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Arden Thiessen talks about Bible Versions (page two)
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Vol. II
No. 22
November?, 1973
THE PICTURES for our cover today were sent to us by Miss Mary Koop, missionary in Japan under New Tribes Mission. Mary went to Japan in 1954 and is supported by the EMC Board of Missions.
Top picture shows three sisters who have been coming to Miss Koop’s Sunday school very faithfully. They also go out with Miss Koop on Sunday afternoon and give out tracts. Their mother has started to come to the Sunday morning service. Pray that the whole family will be saved. In top right photo are seen Mr and Mrs Nishimura with one of Miss Koop’s Sunday school girls. Mr Nishimura is blind but by means of a P.A. system he preaches the Gospel to thousands of Japanese living in the mountainous area.
Seen here is a Japanese home in the mountainous area that is being reached with the preaching of the Word as well as the door-to-door visitation program in which Miss Koop participates.
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With all the new versions and translations of the Bible on the market today the average reader is sometimes hard-pressed to know what he should do. The following article was written as an assignment for the EMC Ministerial and should be helpful in clearing up some of your questions. <4
A study of the Versions of the Bihle by Arden Thiessen The flow of revisions and new transla tions of the Bible continues unabat ed. For the average Bible reader, this is a confusing situation and the con fusion of ten develops into frustration when the reader finds that a favorite verse has been altered, or even omitted, in the new version he is reading. Some defenders of the Scriptures have, consequently, made emotional and stirring appeals for a return to the “ori ginal’ Scriptures, the King James Bi ble. On the other hand, many readers eagerly accept any new version that appears, regardless of its accuracy or quality. Many people have a problem with the changes in the contents of the new versions. Why is something that has always been part of Scripture now being de leted? It may be helpful to know that trans lations of the N.T. can be divided into two groups - those based upon the Re ceived Text and those based upon the text of Westcott and Hort. From the time of the apostles to 1500. all N.T. Scriptures were copied by hand. In 1515. an aspiring publisher asked Erasmus to edit a Greek N.T. that could be used as a tool by scholars and translators. Erasmus worked hastily; he was trying to get the scoop on a similar venture in Spain. Furthermore, he had only a half dozen twelfth century manuscripts at his disposal. In cases where he did not have Greek materials, he translated the Vulgate back into Greek. The resultant edition of the Greek N.T. contained hundreds of
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typographical errors and has been regarded by scholars as one of the worst books ever printed. Nevertheless, it was this text that Luther and the other Reformers used in their translation work. During the next hundred years, some minor revisions were made, but bas ically, it remained Erasmus' text. In 1624, the Elzevir brothers printed a new edition of this Greek N.T. and called it the Textus Receptus (Received Text). The name stuck, and for several hund red years this text was regarded with great reverence by many Bible lovers. This text was the basis for the KJV and all important Protestant translations to 1881. "Yet its textual basis is essen tially a handful of late and haphazard ly collected minuscula manuscripts’' (Metzger, The Text of the New Test ament, p. 106). In the meantime, however, a science of textual criticism was being developed. Many important ancient manuscripts were discovered. In 1853, Tischendorf dis covered the Codes Sinaiticus - a man uscript containing most of the Bible and dating from the fourth century. In 1889, the Codex Vaticanus in Rome was made available for study. This was also a fourth century manuscript. There were hundreds of others. Many of these earlier manuscripts contained different readings than did the Received Text. These new readings were incorporat ed into the Greek N.T. of Westcott and Hort. The Revised Version of 1881 was based upon this new text. Since the days of Westcott and Hort, many
other manuscripts, some dating as early as 200, have been discovered and stud ied. Most of these supported the work of Westcott and Hort. Today, scholars have access to approximately 5000 Greek manuscripts containing all or part of the N.T.
The concern of all true scholars is to determine which readings most ac curately represent the original. In 1883 Deon Burgon bitterly attacked the Westcott and Hort text. He felt that the Scriptures had been preserved in the church under the providence of God and that the Received Text was God’s Word for His people. In 1956 Edward Hills picked up Burgon's ideas and pop ularized them in America. We must, therefore, choose between such versions as the KJV and KJII, which are based upon the Received Text or the other versions which, for the most part, are based upon the accummulated evidence of some 5000 man uscripts. It has been argued that the Westcott and Hort text weakens the doctrine of Christs' deity. A few samples of alter ed verses are cited, with the omitted words underlined and the new readings in brackets. Luke 23:42 - “Lord (Jesus), remember me. . . ’’ John 9:35 - “Dost thou believe on the Son of God (man)?” In verses like John 1:18 and Col. 1:19 most new versions strengthen the idea of Christs' deity. Some changes seem to affect the doctrine of salvation: John 6:47 “He that believeth on me has everlasting
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life.” I Peter 4:1 - “Christ has suffered Philip Mauro, who criticized the Re for us in the flesh.” vised Version of 1881, admits that textIn some cases, the ethical teachings ual criticism has not in any way afof the N.T. are affected by the changes: fected Christian doctrine. “The Matt. 5:22 - “Whosoever is angry with his sum of all variant readings taken togethbrother without a cause ...” Matt. 18: er does not give ground for the slight15 - “But if your brother shall sin against est doubt as to any of the fundamental you, go and tell him...” points of faith and doctrine. In other How important are these changes? J. words, the very worst text that could J. Ray, in his book, God Wrote Only One be constructed from the abundant Bible, makes a critical study of the R. materials available would not disturb s.v. and lists all major variations, any of the great truths of the Christian “Christ” has been ommitted nineteen faith” (Which Version? Authorized or times. “Lord” has been omitted four- Revised?, p. 20). C. E. Hammond, in teen times, and “God” has been om- his Outlines of Textual Criticism, agrees itted nine times. It must be taken into with this opinion, consideration, however, that “Christ” An evaluation of some popular versions occurs 375 times in the N.T., “Lord” occurs 760 times, and “God " appears RSV - It follows closely the smooth 1400 times. style of the KJV, Archaic terms have The variant reading. reading, “through been changed and unsupportable variant his blood”, hasbeen removed from readings have been omitted. The main Col. 1:14. This is the only case, how- criticism which scholars have against it ever, where theterm “blood” is miss- is that the O.T. containssome con ing. The reader can still find it in jectural emendations. Col. 1:20, or in the parallel verse Eph. Terminology is modern. It NEB 1:7. is fairly literal.However, it does not Is there any hereticalBible today? follow the KJV, and its language is It may be well to notethat, although English in style. many false cults have arisen, none NASB - A revision of the older ASV. has arisen because of a certain type It is as literal as possible, sometimes of Biblical text which it used. Cults painfully so. In the Sept. 27, 1968 issue arise through a misuse of orthodox of Christianity Today, R. Laird Harris Scriptures. cited a list of O.T. references in which Textual criticism has done us a great he thought the R.S.V. gave an inacservice. Critics should remember that curate rendering. When I checked the same science that has excised the this now, I found that the NASB has name “God” in nine places, as- the reading which Harris proposes in serts the authenticity of that same name all but two cases. I like the NASB in 1391 other places. because it has separated verses, add-
IMPRESSIONS AT BRANDON TO BE HEARD ON AIR
One of the few EMC pastors heard on the air with some regularity is Gladwin Plett. pastor of the Portage la Prairie congregation. Since CFRY is within listening range of many of our areas he submits the following note; (CFRY is 920 on the dial.) Ed. “The week of Nov. 5-9 I am to be on the Portage radio for morning devotions 9:05 - 9:15 a.m. Often I am asked when I will be on the air. I thought a little note in the Messenger might serve just that purpose—of letting folks know when J can hear “one of- their • they own”. 'fIf you feel this might be a service to those who would like to listen, please make a little note in the MESSENGER. Thank you.” Sincerely. Gladwin Plett
November 2,1973
I appreciated your editorial in the Oct ober 5 issue of THE MESSENGER because I believe the situation you described is very common in our own churches. When I say this I realize that I am no different than anyone else in the EMC churches. I can’t remember having made a spontaneous dinner invitation to a visitor in church for a long time or to anyone else for that matter. Our visiting and “fellowships ” are too formal and planned, it seems. For us, who are not used to welcoming newcomers, it will mean a special effort on the part of every Christian. It really is possible for a visitor to feel that he is wanted and welcome when he attends a new church, We 1.^found such a church this fall when we ..moved and had to find a place to fellowship in a city that has no EMC church. When we arrived the ushers welcomed us, the pastor spoke to us. and our children were taken care of by babysitters so that we had the benefit of a service without having to
ed or interpretive words are in itallics, and varianhreadings are indicat ed by marginal references. TEV (Good News for Modern Man) Very readable. Fairly literal. Some times quality has been sacrificed for the sake of being lucid. This is the work of one translator, Robert Brat cher; the versions mentioned above have been produced by committees. Living Bible - This solo effort by Kenneth Taylor is based upon the ASV. In other words, it is a loose para phrase of an older English version. Tay lor is not a Hebrew or a Greek schol ar. There are cases where he freely changes the text to eliminate an apparent difficulty or contradiction, e.g. II Sam. 15:7 and Matt. 24:34.
Some Recommendations for Discussion 1. Scripture reading in the churches should be done from a standard ver sion. The ministers and congregation should be in agreement on this. Unless this principle is put into practice, our newly acquired habit of carrying Bibles to church may soon pass away. 2. Ministers should use a literal trans lation. such as KJV, RSV, or NASB, for their study and preaching. 3. We should be cautious about ac cepting material that contains emo tional and inaccurate attacks on the new versions. 4. We should avoid the practice of picking faults in the KJV in our pul pits. Most people come to church to hear the Word, rather than a lecture on textual criticism.
worry about fidgeting little ones. During the service we filled out a card giving our name and address, and we were also asked to pin a little ribbon on our lapel to identify us as a visitor. During that same week the pastor came to see us — when we weren’t home he left his card and found us home the following week. There was no doubt that we were wanted even though we were not of their denomination. We had planned to shop around a bit before we decided where we would fellowship but we never did get around to visiting any other church. And so we are now attending a nonMennonite church and enjoying it very much. I should add that it was not only the pastor who welcomed us. We have had faspa and evening invitations from others as well. The members here seemed to have formed good welcoming habits which I certainly hope to adopt as well. Don Thiessen 564 - 13th Street Brandon, Manitoba
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Where Are Our Priorities? “How is your visitation program coming along this year?” I asked a pastor friend of mine. I knew that in the past he had devoted a real effort to get something going which would get his members to do evangelistic calling. His reply startled me. Yes, they were again beginning the program but the number of participants that he knew of could have been counted on the fingers of one hand! Why is it that so few Christians seem to be interested in sharing their faith in the communities where they live? World-wide I would say we are doing pretty good, but where we need vast improvement is right here in our own sur roundings. Or is there maybe more interest than we give our members credit for? Maybe we just don’t know how! I say this because at the EMC Sunday school super intendents meeting in Winnipeg recently one of the speakers thought the reason for the apparent unconcern in visitation could be that we lack the tools for the job. “I’m con vinced,” he said, “we have so few people volunteer be cause they are afraid, they are not trained or taught.” He went on saying, “The majority of church people want to (witness) but they lack the necessary tools to do the job.” (Harder) In my estimation there is at least one reason, among others, which stands out in this universal failure of the Christian church to exercise its mandate to go and witness. This is that the arch enemy, the deceiver of the nations, the adversary of all that is good, Satan, has succeeded in placing our witnessing endeavours far down on our list of priorities. In turn we go heavy on the “come ye” approach—come to our Sunday school, come to our church, come to our even ing services, come to our clubs, come to our choir, come to our board meeting, come to our supper, etc., etc., all of which may be good in their place, but only if they are in their proper place. It might help us to understand the situation better if we include a quote here from Kenneth Strachan’s book, “The Inescapable Calling,” and the chapter on “The Wit nessing Community”. “A true church,” says George Webber, “is an outpost of the Kingdom of God, placed in a particular spot in the world to bear witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A church is a mission living by the foolishness of God in a world that some times hates it, sometimes is indifferent, and sometimes seeks to take it captive. Any church that does not recognize the basic purpose for its existence is in jepoardy of its life. The predic ament of the church in America is precisely that it does not recognize that it is in a missionary situation.” Page 4
Alongside such a definition, the average congregation today is revealed as something other than what was originally in tended. That may sound shocking. But we are being made to perceive today, by the force of events, by the growing tide of evil and misery around us, and by the criticisms of friend and foe, something of the utter selfishness and self-centeredness of modern church life. Why do we fear to become involved in the tide of human misery and struggle sweeping past our doors? Why do we shrink back in the name of dubious harmony and purity from grappling with the difficult problems that beset man in the world of today? What is responsible for our failure in the intercessory prayer, the true holy living, the genuine compassion for the poor and needy that alone can qualify us to proclaim the gospel with authority to the world? Mr Strachan then goes on to outline how a congregation can awake to a “new life in mission.” His first of three essentials is, “Recapturing the Vision.” Here he says in part: The pastor (who is, after all, the key to the entire situation) cannot communicate this vision merely through preaching and teaching. Part of his responsibility will be the task of gradually involving the members of the congregation so that they begin to see the needs and opportunities around them with their own eyes and become themselves exercised and concerned in the search for ways to respond.
The second requirement is to ...develop a climate within the congregation that shall not only serve to encourage each member in his daily life and service and witness, but shall also provide the warm atmosphere of welcome and encouragement to outsiders and new Christians which is essential in any ongoing and successful activity of evangelism. He goes on to say that in developing a proper climate of witness there needs to be the “sense of the presence of God.” This will encourage our witness and attract the stranger. The third element for creating the proper climate of wit ness is stated as being simply fellowship. He speaks here not of a mere social fellowship but, “a fellowship of disciples who follow their Lord on the road of life, who encounter and share together its problems and burdens...it is a fellowship in the world, in service, in witness, and in suffering.” After this comes the last point and that is to establish the pattern. This brings us to one of our opening par agraphs in this editorial, namely the need of setting prior ities. As Mr Strachan puts it, “A program that has hitherto been geared primarily to serving the members of the church must now be restructured with a view to fitting and stimTHE MESSENGER
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ulating its members for discharging their mission in the community.” This brings us to the question posed by one of the group leaders at the EMC Sunday school superintendents meeting as coming from the group he represented, “How do we train for visitation evangelism?” To this question there could be a variety of answers. Some might say, “Lay Institute for Evangelism,” Others would respond with “Clinic on Evangelism” (The Coral Ridge Presbyterian church program headed by Dr. James Kennedy). Still others might suggest something else. All good programs. Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Win nipeg is sponsoring one this fall, November 15-18 with the theme, “Bringing the Good News to People.” The trouble is that few of our people will ever take the trouble to visit one of these institutes. But this does not say that we then cannot be exposed to means and methods of evangelism in our churches. What hinders us from
having our own? In fact this was a thought brought out at the above mentioned seminar (S.S. Supt.) when someone remarked, “This presentation should have been given at an EMC ministerial.” There might even be an advantage that we could take the best of all these institutes and make our own. To me this is entirely in the realm of possibility. We should be beginning to promote an EMC Institute on Evangelism. I believe we now have enough trained per sonnel to be able to have a successful meeting of this nature. All we need is to organize a team. The popularity of these institutes. Campus Crusade, Basic Youth Conflicts, etc., shows that people are willing to spend money and time off to prepare to be a better wit ness for Christ. I believe many more would take the op portunity if we had our own. To my mind an EMC seminar on evangelism is overdue. —D.S.
From Past History You may or may not have read my editorial on actively sharing our faith and thus building the kingdom of God. If you have read it you can do one of two things, learn from it or write it off as something which has only come up in the last years and give it no further thought. Nevertheless before you write it off would you read the following passage written 38 years ago by one who stood in a prime leadership role in the EMC, and deny that there is no similarity? Here is the passage translated from the German as it appeared in our church paper in October 1935. “We read in Holy Scripture concerning laborers in a vine yard. The vineyard, spiritually speaking no doubt is the church of Jesus Christ. Members in the church are the laborers in the vineyard. The laborers of the vineyard are the individual mem bers in the church, even though there be pastors and min isters. Let us liken the church to a building under construc tion. Would it ever reach completion if only the contractor and foreman worked on it and no one else gave a hand?
Could in such a case the crew be counted as willing and stable employees? And what if in spite of this they still demanded full wages?” The writer then goes on to make this moving observation; “How different things would be if invitations to Brethren meetings and Communion were taken more seriously and not only about half of the members show up!” So we see that men of God of other eras too struggled with fuller participation of all members in carrying out the Lord’s commands. With all our modern technology we face the same problem he faced in relation to mobilizing the membership to a consecrated fruitful witness—inertia. Oh, I had almost forgotten to tell you who the writer of this passage was. It was former bishop Peter P. Reimer, then leader of the EMC on the East Reserve (Blumenort, Steinbach, Kleefeld and Prairie Rose). —D.S.
Bring the Good News to People Winnipeg, Manitoba - - The Canadian Mennonite Bible College will sponsor a Conference on Theology and Evangelism in Winnipeg, November 15 - 18. This con ference is part of a series of annual lec tureships on biblical themes. The theme of the conference is “Bringing the Good News to People.” There will be two types of input into the conference. Eight to ten
action groups from as many congregations across Canada have consented to come and share ways in which they have worked at the task of evangelism in their own communities. These will become the focal points for a series of small group discus sions. The feature speaker for the conference will be the Rev. Leonard Wiebe, pastor of the Maplewood Mennonite Church,
in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Rev. Wiebe is a graduate of Mennonite Biblical Sem inary in Elkhart, Indiana, and more re cently he earned a Master of Sacred The ology at Union Theological Seminary in New York in a program focused on Ur ban Ministries and Church Renewal. Other study sessions will be led by CMBC faculty members David Schroed er and John Friesen.
The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire. In form as to what is going on in the Conference. Instruct in Godliness and victorious living. Inspire to earnestly contend for the faith, All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellehberg. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not 'Necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished letters are not returned except by request. Subscription: Members pay Uirough their church. Non-members $1.00 per year. THE MESSENGER. Published every other week by Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba. Second Class Mail. Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address.
November 2,1973
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Pictured are the members of the Frank Kroeker family now returning to Par aguay. Back row, Garry 17, Hannah 11, Marjorie 14. Front, Chris 8, Marge, Gregory 3 and Frank.
Kroekers Back to Paraguay Leaving on Wednesday. October 31 His task will include 1. evaluating on the first lap of their return journey listener response 2. legal aspects of the to Paraguay was the Frank P. Kroeker project 3. the technical phase 4. fin family of Morris. They plan to arrive ancial needs and 5. organization. in Asuncion on November 8 after stop The Frank Kroekers first left for ping enroute in Kansas and Nicaragua. the field in 1963 and have been home The Kroekers, who made their home twice on furlough. One married daugh in Tobati before their furlough, will ter, Mrs Dave Schmidt, will not return reside in the capital city of Asuncion with them this time. However she and this time. Their work too will take on a her husband plan to follow later. different form. Mr Kroeker will do re Messenger readers are encouraged search and groundwork for an antic to pray for this family as they begin ipated Chaco radio station. their third term in Paraguay.
M.R.T.C. What is that? M.R.T.C. is short for Mennonite Radio and Television Council of Canada, This is an association of Mennonite communication agencies involved in Radio and TV communication for the purpose of sharing the good news of the gospel with those who need it. A few years ago some of the people involved in religious broadcasting met to discuss the need for such an organization. As a result of these discussions this Council was organized. The E.M.C. has had representation on this Council for some time, more in the role of observer. Any Mennonite agency with interests in broadcasting may appoint represent atives even though it may not now be involved in broadcasting. At present
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there are six Mennonite conferences represented. The function of M.R.T.C., first of all, is that it serves as a clearing house of information among the various agencies associated with it. It does not have authority over the various agencies and their releases. Another function is the marketing of inter-Mennonite re leases. At present three releases include radio and TV spots on a number of Canadian stations.
One major outreach of M.R.T.C. now in the preliminary stages is the pro duction and marketing of spot pro grams for the French speaking people of Canada. A committee has been or ganized in Montreal. The present stage in this project involves the translation and the preparation of programs for pro duction. Follow-up material is also being printed. The release of these pro grams is to begin early in 1974. M.R. T.C. has taken on the financial responsi bility of this project. Besides the above project the M.R.T. C. has expenditures for administra tion, marketing and production of the spot programs. These programs are released as a community service by the stations and therefore the airing of the programs does not cost anything. The various participating groups con tribute voluntarily to the M.R.T.C. budget. The M.R.T.C. office is located in the Gospel Light Hour building in Winni peg. Mr Waldo Neufeld adminsters the marketing of the present programs that are being sponsored by the M.R. T.C.
Henry Klassen EMC Radio Coordinator
PRAY ON! Pray on, then, child of God, pray on! Whatever be thy soul’s complaint; Thy Lord hath said men ought to pray, “Always to pray, and not to faint.” Pray on! Pray on! nor think to say Believing prayer in vain can be. God will avenge His own elect— “He will avenge them speedily.” Pray on! Pray on! Cease not to pray; And should the answer tarry, wait; Thy God will come, will surely come. And He can never come too late. Pray on, then, child of God, pray on! This is thy duty and thy task; To God the answering belongs; Thine is the simpler part—to ask, —T. O. Chisholm, in Alliance Weekly
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AII88IOK S THE MESSENGER
FREE WILL BAPTISTS STRONGLY ANTI-TONGUES
Mission-Grams Germany I have been in the work of teaching missionary children now for four weeks. These kids seem to come from everywhere. Many have been in various countries with their parents and have gone to national schools and know var ious languages. Some have come from Africa, others from Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, England, Canada, U.S,A. or have been born in Germany. These various backgrounds, although rich in many ways, also present educational and emotional problems. Twenty students live in our dormitories here where their house parents seek to meet their needs. These children know what it means to leave father and mother for the gospel’s sake. I believe this ministry is exceedingly important and stands in need of con tinual prayer. I have been told that about 33 per cent of our students go into missionary work. —John and Kathy Friesen, Germany Chihuahua, Mexico Right now, October 7 to 14, we are trying to give a helping hand with Col lege Campus Evangelism. This campaign's major thrust are the university students, drug addicts and other non-churched young people. Every evening sees at least 100 to 130 come forward. We are greatly surprised at the re sponse of these kids. As far as I am aware such campaign is a first here in this city. Some of our E.M.C. young people on University Campus have taken a leading role in its organization and also now in counselling we notice. We praise God for this. Already these meetings are opening new homes for us to visit and have given us the opportunity to feel the pulse of city evangelism. —Edward and Leona Friesen
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Nicaragua It’s wonderful to be back home in Nicaragua. Everything is so beautifully green here at this time of year. What S contrast to last year’s drought. Praise the Lord for the rains. What used to be the city of Managua is still a desolate, ghastly place ruins and emptiness. I don’t believe we’ll ever get used to the sight because it brings too many vivid memories of what the city was like before and also that traumatic experience of December 23 when so many thousands of people were buried under those ruins. However, we are very happy to be back with the Nicaraguans. Pray that our ministry will be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is such a great need for people to taste of the love of Christ and know His liberating power. In Christian love, Fred and Dora Friesen
ABIDJAN CRUSADE Ivory Coast, Africa Invited to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa for a one week evangelistic crusade. French Evangelist Jacques Giraud was obliged to remain for more than six weeks in Ab idjan. then ten days in Toumodi and fin ally three weeks in Bouake. After a brief time in France he was due to return for campaigns in three other Ivory Coast cit ies. At Abidjan the City Council canceled all sporting events and gave the evangelistic team the use of Champreux Stadium. Mor ning and evening there were thirty to thirty five thousand people crowded into the facility. Hundreds came hoping to be healeii. Thousands were simply spectators caught up in the great "happening" in the capital city.
November 2,1973
To all. Pastor Giraud preached the gospel in its simplicity and totality; the love of God and neighbor, repentance and faith. He never ceased to affirm that the healing of the heart is more important than the healing of the body. Pastor Giraud believes God for a demon stration of healing power to inspire faith and to affirm the truth of the gospel to non Christians. In Abidjan over fifteen hundred were baptized. The team received more than two thousand letters requesting prayer or offering testimony to what God had done. The Bible Society sold out its entire stock; twelve thousand New Testaments, two thousand Bibles, twenty thousand Gos pels. Never in the Ivory Coast was so much religious literature sold in so short a time. - Alliance Witness
Macon, Ga. - At their 37th annual conven tion here, 3,389 delegates of the National Association of Free Will Baptists July 8 - 12 took a strong stand against glossalalia. In a lengthy resolution, following firm stands against lewdness on TV. abor tion on demand, and pornography on TV and radio as well as in bookstores and in places of entertainment, the association rejected the trappings of the charismatic movement generally and the doctrine of speaking in tongues specifically. -Inquirer BIBLES ALL OVER THE PLACE
In Paiaguay. in the town of Escobar, women taking part in the Bible Society’s ■’Women in Action ” program had the joy of putting Bibles into the hands of people for the first time — some of whom did not even know Bibles existed. A few weeks after this distribution a member of the Protestant church in Asuncion visited Esco bar. his home town, and was amazed at what he found. "Somebody has been in Escobar leaving Bibles everywhere and the people are believing in Jesus Christ through the reading of the Bible," he re marked. When the women visited the town a second time, they found that there really had been a change in the people. Several of those who had received Bibles made pro fessions of faith with tears of joy in their eyes. BRITISH DIVORCE RATE SOARS London - More marriages among the Brit ish, especially those of younger couples, are ending in divorce, according to Sociologist Colin Gibson. Writing in New Society magazine, the London scholar said ‘The (mounting) di vorce rate of the last five years suggests that one in five marriages will end in di vorce" in England and Wales. The divorce rate in Scotland has been accelerating even faster. -Inquirer
COMING EVENTS November 11 - 18 - Missionary Confer ence, Steinbach November 15, 2:30 p.m. Special Ladies Meeting at the Steinbach missionary conference. All ladies welcome. November 24 - MCC (Manitoba) annual meeting North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church. Winnipeg, Man. Feb. 8, 9, 10, 1974 - EMC Winter Youth Camp, Red Rock Lake.
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back where their findings were summarized. One point which came out concerned .Smti ) i >* spiring the teacher. With so many things Thiiiit Iliff to do how do we get the teacher to make "l ■ /XXI Sunday school a priority? Is it the fault of X Zi. AW the executive when teachers lack interesC? I. rfJw Amt /■’« Another item concerned the relationship ./Ccffyv jil^ of 'qualified ' teachers and "dedicated " teachers. Which is more important? The A', Pu ,!-i t, question was also raised whether children of X... .... Christian homes should receive visits, or what homes need visitation? One group felt that Teacher Training ............... X should be revitalized. Maybe there could ■. Cf-rxr I'C/M / 1' * Z. be a class during the Sunday school hour. What should be done with teachers who are not qualified to teach? Maybe they should be y^simA.Si transferred to a place where they can "shine ". Mr Ben Harder, of the Winnipeg Bible College speaking on Sunday School Evangelism remarked that we. "have a message that can transform the world and John Peters, missionary with Janz Team in Europe, was one of the lecturers at people need to know it. " the recent EMC Sunday school superintendents meeting held at Braeside in Win He developed his topic by putting seven nipeg. He emphasized Teacher Training. imaginary hooks on an imaginary trout line which he drew on the board. Hook No. 1 was "Keep ". His motto: "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.” We need to conserve what we already have. Do EMC Sunday School Superintendents meet in Winnipeg we follow up visitors? He felt absentee fol by the Editor low-up was the greatest secret in keeping what we have. Keeping what we have will Convening in Winnipeg at the Braeside school evangelism and teacher training. go a long way in filling the youth and adult church on Saturday. October 20 was the Mr Harder spoke on the former while Mr ranks. EMC Sunday school superintendents meet Peters dealt with the latter. 2. FEED. New means can be fed into the ing. This included superintendents, assist Mr Peters, the forenoon speaker, Sunday school from such sources as Vaca ant superintendent and department heads. divided his topic into six areas: 1) Teacher. tion Bible school rolls. Campers from Bible Featured guest speakers were Ben Harder, 2) Aims. 3) Methods. 4) Pupils. 5) Environ Campsl Youth for Christ. Child Evangelism Public Relations, Winnipeg Bible College ment. 6) Curriculum. and other non-church agencies who can and John Peters, Janz Team, Europe. Both After the lecture part, the whole group supply you with names of children they are were well qualified in their fields. divided into smaller buzz groups for about reaching but who do not have a church Topics for the convention were Sunday half an hour. Here the topic was discussed home. or commented on. They then again came 3. VISITATION EVANGELISM. He advocated making up a packet outlining the total ministry of the church and give this to prospects when calling. This would also in clude an invitation to Sunday school. Why are there so few volunteers when it comes to visitation"’ The speaker felt it was due to a lack of training. The majority of church people want to co-operate but simply lack the tools. But he also emphasized that visitation programs do not just " happen”. He shared four essential elements for a visitation program. 1. Strategy 2. Material 3. Training 4. People 4. LEAFLET EVANGELISM; This can Ben Harder is Public Relations director at the be an inexpensive method of promotion. Winnipeg Bible College. They can be duplicated on a Gestetner. The topic he discussed at They could contain announcements of spe the EMC Superintendents cial meetings, etc. and handed out on the meeting dealt with the street and close to schools. matter of Sunday School (next page please) evangelism.
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THE MESSENGER
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I Coming all the way to the EMC Sunday school superintendents conference were these gentlemen from Wymark, Sask. Left to right, pastor Peter H. Dyck, George Rempel, Jake Knelsen and John Friesen.
5. NEWSPAPER EVANGELISM: Buy an ad in a newspaper and let people know about your program. 6. MINISTRY TO SPECIAL GROUPS: The deaf, blind and crippled. Who is serv ing these people with the Gospel? This is an open field. 7. SPECIALIZED CHILDREN’S MIN ISTRY. After the lecture the group again divided into "buzz" groups with each section having their own leader. These groups then dis cussed the lecture for about a half hour and reported back on their findings. There were four such groups. Some of the questions which came out were the following: How do we train for visitation evangelism? How do we reach our non-Mennonite neighbors?
One party felt a presentation like this should have been given at a EMC min isterial. Delegates for the superintendents meet ing came all the way from Wymark, Sask, and as far as Stratton, Ont. It was indeed gratifying to see this wide area participa tion, although total attendance was not as high as anticipated. This was unfortunate due to the excellent program which was presented. A special word of thanks should go out to the ladies from the Crestview Fellowship who served the noon meal. They did a fine job. Thanks also to Peter and Wilma Doerksen for providing us with a snack before we went to our individual homes. The facilities provided by the Braeside church were ap preciated as well.
EMC Nurses annual meeting at Braeside EMC The annual EMC Nurses Fellowship was held in the Braeside Church on October 4, this year. The business meeting started at 7:30 p.m. Betty Reimer chaired the meet ing and opened with a word of welcome and prayer. Minutes were read of last years meet ing. The project of the previous year was a donation of $50.00 which was sent to the La Esperanza clinic in Paraguay. New members elected into the exec utive were: Mrs Betty Stark, R.N., Winnipeg: Mrs Diana Schellenberg, L.P.N., Winnipeg; Miss Betty Brandt
November 2,1973
L.P.N. student at Steinbach. Previous members remaining in the executive are Viola Fast, R.N. at Winnipeg Bible College, and Agnes Fast, L.P.N., Steinbach. The evening program began with singing the song “Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” Pearl Plett led the group in prayer and read Mark 14:3-9. A reading from the Daily Bread devotional “A Beautiful Deed” was read in connection with this passage of scrip ture. “A cup of cold water, a tender smile, or even a sympathetic look is helpful, for it says, T understand,’ ” A group of five young boys from
Blumenort favored the group with four musical numbers. The speakers of the evening were, Mrs Ben Eidse, R.N., who returned from Africa with her family this summer, and Miss Frieda Schroeder R.N., who is a Psychiatric nursing instructor at the General Hospital. Mrs Eidse spoke on the topic of wit nessing. She asked -the group the question, “Are you first a nurse and then a witness, or first a witness and then a nurse?” She really impressed upon the group the importance of being a Christian witness when op portunities avail themselves. In this connection she also shared some of her experiences as a witness. One exper ience she related was a time when she and her husband shared Christ with a man in a hospital even though the visiting hours were over. Later they heard that this had been their last opportunity to witness to the man. Should they have left on the dot when visiting hours were over, or was it more important to direct this man to the Lord? Miss Frieda Shroeder related to the nurses the work she does as instruct or in the field of psychiatry. Although not always directly in contact with patients, she stated she had many op portunities to counsel and guide the students and other staff in emotional and spiritual problems. She made her self available for help and told the stu dents they could call her anytime dur ing the night if they had problems, (she was a good sleeper and would go right back to sleep). Miss Shroeder point ed out that psychiatry was a challeng ing field of nursing and needed much wisdom and understanding. She closed her talk with the verse in I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him for he careth for you.” After the closing prayer a delicious lunch was served by some of the nurses of the Braeside Church. Approximately 32 nurses were pre sent. The offering was $40.00. The exe cutive sent $40.00 to Dora Friesen to use in one of her missionary projects. Mrs Harvey Plett
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Sews Prom the Cliitrclies
The Vanderhoof congregation is look ing forward to soon worshipping in this new church building now ging up.
live with her new family on August 29. She is a little sister for Vernon, Lome, and Gary. Clinton Dale was born on October 14 to Mr and Mrs Alvin Wiebe. He weighed 9 lbs. 6 oz. Congratulations to all of you! Five people left our group this fall for Peace River Bible Institute. Bill Goertzen went back for his second year, Larry Hoep pner and Pat Giesbrecht for their third year, and Bill and Sharon Esau for their first year. God bless you all. The Dorcas Sisters have taken on the re sponsibility of serving with testimony and song at the Heritage Lodge Nursing Home the fourth Monday of each month starting in September. We wish to thank the Pansy Fellowship for coming out to our evening service on October 21. The program included a trio, duet and special items for the children. Everyone enjoyed light refreshments and chatting after the service.
VANDERHOOF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP On June 24 Mr and Mrs Dick Peters, Allan Peters. David Thiessen and Marion Wiebe were baptized and received into fellow ship. On September 16 another three were baptized. They were Mr and Mrs Corny Funk, and George Funk. We praise the Lord for each one. Let us pray for them. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship around the Lord’s table on October 7. On September 1 we had a farewell for the Dave Pletts, who have moved back to Manitoba. They are making their home in Virden. We praise the Lord for the progress on the new church. On October 6 the rafters were raised. We are looking forward to hav ing the additional room, as our Sunday morning service finds our church very full. Bible School has started again, and we are happy for Jake and Esther Wiens, Luan Breithaupt and David Thiessen, who are spending this winter at the Peace River Bible Institute, Sexsmith, Alberta. Vanderhoof has experienced souls saved, and lives rededicated during our inter church crusade. We were privileged to have the Campbell-Reese team with us October 14-21. Praise the Lord. CRESTVIEW FELLOWSHIP NEWS
Three new additions have come to join Crestview this summer. Jennifer Elizabeth was born to Mr and Mrs Glen Klassen on July 6. She weihed 7 lbs. 15 oz. Londa Fay, chosen daughter of Mr and Mrs John Esau was born on January 30, 1972 and came to Page 10
Lord’s command were baptised and ac cepted into the church. A heart searching question was directed to the adults. "Have we been faithful to our promise?” Mr Loewen conducted the baptismal ceremony and Mr Henry Dyck from War men was the guest speaker. Communion service was held in the afternoon. The baptismal candidates were Wayne Loewen, son of Mr and Mrs Art Loewen and Linda Wiebe, daughter of Mr and Mrs Jack Zach arias. October 4th, 5th and 7th were also days of rich spiritual blessing when we had our first missionary conference in our church. Rev. Ben Eidse from Zaire, Africa was the main speaker. The theme was "Witnessing to Christ". A spirit-filled person has an urge within, and just as natural as it is for a pig to root up the ground, so it should be the natural thing for a spirit-filled person to witness. Sunday. October 7 we had a Thanksgiving dinner in church together with the mis sionaries. Other missionaries that gave reports dur ing the conference were: Mr. Ken Loewen, Maria Koop, Evelyn Plett and her co worker from Spain. Mr Frank Braun re ported about their work with the Indians at Griswold, Manitoba, and Mr and Mrs Lester Olfert from Nicaragua. The reports and slides were all very good, and although we cannot all go, we certainly want to stand be hind you in prayer. PRAIRIE ROSE NEWS
Seen here with Rev. Henry Dyck on left and Pastor Art Loewen on right are Gouldtown baptismal candidates Wayne Loewen and Linda Wiebe.
GOULDTOWN NEWS
On August 29 the Isaac Wiebe family went to Steinbach to attend the funeral of their brother-in-law Mr John Neufeld. Mr and Mrs Loewen also went to Stein bach August 31 to attend the funeral of Mr Cornelius Plett, an uncle to Mrs Loewen. September 9 we had Rev. and Mrs Peter Dyck in our church. They showed slides from Brazil, Bolivia and British Honduras. We realized afresh the need for more labourers but also the need for up holding the missionaries in prayer. September 30 was a day of blessing when two of our young people in obedience to our
Interest shown at our missionary con ference October 12, 13 and 14 was gratify ing. Already in spring our members favored an outright missionary conference for this fall—so the committee boldly set out plan ning, contacting speakers, arranging the pro gram, etc. In the past we had a day or two of mission emphasis following a series of deeper life meetings. But now it was to be only a missionary conference. A mission nite once a month also proved to be a real blessing. We were glad and thankful to Rev. Edwin Plett for his tireless effort to make the conference a success. Brother Leo Thiessen reported of the work closest to home among our natives in Winnipeg. Apparently Winnipeg has one of the largest Indian populations in Canada. What an opportunity! We were told how God was blessing their ministry with the Indians in an abundant way. Over three hundred have come to a personal relation ship with Jesus Christ since they went into this ministry. A church has already been
THE MESSENGER
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started, young Christians are trained to share Christ, and a “Library book store” is being planned. The work in Spain, where Evelyn Plett has been, has progressed much more than they had ever anticipated. Already a church of believers is functioning in Segovia the city where Evelyn was stationed. Evelyn made her report so much more interesting in that she had “Camila”, a native Spanish missionary, along with her. We trust that we can have Evelyn and Camila speak to us again soon, when they will have “more time”. The first message, “Lift Up Your Eyes” was delivered by John Peters, Germany, and the second one, “The Whitened Har vest,” by Peter Friesen, Paraguay. Sunday afternoon Frank Kroeker spoke on “How to Witness in the Spirit,” very enlightening. Lester Olfert closed our conference with the message “Joy in Sowing and Reaping,” and a call of commitment, where quite a few responded. Saturday night was really a full evening with the Funk family from Grunthal, sing ing, a story, and a chalk talk, and a Mexican missionary film “Narcizo”. Sunday after noon was a special with only Prairie Rose “missionaries” reporting, followed by a fellowship lunch. Yes we beheld “The Whitened Harvest,” and should the Lord tarry, please come to visit our missionary conference next fall. It could well be that a few more evenings will be added. Should you happen to meet a Prairie Rose'r humming the song “Lord of Harvest Send Forth Reapers” don’t take
it lightly — that was our theme song. Word has been received that Leonard Barkmans have, after a delay at G.M.U. headquarters because of visa difficulties, arrived at the Windermere High School in Eleuthera, and are already busy teaching, with memories of our “cool Canada” still lingering. Our young people had quite a unique missions thrust all their own this fall. It was a forty mile cyclathon, with a host of cyclists participating, including an enthusiastic sister (and mother) Mrs Albert Plett. The net results were $1,736.00 (One thousand seven hundred and thirty-six dollars). Thanks to our Young Peoples leader Lloyd Plett and his willing helpers. Of course we haven’t heard of any mission field where all the needs have been met already, so chances are this money will find its way into some most grateful hands. MORWEENA Even an eight week period between re ports rolls by rather quickly. Time is an elusive element anyway and when you’ve committments to meet it flys by even fast er. To “ - - redeem the time” should be the slogan. A few weddings have taken place since the last report. The first one was that of Harold, son of Abe B. Reimers to Mar lene, daughter of Wilmer J. Kornelsons on September 22. Ceremony, at which min ister Menno Penner officiated for his first time, and reception were in the Mennville Chapel. This happy couple are respectively
STEINBACH
the oldest members in their families. The second marriage consisted of Levi son of P.F. Duecks and Clarice Joanne oldest daughter of the Henry D. Pletts. This was an event of October 6 and lead ing minister H. P. Friesen officiated for them in Fisher Branch Community Cen tre. Some of our Mexican visitors have left for home of late. To-name one, the Jac. U. Kornelsons who after a longer stay of a number of months took off for drier climates but not till after attending the wedding of their granddaughter Clarice. Interesting how items almost merge in to the next. Talking of drier climates im plies some wet ones. Yes some wet ones, praise the Lord! But our interlake ingen uity and/or brain waves come to the for in such times. Who has ever heard of, much less seen a combine on crawler tracks. It’s not a myth however, for your reporter has seen a crawler attachment on Mr Thomas Plett’s combine. Through water and quagmire, nothing seems to faze the machine. Just off one thinks whether there mightn’t be a spiritual ap plication to such adaptability. The event of the Wilmer Kornelsens move from the Hayek district to the Fish er Branch village to take over a private transfer business was on September 24th. Brother Wilmer is a veteran truck driver. Possibly starting back then in Mexico and after moving up north he did a stint of city bus driving. Of late he was a Reimer Ex press Lines employee. “Harry’s Freight ers” has turned into Kornelsen Freighters. (One just speculates whether Wilmer has taken on some Icelandic influence in the spelling of Kornelsen). The Danny Thiessens, not strangers in our community in that he was teaching here two years ago, have moved up our way this time as carpenter for the A.K. Penner Blumenort firm in the town of Arborg. They are anticipating mission ary service in Mexico in the future. The young people of our church commun ity are putting out a paper by the name of Teen Challenge. One quiz question in the paper reads "According to the Bible what woman was a widow for only three hours? Can the readers answer?” A convention in our chapel featuring Mr Arden Thiessen was well attended on October 7th by the interlake Sunday School boosters. Though in comparison of the influence of home and Sunday School, the latter came off poorly. BLUMENORT
The Lord willing, we will begin with evening services on October 29th. The first Baptized at Steinbach on October 28 were (front left to right) Amelie Dyck, Sharon Koop, Elma Dueck, Helen Doerksen. Second row: Sharon Plett, Marriane three evenings, emphasis will be on mis Dyck, Chris Toews. Back row: Cornie Fehr, Philip Klassen and Edmar Friesen. Far sions with Ben Eidse as main speaker. Re ports will be given by missionaries. Levi right is Mel Koop, youth pastor and beside him Arnold Fast, pastor. Page 11 November 2,1973
Reimer from Germany will give a report on the Bad Gandersheim children’s home and its work. The evening services are to con tinue on till November 7th. On September 9th Rev. Harvey Plett visit ed our church and spoke to us on the relative topic of education. A special teachers’ dedication service took place on September 16th. The pro gram consisted of special numbers, testi monies and a message by our pastor, John Loewen. Thanksgiving weekend saw many of our working-elsewhere members back in Blumenort. On Sunday morning Ralph Unger brought the message. Monday even ing we gathered in the church basement for supper and for fellowship with our neigh bours. It was good to stop and consider what God has and is doing for us. MACGREGOR
On September Sth the regular Christian Endeavor service was followed by a sur prise anniversary celebration for our past or and his wife, Rev. and Mrs John Koop. They were asked to remain upstairs while the tables were being set, with raisin bread and angel food cake and decorated with summer flowers. They were then asked to come downstairs and each were presented with a corsage of summer flowers. After being seated, a poem was read by Mrs Rosie Hoeppner and a num ber in song was sung by the mens quart et!. Following this, they were presented with two occasional chairs. The blessing was asked for the food and the evening came to a close with the fellowship lunch prepared by the ladies of the church. The Believer's Quartet from The Pas presented a program in our church on Saturday, September 15 in the evening. It was a combined service with Bethel Pentecostal Church. September 16, the Sunday morning service was held outdoors in the Austin Park. The weather was chilly, but some braved it. A picnic lunch was held after the service. Several of our young people have again gone back to Bible School. We wish them the Lord’s blessing as they study His word and that Jesus will become very real to them.
BIRTHS To Mr and Mrs Martin Harder, MacGreg or, a daughter Lyndell Fay, on October 3. To Mr and Mrs Menno Penner, Morweena, a daughter Sheila Roxanne, on August 17,1973. To Mr and Mrs Joas Plett, Morween,
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THE MESSENGER
Last call! To the E.M.C. Music Festival November 3, 2:30 p.m.
In the Steinbach Bible Institute Gym. a daughter Eleanor, on September 12, 1973. To Mr and Mrs Henry Martens, Vanderhoof, a son Sheldon Darrell, on September 9.1973. To Mr and Mrs J. L. Knelsen, Neville, Sask. (Wymark), twin sons Kenneth John and Kevin James on August 15,1973. To Mr and Mrs David L. Plett, Blumen ort, a daughter Candace Valdene, on October 6,1973. To Mr and Mrs Edwin Reimer, Blum enort, a son Leighton James on October 13.1973. To Mr and Mrs Cornie Janzen, Blum enort a son John Franklin, on October 18, 1973. To Mr and Mrs John Thiessen, Blum enort, a daughter Rachel Joy, on Octob er 19,1973. MANITOBA SHOWS THE WAY Early in 1973 permission was granted to the Canadian Bible Society by the Advisory Board of the Department of Education for Manitoba, subject to approval of superin tendents and teachers, to distribute a little pamphlet containing The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5, 6 and 7, to the 16,000 Grade Eleven students in the Province. As a result the majority of the students in Grade Eleven will receive these important passages of Scripture. One of the principals, in a letter of appreciation to Rev. D. S. Col lins of the Manitoba office of the Canadian Bible Society said, “I want to assure you that, in these times when values and stand ards are under such constant attack and when confusion seems the order of the day, publications such as the ‘Sermon on the Mount' are greatly needed in our High Schools.” . The action of the Manitoba Department of Education is sincerely appreciated by the Canadian Bible Society.
CANADIAN FARMER BUILDS WATERWHEEL IN ZAIRE
Nyanga, Zaire - A 55-year-old farmer has designed and built a waterwheel in an Afri can village where such a device had never been seen. Albert Drudge, volunteer with Mennonite Central Committee in Zaire, decided there must be a better way of supplying water to people at and around the Nyanga mission hospital, schools and farms than the trad itional method of hauling it from a stream two miles away. Drudge's farming background in Stouffville, Ontario, had not provided much ex perience in waterwheels. But in September 1972 he heard about and went to see a working waterwheel at a Catholic mission station at Kasanze, some miles from Ny anga. “At that time I had no idea I would build one,” Drudge said. I was just curious as to how a waterwheel works.” But the idea grew. By December Drudge had worked out a plan in his head and put enough of it on paper to merit a grant from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for the waterwheel project. CIDA requires local people's involve ment in projects they fund. Ten Zairian men working with Drudge dug a channel to divert the stream and excavated a dam. They hauled gravel from an abandoned diamond mine 12 miles away across the Kasai River, and cement from Kananga at a cost of seven dollars a bag. The seven-foot wheel powers a pump to lift water 400 feet to a storage tank at the African Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM) station one mile away. From there, a dis tribution system of pipes will carry water to the various station facilities.
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