Prayer and progress

CANADIAN CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETS IN WINNIPEG

The Canadian MB Conference Executive Board held a one-day meeting Oct. 4 in Winnipeg to clear up unfinished business and to begin work for the 1996-98 biennium. While not many final decisions were made, progress was made on a number of fronts. Following are some of the major items of business:

  • The Board began the day with 35-40 minutes of specific prayer for the churches across Canada. The Board also took time to pray for various issues as they arose during the day.
  • The Board heard reports from the chairs of the Canadian Conference boards and from the provincial MB conference moderators. (The board is made up of the board chairs, the provincial moderators and the three-member Canadian Conference Executive.)
  • The Board designated Canadian Conference minister Reuben Pauls to represent the Conference at the Mennonite World Conference assembly and at the next meeting of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren; both meetings will take place in India in January, 1997. Pauls will go to the meetings in place of Canadian Conference Moderator Ike Bergen, who has other commitments at that time.
  • The Board considered the results of a survey of attenders at the 1996 Canadian Conference convention in July and began working on plans for the 1998 convention.
  • The one proposed constitutional revision which was not voted on at the 1996 convention (dealing with expelling congregations out of step with Conference beliefs and policies) was referred to the Conference Executive (Moderator Ike Bergen, Assistant Moderator Allan Labun and Secretary Elizabeth Esau), who will develop a recommendation.
  • An Executive Board retreat was tentatively planned for Aug. 26-29, 1997. This retreat will consider revisions to the Canadian Conference statement of mission and core values, as was requested at the 1996 convention.
  • Elizabeth Esau was confirmed as chair of the Canadian Conference Nominations Committee, and Allan Labun as chair of the Personnel Compensation Committee. The other members of the Nominating Committee (which seeks candidates for positions on Canadian Conference boards) are the provincial moderators. The other members of the Personnel Compensation Committee (which oversees relations with and salaries paid to Conference employees) are Glyn Allen of Winnipeg and Ken Scott of Vancouver.
  • The Board learned of plans to conduct a study of the relationship between the Canadian Conference and the Quebec Conference, including Institut biblique Laval (a Bible school in St-Laurent, Que.). It is hoped that the study, a project of both conferences, will clarify a strategy for MB work in Quebec.
  • The Board of Communications, in conjunction with the Conference Executive, was asked to develop proposals for the further development of the Canadian Conference home page and internet involvement.
  • The Board considered its next step, if any, on the "dancing" issue. In response to criticism of a "dance" held at the Banff '95 youth conference, a resolution was passed at the 1996 Conference convention in July directing conferences, agencies and churches to avoid dancing, alcoholic beverages, films and other activities which are "likely to cause offense". It was noted that what had been intended as a guideline for the conference had been amended and passed by the convention, making it a resolution binding on churches. The matter was referred to the Conference Executive for further consideration.
  • The Board discussed the implications for the Canadian Conference of the recent North American MB Conference proposal on restructuring. (More information on this proposal will be presented in the Nov. 8 issue of the Herald.)
  • The Board spent an hour or two discussing issues concerning Concord College. The Board has two concerns: First, there is apparent confusion over the 1992 agreement whereby the Canadian Conference is scheduled to hand over ownership of the former MB Bible College lands and buildings to Concord in June, 1997. Second, there is a need to clarify the identity of Concord's supporting constituency. The Board is hopeful that the results of the "audit" currently being done on Concord, as well as further dialogue, will clarify all concerns.

    The Board requests prayer support from the constituency regarding the many issues it is dealing with.

    Executive Board news release

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