A time to end, a time to begin

October brings a transition in B.C., as executive director of church planting Geoff Neufeld passes his ministry baton to Gord Fleming, former chair of the Board of Church Extension (BOCE). On the cusp of change, what words of wisdom do these leaders have to offer?

Ending

Geoff Neufeld

These past four years have been some of the most exciting of my 19 years of ministry.

I’m amazed at how much change has occurred in the realm of church in the past years. I’ve seen a new passion for “glocal” mission, growing numbers of people passionate about incarnational living, a renewed concern for poor and oppressed people, and a large percent of B.C. Mennonite Brethren churches actively involved in local church planting at some level.

I’ve seen new models of doing church, new leadership structures, more churches partnering with other congregations in the same community, and blurred lines between denominations. All of this encourages me about the future of our MB family.

I’ve also seen some trends that concern me: fewer pastors attending our annual provincial conventions; fewer churches taking seriously their financial commitment to the MB family; and a shrinking provincial budget. Many of our churches are functioning in isolation and, increasingly, our pastors are forgetting who we are as MBs – where we came from and why we exist.

We often forget how much we need each other – until we suddenly need each other. Sometimes we’re tempted to believe that we can do a better job on our own than we can as a community. I’d argue that that’s just not true. I’ve personally experienced how valuable the MB family is during challenging times of ministry.

My hope and prayer for the MB family is that we’d continue to push forward, that we’d increase our commitment to one another, and that we would get radical about our call and trust God for the impossible.

—from the B.C. Link

Beginning

Gord Fleming

I was quite enjoying my 30-year career in the restaurant industry. Little did I know that God had some big changes in store for me.

In spring 2005, I felt that the focus of my relationship with Christ had slid from being his child and loving him with all my heart, soul, and mind, to being driven by schedules and meetings. I realized I needed to take a season to hear from God. I moved into a sweet time of private worship, prayer, and communion with the Lord.

In the fall, a conversation with a fellow believer suggested that the Lord had given me specific and unique gifts for the building of his church, and that God would soon call me into full-time ministry. I was tentative. After all, I was a businessman with no formal ministry training.

Then, during a time of prayer, another couple with the gift of prophecy informed me that God would be calling me into ministry to utilize my leadership gifts for kingdom growth. There I was, with wobbly knees and butterflies in my stomach.

I began to pray more intentionally. I made a commitment to the Lord that whatever his call was, whatever country it was in, I would be obedient. I waited on the Lord to lead, and felt that my role was to be peaceful and patient.

When I met with Geoff Neufeld in spring 2006 I had two surprises. The first was learning of his intention to resign. The second was his informing me that he felt I was best equipped to be his replacement. I told Geoff I would pray about it, but I didn’t tell him about the sense in my heart or the prophetic words I had received.

I went home that night, stunned and amazed how God works. I asked the Lord to confirm his leading. Soon afterwards, at a prophecy conference at North Langley Community Church, the leader prophesied that God knew what my wife Marcy and I were praying for, that he had indeed prepared a new playing field for me, and that I could proceed knowing God was in it. My knees were shaking!

Since that time, I’ve gone through the interview process, been called, and accepted the position of executive director of church planting in B.C.

When I tell people that I’m leaving my current career for a position in ministry, they’re surprised and ask me how I feel about the change. I can’t think of a time when Marcy and I have been so excited and enthusiastic about what God has in store.

There will be many challenges ahead as I take on this new role, but I’m reminded that our strength is in the Lord. As long as we keep our eyes on him, he will continue to lead and guide.