Letters to the Editor
Wrong logic
I agree with Daniel Stobbe (Letters, March 8) insofar as he encourages abstaining and turning
from evil, and faithfulness to Scripture and our statement of faith. However, I disagree when he
seems to equate the dance at Banff with evil, when he claims to know that this saddens the heart
of God, and when a dance is seen as evidence that we have reverted to a pre-1860 state.
Dave Wiebe spoke eloquently to our congregation (Fort Garry) last fall about the need to create a
thirst for God in our youth. I believe that Banff is an important part of such an initiative on a
conference-wide scale. To continue to flog the Banff dance issue potentially serves to create
exasperation and disillusionment in our youth instead of a thirst for God. Perhaps it's time we
move on to more substantive discussions.
Paul Doerksen, (E-mail)
Winnipeg, Man.
Praise
My wife and I thoroughly enjoy your magazine. It is not full of the cookie cutter American
cultural Christian hype we see in other Christian publications. We find it prophetic, and that
causes us to think and hopefully act too! Keep up the good work!
Mark McReynolds, (E-mail)
Boulder Creek, CA
Net listing appreciated
Thanks for another great issue (March 8, on Cyberspace). It was timely, interesting and
informative, for both "newbies" and experienced users of the Net. I've been to a few Christian
Web sites; it was nice to see a handy listing of others--it's sitting beside my computer for a
weekend when I've got "time".
Silicon Snake Oil by Clifford Stoll was on my "to read" list; now, because of the book
review by James Toews on it's a little higher on my list.
Linda Polsson, (E-mail)
Prince Rupert, B.C.
MBs in Cyberspace
Having acquired a computer one year ago, I have been immersed in a complex world of
technology. Terminology alone is confusing. For example, why are "floppy" disks, in fact, hard?
Why can you not see through "windows"? Admittedly, my greatest successes have been in the
area of games.
As in all areas of our lives, we are to search the Scriptures. I find there some warnings.
Psalm 25:15: "Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for He shall pluck my feet out of the
net."
Jeremiah 9:21: "For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces,
to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets."
To those of you whose work and faith have been greatly aided by being on the net, may
God use you mightily as you fish for men. May Malachi 3:10 encourage you: "Prove me now
herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour
you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Elizabeth Hiebert,
Middle Lake, Sask.
Letter missing, no mail
It was good to see the list of e-mail addresses in the March 8 Herald, and I'm glad you
included ours. However, two letters were missing in the address, which would make it impossible
for anyone to contact us. The missing letters are "bc" at the end of "seminary". The correct
address is mbseminarybc@mindlink.bc.ca. We anticipate having a home page in the near future.
Thanks for making the correction.
Ron Geddert, (E-mail)
Program Director, B.C. Centre,
MB Biblical Seminary
Cyberspace thanks
Thank you for devoting a few articles to the internet (March 8). I especially appreciated the e-mail
addresses of the various MB Conference offices. I will be looking for more.
Ed Buller, (E-mail)
Abbotsford, B.C.
Congratulations!
I am impressed with the excellent discussion on MBs in Cyberspace (March 8). It is not easy to
make complex phenomena--such as explaining the superhighway--reader-friendly. You've done it!
Jurgen Schonwetter, (E-mail)
Abbotsford, B.C.
Good Encounter
I appreciated the last Encounter, and we already know whom to pass it on to.
Mike Housek,
Beechy, Sask.
Oh, to be like them
Ten thousand miles and 10 time zones separate this family from their home church. But, they do
not feel isolated. Those Monday morning faxes from the pastor are so encouraging. And then
recently about 10 letters arrived, all in the same type of envelope--could it be that the addressed
envelopes in the lobby of the church had something to do with that?
The home church looks at this family as their missionary family. They prayed over them; they sent
them; they committed themselves to continued prayer. The prayer chain is activated as news
comes from abroad.
Individuals and fellowship groups are excited about this family and its mission. One lady send five
parcels of goodies in one year. Another brother gave a generous gift to assist in a building
purchase. The associate pastor writes regularly. Fellowship groups keep on asking, "What else do
you need?" One group gives monthly so a local man can be employed to work in this developing
church.
This missionary family is not alone in a strange city and a new culture. They are Bob and Susan
Gulack, and they thank the Lord for Fred Leonard and the Mountain View Community Church in
Clovis, CA. This small congregation in California has set a beautiful example for others to follow.
Ernie and Elfrieda Reimer,
MB Missions/Services team Leaders,
Siauliu, Rajonas, Lithuania
Return to discipleship
My background is Old Colony Mennonite, my parents coming to saving faith through the witness
of MB neighbours 50 years ago. I have through the years been impressed by the commitment to
the Bible, sound doctrine and discipleship in the MB Conference. However, in the last several
decades, I have observed a shift from Scripture to experience as the measure of truth. The last
several years the shift has focussed on "contemporary" expressions in song, dress and countless
Bible translations (which can be useful).
Is it any wonder that at Banff '95 it became natural to dance? The saddest thing is that the hype is
actually leading people to "feel" that it is a desired Christian spiritual experience. Galatians 3:3
states, "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit are you now made perfect by the flesh?"
Jesus' way is "Take up the cross and follow Me". The way to revival is dealing with sin in our
lives; and the church must deal with sin within the camp. Have we lost the will to discern? Lest
you say "legalism", take note that that which separates discipleship from legalism is motive.
Beware that liberty does not become license.
Olga Friesen,
Warman, Sask.
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