Repairing the peace
Before things “broke badly” for the actor Bryan Cranston, he was in a great family TV show called Malcolm in the Middle. If you’ve seen it, you will remember the catchy theme song with the refrain, “You’re not the boss of me now . . . and you’re not so big.” I thought about this…
For discussion: Breaking the peace
1. What acts of servanthood have you seen carried out by church leaders? Do your church leaders take a turn working in the kitchen? What message do they send when they do menial jobs? What does it mean to be a servant leader? 2. In what situations does a congregation need a hierarchical structure of…
Breaking the peace
What to do?” is our anxious impulse. “In the beginning,” God was revealed in creation before there was anyone to appreciate the self-disclosure this represented. It was long before any documentation by either Scripture or photograph was possible. But at mid-20th century, by the flick of a camera something of the character and intention of…
Faith vs. belief (Pt. 4)
When I first started hanging out with Mennonites in the 1990s, I noticed a lot of them talked more about the Sermon on the Mount than the cross. They seemed to have a different gospel than the one I was raised with. The gospel of my childhood was simple: Jesus died for my sins, and…
On being a ‘holy family’ today
This past December I learned that many Catholic churches designate the Sunday following Christmas as “the feast of the Holy Family.” It’s a relatively new designation, officially adopted less than 100 years ago. The Scriptures that are read on this day remind us of the important role that family played in the life of Jesus.…
Why take up a Sunday morning offering?
The practice of regularly passing the collection plate in churches has only been around for about 100 years, and thankfully it replaced church revenue streams such as the annual pew rental auctions. Offering practices also vary widely among congregations. Some take up offerings during worship every week, while others have an alms box at…
Readers write: February 2, 2015 issue
More support for Conscience Canada efforts needed Re: “Fight, fight, fight the madness of war” letter, Dec. 15, 2014, page 13. With respect to the madness of war, I agree completely with D.E. Hubert’s letter. It is a powerfully written statement with important truths for all who have ears to hear. It seems that Canada…
From Africa to Saskatchewan
Enthusiastic singing, energetic danc-ing and electrifying drumming set the tone as the Asante Children’s Choir worshipped African-style with Eigenheim Mennonite Church congregants, near Rosthern, Sask. on Jan. 18. Although not their typical Sunday fare, the congregation responded warmly to the choir’s music. The 15 singers, ranging in age from 12 to 16, have been touring…
Countering Islamic State
“There is no military solution [to Islamic State [IS)], only possibly some short-term tactical gains that might give the illusion of success, but which pave the way for longer-term chaos, as we now see in Libya. There is no political solution without addressing the underlying local grievances that IS exploits and that will take time…
