Archive for category Plenaries
150 years in 16 minutes
Visit the Canadian conference website’s (mbconf.ca) media centre to view a video of the reader’s theatre presented at the Celebration 2010 Wednesday evening binational service at Chandos Pattison Auditorium, Surrey, B.C.
Ministry vignettes
Visit the Canadian conference media centre to listen to ministry stories shared by pastors and church planters at Celebration 2010.
Click here to listen to the stories below.
- When Paul Bartel, part of a church planting team in Kansas City, Mo., realized coffee shops were a major cultural hot spot, he chose a favourite location and set up regular “office hours” there. Here, he relates some interesting and challenging conversations with a spiritual seeker that have come out of the relationship that developed in that casual setting.
- Hailed Tamirat from Ethiopian Christian Fellowship in Sacramento (Cal.) is driven by seeing lives touched by the love of Christ. He shares about an older Ethiopian couple who found healing for the bodies and new life in Christ.
- Ralph Gliege, provincial conference minister in Saskatchewan, tells about the providential unfolding events which led to Prairie Winds Fellowship (Moose Jaw, Sask.) developing a prayer centre and satellite congregation in the sleep farming town Riverhurst on the shores of Lake Diefenbaker.
- Terry Hunt of The Life Centre in Lenoir, N.C. related the story of Josh, a young man who wondered if the parable of the prodigal son could come true.
- When Église Chrétienne Évangélique de Sainte-Thérèse, Montreal, asked where most people spent their Sunday mornings (only 1% attend church regularly, including Catholics), they discovered them in restaurants. Robert Dagenais, pastor of the oldest MB church in Quebec, tells how the congregation went from the brink of closure to hosting a bustling breakfast buffet with music and a testimony once a month.
- Paul Robie is a church planter in Draper, Utah. He talks about the unique people who walk through the doors at multisite South Mountain Community Church in the highly Mormon state.
- South Park MB Church in Altona, Man., is about a 20-minute drive from Roseau River Anishnabe First Nation reserve. Pastor Hugh Froese tells how families at South Park have “adopted” children from the reserve for Sunday school, church, and lunch on Sundays.
Our cousins from the south reflect
Celebration 2010 held in B.C.’s Lower Mainland in July marked the first time since the dissolution of the general conference in 2002 that MBs from Canada and the U.S. worshipped and worked together at a convention. Read some American responses on the Christian Leader site.
- “God was glorified”—Kimberlee Jost, Hillsboro, Kan.
- “Family reunion”—Amy Sterk, Goessel, Kan.
- “Tim Hortons and family”—Myra Holmes, Denver, Colo., Christian Leader assistant editor
- “Tears”—Ed Boschman, Bakersfield, Cal., USMB executive director
- “Transformed!”—Harold Ens, Fresno, Cal.
- “Finding My Identity”—Michelle Ferguson, Fresno, Cal.
More in the media centre
Visit the CCMBC media centre to listen to plenary addresses by John Sankara Rao and Nzuzi Mukawa on identity and mission.
Celebration 2010 — John Sankara Rao
Renewing identity
Paraguayan MB theologian and leader Alfred Neufeld’s presentation at RIM was a highlight for many. His “Global perspective on MB identity” took listeners on a whirlwind tour through historical commentary on the MB church and challenged us to reclaim our prophetic calling in the present and future.
Now, you can listen to his full presentation on the Canadian conference website, here.
Conference report card from John Redekop
Together with some hundreds of others I recently attended all of the sessions of Celebration 2010. It was a memorable event.
Most of the activities during that busy week – Monday evening to Saturday afternoon - warrant warmest commendation as do the people who organized the numerous events. Here are some admittedly subjective evaluations.
- The facilities and food at TWU, at Chandos Pattison, and at North Langley deserve an A+ even though it seemed that at Chandos and North Langley a warm reception seemed to correlate closely with a cold air-conditioned room.
- The “Renewing Identity & Mission” sessions, including the workshops, at TWU, organized by the Historical Commission deserve an A+ although there were some noteworthy administrative oversights. (e.g. workshop lists without room designations.)
- The reports from overseas deserve an A+ even though in two instances I could not understand all that was said.
- The video and other electronic enhancements were outstanding and deserve an A +.
- The Kindred Productions display deserves an A+ even though at timesit was late in appearing. The other institutional displays, ranging from camps to colleges, were also first rate.
- The Saturday Vancouver Tour was excellent and deserves an A+.
- The North American testimonies were impressive and deserve an A+.
- The emceeing by Valerie Rempel and Steve Berg was classy and deserves an A+.
- The MCC, MBMSI, Seminary and Church Planting BC reports were excellent; all deserve an A+.
- The music and singing at the “Renewing Identity and Mission” sessions easily deserve an A+. The “special music” and congregational singing at Chandos and North Langley deserve…but why lower the average, even a little? The time-tested hymns of the church produced hearty congregational participation. Unfortunately the “mass choir” of about 23 people sang only one song which was drowned out by the super-charged band.
- The three-quarter day Canadian business sessions generally went quite well but why assign a mark which might lower the average? It seemed that some items were perhaps overdone and some, can we say, under-done?
- The Canadian convention banquet went very well and deserves an A+.
No dozing at this business meeting
Friday CCMBC business meetings, July 16th, 2010
Talk about a full day today. I was the emcee, thus had the opportunity to see the meeting from a different perspective. Let’s put it this way – I didn’t see anyone dozing off, ever! While some may think that business meetings are boring, this one had laughter, tension, celebration, story, reports, and more.
One highlight for me was the DIALOGUE from the floor. I have felt for a couple of years that we need to be doing a better job of listening to each other, of engaging conversations, of entering into each others’ thought processes! The future of the seminary in Canada generated a good amount of discussion – not so much about where it was going but rather that people wanted to be engaged, to have a voice, to make sure that they are involved. The leadership is listening.
And then of course, THEOLOGY! We had open discussions about how we do our theology, and how people get involved in expressing their views and concerns. At the end of the day, there was some significant push for “how” we do theology. The board of faith and life listened and assured us that they too will be more inclusive in the dialogue.
CELEBRATION! We laughed and reminisced together, specifically in remembering all the good things about David Wiebe’s contribution to MBs through his work with the conference, especially as executive director over the last 10 years. And apparently, they were not going to forget the Banff dancing episode – good lessons learned and relationships built through the experience.
As the new moderator for the conference, I enter this role with significant respect for the position. I realize how much I need the prayers of the MB church. I feel a healthy fear but also a calm peace that this is where God has called me. We have at least “three big rocks in our basket” that we must address – a new executive director, seminary development in Canada, and increased provincial/national collaboration. Three words come to mind in this process – communication, collaboration, and clarity. We will need to work on these with our greater constituency to represent our conference well.
I anticipate God’s presence and his blessing!
Paul Loewen works in church relations and resource development at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C. He attends Mountain Park Community Church in Abbotsford.
On the shoulders of giants
Attending the Mennonite Brethren’s 150th birthday party was a special treat.
As I sat in on the celebration service, I could not help but be moved by the history and faithfulness of the believers of this denomination, whose fruit and labour were now clearly evident as the national pastors from various countries shared their work, joys, and struggles in living out Jesus. Words such as “suffering,” “faithful,” and “committed” struck a chord with me in this celebration, and as Walter Unger put it “we [truly] stand on the shoulders of giants.” Despite challenges, we press on to love and to be the people of the way.
As I continue to take in the celebration, I’m excited by the challenges as we look ahead together and recognize that the next 150 years will also hold many moments of joy and also sorrow. These next years will grow from the roots that have been deeply planted in the commitment to be faithful despite obstacles and to love despite hardships.
So as we celebrate and recognize and remember the mosaic of people we truly are, let us remember that our central identity is in the person of Jesus Christ, and that despite challenges we continue to press on to be centered on making disciples in the way of Jesus.
Paul Morgun was associate pastor at Hepburn MB Church in Saskatchewan. Paul is married to Jessica. They have 2 children. In 2009, Paul and his family moved to Vancouver so his wife could study at Regent College. Paul is a stay-at-home dad. He attends Urban Journey in Vancouver. He blogs at www.whatthedirty.blogspot.com.
Honouring the doctor
One particular event on Thursday afternoon was both moving and thought-provoking – the granting of an honorary doctorate degree from MBBS to pastor David Manuel. David has served Jesus by reaching into the Indo-Canadian population of Abbotsford, B.C., and beyond through South Abbotsford Church for 30 years. His humble acceptance of this honour, in David’s words, “too large for a small man,” was shared with pastors, workers, and family in a genuinely deflective, self-deprecating way; choosing instead to share the accolades with others in the community, and redirecting all glory to God.
This small ceremony, on a day crammed with wonderful reports of missions and global ministry, higher education and our historical heritage, was warmly applauded by the assembly. Following the session, several of us spoke of the emotion and affirmation we felt in witnessing this recognition.
I wonder if we witnessed in microcosm a model of giving and receiving affirmation in the community of faith. We witnessed a humble servant receiving an unexpected and “large honour” when his intent all these years has been to simply, faithfully share the good news and be obedient. Each of us works most of our lives in relative obscurity and away from the eyes of the crowd. The seminary graciously chose to honour our brother David, bringing those years of private discipleship into the public for a few brief moments of recognition.
In our morning Bible meditation, Tim Geddert spoke about Luke witnessing the amazing power of the gospel and its affects, particularly in planting the church at Philippi. Tim spoke of Luke’s ingenious way of writing himself in and out of the narrative, alternating between first and third person references. Dr. Luke witnessed this early church evidence of God calling people together and transforming them into family. Today we recognized a modern-day witnessing “doctor.”
Ray Harris is associate pastor at Bakerview Church, Abbotsford. He is involved in preaching and worship, and finds particular satisfaction working in the area of pastoral care.
J walking 4
MB Herald Interim editor J Janzen:
During the day, Canadian and US Mennonite Brethren met to hear stories and reports from our foreign missions agency (MBMSI) and our seminary (MBBS).
In the evening, Canadian MBs began their national convention at North Langley Community Church. It just so happens that 2010 marks 100 years that Canadian MBs have met together as a conference. The evening consisted of singing, prayer, and storytelling from Canadian MB churches.
As I wander around, there is a sense of excitement that the church continues to grow across Canada and around the world because of Mennonite Brethren efforts to cooperate with God’s work both locally and globally. There was also a sense that we are determined to go forward even though we as a church face many challenges.
Enjoy the “verbal snapshots” below…
“I heard you say you are people of the Book, but I noticed very few of you carrying the Book.”—Danisa Ndlovu, from Zimbabwe and president of Mennonite World Conference.
“I don’t know. Ask Randy.”—An East Asian mission worker’s response to leaders who asked if they would be allowed to join the Mennonite Brethren church.
“We are now in every Arabic speaking person’s living room without their permission!”—A Middle Eastern mission worker reporting that a Christian television program produced by Mennonite Brethren is now broadcast on state channels.
“I baptize 40 people every week. We don’t have room for them. Can you ask Jesus to stop this for awhile?”—A North African church leader speaking to an MBMSI worker.
“I am simply overwhelmed: the honour is huge, and too heavy for a small man.”—David Manuel on receiving an honourary doctorate of christian ministries from MBBS in recognition of his work in the East Indian community in Canada and abroad.
“My wife says, ‘Don’t ad lib.’”—Walter Unger, joking during his presentation on the past 50 years in Canadian MB history.
“We should no longer speak pejoratively about the fact that BC now has more that 50% of Mennonite Brethren members in Canada.”—David Wiebe, outgoing Canadian MB Conference executive director.
“This past Monday I baptized a man in his home. We used a jacuzzi. We didn’t turn on the jets.”—Leo Chia, pastor at Mandarin Pacific Grace Church, a multisite congregation in Vancouver, Maple Ridge, and Surrey, B.C.
“Winkler MB Church takes huge risks. They hired an Irishman as a minister. Think about it. You’re pacifists!”—Phillip Vallelly, pastor at Winkler MB Church in southern Manitoba.
—J Janzen
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