Equipping No. 41 November/December 2003
a resource packet for equipping Mennonite Church Canada pastors and leaders

Equipping No. 41 is a hard copy version sent to all congregations.

For many, fall is a time of change; the beginning of new projects, school, or perhaps a new job. We hope that everyone in your congregation enjoys the autumn and the many possibilities it brings. In this issue of Equipping you will find a wide range of information. Some key items are marked as important for your church leaders to review.

e-Equipping Update

Currently, over 90% of MC Canada congregations receive e-Equipping — those editions that come to you via the web site and an email alert. About 9% have reported problems. We’ve had a few bugs to iron out. Thanks for your patience. Some of you (3%) don’t like electronic distribution and have requested to go back to hard copy only. We are happy to accommodate these requests. And if you like the electronic version but are having problems, let us know that, too (1-866-888-6785).
Note: For best results, please use the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, it's free. Adobe Reader download page

Finally, about 9% (monthly average) of email messages to congregations are returned as “undeliverable”. We expect this is due mostly to address changes or other technical difficulties beyond our control. If your email address changes, please let us know as soon as possible so your mailings won’t be interrupted.

Thanks for your help! Karen Peters – Equipping Coordinator – email: kpeters@mennonitechurch.ca

Inside this issue of Equipping:

General Secretary’s Office

• Letter from general secretary Dan Nighswander (for your bulletin board/newsletter and church leaders,) 86 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files]

NOTEWORTHY ITEMS

• Letter from Henry Krause (moderator for general board) and Dan Nighswander (general secretary) [124 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files] (for pastors, leaders, and bulletin board)
  • Where does Mennonite Church Canada stand? [119 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files]

Mennonite Church Canada

• Prayer, notes and news (for your bulletin announcements and bulletin board) [94 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files]

Christian Formation

• Letter from the Denominational Minister – Sven Eriksson (for pastors, church leaders and your bulletin board/newsletter) [117 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files]
  • Mennonites and D.N.A.
• Parish Paper *Hard copy only
  • September 2003 – Is Your Worship Dead or Alive
  • October 2003 – What’s New in Small-Town Evangelism?
  • November 2003 – Seeing your Invisible Mazeway
  • December 2003 – Managing Leadership Stress
• Resource Update (for librarians, educators, Sunday School Teachers, Pastors and Church Leaders)
  • No. 37 Highlighting Resources for Christian education and worship… [171 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files]

Christian Witness

• Mission Action Profile – MAP (bulletin insert, please make copies for your congregation) [42 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files]
  • Neidergoersdorf, Germany
  • Native Ministry (Canada) - updated March 29, 2006

Support Services

NOTEWORTHY ITEMS

• News Service (church leaders, pastors, Sunday School Superintendent)
  • Lack of Policy threatens liability insurance for congregations
• Human Resources – Kirsten Schroeder
  • Volunteer Screening Guide (church leaders, pastors, Sunday School Superintendent) [110 KB PDF file - Help with PDF files]

Beyond Mennonite Church Canada

• Faith and Life Resources (for leaders, educators, and Sunday School teachers) *Hard copy only
  • Winter 2003 – 2004 Catalog/Order Form
  • Leader – Equipping the Missional Congregation – Fall 2003
• Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (church leaders and pastors) *Hard copy only
  • Leadership Clinics – The Heart of the Matter, Effective ministerial leadership
  • Dancing with the Gorilla – Pastoring a Multi-Staff Congregation
• Mennonite World Conference *Hard copy only
  • World Fellowship Sunday – January 25, 2004
• Canadian Mennonite University (church leaders, pastors, and the library) *Hard copy only
  • Vision – A Journal for Church and Theology: Catechesis