B.C. conference renewed and renewing

The B.C. MB Conference is undergoing foundational changes. Executive and staff are partway through a lengthy “re-focus” process to bring more conference support to local churches.

The process started more than three years ago, when conference leaders shared a sense that it was time to seek the Lord and be prepared to change how things are done. They have come a long way since that realization.

“We probably have the hardest part of the re-focus behind us,” says B.C. conference minister Steve Berg. The main directions are now defined and the next step is to translate the concepts into practical applications.

When the transition started, said Berg, “we wanted to energize every aspect of our churches. We came to realize that it’s not just about church planting, it’s about existing churches, too – church health.” Retiring moderator Ron van Akker said, “It was about that time that our thinking went from ‘us’ and ‘them,’ to ‘we.’ ”

The re-focus exercise has produced three foci, now approved as policy. These ministry goals are: healthy churches, healthy leaders, and healthy ministry collaboration.

—BM