The Messenger Vol. 48 No. 3 February 3, 2010

THE

MESSENGER

(DesignPics.com)

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

volume 48, number 3 February 3, 2010

Breaking Free:

From caregiver to equipper www.emconf.ca/Messenger

editorials

Brunk and the dogs

O

n January 18 it was estimated by CBC that Canadians had donated $54 million to help Haiti.

To respond to practical needs is an integral part of our faith as Christians. Paul was counseled, and eager, to remember the poor (Galatians 2:10). James said that faith is worthless if it does nothing to help those without clothes or daily food (James 2:15-16).

We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, if we do not love our brothers, whom we can see (1 John

4:20). John says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:17).

Years ago George R. Brunk II spoke at SBC’s chapel service on The Good Samaritan, suggesting that one passerby avoided the injured man because he was headed to a meeting

To respond to practical needs is an integral part of our faith as Christians.

Governor General Michaëlle Jean

D

uring the Haitian crisis, as elsewhere, Canada’s Governor General has acted with dignity and grace.

Her role confuses many Canadians; for them, the key question is what sort of person is she.

She has publicly danced in her birthplace of Haiti, and elsewhere, delighting in life in culturally appropriate ways.

She affirmed Inuit history and culture by helping to skin a seal and then ate a bit of its raw heart, endearing herself to many people (and horrifying a few).

In recently speaking to the peoples of Canada and Haiti, she cried

EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman

rroman@emconf.ca

Address changes and submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 5 – March 3 (copy due February 19)

2

publicly. She remembered Canadian “police officers, soldiers, missionaries and humanitarian workers” serving in Haiti (my emphasis).

She is a person of dignity and warmth.

The Apostle Peter counseled Christians, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the King” (1 Peter 3:3).

The 1611 King James Version is dedicated to the ruler who authorized it: “To the Most High and Mighty Prince, James, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Etc. The Translators of the Bible wish Grace,

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 St., Steinbach, Man. Subscriptions: Canadian subscriptions are $24 for one year, $44 for two years,

to speak on the social implications of the gospel.

If it was a jab at social action, it was misplaced. It was, likely, more a jab at empty talk; it was an evangelist saying that there is no substitute for practical help in the face of immediate, desperate, physical needs.

The Elder John reminds us not to love with “words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

In our Lord’s parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, though, dogs “licked” the sores of a beggar (Luke 16:19-21). Even these simple creatures did what they could to cleanse T and to comfort. M Terry M. Smith

The role of Canada’s Governor General confuses many Canadians; for them, the key question is what sort of person is she.

Mercy, and Peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Would people who tuck a KJV under their arm say that today?

We are to pray “for kings and all those in authority—that we may live quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2).

This includes prayer for Canada’s Queen, our Prime Minister, and our T Governor General. M Terry M. Smith

$65 for three years (Manitoba residents add 7% PST); U.S. subscriptions are $30 for one year, $55 for two years, $82 for three years; all other countries are $45 for one year, $85 for two years, $125 for three years . 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

THE

PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We gratefully 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 St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401, Fax: 204-326-1613, E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca.

MESSENGER

On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

writings shared Esther Penner

Monday Marriage: Celebrating the Ordinary, Gerald W. and L. Marlene Kaufman (Herald Press, 2005), 150 pp., $12.49, ISBN 978-0-836-19304-6. Reviewed

by Esther Penner, full-time administrator with Wycliffe Bible Translators, mother of two married daughters and grandmother to four boys and two girls.

V

ictor and Marie Stoltzfus begin their forward in this book by quoting elderly professor William Mather at Penn State University who used to shake his head and say, “There is nothing so uncommon as common sense.” This resonates with my growing sentiment.

So, it is an absolute joy to come across, in book form, folks like the authors Gerald and Marlene Kaufman who bring to us a healthy chunk of realism in a world of hype and instant gratification. They pull us back into the realm of ordinary routines and suggest—even more, encourage us—to celebrate it.

The Kaufmans steer readers toward practices of lowering expectations, celebrating differences, and being covenant keepers. To quote them, “Monday Marriage is good…because it is based in reality, genuineness, and on God’s original architecture for marriage.” Monday Marriage is good…and involves intentional effort and common sense not to let things like work and busyness derail the relationship.

While Monday Marriage: Celebrating the Ordinary is

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

While Monday Marriage is specifically directed at relationships within the marriage union, the teachings are beneficial for all relationships.

specifically directed at relationships within the marriage union, the teachings are beneficial for all relationships. The biblical principles put in print by the Kaufmans in this book served well in mentoring a young single lady dealing with issues in a relationship.

In their challenge to readers of their book to expect less and give more, the authors “welcome (us) to Monday morning. And to the comfort that comes from living within T reality.” M

3

Breaking Free:

From caregiver to equipper Dr. Greg Ogden

(DesignPics.com)

T

he Protestant Reformation promised a revolution and the monk Martin Luther was its first revolutionary.

Luther issued the following broadside against the hierarchal, clerically bound Roman Catholic Church of 1500’s: “Through baptism all of us are consecrated to the priesthood…For whoever comes out of the water of baptism can boast that he is already consecrated priest, bishop and pope.”

Gone would be the division between clergy and laity.

The old caste system and class distinction between ordained and non‐ordained would be past. Why? Because the New Testament envisions a universal priesthood inclusive of all who are baptized into the name of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, 5:10).

Unfortunately the Church hasn’t consistently followed this pattern. The church has been compared to a football game with 50,000 people in the stands in desperate need of exercise who watch 22 people on the field in desperate need of rest. This spectator mentality manifests itself in the way we worship.

Worshippers see it as the responsibility of those 4

We have adopted a professional caretaker model of ministry, which has resulted in passivity among the people of God. on stage to provide an engaging show, while it is the worshipper’s job to give an instant review of the service as they pass through the receiving line.

What are the reasons for the gap between the biblical and historical promise of universal priesthood and the spectator reality of everyday church life? As much as we wave the priesthood of all believers, we have inadvertently adopted a dependency model of pastoral ministry that has created passivity among God’s people.

We need to shift from a dependency model to an equipping model of pastoral ministry if we are to see the promise of an “every member ministry” become a reality.

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

Dependency defined What is the dependency model?

Pastors do the ministry, while God’s people are receive their pastoral care. We have adopted a professional caretaker model of ministry, which has resulted in passivity among the people of God. Most pastors are aware that a major portion of their job is to respond to the care needs of their members and constituents. If someone is in the hospital, grieving a death, experiencing a life‐altering setback, facing marital difficulties, struggling with a rebellious child, the pastor is expected to show up.

The emotional contract between pastor and people in most churches is, “If I am having difficulty, Pastor, I expect you to be there to get me through it. If you don’t show up, you are failing to your job. If you fail in providing care, you have failed as a pastor.”

The flip side to “only the pastor can deliver real ministry” is that pastors start to believe that they are indispensable. One psychological profile for those who become pastors is they “need to help people.” There is nothing wrong with that, unless this becomes an inordinate need to please people.

A healthier model views the pastor, not as the caretaker of those who can’t fend for themselves, but as the equipper who encourages and provides a context to train all God’s people for ministry.

An equipping model The closest thing to a biblical job description for the role of a pastor is found in Ephesians 4:11‐12: “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.”

Paul defines equipping in terms of results. Equipping is occurring if the “saints” (the common, ordinary believer) are doing the work of ministry and, in turn, the body of Christ is being built up.

It is here where Satan has diverted pastors from their call to the high‐sounding role of caregiver. Satan has pulled off a masterful ploy—get the pastors and teachers doing other things than equipping the saints THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

for the work of ministry.

In order to interpret the function of an equipping pastor to the contemporary congregation, it would be useful to find an image defining the equipping relationship between pastor and people.

Elton Trueblood proposes and rejects a number of alternatives. If we call a pastor the minister, as we often do, then are the ordinary people of God not ministers?

The Scriptures equate pastor with elder, but this tells us nothing about function. Overseer, shepherd, or pastor conveys spiritual oversight and protection of the flock, but not empowerment.

Equipping is occurring if the “saints” (the common, ordinary believer) are doing the work of ministry and, in turn, the body of Christ is being built up.

It is for these reasons that Trueblood ventures beyond biblical language to fresh imagery to propose an equipper as coach as the best modern equivalent.

But realizing that coach sounds as if pastors simply shout instructions from the sidelines, he qualifies it as player-coach. In other words, equipping pastors are in full partnership with parishioner players in the “game” of ministry.

What are the implications of an equipping model for how ministry is carried out? How is “the priesthood of all believers” brought to full flower? It must affect pastoral priorities, leadership manner, and the structure of church life.

Priorities With the dependency model, we have said that the pastor is primarily a responder to the pastoral care needs. I ask pastors, “How do people get on to your schedule?” Do you seek out people or do people place themselves on your schedule because they have a concern they want addressed?

How should “player/coaches” spend their time?

Training up leaders. Our ministries can only extend as wide as there are self‐initiating, Christ honouring disciples.

Jesus modeled and understood this better than anyone else. Why did Jesus have his twelve?

Why was his prayer in John 17 solely focused on the twelve? Jesus trained up twelve who would carry on his ministry after he returned to the Father. How strategic are we in the investment of our lives? (continued on p. 6)

5

Leadership Manner There is a leadership manner that is consistent with empowering others for ministry. An equipping leader is, first of all, a real person. Equipping pastors come off the pedestal and come alongside God’s people and share the journey.

An equipping pastor delights in shining the spotlight on the ministry of others. An equipping leader takes no greater pleasure than in seeing the ministry of others come to fruition.

Decentralized Structure An equipping ministry is a decentralized ministry.

Small Groups. In Exodus 18 Jethro instructed Moses to manage Israel by placing an able, trustworthy leader over groups of 1,000s, 100s, 50s, and 10s. It is hard to imagine an equipping ministry without a small group structure where equipped lay persons are given the responsibility to care for a small group.

Gifts Discovery. It must also be emphasized in an every member ministry that all of God’s people have been gifted and called to ministry. Whether you have some formal process of classes and coaches, or whether it is built into the psyche of your church, there must be a permission giving atmosphere that says, “Everyone is valued here.”

Discipling. Finally, there must be an intentionality of growing people to maturity through discipling. The most important time I spend each week is with three other men from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings.

This time is for all of us to mature in Christ and be T equipped through multiplication to disciple others. M Dr. Greg Ogden will be the main speaker at Leadership Conference 2010, March 19-20, at Steinbach Bible College.

He is the executive pastor of discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook, Illinois.

This article can be read in full at gregogden.com/PDFs/BreakingFree.pdf.

with our missionaries Paraguay

Gathering a priority for youth In a country where 70 per cent of the population is younger than 30, guiding young people towards following God is very important, both for the present and the future of His kingdom in Paraguay.

Along with two other young couples— Richarh and Sunni Rojas, Felix and Magali Martínez—we had the pleasure of organizing the annual CEMP (Evangelical Mennonite Conference of Paraguay) youth camp this year, which took place from January 7-10, 2010.

With the theme Vanishing…a species in danger of extinction. DON’T BE A

DINOSAUR! the 103 youth and young adults that participated, as well as the 20-plus adult volunteers, were challenged to let God guide every area of their lives and to be disciples of Jesus.

With a schedule packed full of activity it was guaranteed that no one would be bored.

Thursday night featured an outdoors praise and worship concert with special guests. Friday and Saturday mornings began with optional devotionals at 6:45 a.m., followed by praise and worship and back to back challenges by different

Youth camp took place January 7-10, 2010.

6

speakers after breakfast to fill up the morning.

Long breaks in between the sessions to drink tereré are mandatory. A total of 110 kg of ice was used to make that tereré nice and cold.

The afternoons featured a workshop and The Amazing Race: Vanishing 2010, as well as an optional soccer tournament.

Cold watermelon guaranteed that all got plenty of liquids during hot afternoons while they splashed into the creek on a zip line.

After the evening session, Friday

A soccer tournament was optional.

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

with our missionaries evening became midnight too quickly as we were entertained by the talent show, which had to be cut short. Everyone enjoyed the Saturday night cavemanthemed banquet; the barefooted boys presented their princesses (picked out of a hat) with floral tiaras which they had previously made.

It was great to see once again how much the Christian youth in the conference love to hang out together, to worship God and grow spiritually together.

CEMP youth love to hang out together.

The banquet being followed by more soccer and a movie until 2 a.m., everyone slept in until seven the next morning; they were well rested and prepared to compete in the finals of The Amazing Race: Vanishing 2010 and the soccer tournament after the Sunday morning session.

It was great to see once again how much the Christian youth in the conference love to hang out together, to worship God and grow spiritually together. They make up

a very small percentage of their schools and work places, and so this once-a-year opportunity to fellowship is a priority for many of them.

Some who lived close by came to spend the evenings after work, while six girls arrived at 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, having left Asunción after work on Friday evening.

Along the lines of what our main speaker challenged the youth, please pray that the youth of Paraguay would one by one change their passion to Jesus and their radicalism into love.

Travis and Rosey Zacharias

Rosey and Travis Zacharias (Kleefeld) are on their first term in Paraguay.

Oaxaca, Mexico

What activity reports do not show Every month we are required to fill out an activity report telling how many chapters of Scripture were translated, revised, or community checked; what progress was made on the grammar, dictionary or whatever else we might be working on; or how much Zapotec literature was sold.

A lot of things happen in this work, however, that are not asked for on the

Grace reading to children.

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

form, activities which take up our time and are just as important as revising X number of verses of Scripture, but not as easily quantifiable.

A recent visit to the village gives a nice example of what I am talking about.

Many people stopped by just to say hello; some stayed to visit.

Still others came to buy calendars.

We read Zapotec books with the kids. We try to read something in Zapotec with everyone who stops by or to put on a CD of Scripture for them to listen to.

But people stop by for other reasons too. Several came with gifts of beans, tortillas, eggs, chocolate atole, bread, wonderfully spiced chicken soup, and even hot coffee. These gifts are often in return for some favour we have done for them.

Several different people wanted a ride to Oaxaca City and asked when co-worker Joan Smith and I would be returning. It didn’t seem to matter that we had just arrived in the village a few hours before.

One woman wanted to know if we

We try to read something in Zapotec with everyone who stops by or to put on a CD of Scripture for them to listen to. could take a bag of corn to her daughter; another wanted to send some squash to a nephew; and a third, tortillas to her son.

“Did you bring any thread?” asked some of the older women. They weave strength belts to make a little extra money.

A couple of people came to have their picture taken.

A woman had a question about a rather large sum of the money which she had given me years ago to deposit. A man wanted us to take some stained U.S. $100 bills to exchange for new ones the next time we go to the U.S. One of the bilingual school teachers (continued on p. 8)

7

with our missionaries (continued from p. 7) wanted to know if we’d like to sell our vehicle. Someone else came by to use the telephone.

A couple came by to ask if Joan and I would be godmothers for their two kids when they graduate from primary school and junior high in June. We drank pop over that agreement.

I listened to a young woman as she expressed her grief at the death of her father, and tried to encourage another to seek medical help for a cough that she’s had far too long.

So what will I put on the monthly activity report for January? Well, Pablo read the last seven chapters of Romans, Joan got a reading booklet ready to publish, and we sold 14 Scripture calendars and 11 Zapotec books.

The form will not say anything, how-

ever, about the relationships we are building with the Zapotecs.

Our hope is that because of the time we spend with them, men and women, young people and kids will one day rejoice in having God’s Word in their language.

Grace Thiessen Grace Thiessen (Steinbach EMC) has worked under Wycliffe Bible Translators for 25 years in the southern state of Oaxaca to translate Scripture into a variety of Zapotec. Zapotec, containing various dialects, is a language spoken by an estimated 500,000 people.

Grace and Nan Juana

with our churches

Baptisms and $1,000 cake Mennville, Man.: “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).

We enjoyed having Karyn home for the summer. She writes, “I recently spent seven weeks in Canada on my furlough break—catching up with friends, family and supporters. It was an encouraging time and I found myself refreshed and ready to take on the challenges of another year over here.

“I have been serving in the Middle East for just over three years now. Due to laws in this highly Muslim nation, we have to be careful how we go about our ministries. So we have opened an English centre which provides the basis for us to form relationships with our adult students.”

It is quite an amazing feeling to sit at a table and share a thousand-dollar cake.

8

On January 3 the church was full of family and friends as four young ladies were baptized on the confession of their faith. It is thrilling to see these girls take this step and become members in our church. We want to uphold them in prayer.

January 17 the Mennville church

had our first-ever curling bonspiel, spearheaded by Jay Boaz. Thank you, Jay, for your enthusiasm and making it such a fun afternoon. He offered a crash course for the many that had never curled. For those of you that missed it this year, you will definitely want to be there next time! His Care Group provided the snack.

After curling we had to hurry to the Mennville School where we had the annual Beaver Creek Bible Camp annual fundraising dinner put on by the camp board. We enjoyed an authentic Mexican meal prepared by Silvia Harder, Arlene and Bonnie Barkman, and helpers.

The dessert is brought by the camp board members and auctioned off to the highest bidder. It is quite an amazing feeling to sit at a table and share a thousand-dollar cake. The dinner raised $7,095.

It is always so much fun. The kids enjoyed a piñata at the end of the evening.

Luella Brandt

Baptized on January 3, 2010, were Christy Barkman, Aimee Brandt, Tori Grimolfson, and Kelly Ann Dueck.

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

with our churches

Members and cleaning projects Leamington, Ont.:

Leamington members pitched in on several church work projects, including putting on a new roof in fall.

Leamington EMC held a baptism/membership transfer on July 12, 2009: (back): Pete Dyck (membership), Kevin Friesen (baptism), Frank Berg (baptism); (middle): Barbie Dyck (membership), Leanna Harms (membership), Annie Berg (baptism); (front) Lisa Wiebe (baptism), Leanne Bergen (baptism), and Nancy Klassen (baptism).

Reporter: Helen Boschman-Dyck

‘Live generously, love courageously’ Riverton, Man.: I have hesitated to write a report as everything in the general life of the church seems to pale in comparison to the experiences of convention this summer. Yet what is the conference without the local church?

May I just highlight a few special events of the year?

• Easter sunrise service at the beach with continental breakfast at church • Truth Project sessions • Participation in sandbagging Riverton and preparing lunch for the volunteers during bag cleanup • Mother/Daughter tea • Church picnic • Involvement at Beaver Creek Bible Camp • VBS • Christmas S.S. program We also celebrated at Thanksgiving even though some in the farming com(continued on p. 10)

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

The junior Sunday School performs at Riverton’s Christmas concert.

9

with our churches (continued from p. 9) munity struggled to overcome the negative emotions caused by too much rain, too little sun in our region.

It was fitting that summer worship programming was built around the theme Live generously, Love courageously, Build a strong foundation. Crops suffered immensely (if you were fortunate enough to have managed to put a crop in). You may have experienced a taste of this as you attended convention this year.

Perhaps the inability to function outdoors as usual brought special blessings. It gave us opportunity to plan and prepare for convention not only with those we know well, but we were also able to build new relationships working together with people not in our usual circle of friends.

It was with great sadness that we bid farewell to two longstanding members of the congregation, a father and son

who both went to be with the Lord this year. Dave Doerksen passed away in September, his father Frank in December 2009. They have always been an integral part of the church since its inception.

Jeremy Dyck followed the biblical command when he was baptized and

joined the church, thus solidifying his dedication in a public way. December 27, 2009, marked this event, and a potluck also served as a goodbye for Pastor Don and Bonnie Brynteson as they spend a few months back in Texas.

Carol Kornelsen

The youth gave a rendition of Family Feud to tell us about Christmas.

First immersion in 125 years!

Blumenort, Man.: The second Annual Men’s, Fathers and Sons’ retreat was held on September 11 to 13, 2009, at Eagle Lake Bible Camp. It was a good turnout with men from Blumenort and Vermillion Bay attending.

Activities included Bible teaching, canoeing, fishing, sight seeing. The ages of the men in attendance ranged from seven to 70-plus years. I’m looking forward to next year.

Sunday, September 13, was a memorable day for seven sets of parents as their children graduated from Cradle Roll. The graduates are, in order of their birth: Clayton Luke (June 23), Chris and Jen Brandt; Mia Avery, (July 25), Jesse and Sue Loewen; Gabriel William (Sept.

2), Dale and Alicia Martens; Corbin Jimmy (Sept. 19), Butch and Amanda Pries; Bella Mae (Oct. 5), Ryan and Heather Bergen; Aaron Tanner (Nov. 10), Kevin and Laurel Plett; Kenya Ellen (Nov. 14), Russ and Amy Plett.

May God bless you, parents, with wisdom as you raise your children for Him. December 6, 2009, marked the first baptism by immersion in the 125-year history of Blumenort EMC. We don’t have a baptismal tank, so, being good Mennonites, we borrowed a water trough for the occasion. It served the purpose well.

Reuben Driedger, Jayden Plett, and Jessica Esau were baptized by immersion.

10

Baptism recipients: Brock Reimer, Rodney Thiessen, Jayden Plett, Reuben Driedger, and Jessica Esau, with Pastor Anthony Reimer.

Andrew Kampen, Brock Reimer, and Rodney Thiessen were baptized by pouring.

On December 7, EMC Project Builders met at the Steinbach EFC. For those unfamiliar with Project Builders, it was organized in 1973 to make Christ known to the global community through the provision of material support for projects or programs administered by the EMC Board of Missions or its associates.

On the evening of December 20, people from various Sunday School departments took part in presenting the Christmas celebration: Tree-mendous

Reuben Driedger received the first baptism by immersion in Blumenort EMC history.

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

with our churches Love–From the Manger to the Cross.

December 25 has traditionally been a day for family gatherings. For some, however, there were no gatherings and no one to get together with because other people were at family gatherings.

In 2008 our church started having a Christmas Day Potluck. It was continued again this year and is becoming a new tradition in our family.

After the meal, there are games for the young and young at heart, or one may simply sit and talk. It sure beats being at home with nowhere to go and nothing to do.

I hope that your new year brings all of you more blessings and less problems than last year. Accept the blessings with thanksgiving and ask God to help you deal with the problems.

Martin Penner

weddings DYCK – BOSCHMAN: Dave Dyck and Helen Boschman were married on August 2, 2008, at Leamington EMC in Leamington, Ont. The couple lives in Leamington.

WALL – PETERS: Pete Wall and Margaret Peters were married on April 18, 2009, at Oak Street Mennonite Church in Leamington, Ont. PENNER – DICK: Joseph Penner and Jessica Dick were married on July 11, 2009, in Leamington, Ont.

Plan to attend

EMC Annual Convention July 2-4, 2010 in Leamington, Ontario David W. Shenk will speak on

The Triumph of the Lamb

NEUFELD – WALL: Dale Neufeld and Judy Wall were married on September 5, 2009, at Leamington EMC in Leamington, Ont. KLASSEN – REIMER: Jonathan Klassen and Angela Reimer were married on December 27, 2009, at Home Street Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Man. The couple lives in Winnipeg.

births NEUFELD – to Corny and Tina Neufeld of Leamington, Ont., a son, Malachai Peter, on May 22, 2008.

HARMS – to Dave and Justina Harms of Leamington, Ont., a son, Alando Evan, on September 27, 2008.

DYCK – to Isaak and Margaret Dyck of Kingsville, Ont., a daughter, Rachel Jillian, on March 16, 2009.

BUHR – to Ryan and Rachel Buhr, a daughter, Grace Aletheia, on November 10, 2009.

Christmas Celebration

news

R. PLETT – to Josh and Jocelyn R. Plett of Landmark, Man., and Madagascar, a son, Asher Jon, on November 22, 2009.

KORNELSEN – to Darren and Amy Kornelsen of Riverton, Man., a son, Eli Braun, on January 8, 2010.

MEDA software goes bananas

An employee of the cooperative prepares bananas for shipping to customers in Europe and the U.S.

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

If you buy a bunch of Fair Trade or organic bananas you may get a product with a hidden stamp from Mennonite Economic Development Associates.

MEDA has been helping cooperatives in Peru to streamline their certification procedures to maintain the rigorous requirements of Fair Trade and organic distributors and thus gain a premium price.

One of the cooperatives, called APPBOSA, comprises 300 banana farmers, each with about an acre of land. It used to sell its bananas to a multinational fruit corporation, but decided to try a different route when the company couldn’t use all of its Fair Trade production.

Now it sells directly to Fair Trade buyers in Europe and the United States, and receives an additional premium of $1 per box.

This year’s dividend brought APPBOSA more than $600,000. Members of the cooperative decided to use the money to upgrade equipment, such as a conveyor system of cords and hooks that travels through the trees and reaches into all the small farms to bring the bananas back to the central packing shed.

Some of the dividend also went for road improvements and a health insurance system for the farmers and their families.

MEDA’s role was to install its Agromonitor software, a tracking system to manage production and organic certification, and to train staff of the coop.

The system greatly simplifies the complex process of documenting the various logistical steps required to maintain certification standards required by the Fair Trade and organic industry.

MEDA

11

news

MCC asks for relief kits, comforters, sheets for Haiti In addition to donations of money, MCC is asking the public to supply 20,000 relief kits, 10,000 heavy comforters and 10,000 sheets to be sent to Haitian earthquake survivors.

The supplies will help relieve the discomfort and suffering of Haitians who are sleeping on streets and open areas because their homes are destroyed or because they don’t trust the safety of the buildings that remain.

MCC’s staff in Haiti and the initial support response team that arrived there Saturday are requesting these supplies as one way MCC can respond to the needs they see around them.

Relief kits include personal hygiene supplies, laundry soap, towels and bandages. People who donate kits are asked to provide complete kits with only the specific items on the list of relief kit supplies that can be found at mcc.org/kits.

The relief kits can be packed in a box or bag and delivered to any of the drop-off locations in Canada or the United States listed at mcc.org/kits/dropofflocations

by Feb. 28. MCC will then repackage the kits in new, five-gallon buckets.

Heavy comforters and sheets also are being accepted at any drop-off location until February 28.

Relief kit

MCC asks that the comforters be new and filled with quilt batting or a blanket for extra warmth. Twin-size comforters are preferred, but double/ full-size comforters are accepted. Specific requirements are online at mcc.org/kits.

Flat sheets, which also will be used as mosquito netting, can be double-, queen- or king-size. Sheets, with at least a 300-thread count, should be new, cotton and light-coloured, which is not as attractive to mosquitoes.

MCC is grateful for the generous financial gifts that people have given to

MCC for the people of Haiti, starting just hours after the 7.0 earthquake devastated the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Some of those funds are already at work in Haiti, being used to purchase food and supplies that are available there.

MCC is airlifting 70,000 pounds or 31,750 kg of canned meat and 1,000 water filters into Haiti as soon as possible. Another shipment of at least the same amount of meat, probably more, will be sent by sea.

MCC is also purchasing thousands of tents and tarps.

MCC is planning a multi-million dollar response over a number of years, focusing on rebuilding homes and livelihoods.

Donations to MCC’s response in Haiti are welcome. They should be designated Haiti Earthquake. Donations can be made online at www.mcc.org or by telephone, toll free, 888-622-6337 (Canada) or 888-563-4676 (U.S.).

By mail, donations may be sent to MCC and MCC U.S., P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501 or any provincial office in Canada.

MCC

CMU has office of ministry inquiry CMU has launched a new Office of Ministry Inquiry, providing students with an opportunity to experience a process of discernment around their calling, interests, skills, and potential future careers in ministry.

CMU’s new Office of Ministry Inquiry is located within CMU’s Biblical and Theological Studies Department. Gerry Ediger and Irma Fast Dueck, student program cochairs, work in consultation with members of the CMU community and interested congregations.

“Part of CMU’s mandate as a “university of the church” is to find

12

ways to help resource the church, including helping to nurture and sustain ministerial leadership,” says Ediger.

“We believe that CMU is in an excellent position to help young adults discern their calling and gifts for ministry,” says Dueck.

Both of CMU’s predecessor colleges, MBBC and CMBC, had a long history of successfully launching many undergraduates into ministry.

CMU has continued this role in a variety of ways, through courses, pastoral internships, retreats, and many informal discussions.

CMU

John H. Miller Jr., of Adamstown, Pa., stamps boxes of canned meat being prepared to ship out of the country from MCC’s Material Resource Center in Ephrata, Pa., January 18. Two shipping containers of canned meat will be airlifted to Haiti as part of MCC’s response to the earthquake.

(MCC photo by Silas Crews)

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

news

Compassion more widespread than violence in Haiti A group of Haitians found a six-yearold boy weak but alive in the rubble three days after the earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

MCC worker Ben Depp was able to get a hacksaw and a flashlight that helped them complete the boy’s rescue.

This kind of compassion—Haitians helping neighbours and strangers—is far more prevalent than violence, said Depp.

“Most of the rescues” are “by Haitians pulling their neighbours out of the rubble,” Depp said. Many people “don’t have simple things like hammers, saws and picks, but they’ve pulled a lot of people out alive,” he said.

As aid organizations struggle to roll out large-scale relief efforts (Jan. 19) in response to the 7.0 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince and beyond on Jan. 12, Haitians live in desperate circumstances.

“Most of the rescues” are “by Haitians pulling their neighbours out of the rubble,” Ben Depp said.

Daryl Yoder-Bontrager, MCC area director for Latin America and the Caribbean, arrived on Jan. 16, along with three other team members who will help Haiti’s MCC staff to coordinate the initial disaster relief and recovery.

“It’s hard for pictures to communicate

A young boy wears a bandage over his nose to abate the smell of death that permeates sections of Port-auPrince. (photo by Ben Depp)

the atmosphere of a city where thousands of people sleep in their yards or on the streets because they don’t trust the structure of their houses, especially when the aftershocks happen,” YoderBontrager wrote.

Alexis Erkert Depp, an MCC worker, said the violence she has heard about is caused by “truly desperate” people who will do what it takes to feed their families.

MCC workers who live in Port-auPrince imported a pick-up load of corn and sorghum from Desarmes, a town that was undamaged by the earthquake.

Mennonite Disaster Service needs YOU. Here at home.

• Could you volunteer in your town or province?

• Could you help investigate disasters in your province?

• Could you serve on the Unit (provincial) board?

Let your MDS Unit leaders know!

British Columbia: Leonard Klassen . . . 604-855-2542 Alberta: Harold Friesen . . . . . . . . . . 403-999-4637 Saskatchewan: Ed Buhler . . . . . . . . 306-220-4543 Manitoba: Dan Klassen . . . . . . . . . 204-324-7355 Ontario: Orlan Martin . . . . . . . . . . 519-589-4406 Québec: Yves Bourgeault . . . . . . . . 450-754-1755 Atlantic Canada: Peter Bunnett . . . . . . 506-534-2752 You may also contact MDS in Winnipeg at 261-1274 or toll free below.

www.mds.mennonite.net 1-866-261-1274

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

The food was handed discreetly to about 100 people, even as the workers try to secure more food from the Dominican Republic and the Haitian countryside.

Buying food is more difficult than expected because merchants are not accepting the U.S. dollar, and banks that exchange money are closed.

Staff is filtering water at the MCC office and passing it out to people. MCC ordered 1,000 water filters last week that each can purify 300 gallons per day. They should arrive soon.

Erkert Depp is registering camps of displaced people so that the camps can be matched with international aid that is coming into the country. Larger aid organizations are not allowed to move around the city without a military escort, but smaller organizations don’t have the same restrictions.

The larger MCC response is underway, with two shipping containers of canned meat being airlifted into Haiti this week and subsequent containers are being shipped by sea. MCC will send at least 5,000 blankets and an undetermined number of relief kits that typically include towels, hygiene supplies and bandages.

MCC’s Haiti team includes nine program staff and five support staff in Port-au-Prince and nine program staff in Desarmes. MCC’s Haiti program has been in existence since 1958.

MCC

13

news

Seven condemned Anabaptists remembered In Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, human skeletons were discovered in 2008 during the digging of a house foundation.

At first it was thought the bones were of seven Anabaptists executed on December 7, 1529.

The bones were found to be from the 17th century, not the 16th. The community, however, saw an opportunity to remember a group of individuals who treasured their faith more than their lives.

On December 5, 2009, 480 years and a day later than the 1529 sentencing, city officials joined an ecumenical gathering of Christians to remember Martin Zehentmaier, Melchoir Nachtrieb, Klaus Baur, Bonaventura Bopf, Wolf Esslinger, Hans Geisel’s mother, and a miller’s apprentice, whose name is unknown.

Their names were listed on a plaque fastened to the gate of the Smith’s tower, the location the condemned Anabaptists prisoners passed through en route to execution.

“Four hundred and eighty years ago people desiring to follow Christ in nonviolence and love of enemies appeared threatening to the government and the state church,” said Wolfgang Krauss on behalf of the South German Mennonite Conference. “Today we remember to-

Canadian School of Peacebuilding June 14 to July 2: Three 5-day sessions, each with two or three courses running concurrently, will be offered for credit or training.

Poets, Prophets and Music of Social Justice June 14-18.

Instructors: John Bell, with Irma Fast Dueck Canadian School of Peacebuilding www.cmu.ca/csop

14

February 25–26 Discovery Days Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 or 800-230-8478 www.sbcollege.ca

February 27 Women’s EMCup hockey tournament Ste. Agathe, Man. 204-346-0381

February 27

Smith’s tower, which condemned Anabaptists passed through on the way to execution. (photo by Wolfgang Krauss)

gether those who even on their way to execution prayed for their enemies.”

Speaking for the Lutheran and Catholic churches, dean Immanuel Nau stressed the 16th century injustices should motivate people of all faiths to reconciliation and serve as an obligation to stand up for the persecuted today. That feeling was summed up in the closing song, Let’s Go the Way of Justice.

Mennonite Weekly Review and Die Brücke

Courses on-site at School of Writing, May 10-14: Margaret Sweatman (fiction), Barbara Nickel (poetry), Joanne Klassen (life writing), and Anita Daher (writing for children and young adults) will offer courses for writers of many skill and experience levels. $520 (includes some meals).

Inquire about bursaries. Apply by March 1.

coming events

WCMS Graduate Courses The Problem of Evil April 26-30, 9: 00-5: 00 Pierre Gilbert Christian Formation in the Congregation May 28-31, June 1-4, 9: 00-5: 00 Marlene Kropf Christian Leadership Development May 10-14, 9: 00-5: 00 Doug Berg Theological Understandings of Jesus May 31-June 4, 9: 00-5: 00 Mark Baker Theologies of Peace and Justice May 1, 3-7, 9: 00-5: 00 Harry Huebner The Holy Land in Perspective April 29-May 21, 9: 00-5: 00 Gordon Matties Consult www.cmu.ca/programs/grad_courses. html; Dr. Karl Koop (kkoop@cmu.ca), or Dr. Pierre Gilbert (pgilbert@cmu.ca) at 204-487-3300.

Journeys to Wholeness MCC Manitoba Circles of Support and Accountability event Stories, music, food Winnipeg, Man. 204-925-1915

February–April Being Evangelical in a Complex World: Stats, Facts, and Trends Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection Various locations, provinces, and dates 866-302-3362 ext. 236 www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/clc

March 19–20 SBC Leadership Conference Transforming Discipleship Speaker: Greg Ogden Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 or 800-230-8478 www.sbcollege.ca

April 7–9 Refocus Canada 2010 Suffering for the Gospel Willingdon Church Burnaby, B.C. www.refocuscanada.com

April 11 Fundraising Faspa Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 or 800-230-8478 www.sbcollege.ca

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

shoulder tapping Wymark EMC, a country church located 20 miles southeast of Swift Current, Sask., is accepting applications for lead pastor. We aim to be a friendly, family-welcoming church body of 70 to 90 people, and seek a pastor who can encourage us by word and example to grow to maturity in Christ.

Enquiries can be directed to the Pastoral Search Committee at 306-773-9089 (leave a message) or funkfarm@gmail.com (Paul Funk).

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. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com.

Morris Fellowship Chapel (EMC), located in Morris, Man., is looking for a full-time pastor for a congregation of about 120. Previous pastoral experience and leadership abilities are assets. For job description and information, please call Brian Klassen at 204-746-8102.

Graysville Mennonite Church, “a community striving to learn and live the teachings of Jesus Christ,” is a country church located 10 miles west of Carman, Man. We seek a lead pastor able to start spring 2010. Time commitment is negotiable between .5 and .75 FTE. We await the leading of the Holy Spirit as we seek a pastor committed to the Christian faith as exemplified in Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective.

We are a mature church of nearly 50 members emerging into a congregation of all ages. We seek a pastor able to serve all ages, willing to tackle the challenges of a truly rural church and recognition of the value of cooperation with other Christian churches of all faiths.

Inquiries and resumes may be sent to: Cam Stockford, council chair, Graysville Mennonite Church, Box 31, Graysville, MB R0G 0T0. E-mail stockfor@cici.mb.ca or visit our website at www. graysvillemc.org.

Richmond Park Mennonite Brethren Church is searching for the lead pastor whom God has chosen to lead us into the future. We are a multigenerational church of 250-plus that is seeking to faithfully make an impact on our city and surrounding area with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have recently completed a refocusing process and require an individual who can lead us through equipping and mentoring others for roles in ministry. Gifts should also include teaching and preaching.

Brandon is a city in Western Manitoba with a population of about 50,000 people, which is experiencing growth and increasing cultural diversity. Please forward resumes and inquiries to lysackd@mts.net. Closing date: March 15, 2010.

Brightwood Ranch, near Edmonton, Alta., is a year-round facility that runs summer and winter camps for underprivileged kids and year-round programs for men and women with addictions.

We are seeking a full-time, year-round head cook starting April 15, 2010. Salary and accommodations. Head (March 1) and assistant

THE MESSENGER February 3, 2010

Full text of ads available at www.emconf.ca/service.htm instructors (June 22 or Sept. 1) are needed for Horses of Hope, a program which reaches hurting kids through the focus of one child, one horse, one instructor, at no cost.

Summer positions are paid. Four-month positions are: main site program director, tipi village program director, wrangler training program leader, maintenance, secretary, head wrangler, youth development program leaders, horse camp instructor. Two-month positions are: senior male and female counselors, wranglers, assistant cooks, youth development program counselors, unit leaders, nurse/first aid attendant.

Email resume to bright.wood@hopemission. com; www.brightwoodranchcamps.com; or mail to Brent Ankrom, Ranch Director, Brightwood Ranch, Box 277, Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0.

Continental Mission in Thompson, Man., needs a general director. This is an executive position. Qualifications for this position includes ministry experience, and an ability to lead and challenge missionaries in various ministries. A knowledge of the Word and a walk with the Lord are essential.

An evangelical ministry, Continental Mission (started in the 1940s) is involved in evangelism, church planting, camping, and drop-in ministries among First Nations people, mostly in northern Manitoba. The director will need to live in Thompson. Experience in working with Aboriginal people is an asset.

Send your resume to the chairman of the board: Ruben Goertzen, Box 57, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0, e-mail rgoertz@mts.net, phone 204-768-2455. Or call the interim director, Bill Penner, at 204-7788771 for information.

Rainbow Christian School, in Vanderhoof, BC, seeks a principal.

RCS is a growing K–8 Christian professional learning community and has been in operation for 20 years. It is a classified Group 1 Independent School and currently has a staff of six and an enrollment of about 80 students.

Applications must include: resume, three references (including a pastor’s), transcripts, BCCT certificate, statement of faith, philosophy of Christian education.

The principal is a full-time position (.6 admin. and .4 teaching).

Send a cover letter, resume, philosophy of Christian education with statement of faith.

Rainbow Christian School Search Committee, Box 710, 2994 Burrard Ave., Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0; ph: 250-567-3127; fax: 250-567-3167; e-mail: rcschool@telus.net.

Gruthal Bergthaler Mennonite Church is prayerfully seeking a senior pastor who has a heart for people and is community outreach minded.

We are an evangelical church located in Grunthal, Man., 45 minutes southeast of Winnipeg, and 20 minutes southwest of Steinbach. The town consists of about 1,000 people and is supported by a strong farming community. The church is multigenerational, with a core of middle-aged families, a strong youth program run by a full-time youth pastor, and a strong Sunday School program.

We seek a pastor who has the heart of a shepherd and a desire to see our church grow through reaching the lost and investing in the church’s people. He should have strong preaching and teaching skills. The candidate must have a Bible college degree. Some pastoral experience is preferred. He must be in agreement with our constitution and statement of faith.

Anyone who possesses these qualifications and is interested in this position can forward their resume, along with references, to the following address: Grunthal Bergthaler Church, Box 70, Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0, Attn: Elder Board; or e-mail gbmcleadelder@mts.net.

MacGregor Youth for Christ seeks a satellite director. Job description involves giving overall leadership to YFC ministries in Macgregor and Gladstone, Man., its staff and its ministry; vision crafting, ministry development, staff/volunteer care and development, community/church relations, fundraising, evaluation. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net.

MacGregor Youth for Christ seeks a campus life youth worker. Job description involves spending time in the local High School offering student support to the local youth, as well as connecting with the local youth through the Drop-in Centre and various programs. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net.

Arborg Youth for Christ seeks an executive director to help launch and run a youth centre in Arborg, Man. This exciting opportunity is revving up and will soon be ready to go with a committed team there to support and back you up.

Reporting to and supported by a committed steering committee, this person will promote the ministry throughout the community, develop the drop-in program, and supervise team members.

Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the YFC Statement of Faith and Conduct. The ability to handle administrative and financial duties will be required. Qualifications include a love for youth, drive and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently.

E-mail resume to Keith Tarry at keith@ yfcwinnipeg.ca or 325 Talbot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2L 0P9 or 204-669 4205 ext 224.

A senior volunteer couple is needed to host the EMC Mission guesthouse in El Paso, Texas, starting April 2010. This is a selfsupporting position with a one- to two-year term of service. For more information contact Ken Zacharias, Foreign Secretary, EMC Board of Missions, kzacharias@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.

15

stewardship today Sherri Grosz

I

Living on the edge

(DesignPics.com)

magine for a moment that you lie awake night after night, the anxiety keeping you from restful sleep.

You put on a smile and pretend things are fine while your stomach churns. You pray daily that God will intervene and there will be no extra expenses this week.

For many Canadians, this isn’t something they need to imagine; this is life.

About six out of every 10 Canadians would have trouble paying their bills if their paycheque was delayed by one week, according to the recent Canadian Payroll Association survey. Living paycheque to paycheque has become a lifestyle, sometimes through over spending or poor decisions and sometimes through circumstances beyond our control.

Not surprisingly, both single parents and those aged 18-to-34 say they would feel the greatest pinch if a paycheque was delayed.

As long as you stay healthy, employed, and nothing breaks, you can manage to coast and break even each week. But should your car need new brakes, the fridge go on the fritz, or you receive a layoff notice, you could quickly be in financial and emotional crisis.

While we handle money every day, many of us didn’t receive any formal training in personal finances. We may have little idea how

much we spend and whether or where we could trim expenses. Many of us don’t understand compound interest or the long-term impact of making only minimum payments.

How can your church support people who are struggling with their finances?

• Talk about money and its challenges on a regular basis.

• Ask about financial stresses or strains during pastoral and elder visits.

• Have a benevolence policy in place to help those in dire financial need while making sure that credit counselling or budget training is also taking place.

• Contact your local non-profit credit counselling agency for resources and for referral information.

• Offer basic personal finance teaching on a regular basis. First Things First is a free resource available from every MFC office and can easily be used in Sunday School classes or with a small group.

If you are aware of someone who is struggling, stay in touch. A phone call, a visit or sharing a meal can help them feel cared for and loved.

Together, you could explore resources and options that are available to help them deal with their particular financial situation. You can support and walk with them as they work toward financial health.

It often takes a crisis to force us to review our finances closely and accept our financial reality.

Part of being the family of God is supporting one another during our struggles whether they are physical, emotional, spiritual or financial.

If you are in financial difficulty, seek support from your pastor, elders, and church. If you are financially stable, offer thanks to God and pray for T and support those around you that struggle. M Sherri Grosz is a stewardship consultant at the Kitchener, Ont., office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada. For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.

Living paycheque to paycheque has become a lifestyle, sometimes through over spending or poor decisions and sometimes through circumstances beyond our control.

PAGE 16

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