Executive director s message

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2 Executive director s message Thank you for taking time to look through Ministry Update Here you ll read how God is using the CCMBC team across Canada. Photo by Theresa Wiebe Regenerate is a call for renewal in us. It s not a checklist or a program you sign up for. Regenerate is about 21st-century churches reflecting a 1st-century church dynamic. It s something you can be a part of by championing the values of character, generosity, community, surrender, teaching, mission, and perseverance. The 1st-century church was surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Community was essential. Prayer and teaching shaped discipleship character. Generosity sustained them, mission drove them, and Christ followers deeply valued perseverance in suffering. Our challenge 2,000 years later is to let the same dynamic shape us. Our vision is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively, developing godly character in every member and encouraging a multiplication mindset in every congregation. The 1st-century church multiplication phenomenon is still a reality in the world today. Process-oriented tools are helping our churches grow, multiply, and thrive. Church assessment tools such as Natural Church Development and REVEAL discern areas of need. ReFocusing helps leaders and congregations surrender to the work God has done in their past and gain greater clarity for the future. Ministry Advantage coaches pastors to their next level of leadership. Eagle s Flight helps create a renewed passion for the responsibility that leaders hold. 1

3 What s inside Church Health... Leadership Development... Reaching Out... Faith and Life... Stewardship Ministries... Communications... Bi-National Partners... Celebration Often, the process is as important as the outcome. While some churches are multiplying, others are just opening to God s leading. Each story is an inspiration. In this, the 150th year of the Mennonite Brethren church, we celebrate God using MBs all over the world. We are seeing growth through local church innovation and conference initiative. I pray that God will continue to help us multiply and grow in godly character, extending his message across Canada and beyond. David Wiebe Executive Director

4 There is room for great optimism. If we let God have his way, the future is indeed bright. Canadian MB church leader Church Health What we do Church Health equips churches with people, programs, and other resources to help church leaders and ministries gain clarity of purpose, focus, and direction. House For All Nations (HFAN) HFAN is one of the newer additions to the MB church family. It s international, multilingual, and multisite, with campuses in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Calgary, and most recently Toronto. The church as a whole currently reaches 800+ people, with anywhere from or more regular attendees per site. In early 2009, HFAN leaders began ReFocusing, a two-phase revitalization process that guides churches through a journey of personal and corporate renewal. Since then, their mission focus is through the lens of Acts 1:8 You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. HFAN identifies their Jerusalem as people that they already have connections with, such as Korean students or Indonesian immigrants. Ends of the earth refers to the people with whom cultural, relational, or geographic gaps exist, like Caucasians in Canada or Muslims in Pakistan. These leaders are passionate about the people that God has given them to love and minister to, says Dave Jackson, Church Health leader for the Canadian conference. The newest campus was birthed in June 2009 after pastor Jacob Nuh in Toronto was introduced to Sonny Mandagie, HFAN lead pastor in Vancouver. Nuh says of HFAN Toronto, We envision a campus that is marked by a growing number of Christ followers of all generations who are joyfully making disciples of their friends, neighbours, and the world so that God is known and worshipped among the nations. 3

5 Photo by: Kyle Thomas At a glance Their current ministry targets Indonesian speakers in the Greater Toronto Area, specifically those in cultural transition. As HFAN Toronto grows in attendance, the leaders plan to add a service for English speakers, much the same as other HFAN campuses, as they extend their ministry to the next generation of Canadians. 40 churches to date have been engaged in the ReFocusing process 1,000+ leaders and congregants have experienced a Personal ReFocusing retreat Church Health ministries is currently connecting with over 30 pastors Serving you through: Personal and Church ReFocusing Coaching for churches in pastoral transition REALife Journal For more information, please visit:

6 Beginning a new outreach takes a leader with vision, passion, and an opportunity. Ewald Unruh, director of Church Ministries Leadership Development What we do Leadership Development helps create environments in which leaders are intentionally recognized, developed, and empowered to lead in new and existing ministries. Leadership Development What does a pastor do when they are knowledgeable in teaching and preaching but lack management skills? Are church leaders today adequately equipped to face increasingly complex ministry challenges? A few years ago, pastoral leader of SunWest Christian Fellowship in Calgary, Willy Reimer, was asking himself these very questions. The answer to Reimer s questions came through Ministry Advantage (MA), a strategic coaching and ministry systems training program that helps pastors and churches turn their vision into reality. Ministry Advantage gave me the tools to manage ministry so people serve where they re gifted, says Reimer, now MA director for the conference. Pastors are assessed and enter into an over-the-phone coaching relationship. Learning materials are provided and leadership development workshops are offered twice a year. Pastors can join MA any time and typically remain in a coaching relationship for months. Ewald Unruh, director of church ministries, says MA also responds to a need for a leadership development culture. It helps create an environment where new leaders are identified, supported, and equipped. This year for the first time, Canadian MB pastors enrolled in MA met at a retreat to learn, refresh, and share their experiences. These retreats orient pastors to MA coaching content and philosophy, says Reimer. The pastors benefit from training 5

7 Photo by: Kyle Thomas At a glance 6 MB pastors enrolled in MA working on ministry rather than in ministry, reflecting Ephesians 4:12 to equip God s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Gary Burke, lead pastor of Linden (Alta.) MB Church shared how the MA program complements the visioning exercises he and his church went through during ReFocusing, another program available through Church Health ministries. 22 students assisted through LTMG 32 attended the Christian Youth Workers Conference MB dinner 310 church leaders joined in Eagle s Flight training (facilitated by Stewardship team members) MA gives feet to ReFocusing, explains Burke. It was an obvious next step, helping me move forward more confidently toward intentional ministry. Serving you through: Coaching, consulting, and training Leadership Training Matching Grant (LTMG) Eagle s Flight training Ministry Advantage (MA) For more information please visit:

8 When God calls you to do something, it s hard, but you always feel like it s the best decision you ever made. an East Toronto MoveIn-er Reaching Out What we do Reaching Out helps churches and ministries develop and implement evangelical strategies and church-planting efforts and provides coaching, networking, and resource opportunities for provincial extension directors (PEDs). Horizon Québec (HQ) A partnership between the Canadian and Québec conferences. Four Québec MB churches have completed Personal ReFocusing sessions, shares Stéphane Rhéaume, HQ ReFocusing facilitator. This is the first time in history that French MB churches will have received any kind of intervention like this. All MB pastors and lay leaders in Quebec will now be led through the sessions a joint decision made with the provincial conference. Church ReFocusing for the first group of participants begins early this year. Each church will identify how it can more effectively reach its community, including the starting of new initiatives and churches. Over the past two years, 62 pastors and donors across Canada have been approached to promote HQ and partner with Québec churches to serve some of the least-reached in Canada. For more information, please visit: Attendance has averaged people from each church. Many come to the sessions with apprehension but by the end most are surprised and excited about the process, says Rhéaume. It s a great tool. 7

9 Photo by: Kyle Thomas At a glance MoveIn An ever-growing group of young people and some not so young are moving into unreached, high-needs communities in major urban centres to bring about transformation. Participants of MoveIn, an interdenominational initiative of prayer and presence, are required to do two things: gather to pray for the neighbourhood weekly, and relocate to the patch. 12 new church plants across Canada 80 MBs attended the Church Planting Congress (CPC) dinner, Calgary 49 MB church planters and PEDs attended Exponential, Florida Since 1998, 30+ churches have been launched through the Key Cities/ Communities Initiative (KCI) Started by an MB church planter, MoveIn has 11 teams in Toronto, two in Ottawa, and one in Hamilton. Other Canadian cities are being scouted for Christians to move in to reach those getting missed. The vision of MoveIn is to grow across Canada and into other marginalized communities around the world For more information, please visit:

10 We need to open our windows and trust Christ as the wonderful reality of wisdom for this world. guest speaker at Study Conference 2009 Faith and Life What we do Faith and Life offers spiritual guidance to the Canadian conference and its church leaders, staff, and members, providing direction in matters of faith, ethics, doctrine, theology, and Christian living. Upholding biblical and ethical integrity Faith and Life joined with the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies (CMBS) into a unified strategic service this past year. Together, their purpose is to uphold the biblical and ethical integrity within our denomination. Faith and Life Serving you through: Interpretation of the Confession of Faith Biennial study conferences. Christology: Confessing Jesus in a Pluralistic World was the topic of 2009 s fall conference. Christ s unique, solitary role as Saviour was reaffirmed within three views: Christ as wisdom, peace, and Lord. Pastors Credentialing Orientation (PCO). An annual event, co-hosted by the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (MBBS). Teaching includes MB history, ecclesiology, discipleship/ethics, and confession, along with an outline of CCMBC ministries. Pamphlet Series. An outline of our position as Christians and Mennonite Brethren on various social issues. These pamphlets combine a scriptural basis with our historic understanding. 9

11 Photo by: Kyle Thomas At a glance Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies (CMBS) Our primary role is telling our Mennonite Brethren story and facilitating reflection on our theological identity. Serving you through: Collection and preservation of the stories of God s work among MBs. CMBS finding aids available at Online resources such as study conference papers ( ), posted on the Centre s website. The Centre s library and online catalogue are a unique and growing collection of writings by and about MBs. Pastors Credentialing Orientation, MBBS ACTS, Langley, BC, June 8-11, 2010 Study Conference 2011 (Ontario) Faith and Life Pamphlet series offers twenty tracks in three areas: Identity/ Doctrine/Witness, Marriage/Family, and Social/Lifestyle issues. Unique discoveries of what makes MBs who they are. CMBS Director Doug Heidebrecht has an active writing, preaching, and teaching schedule. For more information, please visit:

12 Encouraging Christ-centred stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. Stewardship Ministries What we do Stewardship offers several professional products and services to help churches and individuals and become better stewards of the financial resources God has entrusted to them. The call to stewardship A middle-aged couple had been to two finance seminars led by a stewardship team member. As the couple had some financial concerns, they decided to arrange a consultation about getting a line of credit against their house. The team member sensed there might be more to the story than just the line of credit and proceeded to ask them about their personal financial worth. Did they believe that they were well-off? Did they get by with what they presently had? micromanaging the present that they had not taken the time to see what they actually had and how fortunate they were compared to 90% of the rest of the world. They began to see more clearly that they had a future ahead of them, although it was not all going to happen in the next three months. After the evening was over, they were able to let go of a lot of their fears and anxieties. Stewardship team members are available across Canada to assist you. Call toll-free at Next, they worked on a wish list and explored the idea of what a line of credit would do to improve their lives. Through their conversation, the couple came to realize some options that they had not considered. They had been so preoccupied with 11

13 Photo by: Kyle Thomas Opportunities for investment with ministry impact Serving you through: Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) The earth is the Lord s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 (NKJV) Deposit & Endowment Funds Student Education Account Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) Personal Finance Health Affinity Fraud Prevention Seminars For more information, please visit:

14 Each story is an inspiration. David Wiebe, CCMBC executive director Communications What we do Communications encourages and facilitates greater connection between and understanding among the national church body and the worldwide MB fellowship by focusing services and events toward common goals. Communications Fostering community and telling stories of the Mennonite Brethren people that s what we do. When the MB Herald began in 1962, its mandate was to kindle spiritual growth and share news of MB pursuits across Canada. It was the first English periodical published by Canadian MBs, intent on keeping the younger generation connected to the church. The MB Herald, published monthly, continues to serve our community at large. Le Lien (1982) and the Chinese MB Herald (1992) are published bi-monthly, serving our francophone and Chinese communities. These periodicals are key sources of MB history that encourage faith, vital connections, a place for debate, and new discoveries. Kindred Productions publishes and distributes Christian resources for MBs in Canada and the U.S. Most popular are Bible translations (E.g., De Bibel), devotionals and Bible studies, Sunday school curricula, Knowing and Living Your Faith (ICOMB), Confession of Faith, and most recently the Close to Home pastoral care pamphlet series. Leading up to Celebration 2010, Kindred Productions will publish Mennonite Brethren Leaders Who Shaped Us and When She Was Writing: Honoring the Life of Katie Funk Wiebe. Pandora Press and Kindred will also co-publish The Mennonite Brethren Church Around the World: Celebration of 150 Years. The Kindred Spirits Rewards Program (KSRP) allocates purchase credits to churches and ministry partners which they use for future purchases at Kindred Productions. There are 13

15 Photo by: Kyle Thomas At a glance currently 44 KSRP registered members. Through our annual and biennial events, we aim to create a space where community happens and God speaks. Together, we meet, grow, learn, and make decisions. Several enhancements have been made to our website, including stories, audio and video files, news, and an interactive Regenerate blog. We encourage you to get involved. Post your stories on our blog, interact with the MB Herald, attend our events, purchase through Kindred Productions, or engage in our online forum. 36% event registration increase over the past 9 years. 84,734 visits were made to in ,000+ homes/churches currently receive our periodicals Pastors Credentialing Orientation June 8-11, 2010 Celebration July 12-18, 2010 (includes Gathering 2010) For more information, please visit:

16 Bi-National Partners Historical Commission In November 2004, ICOMB, MBMSI, and Historical Commission representatives met in Fresno, Cal., to launch a global Mennonite Brethren (MB) history project to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the MB church. Subsequently, ICOMB requested the Historical Commission take responsibility for the project. At a meeting in Bogota, Colombia, in 2006, ICOMB determined project parameters and asked Abe Dueck to serve as editor under the guidance of the Historical Commission s editorial advisory committee. Kindred Productions/Pandora Press will release the book in English at this summer s celebrations in B.C. French, German, and Spanish versions will follow to inform and inspire MBs around the world. Another major Historical Commission project includes the preparation of a book in honour of Katie Funk Wiebe and her contribution to the MB church. For more information, please visit A commemorative book, The Mennonite Brethren Church Around the World: Celebrating 150 Years contains stories from the worldwide MB community, to promote the global nature of the MB church, and encourage brothers and sisters to work together in fulfilling God s purpose for the church. 15

17 Photos courtesy of MBMS International (far left and far right) and MBBS (centre) MBMS International We invite you to join us in celebration and support of 18 new missionaries preparing for overseas service! MB Mission and Services International is discerning and training increasing numbers of long-term workers for church planting among the least-reached. Young men and women are responding to the call to go and make disciples among the nations. As missionary teams plant new churches around the globe, relationships are formed, testimonies are shared, people are baptized, and believers are emerging. Our bi-annual survey indicates a growth in the passion for missions among our MB constituency. Record numbers of participants and churches are joining our short-term mission programs. More than 780 people invested more than 21,000 days in mission last year through church teams, DMI, SOAR, ACTION, and TREK programs. Both short and long-term programs are working together for global impact. For more information, please visit MB Biblical Seminary Since 1975, Canadian MBs have trained pastors and ministry leaders through MB Biblical Seminary (MBBS). These men and women fill our pulpits, lead our ministries, serve as our missionaries, direct our schools, and care for our families. They do so with a love for the Bible as God s authoritative word, a focus on the church as God s unique agent in the world, and a heart for the lost, who need salvation through Jesus. MBBS teaches within the framework of the MB Confession of Faith. We offer master s degrees, diplomas, and certificates with an evangelical-anabaptist focus. Courses are offered online and at three campuses: Fresno, Cal., Langley, B.C. (ACTS-Seminaries), and Winnipeg (Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies, CMU). MBBS is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. For more information, please visit 16

18 January 6, 1860 Birth of the MB Church 18 men signed the document of secession in Ukraine 1869 Birth of the Krimmer MB Church 1874 First MB church in North America, Ebenfeld, Kan Russian Mennonites migrate to North America 1888 First MB church in Canada, Burwalde, Man Tabor College established 1900 MBMS International begins, Buhler, Kan. originally the American MB Mission Union 1902 First official MB Confession of Faith, Russia last revised First MB foreign missionaries (to India) Canada becomes Northern District of the General Conference 1910 First convention of the Northern District 1920s 1937 The Christian Leader launched 20,000 + Mennonites migrate from U.S.S.R. to North America 17

19 God has richly blessed the MB Church over the past 150 years! This page illustrates some of the general highlights of this journey since our humble beginnings on January 6, 1860 in what is now Ukraine. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the MB Church. Several celebrations are taking place around the world, including Celebration 2010 in Surrey, B.C. (July 12-18, 2010). For more information, please visit: Join us as we celebrate our history and the leaders who have shaped who we are today. As a movement of faith, may we continue to succeed according to what God has intended. See the entire timeline at: MB Bible College established (Canada) 1945 Canadian Conference of MB Churches formed 1945 Mennonitische Rundschau becomes official Canadian MB Conference periodical ,000 + Mennonites migrate from U.S.S.R. to North America MBBS becomes General Conference seminary MB & Krimmer MB churches merge (MBs 100th anniversary, Reedley, Cal.) École de Théologie Évangélique de Montréal (ETEM) established MB Herald launched 1982 Le Lien launched 1990 ICOMB (International Community of Mennonite Brethren) established 1992 Chinese MB Herald launched January 6, national conferences celebrate how God continues to work through the MB church 2002 July th anniversary celebration of the MB church (B.C.) Dissolution of the General Conference 18

20 Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Visit us online at Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.