Perspective

Moving to a new home often requires the services of plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other tradespeople. But sometimes a homeowner’s needs are more basic.

During my recent move to Winnipeg, I discovered that I didn’t have a local phone book. Being a resourceful young urbanite, I decided to make my way to the headquarters of the Manitoba Telephone Service – MTS Centre. This, of course, seemed like a logical location to pick up a telephone directory.

Unfortunately, the simple task proved to be rather complex. After a long struggle to find a parking spot, I became more and more frustrated in my quest. I was having difficulty finding a central office in the unusually large building. The only clear signs pointed to a Ticketmaster booth. When I asked where I might find a phone book, people shot me strange looks.

Readers from Winnipeg are probably laughing by now. The truth is, the MTS Centre is not an office building at all, but a brand new hockey arena. I was frantically running around the concourse of a sports arena, trying to find a phone book! At the time it seemed like a brilliant solution to my problem. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.

As I begin my new ministry as editor of the MB Herald, I think about the significance of perspective. I come to this position with the perspective of a young woman who was raised in the Catholic church and then chose to embrace Anabaptist theology in my early 20s. I started my journey with the MB Church at Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C. and was baptized as a believer in 1997.

I also come with the perspective of one born on the rugged west coast of Canada and raised in a multicultural neighbourhood. This vantage point may be quite different from that of many in our Canadian MB community.

But having dissimilar perspectives is not always a bad thing. I’m reminded of the fact that even the four gospel writers had various perspectives on Jesus, and each highlighted different aspects of His character. For example, the gospel of John paints a picture of Jesus as the true and incarnate God. Matthew focused on the Jewish heritage of Jesus and His skill as a great teacher. Mark gives us a glimpse of a miraculous healer and a man of action. Each perspective and insight reveals more and more about Jesus. Exploring these perspectives adds joy and depth to our faith journey.

Likewise, there is great joy and depth that comes from the diversity of perspectives represented within our MB churches. Some of our members see life from a vista of health and security, while others cling to faith while fighting terminal illness. Some emigrated from Russia and understand the struggles of being refugees, while others are second-generation Canadians with Chinese-speaking parents. Some were born in the age of fast moving technology, while others gathered around radios to catch the nightly news.

Each perspective provides us with a richer picture of the work of the Holy Spirit among us. Each voice gives us a fuller understanding of the boundless God we serve. These perspectives challenge our thinking and spur us on to a more passionate life of discipleship. They cause us to ask questions, wonder deeply, debate lovingly, and reach out to God’s Word for comfort, direction and reflection.

Some people are uncertain about the value of the Conference and question the importance of maintaining denominational ties. But the fellowship we enjoy is a gift from God. For better or worse, God has called 246 churches scattered throughout 8 provinces to band together, lean on each other, and walk a journey of faith. Through our struggles, disagreements, celebrations and victories, we become better disciples of Jesus. And through us, God calls others to follow Him.

My hope is that we will keep sharing our stories and perspectives with each other through these pages. I hope we will keep reading the Bible and using it to shape us. I also hope we will be open to new points of view without pointing fingers of blame or becoming entangled in miscommunication. We have some important issues to face and much Kingdom work to do.

Some of the ideas shared will sadden or anger us. But who knows? Perhaps we will discover something new and wonderful about God through it all. Perhaps we will learn a valuable lesson or receive a bit of encouragement. Perhaps we will just laugh and celebrate together. It’s all a matter of perspective.

For now, I’m off to a Manitoba Moose game at the MTS Centre. And maybe some day I’ll actually find that phone book.