APRIL 2021 MBHERALD.COM
Digest
Sixty years of sharing the life & story of the Mennonite Brethren in Canada
A vaccine for grief
VOLUME 60, NO. 4 A FA I T H U N FA L T E R E D B Y T I M E DISCIPLESHIP HAPPENS IN COMMUNIT Y FOR THE SAKE OF COMMUNIT Y W H AT I S A D E L E G AT E ?
Q: How do you speak well about marriage with your neighbours, knowing that marriage can be difficult? A: Check out the Faith and Life online pamphlets about marriage and family. www.mennonitebrethren.ca/ nflt-resources
Mennonite Brethren Herald Digest is digitally published monthly by the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, primarily for the use of its members, to build a Canadian MB community of faith. We seek to 1) share the life and story of the church by nurturing relationships among members and engaging in dialogue and reflection; 2) teach and equip for ministry by reflecting MB theology, values, and heritage, and by sharing the good news; 3) enable communication by serving conference ministries and informing our members about the church and the world. However, the opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the church as a whole.
Digest APRIL 2021 | VOLUME 60, NO. 4 EDITORIAL OFFICE 1310 Taylor Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3Z6 Phone: 204-669-6575 Toll-free in Canada: 888-669-6575 MBHERALD@MBCHURCHES.CA W W W. M B H ER ALD.CO M
ISSN: 0025-9349
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A FAITH UNFALTERED BY TIME
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A VACCINE FOR GRIEF
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MOTIVATED BY RELATIONSHIPS
Connect
John Longhurst
The Mennonite Brethren Herald is a publication of
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Shauna Caldwell
Mark J.H. Klassen
Sixty years
of sharing the life and story of Mennonite Brethren in Canada
DAD'S SECRET OF CONTENTMENT
Rev. Philip A. Gunther
DISCIPLED UNTO MISSION
Elton DaSilva
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Sarah Reed: “I am motivated to see people in right relationship with one another, and with God.”
MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD
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From the editor hese days our staff team divides their time between working from home and at the office. The other day during a coffee break, a coworker and I were making tea. I was making tea; my coworker was going with hot water and lemon, a drink I would have pegged as a go-to for someone three times his age. My colleague, let's call him Bomba, filled his cup to the brim with boiling water, then casually dropped half a lemon into it. The hot water flopped over the edge of the cup, spilling half its worth onto a table. We laughed as we cleaned up the spilled water and went about our day, not giving it much thought. Sometime later, after speaking to MB Herald Digest contributors Shauna Caldwell (A Vaccine for Grief, page 8) and Phil Gunther (Dad's Secret of Contentment, page 14) on the heavy subjects of loss and contentment, I remembered the hot water flop episode. It came back to me through scripture (Psalm 23, 5b: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.). An illustration was forming in my mind: My current situation is the cup, my level of contentment the water. And Jesus, well, Jesus is my lemon. It's a simple metaphor, oversimplified perhaps, but it works. We're not always content with life. We are sometimes
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unhappy in our workplace. Let's face it; ministry can be hard. There are times I have to search for happiness in places I don't think joy exists. Perhaps you can relate. God's word reminds us that despite how difficult our circumstances may be, there is joy in following Jesus. As Paul claims: "I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need." (Philippians 4:12, NRSV). Sometimes it's an immediate change, other times gradual. We look back on our troubles and realize that God was at work all along. When we welcome Jesus into our work, God doesn't just bring an added peace into our chaos; he equips us to bring others to him. As you flip through the pages of this issue, be inspired by stories including a life-long commitment to discipleship (A faith unfaltered by time, page 6); a journey of faith through unspeakable loss (page 8), and discipleship through—and unto—mission (pages 12 and 16). We love to hear from you. Please accept t h i s i nv it at ion to w r ite u s at mbherald@mbchurches.ca. God's peace,
Carson
CARSON SAMSON
Communications director
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HOMEPAGE
Songs that shape us
CMU launches new Centre For Career and Vocation Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) celebrated the launch of its newest initiative, the Centre for Career and Vocation, as work-integrated learning month kicked off across Canada on March 1. The Centre for Career and Vocation’s mission is “to equip members of the CMU community to purposefully connect calling, courses, and career through curriculum-integrated academic and vocational advising, experiential and work-integrated learning, and encouraging interdisciplinary exploration and creativity. Read more.”
SAVE THE DATE
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“Once Again” Album: The Friendship and the Fear (1997) Matt Redman As a worshipper and a worship pastor, I’ve always been drawn to the songs of Matt Redman. They are filled with biblical truth and demonstrate a simple, “four chords and the truth” kind of beauty that makes them singable, memorable and accessible to our congregations. We need songs like this that come to mind from Monday to Saturday to point us back to Jesus. This song gently brings me back to the place where I remember my Saviour upon the cross, and it opens my heart and voice to thanksgiving and praise. S H AW N B R A N TO N
Pastor, worship and arts WMB Church, Waterloo, ON. Tell us, what songs shape you? mbherald@mbchurches.ca
HOMEPAGE
2021 PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES AND CONVENTIONS ONMB Convention February 19-20 MBCM Assembly March 5-6 SKMB Assembly March 13 Read summary here
Family news CCMBC Legacy celebrates the long-serving commitment of the following employees: Sangita Kristjanson (payroll services), 10 years Vicki Dyck (accounting clerk), 15 years Karen Hume (accounting manager), 20 years Bertha Dyck (chief financial officer), 30 years We are grateful for their service to MB churches, we are blessed to work alongside them.
Karen Hume (left) is presented with a gift of appreciation by chief financial officer, Bertha Dyck, recognizing Karen's 20 years
ABMB Convention April 17 AEFMQ Convention April 24 BCMB Convention April 31-May 1
# S AV E T H E D AT E
NEW DATES
of service to CCMBC and CCMBC Legacy. Photo: Anthony Mark Photography
Please welcome, Fang Nan to CCMBC Legacy. Fang joined the financial services team on Monday, March 15, 2021, and will perform various tasks, including processing donations, payments, and payables.
Pastors Credentialing Orientation (PCO) will be delivered in two campuses in 2021: PCO East in Ontario on October 27-29, and PCO West in British Columbia on November 3-5 #CCMBCPCO
Need help subscribing to the online digest? Email us at mbherald@mbchurches.ca, or call 1-888-669-6575 and ask for Carson or Bomba.
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BUILDING COMMUNITY
A faith unfaltered by time Maria Loewen's faith is unshaken through 100-years of heartache and upheaval
When Maria Loewen is asked how she managed to live to the age of 100, she has a one-word answer: “Gebet”—prayer. Along with prayer, Loewen, who celebrated her centennial birthday on February 1, reads the Bible every day; she’s read through it several times. “The disciplines of prayer and reading the Bible are very important to my mother,” says her daughter, Marianne Dulder. This has been an example to her children and grandchildren, she adds, noting how she exemplified her Christian walk by “praying, studying God’s word, and attending church.” At the same time, Maria—a member of North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church—“never pushed her faith on us or her grandchildren with lectures or condemnation, but lived a balanced life worth emulating,” she said. Instead, she spoke about “a caring heavenly father” who was the “basis of how she perceived and lived her life.”
the couple and an infant daughter moved to Germany a year later where they lived for 18 years before immigrating to Canada with their four daughters. Despite many hardships, heartaches and upheavals in her life, Maria never complained, Dulder said. “Her way of dealing with all of that was not an entitled response of ‘Why me?’ but one of acceptance and even greater trust in God who she was certain cared for her and would take her safely into the future,” she said.
Early-life marked by trials
Born in 1921 in Russia to Johann and Katharina (Janzen) Sudermann, over her now 100 years of life Maria experienced many trying experiences—poverty, persecution, famine, war, refugee flight and other setbacks. She experienced hunger in the 1920s during famine in Ukraine, and later saw her first husband of only one month taken away by the Soviets in 1941—never to be seen again. She was also caught up in the fighting between the German and Soviet armies during the war before fleeing to safety in the west with the retreating German army—a terrible and terrifying trip—before being helped by Mennonite Central Committee to go to Paraguay when the war was over. After remarrying Heinrich Loewen there in 1953,
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Maria Loewen celebrated her centennial birthday on February 1, 2021
She showed her gratitude by volunteering at an MCC thrift store in Winnipeg, well into her 90s. “When it became hard to walk, she still volunteered, sitting in a chair, filling bags for customers,” Dulder said. Along with volunteering at the thrift store for over 40 years, she also sewed many blankets for MCC. “She wanted to give back,” said Dulder, adding she also had a soft spot for newcomers such as the refugee families sponsored by her church. Now near the end of her life, Maria’s message is simple, Dulder shared: “Keep the faith, find strength in the God who created you and sustains you, love the people God has placed in your life, help where you can, forgive those who wrong you, don’t become bitter, take each day you have as a gift from God and fill it with the work He has given you.” Maria’s daughters— Marianne Dulder, Elfie Janzen, Irene Dyck and Kathy Neufeld contributed to this article and give thanks to God for their mother.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Through it all, she added, her mother “expressed reliance on the Lord.” This included this past year, which was especially difficult as it became clear she needed to move into a personal care home. “It was difficult for a 99-year-old to start over in new surroundings, away from family,” Dulder said. The pandemic made it even harder, since visitors where limited and everyone wore masks that made communicating difficult. Several falls only made things harder. “During these trying times, she proved her faith to us,” Dulder said. “Not once did her faith falter. In fact, it was the only thing left to her. A few times she expressed her wish ‘to go home,’ but then agreed that God would know when the time for her to go would be.” Looking back at her mother’s life, Dulder said “she taught us all a very powerful lesson of never giving up despite scary circumstances. Her faith had been tested, like many times before, but she survived with her belief in God not only intact but strengthened.”
A love for Mennonite Central Committee
Over her life she always had a special place in her heart for MCC for help after the war and also for the food she received during the famine in the Ukraine. “Mom lived during the famine years of the 1920s and knew hunger,” Dulder said. “She survived because of MCC’s help. She never forgot that, or the help she received again to find a new life after the war.”
JOHN LONGHURST
is a freelance writer in Winnipeg.
Follow Jesus. Serve the church. Engage the world. Dig deep into God’s Word and build a strong Biblical foundation in Christ-centred community. Biblical Studies Pre-University Ministry Leadership Marketplace Christian Leadership (Online) Pursuit
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T H I S I S T H E F I R S T I N S TA L L M E N T I N A S E R I E S O N G R I E F W R I T T E N B Y S H A U N A C A L D W E L L ( W I T H G . N E I L PA R K E R ) . SHAUNA LOST HER SONS IN AN ACCIDENT ON FEBRUARY 6, 2016. HER AIM IS TO BE AUTHENTIC IN THE GRIEF J O U R N E Y, S H A R I N G H OW H E R FA I T H I N J E S U S I S C A R R Y I N G H E R T H R O U G H . T H E WO R D O F G O D H A S I N F O R M E D H E R H E A R T A S S H E H A S D E S P E R AT E LY S O U G H T G O D ’ S P E A C E I N T H E M I D S T O F T H E S T O R M .
A vaccine for grief
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he deaths of our seventeen-year-old identical twin sons seemed to parallel their births. Jordan and Evan arrived and departed from this world side-byside, only moments apart. After a Friday evening youth group event, eight boys hatched a plan for a late-night “adventure” at Calgary’s Olympic bobsled track. Under the cloak of darkness, the boys would meet up secretly for a hi-jinx sledding escapade down the bobsled track. The decision to have some unrestrained fun with friends turned into a deadly tragedy. Their adolescent frontal lobes did not fully appreciate the risks or danger. As they hurtled down the track, they did not realize that a death trap awaited them. Halfway down, an immoveable steel barrier instantly took the lives of our sons and critically injured others. These were the events we pieced together for the coroner on February 6, 2016. Since then, I have attempted to piece together my life.
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e awoke on that Saturday morning with a strange quiet in our home. Over the days, drifting into months, the silence gave way to a numbing existence. How could our precious sons be dead? Everybody knew that Jordan and Evan were full of life – with a capital L! Reminders of their lives were inescapably in my face, and the barrage of images was an assault to my senses. If there had been a way to crawl out of my own skin to escape, I would have done it! On that day, an unwelcome houseguest barged through our front door, violating our personal space. It overstayed its welcome and left a mess everywhere. In the lucid moments during this disorienting fog, I discovered its name: Grief.
Discovery through grief
I wish I had a vaccine that would protect people from grief, but I do not. Upon reflection, though, I would not want to. I have come to appreciate how very important it is not to waste pain. Pain on this scale can “make” people even though it seems designed to “break” them. I’m weaning myself off the need to feel comfortable. Instead, I’ve discovered more about myself and my God through my grief — and I continue to learn every day. It is not easy, as anyone in grief will tell you. I’m very slowly exchanging comfort for character. Christlike character doesn’t come easily, nor is it cheap. I wouldn’t want to be inoculated from grief because I’ve discovered something profoundly encouraging. God is deeper still! Don’t waste your pain; it will make you stronger as you companion with God.
Hard work ahead
Whether you are knocked-back by a death, illness, divorce, separation, loss of employment or financial hardship, your identity takes a hit. Passing by a shop window, I stopped cold, startled by my own reflection. Who is that stranger looking so tired, numb and distressed? Has this also happened to you? Picking one’s way through grief is a humbling and perplexing time of self-discovery. Loss strips us down. It leaves a person wondering, “who is that in the window?” During this past year of COVID, many have experienced what the Harvard Business Review captured in an article title: That strange feeling you’re experiencing? It’s grief! If you can identify that the strange feeling you are experiencing is grief, it will allow you to move forward. I first discovered these “strange feelings” of grief a few weeks after the tragic accident. I was in the grocery store filling a bag with lots of apples. I froze as I realized that I didn’t need all these apples anymore. The boys weren’t there to eat them. I fled from the store in tears.
Passing by a shop window, I stopped cold, startled by my own reflection. Who is that stranger looking so tired, numb and distressed? Has this also happened to you? What I can offer you is my brokenness and my hope in the risen Christ. I’ve learned that when you are in a fog — though you can’t see your way — you can follow a voice. I hope that these articles give ear to that voice: the voice of a loving Father who desires you to move from being made in his image to also becoming like Christ. I write to help you to hear comfort, companionship, love, purpose, meaning and hope. Is anyone crying for help? GOD is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. Disciples so often get into trouble; still, GOD is there every time. Psalm 34:1719 MSG
How to cope
Grief is overwhelming. Perhaps a simple equation can illustrate what is happening in your life: LOSSES + CHANGE = GRIEF Can I suggest you grab a cup of coffee and “sit with your grief”? Permit yourself to embrace your pain. It’s your companion, so it is best to get to know your grief. Write down the losses and changes you have been experiencing. Let the list be exhaustive. It may surprise you how they add up! Now
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write down the feelings you have associated with each loss or change. I’ve felt overwhelmed, numb, anxious, angry, afraid, tentative, depressed. The journey ahead involves navigating the losses and changes you’ve identified along with their accompanying emotions. Many experts have compartmentalized the grief process into a tidy series of steps: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. In my personal experience, the journey is far from linear. It is an erratic jumble of tangled, messy missteps. In this series of articles, we will honour the slow, plodding, and arduous grieving journey. It is hard work but vital for your restoration. We will sift through the rubble together. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27: 13 -14 NIV Over time you will get your life back — though it will not be the same life. Grief knocked out all my navigational systems: physically, emotionally, psychologically, relationally and spiritually. As other’s lives resumed normalcy, I had lost the normal rhythms of my days. I didn’t realize how much these rhythms had given stability to life. My grief-emotions became my companions and negatively governed my life. It was like walking in waist-deep Jell-O with every step. It was exhausting. So what can a person do?
Your body
Take care of yourself. It’s easy to either forget to eat or eat too much. Though everything is hard, neglecting your health does not help. Try to eat well, keep hydrated, exercise with a regular walk and get a good sleep. I encourage you to contact your doctor for help if you are struggling. It may be helpful to have some medication or a referral to deal with your specific needs and concerns. Ask for support rather than suffering in silence, hoping someone will reach out to you. Slowly reintroduce routines and structure in your day. Self-care sets you up for feeling better both emotionally and physically. At the same time, be a grace receiver and accept days when you have reduced capacity to function. It’s one step at a time.
SHAUNA CALDWELL
Your mind
I have found it is an ongoing effort to focus my thought-life. What is feeding my thoughts? Is it the news? Turn it off! Do I spend more time on Facebook than having my face in The Book? What “voice” am I listening to? What feeds me? I love you, GOD — you make me strong. GOD is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God—the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout. Psalm 18:1-2 MSG
Your spirit
“When a train goes through a dark tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” These words by Corrie Ten Boom, a WWII concentration camp survivor, spoke a truth that helped me cope. I asked big questions: Who am I? Where was/is God? What purpose do I have? Who really cares about what I’m going through? I also asked a lot of why questions without answers. I felt alone. Grief is not your only companion, though it seems like it some days. When our boys died, I purposed in my heart to trust the Engineer – through the dark tunnels and the intense emotions ahead - even on the days that I did not understand or feel anything. Now when I look again at the reflection, I realize that Someone is standing beside me. Jesus. Through this series, I hope you will relate to some aspects of my story, and it can be a Spirit connection to bring some comfort, resolution, and assurance as you accept, process, adjust and move into a new normal in your life.
lives in Calgary with Jason, her husband of 26 years. In one calendar year, they were gifted with three children – Katie, Jordan and Evan. Parenting “Irish triplets” provided opportunity to learn to cling to Christ for needed daily strength. Katie is now a medical school student. Shauna’s twins graduated to heaven in 2016, after a dreadfully public accident. The Caldwells own a small IT company. Shauna serves on two boards: Cornerbend Ministries and Youth for Christ. Shauna is grateful to her Uncle, G. Neil Parker, for his significant editorial assistance with her writing.
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U P D AT E O N M U LT I P LY ’ S G E N E R A L D I R E C T O R T R A N S I T I O N Dear MB pastors and leaders across the U.S. and Canada, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to work together with you in taking the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. As you are aware, a new Multiply board was installed at the end of 2020. When we began, we didn't know each other but came together committed to one goal; to serve Multiply to the best of our ability. For the past 5 months we have endeavored to understand more about God’s heart for Multiply and all the various aspects of our role including the implementation of recommendations that the Task Force presented last year. Prior to making decisions, we have committed to pray over our meetings, do the necessary research, and take adequate time. In light of that, I want to update you on two actions the Board is taking toward implementing the Task Force recommendations in the area of ‘Leadership’. First, we are announcing that our search process for a new General Director is now public with an application deadline of Friday, April 23, 2021. We are looking for a leader with a vibrant, Spirit-filled life to take on the role of General Director for our organization and to serve as the most senior officer and principal spiritual leader. A committed servant leader with cross-cultural intelligence, global mission and disciple-making experience, who fosters healthy stakeholder relationships with authenticity, inspiration, integrity, wisdom and humility. The General Director we are seeking has strong organizational and strategic leadership gifts as well as solid business acumen and a deep appreciation for the power of networks and interdependence. The life of this leader demonstrates a strong commitment to Jesus, God’s Word, listening prayer and the ability to disciple others as followers of Christ through engaging and shepherding leadership. If you, or someone you know, may be this
person, then please read our posting for this position at multiply.net/GD. Secondly, we have agreed that now is the right time for Randy to finish his transition role as General Director and that his many years of service with Multiply will end, as of April 15. The board and Randy recognize the need for a clean transition process that allows the new General Director to orient well to the Multiply family without distraction. Vic Wiens, one of our veteran missionaries and ICOMB Liaison, will provide interim coordination to the Exec Team and serve as a liaison to the Multiply board. In this regard, Randy has expressed the following thoughts: “It has been an incredible privilege to serve the MB family and Multiply in global mission over the past 31 years, including the past 17 years as General Director of Multiply. Together, we have mobilized thousands into discipleship training programs, resourced new church planting locations, and equipped local churches to partner in mission. I want to thank the incredible team of Multiply staff, board, missionaries and national partners for their support, dedication and example to me of what it means to “live on mission”. I also want to thank our MB church family in North America and ICOMB for your ongoing investment in mission through sending,
receiving, praying and giving! The best is yet to come!” - Randy Friesen On behalf of the Multiply Board I want to express our gratitude for Randy’s posture during this transition time. Randy’s commitment to walk in submission to the Lord and the authority of the conferences, in addition to his godly character, has been an example for us all. We want to commend Randy for an extraordinary career spent investing in the lives of countless people around the world. We pray that the next season in Randy’s ministry will continue to be one of increased fruitfulness. The Board is continuing to walk out the Task Force recommendations in ways that honor God, and strengthens the foundation for the continued growth of church planting and mission partnership. We are grateful for how our partners and churches have continued to actively support the work of mission and that more people are coming to know Jesus. The organization is fruitful, stable and in a good financial position moving forward. Please continue to be in prayer with us and for us, so that together, we may see disciples growing, churches multiplying, communities transformed and nations impacted with the Good News of Jesus. David MacLean Board Chair, MULTIPLY Network
Please join us on Sunday, April 11 to celebrate what God has done over the last 31 years Randy Friesen has served the MB family. In this 1-hour online event, you'll hear many voices reflecting with Randy on the past 3 decades as distinct ‘chapters’ of his ministry and blessing his transition into what God has for him next. How you can be involved: We will be creating a “Book of Memories” for Randy with the written messages you post in the Zoom “Chat” during the event. The chat section will be reserved as a place to receive your submissions and not for ‘live commentary’. Randy would treasure a word from you and be blessed by your presence on the call. Will you save the date? Sunday, April 11 at 4pm PDT (7pm EDT) Visit multiply.net/randy for Zoom link
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Motivated by Relationships or Sarah Reed, ministry is all about relationships. “I am motivated to see people in right relationship with one another, and with God,” she said recently from her new home in Austria. “When I think about my calling as a missionary, I think about the importance of partnership and seeing people work together in unity, despite their differences.” In the fall of 2019, Sarah completed her initial training for long-term service as a global worker with Multiply. At that point, she expected that it would take a few months before she would be ready to move to Austria. But she wasn’t expecting COVID-19. “When the pandemic became a reality in spring 2020, I definitely felt disappointed and frustrated with all of the restrictions and limitations,” said Sarah. “COVID slowed down everything, including fundraising. I knew my departure would be delayed, but I honestly asked myself, ‘Will I ever get to Austria?’” The tension of not being able to move to Austria and not being able to settle in Canada was difficult for Sarah. “But God used that time of uncertainty and those feelings of insecurity,” Sarah recalled, “to help me refocus. I learned how to be more content with each day and more present with people.” As she went to work on developing relationships in Canada with financial supporters and prayer partners, God blessed her efforts and gave her confidence that he would eventually bring her to Austria. But God also had
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something more for Sarah while she waited in Canada. With extra time on her hands during COVID, Sarah asked herself an important question: “If I was in Austria what would I be involved in?” As she pondered that question, God gave her an idea. At her home church, WMB Church in Waterloo, Ontario, there was a group of Persians, mostly Iranian immigrants, that met regularly after the Sunday service. “I had visited the group many times,” said Sarah. “It was a great way to get to know people and to observe their language and culture.” Sarah was also well aware that there were numerous Iranian refugees that were a part of her future church family in Steyr, Austria, the Mennonitisch Freikirche am Schlosspark. Sarah decided to talk to the leader of the Persian group at WMB—a woman named Mehry Javady who was an immigrant from Iran and spoke fluent Farsi (Persian). “I asked Mehry if she would be willing to help facilitate an online Bible study with the Iranians in Austria and the Persian group at WMB.” Sarah had no idea that Mehry had for many years been asking God for an opportunity like this, to be more involved in discipleship ministry. Both of the women were thrilled to see what God had in store for them. With the blessing of the pastor of the Austrian church, Sarah and Mehry formed a group online and invited the Iranian men and women they knew in Austria to join. As they
DU R I NG COV ID, SA R A H ASK ED HERSEL F began to meet weekly, embrace her assignA N I M P O R TA N T Q U E S T I O N : “ I F I WA S I N Sarah and Mehr y ment on the ground AU S T R I A W H AT W O U L D I B E I N VO LV E D I N ? ” watched in amazement with the church there. as God built bridges In recent weeks, she within the group and has been settling into brought strength and life in Austria, investgrowth to those who i ng i n ongoi ng came together to learn. “God was doing the language and culture studies, building relaheavy lifting,” said Sarah, “and Mehry and I tionships with church leadership, and were just responding to his invitations. We’ve continuing to meet online regularly with always had a strong sense that the Holy Spirit Mehry and the Persian Bible study group. was leading these times together.” “I really look forward to seeing how God As the primary facilitator of the group, continues to use the gifts and diversity in this Mehry was delighted with her new role and group to encourage one another, but also to excited about how her interaction with the help us reach out to others in Austria, Canada, group enriched her own life. About ninety-five Iran, wherever. I’m amazed at the diversity of percent of the meeting was in Farsi, so Mehry people in the group. Whether it’s Mehry in was heavily relied upon to lead, but Sarah was Canada, or the medical doctor from Iran who engaging too, and learning a lot. is now sharing the Gospel with her co-work“I didn’t understand most of what was ers in Austria, or the man in Iran who is being said,” Sarah explained, “but I was so learning to live as a follower of Jesus in a closed thankful for the way Mehry led as she listened country, these people are all so precious.” to the Spirit and spoke with authority. Because Sarah looks forward to greater freedom it was mostly in Farsi, I spent a lot of time as COVID restrictions hopefully loosen up in praying silently and simply taking in the the weeks and months to come. But no matmelodic sounds of this beautiful language.” ter what changes or what stays the same, she During most of the Bible studies, at least is eager to keep investing in relationships. once, Mehry would turn to Sarah and ask if As she considers the partnership opporshe had anything to add. “Having faith that tunities before her, Sarah thinks of the parable the Holy Spirit was leading,” Sarah said, “I of the growing seed in Mark 4:26-29. “The man would share my thoughts on the Scripture who scatters seed on the ground doesn’t know and Mehry would translate, then I just tried how it grows, but it does. He tends the field to figure out by the look on people’s faces if it and watches the seed grow until the harvest resonated. It was always exciting and faith is ready, then he takes out his sickle. He wasn’t building when Mehry told me later that what the one who made the seeds grow, but he was I shared fit right in.” paying attention to what God was doing and After the first few meetings, some of the he was willing to join in when there was group members in Austria asked if they could opportunity.” invite friends from Iran to join the online That’s exactly what Sarah’s trying to do: video calls. “We said, ‘Of course!’” Sarah to pay attention to what God is doing and be recalled. “I was so encouraged by the queswilling to join in as God opens doors. She tions people were asking in the group. People understands her limited role in partnership were so engaged and hungry to know Jesus.” with God and others, but she embraces the For Sarah, it was, in some ways, perfect opportunities as they come. preparation for her eventual move to Austria. “Through the group online, I was connecting with people there, serving the church there, MARK J.H. KLASSEN practicing my German (and learning some serves as a writer with the Farsi too!), and I was growing a stronger relaMultiply media team. He tionship with my home church in Waterloo works closely with his fellow through my partnership with Mehry.” media specialists out of the In November 2020, despite the fact that Western Canadian office. COVID restrictions persisted, God finally opened the door for Sarah to move to Austria. She was thrilled to arrive in Steyr and to
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“ I H AV E L E A R N E D T H E S EC R E T O F C O N T E N T M E N T I N E V E R Y S I T U AT I O N .” PAU L , P H I L I P P I A N S 4:12 “ M Y FAT H E R A LWAY S K N O W S W H AT I S B E S T.”
D
PE T ER WA L L G U N T H ER
uring my dad’s home stretch to heaven, I had memorable dialogues with him about his life journey. He was born in southern Russia during the turbulent 1930’s, grew up under the dictatorial rule of Stalin, experienced the horrors of WWII, saw his father arrested and eventually imprisoned in a Siberian work camp, helped his mother and siblings flee from communist persecution across the vast wasteland of post-war Europe, and settled on a rural Manitoba homestead, enduring the harsh realities of a prairie winter. He owned nothing other than what he was wearing at the time. He lost a sister on the exodus. Such experiences left many of his generation with deep psychological scars, a spirit of bitterness, and despair. Dad, however, spoke of being content as he started a new life in Canada – “We didn’t have much,” he’d say, “but we had each other, and the Lord.” His new life in Canada included back-breaking work, living with the bare necessities, raising six children, moving the family across Canada to start a new business, and being the recipient of both goodwill and malice. In the latter part of his life, he lost health, mobility, clarity of thought, parents, siblings, close friends, a son, and his wife. What is remarkable to me is although each of these came with initial pangs of grief and pain, it was not long before he began expressing his sense of contentment with life. Let me be clear, my dad had struggles, made mistakes, had worries, and battled moments of anxiety. However, he would always return to a sense of what I call a contentment equilibrium, anchored to Christ. “My life is not about me, but about Him whom I serve. Christ is first,” was his mantra.
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I never specifically asked my dad why he could always return to a space of contentment, but it was genuinely present. I saw it even later in his life when he experienced serious health issues followed by a cascade of downsizing from a large farm to a retirement condo, to a small room in an assisted living complex (a sterile abode with a few trinkets from eighty plus years of life). After the death of my younger brother and mother, he still returned to a sense of quiet contentment before too long. Yes, there were definitely moments of mourning and loneliness, but these seemed temporary. He was like a human version of memory foam, which, after being crushed by a weight, soon returns back to form. After pondering our last conversations, I began to sense the secret of dad’s contentment. When talking about his life’s narrative, especially the painful stretches, he would say, “Philip, our Father always knows what is best; he makes no mistakes.” He would routinely suggest that when facing hardship, I should not ask God to remove its weight, but rather ask him for a stronger ‘back’ to carry it. After N I N E REQU IS ITE S FO R the deaths of my youngCONTENDED LIVING est brother and mother WOLFGANG VON GOETHE he wondered why he was Health enough to make left behind and then con˚ work a pleasure cluded, “My Father has Wealth enough to support something more for me in ˚ your needs this life, I will listen for his Strength [enough] to voice and encourage others.” ˚ battle with difficulties and Dad lived to encourage, overcome them especially those he felt Grace enough to confess were grieving or bitter. ˚ your sins and forsake them Dad lived by the maxim Patience enough to toil until “Be somebody who makes ˚ some good is accomplished everybody feel like a someCharity enough to see some body.” I surmise that dad’s ˚ good in your neighbour gift of being an encourLove enough to move you ager sprung, in part, from ˚ to be useful to others his unflappable sense of Faith enough to make real contentment. ˚ the things of God “Contentment is an Hope enough to remove all extension of trust,” penned ˚ anxious fears concerning Richard A. Swenson. There
the future
are two realities at play in every person’s life the earthly temporal and the heavenly eternal. We live in the first as created beings with finite understanding and perspective. God is not so limited. A maxim I grew up with is that God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). It simply means that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Contentment is trusting that God is indeed all these things even if everything we are presently experiencing in our temporal reality says otherwise. Thomas Jacomb, a 17th century English minister, stated, “Contentment imports calmness and composedness of mind in every conditionstillness and sedateness of spirit under all occurrences of providence. When a man likes whatsoever God doeth to him or with him…this is contentment.” I recently journaled, “Contentment is a deep emotional state of being, where a mysterious mixture of acceptance, hope, satisfaction, gratitude, peace and joy abide.” While writing these words, I was mindful. Etched into my dad’s heart were the sentiments of Paul’s counsel to the church in Rome, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). The apostle’s conviction (and my dad’s) around contentment were embedded in a personal understanding and experience of the love, grace and sovereignty of God (Philippians 4:12). Dad’s secret of contentment was perhaps less complex than many believe. As he saw it, it was living from a place of (using a common expression) letting go and letting God, because the Father does indeed know what is best.
R E V. P H I L I P A . G U N T H E R
is director of ministry for the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches
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Let's talk DISCIPLED UNTO MISSION This is part three in a six-part dialogue on the subject of discipleship. We invite and encourage you to submit your thoughts and opinions by email at mbherald@mbchurches.ca.
s we continue to talk about discipleship from an MB theological and practical perspective, we move into the subject of mission. My observation is that in essence and practice, our view of discipleship leads the disciple towards tangible acts of mission. Discipleship for us is not simply “Jesus and me on the mountain top” but it is actually “Jesus and me leading others to know him and his kingdom principles.” The MB story is one of mission. Not mission conducted only by professional clergy but mission initiated by lay people. Our view of discipleship is not simply “Grow,” but also “Go.” Like the New testament Church, Mennonoite Brethren s have been engaged in gospel proclamation everywhere they have migrated to. It is essential to note the MBs have a holistic approach to mission. It encompasses both gospel proclamation and incarnational acts of mercy and justice (I will explore more on this subject in the following article). To this end, we invest significantly in preparation, collaboration and activation for mission.
A
We prepare for mission The MBs have been diligent over the years, establishing schools and programs that instruct and equip disciples for mission work. Bible colleges, university and Seminary, have been, and are still essential components of the strategic goals of this denomination. Informal mission-focused programs such as SOAR, TREK and ACTION are foundational to the MB discipleship ecosystem. Several of our larger churches have initiated and maintained unique equipping programs, and some provinces now invest in a grassroots program called Leaders Collective. The annual financial commitment from
Mennonite Brethren mission efforts in Canada during the 2nd half of the 20th century often involved week-long vacation Bible schools (VBS) or day camps staffed by college students during the summer break. Mission administrators scheduled these camps in communities where there was prospect of planting an MB church. Sometimes small group Bible studies emerged through the winter among the parents of those children that attended the summer VBS. Over time some developed into MB churches. Evidence of this missional strategy can be found in each province where MBs established themselves.
Campers and staff at the week-long Christian day camps in Snow Lake, Manitoba, 1979. Photo: Centre for MB Studies
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MB churches and individuals to support these programs is in the millions of dollars. The MB commitment to discipleship onto mission is great. We collaborate towards mission We display our high value for mission through active participation in joint venture programs. Our support, ownership, and participation in collaborative organizations such as Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), and Mennonite World Conference (MWC) are reflective of our convicted heart for mission. Add to that several other mission-related relationships are carried by individual churches, making the list of ventures is too long to transcribe. Another critical collaboration between churches and provincial conferences is the investment in local camps. Our MB camps are settings where both equipping for mission and mission outreach happen. Here again, our convictions are reflected not just in the millions of dollars spent on funding, but also in the thousands of volunteer hours that are invested annually. We are activated for mission We prepare and collaborate, but we also send. The diligent investment of the Canadian MB church in the global work of Multiply is significant. We not only support it financially but with missionaries, support staff and temporary workers. The call to “Go” continues to be trumpeted by our family’s mission agency. We are also active participants in the work of ICOMB. Our international community represents membership of 23 nations. Another 30 plus
Discipleship for us is not simply “Jesus and me on the mountain top” but it is actually “Jesus and me leading others to know him and his kingdom principles.”
countries await official membership status. This substantial growth is in part the result of activation towards mission. We go and join others in support as they go. Nationally and provincially, the MBs have expressed their desire to see the establishment of a new communities of faith. Our investment in this area has been significant over the years. Although we have encountered bumps along the road as it relates to church planting, our belief remains that Christ continues to call for the expansion of his kingdom, locally, nationally and globally. Mennonite Brethren have always been and remain a people who disciple unto mission. How have your experiences shaped your understanding of MB discipleship? Please share your thoughts and opinions by emailing us at mbherald@mbchurches.ca.
E LT O N D A S I LVA
is the national director of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Elton and Ana live in Winnipeg and have three children.
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Let's talk
The following is a selection of responses to part two, Discipleship happens in community for the sake of community. Read it online here.
RESPECT REQUIRED
COMMUNITY DISCERNMENT
Thanks, Elton. I consider differences between Mennonite Brethren and my experience in the United Church, where politics dominated. In my previous context, a common question might be: "How can we get this policy through or educate the conservatives out of their errors?" Discipleship in community implies respect for God speaking through the other, including the small and outlying churches and not just me or us (the small group). We academics typically know a lot about a focused field, but our students think that we are general experts. We can go two ways: pretend to be experts in all and make a mess or remind students that we need to learn from other experts and the students' questions and comments. Denominations and congregations of superstar pastors are precarious. I had not thought of the colony background to facilitate listening and working together. Still, I observe the outcome among MBs even generations away from communal living. Humble but confident (in the Lord) leadership is very appealing. Richard Lougheed, Quebec
I find myself wishing these ideas were the reality in the MB churches I know. In particular, the idea of a true plurality of leadership, without the hierarchy inherent to the title of pastor reserved for the very few, would be wonderful to experience. About community accountability, I have this observation from growing up at an MB church. Twice from my teen years, I remember the public acknowledgment of unwed pregnancy. Meanwhile, it was widely known that an elder in another MB church had declared his business bankrupt while hiding assets with family members. His loans were with the local credit union, meaning that he was defrauding local people, many of who were members of our churches. That man was never even privately held accountable, let alone dealt with publicly. My point is that we must have greater community discernment and decisionmaking to effectively bring about accountability that moves past cultural definitions of what grieves God’s heart. Robert Thiessen, Oaxaca, Mexico
A COMMITMENT TO LEARNING
Thank you, Elton, for highlighting the integral part community plays in discipleship. We see it clearly in our master's calling and mentoring his disciples, the early church (which you referenced), and in the life of the apostle Paul. Discerning together and determining a path forward in community is crucial, but it does not come without its challenges.
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In our very recent history, we have seen an example (MB Mission & C2C = Multiply) where we believed we had discerned together what was best yet to find out we might have missed the mark. But we certainly have learned, and I believe, have taken steps to help us better discern as a community what the Spirit is saying? Our commitment should be to keep
on learning and growing in this interesting dance of good planning with Spirit direction. With "Great Expectations," I look forward to seeing how we approach discipleship in this season and the ones to come. Willard Hasmatali, Pastor Riverhurst Community Church, Saskatchewan.
LONGING FOR A S P I R I T- L E D CO M M U N I T Y
In this discussion, I hear that we deeply believe that we need each other to be able to follow Jesus. Our ancestors (ethnically/spiritually) shared much in common — including many difficult experiences. Perhaps that made community discipleship both necessary and natural for them. It seems like discerning God's Word/Spirit together was also both necessary and natural. When we take time to study the Word, pray, share, learn, and discern together, does this not also give the Spirit space to work? Without the Spirit, could any people group even come to a unified confession? When space is given for a diversity of voices to be heard (and listened to ), does this not also naturally lead to greater mutual accountability? Our culture around us doesn't seem to make community discipleship seem natural or necessary. We no longer share the common experiences of our ancestors (persecution, forced migration, etc.) I admit community is not always an easy choice for me, in part because of my own story and personality. The pressure for leaders to discern on behalf of the community seems strong. As does the desire to leave the decisions to the superstar leader — both give the Spirit less space to guide all members in the community into further obedience to the Word. Community can be good; a Spirit-led community is what I think we all long for. I think most people desire community, but will our communities choose shared experiences (even the difficult/ messy ones) that lead us collectively to follow Jesus in the ways of our ancestors? Jacqueline Block, Saskatchewan
"Discerning together and determining a path forward in community is crucial, but it does not come without its challenges."
THE INDIVIDUAL IDENTITY ISSUE
Elton, I love these conversation primers on discipleship! I couldn't agree more with you as you shared your thoughts on discipleship within the community for the sake of community. Here in the West, individualism leaves its fingerprints on the church and distorts our understanding of discipleship. Your call back to communal discipleship is timely and needed! As I read your article, I couldn't help but think about our need to see the local church as the family of God that we are a part of (1 Tim 3:15). When we become Christians, we like to focus on the individualistic aspect of what Jesus has done for us. We tend to forget the other important reality that God the Father adopts us into his family. This family manifested in the local church is what God uses to play a profound role in our formation as disciples of Jesus. How would discipleship change within our churches if people within the local church saw themselves as spiritual mothers and fathers and committed themselves to younger believers? How would discipleship in our churches change if we as a family became concerned about each other's spiritual growth, just as much as our growth? To move forward in our understanding of discipleship, we need to look back. We need to re-embrace the idea of community and the role of community in forming disciples in the household of God. Luke Etelamaki, lead pastor, The Compass West, Saskatchewan
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We’re just two months away from the 2021 National Assembly (formerly AGM, June 10-12). This year, individuals will no longer register themselves as delegates for National Assembly. Instead, MB member churches will process delegate registration on their behalf. Recognizing this as a change in how we’re used to doing things, we present this short primer:
WHAT IS A DELEGATE? Visit our new National Assembly website for more information and a full list of motions and agenda items. Starting mid-April, Member Churches can register groups of delegates, and individual guests can register at:
L AU NCHING SOON
N A . M E N N O N I T E B R E T H R E N .C A
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Each year, the MB Church of Canada gathers together either in-person or virtually for inspiration, reporting, direction-setting, and decision-making. Known as the National Assembly, this gathering is made up of Member Organizations (Executive Board, National Faith & Life Team, National Ministry Team, provincial boards, and agency boards – Multiply and MB Seminary), and church delegates who represent Member Churches. Member Churches are entitled to be represented at any National Assembly by delegates.
Q:
WHO CAN BE A CHURCH DELEGATE?
Each delegate representing a Member Church must be: the age of 18 ˚ Over A member in good standing within ˚ the church by the church membership ˚ Approved or governing body of the church
Each member church is entitled to 1 delegate for every 25 members. In addition, you may have only one pastor delegate per church.
Q:
WHAT IS THE DELEGATE’S ROLE?
elect members of the Executive ˚ To Board, the National Faith & Life
Team, Legacy, and the Nominating Committee. receive reports from the Execu˚ To tive Board, the National Faith & Life Team, the National Ministry Team, Member Organizations (provinces, MB Seminary, Legacy, and Multiply), the Nominating Committee, and the external Auditor. hold the reporting boards and ˚ To committees accountable for their actions vote on policy, direction, ˚ To and amendments to governing documents.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION To ensure that those registering as delegates have been approved and designated by their Member Church, those Member Churches will register their own delegates no later than June 10, 2021. An individual delegate is not able to register themselves.
REGISTRATION PROCESS:
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Church leadership encourages members of their congregation to consider attending the National Assembly.
Church staff registers all delegates from their church using the group registration option found here. Each church will need to create a group for their church using the name of their church.
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CCMBC administration sends out individual delegate information cards and Zoom link to each delegate registered.
mennonitebrethren.ca mbherald.com
PLEASE COLLECT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PRIOR TO REGISTERING DELEGATES ONLINE: 9 Delegate’s name 9 Delegate’s email address 9 Church role (Pastor, Moderator, Board Member, Lay Leader, etc.) 9 Delegate’s attendance (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or all three days) 9 If attending the Thursday breakout session, collect the delegate’s two breakout session choices: Collaborative Unified Strategic Plan (CUSP) Bylaws Confession of Faith – Article 8 and Credentialing Finances
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Finish lines CLARA ELSIE THIESSEN Clara was the third of 5 children. After elementary school in North Poplar and the Abbotsford Airport Barracks, she completed high school at Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, B.C., where she was class valedictorian in Grade 13. Clara started piano lessons at 5, continuing her studies under Menno Neufeld, winning the Muriel Erskine Trophy for the highest marks (85 percent) in her performer and teacher combined ARCT exam. Clara attended MB Bible Institute (now Columbia Bible College), Abbotsford, and MB Bible College, Winnipeg. She studied piano with Wanda Dyck and Marjorie Wiens. She accompanied the oratorio choir under Victor Martens, learning the entire Messiah and joining music festivals. Clara returned to MBBI to teach piano and theory and to work in the library. At Goshen College, she earned a BA in music. After studies at University of B.C., she again returned to MBBI where her greatest joy was accompanying the choir. A tour of Europe with the choir was her first international travel but not her last. Clara moved to Vancouver in 1978 where she worked as a library assistant for 20 years at Vancouver Community College. Clara had a strong faith. After coming to the Lord at 12, she was baptized at age 15 into Clearbrook MB Church, where she played piano for congregational singing and choirs and made lifelong friends. While living in Vancouver, Clara faithfully accompanied Killarney Park MB Church’s services and choirs. In 1980, Clara visited her sister Ruth’s family in Botswana, enjoying her first safari; she returned to Botswana in 2001 with sister Edith. Clara retired to Abbotsford, joining her 4 siblings and their spouses. She volunteered to take patients to appointments across the Fraser Valley and Vancouver. She also enjoyed volunteering for the Mennonite Historical Society. At the urging of nieces and nephews, she wrote a family history, “The John and Helena Thiessen Family Story,” published in 2010. Clara experienced many medical challenges, including scoliosis. She persevered, stubbornly living a long life. She had major back surgeries at 13 and again in 1984. When her health deteriorated, she moved to Tabor Manor and later Tabor Court, where she accompanied the choir. After 2 weeks in Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Clara died peacefully. Birth: July 30, 1938 Birthplace: Clearbrook, B.C. Death: February 22, 2021 Parents: John P. & Helena Thiessen Family: siblings Edith (George), Vic (Mary), Ruth (Art); nieces; nephews Church: Bakerview, Abbotsford, B.C. Baptism: Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C., 1953
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WALDO (WALLY) ARNOLD SAWATZKY Wally grew up with two older and two younger sisters. He attended Coaldale Bible School before the family moved to Edmonton in 1957. His parents founded a home church that became Lendrum MB Church in 1962. There Wally was actively involved, including preaching the occasional sermon. Wally attended University of Alberta, working at a service station and as an orderly at the University of Alberta hospital to pay his way. At the hospital, he met and started dating Velma Lundgren, who was working there as an LPN. Four years later they married. Wally graduated with his bachelor of education that year and began teaching. In 1969, he completed his master of administration. Wally and Velma raised three children, Cheryll, Wendy, and Cameron. The family moved to Abbotsford, B.C., in 1979, when Wally became principal of Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI). At South Abbotsford MB Church, Wally served on the pulpit committee, sang in the choir, and preached occasionally. Wally served as board secretary to Federation of Independent School Associations in 1981–82 and as board president 1983–88. In June 1991, he stepped back from being principal, staying on as Grade 11 and 12 English teacher until his retirement in 2000. Wally and Velma moved to Pender Island, B.C., in 2000. They met many dear friends and joined Pender Island Community Church. Both before and after retiring, Wally enjoyed marking English provincial exams and doing the occasional independent school inspection for the Ministry of Education. Playing disc golf, hiking Oak Bluff, and developing his woodworking skills filled his days. He enjoyed working part-time at Poet’s Cove doing repairs and building projects. In 2016, Wally and Velma moved to Pitt Meadows, B.C. and began attending Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship Church in Coquitlam, B.C., where Wally served as a board member. Wally continued to be a guest speaker at Pender Island Church. Renovations, cribbage, and puzzles were hobbies Wally and Velma shared. Peacefully at Eagle Ridge Hospital, Wally died of complications from Sjögren’s Syndrome. Birth: February 19, 1939 Birthplace: Coaldale, Alta. Death: February 16, 2021 Parents: Bernhard & Helen Sawatzky Married: Velma Lundgren, May 30, 1964 Family: Velma; children Cheryll Rogers (Mike), Wendy Thiessen (Kevin), Cameron (Stephanie); 9 grandchildren Church: Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship, Coquitlam, B.C. Baptism: Coaldale MB, age 14
A moment in time
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Delegates pose for a group picture outside a tent at the last session of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Church in North America held in Wichita, Kansas, July 8-10, 1999. The next convention in 2001 (Abbotsford) celebrated the achievement of the General Conference and launched the divested version as USMB and CCMBC. Courtesy of the Mennonite Archival Information Database
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S U B S C R I B E T O M B H E R A L D D I G E S T W W W. M B H E R A L D . C O M / S U B S C R I B E -V I A - E M A I L
