What Barabbas Got Right!
As we enter Holy Week, let’s remember Barabbas, who might enrich our sense of Easter. Usually we recall how this man, who killed in a failed rebellion against Rome, was released by Pontius Pilate and how Jesus took his place on the cross. Yet when Scripture becomes silent, Barabbas fades from our attention.
THE SPIDER WEB OF SCRIPTURE AND POLITICS
A cartoon of years ago pictured a man seated in a pastor’s office. The pastor looked at him and said, “Give up your life of crime. Quit politics.” The Bible is the inspired Word of God; it is also a library of books written across many years in varied cultures, countries, and political contexts—which affects what political lessons we can take from it today.
THE WGM, LATIN AMERICA, AND THE ORIENT
Without the Western Gospel Mission movement, the EMC would not be as welcoming as it is today. It was one of the most significant periods in EMC church history (1946-1961).
COUNCIL UPDATED ON RESTRUCTURING, FUNDING DESIRES
Conference council delegates on July 7, 2018, heard updates, a desire for stable funding, and a possible change in missionary funding—and received Gospel Light Fellowship into membership.
WHY A CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES?
Why do we have a Conference of churches? Some say it’s because of missions; we work together to make disciples and plant churches. Some pastors, missionaries, and evangelists emphasize this. Yet, at best, it’s only partly right. We are a conference because of Jesus—a person, not a task.
THE REFORMATION: OVER OR TO CONTINUE?
In 1999 the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church signed a Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Would Martin Luther have signed the statement?
VOLUNTEERS AND WILLIAM BOOTH
The EMC, within local churches and wider, would not exist without volunteers, Christians who serve without being financially paid. Our conference’s local, national, and international activities depend on volunteers. The EMC has five boards and more committees with many volunteers.
MELCHOIR HOFFMAN AND THE PRISON TOWER
To sit in a group where Melchoir Hoffman (1495-1543) teaches from the Book of Revelation would be fascinating.
THE RECONCILING WONDER OF OUR FAITH
Recently EMC, CMC, and EMMC representatives were asked at an SBC chapel panel discussion: why be part of a denomination? They responded.
ELSBETH AND BALTHASAR HUBMAIER
What was it like for a Christian who defends the state’s use of force to have the force used against him? Or for a wife, after her husband’s imprisonment and torture, to watch as he is burned at the stake?
THE FINE PRINT
Christian: I want to join your church.
EMC Minister: Great. Have you been baptized upon your faith in Jesus?
NOW THAT PURE IS OVER, WHAT’S THE VERDICT?
The CBC six-part drama series PURE, about a Mennonite pastor dealing with drug-running within his congregation, is over. What’s the verdict?
MENNO SIMONS AND MARTIN LUTHER
What does a priest do when struggling with his beliefs? He might study to gain knowledge and peace. The priest was Menno Simons; the one who helped him toward peace was Martin Luther, a former priest.
THE LAYERS OF THE EMC
What is the EMC? “The EMC is a movement of people advancing Christ’s kingdom culture as we live, reach, gather, and teach” (EMC Vision Statement). This is a fine statement.
ARE YOU WATCHING PURE?
In case you’ve missed it so far, the six-part CBC drama series PURE set in Canada focuses on a Mennonite minister dealing with drug-running within his community.
EMC ARCHIVES GAINS FROM PARTNERSHIP WITH MHC
New happenings with older items! These are the benefits of the EMC’s partnership with the Mennonite Heritage Centre (MHC) in Winnipeg, Man.