Columns, Further In and Higher Up

The Limits of Bible Background

Leave a comment

by Layton Friesen

A Bible study leader will often say “in order to understand this verse I need to tell you about the background to this passage.” The leader then describes pagan religion in Ephesus, or farming practices in Palestine, or shame and honour in the Roman empire, and everyone comes to a better understanding of the passage. This is important. If I am reading the apostle John as if he were some white guy sitting in a cubicle in Saskatoon, I am going to seriously misunderstand his gospel. Continue reading The Limits of Bible Background →

With Our Missionaries

Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the Ends of the World

Leave a comment

Are you interested in cross cultural missions? EMC Missions is currently recruiting for the following fields:

Minga Guazú, Paraguay

Many of the national Paraguayans in the neighbourhoods of Minga Guazú are unreached by the Gospel and do not have an active church. Often the communities have a few believers who are open to and desire a Bible study in their homes. This has proven to be an effective way to reach the community. Continue reading Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the Ends of the World →

Obituaries

Obituary: Peter J. Thiessen

Leave a comment

1931-2018

Thiessen-Peter-J
Peter J. Thiessen

Peter J. Thiessen passed into the presence of his heavenly Father on Dec. 8, 2018, at the Portage General Hospital at the age of 87.

He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of 66 years, Susie; his children, Mary Ann (Terry) Smith, Beverly (Leonard) Funk, daughter-in-law Debbie Thiessen, Jerry (Sherry) Thiessen, Randy Thiessen, Karen (Ken) Nicholls, and Laura McLeod; as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Cory (Dana) Thiessen, Ella, Owen and Hazel; Marcie (Jeff) Rudyk, Riley and Joshua; Kristen Funk, Tarryn and Noah; Tracy (Kyle), Sierra, Avery, and Michael; Jon, Derek; Alex (Colleen), Ashley (Curtis), Riley, Lucas, and Lexi; Kass (Michael); Kenneth, Huxley; Tessa; Laurie, Bailey, Brooklyn; as well as many extended family and friends. Continue reading Obituary: Peter J. Thiessen →

Columns, Kids' Corner

What Can You Do?

Leave a comment

by Loreena Thiessen

Now is a different time. It’s different because you and your family are together at home more than you have been. You are not at school.

You do your lessons at home, maybe through a video link or lessons sent to your house. Your teacher isn’t at school either. Your parents may work from home. You play at home. You watch church at home instead of going to your regular church building on Sunday morning. Continue reading What Can You Do? →

Features

The Path of Hope

Leave a comment

by Pastor Andy Woodworth

There is a short Old Testament phrase that I have found intriguing during these past weeks of this global pandemic. It is used by people like Joshua, Gideon, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel when they simply reached the place where they perceived things had become hopeless. Tired, frustrated, and out of ideas as to how to resolve their respective crisis situations, they threw up their arms and exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord!”
This word alas is less of a word and more of a sound or cry of exasperation. I would call it the sound of despair. The sound of hopelessness. Continue reading The Path of Hope →

Columns, Further In and Higher Up

A Cornered Cat or Hungry for Honey?

Leave a comment

by Layton Friesen

Christians have a complicated relationship with the law of Moses.
As far as we can tell, Jesus and Paul kept Moses’ law faithfully all their lives. For them this was part of how they lived their Christian lives. But in passages like 1 Cor. 15:56 and Rom. 7:5 the law is described as arousing sinfulness, goading it in almost demonic fashion. Continue reading A Cornered Cat or Hungry for Honey? →

News

Council Discusses Boards’ Questions

Leave a comment

by Terry M. Smith

WORLD—Conference council delegates on June 27, 2020, met by Zoom, heard updates on boards’ activities, and discussed questions proposed by the boards.

Welcome and Devotional

Moderator Barry Plett welcomed delegates to the Zoom meeting and encouraged them to view any video reports previously posted to avoid “redundant” questions. Tim Dyck, executive director, outlined the electronic process. Continue reading Council Discusses Boards’ Questions →

News

Ministerial Looks at ‘Pentecost, Pandemic, and Possibility’

Leave a comment

by Terry M. Smith

WORLD—The EMC’s ministerial on June 26, 2020, held its national meeting by Zoom, spending an afternoon where it listened to opening thoughts by the BLO chair and learned of coming events, heard five challenges based on Acts 2, met in small groups for discussion and prayer, and shared thoughts as an entire group. 

Continue reading Ministerial Looks at ‘Pentecost, Pandemic, and Possibility’ →

A publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference