Two sets of guests – representatives of the U.S. MB and and B.C. MB conferences – attended the board of faith and life (BFL) meetings, held June 11–12 at MBBS-ACTS in Langley, B.C.
Tim Geddert, professor at MBBS in Fresno, Cal., and Ed Boschman, executive director of USMB, were present as USMB BFL representatives to discuss revisions to the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU, originally accepted in 2002, will receive contributions from both boards in relation to dealing with the Confession of Faith and how the boards will work together into the future.
Members of the BCMB executive committee also attended the meetings, allowing the BFL to respond in person to the committee’s concerns related to conversation on atonement at the 2009 study conference.
“This meeting was helpful in keeping our relationship [with the B.C. Conference executive] strong,” said David Wiebe, executive director of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches. “There is a real sense of us building bridges together.”
As part of its work, the board accepted a two-part statement, submitted by Wiebe, on the subject of atonement. In addition to a summary of the relevant parts of the Confession of Faith, the statement contains a number of reflections on the broader theme of atonement. The board will provide suggestions for adjustments and a final statement will be presented to delegates at Gathering 2010 in July.
Hillside Community Church (Beechy, Sask.) sent a letter to the BFL earlier this year, questioning an article on evolution published in the MB Herald. The board has written to Hillside, assuring a formal response to the church’s theological questions.
