Fergusons' New Adventure Begins in 2008
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Gordon Ferguson
- 12/19/07
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 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-Pacific Leadership Academy. 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!
For further information, click here: Asia Pacific Leadership Academy Announced
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