ICOMB charts further course

The International Committee of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is a fraternity of about 20 Mennonite Brethren conferences around the world. They met this year in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in advance of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC). Most of the MB conferences are also members or associate members of the MWC.

Mexico

Two years ago ICOMB, at the request of MB Missions and Services International (MBMSI), assessed MB mission work in Mexico. A new perspective and interest in the work was generated. The Colombia Conference appointed one of their finest leaders, Alfredo Beltran, and his family to begin a new church plant in Guadalajara. The Beltrans will be joined by Rolando Mireles, Jr. and his family. ICOMB will continue to participate with MBMSI in evaluating and monitoring the Mexico mission effort.

Confession of Faith

Last summer in Abbotsford, B.C. a special task force was convened to draw up a Mennonite Brethren global confession. Their job was to find commonality amidst the various confessions, which ranged from four to 23 articles. A first draft was translated into six languages, to be circulated and discussed within Conferences. The task force will meet in Germany in October to produce a final draft, which ICOMB will review with hopes for approval at its next meeting in 2004. Such a confession will serve Conferences that do not have one, or churches worldwide who desire to learn more about the Mennonite Brethren.

Vision of the future

A vigorous discernment process led to a new potential role for ICOMB. As this fraternity matures it may become an effective umbrella organization for our MB family. So far MBMSI has fulfilled this role, which means developing programs for education, theological direction, and relief, along with its primary role of missions. More recently MBMSI has sharpened its vision to focus on reaching new people groups without the gospel. At the same time, different countries (for example, Brazil, India, Congo, Germany, Japan) have trained and sent missionaries themselves, although usually with assistance from MBMSI.

The vision of the future sees continental mission-sending agencies developing in parallel to MBMSI. This requires a different body – ICOMB – to take on the other roles of a maturing fraternity (education, relief, etc).

A task force was struck to examine the implications of this emerging role, including that of hiring directorial staff. They will report to ICOMB at next year’s meeting in Paraguay.

2010

The Mennonite Brethren began as a renewal movement in 1860. To celebrate the 150th anniversary in 2010, ICOMB plans to write a history of our movement and convene a larger event open to all members worldwide. Initial plans were set for the history project.

Finances

Rolando Mireles (U.S. Conference), treasurer, reported an operating fund balance of almost $70,000 USD and a balance in the relief fund of over $14,000 USD. Last year $5,000 in relief was sent to the Congo conference to address the dire situation our community faces in that country. Conferences contribute 1% of their annual income for operating expenses. The relief fund receives special contributions from time to time.

Elections

Alexander Neufeld (Germany – AMBD Conference) was re-elected as chair. Francisco del Puerta (Paraguay – Spanish Conference) was elected as vice-chair. David Wiebe (Canada) was re-elected as secretary.

Communications

Most of our conferences have a periodical or newsletter. It was decided that the reports from the member conferences be forwarded to all periodicals so that members get to know ICOMB and its ministry.

—David Wiebe, ICOMB secretary