B.C. Mennonite Brethren Conference meeting with Cedar Park Church: “I’m done.”

This report is based on notes taken by a Cedar Park Church member at the April 3 special meeting with BCMB. A request was made to BCMB for comment on the meeting. No reply has been received. Two members of the congregation who had concerns about the direction of the church were also contacted. One did not reply and the other declined to comment. 

The meeting began with Sharon Simpson introducing herself and seven BCMB Executive members who came to the meeting. 

She made it very clear all members of the BCMB Executive and Pastoral Ministries committees are on the same page with regards to Cedar Park Church (CPC). 

She issued a stern warning against video or audio recordings of the meeting, asking if any journalists were present. 

Three observers at the meeting, Dan Unrau, former pastor of Fraserview MB Church, and James Toews, former pastor of Neighbourhood MB Church, together with his wife Janet, were instructed not to speak. 

Simpson then spent 45 minutes of the two-hour meeting talking about how the BCMB conference is organized and how it exists to “give assistance” to its 97 member churches. 

She then read Articles 10 and 11 of the Confession of Faith about sexuality and marriage, explaining it has been agreed upon by all MB churches across Canada. 

That was followed by Simpson reading e-mails of questions she had received. 

Why did BCMB not respond in a more timely manner to queries for more information from the congregation? These things take time, Simpson replied. 

Why was Kosa not informed about the investigation into his ministry? Simpson said Rob Thiessen’s job is to review sermons preached by pastors, and that is always ongoing. He began to listen to Kosa’s sermons after receiving concerns. 

Why wasn’t CPC allowed to come to their own conclusion about LGBTQ+ welcome and inclusion? Simpson said the Conference became involved when concerns were raised about the theological direction of the church. 

Why did BCMB meet with members of the anonymous group? Simpson said some raised their concerns with CPC leaders, but others were not comfortable doing so. 

During the open mic time that followed, Kosa asked who he could go to to hold BCMB accountable for Thiessen’s conduct related to him and the church. 

Simpson replied that a review of Thiessen’s work happens annually, and not before. 

A member noted the biblical principle of Matthew 18 was ignored, and wondered why he didn’t receive a reply to his e-mail to BCMB. The Conference, he said, listened to dissenters but didn’t respond to him. He asked for an apology. 

Another member called for an investigation into Rob Thiessen’s behaviour, citing abuse of power, lack of policy and procedure, lack of professional conduct. 

Simpson replied they had consulted their lawyer and were advised that the allegations against Thiessen did not warrant prompt action. Kosa responded that it seemed the BCMB follows the words of their lawyer more than the words of Jesus. In so doing, he referred to Jesus’ teaching on conflict resolution and peacemaking which is also upheld in the Confession of Faith.

A member said CPC was called for being offside of the Confession on sexuality, but other MB churches have openly embraced the Gospel Coalition and its statement of faith without consequence. Simpson replied the concerns about CPC were theological and well founded. 

When a member said what was happening was an abuse of power, Simpson replied that BCMB’s actions were governed by its bylaws. 

When Kosa asked Pastoral Ministries Committee member Eldon Fehr directly: “Do you agree with Rob (Thiessen) that I am a false teacher?” Fehr replied: “Yes.” Later, Thiessen seemed to deny that he had insinuated that Kosa promoted false teaching. This denial made Fehr’s comments confusing. (To date, the PMC has not provided any evidence that Kosa has taught contrary to the Confession of Faith.) 

Only one member who had met with BCMB spoke. He said he did it because he was not going in the same direction as CPC. 

Following up, a member asked if it was true that Rob Thiessen met with dissenters. The answer was yes, and that Simpson did, too. 

Kosa then spoke again, very emotionally, sharing how dark his days have been over this. He then left the room in a high level of agitation saying loudly. “I’m done. I’m done.” 

After that, CPC was told that, in order to remain an MB church, new elders needed to be elected or the church will cease to exist and that other churches are offering to help CPC if needed. Those who wish to remain at CPC must make themselves known, they were told. 

Click here to read responses to the meeting from some who were there. Click here to read a timeline of how this meeting came to be. Click here to read why these articles are being posted on this blog. 

Postscript: The future of the church is undetermined at this time. Some members are planning to hold informal meetings/services, and a Facebook group has been started to help people stay connected.