The Messenger Vol. 45 No. 20 November 14, 2007

Messenger The

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 45 NUMBER 20 NOVEMBER 14, 2007

Valley Praying in the

The

Messenger

The shape of new churches

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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 Unpublished material is not returned except by request.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. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents.

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

Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.

ISSN #0701-3299 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. 22 – December 19 (copy due December 7)

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editorials s the EMC plants churches, may we move from strength to strength!

In four years we have received seven congregations: Ebenezer Christian Church (2004), Oak Bluff Bible Church (2005), Good News Community Church (2005), Picture Butte Mennonite Church (2006), Saturday Night Church (2007), Grace Community Church (2007), and Many Rooms Church Community (2007).

Wonderful!

that our Spanish-speaking congregations multiply! Que el Señor bendiga y multiplica nuestras iglesias Latinas!

Some congregations emerged because of our strength in Canadian church planting: Reaching people with both Low German and Mennonite church backgrounds. The EMC often gravitates to such plants because of a sense of responsibility, immigration patterns, and its historic comfort zone.

Mucht de leewa Gott doch noch meea von disse Tjoatjchplaunte saejne!

Our conference, however, experiences mixed success in Even amid success, there’s a serious disjunction: connecting with mainstream After 60 years we’ve failed to establish a single Canada. Even amid success, there’s a serious disjunction: church of mostly non-Low German people that After 60 years we’ve failed to retains Mennonite in its local name. establish a single church of mostly non-Low German people Some use uncommon formats: Meeting that retains Mennonite in its local name. on Saturday or Sunday nights. All began This reflects on our conference’s confusing with a vision for a particular community or history of faith and culture, and it has for a part of it. God bless churches using implications for our future, including our denominational name. creative ways to touch people!

In church planting, we’ve much to learn.

We have, more recently, started May we move from strength to congregations with Hispanic newcomers.

T This reflects, in part, our foreign mission strength! M Terry M. Smith efforts, which educated us. May God grant

A novel approach isn’t always novel

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f you’ve read any of the Left Behind series, you can comment on it. I can’t comment on it.

I care about the Second Coming of Jesus. Moreover, Dr. Tim LaHaye’s view of the Second Coming is not unfamiliar to me; I once owned a copy of his commentary on Revelation: The Beginning of the End. My library includes titles dealing with future things (eschatology).

To me, a novel approach to the Second Coming isn’t novel. Sydney Watson wrote In the Twinkling of an Eye and The Mark of the Beast in the early 1900s. In the 1970s, I spent money on his books at a crusade where I stayed too long; it meant a long walk from downtown Calgary to my apartment in the city’s northwest.

When considering the Second Coming, some Christians will prefer novels, the

writings of Hal Lindsey and Jack van Impe, or look elsewhere.

Whatever our preference, beware of bandwagon eschatology. Christians can become too specific about the details and order of events within the Second Coming.

This can strain a personal testimony, family, local church, and denomination.

Our Lord’s glorious appearing, though, is no bandwagon. Warren Wiersbe once said that it’s more important to be on the Welcoming Committee than on the Planning Committee.

We are to live “upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself to redeem us” (Titus T 2:12–14). M Terry M. Smith

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

EMCers address missiologists’ conference

coming events November 27–28 Stronger Together Interchurch gathering for agencies and congregations engaged in mental health and disabilities issues Pre-conference to Canadian Mental Health Assembly Victoria Inn Winnipeg, Man. 204-275-0394 mcc.org/canada/health/conferences

Dr. Terrance Tiessen and occurs when Christians live Dr. Jonathan Bonk, both with faithfully in their context, connections to Kleefeld EMC, rather than adhering to a were among presenters at the particular doctrine. “We are conference of the Association called to be disciples, not of Anabaptist Missiologists Christians,” he said. at Canadian Mennonite AAM is a network of misNovember 30 University on October 12–13, sions professors, missiologist EMC Ministerial meeting 2007. scholars and writers, current Braeside EM Church Dr. Terrance Tiessen made and former missionaries, and Winnipeg, Man. Dr. Jonathan Bonk the case for “accessibilism,” church members with an in204-326-6401 the belief that God has a terest in mission studies and December 1 means of revealing himself practice. The conference was EMC Conference Council meeting to every person, even if sponsored by CMU, MennoSt. Vital EMC they never hear the gospel nite Church Canada Witness, Winnipeg, Man. in their lifetime. Tiessen Providence Seminary, and 204-326-6401 is Professor Emeritus of Steinbach Bible College.

Systematic Theology and Tiessen is a member of January 25–27, 2008 Break Forth Canada 2008 Ethics at Providence College Kleefeld EMC, and Bonk was Shaw Conference Centre and Seminary. ordained there as a minister.

Edmonton, Alta.

Tiessen argued that CMU/EMC www.breakforthcanada.com Dr. Terrance Tiessen the imperative for mission work remains, both because Jesus commanded his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and because of the love of neighbours.

“We want our neighbour to live in the fullest sense possible already now,” he said, “so we share with them the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection.”

Dr. Jonathan Bonk discussed the church’s fall at the conversion of Constantine in the fourth century. Bonk is Executive Director of the Overseas Ministries Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut.

Bonk said that when Christianity aligned itself with political power—a tactic that Jesus consistently rejected, he stated—it lost its central identity and integrity, mutating into the church-state culture blend known as Christendom.

The result was that doctrine was divorced from ethics, the teachings of Christ became irrelevant, and doctrine was dictated by councils chosen by the Emperor. $2.50 per book Bonk asserted that many people who for EMCers would consider Christianity don’t do so A 13-lesson study because they see only broken families, booklet that militarism, and economic hegemony explores our wider in the church. They want to follow the teachings of Jesus, he said, but they role as Christians, cannot convert in good conscience with a striving for Call or e-mail to order your since they see so many Christians not social justice as a copies today: 204-326-6401; living as Christ taught. biblical task. emcmessenger@mts.net For Bonk, mission and evangelism

Has your congregation used it?

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

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Valley Praying in the

of Tzel-Maweth

Pastor David Funk

Psalm 88 is terrible. It is the one Psalm that has no ingredient of resolution, no praise, not even I have been aficted and dying from my youth on; a commitment to I have suffered your terrors; I am desperate. praise in the future.

Your burning anger has crossed over me; The poet ends her your terrors have annihilated me. prayer by stating They swirl around me all day like water; that

they have encompassed me completely.

You have removed lover and friend from me; Darkness is my closest friend.

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THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

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he final word in Hebrew is darkness.

Martin Marty writes that “the Psalm is a scandal to anyone who isolates it from the biblical canon, a pain to anyone who must hear it apart from more lively words. Whoever devises from the Scriptures a philosophy in which everything turns out right has to begin by tearing out this page of the volume” (A Cry of Absence: Reflections for the Winter of the Heart, Harper and Row, 1983, p. 68).

What is this Psalm doing in our Bibles, we who have a faith characterized by hope, and joy, and the love of the Lord? Part of the answer must be that sometimes we as God’s faithful people find ourselves in the shoes of this poet.

Life is a God-ward journey, but the road towards Him sometimes takes us into valleys. In those valleys we are not able to see our goal. More than that, some of these valleys are so deep that not even a ray of light enters the bottom. This is the valley of Tzel-Maweth, Hebrew for the shadow of death. We need this prayer because sometimes we sojourn in the valley of Tzel-Maweth.

Psalm 88 is the prayer of a person in unrelenting pain. We don’t know the exact situation the psalmist was in, and that is intentional. This psalm is written in such a way that it can be the prayer of any of us THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

who experience unrelenting pain for any reason.

But one of the more common experiences of the Valley of Tzel-Maweth is the pain that mental illness brings.

Mental illness is common. According to studies done in the United States in the 1990s, 2.8 percent of its adult population suffered from severe and persistent mental illness. It’s said that 22.1 percent of all adults suffer from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder in any given year (Kathryne GreeneMcCreight, Darkness is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness, Brazos, 2006, p.

37).

Mental illness touches almost all of us in some way, whether it is your own personal experience or because someone you love is walking that valley. Perhaps you know what it is like to visit the psychiatric ward when someone you love is on suicide watch.

Mental illness touches almost all of us in some way, whether it is your own personal experience or because someone you love is walking that valley.

Kathryne Greene-McCreight is a wife, mother, and theologian. When she was 30, just after giving birth to her second child, she experienced a deep depression. Eventually she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder—what used to be called manic depression. Symptomatic of this disorder is that the person cycles from drastic highs to drastic lows and back again.

She wrote a book called Darkness is My Only Companion: a Christian Response to Mental Illness, and in it she describes what it feels like to be clinically depressed: “I feel as if I am walking barefoot on broken glass. When one steps on 5

broken glass, the weight of one’s body grinds the glass in further with every movement. The weight of my very existing grinds the shards of grief deeper into my soul. When I am depressed, every thought, every breath, every conscious moment hurts” (p. 29).

Drugs, electroconvulsive therapy, hospitalization, and psychotherapy can all be vital parts of the journey towards healing, and each of these was vital for Green-McCreight. However, the medical establishment that administers these aids often assumes that religion has little or no place in coping with or healing from mental illness. That is a problem for Christians.

To be sure, mental illness is a physical event.

It has to do with the synapses, neurons, and chemicals of the brain. But we believe that we are created beings, in inextricable relationship with our Creator. We believe that we are not just souls,

The majority of the prayers that God has given us to pray to him give some expression to brutally honest lament. If this terrible kind of prayer is one of God’s provisions for us when we are in the Valley of Tzel-Maweth, then we must have room in our faith for this kind of prayer. But we don’t. Lament has been mostly exiled from our personal and corporate worship, and the loss is great indeed. but embodied souls. Matter matters. Mental illness is therefore a physical event that has profound spiritual fallout.

The experience of mental illness raises some profound and troubling questions. We wonder, Is it God who sends this suffering? If so, why? We wonder, “Why, with my religious convictions about the love and mercy of God, with my belief in the unconditional and free grace of God poured out in Jesus even in spite of my basest longings and actions, why would I not be filled with Joy at every moment, eager to greet the day with the love of the Lord?” (Greene-McCreight, p. 25). The basic question to which all others return is “What is the relation of God to my suffering?”

Enter Psalm 88. This prayer is terrible, but it is not ultimately hopeless. It is not a Psalm of mute 6

depression. The fact that it is not hopeless consists not in what it does or does not say, but rather in how it is said. Hopelessness sounds like resignation.

Hopelessness sounds like silence, like non-prayer.

This Psalm speaks to God; and therein lies all the difference.

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann writes that “this psalm, like the faith of Israel, is utterly contained in the notion that Yahweh is there and must be addressed” (Greene-McCreight, p. 79).

It is as if on the bottom of the Valley of Tzel Maweth there is a pit, and it is prayer like this that is the lifeline which keeps us from falling into that pit.

Prayer like this is, therefore, an act of courage and an act of defiance. By it we remember and insist that in all things it is the Lord with whom we have to do. Even in that terrible valley we are on a journey towards God, and that terrible valley cannot be—is not!—where that journey ends.

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o, why do we have this terrible prayer in our Scriptures which are otherwise characterized by hope and joy and love?

Because this is what faithfulness sounds like in situations of unrelenting pain. We’re in real trouble when we stop praying like this, when we cease our part in this difficult conversation with God. Then there truly is hopelessness and we slip into the pit on the bottom of Tzel-Maweth.

The majority of the prayers that God has given us to pray to him give some expression to brutally honest lament. If this terrible kind of prayer is one of God’s provisions for us when we are in the Valley of Tzel-Maweth, then we must have room in our faith for this kind of prayer. But we don’t. Lament has been mostly exiled from our personal and corporate worship, and the loss is great indeed.

Lament is driven by a conviction that God cares and matters and is who he says he is. We lament not because we don’t believe, but because we believe so passionately. Conversely, loss of lament is a sign of unbelief. God has given us Psalm 88 and other laments because this is what faithfulness sounds like when we walk the valleys. Even here, it is the Lord with whom we T have to do. Yes, Lord! M David Funk is the senior pastor of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship in Calgary, Alta.

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

My Trip to

Rome

Ron Penner

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esus’ high priestly prayer in the Gospel of John includes a passionate plea to the Father that the believers in this world may be united “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” The Catholic Church took that prayer as the basis for inviting other church denominations, including the Mennonite church, for dialogue and theological discussions, in order that the body of Christ might be drawn together for more effective witness.

In the case of the Mennonites, we were invited to meet with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on October 18–23, 2007, in Rome. Theological discussions had already taken place in 2003, so this meeting had the express purpose of simply getting to know each other better.

We were invited to meet with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on October 18–23, 2007, in Rome. Theological discussions had already taken place in 2003, so this meeting had the express purpose of simply getting to know each other better.

The formal occasions for understanding the Catholic Church better came in the six council sessions: Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Council for the Doctrine of the Faith, Council for Justice and Peace, and Council for the Causes of Society.

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

The MWC delegation with leaders of the Focolari in Rome (Ron Penner highlighted in centre).

In addition, we spent time with officials from the Vatican State, as well as having an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. In addition, we were given guided tours of the Basilica of St. Peter, the Vatican, several other massive churches and basilicas, as well as the catacombs along the Appian Way. These were the site of meetings for early Christians in times of persecution and the burial grounds for believers who died.

An experience of this nature creates a number of significant impressions. On one hand, we were reminded of some of the reasons why our early Anabaptist/ Mennonites of the 16th century differed with the Catholic Church of that day. The role of traditions in church doctrine and life, the sacrament of infant baptism, the practice of installing exemplary persons as saints, and the combination of church and state in the Vatican were issues and practices that were out of step with our perspectives of Scripture.

On the other hand, there were also some very positive impressions. The repeated emphasis that they were basing their faith on Jesus Christ as foundation was perfectly in tune with our view.

Their genuine warm hospitality, their respect and grace toward us and our beliefs, and their overwhelming desire to treat us as favoured guests was a very meaningful experience. Repeatedly, they went “the second mile” to extend good will and friendship to our delegation.

The highlight in terms of a spiritual fellowship came one evening when we met with Catholics who are part of the Focolari Movement. In a setting of about thirty (continued page 8)

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(continued from page 7)

people, these missionaries from around the world gave their testimony of how they were committed to follow Jesus Christ as he outlined His will in the gospels.

They were committed to extending the love of Christ to all people, wherever they live, with only living expenses being provided. There was a real spirit of unity present as we ate, shared, sang, and prayed together.

After having been separated from the Catholics for almost five hundred years, more often casting stones and perpetuating stereotypes than extending love and

grace, this was a small step on the part of Mennonite World Conference to begin to repair the breach in order that the prayer of Christ might begin to be realized between Catholics and Mennonites.

Ron Penner is the EMC representative to Mennonite World Conference.

Looking at the Dialogue

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r. Helmut Harder is the co-chair of the Mennonite-Catholic dialogue (1998-2003), was the presenter about it at the EMC ministerial in December 2005, and was part of MWC’s delegation to the Vatican in October 2007.

The Messenger approached Dr. Harder with questions about MWC’s trip to Rome. Here are some of the questions and his replies.

While theological discussions had taken place in previous years, concern was to be raised about the treatment of Mennonites in some Catholic areas.

When, where, and to whom was this concern raised?

This concern has been raised a number of times in the course of the Mennonite-Catholic dialogue between 1998 and 2003 to the Catholic members of the dialogue, and through them to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Was concern raised in any context about the recent reiteration by the Vatican that other denominations are not churches “in the proper sense”? …this was raised with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the committee responsible for the reiteration of statements in the “Dominus Jesus” declaration of the year 2000, and for the declaration made this past July.

Is it accurate that one reason for the trip, from the Roman Catholic viewpoint, was that the body of Christ might be drawn together for more effective evangelization? How was this interpreted by the MWC organization? How does one evangelize together when we aren’t sure both are pulling in the same direction?

I know of no such “reason.” The purpose of the visit was: a) to be introduced to how the church goes about its work at the centre, in Rome; b) to help 8

Dr. Helmut Harder

Mennonites understand the workings of the Catholic Church better; c) to learn to know one another better on a personal level; d) to report to the PCPCU on how the Mennonites have responded to the dialogue report; e) to discuss possible future steps in possible church-to-church relations with the Catholic Church.

How would you address the concern of some Anabaptists that: • many Roman Catholics are not Christians • major doctrinal differences remain • Rome has its own agenda • this MWC trip was too conciliatory?

I assume you are asking for my personal opinion. I’m not sure why you want my opinion…. In any case, here it is in brief: • It is for God to judge whether many Roman Catholics are Christians or not. I have met many fine Christians who are part of the Catholic Church.

• Yes, many doctrinal differences remain, but differences in doctrine should not prevent us from dialoguing with those who claim to have received the grace of God into their lives and who love Christ.

• I assume that by “Rome” you mean the Catholic Church, and that by “its own agenda” you mean that the Catholic Church may have some hidden reason in mind for dialoguing with Mennonites. I have found the Catholic brothers and sisters we have had conversation with to be very open about their concern, which centres on John 17:21 and Ephesians 4:1–16. I have found no reason to be suspicious. I pray that we will always be mature enough in our faith to care for our integrity in this situation.

• I’m not sure how the MWC trip would be judged as too conciliatory. Surely our Christian calling is to do our best to seek reconciliation with others and to offer forgiveness to others rather than to perpetuate strife and misunderstanding.

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

Mennonite delegation presented concerns When Catholic leaders hosted the Mennonite World Conference delegation from October 18–23, 2007, in Rome, “We were so warmly welcomed that it was almost overwhelming,” said Nancy Heisey, MWC president.

“We learned much about how the Roman Catholic Church carries out its mission, and we were able in many of our encounters to share our own understandings, to describe our ministries and to raise our questions,” she said.

This visit provided the opportunity for MWC to take responses to the fiveyear dialogue’s report and concerns about the Catholic Church from member churches.

Catholic leaders see Mennonites as “leading Christian bearers of the message of peacemaking and nonviolence, which is at the heart of the gospel,” noted Larry Miller, MWC general secretary.

Key Catholic leaders now see active peacemaking and non-violence rooted in Jesus Christ as normative, not disconnected from the gospel, he said. “Pope Benedict XVI reiterated this position in his remarks to the MWC delegation.”

In the 16th century Catholics considered baptizing believers already baptized as infants as heretical. Now adult baptism among Catholics is seen as “normative,” according to Rev. Augustine DiNoia, and is increasing in frequency, particularly in the global North.

“Our witness will remain impaired as long as the world sees our divisions,” Pope Benedict said.

Monsignor John Radano credits Anabaptists, together with Baptists, as “the primary proponents of adult baptism.” He asks, “Do Mennonites accept Catholic adult baptism?” Mennonites and Catholics agreed that questions of baptism require more discussion.

A disappointment for MWC delegation member Paulus Widjaja, from Indonesia, was hearing that the Catholic Church calls most other Christian churches “ecclesial communities,” but not “churches.”

“At the end of our visit, the MWC delegation formulated a document that states what a church is in our belief. Both the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity had stated their openness

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

Nancy Heisey, MWC President, presented an image of Anabaptist martyr Dirk Willms to Pope Benedict XVI.

(Servizio Fotograpfico de L’.O.R., Citta del Vaticano)

to receive such a document and to study it,” he said.

The statement, sent after the visit, identifies belief in the triune God, Jesus Christ as the foundation of the Church, empowerment by the Holy Spirit, the scriptures as the authority for the Church, baptism as a public sign of commitment to a life of discipleship in the Believers Church tradition, the Lord’s Supper as remembrance and corporate sharing in the body and blood of Christ and of celebration and hope and encouragement for the Church to be one. The statement will be posted on the MWC web site, www.mwc-cmm.org.

On October 19, the delegation met Pope Benedict XVI, who said to them, “Since it is Christ Himself who calls us to seek Christian unity, it is entirely right and fitting that Mennonites and Catholics have entered into dialogue in order to understand the reasons for the conflict that arose between us in the 16th century. To understand is to take the first step towards healing.”

Pope Benedict also spoke of a common understanding of nonviolence and active peacemaking at the heart of the gospel and of a continuing search for unity. “Our witness will remain impaired as long as the world sees our divisions,” he concluded.

In her remarks to the Pope on behalf of MWC, Heisey spoke of the “great common heritage of faith” and “the challenges of being God’s people in this time” that Mennonites and Catholics share. She noted “the role of the church in matters of mission and evangelism, peace and justice, and a life of discipleship” and “the complexities of relationship between church and society” as common struggles.

Catholic and MWC leaders discussed future contact. MWC leaders want to report to and get direction from the General Council, which meets in 2009.

Catholic leaders desire dialogue with Mennonites and will adapt to the MWC timetable, noted Miller.

MWC

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with our missionaries Northern Manitoba

Something was missing, but no more

I was three months short of graduating as a lay reader in my church. As I stood in my clergy robe, preparing to minister, a still small voice said, “Something is missing.”

This happened several times.

I believed in God; I knew Christ as Someone greater than myself. I spoke to my wife Lilly about the voice, and she said, “Pray about it. Tell God, ‘If this is from you, let me know how I can get to know You better’.”

A few months later a friend called me, and said that I should somehow get to Thompson. So I caught a ride to Thompson with a friend. When I arrived at the airport, I was told that there was a plane leaving for Ilford shortly and I was to go on it.

When we landed at Ilford, the same friend took me to the community hall.

Jim Felix was preaching the gospel.

I felt that he was talking just to me. I went forward saying, “I want to accept Jesus Christ.” Jim led me through the steps of salvation and prayed with me.

The next time I put on my gown and prepared to minister in my church, I did not hear the voice again. Now I knew what had been missing. It was Jesus. Now he was living in my life and I felt so complete.

The Lord has work for me to do. I play my guitar and sing. I study Bible correspondence courses, and teach Bible studies in communities surrounding Thompson.

Zack Beardy

I said to Lilly, “I have Jesus in my life now, but I will never quit smoking.”

She said, “Can I pray for you?” Just to satisfy her, I said, “Sure, go ahead.” She laid her hands on me, one on each side of my head and prayed for me. After that I took one cigarette out of my package and smoked it.

Then I said, “I’ll believe,” and threw the rest of the package on top of the cupboard. I never had another cigarette that day. Next morning I had no urge to smoke, and I have never had another cigarette. Folks can smoke right next to me, and it does not even tempt me.

I suggested that as church leaders we should seek to actively involve people in the service. We should have testimonies. The people should do more than just say “Amen” and listen

to the reading of the Word and the singing. The priest said, “We don’t do these things in our church.” Then, just like a soldier who steps out of line, I was disciplined and stripped of my rank.

I turned in my gown and was just a layperson again.

But the Lord has work for me to do. I play my guitar and sing. I study Bible correspondence courses, and teach Bible studies in communities surrounding Thompson. In winter I serve soup to the street people in the drop-in centre.

I love to share Jesus with them. They know they are needy. They are enslaved in their addictions, but Jesus is strong to set anyone free who accepts Him. I know. He set me free. I no longer have the feeling that something is missing in my life.

Zack Beardy Submitted by Anna Penner

Das EMC Archivkomitee sucht Freiwillige die fähig sind Predigten, die in der alten gotischen Schrift geschrieben sind,

Zack Beardy is a co-worker of Anna and Bill Penner (Ridgewood). Penners serve under Continental Mission in northern Manitoba.

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ins heutige deutsch und auch ins englische zu übersetzen. Wenn gefragt, soll dieses Material in ganz Kanada verschickt werden.

Diese Arbeit ist unentgeldlich aber alle Unkosten für Material und Versand werden gedeckt werden.

Wenden sie sich an: Terry Smith, Tel. 204-326-6401 (er selber spricht kein deutsch) oder schreiben sie entweder (deutsch oder englisch) an: Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main St., Steinbach R5G 1Z5 oder emcterry@mts.net.

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

with our churches

Lord hears and answers our prayers Rosenort EMC (Man.): Rebekah Friesen, devil. Interestingly, Janine Parkinson as the volunteer youth sponsors who wife of Trevor, was accepted as a had the special music of the morning, continue to mentor our young people to stand firm in a difficult world. member in our church on October 14. representing Morris Fellowship.

Our Junior and Senior youth group Our church members face real and We appreciated her honest testimony of Christ’s work in her life. We are pleased continue to flourish under the leadership difficult struggles with mental and that three deacon couples have been of Amos and Wendy Fehr. The second physical health, unsaved or backslidden elected to serve our church: Dave and Men of Steel and Women of Beauty event children, or financial troubles. This Anna Friesen, Peter and Anne Kroeker, was well attended on Friday, October last year our morning services have 5. Dallas Kornelsen and Cassandra been punctuated with testimonies of and Enrique and Susie Thiessen.

This year we sent eleven youth to Gingerich, former area residents, were people returning to the Lord. Many have take post-secondary training at Bible speakers for the guys and gals. We requested prayer openly for very difficult colleges, including Bethany, Briercrest, appreciate the well-run program, as well situations.

We have praised with those Capenwray, and SBC. We are who rejoice and wept with those enthused that so many youth who are suffering. We saw a want further training for special answer to prayer for a service. young Colombian man. His sister On September 23, we really attends our church and shared appreciated the passionate the difficulties of life in Colombia message brought by Rev. Darren and the dangers there. We Plett of Pleasant Valley in the prayed with her that he would Region 6 pulpit exchange. get a miraculous exemption from Christ’s prayer for us was that mandatory military service. The the Father should not take us out Lord said yes to our request. We of this world but to protect us hope to meet him someday! from the evil one. He challenged Lorilee Scharfenberg us to get out there and win the world and do battle with the Baptism on June 3, 2007: Pastor Amos Fehr, Darcy Friesen, Jacob Waldner, Christa Penner, Steve Dueck, Brittany Kroeker, and Pastor George Toews.

Workers of the harvest

Prairie Rose (Landmark, Man.): China: 340,000 bibles were planted in the underground of China in 2006. Up came 5,795 churches with 661,000 seed-bearing trees.

Ethiopia: Forty-nine church planters worked the dry desert fields of Ethiopia for one year, and up sprang 3,755 eager witnesses ready to be publicly baptized even when faced with the constant threat of persecution.

Vietnam: In 1970 the church in communist Vietnam began with 40 faithful but illegal followers of Jesus. Now 2,600 to 2,700 houses of God are meeting, and are being supported with 700,000 to 800,000 pillars. They are now considered lawful by the communist government.

These stories and more were shared with us by Tom Wright of World Serve Ministries, the main speaker at our church’s Missions Conference in October.

Also reporting was John Brown of Africa Inland Mission, who graciously thanked Prairie Rose EMC for entrusting one of our own, Heidi Plett, to serve with them in the town of Rehoboth, Namibia.

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

“Today, Africa is experiencing the greatest human migration in the history of the world,” John said. “People are coming from rural areas and moving, amass, to the cities, and where there were once 50,000 people in the major cities, there are now 5,000,000 and growing by the day?”

Does this affect missions? “Yes” he replied. Missionary mindsets need to be flexible if they want to make an impact in the ever-changing demographics.

The Book of Acts type of revival is being lived out in many parts of the world. What about Canada? Do we need revival? The answer is a resounding Yes! Yes! Yes! Canada is its own United Nations. So where does revival start?

Where you are!

What about Canada? Do we need revival? Yes! Yes! Yes! Canada is its own United Nations. So where does revival start? Where you are!

John Brown, Africa Inland Mission

Tom Wright, World Serve Ministries

The Acts 2 church in Landmark?

Imagine: When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these people who are speaking, Mennonites? (continued page 12)

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(continued from page 11)

“Then how is that each of us hears them in our own native language?

Cree, French, English, Spanish, and Ukrainian; residents of Roseau River, Lorette, Ste. Anne, Ile des Chenes, and Ste. Pierre; and visitors from Sprague, Vita and Winnipeg!”

In the meantime, let us celebrate local missions where on Wednesdays in the “west wing” of Prairie Rose EMC, you’ll find Wanda Warkentin and Tish Hildebrand, coordinators for the girls’ club along with many other volunteers who are involved in this outreach.

The rest of the week is a hustle and bustle of activity, with youth programs (The Rescued and Youth Delta Force), and Moms Morning Out, all of which are run by many volunteers. Or how about Youth Alpha at the Flat Land Café?

And let’s not forget all those talented ladies at Prairie Rose who, for the past three years, have come together to make delicious perogy dinners to raise funds for the seniors apartments; they recently raised $11,500 for our returning missionaries, Evelyn Barkman and Evelyn Plett.

Then there is Dora Friesen and Violet Koop, who ministers to women in prison; and, finally, the Canadian Food Grains Team from Landmark who provide the land, labour and the love of farming and fellowship to help feed the people of underdeveloped nations.

Let us give thanks for the workers of the harvest!

Brigitte Toews

Girls’ Club

AFC celebrates baptisms Baptised on September 9 were Staff Wiebe, Nadene Frank, Geralyn Wichers.

Youth Pastor Peter Hall, Pastor Wally Frank, and board member Orville Friesen stand in the back.

Anola, Man.: Anola Fellowship Chapel celebrated the baptism of three young ladies this September. Starr Wiebe, Nadene Frank, and Geralyn Wichers were baptized and received into membership on September 9, 2007.

Jessica Wichers

Journal for EMC theology and education Editor, Darryl G. Klassen, kemc@mts.net Vol. 1 No. 1 Dec. 2006 Introduction Editorial: Preaching: More than joining theology and education Articles: A Christian Response to Suicide A Proper Understanding of Water Baptism at the Moment of Application A Critique of the Emerging Church Communion, Creation and Truth: A Response

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Feature Sermon: Falling for a Shadow, Philippians 3:1–21 Book Review: The Pagan Christ: Recovering the Lost Light The Final Word: Dr. A. James Reimer Vol. 2 No. 1 June 2007 Editorial: We must ask hard questions Articles: The Mennonite Conscientious Objector Experience Balthasar Hubmaier: A Bridge for Theological Discussion and Discipleship within the EMC

Complementarianism: The Biblical Middle Feature Sermon: The Church: The Hope of the World Book Review: Jacob and the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel’s Story The Final Word: Dr. Thomas N. Finger

Available free in print. PDF at www.emconf.ca. Third issue is in production. Published by EMC Board of Church Ministries.

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

‘Remarkable’

A

and ‘gutsy’ women honoured

t the close of their long-term missionary service, Amanda Barkman and Evelyn Barkman were honoured by the EMC on the evening of October 25, 2007, at Prairie Rose EMC. Welcome and prayer were

by Ward Parkinson, church planting coordinator. I Will Never be the Same Again and, later, Amazed were sung by Amanda Barkman Janine Parkinson.

Evelyn Barkman Ken Zacharias, EMC foreign secretary, said in a devotional, “There’s never a safe time in life when we nationals, some of whom still seek her advice; despite a can feel comfortable with who we are in Jesus Christ.” low income, she helped co-workers and nationals.

We must be drawn back to the Cross, to what Jesus has Elmer commended her as a “disciplined, done for us. Paul’s passion was to conscientious, highly motivated” share Christ, and it should be ours, woman, he said. “A small class he said. would cause her a bigger problem Edwin Esau, New Tribes Mission than a heavy workload.”

Amanda Barkman (Blumenort) representative, described Amanda “Just sitting around and began teaching missionary as a “remarkable lady” who taught not having a lot to do is not missionary kids in Venezuela. Past in Amanda’s vocabulary,” he children in Venezuela in 1977. students wrote of how the treasure said. When she came to Canada The Venezuelan government of Christ was revealed in Amanda’s briefly to be near her ill parents, ordered New Tribes Mission life. He quoted Joshua 1:9 as God’s she taught school at NTM’s promise to Amanda in a time of headquarters in Ontario. She leaves workers to leave the country change. a good example, “a lot of godly by early 2006.

Elmer Barkman, a long-time characteristics for others to follow. worker with NTM, spoke of helping I am honestly proud to be your to recruit his “baby sister.” By going brother.” to the mission field, she forfeited Amanda responded by speaking many job opportunities—and she made NTM history of “mixed emotions.” She was grateful to the Lord and by not going through the mission’s training program, he to others for “a super satisfying privilege” of being able said. to stay for almost 30 years in Venezuela. Yet there is On the field she was an excellent teacher, also pain, both in being forced out (with other NTM selected there to be a resource worker to children workers) from the country and in readjusting to life in who struggled, Elmer said. She was appreciated by Canada.

A highlight was being able to see some former students return as missionaries, she said.

Grant Morrison, from Avant (formerly Gospel Missionary Union), said Evelyn Barkman “is a pretty gutsy lady” who was sometimes the only “non-African” in Mana (a southern village).

Len Barkman, former EMC General Secretary and Evelyn’s Presenters honouring Amanda Barkman and Evelyn Barkman were Len Barkman, Elmer Barkman, Edwin sibling, spoke of how he and Evelyn Esau and Grant Morrison.

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

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were the oldest of 11 children. After in love with the people of Mali, and attending Miller School of the Bible modeled incarnational ministry. and serving a one-year church She observed many changes Since 1971 Evelyn Barkman internship in Portage la Prairie, during 37 years, and had a (Prairie Rose) was involved Evelyn was led to the spiritually significant role in training women and physically demanding African and men, he said. Len wished her in Mali in medical care, country of Mali. and Amanda a fulfilling future, and teaching in a girls’ school and Evelyn was an early EMCer closed by reading from Isaiah 12.

Mana Bible Institute, and in to work among Muslims, and Evelyn responded that since did so in an isolated rural area 1964 she was interested in ministry leadership training. with limited communication, to Muslims. She was grateful to social contacts, and community the Board of Missions and pastors, supports, he said. She coped while expressing disappointment with malaria, hepatitis, “various that Henry Klassen, when General creatures,” road travel, drought, and famine within the Secretary, had not visited her on the field. sub-Saharan country.

She said “my highlight would be relationships.” She Many hardships she kept to herself to spare her spoke of Daniel, a man of animist-Muslim background family, yet she was always optimistic, Len said. She fell whose relationship changed from student to co-worker.

She rejoiced in visiting a large church he started and pastored. Then he was put in charge of ministering to missionaries serving unreached people groups in Mali. It was a privilege to have a part in his training and life—one example among hundreds, she said.

After Amanda and Evelyn responded, John Bueckert, board of missions vice chairman, presented them with a soapstone mantle clock.

Tim Dyck, General Secretary, led in a time of prayer fellowship—adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

About 80 people attended the evening.

Terry M. Smith

The EMC Board of Church Ministries is entrusted to work together with local churches to shape the type of congregations and Christians we become. We are seeking volunteers to serve on the

Education Committee Four members needed The committee is responsible to assist churches with Christian Education (publishing, resource materials, and teaching events) and to minister to postsecondary students. It meets roughly six times a year for 90 minutes. Members can be given committee work.

Archives Committee Two members needed The committee is responsible for overseeing the EMC national archives; soliciting, organizing,

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and preserving of EMC historical materials; and encouraging research of, understanding of, and appreciation for our faith legacy. The committee meets roughly four times a year for two hours. Members can be given committee work.

Planting churches is important, and their maturity also matters!

For information, contact: Terry M. Smith, Executive Secretary 204-326-6401 emcterry@mts.net Robert Goertzen, Board Chair 204-326-2175

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

videos shared

Dave K. Schellenberg

Journey of Loss…Discovery of Hope: The Healing of Grief (65 minutes) David C. Bojorquez and Keith G. Myers (Vison4Media, 2004); Training, Counselors and Leaders Guide (29 pp.) by Dr. Sarah A. Wilson (Vision4Media, Inc., 2005), ISBN 0-9747368-2-1. $29.95, guide alone $9.75 (www.Vision4Media.com). Reviewed by Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg, EMC minister and widower.

T

his DVD and booklet discusses the matter of the healing of grief after the loss of a spouse, child, or friend, to name some. It deals with this topic in four phases: Introduction to Loss, The Heart in Mourning, The Most Human of All Conditions, and The Greatest Mystery of All. Each segment has a brief introduction. (There are also additional perspectives on bereavement, faith, and the afterlife.)

In the first segment people talk of their emotions and feelings at the point of loss—their feelings when death came to a loved one.

The Heart in Mourning speaks of people’s feelings in mourning. They use statements like: Felt devastated, felt crushed, there was emptiness. Emotions would overtake them when they suddenly faced reminders.

In The Most Human of all Conditions, people grappled with feelings such as guilt or anger. Here various clergy and counselors speak to the topic: A rabbi, a marriage and family counselor, a bereavement counselor, and others.

The fourth chapter, The Greatest of all Mysteries, talks of people who have had near death experiences.

It records the testimonies of people who have lost someone and later, through some happening or incident (sometimes in dreams), have been reminded of them—incidents which should not be classified as accidental. One person was reminded of a loved one

My concern is that Christians or others who take too much of this material might miss their need of a Christ-centred focus— salvation through Him. THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

While needing to express some concerns about the theology behind this material, I would not want people to overlook the good, practical help provided in some of the material. There is good information on some of the practical aspects of grief. while looking at pickles in a store; for another, a song was a reminder.

One has to be very alert in the viewing and listening process. A grieving person will likely need to look at it twice or more to get the message. I had to see it at least three times to get the real message. If you put that time in, I believe you will say it was worth watching and listening to—with one strong caution.

A difficult area is the theology or spirituality it sometimes brings out. I don’t have a problem with a confident Christian viewing this material and sorting through it. However, the video assumes that there is life after death in heaven for everyone. That is a problem.

There isn’t enough of a Christian focus in this video.

My concern is that Christians or others who take too much of this material might miss their need of a Christ-centred focus—salvation through Him. “Then know this you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10–12).

While needing to express some concerns about the theology behind this material, I would not want people to overlook the good, practical help provided in some of the material. There is good information on some of T the practical aspects of grief. M 15

stewardship today Gary Sawatzky

The Gift

G

ifts are curious things. When Christmas, birthdays and weddings arrive, gifts are expected and easy to accept. Unexpected gifts are more complicated. Questions such as, “Why is this gift being given?” plague us. We tend to forget that it is the way of the Holy Spirit to bless us when we least expect it or when we have tremendous need.

A couple stood to the left of the cash counter, the young man frantically searching through his wallet. The minutes passed, other customers came and went, but he kept thumbing through his wallet. He glanced over at his anxious-looking wife, who shook her head as she flipped her cell phone closed.

“Is something wrong?” a curious bystander asked.

The young man explained that his credit cards were full, he had no cash and that his wife was unable to reach

We all face situations in which we are the receiver.

Sometimes accepting the gift of another’s generosity can be difficult to do joyfully. But when we realize the giver is an agent of God in helping to meet our need of the moment, we find true joy in the gift.

imagine their surprise, relief, and perhaps even shock, at the unexpected generosity offered.

We all face situations in which we are the receiver.

Accepting the gift of another’s generosity can be difficult to do joyfully. Sometimes it involves accepting our circumstances and/or limitations and acknowledging that the giver has a capacity that we ourselves may not have. But when we realize the giver is an agent of God in helping to meet our need of the moment, we find true joy in the gift.

For every giver, there must be a receiver. We ought to be like Paul who was earnestly grateful for the generosity he received from the church at Corinth.

At the same time, we should seek to emulate the Corinthian church by being generous to a fault.

There is tremendous joy in being able to benefit others and there is tremendous joy in being blessed by a gift. We ought to receive generosity from others with grace, thankfulness, and humility. In addition, we must be joyfully and willingly generous with all that we have been entrusted.

You may have a story you wish to share about an unexpected gift, either as a giver or as a receiver. If you do, please forward it to me in Calgary, and I may use it anonymously to encourage us T all about God at work. M

her parents on the phone. In short, he had no way to pay for the gas he had already pumped. Although he did not voice the question aloud, the question hung in the air, “What am I going to do?”

The next customer stepped up to the counter and handed his card to the cashier, saying as he did so, “Put his bill with mine.’”

Or, as one student writes, “I was searching for a place to live and having a difficult time finding an affordable apartment. A friend and I had talked about living together, but the rent on her place was too high for my budget, so I had (regretfully) turned it down.

“A few days later, my friend approached me again. Her parents had offered to cover part of the rent so that we could live together. I did not expect to be the recipient For stewardship education and services, of such generosity, and I contact your nearest Mennonite Foundation was overwhelmed. All of of Canada office: Abbotsford – Ed Wedel, a sudden, I had a place to 1-888-212-8608; Calgary – Gary Sawatzky, live, manageable rent, and a 1-877-717-0708; Niagara – Darren Priesgreat roommate.”

Klassen, 1-888-212-8731; Kitchener – Mike In these stories, the Strathdee, Sherri Grosz, 1-888-212-7759; individuals were in Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, 1-800-772-3257. situations of need. We can

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THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

archivistsʼ corner Terry M. Smith

Lost without translation

W

hat sort of treasures does the EMC have within its Archives?

Recently within our vault I came across an original, handwritten sermon by Rev. Klaas Reimer, founding leader of the Kleine Gemeinde (now EMC). It was displayed briefly during meetings of the Board of Church ministries and its Archives Committee. A photocopy was displayed at conference council in July.

The flowing, neat, cursive script displays the penmanship required by its time. What might such a minister have thought of computers, text messaging, and Skype (using computers as a telephone)?

Beyond the technology used by such ministers, what of their lengthy messages used to challenge, correct, and encourage part of the flock of Christ?

To their original hearers, sermons in High German were instructive and shared in a rich language. Today, German remains a world language treasured by many EMCers—even if a bit distant for more people. There are, as well, many EMCers, with Germanic or nonGermanic roots, who find that much is lost without translation.

Gemeinde ministers appear in translation by Ben Hoeppner: Klaas Reimer (1770–1837), Abraham Friesen (1782–1849), Heinrich Balzer (1800–1846), Johann F. Friesen (1808–1872), and more. Mr. Plett’s original research into Kleine Gemeinde history is an effort for which we are indebted as a conference.

The EMC Archives Committee, which operates under the authority of the Board of Church Ministries, is seeking to transliterate the cursive German script into modern German lettering, and to translate from German into English. During that translation process, and later, there is a need to engage in historical and theological analysis.

For theological analysis, some work has been done by both Dr. Archie Penner and Dr. Arden Thiessen; a bit has been publicly presented. More informal analysis has likely happened over the years. The material analyzed and published, however, seems quite limited. This means much more remains to be done.

Such analysis remains necessary to accurately understand, interpret, and assess early Kleine Gemeinde and post-Reformation Anabaptist theology.

A historian within our conference once observed that our conference has few theologians who write on theology. If we go by books published, that’s true.

However, we actually have many pastoral theologians who write almost weekly: Sermons, Bible studies, devotionals, and more. What we need is for these pastoral leaders to be less self-conscious and to forward these materials to us. When they do that, it is a great help to also provide the date, place, and context of the message.

Why was this message presented to this congregation at this time?

Recently within our vault I came across an original, handwritten sermon by Rev. Klaas Reimer. What might such a minister have thought of computers, text messaging, and Skype (using computers as a telephone)?

We can be grateful to the late historian Delbert Plett for much of his original work, including such books as Leaders of the Mennonite Kleine Gemeinde in Russia 1812–1874, published in 1993.

In that volume some sermons by early Kleine

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

Pastors and ministers are today writing sermons that will be of historical interest tomorrow! We need leaders, or their relatives, to donate sermons, Bible studies, and other writings for housing within the vault. If giving the original isn’t possible, photocopies are welcome.

Some families have searched through the papers of a deceased minister-relative and forwarded such materials to us. It would be equally fitting if living ministers, and T other preachers, would send us stacks of their messages. M

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The Image Bearers Mirror, mirror on the wall Reflects the image of our fall When I see my reflection with natural eyes, Do I see the image of a prize?

What do I see in this human face?

Do I see the evidence of God’s Grace?

I see open pores and wrinkled skin I see bushy brows and a double chin I see a blemish, red and sore I see no hair where there should be more Can this reflection truly be, The way things are inside of me?

Then as the light of knowledge in me grew The Glory of God came into view When I turned my face then I could see The One who holds the mirror isn’t me He held it up to reveal His Son The perfect, righteous, Holy One His Glory shone before time began Now His Spirit lives inside of Man As we pass from darkness into the light We behold the face of God, In Christ When we gaze at Him through the looking glass, Then we’ll reflect the Glory that will last 2 Corinthians 3, 4:16–18; Hebrews 12:2, 1:3 Brigitte Toews

GRAHAM MACKENZIE COLE SIEMENS 1998–2007

Let us tell you about a blond headed boy with sparkling blue eyes, rosy lips, a mischievous grin, and a sweet, gentle heart; a boy who loved and is loved, and always will be.

Graham Mackenzie Cole Siemens was given to us by our loving God in a miraculous way. He was born with a very

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slim possibility of survival en route to Winnipeg in an ambulance on October 9, 1998.

Graham was a notorious climber. From age one he would climb onto the roof of the family car, baseball backstops, play structures, and so on, just because he could. He was inquisitive, very observant, and curious.

During the baling season, the whole family would be on the field. When Graham learned to drive the four-wheeler, he spent hours driving one swath over from his Mom, from one end of the field to the other and back, grinning from ear to ear.

He enjoyed working with his Dad on the farm, and developed a strong work ethic. He noticed things that needed to be done and did them without being asked.

He had his heart set on being a dentist and running a Chinese restaurant— simultaneously.

One of Graham’s favourite games was chess, and he was able to win against all of us, even Dad. He loved to ride the four-wheeler and his dirt bike, jumping

in the pool, jumping on the trampoline, and jumping and climbing on the bales.

He would often catch us off-guard with a wink and a sly grin.

Graham prayed to ask Jesus to forgive his sins and to live in his heart at a young age. He often prayed for wisdom both for himself and his family.

Graham went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, September 2, 2007, at 7:45 in the evening, while doing what he loved: Riding the four-wheeler with his cousins and friends.

He left his parents Wes and Sherri Siemens, brothers Caleb and Lucas, and sister Tess, not to mourn his passing, but to look forward to seeing him again at the feet of Jesus in heaven. He is now reunited with his grandfather Henry Siemens.

Graham also left his grandparents Pete and Mary Wiebe, grandmother Margaret Siemens, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, who feel our loss of Graham, but know it is his glorious gain.

His Family

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

shoulder tapping Riverton Gospel Chapel in the town of Riverton in Manitoba’s Interlake is ready to accept a fulltime pastor. We are a congregation of about a hundred attendees in a Sunday morning service. We are an energetic group, with a good representation of all age groups, and a diversity of vocation. You may direct inquiries to Waldon Plett (204-378-2975, weplett@lakenet.ca) or Brad Kornelsen (204-378-2329).

Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in eastcentral Saskatchewan, is currently looking for a pastor. We have a fairly young congregation consisting of 18–20 families, with about 16 children in Sunday School. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel. net.

Are you an enthusiastic couple called by God to serve in full-time ministry? Hillside Christian Fellowship (EMC) seeks a pastor to serve in fulltime ministry with a part-time emphasis on youth.

We are a family oriented rural church located in the heart of a farming community 20 minutes south of La Crete, Alta. Our average attendance is about 60 people. Musical ability is an asset. Contact Johnny Wieler at 780-928-3880 or email AVLL@siscanada. ca.

Pelly Fellowship Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth worker or couple to develop a program for youth and junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba border. Applicants need to have a strong personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a sense of God’s call on their life. He/she will need to be flexible, have strong communication, organizational, relational and leadership skills, as well as being self-motivated. Music skills would be an asset. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306-595-2074.

E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com.

Fish Creek Christian Fellowship (a nine-year-old EMC congregation meeting in South Calgary) is seeking a bi-vocational senior pastor to begin this summer or fall. We currently have about 40 people attending, and our aim is to reach the lost in our area.

We are looking for an organized, selfmotivated candidate with a strong pulpit ministry and gifts in evangelism, discipleship and visionary leadership for church re-planting.

For details and discussion please contact Dean Buhler, 1452 Lake Sylvan Dr SE, Calgary, AB T2J 3C8. Phone 403-271-5171 or e-mail kbuhler1@ telus.net.

Steinbach EMC (www.emchurch.com) in Steinbach, Man., is looking for a motivated, creative and energetic person to fill the position of pastor of youth ministries. The applicant would be involved in the coordination of all youth programs and activities.

Deadline for resume submission is January 1, 2008. Please forward your resume either by email or mail to: Randy Martens, Pastor of

THE MESSENGER November 14, 2007

Youth Ministries Search Committee, Box 3212, Steinbach, MB R5G 1P5, phone: 204-326-3608, e-mail: randymartens@hotmail.com or erniefro@ mts.net.

The EMM Conference seeks a full-time executive director in its Winnipeg, Man., office.

Duties and Responsibilities: Participate with the General Board in the preparation of the Ministry Plan; develop action plan to achieve results; manage staff resources to carry out the Conference’s mandate, report on Conference activities to the General Board; communicate, reporting, and interact with the Council, General Board, and Regions; ensure appropriate systems and process are in place to carry out mandate of the Conference in all required areas including operations, financial management, internal controls, compliance with taxation and other regulatory agencies and risk management; and other matters as determined from time to time or directed by the General Board.

Qualifications and Attributes: Experienced leader with demonstrated capabilities of working with multiple priorities; strong communication and organizational skills to work effectively with the council, general board, regions and staff; and collaborative approach to build consensus on matters while staying focused on achieving the desired results.

The EMMC is a conference of churches holding to the Anabaptist-peace position with ministry in Canada, USA, Mexico, Belize, and Bolivia (www. emmc.ca). The successful applicant must be fully supportive of EMMC’s mission and vision and be prepared to sign the EMMC statement of faith.

Please submit your confidential application/ resume stating qualifications, experience, and statement of faith to The Moderator, EMMC, Box 52059, Niakwa PO, Winnipeg, MB R2M 5P9.

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 church planting coordinator Ward Parkinson, 204-326-6401, e-mail: emcward@mts.net.

EMC Board of Leadership and Outreach seeks planters to start congregations in Canadian cities. The national office works with local churches and regions to envision, equip, and respond to these needs. Cities envisioned are Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Regina, Windsor, and London. Also needed are core families willing to be part of the church plants. Together it can happen! Contact church planting ccordinator Ward Parkinson at 204-326-6401, emcward@ mts.net.

MCC Ontario seeks an executive director. It has a staff of 65, many volunteers, and a budget of about $9M. The director leads the team in its mission. It is a full-time position with a three-year renewable term. Beginning date is negotiable.

The board seeks an individual committed to a personal Christian faith, active church membership and nonviolent peacemaking, who holds a related university degree, and five or more years in an organizational leadership position.

The director guides the development of MCCO program plans; works collaboratively with board, staff, colleagues and the constituent church leaders; is effective in public communication; and leads MCCO in fund development. A job description is available.

Applications are accepted until November 23, 2007. Send letter, resume and three references to Search Committee of the Board, 50 Kent St., Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1; ontarioedsearch@gmail. com.

Camp Assiniboia, Headingley, Man., requires a manager, beginning in April 2008. Key attributes being sought include energy, effective communication and operational know-how. There are also open­ings for a food services coordinator (1.0) and a guest group coordinator. (0.5). Direct inquiries to: Director of Camping Ministries, Mennonite Church Manitoba, 200-600 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2J1, E-mail: camps@mennochurch.mb.ca, Ph. 204-895-2267.

Mennonite Foundation of Canada is accepting applications for a receptionist in the Winnipeg, Man., office.

This person will be responsible for front desk and telephone reception, processing incoming and outgoing mail including deposits and receipting, word processing and various other clerical duties.

Experience in a computerized office environment, specifically using Microsoft Office software with proficiency in Word is desired. Applicants should enjoy interacting with the public and possess strong interpersonal and telephone skills.

MFC offers a competitive salary and benefits package. A complete job description is available upon request. Processing of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested persons should send their resume to Assistant Manager, Mennonite Foundation of Canada, 12-1325 Markham Rd., Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6, Ph. 204-488-1985, Fax 204-488-1986, E-mail: rbjanzen@mennofoundation.ca.

What team do you like to play on?

EMC Missions desire to send a team of church planters to Mexico. Following two semesters of Spanish language study, the team will be placed in one of the cities in Chihuahua State working alongside national church leaders and missionaries.

For information contact Ken Zacharias at 204-326-6401 or emcken@mts.net.

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Taste and See the Lord is good S

unday, November 4, 2007, started not unlike other Sundays: A race to get out of the house (even though the time change gave us an extra hour), a great time of fellowship with my Sunday School class, and then to the pews for a great time of learning and worshipping the one true God. But this morning the worship service would take a slightly different, but not unheard of twist. We would be celebrating communion.

As the bread came to me, I was about to take a piece when I remembered “I can’t eat that!” I have Celiac disease and cannot eat even the smallest amount of wheat or I have incredible amounts of pain and suffering. Even touching the bread and licking my fingers would be enough to set me off.

I let the bread pass by. That’s when I clearly heard God telling me to “Eat it. Eat it. Eat it!” I knew God wanted to me to eat it. I think He said it three times because I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and need, sometimes, to be told more than once.

I thought, but was not sure of this, that God was telling me I would not experience any symptoms of Celiac disease if I ate the bread in obedience. I got off the pew and hunted down the bread. Then, in faith, I ate the bread.

For most of you, there is nothing special about eating bread. But let me share with you what it was like for me, a Celiac, not having eaten real bread for quite some time: that was the most delicious piece of bread I have ever eaten. I let the gluten-filled piece of dough melt in my mouth, delighting myself in the wondrous taste of it.

Trevor Esau

Then, a Bible verse popped into my mind. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” Never before has that verse carried so much meaning as at that instant. It was a tremendously spiritual moment for me.

After church, I went home and waited. I did not want to expect the symptoms; I wanted to expect the miracle. And the miracle is what I got! God honoured my obedience to Him by granting me an afternoon without pain and suffering. He granted me an incredible experience, an incredible insight into the goodness of God. Let me close this story by noting that this is not about me. It is about God and His faithfulness. God keeps His promises. God wants so much to give us good things. We must choose to accept, even when accepting requires a leap of faith.

I want to include a note of caution, though, so that people with Celiac disease do not take it upon themselves to eat the bread in faith. Even I am not willing to say that next time communion happens that I would be willing to eat the bread. There was an absolutely clear word from God in this particular T instance. M Trevor Esau is part of Steinbach EMC.

Let me share with you what it was like for me, a Celiac, not having eaten real bread for quite some time: that was the most delicious piece of bread I have ever eaten.

I let the dough melt in my mouth, delighting myself in the wondrous taste of it.

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