Portable CMU

Contemporary Christians can be forgiven for feeling squeezed between a rock and a hard place: on one hand, we read in scripture that humans were created separately from all other animals, in the image of God, with encouragement to fill the earth and have dominion over it (Gen 1:26-28). In a nutshell, we are special (Psalm 8). On the other hand, evolutionary theory (theoretical in the same sense as germ theory and atomic theory) tells us that humans are recent arrivals, descended from non-human life forms, and cousins to all other living creatures. Furthermore, our life on a planet that we have indeed filled and at least partly tamed feels precarious these days—given climate change, pandemics, species extinctions, and the accelerating development of artificial intelligence. Is it possible to be an intellectually satisfied, theologically and scientifically literate Christian any more? I think so—let’s talk about the possibilities.

More information to come.

Patience is used to describe both as one of the perfections of God and as a virtue that should be cultivated by Christians. This Portable will examine (with gratitude) God’s patience with the created world, including humans, and then explore the practice of Christian patience, which is not simply an attempt to mimic God’s patience. We will look especially at questions such as the importance of avoiding passivity in the pursuit of patience. In addition, we will ask whether patience must always be slow, and whether waiting is faithful action.

A philosopher once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The church needs to learn from the past, while being open to what God is doing today. This sermon series highlights three central contributions from the Protestant Reformers and early Anabaptists. Although these two groups had agreements and disagreements, their contributions remain vital for today’s church: living faith, welcoming God’s word, and Holy Spirit-ed singing. This session draws on scripture, stories, and songs originally framed as a series of sermons. A discussion time could be added after these presentations.

Participants will be guided into a conversation about the pitfalls and possibilities of speaking about Jesus with friends, neighbours, and colleagues. The following questions will be considered. What are our own experiences of knowing Jesus? Where and when do we hear people talking about Jesus? What can we promise to people who trust Jesus? How can we commend faith in Jesus without being coercive or colonialist?

Many congregations desire sound Biblical reflection and honest conversation about human sexuality, particularly given the church’s strain related to LGBTQ questions and issues. Dan has addressed these themes from various perspectives and in different contexts. He is willing to walk with congregations in a session or workshop format focused on how understandings of Scripture, Confessions of Faith, the church, family, relationships, and gender can inform our own convictions and questions about sexuality.

Dan and his wife Esther are both double cancer survivors, and they had a son, Tim, who did not survive cancer. Dan shares stories of what it is like to be a family that “does” cancer, and he explores the biblical and faith resources that have sustained him and Esther, and helped them not only survive but thrive, despite their journeys with cancer, loss, and grief. Dan’s hope is that these biblical and theological resources will comfort and strengthen persons who are hurting and will prepare others for the pain and struggle that come with the territory of being human.

Human-caused ecological destruction is the greatest threat currently facing the planet and its many life forms. This session explores a variety of biblical texts that can inspire respect and proper care for God’s magnificent creation. Some of the topics covered include: what kind of world does God create and what are the implications for human action; creation’s praise of God and God’s delight in creation; Jesus as the Cosmic Christ through whom God brings healing not just to humans but to all of creation; why do many Christians believe the Bible teaches that creation is expendable and merely a backdrop to the divine-human relationship.

This Portable provides an orientation to the historical experience, denominational identity, and contemporary priorities and challenges of the Mennonite Brethren Church. Beginning with a brief historical exploration of the origins and development of the 16th-century Anabaptist movement, and the subsequent development of the Mennonite Church within the wider context of Protestantism in Europe, special attention is given to the origin and growth of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Russia, North America, and its emergence as a global movement during the 20th century. The historical survey will serve as the backdrop against which to interpret cultural, theological and sociological forces, and factors that shaped Mennonite Brethren faith and life, theology, worship, ecclesiology, and ethics.

It is the faith of the church that through Scripture God speaks to us. But all too often when we read Scripture, we hear ourselves rather than God. A fundamental need in the church today is to learn again how to read Scripture. The church must learn “afresh to acknowledge the Bible as the functional center of life, so that in all our conversations, deliberations, arguments, and programs, we are continually reoriented to the demands and promises of the Scriptures.” (Ellen Davis). This session will consider what factors and assumptions undermine hearing the God of Scripture, and how we might read it again with integrity and effect, keeping in mind two themes: 1) that reading the Bible can be a delight and joy, and 2) that at the same time, it inevitably is a struggle or wrestling match.

Denominations have become a standard feature of North American church reality, mediating between the local congregation and the global church. In this session, questions like the following will be considered: Are denominations a necessary element of church life, with a positive role to play? Or are they a distraction and waste, weakening the larger mission of the church? What are the strengths and weaknesses of placing primary emphasis on the local congregation?

More information to come.

How can those who have to spend most of their time in the world remain faithful to Christ? By cultivating a biblical worldview. In this session, we will examine three topics that are fundamental to developing a Christian mindset: 1) The trustworthiness of Scripture and the challenge of scientism (Genesis 1:1); 2) human dignity (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8); 3) the importance of gratitude and joy as a way of life (Psalm 84).

The most incisive indictment against Christianity resides in the notion of a God who created a world in which there is untold suffering and death. Is this the best God could do? In response, most Christians will mutter something about free will or the necessity of evil to bring about God’s plan for humanity. Theologians often reply by challenging the very legitimacy of the question: God only requires that we persevere. Biblical scholars, who might otherwise be expected to offer a scriptural perspective, nervously denounce any suggestion that the presence of evil may have had something to do with a primordial couple and a fruit tree. Is it any wonder that most people believe that evil must surely be an intractable component of human existence introduced, perhaps, by the very God Jews and Christians worship? In this session, I propose a response to the problem of evil that unconditionally affirms the goodness and power of God. I contend, based on a new assessment of the Genesis creation account, that God never intended for humanity to experience suffering and death.

The most challenging and confusing books of the Old Testament must certainly be the prophets. And for good reason. Unlike the psalms or the wisdom books, which can generally be accessed with relative ease, the interpretation of the prophetic books is greatly dependent on a basic understanding of the overall prophetic genre, the forms of speech used in these writings, and the historical context of the books. In this session, we will examine the prophetic literature of the Old Testament in the light of its cultural and historical context. While we will explore the relevance of the prophetic discourse for the Christian community, we will also give special attention to the possible implications of these texts for a postmodern and secular culture.

Literature of the Old Testament

The most challenging and confusing books of the Old Testament must certainly be the prophets. And for good reason. Unlike the psalms or the wisdom books, which can generally be accessed with relative ease, the interpretation of the prophetic books is greatly dependent on a basic understanding of the overall prophetic genre, the forms of speech used in these writings, and the historical context of the books. In this session, we will examine the prophetic literature of the Old Testament in the light of its cultural and historical context. While we will explore the relevance of the prophetic discourse for the Christian community, we will also give special attention to the possible implications of these texts for a postmodern and secular culture.

More information to come.

Prayer can be a very confounding practice. Why do we pray? Why do we often have the impression that God doesn’t answer our prayers? Does prayer really make a difference? We will explore this question by first examining the Lord’s Prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13. Second, we will look at the flipside of the issue and consider what happens when God does indeed answer our prayers, but in ways we didn’t expect. Habakkuk, a seventh-century prophet, once received an answer to an urgent prayer. But God’s response shocked him—beware what you pray for. Matthew 6:9-13 and the book of Habakkuk will provide a foundation for understanding more adequately the nature of prayer and will give us some insights into the basic principles we need to consider as we anticipate God’s response.

The Martyr’s Mirror is arguably the most well-known book in the Anabaptist tradition. But while many are familiar with a story or two, few contemporary Mennonites have explored the entire book. This Portable will embark on such an exploration—taking a look at what’s in this big book and what’s not as well as a number of other things in between.

The Martyr's Mirror is arguably the most well-known book in the Anabaptist tradition. But while many are familiar with a story or two, few contemporary Mennonites have explored the entire book. This Portable will embark on such an exploration—taking a look at what’s in this big book and what’s not as well as a number of other things in between.

All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus. This session will look at Luke’s distinctive version of that story, with attention to several of the Gospel’s characteristic themes and unique texts. We will explore Luke’s understanding of the salvation 7 Jesus brings, Jesus’ practice of table fellowship, and the Gospel’s strong emphasis on discipleship and wealth. Depending on the season of the church year and congregational interest, we could also explore Luke’s distinctive presentation of Jesus’ birth, His death, or His resurrection. Our study will lead us to a renewed appreciation for the significance of Luke’s portrait of Jesus for the church today.

Even though Martin Luther called the letter of James an "epistle of straw," this book of the Bible continues to be a favourite for many Christians. With its vivid imagery and straightforward instruction, the letter of James makes Christian faith practical and relevant for daily life. And yet, living out the vision of Christian discipleship set out by James is anything but easy or simple. Many Christians wrestle with where to find grace and where to find Jesus in this short instructive letter. In this session we will begin with an overview of the book and a look at its historical context and literary background. Most of our time will be spent studying some of the following key themes in the letter: speech, perfection, wisdom, friendship with God, anger, wealth, and faith in action. Our aim will always be to reflect on how this letter can and does shape faithful Christian discipleship today. In the process we will find Jesus in the letter as well!

In 2025, Anabaptist communities around the world will have an opportunity to commemorate Anabaptism’s 500 years of existence. There is much to ponder about commemorating, given the evolving nature of the tradition and its geographical reach. The Anabaptist movement began in Europe but eventually also found footing in the Americas and the Global South. Like many religious traditions, Anabaptism cannot easily be defined by clearly marked boundaries and characteristics. Over the centuries, the tradition has become more like a multi-coloured tapestry shaped by fluid and overlapping religious cultures. Recent scholarship has called attention to a story of highs and lows, including examples of courage and controversy. Evidently, Mennonites cannot solely call to mind stories of heroism. If a religious tradition is to have a future—if it is a living tradition--the act of commemorating needs to critically engage with the past and the present. So, in an age of commemorations, what stories should we be telling?

In 2022, CMU Press, under the direction of Dr. Sue Sorensen, published Return Stroke: essays & memoir, a book of creative non-fiction by fiction author and lay historian Dora Dueck. Within Return Stroke, one theme in particular resonates—change. Dueck writes: “When I send inquiry into my past, it sends something back to me.” Both Dora Dueck and Sue Sorensen are novelists and have worked closely together as writer and editor on several projects. This portable offers a public engagement between the two authors on themes such as the variety of ways stories insist on being told, how past and present shape each other in the writing of our personal histories, and how curiosity and imagination can enrich a Christian life. They can also speak about the various topics within Return Stroke (motherhood, mortality, the ethics of biography) as well as the process of shaping Dueck’s memoir of her family’s 1980s life in the Paraguayan Chaco.

This portable is available to congregations in southern BC and Alberta and offered in-person. It is expected that participants will acquire copies of Return Stroke, offered by CMU Press at a group discount, and become familiar with the book before the presentation.

More information coming soon.

More information coming soon.