COMEDIAN FLIP WILSON found a handy, if laughable, scapegoat for personal foibles back in the 1970s: "The devil made me do it!" In the 1990s, novelist Frank Peretti and others have a lot of Christians glancing behind bushes and in the clouds for spiritual battles of a more corporate and eschatalogical sort.
Somewhere between parody and paranoia lies the truth about supernatural evil. Tim Geddert mines the principles we can gather from the stories and teachings of Scripture. You'll be stimulated to read his conclusions (page 4).
Author Richard Foster once offered the provocative notion that money is not so much an inanimate object we possess, as a personable force that too often possesses us. Gary Hardaway doesn't go quite that far in his article (page 7), but his perspectives on stewardship and materialism should provoke all of us to good and generous deeds. Are we addicted to affluence? Ouch.
How does a natural emotion or behavior lure us beyond the bounds of appropriate behavior? Katie Funk Wiebe helps identify that fine line between the holy and unholy-and what it takes to stand firm on the side of faithfulness (page 11). As one who has crossed that line more times than I dare admit, I commend her thoughtful article to you.
Please take note of our articles on Assembly 13 of Mennonite World Conference in our Bodylife department (page 21). Before you assume this gathering in India next January is beyond your reach, consider the many benefits of such an adventure. This much I know: your world would be richer and broader for the experience.
May the same be said of the time you spend reading this issue!-DR
COMING
• FEBRUARY 4-6-New pastors' orientation, Fresno, Calif.
• FEBRUARY 7-9-School for Ministry, MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Calif. Theme: "Spirituality and Quality;" speakers: Norman Shawchuck, Herb Miller, J. Alfred Smith and Matt Hannan.
• FEBRUARY 15-17-U.S. Conference joint board meetings, Wichita, Kan .
• MARCH 31-APRIL 2-"Engaging the Powers," MCC Washington Office Spring Seminar.
• JULY 22-26-Basic Institute in Conflict Management and Mediation, sponsored by the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies; held at Fresno Pacific College
• JULY 26-29-U.S. Conference biennial convention, Colorado Springs, Colo.
VOLUME 59, NUMBER 2
FEATURES
4 Demonization: A biblical view
Our response to the idea of demonic activity may run the gamut from disbelief to paranoia. Here's an attempt to understand the work of Satan from a biblical basis. BY TIM GEDDERT
7 Money trapped?
Our disposable income has increased, but giving to the church is on the decline. Are we stewards or consumers of our material blessings? BY GARY HARDAWAY
11 Crossing the line
The division between appropriate behavior and destructive behavior is often a fuzzy one. How do we know when we've gone too far? BY KATIE FUNK WIEBE
DEPARTMENTS
• Learning French wasn't easy Inquiring Minds
• Proposition 187 / Attending movies BodyLife
• FOCUS: Mennonite World Conference 21
• Answering your questions about India 1997 24
• AIMM, MBM/S reach into Senegal 26
• Estes '95 funds to aid Zaire choir tour 27
• Would Jesus be an All-Star?
ART CREDITS: Cover and page 4, Ed Wa I/o witch,' page 9, Orley Friesen; page 12, Cleo Freelance Photography,' page 21, Mennonite Weekly Review graphic by Rich Preheim.
by Marvin Hein 20
EDITOR
Don Ratzlaff
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Connie Faber
BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Ron Braun (chair), Noelle Dickinson, Jeanie Klaassen, Herb Schroeder, Kathy Heinrichs Wiest
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These are three true experiences. I've slightly modified a detail or two to protect the victims (and myself). The oft-repeated "I think" is there because I want to report honestly. I cannot disbelieve in the reality of demonism any longer. But that doesn't mean I always know whether a troubled person is being "demonized," or that I understand what happens when so-called "exorcism" takes place.
I believe some people have a clearly trustworthy gift of "discerning spirits." I'm not one of them. Nor am I sure the people I've known who have claimed to have this gift really did. At any rate I'm pretty sure that those most prone to "discern demons" in every imaginable situation are not the most discerning of people. But the fact that some people find demons where they are not to be found does not mean they are nowhere and exert no influence.
Few things are more "demonic" than so-called "exorcists" trying to persuade all suffering people that they not only are sick and hurting, but also "possessed."
things is complex. We are told that sin preceded sickness in the world and occasioned it (Gen. 3:16-20). We are also told that sickness will not be obliterated from the world before sin is (Rev. 21:4). According to Paul, specific illness can be caused by specific sin (1 Cor. 11 :30), and according to James, times of prayer for physical healing are sometimes appropriate occasions to deal with sin in our lives (Jas. 5:14-15). But sometimes a connection between sickness and sin is explicitly denied (In. 9:2-3). Sometimes "demonism" is linked to physical illnesses (Mk. 9: 17-18). Most times it is not (Lk. 9: 1-2).
This is not another "how to" article-how to identify demons, how to drive them out. I've read some pretty bizarre "how to" articles and a few pretty good ones. What we need more than "how to's" is more discussion on what it means to be "biblical" as we try to understand this difficult topic.
For some people, "being biblical" means reading Bible stories about demonism and then looking to see if the same things are happening around us. For some, "being biblical" means seeing how demons were "exorcised" in Bible times and then trying to do the same thing. But this simplistic approach can be decidedly unbiblical. It often completely ignores the real meaning and purpose of the biblical "exorcism reports."
But I suggest that this apply-the-stories approach is often unbiblical for an even more serious and subtle reason: Far too often we read our understanding of the language of exorcism into biblical texts, and then delight to see that the texts come out supporting our viewpoints.
That's unbiblical. and dangerous.
What follows are five proposals that can help us be more "biblical" in our attempt to understand demonism and God's victory.
• It is unbiblical to have a simplistic view of the relationship between sin, sickness, demonism and God's purpose.
Biblically, the relationship between these
It is biblical to see "the Destroyer" at work whenever sickness or demonism destroys people. It is also clearly biblical to affirm that where "the Destroyer" is at work, there God is also at work, seeking to bring about his purposes-whether that means healing or comforting, or lifting our eyes beyond the evils we suffer to the coming victory of God. It is unbiblical to claim demonism is always present when sickness or sin destroy human lives. We need sensitivity and discernment. Few things are more "demonic" than so-called "exorcists" trying to persuade all suffering people that they not only are sick and hurting, but also "possessed." That leads to my second point.
It is unbiblical to use "demon-possession" language as our only way of talking about "demonism."
When demonic power plagues individuals, the Bible describes this in many different ways. "Having a demon" or "being possessed by a demon" are not the only ones. Because these have been misunderstood and overused, the most biblical approach may be to avoid these ways of describing demonism altogether-at least until we can refill these concepts with biblical content.
To be "demonized" is the most neutral biblical term. In the Bible, no deliberate attempt is made to determine whether demons are "possessing" (living inside) or "oppressing" (working from the outside). Both descriptions are used and both are metaphorical. "Casting out" and "driving away" are two ways of describing God's victory in such situations. Our modern translations are often very deceiving. In the Bible there is also no indication that non-Christians experience "demonization" in ways that Christians don't.
Biblically speaking, "demonizing" is one of the ways God's enemy tries to destroy people. Satan himself is described many different ways in the Bible. So are demons. So is demonization. Anyone who claims to have a neat system that explains how demonism works is automatically unbiblical. People who live with the constant fear that they might be demonized probably need help dealing with their fears, not with demons.
Anyone who claims to have a neat system that explains how demonism works is automatically unbiblical.
• It is unbiblical to reject plausible medical and psychological explanations for what the Bible often calls "demonization."
Some "demonized" people whose cures were reported in the gospels probably suffered epilepsy; others probably suffered schizophrenia. I've heard people say we are being "unbiblical" if we give medical and psychological explanations for what the Bible calls "demonic." That reveals a profound misunderstanding of what it means to be biblical.
An example can help explain this. The biblical word for "leprosy" does not mean exactly what the English word "leprosy" means. That's why many modern translations have started translating the biblical word as "infectious skin disease" (see Lev. 13:2 in the New International Version). We use the English word too narrowly to be a correct translation. If we insisted that only the English word "leprosy" were acceptable in these texts, we would be unbiblical.
It is the same with "demonization." The biblical (Le. Greek) word daimonizomai is a broader term than our English word "demonize"-and certainly far broader than some people use the English term "demon-possessed." When our use of the English word "demonize" excludes in principle such things as epilepsy and schizophrenia, then our English word is no longer a suitable translation of the broader biblical word-just as in the case of leprosy.
What if Luke 9:42 were translated this way: "the epilepsy threw him to the ground in a convulsion." Can you imagine the outcry: "Heresy! They're trying to explain away demon possession! That's unbiblical!" The cries would come the loudest from those who are sure there are always "supernatural beings" inside of people, like the poor boy Luke described. If we continue to exclude all medically diagnos-
able mental illnesses from our understanding of "demonization," we'll be forcing the translators to avoid this English term. And it won't be the translators who are then being unbiblical!
• It is unbiblical to restrict our "methods of cure" to those that are described in the Bible. We don't do that for tonsillitis. We don't do it for leprosy-nor for other "infectious skin diseases"! And we should not do it for "demonization."
"Setting a bone" is "biblical"-it is a legitimate thing for orthopedic surgeons to do when they believe a bone needs setting. And this remains true even though sometimes the need for "setting a bone" may be a wrong diagnosis, even though bones are sometimes set badly, and even though Jesus sometimes healed cripples by saying, "Stand up and walk."
Similarly, using psychotherapeutic techniques is "biblical" -it is a legitimate thing for skilled therapists to do, even though the need for it may sometimes be a misdiagnosis, even though it may sometimes be badly done, and even though Jesus cured some "demonized" people by saying, "Come out of him, you unclean spirit!"
Despite everything already said, it is unbiblical to claim that all mental/spiritual illnesses can be correctly diagnosed and effectively cured without reference to the demonic and without calling down God's power to miraculously "deliver" a "demonized person."
I wish I did not have to believe this. I want the world to be predictable and normal and wholesome. I don't want to have to reckon with demons. But the world is even more unpredictable and abnormal and weird if the enemy is seeking to "kill and steal and destroy" and we don't take into consideration all of the ways he does his damage. I believe one of these ways is through "demonization," something not easy to diagnose, understand or deal with. That's why, when I talk about demonization, I often say "I think."
That's also why I would call to my side a competent biblical theologian and not just an "experienced exorciser" if I were confronted with a situation where I had reason to believe some form of demonization was at work. •
Tim Geddert is associate professor of New Testament at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno.
1M'S YOUNG FAMILY, with a passion for baseball, finds a free evening to travel to the city andcatch a home game of their favorite team. Tim feels like a kid again. He wants everybody to have a great time. In all the excitement, he feels like splurging a little.
Actually, he feels like splurging a lot. He doesn't want to say no to his kids' enthusiastic pleas for hot dogs, cokes, pizzas, souvenirs and paraphernalia. The most expensive items in the last category are four shiny windbreakers with the team's logo. Before the night is through, Tim has dropped more than $600 on the outing. Though not completely comfortable with what he's done, the pure delight beaming from his kids' faces helps to make him feel it's been worthwhile.
Later, as he and his wife try to sort out their finances, they reluctantly conclude they will not be able to give any offering to the church for the next two or three months.
Darren and Viki, a young couple, both with stressful jobs, have gone for several months without much time for each other. At last they plan a long weekend together. Armed with a credit card, they book a quick flight to the Bahamas and spend three days at a fabulous beachside hotel. They come back tanned, rested and about $3,000 poorer.
Amber, who works in a bank, knows the value of saving-after a fashion. She put away a hundred dollars each month last year and hopes to save even more this year. Then, she says, she hopes to have enough money to make a down payment on a new car. She doesn't realize yet that the payment on the new car will take more discretionary income than she has; the interest alone will almost equal the amount she is used to saving.
The porcupine syndrome
All of the above are semi-fictitious Christians. Each probably exists somewhere in this reading audience. And, if we change a few details, many of us-maybe most of us-will recog-
by GARY HARDAWAY
In this age of affluence, church ministries struggle to fund their progra1ns. Maybe we should ask ourselves: Are we pursuing the riches of the gospel or the gospel of riches?
nize some aspect of ourselves in their spending choices.
Discussing these choices isn't easy. Most of us get rather prickly if we sense our lifestyle choices are being critiqued. We believe our spending habits are nobody's business but our own. Questions about how we spend money are invasions of our privacy, acts of hostility. We will allow our pastor to preach about stewardship in vague generalities, but the more specific the message, the more defensive we get. Don't lay a guilt trip on us. We are individuals, with unique
Addicted to affluence?
WHEN WE have to possess certain products, say "yes" to certain desires to spend, or maintain a certain image, we are addicted to affluence. This disease can be disguised as long as we maintain a fairly high level of income. It reveals its ugly side when income slides, resulting in increased borrowing, an inability to scale expenses down, an unwillingness to sacrifice our comfort level, and general denial that less income requires adjustment. Withdrawal symptoms betray our desperate condition.
The addiction can take root in various parts of our personality. Some people deal with depression by going on a buying spree. For them, self-indulgent consuming becomes an escape from reality, a kind of drug to relieve the pain of financial or other problems.
Others, influenced profoundly by advertising and peers, cannot bear to appear less than affluent and hip. The clothes, cars, house furnishings, and other possessions primarily serve to communicate to the world an upscale social image. To fail to wear designer sportswear, exquisite jewelry or elaborate cosmetics would signal a severe decline in status and identity. The brand name, the display, the effort to impress are everything.
Addiction is a spiritual problem and requires spiritual intervention. Confession and repentance, while necessary, don't always solve the problem. We need to seek help from someone we trust and to whom we can become accountable. It will involve opening our private impulses and purchases to the kind scrutiny and loving guidance of others. The addict needs to learn a new set of behaviors and responses that will take time to build and strengthen.
Paul the apostle had no quarrel with affluence per se. Without apology he told the Philippians, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty." He did not particularly glorify or prefer poverty. However, whether in plenty or in want, he had learned to be content, "whatever the circumstances." (phil. 4:11-12).
No artificial appetite controlled Paul's spirit. Whatever his economic situation, Paul went about his business as usual. Our aim is the same: contentment and consistent faithfulness.-GH
needs, interests and goals. No one else can legislate how we manage our expenses.
So we build a fortress around our own practice of stewardship-or lack thereof.
Some of our defensiveness is justifiable. We are unique individuals, with unique sets of needs and justifications. For several years I couldn't afford a computer, so I tried to get along without one-as all previous generations have done. More recently, I became able to afford a computer. Due to my work, studies, correspondence and other writing, I have concluded I can no longer afford not to have one.
If someone questions the considerable expense of my home computer system, I should be able to explain its rationale. But, if I adopt a porcupine posture, something's wrong with my attitude and possibly my stewardship.
Open to guidance
The church has a responsibility to discuss lifestyle issues with its members. It has a duty to challenge the hundreds of commercials pumped daily into our homes that goad us to consume, consume, consume. Mature Christians need to counsel younger ones regarding financial management and overall stewardship of God's resources. We all need to hear biblical preaching that targets contemporary values and standards of living. All of us could learn to economize more effectively and live more simply. To deny these truths is to embrace a defective, worldly materialism.
Will we free our Christian community to instruct us about spending wisely, or will we hide behind the facade of privacy? Are we open to gUidance?
Not long ago, a newly converted Christian couple, making considerable money but deep in debt, recognized they needed help. They contacted a mature couple in their church to ask for counseling about their situation. They didn't know much about stewardship, but now they're learning. And now they are giving more to the Lord's work than before.
Some sobering facts
John and SylVia Ronsvalle of Empty Tomb Ministries have- extensively researched income and church giving in the United States over the last 30 years or so. They report that U. S. per capita disposable personal income increased 48 percent between 1968 and 1992. Disposable income means the kind we can decide how to
Just as we should avoid impulse buying, we need to avoid impulse giving •.•• Though some crisis appeals are legitimate, many are designed to manipulate us.
spend. One would expect giving to increase because people have more funds under their control. Instead, they say, "the church is receiving a smaller portion of member incomes, in spite of increased resources available to the typical American." In fact, members gave less per capita in 1991 than in 1933, at the depths of the Great Depression.
As per capita giving to church decreased, churches invested a lower percentage of their budgets in global mission and ministries beyond the local church. Throughout North America, missions have had to trim, squeeze, cut back and boost efforts at fund-raising.
If God's people had lost disposable income, missions would have to accept downsizing as necessary and inevitable. But as our assets-new cars, swimming pools, computers, big screen 'IVs, designer clothes,cellular phones, spacious homes-accumulate, we must account to God and to our Christian community whether we are managing God's resources or merely consuming them. And as our leisure time expenses-vacations, dining out, sports events, recreation, hobbies, casual travel-take thousands of dollars of family income, we must examine our priorities and how we apply them to our lifestyles.
Do I live to give?
God loves a cheerful giver-someone who give's not only generously but joyfully. A cheerful giver takes great pleasure in investing in ministries that advance the name and work of Jesus Christ. She or he lives to give-not just money, but time and energy for the sake of the kingdom of Christ. Do I live to give? Do you?
Many church members do not. According to the folks at Empty Tomb, statistics show that while the average church member in the United States spent $1,600 on leisure in 1992, he or she gave $366 to the church. Of that $366, $20 went to overseas ministries. This average member
spends twice as much as he or she gives on meals, beverages and soft drinks.
According to our conference giving records, Mennonite Brethren rank near the top in giving per member, surpassing this low standard fourfold. Many of our members love to give, even live to give. That's worth celebrating, but the figures also conceal a darker secret: beneath the solid layer of tithers and sacrificial givers lies another tier of much less-committed church people.
Though it's impossible to prove, anecdotal evidence suggests that some members give close to nothing. For this minority, God's work rates less than having cable lV. The faithful tithers raise our denominational average, making all of us look a lot better.
If we each tithed, we would have no problems sustaining local and global mission. In fact, our agencies and ministries would have a problem figuring out what to do with all the funds!
Mature Christians give a healthy percentage of their time, talent and treasure to the Lord because they know their gifts translate into souls saved, lives changed, and churches planted. They prefer to amass treasure in heaven that lasts rather than accumulate things that eventually go to the rummage sale or junk yard.
Mature Christians give regularly and systematically. And they give out of principle and conviction. Just as we should avoid impulse buying, we need to avoid impulse giving. Some "ministries" have decided that the best way to raise money is to plan three well-timed "crises" a year: "If you don't send your check immediately, we will have to shut down." Though some crisis appeals are legitimate, many are designed to manipulate us. Our best defense is a well-crafted giving plan that we have prayed about and are committed to.
But what if we've spent and borrowed ourselves into a hole? How does one crawl out? We start by setting a regular giving goal, even if it's low. Something like "With the Lord's help I commit myself to giving $10 a week for this year." Having made this commitment, we regard it as important as rent or any regular bill. Ies a good idea to tell the church treasurer what our goal is-not to be hassled if we don't come through, but to have someone also aware and supportive of our intention.
Before we settle for a giving goal that's too low, however, we should look hard at our spending patterns. If we are spending more on skiing, soft drinks, or cable lV than we give to the Lord, we ought to have the courage to admit it. After
RISONER'S BASE was a favorite game when I was a child. We often played at that magical hour of twilight. Two teams lined up about 20 to '" 30 feet apart. Players of both sides edged as close as possible to an imaginary line separating the two teams and dared members of the - other team to catch them. Players who were tagged were held prisoner until a member of one's own team risked running into enemy territory to free the waiting player.
Much of life is similar to that game of prisoner's base. A thin line separates freedom and joy from the trapped feeling of uncertainty and despair. Walking in the full light of God's love is often but a step from slugging through the darkness of sin and evil.
Consider the following:
• Eating is a wholesome activity, necessary for life. It is important to eat nourishing food regularly. Yet at some point, some people cross the line and are taken prisoner by gluttony. Eating, something good and necessary, becomes harmful. Where is the dividing line? At three potato chips? At four? At 24?
• Righteous anger is justified in Scripture. "In your anger do not sin," Paul wrote to the Ephesian church. We need more people who are disturbed by injustice and the way "little people" get trampled into the dust. We need people who are angry about political corruption and have a passion for truth and righteousness. But you cross the
On the one side, we have a legitimate behavior or emotion. Then we cross the line, and what was good becomes ugly and hurtful to ourselves and others.
line when a passion for keeping life as you like it erupts into violence and becomes destructive to others.
• We have all-I hope!-at times admired the beauty of a person of the opposite sex. Physical attraction is good and wholesome. God made men handsome and women beautiful for a purpose. But when this healthy admiration turns to lust and to the misuse of the man or woman as a sex object to satisfy physical hunger, the line has been crossed. That admiration becomes a sin and passion takes us prisoner.
•I enjoy seeing people who are visibly alive. Their eyes, posture, the tone of their voice tell me they like living. I enjoy seeing people enthusiastic about their work. I am inspired when I see people moving into the work of the kingdom as if it was a six-day basketball game.
But who hasn't seen this zeal turn on itself and become a cold clambering for power and position? It happens among young adults, among middle-aged adults, among older adults.
Some people cross the line in other ways. I have seen college students, in their great desire to serve the Lord, dismiss academic work as unessential when opportunities for Christian service are plentiful. What's English composition when stacked against the chance to sing with
a musical group? The students cross the line by rejecting the hard work of studying to do something they have determined as God's will.
I praise God daily for people who can think logically and who have added to it the gift of wisdom. Instead of using this faculty of reasoning, some people cross a line, making themselves prisoners of their own system of rationalizations, and substitute them for reason. They become encased in a cement wall of their own opinions and can't find a way out-nor do they want to.
I could keep giving illustrations, but here's one last one. Self-respect, more commonly referred to as self-esteem, is needed to keep us functioning as whole people, yet this healthy selfrespect can easily slip over the line and change to manipulative pride.
The Quakers were known for their modesty, especially in dress. All wore grey clothes in conservative styles. Among them were wealthy Quakers who went to Paris to find materials of special quality, but in the right shade of grey that would indicate their wealth and position. This special cloth became known as "Quaker linen" and satisfied their pride.
We all have a tremendous need to be stroked and in control. A need for encouragement changes into unhealthy digging for flattery. A desire to be a caring leader becomes an itch to learn the intimate details of other people's problems.
On the one side, we have a legitimate behavior or emotion. Then we cross the line, and what was good becomes ugly and hurtful to ourselves and others. And the strange thing is, we usually know when we have crossed the line, when eating and drinking have become gluttony and thoughtful contributions to a conversation have become harsh opinions, or when the excitement of doing the Lord's work is only an excuse to get out of family or school responsibilities.
The apostle Paul knew about the problem of staying on the holy living side of the line. He wrote to the Galatian church, "Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Gal. 5:16). In 2 Corinthians, he writes that the spiritual person makes judgments, or evaluates, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Simply put, the Spirit can keep us from crossing the line into sin.
But the question always is how this happens. It's not like logging onto a divine Internet by pressing a few keys. I've known of Christians who longed for clear heavenly signs to guide them. A Gideon's fleece would be welcome. I have often
BY PHILIP WIEBE
Ducking surefire romance
These days it isn Jt enough to merely be in love with your spouse. You also have to be highly romantic.
My WIFE AND I recently observed our 10th wedding anniversary; a milestone, according to deeply concerned parties such as the advertising industry, calling for significantly romantic gifts like diamonds and tropical vacations.
How, then, would Kim and I choose to celebrate? With jewelry, Hawaii, or what? After much deliberation, we decided to throw caution to the wind. And I must say the dinner and movie were pretty good. OK, we never really planned to blow a major wad on some 10th anniversary extravagance, due to moral convictions such as we can't afford it. Anyway, what's the big deal? Last year my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary, compared to which our 10th seems kind of tiny and cute.
Maybe I have the wrong attitude; maybe I should be more alarmed. It seems like I'm always coming across magazine articles about spicing up dull or deteriorating marriages, generally defined as any marriage over three years old. These days it isn't enough to merely be in love with your spouse. You also have to be highly romantic.
In earlier times couples didn't seem as concerned about heavy romance as we are. Depression-era folks didn't have extra time or money to spend on fancy dates and tropical getaways, whereas we modern couples don't have extra time or money to spend on them either, but we do anyway. Maybe that's why, as compared to Depression-era folks, we're a lot more depressed.
But romance is here to stay, so
we may as well grin and bear it. So to speak. With so many great ideas out there for getting more romance into our marriages, the only problem we face is that there are so many great ideas out there for getting more romance into our marriages. Still, when love experts offer their latest suggestions for fanning the flames of passion, it would be wise to respond. By running away as fast as possible.
Early in my marriage, for example, I followed a tip to surprise Kim with a cozy fireside dinner right in our own living room. I set a candlelit table, put on soft music and prepared a gourmet meal. To which Kim responded, when she got home, by fainting right into a coma. No, just kidding, but she did swoon with delight and glide off to change into "something more comfortable" (sweatpants and a ratty T-shirt). When we snuggled into our chairs to pop open a bottle of sparkling apple cider, the sparks started flying. Literally. Chimney fire!
This really happened. The cranky old wood stove in the house we were renting chose that moment to spit flames from its chimney pipe, occasioning a surprise visit from the fire department and a stern lecture on proper chimney maintenance. So much for romance.
The problem is that real-world romance, unlike the neatly plotted varieties found in magazines and novels and movies, can lead to realworld results:
Romance tip: Scatter fresh-cut flowers all over bedroom. Result: Exhausted spouse flops on bed,
inciting passionate trip to hospital to have several dozen rose thorns removed fromposterior.
Romance tip: Go out to trendy new eatery. Result: Spouse severely disagrees that formal attire was necessary for grand opening of new Taco Bell.
Romance tip: Whisk spouse away for romantic weekend out of town. Result: Spouse somewhat miffed to be whisked away while you stay home and watch the playoffs on TV.
So you can see that surefire romance can become dangerous in the hands of actual, breathing people. Real couples might be better off sticking to more basic relationship concepts, such as not talking with their mouths full. I mean it. Surveys show over and over that expensive diamonds, fancy vacations and big nights out on the town are far less effective for promoting marital bliss than doing each other's dishes, vacuuming each other's cars and massaging each other's neck muscles after a stressful day's work.
Today's couples don't want more excitement, they want more sleep. So when they help each other out, entirely on purpose out of pure sappy love, they're on their way to serious passion. Which puts a different spin on useful romance tips:
Romance tip: Scatter freshly pulled weeds all over mulch pile. Response: Spouse tackles you with a spontaneous bear-hugat prospect of not having to pull weeds for 18th weekend in a row.
Romance tip: Go out to trashy old eatery. Response: Spouse kisses you meaningfully for not having to change out of sweatpants and ratty T-shirt.
Romance tip: Whisk the kids away for a fun evening out. Response: Just the kids. You two stay home. Need I say more?
I won't anyway. Kim and I are due for a romantic night of changing into something more comfortable and scraping our bathtub scum.
Selfishness is the issue
It was good to see a series of articles on the subject of race Oanuary). But I would like to redefine or clarify some of the terminology used.
"Racism" is an unfortunate word. The word does not even appear in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, printed in 1950. In a Random House dictionary printed in the mid-1970s, the definitions deal more with prejudice than power.
The area of power and race has been introduced into the discussion relatively recently. If you look at the belief system of the power brokers who use the term, coupled with the power theme, you'll find a tendency toward dialectic thinking. For these people, the only way to resolve the conflict is through direct confrontation, perhaps even violence. Read and listen to more than the sound bites of Louis Farrakhan and Malcolm X.
This is the real question for the Christian: Did God create one race, or are there different races with the possibility of some being superior or inferior to others? Even by using the word "race," we are accepting the presumptions of the term. We must adjust our rhetoric to match our belief system.
If the problem is not one of race, what is it? It is a problem of selfishness for the comfort and security of sameness. This problem is not solved by creating token board positions, by pretending to reach out to other groups when a real heart for the gospel may not exist, or by emphasizing diversity over unity. These methods are confrontational not unifying. They bypass the point of our unity: the indwelling Holy Spirit making us the Body of Christ.
Collin Brendenmuehl Edmond, Okla.
Ethnic turnaround
If a stranger from outside the Russian-German fold visited our church service in the North Enid (Okla.) MB Church during the 1920s, he was stared at and whispered about. He would have been very uncomfortable in our (monoethnic) fellowship.
WHAT READERS SAY
Pontius' Puddle
r--",c KEY lS'--O
CONf:Lle:r
Sunday, Dec. 24, was a time of contrast for Mennonite Brethren my age. We have turned 180 degrees here at Bethany MB Church in Fresno. The four babies we dedicated on Christmas Eve were from four different ethnic groups: Chinese, Nigerian, caucasian, and hispanic. The parents involved understood the serious responsibility attached to the event. God's name be. praised! Leonard Heinrichs Fresno, Calif.
No more polite rapport
Given President Clinton's gross personal sinfulness, plus policies that stand our nation against four of the Ten Commandments, it's understandable if Debra White's friend doubted the integrity of any Christian supporting Clinton (December Forum). What bothers me about White's essay is its prescription for head-in-sand conflict resolution.
White praises her "true Christian friend" for not trying to persuade her to the Republican side on moral issues. She hails her for acquiescing to moral relativism, making believe a nod to immorality is "valid." The essay broadly recommends that polite rapport will substitute adequately for moral agreement in unifying Christians.
My guess is this was not a close friend. Close friends talk. Liberalism used to mean: "I may disagree with what you say, but I'll defend your right to say it." The New Liberalism means: "I may disagree with what you say, but I'll pretend you are right too if you shut up and let me believe what I like."
My best friends have always tried to persuade me. I respect them for that. But I've forgotten the weasels who say, "Let's agree to disagree." An open-minded opponent listens, replies and then listens again. But a liberal stops you, asserting in effect: "No, I'm right, but your view is right for you." Then the ace of trump: "And if you do not agree that my view is valid, you are mean-spirited, un-Christian, and not my friend." What a Hobbs bargain! Since Paul believed Scripture to be profitable for correction and reproof, presumably friends correct and reprove. In Proverbs, a wise man listens to reproof. Jesus prayed that "they be one even as we are one," but papering over a moral rift never helped unite him to the Father. He prayed. He agreed. "When Peter came to Antioch," says Paul, "I opposed him to his face, because he was wrong." Paul retained Peter's friendship; Christianity retained one united doctrine. Dissent is an art. Highest accolades to those who can engage an opponent sweetly. Weakness in rhetorical art should never be mistaken for true Christian friendship.
Peter Stearns Lodi, Calif.
Apocalyptic problems
The article on the second coming by David Ewert (December) will probably disturb quite a number of people. First, Ewert pities Christians in America who are "falling for prognostications," and names Jack Van Impe and Hal Lindsay. These are men of God who are devoting much of their ministry to prophetic teaching. Not everyone is called to this.
pending the remaining seven years until that age is over. Then the last week of Daniel, seven years, will begin.
The seven years were not stated by the apostle John; they were implicit.
Domingo Jr. Lajoya, Texas
An exceptional hymnal
I want to say how impressed I am with Worship Together. It is a handsome volume and comfortable in the hand; it has very legible print; its scriptural references for each hymn are outstanding; the indexes are com prehensive; and the prayers and other worship resources interspersed with the hymns are exceptional.
I especially like the wide range of hymns the committee has chosen, from the past as well as from every corner of the contemporary church. I do not know of any new hymnal with quite the breadth of approaches to sacred song. I would venture that virtually everyone will find much in the new hymnal that is of great help and value to their worship.
I hope that the response across the denomination and all Christ's church is universally favorable and appreciative because the committee certainly deserves much praise for the outstanding work it has done and for the tremendous worship resource that you give us in Worship Together.
Holy moments
education, discrimination, etc.?
I found a place in the capitol where I could look down the mall over the sea of men. With tears welling up, I celebrated with them silently.
We've been in Washington, D.C., for two years now. We came with the goal of seeing life from another perspective. My husband, Bruce, is a physician in a homeless clinic, where he's had many opportunities to learn to know and value African-Americans for whom life has been very difficult. I am learning to know some women in the housing projects who are working so hard to prepare for their G.E.D. We've gained some understanding of the challenges they face and respect for the courage and determination of many.
We wish you could have been at the Million Man March to catch the spirit of the rally.
We do hope· and pray that collectively we can find ways to support African-Americans and all cultures and races in their search for the meaning, dignity and respect God wills for all people.
jeanette Flaming Washington, D.C.
And then comes the Enns?
Have you ever heard of Enns, Austria? A small group of believers meets near there for Bible study with the goal of starting a church in this historic city.
We are interested in finding out more about the history of the name "Enns." We wonder if the roots of this name go back to the city of Enns. If you have any information that would help us in our search, please share it with us.
Possibly some Ennses have done research in this regard. We would love to hear about it!
Our goal is to discover if there is a connection between these names. If there is, we want to organize an event drawing people with the last name "Enns" to the city of Enns, Austria. This would provide a good opportunity for people in Enns to know our group better and to meet other believers. Please send any information to AI Stobbe, Langenharter Str. 26, A-4300 St. Valentin, Austria, Europe. Telephone/fax 43/7435/58435. E-mail 101453,3127@compuserve.com. Al Stobbe St. Valentin, Austria
Pa.
John Dalles Cheswick,
Thank you so much for your challenging and insightful November editorial on the Million Man March.
We had the opportunity to observe, walk alongside, listen to and interact with some of the multitude of African-American men. It was a deeply moving and inspiring experience to walk among them (at the perimeter) and note the joy, hope and self-respect evident in that orderly crowd. Those were holy moments. It was a time to reflect on the enormous challenges they face and have faced throughout their history in this country. How have we as privileged whites worked to help them rebuild their families and societies that were so shattered by slavery, which was then followed by poverty, limited
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ON THE JOURNEY
BY ROSE BUSCHMAN
Learning French wasn't easy
My recent experiences have taught me that it takes years of hard work to become functional in a new language.
ETCHED INTO my permanent memory bank is the image of a summer morning in 1989 when I was sitting on a roadside curb, sobbing. Minutes before, I had left my class in tears and walked out of the building. The nearest curb was as far as I got.
This happened on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. My husband and I were there for French language study in preparation for our move to Morocco. Before I attempted to learn French, I had always believed that if I worked hard enough I could learn anything I set my mind to learn. Now, my best effort just wasn't good enough. French wasn't coming together for me.
My husband, who had studied the language previously, had an easier time of it, but for me it just wasn't working. I developed a mental block and often ended up in tears. Finally the day came when, during a break, I left my husband a note saying I would come back to pick him up later in the day after classes were over. I drove back to our motel, curled up in bed and finally cried myself to sleep. I felt utterly defeated.
Eventually, after a great deal more effort in Morocco, I was finally able to communicate my needs to our maid, shopkeepers and electrical repairmen in very simple French (accompanied by a lot of gestures) and to read road signs and even newspapers. A Moroccan tutor gave me a French saying which became my motto: Petit a petit, l'oisseau fait son nid (Little by little, the bird builds its nest). Today that motto
still hangs above my desk as an encouragement.
Several years later, you could have scraped me off the ceiling of my Rabat American School classroom on the Friday afternoon after I had conducted a parent-teacher conference, in French, by myself, without an interpreter. This time I cried again, but now they were tears of joy.
Learning a foreign language was not a new thing for me. When I was born, my parents decided their children should learn to speak High German and so that's the first language I learned. When I started school, I had to learn English. I don't remember having much difficulty with it, except that the rule in school was "Anyone who speaks German in class or on the playground has to go to the principal's office." That could mean big trouble.
During a first-grade recess period, a student accused me of saying "medicine" with a German accent which I vehemently denied. (It's not very different from the English pronunciation. )
I was relieved to be able to talk her out of reporting my transgression to the teacher. However, that denial was a lie and for all these years I have carried the burden of that falsehood with me. I feel much better now that I have finally confessed it.
For me, learning English as a young child was much easier than learning French as an older adult. My recent experiences have taught me that it takes years of hard work to become functional in a
new language. You can't do it in one summer.
When I hear people pontificate and demand that all immigrants to this country, no matter what their age, learn to speak English (and quickly, too) I want to ask, "Have you ever learned to speak another language? Do you know how hard it is? Do you know how much effort it takes just to survive in a new culture, let alone learn another language?"
Jesus told those who accused the woman of adultery, that "he that is without sin may cast the first stone." (Tn. 8:7). I want to say to these critics, "If you've never tried to learn a new language, don't be so critical of those who have come to this country and don't speak English immediately. Instead, be more understanding of the difficulties these immigrants face." From my perspective, I believe that we, as Christians, should be much more caring and concerned to help non-English speakers in their efforts rather than be critical of them.
There is a current need for Low German speakers in our conference. Several weeks ago, I was given a copy of a letter circulating among our church leaders asking help for the many Mennonite immigrants from Mexico that are moving into our communities. They speak Low German and need help in adjusting to our culture, learning English and establishing worship services in their own language. In the past we have sent missionaries to tend to their spiritual needs in Mexico. Now they are here on our doorstep. We have, in our conference, people who at one time spoke Low German in their parental homes. It shouldn't be too difficult for some of them to dust off their language skills and become fluent in the language once again.
Anyone willing to make the effort and give it a try?
Roots are unseen, but they find their expression in the light of dar
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INQUIRING MINDS
BY MARVIN HEIN
QWe Californians are not looked upon as very uChristian n by some church people who chide us about Proposition 187 and our unwillingness to receive immigrants who come to our shores, sometimes as persecuted refugees and sometimes just seeking a new start in life. How shall we respond as biblical Christians to this criticism? (CALIFORNIA)
AProposition 187, passed by Californians during the last election, imposes some stringent restrictions on immigration (still not enforced due to court challenges). The key word in the proposition is illegal. It never involved those who come to the United States through legal processes. But it did say that those who are in California illegally should no longer be eligible for benefits such as public education, welfare and other programs.
This is no easy problem to resolve. We Mennonites should be the first to support immigrants. That's how most of our forebears got here. Perhaps at times even illegally, though not often. Those who came illegally certainly asked for nothing from the government.
We also have a theology and polity that demands support of the poor and needy. Moreover, we are part of a nation that has, for generations, been a haven for new arrivals. I am also aware that our perspectives on this issue may differ, depending on our personal experiences (or the lack of them) with it.
This is the question we face: Should our history of caring for the poor compel us to advocate indefinite government support of illegal .immigrants? Many of us voted for Proposition 187 because uncontrolled and illegal immigration was draining limited resources from legal immigrants and other victims of poverty.
Primarily it is the illegality that needs to be addressed. If we concede that illegal immigration is permissible, which other laws can then be broken with impunity? In the Acts 4 incident where the apostles broke the law, it would seem they only broke laws when they directly restricted their spiritual call. Moreover, if our compassion for the admittedly heartbreaking plight of many illegal immigrants causes us to extend a hand of welcome, should that help go on forever?
Is it possible to think of a compromise between the admittedly harshsounding Proposition 187 and the present untenable situation in California and several other border states?
A friend has suggested that a "time limit" for illegal residents might be defensible. In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul tells his readers to keep awayfrom the idle, and then gives them a rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." My friend doesn't think most Californians are racists who want to close the borders to all immigration. They are simply frustrated with seeing their tax dollars go to people who break the law to come here and then refuse to work.
Whatever the answer to this thorny question may be, it should involve an attitude of welcome to immigrants, but an expectation of responsibility within a reasonable period of time.
QWhatever happened to our church rules against movie attendance? (ANONYMOUS)
AWe grew up, or so we thought. We decided our parents had been too strict in forbidding us to attend Hollywood "flicks," so we began to exercise our Christian freedom. Or so we thought! It was too "fundamentalist" to believe you couldn't go to movies as an evangeli-
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? Send it to 'jnquiring Minds, JJ c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.
cal believer. After all, attendance at several "good" movies a year would surely not harm us and would help us relate to unbelievers in our contemporary culture.
Today it is almost impossible to find legitimate, straightforward stories that are not spiced with language and scenes that can hardly be defended by Christian viewers.
I confess that I attend a few movies. And when I do, almost inevitably I am embarrassed by the language, if not the scenes, that seems to add nothing to the story.
What's worse, we Christians pay to bring a lot of what is produced right into our living rooms. Even a superficial inventory of plays, movies and magazines tells me we are morally raping our children and strip-mining our country and its people of our remaining virtues.
What concerns me most is that we have, in the process of turning from our parents' admittedly legalistic views on entertainment, incrementally hardened our hearts to a great variety of sins. We now tolerate a lot of things God says in the Bible we shouldn't even think about.
The answer? I'm not suggesting we return to the simplistic style of our legalistic parents. But I do long for the courage to recognize sin when it appears on the movie screens or TV or in magazine articles.
I covet a growing cadre of believers who, with all their freedom in Christ, will use that freedom to turn the knob on the TV when it degrades righteous living.
I pray for a community of faith that will refuse to patronage the Hollywood fare when it insists on portraying immorality and uses despicable language to do so.
I would even suggest that the time has come when more of us talk to the manager of the video store, the owner of the TV channel, the advertisers on those programs that are unacceptable, or anyone else who has influence in determining what our eyes behold daily.
FOCUS: Mennonite World Conference
Mennonites
• North American MBs urged to consider traveling to India in January '97
PLANS FOR a worldwide Mennonite family gathering are in the works and interested participants have less than a year to get their passports in order and to make travel arrangements for the event.
Mennonite World Conference Assembly 13 will be held in India January 1997. MWC would like to see each Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregation in North America choose two of its members to represent them at India 1997.
"We're looking forward to being together in heaven," says Raul Garcia, MWC chair from Argentina. "Why can't we move a little closer to each other now while we're still on our pilgrimages?"
Mennonite Brethren have additional reasons to consider attending this event, says Edmund Janzen, chair of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB): Mennonite Brethren have the largest worldwide membership of any Mennonite group, and the assembly is being held in India, home to the second largest Mennonite Brethren conference in the world, with about 65,000 members.
"Our visit offers a signal of hope, encouragementand partnership to the churches, oeople and >chools of 'ndia."
MWC organizers acknowledge the unique Mennonite Brethren -EDMUND connection to India JANZEN and have added a new component to the MWC schedule, Janzen says. In addition to a week-long "Assembly Gathered" in Calcutta, Jan. 6-12, India 97 offers Mennonite Brethren the opportunity to visit Mennonite Brethren homes and congregations in south central India during "Assembly Scattered."
look to Indiagathering
CALCUTTA
Jan. 6-12, 1997
"Hear What the Spirit Is Saying to the Churches"
Mennonite presence in India goes back to the late 19th century when the first missionaries arrived. Workers and support came initially from Europe and then from the Brethren in Christ, General Conference Mennonite Church, Mennonite Brethren, Mennonite Church and United Missionary Church in North America. Today there are more than 82,000 members in eight Mennonite and re-. lated bodies in India. The heaviest concentrations (shaded areas) are in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
Tours will be organized in India to facilitate visits to major Mennonite Brethren centers, including Hyderabad and Shamshabad in the province of Andhra Pradesh, either before or after "Assembly Gathered." Other Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in India will also host small groups of interested participants.
Time for fellowship
"Assembly Scattered" not only introduces MWC guests to the life of the local church, but also permits Indians who are unable to attend the Calcutta meeting to participate in worldwide fellowship. Janzen points out that many Mennonites in India are not financially able to attend the meeting in Calcutta.
"For ordinary people (in India), it will be a thrill to have people from America come spend time with them," says Janzen. He describes the Mennonite Brethren Church in India as vibrant, dynamic and "so eager for fellowship." He predicts that North Americans visitors will have a "very positive" experience and enjoy gracious hospitality.
"Our visit offers a signal of hope, encouragement and partnership to the churches, people and schools of India," says Janzen.
Time for stretching
Janzen says India 97 will also be a "stretching experience," citing a variety of cultural differences, including food and the standard of living.
Tuesday will feature the church in Europe; Wednesday, the church in North America; Thursday, the church in Asia; Friday, the church in Africa; and Saturday, the church in Latin America. As assembly hosts, the Indian churches will plan the opening and closing worship services.
Time for flexibility
This decentralized approach to schedule and program may require an adjustment in expectations for North American and European visitors, Miller says.
Final program information may not be available until September or October, just a few months before the assembly.
"As we (in the West) prepare for India 1997, we will need to adjust ourselves, mentally, culturally, and chronologically," says Miller. "The timetable will be more flexible than we are accustomed to. And it may be that allowing ourselves this kind of freedom and spontaneity will enable us to 'hear the Spirit' more clearly .... We might not fully understand what happened at India 97 until it's over and everyone has gone home."
North American Mennonite Brethren are currently represented on the MWC planning committee by General Conference moderator Ed Boschman, Kelowna, B.C.; Marvin Hein, General Conference executive secretary, Fresno, Calif.; and Harry Heidebrecht, Clearbrook, B.C.
A worldwide gathering is not without expense. U.S. participants can expect to pay between $3,500 to $4,000 to attend.
In addition, MWC encourages North American congregations to contribute to the Mennonite World Conference Travel Fund so less affluent congregations elsewhere in the world can send representatives. Without this assistance, says Miller, these Mennonites will be unable to participate.
Registration forms were mailed in late January to each North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregation.
Persons are encouraged to travel to India 1997 with a tour group arranged by MWC, MTS Travel or other partner travel agencies.-Connie Faber, with reports by Marcus Shantz of MWC
13 things you need to know before you go to Assembly 13 ...
1. India is the world's largest democracy. Officially it is a secular, constitutional democracy which has been described as a working anarchy. You will enjoy India more if you know this.
2. India is people. In a space roughly a third the size of Canada (with 26 million people), live almost 900 million people.
3. India has many poor people and many rich people. The government states that about one-third of the people live below the poverty line. In Calcutta about 300,000 spend their entire lifetime on the streets, without any permanent shelter.
4. India lives in villages. In spite of its large cities (Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras), more than three out of four people live in villages. Ghandi's belief was that the future of India lies in its villages.
5. India has many languages. Hindi is the national language. In India where there are many primary languages, English is frequently the language that links them together.
6. India is geographically diverse. Sea level river deltas, the world's highest mountains, the expansive rocky Deccan plateau, fertile plains, the massive desert in the Northwest, drought and rain forest are all part of the variety of topography which is India.
7. India is religiously diverse. About 80-85 percent of the population is Hindu; 12 percent is Muslim. The remainder include Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain. Culturally, India is not one culture but many.
8. India is a hierarchical culture. Hinduism, with its caste system, has established and maintained a pecking order which leaves everyone knowing where they belong. Even among Christians one may sense residual evidence of this. Westerners like to think that all people are equal. Indians, including Christians, tend to think heirarchically.
9. India is family. The majority of Indians continue to live in extended families. At marriage a woman usually goes to live with her husband's family where other married sons also live with their wives. A father's highest duty is to find a good husband, of proper status, for his daughter. Christians often consult the church as well as the extended family in such arranged marriages.
10. India is women and children. A woman in India can become the Prime Minister, fly an airplane, become a doctor or lawyer while at the same time deferring to her husband in ways that might seem strange to others. Sons are highly valued; daughters may be less valued, even among Christians.
11. India values education. They pursue education with a fervor. They are incurably entrepreneurial with shops and services everywhere. Some people take advantage of any reasonable opportuniy to gain a patronage from a foreign visitor.
12. India is Asian. Approaches to reality are different in Asia. What at first may seem wrong may turn out only to be different. Values which are important to North Americans and Europeans may matter little. Learn to withhold judgment until you have listened some more.
13. India is warm. January will of course be wonderfully comfortable. You will notice that the people are warm and courteous. Most will treat you with high respect and be helpful, often far beyond the call of duty. Learn to know them and you wit! gain new friends.
Preparing yourself for India 1997 may well repay you with wonderful, lifetransforming surprises. India is not the land of poverty. (MWC)
Have questions about India 1997?
Let the 'experts' respond...
• From Calcutta to curry, Assembly 13 will be unique
I NTRIGUED BY the thought of attending Mennonite World Conference Assembly 13 in India, but still have questions? The following answers were gathered from a variety of Mennonite experts.
• Why should I consider attending India 1997?
According to Raul Garcia, MWC president from Argentina, "North Americans and Europeans should make a special effort to attend this conference-only the second one to be held outside the West - to see how the life of the church is under difficult circumstances. It would be a sign of interest. The church is growing much more rapidly in the twothirds world than elsewhere. It's a different church there."
QUOTABLE:
IIToday, more than half of the one million Mennonites in the world live outside North America and Europe. If we go by sheer numbers alone, what it means to be a Mennonite Christian is being worked out by more people off our shores than here, where we've been used to being in charge of such definitions.
IIThese sisters and brothers are looking for fellowship with each other and with us. They are seeking connections, not lopsided ones, but mutual, eye-toeye ones. They ask us questions and are ready, in turn, to tell about their lives and their faith; their failures and their discovery of God's presence in their often inhospitable worlds. It is a moment of truth for us North American Mennonites. Can we now step aside and see these churches as a gift, even a resource to us? Can we see them as family members?1I
-Phyllis Pellman Good,. one of two North American representatives to the MWC General Council.
Edmund Janzen, chair of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren, agrees. "Mennonite Brethren shouldparticipatein MWC because we are part of a larger Mennonite and Brethren in Christ group. We participate because we are in solidarity with the suffering church and the developing churches in what we call the Third World.
"These churches have much to teach us in the area of material possessions," Janzen adds. "The churches live with poverty and suffering and yet experience growth rates we can't match."
• What is the city of Calcutta like?
While some people say Calcutta is one of the worst places in the world to live, Mennonite Central Committee workers Glen and Marilyn Miller describe Calcutta as a city with hope for the future. They have lived in Calcutta for the past five years.
"Come with an open heart and mind," Glen says. "This is a place of vibrancy, throbbing action, motion, color. It has a romance about it. You see many vestiges of the area's history and former occupations by the Moguls and the British. Calcutta and West Bengal lead the country in culture. The city has great museums. And in the last few years the Old City Dump has begun to be transformed into Science City with structures for education and culture."
Edmund Janzen says that while Hyderabad is more geographically central to large numbers of Mennonites, especially Mennonite Brethren, Calcutta was chosen by the Indian hosts for a variety of reasons, including its cosmopolitan atmosphere, available facilities and international accessibility. Several thousand Mennonites reside in the area. Mennonite Central Committee has had an office in Calcutta for more than 50 years.
Larry Miller, MWC executive secretary, predicts the city of Calcutta itself will have an impact on the assembly. "Most people, especially people from
wealthier countries, cannot come to Calcutta without being struck by the number of people who have little material security. The environment, sounds and smells will have an impact on visitors and the proceedings of our meetings. It's inevitable."
Miller believes this impact can be positive if visitors pay attention to the local people. "I have found it helpful in my visits to focus on the people I meet, and their faces. You realize that despite apparently difficult circumstances, many people radiate beauty, grace and friendliness. Many who live in Calcutta have sorted .out what is essential in life and what is not. For me, these people, their faces, and their lives are a source of hope and strength. "
• What can I read to prepare myself for India?
Our experts suggested several texts. To become familiar with the history of India, read Freedom at Midnight, by Dominique LaPierre; and Calcutta, by Jeffrey Moorhouse.
To be abreast of the Mennonite church in India, consult the Mennonite Encyclopedia, Volume 5.
Besides these resources, the most recent book about Mother Teresa has been widely acclaimed: Mother Teresa, by Navin Chawla.
• What will an India 1997 visitor experience during the trip from the airport into the city?
"As you leave the airport headed for city center, you will pass through a slum that is probably the worst area you will see during your visit to Calcutta," says Marilyn Miller. "This is sometimes frightening, a little depressing or even discouraging for firsttimers. But I think if you are prepared a bit in advance, it will ease your transition into the city."
• The location for the assembly is the vast campus of St. Thomas School. What can we expect when we ilrst get to St. Thomas School?
"As one leaves the busy streets of Calcutta and passes through the gate in the wall to St. Thomas, one sees wide open spaces, lots of green lawn, beautiful trees and gardens," Marilyn Miller says.
"The buildings house elementary
IIMennonite Brethren should participate in MWC because we are part of a larger Mennonite and Brethren in Christ group. We participate because we are in solidarity with the suffering church and the developing churches in what we call the Third World.-EDMUND JANZEN
through high school educational programs and vocational training programs. A surrounding wall secludes the campus from the activity of the city. On one side of the compound, St. Thomas has a common wall with the Calcutta zoo," she adds.
• What are campus facilities like?
Marilyn Miller says the assembly will be as Indian as possible. "Instead of a convention center, we will erect tent-like facilities over bamboo poles called shamiana. The ceiling of the shamiana is usually very colorful. This will also provide rain protection. Normally the first week in January in Calcutta is pleasant and sunny, but it can be cold and rainy."
• What can we expect at mealtime? Is Indian curry as hot as we've heard?
Food for Assembly 13 will be prepared by Indian caterers on site. Basic to Indian food is rice and a variety of rotis (bread) that will be served during the week. India is noted for its highly seasoned, spicy curries. These will be moderated so that both Indian and western tastes will be accommodated, say the Millers.
Clean, safe drinking water will be provided-probably bottled.
"As assembly participants come to Calcutta, there are understandable concerns about well-being," says Marilyn Miller. "People should know to be careful of the water they drink, to not eat raw vegetables or fruits that cannot be pealed, and to be fastidious about hand-washing before meals. Those three steps will help a lot in preventive care."
• What are the housing arrangements?
A wide range of places are available, from four- and five-star hotels to mats and cots on the St. Thomas campus. "Many of the Indians will bring a
mat and sleep on the floor," says Glen Miller. "If Westerners want to join them, we would certainly encourage them."
• What about "Assembly Scattered"? How do we arrange the visits to the Mennonite Brethren areas?
India 1997 registration forms contain information about arranging for such visits. Also, MB Missions/Services will sponsor four tours of India for MWC participants, Jan. 4-19. According to MBM/S, the tours will include Calcutta, Hyderabad, Delhi and the Taj Majal. Those interested in joining an MBM/S tour can obtain more information by contacting one of the following tour leaders:
• Departing from Toronto, Ont.: Vidya Narimalla, (416) 724-7034;
• Departing from Edmonton, Alta.: David Dyck (403) 438-9065;
• Departing from Vancouver, B.C.: A.J. Klassen, (604) 854-5210;
• Departing from Fresno/San Francisco: Elmer Martens (209) 291-5904.
• How can we Mennonites in Europe and North America justify spending $3,000 to $4,000 per person to attend this event?
"In my opinion, most people who come have some discretionary income-that is, they're not living hand to mouth," says Glen Miller. "I think for those people it will be enough of a transforming experience that their priorities will be rearranged for the rest of their lives. "
Marilyn Miller adds: "The Indian Mennonite churches issued the invitation to the rest of the Mennonite world to come and fellowship in India. I think this is an opportunity for Mennonites to support and affirm the Indian church and to learn from their Indian brothers and sisters on their home turf." -compiled from MWC sources and Leader interviews
IN BRIEF
• GRANTED: Tabor College has received a $500,000 challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc., Tulsa, Okla. The grant is part of the $3.28 million capital campaign for a new natural science center announced last month. The Mabee Foundation has contributed to two previous capital campaigns at Tabor. The current challenge grant, contingent on the college raising the balance needed for the total project by Jan. 1, 1997, would become the largest single gift in the history of Tabor College. The college has already raised more than half of the funding goal. (TC)
• APPOINTED: Ed Falk, a financial administrator from Winnipeg, Man., has been named MB Missions/Services secretary for finance, effective late last month. As secretary for finance, a new position, Falk will oversee month-tomonth global financial services for MBMjS. Falk will work out of the Winnipeg office and report to John Bergman, director of support services in Fresno, Calif. Falk and Bergman have assumed responsibilities previously handled by Fred Epp, retiring director of finance. Bergman's new responsibilities include oversight of the management of the six MBM/S offices around the world, personnel administration and chief financial officer. (MBM/S)
• NUMBERS: According to recently released statistics for 1994, the membership of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches grew by 2.36 percent (to 29,651) compared to 1993, a steady 2 percent annual growth rate over the past five years. The Ontario Conference experienced the highest growth rate (4.23 percent), followed by British Columbia (3.6 percent), the Maritime churches (1.6 percent), Saskatchewan (1.2 percent), Alberta (0.27), Manitoba (0.04 percent) and Quebec (-0.17 percent). Local church income, meanwhile, rose by about 8 percent since 1992 (to almost $40.8 million), but the percentage given toward conference ministries dropped by almost 6.6 percent during the same two-year period. (MB Hera/d)
Estes gifts to help fund Zaire choir
• Youth generosity will help underwrite U.S. tour in '97
WHEN YOUNG people attending the national MB youth conference last March were challenged to dig into their wallets and purses and "give up a CD or a sweatshirt"for the cause of Christ, they took the dare seriously. They filled the offering bags with $11,925.52.
The initial goal was to raise $5 ,000 for Youth Mission International, the Mennonite Brethren ministry which each year sends summer evangelistic teams to several North American cities and four or five foreign countries.
After dispersing the allocated YMI funds, the Estes '95 committee pondered what to do with the remaining $6,925.52. They wanted to contribute the money to a mission project but were unsure which one.
Then the group heard of plans to bring Esengo Zaire to the U.S. in 1997. Esengo Zaire is a young Zairian singing group. Their tour will promote the conference-wide celebration of "Year of Global Mission" in music, drama and testimony.
"Esengo Zaire represents the heartbeat of the kids at Estes," says Greg Schmidt, administrative director of Estes '95. "They especially wanted to minister to other young people."
"The Estes contribution gives a great jump-start to the fund-raising effort," comments Elmer Martens, chair of the Esengo Task Force. With a year to go, 12 percent has come in of the $60,000 needed to finance the tour.
Esengo will launch its tour with concerts at the Mennonite World Conference in Calcutta in January 1997. From India, they will go to Japan, then criss-cross the United States and Canada for four months. The tour concludes in Europe in June.
For booking information or general information about the choir, individuals and churches are invited to contact Dale Warkentin, MBM/S secretary for U.S. constituency ministries.MBMjS
.CHURCH NOTES
• Baptism/Membership
CORDELL, Okla. (Bible)-Kim and Tammy Daniel, Bob Davis, Slade Nightengale, Caleb Rink and Michelle Rink were baptized and accepted into membership Nov. 19. Roger Daniel was also welcomed as a new member.
SHAFTER, Calif.-Teresa Cummings and Leella and Roger Riley joined by testimony during December.
LODI, Calif. (Vinewood)-Robyn Almarez, LuAnn Clarkson and Adam and Laura Dodd were welcomed as new members in December.
FRESNO, Calif. (North)- Tristan George, Steve Hansen, Paul Rojeski and Derek VanderVelde were baptized and welcomed as new members Dec. 3. Denae Hansen was also accepted into membership.
INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)-Michael Brunk, Mark Friesen, Patrick Gallagher, Shawn Gallagher, Benjamin Oard, Brian Oard, Andy Pauls, Kristian Sawyer, Brian Thiessen, Chad Thiessen, Patrick Thiessen and Joshua Tolle were baptized and welcomed into membership Dec. 3.
NEW HOPE, Minn.-Steve Wall was accepted into membership Dec. 10.
DOWNEY, Calif. (Living Hope)-Max Tildago, Victor Marco Benetiz, Eva Russell, Glen Stokey, Ron Ybarra, Maria Trujillo and Martha Davilla were baptized and welcomed as new members Dec. 10. This brings on-site membership to 47.
BALKO, Okla.-Gary and Kim Barnes, Myrna Sutter, Lacy Sutter, Logan Ball and Craig and Jana Frantz were welcomed as new members Dec. 31.
SALEM, Ore. (Kingwood)-Linda Oliver, Annabel Smith and Don and Belinda VanVeldhuizen were recently received into membership.
• Ministry
DINUBA, Calif.-The Dinuba public school system has invited area churches to participate in a new adopt-a-school program designed to help special-need students. DMBC is a partner with the Grandview Elementary School and will begin by working with a reading project. Principal David Lyles was a guest at the Jan. 14 worship service.
FRESNO, Calif. (Butler)- The congregation served a free New Year's dinner to members of their southeast Fresno community.
IN BRIEF
• VOLUNTEERS: Bob and Wanda Kroeker, semi-retired pastoral couple from Madera, Calif., left in late January for a volunteer teaching assignment at Lithuania Christian Coltege in Klaipeda, Lithuania. The Kroekers, placed with the help of MB Missions/Services, expect to serve there for at least the spring semester. Bob will be teaching Bible classes and Wanda will teach English as a Second Language.
• APPOINTMENT: Philip Serez has accepted a shared position with Youth Mission International and Fresno Pacific College. Serez's position with YMI is as the director of SOAR, the summer outreach program. Heidi Schmidt is currently heading up the planning and preparation of SOAR '96 and will assist Serez through August. Serez will spend the other haff of his time as the Mennonite Brethren admissions outreach counselor for FPC. (YMI)
• LINKED: With the death of Martha Hiebert Janzen this past November, one of the last living links to early Mennonite Brethren mission efforts in Zaire (formerly Belgian Congo) has ended. She arrived in the Congo in 1929 to assist pioneers Aaron and Ernestine Janzen, who had been evangelizing in the territory since 1912. She made use of her training as a nurse, but also taught Bible classes and the Bible into Kituba. Ernestine died in 1937; Martha and Aaron were married in 1943. Aaron retired in 1950 and died in 1957. Martha returned to the Congo in 1957 and retired in 1971 after 40 years of missionary service. She lived in Mountain Lake, Minn., until her death at the age of 91. (MBMjS)
• TRANSITION: A changing of the guard took place at the recent Mennonite Mutual Aid Board of Directors meeting in early December. Nick Rempel, retiring MB representative, was recognized for his 12 years of service to the board. His replacement, David Faber of Hillsboro, Kan., was installed as a new board member. He joins one other MB representative, Ken Enns of Dinuba, Calif., on the 17-member board. (MMA)
Schmidt were honored with an open house Dec. 17 in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
• Workers
SALEM, Ore. (Kingwood Bible)-Brent Hudson began as part-time youth director and Matt Torres as part-time youth intern Jan. 1. Both men are students at Western Baptist College.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-The congregation celebrated the licensing of Virginia Schneider to the ministry of the MB Conference Dec. 10.
MOUNTAIN, LAKE, Minn.-Pastoral couple Dan and Sheri Drown participated in a week of discipleship training in Poland with International Messengers at the end of December.
HESSTON, Kan.-Steve and Deborah Toews were installed as the congregation's pastoral couple Jan. 7.
FRESNO, Calif. (Butler)-Fritz and Susi Peters, MB Missions/Services workers, are assisting the Khmu congregation pastored by Phone Keo Keovilay while waiting for their departure to Thailand this summer.
FRESNO, Calif. (North)-Tracy Neufeld has been appointed business manager and administrator while continuing her responsibilities with publicity and secretarialoversight.
FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News)-A sending service was held Jan. 28 for interim
youth pastor Brian Karber. Karber is going to Brazil as a missionary.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage)-Andy Beeghly was installed Jan. 14 as the congregation's pastor of student ministries. Installation activities included a lunch and program.
TABOR COLLEGE
Faculty positions for 1996-97:
Biology/Ecology - One year sabbatical replacement. Chemistry - Organic chern., biochem.; tenure track.
Communications - Two-year leave replacement.
Education - Tenure-track, full-time position.
Music - Two-thirds time in Piano, Theory.
DTabor College
PE/Athletic Training - Head Trainer, courses in Athletic Training.
Youth Ministry - Divided between teaching in Christian Ministrystaff for Youth Mission International.
Tabor College is an evangelical Christian college affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church; faculty must be committed to the college's mission. Beginning date, Aug. 15, 1996. Evaluation of applicants will begin March 1. Send resume and references to: Dr. Lon Fendall, Dean of Faculty, Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS 67063.
AN URGENT LETTER TO THE CHURCHES 'SUPPORTING MB MISSIONS/SERVICES
Dear co-laborer in the Lord:
One year ago you and I had much reason to celebrate. Our global mission, Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services, was on track, moving toward the goal of financial health and strength.
When the books closed on fiscal year 1994-95, we had a modest surplUS of $196,000, about a two-week head start on the current year. With that good trend in mind, the MB convention at Fresno '95 enthusiastically voted to increase our ministry in 1995-96 by 5%.
We now face a severe financial crunch. Giving to MBM/S has declined by 5.40/0 from last year. Without an extraordinary outpouring of finances this quarter, we will end the year in the red.
That creates a precarious situation, because previous deficits have drained reserve funds. We must make ends meet in order to maintain minimum fiscal integrity.
As chairman of the MBM/S Board, I want to express my deep appreciation for all who have given both last year and this year. Many have given generously, even sacrificially, so that our missionaries and national workers can share Christ in approximately 30 nations.
I also want to ask you for your counsel. Should we disregard the budget adopted at Fresno '95? Should we immediately cut our efforts to reach the unreached, plant churches, and train leaders?
What do you desire for the fong range? Do you want a mission capable of seizing the moment when doors of opportunity are open? Or do you want the mission to reduce its outreach, its personnel, its scope of vision?
The answer can come only from you - not from any board or convention. I need your input; you can fax me at (204) 284·1247. I look forward to hearing from you.
Your missionaries need your strong financial support - today. You can send your investment in global missions to MBM/S, 4867 E. Townsend, Fresno, CA 93727 or, in Canada, 2-169 Riverton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2L 2E5.
Spring is the season for new life. Let's ask the Lord to pour out showers of resources that will renew the health of our global mission. May we all do our part, so that MBM/S can keep bringing Christ to the neediest people.
Thank you for your guidance, prayers and gifts.
-Neil Fast, Chair, Board of Mennonite Brethren
Missions/Services
in Bismark, N.D., and died Jan. 5, 1996, at the age of 81. On Dec. 18, 1932, she was married to Isado Salaun, who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Llew M. Salaun of Truckee, Calif., and James D. Salaun of Nevada; two sisters, Laura Silvera of Lodi, and Lydia Bechtold of Idaho; and four grandchildren.
SCHMIDT, ELVIRA, Shafter, Calif., a member of Shafter (Calif.) MB Church, was born May 7, 1911, in Anaheim, Calif., to Gerhardt and Helena Schmidt, and died Nov.22, 1995, at the age of 84. She is survived by three sisters, Beatrice Wedel of Fresno, Calif., Fern Kroeker and Lila Penner, both of Cimarron, Kan., and one brother-in-law, Frank Johnson of Shafter.
TIESZEN, LYDIA B., Hudson, S.D., a member of Silver Lake MB Church of Freeman, S.D., was born Feb. 4, 1913, near Dolton, S.D., to Benjamen and Katie Dirks, and died Dec. 17, 1995, at the age of 82. On Dec. 1, 1934, she was married to Carl B. Becker who predeceased her in 1962. On Aug. 15, 1971, she was married to Diedrich F. Tieszen, who predeceased her in 1992. She is survived by two daughters, Juanita and husband Tom of Marion, S.D., and Joyce and husband Terry of Lake Benton, Minn.; one brother, Fred Dirks of Springfield, Mo.; one sister, Esther Herman of Riverton, Neb.; six grandchildren and their spouses; six great-grandchildren; and three step-children.
•
CLEARINGHOUSE
Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Need to acquire or sell property? Reach the U. S. Mennonite Brethren constituency through a Clearinghouse ad. The charge for Clearinghouse information is 25 cents per word, with a $10 minimum charge. Withhold payment for advertising until an invoice is received. Clearinghouse copy must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the desired month of publication. The editors reserve the right to turn down inappropriate material. For display (boxed) ad rates, please call us.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
BIBLICAL AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES-Seeking qualified member to teach biblical literature and exegesis courses in the traditional undergraduate Division of Biblical and Religious Studies, and in a secondary area of expertise such as anthropology, world religions, linguistics and languages, consonant with the college's move to "internationalize" the curriculum. Position begins Aug. 15, 1996. Doctorate (or nearly completed degree) desired. Fresno Pacific College is a dynamic Christian liberal arts college of the Mennonite Brethren Church. All candidates for faculty positions must share the college's Christian commitment. For full description and application form, write or phone Dr. Howard J. Loewen, Academic Vice President, Fresno Pacific College, 1717 S. Chestnut, Fresno, CA 93702; (209) 453-2023. Women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applications will be evaluated beginning March 1, 1996, and appointment will be made as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is secured.
June 10 - 26
Menno Simons' 500th Anniversary Tour
September 26 - October 10 Fall Harvest Tour
Call 1-800-565-0451 today for information on EUROPEAN TOURS or our other tours to Jamaica, Australia - New Zealand, Vienna, Alaska or India (MWC).
TOUR MAGINATION
22 King St. S., Suite 401, Waterloo, ON N2J 1 N8 1011 Cathill Road, Sellersville, PA 18960 Reg.# 1567624
CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM (CPE)
Invitation:
TO: Born-again Christians; FROM: Evangelical churches
King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., is seeking volunteers for its Church
Partnership Evangelism outreach to
1. MEXICO, Baja California February 13-29 / 96
2. PHILIPPINES, Manila. April 8-25 / 96
3. NICARAGUA, Managua. April 30 - May 16 / 96
4. UKRAINE, Kirowograd June 3-22/96
5. PARAGUAY, Asuncion and Interior. July 1-18/96
6. FIJI ISLANDS. July 14 - Aug. 2/ 96
7. PERU, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura or Talara July 22 - Aug. 15 / 96
8. CANADA, Manitoba. Sept. 9-26 / 96
9. ZAIRE, AFRICA, Kikwit Oct. 13-31 / 96
10. INDIA, Hyderabad & Jongoan Nov. 10-28 / 96
NOTE: Dates may be subject to change.
• Team up with national Christians and witness for Christ door to door.
• Some knowledge of the country's language is helpful.
• Similar campaigns have resulted in 200 to 400 conversions. Come-and be part of an enriching spiritual experience, discover what GOD can do through you.
For more information, contact:
Evelyn Unruh, 604-852-5744 or CPE 604-864-3941
Peter Loewen, 604-853-3173 or FAX 604-853-6482
Maybe you are interested in one, two or more campaigns. Please let us know if you find this to be valuable work for the Lord. I would ask you to bring this information to your friends and churches. We will need many volunteers in 1996.
Peter Huebert
Missions
Committee President
resource sharing, learning opportunities and united celebrations of worship.
(NAB)
SCHOOLS
Rights and wrongs
The U.S. Supreme Court refused Jan. 8 to stop the distribution of condoms in public schools.
Without comment, the Court rejected arguments that the practice violates the right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children. The case involved a condom distribution program in junior and senior high schools in Falmouth, Mass.
The High Court's action upholds a ruling by the state's highest court, which said last July: "Although the program may offend the religious sensibilities of the plaintiffs, mere exposure at public schools to offensive programs does not amount to a violation (of their constitutional rights). Parents have no right to tailor public school programs to meet their individual religious or moral preferences." (EP)
DISCIPLINE
No laughing matter
The church where the "Toronto Blessing" or "laughing revival" got its start in North America has been ousted by its parent denomination, the Association of Vineyard Churches (AVC).
Controversy has surrounded the Toronto Airport Vineyard for years because it advocates "Holy Ghost Laughter," an experience marked by people laughing so hard that they literally fall to the floor.
In some instances, participants behave like animals, roaring like lions or "soaring" around a room
like an eagle.
Proponents view such behavior as a move of God, and some believe it is the last great revival coming before the second coming of Christ.
But the movement's detractors, including the AVC, say practices such as "Holy Ghost Laughter" are extrabiblical practices that are moving the church away from its evangelical mission.
A VC has also accused Airport Vineyard of "failure to take pastoral counsel and direction from John Wimber and the Vineyard board." (EP)
SCRIPTURE
A novel idea
Advance orders by bookshops in Great Britain for a "novelization" of the Bible have been given a huge boost by press reports that the new book reads like a steamy romance novel, according to Ecumenical News International.
Lion Publishing, a wellknown Christian publishing house, plans to release The Book o/God-The Bible in the U.S. and England early in 1996.
Written by Walter Wangerin]r., a Lutheran pastor in Chicago, The Book of God is intended not to replace the Bible, but to relate the Bible story like a novel so that "someone not familiar with it could read it as a gripping story for the first time," Lion told ENI.
The publishers have denied suggestions that their project is an attempt to distort or sensationalize the Bible. Lion said it hoped to bring the message of the Bible to thousands who might otherwise never read it.
Regarding the project, Wangerin said: "I have writ-
(1Y'
These matters gnawed at my heart to such an extent that I could bear it no longer. I thought to myself: miserable man that I am, what am I doing! If I continue in this way and do not live in agreement with the word of the Lord, according to the knowledge of the truth which I have obtained; if I do not rebuke to the best of my limited ability the hypocrisy, the impenitent, carnal life, the perverted baptism, Lord's Supper and false worship of God, which the learned teach; if I, through bodily fear do not show them the real foundation of the truth oh, how shall their shed blood, though shed in error, rise up against me at the judgment seat of the Almighty and pronounce sentence against my poor miserable soul!
My heart trembled in my body. I prayed to God amidst sighs and tears that he would give to me, a troubled sinner, the gift of his grace and create a clean heart within me; that through the merits of the blood of Christ, he would graciously forgive my unclean walk and unprofitable life, and bestow wisdom, spirit, freedom and courage upon me so that I might preach his exalted and praiseworthy name and holy word unperverted and make manifest his truth to his glory.
In 1536, impoverished and distressed, I voluntarily yielded to the powerful cross of Christ my Lord, and in weakness feared God. I sought God-fearing people, and though they were few in number, I found some who were zealous and maintained the truth.
Thus the Lord of mercy, though benign to the abundant grace which he extended to me, a miserable sinner, touched my heart, produced in me a new mind, humbled me in his fear, granted me a measure of self-knowledge, turned me from the way of death and graciously called me to the narrow way of life and communion with his saints.
To him be praise in eternity!
NEXT: Leader of the movement.
SOURCE: The Mennonite Brotherhood in Russia, by P.M. Friesen
MB
Circles by Lorlie Barkman
ten as a faithful Christian, making decisions that come from my faith as well as from my careful study. My purpose and my effort was to always persuade the reader to feel, to experience this the greatest of stories." (EP)
MUSIC
Singing
a new song
If your younger child has trouble relating ancient hymns to their modern experience, the British Methodist Church's new Big Blue Planet Songbook might be just the solution. The 83 songs were designed to appeal to the child under eight years of age, incorporating modern ideas and child-specific thoughts.
Here's a sample: "For microchips, for oven chips, computer chips, we thank you Lord. For ocean waves, for microwaves, for radio waves, we thank you Lord. For floppy disks, for compact discs, computer disks, we thank you Lord."
Here's another one: "God made furrythings,
RELIGIONS
Patchwork faith
Religion appears to be making a comeback in Japan-sort of. Forbes magazine reports that more than 100 new faiths are being formed every year in Japan-about one every three days.
A religious group called Happy Scientists, founded nine years ago by a former office worker, is the largest of the new sects with about 5 million members.
The group says that it embraces all of humanity and the universe. Its deities include Buddha, Zeus, Jesus Christ and a space-traveling giant called El Kantare. (EP)
the holy book into German has been found by a librarian in Stuttgart, Germany.
The volume, which has been lost for more than 200 years, is signed by Luther and is covered with notes made during the translation process.
The Bible was among thousands of Bibles stored at the Wuerttemberg State Library in Stuttgart before it was discovered by librarian Manuel Santos-Noya. The Bible was identified when the library began to catalog its collection.
Luther, who launched the Protestant reformation, translated the New Testament from Latin into German in 1522. (EP)
God made purry things, what a lot of lovely things we can see. God made snugly things, God made ugly things, what a lot of things he made-and God made me." (EP)
DISCOVERY Luther's legacy
The Latin Bible that church reformer Martin Luther used for translating
No excuses this time ...
HOPKINS
(Minn.) United Methodist Church held a "no excuses" Sunday morning service last fall, during which the church took special "excuse precautions."
They offered cots in the vestibule for those who say Sunday is the only day they can sleep in, blankets for those who feel church is too cold, and fans for those who find it too hot.
The church provided hearing aids for parishioners who feel the pastor doesn't speak loudly enough, and cotton for those who say the pastor speaks too loudly. Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies created a familiar environment for those who had never seen a church without them. along with grass and trees for those who like to seek God in nature-especially on the golf course.
The announcement of "no excuses" Sunday said, "Visitors welcome-members expected." (EP)
INDIA
No nun sense
Several churches in India held public protests after the country's highest-ranking Hindu priest accused Catholic nun and worldfamous humanitarian Mother Teresa of using her charity work to convert India's Hindus to Christianity. According to the Hindu priest, who began a public campaign against the nun, "She has engaged in conversion in the name of human service. If Mother Teresa really wants to serve humanity, she should stop converting Hindus to Christianity."
The Baptist Union and the Assemblies of God were among the churches protesting the campaign. The United Forum of Catholics and Protestants in India issued thisstatement: "All the world knows about the service of Mother Teresa. Nothing will shake the trust hundreds of millions of people have in her. She is a mother to all India." (EP)
Would Jesus be an All-Star?
JESUS is the Son of God and savior of the world, but could he have saved the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX? With Jesus at quarterback, you could forget those two rally-killing interceptions served up by the corruptly human Neil O'Donnell. Jesus would have found a receiver in the right uniform. Chalk up a Pittsburgh win.
In fact, with Jesus at quarterback, the Steelers would have been prohibitive favorites, not underdogs. Maybe they wouldn't have scored on every play-the price of suiting up mortal teammatesbut surely every play Jesus called, every pass launched, would have been perfect, wouldn't it? Could the Son of God do less?
The scenario is nonsensical, of course, but the sentiment isn't. Many Christians seem to assume that because Jesus was sinless, he was perfect in every way. So, logic follows that Jesus would have been the best quarterback, the best lawyer, the best accountant, the best anything that ever lived. Jesus is held up as the modelhusband and parent, though he had neither wife nor children, and potential salespersons of the year, despite his bottom-line encounter with temple profiteers.
but the question trivializes his accomplishment. Jesus came to show us the way to God, not the way to human achievement. If anything, Jesus deemphasized the value of human striving, or at least revealed its shallow core. He aimed to refocus our energy from career development to spiritual development. "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world," Jesus asked his disciples, "and yet lose or forfeit his soul?"
To ask whether Jesus would have made a
To ask whether Jesus would have made a proficient teacher, lawyer or parent is not a bad question. It's simply the wrong question. The more penetrating question is this: What kind of person would Jesus have been as he pursued a particular occupational goal? What would he have done on the job to fulfill his prime objective: to love God with all his heart, soul and mind, and to love his neighbor as himself?
projicient teacher, lawyer or parent is not a bad question. simply the wrong question.
That image of the All-Star Jesus is so well entrenched in our achievement-oriented culture, that not even its bizarre application can call it into question.
Several years ago, with Liberty University's dramatic success on the gridiron, chancellor Jerry Falwell was asked how he justified his school's participation, much less its prowess, in such a violent arena. Not only was football an appropriate endeavor for Christians, Falwell insisted, but if Jesus had played football, "he would have been more aggressive and hit harder than anyone else on the field."
Similarly, a Christian justifying his career in the military once wrote, "If Jesus had been a soldier, he would have been the best soldier possible." Presumably, in times of war, a Jesus on the front lines would have excelled at what soldiers are trained to accomplish: kill enemies and destroy property.
Is something wrong with this picture?
Even if we confine Jesus to his chosen area of activity, the issue remains. The Gospels portray Jesus as an effective teacher, provocative theologian and inspiring leader. Was he "the best ever" in those fields? Perhaps,
Jesus didn't come to achieve or avoid success, but to redefine it. Our images of the "successful person" are so earthly rooted that we have trouble thinking in any other way.Even Jesus's disciples were confused. They wanted to be great kingdom disciples, but they were using human standards by which to measure themselves. The greatest human achievement, Jesus chided them, is to serve God and others without thought of recognition. "If you're worried about being the best," he told them in essence, "you never will be 'good enough' for me."
Does that mean the Christian shouldn't pursue occupational or personal excellence? I don't think so. There is something intrinsically God-honoring about developing and honing the abilities we've been given, and then applying them conscientiously to our endeavors. And all of us need the self-validating affirmation of our peers too. But neither excellence nor affirmation is the ultimate objective of a Jesus follower. Our greatest achievement is to allow Christ to transform us, to somehow lay aside our egos long enough to allow the Spirit of Christ within us to connect with the longing for Christ within others.
That isn't easy in a culture that measures success competitively and rewards it with money and notoriety. For the moment, the Dallas Cowboys bask in the glory of achievement. But the ultimate Super Bowl is not staged once a year in a grand stadium before millions of fans. It is played out daily between the conflicting yearnings within our human heart. And Christ himself cheers us on.-DR
