Climate change is a matter that floats into and out of news headlines. In early September, 2015, Time magazine published a piece citing climate change as the root cause of the Syria's refugee crisis. Aryn Baker wrote, "From 2006 to 2011, large swaths of Syria suffered an extreme drought that, according to climatologists, was exacerbated by climate change." Added to that, says Baker, mismanagement by the Assad regime displaced two million rural citizens to urban centres, contributing to social unrest and precipitating the civil war.

For this episode, we bring you Willard Metzger, executive director of Mennonite Church Canada who was interviewed by Tim Rogers of Grand 101.1 FM in Fergus, Ontario in January, 2016.

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The whole idea of not fighting for one's country is counter-cultural. Many Christians and churches support a just war theology. But Conrad Stoesz, Archivist at the Mennonite Heritage Archives, says Conscientious Objection to war is an often and conveniently overlooked part of our complex history as Christians and Canadians that extends beyond Mennonite beliefs and practices. Stoesz says this part of Canadian history is about to be lost - which is why as he is leading the production of a documentary film on the history of Canada's provisions for alternative service to war.

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Forgiveness is countercultural to a Hollywood world filled with super heroes exacting vengeance from wrongdoers. How does forgiveness work? Are there benefits to forgiveness? And how can we become committed to living a forgiveness-filled life? Join John H. Neufeld, retired pastor, professor, and former college president for a rich conversation on what we can learn from Bible about forgiveness in a modern world.

Also see Part One.

Also see related 4-session adult study.

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Forgiveness is countercultural to a Hollywood world filled with super heroes exacting vengeance from wrongdoers. How does forgiveness work? Are there benefits to forgiveness? And how can we become committed to living a forgiveness-filled life? Join John H. Neufeld, retired pastor, professor, and former college president for a rich conversation on what we can learn from Bible about forgiveness in a modern world.

Also see Part Two

Also see related 4-session adult study.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

In July, 2014, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Christians gathered on the campus of Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg for Native Assembly 2014. About 250 people representing Thirteen First Nations communities and settlers from eight states, five provinces and seven denominations attended to grapple with questions of creation care, faithfulness, and reconciliation under the theme "Ears to Earth, Eyes to God." This podcast recaps some of the highlights and reactions to the speakers at Native Assembly 2014 with guest host Moses Falco.

Thanks to the following Native Assembly attendees who shared their responses in this episode: Ron Janzen, Nicoleen Klassen-Wiebe, Willard Metzger, Danielle Bailey, Henry Neufeld, Mia Janzen, Carol Brown, Don Brown, Mim Harder, Jennifer Henry, Neill von Gunten, Edith von Gunten, Niigaan Sinclair, Peter Harsnape, Danita Fisher, Johnny Stabler

Also see Part One.

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In July, 2014, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Christians gathered on the campus of Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg for Native Assembly 2014. About 250 people representing Thirteen First Nations communities and settlers from eight states, five provinces and seven denominations attended to grapple with questions of creation care, faithfulness, and reconciliation under the theme "Ears to Earth, Eyes to God." This podcast recaps some of the highlights and reactions to the speakers at Native Assembly 2014 with guest host Moses Falco.

Listen for presentation excerpts from Melanie Kampen, Adrian Jacobs, and Deanna Zantingh.

Also see Part Two.

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The church is changing so rapidly that to ignore the change is at our own peril. What must the church do in this new and foreign landscape to revitalize its reason for being?

Join Dr. Stuart Blythe, Rector at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Amsterdam for Part 1 of a conversation on rapid change in the church and how the church can meaningfully respond.

Originally from Scotland, Blythe has a PhD in Homiletics from Edinburgh and calls himself a practical theologian. Prior to taking on the role of Rector, he was a pastor of Baptist churches in Scotland. Blythe has a strong interest in Anabaptism, and is committed to church planting and the congregation as the centre of God's mission. Blythe was keynote speaker at the Leadership in Ministry Seminar February 9 - 11, 2015, at Canadian Mennonite University.

Also see Part One.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

The church is changing so rapidly that to ignore the change is at our own peril. What must the church do in this new and foreign landscape to revitalize its reason for being?

Join Dr. Stuart Blythe, Rector at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Amsterdam for Part 1 of a conversation on rapid change in the church and how the church can meaningfully respond.

Originally from Scotland, Blythe has a PhD in Homiletics from Edinburgh and calls himself a practical theologian. Prior to taking on the role of Rector, he was a pastor of Baptist churches in Scotland. Blythe has a strong interest in Anabaptism, and is committed to church planting and the congregation as the centre of God's mission. Blythe was keynote speaker at the Leadership in Ministry Seminar February 9 - 11, 2015, at Canadian Mennonite University.

Also see Part Two.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

April 19 - 25 is National Victims of Crime Awareness Week in Canada. It's important for society to focus on the victims of crime. And it's the justice system's job is to punish perpetrators of criminal acts. But can offenders and victims ever find reconciliation with one another? The still relatively new work of Restorative Justice focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large. Restorative Justice has been shown to be extremely effective in reducing the number of repeat offenders. Mennonites have been at the forefront of recognizing and bringing back Restorative Justice in North America, as practiced for centuries in many Indigenous communities. In recent years, Restorative Justice has been making progress in South Korea. Hear Jae Young Lee share stories of this restoration work in South Korea.

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The Christian season of Lent demands we pay attention to repentance. With this episode, we focus on how Christians can make repentance meaningful in the context of the church's relationship with Indigenous peoples. Right Reverend Bishop Mark MacDonald reveals some common misunderstandings of repentance, explores some traditional rituals among Indigenous spiritual traditions that parallel Christian Lenten practice, and shares a story of what repentance meant to Indigenous peoples prior to contact with white settlers.

Available in two formats:

Podcast version (26:21 min)

Radio version (15:00 min)

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