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The Messenger EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE

VOL. 20 NO. 8

APR. 9/82

E.M.C. Stucdy Conference report.

“God has called me to stand in the public gap.” — Epp

“ ... the ethic of the cross is the ethic of nonviolence and nonresistance.” — Penner

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(See pp 7-9)

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Flee fornication. 1 Corinthians 6:18

Sex Is Your Teacher? By Joel Nederhood

When it comes to teaching about sexual matters, the media are in the forefront. Or dinary, prime-time entertainment features homosexuality, adultery, and fornica tion as regular themes.

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hen it comes to sex, everybody needs a teacher. I realized this several years ago when I had lunch with a man who was about to be married. He was from an oriental country and had been studying in our country for nearly a decade. He lived here without a family—his father had died before he left his homeland. He was just over thirty years of age, and the woman he was going to marry was a mature, well-educated person. But during the course of our con versation together he confessed to some misgivings regarding his wedding night—“No one has ever told me what I should do then,” he said. “I have no father to talk to, really no one at all.” I remember being somewhat surprised by the man’s comments; I considered him a very mature and responsible individual and never suspected that he felt that he was seriously ignorant regarding the relationship between a husband and a wife. Not feeling up to giving the man any specific advice, I quickly steered the con versation into other directions. As I think back on the conversation though, I think I let the man down. Everyone needs a teacher, and he realized that. Somehow the usual teachers that are floating around with all kinds of advice regarding this subject had missed him. For most of us though, those who want to teach us about sex are approaching us all the time. They are approaching you too, I know. Whatever you do, I hope you choose the right one to teach you about this. For a long time the Roman Catholic Church has spoken out forthrightly on sexual matters, and the inflexibility of the church rankles many. Writing about the bishops’ synod that met in Rome dur ing the fall of 1980, Francis X. Murphy says that “despite the pleas from liberal prelates around the world, the Vaticandominated synod reaffirmed the precedence of law over compassion. “Even so, the church’s teachings on this subject have great value because they are definite and most certainly give those who need them specific direction. But there is great tension here for within the Roman church there is unrest with respect to the church’s view of contraception. As Archbishop R. Quinn of San Francisco said at the synod: More than 70 percent of church going Catholic women of child-bearing age use artificial contraceptives, and fewer than 30 percent of U.S. Catholic priests consider this practice sinful. Quinn called his church to respond to the

fact that while 350,000 babies are being born into the world each day, only 200,000 people are dying. While the Roman Catholic hierarchy wrestles with this problenj, there is another form of teaching on the opposite end of the spectrum. Coming at us from all directions is the call towards full ex pression of our sexual nature. One needs only to wander through the aisles of the neighborhood bookstore in order to be assaulted by titles which herald the pleasures of sexual experiences that only a few decades ago were considered to be perversions. A cartoon I saw the other day showed a matron looking into a bookstore window where a sign an nounced that two books. The Joy of Sex and The Joy of Cooking were now bound together in one volume. I wouldn’t wonder that this might happen one of these days since there are many who are trying to tell us that sex and culinary ex periences are actually on the same level; there is no difference between them. When it comes to teaching about sexual matters, the media are in the forefront. Ordinary, prime-time entertainment fea tures homosexuality, adultery, and forni cation as regular themes. Films these days continually treat sexual themes, and as they do, they leave nothing to the imagination. These films are now available for showing on our home video sets; this will mean that our own living rooms will now become the place where sex is taught to adults and hapless children who may stumble upon this home-grown pornography. There is teaching going on everywhere, and it is very hard to avoid. Yes, children are be ing taught, but not only children—adults, too; and adults these days are very open to new ideas. Indeed, there is evidence that adults are extremely vulnerable; of course they are. Sexual feelings do not suddenly sub side when people leave the storms of adolescence, but they accompany most of us through most of our adult experience; and because this is so, many of us are very open to new suggestions and to new ideas regarding this subject. It is certain ly not the case that young people need teachers about sex, and adults do not; we all need teachers, and we are being taught all the time whether we like it or not. What we have to do is evaluate the teachers and what they are teaching to make sure that we don’t fall into a trap that could destroy us, our marriages, and our families. Such destruction occurs all the time. THE MESSENGER

We all need teachers, and we are being taught all the time whether we like it or not. What we have to do is evaluate the teachers and what they are teaching to make sure that we don't fall into a trap that could destroy us, our marriages, and our families.

eachers ... we need a good teacher when it comes to sexual matters, and there are many teachers around these days. Some of them are dismally poor, however: that. I’m afraid, has to be my evaluation of a series of articles that ran for a week in the newspaper I get in my home. It ran under the general title “Sex: The Continuing Revolution,” and I wouldn’t doubt that it has led many peo ple down the garden path so far as sex is concerned. It has given many false im pressions and has presented certain facts which I feel will be thoroughly detrimen tal to those who accept them. The teaching conveyed by this series of articles, which I am sure were avidly read by those who were looking for direction in this subject, rises out of the thoroughly mechanistic, naturalistic view of human sexuality that has fallen like a deadly blight on our lives during the last several years. This devastating view of human sexuality reached its high point, actually its nadir, in the ghastly work of Masters and Johnson who monitored and filmed just about every anatomical alteration that occurred during more than 10,000 sexual responses. It is rooted too in the reams of research carried on by Alfred Kinsey: his intricate and voluminous questionnaires proclaimed the startling discovery that sexual acts which hitherto had been considered perverse and abnor mal were in fact widespread—Kinsey then concluded that these acts were in fact not perverse at all. If enough people practice perversion, it no longer is per verse! The general point of view of these ar ticles was summed up by Dr. Domeena C. Renshaw, who is the director of Loyola University’s Sexual Dysfunction Clinic: she said: “Sex is a natural and recurring human appetite, like the appetite for sleep, warmth, air, and food. It is en joyable and completely relaxing when ex pressed—truly the body’s total natural tranquilizer.” Remember now, this statement by Dr. Renshaw occurred in a series of articles APRIL 9, 1982

that gave the impression that sexual ac tivity of just about any kind was per missible: certainly there was nothing to suggest that only sexual activity within marriage was intended. As a matter of fact the series of articles heralded that the sexual revolution has been a boon to homosexuals. To be sure, one might assume that the articles presupposed that everyone understood that the main sub ject under discussion was the relationship between husband and wife, but that assumption could hardly be made, given the scope of the information presented. Yet these articles were a powerful teacher, and the main lesson they con veyed was that sex is like any other appetite, like the appetite for sleep, warmth, air, or food. You know as well as I do that there are any number of people who have just been waiting to hear something like this: they have always felt it their right to have their other appetites satisfied, and now they will work just that much harder to make sure that this one is satisfied, too. Those who teach this view of human sexuality are doing all of us a serious dis service, and if you are accepting such teaching and acting upon it, you will find out for yourself that it is a disservice. Like the other appetites . . .really? Think of some of the differences. The appetites for sleep, warmth, air, and food—these we need every day of our lives from the day of our birth until we die: not so with the sexual appetite—it is present at cer tain stages of life, and it can be absent for long periods of time. It is an appetite that must be stimulated before it takes over—surely it is not similar to the other appetites. Moreover, the sexual element of other natures is directly related to our social lives whereas the other appetites are not—our need for air, for example, is satisfied as we breathe, and our breathing does not for a moment affect our relationships with others. Sexual relationships are the most intimate of human relationships: our marriages, our

homes, are built upon them, and the way we express ourselves in this area of our lives will necessarily have an impact on both marriage and home. The sexual dimension of human nature is so closely related to the social dimen sion of human beings that when it is im properly expressed, all sorts of social horrors result. Think of the women who have been victimized by rape, think of the fact that one out of three marriages these days ends in divorce, and think of the growing rates of illegitimacy and forced marriage. Think, too, of the growing in cidence of venereal disease—I give the ar ticles I’ve mentioned credit for talking about these terrible diseases. It should be clear that sex is no or dinary appetite at all. It is a unique ele ment of the human personality. If one were to examine the Bible, one would dis cover that the opening chapters of the Bi ble indicate that it is in terms of human sexuality that the human race has the potential for displaying the fullness of the image of God. When God made man in His image. He made humankind male and female—He introduced the sexual principle into the nature of man so that man, enjoying the beauty of the best of relationships between a husband and a wife, could express the marvelous social nature which humankind possesses and which God, in His trinitarian being, possesses as well. (See Genesis 1:27: 5:1,2).)

t should be fairly obvious that if we allow the idea that sex is nothing more than an ordinary appetite—like our appetite for food or air or warmth—we are going to have a great deal of trouble. But there are teachers who are saying ex actly this, as we have seen. And I am wondering about you—are you accepting this teaching as gospel truth? Please, may I introduce you to another teacher, one who can give you useful direction regar ding this important matter? Maybe you are a young person just coming into a realization of your own sexuality, and you are being bombarded with temptation and with opportunities to indulge your desires, and you don’t know just what to do. Maybe you are a person who has already accepted the teaching we have ex amined, and you are having second thoughts about whether or not you are doing the right thing. Maybe you are a middle-aged man or woman who is begin ning to wonder if perhaps some of the latest teachings regarding human sex uality are true, and you are about ready to do some experimentation. Please, (next puye pleiise) PAGE 3

whoever you are, at least listen to this other teacher. Yes, I am thinking about the Bible as the other teacher. I have already men tioned the opening chapters that talk about the way the Lord created man in His own image, “male and female he created them.” Well, this God who created us to be the kind of people we are has also laid down specific statements that we can use to find our way through the thicket of confusion surrounding human sexuality these days. There are many places in the Bible which talk about this subject; for now I want to zero in on just one statement that appears to me to be the opposite of what I have been reading in the paper. It’s this, found in 1 Corinthians 6:18—“flee fornication.” Fornication, you know what that is, don’t you? It is unlawful sexual activity, and I am not referring to the laws of man, but I am referring to the laws of God. God has surrounded the sexual element of human life with His good law, which if followed will enable a person to derive the greatest possible benefit from this ele ment of his or her person. Here are just two forms this law takes as it is expressed in the great Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20: You shall not commit adultery, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s wife. Fornication is expressed whenever a person engages in extramarital sexual ac tivity; it is committed by those who are not married but who act as if they are, it is committed by those who engage in homosexual activity, it is committed by those who commit incest, and it is com mitted by those who engage in unnatural and deviate sexual acts. Fornication is the broad biblical term that covers an unlaw ful sexual activity; the original word in 1 Corinthians 6 forms the root of the word pornography. In other words, what one teacher keeps telling us is all right, OK, just fine, the other teacher is telling us to run away from just as fast as we can. “Flee it,” the Bible says; Run! run! run! Some translations of this sentence simply say, “Shun” fornication or “avoid” it, but when I open my Greek Testament, I see a word that tells me that I should run away from all this, just as fast as my legs can carry me. These two teachers are certainly on op posite sides, aren’t they? The one teacher says run toward fornication—yes, that’s really what the new teachers are saying these days—run toward it, because sex is just an appetite, and like any other appetite it must be satisfied—enjoy yourself. The other teacher says run in the opposite direction. And you know just PAGE 4

as well as I do that it’s very hard to run in the opposite direction because it seems as if everyone else is running the other way. Which teacher are you going to listen to? I recommend that you listen to the teacher who speaks to us from the Bible’s pages because it seems to me that in telligent people can see with half an eye that the new teaching is causing no end of difficulty. Think of the story of Jeannie C. Riley, the singer who became famous for her song, “Harper Valley PTA” and who has now written her life’s story in the book From Harper Valley to the Moun tain Top. She was a married woman who was told that she should be as sexy as possible on stage. She agreed. She divorc ed her husband, and became the mistress of a record company executive—her life was ruined. But then she was converted by the Lord Jesus Christ, and she began to listen to the other teacher, and she turned her life around. Twelve years after she first married her husband, she married him again. She learned from bitter experience that the one teacher brings ruin, but that the teacher who speaks to us from the Bible’s pages can put our lives back together and make them good and wholesome.

he teacher who speaks to us from the pages of the Bible is God Himself, and He knows us better than we know ourselves. He is the one teacher qualified to tell us how we must behave in connec tion with our sexuality. In 1 Corinthians 6, after telling us to flee fornication, God patiently explains: Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (vv. 18-20). With these words, the Bible rejects once and for all the nonsense that the sex ual appetites of humankind are no different from the need for food and air and warmth. People can sin, too, in con nection with these other appetites, but any other sin we commit, the Bible says, is somehow external—it is outside of us. But fornication utilizes our total selves, our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our wills, our everything. And when we fall into such sin, we are contaminated through and through. The damage that results from such sin, both damage in the life of the sinner and damage in the lives of those around him, is disfiguring and

thoroughly destructive. Sexual sins are like a raging fire. And we can be so stupid about this that we can allow ourselves to be fooled into believing there is nothing wrong with self-indulgence. This is why God comes and tells us to run away as fast as we can. I believe it is impossible to run in the opposite direction unless a person knows the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. This is the way 1 Corinthians 6 concludes: “You are not your own; you were bought with a price.” 'The price is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ who died so that sinners like us, who can so easily stumble into sin, can have the strength to turn around and run away. When we think of our sexual sins— and all of us have such sins to confess—we may remember that if we ask Jesus to forgive us. He will. There is no sin so base or so vile that it can exclude us from Jesus’ mercy. He died for sinners like us. And if we go to Him with a prayer of con fession and ask for His forgiveness. He will most certainly answer us. And this Jesus who tells us to run away from fornication can become our teacher who will guide us every day of our lives. He will enable us whenever we encounter the false teachings that are floating around these days to recognize them for the nonsense they are, and He will enable us to live the truth. Jesus will make our marriages more beautiful and wholesome, our families more stable and full of love. He will reveal to us the goodness and the joy that accompanies doing His will. You are not your own . . . you are bought with a price. Maybe the reason you are still living so unsatisfac torily-listening to the wrong teachers and doing what they tell you—maybe the reason is that you still think you are your own. You think you belong to no one else and you can do as you please. Jesus has come to you today, and He has shown you a better way. If you surrender to Him, He will help you conquer your base and sin ful nature, and He will teach you to run away from fornication.

CONTRIBUTORS: Joel Nederhood is the speaker on The Back to God Hour radio broadcast. The message is reprinted by permission. Levi Dueck is a deacon at the Rosenort E.M. Church. Catharine Thiessen (Mennville) is serving under the EMC Board of Missions in Mexico. Marilyn Dueck is a housewife living in Steinbach. COVER: Top - lunch time at the EMC Study Conference. Bottom - Archie Penner and Jake Epp. THE MESSENGER

Letters A CONCERN For most EMC people the idea of being Mennonite is a sinking ship, and as a whole we are quite content to watch it go down. For this reason, I suggest that the warning given to us in the last editorial (“Our ‘Golden Age’ - Prelude to Decline?” March 26, 1982) will sadly fall on deaf ears. As a Conference, our main concern is to be “Evangelical”; be ing “Mennonite” is nebensdchlich (inciden tal). This was well demonstrated at the recent EMC study conference on political involve ment. Neither of the two papers presented there showed any real concern to address the issue from an historical perspective. Any attempts made at being stewards of our Anabaptist tradition were halfhearted at best, and bungling at worst. I am not that well informed about our history myself, but if what came out at the study conference was the best we can do with our past, it’s no wonder we feel so sheepish when we talk about “our rich heritage.” It was our brother Jake Epp who used the term “Mennonite” in his paper. Yet it seemed that for him “Mennonite” meant little more than “one who works hard.” We cheered for him when he condemned lotteries as a way of getting something for nothing. We cheered so hard we were still cheering when he spoke of the need to protect our property, our freedoms, and our families, and even about war (war? yes, war) being an “open” ques tion (p. 13). As a Christian, Mr. Epp faces difficult questions and hard situations that we may never comprehend. But when (in his paper) the most valid inspiration he finds in Mennonite history is the Selbstschutz, we can only consider him badly confused. If the words “Jesus Christ” have an opposite, it is the word “Selbslschulz” (“Protector of Self’). This was brought out clearly in Brother Archie Penner’s paper. The main point of Mr. Penner’s paper was much more acceptable than that of Mr. Epp’s. But Mr. Penner’s paper has nothing at all to say about Mennonites or Anabaptists. He devotes most of his paper (and a twopage addendum) to quoting and discussing the views of modern evangelicals and theologians. What is even more disconcer ting, though, is that the quoting and exegesis

of the Bible itself seems to take second place in his paper. Biblical references first appear on page 9, halfway through the paper. Being “Evangelical” is important, but has it become a distraction for us as EMC? Surely it is unMennonite not to pay close attention to the exegesis of the Bible. Surely being Mennonite means more than the stale saying that “Mennonites don’t go to war.” The study conference was helpful in a few areas. But, among other things, it was cer tainly a shameful manifestation of our com plete ignorance and/or indifference to our “rich heritage.” Perhaps we need a study conference on precisely this topic. Perhaps we need a place in the Messenger to discuss “What it means to be a Mennonite TODA Y." If we are not willing to work at being stewards of our heritage, we should entrust it to someone else. But to let the ship sink is to be proud of being gullible sheep.

Sincerely, Tim Reimer Box 72, R.R. 1 Morris, Man. ROG IKO

Crown of Thorns W.O made the crown of thorns they placed upon Your head? Who pressed it on Your brow, piercing Your skin? Who was responsible for the blood which trickled down Your face and mingled with the spit?

WHO?? "They twisted some thorn twigs into a crown and put it on His head. If»

TEACHER WANTED The Community Bible Fellowship Christian Day School is looking for a teacher to be in charge of grades 9-12. We use the Alpha Omega curriculum. Resumes should be sent to: Jake Reimer, Box 1361, Swan River, Man. ROL IZO or phone 734-4356.

Who? Theyl

'Twas I. *Matthew 27:29 J. B. Phillips by Marilyn Dueck

MINISTERS SEMINAR (Bill Gothard) A bus will be leaving Winnipeg on May 3, 12:00 noon, for the Bill Gothard All-day Ministers Seminar in Minneapolis. The seminar is on May 4. The bus will be back in Winnipeg around 5:00 p.m. on May 5. For further information and cost please contact Jake Froese, Lot 126 Ste. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, Man. R2M 4A3. Telephone: 257-2500.

THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct, and inspire. Inform as to wha. is going on in the Conference: instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg. Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art and 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 $6.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba ROA 2A0. 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. Undetiverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mail ed to the above address.

APRIL 9, 1982

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Missions And fear. No meaning

life.

What

about

death? Fear had a strong hold on my life. Fear of death. Burial, Judgement, And the end of the world, I was afraid to meet the God I did not know. One day evangelicals started to visit my home. They read the Word, And answered my questions. They prayed.

Guadalupe Marquez vd. de Ortiz lives in Chihuahua City and is a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Church.

Sang,

The testimony of Guadalupe Marquez vd. de Ortiz:

One day, a glorious day, I accepted Christ as my Salvation, My Light, And my God. He forgave me, Cleansed me, Christ my redeemer made me whole.

Brethren and friends, I am sharing with you A miracle And something I found. My life has changed. My eyes opened. I am sharing the best thing that ever happened to me.

And introduced Christ.

the

living

Christ performed a miracle in my life. Fear turned into hope. Peace, Joy, And assurance. The love of Jesus set me free. I have four daughters that need the Lord Maria Elena, Ofelia, Natividad, And Lourdes. "Lord, transform my daughters," is my daily prayer

When the roll is called up yonder I'll answer, "Here I am, I'm coming. I'm coming. Lord." When the roll is called up yonder I'll be there. Catherine Thiessen

Mission Grams

I was born and raised in a religious home. Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, And Holy Communion. Religious, very religious, and all sacraments obeyed.

Japan Pat Kroeker writes, “The Lord has again proved to be a more than adequate resource of strength and energy and wisdom in my busier-than-usual March schedule. With the final yearbook deadline, the visitation by the evaluation committee for con tinued accreditation and all the preparation involved, the annual spring concert, and report cards, all scheduled into March, it has been a full and somewhat exhausting month. But the Lord has supplied the physical and mental energy and the spiritual strength to do it all, and I praise him for it.”

I was a strong devotee to the holy saints The virgin Guadalupe, MY saint, Saint Martin, Saint Judas, The Holy Child and others. A worshipper, but unaware of teachings in the Holy Word.

Kamsack The Kamsack Fellowship Chapel has had services almost every Sunday evening since Christmas. Bill Rezansoff plans and chairs the services. Outside speakers are in vited in for these services. Attendance varies from ten to thirty people.

Processions and pilgrimages were an annual affair To honor my saint And kiss her feet. Walking, Crawling, Bleeding and hurting. Where is the peace 1 so desire? found no satisfaction devotion, No joy And no peace. Only emptiness I

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all

Griswold

Dave Pletts continue to hold services at the Griswold Indian Reserve. There is fairly good attendance and new people are coming. They are planning for DVBS this summer. The Pletts request prayer on behalf of this work. Guatemala The George Penners have greatly appreciated the prayer support given to them. Because of the difficult time in the country the church is experiencing a refinement. Attendance at the evangelical church has never been so high, there are more converts, and Christians are straightening out their lives. Urbana 81

More than 7,000 delegates made Urbana 81 pledges. According to John Kyle, program director, 1,727 delegates indicated they believed God was leading them to serve overseas. At the same time, 4,723 made decisions to increase their awareness and involvement in world missions. Another 678 delegates made commitments to support world missions with money earned from business or professional skills.

THE MESSENGER

Messenger News If

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ii y On left Is Mr. Jake Epp, one of the speakers at the EMC Study Conference on March 27. Seen here with Sid Reimer and Tim Reimer. A

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Stan Platt (left), chairman of the recent EMC Study Conference with Archie Penner, one of the speakers. nonites made both with the Russian govern ment and the Canadian government later, in themselves were a form of political involve ment. He maintains that we have also exer By Dave Schellenberg cised our influence in places like municipal March 27 saw the convening of the fourth always seen their responsibility to change the governments and school boards. EMC Study Conference. The Braeside lives of men and women. Generally, we have He also believes that he cannot “influence Church in Winnipeg was the site. interpreted this responsibility as personal our society for the better from an isolation The main thrust of the conference had to evangelization. The question that must be booth ... The evidence that a Christian indo with the matter of the Christian and answered: How can a Christian be involved fluence is needed in Ottawa is political involvement. in public life? Can that mandate be fulfilled overwhelming.” The featured two main speakers were Mr. in the political arena?” To reinforce his belief that everyone’s life Jake Epp, Member of Parliament for the Mr. Epp feels that to be salt and light we is touched by political decisions he cited constituency of Provencher in Manitoba, cannot at the same time be “die Stillen im such things as pensions, marketing boards, and Archie Penner, professor at Malone Lande” (the quiet of the land) and that there immigration, public grants to private and College, Canton, Ohio. is a place for the Christian voice in Ottawa. religious institutions. He feels that in the light “The Christian and Political Involvement” But he says that “if my faith does not in of the benefits we also need to take respon was the title of Mr. Epp’s speech, delivered in fluence my actions and decisions then it is sibility. Because he was in Parliament Mr. the morning. Epp also had the privilege of moving an likely that I have no purpose in Ottawa.” He began his talk by saying that it was his What is political involvement? Mr. Epp amendment to the much publicized Cana understanding “that Christ’s followers have feels that the negotiations which the Men- dian constitution. This amendment in its final form reads, “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law ...” The Christian voice also, he says, is for cing a re-examination of Bill C-10 of which a “number of clauses could have a direct bear ing on the matter in which churches will function in this country.” What about party discipline? Mr. Epp says that he has on numerous occasions dis cussed the matter of conflicting views because of faith and at no time found an un willingness to accept that point. What decisions would he make in case of a declaration of war? He felt that he had not come to grips with that question as fully as possibly “some of you in this room.” In closing Mr. Epp stated that God had called him “to stand in the public gap. Others he asks to be his witnesses at home. What He requires of all of us is to be faithful <1 After the main addresses at the EMC Study Conference participants gathered in to his purpose in our lives.” Next page please small groups to discuss the papers.

Study Conference

APRIL 9, 1982

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Question Period: Jake Epp paper • What is meant by the statement “The Mennonite Voice in Ottawa” (p. 8)? • How do you reconcile the need to vote positively on a moral issue that you don’t agree with, with your conscience? • What constitutes neutrality? At what point are we being neutral in a particular situation? • Why did you not settle the question of war before you entered government? • Are you a Mennonite by faith? • Do you see legislation as an effective way in bringing about change in lives ... ? Is the reference to the sovereignty of God in the constitution true in our Canadian context? • The state has sometimes been defined as force and coercion being a part of it. If that is true, how can a Christian be part of that kind of an institution? • What about the Biblical unequal yoke and partisan politics? What does partisan politics do to the unity within the body of Christ?

• How do you justify pitting one Christian brother against another in a political race? • Since when is being “the salt of the earth” being politically involved? • As a political candidate you have to promote yourself to get elected. • Withholding tax money. How do you feel about it? • How can we become aware of the im plications of a piece of legislation such as Bill C-10? • If we write letters and start getting in volved, where do we draw the line? • The paper states that politics is “dirty business.” Are you involved in dirty business? • What is the ultimate objective of the church in politics? Is it to evangelize or to make a Utopia? • Are we rationalizing scripture to con form to our practice or were our forefathers wrong (re political involvement)? • How much difference does it make when we write in?

The Christian and the Problem of Politics or Politics as a Necessary Calling and the Problem of the Christian Faith Mr. Penner began his paper with quite a lengthy quote from Thomas F. Torrance, a summary of which would include a definition of the church as being a body which creates tension and ferment in the world. Further more, “the truer a church is to Jesus Christ the more she will suffer ... It is by suffering that the Christian church exerts power over the nations” (end Torrance quote). He went on to state that “the will of God in Jesus Christ becomes the effective and only norm for Christian action and behaviour” and added, “or can there be perhaps a dual ethics for a Christian, namely one standard of behaviour for him in per sonal relationships and another one in situations where he is obliged to act in an of ficial capacity in the service, for example, of the state?” The ethics of Jesus, although characteriz ed by powerlessness, nevertheless is the ethic which will be totally victorious, said the speaker. “If the cross and its attending cir cumstances bring to a focal point the true character and concerns as well as the strategy of God’s redemptive action, and that all of this becomes the substance of the true Christian ethic, then there can be no mistake: the ethic of the cross is tne ernic or nonviolence and nonresistance.” Mr. Penner used another quote (Edward Long) to point out the agonizing problem for the Christian in his relation to the state and politics. “How can the Christian deal with the compromises of Christian love, even the contradictions of love, that are found in the coercive features of society?” Then, again.

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“Problems of power morality pose the sharpest difficulties for the Christian conscience ... The world of power is a realm of harsh reality, often at variance with the ideal of Christian love. Participation in politics, and particularly participation in warfare, poses sharp problems for an ethic of decency and especially for the Christian ethic of love. Much political action and most of all forms of violent coercion are difficult to reconcile with the nature of love.” He conceded though that there can be no question that human love often is a motivating power in political functions. “To say or claim that no good people are in volved or that only hate characterizes those who are involved in statecraft would be the height of falsehood. Neither will it or can it be said that politicians or states afford no good to the people. Romans 13 and many other passages affirm that good does come to man through the state. In fact, for this they were ordered.” “God uses both good and evil in his loving coounsels and redemption,” continued the speaker. “This is clearly demonstrated by the cross.” Mr. Penner feels that if anything can be learned from the history of human governments, it is their inhumanities such as wars, violence, bloodshed, lies, deception, etc. He feels that even though individuals may not be in favour of wars and armament build-ups the fact that they are an essential part of the statecraft makes “it so difficult for a Christian, and particularly for the non

resistant Christian to become active in government affairs.”

Question Period; Archie Penner Paper

• Is is possible to exercise force within the context of love? • What is the essence of politics? Are human governments essentially evil... or is it so because of the absence of a Christian presence? What difference would the presence of light and salt make within these evil government structures? • What would you say is the basic difference in how you and Mr. Epp come to the assumptions which guide your convic tions? • How do you relate the concept of judgement to the powerlessness of God? • Can you define the distinction between political action and non-political action? • Is writing letters to our MPs political action? • We see some difficulties in your accep ting Brother Epp as a brother in the Lord. Yet in your document we sense a lack of charity towards politicians who are serving the Lord in their profession and have a positive influence in government (Wilber force). How do you resolve that type of a conflict? • How can you theologically justify the distinction between involvement in voting or participating in school boards, in town council in Steinbach where there are not political parties but not in Winnipeg where there are (political parties)? • There are necessary things to be done in society and we are part of that society. Is it proper for us to just let others do the dirty work which really involves all of us and then wash our hands?

The Study Conference was widely attend ed. There were people from as far away as Pelly, Sask.; Swan River, Man.; Kola, Man.; Interlake area; Stratton, Ontario; and of course Winnipeg and vicinity. Total atten dance was about 150. As you will have noticed we have made only a very brief summary of the addresses and in the question period only the questions are given. However, both the addresses and

EMC NURSES’ FELLOWSHIP Date: Friday, April 30, 1982 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Blumenort E.M. Church Speaker: Rev. Ernie Isaac, counsellor at Eden Mental Health Center Theme: “Coping With Stress”

THE MESSENGER

the responses to the questions have been taped and are available from the Conference Office. The papers containing the addresses are also available. Papers: $1.00 each (if mailed add 50e postage) Tapes; $12.00 Order from EMC Office, Box 1268, Stein bach, Man., ROA 2A0. Telephone: 3266401.

Investing for Eternity By Levi Dueck “Investing for Eternity” was the title of a seminar on Christian Stewardship held March 14-17 in the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel. It was attended by members of all four local E.M. churches and had been planned by the pastors of those con gregations. Overhead projectors were used by the workshop leaders to make their points clearer. The messages by Frank C. Peters and Arden Thiessen were enhanced by word pictures and dry wit. Special numbers by four local singing groups rounded out the program. Bro. Peters’ first message dealt with New Testament guides for giving. We should give regularly, proportionately, liberally, cheerful ly, obediently, and that which we have pledg ed. The bulk of our giving should be through our local church, although the recipient could be anyone who is in need. Still, fellow saints are to get priority in our giving accor ding to Galatians 6:10. All of this was in full agreement with Harvey Plett’s “Where to Give” workshop. In evaluating different organizations we should ask 1) Is there a competent board overseeing it? 2) Have they a good financial statement to give you? 3) How much is their overhead? 4) Does the donation create a dependence in the one being helped? 5) Are good results evident (statistical, etc.)? 6) Is the need clearly defined? 7) Are the objec tives consistent with New Testament prin ciples? Bro. Peters’ second topic dealt with stewardship as seen in the Pauline epistles and especially in I Timothy 6:3-11. He said that God does not always bless materially the person who tithes. It is a good practice, but can be improved on, and surely should not be taught as a New Testament doctrine. Contentment is much more valuable than riches (vv. 5-10). Our parents left us a tremendous legacy when they taught us to work, to handle money, and to give. In his humourous manner, he maintained that God loves a cheerful giver, not a dead one. (However, cheerful givers may continue giv ing after they have passed from the scene.) D. K. Friesen of the Steinbach Bible

APRIL 9, 1982

College gave very good advice on the mak ing of wills, and distributed sample copies of a simple will to workshop members. He en couraged frequent review of your will to see if it still tells it like you want it to. Also, you may want to write a letter of instruction to your executors, which can be of great help to them, even though it is not part of the will. Harold Petkau of the Mennonite Foundation of Canada also gave a short talk that was crammed full of helpful advice on wills. This modern “Barnabas” really encouraged his hearers. Lloyd Plett and Sid Reimer had the workshops on family budgeting. It takes will power to establish a family budget, but it may well be the answer to many of our financial problems. A high priority in any budget should be to reduce your debt load as soon as possible. “Few people plan to fail, but many fail to plan.” Set goals; it’s impor tant. Bro. Arden Thiessen brought the last message of the series, “The Stewardship of Service.” We are servants if we are Christians at all (I Cor. 3:5-9). Let’s remember to serve faithfully and well. “Our” best is not even good enough; we need to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. Such service works to our benefit if we leave the results up to Him. However, it should be ac companied by much prayer. FAMILY PRAYER MEETING

Fisher Branch, Man.: “Prayer changes things.” “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). The film “The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Awakening” was shown at our prayer meeting on March 17. The Hodgson Bible Chapel group joined us for our family prayer meeting on March 24. James Thiessen spoke briefly on “Witnessing.” Isn’t it great for a family to settle in the pews for a time of prayer after a day’s nightmare of spilled soup and lost socks? On March 29 the people who were teaching religious classes at the Fisher Branch and Poplarfield Schools met for a wind-up and time of sharing. Each teacher was given an opportunity to share highlights and problems experienced in the past year. (Our pastor mentioned that he had spent one whole class with the grade 7 and 8 students going through the Four Spiritual Laws. He was encouraged by the participation and questions of the students.) The Extension Committee and their wives served a delicious lunch! Our young people joined the group at Hodgson for a game of broomball on March 16. Jennifer Friesen was the hostess for the young people’s evening of Bible quizzes and games on March 13. The ladies gathered for an all-day quilting bee on March 15. Going to the Braeside church on March

27 to attend a meeting on “The Christian and Political Involvement” were Peter and Kathy Friesen and John and Sara Plett. In early February we gathered for a fellowship dinner with the Elvin Reimer family who moved to Alberta the following day. Another appreciation gathering took place on March 21 in honour of the Cecil Fasts who have purchased a house and lot in the Mitchell area. On March 28 some of us motored to Hodgson Chapel to attend a pot luck supper and farewell for the Ed Heinrichs who are moving to Morris. It is sad to see people leaving but no matter how our heart aches we do wish each of you hap piness and the Lord’s blessing. Norman Dueck of Alberta was a welcome guest at the Bert Dueck home for a few days in March. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Reimer have just returned from a brief visit to Belize. They enjoyed the visit and also were impressed with how wonderfully God created the world! “My God, how great thou art!”

JOINT MISSIONS CONFERENCE HELD

Crestview (Winnipeg): We have had an in teresting variety of guest speakers at Crest view for several of our Sunday morning ser vices. Reg Toews, the Executive Secretary of MCC (International), was one of these. He brought us up to date on family news and spoke on the theme “God meant it for good.” Other speakers were Rev. Henry Kornelsen, Rev. John Dyck (Janz Team), Rev. D. K. Schellenberg, and Henry Hiebert (SBC). The Winnipeg Region joint missions con ference was an excellent opportunity to fellowship with other Winnipeg EMCers. Dr. J. J. Toews came to speak to us on “The New Testament Church in Missions.” Those attending the Wednesday evening Bible studies during five evenings in January and February heard Ray Friesen speak on “Christian Discipleship.” A group from the Winnipeg Bible College presented an evening program on February 21. On March 21 we again enjoyed the “Sweeter Than Honey” group from Kleefeld. Several Sunday evening programs were presented by talented people from our local church; one of these was our young people’s group. The work on our church addition is progressing well. We look forward to May when we will begin to use the new sanctuary.

CORRECTION The first sentence in the MacGregor church report (March 26/82) should have read, “ ‘The Single-minded Christian Life’ was the theme of special services...” We apologize for the error.

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Mr. and Mrs. Dick Hildebrand In their home back In Landmark with some of their souvenirs.

REWARDING HOLIDAYS IN PERU Landmark, Man.: For Mr. and Mrs. Dick Hildebrand their eight weeks of “winter holidays” were spent in a very useful and profitable way with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Peru, South America, January 9 to March 11. Little did they realize what awaited them when their nephew, Abe Koop, about two years ago, encouraged them to consider coming to Peru to help in construc tion, A building in Huanuco (Wanuko) was to be renovated and made into a study center. The Wycliffe center in the USA con tacted the Hildebrands telling them when their help would be needed. Touching down in Lima, Peru, with no one to meet them, due to slight changes in flights, was quite an experience in itself. From Wycliffe Lima House (where most of the crew had gathered) they were taken to Huanuco where the project began in earnest. Walls, doorways, entrances and windows had to be broken down or closed up and relocated to make the whole existing building useable and efficient as a study center, with a library, meeting room or classroom, auditorium, kitchen, and even a suite for a couple. All the renovations, wiring, plum bing, painting, and landscaping had to be done in a given time because already there were plans to have people coming in to study, train or translate. The women, in cluding Mrs. Hildebrand, of course, were kept busy feeding the crew of about twelve (women included), keeping house and doing the laundry. Many very close intimate friends were made at work and during the weekends. “We were like a big family,” say the Hildebrands. Living quarters for the crew and mis-

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Dick Hildebrand, kneeling, working on a construction project In Huanuco, Peru. PAGE 10

sionaries on the complex had been built previously. However, each one of the tradesmen, with their wives, paid for the board and room and also the fare to the field and back. In most cases they were sponsored by their church or by Wycliffe supporters. The next stop was the village of Yarinacoacha (Yareenacoacha), a Wycliffe center near the jungle outposts where the Abe Koops are busy as public relations per sonnel for Wycliffe and the government of Peru. They, of course, were very glad to have their uncle and aunt come and stay with them for two and a half weeks. The pace here was more relaxed, except for Mrs. Hildebrand who was the “mother” in the Koop home, another godsend, to be sure, since little Emily Ruth was born during that time. Dick again found it exciting to fly along to the various mission outposts with the capable pilots whenever the opportunity presented itself. They also took time to visit the famous Inca Ruins of Peru before they came home to “sunny” Manitoba. Said the Hildebrands, “We never were aware of the vast worldwide ministry of the Wycliffe Bible Translators. This has been a real eye opener. We will NEVER regret spending our time and money in the way we did; it has been most rewarding and enriching to us.”

DEACON COMMISSIONED Portage la Prairie, Man.: Sunday, March 7, was a very special “first” for the church - the commissioning of our deacon, Ed Nikkei. Congratulations! We wish you and your family God's richest blessings as you ex perience the responsibility and the challenge of this important ministry. Rev. Ben Friesen spoke. He mentioned that the deacon is responsible for “mothering the church.” A potluck lunch followed the service. This proved to be a real time of fellowship with the church family and guests. Recently a visitation program was organized. Once a month each family chooses a name from a box. The family is responsible to visit (within that month) the family whose name is chosen. It has already been a blessing to so many. February 18-21 we had a tremendous mis sionary conference. The theme was “Missions Now.” A unique Indian song was sung by Dave and Judy Schmidt of Santa Teresa, East Paraguay. Dave Schmidt spoke on the need for God's help and anointing in order to express the gospel to the Indian peo ple. He emphasized how one needs to be call ed and led of the Lord to be a missionary. Rev. Milton Fast was the main speaker. One of his inspiring messages was “Bridge Building.” The cost of bridge building is LOVE. Love never tears down; love gives understanding without being understood and love accepts the other person as he is. Rev. Fast stressed the fact that Jesus Christ is the bridge over all gaps.

An afternoon ladies’ meeting was held on February 20. Mrs. Judy Schmidt of Santa Teresa, East Paraguay spoke on ad justments. She expressed her difficulty in ad justing to the food, living conditions and to the language. It was especially hard to keep up with the language because it wasn’t used every day. Miss Sarah Martens of Tres Palmas, Paraguay spoke on the need for wisdom. She said she needed to ask the Lord for wisdom in teaching these children. Her desire was to teach the children to become good citizens but most of all to love the Lord. Sarah pointed out that children learn to know the Lord through our example. A lovely lunch was enjoyed. An added attrac tion was a book display for browsing. A refreshing afternoon! It is thrilling to realize that together with these missionaries we can claim Psalm 32:8, “1 will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with my eye.” As the song says, “Each step I take I know that He will guide me.”

PROGRAM PRESENTED BY SWAN RIVER CHURCH Arabella, Sask: We extend greetings to all our many readers. May each one be blessed as we live daily for the risen Saviour. On January 24 the Swan River EMC Church presented their program at our church. The items in song, the drama, and the message by Wil Warkentin were based on the parable of the hidden treasure as recorded in Matthew 13:44. The entire program proved to be a blessing to us. We were glad this group was able to serve us in this way in spite of the stormy weather. Lunch was served, at which time we were able to fellowship together. It was a joy to have Rev. Bill Buhler (Hudson Bay) bring the morning message on February 2^ The presence of the Buhler family was a reminder of the many times he blessed us when he served our church. Rev. Buhler's message was based on the second coming of Christ and our readiness for His return. Another great event took place on March 26 when Fred Buhler (Endeavour) showed his slides of Nicaragua. In his talk he described his experiences during the two months this past summer when he assisted the missionaries in Managua, Nicaragua. Our church group gathered at the home of the John Goertzens for this event. It was good to fellowship with Fred and with one another. Let us be mindful of the verses that Paul wrote to the Ephesians as we work for the Lord in the church, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are call ed, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). THE MESSENGER

POSITION OPEN

MCC (Manitoba) is seeking applications for the position of Ex ecutive Secretary effective in September. The candidate should have an ability to promote and in terpret MCC activities in the Manitoba Mennonite constituen cy. Please send resumd to: Leo Drledger Search Committee 83 Rutgers Bay WINNIPEG, Manitoba R3T 2C9 Baptized at the Kleefeld church on March 14 were (front row, left to right): Allen Bartel, Betty Barkman, and Kenton Fast. Back row: John and Esther Barkman, Tina and Jerald Barkman. Esther Barkman and Tina Barkman were accepted by transfer of membership. SPIRITUAL LIFE WEEK

Kleefeld, Man.: One soul is worth more than the whole world. We at Kleefeld are excited to report that not only one but three precious souls were added to our church family by baptism on March 14. They were Kenton Fast, Betty Barkman and Allen Bartel. Their sincere testimonies revealed a desire to be alive to God and dead to sin. We truly wish them God's best, and we confirm future prayer support. That same morning we were also happy to accept Mrs. Esther Barkman and Mrs. Tina Barkman into our membership. A warm welcome to you! How can we bring our faith and lifestyle together? Pastor Herb Kopp from the Fort Garry M.B. Church in Winnipeg dealt with this question during our Spiritual Life Week, March 21-26. And what a week it was! It is difficult to relate in words the rich spiritual blessings that we received from his inspiring messages based on the Book of James. He started out on Sunday morning by reminding us that God is bigger than any of our problems, thereby making it possible for us to rejoice even in the midst of them. Sunday night: Pastor Kopp spoke on “Wisdom.” The beginning of wisdom is to know God and then to keep Him in the center of our lives (James 1:5-8). Monday: Endurance - The testing of our faith produces strength and endurance (James 1:12). Tuesday: Listening, Speaking - Listening is a gift. “Be swift to listen, slow to speak.” We have too many speakers and not enough listeners. Our churches need desperately to learn to listen to the hurts of God's family members (James 1:19-21). Wednesday: The Tongue - The tongue can be a flaming fire or a soothing balm. It can destroy or build up. How do we use our tongues? (James 3:1-12). Thursday: Bitterness, Graciousness -

APRIL 9, 1982

Pastor Herb Kopp from the Fort Garry M.B. Church in Winnipeg was the guest speaker at the Kleefeld church during the Spiritual Life Week, March 21-26.

Son Banquet, always a highlight of the year, is usually well attended, as was the case again this year on March 10. Guest speaker, Jim Watson from the Winnipeg Bible College, reminded the boys to follow the good example of Jesus who “increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with God and man.” There is something about sharing a meal that draws people together. Our church fami ly is divided into five different food groups. Each year we set aside one month, usually March, where these groups take turns ser ving the noon meal, and all the guests atten ding the church that particular Sunday mor ning are also invited to stay. New friends are made, old ones are re-established, and the love and warmth that result from this type of fellowship make it a very rewarding and worthwhile experience! NEW MEMBERS ACCEPTED

Ridgewood, Man: We are always happy to see new faces in our congregation. On SunBitterness and selfishness eat away like day, March 21, we had the privilege of cancer and can ruin whole churches. welcoming John and Sarah Reimer, Cornie Graciousness forgives seventy times seven and Helen Bartsch, and Henry Neufeld into (James 3:4). our membership. The Reimers and Bartsches Friday: Caution - Be careful how you live, transferred from the Kleinegemeinde church Always let your words and your deeds com- in Mexico and Mr. Neufeld transferred from plement each other. But how do we go about the Steinbach Mennonite Church. bringing our faith and lifestyle together? By Twenty-two of our Sunday school staff having God in the center of our lives (James attended a very helpful and informative Sun4:5). day school seminar in Winnipeg on March Thank you. Pastor Kopp, for coming. Our 20. The seminar was put on by Scripture church family will always have a warm spot Press. We are using their material and reserved for you! therefore found these sessions very helpful. Special features during these evenings On Sunday, March 14, we had the were various musical groups, films, and a privilege of having the Freedom Singers from serial story based on the Lord’s Prayer, for the Winnipeg Bible College, under the directhe children, who responded with keen tion of Don Thiessen, in our church. They enthusiasm. presented a dynamic program on the life and There are various programs in our church testimony of Jesus while here on earth, geared to reach the unsaved. One such an Our church hosted the Continental Mis organization is the Christian Service sion Banquet on March 26. Rev. Bill Penner Brigade. We thank the Lord for such a (from our church) is pastoring the Continenprogram and for all the leaders who are tai Mission Church in Lynn Lake. It was teaching and training these young boys to good to hear how God is working through become active Christians. The Father and their ministry there.

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From the Editor WE NEED EACH OTHER “I may be wrong in many things,” he said, “but for this reason we have a multiple brotherhood.” What did he mean? I believe he meant that he expected the brotherhood to remind and correct him where he made wrong decisions due to lack of insight or through ulterior motives. I believe this is an attitude which finds full support in the Scriptures. This does not mean that we can be guilty of making irresponsible decisions and always expect others to check us. Decisions should still be made wisely on the evidence and information available. But in spite of this, being only human, we are bound to err in some points. This is where the brotherhood of a church comes in. The familiar saying, “Two heads are better than one,” surely is supported by New Testament teaching and should be practised in the church. To be corrected or censured goes against our grain but that is the way we grow towards maturity. Anyone who resists receiving “the truth in love” should re-examine his priorities. But let’s be sure it’s “the truth” and that it’s spoken “in love”. Let’s be sure that we are not speaking from a point of contention. Let’s be sure we are not speak ing merely to our own advantage. Let’s be sure we are not speaking out of envy or ulterior motives. One would think the church of Jesus Christ is the last place where there should be differences. Yet, sad to say, this is not the case. And the problem certainly is multi plied when our “humanity” enters in to play a major role. Even though sin and evil have been with us since the Fall, it seems that lawlessness is increasing. And the more it increases, the more it seems to affect us in making the right moral decisions. And if lawlessness is portrayed in the media as only an aberration or a sickness, we are in danger of having our eyes blinded by the god of this world. TV can be a powerful medium for good. But maybe no where more than through TV are we being brainwashed to believe that wrong is right, that immorality is the good life and that consumer goods are to be our ultimate priority. Recently one of our churches tackled the alcohol problem. I believe that this is a good example of a brotherhood that is willing to listen to each other and face moral issues together. This is as it should be. Too often we may restrict solutions and answers to our own small plane of perception. And then if we do not, or are not willing to, take counsel and advice from others who may have more enlightenment on the situation, we are the losers: we become devisive. The next time we may be

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THE MESSENGER

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in the position to see things more clearly and we may be able to diffuse a potentially volatile situation. In the church we need each other. The answer for all of us, of course, is to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2). This could solve a lot of problems and avert tragedies. But to the Corinthians Paul could say, “. . . you were enriched in him with all speech and know ledge. . .” And yet he had to brand them as carnal. So the best of us are inflicted with this disease and need each other to arrive at the best decisions. In our Steinbach congregation recently we had a paper on the whole matter of discipline. This was followed by small group discussion and then a brief session of reporting on the findings. I felt that for the group I was in it was a profitable exercise. We brought to bear on the topic our collective minds and this, I believe, is the first step in resolving an issue like this. One thing, though, in the democratic process that we have to contend with is time. A decision by the pastor or even the ministerial would often expedite matters in shorter order. But that is one thing we dare not even entertain, although for a pastor I’m sure it is often a very tempting option. In the long run though I think we would lose more than we would gain. Ideally, though, the brotherhood decisions should be based not on feeling but on knowledge. I believe this is where we sometimes - or often - fall down, if our decisions are made on feelings or ignorance. However, there is a further thing we should see in the Corinthian letter. After Paul commended the Corinthians for their faith he corrected them in some of their practises. Maybe that is what we need! He warned them against a party spirit, against being puffed up, against immorality, going to law, etc. Then in chapter 12 he zeroes in on their need for each other. I think this is one of the grandest chapters exactly on working as one body, yet having many members, and the head - Christ - coordinating all this, and the members individually acknowledging their limitations. But have we come to this point of recognizing each other’s gifts? Paul makes very clear our need for one another when he says that “to each is given the mani festation of the Spirit for the common good” (I Cor. 12:7). Then he goes on in detail - one has the word of wisdom, another the word of knowledge, another faith. . .And it is the Spirit who “apportions” this. I think if more of us would take the attitude of our brother mentioned at the outset, we could avoid some of the difficulties we get ourselves into. And the answer is to recognize that I don’t have a monopoly on the gifts of the Spirit and that I need others to help me grow and mature. D.S.

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