Reflections on the IBICA Meeting in Strasbourg, France
The Executive Committee and staff of the International Brethren in Christ Association held a rather historic meeting in Strasbourg, France, on December 4th and 5th, 2009. Hosted by Larry Miller and his team at Mennonite World Conference headquarters, this occasion marked the first time that the IBICA Executive Committee, Executive Director and International Pastor/Teacher met together in administrative sessions. Joining us for this important event was Chris Sharp, Executive Director of Brethren in Christ World Missions.
Throughout this meeting, considerable time and attention was given to processing my report and discussing my position as International Pastor/Teacher. While everyone present expressed strong support for me and my role, it was equally clear that various issues required immediate attention if this position is to be viable. To that end, the group (1) explored ways of better informing the wider constituency about IBICA and its mission, (2) discussed possible means of funding the International Pastor/Teacher position and IBICA in general in the coming years, and (3) prioritized the specific responsibilities associated with my position. According to this prioritization, I will devote primary attention in the coming months, not only to on-site teaching, but to implementing a process through which we can develop a more global version of our BIC core values.
In addition to our discussions related to the International Pastor/Teacher position, we engaged in fruitful conversations with Chris Sharp concerning the relationship between IBICA and BICWM. From the start, all of us associated with IBICA felt strongly supported by Chris and remain enthusiastic about the many ways that we might work together to advance God’s Kingdom around the world. In the days ahead, we will talk further about cooperative projects, organizational structures, and the distribution of selected responsibilities.
Finally, our various business sessions were surrounded by wonderful times of food and fellowship. We enjoyed some absolutely delicious dishes at local French restaurants, strolled through the beautifully decorated city of Strasbourg, worshiped with a Mennonite congregation, and participated in a walking tour of historic, Anabaptist sites. We talked together, prayed together, dreamed together and laughed together.
All told, the first meeting of the IBICA Committee and staff was both informative and refreshing. As it turns out, it was also our last, at least in our present configuration. Just days after the gathering, Felix Cerbulo, our beloved brother from Cuba, died suddenly of a heart attack while visiting friends in Germany. The moment that I heard the news, my mind flashed back to the worship service at the Mennonite Church the previous Sunday morning. Felix and I sat together, grinning as we—a Spanish speaker and an English speaker—tried our best to sing from a shared, French hymn book. At the time, it was just one of several warm experiences among co-laborers for Christ. Now, it seems far more like a holy moment to me, a divine encounter that I will always cherish. While the shock of Felix’ passing leaves all of us saddened—what a wonderful man he was!!—we remain thankful for the time we shared together and the hope of a future in which death itself will be forever wiped away.
The next meeting of the IBICA Executive Committee and staff will be held in Madrid, Spain, on September 10 and 11, 2010.