The Messenger Vol. 49 No. 8 August 2011

THE

Co nv en tio n2 01 1

MESSENGER

volume 49, number 8 August 2011

ALL CONVENTION PHOTOS BY REBECCA ROMAN

www.emconference.ca/messenger

Inside: Incarnational ministry in the larger Canadian context p. 8 The Jesus Way: Foundations p. 10 Convention makes history with use of three languages p. 21 And much more!

$2.00

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

editorials

It would have been nice!

A

fter attending convention for 14 years consecutively as Executive Secretary/Editor (and others as a member or a pastor/ delegate), I missed this one because of a health concern.

It would have been nice to visit with the EMC family from many churches and various regions. Some people we just see once a year.

The value in alternating the convention’s location is that some members within the hosting region attend because it is local. Yet some members from other regions also attend convention for the first time.

It would have been terrific to hear messages in three languages— English, Spanish, and Low German.

Might we, within five years, add a fourth?

It would be fitting to establish one or two congregations that use French, an official language in Canada. Ward Parkinson, our church planting coordinator in Canada, mentioned Quebec’s need at convention, I was told.

It would have been great to present my portion of the Board of Church Ministries report. Thank you, Doris Penner, for reading it.

It would have been nice to be back in Abbeydale Christian Fellowship. Thirty-one years ago I was an advanced pastoral intern under the tutelage of David Thiessen when the congregation

It would have been terrific to hear messages in three languages—English, Spanish, and Low German. Might we, within five years, add a fourth? met in one school (under the name of Forest Lawn Community Church) and then another (renamed Forest Grove Church).

I still have The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church given by “your Forest Grove family members,” a valuable, well-used volume—and the briefcase.

It would have been nice to be there.

Terry M. Smith

Famine and bailout

T

he United Nations is calling for $1.6 billion to respond to the drought and famine affecting 11 million people in East Africa. Funds, reportedly, are slow to come in.

Yet Greece, with about 11 million people, received a second bailout package worth $155 billion to keep its economy afloat. How do we put these facts together?

The funds needed in East Africa are a pittance compared to the money spent on the development, purchase, and use of military weapons around the world. MCC had a poster that wished people had their basic needs met while the military

2

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

East Africa is desperate for the most basic forms of help, and assisting is an appropriate Christian response. had to hold bake sales in order to buy fighter jets.

Years ago, when I was becoming aware of Anabaptism, there was a philosophy of “simple living.” What does simple living mean today?

When Jesus says, “Life does not consist of an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15), how do we interpret his words?

While life does not consist of many possessions, there are basic needs: food, water, shelter, medical care, and safety among them. East

Africa is desperate for the most basic forms of help, and assisting is an appropriate Christian response (Matthew 25:37–40; 1 John 3:17–18).

Many people are hurting in Canada; foodbanks are under increasing demand. Therefore, both locally and wider we are to be mindful of others’ needs.

Recently a slogan was repeated in material from MCC Saskatchewan: “We must live simply so that others can simply live.” It still remains relevant.

Terry M. Smith

contents Features 8

With Our Missionaries 23 Guadalajara City, Mexico: Carter shows us how to trust

Incarnational ministry in the larger Canadian context – David Funk

23 New workers in Guadalajara City

10 The Jesus Way: Foundations – Scott Koop

Columns

10

4

A Reader’s Viewpoint

The Foundation Upon Which Our Faith Rests – Charles H. Spurgeon

6

Archives Alcove Las Vegas in EMC circles: Self-published books – Terry M. Smith

7

Writings Shared Living Today with an Eye for Eternity: Studies in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (Luminaire Studies) and 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (Believers Church Bible Commentary)

13 Moderator’s Musings Convention-al thoughts – Richard Klassen

34 Window on Missions Part one: A new generation reaches out in creative ways – Gerald Reimer

35 Stewardship Today

24 Winnipeg, Man.: What is community ministry?

Why give?

– Dori Zerbe Cornelsen

25 Burkina Faso/Canada: A glimpse into the heavenlies

With Our Churches

Departments 2 Editorials 3

Pontius’ Puddle

5 Letters 27 Births 32 Calendar 33 Shoulder Tapping

30

26 Pineridge Fellowship Chapel: Three generations provide ‘specials’

News

26 Braeside EMC: Frieda Friesen, 35 years of service and change

5

27 Portage Evangelical Church: Dedications occur at PEC

14 Convention 2011 in photos

28 Fort Garry EMC: Fort Garry has exciting year 29 La Crete Christian Fellowship: Gatherings, graduation, and baptism

19

MCC requests funds for E. Africa drought response

16 Ministerial meets ‘without the screaming’ 19 Delegates unprepared to vote on Unity in Diversity document 21 Convention makes history with use of three languages 30 Tractor Trek attracts youth 30 Apple Project benefits hungry people, congregation 31 Foodgrains Bank responds to East Africa drought 31 MSC celebrates 66 CRS and IDS graduates 32 Wall of Remembrance to be dedicated on Sept. 11

36 Kids’ Corner

An ant lesson – Loreena Thiessen

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

3

THE

MESSENGER

a reader’s viewpoint

The Foundation Upon Which Our Faith Rests 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

by Charles H. Spurgeon

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

The Messenger Schedule: No. 9 – September 2011 issue (copy due August 19)

4

T

“

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

he foundation of God standeth sure.”—2 Timothy 2:19 The foundation upon which our faith rests is this, that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them” [2 Corinthians 5:19].

The great fact on which genuine faith relies is, that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” [John 1:14], and that “Christ also hath suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” [1 Peter 3:18]; “Who Himself bare our sins in His own body on the tree” [1 Peter 2:24]. “For the chastisement of our peace is upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” [Isaiah 53:3].

In one word, the great pillar of the Christian’s hope is substitution.

The vicarious sacrifice of Christ for the guilty, Christ being made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him [2 Corinthians 5:21], Christ offering up a true and proper expiatory and substitutionary

sacrifice in the room, place and stead of as many as the Father gave Him, who are known to God by name, and are recognized in their own hearts by their trusting in Jesus— this is the cardinal fact of the gospel.

faith

ATONEMENT PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

If foundation were removed, what could we do? But it standeth firm as firm as the throne of God. We know it; we rest upon it; we rejoice in it; and our delight is to hold it, to meditate upon it, and to proclaim it, while we desire to be actuated and

moved by gratitude for it in every part of our life and conversation.

In these days a direct attack is being made upon the doctrine of the atonement. Men cannot bear substitution. They gnash their teeth at the thought of the Lamb of God bearing the sin of man.

But we, who know by experience the preciousness of this truth, will proclaim it in defiance of them confidently and unceasingly.

We will neither dilute it nor change it, nor fritter it away in any shape or fashion. It will still be Christ, a positive substitute, bearing human guilt and suffering in the stead of men. We cannot, dare not, give it up, for it is our life, and despite every controversy we feel that “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.”

Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892) was a Baptist minister who served at Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England, for 38 years. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening: Daily Readings combines two books, Spurgeon’s Morning and Spurgeon’s Evening, written as devotionals, 1865–1868. This is taken with permission from the 1955 Zondervan reprint, p. 347. A form of it was submitted by Pastor Glenn Loewen, Portage Evangelical Church. References were added.

letters To an outsider it looked as if Jesus ‘lost it!’

Several people have expressed concern to me about the use of the phrase “When Jesus lost it!” [May 2011].

Some people misunderstood it to mean that Jesus “lost” control of himself. I agree Jesus never “lost” control of himself. I meant it, rather, as a term that would give us a picture of how deeply troubled Jesus was by what was taking place and how intensely he reacted.

If you objectively read the description of how Jesus acted (John 2:15-16, Mark 11:15-16), I believe we would agree that it will have appeared to the onlooker as if he had

“lost control of himself ” and was simply acting out of emotions.

For me, the intensity of his actions warrants a close look at the values which evoked those actions.

This was what my article was attempting to highlight.

Sometimes we find it difficult to see Jesus for who he really was. We would like him to have always been a quiet, reserved, gentle man wearing a white robe who never spoke or acted harshly compelled by his emotions.

We like the fact that he was God, but we have trouble with the fact that he was also fully human, sent to live out God’s heart through human actions and emotions.

Darren Plett Rosenort, Man.

news

MCC requests funds for E. Africa drought response

PHOTO: DAN DRIEDGER, MCC

AKRON, Pa. – MCC is appealing for Kristos Church is an Anabaptist donations in response to a critical denomination and member of drought and food crisis in East Mennonite World Conference.

Africa, which has affected about 11 MCC also is assessing the posmillion people. sibility of responding to the needs In Ethiopia, MCC’s partner, the of Somali refugees who are pouring Relief and Development Association into Ethiopia and Kenya by the tens (RDA) of the Meserete Kristos of thousands.

Church, will Donations to support use an initial MCC’s response can be $200,000 from made online, mcc.org, or MCC to help at any MCC office. Gifts the most vulshould be designated nerable in the for “East Africa Drought Boricha area, Response.” MCC encourIn Kenya, MCC supports foodfor-work programs for workers 240 km. south ages you also to pray for constructing 97 sand dams. of the capital, the people of East Africa at They break stone, haul water and mix concrete. Sand dams Addis Ababa. this time of crisis. help to conserve water used for Meserete Linda Espenshade, MCC irrigation during the dry season.

Connections with EMC are valued Dear Terry, We have not seen each other in several years. But I wanted to write and thank you for the faithful copy of The Messenger that I have received over the many years dating back to Jake Kroeker in 1965 or thereabouts.

As President Emeritus of Rio Grande Bible Institute I don’t get back to Canada as often as earlier.

Our President Larry Windle is going a great job and so I leave those matters entirely in his hands.

However, I remain most grateful to God for the EMC. The last issue [May] highlighting the Conference in Calgary, I read virtually from cover to cover.

I noted many of the names of EMC missionaries who studied with us and with many I stay in touch: Flo Friesen, Erna Plett, Sarah Martens, Gerald Reimer, John Reimer.

Dallas and Tara Wiebe and Leroy and Faith Siemens recently studied with us. I could go on and on and name many more.

I calculated some time ago that some 70 to 80 EMC missionaries have studied Spanish with us. Through their kind invitation I have visited and spoken in many of the churches.

But I do remain very grateful for the symbiotic relationship that continues through the help of Len Barkman and now Alvira Friesen.

We pray much for the Eden-B project in Winnipeg, my hometown.

Again thanks for your ministry and your graciousness in sending me the magazine.

Gordon Johnson President Emeritus, RGBI Edinburg, Texas THE MESSENGER | August 2011

5

archives alcove

by Terry Smith

Las Vegas in EMC circles: Self-published books

S

elf-published books by memautobiographical or theological, If they cannot afford to lose bers are a blessing to the EM self-publishing a book is a financial money, their expectations need to Conference. risk. be scaled back. In the age of desktop Yet, while clearly of an EMC In my limited observation, when publishing, there are other ways to archival benefit, they are also a fia book is self-published a writer share stories. nancial risk for the author. I suspect rarely breaks even. I suspect that Rather than self-publish, some that most people who go there, as most writers lose money. book ideas need to be proposed do those who visit Las Vegas, lose I imagine that, in our small to Herald Press. Perhaps a larger money. conference with its many family market awaits.

The archival benefit from If a writer moves ahead such books is easily explained. with self-publishing, consider In my limited observation, when a book is When a member writes and three areas: a strong editor, an self-published a writer rarely breaks even. I publishes a book, stories are attractive cover, and an appealsuspect that most writers lose money. told that might otherwise be ing layout. missed or limited to family An editor will push for clarcircles. ties, a few copies get sold, some are ity, dialogue about format, and even We are, as A. M. Hunter says, given to family and friends, and suggest about content. Care about incalculably indebted to “nameless” then the author ponders what to do the cover. The book’s appeal, not its Christians. Yet the grace of God with the extra copies. value, is affected by it. shown to “ordinary” Christians is a At the EMC national office we The layout matters. Font choices marvel worth sharing with others. advertise titles and sell copies on and sizes, layout, paragraphing, We would be impoverished if we consignment. Such titles move photographs and captions, and only heard stories from the heroes slowly. Recently we returned unsold much else assist in making the book of our faith. copies to a few authors. more readable and attractive.

EMC stories are about people Perhaps authors are disapA final bit of advice: do not borof Christian faith. They are autopointed that what they see as row money to self-publish a book. biographical or biographical with important is something for which photos and selected information. others are unwilling Rare are books on biblicalto pay. Payment theological topics by EMC pastors, alone, though, is far college professors, and theologians. from a true indicator This is a noticeable absence in our of a book’s worth. conference circles.

However, those In some academic settings, it is who are contemplatpublish or perish. Not so in EMC ing whether to circles—to our loss. self-publish need to We need more biblical-theologcalculate how much ical books. Those who influence they are prepared to from the pulpit, college classroom spend—and lose—on or seminary classroom do well the project. People to offer their materials for wider with shallow pockets for tought times: Studies in the letters of Peter by Arden Thiessen edification and critique. should reconsider the Hope and Annie: Through it all by Betty Barkman are among several EMCauthored books for sale at the Conference office.

Whether, though, the topic is project.

6

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

writings shared

Living Today with an Eye for Eternity: Studies in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, Raymond O. Bystrom (Winnipeg: Kindred Productions, 2007), Luminaire Studies, 308 pp. $22.99. ISBN 9781894791120.

Reviewed by John Dyck, pastor, Hillside Christian Fellowship (near La Crete, Alberta).

T

his commentary, published by the Mennonite Brethren churches, was used as a guide for our winter family Bible study.

In preparing the lessons I found the format very helpful. The text is included one chapter at a time followed by an analysis of the text.

Enough depth is presented in this analysis to press any leader to spend adequate time reading, but not so much that one has to wade through research that is not relevant to the study.

Following the analysis is

the Application, Teaching/Preaching Points section. Here the author supplies good discussion from a vantage point of trying to ensure connection with contemporary issues/values.

I found reading through this section to be not only valuable preparation for the Bible study, but would also be a great resource for sermon preparation in the future.

To close each chapter the author included Personal Reflection Questions as a way of ensuring that

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Paul M. Zehr (Scottdale: Herald Press, 2010), Believers Church Bible Commentary, 406 pp. $29.99. ISBN 9780836194920. Reviewed by John Dyck, pastor, Hillside Christian Fellowship (near La Crete, Alberta).

T

here are similarities between Bystrom’s and Zehr’s commentaries in that they both begin each chapter/section with a critical look at the text. Zehr uses the heading The Text in Biblical Context and helps the reader understand first-century culture and how the text may have spoken to the first readers of the passage.

The next heading is titled The Text In The Life Of The Church and includes a discussion about how the early church would have heard

and wrestled with the text. Zehr doesn’t leave it there, but includes ways that the church today can make application of the passage.

Next Zehr delves into a wellrounded discussion on some of the needs of the contemporary

Zehr delves into a well-rounded discussion on some of the needs of the contemporary church in poignant fashion.

The author supplies good discussion from a vantage point of trying to ensure connection with contemporary issues/values. the reader wrestle personally with the text and the application of it.

For our Bible studies I simply copied the questions at the end of each chapter and they provided us with good, sometimes tough to chew on material.

I did not pick up an Anabaptist emphasis in Bystrom’s work. Either I wasn’t paying enough attention or this was not an important emphasis on the author’s part.

church in poignant fashion—so much so that it would make for great preaching material if one were in a pinch.

A difference between the two commentaries is that Zehr is writing from an Anabaptist perspective and makes no apologies for it. This commentary would prove particularly helpful to any church leader that is looking for a resource that adds to the richness that our Anabaptist background has brought to the church already.

If I were to choose which commentary to go to and recommend for any of my EMC friends, I would likely point them to Zehr’s work.

However, both have proven to be valuable assets to my collection of resources.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

7

20 11 Co nv en tio n

the

Incarnational ministry in the Jesus Way mission in the mold of the master

larger Canadian context

by David Funk

J

esus is sending you and me into the neighbourhood of post-Christendom Canada.

Before he ascended to the Father, Jesus breathed on his disciples saying, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21).

Jesus is saying to us today that in the same way that he incarnated or embodied the good news, moving into the neighbourhood and communicating it in ways his culture could understand, so we are called to incarnate the good news.

What does the Jesus Way look like in post-Christendom Canada?

By post-Christendom I mean simply the culture that is emerging as the Christian faith and the institutions that give expression to it decline in influence. And it is declining in Canada. Missionary and missiologist Lesslie Newbigin observed, “In great areas of Asia, Africa, and Oceania, the church grows steadily and even spectacularly. But in the areas dominated by modern Western culture the church is shrinking and the gospel appears to fall on deaf ears” (Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks, 3).

Cultural exegesis What is this neighbourhood that Jesus is sending us into? In the emerging culture it seems that we are hearing two competing and powerful voices.

The first is the voice of global technological optimism. This voice promises a bright future based on the ongoing march of progress. Yes, we have huge challenges to face, but things are getting better and better!

Search for “The Internet is My Religion” on youtube. com for an incredible example of this. As Telus’s slogan says, “The Future is Friendly.”

But there’s another powerful voice in our culture, and it responds by saying, “No, it’s not.” This is the voice of postmodern disquiet. There is a widespread sense of deep betrayal.

We’ve been told that science and technology combined with human ingenuity and goodwill will

8

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

result in an ever improving world. And it isn’t true.

There is a tremendous vacuum of meaning, and people are disquiet, discontent, disenfranchised, disturbed, depressed.

The 2010 Grammy Award for Album of the Year was given to Canada’s own Arcade Fire for their album The Suburbs. The Suburbs is a collection of deeply felt dystopian vignettes.

The future in The Suburbs is not friendly; it’s stark and it’s naked. It’s a social and spiritual wasteland, and the primary metaphor for it is where many of us live: the suburbs.

It’s not an accident that an album with this tone won Album of the Year; this stuff resonates because people know that, as Arcade Fire sings, “Something don’t feel right.”

Being ambassadors for Christ Clearly we live in a spiritual wasteland and the people we live with in it urgently need Living Water.

Clearly we’ve been called into this world to incarnate the Gospel of Christ.

And clearly we’ve got our work cut out for us. So what is the way forward?

The apostle Paul, writing to the church in pagan Corinth, describes Christians as “ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Paul is telling us that the purpose of the church is to be ambassadors of Christ, through whom God makes his appeal!

Can we just recognize for a moment that there can be no higher calling, no more stunning honour that could be given to anyone, than to be an ambassador for Christ?

Think of it: Who are we ambassadors of? He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

He is the Alpha and the Omega, the one who was

and who is and who is to come; and he is the one who is at work even now preparing the way for His kingdom to irrupt into history.

There is not a square inch of creation over which he does not cry, “This is mine!” There is not a person in all creation whom he is not pursuing, headlong and lovesick, aching to reconcile them to himself by the blood of his Son. Which kingdom are we ambassadors to? We are ambassadors in what Paul calls the dominion of darkness.

The Church is an embassy of the Kingdom of God in a hostile country. As such our diplomatic techniques will be very different and more subversive than, say, a Canadian embassy.

We scatter We don’t hide safely in our diplomatic enclave and issue statements to the press; we do gather, but mostly we scatter into the streets and alleys of this

world, intentionally living towards the Kingdom and incarnating the gospel.

But, we don’t like to go out into the streets of this world. We like to stay in our embassy, where it is safe.

Unfortunately, when we stay there, we are not only useless but also unfaithful, and in danger of being caught unawares by the coming of the Master.

Our constant temptation is to simply play at being church. Salt is no good if it stays in the saltshaker, light isn’t for hiding, and ambassadors who hide in their embassy and know only other embassy staff are safely useless.

We gather We scatter, but we also gather. We gather in order to worship and experience the God who has made his people his holy dwelling place and to live out the truth.

This is critical for the effectiveness of our mission as ambassadors of Christ.

Our constant temptation is to simply play at being church.

Salt is no good if it stays in the saltshaker, light isn’t for hiding, and ambassadors who hide in their embassy and know only other embassy staff are safely useless.

– David Funk

In a world bombarded by competing claims to “the truth,” what people thirst for is not the right information; what they thirst for is to see truth lived.

That is why the apostolic call to love one another and live holy lives is absolutely critical for our outreach. David Fitch writes that “Evangelicals often preach that what the culture needs is absolute truth, but what the culture needs is a church that believes the truth so absolutely it actually lives it out” (David Fitch, The Great Giveaway, 57). (continued p. 10)

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

9

20 11 David Funk is senior pastor at Abbeydale Christian Fellowship in Calgary, Alta. He spoke on Sunday afternoon at the EMC convention.

10

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

Co nv en tio n

We follow So, our diplomatic techniques as ambassadors of the kingdom of God in the midst of the dominion of darkness include scattering, gathering, and also, and most importantly, following.

In Scripture and today, God Himself is the ultimate missionary. God the Holy Spirit is way ahead of us.

He is already at work in our neighbours and our work places and our cities and towns; and he is waiting for us to come in to these situations and people in whom he has already been working so that we can join him in what he is doing.

Jesus is saying to us and our Conference today, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you into the world.” All too often we remain huddled in our diplomatic enclaves, issuing statements to the press encouraging the world to clean up its act, tidy up its morality, or join us in our enclave.

And all the while God is out there, in the neighbourhoods he has called us into, and he is waving his windmill Jesus arms, shouting “Church, over here!

Look at what I’ve started in this person’s life. Look at this door I’ve opened. Here are these good works I’ve prepared for you to walk in. Come join me!”

The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we going to follow and be ambassadors of Christ through whom God makes his appeal, or are we going to remain safely useless?

the

The Jesus Way: Jesus Way mission in the mold of the master

Foundations

by Scott Koop

T

he Jesus Way was the theme for our recent EMC Convention and what I humbly suggest is that a “purification of means” is needed in response to all the ministry resources we have available.

In John 14:6 Jesus spoke, saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” A truth and a life are mentioned along with a way. So why is there such a disregard for the ways that Jesus is the way?

As one pastor, Eugene Petersen, points out, “We can’t proclaim the Jesus Truth but then do it any old way we like. Nor can we follow the Jesus way without speaking the Jesus truth... For [only] the Jesus way wedded to the Jesus truth brings about the Jesus life.”

Let us move beyond asking what would Jesus do? Asking instead, how would Jesus do it?

For Jesus is our way to the Father, the direction and method of transport. He is also the style in which we will travel. The Jesus way is the truth we proclaim and the lifestyle we embrace.

In the book of Acts the early Christians were referred to as followers of The Way. This was not just a new branch of theology, or the practice of a new ritual; this was a new Way of life.

The Jesus Way is political In his book The Jesus Way, Eugene Peterson talks about a politician when he writes, The way of Herod set the standard for the way to get things done in the world into which Jesus was born. [At that time] Rome was well established as a world empire, the dominant military and political presence of the age. Herod reproduced that world of power, conspicuous consumption, and display on a smaller scale in Palestine. In reproducing it he was in no way inferior to Rome; in some ways he out-did Rome (p. 201).

Herod was a king who knew a thing or two about establishing a kingdom in this world. The CEOs of our day would have asked him to give them a seminar on leadership, he was so successful. If Jesus were interested in effective, efficient kingdom-building technique, he would’ve taken notes on how to go about it the Herod way.

This deserves our attention because Jesus was way more ambitious than Herod. Through the mission of Jesus, God was reconciling not just lost sinners to himself, but all of creation.

Colossians 1:19–20 tells us that “...God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him [through the Jesus Way] to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making

peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” You can’t Jesus never went to the biggest cities in order to heal get much more comprehensive and ambitious than that! the most people the quickest. He never became friends It would seem natural, then, to assume that with with any of the Caesars in order to influence the most such huge goals in mind, Jesus would go about achievpeople for good. ing the Jesus life with the Jesus truth using the highly Why? Because ministry is always local. Teaching effective kingdom-building-ways of Herod. Yet Jesus can occur online, distance learning and courses done said, “I am the way….” Not Herod. by correspondence are great; but authentic, influential, Peterson puts it so well when he writes, “Jesus life-changing ministry always occurs within a local ignored the world of power and accomplishment that context. was brilliantly on display all around him [by Herod].

We may desire to have the crowds attend our He chose to work on the margins of churches, but attendance society, with unimportant people, does not necessarily translate giving attention to the weak, the to influence, and it certainly Ministry is always local. Teaching disturbed, the powerless…” (p. 204). has no direct connection to can occur online, distance There could have been nothing (continued p. 12) learning and courses done by efficient or impressive about the areas Jesus seemed to focus on durcorrespondence are great; but ing his earthly ministry. Capernaum, authentic, influential, lifeKorazin, and Bethsaida were all changing ministry always occurs out of the way communities, small enough towns that probably everywithin a local context. one knew everyone else.

– Scott Koop

The Jesus Way is personal Anyone who has ever lived in a small town knows how interconnected everything feels.

Everyone knows everyone, and just about everything about everyone. And I believe Jesus focused his ministry in this context intentionally showing us that the Jesus way is always personal.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

11

www.SBCollege.ca

obedience. Big business and grand scale production are connected to his heavenly father. In John 14:24 he said, more efficient, and reach more people faster, yet Jesus “These words you hear are not my own; they belong to didn’t use them. the Father who sent me.”

The way of Christ—the way of salvation—is love, Now we know that Jesus is different than we are. I and love is deeply personal. The Jesus truth is cosmic in don’t know about any of you, but I have not walked on its scope, and divisive and challenging on the ground water recently. because the Jesus way is political.

Yet he was not so different that he did not need Yet it was never efficient, and it to remain deeply connected to his was not dehumanizing. Instead it heavenly Father. Jesus tells us exIf the Jesus way includes the is intentional and humble, personal plicitly in John chapter fifteen that we and particular. cannot bear fruit without remaining destination we are headed See, when we assume that mass connected to him. “No branch can towards and the way we media and attention grabbing bear fruit by itself; it must remain in are heading towards it, it is architecture will win the day, we the vine. Neither can you bear fruit miss one of the deep truths of the unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). definitely prayerful or it is gospel. Jesus was born in humility, How do we remain in Him? unavailable to us. he lived a life of humility and he died Through the practice of prayer; a humiliating death; with Jesus, the through the ongoing, intentional means was the message. decision to make prayer our first And didn’t Paul write in Philippians 2 that our priority, number one on our agenda, our most crucial attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus? strategic method.

But this is deeply counter-cultural and inconvenient This is the Jesus way. This is mission in the mold of for most of us. This is not a very appealing churchthe master. growth strategy. It is however, the way God was in Christ, reconciling to himself all things.

Scott Koop is the pastor of Fish Creek Christian Fellowship in southern Calgary, Alta. He spoke at the The Jesus Way is prayerful EMC Convention on Friday evening.

Lastly, if the Jesus way includes the destination we are headed towards and the way we are heading towards it, if it is politically all-encompassing while Follow Jesus remaining particularly local, it is definitely prayerful or hear the call it is unavailable to us.

In Mark 1:35 we read, “Very early in the morning, For more information or to apply while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and for the fall semester call... went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Luke 1-800-230-8478 or visit us online mentions Jesus spending the night in prayer as well.

Jesus himself admitted that the things he did and said, the way he lived and went about his ministry were not of his own accord, but came as he remained

Have you considered a career in missions, but aren’t sure if God is calling you?

Serve with Ascend, a one- to two-year missions internship where you will receive ministry coaching from veteran missionaries within a supportive team environment.

Ascend: Guadalajara 2012 takes place January to November 2012. Openings are still available in this EMC Board of Missions sponsored program.

12

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

Contact: Gerald Reimer greimer@emconf.ca or Ken Zacharias kzacharias@emconf.ca 204-326-6401

20 11 Co nv en tio n

moderator’s musings

by Richard Klassen

Convention-al thoughts

W

Board of Missions member Anthony Reimer introduces e drove over 3,000 veteran missionaries Olga and Joe Reimer during Friday Although we kms to be at evening’s God at Work segment.

Convention this characteristically tend year. Gas, meals, and lodging to downplay our do not come cheap these strengths, missions days.

We could easily have always manages to rather spent some extra days take centre stage at with our family in Winnipeg. our conventions.

So is the “sacrifice” worth it?

I appreciate Trudy Dueck’s statement in a unity with which these people recent Messenger article that are giving themselves to the work in gather to discuss, share heartfelt she loves the conference. As I write, sacrificial, innovative ways. concerns, and seek to learn to be I can say with some sanctified pride Christianity Today recently God’s people together. that I, too, love the conference. highlighted how the vast majorI am grateful for the moderate Many of the reasons become ity of worldwide mission work is particularly evident while attending stance our conference continues to done by denominational mission evince. Having been on the General convention. Sure, one is painfully organizations. The more fashionaware of various shortcomings, mis- Board for who knows how long I am able short-term mission teams utterly amazed at the good will, the takes, errors in judgment, troubling and independent church efforts, generosity, and the peace-seeking undercurrents, and so forth. actually, are a very minor part of the spirit I have witnessed, even though worldwide picture.

Indeed, it is not especially fashwe come to the table with different ionable in these “emerging church” We need to be reminded often of viewpoints. days to be pro-conference. But I see this effective work in which we are It does try our patience someno more reason to be ashamed of involved. times when it takes a long time to my conference than of my parents.

Of course this page is too small pass certain items, but in the end As Elizabeth Browning puts it, to contain it all: the impact of havwe seem to arrive at conclusions “How do I love thee? Let me count ing the services in three languages, that make for a harmonious dwellthe ways.” the energetic convention chairman ing together in which to serve God For me personally a major draw(those convention chairpersons more faithfully. ing card is meeting people. While I are a special breed, aren’t they?), Although we characteristically like good speakers, good music and the great multi-ethnic cuisine, the tend to downplay our strengths, good food, I do not judge a convengenerosity of the neighbouring missions always manages to take tion primarily by those factors. church in lending us their facilities, centre stage at our conventions. I We have lived in many of the fabulous billets, the marvelous am greatly blessed when I see 38the EMC’s regions and have setting near The Rockies (although year veterans share the stage with good friends all over the place. only one visible cowboy hat!), the newly appointed candidates.

Fortunately, a number choose to unbelievable lack of sunflower I feel some pride, and a certain come to convention too. seeds, to name a few more. humbling, when I see how God is I love the good will, the sincerI love the Conference and the continuing to call new workers who ity, the charity, and the relative convention.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

13

20 11 Co nv en tio n

Convention 2011 in photos

During Saturday evening’s prayer time for EMC associate missionaries, Annette van Enns is prayed over by attendees. Van Enns serves with husband Arlyn in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta.

Picture Butte Mennonite Church (Alberta) congregants worked hard to provide a disco meal for Saturday supper.

Different musical groups led in congregational singing each session. Among them, a group from Love in Action (left) and a group from Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (below). Both churches meet in Calgary.

Ministerial attendees were instructed to imagine the chair as a little David Funk.

Funk (inset), who pastors in Calgary, refuses to wear a cowboy hat. He later explained his “prejudice” saying, “The people who wear cowboy hats wear them in cars and in shopping malls, which I think is just dumb.”

14

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

LeRoy Siemens (right), with wife Faith looking on, uses a soccer analogy to describe their work in Mexico. “I can dress like this, I can act like this, but is this who I really am?” he asked. Similarly, as Christians, he said, we can dress and act a certain way, but not allow God’s Word to change our lives.

Jhon Morales enjoys a taco after Convention attendees made their way through Saturday’s lunch line. Emmanuel Christian Church (Calgary) provided the meal.

Ushers collect baskets in the tent during Sunday morning’s session.

While the majority of the sessions took place at neighbouring Eastside City Church, Sunday morning was held at Abbeydale Christian Fellowship and an outdoor tent.

Harold Friesen, Convention chairman, helped the weekend run smoothly.

Youth formed an assembly line to load clothing to be distributed in Abbeydale Christian Fellowship’s neighbourhood.

Conference Pastor David Thiessen introduces Sunday morning speaker Abe Bueckert, pastor of Picture Butte Mennonite Church.

Smiles and laughter were a frequent occurence at Friday’s Ministerial meeting.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

15

20 11 Co nv en tio n

Ministerial meets ‘without the screaming’

A

s promised, no screaming was heard as pastors, ministers, deacons, elders, missionaries, church planters, and spouses gathered in Calgary, Alta., on July 1, 2011, to hear about Church Planting: Birth Stories without the Screaming.

About 135 leaders and spouses gathered to hear church planting stories from presenters John Driedger (read by Ward Parkinson), Troy Selley, Dave Wiebe, Ben Froese, and Randy Fehr.

An opening devotional time was led by David Funk, pastor of Calgary host church Abbeydale Christian Fellowship. “God is not averse to granting us difficult journeys,” he said, “although he walks them compassionately with us.” He told the story of their youngest daughter, Rachel, who “has heart, brain, and organ issues that will severely limit the length of her life.”

“It is puzzling to us” that God is not healing Rachel. Quoting Heather Ward from the book Shaming the Strong, Funk said, “I trust that we will find God in the pain and not in the avoidance of it.”

Ward Parkinson, Canadian church planting coordinator, introduced the day’s topic saying that for him, the births of his four children were pretty painless. People laughed. “As with childbirth, in church planting…God is creating something that is miraculous,” he continued.

Ministerial presenters (from top): Ward Parkinson (giving John Driedger’s presentation), Troy Selley, Dave Wiebe, Ben Froese, and Randy Fehr.

16

Church planting story Manitoba Parkinson also introduced the day’s first church planting story on Oak Bluff Bible Church (Man.). He read from John Driedger’s presentation, from the perspective of mother church Rosenort Fellowship Chapel (RFC).

Driedger wrote of how Troy Selley, the youngest member of the leadership team, challenged the leaders and congregation to consider planting a church in Oak Bluff, saying “too many people in Woodlands…had fallen through the cracks by just having VBS and not planting a church.”

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

“Gradually it became clear,” Driedger wrote, “that God had been and was putting all the building blocks in place…for a church plant to happen.”

“Doubts and fears” arose when other denominational church planting experts said Oak Bluff was too small to sustain a church.

“God reminded me,” Driedger wrote, “that what seemed like an impossibility to humans was where God’s power and glory could be revealed most effectively.”

Troy Selley, pastor of Oak Bluff Bible Church (OBBC), shared from the perspective of the daughter church. With OBBC and RFC, he said, “the relationship between mother and daughter doesn’t much resemble our traditional model of parenting.” For example, OBBC “wasn’t even officially born” before RFC was saying goodbye.

“There’s a part of me that really wishes I could stand here today and tell you that there is this beautiful, mutually edifying, welloiled, official relationship” between OBBC and RFC, he said, “but I can’t because there just isn’t one.”

“God reminded me that what seemed like an impossibility to humans was whwere God’s power and glory could be revealed most effectively.”

– John Driedger (written report) “With that said,” Selley continued, “it is absolutely critical for RFC and Oak Bluff to maintain a connection with one another….

We’re always talking about how we can work together.”

So what defines the mother/daughter church relationship? “In terms of this dynamic relationship…the most important part for us as the people leaving Rosenort to go to Oak Bluff was that preparation…at Rosenort

Fellowship Chapel that equipped us to start a church.”

Challenging those present, Selley asked, “How many of you have a discipleship plan for your church… for moving people all the way from seekers” to “servant leaders?”

fund has been so successful it is running dry. If there is a passion to help develop leaders, Friesen appealed, please make a donation to this fund.

Friesen also announced that Pastor Sam Owusu will be the keynote speaker for the November Ministerial meeting, with a theme of multi-ethnic churches.

Church planting story Alberta Dave Wiebe, pastor of Taber EMC in Alberta, Church planting story Ontario and Ben Froese, church planter in Vauxhall, Alberta, Randy Fehr, pastor of Grace Community Church described how Taber and Vauxhall are working together in Aylmer, Ont., is involved in property management to plant the church in Vauxhall. in London, Ont. “My stories” are to “encourage church Dave Wiebe read Ezekiel 34:1-6 saying, “The work leaders to become incarnational practitioners and not that we’re talking about” is to “our simply organizing planners,” he said.

Mennonite brothers and sisters that “Building better and bigger Pharisees is “There’s something about have wandered the world and they not our mandate.” opening our eyes and seeing need help.”

The church “might have a little dirt Some blessings: “In our area, on her face, where she needs to get a the opportunities that are Mennonites have many children… little dirt on her hands,” he challenged, all around us—maybe that’s although Christ “loves her like crazy…so it makes great church planting, church planting.” because if you reach a family, you we need to be careful what we say.” reach a lot of people…. There is a fear Fehr told a story of a young couple.

– Randy Fehr of God in our people and it makes it The young fellow was “really good at possible to preach the gospel to them drug dealing.” After the young lady and they will recognize it.” kicked him out, he got help and asked Jesus into his Some challenges: “There is drugs and violence” heart. The young fellow was interested in a Bible study, when young people party. New immigrants ask, “How but a church that had expressed interest in getting do we become Canadian citizens who are Christian who “plugged in” to programs to help that neighbourhood are not ‘the world?’ …They have concerns over that,” was approached and there were “no takers.”

Wiebe said.

“This was my first disconcertion with the church,” Ben Froese became a pastor in 1990 in Mexico. He is said Fehr. “thankful to be a servant” of God. “How do we…equip our people for works of service?”

Showing some photos, Froese said “it’s a good he asked. “Are we seeing the difficult opportunities future” with many young families and children in and are we engaging them?” If it’s not inconvenient or attendance. uncomfortable “I’m wondering if we’re doing it right,” An outreach began in nearby Brooks, Alta., in he continued.

March 2011 with singstunde (song hour) and Bible study.

“There’s something about opening our eyes and “We’ve been thinking of starting another church there,” seeing the opportunities that are all around us—maybe Froese said. that’s church planting,” Fehr concluded.

The Vauxhall church is “almost full” with 80 to 90 people in attendance. “What we need is a bigger buildRound table discussion ing…if you know anyone who doesn’t know what to do Attendees were encouraged to gather in groups with with their money, we can build a church there,” he said. people from their region to discuss these questions: • What is your church currently doing for Ministerial business outreach?

Board of Leadership and Outreach chair Layton • Are there groups of people in your neighbourFriesen gave an update on the Conference Pastor search hood who are not currently being reached by process. The BLO is looking for someone with “a lot of other ministries? pastoral wisdom.” The search committee hopes to make • Can you identify some leaders among your an announcement in September. laypeople who are underutilized? (continued p. 18) The Leadership Development Scholarship exists to provide funding for education of church leaders. The

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

17

Appreciation for David Thiessen Layton Friesen led in a time to “express our appreciation for the work, the energy, the anxiety [retiring Conference Pastor David Thiessen] took onto himself on our behalf.”

David Thiessen was invited to offer “some words of conclusion.” Thiessen said, “This is kind of hard.”

“I’m part of a team…that team is you,” Thiessen said, also mentioning BLO members (past and present) and Conference office co-workers.

His vision, he said, was to “nurture caring and reciprocal relationships with our pastors and leaders… and I wanted to do it with all my heart.”

Although he is retiring from this role, he stated he is not “retiring from being a Christian, nor retiring from serving the Lord, or retiring from ever doing anything again. I sure hope I can do lots of stuff yet.”

In a tribute to wife Merna, Thiessen said, “She has loved me and assisted me and blessed me and cared for me…. The Lord knew I would need a strong anchor in my life.”

Those in attendance had opportunity to share their thanks: • “David has a genuine love for the church and is willing to give his life for it.”

• “I want to thank you for the welcome that you’ve been…to the EMC family.”

• “I will miss the remarkably long voicemails…I will miss being able to call you and work through church issues with you.”

5 ly 1 !

O n s le f t t spo

•

“Thank you, Dave, for being a very real and genuine person who cared very deeply for us...

Thank you also, Merna, for working alongside him.”

Prayer and sharing The day closed with a time of sharing and prayer for the concerns and needs of the churches.

Rebecca Roman, Assistant Editor

David Thiessen (foreground), Conference Pastor, listens as people came forward to share their appreciation for his service. Thiessen will be retiring from the position at the end of September.

Holiday Travel

GET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE

kirsten@holiday-travel.ca

Journal of Mennonite Studies

with the Bicentennial Committee

An annual, peer-reviewed, Canadian interdisciplinary journal

of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference presents

to

Ukraine and Crimea Kiev, Mennonite Colonies, Yalta, Odessa

Journal of Mennonite Studies

Mennonite Heritage Tour with a focus on EMC history

Journal of Mennonite Studies

Mennonite Experience in Siberia.

from

For tour details contact tour host: Len Loeppky 14 Springwood Bay, Steinbach, MB, R5G 2E8 aloeppky@mts.net or 204-326-2613 Informational meeting announcement to follow.

18

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

29/2011

Deadline registration/deposit: December 30, 2011

Mennonites, Melancholy and Mental Health.

The 2012 issue will feature 24 papers on the topic of

May 21–June 7, 2012 Estimated cost: $5,200 including airfare

The 2011 issue is just off the press with 15 articles on

Volume 29, 2011

Each issue features two dozen reviews on the best Mennonite novels, histories and other studies of the year.

To subscribe write r.loewen@uwinnipeg.ca or phone 204-786-9391.

Cost per year $25.00 (postage included) Order the entire run of the Journal of Mennonite Studies since its inception in 1983 (29 volumes) for only $445 plus shipping. Order the last 12 years for $225 plus postage.

20 11 Co nv en tio n

Delegates unprepared to vote on Unity in Diversity document Delegates hold up colour-coded cards to express opinion on the Harmony Project document.

C

onference Council members who gathered at Abbeydale Christian Fellowship in Calgary, Alta., on July 2, 2011, expressed that they felt mainly unprepared to vote on the Unity in Diversity document.

The statements in the document—a culmination of about two years’ work by the Harmony Project committee—are “designed to give direction to the Conference as we seek dialogue and decisions in difficult theological questions important to our future together.”

When delegates were asked to hold up green cards (go ahead), yellow cards (caution, minor changes needed), or red cards (stop, major changes needed) indicating how they themselves felt about the document, green cards had the majority.

However, when asked whether they felt prepared to vote on the document on behalf of their church, yellow and red cards were mainly shown.

The decision was made not to vote on accepting the document at this meeting and a special lunchtime meeting was held to discuss concerns (see sidebar on p. 20 for discussion summary).

Welcome and opening Reading from Romans 1:8-17, Moderator Richard Klassen spoke of changes in how we present the gospel in a pluralistic society. Earlier, confrontational evangelism was a more common practice. Now, “social justice” is emphasized, but the time may not be taken to “explain who Jesus is and what he has done to reconcile us to God.” While the new emphasis on “justice and entering into the neighbourhood is in many ways welcome,” we have to remember that the gospel “is our lifeblood! …It is still Christ we preach, and him crucified…. That’s our foundation,” Klassen said.

Board of Church Ministries report Gerald Reimer, Conference Youth Minister, showed a video from the recent Abundant Springs youth

gathering (May 20–23, 2011). He asked, why send young people to Abundant Springs? “It’s a very worthwhile weekend” that brings youth groups together, gives leaders opportunity relate deeply to students, and inspires youth to grow in relationship with God. Board of Church Ministries member Doris Penner read a report from Executive Secretary Terry Smith: “When a person has gone through the Christian Education program in a local church, what sort of Christians do we expect them to be?” Smith noted materials that are available on the Evangelical Anabaptist perspective both within and outside the Conference.

General Board report Harvey Plett, a member of the Bi-Centennial Planning Committee, promoted the upcoming tour to Ukraine, May 21–June 7, 2012.

Richard Klassen described an organizational change due to Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) New Wineskins process. No longer will EMC necessarily have representation on the MCC Canada board. The Canadian Council of Anabaptist Leaders (CCAL), of which the EMC Moderator and General Secretary are part, will appoint denominational representatives to the MCC Canada board.

Board of Missions report Board chair John Bueckert said, “Exciting things have happened, are happening, and will continue to happen, Lord willing.”

Benny Goertzen, missionary and field leader in Paraguay, mentioned some of the ministries EMC workers are involved with there: Radio ministry (includes radio station, bookstore, recording studio, and follow-up work); Turn Your Life Around evangelistic campaign; AMAR (High Refuge AIDS ministry).

Paul Thiessen, working with Africa Inter-Mennonite (continued p. 20) THE MESSENGER | August 2011

19

Mission, said, “God is at Zacharias said misChurches need to identify people [for mission work in Burkina Faso.” sionaries serving in He spoke of the need Guadalajara, Mexico, face service], equip them, and send them forth, Gerald for the Siamou people a “high cost of living.”

Reimer reminded delegates. to receive the gospel in The board has looked their heart language. He at “whether we need to added that oldest son Josiah and wife Mona had a baby adjust missionary salaries” for missionaries living there. the previous day, “which makes me a grandpa.” People “Those are difficult decisions,” he said. applauded.

In Bolivia, Zacharias announced that a ministry Foreign Secretary Ken Zacharias said, “The fact that agreement is being worked on with Evangelical there’s five candidates for the Board of Missions” where Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC) and EBMC two are needed “is an excellent measuring stick as to (Bergthaler). This will be a “low-level” partnership where our Conference is at to be involved in missions.” where EMC will not have a “seat around the table, but In reporting on a recent trip to Nicaragua, Zacharias we will provide missionaries.” asked, how do we best do economic development in Gerald Reimer, who works under the BOM as well church communities? as the BCM, said there is a need for “10 new [missionary] recruits in the next two years and 16 in the next four years” to achieve the Conference mission program goals.

“This is our program together,” Reimer said.

Churches need to identify people, equip them, and send them forth, he reminded delegates. “As I’m talking, whom are you thinking about in your church?” he asked.

Board of Trustees report Board chair Syd Reimer reported that the board “is wondering how aggressive we should become in our fundraising.”

During a presentation of EMC’s financial figures Nominating Committee members distribute ballots to delegates for Conference board member elections. from 2010, Reimer said, “We have quite a bit of cash in our building loan fund,” so “if you have reason to build, talk to us.”

Summary of Harmony Project lunch discussion Due to changes in government legislation, those who are enrolled in During Saturday’s lunch break, Harmony the Conference has initiated “Problem the Conference pension plan will now Project committee members met with Committees” in the past to deal with issues as they arose.

The Unity in Diversity need to elect members to the pension those who had indicated concerns with review committee (previously this was or objections to the Unity in Diversity paper does not necessarily change previappointed by the BOT). paper. The purpose was to listen, with ous methods, but makes more explicit the hope that we can reach full agreement as a Conference on this important paper.

The concerns fell into several categories. A few mentioned misgivings with the particular wording in the introductory section about truth, which could be misinterpreted to mean that truth is relative. The committee will make an effort to clarify this statement.

Another question asked: Does the paper change how the Conference resolves difficult matters? It was noted that

20

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

the process for dealing with conflict.

Some present also expressed apprehension that approval of the paper could lead the Conference in an unwanted direction.

The Harmony Project Committee is committed to making further modifications to the document to address the questions raised, and is committed to maintaining Biblical truth, furthering unity but also recognizing that there is diversity.

Tim Dyck, General Secretary

Board of Leadership and Outreach Layton Friesen, board chair, said 2011 will be remembered “for the retirement of [Conference Pastor] David Thiessen.”

The search committee is “doing a lot of shoulder tapping” to find a new conference pastor.

Friesen raised a question on behalf of the board, “Do [pastoral] term renewal votes still work well in your church?

Should we be encouraging churches to find other ways” to support pastoral accountability? Responses from those

in attendance were generally in favour of an evaluation process, rather than a term renewal vote.

“We know that change is going to occur…but how can we make sure we get to the place that we want to be?

That’s the essence of strategic planning.”

– Tim Dyck Elections Nominating Committee chair Brad Kornelsen led in the election process and provided results (see sidebar).

General Board – Moderator: Richard Klassen Board of Church Ministries: Stephanie Penner Board of Leadership and Outreach: Dwight Munn, Earl Unger Board of Missions: Anthony Reimer, Alvira Friesen Board of Trustees: Leonard Plett, Elmer Friesen Nominating Committee: Walden Plett

gain input into core values. Ward Parkinson, Canadian Church Planting Coordinator, shared key ideas that have come through so far: discipleship, compassion, service, fellowship, Bible, obedience.

According to Garry Koop, struggles with participation, collaboration, and income are indicators that people are not engaged. Core values look at “this question of ‘why?’” When we discover why we do what we do, people get engaged, he said.

Closing remarks Richard Klassen closed by saying, “There’s been good discussion here. We have been well fed…now we need to go into the world and run some of this off.”

Rebecca Roman, Assistant Editor

Co nv en tio n

20 11

EMC core values discussion Tim Dyck, General Secretary, explained the strategic planning process, with exploration of core values as an initial step. Ward Parkinson (EMC Canadian Church Planting Coordinator), Garry Koop (pastor, Steinbach EMC), and Ernest Rempel (recent MBA grad) are also part of the task force.

Dyck said, “You might wonder…why do we even bother doing strategic planning?” In response, he said, “We know that change is going to occur…but how can we make sure we get to the place that we want to be?

That’s the essence of strategic planning.”

Part of the process involves visiting all the regions to

Conference Board election results

F

Convention makes history with use of three languages

or the first time in history, the EMC annual convention used three languages from the platform for main messages and reports in the inspirational sessions. Low German was available via headsets, Spanish and English were alternately spoken and written on overhead devices.

“The General Board had the idea to do this several years ago, but it was not until 2011 that a Region wanted to pick it up,” says general secretary Tim Dyck, noting the conference has five Hispanic churches (or subsets of churches) and a number of Low German congregations in Canada (not easy to count because there are so many churches in various stages of transition from Low German to English).

by Doris Penner

Region Two (southern Alberta and Saskatchewan), which hosted the convention in Calgary, is home to two churches that use Spanish from the pulpit (Emmanuel Christian Church and Love in Action Christian Centre) and two Low German congregations (Taber EMC and Picture Butte Mennonite) plus one Low German plant (Vauxhall).

Indeed, incorporating other languages than English into the convention program reflects the growing diversity of members, adherents and leaders of the Conference. While there are many different cultural groups represented, the two major ones (besides English-speaking) are Hispanic and Low German, (continued p. 22) THE MESSENGER | August 2011

21

which have moved into Canada from a variety of they understood far better in Low German. countries.

In their “mother tongue” ideas became clear and When the annual conventions were first held, the crystallized. It’s when people fully understand that common language from the platform would have been transformation can occur.

High German with perhaps some Low German thrown Secondly, they said it just felt “homey” to hear in, but that changed to English in the late 1960s and has Low German. They knew it took extra planning to remained so throughout the years. implement the various medium to translate the entire While using the tri-language model program, but it showed that the confercreated extra work and organization for In their “mother tongue” ence is serious about including them in the planning committee as well as for the wider body. ideas became clear and the dozen people who were pulled in “I think it was an excellent idea crystallized.

It’ s when people to either write translations or translate even though it presented some signififully understand that from the platform, it appeared to be an cant challenges, “says Tim Dyck. “It all-around positive move. stimulated a lot of discussion and really transformation can occur.

For one, it gave folks the excuse to brought a clear focus to what we are practice their sometimes rather limited doing as a conference, showing where command of a second language—adding some lighter our church-planting initiatives have been focused.” moments to the sessions. (Although trying to keep up To sum it up, it is a matter of compassion and justice with all that was said caused a dizzying effect on those to include people rather than exclude them. It is what who were fluent in two or perhaps three languages!)

Jesus did—inviting those of various social classes, ages It is likely true that the majority of those who attend- and religious groups into His circle of love by meeting ed the convention could understand at least a smattering everyone on their home ground. of English; however, there were many whose “first” or “heart” language was either Spanish or Low German.

Missionaries who work with people in countries who speak their own tribal language have come to realize that unless the scripture is presented in that language, there will be limited understanding.

Many church planting efforts and developmental projects have failed because the language of the people has not been taken into consideration.

William Tyndale, an early translator of the Bible into English, has said, “I have perceived…it is impossible to establish the people in any truth, except the scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue, that they might see the process, the order and meaning of the text.”

This was the sentiment expressed by a group of women from Taber EMC. They noted that although they could speak English fairly well and understand Margarita Sawatzky and Omar Villanueva provided on-stage translation into Low German and Spanish for opening remarks and greetings. much of it, there were always words and concepts

Convention 2011 offerings

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Quarterly Financial Report Jan–June 2011 Receipts and Transfers

664,358

771,510

Disbursements

926,393

810,645

(262,035)

(39,135)

Shortfall

22

Jan–June 2010

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

Steinbach Bible College (Friday evening session) $995.00 Convention expenses

(Saturday evening session and loose offerings) $10,893.41

Missions (Sunday morning and afternoon sessions) $8,259.15 Total received

$20,147.56

Carter shows us how to trust GUADALAJARA CITY, MEXICO When our four-year-old son Carter gets an “owie,” he refuses a bandage and says that “God will make it better.”

When he’s scared of the giants in his room at night, he prays and asks God to tell the giants to go away and “They just listen to Him.” When he talks about heaven, he says, “When is God coming down? I just want to go to heaven. I’m going to have a house there? I have a nice house in Mexico. And in Canada I have a house. And in Guadalajara I will have a house too, huh?”

In the middle of July we left Delicias and moved twelve hours south to Guadalajara City, Mexico, to join a new church planting team.

This move will be an adjustment since we now live in a city of seven million people and will need to get to know new people.

We will need to change some of our Spanish words and accents. Our boys will need to make new friends and Carter will need to go to a new school.

But we anticipate what God has in store for us here, trusting that He desires that we be in Guadalajara.

And trusting God is what gives us peace as we begin this new venture.

We trust that He is already working in the city, that He is preparing the people to hear about His love, and that He has prepared us for the work He has for us here.

We trust that this is where we should be, even though this may not have been part of our plan when we first moved to Mexico.

We trust that God’s way is perfect and that the plans He has for us are way better than the plans we could ever come up with on our own.

It is truly amazing to have peace with where God has you! As I look back on our lives, I am in awe of the way that God has molded and changed our hearts, with the way He has given us a love for the country of Mexico and the desire to serve Him here.

I believe it would be very difficult to serve God wholeheartedly if we were not able to submit ourselves to His leading, and if we were not able to trust that He loves us and that He delights in us!

Carter is showing us what a “child-like faith” looks like. He trusts that God will help him. He trusts that heaven is a good place, since that is what God has said.

He trusts that wherever we live, whether that is in Delicias, in Canada, or in Guadalajara, he will have a home. In the same way that

PHOTO: TARA WIEBE

with our missionaries

Carter Wiebe

Carter believes wherever we live is okay as long as we as his parents are with him, we need to trust that wherever we are is okay as long as God our Father is with us.

Tara Wiebe Dallas and Tara Wiebe (Kleefeld) are part of the church-planting team in Guadalajara City, Jalisco State, Mexico.

New workers in Guadalajara City Dallas and Tara Wiebe (Kleefeld) and their family have relocated to Guadalajara City, Mexico. They will join John and Connie Reimer in being part of the church planting team in the Parque Metropolitano area of Guadalajara.

You can follow the Wiebes’ ministry by reading their blog: dallastara. blogspot.com or by emailing them at cinnamonkee@yahoo.com.

Ken Zacharias, Foreign Secretary

Dallas and Tara Wiebe, Carter, Logan, Brady

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

23

with our missionaries

WINNIPEG, MAN. Inner-City Youth Alive has three staff in community ministry: Harvey Rempel, Andrew Reimer and Jordan Penner. We devote ourselves to a ministry of presence and intentional friendship, providing relationshipbased support and spiritual care to youth, adults and families in the neighbourhood.

In many ways it is hope that defines our role as community ministers.

It motivates us, gives purpose to what we do and, when our faith is strong, shapes our perspective.

Our connection with people can be as light-hearted as laughing about a funny story while sipping coffee or it can be as intense as responding to a call when someone is struggling with thoughts of suicide or has had a drug overdose.

In many ways it is hope that defines our role as community ministers. It motivates us, gives purpose to what we do and, when our faith is strong, shapes our perspective.

For Jordan and his wife Allison,

foster placements break down or when she is overwhelmed by the challenges of her life, we find hope in a Creator who still cares for her and gives the three of us little moments of joy and laughter in the dark places.

While poverty, violence, addiction and abuse may be the voices that yell the loudest and are heard most often, hope is the quiet whisper that is most persistent.

For us, community ministry is about first learning to hear that whisper myself and then teaching others to hear it through long-term relationships that withstand crises, failure and tragedy.

Jordan Penner and Andrew Reimer, Community Ministers PHOTO: LAURIE KOZAK

What is community ministry?

Jordan Penner and Andrew Reimer (Steinbach EMC) both serve with Inner City Youth Alive (www.icya.ca) in Winnipeg’s North End. Much of our work Andrew Reimer, Harvey Rempel, and Jordan Penner are community ministers with Inner City Youth Alive.

The story is reprinted with happens outside the hope is the one word that best permission from ICYA’s newsletter. walls of ICYA: in people’s homes, describes the relationship they have on the street, in coffee shops, at the with a teen whom they’ve known for hospital and in jail. Because our the past three years. Very little has ministry is shaped around relationbeen consistent in her life as she has ships with individual youth and moved from foster placements to adults, our involvement takes many ‘Horse and Buggy’ Mennonites group homes, to shelters and to more different forms. in Canada, Belize and Latin America foster placements.

Sometimes it means connecting An academic and community conference But hope has remained constant over a hamburger or hanging out at that seeks to understand the ways, perspectives and faith of the Old Colony amid the inconsistency.

They’ve seen the park. At other times it means Mennonites her grow and learn to trust them. providing moral support, help with University of Winnipeg During the good times when she’s resumes and a ride for a young adult October 21 and 22, 2011 at school, in a safe place or simply who is trying to find a job.

Keynote Speaker: Donald Kraybill Young Centre for Anabaptist and Pietist making better choices in the way she It may mean sitting with someone Studies, Elizabethtown, PA. and listening to them while they are in spends her free time, they see hope for a complete program visit: http://mennonitestudies.uwinnipeg.ca/events being realized and bringing about crisis. It also means networking with Sponsored by: Chair in Mennonite Studies, Unversity of Winnipeg, r.loewen.uwinnipeg.ca change. other ministries or helping someone D.F. Plett Historical Research Foundation, Inc. h.werner@uwinnipeg.ca During the hard times when access resources in the community.

Anti-Modern Pathways:

24

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

with our missionaries

A glimpse into the heavenlies BURKINA FASO/CANADA

What a beautiful blend of three languages! What a delightful blend of three cultures!

The challenge of balancing languages can be tricky. I couldn’t understand anything when Spanish was spoken. But I could read the English translation from the screen in front.

This was a brilliant exercise of celebrating the unique beauty of different cultures, yet uniting us all under one roof for the glory of God. We have tasted the joy of worshiping God with a variety of brothers and sisters from different backgrounds.

The Word of God and the invitation of salvation are for all peoples of every language. It looked to me like the EMC was heading in the right direction.

Translation is essential in order for people from different language groups to understand God’s messages.

In the Mennonite church near Djiguera, Burkina Faso, I sometimes

preach the message in French.

Bakary stands beside me translating my words into Jula. Paul the Mossi stands to Bakary’s right translating into the Moré language. Everyone understands the message.

The men who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” In order to understand a message from God, the message must be clear.

People’s hearts are not likely to burn if they do not understand the message. People’s emotions are not likely to be captivated with joy and awe if they understand only half of the words.

The truth of God’s Word is not likely to penetrate deeply if it does not stir up the feelings of people through their heart language.

We are moving toward the day when German and English and Spanish and Jula and French and Mossi people will together sing, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

(Revelation 5:13).

Paul Thiessen

PHOTO COURTESY PAUL THIESSEN

The Apostle John got a glimpse into the heavenlies where he heard a song praising God for purchasing people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. We got a taste of this diversity at the annual EMC convention in Calgary on July 1–3.

The EMC is a trilingual conference and all three cultures were represented at the convention. The opening service reminded me of Burkina Faso, with three people on stage, speaking three languages.

Introductory remarks were made in English, immediately and spontaneously translated into Low German, followed by Spanish. The main messages were preached in English, Low German and Spanish.

The meals served on Saturday matched the language emphasis—a wonderful Mexican plate including tamales and a delicious disco meal prepared by Low German-speaking congregations. Spanish worship songs accompanied the Spanish language sermon.

There was a time when EMC churches used only German.

Gradually everything switched to English.

Now we heard some German again—Low German this time.

The Spanish-speaking congregations added In Burkina Faso, Paul Thiessen (right) preaches in French, while Bakary (centheir flavour. tre) translates into Jula, and Paul the Mossi translates into Moré.

Paul Thiessen (Blumenort) has been engaged in literacy and Bible translation work among the Siamou people of Burkina Faso, West Africa, for 27 years. He and his wife Lois are part of a wider team of Burkinabe and foreign workers.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

25

with our churches

PHOTOS: YVONNE YOUNG

Three generations provide ‘specials’ PINERIDGE FELLOWSHIP CH APEL, Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan

Wednesday night praise and worship is a time for spiritual recharging and learning new songs.

A ladies outreach night called “A Garden Party” included specials from Rayne and Dawn Seafoot and Lois Schultz (representing three generations from Pineridge).

Quilting day at Pineridge.

BR AESIDE EMC, Winnipeg, Manitoba

I

n every organization there are individuals who have played a long-standing part in its growth and development. Frieda Friesen, Braeside’s efficient, dependable and friendly secretary, has performed this role for thirty-five years.

Frieda is married to Gerry. They have a daughter Annabelle, who is married to Marciel Toledo.

Frieda began her secretarial career at Braeside in 1976. Her initial workload consisted of one responsibility: a Friday morning shift, sitting 26

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

in the corner of the pastor’s rather cramped office, typing out Sunday’s bulletin that was then reproduced on the Gestetner, the print technology of the day.

From that half-day shift she moved to three full days and Frieda Friesen, church secretary at Braeside finally to the present four days a week. Over the years she has seen or experienced. worked with all of Braeside’s pasFirst, there are indigent persons tors: Cornie Plett, Arnold Fast, John who visit the church in order to reStoesz, Ron Penner, Carl Heppner ceive assistance with food supplies. and Kim Stoesz as well as youth, Braeside, for many years, offered associate and Spanish pastors. food vouchers that could be cashed With time there have been (continued p. 27) noticeable changes that Frieda has

PHOTOS: ALLAN DUECK

Frieda Friesen, 35 years of service and change

with our churches (continued from p. 26)

Send

AN INNER

CITY child TO CAMP

On May 29, 2011, two young people were baptized upon the confession of their faith and accepted into the membership of Braeside. Adam Harris and Justina Bergen are seen here with pastors Brad Craig, Kim Stoesz and Angel Infantes. Both new members received a Bible to commemorate their commitment and baptism.

Dedications occur at PEC PORTAGE EVANGELICAL CHURCH, Manitoba

C

hild dedication is definitely a big highlight and a joyous occasion for our congregation. Our prayers for these families are for direction from God in their lives as they guide and direct their families.

Shown on Feb. 20, 2011, are Tim and Betty Neufeld with Donavan Luke and David and Sharon Wiebe with Shayla Destiny.

Catherine Epp

PHOTO: BETTY NEUFELD

in for food at a local food mart; we now offer food supplies right at the church.

Second, the rather antiquated typewriter and Gestetner have been replaced by the computer. Bulletins are now produced quickly and can also be sent instantaneously to Braesiders not living in Winnipeg.

As well, e-mail notices are now available to members throughout the week; they are useful to inform members of prayer requests, funeral announcements and church and community news.

Finally, Frieda no longer shares a small corner of the pastor’s study: she now works out of a carefully organized, well-lit and air-conditioned office.

Frieda is a personable individual and her always-open office door faces the main entrance to the church, which enables her to greet all visitors warmly and graciously.

Frieda enjoys her responsibilities and she is blessed by being able to work with a supportive pastoral and custodial staff.

We are thankful for Frieda and the service she provides to Braeside.

Allan Dueck

Our kids go to camp to be safe... to have fun….to be loved.

Give a kid a break from the pressures and conflicts of the North End. For a mere $200 you can change a life forever.

Make your donation today.

CALL ICYA TO HELP A LESS FORTUNATE CHILD

204-582-8779

www.icya.ca

births MIELKEN – to Tanner and Cynthia Mielken of Burns Lake, B.C, a daughter, Lisa May, on June 16, 2011.

REIMER – to Ron and Ann Reimer of Aylmer, Ont., a son, Troy Jessiah, on Feb. 25, 2011.

email: info@icya.ca

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

27

with our churches

Fort Garry has exciting year FORT GARRY EMC, Winnipeg, Manitoba

After over a year of fundraising and preparation, a 12-person team his year has been exciting for our from Fort Garry had set congregation, both on and off the out to visit the Morazan premises of our building. church in Nicaragua.

Church and state reunited briefly The trip’s purpose when our facility was used as a pollwas to strengthen the ing station in the 2011 election. bonds between the two The Nicaragua delegation: (top) Henry Doerksen, Michael Plett, Layton Friesen, Dale Friesen, Johan Neufeld, Ken Peddie, (bottom) Before that, the delegation that congregations, to assist Lorena Doerksen, Elaine Kroeker, Glenda Friesen, Sandra Friesen, set out to visit our sister church in with a building project, Sandy Plett, Linda Peddie.

Nicaragua returned and shared their and to participate in experiences. outreach activities over ten days.

The group felt warmly received The team assisted with roof by the congregation, and some repairs, painting, a kitchen upgrade, gained extra children (temporarily). installing appliances and mounting The confident leadership shown by cabinets. They visited other churches the Morazan youth was inspiring, in the region, the CINAG orphanage, particularly their involvement in and the MCC office in Nicaragua. teaching the younger children.

However, much of the time was Upon returning, the group told spent at the Morazan church, attend- the rest of the Fort Garry congregaing two Sunday services and Sunday tion that “God has done great things School, meeting the congregation in Nicaragua in the decades since the and making friends. The team went first EMC missionaries began their to youth events, a prayer meeting, work there.” a women’s group meeting, and it On the home front, last year Fort shared many meals with the generGarry began offering caffeine-free ous and hospitable Nicaraguans. herbal tea in addition to coffee in the Two team members, Henry foyer after the service. and Lorena Doerksen, have deep We had a dedication celebrating roots in the Morazan church. Many the arrival of eight babies, one of of Lorena’s family live there and the largest dedications in recent Pastor Layton Friesen baptized Phoebe Chen in provided a welcoming home for Fort memory. This February our congreFebruary 2011.

Garry delegates. gation also celebrated the baptism of Phoebe Chen after she gave her testimony.

Meanwhile, our efforts to remove one unwanted family from the church premises appear to have been successful. The raccoons that were living in the roof have not returned after bringing in an exterminator.

However, the price of freedom from raccoons is eternal vigilance. That Winter 2011 dedication: (left to right) Derek and Marilyn Klassen with Evan Joel, Todd and Ruth Friesen soffit still looks a little pliable. with Johanna Ruth, Arlene and Tim Muehling with Heather Quinn, Jason and Jen Friesen with Maya Paul Klassen Elise, Tim and Karen Strydhorst with Brayden Parker, Jeremy and Erin Plett with Jamie Esther, Brent and

PHOTOS COURTESY PAUL KLASSEN

T

Tanya Loewen-Watson with Ivan Glenn and Sarah Ruth.

28

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

with our churches

Gatherings, graduation, and baptism L A CRETE CHRISTI A N FELLOWSHIP, Alberta

L

PHOTOS: TENA DOERKSEN

a Crete Christian Fellowship has been busy building a new church building as well as continuing to build relationships within the church and the community.

On May 1, William and Chrissy Reimer participated in a parent/ child dedication with their baby girl Torri. On June 25, Dale and Bev Driedger dedicated their son Jackson to the Lord.

What a testament to unity when the congregation stands to show support for these parents raising their children for Christ.

On Sunday, May 29, the basement of our building was packed out in support of a soup and dessert fundraiser for MDS in Slave Lake.

There was no soup, buns, or dessert left when it was time to go home.

The fellowship within the church body is such nourishment for the soul.

On June 5 a special presentation

On June 19 five young people were baptized, supported by leaders and members: ministerial couple Gordon and Marilyn Foster, Reuben and Judy Peters, Lindsey Fehr, Vanessa Wiebe, Sharri Wieler, senior pastoral couple Martha and Peter Doerksen.

was given for the graduating youth of 2011. The congregation enjoyed a PowerPoint video of all 12 LCCF graduates from infancy to grade 12.

After the message the grads were invited up to receive a gift from the church, as well as to share their plans for the coming year.

Many shared of secondary education plans, with one young man saying he was excited to try to trust God with a future away from home.

The youth leaders and sponsors were invited up to pray with the grads, and we wish them God’s blessings in their future endeavours.

Jesus was baptized for an example to us, and we are taught to follow His example. On June 19 LCCF received five new members by baptism.

Reuben and Judy Peters, Lindsey Fehr, Vanessa Wiebe and Sharri Wieler shared their testimonies and were welcomed into body of Christ on their confession of faith.

Looking forward, we are gearing up for Panda Mania VBS in August, and we eagerly anticipate moving into our new church building for the start of the new Sunday School year.

Tena Doerksen

Youth Pastor Jordan Doerksen stands with high school graduates: Allison Braun, David Kirby, Jared Clarke, Kaylene Driedger, Kyler Fehr, Sierra Fehr, Taryn Driedger, Trudy Buhler, and Tyrone Halladay. Missing are Dustin Neudorf, Michelle Cronkhite, and Vanessa Wiebe.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

29

news

Tractor Trek attracts youth More than $40,000 raised for Eden’s programs

WINKLER, Man.—Youth gave a boost to the day at the fourth annual Eden Visit the Villages Tractor Trek on Saturday, July 16, in Reinland, Man. While each year there has been a young person driving a tractor, this year there were four and three of them were young women.

The Trek is a fund-raiser for Eden Health Care Services and its programs in southern Manitoba. Monies raised go to support mental health recovery programs such as housing, employment, counseling and counseling for persons living with addictions.

The tractors must be more than 40 years old. The route began in Reinland and meandered through the villages of Schoenwiese, Gnadenthal, Friedensruh and Neuenburg with lunch halfway at the Blumengart Hutterite Colony.

The Colony served the trekkers lunch, sang for them and participated in an auction of several toy tractors.

An auctioneer this year was Sig Pfahl, a well-known

pharmacist from Winkler. Everyone enjoyed watching Sig in a new role.

The Trek raised more than $40,000 for Eden’s programs. Next year’s trek will take place July 14, 2012.

Eden

Abe Ens, Chris Ens, Kirsten Friesen, Haley and Megan Ens, 1941 VC Case

Apple Project benefits hungry people, congregation You don’t need lots of land to help end hunger

WINNIPEG, Man.—When people think about Canadian Those trees are on land Bunnett rented to grow hay.

Foodgrains Bank growing projects, they imagine huge He suggested the idea of growing and selling apples. The combines harvesting hundreds of acres of land. church agreed.

But many smaller fundraising projects help end In March the congregation held a pruning day; they’ll world hunger. later harvest the apples. They plan Alden Crane, representing the “I thought you could only do a to sell them in local markets, along Foodgrains Bank, made a presentation project for the Foodgrains Bank if with homemade cider and pies, then at Mennonite Church in Petitcodiac, send the proceeds to the CFGB. New Brunswick, about ways to raise you had lots of land,” says Bunnett.

“The day of pruning was an inmoney—raising and selling livestock, “But as I was listening, I thought of credible gift for us—everyone could doing chores, or growing a garden. our apple trees and it just clicked.” be involved, from older to younger,” One listener was David Bunnett, a pastor Gordon Driedger says. “It’s a certified organic farmer who, with his great congregational project.” wife Sandra, raises grass fed beef and free range chickAs for Bunnett, he’s glad the apples can be “used to ens and turkeys. help people who are hungry, and also benefit our church.”

“I thought you could only do a project for the John Longhurst, CFGB Foodgrains Bank if you had lots of land,” says Bunnett.

“But as I was listening, I thought of our apple trees and it just clicked.”

30

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

news

Foodgrains Bank responds to East Africa drought 10 million people affected by worst drought in 60 years

with staple crop seeds and food support. People are encouraged to work on drought mitigation.

MCC Canada is supporting a goat restocking project in Kenya.

The goats are distributed through community groups and will benefit 2,000 vulnerable households.

For the past five years, MCC has supported communities in Kenya through sand dam projects that capture water from seasonal rainfall to be used for irrigation and consumption.

Workers are being paid with food. Now two needs are being met: immediate access to food and longer-term access to water.

CFGB PHOTO: CFGB

WINNIPEG, Man.—Canadian Foodgrains Bank member agencies are responding to the severe two-year drought affecting parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia.

Since May, the Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger, has committed $2.4 million to help over 46,000 affected people.

The Bank has been monitoring the situation over the past months, is working with people in need, and is looking to reach even more people.

Member agencies are responding. In Ethiopia’s droughtprone Coro district, Canadian Lutheran World Relief is supporting 18,350 people with over 1,900 tonnes of food, including wheat, beans, oil, and famix, a supplementary food product.

In Kenya, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is spearheading a project that is supporting 17,500 people

Donations marked for East Africa Drought can be made by calling 800-665-4229, by donating online, or by cheque to Box 767, Winnipeg, Man. R3C 2L4, www.foodgrainsbank.ca.

MSC celebrates 66 CRS and IDS graduates ‘Years of hard work, laughter, and friendship’ acknowledged

PHOTO: CMU

WINNIPEG, Man.—Menno Simons College on June 9, at its Shaftesbury campus. Sixty-four Outtatown students 2011, saw a total of 66 students graduate from its Conflict completed international programs, returning from South Resolution Studies (CRS) and International Development Africa and Guatemala.

Studies (IDS) programs.

MSC’s education flows from Anabaptist-Mennonite MSC is the downtown campus of Canadian Mennonite understandings of faith, peace, and justice while engaging University (CMU) and is located at and affiliated with the other religious traditions and intellectual perspectives.

U. of W., where the convocation was held.

MSC/CMU Guest speaker Lois Coleman Neufeld, executive director of Mediation Services, Canadian Mennonite University offers highlighted having a profound respect undergraduate degree programs and two “for the other” as being of great imporgraduate degree programs. CMU has tance, along with the qualities of passion over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury and compassion. campus, downtown MSC campus, and in Sharing student reflections were its Outtatown international program. A graduates Roberta Whiteman, four-year member of the Association of Universities IDS and Human Rights graduate; and and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), CMU medal winner Zoë Gross, four-year CRS MSC 2011 graduate Jared Wheeler, BA, operates a number of schools and instiwith Dr. Ray Vander Zaag, program coorgraduate, majoring in Women’s Studies. tutes, including the Canadian School of dinator of IDS. CMU earlier graduated 78 students Peacebuilding.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

31

news calendar

Wall of Remembrance to be dedicated on Sept. 11 production of teaching materials equal to the cost of the wall. Teaching materials relating to the biblical teaching on peace and Anabaptist witness to date include a study guide Marching to the Jesus Drum, a DVD called Radical Followers of Jesus, and an Anabaptist website.

There appears to be widespread interest in the New Testament emphasis of Anabaptists. The focus on committed discipleship and the strong emphasis on Christian community resonate with a postmodern and post-Christian culture.

EAF Editor’s note: the Evangelical Anabaptist Fellowship is an organization that some EMCers are involved with. It is not be confused with the EMC’s Evangelical Anabaptist Committee that existed from 2004–2008.

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY EAF

The Wall of Remembrance, a memorial to Manitoba’s conscientious objectors to World War Two and a teaching tool to new generations, will be dedicated at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, at the Bethel Heritage Park in Winkler, Man. The program will include greetings from church representatives, a report on the history of the memorial, and special music.

According to the Evangelical Anabaptist Fellowship (EAF), the 3,021 bricks in the Wall of Remembrance represent 3,021 young men in Manitoba who chose alternative service in time of war.

It is, however, more than a memorial to the witness of Manitoban CO’s during World War Two. It is intended as a teaching opportunity for future generations.

Original plans called for the

British Columbia Aug. 29–Sept. 3: MCC BC Quilt Show and Demonstrations, Clearbrook Public Library, Abbotsford, 604-850-6639, bc.mcc.org Sept. 9–10: MCC Festival and Relief Sale, TRADEX, Abbotsford, 604-850-6639, bc.mcc.org Sept. 11: Festival of Praise, speaker: Phil Schafran, musical guest: Cathy Hardy, Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Abbotsford, 604-850-6639, bc.mcc.org Oct. 1: Mennonite Fall Fair, Civic Centre, Prince George, 604-850-6639, bc.mcc.org

Alberta no events currently

Saskatchewan Aug. 27: Spruce River Folk Festival, Spruce River Farm, sk.mcc.org/aborigialneighbours Oct. 1: Ride for Refuge fundraising bike ride in support of newcomer families and sponsorship groups, Saskatoon, sk.mcc. org/rideforrefuge

Manitoba Sept. 8: EMC Missionary Recognition Supper for retired and current missionaries, Heartland Community Church, Landmark, 204-326-6401, greimer@emconf.ca, www. emconference.ca Oct. 1: Inter-Mennonite Chaplaincy Association dessert coffee house, Fort Garry EMC, 602 Pasadena Ave, Winnipeg, www.emconference.ca Oct. 13–15: 21st Winnipeg Prophecy Conference, “But whom say ye that I am?” Portage Avenue Church, Winnipeg, 204-888-7270, www.wpgpc.org

Pan Am Games – Guadalajara, Mexico: October 14–30, 2011 From October 10 to November 7, 2011, a short-term evangelistic team will be joining our Guadalajara Church Planting Team to serve in outreach ministries during the Pan American Games. The team includes Nicaraguans, Mexicans, and Canadians, partnering together as God enables.

“Lord, would you empower this team, unifying them despite the different cultures, giving them joy as they serve in Jesus’ name. We invite you to open the hearts of the people of Guadalajara to receive your grace, love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Thank you for your prayers!

32

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

Oct. 14: Going Barefoot communicators’ conference, keynote speaker: John Stackhouse, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg Oct. 21–22: Anti-Modern Pathways: Horse and Buggy Mennonites in Canada, Belize and Latin America, hosted by the Chair in Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg, mennonitestudies.uwinnipeg.ca

Ontario no events currently

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.

Youth work Mennville EMC and Riverton Gospel Chapel (EMC), in Manitoba’s Interlake region, seek a full-time youth pastor for a joint youth group. Candidate should have strengths in relationship building and have an ability to plan a comprehensive youth program. Contact Paul Peters at 204-378-2740 or paulhecla@yahoo.com.

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 two-person 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.

Other opportunities Countess Place, a residential group home for teen girls in Portage la Prairie, Man., is looking for energetic, motivated Christ followers to serve as group home workers. Live your faith as you serve girls aged 12–17, their friends, community, and other young adults (ages 15–25) who drop in. CP is a Christian non-profit organization that runs a group home licensed by the province of Manitoba.

Be the hands of Jesus in all aspects of their care.

Join the team as we program for their activities, life skills training, education plan, spiritual journey and community building.

Currently the schedule is being modified to include full-time, part-time, weekends, or nights.

Minimum requirements are to have or obtain a current driver’s license, criminal record check, child abuse registry check, level “C” first aid.

Be paid to minister; wages based on experience. This will stretch you and test your faith.

Come prepared to be challenged and grow in your understanding of the faithfulness of God (http:// countessplace.webplus.net/index.html).

Contact: Donna Moman, countessplace@ gmail.com.

Mennonite Foundation of Canada, a donor-advised charitable foundation established in 1974 to promote financial stewardship from a Christian perspective, is seeking a communications strategist.

The communications strategist will report to the MFC Executive Director and will plan, direct, and coordinate the communications strategy of MFC. This will involve developing promotional products and services, making recommendations

with respect to product positioning, managing the marketing budget, and providing market research and analysis. Key communications vehicles and channels currently in use include: brand style guide, website, denominational periodical correspondence, electronic newsletter, workbooks, and an annual report.

For a full list of qualifications, go to www.mennofoundation.ca/about-us/careers.

MFC offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Resumes will be considered in the order received as sent to: Darren Pries-Klassen, Executive Director, Mennonite Foundation of Canada, 4-595 Carlton St, St Catherines, ON L2M 4Y2, E-mail: dpklassen@mennofoundation.ca.

Red Rock Bible Camp has two year-round positions available in our food services department: food services manager and an assistant food service manager.

Training or experience in the food services industry is preferred, but we are willing to train the right individual. Agreement with the camp’s mission and statement of faith is necessary.

The successful applicant must be service oriented, work well with people and be a team player.

Housing, partial board salary, medical and dental benefits provided.

Send resume to Red Rock Bible Camp, 204320 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z1 or kim@ redrockbiblecamp.com.

The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards and ministries; interMennonite 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.

Nicaragua special projects

Would your church or family like to contribute to a special project for the church conference in Nicaragua? Here are four projects to choose from that the Board of Missions gives to annually (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 more information contact EMC foreign secretary Ken Zacharias, 204-326-6401 or kzacharias@emconf.ca.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

33

window on missions

by Gerald Reimer greimer@emconf.ca

Part one: A new generation reaches out in creative ways

34

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

with technology, some of them are actually doing that.”

And they are doing this with or without their parents’ generation.

While at times it comes across as disloyalty, the truth is they just like to do their own thing.

They want to serve in new ways and take ministry to new levels, not worrying too much about what others have done before them.

Today’s young adult listens to other people’s stories, searches out for needs and opportunities of interest, participates in a variety

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

I

f ever there was an exciting time to be alive, this generation is living in it!

Jesus is alive, His Word is applicable, and His Spirit is active. Opportunities for service are increasing and a new generation has more resources than ever before.

In response to the Great Commission, our service as ambassadors to the “message of reconciliation” is both counter-cultural and relevant, something this generation values.

The vast majority within this generation of young adults hope to experience and graduate from university someday. According to a new Barna Group Study, What Teens Aspire to Do in Life: How Churches Can Help (barna.org), half are interested in a science-related profession and one-fifth in a creative field.

They’re also on the move, studying and serving abroad at an unprecedented rate. With TESOL degrees and social justice on their hearts, they are demonstrating a commitment to make a difference.

David Kinnaman, the Barna researcher who directed the study, comments that “today’s teens have huge aspirations in life and a great deal of self-confidence that is sometimes out of proportion with their abilities.

“Taught to believe they can accomplish anything at any time, many young people figure if they see a problem or a need, they can just start a new company or nonprofit to address it. And armed

of ministries, secures a livelihood through some mainstream education, discerns whether God is calling them to further service, and then occasionally inquires with their church leadership of their opinion, support, or partnership.

This is certainly a shift from their parents’ or grandparents’ generation. In the early years of our conference missions programs

people would, by-and-large, surrender to the call of God within the local church setting, submit to the leadership of the church, and then, in partnership, offer themselves in service to wherever the church said the need was greatest.

While I see weaknesses with the new model with regards to accountability, discernment and coaching from a wise and experienced body of believers, there is also strength.

No longer expected to “stay on the farm,” this generation is grabbing hold of life with freedom.

Travel is affordable; immigration means new cultures are not so

Today’s young people want to serve in new ways and take ministry to new levels, not worrying too much about what others have done before them.

confusing; a diverse education and skill-set allows visas to every corner of the planet; and staying connected back home is technologically possible, to mention just a few.

They have a small but faithful support base back home; their peers keep the funds coming. Stories of lives changed inspire and generate further involvement from those within their circles.

So how can the old and new models work together to accomplish the Great Commission?

stewardship today

by Dori Zerbe Cornelsen

Why give?

It is often the most vulnerable whose stories of generosity jump out at us from the pages of the Bible.

I

PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM

n early December The Globe and Mail reported that the number of Canadians making charitable donations has dropped, the average age of donors has risen to 53 and the total amount donated to charity has fallen in the last two years.

Shortly after this, they ran a series on the future of faith in Canada, concluding that Canada is quickly becoming a secular nation. Are these two news items linked?

Research from the Good Works Company, donor research consultants, shows that four out of five donors give as an extension of their spiritual beliefs.

Perhaps for some, giving might be based on a sense of guilt or obligation, as if God requires a head tax from each of us. There are, though, infinitely more positive motivators to give for those of us who are Christians.

In the ministry of facilitating financial generosity, Mennonite Foundation of Canada uses four statements to inspire our work: God owns, we manage. The Bible teaches that God created a wonderful world but never gives up ownership (Psalm 24:1). What an incredible privilege we are given as stewards responsible to manage all aspects of God’s household.

This means that God places incredible trust in us to use the resources provided for us with care.

We give from what God entrusts to us in the first place.

God is generous. When Paul writes to Timothy about finances and the church, Paul’s words are that we are not to put our “hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17).

For those of us who think that God works within an austerity plan, we may need to remember God’s provision for our enjoyment. When we give, we act like our generous God. God asks for our whole selves. Modern life is based on the idea that we should have separate compartments for the pieces of our lives: work, family, leisure, religion, and so on. Because of this, we may assume that our financial lives and church don’t belong together.

But it may just be that the way we spend our money is a mirror of our spiritual priorities.

Perhaps Jesus’ response to the rich ruler (Matthew 19:16ff) was to get him to see that eternal life is something that starts with living and giving right now.

God invites us to share.

There is constant expression of concern in the Bible that the people of God must care for one another, especially for those who are most vulnerable. It is often the most vulnerable whose stories of generosity jump out at us from the pages of the Bible.

Paul says this was the case for the Macedonians who “out of their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity” (2 Corinthians 8). As Paul goes on writing to the church in Corinth, he suggests that their acts of service and generosity prove that their confession of the gospel of Christ is true (9:12). We too can give in whatever our circumstances.

Why do you give?

Dori Zerbe Cornelsen is a stewardship consultant in Mennonite Foundation of Canada’s Winnipeg, Man., office. 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.

THE MESSENGER | August 2011

35

kids’ corner

by Loreena Thiessen

What you need: Camera, drawing paper, pencil, food crumbs (such as cookie crumbs), sugary liquid (like apple juice or orange juice—kool aid may work too), margarine lid, a sunny afternoon.

An ant lesson

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

W

alk along a sidewalk, or across a driveway and look down. What do you see?

Ants! Big ants, smaller ants, black ants, brown ants, reddish ants.

Their feet are moving fast.

They’re in a hurry. Where are they going? Maybe you can find out.

Choose one ant and watch it for awhile. Most ants travel only 700 feet, or 200 meters, from their home.

Another way ants communicate is by sending out a scent, a chemical, called a pheromone, which other ants understand. For example, if a large amount of food is discovered an ant will deposit a food pheromone on the ground in a trail which will lead others to it. When the food is gone the pheromone disappears.

Another kind of pheromone,

How do ants communicate?

They do not talk, but they do have a detailed language.

The ant may be heading home, or it may be looking for something, like food. Keep your eye on the ant!

Don’t step on it!

Is another ant coming toward it? What do they do? Do they stop to chat, exchange bits of news? Can they do that? Yes, they can!

How do ants communicate?

They do not talk, but they do have a detailed language.

They talk by movement and by smell. When they meet, one ant will give the other one information by rubbing its antennae and front legs on its friend.

They touch each other to get their attention and to pass on any news. Their legs have special hairs that sense vibrations or movement more easily.

36 THE MESSENGER | August 2011

Activity: Follow an ant.

or scent, is one that warns others of danger. This is called an alarm pheromone.

The alarm pheromone tells others that danger is near; it calls other ants to fight or to flee, to avoid harm to themselves or to their homes.

Take small steps alongside the ant. You may follow it to an earth mound in the grass where it might disappear into a tunnel far underground; ant tunnels can be several feet long.

It is in the tunnels that a colony, a family of ants, lives. In the colony there are many different kinds of ants where they function like a community.

Most of the ants are workers; they clean out waste, take care of the young, and they dig to expand their nest home. They also collect food, and protect their home.

What to do: Find an ant or several.

Look on the sidewalk, driveway, or grass.

Place food crumbs or sugary liquid in a shallow margarine tub lid.

Watch the ant; does it notice the food? Does it eat the food? Does it take the food and carry it away?

If you can, follow the ant. Does it go home? Does it tell another ant?

Record your discovery. Take a picture of it with a camera. Draw what you see. Write down in steps what you did, what the ant did.

Share your findings with someone who likes ants.

Only one ant is the queen.

She is in charge. She lays eggs.

Sometimes she starts a new colony.

This is her only job.

A few ants are males. Their only job is to mate with the queen so she can lay eggs.

Are ants important? Yes they are. Ants scatter seeds as they move about.

They eat insects, like flies and caterpillars. They eat dead bugs.

And their digging improves the soil and helps plants grow.

God points out the ant in Proverbs 6:6 and in Proverbs 30:25.

We learn from the ant that although it is tiny, it keeps busy and continues to do its job making its home run well.

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 Registration #09914