Conference of Mennonites in Canada

The Conference of Mennonites in Canada (CMC) began in 1902-1903 with the union of congregations from the Rosenorter Mennonites of Saskatchewan and the Bergthaler Mennonites of Manitoba.  The conference first met in 1903 in Hochstadt, Manitoba, and was organized to promote "home missions." The Mennonites generally had large families and were constantly looking for land, and it was hoped that the conference would aid in the challenging task of keeping them united. The constitution, adopted at the second meeting of the conference in Eigenheim, Saskatchewan in 1904, strongly affirmed the autonomy of individual congregations: "The Conference has no authority to interfere in the internal matters of a congregation unless called to do so. It is not a legislative, but an advisory body. The union it promotes does not consist in agreeable forms and customs, but in unity of love, faith, and hope, and in connection with this a common work in the kingdom of God."  Early leaders in the conference included David Toews (chairperson from 1914-1940, with the exception of 1936), John G. Rempel (secretary from 1930-1947), and J. J. Thiessen (vice-chairperson from 1941-1942 and chairperson from 1943-1959).

The Conference of Mennonites in Canada has come to include a significant number of new congregations made up of some families who arrived from the United States, along with many more recent immigrants from the Soviet Union. The latter first came to Canada in the 1920s, then in a further wave during the years following World War II, and finally in a smaller group of scattered families who left the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s.

A series of three different name changes led to the present conference name. Known first as Die Konferenz der Mennoniten im Mittleren Kanada (Conference of Mennonites in Middle Canada), it became the General Conference of Mennonites in Canada in 1932 (sessions at Laird, Saskatchewan, Canada). Restructuring in 1959 brought about some major changes, such as limiting the terms of offices, and giving the organization its present name. At the same time a varying set of committees, which had carried out tasks as they arose, was replaced by five boards: Missions, Education and Publications, Christian Service, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, and Finance. Beginning in the 1950s the first staff members (a part-time treasurer, then a general secretary, and soon also executive secretaries of other boards) took up responsibilities as a central office developed rapidly in the next decade and a half. In the congregations there was a strong move away from leadership by elders toward the promotion of a professional ministry.

These new directions created a project-oriented agenda. With it came rising budgets and new initiatives of ministry and mission. The Mennonite Pioneer Mission, established and maintained by the Bergthal Mennonites of Manitoba until 1958, was brought into the conference program. Ultimately it formed the core aspects of Native Ministries, as this work is called in 1998. Congregations were given loans to build new church buildings. Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC) expanded its new campus at 600 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, where the conference also had its offices. The Board of Education and Publication, meanwhile, published devotional materials, subsidized conference-related periodicals, and undertook to publish the Conference Bulletin and other promotional materials. From time to time certain key theological and other issues rose to the fore. In the beginning years the issues related to problems of assuming public office (government) and other civic responsibilities. Then the matter of conversion and the nature of becoming believers caught attention for a time. Eschatological questions had their turn also. In the 1960s there arose the seeming tension between faith and social action, particularly in the years when the Board of Christian Service drew attention to major social ills erupting in society at the time.

Representation in the delegate sessions and board tended to shift in these years from a predominantly clergy-oriented body to one with a growing lay member involvement; at the first conference session in 1903 there was one lay person present. By 1970 a large number of delegates were lay members, although ministers tended to dominate the executive committee and boards for some time to come. This was no doubt partly because ministers were more readily available, and perhaps better-trained to take up board and other responsibilities. Congregations were more likely to view ministers' attendance at meetings and annual sessions as part of their regular employment than would be true of farmers and the employers of urban workers and professionals.

In 1971 the constitution was revised again. The earlier five boards now became four: General Board, Congregational Resources, Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC), and Mennonite Pioneer Missions (changed to Native Ministries the following year). Another result of the change was a marked reduction of staff, and the general board of the conference assumed responsibility for finances. The conference celebrated its 75th birthday at the Gretna, Man., sessions in 1978. That year the CMBC board reported a projection of changes and expansion which would allow the college's student body to rise to between 160 and 200. The following decade would see that goal attained as student enrollment stabilized around 180.

Additional issues, such as the place of women in the church, marital stability (divorce, marriage), a conference periodical, a new partnership with a growing number of Chinese and other Asian congregations, several Native churches, relating to the Umsiedler Mennonite churches of the Federal Republic of Germany (emigrants from the Soviet Union), and the development of an archival center, came to be important questions for the network of ministries in the conference in the 1980s.

A few new congregations have come into the conference from eastern Canada (Quebec and New Brunswick). Various other, notably urban, congregations have also joined in the last decade. One segment of the conference accepted a new inter-Mennonite affiliation in Ontario when the Conference of United Mennonite Churches of Ontario joined Mennonite Church (MC) congregations in Ontario to become the of Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada (MCEC) in 1988. The MC congregations in MCEC became associate members of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, and in 1995 sixty-eight of these congregations became full members of CMC. Provincial conferences have taken on sizable programs of their own, and reassessments of mutual relationships continue as this occurs. Joint sessions occurred for the first time with the General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM) in 1989. In the CMC Directory, 1998, there are 222 congregations with a total of over 35,000 members listed as belonging to the Conference of Mennonites in Canada.

In 1999 the conference, together with the Mennonite Church (MC) and General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM) completed a long process of integration and transformed into two national bodies -- Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada.

Bibliography

Bulletin: Conference of Mennonites in Canada, 1965- (Winnipeg, four to six times annually; annually since 1971).

CMC Directory (1998): 12.

Conference of Mennonites in Canada Yearbook (Winnipeg, 1928-)

Ens, Adolf. Becoming a National Church: a History of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. Winnipeg, MB: CMU Press, 2004.

Friesen-Petkau, Irene. "Just when we were . . ." Winnipeg: History Archives Committee of the Conference of Mennonites In Canada, 1978.

Gerbrandt, Henry J. "A History of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada," in Call to Faithfulness, ed. Henry Poettcker and Rudy Regehr. Winnipeg: CMBC, 1972: 81-91.

Handbook of Information (1988): 100-103.

Mennonite World Handbook, (Strasbourg, France, and Lombard, Ill.: Mennonite World Conference, 1984): 131.

Peters, Jacob. "Organizational Change Within A Religious Denomination: A Case Study of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, 1903-1978." Ph.D. diss., U. of Manitoba, 1987.

Regehr, Rudy A. and Margaret Franz, ed. Twenty-Five Years: A Time To Grow. Winnipeg: CMBC, 1972.

Reimer, Margaret Loewen, ed. One Quilt, Many Pieces. Waterloo, Ont.: Mennonite Publishing Service, 1983: 49-51.

Rempel, J. G.  Fünfzig Jahre Konferenz Bestrebungen, 1902-1952: Konferenz der Mennoniten in Canada. Steinbach, 1952.

Totemak. Winnipeg, Native Ministries program, 1972-79, frequency varies; name changed to Intotemak (1980-).

Additional Information

Statements approved by the Conference

A Commitment to Christ's Way of Peace (Mennonite Central Committee, 1993)

Guidelines for building faithful relationships in the church (Conference of Mennonites in Canada, 1998)

Resolution on the Issue of Homosexuality (Conference of Mennonites in Canada, 1998)

Mennonite Church Canada (formerly Conference of Mennonites in Canada) website

See also General Conference Mennonite Church; Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia; Mennonite Church Alberta; Conference of Mennonites of Saskatchewan; Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba; Conference of United Mennonite Churches of Ontario; Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada.

Conference of Mennonites in Canada Executive 1
Number	Year	Place	Chair	Vice-Chair	Secretary
01	1903	Hochstadt, MB	Jacob Hoeppner		Benjamin Ewert
02	1904	Eigenheim, SK	Jacob Hoeppner		David Toews
03	1905	Winkler, MB	Jacob Hoeppner		Benjamin Ewert
04	1906	Eigenheim, SK	Henry H. Ewert		David Toews
05	1907	Herbert, SK	Henry H. Ewert		David Toews
06	1908	Drake, SK	Johann Gerbrandt		David Toews
07	1909	Edenburg, MB	Johann Gerbrandt		David Toews
08	1910	Eigenheim, SK	Johann Gerbrandt		David Toews
09	1911	Herbert, SK	Johann Gerbrandt		David Toews
10	1912	Winkler, MB	Henry H. Ewert		Benjamin Ewert
11	1913	Drake, SK	Henry H. Ewert		Benjamin Ewert
12	1914	Rosthern, SK	David Toews	N. F. Toews	Benjamin Ewert
13	1915	Herbert, SK	David Toews	Johann Gerbrandt	Benjamin Ewert
14	1916	Altona, MB	David Toews	Johann Gerbrandt	Nicolai W. Bahnmann
15	1917	Langham, SK	David Toews	Johann Gerbrandt	Nicolai W. Bahnmann
16	1918	Drake, SK	David Toews	Johann Gerbrandt	Nicolai W. Bahnmann
17	1919	Gretna, MB	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	H.H. Hamm
18	1920	Laird, SK	David Toews	Johann Gerbrandt	J. Regier
19	1921	Herbert, SK	David Toews	Johann Gerbrandt	J. Regier
20	1922	Winkler, MB	David Toews	Johann Gerbrandt	Jacob Gerbrandt
21	1923	Langham, SK	David Toews	Henry H. Ewert	Jacob Gerbrandt
22	1924	Drake, SK	David Toews	G. Buhler	Jacob Gerbrandt
23	1925	Eigenheim, SK	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	Jacob Gerbrandt
24	1926	Drake, SK	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	Jacob Gerbrandt
25	1927	Herbert, SK	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	Jacob Gerbrandt
26	1928	Rosthern, SK	David Toews	G. Buhler	Jacob Gerbrandt
27	1929	Drake, SK	David Toews	J.J. Klassen	Jacob Gerbrandt
28	1930	Winkler, MB	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	Johann G. Rempel
29	1931	Langham, SK	David Toews	Jacob H. Janzen	Johann G. Rempel
30	1932	Laird, SK	David Toews	Jacob H. Janzen	Johann G. Rempel
31	1933	Gnadenthal, MB	David Toews	Jacob H. Janzen	Johann G. Rempel
32	1934	Hague, SK	David Toews	Jacob H. Janzen	Johann G. Rempel
33	1935	Altona, MB	David Toews	Jacob H. Janzen	Johann G. Rempel
34	1936	Drake, SK	Jacob J. Thiessen	Benjamin Ewert	Johann G. Rempel
35	1937	Rosemary, AB	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	Johann G. Rempel
36	1938	Eigenheim, SK	David Toews	J. J. Klassen	Johann G. Rempel
37	1939	Morden, MB	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	Johann G. Rempel
38	1940	Waldheim, SK	David Toews	Benjamin Ewert	Johann G. Rempel
39	1941	Laird, SK	Benjamin Ewert	Jacob J. Thiessen	Johann G. Rempel
40	1942	Winkler, MB	Benjamin Ewert	Jacob J. Thiessen	Johann G. Rempel
41	1943	Langham, SK	Jacob J. Thiessen	Benjamin Ewert	Johann G. Rempel
42	1944	Winnipeg, MB	Jacob J. Thiessen	Benjamin Ewert	Johann G. Rempel
43	1945	Eigenheim, SK	Jacob J. Thiessen	Jacob Gerbrandt	Johann G. Rempel
44	1946	Beamsville, ON	Jacob J. Thiessen	Jacob Gerbrandt	Johann G. Rempel
45	1947	Coaldale, AB	Jacob J. Thiessen	Jacob Gerbrandt	Johann G. Rempel
46	1948	Gnadenthal, MB	Jacob J. Thiessen	Jacob Gerbrandt	Johann G. Rempel
47	1949	Greendale, BC	Jacob J. Thiessen	Jacob Gerbrandt	H. T. Klaassen
48	1950	Rosthern, SK	Jacob J. Thiessen	Jacob Gerbrandt	H. T. Klaassen
49	1951	Leamington, ON	Jacob J. Thiessen	Jacob Gerbrandt	H. T. Klaassen
50	1952	Gretna, MB	Jacob J. Thiessen	J. M. Pauls	H. T. Klaassen
51	1953	Drake, SK	Jacob J. Thiessen	David Schulz	H. T. Klaassen
52	1954	Abbotsford, BC	Jacob J. Thiessen	David Schulz	H. T. Klaassen
53	1955	Didsbury, AB	Jacob J. Thiessen	David Schulz	P. R. Harder
54	1956	Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON	Jacob J. Thiessen	David Schulz	P. R. Harder
55	1957	Winkler, MB	Jacob J. Thiessen	David Schulz	P. R. Harder
56	1958	Saskatoon, SK	Jacob J. Thiessen	Henry Poettcker	P. R. Harder
57	1959	Clearbrook, BC	Jacob J. Thiessen	Henry Poettcker	Henry H. Epp
58	1960	Steinbach, MB	J. M. Pauls	Henry Poettcker	Henry H. Epp
59	1961	Calgary, AB	J. M. Pauls/G. G. Neufeld	G. G. Neufeld/David P. Neufeld	Henry H. Epp
60	1962	St. Catharines, ON	Paul Schroeder	J. J. Wichert	P. R. Harder
61	1963	Altona, MB	Paul Schroeder	H. P. Epp	P. R. Harder
62	1964	Rosthern, SK	Paul Schroeder	H. P. Epp	P. R. Harder
63	1965	Clearbrook, BC	H. P. Epp	H. T. Klaassen	R. H. Vogt
64	1966	Winnipeg, MB	H. P. Epp	H. T. Klaassen	R. H. Vogt
65	1967	Leamington, ON	H. P. Epp	P. G. Sawatzky	Herman Enns
66	1968	Calgary, AB	P. G. Sawatzky	Henry Poettcker	Herman Enns
67	1969	Saskatoon, SK	Edward Enns	Jacob F. Pauls	Herman Enns
68	1970	Winkler, MB	Edward Enns	Abe Neufeld	William Block
69	1971	Vancouver, BC	Edward Enns	Jacob Tilitzky	William Block
70	1972	Waterloo, ON	Jacob Tilitzky	Peter Retzlaff	Menno Epp
71	1973	Edmonton, AB	Jacob Tilitzky	Peter Retzlaff	Menno Epp
72	1974	Steinbach, MB	Jacob Tilitzky	Peter Retzlaff	Menno Epp
73	1975	Swift Current, SK	Jake Harms	Herman Enns	Menno Epp
74	1976	Clearbrook, BC	Jake Harms	Herman Enns	Lorne Buhr
75	1977	Toronto, ON	Jake Harms	Herman Enns/H. P. Epp	Lorne Buhr
76	1978	Gretna, MB	David P. Neufeld	Jake Fransen	Lorne Buhr
77	1979	Calgary, AB	David P. Neufeld	Jake Fransen	Helen Rempel
78	1980	Rosthern, SK	David P. Neufeld	Jake Fransen	Helen Rempel
79	1981	Vancouver, BC	Jake Fransen	Henry Funk	Helen Rempel
80	1982	St. Catharines, ON	Jake Fransen	Henry Funk	Jacob Wiebe
81	1983	Winnipeg, MB	Jake Fransen	Fred Enns	Jacob Wiebe
82	1984	Three Hills, AB	Jake Fransen	Fred Enns	Jacob Wiebe
83	1985	Regina, SK	Jake Fransen	Fred Enns	Kay Martens
84	1986	Waterloo, ON	Jake Fransen	Fred Enns	Kay Martens
85	1987	Clearbrook, BC	Walter Franz	George Richert	Ruth Enns
86	1988	Winkler, MB	Walter Franz	George Richert	Ruth Enns
87	1989	Normal, IL, USA	Walter Franz	George Richert	Ruth Enns
88	1990	Edmonton, AB	Walter Franz	George Richert	Ruth Enns
89	1991	Saskatoon, SK	Menno Epp	George Richert	Ruth Enns
90	1992	Sioux Falls, ND, USA	Menno Epp	George Richert	Ruth Enns
91	1993	Waterloo, ON	Menno Epp	Gerd Bartel	Ruth Enns
92	1994	Clearbrook, BC	Menno Epp	Gerd Bartel	Mary Anne Loeppky
93	1995	Newton, KS, USA	Menno Epp	Gerd Bartel	Mary Anne Loeppky
94	1996	Calgary, AB	Menno Epp	Gerd Bartel	Mary Anne Loeppky
95	1997	Winnipeg, MB	Ron Sawatsky	Gerd Bartel	Mary Anne Loeppky
96	1998	Stratford, ON	Ron Sawatsky	Gerd Bartel	Pam Peters Pries
97	1999	St. Louis, Missouri, USA	Ron Sawatsky	Jake F. Pauls	Joy Kroeger

Notes: 1. Individuals are listed alongside the convention at which they were appointed.

Source: Ens, Adolf. Becoming a National Church: a History of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. Winnipeg, MB: CMU Press, 2004.

Author(s)	John G. Rempel
	Lawrence Klippenstein
Date Published	1990

Cite This Article

MLA style

Rempel, John G. and Lawrence Klippenstein. "Conference of Mennonites in Canada." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1990. Web. 24 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Conference_of_Mennonites_in_Canada&oldid=135254.

APA style

Rempel, John G. and Lawrence Klippenstein. (1990). Conference of Mennonites in Canada. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Conference_of_Mennonites_in_Canada&oldid=135254.

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Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 671; vol. 5, pp. 182-183. All rights reserved.

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