THE
MESSENGER
a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
volume 47, number 6 March 18, 2009
Imitating the
GOD of peace “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children� (Ephesians 5:11)
www.emconf.ca/Messenger
editoriaL
Our peacemaking God
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s Anabaptists, our reading of the Bible has influenced the ways in which we describe and interpret the Christian life. These “distinctives,” as we often call them, include adult believers’ baptism, believers’ church membership, importance of discipleship, and church discipline, among others. The one we likely talk about most, however, is “the way of love” or “the life of peace.” When speaking of this belief, the life and teaching of Jesus is generally spoken of as being our motivation and example. Old Testament teaching on the nature of God’s wrath and the Israelites as God’s warriors is sometimes glossed over or explained away. As Christians with a high view of Scripture, however, we do not have the option of simply ignoring Old Testament teaching. In fact, the EMC Statement of Faith reads “We believe that the Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the inspired and infallible Word of God. They are the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct” (emphasis mine). Because we believe in “only one God” (Statement of Faith), we also do not have the luxury of saying the
INTERIM EDITOR Rebecca Buhler rbuhler@emconf.ca
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Erica Fehr
efehr@emconf.ca
Address changes and submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 8 – April 15 (copy due April 3)
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God of Old Testament is not also the God of New Testament. So, what are we to do with the sometimes violent God we see in the Old Testament? Various theories abound. Some have said that God’s “concessive will” was at work through violence; it was never his true intention. Does this indicate, though, that when God cannot get people to do good to accomplish good, he will allow them to do wrong? While this theory may resolve some issues, it is not fully satisfying. Arden Thiessen’s lead article in this issue, Imitating the God of Peace, attempts to address this seeming contradiction between the God of the Old Testament and God as revealed in Jesus Christ. God has not changed, he says. The God of peace is revealed in the Old Testament as well as the New. The article is based on his latest book, Keeping in Step with the God of Peace. The article, of course, cannot resolve in 1,500 words all questions Christians run into as we seek to live faithfully in this world. How, for example, do we deal with the need for policing in our world? Or, as in some places, how
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 St., Steinbach, Man.
should citizens respond when those who are supposed to protect them cannot always be trusted? As Christians and Anabaptists, we look to Jesus’ response to violence. God in Christ entered our world, and died that we might live. What does this mean for us today? How can we live out the example of Christ in our world? Because these are difficult questions, the tendency of some is to ignore them. When we do so. however, we are also ignoring the plight of many people in our world. This is far from Christ-honouring. As was recently suggested during a Conference Council meeting, let’s do more as EMC to address and attempt to resolve these issues. Let’s preach more, let’s teach more, let’s have more real-life solutions. Perhaps Arden Thiessen’s article will help us as as we seek to address these problems. Perhaps you will be inspired to read the book to get a fuller glimpse of the peaceful, peacemaking God we serve. Right teaching which assists us toward right action can help us as we T journey together. M Rebecca Buhler
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. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN #0701-3299 PAP Registration #9914
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Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We gratefully acknowledge the financial 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 St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401, Fax: 204-326-1613
MESSENGER
On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger
THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
Letter Eliminate Sunday school? No! Since the Bible has been taken out of the schools in Canada, biblical instruction for children has rested heavily on the church and Sunday school. Is one hour a week sufficient for teaching all the truths in the Bible? No! I strongly agree with that point in the article. However, in my mind eliminating Sunday school at this point would be the equivalent of going to an African village where many malnourished children live, and taking away the very little source of food they have. I think most people would agree with me that this would be nothing short of cruel. Simply because Sunday school attendance has dropped over the years, and it is difficult to find volunteers does not mean that it is totally ineffective. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” I have attended Sunday school since I was a child. I have also taught Sunday school for a number of years. Yes, the church has not done everything right, and, yes, there is always room for improvement. A couple of years back, the church that I currently attend recognized this. We revamped the way we do Sunday school in order to make it more effective. Some of the new ways of doing Sunday school work well. Others are harder, or next to impossible to implement, because we seem stuck in a rut. Many of the ideas are/were great, but the whole church would have to do a paradigm shift to make some of them work. Sunday school superintendents, department heads and teachers cannot do this alone. On a more positive note, I have recently had the opportunity to bring a child to Sunday school whose parents do not attend church. At first, it was challenging to convince her to come, as she liked that “thing for kids,” but found church to be boring, so this eight-year-old missed church for a couple of Sundays. Then her Sunday school teacher met
THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
up with her and her dad in a grocery store, and convinced her to come back. Recently, she told her mother that she did not want to miss Sunday school! For this child’s sake, let’s not eliminate Sunday school; but rather, lets do whatever it takes to revamp it, and fill these “protruding bellies” with as much biblical knowledge as possible! Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.” My concern: Will this little girl stay interested in coming to church in summer, when my church does not have Sunday school? I guess I’ll just have to leave that in God’s hands! Please pray for children like her. Arlene Reimer Blumenort, Man.
Letters to the Editor Letters published are generally to comment on issues raised in The Messenger. Letters by hand or fax require a handwritten signature. All letters require a name, an address and a phone number. Letters can be edited for length, clarity, legality, and taste. The focus of letters is to be on an issue, not a personality. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own, and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference. All publication of letters is subject to the policy approved January 2002 by the EMC Board of Church Ministries.
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Imitating the
GOD of peace O
ne of the simplest ways of understanding the purpose of life is that it is a matter of learning to, or agreeing to, imitate God. This is the clear advice of Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Those who think of themselves as children of God should be like God. When we study the New Testament we discover that the quality most frequently ascribed to God is that he is a God of peace. Yes, he is the God of patience, of hope, of all grace, and of love. But most frequently—eight times—he is referred to as the God of peace. It seems evident, then, that imitating God means being people of peace. I meet Christians who don’t agree with me on this at all. What’s their problem? Don’t they read the Bible? Actually, they may have read it more carefully than those who agree with me. But in their Old Testaments they meet a wild and violent God. We need to talk about this stormy God of the Bible. First of all, let’s agree that the New Testament writers who speak of the God of peace must have known the history of God very well. They must have been acquainted with the traditional narratives about God’s severity and God’s acts of vengeance. In spite of that, they think of the Father
Before we wonder how we are to understand the severity that is ascribed to God in the Old Testament, we should notice that even there God wants to be known first as a God of grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love, and forgiveness.
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as a peace-loving God. Jesus endorsed this in his mountain sermon when he twice mentioned that those disciples who practice peace will be known as children of the heavenly Father (Matthew 5:9, 44, 45). Like Father, like sons and daughters! All in the family! Before we wonder how we are to understand the severity that is ascribed to God in the Old Testament, we should notice that even there God wants to be known first as a God of grace, mercy, compassion, steadfast love, and forgiveness (notice how God introduces himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6, 7). Further, we should notice that the vengeance of God is never arbitrary cruelty. It is always God’s response to human violence. Broken by violence When God looks at the good world he created he sees a society broken by violence. When Adam and Eve sinned God predicted this brokenness. It would be there between the man and the woman, between both of them and God, between them and nature. This brokenness expressed itself essentially in violence. The first son born on earth murdered his brother. It was a sad omen of things to come. By Genesis 6 the narrator says God saw the world as saturated with violence. But God did not abandon his creation. Instead, he disciplined his world to prevent it from sinking into total chaos, always seeking to move it toward a better future. The early biblical narratives report three cases of incredibly severe judgment: First, the flood that destroyed the first civilization; second, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; and third, the plagues on Egypt, culminating with the death of each Egyptian firstborn. While we can speculate and theorize about the natural factors that may have caused these catastrophes, the Scriptural writer in each case attributes the disaster to the direct action of the Lord himself (See Genesis 7:4; 19:24; Exodus 12:12). So how did Israel perceive their God? They must have noticed that the Creator remains sovereign in spite of human rebellion and violence. They should also have understood that human violations of God’s covenantal commandments and the corruptions of God’s good world are taken with utmost seriousness by the Creator. Israel at war As the Scriptures report it, God directed Moses, Joshua, and other leaders to lead their people into warfare. Moving out of Egypt was already an act of war—at least of major civil disobedience. After only
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The writing prophets see no future for their people in war and violence. Some of them give specific counsel against war; even self-defence is futile, they say.
a few days in the Sinai desert they had to fight to defend themselves. Thus began a 600-year odyssey of militarism, for expansion and for self-defence. Sometimes they were victorious, sometimes they lost. Sometimes they waged war under God’s direct orders, often they just fought as other nations do. It is important to realize that what I have briefly described is not the only Old Testament witness to God. Wherever one reads about severity and vengeance, the themes of love and grace are never far away. The prophetic era Further, we notice that the writing prophets see no future for their people in war and violence. Some of them give specific counsel against war; even selfdefence is futile, they say. Learning how to live with defeat, how to serve God while in weakness, is now the agenda. What was necessary when Israel started out as a new entity among the little nations of the Middle East is, apparently, not necessary or useful anymore in the era of the prophets. This leads to a cultural and ethnic inclusiveness we hadn’t noticed earlier. God cares about all people; he is Lord of the world. The prophets begin to sing about a time when all people will join Israel and worship God, not because they have been overpowered but because they now also understand the truth. This vision of world peace and unity is especially powerful in Isaiah 40-66 and Malachi. Then we notice the singers of Israel singing a new song. They invite all the nations to worship with them and serve God with them. They pray that the glory of God may fill the earth. The evolution of God? So, has God changed? Some believe so. They say God must be evolving into a God of love. I suggest rather, that the changing theme shows that God’s work is effective; his program to transform the world into a community of peace is moving forward. About 2000 years ago, after thousands of years of judging, disciplining, guiding, and teaching, the
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world was ready for God to make his big move. The time was ripe for God to reveal himself in human flesh among the people whom he had chosen and prepared for this time. With the coming of Jesus something brand new was inserted into the violent vortex of human history. It was new, yes, but it did not contradict the past. It was the culmination of the past history of God. It had been in view ever since the day Adam and Eve led humankind away from God. Jesus called his presence and his program the “kingdom of God.” That term has caused confusion, because “kingdom” suggests power and domination. I believe Jesus used it to connect himself with the visions of the prophets. They had seen that God would plant something new and different among the earthly power structures of power and evil. They could only see it as a new kingdom among the kingdoms of the world. In our circles the kingdom of God has usually been understood as having to do with our salvation. Jesus came that we might be forgiven and have peace with God, we say; he came to help us with our personal problems. All this is true, and it is good if we understand this much at least. In the Bible, however, the mission of Jesus is set in a much bigger context. He came to deal with the world problem of unrighteousness and violence. God is not only concerned with the guilt on my conscience, but with the whole ruined world. Jesus came to inaugurate a peace movement, a movement that might seem to be as inauspicious as a mustard seed but would grow to fill the world. It might be as insignificant as a handful of yeast but it would permeate and change the whole batch of dough. We are witnesses to the kingdom And this is where we come in. We have now inherited the kingdom. We say that the Lord of this kingdom is our Lord. He calls us to be in this world, to spread out into this world, as witnesses to the
Intrigued by this article? Want to explore the topic further? Copies of Arden Thiessen’s book, Keeping in Step with the God of Peace, are available from Steinbach Bible College. Cost: $15 each Call 204-326-6451 or (toll free) 800-230-8478
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The disciples eventually learned and understood the new way of the kingdom. When they went out to preach it was with a consistent message of peace and love. kingdom. He once said it is like being the light of the world, or like being the salt of the earth. Or as Paul said, we are in this world to imitate the God of love and peace. The disciples had a hard time with Jesus. His message and his lifestyle confused them at first. They thought a new kingdom would mean liberation from Roman dominance. And they knew that would cost blood, lots of it. But with a leader like Jesus it would be successful, they expected. In a way I’m not surprised at the short-sighted, old-fashioned perspective of the disciples. What is more difficult to understand is why many of Jesus’ followers today are still confused. And why, having the story of Jesus and the disciples in front of them, they still don’t learn. The disciples eventually learned and understood the new way of the kingdom. Pentecost seems to have cleared up their burden of misunderstanding. The Spirit convinced them they were to be messengers of peace. When they went out to preach it was with a consistent message of peace and love. They did not arm themselves. They understood they might have to suffer and they also understood they would never retaliate for abuse. God would redeem the world, not with the sword, but through the preaching of the gospel, through non-violent love, and through the practice of peace. I’m thankful they learned the way of Jesus. The question now is, are we willing to learn it, accept it, T and live it as well? M Arden Thiessen has served the EM Conference for many years, including as a pastor, a Bible college professor, and a past moderator. He has recently authored a book on this topic, Keeping in Step with the God of Peace.
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with our Missionaries South Africa
Development in HIV/AIDS ministry When HIV/AIDS study graphs first appeared, we all knew that this would affect the way we do missions. Little did we know how resistance would impede HIV/AIDS ministry development. Speculation continues over whether HIV causes AIDS, whether it is a judgment from God, whether the church should get involved in a medical problem, free condom distribution, who will pay, anger over those who spread it, shame preventing disclosure, traditional remedies, and the lack of budgets; the list is endless. Many have become discouraged and gone back to former professions. There are undeniable facts at the heart of the HIV/AIDS dilemma. • The problem continues to spiral out of control and serious intervention is needed. • People who are affected by it are absolutely devastated and need help. • Hope is essential to see positive change for this human predicament. • As Jesus offered hope by touching hurting sinners on his way to the cross, so He has instituted the church to touch and minister to hurting sinners today. • Such trauma brings both obligation and opportunity for the church to touch and give hope.
these orphaned teenagers are left to run their own home. Visiting with them are local church leader rev. bonga Mdluli (centre) from hambanathi evangelical Church and bud Jackson (right), consultant in heading up the new africa hiV-aids initiative with teaM.
These were some thoughts at the heart of an invitation extended to Bud and Mandy Jackson to include us in their world-wide study on the church’s role in reaching out amidst extensive tragedy. They spent several days with us in mid-February and we met with church leaders and affected people they reach
Many are affected with HIV/AIDS through no fault of their own. God loves each one dearly and desperately wants them to know and follow Jesus.
Paraguay 2009
Mennonite World Conference
out to. The perspective from which they saw things taught us valuable lessons: • Those who must ultimately take ownership of the scourge are the very communities who suffer from it. • A lot of goodwill exists in churches to help those affected, but encouragement and help is needed. • Many are affected by HIV/AIDS through no fault of their own. God loves each one dearly and desperately wants them to know and follow Jesus. No amount of frustration on our part will get us off the hook in ministering to them. The Jacksons, though stationed in British Columbia, hope to work with us and other TEAM-related HIV/AIDS initiatives. We are excited to know that this ministry is getting a new lease on life. Joe and Olga Reimer
Assembly Gathered Asunción, Paraguay 14–19 July 2009 “Come together in the way of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 2:1–11
Assembly Scattered across Latin America and Caribbean before and after Assembly Gathered
REGISTER NOW! www.mwc-cmm.org
THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
Joe and Olga Reimer (Blumenort) are in leadership with TEAM in South Africa.
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writings shared Bill McCaskell
Keeping in Step with the God of Peace, Arden Thiessen (Steinbach Bible College, 2008). Paper, 208 pp., $15.00. ISBN 978-0-9810922-0-1. Reviewed by Bill McCaskell, pastor of MacGregor (Man.) EMC.
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Dr. Arden Thiessen stays true in his desire to value Scripture highly as he argues that the Bible’s ultimate message is a message of peace that records the story of a powerful, loving God.
little over a year ago I was sitting with a group of students, mostly pastors, in a small classroom on the north campus of CMU. Standing in front of us was our teacher, sharing what life was like as a pastor from his many years in ministry. We became aware he was writing a book; a book he said that would show how one could reconcile the God of the New Testament—a God revealed in the life of Christ as a God of love and peace, with the God of the Old Testament—a God that instructed and commanded his people to fight and destroy others. We were, of course, intrigued. “Furthermore,” our instructor went on, as he raised his long index finger, “I am not going to simply explain away the behaviour of God by saying he was misunderstood by the people of Israel. My view of Scripture is too high for that.” Now we were more than intrigued. Sitting upright and leaning forward, we waited for him to give us at least a summary of his work. Greg, one of the more vocal students, piped up and asked what we were all thinking: “So, what did you find out? How do you bring the two together?” Our professor got that sheepish grin that he sometimes did when he was undecided on whether he should share his thoughts. He finally shook his head and said, “No, this is not really the place for this. We should get back to the material.” There was a collective sigh of resignation as he resumed his lecture. A classmate next to me chuckled as she whispered, “I guess we’ll just have to buy the book.” Well, I have since bought (and read) that teacher’s book, Keeping in Step with the God of Peace. In it, Dr. Arden Thiessen stays true in his desire to value Scripture highly. He argues that the Bible’s ultimate message is a message of peace that records the story of a powerful, loving God graciously interacting and intervening with creation to form and fashion a people 8
that would reflect the glory, love and nature of their Creator. For Thiessen, Scripture is a narrative, a story, a themed account of God’s consistent character contextualized in history. Thiessen’s arguments are clear and concise, his writing at times even playful. He offers a list of questions at the end of each chapter for personal reflection or group study. His work shows thorough research with close to 200 endnotes and an extensive bibliography. Most readers will easily engage with this book, providing them with a solid Biblical basis for understanding the theology of pacifism. I do wish, however, that Thiessen had dedicated a chapter or two to the early church’s (100–300 CE) understanding and development of pacifism. Much of our doctrine as Christians was formed and articulated during this time (e.g. the trinity, nature of Christ, etc.) and it would be interesting to discover how pacifism was viewed during this formative stage of church history. T Perhaps we should ask Arden for a sequel. M
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with our ChurChes
Celebrating new life Fort Garry (Winnipeg, Man.): Spring! It’s great to think that we will soon have green grass, budding trees, robins chirping, tulips blooming and children and adults enjoying the warmer weather. Spring speaks of new life and energy. Isn’t God’s creation wonderful? Here at Fort Garry we have seen new life in the birth of several babies. These are always such a precious gift from our God. In the last months we have had two child dedications. It is a time where parents and congregation pledge to work together to raise the children to know the Lord. Our part as congregation is to encourage the parents, to watch out for the well-being of the children and to live lives worthy of imitation. In fall, Allister and Rachael Penner and Tim and Karen Strydhorst dedicated their daughters, Annika Belle and Kaylee Marie to the Lord. In February, we had another child dedication. Todd and Ruth Friesen with Joshua Matthew and Kurt and Audrey Friesen with Spencer Paul dedicated their sons to the Lord. The youth group had a very memorable time at camp Assiniboia the weekend of February 6–8. They enjoyed broomball,
Youth retreat
a talent show and were challenged by a high rope course. The youth band and youth leaders led the worship time. It was a great time for the youth to make new friendships and to strengthen
their relationships with one another and with the Lord. It also helps to make them feel more connected when they meet each other in school. Diana Reimer
fall parent-child dedication: allister and rachael Penner with annika belle Parent-child dedication in february: Kurt and audrey friesen with spencer Paul; todd and and Karen and tim strydhorst with Kaylee Marie. ruth friesen with Joshua Matthew.
20one a pre RSVP to Gerald Reimer by Monday, April 13 greimer@emconf.ca 204-326-6401
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Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. Evangelical Fellowship Church 200 Woodhaven Ave. Steinbach, Man.
worship night
Holiday Travel presents South America: Bolivia October 12–26, 2009 (Deadline August 15) Contact tour host Len Loeppky: Phone 204-326-2613, E-mail: aloeppky@mts.net www.holiday-travel.ca 9
Award of Excellence to David K. Schellenberg The Mennonite Historical Society of Canada named David K. Schellenberg as the recipient of its 2009 Award of Excellence for his contribution to the preservation of Canadian Mennonite history over a lifetime. The award, made at the Society’s January 24 annual meeting in Montreal, especially noted his untiring efforts in the creation and nurture of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference archives located in Steinbach, Man. Rev. Schellenberg, who died November 8, 2008 at the age of 91, served as an EMC pastor, and as editor of The Messenger from 1963 to 1987. He was a conscientious objector in World War Two, and frequently emphasized nonresistance in his editorial work. “Dave,” as he was known to all, participated in many historical projects for the EMC, and in his retirement years served on the archives committee until 2006. He remained a consultant to the EMC archives until his death. The Society was pleased to have its annual meeting hosted by the newest provincial Mennonite historical society—la Société historique mennonite du Québec formed in 2007. Much of that society’s efforts have focused on identifying and gathering the documents related to the early history of Mennonites in Québec.
David K. Schellenberg participated in many historical projects for the EMC, and in his retirement years served on the archives committee until 2006. The Canadian Society celebrated several landmarks in the past year. The Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) now boasts 14,000 articles, including all of the articles from the print Mennonite Encyclopedia. The Divergent Voices of Canadian Mennonites (DVCM), primarily funded by Mennonite Central Committee Canada, reported the publication of Marlene Epp’s Mennonite Women in Canada: a History by University of Winnipeg Press and a successful conference on Mennonites and Money at the University of Winnipeg in October 2008. Among other decisions, the Society approved donating copies of Ted D.
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Regehr’s Mennonites in Canada, 1939-1970: A People Transformed to every Mennonite congregation in Canada. Copies of Frank H. Epp’s Mennonites in Canada, 19201940: A people’s struggle for survival will also be offered to congregations for the cost of postage. The Mennonite Historical Society of Canada was established in 1966 to sponsor the Mennonites in Canada history series by Frank H. Epp and Ted Regehr. Its membership is composed of six provincial Mennonite historical societies, four Mennonite denominational bodies, Mennonite Central Committee Canada and the Chair of Mennonite Studies at the University of Winnipeg. The 2009 executive is Sam Steiner (Waterloo, Ontario), President; Royden Loewen, (Winnipeg, Manitoba), VicePresident; Lucille Marr (Montreal, Quebec), Secretary; Richard Thiessen (Abbotsford, B.C.), Treasurer; and Alf Redekopp (Winnipeg, Manitoba), fifth member. MHSC
Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg was recognized in 2007 for his many years of service with EMC archives by Don Kroeker, chair of the EMC archives committee.
CMU launches new graduate program in Christian Ministry A new graduate-level program that will enable people to explore or strengthen their capacity for various types of church-related ministry will begin at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) this fall. Called the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the program is designed to “give students both the intellectual and theological framework and the practical competencies they need to become involved in the ministry of the gospel,” says Karl Koop, who directs the Biblical and Theological Studies graduate studies program at CMU. “The goal of the program is to offer training for people already involved in ministry, as well as for those who want to test their call to ministry,” he adds, noting that “it will give them a profoundly biblical and theological literacy, so they can draw wisely on Scripture and on Christian tradition as the basis for Christian life, thought, and ministry.” Additionally, the program will help students develop their “love for God
and God’s mission in the world,” he says, and provide a “holistic view of ministry that includes evangelism, peacemaking and fostering justice, all of which are at the heart of Christian faith and the mission of the church.” Although the program will appeal to those who want to work for the church, Koop says it can also help those who want to “strengthen their volunteer ministry in their congregation,” and people involved in church-related non-profit organizations. People who are involved in the business world or other areas of work will also benefit from a “solid underpinning of biblical and theological studies,” he says. The new degree will be offered in cooperation with Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Steinbach Bible College. This is the second graduate-level program offered by CMU; the first, the Masters of Arts in Theological Studies, began a year ago. CMU
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Horrors of war haunt refugee family It is not unusual for Leonie Mandeba Lwamba to wake up from a recurring and distressing nightmare. The images in her dreams are not fictitious—they are images of a family friend killing her mother in 1994 during the violent conflicts in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “The man who killed our mother used to come to our house and eat at our table,” she said. “That image keeps on coming back to me. I still have great difficulty trusting people.” Lwamba and five children, ages three to 14, arrived in Saskatoon in March 2004. They were sponsored by the Mount Royal Mennonite Church through MCC’s refugee assistance program. Lwamba was a teacher in Zaire and her husband Stephen was the school principal. They had two children when her mother was murdered. Their youngest child was only six months old. Fearing for her life, Lwamba’s pastor helped her escape to a refugee camp in Kenya. One month later her husband and her children joined her in the refugee camp—a refugee camp where she lived for nearly eight years. The Mount Royal Mennonite Church heard about Lwamba when her brothers, Michael, Fabian and Aliston, founders of an award-winning Canadian gospel group, Krystaal, performed in the church. Her brothers were forced to run for their lives following the student massacre at the Lubumbashi University in 1989 and were miraculously reunited in Canada. Lwamba recalls the excitement of hearing that her application for refugee status in Canada had been accepted
and that she would soon be reunited with her brothers. “First I cried and then I thanked God that I was going to Canada. I shouted all over the place—I’m going to Canada.” But four days after arriving in Canada her oldest son died from sickle cell anemia—a traumatic event that she finds too painful to talk about. Although she is happy with her life in Canada she is disappointed that her husband and sister are still trying to meet the requirements for Leonie Mandeba Lwamba has found safety in Saskatoon but she Canada’s private sponsorship continues to live with horrific memories of violent conflicts in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo. program. (photo by Joanie Peters) Her husband, she said, lost his refugee status when he returned to DRC to assist his parents who were experiencing difficulties at that time. He is currently living in Nairobi and trying to have his refugee status reinstated. Her sister does not have KORNELSEN – NEUFELD: Dallas, son of Leo the physical and emotional strength to and Marilyn Kornelsen of Rosenort, Man., and Jennifer, daughter of Ken and Carolee Neufeld complete the interview processes. Lwamba has not seen her husband of Winnipeg, Man., were married on January 3, 2009. The couple lives in Winnipeg. since he left the refugee camp and is thrilled that she has a recent photograph KNELSEN – HARMS: Jason, son of Johnny of him—taken by a friend she met and Babe Knelsen, and Martha, daughter of through MCC who took the photograph John and Agatha Harms, were married on November 1, 2008, with Peter Janzen of La during her travels to Kenya. Crete, Alta., officiating. When she looks at the photograph of her husband she dreams of their future KNELSEN – DERKSEN: Josh, son of Johnny and Babe Knelsen, and Melinda, daughter of together in Saskatoon. Mennonite churches in Canada, Elmer and Agatha Derksen, were married on through MCC, have helped about 50,000 July 26, 2008, with Peter Janzen of La Crete, Alta., officiating. refugees resettle in Canada under the country’s private sponsorship program TEICHROEB – MARTENS: Rod, son of Jake and Ann Teichroeb, and Melinda, daughter that was started in 1979. MCC of Cornie and Lisa Martens, were married
Weddings
on August 30, 2008, with Peter Janzen of La Crete, Alta., officiating.
births WIEBE – to David and Sharon Wiebe of Portage la Prairie, Man., a son, Jonathon Jayden, on August 14, 2008.
REMPEL – to Ken and Kelly Rempel of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Silas John, on December 25, 2008.
CHAPPLE – to Brock and Jackie Chapple of Southport, Man., a daughter, Holly Marjorie Eileen, on November 9, 2008.
DYCK – to Cam and Pam Dyck of Roseisle, Man., a daughter, Nyah Camryn, on January 19, 2009.
KORNELSEN – to Katie Kornelsen of Portage la Prairie, Man., a son, Kelly Stephen, on November 17, 2008.
ZACHARIAS – to Jared and Dwylla Zacharias of Lethbridge, Alta., a son, Owen Daniel, on February 14, 2009.
SHAW – to Tessa Shaw of Portage la Prairie, Man., a son, Jaxson Alexander, on November 29, 2008.
LOEWEN – to Pete and Sue Loewen of Aylmer, Ont., a daughter, Delaina Katherine, on February 19, 2009.
JACK – to Richard and Lorraine Jack of La Crete, Alta., a son, Gary Albert, on December 12, 2008.
INFANTES – to Angel and Blanca Infantes of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Belen Illariy, on February 25, 2009.
THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
BARKMAN – FORSYTHE: David Barkman and Debbie Forsythe were married on November 8, 2008. PENNER – TRUDEAU: David Penner and Meaghan Trudeau were married on November 22, 2008. PETERS – LOEWEN: Randy Peters and Angela Loewen were married on March 6, 2009. GIESBRECHT – BEDARD: Jonathon, son of Larry and Phyllis Giesbrecht of Portage la Prairie, Man., and Julie, daughter of Albert and Monique Bedard of La Broquerie, Man., were married on December 13, 2008, at Portage Evangelical Church with Glenn Loewen officiating.
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Pictures of God Joanna Plett
A
A message for dead-end streets
certain stretch of Keele Street in Toronto is This message, if nothing else, has helped me to put bordered on the west side by a high stone roads into perspective. Although maps are covered with wall. At the point where Junction Road roads, they only have value when they take you to your dead-ends at this wall, a cryptic message is desired destination. And just as our faith journey often scrawled in red paint high on the wall: Don’t Panic! seems consumed by doctrine, tradition, and form, these Since I moved into the area, I have wondered who are only of value to the extent that they take you to your that message is for. As a person who avoids driving destination: relationship with God. in Toronto like the plague, I can see why it might be We can get so caught up in our own cultural or plastered there. Some poor soul logically expecting to traditional ways of coming to know God that when we reach The Junction by driving down Junction Road. He run into a detour or a change, we question God and faith arrives, however, not at The Junction, but at a stone itself. Or we can work so hard perfecting and decorating wall. our roads to God, determined to convince others that Lacking a map or knowledge of the area, he may be our route is the best that we lose sight of the inherent wont to panic, unsure which way to turn, overwhelmed value and appeal of the destination itself. by the busy traffic and blaring horns. Don’t Panic! Little But God is there, waiting to be discovered and known to him, The Junction awaits him only one block explored, not a generic idea found at every street corner, south, a reason why anyone familiar with the area may but a neighbourhood to buy into, a place to settle down. encourage him not to panic. On your quest to find him, the road is only essential in But finding himself at the end of his knowledge and that it brings you to a true knowledge of him. logic without having reached his desired destination, So when you reach what feels like a dead end in he may be tempted to do one your faith, a question that lacks of several things: turn around an answer, an experience that and go home, determined he doesn’t fit, Don’t Panic! Keep We can get so caught up in our didn’t really want to go to The searching. Abandon the road for own cultural or traditional ways Junction anyway; conclude that the destination, and never give this was The Junction, and it just up until you find yourself in His of coming to know God that T wasn’t all it was cut out to be; or arms. M when we run into a detour or a decide to keep looking for The Junction, even asking directions change, we question God and if necessary. faith itself. In the past few years, sorting through and taking ownership of my own faith journey, I have sometimes found myself at dead ends of my own logic or knowledge. What seemed so logical no longer fits with my experience, or my actual experience hardly seems to live up to what I thought it should be. Don’t Panic!
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THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
EMC and
Statement of Faith Church Practices A 25-part series
Richard Klassen
The Board of Leadership and Outreach has invited EMC pastors and other leaders to reflect on the meaning of our Statement of Faith and Church Practices. These writings are intended to inform and to invite conversation. In the end, this 25-part series might be published as a booklet. Have you heard a sermon on these articles? Encourage the preacher to forward the material to The Messenger.
10. THE CHURCH We believe all who have experienced new life in Christ belong to his church. All who repent and make a faith commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord are united to his holy church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 16:18; 28:18–20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8; 16:31; 17:30; 20:21; Romans 8:20; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:25; 4:19; Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:5; Colossians 1:18; 3:1–4; 1 Peter 3:21). We believe God calls the church to conform to the image of Christ, to care for its members and to evangelize all people. Those who are a part of the church seek to: 1) live holy lives, 2) avoid entering into binding relationships with unbelievers, 3) exercise proper stewardship of their abilities, time and possessions.
Statement of Faith Article 10: The Church
F
or some years we have striven to be a church communities and beyond, reflecting our implicit belief just like any other evangelical church. Is an EMC in “whole body” involvement with servant leadership. church in fact different than other churches? We have done well, by Canadian standards, in sending Through various inter-denominational factors missionaries and donating money to the cause of denominational distinctives have been blurred and Christ. These areas of strength set us apart from other erased. While Christ’s body growing towards unity is evangelical churches, even if somewhat subtly in today’s a desirable achievement the negative effect of erasing church scene. distinctives is that often doctrines as a whole have A curious omission is that worship, considered by also been given short shrift and, indeed, church itself many to be the chief occupation of the church, receives is increasingly viewed as an undesirable option for no mention. Was this deliberate or just an oversight? Christians. Either way it probably does not reflect current EMC Our statement presents church, not as an option, nor perception or practice. Surely we see worship as a major even as a question, but as part and parcel of “new life in function of church life and it would be strengthening to Christ.” see it have its rightful place in our Statement of Faith. While the statement does not define church, the All in all, our practice of church, both written and understanding has always been that “belonging to His unwritten, has many positive features and we do well to church” has both a universal and a local application. One make the most of them rather than looking with envy T is meaningless without the other. The Holy Spirit baptizes outside our fold. M us into the universal church at the time of new birth and water baptism unites us to the local church. Richard Klassen is pastor of Straffordville EMC in Straffordville, The idea that belonging to the universal church is Ontario. all that really counts has always been foreign to EMC thinking. The universal church does not exist apart from the local church. In the setting A curious omission is that of the local church believers worship, receive teaching, worship, considered by exercise their gifts and grow in many to be the chief the Lord. occupation of the Article 10 portrays a church obviously not in the liturgical, church, receives no sacramental, or Pentecostal/ mention. Was this Charismatic camps. Rather, the emphasis on holy living, deliberate or just an relationships, and service oversight? puts us solidly in Anabaptist circles. We have been diligent in both physical and spiritual care of our congregations, our
THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
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Truth and Reconciliation experience to highlight new CMU School of Peacebuilding Are truth and reconciliation commissions a good way to deal with painful experiences in the past? Yes, says Piet Meiring, a professor of theology at the University of Pretoria who served on South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. But he also offers a caution. While acknowledging that the Commission was a vital part of “our healing” and “profoundly important in creating a new South Africa,” he also recognizes that it was an extraordinarily painful process for many South Africansand not the perfect success story that some have made it out to be. “Forgiveness doesn’t come easily,” he says. “You can’t organize forgiveness and you can’t force someone to forgive. Microwave-oven forgiveness—where you just pop something in and bing!— that will never last.” Meiring, who wrote about his experience in the book A Chronicle of the Truth Commission, will be in Winnipeg in June, 2009 to teach at the new Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP) at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). Meiring’s course is titled Truthtelling and Peace: An Insider’s Perspective on South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In addition to Meiring, other courses at the June 29–July 10 School are Poets,
Prophets and Music of Social Justice, with Scottish songwriter, social justice advocate, theologian and peacebuilder John Bell and Irma Fast Dueck, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at CMU; Building and Maintaining Healthy Teams: Insights From Organizational And Workplace Conflict Practitioners, with Winnipegger Janet Schmidt, one of Canada’s leading experts in, and practitioners of, mediation and conflict resolution; and Frameworks and Foundations of Conflict Transformation, with David Dyck of Winnipeg, who has been working and studying in the field of conflict resolution for more than 15 years. The School, which is sponsored by CMU, is geared towards practitioners, professionals, activists, students, nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups that are engaged in peacebuilding. The courses can be taken for academic credit or for professional training purposes. Cost for the School is $555 per course for academic credit, or $366 for training purposes only, plus $150 in fees for credit or audit. Housing is also available at CMU. For more information, contact the School at csop@cmu.ca. CMU
coming events March 21
Women’s EMCup hockey tournament St. Pierre (Man.) Arena 204-364-2346; marlene@rbmovers.net (Marlene Reimer) or 204-346-0381; bonniekroeker@yahoo.ca (Bonnie Kroeker)
May 1–2
Cross the Street: Engaging your community with authentic faith Speakers: Eric Swanson, Henry Schorr, Claude Houde, David Macfarlane Centre Street Church Calgary, Alta. 519-503-5380 www.billygraham.ca/Ministries/
May 2
Feast for the Senses MCC Manitoba’s FASD benefit event Vineyard Church 782 Main St, Winnipeg, Man. Art display 6:30 p.m.; program 7 p.m. 204-925-1913 mcc.org/manitoba
May 15
Going Barefoot: Reaching the Facebook Generation Speaker: Mike Tennant Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Man. 204-487-3300 or 877-231-4570 www.cmu.ca
May 15–18
Abundant Springs 2009 youth event Finding Your Place in God’s Story Speaker: Sid Koop Caronport, Sask. www.abundantsprings.ca
June 18–20
Write! Canada Canada’s largest Christian writers’ conference Speakers: Brian Stiller, Audrey Dorsch, Ray Wiseman Guelph, Ont. 519-886-4196 www.writecanada2009.ca
July 3–5 EMC Annual Convention Radical Discipleship: Increasing the Kingdom’s footprint in our world Speaker: Dr. Pierre Gilbert Riverton Recreation Centre Riverton, Man. 204-326-6401 www.emconf.ca
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THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
SHOULDER TAPPING Wymark EMC, a country church located 20 miles southeast of Swift Current, Sask., is accepting applications for lead pastor. We aim to be a friendly, family-welcoming church body of 70 to 90 people, and seek a pastor who can encourage us by word and example to grow to maturity in Christ. Enquiries can be directed to the Pastoral Search Committee at 306-773-9089 (leave a message) or funkfarm@gmail.com (Paul Funk). Morris Fellowship Chapel (EMC), located in Morris, Man., is looking for a full-time pastor for a congregation of about 120. Previous pastoral experience and leadership abilities are assets. For job description and information, please call Brian Klassen at 204-746-8102. Reserve Fellowship Chapel (EMC), located in Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a fulltime pastoral couple to serve the church and to develop long-term relationships with people of the community. Direct inquiries to church planting coordinator Ward Parkinson, 204-326-6401, e-mail: wparkinson@emconf.ca. Pelly Fellowship Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth worker or couple to develop a program for youth and junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba border. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com. Kola EMC, a country church located 20 miles west of Virden, MB. and two miles east of the Sask. border, is inviting applications for senior pastor. For information and to send resumes, contact Adam Bajus at 204-556-2209 or littlecreek@rfnow. com.
Full text of ads available at www.emconf.ca/service.htm maintenance. Two-month positions: (July and August) senior counselors, assistant cooks, nurse, wranglers, assistant youth development program leaders, male and female unit leaders. Contact the ranch at bright.wood@hopemission.com. Leamington EMMC seeks a full-time senior pastor to minister to a large and growing congregation. Located in the most southern part of Ontario, Leamington was voted Canada’s number one place to live in 2006 by MoneySense Magazine. Our church has many strong committees and programs in place, including a church council and a vibrant Sunday School program. Our congregation is made up of both Low German- and English-speaking members, and consists of mostly young families. We feature two weekly worship services: a modern English service and a distinctly Low German service. This position is available to start in 2009. Fluency in Low German is an asset. To apply or for information, please contact pst@lemmc.com. Mennonite Foundation of Canada invites applications for the position of accountant in our Winnipeg, Man., office. Responsibilities include all day-to-day accounting functions of the organization. Previous accounting experience with a charitable organization, proficiency with MS Office software, specifically Excel, and Access, familiarity with loan amortizations and interest rate calculations would be an asset. A complete job description is available upon request. The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, be self-motivated, able
to meet deadlines and contribute as part of an interdependent staff team. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. MFC offers a comprehensive benefits package. Processing of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Please submit inquiries and resumes to: Assistant Manager, Mennonite Foundation of Canada, 12-1325 Markham Rd., Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6, Ph. 204-488-1985, Fax 204-488-1986, E-mail rbjanzen@mennofoundation.ca, www. mennofoundation.ca. Head Cook and kitchen prep staff required at Camp Cedarwood. Housing, utilities, and most food provided. For further information, call Brad Plett at 204-345-8529 or e-mail brad@ yfcwinnipeg.ca. STEINbach Bible College invites applications for the position of dean of women. The dean of women is responsible for the physical, spiritual and social life in the women’s residence, and assists in running the student life department. The successful candidate will have a B.A. degree and will demonstrate good relational skills. Candidate must be in agreement and sign our statement of Lifestyle and Morality Standards, and Statement of Faith. Resumes accepted to April 15, 2009 or until a suitable candidate is found. Only those to be interviewed will be contacted. Submit resume and cover letter to: Steinbach Bible College, Attn: Dean of Student Development, 50 PTH 12 N, Steinbach, MB R5G 1T4, Fax 204326-6908, E-mail ekoop@sbcollege.ca.
Steinbach Bible College and Steinbach Christian High School invite applications for executive assistant. The candidate will assist the president and his designates at a professional level. This is a fulltime position with salary based on the college salary grid. The successful candidate will be well organized, efficient, effective in written and verbal communications, have relational skills, and training or experience in Microsoft Office 2007. Candidate must be in agreement with and sign our statement of Lifestyle and Morality Standards, and Statement of Faith. Applications accepted to April 3, 2009 or until a suitable candidate is found. Submit resume and cover letter to: Steinbach Bible College, Attn: Dr. Rob Reimer, 50 PTH 12 N, Steinbach, MB R5G 1T4, Ph. 204-326-6451, E-mail rreimer@sbcollege.ca. Brightwood Ranch, a Christian camp near Edmonton, Alta., serves underprivileged children and youth. Summer positions are paid and include: four-month positions (May to August): Main site program director, tipi village program director, secretary, leadership development program leader, GO Team leader, head cook, wranglers, junior wrangler training program leader, assistant
THE MESSENGER March 18, 2009
Accommodations are limited; book early to reserve a place to stay. Check www.emconf.ca for information on hotels and campgrounds. Call 204-326-6401 for billeting information. 15
Kids’ Corner Loreena Thiessen
A
Green means go!
ll around a new layer of snow blankets the streets, the fences and the rooftops in sparkling white. Winter is still here. But very soon a different color will peak through bits of leftover snow. That color is green. Green is nature’s color, when new leaf buds, grasses and flower spikes begin to grow. Forests, parks and oceans are green. Popular precious stones like green jade and emeralds are found in mountains and rivers. In ancient China jade was used to make peace between countries. Emeralds are a rich green stone often more precious than diamonds because they are so rare. Green is a soothing color; it helps people relax and is restful and calming. The room backstage where performers and fans wait at a theatre or a concert hall is called the “green room.” Doctors say that waiting is easier and time goes faster surrounded by green. The color green indicates safety. Traffic can go when the light turns green. Being green means protecting our environment— recycling or reusing items and putting food wrappers in the garbage bin. Do you like to eat broccoli and Brussels sprouts? Many nutritious foods are green: apples, lettuce, beans, peas, and cabbage as well as Kiwi fruit and green tea. All of these are green and good. The word green is used to mean other things too. Have you heard of the green-eyed monster? This means someone is jealous, or green with envy. A greenhorn is someone who doesn’t have enough knowledge or skills to do a particular job. When you have the flu someone might say, “You look green.” This means your face doesn’t have the same healthy color you have when you are well. The color green is half way, or balanced between yellow and blue; it has the brightness of yellow and the softness of blue. Green makes us feel balanced. Balance means even. Try standing on one foot only. You throw your hands out to the side to remain upright and balanced. Balance means not too little or too much. A balanced meal is the right amounts of vegetables, fruits, proteins and grains. You need a balance of exercise and quiet
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activities, not too much or too little of either. James, a follower of Jesus, says much about balancing our actions. In James 1:19 he says we should be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to be angry.” But, he says that we need to act too, not only hear: James 1:22. We need to balance listening with speaking and T acting. M
Activity: Making green You need: • White construction paper • Finger paints; yellow and blue • Two aluminum pie pans Do: Pour yellow finger paint into one pan. Pour blue finger paint into another pan. Press one hand into the blue paint. Then press that hand down onto the paper. Press your other hand into the yellow paint and press it down on the same paper next to the blue hand print. Rub your blue and yellow hands together until they turn green. Press your two green hands down on the paper below the yellow and blue hand prints. Next to the hand prints on the paper, print the words: “One blue hand and one yellow hand makes two green hands.”
THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 PAP Registration #9914