On Nov. 11, Canadians across the country commemorate Remembrance Day in honour of the war dead. To honour this day on Church Matters, we want to share a non-violent peace building success story from Mindanao, Philippines.

Dann and Joji Pantoja have represented Mennonite Church Canada peace building efforts in the Mindanao since 2006, where a land conflict has been going on for decades. Christians, Muslims, indigenous tribal people, and the military have been entangled in a struggle without apparent resolve. But recently, a new framework for peace in the region has been brokered. At the heart of this new agreement are the values and principles of the peace teachings of the gospels. Dann and Joji have been at the centre of much of this work, but are quick to say that the foundation for these new peaceful developments has been laid by prior Mennonite peace ministry in the region.There are 2 versions of this podcast:The interview (15 min), as heard on radioThe interview, plus Bonus section (30 min), exclusively on this podcast

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Soren MennoHawk is a Settler preacher, teacher, and storyteller who is unsettled by Jesus' message of Jubilee, and what that good news means for a church that lives on lands largely taken from Indigenous peoples.

At a summer gathering in Vancouver, Soren Mennohawk connected with a number of church folk from the Fraser Valley. He took time to explore their relationships with the local First Peoples. At one point, an older gentleman took Soren aside and said with conviction, "Unless we start addressing the issue of land, honestly stating what has happened - that most of BC is not 'treatied' territory - we will never approach reconciliation." Moved by that comment, Soren did a little historical reflection and wrote a translation of an infamous Jesus-story from Mark chapter 10, 17-31.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Soren MennoHawk is part preacher, part teacher, and storyteller in the tradition of Canada's indigenous people, and full time follower of Jesus, the Waymaker.

At a summer gathering in Vancouver, Soren Mennohawk connected with a number of church folk from the Fraser Valley. He took time to explore their relationships with the local First Peoples. At one point, an older gentleman took Soren aside and said with conviction, "Unless we start addressing the issue of land, honestly stating what has happened - that most of BC is not 'treatied' territory - we will never approach reconciliation." Moved by that comment, Soren did a little historical reflection and wrote a translation of an infamous Jesus-story from Mark chapter 10, 17-31.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Climate change are two words that are bound to stir up debate. Mention climate change at your family gathering this Christmas and you might quickly start an argument about the causes of climate change. Willard Metzger, Executive Director of Mennonite Church Canada has reflected deeply on climate change and creation care. And he thinks he may have found a way for Christians to tackle the polarized debate in a way that is holistic, truthful, respectful, and most importantly faithful - no matter which side of the climate change fence you're on.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

On Nov. 11, Canadians across the country commemorate Remembrance Day in honour of the war dead. To honour this day on Church Matters, we want to share a non-violent peace building success story from Mindanao, Philippines.

Dann and Joji Pantoja have represented Mennonite Church Canada peace building efforts in the Mindanao since 2006, where a land conflict has been going on for decades. Christians, Muslims, indigenous tribal people, and the military have been entangled in a struggle without apparent resolve. But recently, a new framework for peace in the region has been brokered. At the heart of this new agreement are the values and principles of the peace teachings of the gospels. Dann and Joji have been at the centre of much of this work, but are quick to say that the foundation for these new peaceful developments has been laid by prior Mennonite peace ministry in the region.There are 2 versions of this podcast:The interview (15 min), as heard on radioThe interview, plus Bonus section (30 min), exclusively on this podcast

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Historically, Christians have often used scripture like a hammer, to clobber each other over the head and reinforce a particular point of view. But is that how the Bible was intended to be used? Tom Yoder Neufeld helped the church dust off the Bible for the 21st Century at Mennonite Church Canada's Assembly 2012 in Vancouver this past July. Tom observes that "We have a tendency to shape the Bible to fit our cherished perceptions...We need the Bible to constantly call into question the way we've tailored things." Tom helped the audience explore the many nuances of biblical interpretation and discernment - historical context, English translation from the original text, situational context, and more, using 2 Corinthians 3 to illustrate the Apostle Paul's strategy in using scripture with the Corinthians.

Also see Part 1.

To maximize your experience, spend a few moments with this dramatic scripture presentation of 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 by Ken Hawkley and Terry Zimmerly on YouTube.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

Historically, Christians have often used scripture like a hammer, to clobber each other over the head and reinforce a particular point of view. But is that how the Bible was intended to be used? Tom Yoder Neufeld helped the church dust off the Bible for the 21st Century at Mennonite Church Canada's Assembly 2012 in Vancouver this past July. Tom observes that "We have a tendency to shape the Bible to fit our cherished perceptions...We need the Bible to constantly call into question the way we've tailored things." Tom helped the audience explore the many nuances of biblical interpretation and discernment - historical context, English translation from the original text, situational context, and more, using 2 Corinthians 3 to illustrate the Apostle Paul's strategy in using scripture with the Corinthians.

Also see Part 2.

Also see the related video of Ken Hawkley and Terry Zimmerly presenting the related text - 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 - at 2012 Assembly closing worship.

Available from popular Podcast providers.

In a departure from the usual interview format of Church Matters, story teller Soren Mennohawk (pen name) joins a campfire circle of creatures in a debate about what creates community. Listen in as moose, bison, coyote - and cow - discuss the pros and cons of forest creatures and domestic farm animals learning to live with one another.

Now available from popular Podcast providers.

What is the place of grandparents and their desire to pass on their faith to the younger generations in today's over-scheduled and fast-paced culture? Many grandparents are retiring early, and yearn for their grandchildren to have closer ties to their faith heritage, but find that the same techniques used with their children are out of place with grandchildren. Please Pass the Faith: The Art of Spiritual Grandparenting is the title of a new book by Elsie Rempel, Formation Consultant for Mennonite Church Canada. Elsie holds a master degree in theology with a focus on Mennonites, Children, and Communion, an education degree, has taught primary school in a Christian setting for 40 years, and is a grandparent of four youngsters. Her new book is a treasure trove of practical ideas and tips for grandparents wanting to pass on their faith to their grandchildren.

Now available from popular Podcast providers.

Willard Metzger travels extensively and gets to peer into the lives of people and their beliefs on a regular basis. He observes that there is a rapidly growing interest in Anabaptism around the world - and especially here in North America. Increasingly, people of all faiths and no faith are no longer seeing Anabaptism as an aberration of the Reformation, but a place where their minds and souls meet. But are Mennonite and Anabaptist churches prepared? Are we sufficiently grounded in scripture to be able to respond? Have we dropped Bible study and compromised our confidence? Metzger takes 1 Samuel and reveals another time in history when the "word of the Lord was rare."

There are two versions of this podcast:

The short (15 min) radio version will be suitable for all audiences

The longer (20 min) podcast version speaks especially to Mennonite Church Canada's membership and the Being a Faithful Church Process.

Now available from popular Podcast providers.