During the Canadian Conference of MB Church’s Annual General Meeting held virtually June 13, 2024, delegates unanimously voted to affirm the Executive Board’s decision to appoint Cam Stuart as CCMBC’s national director.
Tim Doerkson, CCMBC interim moderator, led the meeting. Michael Dick, CCMBC treasurer and national director search team member, opened a time of commissioning for Stuart, praying through Colossians 1:3-13. Reg Toews, executive director of the British Columbia provincial conference, and Michelle Knowles, Ontario conference board chair, prayed for blessing and wisdom and protection over Stuart as he begins his role as national director.
In his response, Stuart described the discernment process that ultimately led him to take the role, and how grateful he is to have served as an MB pastor for over 30 years and now to serve as CCMBC’s national director. He loves the MB family of churches and leaders, and he believes in the Confession of Faith, he said. But what drew him most to the role is the vision of disciple-making: “This is a very compelling, challenging and necessary vision…. We have work to do.”
The reality is, Stuart said, a growing number of churches are realizing their discipleship strategies are not as effective as they once thought, made evident through the striking decline of the evangelical church in Canada.
He shared his growing anticipation of what God might do through CCMBC’s collaborative model, and how it is deeply grounded in John 17:20-23, where Jesus prays for his disciples to be unified as God the Father and Son were unified. It’s a beautiful expression of biblically centered collaboration, Stuart said.
By seeking this kind of unity, God will be glorified. “Truly the world will notice these kinds of relationships because they are so counter-cultural,” he said.
Stuart encouraged delegates and attendees to take the posture of servanthood described in Philippians 2:1-10: to serve like Jesus by humbly listening to each other and to the Spirit of God who leads.
Following Stuart’s address, Ken Esau, National Faith and Life director, gave an update from the National Faith and Life Team (NFLT). He encouraged attendees and churches to sign up to pray through the Contending in Prayer guide every month. He also said the NFLT is currently in the process of updating Articles 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 in the Confession of Faith. These updates will be posted on mennonitebrethren.ca for four months (currently Article 6 is posted). The NFLT welcomes feedback on these changes.
The resource “Loving Well Our Trans Neighbors, Friends and Family” has been approved, and the team is also considering providing updated resources on topics such as medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and divorce. The NFLT is currently exploring how to navigate the diversity within the MB family on questions about women in leadership. Esau said he was encouraged that 71 individuals were credentialed at the Pastors Credentialing Orientation on May 28-30 in Abbotsford, BC.
CCMBC treasurer Michael Dick presented the finance and audit reports, which were approved. Dick reported that CCMBC has an outstanding debt of $674,000 to Legacy, and plans are to have this debt paid by the end of 2025. Legacy is the CCMBC stewardship ministry. Jim Bell, CFO of CCMBC Legacy, and Jason Kruger, CCMBC Legacy CEO, also reported.
Delegates accepted all nominated board members and representatives.
Changes to Multiply’s bylaws were unanimously approved.
Tim Doerkson closed the meeting by thanking all delegates from the various churches across Canada for their work in supporting CCMBC and associated organizations. Ken Esau prayed for peace around the world and that each member present would be a witness in their community. Delegates joined in the Lord’s Prayer.
There will be a National Council meeting in November 2024 and a town hall meeting in early 2025, Doerkson said.
The Canadian Conference of MB Churches exists to multiply Christ-centered churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ. CCMBC currently numbers around 250-plus churches coast to coast. CCMBC desires to help multiply leaders and disciple-making churches as we work toward our common mission. Their four core ministries are building community, resourcing ministry, multiplying churches and resourcing leaders.
