MB Herald September 2013

W W W. M B H E R A L D.CO M

S E P T E M B E R 2 013

HUMAN SEXUALITY: Honouring God with the body

Will you come to our wedding?... + other questions around same-sex relationships

10 TIPS FOR

back-to-school missionaries Volume 52, No. 9 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297

What makes a back-to-school missionary?

SAM DICK

I

t’s back-to-school time. New clothes, new pencils, new gadgets.

Reconnecting with your BFFs and saying TTFN to summer. So, is anyone thinking about being a BTSM (backto-school missionary)?

One guy is. A 15-year-old student emailed me, asking how to prepare to be a missionary while in high school.

I dug around a little, and it turns out there are plenty of other students who are serious about making a difference on their campuses. So, here are some tips.

1. Don’t wait. If you want to be a

missionary after high school, then try acting like one in high school.

There’s no magic pill that makes you more courageous after grad. Courage comes from embracing the challenge now, and seeing the lunch room or your sports team as your God-given mission field.

2. Read Do Hard Things by

Brett and Alex Harris. I read this book a couple of years ago. It challenged me back then, and still influences me today. Courage will come from reading the stories of teens who put down the PS3 controller for an hour or two and did hard things for Jesus.

3. Grow in character. My brother

Thom has been a youth pastor for years. He says most Christian youth need work on these areas: radical purity; respect for authority; humility; radical commitment to church; and radical commitment to orthodoxy.

4. Read a little more. Read a missionary blog or a missionary biography. The Christian Heroes

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series by YWAM Publishing is a great place to start.

5. Develop compassion. Befriend someone who has no friends. Serve with a local mission organization or participate in service projects in your city to learn about the justice issues they address. Spend time with people who love the needy – which could mean volunteering to stuff envelopes or sort clothing with them.

6. Serve in your church. Strange

as it sounds, teaching a Sunday school class of five-year-olds to love the nations will probably do more for your own development than theirs. Join a mission committee or play guitar on a worship team. Say, “I love this church.

I need this church. Someday, they might send me to another country as a missionary.”

7. Support a missionary. Could

you find $5 per month to support a missionary family? It will shape your heart and connect you to God’s mission more than you can imagine.

8. Pray for a missionary. Pray on

your own while waiting for the bus, or gather some friends for group prayer at lunch hour. If you like, use the daily prayer guide posted on the MB Mission website.

9. Practise sensitivity to Jesus.

Ask yourself daily, “What are you doing around me, Lord?”

“How should I respond to what

you’re doing?” Write down your answers in a journal. Writing forces us to distinguish our own thoughts and prayers from the Holy Spirit’s voice.

10. Get ready to be mocked. It’s true. Today, students are scorned for their faith in Jesus, especially when they’re seen loving the least popular kids. However, their love for the least popular is Jesus’ way of developing passion for least-reached nations.

Allow me to salute you, as you learn to become a back-to-school missionary. (And, just so you know, the tips in this article are the same things that keep my own passion for mission alive.) G4I! Sam Dick is the North American mobilization coordinator for MB Mission. This piece originally appeared on Sam’s blog at www.samdick.org.

FEATURES 10 Will you officiate our wedding?

How one pastor tackles questions about same-sex relationships –John Neufeld

13 An orientation for single sexuality: The “do’s”of purity –Karla Braun

14 You don’t know them!

Christians and gays with a different story –Paul Esau

16 Moving beyond “The Talk” Teaching kids about sex –Compiled by Angeline Schellenberg

COLUMNS 4 Editorial It’s a new day: Discerning a way forward together –Laura Kalmar CONFERENCE NEWS

9 Outfront Sex: It’s not all about me –Willy Reimer

19 Text message Genesis 17:1–2, 15–17 The God who can bend nature –Marvin Dyck

22 Viewpoint Religion in Canada: De-Christianization continues apace –John G. Stackhouse

39 Intersection of faith and life Unfinished business with John Howard Yoder –Sara Wenger Shenk

DEPARTMENTS 5 Letters 6 Homepage 20 News in brief 24 News in story 31 Transitions, births, weddings, baptisms

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MBHerald TWITTER twitter.com/MB_Herald WEBSITE mbherald.com JOBS jobs.mbherald.com PDF SUBSCRIPTION Email kbraun@mbconf.ca to subscribe via email

32 Finish lines [Obituaries] 36 Crosscurrents

Cover: Big Stock Photo MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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Editorial It’s a new day Discerning a way forward together L AUR A K ALMAR

is a kairos moment!” We’re “This rather fond of this phrase

in evangelical circles. Kairos is a Greek word meaning the “right or opportune time.” When we use the term, we’re saying the moment is God-ordained, special. It carries more weight than regular, chronological time.

Next month’s study conference on human sexuality has the potential to be a kairos moment in the life of the Mennonite Brethren denomination. The board of faith and life is providing space for us to engage in honest conversation around a topic that’s bringing things to a tipping point in North American culture.

For some participants, the conversation will centre around our confession of faith. For others, it will be about justice and hospitality. For many, it will be deeply personal and even painful.

The topic of human sexuality is broad and the study conference will only be able to skim the surface of much of it. However, the matter of same-sex relationships will undoubtedly receive attention. Within the North American Christian community, several significant ministries have revolutionized the way they operate in regard to this subject. Gone are the days of religious tirades against homosexuality. Enter a new era of generosity, grace, and reconciliation.

Apologies and new directions Gay reparative therapy – the idea that homosexuality can be “cured,” and sexual orientation can be changed through religious ministry or therapy – has come under intense public scrutiny. The American Psychological Association says that “such efforts have serious potential to harm young people because they present the view that 4

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the sexual orientation of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth is a mental illness or disorder.”

In June 2013, Exodus International, an interdenominational ministry and leading proponent of reparative therapy, closed its doors.

President Alan Chambers issued an apology: “I am sorry for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced. I am sorry that some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt you felt when your attractions didn’t change. I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents.”

New Direction Ministries of Canada, led by Wendy Gritter, also experienced significant change.

In 2010, New Direction moved from being an ex-gay ministry to a bridge-builder in the midst of diversity around faith and sexuality.

“Our theological and ethical positions are important,” states New Direction’s website, “but if they are held without love, we are nothing but a clanging gong and resounding cymbal.”

New Direction now embraces a philosophy of “generous spaciousness,” encouraging people to engage in a non-anxious manner “with robust faith that God can be trusted with one another’s lives.”

New Direction promotes safe conversation in order to deepen Christian faith, unity, and witness.

The ministry openly brands itself as an advocate for those outside the heterosexual mainstream.

Even Focus on the Family, known for its strong stance against homosexual behaviour, has nuanced its message.

“We’ve created an animosity,” says president Jim Daly in a March 2013 New York Times article. “We’ve

said we hate the sin and love the sinner. But when you peel it back, sometimes we hated the sinner, too. And that’s not the gospel.”

“Sexual sin is not the ‘worst’ sin there is,” writes Focus on the Family’s Bob Wilson, director of Emmaus Ministries, a ministry for those struggling with homosexuality. “First and foremost, a person practising homosexuality is a person. He or she is a human being with feelings, intelligence, hopes and fears, abilities, strengths and weaknesses, just like you. And, more importantly, this individual was created by God and is dearly loved by him.”

A positive message All this points to an effort by the church to invite broader dialogue and interaction. And it brings us back to October’s study conference, where the board of faith and life is encouraging dialogue around a biblical view of human sexuality.

It will be a kairos moment for us, a time when Scripture, culture, and community meet.

In the end, we will be reminded that sex – in all its complexity and controversy – is a wonderful thing. In the words of Anne Krabill Hershberger and Willard S. Krabill: “The church should have a truly Christian attitude in educating about sexuality, in our witness to the world, and in our practice. Of all people, we as believers ought to have the most positive attitude toward our bodies and toward our sexuality. We are the ones who know the God who made them.

We who know God should best reflect the true nature of human sexuality.”

LETTERS What itching ears want to hear Re “Film on hot topic questions actions arising from belief ” (Crosscurrents, July). I am writing concerning Kevin Miller’s film Hellbound? I’m deeply concerned that it’s been showing in one of our MB churches.

My wife and I saw the movie. From a production perspective, I would give it a high rating.

However, from a theological perspective, it was traumatically unsettling. Hellbound? tears away the validity and authority of Scripture. The underlying argument seems to be “If God is a God of love, he really couldn’t have prepared a hell to punish sinners.” However, the Bible has as much to say about God’s wrath, justice, and judgment as it does about his love.

The movie also promotes the universalism of salvation. But if everyone gets to heaven, we could dispense with evangelism and missions!

Reviewer Adrienne Lloyd says that “Hellbound? offers a fantastic starting point from which to explore this topic.” I believe it’s more important to start teaching the fundamentals of the subject in our churches. Or are we afraid to?

I’m deeply concerned that, according to 2 Timothy 4:3, we are in a time when we cannot endure sound doctrine and are heaping up for ourselves teachers who will satisfy our itching ears. If the Scriptures are too threatening, we find ways to make them more palatable. Hellbound? does that.

ART ISAAC ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

Outside our confession of faith?

Re “Film on hot topic questions actions arising from belief” (Crosscurrents, July).

It’s disappointing that Adrienne Lloyd’s glowing review of the movie Hellbound? was published in the Herald. Hellbound? is a film that – by its story arc and editing – clearly argues for Christian universalism in the guise of an even-handed documentary. The film’s editing takes cheap shots at those who hold a traditional view of hell, and this is worthy of a nuanced critique.

However, the greater issue for Mennonite Brethren is that this film preaches universalism as being within the bounds of Christian orthodoxy.

The argument made in Hellbound? stands in opposition to the MB Confession of Faith, which is clear regarding hell: “All those who have rejected Christ will be condemned to hell, forever separated from the presence of God” (Article 18). The commentary on the Confession of Faith elaborates on the topic, and is evidence the MB position has been

patiently and carefully thought through. The MB Herald shouldn’t be promoting doctrines outside our agreed-upon Confession.

GREG HARRIS ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions presented by Crosscurrents media reviewers are their own and not necessarily those of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren church as a whole. Please see page 36 for Greg Harris’ review of Hellbound? in this month’s Herald.

Jesus is more than a relic Re “Catholics need to hear gospel” (Letters, July).

I agree with Réginald Fauteux’s letter to the editor [which stated, “Roman Catholics are in dire need of hearing the gospel, and knowing the Christ of Scripture.”] Having travelled and worked extensively throughout the world, I have come to the conclusion my focus must be on my relationship with Jesus Christ (John 14:6). When he’s not recognized, he becomes just a relic or symbol, and we have nothing but empty religion.

JACOB PENNER WINNIPEG

Catholics and evangelism Re “Catholics need to hear gospel” (Letters, July).

Réginald Fauteux’s letter asserts that Catholics need to hear the gospel. I concur. What evangelicals may not know is the evangelistic impulse within Catholicism.

Pope Francis has said, “If we don’t proclaim Jesus Christ, something is wrong.” His comments are consistent with the New Evangelization initiated by John Paul II. Within the Catholic Catechism, evangelical-sounding statements are common. “From this loving knowledge of Christ springs the desire to proclaim him, to ‘evangelize’ and to lead others to the ‘yes’ of faith in Jesus Christ.” And of late, we have the publication of Evangelical Catholicism by the Catholic writer George Weigel.

Catholics need to hear the gospel, as is true of all of humanity. Initiatives will vary. Given their evangelistic impulse, one approach is to work collaboratively with Catholics. Yes, differences exist, but evangelicals, in the context of genuine relationship, have something to offer the Catholic community: a passion for evangelism.

Any serious vision to influence our nation for Christ must factor in the Catholic community. A minimum would be an understanding of Catholic thinking and practices, critical to informed faith conversations. Another is to build bridges to the Catholic community.

HARRY STRAUSS SASKATOON

continued on page 8

Letters to the editor Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters of 150–200 words on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please include name, address and phone number, and keep your letters courteous and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is subject to space limitations. Letters also appear online. Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren church. Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6, or by email to mbherald@mbconf.ca.

SEPTEMBER 2013 Mennonite Brethren Herald is published monthly by the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, primarily for the use of its members, to build a Canadian MB community of faith. We seek to 1) share the life and story of the church by nurturing relationships among members and engaging in dialogue and reflection; 2) teach and equip for ministry by reflecting MB theology, values and heritage, and by sharing the good news; 3) enable communication by serving conference ministries and informing our members about the church and the world. However, the opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the church as a whole.

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

Winner of Canadian Church Press and Evangelical Press Association awards for Writing, Design, and Illustration: 1996–2012.

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Staff Laura Kalmar editor Karla Braun associate editor Audrey Plew designer Helga Kasdorf circulation + advertising Angeline Schellenberg copy editor Barrie McMaster B.C. regional correspondent CANADIAN CONFERStacey Weeks Ontario regional correspondent Advisory Council: Helen Rose Pauls, B.C. Brad Sumner, B.C. Gil Dueck, Sask.

Sabrina Wiens, Ont. Volume 52, Number 9 • Copy run: 16,000 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD IS A PUBLICATION OF

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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homepage

PHOTO: SARAH ADAMS

Syrian children carry heavy load

When Syrian children return to school this fall, many will carry a weight much heavier than a backpack. They remember fleeing their homes while bombing, shelling, shooting, and raids happened around them. They think of family members and neighbours who died. Some worry that they won’t have a place to live. Others won’t be able to attend school because there’s no school available or their families are running out of money.

Getting children into school is the most positive way to help refugees and displaced children within Syria to cope, said the Rev. Paul Haidostian, president of Haigazian University in Beirut and partner of MCC Lebanon. Mennonite Central Committee’s partners in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon have distributed more than 75,000 school kits, and MCC has supported after-school educational programs, summer camps, and special events specifically for children.—Linda Espenshade, MCC new coordinator

Daughter’s death kindles mother’s passion to learn and serve lsie Sithebe knew nothing about the virus that killed her daughter. But the pain kindled a fierce determination to learn more about HIV/AIDS, and tell others so they wouldn’t have to suffer as she had.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” said Sithebe. “I didn’t know what to do when somebody is sick. I was just scared of infection. I said to myself, ‘I still have other children behind, so how can I help them?’”

At the time, information about HIV was scarce, despite its increasing prevalence in South Africa. Local hospitals were seeing an influx of patients, resulting in less than adequate treatment. Sithebe began educating herself and others.

Twelve years later, Sithebe is the project manager of Helping Hand, a community-based organization in Tembisa, a township of Johannesburg. With mentoring from Unsung Heroes, a partner organization of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Helping Hand has developed into a full clinic with more than 25 staff who focus on intervention and treatment for HIV/AIDS, and care for orphans and vulnerable children.—Lucas Klassen, intern, MCC southern Africa 6

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PHOTO: MCC

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(From left) Phumzile Malaza, administrator; Monica Chiloane, program supervisor; Albina Maleka, project nurse; Elsie Sithebe, project leader

MCC releases new resource to combat pornography

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hotrulie pe ths

coming events

oinciding with next month’s study conference, Mennonite Central Committee will release a new booklet on the topic of sexual addiction, Pornography: Lies, Truth and Hope. Replacing MCC’s 2005 pamphlet, Pornography: The Secret Sin, the new resource (both by Linda PO R NOGRA P H Y Gehman Peachey) addresses the LIES, TRUTH AND HOPE changing face of addiction over the last decade.

“MCC is uniquely situated to see that pornography is a moral issue, it’s a personal sin issue, but we also see the structural consequences,” says MCC restorative justice coordinator Stephen Siemens. “Working with survivors of domestic violence, or men who abuse as well, pornography is something that is almost assumed. It’s a kind of gateway to a lot of more dysfunctional actions.”

The new pamphlet addresses this gateway nature of pornography addiction, as well as recognizing that it’s no longer only a “man’s problem.” Peachey creates an accessible resource for both men and women struggling with pornography, and for churches looking for guidance in learning about and dealing with the consequences of addiction.

“How can the kingdom of God move forcefully through men and women, young people, and families if we are suffocating in lust and pornography?” says Siemens. “How will the people of God hear the majestic and powerful voice of the Holy Spirit – who breaks strongholds and shatters injustice – when we are addicted to pornography?”

The pamphlet will be available at all MCC Canada offices in early October, and a PDF version will be available for download online.

—Paul Esau, CCMBC and MB Herald intern

On the go: MB Herald digital edition now available on

Conference events: Sept. 24–26: C2C Assessment Centre, Église Chrétienne Évangélique De Saint-Eustache, Que. Oct. 6–8: SKMB pastoral retreat, Dallas Valley Ranch Camp, Sask.

Oct. 6–8: ABMB pastor & spouse retreat, Best Western Pocaterra Inn, Canmore, Alta.

Oct. 7–9: Camp director’s gathering, Vancouver.

Oct. 16–18: BFL study conference, River West Christian Church, Edmonton.

Oct. 22–24: C2C Assessment Centre, Vancouver.

Nov. 4–7: National church planters retreat, Ottawa.

Mar. 7–8, 2014: Assembly 2014, MBCM convention, Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg.

Mar. 14–15, 2014: SKMB convention, Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.

Mar. 21–22, 2014: ABMB convention, River West Christian Church, Edmonton.

Apr. 1–2, 2014: C2C church multiplication conference.

June 2014: PCO, ACTS Seminaries, Langley, B.C. June 2014: Gathering 2014, Vancouver Partner events: Sept. 6–7: MCC Festival for World Relief, Abbotsford, B.C. Sept. 27–28: Fall Festival, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg.

Sept. 28: Mennonite Fall Fair, Prince George, B.C. Oct. 5: ETEM-IBVIE graduation, Montreal.

Nov. 1–2: Fall Theatre “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” Bethany College.

Nov. 19–21: Momentum: Start.Build.Sustain, Church Planting Congress, The Meeting House, Oakville, Ont. Jul. 17–19, 2015: Mennonite World Conference Global Youth Summit, Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, Pa. July 21–26, 2015: Assembly 16 Mennonite World Conference, Harrisburg, Penn.

View more events from churches, schools, and agencies at www.mbherald.com/coming-events.

STAFF TRANSITION This month, we bid farewell to our Ontario correspondent, Stacey Weeks, as she and her husband Kevin embark on a new career path.

We’ve appreciated Stacey’s caring and enthusiastic coverage of Ontario church stories. We wish her God’s blessings for the future, and hope she’ll appear from time to time in our pages as a freelance writer.—Eds.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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Conference news LETTERS continued from page 5 with

THE BODY

Exercising righteous anger Re “‘Let the little children come to me’” (Essay, July). Thank you, Pierre, for bringing up the subject of abortion and the unspeakable horrors that occur in abortuaries. We, the church, do not seem to care much about the 100,000 murders of pre-infants every year in Canada.

We don’t demand that our government enact legislation (Canada currently has no legislation on abortion) to at least curb abortion, if not end it. We can’t even be bothered to give one hour one Sunday a year to hold a sign, pray, and be a silent witness against abortion at the Life Chain event held every fall.

We need more prodding by people like Pierre who are in positions of influence in the MB community to move this issue from the back burner. Say what you will about Catholics; the pro-life movement would be virtually nonexistent without them! Abortion is not a denominational issue. All believers should be righteously angry about this incredible evil in our midst.

Wouldn’t Jesus speak out against children being sacrificed to gods of expediency and selfishness? Sometimes pregnancies are tough.

Sometimes life is tough. Sometimes speaking the truth is tough. Keep doing it, Pierre.

preferences of everyone? That’s the reason worship is a “war”: because of unwise and inconsiderate action by an individual or group.

If we are truly Christians and peacemakers instead of dictators, we can reach a compromise that will appease both sides of the issue.

Lilli Kehler, in the same issue of the Herald, showed great wisdom in defining the problem. Every church would do well to consider what she says, and plan their music and worship accordingly.

of time, talent, and treasure.

Encouraging Christ-centred stewardship A STUDY ON HUMAN SEXUALITY M E N N O N I T E

B R E T H R E N

STUDY CONFERENCE 2013 River West Christian Christian Church Church River West Edmonton, Alberta October 16–18, 2013 Edmonton, Alberta mennonitebrethren.ca October 16–18, 2013

MEL PETERS SASKATOON

Bending God’s natural laws?

Re “Were Adam and Eve real?” (Letters, May).

I am puzzled by how many within our faith community base their faith on the literal interpretation of the Bible. Doing so makes not only us, but God, look less intelligent and out of touch with the scientific reality he created.

For example, which of the two creation stories in Genesis do we take literally? And how do we approach the story of God stopping the sun so Israel could destroy an army to the last man? With the knowledge of the universe we have today, can we imagine the catastrophe resulting from such an action?

We need to read the Bible carefully, not blindly. It is full of good lessons, but taken literally can keep us on a slippery slope that leads to unnecessary clashes between blind faith and spiritual and intellectual integrity.

God created this world based on dependable natural and moral laws. We dare not bend them to suit an exclusive faith that mitigates the love he encourages us to show one another.

(Psalm 24:1 NIV)

in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

Engage the “The earth is the Lord’s and everything study conference DON SZOSTAK ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

discussion via social media MBHerald mbconf MB_Herald

#ccmbcevents

Stewardship Ministries

studyconference. mennonitebrethren.ca

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No need to be extraordinary Re “In defence of ordinary” (Editorial, July).

I was heartened by Laura Kalmar’s editorial.

The pull of culture to be extraordinary is not one we should embrace. As she points out, it’s a pull toward narcissism, to make it all about me.

Shame researcher Brene Brown, in looking at narcissism, writes: “I see the shame-based fear of being ordinary. I see the fear of never feeling extraordinary enough to be noticed, to be lovable, to belong, or to cultivate a sense of purpose.” As Christ followers, we don’t need to be extraordinary to be loved and belong.

We are loved and we belong, not because of anything we do, but because of God’s lavish gift of grace. So thanks, Laura, for the important reminder to give God our ordinary lives.

MARK FRIESEN WINNIPEG

Dictators in the church Re “Generation vs. generation: Is it really about the music?” (Crosscurrents, June). How can one person or group force things on the majority without considering the needs and

RUDY AND ELSIE SIEMENS ST. CATHARINES, ONT.

Theistic evolution is a compromise Re “Were Adam and Eve real?” (Letters, May). The increasing practice of “selective truths” from Scripture by evangelicals is reflected in the words of Gary Wiebe recommending that we ought not to “explain our origins based on Genesis.” When honest scientific research starts with the premise of Genesis 1–11, it’s vastly more balanced and believable than the total lack of evidence provided by atheistic evolution theories. And to compromise with atheists by hypothesizing about theistic evolution is an insult to the gospel message that begins with Genesis.

DICK LEPPKY CHASE, B.C.

Outfront Sex: It’s not all about me W I L LY R E I M E R

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his October, Mennonite Brethren from across Canada will meet to reflect, study, pray, and discuss a biblical theology of human sexuality. It’s critical that we develop a robust theology of human sexuality in the face of pressure to conform to societal norms. As Mennonite Brethren “people of the Book,” we need to gather to let the Spirit of God speak through the Word of God on this critical issue. We cannot allow our attitudes to be dictated by society or legislation, but instead must establish our foundation on the timeless Word of God, and communicate in the spirit of Christ.

for your partner is a foreign concept to many young adults. At times, it’s easier to explain the merits of abstaining from sex outside of marriage to those who claim no personal faith than those who do.

We deserve what we want?

In January, I attended a theology of human sexuality conference put on by the Evangelical Free Church of America. At one lecture, professor of moral philosophy (Union University) Ben Mitchell referred to Roger Kimball’s work on the impact of the 1960s cultural revolution. He observed that the narcissistic hedonism of that time

followers have also succumbed to the idea that we “deserve” what we want. We think somehow God is unjust and unloving if he deprives us of our wants. We object to the thought of sexual self-denial for a greater good, so we adapt our faith perspective to suit personal opinions and desires.

Encouraging Christ-centred stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.

Self-gratification has become our culture’s standard of what is good, so we think anything that inhibits us from getting what we want is wrong.

A biblical foundation The body of Christ needs a biblical sexual ethic that is rooted in a strong and clear Christology rather than driven by legalism, fear, or political correctness.

The church has failed to articulate the biblical foundation out of which our actions flow. Even when we know what we’re not supposed to do, we don’t know why. We understand the call to live by Jesus’ ethic, but we don’t know how to reconcile that calling with the societal push to limitless freedom of expression and the sense of entitlement that assumes our bodies are ours to do with as we please. The biblical call to honour God and each other with our sexual behaviour is lost in the multitude of voices calling our countercultural sexual ethic “repressed behaviour” in need of emancipation.

The upcoming study conference is critical to our faith community’s understanding of a biblical sexual ethic – but not for the reason some believe. Many Christians are looking for a biblical response to homosexuality, but my greater concern is that we articulate a biblical theology that is the foundation for all sexual behaviour. While homosexuality is front-and-centre in today’s media, the reality is that unbiblical heterosexual behaviour is having a much greater impact on our relationships. My hope is that our fall study conference will help us articulate our identity in Christ, which in turn will guide how we live, lead, and minister.

(Psalm 24:1 NIV)

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

has become the prevailing assumption in our society today.

Self-gratification has become our culture’s standard of what is good, so we think anything that constrains or inhibits us from getting what we want is wrong. “In the modern view, unbridled personal freedom is the only good to be pursued; any obstacle to it is a problem to be overcome,” writes English author and psychiatrist Anthony Daniels. “The only permissible judgment in polite society is that no judgment is permissible.”

For the past 50 years, North Americans have been shaped by the idea that self-gratification is the path the happiness. Sociologists tell us that a defining mark of the emerging generations is that the greatest sin is to deny oneself anything, particularly sexually. “When it comes to sex, it must be the case that if you are unhappy, you are not getting what you want,” writes Daniels. It seems Christ

Stewardship Ministries

Several experiences have framed this for me.

A number of years ago, showering up after working out at the local YMCA, I had one of those unexpected “aha” moments.

There were men of all ages in the large shower room. The older men were naked, unconcerned with those around them; the teenagers were showering in their bathing suits, very conscious that someone may be watching. The older men spoke about issues and events, while the teenagers talked about their sexual exploits. The striking contrast was that these young men were completely indiscreet in their conversation, yet obviously uncomfortable in their own skin.

Over the past 20 years, as I have walked young couples through marriage prep sessions, I’ve observed little distinction in premarital sexual practices between Christians and non-Christians.

That abstinence is an expression of love

Willy Reimer is CCMBC executive director and lives in Calgary with his family.

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“WILL YOU OFFICIATE OUR WEDDING?”

How one pastor tackles questions about same-sex relationships

JOHN NEUFELD

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t was my fifth week as lead pastor at The Meeting Place, Winnipeg. Every face was a new face, every story a new story. A young man named Paul* approached me after the Sunday service, beaming, “Pastor John, I got engaged yesterday evening! Would you officiate our wedding?”

After I congratulated him, he continued, “I want you to meet my fiancé. He’s in town

for the weekend.” I guess you could say I was surprised.

Serving in a downtown church, I find that questions about sexuality are at the core of many pastoral care and theological discussions. And more than a few of those discussions revolve around same-sex questions.

The following are just a few comments I’ve heard from people seeking to follow Jesus and trying to engage the reality of homosexuality. Their experiences are often isolating and lonely; their desire for meaningful conversation is real and urgent.

Q My son is getting married to his male

partner. I love my son, and his fiancé is a great guy. But I don’t approve. Should I go to the wedding?

Q Can I be gay and still be a Christian?

Q I’m a surrogate mother for a gay couple.

The three of us would like to participate in parent/child dedication together. What do we have to do?

Q I’m lesbian. I want to start a family with

my partner and I want this church to be my home. If it becomes known, will I (and my kids) still be welcomed and accepted?

Q I used to be involved in the gay lifestyle.

I’m HIV-positive and my health is deteriorating; I’m scared. Could you anoint me with oil and pray for me?

Q My son just told me he’s been receiving hormone therapy in preparation for a sex change. I’m so ashamed. What do I say to my son? What will people think about me as a parent?

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Q My dad is gay. I don’t really like

his partner, but they’re getting married, and he has asked me to stand up for him. I love my dad. What do I say at his wedding when I propose a toast to the groom?

Q My friends know I’m homosex-

ual. I’m celibate, but they all think I’m having sex with other guys. It’s frustrating to deal with their hurtful assumptions. Ironically, they don’t seem to have a problem with other Christian friends who aren’t married but live together.

Q I’ve known I was gay from

the time I was a kid – I’m only attracted to other men. But I want to be a dad. I want to raise a family. What should I do? I have close friends who are women, and some would like to date me. I’m so conflicted.

Q I’ve stopped coming to this

church because of its position on homosexuality. Many of my friends are gay and, based on your statement of faith, wouldn’t be welcome here.

Shaping our response How can we best engage these dilemmas faced by our friends, neighbours, and family members?

The following two questions can serve as filters and help shape the way we respond.

1. Who am I speaking with? Jesus

never approached people in the same way – he had different types of

conversations with different types of people. Jesus initiated missional conversations with a Samaritan woman (John 4) and a tax cheat (Luke 19); he called out the ethics of money changers (Matthew 21:12) and the hypocrisy of Pharisees (Matthew 23:13); and he challenged his disciples to live out a rigorous community ethic (John 17).

Sadly, I often fail to find the best questions or the right balance. Each of us seems to have a God-given “default setting” when it comes to choosing our voice. But our default settings don’t relieve us of the responsibility to consciously choose how and what we say. If our tendency is to offer compassion, are there times we should be more directive

What can we learn from the past about being loving, grace-giving, restorative Christian communities?

When I consider who I’m speaking with, I ask: Is this a missional conversation with a spiritually seeking person? Is it a conversation about biblical or confessional faithfulness?

Is it about relationship and community? When we participate in a conversation with someone, it’s critical to respect that person’s individual journey and spiritual commitments.

2. With what voice will I speak, and

what words will I offer? Will it be the voice and words of justice, grace, or mercy? How will I communicate biblical truths and offer compassion?

Jesus, of course, struck the perfect balance when choosing his voice and words. Often, it was his questions – rather than his answers – that connected God’s truth with people’s circumstances.

in our response? If we’re inclined to seek justice, are there times we should exercise more mercy?

They will know we are Christians by our love There are several challenges – and past mistakes – the church must face as we dialogue with people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community. These challenges and mistakes can taint the conversation and make it difficult for us to truly love our brothers and sisters. Here are some of my observations:

1. Many followers of Jesus – both heterosexual and homosexual – engage in sexual behaviours that aren’t subordinate to Christ.

Frankly, I’m more concerned

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about out-of-control heterosexual behaviours among apparently devoted followers of Christ than homosexual behaviours of spiritually seeking people.

Pornography and premarital sex are commonplace. Many couples take their relationship for a “test drive” by living together before they consider marriage. And some live together without ever having a serious conversation about marriage (except to say they “aren’t interested”). Perhaps we need to address heterosexual ethics more urgently than questions about homosexuality.

Jesus set a high bar for sexual conduct and relationship fidelity.

In Scripture, sex is a spiritual act, linked to a covenant relationship with another person. It’s meant to be profoundly unselfish. However, many of our sexual experiences disregard or discard the covenantal nature of sex. We’ve made it all about selffulfillment and self-expression. Sex has become a god we worship and to which we’re enslaved.

2. “Love the sinner; hate the sin.”

Christians routinely toss around this classic line. Although the phrase contains truth, it’s not what many gay or lesbian people experience. The discussion in the church tends to objectify our homosexual brothers and sisters, making honest conversation unsafe.

Since we use sexual orientation to construct personal identity, “love the sinner; hate the sin” is often experienced as “hate the person because of who they are.”

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3.

In some parts of the evangelical community, Christians construct a hierarchy of sinful behaviour.

Homosexuality has become the “unforgivable sin,” just as divorce/ remarriage and teenage pregnancy were unforgivable sins a few decades ago. This hierarchy can lead to social exclusion and a collection of secondclass citizens and outcasts. So, what can we learn from the past about being loving, grace-giving, restorative Christian communities?

Heterosexual people often implicitly (and sometimes explicitly) express an air of superiority toward homosexual people, as if to say “your sin is worse than mine.” Yet Scripture says that sin is sin; it separates us from God and each other.

4. As a church, we’ve failed to create

a powerful experience of community for those who are single. We marginalize unmarried people who desire healthy intimacy and experiences of significance within our congregations.

We devalue celibacy and abstinence as a valid choice for heterosexual or homosexual singles.

We are all sexual beings. Any conversation about human sexuality is personal. We’re also spiritual beings, so every conversation about spiritual things is personal. Are we addressing same-sex issues from this personal perspective? Are we mindful who we’re talking with? Are we willing to engage in challenging discussions?

Are we being honest about our own shortcomings and biases? Are we good listeners? Are we allowing Jesus and

his good news to permeate all our conversations?

The first time I was asked to officiate a wedding for a same-sex couple, I was surprised. What followed was months of remarkable conversations with Paul. He was a follower of Christ; his partner wasn’t.

Their relationship was complicated by addiction and manipulative behaviours. In the end, Paul called off the wedding. But it doesn’t make his original question any less challenging.

Canadian culture and law clearly affirm same-sex marriage. If the Mennonite Brethren church and its pastors are culturally engaged and missionally connected, we should expect that married, samesex couples will find and follow Jesus, and that there will be opportunities to disciple them. We should expect conversations with people who’ve made up their minds about sexual orientation, but haven’t yet made up their minds about Jesus.

And we should expect to be invited to the wedding sooner than later.

John Neufeld is lead pastor at The Meeting Place, Winnipeg, and is a keynote speaker at the upcoming BFL study conference on human sexuality. names have been *changed to protect privacy

Viewpoint An orientation for single sexuality: The “do’s”of purity K ARL A BR AUN

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The challenge of intimacy The popular notion that a romantic partner will complete me is as harmful to those who are married as those who are single. Paul follows his instructions for holiness in Romans 12 with a picture of the body of Christ – an interdependent aggregation of parts.

As members of one body, we have different gifts; married or single, none are complete on our own, yet it is the body, not a partner, that makes a whole. As a single adult, I need the church to be the covenant community promised in the MB Confession of Faith: “[members who] love, care, and pray for each other, share each others’ joys and burdens, admonish and correct each other.”

Independence and its partner loneliness are a gift and a burden for all people, but they can be heightened for single people who have fewer built-in, cross-gender, intergenerational relationships to foster accountability and provide opportunity for intimacy. The church should not only be a haven for marriage but a refuge for singles.

A celibate life may offer more opportunities to minister (my schedule Tell me no lies Follow Jesus, not the bridal path isn’t constrained by a husband’s While culture implicitly and Consider the fellowship groups meetings nor children’s activities), repeatedly urges me to “do what feels and programs at our churches. They’re good,” the church constructs a fortress but on the flipside, it may not provide usually organized around age and of denial; both deceive by giving desire enough occasions of being ministered marital status: children’s ministry, more influence than it deserves. I don’t to (who’s around to help me hang a youth, young adults, young marrieds, need rules about (not) having sex: I shelf, or to listen as I process at the end family programs, empty nesters, need the church to help me reject the lie of the day?). If my God-given need for seniors. And sermon topics: what’s that desire is the most important thing. intimacy was tied up in waiting for a the ratio of marriage and parenthood spouse to complete me, I’d have fallen The apostle Paul teaches there are messages to those on singleness? How more than two possible responses (give into despair and bitterness long ago. many illustrations derive from the So I’m not waiting – for a spouse, in or get out) to desires, whether good context of a nuclear family, rather than or evil. His advice isn’t easy, but it lights for sex, for my own little nuclear the daily interactions of an individual? the path to holiness: renewing our family. I’m learning what it means to This language and structure betrays minds (Romans 12:2). We steward our be a Christ follower, distinct from the a distorted focus on marriage that patterns of the world, active in service, urges and conform to a different patfails the married people it idolizes in relationships with others. Whether tern by shifting the focus off ourselves almost as much as the single people it I’m single or married, the pursuit of and what we want, and onto God and marginalizes. purity isn’t about how I don’t, but how his purposes. Each Christ follower is If we are co-heirs with Christ I do: stewarding body, emotions, and called to witness to God’s reign in the (Romans 8:15) and co-workers with mind in ways that honour myself, those world by our different lives – irrespecGod (Ephesians 2:10), why does the around me, and God. tive of marital status. ’m not waiting for marriage.

Like many other evangelical teenagers, I signed a yellow “True Love Waits” index card in youth group and wore a chastity ring. These symbols may create a temporary bulwark against raging teenage hormones, but a message that boils down to “just don’t give out your v-card till after the wedding” isn’t theologically robust enough to withstand the cultural bombardment of “everybody’s doing it.” The message of “wait so it’ll be great” isn’t enough to sustain a standard of purity when years turn into decades.

This isn’t to say I’ve stopped believing marriage marks an important boundary for healthy sexual activity.

However, I find my parameters not through a checklist of don’ts, but by discovering who and what God calls us – as embodied souls – to be and do.

As singles become a larger proportion of the total population, our society needs a church that models what holiness looks like in relationships – for teens in love, single thirtysomethings, and people who are married.

church have so little room for anyone who doesn’t match our “traditional family” stereotype (husband, wife, children, minivan, pets)? As evangelicals, who take our very name from the good news, why do our churches seem to worship families instead of Jesus?

The gospel has no special provisions for married people; we’re all grafted through salvation, adopted precious children of the Father. The commission Jesus gave to his followers before he left earth was not to settle into families in safe neighbourhoods, but to make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

I’m convinced that the best thing the church can do to encourage holy living is to help us follow Jesus, not a spouse. By teaching us to respect ourselves and others as beloved of God with a purpose to fulfill, the church can equip its people (married or single) to choose purity – to withstand the temptation to take without giving, exert power instead of grace, and put our desires above God’s calling.

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YOU DON’T KNOW THEM! Christians and gays with a different story

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Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”—Rick Warren, pastor

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s someone who holds a confessional MB perspective on homosexuality, I cling to this quote. It gives me hope for the future of my beliefs – and for my witness. In my memory, I will forever see Rick Warren’s words on the whiteboard of Room A269 at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) where, for the first time in my life, I witnessed a straight community and a gay community come together and try to understand one another.

Genesis A month prior to that night, Derrick Uittenbosch, president of University Christian Ministries (UCM) at UFV, had walked into my office at the student newspaper. Both active members of MB churches, we would later start a Bible study and become spiritual brothers, but at that time I was surprised by his visit.

“I’ve been approached by a UFV Pride club member who wants our two groups to 14

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hold a joint movie and discussion event,” he said. “I want to know what you think.”

“It’s a trap,” I said after learning the documentary to be screened was the controversial For the Bible Tells Me So. “That documentary is a theological disaster. If you complain, you’ll be accused of ruining the spirit of the event; if you don’t complain, people will think you agree with its assertions.”

Derrick flashed his trademark cheeryyet-rock-stubborn half-smile. “I thought you might say that,” he admitted. “But I’ve been praying about it for weeks, and somehow, I think God is going to make this work.”

Derrick has a sensitivity for the Holy Spirit I’ve always envied. In the coming months, he would recruit hundreds of people to pray for the event, while also working to address concerns like mine.

I’d met Finn, a Pride member, the previous spring, introduced by a mutual friend at a karaoke bar. He was quiet, gentle, yet with a sharp sense of humour. I sat across from him and his boyfriend Greg, and realized it was the first time in my life I’d talked to a couple I knew was gay.

The joint event was Finn’s idea. He and Derrick had met at one of UCM’s outreach initiatives, a free Thursday morning pancake breakfast where Finn had shared

PAU L E S AU

an idea to bring UCM and Pride together.

Derrick stalled, and Finn let the matter drop. At the start of the new semester, from his position as Pride treasurer, Finn had approached leaders from both clubs.

The Pride president loved the idea; the vice-president hated it. Both said Finn would have to organize the event, including enlisting campus security, if it were to happen.

After all, at most schools the Christian club and the Pride club aren’t on speaking terms. At most schools, a meeting of the two clubs would draw community members with placards and war chants.

Showdown I arrived at A269 just early enough to secure a chair. The room was already full, and as I shook hands with Derrick and Finn, I spotted UFV president Mark Evered in the crowd. There were a dozen other familiar faces, smiling, but slightly nervous. Abruptly, I realized I didn’t know which “side” many were on – UCM or Pride. Yet why did it matter?

Derrick and Finn had joked that their vision of success was surviving the night “without any chairs being thrown.” They were worried, as was I, that Warren’s “cultural lies” would overwhelm the fragile cooperation in the room.

ILLUSTRATION: ASHER KLASSEN

No chairs were thrown. People told stories, and laughed at old jokes as if it were the first time they’d heard them. A few were cut off and pointed to the “safe space” rules on the whiteboard when they tried to push the discussion toward a debate. Many, including myself, stood to share things they hadn’t expected to reveal. The room was booked for three hours; the event went for four.

The leaders of both clubs hung around afterward, talking honestly and vulnerably with the generosity success brings. I was encouraged as well, and felt foolish for having doubted humanity’s ability to get along.

Like all things under the sun, it didn’t last. A week later, a woman wrote to the student paper to accuse me of homophobia in my event coverage, spawning a torrent of online comments. I was confused.

I was angry. It seemed a tenuous trust had been broken.

When we confront problems we can’t personally solve, most people look for heroes. My hero turned out to be Finn, who was perhaps the only person who could have defended me. His letter to the editor ended the controversy with a finality that my rebuttal could not have achieved. I am still in debt to him.

We hadn’t compromised. Derrick’s and my theology was clear – and so was Finn’s.

Yet Finn and Derrick had managed to plan and execute an event for which I have found neither precedent nor imitation.

Aftermath How much trust did it take, I wonder, for members of the Pride club to file into that room? Fear of reprisals almost kept

me away. Finn himself, as both a Baha’i and a gay man, had lived much of his life navigating layers of societal tension. His LGBTQ friends often had bleak expectations of the religious study groups (including Bible studies) he attended. “They hate you!” his friends would say. “But you don’t even know them!” he would reply.

“I try to make it a principle to always see the best in everyone, and…let them prove themselves individually,” Finn told me. “I’ve had a lot of experiences where someone I knew would say something bad about someone else, and then I would actually meet this person and it turned out I liked them.”

I asked Derrick, after the event, if he would allow interested Pride members to join UCM. It was a dilemma I was still wrestling with. Derrick smiled and replied with an easy “of course!” as if it were the simplest question he’d ever been asked. He understood he wasn’t compromising conviction, simply showing something more important: compassion.

UCM would later receive a student leadership award, while president Evered recognized Derrick personally in his ceremonial address.

“I saw a situation where students associated with the Christian club were curious and got a better understanding of the LGBTQ students and saw them as real people,” Evered told me later. “The same was true on the other side, with the lesbian and gay students who might have been [previously] inclined to have automatically labelled someone who was involved in the Christian student organization as being homophobic.”

“Both groups came to the table truly determined to understand each other and to reach out to each other in friendship, in compassion and understanding – I think that’s the model for how we can hold these conversations, whether it’s at the government level or the student level.”

UCM and UFV Pride would later hold another joint event: an evening of appreciation for UFV’s janitorial staff that both student groups worked side by side to plan.

Two groups, with different views and different stories, united by a common interest in supporting their community.

Derrick and I don’t always agree, yet I love him like a brother. Finn didn’t need to help me when I was accused of homophobia, yet he chose to defend a person he didn’t truly know, trusting I would prove worthy. They taught me to embrace Rick Warren’s vision, rather than dismiss it as naive or contradictory. Together they created a story that should not be lost.

As Mennonite Brethren continue to discuss sexuality within our community, and as we engage in conversation with LGBTQ individuals, let’s think about people like Derrick and Finn and what they’ve been able to accomplish. When we believe in each other, when we allow hope to overcome fear, and we reach out our hands rather than sticking them in our pockets, the church becomes a far more potent institution.

Paul Esau is a communications intern with CCMBC and the MB Herald.

Asher Klassen is an illustrator and comics scholar finishing a BFA at UBC Okanagan.

He is a member of Kelowna (B.C.) Gospel Fellowship.

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Moving beyond

“TheTalk” Teaching kids about sex

compiled by A N G E L I N E S C H E L L E N B E R G

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s my son and daughter enter puberty, I am urgently aware of the negative messages about sexuality they receive daily, so I polled a variety of pastors, parents, and counsellors for their wisdom on how to grow my children into sexually healthy followers of Jesus.

How do I talk to my children about sex?

The primary issue is to keep the lines of communication open. Kids want to talk. They have questions and concerns.—Yvonne Snider-Nighswander, grandmother, Jubilee Mennonite, Winnipeg “The talk” can’t be a checkmark on the list of things to do; it must be a regular conversation, and it can’t start too early. With teens, I don’t ask “why?”! “Why” implies judgment and leads to feelings of guilt and shame, or a 16

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defensive response. If I just listen – and reserve judgment – teens will express their fears, concerns, and frustrations.—Jon Dyck, high school guidance counsellor, Fourth Avenue Bible, Niverville, Man. We need to watch TV with our children to teach them to see the lies they’re being bombarded with daily. The question may be: do we as parents and the church see the lies?—Ruth Schellenberg, pastor of children’s ministry, Fort Garry MB, Winnipeg What’s the most important message kids need to hear from their parents about sexuality?

Children benefit from knowing that their parents enjoy each other. Only then can children contrast the insipid versions of sexuality hurled at them through popular

media. Children need to know what’s real before they can spot the counterfeit. If we aren’t prepared to have this discussion with our children, there are many other willing participants who don’t have their best interests in mind.—Peter White, counsellor, Highland Community, Abbotsford, B.C. The most important thing my parents ever said was “You know the standards God and the church community uphold. But if you screw up, we’ll still love you and help you deal with the consequences as best we can.” That strengthened my resolve to make them proud.—J Janzen, pastor, Highland Community, Abbotsford, B.C. If our children experience God, they’ll understand the privilege of being his sons and daughters. We act according to who we are and who we want to be like. Of course, we need to communicate biblical teachings about sexuality, but biblical imperatives without a renewed identity fashioned through worship is nothing more than empty religion.— Martin Lanthier, pastor, Sainte-Rose, Quebec How do I know how much information they’re ready for?

If they’re secure in their identity and sense of belonging, I don’t think more information will “put ideas in their heads.” They live in a world with info from many sources at their fingertips, so our Christian perspective needs to be conversing without hesitation, but also without overloading them.—Elsie Rempel, formation consultant, Mennonite Church Canada How can I help my children commit to purity when the average age their peers are losing virginity is 15?

To say “I will withhold forging into this territory until we go together under a covenant” means there will be laughter, astonishment at awkwardness, as well as at pure joy. Purity is not a timid “I won’t” but an energetic

“I will.” It is not only abstinence but whole-hearted commitment and engagement in a relationship and exploration of the territory that is yours. Not passive, not passé, not past tense. It is active, and engaged, and rewarding, while asking much of us.—Darlene Klassen, internship director, Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask.

Let them know it’s okay to be radical about all the ways following Jesus conflicts with living like our nonChristian friends, including our rejection of sexual promiscuity. Talking openly about the emotional vulnerability that intercourse includes can help teens understand the importance of marriage as the best context for sexual intercourse.—Elsie Rempel I remember my parents talked about what my hopes and goals for the future were. The question then was, “How will having sex outside of marriage contribute to or get in the way of that?”—J Janzen I invited men in my boys’ life to write them a letter on their 13th birthday with these simple instructions: give a word of encouragement, a word of advice, a hope for their life, and a prayer. It was a simple countercultural gesture that affirmed them as men within a supportive Christian community.—Lloyd Letkeman, MB Mission mobilizer When my children start dating, how much should I pry into the details of their relationships?

When I started dating someone, I wasn’t only dating her, but her family and friends as well. Dating isn’t this private thing between two people; it’s a public act. I invited my parents and close friends to ask questions and make comments because I knew, in my lovey-dovey state, I could be blind to something unhealthy.—J Janzen What messages should I give my children about self-stimulation?

Never shame a child at any stage in their development regarding their exploration of their bodies. Shame is a primary culprit in the development of sexual addiction.

It’s important to acknowledge the strength of the urges they face and the goodness of their emergent feelings, and to promote that these feelings and functions are most suited for the marriage union.—Peter White How do I keep my kids from developing the shame complex many Mennonites my age grew up with when it comes to sexuality?

As women, it’s important we recognize that our bodies and souls bear the image of God…even if we don’t refer to God as mother.—Elsie Rempel MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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Discuss sexuality in positive terms: precious, beautiful, mysterious, exhilarating. Discuss sexuality in realistic terms: vulnerability, insecurity, fearfulness. Discuss sexuality in physical, mental, and emotional terms: attraction, desire, urges, biology. Discuss sexuality in Christian terms: commitment, marriage, sacred, co-creators with God. Do all of this prior to the “do not’s” and “dangers” of sexuality.—Lloyd Letkeman Fathers need to notice their wives and daughters, particularly when they aren’t dressed up. And boys need to be affirmed in their giftedness, especially if they aren’t into cars or other stereotypical gender roles. Make your kids as comfortable in their own skin as possible.—J Janzen How can I prepare my children not to be drawn in the first time someone shows them an explicit image?

By honouring the image of God in the other gender. Then they will recognize how degrading pornography is.—Elsie Rempel Have monitoring software on all internet devices in the home.—Dallas Kornelsen, healthy sexuality coordinator, Crisis Pregnancy Centre Whether it’s an addiction to potato chips or video games, talk about the temptation and the struggle, and the habits of the heart, mind, and will that combat them. Then, when they approach their teen years, you have a shared vocabulary to discuss sex addiction. The most powerful coping strategies are peer accountability and significant connections with role models.— Lloyd Letkeman With what words can I arm my children to protect themselves from sexual abuse?

Not with words, but with attitudes: a strong self-concept, knowing they have the right to say “no,” knowing they can 18

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trust their core values and dignity, and that sexuality intimacy should never be linked with control and power issues.—Elsie Rempel How do I respond when my child says, “My friend told me, ‘I think I’m gay’”?

I suspect that our sexual identities may not be firm up until our late teens. Stay open to the conversation, so you can help your child process his or her questions, but also share your understanding.—Elsie Rempel Celebrate that they have trusted your son or daughter with their story. So many people with same-sex attractions live in fear without support, prayer, or understanding friendships.

If your child is a bridge to God’s love and God’s community, help your child become a strong bridge.

—Lloyd Letkeman How can I affirm my son’s masculinity and my daughter’s femininity without relying on stereotypes?

Any advice for steering them through puberty?

I’ve never seen a parent steer a child through puberty; as parents, we are at most a “backseat driver” who gives helpful tips – usually to the driver’s disgust! Eat together, play together, pray together, and allow conversations to flow. Pick up on the teachable moments. A parent’s prayer life always spikes during puberty.—Lloyd Letkeman One of the messages we need to hear again and again is “No matter what you do, Jesus loves you.” Love (not shame or fear) always wins out.— J Janzen What’s the best book you’ve ever read on talking to kids about sexuality?

The Body and Soul curriculum, Nurturing Healthy Sexuality at Home, and Created by God: Tweens, Faith, and Human Sexuality

from MennoMedia—Elsie Rempel Youth Culture 101 by Walt Mueller

—Dallas Kornelsen

If we let our kids make mistakes and coach them to take responsibility and be creative in problem solving, they’ll have a sense of being men and women competent to face the world.

Gender is only one of the many gifts God gave us. Each of our two boys and two girls are unique, so my wife and I put most of our focus on “What is this kid’s strength and how can I encourage it?”—J Janzen

The New Speaking of Sex: What Your Children Need to Know and When They Need to Know It by Meg Hickling—

Regarding fathers and sons: by modelling grace and graciousness, role flexibility (e.g., cooking, housecleaning), and emotional expression – especially crying.—Andrew Dyck, professor, MBBS Winnipeg

familylife.com. I did this with my daughter; we loved our night away together.—Cindy Sue Peters, preschool coordinator, Ross Road, Abbotsford, B.C.

Andrew Dyck

God’s Design for Sex series by Stan and Brenna Jones, and Sex Has A Price Tag by

Pam Stenzel—Sherryl Koop, Beautiful Unique Girl program facilitator and developer, Family Life Network The Passport2Purity Getaway Kit from

Text message The God who can bend nature GENESIS 17:1–2, 15–17 MARV IN DYCK

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bram and his wife Sarai were childless. Sarai was 89 years old. What are the chances a woman unable to bear children throughout her entire life would bear a child at 89?

But God had promised Abram and Sarai a baby 24 years earlier. In the ensuing decades, Abram and Sarai were largely faithful to their covenant with God. For example, when God told them to leave their home and move to the place he would show them, they moved as the Lord directed (Genesis 12:1–9). Despite their obedience, God had not yet kept his part of the bargain.

There were also times during those 24 years of waiting when Abram and Sarai weren’t faithful to the covenant. For example, they lied to the king of Egypt about the fact they were husband and wife (Genesis 12:10–20). Despite their disobedience, God showed up in Genesis 15 and again in Genesis 17, repeating his vow to bless them with countless descendants.

“El Shaddai is the God who so constrains nature that it does his will, and so subdues it that it bows to and subserves grace,” explains theologian Franz Delitzsch.

In other words, God Almighty, El Shaddai, is able to make the forces of nature – which are often cruel – become kind to us.

Think of the force of gravity, the force of aging, the force of out-of-control water or fire. El Shaddai means God can redirect those powers and turn them into instruments of grace. In the case of

No obstacles In chapters 15 and 17, God underscored his promise by saying, “I am God Almighty (El Shaddai).” According to scholar Walter Brueggemann, God was saying, “Abram, the fact that you’re 99 and Sarai is 89 is no problem at all because I am God Almighty.”

No calendar But I often wonder why God made them wait so long. The story never gives us an answer. It simply tells us the delay wasn’t a problem for El Shaddai. God operates on his own timetable. He doesn’t feel obliged to fulfill his promises just because we’re tired of waiting for them.

We don’t have to be perfect for God to bend the rules of nature for us.

Abram and Sarai, El Shaddai bent the rule that decreed an 89-year-old woman was too old to have a child.

Genesis 17:1–2, 15–17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”…

God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”

Years ago, while I was impatiently waiting for God’s timing to take the next step in life, a preacher named Keith Price said to me, “God’s timing is perfect; he is never late. There is no panic in heaven.”

God requires only one thing from us: “Walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” Fortunately, he’s not asking us to be perfect. In Walter Brueggemann’s words, it means “be available to me on my terms...completely devoted, in unqualified loyalty...[Your] whole life is to be given over to Yahweh in unqualified devotion.”

The story of Abram and Sarai speaks to us of God’s grace in our weakness. The good news is we don’t have to be perfect for God to bend the rules of nature for us. God was still willing to keep his promise to Abram and Sarai even though they had failed.

Is there something in your life that feels hopeless to you? What has God promised you? Whatever it is, he is God Almighty, and he keeps his promises. El Shaddai is God Almighty and the forces of nature are no obstacle to him.

Are you tired of waiting for God to fulfill his promise? Remember, there is no panic in heaven. There is only a call for complete devotion to him.

Marvin Dyck is pastor at Crossroads MB Church, Winnipeg. A version of this article first appeared on the Crossroads blog at www.crossroadsmb.ca/ blog.

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N E W S in brief World falls short on goals

The world is falling short on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) signed by 189 countries in 2000 and intended to reduce extreme poverty by 50 percent by 2015. 1.4 billion people continue to live on less than $1.25 per day, reports Joel Edwards, director of Micah Challenge International, an organization that encourages Christians to advocate for the poor. However, Edwards notes that Malawi, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda are on target to meet their MDGs; in Canada, the goals are attainable, a matter of “political will” and Christians speaking up.—ChristianWeek

Choices beyond assisted suicide

Winnipegger Susan Griffiths, who travelled to Switzerland to take advantage of the country’s assisted-suicide laws, sparked debate when she called on MPs to change Canada’s assisted-suicide laws. Providence University College, Winnipeg, philosophy professor Hendrik van der Breggen takes issue with the misconception that the only options for terminally ill patients are physician-assisted suicide or a lonely, agonizing death. Executive director of the Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDS) Larry Worthen agrees that “In virtually all cases, pain can be managed at the end of life so that the patient is comfortable.”

CMDS is concerned that if assisted suicide is legalized, “It would further erode the protection of vulnerable people at the end of life.”—ChristianWeek

Palliative care saves more than money

“Why Canada Needs More Palliative Care,” an Ontario case study by Derek Miedema, reveals that the cost of a patient dying in an intensive care unit is $8,000 more than the cost of dying in palliative care; acute care costs are $10,000 more. Yet in recent years, more than 4 times as many Ontario patients died in intensive care and 10 times as many died in acute care than in palliative. Only 6 percent of Ontario’s hospital deaths occur in palliative; international research suggests 36 percent is reasonable. If 30 percent more hospital patients had received palliative rather than intensive or acute care in 2011, Ontario would have saved $70 million dollars.

In addition to savings, Miedema says, a palliative care team offers specialized expertise in pain management focused “not on keeping

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patients alive as long as possible, but on making patients as comfortable as possible – emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”— Institute of Marriage and Family Canada

Let peace colour cross-racial conversations

U.S. Mennonite Church leaders Elizabeth Soto Albrecht and Ervin Stutzman responded to the verdict on George Zimmerman’s trial for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin: “We grieve and lament the killing of a beautiful young person. We grieve and lament that the perpetrator can walk free without legal consequences for his actions…. As a church committed to the gospel of peace and reconciliation, we recommit ourselves to our denominational priority of undoing racism and advancing intercultural transformation. As an initial small step, we especially invite white members of our congregations to engage in conversation with at least one other person from another racial/ethnic group about the Zimmerman verdict and to listen deeply to understand their perspective and experience.”—TheMennonite.org

Yad Vashem honours Mennonite Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority, recognized Mennonite minister and Goshen College professor Lois Gunden Clemens as Righteous Among the Nations for her work saving Jewish children in France. In 1941, through MCC partner Secours Mennonite aux Enfants, the 26-year-old French teacher from Goshen, Ind., established a children’s home in Canet Plage that sheltered Spanish refugee and Jewish children, many of whom were smuggled out of the nearby Rivesaltes internment camp. After being detained by German occupiers 1943–1944, she returned to the U.S. Gunden Clemens is one of only 4 Americans to receive the honour, accepted posthumously on her behalf by niece Mary Jean Gunden.—TheMennonite.org

Prof retires to hunt treasure Fresno (Cal.) Pacific University history professor for 44 years, Paul Toews, son of MB pastor J.B. Toews and Nettie Unruh, retired in July. Toews is the author of Mennonites in American Society, 1930–1970.

At least 14 of his history students have gone on to complete doctorates. While leading 15 Mennonite Heritage tours to

Ukraine, Toews copied 200,000 pages of Tsarist and Soviet records for the Center for MB Studies, Fresno, creating the largest collection of its kind in the U.S. In retirement, he’ll continue leading tours and mining historical treasures.—usmb.org

Hate crime, love its decline

In July 2013, Statistics Canada said that police-reported hate crimes declined for a second consecutive year in 2011, with 1,332 hate crimes reported in 2011, or 3.9 per 100,000 population. Police-reported hate crimes motivated by religion fell 17 percent and by race or ethnicity by 4 percent, but incidents motivated by sexual orientation increased 10 percent. The proportion of hate crimes involving violence increased from 34 to 39 percent. Sixty percent of those accused of hate crimes were under 25, compared with 41 percent for crimes in general. The highest hate crime rates in Canada were in Peterborough and Hamilton, Ont.—Statistics Canada

The value of vouchers

Through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a new MCC project in Southern Lebanon is providing food vouchers to 2,625 Syrian and Palestinian families displaced from Syria. Giving vouchers rather than direct assistance reduces administrative costs, increases the diversity of foods families eat, benefits the economy, and restores dignity by allowing choice.—MCC release

If one part of the body suffers

As pastor Rick and Kay Warren returned to the pulpit of Saddleback Church, Orange County, Cal., July 27, for the first time since their son’s death in April, they vowed to remove the stigma of mental illness. More than 10,000 welcomed the Purpose Driven Life author and his wife back with a standing ovation, and then listened to the first of a 6-part series on grief called “How to get through what you’re going through.” “For 27 years I prayed every day…for God to heal my son’s mental illness,” said Rick. “If you struggle with a broken brain, you should be no more ashamed than someone with a broken arm. It’s not a sin to take meds.

It’s not a sin to get help.”—A. Larry Ross Communications release

with

THE BODY

The Canadian conference Board of Faith & Life will host a study conference titled “Human Sexuality: honouring God with the body” to help individuals and communities engage in conversation and theological reflection. We invite Mennonite Brethren from across Canada to gather Oct. 16–18, 2013, at River West Christian Church (Edmonton).

REGISTRATION FEES: • $189 (MB rate) or $239 (other denominations) per person

A STUDY ON HUMAN SEXUALITY M E N N O N I T E

B R E T H R E N

STUDY CONFERENCE 2013 River West Christian Church Edmonton, Alberta October 16–18, 2013 studyconference.mennonitebrethren.ca

• includes all materials, refreshment at breaks, lunch, and supper on Thursday, breaks and lunch on Friday, and supper (AGM delegates only) on Wednesday.

REGISTER: Online: studyconference. mennonitebrethren.ca Fax: 1-204-654-1865 Phone: 1-888-669-6575

ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants are responsible to make their own hotel reservations directly with Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton Gateway.

TRANSPORTATION: Airport shuttle is available between Edmonton International Airport and the hotel/River West Christian Church. One-way $15 or round-trip $25. To arrange for airport shuttle, please email guestservices@mbconf.ca to provide date, time, flight number, and airport.

FINANCIAL REPORTS: All delegates will receive a summary of the financial reports.

For those interested, complete reports will be available on site.

REMEMBER! Annual General Meeting Wednesday, October 16 3:30 to 5:00 pm.

Each Canadian conference church may send one delegate for every 25 members, plus one pastor.

For more information visit studyconference.mennonitebrethren.ca

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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Viewpoint Religion in Canada: De-Christianization continues apace J O H N G . S TA C K H O U S E , J R .

This article originally appeared in Sightings, an e-publication of the Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

T

he 2011 Canadian census data regarding religion was recently released by Statistics Canada, the federal agency that tells us Canadians, and interested others, what to make of the decennial censuses taken by the government.

The main plotline is the continued falling away of Canadians from the Christian religion. From the 1860s to the 1960s, Canada was one of the most observant Christian countries on earth.

Through the 1940s, weekly church attendance was well above 60 percent (versus about 40 percent in the U.S.) and a

broad cultural consensus existed around Christian values, institutions, customs, and religious language. As late as the 1970s, Canadian public school children recited the Lord’s Prayer at the start of every morning, and into the 1980s the Lord’s Day was observed by acts that bore its name – businesses were kept closed and entertainments curtailed to foster both worship for the faithful and rest for the weary.

The tight link between Canada and Christian piety has evaporated as Canadians have raced the Dutch for the fastest de-Christianization since the French Revolution. Yes, Quebec led the way with its Quiet Revolution – its rapid and radical secularization in the 1960s. The national story is simply an

Canada’s religious composition, 1971–2011 50%

40%

41%

39%

OTHER RELIGION*

30%

10%

CATHOLIC

PROTESTANT

27%

20%

RELIGIOUSLY UNAFFILIATED

47%

11% 4%

4% 0

1971

2011

1971

24%

2011

1971

2011

1971

2011

Sources: 1971–2001 Canada census; 2011 National Household Survey *Data for the “other religion” category in 1971 are not shown because the figure isn’t comparable with the figures for 1981–2011.

PEW RESEARCH CENTRE GRAPH

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Even Quieter Revolution of slow, but sure, abandonment of Christian identity by older people and an increasing number of younger people who have never known the inside of a church and are in no hurry to see it.

According to Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey, the religion with the most adherents remains, unsurprisingly, Christianity. Of roughly 33 million Canadians, almost exactly two-thirds (67.3 percent) were affiliated with a Christian denomination. In 1991, by comparison, that number was 83 percent.

Roman Catholics continue to dominate nationally (not just in Quebec), with fully 39 percent of the population.

The two major Protestant denominations, United (produced by the merger of four denominations in 1925) and Anglican, have been in steady decline since the 1960s and, between them, claim a mere 11 percent of the population. That50% leaves about 17 percent of Canadians distributed over various believer’s churches (Baptists, Pentecostals, and the like), Holiness traditions, Lutheranism, 40% Orthodoxy, and a few others.

Has Canada’s liberal policy of welcoming immigrants from all over the world significantly altered the reli30% gious landscape? Only a little. Between them, “proper-noun” religions beyond Christianity (including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism,20% and Buddhism) accounted for 8 percent of the population, up from about 6 percent ten years ago. And almost 50 percent of recent immigrants claimed,10% in fact, Christian identity.

So Canada has not yet been substantially altered by an influx of nonChristian religions – even as Canada’s largest cities, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, which are home to the vast majority of devotees of those religions, feel the concentrated influence of such groups in some of their suburbs.

50%

The key change, however, is the complement to the decline in Christianity. About 8 million Canadians, or 25 percent of the population, espoused no religious affiliation.

This was up from 17 percent a decade earlier, and about 13 percent in 1991.

The share of people with no religious affiliation was highest in Ontario and British Columbia. More than a million people in the Toronto area, or about 20 percent of its population, had no religious affiliation. In the much smaller metropolitan area of Vancouver, over 40 percent reported no affiliation.

In sum, Canada as a whole is not yet so much a multi-religious country yet as it is a Christian/ex-Christian/sort-of-Christian country, with an ongoing shrinkage of Christian affiliation. (Other polls show that only Roman Catholics and evangelicals are holding their own – mostly by retaining 50 youths in much higher numbers than other Christian traditions.)

Quebec continues a European pattern of very low church attendance coupled 40 with a relatively high nominal affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church, while the largest and most culturally influential centres of Anglophone Canada report the highest levels 30 of both religious “alternatives” and religious “nones.”

Thus, despite Canada’s proximity to the 20 United States, its cultural patterns show more affinity to its French and British heritages.

Unless, that is, the United States is simply following in Canada’s train. Despite amplified voices of various American political10 and religious leaders that prompt Americans and Canadians alike to think of the United States as still a robustly Christian country, disaffili0 ation (in dropping church attendance) shows up increasingly in increasingly candid polls of nominal affiliation.

But that’s a story for an American, such as Martin Marty, to tell Sightings readers, not me.

This article originally appeared in Sightings, an e-publication of the Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School (divinity.uchicago.edu).

40%

12% Disaffiliation

44% 41%

by region, 2011 %16% of each region’s population

44%

that is religiously unaffiliated

30%

29%

23%

23%

20%

16%

29%

10%

12% 11%

BRITISH PRAIRIE COLUMBIA PROVINCES

ONTARIO

ATLANTIC

QUEBEC

0

17%

OTHER RELIGION

PROTESTANT

39%

UNAFFILIATED

21%

CATHOLIC

22%

Religious composition of immigrants in Canada, 2001-2011 % of immigrant population arriving in the past decade that identifies as...

Source: 2011 National Household Survey, Statistics Canada

John G. Stackhouse, Jr., holds his M.A. from Wheaton College where he studied under Mark Noll, and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School where he studied under Martin Marty. He is the Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture at Regent College in Vancouver, and the author of Canadian Evangelicalism in the Twentieth Century: An Introduction to Its Character (University of Toronto Press, 1993).

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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News in S TO RY WINKLER, Man.

Canada’s oldest MB church is still growing is a n old chu rch “What capable of?”

That’s the question at the heart of 2013’s 125th anniversary celebrations of Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church, the oldest MB community in Canada.

It’s led WMBC to multiplication thinking locally and nationally: a partnership with a new MB plant in Victoria, and the creation of a community centre in Winkler to serve those in need with clothing, social resources, and a cup of coffee and listening ear.

From member culture to mission culture It’s all part of a shift from member culture to mission culture, from church as a building to church as a body of people who have families, friends, and co-workers.

“WMBC is 125 years old, but the average age of members is 40,” says WMBC lead pastor Phillip Vallelly. “What are they challenged by?”

A 2012 survey of 260 WMBC members revealed many feel the desire to share their faith with others, but struggle to find the opportunity during a hectic schedule.

“Marriage, career, mortgage, kids, – how do they live on mission?” Valley asks.

He finds the answer in the midst of those commitments.

“We are invited to workplaces, sports games, schools,” Vallelly says, adding the people of WMBC are missionaries whose paycheques don’t necessarily come from the church.

Missional culture is actually quite simple, says Vallelly; it’s about talking with co-workers, taking breaks on purpose, even helping weed a neighbour’s garden or going to community events: get out with people and be intentional with the gospel message.

“Hi, how are you?” may be all it takes to make a connection that leads to opportunities to share how God is at work in our lives or the life of someone we know.

PHOTO: SHERMAN LAU

Winkler celebrates 125th with local and national initiatives

Winkler MB Church circa 1940

response to the gospel, and God’s Son’s mission to renew the world.

“It’s not our mission to make everyone a member of WMBC and have the biggest church,” Vallelly says. “Our goal is to represent Jesus when we leave those doors.”

Whether a church is starting or celebrating 125 years, the calling is the same, Vallelly says. For the past 125 years, WMBC has been called to be Christ’s disciples and to lead others to be disciples as well, and that’s a timeless message, modelled by its founders, that WMBC would like to see passed on to future generations.

PHOTO: COURTESY WINKLER MB

From self to Son “We have to take ownership of our faith,” Vallelly says. “We can’t rely solely on the church.

WMBC is merely the place where the church gathers, but whenever we leave the building, that’s when church happens.”

Vallelly explains member culture tends to turn inward, producing a mindset that focuses A history of growth on ourselves, making church Founding minister Heinrich about singing on Sunday and Voth of Mountain Lake, Minn., keeping an exclusive identity. But came to southern Manitoba in the shift to mission culture is a 1883 after delegates at the MB conference in Nebraska expressed concerns about the spiritual condition of the Mennonite church in Manitoba.

He performed the first baptism in Canada by a Mennonite Brethren minister on May 30, 1886, and the church formally organized in 1888.

T he c ong re gat ion d re w villagers longing for a deeper spiritual life. In 1903, the MB Terry Dueck, mission and community pastor, in Central Station. church of Winkler was officially 24

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incorporated with the government of Manitoba, and the church grew, expanding several times.

The building used today was completed in 1988 when WMBC celebrated its centennial by hosting the national MB convention.

In 2010, WMBC staff conducted a survey among key community stakeholders and leaders in education, social services, and churches, and began to see the demands a growing city was putting on services struggling to address issues like poverty and equipping newcomers. It was clear a central location was needed to refer people to resources, and Central Station Community Centre officially opened its doors in 2012.

The centre offers essentials like clothing, phone access, food cupboard referrals, and baby supplies. Though WMBC initiated the centre, the church hopes it will become a fully c o m m u n i t y - driven facility in the future.

Still doing new things As they mark 125 years, WMBC is walking alongside a young MB church plant, Beacon Communities Church, located on Vancouver Island. The C2C

TORONTO

Mixed marriage marks decade Multicultural urban congregation celebrates 10-year anniversary with support of rural church

Network plant, officially launching this fall, aspires to make a difference in James Bay by developing community through worship at the larger church services, barbecues and potlucks at mid-sized gatherings in the neighbourhood, and smaller home-based Bible studies and spiritual care.

“WMBC is excited to be a part of helping this new church community because it’s a way of renewing our commitment to God to continually live missionally,” Vallelly says, fostering a culture that takes faith out into families, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.

In honour of t he anniversary, WMBC is holding a celebration concert featuring Brian Doerksen Sept. 7, and a celebration worship service Sept. 8 with guest speakers Willy Reimer, executive director of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches, Joe Haynes, pastor of Beacon Communities Church, and worship by Brian Doerksen.— Steven Sukkau, a reporter at a southern Manitoba local newspaper, is a member of Winkler (Man.) MB Church.

For more on Winkler’s history, see www.mbherald.com.

ellowshipping over samosas has characterized Behta Darya’s gatherings from its beginnings in 2003. The Toronto MB church continued this style of fellowship June 9, 2013, marking 10 years with a celebratory banquet attended by 200 members, partners, and supporters.

“We have been, and continue to be, blessed by great leaders, mentors, and church families,” says pastor Vishal Ranga of the connection with the Ontario MB conference. “We have cultivated great relationships.”

Behta Darya was planted as part of the Key Cities Initiative – Love Toronto. Ewald Unruh (t hen-board of eva ngelism director) and Terry Wiseman (then-Ontario church planting director) were influential in Behta Darya’s early days when 15–20 people would gather for fellowship. Now, Behta Darya has some 120 members including children.

One source of the church’s growth has been an annual outreach concert to thousands in the GTA on a Punjabi radio station.

Some 1,000 people attend the two-day event, often hearing the gospel for the first time in their own language. “Almost every year, we have people accepting Christ and staying connected somehow to the church,” says Ranga. “Some have even joined and become members. Other folks experience healing and begin to question who Jesus is.”

The 2013 concert is planned for September.

From the early days, a close relationship developed with the MB congregation in Port Rowan.

“We view them as a parental figure,” says Ranga, who co-pastors with his wife Rafiqua. “They have journeyed with us and we

have shared our struggles, our challenges, our battles, and our victories. They graciously support us with financial aid, they pray with us, and we’ve exchanged visits.”

The churches are a study in contrast: “Port Rowan is rural, with a traditional church background, and mainly Caucasian members,” says Ranga. Behta Darya in Toronto is “multicultural and ethnic.” Yet, “when the two merge, it becomes a wonderful and colourful expression of God’s love within his kingdom.

Although we are very different, we

PHOTO: COURTESY BEHTA DARYA

PHOTO: CMBS

F

share Christ in common, and we are reminded that we are related through his shed blood. We have a connection and it is beautiful.”

“It’s neat to see a cautious rural church partnering with an expressive, contemporary innercity group,” says Ed Willms, Ontario MB conference executive director.

Now-retired Port Rowan MB pastor Alexander (Sandy) Young, who was instrumental in establishing the partnership between Port Rowan and Behta Darya, says, “Behta Darya congregants showed their overwhelming love and esteem for Vishal and Rafiqua” at the celebration.

Young says the pastor couple’s character also inspired a Sikh businessman who offered a ballroom and catered the party at no charge.—Stacey Weeks, Ontario correspondent

ONMB executive director Ed Willms (r) prays for Behta Darya pastor couple Vishal and Rafiqua Ranga.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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News in S TO RY VA N CO U V E R

H

undreds of young people from more than a dozen churches have been flocking to a monthly worship event in South Vancouver. Named “Chapel,” the music-focused time started in South Hill MB church in 2011 with some 70 teens and young adults from Every Nation church and South Hill. Since then, attendance has grown so spectacularly that Chapel leaders had to find larger premises. They now meet in the nearby John Oliver Secondary School auditorium.

The dramatic growth, the worship style, and the succinct Bible messages are reminiscent of other youth gatherings that have sprung up in B.C.’s Fraser Valley, Winnipeg, and elsewhere. But the origin of Chapel is unique: it arose from the Christian camping experience.

Every Nation’s youth had been going on annual retreat to Anvil Island for many years.

In 2011, some campers asked why the chapel worship at camp couldn’t be continued, even away from Anvil. The idea struck a chord with their leader, Jonathan Mitchell, who approached South Hill youth leader Louisa He.

Her response was quick: “That is sweet!” She saw many possibilities, including a worship experience that her group of 20 youth couldn’t do on their own.

Because the two congregations met in the same building, South Hill and Every Nation youth groups had done many things together before, she said. But on this venture, Mitchell had a vision bigger than their own neighbourhood.

Mitchell and He started planning, and brought four other youth pastors in as a steering committee.

Word about Chapel spread among other Anvil campers, who not only attended, but brought their friends. It seemed like no time before the size approached 200, said He, and the small South Hill building was no longer adequate. Chapel moved to “J.O.” Mitchell says some 6–7 leaders have been bringing their youth groups on a consistent basis, making Chapel part of their calendar.

Teens and young adults from some six other churches have also shown up regularly on their own.

The new season starts Sept. 27.

But no one is quite sure how many will come because of the summer camp factor. In 2012, Chapel

PHOTO: STEFANY MAILHIOT

Camp Chapel continues year-round

Young people from many churches attend monthly worship event, Chapel.

youth spread the news at camp – with significant results. This year, those same kids have been back at Anvil and other camps.

Mitchell, now youth pastor at Culloden MB, heads the Chapel program and leads the band. Each session includes a 10–15 minute, Jesus-focused message. (Mitchell says the presenter “just goes for it with the gospel.”)

Mitchell also maintains contact with youth leaders in South Vancouver to keep in step with their programs and needs. “It’s a miracle when even 10 youth leaders are willing to join something bigger,” he says.

For her part, He is excited by what God is doing through Chapel in South Vancouver. “Discipleship is happening. And the kids take the worship experience back onto the street. Because it involves people from so many churches, kids recognize each other from Chapel and can say, ‘Oh, you’re a Christian too.’”

Mitchell says, “There is a whole bunch of faith-filled kids, and some of them lead kids to Christ. They see passion for the first time. Chapel shows kids they are part of something bigger.

“God is creating a network of excited kids.”—Barrie McMaster, B.C. correspondent

CMU breaks ground on expansion project

PHOTO: COURTESY CMU

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) president Cheryl Pauls, with MP Rod Bruinooge and City of Winnipeg councillor Paula Havixbeck, broke ground July 8 on the university’s $13.9-million library and learning commons expansion project observed by some 100 friends and supporters, including local businessmen Elmer Hildebrand, capital project campaign chair, and Art DeFehr, vice-chair of CMU’s board of governors.

Pauls said, “The range of activities being planned for this library and learning commons will make it the hub of the campus – linking the learning of the classroom with cutting edge research techniques.”

“What is being done today really sets the pace for the future,” said Bruinooge, chair of the federal post-secondary education caucus.

To date, roughly $10 million has been raised. This funding comprises donations from private donors and foundations, as well as the Winnipeg Foundation, the Richardson Foundation, and the C.P. Loewen Family Foundation. The target for the project’s completion is September 2014.—CMU release

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MKs inspire children for mission

C

hildren can develop a vision for mission – Joy Penner is proof. The long-term service worker’s childhood imagination was first fired by Amy Carmichael’s story. As a child, Amy prayed God would turn her brown eyes blue like the rest of her family’s; as an adult ministering in India, Amy thanked God her dark eyes didn’t set her apart from her neighbours.

“I was so struck by God’s plan for Amy,” says Penner. Through lessons that introduce children to today’s MB Mission people and places, “I hope kids will get that [sense of purpose].”

A Third Culture Kid and trained teacher, Penner didn’t hesitate when MB Mission asked her to develop mission adventure units each containing four 45-minute sessions suitable for

use in Sunday school classes, vacation Bible schools, or Christian school environments with ages 5–12. Two rolled out this summer; at least two more are being planned.

Inspired by a mission-focused Sunday school program at Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church, MB Mission developed these materials to help children connect with the idea of long-term overseas service through the eyes of missionary children. “Cultivating a heart of global mission for children takes an intentional effort on the behalf of the church community,” says MB Mission lead team member Larry Neufeld.

Fort Garry MB children’s ministry pastor Ruth Schellenberg combines mission teaching with tithing. “We try to teach our children about other cultures, to

WE NT WO R TH - N O R D, Que.

Balcony collapses at Camp Péniel

O

n July 28, a balcony collapsed at Camp Péniel in Wentworth-Nord, Que., resulting in minor injuries, including several sprains and one broken ankle, to 20 of the 58 people taking shelter on it at the time. A Montreal church was conducting an afternoon baptism at the camp when rain began, leading attendees to crowd onto the covered balcony of the lodge building.

Director Jason Levesque says the incident happened at the best time to cause the least disruption, since it occurred at the start of a week without organized camp programming. The camp remains open; however the lodge is closed for security reasons. Subsequent weeks’ activities were re-located to other

buildings on the grounds, such as the cafeteria.

At press time, insurance claims for loss of work due to injury were still being assessed.

The release of a government building inspector’s report on the cause of the collapse and state of repair of other buildings on the premises was also pending.

Once the inspection report is completed, the camp will require not only repairs to the balcony, but also renovation and upgrades to other buildings on the campus. “We will need a lot of help; it’s an old camp,” says Levesque who is trained as a carpenter. Fundraising and reconstruction plans will take shape after the report’s release. Overall, he says the engineering and

see how all people are loved by MISSION ADVENTURES God, through giving projects.

Having a curriculum like the one MB Mission has provided will go a long way to making that possible.

Children connect more easily with a giving project when there are tangible connections to those they are giving to.”

The package, downloadable as PDFs and video from MB Mission’s website, is designed to be flexible. “It’s kind of a teacher’s manual, but it’s also a resource MISSION ADVENTURES overview,” says Penner who collaborated with fellow teacher and MB Mission alumna Amy Klassen. Containing explicit instructions and plenty of optional activities, it’s suitable both for beginners who want step-by-step direction and experienced teachers who customize their lesson plans. “There’s a lot of choice.”

“What connected me with mission when I was a kid was the idea of God at work,” says Penner.

She hopes the curriculum will through the eyes of the Owen help other children catch that children in Thailand and the Ens vision as they learn about mission family in Peru.—Karla Braun MB Mission Presents

MB Mission Children’s Curriculum

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MB Mission Presents

MB Mission Children’s Curriculum

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safety inspections resulting from the incident are “posit ive for everyone’s safety at the camp.” “ We k n o w that a lot of other MB camps and churches across Canada were praying for our tea m; we were rea l ly glad for t hat,” he says.

“We felt a lot of support.”

Ca mp Péniel is a ret reat centre and camp founded in 1974 by the Mennonite Brethren church in Quebec (AEFMQ). Its mission is to files from Ellen Paulley, Canadian offer a place of rest and spirit- Conference of MB Churches. ual renewal.—Karla Braun, with MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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PHOTO: ESTHER LACHANCE

ABBOTSFO R D, B.C .

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12-11-29 5:39 PM

Ancient Stones,

KVI Theme: JOY

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Our BA program o f f e r s o v e r

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COMBINATIONS

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Sunday, September 22, 6 pm North Kildonan M.B. Church 1315 Gateway Rd, Winnipeg

Featuring: Men of Song male choir, Art & Clara Priebe and KVI report on youth camps in Ukraine, etc.

Admission: Offering for KVI camps Coffee & Dessert $5

Ruth Ens

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies hanie Church Leadership & Music Ministry Step

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September 2013

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Help us keep these families together through a gift of sponsorship.

Family sponsorship begins at $29.00 per month.

Help us bring hope, God’s love and a future to these needy people.

For more information please call our toll free number or visit our website at www. mwbca.org, TODAY.

The Holy Land in Perspective A Canadian Mennonite University Study Tour

April 28-May 19, 2014 www.cmu.ca/studytour Ph. 204.487.3300 or 1.877.231.4570

Clara & Art Priebe

“HymnSing is heart-warming and inspirational” www.kvicanada.org

Living Stones:

Tour Leader: Gordon Matties, Ph.D. Professor of Biblical Studies

CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY

MennoJerusalem Tours ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Women’s Weekend

The

October 18 - 20, 2013

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SPAIN & MOROCCO A TASTE of TUSCANY May 5-17, 2014

Speaker:

Stillwood’s 2013 women’s weekend is the place for you!

Crystal Hicks & Team

Bette Nordberg Worship:

For information and to register contact: Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre 604-858-6845 • Toll Free: 1-800-507-8455 • email: office@stillwood.ca

w w w. s t i l l w o o d . c a

Child Sponsorship in Ukraine An estimated 70,000 children

live in underfunded and conditionally poor state institutions in Ukraine. Orphaned, abandoned or placed there as a result of government intervention, these children need our love and support over a long period of time.

Please, would you prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these children today? The monthly amount is just $32.00 and is tax deductible. Your gift will allow us to bring God’s love and speak His truth into their hearts. A gift of sponsorship will also help us address the physical and emotional needs of these deserving children.

For more information or to begin a child sponsorship, please call us toll free at:

1-800-494-4454 Or visit our website:

www.mwbca.org TODAY!

Land, the People & the Book October 11-26, 2013 Ancient Cultures,Timeless Faiths April 2014 (SOLD OUT) & 2015

Give yourself permission to take a weekend to be in creation, fellowship with old and new friends, enjoy good food, and open your heart and respond to our Heavenly Father.

Ministering to Children in Ukraine

ISRAEL & JORDAN

PEOPLE of CHINA Descendants of the Dragon Sept. 18 - October 6, 2014 __________________________________________________________

office@mennojerusalem.org Tel: (519) 696 -2884

www.mennojerusalem.org

AT WORK GOD IN OUR INTERNATIONAL FAMILY

Nzuzi Mukawa serves Restoration Bible Church, Malawi Read their story at www.icomb.org/godatwork

Mission Without Borders 1-800-494-4454 | www.mwbca.org

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY

Vice-President Academic Canadian Mennonite University invites applications and/or nominations for the position of Vice-President Academic.

The Canadian conference Board of Faith & Life will host a study conference titled “Human Sexuality: honouring God with the body” to help individuals and communities engage in conversation and theological reflection. We invite Mennonite Brethren from across Canada to gather Oct. 16–18, 2013, at River West Christian Church (Edmonton).

The following workshops will provide participants with an opportunity to gain insights from two presenters in an intimate group setting for conversation and dialogue.

Thursday, October 17 from 3:30 – 5:00 pm: Workshops focused on information, equipping, teaching • Hemorrhaging Faith: trends in sexuality among Canadian youth with James Penner • The Collision of Canadian Values: sexuality & the tension between civic harmony and individual difference with Dr. John Stackhouse • The Most Surprising Book of the Bible: the Song of Solomon with Dr. Pierre Gilbert • Sexual Wholeness with Living Waters

Friday, October 18 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Workshops on pastoral and missiological application

Applications will be reviewed starting October 15 until the position is filled.

• Dealing with Sex Issues in the Church: a panel discussion on ministry arising out of human sexuality issues led by Matt Dyck (SunWest Christian Fellowship)

A full position profile and other details can be found at www.cmu.ca/employment.html

• Sexual Abuse: causes, effects, and healing with Elsie Goerzen (Mennonite Central Committee) • Sexual Purity: why it matters

Applications and/or nominations should be addressed to: Director of Human Resources, hrdirector@cmu.ca Canadian Mennonite University 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.

Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2 Canada | www.cmu.ca

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September 2013

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• Exploring Sexuality: my experience and learning from church, seminary, and life led by Jon Mair (Jericho Ridge)

Please join this important conversation in the life of our conference.

For more information visit studyconference.mennonitebrethren.ca

LOCATION: Winnipeg, Manitoba

seirtsiniM pihsdrawetS

REPORTS TO: Executive director, CCMBC

DURATION: Permanent full-time position TRAVEL: Limited travel AREAS OF FOCUS:

The director of communications is a senior strategic role that brings leadership to all elements of communications from the national office of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

The director ensures that Communications functions to support, inspire, and celebrate the mission of CCMBC in a 21st-century context and across a diverse landscape of churches, members, and adherents.

Please submit your resume to Norbert Bargen, Director of Human Resources Email: nbargen@mbconf.ca Phone: (204) 478-2698

The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches is seeking a

Chief Financial Officer JOB DESCRIPTION REPORTS TO: Executive director, CCMBC LOCATION: Winnipeg, Manitoba DURATION: Permanent full-time position TRAVEL: Limited travel AREAS OF FOCUS:

The Chief Financial Officer has overall responsibility for matters related to the financial health of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The individual is expected to maintain financial information and report issues of concern to the CEO. Similarly, as the senior financial person on staff, the individual is expected to act as a resource on financially related issues to our churches, agencies, and provincial conferences as required.

Please submit your resume to Norbert Bargen, Director of Human Resources Email: nbargen@mbconf.ca Phone: (204) 478-2698

Lead Pastor

Friends Community Church, Carman, Man., is a multi-generational church with Sunday attendance of approximately 90, prayerfully seeking a full-time lead pastor. God’s chosen pastor for us has strong biblical convictions and knowledge, and will present sermons with significance. Our congregation has a desire to grow and reach out to our community, and believes our pastor will share this goal. Email inquiries to friendschurchcarman@gmail.com.

Or call Doug Sisson at 204-745-3370.

Lead Pastor

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JOB DESCRIPTION

C H U R C H S TA FF

Vauxhall (Alta.) MB Church is prayerfully seeking a lead pastor who loves the Lord, his Word, and his people. Vauxhall MB is a congregation of about 150 people in a town of 1,000. We are a rural community church that serves a radius of approximately 50 km. We desire a pastor with strong expository preaching skills. We are also looking for someone who is able to work with a team; we have a full-time associate pastor and a part-time office administrator. Visit www.vauxhallmbchurch.com to learn more about us. Send resumes via email to chrissiemensfarm@gmail.com.

Lead Pastor-Teacher

Highland MB Church, Calgary, Alta., has come through a time of transitional ministry and is now looking for a lead pastor-teacher who will be a discipler-equipper in order that the congregation will be built up. We desire to grow in every way more and more like Christ Jesus our Lord. We desire that every congregant be equipped to do the work for which God has gifted them, as we all accomplish God’s mission for us, so that the whole body will increasingly become healthy and growing and full of love. See our website for more details: www.hmbc.ca/employment.

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Director of Communications

gnihtyreve dna s’droL eht si ghntrihateyerehvTe“ dna s’droL eht s ”.ti ni evil ohw lla dna ,dlrow”.tei hnti ,etvi inl iohw lla dna ,dlro

The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches is seeking a

You can read the MB Herald’s online content or a pdf of the print copy on your electronic device.

Contact kbraun@mbconf.ca to subscribe.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD September 2013

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Finish lines

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.—2 Timothy 4:7

Arnold Foth Mar. 13, 1939–Dec. 4, 2012

BIRTHPLACE: Kępa Wyszogrodzka, Poland PARENTS: Albert J. & Anna Foth MARRIAGE: Agnes Friesen, Aug. 1, 1965 BAPTISM: Winnipeg Central MB CHURCH: Elim Mennonite, Grunthal, Man. FAMILY: Agnes; daughter Laura (Ken Braun), 2 granddaughters

After WWII, Arnold’s family moved to Ratzeburg, Germany, and in 1948, immigrated to Canada, settling in Niverville, Man. Arnold attended MB Collegiate Institute, Winnipeg. His lifelong love of cars and trucks led him first to work for transport companies, and later to set up his own trucking business. Arnold and Agnes took many trips across North America. Arnold was a great storyteller. He was ready to meet his Saviour Jesus.

Velma Janzen Sept. 25, 1917–Dec. 15, 2012

BIRTHPLACE: Hepburn, Sask.

PARENTS: Peter & Tina Schmidt MARRIAGE: Jacob B. Janzen, Nov. 22, 1946 BAPTISM: Hepburn, July 31, 1932 CHURCH: Dalmeny, Sask.

FAMILY: Jacob; children Dale (Joanne), Dolores (Ed Armstrong); 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 6 siblings

Velma and Jacob farmed near Dalmeny for 50 years. Her family treasures memories of her tending her beautiful garden and of eating at her table. Velma never retired but continued to care for family by hosting them for summer holidays, weekends, and many meals.

(Margret Froese), Anne (Jake Neufeld), Alf (Jennifer Grey), Rita [deceased October 2011], (John McLeod); 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings

Anna was active in Portage Avenue Church’s ladies’ auxiliary. She volunteered many years at Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, and later at the MCC thrift shop. Anna loved entertaining friends and neighbours. She was an avid gardener, and always busy baking, quilting, sewing, and knitting. When, after 72 years of marriage, Nicolai passed away in 2005, Anna moved to Donwood Manor, Winnipeg, and completed her life at Park Manor. Anna’s family remembers her love and prayers.

Luise Wiens Mar. 17, 1925–Mar. 22, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Petershagen, Ukraine PARENTS: Johann & Justina Friesen MARRIAGE: Gerhard Wiens, Mar. 20, 1947 CHURCH: King Road MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Helmut (Alice), George (Susan), Will (Holly), Jake (Mary), Henry (Nettie), Rudy (Wendy), Walter (Elaine), Alfred (Janice), Martha (Alf Janz), Helen (John Peters); 34 grandchildren; 50 greatgrandchildren

Luise’s family escaped the Soviet Union during WWII. Luise and her fiancé Gerhard left Germany to become pioneers in Halbstadt, Paraguay, in 1947. They married in the MCC refugee camp, Ascuncion, Paraguay. Luise and Gerhard immigrated to Winnipeg in 1957, and moved to Kelowna, B.C., in 1965. Their faith in God sustained them though all life’s challenges. Luise lived for her extended family. She served in her church’s kitchens with an open hand. Luise volunteered in the Clearbrook Community Centre, Abbotsford, B.C., until her late 70s. She will be remembered for her energetic servant heart.

Evald Warkentin

with his whole heart. He was always ready to help others. His sense of humour and wisdom will be missed.

Elsie Siemens Oct. 30, 1924–Apr. 3, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Arkadak, Russia PARENTS: Kornelius & Katarina (Wiebe) Warkentin MARRIAGE: John D. Siemens, Oct. 9, 1943 [deceased 2003] BAPTISM: June 26, 1955 CHURCH: South Abbotsford (B.C.) MB; Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford FAMILY: children Dennis (Betty), Linda (Dave Dyck), Gordon (Donna), Edna [deceased] (Ron Peters), Helen (Bill Hooge), Walter (Sharon), Kathy (Dennis Klassen), Rita (Rick Houweling), Sam (Bev), Rhonda (Derrick Dueck); 30 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 1 brother

Elsie’s family immigrated to Canada in 1925. At 16, while living in Vancouver, Elsie was hit by a streetcar; a concussion and broken leg hospitalized her for 2 months. While she was recovering at home, her brother brought his friend John to sit with the “sick chicken,” and a courtship began. In 1955, during a visit by pastor John Stobbe of South Abbotsford (B.C.) MB Church, Elsie accepted Jesus as Saviour. She told John, who also accepted the Lord, thanking her for being so bold. They were baptized together, and Elsie was given John 10:27–30. John and Elsie farmed dairy cattle, poultry, and raspberries. After berry season, they fished and picked apples. When they moved to Clearbrook, B.C., Elsie sorted clothes at MCC and Helping Hands, and finally had time for visiting. She lived alone in Evergreen Village for 7 years after John’s death. In March, Elsie was diagnosed with a brain tumour. A talented gardener, baker, seamstress, and knitter, Elsie gave each of her 30 grandchildren a homemade afghan.

Jan. 9, 1960–Mar. 28, 2013

Hedie Dorothea Hintz

Anna Dick Nov. 16, 1911–Dec. 21, 2012

BIRTHPLACE: Muensterberg, Ukraine PARENTS: Peter & Anna (Braun) Schroeder MARRIAGE: Nicolai J. Dick, Sept. 30, 1933 [deceased May 27, 2005] CHURCH: Elm Creek (Man.) MB; Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.

FAMILY: children Eleonore (Henry Esau), Henry

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BIRTHPLACE: Colonia Nova, Brazil PARENTS: Franz & Helen Warkentin MARRIAGE: Annie Wiens, Dec. 6, 1980 CHURCH: King Road, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Annie; son Randy (Becky); grandson Matthias; parents; parents-in-law Franz & Neta Wiens

Evald immigrated to Canada in 1975. He enjoyed barbecues with family and friends. He was proud of his grandson. Evald loved life and served God

Oct. 30, 1928–Apr. 6, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Arnaud, Man. PARENTS: Aron & Katharina Janzen MARRIAGE: Edwin Hintz, Aug. 25, 1956 CHURCH: Point Grey InterMennonite, Vancouver FAMILY: Edwin; children Carl (Doreen), Susan (Fred) Wieler, Peter (Dagmar); 8 grandchildren; 4 siblings

"

Hedie was a registered nurse at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, before taking her BScN on scholarship at University of B.C. At 60, she earned a masters in counselling. Hedie lived a life of service to others: raising a family, caring for grandchildren, supporting friends, nursing, teaching nursing at UBC and B.C. Institute of Technology, counselling, and serving on boards for MCC, Pinegrove Place, and Point Grey InterMennonite Fellowship. She touched many lives before Alzheimer’s disease took its toll. Edwin lovingly cared for her until her death.

Paul Przybylski June 29, 1932–Apr. 7, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Chelm, Poland PARENTS: Adolf & Frieda (Bueschke) Przybylski MARRIAGE: Marianne Kramer, April 1955 BAPTISM: Hamburg-Altona, Germany, July 6, 1947 CHURCH: McDermot Avenue Baptist, Winnipeg; Kitimat (B.C.) First Baptist; Bakerview, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Marianne; children Susan, Doris, Robert, Martin, Dennis; 7 grandchildren

Paul’s family was forced to flee due to the moving Russian front in 1945. They travelled 500 km by covered wagon to Gluckstadt, Germany.

Paul’s parents were too old to immigrate to Canada, so he and his sister immigrated first, and then sponsored their parents. Paul had arranged to work 2 years on a farm in Middle Lake, Sask., but after meeting an old friend in the McDermot Avenue Baptist choir, which greeted his train in Winnipeg, he stayed and worked in a factory turning gloves. He met Marianne in the same choir, and proposed to her before leaving for a construction job in Kitimat, B.C., in 1953; she said no. They exchanged letters, and married in 1955. Paul told children’s stories and occasional sermons at Kitimat First Baptist.

He loved hunting and fishing. Paul worked in job evaluation at Alcan, where he had a reputation for honesty. Paul and Marianne retired to Abbotsford, B.C., where Paul served Bakerview Church as peer counsellor and choir member.

In 2012, he fell, possibly experiencing a stroke.

He was relentlessly positive to the end, retelling how the Lord had blessed him.

Linda (Suderman) Stobbe May 3, 1946–Apr. 9, 2013

FAMILY: Ben; children Karl (Stephanie), Joel (Tracy), Julia (Jason); 3 grandchildren

Linda lived a full life defined by her faith and an intense commitment to the arts, particularly music. She was involved in piano performance and music education for 54 years. She taught piano and music theory at MBBI (Columbia Bible College) and the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

She was an adjudicator at music festivals throughout Western Canada and a national examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

She accompanied the Broadway MB Church choir at 12, served at Westwood MB Church, Prince George, B.C., as pianist and ensemble member for 27 years, and at Saanich Community Church, Victoria, as pianist and ensemble leader for 17 years. For the past 7 years, she embarked on 2-month service trips to Mennonite Centre Molochansk, Ukraine, where she taught piano master classes and offered humanitarian aid.

A few days before she died from cancer, Linda was taken to the piano where she played “The Servant Song.”

Sonja Pepneck May 17, 1927–Apr. 11, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Neuenberg, Ukraine PARENTS: Abram & Helena Wiebe MARRIAGE: Peter Pepneck, Oct. 23, 1949 CHURCH: Vauxhall (Alta.) MB FAMILY: Peter; children Helga (Dean) Joyce, Peter (Glenna), Richard (JoAnn), Lillian (George) Simpson, Harvey (Kathy), Heidi (Ken) Froese; 19 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren

Sonja’s father died when she was young, in a time of hunger and turmoil in Ukraine. During WWII, Sonja’s family became refugees, moving with the retreating German army. Her brother died in Poland before Sonja and her mother escaped on one of the last trains out of Germany.

In 1948, they arrived in Canada, settling with their sponsor, uncle Henry Wiebe in Vauxhall, Alta. Sonja and Peter farmed beside the Bow River more than 60 years. Sonja often said, “God is so good to me.” Her faith, family, and friends were her life. She was always looking for ways to help others, especially her family.

Anna SchmidtRatzlaff Aug. 10, 1914–Apr. 12, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Chilliwack, B.C. PARENTS: Jacob & Mary Suderman MARRIAGE: Ben Stobbe, Sept. 8, 1966 BAPTISM: Broadway MB, Chilliwack CHURCH: Westwood MB, Prince George, B.C.; Saanich (B.C.)

BIRTHPLACE: Sady, Poland PARENTS: Michael & Ottilie (Mavert) Prochnau MARRIAGE: Willi Schmidt, Nov. 12, 1932 [deceased Aug. 18, 1974]; Erhard Ratzlaff, Sept. 17,

1983 [deceased 1991] BAPTISM: Wymyschle MB, Poland, 1932 CHURCH: Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY: daughters Emma (Reinhold Koerner), Helen (Richard) Matis; stepchildren Heidy (Richard Bartel), Walter, Dorothy (Alvin) Balzer; 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren

Anna and her 7 siblings had their own orchestra.

She was taught salvation as a child, and accepted Christ at 18. Anna and Willi adopted 4-yearold Emma and teenage orphaned niece Helen.

During WWII, Willi was conscripted as a health care worker for 4 years – a time of fear for Anna.

He returned and they endured 4 more years of Russian rule, before, with MCC’s and the Red Cross’s help, the family fled to Germany in 1948.

They immigrated to Canada in 1949, settling first in Bassano, Alta., then Coaldale, Alta., where Anna joined Coaldale MB Church’s choir and ladies’ aid. Nine years after Willi’s death, she married Erhard, and moved to Clearbrook, B.C., where she enjoyed many blessings. After his death in 1991, she returned to Coaldale in 1998.

Judith (Judy) Mary Driediger Mar. 16, 1941–Apr. 16, 2013 BIRTHPLACE: Drake, Sask.

PARENTS: Abram & Elizabeth (Froese) Driediger BAPTISM: May 25, 1958 CHURCH: Bethel Mennonite, Aldergrove, B.C.; Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: siblings Abe (Lena), Helena Friesen, Diet (Nettie), David (Bonnie), Anne (Ron) Epp, Johnny (Linda); some 200 nieces & nephews

Judy was involved with Pioneer Girls (becoming a certified leader) and vacation Bible school at Bethel Mennonite, Aldergrove. Judy created a safe place and fond memories for young nieces and nephews. In 1985, Judy and her mother moved to an apartment in Abbotsford, B.C. Judy joined day care at Clearbrook Community Centre.

She volunteered at MCC Plaza Coffee Shop, where she enjoyed meeting and serving people; strangers recognized her for her kindness. After her mother died in 1988, Judy remained at the apartment with her sister Anne’s help. MCC arranged for Judy to take classes at Fraser Valley College, where she developed her communication skills, and made her family proud with her valedictory speech. Through MCC’s vocational services program, Judy worked at Woolco’s restaurant, continuing after Woolco became a Walmart, until her retirement at 65. Judy loved knitting, making hundreds of toques and scarves for family, Union Gospel Mission, and Children’s Hospital; she saw people on the news wearing her handiwork.

Judy travelled to Alaska, Hawaii, and Disneyland.

A friendly usher at Clearbrook, Judy wasn’t shy about giving her testimony or passing on prayer requests and answers. She remembered

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her nephews’, nieces’, and siblings’ birthdays. In years, she corresponded with 1,300 children March, Judy was hospitalized with heart fibrilla- as Mailbox Bible Club writer, sponsored by the tion; tests revealed stage 4 lung cancer.

Alberta MB conference. After retirement, she continued writing children’s books and Bible lessons for African pastors as long as health permitted. Nettie touched many with her gentle, Walter Peter Petker compassionate spirit. People felt her service was Feb. 14, 1945–Apr. 20, 2013 never about her, always about Christ.

reward of taking joy in his labour (Ecclesiastes 2:10). Outgoing and generous, Korny could often be heard sharing what he read in his Bible that morning or bragging about his family and his tomatoes.

Gordon Leslie Weber Aug. 20, 1929–May 11, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Germany PARENTS: Henry & Mary (Dueck) Petker MARRIAGE: Margaret Krahn, Sept. 27, 1969 BAPTISM: East Chilliwack (B.C.) MB (now Central), 1962 CHURCH: Saanich, Victoria; Sardis, Chilliwack, B.C. FAMILY: Margaret; sons Dean, Jason (Carla)

On his third birthday, Walter’s family immigrated as refugees to Chilliwack, B.C. Walter worked summers at Pioneer Pacific Camp, Thetis Island, B.C. In 1964, he attended Bible school in Clearbrook, B.C., then Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. After working in northern B.C. sawmills, he married Margaret. In 1975, they moved to Vancouver Island. With his servant heart, Walter became a Bible study leader and property manager at Saanich (B.C.) Community Church. He retired from Corrections Canada in 1997, and helped Mennonite Disaster Service in Manitoba for several weeks. Walter and Marg began a hobby farm and B&B in Rosedale, B.C., the next year. Two trips to Peru to serve Camp LaJoya were highlights. After Walter was diagnosed with chronic leukemia, he and Marg sold the farm. At Sardis Community Church, Chilliwack, Walter led Bible studies and used his love for photography to make PowerPoints.

Nettie Berg Jan. 21, 1923–Apr. 27, 2013

Linda Kehler Sept. 29, 1926–Apr. 30, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Kleefeld, Man. PARENTS: Dietrich & Helena Bartel MARRIAGE: David Kehler, May 24, 1953 CHURCH: Community Fellowship, Newton, Man. FAMILY: David; children Sharon (Terry) Gross, Darrell (Iris), Marvin (Darlene), Marcia (Johannes) Neuschwander; 8 grandchildren; great-grandchildren including Sara Jane [deceased]; 2 brothers

Linda accepted the Lord as a child, and worked as a camp counsellor at CSSM and Red Rock Bible Camps, Man. At Bible college, she committed her life to youth work. Linda trained as a nurse. On the farm, she called herself the supervisor of gardening. Linda expressed herself through poetry. She was a dedicated volunteer for Newton (Man.) Community Fellowship, family camp, and the Progressive Conservative party. At Christian Woman’s Club, she served as executive member, speaker, and prayer warrior.

Linda always had a smile and a chuckle as she enjoyed life and everyone she met.

Kornelius (Korny) Braun June 5, 1938–Apr. 30, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Russia PARENTS: Peter & Aganetha Berg BAPTISM: Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY: 1 niece, 2 nephews; great-nieces & great-nephews

BIRTHPLACE: Paraguay PARENTS: Kornelius & Tina Braun MARRIAGE: Elsa Enns, 1961 CHURCH: King Road, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Elsa; children Lore (Larry), Ewald (Lori), Heidi (Jeff), Rick; 11 grandchildren; 4 siblings

Nettie’s family immigrated to Dalmeny, Sask., when she was young and settled in Coaldale, Alta., in 1934. She accepted Christ at 14 and was baptized. After graduating from Galt School of Nursing, Lethbridge, Alta., and MB Bible College, Winnipeg, Nettie went on to study midwifery, French, and tropical diseases. She served 18 years in DR Congo as a missionary nurse until the rebellion. Upon her return to Africa, Nettie worked 5 years in a Bible bookstore. She became fluent in 5 languages. In 1970, she came back to Canada because of a detached retina. For 18

When Korny was 14, his family moved to Brazil.

At 17, he committed his life to Jesus and was baptized into the MB church. He developed his work ethic when he was employed as a farm hand for 10 years. Just before Korny and Tina’s third wedding anniversary, a house fire destroyed all they owned, except the immigration papers their uncle Arthur rescued. Five days later, they welcomed their second child.

In 1965, they immigrated to Vancouver, where they had 2 more children, and Korny began his 35-year construction career. He received the

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BIRTHPLACE: Toronto PARENTS: Clarence & Minnie Weber MARRIAGE: Jeanne Gingrich, Aug. 3, 1951 BAPTISM: Kitchener, Ont., 1945 CHURCH: First Mennonite, Rockway Mennonite, Kitchener, Ont.; Christian Fellowship Chapel, Orillia, Ont. FAMILY: Jeanne; children Randy [deceased] (Gwen), Wendi (Brad) Eizenga, Brad, Kim (Dan) Amorim, Ginny (Barry) Klassen; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren

Gord moved to Orillia, Ont., in 1968. Gord was a Sunday school superintendent and church moderator, taught college and career class, and served on 2 building committees and a finance committee. He was involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship, Camp Crossroads, and The Gideons. He owned Dominion Lumber.

Gord enjoyed making maple syrup and boating with family and friends.

Peter Boschman Mar. 23, 1929–May 13, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Delia, Alta.

PARENTS: David & Sarah (Boldt) Boschman MARRIAGE: Betty Geddert, Aug. 17, 1951 BAPTISM: Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY: Betty; children Ken (Sharon), Marlene, Harvey (Linda), Norman (Janyce), Carole (Marvin) Reimer, Gordon (Therese); 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren

When Peter was 14, his mother died, and Tina Sawatzky became his caring stepmother. He accepted Christ as Saviour as a teen and was baptized. He graduated from Coaldale (Alta.)

Bible School. After serving in Sunday school and youth work in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., Peter was called as pastor and ordained in Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C. Here he married Betty. He went on to pastor more than 40 years in Fort St. John, B.C.; Dalmeny, Sask., Newton, Man.; and LaGlace, Alta. After retirement, he served as an interim pastor. Compassionate and wise, Peter lived out his faith daily, showing the way of the gospel to those in need.

Transitions Hugh Froese began as community life pastor at Winkler (Man.) MB, Aug. 1.

He holds an MA in church ministry from MBBS and was pastor at South Park MB, Altona, Man., 2003–2013. Hugh and Yvette have 3 children.

Jurgen Rausch began as lead pastor at Scott Street MB, St. Catharines, Ont., June 2013. With a BRE in pastoral studies from Tyndale Bible College and Seminary, and an MBA with a non-profit specialty from Trinity Western University, he pastored for 20 years in southern Ontario with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and most recently served as director of partner relations for Family Life Network. Jurgen and Reni have 3 adult children.

Bethel Evangelical Christian Assembly, an Ethiopian church fellowship in Winnipeg, changed its name to House of Covenant International. The pastor is Yohannes Engida and the current language of worship is Amharic.

Jonathan Mitchell began as youth pastor at Culloden MB, Vancouver, in May. Trained at business school, he was a volunteer youth leader for 6 years with Every Nation church in Vancouver where, in 2012, he started a monthly youth worship night at South Hill Church.

Terry Brensinger was appointed dean and vice president of Fresno (Cal.) Pacific Biblical Seminary, starting Aug. 1. Professor of pastoral ministry at FPBS since 2011, Brensinger holds advanced degrees in Old Testament, biblical studies, and Ancient Near Eastern archeology from Drew University, an MDiv from Asbury Theological seminary, and a BA from Messiah College. Prior to teaching at FPBS he taught at Messiah College, Harrisonburg, Pa., pastored, and taught overseas.

Bethany College welcomes Tim Huebert as instructor in ministry arts and community worship director. A graduate of Briercrest College, Caronport, Sask., and University of Saskatchewan

Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan., said farewell to 2 long-serving professors. Richard Kyle, professor of history and religion for 41 years, and Judy Harder, associate professor of communication for 26 years, retired from classroom teaching at the end of the 2012–2013 year.

BUCKNALL – to Darryl & Jen of Vineland, Ont., a daughter, Reaghan Helena, June 25, 2013.

DE GROOT – to Cory & Courtney Unger of Brandon, Man., a son, Maverick Aaron David, July 17, 2013.

DUECK – to Scott & Susan of Brandon, Man., a son, Quinn Alexander, Dec. 20, 2012.

GOOD – to Greg & Meaghan of Beamsville, Ont., a son, Ethan Jackson, June 4, 2013.

HANEMAAYER – to Antoni & Hannah of

with degrees in religious education and music education, he served at Bethany as interim music director 1994–1996, and as music minister at Westwood MB Church, Prince George, B.C., 1996–2012. Long-time Bethany professor Susan Schmidt Goerz is now ministry arts director.

Dunnville, Ont., a son, Silas Jedidiah, Apr. 4, 2013.

KLASSEN – to Jeremy & Mary (Dick) of LaSalle, Man., a daughter, Eliana Joy, May 22, 2013.

MARTENS – to Dan & Laura (Van Wieren) of Langley, B.C., a daughter, Tessa Olivia, June 8, 2013.

MORIN – to Adam & Ainsley of Thompson, Man., a son, Levi Jacques, May 31, 2013.

NEUFELD – to Jordan & Laura of Steinbach., Man., a son, James Isaac Richard, May 9, 2013.

OLFERT – to Andrew & Emily (Steeves) of Hays, Alta., a son, Alexander Levi Abram, Jan. 28, 2013.

SCHELLENBERG – to Jason & Nadine (Thul) of Vauxhall, Alta., a daughter, Janae Rosella Joy, Apr. 30, 2013.

SERGER – to Morgan & Krista of Thompson, Man., a son, Obadiah Michael, Dec. 8, 2012.

THIESSEN – to Bryan & Leanne (Falk) of Niverville, Man., a son, Jensen Lawrence, June 28, 2013.

WALL – to Andi & Dana (Stewart) of Vauxhall, Alta., a daughter, Brinley Jean, June 19, 2013.

avid D’SILVA of D Waterloo, Ont., & Amanda KLASSEN of Ayr, Ont., July 13, 2013. avid D PEPNECK of Vauxhall, Alta., & Anna DELONG of Bridgewater, N.S., July 6, 2013. ndrew A WEBB & Jennifer PEPNECK, both of Lethbridge, Alta., Aug. 3, 2013.

Dead to sin, alive with C hrist

We celebrate with churches who welcomed the following new members by baptism: WEST PORTAL, Saskatoon, Apr. 14, 2013: Odai Naphouthai.

NORTH KILDONAN, Winnipeg, Apr. 21, 2013: Corban Friesen, David Pinette; June 9, 2013: Paige Nolke, Melani Sawatzky, Nathan Schroeder, Jenna Slobodian, Zoe Woelk.

KITCHENER (Ont.), June 30, 2013: Kyle Somerville.

PORT ROWAN (Ont.), July 7, 2013: Brian Seeley, Niana Good, Braden Reimer, Taylor Reimer, Kara Reimer, Amy Reimer.

DALMENY (Sask.), June 23, 2013: Josh Picard, Josh Buhler, Evan Chalmers, Sam Klassen, Amber Pauls, Destinée Ducharme.

The MB Herald is searching for a Regional correspondent (Ont.) This position requires a commitment of approx. 24-32 hours/month.

Duties include: • writing Herald news features • reporting on Ontario MB conventions and events • contacting local churches • gathering stories of people/ministries in Ontario churches The successful applicant will: • be a member of an MB church in Ontario • possess journalistic skills and have previous writing experience • be able to work long-distance with an editorial team • be relational and self-motivated Please send resume to mbherald@mbconf.ca or Attention: Laura Kalmar, 1310 Taylor Ave., Winnipeg, Man., R3M 3Z6 For more information call 1-888-669-6575.

Application deadline Sept. 30.

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currents Film’s mockery belittles theology Another view of Hellbound?

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evin Miller knew his film Hellbound? would push buttons; its marketing promises “you [will] never look at hell the same way again.” Everyone has a bias, and it’s within a filmmaker’s rights to articulate various views in a film, then promote a particular one. However, though Hellbound? is technically a documentary, it feels more like a Christian version of a Michael Moore mockumentary.

The film argues two things: Christian universalism is within the bounds of Christian orthodoxy, and people who believe in God’s retributive justice and hell will (and do!) act violently toward others. The Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith disagrees on both points.

On theologically thin ice There is no room for Christian universalism within the Confession of Faith’s articulation of orthodoxy.

“If we want to be faithful to the Scriptures we cannot avoid this ‘elementary’ doctrine [judgment] (Hebrews 6:1–2),” reads Article 18’s commentary. “All those who have rejected Christ will be condemned to hell, forever separated from the presence of God.” Furthermore, “Jesus…proclaimed loudly and clearly that a day of judgment was yet to come (Matthew 7:19; 8:12; 25:31–46; John 3:16; 5:29). The apostles too made it very clear that the ungodly ‘will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord’ (2 Thessalonians1:9, NRSV)....

Those who have rejected the gospel will suffer eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17, NRSV).... ‘Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath’ (John 3:36, NRSV).”

The Confession clearly articulates that hell is a populated place where 36

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GREG HARRIS

people experience eternal punishment. It holds the doctrines of God’s retributive justice and the believer’s sacrificial peace-seeking love for others as two friends standing beside each other, not opponents in need of reconciling. As the apostle Paul writes: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’.…

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19–21, NRSV).

Too many cheap shots The manner in which Hellbound? argues its main points is not above reproach.

We expect theological writers to quote people in context; the same requirement ought to apply to theological filmmakers. Yet the film persistently tears down the traditional-literal view of hell with straw man arguments. For example, after setting up an argument that belief in a populated and eternal hell produces angry Christians, the film cuts to a clip of Mark Driscoll yelling. However, the clip ends without providing the subject of Driscoll’s comments (men who abuse women).

By divorcing the clip from context, the filmmaker doesn’t allow Driscoll the clarity he is due in a constructive conversation.

Another editing “low blow” was following one contributor’s discussion of his belief that not everyone is a child of God (making the case that God reserves a special love for his children, the elect) with a montage of the general public while a cheeky version of “one of these things is not like the other” plays. The clip garners chuckles, but they come at the expense of a genuinely held belief – hardly a gracious way to treat a conversation partner. Such editing

cheap shots were not taken at those who held to universalism.

The most grievous example of poor argumentation was functionally lumping all who hold a traditional view of hell with the unchristian antics of Westboro Baptist Church – an affiliation the other traditional proponents would surely dislike. The film consistently presents universalists as intelligent, thoughtful, and likeable people; and repeatedly associates traditional folks with extremists like Westboro Baptist Church.

Miller reduces himself by making fun of his opponents to make his view look better. After presenting the two sides, the film essentially asks viewers who they would rather be like: a winsome British chap who is a universalist or a hate-filled, fearmongering, placard-sign-holding extremist who believes in a literal hell? It left this viewer wondering if those were the only options.

Hellbound? does more harm than good. The specifics of what hell is like as experienced by those in it is beyond our scope of complete understanding. However, the doctrine of hell as an eternally populated place of punishment is affirmed by the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith. Holding this doctrine has not made MBs into vengeance-seeking, war-championing, fearmongers who relish the damnation of others.

Though Hellbound? promises impartial dialogue on the different views of hell, it functions more like a universalistic sermon that takes cheap shots at contributors who hold a traditional-literal view of hell.

The film is certainly engaging and provocative, but it fails at the harder task of being fair and nuanced.

Greg Harris is director of local missions at Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C.

Music for the masses Blog takes worship world by storm

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as a worship leader, I’m far more likely to be faithful to the God of Scripture.”

Refocus on Bible Re:Worship also meets another goal for Longhurst – to refocus worship on the Bible. “We call ourselves people of the Book,” she says, “but in reality so many of our churches use so little Scripture in worship.” Longhurst chooses resources based on specific Bible passages to encourage churches to consider both the art and its source.

“On the blog, Scripture is always the starting point,” she says, “because I’ve found on a personal level that if I root my worship-leading in the words and the stories and the imagery of Scripture, then

Liturgy in lock-up One of the more unusual places Longhurst’s influence is found is within the Manitoba Youth Centre in Winnipeg, where, every few Sundays, prayers from her blog flow from the mouths of institutionalized youth. Once a month, Jenna Dyck leads 12–18 year-old offenders in worship. The Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) student (and chaplain assistant) uses re:Worship to plan many of the services. “[The blog has] been really helpful because I like to have lots of prayers included in the services. It’s really easy to bring in a worship band and have them just play for the whole service, but then I think something is lacking,” Dyck says.

“I think that part of corporate worship is having that body united in prayer.… I have opening prayers, prayers of intercession, stuff like that. And I get youth to volunteer to read the prayers.”

Her own background in Presbyterianism gave Dyck an appreciation for traditional forms of worship, including use of the lectionary (one form of indexing on Longhurst’s blog). She’s also discovered that many of the First Nations youth who attend the service are more familiar with hymns and responsive prayer than they are with contemporary music and worship styles. For Dyck, re:Worship has been an essential resource.

“It’s just so easy to use,” she says. “I love going in with the search function and if I’ve got a specific Scripture that I’m preaching on that week, then I can just search out opening prayer, or benedictions, or other things that are written based on that Scripture. And so instead of having to spend all sorts of time myself… somebody else has already gone through and compiled everything.”

Of course, Dyck also appreciates the end result.

ost bloggers are proud to count the annual “views” of their site in the thousands. Christine Longhurst’s blog re:Worship (re-worship.blogspot.com) can get a few thousand views in a day.

Since its birth in April 2011, re:Worship has racked up more than 2.5 million views, receiving visitors and comments from as far away as South Africa, New Zealand, Jamaica, and Malaysia. Emails of gratitude and encouragement have come from Pentecostals, Baptists, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox, as well as Longhurst’s fellow Mennonite Brethren.

So what separates this worship blog from the dozens of other resources on the internet?

“There’s lots of good material online,” says Longhurst, “but it’s usually buried really deep. So there’s wonderful stuff if you go four pages in on someone’s site.… My thinking was ‘We’ve got to have a way to more easily access some of this material!’ That’s where a blog is perfect.”

Longhurst compiles worship resources from dozens of sources into one exhaustively indexed hub. For the last two years, she has spent more than 20 hours a week creating and compiling prayers, calls to worship, readings, litanies, benedictions, and other forms of worship.

PAU L E SAU

“It’s really powerful when you can see a group of 50 juvenile offenders all reciting in unison ‘Lord, help us have compassion!’” she says.

MB sponsorship Over the last year, Centre for MB Studies (CMBS) director Jon Isaak also recruited Longhurst to create content on worship practices for the archive website.

She is in the process of consolidating different types of resources dealing with specific scriptural texts or themes into dozens of posts for the Centre.

While the project is still in its infancy, Isaak hopes it will become a large part of what CMBS can offer on current MB practice, expanding the Centre’s role beyond the historical data for which it’s best known. He has been very impressed with Longhurst’s contributions so far.

Isaak says Longhurst is the perfect fit for the project, citing her doctorate in worship studies, her history of worship leadership in churches and at conventions, and her membership at River East MB Church in Winnipeg. She has the credentials – and “she actually knows what MBs do and don’t do, so it was logical,” he says.

“The point of this is to gather in one place some of these options. And we hope in the future to have other writers, other musicians, other worship planners continue with it.”

As of this spring, the MB Church of Manitoba has also adopted re:Worship as a project, providing some welcome recognition and fundraising opportunities for the hundreds of hours Longhurst has given to the blog since 2011.

“It’s been the comments, people who take the time to say, ‘This matters to me; thank you’ – that’s really what’s kept me going,” she says. “[I’m just trying] to make it easier for our worship leaders and song leaders to choose well.”

Paul Esau is a communications intern with CCMBC and the MB Herald.

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CURRENT books Entrepreneurial Leadership: Finding Your Calling, Making a Difference RICHARD J. GOOSSEN AND R. PAUL STEVENS ow can entrepreneurial leaders bridge the gap of misunderstanding and embrace their God-given calling to make a difference in business, the church, and society? Goossen and Stevens bring clarity to an issue that is relevant for many business people, and offer sound principles for how entrepreneurial leaders can more effectively tap their potential and make an impact in the marketplace and the church.

This book is suitable not only for business professionals and entrepreneurs, but also for pastors, professors, students in business and theology, and others interested in exploring the integration of faith and the marketplace.—Jeff Huebner, Redekop School of Business, CMU

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Creating a Scene in Corinth: A Simulation RETA HALTEMAN FINGER AND GEORGE D. MCCLAIN reating a Scene in Corinth is an exercise in biblical “improv” – a dramatic re-creation of the congregation’s response to Paul’s written conversation with Corinth. The authors have created a significant resource for groups who want to engage Paul’s letter to Corinth in a personal and creative way.

They encourage the reader/participant to respond to the oral text of 1 Corinthians as if the church hadn’t yet solidified its authority as God’s revelation. Readers/participants may find that the subversive nature of the church in Roman society sparks some theological and social debate today as well.—Rick Schellenberg, Bethany College

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The Canadian conference Board of Faith & Life will host a study conference titled “Human Sexuality: honouring God with the body” to help individuals and communities engage in conversation and theological reflection. We invite Mennonite Brethren from across Canada to gather Oct. 16–18, 2013, at River West Christian Church (Edmonton).

Kindred Productions and the Board of Faith and Life

are pleased to offer the following book specials to assist Mennonite Brethren in preparation for our study conference on Human Sexuality: honouring God with the body.

Strength in Weakness:

The Vertical Self:

Healing Sexual and Relational Brokenness

How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are in an Age of Self Obsession

ANDREW COMISKEY

MARK SAYERS

$16.99*

$15.99*

The Bible and Homosexual Practice:

Church in Crisis:

Texts and Hermeneutics ROBERT A.J. GAGNON

$47.50* Sexuality: God’s Gift

ANNE KRAYBILL HERSHBERGER

$16.99*

The Gay Controversy and the Anglican Communion OLIVER O’DONOVAN

$17.00* Buy all 5 books for $90 or save 20% off the purchase of 2 or more *Prices do not include taxes or any shipping fees

For more information visit

www.mennonitebrethren.ca

Intersection

of faith & life

Sexuality is a beautiful gift from our Creator. It is central to who we are as human beings. It can also be powerful and fierce at times, and can be terribly misused or even abused.

Over the past decades, the church has become more willing to talk about abuse happening within the confines of our own walls.

We acknowledge and lament tragedies, such as the multiple cases of rape reported in 2009 in a Bolivian Mennonite community. We publish pamphlets on spouse abuse and pornography. We help pastors draw appropriate lines of conduct with their parishioners through programs such as Sacred Trust.

As Christians, we are called to protect the vulnerable among us. We are also called to be vessels of accountability, reconciliation, and restoration.

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is wrestling with this tension as they come to grips with a dark period in their history, weighing professor John Howard Yoder’s human sin and failure alongside his theological brilliance. President Sara Wenger Shenk, in her faculty blog, reflected on how the school hopes to move forward and teach Yoder’s work with integrity.—LK

Unfinished business with John Howard Yoder SARA WENGER SHENK In 1992, the North American Mennonite community was shaken with revelations of allegations of sexual misconduct levied at one of the Mennonite world’s most prominent theologians, John Howard Yoder (author of The Politics of Jesus). At this time, Yoder was a professor at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind. In June 1992, the IndianaMichigan Mennonite conference suspended his ministerial credentials. After a four-year process, Yoder’s credentials were reinstated.

In 1997, months before his death at 70, Yoder taught a course at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.—peacetheology.net

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ime has its way. As does the Spirit.

The accelerating interest in and widespread appreciation for John Howard Yoder’s theological work has also provoked renewed calls for the Mennonite church, including Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., to revisit unfinished business with his legacy.

Last year, in February and March of 2012, AMBS faculty did significant work to review AMBS’s history with John Howard Yoder and to come to a shared agreement that guides how we teach, critique, interpret, and use Yoder’s work with integrity, recognizing the significance of his theological work, and the harmfulness of his actions.

I wanted to add a personal word.

As the current president of AMBS, I’m committed to a new transparency in the truth telling that must happen. We must strive to get the facts straight, to acknowledge healing work that has been done, and to shoulder the urgent healing work that must still be done.

Some who are only tuning in now will say, I had no idea about John Howard Yoder’s widespread sexual harassment and

abuse. Others will say, why keep bringing this up; it was settled long ago; he submitted to a church disciplinary process and was cleared for ongoing ministry. Others will say, FINALLY. This has taken far too long.

The renewed outcry for truth telling about what really happened and what didn’t happen in the 1970s, ‘80s, and early ‘90s has deepened my resolve and the resolve of Mennonite Church USA leaders to continue the healing journey.

I was not close to the John Howard Yoder saga when it was unfolding and only heard him speak once during his visit in 1997 to Harrisonburg, Va. Now, as I review the written materials about him and talk to people, I am dumbfounded (appalled) at how long it took for anyone in authority to publicly denounce his harmful behaviour.

I am also keenly aware that I was not there. I do not presume that I would have done things differently at that time. I thank God for all the faithful and arduous labour that was exerted under extreme stress to stop John Howard Yoder’s sexual abuse and to listen to the victims – as ineffective as it proved to be for many years.

As AMBS professor Ted Koontz said elsewhere: “The women who experienced sexual and power abuse by John personally have far too long been sidelined (along with others who were directly abused by other church leaders) and are rightfully at the centre of our concern. I nevertheless am aware the hurt caused by John’s behaviour was and is far-reaching. That circle of hurt includes some who carried major responsibility to work at stopping his abusive behaviour, who were unsuccessful, and who were burdened by weight of that failure.”

True, there was confusion about who John Howard should be accountable to

with various influential church leaders and institutions continuing to send him all over the world even as AMBS leaders of the time discouraged his use as a resource. It took far too long to realize how he was out-manipulating persons who sought to confront him, along with providing his own theological rationalization for his sexual activities.

But it’s time to say frankly that we have fallen short. Even those of us now in leadership who weren’t remotely involved at the time must commit to the deep listening needed to get the facts straight.

What did actually happen? What was done to address it and what was left undone, regrettably, or done poorly, in retrospect? Who suffered because of that failure? Who was disbelieved for too long even as an abuser was allowed to continue his globetrotting ministry without public censure? In what ways would we respond differently today given the benefit of hindsight and so much learning in the meantime?

Yes, John Howard’s ministry was and is an exposition of the gospel that is reaping an enormous blessing. Thanks be to God! This flawed man was gifted in ways that allowed him to grasp radically good news in the gospel that needed retelling, reimagining.

Ironically, it is because of that gospel that we can fearlessly call sin what it is. The far-reaching hurt of the evil that was perpetrated and allowed to fester too long must be more fully and publicly acknowledged.

It is then we can move into deeper healing and reconciliation. May it be so!

Reproduced from The Mennonite, this post ran originally on AMBS president Sara Wenger Shenk’s blog, Practicing Reconciliation.

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What is C2C netWork about?

We are a church multiplication network, passionate about lifting high the name of Jesus in Canada. We want to see lives changed by the power of the gospel, as the Holy Spirit leads us to live with a mission focus, so that the Kingdom of God advances in our nation. Planting new churches is part of our strategy, but we’re also passionately interested in helping established churches and pastors create Gospel Centered, Spirit Led, Mission Focused movements within their church and communities. We are available to assist, to inspire and equip established churches to multiply whether this is planting another church, starting a new campus, adding another service or, creating ministry outreach opportunities.

save the Date April 1 & 2, 2014, Calgary AB www.c2cnetwork.ca for further details and registration email: info@c2cnetwork.ca

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