Young leaders meet Board of Faith and Life

Networking at the MB study conference “Culture, Gospel, and Church” was great. But underlying the event was the classic tension, still prevalent in Mennonite circles, between “fathers and sons” – how would lack of clarity on cultural practices between generations estrange our own young people, not just those outside the church?

Young leaders – those who exhibit an entrepreneurial example but aren’t necessarily headed for pastoral ministry – were given a chance to meet conference leadership in formal and informal settings.

Sherry Heidebrecht, Josie Kornelson, Mitch Kornelson, and Luke Heidebrecht

Some felt this was a breakthrough in terms of a perceived “top-down” leadership approach in the MB conference. In the past, theological watchdog Board of Faith and Life (BFL) had gone to national youth conference events, but usually held workshops instead of face-to-face, formal meetings.

Lisa Francis

John Neufeld, conference staff for leadership development, organized an opportunity for the generations to meet and form valuable connections for future ministry. He led young leaders through an orientation session that focused on clear communication – how to ask good questions, and how to determine the “question behind the question” of poorly formulated dialogue. A different set of presupposed values can make that difficult. “We don’t share one worldview, but we happen to have a number of worldviews that are sometimes compatible,” said Neufeld.

The preparation proved timely, as BFL chair Ken Peters led a controversial question and answer period the same day that forced young leaders to take sides on difficult issues. One by one, the leaders were asked to respond to questions on morality, Christology, and ecclesiology. The first question: “Given the rampant and thorough sexualization of the dominant North American culture, what measures will you as young leaders personally take to guard yourselves, and to speak into and shepherd the people of God in ways of biblical and ethical integrity?”

The initial meeting was tense, as young leaders were immediately put on the defensive. The session closed with comments by McMaster University PhD student Joe Wiebe, who said the method behind the questions was “disingenuine” and that no actual dialogue was taking place.

Many participants thought otherwise. “In some ways I saw it as an obligatory action that always seems to happen when small numbers of ‘younger’ people are at these conferences, but I did find the questions provided to be honest and genuine,” said Nick Boschman, of Bethany Bible College. “I wish the time would have been structured as more of a conversation or discussion as opposed to comments from students and then a ‘final’ or seemingly ‘authoritative’ response from a board member.” Others described the meeting as “a real dialogue,” and said Wiebe’s criticism was unhelpful to both them and board members.

Later, BFL vice-chair Menno Martens said he wouldn’t put too much stock in Wiebe’s criticism and dismissed it as one of “youthful exuberance.”

Despite a tense first introduction to the BFL, both generations were grateful for the chance to have further discussions over supper. “Certainly for me it was a success,” said Steve Berg, B.C. conference minister. “I love being with young leaders.” The BFL spent a sizable amount of money to get the young people to Abbotsford and the informal discussion was where the real work of mentorship began.

Reflecting on the meeting, Keith Poysti, Manitoba conference minister, expressed the ongoing tension of authoritative approaches in MB discussion. “MBs have extremely high standards in terms of behaviour – if you’re going to be accepted you have to adopt practices and positions of those in authority. So when young people don’t show up at our conferences, we have to think about the way we are engaging them, or have failed to engage them. There has generally been a low tolerance for people who question our practices and values. Young people are often looking to see who’s in power, and who’s in control . . . I wonder what it would look like if we allowed young leaders to ask us questions?”

As BFL chair, Peters was hoping the initial meeting’s questions would have been forwarded to young people by email ahead of time, but instead young leaders were put on the spot. Would that have created a better dialogue?

—AS