a
The Messenger EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE
VOL. 13
I
t
►
INSIDE: • The Future of the Family • Dedication of Chaco Radio Station • The Quichua Church — Alive • MCC (Man.) Annual Meeting report
No. 28/75 No 24 ^^Nov. 28/75
L
We present the second in a series on models for the next quarter century. Our first article took a look at the church and what new patterns might emerge there. Today’s topic deals with the family and with some possible projections for this area.
<
The Future of the Family By David Schroeder
A. renewed emphasis is being placed on the family at
the present time but some of the concerns are misplaced. Few people realize how much the family structure has already changed as the society moved from a rural to a semi-urban to an urban culture. Some have become so alarmed at the changes that they seek to return to late 19th century patterns and justify them on biblical grounds.
PAGE 2
But to revert to older patterns is not going to solve the problem because the present patterns were developed specifically in order to overcome the limitations of earlier structures. To gain a perspective for the future we need to un derstand the strengths and limitations of the present structure of the family. The assignment for the future is to overcome the limitations of present patterns without
THE MESSENGER
I
1 giving up the benefits which they have brought. THE NUCLEAR FAMILY The basic family structure today is the nuclear family. It consists of father, mother, and children. The larger network of the rural family which included the grand parents and aunts and uncles has been reduced to a single unit of parents and children. The rural family of the past was one economic unit and every member of the family had a specific contribu tion to make. The wife was a field partner with her hus band and the children were apprentices learning both skills and values at their parents’ feet. Increasing industrialization resulted in greater geographic and vocational mobility and an emphasis on greater individualism. The husband-father became the sole bread-winner and the rest of the family were no longer partners with him or learning under him. The children became a liability and the family was reduced to two or three children. It became the function of the wives to discipline the children and to “keep” the house. The nuclear family was a response to a new situation in society. The new society demanded greater mobility (from one job to another; from one community to another) and the nuclear family made this possible (the whole clan would not be involved.) The new society demanded the husband-father’s total involvement and the nuclear family could guarantee this because wife and children were there to serve as support to the husband-father. With increasing industrialization even the farm became a one-man operation. The nuclear family pattern was suitable because only one person needed to be considered in decisions with respect to work, housing, geographical area, etc. It allowed for freedom to organize and order one’s style of life to suit the particular chosen vocation, level of in come, and ultimate goals. The nuclear family was a positive answer to a new situation. It actually overcame some of the limitations of the late 19th century pattern. SERIOUS LIMITATIONS This should not blind us, however, to the serious limitations of this present pattern. The nuclear family has allowed industry and business to take advantage of the family to the extent that it has divided the husband father from the rest of the family: the wives no longer share in the husband’s world nor can the children take their parents as the models for their own vocations and life. The family is often separated from relatives and the church community so that even this support is lost. NOVEMBER 28. 1975
The nuclear family has to be a self-sufficient unit. All of the needs of each member have to be met within the small unit. Husband and wife have to be everything to each other which formerly could be found in a larger set of relationships. Too many have found this an un realistic expectation. The rising divorce rate is evident of this fact. The nuclear family has become not only more patriarchal in its pattern than the team approach of earlier years, but has actually reduced the significance of the role of wives and of women in general. They are left with the house and the children. The effort to compensate women for this loss by put ting them on a pedestal and showering them with things to make their life easier, only heightens thefeeling of not being needed except as an adjunct to the man or as a sex object. What is alarming is that this pattern is being rein forced by the “chain of command” theology expounded by such persons as Larry Christenson and Bill Gothard. They are purportedly expounding a biblical family pattern but it is not really biblical at all. It is more a return to an older pattern which is being baptized as the biblical one. In both Hebrew and Greek society the wife was under the “power” or authority over her husband’s body just as he has power over her body (I Corinthians 7:1-2). True, Paul says wives are to be subject to their husbands, but he has already said they are to be subject to one another! (Ephesians 5:21) and the husband is told not to rule over her but to give himself in love (agape) to her. This is not romantic love but the love which caused Jesus to serve us and to give his life for us. In other words, the patriarchal pattern which is so much emphasized in the “chain of command” theology, is not the New Testament pattern. What we ought to be looking for is a pattern of the family already spoken to in the New Testament where there is “neither male nor female” (Galatians 3:28), where there is mutuality between husband and wife, where the single person is a full member of society, and where each person is given the opportunity to make a significant contribution to all. NEW FAMILY PATTERNS 1. Let us welcome the experiments made in the development of new and more satisfactory patterns for the family. Not all these experiments will be successful Next Page Please PAGE 3
but out of them may well come helpful insights and new directions for the family. The extreme individualism of the nuclear family will be addressed most strongly by those who seek the new pattern in a commune of some kind. Many such com munes — Christian and non-Christian — will fail if for no other reason than because those who enter them have had their values and spirits shaped by another pattern that will not easily be overcome. We can, however, look to these attempts to help us learn again how to live in peace together, how to en courage and strengthen one another and how to be in struments of growth to each other. Others will look for something short of a full com mune but with the same objectives — to overcome the limitations of the nuclear family. There will be many different proposals and experiments. Each will address itself to specific problems it seeks to overcome. The hope lies in seeing the necessity of having a varie ty of patterns or models available so that people have the opportunity to choose and to study and evaluate the more helpful patterns which are emerging. I am hoping that some will recognize the inter relatedness of the industrial complex and the nuclear family and will seek to alter the industrial and professional structures that make the nuclear family a necessity. Once the two problems are dealt with as a unit there is real hope for positive change. 2. Any new patterns will have to take seriously the single person and the single parent. Our present society is couple-oriented. The society has been extremely cruel to single people and to the widowed or divorced. The early church recognized and held in honor persons who remained single. The present society regards them as unfulfilled and unfortunate members of society. 3. The patterns of the future will have to spell out different roles for men and women. The place the nuclear family offers for the wife and mother, and for women generally, will need to be altered. There will need to come the realization that in the nuclear family neither the female nor the male are liberated. No one is liberated until each is allowed to be her/himself. With a new awareness can come the experience of joy and gratification as each is treated as a person of worth and as one who is able to employ his/her gifts for the sake of others. We have a long way to go before women will be given their full place of leadership in all areas of life and society. But this will surely come, and it will be a positive, complementary contribution.
Family patterns will change. They always have changed with the society. The direction of change will depend on the direction of society. The direction of society will depend on our values and aspirations. If material values dominate, the family will further deteriorate. If personal and human — let alone spiritual — values predominate there is hope that present short comings can be overcome and new, more fulfilling patterns developed for the family. The author is professor of New Testament and philosophy at Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Win nipeg, Manitoba. CONTRIBUTORS: As of this morning one is again hopeful for an early settlement of Canada's postal strike. If this is the case this MESSENGER will again reach our readers in the usual way. Some of you have also received issues printed during the strike. These were delivered in different ways: special trips, people taking them along and also distribution in churches. We regret this inconvenience, but hopefully things will soon be back to normal. Our lead article. The Future of the Family, is another Meetinghouse con tribution and was written by David Schroeder, professor of New Testa ment and philosophy at Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Winnipeg, Man, Radio Chaco Dedicated is by Henry Klassen, from the EMC Board of Missions who was present for the occasion. Stan and Marion Houghten are missionaries of long standing in Ecuador under the Gospel Missionary Union. Writing on the MCC (Man.) Annual Conference is news writer Lydia Penner of MCC (Canada). Photos: On the cover we see the studio of radio station ZP30 in the chaco and Frank Kroeker in the foreground. This photo, as well as the one showing the inside of the studio are courtesy Derksen Printers, Steinbach, Man. Bottom photo on Mission page is by Jake Hoeppner.
TO WHOM IT CONCERNS .. . Dates to Remember
Mission Board and Advisory Council meet Dec. 6, 9:00 a.m.
EMC Conference Council meets Dec. 6, 1:30 p.m. Both meetings to be held at the Prairie Rose EMC chureh.
THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference; instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Alluorrespopdence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg, Box 1268, Steinbach, Man., ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art ano poetry are welcomed. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished articles are not returned except by request. Subscription: Members pay through their church. Non-members pay $1.00 per year. Send subscription money'to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0. THE MESSENGER, is published every other week by the 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 ad dress.
PAGE 4
THE MESSENGER
J «
T »
1
Q
Better on Beforel I
"Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more." Nahum 1:12
There is a limit to affliction. God sends it, and God removes it. Do you sigh, and say, “When will the end be? Remember that our griefs will surely and finally end when this poor earthly life is over. Let us quietly wait, and patiently endure the will of the Lord till He cometh. Meanwhile, our Father in heaven takes away the rod when his design in using it is fully served. When he was whipped away our folly, there will be no more strokes. Or, if the affliction is sent for testing us, that our graces may glorify God, it will end when the Lord has made us bear witness to His praise. We would not wish the affliction to depart till God has gotten out of us all the honour which we can possibly yield Him. There may today be “a great calm." Who knows how soon those raging billows will give place to a sea of glass, and the sea birds sit on the gentle waves? After long tribulation the flail is hung up, and the wheat rests in the gar ner. We may, before many hours are past, be just as happy as now we are sorrowful. It is not hard for the Lord to turn night into day. He that sends the clouds can as easily clear the skies. Let us be of good cheer. It is better on before. Let us sing Hallelujah by anticipation. —C.H. Spurgeon (From Check Book of the Bank of Faith)
uiel
Place A BIBLE ACROSTIC
A is for Adam who ate from the tree, B is for banished, as now he must be. C is for Cain, who murdered his brother, D is for death that came on all other. E is for Eden, glorious, grand; F is for fear that now fills the land. G is for grace in the promised Redeemer; H is for hell for the rank unbeliever. 1 is for ivory palaces free. J is for Jesus Who died on the tree. K is for Kidron, Jesus so brave L is for life — blood, sinners to save.
M is for Mary who stood at the cross; N is for nails — Oh what awful cost. O is for open, gateway so grand, P is for pardon for all the land. Q is for qualms every sinner should crave, R’s for repentance mighty to save. S is for sinner, come one and all, T is for telling to save from the fall.
U is for union, united and free, V is for victory. How good it can be! W for watch for disciples all; X is for Xmas for the great and the small. Y is for Yuletide, glorious and free. Z is for zealous as all we should be. — Abe Unger
NOVEMBER 28, 1975
Prayer Dear Lord Take the rough edges from my life So that / may caress the Hearts of others And not leave them scarred.
Let me look weakness in the eye And not have it drop its gaze because of my strength But let it see hope and tenderness there.
Bear me up till / don’t track the mud of this world Onto already dirty floors Let me not make friends Of faces, fame or finance.
But walk beside the suffering Carrying stumbling children Smiling for the sad And coloring the world for the blind. And let me keep the calm That comes from hiding in you A nd knowing you can't be found Out in the bright sun IVith no price to pay for freedom. — Clint Toews
PAGE 5
L
missions Radio Chaco Dedicated By Henry Klassen
Now Airing 120 Programs in Six Languages! Radio ZP-30, the Voice of the Chaco, which went on the air in August, was official ly dedicated on Sunday, November 9, with five hundred people in attendance. The hour long ceremony was broadcasted live over the new station. With the exception of one speaker the program was in the German language.
Frank Kroeker in studio of Radio Chaco. Due to the heavy rains the previous night the service was held in the M.B. Church in Filadelfia instead of at the transmitter site as originally planned. In spite of the road con ditions all three colonies in the Chaco were quite well represented. Thirty-two people from Canada were also present for the occasion. The chairman, Mr Cornelius Dueck, who is the secretary for the Radio Chaco Board welcomed the people to the dedication of the station to the glory of God. He expressed ap preciation for the historical event. He in troduced the speakers in both Spanish and German. Rev. Abraham S. Wiebe, bishop of the Menno Colony Church, opened the service with appropriate scripture reading and remarks. The chairman of the inter colony ministerial. Rev, Dietrich Klassen of Nculand, expressed appreciation on behalf of the spiritual leadership of the colonies for the radio station. He envisioned that Radio Chaco would make a spiritual impact upon the people in the Chaco, Rev, Gerhardt Hein, missionary to the Chulupies, spoke on behalf of the colonies’ missions organizations that have been in volved in missions among the native popula-
PAGE 6
tion. He referred to the role of the radio sta tion in the missions involvement. During the years of evangelism churche,s have been es tablished in various places among the In dians, Since the population is spread out in smaller communities and the illiteracy rate is high, radio is a great asset in evangelism and teaching. Presently programs are aired in three Indian languages. Rev, Hein expressed real appreciation for the new station and was confident that it plays a vital role in the mis sions program in the Chaco, Representing the EMC Board of Missions was Rev. Ben Friesen, chairman of the Board. He considered it a priviledge to be present on the important occasion. Rev. Friesen referred to the unified purpose of the station as envisioned by the colonies and EMC in the planning stages. This purpose of evangelism he stressed should be the con tinued concern of the Radio Chaco Board which administers the operation of the sta tion. He was also grateful for the united ef fort of the colonies, EMC and Radio Southern Manitoba in the construction of the station. Mr Jacob Reimer, Oberschulz of Menno Colony, spoke for the inter colony Oberschulz committee. He expressed gratitude to the colonies, EMC of Canada and Radio Southern Manitoba for the united involvement in the project. To build the kingdom of God is the prupose of the sta tion, Mr Reimer stated. He also saw the radio station as a means to improve in the physical in areas such as industry, agriculture education, medicine, etc, Venanico Gonzales, a native of the Chaco, spoke in Spanish on behalf of the native population of the Chaco, He express ed appreciation for the station especially for
the programs in the languages of the Indian population. The Indian Settlement Board which is responsible to look after the physical needs of the native people was represented on the program by its chairman, Mr. Wilmer Stahl He stated that at present 5,000 Indians have settled on their own plot of land and are in volved in industry cooperatively. These peo ple ISB serves largely in the capacity of con sultants in the areas of agriculture, educa tion, medicine, and other community development projects, Mr Stahl stated that radio would help facilitate this important ministry. They thanked God for it, EMC Missions Auxiliary which was responsible for the construction of the sta tion was represented by Mr C.P. Loewen, He gave a brief description, purpose and history of this organization. Mr Loewen mentioned that the first estimate of $25,000 had gone up to $125,000 when the feasibility study had been completed. He estimated that the final cost including the colonies share would come to around $160,000, Frank Kroeker, manager of Radio Chaco, who has been with this project since the planning stages was especially grateful for the important occasion. He saw the station facilitating the preaching of the gospel and the building of the kingdom of God, In November they were airing 120 programs in volving six languages. The Voice of the Chaco he stated was the voice proclaiming the message of Christ’s imminent return. He also requested prayer for the staff who is responsible to see that the station functions effectively. Rev. Dietrich Klassen prayed the dedicatory prayer in Spanish and Rev. John K. Reimer prayed in German. Thus Radio ZP-30, The Voice of the Chaco, was dedicated to God’s glory. The impressive dedication ceremonies concluded with the third hymn of praise sung by a local quartette. A large number of par ticipants heeded the invitation to tour the new studio and see the facilities that bring the programs into their homes.
An exciting moment for a Lengua iady. Atso seen are Mrs. Jack Hoeppner and two of their children.
I
Radio announcer on Quichua radio
A Quichua radio broadcast.
Radio Penetrated Quichua Territories Is this for everybody, even us Indians?
.•
Radio can go anywhere. It has been four teen years since Radio CoIla began and twelve years since Radio Runalacuyaj began in Latacunga. The returns for money and personnel involved have been gratifying. In fact, we know of no more fruitful way of spreading the Gospel. In the first place, we have an almost cap tive audience. Many of them understand only Quichua. We are almost the only ones with programs in their language. Secondly, transistor radios are almost everywhere. At first we distributed pretuned receivers at a subsidized price, but later the Japanese cap tured the market, for which we were thankful. An article in Readers Diges! es timated that during the construction of the Panamerican highway, there was a radio among the workers every ten feet. From the beginning, we had a well-known Indian announcer. Since the Colta radio reaches primarily the province, Manuei was soon known to most of our listeners. Later Basilio came with his valuable “mike" per sonality. Each listener felt that the conversa tion was directed to him, and would fre quently answer out loud. With that kind of communication, it wasn't long before in terested listeners came to the station and in quired about the things we taught. “What is this good way you are telling about? Is this for everybody, even us In dians?" From one area a few came on the first visit. The next time there were a dozen. What a joy for our announcers, who are also pastors, to lead these through the first simple steps of faith. What a change would occur in their lives! In this same place, Amola Chica, the first Christians could not read. How NOVEMBER 28, 1975
would they learn more of the Word? By radio, of course. At first the work grew slowly; then more people came to know the Lord. As some readers entered, the group could have their own Bible studies. Eventual ly they built a church. We can see it from the highway, way up in the hills, as we drive by. Just the other day some of them came into the bookstore for literature and invited us up to show films. “You don't have to walk so far now,” they said. "Now that we’re Christians, we were able to get together and build a road. It goes over half way up from where you had to walk before," came the good news. We hope to go soon. That is only one place that was started because of radio. In another area a man had felt for a long time that his life of drinking, feasting and fighting was not the way to live. One night he had a dream that he would hear of a better way by radio. When he happened to tune to our station, he knew beyond any doubt, that this was his answer. At first he suffered quite a bit of persecution from his family and neighbors, but eventually his changed life spoke to them and they began to listen. Today most of the Indians in his valley are Christians: maybe over 2000. About eight or ten churches have been built. The nearby town that functioned by sell ing drinks, providing shelter to sleep them olT, and having lawyers and other officials around to settle all their quarrels, is now almost a ghost town. These surely are the results of the Gospel, and mostly because it was preached by radio. Now we are in the process of turning the radio over to the Indian Church. There are over 6000 baptized Quichuas, and they are
willing to support this ministry. They need our prayers for wisdom to operate the radio station as they should. Our right to the fre quency has been cancelled and the Quichuas have a month to prove themselves capable of handling it. We will continue to help where necessary. Would you continue to uphold them and this important work by your prayers? —Sian and Marion Houghion
oeoa
esoo
eaoo
1800
1400
1000
66
68
69
70
71
72
73’
The above table shows the phenominal church growth among the Quichua Indians 1968-May’73. That this growth is continuing we can see by today's report. (Table as it appeared in Gospel Message).
PAGE 7
church news
Treesbank Sunday School picnic. CHURCH SERVICE HELD IN A LOCAL PASTURE Treesbank; July 27 was the Sunday for our Sunday School picnic. We had Sunday School and the church service outside under the trees in a neighbour's pasture. After dinner, which each family brought for themselves, there were races, relays and games for those who wanted to participate. It was a hot day and so after the games most of the people left. A few stayed for lunch and then headed for home, leaving the pasture deserted again. It was a wonderful day in which to worship God outside in the beauty of nature. The young people has a Youth Retreat on August 11. They left early Saturday morning for a camp in the Riding Mountain National Park. They had a Dutch Lunch dinner and then an afternoon of games such as baseball and volleyball. For supper everyone enjoyed a delicious barbecue supper. After supper Rev. John Koop from MacGregor talked to them about “the occult". It had been very in teresting and enlightening. On the evening of October 13th we had a Thanksgiving service. A program was brought in which three different people gave talks on what Thanksgiving meant to them. Also some other special numbers of song and poem were brought. After the program we had some pie and coffee and a time of fellowship around the table. PASTOR INSTALLATION
Rosenort Fellowship; Our Sunday mor ning worship service on October 12 proved to be a very solemn occassion for each one present; it was the occasion of our Pastor Installation Service. Many gathered on this day when our new pastor Fred Friesen, together with his wife Doris started their
PAGE 8
■I pastoral duties in our chapel, relieving our former minister Rev, Melvin Dueck due to ill health. This had been a serious matter of prayer and concern to all of us ever since Melvin became ill and felt he could no longer carry the full load of his responsibility. We are deeply grateful to the Lord for hearing our prayers and leading so wonderfully. We truly thank and praise Him for it. Rev. P.J.B. Reimer opened the service with I Tim. 1. "I've been to Calvary” a choir number, was dedicated expecially to Fred, After the couple had make their vows, they gave their testimonies. It was felt that this would be the ap propriate time for our church board chair man, J.W. Brandt to call upon Melvin and Anne to come forward to accept an engraved plaque in appreciation for the seven years of faithful service they have rendered us. The remainder of the morning was given to our guest speaker. Rev. Frank D. Reimer. He spoke on a very timely and fitting topic, "Ambassadors Together" Luke 24:45, Matt. 28:19-20. He said that every born again believer, not only a minister, is responsible for this assignment, but that the pastor is to be the greatest incentive and is to inspire the church by his example and influence. His burden should be the responsibility of everyone, also to help increase the group of prayer warriors, as this is the most powerful weapon to help overcome the evil forces of the world. In closing he pointed out that it was the duty of the pastor to continually look up to the Lord in order to rightly divide the ‘Word of Truth'. We are happy to announce that Rev. Dueck has consented to serve as assistant to Rev. Friesen. May we as “ambassadors together" continue to uphold our leaders and their families in earnest prayer. On Sunday night, Oct. 19, we had our Thanksgiving Special when we enjoyed an inspiring program, during which the many lovely numbers in song and readings express ed gratitude and thankfulness to our Heaven ly Father for all that is ours, both spritually and materially. One of the highlights was our newly formed choir, led by Ron Hoeppner, with two numbers, “Thanks to God" and “Each Step I Take”. Our recently elected Young People's leader, Jim Heinrichs led the Young People's group in the singing of two fine action songs, especially enjoyed by the wee fry! Many took part in the sharing in which numerous items of praise were mentioned, e.g. healthy families, Christian parents, children, friends. God's love, etc. Really now, shouldn't we folks belonging to the Family of God be going around with a smile a lot of the time? After the program a fellowship lunch was enjoyed by all.
NOVEMBER - MUSIC MONTH
Ridgewood: On October 28th a Married Couple's Night was held once again. Firstly, the energetic bunch gathered at the Bowling Alley in Steinbach. After all had bowled a few games they drove back to Ridgewood Church. At the church everyone joined in in some hearty, inspirational singing; good food for the soul. After this food for the body was supplied. This came in the form of brown bread, soup, pie and ice cream. Judy Ann, a chosen daughter arrived at the home of Dennis Barkmans on November 12. She is a sister for Kevin and Travis. Heartiest Congratulations! Congratulations are also extended to Alvin and Julie Reimer on the birth of a baby girl. November eighth. They are presently residing in Winnipeg. Victor Penners are grateful to have their seven-month-old son. Darryl home again. He was hospitalized a few days because of a bad fall, which resulted in a fractured skull. Now he is doing fine. Get well wishes go out to Mary Penner. She underwent surgery November seventeenth. A very entertaining program was rendered by the Living Leiters Quarlei and En durance of Love, November second. The Endurance of Love consists of a trio, with the background music of a piano and a few guitars. A tamberine player is also featured al times. November seems to be the music month in Ridgewood. On the sixteenth the annual variety night was held. The church was filled to hear the various performers. Some showed their talents in the form of singing, while others chose to play in struments, It wa.s very heartwarming to see many family groups participating. Surely this is a sign that there still is a lot of unity in our families.
COMMUNICATION
Kleefeld: Some of us talk a lot, but how well do we communicate? Our Kleefeld Church would like to convey a hearty thankyou to Professor Peter Smith from the Win nipeg Bible College, who related to us the im portance of communication, in a series of talks on the 10, II, 17 and 18 of November. Very briefly we would like to share these blessings with you. Why do we communicate? Because we were created with a need for fellowship. The four main factors in communication are, the source, the channel, the receiver, and most important of all the feed-back. Unless you get some sort of response from your receiver, communication is dead. This may not
THE MESSENGER
■
always be verbal, but includes, expressions and actions as well. For instance a minister may receive feed back from the audience by a happy face, a frown, a nodding head, or walking out. If you are a Sunday School teacher, remember all good communication begins with the class, with the receiver, otherwise your teaching is in vain, no matter how ex cellent your material may be. Often time is wasted answering questions that no one asks. One of the biggest obstacles in successful communication is noise. Here again this may not always be audible, but could include fatigue, remote thoughts, room temperature, language barrier, lack of understanding, the list is endless. Good communication begins in the home. Dr. Smith stressed the importance of being frank with each other. Don't bottle things up. Talk it out, but, never never under any cir cumstances ridicule each other, especially in front of other people. Respect each other. Forgive each other. If you want a happy marriage, (and who doesn’t) follow the golden rule found in Luke 6-31. Treat others in the same way as you would like others to treat you! How do we rate with our communication concerning the church? Each member has a gift to contribute to the body. Encourage each other, pray for each other, love each other, communicate. However we must not be content to stop there. If we sincerely love the Lord, we will eagerly follow God's model for communica tion found in Matthew 28:19,20. “Go, teach all nations", (communicate). How can we possibly teach all nations? By starting with one soul, your neighbor. Why not begin today?
REPORT ON “SOCIAL CHRIST LIKE INVOLVEMENT.” Steinbach, Man: The “Five Dollar Bill" project which one of the speakers at our an nual conference promoted, is still bearing fruit according to Mel Koop with whom the idea originated. “It is not the dollars and cents that I am concerned about," he com ments, “but rather the multiple opportunities of being a missionary right here at home." Following arc some of the individual pro jects which were initiated as a result of accepting this challenge at annual con ference. — Selling birthday and get-well cards, — making noodles and cookies for sale, — knitting slippers and selling them, — making a lamp out of revel sticks and selling it for $20.00. — making rope at the museum. Bought twine, made rope and sold it.
Camp Jubilee 75 The week of July 28 to August 3 was one full of excitement and fun and certainly a week that all the campers at Camp Jubilee will remember. The annual children’s camp at Jubilee (sponsored by the Portage F..M.C.) was .a success in many ways. There were 43 campers along with 17 regular staff members and with a crowd like that, the campgrounds never lacked any action. The first few days of camp had the temperature near 1 (X)”F and after a hard game of volleyball or baseball the kids just swarmed to the beach. The swimming period was occasionally extended because of the extreme heat. It was lots of fun! Wayne Sawatsky was in charge of the campground sports and did a fine job. The kitchen crew led by the head cook Mrs. Rempel along with Mrs Plett, Mrs Letkeman and Lynn
EMC — Youth Leaders Seminar In order to meet the needs of the young people of our conference the Youth Com mittee of the conference planned a seminar for the youth leaders. This seminar was held at Camp Assiniboia on November 14 and 15 and was attended by some thirty youth leaders. Dave Lewicky of the Winnipeg Bible College started the weekend off by talking on Understanding Youth. There were four areas which he diliniated that youth needed to be understood. These were mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. In conclusion he said that young people are no different from other people, except they have more potential. He also said that they were not to be sup pressed but rather allowed to release themselves in the right direction. On Saturday we had a full day of workshops dealing in two basic areas of NOVEMBER 28, 1975
- purchased lumber and made a lawn chair - Garden puppet show and tea - making a table and selling it — The $5.00 bought meals for two days. The two days wages went to the Lord. — Making flowers from chenille - Five dollars paid for one day's meals. Wages for the day donated. - bought $10.00 worth of poultry feed and doubled the money back with egg sales - baked pies and sold them - made lemonade — moved a house — Him night - built a dog house — moved a car garage. Mr. Koop reports that he gave out $2,175.00 at the conference and this has brought in returns of over $5,000.00. The money is to be designated for EMC Mission projects.
youth work that of Organizing and Plan ning. It was pointed out that both of these should hinge on meeting the needs of the young people. Also on Saturday we had a session on the use of films in our youth groups and also the films that were in fact available. Books were also made available at reduced prices and many helpful and in teresting books were offered. To put a capstone on the weekend was Mel Koop who spoke on “The Youth Program in the Church". He pointed out that often results in youth work were not seen immediately rather to see the fruits of labour we need to look back and see where the young people have come from. All in all it was a superb weekend and also very practical for the youth leaders who attended. Phil Klassen
Sawalsky made some of the most delicious meals and I'm sure no one left the dining room hungry. This year Mr Abe Rempel was in charge of crafts and chose string art as the craft. For the smaller children hammering those little nails was tough but a counsellor or another camper was usually there to help. By the end of the week some of the most beautiful pieces of art could be seen. There were Roadrunners, Teardrops, Starbursts and Fish made up of flamboyant color com binations and for those who know what string art is, those kids did some real fine work. There was more to camp though, and this inincludcs the Bible lessons taught by Phillis Penner after every meal. Each day each camper got at least one verse to memorize and a small work sheet to work on. We were also privileged to have the Gilbert Ungers from Rainy River, Ont. as guests this year. Gilbert was the special speaker and his stories and object lessons caught every campers eyes and ears for his full fifteen minutes. The chapel service.s always started with some of the heartiest singing I’ve ever heard (It was led by Darrel Toews and Dave Wiebe played guitar.) There were Bible drills, specials and a continued story by Emily Unger, all of them combined in making the chapel time extremely enjoyable and very valuable. Sunday. August 3. the camp was officially closed with a closing service, for which the chapel was filled, and for everyone including camp dir ector Rev. Gladwin Plett another year of camp was over. — Brian Pleit
WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT Miss Agatha Fast, Norway House, Man. and Chris Grant of Selkirk, Man. wish to announce their forthcoming marriage of December 27, 1975. The ceremony is to take place in Blumenort.
PAGE 9
MENNONITES STRUGGLE WITH UNION MEMBERSHIP ISSUE
MCC (Manitoba) ANNUAL MEETING Winnipeg, Man. — Mennonite churches should examine the question of whether or not members ought to join labour unions and exert their influence to assert the rights of persons who conscientiously object to union membership, a church newspaper editor said Saturday. Harold Jantz of Winnipeg, editor of the Mennonite Brethren Herald, was presenting a paper on labour-management relations at the annual meeting of Mennonite Central Committee (Manitoba) in Winnipeg, Nov. 22. He has done research on the labour management question and how the Labour Relations Act applies to conscientious objec tors for several cases that have come before the Manitoba Labour Board in the past year. Mr Jantz encouraged church members to use legally acceptable means open to them to establish their right to refuse on the basis of conscientious objection to join a union or pay dues to a union. These means include making application for exemption to the Manitoba Labour Board, appealing rejected applications to higher courts, and writing the appropriate authorities about their views. His presentation, which included excerpts from the Manitoba and Ontario Labour Relations Acts, extracts from union con stitutions and membership applications and other documents, sparked a discussion which indicated that Mennonites have differences of opinion on the degree to which they should become involved in secular struc tures, such as unions, courts, and political parties. Traditionally, Mennonites have avoided participation in civil authority and taking matters to court. Traditionally they are op posed to the use of intimidation, believing that use of force is against the teachings of Jesus Christ. Mr Jantz cited the case of a city man whose employment was terminated because of his refusal to join the labour union of which the company’s employees were a member. His application to be exempted from joining was rejected by the Manitoba Labour Board and subsequently by Manitoba Court of the Queen’s Bench. Testimonies were heard from Jake Neufeld, postmaster of the Altona Post Of fice and president of the Lisgar postal union local, who refused to call the 17 members to a strike, and from June Buhr, representing eight nurses in Winkler whose applications to be exempt from joining the Bethel Hospital Nurses Association were rejected by the Manitoba Labour Board.
PAGE 10
The nurses' objections to joining a union are based primarily on the possibility that they could be called to a strike. They feel that as professionals devoting their life to service they could not turn their backs on sick patients when called to a strike and that as Christians they cannot pledge allegiance to a union. “How can I pledge allegiance when 1 have already pledged allegiance to God and the teachings of Jesus Christ?" The nurses contend that Scripture teaches them to be content with their wages, and not to “render evil for evil or to exercise vengeance." Several persons who are members of un ion stated that they felt a need for guidance in this matter and urged the churches to con sider the question. With more and more Mennonites becoming part of urban, in dustrial Canada, the question of union membership would be likely to come up more often. Comments from the floor also cautioned employers not to take advantage of employees and a suggestion was made that churches should speak to the matter of un derpaying employees also. A resolution was passed giving the MCC (Manitoba) Board of Directors, through its peace and social concerns committee, a man date to “be a resource and to represent in dividuals and groups who request assistance on (the issue of labour relations.)” On further items at the Saturday meeting, considerable discussion was generated by chairman Peter Peters’ announcement of MCC (Manitoba's) membership in the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC). The provincial government is making available up to $250,000 for overseas development projects. MCC would be eligible for $84,000 of this amount. Answering a question from the floor, Mr Peters said the grant would be used to fund an MCC-submitted project approved by the Canadian International Development Agen cy (CIDA) and that the funds would be given with “no strings attached." Reports were heard on other aspects of MCC involvement in Manitoba. These in clude: collecting and preparing material aid, selling crafts from third world countries to promote indigenous industry, operating fund raising thrift shops, offender ministries, teaching and nursing in northern Manitoba, day care, development eduction, bookrack evangelism, Manitoba League for the
Physically Handicapped, staffing a residence for mentally handicapped adults, and work ing with adolescent girls at Marymound Residential Treatment Centre (an institution in Winnipeg operated by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd). A highlight of the program was an outline of Marymound's program by the director. Sister Mary Elise. She commented that the four-year involvement of MCC had made it possible for the school to open community based programs, such as institutional after care and public school re-entry. Mennonite Disaster Service director Nelson Hostetter of Akron, Pa. said that although Manitoba had had few disasters, several volunteers from the province were doing clean-up work in American states where tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods were common. A budget of over $1 million was approved for 1975-76, reflecting the increasing support for MCC. Of this amount, $700,000 is to be forwarded to MCC (Canada) for use in the general fund of MCC for overseas relief and development projects. Funds are raised primarily through volun tary contributions from the Mennonite churches. Another major source of income are 10 thrift shops, which generated $89,503 the past year. The need to augment giving of money with personnel was stressed by the staff. Reg Toews, personnel services director for MCC (Canada), said applications are up 28% over last year. Of the 72 applications, already 47% have been assigned, indicating both the good calibre of applicants and the number of openings, MCC (Canada), the national MCC organization with headquarters in Winnipeg, reported that executive secretary Daniel Zehr together with several staff persons from the international MCC headquarters at Akron, Pa. are in Hanoi and will be in Saigon later in the week to explore what the nature of MCC aid in Vietnam is to be in 1976. MCC (Manitoba), the provincial organization, is supported by seven Men nonite Conference groups. There are ap proximately 23,000 members of Mennonite churches in the province. Delegates to the Manitoba annual meeting are elected by churches on a ratio of one to every 50 members. Saturday’s meeting was attended by 327 delegates and about 250 guests.
THE MESSENGER
PRISON NOT THE ANSWER: COUNSELLOR
WINNIPEG, Man. - “Prison does more harm than good; yet we keep sending people to prison,” a counsellor for a man-to-man prison visitation program told delegates to the annual meeting of Mennonite Central Committee (Manitoba) on Saturday. Clarence Epp, coordinator of the MCC (Manitoba) program Open Circle, said peo ple involved in corrections agree that prison is not the answer to rehabilitation. “We look for vengeance rather than ways for the victim and offender to be reconciled,” he said. “The system makes sure the victim and offender never meet.” He said only 10% or fewer offenders are dangerous and cannot be dealt with by the community. Others will not respond to such alternatives as probation, fines or restitution. But, he said, many others “are sent to prison needlessly.” “Imprisonment serves as a form of punishment but does nothing to assist the wrongdoer to right his wrong. Punishment does not atone. In many cases, reconciliation and restitutions agreed upon by offender and offended would be more helpful for all con cerned.” Mr Epp said a priority for the next year in the Open Circle program would be to find
ways to help effect reconciliation between victim and offender. He contended that the church’s support is essential to bring about changes in the way ofTenders are handles. Commenting that judges' decisions are seldom challenged by the public, he said members should give some thought to how offenders are treated and let the authorities know they favour alternatives to incarceration. Mr Epp cautioned members about negative feelings toward society’s offenders. “We feel understandably negative about offenders when we’re the victim, but God allows us to go beyond that, to love and reconciliation.’’ The Open Circle program matches volunteers with inmates of Manitoba’s prisons. The sponsor visits the inmate about twice a month to establish a friendship which will also continue after the inmate is released. Occasionally councsellors have had an op portunity to help bring victims and offenders together and effect reconciliation. “We’re not even scratching the surface with our volunteer visitors,” Mr Epp said. He reminded the audience that none of us know what it’s like to be friendless,” but at the prisons there are many who know the feeling. At Stony Mountain Penitentiary,
about half the 400 inmates never receive visitors, he said. It is most important for a person to have some reliable friend to turn to when he is out of prison, “because that’s when it’s the the roughest.” “On the inside, the outside looks good but once you’re on the outside, the inside doesn’t look so bad when you’re faced with the problems and responsibilities of life.” In other offender ministries, MCC (Manitoba) operates two probation hostels for adult men, one on Grosvenor Street and another on Lenore Street. The group homes are in residential areas and the men live there under staff supervision for two to three months. MCC (Manitoba) has been involved in offender ministries for about five years.
ARE YOU DISCOURAGED Is there any heart discouraged As it journeys on its way? Does there seem to be more darkness Than there is of sunny day? Oh, it's hard to learn the lesson As we pass beneath the rod, That the sunshine and the shadow Serve alike the will of God. But there comes a word of promise. Like the promise of the Bow, That, however deep the waters. They shall never overflow. When the flesh is worn and weary. And the spirit is depressed; And temptations sweep upon you Like a storm on ocean's breast; There's a haven ever open For the tempest-driven bird; There's a shelter for the tempted In the promise of the Lord. For the standard of the Spirit Shall be raised against the foe And, however deep the waters. They shall never overflow.
Kornelia and Peter Froese recently began a Mennonite Central Com mittee assignment as pastor of the Mennonite Church at Neuwied, Germany, releasing former pastor, Hans Niessen for full-time work with the Umsiedler arriving in Germany from the Soviet Union. (MCC photo by Ernie Klassen) NOVEMBER 28, 1975
When a sorrow comes upon you That no other soul can share. And the burden seems too heavy For the human heart to bear. There is One whose grace can comfort. If you'll give to Him abode; There's a Burden-bearer ready. If you'll trust to Him your load. For the precious promise reaches To the depth of human woe. That, however deep the waters. They shall never overflow. -Goldie Belle Dicks (Selected)
PAGE 11
from the editor A Balanced Diet . . he that prophesieth speakeih unlo men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (or consolation) What does a balanced spiritual diet consist of? It would seem to me that the above would come about as close as anything. We need ail three of these elements given, edification, exhortation and con solation. To continuously have only one of these would make for an unbalanced Christian. All three together give a balance. I believe in the past we have sometimes been guilty of overemphasizing one of the three, maybe the middle one, and the result was that we did not get the whole council of God as Paul puts it. Fox example one historian commenting on Instruction Classes of former years observes that they consisted mostly of admonishment. 1 think those of us who are older will remember this. It seems that sermons also had this leaning towards exhortation. Exhortation surely has its place but should not be practised in ex clusion of other Christian truths of like importance. Lets take a little closer look at this suggested triad. Edification: The word edification is a nice comfortable word, is it not. I like to be edified and inspired. I thought so too until I went to the dictionary and looked up the meaning of this word. 1 got a real surprise when I found that the definition was to instruct and im prove, especially by good example! Now for my own edification this did not make much difference but when it came to my edifying someone else it created a very sobering meaning. In reality then edifying does not come so much by word as by deed! We all know that it is comparitively simple to lay down the law, an all together different matter to live a life above reproach. Someone has said that we make so few disciples because we are such poor disciples. Could we by the same token say we are such poor edifiers because we are not seeking to improve and instruct by good example but rather just by word of mouth? To me this was quite a staggering concept. If 1 want to edify someone either by my witnessing, teaching or preaching, I better shape up and set the example. Otherwise true edifying may not take place. Paul was one man who laid himself on the line literally and was not only willing to become God's spokesman but also a living pattern. So that when people would ask, tVhal is a Christian? He could reply. Look at me. Is that saying too much? I don't think so because writing to Timothy he could say. For this cause I obtained mercy that in me frst Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. (I Tim. 1:16) Have we ever considered this aspect of the Christian life? Of Paul God has said, / will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. Likewise what 1 am going through may not be mere chance or accident but God molding and making me into a pattern to those who shall hereafter believe unto life eternal. I think often if we knew what had gone on in the portals of heaven prior to our being chosen we might also have more en durance. You see what God said about Paul suffering for His name's sake was not told to Saul, it was divulged to Annanias before he went and laid his hands on him. All that Annanias said
was that the Lord Jesus had sent him that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost. It is not recorded that he men tioned the suffering part. But doubtlessly Paul had an idea of what could happen to him. He need only take his own passion as a Jew to exterminate the followers of the Nazarene to know that it would involve suffering. Paul edified others, and indeed is still doing so, because he in structed and improved others by good example. Exhortation: The definition of the word is to advise or warn earnestly. If it is true that the preaching and teaching of our forefathers swung loo far to the exhortation side I think it is equally true that today the pendulum has swung to the non-exhortation side to the easy-believasm and cheap grace side of which Bonhoeffer speaks. Exhortation is an integral part of Scripture. Jesus used it over and over and so did the writers of the Epistles. For instance we find James all set to write a nice discourse about the common salvation when suddenly and seemingly without ex planation he changes his tone and theme. He puts off writing about his first choice of subject and exhorts his readers to earnestly con tend for the faith once delivered to the saints. The writer to the Hebrews encourages his readers to exhort one another daily lest anv be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb. 3:13) When a great number in Antioch believed and turned to the Lord the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to follow-up (Acts 11:1924). What did he do when he came? The record says that he came, sized up the situation, and was glad at what he saw. But as Jesus said to the woman, go and sin no more, so Barnabas saw fit to ex hort that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. So we see that there is a legitimate place for exhortation. But scripture does not consist only of exhortation. There are many other elements involved and not the least of these is consolation. Consolation: The final item in this threeprong thrust is comfort or consolation. All of us need comfort or consolation sooner or later. It is not a weakness to declare ourselves in need of comfort. Only strong men do not need comfort. Those who are willing to declare themselves weak, seek and accept comfort. In fact so important was comfort in the mind of God that he named the third person of the trinity, the comforter! I think this too often escapes us. A Saviour, yes. But when have we last heard or spoken of the comforter? But when God does a job. He does a com pletejob. A Saviour to save, — a Holy Ghost to comfort! Could we say that one is more important than the other? Then we are also told to comfort one another. We are asked to weep with those who weep. 1 remember an occasion this past summer when 1 was in dire need of comfort and the friend 1 went to did not disappoint me. But I should have gone sooner. The help was there, available, as soon as I pocketed my pride and confessed that I needed help. In I Corinthians 14:3 Paul gives us the elements of a balanced spiritual diet. The three elements of this diet are edification, exhor tation and consolation. For growth to maturity we need all three. - D.S.
J
I
sac Nta siaivy.j v-j SSVlyoj V
PAGE 12
X03
THE MESSENGER
J