April 1997

C H R 1ST I A N

MONEY FOR MIN

How well does your church budget reflect your mission

FIRST WORDS

••• from the editor

" p UT YOUR MONEY where your mouth is . " How often have you heard that one? But how often have you heard it in the context of the church? Our lead story in this issue challenges us to determine if our church budgets line up with what we say our purpose is in our mission statements (page 4) . Ray Bowman and Eddy Hall offer some thOUght-provoking ideas that could serve as a discussion starter at your next congregational business meeting. If nothing else, it might liven up the proceedings just a bit.

Our gaggle of columnists offer their usual meaty tidbits. Philip Wiebe sees signs of spring in SCripture (page 8). Marvin Hein responds to a query about "marketing" the church (page 9). Rose Buschman describes her goal to become more of a producer and less of a consumer (page 10) Burton Buller reflects on the influence of television and interactive technology (page 22).

The biggest news around here is that we are now accessible via the Internet. At least for e-mail. Our effort to get on-line is a tale of woe that extends almost a year, but the good news is that we've arrived. Please feel free to submit articles, letters to the editors, or personal correspondence via our electronic address: chleader@southwind.net.

To be honest, we're only in the early stages of determining how the Internet might help us carry out our communication ministry. We already know it's a helpful tool on the production end. Many agencies send their press releases via e-mail, which saves us the time and hassle of scanning or keyboarding manuscripts

While it's trendy in the publishing world to have an on-line version of one's publication, we're exploring other options that might serve our constituency more effectively. If you have thoughts on the subject,we'd love to hear from you.

By mail or e-mail, of course.-DR

COMING

• APRIL 4-5-West Coast MCC Relief Sale, Fresno, Calif

• APRIL 11-12-Mid-Kansas MCC Relief Sale, Hutchinson, Kan.

• JULY 10-12, 1997-General Conference convention, Waterloo, Ont o

• NOVEMBER 7 -9-Southern District Conference convention, site to be determined .

• NOVEMBER 7-8-Pacific District Conference convention, hosted by Bethany Church, Fresno, Calif.

• NOVEMBER 14-16-Central District Conference convention, Minneapolis, Minn.

Does your church budget reflect the priorities outlined in your congregation's mission statement? How does it compare with the spending priorities of the early church? BY RAY BOWMAN WITH EDDY HALL

• Marketing the church

• Jesus as the "Son of Man"

• Producer or consumer?

• Mission USA revises its board 12

• A North American pastor from India reflects on MWC 14

• Fresno Pacific announces a new president 15

• Church notes 16

• Deaths 18

• Spring cleaning

ART CREDITS: Cover and page 4, Orley Friesen; background cover photo by CLEO Photography; page 14, photo by G.K. Rufus

Don Ratzlaff

Connie Faber

BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Noelle Dickinson, chair; Phil Neufeld, Dalton Reimer, Herb Schroeder, Kathy Heinrichs Wiest

MANDATE: THE CHRISTIAN LEADER (ISSN 00095149), organ of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, is published monthly by the U.S. Conference Board of Communications, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063 The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events, activities, decisions, and issues of their denomination, and to instruct, inspire and initiate dialog so that they will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical! Anabaptist theological tradition.

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by Ray Bowman and Eddy Hall

Bankrupt budgets?

How your church allots its money says a lot about what its mission really is.

F ALL THE CHURCH MISSION STATEMENTS I'VE READ-AND

I've read a lot-I (Ray) have never read a bad one. I've never read a mission statement that says, "We want to be a self-serving church, focusing only on our own needs and ignoring the needs of those around us." Yet a church that would never dream of saying this in its mission statement often says something very close to it in the document that probably more than any other reveals its real priorities-its budget.

A Christian church in the Northwest adopted one of the strongest mission statements I have ever read. Among many other good things , it said , "We are committed to helping people discover, refme, and use their spiritual gifts To reach as many people as possible we commit ourselves to a mUltiple offense in evangelism .. .. We believe people experience spiritual growth when they are entrusted with specific ministry tasks and given the responsibility to accomplish them We are committed to a stewardship focus that emphasizes

others, not selfish interests."

When I got to the church to begin my consult· ing work I asked the pastor, "What are you doing to carry out these wonderful statements?"

The pastor could point to almost nothing the church as a whole was doing to carry out its good intentions. Though this church claimed to be com· mitted to equipping people for evangelism, they offered no evangelism training They said they wanted to help people develop and use their spiri· tual gifts, but they had no specific way to help

people identify or test their gifts.

Among the most telling signs was their spending. While the church said they wanted their stewardship to emphasize others, not selfish interests, they were spending 87 percent of their budget on institutional maintenance-facilities, staff and operations-and only 13 percent on ministry to others. Only 2.5 percent was going toward meeting the needs of people in the local community This church was not putting its money where its mission statement was.

It wasn't always this way

A few weeks ago in a group where we were studying the church of Acts, I (Eddy) listed six categories of church spending, then asked group members to rank them according to how much their local church spent on each category. I then asked them to rank these same spending priorities for the New Testament church.

The spending priorities in the two lists were almost opposite. The contemporary church spent most of its money on buildings and professional staff. For the New Testament church, "meeting the financial needs of people" topped the list, and "facilities" fell to the bottom; New Testament congregations neither owned nor rented buildings.

At the time of the Reformation, this priority on meeting the fmancial needs of people was still largely intact. John Calvin reflected the prevailing practice of the time by advocating that onefourth of all church income go the poor in the congregation and one-fourth to others in need outside the church . Fully one-half of the church's income was to go to those in fmancial need.

Most churches today spend less than 3 percent of their income on these two categories combined (the needy within the congregation and the needy in the surrounding community)-a far cry from the 50 percent advocated by Calvin and an even higher percentage practiced by the New Testament church Is it any wonder that so many non-Christians view today's church as just one more self-serving institution, another special interest group, rather than a community of faith that actively demonstrates mind-boggling love?

Customers or servants?

Many North American churchgoers see themselves as customers. In exchange for what they give to their churches, they receive certain services. The church's primary purpose, they feel, is to meet their needs. When most of the members of a church see themselves as cus-

tomers, this cannot help but be reflected in the church's budget.

Jesus said, "Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve" (Mt. 20:26-28, NRSV). We are not to come to the church as customers. Rather, we are to come together to encourage and equip and build one another up so that we can then go out, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world. When a church really believes that, it will show up not only in its mission statement, but also in its actions-and in its spending.

If we want to break out of a customer mindset and become a servant people, our fu-st step should be to again adopt as the church's first fmancial priority the New Testament standard that we will never allow a financial need within the local body of believers to go unmet (Acts 4:34). We need to face up to the biblical truth that if we ignore financial needs within our own congregations, God's love is not in us (1 In. 3:17). We must learn practical, sensitive ways to detect financial needs within the congregation, and compassionate ways to meet those needs that affIrm dignity and build community . Second, we can look beyond the boundaries

Most churches today spend less than 3 percent of their income on the needy within the congregation and the needy in the surrounding communitya far cry from the 50 percent advocated by Calvin and an even higher percentage practiced by the New Testament church. Is it any wonder that so many non-Christians view today's church as just one more self-serVing institution?

In a servant congregation, we will not spend most of our money on providing buildings and services for ourselves.... Instead, our goal will be to invest as much of our time, money and energy as possible in ministry-reaching out to touch the lives ofpeople with Christ's love.

of the congregation to those in need in the surrounding community During the frrst three centuries of the church's history, poverty was often eradicated in the vicinity of the churches. Why? Because every Christian "was expected to seek out, street by street, the poorest dwellings of strangers, with the result that the Christians spent more money in the streets than the followers of other religions spent in their temples " As government assistance for the poor is being cut, our churches have a great opportunity to reclaim this aspect of our calling.

Third, the church can encourage and equip its members to each discover what ministries God is calling them to do, then actively support them as they join existing ministries or launch new ones _Many of these ministries will go beyond traditional church programs They will be shaped by the varied needs of the people in the communities where God has placed us _ And they will take money.

The creative possibilities are endless . At a Baptist church in Brewster, N.Y., I (Ray) discovered guests in many homes: displaced persons, runaways, people in crisis. No one who came to the church needing food was turned away , and a house behind the church provided a night's lodging for those who had nowhere else to stay.

A man in Sturgis, S.D., had a burden for teens who were in trouble with the law. Through a

ministry he started in the parsonage basement , he introduced them to Christ's love and forgiveness The ministry grew and eventually took over the whole parsonage. The pastor had to move to anew home.

A church in Hayward , Calif., bought used video games and filled a room in the church with them After school the room would fill with kids of all colors , sizes and ages. There was no charge except for refreshments .

As laughter and play filled the room , suddenly all the machines went off at once. Most of the crowd went into the fellowship hall, sat on the floor , and listened to a message told in their own language about a new life Many spiritual needs were met Parents came to find out what was going on, curious about reports of free fun and fellowship and the changed behavior they saw in their children.

Turning church spending right side up

In a servant congregation, we will not spend most of our money on providing buildings and services for ourselves Rather, we will use our buildings more intensively than ever before, going to two, three or four worship services or more before we build a new auditorium. We will commit the church to getting out of debt and staying out of debt so we aren't wasting precious ministry money on interest payments. Instead, our goal will be to invest as much of our time , money and energy as possible in ministry-reaching out to touch the lives of people with Christ's love.

If you and the other people of your church truly want to be servants, not customers, together you can turn your church's spending right side up again You can, over a period of years, slash the percentage of your budget that you spend on institutional maintenance . You can multiply the dollars you invest in ministering directly to people's needs You can become a church that puts your money where your mission statement is .

Ray Bowman of Larkspur, Colo ., and Eddy Hall of Goesse,I Kan., are church consultants who help congregations fUlfill their ministry potential through integrated planning offaCilities, finances, and ministries Most of this article is adapted from When Not to Build : An Architects's Unconventional Wisdom for the Growing Church (Baker 1992) and When Not to Borrow: Unconventional Financial Wisdom to Set Your Church Free (Baker 1996), both by Ray Bowman with Eddy Hall.

Achanging NAE

For the men and women attending this year's National Association of Evangelicals annual convention, change was in the air. The challenge to bring "50 under 40" produced a crop of participants with strollers and children. The influx of youth added to the relaxed ease of the event Overall attendance sharply increased. Polo shirts, sandals and khakis replaced three-piece suits and high heels .

Most noticeable to me, however, was a change of the heart. Church leaders humbly admitted that our country's sickness is due to the sin of the church-not drugs, alcohol, the youth culture or various evils impacting our society.

All three public evening sessions addressed this issue head-on. Crawford Loritts, Campus Crusade for Christ vice-president, spoke of the need to humble ourselves, seek God's face and tum from our wicked ways. Josh McDowell encouraged evangelicals to work together and be less competitive. Anne Graham Lotz challenged the church to have a fresh vision of God's holiness.

I was deeply moved and challenged at this convention. I saw brokenness, a humbling of attitudes and walls crumbling The Holy Spirit met us. Young and old, charismatic and nOncharismatic, black and white, male and female-all shared this visit from God

My prayer for us as Mennonite Brethren is that we will unite with our fellow brothers and sisters in the evangelical movement In the past, NAE has been criticized by our denomination for numerous reasons, including being too political. NAE has swung away from politics A prophetic voice was heard at this convention- we must begin to "row" together.

Winnie Bartel Shafter, Calif.

WHAT READERS SAY

Editor's note: Winnie Bartel was a Mennonite Brethren representative at the NAB convention in Orlando, Fla., March 3 -6. She is a member of

the NAB Board of Administration and serves on the Membership Committee and Women's Commission.

Helped by MB Foundation

Recently we concluded the process of establishing a living trust of which we now are trustees. I am writing to commend the MB Foundation. Its personnel have given us good counsel about "doing it right." Their forms made it easy to assign future monies to conference agencies, and under a Memoranda plan, made it a simple matter to make changes (without a fee) in the conference agency beneficiaries should one want to do so in the future.

We were helped by a Christian lawyer and were saddened by his comment that many Christians do not assign any percentage of their assets to the Lord ' s ministry in drawing up such documents. We followed a plan recommended to us by Peter Funk. In assigning the distribution of one's assets, let the Lord's portion equal that of one of the children . If there are three children, assets are divided into four, so that each receives one-fourth, including kingdom ministry. To our delight we found that our lawyer has arranged his personal finances on the same plan.

We join those who feel that their fmancial support should go to agencies they "own" and trust For us, these are Mennonite Brethren agencies . Though many good causes come knocking via our mail boxes, if the Mennonite Brethren buggy gets stuck, others are not likely to come to the rescue. The task of supporting the Lord's work through the Mennonite Brethren belongs to us who carry the name and are afforded the opportunity. Elmer and PhyUis Martens Fresno, Calif.

Remembering Vernon

I was sorry to read of Vernon Wiebe's death in the Christian Leader (February issue). I had the opportunity to get to know Vernon when we served on the board of MB Missions/

Services and later when we lived in Hillsboro. I have many fond memories of him, but there is one conversation in particular I will never forget.

I was working through a student problem when I was on the staff at Tabor College. Vernon told me how he, when he had been dean of students at Tabor, had been informed of a problem in one of the men's dormitories. He went over to talk with the guys, but evidently no one was around. He searched the house and found a couple of guys smoking in the bathroom. He requested they come and see him the next day. When the students came in, he talked with each of them-not about the smoking incident, but about their life goals and relationship with Christ.

I have worked with students for more than 20 years now and have used the same tactic with students who have a lot more potential then they are using . I also think it typical of Vernon to concentrate on one's possibilities, not one's limitations.

Vernon Wiebe had a big heart for people. I am sure he will be missed, but I am glad I had the opportunity to know him.

Norris Friesen Huntington, Ind.

Thanks for the Leader

Thank you for your faithfulness in publishing the Christian Leader. I read it from cover to cover I am still a Mennonite Brethren at heart even though I go to an independent Mennonite church. I want to keep informed about the goings-on in our conference . Malinda Bartel Meade, Kan.

The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters of relevance to the Mennonite Brethren Church . All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length . Send letters to Christian Leader, Box V, Hillsboro, KS 67063 ; fax : 316 -9473266; e-mail : chleader@southwind net.

BY PHILIP WIEBE

Lessons of spring

Spring is a beautiful time ofyear, but it also shows that life is seasonal, the things of this world temporal.

SPRING IS A great season for spiritual analogies. The bloom of new life is all around, reminding us of Jesus's words about his

own death and resurrection: "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (Tn 12:24).

A number of other illustrations from the Bible always seem to come back to me each spring He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. I think of these famous words from Psalm 23 whenever I drive through our pastoral Willamette Valley countryside. The rolling farmlands and wooded hills always bring a sense of calm. Schedules and deadlines don't seem so pressing. The green fields and forests renew my spirit and lift my heart to the Shepherd.

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin (Mt. 6:28) One spring a number of years ago I took a botany class to complete my college degree. The memory of trudging through woods and meadows identifying Oregon wildflowers remains vivid. The beauty and variety of the flowers put a personal spin on Jesus's teaching from Matthew 6: "Why worry and fret, 0 me of little faith? If God takes such good care of the flowers, won't he lovingly care for me, too?" In that spirit I still keep my eyes peeled for wildflowers wherever I travel in spring.

The grass withers and the flowers but the word of our God standsforever (1s. 40 :8). Several

summers ago, during an extended drought in our area, the nearby city of Portland pronounced a ban on all lawn watering. This caused great wails of lament in our famously green state But after peo-

ple got used to brown yards, I think many found

the experience to be enlightening Was maintaining a lush lawn really that important in the bigger scheme of life?

Spring is a beautiful time of year, but it also shows that life is seasonal, the things of the world temporal. "The grass withers and the flowers fall. " A good reminder to pay more attention to the eternal words and ways of God

Spring continues to speak to me not only through the Word but in daily life. The other day, for example, a bit of spindly foliage by the front porch reminded me of my doomed daffodils A couple of springs ago I waited eagerly for the patch of daffodil bulbs I had put in to bloom beautifully between two flowering shrubs The previous fall I had hastily planted the bulbs in "the perfect spot. "

It wasn ' t When the bulbs failed to bloom I realized I had chosen the spot only in relation to its immediate surroundings, not taking into account a wider perspective of trees and roof lines that wouldn't allow adequate sunlight to reach the foliage.

I often think about that when tempted to take quick action or make hasty decisions based on

immediate circumstances or momentary feelings. Am I looking at the bigger picture? Will I regret my actions months or even years in the future? What I reap depends not only on what I sow, but also on how and where I sow it.

This spring I ponder another recent spiritual lesson, again taught to me by my own yard. After pruning back our three old apple trees a few years ago, I didn't really think much more about them. Until last fall. As they dropped cascades of apples-raining them down during breezy days and thunking them steadily onto the grass outside our bedroom window in the quiet of night-I lamented my mistake of allowing the trees to get tremendously overgrown.

I spent a couple of long February Saturdays up in the trees with a pruning saw, mumbling to myself how much easier it would have been to prune them back every winter, a little at a time At one point it struck me how much the unpruned trees resembled my life Over previous months my days had been unusually hectic, undisciplined, overgrown.

Tangled in apple branches, I thOUght of]esus's words from John IS: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (vv. 1, 2)

Like the trees, my life needed pruning. Not just once in a while at great effort, but regularly, consistently, a little at a time Failing to abide in the Vine and submit to the care of the Gardener had scattered my priorities and obscured my spiritual outlook . Pruning is already a painful process , but how much more when I've allowed my inner life to become choked and thorny? The unruly apple branches that still litter my backyard remind me to regularly seek the care and guidance of the Gardener.

INQUIRING MINDS

BY MARVIN HEIN

QWith all the emphasis on "marketing" the church, will we lose the consciousness that the Holy Spirit is the one who draws men and women to God? (CANADA)

AThis question was posed by a young pastor who had just attended a series of seminars in which a nationally known speaker outlined a strategy for bringing people of diverse generations to Christ. The speaker had so capably presented his plan that this pastor said he had been tempted to shout, "But where is the Holy Spirit in this mix? "

Several things must be said at the outset:

First, most speakers, in their enthusiasm to push a point, leave unsaid many essential things. My guess is the seminar leader did not intend to leave out the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Second, changes in our culture demand new approaches if we are to be effective witnesses.

Third, some things about "marketing" the church are legitimate . In fact, to some degree we have always used business principles in organizing kingdom work.

Fourth, we should not question the sincerity or motivations of church-marketing advocates.

At the same time, futurists appeal to us to make changes because cultural practices and beliefs have changed-and we must address them. But I have not heard futurists suggest that some cultural beliefs and practices should be challenged instead of accommodated. My personal interest in the "marketing" approach has been heightened in recent days by a book titled Selling Out the Church by Kenneson and Street (Abingdon).

What is a "marketing" approach?

To use industry parlance, marketing is engineering or managing mutually

beneficial change-using business principles, taking risks to create profits by offering certain products. Exchange is the central element In the church, "marketing" is repackaging the gospel presentation so it is attractive and relevant to the average customer (unchurched person). It changes the facilities from being primarily a worship center to a service center. Worship services are viewed as products that congregations offer consumers based on the consumers' felt need The goal is to ultimately lead them to Christ and full discipleship .

Much of what is described above is biblical and admirable. But is the idea of "exchange"-where the church offers a needed product so that the consumer has his needs met and the church prospers-legitimate? Have we been called to witness to the unbeliever, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and so forth because we, along with the "consumer," receive satisfaction? Or do we follow Christ's command because we are obedient?

The question is not whether we should meet human need. The biblical command is clear. The issue, succinctly pointed out by Kenneson and Street, is this: Who determines what the consumer needs? Which needs should the church try to meet? Is it our mission to meet only those needs people already recognize? Or does the gospel involve learning to recognize that some needs are not legitimate? Are all felt needs, by virtue of being felt, legitimate?

We live in a marketplace culture where many of our desires and needs are created by advertising The gospel challenges the notion that all our felt needs are legitimate. We are asked to provide a rich smorgasbord of programs and services because the customer wants them. Is the customer always right?

Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? Send it to "Inquiring Minds," c/ o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 9372 7

I welcome dialogue on "marketing" the good news. Many good things have come from the emphasis on "user-friendly" ways of doing church I'm simply suggesting that we should be asking questions about the long-range implications of such practices.

QI have heard that when Jesus said something about the Son of Man not having a place to lay his head, he wasn't referring to himself. Is that true? (CALIFORNIA)

ASome have made weak attempts to make this verse say something other than what it plainly says. They have suggested that "Son of Man" refers to humanity in general, and that its application to Jesus is secondary at best. In other words, that wild animals have resting places but human beings don't. No evidence exists for this view and it really doesn't make much sense .

One scholar, T. W. Manson, has suggested that "Son of Man" in Jesus's teaching denotes God's elect community, the true believing Israel. So Manson suggests: "Everybody is at home in Israel's land except the true Israel. The birds of the air (Roman overlords), the foxes (Edomite interlopers), have made their positions secure, but the true Israel is disinherited ."

In my judgment, that's carrying New Testament imagery (the Herods as Edomite interlopers and Herod Antipas as "that fox") a bit too far.

The simplest and most satisfactory answer is that Jesus was referring to himself as having no permanent home on the earth and that his disciples should not be surprised if they found no permanent earthly security in their pilgrimage as Christians.

ON THE JOURNEY

BY ROSE BUSCHMAN

Producer or consumer?

The paradigm shift here is one from "What can I contribute?" to one of "What can I get?"

THE COVER STORY of a recent issue of Christianity Today was titled, "Why the Devil Takes Visa ." That was to get my

into necessities " more quickly than any other retailer.

Clapp describes how Protestantism and the evangelical movement provided an easy bridge in moving attention. Actually, the subtitle better described the article 's topic : "A Christian Response to the Triumph of Consumerism ."

In the article, Rodney Clapp describes the shift our culture has made from a producer society, in which people grew or constructed most of what they needed in their homes and on their farms, to a consumer society, where most of us buy what others have produced.

From homegrown foods and home-cooked meals we have shifted to grocery stores and restaurants . Where before we made our own toys, sang and played instruments and took walks in the woods, now we expect others to entertain usfrom boom boxes to TV sitcoms and "couch potato" athletic events, to videos and computer games

What I found especially fascinating and a little disturbing was the contribution Christian people have made to this process.

Did you know that Coca-Cola's first magnate, Asa Chandler, a devout Methodist, became a skilled advertiser who ended his sales meetings with a group singing of "Onward Christian Soldiers"?

Or that John Wanamaker, a close friend and supporterofD. L. Moody , founded a chain of department stores and is credited with being a main player in the commercialization of Christmas and Easter? His highly decorated stores during both seasons were legendary He boasted he could "tum luxuries into commodities or

from producers to consumers. From religious revivals it was a small step to consumer evangelism . From recognizing the individual's need for Jesus, the concept shifted to a person's need for a specific product.

When goods produced exceeded actual needs, advertising shifted to change "wants" to "needs" so that people would buy more. From the concept of religious choice, "You choose to follow Jesus, no one can do it for you," it was a small step to providing all the "choices you need as a consumer to be happy. "

The paradigm shift here is one from "What can I contribute?" to one of "What can I get?" If the church I attend doesn't give me what I want, then I go shopping for another one that will . If the marriage I am in doesn't bring the satisfaction and happiness I think I deserve, then I walk out of it and find a new partnero

A s I read the article and thought nabout it, I decided I would like to be more of a producer and less of a consumer So I've begun looking for ways I can make that happen. First, I have to take a hard look at my wants and needs Do I really need a new sofa? (No, I don't ) Do I need some n e w summer clothes? (Well , maybe )

My husband and I have decided to plant a vegetable garden this year.

From some herbs and a few token tomato and squash plants the last few years, we want to move into more serious gardening . I plan to make more of my gifts for family and friends When I have to buy something I want to check out a MCC-sponsored Ten Thousand Villages gift shop or a local craft fair . In this way, I can also help provide an income for someone who might otherwise not have one .

I want to give more time and energy to the church and to meeting the needs of others as I become aware of them .

To do all this I will need to readjust my schedule. It takes more energy to grow food in a garden than to shop for it at Dillons. It takes more work to fix fresh vegetables for supper than to open a can of something. Making gifts takes more time than stopping at a gift shop or Wal-Mart.

I recently examined my TV viewing habits and found that I was watching two to three hours of news broadcasts per day. While I like to keep up with what is happening in the world I certainly don't need that much news . So I've stopped turning on the TV at 5 p m and sometimes even skip the 10 p.m. local news.

I'm not willing to admit how much time I've spent reading newspapers, but I'm cutting back there, too.

In the past I have put a lot of energy beyond what was required into my professional career I can scale back some of my activities here without compromising my commitment to education. I certainly don't need any more "extras " on my resume I need to organize my life by deciding where can I do the most good with the time and energy I have to give.

We live in a consumer society, and that's not necessarily all good or all bad For most of us that's just the way it is.

The challenge is how we as Christians respond to the triumph of consumerism in our daily life .

·

Every year.,MCC ships wrapped bar soap to places such as Haiti, West Bank, Ukraine, former Yug 51avia and even within the United To find out where to deliver your soap, contact your nealist MCC office.

Mission USA revises its structure

• Funding needs lead to board reduction and clarity about fund-raising function

IN A MOVE "driven by fund-raising needs," Mission USA (MUSA) will be changing the composition of its board. The change was approved during the annual U.S. Conference board meetings held at the MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. , Feb. 27 through March 1.

The shift tilts board composition away from pastors and toward busi-

"

• Three individuals appointed by MUSA to carry out specific responsibilities or because certain expertise is required.

Previously, the board also included five agency representatives and three district ministers as full voting mem-

1997-98 expense-based budget of $588,530 . Of that amount, MUSA is projecting $277,000-47 percent of the total budget-for program needs in the coming fiscal year . But MUSA receives only $47,000 in income from traditional U.S . Conference funding bers. sources.

MUSA had gotten too big too quickly."

-Dennis Fast, BeM chair

The change was deemed necessary when members of the board who were also pastors or institutional representatives described the conflict of being aggressive fund-raisers for MUSA while also needing to encourage contributions to their own ministry budgets.

During a meeting between MUSA and BCM, BCM acknowledge the conflicts but stated "a member should not serve on the MUSA Board if uncomfortable with the fund-raising requirements," according to MUSA minutes .

The revised board will be comprised of 13 voting members . Each will be responsible to raise $10,000 for MUSA. Buller said changing the board composition should improve the board's ability to raise the funds needed to carry out its programs.

The makeup of the new board will be :

• Ed Boschman, MUSA executive director ;

• A representative of the home missions boards from the Central, Pacific and Southern districts;

• Six individuals elected by the U S. Conference, including at least one but not more than three each from the CDC, PDC and SDC;

Mission International (yMI) Southern districts and $25,000 raised and MB Missions/Services by BCM members. boards .

Last year, MBF offered the fledging

The Board of Church Min- board a two-year $200,000 start-up istries (BCM), acting as the loan, which MUSA has not used. "To conference in interim, their credit, Mission USA has not borapproved the change MUSA rowed funds, " said Ken Neufeld, board appointments will be Board of Trustees chair. Neufeld com-

Under the new plan, district minis- The majority of MUSA's operating ters from the CDC , PDC and SDC and expenses-$140,000 or just over 60 representatives from MBBS, Fresno percent-must come from board fundPacific University and Tabor College raising efforts . The remaining $90,000 will be nonvoting members invited to includes a $40,000 grant from MB one meeting annually. MUSA will Foundation (MBF) , $25,000 in contriappoint a representative to the Youth butions from the Central, Pacific and ness and lay professionals, said Chuck Buller, MUSA chair, during a joint meeting of the boards . Buller described the change as a compromise between a ministry-driven board and a fund-raising board

made soon. As the terms of mended MUSA ' s decision not to elected board members expire, Buller "spend money they can't raise." anticipates all changes will be com-

Even with a MUSA funding plan in pleted by 2000 place , U S. Conference leaders face a Dennis Fast, U.S. Conference chair, budget that projects more expenses said the change is a way to prevent than income . The new budget of MUSA from being " overburdened $588,530 is a 3.4 percent increase with the bureaucracy of large num- from the 1996-97 budget. Projected bers." expenses include:

The board composition approved

• $19,200 for the Board of Church in 1994 included 10 mem- Ministries, which includes bers : six elected, an MBM/S "To their credn, a variety of administrative representative, and one each Mission USA has expenses; from the home missions

• $76,110 for the Board board of the three largest not borrowed of Trustees, which includes districts This board could funds."

sharing the expense of a then appoint up to five -Ken Neufeld, full-time fund-raiser with members to be approved by BOT chair MB Biblical Seminary, a the Board of Church Min- position which is currently istries. Over the past three unfilled; years, the MUSA board had grown to

• $87,280 for Integrated Mininclude eight additional members. istries, the cross-cultural adoption

"MUSA had gotten too big too work of the conference currently quickly," Fast said. involving 32 congregations;

Funding challenge

In a brief joint session, members of the four U.S. boards wrestled with the complex issue of funding a budget that almost doubled three years ago when Mission USA was launched.

The Board of Trustees presented a

• $128,940 for the Board of Communications, primarily for producing the Christian Leader;

• $277,000 for Mission USA, which includes budget commitments to a new church plant in Phoenix, assisting a new Central District church plant in Papillion , Neb., and

VIew rJJean committed to cha racte r develop vnent

Training ServantLeaders of Integrity

ome writers have drawn parallels between athletes and Christian leaders - you don't know what they're made of until the pressure is on.

And without a doubt, the pressure is on for church leaders in North America, as James Dobson, George Barna, Promise Keepers and many others '--------' have documented.

'Our leaders need to develop the intellectual skills they will need to ••• respond to the ever-increasing complexity of modern society.'

-Pierre Gilbert

This new environment is part of the reason that new Academic Dean at MBBS, Pierre Gilbert, wants to carryon and expand the Seminary's commitment to the development of character, not merely the acquisition of ministry skills.

"Seminary education must be done in the light of some new realities (globalization, pluralism, urbanization, secularism, post-modernism)," Gilbert said. "To be truly prophetic, the Seminary must focus on five components:

"I) Learning how to think. Our leaders need to develop the intellectual skills they will need to understand and respond to the ever-increasing complexity of modern society and the challenges the church must face.

"2) Learning to read our society. Our leaders must be able to read the society in which they are living, to help our churches remain relevant and truly prophetic.

"3) Learning to read the Bible. By this of course I don't mean merely 'reading' the Bible, but interpreting it accurately and applying its truth effectively.

While many seminaries still get their cue from the old systematic theology categories, we must teach a Biblical theology"

Gilbert s oke highly ofMB Biblical Seminary-trained pastors in Quebec, a province which has perhaps traveled somewhat farther down the road toward post-modernism.

Pierre Gilbert (zhil BEAR) came to MBBS osAssociate Professor of Old Testament in the summer of 1996. He had previously served as0 professor and administrator at Institut Biblique Laval in Montreal Quebec. He has been appointed Academic Dean ot MBBS, effective in June, 1997.

"It seemed to me that the pastors from MBBS were better equipped to help their churches engage the larger culture, bringing Kingdom values into the debate to confront the values of post-modernism and secularism.

"4) Learning to lead. Our graduates must understand organizational theory, urban realities, and how to understand, teach and love hurting people."

MBBS recently brought Gary McIntosh of the Church Growth Network and Talbot Theological Seminary to the Fresno campus to help train students, new MB pastors, Central California constituents and MB leaders from across North America on the differences in leadership styles for smaller and larger churches. McIntosh also taught about the differences in leading the three current generations, usually referred to as "Builders," "Boomers;' and "Busters."

"5) Learning to Communicate. We change a church and a society by communicating truth;' Gilbert said. "Our leaders will have to be the best communicators they can be."

Henry J. Schmidt

DIs MilS a leader or a follower? loth!

Yes, MilS must be a follower, by meeting the needs of our churches, and also yes, MilS must be a leader, providing vision for reshaping leadership and churches for the next century.

preSident's

DESK

IS MaaS A MIRROR OR A WINDOW?

he question is asked in many different waysshould a denomination-sponsored seminary lead the denomination or follow it? In our case, should Mennonite Brethren churches around the world look to us for vision and leadership, or should churches set the course and merely look to MBBS to help meet their leadership training needs? Is the institution a "mirror," reflecting denominational priorities, or a "window," through which the denomination looks to see its priorities?

• Both!

MBBS is doing both.

You may recall a TV commercial which featured Dallas Cowboy Deion Sanders and his $35 million contract. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones asked him if he would like to play football or baseball. "Both;' was his answer.

"Defense or offense?"

"Both:'

And finally, "What'll it be, Deion, $15 million?

$20 million?"

"Both!"

Comparisons of MBBS to Mr. Sanders notwithstanding, our answer is also "both!" to the question of whether a good Seminary should be a leader or a follower.

• MBBS as a Mirror

How does MBBS reflect Mennonite Brethren realities as we approach the year 2000?

First of all, we struggle with many of the same problems, and experience many of the same victories, as our churches. Thirty or forty years ago, the U.S. and Canada were "churched" cultures - it was expected that most people belonged to a church, and the larger society generally placed value on church membership. Neither of these is still true.

There was a time when churches could expect a modest level of growth simply by opening their doors. The Seminary, too, prospered and grew along with its constituent churches.

Today, however, our churches and our Seminary find themselves in a post-modern society that is often hostile to Christianity PreChristians generally must be sought out; they are not seeking a church home en masse. MBBS is training leaders to operate virtually as missionaries in Western culture; they call Christians not to hold firmly to the values of the larger culture, but to stand radically on Biblical values, which often oppose the prevailing values.

For both churches and MBBS, this is a challenge and an opportunity

Similarly, the Mennonite Brethren conference experiences some pain as it deals with an increasing sense of regionalism - Quebec churches perhaps feel less in synch with those of British Columbia, and our churches in Fresno perhaps feel more disconnected from Winnipeg or Hillsboro than they used to

Our growing British Columbia Centre, and our vision for similar centers in Kansas and Manitoba, are the result of MBBS functioning as a "mirror-" reflecting or following the leadership of the MB conferences, which have asked for closer-to-home training grounded in Mennonite Brethren values and biblical theology.

• MBBS as a Window

At the same time, MBBS must function as a "window;' providing vision and leadership.

We are constantly asking ourselves, and you, how we can best prepare effective servant-leaders for the realities of the next 30-40 years. What kind of training institution will MBBS be? How will we provide theological/biblical direction and unity for the church in a pluralistic, fragmented and regionalized culture? Preparing our students for the church of yesterday, or even today, is short-sighted.

This is one reason I am excited about our main campus location in California. Could the pioneers of MBBS have known how strategic it would become? Our students are involved in classes, churches and ministries which require them to deal with multiculturalism, secularism, and poverty. They are told by society that church is irrelevant. They must learn to stand firm and reach out with hope in such an environment.

For similar reasons, I am also excited about the appointment of our new Academic Dean, Pierre Gilbert. He is a gifted, committed leader from the Boomer generation. Pierre ministered in Quebec for 12 years, a province which also carries a more-urban and more-secularized mindset. Of course we always pray for revival, but barring such, I assume that most of the U.S. and Canada will follow the lead of California and Quebec We must therefore remain visionary, training mission-minded leaders who can follow our Lord as He "seeks and saves the lost."

In addition, as our excellent MB publications, the Herald and Leader, have pointed out, the MB center is shifting away from North America and toward the Two-thirds World. MBBS is providing leadership in training leaders from such places.

So yes, we must follow our constituent churches, and yes, we must humbly provide vision and leadership as God directs.

"What'll it be, MBBS? Mirror or window?"

"Both!"

What MBBS Has •

Meant to Me...

n everal prospective 1997 graduates : U have offered their reflecfions on the

primary benefit they have received from

their fime at MBBS:

• "It rejuvenated my mind Ifound

•

Connections

MBBS

is pleased

Supervised Ministry Experience : to announce

(becoming conversafional partners with

• the appointment of Arabic students at Fresno State

: Jim Holm to the University) to be the most excifing part."

• position of Dean of -Alice Hedlund.

: Students/Director

Lessons in Leadership

usters, Boomers, Builders! the differences in the expectofions and thought patterns of these three current generafions are often asource of frustrafion for church leaders, according to Or. Gary Mcintosh, who led a seminar at MBBS Feb. 28-March 1firied, "Bridging the Three Generafions."

Mcintosh presented five ministry models for bridging the generafions: the Seeker Model, the Blended Model, the Mulfiple Track Model, the Satellite Model and the Rebirthed Church Model.

About 100 MBBS students and others attended the seminar, which also

Urban

CHURCH IMMERSION

Aone -week intensive training in Los Angeles for pastors, executives, church plonters and any other Orristians who are not afraid to have their eyes permanently opened to the pain of the dty.

Aug. 9-15, 1991

For moreinfo call Jim Westgate at (209) 452- 171 2 or Janet fnnsat (209) 452- 1110

focused on ·Creafing a Dynamic Worship Service" and "leading the Smaller Church."

Many in attendance were Mennonite Brethren leaders who were in Fresno for various board meefings, as well as new MB pastors who were at MBBS for an orientafion period.

Tapes of the Mcintosh sessions may be obtained by contocfing the Seminary.

Financial Update

n hank you for your confinued U support of leadership training at MB Biblical Seminary. Your prayers and financial support are very much appreciated.

Income at MBBS is from four sources: Church SubSidy (U.S. and Canada) $591,860 (31 %); Student Tuifion $560,722 (30%); Individual and Corporate Donors $630,000 (33%) and Other Income $117,432 (6%).

As of March 15, $154,000 had been received from U.s. individual and corporate donors, toward a goal of $320,000 goal by the end of the fiseol year, May 31.

In Canada, $118,000 (US dollars) had been received as of March 15, toward the unrestricted goal in Canada of $31 0,000

• "I have sharpened and developed badly

• of Constituency Relations at MB needed skills in scholarship and Biblical

: Biblical Seminary, effective April 7. interpretafion. Ihave gained a lot from

• "The Seminary has had a very relafionships with Tim Geddert, Allen : important role in the formation of Guenther and many students who have

• my spiritual and my pastoral life, become good friends." -Darrell

• have that kind of influence in the

: and I pray that it will continue to McCulley.

• "What Iappreciate most is that MBBS has : lives of the next generation of strengthened my relafionship with the

• students;' Holm said. lord. I've grown to appreciate and love

• Holm, widely recognized as a Him more, and feel better equipped to

: gifted communicator and pastor, help others do the same." -Marci

• recently resigned as pastor of the Winans.

• "One of the biggest things has been

: Reedley, California Mennonite

• Brethren Church. He is a 1975 God's character formafion in my life : graduate of MBBS and also a through the studies. I have begun to

• alumnus of Fresno Pacific realize how big God is, that no matter : University. how much I know about Him, He is so

• Prior to becoming pastor at much greater. His love for us is more : Reedley, he pastored Vinewood than we con comprehend." -Brian

• Community Church in Lodi, Calif. Henderer.

Did you know...

• That MBBS has seen 451 different students

: His duties as Dean of Students

• include "pastoring" current

: students and helping with

• placement and spiritual formatoke classes and pamcipate in lectureships : tion. As Director of Constituency and mini-courses in California and Brifish

• Relations he will head up MBBS' Columbia this year? (l88 credit students). : student recruitment efforts as well This compares to:

• as relate to churches.

-1995.96, during which MBBS had 171 : Holm is also expected to teach credit students and 347 totol students, • one class per year, as he has done and

: for the Seminary the past two _ 1994-95, during which MBBS had

• years, primarily in the area of 153 credit students and 250 totol : preaching. students . •

• That MBBS hosted meefings this spring with : Brethren in Christ officials to explore closer • links for leadership training? :

• That MBBS hosted a "Keeping in Shape • Spiritually" class at 6:30 a.m Wednesday : mornings this spring? It was attended by • 90 students and anchored by President : Henry Schmidt and Doug Rumford, author • of SoulShaping and pastor of Fresno's First : Presbyterian Church. Eleven Fresno-orea • leaders from the church, edueofion and

business communifies taught the course.

SPRING, 1997

In Touch is apublication of the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, 4B24 E. Butler Ave., Fresno, CA 93721·5091 - (209) 251·8628.

Dr Henry J. Schmidt, President; Kent H Gaston, Editor.

Or. Gary Mcintosh led alively seminar on differences in leadership styles for small churches and large churches, as well as across generations.

Give Us aCall!

If God is calling you to further training, ministry and character development, give us a call at MBBS! Apply by May 1 and receive "Early Bird" guaranteed scholarship of $1,700. *

• Training Men and Women in Kingdom Mission and Ministry since 1955.

• Committed to a personal touchmentoring, supervised ministry, firstname relationships with faculty, 1/10 ratio.

• Academic excellence plus practical ministry training. Multicultural context in beautiful central California.

• Affordable tuition; 25% discount for Mennonite Brethren; further discount for Canadians (Cdn. dollar accepted at par)

' Early Bird Sc hola rship is $ 1,700 for non -Calif res idents , $1 ,300 for Calif res idents

• 3-year Master of Divinity (90 semester units);

• 2-year Master ofArts (60 units) in Church Ministry, Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Theology, New Testament or Old Testament;

• I-year Diploma (27 units) in Christian Studies or Integration of Psychology and Theology;

• Certificates (15 units) in Peacemaking and Conflict Management, Youth Ministry, Christian Leadership, Church Planting, Worship, Small Group Ministries, Christian Community Development or Urban Ministry.

Congratulations, '97 gracluates

n ommen cement exercises for MB Biblical Seminary are scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18 at First Baptlst Church in Fresno, California

Twenty·three students are scheduled to receive Moster of Divinity and Moster of Arts degrees.

The speaker for the ceremony will be Dr. Ron Penner, Interim Dean at MBBS.

Urban Church in Ofon o.

July 7-9, '997

in conjunction with MB General Conference, July 10·13 of Waterloo, Ontario.

Pastors and other church leaders: Take advantage of this great opportunity to encounter a variety of urban ministries: Generation X, Boomer, multi-cultural, liturgical, parachurch, community outreach, and more! limited to 35 participants. Call MBBS to reserve your space!

SUMMER 1997

COURSE SELECTIONS

Call (209) 251-8628 or 1800-251-MBBS to register or for more informationl

Calilolnill Campus:

• Urban Church Immersion

• Cross{ultural Encounter

• Elementary Greek Iand /I

• Basic Institute in Conflid Management and Mediation

• Professional Ethics in Counseling

• Research in Family Studies

• Person, Family, Culture

At Blitish Columbia Centle:

• Interpersonal Communication

• Family Ministries

internships MUSA is currently helping congregations in Topeka, Kan., Sioux Falls, S.D , and Henderson, Neb , with church-growth projects. MUSA also contributes to Youth Mission International.

Proposed income sources for 1997-98 include:

• Interest income and income from endowment earnings, $8,500;

• Church contributions of $260,030, based on past giving trends;

• Contributions for MUSA outlined above, $90,000;

• Fund-raising by MUSA board members, $140,000;

• Income from "other" sources, $90,000.

"Rather than raising norms, as would be expected in this situation, we encourage churches to make a more intentional effort to support the U.S. Conference financially. "

-Lynford Becker, admln. sec.

Several individuals voiced discomfort at approving a budget that included no defInite plan for coming up with the "other" income. In the end, the budget was approved, but

SUMMARY OF INDIVIDUAL BOARDS

CONFERENCE BOARDS

condensed their meeting time to Friday evening and Saturday to accommodate an all-day seminar hosted by MB Biblical Seminaryon Friday.

Following are highlights from the meetings of the individual boards :

Church Ministries:

• Heard its first "in person" report from Edmund Janzen, representing the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB).

• Accepted a revised draft of a paper on dealing with sexual moral indiscretion among pastors and leaders; the paper will be distributed to U S. congregations

• Initiated a search process to find a successor for conference minister Loyal Funk, who is nearing retirement. It is hoped a successor can be found to allow

not unanimously

The trustees did not see raising giving norms as an effective strategy "Rather than raising norms, as would be expected in this situation, we encourage churches to make a more intentional effort to support the U .S. Conference fmancially," Lynford Becker, U.S. Conference administrative secretary, said later.

During the budget discussion, one trustee noted that if churches would average 76 percent of the suggested norms rather than the current 53 percent, the budget would be met.

"Given our new endeavor (Mission USA), we encourage churches to meet the norm," Neufeld said -ConnieFaber

time for training and mentoring.

• Tentatively agreed to hold the 1998 national convention in the Los Angeles area in late June 1998.

Mission USA:

• Heard a report from Brad and Elfie Klassen, MUSA's newly recruited church-planting couple, about their preliminary trips to Phoenix to plant a church and their current experiences at MBBS; Buller said later the board "has a real sense of excitement that we've hired the right couple."

• Was updated by Boschman about establishing written policies for working together with districts in church -planting project s.

• Requested that a newly adopted ministry logo be revised; members felt the version publicized

in recent issues of the Christian Leader was too nationalistic.

Trustees:

• Participated in the budget-setting process;

• Approved a travel policy for U S boards and staff;

• Reviewed the church workers group life insurance program along with eligibility policies.

Communications:

• Discussed the possibility of establishing an electronic news service for u.s Mennonite Brethren congregations and agencies.

• Considered new linkages with other language groups within the conference and heard a report on a new Russian -language women's magazine being developed by Slavi c churches for distribution in the United States and th e former Soviet Union -CF

IN BRIEF

• BUDGETS: The boards of directors at the two U.S. Mennonite Brethren colleges approved higher budgets during recent meetings . The Tabor College board approved a budget package of j ust over $6 80 million, a 4.5 percent increase. The new budget includes a 2 percent raise in faculty and staff salaries, a $660 hike in tuition and a $100 raise in boarding costs, as well as a proportional raise in student institutional financial aid. The Fresno Pacific University board, meanwhile, approved a budget of just over $ 18.55 million, an increase of 5.7 percent. Major increases include growth in the degree completion program, a new faculty pay scale, and the Bakersfield Center . Housing fees for next year will rise from 2-7 percent, depending on particular arrangements (TC, FPU)

• REMODELING: The first maj or renovations since the 1960s are under way at the familiar MB Biblical Seminary administration building. Renovations to the Elizabethan country-style home will expand a women's restroom and add a men's restroom to the first floor to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project will close two second-floor porch areas, add a new hallway and add a new fire escape to comply with fire codes It will also expand a first-floor workroom, remove an unused kitchenette area and expand a second-floor office. (MBBS)

• CROSS-CULTURAL: Loyal Funk, U S Conference minister, reports that 32 congregations are currently part of Integrated Ministries , the U S. Conference cro ss-cultural work This includes 14 Slavic churches, two of which are currently in building programs ; two Japanese congregations being planted in cooperation with the Japan MB Conference ; five hispanic congregations in the Pacific Northwest comprised of immigrants from Central and South America ; and si x Korean congregations and one church plant. Assisting Funk with Slavic congregations is Vyacheslav Tsvirinko, pastor and Fresno Pacific University staff member The Integrated Ministries program is operated under the auspices of the U.S Board of Church Ministries (BCM)

Healing in the homeland

• A North American pastor from India reflects on MWC

by Vidya J Narimalla

MENNONITE World Conference in India? What if it doesn ' t live up to t h e expectations of the western Mennonite church? What if things go wrong? This might make it difficult for other conferences in the Two-Thirds World to try again

Wait a minute! I remember many North Americans who attended the previous MWC assemblies saying that something or other didn't meet their expectations, that things went wrong. I also remember that we continued to have assemblies in the West Besides, aren ' t there supposed to be more Mennonites outside of the western countries?

So many questions occupied my mind Being so much a part of this western church , I was also trying to come up with answers Of course , India can host MWC. So what if it is going to be different than we are used to? The Indian Mennonite church should also have the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them, like we do . We should not only accept, but actively participate in making India 1997 a success, whatever that means

In the midst of such thoughts, I received a letter from Harold Ens , general director of MB Missions/Services, asking if I would be interested in organizing a tour to India 1997. It became clear to me that I could stand on the sidelines with my questions or I could get involved and contribute

positively to the success of the event I chose to get involved .

As I reflect on the India 1997 experience , as someone with one foot in India and the other in North America, I am delighted to say that aU my questions and concerns proved to be pleasant surprises to be cherished for a lifetime Our Indian brothers and sisters accepted us with their trademark hospitality and often went the extra mile to make us feel welcome.

My conversations with several of our tour members seem to verify those sentiments There seemed to be a unanimous feeling that MWC ought to do this more often. We saw fruits of a vision for missions in India more than 100 years ago

Ithanked God in my heart for blessing the Indian Mennonite church . I am sure many came back to North America with a renewed sense for missions and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ

The following is an attempt to highlight a few of my impressions of India 1997:

1 The MWC leadership did a fantastic job of planning and organizing almost 4 ,600 delegates from around the world Thank you

2 The western delegates came prepared to learn, to listen , to be led, to be surprised , to serve, to understand the people and life in India, to worship and fellowship as equals in the kingdom of God , and to encourage and be encouraged in our partnership

of the global church

3. In the past, many of the Indian Mennonite Christians never felt accepted as friends and coworkers with the western church As a result, many of us also never accepted the western Christians as friends and coworkers

4 India 1997 gave the Indian Mennonite church an opportunity to come of age. In picking up the nuances of many conversations with our Indian brothers and sisters, there was a feeling of not just being followers, but also leaders I believe India 1997 was a healing experience for the India Mennonite church It said that we in the West are also willing to follow , and not just lead This is important and needs to be nurtured carefully.

5. I thought our visits to the Indian Mennonite Brethren villages and churches were a valuable learning and growing experience

6. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the India Mennonite Christians for opening their hearts and homes to us, to the MWC leadership for a bold vision which I believe God has blessed , to MBM/S for giving us the opportunity to contribute in a small way to what we believe was a wonderful gathering of Christians from around the world to "hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches "

7 We believe that the Spirit has sent us forth with a renewed vision for a global partnership in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Missions has come fuU circle .

Vidya Narimalla is a Mennonite Brethren church planter in Toronto, Ont., where he leads the New Covenant Christian Fellowship.

A tea break at Assembly Gathered in Calcutta. The composite photo was taken by G K Rufus. a Mennonite Brethren from Hyderabad.

Allen Carden named seventh president of Fresno Pacific

• Former Spring Arbor prexy will begin his new assignment July 1

A LLEN CARDEN, formerly presi.l"l..dent of Spring Arbor (Mich.) College, has been selected as the next president of Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif.

Carden will begin his duties July 1, 1997, as the seventh president of the institution . He accepted the position March 22 after a three-day campus visit.

"Dr. Carden is a man who can lead FPU into the 21st century," says board chair Eugene Enns, praising Carden's experience, vision and love of Christian higher education.

In addition to serving as Spring Arbor's president from 1991-1997, Carden served the institution as vice president for academic affairs. While at Biola University, Carden was associate provost, associate dean of undergraduate studies, registrar, associate professor of history and admissions counselor.

Calling himself one who believes in the value of Christian colleges and universities, Carden says, "I wanted to go to a university where Christian faith was a living and present reality, not just part of its heritage . I wanted to go to an institution that worked at bringing faith and academics together I found that at FPU."

Carden credits current president Richard Kriegbaum with sparking his interest in FPU. "I knew what a fine person he is, and I knew that anything he was a part of would be top quality." Kriegbaum announced his resignation in October 1996.

Listening skills and deep belief in working as part of a larger team are among his strengths, says Carden. "The university is a complex organization with many different constituencies My job is to pull together all the differences and keep the focus on our common vision and mission "

As president, Carden says he will work to "increase traditional undergraduate enrollment to about 800 , since that will increase efficiency here

on campus. We also need to move forward as quickly as we can with the physical needs of the campus. Specifically the building of the new dorms, the commons and the expansion of the athletic fields," Carden says.

"I also hope to enhance the image of the university within the larger community. I want the university to become even more involved in the local community. We also need to broaden the base of support among the larger church community," says Carden.

When asked what he has learned from his 25 years in Christian higher education, he says "You can't please all the people all of the time. A president must have tough skin in order to make tough decisions. Some people will simply not be happy with any decision you make

"The other valuable lesson I've learned is that there are always many different ways to accomplish the same objectives. You have to listen to others, listen to those ideas You can get some really fine ideas from others when you listen," Carden says.

Carden earned a doctorate in history from the University of California, Irvine; a master's from California State University, Fullerton; and a bachelor's from Biola.

Carden and his wife, Denice, met with students , faculty , staff and supporters during their March 19-21 visit to Fresno

Carden was the only candidate called by the presidential search committee , which began with a field of more than 50 applicants.

The president of an institution is only part of the university, Carden adds "Everybody has to work together to make it work-the board, the faculty, the staff. The thing I like about FPU is that the team is healthy and already working well I'm just coming in to move things, not trying to tum anything around."

The challenge of the presidency is great and the expectations are high, Carden says. "No one human being can or should be all things to all people, and no one does everything well. I will succeed only with the help of the entire FPU community and with God's help . Unless the Lord builds the university, they labor in vain who build it. "-Joy Hofer

IN BRIEF I

• RETREATS: Women across the Pacific District Conference are meeting for regional spring retreats Women from Washington and Oregon are meeting April 11-13 in Yelm, Wash. The speaker will be Pat Myers of the Kingwood Bible (MB) Church in Salem, Ore. She is a professional counselor and a faculty member at Western Baptist College. Judy Achilles, a schoolteacher and pastor's wife, spoke Feb. 21-23 to 80 women meeting at Camp Hammer, near Santa Cruz, Calif. Women from Arizona joined with two groups from California for a one-day meeting March 15 at Pea Soup Anderson's in Selma, Calif. Their speaker was Marci York, Fresno coordinator for Moms in Touch International, an organization that brings women together to pray for children and their schoolteachers (POC)

• SEMINARS: The Fresno (Calif ) Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP), in cooperation with Fresno Pacific University's Restorative Justice Ministries, is offering three seminars designed for three-member teams interested in starting a VORP in their community. The 1997 schedule includes seminars April 9-11 in Fresno, June 2-4 in Lancaster, Pa., and Oct. 14-16 in Fresno . For more information call 1800-909-VORP Since 1982, Fresno VORP has become a national and international model and is a pioneer model of the Family Group Conference developed in New Zealand (VORP)

• RECOMMENDED: Publishers developing new children's curriculum should explore the success of Jubilee : God's Good News, according to the Mennonite Brethren Board of Resource Ministries. That's the recommendation of a research team working for a consortium of churches planning to replace their current curriculum series. Jubilee received high marks for its appeal to children, ease of preparation and hands-on activities Jubilee is published cooperatively by the Mennonite Brethren, Mennonite Church, General Conference Mennonite Church, Church of the Brethren, Brethren in Christ and Friends United Meeting. (BRM)

BOD) LIlI

CHURCH NOTES

• Baptism/Membership

MANHATTAN, Kan., (Manhattan Mennonite)-David and Heather Bradford were baptized and received as new members Jan - 19_ Guy Dempster, LaVonne Marks, Mary Levin and Erika Thiessen were also welcomed as members.

HILLSBORO, Kan. (Ebenfeld)-Melaney Scott was baptized and received into membership Feb. 16 . Chris Scott was also accepted into membership .

BAKERSFIELD, Calif (Laurelglen)-Lauri e Doverspike, Susan Guerard, Debbie Huntely, Stacy Huntely, Sandra Morris , Richard and Allison Poe and Kyle Tiner were baptized and accepted into membership Feb 13. Also joining were Bill and Allison Chapman, Davida Delis, Wayne Doverspike, John Guerard, Mark Huntely, Becky Irvine, Jim and Rebekah Lopez , Jim, Anne, Emily, and Alex Marion , Max and Shirley Pearce , Kirk Swiggum, Mark and Christi Taber, Greg and Stephanie Timmons , and Rick and Phyllis Treatch.

• Celebrations

MOUNTAIN LAKE, Minn.-The congregation expressed appreciation last fall to Wava Wiens , who has served as organist, pianist and sometimes as choir director for the past 45 years. Wiens was honored with an open house that included a time of sharing.

Bethany MB Church in Fresno, Calif , broke ground Feb 21 for the first phase of its new senior housing development, Greenwich Village The 38-lot development is adjacent to the church building and is being developed for the church by Maplegreen Development Corporation, comprised of Bethany members_ Residents of this gated community must be 55 years of age or older. Participants in the ground-breaking service were (left to right) Arnold Prieb; Maplegreen vice chair; Les Mark, pastor; John Berg, Maplegreen chair; Te rry Merick, trustee board treasurer; Wesley Gunther, Greenwich Village Housing Committee chair; pastor Wink Farrand; LeRoy Goosen and Gary Gomes of Elite Homes, the club house contractors.

March 9 The Pacific District Conference Home Missions Board helped to organize the congregation, which closed its charter June 24, 1962.

GRULLA, Texas-The congregation will celebrate its 50th anniversary May 10-11 With just under 100 members, the congregation is the largest of the 10 congregations making up the Latin America MB (LAMB) Conference.

KINGSBURG, Calif.-The congregation hosted a 35th anniversary celebration ENID, Okla.-The congregation will cele-

Trivialization of God: The Dangerous Dlusion of a Manageable Deity

A call to abandon the fleeting comfort of our substitute gods and embrace the God of the Bible; a God far more powerful, loving, and unfathomable than any image of God we can conjure up.

A courageous, tough-minded, truth-telling challenge for saints, seekers and skeptics . K indred Prod uct io ns, the publisher for Resource Ministries of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches 1-800-545-7322 o r Fax 1-3 16-947-3266 or call 947-3 15 1

brate its 100th anniversary April 12-13

CORN, Okla.-The family of Sam and Naemi Gossen hosted a reception Feb. 23 in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.

HENDERSON, Neb.-A display of flowers in the sanctuary March 2 marked the 50th wedding anniversary of Dan and Lucille Goossen . • Fellowship

OMAHA, Neb. (Faith Bible)-One of two men's basketball teams fielded by the congregation won first place in the church winter league tournament.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-World Fellowship Sunday Feb 23 was celebrated with a joint service of Lincoln Glen, Ethiopian Christian Fellowship and India Community Fellowship .

CORN, Okla -The congregation's Senior Singers traveled to Littleton, Colo., March 8-9 . They participated in the morning worship service at Belleview Acres Church. The Garden Park Church of Denver was invited to attend the ensemble 's full concert that evening

AURORA, Neb.-Women in Nebraska met for their annual Women ' s Missionary Retreat March 14-15. Pam Schram, Mrs . Nebraska 1990, was the weekend speaker.

FRESNO, Calif. (Fig Garden)-The congregation was invited to participate in a "Guess who's coming to dinner" Sunday, March 16. Members of the church famil y

could sign-up to host lunch guests or to be surprise guests. The event was organized to give people an opportunity to build relationships .

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Community Bible)-The congregation hosted an auction March 22 to raise funds to furnish and remodel their new facility Area Mennonite Brethren congregations who helped to establish the church six years ago were invited to participate in the evening, which also included desserts and entertainment.

FRESNO, Calif. (Bethany)-The congregation hosted the ninth annual Fresno and Clovis area Mennonite Brethren Choir Praise Festival March 9. Participating church choirs came from College Community, Slavic Baptist, Butler MB, Butler MBKhmu, North Fresno, Bethany and Reedley. A mass choir directed by Bob Plett concluded the program

• Ministry

FRESNO, Calif.-The Pacific District Home Missions Board has given the green light to a new Christian community development ministry called "Faith Project." The new initiative will be housed in the vacant facilities of the former Faith MB Church, which discontinued its ministry Dec 1, 1996 The new tninistry, headed by John Navarro, student ministry director at Fresno Pacific University, will involve students and area Mennonite Brethren churches. A kick-off Mexican dinner fundraising event was held March 8 in keeping with the tradition of the previous congregation.

NEWTON, Kan. (Koerner Heights)-Dee Brestin, nationally known author and speaker, will be the guest speaker for the April 13 women's tea to be held at the Crosswind Conference Center in Hesston ... .Tom and Lena Moses will lead four study and worship sessions during the Spring Family Fishing Retreat June 4-6 at Lake Taneycomo, Mo

• Proclamation

ULYSSES, Kan.-Tim Sullivan, pastor of the Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan., was the Bible conference speaker Feb. 22-23.

GARDEN CITY, Kan. (Garden Valley)Neil McBride , president of Grace University of Omaha, Neb., and an author on the subject of small-group ministries, led a seminar Feb . 22.

BRIDGEWATER, S.D. (Salem)-Tabor College faculty member Lynn Jost was the speaker for special services Feb 28March 2.... Elmer Martens , professor emeritus at MB Biblical Seminary, was the speaker March 23. Martens also gave sev· eral community presentations as part of

the Believer's Church Bible Commentary study ofJeretniah.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Ridge Burns, executive director of Forest Home Christian Conference Center, was the tnissions conference speaker March 2. Roger Hirth, a pastor from Bucharest, Romania, also participated in the conference.

HESSTON, Kan.-Mark Isaac, pastor of Parkside MB Church in Tulsa, Okla , was the speaker for deeper life services March 1-2. The Saturday night service was planned as an outreach to the community and included music by the worship and praise band.

HAYS, Kan. (North Oak)-Representatives from HC]B World Radio, TEAM and other tnission agencies participated in a world evangelization emphasis March 2-16.

HENDERSON, Neb.-Ed Boschman, executive director of Mission USA, was the speaker for renewal meetings March 9-11. "Reflections Quartet " from the Buhler (Kan.) MB Church presented special music on Sunday... . Members of the Faith Bible Church, Omaha, Neb., and their pastor, Peter Thomas, shared about their urban ministry opportunities during the March 2 morning worship service.

HILLSBORO, Kan. (Parkview)-R C. SproulJr. was the guest speaker March 16. Sproul is the editor of Tabletalk magazine and director of Highlands Study Center. He spoke at Tabor College the following day Lynn Jost, Tabor College faculty member, was the Spiritual Life Rally speaker April 5 -6 . He spoke on the theme "Heaven in a Real World."

CORDELL, Olda. (Bible Fellowship)-Holy Week services March 28-30 included a series of messages by Nick Rempel, associate pastor at Buhler (Kan.) MB Church

• Workers

NEWTON, Kan. (Koerner Heights)-David and Elvira Plett, retired pastoral couple living in Hillsboro, Kan., are serving the congregation on an interim basis.

LITI1..ETON, Colo. (Belleview Acres)-Jeff Werth , a student at Denver Seminary, is beginning a singles ministry and will also coordinate the church softball league.

HENDERSON, Neb.- Elton Berg, a retired pastor who most recently led the Bethel MB Church near Yale, S.D. , has accepted the pastorate of the Lushton Community Bible Church near Henderson . Berg and his wife, Ella, began their tninistry March 9.

I BOD) LIII'

CAPITOLA, Calif. (Grace Community)Larry Hart has resigned as pastor and says he is open to the Lord ' s leading in min· iStry

FRESNO, Calif (Butler Avenue)-Youth pastor Barbie Larson has resigned to accept an assignment as a resource in youth ministry to nine protestant state churches in Thun, Switzerland

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage Bible)David Arnesen, pastor of music and wor· ship, has resigned effective March 1 and is open to other ministry opportunities.

DINUBA, Calif.-Randy Reiswig, youth pastor at Dinuba, has accepted a call to serve as senior pastor at North Park Com· munity Church in Eugene , Ore . He and his family will begin their new assignment July 1.

HILLSBORO, Kan. (parkview)-Visitation pastoral couple Harry and Millie Fries en have accepted an invitation from the Japan MB Conference to serve as a missionary/ pastoral couple for one year. They were missionaries to Japan for many years and will return to Japan in August.

MINOT, N.D (Bible Fellowship)- Bob and Wanda Kroeker will conclude their inter· im pastoral ministry in May. They have accepted a call from MB MiSSions/ Services to be team leaders in Lithuania, effective Aug 1 The Kroekers served in a short· term role in Lithuania from January through May, 1996.

• Youth

BLAINE, Wash. (Birch Bay Bible)-Youth pastor Jim Fowler taught a series of lessons during February on the subject of sexual purity Twenty·six junior high and high school students made public their commit· ment of sexual abstinence until marriage March 22 Parents or parent sponso rs pre · sented their children with mementos as reminders of their commitment The con· gregation recited vows of support and offered a prayer for the youth.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (LaurelgJen) - A team of 82 students and adults is preparing to go to Mexico to build five homes and lead a neighborhood Vacation Bible School, "Fiesta Jesus "

. DEATHS

EITZEN, JOHN JR., Hillsboro , Kan., a member of the Ebenfeld MB Church, Hills· boro, was born Feb. 1, 1930, to John C. and Alma Harder Eitzen at Hillsboro , and died Feb 19, 1997, at the age of 67. On Sept . 17, 1950, he was married to Eleanor Flaming . On March 4 , 1983, he was mar· ried to Beverly Fisher, who survives He is also survived by two sons , Galen and wife Shirley, and Stuart; one daughter, Barbara and husband Christopher Riggs; three stepchildren, Tiffany Fisher, Bradley and wife Jennifer Fisher and Timothy and wife Jean· nine Fisher; one brother, Stanley and wife Marlene ; three grandchildren and seven step grandchildren .

HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA AND HONG KONG

Ma y 22 ..June 12, 1997

Include s:

- Shanghai - Beijing - The Great Wall - Xian -T erraco tta Warriors - Chongquing

- Yangtze River Cruise -Hong Kong

- Museums and Tombs

- Visits with persons in China and Hong Kong

BOOK NOW to be ensured a seat. Call 1-800-565-0451.

Ask about our other tours : Jamaica, Paraguay, Scandinavia, Europe, Alaska

TOUR MAGINATION

FUNK, SALOME, Hillsboro, Kan , a memo ber of the Hillsboro MB Church , was born Oct 27 , 1903, to John W and Elizabeth Hiebert Claassen near Hillsboro, and died March 7, 1997 , at the age of 93 On March 11 , 1928, she was married to Harry Funk, who predeceased her in 1990 She is sur· vived by one son, Arlyss and wife Martha of Denve r, Colo ; two daughters , Evelyn and husband Jack Regier and Marlene and husband Wallace Kroeker, both of Hills· boro ; one sister, Linda and husband Art Flaming ; one brother , Howard and wife Esther ; 10 grandchildren and 10 great· grandchildren .

HAMM, ESTHER, Buhler, Kan. , a member of the Buhler MB Church, was born Oct . 31 , 1906, to David D. and Helena Hiebert in Marion County, Kan. , and died March 4, 1997, at the age of 90 On Dec. 30, 1934 , she was married to Ike C. Hamm, who pre· deceased her in 1990. She is survived by two sons, Richard of Buhler and Lawrence and wife Joyce of Wichita; one daughter, Ruth Ann and husband Edwin Hurysz of Eckert, Colo ; and five grandchildren.

HEIN, EDWARD W., Hillsboro, Kan . , a member of the Ebenfeld MB Church, Hills· boro , was born Feb. 21, 1899, to William and Elizabeth Litke Hein near Hillsboro, and died Jan 28,1997, at the age of 97. On March 27, 1921, he was married to Helen Ediger, who predeceased him in 1964. He later married Marie Fast Wiens, who sur· vives He is also survived by three sons, Harry of Colorado Springs, Colo , Edward and wife Margaret of Hillsboro , and Dalton and wife Carolyn of Arvada , Colo ; three daughters , Eileen and husband Stan Pugh of Littleton, Colo , Melba Hill of Hillsboro, and Marilyn Mohn of Corvallis, Ore ; 18 grandchildren, 25 great·grandchildren and five great great·grandchildren.

HIEBERT, ANNA, Mountain Lake, Minn. , a member of the Mountain Lake MB Church and former missionary to India , was born Aug 2, 1906, to Johann and Helena Jungas at Mountain Lake, and died Jan. 13 , 1997 , at the age of 90 On Aug. 9, 1927, she was married to John N C. Hiebert, who prede· ceased her in 1956. She is survived by seven children, Phyllis and husband Elmer Martens of Fresno, Calif , Paul and wife Fran of Highland Park, Ill. , Betty and hus· band Carl Dahl of Omaha, Neb , Gwen and husband Dick Schroth of Celeste , Texas, JoAnne and husband Frank Sorenson of Monmouth, Ill., Margaret Hiebert of Dover, Fla . , and Loey and husband Gary Knapp of Boulder, Colo . ; one brother, John Jungas and wife Wilma of Mountain Lake; 28 grandchildren ; and 30 great · grandchildren

KOOP, JOHN HENRY, Fresno, Calif., of Bethany MB Church, was born June 10 , 1923, at Joes, Colo , and died Feb. 11, 1997, at the age of 7 3 On July 29, 1944, he

Youth Mission International

YMI is sponsored by Mission USA, the Board of Evangelism Canada, and Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services.

WhoAreWeil

YMI is a short term missions and discipling ministry for young leaders. The word RISK means different things to everyone. For over 750 youth and young adults who have participated in short term service programs with YMI over the past 10 years, RISK means a faith stretching adventure in experiencing and sharing God's love somewhere on this planet.

Whallo We loil

YMI's discipleship program is an encounter with Jesus and the brokenness of this world. We train leaders to love God and love people through faith-stretching assignments which expose them to human need, beginning with ourselves. YMI's discipleship strategy involves four main programs:

• SOAR -A three-week program for teens and youth groups

• WINTER ACTION -A three-week program in January for college/career participants focusing on Latin America.

• SUMMER ACTION -An eight-week program in July and August for college/career age participants focusing on urban assignments in cities around the world.

• TREK -A one-year leadership training internship for YMI alumni, including a two-month classroom-based school of world mission and urban ministry, followed by a seven-month internship.

Where Are We Goingil

Our goal is to mobilize and disciple thousands of young leaders in this generation with a cause big enough to live and die for. We are actively partnering with youth discipling movements in other parts of the world, believing that we have as much to learn as we have to give to the global Church. At present our participant totals are growing at a rate of 25-50% a year. YMI alumni are serving in churches and ministries around the world, actively applying what they have learned.

Where Have We Come Fromil

YMI's roots are in the Mennonite Brethren Church of North America. We began as a mission/discipleship program that linked young leaders with service opportunities alongside new churches that were being planted. YMI teams have been a part of supporting church plants across North America.

MISSIDNUSABDAR... D:

Ed Bosdtmlll, Phoenix, AZ

Exerulive Director

Chuck Buller, V'1S01io, CA

Mike Sdwd, Reedley, CA

Fred Leonerd, Oovis, CA

lim SUUivlll, Hillsboro, KS

Loretto J05I, Aurora, NE

Oori(e Rempel, Buhler, KS

Randy Steinert, Bakersfield, CA

Clint Seibel, Hillsboro, KS

Jin Weems, Gettysburg, SD

&nie Friesen, Wichita, KS

Howard Loewen, Fresno, CA

lim Geddert, Fresno, CA

Ri(k Eshbaugh, Topeka, KS

Ex Offido Members:

Henry Ditk, Fresno, CA

ctmton Grenz, Bismark, ND

Roland Reimer, WIChita, KS

was married to Malinda Goertzen , who survives. He is also survived by three daughters, Grace and husband Ray Peters, Nadine and husband Robert Gretsch, alI of Fresno, Sharon Schmidt of Livermore, Calif.; one son, Ken of Fresno; two brothers, David and wife Helen of Reedley, Calif. and Leonard and wife Lucille of Burlington, Colo.; two sisters, Bertha McCall of Denver, Colo., and Joan and husband Glen Misenheimer of Atlanta, Ga.; and six grandchildren

NEUFELD, EDNA GRACE, Wasco, Calif , was born July 2, 1918, to Carl and Elizabeth Gaede Neumann at Sahuarita, Ariz., and died Feb. 13, 1997, at the age of 77. On Feb. 26, 1939, she was married to Lester Neufeld, who predeceased her in 1968. In 1973, she married Gordon Drescher She is survived by one son, Jimmy.

PETERS, ELIZABETH ALMA, Shafter, Calif., a member of the Shafter MB Church, was born July 16, 1906, to George A. and Elizabeth Welk Willems at Waldheim, Sask., and died March 8, 1997, at the age of 90. On July 14, 1931, she was

married to Ed Peters, who predeceased her in 1973. She is survived by two sons, Edward and wife Barbara and Douglas and wife Donna alI of Shafter; one sister, Rubina Neufeld Schmidt of San Jose, Calif.; one sister-in-law, Edna Willems of Shafter; seven grandchldren and eight great-grandchildren.

SUDERMAN, LEON, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, was born June 8, 1919, to Edward and Martha Seibel Suderman at Hillsboro, and died March 1, 1997 at the age of 77. On Oct. 2, 1942, he was married to Ruby Grunau, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Gary of Paola, Kan., Jerry and wife Nadine of Hillsboro and Merlin and wife Robby of Wichita, Kan.; one daughter, Becky and husband Dale Nuss of Marion, Kan ; one brother, Leslie and wife Rubena of Hillsboro; three sisters, Adena and husband Roy Schmidt of Fresno, Calif., Hilda and husband Ira Hein of Hillsboro and Ruby June and husband James Hefting of Halstead, Kan.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

THIESSEN, ANNA E_, Hillsboro, Kan., a

Salvation is a Gift for Everyone

A gift, when accepted, that starts the journey of becoming and being the Beloved of God

o The Salvation Story invites children to faith in Jesus Christ a life of discipleship become part of the larger church family

o An 8" x 14" laminated, full-color visual aid

o Ideal for group or individual use

Jubilee:

Good News

plus shipping

Sunday school curriculum from a Anabaptist perspective

• Invites children to a growing faith relationship with Jesus

• Bible story based - understanding that storytelling is worship

• Appeals to children with hands-on activites

• Four levels, three cycles, reusable Call for prices and themes.

PRODUCTIONS publisher for Resource Ministries of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches 1-800-545-7322 or Fax 1-316-947-3266 or call 947-3151

member of the Buhler (Kan.) MB Church was born July 19, 1903, to Gerhard S. and Ida Epp Neufeldt at Inman, Kan., and died March 12, 1997, at the age of 93. On June 4, 1936, she was married to George Thiessen, who predeceased her in 1973. She is survived by her daughter, Doris Dalke of HilIsboro; one sister, Tillie Friesen of Inman; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren

W ARKENTINE, GOLDIE MAGDALINE, Fresno, Calif., of Bethany Church, Fresno, was born Aug. 27, 1916, to Frank and Agnes Warkentine near Fairview, Okla., and died March 1, 1997, at the age of 80 She is survived by three brothers, Edward and wife Edna of Fresno, Harry of Fairview, and Albert and wife Mathilda of Joes, Colo.; two sisters, Sophie Comelson and Viola and husband Wayne Sholtus all of Fairview; two sisters -in-law, Martha Warkentine of Mission, Texas and Annamarie Warkentine of Okeene, Okla.; and many nieces and nephews

WRIGHT, HELEN ELEANOR, Reedley, Calif ., a member of the Bethany MB Church, Fresno, was born March 6, 1901, to David William and Sarah Belle Adamson Wright at Nelson, Neb., and died March 5, 1997, at the age of95. •

(?!,ive us a call at MB Biblical c:::,tseminary's Marriage, Family and Child Counseling program!

• Integrates biblical theology and therapy.

• Unparalleled rate of successful licensure

• Practicums involve real counseling in area schools and agencies

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Call Marietta Dalpez, administrative assistant. Early Bird (guaranteed) Scholarship deadline for fall, 1997 is May 1. CALL TODAY!

CLEARINGHOUSE

Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Need to sell or acquire property? Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 40 cents per word, with a $15 minimum Withhold payment until an invoice is received. The editors reserve the right to tum down inappropriate material. For display (boxed) ad rates, please call us

POS ITI ONS AVAILABLE

PASTORAL STAFF-Butler Avenue MB Church is accepting applications for pastor of children'S ministries. Role includes coordinating Sunday morning and midweek programs , recruiting and training workers, and providing support for families. Butler is a multicultural and multicongregational church , in a neighborhood rich in ministry opportunities Half-time position may be expanded in response to giftedness and interests of the candidate. For application and/or more information, contact the church at 209-2523741 , fax 209-252-8059, or e-mail butlermb@fresno edu.

F OR SALE

GREENWICH VILLAGE, Fresno, Calif A gated community of 38 lots for retirement living. Buy your lot and have your own home built, or buy one of the lovely new homes already built. $36,000 per lot.

Bible Fellowship MB Church, Minot, N. D Invites applications for SENIOR PASTOR

Position available June I, 1997

PLEASE FORWARD RESUME TO:

Pastoral Search Committee Bible Fellowship Church 1720 4th Ave NW. Minot, NO 58703

Or fax: 1·701·839-5590 Or e-mail: borse@minot.com

Let Intercristo help you discover job leads with Christian ministries worldwide. Your next job could be among one of the many available right now!

Choice location, adjoining Bethany Church. For information call John D Berg 209-226-3200.

RESOURCES

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE-looking for a dynamic daily devotional resource written from an evangelical Anabaptist perspective? Try Rejoice l, the inter-Mennonite devotional booklet. Rejoice! mines the riches

of God's wisdom throughout the Old and New testaments Each day features a 300-word devotional message, complete with Bible reading, key verse and meditational prayer. Writers for Rejoice! are from the Mennonite Brethren Church, General Conference Mennonite Church and Mennonite Church. For more information or to order Rejoice!, contact your local church office, or call toll-free Kindred Productions, 1800-545-7322

About our Storytelle r ... L eader •••

"John Ruth's commentary is priceless, interesting, wide-ranging , wise and well-grounded spiritually. "

Join John and Roma Ruth for

Becky Horst (Menno Simons '96 tour)

MENNO SIMONS EUROPEAN SAMPLER

Jul y 7.. 24, 1997

and travel through the most beautiful parts of Europe from Friesland to Zurich, learning the compelling stories of our Anabaptist forefathers and mothers. Call 1-800-565-0451 TODAY

TOUR MAGINATION

22 King St. S., Suite

Invitation: TO: Born-again Christians King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., is seeking volunteers for its Church Partnership Evangelism outreach to

1. PERU - Sullana

2. INDIA - Jama Ganur

3. ZAIRE - Klkwit

4. UKRAINE - Tchernivtsi-Odessa

5. NICARAGUA - Managua

6. PARAGUAY - Asuncion

7. PERU - Chlclayo-Talara

8. FIJI ISLAND

9. RUSSIA - Orenburg

10. ARGENTINA - Cordoba

11. INDIA - Shamshabad

April 5-21, '97

April 18 - May 13, '97

May 1-28, '97

May 3-29, '97

July 5-21, '97 $1,100

July 5-21, '97

Aug 2-26 , '97

Aug. 2-19, '97

Sept. 6-24, '97

Oct. 4-21, '97

Nov. 8-25, '97

,200

Note: Dates may be subject to change, pending further confirmation of some campaigns. ' Canadian dollars

• Team up with national Christians and witness for Christ door to door

• Some knowledge of the language of the country is helpful.

• Between 800 -2 ,800 persons have prayed to accept Christ as their personal Savior an d Lord during a two-week CPE campaign Come and be a part of an enriching spiritual experience-discover what God can do through you.

For more information, contact: CPE office: Tel. -Fax: 604-864-3941, or Evelyn Unruh , 604852-5744; or Peter Loewen, 604-853-3173 or FAX 604-853 -6482

Church Partnership Evangelism is a "church-to -church " effort that involves lay members in personal evangelism worldwide Your application to participate will be forwarded to the C.PE Executive Committee for proceSSing

Peter Loewen CPE Promoter

Harold W Ens MBMIS General Director

MEDIA MATTERS

BY BURTON BULLER

Influence and television

New forms of interactivity permitted by computers hold the promise of delivering messages that get remembered better than ever before.

THE SCREEN flashes bursts of multicolor light while grunts and explosions break from unidentifiable locations. Kids line

media experience, the more they will remember, I could more fully shape an environment whereby my client's messages would be remembered by viewers. up waiting eagerly to take their tum. Meanwhile, the player is immersed in a world created by the computer image, frantically pushing

Now computers have made possible something called "interactivity"-a form of communication in which the viewer immediately responds to the information being presented by buttons, deftly waving joysticks, to maneuver within the virtual world. Computer-generated 3D sounds surround the group with an aura of fake believability.

Has the world of media ever changed!

While producing both educational and corporate media projects, I often helped my clients determine the right media for the job they wished to do. Motion pictures and videotapes were decidedly bad at delivering raw facts and figures. But if you needed to grab people's emotions, these forms of media couldn't be beat.

Data from studies show people remember only very little of the information delivered by audio tapes. Information delivered by slide shows and ftlmstrips, using both ears and eyes, is remembered better. Motion pictures, engaging viewers on a deeper level whereby ears and eyes and to some extent emotions all function as receivers of information, moved what researchers called the "retention rate" much higher. I always longed for some form of communication that would totally absorb the person-something that would use both sound and moving picture, and that would involve a viewer at a much deeper level. Then, by using the logic that the more involved people are in the

pressing a key on the keyboard. To formulate a response, the viewer must pay close attention. When paying close attention, more is remembered.

New forms of interactivity permitted by computers hold the promise of delivering messages that get remembered better than ever before. Currently, computer games make the most creative use of interactivity. Games, like "Simm City," allow the player to create a complex living environment in fictitious cities. One critic calls this genre of computer games, "god" games.

Ihave observed teenagers building imaginary cities for days at a time, taking only forced breaks for eating and sleeping. So great is the engagement that time simply stands still for the player.

This ability to hold the attention of the participant gives media certain power. But there is another, more subtle, thing going on. To play these games, the player must accept the assumptions and presupposi· tions of the game's creator.

In Simm City, for example, the player must determine what kind of housing people should live in, how

much of the tax base to spend on police protection, how much green space to include, how much fire protection the area needs, and on and on. As the player reduces police protection, crime increases, property values drop and people begin moving out. Finally, the area becomes uninhabitable. Too much police protection, on the other hand, provides safety, but fire protection suffers, taxes become exorbitantly high, and people begin to complain. Come next election, you, the mayor, will be thrown out.

You can see that the creators of the game had to make some very value-laden decisions about how to assemble this complex and engaging piece of video education. If the game was created by Newt Gingerich, would it play differently than if Bill Clinton created it? What if a Christian with a heavy evangelical emphasis on the role of churches in society created the game? Would it play differently than if created by someone who saw no role for religion in society?

You get the point. To play the game, you must accept the agenda of the game's creator. No alternatives are allowed.

What potential to communicate ideas!

Should the church begin creating some of these forms of media entertainment? Would our message get through to our children more effectively than it does now?

In the meantime, it may be well to watch over our children's shoulders now and then, to discover the real agendas of the games they play.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT

A GUIDE FOR GROUP INTERACTION

SESSION 1 Church budgets, ehul eh mission

Based on "Bankrupt Budgets?, " page 4.

GET READY - Getting started

• Based on how your week has gone, what "mission statement" would you write for your life?

GET SET - Examining the issues

1. How does the mission statement of the New Testament church differ from churches today?

2. Is the New Testament church a realistic model for setting spending priorities today? Why or why not?

3. To what extent is it appropriate or inappropriate for a church to say the money spent on themselves is spent on mission?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live

1. What does your church budget say about your church's priorities?

2. How does your church "detect financial needs within the congregation and compassionate ways to meet those needs that affirm dignity and build community"?

3. In what ways could your congregation better support and encourage existing ministries?

4. What is an "unimaginable" dream you have for your congregation in regard to meeting needs? Spend time with others in your group dreaming and praying about the ways your congregation could uniquely meet needs in your community.

SESS ION 2 Sp l-lIlgtlme theology

Based on Ph'lip Side, page 8.

GET READY - Getting started

• Identify signs of spring that have inspired you this season.

GET SET - Examining the issues

1. In what ways does Wiebe see and hear God through spring?

2. How can people learn to look at the larger picture rather than making hasty decisions-as highlighted in the example of planting flowers between the bushes?

3. What other examples of the "theology of spring" would you add?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live

1. What is the season of your spiritual life? What evidence of new life do you see or desire?

2. Review John 15. Does your life need pruning? In what areas? How can you reaffirm your commitment to the care of the Gardener?

3. Which Scripture passage highlighted by Wiebe is most significant for you today?

SESSION 3 Mal ketlllg the ehul-eh

Based on Inquiring Minds, page 9.

GET READY - Getting started

• Name a favorite TV commercial.

GET SET - Examining the issues

1. To what extent do you agree with the four statements Hein makes at the beginning of the article?

2. Did Jesus use marketing approaches in his ministry? If so, what were they?

3. What cautions does Hein suggest regarding marketing in the church? Do you have others you would add?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live

1. How has a marketing approach attracted you to the gospel or motivated your spiritual growth?

2. When do meeting consumer needs and being obedient to Christ become opposing forces in the church?

3. What changes do you feel are necessary in your congregation? Do you need more or less marketing? In what ways has marketing distracted from obedience?

SESSION 4 Plodueers

or eonsumel-s

Based on On the Journey, page 10.

l

GET READY - Getting started

• Name the latest thing you purchased that probably wasn't a necessity.

GET SET - Examining the issues

1. Review the shifts that have taken place in moving from a producer society to a consumer society.

2. Is it wrong for Christians to contribute to this shift? Why or why not?

3. How do Jesus's statements in Matthew 6:25-34 relate to the issue of consumerism?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live

1. What are some ways in which products have replaced Jesus in your personal life or the life of your family?

2. What changes could you and your family make to lessen the lure of consumerism? What might keep you from making them?

3. How can fellow believers help each other focus more on "what can I contribute" rather than on "what can I get"?

4. What are some specific ways to begin teaching young children to think more of doing and giving than of wanting and getting?

Spring cleaning

I'M IN THE MOOD for spring cleaning. My yard at home needs it desperately My office isn ' t all that tidy either. And my mind seems more than a little cluttered these days. In that vein, allow me to toss a few things off the top of my head and into print

• According to pop icon Madonna, we live in a material world. She may be right, but we also live in a world that is spiritually conscious . Maybe not always coherent, but conscious

As I write thiS, investigators are still trying to unravel the mystery of Heaven's Gate, the techno-cult that ended in 39 suicides. As I view the videotaped testimonies of members, I am mystified by the odd mix of Christian orthodoxy and sci-fi psychobabble that formed the basis of their belief system. At the same time, I admire the depth of their conviction-they were faithful even unto death.

But I am reminded that the orthodoxy of one's faith can't be measured only by the degree to which one is willing to act on it. So often, it seems, we excuse goofy notions about God, faith and the church because the proponents of these ideas are so "sincere" in their beliefs. As the tragedy in San Diego sadly illustrates, what we believe is surely as important as how sincerely we believe it.

"faithful " in his own way-by "resisting the one temptation to which almost everyone submits in the end, the temptation to believe," Adler writes Sagan never found enough scientific evidence to warrant a belief in God. "Carl never wanted to believe," his wife, Ann Druyan, is quoted as saying "He wanted to know."

For many of us, science has provided sufficient confirmation of the existence and involvement of God in this world. But ultimately, belief in God will always be a step of faith, a willingness to accept the unprovable. Ironically, belief becomes possible once we know the person of Jesus Christ-intellectual assent to a set of facts about him is not enough. Knowing Jesus is always a matter of choice.

• Television programmers are often criticized for producing shows that flout Christian values, but I find almost more offensive some of the programming I've seen on

As the tragedy in San

overtly "Christian" alternatives A few months ago, our cable 1V provider added the Trinity Broadcasting Network to our package of Diego sadly illustrates, what options. Occasionally I surf on over to give it a we believe Is surely as look. I can't stomach it for long, though Too much of what I see only lends credence to those stereotypical parodies of Christianity as shallow and superficial believism, and pastors as smug, manipulative showmen

important as how sincerely we believe it.

Christians, of course, claim the Word of God as their doctrinal plumb line. But even that claim is no guarantee of grasping "truth." The existence of so many divergent Christian denominations, sects and movements would testify to that. The fact is, we will always have to resist the temptation, on the one hand, to be so open-minded about faith that we give credence to anyone who invokes religious language, and, on the other hand, being so narrow minded as to believe that our little group has a comer on truth.

• More evidence of a spiritual consciousness: Newsweek's recent cover article on "The Mystery of Prayer. " No doubt the Heaven's Gate cult will receive a lot of coverage in the weeks ahead, but I'm encouraged when the mainstream media addresses traditional religion in an evenhanded way . Newsweek does so fairly frequently, and Kenneth L. Woodward, their religion writer, does it as well as anybody .

As thought-provoking as his lead article was, I was intrigued by Jerry Adler's accompanying piece about the spiritual pilgrimage of Carl Sagan The famous scientist and author, who died late last year at the age of 62, remained 24- THE CHRISTIAN LEADER

The medium of television plays to those kinds of tendencies. But television can be a communication tool for the church if it plays to the medium's strength: its ability to touch people through storytelling. Even then, "Christian" producers too often put their emphasis on giving the right answers instead of asking the right questions. Maybe that's why, of late, I have been more profoundly moved by a "scandalous" but thoughtful show like "Picket Fences" than by almost anything I've seen on "Christian" television

• I may be slow, but I received new insight into the character of God during a recent study of the Ten Commandments When God laid down his Top Ten list, he could have justified his authority to do so in any number of ways: his position as Creator, his omnipotence, his holy nature, or even by threat Instead, God defines his moral authority this way: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of slavery." God's laws have always been about setting us free , not binding us in chains That intent is echoed in the words of Christ: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" On. 10: 10) . If discipleship is burdensome, whose fault is it?-DR