Board of Evangelism

Board Members

  • Randy D. Schellenberg (Saskatchewan) 1998, Chair
  • Bernhard Harder (B.C.) 1998
  • Peter Dueck (Alberta) 2000
  • Werner Dick (Ontario) 1998
  • Ted Paetkau (Manitoba) 2000
  • Charles Gagnon (Quebec)
  • Marilyn Hiebert (At large) 2000
  • Wieland Hamm (At large) 1998
  • Henry Dyck (At large) 2000

    Staff

  • Jake Neufeld, Treasurer
  • Alf Huebert, stewardship director
  • Paul Woods, stewardship representative, B.C.
  • Ross Hardy, stewardship representative, Alberta, Saskatchewan and northern B.C.
  • Ron Wood, manager, Christian Press
  • Bertha Dyck, accountant
  • Charlene Hildebrand, secretary
  • Marni Enns, clerical

    		•  The Canadian MB Conference Board of Management is a representative body whose mandate is to give direction to the financial affairs of the Conference. In that capacity, we monitor the Conference Ministries Support Fund, set investment guidelines for Stewardship Ministries and oversee the work of Christian Press. While the vast majority of these responsibilities are carried on by personnel working out of the Winnipeg office, two stewardship representatives work out of locations in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

    Finances

    Financially, we ended the first year of the current biennium (May 31, 1997) with a shortfall of $66,811, bringing our accumulated deficit to $99,000. A further assessment of revenues in August 1997 indicated that program cuts were necessary. A decision was made at that time to reduce expenditures by 8% for the remainder of the fiscal year. We appreciate the willingness expressed by each board to adjust their expenditures accordingly. While it is difficult to predict support levels for the last quarter of this biennium, we are hopeful the last year of our biennium will not add to the deficit.

    Stewardship

    Through Stewardship Ministries, we continue to provide opportunity for supporting churches and individuals to place funds into various investment accounts. Monies on hand are then made available (as mortgages) to pastors/conference workers and churches. In 1997 we approved mortgages for $5.2 million. So far in 1998, a further $1.5 million has been approved. Stewardship representatives continue to be welcomed by MB churches within all provinces. A special note of thanks to churches for sharing in this ministry.

    Christian Press

    Acquired in 1964, Christian Press continues to offer excellent printing services to all conference boards and agencies. Most recently, it completed the second printing of the conference hymnbook. As with any organization, the need to stay abreast of current industry trends is an ongoing concern. Christian Press will be upgrading several systems in order to improve its services. Christian Press also accepts outside contract work. Annually, surplus funds are redistributed back to participating conference boards, with $52,527 being distributed over the past two years. The Christian Press Management Committee of Ted Paetkau, Glyn Allen and Jake Neufeld continues to monitor the operation of Christian Press.

    Personnel Changes

    Several staff positions have been evaluated since our last convention (July, 1996). As a Board, it has been our pleasure to recommend for continued ministry Ross Hardy (Stewardship/Alberta/Saskatchewan/Northern British Columbia), Paul Woods (Stewardship/British Columbia) and Ron Wood (Christian Press). Ross Hardy's workload was also increased to include northern B.C.

    Madelaine Friesen moved to Saskatchewan and has been replaced by Marni Enns.

    The Board thanks Jake Neufeld, Alf Huebert, Ron Wood, Ross Hardy, Paul Woods, Bertha Dyck, Charlene Hildebrand and Marni Enns for their faithful service. As a Board we appreciate the dedication and commitment our staff display, each of them bringing a servant attitude to their daily duties.

    A special thank you to those Board members who will be finishing their terms. We wish them the Lord's blessing as they continue to serve elsewhere.

    Ongoing Challenges

  • 1. Assessing giving patterns to Conference ministries is a primary concern for the Board.

    We acknowledge the tension that exists when churches, with seemingly fixed revenues, see a need to increase/expand their local ministries. Often a quick review of the local budget indicates that if only conference norms did not have to be paid, there would be more than enough funds for the new local program.

    We challenge churches not to view conference support as a levy or a "tax". Rather, we encourage churches to see support for conference ministries as an extension of their local ministries. Support for conference ministries allows churches to participate in planting new churches in the Maritimes, Bible education in Quebec at IBL and the seminary in Fresno, dedicating a new Chinese church building in British Columbia, training a new generation of missionaries through Youth Mission International or developing the Life Steps programs for youth and children's ministries.

  • 2. Incorporating potential recommendations coming from the General MB Conference task force evaluating conference structures. The process of self-evaluation is often difficult and sometimes painful. Please pray that as a result of this process we as a conference, will be stronger and better equipped to carry out the "Great Commission".

  • 3. Establishing budget guidelines, for the next biennium to ensure the availability of resources for the many opportunities whereby we as MB can be Christ's "salt and light" in a dark and needy world.

    What's new in the past biennium

  • All provinces now remit Canadian MB Conference support directly to our office (no longer through provincial treasurers).
  • funded a video for Christian Education Ministries from surplus Stewardship funds.

    Financial Report

  • After 21 months (or 87.5%) of our 2-year budget (which ends May 31, 1998), we have raised 79.6% of our budget, resulting in a 21-month shortfall of $211,330.
  • The Board of Evangelism needs to raise another $105,876 to meet its budgeted income.
  • The Manitoba MB Conference has taken financial responsibility for Concord College.

    Stewardship Ministries

  • Funds have come in faster than required by our churches and pastors. Surplus funds are invested in government and corporate bonds.
      Annuities 933,394
      Deposit Funds 21,308,111
      RRSPs 13,979,309
      Endowment Funds 4,122,458
      TOTAL 40,343,272
      Mortgages 26,362,969
      Surplus Funds 13,980,303

  • At present, we have 63 church loans and 101 pastor/employee loans. All are current.

    • Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 37, No. 8 Home Page