Where have all the watchmen gone?

Posted on October 31, 2010 by the olives

The watchtower is empty and in disrepair.

Who will stand on the wall and be a watchman?

I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ Jeremiah 6:17

Unanswered Questions

Posted on October 30, 2010 by the olives

Is it all bad news about the Mennonite Brethren? No, of course not. But as the spotlight has been shone upon the October MB Herald this month here at Menno-lite, there can no longer be any reasonable doubt that contemplative spirituality and Roman Catholic mysticism is rampant within the MB conference, churches and seminary. There were FIVE articles in the last issue alone that were either written about the new ancient spirituality or by those who promote it in some form, not to mention all their links and references to contemplative/emerging church theology or Jesuit spirituality. To see that this is not even being filtered out by the new editor of the MB Herald is very telling. We can only assume that he is either in agreement with contemplative spiritual formation or completely unaware of it. Either way it reveals the broad acceptance of these things by the MB denomination. At the same time, this may be a blessing in disguise, as far more has been uncovered than many of us would have ever known had it all been edited out. We can only hope that a few bold letters to the editor in the next issues will help to awaken those who have dozed off into complacency.

Now that we have all clearly seen what is going on, are there any voices that will speak out against these false teachings besides a few blogs which those in MB positions of authority have simply and admittedly “chuckled about,” to their shame? Researching these issues and writing about them out of concern for the church is no laughing matter. It’s not a fun hobby, or something done out of boredom to cause trouble or division. The posts on this blog, and others like it (of which there are only a handful), are birthed out of godly conviction and sorrow over the way these people have chosen. This kind of e-excavating involves extensive work, digging and toil over many hours of free time. It requires so much diligence that it may even qualify as one of the new spiritual disciplines.

Some have been wondering if Menno Simons would blog about these issues if he were here today. Judging from his bold words from the past, it would not be difficult to answer that question. And if he did, would today’s MB leaders chuckle about his blogging?

Isn’t it time for some important questions to be asked of those in leadership? Here are a few ideas:

Do you actually think it’s biblical to return to Roman Catholic practices?
Do you actually believe that the first century church practiced contemplative spirituality?
Have you forgotten why you call yourself Mennonites?
Do you think that under the circumstances it might be more appropriate to change your name in keeping with other emerging terms (un-christian, new kind of Christian, re-imagining, etc.) and call yourselves un-Mennonites, ex-mennonites, or post-Mennonites?
Do you honestly believe it is spirituality beneficial to promote Jesuit spirituality and practice the prayer methods of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits whose oath is to the Vatican?
Do you honestly think that it is beneficial to endorse Benedictine rules and rhythms to the people under your leadership?
Are you concerned that so many in your churches and seminaries are spewing forth the language and terminology of the emerging church and Roman Catholic mystics?
Have you forgotten your first love, Jesus Christ?
Do you realize or care that there are many concerned biblical Christians who have had to leave their beloved churches because of these teachings which you have condoned and promoted?
Will your Bible seminaries ever make the cut for this list?
Are you even aware that you are you teaching a mixture of truth and error?
Do you teach the difference between the holy and profane?
Or are you leading your sheep down the ecumenical path to Babylon?
Are you teaching discernment or the acceptance of neo-monasticism and emerging church theology?
Are you willing to take your stand on God’s Word or do you back away from controversy?
Are you protecting the sheep from the wolves?
Do you worry at all about leading those under your headship astray?
Are you at all concerned about your accountability to God?

Is the bold word on the back cover of the October 2010 MB Herald a typo? It says REGENERATE, but properly spelled, shouldn’t it look like this: R-E-P-E-N-T !? It’s not likely this will change, but with God all things are possible. Until this happens, the MB’s will continue to be led down this very slippery spiritual pathway. If the those in MB leadership cannot answer these simple questions now, then they WILL have to eventually answer to God. But wouldn’t now be better for them than later?

My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray They have made them turn aside on the mountains; They have gone along from mountain to hill And have forgotten their resting place. Jeremiah 50:6

THE PAPISTIC BELIEF

Posted on October 29, 2010 by the olives

THE PAPISTIC BELIEF.

It is true, the papists teach and believe, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he offered up his flesh, and shed his blood for us, but if we would enjoy them, and be partakers thereof, we must adhere to and obey the pope and his church, hear mass, receive the holy water, perform pilgrimages, call upon the mother of the Lord, and the departed saints, confess at least twice a year, receive papistic absolution, have our children baptized, and commemorate the holy days. The priests must vow chastity; the bread in the mass, must be called the flesh, and the wine, the blood of Christ; besides all their other idolatry and abominations, which are daily practiced by them.

And all this is called, by these poor, ignorant people, the most holy christian faith, and the institution of the holy christian church. Although it is nothing but mere human opinion, self-chosen righteousness, seductive hypocrisy, manifest deception of the soul, ungodly, indecent bodily nourishment and gain of lazy priests, an accursed abomination, an incensing of God, a disgraceful blasphemy, an unworthy despising of the blood of Christ, a self-devised undertaking, and a disobedient, contumacy to the divine word. In short, a false, offensive, divine worship, and open idolatry, of which Jesus Christ (to whom the Father points us) has not left or commanded us a single letter of all these things.

– http://www.mennosimons.net/ft023-papisticbelief.html

The Vatican’s Quest for a World Political Authority
By Carl Teichrib

Another article in the MB Herald that opens the door to contemplative spirituality.

Posted on October 28, 2010 by the olives

On page 16 of the latest MB Herald is an article called Wanted: Anabaptist saints by Rob Des Cotes, pastor at Imago Dei Community (affiliated with the BC MB Conference of Churches). The article is benign as far as contemplative spiritual formation goes, especially in comparison to some of the other articles in this October issue (which is surprising, since the Imago Dei community is very contemplative, as seen here). They also link to the Jesuits, as does the MB church plant in Vancouver called Urban Journey.

Rob Des Cotes has written two books on spirituality. One is called Fan the Flame which is written in the tradition of Christian contemplatives and mystics from the past to the present. In this book are frequent references to the Desert Fathers, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart and modern day writers such as James Houston and Ronald Rolheiser. The other book Rob Des Cotes has written is called Higher Than I. This too is written in the contemplative tradition of mystics from the past to present.

Rob Des Cotes is not only a spiritual director and pastor, he also teaches Contemplative Traditions at Trinity Western University, as well as courses on spirituality and the arts at Carey Theological College and Columbia Bible College. He also speaks at various conferences, such as this Thomas Merton Society conference in 2007 (along with Merton expert Lynn Szabo of TWU):

CONTEMPLATIVE LITURGY
4:15 – 5:00 pm, Sanctuary, Canadian Memorial United Church
Gather for a concluding celebration of hope with reflections and acoustical music by Rob des Cotes and friends.
Rob Des Cotes is a musician, liturgist and pastor at Fairview Baptist Church in Vancouver. He is an active member of Baptist Peacemakers International and a spiritual director with Imago Dei Community (www.imagodeicommunity.ca). Rob also directs Imago’s Vancouver Arts Network, a community of writers, musicians, actors, dancers and visual artists who are in creative dialogue with spiritual issues in the arts, especially as they relate to postmodern culture.
Following the conference today, you are invited to a “Contemplative Communion Service” with Taizé-styled worship featuring meditations from the writings of Thomas Merton at 7 pm at Fairview Baptist Church (1708 W. 16th Ave., between Burrard & Granville).

“The fire of a wild white sun has eaten up
the distance between hope and despair.
Dance in this sun, you tepid idiot.
Wake up and dance in the clarity of
perfect contradictions.”
—Thomas Merton

http://merton.ca/HOPEconfguide.html

Thomas Merton was a trappist monk who opened the door for Christians to explore interspirituality and learn from Eastern religions (see here).

Why has the new interim editor of the MB Herald highlighted so many contemplative pastors in this month’s issue? Why are the MB Herald readers being pointed to so many teachers who value the spiritual practices of mystics and Roman Catholic saints from the past? And why are so many of them leading to Jesuit websites? What is going on? Are the Mennonite sheeple aware of what is going on? Are they blindly or willingly being led down this pathway? What would Menno Simons say about all of this?

Who can answer these questions?

MB leaders respond to concerns about conference speaker

Posted on October 27, 2010 by the olives

Can the peace loving Mennonites stir the pot by speaking up? They certainly can! They not only have the right to do so, but those who know God and His Word MUST continue to shine the spotlight on error and sound the warning – for the sake of the gospel and the future generation!

MB leaders respond to concerns about conference speaker
By Sheldon C. Good
Mennonite Weekly Review

Mennonite Brethren leaders are defending their choice of a national conference youth speaker after some members raised concerns.

The speaker is Shane Claiborne, a prominent author and activist who often speaks about peacemaking and social justice.

Claiborne is slotted as one of two keynote speakers at the 2011 U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches youth convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Wendell Loewen, co-director of the convention, and other church leaders have heard concerns since late July after they publicized Claiborne as a speaker.

“I was bracing for some pushback,” said Loewen, associate professor of youth, church and culture at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. “People start to get curious and investigate a little bit, especially if they’ve never heard of him.”

Some church groups aren’t planning to attend the convention because of Claiborne, Loewen said….

More here:

http://www.mennoweekly.org/2010/10/18/mb-leaders-respond-concerns-about-conference-speak/

The Fallacy of Social Justice
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/the-fallacy-of-social-justice/

Shane Claiborne will be the keynote speaker for the 2011 National Youth Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches
https://mennolite.wordpress.com/2010/07/07/shane-claiborne-will-be-the-keynote-speaker-for-the-national-youth-conference-of-the-mennonite-brethren-churches/

MB Herald Spotlights Claiborne’s Socialist Propaganda
https://mennolite.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/mb-herald-spotlights-shane-claiborne/

About those Spiritual Exercises

Posted on October 27, 2010 by the olives

This is a special excerpt from The Berean Call which is a reminder for those Mennonites who have been charmed by the methods of Ignatius and are linking to Jesuit prayer resources on their Mennonite Brethren church websites…

Many of the so-called “desert fathers” (…) adopted occult techniques, later popularized as the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. They thought that if they could visualize Christ and biblical events in their imagination, the Bible would become more real and they would mature spiritually. That delusion is still promoted by many Christian leaders today such as Richard Foster, Calvin Miller, Karen Mains, and others. Foster enticed thousands with the deceitful promise of spiritual maturity through occult methods such as the following in Celebration of Discipline (R. Foster, Harper and Row, Pub., 1978, pp. 24-27):

[Begin] with a daily period of from five to ten minutes…learning to “center down”…[using] two brief exercises….The first [is] called “palms down, palms up”…placing your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over any concerns you may have to God. Inwardly you may pray “Lord, I give to You my anger toward John. I release my fear of my dentist appointment….I surrender my anxiety over not having enough money to pay the bills…my frustration over trying to find a baby-sitter for tonight.” Whatever it is that weighs on your mind…just say, “palms down.” Release it….After several moments of surrender, turn your palms up as a symbol of your desire to receive from the Lord… “I would like to receive Your divine love for John, Your peace about the dentist appointment, Your patience, Your joy.” Whatever you need, you say, “palms up.” Having centered down, spend the remaining moments in complete silence….

Another meditation aimed at centering oneself…seated…comfortably, slowly become conscious of your breathing [to] get in touch with…the level of tension within. Inhale deeply, slowly tilting your head back as far as it will go. Then exhale, allowing your head slowly to come forward until your chin nearly rests on your chest. Do this for several moments, praying inwardly something like this: “Lord, I exhale my fear….I inhale Your peace. I exhale my spiritual apathy. I inhale Your light and life.” Then, as before, become silent….

After you have gained some proficiency in centering down, add a five- to ten-minute meditation on some…tree, plant, bird, leaf, cloud, and each day ponder it carefully and prayerfully. God…uses His creation to show us something of His glory and give us something of His life…as Evelyn Underhill [says]…begin with that…contemplation which the old mystics sometimes called the “discovery of God in His creatures.”

Having practiced for some weeks with the two kinds of meditation listed above, you will want to add the meditation upon Scripture….Take a single event….Seek to live the experience, remembering the encouragement of Ignatius of Loyola to apply all our senses to our task. Smell the sea. Hear the lap of water along the shore. See the crowd. Feel the sun on your head and the hunger in your stomach…. Francis de Sales [says] “represent to your imagination the whole of the mystery on which you desire to meditate as if it really passed in your presence….” As you enter the story…remember that since Jesus…is not bound by time, this event in the past is a living present-tense experience for Him. Hence, you can actually encounter the living Christ in the event…Jesus Christ will actually come to you.

This is, of course, rank occultism. The visualized “Jesus” often takes on a life of its own and does indeed “speak.” This is not the Lord Jesus Christ come down from the right hand of His Father in heaven, but a seducing spirit, exactly as Paul warned would occur: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron…” (1 Tim 4:1, 2). There is no excuse for falling into such delusion, which is so contrary to the Word of God.

SOURCE: Victory in Christ
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/2567

Ignatius
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/articles/133-spiritual-formation-movement/796-ignatius

Mennonites and St. Ignatius

Posted on October 26, 2010 by the olives

As if the MB Herald hasn’t revealed enough about how far the influence of contemplative spirituality has spread into Mennonite churches, here is another concern.

Urban Journey (www.urbanjourney.ca) is an MB church plant in Vancouver, B.C. that is doing a good work for the city with something called Urban Advocacy. This involves caring for those in need in very practical ways, because as Mennonite Brethren, they believe that “alleviating suffering, reducing strife, and promoting justice are ways of demonstrating Christ’s love.” Urban Journey is pastored by the Stanley’s who have recently been appointed as the Mennonite Brethren Chaplains at UBC. (They are bloggers at My Celebration (here) and at the MB’s Regenerate 21-01 blog (here), which is “a place were we can share what God is doing in our communities as we apply the dynamics of the first century church now in the 21st century.”)

The concern lies in the area of the kind spirituality they may be recommending (much like the contemplative spiritual formation of Len Hjalmarson’s MB church plant in Kelowna). Urban Journey’s resource page has this recommendation:

For other resources to aid in the practice of daily prayer and Scripture reading, visit:

These recommendations include a prayer site run by the Irish Jesuits called Sacred Space and Northumbria (a monastic ecumenical community), but even more surprising is the first prayer link recommended by this MB church plant. It’s called Pray as you Go, and here are the details:

Pray as you go
http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/
Jesuit Media Initiatives
Daily prayer “thoughts” It is produced by Jesuit Media Initiatives, with material written by a number of British Jesuits and other experts in the spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola.

Also on Pray as you go are the following daily prayer aids that Urban Journey must actually believe are useful for prayer preparation, or they would not have recommended them:

Breathing exercise
If you have time, this four-minute breathing exercise can be a useful preparation for prayer, helping you to develop the stillness, focus and attentiveness that you need. Length: 4 mins.

Body exercise
If you have time, this four-minute body exercise can be a useful preparation for prayer, helping you to develop the stillness, focus and attentiveness that you need. Length: 4 mins.

*There are also daily prayer thoughts, like this October selection, which begins with a prayer bell:
http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/mp3/PAYG_101019.mp3

Because it is a Jesuit website with Jesuit spirituality, it promotes Jesuit Retreats and spirituality centres, such as:

Mount Street Jesuit Centre London W1
Underpinned by the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola,
the Centre provides a range of evening and weekend courses and activities
in spirituality and theology, designed to help adults grow in their faith.

Ignatian Spirituality Centre Glasgow
A welcoming space in the heart of the city of Glasgow,
the centre offers opportunities for people to reflect on the
presence of God in their lives and respond to that presence.

Loyola Hall Rainhill, Merseyside
Loyola Hall offers many retreats and courses catering to many kinds of needs.
Their extensive programme offers individually guided retreats of various lengths from weekends,
through mid-week or 8-day retreats, to the full 30-day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola

St Beuno’s North Wales
Take time to think, pray and relax in beautiful North Wales:
Quiet weekends, 6-day, 8-day, and 30-day retreats
inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.

Inigo Enterprises New Malden, Surrey
A centre for resources and courses based on
the spirituality of St Ignatius Loyola.

Sacred Space
Daily prayer on your computer screen, in the Ignatian tradition, produced by
the Jesuit Communication Centre in Dublin. With over twenty million visits
recorded, Sacred Space is one of the world’s top spirituality sites.

>> Map of Jesuit spirituality centres in Britain

>> Jesuit spirituality centres in Europe

>> Jesuit spirituality centres in the USA

>> More about Ignatian/Jesuit Spirituality from the British Jesuits.

>> Online Ministries at Creighton University, the Jesuit University in Omaha, Nebraska, USA

>> Guide to resources on Ignatian Spirituality from sjweb.info in Rome

If the Jesuits want to promote all their stuff, that is their business. The question that needs to be asked of the Mennonite Brethren leadership and their church plant pastors is, once again, how they can possibly lead anyone to believe that this is what God is doing in the 21st century with the dynamics of the first century church, when Ignatius of Loyola (father of Jesuit spirituality), the church of Rome, and “Christian” contemplative prayer did not yet exist in the first century. Perhaps they think that all the members in their Mennonite churches are not quite bright enough to do basic math, or read a history book. Or perhaps those in MB leadership have not taken the time to research who the Jesuits are. Or maybe it will remain an unsolved mystery.

For those who do not know, St. Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Jesuits, and it was he who invented the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius (i.e. the Ignatius Examen), which involve the occult practice of visualization. These are not practices one would expect to see in any evangelical or anabaptist denomination, but they are slowly being introduced into Christian churches everywhere, even a Mennonite Brethren church plant.

Here is some reading about St. Ignatius:

“The Roman Catholic Church has a name for those who have departed from the “One True Church.” They’re called the “separated brethren.” Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, had one main goal in mind when he established his organization. He and his band of faithful ruthless men would do everything possible to bring these separated brethren back to the Mother of All Churches. Several centuries have passed. Now that we are in the twenty-first century, his plan is becoming a reality.”

-Roger Oakland, HOME TO ROME
http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c60.shtml

“As can be documented, the very reason the Jesuits were founded by Loyola was for the purpose of bringing the Separated Brethren (those who departed from Catholicism) back to the Roman Catholic Church, by whatever devious means it would take.”

-Roger Oakland
http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c58.shtml

What is the Ignatian Examen?

Ignatian Examen is an occult visualization technique taught by Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Jesuits in the 16th century. His exercise teaches one to visualize oneself in the presence of Jesus and then interact with Him during his earthly events, e.g., “at the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of the cross, and laying Jesus’ body in the tomb.”6 This has one adding content to Scripture from his imagination and opens a person to demonic manipulation (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:8).

–Evangelical Mysticism?
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/6433

*More about the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius (excerpt from The Berean Call):

“…I’m talking about the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius. Now, for those who don’t know the name Ignatius, Saint Ignatius, Catholic saint was a founder, the founder of the Jesuits, and this was in the 16th century, yet today it’s called, the Ignatian Examine, these were his spiritual exercises, and all Jesuit priests go through these exercises, but it’s gone beyond that. Now we have these exercises being promoted in the evangelical church through the Emerging Church teachings.

Dave:

Tom, I know some ex-Jesuits who told me they were demonized by the spiritual exercises of Ignatius.

Tom:

Right. So what are they about? Really, visualization is the key. But before we get into the explanation let me give you a quote, a couple of quotes from professing evangelical Tony Campolo, who has done so much damage to our young people with his heretical teaching, not just unbiblical but heretical teachings, very bad. By the way, he writes: “I learned about this way of having a born-again experience from reading the Catholic mystics, especially the spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. Like most Catholic mystics he developed an intense desire to experience a oneness with God.” Now before you comment, Dave, here’s another one: “After the reformation we Protestants left behind much that was troubling about Roman Catholicism of the 15th century. I am convinced that we left too much behind. The methods of praying employed by the likes of Ignatius have become precious to me. With the help of some Catholic saints my prayer life has deepened.”

Is There A Biblical Mysticism?
–http://www.thebereancall.org/node/6407

Also see:

Who is Ignatius of Loyola?
http://apprising.org/2008/12/13/who-is-ignatius-of-loyola/

SPECIAL REPORT: The Jesuit Agenda and the Evangelical/Protestant Church
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=6844

Ignatius
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/articles/133-spiritual-formation-movement/796-ignatius

What Kind of Discipleship is this in the MB Herald?

Posted on October 25, 2010 by the olives

If you really want to understand what is happening within the Mennonite Brethren denomination as they slide down the slippery road to Rome, read the article on page 8 of the latest MB Herald October 2010 called Discipleship on the Road.

It’s written by Len Hjalmarson, a writer, pastor, blogger and missional leader who recently completed a DMin in Leadership and Spirituality at ACTS Seminary (see: nextreformation.com/wp-admin/resources/Ldrship_NT.pdf ). This Menno-lite posting is certainly not an attack on his character or work, but there is more to Len Hjalmarson’s article than meets the eye, which gives cause for concern as to what is being taught at Seminaries like ACTS (read more about ACTS in MB Priorities).

Len and his wife are doing admirable work serving those outside their comfort zones in Kelowna, B.C.. They call their church a missional community, and say that the most profound lesson they are learning about discipleship is forming community around shared weakness, confirming the words of Catholic philosopher Jean Vanier: “the poor are a gift to us – they call us back to simplicity.” [Vanier founded L’Arche, a faith based organization where people are all bound together in a common humanity.]

Having just finished a doctorate in leadership and spiritual formation from MBBS, Len’s vocabulary is fresh off the post-modern press as he quotes from contemplative Roman Catholic priest Henri Nouwen (Lifesigns), socialist (and liberal emergent leader) Jim Wallis (Agenda for Biblical People), and James K. A. Smith (Desiring the Kingdom), notable figure in radical orthodoxy, a postmodern Christian movement (who incidentally is fond of reading Thomas Merton lately – see his blog here: jameskasmith.blogspot.com).

Here are some excerpts from this MB Herald article by Len Hjalmarson, who shows how well versed in the typical emerging church language he is, as he uses words like missional, rhythms, silence and contemplation, etc.:

On missional:

Discipleship in a missional community

Becoming missional has to do with where we place boundary markers as we define the church. What is in-bounds? What is out-of-bounds? Who is included and on what basis? The boundary markers for the church should be determined by where the gifts and callings of God’s people take them. In order to impact the world, we need to be in the world. (…)

[Mennolite’s Opinion: These are such grey areas for them because the new missional does not mean Christians sharing the gospel with the unsaved, but Christians sharing community with non-believers in an attempt to have unity with those who do not have the mind of Christ. While it may be true that people are all bound together in a common humanity, this is called our sin nature, and true spiritual unity between Christians and the world can never happen. As there are only two kinds of people in God’s eyes – spiritually alive and spiritually dead – we can only have unity in Christ (John 17). In order to impact the world, we as Christians need to be like Christ, and preach repentance, and Him crucified.]

On discipleship:

7 discipleship practices at Metro

Metro exists in a rhythm of inward and outward life, community and mission, around seven practices: prayer, meals, worship, justice, hospitality, mentoring, and vulnerability. For us, the weakest of these seven is probably prayer. While we practice prayer in many settings and as a gathered community every second week, we need to expand with teaching and practices of silence and contemplation. We are a needy and highly activist group, and many of us are at risk for burnout. (…)

[Mennolite’s Opinion: Are Benedictine rhythms of life (called rules of life), community, the seven practices, contemplative prayer and silence (more commonly known as the new monasticism) becoming a new trend for MB church plants?]

On mentoring, Len quotes from contemplative James Houston’s (The Mentored Life), and adds that at Metro, staff is required to find a personal mentor or soul friend, “A mentor is both a teacher and a guide, and can help us sort through..our emotional and spiritual lives. They can help us guard against burnout…and they can point us to timely resources in our own growth process.” (p 10) [Mennolite’s Opinion: But what if that spiritual director points staff to Roman Catholic mysticism, which is always the goal in contemplative spiritual direction. Have spiritual directors begun to take the place of our ultimate helper, teacher and director, the Holy Spirit?]

Where is this leading and how are these sticky strands being woven together in the growing emergent church web?

As it turns out, Len Hjalmarson is also the author of An Emerging Dictionary for the Gospel and Culture: A Conversation from Augustine to Zizek. AND, he is the Director of Spiritual Formation with Forge Canada (https://www.forgecanada.ca), where we read about Forge Missional Training Network, which equips leaders and churches to become ‘missional’ and ‘transform’ neighbourhoods.

FMTN is also associated with seminaries and bible schools, where leaders are trained to help these churches become more missional. Members of their Spiritual Community commit to principles that include practices, disciplines, and a simple rule of life. The founding director of FMTN is Alan (Hirsch), co-founder of shapevine.com, author of The Shaping of Things to Come and The Forgotten Ways.

This kind of discipleship we read about in the MB Herald is the new kind of missional, the big key word which has nothing to do with traditional missions or reaching the lost with the gospel, and everything to do with new/ancient contemplative practices and community with the world.

To find out more about the new missional, read these:

The Seductive Deception of the Call to be Missional
by Mike Ratliff
http://mikeratliff.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/the-seductive-deception-of-the-call-to-be-missional/

Allelon and Missional
http://www.concernednazarenes.org/page16.php

Allelon, Missional and The Nazarene Connection
http://simplyagape.blogspot.com/2008/12/allelon-missional-and-nazarene.html

MISSIONARY OR MISSIONAL: THE MISSION OF THE EMERGING CHURCH
http://apprising.org/2010/03/09/missionary-or-missional-the-mission-of-the-emerging-church/

While it’s not mentioned in the MB Herald article, it does sound like this kind of discipleship is very similar to (if not the same as) the new monasticism, a very popular modern day return to the practices of contemplative Roman Catholic monks – and this in a denomination of people who claim to follow an ex-priest who renounced the Roman Catholic church! They might at least stop calling themselves Mennonites, if this is what they want.

Do the MB leaders condone this new missional discipleship?

Recently, the Conference Minister of the BC Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (and board advisor of the contemplative Mark Centre) was a speaker with Cam Roxburgh (National Director of Forge Canada and Church Planting Canada, Vancouver, B.C. who also developed the Forge Canada Missional Training Network where training in contemplative spirituality is taught) at a Willow Creek event called the Skill Strategy and Story Event. [Willow Creek, which many MB churches have memberships with, is also a major promoter of contemplative spiritual formation.]

No matter which way you turn, it looks like this new kind of discipleship is here to stay.

The New Monasticism
A fresh crop of Christian communities is blossoming in blighted urban settings all over America.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/september/16.38.html

Mennonite Central Committee promotes Mustard Seed Associates (Updated)
https://mennolite.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/mennonite-central-committee-promotes-mustard-seed-associates/

Joining the Anabaptist conspirators
Activists found in four streams: emerging, missional, mosaic, monastic
http://www.themennonite.org/issues/11-11/articles/Joining_the_Anabaptist_conspirators

Menno’s Renunciation of Rome

Posted on October 24, 2010 by the olives

I voluntarily renounced all my worldly honor and reputation, my unchristian conduct, masses, infant baptism, and my unprofitable life, and at once willingly submitted to distress and poverty, and the cross of Christ.

-MENNO SIMON’S RENUNCIATION OF THE CHURCH OF ROME

http://www.mennosimons.net/ft002-renunciation.html

MB Priorities

Posted on October 23, 2010 by the olives

The following is an excerpt from page 24 of the latest MB Herald ( October 2010) issue. This is priority number three on the MB board’s list from an article called Moderator’s minute: Three words, three rocks:

“3. Seminary: With MB Biblical Seminary being reabsorbed into Fresno Pacific University, we’re asking how to develop long-term, effective, and sustainable MB leadership training in Canada. Currently, MBBS-ACTS (Langley, B.C.) and Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg) provide training. The board’s seminary commission appreciates your input about this need. What should church leadership training for MBs in Canada look like in the future?

My hope is that you will take a moment to pray for the larger family and participate with interest as you are able. The board invites your thoughtful responses to these questions in preparation for our meeting Oct. 15–17. Please email to MBboard@mbconf.ca.”

-Paul Loewen, moderator of the executive board of the Canadian Conference of the MB Churches

Paul Loewen is correct, this is a very important rock which needs prayerful consideration and research. Are MBBS-ACTS and Canadian Mennonite University theologically and biblically solid places for future church leaders and pastors to be trained? We’ve already begun to see the effects of the emergent/contemplative influence inside Christian universities and seminaries as a new breed of pastors and church leaders are filling pulpits and leadership positions. The Mennonite Brethren lay people should be very concerned. When they were asked for their responses, did Mennonites take this rare chance to review the facts and let their voices be heard?

It may be too late to respond to this particular MB Herald questionaire, but it’s never too late to speak up.

Please consider the following concerns about Canadian Mennonite University regarding their promotion of contemplative spirituality and the teachings of the emerging church:

CMU offers their students Spiritual Direction (see Spiritual Life) and various syllabuses and retreats based on contemplative spiritual formation. These are taught by Gerry Ediger [Richard Foster fan] and Irma Fast Dueck [participant in Muslim-Christian dialogue (sponsored by MCC), and Mennonite-Catholic dialogue groups].

CMU’s Refreshing Winds Committee is welcoming Brian McLaren on January 3-5, 2011 as their plenary conference speaker (page 17, The Blazer, Winter 2010 issue).
*See ad here: http://www.cmu.ca/conferences.html#refresh

They also just had a ‘desert fathers’ (and desert mothers) lecture which was promoted here:

October 19-20, 2010
Dr. Belden Lane, Saint Louis University
From Desert Christians to Mountain Refugees: Fierce Landscapes and Counter-Cultural Spirituality

October 19, 11:00 AM Places on the Edge: The Power of Desert/Mountain Terrain in Christian Thought
October 19, 7:30 PM The Counter-Cultural Spirituality of the Desert Fathers for Today
October 20, 11:00 AM Fire in the Desert: Learning from the Desert Mothers
http://www.cmu.ca/publiclectures.html

Should protecting students from Roman Catholic spiritual formation and mysticism and the heretical teachings of emerging church leaders like Brian McLaren be a priority of the MB Conference?

Here are some concerns about MBBS-ACTS at TWU regarding their promotion of the emerging church, Roman Catholic mysticism and contemplative spirituality:

First of all, ACTS Seminaries is a partnership of five seminaries in an integrated multi-denominational learning environment. “ACTS” stands for Associated Canadian Theological Schools. These five represent the Graduate School of Theological Studies of Trinity Western University:

Canadian Baptist Seminary
Canadian Pentecostal Seminary (became affiliated with TWU in 1996)
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (joined ACTS in 1999)
Northwest Baptist Seminary
Trinity Western Seminary

All partners agree on fundamental biblical principles, and all courses are accessible to students enrolled in any of the partnering seminaries.

But there is another partner not mentioned on the above list:

Why Study Catholic Studies at TWU?
In Spring 2008, TWU approved a Catholic studies minor in the Christianity and Culture program comprised of courses entirely by Redeemer Pacific College, a Roman Catholic college affiliated with TWU, located next to the main campus.
–http://twu.ca/undergraduate/academics/catholic-studies.html

Here is a sample of what happens at Redeemer Pacific College which is now affiliated with Trinity Western University (Eucharist adoration, veneration of Mary, and daily mass):

Eucharist Adoration
Come to RPC Spring Retreat this Sunday Jan 17
The Spring Retreat is this Sunday!! We will be going to Westminster Abbey. This retreat will focus on the Eucharist; what we believe as Catholics and how we can apply this belief to our everyday lives. There will be talks by Fr. Gabriel, Dr. Stackpole and time for quiet prayer and reflection, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, a very funny skit, and yummy pizza!!

A Marian Conference:
The BC/Yukon KofC and RPC Present: Mary, Mother of All Christians and Her Son’s Message for the Americas
http://www.rpcollege.bc.ca/index.php?page=conferences

Spiritual Life at RPC
In his 1997 apostolic constitution on universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Pope John Paul II emphasized that Catholic universities should fully integrate faith into all aspects of university life. He also encouraged the whole university community to regularly participate in the sacraments, especially the celebration of the Eucharist.
RPC students, staff and faculty form an intimate Catholic community rooted in the common bond of faith and sacraments. Students attend daily mass, participate in Eucharistic adoration, make frequent confessions and receive spiritual direction. Our spiritual activities include annual retreats, prayer meetings, Bible studies and faith formation based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

RPC Chapel
Christ can quite literally be found at the heart of Redeemer Pacific College. All students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to come to the Chapel and spend time in prayer with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament any time the College is open. Throughout the day many students come to spend some quiet moments with Christ in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, while students who live on campus are able to visit the Blessed Sacrament after regular office hours.
http://www.rpcollege.bc.ca/index.php?page=spiritual-life

How does this fit in with the ACTS “all partners agree on fundamental biblical principles” clause? Is ecumenism a concern to the MB leadership in regards to this campus? What about the doctrinal differences between Christianity and Roman Catholicism? Is it a compromise to refrain from telling Catholics the truth? What about contemplative spirituality or ancient Roman Catholic mysticism? Should it be a priority of the MB Conference to teach students and future leaders to stand for the truth and contend for the faith? Or should they lead them into spiritual compromise?

The TWU campus appears to be overflowing with it:

Chapel at Trinity Western University – Some Concerns
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/chapel-at-trinity-western-university/

The Muddy Waters of a Bible Seminary Course
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/the-muddy-waters-of-a-bible-seminary-course/

Is Trinity Western University helping to Pave the Thomas Merton Pathway?
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/03/25/english-professor-at-trinity-western-university-is-thomas-merton-expert/

Is ‘The Still Point’ of Interspiritualist Thomas Merton being promoted at TWU?
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/is-the-still-point-of-interspiritualist-thomas-merton-being-promoted-at-twu/

These are NOT minor issues, especially if the October MB Herald has been any indication (if you have been reading this blog you will have seen how emerging/contemplative spirituality and Roman Catholic mysticism has already spread through the MB seminaries and churches). It is obviously not one of the top priorities of the Mennonite Brethren leadership to separate themselves from the doctrines of Roman Catholicism, which Menno Simons clearly spoke against and renounced. The only rock Christians need to be grounded on is Jesus Christ (not Saint Peter, Rome, or the papacy). To which “rock” are the new leaders and pastors (that are emerging from these Christian universities) going to be leading the Mennonite people if this continues?

Eucharistic Adoration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE0ysu_35bc

ANOTHER JESUS? – ROGER OAKLAND
1:04:22 – 1 year ago
Pope John Paul II has called for a new evangelization focused on the Eucharistic Christ. According to Roman Catholic teaching, the Eucharist is the central component of the Mass and the source and summit of Christianity. It is believed that when a priest consecrates the Communion bread, the wafer is no longer bread, but the actual body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Rome teaches that Jesus is literally and bodily present wherever a consecrated Host is found. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of Catholic churches claim that Jesus is present in their eucharistic tabernacle or monstrance.
Watch here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1440171899401190627#

Would Menno Simons Blog Anonymously?

Posted on October 22, 2010 by the olives

When Menno Simons renounced the Roman Catholic Church in January of 1536, he was considered an enemy to the church he had served faithfully for many years. When he was eventually forced to hide from the authorities for one year, he used this time to devote himself to reflection and writing. Had there been computer technology in the 16th century, would Menno Simons have used it during the time he was in hiding?

Today a reader (who has chosen to call themselves Menno Simons) has made the following thought provoking comment which deserves consideration:

I think if Menno Simons had a blog, he would include his name.

Do you really think so?

Menno Simons went into hiding for a time from those who did not accept his message.

Just because there are those who are reluctant to reveal their identity on the internet does not mean that their message is cowardly or false. It could simply mean that they are obedient enough to speak under the conviction of the Lord, even if it is with fear and trembling, but do not feel free to jeopardize themselves, their career, or their families, by stepping into the public spotlight. But somehow, their message needs to go public.

Consider also the fact that there are many well known writers who have chosen to use pen names for personal reasons. Does this invalidate their words, books, or opinions in their articles?

Not too long ago there was a group from a certain Mennonite seminary that called themselves the 18 Men, who came on the blog scene temporarily to try to make a difference. They had biblically based concerns and godly convictions regarding some serious doctrinal issues within their Bible seminary, but chose to remain anonymous for personal reasons. Their efforts were successful. Does this mean that their message was invalid? Hardly.

Also to consider are the following well thought out comments (which surprisingly have thus far been allowed to remain) under the famous article below. These are very helpful in regards to the valid reasons why some bloggers might choose to blog anonymously, and whether Menno Simons would have done the same:

The Trouble with Blogs
http://www.usmb.org/the-trouble-with-blogs

When the bold and outspoken ministry of Menno Simons jeopardized his safety, he went into hiding after a spiritual struggle of 11 years. This is what he wrote during this time:

“Pondering these things my conscience tormented me so that I could no longer endure it. . . . If I through bodily fear do not lay bare the foundation of the truth, nor use all my powers to direct the wandering flock who would gladly do their duty if they knew it, to the true pastures of Christ — oh, how shall their shed blood, shed in the midst of transgression, rise against me at the judgment of the Almighty and pronounce sentence against my poor, miserable soul!”
-http://www.history.com/topics/menno-simons

At the above link we also read:

Menno spent a quiet year in hiding, finding a sense of direction for his future work. During this time he wrote “The Spiritual Resurrection,” “The New Birth,” and “Meditation on the Twenty-third Psalm.” Late in 1536 or early 1537, he received believer’s baptism, was called to leadership by the peaceful Anabaptist group founded in 1534 by Obbe Philips, and was ordained by Obbe. He also married. From this time on his life was in constant danger as a heretic. In 1542 the Holy Roman emperor Charles V (1500-58) himself issued an edict against him, promising 100 guilders reward for his arrest. One of the first Anabaptist believers to be executed for sheltering Menno was Tyaard Renicx of Leeuwarden, in 1539.

-http://www.history.com/topics/menno-simons

Thankfully, we are not in danger of arrest and martyrdom for telling the truth about what is happening to the Mennonite Brethren denomination today as it leads its members back (via the emerging church and contemplative spiritual formation) to the Roman Catholic church and her doctrines which their namesake, Menno Simons, so bravely denounced.

The Emerging Church: Another Road to Rome
http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c46.shtml

Also see:

Anabaptist Anonymous Blogging Throughout History…
http://mennoknight.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/anabaptist-anonymous-blogging-throughout-history/

Where are all the Discerning Menno Blogs?

Posted on October 22, 2010 by the olives

Where are all the writers? The Mennonite writers who are concerned about what is coming out of MB seminary and into MB churches (as evidenced in so many recent issues of the MB Herald)?

Where are all the concerned MB bloggers in all of this mess? Are they even aware of these things? So far, most MB bloggers seem to have well written blogs that address an issue here and there. But where is the concern about the down slide that is happening and what is being disguised as evangelical Christianity in the latest MB Herald? Who is sounding the alarm?

The Mennonites are blogging, but what are they blogging about?

There are lots of them, from nice Mennonite cooking blogs to gay Mennonite blogs, Mennonite writer’s blogs, and even a hateful Mennonite anti-israel anti-zionist blog.

One of the better Canadian Mennonite blogs called Borrowing Bones is pleasant reading, but offers no warnings. Another Mennonite blogger writes about hockey, NT Wright and Phyllis Tickle’s divine hours. Believe it or not, this blogger is an Associate pastor of the the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Another blog by a pastor of a BC Conference of Mennonite Brethren Church seemed hopeful, until it became evident that he has been blogging about lent, Henri Nouwen, and resonating with Brian McLaren and Leonard Sweet, thanks to Regent college.

What we are left with are the blogs of Mennonite organizations, which offer no warnings, but only endorsements of new emerging trends, such as the Menno Weekly Review blog, where Brian McLaren’s articles are at the top of the list.

As this (Menno-lite) blog has recently shown, and will continue to reveal (stay tuned), the bloggers of the Mennonite Brethren Conference and her churches are not much better in the discernment department, promoting emerging trends such as the new monasticism, contemplative spiritual formation and Ignatian spirituality.

The search for discerning bloggers so far has only revealed how far the Mennonites have come in the last few years, thanks to the MB Seminary and their new line up of emergent post-modern clones. Their frog in the pot experiment has been a success, and the Mennonite masses are readily accepting the ‘new Christianity’ as gospel truth. But not all of them.

Where are all those Mennonite writers they keep talking about? Doesn’t anyone else care except for a few discerning Mennonite bloggers?

If Menno Simons had a blog today, what would he say?

If there are discerning Mennonite writers and bloggers out there, please get the word out! Your heritage, and the purity of the gospel in the MB denomination, depends on it!

“Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.'” Ezekiel 3:11

Richard Foster and Mindfulness in the MB Herald?

Posted on October 21, 2010 by the olives

In the October 2010 issue of the Mennonite Brethren Herald, which is one of the most revealing so far as to how far the Mennonites have regressed back to Roman Catholicism while still squeaking by as namesakes of Menno Simons who renounced the Roman Catholic church and her false doctrines, we read on page 11 an article called Mindful discipleship (the concept of mindfulness is also central to Buddhist meditation and its disciples). The article is a conversation between the new interim MB Herald editor J Janzen and Canadian Mennonite University faculty Gerry Ediger and Gordon Matties about what mindful discipleship might look like for the ordinary Christian. Recommended for this process of mindfulness are the practices and spiritual disciplines of Richard Foster, who many discerning Christians recognize is leading thousands astray through contemplative spirituality.

Gerry:
“…Among the twelve classic Christian practices Richard Foster describes, he names fasting and living simply alongside study. Disciplines, like fasting and living simply, are really quite counterintuitive to us in our cultural and economic setting, but the biblical call to both is clear.”

–http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/publications/mb_herald/october_2010/features/mindful_discipleship/

While it may or may not be surprising that the MB Herald is promoting Richard Foster, it’s no news that Gerry Ediger is recommending this Quaker and his spiritual discplines, which involve far more than fasting and living simply. This is not simply some innocuous random mention of Foster’s name. First of all, Ediger is no stranger to contemplative spiritual formation, and has even been teaching it a Canadian Mennonite University:

Courses offered in 2007-2008
10.390/3 Christian Spiritual Formation.
A course designed to help students deepen their spiritual formation in the context of their own Christian tradition. To this end students will conduct primary research into their own tradition of Christian spirituality in dialogue with other traditions. Participation in selected spiritual practices and a weekend retreat are expected. (Gerry Ediger)
– http://www.cmu.ca/programs/grad_courses_previous.html

Even before that, his articles revealed his interest in contemplative spirituality. Take the following excerpts, for example:

Spring 2005 article:

Mennonites, and with them Mennonite Brethren, are joining the growing discourse around Christian spirituality. C. Arnold Snyder’s new book, Following in the Footsteps of Christ: The Anabaptist Tradition,1 is recent evidence of this. Spiritual formation is also finding renewed interest in seminary curricula. Mennonite pastors are discussing contemplative prayer and seeking training as spiritual directors. The first issue of Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology,2 jointly sponsored by institutions of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA, was dedicated to the theme of spirituality.
–A Sketch of Early Mennonite Brethren Spirituality
Gerald Ediger
http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?1374

Fall 2005 article:

Creating this space can signal to the Holy Spirit that we are open to God; it may even help us see that God is already there in our experience, waiting for us to see and accept love and grace.

Such intention, patiently accepted and activated can and will lead to other healthful spiritual practices suited to our needs and disposition. We may experiment with lectio divina (divine reading), an approach to Bible reading that blends reading, prayer, meditation and silence.

Another option is to journal our prayers and, when we have finished writing, sit in silence to hear—and perhaps even record—what the Holy Spirit says to us in response. A half hour spent Saturday evening or earlier Sunday morning praying for the coming worship service and meditating on the sermon text, if it is known, can renew our experience of worship. Taking the risk of meeting with a spiritual director can open our eyes to God’s presence in our experience and enhance our awareness of how we respond to that Presence. Books such as Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline, Dallas Willard’s The Spirit of the Disciplines or Marjorie Thompson’s Soul Feast (all contemporary Protestant writers on Christian spirituality) can encourage us with the many options before us in addressing our spiritual hunger.

No two spiritual pathways are alike, but each of our pathways opens before us as we clear space in our daily life—space for attention to God and to the connecting such attention brings to our awareness of God and others around us.

– Clearing space, paying attention, being connected
http://www.themennonite.org/issues/9-7/articles/Clearing_space_paying_attention_being_connected

[Note:
*Richard Foster is not an evangelical believer, but a Quaker.
*The above article, originally published in The Blazer, Canadian Mennonite University, Fall 2005, also appears here: http://www.christianity.ca/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=3736]

Obviously, Ediger has been a disciple of Foster and his disciplines for quite some time. More recently, Ediger was one of the endorsers of a book called Longing for God Seven Paths of Christian Devotion by Richard Foster and Gayle Beebe. In the September 2009 MB Herald, semi-retired CMU professor Ediger (who was teaching courses in Christian Spirituality at the time), highly recommended this book.

“Foster and Beebe certainly captured my interest and spiritual imagination as I used this book for my morning quiet time. I recommend it highly. The book is also available as an abridged audio book–a great resource for the morning commute or a road trip.”
—Gerry Ediger, Mennonite Brethren Herald, September 2009
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/review/code=3514

It has been said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but as evangelical Christians, shouldn’t we all examine the books of spiritual teachers by the same standard (God’s Word) and come to the same conclusions? In this biblical review of Foster’s book which Ediger so highly esteems, Pastor Gary Gilley concludes:

Foster and Beebe can tell us that there are seven paths to Christian devotion but in reality most of these are dead ends at best. Lack of biblical authority and majoring on esoteric experience, these highlighted mystics have led countless thousands astray with their extra-biblical and unbiblical teachings. Foster and Beebe do not understand this danger and instead paint these false teachings as spiritual guides and masters. The book is, for the most part, a collage of apostates and their heretical teachings. Included are: Origen, Thomas Merton, Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, Julian of Norwich, George Fox, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, among others. It has value as a reference tool but not as a guide to spiritual devotion and life.
–Longing for God by Richard J. Foster and Gayle D. Beebe
Written by Gary Gilley
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/4-christian-living/654-longing-for-god-by-richard-j-foster-and-gayle-d-beebe

Exactly what kind of mindful discipleship is being promoted in the MB Herald? Is this another example of contemplative spirituality slipping in between the lines and through the cracks?

Speaking of mindfulness, wouldn’t it be refreshing to see some brave Mennonites (who have filled their minds with God’s Word instead of Richard Foster’s words) follow the example of Menno Simons and speak their minds to those in MB leadership and say that enough is enough?!

***Related:

Some Foster facts to be mindful of:

RICHARD FOSTER
http://understandthetimes.org/transcripts/apr2008/2474.shtml

RICHARD FOSTER AND HIS 100 SPIRITUAL CLASSICS (Devotional Masters)
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/fosters100spiritualclassics.htm

Richard Foster—Celebration of Deception
by Bob DeWaay
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue112.htm

RICHARD FOSTER: THE BIBLE A RELIABLE GUIDE DESPITE INCONSISTENCIES
http://apprising.org/2010/03/18/richard-foster-the-bible-a-reliable-guide-despite-inconsistencies/

Richard Foster’s Renovare Turns to Panentheist Mystic Richard Rohr and Emerging Darling Phyllis Tickle For New Book Project
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=4986

RICHARD FOSTER A RELIABLE SOURCE FOR PROPER CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY?
http://apprising.org/2009/03/14/richard-foster-a-reliable-source-for-proper-christian-spirituality/

Richard Foster and the Be Still DVD
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/richardfosterbestilldvd.htm

Update:

NEW:

Mindfulness: no-mind over matter
By Marcia Montenegro, November 2010
http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Mindfulness.html

Who is…

Posted on October 20, 2010 by the olives

This list is for the benefit of the confused Mennonites who know there was such a thing as the reformation but are shocked to see these names spotlighted in recent gatherings, retreats, courses, conferences, churches, seminaries, the MB Herald, and recommended by contemplative teachers brought in by the MB Conference. It may be added to as the need arises.

WHO IS IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA?
http://apprising.org/2008/12/13/who-is-ignatius-of-loyola/

WHO IS THOMAS MERTON?
http://apprising.org/2008/08/28/who-is-thomas-merton/

WHO IS HENRI NOUWEN?
http://apprising.org/2008/08/12/who-is-henri-nouwen-2/

WHO IS RICHARD ROHR?
http://apprising.org/2008/05/10/who-is-richard-rohr/

WHO IS TERESA OF AVILA?
http://apprising.org/2006/04/14/who-is-teresa-of-avila/

Who are the Christian Mystics of the Past?
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/christianmysticspast.htm

Inhaling and Exhaling at BCMB Church Plant

Posted on October 19, 2010 by the olives

One can find out such amazing things by reading the MB Herald. For example, on the back of the October 2010 issue is a full page ad for Regenerate 2101 that says:

Imagine what it would be like to live like the first-century church in the 21st-century
Visit http://www.regenerate2101.ca to learn more, be inspired, share stories, and watch the video

This web address brings you here, to the MB Conference website where we find out what Regenerate is:

Regenerate 21-01 is a name given to the idea of looking to the first century church – the stories we read about in the book of Acts – and applying their dynamics to our current communities.

We believe this simple idea can help align our churches with what God has intended for his Church. This concept will manifest itself differently in every community, and bring us closer to the ideals Jesus set in motion 2,000 years ago.

The Regenerate blog reveals further what ideas the MB churches are aligning themselves with – but is it what God has intended for the church, or more evidence of how widespread contemplative spirituality within the MB denomination has become? We really begin to wonder as we read the September 15th entry called Artisan: breathing the Psalms. It’s about an ancient practice of prayer at Artisan, a newly formed church plant of the BCMB Conference that meets in the downtown Vancouver Public Library.

This summer they began a 10 week series called Inhale/Exhale: Learning to Breathe the Psalms, led by pastor Nelson Boschman, who was inspired by the contemplative Eugene Peterson, famed author of the paraphrase called The Message.

The ten-week series featured guest speaker Steve Imbach, spiritual director and retreat facilitator from Soul Stream. A prayer gathering provided an additional pathway for people to pray the Psalms at SOMA Underground, (a church planting hub). The Regenerate 2101 blog article says that:

“In keeping with their normal practice, leaders used the ancient Lectio Divina format, a way Christians have prayed Scriptures for centuries. Lectio Divina is a method of engaging Scripture that involves reading, meditation, responsive prayer, and contemplation.
“Those who came out found it a meaningful rhythm in their week,” said Boschman.
“They found that praying the Psalms with others is an even richer experience than praying them alone. Others see and hear things in the prayers that we don’t, so there is a mutual enrichment as we engage the same Psalm together in community.”
The plan for the fall is to continue the weekly morning prayer gatherings but to alternate between Lectio Divina (inward focus) and Intercessory Prayer (outward focus…) “

A meaningful rhythm? Seeing and hearing things? Have they all gone daft? Lectio Divina, latin for ‘Divine Reading’ is an ancient prayer method formerly popular only among Roman Catholics and gnostics that involves relaxation, breathing, concentration and slow repetition of a phrase, or mantra. As a practice that is hauntingly similar to meditation exercises used in Eastern religions and New Age circles, it’s goal is to aid the practitioner in hearing ‘God’s voice.’ The danger, obviously, lies in whether or not this opens one’s mind up to hearing voices that are not God’s.

Even so, the MB Conference appears to condone and even spread this practice, time and time again, as Lectio Divina and contemplative spiritual formation continues to flood every congregation and ministry under its umbrella. So much for shelter and covering from false teaching.

The guest speaker who provided this “additional pathway” (there is no such thing mentioned in the Bible) by teaching the Lectio Divina method at the Artisan Inhale/Exhale series, Steve Imbach, co-founded the contemplative SoulStream in 2002 to provide connection and support for those seeking a contemplative community through spiritual direction training, retreats and courses in the Vancouver area.

You can read more about Soul Stream in yesterday’s article.

Getting back to Regenerate’s slogan, Imagine what it would be like to live like the first-century church in the 21st-century, we just have to ask the MB Conference leaders and their church plant pastors if this is actually how they imagine the first century church lived, since the Roman Catholic church, Benedictine rules and rhythms, 16th century Ignatius of Loyola, the medieval tradition of Lectio Divina, and the contemplative spirituality of Roman Catholic mystics did not exist yet, and Christians in the first century church were killed for believing in only one pathway to prayer through Jesus Christ. Even the desert fathers, who get the credit for many of these practices, weren’t around til the 3rd century.

Is it time for these false teachings and half truths to be challenged instead of swallowed as the whole truth?

Are we watching a return to the teachings of the same Roman Catholicism that Menno Simons renounced, as we see Mennonites becoming Benedictine Oblates and having a dialogue with Roman Catholics instead of telling them the truth?
With all this post-modern ancient/new contemplative spiritual formation emerging in Mennonite-ville, it looks like it’s time for a modern day non-conformist to step into a phone booth and don the good old Menno Simons super hero cape – before it’s too late.

“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities'” (Revelation 18:4,5)

What is Lectio Divina?
http://www.gotquestions.org/lectio-divina.html

Contemplative Spirituality Comes to Modern Day Christianity
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/contemplativespirituality.htm

ADDED NOTEs:

re: Inhaling and Exhaling:

Whether it’s inhaling and exhaling with a meditation mantra during yoga or Zen meditation, or doing the breathing relaxation exercises of contemplative/centering prayer, the results and effect on the mind are the same. Some do it to meet their spirit guides in the inner silence, some say they meet Jesus in that quiet place within. The questions is, how would you know whose voice you are hearing if Satan appears as an angel of light and his servants as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14,15)?

Challenge: For those who have been led to believe that contemplative prayer is biblical, please spend some time reading on meditation websites (using discernment) and compare the relaxation steps and meditation exercises with those methods taught in “Christian” spiritual formation and contemplative prayer. You may find that they are exactly the same.

re: Why the MB leadership will turn a blind eye to blogs like this…
Menno is on a Roll
http://rollovermenno.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/menno-is-on-a-roll/

What is the difference between Catholicism and Christianity?

Posted on October 18, 2010 by the olives

Is Catholicism a valid form of Christianity? Was the reformation a waste of time? This video is being posted here on Menno-lite for the benefit of those Mennonites who have apparently forgotten the answers to these questions.
Catholicism vs Christianity

Story about “The Silence” by Contemplative Writer is published in the MB Herald

Posted on October 18, 2010 by the olives

Hark, the MB Herald says, listen to the silence…

On the opening page (p. 2) of the October 2010 Mennonite Brethren Herald is a descriptive story called In the shelter of God’s wings. This is an imaginary account about prayer, visualization and conversations with angels that ultimately leads the author to ‘the silence,’ a place of altered consciousness reached only by shutting out noise and distractions by going inward until you hear your heart beat and then the voice of God in the stillness within. It’s written by Esther Hizsa, a writer, pastor, and spiritual director. Hizsa also leads an Imago Dei Community in Port Moody, B.C. (Canada) and serves part time at New Life Community Church in Burnaby, B.C. (www.newlifecom.org). New Life Community Church is a member of the Reformed Church in America. The church website tells us that she is a graduate of Regent College (M Div), a trained spiritual director at the extremely contemplative SoulStream.

Why has the MB Herald published such a story by this writer, a spiritual director in contemplative spirituality, in their opening page? Have the influences of this new spirituality finally infiltrated the Mennonite Brethren so deeply that its effects now seem normal enough to publish in a magazine that states it is primarily written to equip the MB community for ministry by reflecting MB theology, values and heritage? Is contemplative spirituality now the theology, values and heritage of the MB’s?

Many pages could be written about the contemplative spirituality of Imago Dei (affiliated with the MB Conference of BC) which links to the Ignatian Jesuit Centre and teaches Ignatian spirituality. [If you don’t know who Ignatius of Loyola was, click here.] The small groups of the contemplative Imago Dei Community (one of which the MB Herald writer leads) are encouraged to use Guided Prayer Liturgies to keep the mind “focused and guided” in 5-10 minutes of silence between each passage that is read. These Contemplative Liturgies include selections and meditations by Christian mystics from the past like St. Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, Evelyn Underhill, and Julian of Norwich, to name a few. They have even included one by Fr. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest who teaches the equality of Buddha with Christ and the indwelling of God in all things.

Is it any coincidence that it takes 5-10 minutes to achieve altered state of consciousness during relaxation meditation? Is this biblical Christian meditation? Should we be concerned about compromise by linking to those who believe Buddha and Christ are equal?

Should readers of the MB Herald be concerned that at SOUL STREAM (where MB Herald writer Hazsa is a trained spiritual director) a myriad of contemplative courses, retreats, links and resources can be found? For example, this November they are promoting a Continuing Education Event for Lower Mainland Spiritual Directors. The topic is The Enneagram and the presenter is John Kiemele, SoulStream Partner, recently returned from Loyola University in Chicago. [Source: http://soulstream.org/blog/continuing-education-event-for-lower-mainland-spiritual-directors/%5D

Here are the links recommended by Soul Stream:

SoulStream Home / Resources / Links
Links
*Contemplative opportunites

Contemplative Fire

Contemplative Fire Canada
(A Monastery without walls, Contemplative Fire in Canada is just in the early days, founded in 2009 by a team in Toronto led by The Rev Anne Crosthwait. Their resources included everything contemplative imaginable, see here.)

Selah Center – A place to pause in Gig Harbor, Washington.

SoulStreamRipples Blog
(Note: see their videos of Richard Rohr and Thomas Keating, father of the modern day contemplative prayer movement, here)

*Organizations

Fresh Wind Press
Fresh Wind Press is a small publishing company dedicated to helping quality authors take their manuscripts through editing, proof-reading, layout, and cover-design to final print. Kevin Miller (author, teacher, editor, screenwriter) oversees the work of a network of professionals who get self-published authors onto the bookstore shelves.
Fresh Wind Press specializes in the “Listening Prayer Resources” of Brad and Eden Jersak. These include books and study guides that equip all of God’s people to hear the voice of God more clearly, more accurately, and more frequently.

Henri Nouwen Society
Henri Nouwen spent his life helping people respond to the universal “yearning for love, unity, and communion that doesn’t go away”. Is it possible to touch and taste the love of God? How can we live a spiritual life that embraces the pain and suffering of our lives and in the world, and gives us the freedom to love deeply wherever we are? Join us in this way of the heart!

Imago Dei Community

King’s Fold Retreat and Renewal Centre

*Colleges

Carey Theological College
Programs include a number of non-degree initiatives including a Centre for Spiritual Formation which provides interactive engagement focused on the disciplines and practice of the spiritual life. Academic programs include Master of Pastoral Ministry and Doctor of Ministry Degrees.

SOURCE: http://soulstream.org/resources/links/

[Also of interest to some might be the fact that Brad Jersak is on the board of directors at Soul Stream. For those who have studied his teachings on Listening Prayer, this will make perfect sense.]

Why has the MB Herald knowingly chosen to publish a writer with such intertwined connections to Roman Catholic contemplative spiritual formation and Ignatian spirituality? Is there any spiritual harm in it? What does it mean? Is it because Imago Dei is affiliated with the MB Conference that they are turning a blind eye to this compromise?

Since the founder of the Mennonites left the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, have those who name themselves after Menno Simons come full circle back to Rome (with a New Age twist)? If you are a reader of the MB Herald, are you concerned about this?

These and many more questions will be asked in the next few postings as this blog continues to shine the spot light on the latest MB Herald which has clearly revealed how wide spread contemplative spirituality has spread among the Mennonite Brethren. In the meantime, here are some informative articles for those who are concerned.

An Introduction to Ignatian Spiritual Discernment – or a Bridge to Rome?
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/an-introduction-to-ignatian-spiritual-discernment/

Tell Me Who I Am, O Enneagram
(Christian Research Institute Journal)
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0146a.html

Should We Wait in Silence?
by Pastor Larry DeBruyn
http://guardinghisflock.com/2010/05/19/should-we-wait-in-silence/

Who is Ignatius of Loyola?
http://apprising.org/2008/12/13/who-is-ignatius-of-loyola/

Bridges to God Among Pre-Christians

Posted on October 16, 2010 by the olives

Amazing pop culture how sweet the sound
That engaged a pre-Christian like me,
I once was disillusioned but now am stimulated
Was seeking but now am imaginative.
-post-modern hymn (21st century)

Welcome to the new kind of church evangelism. It’s called ‘conversation’ and it often takes place in secular settings, like pubs and bars (thanks to emerging church leaders like Brian McLaren). The following is an example of this new post-modern gospel-lite approach that is now emerging from Mennonite churches all over Canada.

On page 33 of this month’s MB Herald October 2010 issue is an article in Currently in community called Pub chats tackle contemporary issues. Here is an excerpt:

Once a month, Gracepoint pastor Bill Hogg presides at a bar – and he invites anyone to join him. Hogg, several “expert” panellists, and guests meet at Belle’s Restaurant in Surrey, B.C., on the last Monday of the month to feed their bodies, minds, and souls with lively discussion on contemporary issues around faith and culture. The discussion podcasts are then posted on The Kindlings Muse – Canada West website (www.thekindlings.ca).

Kindlings is a Canadian extension of a movement in the U.S. inspired by the famous weekly pub conversations of the Oxford Inklings – C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and others. Founder Dick Staub says Kindlings seeks to ignite “intelligent, imaginative, hospitable exploration of ideas that matter in contemporary life.” Hogg calls it “a forum for hospitable conversation among thoughtful seekers who are Christful.”

It’s neither an outreach to non-Christians, nor a Christian supper club. Kindlings “promotes discipleship of the mind, engagement with arts, discernment about pop culture, and builds bridges to God among pre-Christians,” says Hogg.

If it’s not for reaching the lost, and it’s not for Christian fellowship, then what exactly is Kindlings all about?

Hogg, pastor of Gracepoint [www.gracepoint.ca] church (affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Conference of Churches), chairs the panel’s comments and Q&A on a predetermined topic. Subjects so far have included things like the New Atheists, the Olympics, movies, and fundamentalism. (One of the panelists happens to be Kevin Miller, a screenwriter and producer who recently worked on the left wing anti-Zionist film about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict called With God on Our Side.)

So far people have found Kindlings ‘stimulating,’ and one person has expressed a wish that church was like this.

But how will pub chats that simply tackle contemporary issues possibly kindle the spark of faith that leads to repentance and belief without using the Word of God (the word of truth), or the gospel of salvation? How can engagement with arts and discernment about pop culture build a bridge to God when Jesus is the only One who has ever done that? There is much emphasis on contemporary issues, but is there an urgency about eternal issues? We’ve an inkling that something is strangely missing from this conversation.

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
~Romans 10

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
~Ephesians 1:13

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
~1 Thess. 2:13

Missionary or Missional-lite?
https://mennolite.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/missionary-or-missional-lite/

Mennonites and NT Wright

Posted on October 11, 2010 by the olives

The Mennonite contributors appear to be pleased and excited about this over at the MB Forum:

NT Wright is coming to the Lower Mainland
http://www.mbforum.ca/topic/3431.html

If they have concerns regarding the problematic issues surrounding NT Wright and his teaching, they’ve given no indication.

Refer to the following articles for details:

A Defense of the Old Perspective on Paul
What Did St. Paul Really Say?
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/new_p.html

Tom Wright’s Ecumenical Teaching
http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?195

N.T. WRIGHT ON HOMEBREWED CHRISTIANITY
http://apprising.org/2010/05/20/n-t-wright-on-homebrewed-christianity/

N. T. Wright to Visit TWU
http://twu.ca/academics/graduate/biblical/news-and-updates/n-t-wright-to-visit-twu.html

Chapel at Trinity Western University – Some Concerns
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/chapel-at-trinity-western-university/

B.C. Mennonite Church Allowing Contemplative Spirituality to be Taught

Posted on October 4, 2010 by the olives

This fall Northview Church (a member of the BC Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches) is inviting women who attend their OASIS MORNINGS to take part in a Listening Prayer class:

Oasis Classes – September to December 2010
LISTENING PRAYER – Cost $22 for Book Invited by Lorie Martin

Listening prayer is about communing with God, hearing the voice of the One who loves us, saved us and who desires to come alongside us and speak in to every aspect of our lives….

…Brad Jersak in his book Can you hear me says of this scripture (John 10:2-5, 14-15): The Lord is making a point here about his voice: He has one. He uses it. He speaks. His sheep – those who have ears to listen – hear it, know it and follow it.”
The Lord speaks to us in many ways – in quietness, in community, in nature, in scripture, a sermon, in worship, through a friend to name but a few. Whether you are new to listening prayer or a “seasoned listener” join us as we are invited and guided by Lorie Martin using her wonderful book of prayer exercises for solitude and community where we will learn together to hear the voice of the Lord and apply it to our lives.

What the Northview website does not explain is who Lorie Martin’s mentor/publisher Brad Jersak is, and that in his Can You Hear Me book he quotes mystics Agnes Sandford, Evelyn Underhill, and points his readers to an example of the astral projection of a nun named Mary of Agreda who “experienced visions, ecstasies, levitations, and finally, the extensive teleportations in which her paranormal powers became the spiritual gifts that aided her in her life as a missionary, spiritual leader, and, in the end, one of the most surprising mystics of all time” (page 112, Can You Hear Me).

Neither is an explanation or disclaimer given by Northview of what exactly Listening Prayer is, its dangers, and how it is based on ancient eastern mysticism.

Surely Northview church is aware, but not concerned, that Lorie Martin is one of the retreat facilitators who encourage silence and contemplative spiritual direction at the Mark Centre, a contemplative retreat centre that is affiliated with the MB Conference which was recently highlighted in the MB Herald.

See here:

MB Herald Promotes Contemplative Centre, Again
https://mennolite.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/mb-herald-promotes-contemplative-centre-again/

Silently Retreating Mennonites
http://rollovermenno.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/silently-retreating-mennonites/

Martin also facilitated a contemplative retreat at a Catholic Retreat Center in Kelowna, B.C. last year, which was documented here:

Ancient Streams
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2009/07/31/ancient-streams/

Not only is Martin’s book published by Fresh Wind, she is also on staff with this ministry of Brad Jersak (who is also the editor of Stricken by God?: Nonviolent Indentification and the Victory of Christ, which some have called heretical as it contains essays by those who deny the penal atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross, the very foundation of Christianity). Jersak has also referred to mystics Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and Thomas Merton as examples of a contemplative approach to inner healing and listening prayer (source: The new prophets, canadianchristianity.com). It might also be noted that Jersak is on the leadership team of the Listening Prayer Community, and that many Bible believing Christians are very concerned with his teachings that incorporate visualization and imagination with prayer. For example, see these:

Some New Context to Brad Jersak and Listening Prayer…
http://mennoknight.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/some-new-context-to-brad-jersak-and-listening-prayer/

Something new about “Listening Prayer” and Brad Jersak…
http://mennoknight.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/something-new-about-listening-prayer-and-brad-jersak/

Evaluating Listening Prayer and Brad Jersak
http://mennoknight.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/168/

Brad Jersak’s Argument for Listening Prayer…
http://thearmchairtheologian.blogspot.com/2008/11/brad-jersaks-argument-for-listening.html

Those who are acquainted with the church and denomination mentioned above and have concerns regarding this invitation to Listening Prayer, Roman Catholic mysticism and contemplative spirituality should be bringing these issues first to the Lord in prayer, and then to those in leadership. To those who are offended, please remember that this blog is not about pointing fingers, judging, or criticism, but about faithfulness of the bride to Jesus Christ and His living Word.

Also see:
What is Contemplative Spirituality?
http://www.gotquestions.org/contemplative-spirituality.html

Be Still
by Pastor Larry DeBruyn for Contemplative Spirituality
Contemplative, or Listening Prayer and Psalm 46:10.
http://guardinghisflock.com/2010/04/09/be-still/

CONTEMPLATIVE/CENTERING PRAYER
http://apprising.org/2009/12/30/contemplativecentering-prayer/

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER: SEDUCING SPIRITS AND A DOCTRINE OF DEVILS
By Christine A. Narloch
http://earnestlycontend.com/CP.htm

*****IMPORTANT UPDATE: A question for Northview church:

Northview MB Church: Where are your men?
http://mennoknight.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/northview-mb-church-where-are-your-men/

MORE UPDATES:

Visualizing ourselves into the Throne Room of Heaven?
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/visualizing-ourselves-into-the-throne-room/

UCM’s Fall Retreat Speaker
http://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/ucms-retreat-speaker/

——————————————————

*** UPDATE – January 2012:

The following is on the website of Lorie Martin:

I just wanted to let you know of a blog that is starting on January 1st, called, 40 Days of Contemplative Ways. It is a collection of writings of myself along with over 10 people who have contributed postings of our favorite ways of adding contemplative ways into our lives. We hope you will join us in ‘tasting’ of our practices and finding one of your own. Please go to http://www.spiritual-direction.com and press blog on the top of the page to find more information and to follow the blog over the first 40 days of the new year. We hope you will be interactive on the site as you feel comfortable to do so, and that you will pass this on to others who may also enjoy beginning the Year 2012 in this way. We trust you will be blessed as you become a part of this with us!
Deep Peace, Great Joy, Much Grace,
http://loriemartin.com/Events.php

The following events are recommended by Lorie Martin on her website:

Invited–Half Day Retreats at the  MARK Centre, Abbotsford
A half-day retreat to be still. 9:30-noon at the MARK Centre Chalet
Facilitator: Lorie Martin http://www.loriemartin.com
Friday March 9th Invited to Listen Experiencing God’s Voice for Intimacy and Guidance
Monday April 2nd Invited to Scripture Entering Gospel Stories to Encounter Christ
Saturday May 26 Invited to Rest Encountering God in Stillness
Friday August 24 Invited to Solitude Enveloped in God’s Quiet Presence  Saturday October 20 Invited to Healing Engaging with God in Pain and Loss
Friday December 7 Invited to Bethlehem Enjoying our Advent Journey Together  

Upcoming Events at Stillpoint:
January 28-29, 2012 (Part I) AND February 4-5 (Part II) – Enneagram Workshop
February 18, 2012 – “Christ and the Cosmos” Retreat
Thursday evenings TBD, “Christ and the Cosmos” DVD/Discussion Series (see next newsletter for dates)
March 3, 2012 – “SoulCollage” Retreat
March 24, 2012 – “Stations of the Cross” Labyrinth Walk
April 14, 2012 – “Welcoming Prayer” Retreat
Date TBD – “Dying to Love” Retreat
CLICK HERE TO VISIT STILLPOINT
http://www.stillpointatbeckside.com/
Stillpoint at Beckside is located at 1625 Huntley Road, Bellingham, about 20 minutes from downtown Bellingham. This rural retreat center/home is on five acres with a spacious outdoor wooded area for walking and meditating and two labyrinths.

Selah Center
http://www.selahcenter.org
• SoulSpace – a contemplative group retreat. March 23-24 (Friday from 6 – 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

SoulStream
Interested in a contemplative community……You are warmly invited to a Chocolate Tasting Event with live jazz to introduce SoulStream Initiatives and ask for your support. Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 7:0 pm @ Highland Community Church 3130 McMillan Road, Abbotsford.
http://www.soulstream.org/chocolate

Jan 2012: Course:    Encountering God through Spiritual Formation:
Exploring Spiritual Disciplines, including Biblical Meditation (along with the DVD series: “Sacred Rhythms”, by Ruth Haley Barton) – 12 weeks Course   Contact: Nadine Frew: njoyfrew@gmail.com

November 11/12
Listen Up!!! Hearing God’s Voice with Brad Jersak.
Hosted by Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship I Abbotsford. Location to be determined. Friday evening/Saturday

Silent Retreat @ The Mark Centre
http://www.markcentre.org/Retreats/ComeAway.html
A great retreat coming up that can offer deep nourishment. The timing of this is right at the beginning of Advent. The retreat will help facilitate slowing down instead of speeding up – as we often tend to do at this time of year. There are spaces available, so call the Mark Centre if you are interested.

Also find the following on Lorie Martin’s Deeper In Blog:
http://loriemartin.com/DeeperInBLOG.php

1/8/2012 7:57:08 PM
Centering Prayer
The Best Gift to Give God
“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
(Matthew 6:6 NAB)
Practicing Centering Prayer has become one of my favourite times with God. It is an ancient Christian prayer exercise that, when I first heard of it, I thought would be really easy. At first it seemed so uneventful that I thought there must be something wrong. Was I doing it right? Was anything happening with me and God?
As I have continued practicing this method of contemplative prayer I have come to see some of the value of it and the good fruit in my life, and I now love meeting God in this way. It is the exercise I miss the most if I miss doing it. I often feel the Lord leading me to do it and it is one of the Spiritual Disciplines that I endeavour to practice daily.
Contemplative Prayer is opening our whole being, heart and mind, to God. There are times to use words in prayer and to interact with God; however, this contemplative prayer exercise takes us beyond thoughts, words, feelings, and actions. It is an invitation to open our awareness to God, who we know by faith, is within us (1 John 3:24). Centering Prayer helps us develop our faculties to receive communion with God rather than conversation with God.
I’ve heard it said that Centering Prayer familiarizes us with God’s first language, which is silence. I’ve also heard it said that God loves meeting us in this manner the most since we are so clearly invited, “Be still and know that I am God” and the Psalmist speaks of quieting himself at times instead of crying to God (Psalm 46:10; 131:2 KJV). I do like the fact that during this time in prayer I am not asking anything of God, nor am I am engaging to listen for anything for myself; this allows us simply to be together and that is beautiful and it is enough.  The principle fruits of the prayer are experienced in daily life and not during the prayer period. Centering Prayer is not limited to the “felt” presence of God but is rather a deepening of faith in God’s abiding presence. It is not reflective or spontaneous prayer, but simply resting in God. 
Prayer Exercise Centering Prayer Suggested time: 20 min.

To Begin – We choose a sacred word as a symbol that expresses our intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
a.) The sacred word is chosen during a brief period of prayer asking the Holy Spirit to inspire us with one that is suitable for this time with Him.
Examples: God, Jesus, Peace, Trust, Abba, Yes, etc.
b.) The sacred word is said when we wander off in our thoughts, and helps us come back to an awareness of God’s presence with us. It is not to be used repetitively. It is to be spoken quietly within to gently turn us towards God.
c.) Instead of a sacred word, a simple glance toward the Divine Presence or focusing on one’s breathing may be more suitable for some people.
• Sit comfortably with backs straight so as not to encourage sleep during this time. We close our eyes as a symbol of letting go of what is going on around and within us. Legs and arms need to be set comfortably as straight as possible to rest for the full 20 minutes.
• We introduce the sacred word inwardly as gently as laying a feather on a piece of absorbent cotton.
a) Should we fall asleep, we continue with the prayer when we awake. When engaged with our thoughts, we return ever so gently to the sacred word.
Thoughts are inevitable, an integral and a normal part of Centering Prayer. Thoughts include body sensations, feelings, images, and reflections. They may be ordinary wanderings of the imagination or memories. Thoughts and feelings that come may bring feelings of attraction or aversion. Insights and psychological breakthroughs may come, as well as self reflections such as, “How am I doing?” or, “This peace is just great!” They all arise from the unloading of the unconscious mind. When you realize you may have become engaged with any of these thoughts return gently to your sacred word, leading you back to an awareness of God’s presence.
b) We avoid analyzing our experience, holding expectations, or aiming at any goal such as: having no thoughts, making the mind a blank, feeling peaceful, repeating the sacred word continuously, or achieving a spiritual experience.
c) We may notice slight pains, itches, or twitches in parts of our body, or a generalized restlessness. These are usually due to the untying of emotional knots in the body. We may notice heaviness or lightness in our extremities. This is usually due to a deep level of spiritual attentiveness. In all cases we pay no attention and gently return to the sacred word and to focus on God.
• This prayer normally lasts for 20 minutes.
a) It is recommended that we practice this exercise twice daily, first thing in the morning and in the afternoon or early evening. With practice the time may be extended to 30 minutes or longer. (Once a day works well, too.)
b) Using a quiet timer will help to tell us when the time is done. In a group setting it is nice to be brought back from the prayer time with someone leading in the Lord’s Prayer or another gentle form of re-entry.

4. Remain silent at the end of the prayer period for a couple of minutes. The additional 2 minutes enables us to bring the atmosphere of silence into everyday life.
I heard one of my favourite comments after leading a Centering Prayer time which my friend, Eric, was attending. I thought that fifteen minutes would be long enough for our first time doing this together. I wondered if some of the people attending the retreat might not be able to focus like this for very long or find it very uncomfortable. Being silent, especially in a room full of people, can feel like a long time, even though doing this together in a group is a very wonderful experience. I was concerned that this lively group would be grumbling when we finally moved from the prayer time. However, instead of any negative complaining, I heard Eric sigh and say, “No, I don’t want to stop this.” Thankfully it isn’t expensive, doesn’t need a lot of equipment, and can be taken with you into every day.
One day I saw some lovely fruit coming from my Centering Prayer times. A lot of busy activity was happening around me on this particular day, yet I was able to lightly let each thing go and stay in a deep peacefulness. It wasn’t until later that I realized that my heart had taken Centering Prayer with me into the day.
Andrea Kastner, a well-learned teacher and encouraging facilitator of Soulstream, had some brilliant insights into Centering Prayer that she graciously shared with me. She writes:
“Centering Prayer is very hard at first. Everyone who has practiced contemplative prayer/centering prayer over the ages says this same thing. It takes a LOT of practice. It gets easier, then it gets harder, then it gets easier…. In a large sense it is the practicing itself that holds the transformative power of the prayer. For one thing, staying with it, no matter what the immediate experience/‘effect’ shows us just how deeply addicted we are to our belief that we can improve ourselves spiritually by trying hard. Most of us expect there will be some reward, including the reward of feeling like we are ‘getting it’ or feeling peaceful. It is helpful to remember that all we are doing is making ourselves available, to the best of our human ability that day, to receive the love of God pouring around and through us. God is doing the transforming in us whether we feel it or not. Everything that happens is a gift from God: our ability to ‘show up’ in the first place when there are so many other demands from the world – even our desire to show up on the days when we avoid it or forget to show up, our noticing our frustration at not being able to pay attention for very long, and the more rare moments when we glimpse the face of God gazing at us with love. It’s all a gift. And God is so touched, so delighted when we make even the smallest of steps.

“The alertness or paying attention, the ‘being present with God,’ is important and not quite the same thing as the kind of cosy nestling up one might do in another kind of prayer such as the kind of rest we might experience in imaginative prayer where we might picture ourselves as a small child snuggled in God’s arms.
“I find it helps to think of this kind of rest as the kind that comes from stopping. Where I stop trying. Stop planning. Stop trying to figure things out. It is a giving up of all effort for 20 minutes. In time, stopping brings rest; rest is the result of stopping.
“It is a big challenge for us to enter into this prayer as a response to God, out of the place of our desire to be with God and enjoy God, rather than out of our more usual place: the habit of doing, or trying to achieve yet one more thing. Again and again we meet this mistaken impulse, this weakness in ourselves. Perhaps with a little light humour and the reminder that Jesus understands our human weakness, and without beating ourselves up when we notice we are back in our habit again, we can just gently return to our word, the sign of our desire, our intention.”
I’d like to invite you to ponder two great phrases that Andrea gave:
“Being present to God.” And “Rest is the result of stopping.”

CENTERING PRAYER
I came to know Lorie in person through a Listening Prayer weekend at her home. My spiritual life was challenged and enriched by Lorie’s teaching and she certainly practices what she teaches as I got to know the wonderful community that she draws towards herself. Her longings to deepen and enliven other’s relationship with God, resulted in her terrific book, Invited, Simple Prayer Exercises for Solitude and Community (Fresh Wind Press, 2010). It is a privilege to know her!
Getting to know Lorie:
“I live in Abbotsford with Dwight, my wonderful husband of 33 years. We have five children, now grown, one is married, one still in high school, 3 moved out of town and our first grandchild who thankfully is here in town near Grammy and Papa!!! I enjoy quiet time with God, meaningful times with my family, fun times with friends, divine moments with those I meet. I am a spiritual director, an ordained pastor on staff at Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship.”
“It is my desire to continue to join God in The Way of Love (the life of Jesus), Peace (personal and community), Healing (for the whole person), Grace (unearned redemption), Justice (co-suffering and restorative), Stillness (silence and solitude), and Intimacy with God (ever enlarging union and abiding with God in Christ). High values for me are living and working closely in community with mutual love and acceptance, serving people from all walks of life as led by the Spirit of God. My main hope for the future is to be present to God and the Kingdom of God and welcome Jesus whenever and however he may appear.”
Lorie graduated in 2007 from SoulStream which is a contemplative community that trains spiritual directors and has formed a disbursed contemplative community. Lorie has offered spiritual direction to many who come to retreats or are retreating guests at MARK Centre in Abbotsford. She has a private practice from her home where she meets clients regularly for the past 5 years. Click here to learn more about spiritual direction and read some of Lorie’s articles.
Visit Lorie’s new Website at http://www.loriemartin.com

Centering Prayer by Lorie Martin of Abbotsford, B.C.

My favourite contemplative practice, far above all of my favourites, is Centering Prayer. In this quiet 20 minutes with God the purity and simplicity of being with the Divine Presence is most practical and mystical all at the same time. I’ll share the essence of it in this post; however, click here for more information and details for a full understanding.

Posture: Sitting straight in a chair with feet squarely beneath you and hands relaxed on your lap.
Begin: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you, or you choose a “sacred word” such as Father, Jesus, Abba, Holy One, Love ……. which will be used to bring you back to an awareness of God’s presence when you’ve wandered away in a thought that comes to mind in the quiet. Set a timer for 20 minutes so you can enter in without time being a distraction.
Continue: Sit quietly in God’s presence with an awareness of Divine Love being with you. Thoughts, pictures, prayers, etc. will come to your mind in the quiet, which they are supposed to in all thinking beings. Lightly as a feather you are invited to let the thoughts go for now and gently say the sacred word you’ve been given one time to bring you back to an awareness of God. The goal is Presence.
Some times in Centering Prayer will seem to go so very well, other times it may feel useless and unproductive. However, the joy is being with God without either needing any interaction (there are other times for conversation, intercession, healing, etc.) – this is about purely being together. A most beautiful gift to give God and to receive for yourself.
– http://spiritual-direction.com/2012/01/centering-prayer/

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For more on Centering/Contemplative Prayer see here:

Centering Prayer
http://carm.org/centering-prayer

CONTEMPLATING CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER: IS IT REALLY PRAYER?
http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_ContemplativePrayer1.html

The Danger of Centering Prayer
http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Centering.htm

Do Christian Leaders Understand
The Contemplative Prayer Movement?
http://www.spiritual-research-network.com/christianleaderscontemplativeprayer.html

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Menno-lite

shining a light on Mennonite monkey business

Monthly Archives: October 2010

Where have all the watchmen gone?

Unanswered Questions

THE PAPISTIC BELIEF

Another article in the MB Herald that opens the door to contemplative spirituality.

About those Spiritual Exercises

Mennonites and St. Ignatius

What Kind of Discipleship is this in the MB Herald?

Menno’s Renunciation of Rome

MB Priorities

Would Menno Simons Blog Anonymously?

Where are all the Discerning Menno Blogs?

Richard Foster and Mindfulness in the MB Herald?

Who is…

Inhaling and Exhaling at BCMB Church Plant

What is the difference between Catholicism and Christianity?

Story about “The Silence” by Contemplative Writer is published in the MB Herald

Bridges to God Among Pre-Christians

Mennonites and NT Wright

B.C. Mennonite Church Allowing Contemplative Spirituality to be Taught