Letters
Uneasy about business sessions
Re “After Gathering: time to hold executive board accountable” (Editorial, September). I was a delegate from our church at Gathering 2008 and had a wonderful time. My wife grew up in Quebec and we were able to see old friends, wander the streets of Old Montreal, hear really exciting speakers, and witness what God is doing in Montreal and the province more generally. I only wish more delegates had been there to experience what Quebec has to offer.
However, I was and continue to be uneasy about some of the business sessions. In particular, I struggled to know what to do with the Regenerate 21-01 proposal. It’s not that I was opposed in principle. My struggle was to know what to do as a delegate. The absence of much information before the conference meant we couldn’t discuss the proposal at the local church level. During the conference, the time allocated for questions and concerns didn’t feel sufficient for deep discussion. Without these layers of conversation I was left wondering what kind of ownership we could expect at the grassroots.
If, as suggested in the editorial, this sense of disconnect is wider than my personal perspective, then we have work to do together to bridge that gap. Thank you for the courage to speak openly about this and for your challenge to be more involved.
Terry Sawatsky
Winnipeg, Man.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Kudos on redesign
Re “Gathering 2008” (September). Congratulations on the renovation of the Herald! I liked the layout of the magazine as it was but when I saw the redesign I was impressed with the fresh new look. Yes, it was time for a change. You have taken the best of the internet-influenced design world and incorporated them into the Herald.
I also appreciated the content of the September issue. The conference coverage had me kicking myself for not arranging my summer so that I could attend. I also appreciated your reasonably balanced Viewpoint on the Henry Morgentaler Order of Canada award. It was good to hear many voices.
Lorie Battershill
Winnipeg, Man.
_______________________________________________________________________________
No laughter, please
Re “Laughter: Godly or God-forbid?” (August). The Bible speaks of joy, rejoicing, a merry heart, and happiness as a by-product of faith in Christ. But the articles in the August Herald seemed to downplay reverence toward a holy God. There is a difference between joy from the heart and laughter. I have worked with Child Evangelism in our schools for 31 years. This is a joyous ministry, but no laughing matter when you hear their stories.
We are influenced by the media to laugh for release of tension, and taped laughter is used on comedy shows. My experience is that much of this kind of laughter is a cover-up for people who are hurting.
Jesus, our example, expressed joy and rejoicing, but nowhere do we read that he laughed. He taught, he cried, obeyed his Father in reverence, and gave his life for the forgiveness of our sin. My prayer is that we as a church will not copy the world, but with clean hearts, rejoice in the Lord as we minister in our churches in “holy living” (Romans 6).
Lydia Dyck
Steinbach, Man.
_______________________________________________________________________________
A smile and laugh go a long way
Re “Laughter: Godly or God-forbid?” (August). Thanks for a great issue on laughter. A senior lady once told me that any idiot can smile – and that message has stood me in good stead when I wanted to share my relationship with Christ. It put me on equal and common ground with others.
Laughter connects us, helps us accept one another, breaks down barriers (racial, generational, etc.), lowers blood pressure, and creates friendships. My wife is in a care home and the greatest asset for caregivers is a smile and laughter.
Jake Klippenstein
Langley, B.C.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Correction:
There was an error in the obituary of Peter Lepp in our Feb. 2008 issue. It should have read that Peter is mourned by daughter Charlotte (John) Klassen, Peter's grandchildren April (Dean) Steppan, Allan (Joan) Klassen, and 1 great-grandson. We apologize for the mistake.
—Eds
Re “After Gathering: time to hold executive board accountable” (Editorial, September). I was a delegate from our church at Gathering 2008 and had a wonderful time. My wife grew up in Quebec and we were able to see old friends, wander the streets of Old Montreal, hear really exciting speakers, and witness what God is doing in Montreal and the province more generally. I only wish more delegates had been there to experience what Quebec has to offer.
However, I was and continue to be uneasy about some of the business sessions. In particular, I struggled to know what to do with the Regenerate 21-01 proposal. It’s not that I was opposed in principle. My struggle was to know what to do as a delegate. The absence of much information before the conference meant we couldn’t discuss the proposal at the local church level. During the conference, the time allocated for questions and concerns didn’t feel sufficient for deep discussion. Without these layers of conversation I was left wondering what kind of ownership we could expect at the grassroots.
If, as suggested in the editorial, this sense of disconnect is wider than my personal perspective, then we have work to do together to bridge that gap. Thank you for the courage to speak openly about this and for your challenge to be more involved.
Terry Sawatsky
Winnipeg, Man.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Kudos on redesign
Re “Gathering 2008” (September). Congratulations on the renovation of the Herald! I liked the layout of the magazine as it was but when I saw the redesign I was impressed with the fresh new look. Yes, it was time for a change. You have taken the best of the internet-influenced design world and incorporated them into the Herald.
I also appreciated the content of the September issue. The conference coverage had me kicking myself for not arranging my summer so that I could attend. I also appreciated your reasonably balanced Viewpoint on the Henry Morgentaler Order of Canada award. It was good to hear many voices.
Lorie Battershill
Winnipeg, Man.
_______________________________________________________________________________
No laughter, please
Re “Laughter: Godly or God-forbid?” (August). The Bible speaks of joy, rejoicing, a merry heart, and happiness as a by-product of faith in Christ. But the articles in the August Herald seemed to downplay reverence toward a holy God. There is a difference between joy from the heart and laughter. I have worked with Child Evangelism in our schools for 31 years. This is a joyous ministry, but no laughing matter when you hear their stories.
We are influenced by the media to laugh for release of tension, and taped laughter is used on comedy shows. My experience is that much of this kind of laughter is a cover-up for people who are hurting.
Jesus, our example, expressed joy and rejoicing, but nowhere do we read that he laughed. He taught, he cried, obeyed his Father in reverence, and gave his life for the forgiveness of our sin. My prayer is that we as a church will not copy the world, but with clean hearts, rejoice in the Lord as we minister in our churches in “holy living” (Romans 6).
Lydia Dyck
Steinbach, Man.
_______________________________________________________________________________
A smile and laugh go a long way
Re “Laughter: Godly or God-forbid?” (August). Thanks for a great issue on laughter. A senior lady once told me that any idiot can smile – and that message has stood me in good stead when I wanted to share my relationship with Christ. It put me on equal and common ground with others.
Laughter connects us, helps us accept one another, breaks down barriers (racial, generational, etc.), lowers blood pressure, and creates friendships. My wife is in a care home and the greatest asset for caregivers is a smile and laughter.
Jake Klippenstein
Langley, B.C.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Correction:
There was an error in the obituary of Peter Lepp in our Feb. 2008 issue. It should have read that Peter is mourned by daughter Charlotte (John) Klassen, Peter's grandchildren April (Dean) Steppan, Allan (Joan) Klassen, and 1 great-grandson. We apologize for the mistake.
—Eds
