Conference ministers and extension directors meet to work and reflect

The provincial Mennonite Brethren Conference ministers met in retreat in Robert’s Creek, B.C Nov. 22–24. This annual fellowship occurred immediately after the Church Planting Congress in Vancouver. They welcomed newcomer Merv Boschman who started his ministry in Alberta in summer.

Retreat of provincial Conference ministers and Church Extension directors: (back, l–r) Andrew Fehr (Saskatchewan Church Extension); Ray Klassen (Manitoba Church Extension director); Geoff Neufeld (B.C. Church Extension director), Jake Balzer (Alberta Church Extension director), David Wiebe (Canadian MB Conference executive director); Herb Kopp (Manitoba conference minister); (middle) Stéphane Rhéaume (Quebec conference); (front) Ewald Unruh (Evangelism Canada executive director); Mark Johnson (Ontario conference minister); Merv Boschman (Alberta conference minister); Paul Francis (Atlantic region); Bob Friesen (B.C. associate conference minister); Terry Wiseman (Ontario Church Extension director); Ralph Gliege (Saskatchewan conference minister).

The first day was devoted to discussing matters of common concern, including how to incorporate newly-planted churches into the provincial bodies, addressing church conflicts, and praying for one another about specific ministry issues in the provinces. It was a time of reflection, support, sharing and prayer.

On the second day of the retreat the Church Extension directors or commission members from each province joined the Conference ministers. That day was devoted to working together on the relationship between building healthy churches and planting new ones. In the end, there was agreement that the key to developing new churches would be parent church networks for pastors.

Conference ministers will continue to oversee the health of existing churches; extension directors will continue to manage church planting. But they will work together in the parent church networks because of their crossover character. Parent church networks are an important stimulus for existing churches to catch a vision for and undertake new forms of outreach to their communities. The networking of pastors is important in itself because pastors can help each other over hurdles on the way.

On Sunday evening the group spent extended time praying for each other in connection to their ministry areas. Each provincial pair or representative then spent the better part of an hour praying for each church, ministry, and staff in their province.

We believe that God was very present in our gathering, encouraging us in our ministries as well as challenging and empowering us to fulfill His mission for our areas of responsibility.

—David Wiebe, executive director, Canadian MB Conference