Something unique to offer

Saanich Community Church combines a strong interest in social issues with a strong commitment to proclaiming Jesus

David Eagle

The seat of the chair in the pastor’s office that is available to your reporter is constructed of pleated wrought iron, and makes a very distinct and unpleasant impression on his sitting parts. “My,” he says, “this chair is uncomfortable.” The pastor laughs. “That is so people don’t stay too long.”

This is the sort of refreshing honesty that gives your reporter, who intends to stay for as long as it takes for a good interview, the freedom to find a more comfortable chair in the adjacent room and bring it into the office. At the same time, it assures him that this pastor will give straightforward and honest answers to his questions.

The name of the pastor is David Eagle, and the church is called Saanich Community Church, or SCC. Neither his name, not that of the church, gives a clue that this is a Mennonite Brethren congregation. The name of the church may be uninformative and non-committal, but being vague and nondescript is certainly not a feature of Eagle, who has been in this, his first pastorate, for only a year, and had no part in naming the church.

Nor is he, obviously, responsible for bearing the name Eagle instead of, let us say, Klassen or Friesen. It’s just that he grew up in a non-Mennonite family, became a Christian while studying Mechanical Engineering at the U of A in Edmonton and, looking for a Bible-believing church, found a Mennonite congregation that took him in warmly.

The pastor of that church encouraged him to go, after completing his Engineering degree, to a Mennonite seminary [Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary]. This he did, and last year he was appointed pastor of SCC. “It was a good fit,” he says, “a very, very good fit.” And why is that? “I am an academic-minded person,” he explains. “My father and grandfather were university professors. This congregation has a large percentage of people with connections to the University and other schools, or are from senior levels of government. It attracts people who think seriously and critically about their faith. This has always been a part of our Mennonite-ness: to connect the cognitive part of our faith with the concrete practice. And then, I like creativity, and I find those gifts are really appreciated here. It’s a warm, supportive congregation.”

What else does he consider distinctive of the Mennonite tradition? “I was attracted to it particularly because it tries to bring together both the concern for evangelism and for social justice. There is also a strong sense of community – that drew me into the church life as a young believer. And then, at the centre of Mennonite theology is discipleship. Atonement is important, but it should result in a changed life. Our faith must connect with the way we live. But this isn’t unique to Mennonites. I think you could argue that discipleship was at the core of Paul’s thinking.”

What is Eagle’s style of leadership? “A big part of the work is done by the people themselves” he says. “I preach only half the sermons; there are five or six others, very competent people, who preach the rest of the time. I spend most of my energy encouraging and equipping people to use their passions as God guides them.”

Sunday comments, “That word ‘passions’ is used a lot in Christian circles these days. Formerly it meant something we had to subdue.” Eagle explains, “I mean interests, areas that give people energy, that they are wired for, whether within the church or without.”

And what is his vision for SCC? He says, “For us to become a more significant Mennonite presence in Victoria. The people in this city have a lot of interest in social issues, and if we can combine that with a strong interest in proclaiming Jesus, which is the Mennonite way, then we have something unique to offer. Especially with the government cutbacks in social services, there is a place for churches to become once more involved with their community. It would be great if SCC could become a model of that.”

—Jack Krayenhoff

This glimpse into Victoria’s Saanich Community Church and their pastor, David Eagle, appeared in the July Sunday Magazine, published by the Vancouver Island Christian Communications Society. Editor Adele Wickett is a member of SCC; Jack Krayenhoff is her volunteer reporter, a retired physician “who is tireless in interviewing all kinds of interesting people on the island.” Used by permission.