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Dan Nigh-
swander |
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Dear Friends:
You are aware that we are preoccupied with many weighty matters as we
enter
2003. The fiscal challenges we are facing have serious implications for people,
for
programs and for dreams and visions for ministry. And the theological, moral
and
practical issues facing the church are a constant cause for concern.
At the same time, the world is anxiously waiting to see whether there
will be war in
Iraq, whether there will be more terrorist attacks and civil strife in various
places—
both predictable and not predictable.
In the midst of uncertainties and great need I am delighted to report
that over fifty people (representing
some 40 congregations) from Ontario to BC gathered at the beginning of this
new year for two full
days of learning and discussion on what it means for us to be a missional
church. Topics covered:
- What is God like,
and what is God doing?
- (We spent a lot of time in Bible study and worship.)
- What is the world like in
which we live?
- (We learned about post-modernism and Canadian
culture.)
- How can this come together
in congregational life?
- (We learned about congregational
process and resources available to help us.)
The same people have committed themselves to three more seminars this
year, and also to reading and
processing these concepts in their congregation.
I am greatly encouraged by such commitment and the enthusiasm that I witnessed
in these meetings.
We recognize that as a church (and as individuals) we have not yet experienced
what God wants to
give us, and we have not yet become what God would like us to be. But we
are on the way, and we are
resolved to follow it.
I like to dream about the wonderful things we would do for God if we had
a lot more money. But it is
the challenges, not our funds, that are without limit. We acknowledge that
reality alongside our
responsibility to exercise good stewardship of what faithful people have
entrusted to us. And we have
the courage to believe, as the hymn says, that “God is working his
purpose out,” while we, the people
of God, are chosen and privileged beyond our imagining to be a small part
in that great purpose.
May God bless your ministry and your life throughout the coming year.
Sincerely,
Dan Nighswander,
General Secretary, Mennonite Church Canada
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