Previous | Next 

Calgary, Alta.
Executive Board develops strategies


The Executive Board of the Canadian MB Conference met at Entheos Conference Centre near Calgary August 9–11. The general purpose of the biennial retreat is to develop the strategies of the Board as it leads the Conference. A highlight for the members this year was to attend the satellite broadcast of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit.

Executive Director David Wiebe reported on the Open Space event on Leadership Development held March 29–31. The Board approved three recommended actions: a pastors’ coaching/mentoring training summit, actions to affirm women in leadership, and future open space events for young leaders. Wiebe also cast a vision for balancing church planting with church health and leadership development, with church planting at the leading edge of the Conference strategy. The Conference mission slogan is “Healthy, growing churches reaching their worlds”.

Moderator Jascha Boge challenged the boards to do a thorough review of their programs as part of preparing for the financial impact which the divestiture of the General Conference ministries will have on the Conference Ministries Support Fund (CMSF). (The General, or North American, MB Conference is being phased out, and its ministries are being “divested” (passed on to the Canadian and US MB Conferences.) The Board of Management reported that the Conference ended the fiscal year (May 31) with a $208,000 deficit.

Divestiture of the Resource Ministries/Kindred Productions board, MB Biblical Seminary and the MB Historical Commission received considerable discussion. A negotiating team will represent the Canadian Conference at meetings with representatives of the US and General MB Conferences and of the ministries September 9–10. Final decisions of the Executive Board on these ministries will take place in January 2002.

Abe Dueck, director of the Centre for MB Studies, presented the statistical report as of Dec. 31, 2000. The MB Conference grew by 1.3% during the year 2000 to 34,288 members. The total number of congregations is 232. Fifteen of those are emerging churches. Worship service attendance is over 45,500, and the total number of members and adherents is almost 57,000. Over 1000 people were baptized. Praise to God for growth and response to the gospel.

The Board of Communications reported that it is evaluating the MB Herald and its communication strategy. Notice was served that it will propose the hiring of an Executive Director.

The Board of Faith and Life reported that the Seniors’ Conference (Oct. 12–14) is full, that the Study Conference on Spiritual Warfare (Oct. 25–27) is receiving registrations, and that the next New Pastors’ Orientation will be held in Winnipeg March 7–9, 2002. Future issues to be discussed by the Board are the ministry of those who have been divorced and the link between baptism and membership.

The Board of Christian Education Ministries gave notice of motion that it intends to elevate the Youth Director position from half to full-time. The Executive Board also discussed the assignment of a contracted fundraiser for CE Ministries, including the National Youth Convention, which was approved by the Executive Board earlier this year.

The Board of Evangelism reported success in its Key Cities Initiative: The goals of 10 churches in five years for Calgary and five churches in five years for Toronto are on target.

The Executive Board concluded its time together with a challenge from David Wiebe to listen to God for a great mission that will make a real difference for His Kingdom. Assistant moderator Ralph Gliege led a communion service, with special prayers for friends who need to come to Christ for salvation.

 – Executive Board news release

Previous | Next 

Last modified October 10, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.