During the past number of months Mennonite Church Manitoba has initiated a process to review the definition of its various ministries. The memo that follows outlines the results of this review. The review resulted in a number of decisions that the Board approved for implementation as of July 1, 2003. Congregations gave valuable feedback to the board at a May 27 congregational representative meeting that helped shape these decisions. Several additional proposed actions are part of a multi-year plan to which congregations are being asked to give their input and assent at an October delegate session. This plan reshapes certain aspects of MCM’s ministry and sets out a three-year budget plan within which all of MCM’s ministries will carry out their work.
The memo that follows was sent to congregational pastors and chairpersons, as well as staff and others impacted by the decisions and proposed actions. On August 15 a letter was sent to congregations (pastors and chairpersons) announcing details of the October delegate session and inviting congregations to begin processing the proposed plan. Budget information will be sent out shortly in preparation for the fall meeting.
To: Mennonite Church Manitoba Staff, Congregational Chairpersons, Congregational Pastors, Regional Camp Chairpersons, Ministry Reference Groups, Radio Program Speakers, Canadian Mennonite Editor and MCM Board Reps to MPS, Mennonite Church Canada: Dan Nighswander, Pam Peters-Pries, Golden West Broadcasting
Copy: Board of Directors
From: Edgar Rempel, Executive Director
Date: June 26, 2003
Re: Ministry Redefinition at Mennonite Church Manitoba Communiqué (Not a press release)
Over the past several months the MCM Board of Directors has been reviewing the definition and composition of its various ministries. The underlying reason for this review is the pursuit of the new vision for Mennonite Church Manitoba adopted in 1998 by the MCM delegate sessions that outlined new ministry areas for the future. The review was made more pressing by the fact that the Evangelism and Service Ministry partnership with Mennonite Church Canada came to an end in March, 2003 thereby reducing the ministry director’s position to half-time.
At a congregational representative meeting held on May 27, 2003, the board tested the vision for the Evangelism and Service ministry adopted in 1998. Participants strongly re-affirmed the vision. Representatives also cautioned that this be done within the framework of the present funding provided by congregations.
Since the May 27 meeting, the Board has actively worked at implementing the Evangelism and Service vision within the context of the overall vision of MCM. The Board at its meeting on June 5, 2003 decided to move the Evangelism and Service Ministry Director’s position to full-time. It further approved my recommendation that Norm Voth be appointed to this position, effective July 1, 2003. The Board also gave me, as Executive Director, instructions to prepare a plan to achieve this end, with the restriction that the three ministry director positions not be reduced. This meant that all other program aspects would be reviewed in redefining the ministries of MCM.
I, together with ministry directors, have prepared a 3 1/2 year budget plan that addresses the instructions of the Board. This plan in addition to the Board’s instructions takes into account other significant factors that need to be addressed at this time. These factors include:
The plan is one that is forward looking in that it pursues new opportunities as identified by the MCM congregations. To accomplish the plan means shifting resources from one area of ministry to others; as a result some ministry areas must come to an end. The reduction of program areas is in no way a reflection of performance of staff members working in those areas.
The Evangelism and Service Ministry Director’s position moves from half time to full-time effective July 1, 2003.
The Treasurer’s position moves from 80% to full-time effective July 1, 2003.
The new Community Building Ministry (MCM’s vision: Our Vision is to be a community of congregations; unified in Jesus Christ; living a biblical Anabaptist faith; together presenting Jesus Christ to the world), which means consolidating MCM’s communications, promotion, publication and community building efforts, will have additional resources directed at this area effective January 1, 2004
The subsidy to Canadian Mennonite will be reduced by 50% for the remainder of 2003 and subsequent years and becomes effective July 1, 2003.
The Recording Engineer’s position will come to end, effective April 30, 2004.
The Abundant Life Program will come to an end January 31, 2004.
The Resource Development 1/4 time position will come to an end, effective July 31, 2003.
All new ministry opportunities or ministry reductions with an effective date in 2003 will be implemented on those dates. Proposals for new ministries and ministry reductions with an effective date in 2004 will be part of the multi-year ministry budget plan presented to a congregational delegate session planned for October, 2003. Congregations will be asked to give input and ratification to the overall budget plan incorporating these changes at that October session.
The Board of Directors has ratified the foregoing plan and is moving ahead on those aspects, which it feels must proceed. The Board takes its accountability to member congregations seriously in submitting the remaining long-term plan to the delegate session in October.
I acknowledge that the plan outlined here will have significant impact on the lives of committed staff and other individuals. I express deep appreciation to all staff and volunteers who are engaged in the ministries of MCM. In particular I acknowledge the pain that this brings with it and commit myself to work with others to minimize this as much as possible. May God’s Spirit go with us as we seek to be faithful and as we continue in our service to building the Kingdom.
If you have questions regarding the contents of this memo, please respond by calling myself, Edgar Rempel, at 896-1616 or Bernie Tiessen, Moderator, at 534-7025