Accession 2002.010 and 2014.015
Title and Physical Description
David William Braun fonds. — 1956-1993. — 2.2 m of textual records
Biographical History
David Braun was born on July 7 1931 on a farm 16 miles east of Didsbury, Alberta. He was the youngest of 11 children born to his parents Jacob and Helena Braun. He attended the local Siebertville School for his first nine grades, then went to Prairie Bible High School for Grade ten and finished his High School by correspondence. His further studies took him to Canadian Bible College in Winnipeg and to Bethel College in Newton Kansas, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and later to Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana where he attained his Bachelor of Divinity. He also completed a course in Pastoral Education. He pastored churches in Manitoba, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. For six years, 1956 to 1962, he taught at Menno Bible Institute in Didsbury.
He was always interested in spiritual things and at an early age he gave his life to Christ. Later at an evangelistic meeting in Bergthal Mennonite Church, he publicly declared his commitment. He later recalled that the name of the evangelist, a Mr. Finch, “had made the fire of hell so real you could feel the flames and smell the smoke”. Braun was baptized on June 5, 1949 by Aeltester C.G.Neufeld at the Bergthal Mennonite Church. He was ordained while attending Mennonite Biblical Seminary at Elkhart, in the Sermon on the Mount Chapel, by Wilson Parks.
In 1956 he married Anne Willms from Coaldale. In 1982 Braun was invited to be Conference Pastor and Youth Worker to the Mennonite Conference of Alberta (MCA; then Conference of Mennonites in Alberta).
In September 1984, he suffered a serious heart attack and so cut back his work by focussing on the Conference Pastor role only by 1986. His work as Conference Pastor included relating to the Ministers and Deacons and Missions and Service Committees of the MCA. He became part of the Ministerial Leadership Committee of both the Canadian and the General Conference.
His duties were to visit all of the conference churches, especially in the outlying areas and when they were having troubles. He had special concerns for the small struggling congregations. Also during this service, guidelines for the calling and ordination of pastors, remarriage of divorced persons and others were drawn. He stressed the importance of continuing education for pastors and encouraged sabbaticals. One of his greatest disappointments during his years as Conference Pastor, was the break-up of pastor-congregation relationships. “There should be a better way of dealing with termination. This is not strictly a business contract.”
David Braun worked conscientiously at fulfilling his job description. He took the position of Conference Pastor very seriously and tried to make conference concerns important to all member congregations.
David Braun passed away on July 9, 1993, survived by his wife Anne, and two daughters, Lenora Marie (Michael Edwards) with two children Christopher and Jennifer, and Valerie Anne (Robert Proudfoot).
Custodial History
The records were given to the Conference of Mennonites in Canada.
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of three series: A) Sermons & Biblical Text Studies, B) Social, Church & Spiritual Issues, and C) Personal Files.
Source of Acquisition
Gift by Conference of Mennonites in Alberta through Henry Goerzen, CMA Archivist, 2002
Access Restrictions
5 files in Box 12 are restricted until 2075, or with approval of the Executive Committee of Mennonite Church Alberta on the advice of the Conference Pastor.
Notes
Accession 2002.010 and 2014.015
Source of biographical history: Irene Klassen.
Last updated 17 Oct 2003 – Judith Rempel
revised March 2012
Revised July 2012
GRANDMA #161285
Series Inventory
A. Sermons & Biblical Text Studies. — 1956-1992. — 81 cm
The series consists of sermon notes and notes regarding particular biblical texts. David Braun so-specifically considered these files to be grouped that he actually labelled them “Sermon File” or simply “S.F.”. In the first part of the series the sermons are arranged according to book of the Bible sequence, then in alphabetical order.
Box 1
1-1 – Genesis
1-2 – Genesis – Image of God
1-3 – Genesis – Sermons – 1962-1991 (2)
1-4 – Exodus – 1980
1-5 – Exodus 3:1-4, 4:31 – The Call of Moses
1-6 – I Samuel – Sermons
1-7 – Job – Notes and Project
1-8 – Psalms
1-9 – Psalm 84 – Trust in the Living God – 1962-1982
1-10 – Psalms – Notes – Bible Study, Grace Mennonite – 1967
1-11 – Isaiah – 1973-1989
1-12 – Isaiah – Theology – Seminary Inter-term – 1989
1-13- Jonah – Series of Sermons – 1961-1973
1-14 – Matthew – Outline of the Gospel of Matthew
1-15 – Mark
1-16 – Mark – Bible Studies
1-17 – Mark – Parables – Synoptic Gospels
1-18 – Mark – Sermons – 1962-198
1-19 – Mark 5:1-20 – From Fragmentation to Wholeness
1-20 – Mark 8:31-33 – The Way of Discipleship
1-21 – Mark – Outline Quiz
Box 2
2-21 – Mark 9:2 – No Parking
2-22 – Mark 11 – Jesus Confronts Jerusalem
2-23 – Mark 12:28 – Call to Completeness – Three Dimensions of Living
2-24 – Luke – 1962-1969
2-25 – Luke – Sermons – 1980-1982
2-26 – Luke 15 – Sermons – Lost and Found – 1962-1991
2-27 – Luke 17:11-19 – The Thankful Man – 1987
2-28 – Luke 19: 28-48 – The Things that Make for Peace – 1982-1991
2-29 – John 4:10ff, 7:37-39
2-30 – John 6:6-8 – There Was a Man – 1992
2-31 – John 8:1-11 – The Church: A Forgiven People – 1984
2-32 – John 13:1-20 – 1974-1986 – Hands for Ministry
2-33 – John 14-1-6 – Jesus, The Great I Am – 1988-1991
2-34 -John 19:14-37 – The Pas Mennonite Mission – 1962
2-35 – John 21:15-19 – Feed My Sheep – 1990-1992
2-36 – Acts – 1966-1985
2-37 – Acts 3 – Give What you Have – 1988-1990
2-38 – Romans 6:15-23 – Call to be Slaves of Righteousness – 1986-1992
2-39 – Romans – 12:1-2
2-40 – I Corinthians 3:10-11 – Building for Eternity – 1992
2-41 – I Corinthians 11:17-34 – 1985
2-42 – I Corinthians 12 – Working for the Common Good
2-43 – I Corinthians – Bible Study – 1971
2-44 – I Corinthians – Sermons – 1974-1982
2-45 – II Corinthians 4:1-6 – Coaldale, January 10, 1988
2-46 – II Corinthians 4:1-6 – A Ministry of Light and Glory
2-49 – II Corinthians – Sermons – Genuine Christianity Sermons – 1976 – 1986
2-47 – II Corinthians 4:1-6 – Ministry, Simplicity, Liberty, Effectiveness – Andrew Chan – Faith Calgary
2-48 – II Corinthians 4:7-15 – Treasure in Earthen Vessels – 1986
2-49 – II Corinthians – Sermons – General Christianity Sermons – 1976
Box 3
3-50 – Galatians – 1:1-10- 1956
3-51 – Galatians – Sermons – 1961-1982 (2)
3-52 – Ephesians 1 – The Church: A Blessed People
3-53 – Ephesians 2
3-54 – Ephesians 3
3-55 – Ephesians 4 – 1989
3-56 – Ephesians 4:1-16 – The Church: A Loving People – 1989
3-57 – Ephesians 4:1-16 – Unity/Diversity – 1990
3-58 – Ephesians 6:20 – 1964-1992
3-59 – Ephesians – Sermon Notes – 1968-1982
3-60 – Ephesians – Sermons – 1964-1975
3-61 – Ephesians – Transparencies – 1991
3-62 – Philippians
3-63 – Philippians 3:14 – No Parking
3-64 – Hebrews – 11 – 1967-1988
3-65 – Hebrews and James – Class Notes
3-66 – Hebrews – Bible Study – 1977
3-67 – Hebrews – Class Work
3-68 – 1 Peter – Prayer Week – Bible Studies
3-69 – 1 Peter 1:3-9 – Funeral Sermon – Henry Sawatzky – 1988
3-70 – 1 John
3-71 – Revelations
3-72 – Revelations 1 – 1961
3-73 – Revelations 2-3 – 1975
3-74 – Revelations 4 and 5 – 1970
3-75 – Revelations 6 and 7
3-76 – Revelations 8 and 9 – 1961, 1970
3-77 – Revelations 10 and 11 – 1970
3-78 – Revelations 12 and 13 – 1978
3-79 – Revelations 14 and 15 – 1975
3-80 – Revelations 20-21 – 1970-1974
3-81 – Revelations – Chart – Historical Setting
3-82 – Revelations – Outline
Box 4
4-83 – Baptism – Sermons – 1982
4-84 – Baptism – Sermons – 1988
4-85 – Bible Study – 1979-1980
4-86 – Bible Study – Life of Christ
4-87 – Bible Study – Old Testament
4-88 – Bible Study – Old Testament History
4-89 – Bible Study – Sermons – 1962-1975
4-90 – Bring your Love Along – Faith Mennonite – October 19, 1986
4-91 – Called to Love
4-92 – Catechism – 1970
4-93 – Challenge to the Conference – Sermon – 1987
4-94 – Communion – (The) Cup
4-95 – Communion Sermons – 1962-1983
4-96 – Communion Service – 1982-1988
4-97 – Communion Service – Ministers and Deacons Retreat – April 17, 1988
4-98 – Conference Sermon – 1986
4-99 – Conference Sermon – Ten Commandments – 1988
4-100 – Funeral Sermons – 1986-1982
4-101 – Gethsemane – Sermon
4-102 – Gethsemane – Gabbatha – Galgotha: 3 G’s – Sermon
4-103 – God Given – We Give Away – Why? – 1975-1989
4-104 – God’s Will for My Life – 3 Sermons
4-105 – Have You Heard the Word?
4-106 – John (The) Final Hour
4-107 – (The) Lord’s Supper
4-108 – Morning Devotions – Choice – 1969-1976
4-109 – (A) New Vision – Sermons
4-110 – Old and New – 1984-1990
4-111 – On Being a Disciple
4-112 – Parent – Teen Sermons
4-113 – Prayer Sermons
Box 5
5-114 – Sermon File [Coiled Notebook] – 1961-1974
5-115 – Sermon on the Mount – Ask, Seek, Knock – Sermon
5-116 – Sermon on the Mount – Beatitudes – Antitheses
5-117 – Sermon on the Mount – Beatitudes – Portrait of a Christian
5-118 – Sermon on the Mount – Beatitudes – Diagram
5-119 – Sermon on the Mount – Blank Outlines
5-120 – Sermon on the Mount – Chapter 5 – Diagram
5-121 – Sermon on the Mount – Chapter 6
5-122 – Sermon on the Mount – Covenant for Christian Disciples
5-123 – Sermon on the Mount – Diagrams of the Kingdom
5-124 – Sermon on the Mount – Exceeding Righteousness
5-125 – Sermon on the Mount – Introductory Questions
5-126 – Sermon on the Mount – Materials
5-127 – Sermon on the Mount – Outlines
5-128 – Sermon on the Mount – Outline of Sessions
5-129 – Sermon on the Mount – Proper Attitude Checklist
5-130 – Sermon on the Mount – Self Examination
5-131 – Sermon on the Mount – (The) Simple Life
5-132 – Sermon on the Mount – Swift Current Bible Institute – Graduation – Portrait of a Citizen of the Kingdom – 1991
5-133 – Sermons – Emanuel Mennonite
5-134 – Sermon Seeds [an ideas file]
5-135 – Sermons – 1962-1982
5-136 – Sermons – Salem – 1961-1967
5-137 – Sermons – Special Occasions – 1988
5-138 – Sermons – Unfiled – 1961-1980
5-139 – Sermons – Unfiled – 1962-1981
5-140 – Sermons – Unfiled – 1963-1977
5-141 – Sermons File – No. 1-10 – 1961-1969
5-142 – Sermons File – No. 11-20
5-143 – Sermons File – No. 21-30 – 1961-1979
Box 6
6-144 – Sermons File – No. 31-40 – 1961-1979
6-145 – Sermons File – No. 41-50
6-146 – Sermons File – No. 51-60
6-147 – Sermons File – No. 61-70
6-148 – Sermons File – No. 64 – The Lamb of God
6-149 – Sermons File – No. 71-80
6-150 – Sermons File – No. 73 – Reconciliation is Our Business
6-151 – Sermons File – No. 76 – Jesus is Coming Again
6-152 – Sermons File – No. 81-90
6-153 – Sermons File – No. 82 – On Being a Good Neighbour
6-154 – Sermons File – No. 91-100
6-155 – Sermons File – No. 100 – Prepare for Christmas
6-156 – Sermons File – No. 101-110
6-157 – Sermons File – No. 111-120
6-158 – Sermons File – No. 121-130
6-159 – Sermons Preached at The Pas
6-160 – Swift Current Bible Institute Opening – Sermons – 1986
6-161 – To Tell the Truth
B. General Files. — 1968-1993. — 80 cm
The series consists of resource files based on personal thoughts, seminars or courses taken, published articles, etc., often focussed on social, church or spiritual Issues. As in the case of Series A (Sermon Files), David Braun also was quite explicit in considering these files to be grouped that he actually labelled them “General File” or simply “G.F.”. Due to the nature of the contents of the files, the majority are undated. The materials are arranged in alphabetical order, with unspecified but numbered General Files at the end in numeric order.
Box 6
6-162 – Abortion
Box 7
7-163 – Alcoholics Anonymous Material
7-164 – Along the Road to Maturity Series – 1984
7-165 – Anger – Notes and Articles
7-166 – Anxiety – Stress
7-167 – Authority – Ambition – 1986
7-168 – Authority Conference, CMBC – Notes – 1984
7-169 – Authority Conference – Accountability
7-170 – Baptism
7-171 – Baptism – The Meaning of
7-172 – Bible Geography
7-173 – Biographies – Examples of Discipleship
7-174 – Burnout – Pastor
7-175 – Camp Squeah Retreat
7-176 – Chaplaincy
7-177 – Christian Growth Series – 1981
7-178 – Christian Growth – Born to Grow – I
7-179 – Christian Ministry I – The Journey Toward a Genuine Christian Ministry – Born to Grow
7-180 – Christian Ministry II – Who is Sufficient for a Genuine Christian Ministry?
7-181 – Christian Ministry III- Motivation for a Genuine Christian Ministry
7-182 – Christian Ministry IV- Motivation
7-183 – Church Council Retreat – 1979
7-184 – Church Membership – Study
7-185 – Civil Responsibility
7-186 – Conducting
7-187 – Conflict Resolution
7-188 – Conversion
Box 8
8-189 – Counselling – Biel
8-190 – Crisis Counselling
8-191 – Cults
8-192 – Demon Possession
8-193 – Discipleship Conference – 1978-1979
8-194 – Divorce
8-195 – Divorce – Re-Marriage
8-196 – Doctrine
8-197 – Drugs
8-198 – Encounter with a Saint – by David W. Braun
8-199 – Effectiveness Training Associates – 1973-1975
8-200 – Euthanasia
8-201 – Evangelism – COM
8-202 – Evangelism – Consultation Ideas, Bluffton
8-203 – Evangelism – Midweek – Leighton Ford – 1981
8-204 – Evangelism – Renewal Retreat – 1977-1978
8-205 – False Memory Syndrome – 1993
8-206 – Family Life – 1979
8-207 – Family Life and Marriage Growth – Dr. Sell & Others – 1980-1993
8-208 – Family Worship Camp – 1968
8-209 – Gift Discernment
8-210 – Group Dynamics
8-211 – Group Dynamics – Evaluation Sheets, etc.
8-212 – Group Leadership
8-213 – Holy Spirit – 1972-1973
8-214 – Imagination – Devotional Guide
8-215 – Jubilee
8-216 – Lent – 1975
8-217 – Life of Christ – Charts and Maps
Box 9
9-218 – Life – Work – Youth – 1979-1981
9-219 – Love – Agape
9-220 – Love Feast
9-221 – Marriage Preparation
9-222 – Marriage – Wedding
9-223 – Membership Class – Unit ? – Mennonite History
9-224 – Membership Class – Unit 3 – Membership Worksheets
9-225 – Membership Class – Unit 4 – The Church and Its Task – Study Guides
9-226 – Membership Instruction – n.d.
9-227 – Membership Instruction – 1975-1976
9-228 – Membership Instruction – 1982
9-229 – Men – Retreats – Resources
9-230 – Mennonite History
9-231 – Mennonite History
9-232 – Mental Health – W. Janzen [spiral notebook]
9-233 – Millennial Studies
9-234 – Museum Mirror of the Martyrs
9-235 – Music
9-236 – Organizing for Ministry – Church Survey
9-237 – Pacifism – Yoder Critique of Karl Barth
9-238 – Pastor Counselling – M. Smucker – Spiritual Formation – Camp Valaqua – 1985
9-239 – (The) Pastoral Institute – 2nd floor, 1134 – 8 Avenue SW
9-240 – Peace – Energy – Peace and Social Concerns
9-241 – Peace – War – Bible and Historical Response
9-242 – Peace, War and Non-Resistance
Box 10
10-243 – Personal Effectiveness Training – Articles, Evaluation Sheets – Satir-Howe
10-244 – Poems, Articles
10-245 – (School of) Prayer
10-246 – Prayer Week – 1986
10-247 – Prayer Week – 1987
10-248 – Prayer Week – 1988
10-249 – Prayers
10-250 – Pre-Marital Cohabitation – 1988
10-251 – Preaching – Listening Response Sheet
10-252 – Private Schools – 1985
10-253 – Reach Out to Jesus
10-254 – Resources for Christian Growth – 2 – 1985
10-255 – Sermon by Carol Suter
10-256 – Sexuality
10-257 – Sexuality – The Bible and Human Sexuality
10-258 – Shepherding Plan
10-259 – Spiritual Direction
10-260 – Spiritual Life – Waltner – 1987
10-261 – Suicide
10-262 – Theology – Chapter 1-10
10-263 – Theology – Chapter 11-25
10-264 – Transactional Analysis
10-265 – Wisdom Literature – Notes
10-266 – Women in Leadership Ministries [resource folder]
10-267 – Women in Ministry
10-268 – Women in the Ministry
10-269 – Worship Aids
10-270 – Woodstock – India
10-271 – Zion Mennonite Church – Elbing, Kansas – 1976-1977
10-272 – General File 124-145
10-273 – General File 161-175
10-274 – General File 179-192
C. Personal Files. — 1969-1987. — 6.5 cm
The series consists of personal files held to organize information for a journey or activity unrelated to his pastoral or committee activities. The reports are arranged alphabetically.
Box 11
11-275 – Accumulation Folder
11-276 – Clinical Pastoral Education Materials
11-277 – Doctor of Ministry Program – David Braun Correspondence
11-278 – Elim Bible School Reports – 1969-1970
11-279 – Florida Vacation – 1986-1987
11-280 – German Documents – Letters from Russia – 1972 [stencils]
11-281 – A History Survey of the Mennonites of Didsbury, Alberta by David W. Braun – Instructor: Rev. G. Lohrenz, – Course: Mennonite History – February 1956
11-282 – Holy Land Tour – 1983-1984
11-283 – Stories – Mom’s
11-284 – Transcripts – Bethel and MBS
11-285 – Visa
11-286 – Yearbook
Accession 2014.015
BOX 12
12-287 – Clinical Pastoral Evaluation General
12-288 – Counselling Resources and Strategies
12-289 – Clinical Pastoral Education [Rochester Methodist Hospital] General
12-290 -Taylor Johnson Temperamental Analysis
12-291 -Capital Punishment Bibliography
12-292 -Penal Reform brief
12-293 -Penal Reform
12-294 -Abundant Life Broadcast 0n Conviction
12-295 -Canadian Prison Experience
12-296 -7th Step Annex
12-297 -Mental Health Resources
12-298 -Canadian Resources Board
12-299 -Views Of The Church
12- 300 -Book Rack Evangelism Life Line Books
12-301 -Membership work Sheet Units-One or Two This We Believe
12-302 -John Esau M.L.S. Newton
12-303 -Creative Writing
12-304 -Stories Corrected
12-305 -Story Listening
Box 12 – 5 files related to counseling prison inmates and mental hospital patients – ACCESS RESTRICTED until 2075, or with approval of the Executive committee of Mennonite Church Alberta on the advice of the Conference Pastor