The Messenger a publication of the Evangelical
Mennonite Conference
Volume 53 No. 7 July 2015
Mt. Salem EMC Rejoices!
page 25
INSIDE:
Mennonite Packrats: Why Excommunication Should be Saved For Another Day page 6 Prayer: Who Answers Whom? page 10
ELISA KLASSEN
Time For A Spiritual Checkup? page 12 The Birth of Anabaptism: A Movement of Religious Renewal page 15 $2.00
Editorials
God is at work in his Church!
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ur Lord Jesus Christ is at work within the EMC! Look at our 62 churches, our many crosscultural workers, and our 2015 joint budget for ministry ($2.12 million). Visiting our EMC website and seeing again the geographical gaps between our churches across Canada, I also say, “Thank you, Lord, for being at work in your wider Church!” For where the EMC is not, the Church often still is. Yes, by grace God is at work in the EMC and equally within his wider Church. Which part is special to Him? All of it. So let’s work together well as EMC and with other parts of the “household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). As we pursue our EMC vision and values, may we
joyfully and gratefully acknowledge Christ’s grace to us and be renewed. There are lessons to learn from our history— its positive and negative parts. Abraham Friesen, a historian of Anabaptism, has said, “The way to renew them is to take them back to the beginning.” This fits the EMC. Yet isn’t Friesen’s saying also accurate for other parts of the Church? The Church of Christ changes when any part studies Scripture and its history while relying upon the Spirit. If we have a favourite part of the Church, we can rejoice even more precisely because our gracious Lord Jesus Christ does not. The Spirit blows on his Church and the EMC shares in that breeze to Christ’s glory. – Terry M. Smith
As we pursue our EMC vision and values, may we joyfully and gratefully acknowledge Christ’s grace to us and be renewed.
••
‘Average’ Christians?
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f you think of yourself as an average Christian, think again. What is missed by saying this? “Average” can mean an “ordinary standard” (Oxford Dictionary). Yet there is nothing ordinary about being a Christian. For God to come to us in Christ with unexpected grace is an extraordinary act (Rom. 5:6, 2 Cor. 8:9)—no “ordinary standard” at all. At times in some EMC circles, non-denominational Sunday School materials are loosely described as settling for the “the lowest common denominator” if they promote evangelical truths without presenting Anabaptist emphases. Upon reflection this is quite incorrect. If the materials present Christ as Lord and Saviour, they lift up the Church’s “highest common denominator”—our Lord himself. There’s nothing ordinary about Him, nor, as
a result, any part of his Church or any of his followers. Eugene Peterson and Dr. Ed Neufeld influence me here in picturing a congregation: its members struggle, their musical voices and skills might be weak or moderate, the pastor’s sermon is rather routine, and the church’s outreach could be improved. Yet we dare not think of this church as being “average.” Something extraordinary is, indeed, taking place. The members have been transformed (2 Cor. 5:17); the Holy Spirit dwells within them (1 Cor. 12:13) and touches hearts of newcomers (1 Cor. 14:24-25). Angels are present as unseen observers (1 Cor. 11:10). The Church above, a crowd of heavenly witnesses (Heb. 11:112:1), observes and cheers on the members. Does any of this seem average or ordinary to you? – Terry M. Smith
If you think of yourself as an average Christian, think again.
2 The Messenger • July 2015
Table of Contents Features
Columns
6
4
Writings Shared
5
A Reader's Viewpoint
Mennonite Packrats: Why Excommunication Should be Saved For Another Day – Layton Friesen
– Kyle Dueck
Woman with a mop
10 Prayer: Who Answers – Wally Kroeker Whom? – Andrew Dyck 18 An Education App
21 15 The Birth of Anabaptism: a Movement of Religious Renewal – Dr. Valerie G. Rempel 28
Departments 2
Editorials
3
Pontius’ Puddle
19 With Our Missionaries 22 With Our Churches 29 News 32 Shoulder Tapping
19
'Don't teach me doctrine. Just teach me the Bible.' – Terry M. Smith
12 Time for a Spiritual Checkup? – Dr. Ernie Koop
page
Archives Alcove
Elizabeth Dirks, martyrs, and sadness – Terry M. Smith
Been Thinking About
Living in a violent world – Ward Parkinson
31 Window on Missions
Three projects to consider – Ken Zacharias
page
20
34 Here and Far Away
The benefits of having your hands tied – Jocelyn R. Plett
35 Stewardship Today
Developing our generosity skills – Marlow Gingerich
36 Kids’ Corner
page
Lessons from the forest – Loreena Thiessen
26
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 3
The Messenger
Column • Writings Shared
Volume 53 No. 7 July 2015
The Unkingdom of God, Mark Van Steenwyk (IVP, 2013). 189 pp. $16. ISBN 9780830836550. Reviewed by Kyle Dueck (Morweena), BA (Christian Studies). EDITOR TERRY M. SMITH
ASSISTANT EDITOR ANDREW WALKER
Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca. The Messenger is the monthly publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement. The Messenger is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man., and is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Subscription rates 1 year $24 ($30 U.S., $45 foreign) 2 years $44 ($55 U.S., $85 foreign) 3 years $65 ($82 U.S., $125 foreign) Manitoba residents add 8% PST. Digital only subscriptions: $15 per year. Single copy price: $2 Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. Change of address and subscriptions Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca www.emconference.ca/messenger Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN: 0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage for our publishing activities. Advertising The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards, and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads and inquiries should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca. THE MESSENGER schedule: No. 10–October 2015 issue (copy due August 08)
4 The Messenger • July 2015
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e must repent of our Christianity. Or at least that is what Mark Van Steenwyk tells us in this unflinching and provocative critique of modern social structures and societal norms that Christians seem to have all-too-willingly bought into. And thus, he argues, Christians have defaced the name of Christianity by perpetuating injustice and contributing to an imperial mentality. Christianity has sinned. It has made colossal mistakes. It is this horrendous past that Christians try to distance themselves from by defining what it truly means to be Christian. “While there may be a disembodied, completely pure definition of Christianity that exists as some sort of platonic ideal, the closest thing to such Christianity is rarely (if ever) seen in the real world. Our task should be less about defining an ever-purer utopian Christianity and more about embodying a tangible way of love” (71).
Guidelines for letters
Letters published are generally to comment on issues raised in The Messenger. The magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length, style, legality, and taste. It can refuse publication. Letters by regular mail and by fax must contain a handwritten signature with at least the writer’s first and last names and an address.
What Van Steenwyk proposes certainly is radical, yet he shares some very practical steps to take if you agree with his cultural assessment. If you are looking for an easy and feel-good book to read, run far away. There are few warm and fuzzy moments within. If you are looking for your cultural assumptions of pomp and privilege to remain unquestioned, read a different book. But there are many who will benefit to hear these questions, regardless of whether they agree with them. If the book is read with an open mind, you are sure to come away with a valuable new perspective. Some of us could use one of those.
For letters by e-mail, the writer’s name and e-mail address are deemed to be an electronic signature. The writer’s regular postal address is to be included in e-mail correspondence. The writer’s name and general address are to be published. In sensitive matters, names may be withheld. Letters to the editor are to be 250 words or less.
Column • A Reader's Viewpoint
Woman with a mop
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by Wally Kroeker
DESIGNPICS
ast fall I went to hospital for surgery (it was successful). I learned a lot about hospital life. As other patients know, healing can entail a procession of technicians who drop in at any hour, blare on the lights, prod and poke, take vital signs, and show off your incremental progress to an entourage of trainees. Between their visits I had plenty of time to think about the MEDA job from which I was absent. Now, the recovery ward wasn’t much like a factory floor or a soybean field in Ghana, but it had people showing up for work, carrying out their prescribed tasks, expressing their individual competencies and along the way maybe even finding some metaphysical meaning in what they were doing. I came out with a fortified sense that MEDA has been right all along—our daily toil (whether in a corporation or a hospital) is a measure of who we are and what we can contribute to the world around us.
All the staff seemed to have a higher purpose—the surgeon who came daily to check his stitchery, the nurses who monitored my vitals and injected medication, the specialists who gouged holes in my flesh and wormed a tube up into my heart, the room cleaner who mopped my floors. Ah yes, the woman with the mop. She diligently swabbed tiles and wiped walls as if she were the lone buffer of defence between purity and infection. (Every year some 75,000 North Americans die from infections picked up in hospitals; that’s many times the number of Ebola deaths last year.) She may have been on the low end of the pay scale, but that didn’t seem to dampen her purpose. She scrubbed and cleaned as if my life depended on her. And maybe it did. She was a good reminder to me that our daily work, no matter how small our individual roles, can be a calling, an occasion to practice our values, to demonstrate our faith, and to be part of God’s larger ordering of things. Wally Kroeker is editor of The Marketplace, MEDA’s magazine. He is Mennonite Brethren by confession; a husband, father, and grandfather; a sports enthusiast; a seminary graduate (MA); and an inveterate punster. Reprinted from The Marketplace (May-June 2015).
Ah yes, the woman with the mop. She diligently swabbed tiles and wiped walls as if she were the lone buffer of defence between purity and infection.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 5
DESIGNPICS
Mennonite Packrats: Why Excommunication Should Be Saved for Another Day by Layton Friesen
6 The Messenger • July 2015
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an we still make something of our Anabaptist-Mennonite past? Like any past, this one is a mixed bag. Many Mennonites admire the martyr’s courage, the in-your-face defiance of oppressive regimes, the independence of the church from the state, and the practice of voluntary church membership. We would just as soon lose the rogue apocalypticism, the obsession with banning, the venom spewed at other churches, and the stifling separationism. But it is what it is.
We Complete Each Other
I think picking through the past like beggars in a dumpster, scrounging for a few morsels to sift out, while, hopefully, leaving behind the rot is the wrong approach. I have a hard enough time sorting the perishable from the imperishable in my own heart, never mind in events that happened 500 years ago. Is there a better way? The last line of Hebrews 11 offers us a spirituality of history. “God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.” Could that apply not only to the Old Testament saints but also to our Anabaptist ancestors, and, further, even to us and our descendants? Our Mennonite forebears are only made perfect insofar as their stories are taken up and relived now within our faith in Christ. Or we could say, in Christ, their lives unite with ours to form one pleasing gift to God—and apart from that none of us would be saved. We depend on each other to present a full and holy offering to God. By the Spirit, gaps are filled, imbalances righted, sin turned to good, and forgetfulnesses recollected. They for us and us for them. It is that full witness which we together offer to God in the body of Christ.
or swather canvas collection could be jerry-rigged to live again in surprising new places. Not only did he organize his treasures in a way that could be accessed later, not only could he recall the right gizmo up in the attic ten years later when he needed it, but he had the vision to see that with a salvaged seatbelt the rooftop carrier could nicely be adapted to the old Caprice. Needless to say, he died with more treasures in his storehouse than he was able to use in his life. All of this is directly related to the question of how we steward our past.
I was raised by a packrat of the highest rank. My father kept most everything and stored it carefully.
Raised by a Packrat
I was raised by a packrat of the highest rank. My father Harry kept most everything and stored it carefully. His lawnmowers and toasters lasted forever because when they broke, his pipe, string,
Old Lessons, New Contexts
The past must be saved, stored and tended so that when new challenges arise, the saints, events, and convictions of old can be recollected and put to work again, perhaps in new and imaginative ways. Like a bona fide packrat, the
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 7
Church must save much that we don’t need yet. We must become skilled at improvising old lessons in new contexts. Let me give you five samples from our Anabaptist and Small Church (Kleine Gemeinde) history that we should keep handy. These are miscellaneous thingamajigs that right now we have little use for. But you never know. They are oddities that, through us or our grandchildren, perhaps could yet be made perfect.
Hans Hut
He was a character. There is much about this rogue John the Baptist that civilized Mennonites are embarrassed by. He was probably the Anabaptist you would least want as your neighbour. Preaching with brimstone on his breath, bellowing that the world was on the brink of apocalypse and that it would all crash and burn on Pentecost 1528, he rushed about planting churches with the astounding clarity that now the Spirit was dashing fire upon the earth, casting down the rich and lifting the poor. Now God was speaking not only through Scripture (which only the rich could read), but also through the “lowly creatures” like the trees and cattle, which only the poor could understand. Today we live in a moderate spiritual climate. We nurture the illusion that our times of ease will transition seamlessly into the new heaven and earth. Hans Hut may someday (not now) be the hot sauce by which the Lord of Hosts sits us upright in fervour and expectation.
Excommunication
Excommunication in the Schleitheim Confession of 1527 was the merciful, gentle sword which God had given the church to address evil in the world. To the early Anabaptists, pacifism was unthinkable without church discipline, including accountability, admonition, and, if needed, but more often than not, banning. They witnessed to the unmistakable Scriptural conviction that Christ’s community is meaningless if it harbours the absurdity of sin against God in its midst. And yet, what an obsession, fetish and distraction this became, especially for Dutch Mennonites. Right now, many are justly skeptical about it being used fruitfully again. How would it work in our new-fangled urban places? We can’t fathom how redemptive this practice seemed to be according to the diaries of David Epp, a 19th century Russian Mennonite minister. But who knows, perhaps if it’s stored carefully, the time will come when excommunication can again be taken from the shelf and adapted redemptively.
Sunday Morning Weddings
They must certainly be kept handy and used again at our earliest opportunity. In our day weddings are cultural, sentimental affairs with little function in the mission of the Church. What better way for the Church to re-assert its own unique understanding of the mystery that is marriage, and of the unbroken link between the reconciliation of the genders and the redemption of creation, than to have the ceremony on Sunday, during the weekly worship of the church, like a baptism. At the least, a church could improvise this practice by insisting that all church wedding ceremonies be open to all church members.
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Segregated Seating
8 The Messenger • July 2015
But Sunday morning weddings were matched to another quirky custom that only packrats still think has a future outside the museum: segregated seating, with men to the left and women to the right, and children up front. Hear me out here. When we sat like that, there were no singles,
Obeying Jesus Before We Interpret The Bible
DESIGNPICS
married, divorced and widowed visible in church. The biological family lines that so easily corrode church unity were cast aside for an hour. In the Church all are married to Jesus and the folks here with us are heaven-bound, and thus brothers and sisters in a more durable sense than could be created by biology. This could look different than sorting people by gender. The old churches looked like people scared of their own hormones. Perhaps we could suggest that worship is not a “family event” and that a man does not need to snuggle with his wife in worship like he’s at a drive-in theatre. Sit with your friends sometimes. Let’s keep this one in the attic for a bit—if churches start to worship the idol of the biological family this might come in handy.
I used to look down at Menno Simons who claimed that Anabaptists did not need to interpret the Bible; they only obeyed it. I am coming around to his way of thinking and worry that our obsession with hermeneutics (how to interpret Scripture) can be a fancy way to avoid obeying Jesus. The Anabaptists believed that if they followed Christ he would teach them how to read the Bible. Ben Ollenburger, a current Mennonite, says Anabaptists talked of following Jesus in a strange way, as if they knew him apart from the texts of the Gospels—as those who had met him in life and who, therefore, looked to the Scriptures for guidance. When we get wearied by our rationalist, detached “interpretative strategies” that create a skeptical, ironic distance from the text, we might look at this again. At least don’t throw it away yet— it cost a lot of blood to acquire it in the first place.
And so, rather than sorting through the past, keeping the good and forgetting the bad, let’s keep all of it in the storehouse.
And so, rather than sorting through the past, keeping the good and forgetting the bad, let’s keep all of it in the storehouse. From time to time, we need to go back to the shed and take out the odds and ends, finger them again, remembering where they served, what their problems were, and what they got right. Like any packrat, we must endure the tirades of the short-sighted, haranguing us to get rid of all this garbage before we die. But the challenges which the Church will face in the next centuries are unpredictable to us today. I say keep it all handy. I pray that others will do to us as we have done to them. My life today might only find its fullness as Christian discipleship when a future generation finds my one-sided path and says, “I am going to keep that. With a little adapting we can use it.” Then by some Holy Spirit-inspired act of imagination my distant descendant will have made us together a more perfect offering to God. Layton Friesen, an ordained EMC minister who has served as a pastor at Crestview Fellowship and Fort Garry EMC, is currently engaged in doctoral studies. He serves as a columnist for this magazine, with a break in July.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 9
Prayer: Who Answers Whom?
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verywhere I’ve lived and travelled, Christians and congregations pray. And yet many Christians tell me that they struggle to pray. That prompts me to ask, “Why do Christians pray? Do we have our reasons backwards?” Christians often say that they pray because “God answers prayer.” In prayer meetings, church services, and home groups I’ve heard people tell each other their “prayer requests,” which are then addressed to God for God to answer. I was once part of a group that kept a weekly prayer list with two columns. In one column, the prayer requests were recorded, one request per line. The lines in the second column were kept blank until someone could report to the group that God had answered a particular prayer request. The group used this exercise as a reminder that God answers prayer. At the same time, I hear people questioning whether God answers prayer. I’ve heard questions such as these: “Does God really stick his finger into our lives to change things?” “Why would God heal one hospitalized child, but not the child in the next bed, when both their families had prayed for healing?” “Why ask God if God already knows what we need?” I’ve heard a Christian leader ask, “Because God is sovereign, what is the point of interceding on behalf of others?”
Responses
Although I don’t have ready answers to these questions, two responses come to mind. One, God cannot be proved like a math problem—nor can faith, hope and love. All these realities, like answers to prayer, operate in a larger sphere
The Psalms begin with the premise that our prayers answer God. We dare to pray because God has already addressed us. 10 The Messenger • July 2015
than the more limited spheres of statistics and science. Something is amiss when researchers measure health outcomes among people who pray and people who don’t, as if research can prove God’s presence and intervention. Even in Jesus’ day, God’s answers to people’s needs were not immediately obvious to everyone. Jesus was God’s answer, but the Gospels report that when Jesus cast out demons, there were people who considered him to be demon-possessed instead of working in the power of God (see Matt. 12:22-32). Two, Jesus teaches that prayer is not a technology by which we can manage our troubles. Before teaching his disciples what we call the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus said, “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words” (Matt. 6:7). In other words, prayer is not like science and magic that both claim to manage the forces that dominate and threaten us. God is not more inclined to answer us if we use the “right” quantifiable methods and techniques of praying.
An Ancient Footing
In light of people’s questions and Jesus’ teachings, I find that the Psalms offer an ancient and more solid footing for prayer. Instead of starting with the premise that God answers prayer, the Psalms begin with the premise that our prayers answer God. We dare to pray because God has already addressed us. Anything we pray—thanksgiving, request, even complaint—is a response to a God who has already spoken.
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by Andrew Dyck
The first clue to this alternate perspective is in the structure of the Book of Psalms. The Book of Psalms itself is organized into five books: Psalms 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, and 107-150. This five-part structure is an allusion to the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis to Deuteronomy)—the Jewish Torah. In other words, the diverse prayers that comprise the Psalms are all offered as responses that echo God’s previous communication.
A Response to God’s Word
DESIGNPICS
Praying in answer to God’s initial Word is also specifically highlighted in the Psalms. Psalm 1, which introduces the entire Psalter, highlights the happiness of people who delight in the Lord’s Torah and who meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:1-2). The entire Psalter is therefore a response to God’s Torah, which provides not merely commands but also stories that teach God’s people how to live in covenant relationship with God in this world. Psalm 19 praises God’s stereophonic communication in both nature and Torah. Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem—eight couplets for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet—with all 176 verses highlighting the life-giving words of God. All human speech and vocabulary is therefore derived from God’s preceding communication to the world. If prayer is first and foremost a way of answering God, it’s no surprise that many of the Psalms are celebrative expressions of praise and thanksgiving to God. We thank God in answer to what God has given us. Those Psalms, however, that voice requests to God are also responses to God. The Psalmists bring their requests in
response to what they have previously learned from God: namely, that God is just, reliable, righteous, present, patient, and kind. We offer our prayers of request in answer to what we’ve come to know of God’s character. Even the Psalms of complaint and lament—the most common type of Psalms—are addressed to God. They are not mere whistling in the dark, but are offered in answer to God. We cry out our darkest nights of the soul (as in Psalm 88) as an answer to the God who once spoke but who now seems completely silent to us.
God Has Spoken
God has already spoken—through nature, through events in history, through Scripture, and most clearly through Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2). Anything we pray is therefore an answer to God. And when words fail us in prayer, God’s Holy Spirit is praying to God on our behalf (Rom. 8:26)—once again, God’s words of prayer precede our own. I suggest that we reconceive our prayers as answers to God, not simply requests for which we want God’s response. What do we say to God both in light of God’s preceding communication and in light of our life’s experiences? Do we praise? Thank? Celebrate? Ask? Plead? Lament? Complain? In whatever way we respond, that is prayer—because "prayer answers God." Discussion Question: How can “answering God” change all your experiences of praying and particularly your requests to God? To learn more about this approach to praying, I recommend studying Eugene Peterson’s book Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer (HarperCollins, 1989). Andrew Dyck, PhD (cand.), is Assistant Professor of Ministry Studies for Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Canada and Canadian Mennonite University. He has been a Mennonite Brethren pastor for sixteen years. He is married to Martha, an elementary school teacher; they have three adult sons (two are married). This article is adapted with permission from www.bringgifts.com.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 11
Time for a Spiritual Checkup? by Dr. Ernie Koop
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DESIGNPICS
f you’re like me, you’ve probably recognized symptoms in your life, church, or in society that indicate a lack of spiritual health or growth. You’ve probably longed to see another revival. One symptoms of spiritual sluggishness that I worry about is the lack of growth in missions in general and in our EM Conference specifically. Andrew Murray suggests that we need to “seek the deepening of the spiritual life and missionary dedication will follow.” Murray further argues that the principal lesson the Church Mission Society (CMS) history teaches us is that its great forward movement was intimately connected with a deep revival of spiritual life and a higher devotion to the Lord Jesus. The CMS has learned that missionary advance depends upon spiritual life (which means that the opposite would also be true). It seems consistent that in our EM Conference the growth of missions followed a significant revival (Ben D. Reimer and the Western Gospel Mission). If the CMS argument holds true, then the lack of recruits and growth in our missions program suggests what?
Other voices have suggested that revitalization of missions in the 21st century has to start with sacrifice, personal renewal, and revival. Steve Harling calls the mission efforts of many churches “random” and “reactive.” We wait for someone to “feel the call” and then come to us for support (that’s pretty much how it’s worked in the EMC till now). What would happen if we followed the model of Acts 13? What if our leaders got together to worship and pray, and the Spirit spoke, “Set apart for me Tom and Linda for the work to which I have called them”? What if our local churches present their candidates to the Board of Missions rather than expecting a recruiter to come around, tapping shoulders, or making open-ended calls for involvement? Doesn’t it make more sense that the “calling” and “giftedness” be identified within the local church? Can we expect to find something when we’re not even looking for it?
Doesn’t it make more sense that the “calling” and “giftedness” be identified within the local church?
Spiritual Consumerism
Further, as part of our spiritual exam, I would say that the idols of pluralism, materialism, and self-actualization (self-consumed focus on reaching our personal full potential) have been our downfall. Our quest for holiness has been replaced by a spiritualconsumerism (what will I get out of it?) that weakens a sense of concern for the lost; only revival and renewal will fix our dilemma.
12 The Messenger • July 2015
Listening to Whom?
To whom are we listening when it comes to missions? Listening to God or to someone else makes all the difference in the world. Henry
Martyn suggested that, “The Spirit of Christ is a spirit of mission, and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.” God is a missionary God and at least one test of vibrant spirituality and discipleship is the evidence of this same missional purpose. Some would argue that to equip and train Christians toward maturity in Jesus Christ, and effectiveness in ministry, involves a special spiritual empowerment or enabling by the Holy Spirit to empower and sensitize them to the changing needs to which they must respond. On the other hand, we must also recognize that God’s calling for missions is usually unspectacular. He will guide a person through his or her daily life, giving them the desire to serve him, and reinforce this conviction through their local church and, when the ministry involvement
The Great Commission has been read from an individualistic perspective, but should be read as the corporate responsibility of the Church as a community of disciples—the whole congregation has a missionary calling.
requires it, through a mission organization (like our EMC Board of Missions). At the same time, the greatest hindrance to overhauling outdated, ineffective recruiting practices is often the fear that by being more aggressive and systematic we might usurp the role of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian community has a mission that begins locally and does not stop until it embraces the world (Acts 1:8). The Great Commission has been read from an individualistic perspective, but should be read as the corporate responsibility of the Church as a community of disciples—the whole congregation has a missionary calling.
The Problem of Freedom
Darrell L. Guder suggests that one of our problems is our Western understanding of freedom and individualism, which runs contrary to the corporate nature of the church as the body of Christ. Unfortunately the personal freedom of every individual (the voluntary character of our denominations) seems to take priority over the biblical perspective of the covenantal community of God’s people and shared unity and commitment. An example of North American watered down theology is the relegation of “mission” and “evangelism” to one of several committees. The first obstacle to advancing churches in missions is the common perception that missions is secondary or less relevant to Christianity. From pastors in the pulpit to Christians in the pew, most perceive missions to be the domain of super saints, hyperactive Christians, or maybe for those who are just a little weird!
Being Missional is Not a Program
Being missional is not about putting on more programs, or giving more money, or even putting more time into trying to reach out to the
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 13
neighbourhood. Being missional begins with a profound conviction that we are invited to join in the mission of God and that the church does not exist for itself, but rather for the world around us that God so desperately loves. When the missionary enterprise is seen as peripheral or optional, mission promotion produces more fatigue than it does action. In this congregationcentred, program-driven approach mission becomes only one of the many programs of the church. Mission boards emerge to do the work of foreign missions and Western churches understand themselves as sending churches. It has taken us decades to realize that mission is not just a program of the church; it defines the church as God’s sent people. The question is not whether missions is for me or whether missions should have a part in my ministry, but, rather, what is my part in missions because I am a believer! The way that congregations in modern culture assign their financial resources indicates that ecclesial consciousness is shaped largely by the agenda of self-maintenance as a community of worship and pastoral services; in other words, we are generally more inward focused than outward focused, selfish and self-consumed. However, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a member of his body, is to live a missionary
The question is not whether missions is for me or whether missions should have a part in my ministry, but, rather, what is my part in missions because I am a believer!
14 The Messenger • July 2015
existence in the world. We must view local churches as centres of mission vision and implementation. Indeed, there is a sense in which each local community of faith is to mature into a mission fellowship. Further to our lack of clear direction, quite likely the key to mobilization is ownership. Those who feel ownership of it will be motivated to invest themselves in it. The most important problem in the church today is a fundamental lack of clear, heart-grabbing vision. The church has no vision. It has programs, institutions, property, ministers, and politically correct hymnals, but no vision! As this is published, the EMC has celebrated its 65th annual convention with its theme “The Insanity of Obedience.” I wonder what it will take for the winds of revival to move us again and drive us to that greater obedience. Given God’s agenda, and given the evidence of history, I know, in part, what the outcome will be: a conference that, on an individual and corporate level, becomes increasingly missional at home and abroad. Lord, may your kingdom come! Ernie Koop (EFC Steinbach), BTh, MDiv, DMin, is part of the church planting team in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico.
DESIGNPICS
The Birth of Anabaptism: a Movement of Religious Renewal by Dr. Valerie G. Rempel
S
ometimes a single act can have enormous consequences. In the religious ferment of 16th century Europe, a small group of Christians in the Swiss canton of Zurich gathered in a home on a wintry January day, 1525. One of them, George Blaurock, asked another, Conrad Grebel, to baptize him. Around the circle they went, baptizing each other in what they understood to be their first true baptism. It was a baptism performed upon their confession of faith in Jesus as Lord. It was a radical act that earned many of them a martyr’s death.
Great Change
The 16th century was a time of great change in the religious life and practices of many in Western Europe. A variety of voices from within the church were advocating for change. They were frequently critical of practices and theology that had developed over many centuries of church life. In an earlier time, the criticisms of a few reform-minded individuals might have had little impact. Technology, however, had a hand in changing that. The printing press had been developed in Europe. Its advent was almost as revolutionary as today’s Internet. In short order the ideas of a few people could be shared among many. Reformation fever quickly took hold.
The Sacraments
For centuries, there had been only one church in Europe, the Roman Catholic Church. It exercised complete spiritual authority over all its members and had little tolerance for those whose thought or practice was different than the official stance of the church. A primary symbol of that authority was the administration of the sacraments. Rites such as baptism, the Eucharist, hearing confession and assigning penance, even the last rites given at the time of death, were understood to be the means by which God’s grace was given to the people. In essence, church leaders believed they held the means of salvation firmly within their grip. The practice of infant baptism was especially powerful. The physical act of baptism was understood to actually cleanse people of their sin. In Roman Catholic practice, the water of baptism was not just a symbol. Baptismal water actually did what it proclaimed. It made sense, then, to baptize infants in order to cleanse them of sin and secure their salvation.
Believer’s Baptism
Believer’s baptism called into question the Church’s practice of conferring salvation upon infants who lacked ability or even the will to choose faith in Christ. This was more than
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 15
Christendom
Still, to be called an Anabaptist in 16th century Europe was to be named a heretic. The term referred to being “rebaptized,” and it was a punishable offense. Even reform-minded leaders found it difficult to imagine a legitimate church refusing to baptize infants. None were willing to challenge the practice of infant baptism in quite the same way. Anabaptists stood alone. Unfortunately for Anabaptists, the Church’s spiritual authority was connected to civil authority. Through baptism, one became a part of the church and a citizen of the state. One’s baptismal record functioned as a kind of birth certificate. To be unbaptized was to be undocumented. Neither the Church nor the state considered that to be a good thing. This relationship of mutual support between the institutional Church and civil authorities formed a kind of “Christian” kingdom. Christendom provided a way of understanding the world that seemed to bring it into a harmonious whole. The state handled civil life but the Church offered something even more important—eternal life. Each ruled their respective sphere and supported the other.
16 The Messenger • July 2015
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just an attempt to challenge the authority of the institutional church. The practice of believer’s baptism went to the core of the early Anabaptists’ understanding of what it meant to be Christian. Christian faith was not something that one was born into. Christian identity came about by faith in Jesus. In declaring that salvation came through faith alone, early Anabaptists joined a host of other believers who were reexamining Scripture and coming to new conclusions about Christian faith and practice. Martin Luther, the former monk whose efforts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, resulted in a new “Lutheran” church, argued against anything that appeared to be “works.” He echoed the apostle Paul who wrote that one was justified by faith alone and not by works lest anyone should boast. Others, such as John Calvin in Geneva and Ulrich Zwingli in Zurich, also attempted to reform the practices of the Catholic Church. Reformers insisted that Scripture was the sole spiritual authority, not the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church!
By baptizing each other, these so-called Anabaptists denied the Church’s claim of spiritual authority and challenged its relationship to civil authority. Anabaptists were among the first to see a need to separate the church and the state. They declared their true citizenship to be in the kingdom of heaven rather than to any kingdom or ruler of the world. Anabaptists argued that their primary allegiance was always owed to Christ alone.
Persecution
Civil and religious authorities throughout Europe moved quickly to quell what they viewed as a dangerous movement. Wherever groups of Anabaptist believers emerged, in the Swiss and German regions of Europe and as far north as the Netherlands, they met with great opposition. Thousands were imprisoned and put to death by burning at the stake or by being drowned in a local river. Drowning was considered a particularly appropriate death for Anabaptists. They had, said the authorities, sinned through the use of baptismal water so by the water they would lose their lives. In spite of severe persecution, groups of Anabaptist believers continued to meet, often in secret. Men and women gathered together to read Scripture and to encourage each other in the faith. They shared the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper, viewing them as symbols of Christ’s body that had been offered for their salvation.
Here again they challenged a Catholic understanding of the Eucharist as a sacrifice in which the bread and the wine became the actual body and blood of Christ. For Anabaptists, the Lord’s Supper was simply a memorial meal shared among believers who were committed to following Jesus in life and death.
Discipleship
Anabaptists believed that the core of Christian faith was expressed in a life of discipleship. Following Jesus as a disciple meant living as Jesus did during his time on earth. The gospel accounts of Jesus were especially influential for sorting out what that meant. As a result, early Anabaptists became radical Bible readers who tried to put into practice what they read in Scripture. For example, when Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, said “love your enemies” and “do good to those that hate you,” Anabaptists read this as the way that Christians should truly live. Many refused to arm themselves against those who threatened their lives or their property. That refusal to fight against so-called enemies was viewed as another threat to civil authority. How could Anabaptists be trusted if they refused to bear arms? Anabaptists repeatedly witnessed that they respected the authority of the state but that their primary allegiance was to Christ and to the kingdom of heaven. To kill in the name of Jesus, the one who came to bring peace, was simply unthinkable. By refusing to align themselves with any particular civil authority, Anabaptists left themselves vulnerable to ongoing persecution. They also began to establish a pattern of migration in response to persecution that helped spread Anabaptist practices to places far beyond Western Europe. Through migration and missionary work Anabaptist congregations can now be found around the globe.
A Common Faith
What do Anabaptists have in common? Like all Christians who are rooted in the story of Jesus, Anabaptists look to what God has done in Jesus as the basis for salvation. They share with many other Christians a Trinitarian understanding of God who is revealed to humankind as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Anabaptists place special emphasis on voluntary church membership and believer’s baptism. They continue to call each other to a life of discipleship and seek to resist the temptation to find security in political allegiances. As much as possible, they seek to live at peace with their neighbors and to practice love of enemies. In the spirit of the 16th century Reformation, they look to the Bible as the sole authority for faith and life. Anabaptism was born as a movement of religious renewal. The varieties of Mennonites, Brethren in Christ, the Amish and the Hutterites all find their roots in this movement. They are not alone. Contemporary Christians from other church traditions are also being drawn to Anabaptist theology and church practices. These “neoAnabaptists” are discovering the witness and the message of early Anabaptist leaders, many of whom were martyred for their faith. They are establishing new Anabaptist communities and networks of congregations that are exploring what it means to be Anabaptist in the 21st century. Almost 500 years after Conrad Grebel baptized George Blaurock, the call to radically follow Jesus is still being answered. Dr. Val Rempel is the associate dean, Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary and associate professor, J. B. Toews Chair of History and Theology, Fresno, California. The article was produced for Meetinghouse, an association of editors of Anabaptist periodicals in Canada and the U.S.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 17
Column • An Education App
‘Don’t teach me doctrine. Just teach me the Bible.’
E Doctrine. Tenet. Teaching. Belief. Creed. Statement of Faith. Confession of Faith. What are these? The same. Doctrine, ultimately, is about truth in relationships.
18 The Messenger • July 2015
DESIGNPICS
by Terry M. Smith Executive Secretary
ver hear someone say this? To beware of false teaching is appropriate. However, to affirm and study the Bible as truth is our privilege as Christians. If we think we can have the Bible without doctrine, we strangely contradict Scripture itself. The Bible shows a strong concern for proper beliefs to be reflected in lifestyle. Scripture says a deacon is to “keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Tim. 3:9). An elder is to “be able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). Scripture is profitable “for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). An elder is to “encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9). In Jerusalem Paul was prepared to have the elders examine “the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles” (Gal. 2:2). The Elder John warns against those who do not “continue in the teaching of Christ,” and if leaders reject sound doctrine, they are not to be received (2 John 9-10). Christians are warned against being tossed by “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). Paul warns of people who will not “endure sound doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:3). In Christ, there is wisdom and teaching incarnate: “the Word became flesh” (John 1:12). Jesus is revealed by himself and through the apostles and other leaders who gave us Scripture by divine inspiration. Doctrine. Tenet. Teaching. Belief. Creed. Statement of Faith. Confession of Faith. What are these? The same. The Bible is more than doctrine. It is history, events, diverse types of literature, and much more—the written Word of God. But it is not less than teaching (doctrine). There is no such thing as Christianity without doctrine. Why say this? To increase biblical literacy,
teaching—doctrine—is needed within our churches. Doctrine, ultimately, is about truth in relationships. While some EMCers properly object to the memorize-without-understanding style of some classes, a catechism properly used is a great tool for teaching Christian beliefs. The Christian Life: a practical study guide is an attempt to engage the student beyond question and answer. It’s geared toward “personal processing, reflection, and discussion.” Yet doctrine is on each page. Younger and older Christians benefit from the skill to locate passages within Scripture (Bible drill), memorization of Scripture and creeds, being told “the big story” of Scripture, and help in seeing the flow of Old and New Testaments. In our services, VBS, Bible camps, and more, we consciously teach doctrine. But how systematically do we teach it? If we think teaching doctrine systematically is wrong, such a thought needs re-examination. Our evangelical heritage is longer and broader than our individual experience of it. What we teach and its applications are vitally related to relationships in life here and hereafter: “We know . . . that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).
With Our Missionaries
People that Jesus does not ‘write off’ Greetings from Winnipeg’s North End! Amie and I continue to live and serve in this neighbourhood together with our daughters. We want to say thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. As one of the community ministers with Inner City Youth Alive I devote myself to a ministry of presence and intentional friendship providing relationship-based support and spiritual care to youth, young adults, and families. As we walk with these friends, we get to be part of what Jesus is doing: comforting those who mourn, seeking out the lost, welcoming the outcasts and empowering disciples to minister to others. Since the fall I, together with my ICYA teammate, Sol Beaulieu, have been meeting regularly in our home with a group of young men to have supper and then spend time reading the Bible, talking about our faith in Jesus and praying for each other. I also meet regularly with these men one-on-one to encourage, challenge and pray with them. In March we got out of the city for an overnight spiritual retreat. Please pray for growing relationships and for God’s transforming work as we continue to be real with each other and seek God together. Every Wednesday our Community Ministry Team visits a “cottage” or unit at Winnipeg’s youth jail, The Manitoba Youth Centre, where we get to hang out with teen gang
BOM
WINNIPEG
Andrew and Amie Reimer with their family
members. These guys have been rejected and written off by pretty much everyone, being told they are trash or screwups or worse. As we share stories from the Bible we get to share that God’s is not one more voice in the chorus of voices already damning them, but that God is for them, that God sees the good in them, that he wants to meet them right where they are and recruit them for his mission. Many of these guys are interested, receptive and open; they desire change and are seeking God’s help and our support. One of the guys who delivered Christmas hampers with us this year is a tall young man with a gang tattoo adorning his face. We got to know “Rob” five years ago at the youth jail. Coming from a history of serious gang involvement, he is looking for change and he is drawn to the accepting and positive community he is finding with us at ICYA. Pray for Rob. The forces that prey on him are overwhelming, but we dare to believe that as God works in his life, Rob will bring the influence of the Gospel deeper into the margins of street culture than most of us could hope or care to go. After carrying hampers into the homes of the recipients, Rob shook their hand and said, “Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.” Rob knows that in his past he has been part of many things that have hurt the community, but now he is part of something that is blessing it. – Andrew Reimer Andrew and Amie Reimer (Steinbach EMC) serve with Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg’s North End.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 19
With Our Missionaries
The Bible is translated into Bagwido WISCONSIN/PAPAU NEW GUINEA
NTM
Deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, this picture says a thousand words. On this day in Oct. 2014 these two missionary families, Andrea and Brian Holmquist and Mark and Holly Woodard, are having their dreams come true. They worked hard to translate the Bible into the Bagwido language, and the day has finally arrived to hand out the copy of the Bible to their tribal brothers and sisters in Christ, in their very own language, for the first time ever. Twenty years ago these couples were students along with Dave and me here at New Tribes Bible Institute. I’m sure their two years of Bible learning here were of utmost importance to them during these past years of teaching this people group through the Bible. The same truths they learned here as they were taught After two decades of effort, Andrea and Brian Holmquist and Mark verse-by-verse was then translated over into the Bagwido and Holly Woodard rejoiced with others in the dedication of the Bible translated into Bagwido. language. How precious is that! God’s Word never changes, no matter into what language it is translated. These Bagwido believers will be joining hands with Kim and Dave Field (Steinbach EMC) serve at New Tribes us in Heaven one day. This is proof that God is at work Bible Institute in Waukesha, Wisconsin. This story is told through His servants as we find more people who have with the permission of the two missionary couples. never heard the Good News yet, and we spread it throughout the world! – Kim Field
Guadalajara Prayer Team 2015
Advancing Ministry Through Prayer
Apply By: Friday, Oct. 2, 2015
November 6-16, 2015
Cost: $1400 (approx.)
Ministry Project: $100 of your trip fee goes towards a ministry project that will help further the efforts of the missionaries’ work. Accommodations: Billeting in missionary homes. Food: In missionary homes and local cuisine.
ISTOCK
Contact: Call the EMC office at 204-326-6401 or email Diana (dpeters@emconf.ca) or Gerald (greimer@emconf.ca) to request an application form.
20 The Messenger • July 2015
Columns • Archives Alcove
Elizabeth Dirks, martyrs, and sadness
O
n January 15, 1549, Elizabeth Dirks was arrested for being an Anabaptist who taught others. Appearing before a council, she refused to say whom she had taught, but was willing to share her faith. She responded briefly to questions about being a teacher, the church as the house of God, the Mass, infant baptism, the status of children, and whether salvation was found in baptism. On her second appearance she refused to confess to error. The account in the Martyrs Mirror speaks of her being tortured by thumbscrews and then by screws applied to her shins. She pleaded that her modesty as a woman be protected, fainted away, revived, refused to recant, was willing to die, and refused to say who baptized her. She was condemned to death and was drowned on May 27, 1549, at Leeuwarden in Friesland, a Dutch province. Elizabeth was a woman of faith and courage, finding strength in the Lord so that she did not betray other Anabaptists. The Lord intervened. Elizabeth says He took away the pain she felt from the thumbscrews. Were those who tortured her Christians? Some will say no; others will say yes. Was there
no common ground of which Elizabeth could speak to her critics’ questions? Some will agree; others might disagree. Even with common ground between Elizabeth and her captors, it probably would not have been enough for the authorities to spare her life. What her interrogators sought was full agreement: she was to “revoke all that you have previously confessed here.” Perhaps in some early Anabaptist circles the same expectation came across: there must be full agreement to be recognized as a believer. The key difference was that Anabaptists didn’t kill each other. They were, in fact, early voices for religious tolerance, the freedom to hold religious views without being killed for them. Today, sixteenth-century scenes of Catholics and Protestants killing each other, and both killing Anabaptists, seem nonsensical to many North American Christians. When Coptic Christians were recently beheaded in Libya, it was disturbing treatment by non-Christians. It also seems sad when Christians kill each other, such as during “the troubles” in Northern Ireland. What did Hans, the sixteenth-century executioner, think about or feel after he had tortured or executed someone? The account in Martyrs Mirror suggests he was reluctant to be involved in Elizabeth’s torture. He said, “Oh no, my lords, she will voluntarily confess.” But he did torture her. Jesus said, “In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God” (John 16:2). Paul encountered a crowd who said of him, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” They were “shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air” (Acts 22:22-23). Today rioting religious crowds still gather in various countries, some people still think they can serve God by killing members of other faiths, and differences within a single religion continue to get people killed. Sources: Hans J. Hillerbrand ed., The Reformation (Baker, 1987), 242-245; “Elizabeth Dirks (d. 1549),” GAMEO.
by Terry M. Smith Executive Secretary
Elizabeth was a woman of faith and courage, finding strength in the Lord so that she did not betray other Anabaptists. Anabaptists were early voices for religious tolerance.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 21
With Our Churches Picture Butte Mennonite Church
PICTURE BUTTE, Alta.—As the morning of May 31 dawned, ten individuals woke up to a beautiful spring day, a day that would be perfect for getting a little wet. On this morning Picture Butte Mennonite Church would hold a special service that would see nine young people be baptized (five by pouring and four by immersion) and one young man (Peter Peters) transfer membership to our congregation. After the service the whole church family celebrated together by holding a sandwich potluck. PBMC looks forward to working together with these wonderful individuals. Looking to the summer months, our congregation is especially excited to celebrate the church’s 10th anniversary with a special celebration on Aug. 30. It will be a special time of looking back on all our wonderful memories and forward to what the future has in store. – Desiree Krahn
PBMC
New members at PBMC
New members at PBMC are Abram Klassen, Emily Van Sluys, Johnny Neufeld, Tina Neufeld, Nancy Loewen, Peter Peters, Agatha Wiebe, Danny Thiessen, Eva Neufeld, and George Neufeld.
•• Island Gospel Fellowship
IGF welcomes John Rankin as youth pastor
22 The Messenger • July 2015
John is already connecting with teens and families through the weekly youth night, gym night for kids, school programs, camp work at Ootsa Lake Bible Camp and other outreach events. Our prayer now, and we ask Youth pastoral couple Maria and John Rankin for your prayers as well, is that they will be able to adjust to this area. We pray that God will bless them and the youth they work with. We as a church family are truly blessed by their presence among us. – Anne Fehr IGF
BURNS LAKE, BC—There is great news to report from Burns Lake. Our search for a youth pastor is over. The Lord has blessed our church with a large group of youth from the community, many of whom do not attend any church. So the church prayed, planned and a youth pastor search committee was struck over a year ago that eventually led us to John and Maria. John and Maria Rankin moved to Burns Lake from the sunny Okanagan in late April. We are all so thankful that the Lord has answered much prayer. And he has done so over and above what we had hoped for. John comes with experience working as a pastor in the communities of Burnaby, Merritt, and most recently Peachland, BC. He also has a background in social work, corrections, and teaching. Both he and his wife have been active over the years reaching out to families and youth with the Gospel and look forward to getting to know the youth of Burns Lake better.
With Our Churches Crestview Fellowship
Parents adjust to life with less sleep WINNIPEG, Man.— Rejoice! Youth Pastor Kevin and Lee Pauls welcomed a healthy baby boy, Desmond Erwin, on May 8. Their baby is doing well and the new parents are happily adjusting to life with less sleep. A Jack and Jill bridal shower was held Sunday, May 31, for Carmen Janzen and Josh Man who will be married on June 13. We had fun watching Carmen and Josh work together to bake a chocolate cake without the aid of a recipe. We got to know them a bit better when they answered questions like who is grumpier in the morning, who is more likely to be running late, and who was the first to say “I love you.” Darlene shared a devotional and read a poem “Marriage Takes Three.” We wish Carmen and Josh the Lord’s blessing as they start down this road together. Sunday, June 7. What a blessed day! We were privileged to officially welcome two new members to our church family. After sharing their testimonies, Dave Zacharias
Dave Zacharias, Sarah Herms, Pastor Darrel Guenther
CRESTVIEW FELLOWSHIP
transferred membership and Sarah Herms was baptized. Pastor Darrel Guenther’s message was based on Acts 8:2640—the eunuch’s baptism. He emphasized that we need to step over the line and be totally committed to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. This day was also the Sunday School wind-up; and after the service we enjoyed a barbecue lunch on the church yard. Many thanks go to the Food Committee for organizing the meal. – Sharron Straub
RESPONDING REBUILDING RESTORING Carmen Janzen and Josh Man
Free for Sunday School! Contact info@emconf. ca or 204-3266401.
To find out how you can help bring people home: call
1-866 866--261 261--1274 or go online
mds.mennonite.net
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 23
With Our Churches Steinbach EMC
May—a month of celebrations
SEMC
STEINBACH, Man.—Pastor Garry Koop’s message on May 23 was titled “When Good Things Happen,” based on Nehemiah 12, the celebration at the dedication of the Jerusalem wall. The people gathered “to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings, with singing, with cymbals, harps and lyres.” We have enjoyed many celebrations during the month of May. A celebration of baptism and membership reception took place on May 10. As Jason Heide, our youth pastor, said, “Baptism is one of the highlights on the church calendar.” We rejoiced as we listened to what God has New members at Steinbach EMC: Justin Bueckert (baptism), Raechelle Koop (bapdone and is continuing to do in the lives of three young people as they shared their faith stories, after tism), Johan Klassen (baptism), Ed Reimer (transfer), Matthew Martens (transfer) which they were baptized and officially accepted as part of our church family. We also welcomed two people and Stephanie McLean (Jackson), David and Nicky Watt who transferred their membership. (Hunter), Richard and Stephanie Wiebe (Davian), Ron and In a tastefully decorated gym, with bright spring Vereena Wiebe (Amy). colours and plants, the women celebrated “The Promise of Twenty-seven of our youth joined young people from Hope ” at the annual Spring Tea on May 13. Randy Buhler’s many other EMC churches at Abundant Springs in Caronmusic reminded us of the importance of hope: Hope is port, Sask., on the May long weekend. This celebration was what we crave, And that will never change. a good opportunity for spiritual growth, bonding and fun The speaker for the evening shared about her struggles, for our youth, during times of worship, learning, music by as well as the joys and celebrations, in her difficult cancer the band “The Color,” games, and sports. journey. Obviously, her strong faith in God, a supportive The speaker, Gord Penner, powerfully related the limitfamily, and many praying friends encourage her and give less truths of Scripture to the lives of teens today on the her strength and hope during this trying time. The evening theme “Pursuit”: The Runner, The Race, The Route, The closed with a delightful lunch of quiche, fruit, and tarts. Reward. Most exciting was seeing lives changed by the On May 17 we celebrated the gift of children at a parpower of God, including the salvation of one person from ent/child dedication service where parents declared their our youth group. Praise the Lord! desire to train their children for the Lord. Pastor Garry The Seniors’ Fellowship took place on May 20, with Koop encouraged us to dedicate ourselves to and pray music and a speaker, followed by a lunch of sandwiches for the parents and their children: Jeremy and Adrienne and desserts. The speaker that morning was Flo Friesen, a Buhler (Abigail), Mike and Naomi Kornelson (Norah), Eric missionary with Women at Risk, a mission that works with at-risk women and girls in other countries. Hearing what the Lord is doing in other parts of the world also causes us to celebrate. Births “Celebrate God. Sing together—everyone!” (Psalm REIMER — to Isaac and Tina, of Picture Butte, 32:11, The Message). Alta., a son, Austin Lucas, born June 10. – Martha Kroeker
24 The Messenger • July 2015
With Our Churches Mount Salem EMC
Welcome to MSEMC! ELISA KLASSEN
AYLMER, Ont.—Did you enjoy the photo on the cover? As church planting coordinator Charles Koop said, it shows joy all over the place! Want a few more details about the congregation? Mount Salem’s bulletin for June 21, 2015, reads, “Sundays at MSEMC are about community. We come together to worship God, learn practical truths, and encourage one another in our journeys through life.” The service begins at 10. A nursery is provided for children two and under. Children’s Church is provided for ages three to five. Pastor Albert Loewen will preach on “The Power of One.” An announcement highlights the 15th annual MCS charity auction for June 27 at the Aylmer Fairgrounds, an event to benefit MCC and Mennonite Community Services. For a coming event, there’s a Church Camp to be held on Aug. 21-23. Under Praise and Prayer a note reads, “Please pray for the baptism candidates (Eduardo Centeno, Isabella Wall, Henry Harder, Jacob Harder) as they get baptized today.” There’s a statement: “Baptism, raised to new life.” And then comes a quote: “Indeed, baptism is a vow, a sacred vow of the believer to follow Christ. Just as a wedding celebrates
Straffordville EMC
Sundays at MSEMC are about community.
the fusion of two hearts, baptism celebrates the union of sinner with Savior” (Max Lucado). Mount Salem’s “Called to Equip Fundraising Campaign” continues. Phase One, at $40,000, was completed in March. “Phase 1 was very successful and because of it we have been able to hire Susie Krahn and Kristen Smith to work with our Youth/Children’s Ministry Program.” “We are now on to phase 2 of the project: Raising funds to build a building that matches the vision of the church.” Within that, the congregation is looking at some immediate renovations. Why are local church bulletins, when available, placed within the EMC Archives? It’s because they provide written snapshots of a congregation. The bulletin of Mount Salem EMC for June 21, 2015, is a delightful example of this. – Terry M. Smith
••
STRAFFORDVILLE, Ont.—In 2014 Straffordville EMC was delighted to receive five young people into membership by baptism (centre): Jordan Thiessen, Joey Fehr, Jennifer Blatz, Carolina Krahn, and Salina Blatz. May our gracious Lord bless the new members and grant them joy, persistence, and growth. At the time of the photo Richard Klassen (left) was the pastor and Abe Berg (right) served as a minister. Since then, Richard Klassen has moved to Manitoba where he serves as pastor of Kola EMC, and Abe Berg, on Feb. 15, 2015, began serving Straffordville as lead pastor. – Kathy Klassen and Terry Smith
SEMC
Delighted with five new members in 2014
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 25
With Our Churches Community Bible Fellowship
No tent, but work continues
Portage Evangelical Church
have one anymore, but to pray that God would give us another one so we could go right into the young people’s turf to share the Gospel with them. As a family there are some struggles, but God holds us up. We are going to be blessed with a Charlotte and Fred Evans new grandchild any day now. All our children graduated and four are working; one is looking for a job right now. Our health is reasonably good, but as we all know these tabernacles are weakening and one day will fall. I hope this is of use. People can also read my articles on Facebook. – Fred Evans EVANS
SWAN RIVER, Man.—Thanks for your encouragement to write a report. We are still busy with evangelism by way of radio and special meetings in different communities. We do teaching by Internet and DVDs. We teach a series on the end times in various communities. The program is called Native Gospel Broadcast. It is on at 10 a.m. on Sundays. It feeds from NCI in Winnipeg, and it is on 58 stations covering the province of Manitoba. It is also on CIAM from Edmonton, which covers northern Alberta; Prince Albert, Sask.; and some areas in BC. It is also in Alaska from Glennallen (KCAM). I visit homes when I go to a community and work with the local ministries. I do funerals when called upon. Young people ask questions concerning spiritual things and it’s a blessing to share with them. I thank God for Bill and Anna Penner (Ridgewood EMC) who are our associates in ministry, especially doing roadwork for the radio broadcast. My wife Charlotte and I give thanks to God for all those who stand with us in this outreach radio ministry. Some young people asked me when I was going to bring the tent to their community. I told them I did not
••
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man.—On Sunday, June 14, 2015, a baptismal service was held at Portage Evangelical Church. Three individuals identified with Christ in water baptism: Kari Miller, Madison Bueckert, and Rachel Wiebe. Pastor Glenn Loewen’s message topic was “Attending Your Own Funeral.” It was based on the scripture: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:23). There was joy and thanksgiving during the service as the girls and their encouragers spoke before the baptism and as the worship team led the singing of the girls’ favourite songs. The church was filled to watch this great occasion. – Catherine Epp
26 The Messenger • July 2015
STAN WIEBE
Three identify with Christ through baptism
Pastor Les Kroeker, Kari Miller, and Pastor Glenn Loewen
With Our Churches Love in Action Christian Centre
CALGARY, Alta.—Love in Action remains a missionary church. We’ve had ups and downs, but have always worked in the missions here in Alberta. We travel every Saturday to build a church in Medicine Hat. Now, after a while, we have about five faithful families and desire to grow. In November we will send a pastoral couple from our congregation to live in that city to develop that church. They are Rodrigo and Susy Lorca, young ministers with the desire to drop everything and move to serve there. Also every Sunday after our service in Calgary, we travel to the city of Red Deer where we are planting another church.Today we have ups and downs. There are also five families who are faithful and participate in our ministry. For that work we have a couple, Mark and Coralia Rivas, who along with me travel every week to attend the work. They are giving leadership and preparing for the ministry. Also in Chile six years ago we began to build churches, first in Curacavi where today we have a very healthy congregation that is self-financed almost entirely. And two years
BOM
A missionary church with a vision
Pastoral couple Ruth and Carlos Vera
ago we started another work in Melipilla, today with an attendance of about 30 people and it is developing leaders. A month ago we opened the doors of the third church in the port of San Antonio where we already have about three families in the neighborhood and a couple of families traveling from other churches to support that work. As director of this ministry I give leadership and work with 16 partners (in Canada, Chile, and El Salvador) who are preparing for the ministry. I should mention that 16 years ago we got a work started in the port of La Libertad in El Salvador, and it is now a well established with a pastor who visits the church to support them. A new group are up in the same place. Finally, I am grateful and desire to pursue this vision. Besides serving as a pastor and traveling, I also paint houses to support my ministry and my travels. We have vision. Our church will soon begin another work in the south and one in northern Chile. In 2016 we will enter Mendoza, Argentina, where already visited and we have a plan that we are developing. I appreciate your desire to know what we’re doing and just ask prayer for God to guide us and as we continue on this journey. – Pastor Carlos Vera
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 27
Columns • Been Thinking About
Living in a violent world
I Sprinkle addresses the just war theory, the roles of the military and police, and the “attacker at the door” scenario.
28 The Messenger • July 2015
WARD PARKINSON
by Ward Parkinson Conference Pastor
had an uncle I never where Jesus spells out what his met. He was a pilot in kingdom reality—including the RCAF in World War enemy love—means and looks II. His plane went down in like. Europe. Sprinkle reasons that God, His death affected my through the nation of Israel, father’s family greatly. Even accommodated to the realities decades after the war, for my of violence in the ancient Near grandparents, Germans were East while seeking to bring a still the enemy. They would almessage of redemption to the ways be the enemy. Traumatic world. “God meets Israel in losses have a way of locking us its brutally violent world and into a mindset. takes incremental steps away Growing up I was never from such violence and toward confronted with what is compeace and nonviolence” (51). monly called a peace position. Israel’s ultimate failure The logic was that you served rested in the fact that she your country as a good, became like her Canaanite law-abiding citizen. It was neighbours and her trust was only when I ventured west to in military strength rather Flt. Lt. Arthur Roland Parkinson Manitoba that I encountered than in God. Why else would Mennonites and was exposed to the idea of non- David’s military census be considered such a violence and enemy love as an essential part of grievous sin? “King Yahweh punishes him for it the gospel. by killing seventy thousand of his people. Once Thus my intrigue in a book recently given me again, God is a warrior against, not for, those by a colleague. It is entitled Fight: A Christian who are Canaanized and militaristic” (102). Case for Non-Violence by Preston Sprinkle This movement towards (or back to) shalom (David C. Cook, 2013). Sprinkle claims no conremained the hope of Israel’s prophets, and it nection to Mennonites, Amish or Quakers and reaches its crucial moment in the Person of Jesus is a self-described gun enthusiast who enjoys Christ. The kingdom announced by Jesus is unlike hunting. But he is also convinced from Scripture any other, precisely in the fact that it is nonthat “Christians shouldn’t kill or use violence— violent (John 18:36). Sprinkle takes issue with not even in war.” those who would interpret Jesus’ words to Pilate As a central call, Sprinkle beckons the reader here as meaning merely a spiritual kingdom or to reach beyond the cliché arguments and future heavenly kingdom. All present would have hypothetic scenarios of the pacifism debate understood it to mean an earthly reality. and take seriously what it means to be a Sprinkle goes on to address the many quesfollower of Jesus Christ. Jesus came as the tions and objections that arise when Christians Prince of Peace to a world submerged in seek to hold to this central aspect of kingdom violence. He came announcing a new kinglife, including the just war theory, the roles of dom. This new kingdom would not be born the military and police, and a whole chapter on of violence and revolution, but from above. the “attacker at the door” scenario. We carry the manifesto, the marching I found this resource to be articulate, acorders, of Christ’s kingdom with us in cessible, and compelling. Our world is no less our Bibles (nowadays on our phones). It’s violent today than in Noah’s time. If just the the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) followers of Jesus obeyed this kingdom call, I bet that would change.
News
SBC hosts successful 5th Annual Golf Tournament STEINBACH, Man.—Steinbach Bible College’s sold-out 5th Annual Golf Tournament was held at the Steinbach Fly-in Golf Course on June 2 with a total of 148 golfers participating. Despite the threat of rain (it held off until the final three holes), the tournament was a success, raising nearly $50,000 for the on-going ministry of SBC. Thank you to the 40 businesses sponsoring the tournament and to the 21 businesses donating prizes for the silent auction. We also want to acknowledge the two businesses sponsoring the meals, providing our golfers with energy in the morning and a delicious steak dinner (prepared by SBC’s chef Gil Drolet) following a day on the course. And, finally, our sincere gratitude to all the golfers who came out and made the event a success.
SBC
Raises nearly $50,000 for its mission
Golfers assisted SBC.
It is because of our faithful supporters that SBC is able to continue in its mission of empowering servant leaders to follow Jesus, serve the church, and engage the world. Thank you for your part in this ministry. – SBC
••
Eight Projects Worth $1.7M Committed in May Over 60,000 people in seven countries will benefit
CFGB
WINNIPEG, Man.—Over 60,000 people in seven countries will benefit from eight projects worth $1.7 million committed by Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) in May. CFGB implements the projects together with local partners. One project in Kenya is supporting the efforts of female-headed households in the pastoral Marsabit community in recovering from two droughts. Female-headed households generally have the least ability to recover from drought, and many women have struggled with providing food for their children. This project, now in its fourth year and worth $179,000, is providing 100 widows a year with livestock and animal husbandry training. The widows raise their livestock, and then the first female offspring is passed on to another needy widow. The widows gain access to milk, enabling A widow gives a camel to another widow.
them to barter for food and other household necessities. Another project in Guatemala is responding to severe drought. The drought has caused significant damage to grain production. Small-scale farmers are struggling to feed their families. This project is providing emergency food to 4,240 families (about 21,200 people) in 43 communities for two months. Other projects committed in May include: • An agriculture and livelihoods project in Cambodia worth $175,000 and benefitting 20,500 people. • A food assistance project in Ethiopia worth $94,000 and benefitting 3,500 people. • A nutrition project in Nicaragua worth $67,000 and benefitting 1,360 people. • An agriculture and livelihoods project in South Africa worth $90,000 and benefitting 600 people. • An agriculture and livelihoods project in South Africa worth $195,000. • A food assistance project in Syria worth $323,000 and benefitting 12,500 people. Projects supported by CFGB are undertaken with support from the Government of Canada. – Amanda Thorsteinsson www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 29
News
SBC focuses on young people entering the workforce Activate, a program that integrates work and faith, is for you! STEINBACH, Man.—Pursuing employment should not be a barrier to growing in your faith in Jesus Christ. Activate is a program being launched by Steinbach Bible College designed specifically for young adults who desire to grow in their Christian faith while remaining in the workforce. Through Activate these job-minded individuals will have their knowledge of the Bible expanded through exposure to excellent Bible teaching, follow-up study and mentorship. Activate is divided into five sessions. Each session takes a month to complete and begins with an Activate Gathering where participants meet together for a weekend of inspiring worship, engaging teaching and personal mentoring sessions. Following the gatherings, participants will work on weekly lessons, meet regularly with mentors, and actively participate in ministry while remaining in the workforce. Through the course of the program, participants will be
guided through an overview of the biblical story and be personally coached to put their faith into action. For this first year of Activate we are focusing our program on participants from Manitoba. In the future we are hoping to expand this into other regions as well. Activate will begin with our first gathering on Oct. 2-4, 2015. Information can be found online at www.sbcollege.ca or by emailing Patrick Friesen at activate@sbcollege.ca. At SBC we believe that everyone should have an opportunity to follow Jesus, serve the church and engage the world. Activate is designed specifically for young adults who wish to remain in the workforce and still grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. – SBC
•• Columns • Poetry
The Kindness of Strangers
by Stephanie Unger
“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”1 Oh Ms. DuBois, did that work for you?
“When trusting a stranger your trust will be returned.”2 Hey Rosetta, can I count on that?
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me in.”3 Dear Jesus, do I follow you in this?
To be trusted Depended upon This I can grasp There is strength in being needed I stand tall Like the Statue of Liberty Holding out in my hands The Word of Life Immovable, unshakable Unreachable, unknowable Unlovable?
To be trusting Dependent This I resist There is weakness in being needy I’m off-balance Like a pitching boat As I hold out my hands For support Unsteady, exposed Humbled, vulnerable Lovable?
You were trusting Dependent on our hospitality A homeless God You were not ashamed of being needy Asking for water, for dinner For friends You held out your hands And you died Receiving, accepting Forgiving, transforming Loving
Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire, New York: New Directions, 1947. Baker, Tom. New Goodbye. Hey Rosetta. Hawksley Workman, 2008. CD. 3 Matthew 25:35 Stephanie Unger is part of Many Rooms Church Community 1 2
30 The Messenger • July 2015
Columns • Window on Missions
Three projects to consider
E
MC Missions has assisted to begin various ministries in East Paraguay that have since become the responsibility of national boards. Moving ministries from missionary to national is always a time of celebration. Such transitions are done is steps with agreements written between EMC Missions and the local board that is in place for the particular ministry. A transition does not mean that we abandon the ministry begun by EMC missionaries. In fact, EMC Missions and the ministry continues with a strong relationship for many years with EMC Missions giving financially to special projects that are presented by the local ministry’s Board of Directors and accepted by EMC Missions. Financial donations are then given by faithful donors from Canada. In East Paraguay, EMC Missions is contributing to three special projects in 2015. Alto Refugio (High Refuge) HIV/AIDS Ministry: $700 per month is donated to purchase
by Ken Zacharias Foreign Secretary
milk and medicines for those who come to High Refuge for assistance. 2015 Project Goal: $8,500 Radio Mensajero Follow-Up Ministry: Radio Mensajero places a high priority in personally contacting the listeners in its broadcasting area. Personnel visit the homes of listeners to be able to understand the needs of listeners and to give encouragement and spiritual guidance when appropriate. The follow-up team also visits schools, both at the high school and university levels, giving lectures and seminars on topics relative to scripture and culture. 2015 Project Goal: $5,000 Tres Palmas-Santa Teresa Medical Project: Misión Viva’s ministry to the Indians in Santa Teresa includes medical services, including paying for hospital fees, operations, ambulance and pharmaceutical supplies. 2015 Project Goal: $5,000 We welcome your donations to each of these special projects. You can donate by paying on the EMC website or by sending in your donation to the EM Conference office. Thank you for considering this opportunity.
A transition does not mean that we abandon the ministry begun by EMC missionaries We welcome your donations to each of these special projects.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 31
Shoulder Tapping Inner City Youth Alive, in Winnipeg, Man., is looking for a full-time administrative assistant. This role includes: reception services, providing administrative and accounting support. Essential Skills: good communication, problem solver, organized, open to continuous learning, Microsoft Office and Quickbooks. For more details visit www.icya.ca or e-mail Dory Richards at dory@icya.ca to apply. Inner City Youth Alive, in Winnipeg, Man., is looking for mature Christian leaders to join our Gem Lake Wilderness Camp team for part of this summer. We are currently looking for counselors, assistant program coordinator, liaison, cook/host family (paid positions). Contact Gord or Matt at Inner City Youth Alive at camp@icya.ca or 204-582-8779. Have you ever considered taking your business and managerial skills and translating them to grow Christian leaders? Mid-Way Christian Leadership, based in Thompson Man., is looking for a general director. This is a support/fund-raised missionary position with some of the compensation subsidized from our general funds. We are looking for someone who is willing to take this step of faith. We are building a team of committed individuals who are passionate about following God by discipling people into mature Christians and ultimately replacing our leadership positions from those we work with. Please email generaldirector.mcl@gmail.com for a job description or inquiries.
Mennonite Foundation of Canada has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant in its Calgary office. Expected start date for this position is July 6, 2015. This person will be responsible for providing administrative support for the Calgary office. Key responsibilities include front desk and telephone reception, processing incoming and outgoing mail, faxes, bank deposits and receipts, preparing letters, reports and presentations, and offering information to clients. Flexible attitude and team spirit, strong organizational skills, exceptional computer skills, superb verbal and written communications skills, and professionalism are essential competencies. MFC offers a competitive salary and benefits package. A complete job description is available at www.MennoFoundation. ca. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit resume to Shelly Wilcoxson, 12-1325 Markham Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6 or swilcoxson@MennoFoundation.ca. Morweena Christian School is looking for classroom teachers for the Grade 5-6 class and the Grade 7-8 class to begin teaching in Sept. 2015.v
MCS is a K-12 rural school 90 minutes north of Winnipeg, Man., serving about 135 students. The two-grade split classes range in size from 15-20 students. MCS was founded in 1966 by families of the Morweena EMC. Candidates need to be certifiable in the Province of Manitoba, embrace the EMC Statement of Faith, and be active in congregational life. For information contact principal Tim Reimer, timr@morweenaschool.org or 1-204-364-2466.
Site in Region 3 Community Bible Fellowship, Swan River, Man. For ticket info, contact thiessen.rita@gmail.com
•• Evangelical Mennonite Conference
Quarterly Financial Report 2015 Receipts and Transfers Disbursements Excess/Shortfall
Jan–June 2015 667,852 1,023,392 -355,540
Jan–June 2014 625,513 1,042,854 -417,341
The Board of Trustees is grateful for the faithful giving of Churches and individuals to the Conference budget. Thank you for giving generously to the work we are doing together. Here are the results for the second quarter of 2015. Tim Dyck General Secretary
Calendar Manitoba September 10
Missionary Fellowship Location: TBA
Join with Christ in shaping our
WORLD
Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Missions 204-326-6401 info@emconf.ca www.emconfer ence.ca
32 The Messenger • July 2015
Shoulder Tapping *With any applications for EMC church pastoral positions, candidates are expected to also register a Ministry Information Profile with the EMC Board of Leadership and Outreach, which can be obtained through Erica Fehr, BLO Administrative Assistant, at efehr@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.
EMC Positions* Taber EMC is seeking a full-time youth/associate pastor. Candidate should have the ability to plan and oversee a comprehensive youth ministry and oversee associate pastor ministries as arranged by the church leadership. Valuable assets would be skills in sports and music. Contact church board chair Abe Klassen at 403-223-0588 or 403-331-9563. Send resumes to Taber EMC, Box 4348, Taber, AB T1G 2C7 or taberemc@ yahoo.ca.
Hillside Christian Fellowship is looking for a fulltime or interim pastor. Previous experience is preferred and housing is available. Hillside Christian Fellowship is a rural church located on Highway 697 in the Buffalo Head Prairie area, about 25 kms from La Crete in northern Alberta. The industries that drive our community are farming and logging. We have about 50 to 60 people attending on average each Sunday. For information contact Jim Friesen at valley@sis.net or call (work) 780-928-3880 or (cell) 780-926-7717. La Crete Christian Fellowship is seeking candidates to fill the role of senior pastor. LCCF is located in a beautiful, prosperous farming and logging community in northern Alberta. We are a multi-generational congregation with a strong commitment to missions. Our average Sunday attendance is 450. The senior pastor would be a team member working with and providing general oversight to the associate pastor, youth pastor, office staff, lay minister and a large, supportive ministerial. He would have appropriate Bible college education and preferably a number of years of pastoral experience. He would agree with the EMC Statement of Faith and Church Practices. Duties include, but are not limited to, preaching, teaching, some administration and officiating at various church functions. Information can be found at www.lccfc.ca. Please contact Darryl Olson at darrylwolson@gmail. com or 780-821-0287 if you can serve together with us in this capacity. The Church of Living Water in Tillsonburg, Ont., is seeking a full-time senior pastor. We are a young church with attendance ranging from 70-100. We have a growing children and youth ministry. CLW is seeking a pastoral couple who will live among us to guide and direct the church to deeper and greater ministry in our community. We believe the senior pastor role to be that of a shepherd who guides his congregation, needs to be
a strong encourager and a pastor who has passion for God and his people. This is best accomplished by studying and teaching, praying and preaching, and visiting and visioning, all based on God’s Word. Previous pastoral experience is preferred, and candidate must be in agreement with our EMC Constitution and Statement of Faith. Applications or resumes should be sent to the CLW Board of Elders: Abe Neufeld (chair) abeneufeld@bell.net and David Dyck (vice chair) daviddyck@hotmail.com. Mennville EMC, a rural congregation with an attendance about 90, located in Manitoba's Interlake region, seeks a full- or part-time pastor. The pastor will work within a ministerial team as the church seeks to renew and grow. College or seminary training and pastoral experience are definite assets. Starting date is flexible and salary will reflect EMC guidelines. A candidate should be a collaborative leader (team player), comfortable in the pulpit and in pastoral care, familiar with the EMC Statement of Faith, and respectful of various cultures and rural living. Contact minister Terry Dueck at frontier104@ hotmail.com. Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (Calgary, Alberta) is seeking a full-time pastor to work alongside our current pastor and our congregational leadership team. We would expect the successful candidate to have the following characteristics: previous pastoral experience, very relational, a good communicator and preacher, and comfortable working with all age groups. This person would have post-secondary education, would be able to work in a team setting, and be able to mentor others. This pastor's focus of ministry would be on the discipleship of the congregation through preaching, teaching, the encouragement of small groups, and prayer. This pastor will also lead in caring for the congregation. We are an urban congregation of 100 attendees with an informal atmosphere. ACF is Anabaptist in its theological roots, congregational in its governance, and committed to love through service to one another and to our community. Email your resume to: Pastoralcommittee@abbeydale.org
mariederkson@gmail.com or by phone Jake (780821-9432) or Greg (780-926- 9553). Blumenort EMC is seeking a full-time community life pastor who will focus on developing Christian community inside our congregation and providing oversight for community outreach ministries. Key responsibilities will include creating vision and enabling our members to be effective in their connections inside the church and in ministry outside of the church. Previous pastoral experience is preferred but all candidates will be considered. This is a new opportunity which we hope to fill as soon as God provides. The candidate must be in agreement with our EMC Constitution and Statement of Faith. For a full job description or to send in a resume, please contact Anthony Reimer at anthony.reimer@ blumenortemc.ca or 204-326-1644. Pelly Fellowship Chapel is seeking a three-quartertime pastor. Pelly is a small community located in a farming area, surrounded by lots of fishing and hunting opportunities. PFC is a small church with a predominately older congregation. We do have an active children's ministry with bridges to young community families. PFC is looking for someone who has strong preaching and teaching gifts along with a heart for reaching the lost. PFC has a nice manse with a large yard and garden area. Interested applicants can contact Gordon Bellows at 306-548-4361 or email a resume to gbellows@sasktel.net.
Where are position ads to be sent? Please send all position ads, including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconf.ca. All ads are to be 150 words or less. All ads can be edited. Please advise us when it is no longer needed.
High Level Christian Fellowship (HLCF) is seeking a full-time pastor. HLCF is a diverse but well established congregation serving in a community where oil and gas, farming and forestry are the driving industries. HLCF has an average attendance of 130 members and adherents. The successful candidate would be able to relate and work well with people working together towards building an active community of believers. If God is directing you in this mission please forward your resume to either Jake Neufeld at j.neufeld@ peacecountrypetroleum.com or Greg Derkson at
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 33
Column • Here and Far Away
The benefits of having your hands tied
by Jocelyn R. Plett www.writewhatyousee. wordpress.com
When we remember to look to God for our provision, to Him goes the Glory (Eph. 3:20-21).
34 The Messenger • July 2015
DESIGNPICS
R
eturning to Canada for a sabbatical gives rise to many feelings of trepidation. The unknowns of where we will live and send our boys to school create a deep sense of unease. Because the logistics are largely out of our hands, we have no choice but to depend on whatever is available, upon the generosity of the saints and, foremost, on the provision of the Lord. It’s uncomfortable to not be in control. We can make our requests known to the Church and our Gracious God, and then wait. Waiting on others—even on the Lord—is a challenge. Those with the means to do so can often control much of what happens in their lives—we can choose where we live if we have sufficient funds to pay the rent. We can choose where we go and when we arrive if we can afford to drive our own vehicle. Those who don’t have such means are at the mercy of those who can help them. Early this year Madagascar experienced a vast overabundance of rain. People were crushed in the soggy collapse of their own homes, or were displaced because their homes were under water. They no longer had control over where they live. Many people camped in makeshift tents built with sticks and tarps, pitched along the dike above the rice fields. Yet when we are in a position of helplessness we are in a good place. I am never in such consistent prayer-mode as when I feel desperate. It is then that it is clearly evident to me that only the Lord can provide what is necessary for my well-being, according to His will. When we realize how dependent we are on Him for everything in our lives, we draw nearer to Him. Finding myself at the mercy of God’s provision is where He wants me. “Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?” (James 2:5). Living among the poor I see they are spiritually rich because they often have no choice but to trust that God will provide for them. The woman who works in my house speaks of this often. She is utterly convinced of God’s provision for her and her family. Because she
has limited resources she has the clarity to see that God is sovereign in all things and He will provide for His people (Matt. 6:25-34). Wealth and resources blind us to the reality that God is the source of our provision. In my experience, because it’s so difficult to trust that He will provide for us, it’s often a good thing to be given no other choice. Enforced lessons in trusting in God’s goodness yields a delight that is worth the discomfort: receiving provision infinitely more than what I could ever ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). When we remember to look to God for our provision, to Him goes the Glory (Eph. 3:20-21). That’s also His will. Jocelyn and Josh R. Plett serve with Mission Aviation Fellowship Canada in Madagascar. They are on North American assignment, living in Landmark, Man., and are available to visit churches till mid-December.
Column • stewardship today
Developing our generosity skills
A
by Marlow Gingerich
DESIGNPICS
n early sign of spring in southern Ontario is seeing sports teams move their practices outside. More experienced players receive instruction to help fine-tune their skills and tactics. The players’ relationship with the coach is significant in their development. How do we develop our skills in the area of generosity? Perhaps a parent modeled faithful giving to the church. Maybe a friend or colleague challenged you to stretch your giving to support an important one-time project. Along the way, many of us recognize the importance of open-handed kindness and the sharing of our resources. At Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC), we work alongside and coach individuals, helping them understand that giving is an act of worship. We believe God invites us to give of the first and the best of whatever we have—this is a critical component of God’s call to us. During private consultations, MFC clients sometimes share their story, explaining how they developed their level of generosity. They express gratitude that someone taught them to give of their time, talents and resources. Some also express concerns for future generations: Who will speak to our teenagers, young adults and newly married couples about becoming faithful givers? Who will help them recognize an opportunity to challenge themselves and grow in their commitment to living generously? Who can they turn to for advice? Many Canadian families rarely talk about money in any constructive way. It is a tough, uncomfortable topic that often feels too personal. But in the right context, sharing those concerns and feelings about money can open the door to new insights about the true value of money and the joyful experience of sharing. In the soccer community, we are always looking for coaches who have the ability to challenge players to develop new skills and strategies. In
our church community, we also need mentors who can nurture, encourage and gently challenge others to develop their giving. We need people who are willing to begin those awkward and uncomfortable conversations with a desire to help others grow in their understanding and practice of faithful stewardship. Do you have experience and knowledge you can share with others? Are you willing to step forward to coach the next generation, teaching them the skills of generosity? Perhaps you know someone who is passionate about Kingdom work, but needs a little nudge to help them consider how they can support their passion. Proverbs 22:6 instructs, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Who will step forward to coach the next team of cheerful givers? MFC has several resources to help you begin the conversation on faith and finances, including God, Money and Me. These resources are free to download at MennoFoundation.ca. Marlow Gingerich is a stewardship consultant at MFC serving generous people in Ontario and eastern provinces. For information on generosity, stewardship education, and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit MennoFoundation.ca.
Who will speak to our teenagers, young adults and newly married couples about becoming faithful givers?
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 35
Column • kids’ corner
Lessons from the forest
T The forest provides what birds require to survive. In the same way Jesus says, he will provide for you.
DESIGNPICS
by Loreena Thiessen
ake a walk in the forest. What do you see? Well, trees, of course. But a forest is much more than trees. Many different types of plants and animals live there. As you enter the forest you instantly feel cooler. You may also feel damp. It’s darker; there’s less sunlight. Look up. The tallest trees act as a canopy, or cover; they block out the sun for plants below. At the same time they get the most sun. In a storm they are hit the hardest. They are the oldest trees and must be strong to endure. Below the canopy are shorter and thinner trees. They grow more slowly because there is less sunlight. Next you see shrubs. Shrubs are short trees with many stems growing out from the base, at times in a tangle. The next layer down has tree seedlings. Mosses and flowers grow here. Finally there’s the forest floor. Dead and decaying leaves, twigs and broken branches litter the ground, a cover for insects and mice. The forest may seem messy and disorganized but it provides many good things, helpful for people and animals. Nests are homes for birds and animals. In the trees they find their food, shelter from storms and hide from their enemies. Trees make oxygen and clean the air of pollutants. Trees provide shade which in turn makes the air cooler. Tree roots hold the soil together keeping in water from a down pour or melting snow. This helps the forest grow and
provides the water we get from wells, called the aquifer. Trees make the air you breathe healthier. A walk in the forest can make you feel more relaxed and give you energy. In the forest you can learn about trees and you can learn about life. While Jesus was on earth the people who followed him wanted to hear what he would say. He taught them right where they were and used familiar examples. The forest provides what birds require to survive. In the same way Jesus says, he will provide for you. Read about that in Matthew 6:26. In Luke 6:43-44 Jesus says that a tree reveals its kind by the fruit it bears; you will know it’s an apple tree when it grows apples. The truths Jesus taught with these examples are that he cares about you and will provide what you need. In turn, he says, what you do will show others what kind of a person you are. Read Luke 6:45.
Activity: See the layers in the forest. Need: notebook, pencil, pencil crayons, camera Do: In your notebook mark off 5 parts going across. Use two full pages for more space. Label the parts: canopy, under the canopy, shrubs, seedlings, ground cover. Look carefully at each layer among the trees. Draw, describe, or photograph what you see in each layer. Can you tell how God provides what is required for each type of plant, animal or bird to survive? 36 The Messenger • July 2015
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