Mennonite Weekly Review

WINNIPEG, Man. — Concern that their denomination is losing its Anabaptist-Mennonite distinctives has prompted an Evangelical Mennonite Conference couple to create a bursary — a fund for need-based scholarships — at Canadian Mennonite University

“We have a shortage of pastors who are well versed in our Anabaptist- Mennonite understanding of the Christian faith,” said Ron Penner, a retired EMC pastor.

Ruth Penner, Ron’s wife, added that many pastors in the denomination are not going to Mennonite schools for theological training.

“Some are not identifying with our Anabaptist-Mennonite theological heritage,” she said.

The purpose of the new bursary, called the EMC Graduate Studies Bursary at CMU, is to support students from that conference who are preparing for pastoral ministry, missions or Christian service by taking graduate-level courses at the university. The bursary will cover half of the tuition costs for eligible students.

The Penners believe it is important for EMC members to study at CMU, a school that promotes an Anabaptist-Mennonite understanding of faith.

“We, as Mennonites, have been given a unique perspective on Scripture and the Christian faith — a perspective that combines justice, peace, discipleship, evangelism and community,” said Ron Penner, who grew up in the Prairie Rose EMC Church in Landmark, Man., and served as associate pastor there from 1973 to 1985. He pastored Winnipeg’s Braeside EMC Church from 1992 to 2002.

“It’s like God has entrusted us with a jewel,” he said. “But we are in danger of letting that jewel be tarnished or slip through our fingers.”

For them, losing this “jewel” would be sad, since “the message of our Anabaptist-Mennonite faith is what so many people so badly need and are looking for today,” Ron Penner said.

The Penners, who are graduates of the EMC-sponsored Steinbach Bible College, also studied at Mennonite Brethren Bible College, one of CMU’s predecessor colleges, and at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Va.

“We’re big proponents of theological education,” said Ruth Penner, who co-pastored a Mennonite church in Virginia with her husband. “We know the value of solid biblical training.”

Ron Penner said: “We cannot take a careless attitude towards our faith. Developing a firm biblical foundation is key to providing solid church leadership. We need leaders who are articulate about the Bible.”

In addition to supporting those who are already planning to be pastors, the Penners hope the bursary will also encourage some young people to consider church ministry.