Category: Announcements

Darrin Snyder Belousek publishes major study on the atonement and peacemaking

Bridgefolk participant and board member Darrin Snyder Belousek has just published a major new book on atonement.  The book develops a biblical theology of the cross in connection with justice and peacemaking.  Published by Eerdmans, the book is entitled Atonement, Justice, and Peace: The Message of Cross and the Mission of the Church.   Belousek notes that “one chapter focuses on ecumenical peacemaking in the church and is directly influenced by my experience in and reflection on Bridgefolk.”  Here is the publisher’s description and a link to purchase online:

In this substantial new study Darrin Belousek presents a comprehensive and critical examination of standard Protestant atonement theology and offers an alternative to the theory of penal substitution that is both biblically grounded and theologically orthodox. Beginning with Paul’s message of the cross and the Gospel narratives of Jesus, Belousek develops a comprehensive vision of justice and peace in light of the cross — a vision that connects theology and ethics, salvation and mission. Integrating his biblical study and theological reflection with philosophical analysis, historical considerations, and social-scientific evidence, Belousek shows that Christian thinking on atonement is no mere academic exercise, but rather a practical theology that speaks to such concrete realities as economic justice, capital punishment, the war on terror, ethnic and religious conflict, and Christian disunity.

Click here to order.

Advent greetings from Bridgefolk

 

Dear friends,

The season of Advent is a time of hopeful expectation and prayerful reflection.  At Bridgefolk, we share in this spirit of hope for what is to come, as well as gratitude for what has been.  The past year has brought many blessings to the Bridgefolk movement:  A successful conference at MCC Welcoming Place challenged and enriched us.  New friends have broadened our circle.  Developments in ecumenical dialogue have given us cause for hope and renewed opportunities for progress.  We have much cause for praise and celebration.

At the same time, we are aware that we rely on the support of committed friends of Bridgefolk to continue to pursue the vision set before us.  In the coming year, we hope to devote resources to adjusting our administrative structure, developing our annual conference and encouraging participation in local and broader Bridgefolk activities.  To meet our aspirations, we will rely on your support.

We invite you to take a moment during this busy time to consider making a financial contribution to the ongoing work of Bridgefolk.  Your contribution will help ensure that the work of Bridgefolk moves forward in the coming year.

Bridgefolk is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.  Your contributions will be tax deductible. Please consider sending a check of $50, $100, $250 or more to Bridgefolk, Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville MN 56321.  You can also donate online by going to http://bridgefolk.net/howtohelp.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.

In deep gratitude,

 

Marlene Kropf and Abbot John Klassen,
Bridgefolk Co-Chairs

Exploring Christian formation, post-Christendom

New book honors legacy of Alan & Eleanor Kreider

by Mary E. Klassen

News Release

Forming Christian Habits in Post-ChristendomElkhart, Ind. (AMBS) – “For people who think being a Mennonite or Anabaptist is a disadvantage today, Alan and Eleanor Kreider prove it is not true,” James Krabill said at an event celebrating a new book that honors the mission-worker-and-educator team.

Krabill and Stuart Murray, a leader in the Anabaptist Network in England, hope to extend the Kreiders’ gracious and unapologetic approach to matters of faith with the book they have edited. Forming Christian Habits in Post-Christendom: The Legacy of Alan and Eleanor Kreider is a way to recognize their contributions and to expand on themes important to them, Krabill said.

Alan and Eleanor served in England with Mennonite Board of Missions for 26 years. In addition, they have traveled extensively inNorth Americaand many other countries in their ministry of teaching. More recently, Alan served on the faculty of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary from 2004 to 2009, and Eleanor was an adjunct instructor at AMBS in addition to being involved in Prairie Street Mennonite Church. They have participated regularly in Bridgefolk, often as conference speakers.

“The thing that has been most important,” Krabill emphasized, “is the balance in their approach to engaging people in conversations from a missional perspective. Alan and Eleanor have stayed in conversation with people in high-church groups, with Pentecostals, and with other believers, all with such a gracious spirit.” Continue reading “Exploring Christian formation, post-Christendom” →

Herald Press devotional named “best of best”

by Steve Shenk

Mennonite Church Canada/MennoMedia joint release
WATERLOO, Ont. and HARRISONBURG, Va.—A Herald Press devotional book has been selected as Worship Leader magazine’s “best of the best” in the team devotionals category for 2011. The magazine published the winners list in its Oct. 7 issue.

The devotional is Take Our Moments and Our Days, Volume 2, published in 2010.

Worship Leader’s annual guide for the world of worship includes everything from the best music resources to the ultimate software, visual and presentation technology, worship training, musical instruments, apps, sound and recording equipment, books and devotionals to the leading products in lighting, screens, and projectors.

“The special annual issue has evolved from a general buyer’s guide and bonus issue to one of the year’s central issues for Worship Leader—and the most back-ordered,” said Daniele Kimes, vice president for sales and marketing.

Take Our Moments and Our Days, Volume 2 was compiled by Paul Boers, Barbara Nelson Gingerich, Eleanor Kreider, John Rempel, and Mary Schertz. It is subtitled An Anabaptist Prayer Book, Advent through Pentecost. The thick, hard-cover book is available for $40 in Canada and $34.99 in the U.S.

The devotional can be purchased at www.MennoMedia.org or 800-631-6535 (Canada) and 800-245-7894 (U.S).

Herald Press is the book imprint of MennoMedia, a ministry of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA

Latest issue of Vision on theme of baptism

The latest issue of Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology is dedicated to the theme of baptism.  Vision is published at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana and Canadian Mennonite University in Manitoba, and is edited by Bridgefolk board member Mary Schertz.

The theme of baptism is timely given that representatives of worldwide bodies of Mennonites, Catholics and Lutherans will soon be launching a trilateral dialogue on the theme.

Information and two sample articles from the issue are available at http://www.mennovision.org/Volume12-2.htm.   One of the two sample articles, “Cultivating a congregational climate of discernment,”  is by Bridgefolk co-chair Marlene Kropf.

Andy Martin joins Bridgefolk Board, strengthening Canadian voice

Bridgefolk is pleased to welcome Andy Martin of Elmira, Ontario, Canada, on to its board.  Andy is married to Colleen and they have three (nearly) adult children. He grew up in Waterloo region in the conservative Mennonite church, which split from the (Old) Mennonite church in the late 1950s in order to hold to a more conservative practice and theology. At the age of 31 Andy left his community of origin and his career as an automotive technician and owner of several small businesses to pursue an education. “From the beginning this was a journey to discover the bigger questions in life,” he explains.

Andy completed an undergrad degree in music and a master’s degree in counseling in Manitoba at Providence College and Seminary and a master’s degree in theology from Conrad Grebel University College/University of Waterloo, with a thesis on the influence of fundamentalism on the conservative Mennonite movement directed by Mennonite historian and Bridgefolk participant Arnold Snyder. Continue reading “Andy Martin joins Bridgefolk Board, strengthening Canadian voice” →

New book interprets church apologies

In recent years, churches have repented for historical wrongs. In his new book, Ecclesial Repentance: The Churches Confront Their Sinful Pasts, Jeremy M. Bergen tells the story of these apologies and analyzes the theological issues they raise about the nature and mission of the church.

“In a context in which churches, as well as national governments, are increasingly offering public apologies for past acts of injustice and failure,” Bergen’s book, Ecclesial Repentance: The Churches Confront Their Sinful Pasts, “represents an important contribution.” In a review by Christopher Craig Brittain of the University of Aberdeen, Britton continues, “rather than seeing ecclesial repentance as undermining the Church’s reputation, or functioning as a self-serving public relations strategy, Bergen offers a theological account of how they help the Church be faithful to its mission. The result is a sensitive reflection on the complexities and perils of public apologies, as well as a thoughtful appreciation for their potential to facilitate the healing of past wounds.’ Continue reading “New book interprets church apologies” →

Uncovering ancient rhythms of daily prayer

Day by Day These Things We Pray

WATERLOO, Ont. and SCOTTDALE, Pa. (Herald Press)— When he was a young adult, Arthur Boers’ 17 year-old sister died of leukemia. Torn by grief and unable to understand how God could allow such a terrible thing, he found himself unable to pray.

“At times I had nothing to say to God or did not know how to voice my prayers,” says Boers, author of the new Herald Press book Day by Day These Things We Pray: Uncovering Ancient Rhythms of Prayer.

“Sometimes I could think of things that I wanted to tell God, but was not sure whether they were legitimate or blasphemous,” he says. “So I clamped my mouth and my mind shut when thoughts turned toward God.”

Then a friend introduced him to the practice of using a prayer book for daily prayers.

“I was comforted because that volume gave me words to pray,” he says. “It helped me voice laments and also encouraged me to put my situation into a wider context. Slowly I learned to pray again.”

Today Boers wants to help others who are struggling with prayer find ways to connect with God though the use of set prayers and prayer books. Continue reading “Uncovering ancient rhythms of daily prayer” →