Who is Jesus?

This is one of those modest titles that may well qualify as hyperbole. Everybody knows, duh! And if somebody else titled their post this way I would probably also look for something else to read. I am sure I have heard the name Jesus, or at least the word Jesus, every day of my life to date including the formative, the trucker years and the churchy years. And now it is front and center each day almost all day in this old thinker. 

Why so much attention to this old topic? There are libraries already full on this, so why bother? For me, it's just something that must be shared (Acts 4:20) even if it never goes into the annals of time.😏 The source is probably twofold; I still have a bit of social life, and I still enjoy reading. Social life? It’s expected of me, a lot of ‘visiting’ which includes considerable b*s* and also some good focus on what's right or wrong or an occasional WWJD - what would Jesus do. Reading? I have always been a reader, but now in these latter years find it ever more important - even if my eyesight is protesting - because the other option is the digital world, gamers and movie buffs now addicted to AI characters and creatures mostly at war with one another – including some almost credible attempts to identify a spiritual force (as explained to me by my grandson the other day).

This is not to say reading is the good (or better) alternative – lots of junk available here too. Yesterday, clicking the headlines of New York Times, I discover that Eric Trump, second son of the Donald has just published a book entitled Under Siege, his own memoir which assigns almost messianic qualities to the work and accomplishments of his father. [I do not plan to read it] Definitely there is reason to be selective in one’s reading material, deceptive best sellers available even when one is reading religious material. Do we remember Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey? [i] He wrote thirty-some books on end-times apocalyptic theme, and died at age 95, a very wealthy man. Who was, who is Jesus in this passage of time? This is what has sparked the title of this post. 

Who is Jesus? I wish I might have been in the audience on that occasion some 2000 years ago when John the Baptist encountered Jesus standing before him at the Jordan river, wishing to be baptized, and with that rite came the voice from heaven, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). I claim this Jesus my Savior and my Lord and, no news for most people who know me, have been making that reference increasingly in these last several years. To me Jesus is exactly that – the Savior who has provided my access to God via his body broken (e.g. 1 Peter 2:24), and also Lord whose help I need daily for attitude and behavior as a born again Christian (e.g. Luke 9:24).

It is in context of today’s day, today’s multiculturism, however, that I posit the old question “Who is Jesus?” There are many answers to that question clamoring for attention, and in this environment, even after my years of preaching, still find the question compelling and not at all boring. Many contemporary Christians are in grip of right wing extremism, claiming more aggressively than ever a need for a pure “Christianity of the saved” which must include only those who adhere to narrow minded fundamentalism including Zionism (special place and rank for Israel), which must be protected by ascribed political and religious leaders who ignore the lordship mandate of all us ‘saved’ beings.[ii] There is an equal pushback from many Christians who claim that this ‘narrow mindedness’ is a complete denial of the Jesus who was promised and recognizable by his loving presence in the gospels. That open-minded progressivism – woke faith – is often devoid of any attention to a relationship with Jesus.[iii]

Let’s move beyond this conservative liberal dichotomy. Believe you me there is more, and it’s interesting. The Four Vision Quests of Jesus, written by Steven Charleston, a Choctaw Episcopalian minister, interprets four key events in Jesus’ life – Wilderness, Transfiguration, Gethsemane, and Golgotha as spiritual journeys inspired by the Native American vision quest tradition. My experience with this book has been like many books one reads – kind of interesting but… – until I think about a friend I have, an Indigenous United Church Minister, a born-again fully committed Christian very active in this city’s Interfaith Council, providing endless pastoral services here as well as among his people in nearby reservations. There’s nothing like knowing someone who lives what they believe.

A second example not uncommon to many. The Mormons, or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are a faith community who have been around for a long time, in fact right here among the explorers, the Puritans, etc. who ‘discovered’ America. In 1832 a young man named Joseph Smith, in upstate New York experienced a divine instruction from an angel Moroni to find certain golden plates hidden near his home and to translate the text inscribed thereon. This holy find would eventually become book of Mormon (verified to varying degrees by 11 witnesses). 

This interesting and entertaining story is a little less convincing than vision quests of Jesus. My hesitation must be tempered, however. I am fully aware there is a seeming 400-year lull (lack of reporting?) between the Old and New Testament of our Bible. Yes, the apocryphal writings are there, but did not seem convincing enough when the canon was somewhat established in 325 CE (yes, after the earthly time of Jesus). [iv] So, who’s to say that God did not provide further revelation to those seeking faithfulness, even if they were already across the ocean during the time of Jesus? The Mormon story is two-pronged, first the Jaredites who departed for America already at time of the Tower of Babel, and then later the Nephites and Lamanites, descendants of a prophet Lehi, who eventually also opted for an ocean crossing rather than the Babylonian Captivity as experienced by the people of Israel and Judah (587 BC). The Book of Mormon presents the Americas as part of God’s plan, alongside the history of the Israelites in the Old Testament, with the prophets in both narratives testifying of Jesus Christ. Fast forward to many of our present-day LDS neighbors. The celebration of Jesus the Savior and the involvement and participation of whole families in Church life and ministry is an inspiration to all of us trying to raise families these days.

Seventh Day Adventists adhere to the evangelical gospel message of Jesus, looking for his second coming as promised. I have received and read articles in their Ministry magazine during all my years as pastor, and aside from their somewhat idealistic  requirement of church leaders to spend hours and hours in prayer (considerable challenge to this workaholic Mennonite), I do appreciate their emphasis on Sabbath rest. Someday I will ask Jesus about this, as he did not hesitate to perform healings on the Sabbath.

Sikhs, Unitarians, Bahia’s, Hindus, and a number of other faith communities honor Jesus as teacher and exemplar, but not as God. Muslims list him among the prophets, also with clear understanding that a prophet can never be God, that reserved for Allah alone. Then of course there is Creator, non-doctrinal but very generously acknowledged as the One above all humans, animals, and plants.

This brings me back to my opening observation of liberal Christians emphasizing mostly the love of Jesus rather than his divinity. As an Anabaptist Christian fully committed to the peace teachings and social implications of Jesus, I also heartily agree with the evangelical stance so clearly stated at beginning of the Gospel of John, "He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:10-12). To varying degrees there are evangelical groupings among Indigenous, Unitarians and also Anglicans, Catholics, Mennonites, Quakers, and other non-declarative traditions who fully adhere to this text. To me this is testimony of the Savior’s ongoing transcendence beyond denominations and traditions, an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.  Praise the Lord.

The invitation to relationship with God through Jesus needs more emphasis these days. Too many progressive Christians are explaining Jesus away as a good teacher but one who must be held at distance, lest perhaps we impose pressure on someone to accept him as Savior. The call to follow Jesus is not an imposition; it is an invitation.

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[i] Hal Lindsey, Late Great Planet Earth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, first edition 1970). Of note, multimillion dollar estate at time of his death in 2024. Four wives and three divorces during his lifetime. https://en.wikipedia.org.

[ii] See recent blogpost reference to funeral of Charlie Kirk, “Crowd Addictions”, https://www.jcfroomthoughts.blogspot.com/.

[iii] An awareness of this reality clearly depicted in “Church for Young Adults by Young Adults” Canadian Mennonite, Vol 29, no 9, September 2025, p.19.

[iv] “Biblical Canon”, https://en.wikipedia.org.

Crowd Addictions

Whether news headlines or social media or city traffic, there seems to be a competition going on somewhere. Just yesterday driving up one of our longtime congested thoroughfares, Macleod Trail, I was passed by a noisy smoke-rolling diesel pickup truck. Only a moment later at the next light we sat side by side, light turned green and immediately in mid-intersection he changed lanes at full acceleration to get around the car in front of him, about 100 meters later back into my lane, and then one lane over. At next red light I sat quietly smiling, again in the lane beside him! The young man in this truck, in a hurry to get somewhere, was making about same progress as all the rest of us. This morning’s newspaper has an article, “Step up reckless Driving Crackdown.” Our city (and province) is providing increased funding for digital speed signs, intersection upgrades, etc. but a concern is raised that “vehicular violence” needs more personalized attention, like more police officers with speeding tickets. 

What is it that might satisfy the loneliness or need for attention? Is it people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who are acting out? Lots of that also in our public school system. Student aggressive behavior one of the issues in a possible teachers strike coming up. Increased ADHD may be here, but is it realistic to solve education things only via medical diagnoses or teachers' wages? Not only kids and young people; a middle-aged man comes to mind, a friend at the swimming pool. Recently he kicked and swore and raged at his locker door which was not working properly. Then I think he recognized his own lunacy and was awkward and embarrassed about it, but I can't forget. What was he looking for?😉

Another example, Christian gatherings - large worship assemblies - somewhat akin to media melees. Services begin not with organ preludes and silent prayer, but with a band or piped in stingray music as people come in sipping their coffees. Is it the crowd or the  caffeine which is the draw? Another example, this one at even larger scale. In the last several days everybody has seen news clips of the public appearances of one Charlie Kirk, a right-wing Christian activist whose funeral a few days ago was aired from a football stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Killed by an assassin’s bullet while performing one of his evangelical God and Country right wing crusades, Kirk was cut down in same dramatic style as the noisy confrontive services he had starred in. Included in this funeral crowd and participant in the service was one of his bigtime supporters, U.S. President Donald Trump!

Crowds, a place of security? Politicians and religious egomaniacs need the crowd. I too confess my preference for a full house rather than a few people in the seats. But crowds can also be demonic. Jesus, the infamous teacher, healer, Son of God (Matthew 3:17), encountered the about-face of the many who had followed him. At the end of each gospel account is this grizzly crowd narrative, They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ (Mark 15:13). Not as gruesome but also chilling, I recently heard story of a huge crowd of ‘fellow churchmen’ who showed up on the farmyard of a Mexican Mennonite who was choosing to send his children to a school other than the village designate. It was an occasion which led him to leave that version of church.

So what purpose the crowd? I am a member in a low-church denomination. Our origins and our theology is a very basic belief that the presence and the blessing of God is available whenever, wherever “two or three are gathered in my name" (Matthew 18:20). No need for officially sanctioned liturgies and no need for standardized preacher qualifications. Our Calls to Worship claim the presence of almighty God every time we meet! This theological stance nonetheless falters especially among today's urban Mennonites who also get nervous when a gathering does not provide the numbers security. Many in their spiritual search (comfort search) will opt for the crowd. This is no different than political rallies where the goal is to incite momentum, always in opposition to viewpoints espoused by other candidates or political parties. The occasion and the words seem to need the assurance of many likeminded.

These days it is a common malady. The comfort of full churches or political rallies with lots of ‘rah rah’ has a similarity to restless traffic. Something exciting is needed but we know not what. Especially ironic is the complicity of us peace churches in that very same societal trend. Today’s morning devotional provided considerable food for thought for my wife and I.[i] We read about crowd following which was also evident in pre-WW2, a sad reminder of European German Christians, including some Mennonites no longer the radical pacifists of the 16th Century, joining the Nazi regime under dictatorship of Adolph Hitler. Some members of the Confessing Churches, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, were executed for their troubles. Denominational affiliation; is it becoming meaningless as time moves on? Another question; how important is it?

"Times, they are a' changing", so crooned Bob Dylan back there in the 1960s, critiquing his country's involvement in the Vietnam war. Have the times changed? 

Yes, earthly seasons come and go, not the least of which is current U.S. self-discovery (self-denial?, e.g. government shutdown) of its new place in a multicultural multilingual world. Americans today are divided on whether they need to be great again.

In another sense, No, nothing has changed. Our eternal citizenship still available, "God so loved the world" (John 3:16), is best acknowledged (and experienced) by all who will humble themselves and, in gatherings big or small, worship that One. And having worshiped we will be in a good state to go home gratefully, graciously, quietly, peacefully in whatever means, be it a pickup truck or hybrid or minivan or public transit or bicycle or walking or.... It's an eternity thing.

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[i] Byron Rempel-Burkholder, “Trust Your Word”, Rejoice! , Mennomedia, Vol 61, no 1, 2025, p. 38.

Of Thinking and Revelations

Two days ago, walking home after a fine breakfast with some friends, I was approached by a homeless-looking guy – familiar experience for me. Just as I was rehearsing my friendly but possibly firm response to a request for handout of some kind, he reaches out and hands me a nice saran wrapped Quesadea. Hardly any explanation, just a look of mutuality in his face. He is sharing! I say thank you, aware my wife not at home right now, so lunch plans in place! As I continue the walk home I think a little more about this. Do I look homeless? Was he testing me? Had he seen me before, perhaps a recipient a couple years ago when I was handing out gift cards from Calgary Interfaith? Was God testing me? [I believe in angels you know].

Yesterday we had a sermon in church about a vineyard owner who hired workers throughout the day, morning, afternoon and evening, and at quitting time, end of the day he paid them all the same amount. Why should the early risers be paid same as the afternoon slackers? Good question, poised in Matthew 20 and preached by one of our members who happens to be a financial planner, one who meets daily with clients to plan and be good stewards of their present earnings. Our preacher of the morning identified this as a perfect illustration of what is expected of us at end of our days. It is not just an hours of service calculation. Longtime faithfulness or last minute faith commitment are equally important to our God who deals in grace. It was a sermon helping us not only with values and inner demeanor, including our attitude to one another, whatever the income bracket or financial situation. This coming from one in our midst added a special clarity easily understood by all. Lessons are everywhere. Sometimes beggars are gift givers, and experts will speak simple basic truths.

These last several months my faith community, the Mennonites, have been celebrating our history, “Anabaptism at 500.” As the celebrations got going, I suddenly, surprisingly have become more intrigued by the larger church history picture. Especially as there are some considerable variations in that sixteenth century narrative, it is obvious that our chapter (these 500 years), is not a full descript of what the Kingdom should be like! Ours is but part of the larger story, no matter how much we try to detail those exciting beginnings. Yes, it’s been an interesting 500 years, but as most celebrations go, the focus has been on us, even though our version is only one quarter of the 2000 years of denominationalism immediately following the resurrection of Jesus Christ (3000 years for the Mormons who were already in America at the time of Jesus). 

How is God communicating with us? As a Mennonite (yes one of those Anabaptists) I claim, and still very much appreciate, the belief that God is never satisfactorily understood via explanations; it must be by experience. This means we do not depend exclusively on systematic theologians to tell us how the incarnation works or how salvation was wrought by Jesus dying on the cross (although to varying degrees considerable emphasis on that in our circles also). Nope, beyond declarative explanations we have need to listen anew for what God may be telling us now, including implications for discipleship. We believe Jesus’ death was a consequence of His life and teachings, and to accept Jesus as savior is not merely a transaction to purchase salvation, but invitation to follow his teachings, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me”(Luke 9:23 NIV).

Our emphasis to follow Jesus as both Savior and Lord is interpreted as added legalisms by many fellow Christians, including Mormon friends who definitely claim the Savior but advocate going to war so as to protect God and country, Indeed there are scriptures which suggest that we not become too diligent or preoccupied with the good things we do - E.g. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We have been saved... and indeed by grace and not by works. This is a scripture readily touted by those who would disagree with Anabaptists, Quakers, Jehovah's Witnesses and others of a peace stance because we have seemingly added some works, like pacifism. The rebuttal which us pacifists can offer our fundamentalist and/or conservative Christian friends is that they also live with an inferred works obligation, military service (and for Mormons an extra docket of requirements to get into a 'good place' in heaven). It's complicated. 

Pointing out these two differing perspectives among Christians can easily sound like old hat. Yes, to this day I still see the avoidance of these testy faith topics so as not to spoil a family dinner! Why bother replaying these old debating points? Why? Because this is not old! It is new; alive and contemporary especially in today's many different cultures of Christianity. We do not necessarily represent all viewpoints when we sit at family dinner table! Good example; I have several Christian friends in Calgary's South Sudanese community. These brothers and sisters affirm the peace position of us Anabaptists. However, from the relative safety of Canadian coffee shops, the atrocities by the 'other side' in their home country has become  legitimate reason to enter into tribal warfare. They see it as absolutely essential in order to create some order among the chaos back home. Old hat? Not at all; quite similar to many North American Christians today trying to justify the genocide being inflicted by the secular state of Israel on the citizens of Gaza.

So why hypothesize here? Certainly not because I am a debater nor a strategic thinker; only as illustration of what I hear and read about in the news and social media every day. The challenge is stringently before us. Speaking as a contemporary Christian committed to Jesus as Savior and Lord, the question is very valid, “How is God communicating with us?” A good sermon from a layperson is one example. And as indicated in recent posts, holy silence also important [i], and so are those surprise special unexplainable kairos moments [ii] which may well be the voice of God. So here we are, us Anabaptists fully part of, and also some differences with the larger Christian community. Among all these blogposts and dinner conversations I cannot but wonder about revelation. Yes, the R word, and I shall conclude with that..

According to sacred texts, God spoke to Moses at a burning bush, to John on the Isle of Patmos in the Bible's final Revelation, to Mohammed at Mecca, to Joseph Smith in New York. [.And there are more]. I wonder how our God - "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14), and "from everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm 90:2 et al) is communicating to all, including those in other faith communions. No big tome for now, but I posit this because I must, and fully aware of another teaching of Jesus, quite humbling actually, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven“(Matthew 7:21). 

That's it for now. These paragraphs have come because I was energized by a sermon telling me to throw a little grace into my values, and also the homeless guy who provided my lunch the other day.

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[i] “And then a Moment of Silence”, https://www.jcfroomthoughts.blogspot.com/. July 13, 2025.

[ii] “Magic Words”, https://www.jcfroomthoughts.blogspot.com. August 16, 2025.

Magic Words

Interesting how old memories suddenly come to life years and years later.  I have one memory which is but a tiny incident, clear as a bell in my brain even though threescore and ten years ago – almost ancient history. I was in elementary school, one room country school house, grades one to eight and a few grade nine correspondence students, grand total of about 30 farm kids all in one room. I think I was in grade four, and one day our teacher was in conversation with the grade oners. “What is the magic word?” “Please.” “Yes, let’s all say it together." Just like that all the rest of us, everybody in that one room, we got to enjoy the little ones cheerfully repeating their life lesson. Nobody could deny they were learning a good thing.

Magic words; they do something hard to explain. It’s sort of an access code, a password to inspiration? motivation? picker upper? Whatever the descript, there are more examples that come to mind. I am aware of a word – words - that have become magic recently just because of habit. I take a walk every morning. Almost every day there will be at least one or even several encounters with people walking their dogs. Interesting, you can almost tell whether a person is anxious or confident about the creature at other end of the leash. I intentionally try for a little face contact and a greeting with the human if it seems right. On almost all occasions, even if the human is cacooned, I follow with another greeting, “Hi pooch.” That is followed by a little chuckle or other pleasant sound from the human and the winning look or tailwag from the canine. Then it is an occasion, perhaps to be followed by some pleasantries conversation or just lighter steps each continuing on our way.

And yet … even as I can think of a few more examples there is a waning thought, and the discerning reader may also be thinking so. It’s not only words! Several of my recent blogposts lean towards the giftedness of silence and the futility of noise especially in repeated restaurant or watering hole settings, where words are mere tools of restlessness. Words uttered at high volume and multiplied ad nausea are not magic. They are irritating, suggesting to me that I best broaden out this image of magic. Yes, magic moments are fully there in those several occasions just described, but magic exists in a context way beyond words, and probably worth looking at.

In my Bible is a telltale about words. In Genesis 11 God needs to deal with overt ambition among those early humans, fancy schemes and plans leading to no good, "Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech" (:7). On that occasion, although words may have been important in accomplishing many tasks, a great disservice was rendered when coming with questionable motivation from the wrong source.

I remember another incident, a college classroom setting, this a number of years later, but also kind of once upon a time. It is Dr. David Schroeder [i] explaining something about movement of time. I see him sitting beside his desk in front of the class speaking in his gentle plodding manner, fully focused on the lesson of the day. Nobody was bored in this full classroom of young adults as he spoke. There is kronos, time moving along (tik tok tik tok), and there is kairos, an occasion which is a special moment somewhere in that time flow. It may be an incident, an inspiration, healing, or even a crisis or disappointment. It is a blic in time, perhaps beyond comprehension but somehow recognized as special. Words cannot quite describe it. The Bible, of course is not a mere chronology of events; it is a recording of those significant moments. [To this day an invaluable lesson. I wish many of today’s Christians might have been in that classroom on that day]. Perhaps we can think of kairos moments as magic moments - slightly more inclusive and perhaps more accurate than magic words.

I am in need of one of those moments, any day soon would be fine! The daily news is not good. I read headlines in New York Times and at times find myself relieved that so far the President of the United States has not yet curtailed this historic informative news publication. The era of us good lifers, post WW2 baby boomers, is nearing its end. A new way is descending on us (possibly WW3)? Interestingly as I write these words, U.S. and Russian Presidents are in meeting in Alaska, the northernmost state once purchased from Russia – providing for all to see an image not so remote from Donald Trump’s proffers of purchasing Canada. 😬 Among all these high-power games and sabre rattling I find myself in many minority opinion-casts; family members and friends, fellow Christians rising up in offensive defense whenever I state my apprehension about the autocrat the Americans have re-elected for themselves, now in office and indeed as dangerous to democracy as predicted. I write now in slightly more contentious times than at beginning of these blogs a few years ago when I promised lightheartedly I would “say it as I sees it.” Is there a kairos or magic moment?

Given the current socio-political environment along with both fearmongering and also avoidance stances, there are options. In recent conversation with a friend we agreed that we have reason for thanksgiving. Options are a luxury we still have; many in this world do not  (e.g. Ukraine, Gaza, South Sudan). Mostly we still have the freedom to worship God, the One above many names, who is ”from everlasting to everlasting” as cited in Psalm103:17 and a whole number of other places. Even among us believers we are many-striped in our devotion, including those who hail once more the end of time, not at all unlike one of the variances proclaimed back there in the sixteenth century [ii] and a number of times since. In these times-a-changing (again), and even as I appreciate those simple "everlasting" words, I hope and pray that we not be so busy philosophizing, predicting, and doing things that we miss the kairos moment.

I am ready to begin a kairos exchange, looking for ‘blics’, perhaps little testimonials about a life-changer moment either personal or observation of something happening around us. If a moment comes to mind and you are willing to share on this platform, I would enjoy reading it in Comments below. If you prefer a personal note, I am also there in FB Messenger. Please?

Addendum

It is now several days after I pressed the publish button. This morning's Bible reading revealed to me an error in my 'thinker' and therefore a slight miscommunication in this post. My request for a kairos exchange is a mistake - and similar to an error made by the disciple Peter after Jesus was transfigured before them on the mountain.  A very convincing kairos moment, I would say, including an appearance by the Old Testament Saints, Moses and Elijah. As recorded in Matthew 17, Peter the high-energy slightly impulsive disciple so cozy and so convinced about this divine occasion that he offers to build a couple of booths (:5 RSV, shelters NIV) for Jesus, for Moses and for Elijah - just to make it all very clear! "No need, no need", my wife and I both agreed as we talked about this scripture. Mountain top experiences need not be demonstrated with statues or buildings or smart headlines or...  and neither do kairos moments need to be lined up in a kairos exchange, 😌 I thought to myself. Even with that transfiguration drama, the invitation to the disciples, and to us, comes from within a cloud, ‘This is my Son, the beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ (:5b). The best way is simply to speak with one another of what the Beloved may be telling us. 

[i] David Schroeder (1924 – 2015) longtime professor at Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now CMU). See more on topic in one of his publications, Learning to Know the Bible (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1967).

[ii] William Loewen, Free Radicals, a historical podcast highlighting events from the fringes of church history. https://www.freeradicalspod.com/. 

And Then a Moment of Silence

In quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15)

It is July. July is vacation time, officially that is. Actually the airlines and travel agents would have us believe that any time is vacation time. July still qualifies - at least kind of. Schools are closed, except in elementary some children must learn extra things because report cards raised a concern or parents have extra ambition for their little ones. Highschoolers too actually, extra credits or make up classes needed here or there for many various reasons. Come to think of it, summer school is not only the kids. I’ve been there too. I remember myself one July with my wife and our two little ones settling into student housing, and me trying to sleep those hot Indiana summer nights full of nightmares, desperately trying to memorize conjugations of New Testament Greek verbs, prerequisite for a seminary degree program to commence in September.

So … July vacation time? Perhaps not for everyone all the time. The vacation image often includes a competitive stress with it also, many loud stories about glamping trips or attendance records at Calgary Stampede, etc. This year my mind is full of – many things in changing times and changing seasons - a busy head. Uppermost in this head is a considerable preoccupation with my faith. Yes, right in among the spring and summertime activities, my good mix of reading and writing and basement bathroom renovations – the homey things.  In addition there are the things out there - the headlines, social media posts, our American neighbors trying to cope with a dealmaking, dealbreaking inconsistent president, and us citizens in our country not sure whether we want a Liberal Canada or a broke-down private enterprise Conservative shadow of the U.S. Among all this I need my faith, in fact very grateful that I am able to claim it.

Gratitude for a living faith, thanks be to God. As indicated in my latest blog, I am a Mennonite, part of the Anabaptist faith community with its beginnings back there about 500 years ago. I rest my case as scribbled in that easy-writer post (take a read if interested). [i] I am increasingly grateful that our Anabaptist communion is now right in here among many other faith communities. We belong! We have a significant place in today’s mixed up world. With this vantage of gratitude I go to my mailbox (yes snail mail) and there, printed on paper, discover immediately some differing ways of thinking about this!

To whit, “Closing Prayers: Facing the end times on our knees” front cover article in Ministry, [ii] a Journal for pastors, a Seventh Day Adventist publication which I have received free of charge forever. They just keep sending it to me, and eventually I have become grateful because they just don’t quit. Then there is latest issue of Canadian Mennonite,[iii] a publication serving my denomination of the Anabaptists (as per subscription. no freebies here😅), latest issue front cover article entitled “Here be Dragons.”

First impressions? Two magazines of very different vintage. First impulse? Start hyperventilating. I can get quite upset with my denomination, the Mennonites, our signpost publication with cover picture and editorial imaging an ancient mapmakers’ lore reaching the edge and not knowing what’s beyond. Even after reading some interesting reports of current celebrations including good testimonials of what 500 years of church history means to us, there remains a mysterious mystery, woher wohin. Cover picture of dragon heads and tails just a little too close to Dungeons and Dragons, that unchristian gamers game.  The other magazine? Well, it’s nice to find a heading fully focused on – prayer and end times? Most of us can easily relate to that, I think. A read of the feature article, however, leaves me sort of unmoved. It hardly focuses on end-times, mostly proof texting with a few thematic Bible verses to make four points on how to be a good prayer warrior.

Two publications, neither quite cutting it for this reader. And having begun this little tome with my faith gratitude, how shall I continue?  Do I enter critique and analysis? Or … perhaps the scripture in the epigraph above? Another scripture comes to mind, leans in the same direction, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). I shall go the quiet route - and immediately a memory. I am reminded of ... silence.

Many years ago I was chosen to be the pastor of a new church. Among the enthusiasms of the early participants there were details – not only organizational but also purposive. How and where would we focus this new ministry? One of our deacons had a perspective which took hold among us. Before we got too busy with vision statements and goals she suggested we have a silent retreat. We did, a resource person one of the members of Church of the Savior, Washington, DC! We experienced a miracle at that retreat - learned how to sit without words, how to pray and share out of the silence. It became an inspiration for this pastor and a core directive in the life and ministry of that congregation. 

In recent months I have devoted some time to reading about and participating in some celebration of “Anabaptists at 500.” My suggestion at this time is that we need to believe more in our ministry of peace, which the world needs desperately and we are well situated to provide. We need, however, the strength and the power of our witness to come out of silence – rather than the noisy posts on social media, or noisy critiques of devious and/or good politicians. Let our witness emerge out of the quiet and confidence. More than ever we need it now.

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[i] “Know Your Place”, https://www.jcfroomthoughts.blogspot.com/.

[ii] Silver Springs, MD: Seventh Day Adventist Church, Vol.97, no.5, May 2025.

[iii] “500 Years Behind Us, Uncharted Waters Ahead”, Vol.29, no.07, July 2025. 

Know Your Place

“In the year 2525, if man is still alive. If women can survive…” was a spoofy sort of prophetic hit song by Denny Zager and Rick Evans which I heard many times shortly after my high school years, listening to the radio in my ’57 Plymouth. For some reason this 60s tune has popped up in my brain a number of times recently, reading and hearing many invitations to join the celebrations, join a party? My faith community is a Christian group called Anabaptists, its beginnings about 500 years ago. At this anniversary time, even though we are a somber lot, there are hints of party, along with worship, including of course much reflection, some confessions, and wondering about the future. That old tune is rolled in there somewhere as my retirement thinker thinks many things.

Preachers and People

I am a preacher. Note, you are okay to keep reading; this preacher is not known to be particularly boring. Anabaptism has always had a love – hate relationship with preachers. I probably would not have ventured this statement during the years I was serving as a pastor (diplomacy? job security?). Now in retirement, however, reflecting on my personal experiences and granted the luxury of thinking and reading, “I cannot but speak of what I have seen and heard,” as it says in the Bible (Acts 4:20). 😌 I see evidence of that love – hate all around.

Mennonite history, Anabaptist history – call it what you will – is not a history of preaching. It is a history of history, of emigration, of immigration, of suffering, hard work, successes and failures (Have you been to the movies recently)? [i] This anniversary time is being conveniently celebrated with professional planners, travel agents and tour guides – a time for holidays, perhaps some learning but not much preaching. This is in character for all churches these years, at least in the western hemisphere. Churches with roots going back a considerable distance are dealing with the empty church syndrome. Mennonites and the ‘mainliners’ shy away from any church or fellowship that smells too much of preaching, opting instead for modern-day focuses like being hospitable or inclusive or welcoming. If we want preaching, the choice for many is the non-Mennonite option easily available the other side of town or on television or livestream a favorite service from somewhere, many also reserving their charity donations for tax deductible ‘overseas mission projects’ where preaching is still important. [Note: Mennonite World Conference today registers 2.13 million baptized believers, two-thirds of those in Africa, Asia or Latin America. No fear of preachers there.] [ii] A personal friend of mine, well into his 90s and very proud of his Anabaptism, will tell me every time we visit, “Don’t ask me if I am a Christian. Just see how I live.” Interestingly this slightly leaning viewpoint, after a number of repeats, also sounds like a sermon to me!

Preaching, or proclamation, regardless of modern day opinionating, was there at beginning in the sixteenth century. As most historians will tell us, the Reformation followed on the heels of the printing press, a populace beginning to read for themselves. It was this possibility of information which allowed both the student and the commoner to find information, especially regarding spiritual matters which to date had been explained and provided by the clergy. The eager learners of the day were what we might label as undergrads – a studious young generation the first to take advantage of new reading material, and making discoveries regarding everybody’s interests. It is these discoveries shared with common folk that became the Reformation driving force. That early story already gives a hint of why preaching was important, carefully listened to, and also some new misunderstandings, indeed some notably interesting personalities among the preachers. [iii] It was in this raucous environment that a gentle Dutch priest named Menno Simons came along with his considerable gift of pastoral care. A new take on the gospel, a new way to live.

The new way to live was a movement away from the Catholic as well as the Protestant Church. Catholicism is the church which required the Eucharist and that provided by the priests who also listened to confessions, and of course determined the after-death status of the faithful as well as the unfaithful. Protestantism railed against this, especially the selling of Indulgences, claiming that salvation is not to be purchased through the church, but freely available through Jesus Christ, which was preached from the pulpit. Anabaptists agreed totally with the Protestants, except they understood salvation in Jesus not only a state of being, but also a state of living, and that available whenever, wherever two or three are gathered… (Matthew 18:20), not only as preached from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. It was this ‘third way’ which took hold especially among the peasants and the commoners. The teachings, group interpretations, and the consequences became the new way. Many New Testament scriptures became the rallying cry. Two samples: One from the gospels, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6); and one from the epistles, For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Congregational Authority

The leaders of this peoples’ movement were the ones who had studied and prayed, and along with the commoners, willing to die for these convictions. This was a radical movement very different than the ordered official appointments within the Catholic as well as the Protestant Churches cooperating with the political authorities as required in each saxon. The radical actions of these “schwaermer” [iv] (swarmers) daring to break from political subservience, were there thanks to the proclamation of preachers finding their authority simply from eager listeners hungry for what they were now learning.

Obviously that early controversial preaching grew out of the study and discovery. Powerful preaching always comes from those who share openly from biblical discovery. Sleepy time preaching comes from those who try to explain complex biblical truths, maybe try to impress the listeners, or because it’s a job. The listeners usually fall asleep.

So, although the spoken word is essential in today’s Anabaptist churches, preachers are not dependent on authorization from the higher ups. The message of the gospel is more powerful than that! There are many ways of communicating and practicing the Word of God. Within our worldwide fellowship of Anabaptists that includes some set traditions and almost liturgies, preachers still unpaid with limited education, and of course also many with seminary training, doctorates becoming commonplace especially in city churches, some with professional salaries and others with stipends volunteering their work. Anabaptism accommodates this whole spectrum. To me one of the most endearing qualities of Anabaptism is not only congregational autonomy but congregational authority. Even with assistance from denominational bishops or executive ministers, the people in the congregations make the call. No pastors are required to have the M.Div or D.Min or other required education.

Holy life and ministry happens within the gathered community. Although preaching is important, our theology forbids any preacher from claiming that s/he is proclaiming the truth even as there is a wonderful freedom to “preach it as one sees it.” [v] So as I say love – hate kind of lightheartedly, I also say freedom – constraint. It’s called honoring one another. Gareth Brandt, a Mennonite college professor, makes reference to similar differences already in the New Testament, several apostles working among new believers from various backgrounds, “The reality is that each one – Peter, Paul, Apollos, and others – still had to be faithful to who God was calling them to be.”[vi] The early church with early factions, not unlike today’s denominationalism. We are like them, says Brandt; Evangelical Anabaptists (born again), Spiritual Anabaptists (charismatic and/or contemplative), Progressive Anabaptists (the woke ones), and Separatist Anabaptists (settlers and re-settlers all over Mexico and South America). The love – hate can so easily find a place within the variety.

This formative theology of Anabaptism requires preachers to proclaim as servants, a problem for some preachers as well as congregants. Within this servant community a preacher cannot pretend to proclaim the truth until the people say “Amen.” It follows that a community of this nature will have some good and some not-so-good preaching, and the assembled people must have a listening maturity enough to respond honestly on occasions when the sermon may need further discussion or a corrective or prayer or the hearty amen. That is everyone’s privilege and everyone’s responsibility - not only feel good stuff. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body (Ephesians 4:25).

Given our understanding that God’s word comes not only via pulpit or altar, the theme here is absolute equality for all – not only the preachers and the listeners, but everybody in, as the hockey coaches will say (Stanley Cup playoffs just finished 😐). Full equality is not only a theological concept, but an experience, and this is best understood by knowing your place, again with much biblical support, especially reference to gifts of the spirit, There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). The greatest gift of Anabaptism is the level playing field, and the best way to experience that is to take your place when you know your place. “Take your Place at the Table”, another folksy tune comes to mind recently recorded by Kim Thiessen, a former employee of Mennonite Central Committee Alberta. [vii] Anabaptism is a unique contributor as well as receptor among all. [viii] We give and we receive!

This year of anniversary celebrations is a call within the community to recognize and claim our individual and our corporate giftedness not only to fellow Christians, but to all faith communities, including the atheists in our neighborhoods, in some of our families (yes your family too?) and even in church communities. Yup! Know your place, a way of being humble and also confident!

I was born into an Old Colony Mennonite farm family, and with the encouragement of my parents who obviously recognized my interests, most of my lifetime has been among the 'educated and progressive' ones. Now in these latter years I am aware that a continuing gift to our Anabaptist worldwide presence comes also from those unassuming members of this our unique Christian community. Will we be here in the year 2525 (or 3535)?  I conclude with a short list of some seed thoughts to keep us fresh and growing for the next 500 years!

 t

Anabaptists among other religions (not only Christian). One enjoyable involvement in retirement for me has been Calgary Interfaith Council. One friend in this community, quite aware of our recent tagline, “neither Catholic nor Protestant,” [ix] said with tongue in cheek, “both Catholic and Protestant.” It seems to me that especially in today’s painfully broken world, Anabaptists are needed in Interfaith fellowships and/or service projects wherever they emerge in our neighborhoods. This of course is best facilitated when our preachers show neighborhood awareness and encourage participation in ecumenical and interfaith relations. Neighborly relations are more important than expensive touristy mission trips.

Evangelism is essential if Anabaptism will continue. I say this even with the above reference to the variety and types of Anabaptist communities. We are among many faith communities. The invitation of Jesus is not only to fit into one of the groupings listed by Brandt. The great invitation is for all “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Our communion of about 2 million plus Anabaptists is but a miniscule number among the billions who populate this world. Jesus’ challenge after his resurrection and just before his ascension was, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

  Celebrations in context. It would be good even now after the May 29 celebrations in Switzerland to acknowledge some other significant occasions. For example, I recently attended a concert where my daughter was singing in a local United Church. During intermission I stumbled upon a display informing of an anniversary for many of these our Canadian neighbors. June 10, 1925 was beginning of the United Church of Canada when Presbyterians, Methodists, and Congregationalists joined forces. In our multicultural pluralistic world it is important to exchange blessings with these neighbors especially in our continuing desire to be a peace church.

Mennonite World Conference, also begun in 1925, is a big player in this year’s anniversary celebrations. A simple question for my historian friends. Was there any awareness of the United Church beginning that same year?

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[i] Two examples: Mirriam Toews, Women Talking (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2018) now a movie https://en.wikipedia.org/; and another movie just out, Dale Hildebrand, Where the Cottonwoods Grow, a historical movie https://www.mmhs.org/cottonwoods/.

ii  https://www.mwc-cmm.org.

[iii] William Loewen, Free Radicals: A historical story-telling podcast highlighting events from the radical fringes of church history. https://www.freeradicalspod.com/. Also of note is an overview of scholars who examine early documents on Anabaptist emergence among former Protestants and Catholics of the day, The Anabaptists and Thomas Muntzer, James M. Stayer and Werner O. Pacull, eds. (Toronto: Kendal Hunt Publishing Company, 1980).

[iv] Thieleman J. van Bracht, Martyrs Mirror: The Story of Seventeen Centuries of Christian Martyrdom from the Time of Christ to A.D. 1660 (Scottdale: Herald Press, 1938).

[v] See recent blogpost, “Conviction and Instructions,” https://www.jcfroomthoughts.blogspot.com/.

[vi] Gareth Brandt, Radical Roots: A Collection of Paintings, Stories, and Poems Celebrating the 500^th Anniversary of Anabaptist Origins (Morgantown, PA: Masthof Press, 2024), p.63.

[vii] Kim Thiessen and Darryl Neustaedter Barg, Take Your Place (CD to end AIDS, 2010). https://www.mcc.org/.

[viii] “Many Hearts One Rhythm” a recent concert by Concino Chorus at MacDougal United Church, Calgary May 3, 2025, including a drumming circle, different beats contributing to the choir performance, including reference to Glossolalia, the gift of tongues. Good reminder, the Christian faith reaches beyond intelligible words. There are also charismatics in some Anabaptist churches.

[ix] Walter Klaassen, Anabaptism: Neither Catholic nor Protestant (Waterloo: Conrad Press, 1973).