Eastern Canada delegates consider call to ministry

Kitchener, Ont.

The theme, "Gifted and called," echoed through the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada delegate sessions here April 11-12. On Friday, speaker Maurice Martin spoke on "Whose ministry is this anyway?!" On Saturday, his topic was "Creative disarray--leading the church through changing times."

The Mission and Service Commission introduced new church plants, including the intercultural church of the Korean ministry at Toronto United Mennonite Church.

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"I want to praise the Lord first, because he hired me, not MCEC!" said Bo Ki Kim, the pastor, adding that "church planting is hard work."

The Community Mennonite Fellowship in Stouffville was received into full membership. The Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church has planted an English Chinese congregation in Toronto; a Cantonese work has begun in Markham, and now a Mandarin-speaking ministry is taking shape in Toronto, with assistance of $20,000 from the Churches Planting Churches program (formerly City on a Hill).

Two congregations closed in 2002: the Toronto Taiwanese Revival Mennonite Church and the Abundant Life Mennonite Fellowship in Waterloo.

Another evidence of "gifted and called" was the introduction of MC Eastern Canada program staff.

"They have a passion for people and the church, and often go beyond the call of duty," noted David Brubacher, Minister to Conference.

There are a number of staff changes. James Watson, administrative assistant, began a new position with Outreach Canada at the end of April. Andy Brubacher-Kaethler ends his assignment with Youth Ministries in June and will be teaching in that area at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). Ilene Bergen completes her service as Minister of Christian Education as the end of August, and Mary Mae Schwartzentruber ends her work as Minister of Missions in September.

As each program commission reported, they drew an appropriate symbol out of a "gift box." Muriel Bechtel, Minister of Pastoral Services, moderated a presentation on initiatives in leadership development. She noted that "the shortage of pastors" is not a new phenomenon. Martin Luther, aware that parents were no longer sending their children to the monasteries, called people to raise children for God's service so that the pulpits of the Protestant churches might be filled. How do we respond to that call today?

Campbell Nisbett described how Mennonite camps train "ministers." Tom Yoder Neufeld described ministry training options through Conrad Grebel University College. Reynold Friesen introduced the CALD program (Church and Leadership Development) for youth. LeRoy Shantz described several initiatives of the Leadership Commission. This year there were four persons in the Ministry Inquiry Program and extra funds are making more opportunities available.

Shantz concluded with the question, "What are you doing in your circles to encourage people to enter ministry as a vocational choice?"

As Paul Penner presented the slate of officers, he noted the blanks that have yet to be filled. He wondered who among us might yet feel "gifted and called" to serve. Elected as moderator was Darrell Fast, pastor of the Leamington United Mennonite Church. Fast was pastor of the Toronto United Mennonite Church for many years before moving to Bethel College Mennonite Church in Kansas in 1986. He was moderator of the General Conference Mennonite Church from 1992-99.

Assistant moderator Barb Draper recognized the leadership of outgoing moderator Andrew Reesor-McDowell. "His quick wit helped to transform some tense moments!" she noted.

Money matters

Concern for money matters was also evident. The Listening Committee suggested that it may be time again to engage in explicit stewardship talk in congregations.

Sam Steiner, secretary of Mennonite Church Canada General Board, outlined eight things that "went wrong" in MC Canada financial planning. Delegates appreciated the candor of his report.

Ester Neufeldt, MC Eastern Canada accountant, noted that the financial woes of MC Canada have an affect on planning but internal shifting of funds will allow MC Eastern Canada to proceed with a 3.5 percent increase. The budget for 2003-2004 is $2,571,787, with $1,834,953 being spent within MC Eastern Canada. MC Canada will receive 38.5 percent of the budget, and AMBS 3 percent.

The Season of Discernment on areas of disagreement continues, reported Matthew Isert Bender, chair of the Reference Group guiding the discussion. He outlined the core issues that influence differing views on homosexuality, such as how we read the Bible and how we use the Confession of Faith. The Executive Board will announce its decision later this spring on the licencing of a homosexual pastor in Toronto.

David Brubacher reported on the Executive Board's visioning process this past year. The board is suggesting that youth and Christian education positions be limited to half time for an interim period, freeing half time for a person to lead a review and bring a new model on ministry and structure to next year's sessions.

A number of delegates spoke in favour of the plan but were concerned about cutting back youth ministry.

This year's "Peace Mug" was given to Lena Weber in honour of her husband, George, who died in a car accident in January while in Iraq with Christian Peacemaker Teams. He was on the Peace, Justice and Social Concerns Commission of MC Eastern Canada from 1994-98.--From a report by Maurice Martin