The Messenger a publication of the
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
Volume 57 No. 5 September 2019
Convention 2019
pages 23–31
INSIDE: Strength and Victory: 'Lead Us Not into Temptation but Deliver Us from Evil'
page 6
Meth and the Holy Spirit—Imagine! page 9
ANDREW WALKER
Let's Talk
page 12
Editorials
The EMC is Richer Because of Region 2
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hank you, Region 2 churches. The EMC is richer because of you. Mostly but not all located in southern Alberta, Region 2 churches did an excellent job of hosting the 2019 Convention in July. And yet, this is only one example of how the region enriches us. Region 2 is quite young—some young churches, many young couples, young families, and some large families. People from beyond the Region have noted and commented on the self-confidence, hard-work ethic, practical skills, and willingness to serve evident among the churches in Region 2. Mary Ann and I stayed with Peter and Susy Hiebert. Already too busy with the kids’ activities during convention, this fine young couple were gracious hosts, and we gained some new friends. Our being well hosted was a common experience.
It was good to be at Taber EMC for the ministerial meeting. It was a delight to have the conference council meeting and workshops held at Coaldale Mennonite Church, a congregation with a 93-year history of service. It has decided to join the EMC on a provisional, one-year basis. It’s now part of Region 2 and we are better for it. Welcome, Coaldale! On Aug. 18 Richard Klassen, former EMC moderator, asked who in his home church in Steinbach had not attended an EMC convention. When a few people put up their hands, he expressed concern over what they were missing and encouraged them to attend the 2020 convention to be held in Steinbach, Man., area. Region 2 has set a high standard. – Terry M. Smith
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The Urgency of the Gospel
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n polite Canadian society, some people might suggest we should avoid discussing religion and politics. Yet with a federal election to be held in October and at least one provincial election scheduled earlier (Manitoba), politics is being discussed. What did Peter mean when he wrote, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor” (1 Pet. 2:17)? And how shall we discuss religion? As an optional extra, a nice addition for those who are interested? As a perspective on life that decent people can get along nicely without if they are thoughtful and generous? In that case, our Lord and the apostles present challenging examples. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple, they
must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels” (Mark 8:34-38). Those are our Lord’s words, and they speak of his claim on us. Are they impolite? Or does the Good News of God’s grace have an urgency to it—to hear, to respond, to accept, to share? – Terry M. Smith
And how shall we discuss religion? As an optional extra, a nice addition for those who are interested? As a perspective on life that decent people can get along nicely without if they are thoughtful and generous?
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Table of Contents Features
Columns
6
4
Strength and Victory: 'Lead Us Not into Temptation but Deliver Us from Evil' – Michael Vanderzwaag
9
A Reader's Viewpoint
More 3-D Thinking Needed on Salvation, Belief, Kingdom and Spirit – Ray Hill
Meth and the Holy Spirit— Imagine! 34 An Education App
Teaching that Transforms – Terry M. Smith
– Andrew Reimer
page
26
12 Let's Talk – Sarah Barkman 35 Stewardship Today 23 An Ancient Doorway to the Mystery of God – Layton Friesen
26 Ministerial Looks at 'Questioning Faith' – Terry M. Smith
Something More Precious – Sherri Grosz
36 Kids’ Corner
Do Trees Talk? – Loreena Thiessen
Departments
28 Coaldale MC Welcomed, Field Expansion Considered 2 Editorials – Terry M. Smith
5 Letters and Notices
page
31
15 With Our Missionaries
page
18 With Our Churches
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32 News 33 Shoulder Tapping Cover: Dr. Yemiru Tilahun, located in Ethiopia, has been hired on a quarter-time basis to assist with church starts in Edmonton and Toronto among people from Ethiopia.
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Volume 57 No. 5 September 2019
EDITOR TERRY M. SMITH tsmith@emconference.ca
ASSISTANT EDITOR ANDREW WALKER awalker@emconference.ca
Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconference.ca. The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. 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.
It is published 12 times per year, six in print (also online at www.issuu.com/emcmessenger) and six in a website format at www.emcmessenger.ca. To get the most out of The Messenger, viewing both versions is encouraged. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement. The Messenger is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man., and is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Subscription rates (under review) 1 year print subscription $20 ($26 U.S.) Manitoba residents add 8% PST. Single print copy price: $2 Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. The Messenger is available for free to all online at: www.emcmessenger.ca If you wish to sign up for our email newsletter. Pleaase contact Andrew at: awalker@emconference.ca. Digital copies are free. Change of address and subscriptions Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconference.ca www.emconference.ca/messenger Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN: 0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362 Advertising The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards, and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads and inquiries should be sent to messenger@emconference.ca.
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Column • A Reader's Viewpoint
More 3-D Thinking Needed on Salvation, Belief, Kingdom and Spirit
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appreciate Layton Friesen’s insightful and thought-provoking writing and usually agree 100 per cent—usually. From his article Savby Ray Hill ing our Souls by Feeding the Poor [July] it appears that there needs to be more 3-D thinking on “salvation,” “belief,” “kingdom” and “Spirit.” We are on the right track to think that belief is not enough—faith must show in our actions. These actions are not so much the correct response to the offer of salvation as it is a commitment to a new point of view and a new object of our trust and loyalty (God) that results in a new lifestyle by God’s Spirit. I sense in the words of Jesus that he is more concerned about the Kingdom of God here and now than most evangelicals allow. When he says that the kingdom is closer than you think or within you, it makes most sense if he is talking about God’s Kingdom right now—not in some distant future. Salvation is not primarily about holiness, but rather rescuing us from belief (or trust) in the ways of the “present age” of oppressive (political/ economic/social) culture and inaugurating a community faithful to who God is. Seeking security by electing the “right” government or building wealth at the expense of others or marginalizing those not like us is not part of his kingdom! It involves a generous kingdom lifestyle in obedience to God resulting in suffering by many who counter the system, but the payoff is a life that God designed us for and which for all will
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be a transforming process to make us Christ-like. We will know him and the power of his resurrection. Layton is absolutely 100 per cent right in saying that we receive the Spirit of God if and when we are willing, but the acts or fruit produced in us are less a response to and more a partnership with the Spirit. Without him we can do nothing! The Anabaptist tradition has the seeds of the kingdom in its emphasis on Community and Discipleship (mentoring might be a better word). The Community must be free of the shackles of counterfeit holiness and open to all who would come to Jesus regardless of background; and Discipleship must focus on developing believers who will actualize God’s Kingdom on earth right now and not just know how to convince others to believe the “Four Spiritual Laws” to gain heaven in the future. There needs to be more discussion on the topic and I applaud Layton for opening the subject. Ray Hill lives with his wife Dorothy in MacGregor, Man. He is a teacher by training and for many years served as a minister within the MacGregor EMC.
Letters and Notices Balance is Needed to Prevent False Dichotomy
Layton Friesen, thank you for your short article about souls and poverty [July]. Terry, thank you for publishing it. The grace versus works split extracted from Paul’s writings is a false dichotomy similar to asking whether we need to breathe air or drink water. Yes, we do. All water and no air is death by drowning. All air and no water is death by dehydration. Paul, like us, was working out his faith and applying the teachings and what he knew of the
Concerned About Gender Stereotyping
Thank you to Terry Smith for his reporting on this year’s EMC Ministerial Day [July]. I am, however, concerned about the content presented on this day. I am concerned about the gender stereotypes apparently presented as fact, and how these stereotypes limit both men and women. I am also concerned that a supposed “feminization” of the church is blamed for declining attendance for men. Most churches have a group of women who have faithfully served God for many years, often in roles behind the scenes. Some women have felt called to leadership
life of Jesus to a particular context. In that context it was important for him and others to balance their already strong emphasis on ethics with awareness of God›s grace through Jesus. Our context is perhaps a bit different and we need to continue working out that balance. Jeff Thiessen MacGregor, Man.
positions but were limited in their service due to their gender. It is not helpful to blame women currently in the church for the men who do not attend, or to measure “success” by male/female ratios. Churches should be places where all people feel welcome and can hear the good news of Jesus, and where they can serve God with the gifts He has given them. Heidi Dirks Winnipeg, Man.
Who is the Church?
Thank you, Layton Friesen, for your May 2019 article “Without the Church, You’re on Your Own.” Many years ago I asked myself, “What is the church?” and the nagging question was, “Who is the church?” What is the church generally refers to a building, denomination or organization. Are we as individuals not the church, if we believe Jesus is the Son of God, died for us, forgiving our sins and rose back to life? I’m reminded of the few missionaries who spent their lives ministering to certain people groups in isolation with no church building in sight. They possibly had a church behind them at home. but were they not the church where they were? Should we not be the church where we are? Unfortunately, there has been, and is, the thinking out there that church membership is our salvation, probably
because so much emphasis has been placed on membership. We may also judge someone that if they don’t attend a church they cannot be Christian. Have you ever thought that if a person goes to church then they must be a believer? Or, better yet, they go to church and they act that way? Meaning that’s not how a Christian behaves. While I believe gathering together with other believers is very important, I’m concerned that too much emphasis is put on a denomination or certain beliefs and culture rather than the irresistible teachings of Jesus written down for us by eyewitness accounts in the first four books by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Perhaps a better question is: “Are we creating churches that are so irresistible that those who possibly don’t gather with other believers would love to attend?” Instead of, “Without the church, you’re on your Note on Discussion Within The Messenger own.” Following the church does not a Every community will have a diver- experiences of people in our lives. Jesus-follower make. If you are talking sity of views and opinions, which These discussions should also about a brick and mortar church. If we provides opportunities for us to reflect the reality that some groups are the church, that’s me and you as indilearn from each other, being quick and individuals have not always felt viduals, then we are to be the salt and to listen, slow to speak and slow to welcome in Christian communilight to the world and invite others to see become angry (James 1:19). Our ties. We welcome your responses how irresistible Jesus is. That I believe is discussions are inevitably impacted to articles and topics discussed in the church. by our own experiences, and the The Messenger. Tim Sawatzky – Board of Church Ministries MacGregor, Man. www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 5
The Lord’s Prayer 2019
Strength and Victory: ‘Lead Us Not into Temptation but Deliver Us from Evil’ By Michael Vanderzwaag
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e have all dealt with temptation. We can eat a great meal and afterwards we can be offered a splendid dessert and we mutter, “That looks tempting.” Maybe we are seeing something that we want and know we cannot have and we are tempted to take it anyways. We think, “That is tempting.” Is temptation wrong? No, it is not. In these two situations, would it be wrong to have dessert? No. Would it be wrong to take something that does not belong to you and you know you are not allowed to have? Yes, that would be stealing, which we know from scripture is wrong.
why, when He is teaching us to pray, He includes this line, “And lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13).
Temptation Is Not Something New
Many people point to Jesus being tempted when we talk about our being tempted today. We read of Jesus being tempted by Satan for 40 days while in the wilderness (Matt. 4, Mark 1, Luke 4). The writer to the Hebrews talks about Jesus being our Great High Priest and says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (see Heb. 4:14-16). Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are. When I read that, I am filled with peace and joy. It means Jesus knows me so well, He knows what I am struggling with when I am facing temptation because He was tempted as I am daily. He knows firsthand what it is like to face temptation!
Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are. When I read that, I am filled with peace and joy.
Why Pray Against Temptation?
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So, if temptation is not wrong in and of itself, why when the disciples ask how to pray, does Jesus in Luke 11:1 include this phrase, “Lead us not into temptation”? God is omniscient (allknowing). God is outside of time. He can see our lives completely at once. Therefore, He can see our failures and triumphs completely and simultaneously. Jesus knows our temptations can lead us to sin as we can see many times over in scripture. That is
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Desiring Strength
If I conducted a survey and asked how many of us pray for strength each day, it would be safe to assume that most of us would admit to doing so. When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” that is exactly what we are doing: asking God for strength to face the temptations that come our way. Temptations come our way daily. Therefore, we need strength daily to fight against them so that we may not fall into sin. At Gethsemane, Jesus returns from praying before
His betrayal to find His disciples sleeping, and says, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). Our flesh is weak. If our flesh is weak, then we need a source of strength to fight against the temptations that so easily try to lead us astray and sin. That source is Jesus Christ who was crucified and then raised to life so that through Him we might have life should we choose to believe in Him. He will strengthen us. When temptation comes, may we go to Him and ask Him for help and strength by saying these words, “Lead us not into temptation.” God will give us the strength that we need and desire.
Regardless of translation, we can come to one certain conclusion: The presence of evil in the world today is real.
The Apostle Paul said, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). God provides the strength the way through temptations. May we seek Him as we pray, “And lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13).
Deliverance from the Evil (One)
Depending what translation you read, the next phrase of the Lord’s Prayer has various interpretations. The NIV omits this line in Luke 11. Matthew 6 phrases it as “but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:13). The KJV phrases it as “but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13, Luke. 11:4). Regardless of translation, we can come to one certain conclusion: The presence of evil in the world today is real. We turn on the television and see the presence of evil on the news. Whether it is in the form of war, terrorism, racism, or something else entirely, we see the presence of evil around us. That should come as no surprise at all. We cannot escape the evil that exists, but we can rejoice in the fact that it has been defeated by the finishing work of Jesus Christ on the cross. To put it differently, evil exists, yet holds
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no power over me because the One in whom I am found has defeated it. The grave and death have been conquered.
Victory is in the Cross
If there is already victory over this evil that resides in this world, then why pray, asking God to deliver us from it? N.T. Wright says, “To pray ‘deliver us from evil,’ or ‘from the evil one,’ is to inhale the victory of the cross, and thereby to hold the line for another moment, another hour, another day, against the forces of destruction within ourselves and the world” (The Lord and His Prayer). Inhale the victory of the cross and dwell on what Jesus accomplished on that cross. The dichotomy between good and evil is evident. Both are evident in our world as we take off the blinders and look at our society. We can see both good and bad influences around us. There is so much noise in the world today. We hear of people being intolerant of someone’s beliefs; we hear of people being belittled because they are not “good enough.” We can even see people finding dirt on one another for selfish gain. The world is a “me-first” world. We are to look out for number one.
Look to Jesus
I hope we do look out for number one: Jesus Christ. He came, He died, He rose again. As
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followers of Jesus, we are found in Christ; and because we are found in Him, and because He has obtained the victory by the way of the cross, we then have victory as well in Him. When we come to this portion of the Lord’s Prayer, may we not pray it as a preventative prayer, asking God to guard and shield us from outward events and obstacles we encounter. Instead, may we pray this prayer with joy while dwelling on the victory of the cross (inhaling the victory of the cross as N.T. Wright suggests) and seeking the strength that comes from God (because of what has been accomplished) to face each day as we joyfully continue on this journey of following Him, seeking to bring glory and honour to His name daily! Michael Vanderzwaag has served as the lead pastor of Mennville EMC since September 2017. He previously served for three years at Cornerstone Fellowship Church (formerly Swift Current EMC). He holds a Bachelor of Biblical Studies and a BA in Strategic Ministries, both from Millar College of the Bible. He and Katrina Barkman were married on July 13, 2019.
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Meth and the Holy Spirit—Imagine! By Andrew Reimer
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n Ezekiel 34 God describes how his people are like sheep that have been abandoned by their shepherds and are “easy prey for any wild animal” (v. 5). Similarly, people who are marginalized or have experienced complex trauma are vulnerable to predatory forces. Over the past five years my teammates and I have witnessed crystal meth addiction become one of the most destructive forces preying on vulnerable people whom we know and care about. Meth addiction overtakes people’s minds and lives. Meth, known commonly on the streets as “jib,” is mentally and emotionally destructive often causing “druginduced psychosis characterized by paranoia, hallucinations and delusions” (Jill Coubrough, “Winnipeg: A city wide awake on crystal meth,” CBC online, Oct 23, 2017). Users are often awake and “flailing” (engaged in manic activity) for days. Loss of sleep, manic activity and loss of appetite lead to dramatic weight loss. Meth addiction impacts communities through increased property theft and armed robbery, violence, human trafficking and sexual
exploitation. Families of meth addicts often feel overwhelmed and unable to help their loved ones. A while ago I was working on a Bible study on Acts chapter 2 for a group of young adults in our community, most of whom have friends or family who are struggling with meth addiction. As I read about the Holy Spirit being poured out on Jesus’ followers, I began to notice some striking similarities between the way the Holy Spirit works in Acts 2 and the way crystal meth works in peoples’ lives and the community. I was intrigued about how this Scripture might speak to one of the burning issues in our community.
I was intrigued about how this Scripture might speak to one of the burning issues in our community.
Power
For many of our friends who feel defeated, overwhelmed, discouraged and powerless in much of their life, a meth high provides a feeling of empowerment and motivation. The first disciples also felt intimidated and powerless. The coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in chapter 1, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
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upon you” (Acts 1:8). After receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples who had only recently been cowering behind locked doors, became empowered and emboldened to speak publicly about Jesus and his kingdom.
Access
available God’s Spirit is to all people, regardless of gender, age or social status: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people”—sons, daughters, young men, old men, “my servants, men and women alike.” Many of our friends on the margins constantly bump into the messages: No Access. You Are Not Eligible. I proposed to the group that, according to this passage in Acts, the Holy Spirit is even more accessible to “ineligible” people than meth.
Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the believers spoke in other tongues and Peter acted in a way he never would have otherwise, boldly preaching his Change In our study, I asked the first public sermon. young adults, “Can you tell
Part of the reason meth addiction is spreading so fast is its accessibility. It is easy to get and it is very affordable. Meth sells for only $10 per “point” or one dose of meth, which gives a high that can last from 6 to 12 hours (Coubrough, CBC). This accessibility means that it doesn’t matter how poor or marginalized a person is, meth is one of the few things anyone can have access to. If you can’t get hired for a job, if you don’t have access to your own children, you still can get meth. You may be excluded, unwanted and unwelcome in almost any social setting, but you will still be welcome in the places where meth is sold and used. Sometimes people on the margins and in the church think of God as being very inaccessible and imagine that only certain kinds of people are eligible to receive his presence. As we read in Acts 2:17-18 about Peter’s explanation to the bewildered onlookers, we took note of how
if someone is hooked on meth?” Everyone agreed that it is obvious and listed many of the changes in behaviour and demeanor that are evidence someone is using. People under the influence of substances often do things they would not normally do sober. Similarly, the behaviour of the newly Spirit-filled believers in Acts 2 was so obviously changed that some of the bystanders thought they were drunk (v. 13). Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the believers spoke in other tongues and Peter acted in a way he never would have otherwise, boldly preaching his first public sermon. Galatians 5 describes the changes in behaviour or “fruit” in the life of someone who is under the influenc Andrea Deck e of the Holy Spirit.
Spread
Finally, we talked about the meth’s tendency to spread from person to person. People addicted to meth often began using after family members or friends began using or when they ended
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up living in a place where people are using. The Holy Spirit also works by spreading quickly from person to person affecting more and more people with God’s love and power. The second chapter of Acts concludes by describing the fellowship, generosity and miraculous signs evident among the believers after the Spirit had been poured out on them (vv. 42-46) and says “each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (v. 47). While he visited a friend at an apartment building that had essentially become a “trap house” (residence overtaken by drug activity), one of my teammates was both disturbed by the concentration of people whose lives are controlled by meth and impressed by the sense of community and mutual support he witnessed among the residents of the building. Later he commented to me that, “It was almost like a dysfunctional book of Acts!”
houses throughout our community where anyone can come and have access to the Holy Spirit, where everyone knows they can come and people will pray for them?” I do not mean to oversimplify the issue of addiction or to suggest that recovery happens just by praying a few prayers or having a few Bible studies. It is important for us to learn about the social marginalization and personal pain and trauma that are at the roots of addiction. People struggling with addictions need us to understand that compassion and connection are keys to healing. A variety of community responses and resources are needed. I believe these insights about meth and the Holy Spirit can help us understand some of the real and legitimate human needs that meth users are attempting to meet: empowerment that you can access, the ability to feel and act different, acceptance and community. In fact, we all have these needs. God understands these needs. These insights have also challenged me to consider what resources we have as followers of Jesus that can make a real difference in addressing the issue of meth addiction. How could the Holy Spirit be good news for our vulnerable and addicted friends and family? I hope these insights can spark faith, prayer and action that connect the real, accessible and transformative power and presence of the Holy Spirit with the lives of hurting people in our communities.
How could the Holy Spirit be good news for our vulnerable and addicted friends and family?
Imagine
As we concluded, I invited the group to imagine, “What if, instead of meth spreading through our neighbourhood, we saw more and more people’s lives being changed by the Holy Spirit? What if instead of seeing our friends staying awake for days or being paranoid, we saw them becoming more joyful, peaceful, patient, kind and self-controlled? What if instead of trap houses where anyone can go to get access to meth, there were
Andrew Reimer (Steinbach EMC) is a community minister and director of leadership development with Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg’s North End.
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Discussion and Discernment
Let’s Talk By Sarah Barkman
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am a turtle. Not literally, of course, but when it comes to tough stuff my default response is to hide inside my shell. The world is a very tough place, full of hurt, grief, evil, discomfort and conflict. So, I have made a nice home for myself inside my shell. It is comfortable and safe where no one can bother me. The only problem is that sitting by myself in my safe shell can get rather lonely. When I block out the tough stuff, I also inevitably block out the good stuff. At some point, if I want to find the joy of relationships, I have to poke my head out and face the tough stuff too. Unfortunately, it usually does not take long before I am overwhelmed with the tough stuff and scramble back inside my shell. Is there any hope for me? Yes, I think there is. How do I know this? Because each time I poke my head out of my shell, I gain a bit more confidence and learn a few new skills to make the tough stuff not quite as tough anymore.
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Building strong relationships requires the right tools and the knowledge of how to use those tools effectively; this is the premise of Mike Bechtle’s book You Can’t Text A Tough Conversation (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2015). As a turtle, I know I have a lot to learn about relationships and this book had me intrigued from the start – the blue birds texting on the cover started it but the inside did not disappoint. It was an easy read with plenty of day-to-day illustrations.
Why This Topic?
Communication is one of those topics that usually ends up at the bottom of the list of interests, right next to finances. So, why would anyone want to read a book about it? Healthy communication is important for healthy relationships and when healthy relationships are at the top of the priority list, learning to communicate climbs to the top of the list as well.
Bechtle argues that we pursue effective communication tools and skills because we believe in our relationships and want them to grow. Too often we do not have the tools or skills to deal with the problems in our relationships and rather than attempt to deal with these problems we ignore them, hoping they will go away. Unfortunately, problems tend to grow if they are ignored and become the elephant in the room. Instead of letting the elephant control the room, Bechtle encourages us to determine what healthy communication tools and skills we need to develop, then pursue and practice them. “We don’t mind investing time and money to improve our golf swing, develop a hobby, or work on our fitness.” Bechtle states, “Isn’t it time to make an investment in our communication skills?” (17). Technology connects more people than ever before. Technology also disconnects more people than ever before. Bechtle argues that, though technology is a useful tool for building relationships, when electronic communication replaces face-to-face conversation, we have the illusion of being more connected when in fact we are less connected than ever before. This is a problem particularly when we are dealing with tough stuff. In a world full of advancing technology, we need some help.
Six Tools and Skills
In his book, Bechtle outlines six tools and six skills that are needed for healthy relationships, particularly in the face of tough conversations.
Six Tools:
Time – There are no instant relationships; they take time and intentionality. Respect – Show appreciation for a person’s worth; they are human just like you.
Six Skills:
Make it Safe - Be intentional in making the other person feel valued, showing your commitment to the relationship.
Perspective – It is important to attempt to see the problem from the other person’s perspective. They may not be right but they likely see something that you might not have thought about.
Eliminate Intimidation - Remember that the other is human like you. Challenge negative feelings for accuracy and focus on the positive perspectives.
Trust – Trust can be broken in a split-second but it takes plenty of time and consistency to build it.
Practice Power Listening - Set aside your agenda and simply listen to their story.
Ownership – Recognize that the only person you can control is yourself. Emotion: Emotions are not the enemy: it is when they run uncontrolled that they cause trouble for relationships.
Encourage Honest Feedback - Give up the need to be right and explore another’s perspective. Start with Kindness - Choose to value others with kindness and respect from a place of confidence rather than neediness.
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Know Your Purpose - A clear purpose for a relationship will help it keep on track when conversations get tough.
Practice Makes Perfect
To end the book, Bechtle discusses some specifics such as relating to relatives, rusty relationships and using technology to help relationships become stronger. Relationships are important and as Bechtle points out, they “will grow when we use the tools and practice the skills of effective communication face-to-face” (228). Using many stories and parable-type examples, Bechtle encourages uss to take stock of our relationships, to pour energy into relationships that are important, and to recognize and work on tools and skills that we need to put into our relationship toolboxes and learn how to use.
Three Take-Aways:
“My” perspective does not see the whole picture. People’s worth is determined by their being not their doing. “I” am solely responsible for my own actions and responses. I can influence others but I cannot control or assume responsibility for their actions and reactions.
What About the Church?
While the book is written for individuals and many of the examples are of personal/family relationships, the same principles apply to church and conference relationships. As
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churches, we need to invest in key relationships, gain good relationship tools and work on the skills to use those tools well. We may not always see eye-to-eye but we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus prayed that his people would be united (John 17). Therefore, relationships with our fellow believers are very important and investing some time and energy into better relationships will make our churches and conference stronger and healthier. When it comes to conflict in our churches and conference, how do we respond? Do we tend to “text” our conversations – keeping others at an electronic distance rather than building interconnectedness through face-to-face interaction? How important are our relationships with fellow church goers and conference members? Do we take the time to consider their situations and perspectives or are we too focused on our own needs and wants? I don’t have all the answers. What I do know, is that if we want to do this relationship thing right, we need to work at it together. Sarah Barkman, BA, works at Steinbach Bible College as the Registration Assistant. She currently attends Blumenort EMC and serves on the Board of Church Ministries.
With Our Missionaries
Villa Nueva Nurtures Families in Bolivia VILLA NUEVA, BOLIVIA
It was not that many years ago that our EMMC congregations first became aware of this new community being formed. Villa Nueva came about as a result of work being done with Low German Mennonite families who were no longer a part of the colonies in the area. Members of the Evangelical Bergthaler Mennonite Conference (EBMC) in Alberta, along with some workers from the EMMC, were helping where they could. Some basic food and medical needs, education, and spiritual help were offered, but still life was hard. Then, through help from friends in Canada and beyond, a plot of land was purchased and development of Villa Nueva began. Lots were planned, Habitat for Humanity provided some houses, and families began to settle on this newly acquired piece of land near Pailón, just east of the Rio Grande River. Today, not even 15 years later, Villa Nueva is a thriving, growing community with homes and yards, a school, a church, and growing commercial and manufacturing businesses. In those years local leadership has developed into a community association committee, a local school board and an elder board in the church. Despite many hardships and by God’s grace, Villa Nueva has blossomed into a welcoming destination of choice for a good number of others who have left the colony lifestyle in Bolivia.
Ministry Opportunity – Bolivia Prayer Team EMC Missions invites you to come and discover the power of prayer and worship in a cross-cultural Bolivian setting with Low German-speaking believers. Pray with our EMC and MEM missionaries and local believers as together we seek to strategically advance Christ’s Kingdom as God envisions it. You will pray for strongholds to be broken and for the gates of heaven to open, flooding the light and love of Christ into the hearts of these beautiful people. If your heart is beating for intercession and you are ready to explore new places and ways of praying, this is definitely something for you. Experience is not as important
EMMC
Editor’s Note: This article is written by Abe Giesbrecht, the missions director of our sister conference—the EMMC— with which the EMC works with as part of the MEM ministry in Bolivia.
The MEM ministry, a partnership between EMMC, the EBMC, the EMC, and other associate members, continues to support a pastor couple, Abe and Margaret Harder, in the church, and to provide some teacher support in Nancy Friesen and Mary Bartsch and some tuition and administrative financial support for the school. Villa Nueva continues to grow and nurture families who settle there. You can see some of the Villa Nueva story on EMMC’s You Tube channel under Villa Nueva 2016. – Abe Giesbrecht Missions Director Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference as a heart willing to learn and serve. Contact Ken Zacharias at 204-326-6401 or kzacharias@ emconference.ca for information. Dates: January 9–21, 2020 Team Leader: Richard Klassen Hosts: Nancy Friesen and Benny and Ester Fehr Cost: $1,300, plus airfare Registration Deadline: October 30, 2019
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 15
With Our Missionaries
I Didn’t See a Fox GERMANY
Let me tell you about the time that I didn’t see a fox. It was a Saturday after a long, hot week of German language school. I was really looking forward to it because Ted, Freddy and I had planned to get together and go over our plans to film our latest film project, The Josephine Project. Normally we don’t work on Saturdays, but between language school and travel plans this was the best day. So I hopped on my bicycle and biked to the office. A quick word about the bike ride through the vineyards, small towns and woods of the German Black Forest: Beautiful. Also, I didn’t see any foxes, but I wasn’t really looking for them yet. I arrived at the office and we began our meeting. After a few hours, we had our plan. My personal plan of biking back home, however, was hindered by the rainstorm that was happening outside. I stared at the rain for a while, but it didn’t seem to notice it was in my way. So instead I decided to have tea with my new, Middle-Eastern coworker Freddy at his house while I waited out the rain. Sometimes God sends rain so that we get to meet cool friends from the Middle East. Let me tell you what I learned about Freddy over a chocolate chai latte while the rain came down. Freddy grew up in a Christian family in a decidedly Muslim country. Despite being from a religious minority, he worked hard and became one of the top video editors for the premier television station in his country. People knew his name. He was making good money and had a stable job in a very competitive industry. And then he gave it all up. I asked him why. First, he wasn’t comfortable with the censorship going on. And second, he was tired of working
for himself and building his own career. He wanted to make a difference and help build God’s kingdom. So even though most of his friends and family thought he was crazy, he quit his job. That decision put him on a path to Germany, where he’s joining us for two months to teach a media course to the refugees here. Freddy’s passionate about building bridges. Many of the refugees have been turned off by some of the Christian outreach they’ve seen along their journeys, but they are still willing to come to see Arabic movies and learn practical skills. Hopefully, we can help heal some of the wounds from their pasts. After the rain let up, I was biking home, and I was already writing this story in my head. “What it needs,” I thought, “is some sort of magical little moment to just finish it off nicely.” A wild fox jumping across my path into the golden, sparkling fields around me would have done the trick, so I started looking for foxes. I didn’t see a fox. Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan.
ALEX REIMER
Alex Reimer (Prairie Grove) is an EMC Associate Missionary and a filmmaker who serves with Greater Europe Mission in Kandern, Germany.
Not a fox
16 The Messenger • September 2019
With Our Missionaries
The Land of the Unexpected here in Papua New Guinea to make that longterm commitment to tribal church planting. Did you know that for every church planter there is a need for as many or more missionaries to support them in PNG? Not to mention those in the home countries that also support the church planting effort. PNG is not as developed as some of the countries NTM works in, so we have an even higher level of support required. These include the flight program, child education, medical, supply, consultant teams, technical support, finance, administration, government representation and more. Just about all the skills used in our home countries can be used here to support the church planting effort. Laurel and I, besides our itinerant support of the Pukapuki church, are privileged to be a part of the NTMPNG support team. Laurel wears a couple of hats. She is a receptionist at the medical clinic and is also the hostessing coordinator for the Lapilo centre. I am the housing and accommodations coordinator and admin assistant for the Lapilo centre. We enjoy being part of the team here in PNG. There are many needs in all the support areas, but we thought we’d highlight three now: the medical clinic is short a nurse or two, housing is needed for workers, and we need engineers to maintain our helicopters and planes. We want to thank you for your continued love, prayers and support. We are blessed by you being a part of our lives and ministry. “Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; for consider how great are the things He has done for you” (2 Sam. 12:24). – Tim Schroder BOM
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Papua New Guinea is called the land of the unexpected. Mountains, beaches and other scenery rival any place in the world. There are diverse cultures, friendly people, and an open door to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We’ve been privileged to be involved in the Lord’s work here for more than 25 years, much of that with the people of Pukapuki in the Sepik region. We are encouraged with many things happening in the Pukapuki church. They are functioning on their own, continue to teach God’s Word, and show the love of God to each other and the community around them. Can you imagine the nearest church of like-minded believers being two days away by paddle canoe and walking jungle trails? Pukapuki believers love to fellowship with other churches and need the wisdom and discipleship opportunities more mature believers provide. Likely later this year a group will be coming to spend some time with Pukapuki church. Please pray that this would work out and it would be a real time of encouragement and growth for the Pukapuki believers. There has been a trend in missions worldwide that fewer young people are willing to make the commitment to long-term service. The work of tribal church planting with the need for national and tribal culture and language learning, building relationships with the people, literacy, translation, teaching, discipleship and helping see a church to maturity is definitely a long-term commitment. With all that, we are so excited that the Lord has recently touched the hearts of about 30 young people to join the NTM team
Tim and Laurel Schroder (Pelly) serve with New Tribes Mission in PNG.
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 17
With Our Churches Prairie Rose EMC
LANDMARK, Man.—On Sunday, March 3, 2019, we, at the Prairie Rose EMC, had the privilege of ordaining one of our own, Matt Plett, as minister. Matt and his wife Tanya have served us as deacons since 2011 and are both actively involved within our church and community outreach. We are incredibly blessed to have them join our ministerial team. Pastor Mike Plett delivered “An Ordination Charge” based on 2 Timothy 4:1-5. He challenged not only Matt, but all of us to always be prepared to share our faith in all circumstances, including those that require reproof, rebuking or exhortation. With that responsibility in mind, we were instructed that we need to be aware of the content of our ministry: preach the word, bear in mind the climate in which you minister, and be mindful of the character of our ministry. Victor Engbrecht blessed us in song with hymns specifically chosen by Matt and Tanya which were personally
PREMC
Matt Plett Ordained as a Minister
Praying for Tanya and Matt Plett as he is ordained: Mike Plett, Steve and Lori Plett, Pearl and Harvey Plett, Richard and Kathy Klassen.
meaningful to them: Rock of Ages and A Mighty Fortress. A potluck followed the service with much fellowship, laughter and delicious food. – Daphne Reimer
•• Portage Evangelical Church
Eight members added at PEC PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man.—On Sunday, June 9, 2019, our church accepted eight people into membership. They had amazing stories. New members added were Barbara Klippenstein (and husband Elvin, absent from photo),
Bronwyn Evans, Rachel Giesbrecht (shown with daughter Katie), Marvin Giesbrecht, Ezenwanyi Mary Aniekwe, Joan Collins, and Steven Warthe. Pastor Les Kroeker stands with them. – Stan Wiebe
The Evangelical Mennonite Conference seeks volunteers to translate letters, sermons, diaries, and documents from earlier KG/EMC history into modern German and then English. If you are willing, contact Terry Smith at the EMC national office (204-326-6401; tsmith@emconference.ca). 18 The Messenger • September 2019
PEC
Can you read old German script?
With Our Churches The ConneXion
ARBORG, Man.—Feb. 1, 2019, was the official start date of our new pastoral family. Jae Park, his wife Ian, and their two daughters, Karis and Gayoung, have now joined our community from Seoul, South Korea. We are thrilled to have this wonderful family join us and have already been richly blessed by their kindness and pastoral care. In late 2015, the ConneXion decided to step out in faith and begin sponsoring refugees. We quickly realized that we could not do this on our own, but needed the larger community. People from church and community came forward to volunteer. In the past three years, we have sponsored 21 Syrian refugees. They have become a part of our community and our congregation. This winter we realized we would need to do another fund raiser to fulfill our obligations with the sponsorship. On March 10, 2019, we hosted a Syrian supper and dance in the local community hall. We are so grateful to God for our community and the overwhelming support we received. With help from volunteers, the Syrian family prepared many authentic Syrian dishes, which required ample time and effort to make. Thanks to their hard work, the guests enjoyed an amazing Syrian supper which included traditional plates of rice, chicken, roasted nuts, hummus, deep fried delicacies, soups and more. Guests also had
CONNEXION
New Pastoral Couple Begins, Syrian Refugees Sponsored
The Park Family
the opportunity to witness, and join in, an upbeat time of Kurdish dancing. It was a delightful way to taste a little bit of Syrian cuisine, music, and culture. To help guests better understand the journey of the Jarkas, family members were interviewed and a PowerPoint presentation was shown, featuring the families’ lives in Syria, Lebanon, and then currently in Canada. Our hearts ache when they talk of the country they loved and left. They slept under the stars on the rooftops of their houses and walked among all the wild flowers and olive trees in their yard. They had no choice but to leave; and today they carry on so bravely in a new land, learning a new language, and battling through our fierce Manitoban winters. They do all this with smiles on their faces. We are deeply humbled to be a part of their story. Our Syrian families have truly become a part of our community and our lives and the supper was so much more than a fundraiser. It was a celebration, a celebration of community, of working for peace, of generosity, families and cultures. On Sunday, April 21, we will be celebrating Easter Sunday by holding our first baptism in a number of years. Two people will be getting baptized. – The ConneXion
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 19
With Our Churches Crestview Fellowship
Crestview Serves at Union Gospel Mission
CRESTVIEW
WINNIPEG, Man.—On June 1, 2019, our praise team was able to share the music they make together with the community at the Union Gospel Mission at 320 Princess St. This charity group is one of the many organizations that share God’s love among the city of Winnipeg. “Summer Celebration for Christ” is the name of the event held annually where the Union Gospel Mission hosts numerous people within the community with food, drinks, shelter, music, fellowship, and, very importantly, light. Crestview Fellowship’s praise team was fortunately able to be one of the many musical artists and groups that were volunteering their talent and time for the goodness of God. This opportunity obtained the ability to encourage and certainly impact the hearts of the receivers, including the praise team itself. – Jenaya Groen
•• Leamington EMC
LEAMINGTON, Ont.–It takes many hands and feet to make the various ministries within a church function and thrive. One of those ministries in our church began roughly 25 years ago: the Ladies Sewing Circle. The caring hands of 15 to 20 ladies work on various sewing projects every other Wednesday. These items are made with love and bless the various outreaches of Reddekopp Ministries in Ghana, Africa. Our church ladies work diligently to prepare baby bundles, which are distributed to the maternity ward. They include blankets, outfits, a hat, receiving blankets, washcloths, two bars of soap, and safety pins. Other projects are quilts for the elderly, jumpers and shorts for older children, and fabric dolls with mini blankets and fabric toy balls for the younger ones. These are all made with fabrics that have either been donated or obtained at a discounted cost. The ladies circle is not only a blessing to the Reddekopp
20 The Messenger • September 2019
LEMC
Ladies Sewing Circle: Reaching Across the World
Ministries in Ghana, Africa—the ladies working on these projects are also blessed through the fellowship lunch provided by volunteers and the devotional that follows. Some of the ladies that attend are from within our local community, but don’t necessarily attend our church. The Ladies Sewing Circle is a church ministry that is not often given recognition, but the hard-working hands of this ministry have continued to be a blessing that has reached across the world to show others God’s love. – Helen Boschman-Dyck
With Our Churches Heartland Community Church
HEARTLAND
Celebrating Ten Years of Memories, Milestones, and Ministry Together
LANDMARK, Man.—On May 23, 2019, our church celebrated a special milestone: our 10th anniversary in our current location. We opened the evening worshipping our great God, who is our source of life and salvation. Wendy Hildebrand and Lloyd Plett (leadership team reps) spoke about our church’s beginnings, focusing on special firsts: Our first baptisms, which included our Youth Pastor Travis Plett; our first church services; and our first leadership and pastoral teams. Our MC, Harold Barg, pulled out a blueprint of the building, which was originally a car dealership (Landmark Motors). He described how each area had an intended purpose, from the parts department and service bays to the show room. By analogy, Harold said it was like the making of this church with its many parts. “And as we celebrate here, in what were the car repair bays,” he said, “it is still a place were the broken can find healing and be transformed as believers in Christ.” Taking hold of our collective vision to Love God and love People with the best of our time and resources, each speaker presented pictures, and recounted their group’s history and special memories: Dave and Doris Andres shared about baptisms and special services. Alvin Plett shared about the care giving side of our church’s prayer and care team. Len Barkman and Ev Barkman spoke about Heartland’s global missionaries. In Africa: HCC work teams in Mali; in
Germany: Doug and Christal Barkman (Black Forest Academy); in Haiti: Gary and Mavis Unger (Beauty out of Ashes Ministry); and in North America: MDS Projects organized by Dennis Keating. Jennifer Froese shared about our local mission efforts, which were funded through Fall Suppers. She also highlighted special ministries at Heartland that benefit families: Mom’s & Tots, Marriage Course, AWOL (All Women of Landmark) to name a few. Sheryl Plett, who represented Heartland’s first youth leadership team, shared special memories that made a lasting impact on our youth. She highlighted a Youth Mission trip to Texas, which helped these youth find a purpose in serving others together. The team renovated a single mom’s dilapidated home. It was an effort that helped keep that family together. After a good run, the parent leaders were thankful that Travis plett was added as our Young Life Pastor. He gave the youth program the necessary charge forward to continue shaping the lives of youth in our community. As a memorial tribute, the last slideshow of the evening was called “Stones of Remembrance.” It was about the people from the tribes of Landmark who attended Heartland and who have crossed over to the Promise Land. They are now cheering us on in glory. To close the evening’s festivities, our pastor Andy Woodworth prayed a blessing of hope over us as the 2020 vision for our church comes into focus. We then gathered outside for the grand finale: our mortgage burning ceremony and fireworks. God is good! – Brigitte Toews
Join with Christ in shaping our
WORLD
Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Missions 204-326-6401 info@emconference.ca www.emconference.ca
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 21
With Our Churches Pansy Chapel
PANSY, Man.—There are too many highlights in the life of a church to report them all. Let me pick a few. On May 10, 2019, we had Jim Hughes here from Creation Ministries who presented us with eye-opening info and insights. On Mother’s Day (May 12), as is our tradition we pulled off a double—recognition of mothers included roses this year. The parent/child dedication saw a stage full of young families. A heartwarming sight as well as a vivid reminder for all of us to prayerfully support our many young parents. June 9 was our annual picnic day, which also marked the close of the Sunday School year. We had much reason to be thankful. When you have a good turnout, great food and lively fun, perfect weather and put that altogether onto a beautiful park, for what more could you ask? Over and above all these things we tend to rate Baptism Sunday as the highlight of the year, and the service held on June 23, 2019, was no exception. The weather was perfect for our regular Joubert Creek baptism, and the moments it takes for all of us (in the middle of the service) to wend our way down to the river and back add to the specialness of it. The attendance was a good three hundred people this year; most candidates bring in visitors from elsewhere. The testimonies were as different as the people who
PANSY
Too Many Highlights to Report
Baptized on June 23, 2019, were Owen Rempel, Justen Penner, Tiffany Wiebe, Brad Klassen, Rhea Hiebert, and Josh Warkentin. Pastor Dylan Barkman stands with them.
shared them. There were two married men, three teens and one pre-teen. Each had a story, yet it all came down to one central theme—commitment to Jesus. May we keep encouraging our young Christians and keep them in our prayers. – Betty Barkman
•• Kleefeld EMC
Two Recent Transfers
KEMC
KLEEFELD, Man.—We had two couples transfer membership to KEMC. On May 26, 2019, Becky and Rob Guderian transferred from Fort Garry EMC. Their children are Alex and Ben. On June 9, 2019, Peter and Jessica Morran transferred from Fort Garry MB. Their children are Lily, Hunter, and Asher. – Louella and Dennis Friesen The Guderian family
22 The Messenger • September 2019
The Morran family
One of Four
ANDREW WALKER
Convention 2019
An Ancient Doorway to the Mystery of God by Layton Friesen
A
ll the Church needs to do, finally, is make it to Heaven. We are migrants wandering this world—travelling to the city where we have been promised supper. How will we finally reach this heavenly feast? To know the answer is to know what it means to be simply Christian and to know what unites the Church. We follow Jesus up a steep path. We imitate saints who have taken this pilgrimage before us. We follow the ancient book given to us by God and read it as the apostles taught us. And this traveling company will eventually find unity around the heavenly table in the presence of God. The EMC is being united by this already. We will be fully united by it at the end of the path. Right now you and I are hardly in shape to sit at that heavenly table. We harbour hatred, grudges, injustice and stupid habits that would make us immediately quarrel with other folks around that table. We need a long gracious regimen of repentance, suffering, learning, and finally judgment.
The Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed is the faith of Christ’s apostles condensed to one good map. It is treasured by all the major Christian churches because it describes the ancient trail-guide to Heaven the apostles saw in the scriptures. Now you may be thinking, “We can’t be serious. Is Friesen saying we need to parrot a dusty, crusty, musty list of doctrines in order to find the path to the kingdom of Heaven?” It’s not just a list of doctrines. It does describe the historic faith of the church: I can’t call myself a Christian if I reject these beliefs. But let me explain what doctrine is for Christians. Doctrine is a God-given, Churchperceived knowledge that is a doorway into the mystery of the ungraspable, indescribable God. Here’s an analogy. Alan is falling in love with Nicole. One day Nicole says, “Alan, there is something you need to know about me that is hugely important. My birthday is on June 3, and that is also the day my mother died, giving birth to me. My birthday means much more to me than birthdays mean to most people.”
We follow Jesus up a steep path. We imitate saints who have taken this pilgrimage before us.
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 23
Father
Now what if Alan replied, “I love you, and yeah, sure, your birthday is on August 3th or whatever you said, but do we have to base our love on these dry dusty facts? Is that important really? I want to talk to you and kiss you, but frankly I don’t care about these dates and facts and stuff.” I hope you are thinking, I hope he never sees Nicole again because he doesn’t deserve love. By sharing with him this knowledge, Nicole has given him a precious doorway into her life, into the mystery that is Nicole. If he ignores this “knowledge” of her birthday does he really care about her as a person? This is why the Church has loved and defended doctrine. The apostles handed over to the Church these vital, providential doorways into the personal life of God. God has shared these inner secrets of His life and actions, through the apostle’s teaching and the age-long experience of the Church so that we might know God in a deep, authentic way, attuned to who God actually is. To have this ageless knowledge resonating in our bones is to be travelling towards God, via an ancient path given us by the apostles.
First, God is Father, almighty, and creator of heaven and earth. This world we walk through is a creation given by our strong Father to shape us for life with Him. Creation is not just stuff to be used at our own whim. Its specific shapes and forms were designed by the Father to school us in what it means to be persons who love. To live and love in creation is to learn about desire, work, service, hospitality, sacrifice, worship and justice. Creation is a lovingly designed school training us for the heavenly feast. Marriage between man and woman is a good example of how creation schools us for Heaven.
Son
Second, at the centre of the creed is a story, the adventure of Jesus. It’s the incredible account of how the Father sent his Son to invade creation as a human and fight a way back to the heavenly country. If God would blaze a trail through all the sin, devilry and weariness of the world there would be a safe trail his brothers and sisters could follow. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus was a human like us but let us not be fooled—He was the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. Here is a man we cannot manage or predict by saying, “We know his village.” Jesus comes from beyond the world and is God.
The Trinity
The Apostles’ Creed is structured by the three Persons of the Trinity. The Trinity is a pathway given by God by which we approach God. We come to the Father, up the path opened by Jesus Christ, carried by the power of the Spirit.
24 The Messenger • September 2019
Abe Martens, Picture Butte minister
But what harrowing defeat was his victory. On this path to glory he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. Here we see the whole human curse of sin cloaked in the acts of Pilate, cowardly, conniving, and corrupt, lurching haplessly toward crucifying and burying Jesus. But the hopelessness of sin displayed on the cross becomes the most exalted hope the race has seen. When Jesus stood from the grave, all our sickly flesh had been left in hell where it belonged, and there he stood, the champion of Life, now a Human reigning with the Father in heaven. Our Warrior made it through the evil thicket! One like us has ascended to Heaven! Now any who take that trail make it too. As He who blazed the only path through this evil thicket, Jesus has been appointed judge of the living and the dead. Every action and thought is weighed, every man, woman and child confronted, every institution, ruler, and policy exposed before the Lord of the earth, and according to Romans 2:6, “He will repay according to each one’s deeds.”
Holy Spirit
But finally, third: who will guide me along this Christ-trodden trail? Who will sustain me, saddled as I am with my unique sin? This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost and the Holy Christian Church is
born. This is the great caravan of those who have left all to follow Jesus, walking forward now with the song of the apostles on their lips. Along this road we are vexed by sin that so easily tangles and weighs us down. When I cry to Jesus in despair, finally sick and tired of these hobbles, the Holy Spirit brings me personally into the achievement of the cross. The obedience, love and mutual surrender between the Father and the Son become my own. This is freedom. The Spirit applies the forgiveness of sin to my life—so that when I die and am buried like Jesus was buried, when all of my earthly ambition has collapsed and I am left a dead corpse, I will be raised like Jesus to life everlasting, in communion with God and the
church. And then we shall be home with God. We do arrive! By the resurrection of the body we come to life everlasting.
Be Fierce!
Be fiercely in love with the ancient faith of these lines, fierce to defend them, and fierce to throw our lives into proclaiming them. In 2 Timothy 1:13 the apostle tells us, “Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and the love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.” If we are together on this trail blazed by Christ, the EMC is and will be united. That’s all it takes. We live and love together because we are simply Christian on this Way. We are united as we join ranks on the same path to God’s country, the Kingdom of Heaven. Layton Friesen is the EMC’s conference pastor and was the 2019 convention speaker in Picture Butte, Alta. This series is based on his convention sermons. Layton lives in Winnipeg, Man., with his wife Glenda and their two young adult children.
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 25
Convention 2019
Ministerial Looks at ‘Questioning Faith’ by Terry M. Smith TABER, Alta.—The EMC’s ministerial on July 5, 2019, considered how to respond to people questioning their faith, adopted a new process for preparing for ordination, heard the General Board briefly update on the matter of women in leadership, and prayed for the needs of ministerial members and congregations. Richard Klassen, chair of the Board of Leadership and Outreach, welcomed ministerial members and led in prayer for La Crete, an area affected by a forest fire. James Crawford, pastor of host Taber EMC, provided a devotional based on David in 1 Samuel 16. May we be people who seek after God’s heart and who love God’s people, he said.
Main Presenter
Richard Klassen said the day’s topic was chosen because pastors encounter faith concerns. Paul Buller, an engineer by training and an “armchair theologian by night” (brochure), led in three sessions and provided notes (drawn upon for the summary). Discussion followed each session.
Apologetics and the Broader Culture
Many people are asking tough questions about the Christian faith and their commitment depends on how well the Church answers. This theme came out in three stories Buller shared and EFC’s study Hemorrhaging Faith, a survey of young people and their relationship to the Church. Apologetics, a defense of the faith, is needed biblically and practically, he said. Some Christians are following culture, forget we are “at war,” and foster anti-intellectualism. Feelings often dominate today, yet it’s powerful when a person obeys despite a loss of feelings (C. S. Lewis). Buller spoke of the “man syndrome” or “Peter Pan” syndrome (who resists growing up) where men have, overall, a higher rate of suicide, slightly less education than women, drink more heavily, and a higher rate for jail time. He says a “feminization” of the Church has resulted in more women than men choosing to be involved.
26 The Messenger • September 2019
DIANA PETERS
Opening
Paul Buller: Preach in a way that leaves people pondering.
Asked why more women than men are involved in the Church around the world, Buller said part of the reason is the Industrial Revolution.
An Over-View of the Solution
Buller said there is more to why people leave the Church than their questions and that the most effective apologetics is a package of the intellect, emotions, and morals. To respond, the Church needs to regain a sense of being in a cosmic battle, a battle that involves our intellect, an image with which men will engage. The Church needs to strategically engage with culture, neither demonizing nor glamourizing it. To engage men, “send them into battle!” he said. Being combative is part of military, politics, business, and athletics. He quoted N. T. Wright, a British bishop and New Testament scholar, who highlighted a contrast: where the apostle Paul went, there was unrest; where Wright goes, they serve tea. Buller used Matt. 12:28-31, Acts 17:2-4, and Acts 18:24-28 to show our need to love the Lord with our mind, to discuss and explain the Scriptures, to persuade, to correct, to refute, to prove. He said that an atheist is a friend to save, not an enemy. He provided questions: how might the battle imagery backfire? How might we make the church too difficult for men? How can we avoid the mistakes where a “masculine” church was done poorly? How can we reduce the risk of
raising the intellectual bar at church? When asked in discussion how to find a balance rather than push too far, he said there was a need for compassion. Asked if the Anabaptist peace position plays against teaching we are at war, he said the engagement sought is not physical. When a listener said that war is for women too, he said it was a great comment. Buller said pastors need to preach in a way that leaves people pondering.
The Start of a Game Plan: Prepare for War!
In the session after lunch, Buller said to measure success by people baptized who did not grow up in the church, the male/female ratio, and continued church attendance after a life transition (when young people leave home). He suggested testing attendees through a theological quiz available online. Buller said Christians need to “learn the fine art of asking questions,” to dialogue rather engage in a monologue. Honestly inquire—others might be right, not you, on some point. Get people to answer their own questions that challenge their assumptions. He said churches need to provide local theological and apologetics training so people are prepared to give answers. Pastors need to model a culture that fosters the intellectual and prepares for battle by embracing disagreements and
teaching healthy dialogue. Research, teach, and preach about current issues. Find and use apologetics resources; raise the bar on your own level. Use in-house people who have a passion; draw upon guest speakers and pastors; and use outside resources, he said. In the discussion time he encouraged those listening to say, “Paul, I disagree with you about....” Discussion followed.
Business
Layton Friesen, conference pastor, introduced the BLO’s proposals on preparing candidates for ministerial ordination, the treatment of transferring and inactive ministerial members, and how deacons are examined and relate to the ministerial (see sidebar). By vote the ministerial approved the proposal. On the matter of women in leadership, Barry Plett, EMC moderator, said there is a gap between what the EMC constitution says (male pastors only) and local church practice. To consider a way ahead, a letter was developed and shared with seven churches. Layton Friesen and others met with these churches for feedback. There was no neat conclusion from these meetings. Plett requested prayer to do the right thing. The General Board wants to biblically faithful, he said.
Sharing and Prayer Time
New ministerial members were introduced. Members were asked how they and the churches they serve are doing. There were times of sharing and times of prayer. Discussion is important at ministerial meetings.
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 27
ANDREW WALKER
Convention 2019
Coaldale MC Welcomed, Field Expansion Considered GB concerned about gap between constitution and practice on women in leadership by Terry M. Smith COALDALE, Alta.—Conference council delegates on July 6, 2019, heard updates, voted to receive Coaldale Mennonite Church into membership, and took a straw vote on where EMC missions efforts might expand.
Welcome and Devotional
Moderator Barry Plett welcomed delegates. In his devotional Garry Giesbrecht, pastor of Coaldale Mennonite Church, spoke of its journey to reconnect with a conference and from Acts 15 where leaders met and found a way forward. May this be a new road enriched by being together, he said.
has affirmed the advocacy of religion as a valid charitable practice. The moderator said there is a gap between what is written and practiced on women in leadership, and the discrepancy is uncomfortable. Because of this, a letter by the BLO was approved by the GB for discussion with seven churches for feedback. The churches did not agree on how to go forward. In response, the GB has wrestled with what to do. It wants to do the right thing and be biblically faithful. He asked for prayer. Executive director Tim Dyck reported that MCC now has two lifestyle agreements; which one applies depends on a person’s role and engagement with the public. The two Human Rights challenges that MCC faced were withdrawn. Dyck said that revising the EMC history book is nearly complete, commended author Doris Penner for her patience, and offered a gift card for the best suggested book title. Staff have
The Canadian Senate has affirmed the advocacy of religion as a valid charitable practice.
General Board
The moderator said he had nothing to report on how MWC’s assembly in 2021 might affect the EMC’s convention, though feedback is welcomed. The Sustainable Funding Committee has not been formed. The Canadian Senate
28 The Messenger • September 2019
Dave Quinn speaks of Coaldale's history as moderator Barry Plett looks on. Coaldale joined the EMC.
chosen a thematic goal of seeking how to better connect with churches. The personnel committee is dealing with the planned retirement of Charles Koop, director of church planting. It favours an internal shuffle. Perhaps a decision will be announced in fall. The moderator said that the EMC and Coaldale Mennonite Church were “courting” for two years, and now Coaldale had requested a one-year provisional membership to allow for future re-evaluation. Council approved this.
attend AS, which were not allowed this time, though this might need to be rethought, he said. Why are churches not sending students to this EMC event, he wondered. He is passionate about youth ministries, mourns for those who do not come, and challenged churches to come. There is two years to get ready, he said. Don’t make it optional; send people. Let us know what it takes for you to be willing to send your church, Gerald said. (During the discussion time, there was support to allow non-EMC churches to attend.) Kevin Wiebe, BCM member, said the board wants to assist churches in their discussion and discernment. When the church he serves lost 30 per cent of its attendees through conflict, it sent him for training. Many people want to see controversial matters discussed in The Messenger, he said. (During the discussion time, thanks were given for seeking to help with difficult conversations.) Kim Muehling, BCM chair, read a report prepared by Don Kroeker, archives committee chair, on recent translating of German documents and the need for more translators. There is value in materials other than sermons being translated because they show the faith of members, Kim said.
Why are churches not sending students to this EMC event, Gerald Reimer wondered. He is passionate about youth ministries and challenged churches to come to AS.
Mennonite Disaster Service
Harold Friesen said MDS is a great service organization, and when he asked delegates who had participated in an MDS project, many indicated that they had. Pastors were encouraged to go on an MDS-funded trip. Friesen said we have an inconvenient faith. We should not ask Jesus to call back when it’s more convenient for us.
Board of Church Ministries
Gerald Reimer, director of youth and discipleship, introduced the post-Abundant Springs (AS) video clip “Everywhere” [available to churches]. At AS young people identified the next steps they want to take and youth leaders poured into students’ lives. The event’s budget was $145,000, with 364 students, 114 leaders, 63 event staff, and 24 churches represented. A previous year saw higher numbers: 496 students, 142 leaders, 48 in administration, and 34 churches. Two non-EMC churches wanted to
Kevin Wiebe: The BCM wants to assist churches in their discussions. His children distributed candy.
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 29
Dr. Yemiru Tilahun, located in Ethiopia, has been hired on a quarter-time basis to assist with church starts in Edmonton and Toronto among people from Ethiopia. Where this will lead is unclear, yet we need to be along for the ride, Koop said. A plant in Bow Island is being considered. More workers and funds are needed (the money is out there). The EMC has always been a church planting body, he said. Charles Koop: Church planting takes a lot of faith.
Board of Leadership and Outreach
Richard Klassen, chair, said the BLO has responsibilities for doctrine and to care for ministers. There is a ministerial retreat this fall. The BLO wants to introduce a theology conference on alternate years and the BLO and Blumenort EMC are working together on a discussion on sexuality for next year. As well, to avoid confusion the severance and sabbatical policies will likely no longer appear on the same page. The minister’s manual is being improved. Layton Friesen, conference pastor, said that the past year has been a rich interaction with pastors and their families. A Mediation Training workshop was held and materials will be made available. The BLO is seeking to regularly help with mediation training, both onsite and by livestreaming. He said the ministerial approved a new process for candidates seeking ordination, and he encouraged pastors to mentor candidates. Layton asked for feedback on what is effective or ineffective in how he relates to local churches.
Board of Trustees
Gord Reimer, chair, gave thanks to Diane Peters, who recently submitted her resignation, for eight years of extraordinary service as an administrative assistant. The Church Staff Benefits Package is under review, with one favoured from the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Volunteers are welcomed on the Sustainable Funding Committee. All churches can apply to the Church Building Grant Fund, with priority given based on need. The financial deficit for 2018 was $32,422. Currently in 2019 there is a shortfall of $245,000, which depletes EMC reserves. He said thank you to donor churches, individuals, and businesses for their giving.
Layton Friesen, conference pastor, said that the past year has been a rich interaction with pastors and their families.
Church Planting Task Force
Charles Koop, director of church planting, said planting is a bit of a mystery and, like gardening, takes a lot of faith. Bill Janzen, serving in St. Thomas, Ont., was introduced as a church planter. Janzen said there is no better way to reach new people than through a plant. When he sought support in his efforts, the EMC surrounded him and the transfer to the EMC has been “awesome.” The Region Nine churches have endorsed his ministry and he has been hired half-time, Koop said.
30 The Messenger • September 2019
Board of Missions
Brad Brandt, chair, said missions was why the national office was first organized, and church planting is our top priority. Henry and Caroline Krahn served “selflessly” with servant hearts in Bolivia, he said. The Krahns then spoke of serving as a host couple and of ministries through a bookstore, radio, games, and a school. A Prayer Team that came was “very encouraging.” Do people get saved? Yes. Men with alcohol problems go into rehab and come out having
EMC Convention Offerings SBC $3,749.00 Convention Expenses
$9,952.95
Missions $20,860.52
to First Nations communities in Canada, and to work with Frontiers on reaching Muslims. Delegates were to choose two options in order of preference. [The votes have since been counted: First Nations in Canada, then working with Frontiers.] In the discussion time, delegates spoke about the need to engage with FN people and the TRC recommendations, and of the ministry of Koreans to FN peoples.
Delegate Reporting Bill Janzen is church planting in St. Thomas, Ont.
accepted Christ. They thanked the EMC for sending them as missionaries. The BOM chair said the EMC has four administered fields (Nicaragua, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Mexico); there has been a change in missionary support structures that workers are optimistic about; home teams are being worked on; and there is need to engage more workers. Ken Zacharias, director of global outreach, said prayer teams have gone to Bolivia and the city of Guadalajara (Mexico). He encouraged churches to identify missionary candidates; years ago, Korean Christians encouraged him and Val to consider missionary service. The BOM wants to expand into another field, he said. Four options were presented for a straw vote (non-binding): to Muslims in Spain, to a diverse urban centre in Spain, to send teachers
Tim Dyck encouraged delegates to choose highlights to report to their churches. A video of the EMC convention was soon to be available. The council session ran until 12:30 p.m. It was shortened to allow for workshops in the afternoon, which were well-attended.
Elections Vice Moderator Ward Parkinson (Reg. 6) Board of Church Ministries Heidi Dirks (Reg. 7) Board of Leadership and Outreach Chris Hughes (Reg. 2) Irma Janzen (Reg. 7) Board of Missions Art Koop (Reg. 8) Joanne Martens (Reg. 4) Board of Trustees Isaac Dyck (Reg. 1) Ruth Penner (Reg. 7) Nominating Committee Jake Dick (Reg. 9) Frankie Kim (Reg. 3) Waldon Plett (Reg. 5) Church Planting Task Force Donna Moman (Reg. 4) Abe Bueckert (Reg. 2) Anna Bueckert (Reg. 2) Antonio Pitta (Reg. 2)
Henry and Caroline Krahn reported on ministries in Bolivia. Brad Brandt said they served "selflessly."
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 31
News
STEINBACH, Man.—The game of golf may frequently be maligned as a justification for a noble cause—“a time to deeply connect with someone” or “a place to make important business deals.” Although these arguments may occasionally be true, Project Builders has for the past 25 years made the game of golf a significant event for the purpose of supporting the work of EMC missions. At this year’s event Ron Penner was credited for starting this event and continuing to serve on the golf committee for all 25 years. Gary Reimer was also noted as having served on the committee for most of these years. Over these years approximately $625,000 net has been raised. These funds go directly to fund mission projects reviewed by the executive and approved by the Project Builders membership. Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg is supported each year through this tournament. One or two other projects are selected to receive a portion of each year’s proceeds. These include a wide range of global mission projects, from church building constructions to Business for Transformation initiatives, from evangelism and to church planting programs. The financial success of the tournament is largely due to the generosity of our sponsors. This year recognition was given to 22 long-term sponsors of this tournament. Proceeds from the annual golf tournament is a modest part of Project Builders funds raised for missions each year. Our annual membership fee of $250, as well as additional donations made by our members, help to maintain a current annual budget of between $120,000 and $150,000.
DIANA PETERS
Amid 25 Years of Golf, EMC Project Builders Expands its Ministries
Len Barkman, Gary Reimer, Ron Penner, Ron Friesen
It is self-evident that membership is key to maintaining a strong base for the work of Project Builders. This organization is now in its 46th year, and we are experiencing the transitions of an aging demographic. Many of our members have commented on the scope of Project Builders ministry. Where building projects may have been the primary focus in its early years, we have expanded our focus to include many other aspects of mission ministries. Within the past several years we have contributed towards women and children rescue ministries, helped establish micro-loan funds, assisted in outreach to aboriginal communities, and supported agricultural programs, to name a few. The annual donation of $250 has been maintained for many years with the desire to make memEvangelical Mennonite Conference bership affordable to everyone. We greatly Year to Date Financial Report appreciate significant secretarial assistance From January – August from the Conference office but, otherwise, Project Builders functions with volunteer General General committee members who help to set direcFund 2019 Fund 2018 tion and evaluate projects as applications are Income* 1,078,349 1,004,613 received. Expenses 1,216,014 1,161,273 – Len Barkman Excess/Shortfall -137,665 -156,600
We give thanks to God for the continued strong support of EMC ministries, and we acknowledge the contributions of EMC churches and individuals who give so generously. - The Board of Trustees *Income includes donations and transfers from other funds (e.g., estate funds).
32 The Messenger • September 2019
To become a Project Builders member, visit our webpage listed on the EMC site. To have a PB representative give a brief presentation at your church please contact the EMC office or Len Barkman at lfbarkman@gmail.com.
Shoulder Tapping With any applications for EMC church pastoral positions, candidates are expected to also register a Ministry Information Profile with the EMC Board of Leadership and Outreach, which can be obtained through Erica Fehr, BLO Administrative Assistant, at efehr@emconference.ca or 204-326-6401.
Additional EMC Openings Often there are more churches looking for senior, associate, youth, and interim pastors than are identified on this page. For information on additional openings, contact Conference Pastor Layton Friesen (lfriesen@emconference.ca) and Director of Youth and Discipleship Gerald D. Reimer (greimer@emconference.ca). The national office phone number is 204-326-6401. Talk with Erica Fehr, Church leadership assistant to the BLO, to request a cell number for a particular person.
EMC Positions* The EMC National office is seeking a Missions and Finance Assistant to work as an active part of the office team. They should have a passion for Christ, the church and missions. The ability to manage a varying schedule and assess and prioritize tasks is essential. An ideal candidate will be adaptable and be able to take initiative in identifying and resolving problems. They should be an excellent communicator who is confident interacting with people in person or through a variety of media. This position offers equitable pay and benefits with opportunity for professional development. For more information on this position and how to apply, go to our website http://www.emconference.ca/serve/. Applications will be accepted until August 31 or until a suitable candidate is found. Anticipated start date is early fall.
Oak Bluff Bible Church is seeking a full-time pastor. We are a welcoming, family-friendly church that averages 50 people on Sunday morning. We enjoy contemporary and traditional worship music. We understand the importance and value of ministering together to be a light in reaching our growing community and surrounding area of Oak Bluff, Man. (located at McGillvray and the Perimeter A Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies Conference Highway of Winnipeg). Applicants must be in acceptance of the OBBC (EMC) Statement of Faith and aligning with the theology, values, and Ethnography, Religion, church culture of OBBC. A valid and Global Entanglements criminal records check and child abuse check are required October 25 – 26, 2019 for this position. Applicants must be legally entitled to work University of Winnipeg FREE ADM I S S ION Convocation Hall in Canada. Preference will be 2nd Floor, Wesley Hall Building Register at Conference given to those who are willing Mennonites and anthropology share a complex series of entanglements and to relocate to Oak Bluff or the this conference investigates all aspects of these relationships. The conference surrounding community. To theme builds upon recent ethnographic studies and reconsiders the ways in apply or for future inquiries, which Mennonites have imagined, embodied, and enacted their religious practice. It examines new ways to ask what it means to be Mennonite. please e-mail pastoralsearch@ oakbluffbiblechurch.com.
MENNONITES AND ANTHROPOLOGY:
Image by Miriam Rudolph
Picture Butte Mennonite Church, a Low German- and English-speaking church with 200-plus people attending dual Sunday morning services, is seeking an associate pastor. The ideal candidate should be
characterized by an attitude of servant leadership and personal integrity in a close walk with Jesus. The candidate needs to have an openness and sensitivity to the diverse cultural differences within our Mennonite church. This position would primarily focus on the English ministry. This candidate needs to be a team player as he will be working alongside the existing leadership team as well as the senior pastor. For information, contact Isaac Thiessen, 403308-5093 or isaact@genicadev.com Fort Garry EMC is seeking a full-time senior pastor for an established, dynamic congregation. We are an inter-generational, ethnically diverse congregation, located in Winnipeg, Man., near the University of Manitoba, with a strong ministry to English-language learners. Working out of their own commitment to the Lordship of Christ, the ideal candidate is a gifted speaker who would lead and collaborate with the pastoral team, discerning and pursuing God’s purpose in our church. They possess a reputable theological education at the graduate level and are committed to a theology shaped by Anabaptist tradition. Submit queries and résumés to the Pastoral Search Committee at fgemcpastoral2018@gmail. com. Further info: fortgarryemc.radiantwebtools. com/about/careers/ Pineridge Fellowship Chapel of Hudson Bay, Sask., a logging and farming community, seeks a full-time senior pastor to begin serving in 2019. PFC, linked to the EMC, is the evangelical community church, stable and with a good reputation, that serves the community of about 1,300 people and surrounding rural area. With an attendance of 40 to 50, PFC has a mix of people of various backgrounds and nationalities. The congregation is largely older yet has several younger families and a good foundation to build on. Outreach is welcomed. Our current pastor is retiring this summer after 20 years. Hudson Bay has basic services, yet is somewhat isolated from a larger centre and travelling is involved to connect to the wider community. We ask that you prayerfully consider whether this might be a place of ministry to which you are called. Contact PFC at: Dennis Reimer, church board chair, 1-306-865-3618 or dreamer@xplornet. ca; or PFC, Box 13, Hudson Bay, SK S0E 0Y0, pfch@ sasktel.net, 306-865-2623.
Where are position ads to be sent? Please send all position ads, including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconference.ca. All ads are to be 150 words or less. All ads can be edited. Please advise us when it is no longer needed.
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 33
Columns • An Education App Teaching that Transforms: Why Anabaptist Mennonite Education Matters, John D. Roth (Herald Press, 2011). 223 pp. $14.99. ISBN 9780836195522.
Credit David Thiessen, our former conference pastor, for highlighting in a marginal note a section that he called an “excellent overview/ summary” in Roth’s book:
by Terry M. Smith, Director of Communications and Education
The teaching in an institution and a local church goes beyond official offerings. What, and how, do we really teach? Roth invites us to consider this.
T
he incarnation—the Word made flesh—is the foundational reference point for Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and the basis for a Christian philosophy of education in an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective. In the person of Jesus Christ, God has risked entering the world in physical form in order to restore a relationship of intimacy and love that had been disrupted by sin. Restored relationships—with God, each other, and creation—emerge from the very heart of the good news of Christ’s gospel. Schools committed to an Anabaptist-Mennonite understanding of the Christian faith will reflect the qualities of an incarnated gospel. They will be characterized by an ethos of worship, an attentiveness to tradition, and the cultivation of authentic community. Their teachers will model the dispositions of curiosity, reason, joy, patience, and love. . . . An incarnational pedagogy will always resist forces that seek to divide spirit from matter, intellect from faith, or grace from works. Educators in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition will nurture in their students the capacity to recognize the healing hand of God in creation, the courage to participate with God in that restorative task, and the grace to recognize that we bear fruit only by remaining connected to the Vine (211-212). Roth, a professor at Goshen College, is defending institutions linked to the Mennonite Educational Agency, yet even more presenting a rationale for a thoughtful, active, and practical education based on the Anabaptist-Mennonite understanding of our Christian faith. He and Dr. Rob Reimer, SBC’s president, would likely agree on much. For Roth, the Anabaptist faith is no longer to be lived in isolation from wider society
34 The Messenger • September 2019
or other parts of the Church. Yet he challenges those who think they can discard Anabaptist perspectives with little cost or develop a Christian institution that does not reflect a tradition. He respects families who choose to attend public schools or home school, emphasizes that no institution is values-free, and says parents do well to send their children to where the teachers will share and expand their following of Christ. Full disclosure: Mary Ann and I attended public schools and our son Jon by choice in high school. Mary Ann’s parents paid for her year at SBC. My parents paid for three years of college for me, including one at SBC. It’s been my privilege, for which I am indebted, to have studied in various non-Anabaptist and Anabaptist settings. Each had strengths and weaknesses. Assuming emphasis upon Christ and Scripture, in my view a healthy integration is needed of discipleship, community, missions, church planting, peace, and justice. The teaching in an institution and a local church goes beyond official offerings. Roth speaks of an “invisible curriculum” of implicit values (109). Similarly, J. H. Westerhoff in 1976 was concerned about a “hidden curriculum”— for instance, that naming a room after a wealthy donor “may teach the Christian life is one of gaining affluence.” What, and how, do we really teach? Roth invites us to consider this.
Column • Stewardship Today
Something More Precious
A
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s I was reaching adulthood, a popular bumper sticker read, He who dies with the most toys wins. However, you don’t have to look very far these days to see that “stuff ” has not really brought the happiness it promised, even when we organize it all according to one of the latest bestselling books. I wonder if that’s because essential generosity needs to be the bigger focus. Instead of seeking joy by buying (and then celebrating getting rid of ) our stuff, we need to seek joy in being generous with those around us. Several years ago, I came across the story of a woman who found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met a hungry traveller. When she opened her bag to share her food, the traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveller left, rejoicing in his great fortune. The stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. However, a few days later he returned to the woman, holding out the stone. “I know how valuable the stone is,” he said, “but I give it back in the hope of receiving what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.” In my role at Abundance Canada, I have the privilege of working closely with men and women who are deeply generous and, like the woman with the stone, willing to give without hesitation. While we do help them arrange giving plans that best navigate tax benefits and the ins and outs of legacy gifts, this isn’t what’s at the heart of their giving. Time and again, they demonstrate that they are motivated by a desire to give the first and best of what they have.
I have met families that forgo Christmas and birthday presents so they can donate the money they would have spent to local agencies that ensure others have food and gifts. Several years ago, generosity spread among neighbourhood school children. When one boy had his eleventh birthday, he asked his friends and family to give pet food for the local animal shelter instead of gifts for himself. His family had recently adopted a cat and he wanted to help the shelter feed the many other dogs and cats in their care. Shortly after, a friend of his heard about a need for baby formula at the food bank and asked her birthday guests to bring baby formula instead of gifts to the party. When another latesummer birthday came around, the birthday girl asked her friends to bring school supplies and her party activity included packing backpacks for a local agency that helps families in need prepare for the new school year. Recently, some of my middle-aged friends have asked for donations to their favourite charities in lieu of gifts for milestone birthdays. When many of us are feeling overwhelmed by stuff or know that we have enough, this is an easy way to turn what could be a time of gathering more into a time of giving. If you want to go further, I know some families who have set a ceiling on their lifestyle. They live comfortably, but work hard to live with less than their income might permit. They choose modest homes and vacations. Instead of acquiring more and decluttering later, they enjoy seeing their donations in action now: helping students to pay their tuition, providing people who are struggling financially with food and other supports, helping families move into safe and affordable housing, and assisting communities recovering from disaster. Choosing generosity means they might never get to take a selfie with perfectly sorted drawers and bags of de-cluttered stuff, but their generosity sparks incredible joy in the world. And yours can, too! Visit Abundance Canada to explore our customizable giving solutions to help you make generosity a bigger focus in your life. Abundance Canada can help.
by Sherri Grosz Consultant
Sherri Grosz is a gift planning consultant with Abundance Canada, a CRA registered foundation that helps people connect their finances and values with their passion for the charities they care about. Since 1974, Abundance Canada has helped individuals and families across Canada achieve their generosity goals both during their lifetime and through their estate. For more information visit www.abundance.ca.
www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 35
Column • Kids’ Corner
Do Trees Talk?
D by Loreena Thiessen
Spend more time with friends and family who help you do the right thing, and study what God says, then you will be like that tree; you will prosper.
tell you? First, trees can tell you about themselves. Choose a tree and look at its leaf. Is it a broad flat leaf? What about the edge of the leaf, is it lobed? Lobes are rounded parts, like an earlobe, all around the leaf edges. Is the edge smooth, or is it toothed? Oak leaves have lobes, while elm leaves are toothed. Trees with broad flat leaves are called deciduous. This means they lose their leaves every year. Trees with needles are coniferous; their seeds are pinecones. By looking at their leaves you can tell if a tree is deciduous or coniferous. A tree can also tell you how old it is. Look at the rings on a freshly cut tree stump. Each ring stands for one year. Count them to see how old the tree is. Another thing the rings can tell you is what the weather was like during each year of its growth. A wide ring means it was a rainy year. A narrow ring will tell you it was dry. Rings will show scars too. If the tree got burned in a forest fire it will show a blackened scar. After the fire new layers of wood grow around it but the scar remains visible. Trees also talk to each other. They do this through their roots. A fungus grows around and in their roots. A fungus is like a mold. When bread or cheese goes bad it gets moldy. You may have seen
Activity: A Tree Story
Need: Pencil, notebook, pencil crayons, and a tree. Do: 1. Choose one tree in your backyard, in your neighborhood, or in a park. 2. Observe the tree. What kind is it? Look at its leaves, its bark, its shape, flowers or fruit. 3. Who lives in it? Does it have a nest? Any squirrels? 4. Ask someone who knows about the tree. Who owns it? How old is it? When was it planted? Is it famous? Has it survived any disasters like fire, bad weather, disease, or pests? 5. Take notes as you discover facts about the tree. 6. Draw the tree. 36 The Messenger • September 2019
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id you know that trees talk? Trees can tell you things if you know how to listen, or where to look. So what can they
spots of mold on old bread or cheese. This causes the food to rot. This is one example of a fungus. The fungus on the roots of trees is not a bad fungus. Instead it helps the tree by making it possible for trees to share food and information with each other. The fungus provides the tree with nutrients, or food, and in return the fungus receives sugars from the tree. It’s a positive exchange between the roots of the tree and the fungus. An older tree, or mother tree, will send sugars from its roots to the roots of a seedling, or young tree, to help it grow. The mother tree will also send messages to warn trees around it of danger. For example if there’s danger of an attack the mother tree will give off chemical signals to alert them. A chemical is a natural material that the tree produces, in this case to protect itself. An example of a danger to trees is an attack by caterpillars that could eat all of its leaves. This would stop the tree from growing. In turn the chemicals stop the caterpillar from reproducing. Another example of danger is too much browsing by deer. In this case the tree produces more leaf tannin, an acid that makes the leaves taste bitter and the deer would eat less. In this way trees are able to protect themselves. By communicating they protect each other too. The Bible often compares people to trees. Psalm 1:1-3 describes a tree that is rooted near water. Because it’s planted in the right place it will grow well and produce good fruit. It’s the same with people. Spend more time with friends and family who help you do the right thing, and study what God says, then you will be like that tree; you will prosper. The Messenger Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362