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EDITORIAL
A weekend in the country

Jim Coggins

A large crowd went out into the country July 6-8. But what did they go out to see? A spectacular thunder and lightning storm on July 6 (followed by two beautiful days of warm sunshine)? A contest to see who was the best-dressed Conference employee?

What did they go out to see? A prophet? Some would say yes.

The easy answer is that the crowd went out for the 85th convention of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, held at Bethany Bible Institute

Delegate and Guest Attendance Alberta 68 British Columbia 108 Manitoba 135 New Brunswick 1 Nova Scotia 3 Ontario 31 Quebec 4 Saskatchewan 145 US 13 TOTAL 508

in the small town of Hepburn, Sask. The crowd was made up of 576 men, women and children – 401 delegates, 107 guests, 45 older children and youth (who had a separate program at Redberry Bible Camp) and 23 younger children (who were in a separate program in Hepburn). That attendance showed an encouraging increase over the previous convention.

Another answer would be that the crowd went for a church leadership seminar led by Christian Schwarz. Internationally renowned advocate of Natural Church Development, he spoke three times at the convention (and twice more in a Church Leadership Conference preceding the convention). Some would say that his message was prophetic.

The crowd also went out to worship God. The worship sessions, led by Renee Evashkevich, were contemporary, enthusiastic and celebrative. The worship sessions were enhanced by two skits Thursday night, and a concert and other special events Saturday night.

The crowd went to affirm. In business sessions, delegates readily affirmed almost every recommendation presented to them. They also responded to many things with applause, often spontaneously (at least 50 times by one count). The largest was a one-minute standing ovation for Bible scholar David Ewert who is “retiring” after serving as chair of the Board of Faith and Life. Standing ovations also went to new executive director David Wiebe and to the Conference leadership of moderator Ike Bergen and assistant moderator Ralph Gliege.

The crowd went to experience a high-tech convention. Two large video screens on the sides of the stage alternately showed closed-circuit close-ups of the speakers, video clips, the words of the worship songs and flash point illustrations accompanying the board reports. The technology experienced few glitches, and attenders seemed suitably impressed.

The crowd went to be hosted wonderfully by Bethany Bible Institute and the local Saskatchewan MB Conference hosting committee. The hosting was gracious and efficient. Attenders were offered good food and special treats such as chocolates in their dorm rooms and jars of Saskatoon berry jam. After the sessions, they lingered over luscious desserts in the “Simple Things Cafe”. Attenders filled up the BBI dorms, camped on the grounds in recreational vehicles or commuted from hotels and the homes of friends and family in Hepburn, Saskatoon and other nearby towns. Many city dwellers basked in the silence of the Saskatchewan countryside. A relaxed atmosphere pervaded the convention. Half-hour coffee breaks and hour-and-a-half meal breaks left plenty of time for “fellowship” and “networking”. If there were line-ups for meals, no one seemed to notice.

The crowd also went to give. An offering of $4033 was received for MBMS International on Friday evening. On Saturday evening, an offering of $3408.50 was received, with three-quarters going to the Board of Evangelism’s Love Toronto project, and one-quarter going to the Board of Christian Education Ministries.

What did the crowd go to experience? Many would say a profitable time.

 – JC

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Last modified December 4, 2000.

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