MB pastors fueled by leadership training

Thirteen Canadian MB senior pastors and leaders were part of a “Leadership Practicum” January 9–14, 2003 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Plenty of jesting took place around the “unfortunate” location.) The Practicum is offered four times a year by New Hope Christian Fellowship. New Hope was started in 1995 by pastor Wayne Cordeiro, and now enjoys a weekend attendance of 9000 people. The church leaders estimate that two-thirds of those in attendance are first-time converts.

The MB pastors and leaders, encouraged by Canadian MB Conference evangelism director Ewald Unruh, were part of a group of 30 Americans and Canadians who came to learn more about New Hope’s dynamic ministry. Those who attended were deeply challenged both personally and professionally. Cordeiro’s goal is not to pass on techniques, but to teach pastors how to listen to the Holy Spirit’s instruction and develop methods and emphases suited to their particular locations. Much attention was given to the growth of the pastor’s personal spiritual life and the importance of leading and teaching biblically.

New Hope is an important congregation for the church today for several reasons. First, God has used this church to reach thousands with the gospel. Its main ministry is a well-produced, highly creative, Bible-based, practically applicable weekend service. Currently, the church meets five times in its main location (a high school auditorium), and in 10 other locations through satellite video link and local church plants. Practicum participants saw the church’s effectiveness firsthand, as we witnessed the Sunday afternoon baptism of 103 new believers. And baptisms happen about every six weeks!

Second, the church is a model because of its effectiveness in motivating volunteer service. About 850 volunteers are required to make the weekend services happen, including 520 in children’s ministry. Some of the workers begin their service at 3 a.m., setting up tables, tents and media equipment in rented facilities. Cordeiro has inspired this mobilization through the constant refining of ministry teams (as described in his book Doing Church as a Team). Practicum participants were overwhelmed by the pervasive friendliness and servant-like attitude of these volunteers.

A third reason for this church’s significance is its “reproductive” mindset. In fact, the church added a “satellite video” location on the weekend of the Practicum. The stats? Eight hundred in attendance, with a drop of only 200 from the main location, and over 50 first-time converts (in addition to the 137 commitments at the main location). New Hope has planted six other churches on the island (not satellites), has sponsored church planters from other denominations and has an internship/mentoring program for church planters.

The big question most of the participants wanted answered was: “How do we build and motivate teams of people for service in the church?” It seems New Hope has built a culture of service because the volunteers understand whom they serve. When they teach children, work in the parking lot or run a TV camera, they’ve been taught that they are serving the King of Kings. They’ve grasped that their part in Kingdom work is making an eternal difference. They are not working for the church or the pastor or even the people who come – they are working for the Lord!

Some will no doubt question the necessity and expense of a trip to Hawaii for the Leadership Practicum, but the principles learned, the inspiration shared and the mentoring that took place only strengthen the participants and their churches. Healthy, well-equipped pastors are good for the church. New Hope Christian Fellowship, one part of the body of Christ, is healthy and effective, and a terrific model to study. Let us continue to learn from, support and honour one another in the body of Christ.

Brian Wiebe is senior pastor of Promontory Community church in Chilliwack, B.C.