Think a new building will energize your church for ministry? Think again.
• Three things a church building can never dol p 4
• Offering the heart The quandary of 'personal devotions' I p 7
• Lyn Hanush: Walking the path of prayer and faith I p 14
FIRST WORDS
A••• from the editor
ll OF US have an innate desire to grow. As kids, our attention is ftxated on physical growth. As adults, when we've reach our full height (for better or worse), desire for growth remains, but with a different focus In our culture, material growth absorbs a lot of our attention, because we tend to believe we are measured by the depth and breadth of our possessions. Most of us know, though, that emotional and particularly spiritual growth matter most.
Our two feature articles deal with growth in the spiritual realm, but with different emphases. Ray Bowman and Eddy Hall address congregational growth, particularly as it relates to new facilities (page 4). Philip Wiebe moves us inward, to consider how we're doing with that old nemesis, "personal devotions" (page 7). We hope both articles help us focus on growth from a Christ-like perspective
You convention hounds out there won't want to miss our coverage of the General Conference convention held last month in Fresno, Calif. It begins on page 16.-DR
COMING
• OCTOBER 27-29-Central and Southern districts meeting jointly for their annual convention; hosted by Tabor College .
. JULY 26-29, 1996-u.s. Conference biennial convention, Colorado Springs, Colo
QUOTABLE
"One of the lamentable shortcomings of the organized church is its apparent inability to encourage its people to move on with God. We establish a sheltered, cushioned religiOUS nest, a place of safety, where expectations are clearly outlined and spiritual maturity can be defined by a checklist. We apply different names to our comfortable dead-end thought patterns that mark the termination of spiritual growth... Whatever we call it, God calls it death. A rut is a grave with the ends kicked out We keep growing or we die. "-PENELOPE] STOKES, IN FAITH : THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS UNSEEN (TYNDALE)
Page 4
Page 7
4 Three things a church building can never do
It's tempting to think that a building project will stimulate growth and giving in the local church. A veteran church architect advises: Don't give in to that temptation. BY RAY BOWMAN AND EDDY HALL
7
Offering the heart
Sometimes we're so hung up on the mechanics of "personal devotions" that we miss the point: God wants us to be devoted to him . BY PHILIP WIEBE
DEPARTMENTS
• Eyes of a child
• Lessons from Judas
• Paul's rift with Barnabas
• Another side of Fresno '95
• Lyn Hanush: Walking for the Lord
• SPECIAL REPORT: Fresno '95 16
• MCCs West Coast anniversary celebration 30
by Jim Holm 13
• Winnie Bartel prepares for China conference 31
• Mexico MBs formalize doctrine 32
• 'Enemies'reconcile at GCWE 33
• Mennonite women hold academic conference 33
• Something's got to change
ART CREDITS: Page 7, Cleo Freelance Photography; page 13, courtesy of Lyn Hanush; pages 16-30, Jim Coggins and Don Ratzlaff.
VOLUME 58, NUMBER 8 EDITOR Don
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Connie Faber (on leave)
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Ratzlaff
Aleen Ratzlaff
by RAY BOWMAN AND EDDY HALL
Three things a church building N NmWmm WeD)
F YOU HAD BEEN EAVESDROPPING
on a phone conversation in my office some years ago, you might have heard something like this: "I'd like you to come talk to my board about a new building," the pastor said. "That sounds good," I answered. "What do you need?"
"The people need a challenge. They haven't done anything for years, and a building program will wake them up and unite them behind a cause."
"You're right," I said. "Nothing is more excit· ing than building."
"There's a lot of money in our church," the pastor went on, "but giving has been going downhill lately. A new building will increase stewardship. If we plan a project for a million dollars, I think that will be enough to really challenge the people. I've decided to hire a professional fund-raiser to raise about a third of that amount through a three-year giving drive. We can borrow the rest."
"Will your regular income cover the payments?" I wanted to know.
"Not yet, but the new building should bring in new people and the increased giving will cover the payments ."
"That's exciting! With that kind of money we can design an award-winning structure that will put your church on the map, one the people of your community will want to attend. What kind
Taken from When Not to Build: An Architect 's Unconventional Wisdom for the Growing Church by Ray Bowman with Eddy Hall (Baker Books) Used by permission
of building do you need?"
"Well, we haven't grown for years, so our sanctuary is old and should make a good Family Life Center. That should attract families. So I guess it's logical to build a new sanctuary."
"How many should we plan for?"
The most a building can do is allow a church to grow.
"We have around three hundred regular attendees, so we should plan for real growth-say eight hundred to a thousand."
"That should really give your people a vision of the possibilities and motivate them to reach out. When can we start?"
Though I'm not proud of it, I've had many conversations much like this one, passing along the same conventional wisdom I'd heard about building programs from countless pastors and church leaders. I now realize that the "conventional wisdom" includes many fallacies. When a church depends on these fallacies, disappointment and sometimes disaster result. Here are three of the most common and costly of the false expectations I've been guilty of promoting.
FALSE EXPECTATION #1 Building will stimulate growth
When I got the chance to design my dream sanctuary for one church, I fully expected the building to attract new people, to increase the church's rate of growth. It was the most architecturally perfect building I had ever designed. The congregation was united behind the building program, there were no financial problems-nothing in the process to hinder growth. If ever one of my buildings was going to create growth, this one would .
Ten years after the building was complete, I charted the church's growth history. Before the building program the church had been growing at a steady rate of 3 percent a year. Since the building program, the church had been growing at the rate of 3 percent a year.
It was humbling for this architect to finally admit that no church building, however perfectly designed, can make a church grow. The most a building can do is allow a church to grow.
In one church of 160, those who "wanted
the church to grow" were promoting a plan to relocate to a business district centrally located among the communities the church served.
Relocation, they claimed, would make the church grow. "Our church is in an out-of-the-way
place," thf::Y said. "Our building is full. The basement smells bad and there's nothing we can do about it. And we don't have enough parking."
Actually, none of that was true. They could double parking capacity simply by paving and marking the parking lot. All the basement needed was a good ventilation system. With creative planning, their building would give the congregation room to double before needing to build. And their location was actually better than the one proposed for a new building.
It's true that unattractive or inadequate facilities can hinder growth, but in this case church facilities weren't the problem; they were an excuse. The real problem: the church was doing absolutely nothing to grow. They didn't advertise, they didn't have a yellow pages listing, they didn't even follow up on visitors.
Their attitude toward outreach was symbolized by two stern, silent old men who stood guard at the door. Though each wore a "Greeter" badge, they looked more like people you might recruit to frighten children at a Halloween haunted house. When I visited their service, it was not until I greeted the "greeters" that either spoke to me.
Though this congregation didn't need a new building, some members preferred to promote a building program rather than to do the work of outreach that really would bring growth
FALSE EXPECTATION #2
Building will improve giving to ministry
The myth that building programs will motivate more giving to ministry is an especially dangerous one because it often appears to be true. Building programs usually do motivate people to give Especially at the outset, large sums of money can be raised for a building program. Some members may even increase their
giving for the duration of a long-term mortgage. So what's wrong with expecting a building program to increase giving to ministry?
The problem is that building buildings is not the same as ministry. Building buildings is not the work of the church. The
attractive Sunday school rooms, and plenty of parking. They built that building and opened the doors.
That was 35 years ago. Though the church has grown some, today it still hasn't outgrown that building. Why not? After work of the church is meeting people's needs. While a building program may motivate people to give more to pay for buildings, seldom is the increased giving enough to cover the cost of the building.
A rapidly growing church in Oklahoma earmarked 5 percent of all its income for local outreach. These funds were invested in various local min-
Building buildings is not the work of the church.
istries in which members of the church were involved, including an inner-city ministry, a ministry to pregnant teens, and several other ongoing projects.
When the congregation launched a multimillion dollar building program, the people gave generously in response However, when building costs exceeded estimates, the church began looking for places to cut expenses. They abandoned their earmarking of 5 percent of income for local outreach and redirected most of those funds to the building program. While total giving increased, funds directed to meeting the needs of people decreased
This church's experience tends to be the rule, not the exception. While building may temporarily increase giving, it usually results in less, not more, money available for ministry.
FALSE EXPECTATION #3
Building will motivate people to minister
One of the ftrst churches I worked for was a congregation of 50 in a small Kansas town. The moment I saw their building I understood at once why they wanted to build. It was small, dark and dilapidated The members were embarrassed to invite their friends . I would have been embarrassed , too. If only they had a new, attractive building, the leaders thought, the people would no longer be embarrassed and would reach out to the community.
I helped them design a building that gave them room to grow. It had a bright nurs e ry,
aU, they did a lot of things right. They really did need a building, the building they built was right for them, and the cost of the building was reasonable.
This church's mistake was that they expected a building to motivate people to minister. If during the building program church leaders had established
an outreach plan and recruited and trained people so they would be ready to reach out once the building was complete, no doubt the church would have grown.
These three false expectations all have one thing in common: they all assume that buildings can meet nonbuilding needs. To expect church buildings to stimulate growth, inspire healthy stewardship, or motivate outreach is to expect church buildings to do the impossible. Why? Because these are all ministry needs, not building needs, and buildings can't minister.
If buildings can't minister, what purpose do they serve? They are tools for ministry. A wrench can't repair a faucet and a word processor can't write a book, but they can help the plumber and writer do their jobs better. In the same way, an appropriate building-whether borrowed, rented, or owned-can provide space well-suited to the ministries it serves. It can help people feel more comfortable and welcome. It can provide work space and equipment to increase efficiency. It can make the ministries of the church more accessible to the community It can do all these and more.
But one thing a building can never do: it can never minister. Only people can do that. e!2
Ray Bowman of Larkspur, Colo., is a consultant who helps churches grow through coordinated planning of faCilities, finances, staffing and ministries. Eddy Hall of Goessel, Kan ., is co-editor of With magazine, the Anabaptist magazine for Mennonite Brethren youth. Their next book, When Not to Borrow: Unconventional Financial Wisdom to Set Your Church Free, will be released by Baker Books in 1996.
o • erzng the heart
EVERAL YEARS AGO I ATTEMPTED
to use a computer software package to manage our household finances. The program seemed so complicated and stubborn that I almost gave up. But finally something clicked: The problem
More
than using the right program, personal devotions are an outgrowth of our personal devotion to God
by PHILIP WIEBE
third of the way through. I was more dependent on programming than on offering my heart: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, 0 God , you will not despise" (ps. 51:17).
And I expected my personal devotions to yield instant dividends. When I took up jogging for a time (before ankle injuries drove me to walking and biking), runnerwasn't the program; it was our finances. The computer program couldn't reform our bad budget.
So it is with our spiritual lives . We often expect the right devotional program to make up for a poor relationship with God, when in reality personal devotions are an outgrowth of our personal devotion to God.
Still, the question for many Christians is "How? " Many of us struggle throughout our busy lives to maintain "daily devotions." Just when we think that we are headed in the right direction, we hit a roadblock .
Three mistakes
Early in our marriage I tackled a "spiritual fitness " program with high hopes and plenty of "fitness" gear: a Bible, a notebook, study helps, a pile of prayer letters, assorted devotional guides After months of effort I quit.
I had gotten in over my head. I saw personal devotions as a technique, much like my earlier attempts to "computerize " our family budget I jumped into various devotional guides with great enthusiasm-only to abandon each one about a
friends kept telling me, "Jogging is great! It makes you feel better!" Well, it didn't always make me feel better. Sometimes it made me sore and cranky. What kept me committed was the understanding that jogging wasn't so much for my immediate benefit as for my long-term health.
Devotion to God requires a similar commit-
ment. Seeking him daily doesn't depend on our feelings. "The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword," the writer of Hebrews tells us, "and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb.
4:12, NASB). This kind of surgery may not always feel wonderful, but it does wonders for our spiritual health.
Second, I needed to develop a spirit of communication. Healthy human relationships require honest speaking and genuine listening. The same is true with God. I claimed to have a relationship with God, but my communication with him tended to be onesided-a quick word of "grace" here,
I measured my a list of requests or a plea for help there. I needed to stop talking at God and start talking with him.
.. I b Spiritual growth comes through sptrttua success a combination of my efforts and I was focusing more on "doing devotions" than on "living in devotion." Once my devotional time was finished, I could check it off my list and move on to other things. I measured my spiritual success by how many verses I read, how many commentaries I studied and how many missionaries I prayed for, rather than by daily evidences of godly character and spiritual fruit.
Away of life
how many verses I God's power. Working with God requires communication that goes beyond a few moments in the mornings or a few sentences before mealtimes. It is a communication that goes on, as Paul wrote, "without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5: 17, NASB). read,
how many commentaries I studied and how many missionaries I prayed for, rather than by daily
Third, I needed to live a life of action. When I decided to try freelance writing, I read material on the subject, attended a writers' conference, took some classes and talked with some regularly published authors. All this was necessary and helpful, but what actually turned me into a writer was years of trial and error-writing and rewriting, evidences of godly
Slowly I realized the need to dig beneath "devotions" (techniques to make myself better) to character and spiritual fruit. "devotion" (a way of life to get to know God better).
First, I knew that I needed to cultivate an attitude of contemplation. Once, as I walked with a farmer-friend alongside one of his fields of wheat, I was taken with a spray of sapphire blue wildflowers growing near an irrigation ditch. "Spectacular!" I said, stepping down among them. "What do you call these?"
"Um," my friend responded, "can't say I ever noticed them before."
That struck me as amazing at the time, but later I realized I was hardly more observant when I rushed through my daily schedule or my church commitments or my 10 Bible verses before work. I could become so busy getting through my day that God couldn't get through to me.
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago I will meditate on all your works and consider aU your mighty deeds," wrote the psalmist (ps. 77 :11-12) This kind of contemplation certainly begins with the study of God's Word, but by no means does it end there. God's "mighty deeds" are seen in creation, in human relationships, in our spiritual heritage and our personal histOries, even in our struggles and our heartaches God can meet us anywhere.
sending and resending, wrestling every day with the craft and the business of writing
In the same way, devotion to God comes through being devoted stepping out in faith, learning from mistakes, seeking God in every situation, making "the most of every opportunity" (Col. 4:5). The apostle James admonished, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (1:22).
We learn to be devoted to God by wrestling each day with the challenge of devotion. Then devotion (as James wrote about perseverance) can "finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (1:4).
Devotion often looks like "devotions," with regularly scheduled times for study and prayer and other spiritual disciplines. But devotions in themselves aren't devotion, as if we could check off the "spiritual requirement" of our daily lives.
Lines in a planning calendar cannot hold devotion. Devotion spills across the pages of a life lived for God. 62
In addition to writing his Ph'lip Side column for the Leader, Philip Wiebe is editor of Rejoice!, the inter-Mennonite devotional magazine He lives in Salem, Ore , where he is a member of Kingwood Bible Church.
BY PHILIP WIEBE
Eyes of a child
ONE DAY this spring I walked into the backyard with my 4-year-old son, and we saw the sight that haunts weekend gardeners everywhere. Dandelions All over As my lips curled with disgust, Seth commented, "000 Daddy, look at all the pretty flowers!"
All right, I knew I was licked In a classic example of childlike perspective, Seth saw the dandelions for what they really were. If I spied sprays of yellow along the highway or in the country, I'd say "look at all the pretty flowers" too. In my lawn (in a classic example of adult perspective), they stress me out.
But not as much as they used to. Since Seth set me straight, I've worried less about dandelions , clover and other "lawn intensive wildflowers " And I've been thinking more about childlike perspective. Jesus wasn't kidding when he said, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom" (Mt. 18:3). I'm seeing more and more that in a lot of things , my kids have a better "kingdom vision" than I do.
Take time, for instance Jesus said, "Do not worry about tomorrow." If you asked me how often I do that, I'd probably tell you, "Well , I tried to not worry once, but it just made me nervous. " Seth, however, really does live for today. Yesterday or tomorrow are hardly worth a thought. I could stand more of that perspective . I get so tied up with last week's goofs and next week's goals, I have no freedom to live in the moment.
Also, Seth doesn't watch the clock. It drives me crazy. "It's time to go ," I'll say for the 17th time, while Seth finishes up his conversation with a colony of backyard ants. But I wonder if it's really Seth who's driving me crazy, or the other way around. "Man," Seth is probably telling the ants, "Dad needs to slow down and smell the dandelions "
Another thing I like about a child's outlook is that , in general, they see the bright side For instance , most kids I know assume everyone is OK until they find out otherwise . We adults tend to assume the opposite. We suspect first and ask questions later That's partly a result of our amoral age; but for me, it can also be due to my lack of childlike grace.
A child can also be persistent. Very persistent . Not long ago Seth was sure he had to have a toy ax to chop wood (and the house and his baby sister, probably) . After I gave the old
parental "We'll see ," he must have mentioned that ax four or five times a day for weeks . If a day came when he didn't mention it, I'd think, "Guess it ' s forgotten . " Sure. Next day, first thing: "Daddy, I really need an ax ."
Such persistence may get on a parent's nerves, but Jesus actually commended it . The story in Luke 18 about the widow keeping after the judge for justice is cited as a positive illustration of how to "always pray and not give up ." Getting older, I've lost some of that childlike perseverance. I look for all the good reasons something isn't going to happen, or can't be done , or shouldn ' t be tried. Seth teaches me a lot about faith.
And about gratitude. Sometimes Seth surprises me by being thankful for what seem like the littlest things. "Thanks so much for the drink," he'll gush when I hand him a glass of water. When's the last time I said that to my Heavenly Father after ftlling my water glass? Or Seth will look out the window in the morning and proclaim, "It's a beautiful day!" Rather than being thankful for each new day, I tend to wake up in a sweat. How am I going to get it all done this time? I could use more childlike gratitude.
Another thing I admire about a child' s perspective is their clarity of vision They definitely have eyes for certain things We'll be driving along in the country, for example, and I'll be doing my usual mental gymnastics about what I didn't get done yesterday and won't get done tomorrow . Suddenly Seth will holler, "TRAAAACfOR!" Huh? Where?
Then I'll see it on the horizon, a green speck of a John Deere plowing some ground or something. How does Seth spot those things? He only has eyes for tractors , that's how.
One could interpret the familiar story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10 as an illustration of the difference between adult perspective and childlike perspective. Martha was obsessed with duties and responsibilities, with how she looked to others, with the status of having Jesus over Mary didn't care about that stuff. In an inspiring example of childlike perspective , she only had eyes for Jesus "Mary," Jesus said, "has chosen what is better."
As adults , Scripture calls us to maturity, to responsibility , to avoiding childishness. But not childlikeness Even after growing up, we're called to keep looking through the bright, clear eyes of a child . E2.
Rather than being thankful for each new day, I tend to wake up in a sweat. How am I going to get it all done this time? I could use more childlike gratitude.
Philip Wiebe lives in Salem, Ore.
Conditions for forgiveness
After reading Jim Holm's article on conditional forgiveness (Musings, July), I definitely have mixed emotions. I know many people who have grown up in a Mennonite Brethren church may not have struggled with the issue of forgiveness as some of my friends who came to the Lord out of a legalistic background Because of their influence and my own search in the area of forgiveness, I have come to quite a different conclusion than Holm.
First, I hope we realize forgiveness between people takes time to truly occur and that in spite of our deepest concern, only Christ can change a person. I trust Holm's concern for his people is genuine even though he refers to them as "so-called believers." Change to godly lifestyle is always desirable, but the ultimate change will come from a repentant heart sent from the Holy Spirit, not from intimidation or manipulation of Scripture.
Forgiveness is part of the character of God. If this forgiveness is conditional, then can we not wonder whether other characteristics of God, such as love and acceptance, are likewise conditional? That would mean God will only respond to us in the way we respond to him. He will only forgive us if we forgive others, love us only if we love others, accept us only if we accept others, and on and on. In other words, God's forgiveness, love and acceptance of us would be dependent on our performance in these areas.
Maybe you can feel comfortable serving a God like thiS, but I desperately need a God who goes far beyond my performance in how he deals with me I need a God who is more like the father in the story of the prodigal son , a father who welcomed his son with open arms without first asking if the son had straightened out his life
I'm not trying to say ungodly behavior does not carry consequences. Unfruitfulness, envy, strife and a whole list of negative qualities are sure to come to the individual who ignores the instruction for godly living . It seems that the most miser-
able person in the world is the believer who ignores the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Actually, Jim, instead of taking unforgiveness seriously, let's take forgiveness seriously and live our lives in a godly manner out of gratitude to a wonderful, forgiving God instead of fearing a God who may take back everything he gave. That's not the kind of God I serve, and I hope it's not the kind of God you serve either.
Ken Penner Ingalls, Kan.
Why suffering?
Regarding your July issue on suffering ... . When something happens, especially something tragic, our first response is to ask why. We ask friends, counselors and God why something bad should happen to us. We are, after all, good people . Are we asking for knowledge and insight, or are we complaining about our situation? Would having the "why" answered make the trial easier to bear? Would we even understand the answer?
"No action can touch us except with the Father's knowledge and his pe r mission," wrote Hannah Whitall Smith. Suffering often comes as the consequence of disobedient human beings, Smith contends, and innocent victims get caught in the backwash. And sometimes, well, sometimes stuff just happens. While God does not intend for us to have trouble in our lives, he uses suffering to reveal himself to us. Whatever happens in our lives, we must know God is there in it, waiting for us to acknowledge him. Because of thiS, some believe we shouldn't ask to have suffering taken away; rather ask for strength to endure. We'd lose what God has prepared for us, they reason, if our circumstances were changed . I believe the point to make is this: We have a tendency to get stuck in the suffering. We become so good at accepting our situation that we don't reach out into the darkness and let God lead us to the light on the other side . Indeed, there are those who purposely choose
to carry burdens, but we aren't all destined to be martyrs.
Andrew Murray was asked by a woman how to deal with a truly desperate situation. From his own experience, he answered, "Therefore say, 'I am here by God's appointment, in his keeping, under his training, and for his time.'''
Asking why should not be a wimper of self-pity or a demanding whine. Our why should have the quality of the explorer setting off on a grand adventure. It should say, "Reveal yourself, Lord, I am ready."
Elaine Jelinek Wichita, Kan.
What really matters
Being an "adopted" or "grafted" Mennonite Brethren, I have been appalled at the letters about worship styles and the decision of the church in Arizona to change their name.
I don't understand why people are attacking the name change or the different styles of worship; or why they feel their heritage is being attacked by these changes. As Christians, isn't our heritage in the Lord? Aren't we called to worship "in spirit and in truth"?
Our heritage and worship are matters of the heart and soul, not names and methods . God is not going to ask "Were you Baptist, Assembly of God, Methodist, Lutheran, Mennonite or Catholic?" Neither is he going to ask "Did you only Sing hymns or choruses? Did you read liturgies or have open prayer aloud?" He is going to ask "Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?" and "What have you, personally, done in the name of my Son, Jesus Christ?"
What else really matters after these questions?
Rochelle
E. Alberti Hillsboro, KS
BY MARVIN HEIN
QJudas Iscariot doesn't get many positive strokes in today's preaching. Isn't he like most of us? (CALIFORNIA)
AYou are right on one score: We are more like Judas than we would ever admit . To be sure, his betrayal of Jesus was a dastardly deed. But a close look at the reasons for his traitorship may come closer to home than we like.
Judas joined the band of disciples because he thought the Lord would free the people and their country from the bonds of a foreign invader Many of us follow the Master because we figure he will reward us with the material plums of health and wealth and general prosperity.
Judas read the Bible-as much as was available in his time. In his case, it was the Old Testament, but I suspect he knew it rather well His mistake was in not reading the same sections Jesus read. The Lord read from the prophet Isaiah, about being a suffering servant. Judas read from the Proverbs and Psalms where the Jewish theology told him he would be rich and famous if he behaved himself Which parts of the Bible do we read?
Jesus read about a Messiah who would come, not as conqueror but as one dying for sinners Judas never figured that out! He wanted political power. He didn't like the idea of suffering. And because Jesus didn't fulfill his ambitions, Judas lashed out against Jesus and betrayed him When it comes to choosing between those two options, which do we choose?
How often do we get upset with God when our wishes don't come to pass? In a scene from Olive Ann Bum's Cold Sassy Tree, Grandma is very ill. Grandpa prays for her, as does grandson Will Tweedy. Grandma dies. Will is angry . In Judas-like frustration, he says to Grandpa: "Prayer's no good . Jesus said : 'Ask God for something and you'll get it . ' " To which Grandpa says: "That was just wishin'. It warn ' t prayin' . "
Judas was wishing Like most of us,
I suspect, he had prayedthat Jesus would turn things around like he wanted and wished. Like most of us, he believed in Jesus and had vowed to follow him-until the Lord ' s objectives and Judas's didn't mesh. Then he was angry! Judas talked with his neighbors, I suspect, about this wonderful Lord
he was following day after day. But then the Lord let him down. Disappointed him! And he cursed!
Joe G. Emerson, who tells the story of Grandson Will just wishin', not prayin ', in his book , I Wanted the Elevator, But I Got the Shaft, also talks about James Weldon Johnson beginning his sermon poem "The Prodigal Son" with these words: "Young man, young man, your arm's too short to box with God. "
Judas learned that truth too late. His "boxing " with God was to no avail. His anger resulted only in his self-destruction His ambitions, so contrary to the master's, caused him untold sorrow-and death We need to take careful note of Judas's spirit He can be a good sermon for all of us .
QActs 15 carries the account of Barnabas and Paul arguing over whether Mark should accompany them. Paul refused to go if Mark went. Is there evidence in the New Testament that these two believers were reconciled? (OREGON)
AIt is rather strange that nothing is ever said directly about reconciliation between these two men But I think we can assume they came to appreciate each other and even became fellow workers
In Colossians 4: 10 Paul indicates Mark sends his greetings to Colossae, along with Paul. Paul also suggests that if Mark comes to Colossae, they should welcome him. About five years later (12 years after the parting of their ways) Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4: 11 that Mark "is helpful to me in my ministry " I can only conclude that even though reconciliation isn't men-
Do you have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? Send it to '7nquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.
tioned , the two and/or the three (including Barnabas) came to peace with each other.
The story of these men might have been different if they had remained alienated from one another. Unresolved differences have a way of eroding life. I read recently the story of a wealthy woman who practically owned the town because she owned the town mill , the chief business enterprise there When the woman approached her 65th birthday, she decided to give something back to the community. She planned a party and invited everybody in town to express her love for them She addressed an invitation to every person in town
The big day came, the food was prepared But no one came. The woman was offended and grew furious! Since she figured the town didn't appreciate her, she decided never to show her face there again. And she didn't. After she died, alone and unnoticed for two weeks, people began to clean her house. They discovered the invitations in her drawer in a desk. She had forgotten to mail them!
The storyteller suggests that maybe the woman knew she had forgotten, but was not willing to admit her mistake What needless grief was caused by a mistake that could have been rectified.
Had Paul and Mark and Barnabas never been reconciled, the New Testament story might read quite differently. No, it would not have stopped the good news from making its way across the continent . Nor will our unreconciled differences . But it would have done something far more hurtful to the three men . ef2
BY JIM HOLM
Another side of Fresno '95
ISHOULD TITLE this column, "Reflections on a Mennonite Brethren convention by one who was there but didn't attend."
Maybe a word of explanation would help. I was present for every session of the General Conference convention held in Fresno in July. But I never made it into the auditorium where the delegates were meeting. As registrar for the gathering, my crew and I stayed in the foyer, meeting delegates, handing out name badges, and assigning housing (or "billeting," as the Canadians call it; they use a few other funny words too).
So I want to give you a report on the convention. Call it, "The other side of MB business."
This may have been the last gathering of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. That's because the Executive Council recommended that we change our name to the Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Or something like that. After two years of surveying everybody to see what we should change our name to, this was as far as the committee got. We were to drop just one word, and the least important word at that. In the end, they changed their mind again. Now we may be called the North American Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. I think.
Give us another two years to think about it.
But whatever our name will be, here are a few observations from outside the hall
First, I admired the good spirit and enthusiasm of these people. After spending long hours in cramped cars or crowded air terminals just to arrive in Fresno, then standing in line at our registration desk, they were remarkably cheerful. They appeared to be actually having fun. It was like a class reunion, a great party. I thought, "We oUght to do these things once in a while just to see each other." Let's have a Mennonite Brethren party.
I was amazed at the number of people who roamed the halls. As a faithful delegate in previous years, I had no idea some people spent so much time outside the meeting area. Perhaps it was because there was no controversy on the inside to hold their attention. Or perhaps they were drinking too much water. But the hallways were crammed, almost all the time.
What was especially interesting was that the same people were always wandering. One fellow walked by the registration table about
every 20 minutes. If he had spent any less time in the sessions, he could have been a member of Congress.
Another delegate, from Canada, was in the middle of selling his house. He spent all day on the phone, calling his wife, calling the real estate agent, and then receiving calls from both. For him it was a real successful convention. He sold the house.
I was amazed too at how long people wait to register for these things. Up to the moment the convention started, we were receiving registrations in the mail, lots of them. Since our caterer needed a solid count to prepare food, we gave an estimate. It was low, and dozens of people were sent out to local restaurants.
A few people groused about the late registration fee we charged them. One fellow owed us $20 extra. After hemming and hawing through most of the convention, he came in and offered to pay $14 I took it. Who's a legalist about these things?
I was pleased with the wonderful spirit of volunteerism among people. When asked, they went above and beyond the call of duty to offer themselves as servants to others. But I was surprised by the shortage of people willing to volunteer. It would be hard, based on this convention, to make a case that the spirit of volunteerism in America is growing .
So the almost-last convention of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches came to an end. There appeared to be no sweeping decisions, no heated discussions, no need for intensive prayer. Maybe the joint meeting of u.S. and Canadian delegates for business is losing its force? Could it be that the General Conference is in decline? I think so.
It seems that the day is coming when the U.S. and Canada will each tend to matters within their own boundaries, with perhaps each electing board members to direct the seminary and MB Missions/Services in some sort of joint venture.
So, should we give up meeting together? No. We need to celebrate what God is doing, and pray for what he wants to do. The U.S. and Canada ought to continue to come together every four or five years, for worship, praise, edification and prayer. It would be a great party. We need something like that. But I won't be registrar again. I want to be present for the party. I'll get my registration in on time too. €2
I had no idea some people spent so much time outside the meeting area. Perhaps it was because there was no controversy on the inside to hold their attention. Or perhaps they were drinking too much water.
Calif.
Jim Holm is from Reedley,
To walk, and walk, with the Lord
NEITIIER SUN, nor storm, nor 850 miles of diverse California terrain could keep Lyn Hanush from her appointed rounds this spring: to rally Christians to pray on behalf of their local communities.
Hanush, a member of the El Camino Bible (MB) Church in Santa Clara, was part of a core team of 23 people who completed a 40-day adventure called the California Prayerwalk, March 1 to April 9. The event was initiated by WayMakers, a ministry dedicated to mobilizing united prayer, and organized by a network of leaders and local churches throughout California.
"Our purpose was to pray for California as we walked the El Camino Real-which means 'Highway of the King' -preparing the way for God to do a mighty work in this great state ," Hanush says. As they walked, participants would pray, silently and audibly, for whole communities as well as specific individuals and groups.
Early Franciscan missionaries had pioneered the El Camino Real in 1769, carrying a vision for the evangelization of every tribe. The Prayerwalk from San Diego to San Francisco included stops
at each of the 21 historic missions along the way . At each one, the team would ring the commemorative bell located there "as an act
of prayer that Christ would indeed come in revival and send in mission."
After walking up to 25 miles during the day , the team often held evening rallies in the communities where they stayed for night The rallies would give the team a chance to interact with the people, distribute Christian literature , and encourage those who came to pray for their own community.
Anoth e r goal of the walk was to spread a message of racial reconciliation. Along the way they met with people of diverse races, seeking forgiveness from one another for injustices done .
BY DON RATZLAFF
"I will never forget the morning of March 10 as we met at the San Gabriel Mission with a group of Native Americans," Hanush recalls. "They shared with us the ways and beliefs of their people. We asked forgiveness for injustices done to their people, and forgiveness was extended to us. Gifts were exchanged and also hugs. It was a beautiful time of healing and reconciliation. "
Beyond the spiritual goals and physical challenge, Hanush says she treasures the Prayerwalk for the relationships between members of the
core team. The team crossed racial, generational, and denominational lines, she says, and became a family.
"It was a real neat spiritual experience . 1 learned a lot about different denominations-not about doctrine, but about the people," says Hanush, who was affectionately dubbed "the radical Mennonite" by her fellow walkers. "They all love the Lord. "
The core team was accompanied along the route by 18 "week walkers" who joined the team for anywhere from a couple of days to two or three weeks. More than 563 people registered as "day walkers," joining the core team as it walked through their respective communities Many more walked along without registering.
Particularly gratifying for Hanush was the opportunity to walk part of the route with her daughter, Alyce-Kay Garrett, and granddaughters Brenda, 8, Samantha, 7, and Lois, 6. "What a thrill to have our three generations walking and praying together," she says.
The 53-year-old grandmother and her clan were given the privilege of ringing the bell at Mission Santa Clara in their home town. Says Hanush: "We shared that it was our prayer
that every family in this valley and state will hear the Word of God and that there will be thousands upon thousands of families who will have many generations of true believing followers of Jesus Christ ."
The core team stuck together for the duration of the Prayerwalk, though no one individual walked the entire distance. Members formed subteams which simultaneously walked sections of the route. "Forward teams" took the section in front, " power teams" covered shorter sections but at a faster pace, "jungle teams" took on the more challenging and even dangerous sections, and "bungee teams "
Lyn Hanusch by the river outside Venture during the Prayerwalk. With the bridge badly damaged, the team tried to find a way across the water. Eventually they crossed on a long railroad trestle.
walked the freeways and similar places.
Hanush, who logged 421 miles of the route, walks about 45 miles during a "normal" week at home Because of her experience, she was frequently given the more difficult assignments during the Prayerwalk. "I was on the teams that walked across the railroad trestles, through rivers where bridges had been washed out, over mountains and along freeways," she says. "I enjoyed it."
Not that the trek wasn't without its share of challenges-and answered prayers The team started northward from San Diego about the same time heavy rainstorms struck Southern California. "We kept hearing about those big storms heading our way with strong winds and lots of rain," she says. "Rainwalking is one thing, but these storms sounded awesome."
But the group began to sense they wouldn't experience the fury of the storm. They decided to pray that the rains wouldn't come during the daytime and interrupt the walk. "For a few days we had walked in dry weather while it rained at night," she says. "Some days it rained on all sides of us, but not on us. We knew God was watching over our team."
One afternoon, though, it did rain. In torrents. They were walking through Los Angeles at the time. "We walked anyway, but wondered why it had rained at that time," she recalls. "Later we found out that the rain portion had been through a section of city that was rampant with gangs, drugs, murders and so forth. The rain kept everyone off the street but us. It was God's protection over us."
The rain caused numerous mud slides along the way, sometimes disrupting the planned route. Slides around San Marcos Pass almost sidetracked the team, but they met a Christian officer with the California Highway Patrol who pleaded their case with officials. The officer finally finagled permission for them to go over the area, single-me facing traffic. The walk continued, on course
Later, they came across a bridge they needed to cross, but it had collapsed in the storms. A nearby railroad trestle spanned the same river, but the security guard would not let them
cross it. They climbed down to the river, hoping to ford it. But the water was too swift, too deep and full of debris.
The team prayed for guidance, then went back to the security guard. Just when they met him, two bicyclists pulled up who had come across the trestle from the other side If bikes could cross, why not walkers? The guard still refused. Eventually, two employees of Southern Pacific Railroad came up and gave them permission to cross. They warned the group to move quickly because trains came fast and with little warning. Only minutes after the team completed the crossing, a train came through. God's timing had protected them again.
On Day 20 of the walk, Hanush and the two other members of her jungle team set out over a particularly chal-
'7 ama long-distance endurance walker and I understand the will to persevere."
-LYNHANUSH
lenging section of territory north of San Luis Obispo. After crossing through mud and washed-out sections, they headed uphill. Soon they were enveloped in dense fog, heavy wind and rain. When Hanush made a scheduled call -in on their cellular phone, they were told to head down, not up, the slopes. Then the phone went dead.
Unable to notify the rest of the core team, Hanush and company chose to continue up one more crest Once at the top, they were surrounded by radio towers and communication dishes, at an altitude of 2,500 feet, about 1,000 feet above the highway The fog was so thick they could barely see the towers. Disoriented and uncertain which direction to head, they uttered a simple prayer: "Help ."
"We really had no fear, but we did want to be wise in whatever we did,"
Hanush says. They headed down a path in a race against the remaining daylight When that trail began to disintegrate, they decided to change direction and head for the highway. Eventually they found the highway and the rest of the team, which had been praying for their safe return.
Later Hanush was told that had the jungle team stayed on the original trail, they might have gone as many as 25 miles before intersecting with any roads or railroad tracks. "It could have been quite disastrous had we not returned when we did," she says, "since all the safeguards I normally carry-flashlight, emergency hiking blanket, warm clothing-were not with me. The only food we had was fudge."
These challenges are now pleasant reminders of God's love and care. The Prayerwalk ended, with police escort, on Palm Sunday, April 19 , along Dolores Avenue in San Francisco. A procession of 200 people gathered, some carrying palm branches that had been cut and left on the ground.
"It was truly a day of rejoiCing and praiSing God," she says. "Many who did not walk with us that day were waiting along the route and at the park, waving and cheering and singing."
After a week's rest, Hanush was participating in the annual San Jose to San Francisco Fellowship Walk-a relatively short "stroll" of 100 miles in six days. Christian unity was again the goal.
The discipline of "walking with the Lord" has taken on a literal and spiritual meaning for Hanush. "I am a longdistance endurance walker and I understand the will to persevere," she wrote recently in a newsletter for walkers. "As a Christian, I have another goal before me-the goal of following Jesus daily. To persevere, I must keep my eyes fixed on him, pushing aside anything that hinders my progress. Only the dynamiC, lifechanging power of Jesus Christ can help me live life to the fullest and experience the joy of victory when I meet Jesus face to face at the end of my journey here on earth. "
Knowing Hanush, the journey will likely be a long one. 62
Affirming the foundation, testing the structures
Somehow, though, the 60th convention of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, held July 6-9 in Fresno, Calif., left many delegates unsatisfied. For some, a normal convention is no longer enough; some wonder whether the General Conference and its conventions are working . This is not to say those who attended Fresno '95 had a bad experience . Most seemed to be having a good experience. The problem was more the awareness that too many Mennonite Brethren had chosen not to come. Only 404 delegates and 94 adult guests registered at the convention-279 from the U.S. and 212 from Canada-an average of about one delegate per church. Even at the two evening rallies, when area Mennonite Brethren are invited to attend, relatively few did.
• This General Conference gathering had all the elements of a good convention. So why were those 'angry young male clergy' so .. .angry?
Coverage of Fresno '95 was a cooperative project of the two national publications, the Mennonite Brethren Herald of Canada and the Christian Leader of the United States Articles are by Jim Coggins (JC) and Susan Brandt (SB) of the Herald and Don Ratzlaff (DR) and Aleen Ratzlaff (AR) of the Leader; photos are by Jim Coggins and Don Ratzlaff.
EN YEARS AGO, THIS would have been considered a good convention. It had all the right elements: a positive and courteous spirit, good fellowship, inspiring sermons, approved recommendations, a balanced budget and an expanding missions program.
Moreover, those who did come were not very representative of today's North American Mennonite Brethren Church. Fresno '95 was not exclusively a "white-haired" convention; a number of middle-aged, young adults and even a few families attended. But it was a "professional" convention. As one delegate observed, most of those present were "paid" to be there-pastors and agency staff. A telling moment came when MB Biblical Seminary alumni were called forward to sing in a mass choir-and perhaps a fifth of the congregation went forward.
This convention was not exclusively male either-many women were present. What was notable was the near absence of hispanic Mennonite Brethren in an area where many live. Friday night featured a truly wonderful celebration of the multiethnic worldwide Mennonite Brethren family (and leaders did recognize that even the North American church is increasingly multiethnic)-yet this celebration was enjoyed by an overwhelmingly white, middle-class assembly.
Board elections reflected a similar
Delegates arriving at the spacious People's Church in Fresno.
more time will be available for debate.
• They want more testimonies, more and better worship, more prayer, and a chance to respond to convention sermons. They want more variety in convention speakers.
• They want more focus on peo· pIe and relationships and less on insti· tutions and structures. They want longer coffee breaks and more time for fellowship.
• They want more practical train· ing sessions and workshops.
• They want conference leaders to show more passion for conference work.
Above all, they questioned the relevance of the General Conference. "Why do we have conference any· way?" one asked. Another noted, "If that's an issue, maybe nothing else matters."
JOHN UNGER: "What kind of Christ?"
FRIDAY MORNING ' S message was delivered by John Unger, pastor of Richmond Park MB Church, Brandon, Man., who addressed the theme of Christ's uniqueness.
"We speak of Christ and the church in the same breath," Unger said. Christ's uniqueness, exemplified by the phrase "Jesus is Lord," defines the church. It is central to confession, the test of true worship and evidenced by the Holy Spirit, he said.
Basing his message on 1 Corinthians 15 :3-4, Unger said
the divided church of Corinth exemplified a distorted view of Christ. Today, in a time of pluralism and relativism, many believe that '''Jesus is Lord' smacks of religious intolerance and arrogance; (yet) in the church, insights and understandings of 'Jesus as Lord' converge," he said.
Because suffering, hurt, pain and bad news seem to negate the reality of Jesus's lordship, Unger challenged the audience to live "lives that show it is true. The world can see evidence that Jesus Christ
Many observers didn't know what to make of it all. After all, some of the suggestions the young leaders made had already been implemented. The forum itself was organized by conference leaders who wanted input from younger Mennonite Brethren.
As one young leader put it, "We don't want to be spectators." Perhaps this forum was simply an indication that conference leadership is passing to the boomer generation. Where that leaves busters is another question. Perhaps it was significant that Ed Boschman, one of the organizers of the forum, was elected moderator, and that between a third and a half of the conference board members are now boomers.
What worked
In spite of the criticism and unease, Fresno '95 had a lot of positive aspects to it, many things that worked well.
• MB Missions/Services. For many delegates, the highlight of the convention was the Friday night presentation by MBM/S. It was everything the young leaders had complained the rest of the convention was not: people-focused, multi generational (retir· ing missionaries were lauded and new missionaries celebrated), multiethnic, passionate and inspiring. Above all, it was relevant. From Zaire to the former Soviet Union, the evidence indicated Mennonite Brethren are not only pre-
is Lord in the community of the church."
Unger emphasized one bridge to God. "The world still needs Jesus," though he encouraged listening to bel ievers of other religions Christ-followers must learn how to disagree without dividing the church, he said. "Our heritage is not our hope. There will always be discussion, disagreement and debate. We are one church because ·of one Lord." Those who confess Jesus as Lord, Unger said, must work hard
Unger: The world needs Jesus. to bring reconciliation where there is division
In the midst of a changing future, Unger concluded, the church must confess ''' Jesus is Lord'-him we love, worship and serve. "-AR
Barbie Larson and Steve Wood of the Butler Avenue worship team led spirited chorus singing during the opening session. Wondered some: Do MBs still have a common music?
tion emerged when BFL accepted for consideration almost every suggestion made from the floor regarding Confession of Faith revisions. The question of relevance became acute, however, when an Executive Council notice of motion to change the name of the conference degenerated into a debate whether it ought to be called "a" or "the" conference. One frustrated delegate generated applause when he declared, "It doesn't matter what we're called; what matters is what we are!"
• The music. The music led by worship teams from Butler Avenue MB Church in Fresno and Lincoln
Glen MB Church in San Jose, Calif., was contemporary and energetic but often failed to generate congregational participation Part of the problem was the relatively sparse congregation scattered over the cavernous sanctuary of People's Church. The facility had been rented in anticipation of a crowd of 1,500 or more Perhaps the music was too contemporary for some of the older delegates.
Another problem may have been that so many different worship styles (including different contemporary styles) have developed in the conference that Mennonite Brethren no longer have a common music.
RON TOEWS: ··What kind of leadership?··
DISTRACT
IONS sidetrack the church from its true ministry According to Ron Toews, Saturday afternoon's speaker, these distractions include division, sophisticated logic, complacency, leaders viewed as trophies rather than servants, and Christians who work in isolation.
"We live in an age of constant flux and change," said Toews, pastor of the Dalhousie MB Church in Calgary, Alta. "How do we deal with distractions in changing times like ours?"
Using the ana l ogy of a football team, Toews issued a challenge to Christian leaders based on 1 Corinthians. "Follow God's game plan. Get back to the basics," he said. "Help the church own the cross."
Preoccupation with business and growth overshadows concern for the health of the church. "Less focus on church growth and more focus on church health will result in church growth," Toews said.
"Use all the players," he said "God needs the contribu-
Surprisingly or not, the group that generated the most enthusiastic response was the Bethany Four, a traditional but well-polished gospel quartet that sang Saturday night. One definite surprise: Worship Together, the brand new denominational worship hymnal, was not used in any of the main worship sessions
A changing future
The transition of leadership was formalized Saturday afternoon when the new moderator, Ed Boschman of Kelowna, B.C., and assistant moderator, Larry Martens of Fresno, were informally commissioned. Valerie Rempel was elected secretary but could not attend.
The convention recognized the work of the outgoing executive, Janzen, Heidebrecht and secretary John E. Toews, with a standing ovation. Boschman also praised them, noting that their combined 50 years of conference service was "longer than I have been alive."
In his brief response, Boschman asked for prayer, for open communication between the grass roots and conference leaders and for commitment to the conference. He noted, "There will be some changes, but we are about the same business (building the kingdom of God) .... We are headed, if the Lord tarries, into God's good future ."-Je
tion of (the Church's) diverse members. We need leaders who will help fans become players-observers become participants. "
Toews added, "In order to use our players, we'll need to practice a greater amount of inclusiveness, especially for sisters. God has given each person, male and female, a gift."
Playing as a team requires cooperation. "We'll need more charity among leaders and churches," Toews said. "Leaders, like coaches, should transform congregationa l diversity
Toews: Use all the players_ to conference cooperation ."
To those who lead in this time of distraction, Toews concluded with words from Paul: "Be alert, stand firm, be courageous, be strong. The grace of the Lord be with you."-AR
The cavernous People's Church sanctuary: More space than delegates and guests.
Confession article that would communicate to the average reader. Referring to the preliminary statement, he asked, "What does 'the norm for the end-time righteousness of God' really communicate to anyone?"
Confession of Faith revision
As part of its ongoing process to revise the Confession, BFL offered two more articles for acceptance. The latest version of the two, titled "Nature of the Church" and "Mission of the Church," had been processed through a study conference and by conSUlting boards of faith and life at the regional and provincial/district levels.
After suggesting a few modest editorial changes, the delegates overwhelming approved the articles. BFL
will decide which of the suggestions, if any, are incorporated into the final versions The articles then will be tested once more with the regional boards before being published as provisional documents, according to Ed Boschman, BFL chair.
One delegate, Roger Thiessen of Manitoba, expressed his concern about the amount of time the revision process is taking. He encourage BFL, in the meantime, to update the current version with inclusive language and make it available to the churches Ed Boschman acknowledged the time frustration; he noted somewhat apologetically that at the current pace the project won't be finished until well past the year 2000.
Another delegate, Merv Boschman of British Columbia, echoed David
Ewert's call for readability, requesting a popular-level "street version" of the Confession. In response, John E. Toews, conference secretary and New Testament scholar from MB Biblical Seminary, acknowledged the value of a street version but emphasized that the primary goal for writing a confession of faith must be sound theology. "Once we have that," he added, "then we work toward popularization. "
Conclusions about ordination
BFL offered its latest statement about ordination, an issue addressed at the study conference held in April 1994 in Denver, Colo. Among other things, the statement recommended that:
• the denomination retain ordina-
Women's issue deemphasized, but not submerged at Fresno '95
I MAGINE THE IMPOSSIBLE TASK of keeping an iceberg submerged. Though the greatest mass would remain below the water surface, the tip would inevitably rise above it.
At Winnipeg '93, the previous biennial conference, the Board of Faith and Life decided to table the volatile debate over women's role in church ministry and leadership-"to allow the matter to rest for a while." You might say BFL recommended submerging an iceberg.
In accordance with BFL's intention, the official agenda of Fresno '95 avoided The Issue. But BFL
reported to the convention a negotiated agreement to allow one woman to continue as senior pastor-without opening the issue for discussion or vote .
Yet, The Issue made repeated appearances.
• Keynote speakers hinted at it, tactfully calling for the affirmation and inclusion of women in church ministry.
Janet Schmidt and Susan Brandt of Winnipeg, Man., and Delores Friesen of Fresno facilitated the meeting.
Schmidt posed three questions for small-group discussion: What are the issues in the church . for you, as a woman? How are you dealing with these issues? and How can we help encourage churches?
"I hope we don't all agree," Schmidt said, as the women divided into groups of five or six to discuss the questions. "When we disagree, seek to understand each other. Speak honestly, open and freely about our experiences. "
Mary Thiessen. a student at Fuller Seminary. led a workshop and reflected on her call to minister in the inner city of los Angeles. in the church were different, the women talked and listened to one another for nearly an hour. Issues that emerged included a need for clear language to avoid misunderstandings; women's inexperience in leadership roles on local and conference levels; the need to identify churches that affirm and those that don't affirm women's ministry; the need to learn how to use individual gifts; and learning to deal with negative feedback.
• Though she ran unopposed, delegates elected Valerie Rempel as conference secretary.
• One delegate requested clarification for a recommendation concerning ordination. As written, the statement could infer ordination for women who served as pastoral staff, miSSionaries, and other church ministries
• During and between sessions, some delegates engaged in ongoing talks with one another Friday's edition of the daily convention newsletter announced a luncheon meeting for women interested in discussing church issues . More than 30 women came .
Though their experiences as women
"We need to deal with the issues proactively," friesen said as she invited the women to develop ways to age the church. "Identify small steps, medium steps and big steps to take."
A request for helpful books elicited a dozen titles from group members . Other suggestions from the group included affirming each other, identifying role models, mentoring younger women, and offering leadership workshops.
The hour passed quickly The dialogue will continue. The iceberg has not melted away -AR
Clarence Hiebert (left) receives a handshake of appreciation from BFL chair Ed Boschman in recognition of the Hymnal Commission work in producing Worship Together. Except for a workshop intended to introduce the new worship aid, Worship Together was all but invisible at Fresno '95, most noticeably from convention worship times.
tion as "the preferred practice" of affirmation for pastors and workers "employed by the church and its min· istry agencies;"
• when a pastor declines ordina· tion, the congregation conduct a com· missioning service that allows the per· son "license" in the eyes of the law and other agencies to practice min· istry;
• affirmation/ordination services include instruction to indicate to the worker and the congregation that such affirmation is designed to encourage sacrificial service and min· istry, not to confer status;
• BFL fonnulate standards and pro· cedures that could lead to the withdrawal of ordination/affirmation for those "found gUilty of sexual sin, financial fraud, or abuse of power and authority" and those entering other occupations who "may be prone to use their previous affirmation to enhance their marketability."
The report generated few comments from the floor . One delegate, Katie Funk Wiebe of Kansas, asked whether the board was recommending that the denomination go back to its fonner practice of ordaining single women and missionaries. Roland Reimer, responding for the board, said the recommendation was "meant to be an inclusive, open-ended question . " Moderator Edmund Janzen added that the board would address the issue more directly later
Odds and ends
BFL formally thanked Clarence Hiebert, chair, and the other members of the Hymnal Commission for their work in producing Worship Together, the worship aid released earlier this summer. Pierre Gilbert, BFL member from Quebec, led the delegation in a dedicatory prayer.
The board also highlighted the publication of New Life in Christ, a rewrite of the membership manual Becoming Disciples Herb Kopp, BFL member from Alberta, was thanked for his work as the primary writer
In other matters, BFL:
• said it plans to do "deliberate board member orientation," noting that frequent turnover in board membership in recent years has slowed their work;
• announced that the dates for the next orientation session for pastors new to the denomination will be held Feb 4-6, 1996, in Fresno and will be linked to MBBS's School for Ministry; Fresno will also host the next study conference, slated for fa111996 on the issue of human sexuality;
• reported that it will be sending a copy of John Drescher's book, If I Were Starting My Ministry Over Again, to every conference pastor in Canada and the United States;
• noted it will continue its efforts to do "futures work"-an attempt to project the direction of the denomina· tion beyond the year 2000 .-DR
ELECTION RESULT\'
The new General Conference boards
Those in bold print were elected or reelected at this convention
EXECUTIVE COMMITIEE
Ed Boschman (Kelowna, B.c.. 1997), moderator
Larry Martens (Fresno, Calif, 1997), assistant moderator
Ken Neufeld (Clovis, Calif., 1999), Property and Finance Committee chair
Jason Trego (Wichita , Kan , 1997)
Dan Unrau (Richmond, B.c.. 1997)
Arthur Block (Richmond, B.C., 1999)
Leland Kleinsasser (Yale, S D., 1999)
Millie Dyck (Winnipeg, Man., at-large, 1997)
MB MISSIONS SERVICES
Neil Fast (Winnipeg, Man , 1999), chair
Dennis Fast (Hillsboro, Kan , 1997), vice chair
Elmer Martens (Fresno, Calif , 1997), secretary
David Poan (Vancouver, B.c., 1997)
Rudie Willms (St. Catharines, Ont., 1997)
Delores Friesen (Fresno, Calif., 1999)
Loretta Snider (Kitchener, Ont., 1999)
Hugo Zorilla (Fresno , Calif., 1999)
Marlene Wall (Wichita, Kan , at-large, 1997)
BOARD OF RESOURCE MINISTRIES
Lorlie Barkman (Winnipeg, Man , 1997), chair
Loretta Jost (Aurora, Neb , 1997), vice chair
Bob Rempel (Kitchener, Ont., 1999), secretary
Wilma Derksen (Winnipeg, Man., 1999)
Loren Kroeker (San Jose, Calif., 1999)
John Warkentin (Dinuba, Calif., 1999)
Gareth Goossen (Kitchener, Ont. , at-large, 1997)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jim Enn s (Fresno, Calif , 1997), chair
Ron Martens (Vineland, Ont. , 1999) vice cha ir
Lyndon Vix ( Wichita, KS, 1999), secr etary
SERVICES
Energizing the enterprise
• MB global mission experiences setbacks and gains
PAIN AND PASSION characterized the MB Missions/Services presentations at this convention-pain because of unresolved conflicts in a sister conference, and passion for the needs of an unreached world_ The theme of "Energize the Enterprise " was referred to throughout both the Friday afternoon board presentation and the Friday evening celebration program _
Pain in India
Harold Ens, general director of MBM/S , reported on his visit to the MB Conference of India_ Conflicts over property and money have plagued this conference for years . In an attempt to work toward resolution, Ens, accompanied by board member Neil Fast and moderator Edmund Janzen, met with the governing council of the India MB Conference and an opposition council. Talks between the two groups have begun, and MBM/S has signed an agreement to resume channeling funds through the governing council.
Retired pastoral couple Werner and Elsie Ann Kroeker of Reedley, Calif., were commissioned at the convention to move to the Hyderabad-Shamshabad area for one to two years to help mediate the dispute. Kroeker indicated that the MB Church of India is on the path from the past to the future, from old relationships to new ones. Elsie Ann will have a ministry particularly to the women, who are just beginning to be recognized as individuals.
On a more positive note, even amid the turmoil and conflict, churches are being planted among the Telegu people . The Telegu are in tum being encouraged to reach out to other unreached groups in India.
Growth, suffering in Mrica
While direct mission work by MBM/S in Africa has decreased sharply, some work is being car-
ried on through Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission. AIMM executive director Garry Prieb reported on work done in many of the smaller countries of Africa, and indicated that any new initiative in Africa would be through AIMM . Future mission efforts will be directed to refugees, Muslims and smaller unreached people groups.
Pakisa Tshimika , MBM/S regional secretary for Africa, reported that the largest Mennonite Brethren conference is now in Zaire, with 70,000 members. The church is growing by 20 percent per year despite horrendous economic and political problems in the country, and the Christians are excited. Many people are ready to accept Christ, according to Tshimika Funds for the work are being reduced by 15 percent per year, indicating a shift in the method of doing ministry, not a decline in ministry .
The Ebola crisis brought $75,00080,000 worth of medical products to within a short time _ Jason Trego, a Mennonite Brethren physician from
Wichita, Kan., was able to get a visa within 48 hours to accompany the goods to Zaire to ensure their proper distribution . Other funds and goods sent to Zaire have affected the lives of at least 300 ,000 people.
Nzash Lumeya , western regional administrator for the Zaire MB Conference, reported that if the current trend continues, Africa will have more Christians any other continent by the year 2035. He told of the many young people who helped refugees during the Hutu/Tutsi civil war in neighboring Rwanda. Lumeya also reported that the 7,000 pygmies of Central Africa are being ministered to by persons trained by the Mennonite Brethren; that a Zairian is getting his visa to come to North America as a missionary; and that a Zairian Mennonite Brethren mission conference scheduled for December will focus on reaching Muslims in Kinshasa.
A choir from Zaire will be traveling to Mennonite Brethren congregations in North America for four months in 1997. It will also go to the Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Calcutta , and visit Japan and Europe .
Conversions in Thailand
A video presentation by Russell Schmidt described the work in Thailand among the Khmu people. In just a short time, 70 people have become Christian and five churches are being organized. Joining Russell and Elizabeth Schmidt in Thailand this year will be Fritz and Susi Peters and a couple from the Japan MB Conference. Youth Mission International also has a team there this summer, helping with church planting.
Another phase of work with the Khmu is continuing right in Fresno. Phone Keo Keovilay is the pastor of the Butler Khmu Church and chair of Khmu International Mission. Keovilay reported that a recent visit to his parents in Laos became the occasion to preach to 400 people per day, but only after the police had approved it. The Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith has already been translated into Lao .
Delegates approved a recommendation committing MBM/S to work at church planting among the Khmu people over the next 15 years. The work will be based in Thailand, with out -
Edmund Janzen leads in a prayer of commissioning for Elsie Ann and Werner Kroeker. standing with Harold Ens (right)
reaches to neighboring Laos and other countries in Southeast Asia.
A strategy for the
C.I.S.
Delegates approved a detailed MBMjS strategy for the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union) . The primary focus will be on theological education, particularly at St. Petersburg Christian University, providing up to two faculty units and short-term administrative and support staff. Jon and MaryAnne Isaak have just completed a term here, and Andrew and Julie HersheyBergen will begin one in September.
A second priority will be support of indigenous workers, primarily in cooperation with Ray of Hope and Logos of Germany
MBMjS may also participate in a projected Mennonite Centre in Moscow, together with other ministry groups, and will be involved in lay training and in providing support for camping ministries through Kingdom Ventures International.
On Saturday, delegate John Janzen raised his concern that the proposed strategy does not mention MB Communications, an agency of the Manitoba MB Conference. For years, MBMjS has helped fund MB Communications's radio ministry to the Soviet Union. MBMjS director of programs Dave Dyck responded that MBMjS had chosen to phase out that funding over three years because of a shortage of funds and because other areas have priority; however, negotiations between the two conference agencies will continue
Also not mentioned in the strategy was Lithuania, the first Soviet republic to gain independence. This was the flrst area of Mennonite Brethren ministry in the C.I .S., when support for Lithuania Christian College and church planting was begun in 1991 .
SOARing with YMI
This summer, 175 high school students are participating in Youth Mission International's SOAR (Sold Out And Radical) program in North America, helping churches with summer programs. The college program has 55 people in ministries around the world, including a number of MBMjS church-planting situations
The enthusiasm of YMI for sharing
BODYLIFE
the gospel was demonstrated at the convention YMI board member Fred Leonard told of meeting a young man named Paul the previous evening in the parking lot outside the church. After some conversation, Paul said he wanted God to give direction to his life and prayed to receive Christ.
Adjusting to funding cuts
Although the decision by the Canadian International Development Agency to cut all funding for MBMjS development projects was a major blow to the board, a balanced budget was still presented. In addition to its own budget, some money flows through the MBMjS accounts to support projects and agencies in which MBMjS is not directly involved, such as Church Partnership Evangelism and Lithuania Christian College.
Recognizing old and new
Retiring missionaries were honored during the evening celebration program. Three couples, Don and Marie Faul , Frank and Helen Peters and James and Lois Wiebe, served in Brazil for a total of 170 years. One couple, Maynard and Dorothy Seaman, served in Nepal for 35 years They were presented with plaques by new missionaries Tim and Carolyn Gartke and Andrew and Julie Hershey-Bergen. The Gartkes will be going to Lithuania to work in church planting, while the
Hershey-Bergens will be going to teach at St. Petersburg Christian University.
Another honoree was director of flnance Fred Epp, who will be retiring next spring after 37 years with MBMjS. Epp began working as a missionary in Zaire, then transferred to the administrative offices in Winnipeg, Man., in 1975.
Harold Ens ended the evening by illustrating the theme "Energize the Enterprise" with several stories. The first story was about Kornelius Isaak, a minister in the Chaco of Paraguay, who became burdened for the Ayore native people. On Aug. 31, 1958, he and two others set out for Ayore territory. The Ayores seemed friendly, but suddenly one thrust a spear into Isaak ' s Side; he died the next day. However, his death energized the Christians of that area, and more missionaries were sent to the Ayores. By 1992, about half the Ayores had become Christian .
Ens also told of a midwestern farm couple who last year set aside 100 acres of wheat for the MBMjS work in Thailand. They challenged MBMjS to fmd matching grants from other farmers. When a hail storm destroyed half the farmer's wheat, MBMjS assumed their portion was gone as well. But the farmer assured them the hail had not touched any MBM j S wheat; those acres were fine.-SB
The Butler Khmu choir illustrated that international global mission includes North America too.
MB BIBLICAL SEMINARY
Celebrating the big Four-O
• MBBS mandate to train leaders Ihas been fulfilled l
THE USUAL BUSINESS of boards and budgets took a backseat to balloons and birthday cake as MB Bib· lical Seminary celebrated its 40th anniversary during Fresno '95
Highlighting the occasion was the anniversary dinner and party held at the MBBS campus late Saturday afternoon. Tall trees and a large shade tent erected in front of the administration building offered some respite from the 90-plus·degree temperature and searing California sun The tent and tables-accented with purple and yellow balloons and streamers, live music and a barbecued beef dinner contributed to a festive atmosphere.
President Henry Schmidt emceed a brief program following the meal. He was joined on a makeshift stage by the living former presidents of the institution-J.B. Toews, Henry Dick, Elmer Martens and Larry Martens-for the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake.
Following that, Chuck Buller, MBBS board chair, presented Toews with an engraved pen set in appreciation of his pivotal leadership at MBBS and in other conference roles In response, the patriarchal Toews, 89, who served as president from 1964-72, credited God's grace and the sacrificial support of constituents for making possible
the institution and its picturesque campus.
Program praise
From there , participants headed back to People's Church and the traditional evening program planned by MBBS. President Schmidt introduced the event by noting the symbolism of the number 40 in Sc ripture-namely, periods of murmuring, wilderness and trials. "Through the years, the seminary 's certainly experienced its share of that,» he joked . But he emphasized the seminary has also experien c ed God's faithfulness and the commitment of leaders, faculty, board memo bers and alumni .
Following Scripture reading by Don Braun, son of the seminary's ftrst president, the late BJ . Braun, Chuck Buller presented plaques of appreciation to Schmidt and former presidents H.H. Dick, Elmer Martens and Larry Martens.
The fruit of their collective labors was illustrated powerfully when an impromptu choir of 150 to 200 alum· ni fUled the large stage to sing "Great Is Thy Faithfulness . » Following that, ftve people shared stories about their MBBS experience. P.A . Enns, who served on the board for more than 25 years, recounted how the campus
property was acquired and developed. Recent graduates Sherry Heidebrecht, Tim Sullivan and Ken Smiley described how caring faculty had prepared them for ministry
But it was Elmer Martens who demonstrated how significantly the seminary had served the conference. Martens, who retired this spring after 25 years of teaching and administration, began citing a litany of convention participants and conference workers who had been his former students. "The mandate given to MB Biblical Seminary 40 years ago-which was a mandate for leadership training-has been fulfilled,» he concluded.
The audience learned more about the history of the school while viewing a new 15 ·minute video called MBBS: A 40-Year Legacy But the seminary's present-day challenge to respond creatively to diversity and change was more subtly illustrated in the range of musical styles that augmented the program . The traditional hymn sung by the alumni choir and the polished gospel songs performed by the Bethany Four Quartet was juxtaposed with a Russian-language youth choir from a Slavic Mennonite Brethren congregation in Fresno and a contemporary worship team from Lincoln Glen Church, San Jose, Calif.
In the end, the contemporary carried the day. The team from San Jose preceded Schmidt's scheduled keynote message by singing a gospel-rock song about breaking down humanmade walls-racial, national, generational and political-that keep apart the people of God Pressed by the
LEFT: Clarence Hiebert, Anne Brandt, Rachel Hiebert. Waldo Hiebert and Herb Brandt (left to right) enjoy the informal atmosphere of the seminary's 40th anniversary party RIGHT: Following the meal. Henry Schmidt (right) led a cake-cutting ceremony involving the former presidents of the school : (from left) Henry H Dick. Elmer Martens. Larry Martens and lB Toews
EXLCUTIVE COUNCIL
What's in a name? A lot!
• Name-change issue makes unsteady progress
WHll.E IT reported on a number of areas and helped other boards in preparing their recommendations, the Executive Council presented only one major item of business: the name change .
Deciding that changing the name of the denomination (the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches) is a complicated process, the council chose to propose alterations one word at a time. It had decided that there is too much disagreement at this time to drop "Mennonite" or "Brethren" or change "Churches" to "Church." But it introduced a notice of motion (to be voted on at the next convention in 1997) to drop the word "General" since it creates confusion with the General Conference Mennonite Church .
Delegates objected that to call ourselves "The Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches" sounds arrogant in regard to the 12 other conferences in the world. However, to say "A Conference ... " is not specific enough.
The Executive Council returned the next day with a revised notice of motion to change the name to "North American Conference of Mennonite
Brethren Churches." But some objected that the name insults Mennonite Brethren in Mexico since Mexico is part of North America but not part of the General Conference.
Another setback to denominational identity came when the council announced they would not be presenting a new conference logo as had been promised. The Executive Council decided it was not satisfied with the logo design that was submitted to them.
RESOURCE JtJ1N1STRIlJS
In a housekeeping matter, the Executive Council gained formal approval for structural changes (including the move to biennial conventions) implemented at the 1993 convention in Winnipeg.
The council also reported a further indication of the changing role of the General Conference. In the future, the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren would like the Canadian and U.S. conferences, rather than the General Conference, to be represented on ICOMB. This would place the Canadian and U.S. conferences on more equal footing with the 12 other national conferences. But the proposed change will have to be negotiated with the U.S. and Canadian conferences.-JC
Pushing the product line
• BRM finds its niche, spreads the word about materials
" A S A RECENT creation, we've n.worked hard and found our niche," began Stanley Clark, Board of Resource Ministries chair. BRM was formed in 1990 by combining three boards: Christian Literature, Christian Education and Mass Media.
The report that followed served as a 45-minute promo for that "niche"-
to produce, promote and distribute print and media resources for ministry in conference congregations.
Michael Dick, executive secretary from Clearbrook, B.C., updated delegates on the "Faith Family Focus," a curriculum-writing project geared specifically for Mennonite Brethren uses. The two-track series, one for youth and one for adults, will "challenge people to grow as Christ's discipies," he said.
Dick reported some delays in deadlines originally set at the project's "incubation" sessions last July, but he projected the first units would be available in spring 1996.
Marilyn Hudson, whose title as manager of Kindred Productions was officially confirmed later by delegates, identified numerous resources that are available from Kindred's shipping offices in Winnipeg, Man., and Hillsboro, Kan.
Resources mentioned by Hudson included:
• discipleship programs for ages seven to 70, including New Life in Christ, by Herb Kopp, a five-week church membership manual; First Steps, a follow-up for children who accept Christ, written by Lorraine
Bob Rempel plugs the Jubilee curriculum, using wood blocks to tell a Bible story.
Dick; and Getting on Board, written for junior and senior high students
• pamphlets on basic beliefs about contemporary issues such as homosexuality, divorce and remarriage.
• 20 Navigator Press publications, including The Question for Character by Charles Swindoll, and The Message by Eugene Peterson; as well as smallgroup Bible study books for outreach.
• Rejoice!, the inter-Mennonite devotional periodical, whose sales, she reported, were increasing.
• two recent Kindred Productions releases-A Testament of joy, a narrative commentary on Philippians by David Ewert; and an audiotaped release of Katie Funk Wiebe's latest book Prayers of An Omega (published by Herald Press).
"We're moving beyond the printed page," she said, noting the change in Kindred's name and logo .
Bob Rempel, board member from Lethbridge , Alta., concluded BRM's report with an update on jubilee, the inter-Mennonite curriculum for children aged 2 years to grade eight.
According to Rempel, BRM has received mixed reviews from some of the 60 Mennonite Brethren congregations that have ordered jubilee. While some teachers reported new excitement in exploring the Bible with their students, he said, others expressed frustration with the format.
jubilee doesn't work with the old teaching paradigm, Rempel said. "Some are suspicious because [Bible lessons] are not packaged and described in the standard way . " According to Rempel, jubilee places the emphasis on exploration and discovery where children learn to know God rather than know about God.
"Teachers are fellow learners," he said, which requires more preparation time than most traditional Sunday school material.
Taking on the role of a Sunday School teacher, Rempel demonstrated the jubilee method , which uses wooden figures and reflective questions to tell the story of Jesus clearing the temple.
learn how to think critically.
jubilee "places a clear emphasis on Jesus as Savior and Lord, the Scriptures and what it means to be discipIes," Rempel said, adding "It uses educational learning with biblical commitment," which helps children BODYLIFE
Following BRM's report, Dick requested responses from the delegates regarding resource concerns. Peter Falk of Chilliwack, B.C., affirmed the jubilee curriculum because he found "teachers are supportive and students are excited."
Paul Klassen, Edmond, Okla.,
TR ( JS7 'h"hS
requested materials which give annual updates about the conference and churches, that could be used "to introduce people to who we are . " Dick responded that BRM and Board of Faith and Life are dialoguing about such a project that would highlight agencies and levels of the conference.-AR
Getting to the bottom line
• Trustees report a black biennium for board operations
NEWS THAT the General Conference operated the 1993-95 biennium with a surplus of almost $8,000 provided a positive beginning to the convention. Board of Trustees chair Jim Enns reported that giving to most conference projects and ministries was higher than previous years, although neither Canada nor the u.S. reached their proposed income levels
The surplus reduced the overall indebtedness of the conference to $24,455. The indebtedness is the result of a shortfall in giving toward General Conference causes from U.S churches.
For the coming biennium, the budgets for the Executive Council and the boards of Trustees, Faith and Life, and Resource Ministries were increased by only $9,400 u S. This amounts to a 1.8 percent increase over the past biennium, or about 14 cents per member. The Board of Faith and Life saw its
budget decrease dramatically with the completion of the hymnal project.
MB Biblical Seminary has projected only a slight increase (0.34 percent) in the guaranteed subsidy it is to receive through the Canadian and U.S. Conferences. Convention delegates approved a new formula for raising that subsidy Canadian Conference funding will increase to 60 percent while u .S. Conference funding will decrease to 40 percent over the next two bienniums. A new minimum exchange rate of $.82 on the dollar was accepted for Canadian funds, to be phased in over a three-year period.
MB Missions/Services has projected a budget decrease of 4.9 percent. Even though contributions from North American churches has increased in recent years, total income has decreased as the result of Canadian government grant cuts and a weaker Canadian dollar.-SB
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED BUDGET
MB
GATHERINGS
Bartel selected for world conference representation
• Shafter woman will help carry evangelical agenda
WINNIE BARTEL, member of the Shafter (Calif.) MB Church, will attend the Fourth World Conference on Women sponsored by the United Nations in Beijing, China, Aug. 28Sept. 15.
Selected by the National Association of Evangelicals, Bartel will serve as the chaplain for a team of 13 women. The team is sponsored by the Institute on Religion and Democracy's Coalition on Women and Society, which monitors countries for freedom and
tions and teams of women, which represent diverse perspectives and nationalities, will participate in the forum for nongovernmental organizations. They will debate issues such as universal human rights, the nature of the family and the value of human life.
"Our team has received coveted non-governmental organizational status fcom the U.N. and is eligible to participate in the forum," Bartel says. "It's important that our (evangelical) voice be heard in this international arena and that we counter the influence of the radical church women who will be advocating left-wing political, economic and cultural values that are outside the mainstream."
In particular, Bartel's team offers a different perspective than the U.S. government delegation, which plans to propose the Platform for Action at the Beijing conference.
IN BRIEF
• Don Brubacher, Tabor College men's basketball coach for 17 years, has been granted a one -year leave from coaching and teaching. He will direct the college's capital campaign for a natural science facility Don Zimmerman, an assistant coach during the 1994-95 season, will coach the team during Brubacher's absence. A '91 graduate of Tabor, Zimmerman played on two of Brubacher's eight conference championship teams (TC)
• Ruth Toew s Heinrichs was appointed budget and finance vice president at the Fresno Pacific College board meetings in June Heinrichs has worked at the college since 1980, most recently serving as director of budget and finance. (FPC)
'It's important that .. we counter the influence of the radical
"The Platform indicates a strategic plan for massive government-initiated radical social engineering on an international scale," Bartel says. "We'll be Davids going against Goliaths on several fronts in the battle against the feminists of the radical Bartel oppression . "God's been preparing me for a year," says Bartel, a Christian counselor and speaker on Women of Worth, a weekly radio program. "I knew I was going to be doing something different."
Bartel, who provides an evangelical voice on the team, joins
left who dominate the U.S . government delegations, as well as most of the delegations of nongovernmental organizations."
church women who will be Particular issues, according to Bartel, include abortion rights, gender roles and afflCmative action. team members who represent several Protestant denominations from Virginia, Georgia and Ohio, and the countries of India
advocating leftwing political, economic and cultural values .' "We will go to Beijing with a purpose -WINNIE BARTEL beyond the political and Kenya. The team includes "Episcopals, Methodists, Presbyterians and me," Bartel says. "The common thread is we are all born again "
By mid -July, more than 40,000 women had registered for the international conference, which convenes to promote action for equality, development and peace for women worldwide . According to Bartel, past conferences held in Cairo, Egypt, and Nairobi, Kenya, have made pivotal decisions on moral and wocldview issues The last conference was held in Nairobi in 1985
Prior to the conference, delega -
debates," she says. "We intend to offer a winsome and compelling witness to the Christian faith and to clearly and effectively articulate the Christian wocldview and mainstream values."
Bartel believes the team's effectiveness depends on the prayers of many In addition to their forum presentation, the group will have a booth and distribute brochures written by Bartel that promote the team's agenda
Bartel invites Mennonite Brethren to pray for her. "I'm the least confrontational person, but when I'm weak, (God will) be strong . The battle is the Lord's. "-Aleen Ratzlaff
• The Southern District Women's Missionary Service distributed more than $9,000 to Mennonite Brethren conference -related projects this past year Recipients included Mission USA for chu rch p lanting and evangelism; MB Bib li cal Seminary for scholarships to Southern District students; MB Missions/Services for furniture and teaching materials needed for Khmu training, as well as medications for an eye hospital in Pakistan/Afghanistan; and Tabor College for library books . (SOC WMS)
• Ronald R.J. Mathies, member of the Kitchener (Ont ) MB Church, has accepted the invitation to be the next executive secretary of Mennonite Central Committee. Currently director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ont., Mathies will begin his new assign- Mathies ment June 1996.
Mathies, 55, served with MCC in Africa for 12 years and worked on various boards; he has chaired the MCC executive committee since 1989 He will replace John A. Lapp, who is retiring after serving as MCC's executive director since 1985 (MCC)
IN BRIEF
• More than 70 youth of diverse ethnic backgrounds, including AfricanAmerican, Asian-American , Hispanic, Native American, Haitian, MexicanAmerican and Chinese, are participating in the Mennonite Central Committee U.S Summer Service Program. An orientation was held in Akron, Pa., June 13-18. The program enables young people to work with a church or service agency in their home communitie s for 10 weeks. The participants include three Mennonite Brethren:
• Scott Buller of Dinuba, Calif ., is assigned to the Templo Calva rio (Dinuba) MB Church, where he attends Buller is an international studies student at California State University in Long Beach.
• Nelly Silva, who also attends Templo Calvario, is working as a youth director at the church. Silva, from Reedley, Calif., is pursuing a teaching degree at Fresno Pacific College.
• Goshu Tadese of Fresno, Calif., is working as a social service caregiver with OASIS, an adult day-care center Tadese is studying social work at Fresno Pacific College and attends Butler Avenue MB Church. (MCC)
• The acronYT remains the same, but not the name. On July 1, the Council of Anabaptists in Los Angeles (CAL) w as renamed the Center for Anabaptist Leadership of Southern California. Since 1987, CAL has served LA-area churches of Mennonite Brethren, Mennonite, General Conference Mennonite, Church of the Brethren and Brethren-in-Christ conferences. CAL 's mission continues to be to equip church leaders to meet the challenges of urban ministry (CAL)
• Jean Janzen's newest book, Snake in the Parsonage, was released by Good Books June 8. The poetry collection reflects Janzen's Russian heritage, traces her move from Canada to the U S. and follows her through various events and stages of life. Snake in the Parsonage includes the series of poems which earned Janzen the prestigious Writing Fellowship in Poetry from the National Endowment for the Arts. Janzen is a member of the College Community MB Church, Clovis, Calif.
STRUCTURES
Mexico conference organizes and set s doctrinal criteria
• Iniguez elected to lead 12-church conference
THE CHRISTIAN Church
of
Peace
in Mexico-Iglesia Cristrana del Pax en Mexico-composed of 12 Mennonite Brethren churches, gathered in Guadalajara April 29-May 1 to organize into regions, elect new leaders and define its distinctive principles.
The delegates approved five theological statements, introduced by Hugo Hernandez, outgoing president, which are to be taught in the churches.
(1) The kingdom of God is made up of a structure of personal relationships in which men and women are subordinate to God, but mutually submissive to one another.
(2) Sin is rebellion against the sovereign authority of God and a break in the relational structure of the kingdom of God.
(3) Jesus of Nazareth is the mediator established by God to save humanity from sin and to guide humanity to life in the kingdom of God.
(4) The Holy Spirit convicts humanity of sin, is given to the disciples as a sign of being sons of God, and enables them to live the kingdom of God.
(5) The disciples are those who have accepted the death of Christ as redemptive, have accepted Christ's life as normative, and practice the values and principles of the kingdom of God in community.
Hernandez chose this event to conclude his tenure as conference president. As preSident, Hernandez shaped the conference's theological character and organizational contours during its formative years and its years of legal incorporation. He remains pastor of the Palmita MB Church in Guadalajara and frequent speaker in the Mennonite Brethren community.
Delegates elected Emilio lfuguez of Guadalajara as president; Enrique Rodriguez, church planter in Leon, as vice president; Carmen Arellano, as treasurer, and her husband, Norberto, as legal representative; and Rafael Muiioz as secretary.
Based on an endorsement by the churches at the November 1993 convention, the Mexico group organized into three regions: Northwest-Baja and Sonora states; NortheastCoahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states, near the Texas border; and South-Central-the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Queretero and Colima.
Each region will elect leaders to oversee current work and extend the gospel within its borders. Harold Ens, general director of MB Missions/Services, attended the meetings and challenged the delegates to have a vision for mission, both within Mexico and beyond.-MBM/S
join Mexican MB Conference leaders to offer a prayer of dedication for Emilio Inrguez (third from rrght, front row), the new president
TESTIMONY
Unexpected unity in an unexpected place
• God reconciled an Iraqi, a Kuwaiti and a Canadian
Randy Friesen, director of Youth Mission and Harold Ens, general director of MB Missions and Services, were North American Mennonite Brethren delegates to Global Consultation of World Evangelization '95 in Korea, May 17-25. Friesen, who was part of the Canadian describes his life-changing encounter with two pastors from enemy countnes, one from Iraq and the other from Kuwait As one result of this encounter, he was invited to visit the Iraqi Christian community in Baghdad. See FORUM, page lO.-The editors
A TIENDING the Global Consulta.1"1.tion on World Evangelization '95 in Seoul gave us the opportunity to both become informed of what God is doing to build his church around the
About the GCOWE...
THE GLOBAL Consultation of World Evangelization '95, held in Seoul , Korea , during May , marked a radical shift from the days of American / European-only missions.
According to Lui s Bush of Argentina, international director of AD2000 & Beyond Movement , which organized GCOWE '95, the consultation became "a rite of passage."
Not only were two-thirds of the 4,000-plus participants from Africa , Latin America and Asia , but the majority of the consultation 's funding came from those nations as well. Western missionarie s took notes as African , Asian and Latin American leaders presented their successful methodology. They had become full partners in the task.
The consultation organizer, the AD2000 & Beyond Movement , intends to dissolve on Dec. 31 , 2001. The movement , which has its international headquarters in Colorado , Springs, Colo., includes regional affiliates throughout the world Building on relationships developed at GCOWE '95 , regional consultations have developed a variety of plans to continue working together .-David Hargrove , AD2000 & Beyond Movement
globe as well as focus our vision on the task of reaching the unreached people groups of the world.
One friendship established at GCOWE taught me a lot Nabil, a pastor from Baghdad , Iraq, and I were repeatedly "bumping into" each other at the conference. In a conference of 4,000 participants, who were often meeting in different locations, this was unusual. We became good friends. Nabil described a life that wasn't always easy as pastor of a Presbyterian church in Baghdad
During a bus trip to the conference center one day, I found myself sitting next to a pastor from Kuwait . I asked him if his church ever prayed for Iraq and the Iraqi Christians . He replied that he'd never thought of doing that.
Then the Kuwaiti pastor recalled a man in his congregation who had prayed for Iraq several weeks ago, but was criticized by other church members who were still quite bitter about the devastation caused during the war.
I shared with him my recent friendship with Nabil and encouraged him to consider what a biblical prayer for Iraq might be. As a Mennonite with a commitment to peace, but not always sure what that means, I explained that I couldn't ignore Christ's call to "pray for our enemies and do good to those who persecute us." We both agreed this would be a good thing
I then remembered that I had seen Nabil get on our same bus at the outset of the trip . I asked my pastor friend from Kuwait if he would mind meeting Nabil and perhaps praying with him He agreed.
When our bus reached the conference Site, we disembarked. I intro·
duced the two men to each other Their initial greetings were reserved, but they soon warmed up to one another Their conversation, none of which I understood , became friendly and animated.
When I suggested we pray together, we linked arms and bowed our heads. I could feel the breath of my Arabic brothers as we prayed. I began by asking Nabil to forgive the pride of our Western nations that has resulted in so much hardship for his people in recent years. Nabil was clearly moved.
The Kuwaiti pastor then prayed for his brother from Baghdad and the many Christians in that land. He interceded for those Iraqi people who don't know the love of God and for those who God would raise to share this love with them.
Then Nabil prayed for both of us and finished by planting Arabic kisses on both our cheeks. It seemed the thing to do, so even I got in on those Middle Eastern displays of affection .
None of us will forget the meeting where God brought together an Iraqi, a Kuwaiti and a Canadian.
GATHERINGS
No longer 'The quiet in the land?'
• First
academic meeting
brings 'voice' for women
SPEAK UP. Talk back Let the chorus of voices begin. These words, proclaimed during the first plenary session, set the tone for "The Quiet in the Land? Women of Anabaptist Traditions in Historical Perspective " conference at Millersville (Pa.) University June 8-11
More than 250 participants from Canada, Germany, Netherlands and United States gathered for the first ever academic conference solely focused on the history of Anabaptist women.
"Women have not been so quiet in our tradition," said Rachel Waltner Goossen, history professor at Goshen (Ind.) College. She noted that a "whopping" 99 papers were presented by women compared to 16 by men
. CHURCH NOTES
• Baptisms/membership
FRESNO, Calif. (Bethany)-Brenda Davis was welcomed as an associate member June 11.
FRESNO, Calif. (North)-Dia Dickie, Ron and Suzie Jones, Laura Lindall, Dennis and Susan Meisenheimer and John and Karen Selph were received as members in June Jonathan and Kate Okpukpara were baptized July 16.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Rosedale)-Julie Enns, Susan Fidler, Natalie Grondahl, Layne Krause, Angelina Sanchez and Antonio Sanchez were baptized during the May 21 morning service.
HESSTON, Kan.-The congregation welcomed Chris and Darla Marshall into membership June 11.
YALE, S.D. (Bethel)-Charity Stahl, Justin Wipf, Tasha Hofer, Darin Kleinsasser, Karen Kassel, Seth Mendel and Lance Layman were baptized June 18. That evening they, along with John and Shari Layman and Jim and Sue Noyes, were welcomed as members at a membership reception service
LODI, Calif. (Vinewood)-Recently, the church added 13 members. Joining the church by confession of faith were Brad and Becky Beeman, Ruth Mulrooney and John Parker. Joining following baptism
were Dick and June Bond, Laura Cooper, Bobby Cunningham, Yevette Hoover, Jim Mulrooney, Jane Parker, Kevin Scott and Laura Scott.
BUHLER, Kan.-Leah Heide, Emily Hoskinson, Eric Wichert and Stephanie Wichert were baptized June 25.
HILLSBORO, Kan.-Chad Duerksen , Sarah Donahue, Jesse Kaufman, Jesse Ediger, Michael Isaac, Matthew Regier, Adam Driggers and Carlin Regier were baptized July 2. They were received as members later in the month
CORRECTION: Clayton and Peggy Gienger were among those baptized and received as members by the Birch Bay MB Church, Blaine, Wash., April 16.
• Ministry
DALLAS, Ore.-Tim and Janine Bergdahl, MB Missions/Services missionaries to Pakistan, shared about their work in the worship service May 28.
YALE, S.D. (Bethel)-Audrey Mendel will participate in a missions outreach in Los Angeles with Youth Mission International July 25-Aug. 12.
BETHANY, Okla. (Western Oaks) - Ray Friesen and Howard Foote, participants with Mennonite Disaster Service, assisted Regency Tower residents in removing belongings from the damaged building following the April 19 bombing in Oklahoma City.
DENVER, Colo. (Garden Park)-DOOR summer interns Kara Kauffman, Corky Guy, Kathy Penner, Jennifer Fast, Andy Johnson, Jennifer Pearson, Travis Walker, Marie Simonich, Glen Givan, Bob Pankratz and the director, Glen and Rita Balzer, were commissioned June 4.
MOUNTAIN LAKE, Minn.-Special music was provided June 4 by Edna Rempel, Lydia Hooge and Rosella Jansen, who sang together when they attended Tabor College in the late 1940s.
GARDEN CITY, Kan. (Garden Valley)Carl and Marcella Wiebe shared about their work among Muslims in the Middle East June 25
HILLSBORO, Kan. (parkview)-Supported by the Hillsboro Ministerial Association, the church is sponsoring a counseling service for the local community. The service will be provided by Connie Wiebe Isaac, under the supervision of pastor Tim Sullivan Isaac is working toward a master's degree in church leadership with a pastoral counseling concentration from Eastern Mennonite UniverSity, Harrisburg, Va
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-A "Seeker Service," designed around the needs of persons seeking God, was held June 18. The congregation was encouraged to invite someone who might benefit from teaching on the theme, Father's Day.
HILLSBORO, Kan.-The missions committee hosted a reception July 16 for Craig and Fabiana Jost and John and Juana
for
a dissenting vote_
in mid-July
Representative members of First MB Church, led by pastor John Warkentin (with shovel, far right) broke ground June 25
an $875,000 education wing add-on_ The proposed 12,200 square-foot addition will include a preschool and amphitheater This is the first phase of a project that will include a worship center in a later phase. The education wing is being built first due to immediate need. Construction began
and is scheduled to be completed in early spring 1996. The recommendation to begin the project passed without
Pritchard. The Josts, who recently completed a term with MB Missions/Services in Florianapolis, Brazil, will begin studies this September at the MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno before returning to a missions assignment. The Pritchards, who completed a term with MBM/S in Mexico City, plan to spend a year or more in Hillsboro before returning to the mission field.
FRESNO, Calif. (Butier)-Summer ministry workers include Sue Nylander, Kimberlee Rucker, Jodie Kalamen, Kathy Myrassamy, Blanca Aguirre, Jeff Wiens, Jason Robb and Carmen Ens.
• Fellowship
WICHITA, Kan. (First)-The Women's Ministries sponsored a car rally June 10. Fifty participants, members of the adult Sunday school, maneuvered the Wichita streets, deciphering clues and solving puzzles. The event helped raise money for the Women's Ministries Fall Event
SAN JOSE, Calif. (lincoln Glen)-The congregation gathered for a "Night of Praise" June 11. The Chancel Choir, the Heaven Half-Notes and the Celebration Choir led the congregation in choreographed songs
Preston Hofer, partner, Shenkln, Kurtz & Baker, owner/operator, Comfort Inn of Hot Springs, South Dakota Just Rewards: Making Lifestyle Choices for Ourselves and Our Businesses
c. William Pollard, chairman, The ServlceMaster Company
Fair Distribution of Results: How Do We Invest, Not Buf)' the Talent? • Ronald Sider, president, EvangeUcals for Social Action
Just Rewards: Sharing Compassion and Faith
of praise. Musical numbers were also presented by a volunteer men's choir, the reunion of the Lincoln Glen singers, and soloist Rod Page.
SHAFTER, Calif.-The church hosted a community sing June 25.
CORRECTION: The Lincoln Hills MB Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., (not Omaha, Neb., as reported in July's issue) has ed to build an addition to its existing structure. The congregation is making financial commitments to raise $45,000 needed for the building project.
• Proclamation
BALKO, Okla.-Members challenged to sit closer to the stage on June 25, which was jokingly designated "International Sit in the Front Pew" Sunday.
• Celebration
FRESNO, Calif (Bethany)-The family of John and Anne Friesen placed flowers in the sanctuary to celebrate the Friesens' 50th wedding anniversary June 18 Flowers, placed by their children, honored the 50th wedding anniversary of Franklin and Ruby GrunauJuly 9.
HARVEY, N.D.-Mr. and Mrs. Art Liebelt celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a reception July 1.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage)-Flowers in the sanctuary June 25 commemorated the 55th wedding anniversary of Earl and Margaret McCray.
ADAMS, Okla.-Paul and Pearl Buxton celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 18.
• Workers
MADERA, Calif.-Pastor Bob and Wanda Kroeker, who are retiring, were honored guests at a surprise noon meal June 25. The church family presented the Kroekers going away gifts, including a trip and a scrapbook of pictures, memorabilia and well-wishes. Family members and past church members also attended the event.
WICIDTA, Kan. (First)-On June 11, the congregation voted and affirmed Neil Bontrager as director of youth ministries and Cathy Faszer as director of music and worship
OLATHE, Kan. (Community)-Phil and Sharon Plett were honored at a ministry appreciation dinner June 25. The Pletts, who have resigned from the pastorate, are currently on a three-month sabbatical from ministry
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-Chris Walsh returned to staff as full -time youth
Gordon and Luise Kroeker receive prayers of affirmation from Central District and congregational leaders during Gordon's ordination as a Mennonite Brethren minister Mar. 19. He has been pastor of the Harvey (N.D.) MB Church since June 1994. Participating in the ordination prayer are (left to right) Dennis Webber, pastor of the Bible Fellowship Church, Minot, S.D.; Perry Faul; Nick Faul; Charles Reimche; Jerry Patzer; Bob Kroeker, Gordon's father and recently retired pastor of the Madera Avenue Bible Church, Madera, Calif.; and Clint Grenz, Central District minister. Webber, Bob Kroeker and Grenz led parts of the service.
pastor July 1. Walsh recently completed his master of divinity degree from MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Calif.
ENID, Okla.-A farewell service was held July 16 for pastor AI McVety and family. Beginning in August, Leonard and Leona Vogt of Fairview, Okla , will serve as interim pastoral couple for six months.
• Youth
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-Children from first through sixth grades attended a music camp called "The Secret of My Suc· cess: Building Futures on the Rock," June 12-23. The camp met weekday afternoons and included teaching, singing and other activities The following students are serving in ministry this summer: Heidi Bames at Prescott Pines Camp; Chris Cole at Emerald Cove Camp; Erika Sandberg at Boston Rescue Mission; Cheryl Klassen, John Knudsen, Jennifer Rowan and Ryan Olson with Celebrant Singers; and 18 col· lege and high school students in the inner city of Los Angeles July 30-Aug. 1.
HllLSBORO, Kan.-A team of high school students , led by youth pastor and wife Lynette, are particpating in SOAR, a missions trip to Mexico sponsored by Youth Missions International July 23 Aug. 15 They intend to share the gospel with young people through drama, music, carnival events and sports camps. Team members include J e remy Campbell, Mindy
Duerksen, Brad Foth, Kerry Friesen, Riann Hill, Jessica Penner, Carlin Regier, Jenny Wall and the Josts They were commissioned for service during the July 16 morning worship service
HENDERSON, Neb.-Nicole Wochner, Nicole Regier, Alicia Kliewer , Deanne Wiebe, Kristie Heft , Chad Buller, Calvin Epp, Mike Kliewer, Jake Willis, Bobby Kliewer, Dustin Hedrick participated in a DOOR service trip July 9-14. Accompanying the group were sponsors Kris Dick, Scott Goossen, Jason Quiring, Mike Ediger and Jerry Ediger.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible Fellowship)Children , kindergarten through grade six, are learning a musical, "The Music Machine," and studying the fruit of the Spirit on Wednesday evenings.
LODI, Calif. (Vinewood)-As a result of their fund-raising efforts, the youth recently constructed a sand volleyball court. Youth pastor Kelly Thomas provided leadership for the project.
CIMARRON, Kan. (Valleyview)-Ryan Kopper, Jocelyn Penner, Meagan Davis and Mary Kopper, sponsor, joined Garden Valley Church, Garden City, Kan., on a homebuilding project for a needy family in Mexico during the last week in July
BETHANY, OKLA. (Western Oaks)-Pastor Larry Ediger, assisted by his father, Joel, Efrom the Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church, led a basketball clinic for youth aged 5 to 14 June 12-16. An awards banquet was held June 16 for participants and their families.
BAKERSFffiLD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-The high school class participated in a mission trip to Mexico July 28-30 .
.DEATHS
DIRKS, JOHN (HANS) N., New Hope, Minn., a member of New Hope MB Church, died June 27, 1995, at the age of 69. On Aug. 23, 1952, he was married to Muriel Schmor, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Carol and husband Ron McCall and Sandra and husband Jim Hatz; his mother; four sisters; a brother; and 11 grandchildren.
ISAAC, FRANCES ALENE, Adams, Okla., a member of the Adams MB Church, was born Sept. I, 1934, to Abram and Agnes Isaac in Beaver County, Okla., and died May 26, 1995, at the age of 60. She is sur· vived by her parents of Montezuma, Kan.; two brothers, Vernon Isaac of Edson, Kan , and Harold Dean Isaac of Hooker, Okla ; and two sisters, Emmalene Thomas of Bartelsville, Okla., and Josephine Balzer of Prairie, La.
Westwood MB Church
Prince George, B.C. invites applications for
Associate PastorAdult Ministries
Westwood is a growing, vibrant church, with a Sunday morning attendance averaging over 600. We are seeking a full-time staff member with both relational and administrative ability to develop and lead our adult ministry program. The emphasiS of the job will be spiritual growth and pastoral care through small groups, so experience in discipling and equipping adults for leadership is essential. The pOSition requires someone with significant experience in pastoral ministry and the desire and ability to work on a multiple-staff team.
Submit resumes to:
Mr. Brian Ray, Chair, Search Committee
Westwood MB Church
2658 Ospika Blvd.
Prince George, B.C. V2N 2L8
Fax: 604-562-1012
For questions, contact:
Pastor Mel Fehr
604-562-3711 or 604-964-3407
BODYLIFE
Job description available on request.
SAWATZKY, DAVID A., Corn, Okla., a member of the Com MB Church, was born Oct . 17, 1909, to Abraham and Ida Penner Sawatzky near Corn, and died May 23, 1995, at the age of 85. On Nov. 30, 1947, he was married to Selma Grunau, who predeceased him in 1994. He is survived by a son Jim and wife Sandy of Com, and two grandchildren.
WEDEL, WESLEY H., Yale, S D , a member of the Bethel MB Church, Yale, was born June 17, 1931, to Henry and Sarah Hofer Wedel at Yale, S.D , and died May 26, 1995, at the age of 64. On May 12, 1959, he was married to Beverly Hofer, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Gail and husband Michael Szabla of Brooklyn Park, Minn ; a son, Gary and wife Eileen of Flandreau, S.D.; two brothers, Herbert and wife Lola of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Sam and wife Belva of Yale; three sisters, Esther and husband Albert Neufeld of North Platte, Neb., Verda and husband Dwayne Hofer of Onida, S.D., Mary Ann and husband Don Jones of Murrieta, Calif; and five grandchildren.
WOHLGEMUTII, HARRY DON, Bakersfield, Calif., was born Feb 5, 1928, to Henry and Bertha Wohlgemuth in Oklahoma and died May 28, 1995, at the age of 67 On Dec 15, 1950, he was married to Carol Faith Hodel, who predeceased him. He is survived by a daughter, Kathi and husband Jerry Koop of Bakersfield; three sons, Brad, Bruce and wife Chris and
Brian, all of Bakersfield; a brother, Ivan of Dinuba, Calif.; a sister, Herwanna of Bakersfield; and six grandchildren. ef2
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMIITEE is accepting applications for assistant director in the Personnel Department (Akron, Pa ) This 3-year position is available Oct. 1, 1995. Qualifications include a commitment to Christian faith , active church membership and nonviolent peacemaking Applicants must have a college degree, interviewing and/or counseling experience and MCC service experience. Writing and oral communication skills, initiative and travel are necessary Interested persons in the United States should contact Carol Eby-Good, 21 South 12th Street, P.O Box 500 , Akron, PA 17501-0500, phone (717) 8591151. In Canada contact MCC Canada Personnel 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg. MB R3T 5K9. phone (204) 261-6381. Applications due Sept. 8.1995.
MAINTENANCE/CUSTODIAL POSITION-The trustees of the Shafter (Cali!.) MB Church are announcing a full or part -time position that can be combined or separated into three positions They are: repair/maintenance, gardening and custodial. Housing available. For further information on requirements and salary. contact Bob Wiebe, board of trustee chairman. (805) 746-5417
ANNOUNCEMENT
GARDEN PARK CHURCH, Denver, Colo. The congregation invites all family, friends and former members to attend a celebration of 40 years of ministry on Sunday, Sept. 17. 1995, at 3 p.m For more information. contact Joyce Neufeld, 3283 S Jay St.. Denver, CO 80227; phone (303) 989-2511 or fax (303) 9892521
Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services
is seeking a qualified person for the position of Director of Support Services
Location: Fresno, Colifomia
Starting Date: September 1, 1995 or as soon as filled.
Applications Processed: August 10, until filled Duties:
• Supervise and evaluate department managers responsible for Personnel, Media , Office/Facilities Management, and Finance
• Give leadership in the development and implementation of on annual budget for the agency.
• Administer employer/employee - related services for all stoff (Full job description available on request)
Qualifications Desired:
• Christian commitment and lifestyle consistent with the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith
• Membership in a Mennonite Brethren Church (minimum two yeors)
• Relational and Administrative strengths to give leadership in the duties of this position
• Computer skills i n word processing, accounting programs and database management
• Masters degree or bachelors degree with signifi cant experien ce
• Experien ce in both financial and personnel management Salary Range :
• $32,000 -$36 ,000 depending on edu cati o n and experien ce
• Health, l ife , reti rement and moving benefits.
LENDRUM MB CHURCH
EDMONTON,ALBERTA
is seeking an associate pastor to assist the congregation w ith its ministries in
CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONIYOUTH MISSIONS & SERVICES and
PASTORAL CARE COUNSELING
He or she will be involved in a full range of church functions which include preaching and teaching opportunities. Lendrum is a congregational church of 240 members with a strong tradition in lay ministry. Service commencement is to be no later than January 1, 1996. Inquiries and letters of application, complete with a curriculum vitae and references, may be directed to:
Pastoral Leadership Committee
Lendrum MB Church 11210-39
Edmonton, Alberta T6H 1G3
Canada
telephone: (403) 434-4628 fax: (403) 434-4303
Can there be a system that holds offenders accountable, teaches responsibility, restores the victim and the offender, and at less cost?
COLUMBIA BIBLE COLLEGE invites applications for the position of academic dean
Starting date to be negotiated
The successful candidate, possessing maturity and integrity in his/her spiritual commitment and being in accord with the vision and theology of the College should have demonstrated:
• administrative and relational skills
• leadership abilities
The successful candidate should have appropriate academic training, preferably an earned doctorate.
Desired qualities are:
• an understanding of the Mennonite constituency of British Columbia
• a knowledge of the current educational scene
• significant teaching experience
Deadline for applications is September 30, 1995
Send resume to: Dr. Walter Unger, President, Columbia Bible College, 2940 Clearbrook Road, Clearbrook, BC V2T 2Z8; phone: 604-853-3358; fax: 604-853-3063
CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM (CPE) INVITATION
King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., is seeking volunteers for its Church Partnership Evangelism outreach to
RUSSIA, Odessa Aug. 14-31, 1995 CANADA, Fraser Valley Sept. 7-21, 1995 PERU, Chiclayo . ..... . .. . ........ . .. . . Oct. 3-19,1995
INDIA, Gadwal area .................. . Nov. 13-30, 1995
• Team up with national Christians and witness for Christ door to door.
• Some knowledge of the country's language is helpful.
• Each participant must raise or contribute half of the cost, which is $1,500.
• Similar campaigns have resulted in 200 to 400 conversions.
• Come and be part of an enriching spiritual experience, discover what GOD can do through you.
For further information, contact: Evelyn Unruh, 604-852-5744 or CPE 604-864-3941
Peter Loewen, 604-853-3173 or FAX 604-853-6482
Peter Huebert Missions Committee President
Peter Loewen Promoter
Something's got to change
THE PREVAILING theme I sensed rising out of Fresno '95 was this: "Something's got to change." This is not meant to be a derisive or obstinate assessment. I hope it isn't the ranting of the "angry young male clergy"-a catchy but misleading label for those who participated in the "Young Leaders Forum" there.
But I believe the perception is accurate and widespread. We need to rethink the purpose and form of what we call-for another two years, at least-the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. What is less clear, and what Fresno '95, including the "Young Leaders Forum," failed to answer is how or what to change.
Here, to my mind, are some of the
we won't satisfy everyone. Or maybe anyone.
What complicates this issue, as Fresno '95 demonstrated, is the "appropriate" expression of worship. The ongoing fuss over worship style is wearisome, frustrating and unedifying. Frankly, I don't know if adding "more worship" will help us actually worship more .
4. "Mass assembly processing" vs. "smallgroup processing." The strength of the mass assembly is that the grass roots are more likely to take ownership of conference decisions because they participate in the process. The weaknesses are that many of the issues are complex, delegates are relatively unprepared or marginally interested, and the process is time-consuming and too easily derailed by side-trail debates and quibbly details key rub points: T
1. "We meet too often" vs. "We 1. t's nice to be need to develop a sense of peoplehood. " It's difficult to develop people- together, but
registration at Fresno '95 and at ly. The weaknesses are that the grass roots feel recommendations are "precooked," making delegate involvement irrelevant, or that boards won't remain accountable to the churches.
The strength of allowing a small group, such as a board, to make decisions is that they have the time, background and focus to debate issues more thoughtfully; decisions come more effectively and efficient- hood if the people rarely meet . At the declining same time, I am convinced our denominational structure thrusts too many conventions upon us. The Canadian and U.S. national conferences meet on alternate years with the General Con-
major convention every year , plus annual provincial/ district gatherings. tells me it's also
ference That means we have one U.S. conventions Currently, we have a blend of the two styles. One result is that boards no longer "report" to the conference as much as "promote" to it. Presentations are pack-
It's nice to be together, but declining registration at Fresno '95 and at too costly... U.S. conventions tells me it's also too costly-financially, for sure, but also the investment oftime and energy. We've got to reduce the load.
2. "North American identity" vs. "national identity. " The backdrop for this is the emerging maturity of our sister national conferences around the world. And rightly so. We Canadian and U.S. members have so much in common, and it makes sense to meet and work together. But should we perpetuate an outmoded and occasionally paternalistic binational structure that doesn't accommodate the new realities of our worldwide church?
3. "We have work to do together" vs. "We need to worship together." One obvious response is to strive for balance. The truth is, though, we won't agree what constitutes "balance ." For some, the time allotted for the processing of issues will never be sufficient. Others would like to spend 12 hours a day in prayer and worship. Unless we want to add several more days-and thousands more dollars-to the convention schedule,
aged-some more effectively than othersto obfuscate difficult issues and highlight successes. Who can blame them? We delegates aren't prepared to contribute helpfully to solutions, but apparently won't trust our elected representatives to do it either.
Do I have a clear solution to offer? Not really. In 1993 we published a series of three editorials that suggested a new way to structure the work we do together. Among other things, the editorials called for the dismantling of the binational structure . I still lean that way, but would suggest we find a way to keep our kinship alive with Canada. Maybe the two national conferences could continue meeting biennially, but every third convention-meaning every sixth year-we could gather at the same location. We could meet separately for national business, but come together for celebration and stimulation. It won't solve all our challenges, but it might be a step in the right direction
Above all, before we invest more energy trying to figure out what name to give our binational conference, let's ask the larger question: Do we really need it?-DR
