“Retired” pastor wins draw; assessment being completed

Yvette Howard was one of nearly 300 Mennonite Brethren pastors who filled out a questionnaire for the survey of pastoral trends and needs currently underway by the Canadian MB Conference. She also won the draw for the iPod offered to participants as an incentive to complete the survey.

Howard describes herself as “retired” from full-time ministry in the church and now in full-time ministry in the home with her two young children. She was previously on staff as children’s pastor at Westwood MB Church, Prince George, B.C. She and her husband Glen attend Promontory Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C., where she serves as volunteer worship leader.

The pastoral trends survey project is a first for the Canadian MB Conference. It intends to provide a clearer picture of the ministry environment and needs within the conference, and will help conference leaders, churches, and schools shape leadership development activities.

Dieter Schönwetter, a Winnipeg-based social scientist and assistant professor at the University of Manitoba who is conducting the survey, says that 288 (25.6%) of 1,100 surveys received by current and former MB pastors were completed, “a moderate response for surveys.” He is now writing the final report.