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Letters to the editor
Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please keep your letters courteous, brief and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is also subject to space limitations. Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren Church. Send letters to:
Letters, MB Herald
3-169 Riverton Ave.
Winnipeg, Man. R2L 2E5
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or by e-mail to mbherald@mbconf.ca. (Please ensure that your postal address is included in your e-mail correspondence.) |
Church’s values different
I continue to read the Herald with interest and a heavy heart. Having recently experienced an “aborted relationship” with the church I served as pastor, I look for news and articles which give me glimmers of hope for those who find themselves in similar situations.
Although I don’t know if I am more hopeful as a result of reading the Aug. 3 issue, I am comforted that there is at least one person who is able to articulate the issues we are facing as a denomination. I refer to Gary Badker’s “Will we retain leaders?” Thank you, Gary, for your courage to say it like it really is.
I also observed for the first time in the Aug. 3 issue hard evidence that once we reach the grand old age of 50, we had better be prepared to be “turned out to pasture” – an ad stating, “Qualified candidates, preferably under the age of 50, are invited to apply”. Few search committees have the courage to come out into the open with their “under 50” preference for a new pastor. A few conference ministers are candid in their counsel, but for the most part we are left to come to our own conclusions. Now, however, we have the evidence in one of the ads appearing in the Aug. 3 issue – I find it puzzling, even painful, that when I applied to the secular organization with which I am now employed, my age and experience were seen to be an advantage, not a liability. Of 35 applicants, I was offered the position. I continue to be affirmed as a person and as a member of a team and am reminded that I’m too young to consider retiring. I suppose we’re just dealing with very different value systems.
John Hiebert,
Yorkton, Sask.
Church and pastor have responsibilities
I respond to “Will we retain leaders?” by Gary Badker (Aug. 3). May I suggest that the problem of pastors being forced out of their positions by a group within the church” would be solved if the church would be willing to submit to God and obey His Word in this area of authority and leadership?
The first thing to recognize is that congregations do not call pastors. God calls pastors and establishes their authority (Ephesians 4:11-12). All authority is established by God for our good and for His purpose (Romans 13:1-2; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13), and those who rebel against authority are rebelling against God. By forcing out pastors because of disagreement and conflict (not sin or heresy, as was noted by Mr. Badker), congregations are rejecting the truth of this Scripture, trusting in their own judgement and rebelling against God Himself.
The second thing to recognize is that the congregation has a twofold responsibility toward its leaders. First, the community is told: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17). This verse specifically refers to church leaders, and we are not given the option to obey only when we agree with them. Our pastors are under God’s authority and must give an account to Him. They are His responsibility.
The second responsibility belonging to the congregation is to pray for all those in authority with “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Do we pray for our pastors believing that God has placed them in authority over us? Do we pray for our pastors believing that God will accomplish His purpose for our church through them? Do we pray for our pastors realizing that they not only must give an account before God for their own lives (Romans 14:12), but will be judged more strictly because of their position and responsibility in the church (James 3:1)?
Submitting to and praying for our pastors and church leaders is, in fact, trusting that God can and will work through those He has called and the line of authority He has established. God did not design the “trapdoor”. Our disobedience and misplaced trust in our own understanding has created it. Pastors may need to be adaptable, and conflicts acknowledged and managed in a biblical manner as Mr. Badker suggests, but the Holy Spirit will only have “real influence” when we live in obedience to the Word of God. Let’s put away our rebellion and submit to God.
Dianne Douglas,
Abbotsford, B.C.
Singleness conducive to serving God
Thank you for the excellent articles on singleness (July 13). I was married for 17 years, and when that marriage ended in divorce, I thought my life was over. Instead, I have found God in new and wonderful ways and thoroughly enjoy my singleness in the Lord. I had never known that singleness was even a good option for the Christian but thought it was a sorry second best to marriage. I have found that my singleness presents a lifestyle that is uniquely conducive to serving the Lord in ways that in marriage would be impossible.
Given the divorce rate, the increasing number of single parent homes and the increasing trend toward the single life (Macleans cover story, “I Am Single”, May 8; Time cover story,” Who Needs a Husband?”, Aug. 28, 2000), the church needs to understand the times, change its image as a bastion of only the married and actively evangelize this huge hidden mission field. Also, given the scarcity of leaders in today’s church, singles need to be actively courted and trained for that ministry. Singleness needs to be promoted to youth and taught to adults as a lifestyle that is highly valued instead of dreaded and looked upon with pity.
I am proud of our denomination’s stand on singleness as printed on the back page. To G. Brandt, S. Hooge, M. Lindquist and especially M. Froese: Thank you!
Arlene Dyer,
Prince George, B.C.
Do we live up to our Confession?
As a single, I appreciated the July 13 issue on singleness. It is encouraging that our churches are more aware now of the needs and capabilities of their single/unmarried members.
However, I have some comments regarding the excerpt from the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith. First, while it’s true that singles are not preoccupied with seeking the security of a spouse and children, many of us still belong to families. We may yet have brothers, sisters or parents whom we care about. Second, the church “is to bless, respect and fully include those who are single”. As far as I know, our MB churches do not want singles to be pastors, elders or deacons. Can it be really said that our churches believe the single state is “preferred” or even “superior” to marriage? Finally, aren’t “healthy and pure relationships” something all Christians should strive for, regardless of their marital status?
Roland Derksen,
Vancouver, B.C.
Herald not forum for political endorsements
A number of aspects of John Redekop’s “What’s happening to Stockwell Day” (July 13) are objectionable. Most disconcerting is the assumption that Stockwell Day and the Alliance Party have the widespread support of Christians. While there certainly is a body of support within the Christian community for the Alliance, many others find a number of Alliance policies to be substantially at odds with the teachings of Christ in the Gospels. I will not use the letter section to debate specific issues of political policy, but I challenge Dr. Redekop, Mr. Day and all Christians, regardless of political affiliation, to critically evaluate their political ideology in light of the teachings of Christ. As Christians, we are foremost citizens of the Kingdom of God and secondarily citizens of a nation or members of a political party. No political party has a platform that is perfectly aligned with the principles taught by Christ, and Christians, therefore, should be wary of putting their full support behind any political party. This is not to infer that Christians have no place within the political process. Quite to the contrary, Christians should illuminate the political process, particularly issues of policy, with the teachings of Christ in the Bible. We must always remember where our first allegiance lies, however.
Redekop’s column could easily be inferred to be an endorsement of the Alliance party. Such an endorsement in our MB Conference publication, particularly without a critical, biblical analysis of party policy, is inappropriate.
Redekop unfortunately missed an opportunity to raise the level of political debate among Christians in Canada. He used his column to advance the premise that the Canadian media is biased against Christians and Christian political leaders. This may be true and should come as no surprise. As Christians, we should expect that society would oppose the message of the gospel. This has been the case ever since Christ’s own ministry on earth.
Scott Martens,
Calgary, Alta.
Tough issues addressed
Jim Coggins does a great job on the editorials and usually hits the point dead centre. We appreciate the way that the magazine is willing to address tough and sensitive issues in spite of some who would wish that it be devoid of any controversy. Challenges to our way of thinking only serve to confirm or enrich values and beliefs we already hold.
Elaine Crawford,
Prince George, B.C.
Are we good without God?
This question has been pondered throughout the ages, but in no other time has humankind been so obsessed with believing that humans can be and are good. Even the Christian church has bought into the deception that we are good people deep down.
Jesus asked the rich young man, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is God.” Are we good? Can we be good without God? The Bible plainly says no.
Romans 3:12 says, “They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no not one.” Genesis 6:5 says that every inclination of man’s heart is only evil all the time.
Re Jim Coggins’s “What is this sin stuff?” (Aug. 24): A little guilt is good for the soul. What better motivator to push us to take a hard look at ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says that we should examine ourselves. Jesus said that if we even look at a woman lustfully, we have already committed adultery. Should we casually downplay the severity of our own sinfulness? Sin is a very serious thing. Sin has devastated many sincere Christians. We suffer from a myriad of ailments – from broken marriages to depression to suicide – because we have compromised our faith.
Why are we so afraid of looking at ourselves in the mirror? I am learning that to face my sin and be honest about that sin to God is strength, not weakness. I am beginning to welcome guilt, for when I feel guilty over sins, I have the opportunity to confess them to God, ask for His forgiveness and to ask that He will continually kill that sin in me. This is the ongoing task of humbling ourselves to our God.
There is power in prayer. Confession and repentance are the signs of a spiritually healthy person.
Dennis Hughes,
Ladner, B.C.
Re sending the Herald to those who want it.
Having read the Aug. 3 editorial, I assume that you will be continuing to distribute the Herald as always. I am one of those people who have received the magazine as part of my church membership. When I first began receiving it, I didn’t always read it completely, sometimes not at all. However, as I began to read it, I found it so helpful that I have gotten to the point where I now read it cover to cover. My husband has done the same.
My response to those who feel sending it to everyone is wasteful would be to suggest that they find someone else to pass it on to – perhaps a seniors’ facility or other kind of Christian centre. The comment about not having time to read all the issues is a cop out. How can it be so wonderful and you not have time for it? Make time for it! It’s not a huge magazine, and it can be read in bits and pieces, a few minutes here and there. Anyone who is that busy needs to learn to slow down. I could find other things I would give up before this great little magazine.
Monika Kelly,
North Vancouver, B.C.
Miracle on Highway 33
What are miracles? Something that happens out of the ordinary? Someone has said, “Look for God in the ordinary places of life.” My wife and I moved from Moncton, N.B. to B.C.’s Okanagan Valley. We had no idea in which city to live. After searching in Osoyoos, Oliver and Penticton, we located a very nice condo in Kelowna. This was a miracle in the ordinary places of life.
We wanted very much to find a church in which we could make a contribution as well as have our needs met. Another miracle. We were just three minutes from a church called Willow Park. Not having any idea of the type of church it was, we attended a morning service. The singing was great, and we loved the speaking of a young man named Pastor Mark.
The miracles continued. I needed to recover from some very bad hurts in the past few years, and God, through Willow Park Church, has done some healing. We found great friends and were given an opportunity to volunteer in some areas of the church. Weekend after weekend, we have been amazed at Pastor Mark’s ability to make the Bible come alive and apply it to our needs. God has surely been good to us.
Merle Smith,
Kelowna, B.C.
More avid readers
We are among those who are avid readers of the Herald and hope it continues to be published. There is no other way in which we can learn about the churches in our Conference and as a result pray for the various needs and ministries, including the latest news of our missionaries. We trust that with all the changes that are happening in our denomination, the Herald will not change! The informative Aug. 3 editorial covers all the bases so well.
Lena Friesen,
Waterloo, Ont.
Decision-making
Jim Coggins’s observations as to how business is done at conferences and church (editorial, July 13) is quite correct. I have heard it said various times that if there is nothing significant to discuss or decide, why attend.
It was said toward the end of the article that giving to conferences and local churches has been declining. I assume this decline is supposedly connected to the lack of voice for people. A further assumption would be that people are giving their money to other Christian ministries. If so, it does not make sense, because it is quite certain that they have even less or nothing to say about the decisions made by those agencies.
Pastor Ron Seibel,
Mountain Lake, (Minn.) MB Church
Re-read the Bible
Although I agree with Edith Neumann and Hal Toews (Letters, July 13) that the issue of women in ministry needs to be reviewed, we also need to re-read the Bible. Paul instructed Timothy to “not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11-15). We are not obeying this command. In some Mennonite Brethren churches, women are teaching adult Sunday school classes in which men are present. In some churches women are leading Bible studies and prayer groups where men are being instructed. We must ask: When does manhood begin? Are we not testing this Scripture by allowing women to teach adolescent boys and even pre-schoolers? Let us not compromise. Women should not teach a man, regardless of age.
Irma M. Dyck,
Cloverdale, B.C.
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© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
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