Letters to the editor

Procedural deficiencies

The Board of Faith and Life report (Nov. 21) states: "There have been many pastoral changes in the last year, but there are not many experienced pastors available to fill vacancies." I found this an interesting statement considering our personal experience. In March, 1996, my wife Paula and I concluded over a decade of ministry in an MB church. We notified provincial and national conference personnel of our availability for future ministry, but it wasn't until July 11 that we finally received a form letter from the Canadian Conference. It asked us to fill out a Preliminary Ministry Questionnaire in order to be considered a "potential pastor" in the conference. I completed the forms and waited in vain for a response. I also contacted peers and senior colleagues, but my e-mail, letters and phone calls went largely unanswered. We recently withdrew our MB membership, found a nearby anabaptist church in which to fellowship and are currently exploring opportunities for pastoral service with a number of other evangelical denominations.

It seems there are structural and procedural deficiencies in our present system of pastoral placement, and that individuals and agencies at the provincial and national conference levels are too busy with larger administrative responsibilities to address the more personal issues surrounding our desire for further pastoral service. I suggest that the Board of Faith and Life review the current system to make it more responsive to the needs of individuals, churches and conferences. John Owen Classey,
Hepworth, Ont.

Worship also necessary

"Incarnation and worship" (Dec. 12) was thoughtful and well written. However, I cannot agree with the conclusion that instead of encouraging worshippers to focus their attention solely on God, we should encourage them to bring God into daily life. We can do both. There is a need for worship where the focus is on God alone, and there is also a need for intercession, with a focus on the needs of the people. We should not confuse worship and intercession, nor regard them to be mutually exclusive. The worship of God will never render us callous or indifferent to the needs of others. It will fill us with love for the Lord and an appreciation of His power, which will enable us to minister to others. The first step in bringing God's resources to bear on human need is to make contact with God. This is done through worship. If there is any criticism to be made, it would be that often worship is not followed by intercession. Unfortunately, many churches are strong in worship, but weak in intercession.
Ed Bauman, (E)
Abbotsford, B.C.

No monopoly on evil

In the editorial "Lesson from History" (Nov. 7), only one historical example is given (the German people during the Nazi era). Stanley Milgram performed several experiments and concluded that all human beings are capable of sadistic acts (Obedience (film), New York: University film library; "Obedience to Authority", New York: Harper and Row). The Doukhobours are now seeking redress for a little known episode in Canadian history. They tell of doors smashed in, kids hunted down by police with dogs and pitchforks and kids with broken limbs being sent to bed without medical aid--all in an attempt to compel them to attend school. We should not accuse one group of people of sadistic acts, but admit that all of us are capable of such acts.
John Siemens,
Winnipeg, Man.

Federation proposals

The report on the board meetings of the three Mennonite colleges who plan to form a federated college (Dec. 12) says that I have been hired with two other people to develop a program proposal for the federated college. There are two problems with this. One, I have not been approached by any board or committee to serve in that capacity. Second, at an information meeting in Sargent Ave. Mennonite Church several weeks ago, resource people presented a detailed program proposal which is already receiving consideration. This program proposal bears a close resemblance to the program proposals prepared by the faculty of MB Bible College during the transition to Concord College in 1991. While the program proposals of 1991 were thought to have been created in response to potential student needs and preferences, there was no rush of students applying to the new program. Furthermore, these proposals were implemented by the college board without appointing a specialist in Anabaptist theology and history and without engaging a specialist in practical theology or church ministries. I fear history may repeat itself.

A second concern has to do with the discussion in the Board regarding governance. It seems to me a Board would have a conflict of interest when writing its own governance proposals. This should be dealt with first by the senior boards of the constituencies, approved by the constituencies and then implemented by the board of the federated college. If the federated college is to be a church and conference college, the Board of Directors must receive its mandate from the constituency and be accountable to that constituency.

One final comment. Jesus prayed for unity in the church. A federated college will continue to highlight conference differences. I regret that we do not yet have sufficient trust in each other to develop one strong Christian college rooted in an Anabaptist understanding of the Bible.
Isaac Block,
Winnipeg, Man.

Abortion and promiscuity

Re abortion (Nov. 7): It is time that we wake up. In the last election in British Columbia, nobody even raised a voice about that subject.

About 30 years ago, universities and colleges started to propagate promiscuity</#209>and pretty soon they found it necessary to call for abortion. Since then, the wickedness of it cries to heaven.

Has Scripture something to say about sex? Yes, but Christendom has thrown the Law so far out that today every 15-year-old boy or girl tells you we need no law whatsoever. That is a tragedy without measure. Nowhere in nature do we see indulgence in sex--not in animals, birds or fish, just acts of impregnation. Sexual indulgence occurs only among human beings.

Jesus did not put the law of Moses out of commission (Matthew 5:17-18). But here is good news: If anyone cannot keep the commandments of God, he must hurry to Golgatha. He will find forgiveness for his transgressions and salvation there without exception. May God help us to repent and seek forgiveness and mercy, before it is too late.
Jacob I. Bergen
Abbotsford, B.C.

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 37, No. 2 Home Page