Spring 2026 · Vol. 55 No. 1 · pp. 2–3
From the Editor: The Gospel, Peacemaking, and the Kingdom
After two issues with a special focus on Anabaptism, we continue this spring with further reflections on peacemaking in particular. At this time of ferment and tension across the globe and within our democracies, it strikes me that the question of power lies behind many of the presentations in this issue of Direction. Can peace and justice be accomplished through God’s people? If so, what will energize that mission? Certainly God’s call will require the empowerment of the Holy Spirit promised to the church at Pentecost. Will it require other kinds of power? What dangers may reside within the desire to employ power for the mission of God’s kingdom on earth?
Our first five Feature Articles are revised versions of presentations given at the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Equip 2025 Study Conference, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 21-23, 2025. And from the title of that conference we also get our theme for this issue of Direction: The Gospel, Peacemaking, and the Kingdom. Gil Dueck sets the context for his consideration of MB confession Article 12 through an earlier essay by Delbert Wiens. Offering the metaphor of “diagonalizing,” he employs the Bible for a way out of the dichotomies we often ride concerning “village” and “city” life. Ken Esau helpfully explores the challenging definitions of important words used in confession Article 13 devoted to peacemaking. Drawing upon insights from her experience with conflict mediation, Jodi Enns challenges believers to embrace the normality of conflict and to train and develop muscles for engaging the conflicts that threaten to divide us. Tim Geddert, acknowledging differing answers to the ethics of police and military service, considers the factors that lead to those disagreements. From his four decades of experience in politics, Ed Fast comments on the “opportunity and tension” of faithful Christian service in the public arena.
Phil Wagler describes how the church can both embody reconciliation and embrace the message and ministry of reconciliation as it practices God’s presence in the world. Peter Smith challenges a popular understanding of Jesus’ teaching “Do not resist an evildoer” and advocates that believers unlearn the practice of rivalry. In contrast, J Janzen urges us to reject a passive understanding of nonresistance—as well as the understanding that force is always sinful—in favor of active and creative nonviolent force in peacemaking.
In Ministry Compass, Rod and Leanne Schellenberg speak from their pastoral and ministry context concerning the importance of place, p. 3 offering the vocation of “amateur geographer” as a way of enhancing church service. This issue concludes with reviews of seven important books and the regular notation of Faculty Publications from the preceding calendar year.
