The Messenger March 6, 1987

Th© M©ss©nQ©r EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE

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VOL. 25 VOL

NO. 5

MAR. 6/87

With Bible personalities as a background, the speaker at the 1986 annual convention women’s session speaks to women of the '80s.

Women of Faith in the 1980s by Leona Penner ur theme for this afternoon is “Women of Faith in the 1980s.” It is a rather broad theme and I chose it quite deliberately, way back in April, because I thought it would give me lots of leeway in terms of what I could do with it once I got around to preparing this talk. At that time I still didn’t quite know what direction this theme would take me, but as the weeks and months'went by, I began to feel that it might be good to look at “Women of Faith in the ’80s,” in terms of identifying them, or finding out who they are; where they find their direc­ tion and role models; and what their effect/vision is for the wider world. To begin then-who are they? What iden­ tifies the Women of Faith in the ’80s? 1 expect that most of us would count ourselves among the faithful, and yet, sometimes it seems that we lose sight of what that means and have to be reminded of our roots. For example, most of us have heard the saying, “Remember who you are.” Usual­ ly, this is advice given to teenagers by their parents just before they leave on some youthful adventure of which the parents are just a little fearful. When parents say this to their children, it is usually a call to remem­ brance of the whole background of that child, a call to remembrance of his/her roots, history, and commitment to church and com­ munity. It is also an attempt to lay a bit of a guilt trip on the teenager, in order to curb any actions which might be a bad reflection on the family’s good name, or on that of the church or society of which the person is a part. A religious equivalent to this saying might be found in the 11th and 12th chapters of Hebrews, which, first of all, give us a very im­ pressive family tree of faith, listing all those great men and women of the Bible whom all of us have looked up to since we were children and who lived “by faith” - Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab . . . The list goes on and on. In verse 23 the writer finally concludes with the words, “Need 1 say more? Time is too short for me PAGE 2

to tell the stories of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, of David and Samuel and the pro­ phets.” But then he seems to change his mind and goes on talking about people whose faith “overthrew kingdoms, established justice, saw God’s promises fulfilled.” People who “muzzl­ ed lions, quenched the fury of fire, escaped death by the sword. People whose weakness was turned to strength as they routed armies, were tortured to death, faced jeers and were flogged . . .” The list seems endless, and by the time we reach the end of the chapter our own lives of faith seem pretty bland in comparison. But the writer of Hebrews doesn’t just let us go

says, “And what of ourselves?”; that is, you and I, how do we respond to this “great cloud of witnesses” which surrounds us? Are we throwing off all the weights and sins which so easily beset us? Are we running the race with resolution, our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith? Are we willing to en­ dure the cross, as the forerunners of our faith did, putting up with shame for the sake of the joy which is yet to come? It appears they are counting on us, wat­ ching how we run, cheering us on when we progress, weeping with us when we fall behind. All this is intimidating in a way, and yet it

God is always on the side of the poor and the oppressed and is eager to transform our weakness into strength. and take refuge in a quiet corner, nursing our feelings of inadequacy. Instead, he deliberate­ ly turns the screw a little further. In verses 39 and 40 of chapter 11 he says, “These also one and all, are commemorated for their faith; and yet they did not enter upon the promised in­ heritance, because God with us in mind (that means me and you), had a better plan, that only in company with us (again, all of us who claim to be believers), should they reach their perfection.” He seems to suggest that, in some way, how we live out our faith affects the out­ come for the rest. He seems to be saying that those people who have already given their lives for the faith-Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, the prophets-are depending on us to reach their inheritance, their perfection. A very sobering thought . . . In verse one of chapter 12 he zeroes right in and asks some very pointed questions. He

can be a source of strength as well. For, all of these “giants of faith” who are watching us, are a support for us, they are for us and understand our weaknesses and failures because they, it turns out, are quite ordinary sin-prone people themselves, people whose “weaknesses became strengths” as they ran the race. That is a good thing to remember, for women of the ’80s. Time and again we need to remind ourselves that we don’t need to be super-Christians, super-heroes, superwomen, super-moms, in order to be noted as women of faith. We know what our faith roots are and that there is room for weakness in the Kingdom of God. In fact, God is much more interested in the weak than in those who know themselves to be strong. God is always on the side of the poor and the oppressed and is eager to transform our weakness into strength.

THE MESSENGER

At the same time, we need also to remind ourselves that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own peo­ ple, who are called to declare the wonderful deeds of him who called us out of the darkness of our fallen society, into his marvellous light {1 Peter 2:9). We are so­ journers, exiles and strangers, looking for a better country, which is yet to come. We have caught a vision of the promised land and have made a covenant with God which frees us from the bondage of our particular society.

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e need to remember that we look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, for guidance and direc­ tion, not to the dictates of the worldly society of the ’80s in which we live. Jesus is to be our role model, and the scriptures are to teach us who we are and how we ought to live. Unfortunately, too often we do not remember this; we forget whom we are to follow and get involved with the feminine sins which so easily beset us and seek to hold us back. We become proud of and preoccupied with our looks, and like the women of Isaiah 3:16-24, we are in danger of setting ourselves up for a fall. In that passage, the Lord tells the women of Zion that their pride, their jewelry, their fine clothes and fine perfume, will some day be replaced by destitution, even rottenness and death, because they have not looked out for the poor in their society. A harsh judgement, and yet, it seems to me that we also have too much bought into a world where the image of the “real” or “total” woman revolves around youthful looks, make-up, jewelry and fancy clothes. This is clearly contradictory to the words of scripture which teach us that our identity is not to be established on the basis of outward ap­ pearances, but, as Peter puts it in I Peter 3:3, our beauty is to rest in the “hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gen­ tle and quiet spirit.” With that kind of guide and fashion aim, we don’t need to worry about getting older. In fact, age will increase our beauty since we will have perfected that inner spirit through the wisdom and experience of our years. 1 am not saying that we should give no care to our physical body, or to our looks. On the contrary, our bodies are the temple of God, and have been beautifully created by him and pronounced “good,” so there is every reason to look after ourselves and cherish that which we have been given. But all of us know that most of our con­ cern with our looks has little to do with how God sees us, or even how we feel about the bodily gift he has given us; rather, we diet and dress the way we do because a certain look is “in.” I dare say that most of us spend a good deal more time reading fashion magazines, shopping for and/or making clothes than we spend searching the scriptures for guidelines on how we are to get that beautiful “inner” look. We have let the fashion dictates of a

MARCH 6, 1987

We look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, for guidance and direction, not to the dictates of the worldly society of the '80s in which we live. fallen society become our guide and (1 speak for myself here) many of us have on occa­ sion stayed home, or threatened to stay home, from some church function because we didn’t have a thing to wear. I have to admit that most times when we’ve returned from overseas, one of the first things 1 have done is to go to a shopping centre to “buy a dress for Sunday.” Well, by now you may feel that 1 am hopelessly old-fashioned in my view of how a woman should strive to look. But all I’m really trying to say is that depending on feel­ ings of self-worth based on outward ap­ pearance is asking for trouble on a personal basis, since all of us become ravaged by the gray hairs and wrinkles which time brings to us, whether we are rich or poor. And, as women of faith, we should not be sidetrack­ ed by the preoccupations of personal vanity, but should be other-directed, focusing our at­ tention and our energy on other things and other people’s needs. Another sin which easily besets us revolves around our being family- or house-proud. We become so preoccupied with being good housekeepers and good wives, mothers, daughters (all good things in themselves) that we forget that we also have a responsibility to the wider world. Our society is such that, before we know it, all our time and energy is spent keeping the house immaculate, cook­ ing elaborate meals, shopping for new things, sewing beautiful clothes for the children, or working in order to buy that new couch and chair for the living room. We end up having no time to visit the neighbours, the elderly, or the sick. It seems that we have taken cer­ tain portions out of Proverbs chapter 31, which deals with the “virtuous or worthy” woman, to heart because it fits our situation. In a sense, the woman in Proverbs 31 is a superwoman. She has it all - a loving, ador­ ing husband, children who admire and respect her, status in the community; the health, finance and imagination/ambition to earn a living; wisdom, humour, concern for the poor, kindness and fear of the Lord. She is so perfect that I confess that I have resented her for many years because I know that I could never be like her. And thank God, I’m not expected to be. She is the ideal, a woman without a name, only a sort of dream, to which we all aspire in one way or another, but which most of us can never hope to

achieve. And it’s such a relief to know that we don't need to be like she is before God can accept us. He reaches out to us and loves us as we are - poor, weak, imperfect. Remember Sarah and Rahab in Hebrews and all those women whom Jesus loved dur­ ing His time on earth. They were far from the ideal. For example, Jesus’ mother Mary was a bit of a nagger who irritated Him at times with her concern for His reputation. Then there was the hemorrhaging woman who was bleeding all the time and was therefore con­ sidered unclean in Jewish society. And the woman who lost her coin certainly showed that she didn’t have it all together; she must have been messy, as well as careless. She had to turn her whole house upside down before she found that coin. As for the widow of Nain, she had no husband, and then, as now, that left her out of the “in” group because it was definitely a couple’s world, and, to make mat­ ters worse, she had just become childless as a result of the death of her only child. That meant she had lost what little bit of status/security she had left. Who would look after her now, in her old age? They didn’t have nursing homes or old age pension then. She’d become a burden on society, begging for the right to live. And then there was Mary Magdalene, a prostitute, careless with her money. Remember how she alarmed the disciples by “wasting” money on expensive ointment to rub Jesus’ feet? All of these women had weaknesses; they were far from the ideal of the virtuous woman in the book of Proverbs. And yet, Jesus notic­ ed them and loved them. He looked at the positive aspects of their personalities and af­ firmed them. In all of these cases, Jesus accepted the women as they were and responded to their weaknesses lovingly instead of with an air of condemnation. He understood where they were coming from and tried to build up their weaknesses into strengths. He cared for these very ordinary people, people who, for the most part, were without status in society; peo­ ple who were poor and unworthy, humble and hurting, those who knew their need of God. As his followers, we the women of faith in the ’80s, are to do the same. We too are to reach out in whatever ways we can to bring healing and recognition to the weak and opCont’d on page 4

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WOMEN OF FAITH Cont’d.

ANNIVERSARY A trip to Winnipeg around the turn of the century was something different than it is today, as you shall see when you read the account below. The ar­ ticle appeared in the old "Steinbach Post" in the March 30. 1949 issue. The trip described could thus have taken place around 1895. The writer, at the time, likely was a young boy. N.B. Parents: If you are a parent reading this, why don't you draw it to the attention of your children or young people. This will help them to also enter into the spirit of our heritage in this our 175th anniversary year commemoration. Good Old Days Ti t was a cold December day when ,<1 my father and 1 prepared to go to Winnipeg with horses and sleigh. Along with us we had 100 pounds of butter which was to be on the market by Christmas. For night we went as far as Gilchrist (stopping place for night on the way to Winnipeg). At first it appeared as if we were alone so we heated the food which we had brought with us and ate supper. Then we proceeded to the barn to take care of the horses for night. But listen! Another sleigh is coming and turns onto the yard. It turned out to be the beloved Mr. Isaak Penner from Greenland. He had a heavy load of freight for Heinrich W. Reimer (store). We helped him bring his team into the barn and fed the horses before going back into the house where Father made coffee also for Mr. Penner. Then we proceeded to visit. We had always been on good terms with Mr. Penner. Often when he was on his way to church, he would stop off at our place. My parents often

spent time with Penners, as well as with Martin Penners. We already paid our bill in the even­ ing and Father prepared kindling for the fire in the morning because Gilchrist was a late sleeper. Our first stop in Winnipeg was at the Market House where we sold our but­ ter (25C a lb.). At that time this was a good price. Then I went looking around (win­ dow shopping!). Everything looked so nice that I started to get hungry. After Father had bought a barrel of apples (about 140 lbs.) we proceeded to our stopping place to unhitch the horses. I went into the barn to look at the nice horses and mules. I thought if ever I became a farmer I would have mules. (But it remained wishful thinking.) In the afternoon we went to the Robinson Store because Mother had ordered material for a dress. Grand­ mother wanted material for a Schuerze (apron). We also went to the Blue Store, as well as the bakery. Here we bought some bread, as well as a small barrel of cookies (25 lbs. at 4C per pound). We wrapped the apples in a fur blanket before we proceeded on to Gilchrist again. For night we brought the apples into the house to keep them from freezing. In the morning everything was nice and cozy and we put our load back on and proceeded on the way home. In the evening, after all the children were in. Father opened the apple barrel and we could all select one apple. Natural­ ly we all took the biggest ones. How good they were, together with the white bread and cookies! Yes, those were the good old days according to Jak. R. Schellenberg.

pressed of our society. And, if we are too busy looking after ourselves, our homes and our families, to do this, then we are missing out on a major part of our calling. If we are so busy worrying about what we should eat or drink or wear that we don’t have time left to offer a stranger a cup of cold water, then we are not serving Jesus. If we are so preoc­ cupied with a small circle of friends at the church that we don’t have time for those on the fringes/outsiders/newcomers, then we are not fulfilling our call to be hospitable. And remember that a single act of hospitality was what it took for Rahab to be remembered as a Biblical example of those who had kept the faith. It is clear from the stories we have in the Bible that we do not have to be terrifically strong or courageous to be counted among the faithful. On the contrary, God delights in working with the weak. Really, all that is re­ quired is that we begin by searching for heal­ ing within ourselves, casting off those personal self-centred sins which would hold us back and then move forward in the race, reaching for and touching the one whom we profess to follow, through Bible study, prayer and looking to the concerns of others. For it is by doing this, in expressing and showing our love for our brothers and sisters, by looking to their needs instead of our own, that we as women of faith in the ’80s show our love for Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

CONTRIBUTORS: Leona Penner is co-director of MCCC Peace and Social Concerns on a half-time basis. Her husband Peter is under the same arrangement. The Penners have seen two terms of service in Africa under MCC, the latest one in Swaziland. The article has been adapted, from a longer one, for use in the Messenger. Daue and Lydia Dueck (Saska­ toon) are involved in prison ministries in Saskatoon, Sask. COVER: Not all winter snow makes a snowman. Conditions have to be right for it (mild). Here Kim and Erin (left) and Anthony, Lisa and Jamie must have hit it just right. Even Mr. Snowman seems to have a smirk! Photo by the editor.

THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct, and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference; instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. 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 of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail; Registration Number 0591. Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address. The Messenger is a member of Meetinghouse.

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THE MESSENGER

Missions SASKATOON, SASK.

were ministering in Manila, a group of short­ term workers from St. Paul, Minn, saw in the theater an opportunity to reach youth. Their initial vision was picked up by the congrega­ tion. Now, the Metro Manila Bible Communi­ ty hopes to start similar projects in another area of Manila and also in Baguio.

Help in Jesus Alone Many Opportunities in Prison Ministry/

The prison ministry is a very challeng­ ing work. I have many opportunities to sit down with the inmates for one-to-one visits in my office or in their cells. Sometimes I get strange feelings and thoughts: What am I doing here? Am I in danger? Quickly my thoughts go to Jesus in prayer: How can 1 help these men? The answer is always the same: In Jesus alone there is help for each person 1 come in contact with. Then, by the grace of God, I’m able to change the con­ versation around and share the good news about Jesus. The services, Sunday afternoon, Tues­ day night fellowship, and Thursday night Bible studies, are well attended. I’m especially thrilled with the Bible studies. The men who attend really want to learn more about God’s Word. Attendance is between 10 and 18.1 covet your prayers. It is a thrill to see even one or two in­ mates mature in Christian faith. One man in particular has blessed my own heart. When he first came to the Centre, he was afraid and couldn’t sleep at night. He was threatened and ridiculed by other in­ mates. I soon met him and started shar­ ing Jesus with him. He had never gone to church and was totally ignorant of the Christian life. He accepted Jesus into his life, began to read the Bible, attended the services and did Bible courses. Since he was in an overflow area, he felt very in­ secure and couldn’t sleep at night. One day I told him to pray and claim the blood of Jesus around him and go to sleep. The result? He had a good night’s rest and from then on he trusted the Lord more and more.

it all with the Lord. The message came through and since then he has had a much brighter outlook on life. Recently he was granted bail through the courts and is reunited with his family. It was a time of rejoicing for this couple and those involved in prayer and support. Dave Dueck

Friday Night at the Grand Attracts Manila’s Youth

Manila (MNS) - On the stage of the former X-rated movie theater in downtown Manila, music, drama and special speakers communicate Christ at contemporary Friday night youth meetings that draw an average of 150 people. More than 600 Filipino young people flocked to the theater to hear Chuck Colson one Friday night in November. When the Baptist General Conference of the Philippines, along with its sister group in America, purchased the Grand Theater last summer, the ministry seemed to be a natural. Nearly a half million students attending 50 col­ leges, universities and technical schools live within three miles of the theater. More than one million people pass through the busy in­ tersection each day. Before the theater was purchased, some 60 cell groups meeting throughout the area were looking for a place to worship on Sundays. They jumped at the opportunity to purchase the theater. One church in California gave $120,000 towards the project. While they

European Mission Conference Draws 11,000

Utrecht, Holland (MNS) — It wasn’t Babel, but the Jaarbeurs Center in the heart of Utrecht was alive with the sounds of languages (12 official ones) as 11,000 young people, leaders, and speakers from 40 countries ar­ rived for the opening of Mission '87. The congress was the fourth in a series of mission congresses dedicated to helping Euro­ pean young people “better understand the vi­ sion of world evangelization.” Organized by TEMA (The European Missionary Associa­ tion) of Lausanne, the congresses are widelybased and strongly supported throughout Europe. Planners were pleased with increased at­ tendance, up from 7,500 at the last con­ ference in 1983. At this conference, greater numbers attended from southern Europe than previously. On the third evening, David Wang, ex­ ecutive vice-president of Asia Outreach in Hong Kong, emphasized the need for per­ sonal commitment to Jesus Christ before con­ sidering missionary service. More than 500 responded to an invitation to put their per­ sonal trust in Christ. On the fourth night of Mission ’87, mis­ sionary leader Bruno Herm of Switzerland presented a clear challenge to missionary ser­ vice. More than 1,000 came forward in­ dicating their commitment to missionary ser­ vice. Hundreds of others stood to indicate their willingness to obey God in their lives.

GOOD NEWS CRUSADE March 26-29

His marriage was also in shambles, and since his wife too had accepted the Lord, she agreed to come in for marriage counselling once a week, which worked very well. The atmosphere was usually very negative, with blaming spirits and much criticism about authority and the court system. One day I reminded this in­ mate of this attitude and what it was doing to him. I challenged him to leave MARCH 6, 1987

7:30 p.m. nightly Preeceville Evangel Tabernacle

Speaker: Albert Baerg (Portage Ave. M.B. Church, Winnipeg, Man.) Sponsoring churches: Endeavour (EMC) Fellowship Chapel, Hyas Baptist Church, Preeceville Pentecostal, Sturgis (Village Missions)

PAGE 5

Messenger News was the official topic, but unity emerged again as the unofficial one. “It’s a scandal that there is so much fragmentation ... it undermines our credibility and witness,” noted one leader. “But the unity should be on a theological basis.” In January 1986 the leaders agreed on the issues which divide: scripture, conversion, mission of the church, and unity. They assigned two papers on each topic and asked for eight written responses (one from each participating Conference) to each paper.

The newly formed Canadian Council of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ (BIC) moderators, formed at the Mennonite and BIC Theological Consultation held in Winnipeg January 21-22, 1987. Left to right: Tim Burkholder, Mennonite Church of Canada; Larry Kehler, Conference of Mennonites in Canada; Henry Dueck, Evangelical Mennonite Mission Con­ ference (EMMC); Harvey Sider, BIC; Glenn Zehr, Inter-Mennonite Conference. Front: Executive - Jack Heppner, secretary, EMMC; Arden Thiessen, chair, Evangelical Mennonite Conference; John Redekop, vice-chair, Mennonite Brethren.

Canadian Mennonites and Brethren in Christ take one modest step towards greater unity By Ron Rempel

Winnipeg, Man. (Meetinghouse) — “There is more commonality in this room than is reflected organizationally.” The first part of this comment by John H. Redekop at a historic gathering here January 21-22 captured the sense of the meeting. In two days of theological discussions represen­ tatives from 13 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ groups in Canada found they had more in common than they expected. They discovered that they could venture beyond the familiar relief and service turf — in which they had worked for over 20 years through Men­ nonite Central Committee Canada — and still stay at the same table. They also discovered differences — some of them enriching and others irritating. The second part of Redekop’s comment kept the meeting from floundering in generalities. At the end of the talks most agreed with the general principle of becom­ ing more unified. But a series of “modest sug­ gestions for a continuation of our search for greater unity” by Larry Kehler almost fell flat. At the last minute the Conference moderators held a brief caucus. They emerged from the caucus with the announce­ ment: “The Canadian Council of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Moderators has just held its inaugural meeting!” The self-declared PAGE 6

council will take responsibility to call future meetings, so that the onus will not keep land­ ing on MCC Canada by default. Arden Thiessen, moderator of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, will chair the new council. John Redekop, a Mennonite Brethren leader, is vice-chair; and Jack Hepp­ ner, an Evangelical Mennonite Mission Con­ ference leader, is secretary. About 100 were invited to the Winnipeg meetings. Over 100 showed up. Eight groups sent official representatives: Brethren in Christ, Conference of Mennonites in Canada, Evangelical Mennonite Brethren, Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Evangelical Men­ nonite Missions Conference, Mennonite Brethren, Northwest Mennonite Conference, Ontario Inter-Mennonite Conference. Another five groups sent observers: Chortitzer Mennonite Conference, Church of God in Christ Mennonite (Holdeman), Reinlaender Mennonite Church, Sommerfelder Mennonite Church, Zion Mennonite Church. The agenda for the meeting developed over a two-year period. A January 1985 con­ sultation on church planting concluded that if there is to be cooperation, then theological differences between the Conferences should be discussed. In September 1985 peace and evangelism

SCRIPTURE In separate papers Gerry Ediger and Arden Thiessen both argued for the importance of an authoritative scripture. Ediger took what he called a “conservative” approach — one that limits itself to the Bible’s own claims rather than using more recent categories such as “in­ errancy.” Authority is a larger issue than the Bible, he suggested. “Jesus is the supreme authority.” Thiessen called for a renewal of “historical Mennonite biblicism,” which he saw more clearly expressed in the 1982 Chicago meeting of the International Council of Biblical Inerrancy than in “the views expressed by Mennonite scholars in recent years.” He didn’t specify which scholars. Thiessen also voiced concern about a sub­ jective approach to scripture. “We must re­ tain the concept of propositional revelation.” Participants agreed quickly on the need for obedience. In Ediger’s words: “We correctly understand the authority of scripture to the extent we are willing to obey what we know of the content.” They agreed on the inspira­ tion and infallibility of scripture, even if not on the mode of inspiration. They also agreed that the Bible is trustworthy. Major disagreement centred on the use of inerrancy language. Participants also disagreed about the degree of importance to be placed on the objective truth of scripture. Some leaned towards the view expressed crisply by Ben Eidse: “God’s word is revela­ tion, whether it speaks to me or not.” Some agreed with Helmut Harder: “We must hold to the claim that the Bible is (‘objectively’) God’s Word, and at the same time, that the Bible is (‘subjectively’) for us.” Some wanted more emphasis on the spirit. Tom Yoder Neufeld commented: “1 sense a fear of spirit language in our discussions!” Different views of the scriptural canon emerged. Some viewed it as closed. Others wanted a more open-ended canon.

CONVERSION Is conversion a “once-for-all event” (a “decision by calendar” or “crisis”) or a “pro­ cess”? This was the question that many wanted to talk about. THE MESSENGER

Generally, participants agreed that conver­ sion involves some kind of a conscious deci­ sion which is enabled by God. Some called for “specific entry points” or “decisive acts.” One person cautioned: “Conversion is not maturation.” Others said there has been too much emphasis on points of time, especially in the experience of children. For Jake F. Pauls the issue was more than academic. “Why should the ‘process’ people always be judged by the standard of the ‘onetimers’?” he asked. A paper by Archie Penner described con­ version as turning from sin to God. He allow­ ed for both the crisis and the process conver­ sion (which he had observed in his own son). For the latter he suggested that the home and church “provide a mechanism whereby the whole chain of the converting event would be brought together in a conscious exercise of af­ firmation and capstone commitment with a similar result as decision by calendar.” That suggestion drew considerable support.” In the second paper on conversion, Maurice Martin wondered whether “conver­ sion” is the best umbrella term to describe Christian experience. He set forth other New Testament images: joining the family of God, finding an oasis in the dessert (woman at the well), gaining spiritual insight (healing of blind man). Whatever image is chosen, he sug­ gested, it should reflect the central themes of creation, incarnation and reconciliation as ex­ pressed in II Corinithians 5:14-21. The Biblical “signposts of faith” (faith prompters”), said Martin, are baptism and communion. “Yes, expand the vocabulary,” responded John H. Redekop. “But don’t let the concept slip . . . Becoming a Christian is an individual experience. Being Christian is a corporate ex­ perience.” Hany Huebner voiced uneasiness about conversion as “having arrived.” “What about our ongoing complicity in evil?” Helmut Harder suggested that salvation language might be better than conversion language. “Is salvation Christ moving into us or us moving into Christ?” he asked. He made a case for the latter. Using “Jesus in my heart” language for both adults and children, sug­ gested several others, makes it too easy for adults to convert. Jesus as “Lord of my life” should be the focus of adult commitment, they added. f

THE CHURCH’S MISSION The first paper by Harvey Sider made the case for a balanced ministry of word and deed (proclamation and presence) in carrying out the great commission. Some feared that the emphasis on balance may lead to a loss of evangelistic fervor. Men­ no Kroeker, for example, said he agreed with the holistic approach but sees a current “danger of truncating the gospel at the pro­ clamation end.” Victor Adrian; “Within the inseparability concept ... we underscore the priority and centrality of evangelism and church planting.”

MARCH 6, 1987

Rafael Barahona agreed with a Harold Lindsell quote in Sider’s paper: “Social action has become a driving force among evangelicals and could easily quench their zeal for evangelism.” Others took exception to equating the term “presence” with deed and “proclamation” with word. “To me ‘presence’ is an allencompassing stance which can include any kind of communication, be it verbal, non­ verbal or a combination of both,” said Ray Brubacher. Larry Kehler commented: We need to con­ fess that “we’re falling so far short in both evangelism and social action.” And Tom Yoder Neufeld wondered: “Can the rich young ruler who remained rich adequately decide on the priority of either evangelism or social action?” Neufeld continued in this vein in the second paper devoted to a biblical peace theology. He urged participants to recognize at the outset that as middle class North Americans, they are benefitting from an unjust status quo. The Christian peacemaker, he said, is not in­ terested first in stability but in justice. He put forth a vision of aggressive peacemaking — “joining the general in the battle for peace and re-creation of the world.” The deliberate use of military language drew some reaction. Is the “wanior of peace” an adequate description of the “Lamb of God”? Is there a danger of secularizing the peace progress? Is it possible to envision a whole new world order without first bringing people in touch with Jesus Christ and the powers of the kingdom? Neufeld said he was not as concerned about secular influences as with making the whole world sacred. He also insisted that tackling injustice is in fact dealing with aliena­ tion from God (hence evangelism). Some were uneasy with Neufeld’s state­ ment about God siding with the poor. There were jokes about poverty as laziness or youthful idealism. People laughed. Neufeld commented: “Don’t let the anecdotes provide us with an out to the hard sayings about God hating injustice.”

UNITY “To say that organizational unity is not a goal of an inter-Mennonite dialogue is to shortchange the theology that we con­ fess ... As Anabaptists we believe not only in a mystical, invisible church. We believe in a church that is visible.” This statement in the first paper by Isaac Block surprised some participants. They recalled renewal movements that had split from other churches. They wanted spiritual unity but resisted organizational unity. Tom Yoder Neufeld went even further: “Is organizational unity the true test of seriousness? Perhaps unity is tested more by whom we are willing to fight with.” Others agreed with Block, however, that the Anabaptist pendulum had swung too far towards fragmentation.

When Larry Kehler put forth specific unity suggestions, however, discussion virtually halted. He began with some symbols of uni­ ty short of merger: a family with different gifts and calling but a sense of responsibility to each other; a commonwealth of countries; a bou­ quet of flowers; a single-story house with dif­ ferent rooms for eating together, living together and also for privacy; a fruitcake (“even has room for some nuts”). “We need handles for the yearning that I sense among us,” he suggested. His “modest suggestions” included: 1) making the annual gathering of moderators and secretaries “a more formal coordinative body” (which could, among other things, relate to churches from abroad that want to connect with a national Mennonite entity in Canada), 2) asking moderators and secretaries to plan Christian discipleship conferences in various locations across Canada in the next three years, 3) a study guide on the topic of church unity, 4) continuation of talks on cooperation in pastoral training and graduate theological education (two inter-Mennonite consultations have already been held), 5) a careful look at joint church planting in the Atlantic provinces, 6) a joint convention of Canadian Mennonite and Brethren in Christ groups in 1993, 7) an internal audit by each group to list “unresolved problems we have with one another.” The first suggestion found expression in the new Canadian Council of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Moderators. The writer is editor of Mennonite Reporter.

MCC Service Opportunities NEEDED: - Intensive Care Nurse - New Orleans ■ Physician and Surgeon - Kampuchea - English Teacher - Egypt ■ Counselor to Colony Mennonites - Mexico ■ Supervisor of Quilting - Pennsylvania - Material Aid Worker - Pennsylvania ■ Youth Worker - Labrador and Alberta ■ Community Programs for Newcomers Saskatoon - Child Care Worker - Thompson, MB - Victim Offender/Mediation Newfoundland and Winnipeg ■ Builder/Building Instructor - Labrador ■SALT Canada (youth: 17-20) - Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto ■ Native Gardening Promoters (May August)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: • your provincial MCC office - Len or John at (204) 261-6381 - MCC Canada, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9

PAGE 7

FAREWELL FOR MISSIONARY

Canada Secretary of State for External Af­ fairs Joe Clark, right, sees a demonstration of a rower pump in Feni, Bangladesh. With him are (at left with beard) MCC Country Representative Mark Nord and (beside Nord in center) Sudhir Kumar, MCC agricultural staff person. MCC worked with the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka to arrange a visit by Clark to a vegetable farm in Feni. (MCC photo by Paul Pereverzoff)

Joe Clark visits Ag Programs in Bangladesh Canada Secretary of State for External Af­ fairs Joe Clark visited agricultural programs in Bangladesh in early February. At a vegetable farm near the Mennonite Central Committee Feni Agricultural Research Station, Clark saw rower pumps used to ir­ rigate a half-acre of cabbages and tomatoes and briefly operated a pump. The rower pump was invented in Bangladesh by former MCC engineer George Klassen of Manitoba. Clark, former prime minister of Canada, was in Bangladesh on a goodwill trip with trade relations an agenda priority. Bangladesh receives the largest amount of Canada’s foreign aid donations, most of it channeled through the Canadian International Develop­ ment Agency (CIDA). CIDA provides grants to MCC projects in Bangladesh. Clark said he saw signs of hope for the future of Bangladesh. He commented on the industry of the people and expressed new understanding of MCC and its grassroots work in rural Bangladesh. At the end of Clark’s time in Bangladesh the Canadian High Commission gave a recep­ tion in his honor. All Canadian residents in the country were invited.

Burns Lake, B.C.: January 6 has special memories for the congregation here at Burns Lake. We had a farewell for Martha Fehr, who has gone as a missionary to the Philippines. The evening was spent in Bible study and prayer and words of encouragement to Mar­ tha. Many had encouraging remarks to share with her, others shared scripture verses and everybody promised to support her in prayer. It is great to see someone obey the Lord’s call, to leave family, friends and country to serve Him in a foreign land. Martha says, “Life is full of challenges! An exciting challenge that I have been given now is to serve on a church­ planting internship program for two years with Venture Teams International. I’ll be involved in church planting and discipleship with a senior couple from SEND International and two other couples who are with V.T.I., as well as some Filipinos. I’m planning to be in the Philippines by January 15, 1987. I’ll be liv­ ing in the southern part of Metro Manila in Paeita. I’m thankful for the opportunity God has given me.” Another young lady who left here last sum­ mer to obey the Lord’s call to serve Him in another area is Dorie Driedger. Dorie left to work with Child Evangelism here in B.C. She travelled through many communities in cen­ tral B.C. this past summer, sharing the Good News with young children. Right now she is working in the head office of Child Evangelism in Surrey, B.C. Dorie has a real burden for young children which is emphasized in her special verse which is found in Matthew

Martha Fehr

18:14, “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” CHILDREN OF LIGHT PRESENT PROGRAM Arden, Man.: We are well into 1987 but this is our first report of this year. To break tradi­ tion, this year we did not have a “watchnight” service as an entire church. But the young people’s group brought in the new year with a long night of supper, a hayride, games and movies. Despite a few minor casualties on the hayride, everyone would have to admit it was a great time. A few days into the new year we as a church gathered together to have a commu­ nion and footwashing service. Time was spent praying for the various EMC missionaries in each field since this was also the EMC Day of Prayer. On January 14 the members of the church had their annual business meeting at which time we made several decisions in connection with our upcoming missionary conference, and annual elections were held. The different departments also gave reports which looked back on their year in the position they held. Steinbach Bible College’s Children of Light brought us an evening service on January 25. They sang a wide variety of songs, manag­ ing to suit everyone’s taste in music. We have been thrilled that Ben Eidse, the president of the school, has taken the time to come along with both of the last SBC groups that have come to our church. This last time, with Children of Light, he also brought his wife along. Mr. Eidse challenged us with a message on witnessing. For a few days at the end of January Mr. Ben Friesen came to visit our community. He spent his time visiting as many of the church people as possible in his short time here. Our family night services on Friday nights are still going strong and, as a special treat, we spent February 13 at the Arden Com­ munity Rink. Attendance was quite good and both the young and old participated in the skating and games. After the participants (at least the adults) had become exhausted, we headed for the church to partake in some refreshments. One thing that has certainly come to my mind during this last while is how short our time on earth is. There have been several deaths in our community recently. (Pastor Jerry officiated at two of the funerals.) May we remember this and try to do our part in witnessing in the time that we have left on earth.

NEW MEMBERS ACCEPTED Bob and Marsha Jones of Winnipeg, Man. are beginning two-year Mennonite Central Committee assignments in Atlanta, Ga. Mar­ sha will be working as a tutor and Bob in com­ munity development.

PAGE 8

Dorie Driedger

Swift Current, Sask.: Bill and Eileen Dyck transferred their membership on January 19, 1987 from the Steinbach EMC to the Swift Current EMC. May God bless these new associations with unity and love. THE MESSENGER

COMMISSIONING SERVICE HELD

Child dedication at the Crestview church on January 25. Left to right: Rev. Ralph Unger, Orville and Roxie Harder with Shayne, Dorothy and Dennis Janzen with Carmen, Rosemarie and Ken Siemens with Philip. "

AND FORBID THEM NOT ..."

Crestview (Winnipeg, Man): “But Jesus said. Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14). The Psalmist refers to children as being gifts and blessings from God. The writer of Pro­ verbs states, “What pleasure a wise son is!” He also says, “A wise son makes his father happy” and children are an “honour” to their parents. Mark and Luke echo Matthew’s ac­ count of Christ rebuking his disciples for sen­ ding the children away. Christ stated that unless we (adults) become as little children we will not enter the kingdom of God. With these thoughts in mind, child dedica­ tion becomes a serious time in the lives of parents. Parents are not only admonished to let go of their children and let God have His way but they are also warned to train their children in the ways of God. This is an awesome responsibility. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Teach a child to choose the right path and when he is older

he will remain upon it” (L.B.). Pastor Unger used this verse, as well as the passage from I Samuel 8, at the child dedication service on January 25. He underlined parental respon­ sibilities but he also stated that children, once grown, have their own choices to make. He encouraged parents not to think of themselves as failures if some of their children are not following God. The verse in Proverbs says that children will remember their godly training when they are older. After several questions of commitment to the parents. Rev. Unger prayed for them and their children. The children dedicated to God by their parents were Shayne Harder, son of Orville and Roxie; Carmen Janzen, daughter of Dennis and Dorothy; and Philip Siemens, son of Ken and Rosemarie. Many relatives and friends were present to witness this joyous occasion. May God grant each family courage and wisdom throughout a lifelong teaching­ learning experience.

EMC History Symposium March 13-14, 1987 Steinbach Bible College I

I

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 7:00 P.M. Klaas Reimer (1770-1837) by Al Reimer Abr. R. Friesen (1782-1849) by Del Flett Heinrich Balzer (? -1846) /?>' Harvey Flett SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 9:30 A.M. Peter P. Toews (1841-1922) by Clarence Hiebert

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1:00 P.M. Abraham L. Friesen (1831-1917) by Henry Fast Jacob M. Kroeker (1837-1913) dj' Menno Kroeker Peter R. Dueck (1862-1919) fej' Roy Loewen Sponsored by the EMC Board of Education and Publication.

MARCH 6, 1987

Portage la Prairie, Man.: January 11 was a special Sunday for the church. Ken and Vai Zacharias and family were commissioned for a church-planting ministry in Caaguazu, Paraguay. The dictionary defines commission as “the act of entrusting.” This is an awesome responsibility as you are entusted to share the Good News with those abroad. Rev. Andrew Dueck gave a message on “The Cost of Com­ mitment.” It does take commitment to leave family and friends to go to a foreign land, to grow accustomed to a new culture, to strug­ gle with the language and to struggle with loneliness and possibly discouragement. Let Isaiah 41:10 be an encouragement as we realize that only with the strength of the Lord can we accomplish His work. “So do not fear, for 1 am with you; do not be dismayed for 1 am your God. 1 will strengthen you and help you; 1 will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Pastor Otto Hamm, Abe Hildebrand (Board Chairman) and Rev. Andrew Dueck laid their hands on Ken and Vai and prayed for them. Rev. Dueck welcomed them to the Conference as missionaries. A well-organized potluck dinner followed the service. A special time of visiting was enjoyed, as well as say­ ing farewell to Ken and Vai and family. May we all remember to support our missionaries in prayer. December 13 was the adult Christmas sup­ per and social sponsored by the Ladies’ Fellowship. The evening started with a meal at a restaurant and then a devotional talk by Gordon Neufeld, a principal and teacher from Morden, Manitoba. He spoke on the theme “Joy.” He stressed that joy is not an option in living the Christian life, but a command. We are to be joyful in all circumstances - not some, but all. “Be joyful always; pray con­ tinually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thess. 5:16). The rest of the evening was filled with great things - roof-raising chorus and carol singing, group games and a skit. The skit had a tremendous message; the circumstances in our lives change but Jesus never changes. The actors sang together the song, “Yester­ day, today, forever, Jesus is the same. All things change but Jesus never, glory to His name.” December 21 in the morning worship ser­ vice the choir presented the cantata called “The First Christmas.” A lovely job done by all! The music was inspiring and touched my heart. In the evening a highlight for children was the Sunday school Christmas concert. A special part of the evening was a cake to honour the Zacharias family on their return home from language studies. Singing praises to our Lord and King is always thrilling. The adults went carolling around the church area as well as to some designated homes. A good time of food and fellowship followed at the home of' Ed and PAGE 9

Mary Nikkei. Thank you for your hospitality. January 26 was a special evening for ladies, featuring the film “Fanny Crosby.” The church was well filled. Fanny Crosby was blind since six weeks of age and experienced the trauma of her only child dying. Yet through all this she experienced a close relationship with God, with her faith in God being vibrant and real. Our prayer is that someone was touch­ ed by the Spirit of God and is now experien­ cing the joy, fulfillment and victory that can only be found in Christ. Thank you to all the committees involved and to the men for do­ ing the transporting of furniture and for run­ ning of the projector. Special thanks goes to a certain someone from Crestview Fellowship who did some fast moving to help us with a projector problem. God bless you. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Ed and Carole Plachner on the death of her father. “God hath not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through. God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labour, light for the way; Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing kindness, un­ dying love.”

C A R 0 N P o vr 8 7 May 15-18 This week we include a prayer request for the Abundant Springs Program Committee. Here are their names: Gordon Kroeker Larry Eidse Stan Hamm Huss Loewen Jim Harms

PAGE 10

MRS. GERTRUDE SIEMENS 1895-1987

“And I heard a uoice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth!’ ‘Blessed indeed,' says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds do follow them”’ (Revelation 14:13). On Tuesday, February 10, 1987, at ap­ proximately 8:30 a.m., our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Ger­ trude Siemens, was called home to be with the Lord, whom she loved and served. Mother was born Gertrude Plett at Giroux, Manitoba on November 29, 1895 and passed away at the Victoria Hospital, reaching the age of 91 years, 2 months and 12 days. On July 22, 1913 she was baptized upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ by Bishop Peter R. Dueck and was received as a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Church (Kleingemeinde) of which she remained a faithful member until the time of her death. She was predeceased by her husband, George W. Siemens, in 1952, after they had enjoyed holy matrimony for 32 years. God blessed this union with seven children, two of whom died in infancy (one of them one of their triplets). She was predeceased by one son-in-law, Abe Eidse, and by a grandson, Marvin Eidse. Mother was quiet by nature but a very dedicated, efficient mother and homemaker. She enjoyed the outdoors and took keen in­ terest in horticulture - growing fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. At the age of 86 she was still able to dig potatoes! A con­ siderable part of her spare time was spent in knitting, much of it for MCC. She manifested a real concern for the spiritual well-being of her grandchildren, praying for them often. Mother, for the greater part of her life, en­ joyed reasonably good health. In her latter years she was hospitalized several times as her body became frail. On December 1, 1983 she took up residence in the Rosenort Eventide Home and was very well cared for. Because of a blood clot in her leg, she was admitted to the Morris Hospital on January 21. Dur­ ing the course of her stay here, she had the misfortune of breaking her hip and was transferred to the Victoria Hospital. Sunday, February 1, she underwent surgery, which ap­ peared quite successful. However, the fami­ ly kept constant vigil. Complications set in and she fell asleep safe in the arms of Jesus. The cause of her death was diagnosed as heart failure. She will be deeply missed by all of us, but, looking forward to a joyous reunion in her heavenly home is her family; Annie, Mrs. Abe Eidse of Rosenort; Susie and Dave Eidse, mis­ sionaries to Mexico; Margaret of Riverside; Tony and Mary Siemens of Winnipeg; Elmer and Laura Siemens of Kola; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; one brother-inlaw, Peter W. Siemens; four sisters, Mrs. An-

na Kornelsen, Mrs. Elizabeth Dueck, Mrs. Aganetha Warkentin and Mrs. Minna Toews; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Lena Plett and Mrs. Jessie Plett; and many relatives and friends. As family, we express our sincere apprecia­ tion to the Eventide Home staff and to the medical staff of the Morris Hospital and Vic­ toria Hospital for the tender care you gave Mother. We also thank all those who prayed for and with Mother, and for all the acts of love shown to her, especially during her widowhood and sunset years. May the good Lord reward you all! The Family

Book Review Have a Great Day Every Day. Arthur G. McPhee. Herald Press: Scottdale, PA, 1984, 159 pp., paperback, $9.10. If you read a chapter a day this book is good for eight weeks. The eight chapter divi­ sions are “Turn Your Troubles into Triumphs,” “Handle Your Handicaps,” “Learn the Joy of Loving Others,” “Cultivate Your Friendships,” “Get Your Priorities in Order,” “Overcome the Tyranny of the Urgent,” “Get to Know God Better” and “Learn the Habit of Daily Prayer.” Basically it is a book of answers and challenges for the various situations mention­ ed in the chapter headings. On guilt (p. 39); “There is no greater thief of the present and future than guilt.” On loving: “Would you like to know why I love people so? It’s because God loves them.” “We find love by giving.” On friendships; “The first and greatest mistake we can make in a friendship is to think of it in terms of what we get out of it.” On perspective: “Not achieving all our goals is no disaster, but not having goals is.” Chapters are short. You can read one in a minute and a half or two. It would be a good exercise for husband and wife to read it together. It would stimulate personal growth and faith.

Coming MARCH 13, 14: EMC History Symposium at the Steinbach Bible College, Steinbach, Man. APRIL 9, 10: SBC Leadership Conference MAY 2: EMC Ministerial Meeting, Ridgewood (includes spouses) MAY 15-18: Abundant Springs, Caronport, Sask. JULY 3-5: EMC Annual Convention, Bran­ don, Man.

THE MESSENGER

Around the World New Lifeskills Program for Southern Manitoba Trainex Lifeskills, a new employment preparation program, has recently been established in Winkler. Lifeskills will share facilities with Trainex Industries and operate under the auspices of Eden Mental Health Centre. The new program is funded by Canada Employment and Immigration and is an expansion of the ongoing program at Trainex Industries. Bernie Loeppky, Executive Director of Eden Mental Health Centre, commented on the new program, “The Lifeskills program moves the Trainex concept one more step along the way by providing additional and dif­ ferent training modules. We are excited about the potential of the two programs working together.” Kerry Swanson will act as Project Director for Trainex Lifeskills. Swanson commented, “Trainex Lifeskills” purpose to be complement other vocational rehabilitation programs that operate in this area. It is another step in the continuum of regional employment services for the employment disadvantaged.” The purpose of the Lifeskills program is to help people who have traditionally found it difficult to fit into the work force by equip­ ping them with the social and personal skills they need in order to experience success in the work place. Participants are expected to enter the program from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of needs. As much as possible the program will be tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual participants. The program consists of three phases, each phase approximately eight weeks in length. The first phase emphasizes the learning of basic lifeskills in a classroom setting. Subjects dealt with in this phase would include topics directly related to employment such as job search skills, work place expectations, and the development of a positive attitude. Other sub­ jects covered would have to do with social and personal development, but would relate directly to the person’s success in the work place. These topics would include interper­ sonal relationships, personal grooming and hygeine, communication skills, management MARCH 6, 1987

of personal finances and related subjects. During the second phase of the program participants work at a variety of tasks in the Trainex workshop. In this setting, they are gradually exposed to the expectations of the normal working environment. Work problems can be answered and dealt with on a personal basis. The final eight-week phase of the program is a community work experience with a local employer. Participants are able to practise the skills they have learned in a normal working environment. During this phase, the employer is responsible to train and supervise the par­ ticipant, but he is not responsible to pay the participant. During each phase of the program the participant is paid an allowance by Trainex Lifeskills. Preference is given to employers who give an indication that a permanent job may be available after the participant has graduated from the program. Individuals will be referred to Trainex Lifeskills from a variety of community agen­ cies. Interested persons may apply directly to Trainex Lifeskills, Box 435, Winkler, Manitoba ROG 2X0.

Native Gardening Project Grows Mennonite Central Committee Canada’s Native Gardening program, now in its tenth year, continues to attract new inquiries from native leaders interested in having Christian volunteers spend the summer encouraging backyard agriculture in their communities. New invitations this year have come from Peawanuck and Wahgoshig, Ont.; Fort Pro­ vidence and Fort Simpson, NWT; Ross River, Yukon; and Fox Lake and Brokenhead, Man. Firm invitations to assign gardeners have also come from five communities where MCC has been active in the past. Additional overtures from other native communities are being explored. Gardeners spend four months in the com­ munities living in houses, sometimes tents, provided by the local people. Paying for seeds and implements is the responsibility of the local families. Minimal but appropriate technology, including rototillers, hoes, rakes and shovels is enough. Eric Rempel, director of the Native Garden­ ing Project, is now receiving applications for volunteer gardeners. He estimates 30 volunteers will be required. Interested persons should write their provincial MCC office or MCC Canada, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg. MB, R3T 5K9.

Produce Video The Conference of Mennonites of Manitoba held their 40th annual session on January 20-21 in Winnipeg. Among the agenda items was the future of the Elim Bible School in Altona. A final deci­ sion is to be made in April 1988. The report revealed that each year about 9,500 people use the province’s three camps. To help promote CMM’s varied ministries and to indirectly assist in meeting the new budget of $1,269,175 (Canadian), a 14percent increase, the province has produced a video entitled “You and I, Partners in Ministry.” A copy for each congregation was available at this session. Delegates also passed a resolution discouraging further Sunday openings of businesses. The Conference of Mennonites of Manitoba has some 11,000 members in 48 congregations.

New Magazine on Religion in the Soviet Union In the last two decades, Keston College, England, has developed an international reputation for its studies on religion in com­ munist countries. Now it has launched a new popular magazine called Frontier. One of the articles in the trial issue introduces the ministry of the Methodist church in Estonia, a Soviet state. Another article reports on discussions among Hungarian Catholics about conscien­ tious objection. Another documents the plight of the imprisoned Orthodox Christian Alex­ ander Ogorodnikov. Another discusses the signs of growth in religion throughout the Soviet Union. It points out that, in spite of a shortage of Christian literature and poor facilities, there has been spiritual renewal in the church, especially among the young. Those who suffer imprisonment for their Christian beliefs and activities have often been influential in this renewal. The trial issue sug­ gests that the new magazine will be interesting and informative. Subscriptions can be ordered from Keston College, Heathfield Rd., Keston, Kent, England, BR2 6BA.

Ministers’ Study Fund Applications for Summer Courses This is a reminder for those who are applying for assistance under the EMC Ministers’ Study Fund (MSF) for summer 1987 courses to have their application in by March 31, 1987. Write for an application form: EMC Ministers’ Study Fund Box 1268 Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0

PAGE 11

From the Editor WHERE ARE THE VOLUNTEERS? Church Planting OUR CANADIAN secretary for the Board of Mis­ sions came into my office the other day with two pam­ phlets on church planting as related to bi-vocational missionaries (or tent makers). “Bi-vocational” simply means Christians who, with their vocation, job, profession, etc., relocate into an area of need. This could mean moving to an area where we have a church, or starting a church, together with some other Christians. The idea of Christians moving out to another area and starting a church is not new in the Conference. “Colonization,” we used to call it. A number of our churches have been started in this way. 1 believe in all cases they were rural churches in farming areas. This pattern, which worked well when farming was still a more viable operation, might today be too costly for young couples. Besides that, there might not be the land available suited for farming. Today the cities present the big challenge. That’s where the people are, many of them. Either pattern mentioned before - a number of couples covenanting to start from scratch or a tent-maker, bi-vocational per­ son, to assist an existing church in a needy area would work. Our record of maintaining churches in nonMennonite areas is not very good. Over the years we have given up on a number of them. We have some, though, which tells us that it can be done. Other denominations have proven that they can plant multi­ ethnic churches. And this is what, in most cases, we would be doing too. Reaching people of differing backgrounds is as old as the Book of Acts when Jews crossed the cultural barrier to the Gentiles and they began to carry out the Great Commission “to all nations.” 1 think we could say that their task was more formidable than ours to­ day when we think of planting churches in Canada. It can be done. In the International Bulletin of Mis­ sionary Research (April 1986) Mr. Peter Wagner reports that the Southern Baptists worship in 87 languages in more than 4600 language-culture con­ gregations every Sunday. In California alone they wor­ ship in some 30 different languages on a Sunday, in­ cluding Russian, Slavic and Ukrainian. Regardless of what we may think about Canada, it is a mission field or is fast becoming one. Professor Reginald Bibby, a University of Lethbridge, Alta, sociologist, reports, “Most Canadians no longer subscribe to a traditional version of ChrisPAGE 12

tianity ...” He also reports that about 80 percent “do not give evidence of Christianity, belief in God, the divinity of Jesus, life after death, experience of God and prayer.” Of church attendance he says, “On­ ly 28 percent of Canadians now attend on a weekly basis, compared to about 67 percent 25 years ago.” It seems to me that what we need is evangelists and evangelistically-minded people in order to accomplish the task. Mr. Wagner maintains that “new church planting is the single most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.” For new church planting we need evangelists. And God has given some evangelists. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). Apostles, 1 suppose, belong to another day. If prophets refers to the function described in 1 Cor. 14:1-3 then 1 guess that this could also be likened to today’s preaching. We have pastors and teachers but it seems to me we have few persons exercising the gift of evangelism. Surely we must have some who have this gift. On the other hand, all of us should be evangelistically-minded. This surely is included in the Great Commission. These are the people that are to conquer the world for Christ. In starting out I mentioned our Canadian secretary and the matter of bi-vocational missionaries who would be engaged in church planting. Are you maybe one who should make further inquiries? Or what is it that is holding you back? It is not impossible that someone reading this has the gift of evangelism. Maybe it is latent, waiting to be stirred up! Maybe your timidity is holding you back. Or it could be that you are one who is able to enter the bi-vocational ministry of assisting a needy church. Maybe you are exercised about planting a church together with three or four other couples. For this, of course, you do not need a mission board. Just this week 1 read about four couples (another denomination) starting a fellowship not far removed from their church. Local churches can do this on their own. However, I am assured that our Board of Missions would be very interested in cooperating also with anyone or any church who aspires to something like this. D.S.

A few things crept into my February 20 editorial which may need correction: whipped cream may not have been the real thing; Satur­ day morning should read Saturday night; Saskatoon Correctional Centre I think should read Provincial Correctional Centre. D.S. THE MESSENGER

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The Church - The People of God The church. What is it? A building? People? How do you become a member? By your own choice? Your parents' choice? In this article I want to describe my understanding of the Biblical teaching on the church, the body of believers. I believe that it was Cod's idea to create people. We are made in God's im­ age, to have fellowship with him, to obey, serve and worship him. That was his intention from the beginning. I also believe that it was in the plan of Cod that these human creatures should live in a continuing fellowship with him; to fill and rule the earth. However, man spoiled all that through his own selfishness and disobedience. Dr. Archie Penner, recently described this act as a conversion away from God. Man turned from Cod, for whom he was created, to the evil one, for whom he was not created. "It was a 'conversion', or turning from 'God to idols'". (From an unpublished paper Conversion - Cod's Provision by Archie Penner.) God gave people the freedom to do this. He did not make us like puppets to praise and worship him. God desires a worship and praise response from in­ telligent beings who voluntarily commit themselves to him in faith, love and obedience. God responded to man's turning away from him with a new idea - to provide a way out through Jesus. Jesus came to dwell among us, to show us the father, to ask us to follow him, to believe in him, to be born again, to be cleansed, to build the church - a Christian community. We have only one instance in the Bi­ ble where our Lord Jesus made a direct reference to the church. In one of Jesus' conversations with his disciples over his identity, Peter said to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living Cod." To that Jesus responded, "You are Peter and on this Rock I will build my church . . . " (Matt. 16:18) This is the only reference Jesus made to the church, but it is very clear from the Gospels that he was begin­ ning to build a new community for himself - a community of faith. The Creek word used for church is Ekklesia, which simply means "called out of". The word could be applied to any assembly or group of people who responded to an invitation. The "called out ones" are those who responded. 2/Jan.-Feb. 1987

This is illustrated in Paul's letters to the churches. The letters to the Ephesians, or Colossians, are not directed to the whole community, but a group within that com­ munity. Paul addresses the Christians as "the church at ... " "the saints at . . " So it is evident that the church is a volun­ tary group within a community. If the church is made up of a voluntary committed group of believers, then the decision to become a member of that group becomes very important. Earlier I said that man deliberately turned away from God. Now Cod through Christ and the conviction of the Holy Spirit is call­ ing people back to himself. That call re­ quires a deliberate response, a turning to Cod, an acceptance of Christ's invitation "follow me". This act of becoming a member of God's family, the church, is described in various ways in scripture. To a number of the disciples, Jesus simply said, "Follow me", and they followed. When Jesus talked to Nicodemus he described the experience of becoming his disciples in terms of being "born again" (John 3). The apostle Paul said, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation": (2 Cor. 5:17). All this involves a recognition of a need, an awareness of personal sin­ fulness, an act of repentance, and an ac­ ceptance, and an acceptance of the forgiveness which Christ gives. This experience of becoming a Chris­ tian, a believer in Christ, is an inner ex­ perience, a matter of the heart, the mind, the will. It is a faith experience. However, Jesus commanded that an outward sign should follow the commitment to Christ. That sign is baptism. Baptism, simply defined, is an outward physical sign of an inner spiritual experience. It is essential­ ly a symbol of cleansing, of purification.

Becoming a Christian is an inner experience, a matter of the heart, the mind, the will.

The personal experience of faith, of regeneration, precedes baptism. The se­ quence in the great commission is: make disciples, than baptize. When the peo­ ple who heard Peter's sermon in Acts 2 asked, "What shall we do?" he said, "Re­ pent and be baptized" (Acts 2:37,38). When the Philippian jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?" the answer was: "Believe on the Lqrd Jesus Christ, and you will be saved ..." He was baptiz­ ed immediately (Acts 16).

Members of Christ's body are called to have an allegiance to Christ which does not allow them to be drawn into mortal conflict.

I believe that it is abundantly clear from scripture that the whole experience of becoming a believer, and requesting bap­ tism is a personal decision. It's a decision made by a relatively mature person, nor­ mally speaking an adult. That's why we talk about believer's baptism over against infant baptism. There must be a clear understanding and awareness of having made a choice - of choosing Christ rather than Mohammed, or of choosing a life of Christian discipleship over against a sensuous life of the flesh. This is what we call "believer's baptism" leading to a concept of a "believers church". The continuing task of inviting people to turn to God belongs to the church. Our Lord Jesus has given the church a task, 'Go, make disciples, baptize, teach' (Matt. 28). Just before his ascension the Lord Jesus described the activity of his disciples as follows: You will receive power, and you will be witnesses to me all over the world (Acts 1:8). That is the way it has been. The voluntary clusters of people who were banded together under our Lord have brought praise and

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honor and glory and worship to God. They experienced forgiveness and peace with God: they shared it with others. A beautiful part of being a member of God's community the church is that it is an international community from every nation, tribe, people and language. Our cues come not from an earthly politician, but from our "head" who is Christ. We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism. From all nationalities people respond in repentance, and faith and baptism. As an international body, it is very im­ portant for the church to keep its loyalty perspective in focus. Christ is the head of the church, in Canada and in Africa, in United States and Russia, in Mexico and Indonesia. As members of the body of Christ our commitment to Christ supercedes any loyalty to king or coun­ try. If we give the wrong kind of allegiance to our political leaders we as Christ's body stand in danger of being drawn into being at war with each other. That cannot be. Members of Christ's body are called to have such an allegiance to Christ which does not allow them to be drawn into mortal conflict with weapons of destruction. God's children, are messengers of peace - peace with God and man. What is the church? It is a group of peo­ ple who have personally turned their lives over to God. It is a new people of Cod. It is a group who have committed themselves to bring honor and glory and praise to God through Jesus Christ their Lord. That is the purpose for which God created us in the first place. We are now fulfilling that purpose. And, it is our joyful privilege to invite others to join us in fulfilling Cod's purposes. Henry Dueck Executive Secretary Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference

Leadership Conference '87 April 9-10 Theme: Ministering in Situations of Death and Dying Speaker; Dr. Abraham Schmitt Souderton, Pennsylvania

Schedule Thursday, April 9 — 7-9:50 p.m. "If you interact with the dying, you will find life.” Friday, April 10 — 9:00-10:20 "The Grieving Process' 10:50-12:00 "Growth through Grief: A treatment Model" 1:00-2:20 'Turn again to Life after a catastrophic death"

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Editor: Lee R. Bartel

2:40-4:00 "A Congregational Response"

Alumni Editor: Helen Eidse

The Servant (ISSN-0705-6338) is publish­ ed five times per year in October, December, February, April and June by Steinbach Bible College, Box 1420, Stein­ bach, Manitoba ROA 2A0. Supplement to The Chronicle, March 1987, The Messenger, March 6, 1987, The Recorder, March 1987. Cover picture: Pres. Ben Eidse and Academic Dean Harvey Plett delivering 10 copies of self-study report to Purolator for shipment to AABC.

Special Feature This Leadership Conference will feature the official release of the new book, "Turn Again to Life: Growth Through Grief" by Dr. Abraham Schmitt.

Registration NO registration fee is required. Meais are avaiiabie at the coiiege cafeteria for a nominai fee. Piease caii in advance for room reservations.

Jan.-Feb. 1987/3

CAMPUS S.E.R.V.E. Developments: Construction to begin in 1987 On January 23, 1987 The SBC Board decided to begin construction of the new library building this year even though the target of $771,500. may not be reached with cash and pledges by the start of con­ struction. However, the commitment to borrowing no more than can be paid off in three years with existing pledges remains. The first phase of the S.E.R.V.E. project was the liquidation of the capital debt of $160,000. This was completed in December 1986. The second step in this project is the construction of a new building to house the library. This building was planned to include classrooms for College and High School since the existing library and classrooms in the administration building were to be renovated into office space. However, since two-and-a-half years had passed from the original conception of the plan, a reassessment of needs and priorities at SBC was done before details of the plan were finalized. What was found was that the needs of SBC as identified at the beginning of the S.E.R.V.E. program are still definite needs. With enrollment not growing as rapidly as anticipated in 1984, however, the need for classrooms, particularly for the College, is not as urgent as it seemed to be in 1984. Food services are basically adequate but should be enhanced with an increase in preparation space and improved dining atmosphere. The need for improved faculty offices re­ mains. The need for library space is now greater than in 1984. The need for a pro­ per College student lounge is still great. Improved general office area and storage space is urgently needed. An additional need not addressed in the original S.E.R.V.E. plan that has often been voiced by faculty, students, parents, board, and AABC is the spatially in­ tegrated relationship of the High School and College. Serious efforts have already been made to separate aspects of the pro­ gram and accounting but College and Collegiate still use the same space much of the time. The ultimate ideal relation­ ship may, however, not be complete separation because of the mutual benefits of the relationship. Economic factors also require the continued sharing of gymnasium, chapel, cafeteria, and music

4/Jan.-Feb. 1987

facilities. However, a separation of classroom space, faculty office space, lounge areas, and primary study space would allow both departments to develop a stronger identity and sense of independence and control. The original S.E.R.V.E. plan increased the spatial integration of the two depart­ ments. It also removed the faculty from teaching area and necessitated extensive renovation in the administration building. In addition, it required an expensive and architecturally problematic corridor con­ nection not cost estimated in the S.E.R.V.E. target. In light of present realities at SBC, to meet more needs than originally seem­ ed possible, and to create an atmosphere of excitement and progress in both Col­ lege and Collegiate, a modified building concept has been developed. Present plans call for the construction of a building located immediately adjacent to the chapel and to include administrative and faculty offices on the main floor and library on the second floor. The present administration building will become the High School building. The present plan will result in the equivalent classroom space to the original plan with less renovation, essen­ tially the same square feet of library space but with part of it used temporarily for' a classroom, a less expensive corridor connection, and student lounge space greater than original plans. The total square footage of the present building plan is somewhat less than the original building to balance the slightly higher construction cost of an office area. Working drawings are currently being prepared and beginning of construction is anticipated.

Library Construction to begin August 1, 1987

AABC Self-Study Completed On February 1 SBC delivered the final report of a two year self-study conducted at the college, to the American Associa­ tion of Bible Colleges. This marked a ma­ jor step forward in the process of ac­ creditation begun in October of 1984 when SBC was granted Applicant status by AABC. The major task of a College given Ap­ plicant status is to do a thorough study of every phase of its organization and ministry and to document strengths and weaknesses in each area. A complete report of this process must be submitted to AABC. A team of representatives is then sent by AABC to assess the college. This is scheduled to occur at SBC in April. Following approval by this team of evaluators, the Association makes a deci­ sion to admit the college to Candidate Status. This is expected for SBC in Oc­ tober 1987. Candidate status is regarded by most colleges as proof that the institution has met the standards expected of AABC schools. Transfer of credits on par is then usually extended by other colleges to graduates. SBC is looking forward to the achievement of such recognition. The self-evaluation process at SBC was directed by a steering committee con­ sisting of Ben Eidse, president, Harvey Plett, academic dean, and C.R. Plett, dean of students. This committee guid­ ed the work of 5 task forces examining (1) the institution and its objectives; (2) administration and records; (3) faculty, library and facility resources; (4) educa­ tional programs and Christian service; and (5) student services. Each task force closely studied its areas gathering data, evaluating, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and finally making recommendations to eliminate weaknesses. The individual task force reports were discussed and revised by the whole faculty. Finally the material from all the task forces was given to one person to work into a coherent final report. The final report of SBC's study is en­ titled, “A College Looks Forward: A SelfStudy of Steinbach Bible College". It is described as a report to AABC and the constituency of SBC and is intended to serve as a detailed information document for SBC board members and church leaders. It is available from the College.

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Ladies Aid Installs Walk-in Freezer The SBC kitchen was a busy area over the Christmas break as carpenters, elec­ tricians, and freezer technicians install­ ed a new walk-in freezer. The need for this facility was very clear to the cafeteria personnel every time they had to dig through one of the five chest freezers to locate the food required. The new freezer is a gift from the SBC Ladies Auxiliary who raised the $7075.48 cost with cash donations. The freezer is located in the cooler room providing easy access to all frozen foods on shelves. It is much appreciated. Thank you to all the ladies involved.

You are invited...

Chorale to tour Western Manitoba and Saskatchewan The 31 voice SBC Chorale will begin its annual tour on Sunday March 29 in Winnipeg. The choir, under the direction of Rudy Schellenberg, features a variety of familiar and new choral music. The tour itinerary is as follows; Sunday March 29 a.m. - Crestview EMC; p.m. Portage la Prairie EMC Monday March 30 - Gladstone Mennonite

Available...

“A College Looks Forward: A Self-Study of Steinbach Bible College.” A report to the American Association of Bible Colleges and the Constituen­ cy of SBC. 116 pages.

Cost: $5.00 Order from Steinbach Bible College Box 1420 Steinbach, MB. ROA 2A0

Homecoming Concert

Tuesday March 31 - MacGregor EMC Wednesday April 1 - Austin EMMC Thursday April 2 - Treesbank EMMC Friday April 3 - Kola EMC Saturday April 4 - Swift Current/Wymark Youth Rally Sunday April 5 - a.m. Swift Current EMC; p.m. Wymark EMC

Friday, May 1 8:00 p.m. Featuring College Chorale Children of Light New Creation

Everyone Welcome No admission fee

SBC Financial Update Total Donation requirements 1986-87 General Receipts to Feb. 28 Still Required before July 31

400,000. 232,177. 167,823.

S.E.R.V.E. Update February 28, 1987

Donation and Payment on Pledges Unpaid Pledges Total in Cash and Pledges

176,469. 222,066. 396,535.

Still required ... S.E.R.V.E. Target

374,965. 771,500.

Jan.-Feb. 1987/5

A LUMNI NEWS Some of the news in today's column comes from the information sheets you returned last spring. We also want to follow up the graduates of 1947 in this issue, and in subsequent issues of '87 get updated on the '57, '67 and the '77 grads.

Correction Betty Kroeker '56 has been a nurse for 28 years, not two years, as the December '86 Servant stated. For the past seven years she has been the office nurse for Dr. Boreskie in Gretna, MB. Deaths Steve Schellenberg '63, of Winnipeg passed away on February 1, after a year long struggle with leukemia. Steve was employed at Canada Packers until his ill­ ness. Steve and wife Eva were active in the Gospel Mennonite Church where he will be remembered for his singing. Besides his wife he leaves two daughters, Tannis, 19, and Christine, 17. The funeral was held on Feb. 4th with Pastor Ed Stoesz '57 officiating. Steve was 47.

Births To Sandra (Reimer) '78 and Victor McCoy, a daughter, Susan Anne, in Oc­ tober, 1986. They live in Wabamun, AB, (near Edmonton).

General News Mary Andres '61, tells of her marriage to Abe Martens, a salesman at Macleod's of Winkler, on May 15, 1982. In the in­ tervening years Mary taught school at dif­ ferent points in Manitoba and in Belize. She spent two years in Paraguay on a Christian Service assignment with the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, and four years at the Union Gospel Mission in Winnipeg. The Martens are registered as foster parents now and have made a home for several young children. "A mis­ sionary at heart" was what the 1961 year book said of Mary, and we praise God for her. David Rempel '62 pastored the Hep­ burn Gospel church from 1975 to 1986. Last fall Dave and Helen '58 (Harms) mov­ ed to Briercrest to pursue further studies. Son Sheldon is in the Missions program at the same school and Camden in grade 11. Stan Plett '63 and wife Alma have been used of God in the pastorate of the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel for the past six years. Stan is also active on the SBC board.

6/|an.-Feb. 1987

Gordon Bueckert '69 tells us about his marriage on December 5, 1981. Wife Mary is a teacher of nurses at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg and Cordon is still with FloFarm Industries. We also remember Gordon for his involvement with Navigators. Don Thiessen '70 has taught in the music department at Winnipeg Bible Col­ lege for the past ten years. In December of 1985 he received his PhD in Music from University of Minnesota. Con­ gratulations, Don. Phil Doerksen 70 is the owner of Jorey's Electric in Winnipeg. You will find his shop at 635 Ste Anne's Road ... but Phil could be out on a service call, so be prepared to catch him on his mobile telephone.

Ralph '71 & '81 and Mary Lynn Unger have moved from their place of service of 13 years at the Christian Fellowship Center in Birch River to a new location. They write, "Beginning in July '86 we will be assuming pastoral PRIVILEGES at Crestview Fellowship Church (EMC) in Winnipeg."

I'd like to pass on what Joanna Budala wrote as her news item: "Cod has given me wonderful opportunities to help children eagerly desire to love and obey Him by teaching two year olds in Sun­ day School and 2 grade two classes of religious instruction each week in the school nearby. Being a vital part of God's object lesson to the world, the Christian home, is very rewarding." We say Amen and thank-you for the encouragement. Evelyn Friesen '75, is the author of a book about five refugees that arrived in Stratton, Ontario after their escape from South Vietnam. "Freedom Isn't Free" (Kingdom Press, 1985) gives a vivid pic­ ture of the tragedies and successes ex­ perienced by so many "boat people." Since August, 1986, Evelyn has been teaching missionary children for Wycliffe in Peru. Cod be with you, Evelyn. Ed '78 and Esther Heppner, were elected as deacons of the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church, Austin, a little over a year ago. We wish you joy and commit­ ment for this assignment. Annie Penner '81 and Joanne Plett '85 are both working with Northern Canada Evangelical Mission. Annie spent several months at Norway House, Manitoba, in 1985-86, and then returned to take can­ didate training and a language learning course. Joanne is working as a computer operator in the finance department at

featuring The Class of 1947

headquarters. She also teaches Sunday school at the Prince Albert Native Chris­ tian Fellowship. Al Thiessen '80, is in his second year of a two year teaching term at the Windermere High School of the Gospel Missionary Union in Eleuthra, Bahamas. Dick Unrau '81, graduated from Win­ nipeg Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Counselling in the spring of '85. Congratulations Dick. Julia Funk, Landmark, who was at SBC the first semester, left January 15 for Paraguay to work with the Guarani Indians. Landis Friesen '85 left on the same flight for Paraguay. Her assignment is to work with the young people in Caaguazu, and to assist Erna Plett '77 in the book store.

The Students of 1937 and 1947 A brief look at the first official year of operation of the Steinbach Bible School 50 years ago shows a register of nine students (one dropped out later) ranging in age from 14 to 30. The school year ran from November to March. All the students were single, and all were residents of Steinbach. The Mennonite Brethren and the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren churches were represented. Most of the students did very good work and all had very good deportment. A pic­ ture of the eight students and two teachers, with their names and present locations, appeared in the May-June, 1986 issue of The Servant. The fall of 1937 found the student body more than tripled and the Evangelical Mennonite Conference also represented.

Graduates of 1947 Betty Wiebe haled from Sydney, Man. After graduation she went into nursing and then went to Mali Republic, West Africa with the Gospel Missionary Union. In 1964 she married fellow missionary Rueben Friesen and became "Mother" to Dorothy, Karen and Paul. In 1966 Dwight was born. During their years of service in Mali the Friesens have been in­ volved in teaching, printing and distribu­ tion of literature, evangelism and more. In December (1986) Betty was struck with a viral infection causing creeping paralysis. They made an emergency trip to Belgium where Betty is now on her way to recovery.

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George Unger came from Niverville and had to find a place to board in town since there was not yet any dormitory, and to commute was not a consideration back in 1947. George was the editor of the very first year book of our school and Mr. Archie Penner was the faculty advisor. It was during the Christmas season that the committee was searching for a name. George suggested THE STAR, and that is what our year book was called for more than 30 years. After graduation George kept right on studying. He received a Bachelor of Religious Education from Mennonite Brethren Bible College, a Bachelor's in Sociology from Goshen College, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Goshen College Biblical Seminary. He was married to Dorothy Keller of Eureka, Illinois, in 1956. They have one son, Benjamine. In 1965 George received a Master's degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He is working as a School Social Worker in Morton, Illinois. George and Dorothy fellowship at the First Men­ nonite Church in Morton, where Dorothy serves as church secretary and George keeps active in Sunday School and various other ministries. Elvira Friesen was the school pianist, and Mr. Archie Penner conducted the choir! Dates were only permitted with the dean's approval, and the students weren't aware that Elvira had any. But on graduation weekend, at the end of March, Mr. Penner's car got thoroughly stuck somewhere along MacKenzie Road where Elvira lived. They were married at the EMB church seven weeks later! The Bible School added grades nine, ten and eleven to their curriculum that fall and needed a dorm. The Penners accepted the challenge and became the live-in houseparents of our first men's dormitory in the '47-'48 school year. Since then the Penners have moved approximately 30 times and have lived in various types of students quarters and pastorates as Mr. Penner pursued his studies and/or serv­ ed as pastor. Their "longest ever" home, from 1966 to 1983, was in Kidron, Ohio, while Dr. Penner taught at Malone Col­ lege. Since 1983 the Penners are back at SBC and are living in suite 7 of the Fehler Apartments which, in 1947, was the Bi­ ble School where Elvira and Archie first met! Weekends and school vacations are spent at Kola, Manitoba, where they farm together with their family of three mar­ ried children. They have eight grandchildren. Katherine Loewen lived just one block from the Bible School, next to the fami­ ly's Loewen Garage. In 1950 she married Harvey Van Penner, at that time a school teacher in rural Manitoba. From Manitoba Katherine and Harvey Van

moved to Chilliwack, B.C. where they helped in the Christian education pro­ gram of the church, and Katherine serv­ ed for many years as church librarian. The Penners have three married daughters. Last year each of them add­ ed a grandchild to the clan, bringing the count up to five. It was a difficult time to leave home, but the Penners left in August '86 to be houseparents for 17 teenage boys at the Janz Teams' Black Forest Academy in Germany.

Alumni Homecoming ’87 Plan now to attend the annual Homecoming of the Alumni on Friday, May 1. More details shortly.

Schmitt to Speak at Leadership Conference The speaker at the SBC Leadership Conference April 9-10 this year will be Dr. Abraham Schmitt. Dr. Abraham Schmitt is a Canadian native, born in Swift Current and educated at RJC and CMBC. He was an elementary school teacher in rural Saskatchewan. In the United States he graduated from Goshen College and Goshen Biblical Seminary. He received a master's and doctor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and then became a pro­ fessor at the same institution. There he created the first Inter­ disciplinary course on Death and Dying for the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Social Work and Divinity. This ex­ perience led to his first book. Dialogue with Death (1976, Word). Writing has been a major preoccupa­ tion. The Art of Listening with Love (1977, Word), (1982, Abingdon); Before I Wake: Listening to God in Your Dreams (1984, Abingdon); When a Congregation Cares (1984, Herald Press); Renewing Family Life (1985, Herald Press). In addition numerous articles have appeared in Christian publications; Turn Again to Life; Growth Through Grief (1987 Herald Press). For the past twenty-five years Abraham Schmitt has been an accredited Marriage Counselor in private practice.

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Students enduring mid-term exams. Jan.-Feb. 1987/7

PRESIDENT’S DESK

Ben Eidse, President.

The Community of Faith: Interpreting and Applying the Scriptures I vividly recall the day I was baptized. We, the baptismal candidates, were ask­ ed to covenant that in the local congrega­ tion we would accept, "to give counsel and to receive counsel," or as it was said in German, "bauen und bauen lassen." The more I reflect on the New Testament concept of the church, the more I ap­ preciate the significance of that covenant. According to 1 Cor. 12:13 we as believers "were all baptized by one Spirit into one body." (This of course refers to spirit baptism.) It is generally accepted that this takes place when a person is born again John 3:3-8). The one who repents and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ is personally changed by God's grace. But this isn't just an isolated, in­ dividualistic experience. The individual who repents and believes enters into God's kingdom community, the church.

The Response to Lausanne, an article that critiques the Lausanne Covenant, which was formulated at the Lausanne Con­ ference on Evangelism, states it well, "The new birth is not merely a subjec­ tive experience of forgiveness. It is a placement within the messianic community." Cod has a purpose for this communi­ ty. His purpose has always been to gather people around his Word so that they may do his will. As God's people of the new covenant we are expected to interpret and apply the Scriptures to our actions under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Each congregation has this responsibili­ ty and privilege. But we tend to be too individualistic in our approach to the Word of God. We should come to the Scriptures as a gathered community. The Holy Spirit, who originally inspired the Scriptures within the context of the covenant com­ munity, now seeks to illuminate those same Scriptures to the contemporary community of believers. There is still need for teachers within the group to deliniate the issues at stake and point out alternate solutions. Then the group processes the information. But individual teachers do not determine what is truth on their own authority. It is the insight that emerges from the group that is shared and proclaimed. This ap­ proach does not minimize the impor­ tance of the individual but provides him with the appropriate context for the development and channeling of his gifts. For example, a person who wants to publish some new insights in a magazine would do well to get his article critiqued by concerned members of the communi­ ty before it goes to print. What should be our approach? We should read the Scriptures prayerfully and expect the Holy Spirit to illuminate us in­ dividually and corporately. The first ques­ tion to ask is, "What did the text mean to the original readers?" Next, "What does the text mean to us, God's people.

today?" Finally, "How do we apply this truth today?" Both Old and New Testaments are authoritative. Without the first we can­ not understand the second. The themes of Cod, Creation, Sin and Salvation, Peoplehood, etc., continue through both Testaments. Many analogies from the Old Covenant help us to interpret the unique event of Jesus. But we must also bear in mind that the fullest revelation is Jesus Christ and the New Testament interpreta­ tion of his Person and Mission. Therefore we must read the Old Testament through the eyes of the New Testament. The Old Testament should be inter­ preted in the light of its Near East con­ text, the New Testament in the light of its Craeco-Roman context. Fortunately, ar­ chaeology has uncovered much material that sheds light on those environments. However, both Testaments were not at home in their surroundings even though certain aspects of culture were accepted. Both were closer to each other than to their culture and this must be recogniz­ ed when we interpret them. Once the message is properly understood in its original context, it must be interpreted as authoritative, inspired Scripture illuminated by the Holy Spirit in our present-day environment by the community of faith and applied to life. If we do this we will discover that both "Jesus' language" and "the language of the epistles" is relevant today. We will become aware that word and deed can­ not be divorced, that evangelism and social concerns go hand in hand, that personal ethics and societal ethics are both important, that sin has corporate as well as individual dimensions. We will hear both the cry of the lost and the cry of the poor and down-trodden. We will regard both the church and the world as arenas of God's activities. We will see Jesus as both human and Divine. We will focus our attention on the uniqueness of Christ as well as on his universal relevancy.