The Messenger a publication of the Evangelical
Mennonite Conference
Volume 53  No. 10  October 2015
Insanity in the Desert
page 6
INSIDE:
ISTOCK
The Pharisees: a Second Look page 9 A Question Provided to an Answer I've Always Had page 12 Erna Plett, Esther and Benny Goertzen honoured for missions service page 15 $2.00
Editorials
What a time for input!
M
uch is happening within the EMC—missions efforts in many countries, church planting in Canada, churches being renewed, new pastors installed and serving. What a time for input by individual EMC churches: • The Statement of Faith review is listening to Scripture and the voice of the Spirit through the churches. • The Global Anabaptist Profile, an MWC project, provides information about the EMC to ponder carefully and educates about the wider Anabaptist church. • The Mennonite World Conference, to which the EMC has long been linked, completed its sixteenth Assembly Gathered with more EMC input given and welcomed. • The Strategic Planning Task Force, in line with the EMC’s Vision and Values statements, identified four
areas to develop: sharing our stories, outreach, our gatherings, and biblical understanding. The five national boards are involved with each congregation to benefit. The SPTF is also looking at how our conference’s structures can be more efficient. • The Messenger, published by the EMC since 1963, will carry on, but needs delegate input. Through no fault of its own, it has lost government funding that, for a time, replaced some EMC funds. How does it best move ahead to continue to unite, inform, and educate within the EMC? Whether your congregation is committed to the EMC or feels on the fringes, this is a time when churches can be heard. Joined in Christ by faith and history, let’s be involved and make a difference. – Terry M. Smith
Whether your congregation is committed to the EMC or feels on the fringes, this is a time when churches can be heard.
••
The costs of war
T
he costs of war are many. News broadcasts are filled with the flood of refugees leaving Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in search of stability, freedom, safety, and work. The harm of warfare, civil and international, is clearly seen. Related to this, there are matters easy and difficult. It is easy to say that wars need to stop, that governments are to rule well, and that wise economic decisions are to be made. What is difficult is to see this happen, whether as individual nations or in international coalitions and organizations. Perhaps strange yet real comfort can be taken from the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles or the Major and Minor Prophets. In these books evil, political intrigue, and blood abound locally and internationally.
2 The Messenger • October 2015
Where is the comfort? It’s found in the underlying testimony of these books that God is involved in human history. Such a commitment often shows itself in surprising ways (Amos 9:7). Was this easy to believe when the events described happened? Not at all. That’s partly why the books were written. The struggle for faith is reflected within the inspired honesty of the Old and New Testaments. We pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is on heaven” (Matt. 6:10) and groan with the suffering, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Rev. 6:10). Meanwhile, we live, follow, and hope. – Terry M. Smith
Was this easy to believe when the events described happened? Not at all.
Table of Contents Features
Columns
6
Insanity in the Desert (Luke 15:3-6)
18 An Education App
The Pharisees: a Second Look
25 Further in and Higher Up
– Nik Ripken
9
– Michael Zwaagstra
12 A Question Provided to an Answer I've Always Had – Russell Doerksen
15 Erna Plett, Esther and Benny Goertzen honoured for missions service – Terry M. Smith
Departments 2
Editorials
3
Pontius’ Puddle
4
Letters and Notices
19 With Our Missionaries 26 With Our Churches 31 News
Is the Church present if a minister is absent? – Terry M. Smith Who is at the head of the Table? – Layton Friesen
30 Been Thinking About
Picture Butte celebrates 10 years – Ward Parkinson
32 Archives Alcove
I will miss Box 105! – Terry M. Smith
34 Here and Far Away
The pursuit of happiness – Jocelyn R. Plett
35 Stewardship Today Wholehearted giving – Daniel Lichty
page
19
page
34
36 Kids’ Corner
Be Thankful – Loreena Thiessen
33 Shoulder Tapping
page
27
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 3
The Messenger
Letters and Notices
Volume 53 No. 10 October 2015
EMC voice belongs with MWC
EDITOR TERRY M. SMITH
ASSISTANT EDITOR ANDREW WALKER
Thank you for the fine edition of The Messenger featuring the Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Pennsylvania this summer [Sept.]. By including several perspectives of people who had been there, we caught a glimpse of the celebrative nature of
Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca. The Messenger is the monthly publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement. The Messenger is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man., and is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Subscription rates 1 year $24 ($30 U.S., $45 foreign) 2 years $44 ($55 U.S., $85 foreign) 3 years $65 ($82 U.S., $125 foreign) Manitoba residents add 8% PST. Digital only subscriptions: $15 per year. Single copy price: $2 Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. Change of address and subscriptions Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca www.emconference.ca/messenger Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN: 0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362 Advertising The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards, and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads and inquiries should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca. THE MESSENGER schedule: No. 12–December 2015 issue (copy due October 08)
Faithfulness, not effectiveness
I would like to respond to Layton Friesen’s recent column “Jesus does not ask you to volunteer!” [Sept.]. I always appreciate Layton’s columns and found this one particularly compelling as I have sometimes struggled with what distinction there is between unbelievers and believers who may be working equally “effectively” towards the same or similar causes. This was a great reminder that Jesus is not concerned with effectiveness or efficiency. All of society is telling us that we need to be taking control of our lives emotionally, financially, relationally, even spiritually, so that we can achieve our desired ends. A favourite phrase
Correction: MDS, not Habitat
Ron Penner said in his article on the MWC gathering that, during the week, a house was built for a needy family by Habitat for Humanity [Sept.]. Harold Friesen says that
Digital, anyone?
The Messenger is available in digital form to be sent to your e-mail address. The cost, for members and adherents of EMC churches, is covered by the EMC. For those not attending an EMC church, the cost
the event, as well as well as an informative report of the ongoing work of the Church around the world. Like Layton Friesen stated, the voice of the EMC is valued and belongs with MWC, our global family of faith. – Ron Penner EMC rep to MWC
of mine from 1 Corinthians has always been “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (15:58). Because of Christ’s work through the cross and resurrection, our life and decisions don’t need to “make sense” according to this world’s logic. If we are labouring in the Lord—i.e., following Him—we know that we are participating in God’s work, which is the true reality of our world. “Faithfulness, not effectiveness” has been a personal goal of mine and this column helped me expand my thinking in that regard. Thank you! – Bethany Matejka Birch River, Man. Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers framed two homes: for a family in Crisfield, MA, and a family in Pilger, NB. Harold is right, Ron says. – Editor
is $15/year. Contact Andrew Walker, circulation manager, at awalker@ emconf.ca. Let him know if you wish to continue, or discontinue, the print copy. Thank you. – Terry M. Smith Executive Secretary
Note: Rebecca Roman helped design the lead articles while Andrew Walker was on his honeymoon. 4 The Messenger • October 2015
Letters and Notices
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The Messenger will continue. EMC delegates will decide how in November. When The Messenger started in 1963, it was entirely funded by the EMC and sent to each houseate EstimGospel! r e d hold. Later it benefitted from a r Un f the Neve Power o government postal subsidy, sent e th to Canada Post, not the EMC, to cover part (about $22,000) of its mailing costs. In 2010 the government department changed the program and provided a grant directly to the EMC for the magazine’s salaries, production, and mailing costs. In early 2015 the Department of Canadian Heritage, Aid to Publishers program, audited The Messenger’s 2012 circulation figures. In July it decided that these did not meet its expectations for tracking individual subscription purchases. In other words, the yearly vote by EMC delegates to pay for subscriptions for members and adherents—acceptable in years past—was unacceptable. In September 2015 the magazine was notified that the government seeks the return of $45,583 (April to Dec. 2014-Jan. to March 2015 period). The Board of Trustees has replied, asking for the amount to be forgiven. bun at A
The BCM is concerned that the government’s recent action not decide the magazine’s future direction. For three reasons The Messenger’s subscription price has never reflected the magazine’s actual production cost: 1) it is to be widely available, 2) it does not accept paid advertising; and 3) it is a small press run to a limited market. In 1963 no subscription price was listed. In 1969 members were to pay through their church ($1 per year). In 1996 the price was $12/year, the minimum price required by government to qualify for a subsidy. In 2010 the price was increased to $24/year. The actual 2015 production price, including staff salaries, is about $40 per subscription. With the loss of the grant, the Board of Church Ministries came up with three plans, each to maintain a monthly colour magazine of 36 pages.
• Plan A continues the magazine and home delivery as currently. The BCM prefers Plan A. • Plan B (saving $4,600) would change the magazine cover paper, inside paper stock, and not use UV inks that reduce smearing. This October issue is printed this way to show what Plan B looks like. • Plan C (saving $12,600) would change the cover stock, inside pages, not use UV ink, and bulk mail to churches (including fewer returns by Canada Post). Throughout its history The Messenger has benefited from generous donations by EMC churches and members through the conference budget. It benefited, for a time, from government help. The BCM is concerned that the government’s recent action not decide the magazine’s future direction. Digital copies are available, but account for a minor part (about 10 percent) of total copies. Print is preferred; some digital readers request a print copy as well. What is most important? That the EMC continues to connect. The Messenger is a key way that this happens. Home delivery links the highest number of readers. Bulk mailing to churches would be second best. Asking each household to mail in a yearly cheque to maintain home delivery would likely lose the most readers. We will place an update on the delegates’ decision in the December issue. Thank you. – Board of Church Ministries
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 5
20 15 Co nv en tio n
Message Three of Four
Insanity (Luke 15:3–6)
in the Desert by Nik Ripken
A girl stands amid the graves of 70 children on WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
the outskirts of Dadaab. The long desert journey to the relief camps has claimed many lives.
I
t was Somalia at its worst. We were feeding 50,000 people a day. Often we buried upwards of 20 children each morning before we could feed those who were left alive. We were resettling refugees and operating multiple mobile medical clinics. All of this was done in the midst of a famine in civil war—and there were eight of us. Yet one of our tasks was to serve the Somali people wherever they might be found. We began to hear of Somalis in the Ogaden desert of Ethiopia. This is a semi-arid landscape, home to one to two million Somalis.
6 The Messenger • October 2015
Troubling Dreams
God began to trouble my dreams, thoughts, and days concerning Somalis in Ethiopia. I went to my team and told them that I was going to Ethiopia. When they asked me why, I said I did not know. When they asked me who invited me there, I replied no one. When they asked me what I was to do when I got there, I told them I had no clue. Their response to my leadership was less than encouraging! They told me I was not allowed to leave them alone inside the war and famine that was Somalia. So I stayed.
After some weeks I went to Nairobi, Kenya, to catch up with my family. After spending a day with our kids, I talked with my wife into the late hours of the night. I told her of my dreams and disturbed spirit concerning God’s leading for me to go to Ethiopia. Looking for her support, she rather observed, “It sounds like to me you have been disobedient to the Holy Spirit and it’s time you became obedient.” I began to prepare to go to Ethiopia.
A Card
As I preparing to leave, a friend who had worked in Somalia for many years handed me a notecard where he had written five Somali names. I asked him about them. He told me that these five names represented families who escaped Somalia during the Civil War. He told me, “We have not heard from them for five years. We do not know whether they are alive or dead. Every day we pray for them and express our love for them. We want you to carry these names in your shirt pocket. The last we heard of these families they had to escape into the desert of Ethiopia. Perhaps by physical proximity, if these families are alive, God will hear your prayers and do something for these families.” I said to my friend, “This sounds like voodoo Christianity to me!” His reply was, “Is this any different from what you’re already doing?” I took his card and left.
afternoon, debriefing today’s activity, and deciding life and death issues surrounding our services the next day.
Five Somali Men
After approximately two weeks, five Somali men, one by one, entered this stick-sided restaurant where we met daily. Anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes apart these men entered the restaurant and stood over me. Starved, dirty, and wearing ragged clothes the first man asked me, “Are you the one, have you come?” Then he left the restaurant. My friends asked me who this man was and what was the meaning of his question. I replied to him that I thought he had malaria and he was delirious. But over the next 45 minutes, four other starving Somali men entered the restaurant, stood by our table, and stared at me until they got my attention. I asked each one of them what was wrong, if there was something I could do for them. Each one of them, separate from one another, asked me the same baffling question, “Are you the one, have you
Starved, dirty, and wearing ragged clothes the first man asked me, “Are you the one? Have you come?”
A Horrible Place
The Ogaden of Ethiopia was a horrible place. There were no relief agencies, no military, and no hope. Each day I went to a different village where people were trying to stay alive by eating grass. I went where they were dying every 30 minutes by cholera and typhoid. Other villages had a 90 percent death rate. It was a horrible time and I had no clue why I was there. Each day I would return from outlying desert villages, returning to the small town where we were staying. While rehydrating, I would report to the three doctors and one relief agent with whom I was traveling. We would meet each
come?” My friends were getting very concerned and I was becoming, frankly, fearful. This was on Tuesday.
Blocked in an Alley
On Friday I went to the Somali side of the small town to buy my son a Somali knife. I lost my way in the maze of streets among these mud-sided houses, coming to a dead end. Turning around I found the alley blocked by five angry looking Somali man. Needless to say I was concerned (scared)! I tried to push my way between these men only to have them pushed me back against a mud wall. I asked them, “What do you want? What is this all about?” A tall, scarred face Somali man asked me, “Are you the one? Have you come?” I recognized those “crazy men” from the restaurant a few days ago. I really did think that my days were numbered. ➢
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 7
Terror
Without conscious thought I reached into my pocket and pulled out that note card, reading the five names my friend had written up on the small piece of paper weeks earlier. These five Somali man recoiled from me as in terror. They asked me, “Where did you get our names?” I told him that I would have to tell them my story. I told him about leaving rural Kentucky after finding Jesus. I shared with them about my marriage and God’s command to go to Africa. I talked about our pilgrimage through Malawi and South Africa, which prepared us to come to Kenya and Somalia. I shared about God
8 The Messenger • October 2015
DESIGNPICS
For the first time we understood how God would sacrifice the 90 and nine in order to find one lost sheep.
These men said to me, “We have to tell you our story. We are from Somalia. Years ago people who look like you and talk like you came to our villages. They told us about a man named Jesus and we believed in Him. When the Civil War came we were terribly persecuted and had to flee our country. “Our five families have been in the Ogaden desert for five years, 500 kilometers apart. About six weeks ago, unknown to each other, we all began to pray the same prayer, ‘Jesus, are you who we were told you are, or have we believed in a fairytale? Secondly, Jesus, if you are who we were told you are, then does anyone care, does anyone pray for us, does anyone love us?’ “As we voiced this prayer apart, the Holy Spirit told the five of us to go to this small town as God was sending His servant to us to answer our questions. We have been following every Westerner who has landed on airplanes or gotten out of relief trucks. “For the past two weeks we’ve been following you. We watched you read a book that looks like a Bible. We’ve watched you cry over hungry Somali children. We watched you pray over your food. We think there’s something different about you and we want to know if you are the one who was promised us by God; have you finally arrived?”
troubling my heart in Mogadishu, being disobedient until my wife called me to obedience. I told them, “Do you want to know where I got these names? While traveling through Nairobi, friends of yours from the West and other Somali believers gave me your names on this piece of paper. They said that they had never ceased to pray for you or love you. You are loved, prayed for, you are not forgotten.” These five believers looked at me and said, “This is all we needed to know as you have answered our prayers.” And they turned around and began to walk back into the desert. Relating this story to my family and our prayer supporters in Kenya weeks later caused all of us to break into weeping. Never before had we understood how deeply God loved his children, His sheep. For the first time we understood how God would sacrifice the 90 and nine in order to find one lost sheep. For the first time we understood that if God can find us scattered inside of the Ogaden desert of Ethiopia, was there any place on earth where God cannot find us? We understood that God would orchestrate his will. Moving families over thousands of miles and spending untold thousands of dollars simply defined His children. Nik Ripken is a missions veteran of 30 years concerned for the persecuted Church. He has written The Insanity of God and The Insanity of Obedience. He served as EMC convention speaker, where a longer message was presented on Sunday morning. Because of his travels, we choose not to publish his photo.
DESIGNPICS
The Pharisees: a Second Look
A
by Michael Zwaagstra
sk the average Christian what comes to mind when they think of the Pharisees and you’re likely to hear words such as hypocritical, judgmental, arrogant, and
legalistic. The Pharisees even feature prominently in the popular song I Just Wanna Be a Sheep in which children enthusiastically sing about how they “don’t wanna be a Pharisee.” Let’s just say that if you call a Christian a Pharisee, it will not be taken as a compliment. And it isn’t hard to see how the Pharisees earned their negative reputation. ➢
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 9
After all, the Pharisees were some of Jesus’ worst opponents who were on the receiving end of his harshest criticism. Most notably, in Matthew 23:1–36, he denounced the Pharisees as “blind guides,” “whitewashed tombs,” “full of hypocrisy and lawlessness,” and a “brood of vipers” (ESV). In addition, Jesus clashed with the Pharisees on proper Sabbath observance (Matthew 12:1–14), the rules surrounding divorce (Mark 10:1–12), his ability to heal (John 9:1–41), and over whether he truly was the Christ (Matthew 22:41–46). Given their significant conflicts with Jesus, it is not difficult to see why the Pharisees have such a poor reputation among Christians.
Paul the Pharisee
However, if the Pharisees were such a terrible group, why didn’t the apostle Paul, Christianity’s greatest evangelist, disassociate himself from them? In fact, Paul even identified himself as a Pharisee when he appeared before the Sanhedrin. “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial’” (Acts 23:6). Notice how Paul used the present tense when he identified himself as a Pharisee. There is a huge difference between saying “I am a Pharisee” and “I was a Pharisee.” In other words, not only was Paul raised a Pharisee, he still identified as one after he became a Christian. While Paul had renounced the extreme legalism of his former life in Judaism (Galatians 1:12– 13; 2:15–21), there is no indication that he was ashamed of his Pharisaical background. In fact, when speaking to a Jewish audience, Paul made sure to let them know that he was educated by Gamaliel, one of the most prominent Pharisees (Acts 22:3). Interestingly, this was likely the same Gamaliel who had opposed an earlier attempt by the Jewish religious leaders to put Peter and the
other apostles to death (Acts 5:23–39). Gamaliel’s tolerant attitude stands in sharp contrast with Paul’s zealous persecution of the early church and reveals that not all Pharisees were strident opponents of Christianity. Perhaps this group warrants a closer look before we write them off completely.
A Closer Look at the Pharisees
There is limited information available about how the Pharisees originated as a Jewish sect. They are not mentioned in the Old Testament at all and they first appear on the historical record during the reign of John Hyrcanus (134–104 BC). The root meaning of the word Pharisee is unclear although it is probably related to the Hebrew parash and the Aramaic perash, both of which mean “one who separates.” By all accounts, they believed it was important to separate themselves from priests and clerics who had a different interpretation of the law from them.
10 The Messenger • October 2015
DESIGNPICS
While it is imperative that we avoid emulating the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, it is equally important that we not lose sight of the correct doctrines they upheld.
One thing that distinguished the Pharisees from other sects was their adherence to the oral law. The Laws of Moses often set out general principles but the specific application was often open to interpretation. For example, the Pentateuch made it clear that Jews were expected to rest on the Sabbath. However, it did not define precisely what counted as prohibited work. So the Pharisees
developed complex rules that explained exactly how much work was permitted on the Sabbath. As time went by, these rules became increasingly detailed and onerous for people to keep. A notable theological distinctive of the Pharisees was that they believed in angels and spirits. Even more significant is that they believed these angels and spirits were able to communicate with humans and that this could be expected to happen on occasion. This is why the Pharisees even defended Paul in the Sanhedrin because they knew it was possible that an angel or a spirit might have spoken to him (Acts 23:9). In contrast, the Sadducees did not believe that people could expect to hear directly from angels and spirits. Another difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees was that the Pharisees believed in a future resurrection of the dead. This is obviously not a minor point of disagreement since it significantly impacts one’s belief about the afterlife.
Positive Things About the Pharisees
Not everything recorded in the New Testament about the Pharisees was negative. As mentioned earlier, the Pharisees held correct theological beliefs about key issues such as the resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits. While Jesus had to set the Sadducees straight about the doctrine of the resurrection (Matthew 22:23–33), there is no record of him clashing with the Pharisees on this issue. That is because the Pharisees held the correct eschatological belief system and affirmed a future bodily resurrection. In addition, the Pharisees warned Jesus when his life was in danger from Herod (Luke 13:31), invited him to their homes for meals (Luke 7:36–50), and some, such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, even believed in him (John 19:38–40). In contrast, there is no record in Scripture of any Sadducee converting to Christianity. Obviously it is possible that some Sadducees became Christians but it is significant that only Pharisee followers of Jesus are ever mentioned.
What to Do With the Pharisees Today
It is important that we not minimize or gloss over the harsh words of rebuke Jesus gave to
the Pharisees. In their zeal to follow the law, the Pharisees placed more emphasis on outward appearances than on putting their hearts right before God (Matthew 23:27–28). When Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath, they were more interested in condemning Jesus for breaking the Sabbath than in rejoicing at the miraculous healing that had just taken place (John 9:13–16). Sadly, they were unable to look past their legalistic interpretation of the law and failed to recognize the presence of God among them. This was a serious failing for which they were rightly condemned. However, it is also important to note that Jesus did not condemn everything about the Pharisees. Like the Pharisees, Jesus believed in a future resurrection of the dead (Matthew 22:23–33), recognized the reality of angels and demons (Mark 1:21–26), and upheld the divine inspiration of the entire Old Testament (Matthew 5:17–18). In fact, Jesus explicitly endorsed the Pharisees’ teaching even while he condemned their hypocrisy. “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do” (Matthew 23:2–3). The Pharisees had the right doctrine but did not put it into practice. Unfortunately, their spiritual blindness prevented many of them from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. While it is imperative that we avoid emulating the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, it is equally important that we not lose sight of the correct doctrines they upheld. Jesus did not condemn the Pharisees because they had the wrong theology; he rebuked them because their actions did not match their words. Instead of dismissing the Pharisees as a group to be avoided, Christians should be grateful for their work in preserving many important theological truths over the years. Like Jesus, we can affirm their teachings while still condemning their hypocrisy. Michael Zwaagstra, BEd, PBCE, MEd, is a public high school teacher, a city councillor, and an adult Sunday School teacher (EFC, Steinbach). He is currently completing an MA in theological studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 11
Q
How can pacifism be the right answer when such terrible things happen to innocent people?
A
A Question Provided to an Answer I’ve Always Had by Russell Doerksen
I
was raised in a Dutch-German “Mennonite” home, complete with wareneki (perogies), rollkuchen (cookies), and a healthy aversion to dancing. However, because of where I lived, I did not attend a Mennonite church for much of my upbringing. Culturally I was a Dutch-German Mennonite. However, I knew little of my church heritage and about Anabaptist beliefs, to say nothing about the work of Mennonites in the world today. For me, this has been a cause of problems throughout my life. Take this for an example: I have long believed, as Mennonites rightly should, that peace is the right response to all kinds of conflict. While it is all right and good to say something like that, such a belief causes issues in the mind of a person who is trying to think about how to deal with no-win situations. How can pacifism be the right answer when terrible things like war, violence, and persecution can happen to innocent people? For me, being culturally Dutch-German Mennonite without knowing Anabaptism’s
12 The Messenger • October 2015
deeper beliefs and history is like knowing the answers to questions you don’t fully understand. I knew that I was supposed to be a pacifist, but if there is such evil in the world, how can peace be the right thing to do? It was because of this lack of knowledge that when I found out that there was to be a course offered on the history and beliefs of Anabaptism at my alma mater (and current place of employment), I jumped at the chance to learn about my history.
A First Step
Radical Reformation: History, Thought, and Practice is the culmination of years of discussion between Providence Theological Seminary and the EMC, and the first step toward creating a full Anabaptist Studies Track of Providence’s widely recognized Master of Divinity. Taught in a oneweek intensive by Layton Friesen, ThD (cand.), the former pastor of Fort Garry EMC, the course set out with an ambitious goal: to survey all of Anabaptist history, theology, action, and its impact between its formations in the 1500s to today. The course is available both for credit,
Theology and Life Are Inseparable
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
complete with valuable marked assignments designed to complement the lesson plan, and for audit for those who just want to sit in on the class to learn without all the hassle of homework. The class began 9 a.m. on Monday morning, and, after introductions, we dove right into history. While the class started out rocky, as learning history always does, soon it came alive. We learned about the Anabaptist founders and martyrs. We learned about times of great wealth, and about how that same wealth was taken away in large part because of an unwillingness to compromise on beliefs and assimilate. We learned about the mass migrations to Ukraine and Russia and finally the new world (North America and beyond), and the evolution that Anabaptists have gone through every step of the way. For all of these events, and all of these stories, there were pictures illustrating and showing first-hand what the times were like.
Memorial plate at Schipfe quarter in Zürich for the Anabaptists, executed in early 16th century by the Zürich city government.
baptism was the proper method of baptism; and even though they were being martyred for it, they stuck with that belief until death. That life in jeopardy, the threat of death led to a developed understanding and belief in pacifism. To historical Anabaptists, theology was lived and life was theology and to separate the two was simply nonsense. It was not truly until the 20th century that organized Anabaptist theologies began to be written, but by that time the distinctives of Anabaptism (believer’s baptism, the priesthood of all believers, community centrism, social justice, and pacifism) were all firmly entrenched.
To Anabaptists, theology was lived and life was theology and to separate the two was simply nonsense.
From history the class moved to theology and thought. Studying Anabaptist theology is an interesting task because, for most of the history of the Anabaptists, organized theology was not something that was done. Instead, while other traditions have their Martin Luthers and John Calvins who write great works arguing what should be believed, Anabaptists instead had community theologies, journals, confessions, and most importantly, the Martyrs Mirror. The Anabaptists are people to whom history and theology are inseparable. They were born into a time when people were just beginning to read the Bible apart from institutions, and so they insisted it be read plainly and by everyone. That belief led them to the idea that believer’s
Anabaptism Today
We finished up the course talking about Anabaptism today: the work we are doing throughout the world, the people we have influenced, and our relationships with other denominations. From its birthplace in a Zurich kitchen in the 16th century, Anabaptism has come to be regarded worldwide as a leader in (and, more than that, a primary creator of ) progressive, social justice oriented thought. And perhaps nowhere else is this more clearly seen than with pacifism.
A Factory
For me, while I was optimistic about the course, I was unsold on its value until we reached the history of Mennonites in Ukraine. A day or so into the class, a picture was shown that I recognized from a family history book. It was a ➢
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 13
factory owned by my great-great-grandfather Jakob Niebuhr in the early 20th century. It was in that moment when the picture went up on the screen that the subject quit being just about history and instead became a part of my history. Growing up, I have been told many stories about those old times in in the old land. Stories about the great things my family did, about the people they helped, and the beliefs in God that they held so dear. Just before a 15-minute coffee break, we started to talk about his factory. When we came back, we learned about how the land was taken away from my great-grandfather by the Bolsheviks and how he, like many others, had to escape an increasingly violent Russia while many of their family members were arrested, beaten, murdered, or so much worse. Learning about the horrors that Russian/ Ukrainian Mennonites went through was
While our reasons for believing in pacifism are much more robust, this will always be the core: God has led us.
personal for me. While my great-grandfather had passed away before I met him, his experiences without a doubt lived on in my family. In learning of his history, of the experiences that he and his family went through, in a way I also learned more of why I am the person I have been made to be.
A Question to the Answer
It is in this that I finally understood the question that I had known the answer to throughout my life. My family has always held close to its heart a belief in pacifism; I have been taught this since I was born. We have this belief, and yet my family also has this history of being subjected to such violence. How can pacifism be the right answer when such terrible things happen to innocent people? For Mennonites, the heart of the reason will always be because when we read the Bible, we know that is what God is calling us to do. We have this belief because through our history, our understanding, and our theology, through our lives, our struggles, our hardships, and even our times of peace, we have been led to know that this is the way we can best be who God wants us to be. While our reasons for believing in pacifism are much more robust, this will always be the core: God has led us. If you are like me and you either know little, or want to know more about Anabaptism, Radical Reformation: History, Thought, and Practice will be available soon at Providence Theological Seminary. The classroom was culturally diverse and Anabaptist belief comes alive in discussion. You can also check the course listings at Canadian Mennonite University or another institution near you for a similar course. I cannot recommend the course highly enough. It changed my life for the better, and I hope it can do the same for you. Russell Doerksen (Fort Garry EMC) is the chairperson of the Board of Church Ministries. He is a double graduate of Providence University College and Theological Seminary (BA, MDiv) and works there in student finance and as editor of Didaskalia, PTS's journal. He and his wife Shannon live in Otterburne, Man.
14  The Messenger • October 2015
ITH TERRY M. SM PHOTOS BY
Erna Plett, Esther and Benny Goertzen honoured for missions service by Terry M. Smith
H
ow do we say thanks to long-serving, supposedly retiring missionaries? Alvira Friesen, Board of Missions member, welcomed assembled guests to the Missionary Recognition Supper held on Sept. 10, 2015, for Erna Plett and Benny and Esther Goertzen at St. Vital EMC in Winnipeg, Man. She led in prayer. Supper—chicken, carrots, potatoes and gravy, salad, and pie—was served. Conversation flowed easily around the tables. After supper Kaylyn Holmes (Braeside) led in How Great Thou Art and then sang two of her compositions focused on blessing and following. Looking over the crowd, I saw veteran missionaries (some “retired,” some current), Board of Missions members, some national staff people, friends, and relatives. Perhaps the years of missionary experience of those present, if combined, would equal the years since Christ’s physical time on earth. More importantly, those assembled knew Christ, our Risen Lord, was among them now and rejoiced in this.
Devotional
Jerry Plett, pastor of St. Vital, spoke of the rich young ruler who turned from Jesus. He focused on Jesus’ promise in Mark 10:29–31: those who leave family to follow the Lord will receive “one hundred times as much” in this present life, along with persecution. Missionaries incur personal costs, he said. “What was it like to say goodbye?” Even with furloughs, family relationships aren’t the same, he said. Following Jesus requires self-denial; a person carrying a cross has a short life expectancy, said Plett. Yet there is the promise of being a part of a larger family. Missionaries, he said, are to be true to their calling. When Peter wondered about John, Jesus replied, “Leave John to me” and told Peter to follow (John 21:21–22).
Tributes to Benny and Esther Goertzen
Fred Buhler, Board of Missions member and their former co-worker in Paraguay, read a ➢ tribute by Grace Church and the Fellowship
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 15
of Evangelical Bible Churches (the Goertzens’ home conference). Benny, 65 at the event, was born in Colony Menno, in the Chaco of Paraguay, and moved with his family to Canada in 1967. Baptized in Steinbach, he attended Elim Bible School in Altona, Man., and Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Neb. Esther, 61 at the event, was born in Filadelphia, Paraguay, where she obtained a teaching degree. They both attended the EMB church there, were married in 1974, and began formal ministry in 1975. Benny directed the radio ministry and follow-up. Together they worked in leadership training and field administration; they led seminars, counseled, and evangelized. There are no plans for retirement. They hope to return to Paraguay in early 2016. Grace Church and the FEBC were grateful for their faithful service. Ernie and Mary Ann Loewen, former coworkers in Paraguay, said Benny and Esther, while from different backgrounds, each had parents concerned about others. Benny was musical and “an idea person,” the latter perhaps even while sleeping. When a radio station, ZP30, opened in the Chaco, Benny saw its potential to reach “illiterate and isolated people.” Esther was a wonderful hostess, a faithful sister to Mary Ann, trained in education and then taught religion in public schools. Together they conducted many marriage seminars and were involved in individual marriage counseling. “Benny is an evangelist at heart. Evangelists don’t see borders. Committees do. Evangelists don’t worry about keeping the budget realistic. Boards do,” they said. “Kingdom work is Benny and Esther’s passion,” they said.
Tribute to Erna Plett
Leonard Plett, a brother to Erna, said she was born in Mexico, the eldest of 11 children. Her call to missions began in Mexico early. She was moved by the needs in Paraguay and wanted to serve there when she grew up. She cared for her parents and siblings. In 1972 she served briefly in a children’s home in Germany and then served there two years in a church-planting ministry. She was interested in education, which was important to her. At Steinbach Bible Institute she studied at the Bible institute and graduated from
16 The Messenger • October 2015
(Top) Ernie and Mary Ann Loewen give tribute to Benny and Esther Goertzen. (Bottom) Kaylyn Holmes provides special music.
high school. She studied at Brandon University, graduated with a BRE from Briercrest, and then studied Spanish at RGBI. She is fluent in five languages—English, Low German, High German, Spanish, and Guarani—and is interested in learning another language, possibly French. “Go for it!” Leonard said. A major ministry of Erna was to start and manage a bookstore; she then trained others to take over the store. She taught in schools to help young people live a pure life and avoid the devastation of HIV/AIDS, he said. She was a spiritual guide, a counselor who was disciplined and focused on serving the Lord. Erna was always entertaining people. She “adopted” four children, the Rojas family, three of whom are now married. They want to build her a house in Paraguay and to care for her. She plans to retire in Paraguay to be near them, and
Diana Peters presents gifts on behalf of the Board of Missions to Erna Plett and Esther and Benny Goertzen.
her family in Canada supports this, he said. Erna might have “retired,” he said, but she will never retire. She is currently spending a year in Canada caring for her mother, and then she will retire in Paraguay.
Gifts and Responses
Ken Zacharias, EMC foreign secretary, called Erna Plett and Esther and Benny Goertzen forward. They were presented flowers and a gift on behalf of EMC Missions and Ken led in a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing upon the trio. Erna responded by speaking of a woman to whom she had ministered; the woman had moved away, but recently sent Erna pictures of her baptism. Erna thanked God for his promises, the Board of Missions, and her family and friends. She made special mention of Lillian Penner, who was present, an early co-worker in Germany. In his response, Benny Goertzen spoke of how inadequate he felt for the ministry. He had planned to read the passage from Mark to which Jerry Plett had referred. Leaving has a cost, a hurt to be healed. He read a song he had written on moving, of struggle, of a faithful God. Esther spoke of mixed feelings, wondering, “What have we accomplished?” Obedience led her to get a teaching degree for missionary service and she dreamed, yet none of her dreams came true. Instead, she found herself in a part of Paraguay where she’d not expected to live and
served there. Had she changed the world? She couldn’t say how many people were changed because of them, but they were privileged to see people change because of them and in spite of them. She has served where God wanted her and God has worked through her. Esther was grateful to the EMC, including to three foreign secretaries—Henry Klassen, Lester Olfert, and Ken Zacharias. She said that she and Benny hadn’t always agreed with them and weren’t easy on them, but she and Benny appreciated their openness and the connection. She was thankful for finances and prayers offered by a “strangers.” She thanked co-workers, family, and friends.
Prayer Time
Tim Dyck, EMC general secretary, said he had learned much. He then led in a prayer time, drawing upon 2 Thessalonians 3:1–2, where Paul asked for prayer that the Lord’s message would spread and he and others would be delivered from evil people. Dyck listed missionaries with health needs and those making changes in ministry. He requested prayer for the Board of Missions in its decisions (including choosing a new field) and for churches to send more workers. People prayed in small groups. Kaylyn Holmes then led in How Deep the Father’s Love For Us. Gerald Reimer, BOM Missions Mobilizer, closed the evening with a word of benediction.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 17
Column • An Education App
Is the Church present if a minister is absent?
by Terry M. Smith Executive Secretary
May Christ bless Trinity Lutheran! May He bless EMC churches who affirm their members’ ministry and giftedness in a pastor’s presence and absence (1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4:11-12).
18 The Messenger • October 2015
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n article in Canada Lutheran (Feb. 2015), “Are We Closing Too Many Churches?” tells of Trinity Lutheran in Bergland, Ont., which has managed for 22 years without a pastor. A minister comes once a month to provide Communion, a teacher does baptisms and funerals, and members provide sermons. May the Lord bless and keep it! “Mainline” denominations grapple with how congregations carry on without a minister. Sometimes EMC churches do too. We, like them, draw upon the strengths of members to continue in ministry. Here’s a question: is the Church present if a minister is absent? The EMC answer, I suggest, is yes. That said, the Schleitheim Confession (1527) indicates that shepherds help to preserve the “little flock of God.” “Mainline” denominations are flexible in some forms of ministry leadership, but EMC polity allows even more flexibility. We can elect ministers locally and have them processed and recognized nationally. We affirm the roles of pastors, ministers, elders, deacons, and members. We generally seek to decrease the gap between “clergy” and “laity.” We don’t emphasize Rev., Right Rev., or Canon, and our ministers shy from gowns and collars. Our congregants are less prone to defer to ministers in praying, reading Scripture, or guiding in other ways. The Bible college movement reduces the gap in theological education between ministers and members. These are strengths. The EMC is Low Church. Low Church is a term used to describe “churches that do not emphasize ritual, liturgy, the sacraments, and historical tradition” (D. K. McKim). Our churches have rituals (actions with meanings), a liturgy (an order of service), use sacraments (baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and footwashing), and acknowledge historical traditions (from selected centuries), but much hinges on the meaning of “do not emphasize.” When I see a photo of a row of gowned clergy standing beside their gowned and newly installed ministerial member, some of its charm
is lost on me. I much prefer to see a picture of local church members and a national representative or two laying hands on a ministerial couple, the minister and spouse in regular dress and kneeling as they are ordained or commissioned. The twin paradoxical themes of being “set apart” to “common ministry” are important and effectively captured in that moment. In theory, the formal training and examination of EMC ministers is to strengthen the Church, not to create a gap between ministers and members. In theory, a hired minister need not take away from members’ ministry. In theory, if it cannot afford a hired pastor, a local church can elect unpaid ministers and continue. Yet what’s the reality within your congregation? May Christ bless Trinity Lutheran! May He bless EMC churches who affirm their members’ ministry and giftedness in a pastor’s presence and absence (1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4:11-12).
With Our Missionaries
Leading the SALT staff training program
KYLA PLETT
NORTHERN MANITOBA
I have now been a part of the team at Mid-Way Christian Leadership for nine months and I am still enjoying it thoroughly. I spent most of this last summer working at Mid-Way Bible Camp and now (Sept. 11) the regular programming is about to begin. I have been encouraged through my continued relationships with youth in the various SALT (serving and leadership training) youth groups. God has filled my heart with love for them and made it so I enjoy spending time with them. My main job at camp was helping to lead the SALT staff training program. That consisted of mentoring and training youth that have attended the SALT groups or wanted to follow God. The goal of the program was to prepare to work as a counsellor, in the kitchen or on maintenance and also to build stronger relationships with them. There was a solid group of trainees this year. Nine teens graduated and went on to serve as camp staff for the last few weeks. I was blessed in seeing their eagerness to serve, encourage one another, and to get to know Christ more. Another blessing of the summer was during teen camp. Many youth felt ready to take the step of being baptized. In that, they took their stand for God in front of many of their peers from their home communities.
Pray for baptized people who will be closely watched by people in their community.
People have seen them in their past lives. People will be watching them closely—to see if they mess up and fall away, people will now hold them to a higher standard; and there are those that will try to cause them to stumble. They are facing huge tests now that they are home again. I had happy tears streaming down my face when I saw them choose, in spite of that, to take this step of obedience. Please pray for them—that they will stay strong for God. Pray that those that are trying to follow him will have unity and work to encourage one another even when they aren`t at youth. I am excited about the fall programming that is starting. My desire is that God will give me and the other staff wisdom in knowing how to best equip the youth to follow God with everything. We are planning to study the books of Genesis and Matthew to get the foundation for why we need a Saviour and who he actually is. We also hope to teach them how to read their Bibles on their own. Overall, I have seen the work God is doing and I am eager to see what he has in mind for Split Lake, Nelson House, Thompson and the rest of the North. Kyla Plett (Prairie Grove) serves with Mid-Way Christian Leadership in youth ministry.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 19
With Our Missionaries
‘It is what it is!’ NORTHERN MANITOBA
ALBERT MARTENS
We found ourselves using this expression frequently in Tadoule Lake, Man. Our living accommodations and the state of the church, where we have most of our activities, always have us in suspense. When we arrived at Tadoule Lake, in northern Man., there was no one to help us, despite my emails and phone calls regarding our arrival time. The airport building was locked. We had about 400-plus kgs of supplies and no truck or person to taxi us from the airport to the teachers’ apartments (about two or three kms away) where we hoped to live. It was cold and windy, so I ran to the community to find help. The apartment was soon cleaned and livable. I immediately ran to see the church facility. It needed about eight tables and to be cleaned. I checked in at the Northern store as well. We soon made personal contacts and set up the church for a ladies tea for the next day (Sunday afternoon). About 50 ladies came. Dianne Reimer delivered a powerful story/ testimony. The ladies were given a gift bag and a puzzle, and ate some great dainties. It was special that night when two ladies came with two grandbabies to receive some baby blankets. This visit led to the next evening when five ladies came to sing gospel songs. What a tremendous unplanned event it was. We discovered that there were many hurting people. A friend shared that he had lost his son in a winter road
LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH
Open your home or workplace to an international volunteer ivep.mcc.org International Volunteer Exchange Program
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Programs of Mennonite Central Committee
20 The Messenger • October 2015
Friendships are becoming more real and deeper.
vehicle accident and a week ago he received news of having cancer. He was depressed, sad, and angry at God. Bobbie-Jo did a great job in the children’s Bible lessons, experiments, and crafts. The kids were cooperative and listened well. It was fun to see them learn and sing songs. This year each school-aged child received a backpack. The baseball was better than ever. It was attended by more of the older teens. There was great excitement and enthusiasm. I spent some time talking to them and prayed with them on the diamond. Rhonda did a fantastic job teaching. Two boys won a new glove and a Goldeyes jersey. The evening before we left we served hotdogs in the church because the weather was unpleasant. After that we had a church service. Dianne again gave a powerful testimony and story. All the people were silent and listened. I had put together an eight-minute video of our events in their community that week and we presented that as well. The final event is always fireworks on the beach at 10 p.m. This is a highlight for many, especially the kids. Our team members were Dianne Reimer, Bobbie-Jo Friesen, Rhonda Blanchette, Gabi Blanchette, Tia Friesen, Kristen Brown, Edna and I. We were again so encouraged to spend an intense week with our friends. And our friendships are becoming more real and deeper. We are so pleased about our time in Tadoule Lake from Aug. 14-21. “It is what it is!” Which is really special. – Albert Martens Albert Martens (Steinbach EMC) serves with Athletes in Action.
With Our Missionaries
The gospel is for little children
Henry and Caroline Krahn
BOM
BOLIVIA
“Then Jesus called for the children an said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children’” (Luke 18:16 NLT). I believe it is crucial that we preach the gospel to little children. As a favourite and large part of my life’s ministry has involved children, I often ponder this and consider the impact it has. I remember my Mom telling me of how evangelists came to her hometown and held meetings. She loved going and listening to their stories and then accepted Jesus into her heart as a result. I wanted to be like my Mom and loved listening to her stories. At the age of thirteen I accepted Christ as a result of our neighbour’s backyard VBS (our family did not attend an Evangelical Church when I was young). The story that affected me was of Rhoda who, in her extreme excitement, told everyone in the house that “Peter had returned” and then shut the door on him (Acts 12:1314). I wanted to be that excited about Jesus. I have been telling stories to children for years. I love how their faces beam as the stories become alive to them, and I wonder, “How do I impact them? Will it give them a desire to follow Jesus?” I just can’t get three-year-old Susan (name changed) out of my mind. I met her in Neuva Esparanza a few
months ago. She is the granddaughter of the family where we meet for Thursday night Singstund (hymn sing). They are Old Colony. What goes through her mind as we step out of a shiny truck, wear different clothes, have short hair not covered by a black cloth, and I speak funny. She warmed up to me and sat on my lap. A few weeks later it was cold and the teacher with us was wearing a floor length skirt with hanging beads. “Why is her dress so long?” she asked. “Do you like it?” I asked. “No,” she answered. I could hardly contain my laughter at her honesty. Then I got sick and couldn’t go one week. Henry said she had been concerned about me. The next week she said right away, “You are not sick anymore?” “No, I’m all better,” I told her. “Did you pray for me?” “Yes,” she replied, and I thanked her and explained how Jesus had used her prayers to heal me. She smiled so hugely. The following week I caught Dengue Fever and was not able to return before we came to Canada on furlough. I will be gone from her life for well over three months. What is going on in her little heart now, what is she thinking of her prayers and my Jesus who supposedly answers them? What is she thinking of the “Jesus” of whom I sing, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so”? All I can do is trust in His Reliable Word: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways,’ declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT). – Caroline Krahn Caroline and Henry Krahn (Picture Butte) serve in partnership with the MEM (EMMC and La Crete Bergthaler conferences). They live in San Jose de Chiquitos.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 21
With Our Missionaries
God walks with me WINNIPEG
ICYA
What gives me hope is the promise that I am not walking through life alone. Of course family is always there, but it is God’s presence that really gives me confidence to walk through whatever comes. There are times when I end up doing some pretty difficult journeys and it is in those times when I most need God’s presence. Furthermore, God seems to be okay walking with us down difficult roads. He probably questions our judgment on the road of our poor choices, but rather than leaving us on our own, he goes along. Some time ago I was working with a girl, Angelina (name changed), who was bent on finding her mom on her 14th birthday. I tried talking her out of going into the Main Street bars to find her, but she just wouldn’t listen. She was going with or without me. Angelina hadn’t seen her mom for months and wanted a hug from her on her birthday. So rather than watching her walk away alone to one of our city’s most violent stretches, I decided to go with her. I didn’t really think much of it other than, “There is no way I am letting this beautiful young girl venture into those seedy places alone.” At one point I actually had to stand between her and a very angry drunk man. He held his fist up to punch me when I told him to back off from harassing her. Swaying from side to side and a good six inches taller than me, he had his fist poised to finish me off. I stuck my hand out and said, “Hey, my name is Kent. What’s yours?” I guess it was unnerving for him, because that isn’t the sort of thing that is supposed to happen when you are
Inner City Youth Alive
www.icya.ca
22 The Messenger • October 2015
This is ICYA headquarters in the north end of Winnipeg.
about to lay out a beating on someone. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, his fist opened up and he shook my hand. Needless to say, I hung on for a long time and was as friendly as if my life depended on it—and it did! So we continued on Angelina’s big adventure, but this time we had a large drunk man joining us as we walked between bars on Main Street. He decided to join us in looking for the mom after I shared my stirring case to help a young girl find her mom on her birthday. My decision to join Angelina was really reflex more than virtue, but in retrospect, maybe it was because I have always felt that God has done the same for me. God has willingly come along on all of my journeys. He has stood between me and destruction and it has been his presence on the road that has always lead me home. Inner City Youth Alive functions out of the belief that no child in our community should have to walk alone through abuse or loss. Our staff are deeply committed to walking alongside youth through their darkest days. Your support of Inner City Youth Alive puts God on the streets of Winnipeg’s North End. – Kent Dueck Kent Dueck is the executive director of Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg, Man. This article was first published within ICYA’s NewsFlash and is used with permission.
With Our Missionaries
Jenny chooses the one true God
ISTOCK
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help and they had no cows, Jenny’s husband agreed to give their daughter. Jenny’s children are her wealth and her honour. She understands that her daughters have great value even though her people do not. She fought for her daughter’s freedom. She begged God to help and he did. Her daughter was redeemed on Easter weekend. Her husband was greatly affected. As we return to Gesses, please pray that witchdoctors, fear, and alcoholism would be broken and that the one true God’s power would be recognized. Pray that we would share the gospel with grace and truth. And pray for the Evangelical Church in the West—that it would represent Christ in love and truth and stand firm in the face of secular culture. – Rolf and Angela Kruse Angela and Rolf Kruse (Kola/ Rosenort Fellowship) serve with SIM among the Gumuz in Ethiopia.
BOM
As cross-cultural workers to a marginally-reached people group, it is a privilege for us to present the Scriptures in their language for the first time. As we present the gospel, we believe the Holy Spirit is able to speak into their lives and culture and show them what brings honour to the Lord, what needs to be adapted, and what is harmful. In this way they can see that the culture God created to be beautiful has been corrupted but can be redeemed. It takes time for a biblical, God-glorifying culture to form, but it is possible. Generations of Gumuz have exchanged girls for debts or married them off as childbrides, cursed and killed their enemies, and appeased their many gods and dead ancestors with gifts of meat and drink. Yet there is beauty in their culture: generosity, hospitality, hard work, community, respect for nature, and love for children. Interestingly, believers in the West face the world’s pagan customs and beliefs all over again. Believers are mocked and scorned for their belief in one God, biblical marriage, the value of the unborn, and eternal life. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not learn the ways of the nations’” (Jer. 10:2). “The LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. Tell them this: These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens” (Jer. 10:7-11). Will the Evangelical Christian Church succumb to the customs of the world (as the Israelites did in their day)? Or will we live for our eternal King? The idols of success and self-indulgence: beauty, health, and wealth (among others) are surrounding us; but these “gods” will not stand just as the gods, that Gumuz feel they must appease, will not stand. Jenny (name changed) is a first generation Christian who embraced the one true God and turned from animist beliefs. She has eight children. She heard the gospel about 10 years ago and was baptized four years later. She lives in a village of animists and has been threatened repeatedly for she no longer attempts to appease evil spirits or witchdoctors. All of her children have survived since she came to faith. Instead of performing rituals, she prays for them and takes them to the clinic. Two months ago her husband was taken to court. The men demanded a repayment of five cows or their eightyear-old daughter. Since their family/clan was unwilling to
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 23
With Our Missionaries
Our hope is in the Lord!
BOM
MEXICO
Listening to the news and hearing what is happening all over the world, you really don’t have any assurance of peace, love, and contentment. Job uncertainties, hard economic times, and the devaluing of the dollar give little security for the future. We live in difficult times. What hope do we have that things will get any better? There isn’t a country in the world that isn’t facing some of these major issues. The Church has seen many changes in the last while as well. Our biblical beliefs are being challenged in so many areas. How do we live out our faith in this kind of a circumstance? The Lord directed me to the verses in Zechariah 2:4-5: “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.” The Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem after 70 years in exile. Zechariah encouraged the people to repent and renew their covenant with God and not do the very things that their ancestors had done before the exile. He reassured them that God would continue His covenant with Israel. Zechariah prophesies that Jerusalem will experience incredible prosperity. They would grow in numbers and their livestock will also increase. They would not be contained within the walls of the city, but spread out all around Jerusalem. When we are faithful to God we will prosper. It might not be measured the same way the world would measure prosperity, but there will be peace and contentment and much joy as we seek after God and His righteousness. Zechariah also spoke of the protection that the Lord would give His people. God Himself would be the wall of fire around them. Not only would the Lord protect His people, but His glory would be in their very midst. His glory, His presence, would be part of the promise. In a world where there is violence, uncertainty, fear, deception, insecurities, losses, pain, suffering and sorrow, we are assured of the very same promises that the Lord promised the exiles in Jerusalem: prosperity, protection, and the Lord’s presence.
Connie and John Reimer, called to a life of faithfulness.
God calls us to a life of faithfulness in our commitment to him, first and foremost. He calls us to be faithful in all circumstances. He calls us to live our lives pleasing to Him, hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Our hope is in our Lord and Saviour and in Him we trust. – Connie Reimer Connie and John Reimer (CBF, Swan River) are part of the church planting team in the city of Guadalajara, the state of Jalisco, Mexico.
Leading Well:
A workshop for Song Leaders and Worship Leaders
Saturday, November 14, 2015 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 NOON Canadian Mennonite University Chapel, South Campus 600 Shaftesbury Blvd, Winnipeg cmu.ca/leadingworship
24 The Messenger • October 2015
Column • Further In and Higher Up
Who is at the head of the Table?
T
by Layton Friesen
ISTOCK
he EM Conference is now taking a critical look at our Statement of Faith. I see something in our statement on the Lord’s Supper that needs attending to. Look at the sidebar. Who is the subject, the actor, the doer at the Supper according to this paragraph? “Christians…celebrate….” “Christians call to mind….” We self-examine, testify, confess, praise and give thanks. Again, “Christians should examine.” In this picture of communion it is only humans who are acting to make the Supper what it is. Here, the Lord’s Supper was “instituted” by Christ sometime in the past and now we carry it on as our own activity. We remind ourselves of this past event. But is this not a little secular? When we read the Scriptures listed here we see that the Lord’s Supper involves both a giving and a receiving, both a host and a guest. Christ is the giver, the one hosting the Supper. We are the ones receiving the spiritual nourishment and communion by which we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. “Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matt. 26:26). This is not merely a report about an event 2,000 years ago that we are to somehow reproduce. We are being given the spiritual pattern and order by which the Supper becomes the life and presence of Christ in the community of Christ throughout time. Those words are spoken by Christ at every Holy Communion. Christ
comes among his disciples, takes, blesses, breaks and gives. He is truly present, serving and feeding with his body and blood, symbolized in bread and wine. This is no academic quibble. Mennonites rightfully corrected medieval practices of the Eucharist which they felt left ordinary believers out in the cold, giving all power to the priest representing Christ. But we have fallen off the horse on the other side. We have created a Supper in which humans have become the main actors. This has been combined with secularity’s quest for human control all over the world. Is it any wonder people conclude the Church is “merely” another institution? How would you feel if you had hosted me for dinner, but then later in my reports of the meal, I spoke only about what I did, what I said, how I made the meal such a wondrous feast? No mention of your invitation, your excellent cooking, and the warmth of your conversation? We believe that Christians are to celebrate the Lord’s How does Jesus feel when all we can Supper as instituted by Christ. The elements—the bread say about his meal is what we are doing and the cup—symbolize the body of Christ and his there? shed blood. With this celebration, Christians call to mind Our songs and prayers during the Christ’s suffering for the sins of the whole human race Lord’s Supper need to ceaselessly point and proclaim the Lord’s death until he returns to take his our eyes and ears to the Mysterious followers to himself. It involves fellowship, self-examiSomeone present, serving and reignnation, testimony, confession, praise and thanksgiving. ing in our midst as we eat and drink Christians should examine their own relationship to God together. and to other people before participating in this comOur confession of faith should also memoration (Matt. 26:26–29; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:17–34; declare that Christ, the Lord of the Eph. 2:11–22; Heb. 9:12, 25–28; I John 2:1–2). Church, presides at his table.
Mennonites rightfully corrected medieval practices of the Eucharist which left ordinary believers out in the cold, giving all power to the priest representing Christ. But we have fallen off the horse on the other side.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 25
With Our Churches Picture Butte Mennonite Church
PICTURE BUTTE, Alta.—On a warm, blustery summer morning like so many others in Southern Alberta, something special was happening inside the walls of Picture Butte Mennonite Church. August 30, 2015, marked the day that we celebrated our 10th Anniversary. Previous pastoral couples and members along with some EMC national office staff members and our current church body joined together in what turned out to be a joyfully nostalgic afternoon looking back at where we started and marveling at how far we’ve come. With a special slide show presentation, worship together in song, a delicious lunch and much storytelling, everyone in attendance was blessed to be a part of this celebration. Our church began earlier than 2005 with just two couples meeting together for Bible studies. When Abe and Anna Bueckert’s church planting efforts with the EMC turned to Picture Butte, weekly meetings at a local school soon started seeing bigger and bigger crowds. It was in 2005 that Sunday morning services were first held in a local community centre as we did not have a building to call our own. Through thick and thin our numbers quickly began to multiply and we soon found ourselves in the middle of a building project.
PBMC
PBMC celebrates 10 years
It was something special, a look back and forward.
With our new building and expanded space came new people to fill the seats for Sunday morning services and weekly church functions. The rest, as they say, is history. We want to thank all the people, past and present, who have invested of themselves in our church in so many different ways. We are the church and without you, we could not have come this far. In looking back we also look forward to all the wonderful things that God is going to do in and through our church family in the next ten years and beyond. – Desiree Krahn
••
Northern Fellowship Chapel
CREIGHTON, Sask.—Lorne Moorhead had his 80th birthday in June and Margaret Cone had her 90th birthday in August. We had birthday cake for them at Northern Fellowship Chapel. Evelyn Mitchell, daughter of Kristen Imrie and Cody Mitchell (and my granddaughter), managed to get into the picture. Lorne Moorhead and Margaret Cone have been such pillars in our church and we love them dearly. Lorne and his wife Margaret are involved in pastoral care. Marg Cone has been a member since 1964. – Janice Imrie
26 The Messenger • October 2015
NFC
Celebrating birthdays at NFC
Pastor Lorne Moorhead, Marg Cone, Evelyn Mitchell
With Our Churches Portage Evangelical Church
Portage Evangelical Church held their annual “Western Family Carnival” from 2 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 29, postponed a week because of bad weather. The carnival is planned to simply be a blessing to our community and to show the love of Jesus to those around us. We feel that God smiled upon our desires and efforts. This year we had the largest crowd ever—400 to 500 people. It took 53 volunteers to run the event. We sold 47 dozen hotdogs though out the day and Alan and Darlene Dillabough, owners of Canadian Tire, contributed 45 cases of pop. There were many activities for all ages. Activities for children six and under included a small bouncy castle, water table, and a sand table. There was lots of action at water sports-dunk tank, water guns, and a water balloon sling shot. God blessed us with a beautiful summer day. We also had a petting zoo; train, hay and horse rides; face painting and nail art. A big hit was the gyro-gym. Nita, Kyla and Colson Wiebe provided wonderful music as the fun
Braeside EMC
PEC
Western Family Carnival held
Dunking a volunteer was fun.
happened in the parking lots and street in front of the church. God’s plan of salvation was on the cross near the stage and free Bibles were available at every activity possible. We thank God for the opportunity to bless our neighbours, to rub shoulders with many who do not attend our church, in hopes that someday they will one day come to know our Saviour as we do. – Myrna Buhr
••
Vacation Bible School held on August 24 to 28 was a resounding success, with 58 children and more than 45 volunteers attending. Our church was colourfully decorated with mountain scenery because every child present would be climbing Mount Everest. They would embark on an expedition where they would overcome obstacles; and with God’s awesome power, kids would be anchored in solid Bible truths that can guide them through life’s challenges. Kelly Rempel is now Braeside’s Children’s Ministry director, working part-time. The younger children at church seem to love hearing her stories or role-playing. A flag processional greeted us on Pentecost Sunday, May 24. Karen Morongo told us what it was like to grow up in two cultures, Spanish and English, and Tony Driedger asked us to remember our roots. Teen Challenge has made changes in many people’s lives, and when the “Keen-Agers” presented their annual
BRAESIDE EMC
VBS a great success at Braeside
VBS was an expedition.
concert, the proceeds went to this great organization. If you did not make it to the EMC Convention, you might have heard a live-streamed message from the speaker, Nik Ripkin, delivered on Sunday morning, July 5, to the Braeside congregation. – Caroline Loewen
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 27
With Our Churches Kleefeld EMC
Responding to devastation in SE Asia KLEEFELD, Man.—Bruce Peters, who works for Advancing Indigenous Mission, provided “this report from two people in SE Asia who are both EMC members. This was their response to the recent cyclone in what was both of their childhood homes and where the man has some ministry happening. “Over half of the funds collected for this came from EMC church members who know them. We are currently planning a four city seminar trip, with teaching to follow in a Bible school. Glenn Loewen and a couple of Portage Evangelical Church deacons, Elaine and I, and a Baptist deacon will make that trip in late fall.” The report says, “I would like to thank you for your prayer, care, and support for our brothers and sisters who have been badly affected by the recent natural disasters in the western part of the country. Your prayer and supports have made a big differnece in the lives of many people. As I visited the affected area, I learned that over 700 houses were destroyed in the city of M alone, leaving several thousand people homeless struggling without proper food and water. Several villages have been wiped out. They are wondering how they will find ways to survive in time to come. They stand in need of your continued prayers and support. Please do know that the support you sent meant a lot to us and to them. Modified jeeps are the only means to tranport it. Road conditions were much tougher than expected. The vehicles freqently broke down on our way and fixing them was a part of the whole trip experience. We spent two days and a night on the way to reach our destination of 120 miles. We unloaded the materials by about 6 p.m. in Q City. Rice bags, Weddings potatoes, and split -beans were food WALKER-DYCK—Andrew married Aubrey on Sept. 20, 2015, with Pastor Andrew Dyck items delivered. officiating. The couple resides in Steinbach. Many families can MCMAHON-UNRUH—Matthew married Valerie afford to eat only on Aug. 22, 2015, with Pastor Dwight Munn one meagre meal officiating. The couple resides in Grande Prairie. a day. A common TEICHROEB-BRAUN—Philip married Krya on Aug. 29, 2015, with Pastor Jared Schroeder challenge brings officiating. The couple resides in Grande Prairie. people together. SIEMENS-WILEY—Dylan married Melanie They share and on June 13, 2015, with Pastor Dwight Munn celebrate what officiating. The couple resides in Grande Prairie. was available.
28 The Messenger • October 2015
Temporal residences were being prepared. Tin roofing materials were urgently needed. It was a wet rainy season and the cold season will follow. As requested, we were able to supply roofing materials as well. We visited as many as possible to share words of encouragement they desperately needed. Many deeply worry about their future fate. The only toys children have to play with were naturally rounded stones and a few rubber bands. They are happily enjoying their new games. A big part of the city was abandoned as the whole region was destroyed. Once it was a busy place and now it is filled with an eerie silence. Two friends, a 70-year-old man and his cat, couldn’t say “goodbye” forever to their old home. They travelled about three miles to mourn over their fallen well, a history of their life was once begun. Here’s a summary of words of appreciation and thanks from among the many victims: “We know our homes are gone forever, the place we once cherished so much will not be inhabited any longer. They all became a history. We can’t stop wondering about what the future holds for us. “We’re desperate and felt hopeless deep in our souls. Our spirits cries helpless. Who are you? Are you God’s angels from the Creator God to bring us a new hope? We will be able to write a new story of life as you pray for us and support us.” We’re remembering you and praying for you. – Workers in SE Asia
With Our Churches Redcliff EMC
Busy, exciting, fun, blessed REDCLIFF, Alta.—Here’s a look at the activities and events that we as a church have been privileged to host, do, and enjoy, with the intentions of bringing in people to build relationships and hear the Gospel. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.” Baptism—a God-honouring day and gorgeous weather. Our regular meeting place was filled with approximately 75 guests from far and near, friends and family of the two young men, Peter Wall and Cornelius Siemens, who shared their stories of coming to faith in Christ. Both have powerful testimonies. From there we all went down to the river for the baptism by immersion, which was a new concept for most. Pleasantly, our group was the only one there, so we had liberty to carry on without hindrances. A potluck lunch in the picnic shelter with tables overflowing with good food satisfied our physical needs. But even better was the fellowship where a number of individuals gave words of encouragement to the baptized guys and to all of us. God’s sweet presence was tangible and it would have been wonderful to stay longer. That same afternoon back at the church our small regular group enjoyed the Lord’s fellowship through communion, also a first.
The Second Annual Gospel Music Jamboree—another event with just the right weather where God’s presence was powerfully felt. With six music groups filling the tent with well-chosen songs of praise, the attendees’ hearts were lifted to experience God’s love. The crowd was larger this year, and included more local Low German Mennonites. We were so pleased that the food was pretty much sold by the end and there was little to clean up later. Thanks to the Town of Redcliff, which has been so supportive of the Jamboree. And thanks to volunteers who helped with the food, the set-up and clean-up. VBS—some 20 children enjoyed four evenings of singing, skits (themes based on the Bible story and lesson), Bible stories, recreation, snacks, and crafts. Besides the children, several mothers were there to take in the spiritual food as well. For a part of the last evening, parents came for a short program to end this year’s VBS. It seemed that we had just gotten started when it had to end. -Other activities have included a Bontrager family concert, a youth campout, a church family campout, and ball games, which are part of our kingdom building as we seek to reach out into the community. – Verna Doerksen
••
Crystal Friesen to serve in Bosnia and Herzegovina SALUNGA, Pa. – Crystal Friesen of Winnipeg, Man., left on Sept. 19, 2015, for a two-month assignment in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) of Salunga, PA. During her assignment, Crystal will be teaching English. She is a member of Fort Garry EMC in Winnipeg, Man. EMM equips, sends, and supports approximately 195 workers in 34 countries. It is supported primarily by the congregations of Lancaster Mennonite Conference. Other churches, conferences, and agencies in North America also participate in the mission. – EMM
EMM
Connected with Fort Garry EMC
Crystal Friesen
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 29
Columns • Been Thinking About
Picture Butte celebrates 10 years
T
BLO
by Ward Parkinson Conference Pastor
he sun was bright and a hot bracing wind was sweeping across the rolling Southern Alberta landscape. This wind had the trees bowing and waving a welcome to visitors from far and near. The balloons on the church sign signaled that this was a special day. The occasion was the 10th anniversary celebration of Picture Butte Mennonite Church. Ten years may not seem long in the wider scheme of things, but for this congregation there is so much to give thanks for and celebrate. In that brief time frame, the church has moved from being a dream and calling to become a lively congregation of over 200 believers. The day began with a worship service that focused on praising God for all he has done. Keeping with their current model of a hybrid service featuring both English and German, we ultimately worshiped in the universal language of praise. The young adult musicians capably led the worship, navigating both languages seamlessly. Henry and Caroline Krahn, long-time leaders at PBMC and currently missionaries in Bolivia, shared both their memories of the church’s early days and the Word of God from Ephesians 3. The fellowship and celebrating spilled over into the lunch hour as the spacious dining area was filled with joyful conversations across long rows of tables, not to mention the scampering laughter of many, many children. The centrepiece of the day was a special anniversary service held in the afternoon. PMBC’s original church planters and former pastoral couple, Abe and Anna Bueckert, returned and shared their memories of the church’s early years and rapid growth. It was good to see Quentin and Christina Unger, another former pastoral couple, return to celebrate as well. Lay minister Ben Dyck, with his wife Maria, also led in singing. Lots of memories were triggered by a pictorial slide show and also shared publicly during
Thanks to Picture Butte for hosting such a great day! Through you we see the faithfulness of our God. And you’re just getting started!
30 The Messenger • October 2015
an open mike time. EMC church planting coordinator Charles Koop encouraged the congregation to continue to look for and step into the opportunities for outreach, not only in Picture Butte but elsewhere in the area. Finally, how else to celebrate a milestone but with cake? Baking and decorating efforts were combined to create a massive cake that fed close to 300 folks. Thanks to the Picture Butte congregation for hosting such a great day! Through you we see the faithfulness of our God, and the growth of his Kingdom. And you’re just getting started!
Births
CHANDLER—to Scott and Sheila of Niverville, Man., a daughter, Emma Faye, on March 21, 2015. FRIESEN—to Bryon and Courtney of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Simon Everett, on April 12, 2015. ENNS—to Stuart and Kristin of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Joel Samuel, on May 28, 2015. FRIESEN—to Brook and Stephanie of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Shekinah Beth Joy, on July 11, 2015. VION—to Garth and Ang, a son, Ezekiel Jacob, on May 17, 2015. NEUSTAETER—to Kelvin and Shawna, a daughter, Ryveah Briere, on May 20, 2015. BRANDT—to Jay and Cherie, a daughter, Teagan Ava, on Aug. 6, 2015. LAYOUN—to Dave and Melissa, a daughter, Jada Wynter, on Sept. 6, 2015.
News
EMC Ministry Awareness event held at SBC STEINBACH, Man.—As you study at Bible college, stay connected with your home church—that was the counsel of Pastor Brian Reimer on Sept. 28 at Steinbach Bible College. Reimer addressed people gathered for the annual EMC Ministry Awareness Night, informally known as Pizza Night. Earlier, national staff members had introduced themselves and their roles within the national office and the conference’s five national boards: Gerald Reimer, conference youth minister and Missions Mobilizer (BCM, BOM) Tim Dyck, general secretary (BOM, GB, BOT); Ward Parkinson, conference pastor (BLO); Ken Zecharias, foreign secretary (BOM); Diana Peters, administrative assistant (BOM, BLO); and Terry Smith, executive secretary (BCM). Gerald Reimer led in a four-corner game: people gathered at points in the room depending on how they answered questions about spiritual interests, influences, and aspirations. After the pizza time, Brian Reimer, pastor of Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel (Lorette, Man.), counseled that staying connected with one’s home church and ministry preparation were both important. Years earlier, when Brian
TERRY M. SMITH
‘Pizza Night’ meets more than one need
Gerald Reimer speaks to SBC students.
was anxious to serve in missions, his father had wisely steered him to a longer period of preparation at SBC. After that, Brian married, worked, studied at seminary, and matured—and then served with his wife Trish in Lesotho, in southern Africa, for five years. Reimer cautioned young people against thinking that they know it all and return to their home church anxious to straighten it out. Rather, they need to return humbly, get involved with people, and then offer insights. Get Your Free Copy! Theodidaktos Taught by God As students at college compare home churches, they might also think that their church doesn’t compare A Dialogue Theodidaktos, Journal for EMC theology well, yet Reimer reminded those present that God about War, History, and and education (August 2015) uses such churches. Faith Those present were then asked to gather in A Dialogue about War, History, and Faith groups to discuss questions. One question that generated some humour and yet led to a thoughtful Responding to Bruxy Cavey’s Position discussion was, “I’m attracted to a guy/girl, but she Statement on the Gay Marriage Debate doesn’t share my passion for ministry. What should I do?” Nuggets for a Guest Preacher: A Look at the Early Bonhoeffer on The meeting went from about 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Preaching and as Preacher More events are planned to connect with EMC students on the campus of SBC, co-governed by the Perspectives of Pacifism EMC. Other fine Bible colleges are found within the five Sermon: Am I a Hypocrite for Being a Pacifist? provinces where EMC churches reside. Efforts are made to acknowledge and connect with EMC stuThis EMC journal is published once or twice a year and distribdents within them. It helps if students, pastors, and uted freely (postage extra in some cases) by the EMC Board of churches let us know that they are there. Church Ministries. It is obtained at your local church, at the na– Terry M. Smith tional office, or by downloading from the EMC website (ResourcExecutive Secretary es). The editor is Darryl G. Klassen, Kleefeld EMC (kemc@mts.net). Journal for EMC theology and education |
Volume 10 Number 1 August 2015
p. 8
Also Inside:
Responding to Bruxy Cavey’s
Position Statement on the
Gay Marriage Debate
Nuggets for a Guest Preacher:
A Look at the Early Bonhoeffer on Preaching and as Preacher
Am I a Hypocrite for Being a Pacifist?
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Perspectives of Pacifism
A publicAtion of the evAngelicAl Mennonite conference
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 31
Columns • Archives Alcove
I will miss Box 105!
Terry M. Smith Executive Secretary
Box 105 reflects both the community of faith (Gal. 6:10) and the legacy of faith handed to others (Heb. 11). I respect this.
Most of the contents of Box 105:
• Genealogical listings from 1792-1908. • A short writing with a later note: “original writing by Klaas Reimer?” • A sermon (1832) and a letter (1834) by Heinrich Balzer. • A sermon on John 3:16-18 by an unidentified preacher (1839). • Petitions to government by the church ministerial (1842 and 1843). • A sermon by Abraham Friesen (1848). • A circular letter by Cornelius Plett seeking help to build a “hayloft” (1862). • A report by Peter Toews on his trips through colonies in Russia preparing to move to Canada (1874-75). • A letter by Heinrich Enns to his widowed sisters-in-law (1877). • Abraham L. Friesen writing about the Holdeman schism (1881). • Abraham L. Friesen’s sermon at a ministerial election in Manitoba (1883). • Helena Reimer’s notebook of poetry and writings (1903). • John P. Friesen’s poetry (1912).
32 The Messenger • October 2015
TERRY M. SMITH
O
utwardly, it’s just a plain, green archival box, but I will miss Box 105. This single box brings together much of the history of the KG, part of which later developed into the EMC: its early leader Klaas Reimer, life in Russia and concern about what was happening, about preparing to leave Russia, and about life in Canada and the U.S. Box 105 touches on the pain of the KG, itself started as a renewal movement, when 70 years later one-third of it left to follow a revivalist preacher into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. The KG carried on, shown by a ministerial election. The box’s contents provide evidence of cultural change: there are German writings from different continents and countries, some of them in notebooks made in Canada—each introduced by a brief note in English. The box is filled with materials inaccessible to me (in German, sometimes finely written). Yet it shows preachers, known and unidentified, whose
Loren Koehler and Glen Klassen transferred the EMC’s archival holdings to Winnipeg. Albert Martens, Ryan Penner, Terry Smith and MHC staff were also involved.
admonishments and encouragements nurtured the faith of believers. It reflects both the community of faith (Gal. 6:10) and the legacy of faith handed to others (Heb. 11). I respect this. Certainly, the collection shows the respect of Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg, long-time EMC archivist, for his spiritual forebears. His handwritten English introductions to files allowed me to glean what I have. Now, hopefully, others will glean much more. The EMC materials recently became part of the Prussian Mennonite collection at Mennonite Heritage Centre in Winnipeg. On Sept. 12, 2015, the EMC transferred the storage of our archives (not their ownership) to MHC. The EMC now has its archives holdings stored in a suitable space, one shared with MC Manitoba, the EMMC, and MCC. The decision was long in coming and cautiously made. The EMC’s national vault has bulged for years and the EMC Archives Committee searched diligently for ways to keep the files closer to the national office in Steinbach, Man. It pondered the strengths and weaknesses of MHC’s facility. An agreement was signed, then a mostly new BCM revisited the matter. There was more talk among the BCM, the EMC Archives Committee, and MHC representatives, and the agreement was re-signed. Some materials remain in Steinbach: the photo library, files needed for use by the EMC’s five boards, and materials not yet processed. New donations are welcomed. Yes, I will miss Box 105–and about 275 other boxes.
Shoulder Tapping *With any applications for EMC church pastoral positions, candidates are expected to also register a Ministry Information Profile with the EMC Board of Leadership and Outreach, which can be obtained through Erica Fehr, BLO Administrative Assistant, at efehr@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.
EMC Positions* Taber EMC is seeking a full-time youth/associate pastor. Candidate should have the ability to plan and oversee a comprehensive youth ministry and oversee associate pastor ministries as arranged by the church leadership. Valuable assets would be skills in sports and music. Contact church board chair Abe Klassen at 403-223-0588 or 403-331-9563. Send resumes to Taber EMC, Box 4348, Taber, AB T1G 2C7 or taberemc@ yahoo.ca.
Mennville EMC, a rural congregation with an attendance about 90, located in Manitoba's Interlake region, seeks a full- or part-time pastor. The pastor will work within a ministerial team as the church seeks to renew and grow. College or seminary training and pastoral experience are definite assets. Starting date is flexible and salary will reflect EMC guidelines. A candidate should be a collaborative leader (team player), comfortable in the pulpit and in pastoral care, familiar with the EMC Statement of Faith, and respectful of various cultures and rural living. Contact minister Terry Dueck at frontier104@ hotmail.com. High Level Christian Fellowship (HLCF) is seeking a full-time pastor. HLCF is a diverse but well established congregation serving in a community where oil and gas, farming and forestry are the driving industries. HLCF has an average attendance of 130 members and adherents. The successful candidate would be able to relate and work well with people working together towards building an active community of believers. If God is directing you in this mission please forward your resume to either Jake Neufeld at j.neufeld@peacecountrypetroleum.com or Greg Derkson at mariederkson@gmail.com or by phone Jake (780-821-9432) or Greg (780-926- 9553). Pelly Fellowship Chapel is seeking a three-quartertime pastor. Pelly is a small community located in a farming area, surrounded by lots of fishing and hunting opportunities. PFC is a small church with a predominately older congregation. We do have an active children's ministry with bridges to young community families. PFC is looking for someone who has strong preaching and teaching gifts along with a heart for reaching the lost. PFC has a nice manse with a large yard and garden area. Interested applicants can contact Gordon Bellows at 306-548-4361 or email a resume to gbellows@sasktel.net.
Treesbank Community Church is a small rural church in southwest Manitoba that is seeking a pastor to lead our congregation and outreach in our community. This could be on a full- or part-time basis. It could be on a flexible schedule to allow a student to do some practicum while still in college, or to allow someone to transition to retirement on a part-time flexible schedule. If you are interested in church leadership and outreach and feel God calling you to this type of ministry, please contact Leonard Plett at 204-824-2475 or at lplett@mts.net.
Other Positions Mid-Way Christian Leadership seeks a full-time caring team member to support the small group of believers in Grand Rapids, Man., under the leadership of Fred and Stella Neff. It is a paid position moving into a raised support funding model. The individual will support Christians as they grow into the Christian leaders of the north in Manitoba. Helping lead Sunday School, preaching, and leading Bible studies are some of the more formal “programs” that exist today, but, most importantly, people either need to accept Jesus or follow Him in victory. We are building a team passionate about following God by discipling people into mature Christians and ultimately replacing our leadership positions from those we work with. Please email us at generaldirector.mcl@gmail. com for a full job description or inquiries.
be addressed to Human Resources, Providence University College, Otterburne, MB R0A 1G0; 204-4337488, ext. 222; (fax) 204-433-7158; hr@prov.ca.
Mennonite Disaster Service seeks director of region V (Canada) beginning Jan. 4, 2016. The director works out of the MDS office in Winnipeg, Man. This position has the overall strategic and operational responsibility for Canadian programs, staff, financial objectives, and execution of the vision and mission. The director is part of the Leadership Team of the binational organization and directly reports to the Region V board of directors. MDS is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in Canada and the U.S. While the main focus is on clean, repair and rebuilding homes, this service touches lives and nurtures hope, faith, and wholeness. Email resume with a cover letter to jobs@mds. mennonite.net. For questions call 866-261-1274. To view the full job description, go to http://mds.mennonite.net/about-us/employment. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Where are position ads to be sent? Please send all position ads, including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconf.ca. All ads are to be 150 words or less. All ads can be edited. Please advise us when it is no longer needed.
Providence University College and Theological Seminary invites applications for the position of enrollment officer. Candidates with a strong Christian value system and lifestyle, and a commitment to Christ-centred university education are encouraged to apply. This is a full-time, 12-month position. The Enrollment Officer plays an active, important part in the work of the Enrollment Management Office as the primary contact between the future student Featuring and the institution throughout the Thiessen Lorie application process. Applicants should have a comand Family mitment to Christian higher education; have strong interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, customer service attitude, Presenting: team-player attitude, strong orgaHe Walked With Me Through the Storm: The Story of Gracia Burnham nizational and detail management A story of American missionaries held captive for one year in the Philippine skills, and a high degree of personal jungle initiative. Must be prepared to organize own schedule and work independently. They should be familiar Sponsored by: Rest Haven Special Events Team with the programs of Providence Free Will Offering ~ Refreshments University College, Mile Two Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 7:00 pm Discipleship School, and Providence Blumenort EMC 59 Centre Ave Blumenort Theological Seminary. Inquiries and Resumes should
2015 HavenGroup Annual Legacy Event
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 33
Column • Here and Far Away
The pursuit of happiness
I by Jocelyn R. Plett www.writewhatyousee. wordpress.com
JOCELYN R. PLETT
Yet, isn’t it a glorious gift that we can receive true happiness when we aren’t looking for happiness itself?
t seems to me that happiness is broadly understood as a non-negotiable. We seek jobs, relationships, churches that will fulfil us. We pursue contentment with most of our energy, money, and best laid plans. I acknowledge that much of my heart, strength, and mind is focused on the pursuit of happiness. At this time of year many of us turn our attention to the creation of Christmas in our homes and in our hearts. I invest money, energy, and thought into the ambiance and experience of the season: planning delicious menus, fretting over what gifts will be perfect for each person on my list, creating a Christmas wonderland within my home that will delight all who enter. To bless them. In listening to a Tim Keller podcast recently on the topic of happiness, one phrase hit me at gut level: “Happiness is not a non-negotiable. …The fundamental bent of our souls is to seek happiness over everything else—honesty, integrity, etc.” I can think of examples in my own life where my personal happiness and comfort were a higher priority than doing what is righteous. Always prioritizing family time over service, for example. My laziness in learning proper French when it would enable me to be a better witness. The “justifiable” excuse that I am simply too busy with life to spend quality and quantity time with God in prayer and study. Here’s the bald fact: In these cases I am choosing to put myself first, before Christ. I have made myself, my happiness, an idol.
34 The Messenger • October 2015
Timothy Keller writes, We will worship what we think we need to fulfil ourselves, to give us “life.” And Paul is saying that any basic “thing”—money, sex, [family, comfort,] and so on—can be worshipped, treated as a god, and become the basis of your religion. And whatever it is that we worship, we will be enslaved by. …If anything but Jesus is a requirement for being happy or worthy, that thing will become our slave master (Galatians for You, 104-105). It doesn’t take much to acknowledge that my worship of comfort and happiness does enslave me. I can feel it when I come across difficult decisions. I see it now as we anticipate the delight of a northern Christmas for the first time in many years. I can allow the pursuit of manmade happiness to overwhelm me. I’ve seen deep faith in believers in places that do not celebrate Christmas with much more than a passing mention in the Sunday service. Unfettered by the obligations of buying the best presents, making the best tasty treats, attending the required fetes and family gatherings they celebrate Christ year-round. They pursue righteousness rather than happiness, for happiness in many lives is unattainable due to circumstances. Yet, isn’t it a glorious gift that we can receive true happiness when we aren’t looking for happiness itself? When we come to Christ saying, “I owe you everything. I deserve nothing,” when we seek righteousness above happiness.
Column • stewardship today
Wholehearted giving
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by Daniel Lichty
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ach of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). My two-year-old daughter examined the chocolate donut hole for a moment before taking a bite. Her face lit up instantly, and in her excitement, she began to jump up and down. This was her first taste of what would become a favourite treat. As the giver of this tiny gift, I was delighted at my daughter’s reaction. Then she broke off a piece and held it up to me. “Daddy, for you,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. My heart melted. There’s not a lot to a donut hole and yet I was being offered a generous portion of the little that remained. What else could I do? I ate it, and both of us were delighted to share these “hole”hearted gifts. The value of this special moment had little to do with the gift itself and far more with the posture of our hearts toward each other. This even seemed like a small picture of how God has shown generosity to me and how I am meant to respond. Let’s call this “wholehearted giving.” In 1 Chron. 29, we find a similar giving story, but on a grander scale. Having experienced God’s provision and protection of his people, David the king invited the families and the leaders of Israel to give willingly toward building a temple for God. Far more treasures were given than could possibly be used. When they heard the results: “The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD, and King David was filled with joy.” I love this picture of wholehearted giving; surely this is the kind of generosity that God intended for each one of us to experience. When we consider the way David and the people gave to God, and especially the way God gives to us, we discover several hallmarks of wholehearted giving: • Wholehearted Giving is motivated by love. Throughout the story of the plans for the
Like I experienced with my daughter’s simple gesture, have you felt the joys of wholehearted giving lately?
temple, David speaks of his devotion to God from whom all wealth and honour come. • Wholehearted Giving is done freely (no obligations, no strings attached). David repeats the people’s observation that their gifts were given freely and willingly. • Wholehearted Giving is done with joy. David’s prayer in this text is full of praise to God following the expression of the people’s rejoicing. Like I experienced with my daughter’s simple gesture, have you felt the joys of wholehearted giving lately? If you find yourself giving out of obligation, guilt, fear, or not giving at all, it might be time to examine your heart. Before David invites offerings for the temple, he says to his son, Solomon, “Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (1 Chron. 28:9). Daniel Lichty is a stewardDon’t miss out on the fun of whole- ship consultant at Mennonite hearted giving! MFC has resources Foundation of Canada servand staff who can help you design your ing generous people in British own “Wholehearted Giving Plan” that Columbia. For more informamakes giving to the charities you love tion on impulsive generosity, simple, strategic, and fun. We offer stewardship education, and tools that facilitate your giving plan estate and charitable gift throughout your life and beyond. planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit MennoFoundation.ca.
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 35
Column • kids’ corner
Be Thankful
by Loreena Thiessen
Pray for baptized people who will be closely watched by people in their community.
DESIGNPICS
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hat are you thankful for today? What if tomorrow you would have only those things you are thankful for today? What would you have? What can you be thankful for? First, be thankful for the things you already have. There are many things you may still want, but there are many things you have right now. Do you have a home that is safe and warm? A closet filled with good clothes, a cozy bed to crawl into at night, your favourite toys, books you like to read? Do you have enough food for each day? You may even have extras, candy bars, chocolate cake and ice cream. Do you have a pet, a dog who wags his tail whenever he sees you, eager to play, happy to have you pat his head and rub his fur, is loyal and loves you? Give thanks for him. Do you have parents who love you and protect you? Are you able to study and learn new things? Do you have good friends? The list of all the things you can be thankful for is long. Why should you be thankful? For one, you will be happier. The things you have help you do and be what you are. You have what you need.
You do not have to struggle or stress to get it. The good things you have keep you warm and safe and make you feel good inside. It makes sense to be thankful. It is the right thing to do. And God expects it. When should you be thankful? Think of something good the first minute you wake up in the morning. Is the sun shining, the house warm? Is your favorite breakfast ready? Be thankful for each meal, for good friends, for your parents who take care of you. At the end of the day think back at the good things that happened; was the sky beautiful today? Did you hear or see your favourite bird? Did you notice a favorite tree? All of these are things to be Activity: Count your blessings. thankful for. The Bible has good examples Need: of being thankful. In Mark 8:6 A journal or a drawing book, pencil, drawing tools, camera. Jesus models giving thanks for the bread and fish his disciples Do: hand out to the hungry crowd. In Each day for two weeks take note of and list something you are thankful for. Use a Acts 27:35 Paul gives thanks as separate page for each day. Label each page with the day of the week. Draw, write he encourages the passengers in down, or take a photo of something you see or something someone does for which the storm and promises all will be you can be thankful. safe. Philippians 4:6 says be thankful in all things. At the end of two weeks share what you have found with your family or a friend. What will be the result of being thankful? It will bring you Remember, if you practice being thankful, eventually you will be more thankful. peace. Read Philippians 4:7.
36 The Messenger • October 2015
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