Partnering with the Local Church: MBCM Leadership Retreats

“Powerful things happen when God calls his people together to pray. Through the leadership retreat at Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church, it is clear to see that God was, is, and will move powerfully amongst His servants.” Logan Friesen, SMBC leader

What does God have for us here? 

In this community? 

In our congregation? 

In our lives? 

These were the questions that the leadership team at Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church prayerfully considered at their leadership retreat in March. 

Facilitated by John Neufeld, Provincial Director for the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, 30 leaders from the congregation at SMBC gathered to pray and consider their next steps as a community of faith. Kelby Friesen, pastor of community life at SMBC, said “we spent a lot of time in prayer and we sensed the Spirit of God moving among us… I’m so encouraged by what God is doing”. 

The conversation happened around tables, in groups, and over meals together. The group celebrated the people of God from many nations gathered together. They considered how to connect intentionally with their community and they prayed for those who don’t yet know Jesus.  

“It was a wonderful weekend gathering with many leaders praising, praying, listening to the Holy Spirit, and reflecting on the direction of the church. I was encouraged by the stories of great things that are already happening at SMBC and was surprised at the tiny changes we could make that potentially have a significant impact on the church community and on outreach. God has been working at SMBC for 100 years and it was a great time of being called into a deeper relationship and greater faithfulness to him.”

Chris Thiessen, SMBC

The SMBC leadership group spent time praying about ideas that might be God-sized - ideas that on their face seem impossible to us. In prayer, they asked that God would show them the next step into faithfulness. 

“Most memorable was setting the posture of prayer, which began on Friday with the help of partnered Multiply missionaries Jeremy and Adrienne Penner. This intentional hour of prayer impacted the entire event as we shared with grace for one another, listened and spoke the words that the Holy Spirit instilled in our hearts, and looked forward into what a ‘God-Sized Vision’ looks like for His local church.” 

Logan Friesen, SMBC leader

In the months to come, there will be more work for the team as they consider the practical elements of a growing church. 

“John, Jeremy, and Adrienne did a fantastic job keeping the leading of the Holy Spirit the main driver of our conversations and activities. I am excited to see what God will do going forward. One activity that blessed me was going around our tables and speaking out each other's spiritual gifts. It was an amazing team building experience that set the tone for our time together.

Sharing our stories is an important step that must become an intentional focus going forward. Our stories are more impactful than any theological debate with the people we interact with.

Thank you for lending John to us! His passion and leadership in this type of setting was evident and impactful!” 

Matt Winkler, SMBC leader

The Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba exists to equip, resource, and inspire our churches and communities. Our team is here to help. Our four strategic areas of focus are leadership development, missions, organizational health, and spiritual health and theology. 

Logan Friesen, a participant in the retreat shares:

“This event, with the help of our provincial director, allowed us to reflect on the last 100 years of our church's history, ask critical questions about our future, and listen to the present and living God in the midst of our church in our current time. The united nature of all in attendance was richly encouraging and blessed us greatly. We were encouraged and astonished at how the Holy Spirit was speaking through each of us like pieces of a puzzle being formed together.

I will not easily forget this workshop and have gone into my life attempting to ask the question daily “what is a God-sized vision for today, for this week, for me, and for our community?”

What does God have for your congregation and your community in this season? There is tremendous value in gathering together in prayer to ask these questions. The team at MBCM is here to serve your community through resourcing, facilitating, and equipping. Reach out and let’s work together.