Ontario wrestles over conference minister funding

What would happen if we didn’t have a provincial conference minister? That question sparked vigorous discussion at the Ontario convention, Feb. 15 and 16 at Scott St. MB Church in St. Catharines, whose 164 delegates faced a reduced budget and the recent resignation of conference minister Mark Johnson in December.

The loss of leadership comes a year after adopting a new mission statement that calls for “singleness of purpose” as a core value.

Above the stage at the “Growing Christ-like Passion for Ontario” 77th convention, a large banner carved in gothic-like script read “Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.”

The Gathering (Ottawa) pastor Chris Stevens and church extension director Terry Wiseman present exciting new outreaches.

Retired Port Rowan pastor Sandy Young introduced himself as Johnson’s volunteer replacement. With 40 years experience, including many on the provincial Board of Faith and Life, Young has a passion for meeting with the “wonderful people” who lead Ontario’s 34 congregations. However, he’ll only be volunteering two days a week.

Afterwards, Craig Danielson, spiritual life advisor at Eden High School, gave a stirring address calling for passion-filled lives. “In Canada, we’re passionate about everything except God,” he said. He called pastors to account – “If you’re asking where your passion has gone, you need to question why you’re here tonight, or even whether ministry is for you.” On stage, a painter and pastry chef worked away at what they loved – a visual object lesson.

Canadian conference executive director David Wiebe catches up with Vishal Masih from Behta Darya Asian Church.

Passion killers, said Danielson, include an unclear purpose and unemployed talent.

Presentations by conference ministries and church planters displayed successfully employed talent. Eden High School, a 1000-plus public high school in St. Catharines with a Christian discipleship program, reported that 60 girls have been attending a support group on a regular basis – an unusual success.

Chris Stevens, pastor of The Gathering in Ottawa, said the three new church plants in the area have 200 in attendance. His church was personally thanked by the mayor of Ottawa and chief of police for keeping the most vibrant community centre in the city alive. Shawn Cuthill expects long-term ministry in Thorncliffe Park, Toronto, where 25,000 Muslims live in 35 apartment buildings on one street.

Loss of vision?

The question of conference vision was raised when Vic Thiessen, moderator and also acting treasurer, presented a $240,000 budget without a line for a conference minister, noting an accumulated surplus was spent in the last four years. Down $63,000 from 2007, cutbacks were necessary in order to regain a necessary $50,000 operating reserve. All this after a new mission statement and core values document were approved at last year’s convention.

Discussion centred around whether the issue was money or vision.

Vidya Narimalla from Kitchener says MBs should be buying less Starbucks and giving more.

The problem creates an opportunity to give more, said Vidya Narimalla of Kitchener MB.

Quoting a recent study, he said Mennonites in Canada are above average in affluence. He also noted the 1996 budget was $40,000 more that this year’s. “In a way, it’s kind of embarrassing.”

Terry Wiseman, church extension director, clarified the situation. Churches are currently giving $70,000 to church plants, over and above conference giving – something they weren’t doing five years ago. Those plants are also pulling their weight in giving back to the conference.

It would only take eight Tim Horton’s (or three Starbucks) coffees per member in order to hire a conference minister, said Rick Goertz. “To lose a conference minister would be very bad for our conference. They’ve helped us through when our pastors and leaders have had conflicts. Sometimes the conference minister puts on his big boots and gives us a kick.”

David Fowler of Clarington Community Church prays during worship.

“We’ve been involved in a lot of other denominations,” said an impassioned Chris Stevens. “I can tell you that there’s not a more committed conference to church extension than the MB conference. I really believe that together we need to make a decision to give abundantly. Ultimately it comes down to us not trusting the elders with the money. If we can’t be followers, we can’t be leaders.”

Ed Willms, pastor of Gateway Christian Fellowship and a board member with church extension said, “For 12 years I’ve been observing us as a conference . . . I think personally as I look at where we’re at, the real issue is that times have changed. We’ve been an institution-driven convention, and we’ve flourished at that. But they’ve grown up – and I think the future is going to be with the new churches. I think the real question is ‘how are we going to partner with them?’ We’re really at a crossroads, and it’s much deeper than the money. Do we want to journey together or not?”

Afterwards, Jim Cober from Grace Church, Waterloo, proposed a $90,000 amendment to the budget, handily struck down after leaders said they didn’t want to force churches to give $20 per member more. Beforehand, Vidya Narimalla challenged delegates that they weren’t there “just to have lunch,” but to lead their congregations.

A $5,700 spontaneous free will offering was given and the afternoon was spent reflecting on the role of a conference minister, worship, and another passionate message from Terry Wiseman. Out of 27 foundational principles he said are necessary for cultural redemption, the first, he said, was singleness of purpose.

“I believe there is great value and need for a conference minister in Ontario . . . It will take hard work and creativity on behalf of the Ontario conference to make this happen,” said moderator Vic Thiessen. “It will be exciting to see God work this through in the months to come.”

Other business

• Frank Wiens was named the province’s new moderator for the next term.
• Chris Stevens of The Gathering reported that they have a vision to plant nine to ten churches in the capital area. They also plan to build a “green” conference centre on a 17.5 acre $2.4M re-zoned property that includes a hotel, gym, strip mall, and daycare. This would open doors to contact government employees who are required to work in “green” zones.
• The Ontario government has closed their three remaining institutions for developmentally challenged citizens and requested that Bethesda Home build two more group homes for specialized individual support.

—AS