The Messenger Vol. 44 No. 3 February 8, 2006

Messenger The

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 44 NUMBER 3 FEBRUARY 8, 2006

What does it mean to be a

Chris ian?

The

editorials

B

Messenger

Believer baptism and 30 years ago

aptized upon confession of faith in 1976, I was 19 years old and moving away from the church of my childhood. That baptism is an action that I’ve often reexamined.

My parents had me baptized in infancy, and I respect them for it. Not unusually, the act wasn’t explained later and confirmation didn’t follow.

Dad and Mom attended some church services and made it possible for my sisters and me to attend Sunday school and church camp. Later, in a gracious act, they paid for much of my Bible college education. I’m indebted to them!

The decision to be baptized in a Baptist church expressed how I consciously, yet imperfectly, let Christ into my life. Later baptism became richer to me as a covenant, corporate act.

Scholars agree that the New Testament gives clear examples of believer baptism,

and that there is no clear reference to baptism of infants or young children.

Peter says baptism is the pledge or appeal to God for a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:21)—hardly the actions of an infant.

In his dispute with Jewish false teachers, Paul does not appeal to infant baptism as the New Testament counterpart to infant circumcision (Galatians 5:11–12).

When describing children as “holy” in a home where one parent is a Christian, Paul does not say that infant baptism is the means by which this happens (1 Corinthians 7:14); from this, scholar Kurt Aland says infant baptism was unknown in the first-century church in Corinth.

To be baptized as a believer is a simple decision for some people and more complicated for others. It has proven to be complicated for me. But the decision of 30 T years ago is one that I stand by. M Terry M. Smith

How might we respond?

A

married couple of mixed church backgrounds seeks local membership; one was baptized in infancy and does not want believer’s baptism. How might a pastor respond?

Gently. Today’s Church is more diverse and complex than when the apostles lived. A couple’s desire to be involved in congregational life should be celebrated and supported. They have three options: Join a church of his background, her background, or another one.

On membership, all believers are indwelt

by Christ’s Spirit, Who baptizes us into one Body (1 Corinthians 12:13). All Christians have an undeniable universal membership; on that level, we are already members.

But since faith and membership are lived out locally, a pastor could test the waters about believer’s baptism and then ask: Do you want your children or grandchildren to be baptized in infancy or as believers? If the couple supports further infant baptism,

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local membership is awkward; if they prefer believer baptism, this is more workable.

Here’s a factor to consider when evaluating circumstances: People can be better nurtured in evangelical settings, even if they disagree about baptism, than in some settings where infant baptism is practiced and other teachings are less than evangelical. Further, in some smaller communities church options are limited. It’s true, though, that people can be nurtured without local membership.

What’s this boil down to? In some cases, and for pastoral reasons, individuals baptized in infancy can be accepted as members without rebaptism—as in some Baptist churches in Britain.

However, while such members can be involved in many ways, their ability to give oversight or to teach would be limited until baptism occurs. Sensitive pastoral care doesn’t mean the teaching standard T changes in our churches. M Terry M. Smith

EDITOR Terry M. Smith

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Buhler THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire: 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. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors.

THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 0 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba.

Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12. ). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. In cooperation with the EMC Conference Council, members and adherents pay through their church.

THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press.

Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.

PAP Registration # 1 Publications Mail Agreement # 0017362

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.

The magazine and its publisher, the Board of Church Ministries, are obligated to work within the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Mailing information: All correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Messenger 0 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 05 – March (copy due February 2 )

THE MESSENGER

letter

coming events February 25

Eden Foundation Make seniors integral Coffeehouse Concert part of churchConference life Music, sharing, dessert SBC Leadership 2006

Donations welcome I would like to congratulate Dave Morden Mennonite Church Schellenberg for his article in the January Morden, Man. 11 issue of The Messenger [A day for the 20 -325-5355 church to highlight seniors]. The closer I get to being a senior—indeed some February 26 already think of me as such—the more Eden Foundation I am enamored with thoughts similar to Coffeehouse Concert Music, sharing, dessert those of Mr. Schellenberg.

Donations welcome I think it would be great to hold an Steinbach 55 Plus Centre annual seniors day in the church, as he Steinbach, Man. suggests. But we need to keep working to Speaker: Ewald Unruh, Director of Leadership Development 20 -325-5355 make seniors an integral part of church and Evangelism Canada for the MB Conference life throughout the year. As I see it, the March 3 lies 24-25, in planning Date:answer March 2006 for many more Down Home with the Derksens inter-generational activities within the Bluegrass concert and supper Time:church.

Friday, 1 pm to Saturday 3 pm Providence College generations 20 - 33-7 Place: AllSBC Chapel need to experience how natural and pleasant it is to downhome@prov.ca Cost:experience $40 bylife March 15 / $50 This after March together. past 15 March 13–15 Christmas the characters in the Revive Your Soul!

Christmas pageant in our church were Tyndale Pastors and Leaders mostly seniors.

A 91-year-old angel and For more information or to register— Conference 59-year-old Joseph or did not make the call aChristal 204-326-6451 1-800-230-8478 16-226-6620 event any more awkward than usual. visit our website www.sbcollege.ca www.tyndale.ca/revive Are we ready for more interactive social events in which persons of all ages get into each other’s space? How about circle games? With a little music,  56th Annual perhaps?

Jack Heppner Steinbach, Man.

Church Planting in Canada

SBC Leadership Conference 2006

March 24–25 Church Planting in Canada SBC Leadership Conference Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 20 -326-6 51, ext. 222

April 1 MDS Banquet Richmond Park Church Brandon, Man. Guest Speaker: Kevin King Executive Coordinator 66-261-127 April 30 SBC Graduation Steinbach EMC Steinbach, Man. 20 -326-6 51 June 2–3 Wild at Heart: Live in Canada Centre Street Church Calgary, Alta. www.wildatheartcanada.com

EMC Convention 

Front Porch Faith

Uncompromising Discipleship in a Broken World July 7–9, 2006

Church Planting in Canada Speaker: Ewald Unruh, Director of

Leadership Development and Evangelism Canada for the MB Conference

Date: March 24-25, 2006 Time: Friday, 1 pm to Saturday 3 pm Place: SBC Chapel Cost: $40 by March 15/ $50 after March 15 For more information or to register— • call Christal 204-326-6451 or 1-800-230-8478 • go to www.sbcollege.ca

Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Manitoba Speaker: Ron Sider

Pre-registration Preferred February , 2006

3 20-Dec-2005 8:52:21 AM

What does it really mean to be a

W

hat does it mean to be a Christian? As a teenager, that was an easy question to answer. For me, a Christian was someone who was born in a Catholic or Protestant home. We were not Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists. We were Christians. That’s all there was to it. Or was it?

Well, for one, my Christianity was more akin to folklore than real faith. Being a Christian was in the same category as eating maple syrup and square dancing. It was just part of my culture. That kind of Christianity did not really have any personal implication for the way I lived my life and, in all likelihood, that’s the way I would have lived the rest of my life except for one innocuous meeting with a fellow student at the age of 16.

THE MESSENGER

Dr. Pierre Gilbert ‘You are a Pagan!’

He and I were both musicians— he, an atrocious trumpeter and I, an average saxophone player.

After a while we began to discuss religion. But this did not end up being the kind of conversation I had anticipated. Any religion talk I have ever had would normally turn to space aliens or the New Age. To my amazement, this fellow insisted on discussing the Bible and Jesus. And so, this civilized conversation quickly turned to a shouting match. And then, he said it straight out: “You are not a Christian.

You are a Pagan!”

Well, that did it. Who was he to tell me I wasn’t a Christian? By what authority could he say something like that? But that question made me seriously think about my faith, and it eventually revolutionized my life.

For him, one did not become a Christian until a personal and conscious decision was made to invite Jesus Christ into one’s life. Without a personal commitment rising out of a sense of profound need and a desire to be in relationship with God, one could claim to be a Christian but in name only.

Soon after, I took the step that eventually transformed my entire life. One evening, in the basement of a small Baptist Church, I asked Jesus to be my Saviour. That night I experienced the new birth. I became a new creation, a child of God. February , 2006

Encountering the living Christ Now, when someone asks me what a Christian is, my answer is direct and to the point: A Christian is someone who has made a personal commitment to the person of Jesus. It’s someone who has had an encounter with the living Christ.

This kind of definition does not please everybody. Some say it’s too personal. It emphasizes the individual over the community, which is actually more an expression of modern-day individualism than real Christian faith. While there might be some legitimacy to that criticism, frankly, I think the disparaging of the personal dimension of the Christian faith is an example of careless thinking.

For one, a community is essentially a collection of individuals.

The quality of that community is always a function of the quality of the individuals that compose it. One cannot have a believing community without individuals making personal decisions.

Two, we should not confuse an emphasis on personal salvation with individualism. Individualism is an outlook on life that emphasizes the self at the expense of others. Individualism in that sense is ultimately a decision to put oneself at the centre of the universe.

Before my conversion, I was a self-centered individualist.

When I accepted Christ, however, a radical shift occurred. My focus moved from self to God and others.

In my case, and in the case of the other young people who came to Christ in those days, this decision was anything but another expression of individualism. It was about becoming a disciple of Christ and being part of the people of God. It was not about a free ticket to heaven and life as usual. It was about entering a new realm: The realm of life. It was about induction into the Kingdom of God and becoming Kingdom people.

Sugar pills to a cancer patient?

For some, being a Christian is not so much about holding specific beliefs as living a certain way. In keeping with a society where strong Christian beliefs are shunned, it is not surprising to hear many Christians emphasize behaviour over belief, social activism over verbal witness.

This too is an unacceptable definition of what a Christian is, for redemption is not simply about moral reform, as important 5

as that is. Redemption is about transformation. To reduce Christian conversion to exhorting people to change their behaviour is akin to prescribing sugar pills to a cancer patient.

Transformation and reorientation The New Testament uses a variety of images and expressions to characterize what it means to be a Christian. The apostle John

In 5:1, John states that it those are born of God who believe that Jesus is the Christ. For John propositional truth is a critical and inescapable dimension of the Christian faith.

But it does not end there. John’s first epistle seamlessly connects the dots between belief and practice. Real Christianity is not simply about a list of beliefs to which we give intellectual assent. Ultimately, being a Christian is about radical transformation and reorientation.

A Christian is someone who has received and been transformed by the infinite love of God and who in turn becomes an unconditional conduit of that love for others.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from

A Christian is someone who has received and been transformed by the infinite love of God and who in turn becomes an unconditional conduit of that love for others. in his first epistle uses an interesting equation. For John, belief is central.

The epistle begins by a reference to what was heard, seen, looked at, and touched…the Word of Life.

In John 1:5 the apostle speaks of the message we have heard…and declare. A little later, he reminds his readers of the importance of “testing the spirits,” something that is done by examining one’s statement of faith: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (John 4:1–2).

God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to T love one another” (1 John 4:7–11). M Pierre Gilbert, Ph.D., is director of the Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies, of which EMC is a partner.

with our missionaries Philippines

Moving forward, sliding back

Thanks to those of you who were praying for us as we travelled back to the Philippines. We had good flights and the kids slept quite a bit especially during the final flight from Tokyo to Manila. That may have contributed to our extended battle with jet lag over the past week. Somehow a child can’t be convinced just to go back to bed at 2 a.m. when he feels wide awake.

By now we are all mostly on Philippine time and glad to be sleeping in our own beds again. Our children are having a great time running around again without the hassle of having to put on mitts, toques, and snowsuits.

We had a great time with family and friends in Canada, and were really blessed by all the hospitality and good

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food we experienced. Snowmobiling, snowmen, sledding, skating, snow angels, hockey, horseback riding, snow forts, games, and lots of nice Manitoba winter weather allowed us to have tons of fun.

Highlights included seeing almost all of our siblings and our parents. My brother and his wife had a cute baby boy in December, so it was nice to be able to meet him and spend some time with his parents. Lisa and I flew out to Peace River for a few days with family members; it was a good break for us and good to see where they are living.

Honest Hands, however, is not going all that well. It was time for me to come back to work with some different issues that have come up over the past weeks.

Some current and former students are struggling on weekends with sniffing glue, heavy drinking, sexual promiscuity, and fighting with other gangs.

One former student is now in jail, for allegedly trying to steal aluminum off the front gate of a computer store.

He is 18, and will face court sometime; he’s awaiting trial in a tiny municipal jail crowded with other inmates.

Our guys seem to do okay when they are with us Monday to Friday, but weekends are a terrible time if they don’t have a good support network.

This evening I shared some verses from 1 John 2 with them, and encouraged them to make a plan on how they will resist the temptation that so easily overwhelms them.

THE MESSENGER

I will be doing some teaching from the Old Testament and look forward to covering basic issues about sin, separation from God, and what the solution is over the next few days. I have to keep believing that the Holy Spirit will work on hearts that are saved but struggling.

I believe the only hope these young men have to break the cycle of sin and failure is Jesus. Pray that they will make a complete break with their old way of living, and trust Jesus to supply all their needs in every way.

We appreciate your prayers as we move into the final two months at Honest Hands. This has been a particularly difficult group of guys to work with, and it is sad to see them taking a few steps forward and then sliding back a long ways. It is easy to feel discouraged, but we know that God is at work in their lives.

Your prayers mean so much to us.

Thanks.

Carl Loewen

Texas

Learning to speak in order to serve Greetings in the Name of our wonderful Lord! I praise Him today, for He leads all the way. The One and Only True God who hears every prayer has heard your prayers on my behalf and given me the desire of my heart for this time in my life.

On January 27 I was informed that I will continue with the study of the Spanish language at Rio Grande Bible Institute. I have made some progress, albeit not in great strides. I am grateful to have passed most of the exams thus far.

The course is far from over and will continue to increase in its challenge, so

please continue to pray for me as the Lord brings me to your mind. He knows all the areas that I need to learn better than I can identify them.

I am truly grateful to you for your prayers and as you come to mind I also lift your name in prayer, for He also knows your needs. I find daily strength in the Word.

Elma Janzen

Information Evening February 23 7:00 pm Complete Grades 7–12!

Carl and Lisa Loewen (Pleasant Valley) work with Action International in the Philippines, serving in a discipleship ministry called Honest Hands.

Arabia

Elma Janzen (La Crete) is studying Spanish in Texas. Previously, with her late husband George, she served the guesthouse in El Paso, Texas, and was involved with a local church in Mexico.

Night of power

As part of the month of fasting (Ramadan) everyone is looking forward to the night of power. Many believe it is the night when they will see a vision, dream a dream or encounter Allah in a supernatural way—the highlight of their fasting experience and month of sacrifice.

It is also the night when thousands of Christians meet together to pray for their Muslim brothers and sisters to really have an encounter with God. It is the time when people are very susceptible to anything they might experience.

It is thus no surprise that thousands of Muslims do dream on that night of Jesus, seeing him in visions or hearing voices that might change their lives.

It puts them on a pilgrimage for the truth. Was Jesus not also known as one who came to set the captives free?

All interested parents and students are invited to tour the school and interact with the staff. Have all your questions answered and find out all you need to know about our

Quality Education with a Christian Perspective.

Coming Spring 2006!

Follow Me

A study booklet on examining our wider task as Christians, with a striving for social justice as basic.

A Follower of Jesus

February , 2006

7

a woman’s journey of faith Betty Koop

Julie: ‘The Lord gives strength’

T

he residents gathered in the Seniors’ Residence chapel were delighted to see the visiting group included children.

Soon three little girls were joyfully singing about their love for Jesus. Their enthusiasm and volume brought the room to life. When Psalm 23 was read, the girls joined in from memory. Their mother Julie knelt on the floor beside them, quietly giving direction.

I thought to myself, how does she inspire her girls to sing so unselfconsciously and with such obvious enjoyment? Where does she find the time or energy to sing or to do memory work with them?

I arranged a visit and we had a good time. Julie had put the children to bed and while a delicious apple crisp was baking, we had a far-ranging conversation.

Julie and Bill had been married for five years when they started their family. About three months into the pregnancy, she discovered she was carrying twins. She said, “It was pretty much high stress for the next five to six months.” Due to a high-risk pregnancy, she saw a specialist in Winnipeg frequently, which meant a lot of driving.

Bonnie and Jolene arrived early.

Due to their low weight and breathing difficulties they could not go home immediately. But they were both tenacious fighters and were soon released from hospital.

They decided to round out their family with another little one soon after. “Surely, after having two babies, one would be ‘no sweat’!” said Julie with a grin.

Amanda was welcomed with love, but soon the reality of having three babies, the latest of which was lactoseintolerant

(undiscovered for several months), made things very hard. They did try to follow a fairly rigid routine of feeding, sleeping and bathing, which helped.

As was to be expected, sleepless nights and constant fatigue would have both a positive and a negative effect on their marriage. On the one hand, they would draw closer together as they had to meet the constant challenges as best they could. On the other, this very closeness could generate misunderstanding, short fuses and cause sparks to fly.

With help from a mentoring couple and some dedicated counselors, they put a lot of hard work into preserving their marriage, as they tried to figure out how to approach difficulties and work through them.

This also included a lot of prayer, especially with a close women’s group.

Julie told me she covenanted on their ninth anniversary to pray for their marriage every day. Things are now, in her words, “drastically improved.”

She proudly showed me her tenth anniversary ring given to celebrate their new closeness.

In answer to my question as to how she coped with three children so close together, she gave several practical suggestions: • Do what’s going to work, not necessarily what other people say.

• Play outside; fresh air is very important.

• Alone (not quiet) time is important; each one has a separate room where they exercise their voices and play undisturbed.

• Sit and read with them. Julie said she always had two on her lap and the third was the “queen” sitting on cushions beside her.

• Try to take them out one at a time when you do errands.

She ended by saying, “The Lord gives strength, as much as is needed right now. But you T have to take it!” M

‘Surely, after having two babies, one would be ‘no sweat’!’

Names have been changed.

THE MESSENGER

with our churches

Christmas celebrations and MDS service Treesbank, Man.: Treesbank Community Church’s annual adult Christmas banquet included 125 individuals who came to enjoy both the banquet and the a cappella singing of A Sweet Harmony. At our Sunday school Christmas program on December 23, 2005, the church basement turned into the fields close to Bethlehem, as a small lamb named Kirsi searched for the Christ Child.

We praise the Lord that Austin Alden, who arrived seven weeks early to celebrate Christmas with his parents Chris and Tracy, is healthy and at home.

Our Christmas morning service started with a Treesbank tradition: Hot apple cider. The service was led by one of our Praise and Worship teams with lots of musical special numbers and a short Christmas message on how God’s purpose in our lives is beyond imagination.

On January 1, we heard a report from Neil and Anita Friesen, who had served with MDS in Pass Christian, Mississippi, for three weeks before Christmas. They

also showed pictures from Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. Neil and Anita returned to Pass Christian on January 5, where Anita will serve as a cook and Neil will help with various clean-up duties for another six weeks.

One highlight of 2006 is our Alpha program which will run for 10 weeks, starting in mid January.

Lucille Penner

Sunday school children sang at TCC’s Christmas program on December 23, 2005.

New members at Steinbach Steinbach EMC: January 29 was an eventful Sunday at Steinbach EM Church.

First, four people were baptized after sharing their testimonies: Kyle Kroeker realized something was missing in his life, Stephanie Froese participated in a mission trip, Rob Funk got saved at Bible Camp, and A.J. Hildebrand’s favorite verse is John 3:16.

Second, two couples were accepted into membership by transfer: Clarence and Hilda Funk, and Kyle and Laura Friesen.

Finally, Kyle Friesen was also installed as our new minister of music and worship.

The installation and prayer for Kyle Friesen was done by pastor Tom Warner, Dan Zalinsky and Shannon Sawatzky.

Kyle and Laura previously attended Fort Gary EMC; they are parents of one young child, Andrew.

Kyle graduated from Providence in 2002. In his testimony on January 8, he emphasized that music should be Christcentered, edifying, and reach everyone.

Dave Schellenberg

February 8, 2006

Clarence and Hilda Funk

Kyle Friesen, here with his wife Laura, was installed as minister of music and worship at Steinbach EMC. That’s senior pastor Tom Warner behind the microphone.

Kyle Kroeker, Stephanie Froese, Rob Funk and A.J. Hildebrand (four on left) were baptized on January 29.

20 people join at La Crete La Crete, Alta.:

Members received on November 26, 2005: (front) Ramona Tosh, Jamie Fehr, John and Rosie Doerksen, Judy Friesen, (back) Pastoral couple Frank and Cora Winsor, Willie and Brenda Letkeman, Janette Knelsen, Tara Driedger, Ashlee Bueckert, Judy Friesen, and Gordon Foster (minister).

Members received on November 27, 2005: (front) Irene Viau, Kelli Fehr, Stacey Mitchell, Nikki Mitchell, Angie Peters, (back) Pastoral couple Frank and Cora Winsor, Jerry Krahn, Joanne Unrau, Kimberly Knelsen, Heidi Schellenberg, and Gordon Foster (minister).

Cora Winsor

Congregation rejoices at mortgage burning in Roseisle EMC Roseisle, Man.: Your faithfulness endures to all generations. You established the earth and it abides (Psalm 119:90).

On October 15 we celebrated Thanksgiving in our church and enjoyed a traditional turkey supper. This was an especially exciting Thanksgiving for our church as we also had our mortgage burning service for the meetingplace that we built and have enjoyed for about five years.

We had some very special guests join us for the service. Former pastors Dave Harms and Wilbert Friesen, along with our Conference Pastor David Thiessen, all shared memories of their time with us as well as offering greetings and blessings.

We enjoyed a time of praising God through song and also gave members of the church an opportunity to share. We then moved outside where the original building committee each took a match to the mortgage papers.

The Lord has truly blessed our church!

Lyndsey Bourgeois

On October 15, many people celebrated Thanksgiving with Roseisle EMC, rejoicing that its building mortgage has been fully paid.

With help from pastor Kelly Lesser, members of the original building committee hold matches to the mortgage: Darrell Friesen, Pete Dyck, Harold and Ruth Harms, Brian Friesen, and Wes Klassen.

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THE MESSENGER

For February issue of The Messenger

Finally paid for!

SBC Alumni

SBC Alumni

Connect with college friends by attending these events!

Connect with college friends by attending these events!

March 11

April 29

Family Swim at the Steinbach Aquatic

Centre from 6–9 pm.

Donations for a special project gratefully accepted.

Annual Alumni Brunch SBC Dining Room at 10:30 am.

Call 204-326-6451 to reserve. Tickets $10

February 17

Indoor Soccer Tournament Call Dalen 204-326-6451

March 11

Family Swim at the Steinbach Aquatic

Centre from 6–9 pm.

Donations for a special project gratefully accepted.

April 29

Annual Alumni Brunch SBC Dining Room at 10:30 am.

Call 204-326-6451 to reserve. Tickets $10

Alumni Reunions Being Planned Class of ‘56 Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place, Steinbach, MB R5G 2C8 • 204-346-9789 Class of ‘71 Contact Bill & Florence Thiessen 204-377-4464 or billthie@hsd.ca

Anola, Man.: Praise the Lord! On September 11, 2005, our board members had the triumphant 50 PTH 12burning N • Steinbach, • R5G 1T4 paper for Anola Fellowship Chapel. We have pleasure of symbolically theMB mortgage info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca finally paid for the 4,000-square-foot addition and the renovations made in 2000–2001.

Waldemar Damert and Art Koop led in burning paper that symbolized the mortgage.

Jessica Wichers

Alumni Reunions Being Planned Class of ‘56 Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place, Steinbach, MB R5G 2C8 • 204-346-9789 Class of ‘71 Contact Bill & Florence Thiessen 204-377-4464 or billthie@hsd.ca

50 PTH 12 N • Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4 info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca

Fast calls for lifting up those with learning disabilities SBC Alumni

What do Albert Einstein, Thomas In front of a crowd that filled Goshen accommodated and taught properly Edison, Agatha Christie, Winston College’s Umble Center, Rebecca Fast simply become invisible and disappear.”

Churchill, Alexander Graham Bell, helped her audience connect to the issue Citing nationally cultivated statistics, Walt Disney and Pablo Picasso have in of learning disabilities, the effects it has Fast pointed out the correlation between common? They were all challenged to on our society and what is needed for learning disabilities and depression, overcome learning disabilities—and those affected to succeed. And after a 45- anxiety, substance abuse and suicide.

Family Swim at the minute April succeeded. March 11 wait 29 for the Annual judges’Alumni verdict, she The labels which are often placed on Brunch Steinbach Aquatic was named as the fiSBC rst-place Diningwinner Room atin those with learning disabilities—stupid, Centre from 6–9 pm.the 2006 C. Henry Smith Peace 10:30 am. Oratorical lazy, lacking motivation—are part of the Misunderstood Call 204-326-6451 to destructive process, Fast said.

Donations for a special project Contest for her speech Minds: Wasted Human Potential.

“They not only devastate their fragile reserve.

Tickets $10 gratefully accepted.

From Fast’s perspective, helping self-esteem, but as the statistics have those with learning disabilities meet demonstrated, too often become selfAlumni Reunions Being Planned their potential is a significant peace and fulfilling negative prophecies,” she said. justice issue because of the fundamental “I believe that our society must take Class of ‘56 understanding all •humans are responsibility for the failure to properly Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place, Steinbach, MBthat R5G 2C8 204-346-9789 created in the image of God. identify and accommodate people with Fast, a social work and theatre double learning disabilities in our educational Class of ‘71 major fromorWaterloo, Ont., said, “Most system.”

Contact Bill & Florence Thiessen, 204-377-4464 billthie@hsd.ca learning disabilities are not apparent to Fast concluded by calling on the the outside observers and they cannot audience to no longer “waste the human be catalogued by race, gender or religion. potential” of so many fellow human Students with learning disabilities learn beings and start to advocate for the 50 PTH 12 N • Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4 differently from their peers. Although understanding of people with learning info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca they have average or even above average disabilities. She is the daughter of John intelligence, there is a discrepancy and Esther Fast, is a 2003 graduate of between their abilities and their Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, and actual achievement. attends Erb Street Mennonite Church. people with Recorder, learning and The Chronicle Goshen Single and double column ads for“Sadly, The Messenger, The Rebecca Fast disabilities that are not acknowledged,

Connect with college friends by attending these events!

February , 2006

11

stewardship today Dave Kroeker

Manitobans are great givers!

S

tatistics Canada has released details of the 2004 charitable giving averages of Canadians.

Who would have guessed that Manitoba has the highest percentage of givers in all of Canada? And furthermore, who would have guessed that most of the local communities in Manitoba with the highest giving averages have high populations of Mennonites?

While the average Canadian donated just over $1,100 to charity, according to 2004 income tax returns, in the Kola area of Manitoba (western Manitoba), taxpayers who filed returns gave nearly three times as much— $3,380 on average. Kola’s population is listed as 150 and the largest church in town is the Kola Evangelical Mennonite Church, which also lists 150 members.

The generosity of the Kolans was highlighted in a Winnipeg Free Press story. Local school principal Ron Cole told reporter Carol Sanders that Kola “is home to several successful businesses and a strong Mennonite faith community.”

Congratulations, Kola! You deserve attention for your example of grateful response to God’s gifts. Pastor Les Martens of the Evangelical Mennonite Church is quoted as saying, “The giving in Kola comes from the heart and soul. I would definitely attribute it to the faith people have.”

Other Manitoba communities listed in the Free Press article with above average giving were the following: Rosenort $2,440, Blumenort $2,130, Elma $1,600,

The Apostle Paul instructed the Galatian church to “do good to all men, and especially those who are of the household of faith.” He encouraged liberal giving for needy believers in other communities when he urged the churches in Asia Minor to contribute to the less fortunate in Jerusalem.

One of the finest examples of generosity and mutual aid we have is Mennonite Central Committee. It has an 85-year history of helping those in need around the world and it began with assistance to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine in 1920.

Menno Simons said this in 1539: “True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked. It feeds the hungry. It comforts the sorrowful. It shelters the destitute. It serves those that harm it. It binds up that which is wounded. It has become all things to all men.”

It is a privilege and a blessing to call that kind of heritage my own. And it gives me a warm feeling all over that this kind of generous spirit is alive and well even today, in Manitoba and elsewhere. Let’s celebrate it and T respond—even as we examine our own spending habits. M For stewardship education and services, contact your nearest Mennonite Foundation of Canada office.

Abbotsford – Dave Kroeker, 1-888-212-8608; Calgary – Gary Sawatzky, 1-877-717-0708; Niagara – Darren PriesKlassen, 1-888-212-8731; Kitchener – Mike Strathdee, 1-888212-7759; Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, 1-800-772-3257.

Mutual support for the church community has always been at the heart of Anabaptist-Mennonite theology. This view of the church as a caring family had its basis in the teachings of Jesus and the practice of the early church.

Randolph $1,500, Kleefeld $1,400, Niverville $1,390, Halbstadt $1,350, Winkler $1,300 and Glenlea $1,300.

The average Winnipegger donated $270.

On the downside, only about 25 percent of all Canadian tax filers claimed charitable donations of any amount in 2004. Should it surprise us that Mennonite people give generously? No, it should not. Mutual support for the church community has always been at the heart of Anabaptist-Mennonite theology. This view of the church as a caring family had its basis in the teachings of Jesus and the practice of the early church.

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THE MESSENGER

Costa Rican is symbol of southern shift Jaime Prieto is making history in more ways than one.

Prieto, professor of theology at Latin American Biblical University in San Jose, Costa Rica, is writing history. He is the author of the Latin American volume of Mennonite World Conference’s Global History Project.

He’s speaking history, too. He gave the Menno Simons Lectures at Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, on Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2005. He was only the second lecturer from outside of Europe or North America in the series’ 54 years.

With his lectures, Prieto symbolized the changing face of the global Mennonite church, a “shift away from the north to the global south,” said Mark Jantzen, assistant professor of history.

Prieto’s Latin American history book will be a groundbreaking work, “the first comprehensive history of Mennonites in [Latin America] in any language,” said Jantzen.

Prieto said that Latin American Mennonite churches can be divided into three categories: Those started by missionaries from North America, such as the Mennonite church in Argentina, dating from the 1920s; those founded by immigrants, mostly from Europe, who brought the language of their country of origin, such as German Mennonites in Paraguay and parts of Mexico; and those indigenous to their country, though perhaps they had some contact with North American missionaries, such as Evangelical Mennonite churches (U.S.) in El Salvador and the K’ekchi Mennonite churches in Guatemala.

“We need to re-create the stories of the small miracles of faith in our communities, because that is where God is,” said Prieto. “We need to hear from people in their context…It should be a dialogue. There is a lot to learn and a lot to teach.”

Prieto, the youngest in a large Costa Rican family, had an evangelical father

Peace churches consider Asian consultation An international group of Mennonites, Quakers and Brethren met in December to discuss how historic peace churches can share their insights on peacemaking with Christians around the world.

The group met Dec. 5 to 9, 2005, in Bali, Indonesia, to consider organizing an international peace consultation in Asia in 2007. The event would be the third in a series of international consultations organized by historic peace churches.

The consultations are a response to the World Council of Churches, which declared 2000-2010 a Decade to Overcome Violence and encouraged historic peace churches to share their insights on peacemaking with other Christians.

The two previous international peace consultations were held in

February 8, 2006

Bienenberg, Switzerland, in 2001 and Nairobi, Kenya, in 2004. Participants in each of the consultations shared about their conviction that “peace is at the heart of the Gospel—this is what we have to offer the world,” says Robert Herr, one of the organizers. Herr is a co-director of the Peace Office of Mennonite Central Committee.

The meeting in Bali brought together 14 members of historic peace churches in Indonesia, India, Japan, Australia and the United States. The group appointed a committee to consider organizing an Asian peace consultation in 2007 and determining the location and date.

The committee will post information on this peace consultation when it becomes available at www. peacetheology.org.

MWC/MCC

and a Catholic mother who died before he was old enough to remember her.

He and a young sibling grew up in a children’s home.

At age 13, Prieto began attending a Mennonite church. In 1980, he enrolled in Latin American Biblical Seminary, now University. He went on to the University of Hamburg in Germany, where he studied Anabaptist history and earned a doctorate in 1992.

Prieto’s wife, Silvia, chair of the Bible department at Latin American Biblical University, is Brazilian and of African heritage. They attend Nuevo Pacto (New Covenant) Mennonite Church in San Jose.

The churches of Latin America, Africa and Asia have much to say to their North American counterparts, Prieto said.

“A significant contribution of Latin American theology is looking at the ecosystem and how human beings relate to the earth,” he said.

He believes Mennonites should be more explicit about the gospel message of peace. “It’s been 50 years since World War II and we haven’t made a lot of progress [in reducing militarism], even though we could have,” he said.

Prieto recently completed four years as president of Latin American Biblical University. On a mini-sabbatical, he spent several weeks in the U.S. doing research at historical libraries at church colleges.

The Latin American volume of the Global Mennonite History Project is slated to be completed in the next year.

MWC

Jaime Prieto

13

DORA K. FRIESEN 1927–2006

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

On January 18, 2006, Miss Dora K. Friesen passed away suddenly at her home in Rosenort, Man., at the age of 78 years. She is survived by four sisters and five brothers, many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Dora was born on June 11, 1927, to Peter W. X. and Maria (Kroeker) Friesen at Rosenhoff, Man. She acquired hard working skills early in life. At age 18 she realized her need of a personal Saviour, and accepted Jesus Christ into her life.

S T E I N B A C H

B I B L E

C O L L E G E

right here right now

Come to Discovery Days March 29-30 call Michelle for details 1.800.230.8478 www.sbcollege.ca

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She was baptized in the Kleingemeinde Church at Rosenort. She soon developed an interest and desire to serve the Lord.

She attended Steinbach Bible School and graduated with a diploma in 1953.

She began mission work at Roseau River Reserve near Letellier, then took some high school upgrading and registered nurse’s training at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. Upon completion, she embarked on a missionary career in Mexico under the Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Missions. Her life’s work stretched into 37 years.

Dora developed strong affections for Hispanic people and felt comfortable in their culture. Her ministry also included five years as Dean of Latin Girls at Rio Grand Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas, and two terms as hostess at the missionary guesthouse in El Paso, Texas.

Dora retired to Steinbach, and continued active involvement in mission related activities. She placed a high priority on family. She loved to socialize and to travel.

She was able to complete a much cherished goal by writing a book entitled Bueños Dias, Señorita: Stories of Mexico.

She worked tirelessly to sell the books.

Following her move to Rosenort in April 2003, Dora faced many personal changes and adjustments. While she had enjoyed exceptionally good health most of her life, there began a decline emotionally and mentally.

Through her struggles in recent years, she often sang about Heaven, and longed to go there. She was exemplary in her personal devotion and dedication to

God, with a great zeal to evangelize and minister till the time of her death.

We will miss Dora, but rejoice that she is now in the presence of her Lord and Saviour whom she loved.

The family wishes to express deep and heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers and support persons who contributed so graciously to Dora’s care.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Dora may be made to EMC Missions, 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5.

Dora’s funeral service was held at Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, with officiating by her brother Peter Friesen and Larry Eidse. The arrangements were under the care of Morris Funeral Home.

Her Family

births FUNK – to David and Kendra Funk of Calgary, Alta., a son, Ethan Samuel Edwin, on January 24, 2006.

SCHROEDER – to Jared and Jennifer Schroeder of Grande Prairie, Alta., a son, Micah Joseph, on September 21, 2005.

WIEBE – to David and Anita Wiebe of Grande Prairie, Alta., a daughter, Amanda Kaitlyn, on October 1, 2005.

ZACHARIAS – to Julius and Sara Zacharias of Grande Prairie, Alta., a son, Justin John, on November 22, 2005.

BAIER – to Kevin and Ellen Baier of Grande Prairie, Alta., a son, Tristian James Paul, on December 17, 2005.

‘My kingdom is not of this world’ The often-quoted saying of Jesus, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), does not signify that this kingdom is elsewhere, but that it is of a different pattern from this world.

Yet, different as it is, it is in the midst of this world through Jesus himself.

Thus it is not in accordance with Jesus’ preaching to call the kingdom “unpolitical” and to banish it into another sphere, that of heaven or of the heart.

The kingdom is political in a quite different way, and politically, it is quite different from the systems and rules of the struggle for world domination and revenge.

Jürgen Moltmann The Crucified God

THE MESSENGER

shoulder tapping Executive Position

A church planting director is required for the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.

The position requires a passion for church growth and development. The Director will work closely with regional churches to encourage and initiate new church plants. Strong written and oral skills are essential. This is a .5 position. For a job description and information, please contact the office at 204-326-6401 or e-mail emconf@mts.net.

EMC Missions seeks missionaries for Mexico and Paraguay.

In both countries, church planters are needed to work alongside national church leaders and missionaries. The first year for new applicants would involve Spanish language study at Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas. This ministry would include evangelism in both new and existing church locations, discipleship of new believers, Christian education, and church leadership training.

In Mexico, both English- and German-speaking teachers are need for elementary schools in German communities. A pastor-caregiver is needed for Hillside Church in May 2006. German is required. In Paraguay, a nurse is required for Lucero Clinic in East Paraguay.

Contact Ken Zacharias, EMC foreign secretary, at 204-326-6401 or emcken@mts.net.

Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in east-central Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50, is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net.

La Crete Christian Fellowship in La Crete, Alberta, seeks a youth pastor for a new position as part of our pastoral team. LCCF is a forward-looking church of about 400 regular attendees. The youth pastor will work with the senior pastor to implement our ministry vision of helping people establish and strengthen their personal connection to Jesus Christ. The youth pastor will have a primary role in developing programs and working closely with youth and youth leaders. LCCF’s service to God is based on the core values of a commitment to teaching God’s Word and outreach to the community.

The pastor will be people oriented and have demonstrated abilities in various ministries, including outreach, teaching, and visitation; and be able to train and develop a support network of lay ministers. This is a vibrant church with great potential for spreading the Word through men’s and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth ministry, and small groups. Send a resume with references to lccfc@telus.net or LCCFC, Box 385, La Crete, AB T0H 2H0 Attention: Pastor Frank Winsor.

Kenosee Lake Bible Camp, a CSSM camp located in beautiful Moose Mountain Provincial Park in southeast Saskatchewan, seeks a facility manager (April to September). Manager

February , 2006

oversees operation and maintenance of facilities, vehicles and equipment—including buildings, grounds, swimming pool, washrooms and sewer, water, mechanical and electrical functions.

KLBC also seeks a camp secretary (May to September) to oversee clerical duties, the tuck shop, and guest hospitality.

Accommodation is provided at camp during employment period, if required. Applications accepted until March 18, 2006. Forward your resumes to Marlon Klassen, 214 Doiron Road N, Regina, SK S4Y 1G4; e-mail: marlon.klassen@ sasktel.net; phone Marlon Klassen (board secetary) at 306-924-0129 or Terry Kerr (board chairman) at 306-848-0393.

Kleefeld EMC, a church of about 300 members in Kleefeld, Man., is seeking an associate pastor. The primary focus would be to work with the youth program in a discipling and mentoring capacity, involving youth and youth workers. This position would also include one other major involvement— depending on the applicant’s giftedness—such as Christian Education resource, music ministry, etc.

We are looking for a leader to join us in catching the vision and excitement of a growing church community. Send resumes to Ron Harder, Box 4, Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0; e-mail kemc@mts.net; phone 204-377-4248.

Fish Creek Christian Fellowship (EMC) seeks a full-time pastor, with position open May 2006.

Experience and education expected are flexible.

The church, started in south Calgary in 1998, is currently meeting in a rural setting outside of Calgary; it hopes to return to Calgary shortly.

Fish Creek has about 50 people attending.

Contact Garry Kornelsen, board chair, at 403281-3737; or 55 Woodford Cres., SW, Calgary AB T2W 4C6.

Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship (EMC) in northcentral British Columbia seeks a half-time associate pastor of youth with a love for God and heart for youth. The leader will give mature leadership, work with church in moulding youth, guide them into becoming faithful followers of Jesus Christ, and work within the EMC statement of faith. Our Sunday morning attendance is 100.

Our youth group (without a youth pastor for some time) is rebuilding, currently 12 to 20 people, with an average age of 14. There is potential for growth.

Contact VCF, Box 377, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0; phone 250-567-9198; fax 250-567-2064; vcfemc@ telus.net.

MCC Canada seeks a full-time salaried International Visitor Exchange Program (IVEP) Canada Coordinator (one-year maternity leave position beginning May 15, 2006). The Canada Coordinator administers IVEP in Canada.

IVEP brings 65 international adults (ages 19–30) to North America for one year. Previous experience with young adults of different nationalities, and effective communication and administrative skills are required.

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active church membership, and

nonviolent peacemaking.

Contact: Marsha Jones, phone: (204)2616381, e-mail: mgj@mennonitecc.ca, View job description on the web at www.mcc.org.

Applications will be accepted until March 20, 2006.

Taber EMC in southern Alberta seeks a senior pastoral couple to start September 2006, due to a retirement. The church is bilingual in Low German and English, and has an average attendance of 125 people. Applicants should contact Nick Enns, 403223-3386 (cell 634-0020); or Peter Wall, 403-3829184 (cell 382-9184).

A full-time teacher is needed for three elementary school children of two families serving in Russia (school to start September 2006). Contact Dave and Kim Field at 204-4826801 or dave-kim_field@ntm.org; or Tim and Joy Watson at 541-485-9888 or timnjoy@bltconline. org. Housing is paid for and support raising is required for $1,500 US per month.

Crestview Fellowship (EMC) seeks a part-time youth director with a strong personal spiritual foundation who is able to build strong relationships with youth. Must have the ability to work alongside a team of youth sponsors in discipling youth, and be creative and energetic in planning regular Bible studies and organizing fundraisers. Contact Pastor Vern Knutson at 204-837-9490. Resumes can be forwarded by e-mail to finkswpg@mts.net or by mail to Crestview Fellowship, c/o Christine Fink, 271 Hamilton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3.

MCC Manitoba seeks a full-time administrative assistant for March 2006. The assistant reports to the management team and provides administrative and logistical support to it and other administration staff, assisting with special events coordination and office management.

Previous clerical experience is required.

MCCM also seeks a half-time Winkler family services program coordinator. The coordinator takes direction from the program team leader and a local committee. WFS mainly provides settlement assistance to newcomers, primarily Low German-speaking immigrants who seek Canadian citizenship, and works with volunteers to meet settlement needs. Fluency in Low German and English and good written English skills are essential.

Qualifications for MCC positions include a Christian faith, active membership in a Christian church and a commitment to nonviolent peacemaking.

Contact Janelle Siemens at jms@mennonitecc. ca or Sol Janzen at sjj@mennonitecc.ca or 204261-6381. Written applications may be sent to them at 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9.

Inner City Youth Alive, a Christian ministry in the North End of Winnipeg, Man., seeks a workshop program director (full-time, permanent with support raising required). Fax resume to 204-5824729; mail to ICYA, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1V7; or e-mail icya@mts.net. Pastoral reference required.

15

by the way Dave K. Schellenberg

There is a time to laugh!

W

hen the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream, Then was our mouth filled with laughter (Psalm 126:1–2). To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: a time to weep and a time to laugh. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4) Remember how both Abraham and Sarah laughed when they were told (Genesis 17:17; 18:12), at their advanced age, that they would have a son? God questioned their laughter as unbelief (Gen. 18:1315). We are warned against the useless laughter of the fool (Eccl. 7:6). Some laughter can be sacrilegious.

But laughter, as the two opening Scriptures show, can have another side.

Jesus said that people can find their mourning turns to laughter (Luke 6:21).

There is a time to laugh.

After the election of the new pope, the Winnipeg Free Press told of Pope Benedict XVI, who phoned his brother in Germany. The housekeeper could only stammer, “So how do I address you now?” The Pope laughed. She was glad to hear him laugh: “His new job isn’t easy and he’ll need to laugh.”

An obituary in The Messenger carried this tribute: “Their children summarized their parents’ marriage by saying, “They lived well, laughed often.” “Because of grandpa we laugh more often,” a granddaughter said at a funeral I attended. “Her sense of humour brought fun and laughter to many settings” is how a missionary was described at her funeral.

In the initial issue of Leadership (Winter 1980) editor Paul D. Robbins announced the magazine would carry cartoons, saying it “comes from a personal feeling that we all need to laugh a little more…especially at ourselves.” A report on an EMC ministerial retreat includes: “It would have done your heart good to be present, sure there were serious times, but there was also laughter.”

PAGE 16

“You have to laugh!” a friend said in Low German (Spoas mot senni!) the other day. I asked him why. I interpreted his answer as meaning otherwise life would become to humdrum.

By now you’ve guessed what I’m getting at: Good laughter not only has a place, it can be downright therapeutic.

Laughter is said to be aerobic, working the diaphragm and increasing the body’s ability to use oxygen. It’s considered by some people to be a tool that fights disease, enhancing conventional treatments, reducing pain and aiding the healing process. “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).

“The time to laugh is often” said the heading of an article

by Jim Bishop (Mennonite Weekly Review, March 7, 2005).

“Humour is a natural trait of the human family,” he says.

“I believe we’re all born with an innate sense of humour, but not everyone has developed it to the same level. We likely all know people who seemingly aren’t happy unless they’re sad or mad about something.” He quotes Loren Swartzendruber, “I believe that we must learn how to laugh together regularly in order to also be able to cry together.”

So what about laughter? There are occasions when Christians should laugh more than we do, and other times when we should laugh less.

We need to be careful to be mindful to consider what is proper (Phil. 4:8), and, if we do that, we shouldn’t be surprised if the Lord fills our mouths with laughter.

For me the jury may not be entirely in yet, but the evidence—off coloured jokes aside, of course—seems to weigh heavily in favour of cultivating wholesome laughter.

As someone has said, “If we laugh at the little things in T life…the big things aren’t as hard to cope with.” M

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 PAP Registration #9914