Supporting Churches: Genius in the Churches

One recent Sunday, I was speaking at a church that was having a pancake feed before church. I got a plate of pancakes and sausage and sat at a table with four men and the pastor. The pastor was already engaged in conversation with one of the men, so I introduced myself to the three men sitting opposite me. I learned that one of the men was a regular attender at this church, but this was the first Sunday that the other two (brothers) had been to the church. They had come for the pancake breakfast that morning. The pastor had been inspired to reach the community in creative ways by Mark Clifton, the speaker at CONNECT25, the FEBC’s annual meetings and conference. That morning started with infectious joy throughout the church as everyone was greeting one another and serving together. I even managed to preach with a mouthful of great Canadian maple syrup. 
 
Working for the FEBC, I have been able to see those highlights in ministry at many churches, as well as how pastors and churches encourage one another. As Ministries Coordinator, I am blessed to see it and hopefully be a part of it as well. 

God is at work. So are our churches. 
 
The work of ministry has been a focus of my efforts this past year. Toward that end, the FEBC enabled me to get Working Genius certified. Working Genius is an assessment developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group. It is a way of understanding work (ministry, in our context): how it gets done and how to engage people. The assessment is simple, practical, and fast.  
 
This year, I met with leaders from 6 churches and look forward to meeting with more in the future. Among the many benefits of this simple tool is the freedom that comes with knowing yourself and your team, and the grace that is afforded to oneself and others as you appreciate your uniqueness. It also helps ensure that all of the steps are taken that will ensure understanding, good decision-making, and successful completion. Often, as we meet, someone says “this helps explain so much!” It is inexpensive, encouraging, and promotes confidence in leadership teams. 
 
Working Genius sessions have led me to all parts of the FEBC footprint, and I’ve been able to fill the pulpit in a number of churches. I am always encouraged by the sincerity of people in our fellowship. The last few months have allowed me to visit churches and pastors in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon and British Columbia. We’ve seen pastors installed in a few locations and look forward to more shortly as some jobs have been filled.  
 
There have also been opportunities for me to have an evening of fun with some congregations at an event that we call FEBC Fusion. We bring some quick, simple games that people play around a table that bring laughter and some information about the FEBC to a local congregation. I guarantee that people of all ages will enjoy the event. 
 
One of the challenging tasks is to walk alongside churches as they go through difficult times, and there have been some this year. God loves the church. We love the church. People in the church love the church. While the Spirit brings unity, we still live in a broken world and churches face conflict within and sometimes without. In those moments, we are often able to be an encouragement and support for those local churches. Please pray for our churches and pastors as they faithfully follow the Spirit’s leading in their communities. 
 
None of this work would be possible without your faithful partnership. Your support enables me to serve churches in practical, relational, and spiritual ways. Please continue to pray for wisdom, endurance, and discernment as I walk with congregations in both seasons of growth and seasons of struggle. 
 
Thank you again for standing with me in this ministry. God is using your support to strengthen churches and encourage leaders across our region. 
 
In His service, 
Gary Krehbiel 
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