Vol. 44 No. 3 February 8, 2006 - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Messenger
The
EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE
VOLUME 44 NUMBER 3 FEBRUARY 8, 2006
What does it mean to be a
Chris ian?
The
editorials
B
Messenger
Believer baptism
and 30 years ago
aptized upon confession of faith
in 1976, I was 19 years old and
moving away from the church of
my childhood. That baptism is an
action that I’ve often reexamined.
My parents had me baptized in infancy,
and I respect them for it. Not unusually, the
act wasn’t explained later and confirmation
didn’t follow.
Dad and Mom attended some church
services and made it possible for my sisters
and me to attend Sunday school and church
camp. Later, in a gracious act, they paid for
much of my Bible college education. I’m
indebted to them!
The decision to be baptized in a Baptist
church expressed how I consciously, yet
imperfectly, let Christ into my life. Later
baptism became richer to me as a covenant,
corporate act.
Scholars agree that the New Testament
gives clear examples of believer baptism,
and that there is no clear reference to
baptism of infants or young children.
Peter says baptism is the pledge or
appeal to God for a clear conscience (1
Peter 3:21)—hardly the actions of an infant.
In his dispute with Jewish false teachers,
Paul does not appeal to infant baptism as
the New Testament counterpart to infant
circumcision (Galatians 5:11–12).
When describing children as “holy” in
a home where one parent is a Christian,
Paul does not say that infant baptism
is the means by which this happens (1
Corinthians 7:14); from this, scholar Kurt
Aland says infant baptism was unknown in
the first-century church in Corinth.
To be baptized as a believer is a simple
decision for some people and more
complicated for others. It has proven to be
complicated for me. But the decision of 30
T
years ago is one that I stand by. M
Terry M. Smith
How might we respond?
A
married couple of mixed church
backgrounds
seeks
local
membership; one was baptized
in infancy and does not want
believer’s baptism. How might a pastor
respond?
Gently. Today’s Church is more diverse
and complex than when the apostles
lived. A couple’s desire to be involved in
congregational life should be celebrated
and supported. They have three options:
Join a church of his background, her
background, or another one.
On membership, all believers are indwelt
by Christ’s Spirit, Who baptizes us into one
Body (1 Corinthians 12:13). All Christians
have an undeniable universal membership;
on that level, we are already members.
But since faith and membership are lived
out locally, a pastor could test the waters
about believer’s baptism and then ask: Do
you want your children or grandchildren
to be baptized in infancy or as believers? If
the couple supports further infant baptism,
2
local membership is awkward; if they prefer
believer baptism, this is more workable.
Here’s a factor to consider when
evaluating circumstances: People can be
better nurtured in evangelical settings,
even if they disagree about baptism, than
in some settings where infant baptism is
practiced and other teachings are less
than evangelical. Further, in some smaller
communities church options are limited. It’s
true, though, that people can be nurtured
without local membership.
What’s this boil down to? In some cases,
and for pastoral reasons, individuals
baptized in infancy can be accepted as
members without rebaptism—as in some
Baptist churches in Britain.
However, while such members can be
involved in many ways, their ability to
give oversight or to teach would be limited
until baptism occurs. Sensitive pastoral
care doesn’t mean the teaching standard
T
changes in our churches. M
Terry M. Smith
EDITOR
Terry M. Smith
ASSISTANT
EDITOR
Rebecca Buhler
THE MESSENGERisthepublication
of the Evangelical Mennonite
Conference.Itisavailabletothe
general public. Its purpose is to
inform,instructandinspire:inform
concerningeventsandactivities
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inspire to earnestly contend for
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Letters, articles, photos and
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THE MESSENGER is published
twice a month (once a month
in July and August) by the
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The Messenger
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E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net
On-line edition available at
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MESSENGER SCHEDULE:
No.05–March
(copydueFebruary2)
THEMESSENGER
letter
coming events
February 25
EdenFoundation
Make seniors integral
CoffeehouseConcert
part
of churchConference
life
Music,sharing,dessert
SBC Leadership
2006
Donationswelcome
I would like to congratulate Dave
MordenMennoniteChurch
Schellenberg for his article in the January
Morden,Man.
11 issue of The Messenger [A day for the
20-325-5355
church to highlight seniors]. The closer
I get to being a senior—indeed some
February 26
already think of me as such—the more
EdenFoundation
I am enamored with thoughts similar to
CoffeehouseConcert
Music,sharing,dessert
those of Mr. Schellenberg.
Donationswelcome
I think it would be great to hold an
Steinbach55PlusCentre
annual seniors day in the church, as he
Steinbach,Man.
suggests. But we need to keep working to
Speaker: Ewald Unruh, Director of Leadership Development
20-325-5355
make seniors an integral part of church
and
Evangelism
Canada
for
the
MB
Conference
life throughout the year. As I see it, the
March 3
lies 24-25,
in planning
Date:answer
March
2006 for many more
Down Home with the Derksens
inter-generational activities within the
Bluegrassconcertandsupper
Time:church.
Friday, 1 pm to Saturday 3 pm
ProvidenceCollege
generations
20-33-7
Place: AllSBC
Chapel need to experience
how natural and pleasant it is to
downhome@prov.ca
Cost:experience
$40 bylife
March
15 / $50 This
after March
together.
past 15
March 13–15
Christmas the characters in the
Revive Your Soul!
Christmas pageant in our church were
TyndalePastorsandLeaders
mostly
seniors.
A
91-year-old
angel
and
For more information or to register—
Conference
59-year-old
Joseph or
did
not make the
call aChristal
204-326-6451
1-800-230-8478
16-226-6620
event
any
more
awkward
than
usual.
visit our website www.sbcollege.ca
www.tyndale.ca/revive
Are we ready for more interactive
social events in which persons of all
ages get into each other’s space? How
about circle games? With a little music,
 56th Annual
perhaps?
Jack Heppner
Steinbach, Man.
Church Planting in Canada
SBC Leadership
Conference 2006
March 24–25
Church Planting in Canada
SBCLeadershipConference
SteinbachBibleCollege
Steinbach,Man.
20-326-651,ext.222
April 1
MDSBanquet
RichmondParkChurch
Brandon,Man.
GuestSpeaker:KevinKing
ExecutiveCoordinator
66-261-127
April 30
SBCGraduation
SteinbachEMC
Steinbach,Man.
20-326-651
June 2–3
Wild at Heart: Live in Canada
CentreStreetChurch
Calgary,Alta.
www.wildatheartcanada.com
EMC Convention 
Front Porch Faith
Uncompromising Discipleship in a Broken World
July 7–9, 2006
Church Planting
in Canada
Speaker: Ewald Unruh, Director of
Leadership Development and
Evangelism Canada for the
MB Conference
Date: March 24-25, 2006
Time: Friday, 1 pm to Saturday 3 pm
Place: SBC Chapel
Cost: $40 by March 15/ $50 after March 15
For more information or to register—
• call Christal 204-326-6451 or
1-800-230-8478
• go to www.sbcollege.ca
Canadian Mennonite University
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Speaker: Ron Sider
Pre-registration Preferred
February,2006
3
20-Dec-2005 8:52:21 AM
What does it really
mean to be a
W
hat does it mean to be a Christian? As a teenager,
that was an easy question to answer. For me, a
Christian was someone who was born in a Catholic
or Protestant home. We were not Muslims, Hindus, or
Buddhists. We were Christians. That’s all there was to it. Or was it?
Well, for one, my Christianity was more akin to folklore than real
faith. Being a Christian was in the same category as eating maple
syrup and square dancing. It was just part of my culture. That kind
of Christianity did not really have any personal implication for the
way I lived my life and, in all likelihood, that’s the way I would have
lived the rest of my life except for one innocuous meeting with a
fellow student at the age of 16.
THE MESSENGER
Dr. Pierre Gilbert
‘You are a Pagan!’
He and I were both musicians—
he, an atrocious trumpeter and
I, an average saxophone player.
After a while we began to discuss
religion. But this did not end up
being the kind of conversation I had
anticipated. Any religion talk I have
ever had would normally turn to
space aliens or the New Age.
To my amazement, this fellow
insisted on discussing the Bible
and Jesus. And so, this civilized
conversation quickly turned to a
shouting match. And then, he said it
straight out: “You are not a Christian.
You are a Pagan!”
Well, that did it. Who was he to
tell me I wasn’t a Christian? By what
authority could he say something
like that? But that question made me
seriously think about my faith, and it
eventually revolutionized my life.
For him, one did not become
a Christian until a personal and
conscious decision was made to invite
Jesus Christ into one’s life. Without a
personal commitment rising out of a
sense of profound need and a desire to
be in relationship with God, one could
claim to be a Christian but in name
only.
Soon after, I took the step that
eventually transformed my entire
life. One evening, in the basement
of a small Baptist Church, I asked
Jesus to be my Saviour. That night I
experienced the new birth. I became a
new creation, a child of God.
February,2006
Encountering the living Christ
Now, when someone asks me what a Christian is, my
answer is direct and to the point: A Christian is someone who
has made a personal commitment to the person of Jesus. It’s
someone who has had an encounter with the living Christ.
This kind of definition does not please everybody. Some
say it’s too personal. It emphasizes the individual over
the community, which is actually more an expression of
modern-day individualism than real Christian faith. While
there might be some legitimacy to that criticism, frankly,
I think the disparaging of the personal dimension of the
Christian faith is an example of careless thinking.
For one, a community is essentially a collection of individuals.
The quality of that community is always a function of the quality
of the individuals that compose it. One cannot have a believing
community without individuals making personal decisions.
Two, we should not confuse an emphasis on personal salvation
with individualism. Individualism is an outlook on life that
emphasizes the self at the expense of others. Individualism in
that sense is ultimately a decision to put oneself at the centre of
the universe.
Before my conversion, I was a self-centered individualist.
When I accepted Christ, however, a radical shift occurred. My
focus moved from self to God and others.
In my case, and in the case of the other young people who
came to Christ in those days, this decision was anything but
another expression of individualism. It was about becoming a
disciple of Christ and being part of the people of God. It was
not about a free ticket to heaven and life as usual. It was about
entering a new realm: The realm of life. It was about induction
into the Kingdom of God and becoming Kingdom people.
Sugar pills to a cancer patient?
For some, being a Christian is not so much about holding
specific beliefs as living a certain way. In keeping with a society
where strong Christian beliefs are shunned, it is not surprising
to hear many Christians emphasize behaviour over belief, social
activism over verbal witness.
This too is an unacceptable definition of what a Christian is,
for redemption is not simply about moral reform, as important
5
as that is. Redemption is about
transformation. To reduce Christian
conversion to exhorting people to
change their behaviour is akin to
prescribing sugar pills to a cancer
patient.
Transformation and reorientation
The New Testament uses a variety
of images and expressions to
characterize what it means to
be a Christian. The apostle John
In 5:1, John states that it those are born of God who believe
that Jesus is the Christ. For John propositional truth is a critical
and inescapable dimension of the Christian faith.
But it does not end there. John’s first epistle seamlessly
connects the dots between belief and practice. Real Christianity
is not simply about a list of beliefs to which we give intellectual
assent. Ultimately, being a Christian is about radical
transformation and reorientation.
A Christian is someone who has received and been
transformed by the infinite love of God and who in turn becomes
an unconditional conduit of that love for others.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from
A Christian is someone who has received and been transformed by the infinite love of God and who in
turn becomes an unconditional conduit of that love for others.
in his first epistle uses an interesting
equation. For John, belief is central.
The epistle begins by a reference to
what was heard, seen, looked at, and
touched…the Word of Life.
In John 1:5 the apostle speaks of
the message we have heard…and
declare. A little later, he reminds his
readers of the importance of “testing
the spirits,” something that is done
by examining one’s statement of
faith: “Every spirit that acknowledges
that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
is from God” (John 4:1–2).
God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
This is how God showed his love among
us: He sent his one and only Son into the
world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but
that he loved us and sent his Son as an
atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends,
since God so loved us, we also ought to
T
love one another” (1 John 4:7–11). M
Pierre Gilbert, Ph.D., is director of the
Winnipeg Centre for Ministry Studies, of
which EMC is a partner.
with our missionaries
Philippines
Moving forward, sliding back
Thanks to those of you who were
praying for us as we travelled back to
the Philippines. We had good flights
and the kids slept quite a bit especially
during the final flight from Tokyo to
Manila. That may have contributed to
our extended battle with jet lag over
the past week. Somehow a child can’t
be convinced just to go back to bed at 2
a.m. when he feels wide awake.
By now we are all mostly on Philippine
time and glad to be sleeping in our own
beds again. Our children are having
a great time running around again
without the hassle of having to put on
mitts, toques, and snowsuits.
We had a great time with family
and friends in Canada, and were really
blessed by all the hospitality and good
6
food we experienced. Snowmobiling,
snowmen, sledding, skating, snow
angels, hockey, horseback riding, snow
forts, games, and lots of nice Manitoba
winter weather allowed us to have tons
of fun.
Highlights included seeing almost
all of our siblings and our parents. My
brother and his wife had a cute baby
boy in December, so it was nice to be
able to meet him and spend some time
with his parents. Lisa and I flew out to
Peace River for a few days with family
members; it was a good break for us and
good to see where they are living.
Honest Hands, however, is not going
all that well. It was time for me to come
back to work with some different issues
that have come up over the past weeks.
Some current and former students are
struggling on weekends with sniffing
glue, heavy drinking, sexual promiscuity,
and fighting with other gangs.
One former student is now in jail,
for allegedly trying to steal aluminum
off the front gate of a computer store.
He is 18, and will face court sometime;
he’s awaiting trial in a tiny municipal jail
crowded with other inmates.
Our guys seem to do okay when
they are with us Monday to Friday, but
weekends are a terrible time if they
don’t have a good support network.
This evening I shared some verses from
1 John 2 with them, and encouraged
them to make a plan on how they will
resist the temptation that so easily
overwhelms them.
THEMESSENGER
I will be doing some teaching from
the Old Testament and look forward
to covering basic issues about sin,
separation from God, and what the
solution is over the next few days. I have
to keep believing that the Holy Spirit
will work on hearts that are saved but
struggling.
I believe the only hope these young
men have to break the cycle of sin and
failure is Jesus. Pray that they will make
a complete break with their old way of
living, and trust Jesus to supply all their
needs in every way.
We appreciate your prayers as we
move into the final two months at Honest
Hands. This has been a particularly
difficult group of guys to work with,
and it is sad to see them taking a few
steps forward and then sliding back a
long ways. It is easy to feel discouraged,
but we know that God is at work in their
lives.
Your prayers mean so much to us.
Thanks.
Carl Loewen
Texas
Learning to speak in
order to serve
Greetings in the Name of our
wonderful Lord! I praise Him today, for He
leads all the way. The One and Only
True God who hears every prayer has
heard your prayers on my behalf and
given me the desire of my heart for this
time in my life.
On January 27 I was informed
that I will continue with the study of
the Spanish language at Rio Grande Bible
Institute. I have made some progress,
albeit not in great strides. I am grateful to
have passed most of the exams thus far.
The course is far from over and will
continue to increase in its challenge, so
please continue to pray for me as the
Lord brings me to your mind. He knows
all the areas that I need to learn better
than I can identify them.
I am truly grateful to you for your
prayers and as you come to mind I also
lift your name in prayer, for He also
knows your needs. I find daily strength
in the Word.
Elma Janzen
Information Evening
February 23
7:00 pm
Complete Grades 7–12!
Carl and Lisa Loewen (Pleasant Valley)
work with Action International in the
Philippines, serving in a discipleship
ministry called Honest Hands.
Arabia
Elma Janzen (La Crete) is studying Spanish
in Texas. Previously, with her late husband
George, she served the guesthouse in El
Paso, Texas, and was involved with a local
church in Mexico.
Night of power
As part of the month of fasting (Ramadan) everyone is looking forward
to the night of power. Many believe it is the night when they will see a vision,
dream a dream or encounter Allah in a supernatural way—the highlight of
their fasting experience and month of sacrifice.
It is also the night when thousands of Christians meet together to pray
for their Muslim brothers and sisters to really have an encounter with God.
It is the time when people are very susceptible to anything they might
experience.
It is thus no surprise that thousands of Muslims do dream on that night of
Jesus, seeing him in visions or hearing voices that might change their lives.
It puts them on a pilgrimage for the truth. Was Jesus not also known as one
who came to set the captives free?
All interested parents and students
are invited to tour the school and
interact with the staff. Have all your
questions answered and find out all
you need to know about our
Quality Education with a
Christian Perspective.
Coming Spring 2006!
Follow Me
A study booklet on examining our
wider task as Christians, with a
striving for social justice as basic.
A Follower of Jesus
February,2006
7
a woman’s journey of faith
Betty Koop
Julie: ‘The Lord gives strength’
T
he residents gathered in the Seniors’ Residence
chapel were delighted to see the visiting group
included children.
Soon three little girls were joyfully singing
about their love for Jesus. Their enthusiasm and volume
brought the room to life. When Psalm 23 was read, the
girls joined in from memory. Their mother Julie knelt on
the floor beside them, quietly giving direction.
I thought to myself, how does she inspire her girls
to sing so unselfconsciously and with such obvious
enjoyment? Where does she find the time or energy to sing
or to do memory work with them?
I arranged a visit and we had a good time. Julie had
put the children to bed and while a delicious apple crisp
was baking, we had a far-ranging conversation.
Julie and Bill had been married for five years when
they started their family. About three months into the
pregnancy, she discovered she was carrying twins. She
said, “It was pretty much high stress
for the next five to six months.” Due
to a high-risk pregnancy, she saw a
specialist in Winnipeg frequently,
which meant a lot of driving.
Bonnie and Jolene arrived early.
Due to their low weight and breathing difficulties
they could not go home immediately. But they
were both tenacious fighters and were soon
released from hospital.
They decided to round out their
family with another little one soon
after. “Surely, after having two
babies, one would be ‘no
sweat’!” said Julie with a grin.
Amanda was welcomed
with love, but soon
the reality of having
three babies, the
latest of which
was lactoseintolerant
(undiscovered for several months), made things very
hard. They did try to follow a fairly rigid routine of feeding,
sleeping and bathing, which helped.
As was to be expected, sleepless nights and constant
fatigue would have both a positive and a negative
effect on their marriage. On the one hand, they would
draw closer together as they had to meet the constant
challenges as best they could. On the other, this very
closeness could generate misunderstanding, short fuses
and cause sparks to fly.
With help from a mentoring couple and some
dedicated counselors, they put a lot of hard work into
preserving their marriage, as they tried to figure out
how to approach difficulties and work through them.
This also included a lot of prayer, especially with a close
women’s group.
Julie told me she covenanted on their ninth
anniversary to pray for their marriage every day. Things
are now, in her words, “drastically improved.”
She proudly showed me her tenth anniversary
ring given to celebrate their new closeness.
In answer to my question as to how she
coped with three children so close together,
she gave several practical suggestions:
• Do what’s going to work, not necessarily what other
people say.
• Play outside; fresh air is very important.
• Alone (not quiet) time is important;
each one has a separate room where
they exercise their voices and play
undisturbed.
• Sit and read with them. Julie
said she always had two on
her lap and the third
was the “queen”
sitting on cushions
beside her.
• Try to take them
out one at a time
when you do
errands.
She ended by
saying, “The Lord
gives strength, as
much as is needed
right now. But you
T
have to take it!” M
‘Surely, after having
two babies, one
would be ‘no sweat’!’
Names have been changed.
THE MESSENGER
with our churches
Christmas celebrations and MDS service
Treesbank, Man.: Treesbank Community
Church’s annual adult Christmas
banquet included 125 individuals who
came to enjoy both the banquet and the
a cappella singing of A Sweet Harmony. At
our Sunday school Christmas program
on December 23, 2005, the church
basement turned into the fields close to
Bethlehem, as a small lamb named Kirsi
searched for the Christ Child.
We praise the Lord that Austin
Alden, who arrived seven weeks early
to celebrate Christmas with his parents
Chris and Tracy, is healthy and at home.
Our Christmas morning service
started with a Treesbank tradition: Hot
apple cider. The service was led by
one of our Praise and Worship teams
with lots of musical special numbers
and a short Christmas message on how
God’s purpose in our lives is beyond
imagination.
On January 1, we heard a report from
Neil and Anita Friesen, who had served
with MDS in Pass Christian, Mississippi,
for three weeks before Christmas. They
also showed pictures from Hurricane
Katrina’s aftermath. Neil and Anita
returned to Pass Christian on January 5,
where Anita will serve as a cook and Neil
will help with various clean-up duties for
another six weeks.
One highlight of 2006 is our Alpha
program which will run for 10 weeks,
starting in mid January.
Lucille Penner
Sunday school children sang at TCC’s Christmas program on December 23, 2005.
New members at Steinbach
Steinbach EMC: January 29 was an
eventful Sunday at Steinbach EM Church.
First, four people were baptized after
sharing their testimonies: Kyle Kroeker
realized something was missing in his
life, Stephanie Froese participated in a
mission trip, Rob Funk got saved at Bible
Camp, and A.J. Hildebrand’s favorite
verse is John 3:16.
Second, two couples were accepted
into membership by transfer: Clarence
and Hilda Funk, and Kyle and Laura
Friesen.
Finally, Kyle Friesen was also installed
as our new minister of music and worship.
The installation and prayer for Kyle
Friesen was done by pastor Tom Warner,
Dan Zalinsky and Shannon Sawatzky.
Kyle and Laura previously attended Fort
Gary EMC; they are parents of one young
child, Andrew.
Kyle graduated from Providence in
2002. In his testimony on January 8, he
emphasized that music should be Christcentered, edifying, and reach everyone.
Dave Schellenberg
February 8, 2006
Clarence and Hilda Funk
Kyle Friesen, here with his wife Laura, was installed
as minister of music and worship at Steinbach
EMC. That’s senior pastor Tom Warner behind the
microphone.
Kyle Kroeker, Stephanie Froese, Rob Funk and A.J. Hildebrand (four on left)
were baptized on January 29.
20 people join at La Crete
La Crete, Alta.:
Members received on November 26, 2005: (front) Ramona Tosh, Jamie Fehr,
John and Rosie Doerksen, Judy Friesen, (back) Pastoral couple Frank and Cora
Winsor, Willie and Brenda Letkeman, Janette Knelsen, Tara Driedger, Ashlee
Bueckert, Judy Friesen, and Gordon Foster (minister).
Members received on November 27, 2005: (front) Irene Viau, Kelli Fehr, Stacey
Mitchell, Nikki Mitchell, Angie Peters, (back) Pastoral couple Frank and Cora
Winsor, Jerry Krahn, Joanne Unrau, Kimberly Knelsen, Heidi Schellenberg, and
Gordon Foster (minister).
Cora Winsor
Congregation rejoices at mortgage
burning in Roseisle EMC
Roseisle, Man.: Your faithfulness endures
to all generations. You established the
earth and it abides (Psalm 119:90).
On October 15 we celebrated
Thanksgiving in our church and enjoyed
a traditional turkey supper. This was an
especially exciting Thanksgiving for our
church as we also had our mortgage
burning service for the meetingplace
that we built and have enjoyed for about
five years.
We had some very special guests join
us for the service. Former pastors Dave
Harms and Wilbert Friesen, along with
our Conference Pastor David Thiessen,
all shared memories of their time with
us as well as offering greetings and
blessings.
We enjoyed a time of praising God
through song and also gave members of
the church an opportunity to share. We
then moved outside where the original
building committee each took a match to
the mortgage papers.
The Lord has truly blessed our
church!
Lyndsey Bourgeois
On October 15, many people celebrated Thanksgiving with Roseisle EMC, rejoicing that its building mortgage
has been fully paid.
With help from pastor Kelly Lesser, members of the original building committee hold matches to the
mortgage: Darrell Friesen, Pete Dyck, Harold and Ruth Harms, Brian Friesen, and Wes Klassen.
10
THE MESSENGER
For February issue of The Messenger
Finally paid for!
SBC Alumni
SBC Alumni
Connect with college friends
by attending these events!
Connect with college friends
by attending these events!
March 11
April 29
Family Swim at the
Steinbach Aquatic Centre from 6–9 pm.
Donations for a special
project gratefully accepted.
Annual Alumni Brunch
SBC Dining Room at 10:30 am.
Call 204-326-6451 to reserve. Tickets $10
February 17
Indoor Soccer Tournament
Call Dalen 204-326-6451
March 11
Family Swim at the
Steinbach Aquatic Centre from 6–9 pm.
Donations for a special
project gratefully accepted.
April 29
Annual Alumni Brunch
SBC Dining Room at 10:30 am.
Call 204-326-6451 to reserve. Tickets $10
Alumni Reunions Being Planned
Class of ‘56
Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place,
Steinbach, MB R5G 2C8 • 204-346-9789
Class of ‘71
Contact Bill & Florence Thiessen
204-377-4464 or billthie@hsd.ca
Anola, Man.: Praise the Lord! On September 11, 2005, our board members had the triumphant
50 PTH 12burning
N • Steinbach,
• R5G 1T4 paper for Anola Fellowship Chapel. We have
pleasure of symbolically
theMB
mortgage
info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca
finally paid for the
4,000-square-foot addition and the renovations made in 2000–2001.
Waldemar Damert and Art Koop led in burning paper that symbolized the mortgage.
Jessica Wichers
Alumni Reunions Being Planned
Class of ‘56
Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place,
Steinbach, MB R5G 2C8 • 204-346-9789
Class of ‘71
Contact Bill & Florence Thiessen
204-377-4464 or billthie@hsd.ca
50 PTH 12 N • Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4
info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca
Fast calls for lifting up those with learning disabilities
SBC Alumni
What do Albert Einstein, Thomas
In front of a crowd that filled Goshen accommodated and taught properly
Edison, Agatha Christie, Winston College’s Umble Center, Rebecca Fast simply become invisible and disappear.”
Churchill, Alexander Graham Bell, helped her audience connect to the issue
Citing nationally cultivated statistics,
Walt Disney and Pablo Picasso have in of learning disabilities, the effects it has Fast pointed out the correlation between
common? They were all challenged to on our society and what is needed for learning disabilities and depression,
overcome learning disabilities—and those affected to succeed. And after a 45- anxiety, substance abuse and suicide.
Family Swim at the minute April
succeeded. March 11
wait 29
for the Annual
judges’Alumni
verdict,
she The labels which are often placed on
Brunch
Steinbach Aquatic was named as the fiSBC
rst-place
Diningwinner
Room atin those with learning disabilities—stupid,
Centre from 6–9 pm.the 2006 C. Henry Smith
Peace
10:30
am. Oratorical lazy, lacking motivation—are part of the
Misunderstood
Call 204-326-6451
to destructive process, Fast said.
Donations for a special project Contest for her speech
Minds:
Wasted
Human
Potential.
“They not only devastate their fragile
reserve.
Tickets
$10
gratefully accepted.
From Fast’s perspective, helping self-esteem, but as the statistics have
those with learning disabilities meet demonstrated, too often become selfAlumni Reunions Being Planned
their potential is a significant peace and fulfilling negative prophecies,” she said.
justice issue because of the fundamental “I believe that our society must take
Class of ‘56
understanding
all •humans
are responsibility for the failure to properly
Contact Mrs. Bernie Plett, 5 Robin Place,
Steinbach, MBthat
R5G 2C8
204-346-9789
created in the image of God.
identify and accommodate people with
Fast, a social work and theatre double learning disabilities in our educational
Class of ‘71
major fromorWaterloo,
Ont., said, “Most system.”
Contact Bill & Florence Thiessen, 204-377-4464
billthie@hsd.ca
learning disabilities are not apparent to
Fast concluded by calling on the
the outside observers and they cannot audience to no longer “waste the human
be catalogued by race, gender or religion. potential” of so many fellow human
Students with learning disabilities learn beings and start to advocate for the
50 PTH 12 N • Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4
differently from their peers. Although understanding of people with learning
info@sbcollege.ca • www.sbcollege.ca
they have average or even above average disabilities. She is the daughter of John
intelligence, there is a discrepancy and Esther Fast, is a 2003 graduate of
between their abilities and their Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, and
actual achievement.
attends Erb Street Mennonite Church.
people
with Recorder,
learning and The Chronicle
Goshen
Single and double column ads for“Sadly,
The Messenger,
The
Rebecca Fast
disabilities that are not acknowledged,
Connect with college friends by attending these events!
February,2006
11
stewardship today
Dave Kroeker
Manitobans are great givers!
S
tatistics Canada has released details of the
2004 charitable giving averages of Canadians.
Who would have guessed that Manitoba has
the highest percentage of givers in all of
Canada? And furthermore, who would have guessed
that most of the local communities in Manitoba with
the highest giving averages have high populations of
Mennonites?
While the average Canadian donated just over $1,100
to charity, according to 2004 income tax returns, in the
Kola area of Manitoba (western Manitoba), taxpayers
who filed returns gave nearly three times as much—
$3,380 on average. Kola’s population is listed as 150
and the largest church in town is the Kola Evangelical
Mennonite Church, which also lists 150 members.
The generosity of the Kolans was highlighted in a
Winnipeg Free Press story. Local school principal Ron
Cole told reporter Carol Sanders that Kola “is home to
several successful businesses and a strong Mennonite
faith community.”
Congratulations, Kola! You deserve attention for your
example of grateful response to God’s gifts. Pastor Les
Martens of the Evangelical Mennonite Church is quoted
as saying, “The giving in Kola comes from the heart and
soul. I would definitely attribute it to the faith people
have.”
Other Manitoba communities listed in the Free Press
article with above average giving were the following:
Rosenort $2,440, Blumenort $2,130, Elma $1,600,
The Apostle Paul instructed the Galatian church to
“do good to all men, and especially those who are of
the household of faith.” He encouraged liberal giving for
needy believers in other communities when he urged
the churches in Asia Minor to contribute to the less
fortunate in Jerusalem.
One of the finest examples of generosity and mutual
aid we have is Mennonite Central Committee. It has an
85-year history of helping those in need around the
world and it began with assistance to our brothers and
sisters in Ukraine in 1920.
Menno Simons said this in 1539: “True evangelical
faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked. It feeds
the hungry. It comforts the sorrowful. It shelters the
destitute. It serves those that harm it. It binds up that
which is wounded. It has become all things to all men.”
It is a privilege and a blessing to call that kind of
heritage my own. And it gives me a warm feeling all over
that this kind of generous spirit is alive and well even
today, in Manitoba and elsewhere. Let’s celebrate it and
T
respond—even as we examine our own spending habits. M
For stewardship education and services, contact your
nearest Mennonite Foundation of Canada office.
Abbotsford – Dave Kroeker, 1-888-212-8608; Calgary
– Gary Sawatzky, 1-877-717-0708; Niagara – Darren PriesKlassen, 1-888-212-8731; Kitchener – Mike Strathdee, 1-888212-7759; Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, 1-800-772-3257.
Mutual support for the church community has always been at the heart of
Anabaptist-Mennonite theology. This view of the church as a caring family
had its basis in the teachings of Jesus and the practice of the early church.
Randolph $1,500, Kleefeld $1,400, Niverville $1,390,
Halbstadt $1,350, Winkler $1,300 and Glenlea $1,300.
The average Winnipegger donated $270.
On the downside, only about 25 percent of all
Canadian tax filers claimed charitable donations of any
amount in 2004. Should it surprise us that Mennonite
people give generously? No, it should not. Mutual
support for the church community has always been at
the heart of Anabaptist-Mennonite theology. This view
of the church as a caring family had its basis in the
teachings of Jesus and the practice of the early church.
12
THEMESSENGER
Costa Rican is symbol of southern shift
Jaime Prieto is making history in
more ways than one.
Prieto, professor of theology at
Latin American Biblical University
in San Jose, Costa Rica, is writing
history. He is the author of the Latin
American volume of Mennonite World
Conference’s Global History Project.
He’s speaking history, too. He gave
the Menno Simons Lectures at Bethel
College in North Newton, Kansas, on
Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2005. He was only
the second lecturer from outside of
Europe or North America in the series’
54 years.
With his lectures, Prieto symbolized
the changing face of the global
Mennonite church, a “shift away from
the north to the global south,” said
Mark Jantzen, assistant professor of
history.
Prieto’s Latin American history
book will be a groundbreaking work,
“the first comprehensive history of
Mennonites in [Latin America] in any
language,” said Jantzen.
Prieto said that Latin American
Mennonite churches can be divided
into three categories: Those started by
missionaries from North America, such
as the Mennonite church in Argentina,
dating from the 1920s; those founded
by immigrants, mostly from Europe,
who brought the language of their
country of origin, such as German
Mennonites in Paraguay and parts of
Mexico; and those indigenous to their
country, though perhaps they had
some contact with North American
missionaries, such as Evangelical
Mennonite churches (U.S.) in El
Salvador and the K’ekchi Mennonite
churches in Guatemala.
“We need to re-create the stories
of the small miracles of faith in our
communities, because that is where
God is,” said Prieto. “We need to hear
from people in their context…It should
be a dialogue. There is a lot to learn
and a lot to teach.”
Prieto, the youngest in a large Costa
Rican family, had an evangelical father
Peace churches consider
Asian consultation
An international group of
Mennonites, Quakers and Brethren
met in December to discuss how
historic peace churches can share
their insights on peacemaking with
Christians around the world.
The group met Dec. 5 to 9, 2005, in
Bali, Indonesia, to consider organizing
an international peace consultation
in Asia in 2007. The event would be
the third in a series of international
consultations organized by historic
peace churches.
The consultations are a response
to the World Council of Churches,
which declared 2000-2010 a Decade
to Overcome Violence and encouraged
historic peace churches to share their
insights on peacemaking with other
Christians.
The two previous international
peace consultations were held in
February 8, 2006
Bienenberg, Switzerland, in 2001 and
Nairobi, Kenya, in 2004. Participants in
each of the consultations shared about
their conviction that “peace is at the
heart of the Gospel—this is what we
have to offer the world,” says Robert
Herr, one of the organizers. Herr is
a co-director of the Peace Office of
Mennonite Central Committee.
The meeting in Bali brought together
14 members of historic peace churches
in Indonesia, India, Japan, Australia and
the United States. The group appointed
a committee to consider organizing an
Asian peace consultation in 2007 and
determining the location and date.
The
committee
will
post
information on this peace consultation
when it becomes available at www.
peacetheology.org.
MWC/MCC
and a Catholic mother who died before
he was old enough to remember her.
He and a young sibling grew up in a
children’s home.
At age 13, Prieto began attending a
Mennonite church. In 1980, he enrolled
in Latin American Biblical Seminary,
now University. He went on to the
University of Hamburg in Germany,
where he studied Anabaptist history
and earned a doctorate in 1992.
Prieto’s wife, Silvia, chair of the Bible
department at Latin American Biblical
University, is Brazilian and of African
heritage. They attend Nuevo Pacto
(New Covenant) Mennonite Church in
San Jose.
The churches of Latin America,
Africa and Asia have much to say to
their North American counterparts,
Prieto said.
“A significant contribution of Latin
American theology is looking at the
ecosystem and how human beings
relate to the earth,” he said.
He believes Mennonites should be
more explicit about the gospel message
of peace. “It’s been 50 years since
World War II and we haven’t made a lot
of progress [in reducing militarism],
even though we could have,” he said.
Prieto recently completed four years
as president of Latin American Biblical
University. On a mini-sabbatical, he
spent several weeks in the U.S. doing
research at historical libraries at
church colleges.
The Latin American volume of the
Global Mennonite History Project
is slated to be completed in the next
year.
MWC
Jaime Prieto
13
DORA K. FRIESEN
1927–2006
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken
away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
On January 18, 2006, Miss Dora K.
Friesen passed away suddenly at her
home in Rosenort, Man., at the age of 78
years. She is survived by four sisters and
five brothers, many nieces and nephews,
relatives and friends.
Dora was born on June 11, 1927, to
Peter W. X. and Maria (Kroeker) Friesen
at Rosenhoff, Man. She acquired hard
working skills early in life. At age 18 she
realized her need of a personal Saviour,
and accepted Jesus Christ into her life.
S T E I N B A C H
B I B L E
C O L L E G E
right here
right now
Come to Discovery Days
March 29-30
call Michelle for details
1.800.230.8478
www.sbcollege.ca
14
She was baptized in the Kleingemeinde
Church at Rosenort. She soon developed
an interest and desire to serve the Lord.
She attended Steinbach Bible School and
graduated with a diploma in 1953.
She began mission work at Roseau
River Reserve near Letellier, then
took some high school upgrading and
registered nurse’s training at the Grace
Hospital in Winnipeg. Upon completion,
she embarked on a missionary career in
Mexico under the Evangelical Mennonite
Conference Board of Missions. Her life’s
work stretched into 37 years.
Dora developed strong affections for
Hispanic people and felt comfortable in
their culture. Her ministry also included
five years as Dean of Latin Girls at
Rio Grand Bible Institute in Edinburg,
Texas, and two terms as hostess at
the missionary guesthouse in El Paso,
Texas.
Dora retired to Steinbach, and
continued active involvement in mission
related activities. She placed a high
priority on family. She loved to socialize
and to travel.
She was able to complete a much
cherished goal by writing a book entitled
Bueños Dias, Señorita: Stories of Mexico.
She worked tirelessly to sell the books.
Following her move to Rosenort in
April 2003, Dora faced many personal
changes and adjustments. While she
had enjoyed exceptionally good health
most of her life, there began a decline
emotionally and mentally.
Through her struggles in recent
years, she often sang about Heaven, and
longed to go there. She was exemplary in
her personal devotion and dedication to
God, with a great zeal to evangelize and
minister till the time of her death.
We will miss Dora, but rejoice that she
is now in the presence of her Lord and
Saviour whom she loved.
The family wishes to express deep and
heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers
and support persons who contributed so
graciously to Dora’s care.
If friends so desire, donations in
memory of Dora may be made to EMC
Missions, 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB
R5G 1Z5.
Dora’s funeral service was held at
Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church
on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, with
officiating by her brother Peter Friesen
and Larry Eidse. The arrangements were
under the care of Morris Funeral Home.
Her Family
births
FUNK – to David and Kendra Funk of Calgary,
Alta., a son, Ethan Samuel Edwin, on January
24, 2006.
SCHROEDER – to Jared and Jennifer Schroeder
of Grande Prairie, Alta., a son, Micah Joseph,
on September 21, 2005.
WIEBE – to David and Anita Wiebe of Grande
Prairie, Alta., a daughter, Amanda Kaitlyn, on
October 1, 2005.
ZACHARIAS – to Julius and Sara Zacharias of
Grande Prairie, Alta., a son, Justin John, on
November 22, 2005.
BAIER – to Kevin and Ellen Baier of Grande
Prairie, Alta., a son, Tristian James Paul, on
December 17, 2005.
‘My kingdom is not of this world’
The often-quoted saying of Jesus, “My kingdom is not of
this world” (John 18:36), does not signify that this kingdom is
elsewhere, but that it is of a different pattern from this world.
Yet, different as it is, it is in the midst of this world through Jesus
himself.
Thus it is not in accordance with Jesus’ preaching to call the
kingdom “unpolitical” and to banish it into another sphere, that of
heaven or of the heart.
The kingdom is political in a quite different way, and politically,
it is quite different from the systems and rules of the struggle for
world domination and revenge.
Jürgen Moltmann
The Crucified God
THE MESSENGER
shoulder tapping
Executive Position
A church planting director
is required for the Evangelical
Mennonite
Conference.
The
position requires a passion for
church growth and development. The Director
will work closely with regional churches to
encourage and initiate new church plants. Strong
written and oral skills are essential. This is a .5
position. For a job description and information,
please contact the office at 204-326-6401 or
e-mail emconf@mts.net.
EMC Missions seeks missionaries for Mexico and
Paraguay.
In both countries, church planters are needed
to work alongside national church leaders and
missionaries. The first year for new applicants
would involve Spanish language study at Rio
Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas. This
ministry would include evangelism in both new
and existing church locations, discipleship of
new believers, Christian education, and church
leadership training.
In Mexico, both English- and German-speaking
teachers are need for elementary schools in
German communities. A pastor-caregiver is
needed for Hillside Church in May 2006. German
is required. In Paraguay, a nurse is required for
Lucero Clinic in East Paraguay.
Contact Ken Zacharias, EMC foreign secretary,
at 204-326-6401 or emcken@mts.net.
Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in east-central
Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50,
is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom
Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or
tdpromise@sasktel.net.
La Crete Christian Fellowship in La Crete, Alberta,
seeks a youth pastor for a new position as part of
our pastoral team. LCCF is a forward-looking church
of about 400 regular attendees. The youth pastor
will work with the senior pastor to implement our
ministry vision of helping people establish and
strengthen their personal connection to Jesus
Christ. The youth pastor will have a primary role
in developing programs and working closely
with youth and youth leaders. LCCF’s service to
God is based on the core values of a commitment
to teaching God’s Word and outreach to the
community.
The pastor will be people oriented and have
demonstrated abilities in various ministries,
including outreach, teaching, and visitation; and
be able to train and develop a support network
of lay ministers. This is a vibrant church with great
potential for spreading the Word through men’s
and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth ministry,
and small groups. Send a resume with references
to lccfc@telus.net or LCCFC, Box 385, La Crete, AB
T0H 2H0 Attention: Pastor Frank Winsor.
Kenosee Lake Bible Camp, a CSSM camp located
in beautiful Moose Mountain Provincial Park
in southeast Saskatchewan, seeks a facility
manager (April to September). Manager
February,2006
oversees operation and maintenance of facilities,
vehicles and equipment—including buildings,
grounds, swimming pool, washrooms and sewer,
water, mechanical and electrical functions.
KLBC also seeks a camp secretary (May to
September) to oversee clerical duties, the tuck
shop, and guest hospitality.
Accommodation is provided at camp during
employment period, if required. Applications
accepted until March 18, 2006. Forward your
resumes to Marlon Klassen, 214 Doiron Road N,
Regina, SK S4Y 1G4; e-mail: marlon.klassen@
sasktel.net; phone Marlon Klassen (board
secetary) at 306-924-0129 or Terry Kerr (board
chairman) at 306-848-0393.
Kleefeld EMC, a church of about 300 members in
Kleefeld, Man., is seeking an associate pastor. The
primary focus would be to work with the youth
program in a discipling and mentoring capacity,
involving youth and youth workers. This position
would also include one other major involvement—
depending on the applicant’s giftedness—such as
Christian Education resource, music ministry, etc.
We are looking for a leader to join us in catching
the vision and excitement of a growing church
community. Send resumes to Ron Harder, Box
4, Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0; e-mail kemc@mts.net;
phone 204-377-4248.
Fish Creek Christian Fellowship (EMC) seeks a
full-time pastor, with position open May 2006.
Experience and education expected are flexible.
The church, started in south Calgary in 1998, is
currently meeting in a rural setting outside of
Calgary; it hopes to return to Calgary shortly.
Fish Creek has about 50 people attending.
Contact Garry Kornelsen, board chair, at 403281-3737; or 55 Woodford Cres., SW, Calgary
AB T2W 4C6.
Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship (EMC) in northcentral British Columbia seeks a half-time
associate pastor of youth with a love for God
and heart for youth. The leader will give mature
leadership, work with church in moulding youth,
guide them into becoming faithful followers of
Jesus Christ, and work within the EMC statement
of faith. Our Sunday morning attendance is 100.
Our youth group (without a youth pastor for some
time) is rebuilding, currently 12 to 20 people, with
an average age of 14. There is potential for growth.
Contact VCF, Box 377, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0;
phone 250-567-9198; fax 250-567-2064; vcfemc@
telus.net.
MCC Canada seeks a full-time salaried
International Visitor Exchange Program
(IVEP) Canada Coordinator (one-year maternity
leave position beginning May 15, 2006). The
Canada Coordinator administers IVEP in Canada.
IVEP brings 65 international adults (ages 19–30)
to North America for one year. Previous experience
with young adults of different nationalities, and
effective communication and administrative skills
are required.
All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a
commitment to a personal Christian faith and
discipleship, active church membership, and
nonviolent peacemaking.
Contact: Marsha Jones, phone: (204)2616381, e-mail: mgj@mennonitecc.ca, View
job description on the web at www.mcc.org.
Applications will be accepted until March 20,
2006.
Taber EMC in southern Alberta seeks a senior
pastoral couple to start September 2006, due to a
retirement. The church is bilingual in Low German
and English, and has an average attendance of 125
people. Applicants should contact Nick Enns, 403223-3386 (cell 634-0020); or Peter Wall, 403-3829184 (cell 382-9184).
A full-time teacher is needed for three
elementary school children of two families
serving in Russia (school to start September
2006). Contact Dave and Kim Field at 204-4826801 or dave-kim_field@ntm.org; or Tim and Joy
Watson at 541-485-9888 or timnjoy@bltconline.
org. Housing is paid for and support raising is
required for $1,500 US per month.
Crestview Fellowship (EMC) seeks a part-time
youth director with a strong personal spiritual
foundation who is able to build strong relationships
with youth. Must have the ability to work alongside
a team of youth sponsors in discipling youth, and
be creative and energetic in planning regular Bible
studies and organizing fundraisers. Contact Pastor
Vern Knutson at 204-837-9490. Resumes can be
forwarded by e-mail to finkswpg@mts.net or by
mail to Crestview Fellowship, c/o Christine Fink,
271 Hamilton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3.
MCC Manitoba seeks a full-time administrative
assistant for March 2006. The assistant
reports to the management team and provides
administrative and logistical support to it and
other administration staff, assisting with special
events coordination and office management.
Previous clerical experience is required.
MCCM also seeks a half-time Winkler
family services program coordinator. The
coordinator takes direction from the program
team leader and a local committee. WFS mainly
provides settlement assistance to newcomers,
primarily Low German-speaking immigrants
who seek Canadian citizenship, and works with
volunteers to meet settlement needs. Fluency
in Low German and English and good written
English skills are essential.
Qualifications for MCC positions include a
Christian faith, active membership in a Christian
church and a commitment to nonviolent
peacemaking.
Contact Janelle Siemens at jms@mennonitecc.
ca or Sol Janzen at sjj@mennonitecc.ca or 204261-6381. Written applications may be sent to
them at 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9.
Inner City Youth Alive, a Christian ministry in the
North End of Winnipeg, Man., seeks a workshop
program director (full-time, permanent with
support raising required). Fax resume to 204-5824729; mail to ICYA, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg,
MB R2W 1V7; or e-mail icya@mts.net. Pastoral
reference required.
15
by the way
Dave K. Schellenberg
There is a time to laugh!
W
hen the Lord turned again the
captivity of Zion, we were
like them that dream, Then
was our mouth filled with
laughter (Psalm 126:1–2). To everything
there is a season, and a time to every
purpose under heaven: a time to weep
and a time to laugh. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
Remember how both Abraham and
Sarah laughed when they were told
(Genesis 17:17; 18:12), at their advanced age,
that they would have a son? God questioned
their laughter as unbelief (Gen. 18:1315). We are warned against the
useless laughter of the fool
(Eccl. 7:6). Some laughter can
be sacrilegious.
But laughter, as the two
opening Scriptures show,
can have another side.
Jesus said that people can
find their mourning turns
to laughter (Luke 6:21).
There is a time to laugh.
After the election
of the new pope, the Winnipeg Free Press told of Pope
Benedict XVI, who phoned his brother in Germany. The
housekeeper could only stammer, “So how do I address
you now?” The Pope laughed. She was glad to hear him
laugh: “His new job isn’t easy and he’ll need to laugh.”
An obituary in The Messenger carried this tribute:
“Their children summarized their parents’ marriage by
saying, “They lived well, laughed often.” “Because of
grandpa we laugh more often,” a granddaughter said at
a funeral I attended. “Her sense of humour brought fun
and laughter to many settings” is how a missionary was
described at her funeral.
In the initial issue of Leadership (Winter 1980) editor
Paul D. Robbins announced the magazine would carry
cartoons, saying it “comes from a personal feeling
that we all need to laugh a little more…especially at
ourselves.” A report on an EMC ministerial retreat
includes: “It would have done your heart good to be
present, sure there were serious times, but there was
also laughter.”
PAGE 16
“You have to laugh!” a friend said in Low
German (Spoas mot senni!) the other day. I
asked him why. I interpreted his answer as
meaning otherwise life would become to
humdrum.
By now you’ve guessed what I’m
getting at: Good laughter not only has a
place, it can be downright therapeutic.
Laughter is said to be aerobic, working
the diaphragm and increasing
the body’s ability to use
oxygen. It’s considered
by some people to
be a tool that fights
disease, enhancing
conventional
treatments, reducing
pain and aiding the
healing process. “A
cheerful heart is good
medicine” (Proverbs
17:22).
“The time to laugh
is often” said the
heading of an article
by Jim Bishop (Mennonite Weekly Review, March 7, 2005).
“Humour is a natural trait of the human family,” he says.
“I believe we’re all born with an innate sense of humour,
but not everyone has developed it to the same level. We
likely all know people who seemingly aren’t happy unless
they’re sad or mad about something.” He quotes Loren
Swartzendruber, “I believe that we must learn how to
laugh together regularly in order to also be able to cry
together.”
So what about laughter? There are occasions when
Christians should laugh more than we do, and other
times when we should laugh less.
We need to be careful to be mindful to consider what
is proper (Phil. 4:8), and, if we do that, we shouldn’t be
surprised if the Lord fills our mouths with laughter.
For me the jury may not be entirely in yet, but the
evidence—off coloured jokes aside, of course—seems to
weigh heavily in favour of cultivating wholesome laughter.
As someone has said, “If we laugh at the little things in
T
life…the big things aren’t as hard to cope with.” M
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