Conference 2011

Last Saturday was the annual Canada East Mission Centre conference. It was a great day. The morning began with praise music led by Bryce Huffman and his guitar, followed by almost three hours of positive reports. The reports included details of progress made on CEM’s goals as outlined in the 2020 Vision.

Conference participants rejoiced together over news that more young adult leaders have stepped up to take important roles, both in congregations and in the camping program. Their spirits were lifted further as they watched a video provided by the leadership team in the new Barrie congregation detailing its first year of life, and then by the hope for another new plant, this time in New Brunswick.

Co-missioned Pastor Initiative (CPI) director, Doug Bolger, detailed what we have learned in almost three years of the CEM pilot project, and discussed plans to morph that learning into a new Leadership Development program now in the early stages of design. The goal here is to provide training for more people, both present and future leaders, at the same time. Doug also shared about a new Discipleship Formation Team now in the planning stage.

Following this, two of our Mission Advocates shared about some of the positive momentum in the congregations they support. It was exciting to hear of congregations beginning to catch a new vision of ways in which they can actually fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ. It was also obvious that they are also having fun doing it. Then Bishop Mel Mills shared a presentation concerning What Matters Most workshops, both what has been accomplished to date and what we have learned.

J.W. Windland shared some of the special ministry that Encounter World Religions Centre is involved in. Their teaching of inter-religious peace now include providing training for staff and officers of the Canadian Armed Forces about the nature of Islam. J.W. has also been asked to conduct a special three day workshop for the Council of Twelve, and perhaps other members of the World Church Leadership Council on major world religions.

Tim Stanlick shared concerning plans for the Canadian National Conference coming up on June 16, 2012, and the fact that he has “245 more sleeps” until then. Bishops Dave Snell and Mike Hewitt provided a presentation detailing some ways congregations can be involved in fulfilling the mission initiatives.

The conference was then treated to a presentation with pictures from the 2012 camping season. What a joy for people to see themselves, their friends, their children and grandchildren participating in so many great times at camp this past year. It would have been the perfect way to end the day. But there was more…much more. David Barth was standing in the wings with a great presentation on how World Accord can help congregations fulfill their mission. This was followed by a touching recognition of long-time director Jack Cooper for his many years of service to Sionito and Zerin Development Corporations, led by Bryce Taylor.

Sounds like a very full day, doesn’t it? But that was only the morning! Since I have reached my self-imposed word limit, however, that will have to be the “Good Word” for the day. Perhaps we will talk about the afternoon some other time.

Posted by Carman