Sometimes we forget that Christians are simply managers of the financial resources that God entrusts to us. Our spending reflects a set of values we don't want to admit to holding. Remembering three principles of biblical stewardship can help us make God's money count
13 MONEY LESSONS by Jon C. Wiebe
What lessons are you teaching your children about money? Are you teaching those lessons on purpose? Here are some suggestions for ways to intentionally pass on biblical principles regarding money to your children and grandchildren.
THE WEALTHY IN THE LAND by Wally Kroeker
Judging by most church parking lots, the colleges our children attend and the "snowbirds" that can afford to travel, Mennonites are typical wealthy North Americans. We've also had a historical "economic witness" among other Christians . What trends do we see today among Mennonites and the way we use our disposable income?
> FiRST WORDS
(fro m the ed itor]
SOMETIMES A STORY ISN'T AS SIMPLE AS IT FIRSf appears. Such is the case with this month's news story about recent changes at the Mennonite Brethren Medical Clinic in Jadcherla, India. For more than 115 years, MBs have been involved in mission work in India, primarily in the southern province of Andhra Pradesh. So last fall when MBMS International announced that its "involvement in (India's) hisrorical Southern region in its present form has been completed," we were curious. Was this the end of North American involvement in Southern India?
A conversation with MBMSI General Director Randy Friesen led to conversations with folks from Mennonite Mission Health Association and with a variety of individuals here in the U.S. with firsthand knowledge of the ministry in India. We also spoke with and e-mailed two MB Medical Center staff members. Our efforts to answer one "simple" question led to more questions. As the hOllrs pf conversations and pages of e-mail grew, our understanding of the situation deepened as did our appreciation of the complexity of mission work in the 21st century.
The easy answer to our original question is no. MBMSI and other North American agencies will continue to be involved with ministries of the India MB Conference. With regard to the work of Jadcherla MB Medical Center, the story on page 21 summarizes what we've learned about recent events and the dreams of its leaders. In a future issue of the Leader, we want to tackle some of the bigger questions this story has raised. These questions focus on how we in North America relate to our maturing "missions children." Shifrs in relationships are never easy and the issues that arise can be difficult to address. We hope this magazine can provide one avenue for wrestling with these important issues.
> QUOTABLE
'i\ budget shows what we most care about and how that compares to other things we care about. So when politicians present their budgets, they are really presenting their priorities. It is worth paying close attention."Jim Wallis in God's Politics.
> UP & COMING
• Od. 26-29-Central District Conference convention. Henderson. Neb
• March 31 - April 3, 2007- National MB Youth Convention. Anaheim. Calif.
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Joys and pains of living in the worldwide neighborhood
When we know the names of people affected by the news we hurt with them
The old saying is that all politics is local. That is probably not true, but it is true that for some of us all news is local.
Once a person has worked on five continents, there is no news story that can be dismissed. Friends and coworkers are involved in some way with almost everything that comes over the wire. How can a person adjust to unremitting tragedy in
son who has since died of AIDS. I visited a man in Zimbabwe who takes in AIDS orphans. They keep coming, and he keeps adding lean-to shacks around his house.
When I was in Laos blowing up cluster bombs and other unexploded American ordnance I was given a list of the names of all the people who had been killed by these hidden explothis day of 24-hour news? And why should they? Caring is painful.
Because I have worked around the world, and have friends who do, I am connected to far-flung places. I consulted with officials about Kashmir and visited the area . Then
came the earthquake that flattened villages in the region. Email helps, allowing me to check on my friends and colleagues there, but the connection is too strong to tum away from this local terror. People are really suffering, and knowing them and the territory makes that suffering real.
The tsunami in Indonesia didn't just devastate a place I have read about. Friends and colleagues are the ones responding to the needs it created and telling me about their experiences. Mount Merapi, the volcano a few miles north of our former home in Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, spewed lava and ash clouds for weeks. We have been where the lava is flowing.
In late May there was a 6.2 earthquake just off the coast of Java near Yogyakarta We lived in Yogyakarta from 1999 through 2001, and a coworker's family lives in the hardest-hit area. The village has simply ceased to exist, and his parents live there. We received word a week later that the family was safe, including pictures of them sitting under a tarp amidst the rubble of their home. My Indonesian administrative assistant e-mailed to say that she, her husband and their new baby were safe and homeless. Their home and his parents' home were destroyed. The Indonesian Mennonite church we attended in Yogyakarta is at the forefront of relief efforts.
Trouble in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a local issue for me ever since I worked in Pakistan and traveled up the Khyber Pass, walking into Afghanistan. Refugees are a local issue for me since I have worked with so many in both North America and Asia
The AIDS epidemic in Africa was easy to dismiss until I spent time in Zimbabwe and was in the rondaval home of a per-
but many of us can
sives. Every family in the province had lost someone long after the war ended. I visited some of these families. In one house there was rejoicing. The oldest daughter had been disfigured by a cluster bomb a few days earlier, but she had been married two weeks before. She would not have been able to marry in her current state. Fate had dealt well with her.
The world is a small place. Everyone is connected. When one suffers, we all suffer, but many of us can shut it out because we have no personal connection to the people in the news. Those of us who work in relief and development cannot shut it out. We know the names of people affected.
For those who specialize in peacebuilding and trauma healing it is important to be there without walls-but it's important for the rest of us as well. The only way anyone will be fully free, fully at peace and fully human is when we all embrace our need for one another and our responsibility to our neighbors everywhere in the world.
I have chosen to accept the pain rather than build a wall around myself. When people I know hurt, I hurt with them. When I can help, I do. When my Internet news picker shows me fresh images of suffering in places I know, I try to figure out how to be useful. Sometimes prayer is all I have to give, and I give it. Keep in touch with your global neighbors and do what you can.
Duane Ruth- Heffelbower directs the graduate academic programs in peacemaking and leadership at Fresno Pacific University. He wrote this essay for "Scholars Speak," FPU's series of research-based pieces on community topics.
Who does the choosing?
Thoughts on our freedom to choose Christ
In the 16th century a theological debate raged regarding the free will of those elected by God's grace. On one side of the theological divide were the Calvinists who believed that a person "elected" by God could not resist his grace and was therefore predestined to be saved. On the other side was Dutch theologian
Jacobus Arminias. He led the charge for a reformed Calvinism that essentially argued that a person was free
toward the freedom to choose for or against the God who chooses those who will come to him (John 6:65).
First, as you get older you become keenly aware that what you used to think were a series of choices that determined your outcome were often just the effect of someone else's choices - even God's. Our free-
Ifeedom we are gra nted to ollr choice to be is in the fram ew or k of th e la rge r work that God is accompli"hing in his world . Eve n th e free d om to c hoose him predetermined by God .
to resist God's grace and was therefore not guarded by some larger sense of eternal security either. Not only was a person free to resist grace, a person was also free to be unfaithful to God even after salvation.
For most of our history we Mennonite Brethren have viewed ourselves within the Arminian family along with Southern Baptists, Pentecostals, Free Methodists and others.
Let's face it. It's hard to give an altar call if you don't believe people are really free to choose. To call people to repentance, faithfulness and renewal is based on an assumption that people have some choice in the matter "Just As I Am" lacks some punch if it really sings, "Just As God Predestined. "
It seems to me that Arminianism is fully embraced by a new generation of leaders, especially those who work in the brave new world of international mission. I cannot recall a time when there was a greater call to "choosing" discipleship, purity, faithfulness and the Holy Spirit than in today's church. While I don't intend to argue for or against this viewpoint, I do want to raise a couple of questions for a generation that is rushing
dom to choose is always in the context of God's freedom to be God. As the saying goes, "He's God and we're not." What freedom we are granted to express our choice to be Christian is always in the framework of the larger work that God is accomplishing in his world. Even the freedom to choose him was predetermined by God. (Calvinists are now allowed a small cheer.)
Second, the right to choose God is based on some context. Take India as an example. After 100 years of missionary work in this predominantly Hindu country the Christian community still represents less than I percent of the population. When I accepted Christ at Hattland Christian Camp in 1967 it was in the context of American evangelicalism and my faith was planted in a Christian seedbed of faith. Let's say the "choice" was well fettilized. That's pretty different from a person in India, Indonesia or Iraq who chooses against all cultural norms to give his life to Christ. Freedom always carries a context. At the least, we should thank God for the context of living where the choice was available and nurtured. We should also pray for missionaries who present the choice of Jesus in a context with few natural advantages.
Third, freedom to choose God is utterly dependent upon God's plan for how he desires to build his kingdom. The Bible is clear: Those who accept Christ are chosen by God for various purposes in his kingdom. God gives us tasks, gifts and assignments that are entirely separate from our choices. The Bible says that analogous to a homemaker's choice of dinnerware God chooses some to be fine china and others for everyday use. To follow the logic, a clay pot does not say to the potter, "Hey, how come you didn't make me more special?"
There are countless verses that remind us that God chooses vessels for his own purposes. This flies in the face of "Oprah theology" that calls Americans to be "whoever you want to be." God came as a suffering servant who did not choose to be served but to serve. Talk about your best life now! In the end, the way of the cross makes for an interesting choice. It is one that God has freely predestined us to make
West Coast MCC appoints new director
Wiedenhoefer's goal is to build bridges
Sheri Wiedenhoefer, a member of Reedley (Calif.) MB Church, has accepted an appointment as director of West Coast Mennonite Central Commitree, one of the four regional U S. MCC offices. MCC is the relief, peace and service agency of North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches.
Wiedenhoefer, who holds a master's degree in peace and conflict studies from Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, Calif., is completing 14 years as executive director of Community Youth Ministries, a community-based organization offering neighborhood and after-school program, family life education and a teen moms programs in the Reedley area. From 2000 to 2006, she also served as peace and justice educator for West Coast MCC. She lives with her husband, Hans Wiedenhoefer, in Fresno
Wiedenhoefer will begin as director Sept. I, replacing Bob and Barb Buxman. The Buxmans, who have served as directors since 1998, have worked to strengthen relationships with the many immigrant churches and churches of color that support West Coast MCC. Wiedenhoefer plans to build on that work.
"The theme for me is building bridges between our churches, our community, the work that MCC does around the world," Wiedenhoefer says. Among the churches that support West Coast
MCC are Aftican and Slavic congregations as well as congregations that worship in Spanish, Indonesian, Hmong, Korean, Russian and many other languages.
In her role as peace and justice educator, Wiedenhoefer worked with events to join youth from various churches in service projects and leadership training As West Coast director, she wants to forge stronger connections with young people. "I think MCC is the perfect connection for that," she says.
Bill Braun, chair of the West Coast MCC board, noted Wiedenhoefer's work with MCC has already involved forging coalitions among Mennonite pastors, institutions and lay leaders. 'We believe that her education, work experience and knowledge of MCC will serve us well in the coming years," he says.-MCC
Christian and Muslim leaders join hands to curb violence
Since tensions between Muslims and Christians brought tragedy to Solo, Indonesia, in 1998, leaders on both sides of the conflict have worked together at peacemaking This effort includes Mennonite pastor Paulus Hartono, from the Muria Synod, and Muslim leader Muhammad Dian Nafi who work together on Solo's Muslim -Christian Peacemaking Committee.
Recendy the Peacemaking Committee decided to joindy publish in Indonesian A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue, a book authored by Badru D Kateregga and David W Shenk In this 24 -chapter book, Kateregga, a Ugandan Sunni Muslim , and Shenk, an American Mennonite Christian, share their faith perspectives and respond to question one another. The Solo Peacemaking Committee hopes that Ithis model of dialogue will help to build bridges of respectful
understanding between Muslims and Christians
Within the Indonesian context, both Muslims and Christians who are committed to peacemaking welcome North American guests to come, learn and share with them in their journey. The Christian church in Indonesia is growing quite rapidly within this predominantly Muslim nation and is concerned about cultivating goodwill. The church views its commitment to peacemaking as complementary to its presence, service and wimess within Indonesia Visits by North American Christians encourage both the churches and the peacemaking commitments of Muslims and Christians Indonesians also cherish their rich and diverse culture and land and are delighted to share their lives and heritage with guests.-EMM news service
Tabor adds minors to curriculum
Beginning this fall students at Tabor College. the MB-owned liberal arts college headquartered in Hillsboro. Kan .• will have the choice to add an area of specialization to their major. According to Lawrence Ressler. vice president of academics and student development. the decision to offer minors was a result of perceived interest from both current and prospective students.
'We believe it adds value to the curriculum." he says. 'We believe it adds to our goal of promoting learning by offering a cohesive set of courses that focus on an
area but not at the depth of a major."
Tabor College
The basic criteria for the new minors option consists
of a minimum of 15 credit hours and at least one upper-level course Minors on the Tabor College Hillsboro campus will be available in accounting. chemistry. coaching. communications. English. environmental science. infonnation systems. integrated marketing. management. marketing. mathematics. music and painting. Tabor College Wichita will offer two minors: Bible study and practical Christian ministry. Currently, students who have interest in a second area beyond their declared major must take a second major or enroll in those courses that interest them. These options, says Ressler, will still be available - TC
Herma Williams appointed FPU provost
Herma B. Williams has been named the new Fresno Pacific University provost and academic vice president effective Aug I Williams replaces Patricia Anderson who retired at the end of June after nearly four years at FPU and a 40-year career in higher education .
Williams previously served as associate provost at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass
While Williams worked at Gordon, the college not only grew from I.Z70 students to over 1,700, it became a more diverse and inclusive place, while at the same time raising its entrance standards and attracting more merit scholars .
"Dr Williams brings the skills, talents and personal qualities that Fresno Pacific needs at this time," said Pres ident D. Merrill Ewert in making the announcement. "A highly respected leader in higher education, Dr Williams' deep commitment to student learning. her strong record of faculty development and her passion for mobilizing universities to help the culture led to this appointment."
Williams earned her bachelor's and master's of science in education from Southern Illinois University and her in education from Iowa State University She is married to Eric Williams. Ph.D., a professor of education at Howard University They have two I grown children . FPU is the university in Fresno. Calif.-FPU
SUMMER WORKERS SERVE WITH MCC
A number of young people are serving with Mennonite Brethren congregations as participants in the Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Summer Service Program The Summer Service Program enables people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, such as African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, HispaniC and Native American, to work with a church or service agency in their home communities for 10 weeks MCC U.S and local congregations support the participants.
Christian Hartso is working with Bushtown MB Church, Lenoir, NC. She will be involved with vacation Bible school, a mission trip to Mexico, the MB national conference and a teen outreach program.
Beu Bedane and Sandra Ylfru have assignments with Ethiopian Evangelical Church, Aurora, Colo., where they are members. Both will work with the church 's youth ministry
Jenny Chon is working with Shalom Korean Church, Burbank, Calif , where she is a member. She will help with her church 's youth group, vacation Bible school and a community outreach program.
Miriam Cardenas and Jennifer Torres are volunteering with Community Youth Ministries in Reedley, Calif Cardenas, a member of El Faro Community Church, Reedley, will be developing curriculums and recruiting and training the staff of the after-school program Torres, a graduate of Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, Calif , will help with publicity and assist in leading the Summer Internship Program.
Joshua Culaniban and Marissa Villaluna are working with the Filipino Ministry of Heritage Bible Church, Bakersfield. Calif.• where they are members. They will help to coordinate a medical and dental mission trip to the Philippines that the church organizes every summer, as well as helping with new church plants in San Francisco and Los Angeles .
Carolina Hernandez and Miriam Hernandez are serving with Iglesia El Buen Pastor, Orange Cove, Calif , where they are members Carolina Hernandez will be developing the church's ministry for children and helping with fundraising for the youth Learning Tour to Mexico Miriam Hernandez will be working with children 's ministry, tutoring and teaching piano.
Norma Molina, Enrique Ramirez and VIViana Reyna are working with El Faro Community Church, Reedley, Calif., where they are members. Molina and Reyna will work with Love Inc., and will help with secretarial duties and children 's ministries Ramirez will work with the children's ministry and a summer building project.
Edgar Olivera and Dulce Romero are volunteering with Fresno Pacific University's Multicultural Ministries department in Fresno, Calif., where they are students. One of their jobs will be to help make a video promoting higher education for persons of color.-MCC
oney is a tool, writes Mark Vincent in A Christian View of Money. it is a tool, the one who uses it is responsible for ..... "''''''' ... it is used. Money can bring great good or cause harm. We are the ones who decide wnat the outwill be." So how are you doing this ,. ? Are you managing the tool or IS it JDQna:(in..s you? Is your money counting for goOd? Money and wealth . , were issues for Jesus' day aDd still are for us today. Given Wane, wieles in our lives, it is* portant to our attitudes ani actions regarding lJloney.' Hope is that tpis iss.fte gf the , Leader will prompt us to evaluate from praCJical as well as spiritual
MoNEY. THE WORD INVOKES STRONG FEELINGS IN nearly everyone . Statistics illustrate the hold money has on America.
• The average credit card debt per U.S. household is $7,200. The average interest rate charged by card issuers is 18 percent. If you pay only 2 percent of the U.S. average balance each month. it will take more than 52 years to settle up and cost $20,531 in interest.
• There are a record number of U.S. bankruptcies today (1.6 million in 2004) In 2002, for example, there were more bankruptcies than during the entire decade of the 1960s.
• Financial problems are the largest contributing cause of marital stress and divorce.
• Americans today spend more on legalized gambling than on groceries.
It is clear that a biblical perspective on money is needed today. People, many of them in our churches, are desperate to get control of their finances. Perhaps because of such overwhelming debt, tithing is at an all-time low in the U.S , even less than it was during the Great Depression Only 2 6 percent of worshippers now participate in the practice.
Learning financial worship
Two men were marooned on an island. One man paced back and forth, worried and scared, while the other man sat back to sun himself. The first man said to the second one, '1\.ren't you afraid we are about to die?"
"No," said the second man. "I make $100,000 a week and tithe faithfully to my church every week. My pastor will find me."
So how can we steward our money to bring maximum glory to God, to provide for our families and to reflect a heart of love and generosity? How can we ensure our pastor would look for us? How do we learn to worship the Father financially? Here are some helpful considerations.
I. We can choose to be generous in life, not merely collectors. Money is the acid test of our values. The bumper sticker says it well : "Tithe if you love Jesus-anyone can honk!" We can say that we love God, but what we do with our discretionary income is a far truer reflection of what we really value We watch money sift through our hands for purchase after purchase, often without realizing that we are at the mercy of our wants. Money may seem to just "slip" away, but we are making choices where much of it "slips."
So we should try to adopt a scriptural value system that will be counter-cultural to our "shop till you drop" society. Either we will honor God regularly, sacrificially and cheerfully with the first part of our income, or our wants will win our money by default. Either we love God above all else, or we will love ourselves. Making this choice gives us freedom to worship God wholeheartedly-eliminating competition from a worldly value system.
Once God is clearly our first love over money, it makes a dramatic difference in every other stewardship area . If we trust God financially it will affect our health; we will look to God to meet our needs rather than to our earning power to safeguard us. It will affect
Learn
more
about MMA stewardship resources
Mennon ite Mutual Aid is a stewardship solution s organization dedicated to promoting holistic giving through its expertise in insuran ce. financial services, charitable -giving programs and fraternal benefits. Mennonite Brethren are represented on the MMA board of directors by David Faber of H illsboro, Kan ., and Paul Quiring of Fre sno, Calif
MMA has a variety of resources available that can help people manage their God-given gifts . General information is available online at www mma - online org Educational resources available at http ://bookstore mma -online org
• Money Mania : Mastering tile Allure of Excess , Mark L. Vincent. Goshen , IN Herald Press, 2004 .
• A Christian View of Money : Celebrating God 's Generosity , Mark L. Vincent. Goshen , IN . Herald Pres s, 1999
• FirstFruits Living , Lynn Miller Goshen , IN . Herald Press, 1999.
• Prodigal Sons and Material Girls : How Not to Be Your Child's ATM , Nathan Dungen Hoboken , NJ John Wiley & Sons, In c , 2003
• The Power of Enou gh: Finding Con tentment by Putting Stuff in its Place , Lynn Miller. Nappanee, IN . Evangel Press. 2003.
• Th e Treasure Principle : Discovering the Secrets of Joyful Giving , Randy Alcorn Sisters , OR Multnomah Publishers, Inc ., 2001.
• "Holistic stewardship" presentation that can be given in churches (call your MMA regional offi ce for more information ).
• Local representatives throughout the country offering insurance and financial products and services
• Local MMA Stewardship Univers ity events (look under "Education and resources" at MMA-online org for the latest sc hedule )
our relationships; we won't have to overspend to prove our status or importance or to make better impressions on others. It will change how we spend our time; we will begin to pursue godliness rather than gain. Our love of God will prompt us to use our talents in more than just monetary pursuits; we will look for ways to use them to eternal benefit.
Many people really do desire to make a positive difference with their finances. The recent generous giving to Hurricane Katrina victims is a proof of that fact However, a recent Mennonite Church USA study found that people motivated to give in response to natural disasters and catastrophic events are much less likely to consistently give through tithing or other charitable giving.
the most cell phone minutes and the hottest new gadgets. Making this choice gives you freedom in your budget to honor God with giving because you are living within your means.
3. We can live from the perspective of stewards, not owners. God grants us many good things during our sojourn on this planet. We are clearly not the originators but the managers.
Have you ever walked into a parking lot, gotten into the car, turned the key and then suddenly realized, 'This key doesn't work. This is NOT my car. I am in the wrong car!" In the same way, we fool ourselves into believing that our lives and our possessions are our own, but they are not. They belong to God; we are just the managers.
By remembering that we are God's caretakers, we begin consulting God on where to invest his money in causes that reflect our
We can say that w e love God , but what we do with our di sc retionary income is a far tru e r reflection of what we really value.
We need to learn to build on that latent desire-realizing that sacrificial giving does more than change the world for the better. It changes us for the better. It transforms us into change-agents, not merely resource-users. We become most like God when we give-after all, "God so loved that he gave...."
2. We can determine to live within our means. The average young married couple with children spends around 8 percent more than they make each year. Americans have learned to be collectors and consumers rather than ;lVestors in eternity. Millions get caught in the race to accumulate.
A well-known financial advisor often shares a story in I his seminars about a young mother who was putting her four-year-old to bed one evening by reading the parable of the prodigal son. They talked about how the son had taken his inheritance and left home, living it up until he was left with nothing. When he finally found himself eating the slop of the pigs, he determined to find his way back home. After reading about the joyful reunion at the end of the story, the mother asked her daughter what she had learned. After thinking a moment, the child replied, "Never leave home without your credit card!"
Sadly, many of us have slowly, maybe unconsciously, slipped into that same "spend what you don't have" mentality. But Proverbs makes it clear that this perspective is unwise: "Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it." (Prov. 21:20, NRSV)
We can learn to live on less-perhaps deciding to wear clothes until they wear out or to drive used cars. To not push ourselves to the credit limit in order to have the best homes,
faith values. Tithing (and going beyond that to faith giving) is transformed from an obligatory duty to a joyful adventure-"Let's see what God is going to do now with his resources through us!" Making this choice gives you freedom to make eternal investments, laying up "treasure in heaven."
Brian Kluth, well-known speaker and author on financial issues, shares the following story. "Katie Fisher, 17, entered the Madison County Ohio Junior Livestock Sale hoping the lamb she had for sale would get a good price. For months Katie had been battling cancer. She had endured hospital stays and been through chemotherapy a number of times. Before the lamb went on the block, the auctioneer told the audience about Katie's condition, hoping this introduction would push the price-per-pound above the average of two dollars .
'lt did-and then some. The lamb sold for $11.50 per pound. Then the buyer gave it back and suggested the auctioneer sell it again. That started a chain reaction. Families bought it and gave it back; businesses bought it and gave it back Katie's mother said, 'The first sale is the only one I remember. After that. I was crying too hard: They ended up selling the lamb 36 times that day, raising more than $16.000 in the process."
When we give. we too set off a chain reaction of eternal benefit. We enable others to catch the joy of selfless living. we prove our hearts of love for Jesus and we become part of effective ministry to others. What a blessed life it is to catch the spirit of selflessness and feel the joy of "happily-ever-after" giving.
Roy E. Bronkema is a free-lance writer from Niles. Mich , specializing in work for churches and Christian organizations. This article is part of a series on holistic stewardship services commissioned by Mennonite Mutual Aid, a stewardship solutions organization.
Money Le $$ ons
Hel pi ng our children learn how t o make th eir money count
WHEN OUR SON JOSHUA WAS TIIREE, HE HAD DIFFICULTY SLEEPING TIlROUGH TIlE NIGHT
He would often awaken us for comfort, water or merely company. So we came up with a plan to encourage him to sleep through the night. We placed five pennies on his nightstand and told him that each time he awakened us, we'd take a penny away. He could keep whatever was left in the morning. This had the desired effect. His sleep habits improved dramatically.
One night while I was tucking him in Joshua said, "Dad, I don't want to do that penny thing anymore."
Surprised, I asked why.
He replied, "Having money just makes me want to buy stuff."
Wow! Quite the lesson to learn at the age of three. I think that was the first lesson on money we taught him, though that wasn't actually our intent.
Why teach about money?
What lessons are you teaching your children about money? The Bible gives us many good reasons to be engaged with our children on this vital topic. Scriptures like Marthew 6:24 tell us we can't serve both God and money. Matthew 13:22 states that wealth can make the gospel unfruitful in our lives and I Timothy 6:10 warns that our eagerness for money can cause us to wander away ftom the faith. These and many more verses provide reason enough for building into our children a healthy, scriptural understanding of money and its impact on our lives.
However, there are practical reasons as well. A recent article in Time noted, "Over the past decade, the average credit card debt of Americans ages 18-24 doubled, to nearly $3,000. Among high school seniors, four out of five have never taken a personal finance class, but nearly half have an ATM debit card, and more than a quarter have bounced a check."
Juliet Schor, author of Bom to Buy, points out that over $15 billion per year is spent by marketers, surrounding kids with marketing messages-putting cartoon characters on diapers, product placements in 1V shows and movies and advertisements in video games. The world is bombarding our children with messages to "wear me, drink me, drive me, put me in your hair!"
So, how do we fight back?
Families and money
In our families and churches, we need to provide a healthy, biblical understanding of money that pushes back at these societal messages.
Many good resources are available to help parents educate their children on what the Bible says about money. I would encourage you to take a look at resources from Crown Financial Ministries (www.crown.org). Money Matters for Parents and Their Kids by Ron and Judy Blue is an older book but still one of my favorites.
A simple tool for teaching young children the basics of giving, saving and spending is The ABC Learning Bank. This bank, available through Crown, has three compartments where children can set aside money in their church, bank and store.
Children also need to understand the concepts of contentment and delayed gratification. This can be accomplished by developing the discipline of praying about pur-
have a lifelong reminder of lessons learned.
As children enter junior and senior high school, I encourage parents to be open about family finances, entrusting children with more and more information as they use it properly. Youth can be taught to balance the checkbook, pay the family bills and set up the household budget. This puts teenagers in a much better position to handle the responsibilities of their own households.
Perhaps the most challenging ad vice is th at pare nts nee d to be doers of th e word not merely hear er s . Parents nee d t o put their m oney where their mouth is and practice soli d bibl ical mon ey m anage ment strat egies themselve s
chases for several days before making a purchase. In our family, we allow for some smaller "impulse spending." But when it comes to anything significant or of lasting value, we require a cooling off period for prayer and contemplation It is amazing how often our children have decided not to buy an item when practicing this approach.
Another biblically-based resource we have used in our home is Money Matters for Kids by Lauree Burkett. When our boys were 10 and 12 they each worked through this book and we had family discussions about it. Upon completion, Matthew received two shares of Coca-Cola in stock certificate form and Joshua got four shares of Hasbro. Both of them proudly display their stock certificates and
Compound the lessons
Practical, hands-on illustrations are always a hit in our house. One we really had fun with was designed to teach the power of compound interest. Not only can applications be made in regard to savings but also to the dangers of compounding interest on debt.
We gave each of our boys a jar with $1. Every night we paid them 10 percent interest on the money in their jars. The first night we added a dime (10 percent of $1) The second night, they got II cents. The third night (after a mini-lesson on rounding), we gave them 13 cents. After a month, there was $17.45 in the jar. If you follow through for another month, the jars will contain $304.48. We discontinued after a month and a half, and used the money to open MB Loan Fund savings accounts for each boy.
Talking about money
WONDERING HOW BEST TO TALK WIIH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT MONEY MATTERS?
Consider using these discussion starters
• Tell of your most vivid memory as a child involving money
• Describe an experience that has most influenced your attirude toward money
• Tell of something your parents taught you about money either through their actions or speech
• Describe your most valued material possession and tell why.
• Tell how your faith influences your financial decisions
• Describe how money makes you feel - powerful, anxious, guilty, etc
For additional stewardship resources for children and srudents, visit www .generousgiving .org and click on "Srudy Guides "
Perhaps the most challenging advice is that parents need to be doers of the word not merely hearers. Parents need to put their money where their mouth is and practice solid, biblical money management strategies themselves. Not surprisingly, highly materialistic kids are more likely to have highly materialistic parents. Parents that struggle with good money management are likely to beget children that struggle. Lessons on restraint are unlikely to connect if parents' closets are stuffed with the latest fashions.
Grandparents too can pass on their stewardship values to their grandchildren. It's never too late! One grandmother gifted some appreciated stock to MB Foundation and established a family endowment. In the interest of continuing her family legacy of being charitable, she is allowing her grandchildren to determine the annual disbursement of the funds coming from this endowment.
Every year she gets together with her grandchildren to discuss their favorite charities and then agree on the disbursement. This annual discussion will continue for 10 years following her death. At that time she has designated her endowment fund be directed to a specific charitable organization. Her modeling of charitable giving is an incredible legacy to leave her grandchildren.
Churches and money
While the front line in the battle for financial literacy begins in the home, churches also need to provide biblical, age-appropriate teaching about money. Sunday school classes, youth groups and mission trips are all excellent forums for communicating biblical values about money. The resources available are endless.
What is needed is the motivation to tackle the issue. Once again, the most challenging advice is that teachers, sponsors and pastors need to model godly stewardship. Once it is embedded in our personal lives, it will flow out and find its way into both fonnal and infonnal teaching opportunities.
The Bible has much to say about finances. Let's take it and apply it to how we teach our children about money. Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." I've come to understand that this Scripture applies to lessons on money as well.
We will teach our children many lessons on money, whether we do so intentionally or not. What lessons are you teaching?
Jon C. Wiebe is president and chief executive officer of MB Foundation and Loan Fund, the u.s. Mennonite Brethren stewardship ministry.
Learn more about Mennonite Brethren Foundation M
B Foundation and MB Loan Fund is the $7 0 million stewardship ministry of the Mennonite Brethren whose goal is to assist people in their generosity, strengthen the financial base of MB ministries and provide loans to MB churches
Personal
Stewardship Resources
Good $ense Budget Workshop This six-hour course teaches the biblical principles related to money and trains in basic budgeting tools Attendees leave this course with a God-honoring budget in their hands, knowledge in their heads to implem ent it and hope in their hearts to follow through . Certificate Investments. Through MB Loan Fund, individuals and ministries are able to invest their money in several different investment securities in keeping with their values They earn a competitive rate of interest plus the funds are used to make loans to growing MB churches and ministries
Donation Accounts . This is a tool to help manage charitable giving. Gifts can be made to one's account and then disbursed at a later time Thi s is a great way to handle gifts of stocks, real estate or other property or to manage additional giving at year-end
Endowment Funds. This can be a great tool to pass on a legacy of generosity and communicate ones values to loved ones . It can be funded while one is living and then involve others in the annual charitable distribution decisions
Life Income Gifts Through the use of a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust, folks can increase their current income and establish a future charitable gift
Charitable Estate Planning MBF will provide assistance to families and individuals to develop an estate plan which benefits family and the charitable causes they love
C hurch & Ministry Resources
MB Foundation and MB Loan Fund work with local Mennonite Brethren congregations and ministries to :
• establish meaningful and effective methods for teaching biblical values regarding money through stewardship education
• provide loans to ministries within our community of faith . This ensures access to capital for MB churches and keeps the borrowing within our spiritual family.
• manage endowments and gift plans on behalf of partner MB ministries, stewarding resources and providing quality admini strative services
• service the planned giving needs of MB institutions and provide planned giving services to the donors and constituents of any MB ministry
Attit udes among Mennonites on how to use di scretionary wealth appear to be shifting .
ME NNONITE S ARE NO STRANG ERS T O WEALT H
Perhaps they were predisposed to do well. Hard work thrih and an aversion to luxury have ohen led to financial well-being
For hundreds of years Mennonites have had plenty of "practical, tangible wealth" such as fa rmla nd. mills factories and trucking firms. says Calvin Redekop, a sociologist with special interest in Mennonite economic behavior. The rise of su rplus or "intangible paper wealth" is more recent.
For generations the church monitored this steadily increasing wealth Confessions of faith warned against conspicuous consumption. But as Mennonites eased into modernity such pronouncements have faded.
W ealthy Me nnonites?
How wealthy are Mennonites? "The predominating bulk are becoming affluent, " writes Redekop in AnabaptistlMennonite Fa ith and &onomics . He points to data in the 1975 demographic study by J. Howard Kauffman and Leland Harder (Anabaptists Four Centuries Later) , which showed the income of Mennonites to be 12 percent above the North American average. A follow -up study a dozen years later showed Mennonites holding their own with a median income of $30.000 to $40,000 compared to the U.S . population median income of $32,274.
Other Kauffman and Harder data further showed that North American Mennonites were not clumped at the low-wage end of the spectrum In the 1970s. 10 times as many were farm
owners or managers. and twice as many held professional or technical occupations. Their proportion of business ownership and management was slightly higher than the general population
There is little hard data on where Mennonites are today. but the general perception seems to be that they are gaining monetary vigor. They send their children to costly private schools and colleges. Parking lots at Mennonite churches glisten with the latest cars, SUVs and minivans . Churches in the citrus states bulge in winter with Mennonite "snowbirds" who can afford to travel.
Michael Yoder. a sociologist at the University of Iowa who has studied Mennonite occupations, says he suspects there are fewer Mennonites in the lower economic tier than the general North American population, though perhaps more than in the past because of the growth in urban and minority congregations.
Yoder also allows that "we may now have more wealthy than we used to have," though some of this increase may have been offset by the departure of some wealthy Mennonites who were made to feel uncomfortable and switched to other denominations.
Our «economic witness"
Over the years Mennonites have been known for their "economic witness." Do they still have anything to teach North American culture on how to use discretionary wealth?
Some would contend that Mennonites are helping the Christian community develop a more mature view of wealth and investment. In 1980 Goshen College economist Carl Kreider's landmark book The Christian Entrepreneur was the first public suggestion of the role capital and entrepreneurship might play in the modem economy. The rise of Mennonite Economic Development Associates and its pioneering of microcredit illuminated for Mennonites. and the larger development "industty," the role of productive investment as an ongoing way to combat poverty.
These and other influences helped shape an emerging recognition that the poor could be helped not only by "wealth redistribution" (giving away your excess) but also by "wealth creation" (using surplus to generate new jobs and economic opportunity). The acceptance of this new view was symbolized by the 20th anniversary re-issue of Ron
axiom that everyone lives at the top of their financial ability," says Redekop. "You mortgage yourself to live at the highest consumptive level you can with the resources available."
Many affluent Mennonites are too easily choosing a lifestyle "that mimics our North American culture's wasteful and unfair taste for luxury," he says.
Ove r the years Menn oni tes have been known for t heir " economic witne ss. " Do th ey still have anything to t eac h North Am er ican culture on how to use discr etion ary w ea lth ?
Sider's Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, which had been a bible of wealth redistribution and now also carried a ringing endorsement of wealth creation (such as through microenterprise assistance) as a legitimate way to make a dent in poverty.
A new voice
A prominent voice in this unfolding awareness has been James Halteman, a Mennonite economist who teaches at Wheaton College. His writings have helped focus how Gospel teachings on materialism can be understood today.
Halteman points out that the ancient world understood three ways to use economic surplus: consumption in lavish living, hoarding for the future and direct charity (wealth redistribution). The modem world has an additional use for surplus: productive investment (wealth creation) Halteman says accumulating resources as productive capital is a legitimate, even desirable, act of stewardship.
'This distinction between productive and consumption wealth has not been made carefully enough in Christian circles," he says, "and the result has been that businesspersons with large productive assets have often been misunderstood and unappreciated."
An example is the 'bigger barns" story in Luke 12, Halteman says. The barns are a way to guarantee the owner's future consumption, not as a vehicle for increased production that benefits others.
'The contemporary farm, factory or office building may well function, not as a store of existing resources but rather as a vehicle for the production of future resources in greater and greater quantities."
Consumer competition
While many Mennonites still do not allow their paper wealth to affect their lifestyle, Calvin Redekop fears that others are falling prey to a kind of consumptive competition that can be seen in the parking lots of some Mennonite churches-'You buy an Suv, 111 buy a bigger one."
"Mennonite population is reflecting the economist's
Perhaps the emerging view of productive investment-wealth creation for the poor-will catch the imagination of a new generation of Mennonites who can distinguish between conspicuous consumption and using wealth in a creative Anabaptist way.
WaUy Kroeker is editor of The Markerplace, the magazine of Mennonite &onomic Development Associates. This article was commissioned by Meetinghouse, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ publications in Canada and the U.S.
Baptizing our wallets
Martin Luther said Christians need three conversionshean, mind and purse Mennonite history contains at least one example of taking this literally It occurred in Russia, where many Mennonites had become stupendously rich, some with estates of 100,000 acres
One estate owner who was reputed to be covetous and unwilling to share with the poor was called to account by church leaders As related by J.B. Toews in Pilgrimage of Faith, a prayer circlftl \'Vas organi2ed to pray for the man's repentance
After some months the prayers were answered . The man publicly confessed his greed and asked God and the church for forgiveness, He asked to be rebaptized
"My father, John A. Toews of Alexanderthal, was selected to baptize the brother for the second time." Toews recalls. "In the public prayer preceding the baptism the brother prayed for victory over the sin of covetousness. Before entering the water (for immersion baptism) he placed his wallet into his shirt pocket, for this too needed to be rebaptized. This was to symbolize the surrender of all his riches to the LoId and his service "
From that point on, Toews writes, "many blessings went out hom the estate of this man, one of the wealthiest M ennonites in Russia , " - WK
MISSION USA
We welcome and appreciate your generous support of Mission USA.
Please send your donation to:
Mission USA U.S. Conference PO Box 220 Hillsboro, KS 67063
Note IIMission USA" on the memo line To see come to know HIM.
Whatls a Gilbow?
Gil-bow \ n \ pi: Enthusiastic church planters
Jason and Beth Gilbow have an energetic desire to reach those who don't yet know Jesus. They will lead the process of planting a new Mennonite Brethren church in Edmond, Okla. This church is being planted by the Southern District Conference in partnership with Mission USA.
Jason has many years of pastoral experience, most recently in Norman, Okla., where in less than two years he helped guide a church of 40 to an attendance of over 300. He is very gifted in relationship building, evangelism and exegetical preaching. He and his wife have three children: Grant (5), Jack (3) and Kate (almost 2).
A core group of 50-plus gifted people is joining the Gilbows. The core group has a strong desire to create a biblical church that is simply following God in what he is doing. Special appreciation goes to Memorial Road MB Church in Edmond that is also supporting this new venture.
Help make this church plant happen. Whether or not you live in the SOC, please help support this project by giving to Mission USA. It's all about getting people to Jesus.
It's an investment in eternity!
On the road again
Rod and Donna Anderson are hitti ng the road to form a team of church plant supporters
Depending on your perspective, Rod and Donna Anderson just might be in the middle of the perfect summer vacation. Perfectif a road trip and all that comes with it is your ideal vacation.
From late June through August, the Andersons are on a whirlwind tour of the 2$ congregations located in the Central District Conference. That puts them on the road from their home in Omaha, Neb., to Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The purpose of the Andersons' visits is to prepare for the planting of a new church in Sioux Falls, SD. According to organizers, this is the first time such a tour has taken place prior to a church plant.
'There is great value in creating partnerships and cohesiveness among churches within denominations and regions when it comes to the planting of new churches," says Don Mortis, director of Mission USA, in an e-mail interview. Mission USA, the U.S. Conference church planting and renewal ministry, has partnered with the Central District Conference to plant the Sioux Falls church.
Rod and Donna will spend time at each church in the district. A primary purpose will be to ask for the collaboration of MB church members in the form of prayer. The tour will provide a unique opportunity for all involved to "build a prayer base for this ministry," says CDC District Minister Roger Engbrecht in an e-mail interview.
The Andersons will also ask churches for financial support. "It takes many, many dollars to begin a church," says Morris. "It's no secret (that) part of this tour is to create an excitement about what God is doing in Sioux Falls and to allow churches and individuals the opportunity to give toward its livelihood now and in the future."
The personal presence of the Andersons at each church will also allow them to share their enthusiasm. 'This tour will provide Rod and Donna the opportunity to connect with the CDC churches faceto-face, to share their vision and passion for the Sioux Falls plant," says Morris.
In an e-mail interview, Rod Anderson says, 'We often believe that everyone is aware of what is taking place and that they are fully informed.
Our desire is to unite a conference around a vision to change this world for Jesus " This being the goal, the Andersons will discuss the great urgency to plant churches now.
Mortis shares the Anderson's sense of urgency. "I hope and pray that the CDC churches will catch a passion for church planting. God is calling us to make a difference, not only in our existing churches but in creating new churches that will reach more people with the truth."
Anderson sees the tour as key to communicating the necessity for a new plant in Sioux Falls. "I believe our tour will connect our churches together so that we can stand united in our outreach," he says.
According to organizers, changes in rural America have prompted the predominantly rural Central District Conference to embrace church planting in urban settings Since the 1970S there has been a shift from an agricultural lifestyle to a more city-centered lifestyle due to the modernization of farming.
'1\5 these trends have continued over the years, it has impacted our churches tremendously," says Engbrecht. '1\5 a result the Central District has made it a priority to plant churches in our cities."
In September of 2005, the hope of a new church plant was birthed when the CDC's Church Planting and Renewal Committee and Morris met in Sioux Falls. It was at this meeting that leaders began to contemplate a new church plant somewhere within the district. From there, organizers say, the idea took off quickly. Two months later, at the November CDC convention, the plan for the plant was "announced and affirmed," says Morris.
According to organizers, the Andersons have a rich background in church planting. Most recently, they led the pastoral team that planted Shadow Lake Community Church (formerly Rolling Hills Church) in Papillion, Neb . In addition, Rod is a member of the CDC Church Planting and Renewal Committee and has also worked with Mission USA.
Anderson says Sioux Falls is a city uniquely positioned for a church plant. "It is growing at a very rapid pace with far above the national average for young families," he says. "Sioux Falls has been listed as one of the top 10 cities in which to live."
Organizers believe that southwest Sioux Falls is an ideal site for a church plant. "It is the southwest part of the city that is exploding
in growth. Along with that is the need for churches right in the midst of that growth," says Morris.
The hope is that people moving into the homes being built in the area will be receptive to a new church. "Many times, people moving into new areas are also open to adding other new elements to their lives, and they are often more open-minded to spiritual awareness," says Morris. "So if we are present in the area with a vibrant church, then we can more effectively reach those who are asking spiritual questions."
Lincoln Hills Bible Church is an established Mennonite Brethren church in Sioux Falls some distance away from the site of the future Christ Community Church, the name chosen for the new plant. Organizers are grateful for the unified support Lincoln Hills has provided in the planning process.
'1 have a lot of appreciation for the leaders and church members of Lincoln Hills MB Church," says Morris. 'They not only have been supportive, but they also have a representative on the church plant project team, and we hold our project team meetings in their church facility."
Beginning a new church is a "dehberate process," says Anderson. The Christ Community Church Web site (www.christcommunitysf.com)isalreadyupandrunning.This fall the Andersons will host Bible studies and small groups in their horne with the goal of forming a strong core team.
'1\5 those groups unite around the vision of the church, practice worship sessions will be held," says Anderson. Eventually the practice sessions will give way to public "preview" services. The goal is to begin official public worship services in the winter of 2007.
Christ Community Church will receive support and nourishment in a variety of ways. Organizers say a project team will supervise its progress for two years. Morris will be the MUSA representative on this team. In this capacity, he will provide encouragement and insights. Along with the Andersons, worship leaders Paul and Melissa Rowenhorst and district minister Roger Engbrecht and his wife Lucille will form the base for the new plant. Also of critical importance is the commitment of financial support and prayer by the CDC and MUSA.
Morris sums up the hopes of the tour and subsequent plant: 'We see this church plant as a stepping stone to another and then another new church. My prayer is that we begin to see this as a passionate vision for who we are as MBs. We need more churches-many more churches."
Roger Engbrecht resonates with this desire. "My prayer is that the church will soon grow to be self-sustained (financially) and that as a district we can soon be planting another church in another location. Why? Because of Jesus!" -by Jennifer
Brandt, newswriter
Rod Anderson shares with delegates to the 2005 Central District Conference convention plans to plant a new church in Sioux Falls, SO.
MMHA targets MB medical projects
Consultations to be focus of ministry to India
As Mennonite Brethren ministries go, Mennonite Mission Health Association, with five years of history under its belt, is one of the new kids on the block. It has a narrow focus and for the most part does its work out of the spotlight.
MMHA was organized with support from MBMS International, the global mission agency of North American Mennonite Brethren. Its purpose is to «assist in the funding, development and ongoing operational support of health care facilities and organizations in the under-serviced regions of the developing world." MMHA is currently involved in medical projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and India, two historic MB mission fields and the two largest national MB conferences.
In November 2005, MBMSI announced that leaders at India's MB Medical Center in Jadcherla had asked MBMSI and MMHA to reassign the three North Ametican workers at the Center. Common policy in organizations like MBMSI is to treat personnel decisions as con-
Patients wait to see physicians at the MB Medical Center in Jadcherla, India. The clinic is known for providing excellent health care and ministry among the poor.
fidential. As such, MBMSI did not comment on the details of this decision. Various sources did note that personnel matters in an intercultural context are frequently difficult.
This decision, although abrupt, has opened the door to a new level of ministry for MMHA in India. MMHA will take the lead in supporting the medical ministry in India, says MBMSI General Director Randy Friesen, while MBMSI will work more closely with projects consistent with the agency's focus on holistic church planting.
'We are not pulling out of South India," says Friesen. 'We continue to work there; it's just that (MBMSI's) work is changing." While MMHA will focus on health care ministries, MBMSI will continue to partner with the India MB Conference in several projects in South India, primarily through financial support. MBMSI supports the MB Centenary Bible College in Shamshabad through scholarships, endowments and visiting scholars; partners with the Indian church in three evangelism programs; and helps with the conference's development work.
MMHA will continue to support the Jadcherla Medical Center through special projects and visiting consultations from North American physicians. David Wiebe, MMHA vice-president and an orthopedic surgeon from Kearney, Neb., visited Jadcherla on one such consultation Feb. 10 to March 13, 2006.
MB work in South India began in 1890 with missionaries Abraham
and Maria Friesen. Now, more than a century later, the Indian MB Conference is the largest national MB conference with over 100,000 church members, its own goveming infrastructures, a Bible college and hospital.
The MB Medical Center was established in 1952 under the direction of missionary doctor Jake Friesen to meet the needs of the growing Indian MB church and has been run independently for the past 30 years by the India MB Conference and director and surgeon P.B. Arnold.
The center has a reputation for excellence in medicine, compassionate care and low or no-cost treatment for the poor. Arnold, who is also president of the governing council of the India MB Conference, says via e-mail, "The name of the center is a household name in every village in the area."
MMHA's work in India began with a request from Arnold for help with hospital redevelopment. The hospital was in decline, with falling patient numbers and decreased income. The hospital infrastructure and facilities were in need of significant updating. So in 2001, MMHA and MBMSI appointed Doug Cressman, a hospital administrator from Winnipeg, Man., to lead the redevelopment process In May 2004, Dale and Teresa Regier, members of Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church, were also sent to Jadcherla to aid in the redevelopment process.
By most accounts the hospital has made significant improvements. When asked about his work there, Cressman descnbes upgraded facilities, increased patient volume, growth in
Family Life Pastor
Orchard Park Bible Church is seeking to begin a new ministry position of a Family ute Pastor.
This Associate Pastor would be responsible for helping to spearhead the development of strategies for Family life through the various stages of ministries at OPBC.
SpeCificall y the candidate must.
Rr Have a vibrant relationship with Christ, demonstrate consistent Christian character, commitment and lifestyle
Rr Be capable of developing a creative plan to connect family from Nursery, Kidzone, JR Youth, Senior Youth. and their Parents
it>- Be able to equip families and empower parents through various Minisbies
n;" Possess a passion for pastoral ministry, be highly motivated demonstrate self initiative and work well in a team oriented ministry
PreferablY have a Masters De,," In Pastoral Studies
Have pasCO'" ministry "erlence in a chu(l:lb or para-churdl se*,
number of doctors and new equipment, computers and automated systems. Cressman completed his term in MaICh and returned to administration in Canada.
Dale Regier. former MB Foundation vice president, served in the area of hospital finance and administration, including a project to assist the pharmacy in implementing an automated inventory management system. Teresa Regier, a nurse practitioner and nurse midwife, assisted with medical care, education and mentoring and was developing various women's health projects. The Regiers began a new assignment in February when Dale accepted a position with the MBMSI finance team in Abbotsford, BC.
While the Regiers say there "definitely are still many needs at the Medical Center," the work of Cressman and the Regiers was appreciated. "The Indian people I talk with very much value the contribution of Doug Cressman and the Regiers to the Medical Center," says Darren Duerksen, MBMSI's liaison with the India conference. "In addition, the Indians value the presence and friendships of these people."
Meanwhile , Arnold has set into motion a plan to establish a medical college, a project that gets mixed reviews from both Indians and North Americans. Arnold hopes to open MB Christian Medical College by August 2007 and says the college has received the necessary government approvals, contingent upon the building and inspection of certain facilities by the end of November 2006. It is not clear. however, that all of the funding issues involved in such a financial behemoth have been resolved.
Just how North American MBs will be involved in the medical college is also unclear. MMHA says in a May press release, "The planned medical school associated with the MB Medical Center is both exciting and challenging. (Visiting physician) Wiebe found general support for the concept of having a medical school at Jadcherla but also recognizes the tremendous investments involved " - by Myra Holmes
Helping Palestinian families cope with trauma
MCC responds to humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Mennonite Central Committee is providing $26,000 to a Palestinian women's organization to help families and children to cope with the trauma of Israeli attacks in Gaza. Recent Israeli attacks on Palestinian targets, including public utilities, have cut electricity and water supplies in much of Gaza. Local residents are traumatized by gunfire, bornbing and the sonic booms of fighter jets.
Culture and Free Thought Association, a women's organization in Gaza's Khan Younis refugee camp, operates community centers for children, teenagers and women and cultural events. The association is using MCC's grant to hire five trauma counselors and to purchase a generator and fuel to provide electricity at the community centers.
Alain Epp Weaver, an MCC representative for Palestine, Jordan and Iraq, says that the violence which started June 28 is contributing to a
The International Committee of Mennonite Brethren convened July 11 -14 in Bogota, Colombia at the Casa San Pedro Cavel convent for its annual meeting . Sixteen of the 19 member conferences were represented Sigueira Luzembo of Angola made it to Brazil but did not have the visa to enter Colombia . Lowell Stutzman of Grants Pass, Ore ., represented the U S Conference
In anticipation of the 150th anniversary of the Mennonite Brethren movement, a global history project has been launched . Writers from every conference have already been found . The Historical Commission of North America is guiding the process under the direction of Abe Dueck of Winnipeg and the former director of the Historical Commission Dueck attended the meetings in Bogota to work firsthand with the ICOMB group .
The objective of the project is not to create a "coffee table book" but to put the MB story into the hands of the people as a learning tool. Global confessional values will be the centerpiece The missional nature of the movement will be featured prominently A vision of the future and how to prepare for it will be the challenge to every reader Victor Wall , executive secretary, said, "The past, the present and the future should be in dialogue with each other."
ICOMB has committed $15,000 to the project It is expected that further fundraising will be required from interested individuals and groups
humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'i\lJ of this comes on top of the fact that you have a very high poverty level in rhe Gaza Strip," he says. "Up to 80 percent of the population is living on well under $2 a day."
Israel has greatly limited the flow of goods and people in and out of Gaza in recent years, according to Epp Weaver. Since the recent violence began, Israel has completely closed Gaza's borders, and food and fuel have grown scarce. Epp Weaver says that MCC is working on plans with partner organizations to deliver humanitarian aid in Gaza.
MCC has financially supported the work of the Culture and Free Thought Association for the last 10 years. MCC currently provides about $10,000 a year to support the association's children's center, which provides extracurricular activities for about 400 children.-by Tim Shenk for Mee
leOMB holds annual meeting
Mennonite Brethren global history project takes shape
In other news, a new publishing series was launched The purpose will be to inform pastors and members of Mennonite Brethren values and polity The first item will be a commentary/guide on the International Confession of Faith released two years ago. Elmer Martens of MB Biblical Seminary and Peter Klassen , chair of the Historical Commission, will be co-editors and a Reference Council with one representative from each continent will be appointed to guide development Contributors will be found from each conference as the series develops .
As a step in ICOMB' s continued growth as a global body, the delegates created a Leadership Training Scholarship that will help pastors in training to acquire seminary education The parameters are to be worked out this coming year Implementation will follow next year's meeting Connected to this, ICOMB seeks to host a Forum for Educators for leaders from the MB colleges and universities in the various countries
ICOMB is also exploring its relationship with Mennonite World Conference as an international organization, not just as individual conferences
To enhance the development of global mission efforts, MBMS International General Director Randy Friesen will convene a second meeting of the Global Mission Alliance in fall in Almaty, Kazakhstan, alongside the Global Mission Fellowship of the Mennonite World Conference Each MB conference with a mission -sending agency will be invited to participate
Prior to the ICOMB meetings, members attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Colombia MB Conference . The meetings concluded with a foot washing service and a tour of Bogota Plans are beginning for next year's annual meeting set for Kinshasa , Congo.- David Wiebe for ICOMB
Balkans soldier works for peace
MCC assists with restorative justice training program
Ex-combatants throughout the region share similar experiences and problems. "People here have a lot in common. About 80 percent of our lifestyle is the same," says the veteran. But when group discussions tum to the war- "why was the war, who is guilty, who is responsible" the atmosphere becomes tense. 'That is the critical point," he explains.
'The problems are very complex," says Amela Puljek-Shank who along with her husband Randy serve as MCC regional representatives for southeast Europe. 'They are dealing with trauma that goes back 600 years. The war is on the surface but there is so much more behind the surface."
Years of war convinced a young soldier in the Balkans that long-term peace is best achieved through nonviolent means. Now he's helping others understand how fear and hate lead to war
"I found out after the wars that there another way to deal with problems in the Balkans," says Adnan Hasanbegovic', an excombatant working for the Sarajevo-based Center for Non-Violent Action.
Hasanbegovic' was 19 years old when he joined the army in 1992. When the war ended in 1995 he started working for peace organizations. Seven years ago he began working for CNA where he identified the opportunity to involve ex-soldiers in educational programs that improve interethnic relationships and promote nonviolent ways to deal with conflict.
In partnership with Mennonite Central Committee the center has developed a training program that creates a trusting atmosphere where people can talk about sensitive issues. MCC staff assisted in developing training curriculum for the center.
"When ex-soldiers talk about peace and nonviolence, people listen," says Hasanbegovic' in a telephone interview. "Our hard experiences with war motivate us to focus on peace. Nonviolence is the only way for long-term peace."
The Yugoslav wars, a series of violent conflicts in the 1990S, were the bloodiest conflicts on European soil since the end of World War
II. Understanding the issues that created deep ethnic divisions in the Balkans is the basis for reconciliation among the people from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Croatia, says Hasanbegovic'
"It is very important for us to understand our history-to understand the fear and hate that go back many generations. It is important to understand how fear and hate lead to future wars," he says.
An essential aspect of peace building is understanding trauma, specifically the connections between trauma and reconciliation, explains Hasanbegovic'. 'We realized we needed more education to try and understand this," he says.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, about 50 percent of men are war veterans, says Hasanbegovic ' , adding other countries report different percentages. Many war veterans are experiencing post-traumatic stress but the devastating effects of trauma are not easily recognized in societies where such large numbers of people have been affected, he says.
"In Sarajevo all society was involved in the war," he says "My wife and I had similar experiences- I was in the front lines and my wife was in the basement during the bombings."
The Puljek-Shanks both have master's degrees in conflict transformation . They welcomed the invitation from CNA to develop a training curriculum for trauma and reconciliation. Two training sessions have already taken place to help local trainers. Many are ex-combatants who learn more about trauma and how to incorporate this information into community educational programs on peace and reconciliation.
An upcoming training session will deal with restorative justice, says Puljek-Shank. 'This is very sensitive work," she explains. "If you have lost II family members, what kind of justice can heal the pain?"
Restorative justice, she says, requires people to "come to the difficult reality" that each ethnic group must accept responsibility for its part in the war. This is a difficult message for workshop participants to share in their home communities, she adds. 'This is a brave act," she says "It often brings stigma to themselves and their families."
Sharing a message of restorative justice, she adds, is especially difficult for former soldiers who may be dealing with emotional and physical disabilities because of the war and are having problems finding jobs. "It is even harder for a former soldier to get a job when he says, 'we also have committed something wrong here '" - Gladys Terichow torMCC
Sanja Deankovic and Vildan Efendic participate in a Sarajevo training session on trau ma and reconcilliation organized by the Center for Nonviolent Action and MCC Southeast Europe
Generosity pushes MCC
Board hears about record giving, Congo and Olympian endorsement
Sometimes it is difficult to spend money as quickly as the church gives it. That is what Mennonite Central Committee is discovering.
Hosted by MCC Great Lakes in the northern Indiana tourist town of Shipshewana June 910, members of MCC's binational board responded to fiscal year-end numbers by adopting a budget that projects $43>691,147 in cash expenses before March 31, ZOO7. That will be an increase of more than $10 million in just two years. U.S. Mennonite Brethren are represented on the board by Laura Schmidt Roberts of Fresno, Calif., and Allen Hiebett of Hillsboro, Kan.
According to Ken Langeman, MCC's controller, several factors combined to give MCC a record financial year that ended on March 31: responses to natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the December ZOO4 tsunami, gains in the exchange rate between Canadian and U.S. dollars, increased conrributions for food aid in places such as Zambia and the Sudan, and significant increases in sales through MCC thrift shops and Ten Thousand Villages stores Relief sales were one area that did not show an increase in income.
«Relief sales are kind of flat," said Dave Worth, MCC's resource network director. 'The houses against hunger don't seem to be doing quite as well." Board member Tim Penner said that relief sale income would have declined in the past year without the addition of several new relief sales
MCC policy requires that three to five months of net assets be available for its operations so core programs and partnerships do not end abruptly. However, record income of the past year pushed the benchmark to nearly six months of income. So the board adopted a threeyear plan that will reduce net assets by $Z million. The core expense budget during the next year will be S.z percent higher than last year.
Even with record levels of assets to distribute, some relationships and activities are
struggling. Mennonite World Conference leaders joined the meeting to talk about how the two organizations relate to other Mennonites around the world-especially in Africa.
By zo07, MCC will reduce its staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo to one representative. Congolese Mennonites represent zo percent of the approximately I million Mennonites and Anabaptists around the world.
'The general perception in the Congo is that it is being abandoned (by the intemational community)," MWC's associate executive director Pakisa Tshimika said. 'The war was known by
Mennonite World Conference associate executive secretary Pakisa Tshimika tells Mennonite Central Committee members that Congolese Mennonites feel "abandoned." From left: Karen Klassen Harder, Robb Davis, Amos Stoltzfus and Nancy Heisey.
DMI Campaigns
Peru Jul 28-Aug 14
Uganda (Soroll & Mba/e) Aug 4-21
Ukraine Aug 24-Sep 11
Philippines Sep 14-0ct2
Congo Sep 29-0ct 16
Mexico Oct 5-23
Namibia Oct 12-23
India Nov 2-20
$2,600
$3,500
$2 ,800
$2,500
$3,500
$2,300
$3,500
$2,900 All amounts are in Canadian Dollars. Please call for the USA equivalent. Dates and locations are subject to change based on participant response. Churches are encouraged to sponso r members on these short-term OMI missions
James Nikkel DMI Director
everybody. There's been no official condemnation even by the churches, right or wrong. Those (whom the Congolese) used to call brothers and sisters, they don't see them anymore."
MWC president Nancy Heisey said that MCC and MWC need to talk together when such relationships change 'What kind of connection is there between partnerships and relationships?" Heisey asked. 'We continue to be in relationship with churches that feel abandoned (by the world community). We need to be in conversation about 'relationship maintenance."'
The 2006 Annual General Meeting marked Robb Davis' first anniversary as the executive director for MCC binational. In his first report to the board, Davis characterized MCC as an "amazingly powerful organization. We can be small and big We can be local and internationaL"
Davis also noted that MCC is 8S years old.
"There are not many 8s-year-olds who will take risks," Davis said. 'We are risk-averse. Somehow we use the systems that have grown up in these 8S years to paralyze ourselves."
Davis said there are two ways to confront this reality: Combine the giftedness of MCC's I2 parts and partner with other church organizations-such as colleges and universities.
The binational board also received reports from the two country MCCs MCC Canada Executive Director Donald Peters highlighted two Canadian activities: a change in government policy for which it lobbied, and a new relationship with Cindy Klassen, who won five gold meda ls at the Winter Olympics.
Until 200S, Canadian law required that 90 percent of Canadian-funded food aid be used to purchase Canadian commodities. Through the Canadian Food Grains Bank, MCC Canada lobbied the government to reduce that percentage to SO percent so Canadian contributions could be used to purchase commodities from within the countries where MCC wants to provide relief Doing so helps those regional economies.
Peters also used his personal connection to Klassen-whom he had as a student in high school-to use her fame for MCC's program. He first approached her parents with a proposal for Cindy to "lend her voice to the poor of the world" without any compensation. Eventually Peters met with Klassen and laid out the proposal.
"I it's an answer to prayer," Klassen said, according to Peters. I ve always wanted to do mission work . Maybe this is the way I can do it." By the end of June, Klassen had joined other MCC staff members on a trip to Ethiopia and Nigeria as part of the HIV/AIDS education program called Generations At Risk.
MCC U.S. Executive Director Rolando Santiago listed the to Hurticane Katrina as his organization's primary highhght and noted that the experience created a new partnership between Mennonite Disaster Service and MCC U.S. While MDS continues its repair work after a disaster, MCC U.S will partner in three ways: evacuee assistance, material aid and coordination of Anabaptist and church agencies.
Canadian Ron Dueck of Winnipeg, Man., was elected the new board chair Dueck had been serving as chair of MCC Canada and is a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference - by Everett J. Thomas for Meetinghouse
Green House models environ Unique student residence challenges
There is something different about the three-bedroom, I.S bath home with the yellow exterior shared by six Fresno Pacific University coeds. Despite the paint job, this is the Green House .
"It just started out as an idea, " says Lorraine Weller, a 2006 FPU graduate In 200S, the Green Club student organization learned the university had acquired a new house as a student residence. Some members suggested making it an environmental house
'Td been talking to a lot of people about how I really wanted to live sustainably," says Weller, Green Club president. Sustainable living doesn't mean renouncing all material possessions but simply living with less impact on the environment. "It was kind of hard to do that on campus or anywhere," she says.
With the agreement of the residence directors, Weller set about finding residents for the Green House. The application process made the Green House's mission clear - to provide students with "a residential setting in which stewardship and care of creation can be practiced and demonstrated to the community at large."
During interviews, candidates were asked their reasons for wanting to live in the Green House, as well as their ideas for furthering its cause. Senior Jamie Hazelwood, juniors Stephanie Wiest, Katie Haskin and Suzi Roseno and sophomore Nicole King joined Weller to launch the house in the fall of 200S.
Much of the budget for the Green House comes from the Green Club, with support from the Facilities Management Department and
Last spring, Green House residents Lorraine Weller and Jamie Hazelwood work in their organic garden.
stewardship
dents' habits
Student Executive. The Facilities Management Department helped bring in a composter. The large black cylinder stands in the backyard and encloses grass, leaves and food waste as it turns into nutrient-rich soil for the organic garden.
While funding is necessary, "It's mostly been changing our habits," Weller says, "and just the way we go about things ."
What's striking about the Green House is how simple those things are. The greenness is in the little matters.
'We've changed how we use water," Weller says. 'We make sure that when we wash dishes, or our hands and faces, that the water's not running, because that can actually save hundreds of gallons per week." Low-flow showerheads help reduce waste, and a toilet displacement device saves two liters of water per flush
Television is an acceptable use of electricity- as long as someone is watching Energy-efficient bulbs fill the
light sockets and recycling bins stand where a kitchen wastebasket would typically be. Three bins are labeled ''Trash,'' "Recycling" and "Recycling for $."
'We had three times as much recycling as we do trash, most weeks," she says.
Every week the house received a box of organic vegetables from a local farm. 'This way, we're not suppotting the pesticides and less sustainable agriculture. We're supporting a local farm that is dedicated to being organic. They grow what's in season, and give us a box of seasonal vegetables and we've been learning to cook them," Weller says.
The residents also learned to garden. In Mayan organic garden brimmed with growing strawberries, lettuce, garlic, tomatoes and onions mixed with brilliant orange poppies. 'We don't use pesticides," Weller says. 'We've been learning as we go," she says. "It's trial and error "
Beyond the everyday conservation and gardening, the Green House played a role in a number of Green Club projects, such as an open house for students and faculty. 'We want to educate people on the campus about what kind of things they can do to reduce their waste and energy and kind of set an example for the rest of the houses," Weller says.
After all, education is one of the main goals of the Green House and not just education for outsiders. "My lifestyle now is totally different," Hazelwood says. On an ecology field trip she learned how much everything is interconnected "It just makes sense to me that you would want to care for things that have been given to you," she says.
Hazelwood calls sustainable living, "a way to live with better balance in your life."
Plans are for the Green House to continue for the 2006-07 school year.by Conlan
Spangler for FPU
The residents of Palm Village have contributed to family and community throughout their lives.
Now H Is an honor for Palm Village to care for lb••
Find out about the options available for quality senior retirement living by calling to arrange a tour today.
What does $30 billion look like?
Rich men who share their wealth stretch my thinking
TIo rather dramatic events happened recently. First. Bill Gates from Seattle. Wash .• announced that he was stepping down from the day-to-day operations of Microsoft, the company he founded in 1975, and that has made him the richest man in the world. At age 50, he has decided to spend more time managing the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation, an organization devoted to making a difference in
could do if I won the lottery. Since I know that won't happen anytime soon it may be that it's time to enlarge my vision with what I understand and already have. When I think of donations it is more in the $ZO, $50 or $100 range. My thinking was stretched several years ago when I discovered that a ministry trip to Africa or the South Pacific costs $3,000 or more. Now I the world, especiany in fighting disease and poverty in Africa. This foundation L ._l also provides grants to improve the educational technology programs in poor U.S. schools.
A few days later Warren Buffet of Omaha, Neb., at age 75 the second richest man in the world, announced that he was donating the majority of his
E v identlv Em took hi s mother 's words to h e an a n d in 2000 his philanthropi c found .Hion . In recent month s, a s I ha v e watched new" re po rt s of th e G a t e s ' i n Africa, 1 have se en reflected in th e ir fac e s th e joy th ,,11 co mes from doing something go o d for others .
money, over 30 billion dollars, to the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation, in tum, will be responsible for distributing this money according to pre-determined guidelines.
Several years ago I listened to an interview with Bill Gates' father, William H. Gates II, a practicing attorney who was traveling through Africa with former President Jimmy Carter on behalf of the Gates Foundation. He was asked if his son had always been interested in helping others.
His answer was no. For many years Bill Gates was an about making money and lots of it. He became the poster child for the American Dream. The elder Gates attributed the change in his son's attitude to a conversation Bill had with his mother, Maty Gates. a former school teacher, not long before she died.
You have made all this money. she told her son. Now you have to do something good with it. Evidently Bill took his mother's words to heart and in zooo established his philanthropic foundation. In recent months. as I have watched news reports of the Gates' travels in Africa, I have seen reflected in their faces the joy that comes from doing something good for others.
I must admit that $30 billion ($30,000,000,000) is beyond my comprehension. I wouldn't know what that amount of money looked like or what to do with it if I had it. Sometimes I dream of the good I
wonder if I need to be stretched to think in terms of $5,000, $10,000 or maybe even more.
I know what $10,000 looks like-the last car we bought cost more rhan that. I even know what could be done with such an amount. Habitat for Humanity could easily build three or more homes in Panama for families who live in extreme poverty and would greatly benefit from such a gift. Mennonite Central Committee could help many victims of Tropical Storm Stan that hit several Central American countries in Z005. I imagine that for $10,000 many families there could get their homes repaired and/or rebuilt. In India $6,000 would pay for the roof of a village church. The rest could be used to buy bicycles and pay the support of quite a few evangelists who visit unchurched areas with the message of Christ.
Gates and Buffet have had their vision of giving enlarged. I wonder if it isn't time the rest of us do the same. Billy Graham writes, "The greatest blessing of giving is not on the financial side of the ledger but on the spiritual side. You receive a sense of being honest with God ...that you are doing something constructive to reach the world for Jesus Christ."
Jesus told the rich young man who asked him what he still needed to do to get etemallife. "Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor.... Then come, follow me" (Matt. 19 :ZI). We need to realize that we can't take our money with us when we leave this earth. The only way we can reap any benefits from it is if we send it on ahead. "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven," Jesus says. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:zoa. ZI).
When numbers do more than count
Do we regard numbers used in the Bible as literal or figurative?
QIn Exodus zO:5 God says he is «a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." If a generation is zo years or so, is there time enough for 1,000 generations? (California)
Aness. Likewise Revelation also uses half of seven (three and one-half) numerous times as a sign of incompleteness.
In the Exodus 20:5 passage, as well as in a parallel section in 34:6-;7, the emphasis is not on numbers. The force of the message is in the insistence that God's mercies are beyond comprehension but his anger and/or punishment are also abounding and should not be overlooked.
Waldemar Janzen, in his commentary on Exodus in the
The questioner goes on to write that Matthew 1:17 indicates 42 generations from Abraham to Christ. Numb c r s oftc n c rea te proh1cm s for \Ve slcrn--min de d
If a generation is 20 years, as the beli eve rs t h a t l)rohahly n e ve r occ urred to tc.) \vhom reader notes has been assumed, _ that's only just over a hundred th c w o rd s original1y \vcre " p o ke n or writt e n. ::\umbe r s generations from Christ to the h a d m ea nin gs the ir definition . present. And God will bless "to a thousand generations." Does that mean we have oodles of time left or is this strictly figurative?
My first and obviously more superficial answer to the question is that the Bible is not a book rooted in arithmetic. We Westerners tend to want every word in Scripture to mean just what it says. Is not the Bible inerrant-absolutely correct? It is equally obvious, however, that numbers are not always to be taken literally. Jesus asked his followers to forgive 70 times seven That was not an admonition to limit our forgiveness to 490 times. It simply meant a profound willingness to forgive others.
Numbers ofren create problems for Western-minded believers that probably never occurred to those to whom the words originally were spoken or written. Numbers had meanings besides their exact definition. In the book of the Revelation, for instance, there are repeated references to seven-seven years, seven bowls, seven churches, seven lampstands, etc. Few of us would interpret the "sevenness" always as literal numbers. There must be a meaning to that number For that reason most scholars have assumed that seven is a symbol of wholeness or complete-
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy or other spiritual issue? Send your question to "Inquiring Minds ," c/o Marvin Hein , 3036 East Magill Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710 or e-mail Marvin at marvinhein@sbcglobal.net.
Believers Church Bible Commentary series, puts it interestingly. He says that seeing God as vindictive, "remaining on the trail of a sinner's descendants and eventually catching up with the unsuspecting grandchild or great grandchild misses the point." Janzen sees these words addressed to an extended family where perhaps three or four different generations live under the same tent roof or adjacent houses in primitive times. It would be similar to a Christmas gathering on the "home place" where aunts, uncles, children, grandchildren and others meet-except that the ancients lived that way permanently.
It is not difficult to see how in such a setting, if a family head were a drunkard, dishonest or unfaithful, negative actions would result in serious consequences to the second, third, fourth generations and on. In other words there is no private sin. There is a corporate nature in sin. Sin has consequences. Elmer Martens suggests that, "God's love is not a syrupy sentimentality. It is sturdy. There is a firm edge to love, one which will curb the evil so that it will not wreak havoc."
What needs to be noticed is that there is a stark comparison in these passages. God's certain retribution for sin is compared to his overwhelming graciousness That is a message that pervades Scripture. Sin abounds, but grace overflows much, much more . Using marital imagery in the story of Hosea, God the husband, who has been angry with his wife Israel, restores their marriage. The exact words used in Exodus 20 and 34 (steadfasmess, love, mercy and faithfulness) describe Jehovah's fidelity to his once-divorced wife Israel.
Forget the arithmetic! Ponder the undeserved but overwhelming love of God.
BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP
Littleton, Colo. (Belleviewl-Adam Williams was baptized and received as a member July 9.
Ferndale, Wash. (Good Newsl-Hans Schauer and Caleb Unger were baptized and received as members July 2
San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln Glenl-Erin Friesen and Melanie Kind were baptized and received as members June 25. Marlene Goertzen, Norman Kincl, Cathy Kincl and Gayle Nastrini were also received as members
Olathe, Kan. (Community Biblel-Jessica Williams and Jessica Lemken were baptized and received as members June 25. Kellis and Stacey Bulleigh were baptized and received as members June 11 Kelly and Rachel Battese, Karla Kassel, Kelly Jefferies and Alvin, Kimberly and Allison Ens were also received as members.
Mountain Lake, Minn. (Community Biblel-Ken and Ann Unruh were received as members June 18.
Buhler, Kan.-Kay Grubbs, Dominic Martinez and Jeff Thomson were baptized June 4 and received as members June 11 Darrel Grubbs was also received as a member.
HarveYI NO-Don and Ruth Yoder were baptized and welcomed as members June 4
Enid, Okla.-Faith Matthews and Hope Matthews were baptized June 11. David and Angie Delaplane, Sharon Oxtond and Glenda Crow were received as members June 11.
Fresno, Calif. (North Fresnol-Ellie Mullins, Brittany Stobbe, Haylie Hansen, Suzanna Quiring, Chris Dickie, Stephen Tapscott and Shilanda Cumbry were baptized and received as members June 4. Fran Riley and Betty Roscoe were also received as members.
Dinuba, Calif.-Harry and Bertha Brown were received as members June 4 Stephen and Kristie Strand were received as members June 11.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl-Amanda Cooper, Kaytlynn Giles, Allison McClain, Janelle Gibson, Nick Herndon, Vincent Miera and Emilio Tarango were baptized June 17-18.
FELLOWSHIP
Shafter, Calif.-Church women were treated to a oneday retreat at a local country club July 19 The day included a luncheon, gifts, health information and spiritual inspiration.
Dinuba, Calif.-The church hosted family events on three Sunday evenings in July : a comedian on video July 9, a picnic in the park July 16 and a movie July 23 Fresno, Calif. (The Grovel-Church members watched the televised final game of the World Cup soccer tournament July 9 in the auditorium of the elementary school in which the church meets . The church hosted outdoor movie nights for the community July 14 and Aug. 4, featuring a family -friendly movie, face-painting, snow cones, a bounce house, hot dogs and soda
New Hope, Minn.-Church members participated in a 26-mile bicycle ride along Lake Minnetonka June 25
Inman, Kan. (Zoarl-Church women were invited to a one-day Diva Day Away July 22. Women were told what to bring and how much it would cost, but not the destination.
Wichita, Kan. (Firstl-Church members ended a week of kids Bible school with an all-church lake party, with water activities and watermelon provided.
Clovis, Calif. (College Communityl-The church held a combined service with the Spanish-language Orange Cove (Calif.) MB Church June 25. After the service, a Mexican meal helped raise funds for Orange Cove's learning tour of Mexico July 6-27 A group for families with young children called "Exhausted Parents" meets regularly for meals and fellowship, such as the June 4 meeting in the church nursery for pizza and a playtime for the kids.
Buhler, Kan.-Families from the congregation participated in a campout June 3-4. Activities included meals, swimming, hiking, water sports, softball and singing around the campfire The campout ended with a baptism service and outdoor worship.
Kingsburg, Calif. (Iglesia Agua Vrval-The congregation invited members of Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church to a Spanish dinner June 4 that also included songs and testimonies.
Kingsburg, Calif.- The church hosted a series of Wednesday evening Summer Fun Nights including movie nights , game night, mystery night and water night.
Reedley, Calif.-Local police gave a bicycle safety presentation and then escorted church families on a bike ride through Reedley May 31. Cyclists stopped for ice cream sandwiches at a park during the ride .
Olathe, Kan. (Community Biblel-The men's group hosted a May 20 breakfast for women . A group of mothers meets weekly during the summer months with their children to play at a park or pool, for a picnic or a movie matinee.
Blaine, Wash. (Birch Bayl-A women's tea was held May 12 and men's breakfast May 13.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl-The men's campout May 12-13 called "Men on Fire" included barbecuing, cave exploring, swimming, hiking, teaching by pastor Ken Cross, and conquering a "Men on Fire " challenge course.
Minot, NO (Bible Fellowshipl- The church held movie nights throughout the summer, with popcorn and discussion A church-wide parking lot cookout was held May 9. A bounce house was set up for children
MINISTRY
Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritage Biblel-The church hosted a soccer clinic July 10-14. Elementary school-aged children were taught soccer skills by Jaime Ramirez, soccer coach at Fresno Pacific University Each morning also included snacks and a gospel message
Hillsboro, Kan. (Parkviewl-Fourteen adults and three youth participated in a missions trip to Los Angeles They worked with an after-school program, a food bank and a ministry to the homeless.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-More than 75 high school students, college students and adults from the church are
WASH . CHURCH LAUNCHES OUTR EACH SERVICE
A new door is open at Good News Fellowship in Ferndale, Wash Good News started a Sunday evening service April 23 called Mthe door. "
" Our mission is to reach out to those who are not attending a church,M says Derek Pahlka, outreach pastor at Good News Much of the format is famlliar- a relaxed atmosphere, lively music, drama and a 20 to 30 minute talk- but seating is around tables to faciUtate discussion over coffee and cookies
The service targets younger generations, from teens to 30- somethings, and had an average attendance of 49 over the first seven weeks Pahlka says that many in the community who are not involved in church have begun to attend Mthe door" and have responded well to the discussion -oriented format. He hopes that as "the door" matures, they will see people coming from a nearby lower- income housing development. MAs a church we must break down the walls of comfort and truly reach the lost. Church is not
church to me if people are not coming to know Jesus, " Pahlka says
But " the door" isn't strictly for seekers 'While you could say that we are trying to do outreach, we are really trying to do more than that," Pahlka says 'We are trying to provide an authentic, transparent and Christ- centered service not only where people can come to find the freedom and love that Christ offers, but to continue growing in their faith "
Part of growth is service, so " the door" provides opportunities to serve as well as be served Many from the church 's regular morning service also serve at Mthe door, " including some 60 to 70 people who have committed to regular prayer for " the door." Pahlka says that , while " the door" is continuing to make improvements and adjustments, " all those involved have already grown considerably as they see God 's hand in it.Myra Holmes
participating in summer missions trips this summer.
Eagan, Minn. (Grace Churchl-A group of youth from the church traveled to the Kemerovo region of Russia in June to work at orphanages and with troubled youth. Pastor Victor Branitski says that all the youth speak Russian, which enables them to minister more effectively.
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lake CommunityJ-Over 50 junior high students recently met at the church for a "Good Knight Party" after a school dance New families have attended the church because of such junior high outreach events. The church also reports that five middle school students and four elementary students accepted Christ recently.
Denver, Colo. (Garden ParkJ- The church cooperated with at least 10 other small congregations in the area as well as students from Tabor College, Kan., and two other Southern District churches to provide vacation Bible school for children in their churches and community June 12-16. Many of these small churches have fewer than 10 children in the congregation and hadn't been able to hold VBS for a number of years. This year's cooperative effort meant that more than 60 children were able to attend VBS. Garden Park member Shara Schroeder coordinated the effort.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl- This spring 26 students, mostly college-age, served for two weeks in the Gulf Coast region helping to rebuild homes in areas affected by last year's Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Balko, Okla. (Crossroads Bible FellowshipJ-Seventeen people participated in a short-term missions project June 2-4. The group planted flowers, improved trails and mowed lawns at Morning Star Ranch, an outreach of World Impact near Florence, Kan., designed to train and disciple young men from urban areas.
Sioux Falls, SD (Lincoln HillsJ-Women recently donated their old prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, formalwear and accessories to be used by lower-income girls for next spring's prom.
Hillsboro, Kan.-An adult Sunday school class has been making repairs and improvements to the church cemetery as their class service project. In the last year the group has spent time straightening tombstones and leveling gravel on the traffic lanes in the cemetary.
PROCLAMATION
Huron, SD (BethesdaJ-Jon Wiebe, president of MB Foundation and MB Loan Fund, spoke July 9 on the ministry of MB Loan Fund. The focus of the presentation was on the growth of churches and ministries within the U.s. Conference and MB Loan Fund's role in facilitating these projects.
Enid, Okla.-Jon Wiebe and Jack Braun from MB Foundation were the guest speakers for Stewardship Sunday June 25. Wiebe preached in both services. During the Sunday school hour, Wiebe and Braun spoke about the agency's lending ministry and gave an update of work throughout the U S Conference. In the evening, they led a Good $ense Retirement Workshop and an estate planning workshop
CHURCH news "" ..
Reedley, CaUf.-Kent Hovind, an expert on creation science, was the guest speaker for the evening service June 11 Cordell Okla. (Bible ChurchJ-Jack Braun and Jon Wiebe from MB Foundation were guest speakers May 21 Braun
spoke to the adult Sunday school class about estate planning while Wiebe taught the youth on "The Power of Money." During the worship service Wiebe preached on the connection between faith and finances and told about the agency's church loan ministry.
Bakersfield, Calif. (LaurelglenJ- The church hosted a one-day couples' relationship seminar May 20 featuring counselors and authors Les and Leslie Parrott.
San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln GlenJ-The weekend of May 20-21 focused on missions. Ron Penner, from MBMS International, and Vic Wiens, missionary to Brazil, were guest speakers. The weekend also included a potluck featuring international foods and informational booths about missionaries supported by the church
TEACHING/NURTURE
Bakersfield, Calif. (LaurelglenJ-During the summer members are encouraged to join a Summer Book Group These groups meet regularly for four to 12 weeks to discuss and interact with a book in order to promote spiritual growth in a casual setting. Titles were chosen to appeal to a variety of needs, such as parenting, basics of the Christian faith, marriage, men's/women's issues, busyness and spiritual disciplines. "Thirst," a new group for college/career age singles, emphasizes weekly Bible study and service to others. A group for a broader range of young adults, called Crossroads, also meets weekly for Bible study, with occasional service or fellowship activities.
Visalia, Calif. (NeighborhoodJ- The church dedicated the month of June to discovering and using spiritual gifts. Scott Bosler, pastor of disciple making, and Lori Quinzon led a seminar designed to help members discover their gifts, passions and talents A team of "coaches" then helped members find ways to use their gifts in ministry at Neighborhood. A summer sermon series, "Discovering the Way God Wired You: also focused on the topic.
WORKERS
Bellingham, Wash. (Community Biblel-Rod Koenig was installed as pastor April 30 and began work in May. Koenig, a bi-vocational pastor, is married to Kim.
Littleton, Colo. (BelleviewJ - Blake Buhrman began work as full-time pastor of student ministries Aug. 1. Corn, Okla.-Tim Sandy began work as senior pastor July 10 The church held an ice cream social July 9 to welcome him and his wife Carla and to thank interim pastoral couple Charles and Barbara Rickel for their service
Indiahoma, Okla. (Post Oakl-Leonard Presley has accepted the call to serve as pastor. His wife is Dora. Newton, Kan. (Koerner HeightsJ-Mark Isaac has resigned as senior pastor, effective Sept. 30. He has accepted a position as director of development with MB Biblical Seminary.
Draper, Utah, (South MountainJ-Rod Jost and wife Lynette will move from Hillsboro, Kan , this summer to partner with the congregation in church planting Jason Quiring has accepted a position as youth pastor, beginning Aug 1. He and wife Nicole served at Fairview (Okla ) MB Church for the past seven years
TRANSLATOR REMEMBERED FOR SERVICE TO CONGO
Kathryn L. Willems had dreamed of becoming a missionary nurse to China sin ce she was 15 years old But then she heard the song 'T IL Go Where You Want Me to Go " and Willem s promised God she would do just that So when fellow Corn (Okla ) Bible Academy student and missionary Martha Hiebert urged Willems to join her in the Belg ian Cong o, she agreed . The rest, as they say, is hi story In thi s case , the history of a courageous woman and the national church she served tirele ss ly
Willems , who died May 9, 2006, at the age of 98, spent a total of 42 years as a missionary with MBMS International. She served seven terms in the Congo beginning in 1936 and completed her last ass ignments fro m the U S in 1983 Wh en World War II delayed her return to Belgian Co ngo , Willem s resumed he r studies at Tabo r College and graduated with a degree in theo logy
She lived Congo 's history- the country's 1960 declaration of independence as well as the 1962 Simba " rebellion during whi ch mi ssion prop erty was destroyed and Christians were perse cuted She also witnessed an important period in the hi story of the country 's Mennonite Brethren confe rence - off icial governmental approval in 1971 of the Zai re MB Conference and the rapid numeri c growth that followed .
The hallmark of Willems' career is he r commitment to providing printed materials in the Kituba language Willems helped wi t h th e first translation in 1950 of the New Te stament int o Kituba and 10 years later updated that t ran slation She translated song s for the first Kituba hymnal. In later years she edited , wrote and tran slat ed tracts , Old Testament book s and Ch ristian literature At one time she was respons ibl e for all printing operations in Kafumb a
In the early 1970s, Willems spent three years in the U S. due to illness and here continued her wo rk on the Kituba/English dictionary She returned to Congo one last time from 1974 to 1978 and then continued her tran slation work from her home in Hillsboro, Kan ., rev ising the translation of several Old Testament books, writing a 50- lesson cou r se on the wisdom literature books, edi ti ng a pastor's manual and translat ing th e North Ameri can MB Confession of Faith Her eyes gave out before the work did, but she was able to complete a Kituba Bible dictionary
Willems , a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Sept. 16, 1907, to Peter O and Lena Blo ck Willems near Buhler, Kan. Sh e is survived by two sisters , Martha and Lydia ; on e uncle , John Ens, and many cousins .- Connie Faber
Manhattan, Kan.-Pastors Richard and Barbara Krehbiel Gehring are on sabbatical during the summer months. Pete Emery is serving as interim pastor.
VisaUa, Calif. (Neighborhoodl- The congregation honored and thanked Randy Janzen for 20 years as worship pastor with a surprise gift of travel June 4.
WORSHIP
Fresno, Calif. (North Fresnol-The congregation met in a local park for worship May 21 followed by a BBQ lunch.
Clovis, CaUt. (College Communltyl-On June 11, Pentecost Sunday, members were encouraged to wear red, the liturgical color associated with the power and joy of Pentecost.... A Slavic youth choir that rehearses weekly in the church facilities provided music May 14
YOUTH
Topeka, Kin. (Cornerstone Communityl-Children ages two through fifth grade served their fathers breakfast before morning services on Father's Day, June 18
Visalia, CaUf. INeighborhoodl-The church hosted a summer music camp for children finishing first through sixth grade June 12-25, with performances June 23 and June 25 The camp theme was "'The Slingshot Heard 'Round the World:' based on the life of David. Extra activities included swimming and skating. The church anticipated 160 kids.
Yale, SD IBetheO-The junior choir presented a program titled "Race to Win"' during the evening June 11. When the congregation recognized graduating high school seniors May 21, youth sponsors talked about the unique gifts of each.
Huron, SD IBethesdal-A team of youth participated in a "'Relay for Life"' at the state fairgrounds June 9 to raise money for cancer research. The team chose a military theme, creating barracks and wearing camouflage to represent the battle against cancer Luminaries in honor of cancer survivors or victims were used to light the walking path during the night.
Dinuba, Calif.-May 21 was the annual Children's Day celebration, featuring worship focused on children, recognition of graduates and an all-church picnic.
Inman, Kin. IZoarl-Children and vacation Bible school staff walked and rode bicycles in a parade through town June 3 to generate interest for the church's VBS program, "'The Incredible Race: held June 5-9.
Kingsburg, Calif.-May 7 was a Children's Day Celebration, with worship led by children and youth and a picnic after the service.
DEATHS
COCHRON, NAN KAY, Kingsburg, Calif., a member of Kingsburg MB Church, was born July 20,1949, to Novy and Katherine Cochron in Bakersfield, Calif., and died April 27, 2006, at the age of 56 She is survived by her mother and one sister, Janice Cochron
GARBER, RICHARD H.IDICKI, Shafter, Calif , a member of Shafter MB Church, was born June 22, 1921, to Francis and Sara Garber in Beaver Falls, Pa., and died June 28, 2006, at the age of 85. On Sept. 28, 1945, he married Elizabeth J IBettye) Gilchrist, who survives. He is also survived by four sons Steve and wife Meg of Burke, Va , Tom, Doug and wife Tracy, and Jim and wife Jill, all of Bakersfield, Calif.; one sister, Dorothy Blackman of Beaver Falls, Pa.; one sister-in-law, Betty Garber, of Beaver Falls, and 12 grandchildren
HEINRICHS, ROBERT EARL, Kingsburg, Calif , a member of Kingsburg MB Church, was born Dec. 5, 1927, to Frank and Sara Heinrichs at Canton, Kan., and died May 18, 2006, at the age of 78. On Aug. 12, 1949, he married Lenora Bartell, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Jim and wife Carole of Clovis, Calif., and Ron and wife Michelle of Visalia, Calif.; two daughters, Norma and husband Stuart Claassen of Santa Clara, Calif., and Janet and husband Jon Nachtigal of Harvard, Neb.; one brother, Franklin; three sisters, Geneva Inman, Eunice Senner and Rachel Harder, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
JANZEN, A.W., Enid, Okla., a member of Enid MB Church, was born Aug. 23, 1922, to George H. and Anna Franz Janzen near Kremlin, Okla , and died June 27, 2006, at the age of 84. On Jan. 14, 1944, he
married Lavina Reimer, who survives. He is also survived by four sons, Dwayne and wife Carol of Enid, Wayne and wife Lila of Edmond, Okla , Ron of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Deryl and wife Bettie of Hemphill, Texas; one daughter Teri and husband Kent Mendel of Enid; one brother, Louis Janzen of Fresno, Calif.; three sisters, Helena Toews of Enid, Anna Ruth Thesman of Enid and Eldora Wiebe of Omaha, Neb., 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren
SMITH, GWEN M., Shafter, Calif., a member of Shafter MB Church, was born May 6, 1925, to Ernie and Lorena Cline in Upland, Calif , and died June 16, 2006, at the age of 81. She married E. Paul Smith, Jr., who predeceased her She is survived by one son, Mark and wife Debby of Baton Rouge, La.; one daughter, Monica and husband Mike Nichols of Shafter, Calif., four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Lead Pastor: The Buhler MB Church in Buhler, Kan., is looking for a lead pastor to be part of our four person pastoral team We are an active, healthy, 500member small town church that believes Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives. Buhler MB is committed to being a sending church to the pastorate and missions and feels called to fulfill our Christ-centered purpose in the world. Applicants should have an understanding and belief in Anabaptist theology, preferably with five years experience in a lead or associate pastor position in a multiple staff setting. We are looking for a man with demonstrated gifts for leading, preaching, teaching, caring, communicating, developing strong staff, and vision for the future. Resumes may be sent to the Search Committee at Buhler M.B. Church, 415 N. West Street, Buhler, KS 67522 or e-mailed to infolilbuhlermb.org 18/12)
Family Life Pastor: The Fairview MB Church in Fairview, Okla , is seeking to begin a new ministry to families by hiring a Family Life Minister. This person
should possess the following skills: ability to build traditional values and the family unit both in and outside the church; be an individual who enjoys interacting with young adults and middle-aged families and who has a passion and compassion for families; be able to work in a team oriented setting and demonstrate self-initiative. For more information e-mail fairWewmb.com. Resume can be sent to: Search Committee, Fairview MB Church, 1600 E. State Road, Fairview, OK 73737.
Country Representative: Mennonite Central Committee has an urgent opening for a country representative for its historic program in India. This individuaVcouple will coordinate the work of a large Indian staff in peace, education and community development programs in partnership with Indian organizations. Preferred start date is January 2007; June 2007 start date is possible. Direct inquiries to Lowell Detweiler, MCC Human Resources, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501; phone 717 - 859-1151; e-mail : lcdlilmcc.org 1212)
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Feeling young and old
Being open-minded about peop l e in another generation
It is often said that you are only as young as you feel. I suppose that's true . As a person gets older there can be a tendency to take on attitudes that aren't so healthy. One can become less flexible and more closed-minded, less adventurous and more sedentary. Those who want to stay young at heart need to remain physical-
ten to music on an iPod, but I don't really want to watch movies on a one-inch screen. Reading random thoughts on Webblog is entertaining for a few minutes, but then I'm ready to dig in to a well-plotted book. There, I've just identified myself as an oldster.
What I've shared so far could just be taken as my own perspective. Some older folks might like having the Mission Impossible song as their tingtone, some younger people might ly active and mentally open to new ideas. At least that's what I've heard from seniors who < ._ seem to enjoy life and keep a sunny oudook in their later years.
I wouldn't consider myself old yet, but
certainly I'm not as young as I used to be.
It's e nli ghtenin g fh,"H the Bibl e e nd orl)e s age an d yo uth cquully . Fro m the Sc rip t ures we un ders t anJ that godly shou1d retIe ct traits of both .
Usually I don't have any particular feelings about my age, good or bad. But sometimes things do occur that get me thinking about it one way or the other.
When I see some of the serious health issues faced by aging relatives and friends, of course I feel bad for them. But it also reminds me to be thankful for the fact that I feel pretty good. I still do most of the activities and sports I've always enjoyed and have even taken up a few new ones. Except for an occasional sore knee and the need to fight middle-age spread, I feel fairly young and energetic in body.
I do get to feeling kind of old, however, when I watch my teenager eat. Though he's a trim, athletic kid, he can really put away the pizza, hamburgers, tacos, lasagna and other foods that tend to go straight to a middle-ager's waistline. I wish I could still eat like that. But alas, the older I get the more I need to be careful about how much I load on my dinner plate.
Another realm where I feel young is in my marriage. That may seem strange, since Kim and I have passed our 20th anniversary Yet we continue to be blessed with a relationship filled with freshness and enjoyment We sense there is much more learning and growing we can do together. The years have gone so fast it hardly feels like we've been married a long time at all That seems different than the cultural nonn where many couples get tired of each other quickly and 10 years of marriage sounds like forever.
An area where I can feel kind of old is in the use of technology and media. I like modem technology and am generally at ease with it. But I don't have a young person's passion for the new gizmos I'm not interested in tricking out my cell phone with video games and pop-music for instance. I just prefer talking. I'm more than happy to lis-
not. Some young couples might already feel like old marrieds, while some old marrieds may always feel like newlyweds. But I think it's generally true that aging brings a temptation to become ctOtchety about the ways of the young. I've rarely noticed that tendency in myself, but lately I've had to squelch a few of those thoughts It scares me. I don't want to be the kind of person who claims things were better in the old days because it usually isn't true. Yet in the church I hear this all the time. If I was a young person in the church today, hearing about how Christians were more spiritually minded and theologically sound in the past, I don't think I'd stick around long. It's enlightening that the Bible endorses age and youth equally. From the Scriptures we understand that godly character should reflect traits of both . We need to grow up in the Lord and demonstrate wisdom and maturity. We also need to stay fresh in the Lord by maintaining spiritual passion and energy. Within us there should be a core of calm faithfulness And in our faith and life there should be a sense of excitement and joyfulness.
Since all these things should be evident in wellrounded Christians, it's strange that generation gaps in the church are widening. Old and young look at each other with skepticism. Those older folks are stuck in their ways and don't like anything new. Those younger people care only about the latest fads and don't seek substance.
Unfortunately these impressions are often accurate. If only young and old would look past the natural inclinations of their own hearts to seek the greater desires of God's heart for all generations
Yellow ribbon churches
How do congregations assist families when a parent is also a soldier?
Earlier this summer my husband and I saw Joyeux Noel, French for Merry Christmas . Nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, this is the true story of the Christmas Eve 1914 cease-fire in German-occupied France when men on both sides laid down their weapons and "fraternized" with each other. The movie depicts the cautious friendships that form between the
scored even higher. When soldiers from the regular forces return to stateside military bases they have months in which to process their experiences and programs designed to help them do so. National Guardsmen do not and according to the Times are left '1argely to their own devices."
In an essay on the topic, Christianity Today quotes
C: J \\o' hat better wa\ ' to demonstrate our commitment to peace than to minister to Llmilies in our own neighborhood" that hJve heen touched by the violence of war. The call to ministry ..lmong military families feels more urgent given the hu ge numher of men Jnd women who since 9 / {I have srent lime in active duty.
German, French and Scottish troops as they leave their respective trenches and sing Christmas carols and say Mass together, celebrating the birth of a Savior that all have in common. They share chocolates and coffee, pass around pictures of their wives, engage in a friendly game of soccer and bury their dead.
The film also notes the consequence of these actions . When it's time for the shooting to begin again these new friendships get in the way. Generals on all sides are outraged. Many who have taken part in the truce are taken off the front lines, reassigned or even courtmartialed. Many are called cowards for fraternizing with the enemy. The film's key character is the Scottish priest who leads the troops in Christmas Mass. It is this priest's exchange with his bishop following the truce that calls on viewers to also wrestle with what the Lord's "straight and narrow" path is in this context.
When it comes to the question of military service, the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith states in Article 13, "In times of national conscription or war, we believe we are called to give alternative service where possible." While I affirm this statement, I think this conviction has at times prevented us from helping those in our communities who have done combat duty. What better way to demonstrate our commitment to peace than to minister to families in our own neighborhoods that have been touched by the violence of war.
The call to ministry among military families feels more urgent given the large number of men and women who since 9/11 have spent time in active duty In addition to regular troops, hundreds of thousands of National Guard and Armed Forces Reserve personnel have seen the horrors of war. Many of these soldiers return home with mental health challenges. The New York Times, quoting a Walter Reed Army Institute of Research study, reports that 19 percent of soldiers who served in Iraq "screened positive for potential mental health disorder." Members of the Guard who served in Iraq
Chaplain Major John Morris of the Minnesota Army National Guard as saying only five of the 52 state militias have "intentional reintegration efforts." While the lack of support for a Guardsman concerns Morris, he is more concerned for the spouse, children and parents of the returning soldier. Soldiers don't know how to talk
about their combat experiences to their family members who in tum have also experienced loneliness and hardship.
Morris and others encourage congregarions to ininister to these families just as they would to other families in crisis Vietnam veteran Patrick Stone, in an essay posted on ChristianityToday.com called "Where atrocity is normal," writes, 'We must grasp the emotional and spiritual significance of combat for the veterans we meet. Most will move forward with their lives, but some must deal with their numbness and callousness, others may struggle with survivors' guilt, and some may remember too much, while others will remember too little It is our responsibility as family members, friends, and churches to provide refuge for understanding, reflection and healing throughout their lives."
In his essay "Veteran Ministry," also posted on ChristianityToday.com, Morris offers seven suggestions for how congregations can help a veteran resume life at home. Morris' first challenge is to become what he calls a "militaryfriendly" church. 'That doesn't mean that you have to support the U.S. foreign policy or promote war. It does mean that you are willing to see members of the military as you see any other distressed population in your parish."
Morris goes on to say, "Soldiers need a place where they can share the experiences of war that may trouble them They need a safe place where they can do theological inquiry which is so necessary for anyone who has suffered ttauma A church that will provide a listening ear, a place for confession and a heart of compassion will become a healing haven for soldiers and their families." May our congregations become such havens - CF
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Congratulations North Oak Community Church on completion ofyour beautiful new worship center! This addition was financed by MB Loan Fund in cooperation with investors across our U.S. Conference of MB Churches.
