Messenger The
EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 44 NUMBER 18 NOVEMBER 1, 2006
peace
Is the price of too high in the EMC?
The
Messenger
2008, somewhere in Canada
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EDITOR Terry M. Smith ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Buhler THE MESSENGER is the 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 Unpublished material is not returned except by request.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. THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. In cooperation with the EMC Conference Council, members and adherents pay through their church. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Mailing information: Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net or emcterry@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger
MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 21 – December 6 (copy due November 24)
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editorials astor: Please exempt these young men and women from military service during this war. Judge: Pacifism is an important tenet of your faith? Pastor: Yes. Judge: Do you preach regularly about it? Pastor: Once last year. Judge: Teach it in Sunday school? Pastor: A while ago. Judge: Discuss it in a Bible study? Pastor: Not lately. Judge: So it’s only important during a time of conscription? Pastor: It’s in our statement of faith and we cover it in our baptismal classes. Judge: How old are people in these classes? Pastor: From young teens till elderly. Judge: How long do these classes last? Pastor: Maybe six weeks to several months. Judge: How long is one class? Pastor: An hour or less.
Judge: So there might be perhaps as little as six to 12 hours of instruction, with pacifism discussed somewhere? Pastor: Yes. Judge: For how long is pacifism discussed, an hour? Pastor: Less. Judge: So you want me to exempt them because they’ve been instructed on pacifism for less than an hour? Pastor: But it’s an important belief! Judge: Do Mennonites believe action speaks louder than words? Pastor: Certainly. Judge: Yet you’ve provided no evidence of regular training in pacifism—that action speaks louder than your words. Before exemption can be granted, I need more proof. I call a five-minute recess! Pastor: What do we do now? What if he asks about our young people’s fascination with action movies, video T games, and paintball? M Terry M. Smith
Embarrassed by the Amish
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s an evangelical Mennonite minister, I recognize a spiritual, theological, and historical relationship with the Amish—one more complex than these few words. However, I am uncomfortable with the Amish’s clothing, their rejection of modern technology, and their general withdrawal from wider society. The perhaps apocryphal warning to “be careful among the English” seems—for one named Smith—to reflect a narrow understanding of the relationships of faith, culture, and sin; it also seems to unfairly dismiss other complex Christian histories. I am involved in a Mennonite church. That isn’t because I desire physical isolation, prefer a rural lifestyle (though I do), want to adopt a Germanic culture (while I respect it), and reject technology and education (which I don’t). My understanding of the Christian faith involves a responsibility to critique faith,
culture, technology, and education—and to live a response that is often different from that of the Amish. Frankly, I am sometimes embarrassed by the Amish. And now the Amish are in the news because of a school shooting in Pennsylvania. The Amish have voiced forgiveness for the man who killed and wounded, attended his funeral, and encouraged establishment of a trust fund for his widow and children. As SBC professor Gord Penner said to me in a an e-mail recently, the Amish’s response is so different from the cycle of violence that exists in much of the world. The Amish do this in the name of Jesus, their Lord and mine (unworthy as I am). They cause me, and others, to examine my own ability to forgive. When I look inside, the Amish T embarrass me again. M Terry M. Smith THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
letter
coming events
On letter writing: “The views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors” (from The Messenger’s masthead). “Letters that do not represent official Conference positions can be published in The Messenger. Within a Conference comprised of various voices, the magazine is to encourage the ‘community hermeneutic’ toward responsible Christian belief, teaching, and practice. Readers and official bodies of the EMC can reply to material in The Messenger…The focus of letter writing is to be on issues, not on personalities” (Part of Board of Church Ministries policy on Letters to the Editor, January 2002).
Shared emphases need more recognition It seems that Mr. Zwaagstra has not grasped the underlying affinity of many Anabaptists with the emerging church movement [letter Emergent church issues remain, Sept. 20]. What the emerging church and historical Anabaptism have in common is an emphasis on faithfully confessing Jesus as Lord through our daily walk rather than being primarily concerned with doctrinal profession as in Evangelicalism. In addressing Zwaagstra’s renewed warnings, it should be noted that in each case emerging church writers are addressing a current imbalance in theological views. A helpful image is to see theological movements like a pendulum swinging above a centre point. After the apostles, the early church swung toward Greek philosophy; in the Middle Ages it swung toward tradition; in the Reformation it swung toward Biblicism; and in the modern era the pendulum has swung dramatically toward rationalism. In this light we see the theology of the emerging church as a counterweight to today’s Evangelicalism. As to Biblical authority, the questions raised by emerging church are in contrast to the literalistic and almost idolatrous treatment of scripture by some branches of the evangelical church. As to theistic evolution, what the emerging church (and many Anabaptists for that matter) have said about the nature of God is that Sovereignty, where most Evangelicals start, is the absolutely wrong place to begin when describing the Almighty. While I would agree that some writers have pushed the envelope on this idea, it is worthwhile to note that the concept of God as the
THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
“unmoved mover” is a Greek philosophy which finds no place in the Hebrew understanding of the living God. That the emerging church undermines the doctrine of atonement is overstated by Zwaagstra. Rather, Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory merely takes its place alongside Christus Victor, Incarnation, Redeemer, Suffering Servant, and many other biblical images of how God saves us through Jesus Christ. This move away from a singular understanding of atonement is a positive one. As to Roman Catholic practices, it must be said that merely being Catholic in origin does not negate the usefulness of things like contemplative spiritual disciplines. And renewed interest in a sacramental understanding of church rites reflects a desire to embrace the mysteries of faith in Christ evidenced in these acts. As to eternal punishment, the emerging church’s reluctance to speak in definitive tones on this issue is in contrast to Evangelicalism’s zeal to slam to door of heaven in the faces of those who don’t fit the mold. Our own faith community has left a trail of broken people behind us, excluded for failing to meet our standards. The emerging church would rather say, “Let God be the judge of who’s in or out of the kingdom of Heaven.” Finally, in contrast to Zwaagstra’s assertion that the emerging church has “repainted” the Christian faith in a postmodern palette, I would argue that these fellow saints are merely trying to restore the beauty and mystery of what has become a sadly stained and faded image of the bride of Christ. Carl Heppner Winnipeg, Man.
November 10 Christ’s Peace in a World of Terror Interactive event for youth groups and high school students Meadow Brook Fellowship Leamington, Ont. 416-423-9229 allanrm@mennonite.on.ca November 10–11 Living in New Ways MCC Ontario Annual Meeting Meadow Brook Fellowship Leamington, Ont. charc@mennonite.on.ca November 23 Same Gender Attraction: Ministering with Compassion and Grace One-day workshop Living Free Ministries Speaker: Tye Gamey, New Direction Grace Bible Church Winnipeg, Man. 204-284-1973 December 2–4 EMC Ministerial Retreat Speakers: John and Anne Neufeld Wilderness Edge Retreat Centre Pinawa, Man. 204-746-2702 or 204-746-8360 rfclife@gninc.ca
Israel 2007 Biblical Discovery Tour March 24 to April 3, 2007 Hosts: Pastor Dale and Lori Dueck Winkler EMMC Visit Old Jerusalem The Garden of Gethsemane The Garden Tomb Nazareth Capernum The Mount of Olives Beth Shean Sea of Galilee Meggido and the plains of Armageddon The Dead Sea Qumran Mars Hill (Acts 17) Tour base price: $2,449 Canadian. Mars Hill adds $95. There are incidental tour costs (phone for info). See sunworldtours.com or 1-800461-6854. Call 204-325-7667 or email pastordale-wemmc@mts.net.
Teaching and healing
Is the price of peace too high in the EMC?
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Wally Doerksen
nce upon a time there was a church conference who believed that violence was not the way to solve problems. So they solved their problems in peaceful ways. Then one day the government called and said they wanted their young men to enlist in their army. But the church said they were sure that would lead to violence. Since they were peace-loving, they could not let their young men participate in such ventures. Fortunately, the government said that if this was a case of going against their conscience then these young men could perform other duties instead of joining the army. It came about that hundreds of young men left their homes and performed alternate service and kept their consciences intact. 4
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any of these young men always be done concurrently? were our ancestors: Our Some, like Ronald Sider, would say that it is good for us fathers, brothers and to see poverty firsthand. That would mean we would have uncles. Some of these to go and live in areas like that for a time to understand the young men are still alive today. We difficulties of poverty. Would this sending come under the have heard some of their stories. In direction of the mission board, under the direction of the local general we would say they did a good churches, or would people just go independently as they felt thing. Today, however, our country led? is not in a war involving conscription If we were to take the approach that we would preach and and does not come calling for our heal would we have greater compassion on the people who young men and women. have diseases like HIV/AIDS? Would we send people to areas Can we conclude, then, that our where this disease is rampant and minister to the soul and the collective consciences are clear body of these people? Or do we say that HIV/AIDS is a terrible because we have no disease that comes about as a tough decision to make result of bad choices and it really Can we conclude that our on whether to engage in is not up to us to try and solve violence or not? Or is this collective consciences are clear this difficulty for them? What approach too narrow? Do do we say to the children who we still think that we are the because we have no tough contract this disease through no quiet people in the land and decision to make on whether to fault of their own? that we will live and let live? If we were to take this engage in violence or not? Or is approach of healing and Unfortunately there are problems in this world. preaching, would we get involved this approach too narrow? Do There is much hunger, and with people who are suffering we still think that we are the poverty, and disease, and from the ravages of war? Would strife. People, tribes and send our medical people quiet people in the land and that we countries war against one to heal the wounded or would another to try to settle their we will live and let live? we say that is the job of the difficulties. government of the day? After all, they started the war; let them look after the consequences. Not our problem? Would we send our diplomats to try to sort out the problems Since most of this does not affect of these people and countries? Would we send our young men us directly, can we say this is not our and women to stand in harm’s way, between the conflicting problem? Some would argue that if parties, and say “stop this fighting”? “There is a better way. It we preach the gospel to the affected is a way of peace and we believe in it so strongly that we are people this will solve the problems; willing to die to bring you this message.” and if it does not then at least those people who die in those terrible A better way circumstances will have had the One could argue that indeed this is what Christian opportunity to become Christians. Peacemaker Teams are doing. Others would say that while this Really that is all we can do. That is may be admirable, this is not really our calling. Have we not the best we can do. seen that some of these CPT people are really out there on the But is that what Jesus did? We fringe of theology, and preach and practice things we would read that he preached and healed never condone? (Luke 6:1–11). What makes us think Ron Sider would say that this is we can improve on his approach because the leadership of the church If we were to take the and only preach? If we were to take has not taken the lead in this matter; approach that we should the approach that we should preach it was left up to the fringe to lead the preach and heal, what and heal, what would we be doing way here. What would our missions differently? Would we be sending our strategy look like if it were left up to would we be doing people to areas to feed the poor? the fringe to operate? Would we be differently? Would we Some would say we are already happy with the results? doing that through organizations like And why has the leadership not be sending our people to MCC. Others would say that is mostly taken the lead? Is it because the areas to feed the poor? healing and we should be preaching belief is that this peacemaking does as well. Must preaching and healing not fall under the jurisdiction of the THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
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How can we say to the hungry and the needy and the oppressed, “I wish you well, keep warm and well fed, and get out from under the curse of the oppressor,” if we never leave the comforts of our homes, our churches, and our villages? church? Is it because we do not have the dual approach of preaching and healing? What if we were to say as a church that it is just as important for us to send our people into harm’s way for the sake of nurturing peace as it was for our forebears to become conscientious objectors and not go to war? Would we be blaspheming the good name of our forebears or would we be fulfilling the commandment of God? How can we say to the hungry and the needy and the oppressed, “I wish you well, keep warm and well fed, and get out from under the curse of the oppressor,” if we never leave the comforts of our homes, our churches, and our villages?
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think there are proactive things we could be doing in greater abundance. Elmer Warkentin is looking for more teachers in China; Flo Friesen could use entrepreneurs in Central Asia; Ukraine could use more English teachers; Grand Rapids, Man., could use public school teachers/tentmakers (as could a host of other places). These are all good things to do and we should be doing more of them. Healing is an important part of what Christians are mandated to do. But what about the peace initiatives we could be involved in? Are we not a member of the peace churches? Recently in Colombia there was a military parade and following it was a group of local and foreign Christians who were sweeping “death off the streets.” If not for the foreign presence the Colombian government might well have taken actions against these peace activists. Does that not compel us to become more active in being involved in promoting peace by being physically present in areas of danger, especially if we would be making a difference? If we consider Christian Peacemaker Teams to be too much on the fringe theologically, should we not try to centre it more? And if that is deemed impossible should we not found peace groups that are more in keeping with our theological bent? Our forebears acted on their conscience and opted out of war. Should we not equally follow our T consciences and opt into peace? M Wally Doerksen (Good News, Steinbach) is chair of the national EMC Social Concerns Committee. THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
with our missionaries Paraguay
Waiting isn’t easy!
Waiting is not my idea of spending time wisely. However, since arriving in Paraguay in October 2004 my husband and I have come to understand the importance and value of waiting. When we received our assignment in Canada to do a church plant in Paraguay, the job description sounded so straightforward and exciting. Within a few short months of our arrival here we realized that things were not going as planned. As we prayed and searched for a church plant location it seemed like we were met with silence. Thus began our waiting room experience. Painful? Lonely? Frustrating? Yes. After all, we are supposed to perform and produce right? And isn’t busyness in ministry a sign of godliness? In the midst of our search, God saw our greater need and responded. We consulted with Mr. Guzman, the director of the school our children attend, and suddenly found ourselves being ministered to. He confirmed the importance of waiting and said “there will be times that you feel like you’re not doing anything, but it is more important to be than to do.” The words of wisdom and counsel brought healing to our disappointments
and encouragement to keep waiting. A short time later, on one of our visits to a possible church plant location, we decided to turn left instead of right (the normal route home). As we discussed our children’s education needs if we were to move to this area, Hernán said, “There must be a Christian school in the area.” Within about five minutes, he saw the sign Centro Educativo Sinaí. That day we met Gilberto and Tomasa Castillo, directors of Sinaí who shared their vision of a Christian school. For six years they had been praying that God would send someone who would do church work alongside the school
so that the students and their families could be directed to a church in the community. So for six years, they waited and prayed. We were somewhat awed. Was this a divine appointment? After a few more months of praying, and consulting, the waiting came to an end for us and for the Castillos. It is a joy to work with Gilberto and Tomasa who love the Lord and have a burden for the people in their community. Through the school we have many opportunities to reach out to the students, their families and the community. In August of this year, almost a year after our waiting room experience ended, we celebrated our first baptism of four people. Currently 40 people meet on Sunday mornings for worship. Having waited and now received an answer doesn’t mean that the remainder of the work is easy. However, we believe that the wait was worth it, in spite of the tears, and God gave us more than what we anticipated. Landis Benítez
Gilberto and Tomasa Castillo with their children Josias and Abigail.
Landis and Hernan Benitez are church planters in Paraguay.
Copies still per book available $2.50 for EMCers
Baptism in August 2006. Gilberto Castillo and Hernan Benitez had the privilege of baptizing two sisters, their aunt and grandmother.
THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
A 13-lesson study booklet that explores our wider task as Christians, with a striving for social justice as a biblical task. Call or email to order your copies today: 204326-6401; emcmessenger@mts.net
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with our churches
August a busy month while the younger folk spent some time playing a variety of water games. August was a busy month, with Day Camp being held from the 7–10. We averaged 30 kids each day. The kids loved learning about Moses, his birth, and the many exciting adventures that happened in his lifetime. The second weekend of August saw many families pack their tents and head to Spruce Woods Provincial Park for the annual Treesbank Church Family Camp. Friday night was quite stimulating for those who were sleeping in tents. As wind tore at our tents, lightening flashed and rain poured down, some of us wondered whether we would still be in the same spot come morning. Even though it threatened to rain again Sunday morning we had a wonderful worship service, thanking the Lord for the rain that was so badly needed. On September 10 we saw the start of our Sunday school program. We added a new children’s class. The two- to fouryear-olds now have their own Chris and Janet Hamilton are a new deacon couple at Treesbank. class and can enjoy learning at Flanking them in the installation service are long-time deacon their level of understanding. Treesbank, Man.: On June 25 we celebrated the installation of a new deacon couple, Chris and Janet Hamilton. They will serve alongside Leonard and Luella Plett until December 31, when Pletts will step down and rest from the many years of serving as deacon couple. Our annual Father’s Day Picnic was held the week after Father’s Day this year. We met at the home of Chris and Janet Hamilton and enjoyed burgers, salads, and desserts for lunch. After lunch many enjoyed a game of soccer,
couple Leonard and Luella Plett and Pastor Kenton Penner.
June 25 also saw the dedicating of Tracy amd Chris Alden to raising their son Austin (Shayna also shown) for the Lord.
Our Thanksgiving Supper was held on October 10. Thanks to all who volunteered with cooking the supper and with putting up the beautiful fall display. We were blessed to have more than 80 people attend the supper. We look forward to December 3, when our annual Adult Christmas Banquet will take place. We will be honoured to have the music and singing of the Glen Cross Quartet. Lucille Penner
Ladies’ retreat and baptisms Portage la Prairie, Man.: Women of Portage Evangelical Church held a Ladies’ Retreat at Gimli Bible Camp on Mother’s Day weekend, May 12–14. On July 16, Christian Loewen, Chantele Lapratte, and Tanya Voorman were baptized. Catherine Epp
Ladies’ retreat May 12–14, 2006
Chantale Lapratte, Tanya Voorman, and Christian Loewen were baptized on July 16, 2006.
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VBS, children’s church, and picnic
Pelly, Sask.: Our VBS in August was a great success. Twenty-one children attended a week of singing, crafts, and stories. The theme was Fiesta! Where Kids are Fired up about Jesus. Every day they learned about a new attribute of Jesus. For their final group picture they posed in the colourful T-shirts they had decorated earlier with their own handprints, shouting “Viva!” Helen Froese was directing the program with half a dozen helpers. During our last lunchtime together it was wonderful to see some of the children spontaneously singing the Spanish song they had learned. We are grateful that
Pastor John helps with the baseball bat.
some parents in the community that don’t attend church still send their children to VBS every year. It is our prayer that the seed sown will someday bring every one of them to the Lord. On a beautiful September day we held our annual picnic, this time at the Abrahamson ranch. One racing game required the children being pulled in a large bag, each by two adults. How I was talked into riding in one of those bags I don’t recall, but the very bumpy ride made me remember it well for several days afterwards. A game of baseball with all ages participating is already a tradition. We enjoyed a relaxing fun time together and to the best of my knowledge no one got soaked this time. This year we have made several changes in our Sunday morning service, including the introduction of children’s
church during the message. New ideas have been brought up, and it is encouraging to see many of the older generation embracing different ways of worship. We are grateful that Pastor John Froese keeps inspiring us to a more surrendered life and deeper unity. Lotti Prokott
Rodney and Clifton Abrahamson, son and father, participate in the Bag Race.
VBS at Pelly: Participating children, with helpers in the back row.
Celebrate World Fellowship Sunday! Is your congregation planning to celebrate its family connections? Mennonite World Conference celebrates being a global family of Anabaptist believers in January. In 2007 there are two dates for congregations to choose from. January 21 (listed in the EMC Memo Calendar) is the date of the fi rst Anabaptist baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1525. In a normal THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
year WFS is celebrated on the fourth Sunday, which would be January 28. The counsel from a MWC spokesperson is that churches should feel free to decide for themselves if they would prefer to celebrate on the actual day of the fi rst Anabaptist baptisms or a week later. Either Sunday is fi ne. Mennonite World Conference “is a communion (Koinonia) of
Anabaptist-related churches linked to one another in a worldwide community of faith for fellowship, worship, service, and witness.” The EMC is formally part of MWC. MWC/EMC
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Prairie Grove celebrates 30 years Lorette, Man.: Picture it! Prairie Grove, circa 1938. (That means everything is in black and white.) Two Winnipeg Bible College students are standing along the Dawson Trail. They know that “this is it.” This is where God has led them. This is where He wants to shine his light through them to further His kingdom. That is how a possible site for a Sunday school start was chosen so many years ago, from where Prairie Grove Fellowship developed. On Sunday, October 8, 2006, PGFC celebrated their humble beginnings and their 1976 inception as a church. The service featured five speakers who shared their experiences from the past; they were interspersed with photo slideshows Pastor Darnell Plett had created from submitted pictures, as well as songs by Voice of Praise. Emil Reimer from Blumenort was involved as a Sunday school teacher in the early days. He remembers his first winter in Prairie Grove—and his gracious wife who was willing to accompany each child into the cold and to wait for them as they used the outhouse. He was pleased that the current church had a mandate that reflected what they set out to do in those early years: To love God and to love people. Upon their return from Africa, Harvey and Avril Barkman were asked to be a
part of the newly formed Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel, and to give guidance from a pastoral position. Harvey reflected upon when they added 24 people to their membership in a single day (a feat which God has yet to reproduce here). Their membership totaled 26 after that. Barkman also reminisced about their vitality, and the fact that they did not have to bury one of their members during the first 15 years. Avril, in turn, highlighted the Ladies’ Fellowship and all the benefits that have come as a result through the years. Wilma Unger, who was married to the late Pastor John Unger, shared of the love the Lord had given her for each person in the church during their time as a pastoral couple (a love which she continues to extend to this day). She shared of the blessings of many good gifts she has received from the church body, and reminded those gathered that the Lord provides when He asks things of us. Lastly, Darnell Plett led the assembled in a responsive reading adapted from Joshua 24, which encouraged the gathered to worship the true God—a reliable recipe for another fruitful 30 years. Alan Fehr
Food for Fun and Fellowship is back! Due to popular demand, Food for Fun and Fellowship will be printed once more. Orders received by mid-November should get to you in time for Christmas baking (and giving), so don’t delay. Funds raised go to EMC missions. Copies are available at the EMC offi ce in Steinbach, or at Hull’s Family Bookstore. It is more cost-effective to send a shipment of books than individually, so you may wish to coordinate your orders. For any questions or more information, please do not hesitate to contact Melanie Frayle at 204-355-4060. Mail order forms to Melanie at: Box 8, Grp. 18, RR 1 Steinbach, MB R5G 1L9 Please send ___ copies of Food for Fun and Fellowship to: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Prairie Grove ministry members, representing different decades of the church: current pastoral couple Darnell and Emily Plett; Wilma Unger, who served with her late husband John; and former pastoral couple Harvey and Avril Barkman.
Prairie Grove gave thanks, including through song, in its celebration of the Lord’s blessing during the past 30 years.
EMCup Hockey Tournament November 17–19, 2006 Steinbach, Manitoba Tournament to begin on Friday, November 17 at 5 p.m. Final game to be played on Sunday, November 19 at 2 p.m. Admission for this game is $2. Donations go to Hockey Ministries International to support their chaplain program for junior hockey teams in western Canada. For additional information call Colin Loewen at 204-346-1380 or e-mail caloewen@mts.net.
__________________________________________________ ____ cookbooks at $16.00 each
$________
add shipping and handling rates as below
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TOTAL ENCLOSED
$________
1 book to Manitoba and western provinces 2–5 books to above provinces 1 book to Ontario and eastern provinces 2–5 books to above provinces For orders larger than 5, phone (204) 355-4060.
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$ 8.50 $10.50 $10.25 $12.25
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Youth leaders’ retreat
06
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playful and profound
ne youth leader gobbled like a turkey; another squealed like a pig. When words fail, sound effects help. A roast pig and roast turkey were on the supper menu on Saturday, October 15, 2006. Mo Friesen, a member of the national youth committee, asked the 115 participants from across EMC’s spectrum of churches to describe the difference in taste between pork and turkey meat. The result was a gobble (and Mo supplied the squeal). TRU06 (short for Train, Refresh, and Unite), the EMC national youth leaders’ retreat, combined senses of the playful and the profound. The retreat, conducted each second year, was held on October 13-15 in Pinawa, Man., at the Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre. The attendance was positive, said Gerald Reimer, conference youth minister, though numbers “dipped” a bit from 2004. He would like more churches to send leaders, and was pleased that several churches were represented for the first time. The retreat ran from Friday evening through early afternoon on Sunday. Retreaters arrived by poor roads and during a power outage in stormy weather; the lights were back on by early Friday evening. The weekend was planned around structured and free time. Some people canoed. Deer were to be seen, semi-tame within the town’s limits. Marv Penner, a professor in the youth and family ministry department at Briercrest College and Seminary, spoke during three general meetings, two workshops, and a Saturday evening “bear-pit forum.” On Friday evening “he introduced himself and so gave an overview of his life in youth ministry,” said Stephanie Reimer of Prairie Rose EMC. “And then he spoke on a few reasons why youth ministry is exciting and really—yeah, exciting—currently, also some challenges that face us.” On Saturday morning seminars were presented twice: The Art of Youth Ministry Discipleship: Being a Guide (Garth Friesen), Another Movie? Pass the Resources! (Tim Gibbons), and Understanding Gender Issues and Development (Marv Penner). On Saturday evening conference youth minister Speaker Marv Penner
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Gerald Reimer, as he did at every session, called out numbers and prizes were awarded. A promotional video on Abundant Springs 2007 (The Anointed, May 18–20) was shown; youth leaders play a critical role on whether their church’s teens attend. Mo said there were many opportunities for leaders to get involved in Abundant Springs; a mailing will go out in December and registration packets in January 2007. Dale Friesen, a youth pastor from Coaldale, Alta., is the speaker. Mo Friesen led leaders in a song of praise, then a song of confession, and then in a time of audible personal confession. Leaders were invited to share Scripture passages; many did, some choosing passages that mentioned youth, and others on the need to walk humbly with God and God’s offer of salvation. Then professor Penner showed a video clip on the varied ministry of youth leaders: Celebrating a teen’s success at sports, learning of a teen being injured in a car accident, chatting with a youth group dropout about a tough home life, and meeting two teens to talk (likely about an unplanned pregnancy). “We are called to insignificance, not applause,” Marv said in his main points. “We are called to personal holiness, not personal performance. We are called to rest, not racing, rushing and running. We are called to faithfulness, not success.” He indicated that some youth leaders might respond to the retreat by doing less youth work in order to tend to their spiritual life and to care for their family. Church groups then took time for discussion and prayer. Then it was off to the bear pit forums: Combating The “Us & Them” Mentality (Dallas Wiebe), Church and Conference: What Does it Mean? (Gerald Reimer), Handling Crisis Situations (Marv Penner), Mission Trips: Defining the Purpose (Amos Fehr), Word and Deed: Where is the Balance? (Wally Doerksen), and Youth Retreats: Why, What, and How? (Nathan Plett). Wally Doerksen, national Social Concerns Committee chair, read from Luke 9:1–6 where Jesus was both teaching and
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healing. Doerksen said that the EMC is out of balance, leaning toward the teaching side. While he can’t predict the imbalance’s result, more emphasis on healing (social justice) is in line with what Jesus shows us. Young people are reacting positively to God’s Politics by Jim Wallis of Sojourners—connecting with a faith responding to social issues. Some are coming to faith in Christ because of it, Wally said. He invited leaders to talk about what their churches or members do (whether by official program or not) to bring healing to people’s lives. They shared. Finally, leaders went for an evening snack. For others, visiting continued into the early morning. There would be more of the retreat the next day. There would be a final session, followed by communion. There would be prayer of blessing pronounced upon the group by Gerald Reimer; after that, time was taken for leaders to go around to T bless each other. M Terry M. Smith and Gerald Reimer
generations
Gerald Reimer Conference Youth Minister emcger@mts.net
TRU—focused, envied, yours!
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ver the past number of years the National Youth Committee has been looking at bringing better focus to our two major youth related events, the Youth Leaders’ Retreat and Abundant Springs. With regards to Abundant Springs we have been very excited to offer a more discipleship focused event, intentionally providing teaching, training and programming that all relates to discipling our young believers. Most recently at our Youth Leaders’ Retreat we incorporated a new focus built into our new name, TRU (Train, Refresh and Unite), and I want to share with you some ways in which this took place at our retreat on October 13–15, 2006. TRAIN – This event has always sought to provide great training for our youth workers, both in our main sessions as well as our workshops. But this year the committee was quite intentional at providing training that was geared toward volunteers, the vast majority of those who were in attendance—of the 115 leaders who attended TRU06, only 24 are on some sort of salary package, from full-time to very part-time. Marv Penner emphasized that volunteers in relationships with students are where youth ministry really happens, not just in the program planning often done by paid staff. Seminars dealt with discipleship, relationships, gender issues, crisis-intervention, outreach, mission trips, youth retreats and social action—all helpful tools given to our volunteers to make them more effective youth workers. REFRESH – One of our main goals is to provide a time of refreshment, giving the leaders some down time to enjoy nature, take naps and be pampered for a couple of days.
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Once again this took place through a variety of scheduling adjustments that gave our leaders opportunities to simply rest and relax, either alone or with others while playing a variety of games. We hope this will pay dividends as you see your workers return to your churches re-energized for the ministry (with the ironic exception of those who spent hours traveling by plane and automobile to get back home). UNITE – We make no apologies that this retreat is for our Conference church workers. And so our goal is to establish an environment where our leaders can interact with one another, from east to west, north to south, and everywhere in between. A sense of support and similar calling helps to diffuse the loneliness often experienced by our youth leaders. On the one hand, we saw only 23 of 57 EMC churches represented at TRU06. However, we did have representation from every region of the Conference. We also need to take into account that a denominational event like ours is rarely seen in other denominations across Canada, making our youth leaders’ retreat an envied exception. We also gave numerous opportunities throughout the weekend for leadership teams from each church to ponder together the information they received and build vision and set goals for the work of their church. Along with a communion service at the end of the retreat, the leadership teams had lots of time to spend together and serve one another. Oh, that the Lord would richly bless your youth workers as they invest in the lives of students in your church and T community! M
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a womanʼs journey of faith Betty Koop
A thousand years and the same Lord
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s we walked up the path to the ancient church at Husaby in western Sweden, we had to stop to try to take it all in. The front tower was built in the 11th century (which replaced an earlier wooden church) and had the look of a strong stone fortress. Inside, we saw the beautiful sanctuary with the 14th century vaulted roof, decorated with rich paintings. Since many worshipers in those days could not read, the paintings depicting the gospel figures and other biblical scenes were the Bible that they “read.” We admired the 13th century baptismal font and medieval pieces of furniture, like the bishop’s throne. The pulpit was intricately carved and a beautiful altarpiece hung over the altar.
During their travels Betty and Glen Koop visited Mission Church in Lidköping, Sweden (above), and an ancient church at Husaby (right).
Various thoughts flitted through my mind. This certainly was quite different from our more plainly-designed Mennonite churches. Did these people love the Lord more than we do, to spend months, even years, carving and etching and decorating their church buildings? Apparently there were no pews in those days; they stood through the whole service. How long would we last if we had to do that? Just east of the church, we descended a long series of steps where a spring came out of the rock floor. It was now covered with a hinged wooden lid, but the opening was full to the brim. This was the site where King Olaf Skotkonung, the first Swedish king to accept Christianity, was baptized by the English missionary Sigfrid in 1008. THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
About 200 years prior to this history-changing baptism, another Swedish king had invited Christian missionaries to Sweden. Their work was so successful that it aroused jealousy and hatred among the wider population. An infuriated mob swarmed into the house of the missionaries; one was murdered and a second expelled in chains. The church was burned to the ground. A small group of Christians struggled on. Then King Olaf and his sons were won to the Christian cause and more missionaries entered the country. And now 1,000 years later, we, together with our dear Christian friends, were standing at the site of the king’s baptism. It was a real boost to my faith. In God’s eyes this only happened yesterday, but in our time-bound eyes a millennium had passed and still His work was going on. The next day was Sunday and this vision was renewed. We attended a church service with our Swedish friends at the Mission Kyrka (Mission Church) in Lidköping, only about 20 kilometers from Husaby. Although we could not understand the language, we felt the love of the Christian community at worship. At the end of the service, we had an experience that transcended any language barrier. Together with others, we went forward, knelt around the altar and received the bread and the wine in a meaningful communion service. Even though we could not understand the actual words of the individual blessing given to each communicant by the elders, the sense of our Lord’s presence and love was very real. A thousand years later, we could celebrate communion with other believers, just as those early Christians at Husaby had done at their church altar. I couldn’t help but note the contrast between the richly decorated and ornately carved altar of the thousand-year-old church, with the contemporary, beautifully simple lines of modern Swedish woodwork. Then, looking up, I saw a richly symbolic sculpture of three rings representing the Trinity overlaid with a cross. The symbolism was still there, speaking to the people, even though today most of us can read. This experience of visiting the two very different churches made me want to again praise God, together with the Swedish song writer Carl Boberg: “How great T Thou art, how great Thou art!” M 1
Justapaz receives Swedish peace award The Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation (SWEFOR) has awarded the SWEFOR Prize for Nonviolence 2006 to Justapaz for its work in Colombia. Justapaz is the acronym for the Christian Center for Justice, Peace and Nonviolent Action, a ministry of the Mennonite Church in Colombia for the past 16 years. Jenny Neme, director of Justapaz, travelled to Sweden to receive the award in Stockholm on September 23. Each year, SWEFOR awards the prize to some person or organization for outstanding work for nonviolence. Last year’s prize went to a Palestinian Quaker, Jean Zaru. The SWEFOR Board of Directors said that it chose Justapaz for the
JOHN J. L. KLASSEN 1912–2006
Mr. John J. L. Klassen, aged 93 years of Swift Current, Sask., passed away on Monday, August 28, 2006, at the Swift Current Regional Hospital. The funeral service was held on Friday, September 1, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship Church with Pastor Randall Krahn officiating. A eulogy was given by daughter Tena Peters and son Ed Klassen. He is survived by his beloved wife Gertrude (Wiebe) and his children, Tena (Dave) Peters, Jake (Theresa) Klassen, Harry (Pam) Klassen, Vic (Gloria) Klassen, Linda (Bob) Prentice, Eileen (Daryl) Tumbach, Ed (Paulette) Klassen; 19 grandchildren, 24 greatgrandchildren; sisters, Aganetha Teichroeb, Maria Friesen; brothers, David (Nettie), Isaac; sisters-in-law, Justine Klassen, Mary Klassen, Helen Harder; and brother-in-law Nick (Esther) Wiebe.
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award because “Justapaz in Colombia is a source of inspiration for individuals and other nonviolent movements on how it is possible to work with active nonviolence in spite of the risks of a violent society.” The statement cited the work of Justapaz in organizing nonviolence workshops for pastors, church leaders and young people in areas of armed conflict and in mobilizing people to make peace and justice work visible. An example named was the demonstrations around the international day of peace in September. This year, Justapaz joined other institutions in initiating a national consultation on peace. For the first time, churches who gathered there adopted a He was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Sarah; grandson Todd Klassen; brothers John, three Jacobs, Heinrick, Peter; sisters, two Sarahs, Agnes, Margaret, Katherina; and numerous brothers-in-law and sistersin-law. He was born on October 3, 1912, at Schoenfeld, Sask. On July 17, 1938, he married Gertrude Wiebe of Springfield. He was very active in the formation of the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Cornerstone Fellowship Church), being a charter member, church board member, church board chair, Sunday school superintendent, building committee member, usher and song leader; and having taught both German and English Sunday school for 30 years. He valued family very highly and was fulfilled having family present for visiting, storytelling, and fellowship over meals. He was successful as a hard worker in several labour intensive jobs. He passed away peacefully with family at his side, and went home to be with his Saviour. His Family
proposal for peace and a framework to carry out the proposal in Colombia. “For this important and strategic work, SWEFOR awards Justapaz the Prize for Nonviolence, 2006,” said the citation. This is the third time in two years that a Colombian Mennonite or Mennonite organization received international recognition for peace work. In 2005, Ricardo Torres was given a national award in Honduras for his defense of human rights in his work to demobilize gangs in that country. Also last year, Ricardo Esquivia received the Tanenbaum Peace Award in New York City for his peace work over many years. MWC
Jack Jack, we came to see you last night, You and the other inmates. We came to minister to you In song, God’s word, and prayer. Finally As we said good night before leaving, You ministered to me When you came over and said, “I’ll be praying for you.” Thank you, Jack.
Laura Plett Siemens
Theodidaktos phone number correction The phone number for Darryl Klassen, editor of Theodidaktos: Journal for EMC theology and education is 204-377-4773. Sorry for the error. —Editors THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
shoulder tapping MENNVILLE CHURCH (EMC) seeks a part- or full-time pastor. Experience and education expectations are flexible. Mennville Church is a congregation of about 100, located in the Interlake area of Manitoba and close to Hecla Island, in a predominantly agricultural area. Contact Wes Barkman at 204-378-2778 (wbbarkmn@mts.net) or Roland Friesen at 204-378-2907 (rfriesen@riv.mb.ca). Conference pastor David Thiessen can also be contacted at the EMC national office (204-326-6401). RESERVE FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC), located in Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a full-time pastoral couple to serve the church and to develop long-term relationships with people of the community. The smaller 50-year-old congregation is part of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, a community that has a Christian history going back to 1879. The congregation is located about 45 minutes from Virden and Brandon. A strong sense of God’s call and a love for people are required. Direct inquiries to David Pashe, 204-730-0409, e-mail: pashed@westman. wave.ca; or to Len Barkman, 204-326-6401, email: emclen@mts.net. THE EMC Board of Church Ministries seeks two national board members (to be appointed by General Board), two education committee members (appointed by BCM) and five music/ worship committee members (appointed by BCM). BCM has national responsibilities in the areas of Christian education, youth, publication, archives, The Messenger and
THE EMC invites applications for the senior administrative position of General Secretary. Responsibilities: Serve as Executive Secretary for the Board of Missions, General Board, and Board of Trustees; provide management of conference finances; coordinate conference events; provide management role of national office. Applicants should have experience and training in areas of financial management and missions administration with strong communication skills. A job description is available upon request. Duties to commence September 1, 2007. Please request an application form from the office at 204-326-6401, fax 204-326-1613, emconf@mts.net. The application and resume can be addressed to EMC Moderator Ron Penner and forwarded to the same addresses or to 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5.
THE MESSENGER November 1, 2006
music/worship. The frequency of meetings depends upon the committee. For information, contact executive secretary Terry Smith at 204326-6401 or emcterry@mts.net; or conference youth minister Gerald Reimer at same phone number or emcger@mts.net. ENDEAVOUR FELLOWSHIP Chapel in eastcentral Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50, is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net. MORRIS FELLOWSHIP Chapel, a church of 100 members located in the town of Morris, Man., is looking for a senior pastor. Contact Ernie Siemens at 204-746-8342 or e-mail siemensj@ mts.net. PARAGUAY MISSIONS Exposure Workteams! Are you interested in joining a volunteer work team this winter? Location: High Refuge HIV/AIDS Centre in Asuncion. A second storey will be built on the existing High Refuge building. The team will assist in setting up temporary rental quarters and remove the building’s roof in order for the storey to be built. The team will also visit other EMC ministries and Paraguayan churches; it will experience the culture and hospitality of Paraguay. Possible Dates: January 16 to February 6, 2007 (three weeks). For costs, application forms, and information contact Ken Zacharias, foreign secretary, EMC Board of Missions, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5; 204-326- 6401; emcken@mts.net. MDS INVITES weekly volunteers to register at its projects for October 22 to December 16. Please call the project directly. Numbers can be found at www.mds.mennonite.net or by calling 1-800-241-8111. Work will continue in the Gulf Coast at least four locations during fall in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Skilled crews are welcome. Volunteers able to give a month or longer should call 1-866-261-1274 and ask for Evelyn Peters-Rojas to find out what openings are available and for an application form (also available on the website). Construction foreman and head cooks are often openings that are hard to fill certain months of the year. If you have these skills and some time to give, give MDS a call. LA CRETE Christian Fellowship (La Crete, Alta.) is looking for a senior pastor to continue to nurture and spiritually grow this well established church of about 400 regular members. LCCF is located in Northern Alberta,
and its service to God is based on the core values of a commitment to teaching God’s Word and outreach to the community. The senior pastor will lead the church to engage in a fellowship of worship, compassion, training, ministry and application. He will work well in a team environment to proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers, and to care for the church’s members and other persons in the community. The applicant must have a strong and growing relationship with God, as well as with his family. If you are interested, we invite you to prayerfully consider this opportunity. Contact the search committee by emailing billmel2@ telus.net or abstcam@telus.net, or contact Bill Driedger at (780) 928-2850. A SMALL school based in Kabul, Afghanistan, seeks a Christian trained teacher (for international children whose parents work as volunteers to help the local people) from January to April 2007 for grades one and two. Must be a team player, able to cope in a challenging situation, and raise your own support. Contact persdept@iamafg.org. RICHMOND PARK Mennonite Brethren Church, a congregation of about 300 people in the growing, mid-sized city of Brandon, Man., seeks a youth pastor who is passionate about leading and discipling youth. Please send in resume and three references to Reinhold Kramer, 43 Noonan Dr., Brandon, MB R7B 0V7. For information, e-mail Kramer@brandonu. mca or phone 204-727-7344. NICARAGUA MISSIONS Exposure Workteams! Looking for a vacation with a purpose? Join a volunteer team to assist in a building project (dormitories for Gethsemane Orphanage or Tabernacle renovation at Camp Maranatha). Each team will consist of eight to 10 people. Visit churches of the Fraternity of Mennonite Churches and experience the culture and hospitality of Nicaraguan believers. Experience Nicaragua’s lakes, volcanoes, and sun. Possible dates: January 26 to February 7, February 16 to March 2, March 16 to 30, 2007. Estimated cost per person: Canadian $2,200 (includes airfare, local travel, food and lodging). Airfare price may vary at time of ticket purchase. Team Coordinators: Lester and Darlene Olfert. For information and application forms, contact Ken Zacharias, foreign secretary, EMC Board of Missions, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5; 204-326-6401; emcken@mts.net.
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stewardship today Mike Strathdee
Pledges—tracking stewardship
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ny time now, treasurers and members of finance committees at churches which have December 31 year-ends will begin doing the mental math: Let’s see: We’re this far behind budget—worse than last year—and there are only this many Sundays left in the year. Time to ask the pastor to preach a stewardship sermon (and hope he/she can guilt people into coughing up the shortfall). If that doesn’t work, there are always the weekly begging sessions during sharing time. It doesn’t have to be this way. A few years back, a woman leaving my wife’s 25th anniversary high school reunion surprised me with her grasp of her church’s finances.
Financial stability is an important precondition for being able to act on opportunities the Spirit will bring our way. When we as individuals make our congregations guess at whether they’re going to be able to make ends meet, I fear we are making a mockery of any claim to being Christian community. The same could be said when congregations don’t try to give their regional denomination some idea of their planned support, or don’t include their denomination in their budget. A Statistics Canada survey found that the 18 percent of donors who decide in advance how much money they will give account for 33 percent of the total dollar value of donations. It isn’t the case that those 18 percent of donors are the people with the greatest capacity and
A Statistics Canada survey found that the 18 percent of donors who decide in advance how much money they will give account for 33 percent of the total dollar value of donations.
In a brief curbside conversation, she told us how far ahead of the year’s budget her congregation was, the sorts of stewardship education programs they do, and the amount per household per week that her church needs to stay on track. People in her congregation take seriously the notion of covenant commitment to membership, and share a vision of what God is calling them to do in the community. With all the gifts that Mennonite churches have to offer to our hurting world, it saddens me that in many of our gatherings, we don’t have a broadly shared commitment to ensuring that our institutions are fiscally strong. Nor is this ideal taught as an expectation of membership. PAGE 16
inclination to make donations. For someone who intends to give about $2,000 a year to a church, for instance, it’s a lot easier to find $40 a week than to scrape together many times that amount in the latter half of December. And the 25 percent of donors who decide ahead of time which charities they intend to support give 39 percent of the total dollar value of donations. Clearly, it’s in the best interest of churches to encourage attendees to plan their giving. In his book The 7 Myths of Church Fundraising, Ben Harder tackles the idea that “we really can’t expect too much from our members.” Far from driving people away, expectations attract, Harder writes. “People…need a level of expectation or standard, particularly in the area of finances.” How we approach this issue can sow the seeds of future growth or decline, he suggests. “We get T back the expectations we seed.” M For stewardship education and services, contact your nearest Mennonite Foundation of Canada office. Abbotsford – Dave Kroeker, 1-888-212-8608; Calgary – Gary Sawatzky, 1-877-7170708; Niagara – Darren Pries-Klassen, 1-888-212-8731; Kitchener – Mike Strathdee, 1-888-212-7759; Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, 1-800-772-3257.
THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017 62 PAP Registration #9914