iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

The last of my reflections on our new MCM vision statement which I'll highlight, addressing the baggage many of us have around "evangelism": mennochurch.mb.ca/article/1628...

mennochurch.mb.ca

Prioritizing “Inviting and Equipping Our Congregations and Leaders to Bear Witness to Jesus”

This is the eleventh in a series of reflections from Executive Minister Michael ...

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

A reflection on our new MCM vision: "Follow me. That's the call of an itinerant rabbi to be with him, to learn his teachings, to imitate his way of life. It's the call of one who would be our Lord, commanding our allegiance, summoning us to his way of love." mennochurch.mb.ca/article/1622...

mennochurch.mb.ca

Seeking to Be “A Church to Meet Jesus, Following His Way”

This is the sixth in a series of reflections from Executive Minister Michael Pah...

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Another reflection on our new MCM vision statement: "People generally are drawn to church for the community and care; a faith commitment often comes after, and details of theology are typically secondary. Belonging comes before believing." mennochurch.mb.ca/article/1622...

mennochurch.mb.ca

Seeking to Be “A Church to Belong and Be Loved, Embraced in the Spirit”

This is the fifth in a series of reflections from Executive Minister Michael Pah...

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

One of my reflections on our new MCM vision statement, looking at what it really means to be a "flourishing church": mennochurch.mb.ca/article/1621...

mennochurch.mb.ca

Seeking to Be “A Flourishing Community of Congregations, Grounded in God’s Love”

This is the fourth in a series of reflections from Executive Minister Michael Pa...

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I have a colleague whose name is Al. In these days of artificial intelligence and non-serif fonts, this can make for some funny, or just plain awkward, moments.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

A few months ago Mennonite Church Manitoba approved a new vision and mission statement. Following that, I wrote a series of reflections on it. That statement and those reflections are here—and over the next couple of days I'll highlight some of my reflection pieces: mennochurch.mb.ca/about-us/vis...

mennochurch.mb.ca

About Us

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

I just spent 20 minutes on social media. It reminded me why I've spent hardly any time on social media the last couple of weeks. Keeping fighting the good fight, people. Nonviolently, of course.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Red flag: when someone talks about beliefs "essential" to Christianity or "the heart of the gospel" which are not found in any New Testament confessions or gospel summaries, or early Christian rules of faith or creeds.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

This is just...sad. It's tragic. Genesis 1-2 isn't about the how and when of creation, but the who and the why—like all ancient origins myths. And many Christians have been fine with evolution since Darwin first proposed it. I suspect that Ken Ham has created more atheists than he has Christians.

Screen shot of social media post from Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis: "I have been speaking for 50 years now with this major message: God's people need to stand on the truth of God's Word beginning in Genesis 1:1 and not compromise with the secular religion of the day--evolution and millions of years."

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

I play violin in this terrific community orchestra. We've got a concert coming up Sunday, and it's gonna be good. If you're in Winnipeg or area, come on out!

Poster for concert by the Mennonite Community Orchestra, Sunday, November 9, 2025, 3:00 pm, at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 560 Arlington St., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

If you're a Canadian trying to understand Trump 2.0 and how it affects Canada, here's a helpful article. (Probably also helpful if you're an American just trying to make sense of what's going on...) www.readtheline.ca/p/alex-muir-...

readtheline.ca

Alex Muir: What the various factions of MAGA think about Canada (if anything)

Trump sits atop a movement with real divides. But to the extent they share any consistent view on Canada, it's not good news for us.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

I'm adding this to my pile of evidence to support the idea that there are two basic visions for humanity and human societies out there: 1. A segregationist vision. 2. An integrationist or pluralist vision. I know which one the New Testament points toward (it's not the first).

Screenshot of US Vice President JD Vance being interviewed, with this text: "Vance says it is 'totally reasonable and acceptable' for people to not want to live next door to people who speak a different language than they do"

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Hearing both sides equally isn't balance if the weight of evidence heavily favours one side. Hearing both sides equally isn't balance if the weight of power heavily favours one side. Truths the media needs to learn. Truths I am still learning myself.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed" (John 20:29). If you're a believer today, that's you. That's me. Specifically blessed by Jesus.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Maybe this is an extreme. But it nicely illustrates a reality I've been noting for over a decade: Christianity is polarizing into two broad camps, each with a different Jesus, a different Spirit, a different gospel (2Cor11:4). Both claim biblical support, but they read their Bibles very differently.

Screenshot of a social media post and response.

The post: "Jesus is my king, and that's why I protested [at the No Kings Day protests]."

The response: "You don't serve the same Jesus I do. Jesus has always been against, homosexuality, abortion, stealing from the wealthy to pay for the poor. Jesus hates all sin, but you all justify sin and say Jesus is okay with it. That's why you don't serve the same Jesus, I do. You all cry about immigration, but doesn't Heaven have a border? Does anyone get into Heaven without a relationship with Jesus? They sure don't. But I thought Jesus was for borders... Again, you do not serve the same Jesus I do."

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

"Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you'" (John 20:19). The resurrected Jesus' first words to his gathered disciples: "Peace be with you." Words so important he repeats them (John 20:21). May God's peace be with you—peace within you, peace among you, peace around you.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

I had a terrific time this morning worshiping with Whitewater Mennonite Church in Boissevain! A wonderful Jesus-centred community in a great town.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

"When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself" (John 6:15). Jesus still does this, every time we try to make a "Christian nation." #NoKings

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

"They are defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus" (Acts 17:7). For Anabaptists, there are #NoKings but Jesus. And he's a king unlike any other. He gives himself for the world, and he gives his kingdom to the poor and the poor in spirit.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

With anti-DEI rhetoric once again making its way from Trumpland to Canada, and especially the lie that "DEI" means "hiring unqualified people," it's time to tap the sign. ⬇️

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

"When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him" (Luke 24:30-31). This is one way Jesus still reveals himself to us: in the breaking of bread, gathered together around the table.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

"Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing'" (Luke 23:34). Of all the hard sayings of Jesus, this might be the hardest. Forgiving one's crucifiers. While hanging on the very cross they just crucified you on. Lord, have mercy.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

You know, even if the Flames finish 1-81, it's still mission accomplished: beating the Oilers in Edmonton in the opening game of the season. #LifeAsAFlamesFan

Screenshot of the standings of the Western Pacific division of the NHL, as of October 14, 2025. The Calgary Flames are last in the division with a 1-2-0 record.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for many things, and one of them is living in Canada. Despite its flaws, which are real and at times seem overwhelming, Canada consistently ranks among the top countries in the world in terms of safety, political and economic stability, overall wellbeing, and more.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Growing up, I always wondered how people in Germany in the 1930s could allow fascism to take hold. In particular, as a Christian, I couldn't understand how *Christians* could allow that to happen. Now, watching the rise of fascism next door, I have at least a partial answer. ➡️

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Jesus: "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over" (John 18:36). The kingdoms of this world are founded on violence—political violence, state violence, economic violence. God's kingdom is not.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

"Lord, should we strike with the sword?" we ask. Jesus rebukes us: "No more of this!" (Luke 22:49-51). "The Lord, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier" (Tertullian, 160-220 CE).

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

I've been sick the last three days, mostly oblivious to the world. Coming out of the fog, I'm more determined than ever to present a vision of Jesus that is faithful to Christian scripture and thus runs counter to prevailing Christian nationalism. We white Christians in North America need Jesus.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I'm grateful for a ceasefire in Gaza, and praying that it moves toward a lasting peace. More than that, that it moves toward a just peace for Palestine.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Poor Aaron is getting schooled on Canadian humour...

Post from Aaron Rupar showing a picture of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, with the statement: "'You are a transformative president' -- I regret to inform you that Mark Carney is kissing Trump's ass"

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

And people wonder why Canadians don't want to come to the US anymore...

Picture of an ICE agent in a van, pointing a gun out the window at the person taking the picture.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

October 7. Two years ago, Hamas militants killed nearly 1200 people in Israel, kidnapping 250. Since then, in response, Israel has killed 65,000 people in Gaza, nearly half women and children, displacing almost the entire population of 2.2 million. Remembering. Grieving. Praying. Trying to hope.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

There are Christians who hold orthodox beliefs, engage in regular worship, and look to the Bible to shape their faith and life. And there are Christians who strive to follow Jesus, empowered by the Spirit and compelled by God's love. Often these are the same people. But not always.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Christian nationalism bases many of its theological and ethical ideals on the Torah, not the Gospels. But even there they get it wrong. The Torah points toward a society in which the poor are cared for and immigrants are treated as neighbours.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Jesus was "very sad and troubled" (Luke 22:44). "Very sad and troubled" = "in agony, deeply anxious." Yes, Jesus experienced deep sorrow, even deep anxiety. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses..." (Heb 4:15).

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Congratulations to Sarah Mullally on being named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader for the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. May she have much wisdom and grace as she leads this diverse body of Christ.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Horrified by the attack on a synagogue in Manchester, on Yom Kippur of all days. Antisemitism, and antisemitic hate crimes, have been rising around the world. May we stand together against bigotry in all its forms, and the violence that follows in its wake.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

"Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another," Jesus said. "This is how people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). Not "have correct theology." Not "separate from sinful people." Not "stand firm for biblical values." Love one another.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Jane Goodall has died. I was fascinated by her work with chimpanzees as a kid (who wasn't?), reading about her in National Geographic. Later, it was her work, as much as that of any theologian, that prompted me to de-centre humanity in my theology (an ongoing task). Thank you, Dr. Goodall.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Many people know about Godwin's Law, which points out how glibly people describe their opponents as "Hitler" or "Nazis." What many people aren't aware of is that Godwin himself has said, "Yep, Trump is acting like Hitler."

Excerpt from Wikipedia article on Godwin's Law. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

This is a bald-faced lie. According to 2024 stats from Statistics Canada, just over 85% of reported hate crimes were against Jews (68%) and Muslims (17%).

Still of a video of Pierre Poilievre, with a quote from him: "Christians may be the number one group that is victims of hate-based violence. But of course it's not politically correct to say that."

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

So, that meeting today with all the generals? That was weird.

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Canadian Christian here. As a Mennonite, I don't think much of national borders and national identities. But I have no interest in traveling to the US. Why? My top five reasons: 5) growing fascism 4) growing fascism 3) growing fascism 2) growing fascism and, most importantly: 1) growing fascism

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Michael Pahl @mwpahl.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

#WarRavagedPortland Check it out. The destruction is almost total, the devastation almost complete.

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