People of Praise

Saskatchewan MB Conference conventions are probably the most interesting of all provincial MB conventions because of the unique ways that Conference has of highlighting its ministries. In 1998, Ralph Gliege, director of church ministries, gave each church a package of wheat seeds; he encouraged the churches to plant the seeds, and bring the harvest to the next convention. The following year, there were reports of how the seeds had multiplied. This year, he caught the attention of delegates by breaking down the proposed budget into manageable portions and suggesting ways that the budget could be attained.

The convention was held at Parliament Community Church, Regina. In his “State of the Province” address, Gliege stated that this would probably not be the most popular speech he had ever given, but he would speak from his heart. He stated that there was a basic spirit of unity and harmony, but a spirit of independence was causing the churches to become isolated: “We act as though we don’t need each other.” He invited delegates to let the Conference executive know if the programs and plans that were being proposed were not to their liking, rather than withholding funds for the programs.

Quoting a SaskTel commercial, “We could totally do that!” he suggested ways the budget of $203,620 could be creatively met by the various segments of the Conference.

1. Pastors were encouraged to offer hospitality in their homes or offices rather than in coffee shops twice a month, putting the saved money into a fund and thereby raising $4,800 of the budget of the Board of Faith and Life.
2. Youth groups were encouraged to give $1000 each for the “Project Reach Your World”, a program that helps smaller churches do missions and outreach in their community.
3. Twice a year, families with young children could invite another family for a picnic lunch, rather than go to a fast food place, and contribute the savings to the board of Church Extension.
4. Couples without children could have guests into their homes twice a year for Sunday dinner rather than eating out. The savings from this could be used for the Moose Jaw church plant.
5. Seniors were challenged to continue to go out for coffee, as they love to do, but four times a week also drop a loonie into their pockets to save for the church plant. If 200 seniors accepted this challenge, a total of $41,600 would be raised.

Ralph Gliege, Kevin Wiens

Testimonies from people in ministry illustrated Gliege’s report:

• Bob Cappelle, pastor of Herbert MB Church, had been reluctant to attend pastors’ retreats; now he realizes their value.
• Kevin Wiens, youth pastor at Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, shared how the church’s youth did ministry in Pierceland, Sask. last summer.
• Harry Strauss, senior pastor of Forest Grove, was excited about the ministry that children and youth have in the church.
• Carolyn Bright, pastor’s spouse in Gateway Community Church, Canora, encouraged families to host other families, even if the meals are not elaborate.
• Ron Medwid, new pastor at Warman MB Church, was excited about answers to prayer for healing for a senior member of the congregation.

Carolyn Bright

• Clinton Friesen, pastor at Carrot River Gospel Mission, told the delegates that the church had recently decided to support Conference ministries systematically and regularly, and had sent a cheque to the Conference offices. However, that resolve was tested on a recent Sunday when he came to church to find water gushing through the sanctuary. Three hundred gallons of water were vacuumed out of the building later. Since the church building was going to need renovation and repair anyway, this catastrophe meant that the church would now need to look at rebuilding. A love offering taken by the delegates will be good seed money for this task.

Gliege pointed out that all age levels have ministry opportunities, and this ministry can be done in many creative ways. To start the ball rolling, he offered 10 Tim Horton’s gift coupons for people to use in ministry.

Doug Berg

Inspiration

Doug Berg, academic dean at MB Biblical Seminary–ACTS in Langley, B.C., was the guest speaker. Speaking on leadership, he titled his first message Friday evening, “Leaders people love to follow”. Basing the message on Acts 20:17–27, he stated that leadership has three components: leadership qualities; leadership understanding and leadership skills.

1. The foremost quality of a leader is someone whose motivation is serving the Lord, not pleasing people. Paul had a calling or mission that was more motivating than hardship or persecution; Paul served that mission and in doing so served the Lord. Berg continued, “Leadership is not motivated by what you receive, but what you can give. The higher you are in an organization, the more people you have to serve.” Adapting a quote from Machiavelli, he stated, “People that lead are people that not only appear to be good, but that are good.”
2. Leaders also need to commit to the spiritual welfare of the people they serve. Jesus called Peter, in John 21, to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of the church and, in 1 Peter 5, to be a shepherd of God’s flock. The way to grow in leadership is to take on responsibilities. It is also important to know how and when to leave responsibilities to someone else.
3. Leadership skills are demonstrated in applying the Word of God. The guide for leaders is the Word of God, and they need to immerse themselves in the Word in order to be able to proclaim it. Quoting Robert Clinton in The Making of a Leader, Berg stated, “The central task of leadership is influencing God’s people toward God’s purposes.”

He concluded by saying that individuals do not need a position of leader to be involved in leadership, but that everyone is a leader at some time.

Berg continued on this topic on Saturday morning, reversing the roles: “Being followers that people love to lead.” He stated that leaders desire that people stay true to Christ, following their example as the leaders follow Christ. He added that the opposite of leadership is not followership; it is indifference. There is not a big difference between being a dedicated follower and a good leader. It is an interactive process. Followership is not a passive term; it involves taking initiative or ownership to help attain the goal. Using the example of Nathan and David in the Old Testament, Berg stated that followers hold their leaders accountable. A follower is a leader’s steward every bit as much as a leader is a follower’s steward. Followers help their leader find strength in God. Courageous followers need, at times, to lead from behind, breathing life into their leader’s vision. Being a follower that people love to lead also involves obedience to leaders so that leadership is not a burden. Followers follow Jesus as well as challenge and support their leaders, but they must be on the same page to do it.

Business

Director of church ministries Ralph Gliege reported that a number of the churches are using the Natural Church Development program to maintain strengths and fix weak areas in their churches.

Ron Dyck

Clarence Peters, chair of the Board of Faith and Life, also talked about plans to help pastors new to the province and to the Mennonite Brethren denomination, as well as ensure pastors’ continuing health. All pastors will be required to attend pastors’ retreats and provincial conventions. Pastors new to the Conference will need to take classes on Anabaptism and Anabaptist theology. A mentor will be assigned, and phone expenses will be subsidized so they can call the mentor at any time. Every pastor will be expected to sign a staff conduct policy. The Board, with permission from the Canadian MB Conference Board of Faith and Life, is also looking to revise the paper on Spiritual Warfare that was presented to the Canadian MB Conference convention last July.

The Board of Church Extension report was given by chair Greg Bright. He placed a can on the pulpit with the words “God Can” on the label. Church leaders are to use them to hold notes of things they feel they cannot face, but they know “God can”.

“Project Reach Your World” is an initiative begun last year. Churches may access money from this account to try new outreach ventures:

• Jason Unruh, youth pastor at Parliament Community Church, Regina, used funds to go on a missions trip to northcentral Regina, the “hood”. Three youth and four adults spent three days and two nights in the area developing relationships with kids that came to a swimming pool. They offered the kids snacks and pop, shared Bible stories and played games. The youth grew in their spiritual walk and in their leadership abilities.
• Elaine Wiens, also from Parliament Community Church, shared about the church’s pancake breakfast mission of helping people to find Jesus.
• An Alpha program is being started in Woodrow Gospel Chapel.
• Kelstern Community Church in Hodgeville is beginning a children’s ministry and having a spring banquet.

Dwayne Harms

Dwayne Harms, pastor of Living Hope Church in Saskatoon, gave thanks for “my Conference family”, recognizing the help the Conference has been in getting the church going. The church is now off subsidy and beginning to contribute financially to the Conference. To illustrate this, he was given a “driver’s license”, indicating that he was now the pastor of an established church and no longer under the supervision of a coach. The dream of the church is to become a church planting movement.

New church planters Josinaldo and Shantelle Almeida outlined the steps they are taking in reaching out to the “hard ground” of Moose Jaw. The church, called Prairie Winds, hopes to go public in October with 50 people attending. They are getting involved in the community.

Josinaldo and Shantelle Almeida

Camp directors Brent Alexander, West Bank Bible Camp, and Wendell Andres, Redberry Bible Camp, were enthusiastic about their ministries. Alexander particularly appreciated Mike Housek, pastor of Hillside Christian Fellowship, Beechy, showing up at camp on numerous occasions to help and encourage. New buildings are being planned. Andres also indicated that new buildings were being built at Redberry. Last year, hundreds of kids were turned away, so the camp needs to expand in order to meet the needs. Redberry proposes to buy 480 acres of land and develop that over the years for new programming and a Friends of Redberry RV Park. Phase two of this development should see a water park built and the horsemanship program expanded. In the dreaming stage are a new lodge, an amphitheatre, an indoor riding arena and a lake with waterslides.

Conference secretary Phil Gunther reported on the meeting held Friday afternoon to discuss the Ministry Leadership Development Team proposal. Churches and Conference leaders were consulted to develop a blueprint for leadership development in Saskatchewan. A recommendation was presented that would establish a Ministry Leadership Development Team, to be appointed by the Conference Executive with a two-year mandate. This team would work together with the educational institutions to help pastors and potential pastors obtain the education they need. The team would also look at how best to fund the travel needed for this education, and how to work with other agencies who are concerned about the same thing, both in Saskatchewan and in the Canadian MB Conference. This recommendation was passed. Also passed was a recommendation to add secretary duties to the treasurer (now called secretary treasurer) and to increase this to a half-time paid position; the recommendation also renamed the Conference secretary, an elected position on the three-person Conference executive, executive secretary.

When Ross Hardy, chair of the Board of Management, proposed the budget, there at first was little discussion. The proposed budget is about 68% higher than the amount received last year. The Board was encouraged to watch each budget line carefully, but there seemed to be few areas where any cutting could happen. Greg Bright indicated that first came the call from God to minister, then came the will to give and following would be the resources. He stated, “Is this budget what God is calling us to do? If not, then change it; if yes, then encourage the congregations to give.” The budget of $203,620 was passed.

—sbb