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DISCIPLED UNTO MISSION
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DISCIPLED UNTO MISSION
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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 A 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.
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
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
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.
ELTON DASILVA is the national director of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Elton and Ana live in Winnipeg and have three children.
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
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
COMMUNITY DISCERNMENT
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. 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 SPIRIT-LED COMMUNITY
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
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
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:
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:
WHAT IS A DELEGATE?
LAUNCHING SOON
NA.MENNONITEBRETHREN.CA
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: Q: WHO CAN BE A CHURCH DELEGATE? Q: Q: WHAT IS THE DELEGATE’S ROLE?
Each delegate representing a Member Church must be: ˚ ˚ Over the age of 18 A member in good standing within the church ˚ Approved by the church membership 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.
˚To elect members of the Executive Board, the National Faith & Life
Team, Legacy, and the Nominating
Committee. ˚ To receive reports from the Executive 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. ˚ To hold the reporting boards and committees accountable for their actions ˚ To vote on policy, direction, 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.
33
CCMBC administration sends out individual delegate information cards and Zoom link to each delegate registered.
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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.
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
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 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
62ND CONVENTION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF MB CHURCHES IN WICHITA, JULY 8-10, 1999
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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