the Brethren
EVANGELIST summer 2017
table of contents NOW CONFERENCE PHOTOS.......................4 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR.......................... 5 NATIONAL NEWS............................................6 DIVERSITY SYMPHONY................................8 LIKE WATER..................................................10 WORKCATION............................................... 12 TENDING THE GARDEN............................... 14 A PLACE TO CALL HOME............................. 21 PLANTING FOR THE FUTURE.....................24
DRIVEN by our BRETHREN HERITAGE For over 125 years, Ashland University has been helping students find their life calling. Our Brethren roots have created a unique campus environment where tradition and innovation empower students to discover their true purpose. We look at students holistically and cultivate a values-driven culture supporting service learning, problem solving and critical thinking. At Ashland University, values like moral integrity, respect and service derive from our Christian heritage and inform all aspects of our campus culture. Students come to Ashland to pursue their educational aspirations in a safe, loving and welcoming environment.
CHANGE.........................................................25 BRETHREN CAMPS......................................26 THE GATHERING..........................................29 END NOTES...................................................30
connect The Brethren Church @brethrenchurch 419.289.1708 www.brethrenchurch.org
For more information or to schedule a visit to campus, visit www.ashland.edu/visit.
communications@brethrenchurch.org 524 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805
MOMENTS..................................................... 31
LETTER from the EDITOR Brethren hold to a “centered-set” theology. Differing from a “bounded-set,” a “centered-set” theology places the value on what (or in our case, rather, who) occupies the center. We do not draw fences or boundaries, defining ourselves by a set of criteria for “in” or “out.” Rather, we place our value on people moving closer and closer towards the center, no matter where they may find themselves on the journey. You’re “in” if you’re moving with us toward the center.
This need is not just limited to pastors or theologians. I was elated to announce a new project for The Brethren Church we’re calling “Story & Song.” As we continue to reclaim and understand our history and identity, there is a need for artistic expression. If our pastors and theologians help provide the bones of our faith, then our artists and creatives help us place a skin on it. We’re launching an open call for songwriters, painters, photographers, visual artists, filmmakers, writers, poets and more to submit work for collaboration. This will culminate at General Conference 2018 with a gallery of submitted work, as well as a recorded album of Brethren corporate worship music.
For many Christians, our spiritual disciplines – the things that we routinely do to draw closer to God – are an integral part of moving us toward the center. One of our disciplines as a movement is the gathering of our denominational leaders at General Conference. This year’s conference provided some powerful moments in the presence of God, and some convicting moves of the Spirit. The business of the conference was not without its important moments as well, and you can read about those important updates for the Brethren in this issue.
SEE MORE For More Photos from the NOW conference, visit our gallery at: brethrenchurch.org/now-photos
Details will be available online in September, and our upcoming fall issue will feature many of our Brethren artists to give you just a taste of the incredible expression of God’s beauty and talent found in our movement. If you know a creative in your church, or you are one yourself, I do hope you’ll let me know. Email me: patrick@brethrenchurch.org. We need you!
This quarter’s issue also holds a beautiful article from Sadie Zegarac. Sadie is an Ashland University alum and found her spiritual home with the Brethren through the campus ministries there. She’s currently pursuing a calling into teaching theology, and I’m honored to call her a friend. Sadie is one of the so many young leaders in our movement that need us to welcome them in, mentor and lead them, and provide a place at the table for them to use their gifts.
Patrick Sprague
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NATIONAL NEWS Updates from around our Movement Coinciding with this change is the appointment of Rev. Mallorie Dladla to the position of University Chaplain at Ashland University. Mallorie is a member of 5 Stones Community Church in Ashland, Ohio. She was ordained a Brethren Elder in July 2017. For the past two years, she has been leading The Well ministry on campus. She is excited to expand her ministry on campus and serve as a liaison between the University and the Brethren Church. She is passionate about helping others know God more and helping them understand the implications of being daughters and sons of God.
The Brethren Church National Office will host a series of online town hall discussions, working through the nuts and bolts of questions regarding mid-level reorganization. The discussions will feature the ability to ask questions in realtime, and have a variety of panel members. If you’re not able to watch live, the discussions will be recorded for viewing at a later time. Subject matters will include finances, hiring process and expectations for regional resource coordinators, regional examination for ordination and more. Schedule and details will be published through brethrenchurch.org and all Brethren Church social media channels.
General Conference 2017 moved that the Social Issues Document be accepted in its entirety as it currently stands (with the exception of the non-substantive changes and typographical and scriptural reference corrections). Following those corrections, it will be passed on to the National Executive Board who will begin their stewardship of it by considering all changes that have been submitted/proposed thus far for possible adoption, and will bring the document back to the General Conference meeting in 2018.
Brethren Leadership Development, in coordination with The Brethren Church National Office and MissioChurch will be offering a series of live, online town halls on the GSE (Gatherer, Shepherd, Elder) model of starting churches. These conversations are a great resource even for starting small groups or short-term discipleship opportunities in your church. Schedule and details at brethrenchurch.org
It is important to note that with the acceptance of Brethren Positions on Social Issues, this document is the most current reflection of where we stand as a denomination on social issues at this moment in time, and as such, past documents on social issues, including the 1991 and 1985 documents no longer reflect accurately where we stand.
Glenn Black has been named Executive Director of the Office of Christian Ministry at Ashland University. Glenn brings a wealth of experience both in academia and the local church, including his most recent experience as Executive Pastor at Park Street Brethren Church. Prior to Park Street, Glenn served at Ashland Theological Seminary. Glenn will oversee all Christian ministries on campus, and will continue to foster a connection between the University and The Brethren Church.
You can read more, including Brethren Positions on Social Issues here: brethrenchurch.org/social-issues
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The Brethren Retirement Fund has been transferred to Everence Financial, which allows an overall reduction in fees, as well as discretionary, matching and participant contributions. For further questions and information, contact Ron W. Waters (ronaldwwaters@ gmail.com).
The manual of procedure has been updated and modified. You can review the most current version of the MoP here: brethrenchurch. org/mop
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General Conference passed the proposed national budget for 2018. This includes some significant changes, as we begin to live into regionalization. As your region forms, we ask that you consider designating the percentage of your annual church budget typically reserved for districts towards The Brethren Church, as regions will be funded from the national level. For most churches, this is around 2% of the local church’s budget. You can review the national budget here, and see a visual breakdown of the new suggested funding model as well: brethrenchurch.org/2018-budget
Columbus [Ohio] First Brethren Church celebrated its final services before officially closing on Sunday, August 6.
Diversity I was raised in an Oklahoma congregation the buckle of the Bible belt not exactly a beacon for diversification a white church planted in white dirt a Midwestern boy with a tucked in shirt I converted not just to Christianity But to an ideology, an identity, a theology I was taught that Jesus died for the sins of humanity That his cross would demolish all hints of inequality That he cried out for unity in his last prayer at Gethsemane And that this infallible book would bring all believers to harmony But across the street were the Nazarenes and two blocks down were the Catholics and a mile north was the Assembly and east of that were the Baptists I had this un-calloused thought that If we couldn’t have fellowship with those in other fellowships that were taught just a little different then we could at least befriend those in our own denomination down the street that were baptized for the same reasons and under the same creed and because of the same tree but those people down the street didn’t look like those in our baptistery, washing our sins for though they shared our beliefs they didn’t share our skin we are born in to a divided Sunday morning the body of Christ is segregated past all warnings the church looks more like a court and less like a courting trading the unified bride for stereotyped judgements the juries are sorting the left from the right the blacks from the white the sinners from the sin the denominations from the non-denom inevitably separating us from God how did we get so far off from the truth that now a poor, dark-skin, unattractive Israeli Jew would now have better luck dying for our sins than fitting in on our pews? it’s time our churches look less like the demographic of a country club and more like that of a Walmart 8
Symphony Before the cross, all nations and races fit in to two percentiles God’s chosen Israel, and the unchosen Gentiles Those who could enter in to the temple And those exiled by its walls But after the cross The hostility built and that divider did fall And now a new people are born A holy nation set apart from all who had lived before Within this borderless country There are no Jew nor Gentile Male nor female Rich nor poor Democrat nor republican Iraqi nor American Homely nor beautiful Polished nor tainted Catholic nor Baptist Red nor brown Black nor white There is only Christ The beauty of true life The participants in a new creation The old has gone the new has saved us We are the third race Neither gentiles nor Jews From death to life we have all passed through Our skin has not been removed but our eyes have been renewed Now you can see me and I can see you The church is universal, the university of diversity She can teach the world how to live in harmony And the church is also local The locale for unity Unifying heaven and earth We are the contrasted community we will no longer be separated by our prejudices and bigotry nor be segregated from those who think or look differently but we will embrace our body’s beautiful diversity and we’ll raise our voices for peace as God’s extraordinary symphony
© 2017 David Bowden Poetry Used with Permission 9
W LIKE
Water Sadie Zegarac
Photo Credit: Tim Marshall | Used with Permission
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When we read of a God who loves us deeper than we could ever grasp, who leaves the 99 to find the one, our natural inclination as Christ-followers is a desire to love God in return. We are moved by his love for us to love Him back (1 John 4:19). But what usually ends up happening after a while? Life gets busy. We get distracted, exhausted, frustrated, and worn down. Worship doesn’t sound life-giving anymore. We become numb to the people and situations around us. We no longer engage empathy but instead, see through a lens of apathy. I’ve been there . I’ve been overcome by selfishness when the students I work with desperately need me to show up and tell them once again that God is good, faithful, and intends to keep his promises when I would rather sit at home and relax during my free evenings. I admit that it is
often think of God in terms of water. If you have ever seen my left forearm, I have waves tattooed along the bone. My first memories are flooded with instances of my family on our boat, swimming, or looking forward to beach vacations. As a young girl, I was enamored by the immensity of two things: God and the sea. If we are to look at the larger themes within the metanarrative of scripture, we will find water symbolizing new life, regeneration, and chaos, we read of water turning into wine, streams of mercy, and Jesus himself as living water. More importantly, we find a God relentlessly pursuing those he created and loves. 10
sometimes difficult for me to engage with the tragedy of the world around me when every act of violence and evil has me feeling too small to do anything worthwhile. It takes less physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy to sit in my home, turn off the news, and close the laptop after extensive coverage of Charlottesville, VA. We’ve all been there at some point or another – discouraged by the world around us and begging God to speak through the midst of all the noise. It’s easier to disengage empathy and engage apathy, but the easier thing is often not what God’s voice is calling us toward. What God calls us toward is himself, and that never looks like disengaging the world around us or choosing apathy. Instead we are to engage with the character of God and seek his direction wherever that may lead.
is to help us see the absolute necessity of desiring to become more like Christ. The two reactions mentioned above are certainly both possible, but scripture supports the latter and not the former. The Gospel message calls us directly out of comfort into transformational life in Christ. We die to self and become alive in Christ. You look like who you are closest to. When I am close to Jesus, I look like Jesus. When I am far, I look like Sadie. I desperately long for the former. Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, writes, “Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” There are no free passes of comfort in Paul’s writing. What we find is an appeal to be transformed into godliness not just for future glory but practical life now. It’s interesting to me that scripture mentions the need for spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, celebration, and worship (only to name a few) but gives very few descriptions on how to go about “doing” these things. Disciplines such as these were engrained into their life already – a “how to” manual was unnecessary. It is not the case today, though I do believe that our spirits long for communion with God and know how to do that – but here’s the catch – when we create space and time to do so. We are created to worship our creator and commune with him. That’s the natural part. We need spiritual disciplines because we are too busy for our souls to practice what they were created for. These disciplines rip us out of our glorified busy lives and place us directly at the feet of Jesus. If it’s uncomfortable at first, it’s because it’s a new rhythm fighting against your flesh to create a current of communion. Water doesn’t cut through rock to create a stream overnight.
Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, opens with, “Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” Through the various spiritual disciplines, we encounter the depths of life (and more importantly life with God). These disciplines are not for those seeking instant gratification in their relationship with Jesus but instead create deep rhythms of communing with God in the life of the believer. Before I had the language of “spiritual disciplines,” I was stuck in a belief that you had to master studying scripture and prayer before you could encounter the “deeper life with God.” The profound solitude of the mystics or the simplicity of life that comes when you sell everything you have and give to the poor (Luke 18:22) never occurred to me as something I could also experience. Those practices seemed reserved for “special Christians.” I would continue to read my Bible and pray until I was a good enough Christian to experience the rest. I have since learned that there is not a hierarchy of behavior to reach God . The language and knowledge of “spiritual disciplines” completely reframed my understanding of a relationship with Jesus. It’s not a legal code that makes us holy; it’s a life made up of deep currents that connect us to the Father.
So, what is it with my fascination with water? I can tell you that I’ve stayed as enamored as I was when I was a young girl because I’ve found a way to talk about God like I talk about water. He is powerful, cleansing, necessary for life, gentle, peaceful, calm, deep, expansive, playful, and strong. You can get pulled by the riptide of an ocean or play in the safety of a puddle, but you are still experiencing the same thing: water. In the same way, the spiritual disciplines are all means to the same end. The end is not godliness, though. The end is God himself.
Developing these rhythms and currents in our life is necessary to deepen our relationship with God and to know him better. In the same passage cited above about the rich young ruler, Jesus tells the man that, “No one is good – except God alone” (Luke 18:19). Some may read that and think it is a free pass because they will never be good. Others will be moved to sell their possessions to attain more goodness and in turn more godliness. The purpose of this writing is not to get you to sell all your possessions and give them to the poor. (Though, if God is telling you to do that I certainly will not object.) The purpose 11
Sadie Zegarac is the short-term mission coordinator at Ashland University. She is an alumna of Ashland University and is currently working on her Master’s degree at Ashland Theological Seminary. Sadie enjoys traveling, Cleveland Indians baseball, Jimmy Fallon, connecting with friends over coffee and pastries.
and economic growth, the city’s housing and infrastructure continue to age. As the population has aged, their ability to maintain and improve these properties has dwindled, and fewer and fewer folks in town can do the work. The concept of Workcation was straightforward enough: Gather the 10-20 people that would usually head to Alaska, and ask them to give a week of service to their community. Make the minimum commitment a day of service, rather than a week. Remove the cost to serving. Gather the materials, volunteers, and supplies on a donation basis. And so, something incredible happened. It worked. Lanark First Brethren Church gathered thirty volunteers for the Workcation, including ten students. The volunteers completed thirty different projects in a week and gave nearly 930 combined hours of service. Volunteers painted houses, repaired dilapidated exteriors, cleaned up and put in new landscaping, washed windows, and more. Lanark Mayor Ken Viglietta and the city council were duly impressed, not only with the volunteerism shown, but by the impressive results toward city-wide improvement.
A WORKCATION in Lanark Lanark, Illinois
“The efforts of Pastor Clair, Floyd Roberts, the First Brethren Church and all the volunteers make a tremendous difference in the lives of those in need,” said Viglietta. “The participants often find they get more than they give, also. Concern for others can become contagious.” For years, Lanark [Lanark, Illinois] First Brethren Church had sent a small, 10-20 person missions team to a small work camp in Southern Alaska each year. While there was certainly a benefit for both the team to grow together in fellowship, and for the recipients of the service, there was a real cost to sending 20 people from Lanark, IL to Alaska. A cost to the tune of around $1500. That cost is what made the leadership at Lanark FBC re-examine their missions work, and ultimately, find an incredible opportunity to serve those in their community in an amazing way. An idea surfaced: what could we do if we eliminated the time, financial and travel barriers to this type of service? A “Workcation,” as it came to be known, was born. Lanark is a town like much of the Midwest: aging, settling, and slowly being forgotten in many ways. Much of the retail businesses that once marked its small downtown have vacated and made way for larger, big box retailers in adjacent communities like Sterling and Freeport, each about 25 miles away. It’s a prime swath of agricultural land, and still is very productive in this way, but as steady, non-seasonal employment is scarce, and as Lanark lacks any major employers to attract professionals 12
Most importantly, though, volunteers reported a renewed sense of togetherness throughout the community. In a town of 1500, a crew of thirty people in neon orange shirts moving throughout the city does not go unnoticed. The work of the volunteers made a real, tangible impact on their city, and it stirred pride and purpose in Lanark. This is the work of the Kingdom of God – seeing a need, and quietly filling it through a labor of love.
This story was adapted after a tip from Floyd Roberts.
Floyd has worked in a variety of fields, including marketing and agriculture. Floyd is a proud member of Lanark First Brethren Church in Lanark, Illinois. 13
G
TENDING THE
Garden Patrick Sprague
TENDING THE GARDEN need for disciplines and rhythms; for seasons and patterns. As our editorial team brainstormed over stories that might lend themselves well to this end, we thought “Surely farming is a phenomenal illustration of the need for spiritual disciplines and rhythms!” Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see. The Reiff ’s are a second-generation farming family tucked just north of old U.S. 30, outside of Warsaw, Indiana. If you can picture every “road trip” sequence you have ever watched during a movie, The Reiff ’s live on the land you see on either side of the road in every one of those scenes. It’s beautiful country, lined with lush rolling fields of soybeans, interrupted by bouts of shoulder high corn soaking in the early August steam. According to Jim, the farm is “a few thousand acres,” though it was hard to tell through his Midwestern modesty if a few meant two or three thousand, or closer to ten. That Midwestern sensibility kept me from pressing the issue.
T
here’s this old Chinese parable; maybe you’ve heard it? It goes something like this:
In many ways, Reiff Farms is a typical small commercial farm. There are extensive outbuildings, housing trucks and combines and implements. The corner of a soybean field at the top of the hill gives way to the white gravel lot the operations sit on, and at the center a few large grain bins anchor the whole place. These grain bins have what my untrained eye estimated to be approximately enough controls and technology to land a small space craft on the moon successfully.
A farmer and his son had a beloved stallion that helped the family earn a living. One day, the horse ran away, and their neighbors exclaimed, “Your horse ran away, this is so bad!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.” A few days later, the horse returned home, leading a few wild mares back to the farm as well. The neighbors shouted out, “Your horse has returned, and brought several horses back with him. This is so good!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
I parked my mid-size import sedan next to Jim’s King Ranch pickup in the gravel and went into the main shop. The front room was modest, clean and open. A real no-frills affair, with built in “L”-shaped desks to each side of the door. Computers, office phones, and ledgers adorned the laminate work surfaces. I noticed one piece of wall art in the back corner of the room, a painting of a combine plowing a field, and the lights on the combine had actual LED’s that poked through the canvas and were lit up.
Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the mares, and she threw him to the ground, breaking his leg. The villagers cried, “Your son broke his leg, this is so bad!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.” A few weeks later, soldiers from the national army marched through town, recruiting all the able-bodied boys for the army. They did not take the farmer’s son, still recovering from his injury. Friends shouted, “Your boy is spared, this is so good!” To which the farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
Jim and Nancy were sitting behind the desk to the left, catching up much like you would expect any couple to be doing after a typical work day. As we chatted, The Reiff ’s were refreshingly transparent. “I probably realized in high school that this was what I wanted to do. All five of my brothers kind of, ‘get it,’ and I’d say I just ran with it,” Jim said. “Well, it was the first year we were married, 2002, and I realized I was farming 50/50 with my Dad.”
As I tore down the narrow, corn-lined County Road 600 East towards Reiff Farms, I did not have a very good idea what to expect when I met Jim Reiff. Laying aside the philosophical discussion we could have, the short parable shines a pretty insightful light on the demeanor of a farmer. Jim Reiff may have been one of the steadiest, even-keeled men I’ve ever encountered.
“I said, ‘You guys are crazy,’ Nancy chimes in. “So, we started a transition over five years, and Dad said, ‘either we’ll walk away, or things will progress, and we’ll make
Our original intention had been to illustrate our spiritual 16
things work.’” “Jim’s dad, Mike, has always been straightforward. He has always been willing to sit the kids down, tell them what’s going on with the family farm, and shoot straight. You guys have any problems with it? Let’s get it all out on the table, now. That way there aren’t any surprises. Like most of the farming community did this last year, we hit some hiccups, and we had to make some adjustments, but this is not easy out here.” “It’s not like a bed of roses out here,” Jim adds. “In fact, here comes the wise man now…,” Nancy trails off as Mike Reiff walks in. “You’d be amazed,” Mike says as he steps in the shop. Mike Reiff is a built like you would expect a Midwestern farmer to be made. He’s a stocky, solid man; he speaks in a quiet, strong low tone. He pauses for a minute while he’s grabbing candy from a dish in a wall cabinet to ask if I’ve “got it up and running.” I realize quickly from the conversation that Mike thinks I’m the internet repair man. Nancy hops in for introductions (and corrections) quickly, and Mike takes a seat
at the desk across the room. He leans back deep in the chair and slowly bounces back and forth as we continue to talk. I ask the family how long they’ve been attending Dutchtown Brethren Church, which sits just down the road from the farm. Mike tells me that he and his wife were married in the church, and were there some years before attending a different church while Jim and his brothers were growing up. After moving back to the family farm, and attending a few other churches over the years, they settled on the same local church Jim’s parents started their life in. Mike made an interesting pivot in this conversation, as many Christians do when talking about changing churches. He seemed to feel a need to justify the moves, the decisions, and even the state of affairs in their current parish. It struck me as he did so, that even here we see a rhythm and seasonality. The way our local families interact with our churches have seasons, and we often not only overlook the existence of these rhythms but completely miss their necessity in the health of our church. “It depends on how you want to analyze the situation on today’s preaching, on the situation, or whatever. In my opinion, we got too old of people. And from the top down, and I wouldn’t see a problem with that if there were somebody younger that
TENDING THE GARDEN with the multigenerational experience Dutchtown brings. I ask them to tell me about a year they’ve had on the farm that they’d consider “bad.” Mike, straight-faced and without missing a beat, “On the farm? Never had a bad year on the farm.” Nancy, who self-admittedly is the worrier of the bunch, tempers that response a bit, “Well, we haven’t had anything like farmers had in the eighties. [Jim] is the true definition of a farmer; he is eternally optimistic. It seems to be like he always falls in the, uh, hole, if you will, and comes out smelling like roses. He just keeps saying the good Lord will take care of us.” I ask Mike if he was the same way, always so optimistic.
were coming in, but we don’t have any of that. We don’t have a reason at all for any families with kids to come in. And you know, really, we could look, we could blame the preacher, we could blame anybody you want to, a lot of it comes back to looking in the mirror on who we are as a church.”
“You’d better be.” He continues, “If you can fix it, fix it. If you can’t, then do something about it.”
It’s important to note here that Mike wasn’t issuing a scathing criticism from the sidelines. He genuinely seemed to be concerned and realistic that the work of creating a reason for church was not on the pastor, it was not in the music, but it very much laid in the hands of those who make up the church, and who we choose to be as persons.
“They have to be. I mean, who else has, if I can say this, has a job that’s so dependent on God?” Nancy asks. “Thing about it is,” Mike says, “just like the church down here or anything else, if I would’ve kept this thing going by myself, and not turned it over, it wouldn’t be where it is today. Hey, an old fart can only do about so much. You know, I can’t work twenty hours a day like I used to…”
Jim and Nancy have a resumé in local church that includes just about every job title that can be had. They’ve served as a trustee, secretary, treasurer, usher, assistant treasurer, and a whole slew of other roles. As we talk through the roles they’ve served on, Nancy notes a critical overlap between their service to the church, the needs of the farm and their family.
work, I thank God for it, and I do it again. The good Lord has taken good care of me.”
“You know, we want our kids to find what they love to do. I don’t regret the decision I made twenty years ago [to farm],” Jim trails off.
I asked Nancy and Jim to share about marriage and raising kids on the farm, and like most folks trying to balance life, it was a mixed bag.
Nancy hops in, “We feel like we were made to farm. We both support each other, and we love it.”
“There are times we get to have some really neat moments and slow down. There’s also times where it’s really hard, being self-employed, it takes away from the family. If I’m not doing something to put food on the table, I kind of have to pick and choose,” Jim says.
“We made the vow very early on that divorce would not be an option, and so if something was wrong, we were going to figure it out. Some people just can’t handle–“ “Divorce is just too easy to do,” Jim cuts in.
“We try and fit the moments into the life of the farm. The kids help me make food, and we’ll run it out to the fields and have a dinner on the back of the truck with [Jim]. Our son will come over to grandma and grandpa’s house and go grocery shopping with Grandma. They have access to extended family in a way that not every family has,” Nancy adds.
“The relationship is going to take work. A few years ago, we had the chance to take a trip from a seed dealer. I didn’t want to go because our kids were young, we were parents! He made me go, and ever since then, we go every year. That’s when we can reconnect if we need to. That’s when we can just be Nancy and Jim. We don’t have to be parents; we can just be Nancy and Jim. Even though we’re only gone, maybe five days, we come back better parents. I think that’s what has really helped us, to be able to go and be a couple.
“Friday evenings, we all go out for supper most of the time, all twelve of us,” Jim’s brothers all live on the same country road as the farm. “Or, Mom will make dinner. She has a big dining room table, an Amish guy custom made it, and it sits twenty-four, so we’ll all gather up and have dinner there.”
We’re also there with other farming families though too, and
Jim and Nancy are emphatically nodding as Mike is talking, “I could sit in here and make all the decisions if I wanted to, but I had to start teaching somebody at some point. You gotta grow into this stuff; it’s gotta be learned.”
“Especially during the school year, with [Jim] in harvest and planting that we cannot both be on the board at the same time because somebody needs to be home with the kids. They’re getting to the point where they need more hands on with homework…we just don’t…we did that once, and we said no, never again.”
I shifted and asked The Reiff ’s where they saw God in the everyday. Is Jim just in constant prayer as he plants seed in the spring? Are they so deeply connected to the earth and nature that they see God in every natural thing? As seemed to be the pattern for our conversation, Mike chimed in and answered my question with a question.
The Reiff ’s are faithful though, and they speak fondly of their church. Jim seems happy and content to chip in wherever he can in the ways God has gifted him. Nancy speaks with some reverence about the folks that make up their little country church, and perhaps most telling is their commitment to being there. From the outside looking in, The Reiff ’s are as busy as any American family. They’re running a family business that does not have 9:00 to 5:00 hours. They have school-aged kids. And yet, they’re still committed to being a part of the church that is not only part of their family, but also the closest church geographically to their home. They’re serving because they feel called to do so. Nancy speaks of a sense of family she gains
“Why do you want to make it so complicated? That’s the thing, you hear these preachers talking about the end of the world is coming, or God’s coming; the chances of God coming before I die are pretty slim. If he comes tomorrow, that’s great. And if he does, he does. That’s the way it is. If you don’t do a good job managing and protecting what you got, that’s what you’ll get. As far as the good Lord, you watch this in churches and lot of people want to get up and say this is such a good experience, and do this and do all that. I don’t believe in needing to get up and thump my Bible and this and that. I get up, I do my 18
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A
PLACE TO CALL
Home
that’s been so important to connect with others that understand our life too, and those folks have become lifetime friends.
Canton, Ohio
how many of us have allowed the weed of cynicism to take root in the gardens God has called us to tend. There was not a single time when Jim, Nancy or Mike referred to God without calling him good.
God has been so good to us, and it allows us to carry that goodness back home, back to our kids. We know how blessed we have been, and continue to be blessed. There’s no doubt in my mind that the good Lord is touching us every day.”
Jim and Nancy innately understood that they were modeling so much for their kids. A marriage rooted in love for each other, and love for God. A marriage and life that were not defined by their responsibilities, but by Christ and love alone.
My time with The Reiff ’s was striking, but mostly that they were so accessible. I’m not sure that Jim and Nancy (and indeed Mike) give a ton of thought day in and day out to the theology they’ve built up making a living as farmers. Their intentionality about work, about family, and about faith appear so seamlessly woven into their fabric; it was hard – even for them – to pull it out for a moment to examine.
The rhythms we find in our faith, especially when deeply integrated as a part of our daily life, give us perspective beyond the immediate. They allow us to see past just the moment we’re faced with, and remind us that “to everything, there is a season.” Perhaps this is the most compelling purpose of disciplines, to give us a far-sighted view our journey. It provides us with the difference between, “this is good,” or “this is bad,” and allow us to see something different, “Maybe so. Maybe not. We’ll see.”
The rhythms and disciplines of our faith are most powerful when they root themselves deeper than our conscious. When the rhythms become no longer an intentional effort, but rather a natural flow of life, and we think less about the practice of our disciplines and more about the life we get to live through those rhythms and because of those rhythms. In The Reiff ’s I saw a couple that eternally sought the good in every situation. They believed the best because there was no room for cynicism in the garden they tend. The work they do was fulfilling, and best done quietly and cheerfully. They spent little time worrying about things beyond their control because frankly, they can’t control them. I wonder
That may be the most optimistic statement of all.
Patrick Sprague serves as Communications Director at the Brethren Church National Office. He resides in Ashland, OH with his wife Leah and their two daughters. They are members of Park Street Brethren Church. 20
Virgilio Cruz stood knee deep in a 20-yard dumpster, pushing down debris, sorting out materials, and taking more trash from a steady stream of workers pulling it from the house. The morning haze had just cut, and a sticky humid June morning was starting to give way to a light breeze and blue skies. Virgilio, with the help of quite a few friends, was beginning to uncover the blighted home that will soon be rehabbed into a home he and his family can own. The Cruz family is the beneficiary of the work being done by Flourish44703, a non-profit birthed out of Radial Church. Flourish serves blighted neighborhoods in the 47703 zip code of Canton. The non-profit works to create residential, commercial and public spaces that help residents of the area flourish spiritually and practically. The basic principle is that access to
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space, specifically to ownership, is fundamental to human flourishing, and fundamental to neighborhood flourishing. Flourish has recently purchased its second house in the neighborhood. The home sat vacant for some time, with boarded up windows and doors. Inside, boxes and piles reached the ceilings in most places. The home, built in 1912, will certainly need some work. Roof, windows, and floors. A deep cleaning and some tender, loving care. But, when the project is completed, it will provide a safe, comfortable, and affordable path to homeownership for the Cruz family. The first stages of the work included clearing the rubble from the home, and some light demo to prep the home for repairs. Teams from Brethren churches around the area joined local residents in the work, over two intense work weekends. Volunteers from Trinity Brethren Church, Radial Church, North Georgetown First Brethren Church and Beacon of Hope Community Church all joined in. A youth work team traveled from Park Street Brethren Church to join. Virgilio says “As a Latino, a lot of us, we build castles in the wind. It always feels like, even doing everything right, even with my papers, it could all be taken away like that [snaps fingers]. I want to be here, live normal, care about the neighborhood, do life together.�
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Planting for the FUTURE
Change The summer is just about over Most kids are now back in school But it’s still as hot as a blister We’re waiting for evenings to cool The leaves will soon be a-changing The hills and mountains aflame One thing you always can count on: Nothing stays just the same
On the floor of General Conference this year we were very pleased to point out the generous support of several individuals, churches, and districts for the church planting efforts of The Brethren Church. This support has been above and beyond the general support of the National Ministry of The Brethren Church and has been vital to our ability to identify and develop church planters in our tribe. The reality is, there would be little-to-no church planting activity without these generous gifts. While several churches have generously supported specific church planting projects in their regions, the preparation of those planters and movement leaders also requires funding that has been harder to secure. Many have asked, “Don’t we already give to church planting through our regular denominational giving?” The answer to that is a resounding and grateful “Yes!” Last year, $13,009 came to support church planting from the general budget! While this is no small sum of money, it does not meet the needs of our family to start even one new church per year. Please hear that this is helpful, but merely isn’t enough to keep up with the number of candidates and projects that our family is raising up. A fantastic problem to have! Furthermore, with the shift to regionalization, we expect even greater fruitfulness in our ministries. It would not be a stretch to see us planting five or more churches per year across our movement. To do that, however, we will need to become champions of the expansion of the kingdom through The Brethren Church. To facilitate this growth, we are continually streamlining our processes of discipline and sending church planters so we may lower our costs and increase our effectiveness. In this last year we have: • • • •
Piloted a new, on-line Orientation process Continued to train Brethren assessors Negotiated beneficial pricing on on-going coaching Continued to develop low-cost strategies for starting new churches
These efforts reflect our commitment to the wise stewardship of the resources that you entrust to us for our mutual ministry.
The amount of support for church planting that comes from the general giving of our churches, while growing, amounts to about 10% of what it takes to obediently follow where Jesus is leading us in pursuit of The Great Commission. The rest of what we receive to implement this ministry comes from a few individuals, churches and district ministries. In the budget that was passed by the General Conference for 2017, the amount of funding projected to come from the general giving of churches is approximately 20% of the funds needed for next year’s ministry operations. This is where you and your church can help. Our goal is to continue to see us approach 100 of our churches commit to budgeting at least $500/year for the development and sending of Brethren church planters in North America. Currently, 14 local churches in our family send support for this important part of our shared ministry. Additionally, we believe that there are at least 100 individuals and families (currently 23) who can commit to giving at least $500/year for these efforts. If we can reach this goal together, our church planting operations would be backed by an annual support level of $100,000. That level of support would allow us to fully fund our operations, recruit and develop more candidates and adequately prepare them to be sent as planters. It would also enable us to offer more support to churches that are planting churches. Perhaps most importantly, it would allow the ministry of The Brethren Church to take advantage of the unexpected opportunities that Jesus brings our way. In recent months, we have begun to see more independent planters and leaders seek us out. They are looking for a family to belong to and when they discover that our very name speaks to family, they pursue us all the more. The world needs us. They need us to be who we are for the sake of the Gospel in their communities. Our historical values and the way in which we follow Jesus just make sense to so many believers and unbelievers alike. We can reach them. Will you help us reach them together through church planting? Bill Ludwig serves through The Brethren Church National Office as Church Planting Coordinator, providing leadership development, coaching and mentoring for church planters around the U.S. and Canada. In his moments of freedom, he enjoys anything outdoors, especially fishing and backpacking.
Autumn is some peoples’ favorite Summer gets many a vote Some even prefer the cold winter And spring is some’s season of note Remember that life has its seasons There’s time when all’s fresh and green Then comes the heat of the midday And the load is so heavy it seems Then with the onset of winter The harvest is all gathered in One enjoys the fruits of one’s labors And the company of close knit kin Whatever the season we’re living Be thankful for each given day ‘Cause change is sure to be coming And time keeps on ticking away Jesus is Lord of all seasons Each one a gift from his hand The promise, the beauty, the challenge The mountain, the river, the sand It is wisdom then to keep company With the One who is Master of all Knowing that He never changes Spring, summer, winter or fall. ~bhm
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Camp Bethany Kenton Van Duyne
Camp Bethany enjoyed a fantastic summer in 2017 with the largest attendance our program has seen in over 15 years. In the last three years alone, our program has experienced nearly 30 percent growth! So much growth, in fact, that we had to scramble to open up one of our retired old cabins this summer to find enough beds for everyone. This was certainly a challenge, but what incredible problems to get to solve! God is blessing the ministry at Camp Bethany and using it to change the hearts and lives of young people from all over Ohio. This year we celebrated with 10 of those young people as they accepted Christ for the first time, along with 26 others who rededicated their lives, and we even baptized 14 students on site in our very own pond. We are currently in the middle of a building expansion project for our main lodge facility, and it couldn’t be happening at a more appropriate time. God is blessing us with growth in our programming, so now we are going to need more space to house the people He is sending us.
BRETHREN CAMPS Summer 2017
Next up for Camp Bethany is our annual Family Camp that takes place on Labor Day weekend and is a fantastic time to come and join us for a beautiful and relaxing time with your entire family. If you would like to find out more about our lodge expansion project, family camp, or the summer programming at Camp Bethany, be sure to visit us online at www.campbethany.org.
Camp Peniel Afton Burkholder
young! We believe that taking this time away from everyday life to just be kids, enjoy God’s creation, and fully focus on Jesus is an opportunity for God to mold and shape them to live a life that glorifies Him. Every person, campers, and staff alike has a refreshed spirit and renewed love of our amazing Savior after having this time to meet with Jesus “face-to-face” naturally and simply that our camp provides. Your continued support of Camp Peniel is changing lives for generations to come and leaves a lasting impression in the lives of all who experience summer camp here. We believe God is using this beautiful piece of His creation to help build up His Kingdom and train mighty warriors in this world! We hope that you will join us at camp next summer as a camper or as a staff member, we’d love to have you!
It’s been a beautiful, fulfilling and memorable year at summer camp at Camp Peniel! We had the pleasure of hosting approximately 75 campers throughout the weeks of Mini, Junior, and Senior Camp. Campers enjoyed fishing throughout the week, dodge ball competitions, walking to Ten Commandment Trail, canoeing, glow in the dark capture the flag, and all the other many activities that make Camp Peniel such a unique, wonderful place. These weeks provide an opportunity for God to reach the children’s hearts in a way that they can relate to and that leaves an impression throughout their lifetimes. God never ceases to amaze us each year through the faith of these campers who are reminded that they can live for Jesus and shine His light even though they are 26
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The comment of that young man above really struck me hard one summer. The world feeds so much negative information that it is easy to begin to believe we are worthless individuals with no hope or no one to turn too. I am pleased that God placed Camp Shipshewana in this camper’s life to provide a connection to the everlasting love of Jesus Christ!
Brethren Retreat at Lake Shipshewana
Rick Miller
I firmly believe that the Brethren Outdoor Ministries are a valuable and distinctive home mission. Our programs offer experiences that change the eternal value of people’s lives. Unique moments, created in a particular community, allow people to break free of daily routines which enhance spiritual growth. Our locations provide an opportunity to reconnect with creation which refreshes the soul. I honestly wish that more people would set a priority in the spiritual life of their family and church by investing time in our Brethren Outdoor Ministries.
A mother shared with me a conversation with her sixyear-old Mini-Camper the night after returning home from camp;
Meyersdale, Pennsylvania
THE GATHERING Well over 200 people amassed on Camp Peniel over the weekend of August 11-12 for an ecumenical event called "The Gathering." Members of the Berlin Brethren Church organized the event, billed as "One Weekend. One Celebration. One Kingdom."
“I spoke with her at bedtime last night about whether she had made any decision about asking Jesus into her heart. She recounted to me how she raised her hand when asked if anyone wanted to pray for salvation. When I asked her what it meant to have Jesus in your heart, she said, “It means when you do something bad, on accident, Jesus makes it go away!” What an incredible, beautifully simple understanding of Jesus’ love! How refreshing! I’m thankful to God for allowing my kids to be at camp and learn such vital truths. My daughter is building a [spiritual] foundation and the seeds that were planted this week are such a fantastic start!
A summer experience at a Brethren Outdoor Ministry is the best eternal investment anyone can make in the life of a child. At the end of each Camp Shipshewana session, we ask the campers to complete an evaluation card consisting of four questions. One of the questions asks the camper to record their spiritual decision made during the camp session and offer a comment. “I learned that I am not a lost cause and Jesus is reaching out for me each day.”
Photo by Amanda Dowdy More photos of the event can be viewed at Facebook.com/TheGatheringBBC
Churches in Berlin, PA, and surrounding areas were all invited to descend upon Camp Peniel, and spend the weekend in unified Christian fellowship, worship, and purpose. The purpose was centered on one goal – that the Kingdom of God knows no borders or denominational lines. Churches from the Pennsylvania District of The Brethren Church and beyond were also invited to come and participate. Attendees were greeted with ample time to bask and take in the beautiful August weather, enjoying cornhole, fishing, hiking and more activities. There was plenty of music, food, and entertainment throughout the weekend, and attendees even rumored that there might have been some tomfoolery and mischief, though those reports have yet to be verified. Speakers for the weekend included Rev. Bill Ludwig, Church Planting Coordinator for The Brethren Church, and Rev. Dr. John Schultz, a retired Brethren pastor, leader, and former president of Ashland Theological Seminary. It was an especially sweet homecoming for John, as he is a Brothersvalley High grad, and a Berlin, PA native. 28
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The Executive Director’s
END NOTES
MOMENTS of the Brethren Church
Image used with permission from Pixabay
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the Colorado River, or know much about it. The river has its headwaters just outside the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. It winds its way down to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way this river and its constant march to the sea creates one of the most breathtaking displays of God’s craftsmanship on our planet. If you have never seen the Grand Canyon with your own eyes, it is impossible to truly understand its magnificence. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep. When I first saw the Grand Canyon, I could not take it all in. To be honest, it looked fake, like someone had put up a screen and was projecting an image in front of me. It was difficult to adjust my eyes for the different depths and lengths of the Grand Canyon.
pieces of art! What I discovered was that I wanted to move on to sanding and shaping way before it was ever time for that step. I discovered that I had very little patience for the process; the time it took to set up the tools, square the wood, think through the design, transfer that design to the wood blank; I just wanted to cut, shape, and stain...and voila! – There would be this beautiful work of art. Very quickly I learned that to turn a bowl or create a small box took time, a methodical process, and the patience not to skip steps. Eugene Peterson noted in his book that Friedrich Nietzsche made a statement that truly defines our understanding of discipleship. If you do not know Friedrich Nietzsche, he is the 19th century philosopher who famously stated that ‘God is dead.’ Peterson reminds us that Nietzsche once said, “The essential thing in heaven and earth is that there should be long obedience in the same direction…this would then result into something which has made life worth living.”
One of my favorite books is “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” by Eugene Peterson. Peterson’s book is about spiritual disciplines and I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it before! This book reminds me of the need to be patient and obedient in our faith journey with Jesus. This life with Jesus is one of longevity, not of instant gratification. Peterson said it this way. “One aspect of world that I have been able to identify as harmful to Christians is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once. We assume that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly and efficiently. Our attention spans have been conditioned by thirty-second commercials. Our sense of reality has been flattened by thirty page abridgments.”
The beauty and incredible awe-inspiring Grand Canyon was formed because the continual and constant work of the Colorado River. God’s beauty in us is shaped by the same continual work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The river of life that flows through us has the same transforming power the Colorado River has on the earth. What amazing work of beauty will be shaped in you with the constant, patient work of a life being shaped by the long, obedient devotion to Christ? I pray that God continues His patient work in your life and you can learn to be patient and committed to the journey. May God bless your journey and the disciplines needed in your life to be shaped in the beautiful image He has created for you to bear. May he create works of art in your life that are more breathtaking than the Grand Canyon!
Those who know me know I am not a patient person! I was born into the generation that was surrounded by the new things that brought us instant gratification. I can remember when my parents bought a microwave. It was massive and expensive, but it could heat up left overs and melt butter in seconds! You no longer had to wait for water to heat up or popcorn to pop on the stove top. It could be had in just seconds. I know in my head that there are powerful outcomes to slow, patient processes, but it is not simple for me to exercise that discipline. This reality for me has been exposed recently in a new hobby I have picked up. I decided I wanted to try my hand at some woodworking. I bought a few inexpensive tools and a few scraps of wood and set out to turn and shape some beautiful 30
Steven Cole is the Executive Director of The Brethren Church. As Executive Director, Steven works to communicate the vision and diverse story of our denomination. God has blessed Steven with his wonderful wife, Beth, and their two children, Maggie and Patrick.
Gertrude (Trudy) Mary (Boardman) Kerner (93) of Ashland, Ohio passed away on July 7, 2017. She was born on September 7, 1923 in Huinca Renancó, Argentina, to Edwin and Muriel Boardman, who served as missionaries in that country. She married Bill Kerner in 1947, and they remained married for 67 years. Bill and Trudy faithfully served the congregations Bill pastored, including First Brethren Church (Roann, IN) and Meadowcrest Brethren Church (Fort Wayne, IN). Bill served the remainder of his full-time ministry career as Director of Pastoral Ministries for The Brethren Church.
Richard W. Morris, age 84, passed away Friday, June 2, 2017. He was born on September 22, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio. Richard retired from Columbus Hardware and went on to be the pastor of Columbus First Brethren Church from 1987 on.
Rev. Dr. Dale Stoffer retired from Ashland Theological Seminary, were he served as professor of Historical Theology. When it comes to church history, Dr. Stoffer is a walking encyclopedia. In particular, his expertise on the Brethren Church is astounding, and he has published multiple works on the subject, many of which are used in Brethren schools. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Dale pastored in The Brethren Church, including planting Smoky Row Brethren Church (Columbus, OH).
Ruth Elaine Benshoff Barber passed on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 in Roanoke, VA at the age of 83. She married Carl L. Barber, who is a retired Brethren pastor and teacher. She is survived by Carl and their five children. She was devoted to missions and spent more than two years abroad with Carl in this endeavor. Carl pastored at Pleasant Hill (OH) and Mulvane (KS).
Rev. Gene Oburn has retired. Gene married DeAnn Benshoff in 1966. Gene is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary. He served a number of Brethren churches, including First Brethren (Williamstown, OH), Loree (Bunker Hill, IN), First Brethren (Berlin, PA), and First Brethren (New Lebanon, OH).
Gerald Zook, 75, passed on August 12, 2017, following an extended illness. On August 19,1960 he married Joy A. Beamer at a ceremony in Camden, Indiana. Gerald was a pastor for nearly forty years with The Brethren Church. He was ordained in June of 1976 at First Brethren Church (Flora, IN). Gerald pastored First Brethren (Udell, IA), First Brethren (Mexico, IN), Community Brethren (Mishawaka, IN), Tiosa Brethren (Rochester, IN), First Brethren (Wabash, IN), and Loree Brethren (Bunker Hill, IN).
Rev. Richard Craver retired this year. Richard was a 1974 graduate of Ashland University, and a 1977 graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1977 at Highland Brethren Church (Marianna, PA). Richard served First Brethren (Pittsburgh, PA), Highland Brethren (Marianna, PA) and Maurertown Brethren (Maurertown, VA). 31
The Brethren Evangelist (SSN 0747-4288) is published quarterly by The Brethren Church, Inc., 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792 (telephone: 419-289-1708; email: brethren@brethrenchurch.org; fax: 419-281-0450. Authors’ views are not necessarily those of The Brethren Church. Subscription rates: Sent free to Brethren Church members; $15.00 per year to others. Member, Evangelical Press Association. Postage: Paid at Ashland, Ohio or additional mailing office at Mansfield, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Brethren Church, 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792. Summer 2017, Vol.139, No. 3.
The Brethren Church 524 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805
Please let us know when you are moving. This will save us much-needed funds for ministry.
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Your generous gifts to MissioChurch have helped The Brethren Church grow in kingdom impact! Jesus is continually bringing new opportunities for us to engage young leaders in the deep questions of “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” We have seen, time and again, how our PathWay discipleship process has helped them answer those questions and move into their purpose. In the last year we have facilitated: • Church planter assessments • Individual and team trainings • Retreats • Individual and team Coaching • Deployment of another church plant • Completion of a Start-up grant • Several church plants continuing in their Operations Momentum continues to build and we love helping Brethren churches and leaders follow where Jesus is leading! However, we can’t do it without you. We are looking for 50 more families, ministries and churches to commit to $500 per year in support of starting new churches. As an individual, church group, or congregation, please consider a generous contribution to this vital ministry of The Brethren Church. Please give generously today!