The Brethren Evangelist - March/April 2008

Evangelist T h e  B r et h r e n

dedicated to advancing the life and ministries of the brethren church

Vol 130, No. 2 Mar/Apr 2008

Special 300th Anniversary Issue Inside: Conference Registration Forms

Looking Ahead

Back to the Future … no view of the future is complete without a clear recognition of all the labor and sacrifice that has brought us to this moment .…

We’re preparing for another wedding in our family, the second one in less than eight months. There’s nothing like seeing your child walk the aisle to bring back a flood of memories of days gone by. Their whole lives have been lived out in your parental presence.

As we prepare to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Brethren Church, we don’t have the advantage of “parental presence.” Most of our history has been lived out before our time. We must rely on the historians and archivists to guide us. And guide us they have! This issue of the Evangelist is a collection of wonderful essays, giving us the three-hundred-year perspective of what God has been graciously providing for a people called Brethren. I encourage you to read of our history from a fresh perspective, identifying the characteristics that could be reclaimed in our day.

But even as we look back over this span of our history, it is just as important for us to look ahead. This regular feature of our magazine is so named to emphasize the importance of that forward view. And yet no view of the future is complete without a clear recognition of all the labor and sacrifice that has brought us to this moment in history. As the happy couple makes their way down the aisle to a new day, they do so with an acknowledgement that much effort went into their preparation for one of life’s most important endeavors.

Our children are dependent on us from the moment of conception. Somewhere along the way, however, the focus changes from schoolroom lessons to preparation for the future that beckons. So too, Brethren need a clear understanding of our past. But we also must learn how to effectively engage the present age while at the same time preparing for future challenges. One could make a case that the dark disappointments and divisions of our past were much about the struggle to balance the lessons of the past with a healthy engagement with the present and future.

We must remember that the early Brethren began in America, geographically located at the epicenter of change in our country’s struggle for independence. In our new nation westward expansion was a wave of progress and change.

Brethren rode that wave, living out their faith in compelling ways that resulted in churches planted from coast to coast. Waves of change continue to sweep over us, giving way to new and unique opportunities for our lives to glorify God, while at the same time seeing transformation begin in the hearts of those who trust Christ as a result of our witness.

After three hundred years, and as the Brethren press on to a new day, we cannot afford to ignore the lessons of our history. Equally so however, we must surely engage our world with the same relevance that Jesus embodied when he stepped into a moment of history to demonstrate the Father’s love. Let us learn together on this NEW DAY journey what it means to be changed to reflect the Lord’s glory. May the Holy Spirit empower us to this task for this generation and the one to come!

Thoughts from Executive Director Ken Hunn 2

The History of the Brethren Church An Overview

Dale R. Stoffer The year 2008 holds a double anniversary for the Brethren Church. Three hundred years ago the Brethren had their beginning in an illegal act of believer baptism in Schwarzenau, Germany. One hundred twenty-five years ago the Brethren Church was founded by people who had been disfellowshipped by the German Baptist Brethren Church.

In this article I want to give a brief overview of the history of the Brethren Church from its origins to the present. We have a history that should stir all of us to be thankful for the sacrifices and struggles that have laid a firm foundation of faith and faithfulness for us as the heirs of this heritage.

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The origins of the Brethren movement can be traced to religious dissidents who were dissatisfied with the stale, lifeless orthodoxy found in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century Lutheran and German Reformed churches. These “Pietists,” as they were called, felt that far too much emphasis was being placed on knowing Christian doctrine in contrast to living the Christian faith. They were especially critical of “mouth Christians” who declared all the right things, such as the creeds and confessions, but whose lives were inconsistent with their words. Some Pietists, referred to as Radical Pietists, went so far as to call true followers of Jesus Christ to separate from the churches recognized by the German state (the state churches) and gather informally with other like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ in what we would call today small groups or house churches.

The man who would become the primary leader of the early Brethren movement, Alexander Mack, had come under the influence of Radical Pietism by 1705. He had been so impacted by the Radical Pietist itinerant preacher, Ernst Christoph Hochmann von Hochenau, that he separated from the German Reformed Church in his hometown of Schriesheim in the Palatinate in Germany. Suppression of Radical Pietism by the authorities in the Palatinate led Mack in late 1706 to seek sanctuary for his family in the territory of Wittgenstein, Germany, ruled by the tolerant Count Henrich Albrecht. Mack, in the company of other separatists, settled near the village of Schwarzenau. These religious refugees began an earnest study of Scripture to discern God’s leading. They became convinced that the New Testament mandated the practice of believer baptism, communion, including feetwashing and a love feast, and discipline, acts which would necessitate the formation of a new movement.

After much prayer and counsel with other sepa-

ratists, Mack and seven others gathered on the banks of the Eder River in Schwarzenau in early August 1708. They took the decisive and illegal step of believer baptism and thereby launched the Brethren movement. Though their spiritual pilgrimage reflects the impact of the Radical Pietist movement, their act of baptism and the pattern of their church life evidence the strong influence of Anabaptism as well.

The Brethren faith spread to several other locations in Germany, but continued pressure from state and church authorities as well as economic hardship caused most of the adherents of the young movement to migrate to the colony of Pennsylvania between 1719 and 1735. The Brethren actively evangelized their Germanspeaking neighbors and spread rapidly in their new homeland. By the time of the Revolutionary War, Brethren were located from Pennsylvania to Georgia, including the Shenandoah Valley and western Pennsylvania. Estimates are that there were some 1500 adult members and as many as 5000 people with Brethren connections by the end of the colonial period.

The Brethren continued their expansion during the 1800s, moving primarily westward through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and the plains states, and eventually to the West coast. By the 1880s they numbered around 60,000 members. In 1836 they adopted the formal designation, Fraternity of German Baptists, which was modified in 1871 to the German Baptist Brethren. They were also popularly called the Dunkers or Dunkards because of their distinctive form of baptism by trine immersion.

Throughout the first third of the nineteenth century the Brethren were able to maintain their German subculture in the United States. Their cultural stability occurred for several reasons: they held onto German as their dominant language into the 1830s; many Brethren shared the Ameri-

Dale Stoffer is the Academic Dean at Ashland Theological Seminary. He continues to teach and write about Brethren history, doctrine, and polity and has recently completed a history of the seminary.

He and his wife, Marcia, attend Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland where he serves as the chair of the Leadership Board. He will be leading a tour to Europe this summer as part of the 300th anniversary celebrations of the Brethren movement in Schwarzenau, Germany.

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Notable Events in Brethren History 1708 - First Brethren baptisms, Schwarzenau, Germany 1719 - Brethren settle in Pennsylvania 1780 - Church membership at 1,500 1865 - Progressive Henry Holsinger begins publishing the Christian Family Companion 1878 - Ashland College founded 1880 - 6,000 church members 1883 - Three-way church split between The Brethren Church, Old German Baptist Brethren and German Baptist Brethren (later Church of the Brethren) 1887 - Sisters’ Society of Christian Endeavor begun (later known as Woman’s Missionary Society) 1890 - Denominational youth ministry organized 1892 - The Brethren Evangelist becomes official publication of the Brethren Church 1900 - Foreign Missionary Society begun 1906 - Ashland Theological Seminary founded 1909 - Dr. C.F. and Pearl Lutz Yoder become first foreign missionaries (Argentina) 1939 - Church division with the Grace Brethren 1946 - First Brethren youth conference

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can penchant for life on the frontier with its more isolated lifestyle; and the Brethren frequently settled in proximity to other culturally conservative groups, particularly the German-speaking Mennonites. This cultural isolation began to break down by the 1830s and 40s and would lead to significant changes and controversy later in the century.

A significant role in navigating the shifting cultural scene was played by the Annual Meeting of the Brethren. This yearly gathering of elders and members from throughout the United States sought to maintain unity within the church by handing down and, later in the nineteenth century, enforcing decisions that governed most aspects of the life of the church and its members. These decisions not only mandated proper patterns for church life but also dictated matters of individual dress and behavior. The Brethren prized highly the “gospel principles” of nonconformity, separation from the world, and unity in the faith, and Annual Meeting served to check departures from the norm. It must be noted, however, that Annual Meeting was willing to make changes to the “order of the Brethren” when an innovation had lost its novelty (it would no longer be a source of pride) and when the effects of a new practice were generally well known and considered safe for the fellowship.

By the 1860s and especially the 1870s the Brethren were adopting differing viewpoints toward the dominant American culture, both secular and religious. Some Brethren wanted to preserve the “old order” of the church by enforcing the earlier decisions of Annual Meeting.

These “Old Order Brethren” rejected all

“popular innovations” as expressions of a corrupted Christendom and sought security by remaining faithful to the old landmarks of the church’s past.

On the opposite side of the issue of acculturation were the Progressive Brethren. Dubbed the “fast element” by those with more conservative leanings, they felt that the church needed to keep pace with the times. The church should make use of any and all practices and innovations that would help the church fulfill its mission in the world.

Led by the outspoken and aggressive Henry R. Holsinger, the Progressives advocated a number of significant reforms and new practices: home and foreign missions, a paid ministry, higher Henry R. Holsinger education, Sunday Schools, and revival meetings. Holsinger gave voice to this progressive agenda through his papers, the Christian Family Companion, which he published from 1865 to 1873, and The Progressive Christian, which he published from 1878 until it became The Brethren’s Evangelist in 1883 (in 1885 the spelling was modified to The Brethren Evangelist).

The main body of the German Baptist Brethren Church adopted a cautiously progressive position in the 1870s. In somewhat of a misnomer, they were called the Conservatives at the time.

They were willing to see change, but it could not occur at the expense of the unity of the church.

Even though they generally agreed with the Progressive reforms, they viewed Holsinger’s behavior as brash and disrespectful and as creating dissension within the church.

Growing tensions within the church led to a Schwarzenau, Germany as seen in 1958

of the division; an educated and salaried ministry; evangelism in the wider American culture, especially urban centers; foreign missions.

The Brethren Church also had strong sentiments for congregational government due to their perception that the Annual Meeting of the German Baptist Brethren held too much authority. Negatively, fear of any kind of central authority led to several disturbing developments in the Brethren Church during the late 1800s and early 1900s. (1) Many newly organized churches languished and died because no organized effort existed to supply pastors for these works. (2) Ashland College and the Brethren Publishing Company were nearly lost because the church failed to adequately address the financial needs of both organizations. (3) The church rebuffed every effort to define more fully church government until A Manual of Procedure for The Brethren Church was adopted in 1915. In this document, the concept of limited congregationalism was spelled out: Brethren churches are free to decide and oversee their own local affairs but are to hold a common faith and practice regarding the essentials of the gospel and the ordinances of the church.

In spite of the hardships faced by the new church following the The Germantown, Pennsylvania Meeting House, division of the 1880s, the first Brethren church in America the Brethren Church did manage to make considerable headway through the early 1900s.

Many auxiliaries of the church began during this period: a women’s work started in 1887, a denominational youth ministry was organized in 1890, the National Ministerial Association began in 1892, but the laymen would not organize until 1923.

Ashland College finally Wissahickon Creek in Germantown, Pennsylvania achieved a firmer financial footing through the site of the first Brethren baptisms in America very capable leaderChristmas Day, 1723 three-way division in the early 1880s.

The Old Order Brethren withdrew from the church and formed the Old German Baptist Brethren Church. Holsinger and his Progressive followers were disfellowshipped by Annual Meeting in 1882 and organized The Brethren Church in 1883.

The largest group, which retained the designation German Baptist Brethren, would adopt the name Church of the Brethren at its bicentennial in 1908.

The controversy of the 1870s and 80s influenced both positively and negatively the emphases and guiding principles of the Brethren Church. Positively, many practices advocated by the Progressives have continued to be important for the Brethren Church: Christian education through Sunday Schools; higher education through Ashland College, which was founded in 1878 and came under the control of the Progressives at the time

ship of J. Allen Miller. He served as president of the college from 1898 until 1906, when he resigned to become the dean of the reorganized theological department of the college, eventually designated a seminary in 1913.

A Foreign Missionary Society, begun outside the formal structure of General Conference in 1900, authorized Charles F. and Pearl Lutz Yoder in 1908 to serve in Argentina as the church’s first foreign missionaries. James and Florence Newberry Gribble began a second mission field for the Brethren in west-central Africa in 1918.

Home missions also moved forward with urban missions being started in Washington, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Columbus, Canton, Chicago, St. Joseph, and Montreal. In addition, in 1905 George and Ada Drushal launched a ministry in Appalachia, the Riverside Institute at Lost Creek, KY. Many of these mission efforts, both small town and urban, bore fruit as the Brethren Church grew from about 6000 members in 1883 to over 23,000 in 1915.

The Brethren Church had been very open to involvement in the major Christian movements of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Not only did the Brethren develop ties with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the YMCA, the YWCA, the Christian Endeavor movement, and similar organizations, but individual Brethren also came under the influence of liberalism and fundamentalism. Between 1913 and 1921 the Brethren experienced intermittent controversy due to the association of a few well-educated Brethren with liberalism and the social gospel. This controversy was brought to an end in 1921 when the Ministerial Association adopted a conservative statement of faith, The Message of the Brethren Ministry. Because of this action, those with liberal persuasions left the denomination during the 1920s.

Though the church was conservative theologically, there were those in the denomination, notably Louis Bauman and Alva J. McClain, who wanted to steer the church into fundamentalism.

By the 1930s, American fundamentalism had adopted a very aggressive stance toward anything considered liberal and frowned on any association with those having liberal sentiments. Bauman and McClain, fearing that liberalism was gaining a foothold at the college, desired to turn Ashland College into a Bible institute similar to Wheaton College. They were

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opposed by the Ashland College trustees and many Brethren who preferred to maintain the historic Christian liberal arts perspective at the institution. Combined with the Ashland College controversy were the clash of strong personalities on both sides of the conflict and several theological differences. The most notable theological issues were the fundamentalist Brethren adherence to the priority of God’s grace alone in salvation (thus “Grace Brethren”) and the consequent belief in eternal security, and the “Ashland Brethren” commitment to the traditional Brethren perspective that salvation involves both confession of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord and the necessity of ongoing faithfulness and obedience to Christ.

The result of this controversy was a division in 1939 with the nearly 30,000 church members dividing almost equally between the two groups. The division affected the Ashland Brethren far more adversely than the Grace Brethren. Though the Ashland Brethren retained most of the denominational institutions and organizations, the Foreign Missionary Society, as an independent agency of the denomination, sided with the Grace Brethren. The Grace Brethren were also able to control the youth work and nearly all of the home mission churches. Additionally, most of the seminary students joined McClain when the new Grace Theological Seminary was formed in 1937, creating a pastoral shortage in the Brethren Church that would last well into the 1950s.

The disillusionment that set in following this division resulted in a nearly twentyyear period in the Brethren Church that Brethren historian Albert Ronk characterized as “defeatism, lethargy, gloom.”

Some Brethren entertained the ideas of joining the Church of the Brethren or of allowing the denomination to disintegrate.

Fortunately, leaders both young and old committed themselves to rebuilding the denomination. Already in the 1940s some signs of life could be detected by the eyes of faith. Charles F. Yoder, who had retired from missionary service, returned to Argentina in 1940 to begin a new Brethren mission work. The Brethren have expanded their foreign mission program since then to Nigeria (in cooperation with the Church of the Brethren in 1948), India (1970), Colombia (1973), Malaysia (1975), Mexico (1979), Paraguay (1987; an outreach of the Argentine church),

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Peru (1991), the Philippines (2003; Carson Oaks Community Church of Stockton, CA, initially partnered with this mission outreach), Spain (2004; pioneered by the Argentine church), Ireland (2005-2007), Chile (2005; pioneered by the Argentine church), and Canada (2007; initiated by Grace Community Church of Winchester, VA).

A facet of church life that Albert Ronk especially credits with breathing vitality back into the church was the youth program. In 1946 the first Brethren Youth Conference met and in 1948 Charles Munson was chosen as the first National Director of Brethren Youth. Several phases of the Crusader Program also prepared numerous young people for service in the church from the 1950s to the 1990s.

Further signs of renewed life in the Brethren Church by the 1950s and 60s were an increasing number of new church starts (84 since 1946, 38 of which are still in existence) and reawakening interest in the history and thought of the church.

Especially important for the revitalization of the church has been the exciting growth of Ashland Theological Seminary. When Joseph Shultz arrived as dean in 1963, the seminary had only about 22 students.

Through his innovative leadership and that of his successors, Frederick Finks and John Shultz, the seminary today has grown to nearly 900 students. Though Brethren students make up only a small portion of the student body, the seminary has provided excellent training for many Brethren men and women who serve in every facet of the church’s life.

During the period from 1975 to 1995, the mood of the church could be described as one of critical self-evaluation of its strengths, weaknesses, and mission.

Reflecting this perspective was a long process of denominational reorganization, beginning in 1976 and culminating in 1996.

The result has been a more streamlined, efficient organization with a far more unified vision for national ministry. Other important steps were the development of a mission statement for the denomination in 1988-89; two Beulah Beach planning conferences, the first (1989) developing priorities for the denomination and the second (1992) focusing on church planting; and consideration of a wide range of issues related to baptism, communion, and ordination.

The last decade has had some significant challenges for the Brethren Church

denominationally. There is concern over the continuing drop in membership, down 48% since 1957, though worship attendance has actually grown more than 10% during the same period. Financial constraints have led to cutbacks in ministry and personnel at the national office. Yet, there are also some very exciting developments in the national and international body of the Brethren Church. There are now more Brethren worshipers overseas than in America; this reality reflects the exciting movement of the Spirit that is now rapidly expanding the Christian church in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. The Brethren Church in Argentina, in fact, has started two of the newest mission fields in Spain and Chile and is training many new leaders through the South American Theological Seminary. There is likewise a stirring occurring within the church here in the States. Under the leadership of Executive Director Ken Hunn, the church is envisioning a “New Day” with special focus on spiritual transformation, congregational renewal, leadership development, church planting, and local/national/international service and outreach. Many local Brethren churches have already been involved in this “New Day” as witnessed by the increasing numbers of Brethren involved in short term mission trips, work teams to aid victims of hurricane Katrina, and local outreach and service opportunities.

There are also several innovative church planting endeavors that hold promise for a new round of growth and mission in the American church.

On occasions like this significant anniversary, I am always drawn to the words of Alexander Mack, the founder of the Brethren movement in Germany, when he was asked about the future of the fledgling Brethren movement. In response to this query, he replied, “We cannot testify for our descendants—as their faith is, so shall be their outcome.” This declaration is as true today as when it was first uttered. Our future is only as secure as the faith and faithfulness that we and coming generations of Brethren exercise in our and their relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

What Brethren Believe Brenda B. Colijn

We Brethren are a peculiar people. The word “peculiar” can mean distinctive or just plain odd. We certainly have our own perspective on the Christian faith, our own beliefs and practices.

Are these just oddities that make us different from other people, or are they distinctive insights that give us something to offer the rest of the world? Let’s take a look.

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Brethren affirm the same basic “Christian story” as all orthodox Christians: the existence of the triune God; God’s creation of the world; the human fall into sin and need for redemption; God’s actions to put his creation right, which began in Eden, came to a climax with Jesus, and will be completed at the end of history.

The early Brethren developed their own approach to this story through interaction with Scripture, their own experience, and other Christian groups. As Brethren, we are heirs of both Anabaptism and Pietism. In our beliefs, we have most in common with groups such as the Mennonites and Brethren in Christ. We borrowed our practice of plain dress from the Quakers and got the impetus for General Conference from the Moravians. In more recent times, the Brethren Church has been influenced by fundamentalism and evangelicalism.

Among all of our influences, however, Brethren give priority to Scripture. We have quoted the slogan “The Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible” to express the importance of Scripture (rather than tradition, experience, or other sources of authority) as the foundation of our beliefs and practices. At times in our history, we have given our own Brethren tradition an authority almost equal to that of Scripture. For the most part, though, we have regarded tradition as a helpful guide but not authoritative. This means that we should allow all of our traditions to be tested and corrected by our ongoing study of Scripture.

Brethren believe that the Bible is God’s self-revelation, which unfolds progressively and reaches its climax in Jesus Christ. Because the purpose of Scripture is to lead us to a relationship with Christ, its authority lies in its witness to him. In order to understand and apply the Bible, we need the help of the same Holy Spirit who inspired it. The Outer Word (Scripture) and the Inner Word (the Holy Spirit) work together to testify to the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

Throughout their history, Brethren have read the Bible primarily to know and follow Jesus. For this reason, they have tended to give more weight to the New Testament than to the Old Testament.

Within the New Testament, they have tended to regard the Gospels more highly than the Epistles,

giving particular attention to the Sermon on the Mount.

Brethren have always believed that Scripture is basically clear. Any Christian who takes the time to read it carefully can understand the basics of salvation and the Christian life. According to the early Brethren, while some passages in the Bible may be hard to understand, the biggest issue in dealing with Scripture isn’t understanding it but obeying it. In fact, they emphasized that we must be willing to obey Scripture in order to fully understand it (John 7:17). To help us be faithful to Scripture, we Brethren have depended on our brothers and sisters in Christ. When this “hermeneutical community” is working well, whether it’s a congregation or a Bible study group, the members read and interpret the Bible together and then hold one another accountable for living out their interpretations.

Brethren have always taken a practical approach to the faith: belief must express itself in life. We have stayed close to Scripture in formulating doctrine rather than speculating about things Scripture doesn’t tell us, such as elaborate theories of predestination or detailed charts of the end times. A member of my congregation once declared, “The Brethren have less silly doctrine than any other group I know!” He meant that we try to stick to the essentials. We have also tended to take a “both/and” approach to contentious doctrines, trying to find the truth on both sides rather than going to extremes—for example, both divine sovereignty and human freedom, both divine grace and human response, both saving faith and obedient life.

Unlike many other Protestants, Brethren are non-creedal. We don’t require people to subscribe to a particular statement of faith in order to have fellowship with us. This does not mean that Brethren don’t care what people believe. It means that we want to test doctrine by Scripture rather than by man-made creeds. We have expressed this commitment in the slogan “No creed but the New Testament.”

Like other Christians, Brethren believe that God is a Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit. We differ somewhat from other groups in how we express God’s purpose. We believe that God wants not just

Brenda Colijn teaches theology at Ashland Theological Seminary and is a member of Smoky Row Brethren Church in Columbus, Ohio.

She is married to Henk Colijn. They have two children: Erika is applying to graduate schools, and Chris is a sophomore at Ashland University.

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to save individuals but to form a people to live in covenant relationship with him and to show his character and purposes to the world. While God’s love and faithfulness are demonstrated throughout Scripture, his character and will are most fully revealed in Jesus Christ.

As perfect God and perfect man, Jesus shows us what both divinity and humanity are really supposed to be. He is our supreme authority for interpreting the Bible, developing doctrine, and living the Christian life. For Brethren, Jesus is not only our redeemer but also our teacher and example. His life is as important for us as his death and resurrection, because it sets the pattern for the Christian life.

Because he is the Lord of the church and of individual Christians, we follow him in obedience.

Our emphasis on following both the commands and example of Christ has led Brethren to some practices not followed by most other Christians, such as nonconformity, nonswearing, and nonresistance (Rom. 12:1-1; Matt.

5:34-37, 39). Put in positive terms, these practices mean following Christ rather than the world, maintaining integrity of speech and action, and pursuing peace rather than using violence to solve problems. Today we don’t always agree about how to apply these commands, but if we are

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followers of Jesus we must take them seriously.

Brethren believe that the Holy Spirit is as active today as in the days of the apostles. The Spirit generally does not act alone but in conjunction with Scripture, the Inner Word with the Outer Word, to guide believers and conform them to Christ.

The Spirit illuminates Scripture, convicts people of their need for salvation, communicates to Christians the love of God, gives believers assurance of salvation, and grants power to live the Christian life.

Earlier Brethren refused to develop creeds because they expected the Spirit to give them new insight into Scripture as they continued to live out the insights they had already received.

Brethren emphasize God’s desire to save all people. Although God has offered salvation to everyone in Christ, human beings must respond to God’s offer with repentance and faith in order to be saved.

Unlike most other Protestants, who emphasize justification by faith, Brethren emphasize regeneration, the need for human beings to be born again so that they can live the obedient life that God requires.

God’s grace, coming to sinful people by means of the Word and the Spirit, makes conversion possible. But conversion must include the complete commitment of one’s life to Christ. The early Brethren instructed new converts to count the cost before professing faith in Christ. Alexander Mack even composed a hymn on that theme.

For Brethren, the Christian life involves both inward transformation and outward obedience, both empowered by the Spirit.

As believers make themselves available to God in faithful discipleship, the Spirit progressively conforms them to the image of Christ.

Traditionally, for Brethren, baptism has held a very important place in the process of salvation. Some have regarded it as essential to salvation, viewing it as the time when the new birth takes place. Most, however, have thought of it as a very important expression of obedience to Christ.

If someone has been reborn in Christ, he or she will want to obey Christ in all things, including the command to be baptized (Matt. 28:18-20).

If someone does not want to obey Christ in this way, Brethren reasoned, perhaps he or she has not been reborn after all.

At their best, the Brethren have maintained a balance between the inward

commitment to Christ and the outward expressions of it. The inward leads to the outward; without faith in Christ, for example, baptism is just a bath. But when entered into in faith, baptism is both a sign of the relationship that already exists and a pledge of continued faithfulness. Some Brethren have compared baptism to a wedding ceremony: it doesn’t create the relationship, but it puts the relationship on a firmer footing by making the commitment explicit. It also brings in the community to witness the commitment and pledge their aid in maintaining it.

Because salvation is not a transaction but a covenant relationship, it requires faithfulness on both sides. God will always remain faithful, and the Spirit gives believers the resources they need in order to remain faithful. God is also patient and merciful, granting forgiveness to his covenant partners when they sometimes fail him. However, Brethren have acknowledged, on the basis of Scripture, that it is possible for believers to abandon their relationship with God and thereby lose the salvation they have received. This is a double-edged truth: anyone who thinks he or she can presume upon the grace of God should take warning, but anyone who is concerned about his or her salvation should rest secure in God’s faithfulness.

Individuals are not saved in isolation; they are saved into the people God is redeeming for himself—the church. Brethren understand the church to be a community of believers committed to Jesus Christ and to one another. They are called to be noticeably different from the world and to witness to the world in word and deed.

The Brethren movement began because Alexander Mack and others concluded from Scripture that they had to form an organized congregation in order to be fully obedient to Christ’s commands in Scripture, which included baptism, communion, and church discipline. Thus, for the Brethren, the church is not optional.

The early Brethren didn’t actually refer to themselves as a church. They referred to their group as the community or the brotherhood, and the place where they gathered to worship was the meetinghouse. They called one another brother and sister, which is why we bear the name “Brethren” today.

By whatever name, however, community has always been central to the Brethren. We regard one another as family. We attempt to deal with one another in Christlike love and mutual submission. We practice mutual support, pitching in to help

one another when someone is in need.

We try to reach decisions by consensus, in which we allow all voices to be heard and trust the Holy Spirit to help us discern the mind of Christ. We believe in being accountable to one another. Traditionally this has meant practicing church discipline to maintain the purity of the church and to restore the member who has gone astray (Matt. 18:15-20). We may not apply these verses as strictly today as the early Brethren did, but if we are serious about following Christ’s commands, we must still put them into practice.

As Brethren, we observe some special practices that were established by the command and example of Christ and the apostles, including baptism by trine immersion, confirmation by the laying on of hands, threefold communion, and anointing of the sick with oil. We call these practices “ordinances” to indicate that they were established or ordained by Christ and we do them in obedience to him. The distinctive way we observe the ordinances sets us apart from groups that are otherwise much like us. We baptize believers

by immersing them three times forward on the basis of the threefold command in Matthew 28:19. In our communion service, we combine the accounts of the Last Supper in all four Gospels to create the three-part service of love feast, footwashing, and Eucharist (bread and cup).

While we don’t believe that these acts have any magical effect all by themselves, we do believe that we are blessed when we take part in them. God blesses our obedient faith, as the Spirit uses these special times of focusing on the Lord to make us more like Christ. Unlike many other groups, Brethren insist that these practices have both vertical and horizontal significance. They symbolize and reinforce our relationship with God, but they also symbolize and reinforce our relationship with one another. Just as Jesus laid down his life for us, we should also lay down our lives—both for him and for one another (Mark 8:34; 1 John 3:16).

Brethren believe that all believers are given gifts by the Holy Spirit and are called to use those gifts to build up the church.

That means that all Christians are minis-

Brethren Traveling Historical Display Schedule

As a part of the 300th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the Brethren Church, a display of historical pictures and artifacts is traveling across the country to various district gatherings. Be sure to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn more about our historical roots.

DATES

LOCATION

Feb. 2-3, 2008 Tucson First, AZ* Feb. 9-10, 2008 Pasadena, CA* Feb. 15-17, 2008 eted Oaks, CA* lCarson p m Feb. 19-20, 2008 Co Cheyenne, WY* Feb. 23, 2008 Derby, KS* March 1, 2008 Waterloo, IA March 14-16, 2008 Middlebury, IN* April 5, 2008 Eagle’s Nest, IN April 12, 2008 Brethren Heritage Center, OH April 18-19 Berlin Borough Bldg., PA April 26, 2008 Cross Keys, VA May 3-4, 2008 Sarasota First, FL*

ters. However, some Christians are called and gifted by God to be leaders of the church. Although these leaders are set apart for their tasks, they are not set above the rest of the community. They function as servant leaders who remain accountable to the people they serve.

Our distinctive Brethren perspective on the faith has much to offer the world today. To people who are looking for a faith that makes a difference, we can offer the hope of radical transformation in Christ. To people disillusioned by division and polarization, we can offer a balanced faith that keeps central things central.

To a materialistic consumer culture, we can offer an alternative way of living that subordinates self to the love of God and neighbor. To the alienated and lonely, we can offer an experience of authentic community. To damaged people in a violent world, we can offer true peace provided by the Prince of Peace. We have a lot to offer. We just need to be the peculiar people we are!

300 th Anniversary Celebration in Schwarzenau Persons planning on attending the 300 th Anniversary Celebration/2008 Brethren World Assembly (independent of an organized tour) in Schwarzenau, Germany, on August 23, 2008, are asked to contact Dale Ulrich at 26 College Woods Drive, Bridgewater, VA, 22812, by phoning 540-828-6548, or via email: daulrich@comcast.net.

This celebration is being planned and coordinated by the Board of Directors Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. representing all of the Brethren bodies. Ulrich is serving as the Brethren Encyclopedia coordinator for the event.

*Denotes Historical Display only (District Conference held separately). Please check with district leaders for exact times and locations.

Special 300th Anniversary Issue 9

Women Brethren Church Ministry in

I

Vickie Taylor

It is no surprise that woman have been very active in the Brethren Church over the years. What might be surprising is how many were active in pastoral ministry. Women have served in churches almost from

Vickie Taylor is an elder of the Brethren Church currently working for Ashland Theological Seminary as Director of Technology Resources.

Rev. Taylor lives in Ashland with her husband, Bob. They have a son, Derek, and a new daughter-in-law.

For more reading on the subject please refer to: 1. A Historical Overview of the Issue of Ordination of Women in the Brethren Church ~Dale R. Stoffer 2. Ordination of Women in the Brethren Church: A Case Study from the Anabaptist-Pietist Tradition ~Jerry R. Flora 3. Brethren Women in Ministry: Century One ~Jerry R. Flora

The Brethren Church 10

the beginning of the Brethren Church. Although many were not ordained, there were some who were. Whether ordained or not, woman served in churches across our nation.

The history of women in ministry was greatly impacted by decisions made by the local districts and at our annual meetings. The early Brethren of the 19th century were open to women having voices in the church as compared to silencing found in other groups of Christians. When movements are young, it is not surprising to find women and men working together to grow and develop the ministry.

In the early 19th century women could be found voting in council meetings, thereby having a voice in congregational matters. However, women were not allowed to preach, become elders or deacons in the church or even serve communion.

When Sarah Righter Major began preaching among the Brethren in the 1830s, the question was raised as to whether or not women should be allowed to preach in the church. Annual meetings of 1834 and 1859 both prohibited the right of women to preach. As history will show us, this ruling did not stop women from answering God’s call to preach.

Sarah Righter Major continued to preach, giving women then and today an example to follow God’s calling. Sarah was noticed not only as a female leader but also as a great preacher.

After the division of 1883, rights for women among the Progressive Brethren were beginning to change. Where once women were unable to break bread and pass the cup of communion, now women were allowed to do so among themselves.

Shortly thereafter, in 1890, women were allowed to serve as deacons.

Not surprisingly, after women were given some opportunities, the Brethren Church began to offer support for the right of women to preach and to serve in ordained ministry. This movement began in the districts. Michigan, in its district conference of 1890, declared, “women are eligible to the office of minister or deacon from the following Scriptures: Acts 2:18; 8:1-4; 15:32; 18:26; Rom. 16:3; 2 Cor. 3:17.”

The first woman ordained in the Brethren Church was teacher-evangelist Mary Malinda Sterling.

She was ordained in 1890 in Masontown, Pennsylvania. She was so well respected among her peers and in the denomination that she was the Sunday morning preacher for the 1894 General Conference. According to Holsinger, in just eleven years Mary preached 1,157 sermons and brought 78 people into the Brethren Church — 48 of whom she baptized.

In 1891 the second woman was ordained in the Brethren Church, Laura E.N. Grossnickle Hedrick.

She was called to pastor the Fairview Brethren Church near South Bend, Indiana, but her home congregation hesitated to ordain her. She was ordained through the Ohio District conference and returned to pastor in South Bend for three years, 1891-94.

As some women were beginning to respond to the call to preach, districts began to recognize the need to affirm women in ordained ministry. Records show that Indiana and the district of Illiokota followed Michigan’s example and in 1891 both districts affirmed the calling of women to ministry.

The following year Pennsylvania offered support by stating, “Resolved: that we regard woman’s work as essential to the salvation of the world, and that her divine mission is the same as a man’s.” In 1894 the Ohio District followed suit, giving women support for ordained ministry.

The General Conference also offered support for women to preach and be ordained. In 1892, the General Conference agreed upon an extension “to the sisters all privileges which the brethren claim for themselves.” In 1893 the General Conference affirmed this extension by resolving: “that this convention recognizes and appreciates the force of the expression in Holy Writ: ‘There is nether male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ.’”

Although both the districts and the General Conference of the Brethren Church openly supported the preaching and ordination of women, history shows us that in actuality few women answered the call. From the years 1890 until 2003 relatively few women are recorded as being a minister or seeking ordination.

Although records are sketchy at best it appears that in the 1890s eleven women were known to serve in ministry. Among these women, in addition

to the two named above, we have information on women such as Clara Meyers Flora, from Iowa, who served alongside her husband, and Sarah (Sadie) Freas Gibbons Evanson, who served in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, just to name a few.

The first decade of the 1900s saw another eleven women enter the ministry of the Brethren.

One woman about whom we have information was Vianna Detwiler. She was a home missionary and the fourth recorded president of The Sister’s Society of Christian Endeavor (S.S.C.E). Her ordination is recorded in 1901 in Philadelphia while she was president of S.S.C.E (the forerunner of the WMS). She was clearly passionate about serving as a minister of the gospel as her words state in the Brethren Evangelist from November 1911, “Clearly then is given to woman the privilege to preach, and we cease to shrink from the thought, when we remember that the chief qualification for the Gospel minister is the Holy Spirit, given alike to man and woman. The question for us then, is not ‘Shall a woman be given the liberty to preach?’ but ‘Shall the Holy Spirit be given the liberty through the lips of those that are called?’”

The second decade of the 1900s, 1911-1920, records only five Brethren women entering ministry.

Not all women entering ministry during these years were ordained. The decades following continue the decline. The 1920s record only three women and the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s record only one woman each decade. Following 1957 no more women were ordained in the Brethren Church until the 1970s, but women were listed in the published lists as ministers, presumably doing the work of ministry without formal ordination.

In 1974 the General Conference, in what seems to be an attempt to stay true to the past resolutions of the districts and the General Conference and yet answer the concerns of those influenced by conservative evangelicalism, went on record to encourage “women and men to engage in team ministry as ordained persons or as lay persons.” This put the leadership of women under the umbrella of male leadership. With this understanding two women were ordained in the Indiana district. One woman, in the Southwest District, was refused ordination on the grounds of her gender.

The ebb and flow of women serving as pastors, whether or not ordained, has sparked renewed conversations from the 1980s to the present. While some women served successfully in team ministry with their husbands, other women still felt called to ministry and wanted to serve on their own.

This renewed calling again led both the General Conference and districts to reexamine their positions. A series of papers were prepared and discussed beginning in 1982. For the next few years these papers facilitated discussions among the Brethren. In 1983 the Ministerial Association formed a task force to discuss the ordination of women. The task force was charged with bringing a recommendation to the 1984 meeting of the

elders. This task force consisted of six men, three on each side of the debate. A proposal was brought forth and defeated; however, it was not a mandate to deny ordination to women, but an acknowledgment that people were unsure how to deal with the theological and practical issues surrounding the topic. During the 1980s Kathryn Sue Mitchell was ordained in Indiana at Winding Waters Church in June of 1985. She represents one of the few women ordained in the 1980s and is the last woman known to be ordained until 2003.

As it stands, Brethren polity continues to give congregations the right to call men and women to ministry. In 1990 The National Ordination Council (NOC) affirmed that it would not refuse examination of any candidate based on gender. This position upholds our district polity.

In May of 2002, the NOC reaffirmed its position based on polity that no candidate would be refused examination for ordination based on gender.

Although there are churches and even districts that have concerns about women’s ordination, God still calls women to serve. In 2003 one woman, Vickie Taylor, was ordained by University Church in Ashland, Ohio, which again broke the years of silence for ordained women. Since then six more women have been ordained and many others are in process or are serving in pastoral ministry. These women have been accepted into the fellowship of Brethren Elders and it appears that the debate has subsided for now.

Although we find women again serving as elders and being recognized by the districts and the General Conference, we may never see as many women serving as men. As in the past, when it was deemed acceptable for women to serve, only a few responded to the call to preach. There is some debate as to why that is and quite frankly, we may never fully know the reason why. However, we can be grateful to those men and women who came before us, questioned the process, and changed the paths of history.

Let us not forget the women who have answered their call, and who served regardless of whether it was deemed “right or wrong.” There is much work to do for the Lord and we can be assured that God will lead us all in his ways. Quoting the words of Henry R. Holsinger, “I am glad I never stood in the way of women preaching, and that I belong to a church that assists them in doing so.”

We offer our thanks for men in the past like Henry Holsinger and others in the current era, such as Dr. Jerry Flora and Dr. Dale Stoffer, who have sought to record our history and who have encouraged both men and women to pursue ministry for the Brethren Church.

Sarah Righter Major 1830

Mary Malinda Sterling 1890

Laura E.N. Grossnickle Hedrick 1891

Special 300th Anniversary Issue 11

A Brief History of Ashland University

T J.Allen Miller President 1898-1906

The Brethren Church 12

Dale R. Stoffer

The vision that birthed Ashland University, and members of the Brethren Church purchased originally called Ashland College, emerged in about one-third of the college property upon 1876 and 1877 among members of the German which the two buildings stood. The remainder of Baptist Brethren Church in northeast Ohio who the land was sold to settle the indebtedness of had progressive sentiments. After exploring the college. Nevertheless, the members of the various locations for an educational enterprise Brethren Church who purchased the buildings in central and eastern Ohio, the leaders of the and adjoining property were not able to keep up effort settled on Ashland, Ohio, because of with the payments and the college’s problems the strong backing for the school among local continued. The settlement in 1888 is important church officials and in the Ashland community. because the college was rechartered at this The college was chartered on February 20, time and a new constitution was written. In this 1878, as a coeducational school with courses constitution theological education for the first of study at the high school (academy) and col- time was to “be sacredly regarded as one of the legiate levels. Even at this time teacher (normal) main objects of the Institution.” The constitution education was emphasized along with both also for the first time allotted three slots on the classical and the newer liberal arts collegiate Board of Trustees to non-Brethren; these were programs. The Board of Trustees at this time to be filled by people selected from the city and was composed exclusively of members of the county of Ashland.

In 1898 the fortunes of the college took a German Baptist Brethren Church.

In April 1878 the Board authorized the pur- dramatic new direction. An alumnus of the chase of a very desirable plot of twenty-eight college, J. Allen Miller, returned to open the acres on the hill overlooking Ashland on the campus after it had been closed for two years. south side of town. The Board also authorized He began a string of capable presidents who the construction of the first building, Founders laid the foundation for the Ashland University Hall, in 1878 and, in 1879, the second facility, of today. Miller (president, 1898-1906) brought a boarding hall, eventually called Allen Hall. stability and growth to the college; the student Ashland College formally opened on September body stood at over one hundred by 1902. In 17, 1879, with sixty students and eight faculty members.

The German Baptist Brethren experienced a major division between 1881 and 1883. After leading progressive members of the denomination were disfellowshipped in 1882, they organized the Brethren Church in June 1883.

By late 1881 Ashland College was already under the control of Progressive Brethren and by 1882 the Progressives had expressed their commitment to Ashland as their college.

For its first twenty years of existence Ashland College struggled with the twin problems of inefA view of the Ashland College campus in 1881 fectual leadership and crippling indebtedness. It was closed for four years dur- 1906 Miller resigned the presidency to invest ing the 1890s, though one of these years it was his energies in the theological department, a leased to a local Ashland businessman. In 1888, development that is viewed as the inception of the college went through a court-ordered sale the seminary. The next president, John L. Gillin

(1906-1911), though non-resident, was able to liquidate the remaining indebtedness of the college. William D. Furry (1911-1919) is credited with upgrading the academic programs of the college, though the college still had one

hundred or fewer students.

The next president, Edwin E. Jacobs (1919-1935), provided visionary leadership to the college through some difficult times. He significantly increased the endowment of the college, attained accreditation for the college through the North Central Association in 1930, expanded the degree offerings of the school (the seminary became the first graduate program of the college in 1930), and moved the college beyond the limited resources of the Brethren Church in terms of students, faculty, and finances. In 1930 student enrollment in the collegiate program surpassed three hundred.

Financial and enrollment tensions created by the Great Depression, the loss of accreditation in 1933 (regained in 1938), and a developing division within the Brethren Church caused Jacobs to resign in 1935. Charles L. Anspach (1935-1939) had a brief tenure as president, but his philosophy of education outlined in his “Ashland Plan” initiated an individualized, student-centered approach to education that would become the distinguishing feature of Ashland College/University to the very present.

The war years and their aftermath brought both enrollment and financial challenges to the college, but Presidents E. Glenn Mason (1939-1945) and Raymond W. Bixler (1945-1948) provided sound leadership to weather these difficulties. The Board next hired a young educator, Glenn L. Clayton (1948-1977), as the college’s president. Clayton brought outstanding leadership skills and an entrepreneurial spirit to the college. During his tenure the college’s enrollment exploded, growing from 556 students in 1949 to over 2500 students in 1970. Faculty numbers grew apace, reaching two hundred in 1970. He initiated a bold building program that added nearly thirty buildings to the campus. He expanded and improved the academic programs of the college; his “Accent on the Individual” emphasis captured a philosophy of education that had a long history in the college and that continues to guide the institution.

The latter years of Clayton’s presidency were difficult due to severe financial hardships created by the downturn in student enrollment after the “baby boom” years and the significant indebtedness resulting from the rapid building program. Arthur Schultz (1977-1979) had only a brief presidency due to his inability

to address these critical issues. In 1979 the man whose visionary leadership had grown the seminary from the smallest such school in Ohio to the largest in only sixteen years was asked to lead the college out of its desperate financial situation. Joseph Shultz (1979-1992) brought the same entrepreneurial skills that he had honed at the seminary to bear on the challenges of the college. Working with a number of very capable administrators and faculty, he transformed the college from a traditional undergraduate collegiate program into a comprehensive university through a variety of non-traditional programs. He expanded the master’s degree programs begun in the latter 1970s (M.Ed. initiated in 1976; M.B.A. initiated 1978); he multiplied the extensions or program centers of the college; he intentionally designed programs for non-traditional students; and he gave priority to campus beautification and reducing deferred maintenance on the campus facilities. Through these efforts total enrollment in the school more than doubled from 2522 students in 1979 to 5144 in 1991. Even more importantly, the very strategies that saved the college financially transformed the school into a university, a change that was symbolized by the renaming of the institution, Ashland University, in 1989.

Following a one-year interim presidency (1992-93), G. William Benz (1993-2006) assumed the leadership of the university. Following the rapid and diverse expansion of the institution during the Shultz era, Benz brought a much needed period of consolidation of programs, institutional definition and restructuring, and planned progress through strategic planning. During the last years of his presidency he oversaw a very successful capital campaign and the construction of a number of stateof-the-art facilities.In 2006 Frederick Finks became the next president of Ashland University, moving into this position after twenty-four years as the president of Ashland Theological Seminary. His proven track record of fiscal management, fund raising, and the creation of innovative programs is especially important at this time as the university faces the challenges of declining enrollment in some of its programs and of fiscal instability resulting from the new indebtedness from the building programs and the enrollment downturn. Nonetheless, the college/university has demonstrated a long history of resiliency and innovation in the face of such challenges. With a dedicated faculty and staff, a beautiful physical plant, and a committed Board, the university is positioned to face its tensions with creativity and resolve.

Glenn L Clayton President 1948-1977

Joseph R. Shultz President 1979-1992

Frederick J. Finks President 2006-

Special 300th Anniversary Issue 13

… and A Brief History of Ashland Theological SeminaryDEEPER

T

Dale R. Stoffer

John Shultz ATS President

The Brethren Church 14

Though the Annual Meeting of the German Baptist Brethren had reversed its initial opposition to higher education in 1858, provided any such schools should be private ventures, Annual Meeting continued its consistent opposition to theological schools and theological departments in schools into the 1880s. The church feared that such training would increase the pressure for a professional and paid ministry, thereby undermining the church’s historic commitment to a free (unsalaried) ministry and its aversion to a sharp clergylay distinction.

At its founding in 1878 Ashland College, in its original charter, made no mention of ministerial training or even Bible instruction.

However, Ashland College did push the limits of Annual Meeting’s position by the inclusion of a Biblical Department in its academic structure and even more so in 1881 when it advertised that this department could meet the needs of young ministers for their preparation for ministry. During the turbulent division of 1881-83 Ashland College came under the control of the Progressive Brethren and became the sole institution for collegiate training for the Brethren Church.

When Ashland College was rechartered in 1888, the Board of Trustees drafted a new constitution which included the following statements: “The training of suitable men for the ministry of the Gospel, shall always be sacredly regarded as one of the main objects of this institution.… In order to accomplish the objects of this institution, such instruction shall be given as is usually embraced in the courses of colleges

and universities and theological seminaries in this and other countries.” With this declaration the college for the first time placed theological education alongside liberal arts education as one of the basic commitments of the school.

It was not until 1906, however, primarily through the efforts of the gifted educator and church leader, J. Allen Miller, that the vision of a fully organized theological program became a reality. That year Miller resigned as president of the college in order to become the dean of the theological department of the college, a position he held until 1933. This move and the expansion of the theological offerings and faculty of the school mark what is considered to be the founding of Ashland Theological Seminary, though the term “seminary” was first applied to the theological program in 1913.

In actuality, however, the seminary remained an undergraduate Bible Department of the college until 1930.

The fortunes of the Brethren Church and of Ashland College and Seminary were intimately linked between 1883 and 1940. For both, these years included financial and leadership crises during the late 1800s, a period of growth under capable leadership between 1900 and the late 1920s, and then controversy during the 1930s that resulted in a division in 1939 between the “Ashland Brethren,” the supporters of Ashland College, and the “Grace Brethren,” the sup-

porters of Grace Theological Seminary, founded in 1937.

One of the main issues in the division was sharply divergent views of education held by the Ashland and Grace Brethren factions. Both groups had united in upgrading the theological program at Ashland Theological Seminary to a graduate level degree program in 1930. But at the collegiate level the Ashland faction desired to retain the classical, liberal arts education model of the school, while the Grace faction, heavily influenced by fundamentalism, desired to turn Ashland College into a Bible college patterned after Wheaton College. This agenda was especially pushed by Alva J. McClain, who followed J. Allen Miller as the dean of the seminary in 1933. One of the key events in the controversy was the dismissal of McClain by the Board of Trustees of the college in 1937 and his replacement by Willis E. Ronk, one of three Ronk brothers (the others were George T. Ronk and Albert T. Ronk) who made significant academic, leadership, and financial commitments to the college and seminary. The Ronk Chapel at the seminary is named in their honor.

Ashland Theological Seminary, as a result of this division and other factors, struggled to survive throughout the 1940s and 50s. Deans during this period were Melvin A. Stuckey (1943-51) and Delbert B. Flora (Chairman of the Seminary faculty 1951- 53; dean 1953-63).

Student enrollment during these years was almost exclusively Brethren and generally was around ten to twenty. Under the leadership of Joseph R. Shultz, who became dean in 1963, the seminary began a bold venture of expansion that enabled it to grow from 22 students in 1963, to over 100 students in the early 1970s, and over 400 students by the early 1980s. This venture included gaining accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (attained in 1969), drawing prospective students from the wider evangelical movement in America, and developing extensions in Cleveland (1974) and, later, Detroit (1983). A third extension, Columbus (1991), would also be initiated.

In 1982 Frederick Finks followed Shultz as vice president and later president of the seminary and guided the school to continued growth; at the time of his departure for the presidency

of Ashland University in 2006, the seminary had grown to 879 students.

Under the new president, John Shultz, the seminary stands at the threshold of 900 students. The number of faculty has grown apace, from 5 faculty in 1964 to 22 fulltime faculty in 2007.

Until 1958 Ashland Theological Seminary met on the campus of Ashland College, initially in old Founders Hall and then Miller Hall (1922-58). In 1958 the seminary moved into the former John C. Myers estate on Center Street in Ashland. Since then a number of additional facilities have been built: a library expansion in 1965, with additions in 1976 and 1991, seminary student housing in 1970, the Ronk Memorial Chapel in 1975, the Shultz Academic Center in 1989, the Gerber Academic Center in 1997, and the Sandberg Leadership Center in 2001.

Even though Brethren students form only a small percentage of the student body of the seminary (Brethren enrollment generally averages in the 30s for all degree programs), the The John C. Myers seminary continues to be the recognized training ground for Brethren students.

Roughly a b o u t half of Brethren pastors presently serving Brethren congregations have been trained at the semiAn aerial view nary. It is

also true that there would be no seminary for the training of Brethren pastors if Joseph Shultz had not expanded the seminary beyond the limited resources of the Brethren Church. Today the seminary is able to offer specialized courses in Brethren studies as well as in the related movements of Anabaptism and Pietism because of the size of the school and its faculty. We continue to be excited about the opportunities that the Lord has made available to us at Ashland Theological Seminary for serving the Brethren Church and the larger body of Christ.

home, Seminary Administration Building

of the current Seminary campus

Special 300th Anniversary Issue 15

Publications: Voices of the Brethren

I

Richard C. Winfield

In our day, when so many means of communication are readily available, it is difficult for us to imagine what it was like for the Brethren three hundred years ago. Obviously, they didn’t have text-messaging, email, and the internet to keep one another informed. But for nearly 150 Henry Holsinger years, from the first baptisms in 1708 until the Christian Family Companion mid-1800’s, the Brethren had no regular written The Progressive Christian means of communication.

The Brethren Evangelist During this period they exchanged letters, published a number of Brethren books and hymnals, and in the latter years of this period printed and distributed proceedings of Annual Meetings. But there was no regular — monthly or weekly — publication to keep the Brethren informed of the life and thought of the church.

That began to change, however, in April of 1851 when Henry Kurtz, a Brethren pastor and printer, introduced the first periodical for Brethren, The Monthly Gospel-Visiter (sic). Kurtz stated that the purpose of the publication was “to exhibit and defend the pure and unadulterated gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He also wanted the paper to serve as a means of unifying the increasingly scattered Brethren.

The paper was approximately five by nine James Quinter inches in size, printed in two columns, black on Christian Family Companion white (with a yellow cover), with no “likenesses” The Gospel Visitor (photographs), and 28 to 32 pages in length. It The Primitive Christian included a variety of articles on Brethren life and faith, letters, and obituaries. While it promoted some controversial innovations such as Sunday schools, academies, and missions, it was basically a conservative publication that stressed the oneness of Brethren.

Though some in the church considered it a worldly innovation, The Monthly Gospel-Visiter received cautious acceptance by the church and was well-received by many of the Brethren.

As a result, other Brethren periodicals soon followed, first a trickle and in time a flood. According to one report, thirty-four new periodicals appeared between 1870 and 1883 (many of them lasting only a year or two). The Monthly Gospel-Visiter as the first served as a model for those that followed.

Stephen Bashor A young man named Henry R. Holsinger The Gospel Preacher served for a year (1856–57) in the Poland, The Progressive Christian Ohio, office of The Monthly Gospel-Visiter.

The Brethren Church 16

Showing the aggressive spirit that would later make him the leader of the Progressive Brethren, he urged Kurtz to publish the Visiter weekly and to hire Holsinger as part of his staff.

When Kurtz refused, Holsinger returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he soon would go into printing for himself.

In 1863 Holsinger purchased The Tyrone Herald newspaper and in 1865 began publishing the second Brethren periodical, a weekly entitled Christian Family Companion. Holsinger operated the paper as an “open forum,” which permitted any writer to express ideas on any subject pertaining to the welfare of the church. The new paper was popular from the beginning and by 1873 had around 5,000 subscribers.

In 1870 Holsinger also introduced the first Brethren periodical for young people, The Pious Youth, aimed at promoting the spiritual welfare of youth in the church. It was not so well-received as Christian Family Companion, however, and was discontinued at the end of 1871.

Holsinger was a reformer and he used the pages of Christian Family Companion to advocate for change in the church. He favored a salaried ministry, personal choice in dress, secondary and higher education, Sunday schools, evangelistic meetings, and a new approach to missions. His views soon embroiled him in controversy with the leadership of the church. By 1873, weary of the continued controversy, he sold Christian Family Companion.

The Companion was purchased by James Quinter, who by this time was both editor and publisher of The Monthly Gospel-Visiter, now called simply The Gospel Visitor. Quinter consolidated the Visitor and the Companion, later changing the name of the consolidated paper to The Primitive Christian. Thus Holsinger’s progressive publication became part of the conservative voice in the church.

During the eight years that Christian Family Companion was published, two other Brethren periodicals of note were started. The first of

(Continued on page 21)

Women’s Outlook Newsletter A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e Wo m e n’s M i s s i o n a r y S o c i e t y Vo l u m e 2 1 , N u m b e r 4 March/April 2008

The President’s Pen Dear Missionary Women, I want to start out by saying, “Happy New Year.” But, then I realize that you will not be reading this article until the “new year” is a few months old. However, that is where my thoughts are today, so I trust you will understand.

Where did 2007 go? And, by now, I am wondering, “Where is 2008 going?”

I was able to end 2007 and begin 2008 with a special blessing for me. I was in Gulfport, Mississippi, on a mission trip with Brethren from Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia. The last week of 2007 wasn’t filled with preparations for a party or worrying about what I was going to do to celebrate the “New Year.” It was a week filled with much laughter, meeting new friends, and serving others.

We slept in dorms on bunks with air mattresses. Each day started with breakfast at 7:00, getting our assignments for the day, and then off to the job site. We were separated into teams and each team was sent to a different site.

The sites did not have utilities in yet and, therefore, no heat. It was colder than I expected and I had not taken a heavy coat. Basically, I wore all of my clothes every day.

This was my first mission trip and I was concerned that I would not be able to do anything meaningful to help. The skills I have are using brooms, mops, paint brushes, and a computer keyboard. How would God use me?

God used those skills and some others that I learned while farming in California. My concern was about skills!

Now, I realize it isn’t about skills, it is about a heart for God’s people.

Doing this a few years ago would have made it easier to get up at 6:00, all ready to go to work after spending the

(Continued on page 12)

Missionary Miscellany

The international MARCH missionaries-of-the-month are David and Cecilia Molina in Spain. This small congregation is an outreach of the Brethren in Cordoba, Argentina. Continue your prayers of encouragement and guidance because Spain is a country very resistant to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The team of three families in State College, Pennsylvania, planters of New Hope, are: Tim and Amy Monteith, Chris and Leigh Anne Rufener, and Ben and Shannon Frank.

The reporter for the group is Chris Rufener. “Before I begin sharing about what God has been doing through the Brethren Church in State College, we at New Hope wish to thank the WMS groups and individuals who have supported us through your prayers, encouraging notes, and financial support. And even more so, thank you for all of the hard work you are doing to advance Christ’s kingdom throughout the world.

“As church planters, we are continually asked how the church plant is progressing. This is always a tough question to answer because our ministry (or any ministry for that matter) is always a combination of challenges and blessings. Perhaps the most frustrating part of ministry this year was that a couple families decided to leave the church.

Some of their reasons are easier to accept, like finding more programming for their children, but it is frustrating when people leave because we call them to a whole-hearted commitment to Jesus.

For example, living in an affluent city and teaching that you cannot serve both God and money has been difficult for many to swallow.

“However, in the midst of this disappointment the Lord has shown His goodness. We recently had another person commit his life to following Jesus. This brings our total of first-time commitments since August to four. Certainly this

is not a massive revival, yet four people making first time commitments to Jesus over the fall is not insignificant.

“Also, there are a number of individuals who are finding freedom from the isolation and shame of hidden homosexual sin. There are numerous men confessing their struggles with pornography and finding accountability and encouragement. And a number of young people are being challenged to live in ways that are above reproach.

Sin is being confronted and repentance and restoration are taking place.

“One young lady is finding hope and encouragement as she struggles with the possibility that she was abused by her father and/or uncle as a young child. A couple is being encouraged as the husband is facing a job transition after being laid off from a job he held for nearly 32 years. A college student is finding strength and help as he tries to cope with the simultaneous loss of his father, his girl friend, and his funding for college. There are two women in our small community who had miscarriages in the fall, but are finding encouragement and support. One man tragically lost his mother in an automobile accident and found support and strength from New Hope.

“A young woman in the church just found out that her 20-year old brother in medical school has highly aggressive cancer. As she considers possibly going into full-time missions through Wycliffe, she has found New Hope to be a place where she can ask painful questions and receive comfort and encouragement.

“A young couple is being counseled during a difficult time in their marriage.

They had both stopped wearing their wedding rings a long time ago. However, since we told them that their marriage is “worth fighting for,” the woman, who was considering leaving, decided to tough it

(Continued on page 11)

17

DISTRICT DOINGS Bright Ideas Each spring when you complete the statistical report, you are asked to list your ideas for programs, money-raisers, and special projects. Annually, your responses are new and varied! This list is part of your activities.

- silent auction; served Lions Club meals; made vegetable soup; provided thank-offering jars - made and donated 30+ comfort blankets to American Red Cross - helped those in financial need in our own church family - sent cards and money to Riverside Christian School (RCS) and all 3 families at State College church plant - taught in VBS and helped with youth meetings - sent greeting cards to missionaries and prayed regularly for them - sold historical throws; made 3 baskets for National Conference auction - had garage sales - supported Kokomo rescue mission; had a work day to support Maria Miranda - sent monthly support for an India pastor - sent money to RCS for teachers’ Christmas gifts - sent cards to youth each month - helped to supply needs at RCS — new windows and material for sewing classes - served “Dinners for Campers” monthly with freewill offerings designated for campers’ fees. (We paid 81% of all campers’ fees! This was a real blessing to their families.)

-sent money for teachers’ salaries at RCS - gave baby clothes and diapers to Right for Life; bought hats, gloves, and scarves for Salvation Army - adopted a family through Salvation Army at Christmas

18

- sent cards to shut-ins; gave baby showers for new babies in the congregation; contributed to Growth Partners; always pray for missionaries - filled Samaritan’s shoe boxes; contributed to church’s puppet ministry; furnished flannel outing for blankets at Riley Children’s Hospital; supported Maria Miranda’s radio ministry - made blankets for Hope Center - donated to RCS, sent work teams to RCS for various projects - made scarves and hats for children in Russia - sent blankets, lap robes, and toys to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis - made 100 cloth bags that the Loft kids (junior church kids) filled, then sent to the Kumars for the orphanages; helped with a mission fair; raised money for the Peru mission team - donated proceeds from our Ladies Night Out dinner to the youth; our “Love Covers” ministry donated 50 baby blankets to the Women’s Care Center - “adopted” a young girl at Vernon’s Home (a home for handicapped children) by visiting and giving gifts; prepared fruit baskets for shut-ins - had a shower for B.A.B.E. organization; put money in a red pig bank each month to express our thanks to God - money is designated for RCS; collect pennies each Sunday, which is divided between Peru, SA, and Faith Ministries — Pinch our Pennies - P.O.P Fund - gave a 3-5 minute Missions Spotlight monthly during Sunday’s worship - collect Campbell labels for RCS - provided finances for youth to attend conference - supported World Relief - provided decorations for “All Daughters” banquet in May - supported youth car wash, earning money for their mission trip - donated supplies to the local food bank and the Rape Crisis Center - donated money for soccer program in Florida - sold entertainment books - collected items for the Brecksville, Virginia, hospital patients

- collect and recycle pop cans - packed health kits for Church World Services (disaster relief) and school bags for underprivileged children - helped to deliver Meals on Wheels; made many hospital visits - filled and delivered “goody” boxes for shut-ins - collected canned goods and cereals for local food pantry; contribute toward “Pitter Patter Pantry” for needy mothers with babies up to 5 years old - make ugly quilts (sleeping bags) for homeless shelters (789 have been donated to date) - roll bandages for foreign missions - clean church kitchen and appliances twice annually - provided Christmas bonuses for teachers at RCS; established a fund for youth camp - corresponded with wives of the Service Chaplains and received letters back; made items for General Conference - made and sold hard tack candy - provide meals and worship services at local rescue mission - at Easter our fundraiser was called “30 Pieces of Silver” — church members put money in small pouches which were hung on the cross in front of the church — money was sent to RCS - included phone cards with Christmas greetings to service personnel - donate necessary items to church camp in Secret Sister’s name; in lieu of Christmas gift for Secret Sister that money is sent to RCS — we were surprised when we received thank-you notes!

- send monthly support for an orphan girl and pastor in India - served food at a farm auction and gave the money to help pay for repairs of three stained glass windows in the church - designated proceeds from Mexican Food Fundraiser to Hispanic ministries: Mexico, Peru, Spain, Paraguay - gave toys, socks, and money for local agency for the homeless; held a cookie walk and sold Chinese food and gifts for missionary projects

Women’s Outlook Newsletter

(Missionary Miscellany continued) out and give her husband the benefit of the doubt. They have even been talking about what it would look like to reaffirm their wedding vows.

“One family is two weeks away from completing our twelve-week leadership training. Once they do so, they will become members of our ministry team that meets twice a month for Bible study, prayer, equipping, and ministry planning.

“Our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) ministry continues to grow at an encouraging rate. We currently have nearly 30 women on the roster and average between 12-15 each month at our meetings. And since all of them bring children to the meeting, 20 some kids are hearing about the love of Jesus every month.

“Our ministry to Penn State University students is thriving. Our college Bible study on Ephesians has been averaging 17 students each week. Seven students are also being discipled by either the pastors or one of the lay leaders within the congregation. Three students have

Bright Ideas (continued) - hosted 3rd annual crab feed and sent support to international missions - hosted a Filipino food fundraiser and helped to send 4 persons on a missions trip to the Philippines - sponsored soup lunch for World Relief - hosted Easter breakfast and designated freewill offerings for US missions - supported Maria Miranda’s “Adopt a Radio Station” ministry - made our own WMS fun(d) raiser calendar and designated the proceeds for a missionary - helped to send 16 youth to national youth conference - sponsored Cheryl Schmiedt and her workshop “Deep Roots” … a spiritual formation workshop and invited the ladies from Manteca Northgate Church - sent school supplies to RCS and paper products to Pump House

March/April 2008

become a vital part of our worship team through both singing and playing an instrument. And we have also begun a college ministry team consisting of eight students that meets bi-weekly for leadership training, prayer, and planning and coordinating service projects in the State College community. These projects have included hosting a dinner for 67 international students, working with the local food bank, and helping to meet the needs of women through the local battered women’s shelter.

“An engineering graduate student, who serves on our ministry team, is graduating from Penn State in May and will be working to plant six churches in Algeria. This is truly miraculous because the Algerian government is so staunchly Muslim that they have only permitted three other churches to be built in nearly 1,000 years. However, the best part about him going to Algeria is his extreme passion for missions. Since less than 1% of Algerians are Christians, our sincere prayer is that his witness will lead many to a personal relationship with Jesus.

“Before we conclude, we also want to acknowledge the most exciting additions to the New Hope community in 2007: the birth of two of the pastors’ children. Pastor Tim Monteith and his wife Amy had their second child, Jonathan, September 19, and Pastor Chris Rufener and his wife Leigh Anne had their second child, Luke, on December 3. These two births bring the total number of pastors’ children to seven. Since all of them are boys, we are planning on dominating the local church basketball league within the next couple years!

“As you can see, God has graciously given us great success in ministry in 2007. We cannot even begin to fathom what God will continue to do throughout the lives of each of these individuals and all of those who have grown in discipleship through the Lord’s work at New Hope. Therefore, with great hope we look forward to seeing all that Jesus will accomplish through us in 2008.

“In closing, we want to acknowledge the need for your prayers. This spring will be a time of transition for our ministry. Due to financial pressures, we are prayerfully considering changing the venue of our worship service and partnering with individuals to raise the additional funds needed to continue full-

time ministry. Even more important, pray also for the State College community because it is a place of intense spiritual warfare that is steeped in anti-Christian beliefs. For example, a common T-shirt in town says, “They have Jesus, but we have Joepa” (short for Joe Paterno — head coach of the Penn State University football team). So, please pray for this community because it is only the power of God working through His word and His people that will bring light into the darkness.

The home missionaries-of-the-month of APRIL are Hakan and Heejin Kuh, pastoring the Bansok Solid Rock Church in Oviedo, Florida. This Korean church is growing and flourishing. The international missionaries are Italo and Rebecca Abuid in Italo’s hometown of Puerto Maldonado, Peru, and Luis Angel and Zoraida Morillas in the capital city of Lima, Peru.

Italo and Rebecca Abuid are developing a long-anticipated ministry of rescuing children from the streets and giving them a loving Christian home. Several short-term missions teams have visited the Abuids and have helped in the construction of the first of several buildings.

This mission is the recipient of the WMS two-year project, which concluded at last year’s Conference. According to Janet Rufener, national treasurer, in 2006 your gifts amounted to $9,494.29 and in 2007 your gifts were $10,976.13. The grand total was $20,470.42! What a wonderful gift to Italo and Rebecca Abuid, their co-workers, and the beautiful orphan Peruvian children. You have helped to give them a home.

Todd and Tracy Ruggles have new email addresses. Tracy’s address is: tracyruggles@cablevision.net.mx Todd’s address is: toddruggles@cablevision.net.mx Their phone number is also changing. Their new number is: 011-52-55-5016-1045.

Miguel and Sonia Antunez in Bradenton request your prayers for Sonia’s health and strength. Sonia is diagnosed with leukemia. Their family and their growing congregation need your prayers for encouragement, guidance, and healing.

19

PRE-CONFERENCE INFORMATION Convention Center, Richmond, Virginia July 12-16, 2008 The General Conference committee is finalizing arrangements and details for this 300th anniversary of the Brethren Church. This is an exceptional year and, as someone said, “A once-in-a-lifetime” experience!

The WMS Executive Committee met in January and affirmed these plans. * The WMS Conference theme will follow the National Conference theme and is: “A New Day - Experiencing the Journey,” based on Genesis 22:1. * The two WMS sessions will be Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. * There is no WMS luncheon, due to the excessive cost. Conference special meals are the Missions Breakfast/ Banquet Monday with our missionaries and the Ecumenical luncheon with the Church of the Brethren participants Tuesday. * The quilt, which several ladies quilted at last year’s Conference, is completed and traveling with several other historical pictures and artifacts across the country to various district meetings and conferences. When Joan Merrill pieced the quilt, she included several pictures of early Brethren leaders and missionaries. It is beautiful! The quilt will be displayed at Conference and then hung in the Brethren archives. * Any item of business to be presented to the WMS delegates must be submitted to the President, Phyllis Roussakis, by June 15. Phyllis’s address is: P. O. Box 246, 1101 Jackson St., Burlington, IN 46915-0246. Her e-mail address is: jsbaklava@sbcglobal.net * Be sure to register for Conference before June 1. The early bird rate is $15.00 for household. After June 1, the cost is $25.00 per household.

The registration form is in the Jan/Feb and current issues of The Brethren Evangelist.

* Travel arrangements are finalized for all the missionaries to join us for General Conference. Meeting, hearing, and seeing them is a very special reason to attend. Each one needs your prayers for safety, good health, and acclimation for a busy week.

(The President’s Pen continued) night on an air mattress. But, what I had there was very comfortable compared to what some of the people in Gulfport have had to deal with since hurricane Katrina. The hurricane washed away their properties and much, if not all, of their personal belongs about 2½ years ago. It is remarkable to note that many residents are still living in FEMA trailers.

As I am reflecting on my time there, I am reminded of Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ I serve!

God will supply all that I need. I just need to be willing to go where He wants me to go. Why did I worry that I would not have the skills He needed to accomplish what He wanted to accomplish!

This whole experience was just wonderful for me and I pray that God will ask me to go again. I encourage you to seek God’s direction and, if you begin to feel His gentle nudging toward going on a mission trip, don’t hesitate. God probably will not send all of us to Gulfport, but there is a place for each of us — do not miss out on the blessing.

Cheryl Schmiedt WMS National Vice President

The Editor’s Ending Dear Friend, This issue of sharing your ideas is always a fun issue for me to write and for you to read. I hope you enjoy others’ ideas. More than that, I hope you use some ideas and adapt each one to suit your society. It is a wonderful variety of outreach ministries. Thanks for listing your activities and thanks to Lila McCann, former secretary, for recording them.

July is just around the corner and anticipating the tercentenary celebration of the Brethren Church is exciting. I hope many of you can attend. Although some of the usual events of Conference are omitted, other unusual events are included. In addition to Conference is the opportunity to sight-see beautiful and historic Richmond. Special thanks are given to the committee for their ideas and plans.

But before General Conference, get a foretaste by viewing the traveling historic display when it comes to your district. The schedule was included on page 6 of the Jan/Feb issue of The Brethren Evangelist.

Special thanks to Cheryl Schmiedt for writing The President’s Pen. Her experiences on the missions team were worthwhile and rewarding. The week was certainly an event we wanted to share with you.

Please make these corrections to your Directory, which was included in the November-December 2007 Newsletter: National WMS Officers: General Secretary - Mrs. Lynn Herendeen’s e-mail address is incorrect.

It should be: Lynns-signaturebusiness@hotmail.com Treasurer - Mrs. Janet Rufener, 128 Lilac Lane (remainder is correct) Indiana District Nappanee - President - Judi Pede, 508 W. Van Buren St., Nappanee, IN 46550. Phone: 574-773-5603.

Your friend,

Joan

20

Publications: continued from page 16 these, begun in January 1870, was The in the church. In 1882, at the first Annual to be the official publication of the Church Pilgrim, edited by Henry B. Brumbaugh Meeting of the Old German Baptist Breth- of the Brethren, though it has gone through and his younger brother, John B. Brum- ren (after they withdrew from the main many changes in physical appearance and baugh (who had spent a few months as body of the church in 1881), this group content during the past 125 years. a teenager working for Holsinger in the recognized The Vindicator as the official After Holsinger sold Christian Famoffice of Christian Family Companion). periodical of the church. It continues to be ily Companion in 1873, the Progressive Though it stood for a progressive Brethren published for that group today.

Brethren in the church were without a policy, The Pilgrim was more conciliatory Prior to the exodus of the Old Order publication. That changed in 1878 and in tone than Christian Family Companion Brethren, however, three other significant 1879 when two progressive voices began and sought to moderate the controversy publications appeared among the Brethren. to be heard. over doctrine and practice that Holsinger’s The first of these, another conservative In the fall of 1878 Henry Holsinger paper was aggravating. publication, was The Brethren at Work. Be- plunged into the publishing business again In 1876 The Pilgrim followed the path of gun by L. A. Plate as a German language with a four-page weekly paper published Christian Family Companion and merged publication (Der Brüderbote) in 1875, Ja- in Berlin, Pa. Its name, The Progressive with The Primitive Christian. For the next cob T. Myers began publishing an English Christian, left no doubt about its editorial three years the consolidated paper carried version the following year, which was re- position. In its pages, Holsinger and his both names, but in 1880 it became again named The Brethren at Work. It was similar associate, Joseph W. Beer, advocated for just The Primitive Christian. progressive measures and reforms in the in content to The Primitive Christian.

The second periodical begun during From 1876 to 1883 the two papers, The church. Holsinger’s policy of publishing the years of Christian Family Comcontroversial articles in The Propanion was The Vindicator, which gressive Christian again got him into Publication Line of made its appearance on March 1, trouble with the leadership of the The Brethren Evangelist 1870. Published by Samuel Kinsey, church and contributed to his expulminister of a Brethren congregasion from the church in 1882.

The Progressive Christian - 1878 tion near Dayton, Ohio, it was also Another progressive voice was The Gospel Preacher - 1879 strongly influenced by Kinsey’s heard in February 1879, when Merged with The Progressive Christian - 1882 father-in-law, Elder Peter Nead, Stephen H. Bashor and S. Z. Sharp Carried both names for two issues, then chief spokesman for the most conbegan publication of The Gospel servative segment of the church.

Preacher in Ashland, Ohio. Although became The Progressive Christian again The Vindicator provided a monthtaking a progressive position, The Renamed The Brethren’s Evangelist - 1883 ly voice for the Old Order Brethren, Gospel Preacher was much less as this segment of the church was inflammatory than The Progressive Became The Brethren Evangelist - 1885 known. It featured Scripture exposiChristian and did not arouse the tions, opposition given the latter. Bashor, admonitions Primitive Christian in Pennsylvania and however, was one of the leading advocates to a life of pi- The Brethren at Work in Illinois, competed for reform in the church, and in the spring ety, encour- for support among the conservative Breth- of 1881 he put The Gospel Preacher in agement for ren. In 1883 the two publications were other hands. In October of the same year the Old Order consolidated. The consolidated publication he joined Holsinger as co-editor of The c a u s e , a n d was renamed The Gospel Messenger, Progressive Christian. i n f o r m a t i o n and, on July 3, 1883, was recognized as The following year, in June 1882, the relating to the the official paper of the “conservative” two publications, the Progressive and troubled times body of Brethren (known since 1908 as the the Preacher, by mutual consent of their Church of the Brethren). The Gospel Mes- editors, became one. The consolidated senger, renamed simply Messen- publication retained both names for two ger in 1965, has con- issues, then again became The Progrest i n u e d sive Christian. In June of the following year (1883), when a body of Progressive Brethren loyal to Holsinger convened at Dayton, Ohio, to officially organize The Brethren Church, The Progressive Christian became the unofficial periodical of the new denomination. The name was changed to The Brethren’s Evangelist in 1883 and then to The Brethren Evangelist in 1885.

In 1892 the denomination purchased the paper from Holsinger and it became an official publication of The Brethren Church, which it continues to be today.

Special 300th Anniversary Issue 21

Thus by 1883 the Brethren had divided into three separate bodies, each with its own publication. When Henry Kurtz began The Monthly Gospel-Visiter in 1851, he hoped this publication would unify the Brethren. Unfortunately that was not the case. In fact, to some degree, his paper and the publications that followed played a role in the division of the church. Viewed another way, however, these publications helped to define and solidify divisions that already existed in the church. They helped to unify the Brethren into three groups that began to see that the issues were so divisive among them that it would be better if each group went its own way.

When this happened, each group realized that it was still important to have a publication — a regular means of communication — that defined its beliefs, kept its members in touch, and served as a voice for the church. So each quickly adopted its leading periodical as the official publication of that branch of the Brethren.

Rev. Richard Winfield, now retired, served from 1967 to 1976 as a Brethren missionary to Nigeria and from 1979 to 2002 as editor of The Brethren Evangelist.

The Brethren Church 22

Celebrating Brethren

Some milestones have been reached: the 300th anniversary of the inception of the Brethren movement and the 125th anniversary of the beginning of The Brethren Church in Dayton, Ohio in June of 1883. We look back at these events with admiration for the faithfulness of those who stepped out and followed what they saw as God’s leading in their times.But there is another significant date which may be remembered and celebrated.…

O

On August 15, 1909 Dr. Charles Yoder, his wife Pearl Lutz Yoder, their daughters Eleanor and Grace, and Bertha Mae Bell sailed from New York City to Argentina with the purpose of starting the first permanent foreign mission work sponsored by The Brethren Church. But to understand this action one must delve into the years before 1909.

From their beginnings in 1883, the Brethren had expressed an interest in evangelism. With the huge work of reorganization of congregations and establishment of preaching points, this evangelistic emphasis was placed solely on work in the United States. However, there evidently had been some conversations among the Brethren concerning mission work overseas.

During the 1892 General Conference the delegates approved a proposal that all efforts of missionary work be placed in the hands of a three-man board and that they be authorized to move on missionary matters. This action was significant because it marked the beginning of the Missionary Board of The Brethren Church. However, until 1939 this board would only concern itself with home missions.

During the 1890s there were several expressions of sentiment concerning the concept of foreign mission. Elder Jacob S. Cassel was born in Philadelphia and played a major role in the organization of the First Brethren Church of Philadelphia in 1887. He was an avid proponent of world-wide missionary endeavor. He came

to be known as the “Father of Foreign Mission Work” in The Brethren Church.

In the July 7, 1897 issue of The Brethren Evangelist, Cassel discussed his burning desire for foreign mission in an article entitled, “The Evangelization of the World.”

His enthusiasm influenced the development of missionary zeal in a young pastor and skilled evangelist by the name of Louis S. Bauman.

The increasing volume of the foreign mission discussion culminated in 1900 when J.C. Cassel presented his paper, “Are We Ready to Enter the Foreign Mission Field?” to the General Conference.

The conference granted permission “… to report the organization of the Brethren Foreign Missionary Society,” but the majority of delegates were reluctant to follow through with actual organization.

As a result, on September 1, 1900 during a General Conference session, 53 delegates met outside the auditorium at Winona Lake, Indiana, and formally organized the Foreign Missionary Society.

Dr. Albert Ronk has stated in his history of mission work, “The fact that the organizational procedure was not allowed in the conference program, but was an independent move, was reflected in succeeding events throughout the years. Affiliation with The Brethren Church, as its agent in foreign missionary activity, was by common consent, but the business of the Society was thoroughly independent and remained so until the disruptive General Conference of 1939, when by majority

Foreign Missions vote the Society went along with the so-called Grace group.” Early leaders of the Society included J.C. Cassel, L.S. Bauman, J.O. Talley, C.F. Yoder, J. Allen Miller, G.W. Rence, Vianna Detwiler and W.D. Furry.

Of course the next items of business on the agenda were the solicitation of funds and the calling of workers to overseas missions.

Within two years Louis Bauman was spreading the news that a native of Persia, Yonan Y. Auraham, would soon become a member of the Philadelphia congregation and that Auraham felt a call from God to carry the gospel back to Persia under the auspices of the Foreign Missionary Society. The proposal was not unanimous. John L. Gillin, a young pastor and scholar who later served some years as President of Ashland College, wrote an article urging caution in the entering of any foreign mission field. This article was published in The Brethren Evangelist just before the General Conference of 1902.

Nevertheless, the Society persisted and the 1902 General Conference “accepted” the Society’s plan for mission work in Persia. J.L. Gillin acquiesced after the decision was made and supported the Society.

Auraham sailed for Persia on April 10, 1903, but it wasn’t long before the Brethren began to hear of violence in Persia, with missionaries being placed in danger. After a period of discussion and controversy among church leaders Dr. Charles F. Yoder, Secretary of the Society, was dispatched to Persia to assess the situation. He quickly found evidences of violence and massacres, and travel in the country was too dangerous to continue. In his report to the Brethren Yoder stated, “Our foreign board will hardly think it wise to undertake extensive work in Persia at such a time as this.…” After 1906 the Persian mission field faded from view, with fewer and fewer reports communicated from Auraham and the funds were finally terminated.

Another early effort of the Society was a mission work in Montreal, Quebec, which had been originated by the Church of the Brethren in 1899. In 1902 the Foreign Missionary Society took over the work and sent Vianna Detwiler to labor in that field. Financial difficulties caused the Montreal Mission to close in 1916.

Finally, we come to the establishment of the first permanent foreign missionary endeavor

Bradley E. Weidenhamer

of The Brethren Church. In 1906 the Society became interested in the development of a new field, and in the spring of 1907 the executive committee recommended that the Argentine Republic be selected as the next Brethren mission effort. They proposed that Dr. and Mrs. C.F. Yoder should be the first missionaries. Born in 1873, Dr. Yoder had studied at the University of Chicago, had pastored several congregations, served as editor of The Brethren Evangelist and taught courses at Ashland College. The 1907 General Conference approved this plan, and from May 1908 until June 1909, the Yoders ministered in the Montreal Mission in order to gain experience witnessing to those of the Roman Catholic faith. Funds were raised in the meantime and on August 13, 1909, the Yoders and Bertha Mae Bell left the U.S. for Argentina. They located in Rio Cuarto where Yoder gained a professorship at the National College until 1923. This job gave the mission work respectability and exposure. Bertha Mae Bell found it difficult as a single woman to move around the country, and so she left after a year.

In 1911 Maude Cripe entered the mission field, married Leonard S. Webb, and the two of them worked until 1916 when Webb’s serious illness forced them to retire from Argentina.

A number of Argentine nationals were trained in the next several years for pastoral and evangelistic service. Also, numerous Brethren came from the United States to minister in the field, including Elder Edwin and Muriel Boardman who were there from 1922 until 1924. The work was slow and difficult. After four years the Brethren had one congregation and one

Brad Weidenhamer retired in 2001 after serving 31 years as librarian at Ashland Theological Seminary.

He and his wife of 43 years, Karen, have three children and two grandchildren.

The C.F. Yoder Family - Argentina

Special 300th Anniversary Issue 23

preaching point and 41 members. In 1913 the Rio Cuarto congregation had its first property and church building. From that time other mission points were established over the years. In 1937 Yoder returned to the United States, served as General Conference Moderator in 1937-38, and retired from active mission work.

At the same time that the Yoders were entering the Argentine field, another young man caught the vision of foreign missions on the continent of Africa. James S. Gribble, born February 25, 1883, had become a member of the Philadelphia First Brethren Church in 1904, under Louis Bauman. He prepared himself for mission work and from 1908 to 1914 he ministered in Africa with the African Inland Mission.

During this time he met and married another young missionary, a medical doctor by the name of Florence Newberry. They came to realize that God wanted them to work in French Equatorial Africa, a country in which the African Inland Mission did not have a presence. Through Gribble’s correspondence with Louis Bauman, Gribble became interested in representing the Brethren in an African mission endeavor.

World War I began in 1914 and the Gribbles returned home to pursue the cause of African missions among the Brethren. The process moved slowly, but on Sunday afternoon, September 3, 1917, during the General Conference session, James and Florence Gribble, Estella Myers and Mae Snyder were set apart for mission work in Africa under the sponsorship of The Brethren Church.

The location of their ministry was to be Oubangi-Chari, a region in French Equatorial Africa (which became the Central African Republic in 1910). Because of the war and its aftermath they were not able to reach their destination until 1921, after arriving in Africa in 1918. A mission station at Bassai was established, but the conditions were hard on the health of the workers. Dr. Gribble grew ill and returned to the U.S. with their daughter. Shortly after his wife returned to Africa, James Gribble fell and died on June 4, 1923, at just 40 years of age. He was not the only Brethren missionary to succumb to illness in Africa. Despite the dangers of health, other missionaries joined the work over the next several years. The number of mission stations increased, and Dr. Gribble established a clinic for lepers and ministered to the health needs of the American

The Brethren Church 24

missionaries. Dr. Florence Gribble died in Veda Liskey felt the call to Nigeria, where Africa on March 3, 1942, and was buried the Church of the Brethren had founded mission work in 1923. Veda Liskey was beside her husband.

These two mission fields continued to a registered nurse. In 1948 she went to expand until the fateful year of 1939 when Nigeria and worked in such places as the tensions among the Brethren resulted Garkida Leper Colony until poor health in the division into The Brethren Church forced her to return to the United States and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren at the end of 1958.

Churches. Most of the membership of the Foreign Missionary Society were sympathetic to the Grace viewpoint and so the mission work became part of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. At the 1940 General Conference the delegates voted to cede to the Foreign Missionary Society all the properties in Argentina and Africa and the offerings received for them. The Missionary Board of The Brethren Church, which had formerly dealt James & Dr. Florence Gribble - Africa only with home missions, was charged with the responsibility Meanwhile, Robert and Beatrice Bisof the development of any foreign fields.

Dr. Charles F. Yoder, who had retired from chof arrived in Nigeria in late 1952, Bob Argentina and had served as editor of The to preach and train Nigerian pastors and Brethren Evangelist from 1939 through Bea to serve as a nurse. In early 1953 most of 1940, was asked by the Board to Beatrice’s sister, Janet King, arrived to reestablish a mission work in Argentina. teach at Hillcrest School. In 1952 W. He chose a new district, one bordered by Clayton Berkshire became General SecBuenos Aires, Rosario and Cordoba. By retary of the Missionary Board and plans the end of 1940 Yoder reported that work for expansion of the mission fields develin several towns had been started, with oped as well as missionary recruitment house-to-house visitation with Bibles and and missionary stewardship among the tracts, and the organization of tent meet- congregations.

The Board had an interest in beginning ings in various locations.

Argentine leaders materialized: Adol- a work in the Philippines, but evidently a pho Zeche in Rosario, Jose Anton in lack of funds forced a change in plans.

Buenos Aires, and Cinco De Mayo, and At the same time, the Board wanted to Juan Izfueta in Cordoba. This new work expand the work in Nigeria. A mission staand the home mission efforts were super- tion was being established at Mbororo and vised by the new Mission Board General Glenn and Jean Shank, who had originally Secretary, J. Ray Klingensmith. In 1945 a been preparing for the Philippines, arrived young people’s camp was held in Argen- in Nigeria in late 1955 to help with the tina. Also, Dr. Yoder retired for a second development of Mbororo. In the spring of time and Adolpho Zeche was appointed 1957 Charles and Marguerite Kraft came superintendent of the Argentine mission. to Nigeria, bringing the Brethren missionKlingensmith left his position as General ary worker total in that country to seven.

Secretary, and E.M. Riddle was asked to The Krafts worked on the Hausa language add these duties to his current position as and built a residence at Mbororo. The missionaries established a program called CRI Field Secretary for Ashland College.

During the 1940s there was also interest (Classes in Religious Instruction), as well among the Brethren in other possible mis- as holding Sunday worship, and assisting sion fields. In 1944, J. Ray Klingensmith in medical work and numerous preaching was invited to sit in on a meeting of the points. Over the next fifteen years several Church of the Brethren Missionary Board. other couples served varying amounts of Out of this encounter came an invitation time in Nigeria. Harold and Shirley Bowers, to join them in their work in Nigeria. Miss Larry and Rose Bolinger, Richard and Kay

Winfield, and Jerry and Cheryl Grieve all spent time in Nigeria. As Nigerian church leaders emerged, The Brethren Church of Nigeria developed as an indigenous entity.

As a resulted, Richard and Kay Winfield were the last Brethren missionaries to leave Nigeria in late 1977.

During the 1940s in Argentina, Dr. Yoder was busy reorganizing the Brethen mission work. In 1948 he received some help as Rob and Jane Byler arrived. In early 1949, June Byler, Rob’s sister, joined the work. Robert Byler became known throughout Argentina as a music director through religious radio programs. In 1958, Ken and Jeanette Solomon arrived in Argentina. In the 1950s the Missionary Board found it necessary to organize an independent Argentine Brethren Church, “with the supervision in the hands of a committee elected by the General Assembly of the Argentine Brethren churches.”

The Brethren Church in Argentina was formally and legally founded on May 26, 1956. The radio ministry was expanded by the Bylers and some non-Brethren workers, with Fernando Vangioni doing the preaching and the interdenominational CAVEA directing the program.

Others also entered the field. John Rowsey, who had trained in radio work, and his wife Regina arrived in 1958.

Eventually the program was carried on Radio Mundo, the most powerful station in Buenos Aires, and thus covered South America through short wave.

Another concern in Argentina was the development of theological training for Argentine pastors. This possibility had been mentioned for many years, but finally the National WMS voted that their 1961-62 project would be funds for the training of national pastors. Raymond and Marilyn Aspinall expressed interest in this project and the Sunday missionary offering at the 1961 General Conference was designated for Argentine seminary training. In early 1964 the Aspinalls arrived in Argentina and the missionaries began work on the Eden Bible Institute at Rosario. In 1965 Bill and Fran Curtis joined the field.

Administrative oversight changed in 1963 as W. Clayton Berkshire resigned after twelve years as General Secretary and M. Virgil Ingraham was appointed to the position. In the next two years he visited both mission fields and found 15 congregations in Argentina with properties in the process of being transferred

from the Missionary Board to the Argentine churches. There were five couples serving in various ministries in Argentina.

The Argentine Brethren Church grew in maturity through the 1960s in its efforts in evangelism, radio ministry, a camping program, a revolving loan fund to aid in the acquisition of places for worship, and the Eden Bible Institute, which offered its first courses in April 1966.

Juan Carlos and Maria Miranda, who had been born in Argentina, returned to serve as missionaries in 1972-75. Mark and Chantal Logan were there from 1961 to 1973. In 1963, Bill and Sharon Winter entered the field and in 1983 Allen Baer came to Argentina. These missionaries, along with the others, served in the areas of radio work, teaching at Eden Bible Institute, preaching, evangelism, administrative duties and church planting. In 1993 the Winters left the field and in 1998 Allen Baer retired from Argentina.

One additional feature was added to the Argentine work. Since the Eden Bible Institute had ceased to exist, in 1997 Ashland Theological Seminary and the Argentine Church collaborated in the establishment of Seminario Teologico Sudamericano (South American Theological Seminary).

Directed by Eduardo and the late Mariela Rodriguez, the seminary began classes in 1998. Through individual, congregational, district, General Conference and Ashland Theological Seminary support, funds and resources became available to establish the school and provide property, equipment, books, etc. The school has continued to the present time, with a curriculum which is supplemented by several intensive courses being taught each year by visiting ATS professors.

In 1966, a young man from India came to the U.S. and searched for a seminary to attend. He was led to Ashland Theological Seminary through the invitation of Dr. Joseph Shultz, and spent the next three years in training. K. Prasanth Kumar had a burden for his people and wished to return there with the Christian message.

By General Conference of 1969, Prasanth and his wife Nirmala had been accepted for missionary service in India by the Missionary Board under the sponsorship of The Brethren Church. Arriving in India in December of 1969, they settled in Rajahmundry, a city of two hundred thousand with less than three percent Christians.

The Brethren Bible Mission was legally

registered in March of 1970 and the work began. The focus of their early activities was evangelism in Rajahmundry, but these efforts soon spread to the outlying villages.

In January 1973 the first Brethren Church Christian Convention was held with about 2,000 people from the Rajahmundry area attending. By that time there were twelve congregations being pastored by Indian leaders who were being trained at Prasanth’s Brethren Bible Institute.

In addition, they established an orphanage for boys and by 1973 there were twenty residents of varying ages. Nirmala Kumar managed the orphanage and spiritual and physical, as well as educational programs were provided for the boys. In 1972 the Brethren Health Center was established, along with a mobile clinic.

Doctors at these locations treated people who were suffering physically, and at the same time the message of Christ was

K. Prasanth Kumar - India shared with them. Efforts were also made in the areas of clothing the poor, aid to poor students, help for poor widows, help for the needy and destitute, and social redress.

For a few years Prasanth’s brother Vijaya and wife Sujatha worked in the mission effort and now Prasanth’s son Sudhir and wife Latha are assisting in the work. In addition to their ongoing evangelistic efforts the Kumars offer two different levels of Bible training for vocational church leadership, manage orphanages for 85 boys and girls, provide training in literacy, run a sewing school and a keyboard school, manage a charitable hospital and do mobile medical clinics in outlying villages. These activities are all founded on evangelism.

Special 300th Anniversary Issue 25

In 1970, another young man, this time from Malaysia, was praying for an opportunity to further his theological education in the U.S. David Loi wrote to several seminaries and Dr. Joseph Shultz offered him a full scholarship which included housing and tuition funded by the South Bend, Indiana Brethren Church for training at Ashland Theological Seminary. M. Virgil Ingraham developed a relationship with David and his wife Jenny as prospective missionaries to Malaysia under the auspices of the Missionary Board. In the fall of 1974 they arrived in Malaysia and settled in Penang. Evangelistic efforts were slow because of the heavy Islamic population and they focused on the sizable Chinese populace of the country. They began teaching the Mandarin language and established a weekly Bible study.

In 1987 they began a kindergarten at Johor Bahru. Rev. and Mrs. David Chew took over the church at Penang. In 2006 David and Jenny moved to Bintulu, Sarawak, in order to begin a third mission work in Malaysia. Many of these people are Muslims and the need for the gospel there is great.

In 1972 the Missionary Board selected the country of Colombia as a future mission field. The Kenneth Solomon family accepted the call to Colombia after serving in Argentina since 1958. In November 1973, Ken and Jeanette and their children arrived in Colombia and established their residence in Medellin. They embarked on a personal witnessing and tract campaign wherever they had opportunities. They sought out friendships with neighbors, and Ken was able to teach at the Union Seminary where Jeanette served as librarian.

In 1973, nine were baptized, with 32 in the second year and 36 in the third. Mark and Chantal Logan arrived in August 1976 to assist in the field. There were eleven meeting places in homes. In 1982 Robert and Juanita Dillard arrived in Medellin to work with one of the churches there. In 1984 the Logans moved to Bogotรก to begin a work there. In late 1987, David and Diane Kerner joined the Logans in Bogotรก.

In 1988, Tim and Janet Solomon arrived in Bogotรก, with Tim pastoring and Janet ministering to children. The Kerners moved to Medellin to assist with church work there.

At the end of 1984 M. Virgil Ingraham retired as Executive Director of the Missionary Board after serving for twenty-one years. He supervised the founding of mis-

The Brethren Church 26

sion fields in Colombia, India, Malaysia, and Mexico. James R. Black assumed the position in 1985 and made administrative visits to each field.

By the 1990s much of the church work was being transferred to the Colombian nationals. Finally, as violence in the country caused unsafe conditions for Americans, the Kerners and the Solomons left Colombia in 1995. However, in 1997 Marcelo and Adriana Ferreri came to Colombia from Argentina to continue the work, and are there at the present time.

In recent years administrative supervision of the foreign mission program has changed. In 1995 James Black retired as Executive Director after ten years of service and Reilly Smith succeeded him, serving until late 2002 when Emanuel Sandberg became acting Director. In 2003, Kenneth Hunn was appointed as Executive Director of The Brethren Church, with responsibilities including supervision of the foreign mission program. Also, in 1996 the Missionary Board became the Missionary Ministries Council, and in 2001 the U.S. Ministries and International Ministries Councils were formed.

In 1978 Juan Carlos Miranda, who was at Fuller Theological Seminary, established mission points in Tijuana and Mexico City, Mexico. The work in Tijuana closed after a time, but in 1989 Tom and Sally Saunders joined the mission in Mexico City for three years until ill health forced them to return home. In 1993 Tim and Jan Eagle and Todd and Tracy Ruggles arrived in Mexico City to lead congregations. Joined in 1997 (until 2007) by Jennifer Thomas Pinto, the Ruggles oversee two congregations, one mission church and 20 other preaching points.

In recent years other mission fields have developed. In 1991 Miguel and Sonia Antunez began a Brethren mission in Lima, Peru. Today the Abuid and Morillas families carry on the work in Lima and Pueto Maldonado. In 1987 the Argentine Church led in the establishment of work in Paraguay by some of their members, the Juan Anzulovich family. In 1997 Claudio and Karina Castellis arrived in Paraguay from Argentina and they continue to work today with a congregation in Asunciรณn and an outreach to children and poorer families.

A few years ago, Carolos and Zulema Quiroga began a congregation in their home in Puenta Alto, Chile. They soon moved into a school building and now have

built a church building. In 2005, Mark and Brenda Ray became church planters in Ireland. However, due to financial difficulties, this work has had to be terminated.

In the early 2000s the Carson Oaks Community Church in Stockton, California built a church near Manila in the Philippines.

Senior Pastor Gary Castro has finished his seminary training and is supervising the work with a congregation of about 150.

Another couple from Argentina, David and Cecilia Molina, have moved to Spain where they have established a small congregation and are considering a second church plant.

Thus, we have 100 years of permanent Brethren foreign mission programs. Each field has had its share of successes and failures, accomplishments and disappointments. At the core of all these efforts we see an army of God-called, dedicated and willing servants who have lived out their faith in extraordinary service to their Lord.

We also can see that after 100 years there remains much to be done. All of our fields need our support in many ways. Certainly the workers and the methods and the activities have changed over the years, but still, at the core of all the efforts, is the God-given responsibility that we have to be his instruments in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world in every generation.

2008 BYIC Convention & Bridge Festival House Worship Band - Attaboy Returning for another year

The four-piece Indiana band returns this year with new energy as they continue to develop into the band that God has created them to be. Attaboy’s versatility continues to impress fans, as they easily jump from rowdy party music to melodic piano-rock to playful lead into a powerful time of worship. Attaboy will be our worship band for the week of Convention as well as a concert band scheduled for Thursday evening. Check out their website for more information regarding the band. www.attaboyonline.com

Flatfoot 56 A Celtic punk band from the working class south side of Chicago, this band of three brothers (Tobin, Justin and Kyle Bawinkel) and a bagpipe player (Josh Robieson) stirred things into a circle pit frenzy with their debut release, “Knuckles Up.” After a packed year of non-stop touring and shows with the like of Flogging Molly, 7 Seconds, and The Business, Flatfoot’s follow-up album, “Jungle of the Midwest Sea,” is a rollicking barrage of Celtic punk and hardcore roundhouses with a universal message: “Where you live is who you are, so don’t blow it.”

Leslie Nease Leslie is a speaker, writer and radio personality from Tega Cay, SC. Leslie was a recent contestant on Survivor China in 2007, where she had the opportunity to boldly share her faith with millions of viewers worldwide.

Leslie has been encouraging people for years on the radio, New Life 91.9, out of Charlotte, NC, and on the stage. Her transparency and honesty in sharing and her deep love for the Word of God are contagious and inspiring. Her passions are faith, family, friends, fun and fitness and she shares these passions from a scriptural perspecitve and real-life experiences.

The Skit Guys Tommy Woodard and Eddie James are The Skit Guys. They have been best friends since high school, and have been communicating God’s Word and impacting lives through comedy, drama, and teaching for over 15 years. In a single skit, they will have you laughing one minute and in tears the next. You will be able to relate to the characters in their skits and as a result, God will REVEAL what He wants to do in and through you.

REVEAL

Debra-Ann Hinton Debra-Ann Hinton is a youth pastor and evangelist and is the founder of Y.W.A.V. (Youth With a Vision), which is an evangelistic ministry in Mobile, Alabama.

She has a heart for overseas missions and has been in countries around the world. God has blessed her with many gifts and has given her a great love for youth. She is a Spirit-filled woman of God with a tremendous ability to cross all social, racial and ethnic barriers to reach those who are yearning to know God.

Nate Hamblin Nate Hamblin has been involved in student ministry since 1995 and is currently the Pastor of Senior High Ministries at Crossroads Evangelical Church in Wauseon, Ohio. He served within the Brethren Church for five years at North Manchester Brethren Church in Indiana. Nate and Amanda have been married for five years and Nate claims a lifetime membership in the “I married way above myself” club. Nate is passionate about students discovering and developing life in Jesus, and is excited to be with us at this year’s convention.

Ridgecrest offers a variety of different outdoor activities including softball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, hiking trails, miniature golf, disc golf, laser tag, climbing wall, high ropes courses, and much more.

Laser Tag: We will be offering the opportunity to play laser tag during the week of

BYIC Convention. Laser tag uses an infrared gun which “shoots” a beam to a target worn by other players. Games are timed, and a running count of how many hits were made is recorded on these high-tech devices. Space for laser tag is limited, so be sure to sign up early to reserve your spot.

High Ropes: Also limited in space, a high ropes course will be offered during BYIC

Convention. The High Ropes course is a personal physical challenge that takes place at elevations of 20-40 feet above ground, including the climbing tower (pictured at left). This is a great opportunity to push your physical self and maybe even stretch your relationship with God. Be sure to register early to reserve your spot and turn in the Ridgecrest waiver that is required!

Bridge Festival Bridge Festival will take place in Ridgecrest, NC this year with Glenn Black and Doug Cooper facilitating the Festival. Many of the BYIC activities will be utilized by the Bridge Festival, with separate workshops, teachings, and experiences that are specifically tailored for young adults.

FAQs Q. It sounds like we’re going to be outside all the time. Is there anything else at Ridgecrest?

A. Lots of activities will take place outside, but there are plenty of opportunities to stay indoors if you prefer. Ridgecrest offers an ice cream shop, coffee shop (they serve Starbuck’s coffee), book store, soda fountain and grill, not to mention the workshops, entertainment and worship experiences that we will enjoy during the week too!

Q. Where can I go for more information!

A. The Brethren Church website has the most up-to-date information:

www.brethrenchurch.org/byic/2008-byic-convention-reveal.

Q. I have a specific question. Who should I contact?

A. Specific questions should be directed to the Youth Advisory Committee (Y.A.C.). You can email them at yac@brethrenchurch.org.

BYIC/Bridge Registration Form July 28 – August 1, 2008 Ridgecrest, NC

Please Choose your Convention:

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BYIC Convention (ages 12-22)

First time Attendee?

Also check here!

Bridge Festival (ages 18-30)

Address ______________________________________________________________ City ____________________________ State _______ Zip Code ________________ Ƒ Male Phone (_______) ________ - __________ Birthday ____ / ____ / 19_____ Ƒ Female Email ____________________________________T-Shirt Size (adult sizes) _______ What Brethren church do you attend? _____________________________________

BYIC Convention Students:

$305 Early Bird BYIC / Bridge

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$325 Regular BYIC / Bridge

You must have an adult sponsor of the same sex and at least 22 years of age who is registered with the BYIC Convention in order to attend Convention. If you submit this registration form without a sponsor, please add $30 to your payment. This cost will pay the way for your sponsor for the week.

Adventure Options: (New for BYIC Convention 2008)

A limited number of spots are available for High Ropes and Laser Tag, available at no extra charge!

Spots are filled first come first serve, so register early! Registration and completed Ridgecrest waiver (required for High Ropes) reserves your spot. Please indicate what activities you’d like to sign-up for:

High Ropes* (see note on back) For more information regarding High Ropes & Laser Tag, check out the Brethren Church website. www.brethrenchurch.org

Laser Tag

Payment Information Convention Fee No Sponsor (add $30) Total Due: Amount Enclosed:

(postmarked before May 15) (postmarked before June 30)

A $25 late fee will be added to each registration on any payment made after June 30.

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Adult Sponsor Cost $305 Anytime Rate FREE—I’m registering 10 students by May 15!

Housing Options

Who is your adult sponsor? _______________________________________________

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BYIC-Adult Sponsor

First Name ____________________ Last Name _____________________________

Convention Cost

You will be assigned a room and roomates this year upon arrival.

Youth groups will be staying together, separated male / female.

Adult Sponsors Only List the students you are sponsoring: (up to 8) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________ _________ (Required if no advisor is listed) _________ (Any payment after June 30, add $25.00) _________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please complete the billing box so we know how you will be paying.

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_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please select your payment type: I am paying by check which is enclosed.

Please make checks payable to BYIC Convention.

I am going to pay by credit card. Please bill me via E-mail: ___________________________________

I will be paying at a later date. Please send a bill to the following address (if different from above): Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ City: ________________ State: ______ Zip: _______

*Remember*

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

No Registrations will be accepted after June 30. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Full payment must be postmarked by June 30 for every attendee. A $25 late fee will be added to each registration on any payment made after June 30. Please complete the billing box so we know how you will be paying.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Send form to: BYIC Convention 524 College Avenue Ashland, OH 44805

2008 BYIC Convention Medical Form Legal Name_______________________________________________________________________________________________ Age ____________ Birthday _______________________ Social Security Number _____________-___________-_____________ Emergency Contact Information Name of Parent(s) / Guardian(s)______________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone _________________________________________ Evening Phone _____________________________________ Alternate Contact: (Name) ____________________________________________ Phone_________________________________ Insurance information Insurance Company ________________________________________________________________________________________ Policy and/or Group Number ________________________________________________________________________________ Please list any medical conditions, recent illnesses or operations, or any medications you currently take: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Medical Release, Authorization to Treat, Conduct and Publication: I hereby authorize a representative of The Brethren Church, or the 2008 BYIC Convention to authorize administration of medical treatment to this participant when medical treatment is deemed necessary. I understand that all reasonable safety precautions will be taken at all times by The Brethren Church. I understand that in the event medical intervention is necessary every attempt will be made to contact the person(s) above immediately. I further release, indemnify, hold harmless and further discharge The Brethren Church, Inc,. its employees and members, and the BYIC Convention for any and all damages, losses or injuries sustained by participants resulting from applicant’s participating in the BYIC Convention. This extends to and applies to, and also covers and includes, all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, losses and liability, and consequences in substance that releases shall not extend to claims, demands, injuries or damages which are unknown or unsuspected to exist at the time, to person executing such release are hereby expressly waived. I understand that by breaking ay rules or guidelines during the week of 2008 BYIC Convention, I may be sent home at my own cost, regardless of cost or time remaining of Convention. Any photographs taken during the week maybe used for promotion purpose via print, video and web, a written request to exclude participant must be on file prior to Convention 2008.

Participant’s Signature ____________________________________________________ Date Signed ________________________ Parent / Guardian Signature _______________________________________________

(if under 18 years of age) Date Signed _________________________________

Note: This release form is for The Brethren Church Inc. If you are interested in participating in High Ropes or Low Ropes at Ridgecrest, you must complete the Ridgecrest Waiver form as well. Ridgecrest Waiver can be found at http://brethrenchurch.org/byic/2008-byic-convention-reveal/ridgecrest-waiver-form *High Ropes : High Ropes opportunities are limited to the first 200 BYIC Cancellations: Students to sign-up. Registration A $50 fee will be imposed on any cancellations and completed Ridgecrest Waiver or payment transfers for form is required to reserve your BYIC Convention / Bridge Festival 2008. spot for a High Ropes opportunity.

Hurray!

Linens are included this year with registration with BYIC Convention / Bridge Festival!

Dorm rooms are Air Conditioned in North Carolina!

Be sure to check out the website for updates on Convention 2008.

www.brethrenchurch.org

2008 General Conference Greater Richmond Convention Center & Richmond Coliseum Richmond, Virginia

July 12 - 16, 2008 (Please note this is a Saturday through Wednesday conference.)

Conference Schedule Saturday: 6:00 - 7:30 pm 8:00 - 9:30 pm Sunday: 8:00 - 8:45 am 9:30 - 11:00 am

2:00 - 4:30 pm 7:00 - 9:00 pm Monday: 7:00 - 7:45 am 8:00 - 9:30 am 9:45 - 10:45 am 11:00 - 1:00 pm

2:00 - 4:00 pm 6:00 - 7:30 pm 8:00 - 9:30 pm Tuesday: 8:00 - 9:30 am 9:45 - 10:45 am 11:00 - 1:00 pm

7:00 - 9:00 pm Wednesday: 8:00 - 8:45 am 9:30 - 11:00 am

Brethren Church Worship National Christian Choir Prayer Combined Worship with Church of the Brethren Dr. Shanthi Edwin & Dr. Arden Gilmer speaking Combined Anniversary Celebration Workshops Combined Worship - Celebrating Missions Prayer Missions Breakfast Business Session I Auxiliaries Brethren Church Workshops Brethren Church Worship Ken Medema

Dr. Shanthi Edwin

Dr. Arden Gilmer

Prayer & Worship Business Session II Auxiliaries Brethren Church Worship Prayer Combined Worship Dr. Leroy Solomon speaking The 200+ voices of the National Christian Choir, based in Washington, D.C., will share their powerful ministry with us on Saturday night. Don’t miss this tremendous opening event that immediately follows opening worship.

Ken Medema is a blind musician, composer, and songwriter who will share songs, stories, and improvisational skills with us. He has performed previously at Church of the Brethren Annual Conference and congregations around the country. Don’t miss Ken Medema, Monday evening after worship.

Dr. Leroy Solomon

Conference Details: International Leaders We are excited that all of our international mission fields will be represented this year at 2008 General Conference. Travel plans are well underway for these leaders to join us in Richmond, Virginia. During conference week be sure to spend some quality time with a few of these wonderful individuals.

Sunday afternoon will offer a variety of workshops that will be hosted by both Brethren church and Church of the Brethren leaders. These combined workshops include Brethren history overview, hymn and worship sessions, intercultural forums, dramas, Bible studies, and much more.

Workshops will also be offered on Monday afternoon that are specific to the Brethren Church and information that is vital to our ministry.

Bus Transportation A free bus shuttle will be available to all of the hotels listed on the Brethren Church room block. This bus shuttle will run throughout the day, Saturday through Wednesday. If you are in need of transportation to or from the Richmond airport, you can reserve your spot through our website at http://brethrenchurch. org/events/2008-general-conference/bus-schedule

FAQs Q. Is everything this year with the Church of the Brethren?

A. No, we are celebrating the 300th Anniversary with the Church of the Brethren, but we will also have our separate times of worship, business sessions, workshops, banquet and more.

All-Conference Choir The Church of the Brethren Conference has an All-Conference Choir that sings special numbers during their worship services. They have invited Brethren Church participants to join them for two combined services: Sunday morning and Wednesday morning. The choir will be directed by Dr. Jesse Hopkins, Bridgewater, Virginia with special guest conductor, Ron Sprunger of Ashland, Ohio on Wednesday morning.

Rehearsals will be held during conference week.

For a list of songs and a registration form go to: http:// brethrenchurch.org/events/2008-general-conference/conference-choir/

Q. Is this General Conference going to be all historybased?

A. No. While we will look at the history of the Brethren Church and celebrate where we have come from, much of our time will be looking toward the Housing in Richmond future of the Brethren Church and The Brethren Church has prearranged diswhere we will be heading as we enter counted hotel rates at eight(8) difference hotels in into a NEW DAY. the Richmond area. For these discounted rates, Q. I don’t think I can come for the entire log on to the Brethren Church website beginning week. Should I still come?

March 7th to reserve your room through our room block. By using the BrethA. Yes! Please come for as much as you ren Church room block, you will help keep facility rentals at no extra cost can. Saturday through Monday would to the Brethren Church or yourself. http://brethrenchurch.org/events/2008be an excellent three days, with opgeneral-conference/housing portunities to visit with our InternationThose who wish to register by mail or fax should request a Conference al Leaders, celebrate with the Church housing form from your pastor. Forms may be downloaded from the Brethof the Brethren, enjoy the banquet, ren Church website. and contribute to a business session.

2008 General Conference Registration Saturday, July 12 - Wednesday, July 16, 2007 Richmond, Virginia All General Conference participants must submit this registration form.

Early Bird Registration is June 1. (Register online at www.brethrenchurch.org)

Name(s): ________________________________________________________ Home Phone:_________________________ Address:____________________________________________ City, State, Zip:_____________________________________ First time Attendee? (Please check here)

Updated Information

HOUSING

- Holiday Inn Express has replaced Quality Inn - Hotel Prices vary slightly from Jan/Feb Evangelist

General Conference has reserved various hotels within the city of Richmond. Not only are some of these rates drastically lower than if you would try and book the same rooms by yourself, but by using the room block, you are also helping provide a discounted rate for use of the Richmond Convention Center.

We appreciate your usage of our room block.

Hotel

Comfort Inn Holiday Inn Central Crowne Plaza Richmond West Holiday Inn Express Crowne Plaza Richmond Downtown Marriott Omni Hotel Double Tree

Cost / Night $84/Night $90/Night $106/Night $109/Night $111/Night $114/Night $114/Night $115/Night

Distance from Convention Center 5.6 miles 3.2 miles 8.6 miles 6 blocks 10.5 blocks 0.5 blocks 13 blocks 9 blocks

Hotel Tax is currently 13% in Richmond, VA. These rates do not include any taxes, amenities, parking fees or additional service fees that may incur during your stay.

Note: A free bus shuttle will be running all week from the hotels listed above to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The Brethren Church room block will become available at 12:00 a.m. on March 7, 2008. The room block will open at this time to both the Brethren Church and Church of the Brethren Registrants. To book your hotel room, log-on to http://brethrenchurch.org/events/2008-general-conference/housing.

Hotels will be filled on a first come first serve basis, so be sure to register early.

- 2008 General Conference The Brethren Church is excited to be joining the Church of the Brethren as we celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the Brethren Church. In traveling to Richmond, Virginia this year for our Annual Conference there are quite a few changes in store not only for the week of General Conference but also in the preparation to attend. Please complete this form so we may enter you into our database and get all the proper preparation complete. Please remember, that you must complete both this Registration Form as well as turn in your Credentials by June 1st to be registered as a Delegate at 2008 General Conference. These two items do not need to be submitted together, but if you would like to do so that is also all right. Please do not hesitate to call with any questions that you may have regarding 2008 General Conference.

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2008 General Conference Registration (Continued)...

REGISTRATION Registration fee for 2008 General Conference is $25.00 per household. Registrations submitted before June 1 qualify for an early bird rate of $15.00 per household.

Total for Registration: $_____________

CREDENTIALS Delegate credentials are obtained from your pastor. A limited number of district and cooperative credentials are available through your district organizations. Credentials do not need to accompany your registration but need to be submitted by June 1. If you are not attending as a church/district delegate, we ask that you pay the Non Delegate fee, to assist with the overall cost of General Conference.

Non Delegate(s) $15.00 per person/ per day No. of people _____ x No. of days attending _____ = Total for Non Delegate(s): $_____________

SPECIAL EVENT RESERVATIONS International Leaders Banquet, Monday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

$14.00 x No. of tickets _____ = $_________

Ecumenical Luncheon, Tuesday, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

$17.00 x No. of tickets _____ = $_________

Join us Monday morning for breakfast, featuring our International Leaders from around the world.

This lunch will dive into the roots, branches and fruit of the Brethren Church movement. This event will be combined with Church of the Brethren participants.

Total for Special Events: $_____________

Child Care: Updated Information: For children, babies through 5th grade, child care will be provided throughout the week during the

Missionary Banquet and all worship events. Cost is $5.00 per session per child, which includes experienced supervision and snacks. Pre-registration is not necessary.

Registration Fee : $_____________ Non-Delegate Fee (if applicable): $_____________ Special Event Reservations: $_____________ Total Registration Fee: $_____________

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: x

Registrations sent before June 1 qualify for the Early Bird Registration rate of $15.00 per household, after June 1 Registration is $25.

x

Delegate credentials can be obtained from your pastor, district or organization. Please submit your credential before June 1.

x

Updated information regarding 2008 General Conference can be obtained by visiting our website: www.brethrenchurch.org

PLEASE MAIL REGISTRATIONS AND FEES TO: Brethren Church General Conference 524 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805

Please select your payment type: 目 I am paying by check which is enclosed.

Please make checks payable to Brethren Church. 目 I am going to pay by credit card. Please bill me via email: E-Mail________________________________ 目 I will be paying the full amount before July 1.

Please send a bill to the following address (if different from registration address): Name: __________________________________ Address:_________________________________ City:_____________________ State:_____ Zip: __________

These are your

Brethren International Leaders Thanks to your contributions: Their feet have humbly gone where yours may never travel; their hands carefully carry the gospel message. Their voices contain the stories of amazing witness and the transforming power of God, and now they are coming to you.

They will be traveling from their individual mission fields to the 300 300thth Anniversary Anniversary 2008 2008 General General Conference Conference in in Richmond, Richmond, Virginia Virginia They need your help.

Each International family has various expenses for the 2008 General Conference in Richmond, VA. Some of those expenses include: ♦ Hotel in Richmond 6 nights @ $140.00 per night

= $840.00

♦ Food Costs

PER PERSON 6 days @ $30.00

per day

We welcome these leaders:  Victor & Mabel Alesandroni - Argentina  José Rivero - Argentina  Eduardo Rodriguez & family - Argentina  Jeremy & April McClung & family-Canada  Carlos & Zulema Quiroga - Chile  Marcelo & Adriana Ferreri & family-Colombia  Prasanth & Nirmala Kumar - India  Sudir Kumar - India  Mark & Brenda Ray - Ireland  David & Jenny Loi - Malaysia  Moises & Paty Calderon & family-Mexico

♦ Misc. Expenses Approx.

= $180.00

= $100.00

♦ Flight to the U.S.A. PER PERSON Depending on distance of travel = $500.00

to $2,800.00 ♦ TOTAL For family of two

= $2,300.00 to $6,900.00

Plus, each individual will need extra: Lodging, Food, and Travel Expenses while visiting our churches here in the U.S.A.

 Todd & Tracy Ruggles & family - Mexico  Claudio & Karina Castellis & family-Paraguay  Rebecca & David Abuid - Peru  Luis & Zoraida De Morillas & family - Peru  Gary Castro - Philippines  David & Cecilia Molina & family - Spain 

= Expenses are fully PAID

For more information concerning the International Leaders, please contact: Jennifer Pinto 419-289-1708 1-877-289-1708 jenn@brethrenchurch.org

YES!

I choose to be a part of the _ International Celebration!

Please use my gift of: $________ to aid with the expenses of our International Leaders. or

Please use my gift of: $________ to aid with the expenses of: __________________________

Name of person(s) you would like to sponsor

Name: ________________________ Address ______________________ _____________________________ Phone: _______________________ email: ________________________ Church: ______________________ If you prefer, you can make a contribution using your debit or credit card. Please go to our website, click on the contribution tab, and look for the section entitled International Leaders 2008 General Conference Support. You will be directed to a secure PayPal site for input. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Stan Gentle at the National Office.

The Brethren Church 524 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805 877-289-1708 www.brethrenchurch.org

Coming soon:

Brethren I nternational Leaders to 2008 General Conference

The Brethren Evangelist (SSN 0747-4288) is published six times a year 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. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Brethren Church, 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792 March/April 2008, Vol. 130, No. 2

The Brethren Church 524 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805

Periodical Postage Paid at Ashland, OH 44805