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Bellingham, Wash.
Pastors, spouses take time to relax


The 218 guests at the annual B.C. MB Conference pastors and spouses retreat at The Firs in Bellingham, eagerly waited for their names to be called when Conference Minister Ike Bergen was giving away door prizes. Camps, schools, conference agencies and private companies had donated prizes – backpacks, books, candy and shirts. The prizes were awarded upon successfully (as judged by audience response) responding to trivia questions. This light-hearted fun at the beginning of each session allowed participants – pastors, spouses, camp directors and other conference workers – to relax and helped them to get to know each other. The theme of the retreat was “Keeping a Soft Heart”. To illustrate, a package of candy with soft hearts, was placed in each participant’s room. The retreat took place May 7-9, following the B.C. MB Conference convention.

Worship times were highlighted by singing led by Dean and Janine Richmond, accompanied by band members from a number of B.C. churches. Crystal Hicks, an Abbotsford pastor and gospel singer, thrilled the group with her rich voice and ministry Sunday evening.

Ike Bergen combined two biblical analogies in his meditation Sunday evening, the image of the pastor as shepherd, and the image of the church as the Bride of Christ. He encouraged the pastors to be shepherds, preparing the Bride of Christ, not being critical of her, but focusing on her beauty.

Reports “from the front lines” came from three couples. David and Louise Sinclair-Peters told of their call to leave the ministry they love in Williams Lake, and to commit to going to Thailand under MBMS International for 10 years. Mel and LaDonna Fehr shared some of the lessons they had learned during their 15 years of ministry in Prince George. Henry and Edna Thiessen spoke of the innovative ways they are finding to connect with people in their community in Midway, B.C.

Tuesday morning, an opportunity was given for three guests not involved in paid ministry to answer the question, “What does shepherding look like to the sheep?” Esther Loewen, Elsie Schmidt and Jake Dyck answered three questions: “What do I appreciate about my shepherds?”, “What do I need from my shepherds?” and “What do I expect from my shepherds?” The traits that were most important to all three were the spiritual integrity of their leaders, good Bible teaching and being approachable and caring.

The highlight for many was the ministry of Dale Lang of Taber, Alberta. Lang spoke Monday evening and Tuesday morning, sharing of the pain his family endured, and still does, because of the shooting death of his son Jason, April 28, 1999. Lang also was able to testify to the grace of God that became evident immediately. People in the community rallied around the family, and even press conferences became opportunities for Lang and his family to share their faith. Lang also told how God had prepared him for this time spiritually. He had been renewed in his faith and worship just weeks prior to this event.

Tuesday morning, Lang spoke of forgiveness and healing. He said that “God is doing a new thing. Divisions and walls are coming down.” He stated that “our land needs to be healed, and will be, either through renewal or through judgement” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Lang concluded by saying, “I’m about what God wants us to do” even if it seems absurd, like Gideon and the 300 conquering the host of the Midianites, or David dancing before the Lord. He challenged the participants: “Are we listening? Do we hear? Are we obedient?”

Good food, good fellowship, good facilities and lots of time for informal sharing added up to three days of refreshing for the participants.

 – SBB

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Last modified June 17, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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