March 2010

Interview between MB Herald and executive director of CCMBC, David Wiebe

He was still wandering through the world for the first time. As a matter of fact, at 16 months, even the tricky business of maintaining his balance while perched on top of his stumpy legs was still something of a challenge. When he walked, it was with a stiff-legged gait that required him to throw his body from side to side like a tiny Frankenstein.

MB Biblical Seminary-Fresno will see some significant changes after the transfer of its property and programs to Fresno Pacific University (FPU) in June 2010.

On Jan. 29, 2010, the Canadian Conference of MB Churches executive board accepted the resignation of executive director David Wiebe. Wiebe plans to serve through Celebration 2010 in July, and until a replacement is found, but no later than Dec. 31.

Mennonite Brethren churches in the 1930s and 40s saw a shift from unpaid lay ministers to professional clergy, precipitating the need for better denominational pastoral training. In the words of former MBBS president J.B. Toews, “the seminary was born… because of the vision of the church for trained leadership that could lead wisely, theologically, and above all, biblically in a society that was rushing madly after the gods of learning and mammon.”

In order to better carry out the mission of preparing leaders of churches for the U.S. Mennonite Brethren Conference, among California’s Central Valley, and for the MB church worldwide, the structure of MB Biblical Seminary-Fresno is being transferred to Fresno Pacific University.

“I’m so sick of words!..Show me!” George Klassen, director of the School of Urban Leadership (SOUL), gave Eliza Doolittle’s challenge from My Fair Lady to the program’s first graduating class, as he exhorted them to follow Jesus’ example by literally “fleshing out” the Word of life.

Among the more pleasant discoveries during my first few weeks on the job as a pastor was a delightful café a mere stone’s throw from our church. It’s a warm and inviting space where all kinds of people – from neo-pagans to evangelical Christians to atheists and agnostics – gather for coffee and conversation.

Moving From Fear To Freedom: A Woman’s Guide To Peace In Every Situation
Author: Grace Fox
Fear is real – even necessary at times – but God doesn’t intend for fear to rob us of the peace that is available to us. The book Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman’s Guide to Peace in Every Situation gently but firmly challenges and encourages women to discover the “upside” of fear by focusing on God’s character and drawing strength from his timeless promises.