After living with his Chinese wife for 20 years, Ronald Pratt has learned a thing or two about being married to someone who has ''flakey'' rather than "gooey" earwax. He's also discovered that there are bigger challenges to overcome in a successful marriage than culture and race.
13 LOVING THE ANNOYING by
Jan Johnson
What does it look like to love a person who annoys you? You begin by cultivating a right heart-a heart of goodwill toward that person. Here are four things we can do to cultivate a heart of love for difficult people.
14 CREATED FOR CONNECTING by Lynnette Friesen, David Bruce Rose and Brooke Denni
In spite of what our culture suggests, living as a single adult does not mean "enduring" ones existence until the "miracle" of marriage occurs. The single life is not a solo act, but a life lived in relationship with our Creator and his creation. The Bible is clear that we are made for connection and that our relationships, in all their variations, are central to our well-being.
16 ATONEMENT by
Tim Geddert
Atonement is about restoring relationships. So why are current conversations about Christ's death and resurrection sometimes driving Christians apart? Mennonite Brethren theologian Tim Geddert explores the questions about the atonement that perplex us and encourages us to make it a priority to "get together again" as we discuss the issues.
> FiRST WORDS
[from the editor)
WATCH YOUR MAILBOX FOR A CHRISTIAN LEADER SURVEY!
This month we are mailing a readership survey to a selected group of CL readers. If you receive a survey, we invite you to make your opinions count. Because this survey has been sent to only a few readers, your answers are important for the accuracy of this study. The survey is concerned with your reading habits-both in print and online-and asks for your feedback about the CL. Responses will be confidential, and there are no right or wrong answers. We want to make this as convenient as possible, so you will have the option of replying online or by using the written survey.
WE AT THE CL EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSE
Elizondo, the Pacific District Conference associate district minister who this summer celebrates a decade of ministry in this role. During Jose's tenure, the PDC has witnessed the planting of 20 Hispanic churches, so that today there are a total of 36 Hispanic churches in our western district
Two churches per year-that's an impressive record, and one that others would no doubt like to replicate How did this happen? " I thank the Lord and the Board of Home Missions for what is happening in our conference," Jose recently reported. "(Planting 20 churches) has happened with a very low budget and by using new ideas and models for doing church."
Jose, who was born in 1935 in Texas and moved to California nine years later, is an adult convert, accepting Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 38. While serving a Baptist church in a variery of ministry areas, Jose learned of an extension program for Hispanics at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno. He enrolled in the fouryear program for personal enrichment and had no intention of becoming a pastor. In his third year Jose was offered two pastoral positions, and he came to the conclusion that it would be selfish to not put his pastoral training to use when churches needed a shepherd.
But which offer should he accept? After praying about it, Jose felt that the first church to proceed would be the one to accept. That church happened to be Iglesia El Buen Pastor, the Hispanic Mennonite Brethren church in Orange Cove, Calif. Jose and his family served that congregation for 18 years before he became the PDC associate pastor 10 years ago.
By the way, did you know that the largest annual gathering of U.S. Mennonite Brethren adults is the annual Hispanic Assembly, held June 26-27 this year at Heritage Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif ? This year the assembly drew about 300 people. Juan Wall, Hispanic Council chair, moderated the first session and Ramon Arguello of Portland, Ore., and Sam Resendez of Sanger, Calif., led the next two. Ed Boschman, U S. Conference executive director, and Gary Wall, PDC minister, both spoke. Teams from Fuente de Vida, Parlier, Calif , and Vida Nueva, Bakersfield, led in worship.
• Nov. 5-B -Ce ntral District Conference convention, Yale, SO
• Nov. 6-7 - Pacinc District convention, Visa lia, Calif.
• April 19-21, 2010 -National Orientation, Phoenix , Ariz.
• April 21-22, 2010 -USC Board of Fait h and Life meeting, Phoenix, Ari z.
• April 22-23, 2010 -Lea dership Su mmit, Phoenix, Ariz.
• April 24-25, 2010 - U.S Mennonite Brethren Leadership Board mtg , Phoenix, Ari z
• May 14-24, 2010 - 150th 1\18 Anniversary events - Ge rmany
• July 12-17, 2010 - U.S . l\fB Convention " 50th l\1B Anni \' . Celehra tion, Vancou\ 'cr
Au gust/September 2009
Vo lume 72
Number 6
Conni e Fab e r EDITOR
M yra H olmes ASSISTANT EDITOR
Sh ell ey Plett GRAPHIC DESIGN ER
Th e Ch ristian Leader (lSSN 0009-5 149 ) is publi she d bi-month ly by t he U.S Con ference of Mennon ite Breth r en Churc hes
MANDATE The Chri st ian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Breth re n members a nd churches of the events. ac ti vities, dec isions an d issues of their denomination. an d to inst ruc t , inspire and initiate di al ogue so members w ill as pire to be faithful disciples of Christ as un derst oo d in th e evangelicaV Ana bapt ist theolog ical tra dition.
EDITORI AL PO LICY Th e views ex pressed in this publi cat i on do not necessa r ily re presen t th e posit i on of the Christian L eader, th e U.S. Con ference Leadership Boar d or th e Mennonite Bre thren Church Sc r ip tu re re ferences are from New Intern ational Vers i on unless ot herwise note d Th e editors invite freela nce art icle sub m issions. A SAS E mus t accompany art icles.
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I have a dream ... to thrive
Will U.S. MBs thrive or is that a fantasy?
At our annual U.S. Mennonite Brethren (USMB) Leadership Summit in May, I asked those present to complete a survey recently prepared by George Bullard, a longtime churchman and currently president of The Columbia Partnership, an organization that consults with and resources churches and denominations.
The title of the survey, "Can denominations thrive in the 21st century," captured my attention. It was a no-brainer. We needed to go through this exercise to see what we might learn. Denominationalism has fallen on hard times. Thoughtful seekers view it negatively. Many congregants and their pastors wonder about its added value. The drift towards individualism and local self-determination has significant momentum.
In our national family of churches, we have avoided models of connectedness that are hierarchical and regulatory. So our collaborations and partnerships are pretty much viewed as voluntary. In decades past, most all of our pastors and church families chose faithful partnership and collaboration. Our churches and their leaders all pitched in for the sake of our together ministries. Partnering as one family on one mission was working well then. Today it's not working as well. Is thriving a pipe dream?
Summit attendees include lead staff and board chairs from MB Biblical Seminary, MBMS International, MB Foundation, Tabor College, Fresno Pacific University and our distticts. Our USMB board and staff are also present. The total possible survey rating is 200 points, so numbers in the higher IOOS suggest a good grasp on present cultural realities, effective current ministries and reason for hope for the future.
A first glance suggests we have some work to do. Representatives from our educational institutions and collaborative ministries averaged 98 in their scoring Is this disconcerting or a signal that these leaders are realistic and insightful and therefore will inform and educate us well? Disttict and national leaders and staff averaged 115 points, and our USMB board scored an optimistic 135. Is this encouraging, or do these leaders view things too graciously?
Our best average score on a single statement indicates that we believe we are "engaging in missions from a globalocal perspective and empower missionaries, clergy and laity in mission" (7.6 out of IO points). This is encouraging but leaves me with some questions. If we were getting this right, wouldn't we be a faster growing family of churches both locally and globally? And since we know that new churches are most effective at
winning the lost, wouldn't we be planting churches by the dozens everywhere?
On the matter of our willingness to affirm emerging denominationalism to the extent that we find "ways to create new denominational forms," we scored 4.2. This is not as encouraging. While we are not open to renegotiating our commitment to the Scriptures and to keeping Jesus at the center, it is imperative that we recognize that forms and partnership agreements are best when reviewed, renewed and joyfully owned by the current family members. Not to do that is to guarantee irrelevance and further fragmentation.
We are aiming at ramping up our personal and corporate responsibility for evangelism and church planting. Are you and your church family making headway in that direction? We are working at communicating and clarifying USMB added value in collaborative ministry partnerships. We are connecting with and inviting our non-partnering churches to help us design new partnership forms and get on board. Are you and your church family tracking with us on this?
We are laying groundwork to address gaps between our printed faith statements and our real lives. Is this a spiritual journey that you have enthusiasm for? Our USMB board and staff believe that moving ahead in these ways will give us a chance at thriving. What do you think?
There is good reason to be very grateful for faithful Mennonite Brethren followers of Jesus all across our nation. We thankfully celebrate the joyful partnership of loyal and supportive local church families among us. In spite of the difficult economy of last year, we received $422,000 in local church support for our unified budget. a four percent reduction compared to last year's $440,000. This is an encouraging sign, and we are deeply grateful.
We have room to grow in a lot of ways. There are many lives that crave Jesus' transformation. Are you in?
A more detailed report of how U.S. Mennonite Brethren leaders attending the 2009 Leadership Summit responded to the survey, " Can denominations thrive in the 21st century?" is posted online at www.usmb.org/cl-columns
JeJ Comment on this column by going to usmb.org/christian-leader
> READER S SAY
Extending
corporate forgiveness
Jim Holm's open letter of apology represents a most courageous move (June/July issue). As a colleague. I was moved by its sincerity and forthrightness Commendably, Holm has sought the forgiveness of family. church and MB Biblical Seminary. The Christian gospel is about restoration. Each of these entities has a mechanism for response.
But how do entire conferences of churches extend forgiveness? How will Holm know that the forgiveness for which he asks has been granted? What does restoration entail in this instance?
Elmer Martens, Fresno, Calif
Strengthening the church
In regards to Paul Bartel's "Confused consumer Christians," (Practically Anabaptist, June/July 2009): Biblical church worship service segments - Scripture reading (in abundance). prayers, communion, singing songs (style/genre of lesser importance), review of doctrine or of creeds written by our early church councils and the sermon (an exhortation to practice the message of Scripture read and an explanation of the occasional difficult passages)have been adequate for thousands of years and still are (and are used in much of the worldwide church that is exploding in certain areas of the globe) to provide a truly spiritually nourishing several hours of our I68-hour week that helps strengthen believers.
It is the weakness of public worship in evangelical services that consists primarily of a song service and then a focus on a sermon (that often uses only several verses of Scripture), that leads to the expectation that some life-changing dynamic new message needs to come across to invigorate us Each person's assessment of music and/or sermon then leads to, " How was church?" More importantly, a wonderful opportunity to feed the flock has been missed.
In regard to the idea that the primary mission of the church is the fulfillment of the great commission, Scripture gives us that: It is also the Body of Christ. it is the called/chosen and it is the kingdom of believers meant to be in God's presence. The church worships (privately and publicly,) gives thanks, praises, is together in fellowship, cares for each other and yes, spreads the message. This message-given to us through the prophets and apostles-is already sufficient and relevant to every culture (with translation) without being altered or being made more culturally sensitive.
My conclusion is this: Don't forsake public worship for the sake of sending the flock out to do good works. I never see public worship discouraged in Scripture. Instead, we should reform public worship back into what it has been for centuries. Through both a nourishing worship service and living a life of faith and obedience, the flock will be the sufficient medium of the already sufficient message, with this shared message being accompanied by their love and good deeds.
James Penrose, Bakersfield,
Calif
MBBS appoints eighth president
Jost commits to two-year term as seminary president
Franklyn " Lynn" Jost has been appointed as the president of MB Biblical Seminary for a two-year period, effective June I, 2009, announced the MBBS Board of Directors July 13 Jost has been acting president since September 2008 A public inaugural event is being planned for November.
'We are grateful to Dr. Jost for his willingness to serve, and affinn his appointment as president during this important time of transition," says Ed Boschman, executive director of the U S. Conference Boschman adds, "Lynn is a proven and much- appreciated churchman and Bible teacher. Our support will be accompanied by prayer for God's wisdom."
As president, Jost will lead the seminary through the work of reshaping irself, with the potential of doing so in partnership with other institutions. The goal is to strengthen the seminary's mission while simplifying operations and expanding access to students. Jost says that talks have taken place between the seminary and its two denominational undergraduate schools-neighboring Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif., and Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. In addition, various partnership options are being discussed with Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif
"I am glad to lead a seminary that is strongly evangelical," says Jost. "Our teaching is grounded in the authority of God's Word, the Bible, and our mission is to invite women and men to be born again through conversion to Jesus. I am pleased to lead a seminary that is also thor-
oughly Anabaptist. As followers of Jesus we teach that disciples are to be baptized into the believers church, a covenant community that practices mutual accountability, worship, and holistic mission through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Jost is a MBBS graduate and earned a doctorate from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He, with his wife Donna, served for a decade as a pastor in California and in Kansas. From 1990-2006 Lynn was professor of biblical studies at Tabor College and has contributed to the life of the Mennonite Brethren denomination through various national and global boards. He currendy represents U.S. Mennonite Brethren at the Mennonite World Conference General Council.
'The mission of MB Biblical Seminary is to inspire and equip transformational pastors and leaders for the church and for the world," says Jack Falk, MBBS board chair. 'We are glad to have Dr. Jost's leadership in this mission and ask for the strong support, faithful prayer and generous giving of those the seminary serves to vigorously engage this mission alongside our new president." -MBBS
USMB announce mailing, location changes
June was moving month for U S. Mennonite Brethren offices, and denominational staff are asking churches and individuals to make change-of-address entries in address books and directories. For 17 years, MB Foundation graciously hosted the Christian Leader and other conference agencies , says CL editor Connie Faber, and even shared its post office box with the magazine, the U S. Conference and Kindred Productions, the North American publishing ministry. This summer these ministries established their own mailing addresses.
The new U.S. Conference mailing address is 7348 West 21st St., Suite 115, Wichita, KS 67205-1765, an address shared with Tabor College Wichita The phone number remains the same: 1-800-2570515. Correspondence with Kindred Productions now goes to PO Box 421, Goessel, KS 67053.
The Christian Leader editor's office has retumed to Main Street in
Hillsboro, Kan., and is now located at 107 N. Main. The new mailing address is Box 155, Hillsboro, KS 67063; telephone number remains the same: 620-947-5543.
Meanwhile, the denomination's West Coast office has relocated from an office complex in Bakersfield, Calif., to Fresno Pacific University's Bakersfield campus. 'This move will connect us to a Mennonite Brethren ministry," says Ed Boschman, the U.S. Conference executive director who, along with his administrative assistant, Lori Taylor, works from the Bakersfield office.
Thanks to FPU's decision to offer a "family" rental price, the move has been helpful during financially challenging times, says Boschman. The U.S. Conference West Coast office is now located at llOOO River Run Blvd , Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93311; phone is 661 -412-4939. - USC
USC in good position
Budget freeze, strong giving show results
Do the math and youll agree with U.S. Conference (USC) leaders who are celebrating a strong finish to the 2008-09 fiscal year in spite of a shaky economy. A successful attempt to significantly underspend the USC budget multiplied by higher than expected church contributions and individual donations adds up to good news.
"Given the national economic realities, I feel good about where we ended the fiscal year," says Ed Boschman, USC executive director. "Showing under $1,000 in red ink this year is pretty good."
Thanks to careful spending and generous giving, the conference finished the fiscal year in the red by only $847. putting the USC in a good position for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
"A special thanks goes to churches that partnered with us this year," says Boschman, adding that the denomination gained several new church partners this year. "To have a decrease in church giving of only 4 percent in the current economy is a strong signal of affirmation and support."
Midway through the fiscal year, Boschman says he anticipated church giving would finish around $400,000 rather than the budgeted $500.000. That church giving came in at a respectable $422,084, just $18,566 less than the previous year, is encouraging. says Boschman.
Given the economy. Boschman describes USC staff fundraising as quite effective. Efforts by Boschman and MUSA director Don Morris raised a total of $273,698 from individual donors.
A modified budget freeze during the third quarter and a full freeze the fourth quarter proved to be key elements of the equation. "It could have been a lot worse-and would have been without the freezes," says Boschman. While expenses were budgeted at $902,973, USC staff underspent the budget by $118,569, a 13 percent savings. Mission USA (MUSA), the denomination's church planting and renewal ministty, and the Christian Leader. the denomination's magazine, realized considerable savings. The decision to not publish the May issue of the magazine and to curtail MUSA travel and the savings experienced in several MUSA projects led to a 20 percent savings in these two ministries.
Looking ahead, Boschman affirms the decision by the USC Leadership Board to set the 2009-10 USC budget at $707,150. 'This is a realistic budget that sets appropriate church giving and fund-raising goals given the current financial strain," says Boschman. "I am enthused about moving ahead in leadership development, strengthening our partnership with churches and agencies and working on various new initiatives with the non-Anglo churches in our conference," he says.-Connie Faber
MBF recognized
The Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) announced in June that MB Foundation (MBF) is included in the 2009 list of Certified Best Christian Workplaces in the United States. MBF is the denominational stewardship ministty. What makes MB Foundation unique, says BCWI, is that the staff feel that their organization has improved over the past year. and there is good teamwork across departments . In order to be certified, organizations must complete the BCWI Employee Engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence. The survey covers such issues as: job satisfaction, organizational commitment. Christian witness supervisory effectiveness, work satisfaction, personal growth and development, management effectiveness, customer/supporter satisfaction, teamwork. communications and pay and benefits. Employees answer more than 50 questions addressing these topics. - BCWI
REDDIG RESIGNS
Ken Reddig resigned as executive secretary of the MB Historical Commission during its annual meeting May 15-16 Abe Dueck will serve as interim until a new executive director is appointed. The Commission's current projects include publishing a global history of the Mennonite Brethren as well as planning for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the MB Church in 2010.-Historical Commission
CANADIANS HOST STUDY CONFERENCE
The Canadian MB Conference Board of Faith and Life is inviting U .S. Mennonite Brethren to attend its annual study conference. This year's conference, held Oct. 15-17 at Forest Grove Communiry Church, Saskatoon Sask., is on the topic "Confessing Jesus in a Pluralistic World." Thomas Yoder Neufeld, associate professor of religious studies and peace and conflict studies at University of Waterloo, Ont., is the speaker. For event details, see www.mbconf . ca/events.-Canadian Conference
MDS AT WORK IN CALIFORNIA
The California State Unit of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) began work July 6 on a summer RV project in Green Valley Lake, a small town in the San Bernardino Mountains at 7,200 feet elevation that is only suitable for working in the late spring and summer. MDS volunteers will build a home for a single lady who lost hers in the fires of 2007. As an RV project, volunteers will live in their own recreational vehicles. MDS is a disaster relief agency of North American Mennonites.-MDS
GOOEY meets
Lessons from a crosscuLtural marriage
WOW! TWENTY YEARS MARRIED TO MY LOVELY wife, Sharon. How can time go by so fast? I look back and see how God led me to a wonderful human being and also gave me the opportunity to take in a fantastic culture and language and make it my own.
How does a joining of cultures affect a marriage relationship? Not much, at least not in the long run. A cross-cultural marriage is good for quire a few laughs, different kinds of foods and coundess rich experiences. But a marriage will stand or fall independent of these things I hope my account of how a loving God seeks to break barriers and bless his people will encourage you in your relationships.
I met Sharon in 1987 while finishing two years of language school in Dalian, northeast China in preparation to begin graduate studies in China. She was studying English in the nearby coal mining town of Fu-xin, and her teacher was a member of our small Youth With A Mission team. When I finished language school, I moved to Fu-xin to begin graduate school. I "popped the question" in the fall of 1989, shortly after the Tian An Men upheaval. We were married in June 1990 in a precious wedding ceremony in Fu-xin.
Racial diHerences
When people see us, they certainly notice our different racial features. I get stared at in China as though I am some kind of space creature. More than once I created a pileup of bicycles as people were watching me instead of the road. Similarly, when we were in Sweden locating remote ancestral villages on my side of the family, people and children looked at Sharon and totally ignored me. I dropped a few yards behind and stared at her too. What a dear opportunity to tum the tables!
God's beauty is revealed in the different races and so is his sense of humor. If Sharon and I were the same race, we would have had to forgo a lot of fun. When Western people see Asian people, they most likely notice their "oriental" eyes When Asian
apeople see Westerners, they primarily see a huge nose and a body covered with hair. In fact, one of the more complimentary epithets Chinese have for Westerners is «Da Bi Zi" or "Big Nose."
Soon after marriage, Sharon and I had an ongoing debate for months on whether foreigners (what Chinese call all Westerners) really do have larger noses. My argument was that a nose is a nose, and they all serve the same purpose. So maybe my nose is higher than hers, but it certainly isn't as wide. Overall, I argued, noses must be the same size. We settled the matter by placing pieces of string on our noses and measuring the string from left bulb of nose to right. I lost the bet. Foreigners do have big noses.
An ear fuU of diHerences
We also discovered our ears are different. My ears get a waxy goo inside. Sharon's ears, however, periodically shed flakes of dried skin, a little like a snake. We discovered this fascinating bit of trivia many years ago, and it was heattening to come across the results of a research study many years later that concluded there is in fact a gene which controls this. Most Chinese and other East Asians are of the flakey variety and most foreigners are of the gooey kind. Doesn't God have a sense of humor?
People, both in the U.S. and in China, often ask us if we encounter any racial prejudice. We can honesdy answer no. Not a bit. Not in either country. However, there are certain realities Due to historical differences in our two nations, I can never be Chinese to the extent Sharon can be American . I will never be accepted as a Chinese . I can only be "Chinesey." And boy, do I love being Chinesey. Sharon, however, is fully accepted as an American because she is an American.
We do encounter some amusing commentary. While visiting a zoo in Malaysia, a loose monkey was running around. For some reason the monkey a particular liking to me and would cling to my leg. My mother-mlaw jokingly remarked it was because I am closer to the monkey on the evolutionary scale, so it regarded me as an equal.
In Denver, my mother earnestly remarked to Sharon that her Chinese friends would regard her more highly because she gets to be with us white people. But I don't call this prejudice. It's quirky; it's funny. Both of our mothers' hearts are good as gold, and we love them dearly Chinese people often tell me as a compliment that I am an egg: white on the outside, yellow on the inside. I am honored.
Colliding cultures
Of more significance than race is culture. Racial stuff is literally skin deep, but culture penetrates a lot deeper . The Chinese name for China is "Central Kingdom." This idea pervades the hearts and minds of nearly all Chinese. There are two kinds of people in their eyes, Chinese on the inside and foreigners (aka barbarians) on the outside.
For example, in our Chinese church, nonChinese churches are often referred to as "Wai Guo Jiao Hui" or foreign (literally outside) churches. Chinese , even those living in America and having U.S. citizenship, call nonChinese Americans "foreigners." When I am speaking Chinese, I do it too. It is just natural. It's the way things are.
Our marriage requires that we embrace each other's cultures. This adds a wonderful dimension to our lives; you might call it a bonus. I believe an important achievement for us has been holding onto our own cultures while fully embracing the other. Our home is a pleasing combination of Chinese paintings, bottles unearthed at Colorado ghost towns, Chinese Cultural Revolution memorabilia, ancient Chinese coins and American architectural salvage. Our DVD collection includes Chinese dance, Peking opera, Chinese regional opera, M'l-NS'l-H, Dennis the Menace and Prince Planet. We enjoy our own cultures and we enjoy each other's. Sharon enjoys listening to Celtic Women while I peruse my Chinese stamp collection. We are each doubly blessed.
Potential pitfalls
Sadly, I have seen situations where the cultural aspects doomed a marriage or romantic relationship. There are potentIal pitfalls in every cross-cultural marriage
In some marriage relationships one or both spouses refuse to learn the language or learn about or become familiar with ,the other's culture You get the person-you get the culture It s a package deal. If you reject the other's culture, you are rejecting an important part of that person, and I would predIct the marriage relationship to be wobbly at best
Another difficulty is when one or both individuals want to fully take on the other's culture and "go native." I call this "two
ships passing in the night." It often occurs in China between foreign students and their Chinese classmates. The former have visions of a live-in language teacher. China residence visa and the perfect opportunity to be fully immersed in the Chinese culture. The latter has visions of leaving China. studying abroad, getting a high-paying job,
ality. Above all of this, the ultimate glue that holds us together is being one in Christ.
All cultures have their strong and weak points, and these cultural weaknesses can work together and steal the joy and wreak havoc on a cross-cultural marriage. The whole thing works when
D Soon after marriage, Sharon I had an ongoing de hate for months on \\ ·hether toreigners (what Chinese cal1 \\'esterners) really do have larger noses. \\'e settleo the matter hy placing pieces of string on our noses and measuring the "iring from left bulb of nose to right. r lost the bet. Foreigners do have hig noses.
etc. The two are initially drawn to each other as magnets, but later on they begin to repel each other as each seems to hold the other back.
Social class realities
An even more potentially sensitive issue than culture is social class, especially when the in-laws come into the picture. We Americans like to pretend social class is nonexistent or of no importance. But like it or not, this issue can rear its ugly head.
Social class has not been an issue for Sharon and me. Our parents are very conservative, patriotic, hardworking, monolingual and have used education to. establish comfortable lives for themselves and their families.
Each has two children for a grand total of three engineers arid one accountant. The WWII veteran met the card-carrying Communist Party member and each knew he could trust the other with his child. Our marriage has not involved cutting across any social class boundaries.
Who. we really are
All these issues are only a veneer that quickly rubs off of a marriage as years pile up. What endures is who we really are as human beings. Early in our marriage we took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) test. I tested INTP and Sharon tested ISTJ. That means I am somewhat of an abstract thinker, fairly introverted and like things open and unplanned. Sharon is also quite introverted. but more practical and "down to earth" and prefers things more planned and structured.
This has helped us to see each other as unique individuals. and when one of us finds the other acting "crazy" or "having a weird sense of priorities." it never has anything to do with culture or race. The peculiarity can be attributed to our different personalities and is usually predictable behavior in light of our personality types It is our God -given personalities that really make us different from each other.
In order of importance. I have reflected on racial differences. differences of culture, differences of social class and finally. person-
both of us are continually being conformed to Christ. His sprit unites us and works within us so we may yield his fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). I close with Malachi 2:10, "Have we not all one Father?
Did not one God create us?"
Ronald Pratt is program director for the Applied Mathematics program at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno. Calif His wife, Sharon, works as a Transportation Engineer for the California Transportation Department. They are active members of Fresno Chinese Gospel Church and frequently travel to China.
-tpost your comments at usmb.orglchristian-leader I@ Study questions are available at usmb.orglchristian-leader
Lov Ing the ANNOYING
C uLtivating lov e for the person in front of y ou
I HAVE NOT ALWAYS LOVED MY NE IGHBOResp ecially the one next door. At first, I wa s an noyed by ho w the hu sba nd parked cars on hi s lawn - oops, th ere wa s no lawn , just d irt and weeds. How would thi s affect th e res ale value of my h ome? As the wild parties and loud fi ghts increa sed, I wanted to avoid my neigh bors .
But God kept nudgin g me with th is qu es tion : What wo ul d it look like to love the person in front of you - even if only for the next 10 minutes, even if thi s person anno ys you ?
We begin by cultiva tin g a ri ght hea rt- a hea rt of goodwill to ward that pe rson That cultivation takes pl ace through ce rtain spiritual practice s th at hel p us co nn ect with God and through that vital connec ti on, build a ri ght hea rt from which loving acti on s are more li kely to flo w. Here are some practices I've found particu larl y helpful in cultivati ng a hea rt of love for diffi cult people.
Praye r O ne da y my thou ghts turn ed to Al ice (not her real n ame) , a ch urc h fri end who was bein g unkind and spiteful to ward another fri end . How could my fri end act with such ve nom ? Ye t I fel t guilty about my in abili ty to love her
Th e phrase "Love your enemi es and pray for those who pe rsec ute yo u" ca me to mind (Ma tt . 5:44 ) Ali ce was n't my enemy, but I ce rtainly didn't love her. I tri ed to pray for Alicethat she wo uld let God's love permeate her soul and pass it on . I gradually began to speak kindly toward her and to care about what happen ed in her life
Confes sion. As I praye d for Alice , I found myself doing som e soul -sea rching : What is in my heart towa rd he r? Did I see myself as her victim ? Wh at did I need to do to tru st God more?
I find that co ming clean to God about the rese nttn ent within me- how I've avoided people or used wea pon s of generalization- is important Co nfess ing is not a tim e to beat myself up, but to allow God to surrou nd me with empowe rin g grace. It's one more way to get my heart right.
Silence. There are many ways to practice silence, but on e way th at particularl y helps me keep a ri ght hea rt toward oth ers is th e practice of not see kin g to have th e la st word Especially when someone tries to get a reaction from me or offers a fin al zinge r, it helps my inner peace to say nothing
I saw the power of thi s practice when a famil y member smarted off to my sister. I immediately became irritated . My sister, howeve r, sa id noth ing but simply gri nned at th e offender The look on th at youn g perso n's face changed She realized she'd been unkind to my sister who was always kind to her And I, standing off to the sid e, felt my irrita tion vani sh as I felt
God's grace (in my sister's face) pour ove r me also It was a love- drenched silence.
Service. So metim es God leads us to se rve in order to develop a right hea rt in us. Many years ago I kn ew an older woma n who fou nd the pas tor annoyin g-so much so that she couldn't stand to li sten to hi s serm on s. She wanted to change so, led by God, she started to attend the pastor's weekly Bible study and offered to fix th e coffee. I noticed th at she see med to sleep through most of th e study and as ked if she was ti re d As we talked , she revealed her problem and th e Spi rit-s ugg ested solution , saying, "I find myself praying for th e pastor during th e study Thi s ha s helped me see him differently. It wa s th e best thi ng I could have don e. "
With my next-doo r neighbors , God gave me a surpri sing means of servic e. As an art volunteer at th eir daughte r' s elementary sc hool , I intera cted with thi s swee t- natured girl. This cultivated in me a loving heart for a famil y who produ ced a child li ke thi s. As I b efri ended her in small wa ys- gi vin g her an art book and visitin g now and th e n in our d ri veways- her parents beca me fri endli er too .
C ultivating a hea rt th at tru sts God with diffi cult people tra nsform s th e soul. As we align ourselves minute- by- minute with th e one who is consistently kind even to th e ungrateful, we start to take on th e character of Go d - even if it's only 10 minutes at a time.
Jan Johnson is a speaker and the auth or of Invitati on to the Jesus Life: Experim ents in C hris tlike ness, from which this article is adapted (www. janj ohnson. org ).
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Created for connecting
Single adults are called to be celibate but not solo
THE SINGLE ADULT MINISTRY WAS THE LARGEST program at a 2,000-member urban church and as part of his duties, the associate pastor, responsible for pastoral care and supervision of the Christian education and youth programs, was the group's leader. It was an interesting combination of responsibilities - working with teenagers and single adults who averaged 50 years of age. Despite having over 300 participants, no members of the singles ministry were in leadership roles in the church, and the church charged the group "rent" to use the gymnasium.
U.S. census figures (1985, 1993, 1990) predicted that during the first of the new millennium there would be more single adults over the age of 18 than married adults. Yet church leaders frequently ignore the needs of singles within their congregations and continue to speak of the need for" more young families." It is even implied that one is not "fully" Christian if one is not married and raising children; single Christian adults are frequently treated with suspicion, as if something is "wrong" because they are single.
American society implies that fulfillment is only found in love and marriage. Movies, books and television repeat the tale of a single adult being unfulfilled until they find their soul mate, fall in love and marry The world so strongly asserts that intimacy can only be found through sexual relationships that the word "intimacy" has become a euphemism for "sex."
So it's understandable that Christian single adults ohen have the impression that being single is a state in which to ask for God's grace, a state to be "endured" until the "miracle" of marriage happens.
Intimacy and the single life
Unconsciously, the church ohen colludes with society's emphasis on romantic love; however, the Bible presents a very different view of intimacy and the single life. The Bible makes it clear that God's grace is sufficient for our needs; while God can certainly bring a marriage partner into a person 's life, it is wrongand hurtful to Christian singles-to suggest that the Bible teaches marriage to be the ultimate good in our life
Genesis 1-2 are appropriately studied to help us understand God's intention for marriage, but because Genesis tells the story of the creation of all humans - not just married people - these chapters can also teach us a great deal about relationships in general. When God says, "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Gen . 2:18 NIV), he is not talking about genital sexual expression per se. Rather, this text is talking about the human need for intimate relationships
Of all God's creation, we are uniquely created to be in a personal relationship with our Creator. Because God has decided to be in intimate relationship with us and we are made in his image, we are made to be in intimate relationship with him and others . But that intimacy is not limited to or even defined by sexual relationships.
Christian single adults are called to be celibate; we have freedom and responsibility to God and to our fellow created beings. But the Bible is clear that even while celibate, we are made for relationships. Our relationships, in all their variations, are central to our well-being and so need to be conducted with integrity before God.
Intimacy with integrity
I Corinthians 7 also addresses our need for intimacy with integrity Paul tells us that being single or married, although equally valid, are unimportant compared to the much more significant calling of being a Christian. The most important issue is our calling to be Christian in whatever ' circumstance we find ourselves. But faithfulness to Christ does not require single adults to live a life of loneliness and isolation.
Lynnetre, one of the authors, describing her experience as a single adult, says, "During my adult years, close and particular relationships (intimate friendships) have been the source of encouragement, growrh, challenge and fun. They have encouraged me to explore people, places and ideas, possibly broader than if they had not challenged and encouraged me. They have made me grow in how I see others and myself and in my relationship with God. They have challenged my way of thinking and encouraged me to be better than I was .. .. Becoming a friend to someone and allowing the other to become my friend is to love the stranger/neighbor. And as we come to know and love the other we find room to include more 'others' in our lives."
Research conducted by Lynnetre with David Bruce Rose (2000) indicates that for many Christian singles the experience of intimacy is different than it is for married adults, but intimacy is no less important. In a preliminary study examining adults involved in a large Christian singles program, Lynetre and David tested the hypothesis that an important component of a complete, fulfilled and satisfied life for a single adult is participation in close/intimate same and cross-gender friendships.
While the sample is too small to generalize the findings, the results indicate that Christian singles who are satisfied with their lives have a significant and intimate network of friendships that they value highly. Interestingly, the study also found that even
though intimate friendships are correlated with life satisfaction for Christian singles, men and women described intimacy with others differently.
Privileged to serve
Interviews with single Christian adults indicate that for many, the word "family" (for want of a better descriptive word) necessarily comes to have a different or expanded meaning. Family often consists of those friends to whom the single turns for companionship, fun, love, sharing sorrow, encouragement and help in making decisions. These friends with whom they are intimate and whom they love are undeniably gifts from God.
As described in I Corinthians 7=32-34, the single adult is in a unique and privileged position of being able to live closer to the ideal of universal love than the married person. Because the single adult is not spending necessary time and energy with spouse and children, they have the opportunity to be less exclusive in their love, although not less passionate or less committed . Because they are not spending time with spouse and children, they are uniquely suited for the work of ministry; however, the church seems to have a bias towards married ministers. The single Christian can be a tremendous blessing to the body if we begin to affirm their state as one of privilege.
Christian singles need to learn that intimacy is not only for married people, and the church needs to teach that it is difficult to achieve intimacy It is not merely being busy with each other or havingsex
Intimacy is not achieved quickly or easily and should not be expected in every relationship . Intimacy is never one-sided and should not be just work; it should also be fun. Both married and single persons would benefit from a deeper exploration of what authentic and healthy intimacy looks like .
While intimate friendships for many singles are functionally similar to a marriage partner, the Bible is clear that sexual relations are to be reserved for marriage. Intimacy is important, but Christians must reject the prevailing cultural belief that equates intimacy with sex.
We must go further and also reject the cultural myth that intimacy produces wholeness. Similarly, for both married and single Christians, developing intimate friendships is based on the understanding that their primary identities are found in Christ, not in a particular status of life, and that they are created as relational beings that need to live in community.
We support marriage and family and consider them a necessary part of the church and society. What we object to is the unbalanced emphasis on marriage and the family . To help single Christian adults grow as disciples of Jesus, the church needs to discontinue treating single adults as lesser-than members and affirm them fully within the community of faith. We pray that this change will take place in the pulpit, in a changed attitude among married persons and through single adults recognizing that they are full participants in the kingdom .
Lynnette Friesen graduated from MB Biblical Seminary in 2000 and this article is based on her master's thesis, "Intimacy with Integrity : Experiencing Community Fully as a Celibate Single." Friesen died in 2006 while living in Winnipeg, Man. David Bruce Rose, associate professor at MBBS Fresno, was Friesen's thesis advisor. Brooke Denni received her master's degree in marriage, family and child counseling from MBBS in 2009 Denni and Rose compiled and edited elements of Friesen's unpublished thesis for this article Friesen's entire thesis is available through Hiebert Library at MBBS Fresno
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THINKING ABOUT THE
Can we " ge t together again " when it comes to understanding the atonement ?
ATO NEMENT IS ABOUT "GEITING TOGETHER again ," wipin g th e slate clean so that a relation ship is restored . It is a tragic irony th at co nve rsation s about Chri st's d eath and res urrection so metim es drive C h ristian s apart. Unfortunately, where th ere are controve rsies there is often a great deal of miscommunication.
The Bible provides a rich divers ity of images that help us grasp the great miracle of reconciliation with God that Jes us' death and resurrection accomplish. What a tragedy when, in our attempts to be faithful to th e Bible's authority on thi s central aspect of our faith , we end up speaking past each other, shrinking the Bible's teaching to one narrow theory or quick. ly charging people with unfaithfuln ess to Scripture just because we do not quite see eye to eye.
Thi s article is my attempt to make sense of what is going on I pra y it will be helpful in cl ari fy ing ou r co mmunication and moving us fo rward It might eve n help us get tog eth er again
What does a tonement mean?
':Atonement," both in the Bible and in theological disc ussion, has many facets Yet the meaning of th e word itself is pretty clear- it is about parties becomin g "at on e" (i. e., aton ement happens). The word is usually used to talk about restoring the relationship between God and people, and that is the fo cus of this discussion though the Bible also speaks of the res toration of all creation.
There are many aspects to a restored relationship with God, and as a result discu ssion s about the atonement can become complicated. Theologians have put a great deal of effort into working out precisely how the death and resurrecti on of Jes us accomplish th e atonement Unfortun ately, defenders of va rious views sometimes use the word aton ement as though it means their view.
When I use the word atonement, it means simply "becoming recon ciled with God." C hris t's death on the cross and his res urrection are not the atonement, th ey are th e mean s of th e atone ment Theo ries about how this all works are also not the atonement, they are simply our attempts to
explain the atonement. What seems clear in Scripture is that there is more than one way to talk about what happens through the cross and Jesus' resurrection
What brings about atonement?
The Bible is very clear: Christ accomplishes the atonement and does so most centrally through his death and resurrection. On the basis of Christ's salvation work, we can be reconciled to God Even Old Testament saints were reconciled through Christ's work, though they lived before it was accomplished and at a time when they could not have understood all this. Their reconciliation with God sometimes involved animal sacrifices and sometimes did not (e.g., Leviticus 4:26; Psalm 32:1-2; Isaiah 6:7).
In New Testament times we can also be reconciled with God without fully understanding how Christ's finished works accomplish the atonement. We are called to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are clearly taught that Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8) . Probing further, we find that the Bible gives us diverse responses and that theologians formulate diverse theories and doctrines.
What are atonement theories?
This may be oversimplified, but the main atonement theories that have been proposed throughout church history-including Mennonite history-can be differentiated like this:
Ransom theories focus on the fact that humans (and the rest of creation) are enslaved to the wrong master until, through Jesus' death, they are set free. The dominant image here is "manumission"-the act of setting slaves free. God ransomed Israel from Egyptian slavery and set them free. So also, through Jesus' death, we are set free from slavery to sin and death. Some texts speak of Jesus buying us so that we can be made slaves of a new master, our Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 7 :23; Col. 1:13; 1 Tim. 2:6; Rev. 5:9).
Combat theories focus on the fact that through Jesus' death and resurrection God won the decisive victory over the evil powers: Sin (not merely my personal sins, but Sin as a power), Death and behind all of these, the Devil. The Latin expression Christus Victor is often used to speak of this (2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8). Some theologians combine these first two theories into one theory.
Penal satisfaction theories focus on the penalty for sin that God's righteousness demands and on the fact that Jesus took our place, satisfying God's demand for justice (Isa. 53:5; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; 1 John 2:2). This is probably the most widely accepted theory among many conservative evangelicals today, but it has not been the most widely accepted theory by the church through much of its history.
Moral influence theori es focus on how Jesus , by willingly accepting even death as an expression of love, leads others also to choose a life oflove and self-sacrifi ce in response (I John 4:10,11,19) .
Why pluralize «theories"?
Some readers will have noticed that I talk about "theories" in each of the four categories above. These are not four theories but four types of theories. Within each of them there are variations on a theme, sometimes even contradictory claims.
Ransom theories sometimes speculate on who was "paid off" to set us free from slavery Did God pay Jesus to the devil? Did God trick the devil by taking the payment back again in the resurrection? Early church theologians often wisely stopped short of working out all the details - after all, it is an image, a metaphor, not an exact explanation of some salvation mechanism.
Combat theories sometimes focus mostly on the death of Jesus, emphasizing how Jesus exposed the futility and helplessness of the systems of evil and behind them, God's ultimate enemy (d. Col. 2:15). Others focus mostly on the resurrection as the place where Death and the ultimate Death-dealer, Satan, are decisively defeated.
Penal satisfaction theories emphasize God's just demands and the dire consequences of rebelling against them. Jesus' atoning sacrifice builds a bridge across the gap that our sin creates between humanity and God. Sometimes the focus is on how Jesus' death covers our sin and changes us; sometimes it is on how Jesus' death satisfies God's honor and changes God's disposition towards us.
Moral influence theories highlight the way Jesus served as a model of love, challenging us to learn to live up to that ideal. This view is inadequate as a theory of the atonement, and I will leave this category of atonement theories out of the rest of this discussion. Nevertheless, we throw out important biblical teaching if we do not emphasize the modeling function of Christ's sacrificial death Christ's death was not only in our place; it was also a visible demonstration of how we also are to respond to others (1 Pet. 2:21).
In
what sense is Jesus our substitute?
The Bible presents the atonement through Jesus ' death on the cross as a "substitutionary atonement. " When Jesus died for us , he died to take our place, to do what we could not do, to accomplish what we could not accomplish . Now this is the most important point I want to make : All the major atonement theories present Jesus as our substitute!
Ransom : We could not buy back our own freedom from slavery to sin and death, so Jesus paid the price and set us free-free to be Christ's slaves. Jesus did what we could not do; in paying the price he was our substitute!
Conquest: We were too weak to defeat our enemies (and of course God's); only God acting in and through Jesus could defeat the power of Sin and Death, could defeat the archenemy, Satan, and therefore deliver us from Satan's dominion . Jesus did what we could not do; in overpowering the enemy, he was our substitute!
Penal Satisfaction: The penalty for sin is death; if we had needed to pay for our sins, death would have been our final fate. But Jesus paid the penalty for us; he became our substitute.
Why so confusing?
There are two reasons why all this gets confusing at times First, many who prefer the penal satisfaction theory call it "substitutionary atonement." That is very unfortunate, because in fact all three of the theories are about the atonement and all of them present Jesus as our
innocent party paying a legal debt for the truly guilty, something like a victorious warrior defeating Sin and Death, something like a new master ransoming someone out of slavery. Out of these images and metaphors we construct theories and doctrines. But the theories and doctrines need to be responsive to all the biblical images and metaphors in order to offer a balanced statement of what God did through Christ.
Some suggest that the penal satisfaction theory must be the main theory, because Jesus' death is portrayed as a sacrifice. But not
"The Bible is very clear: Christ accomplishes the atonement and does so most centrally through his death and resurrection. On the basis of Christ's salvation work, we can be reconciled to God ."
substitute. To charge those who favor other theories over penal satisfaction with denying substitutionary atonement is just plain wrong.
Second, because some theologians defend only one theory and argue that only that one theory can be right, they typically highlight the positive aspects of their chosen theory and exaggerate problems with the ones they reject. That makes it very difficult for ordinary Bible readers to know who's right.
It is hard even to know what the main theories are because they are described so differently by supporters and by critics. Fighting tooth and nail for a theory obscures the fact that the Bible majors on images, symbols and narratives, while we split hairs over philosophical concepts and formulas.
DQes the Bible favor penal satisfaction?
Those who favor the penal satisfaction theory often claim it is the central picture, the main story line, what really happened. Other images are not rejected but interpreted within the penal satisfaction framework. What I find in Scripture is a strong focus on all three major theories and references to many more symbols and images besides these.
Some respond, "But does the Bible not say over and over again, 'Christ died for our sins,' implying penal satisfaction?" The answer is that it does not. Most of the verses in the New Testament that say, "Christ died" end with something like "for the ungodly" or "for us" or "for all" or "for the brother" (e.g Rom. 5:6,8; 2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Cor. 8:11). Only a few refer to sins, and when they do they sometimes explicitly define a theory of the atonement other than the penal satisfaction theory.
A clear example of this is Hebrews 9:15: "He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins." Moreover the Old Testament sacrifice that is most closely associated with Jesus' death on the cross is not the "sin offering;" it is the "Passover lamb." And that sacrifice was not to atone for Israel's sins; it was a substitute for the firstborn.
God accepted Israel's Passover sacrifice and thus defeated their enemies (combat theory) and rescued them from slavery (ransom theory). Yes, Jesus died for our sins. But Jesus also died to defeat Sin, and Jesus died to set us free from Sin.
What really happened is that God accomplished the atonement through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is something like an
nearly all sacrifices in the Bible have to do with removing sin. The Passover sacrifice was more about combat and liberation than about paying the penalty for sin. Some animal sacrifices were acts of thanksgiving and praise. Some were part of a cleansing ceremony. Some celebrated covenant making.
When sacrifices were about sin, the focus was on removing the sin or satisfying God's justice more than it was on appeasing God's wrath. Actually, outside the book of Hebrews, Jesus' death is called a sacrifice very rarely: once in Romans 3:25 where a form of penal satisfaction may be in view, once in 1 Corinthians 5:7 where a ransom theory is implied and once in Ephesians 5:2 where neither theory is clearly present (compare Eph. 5:2 with Phil. 4:18)
What's next?
So where do we go from here? We dialog about these things by trying to communicate as clearly as possible. We listen charitably to each other and refrain from crying heresy as soon as someone appears to reach conclusions we have questions about. We go back to the Bible and see what it says.
And if you ask me, we allow the Bible to use a variety of metaphors and images of the atonement. I think we are better off if we accept the best of all the theories than if we limit Scripture by pressing all its claims into our narrowly defined boxes. "Jesus died for us!" That is the main thing.
Want to know where to go for the best concise statement on the atonement that I can find anywhere? Go to the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith, Article 5 (http://www.usmb.orglconfession-offaith---detailed-version). Our denomination has adopted this statement, and it is a good one. It encourages us to accept the breadth and depth of the whole witness of Scripture to this central aspect of our faith.
Tim Geddert is the academic dean of the MB Biblical Seminary Fresno (Calif) campus and is professor of New Testament. He is a member of the u.S. Conference Board of Faith and Life. This article was also published in the June 2009 issue of the MB Herald, the English-language publication of the Canadian Conference
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Part-time pastors, lifelong learners
poe partners with FLET to train Spanish-speaking leaders
y ou really can't grow (the church) unless you develop leaders, " says Juan Wall, chair of the Pacific District Conference (PDC) Hispanic Council. "In my mind , if you don't prepare leaders to do the work, you really don't have a future."
Leadership development is a key priority for the PDC, the only u.s. Mennonite Brethren district conference with a board specifically charged with developing potential leaders. And for years,
FLET, founded in 1968, offers Spanish-language distance education courses to train pastors, teachers, evangelists, church planters and church leaders. Students can study at a number of levels, including certificate, associate, bachelor's or master's levels, and even earn college or seminary credit. Courses cover a variety of areas. Certificate programs, for example, include Teaching Bible, Leadership, Communications, Christian Counseling and Missions.
o For many poe lispanic leaders ;.md potential leaders , traditional hlll-time seminary tmining just isn:'t an option . l'\ow, Spanish - speaking pastors in the PDC can pursue theological training in a nontradition;.ll setting.
PDC leaders looked for ways to connect Hispanic MB pastors and church workers with the training they need.
The vast majority of the 36 Hispanic churches in the PDC, the West Coast branch of the U S Mennonite Brethren family, are shepherded by bivocational pastors with little or no formal training for the job. In addition, the pews are filled with people gifted in teaching, counseling and evangelism who lack only the tools and the confidence to minister effectively.
For many PDC Hispanic leaders and potential leaders, traditional full-time seminary training just isn't an option. Precious few can afford the time or have the money to attend a traditional seminary. They may not even have the prior education or the English-language skills seminary would require.
Now, Spanish-speaking pastors in the PDC can pursue theological training in a nontraditional setting, thanks in part to retired missionary Elizabeth Tieszen While working with a school in Cali, Colombia, Tieszen gained experience with a self- study system known as Latin American Faculty of Theological Studies (FLET) She thought that, perhaps, FLET could be an excellent tool for training Hispanic leaders in the P DC as well. PD C leaders agreed
PDC leaders partnered with FLET to train Hispanic MB leaders a few years ago and established the Hispanic Leadership Training Board to oversee the program. Tieszen, who now directs the FLET program for the PDC, estimates that about 40 MB stu-
FlET students Ruby Romero, Carolina Mejia, Darwin Guevara and Veronica Mej ia (left to right) wit h Elizabeth Tieszen (centerl, Pacific District Conference FLET director, at Sen da Antigua Churc h in Pacoima, Calif
dents participate in each FLET course offered through the POC, with three to four courses offered each year.
Through FLET, students study the materials on their own time. So, for example, a factory worker can study during work breaks. Or a bivocational pastor can study in the evenings. That flexibility is critical, since Hispanic church leaders are almost always bivocational, juggling work, church and family responsibilities. Tieszen says, "Even though they are working, they can study and improve themselves."
Under the POC program, MB students are encouraged to study together. Study groups gather with a facilitator weekly to discuss the material, answer questions and share experiences as they begin to apply the lessons Each course is designed to take eight weeks, but Tieszen says that, "true to Hispanic style, " they often stretch the courses over the maximum of 16 weeks.
Juan Wall took courses through FLET years ago as a young church leader and says he particularly appreciated the opportunity to discuss the materials with other students and learn from their experiences. Even though he later attended seminary, he says he still keeps those FLET materials on hand and refers to them from time to time, because the material is presented in a simple, but not superficial, way.
Jose Elizondo, associate disttict minister for the POC, says FLET teaches a "sane, healthy doctrine ." POC leaders have added a course in Anabaptist history, which is especially helpful for those leaders who do not come from an MB background.
The FLET system is relatively affordable - another huge advantage to those who cannot afford to leave their job and attend school full-time. Non-credit courses cost a mere $30, while the cost for credit courses ranges from $100 to $200 per credit hour To further reduce the cost and encourage participation for MB students, the cost is divided between the student, their church and the dis trict.
Pastors aren't the only ones who benefit from the program. Wall says, 'i\.t the end of the story, there's a ministry for everyone, but a lot of times what keeps us from ministry is, 'I don't know how to do it.' I think that's part of the training "
TIeszen gives an example of a group of children's teachers she worked with, who, after some training, felt better equipped and had a better understanding of how to go beyond entertaining children to actually fortning them. "It gives them confidence," she says .
Tieszen says that one challenge with the self-study system is motivating students to continue taking classes. Unlike full-time study which is marked out in clear-cut semesters and degrees, the FLET system is ongoing, conducted at the student's pace, with few milestones along the way Many students, she says, take
This spring Iglesia Fuente de Vida of Parlier, Calif., one of 36 Hispanic congregations in the Pacific District Conference, partnered with an Anglo congregation from Fresno for a week of outreach during the Easter season. (See related story page 28.) The congregation is led by Juan Wall, a PDC minister who has benefited from the PDC's FLET training program.
a few courses and then stop, falling short of the full potential of the opportunity.
Both Wall and Tieszen say that just because it's self-study doesn't mean it's easy Make no mistake, they say, it is serious study. It takes commitment. Perhaps it takes an even deeper level of commitment for the POC's students, since most add study to an alreadyfull life of work, ministry and family.
But, they would argue, it's worth it. Wall imagines a day when there are enough trained Hispanic leaders to not only meet current leadership needs but also provide for growth without drawing from other denominations.
Tieszen dreams about a day when churches understand that training their leaders aids the work of the church and encourages their leaders to pursue training. Trained leaders, she says, should result in larger, stronger churches with greater vision.
Jose Elizondo poi nts to huge potential among the Hispanic churches in the POe. 'We have pastors who are doing a tremendous job," he says, "but they've had no preparation."
He points by way of example to Iglesia de Restauracion Ie Senda Antigua in Pacoima, Calif., which has planted several churches in the U.S. , Guatemala and Mexico and is growing quickly under the leadership of Rafael Paz, who has had no fortnal pastoral training . Or take Los Hechos de Watsonville in Watsonville, Calif., a two-year-old congregation already over the 200 mark with untrained leaders.
Elizondo points out that Hispanic churches in the poe have planted 20 new churches in the last 10 years - an average of two per year - under leadership that is mostly untrained. What might these churches be able to accomplish if their leaders had more training to fulfill their calling? Just imagine. - Myra Holmes
Community cues camp
Sports, science focus of children's ministr i es
This summer, three Mennonite Brethren congregations took cues from their communities to develop summer children's ministry that more closely resembles day camp than a traditional vacation Bible school. Two of these camps - at South Mountain Community Church, Draper, Utah, and Pine Acres Church, Weatherford, Okla.center on sports, while one-at North Park Community Church, Eugene. Ore.-focuses on science.
This was the fourth summer that Pine Acres hosted a sports camp. held this year June 22-28. Children's director Stephanie Harris says that the camp was motivated by two things about Weatherford : Every church in town does vacation Bible school, and sports are important to this community.
Wanting something different and sports-oriented. Harri s researched the idea of a sports camp, found a curriculum that kind of fit and customized it for Weatherford's sports camp. As the church has gained experience with sports camp. they've tweaked and re-tweaked. "Every year, it gets a Iirtle bit berter," Harris says.
The camp targets kids just finishing first through fifth grade who are interested in either basketball or cheerleading. Kids are grouped into "teams" according to age and led by ''huddle coaches" who teach skills and provide spiritual leadership.
Because Pine Acres doesn't have a gym. they hold the camp at nearby Southwestern Oklahoma State University During a typical morning, teams gather for "rally time," practice skills during sports sessions and discuss spiritual applications during breaks. "It's a pretty intense morning," Harris says.
The camp has received positive response and has come to stand out among the sea of vacation Bible schools in the community "This is something different," Harris says
Sports camp is a new endeavor for South Mountain Community Church in Draper. Children's director Sheri Jones explains that a traditional vacation Bible school would simply be too threatening in their community. which is heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
On the other hand, sports grab people's attention. As the mother of sports-minded sons, Jones has observed firsthand how fun sports can be-and how easily they can become all-consuming.
So the SMCC sports camp, held July 8-10 using the theme "Love to play; live to love, " aims to improve skills and help kids strive for excel -
lence in all of life. During a brief teaching time, coaches talk about how athletics fits into an overall life of excellence, one that includes God and relationships with other people.
Like Pine Acres, SMCC built their own camp, leaning heavily on the expertise of SMCC volunteers. The three-day camp focuses on a different sport ea ch day-softball, soccer and basketball and is held in a local park. Each day. kids have warm -up time, skills practice and a chance to playa full game. The camp ends with a nonthreatening celebration at the church to connect with parents.
Jones hopes that kids not only have fun at sports camp but also take PHOTO CREDIT
away "something for their heads, something for their body, something for their heart."
North Park Community Church also looked to the makeup of their community for the focus of their summer children's ministry. The result was a science camp, held evenings Aug. 3-7.
North Park's Terri Kargel explains that Eugene, Ore., is one of the least churched cities in the U.S., with a large population of "counter-cultural folk" and a large, liberal university. "We hope that science will appeal to them ," she says.
Like Harris and Jones, Kargel found no suitable curriculum, so North Park volunteers designed '1\SK: Amazing Science for Kids." Kids begin each evening together, then break into age-related groups to explore science labs such as: light and sound; liquids, solids and gasses; simple machines; and chemical reactions. Each lab includes a connection to a biblical idea
' We are told all the time that God and science don't mix," Kargel says. "If we can show the children that all things science work the way they do because they are God's ways, that would be success."
Already North Park is talking about the next science camp Perhaps an environmental theme , Kargel suggests, because it just might appeal to their unique community.-Myra Holmes
Given the importance of sports in the community, three years ago Pine Acres Church in Weatherford, Okla., decided to organize a sports camp rather than vacation Bible school. Children in grades one through five are grouped into teams by ages and led by huddle coaches who lead either basketball or cheerleading skill sessions and do spiritual training during breaks.
STEPHANIE HARRIS
One church, many sites
Multi-campus model uses success to expand ministry
If it ain't broke," the saying goes, "don't fix it." Apply that to church growth and it looks something like this: If a church is healthy and growing, it must be doing something right. So don't fix it Rather, keep what's working well and infuse those strengths into another location
That's the basic argument behind one fast-growing ministry model-multi-site churches, in which one church has multiple locations
linked by common budget, vision and leadership. The idea took off about a decade ago as churches searched for creative solutions to space and zoning limitations and gained national momentum with the 2006 publication of The Multi-Site Church Revolution: Being One Church in Many Locations
Two Mennonite Brethren congregations are among those using the multi-site model: South Mountain Community Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Shadow Lake Community Church, in Omaha, Neb.
South Mountain Community Church (SMCC) in Draper, Utah, was the first Mennonite Brethren church in the Salt Lake City area, founded by Paul Robie in 1998. That Draper congregation is now the largest of three SMCC campuses, which also includes SMCC @ Daybreak and SMCC @ The Springs. SMCC has also planted a 'church under a more traditional "daughter church" model-Shadow Mountain Community Church in West Jordan, Utah.
The Daybreak campus opened in March 2006 in a planned community about 10 miles from the Draper campus. Rod Jost serves as campus pastor. The Springs was an established congregation in need of new resources to move forward. SMCC came alongside, adopting the St. George, Utah, congregation as a satellite campus in January 2009 . Tom Mertz serves as campus pastor and Phil Wiebe as associate campus pastor. Mission USA, the church planting and renewal arm of the national MB church, was a key player in establishing the Daybreak campus and is currently helping to subsidize staff at The Springs campus.
Like other multi-site congregations, SMCC strives to remain "one church" in their three campuses. Jost says unified vision is key to maintaining that sense of oneness, so all campuses share a common vision statement. Common infrastructure and cooperative planning also help create unity.
At the same time, each campus has its own personality, influenced by their unique community and gifts of leaders. For example,
PHOTO CREDIT: BRIAN CLASSEN
How one handles the sermon is an important ingredient in maintaining a sense of unity when using a satellite church model. The approach currently used at Shadow Lake Community Church is videotaping pastor Brian Classen preaching at the main campus one week and showing the video the next week at the Millard location.
the Daybreak campus is shaped in part by Jost's passion for music, so the congregation uses backyard concert series as outreach and has become known for excellence in worship.
In Nebraska, Shadow Lake is newer to the multi-site model, having begun their satellite campus just this year. They tested the model with services in December, then went "live" in January 2009. Senior pastor Brian Classen says their "grand opening launch" for the satellite campus will come this fall, following a summer of community outreach.
Shadow Lake's move to a multi -site model was motivated primarily by a space crunch at their Papillion, Neb., facility. The congregation considered other options, but decided that a satellite campus provided the most immediate way to reproduce the congregation's strengths.
It just so happened that Shadow Lake's mother church, Millard Bible Church in a nearby Omaha neighborhood, ceased meeting last fall, leaving a facility in need of a congregation. So, with financial support from the Central District Conference, Shadow Lake began using the Millard facility for its satellite. ''The district was very happy to work with Shadow Lake in order that ministry at that location could go forth," says district minister Roger Engbrecht
Classen says the multi-site model allows Shadow Lake to keep doing the things that are working well while reaching a new part of town. ''There are people coming to Millard now that will never make the trip to Papillion," he says
One key to keeping a sense of unity at any multi-site church is consistent teaching. So how to handle the sermon? At Daybreak, lead pastor Paul Robie preaches at Draper, then drives over to Daybreak for a live sermon. At The Springs, campus pastor Tom Mertz preaches live, using themes and outlines coordinated with Robie . And at Shadow Lake, Classen's Papillion sermon is videotaped one week, then used at Millard the next .
Because the campus pastor is not necessarily the preaching pastor, leaders at multi-site churches can use their gifts to best advantage. Because Classen preaches at Millard, the Millard campus pastor can focus on shepherding and community outreach. Currently, Dave Kersting serves as the Millard campus pastor on a part-time basis, but Shadow Lake hopes to soon move to a full-time campus pastor who would focus on community outreach. Classen says, "I think we 11 see great dividends not weighing him down with all the responsibility and sometimes the politics of running a church."
Similarly, because Jost is not D aybreak's preaching pastor, he is free to focus on his areas of giftedness and passion, like leading small groups and music. Although he has an office in his home and the Daybreak people consider him their pastor, he says he's often out and about in the community, building relationships and handling administrative details .
If there's a disadvantage to the multi-site model, it might be somewhere in those administrative details. Jost says that sometimes there's a "translation factor" in applying an idea that works well for the large Draper campus to a much smaller campus . Classen says, ''The weight on your staff grows," especially the weight of responsibility on the teaching pastor.
So far, advantages outweigh disadvantages for both SMCC and Shadow Lake. Both congregations envision using the multi-site model for future expansion Jost says that with this model , "You've got these great resources so you don't have to start from scratch "
For more on the multi-site model, Classen suggests The Multi-Site Church Revolution : Being One Church in Many Locat ions (Zondervan , 2006), available at www multi -siterevolution.com - Myra Holmes
Satellite service expands space .. options
Ebenfeld MB Church in rural Hillsboro, Kan., uses a modified form of the multi-site model - with two "sites" on the same campus, made possible through the magic of technology. The congregation uses a live video feed to make its simultaneous services possible.
The "Sanctuary" service meets, appropriately, in Ebenfeld's sanctuary, while ''The Branch" meets in the fellowship hall. Singing and prayer times are kept separate, and an informal greeting time fills any time gaps until both groups are ready for the sermon. Then pastor Gaylord Goertzen preaches in the sanctuary, and the sermon is transmitted via video to The Branch. Children are dismissed simultaneously for children's church.
The congregation began using this format in 2003. "I(s routine now," says Goertzen, although "sometimes we have a loose wire, literally, from someone moving the sound equipment." He notes that volunteers with technical expertise are a must to make the format work smoothly.
Goertzen says that the satellite service arrangement allows for two distinct worship styles, like some congregations accomplish with two separate services, but the two groups are more closely linked by hearing the same sermon simultaneously and by interaction before and after the service. In addition, concurrent services means the congregation doesn't duplicate personnel for children's church and nursery.
''I'm positive about the arrangement," Goertzen says. - MH
MCC unveils wine"
Agency seeks closer partnerships with churches
During Mennonite Central Committee's most extensive review in 30 years, leaders asked big questions , such as, "Who is the keeper of the MCC soul?" To find the answers, they convened 60 meetings involving more than 2,000 people from 50 countries over 18 months.
Ed Boschman, U.S. Conference (USC) executive director, represented U.S. Mennonite Brethren in this process as a member of the Inquiry Task Force. Pakisa Tshimika of College Community Church (MB), Clovis, Calif., and Jessica Mast of Butler MB Church, Fresno, Calif., were also on the task force.
The result was a plan for change in an agency that elder historian and former MCC worker Robert Kreider on June 6 called "one of the most beloved of all programs that our people have." The changesapproved by the MCC binational board, which met June 5-6 at Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church-aim to clarify MCC's vision, simplify its structure and make it a closer partner with Anabaptist churches around the world. The meeting brought near to an end a process MCC called "New Wine, New Wineskins." The review sought to prescribe a structure ("wineskin") and define a vision ("wine") for a future of emerging global equality.
The plan calls for restructuring MCC into a system of interdependent national or multinational agencies. It redefines MCC as "a worldwide rninistty of Anabaptist churches," expanding upon MCC's longtime definition as a ministty of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in Canada and the United States.
<We have worldwide program, but we don't have worldwide ownership," says John Stoesz, executive director of MCC Central States. <This opens up those possibilities."
Participants use words such as "momentous" and "historic" to describe the binational board's approval of the "New Wine, New Wineskins" documents.
In an interview afrer the June meetings Boschman says that, as a Mennonite Brethren, he called for a re-centering on Christ as the reason for MCC 's work during the process. "On behalf of our MB family, I was deliberate about encouraging a refocusing on <In the name of Christ,"' he says. "Secondly, I called us not to forget that the need -meeting-relief has been and ought to be a core value "
He says that the New Wine document presented at the Hillsboro meetings is fairly Christ-centered and connected to the church. <That is a good thing," he says. The document endorses a statement of "shared convictions" adopted by the Mennonite World Conference General Council in 2006 . That statement lists seven beliefs that unite Anabaptist churches around the world.
But Boshman would like to see an even closer connection between MCC's work and the "capital G Good News." He also expresses concern that relief work could lose priority to peace, justice and political activism. He says that from conversations with MB church members and leaders, he believes those two concerns express "an MB pulse."
'As for the New Wineskins document on MCC structure, Boschman believes MCC is headed in a good direction, although more work remains to be done. The plan calls for ending M CC binational, the part of MCC that administers a $36. 7 million budget for ministries in 65 countries. International programs would be transferred to MCC U.S. , MCC Canada and Anabaptist service agencies in other countries.
Replacing MCC binational would be a new central office that would lead the entire system of MCC organizations-which currently include the U.S. and Canadian national MCCs, plus four U S. regions and five Canadian provinces.
"There is no center right now in the MCC system," says executive director Arli Klassen. <We have a cumbersome decision-making process between 12 boards that has become almost paralyzing."
Klassen estimates a new central office, probably not in the U S., could be established in three to five years , although summit participants did not discuss possible locations MCC binational is currently in Akron, Pa., where MCC U.S. also is based.
The long -term goal is for national or multinational entities to manage programs within their own region. This also could ease dissatisfaction Canadians feel about the centralization of international programs at the binational office in Akron
"Canadian constituents in particular have felt that the international program has been run from a U S perspective," Klassen says .
Ron Flaming, MCC director of international program: "The conversations have led us to a clearer sense of the church being fron t and center" for MCC.
Boschman says that as the details are worked out, it will be critical to clarify the nature of the partnership between the U.S. and Canada.
A task force will meet in September to work out details of the 'Wineskins" plan and then submit it to the 12 MCC boards for approval. Boschman says that once the New WinelNew Wineskins documents have been finalized, the USC Leadership Board will evaluate and make recommendations for a Mennonite Brethren response as necessary.
Allen Hiebert of Hillsboro. Kan., and Laura Schmidt Roberts of Fresno Calif., represent U S Mennonite Brethren on the MCC binational board. Mennonite Brethren are also appointed to the nat ional and regional MCC boards.
For more on New Wine / New Wineskins, VISit www.mcc.org/newwineskins. -Paul Schrag with CL staff. Schrag wrote this report for Meetinghouse, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ publicatiom
MCC budget goes from surplus to cuts
A year ago Mennonite Central Commirtee was looking for ways to spend a surplus. The global economic recession has turned that dilemma into a fond rnernory. At its June 5 meeting, the MCC binational board approved a 10 percent cut in the international program budget for 2009-10. Expenses are projected to be $36.7 million, down from $41 million in 2008-09.
Helping to achieve the cuts, in addition to reductions in spending on programs, are a freeze on some hiring, travel reductions and salary cuts. Despite the overall belt-tightening, spending on programs in Sudan is being increased by $200,000 and in Congo by $80,000.
Phil Rush , resource generation director, praises the constituency's generosity. 'We have an awful lot to be thankful for," he says. "Compared to many churchrelated nonprofit agencies, we find ourselves in a position that is envied by some others ."
In the past year, Ron Flaming, director of international program, says MCC has:
• provided food aid worth $15.2 million, a 33 percent increase over the previous year, much of that in Africa;
• completed a $22 million tsunami response in Asia, the largest response to a disaster in MCC's history;
• seen an 18 percent increase in international service personnel, from 353 to 417. - Paul Schrag
Getting inside the heads of MB teens
Survey suggests today's teens less influenced by culture
For four decades, Norman Thiesen, currently professor of counseling at Western Seminary in Portland, Ore , has been studying how attitudes and behaviors among Mennonite Brethren youth are changing. Thiesen's work surveying MB youth at the same Mennonite high school offers a glimpse into the minds of the next generation.
The survey replicates the social and moral behavior areas of a 1968 national study on American youth. published by Zuck and Clark in "Christian Youth: An In-depth Study." Although the language is now dated, Thiesen retains it for the sake of consistent comparison.
Thiesen calls the overall results of the 2008 survey "encouraging" and speculates that MB youth today are
more willing to confortn to scriptural standards and are less influenced by surrounding culture . At the same time, he cautions against overgeneralization of results, pointing out that the survey uses a small sample size from a limited geographical region and may not represent all MB youth Results are tabulated in percentages and do not necessarily indicate statistical significance Furthermore, he points out, the responses indicate opinions, not necessarily actual behaviors.
Following are highlights from the 2008 report by Norman Thiesen and John -Michael Thiesen. The report is organized into five categories: social behaviors, social and political issues, dating and marriage, sexual behaviors and adherence to Scriptural commands A more complete report is posted online at www.usmb.orgichristian -leader.
Social behaviors
Not surprisingly. attending movies has become nearly entirely acceptable among MB youth. with a 99 percent approval score. an increase of over 30
Jess ica Williams and Alisa Lynn, both of Olathe, Kan., are two Men nonite Brethren youth who traveled to Ana heim, Calif., for the 2007 National Youth Convention.
PHOTO CREDIT : SARAH GUENSCHE
percent from the 1968 survey. Conversely, the connotations of watching late 1V have increased in negativity. One possible reason is that with the increase in cable 1V and adult programming, late 1V shows are assumed to be less acceptable.
While they generally approve of dancing, a significant number of MB youth still question its acceptance for Christians. I believe social dancing will continue to grow in acceptance, but due to the innate sexual tension of dancing it may never enjoy the same approval as movies.
Drinking and smoking remain largely disapproved of by a significant majority of youth. This may be due in part to responses from a bygone Christian era, since few today would openly argue that Scripture teaches against drinking or smoking. Perhaps a defining question distinguishing between moderate and excessive drinking would provide more insight in future questionnaires.
Social and political issues
Though racial attitudes are changing across American culture, the attitudes of MB youth toward living in an integrated neighborhood and/or attending an integrated Sunday school class have not. It would seem that some level of discrimination still exists within about 10 percent of our youth and has remained relatively constant for the past 40 years.
It is difficult to explain why approval of integration is not 100 percent. For acceptance to rise only slightly in this area over the past 40 years is deeply disappointing for me and, I hope, for the MB community at large. On what basis are our youth declaring disapproval or uncertainty? For a modem Christian to derive this bias from Scripture would display a disturbing trend in biblical understanding. We must seek to better train our youth to view all of humankind as equal.
Holding political office and serving in the armed forces are generally accepted by over 80 percent of the youth; acceptance of military service for Christians has risen by 20 percentage points since 1968. Our traditional separation in these areas seems to be greatly diminished. Serving in the armed forces has become an issue of personal conscience instead of moral right/wrong, which I believe is a positive change for our youth
... body LIFE ···
Dating and marriage
One pleasant surprise was an apparent move toward a traditional approach in some areas of dating and marriage . Kissing on the first date has the lowest approval and highest disapproval of the past four decades. This is a fairly dramatic difference with the 1988 youth. Dating a non-Christian also finds its lowest approval with the present generation, dropping almost 25 percentage points since 1968. This appears to be a movement in a more conservative direction. Perhaps the excesses of the past have been shown through time to be hollow and unfulfilling, encouraging more responsible behavior. This is only my perception of the matter, and those who work regularly with youth today may be able to shed better light
My major concern in this area is that only two out of three consider marriage to a nonChristian as wrong. This is in direct defiance to the clear scriptural injunction against being unequally yoked together. It also indicates , sadly, that young people do not recognize the importance of common belief structures for a successful marriage.
Sexual behaviors
This generation offers the lowest approval and highest disapproval rating for petting and necking before marriage. Telling off-color jokes is twice as acceptable in 2008 as it was in 1968, but it remains unacceptable to almost three quarters of our youth. All other categories have remained relatively stable throughout the years.
This area also surprises me when compared with other surveys of American youth and their sexual behaviors. One explanation is that these responses reflect merely ideals, not the real behaviors of our youth. It is also possible that the greater openness and willingness to deal with sexual issues in the church is paying off.
Scriptural commands
Losing one's temper and giving less than a tenth have gained in approval over the decades. In all other categories, the fluctuations from 1968 to 2008 are relatively minor. (More details in this category available in the online version.)
Final thoughts
Though there are some reasons to be discouraged by the 2008 results, the overall results are encouraging. It appears the surveyed youth are not as intensely influenced by the surrounding culture as those in the 1960s. Indeed, in some areas we see great conformity to Scriptures with this generation. That is something to celebrate and hopefully increase in the next decade.-Nonnan Thiesen and John-Michael Thiesen
Finding Jesus in Parlier
Projects introduce community to Christ , local Hispanic church
Iglesia Fuente de Vida, a Spanish-language Mennonite Brethren congregation in Parlier, Calif., conducted an intensive Easter week community project April 13-17 with the help of Riverpark Bible Church, a large Conservative Baptist congregation in Fresno, Calif. The project resulted in new believers, church growth and potential for a long-term partnership between the two churches .
"Operation r:8," as it was called. was sparked by a desire to reach out to the Parlier community-the kind of local outreach referred to as "Judea and Samaria" in Acts 1:8. Juan Wall, co-pastor of the Parlier congregation. says, "The church decided to conduct this project to let the city know that Iglesia Fuente de Vida has been called by God to serve the people. "
The project had two parts: morning neighborhood kids' clubs and community service each afternoon. Six teams of e ight to 12 youth and adults gathered early every morning for worship and evangelism training. Then they spread across the city to conduct six different kids' clubs. Community children were enthusiastic about participating, according to Wall. Some 150 children. as well as some adults. came to the clubs every day to learn about the Bible through songs, Bible lessons. missionary stories and arts and crafts .
'The Lord was gracious," says Wall. "and about 50 children made a decision to receive Christ in their hearts. There were also a number of adults that received Christ " He says that about seven to 10 adults and 10 to 15 children have been attending Iglesia Fuente de Vida regularly as a result of this project
One family made initial contact with the church through English as a Second Language classes. then opened their home to host a kids' club . 'They came to the knowledge of Christ through this project." Wall says. and have been attending the Parlier church regularly.
During the afternoons, teams dispersed across the city to paint house numbers on cu rbs, a project suggested by city officials. Wall says that some people were initially skeptical, thinking the city never offers something for free , but when teams explained they
were from the church, it opened opportunities for conversation. 'This was an opportunity to share Christ with people that we met throughout the city," he says.
The teams painted curbs in front of about half the houses in the city; they hope to paint more , especially in the neighborhood immediately around the church, according to Wall. He says city officials have received numerous positive comments from people in the community about the painting
Thursday was the closing night of the community outreach project. The congregation hosted a family-oriented carnival, provided a dinner and held a recognition service for the children that participated in the clubs. About 300 people from the community came out for the carnival and the service. ' This was another incredible opportunity to share Christ with the people," says Wall.
Wall says that the project has motivated some church attendees who were marginally involved to become more involved, and that growth in the children's and youth areas has created a good kind of challenge: They've run out of space and have had to move temporary classrooms onto their property to accommodate the growth. " Sometimes it is a walking by faith kind of thing, because there's never enough money to do what you want to do," Wall says, "but we believe that the Lord is moving us, so we're moving ahead."
Wall expects the partnership with Riverpark to develop into a long-term relationship. Riverpark is an English-language congregation of some 2,000 attendees that has a desire to equip and help a smaller congregation like Iglesia Fuente de Vida - just the kind of partner the congregation of about roo had been praying for. The Easter outreach was their first project together, but they hope to continue to work together. Details of the potential partnership are being worked out. - from a report by Juan Wan
SUPPORTING MINISTRIES TOGETHER
The Shafter MB Church (SMBC) located at S{;tJ'rj" 400 Kern Street in Shafter, CA. is grateful and pleased to be part of the Kindred Spirits Reward Program (KSRP)!
When you purchase Ch ristian re sources through Kindred Productions, you can credit 10% of your purchase value to 5MBC. These credits can be given to 5MBC towards the support of MBMS International missionaries, Phil and Carol Bergen who are in Burkina Faso. One of 5MBC's greatest pri vileges is to support Phil and Carol in every way! The focus of 5MBC is to WIN - BUILD - EQUIP their parishioners - and, together with Kindred Productions - we are th is
by Paul Bartel
The paradox of twitters and tweets
Are we trapped by technology?
8:00 a.m. - Check e-mail
8:06 - Start responding to e-mails
8:n - Receive a text message
8:15 - Send a text message
8:19 - Continue responding to e-mails (because it takes me four minutes to text one sentence)
8:21 - Phone rings
8:22 - Check my Facebook while talking on phone
8:48 - Realize that I've been on Facebook for 30 minutes, but the phone call ended at 8:28
8:57 - Finish responding to e-mails, but have four new ones in inbox
9:06 - Receive instant message *1
9:Z9 - Send instant message * 78 - "Have a great day!"
9:30 - Start reading my Bible
9:32 - Text message
9:33 - Phone call
9:40 - Read second verse
9:45 - "Praying"
10:00 - First face-to-face conversation of the da y They say that technological innovations help us to better stay in touch. They say that these are tools to make communication better, to make us better connected. They say these things make us more efficient people.
E-mail. Cell phones. Text messaging. 1M. Facebook. Classmates com. Twitter (who really knows what a "tweet" is). Each of these innovations is designed to help us be connected with more people in ways we never have before. The slogan for Linkedln, a social networking site designed for professionals, is "relationships matter."
Yet for many of us, these technologies become the great paradox. Through them we become reacquainted with long lost friends or stay better connected with friends and family around the world. All the while, we become more distant in relationships with friends and family at home . Though we are more efficient in communication, in work and in accomplishing tasks thanks to these technologies, they somehow manage to suck all the time out of our day, leaving us with the 5 p m. question: <What did I really accomplish today? "
For my own life, this great paradox begs the question: Do these technologies serve to help me, or do I serve them?
(I just had to take a break-a friend just uploaded her wedding pictures )
French historian and theologian Jacques Ellul recognizes our age's reliance on technology. "Modem technology has become a total phenomenon for civilization. the defining force of a new social order in which efficiency is no longer an option but a necessity imposed on all human activity. " he says. We live in an age
where we feel enslaved to technology, whether we like it or not. So what do we do about this?
In the creation narrative in Genesis, it is revealed to us that two of God's primary values are work and rest. For six days God worked, and on the Sabbath God rested. God calls us to do the same. We work, and we rest . Both are necessary for wholeness.
The digest version of our Confession of Faith (Article 16) says it well: 'We believe God's act of creation provides the model for work and rest. In work, we use our abilities to glorify God and serve others. In rest, we express thanks for God's provision and trust in God's sustaining grace."
In work and in rest. we trust in God. In our lives. we seem to trust much more in technology for both work and rest. But technology is a mirage in our disjointed, interruption-filled lives. Technology neither provides us with what we need to fulfill God's call to work nor will it adequately bring us rest Instead, technology serves as a subtle idol so often keeping us from the very reason for our work and our rest-God.
(Break time-new e-mail from the Chocolate of the Month Club!)
Based on God's set work-rest pattern, it seems only logical that the primary way to save ourselves from slavery to technology is Sabbath. Rest. When we truly take one day each week for rest. we also take a break from technology. What if one day per week we didn't check our e-mail, turned off our cell phones and signed off of Facebook? And no tweets either. What if we took this time for the relationships around us, with our family, our neighbors, our friends and extended family close to home? What if we took this time to focus on the one relationship that matters most to make us better at work and relationships-our relationship with God?
Jacques Ellul also says this: "Prayer holds together the shattered fragments of the creation. It makes history possible."
May we, this month, allow Sabbath rest to pull together the shattered fragments of our own lives. May we truly rest in God. which will create in us the ability to be better servants of what God has created us to be.
'1l Comment on this column by going to usmb.orglchristian -leader
Making progress
u.s. teacher educated about Congo's schools
The queen of England could not have had a more royal welcome than the one we received on a Saturday in May when we visited the small city of Tembo in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Palm fronds with flowers and welcome signs lined the sides of the road leading up to our destination Inside the church and school compound people were gathered in anticipation of our visit, with big smiles, hugs and warm greetings.
I was part of a U.S. study team visiting several Mennonite Brethren school sites in the country. Earlier that week we artended
Funds for the $6,000 project were found to begin the building process during the following months However, as with most new construction projects, actual costs exceeded the preliminary estimates. Just as plans were made to begin construction, the cost of cement increased dramatically. Furthermore, it had to be purchased in Kinshasa and then shipped by boat down the river to Tembo. By the time it reached its destination the cement had tripled in cost. When we got to Tembo in May, the basic two-room structure was up with solid walls and a tin roof It still needs doors. windows
o I had h ee n told about the desper;.lte poverty ot this :.1fea, but 1 was not prepared for what I found . 1 was appa11ed th ..lt people couldn't even ;.lftoru a ruler , somethin g purchased for 30 cents in my home community.
a three-day education consultation in the capital city of Kinshasa. Here so-plus delegates representing three Congolese Mennonite church conferences met to discuss the current status of and future plans for their elementary and secondary schools throughout southwest Congo. Now we were in the field, visiting school sites in Tembo, on the Angola border and then in Kajiji, for years the home of the missionary children's school that my husband attended, and Kikwit, where the Congo Mennonite Brethren conference has its headquarters.
For me, it was a return visit to Tembo. I was there last September as part of a team that led a three-day, first-rime-ever inservice training program for teachers in Mennonite Brethren schools in the area. I had been told about the desperate poverty of this area, but I was not prepared for what I found. I was appalled that people couldn't even afford a ruler, something purchased for 30 cents in my home community.
Textbooks, library books and teaching supplies were non-existent. The only school supplies I saw were chalk and several portable blackboards made of sheets of plywood painted black and moved from one classroom to another as needed. I used one during my presentations, and I can vouch for the fact that they are a far cry from the white boards most of our schools back home have
In discussions with local leaders it became apparent that the school first needed a secure structure to house a library textbooks and other teaching materials Once that was in place we could begin helping them acquire the needed materials to improve the instruction in their schools.
and a finished cement floor. Then with bookcases, tables and chairs it will be ready for occupancy. Now we need money for aclases, dictionaries. books and textbooks, posters, charts. science equipment and the many other items essential for a good educational program. By the way, this will be the only library in a city of 25.000 people.
As I walked around the courtyard surrounding the church, the school and the new library. I was impressed by how the community had taken ownership of the project. They helped build the new library and then embarked on an extensive landscaping program around the buildings Rocks carried from the riverbed far below and up a steep embankment were set out to make walkways and flower beds. Pride of ownership was evident all around, confirmed by the smiles and excitement our visit generated.
Even though it was Saturday, school was in session, and I was asked to visit each classroom. As I walked through each doorway, students sitting at attention and wearing white and navy uniforms greeted me. Led by their teachers, they recited for me, in unison, a memorized welcome. It was a humbling and exciting experience.
Church and education leaders at the Kinshasa consultation and in Tembo recognize the need to upgrade their schools. The three conferences at the consultation represent 80,000 children in their combined areas. They are willing to do their part. but they need help from us to finance the improvements to their program and to provide in-service training.
Once this project is complete, plans call for library. teaching material and in-service upgrades at schools in the Kajiji and Kikwit areas as well . Will you help? Donations designated Tembo #0604 can be made to MBMS International.
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BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP
Bakersfield, Calif. (Rosedale Bible)- Bob Kopp and ALyssa WiLson were baptized and received as members June 28; Jeanette Kopp and Mark WiLson were received as members.
Hesston, Kan.-Abby Decker, AshLey Weaver, Tavia Raney and Erin King were baptized June 28
Shafter, Calif. - Jenae Reimer was baptized and received as a member June 7 Robbie Cronin and Royce and HeLen Rogers were also re ceived as members
Hillsboro, Kan (Ebenfeld) - Jonathan King , SheLdon Wiens, Harry Faber, Lu cas Sinclair, Chase Meisinger, KaLe ArnoLd, Jordan FauL. Joshua Richert, Cody DeLk and Christian RatzLaff we re baptized and received as members May 24 Brenda Reimer was received as a member.
Clovis, Calif. (College Community) - MadaLine NeLson was received as an associate member JuLy 12. Fresno, Calif. (North Fresno)-Peter and Marie Enns were received as members June 14 John and EmiLy Berg, Judy Green, Mike and SheryL FogaL, Brian and Dasha Henderer, Vickie KLassen and BeverLey Rohrer were received as members June 7
Olathe, Kan. (Community Bible)-Doug and Joyce Brandt, Russ and Belinda Ewy and Mark Oquist were received as members May 31
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Pam Bradford , Jeff and JiLL Cram, Matthew and Shannon Dean and John and JuLiana Kirby were received as members the weekend of May 23-24
CELEBRATIONS
Bakersfield, Calif. (Rosedale Bible) - The congregation wiLL ceLebrate its 100th anniversary Nov. 13-15 PLans include a dinner Friday evening and two services Sunday morning Featured guest speaker wiLL be Haddon W. Robinson; severaL former pastors wiLL aLso speak.
Garden City, Kan (Garden Valley)- The congregation is ceLebrating 50 years of ministry September 5-6. Former pastors, members and attendees are invited to join the ceLebration
FELLOWSHIP
Mountain Lake, Minn. (Community Bible) - An aLLchurch campout was heLd JuLy 10 - 12.
Cimarron, Kan. (Valleyview)-A JuLy 10 outdoor showing of the movie "Road to Redemption" was open to the community
Collinsville, Okla. (Discovery Bible) - JuLy was "FamiLy StyLe," with weekLy famiLy events, including a
marriage class, water wars, movies, dodge ba LL , an ice cream sociaL and a service day.
Garden City, Kan. (Garden Valley)-About 50 men attended a " Pitch Fork Steak Fry" June 28 at pastor Carey Gossen 's home, with steak, hot dogs, potato wedges, watermeLon and cruLlers
Rapid City, SD (Bible Fellowship)-FamiLies hiked together June 28
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View)-Men competed in weight Lifting, running and other activities during the church 's annuaL " Man Sunday" June 21
Enid, Okla. - Men were invited to bring their motorcycles, restored cars or hobby cars to church on Fa ther's Day, June 21
Ferndale, Wash. (Good News)-Men from nearby Birch Bay BibLe Community Church , BLaine, Wash., were invited to a men's cookout June 20
Edmond, Okla. (Memorial Road)-Women brought smaLL pLants to exchange at a brunch June 20.
Kingsburg, Calif.-A variety of "FamiLy Fun Nights" this summer included a bike ride, water game night, mystery night, movie night and swim night. Dinner was provided before each activity.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethany)-Women met at various LocaL restaurants for Lunch throughout the summer
Hesston, Ka n - SeveraL famiLy - fr iendLy outings were scheduLed this summer, including trips to a LocaL water park and zoo
Fresno, Calif. (Butler)-Senior aduLts were honored for their wisdom and experience at a dinner June 14
Balko, Okla. (Crossroads)-AduLt women heLd a slumber party June 12
Eugene, Ore. (North Park) - This summer, pastoraL coupLe Mike and CheryL Spinelli are bringing ice cream to the homes of church famiLies for a 'Traveling Ice Cream Social."
Reedley, Calif.-June 7 was an evening "InstrumentaL Music Extravaganza," featuring numbers, recitaLstyLe, on French horn, piano, violin, baritone, oboe, organ, flute and trumpet.
Wichita, Kan. (First)- An event June 7 for mothers and daughters age 9- 13 featured advice on heaLth, beauty, friendship and sociaL graces
MINISTRY
Corn, Okla.-The congregation participated in " Heritage Day," a community event June 27 featuring food and an evening program from German Mennonites, Hispanics, Native Americans and African Americans
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View) - A team of 60 heLped with a sports camp for a church in British CoLumbia, Canada, the week of June 25 A team of 10 went to Kenya for a 12-day mission trip in April.
Lenoir, NC (Bushtown)-Youth from the North Carolina MB churches joined with youth from three other congregations for a LocaL mission project June 29 -JuLy 2. The teens stayed in the churches and spent time working on var ious projects in the community.
Bakersfield, Calif. (The Bridge) - The congregation is collecting recyclabLe cans and bottles to raise funds for a Lunch program forthe homeLess. About $130 was raised in June
Wichita, Kan.(First) - A team of 34 served for a week in Baja, Mexico, beginning May 30.
Gettysburg, SD (Grace Biblel - Stamped, addressed enveLopes and cards are given at random to attendees with instructions to write a note of encouragement to a missionary
Reedley, Calif.- Teams and individuaLs from the church served in East Asia, Fiji, Germany, GuatemaLa, Honduras, ThaiLand and Ukraine this summer.
Fresno, Calif. (Butler)- The church is heLping to sponsor a LittLe League basebaLL team The League was in danger of being canceLed due to Lack of funds, but Butler and others stepped in to keep the League going and provide constructive activity for chiLdren in the community
Newton, Kan. (Koerner Heightsl - Gardeners are encouraged to pLant extra produce this summer to be shared with those in the community as part of a new "Share Our BLessings " ministry.
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lakel-VoLunteers have started "Dump Runs, " taking neighbors' unwanted items to the LocaL dump, which aLso gives voLunteers a chance to taLk to and pray for neighbors.
Onida, SD (EmmanueLl - The church has a weekLy coLumn in the LocaL newspaper, titled, "What the BibLe Says."
PROCLAMATION
Clovis, Calif. (College Communityl-PascaL KuLungu, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was the guest speaker for worship June 21. Attendees were invited to wear something "with an African flavor. "
Fresno, Calif. (North Fresno)-MerriLL Ewert, president of Fresno Pacific University, preached June 14
Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritage) - Mark Isaac, from MB BibLicaL Seminary, was the guest speaker June 14
Olathe, Kan. (Community Bible) - Jon Wiebe, representing MB Foundation, preached on "Giving Meaning
to Money" and taught an adult Sunday schoo l class on "The Power of Money" May 31 He also met with church leaders to discuss capital campaign initiatives
TEACHING/NURTURE
To peka, Kan. (Cornerstone Communityl- The congregat ion held a 24-hour prayer vigil July 11.
Freeman, SO (SalemI-Over 45 children were registered for vacation Bible schoolJune 28 -July 2, th e highest registration in many years
Mountain Lake, Minn (Community Biblel-In order to better reach you ng families in the area, vacation Bible school was held each Wednesday evening in June and included a meal and activities for the whole family
Clovis, Calif. (Eagles Harbor Communi tyl- The church's summer vacation Bible school was held in a community park June 22-26
Fairview, Okla.-Children at vacation Bible school June 8-12 made place mats and wind ch imes for residents of a senior living center
WORKERS
Eugene, Ore. (North Parkl-Pastor Mike Spinelli was ordained July 12
Balko, Okla. (Crossroadsl - Seth Mills is serving as youth intern beginning June 1
Shafter, CaUf -Mackenzie Mulligan is serving as a summer intern in children 's ministry. Caleb Viss is serving as a summer intern in youth ministry.
Wichita, Kan.(Firstl-Liz Schmidt is serving as a summer intern in children's ministry Leah Kopper is serving as a summer intern in children 's and youth ministry
Hillsboro, Kan.-Brian Allen has accepted a call to serve as lead pastor
Freeman, SO (SalemI-Mike Petts has accepted the call to serve as pastor, beginning Aug. 1.
Hillsboro, Kan -Wendell Loewen has resigned as the Southern District Conference youth minister, effective July 31
Hillsboro, Kan.(Ebenfeldl- Trent Voth has resigned as associate pastor He will be serving as half-time youth pastor at College Community Church, Clovis, Calif \ while attending seminary
Harvey, NO -Ray Shepard is serving as interim pastor, beginning July 12
Inman, Kan. (Zoarl-Luke Froese was installed as youth paster June 14
Yale, SO (Bethell-Jeremiah Betron was installed as pastor June 7\
Rapid City, SO ' (Bible Fellowshipl-Peter Thomas was installed as pastor May 31.
DEATHS
EN NS, ANNA, Hillsboro, Kan , member of Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro, and former Mennonite Brethren missionary to Africa , was born July 14, 1918, to David J. and Elizabeth Reddig Enns in Chinook, Mont., and died June 20, 2009 , at the age of 90 She is survived by one sister- in -law, two nephews and four nieces
FIGALLO, LUIS "LUCHO" ANTONIO, Visalia , Calif., member of Neighborhood MB Church, Visalia, was born May 26, 1942, to Victor and Berta Figallo in Peru, and died May 18, 2009, at the age of 66. On June 22, 1968, he married Mary Wallman, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Luis Jr. and wife Jessica of Visalia, Paul of Cayucos, Calif , and Nick of Visalia; four brothers, Victor, Jaime, Rodolfo and Cesar, all of Peru; four sisters, Berta Salazar, Jacoba Tramontana, Marina Arce and Flor Flores, all of Peru, and three grandchildren
FLAMI NG, ANNA FRIESEN , Reedley, Ca l if., member of Reedley MB Church, was born Oct. 22, 1908, to John R. and Mary Patzkowski Friesen near Buhler, Kan , and died May 3, 2009, at the age of 100. On Nov 20, 1932, she married Edward R Flaming, who predeceased her Nov 15, 1993 She is survived by one son, Marvin and wife Meredith of Carnas, Wash ; one daughter, Luella and husband John McCombs of San Luis Obispo, Calif. ; one sister, Alice Friesen Lee of Wimberley, Texas, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
HEIN, IRA W., Hillsboro, Kan , member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Dec. 8, 1922, to Henry and Tina Duerksen Hein near Hillsboro and died July 1, 2009, at the age of 86 On March 14, 1944, he married Hilda Suderman , who predeceased him. He is survived by one son, Rodney and wife Susan of Hillsboro, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
JOST, DAVID G., Reedley, Calif , member of the former Zion MB Church , Calif., was born Feb. 5, 1918, to Jacob S and Anna Willems Jost in Hoo ker, Okla , and died May 12, 2009, at the age of 91. In 1944, he married Elizabeth Neufeld. who him in 1982 He then married Della Ewert Bush , who predeceased him in 1992 In 1993, he married Martha Leppke Siemens, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Bill Jost and wife Pat of Reedley, and Dan and wife Linda of Morro Bay, Calif ; daughter, Anna Marie and husband John Thiessen of Reedley; Della 's sons, Carl Bush and wife Laura of Sugarland, Texas, and Dave Bush and wife Nancy of Benton, Ark ; Martha's children, Keith Siemens and wife Peggy of Fresno, Calif., and Patty and husband Rich Hertle of Palm Dale , Calif.; two brothers, Elmer and wife Loree of Dinuba, Calif., and Donald and wife Juanita of Reedley, 12 grandchildren and nine great -grandchildren
KAUFFMA N, DOROTHY MAY, Fresno, Calif , of Bethany MB Church, Fresno, was born Sept. 27, 1925, to Peter and Anna Beier in Kansas and died March 25, 2009, at the age of 83 In April 1946, she married Howard Kauffman, who survives She is also survived by two sons, Lynn and wife Mary of Sanger, Calif., and Morris of Seaside, Calif., one granddaughter and one greatgranddaughter.
NACHTI GALL, GEORGE F., Buhler, Kan ., member of Buhler MB Church, was born Dec 10, 1921 , to Bernard and Lena Franz Nachtigall in Henderson, Neb. , and died June 3, 2009, at the age of 87. On June 2, 1946, he married Norma J. Walker, who survives He is also surv ived by three daug hters, Linda Simmons of Brighton Colo , Nancy and husband Roger Elliott of Wichita , Kan ., and Joyce and husband Spencer Heisey of Elizabethtown , Pa ., one siste r, Betty Gerbrandt of
San Jose, Calif , six grandchildren and one greatgrandchild
NEUFELD, ALBERT C. , Reedley, Calif., member of Reedley MB Church, was born Sept. 7, 1916, to Abraham J. and Julie Goertz Neufeld and died June 6, 2009, at the age of 92 He married Evelyn Wiens, who predeceased him in 2000 He is survived by three children, Don and wife Patricia of Fair Oaks, Calif , Jan of San Francisco, Calif., and Marlin and wife Nancy, also of San Francisco
VOGT, JEROLD W., Hillsboro, Kan ., member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Sept 21,1945, to John F. and Fern Vogt at Goessel, Kan , and died July 5,2009, at the age of 63. On Sept. 5. 1965, he married Karleen Regier, who survives. He is also survived by his mother; two sons, Todd and wife Shawna of Hillsboro and John of Norton, Kan.; one sister, Joanne and husband Harvey Foyle of Emporia, Kan., and four grandchildren.
WIENS, MARIE KLASSEN, Hillsboro, Kan., of Hillsboro MB Church, was born July 9, 1921, to Henry and Katherina Fast Klassen in Rosenhof, Siberia, Russia, and died May 23, 2009, at the age of 87 In 1946, she married Frank Wiens, who predeceased her She is survived by one son, Glenn of Wichita, Kan ; three daughters, Reb ecca Penner of Wichita, Marcia Wiens of Boulder, Colo , and Miriam Holmes of Louisville, Colo, 10 grandchildren and eight great -grandchildren.
CLearingHO USE
Seminary I
Faculty : Faculty position opening soon in the Marriage, Family & Child Counseling department at MB Biblical Sem inary Join the team at MB Biblical Seminary 's campus in Fresno, Calif., a community rooted in the Anabaptist and evangelical traditions. This position will be at the assistant or associate professor level. In addition to a strong emphasis on the integration of counseling and the Christian faith , the seminary's MFCC program includes a priority of helping students grow in a wide range of areas not limited to academic achievement and counseling skills Teaching and mentoring are prioritized but research is encouraged MFCC faculty functions as part of an interdisciplinary team with Bible, Theology and Missions faculty For complete details and resume information, visit www mbseminary edu/employment.ll 0/111
Cl1urcl1 I
Associate Pastor: Ebenfeld MB Church, rural Hillsboro, Kan ., is seeking an associate pastor with primary responsibilities for junior high, high school and young adult ministries and contemporary worship Must be committed to evangelical Anabaptism as expressed in the MB Confession of Faith Send inquiries to Search Committee, Ebenfeld MB Church, Box 35, Hillsboro, KS 67063. E- mail to : secretarylClebenfeld org or phone 620 -947-3871
ONLINE POSTS: Clearinghouse ads are also posted online at www.usmb org/cl-classifieds Our online listing is updated regularly and includes ads not published in our print publication.
Not-so-famous is not so bad
The road to fame ultimately ends with "me"
Wen 1 was in high school 1 think 1 wanted to become a famous musician. 1 say "I think" because the notion seems strange to me now. As a teenager 1 was as shy as a person could be. Outside of school and youth group 1 was a loner. That did provide free time to practice guitar, though. By age 16 I'd gotten pretty good and had written a notebook full of songs.
Not that I'd ever played them for anyone. Hence my headscratching about wanting to be famous. If 1 couldn't playa song for someone 1 knew, how would 1 ever get in front of a crowd? Yet 1 continued to practice and write. Then one evening after youth group a friend approached me and said, "I heard you're learning
working, right? Maybe. But the unavoidable problem with selfpromotion is "self." 1 doubt it's for the good of humanity that so many people want to get famous these days.
An interesting thing about Jesus is that he often tried not to get famous. Many times after he performed a miraculous healing or gave some divine power di splay, he warned, " Don' t tell anyone."
Not that the warnings helped. His fame spread far and wide. Which was exactly the problem. The things people wanted from Jesus-a political revolution, power to the people, free stuffwere different than the spiritual kingdom he came to spread. By
o At some point during my touring days I lost interest in fame. I just wanted to play good music and bring some kind of spiritual insight
guitar. Play me something." This person was an excellent guitarist and songwriter and, even more intimidating, a girl.
So my response still astonishes me. 1 didn't melt into a quivering pool but took her guitar and played one of my songs. 1 don't know what came over me.
My audience seemed pleasantly surprised. 'That was really good!" she exclaimed. From that point 1 started playing for youth group and church and even joined a band that did a few gigs around the area. Maybe 1 really could become a famous musician!
Or not. Eventually 1 did get into a band that toured full-time, but from that 1 only got marginally known in certain isolated regions Not so famous at all. Thank goodness.
At some point during my touring days 1 lost interest in fame . 1 just wanted to play good music and bring some kind of spiritual insight to people. That was it. 1 realized my earlier desire for fame wasn't so noble. "I can serve the Lord and have a great influence on humanity!" 1 had reasoned. Uh, right. The fame 1 wanted was mainly for the purpose of me.
Today 1 don't want to become famous, which makes me feel kind of odd. Everyone else wants to make names for themselves on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, reality TV shows and other places I've probably never heard of Well, maybe not everyone. Perhaps there are five or six of us left who don't use or watch any of those things.
1 exaggerate, but you get the idea. We've moved way beyond the " me generation" to the age of self-promotion.
Some would say 1 shouldn't slam our culture for its obsession, 1 mean its engagement with technology. I'm just an old guy who doesn't get the new ways of communicating and social net-
to people. That was it.
dying and coming back to life. Whuhhh?
Somewhere in there Jesus gave that difficult calling: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matt 16:24 NRSV) Don't worry- Jesus' original disciples had as much trouble with that as we do . They argued about who would be the greatest, wondered which servant would wash their feet, discussed how they'd rain fire down on those who weren't nice to them. Again and again Jesus had to shake his head and say, ':All right, let me tty to explain things one more time "
Sometimes 1 feel pretty good about myself for not wanting to be famous like all these superficial people on reality shows and such. Since I'm not into self-promotion, 1 guess 1 know how to deny myself.
Or do I? Recently 1 realized that self-denial doesn't only mean not doing selfish things 1 want to do. It also means doing selfless things 1 don't want to do If 1 don't want to give up my time to serve someone else, but do it anyway, that's self-denial. If 1 don't want to care about someone's feelings, but choose to be sensitive for their sake, that's self-denial. When 1 decide to follow Jesus even when popular opinion says it's lame and outdated, that's self-denial. Giving up fame? That's easy, especially since 1 never had any. Giving up freedoms and comforts and self-protection in order to love and serve others? That's where things get tough.
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e congregation
fully unexpected: When all is said and done, regardless of whether one lives in poverty, middle class or wealth, one thing we all go to church looking for is emotional and spiritual rejuvenation. We gather with other believers because we want to fill that God-shaped void in our lives and have an inner life that is vigorous and effective.
Despite the hidden rules by which we live and the differences these rules make in how we think about our possessions, time, education. family structures, resolving conflicts and church, we're all looking for opportunities to make genuine and profound connections with God and others. The idea that church is one place where we all are truly equal is exciting, but equality before God does not automatically level the playing field here on earth. Differences do exist and they often result in uncomfortable situations But we can't
C There are some bad experiences that I feel good about because the people of the congregation were genuinely interested in me, excited about their faith and church and at ease with any differences there were between us.
my first visit to a Greek Orthodox church and being tempted to join their newcomers book club-even though it meant driving an hour to do so-because of the leaders warm invitation.
Our Sunday school discussion took place in the context of a three-part series presented by a local educator who has focused her professional work and personal ministry efforts toward serving those who live in poverty. Her presentations were based on research done by Ruby K Payne, a Goshen (Ind.) College graduate who helps educators and other professionals work effectively with children and adults who live in poverty. I recommend Payne's book, What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty co-authored with Bill Ehlig, to anyone interested in the topic.
Payne's material looks at the hidden rules followed by people in three economic groups-poverty, middle class and wealthy-and how church experiences reflect these rules. Most churches play by the hidden rules of the middle class and because America tends to be economically segregated, most of us don't know the rules of other economic classes. Hidden rules in church relate to things like giving, church finances, prayer, mission work, social events and facilities. So if a congregation is going to successfully minister to the poor, members must understand the hidden rules of generational poverty and middle class.
Payne highlights the differences that exist among Christians of different economic classes, and I find her conclusion to be wonder-
let that stop us from developing the deep connections we long for. Nikki White, in an essay in the July issue of the MB Herald, says it well: "Too often we are content with relational 'snacks: happy to tick church off our to-do list each Sunday without having had one meaningful, uncomfortable encounter with another person, much less with Jesus. Perhaps our Menno-nice approach has become an end in itself, rather than a means to a far more relational end."
It seems to me that even if we alter our programs, worship format and dress code, a person who is totally unfamiliar with church will still feel out of place. That no matter what we do, there will be clumsy moments when a newcomer worships with us . It's people, not programs, that help someone feel less awkward about being clueless in church, whether this individual is lost because church is a foreign experience or because she is new to this particular church and its set of rules. Our willingness to be involved in revitalizing one another emotionally and spiritually balances out the inevitable feelings of being lost and out of place
The church is meant to be a community where we experience an intimate relationship with our Creator. fellowship with other believers and opportunities to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. To forge these kinds of relationships we must move beyond just being polite to one another at church committee meetings and potlucks. We must look for opportunities to develop intentional relationships with one another and to let our humanity peek out.
November 13 - 15, 2009
1i' Friday Evening Celebration Banquet
'1t Saturday 9am-l pm
Q) Moms in Touch worldwide prayer o event "Arise, Cry Out! "
'1t saturday Evening
A Night of Music presented by Fresno Pacific University and KDUVFM
• Check out facebook,com/ experiencefpu for artist announcement &info!
'1t Special Sunday Services at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
• Former pastors will be present to share
• Guest speaker, renowned expositor Dr. Haddon W. Robinson, Gordon-Conweillheological Seminary
• Photo &memorabilia displays
• lOO-year church history booklet available
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