By Rebecca Roman
Conference Council members met by Zoom on November 20, 2021, starting at 10 a.m. CT, to give opportunities for boards to report and make recommendations on the work of the Conference. Continue reading Transition Proposal, Three Per Cent Budget Increase Approved
By Jen Isaac, Morweena, Man.
I recognize the frustration of those who feel held back by EMC policies in regards to women in pastoral roles. However, I am saddened and disappointed by how quickly we assume the worst of our brothers and sisters in Christ who disagree with us.
I have heard it said that in the discussion of women in leadership we need to keep two things in mind. Egalitarians don’t have their beliefs because they are throwing out Scripture, and complementarians don’t have their beliefs because they want to “keep women down.”
If you believe women shouldn’t be pastors because you believe the Scriptures say this, that is not sexism. You just interpret Scripture differently than egalitarians. If you have this belief because you feel women are inferior, that is sexism. It’s about the heart. We damage the church when we attack each other instead of trying to understand each other’s hearts. Continue reading Letters September 2021
By Erica Fehr
More than 100 people attended a Zoom meeting of the EMC Ministerial on June 18, 2021. Discussion took place and a vote was held on a recommendation from the Board of Leadership and Outreach (BLO) about women in ministry. Ultimately, the recommendation did not receive the level of acceptance it needed to pass. Continue reading Ministerial Hears From the Holy Spirit, Holds Women in Ministry Vote
by Rebecca Roman
It’s hard to imagine a more disappointing outcome for the Board of Leadership and Outreach (BLO) after the Recommendation on Resolving the Dilemma of Women in Pastoral Leadership failed to pass at the Ministerial meeting on June 18, 2021. Continue reading Dilemma on Women in Leadership Still Unresolved
by Tim Dyck
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” This famous paragraph from a Charles Dickens novel were the opening words of the devotional given by Andrew Dyck (Pastor at Stony Brook Fellowship) as he challenged us to consider both the good as well as the frustrations of the year 2020. He referred to the prophet Joel, who spoke words of encouragement and challenge to the nation of Judah when they faced a disastrous year. God’s intention then, as now, is to draw us to himself in all circumstances. Continue reading Churches, Conference Budget Affected by Pandemic Challenges
by Marilyn Funk
WINNIPEG, Man.—In 2018 the Aberdeen congregation strongly affirmed the work of Teresa Enns Zehr as Aberdeen’s Ministry Coordinator and invited her to a new three-year term with a change in title to pastor, which better reflects Teresa’s ministry to our congregation. Continue reading Teresa Enns Zehr Invited to be Pastor
