali flea market.

Though we will not be far away, this will be treated as any other mission trip, with team members living and working together.

For more details please see baptistwomen.com/events.

If you are interested, contact Diane McBeth at dmcbeth@baptist.ca.

Photo courtesy Diane McBeth

Somali flea market

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connect to mission

Tina Rae received a grant from Baptist Women to support her mission trip fundraising. In December, she and her daughter Jasmine went to Costa Rica’s northwest coast with Samaritan’s Purse Costa Rica Family Team, in partnership with Moviendo Esperanzas.

There she distributed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and TOMS shoes, saw the “Greatest Journey” discipleship program in action and viewed the impact of a stove program that has helped families have healthier cooking conditions.

by Tina Rae Tina Rae is the Christian Education Specialist at Westview Baptist Church, London, and is coordinator for the London Children’s Ministry Network.

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Tina with Okar, Jose and Cristian. Jose (middle) received the shoebox packed by the Explorers group at Tina’s church.

LETTING GOD LEAD Pay attention—the Holy Spirit’s moving I like to plan, lead, and make sure that everything is in order.

Unfortunately, when I want to have so much control over things around me, it can be difficult to leave room for God to work in my life.

2017 was a time of moving over and making room for God’s work. It started when I was motivated to go on a mission trip with my 10-yearold daughter Jasmine. I knew this was something that I wanted to do but there were obstacles in the way, including health concerns and fundraising. I had to let God take care of these obstacles as I knew there was very little I could do on my own. He did! My health concerns were taken care of and we were able to raise the funds in half of the time I had expected.

Jasmine and I were so excited to be able to travel with Samaritan’s Purse to Costa Rica. We were there to change children’s lives, but our leaders knew that this was a time during which God would also change our lives. When we arrived, we were encouraged to be open to how God

Photos by Beatrice Mora

Tina paints a girl’s face in Playa del Coco would work in our lives, however that would be, and that included letting God work through us emotionally. I’m a reserved person and I don’t normally wear my emotions on my sleeve. But I decided to be open and I’m so glad that I was.

One day we watched the Operation Christmas Child discipleship program in action. The kids had come to learn more about God’s gift of salvation through Christ, which was even more precious than the gift they’d received weeks before in their shoebox.

Some of the kids recognized us from the previous day when we had distributed TOMS shoes, and after their class, we played with them. We broke open a piñata together, we painted faces, made balloon animals, played soccer and had a great time. When our playing time was over, we went to pray with the pastor of the

church—something we’d done on previous days.

The pastor is female. This meant a lot to me as I have been struggling with God’s calling for women, particularly me, into ministry.

This pastor was in this place at this time to say something to me!

I knew I wanted to talk with her, but before I could do so, we were called forward to pray for her and her family. I put my hand on her shoulder to echo the prayers of our leader. I really can’t remember what our leader prayed, but as he prayed, tears flowed. I didn’t understand why. I didn’t feel choked up as I normally would. Instead, these tears had come freely and I didn’t fight them. When he finished praying I looked up and noticed several other ladies also wiping away tears.

Following his prayer, some of the leadership felt compelled to pray for all of us too, sharing a

message from Jeremiah 33 (call to me), Joshua 1:9 (be not afraid; I am with you) and Matthew 28 (go and make disciples).

What I did not understand then, and now know, was that the Holy Spirit had moved me. My tears were evidence of that. This was a moment that I had not expected, but one I will remember forever.

God had spoken into my life in a tangible way and encouraged me on my spiritual journey.

There are so many stories from the week. By giving a simple shoebox of gifts or a pair of shoes, children’s lives were changed.

I’m so glad though that I too was changed; blessed in such a way that my life and ministry have been strengthened. I want to continue to let God speak to me in ways that I may have limited before. 

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EXPERIENCE GOD

The Heart of a

Worship Leader Being tuned to perfect pitch

Come Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace1…

Worship leadership is an awesome responsibility.

While some may perceive the role as merely songleading, it involves so much more.

The opening phrase of the 18th century hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing begins a beautifully poetic prayer to God by asking Him to “tune” our hearts as one would tune an instrument. Recognizing that our wayward hearts are “prone to wander” as the hymn so aptly puts it in a subsequent verse, it is vital that the one who is called to sing of God’s grace, must ever tune, bind and offer their heart to Christ.

But how is this done? What must happen in us as worship leaders before we stand before God’s people to lead in worship?

When worship leaders experience God’s call to lead His people in worship, a deep desire begins to

by Dr. Melissa Davis Unsplash/ToaHeftiba.com

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Melissa is the director of music and worship arts at Tyndale University College and Seminary

grow in their hearts to see God glorified along with a vision and passion for God’s people to praise Him wholeheartedly. To fulfill that calling, our first focus should be on the condition of our hearts. This is where the tuning begins.

When our hearts are centered on our personal desires and goals in ministry, we lose sight of the purpose of our leadership as servants of God. Since our thoughts tend to dictate our heart condition, it becomes vital to continuously allow God to wash our minds through prayer, aligning our thoughts with His will. Just as one would align the notes of an instrument with a tuner to ensure its beautiful sound before attempting to play, those who wish to be used by God in beautiful ways must also commit themselves to being ever tuned by the divine Tuner before preparing to lead others in worship.

Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee…

As worship leaders, it’s easy to begin planning and busying ourselves in the search for exciting and relevant music, but we must begin by first allowing God to define the ministry for us. When we are faithful to God’s call on our lives in leadership, He will reward our devotion by giving us joy and a peaceful ease in leading His people.

That “secret place” time spent with God, recognizing His goodness (Psalm 91), is our lifeline that not only allows us to discern what God wants to say to His people, but also allows us to choose songs with purpose—songs that encourage the people of God to pour out their hearts to God in authentic ways. Continuously focusing on the goodness—the greatness—of God while we prepare to lead will keep us bound to God’s will and purpose for our

ministry, both in our own lives and in the lives of those we lead in worship.

Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it...

We worship leaders must come to God as both worshipper and servant leader— not as those who feel the weight of being in charge over the congregation, nor as those who promote themselves as celebrities. Then what we offer to God must be excellent—our most excellent praise (Psalm 66:2). Our musical skill, attitude and standards must reflect hearts that are fully devoted to serving Christ with excellence. As shepherds of God’s people, this requires great preparation behind the scenes—a commitment to rehearsing music well, and gathering and uniting the worship team to focus on the tuning of their hearts to God in worship. Attire, attitudes, musicianship and devotion to Christ become some of the vital considerations of faithful worship leaders—always attentive to the things that distract—so that the focus remains on Christ alone.

When worship leaders and teams are authentically positioned as servants of The Most High, the congregation will too be drawn and inspired to worship God in Spirit and in truth. …seal it for Thy courts above.

The final thought of this hymn is recognizing that the entire office of worship music leadership is about, is for, and is led

by God. When we recognize that we belong to God and that God has claimed us as His own, all that we do in ministry is a beautifully tuned offering back to Him in praise.  Robinson, Robert. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

John Wyeth Repository of Sacred Music, 1813.

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EXPERIENCE GOD

How to Hear from God as We Worship Desiring what God desires

by Rachelle Luk Rachelle Luk is a worship leader, music teacher, and Covenant Award-winning singer-songwriter (www. rachelleluk.com). She serves as Director of Music Ministries at Mississauga City Baptist Church and lives in Mississauga with her husband.

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As a worship leader, I often receive feedback from people right after a service.

“I really enjoyed the music!” “You have such a nice voice!” “Thank you for choosing my favourite songs!”

I receive encouragement from these comments, but none of them comes close to when someone says, “God spoke to me during worship today.”

The difference between worship and singing How is it that we can gather together and sing songs of worship, but sometimes leave without hearing from God? It’s important to remember that singing certain songs doesn’t automatically mean that worship is happening. We can open our mouths in song without opening our hearts in worship.

Worship leader, Laura Story, puts it this way: “We often think about worship as the songs we sing in church, but the truth is that worshipping God is about surrender. Surrendering to God’s will when it doesn’t match ours […] and surrendering our personal story to live out our part in God’s greater story.

Worship is surrendering everything for God, valuing God so much that we’re willing to let everything else go.”1 When this happens during worship, we are bound to experience God and hear from Him. It is by the Holy Spirit’s power that hearts are opened to genuine worship. But what can we do to create an atmosphere free of barriers to the Spirit’s work? Let’s look at some ways that we, as worship leaders, can help people hear from God during corporate worship.

Create pace and flow Creating pace and flow is all about building a path that has a clear direction, is free of disruptions, and has room for everyone else to go with you. As worship leaders, we want to lead people to authentically encounter the living God. The path can be made up of songs, hymns, instrumental music, prayers, verses of Scripture, and more. Our path will be smooth if these building blocks flow naturally from one to the next, and if we clear disruptions on the path, such as awkward pauses and sloppy musical entrances.

When I plan a worship set, I think about creating a flow, not just of music, but of ideas, so that a set of songs progresses the same way that ideas build on each other in a conversation. A helpful model for the progression of worship is “Exalt, Encounter, Respond.” We might sing a song about God’s mighty power (Exalt), then a song about how His power changes us (Encounter), and close with one that declares our trust in Him (Respond). This flow helps lead our hearts to a place of joyful surrender. We can respond to Him in faith because we have seen His greatness and experienced His presence with us.

Though it is important to take into account the musical flow between songs (keys, tempos, moods), this should serve the flow of ideas. If possible, it’s helpful to flow from one song right into the next. If there’s a considerable difference in key or tempo, you can still carry on the flow of worship between songs with something spoken, such as a prayer, a brief reflection on the song, or Scripture verses.

How to listen—as a worship leader and as a worshipper As we worship, we have the opportunity not just to sing to God, but to hear the song He sings over us (Zeph. 3:17). Next time you are singing with your church, try actively listening to the collective voice of the congregation. Listen to your church family singing to you about God! They are telling you about His glory, His faithfulness, His purpose for you!

As a worship leader, leave enough room so that people can really listen to the words they are singing. Try planning some time within the music for people to listen. Pauses are only awkward if they don’t have any purpose. They can be great opportunities for people to listen if you set them up that way. For example, ask a question, (“What is God asking you to surrender?”) and create space for people to hear from God while an instrument plays simply in the background.

What happens when we listen?

As we declare in song who God is and what He’s done, we will be amazed by the story of salvation. As we proclaim His worth and glory, His kindness and grace, and fully agree with God about who He says He is and who He says we are, our souls will be drawn to desire what He desires. As we surrender to Him in worship, He will shape us into the likeness of Christ.

Women who are amazed by the story of salvation, who desire what God desires, and who are formed into Christ’s likeness will be women who joyfully live out God’s mission.  1 Laura Story with Jennifer Schuchmann, When God Doesn’t Fix It (Thomas Nelson, 2015), p. 129.

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EXPERIENCE GOD

Developing flow in

Interactive prayer room at Highland Park Baptist Church, Kitchener, set up by Baptist Women for CBOQ’s Cafechurch workshop. Photo courtesy Laura Matthews

praise and Worship

How-to’s from a seasoned worship leader

by Bev Foster Bev is the founder and executive director of Room 217 Foundation, a health-arts organization dedicated to using music to improve quality of life and care. An experienced musician, educator and worship leader, she speaks and writes extensively on the power of music, especially in life limiting situations.

Bev and her husband Rob live and worship in Port Perry, ON. 16 live • March - April 2018

Transitions are part of life, and part of worship. In-between moments are important places, full of anticipation, expectation, insight and wonder, with discernable impact on the worshipper. Sometimes, transitions feel clumsy and awkward. When a leader is unsure of herself, insecure with the music or unaware of the intention of praise and worship, transitions may fill up with hesitation, tension, anxiety and inertia.

The intention of song transitions in worship is to create space to experience God and unity with one another. This desire comes from a leader’s heart that loves being in God’s presence, and loves God’s people. The intention of all that is sung, played and spoken points the way to Jesus and is surrendered to seen and unseen purposes of God’s Spirit.

In my own worship leading practice, developing flow comes from tending to four related elements.

1. Personal preparation Personal preparation involves planning a sequence of songs that has destination. I start with a call song that draws people to come, gather and worship and sets God’s invitation to worship. Then choose a song or two that blesses the Lord, praises Him, exalts and lifts His name and encourages heart posture. A song of confession, or prayer of submission and consecration opens potential for deeper encounter with Christ and

the Holy Spirit. The next piece sets up the greater intention of the service. While the praise and worship set can stand alone, it needs to be part of the larger narrative of worship. Final songs respond to the preaching/teaching, with a song of sending out and blessing.

Once I’ve planned the sequence, I sing and play through the set to give me a sense of how the order works and whether adjustments need to be made. I encounter God for myself in these songs, which helps prepare my heart to lead, and informs how I may connect the songs.

Song connection techniques need to be minimalist, non-formulaic and authentic, and may include: • Scripture • Prayer • Full stop and silence • A short personal story related to message of song • The story behind the song • A meaningful line from the song • Spontaneous singing to the Lord If using a connector, ask: Is the connector necessary? How does the connector impact the pace of the set? Does it move forward or make it sluggish?

2. Music elements Music elements impact flow. Using different keys keeps interest. Moving up a fourth or fifth or down a third or sixth keeps motion seamless. I try not to stay in the same key for more than two songs in a row. Ask yourself: Is there a change-up of style that gives a variety of entry points into the worship flow? Is there a contrast of fast and slow songs? Is the melodic range singable for most people? Is the metre all the same or is there changeup between a feeling of two and three?

If using a connecting technique, is there instrumental underlying, or vamping? Will the song introduction start fresh or bleed from the song before? Musical transitions need to be rehearsed with direction.

3. Clear communication All this means that clear communication is required. In rehearsal, a leader needs to be both instructive and responsive.

Musicians appreciate having a sense of the song roadmap. Arrangements may be pre-designed, determined collaboratively or a mix. In any case, leaders need to give direction. This can be done with words, and in the moment, with body language and gestures.

Working out details ahead of time with a tech team averts glitches that are unnecessarily disruptive. Good communication between pastor and worship leader makes for a stronger sense of through line between all aspects of the worship gathering.

4. Letting go Letting go is essential to flow. Releasing control of outcomes to the agenda, hovering and anointing of the Holy Spirit enables us to be conduits of freedom and flow. By surrendering to the Spirit’s river of life that streams from the Father’s throne, we become part of a powerful current that rushes into open-hearted and openhanded worshippers. That is true worship and that is where mission is born.

The essence of developing flow in praise and worship is releasing our collective competencies and preparation to cooperate with the unifying, healing and holy work of God’s Spirit that pours through us. May it be so in your church and mine.  live • March - April 2018

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ROOM TO PRAY 2018 A Call to Pray and Fast in April As part of its biannual theme of Come Thirsty | Drink Deeply Baptist Women focused on prayer and different approaches to prayer in 2017. Baptist Women believes that mission flows out of an authentic transformative experience of God that is rooted in prayer.

As part of Room To Pray, we had several Baptist women and groups build prayer rooms in their churches for LOVE DAY. Those rooms were literally spaces in which our concerns and dreams for our communities were given shape and voice at prayer stations that combined creativity and intercession. Baptist Women also hosted prayer rooms at several CBOQ events and at NABWU’s New Dreams Assembly.

Room To Pray 2018 With this issue of live magazine, we launch our Room To Pray program for 2018 by inviting all Baptist women to pray and fast every Sunday in April.

The purpose of our fast? To worship the Lord and to draw closer to God. Fasting re-orients us to God and His presence at work in our lives and helps us to hear His invitation to come thirsty and drink deeply (John 7: 37-38). Fasting helps us to appreciate the more that Jesus offers: more salvation; more healing; more of Himself.

How will we fast?

We invite you to give up a meal (or several) for Sundays in April and use that meal preparation and eating time to pray with a group of women from your church if possible, and draw closer to God. If you aren’t able to fast from food, pick an activity you’ll give up for these Sundays.

When we commit to fast and seek God, He responds in ways that we can only credit to Him (Erza 8).

Visit www.baptistwomen.com and the Room To Pray page for: • teachings on prayer and fasting • links to online resources • more How-To tips on fasting

“I started fasting because I wanted to get to know the Lord. I wanted to learn to abide with Him.” Susan Plumridge from First Baptist Church, London, on why she fasted from lunch once a week for several years.

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A Call to Pray and Fast in April The PLAN 1. Decide if you’d like to say yes to this call to join Baptist Women in prayer and fasting Pray. And also ask women at church if they’d like to join.

2. Choose your type of fast • Choose which meal(s) you will skip each Sunday • If you have health issues, fast from something else, e.g., television, social media • Try to find a time to gather as a group to pray

3. Gather every Sunday

5 PRAYER PROMPTS 1. Psalm 27:8 (NLT) My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

2. Isaiah 42: 1 and 3 (NIV) Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him . . .

A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

3. John 7:37-38 (NIV)

Every Sunday, gather as a group to pray. There are several ways to do so: • Read aloud Psalms such as Psalm 23 or 46. Then pray them in your own words as prayers of praise, thanksgiving, confession, yearning or intercession.

• Use the prayer prompts as a way to focus your prayers • Pray through the alphabet—praising God (e.g., God, you are awesome in holiness).

What would God like you and the group to talk to Him about? Ask Him.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

4. Keep a record (journal)

5. Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

Choose someone to record what God says to the group: Scripture; new insights into Scripture; a word or phrase meant to encourage Baptist Women at large.

4. Psalm 46:10 (NLT) Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

5. Let Baptist Women know how it went Perhaps God is telling us something as an organization. Please reach out and share your experiences with us.

“Even though I’ve received answers, my relationship with Jesus is really what is the blessing. It has brought me to the place where I can taste and see that God is good in my everyday life.” ~ A Baptist woman who wants to remain anonymous

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connect with others

We REMEMBER These gifts in memory or in honour of family, friends and others you value will continue to bring good from their lives. Thank you.

In Memory of Edith Clark, Pembroke Joyce Estabrooks, Ottawa Howard Fawcett, Brantford Katherine Greer, Pembroke Rev. Gerry Hunt, London Bill Kerr, Niagara Falls Ruth McClelland, Springford Bob McKenney, Springford Wilda Richardson, Kitchener Deborah Slogth, Springford Lillian Spence, Delhi IN HONOUR OF Janet Hess, Wallaceburg (Services as president) Syd and Betty Hillyer, Toronto (65th wedding anniversary)

Bernice’s Picks . . .

Get the kids a good book and keep them off the screen.

5-Minute Nighttime Bible Stories Hard cover, full of colourful pictures. 200 pages.

On sale $10 Totally Awesome Super-Cool Bible Stories Read and doodle your thoughts on the Bible story you just read. Perfect for kids ages 9-15. Hilarious comments, complete with thoughtful endings. Hard cover, 227 pages.

On sale for $10 Also ask about our Easter story activity and sticker book for young kids. Instead of more chocolates, give them the true meaning of Easter.

All titles available from ReadOn Bookstore 5 International Blvd.

Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 Tel: 416-620-2934 Fax: 416-234-8840 E-mail: books@readon.ca www.readon.ca

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A History Moment 1918 – 1924 were years of steady progress.

Money was given for extra needs in the churches, mission boxes were sent, children learned in mission bands and scholarships were provided at Feller Institute. Support to Home Mission churches rose, in addition to the support for Grande Ligne, Western Canada and the Slavic Mission. Prayer was an important feature. The power of prayer to guide and direct was a strong belief.

From Step by Step: A Chronological History Baptist Women’s Missionary Societies of Ontario and Quebec prior to amalgamation. 1876 – 1953

Connect with us at CBOQ’s June Assembly!

Wednesday June 6 from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

Sharing Perspectives | Being Encouraged - A time for pastors’ wives Connect with other pastors’ wives over appetizers at this free reception hosted by Baptist Women.

Thursday June 7 We present on Baptist Women in the afternooon Friday June 8 from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Stirring One Another Up – A time for female clergy A chance for female pastors and chaplains to share ideas over a free light breakfast, hosted

by Baptist Women.

Visit our booth anytime!

CBWOQ’s Women’s Conference Friday, April 27 - Saturday, April 28, 2018

Come Thirsty | Drink Deeply . . . because there’s more Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church 5220 Creekbank Road, Mississauga, ON L4W 1X1 SCHEDULE Friday, April 27 Conference starts at 7 p.m.

Registration and prayer room open at 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 28 Conference continues with an 8:45 a.m. coffee/tea time to begin the day and ends at 5 p.m.

• Nursery open during plenary sessions and workshops only.

• This is a scent-free conference. Please do not wear perfumed lotion, oils or scents. Thank you for helping us accommodate those with allergies.

PLENARY SPEAKERS Friday night: Terry Long founded Quiet Pools five years ago. Quiet Pools is a Christian contemplative ministry of rest and reflection for women leaders.

Saturday morning: Meghan Matthews works with CBOQ’s Next Generation Ministries and can often be found hanging with Kingsway Youth where she is a small group leader.

WORSHIP LEADER Dr. Melissa Davis returns! Melissa currently serves as director of the Music and Worship Arts Department at Tyndale University College and Seminary. Read her article on a worship leader’s heart on page 12 of this issue.

Visit a CBOQ Church on Sunday April 29 Two area churches would love to welcome any Baptist Women at their Sunday service following our conference.

Stay over Saturday evening and join us at one of these churches: 1. Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church Visit our conference host church, MCBC! Catch their English service at 9:30 a.m. in the same place our plenary sessions are held.

2. Kingsway Baptist Church 41 Birchview Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1H7 | Service starts: 10 a.m. Visit the home church of one of our keynote speakers, Meghan Matthews, and enjoy vibrant worship and fellowship in west Toronto.

Direction to venue Driving (from 401): 401 East or West • Exit Dixie Road—head south • East (left) onto Matheson Blvd. E • South (right) onto Creekbank Road, one block • Church is on the right • Front entrance is at the rear of the building Public Transportation Options (from Toronto) • TTC/MiWay: • Take Line 2 (Bloor/Danforth line) to Islington subway station • At Islington station, take 109 Northbound to Renforth Station West Platform 1 • At Renforth Station West, take 7 southbound • Exit at Creekbank Road at Sismet Road (church is on southwest corner) • 109 and 7 buses are operated by Mississauga Transit (MiWay); extra fare may be required

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Come Thirsty | Drink Deeply . . . because there’s more Workshop

Facilitator Workshop Description Authentic Experience of God (more ways to pursue God)

1. Essential Oils of the Bible 2. The Fragrance of Thankfulness 3. Pilgrimages of the Heart 4. Come Create, Come Receive 5. Deeper into Prayer

Jodie Rogers, women’s ministry leader at Mississauga City Baptist Church

an aromatic journey through the Bible | materials cost extra: $5

Terry Long, one of our plenary speakers

a workshop on thankfulness that involves the senses

Renée James, director of communication, CBWOQ

an interactive time of paying attention to God using different types of prayer

Meghan McIntosh, CBWOQ’s former Legacy for Ministry co-ordinator

a time to experience streams of living water using a variety of expressive arts experience prayer in our interactive prayer room | capped at 8 women per session

Intimate Connection to Mission (more ways to act) 6. Connecting with Community 7. Investing in the Next Generation 8. The Spiritual Gift of Saying No 9. Human Trafficking, Exploitation and Slavery: a deeper look 10. Storytime with Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) 11. Cultivating Spiritual Friendships

Alison Latty, co-founder of the cafechurch network in the UK

a workshop on how to set up a cafechurch in your community

Karra Overholt and a dynamic group of high school girls

a workshop/Q&A session that focuses on youth culture, mentoring and engaging youth

Leanne Friesen, lead pastor of Mount Hamilton Baptist Church, Hamilton

a workshop where you’ll learn when and how to say “no” . . . following Jesus’ example

Christy Langschmidt, activist; founding member of the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network; chair of the board of Aurora House

a time to take a deeper look at these areas of injustice, while packaging welcome baskets for Aurora House

Rev. Anne Drost, CBM’s regional rep in Ontario and Quebec | Brenda Halk, CBM senior associate for strategic projects

an opportunity to hear stories about how God’s love is being poured out through women’s lives around the world

Diane McBeth, executive director of CBWOQ

learn listening skills and a format for sharing spiritual life

NEW! Please support Aurora House by donating items for the house: diapers for sizes 6-12 months, garbage bags, recycling bags, sanitary pads, tampons, laptop computers.

Items needed for welcome baskets: Gift cards from the following retailers: Coffee Time, Starbucks (both are close to the house)

Foodland

Shoppers Drug Mart

any pizza restaurant (Pizza Pizza, etc.)

CORRECTION: The phone number for Comfort Inn Airport West at 1500 Matheson Blvd. is 905-624-6900.

Come Thirsty | Drink Deeply . . . because there’s more Registration 2018 Use this form to pay by cheque. If paying by credit card, please register securely at baptistwomen.com.

Name________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________ Province_______________ Postal Code________________ Phone (____)_________________________________________ Church and City _________________________________________________________________________________________ Age: q Teen q 20s q 30s q 40s q 50s q 60s q 70s This is my first CBWOQ event q Yes q No q I will use the nursery. Number of children _____ ages __________.

Nursery will only be open during workshops and plenary sessions and closed at all other times including breaks and lunch. q I wish to volunteer at this event. Please phone me with more information. Phone (___)____________________________. q Photo release: I agree to allow photos of me which may be taken at the event, to be used in all CBWOQ publications, and social media for the sole purpose of sharing about this conference with the Baptist community at large. q Please phone me to confirm receipt of this registration form and workshop choice.

The program includes the brief transaction of annual business for Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec. Voting privileges are open to women who are affiliated with a CBOQ church; subscribe to the CBWOQ purpose: “ to enable women to reach others for Christ;” register at least 10 days before the conference starts (Bylaw 4:26a and 37) and sign and date below. Please sign and date below only if you fulfill these requirements.

Signature ______________________________ Date ____________________________

Workshops There are 11 workshops offered during the conference. Each workshop is offered twice; once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Please select two options per time slot in case your first choices are full. Review your choices on page 21-22.

Sessions are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis and capped by room capacity.

My workshop choices:

Morning:

1st choice # _____ 2nd choice #_____

Afternoon: 1st choice # _____ 2nd choice #_____

Payment Full payment with registration is appreciated. q Lunch ticket $15 (per catered hot lunch) | 1 per registrant $___________________ q Food allergies? Please note here: ____________________________________________________ q Contribution to bursary/event fund*

$ ___________________ Receipt requested q Yes q No (Receipts issued upon request for donations of $20 or more) q Registration fee ($59 workshops, coffee breaks, event) $ 59 q Materials fee (Workshop #1) $5 $___________________ q I enclose a cheque payable to CBWOQ for $___________

Please mail to CBWOQ, 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 *This fund was established to encourage women to attend CBWOQ events and conventions. Guidelines and application forms are available from CBWOQ’s website: www.baptistwomen.com or the office at 416-620-2954.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel before April 1, 2018 your fees will be reimbursed minus $15 (retained for administrative costs). No refund after April 1.

Your Handy Conference Checklist  Invite a friend or neighbour to come with you  Register!  Book your lunch spot (do this when you register)  Put the dates (Friday April 27 evening + Saturday April 28 all day) on your calendar  Book your hotel at one of the three area hotels with whom we have packages  Make a note of the directions to the church (find them online or in this issue)  Plan to attend a church on Sunday in the GTA and make it a full women’s weekend away  Gather items for Aurora House welcome baskets (see list on page 22)  Choose the Sundays in April when you’ll pray and fast (see the guide on pages 18-19)  Ask God to open your heart to what he has in store for you in April!  Follow us on Instagram (@ cbwoq) to stay up to date on all details and exciting announcements and/or join our Facebook group to learn even more

We’re so excited to see you there!

Has your address changed?

Send your old mailing label and your new address to: live Magazine Circulation Dept., 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER 40007159 REGISTRATION NUMBER R9703 RETURN UNDEliverABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: live MAGAZINE CIRCULATION DEPT. 5 INTERNATIONAL BLVD ETOBICOKE, ON M9W 6H3 live@baptist.ca