Our MCN Dispatch — December 31, 2025
Hello Missional Friends,
As coordinator of this group, I’ve been heavily committed to priorities within our extended family and a major refugee project. I’d love to tell you more, but so many of us are likewise engaged. I’m aware of some of our inner circle who have stepped forward recently to serve on matters of priority in their lives.
A scripture for our consideration:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
In this newsletter, watch for:
— our invitation to share, learn, and encourage within the MCN network
— striking an attractive style for influence in politics
— interest and critique of Christian school options
— sharpening our focus on social disruption of AI and how God may be calling to related ministry
Our Invitation to Active Participation — Who Are We?
The Missional emphasis Includes:
— A Gospel-centered commitment to Scripture and its careful interpretation
— Preparation in discipleship—Christ-likeness in understanding, values, and lifestyle
— Awareness and understanding of culture among those we seek to serve
— Engagement through respect, service, humility, and faithfulness
Please explore with us our interests and intentions:
Explaining our Purpose and Goals (December 2025)
VD Satheesan: A Wise Politician Worthy of Emulation
We might benefit from seeking models of Christian maturity beyond the limitations of North America. Kerala, a state in southwest India, has a long history of Christianity. VD Satheesan is a leader of a political party there.
The article highlights the public style of a Christian whose qualities inspire both respect and thoughtful reflection. It appears that Satheesan may identify with the Roman Catholic branch of the faith.
Appreciation to TV Thomas for sharing this with us.
VD Satheesan: A Politician Formed by the Word
Also provided here, a printable version for convenient personal or small group study.
Excerpts…
“When Satheesan quoted Scripture in the Kerala Assembly while paying tribute to former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, it was not seen as an interruption of secular discourse but as a natural articulation of shared values. The verse he cited—later found inscribed at Chandy’s memorial—spoke of integrity and service, virtues that transcend religious boundaries yet are deeply biblical in origin.”
“For Satheesan, the Bible’s power lies not only in personal inspiration but in its formative influence on culture and civilisation. He has spoken of Scripture as a text that shaped ideas of human dignity, moral responsibility, and community life—values that continue to inform democratic practice. In this sense, his faith does not withdraw him from public engagement; it draws him deeper into it, demanding accountability to principles larger than political expediency.”
“… he reminds both the Church and the broader society that the Word, when read deeply and lived honestly, still has the power to illuminate public life.”
Interest and Critique of Christian and Other Independent Schools
Merv Hepting** shared a link to the following video. It focuses on a current US Christian debate on govenment support of school choice and financing (charter schools and the voucher system). Please note that while the video below highlights an active political debate of interest to Canadian Christians, we have charter schools only in Alberta, no voucher system in Canada, and a mix of government support in various Canadian provinces (with none at all in Ontario).
James Talarico Debunks Greg Abbott’s Private School Voucher Slogans
[https://youtu.be/JUh9dpajb5s]
Merv expresses his concerns as follows:
One of the strengths of the small group we have been loosely a part of, is that we hear various sides of various issues. That is so appreciated in the midst of the black and white world we now live in.
Scripture in Jeremiah 29:4-14 speaks to the issue of pulling away into our own holy huddle. Or instead seeking the peace and prosperity in the culture we find ourselves in and even intentionally engaging in it. I presume this was looked at in depth when the question of Christian Schools and Home Schooling was first considered. You were part of this consideration, I believe, in the early days.
And I think the speaker in this video clip is addressing the same questions in his own political context in this day. It is certainly one that Christian Nationalists tout as a bedrock of their political foundation. It was part of their Project 2025 Agenda I believe.
So my intention is to have us re-ask the question in the current political and cultural turmoil. And see if we come to the same or perhaps other conclusions.
Merv further explained:
I don’t see evidence of believers being called to an application of Jeremiah 29:4-14, and other relevant scriptures. I’ve been a spectator in several situations where Christian leaders whine and bemoan the fact that Public Education is going to the dogs. When I ask “where are the Christian leaders” in this scenario, I learn that many of them have turned away from their duty to society, and are now focussed on Christian Schools and Homeschooling initiatives. They are no longer engaged in the wider discourse at the public level. So the obvious question is “why not?”. Especially when this scripture tells us to be engaged with our society for it’s good, even when we ourselves live within a hostile culture and society. [Here, and at other times, comments may be edited when included in our newsletter.]
MCN appreciates views and insights such as these. As Merv expresses here, we encourage participants to communicate reasons for concerns and a rationale for views as expressed.
Ron’s Interest in this topic
Merv made mention of my personal involvement in the development of the Regina Christian School. My interest in alternative schools was certainly part of the cultural influence of the 60s. For certain reasons I won’t go into at the moment, we enrolled our oldest daughter in a school modelled after the Free School movement. On joining the Faculty of Education a year later, the idea of alternatives was strong, most often justified as an apprrpiate response to the needs of the child. Religious education, perhaps understandably, was not always viewed in the same way (although we had many Catholics and active Christians on staff at that time). but I was the product of three years of high school at Caronport. All three of our daughters also attended CHS for a time.
Multiple interests and perspectives
There are multiple dimensions of this interest to explore. One simply revolves around freedom, as a Christian, to have a choice. A second question, however, is: Should one opt for a Christian education option, if a choice exists?
On the first of these, Christian parents have often appealed to the wording found in Article 26(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which states: “Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.” The perspective of the Education profession, however, was mindful of the neglect that some parents exercise and thus has actively supported a newer development known as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Below, I’ve chosen to do a Copilot search on documents relative to issues involved here.
QS — Human Rights: Parents and Children – RRVista…
But the second dimension here addresses the Why question.
Let’s recognize the topic of Christian Schooling (K – 12) as an open theme for more consideration. We will appreciate exploring the viewpoints, pro and con.
The Continuing and Looming Poverty Issues
Evangelical Christianity was there for people caught up in the dislocation of the Industrial Revolution. Think of the Salvation Army, the Sunday School Movement, the YMCA, Lord Shaftsbury on Child Labour. Christians led the way in addressing both personal and social needs.
The spectre of joblessness is upon us. I have a sense that much of the homelessness we see on our streets is an expression of despair and the addictions that go with it. In contrast to the pace of change that characterized the Industrial Revolution, transformative as it was in so many ways, we may find the latest AI transformation will be upon us in a much more rapidly.
Could this be an opportunity, again, for Christian active participation and effective ministry?
Below I share an account of changes already occurring in China. I follow with a Quick Search to remind us of ways Christianity addressed cultural change and its effects during the Industrial Revolution.
In China, an AI-controlled textile factory is disrupting the rules of global production
Also provided here, a printable version for convenient personal or small group study.
QS — Christian Leadership Relating to the Industrial Revolution – RRVista…
Another theme about which we invite reflection and suggestions.
Other themes we’re following:
— ministries and practical servicess to our Indigenous Community
— assessing both science and theology as a means to for revealing truth
— more examples of missional engagement by laity, both locally and elsewhere
Share and Connect
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Alternate contacts: Our MCN Advisory Team
Views expressed above, if not otherwise identified, are of the current coordinator, only.
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Ron Richmond
Acting Coordinator
Missional Church Network
306.591.3936
Ronald.Richmond@sasktel.net