The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Executive Board announced on Nov. 25 that executive director Willy Reimer was leaving his position, effective immediately.
A CCMBC release stated the board “came to consensus that a leadership change was required for the opportunities and challenges facing the conference at this time.” The board met Nov. 23-26.
In a Dec. 3 interview with Mennonite Brethren Herald, CCMBC moderator Bruce Enns said he believed many things accumulated over time to develop mistrust in both directions between board and staff. The board’s high turnover rate made decision continuity a challenge.
“There was no one weakness or incident related to Willy that led us to the final decision,” Enns said. “There were complicated, layered issues, some smaller and some bigger. Some are Willy’s to own, and some need to be owned by the board.”
Ron Toews, director of CCMBC’s Leaders2Learners British Columbia office, was appointed interim executive director.
Recent British Columbia Mennonite Brethren Conference moderator Michael Dick was appointed assistant moderator.
Enns said challenges are continuing for CCMBC.
“We need to first decide if our entire MB family desires to be together on one mission that is local, national and global,” he said, noting “structures will need to look radically different.”
The CCMBC release announcing the departure included no comment from Reimer.
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