The Messenger
sEVANGELtCAL MENNONiTE CONFERENCE
VOL. 14
24/76
II
11
• How do you make Church decisions?
• N.F.C. Convention
• 1976 Index
For photo captions see page 4
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Resources for Congregational Decision-Making by Leland Harder
How does your congregation make decisions? Is the majority always right? Who may take part in the decision-making process? If these are your questions, this author may have some answers for you.
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n order to speak directly to the topic, I must skip over many crucial truths with hardly a passing glance: that Jesus intended to establish the church, that the way we fulfil our own Christian commitment is in and through the institutionalized church, that the members of the church are to live the gospel within the fellowship and make the gospel known outside the fellowship, that the Holy Spirit renews our covenant with Jesus and reveals his continuing will to us for the faithful living of these days (John 16:13). Acceptance of these basic truths should not be taken for granted because the number one sickness of the church is individualism — the attitude that we can be faithful disciples without participating in congregational decision-making. Individualism is a far greater obstacle for the church than in stitutionalism. Moreover, there are three absolutely es sential conditions for the existence of the church in any generation: (1) that a group of disciples covenant together to discern and decide what their Lord would have them to do together that they cannot accomplish alone, (2) that they share the tasks (roles) that are to be done in the carrying out of their decisions, and (3) that they hold each other accountable through responsible team discipline to the carrying out of those tasks. Congregational decision-making pertains to all three conditions but primarily to the first: deciding what it is that the church should be and do in our generation in the present mo ment of history. There is a sense in which decision-making applies more to the “doing” of the church
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than to the “being” of it. When we “are” a family, gathered together at grandpa’s on a Sunday afternoon for fellowship and fun, we don’t bother with much business; we just enter into the joy of our family heritage. But then some family issue comes up that needs discernment and action in the coming week, and we put our minds together to decide what we have to do, who will do what, and how we will report back. The issue likely has to do with changing some condition about which we are concerned. Part of the human predicament is the myth of privacy and the reluctance of the church to touch many vital issues with the ten-foot pole of a Sunday school discussion. The first order of business in most con gregations is how the church can be enliven ed and re-organized so that the gospel can be brought to bear upon personal problems and ethical dilemmas. At the end of this article is a brief list of writings that would be helpful reading on these subjects for any congrega tion. Common to them all is a new concept of congregational decision-making on two levels: the level of the “large congregation” and the level of the “small fellowship.” By large congregation is meant any ex isting church with over forty members in which there is a Sunday morning worship, Sunday school classes for various age groups, a women’s organization, a youth group, a pastor who shepherds this flock, and a council of elders who make most of the decisions about maintenance and budget. The benefits of the large congregation for most members is the experience of coming to God’s House and the very personal (private) feeling that in spite of the human predica-
merit God is on His Throne and all is well, at least in principle. But not all is well, even in principle. It is important for the masses of church members to know that God is on His Throne, but there are too many places around that Throne in the sanctuary for worshipers to hide from the searching judgments of God and His healing graces. Something happened in history to create a discrepancy between the “sanctuary church” on the corner and the “house churches” in the New Testament.
When the writers listed in the reading list (end of article) speak of the smallfellowship, they mean a group with less than fifteen members who become active partners in the gospel rather than passive listeners. If every member is to have the opportunity to par ticipate in decision-making, one must get into a fellowship small enough to make one’s voice heard — caring for those who are down, rejoicing with those who are up, bear ing the burdens of others, admitting one’s own burdens so that others can care. In the small fellowship there are no places to hide.
So far the writers listed are in essential agreement, that it would be well for every member to participate on both levels: the big church and the small fellowship. The differences in their models come at the point of relating these two dimensions. One of the insights of Olsen’s book (the first in the list) is his description of seven models of how small “base-church groups” can function in relation to the established church structures. For the sake of brevity, only two of the models will be illustrated here.
THE MESSENGER
“Authority for decision-making in the church is not vested in a list of articles, a written constitu tion, or a tradition from the past. It is given by God to the community by discernment and concen sus.”
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Model 1: The Cluster Base Church The special feature of the Cluster Base Church is the vision of the large church as an assembly of small groups rather than a collection of individuals. This is essentially the vision of John Miller, professor at Conrad Grebel College, who devotes part of his time to church renewal workshops (see item 2 in the reading list). He calls for a return to the Biblical pattern of house churches but does not entirely reject the pre sent sanctuary church model. Those for whom the term “house church” carries anticongregational meanings should appreciate this part of his vision. His solution, however, is not simply to put every member also into a house church but to redefine the sanctuary church as an assembly of house churches. This is a radically new model: new con gregations actually being formed after the N.T. house church pattern, each functioning essentially as the church were baptism and communion, discernment and decision making, evangelism and service would all happen. The house churches would gather in a cluster assembly on Sunday morning for worship, Sunday school, conjoint consulta tion, and educational conferences. This model is not just theory, but has been im plemented in various places. Model 2: The Overlay Base Church In the Overlay Base Church model, the large church continues its traditional program as small fellowship groups are formed one by one. They form for many pur poses as Sunday school classes, women’s prayer fellowships, young couple’s groups, mission groups. They provide an opportunity for some members to get more deeply in volved in group discernment and decision making, while others remain on the fringe. This is essentially the vision of Paul Miller, professor at Goshen Biblical Seminary (see Reading list item 3). While John Miller’s paper gives priority to the house church over the sanctuary church, with considerable criticism of the latter in historical perspective but not the former, Paul Miller is more discerning of weaknesses and strengths of both levels of churchly reali ty. For example. Biblical preaching is largely lost in house fellowships, they are too small
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to enjoy the economies of size, and they tend to attract and sometimes to be dominated by neurotic persons who drag legalism and Pharisaism into the house church movement, Paul’s model calls for a single membership expressed on both levels of churchly reality, with the large congregation serving as a buffer between disagreeing house fellowships and alienated refugees from a particular house church. Not all members would participate in house fellowships for reasons of doubt or fear or preference for privacy; but in deference to these (weaker?) members, a less demanding and revealing type of traditional worship would continue to serve genuine needs until they voluntarily venture into a group of some kind.
The Bible is the most essential resource in the decision-making process. In his book (reading list 4), Lewis Sherrill has a helpful chapter on the correlation between the themes of the Bible (eight of which are discussed in detail) and human need. The group can begin at either end. It can begin with the critical issue of life and move to the Bible for light, or with the Bible and move to its application in the present situation. In either procedure, the central purpose in searching the Bible is to prepare the way for members to discern God’s will and make some binding decision about it. 2. Authority Comes Through Each One. In the decision-making process, every member has an important part to play. That part includes three levels of contribution, related to how much one conveys God’s PRINCIPLES OF CONGREGATIONAL prior authority. At the lower level of revela tion, each one can share an opinion. It is imDECISION-MAKING Whichever model of church reform is portant to let the group know how the idea adopted to make possible a deeper level of under discussion hits you, and it is important participation in congregational discernment, to tell the group where you are as the group there are some important concepts and prin moves toward consensus. Differences of opi ciples of decision-making to be considered. nion should be accepted graciously, not as a 1. Authority Comes From God. Author!- sign of irreconcilable dissention but as a step ty for decision-making in the church is not toward reaching consensus. vested in a list of articles, a written constituDisagreement may be the very factor that tion, or a tradition from the past. It is given brings the group together for descernment by God to the community by discernment (Acts 15): but even when it is not the starting and consensus (Matt. 16:19). God’s word for point, some conflict between various (conserany issue on the church’s agenda is a unified vative, progressive, radical, or reactionary) message, not a compromise between alter- points of view is to be expected. I need to ex native points of view. It may be elusive at press my conservative point of view before I times, but it is discernible. Alternative points can accept the possibility that your radical of view should almost always be expressed; stance may be nearer to God’s way. You but when the decision comes it should be need to appreciate reactionary attitudes in nearly unanimous so that the members can order to test whether your progressive atsay that “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit titudes are more of a stumbling-block to the weak than they are a counsel of strength for and to us” (Acts 15:28). A split decision usually means that all (Romans 14, I Cor. 10:23-33). At a higher level of revelation, members somebody is not discerning God’s will. It may mean that nobody is, at least not fully; can appeal to their own theological convicor it may mean that everybody has seen part tions (Acts 15:11) or share testimonies about of God’s truth, but not fully. A majority vote their own Christian experience of dealing is no assurance that God’s will has been dis with the problem under discussion (Acts cerned; the minority may be right. A un 15:12) or refer to the earlier experience of the animous vote can mean that nobody is right, church (Acts 15:7). if the hard work of searching for God’s way At the highest level of God’s providence, has been short-circuited. each member can exercise the talent he has However, if the members are truly open to from God to move the body of Christ toward know God’s truth, have searched the Scrip- consensus (I Cor. 12:7). In item 5, below, tures, studied their history, recalled their Paul Douglass defines ten’ roles that groups theology, listened to testimony, they can need in the decision-making process, trust the Holy Spirit to be in their midst, Although these roles are not simply to be helping them to discern the mind of Christ. (next page please)
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identified with the Apostle Paul’s list of gifts (I Cor. 12) and can be exercised in any human group in the service of goals that have nothing to do with discerning God’s will, the church does not reach consensus by the Holy Spirit without them. When members function as “catalyst” or “proposer” or “clarifier” or “weigher” or “explorer” or “mediator” or “synthesizer” or “formulator” or “programmer” or “gate keeper” for the sake of helping the group dis cern the mind of Christ, they are offering their gifts “of the Spirit for the common good” (I Cor. 12:7). 2. Authority Comes Through Leaders. Leadership in the decision-making process is a special type of authority through which God’s authority is further mediated. Part of the consensus, that the congregation reaches is the appointment of leaders - a “chair person”, a worship leader, a steward of funds, a co-ordinating council. But even before consensus is reached or the group is formed, leaders must emerge for the discer ning and doing of God’s will. Jesus came to be our leader; and under his authority, others step forward bearing his likeness to help us be faithful participants in the work of his church. One of the most difficult problems in the group process is the monopolization of time of the seizure of power by some would-be leader. It is essential in the discernment process that members not only speak but also keep silence and listen to others (Acts 15:12). In the Jerusalem Conference, James emerged as the leader who listened, helped others to hear, and finally formulated clearly and precisely what he heard the Holy Spirit saying to the group (Acts 15:13-21). True leadership in the church is not an office to which one has been elected or a position to which one has been promoted but a service in the group process that is self authenticating by the gift of grace within. GOING FOR THE DEPTHS The central point in all this talk of decision-making in the church is the desire to move from superficiality in the Christian faith to the deeper depths of discipleship. Our last two images focus especially on this aspect of the subject. The Image of the Town Meeting. In item 6, Ross Bender describes the New England “town meeting” as a model for con gregational decision-making — an aggregate of interdependent neighbors exercising the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and having a vital stake in the decisions that are
made. Congregational business meetings, notorious for their poor attendance and routine agenda, could learn much from the town meeting model, “If Christians today would see themselves as those upon whom the end of the ages has come, as bearers of the destiny of history like the early Christians, they would be aware that their decision-making is not only vital to the life of the congregation but vital to the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the world as well,” The Image of the Peace Corps. In article 7, J. Lawrence Barkholder envisions a con gregation that “would look more like a local Peace Corps unit or a closely related set of such units than a band of worshippers,” Congregational meetings would become springboards to binding decisions about basic issues of Christian ethics, such as war taxes, exploitation of minority groups, rent gouging, capital punishment, affluence and poverty, marriage and divorce. Groups within the church would present their con sidered positions to the congregation for amendment and adoption and would become “task forces” for the carrying out of each decision. Whatever model the church adopts to gain greater faithfulness in its mission, the crux of the matter is to discern what the Lord would say to us in the congregation about the problems of the world round about and the resources he has given to us for the solution of those problems. If Christ is not a living reality in the church, it is quite beside the point to discuss resources for decision making which presume that he is Lord.
Reading List
1. Charles M. Olsen, The Base Church (Atlanta: Forum House Publishers, 1973). 2. John W. Miller, “Church Reform and the Missionary Congregation in the 1970’s,” Gospel Herald, Dec. 12, 1972. The larger study docu ment is available from Mennonite Church, Room 104, 10600 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont, Ill. 60018. 3. Paul M. Miller, “A Shape for the Congrega tion of the Future,” Mission-Focus, Nov. 1973. This publication is available from Mennonite Board of Missions, 1711 Prairie, Elkhart, Ind. 46514. 4. Lewis J. Sherrill, The Gift of Power (New York: Macmillan Co., 1957). 5. Paul Douglass, The Group Workshop Way in the Church (New York: Association Press, 1956). 6. Ross T. Bender, “Decision-Making in the Church,” Gospel Herald. Nov. 6, 1973. 7. J. Lawrence Burkholder, “The Peace Churches as Communities of Discernment,” The Christian Century, Sept. 4, 1963.
1 Martha Kroeker
BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTMENT The EMC Board of Education and Publication is happy to announce the appointment of Miss Martha Kroeker as office secretary to the Board. Martha is a former EMC Christian Service worker having spent some four years in Mexico. She comes from the Morris Fellowship Chapel.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Once again we are bringing to a close a year of MESSENGERS. The MESSENGER is now in its 14th year and the Lord willing will begin with volume 15 with the first issue in January 1977. For those of you who are carefully filing your MESSENGERS you will find the index in this issue. Looking al the index one is amazed at the volume of material which has been printed over the period of one year. Our lead article. “Congregational Decision Making" is a MEETINGHOUSE article. MEETINGHOUSE is a Mennonite editors group of which the MESSENGER is a member. The ar ticle may also appear in other Mennonite papers. The author, Mr. Harder is a professor at Men nonite Biblical Seminary. Elkhart, Ind. In the missions section we are again happy to report of various activities. Mary Loewen (Morris) writes of the Paraguay worker's staff retreat held annually. Stan and Alma Plett write an interesting report of first impressions at Belize. The Pletts are al home in Rosenort Fellowship chapel. They are in a teaching assignment in Belize. Mrs. Tina Plett (Blumenort) No Turning Back, is the wife of missionary Abe Plett, El Terrero, Mexico. John and Connie Reimer (Plea sant Valley) are in bookstore and church planting work in Nicaragua. (See photos on cover). Ben and Betty Thiessen (Ridgewood) are in the teaching ministry in Belize.
COrER PHOTOS: Top two pictures come from Nicaragua and go with John and Connie Reimer’s report. Bottom photo goes with the report by Ben and Betty Thiessen.
THE MESSENGER is published every other week by the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Board of Education and Publication. Box 1268. Stein bach. Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail. Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mail ed to the above address.
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THE MESSENGER
from the editor MARCH OF TIME
As another year is fast drawing to a close I am reminded of the words of Job (7:6) where he describes his days as being swifter than a weaver’s shuttle. When we were young, time almost stood still, didn’t it? I remember vaguely (I think I was still under school age) that my mother had promised to go and buy a jacket for me and how the hours dragged till the time we finally went. As years went by, no doubt many of you will recall, how we couldn’t wait till we would be mindig (that’s the low German word for reaching the age of 21 and going on your own). At last we could keep all our money. We would be free! Yes, I too look ed forward to this with keen anticipation. When would it ever come? But you know, and I thank God to this day, before that day of freedom, with its dubious connotations, came, I had ex perienced another freedom — the liberating freedom of the Holy Spirit. From here on 1 had a new Master, one who had said. If the Son therefore shall make you free you shall be free indeed. Praise God! As one grows older time begins accelerating. Yesterday when my wife and I talked about the blood donors’ clinic which was being held that day, she remarked, “Can you give blood again?” I told her that I usually gave twice a year. It had not dawned on her that my last donation had been way back in August. To her it seemed such a short time. So this becomes the situation with us who are older. Time begins to fly! But, as we well know, time goes on regardless of feelings. I think maybe editors are more aware of this than anyone else. Every other week for me, I know I have to produce. For you it could be different, your timetable may be more flexible. But I find that my two weeks are always up very fast. But now it is not only the bi-weekly schedule that is drawing to a close but also one finds the year rapidly diminishing! To think of my responsibilities as an editor sometimes almost overwhelms me. In a sense an editor leads a lonely life. He must live very much by faith. Let me explain: When a preacher stands in front of an audience he gets cer tain inspiration from the congregation. He sees their reactions are favourable and he is encouraged. The very atmosphere gives him momentum and he finishes in high spirits. As an added bonus someone might even say in leaving, “Pastor, that was a terrific message." The editor, on the other hand, has no visible audience. All that he sees is a typewriter with some 42 “cold” keys staring him in the face, and a sheet of paper under a roller, which often is not noted for breaking any speed records. Tell me, what could be
less inspiring! And then when I do have the opportunity to address one of our congregations, as I occasionally do, I have the uneasy feel ing that you are saying, “We know you. You are the editor of the Messenger. We know exactly what you believe. We know what you think." Because, you see, I have through the years had to make myself vulnerable to you through the pages of our paper, so much so that even though 1 would have no by-line on my editorials you would know fairly well which ones were written by me. Nevertheless, even though I am aware that I am an open book, I greatly appreciate and cherish getting out to meet my
DECEMBER 24. 1976
audience. And when I do get out I think pastors find they don’t have to be afraid of me! The fact remains though that my main pulpit is my desk and my message comes to you, not spoken, but via type. In all this, I think if we were more mindful of the law of sow ing and reaping we would not be so easily discouraged. Whether it is in writing or in preaching we need to exercise faith that God will reward the faithful dissemination of His truth. Sometimes we may see it and sometimes we may never become aware of it. I was again forcefully reminded of this in a letter that came to my desk recently and which suddenly turned my clock back by some 20 years. At that time my wife and I had the occasion to spend almost a year and a half in northern Manitoba in a combined spiritual and secular ministry which involved a witness to the Indian pop ulation employed at a sawmill. Among these was a family which later moved to Winnipeg and got involved in the Indian Alliance work run by the Leo Thiessens. To make a long story short, a number of this family are now Christians and two are engaged in an Indian ministry in western Canada. As 1 read about these developments the following words of Jesus to His disciples came to mind: And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, one soweth and another reapeth. I’m sure that my ministry, in relation to what others have done later, was only one small, very weak link in this whole chain. But I would still like to think that it may have constituted part of the whole. Praise God! Let us not be weary in well doing. This experience has both humbled and encouraged me. All this makes one aware of the over-riding imperative of the present. Among our biggest sins, I suppose one could say, are the sins of procrastination. For instance we hear that our friend has died. fFe should have visited them sooner, now it's too late. We hear of some person who has left the church. I knew I should have spoken to him. A returned missionary appeals for recruits, volunteers. / often felt I should go to Bible school and prepare. IVhen I was younger I felt the spirit directing that way. We neglected to have family devotions with our family and now they're all gone. / always wanted to, honestly, but felt I would do it tomorrow. And so it goes on and on. But beloved, all is not lost even if your life has been messed up, as we say. Even if you have miss ed one or two or many calls of God that does not mean that all is over. I believe God calls again and again and I think Scripture bears me out on that. Yes, the water may be under the oridge, but there’s always more water coming which can launch your boat and set it on its way today. One of the Scriptures which bears this out is the lesson of the Potter in Jeremiah 18. He made it again. The vessel got messed up, broken on the wheel. It was not discarded but it was reshaped and reformed to become a vessel of usefulness. The young, as well as the old, I would encourage with this il lustration of the marred vessel; one mistake need not negate your usefulness. Take the time that is left and be zealous for the Lord. Or, as Paul puts it. Redeeming the time because the days are evil. — D.K.S.
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Pictured is the group that gathered for the missionary retreat in Paraguay.
Staff Retreat “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). The long-awaited day dawned at last, clear and beautiful! On Friday, November Sth at 4:00 p.m., families started arriving, equipped for a weekend of camping. Both children and adults had been looking forward to our annual EMC staff retreat at Itacurubi, a beautiful campsite in East Paraguay. After a dip in the new swimming pool, a Canadian-style wiener roast was enjoyed by everyone. A time of warm Christian fellowship around the campfire set a good tone for the rest of the weekend. Mr Frank Kroeker challenged us to be filled with Christian love and unity, accepting each other, as different as we were. These words were followed by a time of sharing and choruses; our theme song, based on Psalm
29:2, was introduced. Then, another dip in the swimming pool, nite lunch, bedtime. Saturday and Sunday were also packed with activities, but the afternoons were free for siestas, sports, etc. The program included a business meeting on Saturday morning, the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, two challenging talks by New Tribes missionary, Marvin Cole, on “Mission Opportunities” and “The Missionary’s Spiritual Life”, family "packages” (skits or singing prepared by the different families), and some good hearty singing. A Moody Science film on Sunday night concluded our retreat. Thus ended an exceptionally good weekend of fun and fellowship. There was enough on the program to keep anybody from being bored, but also enough free time to make it a very relaxing retreat. Thanks to the planning committee. Mary Loewen
Initial Impressions of Belize 1. Belize is a small country (174 miles by 68 miles with a population of 140,000) with a variety of languages (Creole, English, Spanish, German, Maya). 2. Belize is a country with a lot of churches, but seemingly few committed Christians. Family Impressions 1. It’s amazing how well we get along without the things we “can’t do without” — PAGE 6
Sesame Street, Big Macs, telephones. 2. Those fearful creatures (tarantulas, scorpions, bats, poisonous snakes) are not yet household pets, but fail to strike terror as at first. 3. Shopping is a new and different ex perience. Some of it is done in a modern supermarekt and some (fruit and fresh vegetables) at the market. 4. Though downtown Belize looks as
foreign as any city, there’s a good chance you’ll run into a long-lost relative living at Spanish Lookout. 5. An entirely new “typical” shopping list is made up. This is quite different than one in Canada due to the different price patterns. We might not be able to afford apples or canned goods but bananas, coconuts, oranges and grapefruit are quite inexpensive. 6. Buying garden seeds in the middle of November was a new experience. School 1. There is a refreshing absence of grumbling and student unrest. 2. Students love singing. 3. Most of the students are Christians, from local evangelical churches. 4. It is possible to teach without the ex tras — projectors, magazines, movies, etc. Our family has adjusted quite well, I believe. Vivian and Vonda attend New Hope (if and when the bus driver decides to take them) and Russ and Vai attend King’s College. Randy tried it for a while (at New Hope) but became our first drop-out. It was too much of a strain so we’ll keep him home for a year. Alma is busy in the home and helps at school one evening a week. I’m teaching a variety of courses at King’s College. Though it is a high school, there isa lot of Bible training as well. Our objective is to train Christian leaders; these are desperately needed in the churches. We at tend Maskall Chapel; I speak there once a week. The church needs a real awakening. Pray for us. Stan and Alma Plett
“No Turning Back” October 17 was the day of Isidro and Soledad Lopez’ baptism. That same day they got notice from their landlord to move out of the house they were living in. Seemingly it was too much for the landlord to have an evangelical, and besides that, one who fre quently talked about Christ on the street, to live in his house. Once before already he had come to investigate when he saw Abe’s truck parked in front of the house. Isidro told him he had personal business with Abe. (In that case it was personal counselling in prepara tion for baptism.) “Well, I want him to leave immediately regardless of what his business is here,” was the landlord’s reply. Isidro had been witnessing openly and
THE MESSENGER
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frequently got into discussions, since his con version. Threats about chasing him out of the village and forbidding us to come there had been made before. All this did not cause this young couple to shrink back or lose faith in Christ. After baptism they moved into a house in a nearby village. Now they have about a mile to walk to the service with two children to carry. It doesn’t seem to be any problem for them to come to services. The conversion of this couple was the result of the faithful witness of two teenage girls in Casavantes. The Lopez had heard the
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gospel before arriving in Casavantes about a year ago. However, they did not take heed to it until they became neighbours of the one Christian family in Casavantes. The girls im mediately established a friendship with them with a burden to win them for Christ. When Isidro and Soledad started to attend the ser vices, they very soon made decisions to follow Christ. The groundwork had been done by the girls before. Praise the Lord for faithful servants of His and for souls coming to Christ through their witness! Mrs. Tina Plett
Thursday in San Jose
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Is that the Jimmy? Must be the girls. (Doris and Irma). As Connie makes her way to the kitchen to check the coffee pot, John welcomes the nurses, who are ready for their day's work in San Jose. Over a cup of coffee, the week’s happenings are discussed and the day is planned. Yes, today the San Jose group will have their own service without the help from La Paz. Should be exciting to see what happens. A short stop is made to drop off a medical slide at the Jinotepe Sanidad (clinic). Then off they go; a very beautiful trip at this time of year. The roadside is lined with a gorgeous floral display of poinsettias. Arriving in San Jose, they are welcomed by the smiles and greetings of the local peopie. And sure enough, Juana, the secretary of the clinic, has already set up her desk, giving everyone a friendly smile and a warm greeting. Quickly the efficient hands set up the different stalls for consullas, the pharmacy is opened up, the Christian book display is set up, and so everything is ready for the waiting patients. After observing the proceedings for a while, John takes the Jimmy to Salvador’s house. He is a Christian, 32 years old and crippled from the waist down. John has a Bible study and a time of prayer together with him. The study is very basic, teaching the student about God’s message to man - the Bible. Many verses are read so as to help the student find the different scripture portions quickly and easily, and also to whet his appetite for the Word. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12). My, how time flies! It’s time to go for dinner! During lunch hour, minds and backs are relaxed by playing the guitar, singing, or just snoozing. After the break, “consultas” continue.
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There are always physical needs which need attention. Another hour is given for the patients, and then Doris, Irma, Connie and John, each with some correspondence Bible studies in their hands, leave to spend time in four different homes. The purpose of these studies is to help the Christians in the community become more grounded in the Word, My, what enthusiasm and excitement is portrayed during the supper snack! Everyone is really encouraged by how well the Bible studies have gone. While some are “sprucing up” for the evening service, the others discuss and plan for the service. It’s going„ to be a unique one, for this is going to l be a first, for the San Jose people will have the service all by themselves. Up to this point a group from La Paz had been coming in to hold meetings while San Jose was being ministered to. Now they will do the ministering. As the Jimmy makes its way to the site. suddenly the vehicle is filled with great excitement. Are those the coffee pickers coming home? No, they couldn’t be, for they are going in the wrong direction. They are head ed for the service. The local Christians have taken the initiative to invite others to their service. During the service, the group is seated in a semi-circle, thus lending itself to a more informal, relaxed atmosphere. They had just started the service when everyone noticed some commotion to the one side. Before you knew it, the service was being interrupted, and it was stated that a sick elderly man had requested a visit and prayer from the mis sionary. It sounded urgent! What was John to do, leave the service totally in the hands of the San Jose Christians? The Lord seemed to indicate that this was the course of action to take. So the responsibility of chairing the ser vice fell into the hands of one of the brethren. Failure? Never! Each Christian participated throughout the service, for they were worshipping the Lord and ministering to one another. As Jimmy was leaving San Jose that even ing, we all concluded that the San Jose
Christians were progressing and growing in their Christian faith. Praise the Lord! John and Connie Reimer
Four Graduates Now Teaching Where do graduates of King’s College go and what do they do? We have the unique pleasure this year of having four of our own graduates teaching in our schools. Eloisa Lanza, a ’75 graduate, struggled with her studies through her four years at King’s. Right after graduation the Pineridge Primary School needed a replacement and Eloisa was asked to fill in. A bit reluctantly she agreed and before the year came to a close she was applying to teach full time the next year. She is teaching full time now and planning to study on the side to get her teacher’s certificate. Eva Slusher, a ’76 graduate, is helper teacher at Chapel School preparing to take over a class full time when one of the teachers leaves for Bible school at Christmas time. Juan Castillo, another ’76 graduate, is fin ding a meaningful outlet for his youthful am bitions in handling a class of Standard Four’s at Chapel School. When asked how he enjoyed catching passage in the wee hours of the morning to get to school he flashed a smile and said, “I’m still young, you know.” Tony Castillo, another ’75 graduate, was asked this year to come to King’s to teach the Spanish courses. He knows the students well and is a big help all around. All four of these young people are dedicated Christians and we ask you to pray for them that their Christian lives will be strengthened and that they will find joy in serving their Lord. Ben and Betty Thiessen
WANTED The Portage la Prairie EMC Church is looking for about 25 used hymn books "Worship and Service Hymnal” (Hope Publishing) Please address inquiries to; Henry Giesbrecht c/o Evangelical Mennonite Church Box 1083 Portage la Prairie, Man. Tel.: 252-2646
PAGE 7
church news Northern Fellowship Regional Convention event, coming from Birch River, Hudson Bay, Swan River, Endeavour and other areas. “The Layman Looks at the Bible” was our convention theme. All the churches par ticipated in the programs thus making it an eventful day for everyone. The morning session consisted of special numbers and high lights shared by various groups. The theme was “Principles of Bible Study”. You don’t have to be a scholar to understand the Bible; just let the Bible speak for itself. As you truly study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. During the lunch break, people had a chance to visit with friends or get acquainted with those whose faces were new. A few points of special interest were two displays — Leona Belanger’s lovely layout of Bibles, books, cards, and numerous other items of interest, and Mr. Klassen’s attractive display of Conference materials and publications. During the afternoon session the adults Dr. Eichorst during a session, display ing some good study books at the focused on “Procedures of Bible Study,” while the youngsters, led by Stan Klassen regional convention in Creighton. and Abe Friesen, had a time of singing, a It was a privilege for us at the Northern couple of films, and a Bible quiz, at the Fellowship Chapel to host the annual Chapel. regional convention which took place at the The lovely supper served by the hosting Creighton Community Hall on November 7. ladies added to the sweet “northern” We were pleased to have Dr. W. Eichorst fellowship. from the Winnipeg Bible College as our The evening session again consisted of guest speaker for the day. Many friends special numbers and high lights from a few travelled many miles to join us in this special groups, and the final message by Dr. I
iSB i
£■
Time for visiting! Left to right: William Buhler, Ralph Unger, Abe Friesen, Marlowe Rempel, Ben Fehr during the regional convention at Creighton. PAGE 8
Time for a break! Left to right: Stan Klassen, Arnold Leister, and Ralph Unger at the Northern Fellowship Regional Convention.
Eichorst on “Practise of Bible Study”. He got everybody involved when he handed out exercise sheets and all had a chance to put into practise what we had learned during the day. Our appreciation goes out to Pastor Ar nold Leister and to Dr. Eichorst, and the many others who helped to make the day a blessed one.
Book display center by Leona Belanger (back center) at the Northern Fellowship Regional Convention.
PRIORITIES AND VALUES
Arden: The Landmark youth choir thrilled our hearts on November 21 with their enthusiastic singing. Their first song, “Give the World a Smile,” was ideal in setting the tone for the rest of the program. Menno Plett’s talk on “Priorities and Values” made us think about the amount of time we spend on ourselves, in comparison with the amount of time we spend for the Lord. How much of our material possessions do we give to the Lord, and how much do we keep for ourselves? While enjoying sandwiches and dainties, friendships with former Bible school students were renewed, new friends were made, and relatives got to see each other. We were happy to have the Dave Schellenbergs and Henry Klassen visit us recently. Mr. Schellenberg preached on “Ex hortation, Edification, and Consolation.” Mr. Klassen spoke on “The Principles of Growth” (belief and understanding). Our sympathy is extended to the John Toews family on the passing of Mr. Toews’ father. The funeral was held December 9 in MacGregor. The first Christmas celebration at the church was held December 15. The secret prayer sisters and their husbands gathered for a turkey and ham supper. After some games and singing. Rev. John Koop spoke to us. He pointed out the insignificance of THE MESSENGER
Joseph (yet needed by God), the faith and unselfishness of Zacharias, and the step-bystep revelation of God’s will to Mary. Since this is my last report for the year. I’d like to wish everyone God’s grace, peace, and love. BAPTISM
decided to each invite at least one other coupie from the community. If everyone did this, and if all would come, we would be fifty-six people. The tables were set for this number and all but three places were filled. This was indeed an answer to prayer and we thank God for it.
Creighton: The mounting anticipation and enthusiasm among the folk at the Northern Fellowship Chapel came to a dramatic climax on Wednesday night, December 8, when four smiling Christians were baptized upon the confession of their faith in Jesus Christ! Since December 10, 1975, sixteen youth and adults have been baptized and accepted into the Chapel membership. After some hearty singing. Pastor Leister preached boldly from the Bible, using Acts 2, where 3,000 souls were baptized at Jerusalem. Moments later the four baptismal can didates, Mrs. Merle Meachem, Erin Marks, Les Meachem and Marlowe Rempel, momentarily disappeared into the waters of baptism, signifying the burial of the old nature and rising with the new. There was great rejoicing among the many in atten dance. Praise the Lord for dedicated people who publicly take their stand for Jesus. God bless each one of you richly! Since November we have been missing a friendly man around here, namely Daryl King, Since Daryl became a Christian about a year ago, he has had a real compassion for lost souls; his prayer was that the Lord would use him where his witness would be of greatest effect. When the Lord called him to sell everything he had and go out to tell peo ple everywhere about Jesus, he did just that. In honor of Daryl, we had a farewell on November 28, a time of fellowship and lunch. Many wished him God speed in his missionary work. May the Lord reward him with many souls is our prayer.
BASIC YOUTH CONFLICTS SEMINAR
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
Treesbank: From October 24 to 31 Rev. Harry Friesen from Mennville was the speaker at our revival meetings. He spoke to us out of I Peter. It was really a blessed time. November 28 and 29 we had our mis sionary conference. Rev. James Nickel from The Pas was our speaker. Unfortunately, he was called home the first day so he had to bring both messages in one evening. He challenged us to be missionaries right here at home and gave us an insight into how their church in The Pas was operating. Mr. Wilbert Friesen brought us a report on their work in Nicaragua. We also heard a report from MDS and from our home missions. On December 13 the Sunshine Sewing Sisters had their annual Christmas social. It was an evening long to be remembered. We had a delicious supper, and Rev. Frank Goertzen, Virden, gave an inspiring message about the real message of Christmas. The thing that will keep this evening in our minds was the tremendous turnout we had. We
DECEMBER 24, 1976
Pleasant Valley: Greetings from Pleasant Valley! Often when a visiting speaker comes to our church he'll say, "It's really ‘pleasant’ to be here but where’s the ‘valley’?” If they had continued driving past the church about a quarter of a mile they would have seen a river and a valley as well. For those of you who don’t know where our “Little White Church” is located, it’s about 12 miles north west of Morris, and to be more specific, it’s one mile west, one mile south and 2‘A miles west of Rosenort. And with this we bid you all a warm welcome to visit us when you can. On November 1 a big Grey Goose bus pulled up in front of our church and about fifty passengers from here and surrounding churches boarded and left for St. Paul’s Basic Youth Conflicts Seminar. Our pastor. Rev. F. K. Friesen, was the co-ordinator and Nelson Harms, Roseisle, was in charge of transportation. I’m sure we all learned a lot of things but what really stuck with some of us was how important memorizing scripture and meditating can be. Coming home a week later a number of people shared with us what the seminar had meant to them. The singing, too, in the bus is something we will remember for a long time. It was just great! Thanks also go out to Rev. Ben Friesen, Crestview, who was our capable driver. On Nov. 21, Mr and Mrs J. P. D. Reimer from our congregation celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in the Rosenort Church, together with all the fami ly except John and Connie who are in Nicaragua. Many friends attended and they were also very fortunate to have Mrs Reimer’s parents, Mr and Mrs P. J. Loewen, there with them. For Deeper Life meetings we were ~ our ~ very privileged to have Rev. John Dyck as our guest speaker. Every evening we had a missionary present to report on the work, Among them were Henry Klassen, Ron Penner, Sara Loeppky and Anne Braun. We all felt that we had had very profitable evenings together. On December 1 Orlando Redekop, from Open Circle (MCC) in Winnipeg, spoke to us on visitation work at the Stony Mountain Penitentiary. Several couples from here have been going there twice a month since spring and find the work interesting and challenging but sometimes also discouraging. Many of the fellows crave a friend but have no one who visits them. If there is anyone interested, contact the Open Circle in Winnipeg, The Ladies’ Fellowship would like to thank the Rosenort Ladies’ Fellowship for
MANAGING YOUR TIME SEMINAR January 20, 21; 8:30 a.m.^to 5:00 p.m.
Ramada Inn. 1844 Pembina Highway Fee:
Around $40.00
Sponsored by: World Vision of Canada For further information write: Box 2232, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0
inviting us over for a time of fellowship on November 26. The speakers they had invited were Hilda Friesen, Nicaragua, and Mavis Reimer, presently of Steinbach and formerly of Austria. Testimonies were also given by local girls; later we had a good time of fellowship over a cup of coffee and lunch. We all felt very enriched by the spirit of love and togetherness. We were happy to have Rev. Abe Leiding, pastor of the Burns Lake EMC, at our ser vice on December 5. Rev. Ben Friesen, Crestview, had the message of the morning. He spoke on “Judas,” how we could all be hypocrites and let material possessions become too important to us. On December 7 all the ladies and their husbands gathered at the Elementary School for their annual Christmas get-together. We had a very informal time of games, singing, a devotional and lunch. We all enjoyed having the Creole Quartet from Haiti in our church. The singing was a real blessing to our hearts and to see them so happy that their joy overflowed, really spoke to us. That same weekend our men’s octet serv ed in song at the dedication service of the new church in Birch River. Millie and Reg Remple are both studying in Chatenooga at the Tennessee Temple. Millie was crowned Homecoming Queen recently. Reg feels called into the ministry among deaf people and Millie is preparing to teach. Thanks to Margaret and Walter Sawatzky who came and reported on their work in England, especially on the research work they have been doing in the churches of the Soviet Union. They are planning to return to the field early in 1977. They will be living in Germany, working chiefly with “umsiedler” from Russia settling down in Germany. With this I’d like to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
PAGE 9
MESSENGER INDEX FOR 1976 ARTICLES AND MESSAQES
Living Through an Apocalypse, Malcolm Muggerldge .... Jan. 9 The Confessions of a Prophet, David Eworf............................................. Jan. 23 Our Daily Bread, F.C. Peters........................ Feb. 6 Give Ye Thom to Eat, Leonard Siemens .. Feb. 6 Sunday School Fifty Years Ago, Peter J. B. Reimer............... Feb. 6 Court Recognizes Funk’s Beliefs, Harold Jantz ...........................................Feb. 6 The Life That Wins, C.B. Loewen ............. Feb. 20 Program’d to Death, Clyde Narramore.. .March 6 The Hope of the Kingdom, Levi Keldel . .March 19 The Cross In Christian Experience, Harold Ockenga.....................................April 2 The Nature of the Kingdom, Levi Keldel .. April 2 The Ethics of the Kingdom, Levi Keldel... April 16 The Rich Man’s Drink and the Poor Man’s Bread, Claire Ewort............................... April 16 The Function of Singing In the Mennonite and Brethren In Christ Experience Peter Letkeman...................... April 30 Reflections of a Church Musician, Mary Oyer ..............................................April 30 Music Makers for the Church...................... April 30 The Power of the Kingdom, Levi Keldel .. .May 14 Religious Folk, Rock, Or Whatever You Call It, Music, Randy Zercher May 14 Practicing the Presence of God, J.C. WengerMay 28 The Mission of the Kingdom, Levi Keldel . .May 28 The Triumph of the Kingdom, Levi Keldel June 11 Why Do Christians Suffer? Ord Morrow .. June 25 Transcendental Meditation: Will If Improve Your Christian Life? James Pankratz . .July 9 North American Food Power: Who Will Benefit? Leonard Siemens ..July 23 The Ones Who Are Left, Elizabeth Elliot .. Aug. 6 Reflections on the Bible and Soil, Elmer Martens ...................... Aug. 20 To Whom Doos the Land Belong? Gordon Hunsberger ............................. Aug. 20 Trends In Education, Hugo Jantz............... Sept. 3 The Value Schools’ Challenge, David VIrtuoSept. 3 Jesus Christ: The Adequate Resource, C.B. Loewen....... Sept. 17 Women’s Drinking Affects Babies, Claire Ewert........................................... Sept. 17 Offence, Offended, Offender, Cecil Murphy Oct. 1 Right or Wrong: Throe Questions, T.B. Matson........................................... Oct. 15 Some Biblical Guidelines for Founding New Churches, Peter Ediger ............. Oct. 29 The Church and Family Nurture, Lawrence Richards .............................. Oct. 29 The Promise of the Land to Israel, Elmer Martens ..................................... Nov. 12 Ash Heap Lives, Francis Schaeffer........... Nov. 26 The Gift of God, Martin Luther.................. Dec. 10 King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Robert Benton ..................................... Dec. 10 Women in the Soviet Union, LaVerna Klippenstein .......................... Dec. 10 What Does Christmas Mean to You? Ray Friesen.......................................... Dec. 10 Christmas Reflections of a Former TAP’or, Nancy Helsey ....................................... Dec. 10 Resources for Congregational DecisionMaking, Leland Harder ...................... Dec. 24 CHURCH NEWS (Selected)
Pleasant Valley: Christmas at Pleasant Valley ... Fisher Branch: Joy to the World .... Riverton: Heart-Searching Messages Creighton: Six Baptized .................... Heron: New Church Building............. Birch River: Church Construction ... Kola: Christmas Activities..................
PAGE 10
.Jan. 9 .Jan. 9 .Jan. 9 .Jan. 23 Jan. 23 .Jan. 23 Jan. 23
Prairie Rose; Leadership Election................Fob. 8 Morweona: MCC Meeting Well-Attended .. Feb. 6 Portage: Music Workshop ........................ Feb. 20 Ridgewood: Leader Election......................... Feb. 20 Roseisle: Annual Curling Event ................... Fob. 20 Arden: Family Night...................................... Feb. 20 Braeside: "Fascinating Womanhood" Seminar....................... March 6 Morweona: Resurrection............................ March 6 Mennville: Pastor Visits Missionaries ... March 6 Kola: Fourteen Young People to Sno-Camp........................................ March 19 Aberdeen: Five Members Added.............. March 19 Blumenort: Opportunities for Service ... .March 19 Crestview: Student Plans Summer Service ........................ April 2 Burns Lake: A Gift of Fresh Baked Food ................................. April 2 Arabella: Unity..................................... April 2 Rosenort Fellowship: Friendship Bible Coffee................................. April 2 MacGregor: Eleven Members Added April 16 Kleefeld: Missions Conference......... April 16 Endeavour: Baptism and Members Received ............................... April 16 Tres Palmas: Greetings from Tres Palmas April 30 Braeside: Off to Africa .................................April 30 Rosenort: To God be the Glory................... April 30 Steinbach: 100th Birthday ............................ May 14 Creighton: Youth Rally ..................................May 14 Wymark: A Homebuilders Class Started .. .May 14 Vanderhoof: Missions Conference................ May 28 Fisher Branch: Ordination ............................ May 28 Riverton: Baby Dedication ............................ May 28 Birch River: Northern Evangelical Youth Rally .........................May 26 Blumenort: Youth Retreat............................. June 11 Kleefeld: Boys’ Brigade Camp-out............. June 11 Prairie Rose: Golden Wedding.................... June 11 Portage: Musical Group Serves..................June 11 Rosenort Fellowship: Dedication of Chapel June 25 Pelly: Baby Dedication .................................June 25 Morweena: Eight Baptized........................... Juno 25 Wymark: Baptism............................................ July 9 Kleefeld: Slave Auction................................... July 9 Morris Fellowship: Enlargement.................... July 23
Pleasant Valley: Minister Elected................ July 23 Rosenort: Deaf Present Program...................July 23 Morweena: Now Life ...................................... July 23 Troesbank: Sunday School Picnic.................July 23 MacGregor: Baptism and Communion .... Aug. 6 Braeside: Couple Leaves for Pakistan .... Aug. 6 Creighton: Prayer Emphasis........................Aug. 6 Prairie Rose: Prairie Grove Organizes .... Aug. 20 Pelly: New Camp Site ...................................Aug. 20 Mennville: God Is Good ............................... Aug. 20 Aberdeen: Living the Chrlst-Llfe at Home ....................................... Sept. 3 Arden: D.V.B.S..................................... Sept. 3 Vanderhoof: Summer Activities ....... Sept. 3 Pansy: Children’s Rally...................... Sept. 17 Endeavour: New Bible Camp ........... Sept. 17 Kola: Busy Summer............................ Sept. 17 Rosenort Fellowship: Commissioning Service for Three Couples ....... Oct. 1 Calgary: Many Make Decisions ....... Oct. 1 Hudson Bay: Welcome Newcomers . Oct. 1 Steinbach: Now Youth Pastor........... Oct. 1 Arborg: Beaver Creek Busy Place ... Oct. 15 Maryfiold: Dedication Service........... Oct. 15 Crestview: Family Camp-out............. Oct. 15 Hudson Bay: Farewell ........................ Oct. 29 Landmark: Thanksgiving ................... Oct. 29 Kleefeld: Cradle Roll Graduation .... Oct. 29 Fisher Branch: God’s Finger Pointing at Us.............................. Nov. 12 Birch River: Missionary Meetings.... Nov. 12 Nov. 12 Prairie Rose: Who Is He?.................. MacGregor: “Love Loaves"............... Nov. 26 Endeavour: Sharing the Message ... Nov. 26 Nov. 26 Ridgewood: Music Festival.................
La Crete: Young People Studying ... Braoside: Baptism .............................. Birch River: Church Dedication ........ Crestview: The Value of Good Music Arden: Priorities and Values............. Pleasant Valley: Basic Youth Conflicts Seminar ...................... Creighton: Baptism ............................
Doc. 10 Doc. 10 Dec. 10 Doc. 10 Doc. 24 Doc. 24 Dec. 24
CONVENTIONS AND CONFERENCES "Christian Teacher In the Public School" Seminar Hold ................................... . .Jan. 23 Labor Seminar, Abe Warkentin ............. . Feb. 20 Snow Camp, 1976 ................................... March 19 Ministers’ Seminar at Steinbach Bible Institute................... March 19 Leadership Seminar Held.............................. May 14 1976 Annual Conference Highlights ........... July 23 New Mennonite Curriculum Coming Out.. Nov. 26 EMC Student Gathering at U. of Man........ Nov. 26 EMC Music Festival....................................... Nov. 26 EMC Youth Leaders' Seminar...................... Nov. 26 Missions Auxiliary Holds Annual Meeting . Dec. 10 Northern Fellowship Regional Convention. Dec. 24
EDITORIALS
.Jan. 9 Whither 1976 ...................... .Jan. 23 Puzzled ............................... .Jan. 23 Launching Out.................... Hunger: What Some Others Are Doing About It ................................Feb. 6 Facing New Frontiers.................................... Feb. 20 Alms Giving .................................................March 6 What is a Mennonite?.................................March 6 By the Way......................................................April 2 We're Not Alike, Mario Wiens.......................April 16 When Christians Sin ..................................... April 30 Church Membership ...................................... May 15 Are We Faithful?..............................................May 28 Be Filled With the Spirit............................... June 11 Father’s Day, 1976 ........................................ June 11 Nudity: The Now Defiance............................ Juno 25 And For All Who Are In Authority................ July 9 Annual Conference.......................................... July 23 Salt of the Earth ............................................. July 23 No “Underground" Church In Russia....... Aug. 6 Why Do Wo Go to Church?...........................Aug. 6 An Example To Follow ................................. Aug. 20 Schools: Separate or Public?...................... Sept. 3 “I Was Sick ”................................................... Sept. 17 Are We Shining?............................................ Sept. 17 Ministers’ Study Fund; What Is it?................ Oct. 1 Now Horizons................................................... Oct. 15 A Church is Born ........................................... Oct. 29 A Concern ...................................................... Oct. 29 Reflections on MId-Amerlca S.S. ConventlonNov. 12 Caring ............................................................. Nov. 26 A Family Album ............................................ Dec. 10 March of Timo................................................. Dec. 24 LETTERS Concerned Over Article: Future of the Family, Arden Thiessen .Jan. 9 Found Teacher Seminar Inspiring, Ellen Brell Jan. 23 Messenger Appreciated, Frieda Peters ... .Jan. 23 Prayer Helpers, Dr. John R. Dick ........... March 6 Concerned About Trends, John Qoortzon March 6 How Do We Rate? H. R. Reimer ................ April 30 Music Articles: Breath of Fresh May 14 Air, Roger Armbruster Did Not Pray to Win, Gertrude Friesen ....................................May 28 I Believe in Prayer, Betty Barkman........... Aug. 6 Appreciate Our Prayers, Elmer Barkmans Sept. 3 New Ministry, C.F. Duocks............................ Oct. 1 Northern “Lights", James Dycks ................. Oct. 15 Concerned Over Trends, Jake Kornolaon . .Oct. 15 Is For Balanced Interpretation, Nov. 12 Donald Boulet
THE MESSENGER
'S
Nicaragua: A Nicaraguan Night, Language Studies, John Reimers .... April 16 Marcella Dueck ...................................... Sept. 3 Mexico: "Silent Missionaries" April 16 Japan: JEM’S PIT Program, Dan Koops . .Sept. 17 Food Bank, Voluntary Service, Vietnam Doris Thiessen ................................. Highlight Canada Meeting............. Feb. 6 Nicaragua: Belsslngs Out of Adversities Germany: Bible Camps, Lillie Penner....... Sept. 17 April 16 Conference Leaders Meet, Allan Siebert.. Fob. 20 Zaire: Zaire Overview. Helen Eidso........... Sept. 17 Wilbert Friesens............................... Paraguay: Teach All Nations, Betty FrIesenSept. 17 Aid From Monnonites Reaches Canada: Open Doors for Bookrack Nicaragua: Three in Bible School ................Oct. t Quake Victims ............. Feb. 20 Ministry, Harold Plett ........................... April 16 Mennonites to Build Houses Germany: Ministering In Christian Education Pakistan: What Would You Do? April 30 In Guatemala...................................... March 6 John Peters..................................... Ellen Broil ......................................... Oct. 1 Leprosy Program Celebrates Anniversary March 20 Nigeria: Come Over and Help Help Us Oct. 1 Bahamas: Summer Service.................... April 30 Houses Going up in Guatemala.............. April 2 Elmer Warkentins ........................ Paraguay: Mumps. Sarah Martens ....... Oct. 1 Thrift Shop Business Booms........................Juno 11 Paraguay: School in Homes, Ecuador: Creating Qulchua Literature, April 30 A Handle for Christian Farmers................. Sept. 3 Dave Schmidts............................... Marian Houghton.............................. Oct. 15 MCC Workers Relate Vietnam Mexico: “I Will Build My Church,” Mexico: First Impressions of City Life in April 30 .Oct. 29 Experiences.................. Catherine Thiessen...................... Chihuahua, Irene Kroeker..................... Oct. 15 Dec. 10 Germany: God’s Word Breaks Down MCC (Sask.) Annual Meeting Japan: Japanese Style, Alvin Doerksens ...Oct. 15 May 14 Barriers, Levi Reimer .................... Nicaragua; The Big Empty Barrel by MISSIONARY DEPARTURES Nicaragua: Anniversary In Managua, Oct. 15 the Tap, Don Plett.......................... Lester Olfert ........................................... May 14 Nicaragua: The Growth of a Church, Della Kroeker, Paraguay.............................. May 28 Nicaragua: I Remember La Paz, Don Plett .May 14 Lester Olfert ................................... Oct. 29 Luella Loewen, Paraguay.............................May 28 Paraguay: "Cast Your Bread Upon Nicaragua: Benjamin, Irma Heppner... Oct. 29 Marcella Dueck, Nicaragua......................... June 11 The Waters". Frank Kroeker............... May 14 Canada: Summer Service In Quebec, Donald Plett, Nicaragua ..............................June 11 Australia: New Tribes Mission In Australia, Dorcas Hamm................................. Oct. 29 Wayne Hildebrands, Pakistan..................... Aug. 6 Rodney Kroekers....................................May 28 Nicaragua: Love is the Greatest Alvira Friesen, Panama................................ Aug. 6 Pakistan: Blessings In Pakistan, Ellen Brell May 26 Doris Friesen................................... Oct. 29 Clifford Reimers. Panama .......................... Aug. 6 Paraguay: Questional Tina Barkman........... May 28 Mall: Some Counted the Cost too High, Irene Kroeker, Mexico.................................. Aug. 6 Spain: Rafa, Evelyn Plett .............................. May 28 Nov. 12 Evelyn Barkman.............................. Harvey Plett. Bahamas .............................. Aug.. 6 Paraguay: Who's Listening? Walter Reimer May 28 Rhodesia: Training Africans for Joe Reimers, Rhodesia.............................. Aug. 20 Are We Exploiting Our Missionaries? Nov. 12 Ministry, Joe Reimers.................... Walter Reimers, R.G.B.I., Edinburg, Texas Aug. 20 May 26 David Gotaas .............................. Brazil: Crusade Blessings, Phyllis Penner. R.G.B.I., Edinburg, Texas . Aug. 20 Paraguay: Chaco Experience Marvin Thiessen.............................. Nov. 12 Edna Penner, R.G.B.I., Edinburg, Texas ,. Aug. 20 June 11 Stan Houghton ............................ Kenya; God at Work In Kenya, Stan Pletts. Belize ..................................... Aug. 20 Mexico: Harvest Time In Mexico Nov. 26 Wayne Horrods................................ Helen Kornelson, Belize ............................... Aug. 20 June 11 Abe Plett ..................................... Pakistan: Clean-up Day at Murree Katherine Penner. Belize ............................. Aug. 20 Canada: Hospital Visitation Christian School, Ellen Brell.................Nov. 26 Peter Duocks, Germany.................................... Sept.3 June 11 Ben Reimer................................. Japan; God Rewards Faith, Mary Koop ... Nov. 26 Abe Penners. Bahamas .............................. Sept. 3 Germany: A Day at a Janz Team Panama: Sowing the Seed. Alvira Friesen Dec. 10 June 11 Elmer Warkentins. Nigeria................................ Sept.3 Crusade, John Dyck.................. El Paso, Texas: What's New In Cornie Duecks. London, Ont............................... Oct.1 Germany; Black Forest Academy El Paso? Edmar Fast............................ Dec. 10 Diedrich Lepps. Paraguay..................................Nov.12 June 25 Doreen Peters............................... Brazil: Language Study. Susan Reimer ... Dec. 10 Jake Kroekers, El Paso. Texas.......................... Nov.12 Paraguay: The Spirit Worked Mightily Paraguay; The Chaco Transistor Radio June 25 Dave Eidsos. Mexico........................................... Nov.26 Jasch Glesbrecht .......................... Project. F. P. Kroeker............... Dec. 10 Paraguay: Indian Bible School Paraguay: An Action-Packed Wook, MISSIONS June 25 Diedrich Lepp............................... Luella Loewen............................ Dec. 10 Paraguay: Who Will Como? Spain: A Misionary Doesn’t Just Germany: Reaching Out In Germany Peter Friesen.......................................... June 25 Teach the Bible, Evelyn Plett .. Dec. 10 Levi Reimers....................................... .Jan. 9 Japan; Bible: Precious Book, Mary Koop ..July 9 Nicaragua: Thursday in San Jose. Brazil: Tribal Work In Brazil Brazil: Publishing Glad Tidings, John Reimers ............................ Dec. 24 Abe Koops.......................................... Jan. 9 Abe Koops............................................... July 9 El Paso, Texas: Receptive Hearts, Latin American Tour, Henry Klassen .... Jan. 9 Paraguay: Birth of a Church, Elsie Funk .. .July 9 Doris Thiessen ....................................... Dec. 24 Zaire: Lizards, PIncher Anta, and Spiders Mexico: Laborers Together Paraguay: Staff Retreat, Mary Loewen .... Dec. 24 Mrs. Bon Eldse................................... Jan. 9 July 9 With God. Maria Koop.................... Belize: Initial Impressions of Belize, Latin American Tour (cont'd), Henry Klassenjan 23 El Paso, Texas: Lord, Is this Missionary Stan and Alma Plett ...................... Doc. 24 Paraguay: A Profile, Walter Reimer ......... Fob. 6 July 9 Service? Doris Thiessen ................ Mexico: "No Turning Back," Canada: Christ Is the Answer July 9 EMC Summer Christian Service........... Mrs. Tina Plett ............................... Dec. 24 Agnes Friesen............................... Feb. 6 Paraguay: Meet the Diedrich Lepps, Bahamas: New Classroom Building, Brazil: The Lord Put Joy Info Frank Kroeker............................................... July23 Harvey Plett................................... Dec. 24 His Heart, Elizabeth Koop........... Feb. 6 Missionary Orientation ..................................July 23 Belize: Four Graduates Now Teaching, Paraguay: Blessings at La Esperanza, Nicaragua; First Impressions of Nicaragua, Ben and Betty Thiessen............... Dec. 24 Linda Penner ............................... Fob. 20 John Reimers............................................... July23 Bahamas: Will You Pray? Germany: EMC Enters Fifth Country......... Aug. 6 OBITUARIES; Feb. 20 Mexico: Pilar Becomes a Christian Len Barkmans .............................. Aug. 6 Bolivia: There Is not Much They Need Dora Friesen............................... Mrs. Elizabeth Friesen Grace Thiessen ............................ March 6 Nicaragua: Joy and Praise In Jan. 9 December 15, 1975 ........... Kenya: Homes Reunited In Kenya Aug. 6 Nicaragua, Darlene Olfert......... Diedrich Bartel March 6 Ben and Helen Eldse.................. Zaire: Sequel: Homes Reunited In January 6. 1976 ................. Feb. 6 Kenya: Grants lor the Turkana Work Aug. 6 Kamayala, Helen Eldse ............. Peter A. L. Kroeker March 6 Wayne Herrod............................... Mexico: Christ Is the Answer, January 26. 1976 ............... Fob. 6 Aug. 6 Mall: A Day at TIefala Henry T. Friesen Abe Plett ..................................... Evelyn Barkman.................................. March 19 Paraguay: Believers Added to the January 25. 1976 ............... Fob. 6 Edinburg, Texas: Prayer in Language Study Aug. 6 Church, Ernest Funks................. Bernhard J. Thiessen Irene Kroeker .................................... March 19 Fob. 6 AIMM Considers New Work December 23, 1975 ........... Japan: Mlnamikawa Evangelizing Centre Aug. 6 In Upper Volta ............................ Leona Gelsbrecht Mary Koop.......................................... March 19 Fob. 20 January 5, 1976 ................. Mall: God at Work In Mall. Nicaragua: Harvest-Time Festival Aug. 20 Evelyn Barkman.......................... Jayson Timothy Scott Barkman March 19 Irma Heppner.......................... Aug. 20 March 6 Nicaragua: Now Life, Irma Heppner . January 12, 1976 ............. Where Are We In Missions Today? Paraguay: Children's Radio Program, Katherine Koop G.W. Peters......................................... March 19 Hedwig Dorksen..................................... Aug. 20 March 6 May 28, 1976 .................... Paraguay: Seminar for ZP-30 Personnel Germany; Summer Ministries, Levi Reimer Aug. 20 Peter Linger and Associate Workers, Frank KroekerAprII 2 Spain: Life Changed, Evelyn Plett..............Sept. 3 February 17, 1976 ............. March 6 Missions Supplement ...................................April 2 Pakistan: First Impressions of ..April 16 David Koop................................. Mexico: Growth of Mexico Church ........... April 2 Sept. 3 Pakistan. Wayne Hildebrands Mrs. C. K. Eldse Belize: Belize Conference Germany: Hearty Greetings from April 30 March 8, 1976.................... Bon and Betty Thiessen........................April 2 Sept. 3 Aganetha Friesen Germany, Mary Brandt......... Canada: New Found Faith, Frank Brauns . April 16 Kenya: Instant Relief tor Scorpion May 14 April 18. 1976 .................... Canada: Here's Life, Calgary. Dave Dueck April 16 Sept. 3 Victims, Wayne Herrod ........ Peter L. Klassen Edinburg, Texas: Lessons We Learn In May 28 May 3, 1976........................
MCC
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DECEMBER 24, 1976
PAGE 11
1978 Index Cont’d
Candace Valdene Platt May 19, 1976 ........................ Elizabeth Fast July 16, 1976.......................... Mrs. Agnes Dueck ........................ Vernolca Janelle Reimer August 21. 1976 .................... Mrs. Abram Penner June 22, 1976 ........................ Mrs. Mary Loewen August 21, 1976 .................... Shannon Dawn Plett September 8, 1976 ............... David K. Klassen September 7, 1976 ............... Henry S. Reimer October 19, 1976 ................... J. R. Dueck October 11, 1976 ................... Jacob A. Dyck June 13, 1976 ........................ Tina Dyck October 26, 1976 ................... Mary Penner November 20, 1976 ...............
May 28
Aug. 6 Aug. 20 Sept.
3
Sept.
3
Sept.
3
Sept. 17 Sept. 17 Nov. 12 Nov. 12 Nov. 12 Nov. 12
Nov. 26
POEMS
starting Anew, Mrs. Marie Dueck............... Jan. 9 God's Word, H. Marjorie Krahn................... Feb. 20 A Mother’s Morning Prayer, Laura SlemensApril 30 Christ — the Way, Mary Edgar .................. April 30 God's Gifts, Matthias Claudlas..................... May 28 God's Garden, Mrs. J. R. Krahn ................. May 26 Building a Temple ........................................ June 11 God's Will, H. Marjorie Krahn..................... Sept. 17
OBITUARY OF SUSANNA GROENING 1892-1976
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying. Yea, 1 have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3) After several years in an ailing condition, Susanna Groening passed on peacefully into the beyond at 2:30 p.m., Nov. 27, 1976, at the Resthaven Nursing Home in Steinbach. She had reached the age of 84 years, 10 months, and three days. She was born to her parents, Johan R. and Aganetha (Barkman) Reimer, in Steinbach on January 24, 1892 and spent her whole life in this village. She was her father’s twelfth child and her mother’s fifth. She received her education in the village school which was un der the direction of Gerhard E. Kornelsen at that time. In this school she received her basic religious instruction in the German language. On the confession of her Christian faith at the age of 20, she was baptized by Bishop Peter R. Dueck on July 28, 1912 and receiv ed into the membership of the Kleine Gemeinde, now EMC. Up to the age of 50 she stayed with her sister, Aganetha, in the parental home. In this way she shared in timately the joys and sorrows of the family which included the lingering sicknesses and deaths of her two older single sisters, one younger brother and her parents. When her church established their first Sunday School PAGE 12
THE MESSENGER
in 1926, she served as a teacher for some time. Then it happened that she fell in love with the widower, Cornelius Groening, and they got married on March 10, 1942. Rev. Peter D. Friesen gave them the blessing. She also accepted the responsibilities of being a mother to seven daughters and two sons, most of them married and away from home. After 15 years of a happy union, her hus band took sick and passed away on March 17, 1957. This was a great shock to her, es pecially since she was in weakened health sincer her stroke several years after her marriage. However, she managed to keep her household with the help of her youngest son, Abe, up to the age of about 81 years. The remaining three years of her life she spent mostly in the Resthaven Nursing Home and the Steinbach Hospital, where she got very good care. It was, however, a struggle for her to leave her home environment and depend so much on other people to take care of her. But God knows his way with us and, as time went on, she became more willing to go the way God had for her. It was particularly hard for her to overcome her deep grief of losing her beloved youngest son, Abe, who passed away on April 25, 1976, and the home became completely vacant. Eight sisters, six brothers and her parents predeceased her. Her heart became weaker, until it stopped beating and she peacefully passed on. God had called her from a world of weakness and sickness and she had responded. She sees now what she believed in. We mourn for her but look forward to seeing her again. She has left her seven daughters, Mrs. Anna Toews, Helen and her husband Henry Thiessen, Steinbach; Nita and her husband Walter Nixon, Arizona; Martha and her husband Jim McInerney, Hawaii; Mary Unger, Van couver; Esther Reid, Winnipeg; Edna and her husband Albert Payne, Delta, B.C.; one brother, Peter J. B. Reimer and his wife Marie, Rosenort; one sister, Sara and her husband Peter D. Kroeker, the sisters-in-law, Mrs. Peter Unger and her husband, Mrs. K. J. B. Reimer, and Mrs. Margaret Epp and her husband Jacob P. Epp; 30 grandchildren, many nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. We express our gratitude for the tender care she got from the doctors and nurses of the Steinbach Hospital and the personnel of the Resthaven Nursing Home. Thank you also for all the prayers, cards and visits. The Family
Cemetery beside her mother, Aganetha Reimer, who predeceased her 38 years ago. The funeral took place in the EMC Church, Steinbach. Rev. J. J. Neufeld brought the message and her brother. Rev. Peter J. B. Reimer read the obituary and brought a message based on Jeremiah 31:3. Pastor Henry Dyck was the chairman and Rev. Jac Dueck, chaplain of the Resthaven, read the Scripture and led in prayer at the graveside.
Is This Your Answer? Have you been looking for a book for your winter Bible studies? Then maybe you need look no longer. The new book, THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, produced by a special EMC committee for baptismal instruc tion classes which has already had a very good acceptance in the churches is also ideally suited for home (or church) Bible studies. The book has 12 chapters, 10 on the doctrines of the church and two on EMC history. These are the chapter headings: CHAPTER HEADINGS Man and Jesus Christ Salvation and Assurance Christian Growth The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer 5. Characteristics of the Christian Life 6. The Ordinances 7. The Universal Church 8. God 9. Angels and Satan 10. The Second Coming of Christ 11. Evangelical Mennonite Conference Missions 12. Our Heritage 1. 2. 3. 4.
Price $1.25
ORDER FROM: E.M.C. Board of Education and Publication Box 1268
Steinbach, Manitoba
Thursday, December 2, sister Susanna Groening was buried in the Pioneer
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