The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches focused on multiplying congregations across Canada during its biennial conference June 11-14 in Vancouver, B.C.

Meeting under the theme “Multiplying for Mission,” about 250 delegates approved a new CCMBC strategic mission the denominational board refers to as a “sandbox.” The plan — which covers mission, operating principles, culture and central ministry focus — is based on T.J. Addington’s book Leading from the Sandbox: How to Develop, Empower and Release High-Impact Ministry Teams.

The mission’s guiding principles note: “We will pursue new ways of fulfilling God’s call to develop, resource and empower ministry leaders for multiplying Christ-centered churches.”

Executive director Willy Reimer said in his report that the shift in priority came as a result of a national office review commissioned in 2011, which found discontent over how the denomination and conferences related to each other.

“Leaders from across Canada heard the Spirit calling us to raise Jesus higher than our denomination so all glory and honor will go to him rather than our ‘brand,’ ” he reported. “We praise God for 154 years of faith-filled spiritual formation. . . . We simply believe the time has come for us to use this robust heritage as the springboard for greater ministry collaboration for God’s glory and for the sake of Canadians who do not yet know Jesus Christ.”

The CCMBC Board of Faith and Life reported on a survey about the Confession of Faith. The survey received 140 responses, indicating 85 percent of pastors approve the confession. According to BFL member Ingrid Reichard, “a long overdue” French translation is in the works.