December 1995

FIRST WORDS ••• from the editor

CHRISTMAS, for most people, means gifts. Children obsess about gifts they might receive, while a lot of us adults obsess about the gifts we might give. As in, Will the gift be appreciated? Can we pay for it by the time the Visa bill comes in?

Katie Funk Wiebe leads off this issue with an article about gifts that aren't really gifts at all-and what makes a gift "real." You might want to check your shopping list twice after reading it.

Floyd Schwanz picks up on her idea of meaningful gifts by offering a few suggestions how we can give ourselves as gifts And the purpose isn't to save money.

Following that, Elmer Suderman offers us the gift of his fertile imagination by envisioning how the Bethlehem innkeeper might have reflected on his infamous role in the Christmas story. Please envision the tongue planted firmly in Elmer's cheek as he wrote this clever piece.

Surprise gifts are always nice. During this season when we rehearse the ftrst coming of Jesus, David Ewert looks ahead to the second one His candid assessment of modem "End Times" speculation puts a thoughtful twist to our Christmas package.

Open and enjoy.-DR

COMING

• JANUARY 21, 1996-Peace Sunday '96; theme: "Christ calls us to reconciliation with all races."

• FEBRUARY 4-6-New pastors' orientation, Fresno, Calif.

• FEBRUARY 7 -9-School for Ministry, MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno , Calif Theme : "Spirituality and Quality;" speakers: Norman Shawchuck, Herb Miller, J. Alfred Smith and Matt Hannan.

• FEBRUARY 15-17-U.S. Conference joint board meetings, Wichita, Kan .

• JULY 26-29-U.S. Conference biennial convention, Colorado Springs, Colo.

QUOTABLE

"Ah, persistence. When the potter sees a problem on the the vessel can be squeezed back and begun anew. When we don't shape up, God can stop the wheel and pummel us back down. As long as the clay remains supple and willing, it can be coddled and cajoled into the desired shape. God doesn't throw us out. Think on this as the advent season approaches, as we await the Christ child who says, "God with us. "-WALLY KROEKER IN THE MARKETPLACE, Nov. / DEC '95

4 When a gift isn't a gift

Sometimes we give in order to receive, but real gifts bond the giver and receiver. BY KATIE FUNK WIEBE

6 Gifts of the self

Anyone can buy something off a shelf. Give loved ones what only you can give-yourself. BY FLOYD SCHWANZ

7 The innkeeper remembers

Think Bethlehem's innkeeper ever regretted having to turn away Mary and Joseph on the night of Jesus's birth? You better believe it! BY ELMER

SUDERMAN

8 Waiting for his second coming

With so many American Christians following sidetralls about Jesus's second coming, maybe its time to reconsider the signs that point to the truth. BY DAVID EWERT

DEPARTMENTS

Forum by Debra L. White 12

• A truly 'Christian' coalition

What readers say 13 Inquiring Minds ... . . . .. . ........... by Marvin Hein 14

• Meaning of you and your whole house'

• Meaning of 'this generation' Ph ' lip Side. by Philip Wiebe 15

• When 'good enough' wasn't Musings by Jim Holm 16

• Surprised by love Bodylife.

• Southern and Central districts' joint convention 18

• Pacific District regional rallies 22

• Gilbert to join MBBS faculty 22

• Post Oak MB Church centennial 23

• Appreciation gives Kansas church new outlook 26 1995 Index

18

ART CREDITS: Cover and pages 6, 7 and 36, Dynamic Graphics; page 4, Skjold Photog · raphy; page 8, woodcut by Albrecht Durer, St John's Vision of Christ and the seven candlesticks; " page 10, Cleo Photography; pages 18-21, Leader staff photos; pages 23 and 24, Tabor College Center for MB Studies; page 25, Post Oak MB Church. THE CHRISTIAN

VOLUME 58, NUMBER 12 EDITOR

Don Ratzlaff

Connie Faber

BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Ron Braun (chair), Noelle Dickinson, Jeanie Klaassen, Herb Schroeder, Kathy Heinrichs Wiest

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

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UOKlNG FOR A GIFT IS A human hunger, not so much to et something as to receive a sign of affection : "My wife thinks I'm OK," "Mom and Dad love me," "My husband took time to buy something for me. "

As we grow older, our gift lists change. Children want the latest fad toy. Teenagers want clothes and money. When my son phoned to ask me what I wanted for Christmas when I was teaching, I wanted to say: "Someone to grade my papers " But deep down the real answer was health for family and friends and less violence and corruption in the world.

A "nongift" list

When a gift isn't a gift

by KATIE FUNK WIEBE

What makes something a "good gift" varies from person to person. But some gifts aren't real gifts at all. We would do well to check our lists to make certain we haven't included "nongifts" like these:

• Anything we give another person that we're really giving ourselves. A husband gives a wife a new dishwasher so he won't have to do dishes, or a wife gives him a book she wants to read

• Gifts with strings attached. One woman recalls that as a child she was given two pennies for a small job well done with instructions to "give them to missions." She was embittered about missions ever after because that demand robbed her of the joy of her gift . True giving means relinquishing control.

• "Let's-make-a-deal" gifts. It's really a bribe for love. "I will give you this money. Then you will have no choice but to like me." This kind of gift traps the receiver, like the Trojan horse did the Greeks. People spend a lot of time in shopping centers trying to fmd the right gift so the receiver will be impressed with how friendly they feel toward them and return that friendliness.

Sometimes the "let's-make-a-deal" gift is intended to cover up a guilty conscience. This is really commercialism, not gift-giving. It's an attempt to buy favor If the other person doesn't recognize what is happening, the giver is left with the empty feeling of having been cheated. "I gave that person a great gift, and she didn't respond."

• Leftover gifts. The leftover gift is the perennial gift, one that is sent on its way each year to a new recipient You received it You didn't like it. It didn't match anything you owned. So what to do? Wrap it up and send it to the next person Or

sell it at your next garage sale. Yet I know I feel violated when I see my gift to someone on the leftovers table at the garage sale. How could they?

Real gifts bond

But you can give real gifts. Real gifts bond the giver and receiver. Real gifts are what recipients really need more than a particular item they might want

• Gifts that encourage or reward. The clock you give to Jane or Jeffrey says, "You're old enough now to tell the time and know when to come home." A bicycle says, "You're responsible enough to travel on your own at times."

Such a gift says, "Son, daughter, you're moving along. You're growing. We're behind you. "

• Gifts that affirm. A former student, now a pastor, dropped by my office during the last year I was teaching to say, "Thank you for helping me with my writing when I was at college." Another wrote just recently, "Thank you for doing my typing at college" (nearly 50 years ago). He gave me the gift of a memory I had all but forgotten.

• Gifts of self. These usually involve some cre· ative effort or a person's time, rather than something purchased with money. One year my daughter Christine gave each of the family members the story of an illness. She entrusted her feelings to us. I felt privileged.

• Gifts of a promise to do or be. A promise is always a gift to the other person. The promise says "I trust you." The words "I do" in a wedding ceremony are a promise to love and cherish. They, like all true gifts, cannot be taken back when difficulty enters a marriage or a family

Psychologist Paul Tournier writes about a German in a Russian concentration camp during World War 2 who met another prisoner from his village. "Are you married?" asked the ftrst. "Yes." "Who did you marry?" "Elsa." "What a beautiful gift God gave you," he replied. The people in our lives are God's gift to us. Our gift to them is the promises we make not only to love, but to be honest with them and to care.

• Gifts of sacrifice. My uncle, now quite elderly, tells the story of an experience he and his young brother had during the 1921 famine in Russia. They were about 11 or 12 years old.

Food was almost impossible to come by. My grandmother was widowed and had no means of earning money But it was Christmas.

In the evening the boys had put out their plates, as was the custom.

In the morning they got up to fmd a twist of paper on each plate with a cube of dry bread in it. She had saved it for them All day long they sucked on that piece of dry bread joyfully. "I remember my mother standing there and crying," he writes But she sacriftced two slices of bread to give them joy

• Gifts of God's grace. All human gifts are limited and relative. They don't last. I ftnd it hard to

remember many gifts I received over the years or gave to others One gift lasts and lasts: God's grace.

In Going by the Moon and the Stars, by Pamela E. Klassen, one of the two women the book is about tells a story about the flight of hundreds of German-speaking people from Russia to Poland during World War 2. They were assisted by the German army.

The entourage of makeshift wagons with rundown horses-operated mostly by women, old men and children-had stopped for the night. Everyone was wet, muddy and hadn't had a bath for over a week or longer The people were uncivilized looking, depressed, wondering whether to keep moving or tum back.

Then one of the German soldiers got up on one ofthe wagons and read Psalm 71 to the group. In it, the psalmist pleads with God to not forsake him. The storyteller continues: "And the funniest thing happened: everything was still the same! It was still raining, it was still all muddy, but all of a sudden we had strength to go on." That Nazi soldier gave them a gift of grace to keep going even though the rain turned to snow and there were no shelters.

Each one can mediate grace through an encouraging word, an act of justice, a prayer, a kind deed, a forgiving spirit.

This is the gift that endures. e§2

Katie Funk Wiebe, professor emeritus of English at Tabor College, is a free-lance writer and speaker. She lives in Wichita, Kan.

What makes something a "good gift" varies from person to person. But some gifts aren't real gifts at all.

The innkeeper remembers by

ITWAS LONG AGO,

Elmer Suderman

and I'm sorry I had to send them to the stable They were weary, ragged, despondent but even pregnant she was beautiful, but he old, stooped, embarrassed, I thought. I had no room in the inn, booked for months, Caesar's census and a dinner for the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, the mayor speaking and the city council there. Out of town dignitaries too . Joseph was his name. He didn't look like he could afford a room that night. If I had seen the star I might have guessed that this was no ordinary birth, but only fools follow stars, business too brisk to hear angels Innkeepers do not believe in angels. When the shepherds came, I was glad that Mary and Joseph and the baby were in the barn. Shepherds smell like sheep, and you know how sheep smell I was glad they came after the chamber dinner They had to come into the restaurant for a cup of coffee.

The diners complained about the stench for days. Joseph gave me some of the frankincense the wise men brought, but it could not overpower the stench of sheep I should have known it was no ordinary birth when the wise men came , bringing gold and frankincense and myrrh If I had known that it was Chri st the Lord who was to be born here that night, I would have thrown out

the Ph arisee who prayed loudly late into the night thanking God he was no t like the poor slobs who ha d come t o be enrolled in Caesar's censu s I wish now that I had thrown out the obnoxious Sadducee in Suite VI to give to Joseph and Mary His check was returned : Insufficient f un ds, it said.

I could have made a mint ha d't k nown, more gold than the Wise Me n brought. Think of it: a neon sign procl aim ing The son of God was born in her e Another that the wise men sle pt here We would have packed them in eve ry night, tripled the size of the inn, built a Holiday Inn next door, his birthday a special day ,. decorations and lights on every house the main street lit up a month in advance. Maybe an old bearded man in a red suit passing out candy to the children on Fridays and gift-ringed tinseled trees in every home

The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce would love it. I could have been rich and famous, skiing in Switzerland, and a week in a condo on the Riviera

Tomorrow I'll tear down the drafty old barn with its creaky doors where he was born and the manger which had to do for a cradle Nobody comes to see a dilapidated barn Or ever will.

Elmer Suderman lives in st. Peter, M i nn.

Waiting for his SECOND COMING

WAS IN RUSSIA FIVE YEARS AGO TO TEACH Baptist ministers. One evening an elder proclaimed publicly that Christ would return in the year 2000 . The next day my students asked me whether I agreed with their elder. Having learned in 72 years that elders do not particularly enjoy contradiction, I had to answer cautiously.

Our calendar, I explained, was given to us by Julius Caesar and improved by Pope Gregory. It is a wonderful invention. It helps us count days, months and years. However, I added, our calendar is not God's calendar. It is a human invention, pure and simple. With God a thousand years are like a day. I didn't need to say another word; the ministers all understood.

It is a great pity that Christians in America keep falling for similar prognostications. Every attempt to fIx a date for the end of the age so far has always proved to be wrong. Moreover, Jesus explicitly forbade this kind of speculation As he said, no one knows the hour (Mk. 13:32).

Those who venture to set dates-the Jack Van Impes and Hal Lindseys ofthe world-do so on the basis of political, economic and societal developments But these are in constant flux. History takes sudden twists and turns that throw all predictions out of kilter (for example, the fall of communism). These popular prognosticators have all accepted a system of theology derived from Darby, ScofIeld and others.

Although they claim to have discovered a detailed blueprint for coming events, their system throws the teachings of the New Testament on future things into confusion.

Lindsey once wrote, "If a person claims to be a Christian and makes excessive claims about prophecy, then that's not within the realm of orthodox Christianity." To him, I would suggest: "Physician heal thyself."

How then should believers think about the second coming of our Lord? Let me briefly address a series of items that tend to draw so many away from the core teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

THE ANTICHRIST. Again and again I find believers who are waiting, not for Christ to appear at the end of the age, but for the Antichrist to emerge And, when a notoriously evil person arises in history-and there are plenty of antichrists who serve as forerunners (1 In. 2: 18)-the predictions begin. But nowhere are we told to wait for the Antichrist; we are told to wait for the Savior from heaven. Why then should we be constantly look-

ing for candidates for "the Man of Lawlessness?"

Moreover, Paul assures us that when he finally does emerge, the LordJesus will "destroy him with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming"(2 Thess. 2:8).

THE NUMBER 666. Since Antichrist (and his forerunners) is called the Beast (Revelation 13) and has the number 666, people are constantly being scared by the appearance of

this number. But assigning a number was a cryptic way of speaking of a person within a community that understood the code, without giving the person's name. Since the letters of the alphabet were used for numbers, names had numerical value. Quite likely John meant Nero, who had persecuted Roman Christians mercilessly. In Hebrew letters "Caesar Nero" yields 616 (as some manuscripts have it); but the spelling "Caesar Neron" yields 666 (found more recently in that form in a document from Murabba'at).

But whoever this beastly personage was in John's day, it would have been too dangerous to mention him by name. So John uses a cover-

up. He and his readers, of course, knew who was meant.

Revelation 17, where the Beast has 10 horns. Now that we have 13 countries in the ECM, and others applying, one can see through such shabby exegesis.

Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay are also working on a common market and I wouldn't be surprised to find someone predicting that this was the beginning of the rule of the Antichrist. I wouldn't be surprised if some North American

Again and again, I find believers Loho are waiting, not

for Christ to appear at the end of the age, butfor the Antichrist to

en1erge.

The permanent message of Revelation 13 is that Christians must give their supreme loyalty to Jesus, and not take on the beast's number. To take on the beast's number is simply an idiomatic way of saying that people give him their hearts. The number 666 has no significance for believers living in the 20th century. It was simply John's code for the beastly ruler in the first century who persecuted the church.

THE 10-HORNED BEAST. For many, the European Common Market (ECM) is connected to eschatology. Why this is so escapes me completely. Why focus on Europe? One quarter of this world's population lives in China . When I taught in Africa, I was often embarrassed to fmd that commentaries and other theological literature was so oriented to Europe . As long as 10 European countries belonged to the ECM, one found a biblical basis for such an economic phenomenon in

believers interpret NAFfA in the same way.

HARMAGEDON. Here's another topic that seems to fascinate datesetters. "Harmagedon" (or Armageddon) occurs only once in the Bible (Rev. 16: 16) to designate the fmal showdown between God and the forces of evil. The word is derived from the Hebrew word "mountain" (har) and the valley called "Megiddo," where many of the ancient battles were fought. And so the word becomes a symbolical name for the "last battle."

You will not fmd Harmagedon on any map; it is not a geographical term anymore. It is one of several designations of the victory of God over all evil forces

This coincides with the cOming of our Lord at the end of the age and the destruction of Antichrist and all his hosts

What does this mean for us? For one thing, we should stop focusing on the land of Israel, where, according to dispensational theology, the last battle will take place. In the more recent past this battle took place between American and Soviet forces-a picture that was quickly revised during the Gulf War. Harmagedon designates the fmal triumph of God over all the evil forces that oppose his rule in the present.

THE TRIBULATION. Let it be stated unequivocally that Jesus predicted his followers would suffer for their faith They have not suffered always and everywhere, and we are thankful for the freedom we presently enjoy But suffering has been the lot of believers through every century and will continue to be right up to the end. It is, then, precarious to hold out hope to Christ's followers that they shall at some point be exempted from tribulation.

The notion that Christ will take away his

church before seven years of tribulation breaks in on this world is a very popular one. But that demands that we divide Christ's cOming into two parts, for which there is no good biblical grounds. It means we are interpreting the New Testament in the light of the Old Testament and not the other way around, as Jesus and the apostles taught us.

Where in the New Testament is there a single reference to a seven-year period of tribulation? Jesus and the apostles, who

knew their Old Testament, have nothing to say about such a period. Rather, the saints whom John sees coming home to glory (Revelation 7) come out of tribulation, their gannents made white by the blood of the Lamb.

Those who are constantly looking for signs that presumably signal the end of the age, forget that the signs of the times which Jesus mentions-wars, earthquakes, famines, etc.- were present already in the first century. They occur throughout this long interim between Christ's ftrst and second coming. They are always signals that call humankind to repentance, before the day

71/2 pounds

by Patricia Emerson Mitchell

To Luait/or the Lord's cOIning n1eans to carry out our lnission in the Luorld. .. to Luork Lohile it is still day.

dawns when God will shake not only the heavens but also the earth (Heb. 12:26).

People whose minds are constantly on the end-times tend to become very pessimistic about the present. Why should they try to make this world a better place in which to live when everything will go up in flames in just a little while? Some even appreciate the development of evil in our society. For them, it is a sign the end will come sooner. But that's not the kind of faith that has carried the good news to the ends of the earth throughout the centuries.

To wait for the Lord's coming means to carry out our mission in the world. It means, to use biblical terminology, to have our loins girded and our lamps burning. It means to remain true to Jesus and his Word; to follow him in daily life; to be repentant ; to work while it is day. What then are we really waiting for?

Lord, was Jesus a seven and a half pound baby? Was Mary's labor long and painful,

Or did you give her some relief, Knowing the pain she would suffer When the Son you gave to her was taken?

Lord, did Jesus have a healthy cry?

(For I cannot believe, Even though the song says he was silent, That a baby entering our cold world

Could enter so silently.)

Lord, what kind of head of hair

Did you give your son?

Was it rich and full, or was his head bare, Mindful that one day it would bear

A crown of thorns?

- Patricia Emerson Mitchell lives in San Jose, Calif

The gist of the blessed hope is this: We wait for the Savior from heaven (phil. 3:20). And when he comes he will transfonn our bodies and make them ftt for the eternal kingdom. He will raise the dead and give them bodies like his own glorious body. Christ will judge the living and the dead For those who have put their faith in him there will be eternal glory; for those who reject the gospel there is no such hope, but "the wrath of God abides upon them"(Jn. 3:36).

And while we wait for the Savior, let us be joyfully about our master's business, and leave managing the history of this world in his hands.

David Ewert, professor emeritus of biblical studies at Concord College, a Mennonite Brethren institution in Winnipeg, Man , is the author of the book And Then Comes the End (HeraldPress)

A truly 'Christian' Coalition

BY DEBRA l. WHITE

IF YOU THINK being a Christian is difficult, try being a Christian Democrat in today's political climate!

I'll never forget the interesting, yet intense conversation I had with a good Christian friend at my workplace about three years ago. President Clinton had just been elected to office. My friend and another believer were discussing the problems with the Democratic platform.

Always interested in a good debate, I could not help intervening. I said I had voted for Clinton and, while I realized he was far from perfect (aren't we all?), my reasons for voting for him had as much to do with my faith as their voting for George Bush had to do with theirs . I'll never forget the look on my friend 's face. She was incredulous. "But you're a Christian! "

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see anywhere in the Bible that a qualification to being a Christian is to belong to the Republican Party!

My friend, being truly committed to Christ, called me the next day to apologize. She told me the incident made her aware of the false assumptions she had made.

1bis true Christian friend accepted me for who I am , personal convictions and all. She didn't try to persuade me to her side of the issue and didn't try to enlist me into the Republican Party. Instead she exemplified Christ-like behavior. She listened to me , accepted my beliefs as being valid, resulting from my interaction with my Savior.

In the same way, I accept her positions as being her understanding of God's desire. We could disagree in a

Forum is a column of opinion and comment on contemporary issues facing the Mennonite Brethren Church. Manuscripts expressing an opinion for Forum should aim for a length of 800 words . Authors must sign articles, identify their church membership and vocation, and include a clear photo of themselves

What a pity Christians cannot model peacefUl coexistence regardless of doctrinal foundatiOns or political persuasions.

healthy manner because Christ is the center of our relationship.

Polarization is only too common in our country in the midst of racial tension, bipartisan mudslinging, the strain between the "haves" and the "have-nots," and, perhaps most tragic of all , the division among Christian brothers and sisters.

What a pity that Christians around this nation cannot model peaceful coexistence regardless of doctrinal foundations or political persuasions. How can we Christians expect any more from our nonbelieving friends, relatives and neighbors?

I believe "all Scripture is Godbreathed " (2 Tim. 3:16) I also believe each Christian-no matter what doctrine he or she personally holds truehas a God-given responsibility to become intimate with all of the Bible. Since God calls us to a personal relationship with him, our interpretation of his Word in the context of that relationship would also have to be personal

That means, on nonessential things, God could be saying different things to different people at different times through his Word

Within the political realm, some Christians live out their faith and morality through social issues (e.g. the needs of the poor, civil rights); some Christians determine that their expression of faith is best lived out through personal morality issues (e.g. antiabortion). Is one right and another wrong? Or are all wrong until we can come together?

Though I am a Christian Democrat and my friend is a Christian Republican, God is neither a Democrat nor a Republican . Nor is God an Independent-though God does stand indepen-

dent of the human limitations of politics God's will is reflected in both individual and collective decisions on which no political party or church denomination alone has a total grasp.

In his last recorded prayer on earth, Christ called upon God to bring Christian unity an. 17:20-23). As Christians , we must all agree on this: Jesus Christ is our Savior, the personal manifestation of the Living God We are to "love the Lord our God with all our hearts, and with all our souls and with all our strength and with all our minds."

This will lead us naturally to the second command to "Love our neighbors as ourselves" (Lk 10:27) And when we love our neighbors as ourselves, we can disagree in healthy ways that can lead to collaboration and perhaps better solutions.

I believe that God enjoys and encourages diversity God is the author of diversity Perhaps God made us different so that in unity we might see more clearly the wholeness of his being. While the whole may be greater than the sum of its parts, the Body of Christ is greater because of the sum of its parts.

The Christian "Coalition" of which I want to be a part is the whole body of believers-nonpartisan, nonjudgmental, interdenominational and always striving together to demonstrate the love of God and neighbor.

Idealistic? Maybe . Unrealistic? "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Lk. 18:27). Jesus did it. We can believe it!

Debra L. White is a member of the North Oak Community Church , Hays, Kan. She is currently on leave of absence from her job as a special education teacher in Hays.

Unrepresentative opinion

Last year you blasted and degraded Promise Keepers, a Christ-centered movement. Now you praise and extol the virtues of a movement led by lawsuit-wielding, Allah-worshipping Farrakhan (November editorial).

I'm not sure the Christian Leader editor's opinion represents my faith or denomination.

Garen Martens Fairview, Okla.

Dropping the bomb

I take Kate Wentland to task for her article "Fat Man, Little Boy and me" (September).

First, I have no problem with conscientious objectors. But if you call yourself a pacifist, then either God changes his mind or you disagree with the God of the Bible, the God of David the warrior.

Wentland states, "Jesus opposed all violence , even to secure safety." Where does the Bible say that? Who was the one who violently threw the money changers out of the temple? When the soldier came to Jesus and asked him, "What should we do?" Jesus didn't tell him to get out of the army (Lk. 3:14).

We have historical reasons for being very wary of the use of violence and war, such as the Crusades. But she shouldn't make blanket statements that sound good but are unbibHcal. She only hurts the cause of Christ

I would also challenge her historical analysis. She suggests that the bombs did not end the war. Yet, not many days after the bombs were dropped, Japan unconditionally surrendered. Don't dodge this fact!

Wentland notes that "the bombs massacred hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians." By dropping the bombs we wiped out two military industrial ports Both of these cities were concentrations of the military industrial complex that had prosecuted a war against the United States. Does the fact that there are civilians in a city preclude us from bombing them?

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She says Truman wanted a hammer on the Soviet Union if the bomb worked. Is this bad? Were we evil to want a nuclear sword to hold over the head of the "peace-loving" Stalin?

She writes that the use of atomic weapons was "an unprecedented act of war taken with a thin justification ." Thin justification? Read about the battles of New Guinea and Iwo Jima and understand an enemy who had so perverted the concept of honor that it meant death before surrender. The Japanese were hardened warriors, even civilians. This was what we had to look forward to on mainland Japan.

Wentland cannot use historical facts to support her assertion that "the war would have lasted only a few more months at worst." More than one scholar has estimated that a conventional attack would have cost millions of Japanese lives.

To say Christians ought to be a voice for peace is a moral and biblical absolute (Rom. 14: 19). But once forced into a war, it is incumbent upon us to bring it to as swift an end as possible with the fewest possible loss of lives of our countrymen and then have consideration of the enemy.

The real problem was that Christians in the United States, Germany, Britain and other countries failed to take their stand before the war. Everyone wanted to be left alone. That was the moral sin, that was where the fault lay Our forebears were not on their knees praying or getting actively involved stopping a war that was obvious to very few.

Will we repeat history?

Paul Dolton Bakersfield, Calif.

Gatherings of honor

I'm sorry when I hear people say our denominational conventions are bOring. Why is it boring for them?

While I was growing up, attending a convention was considered an honor. Only highly esteemed church members were chosen as delegates. Often the family sacrificed considerably to make it possible for the husband to attend In the rural setting, the rest of the family carried out the father's duties during his absence.

The Christian Courier (September 1995) describes the need for personal and corporate preparation to be a delegate. If we want to discern God's direction for the expansion and maintenance of his kingdom, individual preparation and followup are essential. It involves prayer support before going, and reporting the outcome upon return. Otherwise, the congregation is cheated of its investment in you and the larger church body.

Much information of God's working is shared at these sessions Inspirational speakers broaden our vision. Regular attendees enjoy fellowship and camaraderie

Participation in Christian decisionmaking is exciting. But is this still possible for all delegates? If not, many lose interest Soon the honor and privilege lose their allure Unless you are motivated by a love of corporate Christian service, there are easier ways to spend a week.

However, James 4:17 reminds us that "anyone, then who knows the good he oUght to do and doesn't do it, sins "

Hilda] Born Abbotsford, B. C.

BY MARVIN HEIN

QWill you please comment about the meaning of the expression in the Bible, "you and your whole house. " (OKLAHOMA)

AThe inquirer likely is referring to the two instances in the Book of the Acts that refer to "the whole house" coming to salvation through the conversion of one person. I would presume that behind the question is the matter of small children being saved and baptized.

In Acts 11, Peter explains why he went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them. After that, while reluctant at first, he goes with the Caesarean delegation that had come to see him. Peter then refers to the "sender's" instructions to the delegation and quotes the man: "Send to Joppa for Simon He will bring you a message through which 'you and all your household will be saved" (my emphasis).

The second "you and your household" reference occurs in chapter 16. The Philippian jailer is shaken up by the earthquake in prison and anxiously inquires: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The response of Paul and Silas: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household. "

In seminary, my Baptist New Testament professor used to say that one's theology determines how one reads those expressions. A good Baptist (and a good Anabaptist Mennonite), when painting the picture of the jailer's conversion, would portray only adults. A faithful Reformed theologian would include small children in the picture.

How do you resolve the question of whether little children were saved and baptized in that Philippian home? So far as I know, you can't. The Bible doesn't tell us.

Recently I read about hundreds of Hindu adults having been baptized and tens of thousands of children professing Christ as a result of the work of indigenous evangelists in southern India. The same news report stated that traveling evangelists taught more

than 90,000 children in 30 villages about Jesus and some 70,000 children, ages 3 to 15, confessed Christ. Despite the reservations some of us may have about "too-young conversions," we don't want to deny that children can be won to Christ.

Still, the New Testament

is strangely quiet about child conversions. One professor-friend said to me, "I don't see anything that tells me there were children in the Philippian home." After a slight pause he added, "And I don't see anything that tells me there weren't. "

The New Testament is silent on other questions about children. We say children are not lost until they reach the "age of accountability." I can't argue with that, but neither can I fmd a defense for it in the Bible. It makes sense, but Scripture is not that plain.

Perhaps a ray of light shines in the 1 Corinthians 7 passage where Paul discusses marriage and divorce. He says if a Christian wife has an unsaved husband who is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. Then he adds this: "for the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife ... otherwise your children would be unclean" (7:14).

I'm not certain what that means, but a conclusion I can accept is that the unbelieving partner is influenced by the godly life of the Christian spouse-and, to interpret the passage logically, then the children are called "holy" in that they have the advantage of being under the sanctifying influence of one parent.

When Scripture does not speak with clarity, we do well to be charitable toward those who differ with our interpretation. We need also to be humble enough to say we do not have final answers for every question.

QWhat did Jesus mean when he told the disciples, "This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened?" (CALIFORNIA)

Do you have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? Send it to "Inquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.

AJesus's comment comes in connection with a sermon on his second coming. If Jesus literally meant what is recorded in Mark. 13:30, then he was wrong. All the things he discussed didn't come to pass in the lifetime of his listeners. Nor have they yet!

Not willing to believe Jesus would be wrong, some have suggested there must be a different meaning to "this generation." But any examination of Scripture indicates "generation" almost always meant the lifetime of those who were listening.

When faced with difficult scriptural problems, it is usually safest to ask this: "What did it mean to those who were the original listeners?" I have one suggestion. At the beginning of the chapter, four of the disciples were overwhelmed by the architectural grandeur of Jerusalem's recently restored temple. "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" Jesus replied: "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down."

Many other things come into this conversation, including the second coming, but it is possible Jesus was answering their original question. "All these things" is the destruction of the temple and attendant events. That would be a true statement. The temple was destroyed by the Romans under Titus about 70 A D , some 40 years after Jesus spoke these words. Forty years is not too long a period to be called a "generation." In fact, 40 years is the conventional length of a generation in biblical language. tf2

Surprised by love

" 1\iDIFFERENT KIND of spiritual retreat," my sponsors called it when they ' nvited me to participate. Different indeed it was, but in a this·is·what·Christianity· is-really-like sort of way.

I was first approached about going on a "Walk to Emmaus" retreat by members of our church who had been there. "You go for the weekend," they said, "from Thursday evening to Sunday evening." They all told stories about how attendance at an Emmaus retreat had recharged their lives. But they seemed a little secretive about what actually happened during the weekend I began to wonder what this could be about . After all, like you, I've been invited to those meetings that promise you great riches through pyramid marketing schemes. I thOUght this might be similar.

So I put up my resistance barriers. "I'm not interested in going to something when I don ' t know what I'm getting into," I declared. "But that's just it," my friends responded. "We can't tell you about all of it because a Walk to Emmaus weekend is full of wonderful surprises. You will experience the love of the body of Christ in ways you have never experienced it before. But to tell you about it in advance would be to spoil the surprise and take away some of the joy."

"But why me?" I protested. "Why do I have to go?" "Because you are our pastor and you should know what we're getting into," was the response So I went After all, shouldn ' t I know what they were getting into?

Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual retreat movement which began in Spain about 50 years ago , and migrated to the United States, where it has spread to include men and women of many denominations and churches. The retreat is based solidly on the Bible and is thoroughly Christian in content The worship is highly structured and quite liturgical (at least for Mennonite Brethren), especially in the celebration of the Lord ' s Supper. Yet I have seldom been in a more joyful celebration of communion.

The retreat is for men or women, although if one is married, the spouse is usually expected to attend . Men and women go separately, men first Perhaps women are more willing to step into the unknown and husbands need a little more coaxing .

On the appointed weekend, I was picked up at my home on Thursday evening I left my

wallet behind. The retreat would cost me nothing. Those who were sponsoring me paid my way. In fact, those who were working at the retreat paid to be there so that I and my fellow attendees could go for nothing That was the first surprise

When we reached the Presbyterian church where the retreat was to be held, I received the two most difficult (for me) instructions of the weekend. I was told to give up two things which are important to me: my control of time and my control of schedule. First, I was given an envelope in which to place my watch. I was to seal the envelope, put it away, and not get it out until the weekend was over.

That was tough. I live by the clock, but the purpose of giving up my watch was to surrender control of my time to others, to trust them to lead me and to let God do his work. Throughout the weekend, I never knew what time it was.

Even more difficult was not knowing the schedule. Again, I had to trust, to put my life in the hands of the people who had planned the event . If I trusted them, then , freed from the double tyrannies of time and schedule, I could open myself to the Lord and let him do his work in me.

So what did happen? I made new friends, some of whom I delight to meet again and again. I ate wonderful food, cooked by chefs I never saw, but who were there to serve me and the other "pilgrims" like myself. I heard talks, sort of short sermons on the subject of grace, what grace is and how it affects the way we live . These talks were by men-some pastors, most not-and the talks urged me to understand God's grace and to let it have its impact in my life. We experienced times of laughter and healing, and beautiful celebrations of worship.

And then there were the amazing expressions of love. First, I was fed and hosted by people I did not know, people who not only paid my expenses, but paid their own so they could wait on me. I felt the support of the body of Christ in beautiful ways . Best of all were the surprises, but I can't write of them here. To tell you of the ways God's love is poured out would be to take the fun out of it if you should ever go Good surprises ought to remain just that.

So if you have an invitation to take the Walk to Emmaus, take it

You'll be richer for it.

BY JIM HOLM

If you have an invitation to take the Walk to Emmaus, take it. You'll be richer for it.

Calif.

Jim Holm is from Reedley,

Neighbors share turf and vision

• Central and Southern districts join for first 'back to school' convention

NOTHING LIKE a block party to help two neighbors get to know each other better A shared interest in higher education and outreach led two bordering district conferences to share their respective conventions this fall. The Central (CDC) and Southern (SOC) districts held an unprecedented joint gathering on the campus of Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan. , Oct. 27-29.

In addition to their geographic connection, the two districts share a common enterprise: they are coowners of Tabor College-together with two smaller and more distant neighbors, the North Carolina and Latin America conferences.

Though SOC and CDC congregations send representatives to semiannual meetings of the Tabor Senate, the school's governing body, district leaders hoped a convention backdrop would expose other Mennonite Brethren to the college.

That objective may have been achieved. "I was surprised by the number of people who had not been on the campus before," said Larry Nikkel, who is in his last term as SOC chair. "I think (meeting on the campus) is a nice way to connect with 'our school. '"

David Brandt, Tabor president, agreed. "I liked the linking together of people," he said. "I was appalled by the number of pastors who had never

been to Tabor before. I really appreciated having them here firsthand. "

Registration figures indicated 89 delegates and 43 guests came from the Central District, which includes churches in Nebraska, South and North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Illinois. The home-turf Southern District, which includes Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri in addition to Kansas, drew 198 delegates and 38 guests.

The two delegations met separately to conduct district business (see accompanying articles), but jointly in several plenary sessions to be instructed and inspired

Marketplace messages

Three of the plenary sessions were worship-centered with messages on the theme, "Marketplace Ministries." Keynote speakers were Ray Bystrom, associate professor of pastoral ministries at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., and David Brandt.

Bystrom challenged his listeners "to be human in the style of our Lord Jesus wherever we live, work and play." He focused specifically on the

Enjoying a beautiful autumn setting. delegates from the Southern and Central districts fraternize during one of several outdoor coffee breaks.

Bystrom: The marketplace can be ministry

workplace , saying that Christians need "a sense of vocation " about their jobs.

Bystrom said Christians would find more fulfillment in the workplace if they realized that every honest labor in some way expresses the character and activity of God-such as nurturing, creating, teaching, healing or creating "God is a worker , and God's work is a legitimate model for us All of God's work can be correlated with our work."

Brandt, meanwhile, chipped away at the wall some believers build to separate their faith from their busi-

ness affairs. Too often, he said , Christians operate under the motto, "Every Christian is my b rother or sister, but business is business ."

"Are we terribly interested in being a servant in the world of work? " he asked. Generally, businesspersons value service only as it translates into profit, but Jesus-style service is a result of character formation Brandt said Christian character begins to take shape when individuals regularly ask themselves how their behavior in the workplace affects poor people, the environment and the rest of the world.

Central District delegates savor reports of recent church growth

THATinvigorating aroma wafting through this year's Central District business sessions was the sweet smell of blossoming church plants.

Two of the district's youngest congregations, Millard (Neb ) Bible and Lincoln Hills Bible, Sioux Falls, S.D., reported a similar need: more room to accommodate increasing attendance.

Meanwhile, a new hispanic congregation, Iglesia Agua Viva (Church of the Living Water) in Omaha, had 21 people sign the membership charter last January.

Looking to the future, the district's Church Planting Committee (CPC) reported that it is researching the possibility of planting a new church in Papillion, Neb , a suburban community near Omaha.

Omaha ' s "mother" church, Faith Bible, will receive a onetime CPC ministry grant of $3,000 this year to add a "local outreach specialist" to its staff. The primary role of the specialist will be "to build a bridge from suburbia into the inner city," said Peter Thomas, pastor.

In addition to its own seedlings, the district celebrat-

ed the grafting of a recent transplant. The district formally welcomed its first Slavic congregation, the Russian Evangelical Church in Minneapolis, M i nn The Russianspeaking group includes about 250 people, including 100 children and youth. It is the 13th Slavic congregation to affiliate with U S conferences.

The CPC also reported on the transition process involving the district's two Native works on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota

Following a lengthy and emotional debate, last year's convention voted to move the Gospel Fellowship Church at Pine Ridge and the Lakota Gospel Church at Porcupine from operating as subsidized missions to become indigenous and self-supporting churches that "identify with the Native American culture "

Garvie Schmidt, CPC chair, said both works are continuing to minister in light of the change

"How can we give support to the works at Pine Ridge?" asked Herb Schroeder, a delegate from Delft, Minn Schmidt said the CPC and the district's Faith and Life Com -

Life in the marketplace will never be easy for Christians, he added A key t ask of Christians in that arena is to regularly fight against selfishness. "Service is the operative word," Brandt said "Our task is to fit it into the marketplace."

Mission USA focus

On Friday evening, some 490 people gathered in the Tabor Gymnasium for a banquet promoting Mission USA, the newly launched church planting and renewal thrust of the U.S. Conference . Speaker Chuck Buller, chair of the Mission USA board from Visalia,

mittee encouraged individuals and congregations to support both groups with prayer, words of encouragement and volunteer labor But they discouraged financial support that might undermine the transition to indigenous ministry.

In other business, delegates :

• heard glowing reports of CDC youth involvement in their annual youth conference last fall and at Estes '95, the national Mennonite Brethren youth convention held in March;

• affirmed the 38 -year pastoral ministry of Elton and Ella Berg-28 years in the CDCwith the presentation of a plaque ;

• passed two constitutional revisions;

• approved an operating budget for 1995-96 of $176,200, a decrease of $15,600 from the previous year ;

• were told that total membership had increased by 38 over the past year, from 2,163 to 2,201, but that attendance had dropped slightly in every category except vacation Bible school;

• elected Leonard Reimer, pastor of the Millard Bible Church, as the next chair;

• accepted an offer from the Harvey (N D.) MB Church to host the '96 convention , and the New Hope (Minn.) MB Church to host the '97 convention.-DR

Dan Drown (right), pastor of the Mountain Lake (Minn ) Church, leads in a prayer of thanksgiving for the Russian Evangelical Church. Pictured with him are (from left) the four-member delegation from the congregation and CDC chair Ron Seibel.

Buller: Mission USA will work in partnership with district home mission boards to achieve renewal and growth.

conflict "as a friend and not an enemy." Combining lecture and role plays, he focused on common conflicts that arise between church members. Fendall outlined different styles of dealing with conflict and encouraged congregations to develop written "conflict convenants" that clearly spell out how conflict will be managed within the body.

The seminar was initiated by the Southern District as a follow-up to one it had conducted in 1993. That seminar had participants list issues local churches needed to face if they were to be effective in the future.

"As I looked at those lists it occurred to me that all of them were really conflicts or potential conflicts," said Larry Nikkel. He said the intent of offering a seminar on resolving conflict was akin to a common adage: give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

"If we could take even a first step toward enabling or equipping congregations to manage their own conflicts better, that would really be a good service to them," he said.

Senate forum

The Tabor setting provided a natural forum for the two districts to conduct a little college-related business. During a Saturday morning seSSion, a task force appointed to review the role of the Tabor Senate canvassed participants for their input. The review was motivated in part by declining attendance at Senate meetings and a growing discontent among senators.

Participants formed small groups to

discuss a list of prepared questions relating to current Senate functions. The mix of participants, many of whom were only vaguely familiar with the school's operation, was both an advantage and disadvantage for achieving the task force's goals. While they offered fresh input based on their experience with the college, many were not aware of the specific issues fueling the review of the Senate.

No resolution was even intended, but that didn't necessarily mean nothing helpful was accomplished. "Whatever the recommendation (of the task force) is," said Larry Nikkel afterward, "if the people feel they had an opportunity to somehow have input, that alone would be a positive. "

Ongoing mingling?

Separate Saturday noon luncheons for men and women provided another opportunity for inter-district mingling. In addition, the two delegations shared refreshment times-including one serenaded by the Tabor Band. The college's drama and music departments offered a reprise performance of the production "Into the Woods" on Saturday night.

The varied program, mixed with the campus ambiance and mild Kansas weather, added up to a positive weekend, according to planners.

"I would say this was quite totally a good experience for everybody," said Ron Seibel, who completed his term as Central District chair "I didn't pick up any negative vibrations."

Nikkel agreed. "The joint meeting of the Central and Southern districts was nice, and I think meeting on the Tabor campus was nice. I'd like to see us do that about every four years or so."

That would suit Tabor's president just fine. Brandt said he has already formally invited both districts to return to the campus in four years. "I was proud that they came to Tabor," he said. "I felt that we belonged-that Tabor and the districts were together .... I would love to have them back." -Don Ratzlaff

IN BRIEF

• Statistics compiled from the past 15 years reveal that while Central District church membership and attendance totals have been in overall decline, the past five years indicate a definite increase CDC membership in 1980 was 2,396 and declined to a low of 2,115 in 1990. Since 1990 membership has improved and this past year totaled 2,163. Worship attendance in the CDC held steady from 1980 until 1988, averaging 2,358 over the nine years. After dropping to just over 2,200 in 1990, attendance peaked in 1992 at 2,474 and in 1994 stood at 2,413. District minister Clint Grenz, who compiled the statistics, encourages CDC churches to continue the growth pattern by developing vision and objective statements (CDC)

• The Fresno Pacific College Board of Trustees recently approved the construction of a facilities management building. The project is the first phase of a larger college commons project which also includes a dining hall, auditorium/chapel and student center. Construction will begin as soon as possible. Steady enrollment growth in recent years has overtaxed the present campus facilities. (FPC)

• Tabor College has been granted a 10-year accreditation renewal by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In its written report, the evaluation team commended Tabor for its sense of community among faculty and students, for its careful management of resources and a strong tradition of volunteerism. The report also cited a strong commitment to the school by its constituencies and a strong working relationship with its hometown Hillsboro, Kan., community. (TC)

• The New Age Movement in American Culture, written by Richard Kyle, professor of history and religious studies at Tabor College, was released in early November by the University Press of America. The book, Kyle's fourth, is a comprehensive cultural history surveying the major developments of the New Age movement. (TC)

• Laurel B. Schunk, a member of the First MB Church, Wichita, Kan., has been named the American Christian Writers Association's Writer of the Year. Schunk received her award Nov. 10 at ACWA's annual conference in Phoenix, Ariz. She is the author of the novel The Voice He Loved (Thomas Nelson, 1995), a romantic suspense novel that follows a serial killer as he murders the last witnesses to his crimes.

• Lee Snyder, vice president and academic dean at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., will become the first woman president of a Mennonite college when she takes the helm at Bluffton (Ohio) College starting with the 1996-97 academic year She will succeed Elmer Neufeld, who has served the college for 30 years, including 18 as president. Bluffton College is a General Conference Mennonite Church institution. (MWR)

• The Canadian Council of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Moderators held its annual meeting Nov. 1-2 in Burnaby, B.C. The gathering of inter-Mennonite leaders focused on developing a church relevant to young people. Resource people included several Mennonite Brethren : Steve Klassen of MB Missions/Services, Dieter Schonwetter of Columbia Bible College in Clearbrook, B.C., Johnny Thiessen of Fraserview MB Church in Richmond, B.C., and Rod Wall of Clearbrook Community Church and Mountain Park Community Church, two Mennonite Brethren congregations in Abbotsford. The governance of MCC Canada was also discussed. (Meetinghouse)

• Three avid Mennonite Brethren cyclists from British Columbia participated in a five-day Mennonite Central Committee bicycle tour across Jamaica this summer Jason Warner of the Greendale MB Church and Vince Harman and Sheldon Walsh of Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, learned about Jamaican life and culture as they cycled with Marlin Yoder of MCC Jamaica and Jamaican Kevin Lee. (MCC Canada)

GATHERINGS

Pacific District's cycle of regional rallies signals change in convention format

• Total attendance at seven sites estimated at 1,335

" T HINGS are changing," was the unofficial theme of the seven regional rallies held in the Pacific District Conference this fall. The format itself served as Exhibit A.

In an effort to spark enthusiasm for district work among "boomers" and "busters," the PDC executive committee has been tinkering with the annual fall convention format. This fall the tinkering became a major overhaul when the annual weekend convention became seven regional rallies.

"Our conventions won't be the same after this," says Henry Dick, district minister. "We will go back to a convention next year but it will have a different form." Dick estimates the combined attendance at the rallies at least 1,335. While Dick had hoped for more attendees under the age of 40, he was enthusiastic about the total.

The executive committee hoped to achieve unity and continuity without legislating uniformity at the rallies, according to Dick. Prior to the fall circuit, Dick met with each regional planning committee to develop the program for that site. Music and worship format varied from place to place. A prayer time was included at one location, while another included a time of liturgical chants and Scripture reading.

Each rally also included an opportunity for area churches to talk about their local ministries with the district leadership. Slavic congregations participated in three rallies.

To assure some level of continuity,

Dick and Harold Enns, PDC chair, attended each rally. Dick brought the message and Enns shared information about district events in the form of short spots.

The work of home missions and Fresno Pacific College, operated by PDC churches, was highlighted at each rally.

Dick reports that based on the initial response, regional rallies will be held again at some point. Next fall the PDC convention will be hosted by Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif. A conference banquet in the northwest region of the district will also be added. -Connie Faber

TRAINING

Gilbert appointed to MBBS faculty

• First French-Canadian instructor will teach New Testament classes

PIERRE GILBERT, professor of Bible and theology at Institut Biblique Laval (lBL) in Montreal, Que., has accepted an invitation to join the faculty at MB Biblical Seminary beginning in fall 1996.

"This is a joyful decision for us," Gilbert said. "We are experiencing a great deal of peace in regard to God's leading."

Pierre and Monika Gilbert candidated at the seminary Oct. 28-Nov. 1. "We enjoyed the students and the faculty there," he said. "We were impressed with the spirit. I was asked some tough, challenging questions by students."

In a letter to Gilbert, Henry Schmidt, MBBS president, wrote: "We are convinced that your giftedness, vision and passion for training leaders will strengthen this team substantial-

Circuit riders: For continuity, Enns (left) and Dick attended all seven regional rallies.

ly." Schmidt said the search committee affirmed Gilbert for being in touch with the Bible and contemporary culture, his good theological understanding and ability in fielding questions, his collegial spirit, sense of humor, hard work, communication skills and commitment to the church and Mennonite Brethren denomination.

Gilbert has been at mL since 1986. In 1985 he taught part time at La Faculte De Theolgie Gilbert Evangelique de Montreal in Montreal, and from 1984 to 86 was pastor of Victory Fellowship Church (MB) in Waterloo, Que.

He earned his Ph.D. in Old Testament from the University of Montreal in1994 and his master of arts in Old Testament from Providence Seminary in Otterbume, Man., in 1981.

He has been a member of numerous denominational boards and committees, including the Board of Faith and Life for the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches and the Canadian Conference.

Pierre and Monika, along with their children Pierre James (14), Crystal (12) and Stephen (10) are members of Eglise chretienne de Saint-Laurent (MB) Church in Ville Saint-Laurent.

"I appreciate your sensitivity to the Quebec context and the implications of your departure for mL and the conference," Schmidt wrote to Gilbert. "We know that your coming here will be a loss for mL and a gain for MBBS; what concerns me is that our gain not be at their expense."

MBBS has enjoyed a number of excellent students from Quebec over the past several years, Schmidt noted. He has been in communication with MBBS graduate and IBL president Jean Theoret and Andre Bourque, moderator of the Quebec Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

Schmidt praised Gilbert's appointment as "a compliment to your training and leadership" and hoped that the appointment would not damage positive relationships between the two institutions.

The seminary has one other faculty candidate visiting in November, Schmidt said.-Kent Gaston

CELEBRATION

Post Oak MB Church celebrates its multiracial heritage as first MB mission

• North American churches launched work 100 years ago

ONE HUNDRED years ago a determined missionary named Henry Kohfeld marked a tree on the Oklahoma prairie. The tree was to identify the site where he and the Mennonite Brethren foreign missions board dreamed of building a mission station in Comanche Indian territory. It would be the first "foreign" missions enterprise of Mennonite Brethren in North America.

Last month, Nov. 10-12, members, former workers and friends of the Post Oak MB Church, Indiahoma, gathered to celebrate the fruit of that endeavor. The group shared stories, viewed home movies and slides, sang Comanche hymns led by local leader Carlton Hoahwah, former pastor Herb Schroeder and Linda Gerbrandt, wife of former pastor D.J. Gerbrandt.

Several of the former pastors offered sermons or devotional remarks. The dining hall was decorated with quilted wall hangings personalized with the names of former pastors and missionaries. These were then presented as gifts to those present as a token of love and appreciation for their dedicated service.

Post Oak members proudly trace their heritage to the early converts. Over the years, the mission work has included an orphanage and school. The Post Oak Mission has sent out missionaries to hispanic and American Indian communities. The congregation has been led by 16 pastors, including two natives, Joe Lonetree (1962-64) and the current pastor, Wilfred Niedo, and his wife, Jewell.

"The tremendous change in the

The Post Oak congregation poses with A.J.Becker (right. front). circa 19305.

lives of the early converts is very inspiring to us because of their dedication to God and their new way of life," says Marjorie Kelley, centennial committee chair. "Also the faithfulness of the missionaries as they continued their work with our people even though they had many obstacles and discouragements. "

Slow beginnings

Kohfeld and his wife, Elizabeth, worked among the Comanche people for 12 years. During that time, not a single native was willing to openly live a Christian life. No baptisms or spiritual leaders emerged. "When the hardness of the hearts of the

Comanches threatened to overcome Brother Kohfeld, he went to a cave under an oak tree where he stayed and prayed until he had victory," writes Mary Alice Maddox in the centennial book.

For several years the Kohfeld's were assisted by two single women: Mary B. Regier and Katharina Penner. In 1901, Abraham J. and Magdalena Hergert Becker joined the Kohfelds. When illness forced the Kohfelds to leave in 1907, the Beckers faced the discouraging task of continuing on alone. They felt the Comanches did not care for the missionaries or their Christian faith. So the Beckers asked God for two visible indicators that

Native translator exemplified challenge

THE STORY of Herman Asenap is one of many that illustrates the deep faith of the early Comanche converts and their love for the missionaries It also exemplifies the challenges of the early years at Post Oak Mission Post Oak Mission worker

A J. Becker, ca ll ed "White Whiskers," and his wife, Magdalena, faced a difficult choice. After years of labor, no converts had been made among the Comanche peo-

___ pie. Should the Beckers pack Asenap up and return home to Kansas?

With fasting and prayer, they presented their desire for an interpreter and converts to the Lord.

The next Sunday, Herman Asenap knocked at the church door. He was a government interpreter who had previously

they should continue: a trustworthy interpreter and converts.

By the next Sunday an Indian had volunteered to serve as their interpreter (see sidebar) and by the end of the month one man and six women were converted.

Overcoming mistrust

In spite of the breakthrough, the Beckers felt if the work was to flourish, they needed to more effectively communicate their concern to their Indian neighbors. The Comanches had little reason to trust whites, whom they saw as trying to take over their lands and destroy their ancestral way of life.

So when Magdalena Becker heard the U.S. government was looking for a woman to serve as field matron to the Comanches, she saw the opportunity as

been unwilling to work with the missionaries even when offered good payment for his work

" I have had no peace," he told Becker. "I will interpret for you when you want me to and (will do so) free of charge "

Herman Asenap served the Beckers faithfully as an interpreter. Through his work others were saved, but Asenap was not For 24 years the missionaries prayed for his salvation.

"Then one day he came as a seeking soul," writes Post Oak Mission historian Mary Alice Maddox. '''I am at the end of the road. I will give in: he said . He prayed but could not believe salvation was for him and was ready to give up. Then all the Christians called on God and claimed him for Christ. At last he said 'I am ready.'" He and his daughter were baptized in 1932.

Today, Asenap's descendants continue to worship at Post Oak MB Church.-CF

God's provision. For 28 years she kept record of land ownership and delivered monthly checks. Through her dealings with the natives, she earned the reputation of being a wise peacemaker.

Her concern for the Indian women and their children prompted her to extend her involvement beyond her official job description. She taught the women first aid and hygiene, how to can fruits and vegetables, sew quilts, make soap and organized a flower club. She joined her new friends in grieving for family members when they died.

During her 37 years of service, Magdalena participated in more than 600 funerals or burials. She and her husband learned the Comanche language and

The Post Oak Mission as it looked during a camp meeting, circa 1906. Attenders would travel from far distances and stay several days.

worked at the mission until her death in 1938 Magdalena ' s contribution to the church is evident in the name given the Post Oak women's organiza· tion : Magdalena Fellowship.

Following the Beckers, missionaries came and went. It was the volunteer labors of Joe and Anna Hiebert Gomez that provided continuity. Anna first came to Post Oak in 1909 as a single worker. After they were married at the station in 1912, she and her husband settled in the neighborhood and were active in the church.

Walking a new way

The early converts made many changes when they began "walking the Jesus way ." Writes Maddox: "Before Nu-Mah-Too-Ah-Vet-Chie became a Christian, she went on war parties with the warriors because she was brave and had outstanding fighting abilities . When she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior , her life completely changed " Maddox describes Nu-Mah-Too-Ah-Vet-Chie as a creative, faithful church member who composed Comanche hymns. Because of the importance of songs in the Indian culture, new converts composed Comanche hymns. Maddox writes : "The Lord blessed the dear old ones by putting a song in their hearts. All the Comanche-composed hymns are of praise, encouragement , and our heavenly home. "

Several of these hymns are still sung today Many English hymns were also translated into Comanche Music continues to have an important role in the life of the congregation.

Burial practices were also important to the early Comanche converts. Before missionaries came , the Indians buried their dead in crevices in the Wichita Mountains. With the introduction of Christianity , burial practices changed The early Christians brought their dead to the church , where Becker built a coffin for the deceased. Beautiful shawls, best quilts and blankets were draped over the coffin as a token of love and respect for the dead.

Baptisms and community

Sam Mowatt, called No-Hand, was the first Comanche willing to be baptized His testimony in 1907 made a

gathered for the occasion . George Koweno was baptized two years later and in 1911 was ordained as the first deacon of Post Oak Mission He and his wife , Mary , the first woman to have been converted, spent tireless hours traveling from home to home witnessing to unsaved neighbors. Members of Koweno's family continue to worship at Post Oak.

Indians came for Sunday services at Post Oak on horseback or in wagons, and later by truck or school bus Members who understood both Comanche and English were blessed twice since the message was spoken first in English and then interpreted into the native language. When Mexican migrant workers began attending services, they also had their own interpreter.

For lunch, families brought enough food for themselves plus a little extra for guests. Each family had its own area in which to eat and to keep dishes in the dining hall. An arbor was also a popular eating and visiting spot. In the afternoon, the group met for Sunday school classes and singing services Almost every Sunday brought white visitors from other Oklahoma Mennonite Brethren churches.

"We came early in the morning and did not go home until evening," reflects Anna Mae Lonetree of the centennial committee. "No one seemed to care what time it was You did not see people watching the clock. This was God ' s day and we were taught to honor that special day "

Revival services, called camp meet-

ings, were held annually . Families would move to the mission grounds for several days and camp in tents or build brush arbors .

Government confrontation

In 1957 the u.S. government requisitioned the land adjoining Fort Sill for expansion purposes. This induded the 160 acres of land owned by the Mennonite Brethren Conference on which Post Oak Mission , its church, other buildings and cemetery grounds were located For the people of Post Oak this was a severe adversity

"It was heartbreaking and hard to understand ," writes Anna Mae Lonetree in the centennial book. "Our people had learned to love Post Oak They had been hearing the gospel message for over 60 years there ." Of particular concern was the plan to transfer the remains of individuals buried in the Post Oak cemetery.

The land sale allowed the congregation to purchase and remodel a new church building in Indiahoma . The Post Oak Mission became Post Oak MB Church and in 1960 was admitted to the Southern District Conference as an autonomous church .

Many changes have taken place over 100 years. At one time the congregation numbered almost 125 ; their current membership is just over 50 They began as a mission dependent on the MB Board of Foreign Missions. Today they are a self-supporting church with membership in the Southern District Conference.

-Connie Faber

IN BRIEF

• Seven Mennonite Brethren were among the 54 workers who participated in Mennonite Central Committee's fall orientation. Fidele Lumeya and Krista-Anne Rigalo, most recently of Kinshasa, Zaire, are beginning threeyear assignments in Bukavu, Zaire They previously served with MCC in Zaire and are members of the MB Church of Zaire in Kinshasa. Connie and Mark Patton of Fresno, Calif., are beginning three-year assignments in Agailjhara, Bangladesh. The Pattons are members of Butler Avenue MB Church in Fresno. Darleen and Vernon Ortman of Dolton, S.D., are beginning four-month assignments in Akron, Pa., with SELFHELP Crafts of the World. The Ortmans are members of Silver Lake MB Church in Freeman, S.D., and will be working as return clerks. Jan Siemens, a member of College Community MB Church in Clovis, Calif., began a three-year assignment this summer working with personnel in the Akron office. She and her family live in Lancaster, Pa. (MCC)

• In late October, it was still raining in parts of the Mexican state of Tabasco in the wake of hurricanes Opal and Roxanne, which took three vicious swipes at the area earlier in the month. MCC will donate $12,000 to a local human rights organization to help supply families in two communities with basic groceries. Thousands of poor rural residents have abandoned flooded homes and moved onto dry high patches of land, many in makeshift shacks along the roadway. Some have been in this situation for up to three weeks, often with little to eat and nothing but contaminated water to drink. (MCC)

• A trio of Mennonite Central Committee workers left Akron, Pa., Oct. 24 to begin a seven-month swing through 30 communities in 11 states as the 1995-96 meat canner crew. Mark Gingerich from the United States, Rudi Niessen of Asuncion, Paraguay, and Ulrich Geiger of Ravensburg, Germany, will help put up 350,000 cans of beef, broth, chicken, pork and turkey. (MCC)

CHANGE

Efforts to show appreciation to pastors change outlook of members too

• Kansas congregation finds affirmation is contagious

V OERNER HEIGHTS Church of .&.Newton, Kan., has discovered that expressing appreciation for pastoral staff can have a positive impact not only on the intended recipients, but on those expressing the gratitude.

Prodded by challenges from Focus on the Family and Promise Keepers, four men took it upon themselves to mobilize the congregation to make October "Pastor Appreciation Month" in honor of their two full-time workers, Loyal Martin and Greg Schmidt, and their families.

"Something I've learned through Promise Keepers is that it's the responsibility of the congregation and the sheep of the flock that or another.

"I've had surprises in my life, but I've never had an entire service wiped out from under us," Martin says. "It was a very moving kind of tribute. I was in tears throughout much of the service."

Says Sharp: "I've heard people say, and I felt this myself, that it was one of the most meaningful services we've ever had because the tributes, the Scripture readings, and the meditations that were given that morning were all from the heart. "

The following week, the congregation gathered on the church lawn during the Sunday school hour to plant two redbud trees as an we lift up and hold in high esteem our pastors," says Randy Sharp, who teamed with Luke Classen, Andy Nachtigall and moderator Darrell Conrade to organize the effort.

The four used a packet of materials from Focus on the Family as a guide, then quietly worked behind the scenes to arrange the various activities.

Month-long activities

The secrecy ended Oct. S as the first of two morning services was about to begin. Instead of following the program outlined in

"Something I've

learned through Promise Keepers is that it's the responsibility of the congregation and the sheep of the flock that we lift up and hold in high esteem our pastors. "

the worship folder, Luke Classen, a worship team leader, stood up and announced the "real order" of worship. It included testimonials of specific and personal affirmation from a cross section of members, personally selected Scripture readings, a meditation from a lay speaker about being thankful for pastors, and a prayer of dedication.

-RANDY SHARP

Between the two services, about 37 people from the congregation were personally involved in one way

enduring tribute to Martin and Schmidt. The redbud happens to be the state tree of Oklahoma, the home state of both pastors. Both trees will be identified with a bronze plaque in recognition of the pastors' respective ministries.

That wasn't all. Two weeks earlier, every Sunday school class from kindergarten to seniors, had been challenged to make "thank you" posters dedicated to each pastor. The effort became a "competition in creativity," according to Martin. The results were displayed in the lobby on Oct. 15.

Members had also been

invited to fill out what Sharp calls a "Thank-You Form" to each pastor which included the following open-ended sentences: "I want to express appreciation for ," "Here are some Bible verses I want to give you ," and "Further things that I'd like to express to you are .... "

The sheets were ftlled out by classes and individuals , compiled in personalized three-ring notebooks for Martin and Schmidt and presented to

• Fellowship

DINUBA, Calif.-The congregation hosted the Pacific District Conference's annual women's rally Nov. 11. The all-day event featured missions speakers, music by Fresno Pacific College students and a fashion show.

MOUNTAIN LAKE, Minn.-Women of the congregation hosted women from Carson MB Church, Delft, Minn , for an evening with Marilou Nightingale. She and her husband, Jim, were MB Missions/Services missionaries to Brazil.

OMAHA, Neb. (Agua Viva)-This young congregation held a one-day retreat Nov. 11. Juan Montes, pastor of the Iglesia Hermanos Menonitas in Parlier, Calif., was the speaker

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage Bible)Vocalists John and Mary Giger presented a concert during the Nov. 12 morning worship service.

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Community Bible)

-The congregation enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal together Nov. 19. They hope to make this an annual celebration.

• Proclamation

FREEMAN, S.D. (Salem)-Harvest/Missions Festival speakers Oct. 15 were MB Missions/Services missionaries Dorothy and Maynard Seaman

ONIDA, S.D. (Emmanuel)-Harvest Festi-

val Celebration speaker Oct 22 was Peter Thomas, pastor of Faith Bible (MB) Church, Omaha, Neb .

BALKO, Okla.-Dale Warkentin, MB Missions/Services secretary for U.S. constituency ministries, was the Harvest Missions Festival speaker Oct. 22-24

HILLSBORO , Kan. (Parkview)-Steve Schroeder, pastor of Community Bible Fellowship in Bellingham, Wash., preached the morning message Oct 29 November speakers for missions-emphasis month included Dean and Gloria Witt, Bob and Sara Ann Flaming, Jon Pritchard and Maynard and Dorothy Seaman.

HILLSBORO, Kan.-Mission USA board chairman Chuck Buller, Visalia, Calif , preached the morning message Oct. 29 Mission Festival activities Nov. 8-12 included presentations by MB Missions/Services workers Manuel and Anne Franco of Portugal and a Sunday morning message by Henry Schmidt , president of MB Biblical Seminary During the Sunday school hour, Jon and Juana Pritchard, MBM/S workers in MexiCO , Marlene Wall, Wichita, Kan., and Denise Faul, Wichita, gave presentations about their respective involvement in global missions, summer ministry in the former Soviet Union, and a pregnancy cri· sis center.

HILLSBORO, Kan. (Ebenfeld)-Ray Bystrom, associate professor of pastoral ministries at MB Biblical Seminary, preached the morning message Oct. 29 Harvest Mission speakers Nov 12 were

Manuel and Anne Franco, MB Missions/Services workers in Portugal.

ADAMS, Okla.-Dale Warkentin, secretary of U.S . constituency ministries , was the harvest missions speaker Oct 29·30.

DELFr, Minn. (Carson)-Dave and Joann Loewen were Harvest Fest speakers Oct. 29 .

FRESNO, Calif. (Butler)-Jim Westgate, associate professor of practical studies at MB Biblical Seminary, was the Harvest Fes· tival speaker Nov. 5

INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)-Harvest Mission Festival speaker Nov. 5 was Gaylord Goertzen, pastor of Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan

YALE, S.D. (Bethel)-Area pastor Randy Tschetter was the Harvest/Thanks Festival speaker Nov. 5.

LITTLETON, Colo. (Belleview Acres)Russell and Elizabeth Schmidt, MB Missions/Services workers in Thailand, were missions conference speakers Nov. 4-5

ENID, Okla -Harry and Millie Friesen, retired MB MiSSions/Services to Japan, and Jun Takami, a member of a Mennonite Brethren church in Japan, were Harvest/Missions Festival guests Nov 5.

HENDERSON, Neb.-Harvest Mission Sun· day events Nov. 5 included presentations by Tabor College students who participated in summer ministries through Youth Mission International and MB Missions/Ser' vices workers Maynard and Dorothy Seaman Central District minister Clint Grenz was the resource person for a vision formation weekend Nov. 18-19 The event was intended to help the church pray, plan and prepare for future ministry.

DENVER, Colo. (Garden Park)-Missions weekend speakers Nov. 4·5 included Russell and Elizabeth Schmidt, Thailand; Jonathan and Alice Bartel, Japan; and John and Caye Courtney, Navajoland.

BUHLER, Kan.-Skip Suess, pastor of Good News Fellowship in Ferndale, Wash , was the Harvest Mission Festival speaker Nov. 5 .

FAIRVIEW, Okla.-Thanksgiving/Missions Celebration speaker Nov. 12 was John Warkentin, pastor of First MB Church in Wichita, Kan.

CORN, Okla.-Ron Klassen, general director of Rural Home Missionary Association , was the Harvest Thanks speaker Nov 12 Klassen is a former pastor of the church .

ULYSSES, Kan.-A month·long missions emphasis culminated Nov. 12 on Fall Harvest-Mission Festival. Garvie Schmidt, pas·

tor of the Henderson (Neb.) MB Church, was the speaker.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible Fellowship)Nadu Nebo of Nigeria was the mission conference speaker Nov. 10-12. The schedule of events included a youth rally and banquet.

HAYS, Kan. (North Oak)-Harvest/Mission Festival speakers Nov. 18-19 were Russell and Elizabeth Schmidt, MB Missions/Services workers among the Klunu people of Thailand.

NEWTON, Kan. (Koerner Heights)-Hershey Lehman, of Mennonite Central Committee, was the Thanksfest speaker Nov. 19.

KINGSBURG, Calif.-Edmund Janzen, professor of Bible at Fresno Pacific College, and Harold Ens, general director of MB Missions/Services, were Harvest Missions Festival speakers Nov. 19.

WDI, Calif. (Vinewood)-Jim Holm, pastor of Reedley (Calif.) MB Church, was the Praise and Thanksgiving Festival speaker Nov. 19.

FRESNO, Calif. (North)-Richard Kriegbaum, Fresno Pacific College president, was the Thanksgiving Festival speaker Nov. 19.

FRESNO, Calif. (Bethany)-Ray Bystrom, associate professor of pastoral ministries, at MB Biblical Seminary, was the missions conference speaker Nov 19.

WICHITA, Kan. (First)-The congregation's Thanksgiving Celebration Nov. 19 featured Vidas Girski of Lithuania and Jim Mininger, president of Lithuanian Christian College. The congregation is planning a direct ministry in Lithuania for next summer.

HARVEY, N.D.-Maynard Seaman, longtime MB Missions/Services medical worker, preached the Nov. 19 message for Harvest Fest.

MOUNTAIN LAKE, Minn.-Jim and Marilou Nightingale, MB Missions/Services workers in Brazil, were the Harvest Missions Festival speakers Nov. 19.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-Noted storyteller and Mennonite Central Committee worker Peter Dyck was the Thanksgiving Festival speaker Nov. 19.

FREEMAN, S.D. (Silver Lake)-Harvest and Missions Festival speakers Nov 19 were Stan and Gwen Ortman, who recently completed a Mennonite Central Committee assignment in Tanzania, and Jim and Marilou Nightingale, MB Missions/Services workers in Brazil.

• Teaching/nurture

CLOVIS, Calif. (College Community)Some 60 children from the congregation and the Slavic Evangelical Missionary Church, Fresno, Calif., participated in the summer vacation Bible school held in late August.

OMAHA, Neb. (Millard Bible)-The congregation hosted the MB Missions/Services global missions seminar Oct 20.

HILLSBORO, Kan. (parkview)-Lynford Becker, president of MB Foundation, was the primary speaker at a stewardship seminarNov 5.

• Celebrations

BLAINE Wash. (Birch Bay)-"New Beginnings Day," held Oct. 1, combined the traditional Harvest Mission Festival with a celebration marking the official change of the church name. PDC district minister Henry Dick was the speaker. The congregation, formerly called Birch Bay MB Church, is now named Birch Bay Bible Community Church of the Mennonite Brethren.

NEW HOPE, Minn.-The congregation celebrated an 85/40-year anniversary Oct. 14-15. In 1910 Mennonite Brethren began a ministry in Minneapolis known as the South Side Mission. In 1955 the ministry was organized into a church with 23 charter members.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-Holda Fast Redekopp, a member of the Mennonite Brethren Hymnal Commission and minister of music in several Canadian churches, participated in the dedication of

In the United Sates :

the new Worship Together songbooks Oct. 15. The chancel choir and an orchestra comprised of church members also participated.

ADAMS, Okla.-Pete and Leona Pauls celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary Oct. 15.

EUGENE, Ore. (North Park)-The congregation was invited to a lunch in honor of Reuben and Evelyn Voth's 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 15.

• Facilities

FRESNO, Calif. (North)-Construction has begun on a new educational wing Groundbreaking services were held Oct. 29. Everyone, toddlers and older, was invited to participate in the ceremony

EDMOND, Olda.-A "progressive" groundbreaking celebration Oct. 1 began with the morning worship service held at the current meeting place. The congregation then traveled to the site of the new facility for groundbreaking. Participants included pastor Paul Klassen, SDC district minister Roland Reimer, Edmond mayor Bob Rudkin and members of the congregation.

HILLSBORO, Kan. (Ebenfeld)-The congregation voted Oct. 1 to construct a new fellowship hall.

• Workers

LITTLETON, Colo. (Belleview Acres)Clint and Evelyn Seibel were honored with a farewell Oct. 15. The evening included a meal and Seibel's last appearance as auctioneer at a fund-raiser sponsored by the

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youth group Chad Miller, a student at Colorado Christian University, will be working with junior high youth as a ministry intern.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-Mike Spinelli has begun serving as associate pastor with responsibilities in the areas of Christian education and youth. He, his wife, Cheryl, and their children began the new assignment in early November.

YALE, S.D. (Bethel)-Gary and Kathy Janzen were installed as pastoral couple Oct 15

HALSTEAD, Kan. (Community Bible)Pastor Wayne Wilson has announced his resignation, effective at the end of the month. He has not announced his plans

WEATHERFORD, Okla. (pine Acres)-A grocery shower in honor of Elizabeth Schmidt was held Oct . 16 . Schmidt and her husband, Russell, MB Missions/Services missionaries to Thailand, are spending their furlough in the area.

HESSTON, Kan.-Steve Toews will assume the pastorate Jan. 1. He, his wife, Deborah, and their children will move from Sacramento , Calif., where he is pas-

at Greenhaven Neighborhood (MB) Church.

LODI, Calif. (Vinewood Community)Darren Rempel will serve as full-time associate pastor of music and worship beginning June 1996. Rempel is currently a student at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Calif.

. DEATHS

BARTEL, ANNIE, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born May 22, 1910, to John H. and Sara Nachtigal Regier, at Reedley, Calif., and died Oct 21, 1995, at the age of 85 On Feb. 7, 1932, she was married to Henry F. Bartel, who survives She is also survived by three sons, Monroe and wife Doris of Moorhead, Minn., Ken and wife Ann of Topeka, Kan , and Leland and wife Carol of Lenexa, Kan .; three sisters, Verna Epp, Edna Ediger and Elsie Richert ; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren

DUERKSEN, ARDELL SMI11I, a member of Silver Lake MB Church, Freeman, S.D., was born Jan. 19, 1931, to Isaac and Maggie Adrian Smith, at Marion, S.D., and died Sept. 24, 1995, at the age of 64. On June 13, 1953, she was married to Bob Duerksen, who survives. She is also survived by two daughters, Laurie and husband Harry Bleeker of Great Bend, Kan., and JoLynn and husband Pat Curtin of Castro Valley, Calif.; one brother, Harry and wife Leone of Freeman; one sister, Verda Walter of Bridgewater, S.D ; one brother-in-law, Isaac Unruh of Freeman; and four grandchildren.

FRIESEN, EIlZABETH "BE1TY" REIMER, Fresno, Calif., a member of Bethany MB Church, Fresno, was born May 27, 1907, to Peter A. and Sarah Reimer in Escondido, Calif , and died Oct. 5, 1995, at the age of 88. On August 28, 1932, she was married to Henry Friesen. She is survived by her son, Bruce and his wife Barbara.

FRIESEN, HENRY BOESE, Fresno, Calif , a member of Bethany MB Church, Fresno, was born Aug. 22, 1907, to David D. and Sara Friesen, in Pueblo, Colo., and died Oct 7, 1995, at the age of 88. On Aug 28 , 1932, he was married to Elizabeth Reimer He is

survived by his son, Bruce and wife Barbara.

GOSNEY (DI), JOHN WESLEY, Fairview, Okla., a member of Fairview MB Church, was born Sept 20, 1968, to John and Kristin Gosney in Weatherford, Okla , and died Oct 1, 1995, at the age of 27 On Oct. 30, 1993, he was married to Simone , who survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Madison Jayde; his parents; two sisters, Andrea and Lesli; and grandparents, John and Mary Gosney and Marion and V'Ona Ratzlaff.

KROEKER, HELEN JANZEN, Reedley, Calif., was born Oct 14, 1909, to Henry and Helena Toews Janzen at Henderson, Neb., and died Oct 16, 1995, at the age of 88. On April 17, 1927, she was married to Henry H. Kroeker, who predeceased her in 1986. She is survived by two daughters, Luella and husband Richard Johnston of Tulare, Calif., and Wilma and husband Jack Harbin of King City, Calif.; two sons, Lee and wife Betty of Visalia, Calif., andJerry and wife Kathy of Selma; two brothers, Henry H Janzen of Reedley, and Dan Janzen of Independence, Kan.; nine grand· children, and 18 great-grandchildren.

KROEKER, PETE, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born March 27, 1912, to Pete K. and Catherine Becker Kroeker in Russia and died Sept. 22, 1995, at the age of 83 . On Dec . 16, 1934, he was married to Edna Decker, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Paul and wife Stel· la Kroeker of Pahrump , Nev ; two daughters, Kathryn and husband Irvin Jantzen of Reedley, and Naomi and husband Larry Winders of Fresno, Calif ; two brothers, Jake Kroeker of Dinuba, Calif , and Aaron Kroeker of Reedley; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

NEUFELD, EISm HmBERT, Ingalls, Kan. , a member of Ingalls Mennonite Church, was born Aug. 2, 1914, to David and Katherine Warkentin Hiebert at Washita, Okla., and died June 3, 1995, at the age of 80. On Nov. 4, 1934 , she was married to H J. Neufeld , who predeceased her in 1987. She is survived by two sons, Melvin and wife Maxine Neufeld of Ingalls, and J.D. and wife Becky Neufeld , Ulysses , Kan.; three daughters, Vida and husband Vernon Bartel, Hillsboro, Kan , Joyce and husband Vaughn Prather,

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Jamestown, Kan., and Karen and Elgie Friesen, Aurora, Neb.; one brother, Arnold Hiebert, Hillsboro ; one sister, Hulda Nogy, Santa Anna, Calif ; 14 grandchildren; and nine great·grandchildren.

PANKRATZ, ANNA V., Hillsboro, Kan , a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Jan 12 , 1905, to Karl and Susie Franzen Scheikosky near Hillsboro, and died Oct. 17, 1995, at the age of 90 years. On March 23 , 1924, she was married to Albert Pankratz, who predeceased her. She is survived by three daughters, Aldine and husband Arlie Funk, Newton, Kan. , Marjory and husband Raymond Just of Hillsboro , and Marilyn and husband Pat Neally of Fredericksburg, Va.; two sons, Harold and wife Esther and Paul and wife Sheryl, all of Hillsboro; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild

REJMER,JUSTINE "CIIET, " Reedley, Calif , a member of the Reedley MB Church, was born Oct 13, 1899, to Peter and Helena Ewert Buhler in Windom, Minn., and died Nov. 3, 1995, at the age of 96 In 1925 she was married to Arthur 1. Reimer who predeceased her in 1958 She is survived by a sister, Gertrude Wiens of Fresno, Calif ; a sister-in-law, Alice Reimer of Portland, Ore.; in-laws Mary and Joy Kliewer of Reedley; and nieces and nephews

SCHENKOSKY, ROSELL CORNELSEN, San Jose, Calif , a member of Lincoln Glen (MB) Church , was born March 8, 1915 in Gray, Okla., and died Aug 2, 1995, at the age of 80 . On May 21, 1940 she was married to Orval Schenkosky.

STRAUSS, BERTHA NORD, Bakersfield, Calif., a member of Rosedale Bible Church , was born June 19, 1912, to John P. and Martha Ratzlaff Nord at Bakersfield , and died Sept. 3, 1995, at the age of 83 . On Dec. 7, 1941, she was married to John Strauss, who predeceased her in 1989. She is survived by one son, Levi and wife Clara Strauss of Bakersfield; two daughters, Velda and husband Alan Warner of Washington, and Joanne Rude of Boulder Creek, Calif ; one brother, Frank and wife Juanita Nord ; three sisters, Lenora and husband Dave Struss , Rosie and husband Menno Regier, and Salome and husband Arnold Funk, all of Bakersfield; and seven grandchildren.

WAHL, LYDIA PENNER, Fairview, Okla., a member of Fairview MB Church, was born April 30, 1909, to Benjamin and Amelia Jantzen Penner at Homestead, Okla , and died Oct 21 , 1995, at the age of 86. On April 10, 1927 , she was married to Henry Wahl, who predeceased her in 1991. She is survived by one son; Harold 1. and wife Gevona Wahl of Lakewood, Colo .; two daughters, Clarice and Raymond Wichert of Fairview, and Dorothy and Marion 1. Smith of Enid, Okla .; one brother, David Penner of Morro Bay, Calif ; nine grandchildren ; and nine great-grandchildren. rt2

C LEA R I N G H () USE

Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Need to acquire or sell property? Reach the U S. Mennonite Brethren constituency through a Clearinghouse ad. The charge for Clearinghouse information is 25 cents per word, with a $10 minimum charge. Withhold payment for advertiSing until an invoice is received. Clearinghouse copy must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the desired month of publication. The editors reserve the right to tum down inappropriate material For display (boxed) ad rates , please call us.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

MAINTENANCE/CUSTODIAL POSITION-The trustees of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Shafter, Calif., are announcing a fu"- or part-time position which can be combined or separated into three positions. They are : repair/maintenance, gardening and custodial. Housing available For further information on requirements and salary, contact Board of Trustees Chairman, Bob Wiebe (805) 746-5417.

PROGRAMMER/ANALYST-Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) is seeking a programmer/analyst to analyze , design, develop and/or purchase business software for our AS/400 and PC-LAN environment. The right person for this position will have or will be completing a bachelor's degree in an area such as management information systems, business, finance, accounting , organizing and leadership potential. Two to five years of related experience preferred A" qualified candi-

dates are encouraged to apply. The interview process will include an aptitude test. MMA offers an excellent working environment and a competitive benefit package. Send resume to : MMA, Human Resources Dept ., P O Box 483, Goshen, IN 46527.

PASTOR-The congregation of Neighborhood Church is seeking a pastor We are a suburban church located in Sacramento, Calif. Our membership is 100 with 110 attending, comprised of people of a" ages. Ours is a caring family of believers who love Jesus Christ and appreciate teaching and leadership based upon the Bible We want to be disciples who conSistently grow in the Lord so that we may always better serve one another and the community. If you would like to be considered for this position, please contact Jerry Hopkins in care of the church at 630 Ark Way, Sacramento, CA 95831. The phone number is (916) 422-8253.

FREE PRIVATE LIVING QUARTERS-No housekeeping responsibilities. Caregivers: married couple without children May have outside employment. Evening/nighttime responsibility for up to eight male (early 20s) residents. Residents are in transition from psychiatric facilities to independent living with daytime jobs or schooling For more information call (816) 246-8075. Gary Wiebe of Summit Church

FOR SA

L E

A SING-ALONG "SAMPLER" recording of 50-plus new songs in Worship Together, a new Anabaptist/Evangelical hymnal published by the Mennonite Brethren. Post-paid cassette: $8.95; compact disc: $12.95 Order from MB Singers , 315 S Uncoin, Hillsboro, KS 67063

CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM (CPE) Invitation: T O: Born-again Christians; FROM: Evangelical churches

Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B G., is seeking volunteers for its Church Partnership Evangelism outreach to Cost lperson

1. NICARAGUA, Managua. January 9-25 / 96

2. MEXICO, Baja California February 13-29/96

3. PHILIPPINES, Manilla March 31-April18 / 96

4. NICARAGUA , Managua April 30 - May 16 / 96

5. UKRAINE, Kirovograd June 10-28 / 96

6. PARAGUAY, Asuncion and Interior . . . . .. July 1-18/96

7. FIJI ISLANDS .

.. July 14-Aug. 2/96

8. PERU , Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura or Talara Aug. 12-Sept. 5/96

9. CANADA, Manitoba. Sept. 9-26 / 96

10. ZAIRE, AFRICA , Kikwit Oct. 13-31 /96

11. INDIA, Hyderabad & Jongoan Nov. 10-28/96

NOTE: Dates may be subject to change

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

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

• Similar campaigns have resulted in 200 to 400 conversions. Come and be part of an enriching spiritual experience, discover what GOD can do through you.

For more information, contact:

Evelyn Unruh, 604-852-5744 or CPE 604-864-3941

Peter Loewen, 604-853-3173 or FAX 604-853-6482

Maybe you are interested in one, two or more campaigns. Please let us know if you find this to be valuable work for the Lord I would ask you to bring this information to your friends and churches We will need many volunteers in 1996.

Peter Huebert Missions Committee President

Peter Loewen Promoter

1 9 9 5

THE FOLLOWING is an alphabetical index of the major articles and events recorded In the Christian Leader in 1995. The notations following each entry Indicate the volume number, Issue number and page number. For example, the volume number for 1995 is 58, the next numbers in the first entry below indicate the sixth issue of the year and that the article Is on page 28 of that issue. FollOWing the article index Is an index of authors who have wriffen major articles during the past 12 months.

BODYLIFE

Accident claims wife of MBM/S official, 58:6:28

Affirming the foundation, testing the structures (Fresno '95 coverage), 58 :8:16

Anna's song, by Jean Janzen, 58:12:36

Bartel selected for conference representation, 58 :8:31

Bethany youth focus on community needs, 58:9:26

Brighter budget outlook prompts MBM/S moves, 58:6:28

Can a German-Russian denomination become a multiethnic community, 58:1 :25

Canadian leaders support MBBS subsidy change, 58:5:30

Central District welcomes first Slavic church, 58:9:24

Christians leaving Israel area in record numbers, 58:1 :28

Churches rise to meet needs in Oklahoma City, 58 :6:25

Churchgoing: Upbeat in Wichita, 58:4 :21

Claassen serves as Leader intem, 58 :10:27

Clymers 'smitten' with MDS spirit, 58:9:25

Colleges, seminary show enrollment gains, 58 :11:24

Commentary writers want dialog with readers, 58 :11 :26

Congregational profile: A way station in Westem Kansas (North Oak) 58:9 :19

Death claims D Edmond Hiebert, 58 :3:23

Dinuba couple finds friends, fulfillment during MDS earthquake cleanup work, 58 :7:26

Districts to try new meeting formats, 58:10:25

Efforts to show appreciation to pastors changes outlook of members too, 58: 12:24

Envisioning a rural future, 58:7:20

Fairview observes its l00th anniversary , 58:11:28

First SOAR trips draw 180+ youth, 58: 11 :25

Gilbert appointed to MBBS faculty, 58:12:22

Hear me, help me (Margalea Wamer), 58:6:7 Hearts courageous, hearts outrageous (Estes '95), 58:5:24

HISP reaches out to intemational students 58:11:22

Hispanic Assembly draws 700-plus, 58:7 :22

Hundreds prepare relief kijs for Bosnia, 58:11 :26

'Hurt and ache' is conflict's legacy, 58:7 :25

Immigration is a challenge for the church, 58 :2:20

In the aftershock of tragedy, 58:6:24

J.J. Toews: 'A father to our churches ,' 58:6:29

Japan's deadly earthquake, 58 :2:21

Japan churches lead relief effort , 58 :3:25

Japan relief fund tops goal, 58:5:31

Klassens are first workers in Moscow (Herb and Maureen Klassen), 58:1:28 Laurelglen Bible Church' s Romania connection, 58 :2:22

Laurelglen prepares for Russian ministry, 58 :7:29

Lawrence church plant leaves conference, 58 :4:28

Leader editor to take sabbatical leave, 58 :1:26

Loewen to move from MBBS to FPC, 58 :5 :31

Main man for 'the main thing' (Chuck Buller) , 58:1:21

MBBS begins search for two full-time faculty members, 58 :6:29

MBM/S board sets goals for 1995-96, 58:9:21

MBM/S encouraged by giving increase, 58 :5:31

MBM/S to seek role in India struggle , 58:6 :27

MCC celebrates 75th anniversary at Reedley

MB Church , 58:8 :30

MCC funds to fight Ebola virus in Zaire , 58 :7 :27

MCC invites aid to former Yugoslavia , 58:10:29

MCC responds in Bosnia, 58:9 :22

MDS strains to keep up with hurricane damage , 58 :11:29

Meeting to shape strategy for CIS, 58 :6:27

Mennonite mission agencies' funding woes, 58 :2:23

Mexico conference organizes and sets doctrinal criteria, 58:8:32

'Mirror of the Martyrs' on display In Fresno, 58 :11:26

Moscow meeting focuses Mennonite activity In Russia, 58:7 :28

Negotiations lessen MBM/S tension with India conference, 58:7:24

Neighbors share turf and vision (CDc/SDC convention),58 :12:18

New links in the armor of God (computer networks),58:10:24

New Mission USA board sets nine 'action steps',58:4:24

No longer 'The quiet in the land?', 58:8 :33

Pacific Districfs cycle of regional rallies signals change in convention format, 58:12:22

Pastors make intemational visits, 58:4 :28

Plans set for "MCC Sunday", 58:4:29

Post Oak MB Church celebrates ijs multiracial heritage as first MB mission, 58:12:23

Prezas heed the fax of God, 58:3:21

Profit to be focus of MEDA convention, 58 : 10:28

Racism to be focus of 'Peace Sunday: 58 :10:27

Rwanda : War and hunger, 58:9 :23

Schmidt focuses on needs of U S. poor, 58 :3:26

Seminary's new satellite program, 58 :9:22

Tabor College connects with Denver church, 58:4:26

Three floods, one family, 58 :6: 10

Toews accepts call to Conrad Grebel presidency, 58:7:23

Two Korean groups to affiliate with Pacific District, 58:7:24

Unexpected unity in an unexpected place, 58 :8:33

U-SERV travels to Phoenix, 58:5:32

Winnie Bartel's impressions of the U N women's conference, 58:10:26

Women to host educational event, 58:1:26

Zaire Mennonite Brethren play key role in bailie wijh deadly Ebola virus, 58 :6:26

DEATHS

Bartel, Anna Ruth, 58 :3:30 Bartel, Annie, 58 :12:30 Bartel, Esther, 58:9 :27

Beck, Albert, Sr., 58:3:30

Becker, Jeanette Merk, 58:9:27

Bergman, Oseer Curtis, 58:1 :31

Boese, Harry Johann, 58:1 :31

Decker, David T., 58 :6:32

Derksen, Marie Boldt, 58:6:32 Dick, Emma, 58:6:32

Dirks, John (Hans) N., 58:8:38

Duerksen, Ardell Smijh, 58: 12:30

Duerksen , John Edwin , 58:3 :30

Ediger, Alice Neomi, 58:6:32

Ediger, Anna K., 58:6:32

Entz, Barbara Kleinsasser Wiens, 58:6 :32

Entz, Jacob, 58:6:32

Fadenrecht, Herman, 58 :6:32

Fast, Laveme, 58:3:30

Fast, Mary Heinrichs, 58:6:32

Flaming Dora Schroeder, 58:6:32

Flaming, Jacob B., 58:9:27

Faul, Gideon, 58:5:34

Frantz, Helen Rogalsky, 58:6:32

Friesen, Elizabeth "Belty" Reimer, 58:12 :30

Friesen, Henry Boese , 58 :12:30

Friesen Maryann, 58:6 :32

Foote, Manuel, 58:6 :32

Funk, Comelius J , 58:6:33

Gaede , Ruby Leppke , 58 :3:30

Gerbrandt, Anna Wiens, 58 :7:31

Gienger, Clayton Gary, 58:10:32

Goertzen, June Klingenberg, 58 :10:32

Goosen, Aron, G., 58:9:28

Gosen , Sara Wiebe , 58:1:31

Gosney III, John Wesley, 58 :12:30

Grunau, Pete Irvin, 58 :6:33

Harder, Minnie Wall, 58:1:31

Heinrichs, Emma Willems, 58:6:33

Hixon, Loyd, 58 :10:32

Hodel, Eva, 58:1:31

Hofer, David M., 58 :3:31

Isaac, Frances Alene, 58:8:38

Isaak, John J., 58:7:31

Just, Marvin, 58:9:28

Karber, Abe, 58:6:33

Kirschenmann, Irene, 58 :9:28

Klassen, Katie, 58:6:34

Koehn, Alvin, 58:6:34

Koop, Ira Nathaniel, 58 :7:31

Komelsen, Tena Gossen Vogl, 58:3:31

Kroeker, Harold, 58 :3:31

Kroeker, Helen Janzen, 58: 12:30

Kroeker, Henry, 58:7 :32

Kroeker, Pete, 58:12:30

Lange , Susan Reimer, 58:10:32

Loewen, Aganetha Gladys, 58:5:34

Loewen, Bena Kliewer, 58:6:34

Long, Doris Unruh, 58:10:32

Martens, Jacob N., 58:1 :31

Martens, Lydia Adrian, 58:3:32

Neufeld, Elsie Hiebert, 58:12:30

Nickel, Henry Peter, 58:3:32

Pankratz, Anna V., 58:12:31

Pauls, Lena Dick, 58 :1:31

Penner, Aaron Duane, 58:1 :31

Penner, Howard Lee, 58 :3:32

Peters, Clara Janzen, 58:3:32

Peters , Emma Froese , 58:1 :31

Quiring, Peter J 58 :1:31

Ratzlaff, Paul W., 58 :6:34

Rempel, Lela Mae, 58:1 :31

Regier, Mabel, 58 :1:31

Reimer, Elma Dyck, 58 :1:32

Reimer, Justine "Chet," 58 :12:31

Ruby , Dora Petsch, 58:6 :35

Sawatzky, David A., 58:8:38

Schenkosky, Rosell Cornelsen, 58 :12:31

Schroeder, Eldo, 58:6:35

Seibel, Bertha Kathryn, 58 :1:32

Seibel, Edward, 58:3:32

Short, Marjorie Wright, 58 :6:35

Steinle, Hulda M., 58 :3:32

Straus, Bertha Nord, 58:12:31

Stroh, Pauline Wahl, 58:10:32

Suderman, Martha, 58:9:28

Thiessen, Herman John, 58:9:28

Thomas, Elma Mable Unruh, 58:9:28

Tschetter, Bertha E. Nikkel, 58:7:32

Tschetter, Mary, 58:7:33

Unruh, Elmer Roy, 58:6:36

Unruh, Oliver S., 58:6:36

Wahl, Lydia Penner, 58:12 :31

Wallace, Daisy May, 58:1:32

Watter, Marvin H., 58 :1:32

Warkentin, Albert K., 58:4:32

Warkentin, Marie H., 58:6:36

Warkentin, Pete D., 58 :9:28

Warkentin, Sarah L. Harms, 58:4:32

Warkentine , Mary Brown , 58 :5:34

Wedel, Katherine, 58 :4:33

Wedel, Wesley H., 58 :8:38

Wenz, Arthur Martin, 58:4:33

Wiebe : Renate Kroeker, 58:4 :33

Wiens, Dietrich Joel, 58:6:36

Willems, Alice Buhler, 58:7 :32

Willems, Anna, 58:10:33

Willems, Martha Goossen Klassen, 58:6 :36

Wohlgemuth, Harry Don , 58:8:38

EDITORIAL

A ministry marvel, by Don Ratzlaff , 58 :10:36

Am I any smarter, by Don Ratzlaff, 58:7:36

Add your piece to the puzzle , by Katie Funk Wiebe, 58 :3:36

Crossbearing in a cross culture, by Katie Funk Wiebe, 58 :2:32

Identity in the balance , by Don Raflzaff, 58:9:32

Marching in step with Farrakhan?, by Don Ratzlaff, 58 :11 :36

Name change : What a novel ideal by Marvin Hein , 58 :5:36

Older adults: tomorrow's churCh, by Katie Funk Wiebe , 58:4 :36

Please , God, may we laugh?, by Katie Funk Wiebe, 58:6:36

Something's got to change, by Don Ratzlaff, 58:8:40

The top stories of '94, by Don Ratzlaff, 58:1:36

FEATURES

A most excellent gift (Larry Warkentin), by Kathy Heinrichs Wiest , 58:2:13

A way to the true self (Jean Janzen), by Deborah Penner, 58:2 :10

After retirement, what next? by Laurel B. Schunk, 58 :4:11

An ounce of prevention , by Beth Spring , 58:1 :15

Art: Artificial implant or natural body part?, by Katie Funk Wiebe , 58:2 :4

Behind every seer, a story, by Roland Reimer, 58:6:4

Breaking out of the Christian ghetto, by Jan Johnson, 58:11:10

Called beyond a dream (Esther L. Vogt) , by Voth Schroeder, 58:2:8

Can I grow after 65? by Katie Funk Wiebe, 58:4:6

Children and worship: Making the mix meaningful, by Janice Porter, 58:5 :8

China Education Exchange: A new way of doing missions by J. Lome Peachey, 58:3:7

China's complex church, by J Lome Peachey, 58:3 :4

From Russia to Rwanda (MCC), 58:10:4

Gifts of the se", by Floyd Schanz, 58:12:6

I was just wondering , by Brent Warkentin, 58:4 :4

In the hands of God the potter, by Maxelin Wiebe, 58:2 :16

In the valley of the shadow, by June Suderman, 58:10:12

Lessons about living .from a dying father, by Kathleen Isaac, 58:6: 13

Longevity: The fruit of effective ministry , 58:9:4

Mennonijes & music: Footnotes on the way to four-part harmony, by Margaret Loewen Reimer , 58:11 :12

MCC's man for a changing season (Ron Mathies),58:10:16

Ministering to victims of crime, by Howard Zehr, 58:1:11

Missing in action, by Mark C. Thompson, 58:5:10

Mixed news for 'Good News: by Connie Faber, 58:5:16

Offering the Heart, by Philip Wiebe, 58:8:7

Our role in China, by Katie Funk Wiebe, 58:3:9

Parents , you can help your children grow spiritually, by Jo Schrock and Jenny Wall , 58 :5:13

Reconciliation: A call to wage peace against crime, by Ron Claasen, 58: 1:4

Restoration: The Bible's model for seeking justice, by Ron Claassen, 58 : 1:8

Revisiting the state of the union, by Ronald VOgl,58:7 :11

The church's contractwijh the family, by KatieFunk Wiebe, 58 :7:4

The innkeeper remembers, by Elmer Suderman, 58:12:7

The ministry myth, by Gary Morsch and Eddy Hall,58:11 :7

Three floods, one family, by Will Just, 58:6 :10

Three things a church building can never do, by Ray Bowman and Eddy Hall, 58 :8:4

To come home for the holidays, by Katie Funk Wiebe, 58:11:4

Waiting for his Second Coming , by David Ewert, 58:12:8

What dreams do you dream? by Denny Lopes, 58:3 :11

When a gift isn't a gift, by Katie Funk Wiebe, 58 :12:4

When is my child ready for communion? by David Wiebe, 58:5:4

FORUM

A truly 'C hristian' Coalition: by Debra L. White, 58 :12 :12

Fat Man , Uttle Boy and me, by Kate Wentland, 58:9 :12

Giving in whose name? by Edward Warkentin, 58: 11 :14

EVANGELISM

'Spiritual mapping': Gimmick or effective tool?

"Spiritual mapping" is taking hold in the United States. Fueled by a hunger for effective evangelism, the research-intensive outreach strategy is being presented in regional seminars led by Mission America 2000, DAWN Ministries, and the Sentinel Group.

Though the concept is new and still being developed, the basic idea behind spiritual mapping involves extensive research into the demographics and history of a geographic area in an effort to understand its personality and specific prob-

lerns.This research is then used to develop effective prayer and evangelism strategies Some practitioners of spiritual mapping emphasize discerning the name of a "territorial spirit" and praying specifically against that spirit.

While Christians often focus on such threats as homosexuality, pornography, Islam and various cults, those things themselves offer little threat to the believer, says Mike McCausland, a leading speaker on the topic. He is vice president of the Sen-

tinel Group, a Christian research and information agency which launched the North American Spiritual Mapping Network last year

"The real threat is what's behind them," he says.

"How do you deal with the threat of evil in your communities? If your answer is more contemporary service, or better promotion, you're dealing with physical world solutions. Those things aren't bad in themselves, but if we don't deal with the problems in the spirit realm , we're not finding real solutions. "

Spiritual mapping is a new methodology, said McCausland, and there are

CHRISTMAS

not a lot of finished products. But where people have applied the concept the result has been "total transformation of a community-politically, economically and spiritually. "

The concept of spiritual mapping is not without controversy. Mike Wakely, who is Operation Mobilization's area director for South Asia, laid out some of the main concerns about this approach in the April 1995 issue of Evangelical Missions Quarterly.

Wakely expressed concern over the reported discovery of a "new" biblical approach in a world where there is nothing new under

USPS workers are tireless, but don't expect a 'Merry Christmas'

,

MAYBE IT'S the overload of Christmas cards and packages needing to be delivered, but, left to their own devices, the u.S. Postal Service has seemed bent on stamping "Return to Sender" on the holiday spirit.

The Fellowship of Merry Christians has given its 1995 Scrooge Award to the Legal Department and Retail Support Department of the USPS in Washington, D.C., for collaborating on a policy banning the use of decorative signs or messages saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" in post office lobbies.

In October 1994, the USPS announced a new policy on "Seasonal Displays/Prohibition on Religious Matter." It declared: "The Postal Service must avoid the appearance of

favoring any particular religion itself.•.. Messages identified with a particular religion, such as 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Hanukkah,' are prohibited. Examples of permissible messages include 'Season's Greetings,' 'Happy Holidays,' 'Happy Valentine's Day,' and 'Happy Mother's Day.'"

A month later, Postmaster General Marvin Runyon "clarified the regulation," declaring that "it is appropriate for our employees to wish our customers Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, or similar greetings."

The Fellowship of Merry Christians Scrooge Award is given annually "to the organization or group whose humbug most insistently dampens the Spirit of Christmas at Christmas

time."

But there's more. Last year the post office decided to discontinue its popular "Madonna and Child" Christmas stamps, but reinstated the tradition only after complaints from stamp collectors, President Clinton and the general public. Some three billion Christmas stamps will be printed by the Postal Service this year, including 700 million "Madonna and Child" stamps.

A Virgin Mary giving a white rose to the baby Jesus is the picture on this year's traditional Christmas stamp, released in late October at the national Gallery of Art. The stamp is based on a Renaissance painting by Giotto di Bondone that was originally part of a church altar. (FMC, EP)

the sun, and asks why centuries of biblical scholarship had left such an approach undiscovered.

He also raised questions about the biblical foundation for the practice. Biblical teaching on territorial demonic powers is limited to two verses in DaniellO that are subject to varying interpretations. In fact, he noted, Paul didn't spend his time "mapping" heathen cities and praying against their demonic strongholdshe took the Word of God as his spiritual weapon and began preaching the gospel. Likewise, Jesus never sought out confrontations with demonic powers, but merely handled them as they arose .

Wakely acknowledged that advocates of spiritual mapping have done some excellent biblical research, but contended that this truth is mixed up with spectacular leaps into imagination and fantasy that owe more to the spiritual warfare novels of Frank Peretti than to Scripture.

Scripture points us to Jesus, not to Satan, noted Wakely. "Jesus defeated Satan and doesn't need us to fight him on His behalf," he concluded. "Unhealthy attention on the demonic undercuts the all-sufficiency of Christ's finished work on the cross, underestimates the power of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, and gives too much credit to man and the power of his prayers " (EP)

HEALTH

Ahealing faith?

Families that rely on religious faith to help them cope with the trauma of surgery may do better psychologically than those who don't, according to a

study conducted at Ohio State University Larry Vandecreek, a professor of family medicine and neurology, said the study suggests religion makes a "unique contribution in the coping process." The study included 150 people who had a family member undergo heart bypass surgery Researchers found that those who turned to religion to help them cope did better than those who did not. (EP)

ABORTION

Life decisions

As the nationwide debate on abortion continues, doctors are voting with their practices. A survey commissioned by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that two-thirds of practicing obstetriciangynecologists do not do abortions-up from 58 percent in 1983.

Personal opposition, community objections and a changing marketplace for medicine are among the reasons doctors choose not to do abortions, the survey found, and younger doctors are least likely to perform abortions.

For doctors in all age groups, the primary reason given for refusal to perform abortions was personal moral, ethical or religious objections to the procedure-more than half cited such a reason Younger doctors, however, were also likely to mention other reasons, such as community opposition. (EP)

FAMILY

Atwo-parent comeback

Two-parent households are making a comeback for the first time in a genera· tion, according to a new Census Bureau report released Oct. 16 . But

although the number of two-parent families has grown since 1990, the percentage of all families headed by a single parent continues to rise.

Nearly one-third of American families with children were headed by a single parent in 1994, according to the survey. That figure has risen steadily from 13 percent in 1970 to 22 percent in 1980, 28 percent in 1990 and now 30.8 percent in 1994. The survey found that in black families, 65 percent of homes with children are headed by single parents, compared with 25 percent for white families.

The number of two-parent households with children had fallen steadily, from 25.8 million in 1970 to 24.9 million in 1990, then increased to 25.6 mil-

lion in 1994-but the percentage of two-parent families still fell slightly. (EP)

MARKETING Kosher golden arches

The world's first kosher McDonald's opened just outside of Jerusalem in October The new restaurant looks much like the other 18 nonkosher outlets in the country, but cheeseburgers, milk shakes and sundaes have all been cut from the menu in keeping with Orthodox Jewish ritual, which forbids the mixing of meat and dairy products. McDonald's Israeli licensee, Omri Padan, plans to open other kosher branches in Rehovot and Ra'anana. The corporation is also making plans to open a kosher store in Jerusalem, Padan said. (EP)

MB Circles ... by Lorlie Barkman