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Manitoba MB Conference Convention

PW

Unity, hope mark 90th convention
Morden, MB • Feb. 26-27, 1999

A spirit of unity and a feeling of hope marked the 90th convention of the Manitoba MB Conference. Over 300 people of various ages, including 287 delegates, buzzed with excitement Feb. 26-27 at Westside Community Church in Morden, Man.

New Conference minister

The first piece of exciting news from the convention is that Herb Kopp was introduced as the new Conference minister. At last year’s convention, delegates expressed a strong desire to have their own Conference minister. This was a historical event, as Manitoba has never had one.

Aubrey Krahn, outgoing member of the Committee of Reference and Counsel (the main guiding board for the Conference), spoke about the task of finding the right person to serve in this capacity. The CRC asked Herb and Doris Kopp, pastor couple at McIvor Ave. MB Church in Winnipeg, to assume the role. When CRC chair John Willems offered Kopp a red scarf, calling him “Bishop Herb,” delegates ignited into laughter. CRC member Irma Epp handed Doris Kopp a bouquet of flowers, and a dedicatory prayer was offered for the Kopps.

New executive formed

Also exciting was that the Conference has a new executive. Neil Janzen (Elmwood MB Church) is moderator, Victor Neufeld (Westwood Community Church) assistant moderator, Hardy Enns (Westwood Community Church) secretary and John Pauls (North Kildonan MB Church) treasurer. (The Conference had operated for the past year without a moderator, assistant moderator or secretary, as no candidates were willing to let their names stand.) All those nominated to various boards and committees this year were elected by acclamation.

Budget

In 1998, the Conference received $1,064,200, spent $1,001,200 and had a surplus of $63,000. The Conference levy, unchanged from last year, is $181 per church member. The levy is used to support the various aspects of the Conference shown in the chart below.

Concord College

Harold Jantz, re-elected member to the Board of Concord College, announced that John H. Unger has been appointed as the college’s new president, effective July 1. Unger, senior pastor of Richmond Park MB Church in Brandon, Man. and former moderator of the Manitoba MB Conference, stated that he felt privileged to be asked to fulfill this position. He said he understood how Moses felt when God commissioned him, preferring that God would send Aaron instead. He told delegates he would have a lot to learn.

Delegates watched a video of the adventures of the 22 students in Concord College’s School of Discipleship. Under the direction of Wally Schmidt, the disciples are in Guatemala, where they are learning Spanish, visiting hospitals, prisons and other facilities, and touring.

Outgoing president Harry Olfert turned delegates’ attention to the new developments in the Mennonite College Federation (MCF). He explained that Concord’s program would continue to operate from the present campus in 1999-2000, but would move to the new campus (the former School for the Deaf) across from Canadian Mennonite Bible College in September 2000. Referring to a nine-page supplementary report handed out to the delegates on Friday night, Olfert introduced to the delegates the reality of what a Mennonite university will cost. In that document, delegates learned of six recommendations from the MCF:

That the Conference approve in principle a $25 million capital campaign to be undertaken by the MCF for the development of the Grant-Shaftesbury campus. That the convention approve a process whereby the details of specific buildings, modification to the site plan and funding strategies can be processed between conventions by a joint meeting of the Concord College Board of Directors, the Committee of Reference and Counsel and the Manitoba Conference Board of Directors. That the Conference’s financial contribution be limited to the money realized from the sale or reassignment of use of the former MB Bible College property. (This money would be considered equivalent to the Conference of Mennonites in Canada contribution of the Canadian Mennonite Bible College campus, which will be part of the joint campus.) That the Conference may advance funds to Concord College (and/or Mennonite Properties Inc., the MCF’s legal entity) e.g. for the purchase of the new site, but that these advances will be loans to be repaid as funds are raised. That Concord/Federation not fund capital projects through the Conference budget unless the Conference meeting in convention decides otherwise. That a formula be developed re the percentage of funds required in cash and/or pledges prior to beginning a specific part of the project.

Concern for funding the $25 million project was barely discussed, but Olfert emphasized that proper research was conducted, that the College is part of the Federation and that nothing will happen until the money for a phase of the project is in.

Because delegates did not have ample time to properly consider the six recommendations, the CRC advised that a special convention to deal with these and other related matters be held on Saturday Apr. 10.

Committee of Reference and Counsel

Calvin Bergen, re-elected member of the CRC, explained that since last year was a challenging year, praying and listening were guiding principles for the CRC. The CRC dealt with issues at Portage Ave. MB Church, the fact that the executive positions of the Conference were vacant, and soul-searching questions concerning the condition and future of the Conference. The CRC met with churches, pastors and committees to gather information concerning the Conference. Some conclusions reached were:

A restructuring of the Conference is needed. The next generation of members need to be committed to the Conference. Agencies of the Conference need to be redefined and allowed to move beyond the confines of the Conference. The Conference needs to focus on evangelism. More money is needed at the local church level. The mission statement has to relate to agencies and ministries of the Conference.

Sexual abuse policies

The bulk of discussion on Saturday morning centred on the Personnel Committee’s final revision of two major policies dealing with sexual abuse in MB churches. Delegates at last year’s convention had approved in principle the adoption of the policies. The children’s ministry policy on child abuse and safety and the adult sexual abuse policy were written by a lawyer to ensure legality. Anne Friesen, chair of the Personnel Committee, noted that while the local churches should adopt the policies as part of their procedures, the appendices should be viewed as guidelines. Friesen answered concern that sexual harassment was not included in the text by saying that the term “harassment” was too subjective.

Board of Communications

Jake Hoeppner, outgoing chair of the Board of Communications, reported that, despite a deficit of $47,651, MB Communications/Family Life Network was able to introduce new programming. Last year, 700 radio stations aired MBC/FLN’s programs, up from 100 three years ago. MBC/FLN runs 12 programs in seven languages worldwide, reaching between 50 and 70 million people.

Executive director Burton Buller gave a quick history of MBC/FLN, noting a modest beginning in 1947. Despite limited resources and the small size of its supporting conference, God is blessing MB Communications, said Buller.

David Balzer, English program director, brought the delegates up to speed with the latest happenings with GodTalk, a new three-hour call-in radio show airing on a local Winnipeg radio station Sunday nights. “When grace is the medium, they will get the message,” quipped Balzer.

Missions and Church Extension

Russ Toews, outgoing chair for the Board of Missions and Church Extension, introduced new MCE director Ray Klassen. Klassen, who was given a new job description, will assist MB churches with evangelism and church planting efforts. A number of seminars are being planned to assist in these endeavours. Newton Community Fellowship is looking into the idea of planting a church in Southport, and a Slavic congregation of about 70 people has been using Portage Ave. MB Church as its meeting place.

A dedicatory prayer was offered for Ray and Chris Klassen. A contingent of members, including pastor couple Darren and Val Willems, from La Salle Community Fellowship, where the Klassens formerly pastored, came forward for the prayer, showing their support to the Klassens.

Dale Warkentin spoke of the 14 years of work that Ted and Mary Goossen have done as directors of Simonhouse Bible Camp. The Goossens are closing this chapter of their lives to become associate pastor couple at Winkler MB Church. Delegates applauded the Goossens for their dedication and service.

Worship and communion

Tim Clark, associate pastor at Westside Community Church, and his worship team led the Friday evening’s worship. Music focused on the majesty of God, leading delegates into the communion service. Delegates ended the two-hour session singing heartily, “We will rise,” a song of hope and renewal in the midst of hardship, based on Isaiah 40:31. Congregational singing, still strong from the previous evening, continued on Saturday. Led by senior pastor Calvin Bergen of Fort Garry MB Church and his team, delegates were again reminded of the providence of God in such songs as “Be Still”, “Strength in the Lord” and a contemporary, fast-tempo rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” complete with percussion.

Speakers

The convention speakers, all Manitoba MB pastors, had been asked to address each phrase of the Conference’s new mission statement: “To be a community of Jesus, infused by the Spirit, centered in God’s Word, making room for all.”

Herb Kopp spoke on “to be a community of Jesus,” telling modern stories of people being “touched” by the presence of Jesus. He encouraged delegates to bring Jesus into their places of work and worship.

Pastors Cal Bergen and Mary Reimer of Fort Garry MB Church spoke on “infused by the Spirit.” Bergen explained that Christians are given the Holy Spirit to empower the church to do Jesus’ ministry. Reimer focused on Psalm 40, saying that obeying God’s nudges can be risky, but well worth the effort.

Russ Toews, senior pastor of Westside Community Church, spoke on “centered in God’s Word,” explaining that in modern usage the sword of the Spirit would likely be translated as the gun of the Spirit. With a gun, he said, comes power: “When you are doing mission, make sure you are packing some heat – the heat of the Word of God.”

Paul Wartman, pastor of The Meeting Place, spoke on “making room for all,” explaining that the term is not an invitation to water down the person of Jesus, but an invitation to walk away from a reputation for angry dialogue. To the one thief on the cross Jesus said “You matter to Me,” explained Wartman. “Room for all” is controversial, but Jesus did not come to condemn, but to redeem all.

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Last modified August 31, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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