May 3, 2010 Volume 14 Number 9 Just reading Focus on Books & Resources, pg. 29 inside The ‘bare essentials’ of Anabaptism 4 B.C. annual delegate sessions 16 Upholding our covenants 18 2 Canadian Mennonite May 3, 2010 Editorial fit the contemporary scene—a landscape vividly described by Greg Boyd (author of Myth of a Christian Nation) in the foreword to Murray’s book (excerpted on To ‘clothed’ Anabaptists page 6) as only “a cultural vestige of the Dick Benner once mighty empire of Christendom in Editor/Publisher Europe and North America.” “There is an increasingly shared convic- ometimes it takes an outsider to tell seem special anymore,” is a fair analysis. tion,” writes Boyd, “that the kingdom of us quiet, unassuming Mennonites Perhaps for some of us, acculturation God we are called to is radically different Sthat we do indeed have clothes. has advanced to the developmental stage from all versions of the kingdoms of the Stuart Murray, a British biblical scholar of being embarrassed to associate with a world. While the kingdoms of the world from the Baptist tradition who has just tradition of radical beliefs and living on all manifest the character of Caesar as they published The Naked Anabaptist, won- the political/religious margins that have seek to rule people and conquer enemies ders, in an interview with John Longhurst marked our five-century-long history. We with the power of the sword, the kingdom on page 4, why North American wonder how that enhances our witness, if of God always manifests the character of Mennonites have so little inter- we want to “witness” at all. Jesus, seeking to serve and love enemies as est in Anabaptism when so many We might be weary of miscast it manifests the power of the cross.” spiritual seekers outside of our stereotypes, charges of separatism, In a unique way, Murray turns all of tradition are “coming home” to a of having our brand of pacifism our misgivings, all of our inhibitions, 500-year-old belief system in this labelled as “unpatriotic” at best or on their head, and asks us to give our post-Christian era. “subversive” at worst. I was in for a brand of peace, for instance, as a gift to The author cites numerous examples of jolt recently when a BBC reporter asked the wider church—a calling to that larger Anglicans, Presbyterians, Catholics and me to identify some “real Mennonites body to be “no longer compromised by Quakers finding Anabaptism “surprisingly locally—you know, the ones who drive its partnership with wealth, power, status relevant” in contemporary culture. It’s not horse and buggies”—for a TV documen- and control.” that these mainstream communions are tary. It was not an inspiring moment, as It is not that we are uninformed. We searching for a new denomination or look- I tried to disabuse her of broad-brush owe a debt of gratitude to our biblical scholars and historians—the “tribal We might be weary of . having our brand of pacifism chiefs,” to use Murray’s parlance—such as C. Arnold Snyder, James Reimer, Walter labelled as “unpatriotic” at best or “subversive” at worst. Klaassen and William Klassen, Tom Yoder Neufeld, Alan and Eleanor Kreider, ing for a way to leave their own, he writes, stereotypes. Harry Huebner, David Schroeder, Mary but rather they “are seeking inspiration, Or, in a more proactive mode, we Shertz, Gale Gerber Koontz and Jack resources and fresh perspectives to enrich might want to understate our core Suderman, to name a few of our higher- and enhance their own lives.” Anabaptist beliefs as we quietly get more profile theologians/historians, not to Murray, chair of the Anabaptist involved in the socio-political processes, mention the theological dean of our era, Network, hears lots of discussion at our strategically going low profile so as to be the late John Howard Yoder, who has seminaries and colleges on his visits to more effective and less offensive, in an given Anabaptism currency in broader Canada and the US, but asks why it hasn’t attempt to bring our values to bear on theological circles and to us as students filtered down to the congregations. While institutional systems. in the pew. this may be over-stating the case slightly, Wherever we are on this spectrum, Thank you, Stuart Murray, for making his speculation that “maybe it has gotten Murray, in a profoundly prophetic way, us conscious of our Anabaptist “clothes.” so lost beneath all the Mennonite trad- is calling us back to our roots and asking All we need to do is wear them for “such itions and trappings over time, it doesn’t us to re-define a set of durable beliefs to a time as this.” About the cover: Circulation: Please contact Lisa Jacky toll-free at Twice a year, Canadian Mennonite presents our special Focus on Books & 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 or by e-mail at office@ Resources section, featuring a wide selection of new non-fiction and fiction canadianmennonite.org for subscriptions and ad- written by or for Mennonites, as chosen by Books & Resources editor Barb dress changes. Subscriptions can also be ordered at Draper. Stories, reviews and our spring new book list begin on page 29. our web site. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications BOOK COVER COLLAGE: DAN JOHNSON, CANADIAN MENNONITE Assistance Program towards our mailing costs. ISSN 1480-042X PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40063104 REGISTRATION NO. 09613 Exposing the ‘bare essentials’ of Anabaptism 4 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO CANADIAN MENNONITE contentsIn his latest book, TheN aked Anabaptist, Stuart Murray, the direc- 490 DUTTON DRIVE, UNIT C5 tor of the Anabaptist Network in Great Britain, makes the case that WATERLOO ON N2L 6H7 Anabaptism has become hidden behind Mennonite and Amish ‘cloth- Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 ing,’ which needs to be stripped away to get at the heart of Jesus’ call Web site: canadianmennonite.org summoning Christians to lives of discipleship and worship. Please send all material to be considered for publication to: General submission address: [email protected] When faith collides with academic freedom 15 Readers Write: [email protected] Managing editor Ross W. Muir explores how B.C.’s Trinity Western Milestones announcements: [email protected] University and Manitoba’s Canadian Mennonite University are dealing Obituaries: Lisa Metzger, [email protected] with investigations by a national university teachers union that claims Calendar announcements: [email protected] their faith-based stance impinges on academic freedom for staff and Material can also be sent “Attn: Submissions/Readers Write/Milestones/Obituaries/ students. Calendar” by postal mail or fax to our head office. Reprint requests: [email protected] The next step 22 Mennonite Central Committee prepares to switch from Mission statement: Canadian Mennonite (CM) is a bi-weekly Anabaptist/ emergency assistance to rebuilding the infrastructure of Mennonite-oriented periodical which seeks to promote covenantal relationships within the church (Hebrews 10:23-25). It provides channels for sharing accurate earthquake-ravaged Haiti. and fair information, faith profiles, inspirational/educational materials, and news ‘From farm to fork’ 25 and analyses of issues facing the church. In fulfilling its mission, the primary con- In our ‘Business of Faith’ feature, Saskatchewan correspondent Karin stituency of CM is the people and churches of Mennonite Church Canada and its Fehderau examines how the faith of Osler Mennonite farm couple five related area churches.CM also welcomes readers from the broader inter-Men- Kevin and Melanie Boldt informs their forward-thinking food busi- nonite and inter-church scene. Editorial freedom is expressed through seeking and speaking the truth in love and by providing a balance of perspectives in news and ness practices. commentary. CM will be a vehicle through which mutual accountability can be Sophomore CD released to much applause 27 exercised within the community of believers; the paper also encourages its readers Alberta correspondent Donita Wiebe-Neufeld reviews Dappled to have open hearts and minds in the process of discerning God’s will. Things by the Friesen Family Band. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good Focus on Books & Resources 29 deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one Learn how one family created its own family history/cook book in ‘Filling another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25, NRSV). the Kohma’ by Manitoba correspondent Evelyn Rempel Petkau. Plus, Board of Directors (by appointing body): stories about new historical and theological books, and our semi-annual MC Canada: , Ed Janzen, Les Klassen Hamm, Joon Hyoung Park; new book list. MC B.C.: Linda Matties; MC Alberta: James Moyer; MC Saskatchewan: Joe Neufeld; MC Manitoba: Al Friesen; Regular features: MC Eastern Canada: Larry Cornies; For discussion 7 Readers write 8 Milestones 13 Pontius’ CMPS: Carl DeGurse, Margaret Ewen Peters, Tobi Thiessen Puddle 13 Yellow Pages 36 Calendar 38 Classifieds 38 Board Chair: Tobi Thiessen, [email protected], 416-622-7850 To ‘clothed’ Anabaptists 2 Head Office Staff: Dick Benner, Editor/Publisher, [email protected] Dick Benner Ross W. Muir, Managing Editor, [email protected] They call it ‘couple-love’ 9 Barb Draper, Editorial Assistant, [email protected] Melissa Miller Dan Johnson, Graphic Designer, [email protected] Lisa Jacky, Circulation/Finance, [email protected] Take good care of your children 10 Gary Sawatzky Advertising: Lisa Metzger, [email protected], toll-free voice mail: 1-800-378-2524 ext.