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Executive Staff Retreat
Camp Cedarwood, Manitoba
Camp Cedarwood was the site of an exciting retreat for Canadian MB Conference executive staff, September 14-15. The 15 people attending included executive directors, associate staff, stewardship directors, the Christian Press manager, and periodical editors. The purpose of the event, convened by executive director David Wiebe, was to strengthen the team of staff who work for the Conference. A number of the team are located away from the Winnipeg office (in B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario). Thus it has become necessary to proactively build up relationships and establish new focus on the mission of the Conference.
Time was spent discussing ways to implement and enhance the major objectives of the Conference: Building healthy churches, developing leaders and reaching more of Canada. The setting also afforded quality time for prayer and reflection. Plans are being made for a follow up retreat in fall 2001.
Executive staff: (l-r) Ross Hardy, Brigitte Penner, Marianne Dulder, Bruce Elwood, Jake Neufeld, Abe Dueck, Alf Huebert, Ron Wood, Sherryl Koop, David Wiebe, Sharon Johnson, Al Thiessen, Ewald Unruh.
Photo by: Susan Brandt |
Provincial Conference Ministers Retreat
Burlington, Ont.
On October 10-11 the provincial conference ministers, convened by Executive Director David Wiebe, met in a retreat setting in Burlington, Ontario. All regions of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference were represented: Ike Bergen, B.C.; Abe Konrad, Alberta; Ralph Gliege, Saskatchewan; Herb Kopp, Manitoba; Rudy Bartel, Ontario; Philippe Bonicel, Quebec; and Ewald Unruh for the churches in the Maritimes.
The purpose of the gathering was to build relational and ministry dynamics between the conference ministers. Issues discussed included pastoral care, leadership development, church health and ways of distinguishing the ministries of various levels of our denomination.
One highlight was extensive discussion of Natural Church Development, the church health assessment program promoted by the Canadian MB Conference. Strengths and weaknesses were discussed. It was agreed that while there may be other assessment tools available, NCD is one of the best right now. A commitment was made to develop a coaching system so that all churches which do a profile will be supported with ongoing consulting. All provincial conferences now have one or more coaches available, since an NCD coaches training event followed immediately after the retreat.
Plans are made for this retreat to become an annual event. – David Wiebe
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Last modified November 29, 2000.
© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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