The CL Editorial Committee selects six themes annually for the Christian Leader feature department. Committee members and the editors then brainstorm specific topics to address within that theme and select writers for the five articles that will be published as part of that issue.
In 2024, the March/April issue focused on “Salt & Light,” the theme of Gathering 2024, drew the most readers, with all five of the feature articles in this issue appearing in the list of the Top 10 most-viewed feature essays.
10. “Christ’s return and the Anabaptist lens” by David Loewen
Dispensationalism has influenced the way many Mennonite Brethren read Scripture, specifically “end times” passages, writes David Loewen. But what if we read the Bible with an Anabaptist lens? Reading with an Anabaptist lens, Loewen shares his conclusions about Christ’s return. This essay is from the July/August issue that focused on Christ’s return.
9. “Not in the middle” by Tony Petersen
Following Jesus does not mean we straddle the middle when it comes to the Culture War, writes Tony Petersen in this article from the March/April issue. The story of the woman who is healed when she touches the hem of Jesus’ garment illustrates Jesus’ response to a cultural problem.
8. “Being salt and light online” by Matt Ehresman
What does healthy online living look like for the 21st century Christian, asks Matt Ehresman in this essay from the March/April issue. In a divisive culture full of outrage and misinformation, Ehresman offers Christ-followers three tips for online living.
7. “Jesus glasses” by Darren Doerksen
Christians sometimes call the way we view and understand the world a “Christian worldview.” In this essay, also from the March/April issue, Darren Doerksen suggests that viewing and living in the world according to what Jesus says and does is a better approach. Doerksen offers questions—and possible answers—that a “Jesus worldview” might include.
6. “Because Christ reigns” by Aaron Halvorsen
Most days, Aaron Halvorsen describes his view of eschatology and the millennium as an amillennial position. In this essay from the July/August issue on Christ’s return, he gives three practical applications of his view. “Other millennial/eschatological positions do not at all deny these three truths,” Halvorsen writes. “But I do appreciate how amillennialism uniquely emphasizes them.”
5. “More than a prayer” by Jana Hildebrandt
The Jan/Feb issue focused on prayer, specifically the Lord’s Prayer. Jana Hildebrandt provides an overview of the Lord’s Prayer, writing, “This prayer is a framework for how we live out our faith, but it is also an amazing template for community.”
4. “People or politics” by Matt Ehresman
2024 was marked by another presidential election. Many people have experienced divisive conversations and heated arguments around politics over the last several election cycles. In this essay from our Sept/Oct issue focusing on Christians and politics, Matt Ehresman recommends that when conflict arises, wise Christians aim for understanding, look for resolution and always demonstrate love.
3. “The hope of Easter” by Natasha Crain
“At Eastertime, perhaps more than any other time, we talk about the hope of Jesus,” writes Natasha Crain in this essay from the March/April issue. “But if we want our kids to care about that hope, this is also the perfect season to talk about the hopelessness of the world.” This essay by Crain was included in the March/April issue as an introduction to Crain, who was a guest speaker at the USMB National Convention held in July 2024.
2. “Called by name” by Nathan Ensz
The May/June issue highlighted the theme of God’s call on his children. In this essay, Nathan Ensz reflects on the Good Shepherd’s call on his life. “While I do not doubt his ability to speak, I get wrapped up with the peripheral things of life and forget to listen for the voice of my Good Shepherd, a voice I should know and expect to hear,” Ensz writes.
1. “Let it shine” by Mark Isaac
There is no going back from a decision to be transformed by God, writes Mark Isaac in this feature article from the March/April issue. “Once we are made the salt of the earth, we will become salty. And once we are made the light of the world, we will dispel darkness wherever we go. We will not be able to be or do otherwise.”
This article has been posted by Christian Leader staff. The Christian Leader is the magazine of U.S. Mennonite Brethren.
