Saskatchewan MB Conference Convention

Saskatchewan still planting, producing
Waldheim, Sask.

The 53rd annual convention of the Saskatchewan MB Conference, held March 12-13 in Waldheim, was a time of celebration. It marked the 100th year since the founding of the first MB church in Saskatchewan.

Conference Minister Ralph Gliege opened the weekend with a story of wheat seeds. At last year's convention, he had given each church a bag of wheat seeds, one seed for each member of the congregation, and had asked the churches to plant the seeds. Parliament Community Church did just that. The seeds grew, the plants flourished, the heads became plump—until one morning when every stalk was found broken off, the chaff and wheat scattered on the ground. Gliege suggested that churches can never take growth for granted.

Eileen Quiring, a member of Waldheim MB Church, gave a brief history of the Laird, formerly Ebenfeld, MB Church. It was this church, begun in 1899, which was the first MB church in Saskatchewan. Mennonite Brethren immigrants were encouraged to meet, and on June 8, 1899, it was decided to build the first building, at a cost of $500, on donated land. Jakob Wiens was the first pastor, and in the early days the congregation held Sunday services in the morning, shared a noon lunch, and then had Sunday school. Some of the members were so poor that they were able to come only every other Sunday, since their horses were so thin from lack of food. Over the 70 years of the church's existence, 850-900 members were part of the congregation. By 1970, the church had diminished in size and the remaining members amalgamated with Waldheim MB Church. In 1988, Brotherfield MB Church joined Waldheim as well.

A fitting conclusion to this report was a male choir (made up of men from the former Laird and Brotherfield congregations, as well as the current Waldheim church) singing "We've Come This Far by Faith".

This historical overview led very naturally into the main message of the convention, based on Luke 19:1-10, the story of Zacchaeus. Ralph Gliege pointed out that Jesus was on His way through Jericho to Jerusalem, but He was flexible enough to stop for a specific need. (So also the Laird church had been flexible enough to meet needs.) Zacchaeus the tax collector was curious and wanted to know what made Jesus tick. This is what led him into a tree.

At this point, Ike Bergen, Canadian MB Conference moderator, interrupted Gliege and suggested that Gliege had missed a thread. Yes, Zacchaeus was curious, but probably someone had already told him about Jesus, perhaps the blind man who had been healed or the rich young ruler who had been confronted in the previous chapter. Zacchaeus had climbed the tree, but someone had to have planted that tree 25 years earlier. Bergen indicated that someone (a Sunday school teacher) had planted a tree in his life when he was a child, and this eventually led him to Jesus.

Gliege continued with the fact that Jesus came, looked, and chose to stop—and the delay was worth it. One look can change a person's life. For example, a brief comment by Irwin Penner 20 years ago brought Gliege into ministry with the Saskatchewan MB Conference.

At this point, Reuben Pauls, Canadian MB Conference minister, interrupted to say that this brought them to the forward-looking part of the story: "This story shows the importance to Jesus of crossing barriers which may have been long entrenched." Jesus was surrounded so tightly by His friends that Zacchaeus had to climb a tree in order to see Him. Perhaps Jesus was a little upset by that tight inner circle. Wanting to zero in on a new opportunity, He invited Himself to Zach's house, and this caused complaining by those around Him. They knew Zacchaeus—a tax collector who was rich because he had made everyone around him poor. They also complained because Jesus was welcoming this sinner into His inner circle. But Zacchaeus responded by giving.

Here Bergen again interrupted to say that possibly Zacchaeus knew about giving because of hearing about the little boy who had given his lunch, or about the rich young ruler who had his missed his opportunity. Zach crossed the boundary in obedience to the Holy Spirit. This same potential for ministry is also available to churches today who are willing to cross boundaries, to welcome people into the inner circles and to be planted to produce, looking up and around to see the people with needs.

Gliege then asked the delegates with whom they identified the crowd that complained and resisted change; or Jesus, who delayed His schedule in order to see the potential of Zacchaeus; or Zacchaeus, who hungered and thirsted to see who Jesus really was, and who was willing to let Jesus touch his life and change him.

The evening ended with a birthday cake, baked by Miriam Sawatzky, to celebrate the 100th anniversary.

Saturday morning again began with a time of worship. Reuben Pauls spoke on Ephesians 4:1-3, stating that Ephesians documents the transfer of the church from an insider organization to one that was open to gentiles. The church is open for both gentile and Jew to live a life worthy of its calling. The word "worthy" has two meanings in this text: one from trade which means a balance with equal weight on both sides (in other words, a balance between what we believe and what we practise); the other, from the world of fashion, meaning "to match". Pauls challenged the convention delegates to live worthy lives, where theology and practice match, and where those on the inside are welcoming to those on the outside.

Definitely the highlight of the business part of the convention were the testimonies of ordination candidates. Testimonies were given by

* Kelly and Sandy Wiebe, associate pastor couple at West Portal, Saskatoon, who told of their call to ministry from working with the family business;

* Eldon and Marcy Fehr, pastor couple from Borden, who were grateful for the trees planted in their lives as they were growing up, which resulted in a call to ministry;

* Bob Cappelle, pastor at Meadow Lake, who spoke of his abuse-filled childhood, and who became a believer because people in his community rallied around him in his time of need.

Phil and Janine Gunther, new pastor couple at Parliament Community Church, Regina, also gave their testimonies. Their ordination from the Conference of Mennonites in Canada is being recognized by the Saskatchewan MB Conference.

Westbank Bible Camp and Redberry Bible Camp are the two camps supported by Saskatchewan MB churches. Brent Alexander and Wendell Andres, respective camp directors, began their report by inviting Ross Penner, pastor of Hepburn MB Church, and Cliff Janzen, pastor of Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, to come to the platform and eat 12-foot strands of licorice with their hands behind their backs. While these two gentlemen were attempting this feat, Alexander and Andres conducted a quiz regarding the camps. Correct answers were rewarded with pieces of licorice thrown at the person replying. The answer to the first question, "How many years have Redberry and Westbank been in operation?" was 111 years combined, 56 for Redberry and 55 for Westbank. The answer to the last question, "What has never changed at Westbank and Redberry?" was that kids are still coming to know the Lord.

President Doug Berg, development officer Jack Braun, and admissions counsellor Jamie Block, gave brief reports about Bethany Bible Institute. Since the school is owned by both the Alberta and Saskatchewan MB Conferences, as well as the Evangelical Mennonite Missions Conference of Saskatchewan, it reports only briefly at the provincial conventions. The announcement of a new president for BBI was made. Rick Schellenberg, currently on sabbatical leave, will begin his new responsibilities July 1. Berg also reported that Bethany was in the final stages of accreditation with the American Association of Bible Colleges, and that accreditation interviews would be held shortly.

Ralph Gliege introduced the new pastors of Saskatchewan MB churches:

* John and Charlotte Klassen have begun ministry in Glenbush;

* Cliff and Edith Janzen began at Bridgeway in Swift Current in January;

* Phil and Janine Gunther began at Parliament Community Church, Regina, in March;

* Harry and Judy Strauss recently moved from Parliament to Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon .

He particularly also acknowledged the supportive ministry of Erna Jantzen, wife of Arelee pastor Archie Jantzen, who knitted personalized toques for each pastor and spouse for the pastors' retreat in October. She continues to knit the toques as new pastors come to the province.

Greg Bright, pastor of Gateway Community Church in Canora, thanked the Waldheim Church for its help in refurbishing the newly-purchased Gateway building with windows.

John Hiebert, pastor of Parkland Community Church, Yorkton, showed the grains of wheat that had resulted from the 20 he had been given at the last convention. The church had started them indoors, had nurtured them, and was able to harvest 1567 seeds. This is indicative of the new doors that are opening to the church in the community. Hiebert plans to plant the seeds again this year, and some day hopes to have enough wheat to mill for a loaf of bread.

The Focusing Leaders Networks that have been conducted in Saskatchewan have been worthwhile, according to Gliege. One of the networks meets regularly in a Pentecostal church in Glaslyn (in order to be centrally located for those in the western part of the province). This pastor has also become involved and has appreciated the interaction with the Mennonite Brethren pastors.

Gliege also reported that Regal Heights Church in Moose Jaw is seriously weighing its options for the future. Spiritual health in the church is the best it has ever been, but the congregation is small and may well close, with the possibility of a restart there in the future.

Saskatchewan conference moderator Henry Braun shared that the work of Ralph and Grace Gliege had recently been evaluated and that their ministry was affirmed. It was decided that a study leave should be granted to Gliege in recognition of the work he and Grace are doing.

Henry Braun also brought forward a notice of motion to make a slight change to the policy manual of the province. This change would allow boards elected at a convention to have a month in which to organize, rather than being asked to organize on the day of the convention. This was voted on and passed.

Wayne Harms, chair of the Board of Management, reviewed the financial statements and presented a proposed budget of $150,400 for the coming year, $14,000 less than 1998's budget, but $6000 more than actual expenses in 1998. He suggested that comments and changes should be made now, or "forever open your wallets". The budget passed with comments about the financial implications of Gliege's sabbatical being taken into consideration.

The convention ended with a positive, upbeat spirit. Rod Dick was acclaimed the new moderator, and Henry Braun assistant, while Eldon Fehr stayed on as secretary. Sbb

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