Presidential Search Committee Begins Task
The Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Presidential Search
Committee met in Denver, CO on November 14 and 15 to begin the process
of finding a new president for the seminary. The members of the search
committee include: chair Mark Isaac (Newton, KS), secretary Karin Enns
(Dinuba, CA), Kae Neufeld (Edmonton, AB), Chris Douglas (Abbotsford,
BC), Jon Isaak (Fresno, CA), and Cal Bergen (Winnipeg, MB).
The main task of this first meeting was to construct the framework of
the search process. The group spent much time in prayer asking for
God's help in designing a thoughtful and an effective search.
Consultant, Rebekah Basinger, provided excellent guidance. She helped
the committee to develop a search plan that aims to secure someone to
lead the MBBS system into its next phase as "one seminary, multiple
campuses, and diverse constituencies."
From the start, the committee identified the values that would guide their work together. These include: to adopt an intentional "listening posture" in order to hear from God and from all the constituencies involved; to respect all the people who participate in this process (this means operating with confidentiality, professionalism, thoroughness, and efficiency); to create a "fertile space" that is open and imaginative; and to trust that God will work above and beyond what is apparent.
Specifically, the group identified the current challenges and opportunities facing the MBBS system at this time. A survey instrument was designed to test what the various MB constituencies (faculty, staff, students, pastors, alumni, denominational leaders, agency leaders, and church members) perceive to be the most important factors for the next MBBS president to embody. From this broad-based feedback, along with interviews of other key leaders outside the MB constituency, a presidential profile will emerge and be circulated. The committee designed several communication strategies to gather this information. An aggressive timeline was set that aims to secure a president by Spring of 2003.
Submitted By: Cal Bergen (Board Chair)
Posted: November 18, 2002