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Investing and exercising
Perspective — Canada Mennonite Church Canada has 205 congregations spread out across the vast land of Canada. Our eastern-most congregation and our western-most congregations are 5 300 kms apart. I first entered pastoral ministry in 1992 as a youth pastor. I loved the youth of my congregation. I loved their energy. I loved how sincerely they practiced their faith.…
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Reaching a hand to the neighbour
Perspective — Switzerland My local church in Switzerland is the fruit of a Mennonite church plant. When cars and tractors were still rare, Mennonites gathered in the rural hills all over the region, in farmhouses and meeting places that offered education, shelter and a simple chapel for communal worship. After some years, these communities stepped down…
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Not a program but a table
The Officers’ Column Solidarity comes from the Latin solidus — whole, firm, united. It is more than sympathy (“I feel sorry for you”) or empathy (“I understand how you feel”). Solidarity says, “I will stand with you.” It is the willingness to bear one another’s burdens. Our church has recently studied the text from Matthew…
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Participating in worship together
Dances at Renewal express culture and unity “Dance uses familiar movements to connect with God, engage community and express thanksgiving while expressing our cultural practices, especially in celebration occasions,” says Marcial Arenos from Binuangan Mennonite Christian Church, North Luzon District, Integrated Mennonite Church in the Philippines. “It’s an embodied expression of worship that involves collective…
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Stories for solidarity
Are we prepared for the true cost of solidarity? We explore this question in the latest issue of Courier. Volume 41.2 has a different shape. Instead of five Perspectives from each region, we bring you extended conversations. Formed by their different experiences and backgrounds, our contributors exchange skills and stories across barriers of difference. After…
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Tenacious solidarity
“I am not a social activist” is the title of a book by Ronald Sider. By making Jesus the centre of our agenda, he demonstrates that issues of wealth, poverty, peace and nonviolence, and social action and politics are as spiritual as evangelism, family and marriage. Quoting Abraham Kuyper, he said that there is not…
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Solidarity: What Will We Build Together?
If we want to be true followers of Christ, we have to follow his prayer that we live in unity, even if it is sometimes difficult and rough. Only then, out of solidarity, we can work for peace.
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Music as a unifying force
Perspectives — India What I have received from participating in the international ensemble I thank God for the gift of music in our life. I see it totally as grace of God that I could be the part of the Mennonite World Conference international ensemble for Assembly 2022 in Indonesia. I had dreamed of that since I attended Assembly in 2003 at Zimbabwe. Taking part in…
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Blending traditional rhythms with contemporary music
Perspectives — Zimbabwe The lingering effects of the MWC Assembly 2003 on music in Zimbabwean congregations My first real encounter with MWC was at the Assembly 2003, held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, here in Africa. This was indeed an amazing international and multi-cultural worship experience. The musical sounds of diverse cultures and traditions blended together in harmony, leaving an indelible mark on my soul. The worship experience sparked a passion for global worship music that continues to…
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Practicing hospitality through worship
Perspectives — North America Singing from the MWC songbook in Pennsylvania “All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” Psalm 86:9 When we sing songs from Mennonite World Conference’s international songbook, we are practicing hospitality and belonging. Singing other cultures’ songs also connects us with the global church. Songs such…
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Entrusted with the task of bearing messages
Courier: “A messenger … entrusted with the task of bearing messages.” That’s how MWC General Secretary Paul N. Kraybill introduced MWC’s new magazine in its first issue in 1986. “The 1984 Mennonite World Conference Assembly at Strasbourg echoed a cry heard often before and since. We don’t know enough about each other. We are a worldwide community, but our knowledge is local and limited. In…
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Rhythms and melodies carry images of encounters
I have now participated in four global Assemblies of Mennonite World Conference. I am amazed at how our shared faith brings diversity to life in unity.
