Growing together through change

HEPBURN, SASK.

Earlier, President Doug Berg welcomed the delegates, staff and faculty to Bethany, which is celebrating its 70th year. Berg then introduced Ray Lepp, BBI board chair. Lepp presented the convention theme, "Growing Together Through Change", and called for Mark Jantzen, Alberta MB Conference Moderator, and Clarence Peters, Saskatchewan MB Conference Assistant Moderator, to lead the convention. Their humour and calmness eased any tension that may have been present.

For the most part, the convention stayed on course, and there were no heavy issues. The discussions were mild, and the tone of the day remained relaxed. The highlights of the convention were worshipful presentations by "Mirror Image" in the morning and the BBI Chorale in the afternoon. Also performing was Alaethea (Greek for "truth"), a group of drama students; they challenged the audience to beware of conformity to the world and presented a historical sketch about understanding Jesus as a spiritual reformer instead of a political revolutionist.

Change

First, the creation of Adam was the beginning of change; sin later changed Adam's relationship with God as well as the rest of history.

Second, the New Testament was an time of incredible change for the Jewish people. Not only did God replace the Law with grace, but also the Jewish people who accepted Christ had to scramble to find a new order of worship because they could no longer go to the temple.

Penner's third illustration centred on Nehemiah, a man committed to helping the Jewish people in a time of change. Nehemiah modelled the qualities of a good leader by demonstrating the importance of affirming change rather than lamenting the past. BBI is not what it used to be, commented Penner. Students are different--but BBI is "not for people who have arrived--it is a place for people to come and grow."

Penner challenged the delegates to seek creative solutions, to affirm the growth process and to embrace the newness of life which comes from following Christ. He pointed out that the unchanging God brings about change for good. "It didn't take God 40 years to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt," he said. "It took 40 years to take Egypt out of the people of Israel."

People and places

Doug Berg then reported. He said he was pleased with the dedication by faculty and staff, and mentioned Bethany's core values. He stated that Bethany should not be a "holding tank", but a place where students mature in their lives and ministries. He spoke about tensions students face and how conflicting expectations from students, parents and the constituency need to be reconciled. Finally, he addressed the idea of setting up an internship program which would prepare people for full-time ministry; the details of this program remain to be settled. Berg's desire is that Bethany remain biblical, that it be a learning centre and that it be understood in the context of its community.

The future

Ben Wohlgemut reported on the process of accreditation with the American Association of Bible Colleges. Part of the procedure is that Bethany undertake a self-study. Wohlgemut informed delegates about the results of five surveys which were conducted among students, alumni, constituency, staff and faculty, and the board. The surveys will be helpful in giving direction to Bethany's future.

Following this, Rick Schellenberg directed the delegates to divide into groups for a brainstorming session concerning Bethany's vision. Each group worked through the same five questions. All ideas were written down, and then the top five ideas were to be selected in each group. Once the process was done, the designated secretaries handed in their group's choices to Schellenberg. This exercise ended with each group huddling to pray for the direction and goals of the school.

The rest of the afternoon was spent passing the 1997-98 budget of $1.4 million, and accepting five nominees for the board by acclamation. Incoming members to the board are Jim Block of Borden, Sask., Rob Bushman of Saskatoon and Chantelle Priebe of Calgary. Wayne Dick of Guernsey, Sask. and Edgar Dueck of Coaldale, Alta. were acclaimed for another term. Outgoing members are Phil Born of Gem, Alta., Rob Neufeld of Saskatoon and Reuben Rempel of Borden.

Peter J. Woelk