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The Canadian Conference Executive Board met in Winnipeg on April 22 and 23 to continue to establish its strategic plan.
The six services areas that will be offered through Canadian Conference ministries are: upholding biblical and ethical integrity; fostering community; equipping churches; developing leaders; reaching out; mobilizing financial ministries.
While strategic direction is set by the Executive Board, the tactical plan for accomplishing the six services will be approved in consultation with senior executive staff. In other words, the Executive Board determines how many pieces to cut the “pie” in and the management staff will determine how to distribute the pieces of the “pie.”
Critical success factors
Several times throughout the two days of meetings, the members of the Board gathered in small groups to address questions such as “What are we measuring to insure we are healthy?” and “What does success look like for the Canadian Conference of MB Churches?”
Executive director David Wiebe led the Board in a devotional from Exodus 19:5 where God instructed Moses to tell the people that they were a treasured possession. In that context, God views our denomination and its people as His treasure. On Saturday morning, moderator Willy Reimer talked of Kingdom expressions and life transformation and how this is expressed in our lives, our churches and in the denomination.
Other items processed included:
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Board member appointments
The nominating committee brought forward two candidates to replace Ron Dyck, who was recently elected as the moderator of the Saskatchewan MB Conference, thus making him a member of the Canadian Executive Board in that capacity. The election process resulted in Nancy Boese of Ontario being selected as a member-at-large on the Executive Board. The Board also implemented a plan to stagger terms for members-at-large. -
A new charter and constitution
A first draft of the revised charter and constitution were distributed and discussed. Some assignments to gather additional information and check legal ramifications were requested. There was a discussion of the relationship and responsibilities provincially versus nationally to each church. The goal is to have the constitution recommendation document ready for distribution to the churches by January 2006 in preparation for Gathering 2006. -
Executive director job description approved
The Board approved a new job description for the executive director that reflects the impact of the new governance model. A primary role is to lead the national staff to serve our churches in the strategic services. -
Board of Faith and Life assessment
At the end of every Executive Board meeting, the representatives of the Board of Faith and Life report back to the board regarding the spiritual and ethical tone they observed. They confirmed that the spirit of Colossians 2 was present throughout these meetings. -
Gathering 2006 location and date approved
Looking ahead to next summer, Gathering 2006 will be held at the University of Calgary, July 6–8. It promises to have an exciting side attraction as the Calgary Stampede begins that weekend.
Next meetings
The Board will meet in retreat in Canmore, Alta. June 24–26. Just prior to that meeting, the Board will sponsor two significant brainstorming summits:
- a financing summit, bringing together provincial leaders including treasurers, to discuss if there are more appropriate methods for securing financial support for Conference ministries from the churches.
- a national/provincial collaboration summit to work at clarifying how roles should be assigned in how we serve our churches. The primary goal will be to develop better complementarity between the two conference levels.
—Marilyn Hiebert
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