Mennonite Brethren Herald March 2015

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DOES THE BIBLE HAVE

AUTHORITY?

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BIBLE

anymore?

8 WAYS

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Volume 54, No. 3 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297

TIPS for choosing a TRANSLATION

M A R C H 2 0 15 W W W. M B H E R A L D . C O M

Changing Bibles?!

Don’t sweat it

I

’m changing Bibles again. As a teen, I read the King James Version (rather unsuccessfully). I began a life-giving journey with the Bible when I started to read the New American Standard (NASB).

From there, I migrated to the Revised Standard Version (RSV), New International Version (NIV) and finally settled on the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which I’ve used in my teaching since 1989. The NRSV has served me very well. I also consult the New Jewish Publication Society version (NJPS) from time to time.

Now I’m happily embracing the Common English Bible (CEB). Why does this history of change not bother me?

1

From the very beginning, the church has used a translation. The Bible of the first Christians was the Septuagint, a translation of the Old Testament into Greek.

2

Having studied the Bible in both Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament), I am well aware that all translations are interpretations. Multiple interpretations help the reader gain the best understanding of the text.

3

Language and our understanding of it changes.

Study of the ancient biblical languages has improved translations immensely. And translations need to be responsive to changes in our own use of language without idolizing the contemporary.

4

Although translation philosophies differ, they aren’t right or wrong. Some translations, like the NASB and the NRSV, take a more formal approach by following the cadences and structures of the original languages. Others, like the CEB, are more dynamic as they favour contemporary usage and meanings.

5

Readability has become a high priority for me.

The CEB was tested by 77 readers from 13 denominations who read and evaluated the text as a spoken word. It is probably the most readable of any translation I’ve encountered.

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

G O R D O N M AT T I E S

But I’m faced with a dilemma: my new Bible has no underlining, not to mention handwritten notes. How will I know what’s been important to me in the past? How will I know what to highlight in my classes? I could spend hours painstakingly copying all notes and underlining from the old Bible to the new one. However, I have a tendency to pay attention only to the underlined parts.

I’m afraid I’ll have to learn some things as if for the first time. I might have to be open to seeing things that I’ve never seen before.

Gordon Matties is professor of biblical studies and theology at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, and a member of River East MB Church.

He contributed Bible study commentary to the CEB and recently authored the Believers Church Bible Commentary on Joshua.

FEATURES 5 Facts about the Bible 6 Test your Bible IQ 10 How will I engage with the Bible?

Eight ways to dig into the Word –Angeline Schellenberg

14 Does the Bible really have authority?

–Bryan Born

16 So many Bibles! Which one should I choose?

Bible scholars weigh in

COLUMNS 4 Editorial The ups and downs of Bible reading –Laura Kalmar

8 CCMBC board reports Board of faith and life update Executive board update

9 Outfront “Word of God Speak” –Willy Reimer

18 Transformed lives The mustard seed –James Toews

20 ICOMB – Wiebe’s witness The man in the soup bowl: The power of a transformed story –David Wiebe

35 Intersection of faith and life Sexual violence and the church: From self-gratification to self-giving

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MBHerald

–Jessica Morgun

TWITTER twitter.com/MB_Herald

DEPARTMENTS 19 Letters 22 News 26 Transitions, births & weddings 32 Finish lines [Obituaries]

WEBSITE mbherald.com JOBS jobs.mbherald.com PDF SUBSCRIPTION Email karla.braun@mbchurches.ca to subscribe via email

34 Crosscurrents

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

3

Editorial The ups and downs of Bible reading L AUR A K ALMAR

I

cringe at the thought of underlining passages in my Bible. In part, as a faithful English student, I hold a certain reverence for all print material. I regard books – particularly the Bible – as great treasures. Also, I enjoy reading large chunks of Scripture in order to feel the ebb and flow of the message, and highlighted passages distract me.

However, once in a while, I record a small date in the margin of my Bible to mark a particularly meaningful lesson or “ah-ha” moment when God spoke to me from his Word. There are dates from mission trips, seminary classes, silent retreats. I can go back to those Scripture passages and remember the Lord’s voice with gratitude and awe, reflecting on how those words impacted my life.

The good news Nothing has transformed the world – and individual lives – as much as the Bible.

The Bible is inextricably linked with the creation of the printing press, and the first early modern English translations of Scripture indelibly shaped the way our language developed. Linguist David Crystal says more than 250 phrases from the King James Bible can still be found in contemporary English idiom.

English literature also owes a debt of gratitude to the Bible for recurring themes and material, evident in the works of literary greats such as Shakespeare, Milton and Dickens.

Today, the full Bible has been translated into 531 languages, with portions of Scripture available in thousands more. Since the early 1800s, some 6 billion Bibles have been printed. Now, more than 100 million copies are sold or given away each year.

As well, the YouVersion Bible app has been installed on nearly 170 million smartphones and tablets. It’s safe to say the Bible has been read by more people across the globe than any other piece of writing.

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

The not-so-good news Despite those amazing facts, regular Bible reading is declining. In 2013, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada sponsored a study on Bible engagement, and found that, among Canadian Christians, the percentage of those who read the Bible at least weekly fell from 27 percent in 1996 to 14 percent in 2013.

If we consider just the evangelical population, some 50 percent say they read the Bible at least once a week, with only 22 percent reading daily. More surprisingly, 36 percent of Canadian evangelicals say they seldom or never read the Bible!

According to the study, “there tend to be two kinds of Bible readers: those who read at least a few times a week and those who read seldom or never. Either Bible reading is a regular habit or discipline, or it tends not to be done at all.”

What prompts us to read Scripture on a regular basis? What discourages us? Does our way of engaging with the Bible change depending on our season of life?

Do we view God’s Word as something that can transform our hearts and minds?

Do we rely on Scripture to guide our everyday decisions and choices? Do we see the Bible as relevant, reliable and authoritative? (See “Does the Bible really have authority?” p. 14–15.)

Ways to engage While most of us agree that Bible reading is important, many are quick to recommend a one-size-fits-all solution for Bible engagement, assuming there’s a “best” or “right” way to read the Bible. It is crucial to realize there are many ways to engage with the Bible. (See “How will I engage with the Bible?” p. 10–13.)

It’s important for each person to find a way to interact with Scripture that nourishes the soul and mind so reading

becomes a regular habit, instead of something added to a list of New Year’s resolutions, then quickly dropped come the middle of March.

When Bible reading becomes part of our daily lives, it can have a profound effect.

In 2012, Craig Kanalley wrote an article for the Huffington Post on how reading the Bible in 100 days changed his life as he engaged with Scripture on his iPad: “At times, I physically wanted to kneel on the subway in prayer as I read on the commute to and from work,” he said.

“I never did [kneel], but I did find a routine of standing all the time as I read, and balancing myself without holding onto anything.... Perhaps it wasn’t just physically balancing myself but a sense of being spiritually and mentally balanced as I read too; it was refreshing.”

In 2013, Rebecca Pham, a science student at the University of Alberta, took up a similar challenge. In a Canadian Mennonite article, Pham gave an incredibly compelling reason for reading the entire Bible in a year: “If someone who loved you immensely... wrote you a letter, wouldn’t you read it?

If it was an essay-length letter, wouldn’t you still read it? If it was a whole book on how they fought for your heart and would help you and provide for you, and longed for you to know their love, wouldn’t you definitely still read it?

“The lover of my soul wrote me one of those,” says Pham, “and I read it, and I’ll read it over and over again.”

So remember, whether there are marks in the pages of your Bible or not, a letter from the lover of your soul is waiting to be read – over and over again.

FACTS about the BIBLE Engagement:

MARCH 2015

International languages

531 50%

Some of evangelical Canadians read the Bible at least once a week.

18%

of Canadians strongly believe the Bible is the Word of God.

1 in 7

Canadians (13%) and

1 in 4

Canadian Christians (23%) strongly agree the Bible is relevant to modern life.

11% of Canadian Christians talk

to others about the Bible outside of religious services at least once a week.

63% attend religious services weekly, 57% read the Of those,

Bible at least a few times a week, and

81% reflect on the meaning of the Bible at least weekly.

Versions There are several hundred translations and paraphrases of the Bible in English.

languages have the complete Bible.

2,883

languages have some translated Scripture.

1,860 languages still need Bible translation to begin and those languages are spoken by

180 million people.

Mennonite Brethren Herald is 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.

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DID YOU KNOW: After a 40-year process, the New Testament in the language of the Atikamekw First Nation was launched Sept. 14, 2014.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

5

Te st† your 1.

Where can we find the following Bible verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” a. John 3:16 b. 1 John 3:16 c. John 16:3 d. 1 John 3:3

2.

Which image for God is NOT found in the Bible? a. Shepherd b. Mother Bird c. Bear d. Goat

3.

Although Samuel had warned the Israelites about the dangers of having a king rule over them, the people eventually rejected the rule of the judges and demanded a king. Who was Israel’s first king? a. Saul b. Solomon c. David d. Samuel

4.

How many books written by the Minor Prophets are found in the Old Testament? a. 10

6.

Which book of the Bible never mentions the name of God? a. Esther b. Ruth c. Titus d. Jude

7.

How many chapters are found in Proverbs? a. 29 b. 30 c. 31 d. 32

8.

Which title for Jesus only appears once in the New Testament? a. Logos (the Word) b. Christ c. Son of God d. Immanuel

b. 11 c. 12 d. 13

5.

Which is the correct biblical order of the last four Minor Prophets?” a. Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi b. Haggai, Zechariah, Zephaniah, Malachi c. Malachi, Haggai, Zechariah, Zephaniah d. Malachi, Zechariah, Zephaniah, Haggai

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

9.

Which two Gospels contain the story of Jesus’ birth? a. Mark and John b. Matthew and Luke c. John and Matthew d. Luke and Mark

Bible IQ 10.

15.

Which is Jesus’ first recorded miracle?

Paul wrote several letters to the early church between AD 40–70. Which letter focuses on the theme of freedom in Christ?

a. Changing water into wine b. Raising Lazarus c. Healing 10 lepers

a. 1 Corinthians

d. Feeding 5,000

b. Romans

11.

c. Galatians

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount appears in which Gospel?

d. Ephesians

16.

a. John

Galatians 5:22–23 says that when we become followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives. Which is the correct list of nine fruits?

b. Matthew c. Mark d. Luke

a. Love, joy, courage, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, humility and self-control

12.

b. Love, joy, peace, wisdom, kindness, perseverance, gentleness, patience and faith

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In which chapter of Matthew’s Gospel can we find this phrase? a. Matthew 2 b. Matthew 6 c. Matthew 18 d. Matthew 28

13.

c. Peace, patience, perseverance, joy, love, obedience, goodness, courage and faith

In the book of Acts, who was the first Christian killed for his faith?

d. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

17.

In the book of Revelation, how many heads did the first beast from the sea have?

a. Barnabas

14.

b. Saul

c. Mark Where can the following Bible verse be d. Stephen found? “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’”? a. Jeremiah 29:11 b. Isaiah 55:8 c. Psalm 23:6 d. Genesis 50:20

18.

a. 2

c. 7

b. 3

d. 12

Which popular phrase is NOT found in the Bible?

a. “By the skin of my teeth” b. “A drop in the bucket” c. “To everything there is a season” d. “Do to others as you would have them do to you”

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 25

CCMBC board reports Executive board update ABBOTSFO R D, B.C.

T

he Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches exists “to multiply Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ.” The CCMBC executive board officially approved this new mission statement during its January 2015 board meetings in Abbotsford, B.C. The statement was crafted in June 2013, then vetted by leaders, pastors and churches over the ensuing 18 months. At Gathering 2014, delegates affirmed the statement in principle, and the board ratified it at the end of January.

“The unity we’re experiencing around this new mission statement will help us focus on our shared ministry from coast to coast,” says executive director Willy Reimer.

Budget cuts The board also spent considerable time discussing finances. To address a large revenue gap, board members approved several cost reductions to the 2015

Board of faith and life update ABBOTSFO R D, B.C.

M

andated with the broad and ongoing task of upholding ethical and biblical integrity, the board of faith and life meetings never lack a full agenda. At the winter meetings, Jan. 27–28, 2015, in Abbotsford, B.C., the BFL tackled three major items.

Pastors and leaders had filled out surveys on the Confession of Faith in 2014. “There was generally high support,” says vicechair Ingrid Reichard, but three articles emerged as requiring “a facelift; review and update,” adjustments to “better or more accurate” wording with sensitivity to today’s language.

“It’s important to focus on the process,” 8

March 2015 www.mbherald.com

budget originally presented at Gathering 2014. Moderator Harold Froese noted that most reductions came from “the operational side of things.”

“We want to be as fiscally responsible as possible,” says Froese, highlighting reductions such as travel cutbacks and staff salary freezes. The board also cancelled its face-to-face meetings in April, and will organize a virtual meeting instead.

“We’re hesitant to reduce ministry activity,” says Froese, “because the momentum is so strong. We’re experiencing an unprecedented request for our services – from payroll to church planting.”

To decrease the revenue gap, the board also hopes to see an increase in giving, “whether from local congregations or individuals,” and will work to build awareness of the services available to churches and leaders across the country.

Reserves The board also approved a motion to set CCMBC’s reserve at a minimum of six percent of deposit fund liabilities. Froese says the percentage was chosen “as a balance between financial security and faith.” says chair Brian Cooper. A committee of Cooper, Keith Poysti and Paul Loewen was commissioned to “engage people in our conference in conversations that will lead to revisions.”

The October study conference, the second on the topic of human sexuality is fast approaching. The BFL will release a study paper (18 pages) with questions for Bible study and deeper engagement, and theological and cultural background to invite churches to explore material in advance. The document is slated for online release through the Canadian conference website on Apr. 1, 2015.

Due to interest from pastors and congregations with varying understanding of practice, the BFL is working on a statement on ordination. “We’ve not had broadly consistent teaching, messaging, practice and policy on the issue of ordination. This is a theological resource we

With the current deposit fund sitting at some $268 million, the target amount for reserves is around $16 million. Froese says that while the conference hasn’t yet been able to set aside the full six percent, “we’re working toward it.”

“Part of the timing relates to the sale of properties,” says Froese. “We thought it would be prudent to set goals [for the money that will come in].”

Partnerships Overall, “the highlight for me,” says Froese, “was a meeting with provincial representatives on the Thursday before the board convened. We spent time in prayer. We asked questions about us as a national organization and got input from the reps.

“Feedback was generally positive – and we heard we’re improving,” says Froese.

“There are many examples of how we’re working more closely with each other to improve ministry on the ground. We’re excited to see, for example, how the seminary and C2C are partnering together to develop leaders for church planting. It’s encouraging.”—Laura Kalmar need to address,” says Cooper. A “concise, recent restatement” is slated for release in summer.

The BFL also takes leadership in the annual pastor credentialing orientation which is undergoing some overhaul in response to provincial conference minister’s assessment of need. The upcoming June event in Winnipeg “will have a different look and feel” than in the past. The same content, but “less classroom,” says Cooper. Storytelling and interaction with local churches will be part of capturing history and learning theology hands-on.

Empty chairs remain at the BFL table for one member-at-large, and provincial representatives from Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan have not been confirmed due to changes at the local level. In the interim, Saskatchewan BFL team leader Greg Bright attended the meetings.— Karla Braun

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “Word of God Speak” Willy Reimer

W

hat has Jesus spoken into your life today?

As a young Christ follower, I had no frame of reference to answer that question. Then someone taught me how to spend time in God’s Word, reading to experience the person of Christ rather than simply to gain more information about him.

The primary revelation of Jesus is through the Bible – it introduces us to Christ, helps us recognize his voice, and teaches us to love him.

Through the Word, we also receive God’s truth for our lives. We discover how to live in relationship with others, do business, lead, deal with conflict, walk through pain, live by the Spirit…the list goes on and on.

In this month’s Herald, we read about declining Bible engagement among Canadians. In fact, research shows weekly Bible reading has dropped by almost half over the last two decades.

Not surprisingly, in conversations across the country, I’ve noticed that fewer and fewer Christians process life through a biblical worldview, or understand God’s leading and heart for his people. Many of us are “running blind” by disconnecting our lives from God’s Word. If we don’t know what the Bible says, we can’t apply it to our lives or process issues through biblical truth. We’re left with cultural truths and personal opinion. We also miss out on God’s regular encouragement, kindness and love.

Inspiration and strength The unique and wonderful reality of a relationship with God is that he wants to communicate directly with us. He wants us to move beyond second-hand faith that comes from living vicariously through the stories of others. While we can learn from

or be inspired by fellow believers, we’re starving our faith if we miss out on God’s direct communication.

As “people of the Book,” Mennonite Brethren have always believed the primary way God speaks to us is by his Spirit through his Word (cf. Psalm 119:97–105).

In fact, reading the Bible is one of the highest forms of prayer because it is God speaking to us.

feeding program, as if a weekly Bible message is supposed to nourish them for seven days. Yet many of these same Christians complain they’re not being spiritually fed!

The point isn’t just to check off time with God as another task. The goal is to meet with the Father, hear his voice through his Word, and be transformed and led by what the Holy Spirit reveals.

To remain strong and faithful, we need God’s Word planted firmly in our hearts and minds.

Without hearing the voice of God through his Word, we will grow weary in life and in service because we live and serve out of our own strength, our own issues, and our own dysfunctions. We become bitter and discouraged. We lose perspective.

We’re easily swayed by the winds of culture and the “wisdom” of humanity. Our worldview becomes skewed.

To remain strong and faithful, we need God’s Word planted firmly in our hearts and minds. But that can only happen when Bible reading becomes part of our regular habits.

Daily diet Ironically, many of us seek God’s power and presence without actually meeting with or hearing from him on a consistent basis. When we eat lunch, do we expect the meal to feed us for an entire week?

I don’t think so – not even if we eat a bit extra. Binge eating doesn’t work physically and it doesn’t work spiritually.

More than 75 percent of Canadian evangelicals say they have no daily spiritual

Quality happens in the midst of quantity. Familiarity makes it easier to hear God’s voice.

Practical help Personally, I find Life Journaling very effective, and have followed New Hope Church’s daily reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app for more than a decade. It’s how I start my day. I find it helpful to write things down and track God’s voice in my life so I don’t forget how he has spoken to me – and how often he has spoken.

Regardless of how we engage with Scripture, the key is to spend time with the Father, listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit, and apply what we hear to our lives.

What has Jesus spoken into your life today? I was impacted by Acts 13:1–3.

Which part of the Word impacted you?

Follow executive director Willy Reimer on Twitter @willreimer MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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HOW will i ENGAGE with the BIBLE? ANGELINE SCHELLENBERG

T

wo weeks after I finished seminary, I gave birth to my first child, and all those wonderful Bible study habits were replaced by 2:00 a.m. feedings. I knew how to read Hebrew, but could barely concentrate through Law & Order, let alone Leviticus. The way I’d learned to approach Scripture no longer fit with who I was.

Some 3.9 billion Bibles have sold over the last 50 years – more than the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Twilight series

10

March 2015 www.mbherald.com

combined, but according to the Canadian Bible Engagement Study, only one in seven Canadian Christians reads the Bible at least once a week.

God reveals himself to us through his Word, and since we are all different, God speaks in a variety of ways. Whether we’re artistic or athletic, bookworms or social butterflies, Mennonite Brethren are finding inspiring ways of meeting God in Scripture.

If you long for quiet... practise listening He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11b).

“Scripture feels vast and difficult. A lot of people who’ve grown up in the church have felt failure,” says co-pastor Mary Reimer, FaithWorks, Winnipeg. “We’re embarrassed that our devotional life is a disaster, but there’s pressure to try again…until we give up.” Reimer sees in many churched adults a hunger to come at Scripture fresh “with an expectation that God is speaking.”

FaithWorks welcomes individuals to read short passages of Scripture together and listen for the Spirit.

“MBs preach ‘Be still and know’ (Psalm 46:10), but we don’t often give much of a margin in our services to practise that,” says Reimer. FaithWorks’ bi-monthly evenings begin with 10 minutes of silence to unclutter thoughts, unclench shoulders. “We’re called to love God with all our heart, soul and strength” (Mark 12:30), says Reimer. “This form of reading engages all of me.”

As the text is read aloud in four phases, listeners ask themselves, “Which words resonate with me?” Reimer says, “We ponder in our hearts like Mary” (Luke 2:19), and share key insights at the end.

“I’ve never been in a group where people didn’t hear something meaningful to them,” says Reimer. “We make ourselves available,” says Reimer. “The mystery is that God reveals himself.”

Canadians who believe the Bible is relevant to daily life are 10 times more likely to read it regularly. Reimer sees participants transformed as listening “becomes a way of life, inviting God’s presence into the day,” and it “oozes out.”

Toolkit: Your Ears Will Hear

by Steve & Evy Klassen

If you can’t sit still...

add body to

the Word Come, let us bow down in worship (Psalm 95:6a).

Kalyn Falk grew up with a need to move – in a church where sitting still was the norm. Her question: “How do I worship with my body?” led to a book and a 2011

workshop that inspired members of River East MB Church, Winnipeg, to move forward (and up and down) in their engagement with Scripture.

Falk presented six prayer postures (expand, contract, rise/ reach, return/receive, firm and flow). “Expand” is arms open wide, reflecting on our confidence to approach the throne (Ephesians 3:12). “Receive” means kneeling to the prayer for mercy (Psalm 51:1). Stand “firm,” biceps flexed and “give yourself fully to the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

It’s similar to the way we use actions to help children memorize Scripture, says pastor Mary Anne Isaak.

Isaak and a few others from REMB used the postures in their Lenten devotions. “I was in a new job, new city. So much was overwhelming. I would wake up tense,” recalls Isaak, who would hold the return posture “to offer God the tension I was feeling without revisiting it in words.”

“How do we engage Scripture with the non-analytical half of our brain?” asks Isaak. “We embody the stories of Jesus.”

Toolkit: I am here by Kalyn Falk (kalynfalk.com)

If you’re stimulated by ideas...

dig deeper Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15b NLT).

“Academics opened up the Word of God for me,” says MB Biblical Seminary research assistant Erika McAuley.

“Suddenly, in the early church theologians, I had dozens of dialogue partners as I engaged the Word.”

“I’m introverted; many relationships I built at ACTS Seminaries were with dead people,” McAuley laughs.

“Origen, Clement, Anselm, they’re people who’ve decided to follow Jesus; reading their insight into the Word of God is like sitting down for coffee with a friend.”

The former kinesiologist wanted answers for her clients’ spiritual questions. “I prayed to know God more. Seminary turned out to be the answer to that prayer,” she says. “The Bible was no longer just a revered historical source; it became the revelation of God.” McAuley, who attends Arnold MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., devotes about an hour to Scripture each morning, convinced “we need to put in the work.” She reads the lectionary passages, which “allow Scripture to unfold in its drama throughout the year.”

The Bible Engagement study found that almost none of those who believe the Bible contains irreconcilable contradictions read the Bible regularly, but McAuley says if we stop reading due to apparent inconsistencies, we may be approaching a living book with the wrong expectations.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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“If all we have are concerns, and our intent is to hammer out every answer,” she paraphrases Karl Barth: “we’ll walk away from the text disappointed, missing the great things: the divine things.”

“We don’t need to be afraid of thinking about God deeply,” says McAuley. “When we engage the text, God engages us.”

Toolkit: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org)

If you can’t find the words... draw I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds (Psalm 77:12).

“I struggle with writing, but I grew up doing art,” says Candace Bighead.

So when professor Randy Klassen at Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask., gave her a blank slate to design a project for his Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels class, Bighead got out her sketchbook. She copied all 21 chapters of John in calligraphy and drew 80 pencil crayon illustrations.

Bighead’s art brings truth to light in new ways. A hole the shape of Christ’s body is cut out of the cross “because we sometimes forget he didn’t stay there.”

For a second year class, she illustrated Exodus, and was surprised by how much blood was spilled. It made her question: Who is God? Where is grace? “Then I flipped through my old manuscript of John and saw the blood of Christ redeeming.”

For John, the drawings took 98 hours; the script, 108.

Bighead had to stop doing calligraphy because of cramping pain in her hand. It’s a lot of effort to write Jesus’ story – a tangible reminder of what he went through for love.

But Bighead continues to engage Scripture artistically. She recently painted her mentor a picture of John 11:25: a lily stem transforming into the word “resurrection.”

The outline of a dove on her wall, when viewed close-up, is a composite of disconnected shapes, “a reminder that only God can see the whole picture.”

Toolkit: Portraits of the Word by Timothy R. Botts

If you’re stuck in a rut... dive into diversity And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24–25a).

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Only 11 percent of Canadian Christians discuss God’s Word with others at least once a week.

Why study the Bible in a group? “Because that’s how it was meant to be read,” says Jeff Peters, director of advancement for MBBS Canada. “Even books directed to individuals, like Timothy, aren’t just to him, but to him and his community.”

Believing that biblical interpretation is richer with many voices, when he pastored Hepburn (Sask.) MB Church, Peters gathered a team to process the next Sunday’s sermon passage.

“The first thing you realize is how different everyone is around the circle,” says Peters. Listening to which words they stress as they read can reveal new truths. “It’s that variety of how God is moving in our lives that releases more meaning out of the text. The whole church becomes teachers.”

When your group is in a rut, Peters says, “Read something you don’t agree with” – this forces you to think deeply about what you believe. If your group is tired of just talking, go on a service field trip, says Peters. Your conversations will come alive with “Remember when we…?”

Highland Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., has impressed on Peters the value of intergenerational groups.

After every sermon, the congregation responds with questions and comments that are sometimes profound. And as his family reads Scripture over dinner, his daughters ask questions that hadn’t crossed Peters’ mind. “I may be more biblically educated, but we teach each other.”

Toolkit: Double Take: New Meaning from Old Stories by Timothy J. Geddert

If you can’t find the time... take Jesus jogging Hear the word of the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 39:5).

Exercise and devotions – both can be challenging habits to maintain. James Toews, pastor of Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, B.C., kills two birds with one stone by listening to the Bible while he runs.

“My rationale was that, for most of history, the public reading of Scriptures was the primary way they were received,” he says. “Part of getting older is not sleeping well, so I’ve also had long seasons of listening to Psalms in the night.”

“We assume that the Scriptures are meant to be dissected like a science experiment,” Toews wrote in a 2008 MB Herald “Intersection,” but hearing the text makes familiar verses “merge into larger contexts,” and their musicality becomes apparent.

“My dad got up every morning at 4:30 am to study the Bible before milking the cows. He was extraordinary,” says Toews. “‘Laziness, guilt, defeat’ – that cycle perfectly describes the on-the-ground challenge for us ordinary people.”

“Exercise and the audio Bible worked for me. The goal is getting the Scriptures into our souls, however that happens.”

Toolkit: youversion.com

If you need structure...

SOAP up your journal For the Spirit…gives us power, love and self-discipline.

(2 Timothy 1:7).

J.P. Hayashida began Life Journaling with fellow MB Mission staff in 2006, having learned from late missionary Carlin Weinhauer that “we need fresh bread every day.”

Now, as CCMBC operations officer, Hayashida joins other MB leaders who use the journal, which includes a daily reading plan and space to write key Scriptures, Observations, Applications and Prayers (SOAP).

“When we meet, we are sharing what God has spoken to us from the same set of Scriptures,” an experience he says builds community. Recently, Hayashida emailed a fellow leader with a Scripture. “His response was encouraging: the Lord had affirmed that same word to him that very morning.”

The Bible Engagement study found that 81 percent of those who discuss the Bible once a week with others will also reflect on it personally. “We all want to hear from God,” says Hayashida. “Listening together in community makes the journaling process very fulfilling.”

Toolkit: REALife Journal (kindredproductions.com)

If music is your groove... sing the old, old story Sing to the Lord a new song (Psalm 96:1a).

Since he was a teen in the 1970s gospel band Sound of Light, Ray Harris has been setting Scripture to song. Today his hair may be shorter, yet his passion for Scripture is still going

strong. In 2009, Harris started Pneusong: a seven-year project to set the whole Bible to music.

The senior associate pastor (adult ministries) at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., finds eight to ten hours per week to work on his music. By arranging and posting 30 chapters each month, Harris is on track to complete the whole Bible in song by 2016.

Harris reads the chapter, works out a musical background on keyboard, then records the lyrics, a process that takes only an average of 30 minutes to record and an hour to edit.

It was his Grade 8 teacher who inspired Harris to read through the Bible when she made an offhand comment about her Bible reading that day. Ever since, he has read through the entire Bible every year.

The musical styles are part of the message – and the fun.

“For Exodus, I’ve used Hebrew folk songs; for the historical books, movie soundtracks,” says Harris. Each Gospel features music from a different continent, representing the spread of the good news. Beatles fans will recognize “Hey Jude” in the epistle that bears his name.

Listeners have logged onto pnuesong.com from as far away as Hong Kong and New Zealand. Harris plans to link the recordings to lectionary readings for worship services and personal devotions. His goal: to “inspire the next generation of musicians to pick up the torch of recording Scripture.”

Toolkit: pneusong.com, scripturesongsforworship.com

If you fall down...

As a new mom, sometimes all I had the energy for was a single verse; I’d say it over and over while I rocked my son.

And God met me there.

Even as my children grew, my spirit was willing, but my daily discipline was still weak. I began making weekly or monthly commitments that forced me to crack my Bible: a visit to a spiritual director, a parents’ prayer group, a children’s Sunday school lesson.

Now that my career involves Scripture, reading the Bible can sometimes feel, well, like work. I’m excited about finding way to play with God’s Word.

This winter, I strapped on my skates for the first time in a decade. I fell. I pressed into the wind. To catch my breath, I looked up YouVersion’s verse of the day: “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father.

He loves to help” (James 1:5 The Message).

Read other testimonials of Scripture engagement online and share your own stories of transformation.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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T

hroughout church history, Christians have affirmed that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. But what does that actually mean?

While serving in southern Africa, I met people who believe the Bible has special powers, and so sleep with one under their pillow to ward off evil spirits. They also perform animal sacrifices because they find Old Testament support for this practice.

Perhaps you know people here in Canada who subscribe to the credo: “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.”

Then there are those who stand above Scripture, denying it is the Word of God, while claiming the authority to decide what is worthwhile within its pages.

All of these approaches have problems.

A few years ago, I was asked to state my view on the authority of Scripture as part of an interview process for my current position. I hold the convictions I stated then even more strongly today.

I believe the Bible is the fully inspired Word of God as mediated through specially gifted and selected human authors. These authors, under the inspiration, empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, provided humanity with a record of God’s words and actions in history in order to inspire faith in the triune God, to encourage reconciliation with God and one another, and to provide God’s people with direction for personal and communal life.

Through the mystical interplay of the Word and the Spirit, God continues to speak to humanity today through Scripture (Isaiah 55:10–11; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Origin of the Bible’s authority When we speak of the Bible’s authority, we must immediately move into a discussion of its origins, for the Bible has no independent (or “magical”) power of its own, but only inasmuch as God exercises his own might through Scripture.

This view is largely derived from the Bible’s own claims. In the Old Testament, the authors regularly repeat the phrase, “The Lord says….” This indicates they understood their message was from God, not themselves.

The Word of God, revealed in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Christ 14

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Does the Bible really have

authority?

B R YA N B O R N

(Matthew 5:17–19), is then further disclosed through the Spirit-inspired writers of the New Testament who also hold this conviction about their source: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20–21).

Peter clearly regards Paul’s letters as having the same authority of the “other Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16).

Both Paul and Peter explicitly equate the gospel message they communicate with the Word of God. Peter, quoting from Isaiah 40, draws the connection between “the living and enduring word of God” and “the word that was preached” to his listeners (1 Peter 1:23–25).

The apostle Paul, in a most remarkable passage in 1 Thessalonians, is even more direct: “We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe” (2:13, italics added).

The power of the Word Scripture uses vivid images throughout to emphasize the impact of God’s Word.

Some of the descriptions include a fire and a hammer that breaks rocks into pieces (Jeremiah 23:29), a double-edged sword that penetrates and judges (Hebrews 4:12), a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105), rain or snow that cause growth (Isaiah 55:10),

seed that bears fruit (Luke 8:11), and food from the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3).

Those who put Jesus’ words into practice find they have a rock-solid foundation for life (Matthew 7:24–27).

Hopefully, we understand that a high view of Scripture is not simply concerned with moral directives (although extremely important), but with how the Spirit of God works through the Word to save, transform and restore life. The truth of Scripture saves and sets us free as we enter into full relationship with the God of Scripture.

The Bible has incredible power to change our lives because it leads us to the True source of Life, Jesus Christ.

Interpreting the Word Our MB Confession of Faith simply states: “We accept the Bible as the infallible Word of God and the authoritative guide for faith and practice.” But how the Bible functions authoritatively in our lives is not quite so simple.

We are called to the difficult job of interpreting and applying God’s Word for a radically different context than when the Bible was written. Yet, the hermeneutical task of contextualization is not so different from the original effort to produce the Bible. We must employ our human skills and knowledge while relying upon the Spirit of Jesus to “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:12–15; 1 John 2:20–27).

When interpreting Scripture, we pray and listen for God’s direction, while paying serious attention to how the church has understood and lived Scripture in the past. We rely upon God to guide our reasoning capacities as we faithfully study

the historical context, literary genre and authorial intention of biblical texts.

Human experience and the counsel of the faithful community play important roles in interpretation. Throughout history, the people of God have been exhorted to carefully discern truth from falsehood, and avoid simply accepting the word of those who claim to speak on God’s behalf (Deuteronomy 13:1–5; Jeremiah 23:25–32; Matthew 7:15–23; Galatians 1:6–9).

God communicates to us personally through the Bible, but we are all prone to rationalization and self-deceit, and can twist God’s words to suit our own desires. Therefore, we should remember that Paul’s command to “test them

simply provide us with an overarching worldview and general principles for life, or does God use Scripture to compel obedience in the mundane aspects of everyday behaviour?

Many of us want an either-or response, but a contextual reading of Scripture argues that we must pay attention to both the grand narrative and the individual details. The two are intricately intertwined.

The book of Deuteronomy is a fabulous example – the Mosaic Law is based on the reality of the Exodus. Moses told the people: when your children ask you what the law means, tell them the Exodus story, and then keep the decrees (see Deuteronomy 6:20–25).

Through the mystical interplay of the Word and the Spirit, God continues to speak to humanity today through Scripture. [prophecies] all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22) was addressed to a community of believers.

We must also acknowledge that much of the Bible does not look like an instruction book. It certainly provides us with commands and key doctrines, but much of its content is story, poetry, parables and prophetic imagery. How do these kinds of literature speak authoritatively to us today?

This is where we must seek to understand how the account of God’s covenant people in the Old Testament and the story of Jesus and the early church in the New Testament shape our identity and inspire us to live out God’s mission of redemption, reconciliation and transformation now.

So how does biblical authority work practically? Do we need a specific text to determine every decision, or do we try to follow the major themes of Scripture like justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23)? Does the Bible

The same is true in the New Testament.

Loving our neighbours, refusing to fight back when wronged, pursuing sexual purity and serving the poor are all commanded in Scripture, but only make sense in light of what God has done in Christ. The Spirit of God working through the story of Jesus provides the Truth we need for each decision.

Dwelling in the Word One can, like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, vigorously uphold the doctrine of biblical authority yet miss out on the power of God to transform and give life through his Word (see John 5:36–40).

But when we dwell in the Word, and the Word dwells in us, God will transform us by his Holy Spirit.

I pray that God, through the Bible, will continue to speak with powerful effect into our lives, our churches and the world around us.

Bryan Born is president of Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.

application 1. Defending the authority of Scripture means we obey God’s Word.

“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:22–25).

2. The authority of God’s Word

extends to every area of life, not just what others see.

“For the word of God is alive and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

3. When the Word of God lives/dwells within us, we grow in our relationship with God and experience victory over the evil one.

“I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:14).

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u

Gone are the days when everyone quoted from the King James Version. Bible Gateway lists no less than 50 English Bible versions, not including novel paraphrases like the Hip Hop or Cotton Patch Bible.

How do we sort through the bewildering array of options to find the right choice?

The MB Herald asked several of our Bible scholars for their advice.

What should I consider when selecting a Bible translation?

Jon Isaak: Readability: am I stumbling over phrasing that is unfamiliar to me?

Accuracy: am I assured that when the text refers to people in general that the terms/pronouns reflect both male and female? Theological bias: am I aware of the theological biases of the interpreters/translators?

SO MANY BIBLES! WHICH ONE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Marc Paré: Consider your goal for reading. If your aim is to read the whole Bible in one year, it might be better to choose a “smooth” translation, which will provide easily accessible meaning and a bird’s eye view of the message of each book. To dig deep into a biblical book or passage and reap increased benefits from serious examination, a study Bible with introductions and notes is a must. A serious study should involve reading the text in different versions (if possible in different languages).

Randy Klassen: Who is it for? For a new reader, I’d suggest the CEV. For more competent readers, I’d suggest the NLT. The NIV remains a good standard for public and private reading, balancing understandability with closeness to the original languages.

For those wanting to do more in depth Bible study, I recommend NRSV or ESV.

to balance intelligibility with “historical distance.” Do we measure gold’s worth in dollars, or denarii? Do we think with our minds (the modern idiom), or our hearts (the biblical)? Do we walk for miles, stadia (the Roman measure), or “a Sabbath’s journey”?

Many subtle choices of rendering must be made.

Isn’t King James the most accurate since it’s the oldest?

What’s the difference between a paraphrase and a translation?

A paraphrase seeks to make the text sound immediate, current, in-yourface; a translation seeks, to a lesser or greater degree, to remind us that the text was originally born in a different time and place.

Randy Klassen: The KJV has great literary beauty, and is indispensable for the study of English literature, having planted seeds in the soil of four centuries of writing. But the KJV has no more divine rights than King James himself had.

Randy Klassen: Every rendering of Hebrew or Greek into English is forced 16

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Jon Isaak: No. Biblical manuscripts older and arguably more reliable than the ones used by the translators of the KJV have become available since the KJV was produced.

Its language does not say to us what the original Bible writers said to their contemporaries, and so in its most important function – proclaiming truth – it is less accurate than more recent translations.

I’ve heard the newer NIVs have become gender neutral. Shouldn’t we avoid compromising the Word to political correctness?

Randy Klassen: Translators always have to wrestle with questions of compromise: do we lean toward old-fashioned traditionalism or toward communication with our (increasingly post-Christian) neighbours?

The KJV showed a gender neutral bias when it translated the beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (the original says “sons of God”). Even the apostle Paul, when quoting 2 Samuel 7:14 (written in Hebrew) in 2 Corinthians 6:18 (written in Greek), deliberately expands an original “sons” into “sons and daughters.”

There is in Bible translation, as in the gospel itself, a thrust for inclusion of our neighbours that should not be stifled by a rigid traditionalism.

Should I use more than one Bible translation?

Jon Isaak: Reading from multiple translations helps to check my own personal assumptions about what a text says/ means. It both widens the field of options and forces me to make my own decision.

Marc Paré: Comparing versions will help to see where there are interpretive issues: whenever a significant difference in meaning occurs between the translations, there is most likely a different choice made by the different translators, so seeing the “options” prevents the reader from being dependent on the choice of a single translation team.

Randy Klassen: Every Bible translation is the Word of God (barring deliberately unorthodox mistranslations, of course),

and can be relied on to give us all that we need for faith and life (2 Peter 1:3).

But no one translation gives us all the nuances, the 3D texture of the original.

The more angles on the text, the richer and fuller our understanding of God’s Word as originally given.

by a 21-century storyteller/performance poet. “’Cos God’s so passionate about the planet that he donates his one and only Son. Whoever invests their life in his Son doesn’t die, but gets given this limitless life. D’you think God sends his Son to slam people down? No! he sends his Son to liberate people.” Destined to be dated, but until then, definitely deserving of an audience.

Highlight a lesser-known or recent version of particular note.

Randy Klassen: The Word on the Street

by Rob Lacey (2004) is an abridged paraphrase (but all 66 books are represented)

Gordon Matties: I’m happily embracing the Common English Bible. It is probably the most readable of any translation I’ve encountered. (See page 2.)

Jon Isaak, former New Testament professor at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Cal., now director of the Centre for MB Studies, Winnipeg

Marc D. Paré, professor of biblical studies, ETEM (École de théologie évangélique de Montréal) and director of the Centre for Anabaptist Studies in Montreal

Randy Klassen, instructor in Bible and theology, Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask.

Gordon Matties, professor of biblical studies and theology, Canadian Mennonite University

Mixing literal and meaning-based translations MARC PARÉ

Genesis 4:1 King James “Adam knew Eve his wife” New International “Adam made love to his wife Eve” KJV closely follows the Hebrew verb (yada‘) and even the order of the words, but the NIV chooses to convey the meaning of the Hebrew verb in a more “natural” English.

A literal translation will help the reader to “feel” the otherness of the original language, as well as the ambiguities and the necessity for interpretation on the part of the translator.

On the other hand, most people are more interested in getting to the meaning of the texts rather than feeling that they are reading a different language using English words.

Comparing versions Matthew 6:9–13 Common English Bible (CEB) Pray like this: Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.

New International Version (NIV) This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

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TRANSFORMED LIVES The mustard seed “You probably don’t know me but my Daddy started this church.”

I looked up at the young woman standing in the door of my office and against the darkness outside. I might not have known who she was, but with that clue I knew immediately. Underneath her distress, the beauty I’d seen in old pictures was clearly visible.

“And you dedicated my daughter when she was one, remember?”

Distress poured from her voice, her demeanour and her dress. And the story behind it poured into my office.

“I need to start over and this church is where I grew up. When I saw it across the street, I knew I needed to come in.”

James Toews

That’s how it is. I’ve gone looking for lost sheep, but usually there is nowhere to look.

And life goes. Sometimes it’s just too little.

“You probably don’t recognize me...”

The church service was about to begin and I was touching base as people came in. I knew immediately who she was. It was five years since she’d appeared in the door of my office.

All I could do was share her bewilderment.

It wasn’t fair. I have questions too.

And I would see her again, and again, and again.

Each week, when her health allows, she and her mother sit in the very centre of the congregation and the glow of her victories lights up the room like a the sun.

“There’s one more thing,” she said one day. “I need to be baptized. Do you think

What is the kingdom of God like?

What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed...

(Luke 13:18–19).

She began like many people: university degrees, good jobs, a relationship and a child.

But like all towns, ours has a bitter underbelly behind the facade of malls and subdivisions. For those drawn into its vortex, abuse, drugs, alcohol and raw sadness do their destructive work very efficiently. That vortex caught her.

She talked about estrangement from her parents, an ex and a daughter she loved.

“I have to go home to my mom. I don’t know if that will work.”

And so we talked and cried together and tried to cobble together a plan that sounded realistic.

But I’ve heard sad stories far too often, and I know that plans made in safe places – even with the deepest sincerity, and the best of intentions – are fragile little things.

“You know where to find me. I know your mom. I think I can help. At least I’m willing to try,” I said as she stepped back into the dark night. My words sounded puny even as I spoke them into the darkness.

I wasn’t surprised when no call came.

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This time, an aneurism had taken its visible toll on her. She had a cane to prop up half a body that was less cooperative than half bodies are supposed to be.

Her natural beauty was, however, undiminished and this time it radiated from her, without restraint.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come back and see you, but it’s a long story. I needed to come back and here I am!”

And it was a long story: a story of moving home with her mother, of fighting off addictions, of being able to see her daughter again, of reconciling with her father, of discovering and then fighting cancer and then the bizarre devastation of the aneurism.

“Why, after all that, would that have to happen?” she asked.

we can manage that with my cane?”

No doubt we can!

And on that day she stood up and told her story to us all, as only she can: a powerful story with wonderful fruit and deep roots. A story that is only just beginning.

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches” (Luke 13:18–19).

I feel like one of those birds – and it feels so good.

James Toews is pastor at Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, B.C.

Reader responses CCMBC Statement re: Nutana Park Mennonite Church JANUARY 12, 2015

On New Year’s Eve, Nutana Park Mennonite Church in Saskatoon made national headlines by being the first Mennonite church to publicly officiate a same-sex wedding in Canada. In the ensuing days, Canadian Mennonite Brethren leaders received numerous inquiries wondering why one of our churches had participated in this wedding ceremony.

Nutana Park Mennonite Church is not a member of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Nutana Park is a constituent congregation of Mennonite Church Canada, a sister denomination with separate leadership, governance and polity.

The Canadian Conference of MB Churches is committed to our confessional position, which states that marriage is a covenant relationship intended to unite a man and a woman for life.

We pray for the leadership of Mennonite Church Canada as they work through this challenging issue. We pray for their faithful application of and obedience to God’s Word as they seek to communicate and express God’s love and truth to all people.

We invite all Mennonite Brethren to attend our biennial study conference, “God, Sex and Church: A Theology of Healthy Sexuality” to be held Oct. 21–23, 2015, in Winnipeg.

WILLY REIMER, Executive Director, CCMBC BRIAN COOPER, Chair, Board of Faith and Life

Look to Bible, not Confession of Faith

Re “CCMBC Statement re: Nutana Park Mennonite Church.” I appreciate the willingness of Willy Reimer and CCMBC to respond with what initially appears a clear and traditional position on marriage. However, being committed to our “confessional position” is extremely weak at best. We all know confessional statements change. If we simply rely on our Confession and not say it is God’s Word (or instruction) we’re committed to obey, there is no foundation for its premise. We must look to God’s standard, not a denominational interpretation or confession.

RALPH WILSON KITCHENER, ONT.

Beware of false teachers

Re “Current books: We Make the Road by Walking” (Crosscurrents, February). In reading Brad Sumner’s review of this book – and his somewhat favourable comments – I get the impression Sumner thinks the book would be beneficial for believers. Should we even give the slightest hint of endorsement to a book written by someone who doesn’t hold to the infallibility of Scripture?

When we begin to doubt the truthfulness of the entirety of the Word of God (as does Brian McLaren), we’re on slippery ground. Throughout the New Testament, we’re encouraged to be aware of false teaching. Why would we use this book to journey deeper into the themes of Scripture?

GREG GOOD ONLINE COMMENT

Baby with the bathwater?

Re Greg Good’s online comment (above). I hear you asking if it’s wise for leaders to use resources and authors that don’t share some of our a priori theological or methodological approaches to the Bible. To me, this depends a lot on who we’re working with and what their own susceptibility to false teaching or doctrine might be.

If we simply say things such as, “The Bible says it; I believe it; that settles it,” we may miss an opportunity to walk with people who may not share our convictions about the authority of Scripture, but are willing to explore whether what the Bible says about itself is true. To me, this means using resources and authors who don’t share our starting points but who can nonetheless be helpful in some aspects of the journey.

I would also say that McLaren’s use of the Bible isn’t consistently anemic or allegorical. I think he believes deeply and passionately in God’s Word as truth, but he simply raises some of the same questions others have had over time. C.S. Lewis, for example, in a letter to Clyde Kilby dated May 7, 1959, suggests “The very kind of truth we are often demanding was, in my opinion, not even envisaged by the ancients.” This would make some people very nervous, but they still read and recommend Mere Christianity.

For me, the question isn’t whether an author shares my convictions about biblical authority, but whether I can use this tool (podcast, book, article, movie) to help develop and sharpen a conviction around the truths of Scripture in someone I’m mentoring.

BRAD SUMNER ONLINE COMMENT

Don’t forget that you can comment online. Join the conversation at mbherald.com Letters to the editor Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters of 150–200 words on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please include name, address and phone number, and keep your letters courteous and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity.

We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is subject to space limitations. Letters also appear online.

Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren church. Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6, or by email to mbherald@mbchurches.ca.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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ICOMB: International Community of W i eb e ’s Witn es s

Drawing from his travels to visit MB churches around the world, ICOMB executive director David Wiebe offers insights on faith.

The man in the soup bowl: The power of a transformed story David Wiebe

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t. Patrick established Christianity in Ireland in the early fifth century by returning to the land of his enemies to bring the gospel, and suffering persecution and deprivation. Tradition holds that he died Mar. 17, 460 AD, now known as St. Patrick’s Day.

He took his soup bowl to another room to eat with some friends. Still very skeptical, he followed his sister’s advice with this prayer, “If you are real, show me.” As he removed the lid, a figure materialized, about two feet tall, standing in his bowl of soup.

Where are the “St. Patrick stories” among the Mennonite Brethren?

Everyone in the room saw the apparition and became agitated, worried the unknown figure might be malevolent.

Though I haven’t met all of our 450,000 members (give or take) worldwide, I did meet a man whose story has been used to call people to true faith in Christ in a difficult area of South-East Asia.

I first met “Uncle John” in 2012 at a pastor training event in Thailand where some 60 pastors from the Khmu Mission assembled at the Changed Life Center. I used a ReFocusing process – a simple exercise of sketching one’s personal timeline on a sheet of paper and relating that to one other person.

From this story-sharing, we learned that Uncle John had seen a vision of Jesus.

In his bowl of soup.

John’s vision After serving as a Viet Cong soldier in the Vietnam War, Uncle John was looking for direction. His sister had become a Christian and witnessed to him. He resisted.

One day at lunch, somewhat exasperated, she said, “Why don’t you say a prayer for your meal – say anything!”

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

Hearing the commotion, Uncle John’s sister came into the room. She discerned who it was immediately, and said, “Hey, that’s Jesus!”

The image remained for about 15 minutes and then dissolved into thin air. This incident led to Uncle John’s conversion. Presently, he serves as a pastor in one of Khmu Mission’s churches.

Special revelation Part of our growing family of Mennonite Brethren suffers persecution like other Christians in regions around the world.

Many experience special revelation like this, perhaps as a way of securing their faith. Certainly, many Muslims see visions or dreams of Jesus prior to committing their lives to following Christ.

I have told Uncle John’s story as I visit our global family. In Bavaria, Germany, one pastor shook his head and muttered “Impossible!” under his breath. I asked our Slavic brethren in the U.S. if people had

visions of Christ in Soviet Russia, and their response was “Frequently.”

I should also say that individuals have come to me personally after I tell this story to inform me that they have had a dream or vision of Christ.

Thus, such occurrences are not exclusive to those who will suffer for their faith. In Visions and Appearances of Jesus, Trinity Western University philosophy professor Phillip Wiebe demonstrates that there is a virtually unbroken historical record of people who have seen the Lord through visions since the resurrection. Wiebe postulates that these revelatory events – particularly when a multiple number of people see the same thing, but also because of the litany of individuals through the centuries – serve as confirmation of the resurrection. This story has power beyond that of the immediate effects on an individual.

St. Patrick’s story of sacrifice and dedication influenced an entire country. Ireland became one of the top countries sending

Mennonite Brethren

PHOTOS: COURTESY MB MISSION

Church planters gather at The Changed Life Center in northern Thailand

missionaries for the Catholic church. For Uncle John, his story allowed him to confidently share his faith in the face of opposition, and contribute to the rapid growth of the MB church in that region.

The power of a personal story might resonate far beyond your own sphere of influence. For the Christian, it is a demonstration of God’s handiwork in faith and a transformed life. Many people are not interested in the details of theology or “proving” that God exists, but may be moved by our experiences of God. God has revealed himself in the story of his people – recorded and canonized in the Bible. It should be an encouragement to us today to continue to share our story and see how God wishes to use it for his glory and purpose.

David Wiebe has been a member of a Christian rock band, a pastor, and an MB conference executive. Since 2011, he has served the International Community of Mennonite Brethren as executive director.

did you kno w?

Uncle John’s church association now numbers 45,000 members, making it the third largest MB church in our global family. Close to 500 congregations plus “preaching points” (locations where pastors travel to share the gospel) comprise this church.

Though the association focuses on Khmu peoples, some 8–9,000 Hmong members plus several thousand members of other ethnic groups are also included in this church. In part, this is because preachers share the gospel village to village no matter what ethnic group lives there.

State-level opposition to Christianity has eased. In 2013, the national government asked Mennonite Central Committee to convene an ecumenical gathering of major religions present in the country.

Local incidents of opposition, arrest without charges or other harassment continue to persist in rural settings.

ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) is an alliance of 10 states to foster cooperative economic activity. This holds tremendous interest to our church in the region. A new bridge linking Thailand to Laos will drive up land prices, introduce new economic activity and possibly make travel easier for church events.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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NE WS ABBOTSFO R D, B.C .

B.C. seniors support Tanzanian orphans The Mwanza Project provides personal necessities, education (including books, school uniforms, tutoring for exams), medical help and clothing.

Each month, truckloads of food (rice, maize, beans) arrive at the church where they are divided into smaller sacks that go to the homes where a caregiver looks after an orphan child. These packages also supplement the caregiver’s family.

Janzen cites items of praise and prayer.

Praise: Kay Frost, an American woman with previous experience with the children and their caregivers in Mwanza has moved back to Tanzania to aid Penford. Prayer: the church building, a hub of activity, is built on land the government will re-appropriate for airport expansion. The members plan to deconstruct the bricks, lumber and zinc to rebuild the church along with a new kitchen and Christian education rooms at a new location.

A Canadian donor supplied funds to purchase a new location for the church.

The foundation is in progress; the building will rise over the next year or two as funds become available.

“What a difference there has been in the lives of the orphans and their caregivers,” says Janzen, who, along with Martens and their wives, visits the orphans every

Rebecca Standen prepares her evening meal outside her house in the village of Capinga, near the city of Tete in Mozambique. The young woman from River of Life MB Church, Riverview, N.B., took the position as agricultural extensionist with MCC Mozambique after her experiment with MCC’s one-year Serving And Learning Together (SALT) program in Cambodia whet her desire to build communities internationally. “This work uses the gifts that I was given, and I like the problem solving, the exploring,” Standen says. “I learned that God will provide and help you overcome whatever gaps you think you have.”—Mennonite Central Committee release

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

Above: Jeanne Janzen with Nelson Penford Below: Jan Martens, Ken Martens, Jeanne Janzen, Jake Janzen with sponsored orphans in Mwanza

PHOTOS: COURTESY KEN MARTENS

hat difference can three weeks make? For Ken Martens, member of Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., and his brother-in-law Jake Janzen of Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C., participating in a DMI (Disciple Making International) door-to-door evangelism campaign in Africa changed their lives – and the lives of almost 60 African orphans.

At the end of Janzen and Martens’ trip to Tanzania, local leader Nelson Penford approached them on behalf of his church in Mwanza, Tanzania, to start a project to aid the many orphans, widows and poor families in the area of the church.

And so the Mwanza Project was born in spring 2007.

“We are in awe of what God has done in the seven years since we stepped out in faith,” says Janzen.

Janzen and Martens along with their wives Jeanne and Jan, began the charity to raise money to support orphans. At the outset, they provided for 15 orphans; by the end of 2014, the Mwanza project was supporting 58 children and a few young adults in college/university, including one young man in medical school.

Penford, whom Janzen calls “a young man who loves the Lord as well as the orphans,” directs the project along with 10 board members from his church, Nyanza Baptist.

two years. “We are thrilled to see their growth physically, as well as spiritually.

When they are singing and dancing for the Lord, we thank God for his faithfulness and the privilege of serving him through this project.”—submitted by the Mwanza Project

A taste of SALT

PHOTO: MATTHEW SAWATZKY, MCC

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VA N CO U V E R

ABBOTSFO R D, B.C .

A dose of Reality in the Chapel

L2L’s coaching culture empowers

A

church plant celebrating its sixth anniversary he Canadian has moved from its school Conference’s gym meeting place and L2L ministry has into a traditional sanctuary. concluded its The 200-plus congregafirst national round of training in personal tion of Reality Vancouver coaching. It’s part of the “L2L” mandate Church is the new tenant to develop and resource MB leaders and in a Lutheran-built church church members. currently owned by the The last in a series of L2L sessions with Anglican Diocese of New author and coach Terry Walling was held at Westminster.

Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., It’s “God’s sense of Feb. 4–5. L2L’s Walling sessions started in humour,” says pastor Kris Winnipeg in late 2013, repeating in Ontario, Reality Vancouver’s congregation meets in an historic, Martens that an evangelMontreal and Saskatoon. traditional sanctuary. ically-committed young Daniel Beutler, L2L associate, says the Martens says Reality had expected to “gospel-loving, spirit-led kind of group” was series was part of a two-step training model be out of its “nomadic stage” years ago, but able to rent such a building, with its lengthy to help MBs to come alongside with coachit was hard to find a better location in the Mainline history. Reality secured a six-year ing and mentoring. “It’s about encouraging community. Leadership prayed often about lease and moved in Jan. 18, 2015. growth,” he says. facilities, but felt God was saying “stay the Nicknamed “The Chapel,” the building Personal coaching assists people to course,” so they did, and “just sort of grew at 19th and Prince Albert in east Vancouver pause, listen for God, then sort through their is not large. The late 1930s construction has up,” says Martens. Then The Chapel became priorities and take effective action. Coaching, affordably available. says Beutler, is a valuable way to help people a stepped gable design characteristic of The church is growing. Reality is already in transition, even if they are not aware of the Danish Lutheran churches of its time. into two Sunday services and may one day changes in their lives or ministries.

The sanctuary has good acoustics have to do three, given the building’s small “If we can help each other, we’ll make which allow participants to hear each other size.

This group of believers also carries on the most of every opportunity we’re given.” singing, giving a wonderful new dimension other events, including Bible studies and Beutler says L2L wants to nurture a “coachto Sunday morning worship, says Martens. midweek activities. ing culture” in Mennonite Brethren leadership “There is a sense of beauty and peace, And Martens is keenly aware that God’s development to empower the provinces and a sense of [God’s] presence that draws work is not about church buildings. “We are partner ministries. people to worship here,” he adds. Reality’s enjoying the different dynamic of our new life Beutler estimates some 200 MBs have former meeting place, the gym at Charles in The Chapel, but we are also working with been introduced to coaching to discern Dickens Elementary School, had a bright other churches in the area, as God gives new God’s new directions in times of personal green rubberized floor and echoing, highexpression to his bride in east Vancouver.”— change.—Barrie McMaster, B.C. raftered ceiling.

Barrie McMaster, B.C. correspondent correspondent Martens says Reality’s new home ties the congregation to history. The district has gone through many changes, with some ups, but many downs in church participation over the decades.

The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled Feb. 6, 2015, Reality’s own six-year existence is also that competent adults with “a grievous and irremediable medical condition” historic. It is the first Mennonite Brethren (including psychological pain) should have the right to ask a doctor to help “grandchild” in the era of C2C Network them die, overturning its 1993 Rodriguez ruling. The court gave federal and church planting. provincial governments 12 months to craft legislation to respond to the ruling; In 2005, several B.C. churches lent the ban on doctor-assisted suicide stands until then. The law already allows for their support to plant Westside Church, palliative sedation and refusing artificial nutrition, hydration and life-sustaining which from the outset wanted to be “a medical equipment. The court agreed doctors are capable of assessing patients’ church plant that plants churches.” Reality competence to consent, and found no evidence that the elderly or people with was its first child. disabilities are vulnerable. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities and Canadian Association for Community Living responded with disappointment and renewed Reality has also worked with C2C to help advocacy for palliative care because “[at the time when our physical powers fail train several new church planter apprentices. us,] every Canadian will now be obliged to calculate how much love and support is too much to ask of others.”—cbc.ca, ccdonline.ca PHOTO: COURTESY REALITY VANCOUVER

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Supreme Court allows doctor-assisted suicide

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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ABBOTSFO R D, B.C .

Northview and Northside: the church that bridged a river

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his is a tale about how two MB churches became one – on opposite sides of the Fraser River. Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., and Northside Community Church, Mission, B.C., minister in their respective communities. Northview’s current weekly attendance usually runs around 3,000, while Northside’s was as high as 400, but recently dipped to about 200.

Northside had hit a bad patch, and asked the B.C. MB conference to work with them. One of the many ideas in the ensuing discussions was to ask neighbour Northview to come alongside, an idea that the Mission church’s leadership wanted to explore.

That was in mid-2014, and it birthed a concept that Northside, Northview, and BCMB leaders worked on together. Ron van Akker, associate conference minister, says the discussions became a process, in the true sense, and he believes the teams are pleased with the outcome.

In November 2014, the Northside congregation voted 97 percent to request adoption – a “replant” – by Northview. (The term “replant” is normally used for a very small remnant-congregation church; this result is unique for a church of Northside’s size.)

After intensive prayer, due diligence, review and more discussions, the process

was presented to a Northview congregational meeting in late January. The vote was 99 percent in favour of the plan, to be effective immediately.

Under the agreement, the two churches are now one. Northview will operate on both its Abbotsford campus and what will now be its Mission campus.

The Mission church’s stalled building project (offices and classrooms) will be restudied in light of the needs of a Northview ministry campus facility.

Leadership and administration will be shared by Northview, but the Mission campus will be under day-to-day pastoral leadership of Northview’s prayer and discipleship pastor Ezra Okoti.

Elder oversight of the replant now falls under the Abbotsford board, but the plan would add Mission elders at an early stage.

Northside staff positions (youth and children’s ministries) will be maintained at previous levels, but the incumbents are formally terminated Feb. 15. Northview executive pastor Steve Wiens says ministry staff from the larger church will contribute time and effort to the Mission ministry in many ways.

The plan is expected to produce growth in the Mission ministry, says Wiens.

Northview has about 300 regular attenders who travel to Abbotsford from the north side of the river; Wiens expects some of those will shift to the Mission campus.

Van Akker says the process of coming together was creative and unique, prayerfully done.

“It was wonderful to watch the Spirit of God work in the hearts of the people of Northside and Northview,” he says. “It was wonderful to see them growing together for the sake of the gospel.”—Barrie McMaster, B.C. correspondent

WEA and WCC work together

Global representatives of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and the World Council of Churches met Jan. 20–21 in Switzerland to discuss possible areas of future cooperation. Stressing the significance of being Christian witnesses, they prayed, shared faith stories and identified ways of meeting needs around the world. More than 2 billion Christians are represented by 3 world church bodies, of which the WEA is one, serving 600 million evangelicals.—worldea.org

DISCIPLESHIP SCHOOL

CAREER OPPORTUNITY Outtatown Site Leader One Semester positions: Burkina Faso Two Semester positions: Guatemala, South Africa outtatown.com Commencing in late August, 2015

PHOTOS: COURTESY NORTHVIEW

Northside Community Church, Mission, B.C. (above) has joined Abbotsford’s Northview Church as a campus.

“As a Site Leader with the Outtatown Discipleship School, I spent two of the best years of my life leading, traveling, serving and learning alongside youth from all over North America.”

-former Outtatown Site Leader More information: cmu.ca/employment Call: 204.487.3300 Email: hrdirector@cmu.ca

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

Bible IQ answers 1. B

2. D “Shepherd” can be found in Psalm 23; “Mother Bird” can be found in Psalm 91:4; “Bear” can be found in Hosea 13:7-8. Other scriptural images for God include potter, vinedresser, physician, husband, friend, midwife, merchant, bakerwoman, farmer, warrior, judge, liberator, lion, mother hen, wind, fire, refreshing water and many more.

3. A 4. C The use of the term “minor” to refer to these Old Testament prophets began during the time of Augustine in the 4th century AD. “Minor” relates to the length of each book, not importance.

5. A 6. A The book of Esther never mentions the name of God, though it speaks plainly of his authority over the affairs of his people, and of his love and care for them. It also highlights the courage and tenacity of a faithful woman of God, who heard and followed God’s call to step into a royal position “for such a time as this.”

7. C Since Proverbs has 31 chapters, many people make it a habit to read one chapter each day of the month. This book of “wisdom literature” was written by various authors and is beloved by many.

Insight for Living Ministries says, “Proverbs accomplishes something no other biblical book does: it simply compiles numerous short instructions for living an effective life on earth.

While other books articulate profound theological truths, lengthy narratives of triumph and failure, or prophetic preaching to a disobedient people, Proverbs concerns itself completely with instructing people in the path of wisdom.”

8. D “Immanuel” means “God is with us” and consists of two Hebrew words, El, meaning “God,” and Immanu, meaning “with us.” It only appears once (Matthew 1:23) in the New Testament.

“Christ” appears throughout the New Testament. It comes from the Greek Christos, via the Latin Christus, and means “anointed one.” In Matthew 16:16, Peter famously proclaims, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” “Son of God” is used many times in the New Testament to refer to Jesus’ divinity – the Gospel of Mark begins by calling Jesus the Son of God, and reaffirms the title when a voice from Heaven calls Jesus “my Son” (Mark 1:11).

The title “Logos” (the Word) appears at the beginning of John (1:1–18) and then in two other Johannine passages (1 John 1:1 and Revelation 19:13). This title gave rise to several debates in the early church about the nature of Christ’s divinity and humanity.

9. B Mark’s Gospel begins with the story of John the Baptist, and introduces us to Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan River. John’s Gospel also begins with an account of John the Baptist, who “came as a witness to testify concerning [the] light.” Matthew, written primarily for a Jewish audience, starts with a genealogy,

FROM PAGES

6&7

all the way from Abraham to Jesus. Luke’s Christmas account introduces us to characters such as Simeon (who took the baby Jesus into his arms and praised God) and the prophet Anna (who “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem”).

10. A The story of the Wedding at Cana can be found in John 2:1–11.

The Bible records more than 30 miracles of Jesus in the Gospels.

However, we know the list is incomplete: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book” (John 20:30). Although the stories of Jesus’ miracles are amazing, Jesus never wanted our faith to be based solely on them. He said that “a wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign” (Matthew 16:4).

11. B 12. B The kingdom of God is an important concept for Mennonite Brethren – we believe that it’s a kingdom already present, yet not fully consummated. Professor Tim Geddert writes, “The kind of kingdom Jesus proclaimed does not manifest itself with obvious proofs of its presence and power. It doesn’t announce its coming with trumpets or establish itself by force. It is best illustrated by stories of vulnerable seeds and delayed harvests.”

13. D See Acts 7 for the story of Stephen’s stoning.

14. A 15. C Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series says: “This declaration of our freedom is both a statement of an accomplished fact and a goal to pursue. Freedom is ours because of the accomplishment of Christ: Christ has set us free! Paul does not appeal to his readers to fight to be free. Our Christian freedom is not the result of our long march. We have not liberated ourselves by our efforts. We are not able to do so. But now that freedom has been given to us by Christ, that freedom is our goal and our responsibility.”

16. D 17. C Revelation is commonly viewed as apocalyptic literature, a form of writing which flourished in Judaism from about 200 BC to AD 100. Scholar David Ewert explains that “an apocalypse is a revelation given, as a rule, by some celestial personage.

These messages are conveyed in symbolic language, enabling the writers to express what is often too deep for words….

Apocalyptists were usually quite pessimistic about the present world and looked to the end, when God would make an end to the present evil age.”

18. Actually, all these phrases can be found in the Bible!

(We had to throw in a twist.) “By the skin of my teeth” is from Job 19:20; “A drop in the bucket” is from Isaiah 40:15; “To everything there is a season” is from Ecclesiastes 3:1; and “Do to others as you would have them do to you” – the Golden Rule – is found in Matthew 7:12.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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FAMILY news

TR ANSITIONS

at Linden (Alta.) MB (2007–2014). Gary and Beverly have 2 sons, Josh, Zach.

Johnny Dodsworth began as student ministry pastor at Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg, Feb. 1, 2015. He has a BA in youth ministry from Providence University College, Otterburne, Man., and is working on an MA in Christian studies from ACTS Seminaries.

He previously served as middle school pastor at North Langley Community Church (2010–2014). Johnny and Dayna have 1 daughter, Norah.

Dave Dixon began as pastor of worship and family ministry at Discover Community Church, Campbell River, B.C. He has a BMus from Carleton University, Ottawa, and has served more than 15 years as a lay worship leader in several congregations. Dave and Kim have 3 children, Shyanna, Jeremiah, Elly.

Gary Burke began as lead pastor at Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church, Nov. 1, 2014. He has a BRE pastoral from Tyndale University College, Toronto, and studied 2 years at Providence Theological Seminary, Otterburne, Man. He previously served as youth pastor in Leamington, Ont.; with Venture Teams International (2003–2007) and as lead pastor

Dale Kary was commissioned as lead pastor at Hope Fellowship Church, Saskatoon, Jan. 18, 2015. He began serving Hope Fellowship in youth ministry in 2002; in 2008, his role expanded and title shifted to associate pastor; in May 2014, he stepped into the role of lead pastor. Dale studied for a BRE at Briercrest Bible College, Caronport, Sask.

He and Sandra have 2 young adult children.

Hope Fellowship installed Stephen Moorgen as part-time youth minister in October 2014. Stephen also works as a sheriff for the Saskatoon court house.

ASHTON – to Lorne & Charmaine of Waldheim, Sask., a son, Christopher George Clayton, June 12, 2014.

BERGEN – to Tom & Jessica of Laird, Sask., a son, Blake Garry, May 26, 2014.

Canada to accept 13,000 refugees from Syria, Iraq Canada will accept another 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next 3 years and another 3,000 Iraqis in 2015. Immigration Minister Chris Alexander expects 60 percent will come through private sponsors, such as church groups.

Mennonite Central Committee national migration and resettlement coordinator Brian Dyck says, “We are prepared to help our churches resettle more vulnerable refugees to Canada. We hope the Canadian government will continue to support relief efforts in the region and to work with the UNHCR and other states to use resettlement as a tool to help bring regional stability. Along with our partners in the region, we pray for peace.” Canada has so far resettled 20,000 Iraqis and since mid-2013, welcomed 1,060 Syrian refugees, who, at more than 3.7 million, comprise the largest refugee population aside from Palestinians. —Globe and Mail, councilofchurches.ca

TWU law grads can practise in N.S. Jan. 28, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia found that the Nova Scotia Barristers Society (NSBS) did not have the authority to refuse to recognize law degrees from Trinity Western University’s (TWU) proposed law school. The NSBS had refused to recognize TWU law degrees unless the school change its student conduct policy prohibiting sexual intimacy for students outside the marriage of a man and a woman. In his decision, Justice Campbell wrote, “Learning in an environment with people who promise to comply with the code is a religious practice and an expression of religious faith. There is nothing illegal or even rogue about that. This is a messy and uncomfortable fact of life in a pluralistic society.”—theEFC.ca/TWUlaw

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

BIRTHS

BIRD – to Kee & Andrea of Prince Albert, Sask., a daughter, Danielle Suzannah, July 7, 2014.

DIXON – to Calvin & Leanne of Waldheim, Sask., a daughter, Alyssia Patricia, Nov. 2, 2014.

HACKETT – to Ashley of Waldheim, Sask., a daughter, Alianna Marcy, June 7, 2014.

KOSOKOWSKY – to Blair & Kristyn of Waldheim, Sask., a daughter, Kendal Ann, Aug. 11, 2014.

LOEWEN – to Vincent & Cody of Saskatoon, a son, Jack Vincent, July 17, 2014.

PAETKAU – to David & Sara of Waldheim, Sask., a daughter, Amber Rose, Oct. 6, 2014.

RUNDEL – to Chris & Denine of Foam Lake, Sask., a son, Kaden Christopher Bruce, Dec. 4, 2014.

SCHMIDT – to Nathan & Sonja of Lumsden, Sask., a son, Aksel Larry, Apr. 17, 2014.

SIEMENS – to Josh & Erin of Waldheim, Sask., a son, Gideon David Gerald, May 28, 2014.

URBINA – to Josue & Miranda of Warman, Sask., a daughter, Kayla Jaelle, July 21, 2014.

VAREY – to Jordan & Sarah of Waldheim, Sask., a daughter, Lily Grace, Jan. 8, 2015.

WINKLER – to Chris & Briseyda of Steinbach, Man., a daughter, Clara Sofia, Dec. 2, 2014.

WEDDINGS olin BOESE of Swift Current, Sask., C & Trisha FOTH of Waldheim, Sask., Apr. 12, 2014.

J ason QUIRING of Waldheim, Sask., & Brooke MAGNESON of Saskatoon, July 12, 2014. egan BUECKERT of Waldheim, Sask., R & Sarah HUTCHINGS of Wetaskiwin, Alta., Dec. 20, 2014.

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

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GOD, SEX && CHURCH GOD , SEX CHURCH A THEOLOGY OF HEALTHY SEXUALITY A THEOLOGY OF HEALTHY SEXUALITY The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches will host the study conference on October 21–23, 2015, at Westwood Community Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The theme is God, Sex & Church: a theology of healthy sexuality. Join us in Winnipeg where we’ll gather as Canadian Mennonite Brethren to gain a clearer vision of God’s design for human sexuality and of the church’s role in bearing witness to that vision.

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MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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March 2015  www.mbherald.com

Celebrating our Victory in Christ with great hymns of our faith

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Interested in joining a dynamic staff team? Do you have a passion for youth ministry and for the gospel? North Langley (B.C.) Community Church is looking for a committed, energetic, spiritual leader to oversee its youth program.

This position will report to the executive pastor but will be responsible for leading a vibrant youth ministry team. Our vision is to connect people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ, to love God and love others. We hold to four core values: A church on its knees – Living the gospel – With shared lives – Through generous love. A job description is available on request, but you may apply by sending a covering letter and resume attached to an email to steveb@nlcc.ca. Salary will reflect experience and education. Deadline for applications is Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.

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CAMP POSITIONS Christian summer camps for underprivileged kids: Hope Mission operates two camps in Alberta for children from single parent, foster and group homes. One is located near Edmonton and one near Calgary.

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Bakerview MB Church

50th Anniversary Weekend

For details and Registration

www.bakerview.org

April 10-12, 2015

In Search of Promised Lands Ontario Mennonites and Amish are among the most diverse in the world. The wide-ranging story of Mennonite migration, theological diversity, and interaction with other Christian streams is distilled in this engaging and comprehensive volume.

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g.dirksen@shaw.ca MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

31

Finish lines

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.—2 Timothy 4:7

Alvin Horst Martin Apr. 18, 1958–July 2, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: East Earl, Pa. PARENTS: Ivan Z. & Barbara H. Martin MARRIAGE: Grace Schroeder, July 17, 1982 BAPTISM: Old Order, Pa., age 18 CHURCH: Waldheim (Sask.) MB FAMILY: Grace; sons Nathan (Lynnette), Matthew (Belinda), Ryan, Benjamin; 4 children [d.]; 3 grandchildren; his mother; 10 siblings

Al grew up in an Old Order Mennonite family.

After Grade 8, he left school to help on the farm.

He accepted Jesus as Saviour in his youth. At 22, he left Pennsylvania for construction work in Lac La Biche, Alta. At Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask., Al met Grace. Al loved hunting and fishing. He spent much of his time volunteering for church and community. He started Martin Builders. Due to strains on the marriage, in 2007, Al and Grace decided it was best for Al to pursue his construction company in Waldheim, Sask., and Grace remained in Drake, Sask. It was through this heartache that Al gave everything over to God. All 4 sons worked for him, learning to know him as mentor and friend. Al helped them with everything from renovations to babysitting. His grandchildren adored their Papa. Al and Grace’s love was rekindled. He built their dream home where the door was always open.

In 2013, Al fulfilled a lifelong dream to shoot a bull moose. Two months later, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Al and Grace renewed their vows. He journeyed through cancer with perseverance and joy. In his last 6 months, Al had visions; in one, he saw Jesus at heaven’s gates.

Grace held and prayed him into heaven.

Hilda Mierau Dec. 21, 1919–Sept. 19, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Kamenskaya, Ukraine PARENTS: David & Katharina Froese MARRIAGE: Peter Mierau, Aug. 14, 1954 [d. Dec. 31, 1999] BAPTISM: South End MB, Winnipeg, Apr. 24, 1949 CHURCH: Winnipeg Central; Elmwood, Winnipeg FAMILY: daughters Irene (John) Sawatzky, Ursula (Erni) Wiebe; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandsons

Hilda’s childhood was spent in various towns in Ukraine as her father managed several mills.

Her father was taken in 1938 by the secret police

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

and never seen again. To support the family, Hilda became a teacher and translator until she fled to Germany with her mother and brother during WWII. The family immigrated to Canada in 1948 with the help of Froese relatives, eventually settling in Winnipeg. Hilda worked at MB Bible College, and through evening classes with A.H. Unruh and H.H. Janzen, she understood salvation.

She married Peter, a widower, whose daughter Irene was still in Russia. Through prayer and hard work, in 1963, Peter, Hilda and 6-year-old Ursula welcomed Irene to Canada. Peter and Hilda served Winnipeg Central MB (now Elmwood) Church as deacons. They entertained many at their Laclu, Ont., cottage. Hilda’s her eyesight deteriorated in later years. Family was always important. She loved being Oma and Omi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

FAMILY: Connie; children Jeremy, Karly; parents; 3 sisters

After graduating from MB Collegiate Institute, Winnipeg, Ken attended University of Winnipeg and MB Bible College. Attaining his teaching degree, Ken initiated the band program at MBCI. His success led to the position of executive director for the Manitoba Band Association (MBA) and Canadian Band Association. He gained local and national recognition as a basketball referee.

He umpired and convened the Christian Men’s Slow Pitch League. An avid model railroader, Ken loved riding trains. Church and family played significant roles. MBA colleagues listed integrity, kindness, dedication and humility as Ken’s primary characteristics.

Marianne (Dyck) Thiessen Henry Peter Teigrob

Apr. 5, 1935–Nov. 8, 2014

May 21, 1931–Sept. 19, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Kitchener, Ont. PARENTS: Peter & Helen Teigrob MARRIAGE: Anne Pauls, June 28, 1952 BAPTISM: Port Rowan (Ont.) MB CHURCH: Chilliwack (B.C.) Alliance FAMILY: children Esther [d.] (Eldon), Ed (Mary Beth), Pat (Stephen), Sue (Clark), Carolyn (Ed), Dwight (Susan), Jonathan, James (Margaret), Michelle (Mike), Maria [d.]; 22 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 9 siblings

Henry accepted Jesus as Saviour at 15. In 1961, he, Anne and 6 children travelled to Costa Rica to begin a life of service. The family also served the Maya, Mennonite and Spanish people of Belize and Mexico. Henry’s trust and obedience to God shined through the way he treated people with respect and his enjoyment of life. Beside raising a family of 10 and travelling extensively as pastor and missionary, Henry learned to fly, play the omniharp and trumpet, and speak French. He wrote poetry celebrating life, his family and God, and published a book about God’s faithfulness in his life. Henry was God-fearing, visionary, humble, grateful and joyful. In 2012 Henry and Anne moved to Chilliwack, B.C.

BIRTHPLACE: Drake, Sask.

PARENTS: Hans & Anna (Regier) Dyck MARRIAGE: Bill Thiessen, Aug. 1, 1959 CHURCH: South Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Bill; children Joanne, Byron (Kim); 2 grandchildren; 3 siblings

The birth of Marianne and her twin sister was memorable in their small town. She and her sisters entered nurses training at St. Paul’s. In 1957, she attended Canadian Mennonite Bible College, where she completed her Grade 10 Royal Conservatory in piano. Here Marianne met Bill and fell in love at first sight. Together they served in Nigeria at Ochaja Teachers College 1965–1968 and as co-country directors of MCC Nigeria 1971–74. In the interim, she was a nurse in Rosthern, Sask. In 1976, when Bill became MCC Alberta executive director, Marianne worked at Foothills Hospital. While Bill was MCC B.C. associate director, she nursed at Abbotsford Regional Hospital (1990–2001). Following retirement, Marianne and Bill accepted short-term service assignments abroad. Her life of service and witness shone. She was hospitalized for surgery on Oct. 23.

Kenneth John Epp

Frieda Dick

June 26, 1955–Oct. 14, 2014

Feb. 28, 1926–Nov. 9, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Orillia, Ont. PARENTS: John & Katie Epp MARRIAGE: Connie Braun, June 28, 1975 BAPTISM: River East MB, Winnipeg, 1972

BIRTHPLACE: Colonsay, Sask.

PARENTS: Henry & Helena Loewen MARRIAGE: Reuben Willems, 1946 [d. 2005]; Walter Dick, 2006

CHURCH: Forest Grove, Saskatoon FAMILY: Walter; children Carol Ann [d.], Dawn (Ken) Sperling, Violet (Dwayne) Andrus, Larry (Duen) Willems; 10 grandchildren including Anna Carol [d.]; 15 great-grandchildren; 6 siblings

Frieda took her high school by correspondence and senior years at Rosthern Junior College. She went on to teacher’s college with the financial help of her brother. Frieda and Reuben married in Watrous, Sask., and lived in Caronport, Edenwold, Lockwood, Hepburn and Dalmeny, Sask., settling in Saskatoon in 1971. They raised 4 children but lost one at age 9. A year after Reuben’s death, Frieda found companionship with Walter, who had also recently lost his wife.

Frieda was a loving and prayerful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.

Elmer Alvin Penner

enjoyed the pranks he played in the pursuit of educational goals. After leaving the college, he developed a farmers market, several restaurants and a consulting company, People Management Associates. He crafted storytelling programs, sermons, motivational talks and humorous and serious performances including “Mysteries of Grace and Judgement.” From 1983–1999, he was a consultant for Penn Alps in Maryland, while operating Mill Restaurant in Cambridge, Ont. In 1997, he and Eleanor restored and ran a B&B. From 1999–2004, they lived in Massachusetts near their children. In 2004, they retired to Waterloo, Ont. An occasional contributor to the MB Herald, Jacob received 4 Canadian Christian Writing Awards from The Word Guild in 2010. In July, Jacob was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. He and Eleanor moved to Linden, Alta., to be near family and friends. He died listening to Mendelssohn.

MARRIAGE: Rusty Villeseche, June 17, 1950 [d. 1998] BAPTISM: Grantham MB, St. Catharines FAMILY: children Robert (Heather), Ruth [d.] (John), Jeannine (Mike), Janice (Steve), Sharlene (Joe), Kim (Mike), Carl (Heide); 17 grandchildren [Roland, Jessica d.]; 15 great-grandchildren [Jakub d.]

Thelma’s family moved to St. Catharines, Ont., when she was 17. She met Rusty in 1949, when he visited his brother. Thelma and Rusty travelled frequently together. They accepted Jesus as their Saviour, and in 1974, were baptized into Grantham MB Church. When Rusty died, Thelma was heartbroken. She moved to Tabor Manor in 2007. Her health deteriorated until her death.

Joseph Siu Hoi Sun Oct. 10, 1948–Dec. 9, 2014

Aug. 10, 1933–Nov. 15, 2014

Lillian M. Stobbe BIRTHPLACE: Winnipeg PARENTS: John & Anna (Unrau) Penner MARRIAGE: Elisabeth (Betty) Fast, Apr. 3, 1961 BAPTISM: 45th Avenue Gospel Tabernacle, Vancouver CHURCH: Fraserview MB, Richmond, B.C.; South Delta Baptist, Tsawwassen, B.C. FAMILY: Betty; sons Harold [d. Dec. 10, 1993], Ed; 2 siblings

Elmer was a journeyman machinist who later built houses and did maintenance at a lumber yard.

Elmer died of bone cancer. He lived in Ladner, B.C.

Jacob (Jack) Dueck Oct. 20, 1932–Nov. 21, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Coaldale, Alta.

PARENTS: Jacob Dueck & Susanna Dyck MARRIAGE: Eleanor Toews, Aug. 24, 1957 CHURCH: Rockway Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont. FAMILY: Eleanor; children Evelyn (Don Davis), Carolyn (Chris) Clement, Lorne (Shannon Oldham); 4 granddaughters; 5 siblings

Jacob met Eleanor at Alberta Mennonite High School, Coaldale, where he was choir director.

After their marriage, he studied theology and music at MB Bible College, Winnipeg. Jacob completed an MA in literature from University of Western Washington. In B.C., he conducted school and church choirs, directed youth and children’s camps, taught high school and sold cars. 1966–1978, he taught English at Goshen (Ind.) College. He earned a PhD in literature from Notre Dame University. Jacob and Eleanor led student groups in Ireland and Germany. Students

Aug. 18, 1931–Dec. 4, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Agassiz, B.C. PARENTS: Peter J. & Marie E. Stobbe CHURCH: River East MB, Winnipeg FAMILY: siblings Leslie (Rita), Elmer (Wilma), Wilma

After graduating from Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, B.C., Lillian worked 8 years at Abbotsford’s post office. She obtained her BRE from MB Bible College, Winnipeg, and moved to Hillsboro, Kan., to work at the MB board of general welfare. She served in Germany with the Cornie Balzers in radio ministry. She returned to Winnipeg in 1970 to become bookkeeper and secretary to the president at MB Bible College for 27 years. In retirement, Lillian became an invaluable volunteer for Family Life Network (now Square One World Media), Ten Thousand Villages and River East MB Church. She was an active member of Christian Business and Professional Women’s organization, including a stint as president, and was a long-term committee member of the Singles Fellowship (InterMennonite). She served as secretary treasurer of the Mennonite Community Orchestra. For 44 years, Lillian belonged to a singles bowling club.

In 2005, she moved to Parkside Plaza, Winnipeg, where she made new friends.

BIRTHPLACE: Hong Kong MARRIAGE: Betty Fong, Dec. 4, 1976 BAPTISM: Swatow Christian, Kowloon City, Hong Kong, 1966 CHURCH: Mountainview Grace, Calgary FAMILY: Betty; children Calvin (Crystal), Celina, Cornelius

Joseph was born to a Christian family in Hong Kong and received Jesus as Saviour in 1963.

After high school, he responded to God’s call to ministry. He graduated from Hong Kong’s China Bible Seminary in 1972. Joseph pastored Swatow Christian Church (6 years) and planted Tsz Wan Shan Swatow Christian Church. The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church Union of Hong Kong called him to establish Oi Man Alliance Church. During his decade there, Joseph also served the Union’s board of directors. He graduated from Alliance Bible Seminary, Hong Kong, with a Master of Ministry in 1985. In 1986, he immigrated to Prince Rupert, B.C., as a missionary. The B.C. MB churches invited Joseph to pastor the 1-year-old Vancouver Chinese MB Church in 1990. In 1996, he served Winnipeg Chinese MB Church. In 1999, he moved to Calgary to serve the Chinese Alliance, Chinese Christian, Hosanna Chinese Lutheran and Mountainview Grace churches. Despite his hectic schedule, Joseph cared well for his family and insisted on family worship. In 2012, he retired from full-time ministry due to health reasons; however, he never forgot his calling and continued to serve the church until his death.

Thelma Villeseche Apr. 11, 1931–Dec. 8, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Glace Bay, N.S. PARENTS: William & Mary Winstanley MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

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CURRENT books Ordinary Miracles: Awakening to the Holy Work of Parenting RACHEL S. GERBER Herald Press ow can a miracle be ordinary? When we place God at the centre of our lives, Rachel Gerber demonstrates in Ordinary Miracles, everything becomes a miracle.

Rather than writing a how-to manual on parenting, the author creatively weaves the events of the “Road to Emmaus” (Luke 24:13–35) into her own narrative of parenthood. She illustrates her journey toward a richer understanding of God through her role as a mother and a wife. This easyto-read book leaves the reader with an awareness that ordinary moments in life can lead to deeper reflection on our spiritual journey.— Sospeter Gatobu, Waterloo (Ont.) MB

H

BOOK notes Consider the Sunflowers

ELMA SCHEMENAUER Borealis Press or a Mennonite girl in 1940s small-town Saskatchewan, there are expectations when it comes to marriage, but Tina can’t quite decide and strings her suitors along. When at last Tina gets hitched, life is not all sunshine and sunflowers. Realities of life on the prairies, personal tragedy, her husband’s quick temper and Tina’s own poor choices make marriage and life a struggle.

Her faith is tested and found wanting.

Yet, this historically vivid book about troubled relationships is essentially about hope. Schemenauer calls us to consider how our own lives and faith are constantly challenged in our ever-changing society.— Janice Dick, Philadelphia MB, Watrous, Sask.

F

Read these full-length reviews online under Arts & Culture at www.mbherald.com

Surely Goodness and Mercy Followed Me BETHANY HELEN THIELMANN Peter and Margaret Penner Books

S

ubtitled “The Pilgrimage of Peter Penner from Stalin’s Russia and Hitler’s Germany to Canada: ‘The Porch of Heaven,’” this short book recounts stories lovingly collected from Peter Penner’s family before his passing, organized as a narrative by granddaughter Bethany.

Each chapter presents an episode from Peter’s childhood, war-torn youth and young adulthood up to his marriage.

Appendices offer tribute to the life of the late Peter Penner. The faithfulness of God for “those who fear the Lord” (Psalm 25:12) is a thread throughout the book.

The Biggest Family in the World PAUL H. BOGE, Author; FAYE HALL, illustrator Castle Quay Books

B

eautifully illustrated with original paintings by local artist and North Kildonan MB Church member Faye Hall, this children’s book tells the story of Kenyan Charles Mulli. Trusting God’s provision and overflowing with love for children who have no family, the onceorphan child becomes a father to many through his Mully Children’s Family home. The book includes background information for children and questions to reflect on the story.

When Quitting is not an Option: My Road to Cycling, a Guinness World Record and Making a Difference ARVID LOEWEN with PAUL LOEWEN Castle Quay Books

Y

ou may have seen him on the Trans Canada Highway crossing the country on two wheels, or avidly followed his progress in Race Across America on Twitter. This is the story of the dreams, failures and determination of Arvid Loewen, a scrappy immigrant from Paraguay who channelled a middle-aged love affair with long-distance cycling into a commitment to support Mully Children’s Family home in Kenya. The story is intimately told by Arvid’s son Paul, a pastor and writer.

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March 2015 www.mbherald.com

Intersection

of faith & life

Sexual violence and the church: From self-gratification to self-giving JESSICA MORGUN

I

was a fan of CBC radio’s flagship program “Q” just about from the beginning. With its arts, culture and entertainment content and smooth-talking interviewer, Q was a hit with me instantly.

I was absolutely shocked when host Jian Ghomeshi was ousted from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for allegedly assaulting several women. On the heels of that scandal, related stories of misconduct emerged (involving members of Parliament, Bill Cosby, Dalhousie dental students), sparking public conversation about sexual violence against women in Canadian society.

We receive mixed messages regarding sexual violence and women. Our culture seems to place a high value on gender equality. Yet dark corners in our society (such as the porn industry) normalize degradation and abuse of women.

Phrases like “the right to privacy,” “sexual preference” and “personal taste” (cf. Ghomeshi’s pre-emptive Facebook post) justify an attitude that we are owed self-gratification as sexual freedom.

To be clear, men can experience sexual violence, and women are certainly not immune to attitudes of self-gratification.

But I wish to speak to the attitude of sexual entitlement that justifies sexual violence against women in particular, both because it has become a topic of national conversation and because it is an attitude that can be hidden or even “Christianized” within the language and structure of church communities, blinding us to sexual violence in our midst.

In my own experience as a pastor’s wife, teacher and mentor, I have seen the effects of sexual entitlement in the church first-hand – from public disrespect for female leaders to abuse in marriage relationships and even sexual assault.

Too often these events are passed over in silence.

I’d like to suggest the following principles to safeguard against men’s vulnerability to sexual self-gratification and the objectification of women.

1. Purity is for everyone “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father,” the apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:1–2.

“Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”

Purity is the standard when it comes to all our relationships. However, the way words like “purity” and “modesty” are used can put all the onus on women. For example, when we emphasize only how what a woman wears might affect a man, it suggests that men have no responsibility to control themselves and that women’s bodies are instigators of sexual sin. By doing so, we can inadvertently reinforce an attitude shared with pornography: that women are sexual objects.

“Purity” and “modesty” aren’t only for women, but are part of an overall attitude of humility and moral character – virtues for which we all need to strive.

2. All members have value

pick up on whose perspective is valued and whose is ignored or relegated to the sidelines.

Making the church a safe place means treating women not as objects supporting and servicing male desire but as active, thinking, gifted members of the body of Christ (as affirmed by the 2006 BFL resolution on women in ministry leadership).

3. Love is self-giving The attitude of sexual entitlement can be particularly harmful to marriages and families. The idea that all sexual practices are permissible within marriage, along with teaching that emphasizes the wife’s duty to submit to her husband (neglecting the mutual submission Paul teaches in Ephesians 5), can make wives little more than objects for gratification.

It’s regrettable that some popular Christian books on marriage buy into this narrative of entitlement, “Christianizing” and propagating it. The Bible is clear: wives and husbands belong to each other in mutual love and submission. And no one – not even married people – is entitled to sex because sex is a gift.

But beyond individual marriages and family relationships, the church itself is God’s family. “The right to privacy,” “sexual preference” and “personal taste” foster attitudes of entitlement because this type of language leaves love out of the picture.

Christ saw women as equals; that he included women in his larger crowd of disciples shows that women were worth listening to and worth teaching.

Are women’s perspectives respected in our church communities? Are women reasonably active and represented on boards and at conference meetings?

Are women giving input to the direction of our denominational community in a wide range of spheres? Or are women’s voices relegated to “women-centred” contexts only?

As the church – Christ’s presence in the world – it is our job to counter narratives of entitlement with the story of God’s self-giving love; a story told through the love we demonstrate to each other as brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers in God’s family.

The answers to these questions are not unnoticed; children, youth and new members in our church communities quickly

Jessica Morgun is a member of the Broadway Gathering, Saskatoon.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD March 2015

35

multiply

Church Multiplication Conference

May 12 & 13, 2015 | Toronto, Ontario

Thinking about….

• • • • • • • • • • •

Starting a new service?

Satellite ministry?

Planting a new church?

Daughtering a new congregation?

Starting another service?

Multi-site options?

Parish/Neighbourhood model?

Daughtering a new church?

Funding partnerships?

Transitioning existing church into mission?

Satellite an Ministry?

Urban / rural strategies?

Planting a church?

Developing church planting couples?

Other creative ideas to multiply…

Multi-site options?

Thinking About...

Registration Registration

C2C Network

“Helping Churches Multiply”

C2C is actively planting new churches but is committed to helping existing churches realize Then “Multiply” is for you.“Multiply” Come be their vision for multiplication.

Conference will practically assist church leaders inspired

by Canadian pastors/leaders who who are praying and dreaming about multiplication in itstheir manychurches different forms. have navigated through the

challenges of multiplication.

“Multiply” will expose you to leaders who are committed to reaching the millions in Canada who are unchurched. It will provide opportunities to learn from and interact with various models of multiplication. It will inspire you as you lead your local church in missional engagement.

$99/person EARLY BIRD (until March 1) | $159/person (after March 1) $159/person Register here: www.c2cnetwork.ca/multiply Register here: www.c2cnetwork.ca/multiply

Contact Phone: 604-746-2238 Email: info@c2cnetwork.ca Web: 36 www.c2cnetwork.ca/multiply March 2015 www.mbherald.com

Location People’s Church 374 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON

Accommodation See list of recommended hotels on the event website!