Couple Creates Bursary for Evangelical Mennonite Conference Students at CMU

Ron and Ruth Penner Want to Keep Anabaptist-Mennonite Faith Alive in Their Denomination

Concern that their denomination is losing its Anabaptist-Mennonite distinctives has prompted an Evangelical Mennonite Conference (EMC) couple to create a bursary at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).

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

“Many of our pastors are taking their theological training at non-Mennonite schools,” adds his wife, Ruth. “Some are not identifying with our Anabaptist-Mennonite theological heritage.”

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 believe that 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,” says Ron, who grew up in the Prairie Rose EMC Church in Landmark, Man. and served as associate pastor there from 1973-85. He pastored Winnipeg’s Braeside EMC Church from 1992-2002.

“It’s like God has entrusted us with a jewel. 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,” he adds.

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,” says Ruth, who co-pastored a Mennonite church in Virginia with her husband. “We know the value of solid biblical training.”

Adds Ron: “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.

“We are grateful to the Penners for making this bursary possible,” says CMU Director of Development Abe Bergen. “It will help support our mission of helping to train men and women for church leadership from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.”

Students interested in applying for the bursary should contact CMU at 487-3300 or e-mail cu@cmu.ca. 

Posted May 21, 2008.

For more information contact the CMU Communications Director, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 2N2, telephone: 204-487-3300 ext. 630, fax: 204-889-1694,(www.cmu.ca)