| |
Dan Nigh-
swander |
| |
|
Dear Friends:
Thank you for your prayers, donations and expressions of encouragement as
we engage in the great challenge of adjusting our mission to new fiscal
realities.
One of the phrases we have used to describe our national agenda is “doing
together what we cannot do alone.” Many of our congregations (though
not all of them) understand intellectually and feel viscerally that we are
all together in this wonderful calling to share in the work God is doing “across
the street and around the world.” So we know that you share in the
anxiety and disappointment of having to reduce our expectations of what we
can do together through Mennonite Church Canada.
But even while we pour energy into changing strategies and staffing levels,
we are conscious of the astonishing work that God is doing in the world and
in which we have the privilege of participating. Let me share several examples
from my recent activities:
1 – Several weeks ago, four MC Canada staff and our spouses traveled
to Cuba (at our own expense, in case you were wondering) to increase our
understanding of the Missionary Church with which we have been working. (And,
of course, to get some rest and relaxation on the beach.) This small group
of churches has adopted our Confession of Faith as their own and welcomes
the teaching resources we are able to share. Since 1995 they are doubling
in membership every year, mostly by attracting young professionals who have
no Christian memory and who have been leaders in the youth movement of the
Communist Party of Cuba.
2 – The Program Planning Committee for this summer’s assembly
met recently in St. Catharines. In addition to stimulating seminars and wonderful
fellowship opportunities for adults and children, this year’s assembly
will feature a major youth assembly. Planners are praying for 1000 youth
to attend and are shaping a program that will call youth to faith commitment
and a deeper walk with Christ.
3 – I attended Henry Paetkau’s installation as president of
Conrad Grebel University College. Last fall, I attended Paul Wartman’s
installation as president of Columbia Bible College. And later this year,
I expect to attend Gerald Gerbrandt’s installation as the president
of Canadian Mennonite University. Our churches and members invest large amounts
of money in CGUC, CBC and CMU because we see what a profound impact they
have in shaping the faith and values of our own youth and in witnessing to
our faith to people outside our churches.
4 – Many congregations are holding annual meetings at this time.
I have attended several and heard reports from many others. Over the next
few months, our Area Conferences will be holding their annual meetings—the
report books have started to appear on my desk. Stories of witness, service,
spiritual growth and often numerical growth abound in all these settings—even
(perhaps especially) those places where the challenges are great. And in
many cases, I see signs of how the resources of our staff and programs have
made a difference in our churches across the country.
This and much more evidence of God’s activity in and through our
ministries give me courage to continue working on strategies to use the resources
entrusted to us to the greatest possible effect for the tasks to which God
has called us. Let us continue to look to our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer
and to uphold each other in prayer and support as we seek to be faithful
in our various ministry settings.
Sincerely,
Dan Nighswander,
General Secretary, Mennonite Church Canada
|
