MB pastors to be surveyed

What makes a passionate leader? And why would someone who starts with enthusiasm give up on ministry?

The Canadian Conference of MB Churches is asking pastors to help them find answers to these and other questions about pastoral ministry.

At the end of January, a comprehensive “pastoral trends and needs assessment” questionnaire was mailed to over 1,300 pastors who are currently serving in a Mennonite Brethren church, or who have served in the past.

“Leadership is a high calling,” says Ewald Unruh, director of leadership development for the conference. “But there is increasing pressure on leaders. We need to get a fuller picture of the ministry path so we can create an environment in which people can exercise their gifts and lead others to do the same.”

Dieter Schönwetter

The research project, a first of its kind for Mennonite Brethren, is being conducted by Dieter J. Schönwetter, a Winnipeg-based social scientist and assistant professor at the University of Manitoba.

Schönwetter was raised in a minister’s family. He has taught at Columbia Bible College, Providence College, Concord College and Canadian Mennonite Bible College. As the educational specialist for the Faculty of Dentistry at U of M, his current research focuses on the dental profession.

The survey instrument was constructed to reveal MB ministry demographics, attrition rates, current needs of pastors, as well as get at the causes of pastoral success or difficulty. Variables include congregational size and “personality,” personal factors, the pastoral call and the ministry path.

The questionnaire will take about 35 to 60 minutes to complete, Schönwetter says. Responses will be anonymous and confidential, and only group responses will be reported. A report should be ready by fall, and a summary will be publicized in the conference periodicals.

Unruh says the results will help MB conference leaders, churches and schools shape their leadership development activities and post-secondary school programs.

This project was initiated by and is being funded by MB Biblical Seminary’s Hearing the Call project, with support from the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies.

—Dora Dueck