Ask better questions
Like many, my wife and I read the announcement about the MB Herald’s pending “death” with sadness. It was the only remaining communication link keeping us somewhat informed about the larger family of MB churches.
The subsequent open letter by conference leadership (“Executive board continues Herald, plans survey,” August) expressing their apology and plans to review their decision is therefore encouraging.
Though I have always been a proponent of strong leadership, I am disappointed in my observation that many of our governance models in the local church and in the conference appear to ignore the role of “members in Christ’s body” in providing counsel and ownership in fulfilling Christ’s mission.
In the same issue, “How to ask better questions to gain clarity” suggests four questions. Using a similar grid could do much to enhance communication between leaders and their congregation, as well as between conference leaders and our churches. Good communication of our vision and positive reporting on God’s amazing blessings are both more important than ever in regaining ownership and support for our growing ministries.
Herb Neufeld
Langley, B.C.
A forum, not propaganda
Re “Executive board continues Herald, plans survey” (August). The administrators are concerned that reading the MB Herald will cause people to be confused about theology. But what is wrong with that? Are there any five MBs who agree on every point of doctrine? Isn’t that part of the fun of being Christian – discussing our differences?
MB churches have their own websites where they outline their faith stance. The MB Herald is one place where we hear what MBs (and others) in other churches are thinking. Do we really need administrators to clarify conference thinking and to dictate what the MB Herald can and cannot publish? That would turn the magazine into a propaganda tool rather than a forum for discussion and interconnection. How sad that would be.
Dorothy Siebert
Pender Island, B.C.
War objectors
During World War II, they were referred to as conscious objectors. Now, the term is simplified to “objectors to war.”
For me, it meant two and a half years where I never had access to a calendar, saw a magazine or listened to a radio. Went to church twice. Never saw a store. Wore the same two sets of clothing – never a tie or white shirt but three different kinds of shoes: big rubber boots, logger shoes and one pair of ordinary leather shoes.
Dared death twice and received a few warning letters from fellow Canadians. I was looked upon as a second-rate Canadian citizen.
Yet, I know I did my part to keep the winter fire burning in Victoria and helped put food on the table for soldiers.
Through it all, the Lord has kept me already for 97 years.
Norman H. Fehr
Kelowna, B.C.
