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General Assembly Inspires EMCC to Engage our World Transformationally (6/7/2009)

"Every believer a missionary!" Bob Roberts Jr. proclaimed. "It makes everyone significant - raises the value of everybody." This was the thrust for the EMCC General Assembly held May 4-6, 2009 in Toronto, inspiring us to engage our world transformationally. It is not militant, but Holy Spirit-led engagement. "When we engage the world transformationally, we also let the world engage us", added Pernell Goodyear from the Freeway Church in Hamilton, Ontario, who presented insights from Luke 10:1-12.

We rejoice that God has given Pastor Phil Delsaut another term to continue the mandate he so clearly possesses, that we may see in our day, "a cell in every village, a congregation in every town, a celebration in every city." Many expressed thanks for the disciple-making stories that were shared, the Global Engagement banquet highlighting the work of Global Initiatives and World Partners, as well as the many workshops, consultations, and conversations.

When we gather in Assembly every two years we cover a great deal of ground during our time together. Our thanks to those who sent reports and impressions that reflect some of what we did and experienced at Assembly 09. We are pleased to share these below.

Assembly from One Pastor’s Viewpoint
I loved our worship times together and was proud of the young men and women leading us in worship. I so appreciated seeing my colleagues in ministry and hearing their struggles, joy, and victories. I need these times, for often they reassure me that my struggles are not unusual, joy not misplaced, and my victories, though sometimes few and far between, are helping to build HIS kingdom. Pastor Phil's message from Ephesians spoke to me about how little we ask for, believing, and how we need to pray big.

Finally, I came home inspired by the men and women we have serving the EMCC. Our President, office staff, Regional Ministers, and various leaders of Ministries are doing fantastic work which encourages me to keep at it. I am both humbled and proud to be a part of the EMCC. – Rev. Lennie Fahnestock, Sr. Pastor, Vineland MC, Vineland, ON

EMCC Global Engagement Banquet
The Tuesday evening banquet and program integrated the ministries carried out under the banners of World Partners, Global Initiatives and the denominational leadership. Sandra Tjart, Director of World Partners, gave a summary of the work of the World Partners and Recognized Missionaries, and interviewed a new missionary couple (sensitive) who will be going to an Asian country. Missionaries with us for the evening were introduced and we prayed for them and the ministries they represent. Gary and Elaine Hiltz (Chilliwack EMC, Chilliwack, BC) gave a passionate account of their mission trip to Haiti, highlighting both short term mission teams and EMCC's ongoing connection with the sister church in Haiti. Lou Geense, Director of Global Initiatives presented a story of the Stouffville-Igoma partnership which has resulted in a needs-meeting medical ministry in Tanzania and increased opportunities to connect with a family of churches there. A moving tribute to the late Peter Neufeld's role in the development of the medical clinic helped us realize how God can use the gifts of a committed person to do well beyond what might be imagined. We heard a wonderful story by Pastor Durwin Gray of Hillside Church in Pt. Coquitlam, BC about the amazing multiplication of funding for their missions project. The congregation was excited to learn that the Canadian Government will provide a 3 to 1 matching grant up to $75,000, such that a donation of $25,000 from the church will swell to $100,000. This, said Durwin, is all and only to God's glory; which was the tone of the entire evening. The banquet concluded with an appreciation event, led by retiring Board Moderator Randy Steinwand, for President Phil and his wife Michelle, and a prayer of dedication for them, the national Leadership Team, and the new and returning members of the Board of Directors as they were inaugurated for their new mandates. – Jim McDowell, retired missionary to Nigeria, who most recently served on World Partners Team as Director of Personnel.

Theological Forum – Does God Suffer?
Dr. Stephen Roy (Academic Dean & Acting President of Emmanuel Bible College) and Rev. Graham Burkhart (Senior Pastor of Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church, New Dundee) were respondents to Dr. Dennis Ngien’s paper entitled, The God Who Suffers. Dr. Ngien’s point was to argue against a notion of an impassible God by taking up Luther’s argument that we have a clear demonstration of God’s suffering when we look at Jesus death on the cross.

Dr. Roy highlighted how the reality of suffering is in evidence as reports are received from around the world but he also took note of scriptures that underscore that God both knows and cares about the suffering that is being experienced. Rev. Burkhart made note of the fact that God’s experience of suffering is a result of His choice to suffer. It was underscored that the simple recognition of God’s choice in this keeps us away from both the problem of thinking that suffering is a necessary condition for God and the problem of thinking that God doesn’t really know or care what we are experiencing.

Dr. Ngien, (Research Professor of Theology; Director, ThM Program, Tyndale University), although scheduled to attend, was unable to be with us due to health issues. Those in attendance expressed the opinion that this forum was a helpful addition to the Assembly Agenda. The papers can still be found by clicking here.

Rev. Graham Burkhart, Sr. Pastor, Bethel EMC, New Dundee, ON

Thank you to those who suggested other theological issues for discussion at a later date.

Convergence Committee Open Working Group
The Convergence Committee is working together to increase the communication and focal direction of three corporations (EMCC, Canada East and Canada West), since all three entities have mandated to single-heartedly serve the interests and the mission of the EMCC.

The Committee has met on three occasions to date including an open working group featured at Assembly. The open group included interested participants who contributed thoughts on moving ahead with increased singular focus. There has been growing consensus to explore tweaking the “three legged model” in order to rationalize people and streamline efficiency in the work of the EMCC. This growing consensus is indeed consistent with the original intent of the 2004 restructuring since the maintenance of the East and West corps were viewed then as necessary steps in the interim to move merger forward.

The Convergence Committee is comprised of the chairs of each of the three corporations in addition to one other representative from these boards as well as the EMCC President, Phil Delsaut and the EMCC Director of Operations, Andrew Epp. They will continue to meet, determined to converge the three entities in the best manner. Such convergence is not restructuring but rather further alignment of the 2004 restructuring. This alignment was presumed by many as inevitable and is in fact a sign of the success and the general acceptance of the new EMCC. We are thankful for the work of Victor Howard, our lawyer, who since 2004 has been helpful in advising toward forward steps.

Randy Steinwand, (outgoing EMCC Board Moderator)

Two hundred and seventy-three people attended Assembly 2009 at the Holiday Inn Select in Toronto, Ontario. Our returned evaluation forms provided a wealth of suggestions and comments for which we thank you. Many pastors echoed pastor Lennie’s comments about the value of time spent with ministry colleagues. On that note, information about the fall pastors’ retreats will soon be available. We’ll make sure you get the details.

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