Saskatchewan MBs prepare for harvest

On March 9, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited a farm outside Saskatoon where he boosted farmers’ hopes for the future by pledging an additional $1 billion for agriculture.

That same day, representatives of Saskatchewan’s 30 Mennonite Brethren churches gathered to anticipate harvest of a different kind.

Meeting at Hope Fellowship Church in Saskatoon for their 61st convention Mar. 9–10, the delegates approved recommendations that would create a new board to carry forward Harvest Saskatchewan, which is the name of Saskatchewan’s partnership with the Canadian conference in the Key Cities Initiative (KCI). They also spent considerable chunks of time in prayer.

While the prime minister’s props were hay bales and a shed full of tractors and machines, the convention’s visuals were a replica of a grain elevator called “Unity” and candles decorated with wheat representing each church.

An elevator named Unity and Harvest Saskatchewan candles reminded convention delegates of the goal to be missional.

Major shift

The conference executive presented three recommendations: that the Board of Church Extension (BCE) be discontinued; that the Harvest Saskatchewan team (which had been fronting Saskatchewan’s KCI plans) incorporate the mandates of the BCE as well as the Ministry Leadership Development team; and that the Harvest Saskatchewan team develop and structure a new board to be ratified at the 2008 convention.

Dwayne Barkman

These moves will streamline Saskatchewan’s vision to become a province of multiplying churches. In the team’s report, as well as his keynote message, West Portal pastor Dwayne Barkman emphasized that churches are at the centre of such a missional movement.

“There’s a major shift you’re seeing here,” Barkman said. “The challenge of the conference is to inspire the churches. Earlier, the conference would plant churches and churches supported the conference.”

A “missional heart,” he said, includes a renewed sensitivity to and engagement with the work of the Holy Spirit; it expects God “to show up.” Missional leaders, he continued, are themselves disciples and committed to making “multiplying disciples” in every generation.

Missional churches demonstrate unity, Barkman said, and unity begins with a gracious spirit. “If you don’t have a gracious spirit in your church, you won’t start a church.”

Serving the military

One decision reported by the province’s Board of Faith and Life (BFL) provoked particular discussion at the convention. The board had given its approval to an MB pastor who has been invited to serve as part-time chaplain at a military base. Prior to this decision, the board had requested advice from the national BFL.

Randy Klassen (West Portal) raised questions about the response of the national board, how the decision squared with the MB Confession of Faith, and how the minister would be held accountable.

Wanda and Terry Froese, pastor couple at Hope Fellowship Church, led worship and prayer concert sessions at the Saskatchewan convention.

BFL secretary Menno Martens, who is also a member of the Canadian BFL, stated that the national board had voted against the military chaplaincy (see “BFL reconvenes after Gathering 2006,” April Herald), but noted that minutes also indicated “lack of adequate discussion.”

Board members and others involved in the province’s decision explained that chaplaincy is not part of the regular military structure on the base. Chaplains are seen as a noncombatants, and are responsible to their denominations.

“We have endorsed earlier service [with the military] if it’s in a helping kind of role,” Martens said, adding the military can reject the pastor’s application if they don’t like the denomination’s peace position.

Later in the convention, BFL co-chair Tony Martens clarified the board’s approval of the chaplaincy opportunity as it related to the national board’s vote on the issue. “They sent us mixed signals,” he said, “so we had to make a decision based on that.”

David Wiebe, executive director of the Canadian conference, spoke for the national board. Provincial structures are autonomous, he said; Saskatchewan looked for guidance, but “we did give you freedom to make your way.”

Speaking in support of the Saskatchewan BFL’s decision, Greg Bright, pastor of Gateway Community Church, Canora, told of positive experiences as “honourary padre” of the local Legion, even when he “preached peace.”

“If we’re going to have a church in a military community,” Bright said, “we will have to find creative ways to relate.”

The pastor in question, Joe Almeida of Moose Jaw’s Prairie Winds Church, also addressed the delegation. “The government knows where we stand,” he said. “God is opening a huge door for us.”

Moderator Ron Dyck closed off what he called “this heavy session” by referring back to the Unity elevator. “Let’s be careful that in our feelings of disappointment [re. the national board’s response], there’s not feelings of discord.”

W-A-T-E-R

Saskatchewan conference minister Ralph Gliege missed this year’s convention, as he and his wife Grace are on a short sabbatical leave at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Cal. But he had a message for delegates as well as a gift of bottled water to drive it home. Water, he said, refers to:Wait upon the Lord, Attempt great things, Thanksgiving, Encouragement, Renewal.

In other business, delegates approved financial statements showing the conference in a good position, as well as a 2007 budget of $173,050, just slightly less than the previous year’s. And, to follow up the convention’s emphasis on prayer, congregations were asked to use their candle once a month in a prayer time dedicated to Harvest Saskatchewan.

—Dora Dueck