Special B.C. convention approves bold budget, separate societies

A special fall convention of the B.C. Conference of MB Churches, Oct. 14, brought together approximately 300 delegates at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford to discuss the new 2007 budget and the “societies question.”

Delegates approved a $1.4 million budget, and passed a recommendation that gives churches the option of registering as separate legal societies apart from the B.C. conference. A final, more controversial, recommendation to allow individual churches to hold title to their property was defeated.

Provincial conference minister Steve Berg opened the session, reading from Romans 12:10. Berg explained that when Paul instructs believers to “be devoted to one another in brotherly love,” he uses a familial term implying tender affection. “There is a way the children of God should feel, not just behave, towards one another,” said Berg. He encouraged delegates to offer tenderness and compassion to each other to make room for more love.

Delegates also heard an enthusiastic report from the board of camping ministries that 4,600 campers enjoyed conference camps this summer, with more than 10 percent making a first-time commitment to the Lord.

Delegates pray over Gord and Marcy Fleming (centre), after affirming him as new director of church planting for the B.C. Board of Church Extension. For the past 18 years, Fleming worked as director of operations and franchising for the Pantry Hospitality Corporation. He served as chair of the BOCE for the past three years and replaces Geoff Neufeld in the role of director.

Funding for ministry

The executive board brought a $1,405,000 budget to the floor, saying they received a call to “go big or go home” after their status quo proposal at the spring convention. “We’re a faith-based people, we need to make faith-based decisions,” said Duane Goerzen of Maple Ridge Community Church.

Affirmed by a strong 97 percent vote, this budget represents an 8 percent increase from 2006. The board intends to direct more funding towards camps, Columbia Bible College, and church health.

Delegates also approved a recommendation for a new way of calculating yearly giving to the provincial conference, using a “percentage of receipted income” formula, rather than a “per member” norm. Each church is asked to give 5 percent of the amount reported on line 4500 of their Registered Charity Information Return.

Several churches expressed new commitments to meet their obligations or increase giving to the conference. “We’ve made a commitment to tithe [to the conference],” said a representative of Discovery Community Church, Campbell River, “and we’ve seen blessings.”

Limiting liability

In an effort to limit exposure to liability, the executive board recommended “each local church be authorized to proceed to incorporate as a separate legal entity under the B.C. Societies Act.” Legal consultants had advised the conference to move in this direction, saying “churches must recognize that liability is an ever-increasing reality and expected event in this current [environment].”

Some delegates questioned whether the move would weaken the fellowship between churches. Steve Berg reminded delegates that the familial bond between churches could remain strong regardless of polity. “What really protects our brotherhood?” he asked. “A covenant relationship. We could be connected in every which way, but still not operating in brotherhood if there is fear.”

The recommendation was passed with 67.7 percent approval.

The executive’s final recommendation was that property utilized by a local church be put within control of that church, rather than its title remaining with the B.C. MB Conference. “Largely, it has to do with simplicity of dealing with issues regarding property,” said Berg, “such as capital expansions or future real estate acquisitions.”

Peter Nickel, pastor of Gracepoint Church, Surrey, B.C., said, “I’m troubled. The recommendation doesn’t flow out of the task force’s report, [which indicated it would not be in the conference’s best interest to release title of real estate to individual churches].” Other delegates expressed concern over possible underlying motives for the recommendation and were wary of “maverick leaders” who might take advantage of a church’s property ownership.

John Neufeld, pastor of Willingdon Church, spoke to these concerns, saying, “We do not use the arm of the state to do the Lord’s work. As Anabaptists, our leverage is the Word of God and prayer.”

Delegates defeated the recommendation, which required a 75 percent approval due to the fact that, if accepted, it would necessitate amendments to provincial conference bylaws.

—Laura Kalmar