Quebec hosts festive convention

The annual convention of the Quebec Conference of MB Churches (AEFMQ) met Sept. 9–10, bringing together more than 30 delegates. The convention began Saturday morning at Ste. Rose Church with a meditation by Éric Wingender. Reflecting on Luke’s Gospel, Wingender highlighted the upside-down values introduced by Jesus, particularly justice and compassion.

Reports from various ministries of the Quebec conference followed.

Delegates enjoy outdoor meal.

Charles Martin, president of the AEFMQ, reminded delegates of this year’s theme, “Justice rooted in the compassion of God.” He explained that God works through the church to exercise compassion and mercy on his creation.

Martin then summarized the key activities that occurred during the past year. At their winter retreat, the executive council finalized a development plan and assigned tasks to various ministry leaders. They also received a visit from Canadian conference executive staff, who announced that they are beginning a comprehensive evalution of École de théologie évangelique de Montréal (ETEM) and its programs.

Martin announced the departure of Charlesbourg Church from the Quebec conference; the congregation will join the Limoilou Baptist Church. He welcomed Roger Deschênes as the conference’s new financial manager, and thanked Jean-Raymond Théorêt for his excellent work on the executive. Finally, Martin proposed changing the date of the annual provincial convention in order to accomodate preparation of financial reports. Discussion will continue on this issue.

Roger Deschênes presented the financial report, including the 2007 budget. He asked that individual churches give an account of their 2006 assets in order to be included in the conference’s financial records. Deschênes also announced that, as of April 2006, the provincial conference obtained title to all church real estate (previously held by the national conference), and that it had petitioned the government to change the date of its fiscal year. Deschênes said the conference will need to decide whether, in the future, its churches will be registered as separate entities or not.

Patrice Nagant reported on Quebec church planting activities and announced talks with several churches desiring to join the conference. He applauded the churches’ ongoing contributions to Rendez-vous Montreal.

Jean Biéri presented the circulation totals for Le Lien, and discussed his proposal for increasing the magazine’s readership.

Éric Wingender presented a brief financial report for ETEM, and shared some feedback the school has received about its new location close to the University of Montreal. He also reported on the vote at Gathering in favour of local churches being given the freedom to hire a female senior pastor. Finally, Wingender announced that Bruno Synnott and Carlos Saavedra would be interviewed by the Board of Faith and Life in order to be affirmed as pastors in the conference.

Elections resulted in the following appointments: Charles Martin, conference president (moderator); Ginette Rolland, vice-president of external affairs and vice-president of relations with the Canadian MB Conference; Robert Dagenais, vice-president of internal affairs; Jean-Raymond Théorêt, advisor; Roger Deschênes, treasurer; Éric Wingender, Board of Faith and Life; Gérard Basque, liaison to the Protestant Partnership on Education. Two positions remain vacant.

An all-church rally took place Sunday at Lucille Teasdale school, with Marc Paré preaching on the convention theme. He talked about Jonah’s negative attitude and unwillingness to accept God’s forgiveness of his enemies. Paré compared this attitude with the mercy and compassion of Jesus, exhorting delegates to be true disciples of Christ by modelling their responses after him. A picnic and MCC “Bike for Peace” ride followed the service.

The 2006 Quebec convention and rally were marked by joy and a festive spirit, achieving consensus on many points. The conference demonstrated its desire to be a channel through which God reveals himself to this world, and to manifest Christ’s mercy and compassion.

—translated from a report by Ginette Rolland