Doing ICOMB's business

Sixteen of the 17 national MB Conference moderators met for their annual business meeting on July 14 as part of the ICOMB consultation. Throughout the rather informal business meeting chaired with care by Takashi Manabe of Japan, a sense of camaraderie was evident.

There is usually a great din at these meetings since the usual translation process is for committee members who understand one language to quickly translate proceedings for those who do not. Thanks to the equipment rented for the consultation, proceedings this year were translated into Spanish, English and French and received by each representative via a portable receiver.

Language is the most obvious obstacle to unity, yet the leaders worked hard to make sure their actions were fair to all. For example, the group agreed to translate ICOMB's by-laws into French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

Filling vacancies on the ICOMB executive committee provided another hurdle. In the past, all executive committee members had been able to work in English. Continuing that tradition would have eliminated a significant number of those present, including many of the eight Latin America leaders. That Maximo Abadie from Paraguay, who speaks only Spanish, was selected as vice-chair was a significant move. Because Abadie's office is next door to that of Victor Wall, who speaks both Spanish and English, translation will be convenient.

ICOMB members also spent considerable time discussing their desire to develop a global Mennonite Brethren confession of faith. The group decided to begin the process by translating existing confessions into the working languages of ICOMB members. Leaders also decided to ask the various national seminaries to help ICOMB compare the existing confessions.

Working across national boundaries raises other issues. The importance of working with a stable currency prompted the group to decide to transfer all its funds to the United States. It was also determined that the denominational archives in Fresno, Calif. would be the depository for the original ICOMB videotapes.

Manabe emphasized the importance of each conference continuing financial support. "It is important that we share equally. That would give you security that you are standing with equality at this table".

For three-fourths of those present, this was their first attendance at ICOMB. ICOMB held its first annual meeting in 1992. At that time, ICOMB was comprised of one continental representative each from North America, Africa, Asia and Europe and two from Latin America. In 1997, the committee restructured itself to include a representative from each of the national conferences.

Janzen was the first ICOMB chair, serving for six years, and then served as vice-chair for two years. Sunday night Janzen was recognized for his years of service to ICOMB. At the closing assembly Wednesday evening, ICOMB members laid hands on the new executive committee members and prayed for them. CF

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