Advent 2022: The candle of hope
Advent reading for the first week: lighting the candle of hope.
Why an Anabaptist Bible?
While drawing on the work of scholars, the Anabaptist Bible is unique in the trust it places in the collective wisdom of 500 lay study groups in a broad spectrum of Anabaptist faith communities who will share their perspectives, insights, and questions in the margins of the text.
Is the Crisis Pregnancy Centre of Winnipeg dishonest?
The honesty of crisis pregnancy centres was questioned recently in the Liberal Party’s “Forward. For Everyone.” platform. Honesty is a reasonable expectation. In fact, the government of Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) already have laws and policies that not only require such honesty, but severely penalize violators.
May 24, 2022: A day like any other?
We all have our familiar rituals in our everyday lives. These predictable patterns give us a sense of security. But sometimes, these patterns are broken, and that sense of security is shattered by the unexpected.
World assembly small but full of joy
With its national motto of “unity in diversity,” Indonesia proved a fitting host for the 17th assembly of Mennonite World Conference—downsized by COVID-19 restrictions but full of joy, beauty and fellowship.
Council approves Spain as mission field, discusses make-up of EMC Ministerial
Delegates gathered on June 11, 2022, both in the Steinbach Bible College chapel and online, in EMC’s first hybrid Conference Council meeting.
Not-So-Late Show provides entertainment and challenge
It was with curiosity and perhaps some hesitation that we gathered for the EMC Festival Not-So-Late Show on June 10, 2022. What would acknowledging the past and looking to the future in a “classic late show format” be like?
A roadmap to effective congregational planning
How do you do effective congregational planning? Darrell Kehler of SCOPE Leadership Development was asked to answer this question at the June 10, 2022, Ministerial meeting.
Pastors and misconduct in the EMC: how do we respond?
The EMC has been led for two centuries by a host of godly, humble pastors whose service was and continues to be above reproach. But we have also had pastors who were not trustworthy and who took advantage of people under their care.
Sadness: the bridge from stress to strength
Sadness is a universal emotional experience, yet our current culture tells us sadness is something to avoid. We perceive it as the opposite of happiness, fearing that feeling sad puts us at risk of a mood disorder.
Abundant Springs 2022
On May 21, 2022, 13 youth and three leaders from Straffordville EMC and New Life Christian Fellowship joined hosts Travis and Macey Plett and Sarah Barkman at Crieff Hills Retreat Centre for the first-ever Abundant Springs Ontario event.
Love that conquers shame
At a subconscious level, I have a fear of being shown up as deficient, of not being enough. Each of us struggles at some level with the feeling that we come up short, that we’re not good enough in our own eyes or the eyes of someone else.
Homemade lollipops and unmerited favour
Bzzz. Bzzz. The dog barked her warning that someone was at the door. It was just about 10 at night—acceptable here in our host country where many are eating dinner at this hour. Because I was already getting ready to end the day, my husband ran down the stairs to answer.
Shigematsu explores how love releases from shame
Shame is one of the most universal human experiences. Whether we are young or old, students or teachers, leaders or followers, all of us can identify with the sting of failure. For many pastors and ministry leaders this season of division and loss has brought with it deep feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion. How do we combat the feeling in our souls that we aren’t enough, or that we don’t measure up?
The stone was rolled away!
If you are looking for a piece of advice this Easter season, I can provide one from the outset: Never move a piano. At the very least, never try to move one on your own.
I’m a scholar of the ‘prosperity gospel.’ It took cancer to show me I was in its grip.
There’s a branch of Christianity that promises a direct path to the good life. It is called by many names, but most often it is nicknamed the “prosperity gospel” for its bold central claim that God will give you your heart’s desires: money in the bank, a healthy body, a thriving family, and boundless happiness.
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.
Lent and Becoming Like Jesus
Will I ever be like Jesus in this life? Will I ever really have Christ’s insight and wisdom? Could I ever be that free of the love of money or the need for human approval? Could I ever gladly die for someone who hated me and wanted to kill me? Could I be that surrendered to the Father’s will? That’s a big question, isn’t it?
Transition Proposal, Three Per Cent Budget Increase Approved
Conference Council members met by Zoom on November 20, 2021, starting at 10 a.m. CT, to give opportunities for boards to report and make recommendations on the work of the Conference.
Waves in the Desert
First wave of refugees: 1980s
from the Soviet Invasion
The Soviet invasion caused the first wave of Afghan refugees as millions flooded into Pakistan, Iran and India.
At the same time, Afghans began to resist the Soviets and Kabul government, which birthed the Afghan mujahideen (holy warriors). The U.S. saw an opportunity to oppose the Soviets by supporting the Afghan warriors. Islamic enthusiasts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and elsewhere, joined with the mujahideen in “short-term mission” service—an ideal chance for young radicals to practice jihad. Osama bin Laden was one such warrior, and he started the al-Qaeda Islamic party