The Messenger Vol. 44 No. 14 August 2, 2006

Messenger The

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 44 NUMBER 14 AUGUST 2, 2006

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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 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 Unpublished material is not returned except by request.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.

THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba.

Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84). 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 #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs.

Mailing information: Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net or emcterry@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 16 – September 20 (copy due September 8)

editorials egion 7, you did well in hosting the annual convention.

Convention work by our regions is often impressive.

Wherever held, convention comes together and glorifies Christ, strengthens us, and reminds us of why we’re together.

Personally, convention serves to strength my faith, connections, and resolve.

Speaker Dr. Ron Sider showed the richness and challenges of being Evangelical and Anabaptist, of evangelism and social justice. It was good for discussion to happen during ministerial, conference council, and the media event.

The venue worked well and the food service was efficient. The music ministry was positive; more languages were effectively used during the inspirational

sessions (though PowerPoint translations are appropriate). It was unfortunate that a ladies’ session wasn’t held this year.

Thanks, again, to the national office’s unsung heroes who work hard related to convention: Ruth Anne Peters, Becky Buhler, Erica Fehr, and Wannetta Fast.

As does the EMC, many other parts of Christ’s Church around the world gather to worship together, connect and decide.

Will you pray that they might experience a rich sense of Christ’s presence and direction? What affects one part of the Body affects more (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Perhaps the prayers of the wider Church assisted us through convention 2006.

Lord willing, see you in Brandon in T 2007. M Terry M. Smith

Doctrine and discussion

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onference council shows that discussion is needed while we serve Christ together.

As revealed by presentation and by discussion at council, one challenge is to discern what does, or doesn’t, affect the core of our faith and how much freedom to give in non-core matters.

In the evangelical church it’s important to believe in the Bible as God’s Word written and that Jesus is God and man who died as an objective atonement for our sins, was raised physically from the dead, is personally coming back, and is our only Saviour and Lord. I’m grateful for this historic Christian teaching. (Of course, such a summary is incomplete.)

My strong concern for core doctrines is partly shaped by being raised in a denomination formed on the liberal side of the modernist-fundamentalist controversy. This church’s original statement of faith uses language that I, among many evangelicals, would rejoice in. Seemingly, though, the statement was not intended to be interpreted conservatively even while it was being penned. Further statements were later accepted.

Candidates seeking ordination today within it are required to be “in essential

agreement” with its standards of faith, but what is involved is loosely defined. Results vary by minister and by congregation.

The acceptance or denial of core doctrines affects the shape of the call to discipleship, to community, and to mission (including missions). Without proper grounding (1 Corinthians 15:1–6), other categories of biblical thought can be set aside.

The acceptance or denial of core doctrines affects the shape of the call to discipleship, to community, and to mission.

The point is this. The EMC is stronger on core doctrines, but weak at discussion.

The mainline church in which I was raised is stronger at discussion, but weak on core doctrines. The difference is significant and not to be confused.

Still, the EMC could use more discussion.

Through solid doctrine and practice we become strengthened as a community of faith, as Dr. Ron Sider reminds us. In prayerful study, discussion, discernment, T and decision making, our task continues. M Terry M. Smith THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

letters

coming events

JOY formula can be devastating Thank you for publishing Gareth Brandt’s article on Transformation in the July 5 issue of The Messenger. I too grew up with the JOY formula (Jesus, Others, then You), according to which looking after yourself was considered unspiritual. “Burning out for Jesus” was the highest goal one could attain. I think, as Gareth says, that formula may have been seen as an antidote to narcissism common in society around us. But in an over-reaction we ended up with selfdeprecation.

And in the process we have produced pews full of people in our churches who do not even know themselves. Afraid of their shadow sides and blemishes, they present themselves as finished products for others to emulate. I have experienced the devastating effects of such a formula in my own life and see it in many others around me.

Unfortunately there are always enough leaders around who have been able to ward off any negative consequences for the time being—at least as far as they are concerned—so that this unbiblical formula still has traction among us.

However I have noticed that often it is hard to get within five feet of the souls S T E I N B A C H B I B L E C O L L E G E of such persons. Why is that the case?

They seem uncomfortable in their own skin. Surely not models for us to follow!

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Cutting-edge medical literature is beginning to demonstrate convincingly that the inability to look after oneself is perhaps the greatest cause behind many of the maladies and pathologies we experience in society today. Often, such literature points out that the drive to look out for everyone but oneself emerges from deep wounds or unmet needs in early childhood.

The church, on the other hand, has lauded such drivenness as the “Jesus way.”

It seems to me that many of our spiritual “go-getters” are basically responding, consciously or unconsciously, to festering wounds from an unhealed past which they are unwilling to face. And as Gabor Maté says in his recent book When the Body Says ‘No’, if we don’t learn how to say “No” for our own good, sooner or later our bodies will.

This article serves as a good corrective to an unhealthy and unbiblical lifestyle we have condoned and even promoted for too long. I recommend saving Gareth’s article for frequent reference.

Jack Heppner Steinbach, Man.

Caution is needed I want to thank Michael Zwaagstra for his article [April 5] on the Emergent Church Movement. The letters to the editors in response to the article indicate it is an important topic. Thank you for your courage to raise some questions concerning the orthodoxy about the movement. I believe we need to read the Emergent Church materials, as all materials, critically and then identify that which is orthodox and that which is unorthodox and not be afraid to verbalize both. Thank you for raising some flags.

Harvey Plett Mitchell, Man.

August 24 EMC Missionary Fellowship for past and present missionaries K. R. Barkman Park Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6401 or emconf@mts.net September 9 Head for the Hills Bicycling fundraiser for Eden Health Care Services Pembina Hills in Manitoba 204-325-5355 or 866-895-2919 September 29–30 A Good Life on God’s Good Earth: A Creation Care Conference Speakers: Gordon Zerbe, Peter Harris, Steven Bouma-Prediger, August Konkel Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Man. 877-231-4570 October 4–6 Winnipeg Prophecy Conference Victoria Inn Winnipeg, Man. 204-853-7786 www.wpgpc.org October 13–15 TRU 2006: Train, Refresh, Unite EMC youth leaders’ retreat Speaker: Marv Penner Wilderness Edge Pinawa, Man. 204-326-6401 or emcger@mts.net October 20–21 War and the CO: Historical perspectives Weekend history conference Chair of Mennonite Studies University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Man. 204-786-9391 October 28 Uncluttering our lives: The call to simplicity Region 8 Women’s Day Ridgewood EMC Giroux, Man. 204-326-2957

Region 8 Women’s Day

Uncluttering our lives: The call to simplicity Apply now for September 2006 call Michelle for info

Apply now 1.800.230.8478 for September Apply now 2006

www.sbcollege.ca

Michelle for info forcall September 2006

call Michelle for info THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006 1.800.230.8478 www.sbcollege.ca 1.800.230.8478

October 28, 2006 Ridgewood EMC

A day for worship in music and listening to guest speaker Deanna Treadway. The day will also include a fashion show, MCC Thrift Store style. Plan to attend this special day and prepare yourself for the challenge of simplifying your life.

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omeone has imagined a conversation Jesus had with the archangel Gabriel when Jesus returned to heaven after the ascension.

“You mean,” Gabriel said, “your whole plan to save the world depends on that ragtag bunch of 120 former fishermen, prostitutes, and tax collectors?”

“That’s right,” Jesus replied.

“But what if they fail?” Gabriel persisted with alarm. “What’s your backup plan?”

“There is no backup plan,” Jesus said.

There still is no backup plan. God has decided to use human beings, not angels, to spread the gospel and change the world.

Gabriel must have been dumbfounded as that first crew set to work. They had little money, less education, and no political clout. But they loved Jesus with all their hearts and knew He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life for all people everywhere. So they defied raging oceans and roaring lions to preach and live Jesus’ good news. The message spread like wildfire. Within three short centuries, that tiny circle of disciples had conquered the most pagan empire that ever existed.

Far more people have come to Christ in this century than in any previous one. Christianity is the first truly global religion.

As Gabriel pondered, though, an old anxiety resurfaced. Were the people who claimed the Name any different from those who did not?

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How could the worst massacre of Jews in human history have happened in the middle of the continent that had been “Christian” the longest? How could Catholic Christian Croatians and Orthodox Christian Serbs massacre each other and Muslims in one of the deadliest outbreaks of ethnic savagery in Europe since Hitler?

And what of the U.S., rich, powerful, and where 86 percent of people

for our holy God to wink at them. Yet, God’s love is too strong for God to forget us. So God embraces our sin, absorbs the evil we have done into his divine heart, and accepts the punishment we deserve—all because God wants to walk with us again in openness and reconciliation.

That’s the only amazing solution to the problem of evil the world has ever seen. No other religion dares to teach that the Creator of the universe died for our sins. The cross is the only truly satisfactory solution to the brokenness, violence, and agony of our world.

God is Righteous Sovereign as well as Loving Father. Jesus

Like Jesus

Dr. Ron J. Sider

claim to be Christian? Does their Christianity make any difference? The U.S. has the highest divorce rate in human history, 62 percent of “born again” Christians do not believe in absolute truth, and the murder rate is almost twice that of the next industrialized country. Christians are highly visible in politics, but Jesus’ passion for the poor rarely surfaces on the agenda.

Was Jesus’ strategy for changing the world really working? Vast numbers of so-called Christians lived just like their secular neighbours.

As Gabriel peered ahead, he asked, “Will there be enough genuine Christians like the original 120?” That is the question. Will the people who claim to be Christian really live like Jesus? And what does it really mean to live like Jesus?

Before looking at a few marks of genuine Christianity, let me make one thing clear. I don’t mean that any Christian is perfect. We all struggle. By genuine Christian, I mean Christians who truly long to follow Jesus and keep striving for that goal even when they fail.

Genuine Christians embrace both God’s searing holiness and God’s astounding love. Our sins are too awful THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

taught us clearly that the awesome Creator of the galaxies is a tender, loving Father who delights in calling him Papa. But the same Jesus repeatedly warned that sinners will depart eternally from this holy Judge.

The modern church wants to accept only half of God. It seeks to renegotiate God’s revelation. It substitutes a new covenant and a new God who offers forgiveness without holiness.

Genuine Christians live like Jesus. They know who Jesus really is and surrender every fiber of their being to Him. Some Christians worship Jesus as God and Saviour, but forget that he was the liberator for the poor, friend of marginalized women, and a daring peacemaker.

Other Christians claim to follow Jesus as the world’s greatest ethical teacher, but forget that he is true God as well as true man, the only way to salvation. And most Christians, no matter what they say they about Jesus, don’t practice what he preached.

Daily, genuine Christians look directly into the face of Jesus and then, like a mirror, they reflect his glory and become more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). Genuine Christians live like Jesus.

Genuine Christians keep their marriage covenants and place their children before career. My wife Arbutus is a marriage counselor and I don’t want to be simplistic about this extremely complex topic. There are circumstances when divorce is legitimate and, furthermore, God’s wonderful forgiveness is available when we fail. But I want to tell you about my Uncle Jesse and the woman he loved.

After five years of marriage, Jesse’s wife Lydia became

Genuine Christians look directly into the face of Jesus and then, like a mirror, they reflect his glory and become more like Jesus. Genuine Christians live like Jesus.

mentally ill and, after several years of pain and struggle, was taken to a psychiatric hospital in Hamilton, Ont. For almost 30 years, Jesse drove the two hours to Hamilton every two or three weeks to visit the woman he had promised to love for better or worse till death would them part. Then, Lydia came home for three years, where she died without warning.

Uncle Jesse made a vow before God for better or worse, and it got much worse. But he kept that covenant, by God’s grace, one day at a time.

Some Christians seem only concerned with evangelism. Other Christians are only concerned with feeding people and passing better laws. But Jesus was not one-sided. Jesus preached and healed.

He ministered to the whole person. So do genuine Christians. Genuine Christians love the whole person the way Jesus did.

Genuine Christians share God’s special concern for the poor. There are hundreds of Bible verses about God’s concern for the poor. Proverbs 19:17 says that helping the poor is like making a loan to Almighty God. Jesus said that when we feed the hungry and clothe the naked, we actually do it to Him. And then he adds that if we don’t, we depart eternally from the Living God. Whether we are doctors, lawyers, carpenters, plumbers, politicians or teachers, genuine Christians share God’s concern for the poor.

Genuine Christians love the whole person the way Jesus did. Some Christians seem only concerned with evangelism. They just want to preach the gospel and save people’s souls.

Other Christians are only concerned with feeding people and passing better laws. But Jesus was not one-sided the way many Christians are. Jesus preached and healed. He ministered to the whole person. So do genuine Christians. Genuine Christians love the whole person the way Jesus did.

Genuine Christians confess that Jesus is also Lord of economics and politics. The biblical Jesus is Lord of

the boardroom as well as the bedroom. Jesus cares about how you vote as well as how you pray.

Genuine Christianity is not some little personal, privatized faith that applies only on Sunday morning and maybe in the personal world of the family. The New Testament dares to say that Jesus is now King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Genuine Christians embrace servanthood. Too often Christians have failed to combine servanthood with truth. Too often we have been more ferocious in attacking sin than gentle in loving sinners. At the centre of Christianity stands a Servant. Jesus insisted that he “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Jesus not only modeled servanthood, he commanded His disciples to follow in his steps (John 13:14-15; 20:21).

What would happen if even a quarter of the people who claim Christ’s name were genuine Christians? Only God knows. You can dream with me by imagining what the archangel Gabriel might see in the twenty-first century! You and I can dream and T pray—and work. M Ron Sider (Ph.D., Yale) is professor of theology and culture at Palmer Seminary, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Raised in Ontario, Sider is a credentialed minister in both Brethren in Christ and Mennonite churches. He is the president of Evangelicals for Social Action (www. esa-online.org). Sider is married and has grown children. This article is condensed from a convention message (based on his notes).

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Moderator’s Golf Classic

Lester Olfert, Ron Penner, Kirsten Plett, Anthony Reimer, Vern Knutson (above) and Carl Heppner (right) were among participants in the first Moderator’s Golf Classic held July 6 in connection with Convention 2006.

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Media Event

Sider: NA Christians getting richer, giving less On Saturday evening of July 8 about 30 convention guests and media gathered with EMC moderator Ron Penner and Dr. Ron Sider to discuss global poverty.

Sider said three facts don’t fit together: There’s massive poverty in the world (2.8 billion live on one or two dollars per day), the Bible says God is especially concerned for the poor, and Christians in North America are getting richer and giving less.

Second, while glad the market

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Ron Penner, EMC moderator, listens as Dr. Ron Sider speaks in a discussion on global poverty.

economy won over Marxism, Sider said “if you live in a market economy and don’t have any capital, you’re in big trouble.”

There’s “a huge imperative to make sure that everybody has access to capital” in order to participate.

Third, “we’ve made some real progress in the last 40 years,” though there’s “a long way to go.” In 1970 about 35 percent of people in the “developing world” were “chronically malnourished”; that has

dropped to about 17 percent. “Health conditions have probably improved in the last 40 years as much as they’ve improved in all human history before that.”

Micro-loans have helped many people. A micro-loan can raise a family’s standard of living by 50 percent within a year; in one project the loan repayment rate is about 96 percent.

Sider said he’s calculated that if Christians, who are one-third of the world’s population but have two-thirds of the wealth, were to give one percent of their income for micro-loans, the income of the poorest billion people could be raised by half in less than a year.

There was a question period: • What about the response to Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger?

(It exceeded his expectations.

People argue the economics and politics, but the biblical (continued on page 10)

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Ministerial

Process and Christ’s transforming power About 175 members attended the national ministerial meeting on July 7, 2006, at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Man. Aberdeen pastor Adam Robinson asked, “What gifts do you bring to the annual EMC convention?” He led in prayer.

Church Reports Board of Leadership and Outreach chairman Art Dueck spoke well of Conference Pastor David Thiessen’s work.

Thiessen led in introducing new members, sharing, and prayer.

get-togethers, professional development (SBC and elsewhere), and corporate theological study.

What challenges our togetherness? Different “ethnic and theological backgrounds,” theological influences, a tradition on doctrinal purity which may lead to splits before “compromise,” distance, personalities.

In processing questions the conference has options: Ignore them, defer them, delay them or address them.

Edwin said “our usual way of dealing with questions as a conference is to look at our past, do research, present

EMC Process Edwin Friesen, EMC minister and former conference pastor, presented a paper on How Do We, as the EMC, Process Questions Around Faith and Practice?

Layton Friesen introduced Edwin’s presentation by quoting G. K. Chesterton, who responded to the fallacy of saying “that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are.”

Chesterton said, “But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you Wally Doerksen, David Kruse, Andrew Reimer and Corrina Kroeker asked questions of Dr. Ron Sider during a leave it to a torrent of change. If panel discussion. you leave a white post alone it will soon be a black post.” information, discuss, discern; and then trust the Word, Layton said, “So along those lines, if the conference needs the Spirit, and the community of believers to guide us to be a theological unity with a theological purpose, we into truth. Often this process is concluded without a will have to keep painting the post.” concluding resolution or vote. This approach has both Edwin said theology is “our study and understandings strengths and weaknesses.” of God and how we relate to God.” It’s done by individuals, “Naturally, each of us would feel more comfortable groups, and the conference and “is also a way of living.” if everyone would believe and practice what each of There are reasons in “doing theology”: to affirm/ us personally considers right and appropriate. Do we reaffirm core understandings, to build commonality, to mandate or invite understandings, belief, or conviction? entertain questions from churches, to explore different How much agreement is needed in the local church? In understandings, to acknowledge the dynamic nature of the conference? And how do we respond if people don’t our relationship with God. fall in line?”

What draws us together as a conference? A statement The current Statement of Faith contains the Scriptureof faith, conference staff, publications, joint ministries, discerned “fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith.” In

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1973 the Church Practices section began (with material imported from an earlier Statement). The Practices preamble says “membership in the conference assumes a covenant relationship” to listen and learn “from each other,” giving “respectful attention to the cumulative insight which…congregations bring to the larger body,” presented Edwin.

The EMC faces “the on-going challenge of balancing various teachings of Scripture. Unless we keep the whole of Scripture in mind and…keep on affirming our core understandings, we may…veer off the road on either side.”

Edwin said, “Our conference has navigated many challenges and changes…And if we are a vibrant, growing conference…there will…be new issues and challenges” but “God will see us through.”

Comments: • Helpful resource.

• A minority may be right.

• Unity and purity are needed; interpreting Scripture is needed.

• Democracy is inherently divisive; minority is often right; work toward unity rather than majority.

• The second time of discussion can be better.

• People are often affected in theology by those they are emotionally tied to.

• There are good checks and balances in the EMC practice.

• While many would want the process to be clearer in Scripture, there are clues. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us, rather than assume it’s happening.

• In the 1980s some issues were discussed without resolution, but that was a way of moving forward with differences.

• We don’t like messes, but the Holy Spirit is okay with that.

• When is it a bad mess, not a good mess?

• When an issue is gray to some and black and white to others, what are we to do?

• Sometimes we have to go our separate ways and God can work from it.

• Our hope is that you can strike the balance between different and accountability.

• If discussion is only to work with each other, we THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

About 175 people gathered for the ministerial meeting.

• • • •

can work with Anglicans, but as a conference there needs to be more accountability.

What is the conference’s goal? Is to work together the goal?

How do we respond when a pastor leads a church away from the statement of faith?

The constitution has a section on churchconference relations.

Non-compliance is how change comes.

Other Business EAC chair Kenton Penner said pastors have to promote faith and the survey will help with this. John and Tina Driedger promoted the fall ministerial retreat December 2–4 in Pinawa, Man. Dr. Ron Sider Dr. Ron Sider, professor of theology and culture at Palmer Seminary, made two presentations.

In The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, he said it’s an understatement to say that there is a crisis of disobedience in evangelical circles. Shown by divorce, extra- and pre-marital sex, racism and giving, American evangelicals fall short.

Scriptures speak of the need of Christ’s transforming and of holiness. The contrast between the New Testament ethic and current evangelical practice shows the scandal, he said.

The Social Concerns Committee led in discussion.

Some comments and responses: • I’m skeptical of the book’s statistics. (The EMC isn’t fairly compared with the book.)

• Is being an evangelical more acceptable in the

U.S. than in Canada? (Are you saying Canadians Most evangelicals do not teach the gospel as Jesus are so different from Americans? That there’s no did; it isn’t the forgiveness of sins, but the gospel of problem with materialism?) the kingdom and the community • There is a long way from the breaking into history. For Zacchaeus, mini-skirt to homosexual economic change was part of the ministers. (Homosexual practice message of salvation. There are more is a sin. Marriage within society references in Scripture to Christ as is in trouble not because of Lord than as Saviour. There is a loss homosexuals, but because of of emphasis on sin. Sin is personal heterosexual sin. Evangelicals and social; there needs to be personal have handled the issue about and social transformation. homosexuality about as badly Modern relativism has eroded as it can be; we need to be clear, the church as community. but minister in love.)

Individual churches and parachurch • What do we say to government organizations are unaccountable. about their actions? (It’s a huge God’s redemptive strategy centres problem.) on a new community, not individuals; • What response do you get to people of God, family of God, and the statistics? (Virtually no body of Christ are all communal Edwin Friesen reads from the EMC Constitution. negative response.) images.

• Wouldn’t it be meaningful to focus on the good What makes us distinct is not culture, but Christ’s being done? (Yes.) act of redemption. We need to be a counter-cultural community. It is to be in our contrast with society in In his presentation How to Overcome the Scandal, Dr. such areas as marriage and economic sharing that draws Sider said cheap grace is a problem in the evangelical people. church. Both justification and sanctification are biblical There was discussion after the second presentation. teachings, yet popular evangelicalism has reduced Terry M. Smith teaching to formulas without discipleship. Getting more biblical will help us overcome the scandal.

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section has largely remained untouched. He has had to learn economics along the way.)

• What about the merits of handouts versus micro-loans?

(The last desire is a global welfare system.)

• How should the church work with government? (Anabaptists hold to separation of church and state. Christians committed to Christ’s biblical norms will be critical of government as affected by the Fall. But separation must not be exaggerated to where religion cannot express itself in public life or in political views; that’s dead wrong.)

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• What about the doctrine of two kingdoms and the difficulty of endorsing a party or candidate?

(Voting does not mean endorsing all a candidate says or does and being responsible for it; it means we think one is less bad or will do less damage.

We choose the candidate who, on balance, is closer to the biblical worldview.)

• If Jesus was against war and capital punishment, why should Scripture speak of the government not bearing the sword in vain? (The Romans passage is complex, but Jesus is God and Man and he has said not to kill.)

• Can you give examples of how you deal, as a family man, with how much you keep and how much you give away? (The book Rich Christians mentions the graduated tithe. Most book rights are owned by a Mennonite foundation. They live in a modest house, sometimes have driven cars until they don’t work, buy most clothes at thrift stores—less so for kids— and try in various ways to live simply in order to give.)

• Have you come across examples of how people consume less in order to share? (Yes, Reba Place and others.)

Terry M. Smith

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A Celebration of Difference h t i fa Children’s Sessions

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Carrie Martens tells a story.

The preschool and K-6 kids transplanted castor beans.

Lesson: Don’t judge the plant by its seed.

Sketch the Clown (Michelle Dueck) used balloons to teach the kids how beautiful things can be created when many people come together and allow the Holy Spirit to fill them.

Kids dress up to act out a Bible story.

Odette Mukole-Lusele makes African doughnuts. Odette is from the Congo.

Nursery slide Kids pose with Flo Friesen (centre), modelling hats from Central Asia.

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(Photos by Alicia Buhler)

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Conference Council

Council approves coordinator, discusses women’s leadership Conference council met at CMU on July 8 and approved a full-time church planting coordinator, glanced at survey results on Evangelical Anabaptism, and discussed congregational practice and comfort on women and church leadership.

Moderator Ron Penner welcomed delegates. St. Vital EMC pastor Jerry Plett had the opening devotional, telling stories with the refrain, “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40).

There are more than 80 associate missionaries.

Ernie Penner, working in Kosovo for six years, spoke of unemployment and poverty, riots, abandoned children, persecution, and short-term teams. Elmer Warkentin told of a man who said, “I have no religion. I don’t believe in anything.” Native English speakers are wanted to teach in China. Corrie Ten Boom said that Christians shouldn’t

Steinbach Bible College SBC is “our school,” said Ron Penner. Interim president Don Thiessen encouraged churches to “send your Waynes to SBC.” Wayne is a mature, married man who moved his family to Steinbach for three years in order to answer his call to ministry.

Board of Missions Chairperson Ernie Loewen said he appreciated prayers and the going of people for missions.

Gerald Reimer, conference youth minister, spoke of Project Macedonia allowing smaller churches to have a youth opportunity for service that will benefit southern Alberta. Roland and Jenn Penner are the team leaders.

Peter Doerksen, pastor of Oasis church in Mexico, said it is “currently enjoying a time of spiritual growth and new people beginning to attend.”

Foreign Secretary Ken Zacharias said Arnold and Tina Thiessen are currently having visa problems in the U.S.; new house staff might be needed. Cathy Thiessen is going to Mexico to help out.

Lester Olfert said work teams helped an orphanage.

The teams found it hard to leave because of relationships formed, he said. Henry Plett spoke of how six members of Burns Lake formed a work team in Paraguay.

Len Barkman spoke of EMC’s having 149 workers (including spouses) scattered around the world. Two couples might have to leave a country if their appeal isn’t heard. New churches are happening or being thought of in Burkina Faso. Missions Auxiliary, “an arm of the missions program,” is appealing for younger members.

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Delegates voted to approve nominees for various Conference boards (see sidebar for election results).

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rearrange the pictures on the wall when the house is on fire.

EMC should consider making China a focus of its concern.

Conference Council Elections

Women and Church Leadership The moderator said that a moratorium on discussing women and church leadership ended and it was requested to revisit the topic. A survey was sent to churches and 16 groups would form to discuss its questions. (The questions focused on congregational practice and comfort levels.)

After the discussion time and lunch, the council resumed its gathering and a few questions were fielded.

• There was concern that Scripture isn’t being discussed. (It was discussed before the moratorium.)

• Are women allowed on the General Board?

• The EMC should develop a statement similar to the Denver Statement on this matter. (It’s a matter of interpretation.)

• A letter from former moderator Harvey Plett was read by the moderator. Plett suggested that studies be done on how roles prescribed for the marriage relationship affect church roles and on the question of gender differences. He cautioned against being “elitist in our interpretations.”

Vice Moderator John Reimer

Board of Trustees Elmer Friesen Dan Reimer

Board of Missions Ernie Loewen John Bueckert Catherine Thiessen

Nominating Committee Alvin B. Plett Warren Kroeker Gordon Bueckert

Board of Church Ministries Tim Kroeker Doris Penner

Board of Leadership and Outreach Art Dueck Peter Dueck Jeff Plett Jake Friesen

Board of Leadership and Outreach Darren Plett called forward members involved in five church plants to answer questions. Members were

positive about their experiences in church planting and encouraged others to consider it. Troy Selley of Oak Bluff, though, cautioned churches against starting a plant just because others are doing it.

Board of Church Ministries Gerald Reimer said that TRU, the youth leaders’ retreat, will be on October 13–15 at Pinawa, Man. He strongly encouraged churches to send their leaders to it.

Abundant Springs ’07 is being planned with speaker Dale Friesen. Reimer is “mystified” that 20 to 25 churches don’t

Groups gathered to discuss questions on women in church leadership, focussing on congregational practice and comfort levels.

THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

13

send youth to Abundant Springs; they are encouraged to send youth.

Becky Buhler said she has received positive comments about The Messenger’s layout; she is open to constructive criticism as well. Ward Parkinson encouraged churches to use Follow Me. Darryl Klassen, editor of Theodidaktos: Journal for EMC theology and education, welcomed contributions to it.

Terry Smith said the Education Committee has been busy, new members are needed on the Archives Committee, and development of a Worship-Music Committee is still sought. The Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia On-line is available at www.gameo.org.

Affiliate Organizations Carl Heppner spoke of the common convictions, going deeper, and ecumenical experience at Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies. It was a “ringing endorsement,” the moderator said. Mennonite Foundation of Canada had a game show format with skill-testing questions.

Lois Coleman Neufeld, national program director at MCC Canada, spoke of Summerbridge and of wanting to get more funds from government for disasters. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank now receives less tied aid, which has a faster response time and a more positive impact on local economies.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is supported by EMC in the areas of its Evangelical Anabaptist Committee view of marriage and concern about Chairman Kenton Penner highabortion, Ron Penner said. It was lighted results of the survey completed “deeply, deeply” meaningful to attend by many ministers and church a Mennonite World Conference meeting members. The survey reveals a high in California this past winter, Penner regard for Scripture’s authority, mixed said. The use of Spanish, French, and results on congregational decisionEnglish reminded him of Revelation 4 making practices, and a majority say Gerald Reimer was concerned that about half and it’s “our faith family” and “exciting that accepting pacifism should not be of EMC churches don’t send youth to Abundant to be part of.”

Springs. He also encouraged churches to send required for church membership.

There is concern about persecution leaders to the youth leaders’ retreat October of Vietnamese believers, believers in 13–15.

Affiliations Nepal have asked for membership, Many Rooms Church Community (Winnipeg) is and there are more Mennonites in Africa than in seeking affiliation, Travis and Stephanie Unger said. The North America. Wealth is unevenly distributed among EMC promotional tour is still available for interested Mennonites in the world. Penner wondered if we can give churches, Ron Penner said. more money to MWC programs.

The session was closed with singing a doxology and a Church Planting Coordinator benediction pronounced by the moderator.

The Board of Leadership and Outreach has requested Terry M. Smith that the position of half-time coordinator become fulltime. This was approved by council.

Sunday School, Care Group Resource Board of Trustees The EMC financial audit “passed with flying colours,” according to Gordon Reimer. The building loan fund was owed $115,000 in 2005, a lower figure than in the past 15 years. The 2006 budget update said that $574,000 was received, which is $364,000 short; $297,000 more has been spent than received.

General Board Picture Butte Mennonite Church was received into the conference with enthusiasm and clapping.

14

The Church that Christ Builds,

by Dr. Arden Thiessen, is now available. A 13-lesson study on the Book of Ephesians, it’s designed for personal inspiration and group study. 144 pages. $8 plus postage. Order directly from Arden Thiessen at 204-326-1662 or ardenths@hotmail.com.

THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

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Youth Feature

Youth activities were held Saturday afternoon, July 8. These included a service opportunity, recreational activity, games, and a worship service.

Tim Gibbons, associate/youth pastor of Braeside EMC in Winnipeg, was involved in organizing the day’s events.

(Photos by Gerald Reimer and youth participants)

THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

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Non-Delegate Session

Railroads, Rivers, Racism, and Real Estate: A bus tour to interpret the city with new eyes

(Above) MĂŠtis people pitched tents on the grounds of the Winnipeg Legislature (left) during a protest.

Kent Dueck works with Winnipeg inner city youth.

During the tour, he described how lives of core area residents are shaped by history and current realities.

Revelation refers to a city, not a garden, he said, therefore Christians need to become involved in urban life now.

Main Street, Winnipeg About 45 people participated in the bus tour.

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Missions Feature

A dream for Brandon

My story begins with Brandon. If you were to drive by Come and See, our family centre, on a Saturday afternoon, you might see Brandon sitting on the sidewalk, waiting for us to come and begin the weekly children’s class. His is a friendly face, a simply and sincerely happy one.

At times he invites his playmates to come to the Bible class and when they come, he personally escorts them across the street, leaving them on their front steps. What an amazing sense of responsibility—he is, after all, only six years old and occasionally still lapses into baby talk. In this outreach of the Ebenezer church in Vista Hermosa, a housing development of some 500 tiny homes in Cuauhtemoc, Brandon is one of the people that gives us a sense of having begun.

You may ask: How do you begin an outreach, starting from zero, an outreach that you trust will result ultimately in a new church? Certainly, there are no rules; there is no set game plan. First and foremost, we pray God, give us wisdom, an understanding of the community, which at this point is hardly a community since the families have relocated and are just getting to know each other.

We at Ebenezer in Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua state, Mexico, have organized a street concert featuring a local artist; we have visited all the inhabited homes in the development, always leaving Scripture in one form or another. We held an outdoor Christmas service, concluding with cookies and hot chocolate. We are trying to establish a women’s Bible study and are encouraged by the weekly children’s club.

We trust that our informal contacts with neighbors will lead to genuine friendships. In a few weeks, Ebenezer youth will help with the first DVBS in Vista Hermosa. And so, Brandon and Missy and Martita and Lalo and many others like them will have an opportunity to become grounded in Bible truth. The foundation for spiritual growth and development is laid one stone at a time.

Praise God for spiritual growth and development at Ebenezer. Last year, we celebrated our tenth anniversary. We had a party! In January of this year, we affirmed and ordained Walter Rempening as the official pastor. Walter and his wife, Josefina, have been active in the church since its beginning and had already been exercising leadership in every aspect of church life.

So what has changed? A church acquires added responsibility when it chooses a pastor, and the deacons decided to give Walter a half-time salary.

The church has been able to keep all its financial commitments.

The person who agrees to be the pastor also has a heightened sense of responsibility. Walter’s gifts of leadership, his keen discernment in so many areas, his strong sense of responsibility should guide Ebenezer to ever greater maturity, reaching out boldly and purposefully to Vista Hermosa and beyond.

I pursue a dream: I see Brandon and others growing up in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus, relating to Christian youth in Vista Hermosa, in Ebenezer, and in the larger context of the national association of churches. I see Brandon studying at the Biblical Training Centre for our Spanish churches located in Cuauhtemoc; I see him becoming a leader in the church.

This story is not complete. I dream, I work, I pray that God will save this Brandon and many Brandons from lives of alcoholism, drug addictions, and from the dulling pain of purposeless living.

You are all a part of this story, and we all know that dreams can become reality.

Alvira Friesen Alvira Friesen (Rosenort) has served in northern Mexico for many years.

Convention 2006 coverage continued on page 20.

Order now per book for fall $2.50 for EMCers

A 13-lesson study booklet that explores our wider task as Christians, with a striving for social justice as a biblical task.

Alvira Friesen (middle) stands with Lester and Darlene Olfert, who completed four months service in Nicaragua; and Vanessa Bartsch and Peter Doerksen, colleagues in Mexico.

THE MESSENGER August , 006

Call or e-mail to order your copies today: 204-326-6401; emcmessenger@mts.net 17

with our missionaries Paraguay

Prayer sought on opposition faced

In several fronts, we are experiencing direct opposition from the enemy and need your direct, informed intervention for us and others affected.

In Caaguazu, there is a concerted effort to reach people, especially young people, to turn their lives around from all kinds of destructive activity, such as drugs, illicit sex and direct satanic involvement. This has led to direct confrontation of demonic activity in certain young people, and the missionaries there and other pastors in Caaguazu are dealing with these situations.

Here we are working at Alto Refugio, and are encountering people who are dealing with more than just HIV/AIDS in their lives. There are serious addictions and satanic involvement that causes people to be victims of the enemy. The result of that is causing much concern

at the Drop-In Centre. There have been cases of violence and threat of life and suicide that are bringing a lot of fear to people working at the Centre and concern to us as directors.

We need your prayers for our own lives, to maintain a life of victory on the personal level, as well as victory in the way we deal with our volunteers, and especially victory for those who are under the oppression of the enemy.

Also, we are doing a lot of AIDS education in the schools these days with people who give their own testimony about their situation as people living with AIDS. Here, too, your prayers are needed for us who present and for those who hear. May the Spirit open their hearts to the One that can help them be free from activity that can destroy their lives.

Pray for Monica Argana, our AIDS

education coordinator, who goes out all the time to teach about AIDS and to give her personal testimony as a person living with advanced AIDS. She faces a lot of challenges and needs our constant holding up in prayer.

Thank you. We pray for you, too, knowing that the enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy wherever he can. We pray that we can all live in the safety of the Abundant Life that we have only with Jesus.

Dave and Judy Schmidt Dave and Judy Schmidt (Roseisle) direct High Refuge, an HIV/AIDS ministry in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.

Mexico

Seven teens baptized Monica Argana, as AIDS education coordinator for High Refuge, teaches about AIDS and gives her personal testimony as a person living with advanced AIDS. She faces many challenges and needs prayer.

people movement Ebenezer Church in Cuauhtomec, Chihuahua state, Mexico, saw seven teens profess their faith in Christ through baptism on May 28, 2006: Diana, Adrian, Oscar, Claudia, Daniel, Claudia, and Efren.

Alvira Friesen

EMC Mission Projects Is your family or church group looking for a mission project? Two projects you might consider giving to are: Paraguay The Christian bookstore Librería Ñee Pora needs a new photocopier.

Project Cost: $1,500

Nicaragua Churches in Nicaragua desire to help the poor in their communities and churches by providing one meal three times a week for up to 350 children.

Project Cost: $4,500

For information on special mission projects phone Ken Zacharias at the EMC national office (204-326-6401).

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Rosey and Travis Zacharias (Kleefeld) will begin Spanish language studies at Rio Grande Bible Institute at Edinburg, Texas, in August 2006 in preparation for missionary service to Paraguay.

MacGregor EMC is their adopted church.

THE MESSENGER August , 006

with our churches

Many graduates at Kleefeld Kleefeld, Man.: Baptism and membership took place at Kleefeld EMC on June 11.

Taking this step of faith were Lyndol Fast, Caleb Friesen, and Jeff Giesbrecht.

All three of them expressed their appreciation for having grown up in Christian homes, and having the support of their parents as well as the church community. We welcome Lyndol, Caleb, and Jeff into our church family.

A special part of our June 25 service was recognizing graduates in our congregation. Achieving their high school diplomas at SRSS were Derek Bergen, Zach Friesen, Tori Froese, Ian Isaac, Natalie Loughrin, Will Naylor, and Beth Reimer.

College and university graduates included Sara Dueck (certificate in financial and management accounting, U. of M.), Brendan Friesen (B.A. in conflict resolution and international development, U. of W.), Christopher Friesen (auto body apprenticeship, Red River College), Eric

Isaac (B.A. in pastoral studies, SBC), Karlene Thiessen (B.A. in Christian studies, SBC), and Jared Zacharias (B.A. in Christian studies, SBC).

Congratulations to all these graduates.

We wish you success and blessings in your future endeavours.

Louella Friesen

Jeff Giesbrecht, Caleb Friesen, and Lyndol Fast were baptized on June 11, 2006.

SBC offers flexible study schedule

Beginning in September 2006, SBC will offer classes in a block semester format.

This will allowFall students more flexibility in Class coordinating studies with work schedules.

Schedule Courses are taken over 15 weeks, one day per week in a three-hour block. Full-time September 6 –classes December students have in five 15 blocks per week; part-time students come only once Monday a week for each course.

8:30 Communications Since an increasing number of students Faith & Science are combining work and studies, this 1:00 Intro to Old Testament scheduleChristianity gives full-time students larger & the Imagination blocks of time for work. The advantage 7:00 Spanish for part-time students is that they need TueSday only one block per week away from their 8:30 Spiritual Formation work schedule. of With Philosophy the new& Programming Eastman Education Youth Ministries Centre in Steinbach, students can take Romans university/college courses at EEC while 1:00 Greek I continuing their program of studies Mission Theology & Strategy at SBC, and students at EEC can add WedneSday accredited SBC courses to their program.

8:30 Teachings of Jesuscan schedule Pastors Life and&youth pastors Marriage & Family to take a course one morning or afternoon Pastoral to fit into theirMinistries continuing education or 4:00 Major Drama professional development plan.

7:00 Major Drama This is a great opportunity for anyone ThurSday wishing to upgrade their Bible knowledge or continue working their degree.

8:30 Interpreting theon Bible Interpersonal Processes SBC Cultural Anthropology Jeremiah 7:00 Psychology I THE MESSENGER August , 006

Fall Class Schedule September 6 – December 15

Monday

ThurSday

8:30

8:30

1:00 7:00

Communications Faith & Science Intro to Old Testament Christianity & the Imagination Spanish

1:00 7:00

TueSday

FrIday

8:30

8:30

1:00

Spiritual Formation Philosophy & Programming of Youth Ministries Romans Greek I Mission Theology & Strategy

1:00

WedneSday 8:30 4:00 7:00

Life & Teachings of Jesus Marriage & Family Pastoral Ministries Major Drama Major Drama

Interpreting the Bible Interpersonal Processes Cultural Anthropology Jeremiah Psychology I Intro to Counselling Theology I Greek I (lab) International Mission (lab)

evenIng ClaSSeS 7–10 PM

Monday: Spanish ThurSday: Psychology I

ConTaCT Christal for information 1-800-230-8478 or 204-326-6451 ext 222• admissions@sbcollege.ca

1:00

FrIday 8:30

Intro to Counselling

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Convention Highlights

Ron Penner welcomes Good News Community Church (represented by Bruce Penner), Oak Bluff Bible Church (represented by Troy Selley), and Picture Butte Mennonite Church (represented by Abe Bueckert). The churches were formally accepted into the Conference on Sunday morning, July 9.

(Most Convention photos

by Becky Buhler)

Ward Parkinson, kneeling with wife Janine, was commissioned as full-time Canadian church planting coordinator for EMC. Offering prayers on their behalf were Darren and Pearl Plett, Art and Martha Dueck (Art not pictured), and Merna and David Thiessen.

The group Locusts and Wild Honey (left, above, and right) performed during the Sunday afternoon session.

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The Convention theme song, Stand Here and Rejoice, written by Danny Plett (above) was sung during each session.

THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

Worship through song was part of the weekend.

Sid Reimer served as chairman of the Convention planning committee.

Carlos and Ruth Vera (front) and Herman and Maria Cardenas (back) attended from Love in Action Christian Centre in Calgary, Alta.

A group from Braeside EMC in Winnipeg sang in Spanish.

Visiting



youth leaders with practical skills, tips and ideas for leading youth

October 13–15, 2006 Wilderness Edge, Pinawa, Man.



and inspire youth leaders in their walk with Jesus and for service



as a Conference and as individual church leadership teams

Speaker: Marv Penner, Professor at Briercrest THE MESSENGER August , 006

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Letters to government leaders urge end to violence MCC is urging Canadian and U.S. governments to promote non-violent and equitable resolutions to the conflict in the Middle East.

In letters addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President George Bush, MCC expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Lebanon and Gaza and urged government leaders to use the influence of their Office to negotiate an end to the violence.

“Canada has a respected role in the international community. We urge you to do your utmost to seek alternative ways of promoting security for all people in the region,” writes Don Peters, executive director of MCC Canada, in a letter dated July 24 to Prime Minister Harper.

“As a Christian agency committed to principles of nonviolence, we renounce all acts of violence—be they acts of terror or the excessive use of military force,” states a letter sent to President Bush from Harriet Sider Bicksler, MCC United States board chair.

Both letters warn that military attacks and reprisals will not create conditions for peace and security and that the humanitarian disaster in Lebanon and Gaza could escalate to a broader regional conflict. MCC has been working in the Middle East for almost 60 years.

“Certainly, attacks on Israel from Hamas and Hezbollah must stop but we do not accept that Israel’s drastic actions are the only way to accomplish this, nor do we believe that these actions will, in fact, give Israel security in the longer term,” said Peters.

He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict in a way that is fair, equitable and in keeping with international law.

“Canada’s longstanding official policy of seeking a two-state solution on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, together with a recognition of the rights of refugees, may still be the best way of accomplishing this,” states Peters. “To a large extent this policy was embodied in the 1993 Oslo Accords which so raised the hopes of many Palestinians. Unfortunately, developments in subsequent years have deviated far from that plan.”

Sider Bicksler urged President Bush to use his influence to promote direct talks between Israel and Hamas and Israel and Hezbollah.

“Talking to groups who have used terror as a tactic is not rewarding them,” she said. “Rather, it offers an opportunity

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to understand their concerns, to directly challenge their tactics and to work for mutually agreeable outcomes.

She also asks President Bush to take an “even-handed approach” to help negotiate a resolution.

“We are dismayed by the recent U.S. decision to speed a shipment of precision-guided bombs to Israel for use in their military campaign in Lebanon,” said Sider Bicksler. “How can the United States play a constructive role in helping to defuse the conflict while supplying arms to one of the parties?”

The importance of calling for an end to the violence and working towards solutions that lead to mutual understanding were also emphasized in a letter sent to President Bush by Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of Christian churches and church-related

organizations based in Washington, D.C. MCC is a member of this coalition.

An action alert developed by the MCC office in Washington encourages people to contact their government legislators to urge the U.S. government to take constructive steps to prevent the conflict from escalating further and addressing the root causes of the conflict.

A July 24 report on Lebanon submitted by the Middle East Council of Churches states the conflict has resulted in the death of close to 400 people. About 1,200 people have been injured and 950,000 have been displaced.

Damage to infrastructure is estimated at $2.7 billion U.S. The daily direct economic loss is about $15 million U.S. and daily indirect loss is about $100 million U.S. MCC

New video focuses on ‘invisible’ workers in Canada Angela and Geraldo are part of an invisible work force in Canada.

Angela is a Caribbean domestic worker and Geraldo a Costa Rican construction worker. Both work in Canada as undocumented workers to provide a better life for their families living in their home countries.

Borderless, a newly released 22-minute video, highlights their dreams of being reunited with their families and their struggles to live in Canada without legal status.

The video was produced by KAIROS with funding support from MCC Canada.

KAIROS is an umbrella group of Canadian church and religious organizations working together on social and justice issues.

Angela and Geraldo are among thousands of migrant workers from developing countries vulnerable to labour exploitation in Canada, said Ed Wiebe, coordinator of the national refugee program for MCC Canada.

“It is precarious at home but it also very precarious here,” he noted. “If they are sick they can’t go to a doctor or hospital because they don’t have a health card. If they are mistreated they can’t complain because they do not have a work permit. If

they are discovered they are deported.”

Undocumented workers are seen by many employers as a “cheap and compliant” labour force, explained Wiebe.

They often work for sub-standard wages and work long hours without adequate rest or overtime pay. In extreme cases, travel documents are withheld by employers.

An estimated 200,000 people work in Canada as undocumented workers. “Many people in Canada say that doesn’t affect us,” Wiebe said, adding he is hopeful the video will raise awareness that undocumented workers are contributing to the Canadian economy and that the basic human needs of all people, regardless of their legal status, need to be respected.

The video is available through MCC. Please visit mcc.org or call toll free 888622-6337 to order a video.

MCC

THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

shoulder tapping 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 forwardlooking church of about 400 regular attendees. 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.

Send a resume with references to lccfc@telus. net or LCCFC, Box 385, La Crete, AB T0H 2H0 Attention: Pastor Frank Winsor.

Mennville Church (EMC) seeks a part- or full-time pastor. Experience and education expectations are flexible. Mennville Church is a congregation of about 100, located in the Interlake area of Manitoba and close to Hecla Island, in a predominantly agricultural area. Contact Wes Barkman at 204-378-2778 (wbbarkmn@mts.net) or Roland Friesen at 204-378-2907 (rfriesen@riv. mb.ca). Conference pastor David Thiessen can also be contacted at the EMC national office (204-3266401).

Could we be looking for you? The Evangelical Mennonite Church at 422 Main St., Steinbach, Man., seeks a lead pastor. Are you an energetic person with a passion for the waking church? Are you a person that relates easily to a mult-generational

Exposure and Encouragement Trip to Central Asia Men in square hats, women in colourful Central Asian silk, lamb kebabs, nan bread, noodle soup of high calibre, a desert oasis, an ancient city dating back to Noah’s day, mosques and minarets, and everyday life depicting people of Muslim faith.

This and more awaits the Exposure and Encouragement Team going to Central Asia this fall. The tentative dates are October 11–23, 2006. Wouldn’t you like to go?

We will see Christian workers in action and hear their heart for the people God has called them to. Since 2000 the EMC and Frontiers have been concerned about planting an indigenous church in Central Asia. God is prospering their ministry. We will see what God is doing, encourage workers, and visit partner ministries through Women and Children at Risk in Central Asia project.

There will be opportunity for hands on helping of our workers.

Most time will be spent in the city, but we will see out-of-town tourist areas and ministry in other areas.

Perhaps you would like to explore ministry possibilities or simply go in order to pray, give and mobilize better.

Estimated trip costs per person are $4,000–$4,250 Canadian. Tax receipts can be issued through Frontiers. Trip details are being worked on. Contact Flo Friesen at 204233-8067 or Len Barkman at 204-326-6401.

A trip like this could change you forever!

THE MESSENGER August 2, 2006

church family? Do you have a strong commitment to an Evangelical Anabaptist understanding? Do you have strong teaching, preaching and organizational skills?

If this describes you, we invite you to pray and consider this opportunity.

Contact Henry Klassen, 63 Donald Ave., Steinbach, MB R5G 2B5; phone 204-326-6068; email henryk2@mts.net.

Mennonite Disaster Service is seeking to fill important roles for the summer months. If you are a skilled carpenter and can serve as a crew leader for one of our units, please contact Karla Amstutz at 717-859-2210. Also our Point Aux Chenes, Louisiana, site has openings for some skilled weekly volunteers. If you would like more information about these openings, please contact the location at 985-594-3946.

In addition, there is another opportunity in the Gulf Coast Region. While not an MDS project, it is one we encourage people to consider Gulf Haven Mennonite Church in Gulfport, MS, suffered damage to its building during the hurricane, as did many attendees and community people.

Currently the church is looking for skilled carpenters, plumbers and electricians to help in the rebuilding efforts. If you are interested in this effort, please contact Pastor Nelson Roth at 228669-8260.

Reserve Fellowship Chapel (EMC), located in Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a fulltime pastoral couple to serve the church and to develop long-term relationships with people of the community.

The smaller 50-year-old congregation is part of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, a community that has a Christian history going back to 1879. The congregation is located about 45 minutes from Virden and Brandon.

A strong sense of God’s call and a love for people are required. Direct inquiries to David Pashe, 204730-0409, e-mail: pashed@westman.wave.ca; or to Len Barkman, 204-326-6401, e-mail: emclen@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.

Kola EMC seeks a full-time youth pastor interested in strengthening our youth in their walk with God (partly through providing in-depth Bible studies) as well as in reaching others. Kola is a small, rural Manitoba community near the Saskatchewan border. It has a youth group of approximately 30, drawing from three communities.

Candidate should provide education, experience and references to Len or Lori Koop at 204845-2130, lkoop@mts.net; or Terry or Caroline Friesen at 306-646-4561, tcf.friesen@sasktel.net.

Applications should be submitted by September 1, 2006.

The following positions are available for the 2006-2007 school year at High Level Christian Academy: kindergarten, grade 9 and principal.

This Christian Academy, situated at High Level in northern Alberta, is a non-denominational, K-9 school with an enrolment of about 75 students. For a detailed job description, inquiries or to forward your resume, contact Eugene Peters 780-9264126 (home), 780-926-8923 (work), or eugsam@ telusplanet.net.

Need a retired farmer to live in Ukraine and act as a representative of an established mission farming project. Farming project supplies operating capital to seminaries for meeting the Great Commission in former Soviet Countries. Period of service is negotiable. Project will provide housing and airfares for husband and wife team. Tenure to begin at candidate’s prerogative. References supplied upon request. Contact Lee Grismore, director, Paraclete Company, LLC. E-mail flragrismore@thewavz.com; phone at 419-634-2282.

Wanted: A full-time home care attendant (40 hours per week) to look after a senior man.

He’s physically in good shape, but blind and somewhat hard of hearing. The attendant would drive him to the YMCA every weekday morning and be responsible for fixing his lunch. General housekeeping chores, as needed, would be required. There’s some free time available in the afternoon as he generally has a nap. $14 per hour.

Call Rick at 204-355-4567.

Manitoba House, an outreach to children aged five to 12 in Winnipeg’s North End, is seeking a children’s director. This position may be filled by a full-time person, or by several part-timers, all led by a volunteer.

Since 1999, children have been coming to the House, where they form positive relationships with adults and learn about Jesus. The goals of Manitoba House are to create a physically, emotionally safe and welcoming place for children, to respectfully nurture each child as an individual and as a valued member of a community and to share the healing message of Jesus Christ through words and actions.

Manitoba House is an inter-denominational Christian registered charity supported by a variety of churches, corporations and individuals.

More volunteers will also be needed for September. Volunteers assist through fun activities, singing, teaching life skills, helping with academic needs, and sharing the love of Jesus.

For further information contact Steve Brown: phone 204-222-0797 or 204-981-7694; e-mail manitobahouse@shaw.ca; website http://members. shaw.ca/manitobahouse.

The EMC Board of Church Ministries seeks two national board members (to be appointed

by General Board), two education committee members (appointed by BCM) and two archives committee members (appointed by BCM).

BCM has national responsibilities in the areas of Christian education, youth, publication, archives, The Messenger and music/worship. The frequency of meetings depends upon the committee. For information, contact executive secretary Terry Smith at 204-326-6401 or emcterry@mts.net; or conference youth minister Gerald Reimer at same phone number or emcger@mts.net.

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kids’ corner Loreena Thiessen

A Tale of Two Lakes

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ome people sit in the shallow water of the lake and build sand castles at the edge of the beach. Some read, chat with friends and listen to music. Others swim or float on the water. Here on the beach there is peace and rest and fun. This is Lake Winnipeg.

Lake Winnipeg is important for many reasons.

One is its history. Four hundred years ago the business and trade in Manitoba was furs. Small animals were trapped in rivers and streams; the furs, loaded onto ships on Lake Winnipeg then sailed into Hudson Bay, across the Atlantic Ocean to England and France.

An English explorer, Henry Kelsey, was the first white man to see Lake Winnipeg. He named the lake, Winnipeg, from a Cree word winepek which means muddy water water.

Another reason Lake Winnipeg is important is its resources. Resources are things which people and countries have to use or trade. Water in Lake Winnipeg is used to make electricity. Fish in the lake are food. Fishing and beautiful beaches bring tourists, or visitors, to the lake. All of these are resources.

Lake Winnipeg is long and narrow. Fierce northerly winds begin suddenly and push the water south. Waves build up to one meter and crash onto the shore. This causes flooding and washes away the shoreline which harms the people and the land.

Another important lake is Lake Galilee. Galilee

means fresh water. Lake Galilee is in Israel, the land where Moses brought the children of Israel.

It is the land where Jesus was born and lived. It is around Lake Galilee where Jesus walked and taught. It is where the story of Jesus began.

Lake Galilee was a busy place. All around were cities and villages. Shepherds and farmers worked on the hillsides. Boats and fishermen were on the lake. The lake was famous for its great fishing.

Remember when Peter caught too many fish for the nets to hold?

Like Lake Winnipeg, Lake Galilee is a lake where sudden winds cause danger on the water.

On Lake Galilee Jesus said, “Peace be still!” and the waves grew instantly calm.

It is Lake Galilee where Jesus walked on the water and called Peter to do the same. Here he called his disciples to follow him. He preached from the hillsides of Lake Galilee and fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. It is the lake where Jesus performed most of his miracles.

Lake Galilee is still important for its history.

People come on tours to visit the places where Jesus lived, preached and healed the sick. They come to holiday and relax. They come to eat fish; one famous dish is named after the disciple Peter.

Lake Galilee is famous for fruit that grows on the land around it. And it is famous for its fresh water which is shipped across Israel for people to drink.

Read stories of Jesus of Galilee in John 2:1–11, T John 6:1–14, Mark 6:45–54, Matthew 6. M

Activity: Sand Clay You need: 1 ½ cups sand (white sand for beach castles, grey sand for a granite look, yellow sand for sand stone; add small amounts of dry tempera paints to create different colours) 1 tsp. alum ½ cup cornstarch ¾ cup boiling water powdered tempera paint (optional ingredient)

Do: 1. Combine sand, alum and cornstarch in a pot.

2. Add boiling water and powdered tempera paint (optional ingredient) 3. Heat at medium temperature.

4. Cool and mould the clay into your favorite shapes (ducks, whales, fish, frogs, dogs, cats, or people).

5. Air dry for several days.

Children, make sure you do this activity only with a parent or another adult.

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