The Messenger Vol. 49 No. 3 March 2011

THE

MESSENGER

volume 49, number 3 March 2011

www.emconference.ca/messenger

Living Word, why are You so hard to hear?

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

p. 9

$2.00

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

editorials

Bhatti, a Christian martyr

“A

time is coming when anyone and throwing off their cloaks and who kills you will think he flinging dust into the air” (Acts is offering a service to God,” 22:22–23).

Jesus said to early disciples. “I Christians are to serve in have told you this, so that when uncertain times. John saw the the time comes you will remember “souls of those who had been slain that I warned you” (John 16:2, 4). because of the word of God and The March assassination the testimony.” They called out in of Shahbaz Bhatti, the only a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Christian serving as a minister in Lord, holy and true, until you Pakistan’s government, reflects judge the inhabitants of the earth such thinking. and avenge our blood?” They are Bhatti, a Roman Catholic, was told to wait though more will die also the first federal minister for (Revelation 6:9-10). minorities. He sought to reform Vengeance is God’s role, not the nation’s blasphemy laws, farours (Romans 12:20). We are ranging in Islam’s defense. to “overcome evil with good” Religious protests on TV can (Romans 12:21), to “pray for those remind us of ancient ones. “Rid who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28). the earth of him!” people shouted Jesus, wrongly killed for about the apostle Paul. “He’s not blasphemy (Mark 14:61–64), died fit to live!” They “were shouting forgiving his crucifiers (Luke

23:34). Death, though, did not have the last word!

We grieve the violent death of a fellow believer.

Terry M. Smith

EFC calls for defense of religious minority rights OTTAWA, Ont.—On March 1, the Pakistan Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated in a hail of bullets because of his defense of minority rights in Pakistan. The EFC, along with Christians around the world, calls on governments in Pakistan, Canada, and around the world to honour his memory by continuing to defend the rights of religious minorities.

EFC

As events unfold

A

s events unfold in Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia, what is our response?

“The deep concern of many early Anabaptists for economic reform and social justice,” says Stuart Murray, “has not been mediated to many of their descendents” (The Naked Anabaptist, 164).

Yet our EMC Statement of Faith says, “Instead of taking up arms, we should do whatever we can to lessen human distress and suffering, even at the risk of our own lives” (p. 9).

Further, “Stewardship is demonstrated in our lifestyles, in our relations with the poor and disadvantaged, in our view

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011

of possessions, in our concern for all of God’s creation and in our response to global economic injustice” (Church Practices, p. 11, emphasis added).

Scripture speaks repeatedly about “the poor” and justice.

Charity, while often desperately needed, is not enough.

“It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.”

– Proverbs 18:5

“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

– Proverbs 29:7

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all the destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

– Proverbs 31:8–9

“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.” – Proverbs 14:31

“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers.”

– Proverbs 21:15

Let us act in prayer and otherwise.

Terry M. Smith

contents Features 9

Departments

16

Living Word, why are You so hard to hear?

– David Funk

16 Bullying in the Church?

– Dwight Munn

Columns 5

EMC FAQ

More than money – Rebecca Roman

6

Archives Alcove

Dr, Archie Penner and pacifism – Terry M. Smith

7

Writings Shared

Pontius’ Puddle

25 Births 31 Shoulder Tapping

– Layton Friesen

– Andrew Reimer

3

4 Letters

12 To get the ‘buzz going’ where the kingdom is resisted 13 Changing our minds: A first step toward healing in our relationships with Aboriginals

2 Editorials

32 In Memory 32 Calendar

With our missionaries 19 Mexico: Guadalajara prayer team begins work 20 Burkina Faso: How the Church can help its missionaries 21 South Africa: Good-bye to South Africa!

33 Poll

News 26 New MEDA project to boost rice and textiles in Ethiopia 26 MCC thrift shop sales continue to boom 26 Update on SBC’s “Blue Man” contest

With our churches

27 MCC international workers in Egypt relocated, now returning

22 Picture Butte Mennonite Church: Christmas reflections

28 Water cisterns improve life in Bolivia

22 Pansy Chapel: Chantel Heese serves with YWAM

28 MDS cuts budget to reflect new realities, original vision

23 Steinbach EMC: Be Transformed

29 Former panhandler wows MEDA audience

33 Focus On...

24 Riverton Gospel Chapel: Steps of obedience at RGC

29 Board member fills new MEDA position 30 SBC connects with conferences

25 Morweena EMC: Milestone events of 2011

A look at Sunday School materials – Ray Hill

How much autonomy?

– Tim Dyck

34 Pictures of God

Living alone in the land – Joanna Plett

35 Stewardship Today

Will we see the signs?

– Dori Zerbe Cornelsen

36 Kids’ Corner

The Monkey Bread Tree – Loreena Thiessen

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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THE

MESSENGER

EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman rroman@emconf.ca

Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca THE MESSENGER is the monthly publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.

It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request.

Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors.

Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement.

THE MESSENGER is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man. Subscription rates: 1 year $24 ($30 U.S., $45 foreign) 2 years $44 ($55 U.S., $85 foreign) 3 years $65 ($82 U.S., $125 foreign) Manitoba residents add 7% PST. Digital only subscriptions: $15 per year.

Single copy price: $2 Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents.

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

Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.

ISSN #0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 Registration #09914 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund, for our publishing activities.

Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca www.emconference.ca/messenger

Messenger Schedule: No. 4 – April 2011 issue (copy due March 18)

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011

letters A breath of fresh air

Worship leaders, it is a reminder

I had the good fortune of growing up in Steinbach and being old enough to read the town’s weekly newspaper The Carillon while Abe Warkentin was still its editor.

His keen insight and gentle wit always made for interesting and entertaining reading even if you were on the opposite side of the fence from him.

The intriguing thing was, you couldn’t always tell which side of the fence he was on because you couldn’t always tell how far his tongue was stuck into his cheek.

Reading his article Not everyone is a rocker yet! (January 2011) musing about the new forms of music in our churches made me realize he has lost none of his golden touch with the pen (oops, I mean keyboard).

I laughed at the pleasure of reading someone trying to even the score by poking gentle fun at the new forms of worship. How can you not laugh at images of hymnals propping up PowerPoint machines or drum-hating three-toed sloths in Bolivia?

What a breath of fresh air in the face of so much neglect and even criticism of more traditional music.

I don’t know Abe Warkentin that well, but am 99 percent sure he enjoys contemporary music as much as the rest of us (at least the good stuff) but, like many people, is disappointed there is so much neglect of traditional forms of worship.

Randy Hiebert Riverton, Man.

This is a letter to worship leaders in response to the article Not everyone is a rocker yet! [A Reader’s Viewpoint, January 2011].

Worship leaders, please read this article and take something from it. It is a reminder that, in our communities of faith, we are not all the same. There are many different tastes, likes and, in some cases, strong dislikes.

We need to be aware of that fact and our goal should be to engage as many people in our congregation as possible in our corporate worship. However, there is a difference between engaging different groups and simply trying to please people.

Sunday isn’t about me or you; it is about all of us coming together to worship Christ.

Worship leaders, even with your best efforts, not everyone will appreciate your leadership completely, but keep going.

Prayerfully choose the songs, choruses and hymns that will guide your congregation to Christ.

Find creative ways of allowing the congregation to be involved and heard within your corporate worship time. And be confident that God will use you.

Congregations, it’s time to be generous.

Acknowledge the efforts of those leading.

Realize that often they are young people that are choosing to serve in your congregation and attempting to use their gifts to serve God and the Church.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16).

Mo Friesen Steinbach, Man.

Education needed I enjoyed reading Cyndy Warkentin’s reviews on the book Sexuality: God’s Gift [Writings Shared, Nov. 2010, Feb. 2011].

Sounds like a well-balanced, wellresearched book that is very timely. I have ordered it for myself and will be reading it! We all need to educate ourselves on these topics—not just hold and express strong emotional opinions.

Brenda Funk Ste. Anne, Man.

Letters (250 words or less) are generally to comment on issues raised in the magazine; the focus is to be on issues, not personalities.

Views and opinions expressed are that of the writers. A handwritten or electronic signature and an address are needed. Letters are edited for length, style, legality, and taste.

?

emc faq

by Rebecca Roman

More than money

Q.

Our church has limited financial resources, and most of our budget goes to local church programming. There is little left for Conference financial support. Are there ways we can give to the Conference without breaking the bank?

A.

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

Although the financial crisis in Canada is not as severe as it was, many non-profits continue to feel its effects. Churches may not be able to give as they wish to Conference programs without creating difficulty in meeting their own budgets.

Conference ministries are an extension of the local church and the Conference budget comes primarily from the giving of the local church.

Churches are encouraged to contribute financially, even if little.

That said, there are many ways churches and members can give to the Conference, beyond finances.

An important component in being

a Conference is hearing from each other.

Tim Dyck, in his Focus On... column (p. 33 of this magazine), invites feedback on the topic of local church autonomy. Getting involved in discussion of this and other Conference issues is one way to contribute to the health of the EMC. Financially, it is not always possible for local churches to send delegates to Conference Council meetings. (The Conference does offer subsidies to assist in covering travel costs.) However, much material is sent ahead of time to churches so delegates can confer about items to be presented at the meeting.

Even if churches are unable to send a voting representative to the meeting, responses can be forwarded to the Conference office ahead of the meeting.

Every year, the Nominating Committee is given the task of finding an adequate number of nominees to fill a variety of positions on Conference and affiliate organizations’ boards.

The Committee welcomes assistance in tapping shoulders. Or, you can agree to fill a board position yourself. Each board has a budget line that covers a large portion of board member travel. (Unfortunately, there is no reimbursement line for time and energy spent.)

There are ways to be involved even if churches cannot give as they wish.

Despite communication efforts from the national office, there can be significant gaps in awareness and understanding by local churches, leaders, and members of our wider conference vision and efforts. A new series, EMC FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), is an attempt to respond to this.

Budget money is set aside also for Conference staff travel. Even if your church is unable to offset travel costs, please feel free to invite a staff member to speak in your church. Each staff person has resources they would like to share with your church. In this instance, you can give while receiving!

The Messenger has a number of volunteers who assist Conference work by sending news about their local congregation. By getting to know each other better, we foster unity.

Another way to build connections without breaking your church’s budget would be to choose a project under the EMC Board of Missions to support with Sunday School offerings.

Encourage youth groups and others planning mission trips to consider service options with EMC. Get to know EMC missionaries, and let them know you are praying for them and their country of service.

This is but a sampling of ways your church can provide support to other EMC churches and your Conference’s work with little or no financial impact.

Your efforts are needed and valuable!

If you have a question to submit for this column, please send it to Rebecca Roman at rroman@emconf.ca or call 204326-6401.

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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archives alcove

by Terry Smith

Dr. Archie Penner and pacifism

D

r. Archie Penner, who died in 2007 at age 89, was a prominent EMC educator, pastor, and pacifist.

Penner graduated from Winnipeg Bible Institute in 1940 and later held BA, BD, MA, and PhD degrees, being the first KG/ EMC member to obtain a graduate seminary degree.

PHOTO COURTESY PENNER FAMILY

“

to love,” Penner wrote, “for the application of vengeance or justice is incompatible with this love and the forgiveness which is a necessary result of true love” (118).

“The state, as God’s arrangement and tool to accomplish His purpose, is not divine. Whatever is intended by the statement that the state is appointed by God and a servant

It has been found impossible for the state to love as the New Testament commands the Christian to love.

He taught at SBC and Malone College (Ohio) and served as a pastor in various places. This magazine could be filled with stories by appreciative students and congregants.

Dr. Penner was known for holding to the non-resistance of God and the call to be non-resistant as followers of Jesus.

His MA thesis, produced for Wheaton College, was later published by Herald Press as The New Testament, the Christian, and the State (1959; rep. 2005).

“It has been found impossible for the state to love as the New Testament commands the Christian 6

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

”

Dr. Archie Penner

in His hand, it cannot mean that God’s moral character is in any way imprinted on the state” (119).

He saw Old Testament war as an expression of sin for which God does not give permission, but “deals with…by concession…making room for human self-determination, even the sinful self-determination of fallen man.” Concession is to “allow without authorization,” to “allow while even objecting to that which is allowed” (The Divine Covenants: Conflict or Harmony, rev. ed., 2002, 308).

The “divine commands and actions by God” related to Old

Testament war were concessions.

“Is not this conclusion the only one with which the New Testament believer can live?” (Covenants, 208).

In the 1970s Dr. Penner presented a message to the faculty of Malone College (now University), the Quaker-related institution where he taught.

In it, perhaps against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, he spoke of agape love and of three World War Two events: the Allied bombing of Darmstadt, the use of atomic bombs on Japan, and the Holocaust.

“The mind boggling horror of six million Jews,” he said, “violently and hideously murdered over a period of years, and a quarter of a million Japanese, also loved by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, ravaged and murdered by a nuclear bomb in a few moments of time with years of agony to follow, seem morally far too similar to warrant real distinctions.”

How faculty members responded is unknown. His entire message, read years later, might get a mixed response in wider circles today.

Dr. Penner was known to me as a person who responded graciously even when dealing with a difference of opinion.

He was a man of Christian faith, thought, conviction, and passion who, I fully suspect, would want our EM Conference to continue to grapple with Jesus and Scripture, peace and war.

writings shared

A look at Sunday School materials

by Ray Hill

I

n 2009, when I began teaching the adult Sunday School class at the MacGregor EMC, I “inherited” the material from the previous teacher, Dan Sawatzky.

Not having taught from Mennonite Publishing Network’s Adult Bible Study, I thought I would give it a whirl.

My background is 30 years of high school science and math, and in Sunday School I have taught mostly teens and adults, using David C. Cook, Scripture Press, and a variety of books and self-concocted curricula.

The first two are the easiest and most systematic approach, but there are two difficulties in my humble view.

Large omissions The first is that the curriculum is quite limited, mostly because of time constraints. What that really means is that large sections of the Bible and important topics are omitted.

It becomes a case of affecting opinions (as Jean Chretien said about his local newspaper) not by the style of the writing but by the items included and omitted. The situation is exacerbated by the use of one publisher for the whole Sunday School.

It is possible to leave Sunday School as an older teen (going to

The Adult Bible Study from Mennonite Publishing Network addresses topics omitted by other publishers. college perhaps) with some noticeable holes in Bible knowledge.

Tough issues avoided The second problem is connected to the first, I believe. The presentation seems to me to be “devotional” in colour, but avoids some of the tough issues. Most bothersome are those directly related to our Anabaptist perspective, including non-resistance, church as community, focus on Christ alone, communion/footwashing and our relationship to the needy community around us.

I don’t think that there is a conspiracy by the publishers, but it is a problem associated with developing a one-size-fits-all evangelical curriculum.

Adult Bible Study The Adult Bible Study from Mennonite Publishing Network addresses (so far in the year and a bit I have taught it) topics omitted by the other publishers. For example fall 2009 discussed what Covenant Communities should look like from a biblical perspective.

We were able to stress as a class what it meant for us as older adults to take on a stronger leadership role in our church community. We gained a new appreciation of our place, not as retired onlookers but as influential movers in our church community.

The next quarter focused on Christ, the fulfillment, with emphasis on Christ our example with a strong (continued p. 8) THE MESSENGER | March 2011

7

call to action as adults in our church and homes.

This last fall reminded us of The inescapable God with emphases on His lordship, His love for us, the Creator and His creation and our responsibility to it, and God our Protector. This quarter looks at Assuring hope—God’s faithfulness and our hope in God our Father and the leadership and return of the Son. It is refreshing for me to teach a curriculum that presents these topics and in a way that is personally challenging to me as a teacher and to my class as individuals and a group.

We have taken a new look at our place in our church community, been more encouraging to those around us and discussed ways we can influence our local Body to follow Christ more faithfully.

Each quarter has a different author. The approaches vary, helping to keep it all fresh. The Teacher book

Hope for change Personally, I like the style. The approach is straightforward without being overly confrontational. There are few if any “rabbit trails.” The authors all seem to follow the dictum, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

The approach is very Anabaptistcentric. You may be able to sense the flavour of it from the topics mentioned above.

My only regret is that it will probably go unnoticed in non-Mennonite circles and, worse yet, I don’t think it is widely used in our own conference. My hope is that will change.

has a second author who does “colour commentary” in the margins along side the first, sometimes adding information, always giving teaching hints and occasionally offering a different perspectives or lesson emphases.

This produces very deep resource pockets. The temptation is to try to use all the material but I have found it best to focus on one idea to give the class more time to think and interact.

The lesson format is standard, beginning with an interesting and relevant story, mostly from the author’s own experience.

Text amplifies the Scripture and is interspersed with thoughtprovoking questions that sometimes don’t allow us to get to the questions at the end of each lesson. My adults easily join in the discussion and offer their points of view.

Ray Hill (assistant pastor, MacGregor EMC) serves on both the EMC Board of Church Ministries and its Education Committee.

Editor’s note: The Adult Bible Study “provides for the study of the Scriptures from an Anabaptist perspective.” Its “lessons are based on the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching…by the Committee on the Uniform Series” (self-description). Information can be gotten at www.mpn.net and abseditor@ mpn.net.

It is refreshing for me to teach a curriculum...that is personally challenging to me as a teacher and to my class as individuals and a group.

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011

July 1–3, 2011 Calgary, Alberta

Living Word, why are You so hard to hear?

by David Funk In the beginning the Word already existed.

The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 “This is my Son, whom I love.

Listen to him!”

Mark 9:7

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iving, speaking, breathing Word of God, everywhere in Scripture you speak, sometimes in thunder and great terror, sometimes in a still, small voice.

From start to finish we are called to listen, and to listen well, so that we might truly live. You shout in the streets, you raise your voice in the public squares, calling out “This is my Son, whom I love.

Listen to him!”

Living Word, pre-existent, co-existent God, why are you so hard to hear?

You say to us that you are the good shepherd, that you have a voice and with it you speak! And your sheep hear it, know it, follow it (John 10:1-5). Why are you so hard to hear?

(continued p. 10)

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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And yet, and yet Our ears are a problem. And yet, Lord, and yet. Though I am but dust and ashes, allow me to speak before your mercy (Augustine, Confessions 1.6). Are you yourself not speaking less, and less loudly, than you have at other times?

Merciful One, turn your face towards us in kindness, for are we not already staggering from north to south, from sea to sea, searching for the Word of the Lord?

Are we not consumed by famine, not of food or thirst for water (Amos 8:11), but of hearing the words of the Lord?

We thirst and hunger, and wonder why, Lord. But what would happen if, in a culture as noisy and polluted by words as ours, you would 10

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

speak as loudly as the other voices, and whenever we wanted you to?

What if you would choose to compete with the noise? Would we not swiftly transform you into a commodity?

Would we not domesticate you, the Living Word by whom all things were created, just as soon as we could manage it, and would we not turn you into an accessory to our own chosen lifestyles?

You are most high, most excellent, most potent, most omnipotent; you are most merciful and most just, most hidden and most near, most beautiful and most strong (Confessions 1.4).

You have created us in your own image, and all too often we have returned the favour. Holy One, we confess that if you were to compete with the noise we would treat you in the same way we treat the menu at McDonalds.

We would live our lives during the week as we’d want to and then, if and when the hunger hits us, perhaps on a Sunday morning, we’d swing through church for a quick dose of the Word, just as much

W

hat if you would choose to compete with the noise? Would we not turn you into an accessory to our own chosen lifestyles?

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Is it our ears?

Is it our ears that are the problem? You are scattering the seed of the Word, and you see so many of our ears becoming like the stony ground, or the path, or the weed patch; and there is no fruit.

But have mercy on us, O Lord! We are caught amid a daily barrage of words misused, twisted, and malformed.

Here “words are forced to make promises they cannot keep. Words are chosen not for their truthfulness but for their seductiveness. What they mean is besides the point. What they seem to mean is all that counts” (Barbara B. Taylor, When God is Silent, 9).

Here we are bombarded by an ever proliferating number of words every day. Today the English language contains some 600,000 words, four times as many as Elizabethan English.

Here, Lord, from the moment we wake to the moment we go to sleep we are buried in an avalanche of words: newspapers, advertisements, radio, TV, email, text messages, Facebook, Twitter.

Living, speaking, breathing Word of God, we confess that we have allowed ourselves to become hard of hearing. We have learned “to filter out words that are not necessary to our lives the same way we learn to sleep in a house near railroad tracks. Our brains protect us from the daily barrage of words by increasing our resistance to them” (Taylor, 14).

And somehow our filters have kept out not just words, but the Word, as necessary to life as breathing. And so we die, in little ways in every day.

of You and just the aspects of You that we’re in the mood for.

But it would not be you; it would be an idol we order, our very own customized off the menu. But You are not an item ou are in a drive through menu.

restore my soul. But before I could hear you, I had to follow you into the silence.

Living, speaking, breathing Word of God, to protect us and yourself against our idolatrous attempts to use you for the good our own agendas, you withdraw shepherd who behind a veil of silence.

Your own terms And you withdraw so that we speaks to his sheep. Is Living, speaking, breathing will follow You into that silence, it only to protect against for only when we first listen to the Word of God, You do not suffer anyone to dictate the terms of Your silence are we ready to hear you. our idolatry that you involvement in their lives. You will “Speak to me that I may hear. withdraw? have us only on Your own terms.

See, Lord, the ears of my heart are Holy is He. To protect us and yourbefore you. Open them and ‘say to self against our idolatrous attempts my soul, I am your salvation.’ When to use you for our own agendas, you withdraw I hear these words I will run and lay hold on you. behind a veil of silence.

Hide not your face from me. Let me die in seeing You are the good shepherd who speaks to his your face, lest I die in longing to” (Augustine, 1.5). sheep. Is it only to protect against our idolatry that “Why do you spend money for what is not you withdraw? bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Do you not also withdraw so that we will follow Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And you into that silence? For your veil of silence is just delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear that, a veil and not a wall. Are we ever ready to hear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live” (Isaiah what you have to say to us if we do not first listen 55:2-3). to the silence?

Living, speaking, breathing Word of God, most David Funk is married gracious and most merciful, source of all Life, you to Kendra and they have do speak to us, and I remember. It was a night of three children, Ethan, anxiety and exhaustion.

Abigail, and Rachel. He is For more than eight months now my wife lead pastor of Abbeydale Kendra and I have been loving Rachel Amariah, Christian Fellowship in the daughter you’ve blessed us with. And for more Calgary, Alta. than eight months now we’ve also been bracing ourselves for her death, which could come at any time.

At eight months old, she is still just over seven Mennonite/Anabaptist pounds. We never know what the next day or hour will bring. And this waiting is hard. Have mercy, O Through a generous grant Lord; we are exhausted.

MDS is offering travel cost reimbursement to constituent pastors But I remember. It had been a particularly volunteering* at an MDS project site difficult week of waiting, bracing ourselves for the for a week or more. blow that might come at any time, and Friday night For more details see found me pacing the house, unable to sit down and http://mds.mennonite.net/programs/pastors_projects/ relax or focus. or call Lois at 866-261-1274 So, I went for a walk in the silence of the night.

Haven’t you created me to pray deepest and best, *Volun and hear most well, when I am walking? swinging teering: w ith other a hammer You saw me walking and pouring out my soul sh crew me ort-term mbers! to you, following you into the silence. And you spoke into the depths of my soul. “You can trust me, David. I know what’s best. Come, trust me, and rest.”

Good Shepherd, you do make me lie down in green pastures; you lead me beside still waters. You

Y

InvItIng

Pastors to Projects

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To get the ‘buzz going’ where the kingdom is resisted

by Layton Friesen

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he Board of Leadership and Outreach is excited about our new Social Concerns Committee.

Zac Klassen (ConneXion), Cyndy Warkentin (Saturday Night Church), Andrew Reimer (Steinbach EMC), Clint Wiebe (Saturday Night Church), Ward Parkinson (Morris), and Layton Friesen (Fort Garry) have joined the team.

What is this team for and why the concern with “social concerns”?

When Jesus began to broadcast that something called the “kingdom of God” was pressing into the world, he left no illusions that the kingdom was going to be a neat and natural fit with the goals of religious people.

The kingdom of God makes so few apologies for its complete renovation of human life, and has so little respect for the ways we’ve propped up our lives so far, that any human institution with an instinct for self-preservation will object. Churches are no exception to this.

Every church says it welcomes the reign of God and so it should; but every church can also be a defence against the kingdom of God. To overcome this tendency we need to tell stories celebrating what the Spirit is doing to swerve us out of that spiral and provoke one another on to good works.

The question we want to explore first is the question of who is our neighbour. And more specifically, who is our aboriginal neighbour?

This is an exciting time to be EMC! The kingdom of God is pressing into the EMC. Churches are trying work they would not do if self-preservation was the bottom line. Something is afoot and the Social Concerns Committee would like to do what it can to fan those flames.

Their work will be to tell stories of how the kingdom is pressing in on different communities our churches live in. They will try to ask the 12

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

kinds of questions that turn our heads to where God might want us to look, places we may have forgotten or decided were something a Christian wouldn’t be “socially concerned” about.

The question we want to explore first is the question of who is our neighbour. And more specifically, who is our aboriginal neighbour? Since the first scouting of Manitoba for Kleine Gemeinde settlement in 1873, EMCers and aboriginals have had opinions about each other.

Many EMC churches worship near a reserve or in an urban setting with many aboriginals. Some EMCers are aboriginal.

This is not the first time we have considered these neighbours and we hope it’s not the last.

We have begun a series of blogs on the EMC website in which different people are asked what the EMC needs to understand about our aboriginal neighbours and how we live with them.

Andrew Reimer has offered a provocative piece in this issue of The Messenger which we hope will get the buzz going in churches, coffee shops and homes across our conference.

Please send responses to the blog and let your perspective be known too.

Let anyone with ears, listen!

Layton Friesen is the chair of the Board of Leadership and Outreach, which oversees the work of the Social Concerns Committee.

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

Changing our minds:

A first step toward healing in our relationships with Aboriginals

by Andrew Reimer

L

ike many of you, I grew up not knowing many Aboriginal people. I would not have thought of myself as racist.

However, I was influenced by the stereotypes and superior attitudes most Canadians consciously or unconsciously hold towards our Aboriginal neighbours.

I really didn’t think very much about Native people or my attitudes towards them. I didn’t think Native people had much to do with my life.

No longer distant Today, however, I am learning to see Aboriginal people no longer as a novelty, a one-dimensional stereotype, or having little to do with my reality.

Over the past nine years as missionaries and residents in Winnipeg’s North End, a predominantly Aboriginal inner city neighbourhood, my wife Amie and I have been blessed to know many

Native people. Many wonderful friendships have formed with our neighbours.

Aboriginal neighbours have welcomed us into their lives, receiving our hospitality, offering us theirs, and sharing themselves with us by choosing to entrust us with their life experiences, hopes, joys, and sorrows.

We feel humbled and privileged to be welcomed and trusted in this way. These friends are not obligated to open their lives to us. That they have chosen to is a gift.

We have given up some comforts to live and serve in this community, but sometimes I wonder what sacrifices our neighbours have made to become our friends. I’m sure they have often put up with our ignorance, cultural inappropriateness, and even our unacknowledged attitudes of superiority.

When we begin to see our Aboriginal neighbours as friends and family, it becomes much more (continued p. 14)

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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difficult to distance ourselves from their grief and their pain.

I’ve learned that church-run residential schools Aboriginal children were forced to attend as part of the Canadian government’s policy of cultural assimilation are not just a thing of the distant past. I’ve listened to survivors of these schools share their stories with me, while most of my other Native friends have parents or grandparents who attended residential schools.

Many of my friends who were too young to have attended residential schools have talked about the emotional, physical and sexual abuse they experienced while in foster care.

Racism is not just something that happens somewhere else. I’ve heard my friends tell about their experiences of discrimination in everyday life.

A wound that affects us all I daily witness firsthand the effects of centuries of exploitation and marginalization of Aboriginal people, the effects of a history which includes dislocation from their homelands, death by disease and hunger, generations of forced cultural assimilation, as well as ongoing discrimination and internalized oppression.

The result of all this, I believe, is a great rift of pain, mistrust, and misunderstanding between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals.

A few years ago I interviewed a sampling of Mennonite pastors in Manitoba and found that we, as Mennonites, continue to hold simplistic and judgemental explanations for Aboriginal suffering. We fail to see how we are benefiting from

The task of mission to our Aboriginal neighbours will lack credibility if the non-Aboriginal church continues to act as if reconciliation and healing are not necessary.

the colonization and historical violence against Aboriginal people or acknowledge any responsibility in responding to this history.

Too often, our insufficient understanding is perpetuated by the fact that many of us do not know or have meaningful relationships with Aboriginal people.

My heart is burdened by this wounded relationship and I believe this is a wound that affects us all, whether we have regular contact with Native people or not.

How might Jesus be calling us as non-Aboriginal Christians to seek healing in our relationship with our Aboriginal neighbours?

Missions with credibility What about missions and evangelism? You may notice that I am not speaking in these terms.

Let me be clear. I do believe in the importance of sending missionaries to serve Aboriginal communities and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe Aboriginal people need Jesus just as much as do non-Aboriginal people. However, the task of mission to our Aboriginal neighbours will lack credibility and will carry a distorted message if the non-Aboriginal church continues to act as if reconciliation and healing in our attitudes and relationships are not necessary. We would be saying, in effect, “‘Peace, peace’…when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 8:11).

What I am advocating is just as much a matter of discipleship as mission. This is about humbly confessing our sin, removing the plank from our own eye before pointing to the speck in our neighbour’s eye (Matthew 7:4-5). This is about following our Lord Jesus as he crosses boundaries in identification and solidarity with the marginalized.

This is about learning to do right, seeking justice, and encouraging the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17).

When our posture towards our Aboriginal neighbours begins to look like Jesus, then our

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

Learn More  www.emconference.ca Be sure to check out the EMC Social Concerns Committee blog to read about and discuss the question: “What do EMCers need to understand about our Aboriginal neighbours?”

There are many excellent articles on Aboriginal issues available on the EMC website. Click on “Resources” and look under “Social Concerns.”

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message about Jesus will be believable. But it starts with our own humble repentance.

Changing our minds While much could be said, from my heart and experience, about steps to take on this journey of healing, let me focus on one step at this moment: let us examine our own attitudes.

Our tendency is to distance ourselves from colonialism’s disastrous effects on Aboriginal people. We deny any responsibility, blame other people who exploited Native people and took their land, blame other church denominations for the residential schools, and blame Aboriginal people themselves for the resulting problems.

Wendy Peterson, a Metis professor and theologian living in southern Manitoba, has observed Mennonites making comments like, “Why don’t Indians just get over the past? We did.” It’s a sentiment I too have heard often.

Perhaps you have heard of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s residential school apology on June 11, 2008, in the House of Commons. Later, there was a Native Christian-initiated Forgiven summit, which intended to respond by releasing forgiveness from Aboriginal participants to the federal government.

Perhaps our response is, “Good. Finally, Aboriginal people will forgive us and move on.”

But maybe we fail to recognize that in order to receive forgiveness from Native people, we must be willing to recognize our need for forgiveness.

We want to “move on” without going through the painful process of admitting our complicity in the sin and acknowledging its consequences.

Repentance means to turn around and move in the other direction or to change your mind.

Have we changed our minds about our Aboriginal neighbours? Do we continue to believe that we are smarter, more civilized, or more deserving than Native people?

Do we continue to believe that we are smarter, more civilized, or more deserving than Native people?

The disturbing danger of mission that assumes Aboriginal people are less valuable is illustrated by a story told by Cree Christian leader and theologian, Ray Aldred. Aldred tells of his friend and ministry partner who said, “I grew up hating being an Indian and I liked hearing the gospel preached because it hated Indians too.”

Attitudes of cultural superiority—racism—can be one of the most toxic ingredients in our ministry efforts among Aboriginal people. Why? When we implicitly reinforce their own sense of cultural inferiority, we fail to convey Jesus’ love for, and affirmation of, all humanity.

Are we ready to build relationships, both individually and corporately in which we come to Aboriginal people not as saviours, judges or problem solvers, but as learners, partners, and friends?

Will we realize that we need each other? That our futures and our healing are tied up together?

What new possibilities could be opened up as we change our minds about our Aboriginal neighbours? What new friendships might form?

What will we learn? How might we seek justice and reconciliation? How could our lives and our churches be enriched with a deeper understanding of the Gospel and a bigger vision of God? Andrew Reimer (Steinbach EMC) is a community minister serving with Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg’s North End and a member of the EMC’s Social Concerns Committee.

 www.indianlife.org/index.php?option=com_content& task=view&id=208 Read “Thoughts on Forgiveness and Aboriginal Residential Schools” by Christian Aboriginal leaders Ray Aldred, Terry Leblanc, and Adrian Jacobs.  www.trc.ca To learn more about Indian Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

 www.mythperceptions.ca MCC Canada’s website challenging myths and stereotypes about Aboriginal people.  www.urbana.org/archives/2003/transcripts/ cross-cultural-conversion-2 Read Ray Aldred’s address at Urbana 2003 entitled “Crosscultural Conversion.”

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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Bullying in the Church?

PHOTOS: DREAMSTIME.COM (FOREGROUND) AND ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

by Dwight Munn

Intimidation in every sense is the polar opposite of the character of our heavenly Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit. So how does it get into the Church?

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O

ur family has been part of the school system for a long time now and one of the expressions that we have heard concerning bullying is: “We have a zero tolerance policy.”

These words are often substituted for far different words when bullying has taken place.

Sometimes the child who has been bullied is told to remain silent, not to be a tattletale, or viewed through a microscope to see what they have done wrong or to initiate it.

At other times it appears that a blind eye is turned to the situation, hoping that it will go away.

A zero tolerance policy! Would our churches be known to have zero tolerance policy within them?

Are there times when bullying is tolerated in the church? Who would dare to bully in the church?

Who would be so demanding of their own way that they would bully God’s children? Could we or would we enforce a zero tolerance policy on bullying?

My personal story When about 11 or 12 years old, I went for a walk in our small community to visit a cousin and his family who lived about one mile away. Along the way I was met by three young teenagers who were brothers and their cousin.

It did not take long for the four of them to beat up on me and throw me to the snow-covered ground where they began to kick me while I was down. Now you may ask me what I had done to receive such treatment, and the only honest answer that I can offer is that I went for a walk on a winter evening.

While I received no permanent scars from this, I do have some emotional scars and a question as to why this would happen to me. This incident happened over forty years ago and still it comes to my mind now and again.

I was too ashamed to tell anyone what had happened. Who would believe me? What proof did I have? The winter clothes prevented much bruising.

We often say, “Kids are cruel,” but in real life so are adults. The old lie often heard on playgrounds is this: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.”

Perhaps bullying with words can be just as damaging or even possibly even more damaging than physical violence.

Dictionary.com defines bully this way: “a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.”

A bully may work by himself or within a group to get what he or she wants from another person, from a group, to belittle another person or to gain control.

Bullying in the Church This article will by no means be a full discussion with regards to the topic of bullying and its devastating and demoralizing effects. Rather, it is to stir thinking of how it occurs within the Church, what it looks like, and how we might prevent it.

A bully may work by himself or within a group to get what he or she wants from another person, from a group, to belittle another person or to gain control.

The Church is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here, we would think, would be the last place in the world where bullying would be found.

Intimidation in every sense is the polar opposite of the character of our heavenly Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

So how does it get into the Church? How do we recognize it and how do we deal with it?

Are there evidences of bullying in the sacred text of the Holy Scriptures? During the life of our Lord Jesus we see many examples of this by the religious leaders of the day and even notice that it threatened to creep into the life of the Early Church.

In John 8 our Lord Jesus comes down from the Mount of Olives and is teaching the multitudes.

The scribes and Pharisees arrive with a woman in tow who had been seized in the act of adultery.

They bring her to the feet of Jesus.

The number of the scribes and Pharisees isn’t given, but, seeing that both groups are listed, we know she was greatly outnumbered. These bullies had a purpose in mind: their will, their way, their agenda.

They forced her alone to come, and now they would force Jesus to execute judgment. The fact that they brought her alone, when no one has ever committed the act of adultery alone, shows they were willing to bully her and not the man. (continued p. 18) THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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They quoted the scriptures and demanded that she be stoned for her sin, but they had passed their judgment on the man by letting him go. They would now try to force Jesus to do their will.

Bullies seek to control, manipulate and humiliate others to get their own way. Imagine trying to force God to do your will!

Church bullies can act in the same way as the scribes and Pharisees: they quote from God’s Word for their purpose, they demand judgment for some while releasing others, they want control regardless of the cost involved, they use numbers as a sign of being right, and they even try to force God to join them.

Church bullying is as old as the Church.

No church or denomination is exempt from it, and a careful study of church history reveals its devastation.

One terrifying thought is that in the flesh any of us can degrade into becoming a bully and demanding our own way. Bullies try to make themselves look like the ultimate power and authority.

Abundant Springs Speaker

One terrifying thought is that in the flesh any of us can degrade into becoming a bully and demanding our own way. Bullies try to make themselves look like the ultimate power and authority.

Bullies in the Church can be almost anyone.

It can be the pastor, one or more of the elders, someone in leadership. It can be someone who is more concerned about their will, their power, their position, their opinion than the will of the heavenly Father.

Jesus is not a bully!

Jesus was never once a bully nor did He ever try to force His will on others. Jesus prayed to the Father, “Not my will but your will be done.” Jesus’ prayer is that the will of the Father would be done on earth as it is in heaven. One can only imagine what it would be like for one of the angels to want their will over the will of God! Oh wait, that did happen. Lucifer wanted, and still wants his will and way over the way of God. I guess we could see him as the ultimate longterm bully. He is still a bully.

Bullying must look like one who is willing to steal, kill and destroy what rightfully belongs to another (read John 10:10). Bullying taken to the extreme will stop at absolutely nothing to get its own.

Bullying is the opposite of the character and commands of Christ such as, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Bullying in the Church will cause the Church to cease from being the body of Christ.

If bullies are allowed to have control within the Church, then the obvious conclusion is: Christ, our Head, does not have control.

What would it look like if we truly adopted a zero bullying policy within our churches? Answer: the Church would look like Christ!

The National Youth Committee is pleased to introduce Rob Hildebrand as our speaker for Abundant Springs 2011. Rob is a Professor of Youth and Educational Ministries at Multnomah College, Portland Oregon.

Rob grew up on the Saskatchewan prairies and previously served as the youth pastor of Steinbach EMC for three years. His passion for youth includes developing and running a high-energy wide game for Abundant Springs 2005.

Please pray for Rob as he prepares to speak at our four main sessions!

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Dwight Munn, senior pastor of Westpointe Community Church since January 2008, was raised in New Brunswick, worked in the logging industry, and graduated from New Brunswick Bible Institute. He is married to Sherry. They have six children, 10 grandchildren, and six horses.

with our missionaries

MEXICO Even before we were accepted by the Board of Missions (BOM) to go to the city of Guadalajara (GDL) in Jalisco state, Mexico, as church planters we felt strongly that the church plant would have to be birthed out of prayer.

On several instances Connie and I talked about inviting a prayer team to come to Guadalajara even before we got to the city ourselves. Through the research that national staff members Ken Zacharias and Gerald Reimer did on GDL, the importance of prayer came through repeatedly from different missionaries that they interviewed.

We knew if prayer would be lacking, the harvest would be too.

Statue of Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla, a Mexican priest and a leader of the Mexican War of Independence.

We wanted to have Flo as the prayer team leader for her experience in leading such ministries in the past. We knew her as a personal friend and saw her as a woman of faith.

The Lord put together the rest of the team. He knew that this was not going to be a sightseeing tour, but was a deliberate, intense time of travail and intercession.

The people God chose came with a wonderful blend of personalities, experiences and spiritual gifts.

The Lord brought us Flo Friesen, Cathy Thiessen, Roxanne Buhler, Debbie Giesbrecht, Elaine Kushniryk, Nicole Dyck, and Derek Friesen. From the very first evening there was such a sweet sense of God’s presence upon the team.

God used Connie as a wonderful host and cook. Nobody suffered under her care.

After breakfast on Wednesday morning, Feb. 9, we had our time of devotions and prayer, which the Lord turned into a time of praying and anointing with oil for each person present. This was a very sublime time of brokenness, healing and affirmation.

“God with us” was so true. This was the ground zero from which we as a team jelled and unified.

A friend had sent us an email, quoting Psalm 133 that night and it seemed so fitting. What a powerful morning. What a way to start our time together!

John Reimer PHOTOS: JOHN REIMER

Guadalajara prayer team begins work

The Guadalajara prayer team

Prayer is the conduit through which the Holy Spirit’s energy flows.

At Flo Friesen’s appreciation and retirement supper in Ridgewood EMC in Manitoba, we approached Flo about leading a prayer team to GDL. She immediately seemed excited about the prospect.

She approached the BOM a day or two later and shortly after the announcements went out inviting people to consider this opportunity.

Upon arriving in GDL we spent several months re-learning the Spanish language, studying the Mexican culture as it was displayed in Guadalajara, and getting to know the city of seven million.

One of the primary areas of focus these last few months for us was in praying for the people of GDL, that God would break down the spiritual strongholds that are keeping people in bondage, through poverty and affluence, drugs and violence, corruption and deceit, religion and syncretism.

In getting to know the city, Connie and I would walk the city streets and do our prayer walks. God used all of our senses as we walked and talked with our wonderful Lord.

John and Connie Reimer (Swan River) are team leaders in the church planting team being developed for Guadalajara City, Mexico.

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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with our missionaries

experience helped our church gain a better understanding of our situation.

The Blumenort Church has developed a plan to send representatives from the church to visit its overseas missionaries to encourBURKINA FASO The Thiessen residence in Tin was renovated by a building team from the Blumenort church. age and build them up as well as to learn How many people does it take to more about their work. translate the Bible? people from our church to join us Such visits serve to strengthen ties What role does the home church in regular monthly prayer for the between the church and missionaries have in supporting missionaries?

Siamou people. For the past eight as well as between the church and Accomplishing a missionary assignyears this group has met monthly to the people among whom the misment successfully requires the help pray with us and for us. sionaries are working. and cooperation of many committed When we are in Burkina Faso Bible translation and the proclapeople. they meet each month to pray for us. mation of its message of hope among Translating the Bible for the When we are at home, we meet with the Siamou people has become a Siamou people in Burkina Faso, West them, telling of our frustrations, vision of our home church, not only Africa, has been our calling for the fears and problems that we would of the Siamou Prayer Group. Our past 27 years. As we have served not and could not share in a larger church has taken an interest and with AIMM, our home church, the church service. ownership in our missionary work.

Blumenort EMC, has carried us along We have also introduced our We are thankful to God for the with moral, financial and spiritual group to our Siamou friends in support of the Blumenort Church. support.

Burkina Faso through pictures and Paul Thiessen Providing housing for us during stories. The Siamou Prayer Group furloughs (with a stock of groceries is learning much about Siamou life Paul Thiessen (Blumenort) serves with in the kitchen upon our arrival), and culture through these prayer Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission and invitations to give reports to our con- meetings. is also the honorary missionary-ingregation, and help with outfitting They encourage us immensely residence at the EMC national office. expenses when we return to Burkina through their prayers. This group Faso have been just a few of the has taken on the responsibilencouraging things they have done. ity of ministry to the They helped us with the cost of Siamou people so purchasing a vehicle both in Burkina that we feel that we Faso and more recently here in are doing this work Canada. Two years ago Lois and I together. purchased a house in Blumenort. In We praise God for 2010, while our family was in Burkina this dedicated group Faso, a group of men from the church of people. reshingled the house for us.

In 2005 a work In 2001 we returned from Burkina team, which included Faso discouraged and drained four people from the because of a variety of complex chalBlumenort church, lenges in our work. Lois and I sensed came to help us with that this was a spiritual attack. a building project in So we felt led by God to invite the village of Tin. This Blumenort church helped Thiessens purchase this Peugot 404 pick-up truck in 1987. It is still used. Their children are on the roof.

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PHOTOS: PAUL THIESSEN

How the Church can help its missionaries

with our missionaries

Good-bye to South Africa!

SOUTH AFRICA Paul’s departure from Miletus (Acts 20:36-38) is an oft-quoted farewell.

But is this famed for the right reasons?

What Paul was intentional about was surely not the tears (20:17-23).

With church leaders gathered, he explained how he had fulfilled his objective in teaching and mentoring the believers, told it as it was even when people didn’t like it, and resolved to follow God’s guidance despite not knowing what the future held for him.

He had fulfilled his objective. It was time to move on and so he did.

Good-bye to TEAM South Africa!

Separation from TEAM South Africa is happening at several levels. Giving up the leadership role that Joe assumed for four years was major.

He always felt supported and respected as TEAM South Africa’s ministry area leader so this change

has a downside. God led us through some major events; these were good years. We will miss being at the hub of what God is doing.

TEAM USA hopes to change the way we do ministry in South Africa. The church is an autonomous body running their own programs, including outreach and missions ministries.

Though church and mission will relate to each other, missionaries after 2012 will work more directly with specific needs the church cannot address adequately.

This requires participating missionaries to bring their ministries to the altar, as it were. They must depend on God to direct them to new vision and direction.

Good-bye to the Church in South Africa! Our work has always been held up by a relationship with church leaders. TEAM’s changes have implications on how we do farewells; we can offer no hope that someone new will come to help them as we have done.

Our good-byes are not only our

Vacation Bible School 2011

Taste & See: God Is Good

own. In one sense they are also those of TEAM. We hear expressions of gratitude for what we and other missionaries have meant to the church. Some are followed by “but” and expressions of displeasure and questions about TEAM’s latest decision, but clearly there is huge appreciation for what TEAM has meant to converts.

To think that we should receive these expressions of thanks, which belong collectively to past missionaries is absolutely awesome. For the most part, we never even knew these missionaries; and, except for a handful, they have gone to glory.

Time and time again Hebrews 11 is cemented into our minds. And now they want to add us to those ranks of heroes of faith. How is this possible?

This we do not deserve. Oh, “the wonderful grace of Jesus”!

Good-bye to South Africa! We leave South Africa to retire in the fall 2011 from a 38-year foreign missionary career. This will be after we return to Manitoba in April and after we visit our supporting constituency.

We trust the Lord to give us continued health so that, though we go at a slower pace, we can play a role in TEAM’s endeavours here, from a distance and with periodic visits to Africa.

Will we be remembered for walking with the Lord?

Joe and Olga Reimer

Taste & See will help children look at food differently, through the eyes of faith! As they participate in fun worship and activities and hear stories of manna in the wilderness, a woman who shares her last bit of food, or Jesus offering himself as bread and wine, kids will learn about gratitude, generosity, and “spiritual food”—and how food is a constant reminder of God’s active presence in our midst!

Boxed set: $129.99 USD/$149.99 CAD Items also available separately. Find sample sessions, Bible texts, and a 5-day overview at www.mpn.net/vbs.

Orders: 800-245-7894 (USA) • 800-631-6535 (Canada) • www.mpn.net

Olga and Joe Reimer (Blumenort EMC) are retiring, later this year, after 38 years of missionary service.

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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with our churches

Christmas reflections PICTURE BUTTE MENNONITE CHURCH, Alberta

W

e praise God for the wonderful rebirths that we have the privilege to witness here in Picture Butte.

I have chosen to share with you just two testimonies from families who are making new beginnings.

From a family who celebrated their third Christmas since becoming followers of Christ: Till now Christmas was all about gifts, Santa and time off work. This past Christmas God really spoke to me about what Christmas was all about and who Jesus really is as it says in Isaiah 9:6.

This was the most spiritual and best Christmas ever. We went to Peavy Mart and there was Santa. We let our children sit on him and then we explained that Jesus is the reason and Santa is just a man like us.

The gift of a Low German Bible to my father-in-law was accepted, which was totally an answer to my prayers. When our children start witnessing about Jesus, it feels like they open the door.

When we had our Christmas celebration at home we sat down with our children and explained that Christmas is not about gifts but the birth of Christ. At our family gathering our brother-inlaw asked our son, what he got from Santa, he replied, “Christmas is not about Santa. I believe in God.” Our family gathering with extended family was more spiritual than usual.

They were talking about things that matter, what good is it to gain the whole world and lose their soul.

The gift of a Low German Bible to my father-in-law was accepted, which was totally an answer to my prayers. When our children start witnessing about Jesus, it feels like they open the door.

It gives us such joy. I was not ashamed to speak about God’s word with my extended family. I was at peace about it and ready to talk about God’s love when

Chantel Heese serves with YWAM PANSY CHAPEL, Manitoba PHOTO COURTESY CHANTEL HEESE

C

Chantel Heese worked at a soup kitchen in Mendoza, Argentina. Here, she holds a two-week-old baby while his mother eats.

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hantel Heese spent a good part of 2010 with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), raising support, attending the in-depth three-month Bible School in New Zealand, and serving in hands-on missions experiences in several countries: Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Haiti. She saw the Amazon (on the corners of Peru, Brazil, and Colombia).

Betty Barkman

I was given the opportunity. 1 Peter 3:15, when asked, always be ready to give a reason for the hope within you.

I can face another day/year because He lives.

From a family celebrating their first Christmas since becoming followers of Christ: Before we were Christians, Christmas was all about the toys and Santa. We would go out to the mall and the girls had to sit on Santa’s lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

After we accepted the Lord as our Saviour we realized that we were very wrong. Christmas had nothing to do with Santa, and that made it more special than before. God put His Son here on earth to save us.

We told our daughter and it was very special to her that Jesus came to earth as a baby and we have chosen to celebrate it on Christmas Day. We explained that is why we gave her presents, so that we would always remember that special day.

That is why we are so grateful that we became Christians so that our children can be raised knowing the true meaning of Christmas and that Santa has nothing to do with Christmas.

It’s all about Jesus coming into this world as a baby, bringing light into this dark world.

Caroline Krahn

with our churches

STEINBACH EMC, Manitoba

“B

PHOTO COURTESY KYLE FRIESEN

e transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). Be Transformed is our theme for the year 2010-11.

Our goal is to become more like Jesus and to be transformed in how we respond to the different situations in our lives—our actions, thoughts, emotions and choices.

We began in September by studying the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). In our present series Interior Re-Design—Making Space for God, we are being challenged to move things out of our lives and then to consider what we will put into our lives, similar to redesigning a house.

Laughter, tears, hugs, applause!

The evening of November 7, 2010, was a time of celebration as we heard the testimonies of baptism and membership candidates, stories of lives transformed by God. Following is part of Jim Kroeker’s testimony (used by permission) about a life that has truly been transformed:

“My mother was a strong believer in Christ. My dad had a love for trucks but not a love for Christ. As a result of his drinking he was in an accident, resulting in the loss of most of his eyesight and his ability to drive truck.

“He ended up committing suicide when I was twelve. That was an opportunity for me to accept Christ—but I didn’t.

“Shortly after that I became addicted to pornography, quit school, started working, and soon began drinking and experimenting with drugs, always trying to fill a void inside me. I thought marriage would fill that void, but it did not.

“Soon pornography showed its ugly face, and with it came lies and deceit. My wife encouraged me to get to know Christ, but I didn’t want any part of it.

“When I was thirty-two I lost my mother to cancer—another opportunity to accept Christ, but I didn’t. In 2005 I had a serious truck accident, from which I walked away. Another opportunity lost!

January 30, 2011, parent/child dedication: Kelly and Peter Wall with Savannah, Kyle and Laura Friesen with Jenna, Ken and Nicole Kehler with Zachary.

PHOTO: ANG KOOP

Be Transformed

Baptism and acceptance of members, December 5, 2010: (back) Daniel Penner, Zach Martens, Jim Kroeker, Paul Sabourin, (front) Rudy Vormann, Jasmin Vormann, Sarah Goertzen. (Missing are Ron Babel, Gudrun Babel, and Naomi Kornelson.)

“At my company’s Christmas banquet in 2009 all my sin was heavy on my heart, and I decided I needed a drastic change and accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. I’ve had more and more cravings for the Word and have joined a family Bible study. I now realize that God was always there for me. [Jim read the poem Footprints.]

“Last summer I met one of my best friends, who told me that he had accepted Christ. I told him that was great and that we would have a lot more to talk about.

“Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after that during heart surgery. The good news is that I will be able to keep my promise when I meet him in heaven.

“Recently I was struggling with work to the point where I was starting to slide in my faith. I took a week off to collect my thoughts, pray, and catch up on some unfinished projects.

“The end result was an even stronger faith in Jesus. Many people have influenced me through all of this, and I thank God for each one.”

The baptismal service and reception of members took place on December 5, 2010.

Martha Kroeker

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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with our churches

Steps of obedience at RGC RIVERTON GOSPEL CHAPEL, Manitoba

T

wo lakes dot the landscape of The Holy Land. The Sea of Galilee teeming with fish, birds, lush hills and the Dead Sea, a barren wasteland. Why the difference?

Both share the sun, wind, and rain and both have a source of fresh water. The difference is the Dead Sea has no outflow, resulting in high concentrations of salt.

Spiritual life is a lot like this. If we are too focused on our own needs we can become stagnant, even a little too salty for our own good.

It is exciting to read reports of individuals and congregations

using their spiritual gifts, time, and resources to interact with people outside the walls of their churches.

We, too, have embraced several ventures that have taken us into our community and beyond.

Our praise and worship team welcomed the invitation to a local talent show as an opportunity to share the song Jesus Messiah with the community. The Riverton Community Churches Ministerial hosted a candle light Valentine’s movie night featuring Fireproof, a powerful movie designed to strengthen marriages.

Another opportunity to step outside our walls is the upcoming Interlake Women’s Retreat at Camp Arnes taking place April 8–10.

PHOTOS COURTESY RANDY AND SIGI HIEBERT

Like a trickle of water becoming a stream, one person’s step of obedience may give others the courage to move beyond their own comfort zone.

RGCers were part of an MDS crew in Louisiana.

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011

The seed that has grown to become The Potter’s Heart, holds the promise of an intimate time with our Heavenly Father, a time of fellowship, and the encouragement of hearing guest speaker Grace Johnson share of her encounter with the Master Potter while seated at her potter’s wheel.

Like a trickle of water becoming a stream, one person’s step of obedience may give others the courage to move beyond their own comfort zone.

A member of our church, Walter Hamm, believing the Lord wanted him to serve with Mennonite Disaster Service, spent one month as a project coordinator in Louisiana. This step of obedience gave opportunity to three couples in our church to join him for a week of house construction.

Another church member had a vision to create a movie based on the life of Job. The project has given many in our church and surrounding area an opportunity to be involved in a ministry that is affecting people far beyond our corner of the world.

Where Is My Father? The Story of Job was created as a gift of hope and encouragement to people who are suffering or who are watching a loved one suffer. This ministry continues to influence people through invitations to screen the motion picture in churches and other venues.

In his book Our Ultimate Refuge, Oswald Chambers writes, “According to Jesus Christ what we have to do is to watch the Source and He will look after the outflow.” While he does not call everyone to make a movie or serve with MDS, he does require obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart’” (John 7:38 NLT).

Randy and Sigi Hiebert

with our churches

Milestone events of 2011 MORWEENA EMC, Manitoba

official. He and Norma have served us faithfully for decades he second half of 2010 was a busy and we trust that they will be a time for us as a congregation. We blessing in their new setting as witnessed the establishment of many they have been in Morweena. marriages, rejoiced at the completion Glenn and Norma moved of adoptions, celebrated our 50th an- to south Kansas in January at niversary (and later, Thanksgiving) the request of our daughter with much food and many friends, church near Copeland; they Deacon couples Dan and Martha Reimer (retiring) and Matthew and supported numerous people in are helping with the leadership and Kara Plett (starting). short-term ministries. there as well as with a church through this time of transition well, In December, Glenn Plett’s resigplant in Dalhart, Texas. nation from his pastoral role became Our ministerial team is taking us but we would all appreciate your prayers.

On July 11, 2010, we heard the testimonies of a dozen of our youth who are committed to following Jesus, and witnessed their baptism.

During the Sunday morning service on November 14, Dan and Martha Reimer were honoured for their 11 years of work as deacons in our congregation. We appreciate their service and wish them God’s blessing as they retire from official service.

In the same morning, we commissioned our newest deacon couple, Matthew and Kara Plett. We are blessed to have them as part of our ministerial team.

Baptized were (front) Tammy Loewen, Rebecka Lukas, Sandra Reimer, Janelle Loewen; (middle) Dale Janet Hamm Reimer, Zachary Abrahamson, Jameon Loewen; (back) Ryan Plett, Kendrian Dueck, Eric Plett, Galen

PHOTOS COURTESY JANET HAMM

T

Reimer, Kyle Dueck.

births AVECILLA – to Alex and Ophelia Avecilla of Portage la Prairie, Man., a son, Aiden Zachary, on Nov. 19, 2010.

NEUFELD – to Tim and Betty Neufeld of Portage la Prairie, Man., a son, Donavon Luke, on April 22, 2010.

BUHR – to Ryan and Rachel Buhr of Portage la Prairie, Man., a daughter, Olivia Margaret, on Jan. 28, 2011.

PARSONS – to Jeff and Christina Parsons of Portage la Prairie, Man., a son, Joel Conrad, on Sept. 4, 2010.

ENNS – to Malachi and Chantale Enns of Portage la Prairie, Man., a daughter, Sawyer Aryanna Danille, on May 10, 2010.

WIEBE – to David and Sharon Wiebe of Portage la Prairie, Man., a daughter, Shayla Destiny, on July 3, 2010.

MARKS – to Wade and Meghan Marks of Portage la Prairie, Man., a daughter, Wesley Claire, on Sept. 6, 2010.

Pastoral couple Glenn and Norma Plett are moving on to assist in church leadership in Kansas and Texas.

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

25

news

New MEDA project to boost rice and textiles in Ethiopia Aims to help 10,000 small producers increase their income

PHOTO: MEDA

will help rice farmers improve production, irrigation, storWINNIPEG, Man.—A new five-year $12 million project has age, processing and transportation techniques, as well as been launched by MEDA to assist rice farmers and homework with local partner agencies to furnish financial support based textile producers in Ethiopia. services.

It aims to help 10,000 small producers increase their inIn the textile sector the focus will be on come by improving production and moving into awareness of market trends, better supplies and higher-value markets. equipment, credit, and improved designs for spe“Ethiopia is among the poorest countries in cialized market segments. the world, though strides have been made in reThe project will work in the Lake Tana area in cent years,” says Alex Snelgrove, MEDA’s market the northwestern highlands, an emerging hub of linkages project manager. rice production, as well as in the southern region, Agriculture employs more than 80 percent a traditional centre of spinning and weaving. of the population, mostly small farmers who The Canadian International Development till a few acres, she says. Tens of thousands of Agency (CIDA) is contributing nearly $10 milEthiopian families are also engaged in smalllion with the rest coming from MEDA and local scale production of cotton garments. partners.

A growing middle class has swelled demand An inception mission for the project was not only for traditional clothing but also for more Agriculture employs more completed in summer 2010. up scale designs featuring Ethiopian fabrics. than 80 percent of the MEDA MEDA’s project will assist both sectors. It Ethiopian population.

MCC thrift shop sales continue to boom ST. CATHERINES, Ont.—Business was brisk at the 56 MCC thrift shops in Canada this past year as local boards and volunteers continue to explore new ways to increase sales.

In 2010, Canadian shop contributions to MCC exceeded $7.2 million, far above the projected income and the 2009 record contributions of $5.9 million, said Canadian thrift shop coordinator, Judy Dyck.

Although unpaid volunteers continue to be the “heart and soul” of MCC thrift shops, Dyck said many shops have become large, multi-faceted businesses. Some shops now occupy department store sized spaces and have grown to the point where they require assistance from paid managers.

“Donors, customers and volunteers want to know their contributions will produce a good end result and MCC thrift shops have demonstrated their commitment to caring for creation and supporting MCC projects and programs,” Managers Joan and Phil Steininger enjoy a said Dyck. furniture display in the Christian Benefit Shop in St. Catharines, Ont.

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011

The first MCC thrift shop opened in Altona, Man., in 1972, starting a movement that has spread across Canada and the U.S. Today, 108 shops operate from Oregon to Florida and from Ontario to British Columbia and have contributed more than $112 million to the work of MCC, said Dyck.

Gladys Terichow, MCC Canada

Update on SBC’s “Blue Man” Contest According to Dalen Kroeker, SBC’s “Blue Man” was Greg Plett from Morweena EMC. He was not eligible to play in the EM Cup because he plays for the Steinbach Huskies. His role was to entertain and rally the SBC fans during the games.

He participated in the treadmill contest to win a jersey. He was called the “Blue Man” because Greg Plett he wore a blue morph suit that hid his identity from the rest of the people. Blue is the team colour for SBC’s sports teams.

Patrick Friesen Communications Director, SBC PHOTO: SBC

PHOTO: NINA LINTON, MCC

Sales exceed $7.2 million

Editor’s note: No one guessed correctly. Perhaps next time.

news

MCC international workers in Egypt relocated, now returning Decision made in consultation with MCC partner organizations in Egypt WINNIPEG, Man.—Thirteen international staff, including two children, temporarily relocated to France are now returning to Egypt.

MCC temporarily moved its international workers out of Egypt because of the ongoing civil unrest there.

PHOTO: MELISSA ENGLE, MCC

All international workers moved during the turmoil are returning to their work placements in Egypt.

The pyramids of Giza, Egypt.

Workers were relocated to MCC’s office in Strasbourg, France, in February. Another MCCer working in Africa was vacationing and visiting family in Cairo when the unrest began. She is now back in Africa.

MCC relocated its workers out of concerns for their safety and wanted to save its partner organizations in Egypt from worrying about how to care for them.

All international workers moved during the turmoil are returning to their work placements in Egypt. The decision to return was made in consultation with MCC partner organizations in Egypt.

“Our partners in Egypt take hospitality very seriously and part of that hospitality includes protecting their guests,” said Jan Martens Janzen, a director of MCC’s Middle East program.

Other factors considered include the general stability in regards to communication and banking services, said Martens Janzen.

MCC’s work in Egypt focuses on education and peacebuilding.

MCC

Nicaragua special projects Would your church or family like to contribute to a special project approved by the EMC Board of Missions for the church conference in Nicaragua? Here are four projects to choose from. All of them are tax receiptable.

Name

Description

Goal

Code

Nutrition Program

The social concerns committee provides food to children three times per week in twelve different communities.

$6,000

N1-NP

Pastoral Food Hampers

The pastoral council gives each one of the 32 pastors and outreach leaders a food hamper worth $50 every three months.

$5,400

N1-PH

Pastoral Supervisors

The church conference has two area supervisors who visit each one of the 32 churches and outreaches every three months.

A subsidy of $480 is given every three months towards this expense.

$1,920

N1-PS

Bible Institute

Scholarships are given to students who attend classes taught by the church conference and the Semilla Bible School in Guatemala.

$2,600

N1-SCH

For information on these projects please contact EMC foreign secretary Ken Zacharias at the conference office, 204-326-6401 or kzacharias@emconf.ca.

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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news

Water cisterns improve life in Bolivia DURANGO COLONY, Bolivia—Life got easier for Peter and Aganethe Bergen and their nine children.

Through a water project supported by MCC Bolivia, the family has a new 10,000-litre cistern and a pump powered by a six horse-power gas motor.

The Bergen family moved to Bolivia from Paraguay in 1995, one of the founding families of this closed, churchgoverned Mennonite colony in Charagua, a hot dry municipality in southern Bolivia.

Before installing the MCC system, Bergen said he had earned enough money to drill a well 47 metres deep, plus a 200-litre barrel and horse-drawn cable system.

However, this system was inadequate for a growing family and a farming operation.

The Bergen family is among 50 families in Durango Colony with easier access to water through this multi-phase water project partly funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.

The project assists families in the Durango Colony and indigenous Guarani communities with drilling wells, installing cisterns and pumping systems, and repairing systems.

A reliable water source allows the growing of more fruits

PHOTO: SILAS CREWS, MCC

Low German Mennonites and indigenous communities are assisted

Peter Bergen and his family now have easier access to water.

and vegetables, better foods to eat and to sell, said MCC worker Ramont Harder Schrock.

MCC has Low German Mennonite programs in Bolivia, Mexico and Canada. These programs help colonies and communities to address issues such as literacy, substance abuse, conflict resolution and the social well-being of women and families.

Gladys Terichow, MCC Canada

MDS cuts budget to reflect new realities, original vision Four staff positions will be eliminated, volunteer opportunities will continue

LITITZ, Pa.—Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) announced “We have about 10,000 volunteers in our records; last year, on Feb. 25 that it is eliminating four staff positions as part we totaled 26,000 volunteer days in more than 23 project of budget cuts. locations.”

Staff members are reduced from The organization is reducing field 18 to 14. Four positions are being expenses by engaging local partners eliminated in the bi-national headto share on-site disaster response General giving has decreased quarters; another is temporarily not project costs, a traditional pattern. being filled in Winnipeg. One posiMDS will increase efforts to invite because of the economic tion remains in B.C. churches and other donors to give. downturn, but MDS is grateful MDS is a volunteer network of Eleven Anabaptist denominations Anabaptist churches responding to and conferences (about 4,000 confor those who continue to give. disasters in Canada and the U.S. The gregations in Canada and the U.S.) work includes clean up, repair and are represented among its boards and rebuilding homes. delegates.

Kevin King, director, said volunteer opportunities will General giving has decreased because of the economic continue. These include summer youth projects, partnerdownturn, but MDS is grateful for those who continue to ship home programs, the RV program, traditional response give. project sites and MDS’ collaboration with CMU and Hesston King says he is optimistic for MDS’s future and feels College in disaster management studies. deeply for people affected by the job cuts.

“Volunteer numbers are as strong as ever,” said King.

MDS 28

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

news

Former panhandler wows MEDA audience

PHOTOS: STEVE SUGRIM, MEDA

Frank O'Dea's second chance led to founding Second Cup

WINNIPEG, Man.—Speaking to the annual convention of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) in Calgary, Nov. 4-7, 2010, Frank O'Dea said he had hit rock bottom on the streets of Toronto—a homeless panhandler. Then he got a second chance at sobriety.

His audience of 400 was transfixed by his story of unearthing hidden potential and “unleashing entrepreneurship,” the convention theme. He explained how he parlayed his mounting successes into the co-founding of Second Cup, which now has hundreds of outlets across Canada.

After selling his share in the company he moved on to other business and service ventures, founding Street Kids International and the Canadian Landmines Foundation. He eventually received the Order of Canada, the country’s most prestigious civilian honour.

“With a little hope, vision and action you can Keynote speaker Frank O'Dea signs copies of Natalia Zhigaltsova, MEDA's project adchange the world,” he said. his book, When All You Have Is Hope. ministrator in Melitopol, Ukraine, plays Another keynoter, a global authority on faith the bandura for convention attendees. and business, laid out a framework for Christian ethics to bolster entrepreneurship in daily life.

“Can Christians still engage in the marketplace, with all the problems going on?” asked David Miller, a former international investment banker who now directs Princeton University’s Faith & Work Initiative. For him, a better question was “How can Christians not engage in the marketplace?”

Nebraska businessman Sid Burkey has been apMiller asserted that “the corporate world can be a moral pointed to a new staff position as chief MEDA engagecommunity,” and a good starting point was for firms to see ment officer for Mennonite Economic Development themselves as “producing goods and services for humanity Associates. to make this world a better place.”

Within the new position, Burkey will provide MEDA president Allan Sauder reported that 2010 had leadership and strategic direction for MEDA’s rebeen “a very successful year” despite ongoing uncertainty source development, marketing, association engagein the global economy. “Most gratifying, we were able to ment and MEDA Europe teams. help over 9.4 million families to live healthier, happier lives Burkey is a long-time supthrough 101 partners in 45 countries.” porter of MEDA and has served He said donated funds had unleashed matching funds on its board since 2005 where by a 10-times ratio, adding, “Your $3 million contributions he is currently on both the translated into nearly $33 million of programs. Every dollar nominating committee and you donated was able to do the work of 11.” executive committee. He is MEDA’s next convention is on Nov. 3–6, 2011, in also a board member of two Lancaster, Pa. MEDA-related entities: Sarona Asset Management and Sarona MEDA Frontier Markets Fund.

Sid Burkey MEDA

Board member fills new MEDA position

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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news

SBC connects with conferences

Students and professors take part in EMMC's Treasured foundation

Student Cheryl Reimer (Fort Garry EMC) and Jessy Neufeld, SBC’s dean of women, were involved in January’s MissionX trip to the inner city of Winnipeg.

sessions and introduce them to the professors at SBC is a great way to recruit students and network with youth leaders.

We consider it a privilege to serve our conferences by ministering with the leaders to impact the youth.

Looking ahead: • Leadership Conference, March 19-20, Fresh Eyes on Familiar Stories with Tim Geddert.

• SBC’s Fundraising Faspa on April 17.

• Church Administrative Assistants’ Day – April 27 • Graduation – April 30 at Steinbach EMC. • SBC’s drama team New Creation will be traveling east this May with a dramatic production of the story of Ben Hur. • Free Servant will be traveling west this May bringing a worship program called Holding On. The aim is to challenge people to let go of those things that are keeping us from following Jesus and to trust in the One who gives us life and victory.

Patrick Friesen, Communications Director, SBC

PHOTOS COURTESY SBC

STEINBACH, Man.—Early in the morning of December 27, 2010, seven SBC students along with professors Patrick Friesen and Gord Penner traveled to Minneapolis, Minn., to be a part of EMMC’s Treasured Foundation.

This four-day youth conference is held every three years and draws youth from across Canada, the United States, and Belize. The students who made the trek south are members of Free Servant, a touring worship team under the direction of Patrick Friesen.

Free Servant led the times of singing and prayer during the main sessions; a challenge the team had been preparing for throughout the fall semester. Their responsibilities were to be ambassadors of Christ and of the college.

Lori Friesen (Pleasant Valley EMC), in her first year with the team, writes: “Being part of TF in Minneapolis was a wonderful experience. It was great to be able to lead worship at a great youth event like that.

“I loved seeing the youth as they came to a place of worship and just poured out their hearts to God. I also loved being able to interact with the kids and get to know some of them. It helped me understand what I’m here on earth to do, and helped me do what I love doing.”

Nathan Dyck (Riverton Gospel Chapel), sound technician for the team, writes about the impact that TF had on him: “Treasured Foundation was great! It was more than just a fun trip; I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know and visit with the youth. It was an awesome time of fellowship and growth!”

Free Servant was started in 1995 as a music team that focused on playing more contemporary songs. In the last few years the group has gone through a transition, becoming a team that leads youth and adults in a variety of aspects of worship.

Gord Penner and Patrick Friesen were joined by adjunct faculty Richard Klassen and Arlene Friesen in leading several of the mini-sessions offered during Treasured Foundation.

The opportunity to influence young people with relevant

Lori Friesen (Pleasant Valley) is in the foreground with team members and retreaters.

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011

Nathan Dyck (Riverton) works at the sound booth at Treasured Foundation.

shoulder tapping Pastoral positions Morweena EMC of Morweena, Man., is currently searching for an interim pastor to serve a congregation of about 250. We are located in the Interlake near Arborg, roughly 140 kilometers north of Winnipeg. Responsibilities would include preaching, visiting and caregiving, working with the existing ministerial group in event planning and helping to facilitate/envision some administrative restructuring. The church is offering a parsonage adjacent to the church for the duration of the interim pastor’s stay. For information please contact Sid Dueck at 204-364-2476 (h), 204-364-2442 (w), or sid. dueck@vidir.com.

Are you passionately in love with Jesus? Do you have a shepherd’s heart? Are you excited about outreach?

Community Bible Fellowship (CBF) of Swan River, Man., is seeking a pastoral couple to serve our congregation of about 75 people.

Swan River is located in the Parkland area of Central Manitoba, and serves a trading area of approximately 10-15,000 people. CBF also oversees a small Christian School of about 35 students.

Please contact Terry Scales 204-525- 2651, Jake Reimer 204-734-4465, or Don Buhler 204-734-8506.

Youth work Winkler EMMC is searching for a full-time pastor to youth to begin in early summer of 2011. For information and/or an application form, contact the church office at winkleremmchurch@mts.net, phone 204-3257667; fax 204-325-6819.

Aberdeen EMC, a small, multi-generational Anabaptist congregation in the heart of Winnipeg’s North End, is seeking a half-time youth and children’s pastor.

This new position will be part of a twoperson ministry team, and will develop and lead our ministry to our youth and children, and participate in the broader ministry needs of the church.

Activities will include planning and leading events, leading Christian formation and forming supportive relationships with our children, youth and their families.

If you are committed to the Christian faith and to Anabaptist teachings, have experience working with children and youth and/or have theological education; if you have energy, creativity and want to serve the church; if you are interested in pastoral ministry and are committed to guiding youth and children on their faith journeys, then we want to hear from you.

For information visit our website at www.

aberdeenemc.ca. Applications should be submitted in confidence to Charlotte Gesell at 204-417-8578 or thegesells@gmail.com.

Rosenort Fellowship Chapel is seeking to fill a full-time position of youth pastor. We are a congregation of approximately 150 attendees located in Rosenort, Man. The position would require successful applicant to lead both senior and junior youth programs. We would like to see some youth involvement in morning services with possible pulpit opportunities. A recently remodeled youth room in the church is used for their weekly event.

We are looking for a person/couple with a passion for God’s word and a heart for our youth. They are to be approachable, accountable, supportive, missional to create real relationships with the youth and disciple them. Starting date is negotiable. If interested please contact Ryan Friesen at 204-746-6345 or ryan@gninc.ca.

The Bridge Drop-In (Arborg Youth for Christ) is seeking a full-time program coordinator 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 the Director 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.

Qualifications include a love for youth, drive and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently.

Email resume to Carissa Rempel at director.arborgyfc@hotmail.ca; Arborg Youth For Christ, Box 621, Arborg, MB R0C 0A0; or call 204-376-5686.

Other opportunities Midway Bible Camp and Berge Lake Camp seek nurse, lifeguard, speaker, maintenance, kitchen, and counselor help for this summer. They are part of Continental Mission in northern Man. Two essentials: faith in Christ and police checks.

The CMI office in Thompson needs a receptionist/administrative assistant, especially during the busy summer months. Call 204778-4491or cmi@mts.net and talk to Ferlin or Morgan. For interest in Berge Lake Camp, contact Travis Vallinga at 204-356-2218 or vallingafamily@yahoo.ca.

Steeprock Bay Bible Camp is looking for a paid director and summer staff (paid counselors and lifeguard) for the upcoming camping

season, which runs for five weeks (July and first week in August). Police checks are required.

The director needs to be involved in advance preparation; for salary details, contact people below.

The camp is located about 350 miles north of Winnipeg, Man., (about an hour north of Swan River) and reaches out to First Nations children from various communities in northern Manitoba.

Kitchen help and maintenance workers are welcome; these are unpaid positions.

Electrical sites for trailers are available.

If you have a heart for God and a great love for children with a high level of energy, please contact Jack Dyck at 204-525-2420 or jack.dyck@gov.mb.ca or Wayne Reimer at 204236-4471 or reimer6@mymts.net.

Steeprock celebrated 50 years of ministry in 2010 with an estimated 10,000 children served.

Brightwood Ranch is a Christian camp— owned and operated by Hope Mission, an inner city rescue mission—providing a summer camp experience for underprivileged children. The camp owns 220 acres in rolling hills one hour west of Edmonton, Alta.

Summer positions are paid and include four-month positions: main site program director, Tipi Village program director, wrangler training program leader, secretary, youth development program leaders, horse camp instructor, main site head wrangler.

Two-month positions (July and August): counselors, horse camp counselor, wranglers, assistant cook, kitchen helpers, unit leader, nurse/first aid attendant, nurse/secretary, dining hall hostess.

Brightwood Ranch seeks a full-time food services manager and an office manager.

The year-round program includes men and women in drug and alcohol rehab programs as well as youth and kids who attend the mission’s after school programs and indoor skate park. Check our website: www.brightwoodranchcamps.com. Start dates: immediately. Contact: bright.wood@hopemission. com. Police checks are required.

The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads are not to be for monetary benefit. To place an ad, e-mail messenger@emconf.ca or call 204-326-6401 and ask for Rebecca Roman.

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

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in memory

Elizabeth Kroeker 1918–2011 Mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, Elisabeth Kroeker passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 7, 2011, at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach, Man., at the age of 92.

Mom was predeceased by her husband Jacob and two sons, Dennis in 2007 and Peter in infancy. She is survived by eight children: Rosalind (Irvin Dueck), Laura (Al Friesen), daughter-in-law Janice, Erma, Dave (Agnes), Elda (John Enns), Ray (Louella), Clarice (Roger Plett), Vern (Anne), 27 grandchildren and their families.

Mom was born on April 29, 1918, in Hanover County, Man., to David P. and Justina Reimer. She was baptized upon her confession of faith in the Blumenort Kleine Gemeinde church, now EMC. She married Dad on December 6, 1942. Almost immediately after the wedding, Dad left to work in a CO camp in Ontario, while she stayed back as the milkmaid on her parents’ farm.

She joined Dad after he had built a small cabin as their first home. After that first winter, they began farming in Rosenort, near Morris, Man.

In 1952 Mom and Dad moved to the Riverton area, with their five children, as pioneers, clearing land, growing crops and raising livestock. Pioneer life, with its many demands suited Mom well, as she never seemed to tire of hard work.

She was a true pioneer, being the first to give birth in the new community.

Her sixth child was born in their new home.

After this four more children were born to Mom and Dad, the last of which lived for just one day.

Mom loved gardening, handcrafts, and especially showing care and concern for her large family, as well as friends and neighbours.

Mom’s faith was expressed in very practical ways. When she saw young moms, who had newborns, were recuperating from surgery, or just needed a holiday, she was quick to offer babysitting, baking or meals on the table.

She certainly practiced hospitality.

Many of you will remember enjoying a meal at Mother’s table.

In 2000, after breaking her hip, she realized she could no longer look after her house and garden. She and Dad moved into an apartment in Steinbach.

After gradually needing more care, Mom became a resident at Rest Haven Nursing Home in 2003, where she remained until her passing.

Heaven is generally considered a place of rest, but we can better picture our mother, now with no limitations, working to her heart’s content.

As a family we would like to express out heartfelt thanks to the doctors, staff and volunteers at Rest Haven for the excellent care our mother received, and to the many relatives and friends who faithfully visited her.

Her Family

Continental Mission Needs Continental Mission needs: 16 to 18 ft open bow boat with 15 to 25 hp outboard motor (four-stroke is preferred) to replace stolen unit; septic pump and pill for gray water system; submersible pressure pump and tank to replace failed overhead tanks; chlorine metering system to comply with health inspectors’ requirements. Call 204-778-4491or cmi@mts.net and talk to Ferlin or Morgan. For interest in Berge Lake Camp, the contact is Travis Vallinga at 204-356-2218 or vallingafamily@yahoo.ca.

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calendar British Columbia Apr. 2: Kingdom Ventures Inc. 20th anniversary celebration, 9:30 a.m. brunch, Abbotsford, 604-859-5097 to reserve

Alberta Apr. 9: Kingdom Ventures Inc. 20th anniversary celebration, 10:30 a.m. brunch, Calgary, 403-366-0041 to reserve Jul. 1–3: EMC Convention 2011, Mission in the Mold of the Master, Calgary, 204-326-6401, www. emconference.ca

Saskatchewan May 20–23: Abundant Springs, EMC Youth Conference, Not 2 Us, Caronport, 204-326-6401, www. abundantsprings.ca

Manitoba Mar. 18: EMC All-Boards Meeting, Steinbach EMC, Steinbach, 204-326-6401 Mar. 18–19: SBC Leadership Conference, Fresh Eyes on Familiar Stories, Steinbach Bible College, Steinbach, 240-326-6451, www. sbcollege.ca Mar. 19: Living Free Ministries Same-Gender Attraction Seminar, $40 or $65 for one-income couple, Winnipeg E. Free Church, Winnipeg, 204-474-1233 Apr. 30: Kingdom Ventures Inc. 20th anniversary celebration, 5 p.m. banquet, Winnipeg, 204-224-4175 or 204-488-2220 to reserve Apr. 30 and May 1: The Great Hallelujah! mass choir event with Danny Plett and band, Steinbach Mennonite Church, Steinbach, 204326-6401, www.emconference.ca

Ontario Apr. 16: Kingdom Ventures Inc. 20th anniversary celebration, 5 p.m. banquet, St. Catherines, 905-6829743 or 519-894-8884 to reserve

focus on...

by Tim Dyck, General Secretary

How much autonomy?

A

t Conference Council meeting in November 2010, the Harmony Project presented a paper proposing a framework by which EMC churches can discuss issues where there is not general agreement.

The paper had three sections: central convictions, central documents, and central practices for decision making.

There was good discussion about the paper’s content and, although delegates did not approve the document, good suggestions resulted.

Based on the feedback, the Harmony Project will present a modified paper at Conference Council’s meeting in July.

Many delegate questions focused on the degree to which EMC churches should conform to the Conference constitution. Put another way, how much autonomy should the local church have?

Since the decision to move to a Conference structure in 1956, autonomy has been built into the EMC’s governance structure. Each local church has authority in matters of local leadership, governance and ministry.

Terms such as ministerial, elders, leadership teams and boards are used to describe different leadership structures in local churches. There are various styles applied to the ministry, worship, physical space, and service within each congregation.

Yes, we hold to a common constitution, but there is freedom to function in a way that best allows the local church to witness and serve for Christ within the community’s context. Local churches

Autonomy has been built into the EMC’s governance structure.

Is there too much? Too little? A good mix? have been influenced by various ideas and perspectives stemming from the changing demographics of EMC church members over the past several decades.

The result is that there are over 60 churches in our Conference that are each configured uniquely—no two churches are alike! Certainly, this is something to celebrate.

To counter unlimited autonomy, we also have some built in mechanisms for encouraging our inter-dependence. Our common Evangelical Anabaptist Statement of Faith is a foundational component of this mutuality.

There is a Ministerial Examination Committee that seeks to process every minister and pastor within our Conference to ensure theological soundness. We encourage mutual accountability among local churches, which often occurs at the regional level and through involvement at Ministerial and Conference Council events.

Even so, it is possible for a church to stray in its theology or practice.

Given the variety of expressions of the body of Christ in our Conference,

how do we function when the common ground among us is diminishing?

If we don’t all look alike, and think alike, what is it that holds us together as a Conference? What are the uniting factors in the midst of our diversity?

I will write more on that question in the next issue of The Messenger.

In the meantime, I would like to hear from you.

What do you think about the degree of autonomy in our Conference?

Is there too much autonomy at the local church level now? Too little? Do we have a good mix right now?

I would encourage you to go to our website and take the online poll.

You can also participate in an online discussion on this topic on Facebook.

Just follow the link on the home page of our website: www.emconference.ca.

This month’s poll What do you think about the degree of local church autonomy in our Conference?

Churches have too much autonomy Churches have too little autonomy We have a good mix right

now

This is not the real issue Vote at www.emconference.ca then go to Facebook to join the discussion.

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

33

pictures of God

by Joanna Plett

Living alone in the land

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011

PHOTOS: DREAMSTIME.COM

I

never thought much about North American building patterns until I started traveling overseas.

In the Middle East, I rarely saw individual houses surrounded by yards or fields. Even in rural farming communities, houses are normally grouped into villages, rather than on individual farms.

Whether this pattern springs from history or from necessity, it reveals a culture centred on community.

The first reverse culture shock I experienced when I returned to North America was the large yards and isolated homes we passed driving through the countryside.

Although these patterns are likely based more on history and geography than on worldview, Isaiah 5:8 came to mind: “Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land.”

The pursuit of wealth, whether economic, social or material, threatens to consume us, leaving us alone in the land surrounded by our things. Although wealth is not inherently evil, this verse challenges us to evaluate our relationship to wealth.

Our relationship with wealth will determine our relationship with community.

Although I have no risk of accumulating a great deal of land or money in the near future, education is my current crux of priorities. The

Do we use our resources to build our personal success and wealth or do we use them to build community and family? standard success model pushes me to either use my education to secure a comfortable life for myself or to continue studying to enhance my social power and earning potential.

It tantalizes me to put my career above everything else.

In the last few weeks, I have been at the crossroads of relationship and prestige.

Even before starting law school, I can feel the pull towards the corner offices and fat paycheques of corporate law. The prestige and financial security are certainly alluring—especially when considering the cost of legal education.

Perhaps the easiest way to avoid this temptation would be to avoid higher education altogether, to settle down to a simple life with built-in community. God has challenged me, however, to pursue a third way, not to avoid a legal education, but to use my degree and the skills He has given me to build community.

For those who have the social or material resources to “live alone

in the land,” it is a daily choice, not a one-time decision, to prioritize community building and justice over wealth and success.

For me, it is a choice to use my education for the greater good, rather than for my own personal good. It is a choice I make today and a choice I expect to be required to make countless times in the upcoming years.

It is the choice we all make with our resources. Do we use them to build our personal success and wealth or do we use them to build community and family?

As Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).

stewardship today

by Dori Zerbe Cornelsen

Will we see the signs?

S

ometimes preaching and hearing about God’s abundance is harder than one might expect.

Take, for example, January 17, 2010, the Sunday after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

On that Sunday, pastors and congregations who use the Revised Common Lectionary will have read John 2:1-11, the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana.

Nadia Bolz-Weber, who blogs on the Sojourners weekly email-zine wrote, “When I realized [the suggested text] was the wedding at Cana I thought, great. Jesus at a big party making sure the wine flows freely.

No one wants to hear that today….

Nobody wants to hear a quaint little miracle story about how generous God is when the poorest country in this hemisphere lies in even greater waste than before. Nobody wants to hear of an abundance of wine when people on the streets of Haiti are thirsty.”

It is not always easy to reconcile an affirmation of God’s abundance and generosity with an experience of scarcity.

But then, scarcity was the context of the wedding in Cana where the wine was exhausted. This event happened in the “backwater of Galilee,” as Marcus Borg puts it, in a peasant village.

Likely, this community knew what it was just to get by and sometimes to do without. Some inhabitants might have been teetering on the edge of having nothing at all.

Perhaps in Cana it wasn’t a surprise that the wine, one of the staples of a wedding banquet, had run out.

In the context where there was no reason to believe that there would ever be enough, Jesus provides a sign of profound abundance. A sign points out that something important is coming—pay attention!

This sign revealed a generous, compassionate Jesus that caused his disciples to believe in him. They would continue to learn from Jesus, as John records in his gospel, that this extravagant generosity was to be shared liberally.

Have we seen this sign as believers?

As time goes by, the urgency to respond to crises like the earthquake in Haiti fade. Our perspectives become a bit narrower again as we focus on our worlds of work, home, school, sports, and credit card bills.

One of the biggest challenges we face is to every day cultivate a perspective of enough, of generosity and abundance over scarcity. It is a perspective that looks beyond our own needs to those of others.

If we’ve seen the sign, we have the potential as the body of Christ

to become the outpouring of God’s lavish generosity in the world.

The story of the wedding in Cana reminds us that God is present where the wine has run out, waiting to be revealed in profligate abundance.

Today in Haiti; tomorrow, who knows? Maybe next door.

There will always be opportunities to be God’s abundance as the body of Christ. Hopefully we see the signs.

Dori Zerbe Cornelsen is a stewardship consultant at the Winnipeg, Man., office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC). MFC, a non-profit organization, provides stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning for no cost. Contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.

In the context where there was no reason to believe that there would ever be enough, Jesus provides a sign of profound abundance.

PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM

THE MESSENGER | March 2011

35

kids’ corner

by Loreena Thiessen

The Monkey Bread Tree

Answers to ways to say Thank you (February column) Xie Xie – Chinese Danke – German Merci – French Arigato – Japanese Spasiba – Russian Shokran – Arabic Dank je wel – Dutch Takk – Norwegian

36

The Baobab tree has many good and useful things. Its leaves are cooked and mixed with different foods to make them better.

For example, the leaves have calcium for strong bones and teeth, iron for healthy blood, and protein for strong muscles and skin. The tree’s soft bark is boiled for tea that helps coughs and infections.

When the soft pulp is all scooped out its hollow shell collects water good to drink. When the shell is dry it is a shelter for people or animals.

Because the entire Baobab tree is food, medicine or shelter, and because one tree lives for thousands of years, it is valued and respected.

It is also called The Tree of Life.

Do you know of another Tree of Life? It was in the Garden of Eden.

God put it there for Adam and Eve to enjoy.

In the garden there was another tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It was this one God said they should not eat from.

What did Adam and Eve do?

They chose to eat from it. God had made the garden perfect and Adam and Eve disobeyed God. So God sent them out.

You are like a tree too. The writer of Psalm 1:1–3 says that if you learn and obey God’s laws, you are like a tree that grows well, and you will be blessed and prosper. Read Psalm 1:1–3.

Because the entire Baobab tree is food, medicine or shelter, it is valued and respected. It is also called The Tree of Life.

PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM

W

hat is your favourite tree?

Does it have the best climbing branches?

Do you swing in its shade?

Perhaps it is the summer home for a family of robins or wrens. Is it in your backyard or is it in a park?

Somewhere in Africa there is a very unusual tree. You can’t climb it.

Its trunk is as tall as a rocket ship and it’s shaped like a bottle. It is wider than four tall men draped head to toe across it. Scraggly branches grow up out of its top.

Its insides are soft and pulpy.

The bark is soft too; you can easily break it and scoop out the soft insides.

You can mash the pulp and mix it into a smoothie that tastes like coconut. Or you can eat it like porridge.

This soft pulp is called Monkey Bread. The tree is the Monkey Bread Tree; it is also called the Baobab tree.

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5

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THE MESSENGER | March 2011