THRIVE Spring Summer 2023

Spring/Summer 2023
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NEXT LEVEL PREACHING NETWORK,
LED BY STEVE ADAMS,
CAMBRIDGE, ON, 2022-23.
TRAINING AND COACHING FOR
REVITALIZATION by Tim Strickland
THE LAST WORD
Jesus developed His disciples to be
leaders through teaching, discussion,
practice, and reflection. FEB
Central Leadership Development
follows this model through our
Next Level Leadership Networks on
Church Revitalization, Leadership,
and Preaching. The networks consist
of five to ten pastors who meet in a
cohort over eight to ten months. They come together for
training and peer learning and then apply the teachings in
ministry, while receiving coaching from experienced leaders
and from one another.
Dave Gray is the Lead Pastor at Trentside Church in
Fenelon Falls and Bobycaygeon, ON, where he co-led the
merger and revitalization of the two-site church in cottage
country. Dave is leading a Next Level Leadership Network
based in Oshawa, ON after coaching pastors in previous
networks. Dave states, “The coaching, peer support, and
training of the Next Level networks has strengthened my
own leadership, as well as given me opportunity to help
other pastors lead revitalization and grow as leaders in several
churches in the region east of Toronto.”
Jack Flietstra serves as a FEB Central
District Shepherd and led revitalization
as Lead Pastor of Lansing Avenue
Baptist Church in Sudbury, ON. He also
has led several networks and coached
pastors in church revitalization. Jack
comments, “Revitalization is not easy
work, but coaching and training make
a significant difference in helping
churches to move forward. Our current
network and coaching in Sudbury is
helping pastors grow in their leadership
and apply the principles in their
ministries.”
Steve Adams led revitalization and dynamic outreach as
Lead Pastor at Forward Church in Cambridge, ON. He now
serves as a Leadership Catalyst, coaching pastors, boards,
and staff across Ontario. Steve is leading our new Next
Level Preaching in Network in Cambridge, and his coaching
and teaching are helping pastors there to grow in their
preaching abilities.
Steve comments, “Pastors can find great benefit from learning
skills and principles in the art of preaching that they
can apply immediately. We are utilizing pastors and leaders
in FEB Central who have enjoyed fruitful and prevailing
preaching ministries to bring these skills to others. We are
finding our pastors encouraged, equipped, and taking their
preaching to the next level.”
We see this cohort-style network training and coaching as
a central tool in our development of leaders. We have developed
Next Level training manuals and would be pleased
to share them with other regions who are interested in
launching Next Level Networks. For more information,
please contact us at LD@febcentral.ca.
— Tim Strickland is FEB Central Leadership Development
Director.
“SKILLED LEADERS AND COACHES WHO CAN SPEAK AND TEACH FROM VARIOUS
AREAS OF EXPERIENCE ALONG WITH PEERS WHO ARE APPLYING THESE SAME
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN THEIR OWN LOCAL CHURCH CONTEXTS HAVE
ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE ON MY LEADERSHIP JOUR-
NEY.” – WES HILL, LEAD PASTOR, FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH, BANCROFT, ON
“MY EXPERIENCE AT REVITALIZATION WAS PIVOTAL ON THREE FRONTS:
RELATIONAL SUPPORT FROM FEB LEADERSHIP AND PASTORAL PEERS; A
SOUNDING BOARD FOR THE WRESTLINGS AND CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED
WITH REVITALIZING A CHURCH; AND EQUIPPING WITH PRACTICAL INSIGHTS,
WISE PROCESSES, AND TIMELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN ONE’S CHURCH.”
– JON FITTER, LEAD PASTOR, CHURCH ON THE RIVER, PORT LAMBTON, ON