I am available for a variety of speaking engagements. Below, I have listed a sampling of short courses, sermons, poetry readings, etc. that I would be delighted to serve you with. (Please see the separate portfolio, “Anabaptism 500” for things related to Anabaptist History & Theology.) I am a guest speaker who likes to tailor my talks to suit your purposes rather than merely regurgitate preset speeches, so I am always happy to rework things to that end.

SERMONS & BIBLE STUDIES:

I have 40 years of preaching experience in many churches from Ontario to BC and occasionally in the USA, to groups from 5 in a living room to 5000 in a convention centre. Some of my sermon scripts and audio files are posted on the “sermons” page on my website. Biblical books that I’m particularly fond of and/or have taught courses on and/or have numerous sermons on: Genesis, [especially Joseph stories], Exodus, Judges, Ruth, Psalms, Jeremiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. I prefer to preach from a specific biblical text, but topical sermons and Bible studies can also be arranged.

LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS:

The core of my previous college teaching was in the area of spiritual formation, spiritual disciplines, and vocational discernment. Any of the class presentations from these core courses can be developed into a stand-alone lecture or workshop. Here are a few examples:

  • “Spirituality With Clothes On” examines various aspects of our identity that make us who we are: family, personality, gender, age, experiences, etc.
  • “Meditating on Scripture” introduces two ways of meditating on Scripture: Discursive Meditation (Entering the Story) and Cognitive Meditation (Lectio Divina).
  • “We are Human Beings, Not Human Doings” focuses on how the practices of silence, solitude, and Sabbath can ground us to be truly human, like Jesus.
  • “All are Called” helps participants to understand how the concept of vocation applies to all people not just monks and missionaries.
  • “Seasonal Spirituality” explores the unique spirituality of different developmental stages of life from childhood to old age.
  • “What is a Spiritual Man?” deconstructs the warrior imagery and offers more constructive models for men’s spirituality.
  • “The Bible and Sexuality” How are sexuality and spirituality related? How can we make sense of biblical texts for our own time of changing sexual mores?

POETRY READINGS:

One of my favorite things to do is to read poetry aloud. I have posted some of my poems on the “poetry” page on my website, but my poems really need to be heard to be fully appreciated. They are truly spoken word poems.

  • “My Life as a Teenager” is full of angst and humor using poems written during my adolescence and young adulthood.
  • “Lost Boy: The Journey of Healing from Childhood Sexual Abuse” follows my personal experiences through denial, fear, pain, longing, anger, and healing.
  • “Naked Land: A Soul Geography of Western Canada” includes poetry from all four western provinces where I have lived both geographically and spiritually.
  • “Looking Both Ways” plumbs the depths of the spiritual journey of midlife while also embracing the humor of its disconcerting changes

RETREATS:

I am a great believer in the value of retreats. I have been part of planning and leading dozens of retreats and conferences for youth and adults. I am open to developing any of my topics above into retreat packages. A few additional “pre-packaged” retreat ideas are listed below:

  • “Spirituality With Clothes On” examines how gender, personality [using the Enneagram], developmental stage, and/or family systems help participants to understand their unique personality and to appreciate differences with others.
  • “Making Friends with People in the Bible” uses character sketches of biblical persons in order to embrace them as spiritual friends, e.g. Joseph, David, Jeremiah, Ruth, Hannah, Peter, Mary, etc.
  • “Men Under Construction” is a retreat for men with table activities, Bible study, stories, and teaching on identity, work, and personal discipline.
  • “Church Engaging Culture” is a retreat that engages participants in examining our present cultural realities, how Mennonites have engaged culture throughout history, and some models of how individuals and churches can engage culture.

SHORT COURSES:

“Earth Crammed with Heaven: Living Theology in the Every-Day”

This is a three-session course claiming that everyone who believes in God is a theologian and that theology is something we live rather than believe.

  • “Work as Worship: Exploring a Theology of Vocation” Work is not part of the curse but part of God’s call to humanity.
  • “Praying all Day: Practicing the Presence of God” A fresh exploration of age-old questions: What is prayer? Why pray? How can I pray in the midst of ordinary life?
  • “Keeping the Sabbath: Time to just Be”: What does Sabbath keeping look like today? Why keep Sabbath when no one else does? What are some disciplines for Sabbath-keeping?

“Spiritual Practices/Disciplines”

This course is flexible and can range from three to twelve sessions on any combination of a number of the classic Christian disciplines:

  • Inward disciplines: prayer, meditation, silence, solitude, fasting, journaling
  • Outward disciplines : service, peacemaking, simplicity, sabbath
  • Communal disciplines: confession, fellowship, worship, guidance, celebration

“Spiritual Discernment”

This course is flexible and can range from two to twelve sessions, helping people to discern their personal calling, leading to a sense of contentment and purpose in life.

  • Who? Discerning Identity
  • What? Discerning Vocation
  • Where? Discerning Vocation
  • When? Discerning our Stage in Life
  • Why? Discerning God’s Purposes

“The Poetry of Life: An Introduction to the Psalms”

This course can range from four to eight sessions introducing participants to the poetry and spirituality of the Psalms.

  • Origins and Organization of the Psalms
  • The Psalms as Poetry and Music
  • The Psalms as Prayer
  • Spirituality and Theology of the Psalms


ART EXHIBITIONS & SLIDE SHOWS:

Art exhibitions can be set up in a large room, church foyer, or other public space for a short period and can be combined with presentations.

“What is Church?” is a growing exhibition of watercolour paintings of old church buildings in urban, rural, and reservation settings. This exhibition can be the starting point for reflection and discussion on the past and present state of the church, and what “church” might mean in the future. It can be accompanied by a poetry reading, personal testimony, lecture, or sermon.

“Journey to the Edge of a Continent” is a narrated slide show of a trip to Haida Gwaii and other places on the northwest coast of our continent to learn about Indigenous culture and the effects of colonialism.

HONORARIUM

I appreciate a generous honorarium for my speaking engagements as well as coverage of expenses related to the speaking engagement such as travel, meals, and lodging. A basic minimum guide for honorariums: sermons, lectures, and workshops up to 60 minutes- $200. Weekend retreats, courses, and other resources can be negotiated based on this. I appreciate private accommodation for retreats and other engagements requiring lodging.

ANABAPTISM 500: PRESENTATIONS

The years between 1523 and 1527 have often been seen as the period of Anabaptist origins. A number of activities and projects are being initiated around the world to celebrate the 500th anniversary of these origins. This portfolio includes some of my contributions to this commemoration. As a former college professor who taught Anabaptist History & Theology 2-4 times per year for 17 years, I have both the academic background and the personal passion for the subject matter. As an ordained Mennonite minister for more than three decades, I have a deep and enduring commitment to the churches and denominations that have grown out of these origins. As an artist, I have the creativity and gifts for engaging and meaningful oral and visual presentation.

SIGNATURE OFFERINGS:

I offer a variety of presentations, but these are ones that I am particularly passionate about and are uniquely suitable for celebrating the origins of Anabaptism 500 years ago.

  • “What Happened 500 Years Ago and Why it Still Matters” is a lecture or workshop that uses a timeline of events related to the Anabaptist movement from 1523 to 1527 to explain the “polygenesis” (diverse origins) of the Anabaptist movement and how those diverse origins might also result in diverse expressions today.
  • “Becoming Anabaptist” is a poignant, dramatic, and sometimes humorous poetry reading about personalities and events in the 16th century Anabaptist movement, and my own experiences of becoming Anabaptist and being Mennonite.
  • “Roll Over Menno” is a sermon on 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 (a text that contains Menno’s motto verse 11) that likens the factions in Corinth to that of Mennonites over the years and presently.
  • “Stories of the Anabaptists” is a portable art gallery of 15 watercolour paintings depicting buildings and sites significant to the Anabaptist movement with accompanying story placards. This can be set up almost anywhere and is perfectly paired with a sermon, lecture, storytelling, and/or a poetry reading.
  • “Naked Anabaptists and Celtic Clothes” is a narrated slide show of a visit to London, England and Iona Scotland, comparing two different movements on the edge of Christendom.


STORYTELLING AND POETRY READINGS:

  • “Stories of the Anabaptists” Three stories—one from each of the geographical regions of Anabaptist origins—that highlight major events and personalities of early Anabaptism. (There are versions from 15 minutes to 45 minutes)
  • “What do you see in the Martyr’s Mirror?” Readings and paraphrases of letters and stories from Martyr’s Mirror.
  • “From Carousing Dropout to Courageous Leader” A reading of the paraphrased letters of Conrad Grebel to his mentor, Vadian, that illustrate the transformation of this important early Anabaptist leader.

OTHER SERMONS:

  • Genesis 1 “A Pacifist Creation Story” contrasts the poem in Genesis 1 with the Babylonian creation myth of the exilic era.
  • Deuteronomy 20:16-18, etc. “Conquering Canaan (Canada) for Christ” reads these texts in light of the Doctrine of Discovery and the process of reconciliation with our Indigenous hosts.
  • Psalm 109 “I Want to Strangle You!” How does a pacifist work with a psalm calling for extremely violent vengeance?
  • Micah 6:1-8 “What does God want from us?” An exposition of a familiar verse in its literary and prophetic context
  • Matthew 5:38-48 “How to be a Perfect Christian” explores alternative ways of looking at this favorite Anabaptist text.
  • Matthew 11:2-11 “What are you expecting?” addresses our misconstrued ideas about judgment; ideal for Advent.
  • Luke 3:21-22 “Who am I?” addresses the big question of identity using the words Jesus heard at his baptism: “You are my beloved one in whom I am well-pleased.”
  • Luke 4:14-30 “Why did Jesus come?” lets Jesus explain the purposes of his coming: to bring peace and justice.
  • Romans 12:17-21 “What would you do if…?” explores the classic question posed to pacifists with a biblical and practical response.
  • Luke 12:49-53; 19:36-46; 22:35-38 “Does the Prince of Peace promote violence? looks at three difficult texts in the Gospels.
  • Ephesians 6:10-20 “Spiritual Warfare” looks at the weapons of the Spirit that equip us to wage peace.
  • 2 Peter 3:8-13 “Beginning with the End” explains how eschatology shapes our present life, ideal for the New Year.
  • “Walking in the Resurrection” based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 6:4 is a topical sermon using insights from Myron Augsburger’s classic devotional book.


OTHER LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • “An Anabaptist Peace Theology” looks at the biblical foundations for peacemaking and the varieties of biblical pacifism.
  • “Circle of Heretics” examines an Anabaptist view of Scripture rooted in historical practices and based on the present Mennonite World Conference statement on Scripture.
  • “Communion Services: Sip or Sup? Closed or Open? Serious or Celebratory?” examines some of the common issues concerning the meaning and practice of communion.
  • “From Munster to Menno” makes the claim that the Munster debacle profoundly shaped Menno’s [and subsequent Mennonites’] spirituality and theology.
  • “Second-Hand Pants” explores an economic spirituality and imagines practical opportunities for simple living.
  • “Meanwhile on Turtle Island” explains how the Doctrine of Discovery was being enacted in North America at the same time as Anabaptist origins were happening in Europe.
  • “Mennonite Privilegium” faces the truth of how Mennonite settlers in various regions of Canada have benefitted from the displacement of Metis and Indigenous peoples.
  • “Prague, Poland & Politics” is a narrated slide show of pictures from a historical tour, reflecting on how Mennonites have historically been caught amidst political changes, making us wonder how Anabaptist faith might motivate us to respond to our own political realities.
  • “Running toward Community” develops a biblical theology of diversity in community and applies it to various issues of division and separation that plague us.
  • “The Transformation of Menno Simons” chronicles the influences that led Menno to leave the Catholic priesthood to join the radical Anabaptists.
  • “Under Construction: Reframing Men’s Spirituality” deconstructs warrior-based men’s spirituality and proposes a constructive model based on collegiality and nonviolence.
  • “Violence in the Old Testament” gives various Christian responses to this age-old hermeneutical dilemma.
  • “Violence in the New Testament” looks at some of the violent texts in the life of Jesus in the context of his teaching on the peaceable kingdom.

“Anabaptist Beginnings”

This is a four-session course (with optional expansion to as many as 12 sessions) that introduces the 16th century Anabaptist movement using PowerPoint pictures from Europe. It includes both historical stories and theological reflections on present issues.

  • Major Cultural Shift: Life in the 16th century
  • Baptism as Rebellion: The Swiss Anabaptist Movement
  • Picnic Blanket Community: The German/Austrian Anabaptist Movement
  • Responding to Violence: The Dutch Anabaptist Movement

HONORARIUM

I appreciate a generous honorarium for my speaking engagements as well as coverage of expenses related to the speaking engagement such as travel, meals, and lodging. A basic minimum guide for honorariums: sermons, lectures, and workshops up to 60 minutes- $200. Weekend retreats, courses, and other resources can be negotiated based on this. I appreciate private accommodation for retreats and other engagements requiring lodging.