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In the summer of 2010, my family and I experienced a history lesson that made us really think about what it means to be Mennonite. With my wife, Geraldine Balzer, our two daughters, and my wife’s sister and mother, I travelled back to the “old country,” Ukraine and Russia.
“Will you say nice things about me at my funeral like you did at Jay’s?” my mother-in-law asked as she and I were driving alone in a car shortly after my brother-in-law’s funeral, where I had offered memories on the family’s behalf. Given the recent family death, there was a good reason my mother-in-law was thinking about death and her funeral.
Tools. Gadgets. Thing-a-ma-jigs. Whatsits. No matter what you call them, they are designed to help us do things more easily.
Going beyond generalizations
Re: “Yet another outspoken white man,” Nov. 14, 2011, page 10.
This past year I prepared for ordination with Mennonite Church Canada. Part of the process of ordination is to read and comment on aspects of our Confession of Faith in Mennonite Perspective.
I am beginning to wonder why there is an increasingly eerie silence on four points:
Last fall, the leadership in Mennonite Church Saskatchewan organized regional consultations with congregational leaders. We were very pleased at the thoughtful participation from almost all the churches. We heard that the membership in many congregations is getting older. Some congregations are getting smaller. Commitment to church is changing as other things compete for time and loyalty.
Climate change is happening
Seven years ago one of my professors suggested our class watch the television series LOST to better understand life in postmodernity. I followed up on the homework assignment and my wife and I became fans of the show immediately.
When was the last time you prayed for your treasurer or thanked him or her for his or her work? Your treasurer is a key person in church operations and carries a great deal of responsibility for the finances and legal status of the church.
I am crocheting a baby afghan. The soft, multi-coloured yarn slides through my fingers. I catch it on the end a hook, spin and loop it into the expanding blanket. My cat lies beside me, sometimes taking a swipe at the tantalizing string, but mostly curled up sleeping.
Come to the defence of ‘God’s great gift’
In the beginning—13.7 billion years ago—God created the heavens, also known as the universe; 4.5 billion years ago God created our planet, Earth. Life began on Earth some 700,000 years later, with human beings—homo sapiens—appearing in Africa some 70,000 to 100,000 years ago.
I am not new to the pages of this magazine—having written columns and occasional articles for five years—but allow me to begin my new role as a regular staff writer by offering some personal comments on faith and journalism.
One of the things that I enjoy most about winter is that it’s curling season. Each Monday morning I join our local clergy curling club for some spirited fun on the ice.
In my last column, “Yet another outspoken white man,” Nov. 14, 2011, page 10, I tried to indicate my struggle with male dominance among us Mennonites. I listed 21 white men that have influenced my thinking as a social-justice, activist-oriented follower of Jesus. It was one good man after another.
On a rainy Lower Mainland Friday night my son and I hit the slopes. It turned out to be a beautiful evening on the mountain, where the rain turned to snow and the coniferous trees hung with powder. The line-ups were short and the runs long.
“Why plant a new church?” It’s a legitimate question and, as a church planter, one I have heard often. With most churches in decline, and more than a few closing altogether, does it really make sense to start a new one? As one friend put it, “Why don’t you start a new typewriter company while you’re at it?”
While driving to work the other morning I was listening to the radio, as I usually do. The program host had a guest on the show and they were discussing seasonal tipping etiquette.
In the last few columns, I’ve written about different ways to manage conflict, including avoidance, competition, accommodation and compromise. Each of these responses can be quite useful, and each one also has limitations. It’s good to develop a repertoire of responses, and to sense when to use which one.
The Ebenezer stone represented a fresh beginning, a reversal of course for God’s people. It also said something important about God: his mercies were everlasting; his covenant was forever.
The Advent season was a time of preparation and anticipation. The Christmas season was a time for celebration and repletion. What follows, for me, is a season of contemplation.
Learn from the Bible, not cults or other religions
Re: “Learning from diverse faiths,” Nov. 14, page 4.
I was surprised and disappointed with the article about learning from Mormons and Muslims how to live Christian lives.
Recently, our small group embarked on a series entitled “Exploring spirituality through powerlessness.” The intent of this group is to take a look at a 12-step program—designed originally to be used with folks who struggle with substance addictions—as a way for any person to experience and understand the transforming power of God.
Ever been pulled like plastic wrap over a warm roast pan? I was cleaning up after a great meal prepared by my beautiful wife. The roast pan had some leftovers, well, left over, and so out came the plastic wrap. The warmth of the pan gathered the clear plastic to itself, enabling me to pull the wrap so tight I could see my reflection staring back at me. Scary sight to be sure.
