WHEN THE WOMEN FOUND the stone rolled away from the tomb that morning so long ago, they had walked into the most momentous development in history. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus brought salvation to the world.
But how much does that event impact our daily life? Do we act on the life-changing effects of that morning? Are we planting the seeds, telling the story? How are we "plotting the resurrection" today?
In this issue, several authors challenge us to action. Kenneth Gibble prods us to roll away the heavy stones from people' lives-to demonstrate the hope and joy of Easter no matter what our circumstances. Paul Durksen tells us many did not hear Jesus even though he stood before them, but we who listen must take his words and his resurrection to those who live without hope. In the last article, Rebecca Totilo explores how we can share the Easter story with children in a real and lasting way.
In BodyLife, you will find that many of our brothers and sisters are planting and plotting in their own fields and communities as well as those abroad. In the third of our series of church profiles, read how Laurelglen Bible Church is reaching the unchurched and discipling its members in the community of Bakersfield. A few pages later, learn how your U.s. Conference ministries are planting churches and ministering to immigrant and cultural congregations-and making strides toward expanding those and other ministries. In another article, find out how Mozambique flood victims will soon benefit from MCC aid.
Jesus' life, death and resurrection are central to our life. In fact, Paul says "if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (I Cor. 15:14). I hope one or two of the articles in this issue will challenge or help you to "plot the resurrection" in your community.
Blessings. -GA
COMING
_JULY 27-3O-Biennial U.S. Conference convention, Denver, Colo.
OCTOBER 26-29-Central District Conference convention, Huron, S.D.
NOVEMBER lO-l1-Pacific District Conference convention
How
MARY JEAN LOTZ
An ordinary water glass or a stone from the backyard can bring the Bible to
REBECCA TOTILO
• Conference hiring fund-raisers 24
• U.S. ministries report and make plans for next year 24
• Leadership focus of u.s. Conference convention 27
• New book challenges readers to laugh about relationships 28
• U-SERV volunteers help keep church building costs down 28
• LAMB delegates worship and do district business 29
The Christian Leader (ISSN 0009-5149) is published monthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 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 members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical/Anabaptist theological tradition. However, the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church.
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How do we join with God in plotting resurrection for a world in the grasp of death
toryteller and ess ist E. B. White had a knack for capturing the essenc of things in a few words. In the last autumn of his wife Kat arin life, White watched her as she planned th planting of bu sir flower garden. He described her b draggled appea c as somewhat comical yet touching: " the smal ed-over figure, her studied absorption in the implausible qti n that there would be yet another spring, oblivious to ttl ending of her own days, which she knew erfectly was near at hand, sitting there with her detailed art un those dark skies in the dying October, calmly plotting e resur ction" (Onward and Upward in the Garden by Kathan e S. White).
Plotting the f'i surrection-what a provocative phrase. It makes me wo can we as Christians be the plotters of resurrection?
BY KENNETH L. GIBBLE
PLOTTING PLOT
What does "plot" mean? Looking at the meaning of the word is a place to begin. My dictionary gives several definitions.
• One definition for plot is "a small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose." Since I enjoy growing vegetables in my backyard, gardening is the first thing that comes to mind here.
• Another definition for plot: "the series of events consisting of an outline of the action of a narrative or drama." Remember writing book reports in school? One of the things we had to report on was the "plot" of a story-the action, the unfolding of events with a beginning, middle and an end.
• Somewhat related to this definition is yet another, one with a twist: "a secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme." Many of us learned this meaning as kids. Whispering behind the door with a friend, our mothers had an uncanny ability to suddenly appear. Scrutinizing with narrowed eyes, she'd say with suspicion, "I think the two of you are up to no good-what are you plotting?"
BECOMING PL ERS
Each of these definitions lends its meaning to how we can become plotters of the resurrection.
Sowing life
When the Apostle Paul wrote about resurrection, he used the language of agriculture-land being used for a specific purpose. "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body which is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat orof some other grain" (1 Cor. 15:36-37).
It is almost impossible to speak of resurrection without seeing the image of seeds planted in the
ground. When Paul attempted to talk about the miracle of resurrection, he drew on the analogy of a seed that cannot produce life until it dies. The cross must precede the empty tomb. New life requires first a death.
During spring, we often associate greening grass or bursting buds with Christ's triumph over the grave. The annual miracle of new life springing from donnant becomes a celebration of the power of the Almighty One who creates and recreates and makes all things new.
As we drop seeds into garden plots of soil, we are plotters. We sow seeds in faith that they will sprout and \ make it happen, and we would be f60 0 up the seed to see if it has begun to we an do is plant and wait; God must the. t.
But the Plantin$waiting-is important, whether we p iteral seeds i our backyar.d gardens or figurative s· in any of a ousand
ways by allowing God to use our gifts for the good of the human family.
A secret plan
But plotting the resurrection is more than sowing seeds. It's also "a secret plan to accomplish a hostile purpose" or "a scheme."
In the crucifixion and raising of Jesus, God was plotting a "hostile" action. Resurrection is the climax of the Holy One's plan to overthrow the great enemy-hell, death and the grave.
These forces of evil are symbolized by a huge stone in Mark's account of the first Easter. The stone blocked the entrance to the tomb where the body of Jesus lay. The women went to the tomb on that morning with no idea how they would anoint the body of)esus. They asked each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" Mark underscores their dilemma by telling us that the stone was "very large." The power of hell, death and the grave seemed invincible-as they still do to us today.
The stone of evil is very large indeed. It's easy to despair when we hear of so much that is wrong in the world-drug addiction, violent crime, abuse of power in high places, oppression of the poor, disease, bloodshed. Sometimes we wonder, who will roll away the stone?
But the Gospel says that the women did not despair. They did not stay at home wringing their hands, nor did they tell themselves it was of no use to go to the sealed-off tomb. They went with spices for anointing. They went even when all they had was a question-who will roll away the stone?
Their going was their part in the plot against the forces of evil. They were plotters of the resurrection-as is each of us in the world today.
A story
Plotting the resurrection is also about a storythe series of actions in a story with a beginning, middle and end.
Easter is the turning point, the climax. With the empty tomJ:r...the resurrection-we know how the story will come out. And it's going to have a happy ending.
I once conducted an interview with Madeleine L'Engle, a prolific writer of books for youth and adults. During part of the interview, we talked about endings to stories.
• Question: In your books, both nonfiction and fiction, there seems always to be, if not a happy ending, then at least a triumphant ending. Is this the way you intend it?
• L'Engle: I do. There may be death at the end of my books, but they all do assert that, yes, life is worth living.
• Question: Are you in a sense "stuck" with the triumphant ending because of your faith? Not stuck in a negative sense, but it's a given because of the resurrection. And is this true for every Christian artist?
• L'Engle: Yes, I think we're stuck with it. You either say God will succeed or God will fail. As long as I affirm God is going to succeed with creation, then my writings must reflect that.
Like L'Engle, we are all called to plot the resurrection. When we affirm the power and love of God revealed in Easter, we affirm that God is going to succeed with creation. As L'Engle says that her writing must reflect that, our lives must reflect the triumph of the resurrection as well. In all we do and say, we need to demonstrate the joy and hope of Easter-not just when the stories of our lives are bright with laughter, but also when they tum dark with disappointment or loneliness or sorrow.
BEING A PLOTTER
None of us knows the exact details of how the story will end, whether it be the story of our own lives or the story of creation. Neither did the Gospel writers. But they knew a turning point in a plot when they saw one. They saw it in a stone rolled away and an empty tomb. And they became, in the telling of the story, part of the great company of those who in every age have joined with God in plotting resurrection for a world that so often lies in the grasp of death.
What higher calling exists than to be a plotter of resurrection? •
Kenneth Gibble is a freelance writer who lives in Chambersburg, Penn.
MOTHER OF THE WORD
EMPTINESS
"Mary Jean L'Otz
The cardboard boxes sat empty next to the garbage cans for three days. Then the chUdren discovered them. They begged their mother to get out a knJfe and when she did the first box, the biggest one, became the engine; the second box was whittled into a boxcar with bars across its windows. That's where the lions would ride. The third box was long and narrow. a perfect caboose. It had two crudely cut doors, one In front to make it easy for the conductor to feed the lions and one in back so that she could watch for danger. All afternoon the chUdren rode their train to the circus and back, first delivering lions, then then monkeys, seals, puppy dogs, teddy bears-until stuff.ed animal they owned sat on the living room couch, waiting Its turn in the big top.
The day, the biggest box was turned upside dO\\lb and a door was front to lower down like a drawbridg . Soddenly, the hail a pA,ace. And a dungeon. And the third bO$'? .u::was a ,hg.t out in fOl'est (the front: closet:) where a wicked Witch lived.
There is a bea1\ty in empty things. Empty boxes, fol' dUJdren, 'hold advent:tlre$. An elnptlblrd"s nest SPeak, of sparrowS' cQme and JJone. fiuIkweed ,Pod, split oPen and rattllnlfln the Nbvember-wind, so\Pllds oUe'JU1otiter passing.
For mothers, Ito, thereds a beauty in e'htpty thiugs, a bgD.e beauty balances between what: is lost: an what: is An empty c'rlb m4aans a1flew twin bed; an empty trike makes way for a two-wh,eeler.
When Jesus dleft, is it too much to i.u;!.agine that Mary's 'th.ough:ts on what:'was those years of her cbitd grow and learn and and preach and heal?
But as Mary discovered, and as we Keep is'a beauty in empty things, espedallyan empty'fomb.
Reprinted from The Church Herald, May 1998. Copyright 0 1998 by
ne of the sytnpols of Easter for many children is the Easter bunny. The lovable floppy-eared rabbit holds the promise of many chocolate treatsmuch of the joy coming from a diligent but enjoyable search before the goodies are in hand.
Most of the time, we think there is little connection between this rabbit and the real reason we celebrate Easter. But we can learn a spiritual lesson from one of the Easter bunny's most notable features-its ears.
God created the rabbit with wonderfully large ears. Those ears detect even the most gentle sounds of the forest. They don't miss much.
We humans aren't so good with our ears, however.
BYPAUL D. DURK5EN
Marshall McLuhan once noted that while humans were not created with" earlids," we have learned to compensate for that oversight by developing selective listening. We hear only what is convenient for the moment. We don't often hear the things that challenge our pride or demand our obedience.
It's no mistake that Jesus began his ministry with a call for people to hear his words-words that held the promise of life for those who truly listened.
The first recorded parable-the parable of the sower-in Matthew, Mark and Luke contains the injunction "he who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus' final word to the seven churches of Revelation contains the same command. Many people listen to the Good News preached, but few truly hear.
The Easter narrative is IDled with people who did not use their ears. From the disciples to the Jewish religious leaders and on down to Pilate, everyone listened to the truth but didn't hear it. Although they had heard Easter's message clearly explained, most of them missed the significance of the most profound event in human history.
What the disciples didn't hear
The disciples demonstrated great skill at selective listening. Time and again throughout his ministry, Jesus was forced to take his disciples aside and explain to them what his parables meant. He taught them to love and to serve, but they responded by arguing over who would be the greatest in the kingdom. He told the disciples exactly what their own religious leaders would do to him during the Passion Week, but they still pulled a sword and cut off a servant's ear.
Even though they lived and walked with Jesus for roughly three years, their selective listening caused them to misunderstand the incredible climax towards which Jesus' life moved.
What the leaders didn't hear
DuringJesus' trial, the Jewish religious elite, Pilate and even Herod listened to the truth about who Jesus was, but the truth did not penetrate their hearts.
An obsession for power seemed to drive the religious leaders as they ploned ways to tum the people against the Messiah. High Priest Caiaphas demonstrated that, despite meticulous training in the Scriptures, he had closed his ears to the Spirit of God. Because of that, he did not see the Messiah standing right before his eyes.
Pilate seemed somewhat more receptive to the truth. After questioning Jesus, Pilate concluded that there was no basis for the charges. Three times Pilate told the Jews that he could find no fault in Jesus, and he tried to release him. Each time, the crowd's cries for Jesus' death grew more insistent.
When confronted with the claim that Jesus was the Son of God, Pilate tried even harder to release him. But the great truth of Jesus' claim was drowned out by the shouts of the crowd that Pilate was no friend of Caesar if he released Jesus. The irony of the Jews appealing to the friendship of their sworn enemy makes their state of mind all the more pitiful. In the end, Pilate's selective hearing proved too
strong...-the truth of Christ was blocked by the fear of offending Caesar.
Herod was delighted by the opportunity to meet Jesus. He had heard many stories about Jesus and hoped to see a miracle performed in his presence. Jesus remained silent in response to numerous questions from Herod. In spite of what he had heard about Jesus, Herod was blinded to the truth by a desire for the sensational. Seemingly bored by the fact that he did not witness any parlor tricks, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. Selective hearing prevented the truth from entering Herod's heart.
What we must hear
As he hung on the cross, Jesus spoke some of the most incredible words the world has ever heard. He offered forgiveness to those who participated in his crucifixion-forgiveness born of his love but also his knowledge that none of the participants could yet know the full impact of their actions. From the cross, Jesus also spoke words of hope and the promise of paradise to a fellow sufferer. Those who witnessed the crucifixion heard words of great pain from Jesus as God turned his back on his only son because of the horror of our sin and the sins of the world-sins that Jesus willingly bore.
Perhaps the greatest words we could ever hear were spoken with Jesus' last breath-"It is finished" Oohn 19:30). With those three words the penalty for our sin was paid. Those three words sealed our hope for eternity. Three simple words restored a broken relationship between the Creator and his creation.
Only one man truly heard those words on that first Easter. A Roman soldier on duty to supervise the crucifixion had ears to hear. He listened to Jesus' words of pain, forgiveness and hope and began to praise God, declaring that surely Jesus was a righteous man.
"It is finished." Oh, that we would hear the full impact of those words every day of our spiritual journey.
We need to open our ears to the Spirit and hear him assure us that our salvation is complete. All too often we are guilty of trying to earn our way into favor with God. But everything we could never hope to do was accomplished for us when Jesus gave his life for our sin, when he destroyed the power of death forever with his resurrection.
God's people need to hear anew his call to go into our world and speak these words of life to ears desperate for a way back home to the heart of God. With ears to hear the Spirit in our lives, the Easter message will come alive through us and transform those who are without hope .•
Paul Durksen is a freelance writer/editor and preacher and is currently attending Crestwood MB Church in Medicine Hat, Alta. (Canada).
2000.
BY REBECCA TOTILO
Sharing t:he East:er st:ory -wit:h
children
hat do ordinary household items like cotton, a water goblet, pocket change or dice have to do with Easter?
They are all items we can use to show our children the real reason we, as believers, celebrate Easter-the day we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Children learn best when it involves all of their senses-sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Their senses print snapshots in their minds. A water goblet and pocket change help us present the Gospel to our children in a concrete way they will remember. A household nail or a stone from the garden brings the Bible to life.
Jesus often used similar methods when he taught. When he spoke in parables-brief stories from everyday life-he was giving people "word pictures." He presented something they could visualize and easily remember as he illustrated kingdom truths. Jesus often introduced a spiritual insight or taught a spiritual principle in a concrete way. For example, Jesus used the withering of a fig tree to talk about the power of faith and prayer (Matt. 21: 19).
'DAY
• n'ltlY
• day
• • Tbursdar 1IVt(iaay
S';II1day
the weekbeft).- Easter. 1st you in teDlng the low, moose olUect:s and and tHAturity.
ITEM
Palm or tree 1;tranch Water
Snvercouts (dbnes. nt{kels, quarters)
Rosebush thorns
Naij Dtce Stone
We must not underestimate our children's spiritual abilities. When toddlers run in circles dUring family devotions and prayers, we may think they aren't listening-but they are. They are listening to and learning by everything we say, do or don't do. Even a child as young as a toddler can grasp an understanding of God's plan for salvation when it is told in a way he or she understands.
Sharing Easter in a real way
There are several ways to use objects to share the Easter story with our children. Choose a way that is comfortable for you. Take into account a child's age and maturity, but be careful not to underestimate him or her.
• First, gather a collection of household items you can use to illustrate the Easter story (see "Telling the Easter story in a week" on this page and
Matt 21:8 26:26-28
Matt 26:14-16
MattV:29
Jehn19:17
John).9:16
John
Ma'ttV:59; Matt 28tt-4
"The Resurrection Hunt" on page 12)
• Schedule a family night to play the Resurrection Hunt game or have a short devotion each night of the week before Easter, bringing out a different item for "show and tell."
• As each item is discovered or presented, ask the children questions and read Scripture related to that item. A water goblet, for example, can represent Jesus' Last Supper. Understanding each element of the story of Easter will help draw your children into a deeper walk with Jesus.
As you open the door of understanding for your children, they will undoubtedly conjure up many questions. Be prepared. Study your Bible ahead of time. You may also want to take notes or create some costumes to help retell the story with thrill and excitement. Be as creative as you like. Whatever way you choose to share the Easter story with your
Jesus often used sbnilar :methods when he taught. When he spoke in parablesbrief stories frOnt everyday lifehe was giving people "word pictures."
Word pictures are not: easily forgotten. Each t:bnea child put:s coins int:o a pop ntachine, t:here isa chance he1l rententber t:he30 pieces of silver Judas accept:ed t:obet:ray Jesus.
Res
YOU WILL NEED:
• Cross (Jesus hung on a 1Nooden cross.)
• Cotton (Soldiers offered Jesus sponges soaked witlt wine-vinegar).
• Nail (Jesus' hands and feet were nailed to a cross.)
• Dice (Soldiers gambled for Jesus' clotlting.)
• Stone (An angel rolled tlte stone away at Jesus' tomb.)
• Silver coins (Judas, one of tlte 12 disciples, betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.)
• Wine glass or water goblet (At tlte Last Supper, Jesus and tlte disciples ate bread and drank 1Nine.)
• Small tree branch 1Nitlt leaves (When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, people waved branches and shouted "Hosanna:)
children, enjoy your time together as a family.
Lessons not easily forgotten
Word pictures or snapshots are not easily forgotten. Each time a child puts coins into a pop machine, there is a chance he'll remember the 30 pieces of silver Judas accepted to betray Jesus. If she pricks her finger on a rose, perhaps she'll remember the crown of thorns Jesus was forced to wear. Each time he skips a stone across a lake, he may be
• Rosebush tltorn (Officials scoffed at Jesus and tltrust a cro",," of tltorns onto his head, calling him "King of tlteJews:)
• Piece of leatlter (Jesus was whipped 39 lashes, called flogging.)
TO PLAY THE GAME:
• Give each child or team a list of items (do not include tlte meanings of objects) to collect.
• Give each child or team a bag in which to collect tlte items.
• Set a time limit (maximum 15-20 minutes) and have everyone meet back at a designated place.
• Allow each child or team to share tlteir findings.
• As each item is unveiled, explain how it describes tlte deatlt and resurrection of Jesus.
reminded of the stone rolled away at Jesus' tomb. These are lessons not easily forgotten. The time we spend sharing Easter with our children is well spent-for we are doing as Jesus commanded, "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22: 19) .•
Rebecca Totilo is a former missionary as well as an author and homeschooling mother offour. She lives with her family in Miami, Florida.
WHAT READERS SAY
Sitting on the sidelines
Regarding "Where are the leaders?" (Feb. 2000).
Ehud had died. The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord Oudges 4) and were harshly oppressed by Canaan. Not only that, but they also were lacking a suitable leader. To remedy the situation, the wife of Lappidoth, Deborah, a prophetess and judge, was called out by God to become the respected guide of his people. Under the Lord's direction she requested Barak to raise an army. This accomplished, Barak petitioned Deborah to accompany him to battle. He recognized her divine appointment and understood the assurance of having the prophetess with him for counsel and encouragement as he performed his task. Barak valued the success of God's enterprise more than his personal honor. This view was also understood and shared by other leaders of the time.
Deborah was the one to whom the Lord had given insight and special guidance. Since the fall, women had been sentenced to subjugation. However, now she was authorized by the Almighty to lead his people to victory and freedom. This, even prior to the liberating work of Christ and the eross--the New Testament covenant in which we all share freedom today.
We are most grateful for the many women commissioned to be ministers of God's saving grace in our foreign mission programs. However, we are somewhat hesitant to recognize God's call on them to be ministers in our midst today. There are among us gifted, compassionate women who sense God's call to pastoral servanthood.
Where are our leaders? Some are sit· ting on the sidelines. Some have left us to enter ministry where doors are open to them.
If your gifted daughter comes to you and says, "I feel the call to pastoral ministry," encourage her! Among our lead· ers we need a Deborah, a Miriam, a Hul-
The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church. All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length. Send letters to Christian Leader, 7531 Delta Wind Dr., Sacramento, CA 95831 (e-mail: chleader@jps.net).
dah, an Anna, Philip's daughters and others of years gone by and today to share in the important task of ministry.
Harold Kruger Wichita, Kan.
At peace-or only tolerance?
It is with great interest that I have been reading the Leader in the past few months. The November issue was informative with the article entitled "The MB century in review." I enjoyed the article and the facts it presented. I felt, for the most part, the events dealt with the growth of a movement which began with a revival in 1860.
But I wondered what those who led the revival would think of the 1993 convention, the vote taken and the lack of respect for it. The second paragraph of the 1993 review states, "For almost 15 years there had been a growing willingness on the part of MB congregations to encourage women to be active in all levels of church and conference ministry, including pastoral work." A few paragraphs down, the article states, "Six years later, MBs are still struggling with the issue of women in pastoralleadership roles."
Would those who led the revival of 1860 be alarmed with these statements, or would they feel like they were walking the tightrope on this issue as well?
The January Leader talked about peace and what it means today. Again some fine articles. Lyndon Vix stated that, "Unless and until we can restore peace among ourselves, we will be ineffective in our attempts to bring peace to the world."
In viewing the November issue, it is obvious that there are various or different understandings of the teaching of the Bible among the MBs. I am forced to ask myself: can there be peace among MBs or does peace have to give way to tolerance?
The MB confession of faith states, "We accept the Bible as the infallible Word of God and the authoritative guide for faith and practice." It says that the same Spirit that inspired the Bible guides the community of faith in the interpretation of Scripture. This agreement is a foundational truth that should bring peace.
There are those who do not believe in the authority of the Word of God, yet they are tolerant of me even if I stand finn on
its authority. Therefore we are not at peace on this issue, but we accept and tolerate our respective beliefs. We are not at peace with one another because we are of a dif· ferent Spirit. Although we can live side by side, respect one another and even love one another, in reality we worship and serve a different God. God is Spirit, and true worshippers must worship him in Spirit and truth. Because the Spirit that authored the Word of God cannot interpret Scripture two different ways, we can be tolerant but we cannot be at peace with one another. Perhaps this is what the revival of 1860 was all about-seeking to be faithful to the correct interpretation of Scripture and being united in what they believed.
The February issue of the Leader asks the question, "Where are our leaders?"
The articles are all fine essays on leadership but do not answer the question of where the leaders have gone. But it has raised a question in my mind: how is one to lead correctly when we cannot even agree on the instructions?
God is a God of order and purpose. He has given us the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures to guide us, which are of no one man's private interpretation. The authority of Scripture does not change with the times. The order of the family, which is mirrored in the church, does not have to be confused. A growing willing. ness to accept something, in the name of peace, must not take precedence over what is right.
With so much confusion over foundational issues, no wonder the house sways in the wind and threatens to crumble. It does not surprise me that potential lead· ers would shun a house filled with controversy and disunity over what they believe on authority and gender roles. When the MBs come to agreement on what God's Word teaches about authori· ty, roles, responsibilities, uniqueness in the sexes and mutual submission to the truth as God declared it, leaders will no doubt be raised up by God.
Thank you for the inspiring articles which force us to examine what we believe and how we should live. I will be looking forward to the continuing saga of the MBs search for the truth as revealed in Scripture for them.
Bruce Bogar Wolf Point, Mont.
What about the Holy Spirit?
In reading the Feb. 2000 issue of the Leader (Where have our leaders gone?), I wondered if there was perhaps a different reason for the vacant pulpits.
Let's face it-have pastors and leaders of the past 100 years stressed the great importance of the filling of the Holy Spirit and, yes, the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If we walked in those powerful experiences I believe there would be more pulpits filled because people would be anxious to expound the Word.
In 1939, I had a wonderful new birth experience. I immediately had a burden for the lost and began talking to people about Jesus, but I had no idea what God had for me in the future.
In 1947, while alone in the chicken bam, I found myself in a Cloud of Glory. Hallelujah! The Holy Spirit flooded my soul in a way I cannot describe. My whole being wanted to give God praise, and I searched the whole alphabet to put together words to express my bursting heart, but there weren't any. I was afraid of tongues (I had been influenced against that), so I didn't let God have my own tongue-which I now regret. Finally, I said the word "gloria," which means "glory" in Latin. I believe I would have praised God in Latin if I had let God have my tongue.
I believe I was in that bam for several hours although it seemed like five min-
utes. For a long time I felt the powerful, lovely presence ofJesus--as I still do many times. But I began quenching the Spirit because I was too "odd," wanting to continually praise God.
Many times I've wondered why we haven't heard about the possibility of these experiences from our pulpits. The Bible doesn't say "I wish" you were filled nor "it would be good" if all were filled. It says, "Be ye filled," which is a command.
Again, let's face it. The devil has the Spirit-filled people's number and the bat-
de has shifted into high gear. I regret so much the times I have fallen into his traps. There is no seminary that can take the place of the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the anointing and power that follows. If the pastors in the last 100 years had taught us the power (and the suffering) of walking in the Spirit, I believe there would be fewer churches with "empty pulpits."
Adinajost Hillsboro, Kan.
The Chrlsttan Leader is Jooldnglor people who are terest writing assigne4:lnews stbries and/or wiUiIi, to serve as c dents for their region, re"Po. on the events occ:unq Mennonite Brethren.churches throughqot States. Writers will be
""'lOP are eoatad: Aaodate Editor Faller 8. IJncola, Box V" to, ..... 67063 chIeader@lIOuthwiad.net (316)
BY PHILIP WIEBE
Are we still trying to kill Jesus?
It seems that the religious leaders wanted to kill more than jesus-they also wanted to killjesus' influence in their lives. Are we doing the same thing?
The Easter season is a time to ponder the suffering and death of Jesus-from a somewhat comfortable distance. At least that's how it usually is for me. I know it's important to try and sense the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice and the severity of his agony, but for me two truths will always cushion the events of the cross. First, I wasn't there; and second, I know the end of the story.
Let me add that I'm fully aware of my own responsibility, as a sinful human, in the Easter drama. "For me, he died," as an old hymn goes. And I realize that had I been around at the time, it could well have been me-if not actually shouting "Crucify!"- then perhaps denying Jesus like a certain disciple or washing my hands of the whole affair like a certain ruler. Since that was then and this is now, though, I admit to regarding the crucifixion with an underlying sense of relief that for one thing, I didn't do it, and for another, Jesus rose again anyway.
My comfort level in this matter was recently shaken, however, while reading a brief story recorded in Mark 3: 16. Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and encountered a man with a shriveled hand. Some of the leaders and "holy" people there were keeping an eye on Jesus to see if he would heal the man, which would break the accepted Sabbath rule prohibiting work. Jesus not only healed, but asked rather pointedly, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or do evil, to save life or to kill?"
When this inspired only silence, Jesus was "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts." Beneath the silence, though, the response was far from benign. "Then the Pharisees went out
and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill]esus."
It suddenly occurred to me, reading this story, that perhaps I had more in common with these leaders than I'd previously realized. Because what they really wanted to do, it seems to me, was kill more than Jesus himself-they wanted to kill Jesus' influence in their lives.
Thinking about it that way, maybe I try to kiIIJesus too.
I have also been known to put rules above relationships, principles above people. When Jesus speaks to me, by Word or Spirit, about a needed course of action or act of service, I too have been known to quash the message or fail to respond. It's not that I'm out to get Jesus, but there are times when I devise ways to keep him from getting me.
With that in mind, perhaps it would be good, during this Easter season, to consider ways we may still try to kill Jesus today.
• First, we kill Jesus' leading in our lives when we refuse to change. So much of Jesus' teaching was about putting new wine in new wineskins; about new and better ways of living, loving, serving. "You have heard that it was said, but I tell you " Jesus often remarked when challenging people to move beyond conventional wisdom toward dynamic, ongoing growth.
• Second, we kill]esus' love when we fail to accept people. Many of the leaders in Jesus' day were preoccupied with assessing who was "in" and who was "out" of God's favor-a pastime that unfortunately remains popular even in the church. But our mission
has never been to categorize or condemn, but rather to help people-aIl people-understand and embrace that God loves and accepts them in Christ.
• Third, we kill Jesus' example when our self-fabricated rules hinder relationships. The leaders at the synagogue were more concerned about Sabbath protocol than the well-being of a man who needed healing. We do that too. How we serve-methods, traditions, institutions-can become more important than who we serve. But it is in the "greatest command"love God, love others-that Jesus reminds us both of our first priority and our daily responsibility.
• Fourth, we kill Jesus' influence when we fail to truly worship. Many of us know the story of the woman who interrupted a dinner party to pour a costly bottle of perfume on Jesus. To this uninhibited act of worship many responded, "How undignified! How wasteful!" There are times, sadly, when our own attitudes and practices reflect this ambivalence toward expressive worship and our reluctance to truly "let go" in praise and love for the Lord.
• Finally, we kill Jesus' presence when we "quench the Spirit." "The Holy Spirit," Jesus said, "will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" Oohn 14:26). We quench the Spirit when we'd rather not be reminded, when we cut corners in our faith, when we "take a break" from commitment to the Lord and his church.
Thankfully, though we may try to kill Jesus in these and other ways, the final word of Easter is, "He lives!" The only remaining question is whether our inner condition reflects the rest of that hymn's chorus: "He lives within my heart."
INQUIRING MINDS
BY MARVIN HEIN
QIn our worship services today so often there is a distinction made between the time of singing certain songs ("worship and praise'') and the remainder of the seroice. Even the singing of hymns is not considered "worship and praise. " I have been under the impression that everything in the worship service is "worship and praise. " Can you help me? (Nebraska)
AThe confusion voiced by the inquirer is a common one, especially among older, more traditional style worshippers, and occasionally among younger persons as well. Some months ago a musician friend wrote to one of his parishioners explaining why the tenn ''worship and praise" is used when we sing contemporary music. I received a copy of his explanation and found it very helpful in explaining how we have come to the point where we differentiate between "worship and praise" and the remainder of the service.
He said we have simply adopted a movement that has its roots in the Jesus Movement revivals on college campuses in the early 1970s. Thousands of high school and college students came to saving faith in Christ and when they met, they sang hymns and choruses accompanied only by guitar, many times throughout the night. This movement, probably beginning in 1965 in California, had a remarkable impact on traditional methods of worship. The movement became nationally known and was covered in Look and Life magazines.
As the Jesus Movement continued and grew, new churches and ministries were started. Promise Keepers, Vineyard, Calvary Chapels and other organizations have their roots in this movement. During this time and within these bodies of believers, worship and praise became defined as congregational singing. Special music was seen as "sharing in song" or a "testimony in song." The sennon was defined as "teaching" or "sharing" or a ''word from the Lord." But the only
part ever considered worship and/or praise was the congregational singing.
I think my musician friend is correct in his analysis. We have copied the worship style of movements such as Vineyard. In fact, a large majority of the "praise" songs we sing come directly from the Vineyard repertoire. Many of these songs have little appeal to me personally. They are repetitious, very onefaceted lyrically, and for an "old-timer," often sung with a beat that is not in my "bones." But I am not prepared to say this means the contemporary church does not appreciate hymns. My musician friend has a great appreciation for both the contemporary and traditional kinds of music and worship.
What do we learn from all this? Several things, it seems to me. For one, the distinction between "praise songs" and other music is a rather artificial one, but when I understand its origins I become more tolerant. I would still hope that everything in worship is "praise." In fact, I have other friends who object to defining "worship" as what happens in a church meeting. They would refer to Romans 12:1 and contend that all oflife is to be worship.
We can also learn that we probably need to give more sober attention to the ways we worship. We struggle between adapting to the culture by copying its fonns of music and being a counter-cultural church, as the New Testament church no doubt was. We struggle between becoming "all things to all men" (Apostle Paul) in our worship styles and being people "set apart." We struggle between adapting to culture to win the world, and then being just as forceful in discipling those converts so they become counter-cultural persons.
We live in times when most of us want what we want and are impatient with those who want something else. Our times call for genuine love and compassion even for those with whom we differ, and the times call for serious, deliberate considerations of why we do
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? E-mail Marvin at mhein1@fresno.edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.
what we do in worship, and what the long-term results will be.
QCan we be both rich and spiritual? (California)
AI hope so! I hope so because compared to many people in the world, I am rich. The Bible is very plain in teaching that there are dangers attached to the accumulation of wealth. Jesus watched sadly as a rich young ruler refused his lordship because this man of means had his heart set on material things. At the same time Jesus loved rich people and at times even accepted their gracious and generous hospitality and assistance in his ministry.
One man said: "I think the most important question today is not how much you have, but what you do with what you have." It's a lot more critical what we create and how we use wealth than how much we have. It is even more important to ask how we got our wealth, what we are doing with it now and what we are going to do with it ultimately. It is not more Christian to be poor than to be wealthy. Even the povertystricken can desire wealth for wrong motives as easily as the rich. We keep saying that God is on the side of the poor. While that is true, he is also on the side of the rich when they are committed to him and use their resources responsibly. I once read that Dan Kaufman, a Mennonite stewardship promoter, said, "Money is wonderful stuff." After his stunned audience recovered a bit, he added, "With money I can go to the slums of Calcutta and help heal the lepers. I can educate the future leaders of the church. I can go to all parts of the world where they haven't yet heard the gospel message."
Yes, wealth has its hazarrls--subtle but ferocious. But God has as much love for rich people as for poor, it seems to me. But the wealthy have greater responsibilities, along with greater temptations. Yes, both rich and poor can be Christians.
BY ROSE BUSCHMAN
Lost children or lost parents?
Ibis is not just a problem for Rockdale County. It is a problem for all of us, and all need to get involved.
Back in February our local PBS 1V station aired a documentary called "The Lost Children of Rockdale County." It was not a fun program to watch. At times, I watched in disbelief, sometimes in anger and several times just too stunned to react.
The program explored the problem of how a syphilis outbreak in 1996 affected the teenagers of Conyers, GA, a welloff Atlanta suburb. Outwardly, the town and surrounding area was prosperous and tranquil. On Sunday mornings most people went to church. But unknown to the adults there existed in this "good" community a frightening subculture of teen group sex, binge drinking and drugs. The outbreak of syphilis was the red flag that alerted authorities to the existence of a serious problem.
Public health experts were brought in to study the community. What they round was horrendous. These young people, many as young as 12 and 13 years of age, had ready access to all the alcohol they wanted. Parties involving heavy drinking and sex orgies were common. Teens reported multiple sex partners (up to 65 each) as the norm. In this environment sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, flourished.
When a community-wide meeting of parents and concerned leaders was called a year later to discuss the findings of the study, most parents were shocked. When asked why they did this, many young people described their need for group acceptance since their homes were often very disconnected. Parents were too busy with their own careers to be involved with their children's lives. They did not see the need (or have the will) for a structured home atmosphere of good discipline and guidance. What shocked the experts the most was the parents' apparent denial that they were
part of the problem.
In response to this problem Dr. Robert Blum asks, "Lost children or lost parents of Rockdale County?" He and his colleagues at the University of Minneapolis Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health point out that the things which are critical for successful adolescent development include:
• safe places for young people to congregate with adult supervision;
• opportunities for young people to actively contribute to their family, neighborhood and community;
• opportunities for active recreation and for young people to have fun and enjoy themselves;
• an adult in the life of every young person who is "crazy about them."
Dr. Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting Institute of New York University Child Study Center, outlines the four styles of parenting which exist today:
• Authoritative-This most successful style employs both high levels of warmth and control. Parents of adolescents encourage their children to participate in discussions about decisions over curfew and teenage freedoms, but the final decision rests with the parents. They also enforce rules when violations occur.
• Authoritarian-This style is used by parents who are high on control but low on warmth. Children learn to follow rules when under supervision, but often become reckless when they are not being watched.
• Democratic-Here parents show a lot of warmth but exercise very little control. Adolescents do not think that they have to listen to their parents, or other adults, for that matter. This pattern of parenting is found in many homes where there are troubled kids.
• Laissez.Faire-Chiidren in these homes are often forgotten. Parents are so busy with their own professional lives or their social activities that the children are left to fend for themselves. Too often they search for connections in the wrong places (peer groups or gangs) and display angry behavior (self-destructive or in ways that hurt others).
Gallagher says that research on adolescent behavior has shown that the relationships between parents and children are crucial and that the child-rearing practices of parents playa Significant role in how their children grow up. "Children that do the best have parents that use both a great deal of warmth with their children and also exercise a high level of control over their children's activities."
In our current culture adolescents are involved in too many unsupervised activities and have less contact with parents and other adults. When the majority of the children come home to empty houses because both parents work there is more opportunity to get involved in unacceptable behavior. Gallagher states that "this is important because most episodes of high-risk behaviors in adolescence including sexual activity, substance abuse and criminal actions occur between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays."
It's easy to point fingers at others and see what they are or are not doing right. It's harder to look at ourselves and determine what our responsibilities are. Do we, in our churches, provide sufficient parenting classes and/or discussion groups to help those who are looking for answers? Do we teach parents how to connect with their children? Do our children hear the message of what is morally right and wrong? And what are we doing to provide wholesome activities for our young people to be a part ot? Should we be involved in setting up teen centers where kids can come and have a good time in a safe, alcohol-free, drug-free environment?
This is not just a problem for Rockdale County. It is a problem for all of us and all need to get involved.
Seven out of every ten people die without a Will.
tel: 1-800-551-1547
fax: 316-947-3266
e-mail: mbfound@southwind.net
When this happens:
• there is often unnecessary expense
• the law specifies distribution
• the Court selects a guardian for minor children
Most important, a powerful opportunity is missed for the expression of your hopes and dreams for the future.
Many individuals and families utilize the personally prepared Will to communicate specific wishes- including the permanent support of charitable organizations.
This charitable bequest can be made in a number of ways, including a fixed amount, specific property, or a percent of the estate.
For information on how to include a charitable bequest in your Will, we invite you to write us using the response form or call our office at 1-800-551-1547.
At the heart of Laurelglen Bible Church lies its mission statement: "To love God completely. to love yourself correctly. and to love oth· ers compassionately."
With over 1300 in attendance. Laurelglen (located in Bakersfield. Calif.) is the largest English-speaking MB congregation in the United States.
Bigger is (mostly) better at Laurelglen
• Congregation continues to grow by offering quality programs, Bible teaching
Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif., holds a unique position in the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
Its attendance ranks it as the largest English-speaking Mennonite Brethren congregation in the United States.
According to Roger Poppen, Laurelglen's senior pastor, attendance has doubled in the last 10 years, from 650 attenders to over 1300.
At the heart of Laurelglen Bible Church lies its mission statement: "To
A high priority has been
placed on pursuing excellence in all programs and training peopie in Scrip-
ture, says senior pastor Roger Poppen.
left. with his
wife Naomi.
love God completely, to love yourself correctly, and to love others compasSionately."
"All of our ministries are related to one of these three areas," says Poppen. ''We express loving God completely through our worship, loving ourselves correctly through spiritual growth and loving others through ministry opportunities."
Excellence emphasized
A high priority has been placed on pursuing excellence in all programming at LBC, says Poppen. He believes the congregation's size is an advantage in this pursuit because LBC has the resources to hire specialized staff as well as a larger volunteer base they can mobilize.
Currently, the pastoral staff at LBC includes five pastors: senior pastor Roger Poppen; Ken McDuff, family ministries; Phil Stangland, discipleship ministries; Ken Cross, care ministries; and David Buck, youth ministries.
Other specialized staff are involved in Saturday evening worship and junior high youth, preschool, children's ministries, women's ministries and worship coordinator.
If attendance is an indicator, LBC has been successful in its efforts to provide high quality programs.
The AWANA program, LBC's midweek program for children, has been so well attended it has outgrown the church's facilities. Participation is now limited to members of the church family.
Meanwhile, the youth ministries program, which includes junior high, senior high and college, attracts over 400 students each week.
According to David Buck, pastor of youth ministries, the main focus of the youth program is "life change." The program relies heavily on small groups consisting of five to six students and one adult leader.
Buck believes the adult volunteer leaders, 22 in junior high and 55 in senior high, contribute greatly to the excellence in their program.
''We invest in the youth leaders, and they invest in the kids," he says.
Laureiglen also attempts to provide excellent worship services each weekend.
"People tell us our time of praise and worship is one of the reasons they come," says Poppen.
Church member Herb Neufeld says, "Worship services combine traditional and contemporary styles. The soloists and worship team are talented singers who help create an atmosphere of worship in the sanctuary, which prepares
the hearts of the congregation for the message to follow."
Teaching the Word
But pastors Buck and Poppen agree that excellence at LBC also means emphasizing Scripture.
Buck attributes the success of the youth programs not only to trained youth leaders but also to the fact that they teach the Word of God.
"We're not playing games," he says. "We can't compete with what society offers. We stick to something different. We stick to the Bible."
Neufeld says Poppen's messages are expositional, scriptural, and relevant.
"People tell me they get fed here," says Poppen.
Being "seeker sensitive"
Reaching the unchurched with the gospel of Christ is another major component of LBC's ministry, says Poppen. Again, LBC's size has proven advantageous.
Poppen says seekers can more easily check out a large church without being conspicuous. They have many visitors that they're not even aware of, he says.
"We're not seeker driven," says Poppen, "but we're seeker sensitive. The music we choose, the language we use, is sensitive to the seekers in our congregation. "
One of the major criticisms of churches, he says, is that they're only out after money. LBC has done what they can to eliminate this notion. They do not take an offering, but rather have offering boxes located near the exits so attenders may deposit their contributions as they leave.
Poppen also points out that in our consumer-oriented society, size communicates success. People are drawn to large groups, he says, particularly youth.
"It is appealing to the nonchurched in our community when they see lots of cars in the parking lot," says Poppen.
Most visitors come to Laurelglen as the result of a relationship with an LBC attender, says Poppen. LBC has recently begun an Evangelism Explosion training program to better equip their people to share their faith through friendship, evangelism and discipleship. Evangelism Explosion International, founded by Dr. D. James Kennedy during the 19505, is one of the most widely used tools for training pastors and lay people for evangelism.
In addition to reaching those in their own community, LBC has an active missions program. They financially support MBMS International, as well as fourteen other couples and individuals who have chosen ministries not associated with the Mennonite Brethren.
Options plentiful
Laurelglen is also intentional in pro-
viding numerous programming options for its congregation. Poppen believes Laurelglen's size has made many of these programs possible.
Three worship services are offered each weekend at LBC, one Saturday evening and two on Sunday morning.
According to Neufeld, educational seminarsare offered Sunday mornings in three different tracks: core curriculum, family life and leadership development. Fellowship classes for various age groups are also available.
Several other programs in which congregants may participate include Evangelism Explosion, Crown Ministries (a biblically based study on stewardship), or Stephen's Ministry. Stephen's Ministry is an intensive training program designed to align trained caregivers in a one-onone relationship with individuals going through tough times. For fathers and their children, a ministry called Potter's Clay is offered.
The challenges of being big
Although LBC's size provides for many positive opportunities, some challenges still remain.
The assimilation of new members into the ministry of the church has been a struggle at Laurelglen, says Poppen.
"It's really easy for people to fall through the cracks," he says. "Someone can be going through a crisis without
There are plenty of programs running at Laurelglen, including children's ministries (left) during services held both Saturday night and Sunday morning. Other programs include Primetimers (right), educational seminars offered Sunday mornings, Evangelism Explosion, Bible studies. discipleship programs and family ministries.
church awareness."
To address this, attenders are encouraged to complete comment cards if they are in need of help, would like a visit or have a prayer concern. New members are also encouraged to participate in small groups.
''We're making some strides," says Poppen, "but I wish we could say we were more successful."
Another challenge Poppen faces is changing his role from being a "shepherd" to more of a "rancher."
"In such a large church, the shepherd doesn't know the flock," he says. "We try to design programs where people will be connected to one another rather than the pastor."
Another hurdle the Laurelglen congregation is facing is that it has outgrown its current facilities.
The parking lot is filled to overflowing each weekend. Attenders must often find parking places several blocks down the street, or park in a nearby shopping center lot and be transported to the church by bus.
Says Neufeld, "Physical space is at a premium; the parking problem defies solution; and the motivation to invite friends and neighbors to a church whose auditorium is quite full has become a subject of prayer and concern."
With that in mind, the congregation made the decision to purchase property several miles west of Laurelglen. They are currently seeking direction as to whether they should start a new Mennonite Brethren church with Laurelglen as the sponsor, build a new facility and sell the present property, or build another church on the new property with one administrative umbrella providing leadership for both congregations.
Laurelglen Bible Church has come a long way from its first meeting]an. 15, 1978, that attracted 99 people.
''We really feel blessed by the Lord," says Poppen. "We are proud to be part of the Mennonite Brethren denomination. We look forward to wonderful years of partnership with the conference." -by El/ynne Wiebe
Rolling Hills Celebrates Second Anniversary
afer their first service Papillion, Nebraska, Past?r
popna are stIll encouragmg the Rollmg Hlls Church to new heights m Chri.§;PIn additIon to regular inspiring worship,the congregation is enjoying the programs and events that RHC provides for their families and the community. "As we look to the future, we want to plan for today, tomorrow and eternity. We desire to see everyone 'encouraged to new heights in Christ' - with Christ being central to all planning," states Pastor Anderson.
Rolling Hills Church (pictured at a recent worship service) currently meets in a metal building. As the size of the group has grown they have expanded by renting additional space in the facility. Stituated among gently rolling hills just south of Omaha, Papillion is heavily populated with working urban families and youth.
A major step for this young congregation was the purchase of 3 1/2 acres at the comer of two major streets in Papillion. The church invites those within the denomination to join in prayer and support for the needed funding to begin building the new facility.
MISSION USA BOARD:
Ed Boschman, Phoenix, AZ.
Chuck Buller, Visalia. CA
Phil Glanzer, New Hope, MN
Joe Johns, Weatherford, OK
Loretta Jost, Aurora. NE
Brad Klassen, Glendale, AZ.
Nancy Laverty. Jones, OK
Worship and discipleship leader Phil Parker (left) joins Pastor Rod Anderson (right) in ministry endeavors at Rolling Hills Church. Pray with them for changed hearts and homes in Papillion, for small group outreach ministry to young families and for sustained growth and outreach in the community. The church is committed to making 600 new contacts eachmonth. Make prayer for those who do not know Christ a priority and that RHC will be effective in "winning some!"
Fred Leonard, Clovis, CA
Stephen Reimer, Shafter, CA
Randy Steinert, Bakersfield, CA
Tim Sullivan, Hillsboro, KS
Gary Wall, Lodi, CA
Ex Officio Members:
Henry Dick, Fresno, CA
Clinton Grenz, Bismark, N.D. Bruce Porter, Fresno, CA
Roland Reimer, Wichita, KS
Clint Seibel, Hillsboro, KS
Jim Westgate, Fresno, CA
Director hired for fund-raising team
• Art Enns will put together a development team to raise funds for church planting, renewal
The u.s. Conference has hired Art Enns to direct a development team to focus on raising funds for the U.S. Conference with a primary focus on Mission USA, the church planting and renewal ministry of the U.S. Conference.
Conference leaders voted to hire a development director and team during the March 2-4 annual meeting of conference boards and ministries. In a statement released shortly following the meetings, the Board of Church Ministries-the executive leadership of the conferenceannounced the hiring of Enns.
In addition to Enns' part-time position, three part-time district development directors will be hired as regional representatives in the largest U.S. Conference districts-Central, Southern and
Pacific. Enns will focus on developing and managing a strategic plan for fundraising and leading the team in developing financial resources for the ministry.
Working as a "family"
The statement emphasized that the development director is a U.S. Conference position versus a position hired by a specific ministry. This decision marks the commitment by conference leadership to work as a "family."
Church planting and renewal efforts represent half of this year's conference budget. A significant portion of MUSA's budget is already being raised through fund-raising efforts, says MUSA church planting chair Steve Reimer. In order to expand these efforts, MUSA received approval last fall to hire and fund a director of development from its own resources. The vision for church planting and renewal had grown bigger than current resources could afford,
u.s. ministries report and make plans for next year'
• 2000-2001 budget approved at just under $1 million
Everything from church planting testimonies to brainstorming on how to make ends meet entered into the topics of conversation and presentations during this year's gathering of ministry staff, board chairs and conference leadership early last month.
The 40-plus U.S. Conference board and staff members attending thisyear's all-boards meeting met together twice dUring the weekend to hear ministry updates and review board action taken during the weekend.
Joint sessions were opened by conference chair David Reimer and dosed by vice-chair Rolando Mireles. On both occasions, Mireles challenged board members
to remember that the of conference ministries is to see lives Christ in local congregations. J.
"We're here because guy across the street we want to for the Lord," said Mireles in,.,lUS Closing . remarks. ,,' "-
Mireles also continue lookIng for'W'a}"s to "t¢ffi story" of what God is doing iii of U.S. Mennonite Brethren."
explained MUSA executive director Ed Boschman last fall.
During discussions culminating in the March meetings, however, leadership from all boards-including MUSAdecided that the position should be a U.S. Conference versus specific ministry
MUSA board chair Chuck Buller said, "1he decisions we make during these Yeats have the strong possibility of impact, ing-,U{ Co,t the next five to 20 years." reported that the board will added emphasis to church renewal more resources and staff titil.e id this area. Need-based evangelism '" will be,a. fO;Ctls area for the next several
The MUSA board also has plans to conttn.ue targeting specific congrega. tions. Cor renewal.
In the' area of church planting, genersignificant resources necessary to ttieet the board's goals is a top priori,. MUSA recently announced the goal of alantlng 20 new congregations by 2005. Mission USA h;"ltieVing this dream, said MUSA execu-
In their joint session repoIf.$, .n live director Ed Boschman, will require USA board members told severa:l.8t9 : , "sigRificant" resources, not only financial of how people's lIves have been,ehanaed 'butln the form of trained leaders. thanks to the ministry" oe MPSA"<'cltuteh. f11!ave,ttp:ee file folders on my desk plants. Their reports aI$o 'bneft, .. of.potentlal church planters," said reviewed the board's activities F' "but we need more to make the first five years of its 6ut- the happen." lined goals for the next five yean.
Steve Reimer, chair of the church
Art Enns, above, will direct a development team of three part-time district development directors, hired as regional representatives from the largest U.S. Conference districts.
position in order to "work as a 'family' and avoid 'fracturing' of ministries," according to the released statement.
'''Family' is important to us," U.S. Conference chair David Reimer emphasizes.
Conference leaders supported MUSA's recommendation to move from one development director to four parttime team members throughout the U.S.
"It is important for us-even though we are scattered over the nation in various districts--to work together at some core ministries such as building the church through winning lost people into the family of God," says Boschman.
Hiring a fund-raising team also underscores a commitment of leadership to come up with the funds needed to carry out all conference ministries, says Reimer. "We are committed to raising funds for ministries through collecting donations fromindividuals, writing grants and seeking further support from churches."
The development team will be focusing on the first two options, according to Reimer. Seeking support from churches will be the job of the executive director for the national conference yet to be hired.
"Church giving has grown in the past decade," says Reimer, "and we are grateful to God for that. The executive direc-
planting committee, reported that MUSA is currently partnering with the Central District and Pacific District in planting a total of five congregations and is beginning its first partnership in the Southern District.
Integrated Ministries
In his report, Loyal Funk, conference minister and Integrated Ministries director, briefly reviewed the U.S. Conference growth goals for 2000 adopted by the conference in 1987 as part of a joint U.S. and Canadian Conference goal statement known as "Vision 2000."
One goal was to plant 50 new congregations in the U.S. and Canada with half of these congregations coming from other cultural groups, said Funk.
"Integrated Ministries has surpassed its portion of the goal," said Funk. ''What's expected in the next years will come from the Board of Church Ministries."
Funk highlighted the ministries of severallM congregations including a Slavic congregation in Seattle, Wash.,
tor will seek further investments with churches."
Funding for both the development team and executive director will be included in the budget presented to delegates at the U.S. Conference convention this July.
Enos starts team
Art Enns started working last month towards developing the team strategy and the team itself, says Boschman. Enns is currently working full-time, but will cut back to quarter-time in May.
"I am really excited about this position," Enns says. "I am looking forward to getting actively involved in our conference as a whole-in church renewal, planting and growth, where we are taking the Great Commission to heart. That is what it is all about."
Enns is no stranger to church planting. In the 1970s, he and his wife were one of seven charter member couples of Blossom Valley Bible Church in San Jose, Calif. They were members there for the first four years, until Enns and his wife left for a job out of state.
"We feel like we are taking up where we left off at Blossom Valley," Enns says of his job with MUSA.
and an congregation in Denver, Colo. He noted that some of these congregations are partnering with MBMS
During the 1970s and 1980s, Eons served as a national sales and marketing manager of Hunkeler Corporation and in various positions with IBM. He spent the 1980s outside of California but returned in 1992, when he began seven years as vice president of advancement at Fresno Pacific University, a West Coast Mennonite Brethren school. Most recently, Enns was vice president of administration for Krazan and Associates in Clovis. Currently, Enns is negotiating the purchase of a manufacturing company.
MUSA is pleased to have Enns on board.
"We believe Art brings expertise in developing a system of fund-raising and development and has great management skills to run the system once it is built," says Boschman. "He brings a lot of experience in fund-raising from his years with Fresno Pacific as well as knowledge about fund-raising realities in general and our U.S. MB constituency in particular."
Enns has his work cut out for him-his team will seek to raise a net of $200,000 for MUSA ministries over the next year. "MUSA is working with the district leadership and hopes to have some or all of the development team members in place by continued on page 26
International to send missionaries back to their home countries. continued on page 2'
Conference vice-chair
Rolando Mireles challenged board members that the purpose of conference ministries Is to see lives changed by Christ In local congregations. -We're here because of them-the guy aaosl the street we want to reach for the Lord. - He also challenged boards to continue looking for ways to -tell the story- of what God is doing In the lives of U.S. Mennonite Brethren.
May," says Reimer.
Once the program and team members are set up, the three district development directors will begin working with individuals as well as charitable organizations. The team will meet together quarterly to continually update the program
Board of Communications
Board chair Kathy Heinrichs Wiest reported that BOCis exploring new opportunities to network with other agencies to provide communication resources to local congregations. Current possibilities being explored include working with Family Life Network, a radio ministry of the Manitoba MB Conference, and with Mennonite Central Committee in the area of Spanish-language publications.
Carmen Andres, Christian Leader editor, reported that the MB Foundation has provided the seed money needed to design a U.S. Conference ministries web site. A task force has been established to work on the project. Andres reported that she and Jim Coggins, editor of the
and personalize or localize strategies for districts, says Boschman.
The team will also be familiar with other U.S. Conference ministries and may help facilitate gifts to those organizations from time to time.
"As situations arise, the staff may coordi-
MB Herald, are working with their counterparts in other MB national conferences to develop a media network.
Board of Trustees
In addition to reporting the budget requests from U.S. boards, BOT chair Ken Neufeld reported on the status of the current fiscal year, Regarding expenses, conference ministries are spending at the projected levels.
On the income side, Neufeld noted that the MB Foundation has given funds to the conference in addition to those budgeted. While church giving to the conference is on par with the previous year, Neufeld reminded board members that the current conference budget was built on increased church giving. As of
2000·2001 U.S. CONPERENCE
$474,SSO
nate with other U.S. staff members or members of various U.S. boards," adds Reimer.
The team will regularly report to Enns, who is accountable to Boschman. Both Boschman and BCM leadership will receive reports and updates from Enos throughout the year. -CA
Feb. 26, the conference needed an additional '60,328 to balance current spending. In an effort to raise additional funds, Neufeld reported conference leaders will solicit the constituency with two direct mail letters.
Dale Regier, conference treasurer, also reports that the conference anticipates meeting the budgeted subsidy for the MB Biblical Seminary in the amount of 1254,000.
Board of Church MinJslries
Board chaIrs, selected conference staff members and conference executive leadership met tosether as a board twice during all-boards meetings. The board covered topics ranging from next year's budget to hiring a development team for MUSA. 'HighDghts of the two meetings included:
• 2000-2001 budget of $9'3,000 appnm:cl. Leadership approved a budget of '953,000 for next year, '332,740 higher than this year's total budget of $620,260. The 1999-2000 budget, howevert reflected decreased spending. Ministries decreased their spending this year in order, to resolve a longstanding funding, questjon, wJiic!! cultniQa.ted whenMUS'A was into the pnkrence budget in 19;98. to this, UlC( hew JIlinistry had been -start-up fuQds and board member fundraising. In 1998, all colifet'eqc:e bOaR1 members were-asked to share the chat· lenge of fund-.rai;sing. Last full, ley:lership voted to a f'Qhd-raiser for M(,JSA, but funds would not be awiJ:able to offset;this rearlJ budget. Woup chu.r¢h con$ri6utions have been .record levels for the last lew years, levels are stili short of the pet goal by' aboJl 40
A large portion of the budget increase for next year is due to ing and reneWal Mission USA board membets however, that most of the ine:rcllsed funds are ed to 'projects whlch will not happeQ. unless the mqney is awilable-a commitment they have held from day one, say5 MUSA executive director Ed Bosclun2(l. "We ate to invest in."inin-
Leadership key focus;of u.s. Conference convention
• Congregations invited to send local leaders to July gathering
Common fears of the new millennium may have included shonages of money, food or electricity, but a shonage of pastors?
It is estimated that within the next 10 years, U.S. Mennonite Brethren will need approximately 250 pastors, says, U.S. conference chair David Reimer. Because of this nationwide demand for pastors, leadership is the key focus for the upcoming U.S. Conference conventionJuly 27-30 in Denver, Colo.
"At this convention we want to acknowledge the need to send out new leaders from our congregations and con· sider together what it means to have a pan in helping people hear God's call to full· time ministry," says Kathy Wiest, a member of the convention planning committee and Board of Communications chair.
The convention theme "Hear the Call: Leaders for a New Millennium" focuses on locating those God has chosen to lead. Those attending the convention will be informed of the growing need for pastors and be encouraged to search for future leaders. Wiest explains that "each church is invited to send their designated number of delegates, but this year we're encouraging churches to send their leaders."
Along with seeking leaders from outside of the Mennonite Brethren denomination, Reimer insists that MBs need to
look within their own congregations as well. ''With over 20,000 worshipping in U.S. MB churches, we know attendance have the g!.fts of preaching, teaching and leading," he says.
8ingliJ:lg out thofi called I)y God is only part Of the need. Directing them toward using their gifts to miniSter to , ersJs Reimer says that the 'convention ''We will determine tiow vJe can identify them [leaders), shall train them, and how we shall su pon them as they exercise their gifts." >
Calling out leaqers begins with local church leaders gettl"g involved and having a part of the generation of pastors. Wiest says, "A lOcal church may not benefit directly when they send One of their young men or women 0 but they are t the poQl of people who will c on GOd's among their sister imurches in the MB conference. "
The conve tion will n<Jt 0 the need fo new pa5!ors, bu s will also on the ot the dissoiution. If this is a proved, the prqcess of integrating the: eneral Confere'flce ministries into national conferences offiCially begi Wiest says, "We nee(l to God' wisdom together as we change the way we operate our ministries."
The convention will include three services centered on leadership for the future. Friday evening Ed Boschman, executive director of Mission USA, will speak
individual boatel member fund-raising a.l)d-.a new fund-raising mail campaitm in\liting constituents to support n.s. Conference ministries are also to help meet the increase.
• Natlonal BFL pt:oposed. aCM leadwULrecommend to delegates at this summer's convention that a national board of nuth and life be formed.
'lbe Oi-Ol\fional board will be ofiidally and U.S. votaceg,t the WJ.chita decision-this year as a teSU1t' of the vote last summer to General Conference, the NoAh'xmerican con!erence-of MB churches. The'OC ministries are being trans-
t, on renewal efforts and the need to plant churches. The following evening Henry Schmidt, president of MB Biblical Seminary, will concentrate on hearing the call to leadership. Throughout the convention, reports will be given from the Board of Trustees, Board of Communications, Integrated Ministries, MB Foundation, MBMS international, Tabor College, Fresno PadfIe University and the Seminary.
Morning worship services Friday through Saturday will feature the Tabor College contemporary music group, Crosswise. The Sunday morning w,orship and ,communion service will be led by Lynford Becker, retiring U.S. Conference administrative secretary.
Nursery care for in&.nts and preschoolers will be provided and special activities are planned for kindergarteners through high schoolers. A Youth Missioq International team will orgaruze activities foJ:. grade Six,. and students in sey art in
n urban ngt¢ga-
" es who choose to make an of their summer vacation. The Sit r the July convention will be the Holiday Inn Denver Southeast. Amusement activities located in and around the Denver area include Six Flags Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, Ocean Journey Aquarium, and the Denver Zoo. A registration form was included in the March issue of the Leader and is available from the U.S. Conference office in Hillsboro, Kan., by calling 316-9473151. -Tami]ons, staffwrlter
ferred to the U.S. and Canadian conferences. Transition teams from the three conferences and the ministries will be meeting during the next three years.
As the bi-national board is dissolved, the remaining funds will be divided between Canada and the U.S. The U.S. is expecting to receive $7,280 from the Gen· eraI conference for use by a national BFL.
"The ministry and mission of BFL is vital to us," says Reimer. "I am grateful that GC is transferring the funds to help us stan a U.S. BFL. 1 encourage our churches to suppon our national BFL both financially and with prayer."
-Leader staff
Nevv book challenges readers to laugh about relationships
• leader Ph'lip Side columnist releases first book
Kindred Productions, the North American MB publishing ministry, has released its newest book, It Takes Two to Tangle, by writer and humorist Philip Wiebe.
In his first book, Wiebe takes a lighter look at the "ties and binds of relationships."
The book is divided into five sections and offers humorous essays on marriage, parenting, and relationships between the two sexes in church settings and malefemale relationships in general.
Wiebe is an experienced writer, editor and musician. In addition to regular contributions to the Leader as a colum-
nist and feature writer, Wiebe has written articles and humor pieces featured in numerous national magazines. He has won several Evangelical Press Association awards for his humor pieces.
Wiebe is currently editor of Rejoice!, the inter-Mennonite devotional booklet, and Word Wise Bible study guide, a new MB adult curriculum series. Wiebe also worked on Faith Family Focus, a series of topical lessons highlighting MB distinctives.
Currently a worship leader at Kingwood Bible Church in Salem, Ore., Wiebe is a guitarist and songwriter and has sung with a widely traveled contemporary Christian band.
U-SERV volunteers help keep church building costs down
• Service program volunteers repair roof, build fences
Volunteers with V-SERV, the V.S. Conference service program for adults, recently completed two facility improvement projects and helped two small congregations save significant amounts of money. V-SERV is an acronym for "utilizing skills and energies of ready volunteers."
Six volunteers provided the manpower to replace the roof of an activity center for Spirit of the Desert Community Church in Phoenix, Ariz. The congregation is a replant project of the Pacific District Conference. Pastor Ron Friesen is leading the group, which anticipates growing beyond an attendance of 60, choosing local leaders and celebrating their free-standing status with the PDC this year.
Thanks to V-SERV, a project estimat-
ed by a roofing contractor to cost $3,000 totaled $860 for materials. The volunteers also repaired a fence along the west side of the church property. Don Loewen and Ted Thiesen of Bakersfield, Charles Ewert of Kingsburg, John Smith of Dinuba, Lee Willems of Reedley and Leroy Goossen of Fresno comprised the all-California work team.
V-SERV volunteers from Bakersfield worked with Bakersfield's Iglesia Aposento Alto (Upper Room Church) to build a fence and gate to keep school children from walking across the church yard and damaging the facilities. This congregation is led by pastoral couple Juan and Flor Santiago and is ready to incorporate with the goal of becoming a PDC member congregation this coming fall.
While the fence was needed, pastor Juan Santiago was con-
Wiebe and his wife Kim have two children.-CF
cerned about the estimated cost of $7,000 for the project. With labor provided by V-SERV volunteers, the cost of the project came to about $2,000 for materials.
Don Loewen, Arnold Funk and Ted Thiesen constructed two automobile gates and Loewen, Thiesen, Bob Fiser, Jim Dick and John Rathjen worked a total of about 250 man-hours installing the fence. A portion of the chain link fencing was donated but the congregation purchased the majority of the fencing. -from a lj-SERV report
LAMB delegates worship and do district business
• South Texas churches hosted by area congregations
When Mennonite Brethren in South Texas met together in early February for their annual district convention, one day was given primarily to business matters and the second day was devoted to worship.
The annual Latin American Mennonite Brethren (LAMB) District convention Feb. 5 and 6 was hosted by the Mission congregation (business session) and the La Grulla congregation (worship conference).
The LAMB conference addressed several governance issues in its business sessions, says conference moderator Rolando Mireles. "The timing to do this was just riJilit," says Mireles.
"We reaffirmed authorizing the governing board to step in to church relations that need (attention) even without an invitation. And we authorized the governing board to change all church deeds to indicate that LAMB is a trustee of the property."
The LAMB governing board meets monthly and is comprised of the pastor from each of the eight congregations and representatives based on congregational membership. The congregations, totaling 333 members, are within a onehour drive of one another.
The delegates also agreed to sell the Laredo church property. Income from the sale will be used for a work among hispanic people as the original donors intended, says Mireles.
The Saturday business session was preceded by a message given in Spanish by Jeff Prather, former MBMS International missionary to Peru. Prather's message about his experiences in South America was "positive for us," says Mireles. The delegates were pleased to learn that Prather's children had received funds from the children of their district through MBMSI.
Other convention guests included Felipe Hinajosa, Mennonite Central Committee staff associate, and Larry Nikkel, president of Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan.
Guilliermo Villanueva, an evangelist who ministers in Mexico and has translated for Billy Graham, was the speaker for the Sunday morning worship service.
The Sunday morning worship time also included lively singing led by members of Grulla MB Church. Two women from Ecuador currently attending Rio Grande Bible Seminary sang and shared their testimonies. A communion service closed the service.
A meal served by members of the host congregation concluded the weekend convention. -CF
Pilgrimage
IN BRIEF
INFLUENCE: Mennonite Brethren writer and speaker Katie Funk Wiebe was selected as one of the 20 most influential Mennonite individuals of the 20th century by The Mennonite in the magazine's Feb. 22 issue. Wiebe was selected because she is "well known in broader Mennonite circles as a pioneer and inspiration for women seeking greater roles in church leadership." She was also recognized for raising the credibility of Mennonite writing and for giving a voice to widowhood. The Mennonite editors-the publication of the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church-chose "the CPS worker" as the most influential Mennonite of the 20th century. (TM)
RmNTION: A year after experiencing its lowest spring semester student retention rate in years, Tabor College has reported a 93.8 percent retention rate for its spring the highest rate recorded by the college. At the start of the 1999-2000 school year, a retention goal of 90.6 percent was set. With the enrollment anticipated to be at 550 by the end of February, the goal was surpassed. With the help of an annual student satisfaction inventory, school officials hope to continue the current retention trend. (TC)
STAFF: Tami Jons, a Tabor College junior from Bonesteel, S.D., has joined the Leader staff for the spring semester as a staff writer. Jons is an English major and is writing for the Leader as part of a communications internship. She will be working with assistant editor Connie Faber researching, writing and editing stories for the news section. Jons is a TC resident assistant and a member of the women's varsity basketball team.
RETREATS: During March and April the Pacific District Women's Missionary Service is sponsoring five regional spring retreats. Regions I, II, and III met at Pea Soup Anderson's in selma, Calif., March 25 for a fellowship brunch. Sheryl Nachtigall, Jill Schellenberg and Jean Reiswig shared their testimonies. Winnie Bartel, marriage and family counselor from Shafter MB Church, was the Region IV retreat speaker March 10-12 at Camp Hammer in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Women in Region V will meet at Cascade Camp in Yelm, Wash., April 2830. Sharon Feather will be sharing on "Happiness is a Choice. OJ Barbara Janzen, PDC WMS historian, estimates 180 women will attend the three retreats.
Mozambique flood refugees receive MCC-funded kits
• Relief and development agency seeks help for materials, funds
Mennonite Central Committee and its longtime local partner, the Christian Council of Mozambique, are joined in a relief and rehabilitation effort that began shortly after floods hit Mozambique and will stretch into August and September of this year. The effort includes distribution of food, family survival kits and schoollhealth kits and has depleted MCC warehouses.
After a month and a half of heavy rains, including a cyclone, nearly a half million people have been left homeless and more than 300 are dead throughout central and southern Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in the world. Heavy cain fell again over the country during the second week in March causing the levels of several major rivers to again rise. More rain was expected through the rest of March.
"We never thought the water would come up this far," says Maria Zacarias Chauque, one of the 460 refugees currently living in an abandoned restaurantAlotel in the city of Catembe. "The water was rising until it reached the tables in our houses."
The Mozambican government has said there are currently no epidemics as a result of the flood. However, concerns remain that malaria and cholera will begin spreading, particularly if water levels do not recede soon.
One of the first groups in the country to respond to the flood emergency, CCM distributed fobd to flood victims soon after the floods occurred. MCC contributed $20,000 toWard this initial food distribution. Most of the food, which included rice, peanuts, oil, sugar and beans, was purchased in Mozambique.
"The church acted very quickly," says Vrrgilio Mahuai, a Mozambican relief worker at CCM. "They were the first to receive people into their homes" before the refugee centers opened.
Food is now being distributed by the
A month and a half of heavy rains-including a cyclone-has left nearly a half million people homeless and 300 dead throughout central and southern Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in the world. MCC-a Christian world relief and development orgaother agencies are funding survival kits to be distributed by partner agency Christian Council of Mozambique. MCC is shipping an additional 30,000 comforters and one 4O-foot container of used clothing to Mozambique. MCC is also contributing nearly 17,000 school/health kits that will arrive by late April.
Mozambican government, World Food Program and other international aid agencies, and CCM has moved on to the next phase of its response which includes distributing survival kits and other supplies.
The survival kits include pots and pans, cups, plates, utensils, soap, two blankets, a water jug, plastic tarp and bucket and are funded by MCC and other CCM partner agencies. Assembled in neighboring Swaziland, a total of 10,000 kits will be distributed to families dUring the next few weeks.
MCC is shipping an additional 30,000 comforters and one 40-£oot container of used clothing to Mozambique. MCC is also contributing nearly 17,000 schoolAtealth kits that will arrive by late April.
In light of the agency's response to the needs in Mozambique, MCC is requesting the help of its constituency in replenishing its material resource centers. The shipment of comforters, combination health/school kits and used clothing valued at more than $1 million has emptied MCC warehouses.
To meet upcoming requests, MCC
needs school, sewing and health kits, comforters and sheets. Ten shipments to Russia, Ukraine, North Korea and Iraq are planned for April, but MCC's inventory is too low to fill the orders.
MCC is also seeking contributions of $298,000 to cover the cost of 5,000 survival kits and 20,000 blankets. The family survival kits cost about $38. The agency also plans to assist CCM with a seeds and tools program in August and is ready to respond to any housing needs identified by CCM. Checks, marked "Mozambique flood relief," or project #5627-2000, can be mailed to any MCC office.
"Many people are still in camps or gathered in elevated places but they are eager to go back home, although they mayhave nothing to return to. They want to see what the damage has been and start rebuilding their lives," says Tesfa Dalellew, co-director of MCC's Africa programs. "It's important to get the relief items to people now; it will be much more difficult after they are scattered throughout the countryside."
-from MCC news service reports
Harold Haak to assume interim presidency of FPU
• Former Cal State University Fresno president will act as MB university's interim president
Aleader with a long history in the Fresno community and broad academic and administrative experience has been named interim president at Fresno Pacific University.
Harold Haak, former president of California State University, Fresno, will step into the office being vacated by Allen Carden, who announced his resignation in January.
Haak served as president of CSUF from 1980-91 and is currently a professor of political science there. Haak will also continue to provide leadership for the development of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at CSUF.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Haak join our community," says Eugene Enns, president of the FPU board of trustees. "His experience in university leadership and reputation in the Valley will help us further build the university for the challenges and opportunities facing us in the next century."
The board approved Haak following a week of meetings between the candidate and university faculty and staff. "The FPU community is very excited about this appointment. Confidence is very high in Dr. Haak's professionalism and his understanding of our needs and goals," says university spokesperson Teresa Patterson. "He'll make a good fit for FPU."
Haak calls his appointment an opportunity for service. "I feel a strong empathy with the mission of this university. Its commitment to academic excellence
and Christian character development that allows students to cultivate to the fullest all their gifts."
In addition to his stint as president at CSUF, Haak has served as interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, academic vice president and professor in the joint doctoral program in educationalleadership with the University of California, Davis. He has also served as chancellor and professor of public affairs at the University of Colorado at Denver and dean of the college of professional studies at San Diego State University. Haak holds bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the University of Wisconsin as well as a Ph.D from Princeton University in political science.
Fresno Pacific University is an accredited Christian university that is included in the U.S. News & World Report rating for universities in the West. The university is located on a 42-acre, park-like campus in southeast Fresno and has an enrollment of 1,800 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs. The university also enrolls 12,000 students annually in its professional studies programs offered locally and throughout the world. The university is owned and operated by Mennonite Brethren Pacific District.-Fresno Pacific University
CORRECTION In the March issue, we misspelled the name of Luetta Reimer, retiring professor of English at Fresno PacifiC University who was honored at a February reception featuring poet Julia Kasdorf.
IN BRIEF
SUCCESS: After 27 years, Mennonite Central Committee closed its soybean program in Bangladesh in December 1999. "The program's objectives have been met," says Shyam Chakraborty, a Bangladeshi who served as MCC's soybean program officer. "Without our help, farmers are now planting and preserving seeds and selling soybeans." MCC introduced soybeans in the early 19705 in an effort to provide a source of protein for people who could not afford meat. While soybeans were never established in people's diet, it is currently in high demand as feed for poultry. MCC has helped create an industry that today pumps hundreds of thousands of dollars into local economies. (MCC)
MOVIE: Justin Yoder, a Mennonite boy from Middlebury, Ind., is the subject of a Disney 1V movie to be aired in May. Yoder, a 13-year-old with spina bifida, is a soapbox derby racer who has qualified for national competitions. The movie, Miracle in Lane 2, explores his struggle with his disability and his faith. The script is written by Joel Kauffmann, creator of the Pontius Puddle cartoon, and Don Yost of Bridgework Theater in Goshen, Ind. The writers and Yoder family are members of College Mennonite Church in Goshen. (MWR)
NAME: Every 40 years or so, since its beginning in 1865, the conference now known as the Evangelical Mennonite Church has changed its name. This summer, EMC delegates will decide whether to drop "Mennonite" from their conference.'s name. EMC leaders recently recommended two options-Association of Evangelical Community Churches or Conference of Evangelical Churches-to replace the 7,500 -member conference's 51-year-old name. Of the conference's 32 congregations, about 20 do not use "Mennonite" in their names. The last conference to drop "Mennonite" from its name was the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren, who became the Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches in 1987. (MWR)
SUPPORT: A support group has recently organized for Mennonite parents of homosexual children. The Faith, Hope and love Network is a nonadvocacy support group for parents who love their children but believe their homosexual lifestyle is outside the biblical norm. More information about retreat weekends organized by the network is available at P.O. Box 15, Worthington, OH 43085. (MWR)
Harold Haak calls his appointment an opportunity for service.
Baptism/membership
HIWBORO, Kan. (Parkview}-Caleb Dirks, Cassie Kroeker, Katie Fast, Emily Railsback, Eric Railsback, Dustin Friesen, lad Frantz, Peter Bartel and Tracy Jost were baptized March 12. Leona Koslowsky, John and Lola Savoia, Wendell and Shelly Loewen, Wilmer and Marilyn Bartel, A.J. and Tammy Regier, Tracy Jost, lad Frantz, Dustin Friesen, Emily Railsbck, Katie Fast, Cassie Kroeker, and Caleb Dirks were received into membership Mar. 12. Jason and Jennifer Maxfield, Diane Johnson, Angela Kroeker and Jeanie Bartel were recently accepted as new members by letter of transfer. Angie Claassen, Heidi Friesen, Karis Jost, and Kyle Kroeker were recently baptized and received into membership.
HESSTON, Kan.-Steve Bitikofer and Shalene Rogg were baptized and received into membership Mar. 5. Bruce and Brenda Eitzen, Kasey Rogg and Virginia Swartzendruber were received into membership Mar. 5.
REEDLEY, Calif.-Stacy Brandt, Margie Collins, Tim and Delores Cordova, Kirk and Jodi Kawagoe, Elisabeth Long, John and Margie McNulty, Kris Reimer and Sharise Reimer were baptized and received into membership Mar. 5. Cathy Barnett, Vera Ellis, Esther Englund, Paul and Zelma Heier, Mitch and Donna Isaak, Alice Janzen, Ethel Klassen and Dwayne and Janice Trott were received into membership Mar. 5.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Roy Bradley and Brenda Luquette were baptized and received into membership Feb. 20. Rick and Carol Brauer, Shari Henderson, Chad Hicks, Evelyn Isle, Leonard and Shirley Koenen, Amy Kushner, Clarence Lehecka, Ty Meyer, David and Pat Slagle and Megan Smith were received into membership Feb. 27.
OLATHE, Kan. (Community Bible)-Larry and Tanya Vail. Clint and Christy Briar, Mark and Rachel Williams, Gerald and Marie Nickel and Darrel and Angie Yoder were received into membership Feb. 6.
(h1!rs!lllN''''' !brmb bxmnI!
HILLSBORO, Katls.-The Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church has set the goal of singing through the .tlew Worship Together hymnal by scheduling. one Sunday evening a mor1'th for tllis purs·uit. At their first session Feb. 6 nearly 100 enjoyed the one-hour session of singing one or more stanzas of the first 37 songs and the readil)9s. Plano, keyboard, and even percussion instruments played by children were used t9 accompany. Some songs were sung cappella.
The goal of the second session scheduled for March 26 \lVas to sing the next 35-40 selections, numbers 38-75' In Worship Together. This section on "The Adoration Praise of <rOd" and InclUdes nine medleys and five descants. A small ensemble and soloists helped introduce the less weU-k()own songs. A sampler CD or cassette tape of 65 songs from the hymnal was given..to the participants. -from a report by Clarence Hiebert
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Northwest Communlty)Dennis and Stephanie Pickin, Dianne Pickin, Wayne and Connie Waters, Bob and Katie Price, John and Vickie Oberg, Jean Oberg, Amanda Daoud ancl Jackie Daoud were recently baptized and received into membership.
celebration
LAWTON, Okla.-John and Linda Heidebrecht were honored with a dinner and program feb. 27 by the Faith Bible and Post Oak (Indiahoma) congregations in appreciation for their years of pastoral ministry. The Heidebrechts are moving to the Tulsa, Okla., area.
YALE, S.D. (BethelHlowers were placed in the .sanctuary Feb. 20 in honor of the 40 years of service of Paul and Maurine Friesen, MBMS International missionaries to Peru.
Ministry !
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Community Blble)-The congregation had a sending service April 2 for those who are joining church planter Kelly Cochane to plant Barkley Hills Community Church. During the worship service individuals were invited to join in praying and laying hands over each person going. The congregation also collected notes of affirmation that were passed on to the departing group.
GRULlA, Tex.- Jose Ortiz, MCC U.S. Executive Director spoke at the Annual MCC Central States Meeting hosted by the congregation Feb. 24-26 The congregation hosted four YMI winter ACTION teams in January. One group went to Honduras, two to Mexico City, Mexico and one to LeUn, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Proclamation
HURON. S.D. (Bethesda)- An Easter choir cantata "The Offer Still Stands" will be performed Apr. 23, by a joint choir from the Bethel congregation in Yale and the Bethesda congregation.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Uncoln GIen)-A passion play entitled "Watch the lamb," baSed on the popular Ray Boltz song, will be performed twice Apr. 23. This is the second year the congregation has presented a passion play during the Easter season.
HARVEY, N.D.-Evangelist Jim E. Whitten preached nightly March 12-16 during spring revival meetings. Sunday and Tuesday night an area quartet gave a miniconcert as part of the service and Thursday pastoral couple Anna and Jason Filler hosted the congregation for a fellowship time in their home following the closing service.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (LaureIgIen)-The 2000 Missions Conference was held Mar. 11-19. Highlights throughout the week included a dessert theatre, a video presentation, sharing by missionaries and a recommissioning of all LBC missionaries. Guest speaker John Hull preached March 11 and 12 and senior pastor Roger Poppen spoke March 18 and 19.
ULYSSES, Kan.-Don Morris, pastor of Pine Acres MB Church in Weatherford, Okla., spoke at the spring Bible conference Feb. 13-14. The MBY sponsored a Valentine Banquet Feb. 14, which was followed by an evening service.
NEW HOPE, Minn. (New HopeHan Nystrom,
place kicker for the University of Minnesota football team, shared his testimony in the morning worship service Feb. 13.
SHAFTER, calif.-Paul and Ina Warkentin, MBMSI missionaries, shared in the morning worship service Feb. 6. They returned to Reichenhall, Germany, in March.
TeadlingINurture
VISAUA. caUf. (Nelghbortlood}-Sunday moming adult Bible studies began meeting Mar. 12. The purpose of Adult Bible Fellowship is to offer attenders the opportunity to meet others and make friends, enjoy fellowship and prayer, and partidpate in practical Bible study in a casual setting.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-"The Guys Night Out," a weekly Bible study that also includes teaching, group discussions, and times of worship and testimony, began Mar. 6 with special guest Ken Poure. The men will study the book of Nehemiah for 10 weeks.
CORDELL, Okla. (BiIIe)-A new program, "Family Prayer Partner," encourages families to become prayer partners with another family for a three-month period.
Workers
BAKEIISFIELD, CaUf. (Heritage Bible)-Senior Pastor John Scoggins recently resigned.
WlCHnA, Kan. (Fim)-Kim Bontrager and Doris Prater have accepted the call to job-share the position of director of music and worship.
YALE, S.D. (Bethel)-Tom Cartney has accepted the call to serve as senior pastor. He and his wife Amy and their three children began their ministry this month. The Cartneys most recently served as church planters in Apple Valley, Minn.
Youth Ministry
FAIRVIEW, Okla.-The youth group held a youth rally at Timberlake High School in Helena, Okla., Feb. 28. They led in worship, showed a video of Kim Fox's testimony (a youth from Columbine High School) and shared their own testimonies.
Deaths
BALZER, JAKE F., Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Adams MB Church, Adams, Okla., was born Sept. 24, 1902, to Henry and Elizabeth Voth Balzer near Inman, Kan., and died Jan. 18, 2000, at the age of 97. On Aug. 26, 1928, he was married to Olga Friesen, who predeCeased him in 1964. On July 17, 1965, he was married to Lydia Plett, who survives. He is survived by fO\lr sons, Joelle and wife Josephine of Prairieville, la., Ronald and wife Hijuana of Broken Arrow, Okla., Howard of Buhler, Kan., and Ted and wife Janet of McPherson, Kan.; one daughter, Elnadine Balzer of lamed, Kan.; seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
BARTEL. HEINRICH F Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was bom Sept. 24, 1907, to Gerhard H. and Eva Bartel near Hillsboro, and died Feb. 15,2000, at the age of 92. On Feb. 7, 1932, he was married to Annie Regier, who predeceased him. He is survived by three sons, Monroe and wife Doris of
Moorhead. Minn., Ken and wife Ann of Topeka, Kan., and Leland and wife Carol of Lenexa, Kan.; one sister, Linda Dilts of Sedgwick, Kan.; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
BEHRENDS. HENRY EDWARDS. Buhler, Kan., a member of the Buhler MB Church, was bom April 28, 1923, to William E. and Annie Hippen Behrends at Buffalo Center, Iowa, and died Jan. 25, 2000, at the age of 76. On June 28, 1944, he was married to Alma Wall, who survives. He is survived by four sons, Steven and wife Rachel of Kansas City, Mo., Paul of Sanford, Fla., Randy and wife Colleen of Deltona, Fla., and Keith and wife Ann of Moscow, Idaho; two daughters, Debbie and husband Ken Brown of Buhler, Kan., and Kathryn and husband Eric Alexander of Clovis, Calif.; one brother, Bob of Beaudette, Minn.; three sisters, Gretchen Smith of Tucson, Ariz., Emma Heinitz of Mountain Lake, Minn., and Darlene Benner of Portland, Ore.; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
BERGMANN. PAUl., Com, Okla., a member of the Com MB Church, was born July 7, 1922, to Cornelius and Anna Thiessen Bergmann at Com, and died Jan. 24,2000, at the age of 77. On Sept. 12, 1946, he was married to Edna Stobbe, who survives. He is also survived by four daughters, Elaine and husband Dennis Flaming of Fairview, Okla., Ethel Bergmann of Edmond, Okla., Rosemary and husband Keith Nikkel of Corn, and Robbie and husband Marvin Stoldt of Bethany, Okla.; two sisters, Naomi Goossen and Ruth Dick, both of Com; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
DAVID. ALFRED. Inola, Okla., of Parkside MB Church, was born Aug. 8, 1907, to Ludwig and Amelia Plitt David at McPherson, Kan., and died Feb. 11, 2000, at the age of 92. On June 3, 1933, he was married to Martha Berg, who predeceased him in 1997. He is survived by three sons, Wesley of Cave Springs, Ariz., Charles of Mead, Okla., and Donald and wife Martha Ann of Tulsa, Okla.; two daughters, Virginia and husband Donald Epp of Tulsa, and Barbara Ediger of Tulsa; 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
EDIGER. EDWARD LEWIS. Henderson, Neb., a member of Henderson MB Church, was born Aug. 7, 1922, to John J. and Elizabeth Quiring Ediger near Henderson and died Feb. 25, 2000, at the age of 77. On July 8, 1945, he was married to Esther Goossen, who survives. He is survived by two sons, Ivan and wife Nancy of Aurora, Neb., and Dewayne of Peachtree City, Ga.; two daughters, Donna and husband Dave Breblow of Bloomington, Minn., Ruth and husband Mike Peters of Hampton, Neb.; and 11 grandchildren.
HARMS, ANNA c.. Moundridge, Kan., a member of Parkvie:-v MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan., was born Oct. 16, 1900, to John L. and Margaretha Klassen Thiessen near Buhler, Kan., and died Jan. 26, 2000, at the age of 99. On Sept. 21, 1919, she was married to William W. Harms, who predeceased her in 1980. She is survived by four sons, Wilmer of North Newton, Kan., Marvin of Newton, Kan., Richard of North Newton, and Verden of Hillsboro; one daughter, Elfrieda of Omaha, Neb.; 14 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
LOEWEN. RUTH. Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born July 20, 1911, to Henry L. and Agnes Penner Loewen near Hillsboro, and died Feb. 4, 2000, at the age of 88. She is survived by two sisters, Rosena Warkentin of Lincoln, Neb., and Rosella Schellenberg of Omaha, Neb.; ten nieces and five nephews.
MACK, RON. Fresno, Calif., a member of North Fresno Church, was born Apr. 19, 1945, to Harry and
Wilma Mack at Kingsburg, Calif., and died Feb. 1, 2000, at the age of 54. On Sept. 10, 1966, he was married to Arlene Friesen, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Kevin of San Jose, Calif., and Randy and wife Jamie of Fresno; two sisters, Fritz and husband Cal Ediger of Madera, Calif, and Jean Mack of Fresno.
MARSHBURN. ROGER, Ivanhoe, Calif., a member of Neighborhood MB Church, Visalia, Calif., was born Feb. 27, 1932, to Douglas and Mary Marshburn at Orange, Calif., and died Feb. 24, 2000, at the age of 67. On Mar. 16, 1957, he was married to Martha Maise, who survives. He is survived by three daughters, Melinda and husband Gordon Bergman, Jana and husband Michael Botkin, and Laura and husband Steve Harms; three brothers, Lowell, Allan, and Neil and wife Elaine; two sisters, Margaret Estes, and Carol and husband Terry Arthur; and five grandchildren.
NACHnGALl., BEN W•• Reedley, Calif., was born Oct. 19, 1910, to Henry and Elizabeth Regier Nachtigall at Henderson, Neb., and died Feb. 4, 2000, at the age of 89. On May 9, 1936, he was married to Anna Marie Dick, who survives. He is survived by one son, Gary and wife Arlene; two daughters, Gloria and husband Richard Olson, Rosemary and husband Tim
Friesen; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
PANKRATZ, FLORENCE M. NACHnGAU. Kearney, Neb., was born March 31, 1925, to B.E. and Lena Franz Nachtigall at Henderson, Neb., and died Jan. 29, 2000, at the age of 74. On Aug. 11, 1950, she was married to Harland Pankratz, who survives. She is also survived by two daughters, Kay Libbe of Kearney, and Jean Aubol of Crookston, Minn; two brothers, Wilbur of Coralville, Iowa, and George of Buhler; one sister, Betty Gerbrandt of San Jose, Calif; and four grandchildren.
WILLEMS. JOHN B•• Reedley, Calif., died Feb. 5, 2000, at the age of 92. He was married to Selma Klassen, who predeceased him. He is survived by three daughters, Ruby and husband Alvin Heinrichs of Placerville, Calif., Rosemary and husband Nick Enns of Kingsburg, Calif., and Annabelle and husband Jack Zimmerman of Dinuba, Calif.; one son, Johnnie and wife Shirley of Reedley, three sisters, Ann and husband Jake Isaac of Reedley, Eva and husband Andrew Classen of Fresno, Calif., and Martha and husband John Klema of Kenosha, Wis.; one sister-in-law, Fern Willems of Carthage, Mo.; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren .•
MEDA k war 5
Ten years ago. the San Luis Co-operative in Santa Cruz, Bolivia was asmall. store-front operation. Then it asked MEDA to help it grow. Today it has aportfolio of $6 million and provides loans and other services to 15,000 members from its fullycomputerized five-storey office near the city's busy market.
Helping local groups help the poor is a goal of MEDA. MEDA works by providing resources and training to credit unions and marketing associations which serve the poor in developing countries. Success is achieved when we are no longer needed.
Clearinghouse
Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? 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. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a no-cost ad. Contact the editor for more information.
EMPLOYMENT-<HURCH
Senior Pastor Henderson (NE) Mennonite Brethren Church is seeking a senior pastor. This position requires leadership skills for mobilizing ministry in this congregation of 200. Applicants should have gifts for preaching and
is accepting applications for
STEWARDSHIPI
PLANNED GIVING ADVISOR
This full-time position is responsible for activity in the midwest and would be based in Hillsboro, Kansas.
DUTIES:
To encourage and assist Christians throughout the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in faithful stewardship. Specific responsibilities include planned giving, charitable estate planning, individual counseling, stewardship education and other Foundation-related activity.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate
• Aptitude for detail work
• Willingness to learn
• Christian commitIllent and desire to promote th ork he Mennonite Brethren
possess strong relationship building skills. Send your resume to: Pastoral Search Committee, Tim Klopfenstein, Henderson M.B. Church, Box 400, Henderson NE 68371. Fax: 402-723-5846.
EMPLOYMENT-<ONFERENCE
District Development Representatives
Mission USA Is accepting applications for three district dvelopment representatives. NO MOVINGWORK FROM YOUR HOME OFFICE! District Development Representatives are part time persons (15 hi'Ywk) responsible for implementing the giving program for MISSION USA in their assigned U.S. MB Conference District. One person will be hired from each of the Pacific, Southern, & Central District Conferences. Duties include:
• Develop and execute programs devoted to the annual solicitation of unrestricted and restricted gifts through direct mail and personal solicitation programs;
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors;
• Develop long range plans for cultivation of donors;
• Assist with the development of written marketing materials;
• Plan and coordinate events and activities;
• Meet the annual giving goal set by the Board;
• Coordinate donor recognition and stellVardship. Qualifications include:
• Passion for healthy effective churches;
•A heart for lost people;
• Familiarity with the MB Church and its theological and spiritual character and traditions;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to listen, relate, and motivate donors;
• Able to work independently and as part of a team;
• Strong self-motivation;
• Willingness to travel and work some evenings and weekends within home district; and
• Experience in marketing, sales, or fund raising. Direct Resumes and Inquires to: Attn: Arthur Enns Mission USA, 20165 N. 67th Ave. Suite 120, Glendale, AZ 85308; fax: 623-825-7135; phone: 623825-7112; e-mail: ebmusa@phnx.uswest.net
Composing/Church Music
Mennonite College Federation invites applications from qualified women and men to a faculty appointment in the area of Composing/Church Music for Fall 2000. Mennonite College Federation is a cooperative association of three colleges in Winnipeg (Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Concord College, and Menno Simons College), committed to the biblical faith and rooted in the AnabaptistiMennonite tradition. For details about the opening, see our website at www.MCFed.mb.ca. Please send applications to Executive Assistant, Deans Committee, Mennonite College Federation, 600 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB, R3P OM4. Processing of applications will begin April 24, 2000.
President
Columbia Bible College announces a search for its next president effective June 2001. The mission of Columbia Bible College, as a teaching arm of the Mennonite Brethren Churches of British Columbia, is to prepare students for a life of discipleship, service and ministry in the contemporary world. Columbia's president is the chief executive officer and is responsible for the overall administration of the school. The successful candidate will:
• Demonstrate a passionate love for God, youth and the church;
• Be a visionary leader;
• Be an effective communicator with strong relational skills;
• Be able to lead the college through a decade of capital development;
• Be a committed evangelical Anabaptist;
• Have an ability to exegete today's culture from the framework of the church's mission to the world;
• Have an earned doctorate (preferred);
• Have significant experience in church ministry (preferred); and
• Be a member of, or willing to join, a Mennonite Brethren or Mennonite Church.
In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, this advertisement is directed to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Letters of application along with curriculum vitae or nominations may be sent, in confidence, to: Michael Dick, Chair, Presidential Search Committee, Columbia Bible College, 2940 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 2Z8. The committee will begin processing resumes in summer 2000.
Vice President for Academic: Affairs
Tabor College announces a search for the vice president for Academic Affairs. The position reports to the president and provides administrative leadership for all academic programs and personnel. Should have a doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree and have administrative and teaching experience in higher education. Good interpersonal relationship skills are essential. Must be committed to the education program of a Christian liberal arts/professional education, to Christian ministry, and to the work of the Church. All full-time employees of Tabor College are expected to be persons of Christian commitment who are in accord with the mission and purpose of an evangelical Christian institution. The College continues to provide equal employment opportunity, without regard to race, color, gender, ethnic or national origin, disability, or age in its personnel administration. Tabor is a an accredited, four-year Christian liberal arts COllege in the evangelical tradition. It is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Conference of Churches, and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Tabor provides educational services in the liberal arts disciplines and selected professional and career areas. Send nominations or letter of application, resume, and request for application materials to Larry W. Nikkel, President, Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas 67063. We will be processing applications by May 15 but will continue to receive applications until the position is filled .•
LET's TALK ABOl T
A GUIDE FOR GROUP INTERACTION
SESSION 1: Plotting the resurrection
Based on "Plotting the resurrection, " page 4
GET READY-Getting started
• How would you describe your garden at this time of the year?
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. When thinking of plotting the resurrection, what does the word "plot" mean?
2. How would you explain Scripture analogy of seeds and resurrection to a child?
3. In what ways were the death and resurrection of Jesus "hostile"?
4. What are specific ways to reflect the triumph of Easter?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. Which aspects of plotting belong to God and which ones to us?
2. What "stone of evil" do you wish to have rolled away?
3. As a believer, how do you celebrate the fact that you are "stuck with a triumphant ending"?
SESSION 2: What they did not hear
Based on "What they did not hear, " page 8, and Phil Wiebe's "Ph'lip Side" column, "Are we still trying to kill Jesus?" page 16.
GET READY-Getting started
• What symbols of Easter are displayed in your home?
1. Describe the setting and listeners who heard Jesus words about hearing in Matthew 13:13; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8, 14:35.
2. Who were the people who didn't hear in the Easter narrative and why?
3. Who did hear and why? What was the implication of what he heard?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. What is it that we must hear? Why are we sometimes so slow to listen?
2. Which, if any, of the ways to "kill Jesus" suggested by Wiebe are a tendency for you?
3. What are ways we can sensitize our ears and hearts to hearing what God has to say to us?
4. How is the Easter message coming alive to you this year?
SESSION 3: Worship and praise
Based on Marvin Hein's column "Inquiring Minds, " page 17
GET READY-Getting started
• How do you define "worship and praise"?
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. How has history influenced our present worship practices?
2. What does Hein suggest can be learned from issues related to worship?
3. How important is it that we know why we do what we do in worship and how can that best be communicated?
4. When do we lose sight of God as the center, initiator, purpose and power of our worship?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. In what ways to you personally offer worship and praise to God? How does that impact your corporate worship?
2. What are ways we can help one another focus more on motive and message in worship than on method?
3. In what ways can you demonstrate "genuine love and compassion" to those with whom you differ?
SESSION 4: Lost children or lost parents?
Based on Rose Buschman's "On the Journey" column, page 18
GET READY-Getting started
• How did you attempt to find group acceptance as a teen?
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. What seemed to be the cause of the problems in Rockdale County?
2. What might have prevented them?
3. What can churches do to help meet the need?
4. Do you agree that "in our current culture adolescents are involved in too many unsupervised activities and have too little contact with parents and other adults"?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. What are some of the red flags that suggest needs in your community?
2. Which of the suggestions given for successful adolescent development have you seen work effectively? To which ones could you contribute time and energy?
3. Under which parenting style did you grow up and which have you used or observed with children today?
Questions by Nadine Friesen.
Plotting life
Okay, I admit it. I like to have a plan. I enjoy plotting out details for projects, from putting together a dinner for friends to getting this magazine into your hands. Once more, I'm pretty good at it.
On my office wall hangs a calendar filled with dates and tasks that have to be done in order to get a magazine into your home 12 times a year. I am also a list-maker. As I type, a list literally half an arm long peaks out from under my dictionary. I get great pleasure from scratching items off that list (though I always seem to add two items for every one I mark off).
At home, I do the same thing. When I plan a dinner, I run through lists for everything from what flowers to put in the vase to who will clean up the dishes afterward. As a mother, I know exactly what I need to do to get my daughter (and myself) out the door for church. With one word from Lizzie, I can pull juice from a bag or crayons from my purse.
Now, lest you think my life is one smooth operation, let me clue you in. For all my lists and calendars at work, I always scramble with something at the last minute (just ask the associate editor about that). At home, my husband fears the moment I "go Martha Stewart" because he inevitably ends up with a bossy and stressed-out wife. And though I know exactly what needs to be done to get Lizzie and myself out the door, we never seem to make it to church on time.
As the saying goes, the best-laid plans of men often go astray.
But without those plans-without plotting how things can get done-I would be worse off. I would never get 12 magazines out a year without a detailed plan of how to do it. My "Martha Stewart" dinners would be pizza and soda without my lists. And Lizzie would never make it to church if I did not have some concept of what needed to be done to get her there.
In the same way, I need to be intentional about my relationship with God-using both discipline and flexibility.
• Time with God. The Lord tells us to meditate on his Word day and night (Josh. 1:8). We all know that spending time in Scripture and prayer are crucial, but our intentions result in little ifwe don't follow through.
So, we need a plan. When will we spend time in Scripture? What times will we set aside for God? A friend told me that he won't read the newspaper until he spends time in the Word and with God. I took his advice. I now read the Bible and pray before my computer goes on in the morning. I also try to breathe prayers and meditate on God's Word throughout the day, whether I'm stretching at my desk or working in the garden.
• Sharing the Good News. Peter says I must "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (I Pet. 3: 15). Last sum-
mer, I took a relational evangelism class at church. We walked through how to communicate who God is, what Jesus did for us and our own testimony. By intentionally thinking through those things, I find it much easier to share my faith and Jesus with others. Anticipating situations and questions helps me think through my faith and how I tell others about God and my relationship with him.
• Loving our neighbor. But those words mean nothing if I do not have God's heart for the lost and his children. Words are not enough. Without love, I am a "clanging cymbal" (I Cor. 13: 1).
Jesus gave us the ultimate expression of the love we are to have-he carried his cross to his death. Jesus says, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). He also says that loving our neighbor is one of the two greatest commandments, loving God being first (Mark 12:31). John says that we are liars if we say we love God and don't love our neighbor (1 John 4:20).
So, how can I love my neighbor?
Again, intentionallythinking it through helps me into action. If someone asks for money for food, I now buy them food and talk with them awhile. I also try to love by spending time at my church with children from my community who need tutoring but also desperately need to know God's love in their lives.
As with all plans, however, I find I also need to be flexible.
• Expect disruptions. I have a detailed plan for putting together each issue of the Leader, but inevitably something crops up and that plan changes. In the same way, we have good plans for spiritual discipline but either get off track or lazy. Sometimes the plans just don't work. It doesn't hurt to change the way we spend time with God or how we share our faith and minister to those around us. The point is, we must make those things forefront and intentional in our minds and hearts and we must find a way to do them
• The Holy Spirit. Going astray of best-laid plans isn't always bad. It is good to know how to share Christ and my testimony, but God has his own way of doing things. Jesus tells the disciples that when they are brought before governors and kings not to worry about what to say or how to say it. "At the time it will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Matt.1O:19-20). Thinking things through is important, but I can't let that drown out the Spirit's voice.
God asks me to be intentional and disciplined-to meditate on his Word, be prepared to give account of my faith and love my neighbor. These, with other disciplines, lead to a lifestyle that makes Christ central. The best laid plans of men may often go astray, but "as for God, his way is perfect" (2 Sam. 22:31).----Q1
