This month we celebrate the birth ofJesus Christ. In our opening article scholar Kenneth E. Bailey describes Middle Eastern customs and practices related to Christ's birth in an effort to help us more accurately understand the Luke 2 account. We invited a variety of Mennonite Brethren men and women to refiect on the way in which they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. These essays show how we prepare for the season individually, as families and as congregations. You will read about a Christmas in Guatemala 60 years ago and about recent Christmas celebrations in a federal prison. Several of the essays are contributed by pastors, who are often busy helping the rest of us prepare for our congregational celebrations.
Reading these essays, I am reminded of the important role tradition plays in our Christmas celebrations. Family Christmas traditions, Dave Prince says in his essay, can give our celebrations focus. When those things we do each-or at least, most-ehristmas seasons grow out of our theology and convictions, our traditions serve us well. But when we forget why we started a particular tradition, we are left with a pattern of behavior instead of an expression of our faith. One way our Christmas traditions can better be used to help us and our children see the connection to our Christian convictions is to talk about why we do something. Why in December does our family often make "ice" candles and then eat our evening meal by candlelight? Because making candles keeps the kids busy on a Saturday morning? Well yes, but more importantly it is to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. Why does the Prince family bake during December? Because cookies taste so good? Maybe, but it also gives them an opportunity to share with others, and to spend time together as a family. "Why?" is more than an annoying question from a two-year-old. During the Christmas holidays, talking about why can remind us of the importance of keeping our traditions focused on Jesus Christ.
Christmas season events submitted by several congregations are highlighted in Church News and Notes. Our news section this month also includes a report from the Pacific District Conference, information about the upcoming U.S. Conference convention and announcements regarding a change in leadership at MBMS International and MB Biblical Seminary. We celebrate the 40-year ministry of Roland and Lois Reimer, who this month are retiring as the Southern District Conference minister couple.
May this issue of the Leader in some way enhance your celebration of the greatest gift of all-God's gift of his son Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world" Oohn 1:29).CF
COMING
• JANUARY 25, 2004-Mennonite World Conference World Fellowship Sunday
• FEBRUARY 15, 2004-U. S. Conference Peace Sunday
• JULY 21-23, 2004-National pastors' convention, Salt Lake City, Utah
• JULY 23-25, 2004-U.S. Conference convention, Salt Lake City, Utah
• JULY 25-26, 2004-55-Plus Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah
2• THE CHRISTIAN LEADER
Art Credits: Cover photo courtesy of College Community Church, Clovis, Calif.
Printing by Valley Offset Printing, Valley Center, Kan.
4 The manger and the inn
Our assumption that Mary and Joseph were rejected in Bethlehem does not take into account life in the Middle East. When we have a more precise cultural awareness of the inn and manger referred to by Luke in his account of Jesus' birth, important theological content to the story of the birth is restored. BY KENNETH E. BAILEY
8
Celebrating the gift of Jesus
Our Christmas celebrations this month will be enriched by personal, family and congregational experiences and traditions. Seven Mennonite Brethren share how they celebrate the gift of Jesus at Christmas.
Celebrating Christ's birth as a church by Jean Janzen
Celebrating Christ's birth in the advent season by Thorn Justice
Celebrating Christ's birth in community by Jose Elizondo
Celebrating Christ's birth as a pastor by Dave Prince
Celebrating Christ's birth in Guatemala by Betty Fergason
Celebrating the gift of Christ's birth at a federal prison by Lowell Entz
Celebrating Christ's birth in a Slavic home by Albina Nesterenko
13
Nativity
scenes tell more than just the Christmas story
Nativity scenes from various countries and time periods show how people see Jesus and the world he came to save. They remind us that Jesus came to save all mankind, regardless of our station in life. BY MICHAEL J. PAQUETTE
14 Advent Prayer
DEPARTMENTS
Ph'lip Side by Philip Wiebe 16
• Signs in the sky Inquiring Minds by MaNin Hein 17
• Understanding MCCs goals in the Holy Land :>n the Journey by Rose Buschman 18
• Ukraine vacation leads to ministry :huck's Corner by Chuck Buller 19
• I've changed my mind!
• Roland and Lois Reimer reflect on years of duo ministry , 20
• PDC challenged to be "bold and fearless" in its efforts 22
• u.s. MBs to explore identity at summer convention 25
• Host church brings authenticity, freedom to Salt Lake City 26
• MB mission agency to see change in leadership and direction
BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair; Peggy Goertzen, Reggie Hunt, Phil Neufeld, Moises Tagle, Dalton Reimer
MANDATE: The Christian Leader (ISSN 0009-5149) is published monthly by the U.s. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. 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 dialogue so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelicaVAnabaptist theological tradition.
EDITORIAL POUCY: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church. Scripture references are from New International Version unless otherwise noted. The editors invite free-lance article submissions. A SASE must accompany articles.
READER PARTIOPATION: The editors invite readers to share their thoughts and opinions on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church using letters to the editor and Forum essays. Letters to the editor should be brief - 300 words or less - and on one subject. Letters must be signed and include the writer's city and state. Letters will be edited for clarity, appropriateness and length. Letters will be published, as space allows, unless marked "Not for publication." Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churches. Essays should not exceed 800 words, and should include the writer's name, address, home church and occupation.
COMMUNICATION: All correspondence, including change of address, should be addressed to the Christian Leader, Box 220, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Phone: (620)947-5543. Fax: (620)947-3266. E-mail: christianleader@usmb.org.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Rates: $16 for one year, $30 for two years and $42 for three years ($20, $3B, $54 in Canada); $1.50 per copy.
MEMBERSHIP: The Christian Leader is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ editors.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Christian Leader, Box 220, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, Kansas.
• by Jean Janzen
When we are aware of Middle Eastern custom, we gain a ntw i understanding of the story of Christ's birth and the m ssage that he came to save all mankind.
Ii r EST, THE TRADITIONAL TELLING OF THE blrth ofJesus is overlaid with mythology. I am not re Santa Claus, snow; bells and Rudolph, but rather r understanding of the biblical text itself.
7rypho) asserts that the Magi came from Arabia.
So we could go on.
1the centuries, we have introduced into Scriptu lti1Ia remarkable number of mythological ele-
So of these. are so old and so pervasive that thc:;y are u consciously affirmed.
FOr pIe, we assume that Jesus was born the Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. At Christmas time in the average Western church, Luke 2:1-' is read. The children of the congregation then enact a play which has the Christ child born thenight of their arrival.
What Luke 2:3 actually says is that the holy family ''went up" to Bethlehem. Then, verse 6 reads, "While they were there, her days were fulfilled .... " This naturally means that the last stages of Mary's pregnancy (two weeks? a month?) took place in Bethlehem.
Furthermore, was it in the winter? During the winter in Bethlehem, shepherds return to their villages at night. Only in summer do they occasionally spend the night in the fields.
How do we know there were three wise men? The text affirms three kinds of gifts, but there could have been 10 wise men. The Magi came from "the East." If the original teller of the story was in Palestine, then "the East" means the other side of the Jordan River. Writing in the second century, Justin Martyr (Dialogue with
The popular understanding of the Chtistmas story is a good illustration of the problem of teXt and tradition. In this brief article I intend to look at two questions: "What was the inn?" and "Where was the manger?" In .both cases, surprises await us. A more precise cultur-:. al awareness, I am convinced, can restore important thet olOgical content to the story of the birth ofJesus.
The late-night arrival
1b begin with, the account is clearly Palestinian in character. All the hymns of David are steeped in the Old 'Thstament and use Hebrew parallelism in their construe· tion. The Palestinian custom of wrapping a newborn child (Luke 2:7) is as old as Ezek. 16:4. Thus Middle J Eastern culture must be assumed for the story.
In the light of thls fact, the popular western assumption_of rejection at Bethlehem is cUlturally extremely problematic in a Middle Eastern world.
To begin with, Mary has relatives "in the hill coun· try" of Judea whom she has just visited (Luke 1:39). Lukt reports that Mary and Elizabeth are related. The reader is informed otthis fact a few verses before the account of the birth in 'Bethlehem. Thus, if the couple arrives in Bethlehem and ftnds no shelter, never mind, Mary's relatives are nearby. They are welcome there. There is time to seek shelter with Zechariah and Elizabeth.
Kenneth E• Bailey
Furthermore, Joseph is of the "house and lineage of David." A recitation of his recent genealogy will open almost any home in Bethlehem. When a self·respecting "son of the village" returns to the town of his origins in the Middle East, a royal welcome always awaits him.
Finally, as noted, the text affirms that they were in Bethlehem until "her days were fulfilled." Is Joseph so totally inept that after an extended search (a week? two weeks? a month?) he cannot arrange anything except a stable? The traditional understanding of the story is a slur on the ability and integrity of)oseph.
Is the entire village of Bethlehem so hard-hearted that no home is open to a woman about to give birth? Indeed, the late·night arrival myth slurs all the inhabitants of Bethlehem, not just the mythological innkeeper! In short, our Western tradition has invented details that do not fit the Middle Eastern world as a real story about real people in a real village.
Would it not be unacceptable in any cultUre for a man with a pregnant wife to reject the hospitality of his wife's fam· ily and opt for a stable as a delivery room? So how are the particularities of the text to be understood?
What about the inn?
In the West, we have assumed that there was an "inn" in the story. Thus, no room in the inn. The word translated in the Western versions as "inn" in Luke 2:7 is the Greek word kataluma. But when Luke uses this word, does he real· ly mean an inn?
In the story of the Good Samaritan, the wounded man is clearly taken to a commercial establishment that provides shelter for strangers. However, Luke has the men arrive at a pandokheton (10:34), not a kataluma. Pandokheton is the common Greek word for an inn. Luke knows this word and uses it. So, if for Luke pandokheton means a cammer· cial inn, what does he intend by the word kataluma?
A clear answer is aVailable. The only :>ther use of kataluma in Luke's Gospel is in 22:11. Here the disciples are told to 'allow a man carrying a jar of water and
on arrival at his house to ask, "'Where is the kataluma (translated guest room) where I am to eat the Passover with my disciples?' And he will show you a large upper room (anagaton) furnished."
Here, kataluma is unambiguously defined. It means a guestroom attached to a private home. So Luke indicates a commercial inn with the word pandokheion and a private guest room with kataluma.
The manger then, "no room for them in the inn" should really be translated "no room for them in the guest room," what then of the manger?
To answer this question, it is necessary to observe the construction of Palestinian traditional one-room homes. Such buildings are "split-level" homes. There is a small, lower level for the animals at one end. About 80 percent of the one room is a raised tertace on which the family cooks, eats and lives.
The two levels are connected by a shon set of stairs. Into the lower level the family cO\Vy donkey and a few sheep are brought each night. In the moming, these animals are taken out into a courtyard, the area is cleaned and the house is ready for the day.
This common daily routine is so firmly established in the village home that Jesus can presuppose it while talking to the head of the synagogue in Luke 13:15. He says, "Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it away to water it?"
The Western reader hears the word "manger" and immediately assumes that a stable is intended. But if the animals had been in a stable, the head of the synagogue could have answered, "I never touch the animals on the Sabbathl" He cannot so reply, because there are no stables. Funher, everyone knows that all village families keep the animals in the house overnight and that it is unthinkable to leave them there all day. Thus, Jesus could, with full assurance, confront the leaders of the synagogue with the above challenge, knowing that each of them had carried out this simple chore that very morning.
A one-room house is also presupposed in Matt. 5: 15 where the light of a single lamp shines on all in the house.
In passing, we can note that the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is built over the ancient traditional site of the birth of Jesus. The location itself is a precise example of what we have described above, namely a single room with a small lower level.
This same village architecture is also assumed in the Old Testament where the medium at Endor takes a fatted calf from "within the house," kills it and offers it to Saul and his servants (1 Sam. 28:24-25). In Judges 11, the tragic Jephthah pledges that, if victorious, he will sacrifice whatever first comes out of his house on his return (vv. 30-31). The animals are in the house, and he natufally anticipates the sacrifice of an animal. To his horror, he is greeted by his only daughter. The entire story turns on the fact that he is surprised and stunned when she appears.
The reader needs to know that the animals move
daily in and out of the house. Thus, in the New Testament and in the Old Testament, there is clear evidence of the existence of the one-room, split-level home such as we suggest for Luke 2:7.
Such one-room homes often hadthave "guest rooms" attached to the end or built on the roof for guests. What, then, can be said about the manger?
In such traditionalhomes, mangers are built into the floor of the raised terrace on which the family lives. If the cow or donkey is hungry in the night it can stand and reach the feed on the floor of the upper family living space, often about four feet higher than the level for the animals.
This is the critical piece of evidence that unlocks Luke 2:7. What is unknown to the Western reader is the fact that in the traditional Palestinian home, the.\ mangers are in the living room. II 11
Now all the parts of the story fall into place. luke's text was originally written for a Palestinian reader who stans with the assumptions that mangers are in the living room of one-room homes and that guest rooms are attached to one-room homes and are used for guests. With this in mind, the text provides the following.
The author records: "And she gave birth to firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger."
The reader instinctively asks, "Manger? Oh, they are in the main family room! Why not the guest room?"
The author instinctively anticipates the above question and replies, "Because there was no place for them in the guest room (kataluma)." , \
The reader concludes, "Ab, I see. So the guest room was full. Never mind; the family room is more appropriate anyway,"
Why it matters
With these clarifications, all the cultural pieces of the Gospel story fall into place, and a special theological thrust em.erges from the story. Joseph finds shelter in a simple peasant home. This home has a guest room, but it is full. In the honored tradition of Middle Eastern hospitality, the host provides for his guests. He clears the one·room family living space for the couple to use.
The child is born and placed in a depression in the floor (manger) to keep him from harm. The shepherds are given a double sign. They will find the Babe wrapped, an ancient village custom, and placed in a manger. That is, he is in a simple home like theirs. No one will say to them, "Tradesmen to the back door, pleasel"
In his ministry we know of Jesus that "the common people heard Him gladly." That same simple welcome is
reflected in Bethlehem in the story of his birth. If the story is seen in this light, the "mean old innkeeper" evaporates, along with his nonexistent inn. "No room at the inn" will no longer be adequate for the Christmas sermon. The cold, drafty stable becomes a warm, cozy peasant home which the shepherds find fully adequate for they go home praising God for all that they had heard and seen (Luke 2:20). If they had found the family in a stable, they would have taken the family at once to their own homes!
So the inn and the innkeeper evaporate. Yet much is gained. The incarnation itself becomes more authentic. Jesus was born in and into a simple peasant home as any other village boy. The shepherds, outcasts from their society, were given a sign indicating this simplicity. They thereby discover that this Messiah comes welcoming the poor and the marginalized.
Joseph emerges as a man fully able to arrange for his family. No estrangement is subtly affirmed between his
family and the family of Zechariah. No hard-heartedness is attributed to Bethlehem.
The wise men came "to the house" (Matt. 2:11) and no special pleading is necessary to explain the appearance of these "new" quarters.
The Word became flesh indeed. The birth of Jesus most likely took place in the same kind of natural setting into which every peasant is born-in a pleasant home. And, after all, it is still possible to sing:
Ox and ass before him bow,
For he is in the manger now.
Christ is born to save, Christ is born to save.
Kenneth E. Bailey is an author, lecturer and scholar in Middle Eastern New Testament studies. He lives in New Wilmington, Penn. This article first appeared in The Presbyterian Outlook and has also been reprinted in the MB Herald It has been reprinted here with permission of the Outlook
£yke 2
'!he cBirth ofJesus
In those days Caesarfiugustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire !toman world. ('!his was the first census that took place while Qyirinius was governor of Syria.J find everyone went to his own town to register.
SoJoseph also went up from the town of JVazareth in Galilee toJudea, to cBethlehem the town of Vavid, because he belonged to the house and line of Vavid.jle went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
ehristmas is a fragile time. Enduring as the "ChristMass" has been through 2,000 years, the holy days surrounding it have become holidays that carry emotion and hope with breakable intensity. We bake cookies and wipe tears at the same time. We find our days crowded with noise and glitz, with little time for inner preparation. We need the church to help us focus and strengthen this greatcelebration of the incarnation. Our church, College Community Church of Clovis, Calif., has been blessed with pastors and leaders who have honored the advent season in our worship. This means that during the four weeks before Christmas Eve, we anticipate the coming of Christ with services that center around the Scriptures and hymns of expectation, repentance, wonder and silence. A large wreath hung from the church's ceiling holds the four candles that are lit one Sunday at a time, the light growing toward the great light of Christmas Eve. It is a quiet time. Visual images are added slowly through the four weeks and the jubilant carols are reserved for the final Sundays.
Through the years we have encouraged the congregation to participate in the church decorations in various ways. Sometimes we gather poinsettia, or make ornaments to share and to take home. One year we created various stars that were hung in a wonderful constellation. '!\vo years ago we were invited to take home a kit of small sheets of colored tissue and black construction paper to create a "stained glass" panel. Our theme for that Christmas was "Jesus, the light of the world."
People of all ages came back with framed designs of candles, stars, light bulbs, glowing roses, angels, mangers and crosses. '!\vo of our talented members carefully taped our paper pieces together, created and added a larger star and manger scene, reinforced the
whole with a wood frame and hung it in the baptistry in time for Christmas Eve. It was breathtaking, and dUring the service the light grew brighter. It was all of our fragile lives and hands joined and lifted in worship and celebration. And it was perishable.
The panel shone through Epiphany. But before it was folded and discarded-there was no way to save itwe took some photos. This could be a congregational Christmas card next year, one member suggested. And it was done. It needs a poem to go with it, someone suggested. And when that was written, we asked Larry Warkentin to set the poem to music which we sang together last advent.
The great event of Christ coming to be with us calls for worship which evokes wonder and humility. When we remember that it is God who is among us, our imaginations are transformed. And because we worship with our senses, the colors, smells, sounds and textures of our sanctuaries can lead us to the Child, the one whose "very breath is fire," because he is love.
jeanjanzen, of Fresno, Calif, is a poet. Her poem that accompanied the 2002 College Community Church Christmas card is printed on the back page. Our thanks to College Community Church for sharing a photo of their "stained glass" panel for the cover of this magazine.
By Thom Justice
IwJh i.H, the
ne of the most meaningful family traditions in our household is celebrating advent, the four-week period before Christmas Day. I wish someone had shared this idea with us long ago. There's no right or wrong way of doing it; the idea is to set aside time each night to focus on Jesus Christ.
Here is how we have woven this tradition into our Christmas celebration. The advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. Most years that is the Sunday following Thanksgiving. We make a simple wreath and surround it with five candles; one for each week of advent and the fifth for Christmas Eve.
Each Sunday we light candles-one the first Sunday of advent, two candles the second Sunday, etc. We try to make our Sunday celebrations special by having an extended Christmas devotional reading, singing a song or two and allowing each child to pray. We purchased a book to help us, Christ in Christmas: A Family Advent Celebration by James c. Dobson and others. This book includes devotional readings; other suggestions are to share special times when God intervened to answer prayer, favorite Christmas memories and reasons to be thankful.
On weeknights we often just light the number of candles for that week, read a few verses of Scripture, pray and shuttle the kids off to bed. Occasionally we have to do it with whoever is home. Other times we forget. But as
much as possible we try to weave it into the rhythm and routine of Christmas.
Our advent celebrations rarely go perfectly, but it has always been a great blessing to us as we focus on Jesus Christ.
1bomjustice is the pastor of Millard Bible Church in Omaha, Neb. He and his wife Karen are the parents of Karissa (age 12), Hannah (9), Rebekah (7),josiah (3) and Micah (1).
Advent Resources
A Simple Christmas by Alice Chapin, Herald Pr Celebnltlnl the Chrlatltm Year by Martha ZImmerman, Bethany Houle PubIIshenI Chtlst In Ctulstmas: A Family Advent CeIebnJtkm by James C. Dobson Family Devotions 101 the Advent Beason by James L &v_, TyndaIe House PubI , Inc.
Advent Scriptures
There are many SCripture passages appropriate for edvent l88IOII. Thorn Justice offers the outline below as one option.
of the ways I celebrate the gift of Jesus at Christmas is that I start to whistle more Christmas songs. While I also whistle Christmas songs inJuly, I con:entrate on them more in the winter. I whistle early in :he morning, while I work and in the evening.
On a more serious note, I celebrate by working at )uilding community. I think that community is built by iharing not only material things but also joys and sor·ows. I have started a gathering of Hispanic pastors at :hristmastime. They come together to sing, eat, play :ames, exchange gifts, and of course to fellowship.
On a personal basis, Christmas to me is a feeling of oy, of gratitude for Christ's love for me and the need to hare that love and joy with others. I don't do too much
out of the ordinary because I believe that the Christmas spirit should be felt throughout the year. Our giving to the less fortunate should not be left just to the holiday season. We are his hands, his feet and his voice. There are hurting people who need to know the true joy of Christmas. The tinsel, the gift-wrapping and the shopping all detract from the real joy.
On Christmas Eve our family goes to a church Christmas play or service, and after church our family then has our gathering. We have tamales and other traditional goodies and exchange one gift. Our focus is not on giving or receiving gifts but on togetherness.
jose Elizondo is the Pacific District Conference associate district minister.
tk /JiIJJ" 0/ elvwi G4 a.
By Dave Prince Jesus Christ. God made us for relationship. Christmas is 111<"1 is the most wonderful time of the year" proclaims all about God pursuing us, about God giving the best he
I a popular Christmas song, and rightly so. Celebrat- to. bring us back into a personal loving relationship ing the gift of Jesus Christ's birth should be the With hun. How can a personal, growing relationship with most wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately, amidst the Lord God Almighty, Creator, Counselor, King of the busyness, amidst the bombardment of a secularized Kings, Comforter, Savior ever be routine and stale? and commercialized portrayal of Christmas, it is all too Celebrating my wife's or children's birthday is not easy for me to lose my focus on what Christmas is all about the cake, the candles or the presents. It is about about and to fall into a holiday routine that has lost its celebrating and sharing another year of growth, chalwonder and freshness. I have found that family tradition lenges, love and relationship with each other. Likewise, and vibrant relationship help me maintain focus and celebrating Christ's birth for me is not about the exterfreshness. nal trappings, but about celebrating and sharing anoth-
Our family traditions-trimming the tree, breaking er year of growth, challenges, love and relationship with out the Christmas music, hanging the stockings, baking my Savior and Lord. Christmas treats to share with friends, having our own Christmas-it "'tis the most wonderful time of the family Christmas Eve service, opening gifts on Christmas year." To ensure that this will be the case in my life, I morning and having our family Christmas dinner-are begin in early December with a day or two of reflection all designed to bring us together, slow us down and on the state of my relationship with God, making sure focus our thoughts on God's greatest gift to us. Over the it's vibrant and growing. I also try to take time daily duryears we have tried different activities, some we have ing the holidays to sit in wonder and thankfulness continued and some we have not. What is most impor- before God. Then I can heartily enjoy all the Christmas tant is that we as a family make time to celebrate God's activities and family traditions. Then I am prepared to love for us as demonstrated in Jesus Christ. celebrate and to help my family and church celebrate
While family Christmas traditions help me focus, Christmas with freshness and focus. these traditions by themselves can become routine and stale. The freshness in Christmas comes from my relationship with the one whose birthday we are celebrating,
Dave Prince and his wife Linda along with their two sons live in Harvey, N.D" where he is the pastor of Harvey MB Church.
By Betty Fergason
jliVed in Guatemala until the age of 14, My bestremembered Christmases took place in the small town of Panajachel, near the shores of Lake Atitlan. This was our home during my earliest years, and we were also there for my last Christmas before coming to the u.s for high school the next month.
Our family Christmas celebrations those first years in Panajachel involved our church activities, As we grew old enough, my six brothers and sisters and I participated in the special programs by the children and young people in Panajachel's little Indian church. For special occasions the entire church floor would be covered with pine needles, but there were few other decorations. Church buildings in larger towns had electricity and special flowers or wreaths. In those years our little church had only one or two electric lights for the whole room, and that was only because it was a room also used by the Bible institute.
The last year I was in Panajachel I helped the teenagers put on a program, part of which was billed as Christmas "play." The characters consisted of]oseph and Mary, the innkeeper and his wife and others. We had a casting problem at first, as none of the girls wanted to be in a position as compromising as that of the innkeeper's wife. So that role was assigned to me. The play was unlike any I had been in or seen. There were no scenery, props or curtains. We all trooped in, stood in a row across the bare stage and recited our parts without moving out of place. But the entire program was well received, our audience probably having never before seen a play anyway. They had heard the story, so were able to envision the action as we used to do while listening to the radio.
Our group had been invited to go to an even smaller town to present our program the next evening. Fortunately no play was expected, just our music. For the musical part of the program, Mom, a couple of others and I were to teach the group to sing in parts. We had a hard time with that because no one could read music. Finally, after much rehearsal, that part of the program was as ready as it could be.
I don't know the distance, but it seemed a long walk that afternoon. We were accompanied by Mom and one or two other adults as we walked mostly single me along il path that led us up the mountain, through patches of :orn and past little thatch-roofed adobe houses with ,arking dogs, chickens and other domestic animals in the rards. As we jumped over ditches and walked around big
rocks and fallen trees, we each carried our songbooks as well as other paraphernalia. A man had gone before us carrying our folding foot-pumped organ on his back.
We arrived at a small, one-room church with pine needles carpeting the floor. I don't think there were any windows. Candles and a kerosene lantern lit the dusky little room and the pews were backless benches. When I think of this evening I can still smell the spicy aroma of the pine needles and the smell of candles and kerosene. And I can almost hear the rustling and whispers as our audience excitedly settled into their seats.
This small congregation knew songs and choruses by memory, but they were not used to having instrumental music. They really appreciated our program of mostly Christmas hymns, simple as it was. I played the little black organ, pumping the pedals and reading the music by the light of the kerosene lamp. They thought "Silent Night" was so beautiful. We sang it clear through four times, in between their other requests.
When the program was over, everyone was invited to share tamales the women had prepared. The soft masa dough was folded around succulent pieces of meat, spices and gravy; and then wrapped in banana leaves. These little bundles, about four by six inches and maybe two inches thick, had been steaming for much of the day in large clay pots over outside fires. The wonderful aromas drew us out to where our new friends graciously served us, giving each person a tamale still wrapped in the large, flat leaves. We unfolded them and enjoyed our Christmas treat. With a cup of steaming black coffee, what could be better?
When the party was over it was time to say goodbye and start for home. It was now long past dark and we couldn't return by the crooked, uneven path by which we had arrived. So we walked back to Panajachel by the light of a few flashlights, going by the longer dirt road that wound its way leisurely down the mountain. The sky was clear, with a million stars. We joked, laughed and sang our way toward our little town down by the lake. We were full of delicious tamales and coffee. We were pleased to have made others happy with our program.
This is the lastChristmas of my childhood, but 60 years later it is still fresh in my memory.
Betty Fergason and her husband Claude have been members ofVinewood Church in Ladi, Calif, for about 40 years. Her parents were missionaries with Central American Mission, which is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Lowell
1Entz
hey come and go-some 50,000 inmates, men and women-every year at the Federal Transfer Center, a federal prison. As a team of two chaplains, we "tag team" our time to provide 365 days of praying for them, crying with them, setting the captives "free" or providing them a conscience long forgotten.
But for a moment on Christmas Eve, time stands still. The "nonessential" staff has gone home. The lines for meals, medications and laundry are done for the day. Intercoms and two-way radios fall silent.
And the transformation begins-the cement floors become sacred ground. The many lost souls look for a glimmer of hope; the faithful few fall to a silent reverence. We gather our candles, guitar, song sheet, Bibles and boxes of tissues. To each pod we offer a brief celebration of God coming to us. But we don't bring Jesus to them-he is already here. "1 was in prison, and you
came to visit me" (Matt. 25:36).
So we pray-they cry. We retell the old, old storythey ache for their far-away families. Singing carols in Spanish and English, we each light a candle and ponder the hope that Jesus brings. "Silent night, holy night .... "
We thank God for his greatest gift, then we go back to our cells-but not alone. Jesus is already there. For the inmate in his small, lonely cell. For the chaplain, in my small, lonely Honda on the way "home." And it's my tum to cry on Christmas Eve, because Jesus met me there. And it's my turn to ache on Christmas Eve, for my family, wondering how they fared in my absence on this holy night.
But Jesus was there too. And that is the greatest gift.
Lowell Entz is a chaplain at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City. He and his Wife Sue have two children and are members of Memorial Road MB Church in Edmond, Okla.
By Albina Nesterenko
dJ.rom as early as I can remember the holiday of Christmas has always had special meaning in my life. It's not only about getting something from your friends and family, but also experiencing what great pleasure it brings to give. In a way, my family is just like any other family, but on the other hand every family has a special touch of their own way as they celebrate Christmas.
About a month before Christmas all of us write a list of what we Want as a gift. 1\vo weeks before the celebration of Christ's birth, we put up a Christmas tree. It's our own way of revealing the Christmas spirit in the house. For us the
tree brings the attitude of light and color to the rooms. The gifts are bought and wrapped by everyone in secret from all the rest of the family members. Then begins the countdown towards Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve is the night when all of us gather by the Christmas tree as a family and first of all thank God for the wonderful way that he demonstrated his awesome love for us. The nativity scene by the tree paints a clear pictUre Qf what it must have been like 2,000 years ago when Jesus came to this earth as the Son of Man. After a prayer of gratitude, the whole family, starting from youngest to oldest, opens their gifts. 1b make the whole process more enjoyable, we all have to guess what might be in the package before we open it. Whatever it is, it shows that you are cared for and loved.
Personally for me, Christmas is a time when I am reminded again and again how merciful God was to give the priceless gift of Jesus to our world. Sometimes I can't help but wonder, "What would life be like if it was. n't for Jesus?"
Albina Nesterenko lives with her family in Seattle, Wash. They are former refugees from Russia.
Xativi ty scenes
Nativity scenes from various t
it tJ
countries and time periods
.. rrlC) . rlCIJJ . show
how people see Jesus and
Just th.£3 the world he came to save.
hristmas story
THHOENE MIGHT BE THE RUIN OF AN OLD CASTLE or an
Sometimes it's a village, bustling with activo ity. It uta J>e a)Sllve, or a rich landscape of mountains and rivers and,stars. At other times, it's a simple barn.
NQ matter how it's depicted, the nativity remains the symbol of the Christmas season. But the type of th.e figures represented in it, tells more than just w.e Cnt!lltmas story. These icons have much to say about the spirit, psychology and cultures in which they were created.
Nativity sets first became popular among 17th century European priests who used them as missionary tools to tell the story of Christmas to potential converts in such far· tlung places as South America, Africa and Asia, according to fohann G. Roten, a scholar at the University of Dayton. And in post.Reformation Europe, Roten says, Catholic priests Jsed nativity figures to "confirm and reaffirm the faith of :heir own people."
Like stained·glass windows, Nativity sets were considered
the "Bible of the poor," says Roten, who is director of the Marian Ubrary·lnternational Marian Research Institute. "For people who were not able to read, you had to visualize these things for them."
But as time went on, in the Old World and the new, nativity scenes also found favor in homes and village squares. And the setting artists chose to tell the Christmas story reflected the ways in which European Christians interpreted the events surrounding the birth ofJesus.
By the 18th century, three centers of creche culture emerged in Europe-Naples, Italy; Provence, France; and southern Germany and Austria. And the nativity scenes of each region were rich in unique religious symbolism. Italian creches, for example, usually place Joseph, Mary and the Christ child among the ruins of an ancient temple or an old castle. "It was a historical statement," says Roten, who is also a professor of theological anthropology. "The old culture has been destroyed and a new history is origi· nating."
Also rich in symbolism are the types of animals found at the manger. Italian creches, like most, always include a donkey and an ox.
"The donkey usually has two lines in the fonn of a cross on its back, " says Roten.
"The cross means that the donkey has been baptized. Why? As an animal, the donkey represents the pagans present at the manger. And what is pagan can become Christian through the birth of Christ.
"The ox was complementary to the donkey," he adds. "The ox represented the Jewish people." In ancient Judaism, Roten notes, the ox was commonly used as a sacrificial offering to God. In Christian theology, the death of Jesus on the cross represents the ultimate sacrifice for all humankind.
Early French nativity scenes generally place the holy family atop a hill, surrounded by the entire village. This signifies that the birth of Jesus affects the "entire community, the mayor, the pastor, the policeman, the thief and the lady who sells fish," Roten says. "The idea is that the entire village is being drawn into this wonderful event."
But to Roten, the most fascinating figure in French creches is the Ravi, or "exalted one," who is depicted on his knees with his anns reaching heavenward. "He is the fool of the village," says Roten, "the dumb kid who doesn't know what's going on. But it takes someone like him to understand the miraculous event that's occurred."
Gennans and Austrians usually set the birth of Jesus within a sweeping natural landscape, complete with a stardotted sky, mountains and rivers, typical of most art from the Baroque period.
"Baroque art was a reflection of heaven on Earth," says Roten, a native of Switzerland. "In everything you did and showed, there was some kind of presence of the
A prayer for advent
JESUS, WE LOVE YOU because you first loved us. We are reminded again this advent season that your coming as a dependent baby to live among us in this sinful and needy world was and is a profound expression of your love for us. We praise you, Emmanuel, for being a God who is with us. Thank you for being a God who finds pleasure in having an intimate
relationship with us. Thank you too for being a God who accepts us as we are, and then through patient grace transforms us into representations of who you are.
Come to us this advent sea· son in the ways that fulfill your purposes in us. Come to our world, come to our church fami· ly and come to us individually. Guard us from giving in to pre· conceived ideas about your rev-
divine When you translate these things into creche cuiture they suggest the idea of a far-reaching horizon, that this event has far.reaching importance and influence."
More than any other creche tradition, says Roten, the Gennans and Austrians included figures with a "certain psychological note" that embody deep symbolic value. One such example is the two identical figures-twins, perhaps-walking toward the creche. They represent humankind's selfish, introverted nature, he says.
"But you see more than just yourself when you see the manger. You discover a new dimension to your own being," Roten says. "You are no longer self-contained and only preoccupied with yourself"
The earliest Nativity scenes were made of wood and clay. But as the custom spread around the globe, people began to create creches from materials that were integral to their culture.
Today, for example, Christians in France and Ecuador make nativity sets from brightly colored bread dough. Fashioning figures from gingerbread is a tradition in the Czech Republic. Birchwood is often used in Poland. In Alaska, some native tribes carve nativity figures from walrus tusks; some Africans use animal bones and ivory to tell the 2,000year-old Christmas story.
In Peru, terra cotta is the favored medium. In Spain, a whimsical, homespun version of the Nativity uses a kettle to create a cave-like structure to shelter Jesus, Mary and Joseph. On the kettle's lid, the three kings, camels in tow; proceed on their journey to the Christ child.
But regardless of the material and price, in Roten's view, Christmas creches possess a spiritual value that can be appreciated throughout the year.
"All of these elements try to communicate one basic truth," he says. 'We can reach out to God because he reached out to us in the first place." Michael] Paquette is a writer for Religion News Service. This article, copyright 2003, is used by permission.
elations. Give us the desire and courage to say no to those things that distract us from see· ing you in these weeks that are so easily filled with pleasure and pressures. Open our ears and eyes to see Emmanuel with us.
We pray for those who don't reel that you would want to come to them. May they find your love, power and hope in the midst of hurt, regret, guilt or lack of understanding. We recognize, Lord, that there are those
who will experience your presence with them-through us and our love for them-so give us hearts that are willing to give our time, compassion and selves for others as you gave yourself for us.
We love you. Teach us more of what it means to live the adventure of faith by pleasing you, coming to you, believing in you and seeking you. Amen.By Nadine Friesen, Leader edi· torial assistant.
From relief sales to missions overseas, Anabaptists have always woven charitable giving into the fabric of their faith. MMA is pleased to be part of this tradition.
Through the MMA Sharing Fund, millions of your dollars have been distributed to churches and others in need. Mennonite Foundation helps your charitable giving intentions accomplish the greatest amount of good. MMA's Life Planning Seminars show you how to organize your time and talent for God's use.
Giving, and helping others give, are important pieces in MMA's stewardship quilt. To find out all the ways MMA can help you share your gifts ... in the light of your faith ... call (BOO) 348-7468.
BY PHILIP WIEBE
Signs in the sky
,y
God uses many avenues to guide and encourage his followers-including tbe sky
ONE OF THE CHARMING STORIES
recounted at Christmas time involves the star in the sky signifying Jesus' birth, and the Magi from the east who followed the star to find and worship the newborn Lord. At least it's charming in the way we depict it year after year, with the big cardboard star hanging above the stage and the crowned, bath-robed children carrying glittery gold boxes toward the manger.
Looking at it more closely, though, there are elements of this story that are quite unusual. It is said that those Magi, for example, were astrologers and diviners, who scanned the skies for signs and prophetic visions. Sounds a bit shady to me. Yet Matthew gave them significant play in his gospel. In fact, these magicians come off looking wiser and more spiritually insightful than Israel's own leadership, who were supposed to be the big experts on the ways of God.
Another puzzling thing: Why was a star showing the way to Jesus in the first place? We'd have a tough time with that one. The sky today is not a place to see signs and wonders, but a region toward which to point scientific instruments and come up with logical data. It's interesting how we Christians so comfortably accept the story of that "yonder star." Yet if confronted with such a reality today, how many would truly believe? I shudder to think about it.
With a few exceptions, my church background hasn't been particularly amenable to seeing signs, wonders and miracles. I can understand why. These have often been viewed as venues for hucksters and charlatans. But a few highprofile frauds shouldn't cause us to doubt God's miraculous works in the world. There is now a global movement
to reclaim the "power" ministries of Jesus, through healings, prophecies, dreams and visions. I say praise the Lord for that. Such activities merely reflect the ministry of Jesus and his disciples, and the New Testament church.
My early church experience leaned toward the stoic, but as a teen I was exposed to freer, more powerful expressions of spirituality. This didn't completely knock me from my logical nature, but it did affect my outlook. So much so, I began seeing signs in the sky.
Not star of Bethlehem types of signs, exactly. But for some reason the skies started opening up to me about God. And God seemed to use the heavens to communicate specific messages. Perhaps this is starting to sound weird, but don't be alarmed. I think my teen exposure to the charismatic experience made me more open to God speaking and working in a variety of ways. For the believer, that shouldn't be weird at all.
There was the time, for instance, I attended summer camp as a spiritually seeking youth. God got right in my face one night. Our cabin had hiked off to sleep in a mountaintop clearing, and as darkness fell, the stars began to dazzle me. The Milky Way became a bright streak across the sky. I'd never seen anything like that. Lying awake for a long time, God impressed me with his power and presence, both in the world and in my life. Christianity had been sort of a theoretical exercise for me until then; after that I began to build a relationship with a real, personal God.
Much later, after I was married and had kids, another sky-sign spoke to a need in my life. During a time of career stress, I had been feeling overburdened with work while being under-supplied
with financial means. For months I had been praying to God for gUidance. Then while driving one day, a striking bit of scenery came into view. Fog shrouded the lower slopes of one of our high Northwest mountains, while the summit was clearly visible. Immediately I became aware of an encouragement, which I believe was Spirit led. While everything seemed foggy on my career path at the moment, things would soon become clear. God would lead to a higher, brighter place. I drove on from there with a sense of peace, and in fact that vision did eventually become reality.
Just a few weeks ago, I saw my most recent sign in the sky. Jogging in my neighborhood on a moonlit night, I became aware of an intriguing cloud formation to the west. It looked exactly like the bottom of a giant foot. With a smile, I thought, "God stepping on the world." But qUickly my mood turned pensive. What if this was true? Didn't this evil generation deserve to be crushed under God's foot? "No," God seemed to answer, "I'm just stepping down to be with you. So follow me." Given the anxiety and discouragement I'd been feeling about some faith issues at the time, it was a message I really needed.
Over the years, I think my modest experiences with signs in the sky have helped guide and encourage me at appropriate times. They've also helped me see the gospel account of the Magi as more than just a warm-hearted Christmas story. For some reason God used the stars to speak to these men. Rather than passing it off or explaining it away, they courageously followed through with costly, heartfelt worship .•
BY MARVIN HEIN
Questions about faith & life
Qwith day-to-day situations. ICARD proisters in the Israeli/Arab cri· Th
vides educational tours for both Israelis sis, they always side with the
and Uiternationals of the settlement Arabs. Does MCC have ministries to the Jews as well? (California)
AI understand the concern stated above and may know what motivates it in most instances. Many Mennonite Brethren are "dispensationalists" in theology and this calls for Israel to regroup in the Holy Land because they are God's chosen people. Whi,le my own views may not coincide with what is probably a majority view among us, I respect the concern for Jews and the many promises in the Bible concerning them.
In a recent meeting I attended, MCC worker Ed Nyce, who since 1999 has worked in Bethlehem striving for peace and justice among both Israelis and Palestinians, reported on MCC's efforts in the Holy Land. I posed our reader's question to him and will share something of Nyce's response.
During the past year, MCC has become involved in The Zochrot Association. The translation of the Hebrew word zochrot is related to "remembering." Eytan Bronstein, the association's director and an Israeli Jew; has been associated with Neve Shalom-Wahates Salam. This is an intentional community inside Israel composed of Jews and minority Israeli citizens of Palestinian descent. Bronstein feels strongly that in order for there to be any peace between the two sides, his fellow Israelis need to learn and care about the events in and around
issue I-S no si-mple
matter. The best
that can be done
is not enough, and
anything that -'
IS
done wi II be crl-tl-
_db
clze y some. .
enterprise, and of houses destroyed and/or being rebuilt. They also provide printed and website materials on related
issues.
Since the late 1980s, MCC has had a
relationship with The Rapprochement Center, which has both Israeli and Pales-
tinian chapters. For 11 years these two groups held dialogue sessions. MCC sup-
ported this work through grants, atten-
dance at some of their meetings and tak-
_ ing part in other activities. There are cur· rently no dialogues taking place because
of restrictions on visiting enacted by the
1948 when Israel was established. Because many Palestinian villages were destroyed and 750,000 Palestinians became refugees, Bronstein and his colleagues feel it is necessary for Israelis to acknowledge these facts, even for the healing of their own souls. The associa. tion uses a variety of means to bring this awareness to Jews.
MCC also gives a grant to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. The work ofthis group includes rebuilding; with Israelis, Palestinians and internationals, houses that have been demolished by Israeli authorities. These are houses outside the recognized borders of Israel-in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Some readers, of course, will contend that all of this land belongs to the Israelis, but MCC is work-
al issue. E·mall Marvin at mheinl@fresno.edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Rein, 3036 East Magill Avenue, Fresno, C4 93710.
Israeli government. It is literally next to impossible for Israelis and West Bank Palestinians to meet. Israeli law does not permit its citizens to enter Palestinian populated areas. Checkpoints and the wall now being constructed along the West Bank, both of which are often deep within the West. Bank rather than on the border, keep Palestinians from meeting with Israelis. It has been said that it is easier for such meetings to take place in Europe than in Palestine or Israel.
MCC continues to seek ways that will make it possible to look at issues of basic justice. This is a way to do what Jesus commanded when he was asked "What is the greatest commandment?'" Jesus' answer was, "Love the Lord God with all your heart and love your neigh. bor as yourself On these two hang all the Torah and the prophets" (Mk. 12:29-31). This is MCC's goal.
The Arab /Israeli issue is no simple matter. The best that can be done is not enough, and anything that is done will be criticized by some .•
ON THE JOlRNEY
BY ROSE BUSCHMAN
Ukraine vacation leads to ministry
Performance of Handel's Messiah touches lives for eternity - v_
._ , IT STARTED INNOCENTLY ENOUGH.
Roger and Diane McMurrin met with their friends George and Toni McCammon at a restaurant in Orlando, Fla. George had recently resigned from his pastorate and had spent the last three months in Kiev, Ukraine, where he started a church and a humanitarian aid project. Roger and Diane were longtime church musicians, well respected for their musical abilities. It was just a lunch date with friends.However there are no coincidences with God. He had a very special plan for all four of them. George shared his vision for Kiev and invited Roger and Diane to come there for their upcoming vacation.
''The finest musicians in the world are there. The Ukrainian people love classical music. Perhaps you could give a concertmaybe Handel's Messiah. No one has ever performed it there before-at least not during the past 70 years of Communism. It was forbidden."
What a crazy idea, Roger thought. A vacation in the Ukraine? Planning a con· cert? Where was the Ukraine? Where would they live? How would they get the musicians? One question led to another and before they knew it, Roger and Diane were making plans to visit a country about which they knew nothing.
George helped with getting them a place to live and recruiting musicians. Advertisements were placed in the local newspaper and musicians came for audio tions. They began with 35 singers and a pianist. Rehearsals were held four 'nights a week Each musician was paid one dollar for each rehearsal attended. Diane took pictures of the musicians so they could learn their names. However, she writes that it soon became "difficult to identify the singers because their countenances were changing." That was the effect the music had on them!
They held two concerts. In the first
one the choir presented a number of classical pieces and even a rousing rendition. of ''When the Saints Go Marching In.'' The second concert was Handel's Messiah. This was a combined performance with Roger's choir and the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra. The afternoon the orchestra met for their first practice was memorable. The concertmaster had tears in his eyes when they played the HallelUjah Chorus for the first time. They had never even heard this music before, letalone played it. As their five·hour rehearsal ended, the musicians asked if they could practice for another hour "to perfect this music."
The concert was held in an old cathedral to a packed house. The printed program contained the biblical text of the Messiah in Ukrainian and was distributed to all concert attendees.
Diane writes, "That night something extraordinarily profound happened. The message of the Messiah was the message for Ukraine Though this had been the birthplace of Christianity for all of Eastern Europe, its churches had been burned, its priests murdered and its people oppressed The tyranny of Communism was over. God had brought this to pass for his glory."
Even years later a musician who was there told Diane, "That evening I was seated in the audience and all I could feel was light. I knew I had to be near that light."
Before they left the Ukraine, Roger and Diane promised the musicians that they would be back the following summer for some more concerts. However, it soon
was calling them to the Ukraine for more than a summer vacation. So they put their house on the market, resigned their posi· tions as church musicians and made plans to move there.
They continued to have rehearsals with the professional musicians. The choir
grew in numbers. As they sang other classical religious music, Roger explained what the biblical texts meant. Choir members then asked for Bible studies were held at Roger and Diane's apartment.
At. one point they were able to procure 150 Ukrainian Bibles that were distributed to each choir member. They were "not prepared for the level of excitement the musicians displayed. It was as if we had given them new cars," they write.
Choir members accepted Christ. The Bible studies grew and soon the musicians services. With George's help a local pastor was found and a church begun.
Roger and Diane followed Jesus' command, '2\s the Father hath sent me, so send I you" Oohn 20:21). They used their interest in classical religious music to present the message of Christ to professional musicians in Kiev and the rest is history. Now there is a vibrant, growing church there.
It was no coincidence that I came across their story. I was having a casual conversation with the wife of a roard member during a break at a recent meet· ing we had. Somehow we got onto the topic of our parents and I mentioned that my mother, as a young girl, had migrated to Canada from the Ukraine. Sue immediately started to tell me about a book she had of some musicians who went to the Ukraine and started a music ministry there. I expressed an interest in reading the book and at the next board meeting her husband handed me a copy of Diane McMurrin's book, The Splendor ofHis Music (WmePress Publishing, 1998). It is a fascinating account of how God answered their prayers,.provided for their needs and .helped them work through the adversities . they faced.
After I read the book the Lord laid it on my heart to share their story with you. That's no coincidence either!.
BY CHUCK BULLER U.S. CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I've changed my mindl
Why the new MBMSI funding model is one we should support
I RECENTLY SAW A SIGN ATTACHED
to a tip jar at a coffee shop that said: "If you are afraid of change, leave it here." For all the books that have been written about change, the fact is most people over the age of 40 really don't like it much. (I'm 47, so I know of what I speak!) And most pe0ple under the age of 40 say they love change because generally they want to change things that irritate others rather than themselves.
Take for example the great worship debates of the 20th century. You knoW; the ones we used to say were about hymns vs. choruses, until choruses became an archaic term for contemporary music. So we had to change the debate to the one about contemporary vs. traditional worship until contemporary became an archaic term for (whatever the new term is) and traditional became a confusing term encompassing everything from Bill Gaither to Greek orthodoxy. I think you see where this change argument takes us-in circles!
Whether we like it or not, we are changing all the time. In fact, the Bible suggests that change is the one requirement for being a Christian. The word repentance (see Acts 2:38 for Simon Peter's 1\vo Spiritual Laws) means among other things "to change one's mind." I suspect God did not intend that we only do that once in life at the point of our conversion. And generally, we don't pursue change as much as we are forced in difficult circumstances to consider it as one of several options.
And so, I am announcing in this column that as an act of honest reflection, spiritual growth and stubborn pragmatism, I have changed my mind! By now you must be wondering where this is going. Actually, I have changed my mind about many things in life, but today only one of those things bears mention in this
column.
Let me back up with where I started before I changed my mind. About six months ago I heard for the first time that MBMS International, the mission agency for North American Mennonite Brethren churches, was changing their funding formula to something called "Relationship Based Funding." In essence, as I understood it at that time, it would tum every MBMSI Missionary into a fundraiser.
My response was characteristic of people who resist change. I said:
1. How can that be?
2. Whose idea was this?
3. We've never done it that way before!
4. They're going to "kill the goose that laid the golden egg!"
5. Etc. Etc. Etc.
After careful reflection I realized I had heard every one of these responses to some of my better ideas when I was a pastor. So, it was time to repent. Really! I decided to do what people do who embrace change. I got more information before forming any more opinions. This can be dangerous. It can lead to change!
Second, I decided to evaluate the facts of the new idea instead of the motives of those who were proposing it. An absolute deal breaker for those who resist change.
Painfully, I had to acknowledge that our mission board was taking us in a direction that fit the future better than the past. In the past we took pride in the fact that our missionaries were "full-salaried," not "para-church" workers. We felt good that when out missionaries were on "furlough" they didn't have to worry about raising funds. We even delighted in the decade of the 19905 that we had given our churches the "CoreBudget," 'Moption Option" and "Core Plus" choices. And some of us who were pastors in that decade couldn't have told you what those terms actually
meant-but they were ours and it's how we did mission.
The reality is and was that the "old funding formula" of MBMSI had changed numerous times in the 103-year history of our mission, and had in fact become so complex that many of our denominationalleaders failed to grasp its real application.
So, with what I now consider courageous and visionary leadership, the MBMSI Board ofDireetors made a decision this fall to present to our convention this summer a model of funding that is simple to explain and apply. In essence churches will be invited to send 25 percent of their missions giving to the general budget of MBMSI and 75 percent towards specific MBMSI missionaries and projects. The beauty ofthis arrangement is that it will require four to six congregations to support a foreign missionary. A clear relationship between missionary, project and congregation will be established. When missionaries come home every three years they will develop already existing relationships with these churches, instead of trying to visit every church that needs a missionary speaker. In so many ways, this concept needs to be duplicated by every agency of our denomination for our overall health in the 21st century. But that's another column.
By this summer, when we meet in convention, the fine-tuning and details of this plan will be ready for public presentation. In the meantime, I thought I would give some of you a head start at the change process and tell you why I am on board with this new model. If you want more information take the time to call Darren Duerksen, Mike )\Jtzy, or Harold Ens of our mission agency.
As I get older, I find that change still appeals to me. But like so many things in life, it just takes a little longer!.
Roland and Lois Reimer refled on years of duo ministry
Reimer retires from post as SDC minister after 13 years of service
'0n the road again," "circuit riders," "lover of meetings," "alliteration specialist," "duo ministry" and "models of dedication to the Mennonite Brethren church and conference ministries" are all descriptions that fit the 40plus ministry years of Roland and Lois Reimer, of Wichita, Kan. After traveling 350,000 miles and serving as a pastor to pastors, Roland Reimer will retire from the role of Southern District Conference district minister at the end of this month.
can
The call, or as the Reimers describe it, the "tug that didn't go away" was a growing awareness that the couple was headed for ministry. Affirmations from the Buhler (Kan.) MB Church, a praying aunt and an offer to buy their home led them back to Tabor in 1959, and eventually to MB Biblical Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary where Reimer earned a doctor of ministry degree. Apprentice experiences at Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church, an Armenian Presbyterian congregation and Butler MB Church in Fresno, Calif., offered the couple their beginning experience. Pastoral ministry followed in MB congregations in Topeka and Wichita, Kan., and Denver, Colo., and teaching and counseling at Friends University, Wichita. Marriage enrichment and ministry to fragmented families was a key emphasis during those years.
Reimer began serving full time as the SDC minister in 1990. Already involved in conference ministries, the fit was a good one affinned by pastors and churches. The couple's ministry emphasis shifted at that time from family issues to leadership development and being a resource for pas-
tors and churches.
Comparisons
When to compare pastoring pastors to pastoring a local congregation, the Reimers identify one of the main differences as the differences in congregational and conference schedules.
In light of Reimer's life-long passion and commitment to relationships, he worked at structuring the SDC into five regions, with pastors from each region meeting monthly or at least several times a year for sharing, education and interaction about church and conference ministry
20 • THE CHRISTIAN LEADER
issues.
These contacts, along with site visits made by the Reimers, enabled them to keep in touch with their pastoral families. "We tried to be a safe place for pastors," says Lois. Roland describes district minister work as "a backup and support system rather than a front line position as is the parish pastor."
In terms of similarities in district and local pastoring, "relationships and communication are essential and key to both," says Roland. "In both settings, influence comes more through relationship than
simply by holding a position."
Changes
The list of changes seen by the Reimers during their years of ministry among SDC Mennonite Brethren and particularly in the last years in the DM office is long and varied. "There is far more diversity in congregation profiles," says Roland. "One can't assume the visit to one SDC MB church will be similar to the visit to another," adds Lois. "One size or style of doing church doesn't fit all." Roland's list of changes includes, "churches are more localized in mission, more staff driven, more generic-they don't identify as much denominationally as Mennonite Brethren. Another change is the shift of financial giving for local and global mission. "Formerly, about one-third of a church's receipts stayed at home for ministry," says Roland. "Now about three-fourths is used for local personnel and program costs."
An additional change has to do with the change in levels of commitment within families, church and denominational ministries. "Parents, and especially fathers, have become more involved in family life, and I affirm that," says Roland. "However, family commitments to educational, social and athletic events compete with and exceed their church commitments," says Reimer. Although some factors have changed, Roland smiles and remembers, "Personally, I often wondered as a kid why revival meetings had to be scheduled at the same time as thestate basketball games."
In typical Roland style; other changes are alliterated with w's-worship, women and war. "Worship styles have changed greatly among MBs in the last decade. These changes have caused stresses among congregations not seen in earlier years," say the Reimers.
During their years of ministry, the MB conference has taken a specific stance on the role of women in ministry. "Churches have been slow to respond," say the couple, "and there is lack of compliance with the denomination's stance on both sides of the spectrum-some are not giving women the freedom to use gifts as our position affirms and others are overstepping the statement."
By the word "war," Roland refers to "conflict issues evident at allievels-eccle-
siastical, domestic and national. Conflicts are a natural part of life-including the church," says Roland. "But conflicts in the body of Christ seem to have come out of the closet in recent years. And they need to be dealt with in Christ-like ways. When church conflicts are not dealt with, they tend to resurface in a variety of ways. And then they can be more painful and injure more people than if they are addressed promptly and honestly in the spirit of love that confronts and heals the hurt."
The Reimers are qUick to summarize the changes they have observed by saying that some have been healthy. One such example is the email option to all SDC churches which has increasedcommunication greatly in recent years. Roland has also guided the SDC through restructuring, bylaw revisions and changes district convention hosted every year to one held every other year with cluster meetings of several churches in the years in between. The convention format has changed from a church hosted event to a convention held jointly with the Central District Conference at Tabor College and one that is now becoming a family event held in places such as Branson, Mo., and Oklahoma City. Reimer feels that the centralized and urban location of the SDC office in Wichita, along with MBMSI and Tabor Wichitaa degree completion program-has been a beneficial change for all involved. "It has become a center for denominational activities in a variety of areas and has impact locally and globally" says Reimer.
Concerns
When asked about concerns they have , for Mennonite Brethren pastors, Reimers quickly give evidence of their love and desires for MB life and mission.
For pastors and church leaders, the greatest need they see is "for balancebeing called, competent, skilled and dedicated while also being real," says Roland. authentic style is essential-pastors need to be genuine, compassionate and responsible too." Lois adds, "Church leaders shouldn't expect perfection. Give pastors space to make mistakes." When talking with leaders searching for a pastor, Roland says he reminds them that just as they have qualifications for their pastoral candidate, "pastors are also looking for mutual respect, acceptance and fOrgive-
ness in congregations who should build on these virtues."
Other needs the Reimers see among leadership include an "every day spirituality, faithful relationships and a teachable spirit."
Three areas of concern apply to the broader MB conference. "Retention of committed and capable pastors and also people of all generations in our churches," is a concern says Roland. Long-term pastorates in recent decades have not been uncommon in the SDC. More than 15 have served at least 10 years in the same congregation and several, more than 20, says Reimer. But it is not the norm.
For Reimer, retention concerns are related to a "lack of emphasis on MB identity as a high priority. The result has been that we haven't retained as many pastors and lay members to serve," he says. "Surveys show that MBs are highly urbanized in terms of their residence." But Roland adds, "We are generally not identifying as MB in the urban setting and struggle with urban church plants. We struggle withbeing a distinct people with values different than some evangelical people. A blend of MB, other Anabaptist groups and evangelicals can be a real strength. It can also become a weakness when we end up being neither and don't know who we are."
The role of church leadership is a third concern. "We haven't answered polity questions well. We have so much diversity in how we do church-it can lead to confusion, conflict and even chaos," observes Roland.
Reimer states his vision strategy for Mennonite Brethren in the future as: "When people come in touch with Mennonite Brethren, may they see a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by and power to live on."
Confirmations
Roland and Lois are quick to share many encouragements and affirmations of Mennonite Brethren. They observe increasing health in churches and leaders. "Our pastors enjoy being together, caring for one another-there is definite camaraderie," emphasizes Roland. "Increasingly, people are acknowledging a call to ministry. We have increased seminary enrollments of people of all ages. Presently, 11
Continued page 30
PDe challenged to be "bold and fearless" in its efforts
Leadership training, church health and church planting emphasized at distrid convention
Delegates to the Pacific District Conference convention last month were challenged repeatedly to be "bold and fearless" in their efforts to be the church-"to do our part in our part of the globe," in the words of PDC district minister Gary Wall. Convention presentations focused on both the vision and the methods needed to develop newleaders, grow healthy churches and plant new congregations. And judging by the affirmation of executive board recommendations, delegates did not shy from the challenge of acting fearlessly and with boldness.
Delegates met Nov. 14-15 at Vinewood Community Church in Lodi, Calif After hearing various board and ministry reports Friday afternoon and evening as well as Saturday morning, delegates took action on eight recommendations. They spent most of the time on two recommendations--that the conference "move to regional meetings every two years and alternating conventions every two years" and that a Board of Leadership Development be developed.
PDC Minister Wall spoke to the first recommendation in his opening address. "We are not doing a good enough job of sharing the stories (of the POC) with the grassroots," said Wall. Noting that "only" 167 delegates were attending the 2003 convention, Wall said, ''We need to get out to where the people are and take the convention on the road (to) spread the good news."
Prior to the 2003 convention, the PDC included 114 congregations in Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah and Washington for a total of 16,524 members. The PDC is unique among the five U.S. Conference districts in that it is divided into five regions, and each region is represented on each of the five boards to which conventiondelegates annually elect members.
During discussion, delegates spoke about the district's previous experience with regional gatherings. It was noted that regional gatherings are convenient for local church attendees, and provide good communication about district ministries but that they require district leaders to spend significant amounts of money and time on travel. The recommendation and
appropriate bylaw changes passed, as did the related recommendation that board terms be changed from three-year to fouryear terms to accommodate the change in convention schedule. A recommendation to realign the boundaries for two was also approved.
Wall also introduced the new Board of Leadership Development in his opening address. According to Wall, one of the challenges facing the PDC is the "missing generation ofleaders"-men and women in the 20s and 308. "We don't have bright, young, fresh leaders," said Wall. But, he noted, he is encouraged by the leaders emerging in the next generation. He challenged the district to "equip, train and fund" theseyoung leaders, and to view ministry in the church as a "high and holy calling."
"H leadership development is a core value," said Wall, "we'd better organize for it-and we are bringing a proposal to do that." Last year the Board of Home Missions created an Internship Task Force to organize a summer internship program. The vision for the new leadership development board grew out of that experience.
Fred Leonard, Internship Task Force member, reported Friday afternoon that 17 young adults were given the opportunity to "test" their interest in ministry through the 2003 summer intern program. Delegates heard from two interns and from Board of Youth Ministries chair Tim Neufeld and Rick Bartlett with MB Biblical Seminary's "Hear the Call."
Delegates were apparently convinced of the importance of leadership training as their discussion during the Saturday afternoon business session focused on specific details of the recommendation to form a Board of Leadership Development rather than the concept. While delegates understood that fundraising could initially fund the new board, some were concerned about the lack of a budget line item as well as the best way to fund the board for the next two years. Questions were also raised about the new board's specific assignments, including the fact that no component of the former Board of Christian Education was incorporated into the new board. Following discussion, the recommendation was approved, as was a related recommendation to disband the Board of Christian Education.
A highlight of the Saturday afternoon business session was the vote to accept 10 new congregations as members of the PDC and to acknowledge The Bridge of Bakersfield, Calif, as an emerging church. Throughout the weekend, delegates were introduced to leaders of the new congregations by Loyal Funk, U.S. Conference director of Integrated Ministries, Jose Elizondo, PDC associate district minister, and PDC DM Gary Wall. Accepted as member congregations were Iglesia Aposento Alto of Bakersfield, New Life Education Church of Diamond Bar, Calif, Bethlehem Korean Church of Los Angeles, Calif., Iglesia Comunidad Cristiana Emanuel of Perris, Calif., Melchizedek Church of Roseville, Calif, Ukrainian Bible Church of Milwaukee,Ore., Church of Salvation of Des Moines, Wash., Sulamita Evangelical Church of Lynnwood, Wash., and Iglesia Fara de Luz of Vancouver, Wash.
In other business, delegates approved, with no discussion, the 2003-04 expense budget of $383,100, down slightly from the current budget of $384,600. The approved income budget totals $308,100
with $277,100 of that coming from churches. Reserve appropriations of $75,000 will cover the deficit. Delegates also voted to convert monies in the Church Planting Reserve to an endowment fund with the earnings to be used to provide interestfree down payment loans to emerging denominational churches and to assist the district in times of budget shortfalls.
1\vo keynote addresses were given. Friday afternoon at the opening session Wall spoke briefly from the convention text, Acts 18: 9-10, and then gave a "state of the district" address. Wall listed four positive features he has noticed in his first year of ministry as the district minister. "The Word of God is central," said Wall. "We are teaching it, preaching it, understanding it and applying it." Secondly, "people long to see something new and fresh in our midst," said Wall, citing the deep commitment and desire to do God's work. Some congregations, said Wall, are taking a risk in "stepping out in faith for the kingdom .1 want to go on record to say 'I am proud of you, '" said Wall. Finally,
the PDC is "staffed and aligned closely to our vision," he said.
Church health topped Wall's list of four areas of concern. "Some churches are in serious decline," said Wall. "Many others are plateaued and will soon decline. Those in serious decline were once full houses of worships. None of them expected this."
Church health is a "huge part" of the PDC vision, said Wall, and is a focus of the PDC Board of Faith and Life. "We must not and cannot abandon our established churches," said Wall.
Leadership development was second on Wall's list of challenges and church planting in an effort to help "people reach heaven" was third. The PDC also faces financial challenges, said Wall, as it seeks to plant more churches, prepare additional leaders and nurture healthy churches. "For the vision to be achieved, the resources must floW;" said Wall. Noting that "the decisions we make today will affect the future," Wall led delegates in a time of prayer.
Wall's address set the stage for the three areas on which the remainder of the
convention and the majority of board reports were organized: "boldly and fearlessly" developing leaders, planting churches and pursuing church health.
Church health was the topic of the second convention address given Saturday morning by Larry Martens, pastor of North Fresno (Calif) Church. "Our denomination ... must be concerned about not only the churches we plant, but also our established churches," said Martens. "The culture has shaped us more than the mission and design God has given the church."
Martens, who has announced his plans to retire this summer, said that his congregation has worked hard over the past 10 years to become a healthier church, and he challenged other congregations to do the same. Martens said that healthy churches are not "perfect" churches, but are rather growing congregations with "growing pains." Speaking from Acts 2, Martens said that the early church was healthy, but not free of problems. He highlighted eight characteristics of a healthy church: is focused on God, has an outward focus, is eager to learn, fosters community, builds bridges rather than walls, focuses
Conference and Call for
on impact rather than attendance, blesses its community and focuses on the fruits of the Spirit. He reminded attendees that a congregation can be growing numerically but "not be a healthy church."
PDC board reports and testimonies Friday highlighted the summer internship program, discipleship at Copperhills Community Church in Phoenix, Ariz., the mother/daughter church planting partnership in Bakersfield and youth ministry. Following the Friday evening home mission banquet, several new ministries were highlighted: work with Hispanic people in Kingsburg, Calif., The River in Peoria, Ariz., and Shadow Mountain Church in West Jordan, Utah. The focus Saturday morning was on Board of Faith and Life issues, particularly church health, and the work among Hispanic congregations as reported by Jose Elizondo and Cesar Leyva. The delegates also convened as the Fresno Pacific University corporation and heard a report from FPU personnel and elected FPU board members. Throughout the weekend, representatives from various national denominational and inter-Mennonite agencies gave reports.by Connie Faber
Essays
"Public Peace, Justice and Order"
The Peace Theology Research Project, sponsored by the MCC Peace Office, announces a conference August 1-4, 2004, at Akron, Pennsylvania, on the theme "Seeking the Welfare of the City: Questions of Public Peace, Justice and Order:
The conference is open to Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from the United States and Canada. It aims for a wide participation across theological and occupational ranges: theologians and pastors; persons trained in the humanities and social sciences; professionals in social work. law and public administration; activists and persons involved in advocacy work. A number of intemational participants will also be invited.
Presentations may address global, national, state/provincial or local issues, from an analytical perspective, from the viewpoint of participation in public structures through work or advocacy, or to model alternatives to current public thinking and practice.
One-page abstracts are due January 15, 2004 for consideration in the conference program. Final essays will be in a popular style, 3,000 - 5,000 words long, organized around a thesis, and without footnotes. Essays selected will be the property of the project and considered for future publication. Notification will be given by February 28, 2004.
Send abstracts by email attachment to bh@mcc.org or to Peace Theology Research Project, MCC Peace Office, Box 500, Akron, PA 17501. For more information, contact Bob and Judy Zimmerman Herr at bh@mcc.org.
Whether you choose the freedom of Independent Living in our Patio Homes, or need the additional services offered in our Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing facilnies, you can be assured that someone you know is always nearby.
The Palm Village lifestyle offers our residents the opportunity to be as independent as they choose... for today, tomorrow, and for Ilf,1
Palm Village residents Leona Kroeker and her brothers Walter and Ernest Warkentin
Leith Anderson
u.s. MBs to explore identity at summer convention
Restructuring, membership to be discussed in Salt Lake City
When Mennonite Brethren from across the U.S. meet together this summer for the U.S. Conference biennial . convention, it will be the conference's first convention since the dissolution of the joint Canadian and U.S. conference known as the General Conference. The dissolution means that U.S. MBs need to redefine identity on a national level, and that, says U.S. Conference Executive Director Chuck Buller, makes "this convention as important a U.S. convention as we've had since our (U.S. Conference) inception in 1954."
The convention will be held July 2325, 2004, and hosted by South Mountain Community Church in Draper, Utah. The convention will be preceded by the firstever National Pastors Conference, July 2123, and followed by the first-ever 55-Plus Corlference, July 25-26.
The General Conference officially dissolved Jan. 1, 2003, following a decision by General Conference convention delegates in 1999 to dissolve the binational convene tion and transfer its ministries to the U.S. and Canadian conferences. Because of this divestiture, Buller says, "We're aware that the U.S. Conference has to redefine its
identity and image, and understand its purpose in a new way." Divestiture has brought a new relationship between the U.S. Conference and both MB Biblical Seminary and MBMS International. the very least," says Buller, "it means that we are owners of a seminary and a mission board."
Another critical result of divestiture is that the Board of Faith and Life, once a General Conference entity, has become a national entity. Buller says that as international discussions regarding confession of faith issues develop with groups such as the International Conference of Mennonite Brethren, "it's important that we show up as a U.S. Conference with confession of faith in. hand and say, 'Here's what it means to be Mennonite Brethren in the U.S.'"
As U.S. MBs define identity at the convention, two major topics for discussion will be brought before the conferees-one concerning conference business and one concerning theology. On the business side, the Board of Church Ministries plans to bring a restructuring proposal before the delegates. The restructuring is an attempt to streamline the conference at the board level, and is driven by changing budget
needs and by dissolution of the General Conference, says Buller.
The Board of Faith and Life will bring the theological issue of baptism and membership before the convention. BFL will present the topic and lead discussion. The hope is that the conferees will begin to explore what membership in an MB church means and how it is related to baptism. "More than ever, we're asking the question, 'What does membership mean?'" says Buller.
The convention event will begin with the first-ever National Pastors Conference, sponsored by the Board of Faith and Life. BFL hopes that all pastoral staff and their families will attend for a "time of refreshment and fellowship," says chair Lynn Jost. He says that MB pastors need to gather on a national level at this time, because, "since divestiture and the separation of the faith and life ministry into national entities, there has been greater pressure on pastors and churches to seek spiritual nurture outside the denomination. While many of these sources are helpful, BFL believes there is something essential about finding identity within the family of faith we call Mennonite Brethren."
Three speakers for the Pastors Confer-
ence were chosen to encourage exploration of church identity, based on what Buller describes as three "predominant influences" in church culture today. Ted Haggard, representing the "evangelical charismatic" influence, serves as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastors New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. Leith Anderson, former president of NAE, will represent the "mainstream evangelical" influence. Jim Holm, newly-appointed president of MBBS, will represent the "evangelical Anabaptist" influence. Buller says, "We want to listen to each other about why we do church the way we do."
Anderson will then be the keynote speaker for the general convention and will give two addresses on the convention theme "Living the CaIl." Anderson pastors
the nondenominational Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., hosts a daily radio program and has written nine books. He was the keynote speaker at the U.S. Conference convention in 1992.
Convention worship will be led by the worship team from South Mountain Community Church. In addition, those who attend the Pastors Conference will be invited to attend a concert by contemporary Christian musician David Crowder designed to "treat" pastors and to reach out to the Salt Lake City community.
This convention will mark the lo-year anniversary of Mission USA. Holding the convention in Draper will give conferees a chance to see firsthand one of the successful churches planted in 10 years. (See sidebar.)
The convention will mark another
milestone as the U.S. Conference honors Loyal Funk, director of Integrated Ministries, for 15 years of ministry. Funk will retire in 2004.
Other special events in connection with the host church are being planned, including a Sunday morning worship service and a possible tour of the Mormon tem· pIe area in Salt Lake City. Events and activities for children and teens are also being planned, in the hope that the convention will be an inviting event for families.
Following the convention, those in the senior generation are invited to stay for the first-ever 55-Plus Conference. 'lust as we minister to young people because of a generational need, we need to think I about ministering to seniors in a more . intentional way," says Buller. -By Myra I Holmes
Host church brings authenticity, freedom to Salt Lake City
VISITING THE HOST church for the U.S. Conference 2003 convention will give conferees an opportunity to see firsthand how one Mission USA church plant is successfully growing in a dif· ficult area. "I'd like to get as many people out to Utah as possible," says Paul Robie, pastor of South Mountain Community Church in Draper, Utah.
Draper, a suburb of Salt Lake City, is an area dominated by the Mormon church, with about 80 percent of the population claiming aIle·
giance to the Mormon church and only two percent claiming to be evangelical Christians. Historically, evangelical churches have struggled in Utah, says Robie.
But what others might have seen as a lost cause, Robie saw as a mission field. In partnership with Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif, the Pacific District Conference and Mission USA, Robie and his family moved to Draper in 1998 and began to plant a church.
South Mountain Community Church held their
first public worship service Oct. 4, 1998, with 40 people in attendance. Today, SMCC meets in a 20,OOO-squarefoot warehouse facility, with lover 700 people in attendance. They have planted a daughter church, Shadow Mountain Community Church, with attendance in the 70s.
"It's gone extremely well here," says Robie. He says that in a high-pressure and performance-oriented culture, the authenticity and freedom of Christianity is especially attractive. "We
have a healthy church," Robie says. "It's a healthy group of invigorated new Christians that are maturing in Christ, going from darkness to light, from bondage to freedom. And that feeds on itself."
South Mountain is "really looking forward to hosting (the convention)," Robie says. He hopes that if attendees "see the atmosphere of very optimistic evangelism that's present here, hopefully they'll be optimistic about God using them."-MH
MB mission agency to see change in leadership and direction
Ens to leave position; role of churches to be emphasized as central
Aseries of "significant" decisions regarding the future of MBMS International were made by its board of directors dUring fall board meetings. Among those were the decision to transition to a new general director, to create a more concise mission statement and to adopt a "mixed" furtding model. "I was aware of an unusual number of people interceding for us in prayer," says MBMSI board chair Dennis Fast regarding the October meetings. "It seems that others sensed with us that these meetings would include significant decisions for MBMS International."
Discussions about the purpose of the mission agency were the centerpiece during the Oct. 2-4 board meeting in Fresno, Calif The key outcome of the meeting was a resolution that the agency focus on being a catalyst for the mission vision of MB congregations in Canada and the U.S. The decision prompted the creation of a more concise mission statement that focuses on the central role of the local MB congregation: "In response to God's Great Commission, MBMS International works with Mennonite Brethren churches to make disciples and plant churches globally."
The board also decided to begin the transition to a new general director. At the April 2003 meetings the board reviewed the evaluation of General Director Harold Ens, and affirmed his continued leadership for another three years. Since then the board felt led to revisit that decision in light of a variety of other transitions that are being faced for the future. The goal is for Ens to carry his leadership through the two national conventions next summer, completing his tenure by August 1, 2004. A search committee has been formed and a search process for his successor is being developed.
Ens has served the agency for over 30 years, first as a missionary, then as adminis-
trator. "Harold's skills in leading the board and mission agency dUring a time of global change are deeply valued and prOvide a foundation for the next administration," says MBMSI board chair Dennis Fast. Board members expressed their appreciation for Ens' strengths and dedication to the mission agency.
The MBMSI board hopes that Ens will transition to another role within the agency, says Fast. "We have sevelill ideas of what that might be. Nothing has been worked out yet, but it is our goal that Harold will continue with MBMSI."
During the meetings, the board received reports from three separate task force groups as well as the evaluation of its mission associates program. The board adopted a set of three to five-year vision/goals designed to keep bringing the mission and its supporting churches closer together, as well as a relational mission strategy. These key developments, as well as the mission statement, will be presented to the delegates of the Canadian and U.S. Mennonite Brethren conference conventions in July 2004. A proposal for a new administrative structure was sent back to committee for further work.
The long-term financial sustainability of the agency's ministries was the focus of considerable discussion, prayer and decision-making. It has become clear that many Mennonite Brethren congregations want to be more relationally involved with both the missionaries and overseas partners of MBMSI, says Fast. Sholt-term ministry teams connected to long-term ministry strategies will be a key direction for the future.
When the discussion turned to the potential options for funding global mission, it became clear that a mixed model will best serve both the churches and the missionaries and projects they support. Some churches have a long history of faithful giving toundesignated support of mission work through MBMSI, says Fast. Those churches will be affirmed in their approach even as stronger relationships are built. For other churches, it is most effective to directly support specific missionaries and projects. MBMSI is committed to facilitating both types of relationship. the details of these new directions are developed and shared over the coming months, we invite the ongoing prayer support of the constituency" says Fast. "God has done marvelous things through MBMS International in the past and we trust him for continued effectiveness in the future." -MBMSI news service
Harold Ens
The following is an alphabetical index of the major articles and events recorded in the Christian Leader in 2003. The notations following each entry indicate the volume number, issue number and page numbers. Please note that for the first six issues of the year, the volume number was incorrectly listed as 65. The correct volume number (66) is given in the listings below.
Body Life
Afghans living in a hopeful, precarious balance, 66:9:30
Assembly Gathered worship to have international flavor, 66:6:28
Becker honored at meetings for service, 66:4:23
Blizzard does little damage to Estes 2003, 66:5:24
Buller appointed exec director, 66:1:28
Called, ready, set-<an we go?, 66:7:24
CBA marks 100th year of educating young people, 66: 11 :25
CDC delegates vacation with a purpose in Omaha, 66:8:20
Classes empower students, 66:8:29
Conference legally laid to rest, 66:3:26
Congregation continues legacy by giving church building away, 66:8:24
Congregation responds to challenge of service, 66:9:26
Denver ministry offers women R & R, 66:6:24
Disaster strikes twice, 66:2:28
Estes 2003-ehallenging words, 66:5:23
Estes 2003 scrapbook, 66:5:27
FAQ's and answers about Estes 2003, 66:2:23
From farming to missions-Harold Ens, 66:1:24
Hispanic MBs gather for worship, 66:7:29
Host chruch brings authenticity, freedom to SLC. 66:12:26
Interns dive into ministry at The River, 66:8:26
Iraqi families grateful for relief kits, 66:11:27
Leader editor resigns, 66:2:26
Leader survey says , 66:6:26
Leaders support restructuring, 66:4:22
Leadership board determined to end year in the black, 66: 11 :29
Leaving the door open, 66:4:26
Living up to expectations, 66:2:22
MB mission agency to see change, 66:12:27
MBBS teaches new missionaries, 66:2:30
MBBS to host youth seminar, 66:2:26
MBs and Mennonites in Paraguay, 66:4:27
MCC aids war-torn Liberia, 66:9:25
MCC Central States releases director, 66:11:28
MCC helps HIVIAIDS workers, 66:2:27
Mennonite Church USA gathers for first convention, 66:9:28
Mexico church plants another, 66:2:25
Mixing food and theater, 66:1:26
Move strengthens The Heart, 66:4:24
National MB ministry also offers opportunities, 66:3:27
A personal tribute to Henry Schmidt, by Jim Holm, 66:6:36
Baptism and church membership: At the heart of a believer's life, by Lynn Jost, 66:7:36
Blest be the ties that bind, byConnie Faber, 66:9:36
History repeating itself, byConnie Faber, 66:11 :36
"m not a democrat-or republican, by Carmen Andres, 66:1:36
Keeping my eye on Jesus, by Carmen Andres, 66:3:36
More than a coincidence, by Carmen Andres, 66:4:36
My African Experience, by Rolando Mireles, 66:10:36
Walking in true beauty, by Carmen Andres, 66:2:36
Worship and God's multigenerational family, by Connie Faber, 66:8:36
Features
A quest for dignity, by Marion Meyer, 66:4:14
Advent prayer, by Nadine Friesen, 66:12:14
Alligator bait, by Leanna Rierson, 66:3:16
Being truly Christian in times of conflict, by John Derksen, 66:6:8
Big questions, bigger faith, by Rodney P. Reed, 66:8: 12
Calling our teenagers to ministry, by Rick Bartlett, 66:8:4
Caring for our parents: Learning from a mother's dementia, by Jeannie Alford Hagy, 66:9:13
Celebrating the gift of Jesus, 66:12:8
Continuing the conversation, by Doug Heidebrecht, 66:5:12
Do the poor feel welcome at your church?, by Eddy Hall, 66:2:5
Do you work for God?, by Mary Willis, 66:3:11
Faith in the God of Life, by Pierre Gilbert, 66:7:8
Family Feud, by Tim Neufeld, 66:9:6 Fracus in the Family, by David Esau, 66:9:10 Frontline workers, 66:3:8
In Search of calling, by Gil Dueck, 66:3:4
Is God a God of war?, by Pierre Gilbert, 66:1 :13
200"; INlll X
Journeys in faith-A living sign of God's healing, by Michael Dyck, 66:7:13
Journeys in faith-Coming to the light of Christ, 66:7:14
Journeys in faith-Shipwrecked, Candy Dudek, 66:7:11
Just what have MBs said on the issue?, 66:5:14
Leisure, by Karol Hunt, 66:7:4
Life and death matters of good citizenship, by Carol Veldman Rudie, 66:6:15
Listening to women in church leadership, 66:5:10
Military mom and peace prof find common ground,66:6:14
Nativity scenes tell more than just the Christmas story, by Michael J. Paquette, 66:34:13
Our ultimate allegiance, by Larry Martens, 66:6:4
Praying with your spouse, by Doug Britton, 66:2:9
Pulling off the highway, by Nadine Friesen, 66:7:16
Q &A with Henry Schmidt, 66:5:7
Scholarship and the church, by Rod Janzen, 66:11:10
Seeing blue leaves, by Mark Keller, 66:4:5
Six gifts women bring to the church, Nancy Heisey, 66:5:4
The changing face of adolescence, by Wendell Loewen, 66:8:8
The Easter before Easter, by Marvin Hein, 66:4:4
The first day of school, by Ben Ollenberger, 66:9:4
The flag and the cross, by Martin Lehman, 66:6:7
The manger and the inn, by Kenneth E. Bailey 66:12:4
The murder of Bird, by Ruth Vuong, 66:2:4
The servant leader as coach, by Derrick Mueller, 66:2:1
The third way, by Lynn Jost, 66:1:4
Thou shalt not share thy faith, by Mike Furches, 66:3:14
Two brothers, by Amy Spencer, 66:4:13
Vocational theology, by Sylvia Klauser, 66:3:7
Walking with them in the way, by Janice Thompson, 66:2:14
What about Judas?, by Don Petker, 66:410
What do MBs believe, 66:1:7
What good is prayer, by Ken Gibble, 66:2:8
What is "just war"?, 66:1:6
What our aging parents really need, by Karen O'Connor, 66:9:13
What power in the blood?, by Jeanne Williams, 66:4:14
When Johnny comes marching home, by Robert Rhodes, 66:6:12
When we were quiet: Germany, by Dalton Reimer, 66:1:9
When we were quiet: segregation, by Dalton Reimer, 66:1:11
Why not share church leadership?, by Lynn Jost, 66:5:9
Why we should value higher education that is Christian, by Merrill Ewert and Larry W. Nikkel, 66: 11:4
Will the real Paul please stand up, by Dalton Reimer 66:1:9
Forum
Gender roles in church and family, by Randy Long, 66:8:16
Ordination decision sign of changing relationships, by Mary Anne Isaak and Jeanine Yoder, 66:11:15
Who decides?, by Ron Mathies, 66:3:19
Chuck's Corner
By Chuck Buller
Dorothy We're still in Kansas, 66:10:27
Grande laughter please!, 66:11:19
I've changed my mind, 66:12:19
Introducing team 365, 66:6:19
Mark your calendars!, 66:7:22
May 31, 2003-year endl, 66:5:21
Off of the sidelines and onto the field 66:2:21
Pleasant surprises everywhere, 66:9:20
Writing a mission statement, 66:4:21
Inquiring Minds
By Marvin Hein
Christians and environmentalism, 66:4:19
Contemplating Israel and praying for our president, 66:5: 19
Divided hearts and knowing the will of God, 66:8:18
Learning about the Hebraic Roots movement, 66:2:19
Punishing evil and the likelihood of "Plan B" in Judas' betrayal, 66:7:20
Purgatory and Jesus' descent into hell, 66:6:20
Teaching on the peace position and congregational governance, 66:9: 19
The "church age", 66:10:29
The super bowl and more on Hebraic roots, 66:3:21
Understanding MCC's goals in the Holy Land, 66:12:17
Using lottery earnings and paying for ministry accessories, 66: 11 : 17
What's happening in the land of our spiritual forefathers?, 66:1 :21
On the Journey
By Rose Buschman
A more abundant life, 66:3:22
Anatomy of a mission trip, 66:5:20
God and Allah-Are they the same?, 66:10:30
Making a floor plan, 66:2:20
Mission trip at home, 66:4:20
Missionary spreads word in "closed countries," 66:8: 19
Obeying the Great Commission, 66:11:18
Plumbers are missionaries too, 66:7:21
Read a good book lately?, 66:6:21
Speaking the language of his people, 66:1:22
Trim from living instead of giving, 66:9:19
Ukraine vacation leads to ministry, 66:12:18
Ph'lip Side
By Philip Wiebe
A "muse"ing ideas, 66:8:17
An old fashioned revival, 66:6:18
Behind the stones, 66:10:28
Death, and lessons of life, 66:4:18
Educational thoughts, 66: 11: 16
Freedom and responsibility, 66:1:20
In-your-face evangelism, 66:7:19
Not so opposite, 66:9: 17
Signs in the sky, 66:12:16
The unlearning curve, 66:2:18
Well-informed in an overinformed age, 66:5:18
What the Bible isn't, 66:3:20.
Reimers
Continued from page 21
people from the SDC are enrolled in a seminary; three years ago only three were attending." Lois and Roland affirm the ministry of Wendell Loewen who serves as parttime district youth minister as a Significant factor in the increased interest. These and other encouragements fit well with one of Reimer's themes-"united and ignited." As MBs work with one another in the power of God, they inspire others to do the same, he explains.
Confirmations include their affirmation of one another. It has been a joint venture from the beginning as evidenced in their duo reports given in churches, and at conventions and pastor retreats, their joint visits to pastoral couples and shared vision. Lois says about Roland, "What he says and does are the same. He lives his passion of ministry to God, the church and the MB conference. He is never without thoughts about what is and whatcould be. He has a pad of paper by the bed and often at the dinner table to record ideas that might come or contacts that could be made. The district and people have been home to him for 40 years. His concern for small and larger churches is the same and he never tires of meetings. "
To which Roland adds quickly, "Some are much better than others."
Roland describes Lois as "an indispensable partner who compliments our ministry in wonderful ways. She has adapted to many things, working as office manager for me and the district out of our home office for 10 years. " Lois' spirit and presence have been very visible and pastor's wives and women in leadership roles have felt support and freedom to share their ideas, gifts and concerns with her.
Commitment
Theme statements and ideas highlighted by alliteration are a trademark of Roland's ministry. The theme of the 1989 district convention in Denver during which Roland and Lois were initially commissioned for their district ministry has stuck with them. "Sharpening our vision, strengthening our commitment and shaping our mission" are concepts that have guided their sensitivity to God's call in their lives and have also been their rallying calls to pastors and churches. As they close this chapter of their ministry lives among Mennonite Brethren, they joyfully claim the ministry verse they have given their lives to for more than 40 years. "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us" 1 Thess. 2:8.
Continuation-not Conclusion
Beginning in January, the couple looks forward to rest, renewal and the next stage of life and ministry, says Roland. "Roland may not be able to resist the office, if he's too close," says Lois. After time away with grandchildren, they anticipate seeing what God's ministry call will be for the years ahead as they continue to serve Christ and their MB church family.-By Nadine Friesen
According to the Califori'\ia Department of Insurance Homeowners SurveYi me cost of homeowners offered by Insurance Servtoes at least 10% Less than \fle offered l.ly "X'D-,--' """U other Jefding ,cQmpaAies serving central cam The ,..8011 Is 81m"". Mennonite Insurance services is the exclusiVe agent for the Mennonite Aid Plan of the Pacific Coast. .:'."." """ No frllIfj, billa. So ... if you're a member of, or regularly attana a Mennonite church • ."" 1M today tor. ",.. no-obIIfIlItIon quote on your insurance and a copy of the referenced 8UJVey.
FORMER DEAN OF STUDENTS NAMED PERMANENT PRESIDENT
Holm appointed MBBS president Church aided by USERY
EL FARO COMMUNITY Church of Reedley, Calif., has new shingles on their education building and saved about $10,000 in the process thanks to volunteers with USERY, a ministry of the U.S. Conference.
In late October, church attendees removed the old wooden shingles. 1\vo days later Ray Wiebe, from Neighborhood Church of Visalia, Calif, John Friesen, Lowell Kliewer and Richard Schellen· >erg from Reedley (Calif.) MB, ·ohnSmith from Dinuba :Calif) MB Church, Walt Wlems from Salem, Ore., and >on Loewen and Ted Thiesen rom Rosedale Bible Church of
JIM HOLM, INTERIM president of MB Biblical Seminary since June, has been appointed president effective immediately. The seminary's board of directors announced the appointment Nov. 3.
Before serving as interim president, Holm was the seminary's dean of students for six years. The board has asked Holm to focus his work on three areas: vision and strategy
implementation, growing the seminary toward long-term financial vitality and governance issues.
"Jim will lead the seminary community well," a board statement stays. "We are confident that Jim is God's gift to us for the tasks and opportunities presently before us."
Holm is a well-known preacher in MB churches in Canada and the U.S. He has a
doctor of ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife Shirley live in Reedley, Calif., and have two grown sons and one granddaughter.
"We call for prayer on Jim's behalf and for the team of gifted people he will lead in the fulfillment of the MBBS mission," says MBBS board chair Cal Bergen.-MBBS
Bakersfield, Calif, prepared the roof and then installed new shingles. The volunteers also placed a support beam near the church sanctuary to better support the second floor.
Several church members including Pastor Horatio Renteria helped dUring the entire project, reports USERY coordinator Ted Thiesen of Bakersfield. The church women provided deli· cious lunches for the USERY workers during the project.
MORE NEWS
Chemyetsky joins MCC staff
.aul Chemyet&ky of Harvest Christian Center Intematlonal, a MB church In 5eattJe, Wash., recently began work as Slavic rei. tlons director for West Coast Mennonite Central Committee. In this newly created position, Chernetsky will be a liaison between MCC and some 20 Slavic churches In the West Coast region. He will visit pastors and congregations on behalf of MCC, arrange for dialog between people from Slavic congregations and MCC's staff and board, and translate MCC materials Into Russian. He Is also available to assist non-Slavlc Memonlte and Brethren In Christ congregations who would like to build relationships wtth Slavic sister churches.
Chemyet&ky's MCC assignment will dovetail with several other roles he holds. He Is part of the mission outreach at HCCI, workIng wtth local evangelistic efforts In the Slavic community as well as missions trips to the former Soviet Union. He also works half-time for King County Slavic Association and coIlalJo. rates wtth West Coast MCC's Refugee and Immigrant Issues Program In assisting Slavic Immigrants wtth documentation and social services. Chernetsky came to the U.S. 12 years ago at the age of 22. His father, a pastor, had spent &Ix years In prison during StalIn's reign of terror, and ha himself had experienced the discrimination that Christians exp&o rtencecl In education and Job opportunities In the Soviet Unlon.-MCC
MBMSI withdraws from Africa mission partnership
I IlAfrica Inter-Mennonlte Mission, a 90-year-old I mission partnership, Is reshaping Itself as I three of Its six partners, Including MBMS International, are wtthdrawlng. MBMSlIs the I mission agency of North American MB church-
I 88. Othars withdrawing are Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference and Fellowship of I Evangelical Churches. The continUing partners are Mennonite Church USA's Mennonite Mis- I slon Network, Mennonite Church Canada and the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Most I of A1MM's partner agencies are facing financial shortfalls. Those withdrawing have IndIcated they will end their financial contributions to AIMM In 2004.-AIMM
AIDS care kits provide needed supplies to volunteers
IN CONJUNCTION with World Aids Day observed Dec. 1, Mennonite Central Committee has introduced AIDs care kits to support home-based AIDs workers. In countries where the AIDS pandemic has overwhelmed an already insufficient medical network, volunteers provide home-based care to patients often with whatever supplies they happen to have onhand.
"We realized just talking about AIDS or giving money isn't enough," says Sarah Adams, MCC's HN/AIDS Generations at Risk program coordinator. People "need something hands-on as well."
And the kits recognize a vital need in countries where hospitals and clinics no longer have the
space and time to deal with the number of AIDS patients who come to them for services. Volunteers fill in the gaps, with churches and community groups organizing volunteers to care for these sick and dying patients. everyone doing home-based care is a volunteer, and they just don't have supplies," Adams says. "They struggle enough to feed their own families."
Home-based workers take on tasks from cleaning soiled clothing or sheets and bathing patients to caring for sores, rashes and other basic ailments. They may provide counsel to family members, lend a listening ear to patients or sing and pray with them.
A NEW LECTURESHIP
honors Edmund Janzen for a lifetime of contributions to Fresno Pacific University. In his 35 years at FPU, I Janzen has taught in biblical and religious studies, Iand developed the contemporary Christian ministries major. While university president from 1975 to 1985, Janzen wrote "Broadening the Base," a plan to expand the outreach of FPU. He is known internationally as a pastor and speaker.
The Edmund Janzen Lectureship in Biblical Studies is intended to promote careful scholarship in biblical interpretation as well as the witness of the Christian church. The lectures are intended for university faculty and students, pastors and lay leaders. Lectures will occur each spring beginning in 2005 and alternate annually between scholars of the Old and New Testaments.
Janzen was honored
Care kits include items such as pillowcases, bed sheets, towels and washcloths, rubber gloves and soap, as well as a $100 donation. Thirty dollars of that goes to Interchurch Medical Assistance, which provides additional med· ical items for the kitj $40 goes to community homebased care groups for needs such as training or transportation costs for caregivers; $20 helps MCC cover the costs of shipping kits overseas; and $10 goes to home-based care groups for any locally purchased materials they may need.
Information on how to compile an AIDS care kit is posted at www.mcc.orglaids/kits or by calling 877-517-5673 (U.S.)-MCC
on FPU's homecoming weekend Oct. 10-11 at a Friday evening dinner commemorating his 35 years of service.-FPU
CHURCH NEWS
CHURCH
NEWS FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
!be Leader extended an invitation to ME congregations to share their plans for celebrating the birth of Christ during this advent and Christmas season. December Church News and Notes features the submissions we received.-the editors
The sixth edition of "The Bethlehem Experience," a walkthrough drama set on the night of Jesus' birth, will be presented by Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church Dec. 22-23. Nearly 1,000 members of the community attend the production, produced every other year.
Guests begin the walk-through in the Roman courtyard where they encounter rough Roman soldiers and have to deal with the censustaker; money changer and tax collector. Upon entering the Bethlehem marketplace, a much friendlier place, a tour guide takes them on a visit to several shopkeepers such as a potter, spice seller, baker and clothier. At each shop more is revealed of a rumor of a
I special baby that has been born. In the synagogue local men discuss the scriptures surrounding the coming of the Messiah.
As they proceed to the Bethlehem inn, guests hear from the innkeeper and an excited shepherd that the Messiah has been born in the stable. Guests meet Mary, Joseph and the newborn Jesus at the stable. A minimum of four young couples with their newI borns take turns in the stable throughout the production.
The church campus is transformed into Bethlehem through the efforts of many volunteers. Approximately 60 men, women and children are in costume for the production .•
Christmas at Bethel Church of Yale, S.D., is viewed as a time to ceil ebrate Jesus' birth and spend special time together with family, so many opportunities are presented in which the church family may involve themselves.
For many years a special Christmas tree has been set up in the foyer, designated for Salvation Army. People bring wrapped presents that are delivered to the Salvation Army for distribution to area lesser-privileged children.
For the fourth consecutive year Bethel will participate in the Operation Christmas Child ministry of Samaritan's Purse. The Christmas ministry of MCC is also presented to the congregation for individual involvement and offerings.
Each year the church choir participates in a fund-raising radio and television program with the local Salvation Army. Area people make pledges in honor of participating musicians.
a theme leading up to Christmas Day when the celebration is complete. The theme this year is "The First Light," with Sunday focuses on hope, peace, love and joy. Special music each week centers around the pastor's message.
Many of the Christmas activities In the Bible Fellowship congregation of Rapid City, S.D., will focus on needs In the community. AII-church caroling to nursing homes followed by a soup supper fellowship was Dec. 5. Gifts are purchased for children whose parent(s) are in prison and then distributed to their homes. Sweets and cookies are also donated and distributed to prisoners in
AIUIMOi CfJIIOi
One of the outreach ministries of Reedley (Calif.) MB Church Is a Christmas Carol Festival presented during the advent season. The festival is one of the major productions of the-muslc department developed by Pastor Bob Plett during his 27 years on the church staff in the area of worship and music. This year's festival will be the 10th under Plett's leadership.
Senior Pastor Dennis Fast says, "Preparing and producing the Christmas Carol Festival is a huge undertaking but also becomes a great rallying point for the church.
the local jail. A Christmas party is held for neighborhood children through Good News Clubs and a meal and service are shared at the Cornerstone Mission. Special services at the church this year Include the musical "Christmas Chlld-Samaritan's Purse" presented by children and youth, a Christmas Eve service and an Awana club birthday party for Jesus .•
qo4,peL wiJI"
It requires the use of many talents and gifts and allows people to work together that normally don't interact." A typical pattern involves "closing" the Fellowship Hall the second week of November as crews begin set design and construction. This year over 30 men, former builders and craftsmen, volunteered to participate in the construction phase.
By the first weekend of December the Fellowship Hall was transformed into a winter wonderland with store fronts, snow covered bridges, functioning waterfalls and
Women's Ministry Service presents an annual Christmas party for community women in early December. Neighbors and friends join for a ladies night out. Last year there were nearly as many guests as Bethel women. A special program, soup and sandwich supper and Christmas goodies are part of the event.
The music committee prepares for each advent Sunday developing
A Christmas Eve children's program, planned by the Christian education board, will include the beginning Sunday school department as well as a Christmas musical by kindergarten through grade 12 children. In the musical "The Christmas S.O.C.C.E.R. Team" children think they are going to soccer practice only to find they are actually at a meeting of the "Society of Christmas Carols Emergency Rescue" where they learn the meaning of some old Christmas carols and discover the importance of Jesus' birth. In light of the fact that the local Christian high school was the South Dakota Class B High School soccer champs in 2002, and 3rd place finishers in 2003, interest is high. Very few churches in the area still have Christmas Eve programs so Bethel Church is filled to near capacity. FollOWing the program, everyone will be treated to the old-time gift of a decorated "peanut bag" filled with peanuts, candies and treats.
a huge pillared porch that doubles as risers for the more than gO-voice choir. Over 300 volunteers join to build sets, present the concerts, prepare and serve desserts, set and clean tables, host guests and many I other behind-the-scenes duties. Seating is available for 300 at each of the 14 presentations where a dessert is served during Intermission. "While the effort is significant, sharing the Gospel with approximately 5,000 people makes all the work worth it for this outreachI minded family of believers," says Fast.•
Christmas morning has another tradition for the Bethel congregation. For over 20 years, Bethel has served a Christmas morning breakfast complete with egg-bake casseroles, home-baked caramel and frosted rolls, milk, and juice. It is a special "family" time because college-age kids, extended family members and others who once called Bethel Church home are present to celebrate and fellowship together.
Christmas morning worship takes on a variety of styles-<antatas, dramas, traditional messages, and more, but always centers on a celebration of Jesus Christ. Christmas Season comes to an end with communion the first Sunday of the New Year. Communion is served at the church, as well as deliveredby deacons to shut-ins in the country and in the community nursing homes.•
Shorelife Community Church of capitola, Calif., showed two films"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and "The Fourth Wiseman" Dec. 6 during Family Movie Night. Admission was a donated toy for the congregation's Angel Tree. The evening also included a visit by the three wisemen, Christmas cookies, nachos
Baptism/membership
Freeman, S.D. {Silver LakeKarissa Becker, Dana Fast, Toby Davis, Nicole Windish, Duane Deckert, Tiffany Davis and Jake Windish gave their testimonies and were baptized Aug. 3.
Sioux Falls, S.D. {Lincoln Hills Bible}RJ. Waggoner, Anna Waggoner, Dustin Warntjes, Richard Swanson, Jessica Fox, Rusty Fox, Dean Randall, Tammy Randall and Micah Collison were welcomed as new members in September.
Hillsboro, Kan. (Parkview}-Jim, Karen and Joshua Elliott were welcomed as members Sept. 28.
Fairview, Okla.-Shelia Beckner, Charlie Burlison and Waynetta Burlison were received as members by testimony Oct. 19.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen Bible}-Andrea Bradley, Erica Bradley, Tim Denari, Shannon Lueck, Jenny Munt, Doug Pierce, Emily Pierce, Sharon Pierce, Teddi Pierce, Bethany Turk and Christian Wolfe were baptized the weekend of Nov. 1-2.
Littleton, Colo. {Belleview Community}-Alison Compton was baptized and received into membership Nov. 2. Scott Compton was also welcomed into membership.
Clovis, Calif. {College Community}Hugo and Norma Zorrilla were received into membership Nov. 9.
Celebrations
Weatherford, Okla., (Pine Acres)The congregation will celebrate their 50th anniversary January 25, 2004. All former members and attenders are invited to join for the celebration beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. Activities will conclude in the afternoon.
Ministry
Charlotte, N.C.-Vladimir and Nina Muzichuk and their twin daughters have moved from Seattle, Wash., to Charlotte to begin a new church among the more than 15,000 Slavic people living in that city. The Muzichuks, from Seattle's Harvest Christian Center congregation, have felt the "call of the Lord" to begin this ministry, and the North Carolina District Conference has indicated their desire to partner with this new ministry. Vladimir has
and hot chocolate. Dec. 14 the children will present the musical "It Must be Christmas." Shorelife together with three other churches will host a Christmas Eve candlelight Service. "This event allows for our smaller churches to share our gifts with one another, " writes Bev Peltzer.•
been vice president of the Power of the Cross Ministry led by Yury Chernyetzky. The couple has been joined by others to form the nucleus of the church plant. Integrated Ministries Director Loyal Funk asks for prayer for this new venture.
Workers
Hillsboro, Kan. {ParkviewKord Werth resigned as youth pastor effective the end of the semester.
Fresno. Calif. {Bethany}-Peng Wen was licensed through the Pacific District for ministry in the Bethany Chinese Christian Fellowhship Church which meets in the Bethany Church on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Lodi, Calif. (Vinewood}-Rod Suess, currently pastor of Butler MB Church of Fresno, Calif., has accepted the call to serve as senior pastor. He and his wife Janeen will begin their ministry next month.
Deaths
ENNS, PETER A., Dinuba, Calif., of the Dinuba MB Church, was born Sept. 16, 1914, to Nickolia Peter and Anna Harms Enns in Dinuba, and died June 20, 2003, at the age of 88. For 65 years he was married to Sophie, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Eugene and wife Phyllis, Melvin and wife Karen all of Kingsburg, Calif., and Ken and wife Karin of Dinuba; one daughter, Virginia Wiens of Sacramento, Calif.; two brothers, David
and wife Anna of Dinuba, and Nick and wife Rosemary of Kingsburg; two sisters, Tina Golbek and Elizabeth Block of Reedley, Calif., 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
GOSSEN, PAULINE STOBBE, Com, Okla., member of Corn MB Church, was born May 26,1914, on a farm near Corn to John and lizze Wiens Stobbe, and died Aug. 2, 2003, at the age of 89. On Jan. 1, 1934, she was married to John Wesley Gossen, who predeceased her. She is survived by five daughters, Joan and husband Archie Franz of Corn, Marelyn and husband Dave Gerbrandt of Clinton, Okla., carolyn and husband Ken Javorsky of Bessie, Okla., Jeanette and husband Larry Grunau of Corn and Margaret and husband Ray Smith of Nacogdoches, Tex.; one brother; Dan and wife Linda Stobbe of Corn; and one sister, Edna Bergman of Corn, 17 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
KLIEWER, JOHN BERNARD, Reedley, Calif., member of Reedley MB Church, was born January 15,1915, to Henry and Margaretha Gunther near Corn, Okla., and died Sept. 25, 2003. In 1945, he was married to Ruth Fast who survives. He is also survived by John, Phil and Lyle Kliewer and their families.
MENDAL, MICHAEL F. JR, Houston, Tex., member of Garden Park MB Church of Denver; Colo., was born Jan. 31,1934, to Mike F. and Emma Hofer Mendel, and died Sept. 25, 2003 at the age of 69. He is survived by one brother, Dennis and wife Thelma of Sun City, Ariz. and their family.
REGIER, SOPHIA M. FRANTZ, North Platte, Neb., member of Enid (Okla.) MB Church, was born May 3, 1914, to Peter P. and Sarah Frantz in Boyd, Okla., and died October 31,2003, at the age of 89. On April 18, 1943, she was married to Daniel R. Regier who predeceased her. She is survived by three daughters, Delores and husband Keith Hanneman of Overland Park, Kan., Evelyn and husband Norman Slade of Fruita, Colo., and Marcella and husband Gary Hofer of North Platte, Neb., seven grandchildren and two great grandsons.
UNRUH, JACOB, Reedley, Calif., member of Reedley MB Church, was born March 31, 1912, in the Ukraine, and died Oct. 7, 2003, at the age of 91. On July 3, 1932, he was married to Anna who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Judith and husband Paul Hackmann and Hulda Unruh, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren .•
INDIA FEB 4-23
$2900
PHIUPPINES FEB I8-MAR 8 $2700
PARAGUAY MAR 17-APR 5
$2600
GERMANY APR 14-MAY 3 $2800
NIGERIA APR 21-MAY 10 $3600
FDI (sruOENTS) MAY 3-JUN 7 $4000
RUSSIA MAY 12-31 $2800
UKRAINE MAY 16-JUN 14 $2800
PERU JUN 2-21 $2600
CoNGO JUN 9-28 $3600
INDONESIA AUG 4-23 $2700
ECUADOR AUG 18-5EP 6 $2600
UKRAINE 5EP 2-20 $2800
THAILAND 5EP 9-27 $2900
MEXICO 5EP 29-0CT 18 $2400
CoLOMBIA Nov 3-22 $2600
INDIA Nov 10-29 $2900
We are looking for ordinary people who want to help churches overseas bring others into God's family.
1fow about 1/ou?
AlL PRICES ARE IN CANADIAN DOLLARS. PLEASE CALl FOR THE US EQlJlVAlENT. CAMPAIGNS MAY BE ADDED, RESCttEDULED OR CANCELLED BASED ON PARnOPANT RESPONSE. CHURCHES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPONSER • MEMBERS ON OMI MISSIONS. a ministry of MOMS International --'
