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ALSO in this issue: • New church profile series: A closer look at who we are PAGE 22 • Planting churches in our cities and towns PAGE 24-25 • Carden resigns as FPU's 7th president PAGE 29

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•.. from the editor

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HERE HAS BEEN TALK of a "leadership crisis" in many denominations in North America. The statistics seem to indicate that a dwindling number of men and women are willing to serve in pastoral roles. What is the state of leadership in our own MB churches? What can we do to callout emerging leaders? How can we support our current leaders?

In our first feature, we asked three of our denominational leaders-Ed Boschman, Harold Ens and Henry Schmidt-to give us their thoughts on why we are experiencing this leadership crisis and what we as churches can do about it.

In our second feature, Larry Nikkel provides a number of ways we can be better leaders and followers. The church needs both to be effective at Kingdom building.

Next, Clint Grenz explores the work of Nehemiah, an Israelite who lived near the end of Old Testament times. He is credited with rebuilding the crumbled walls and burned gates of a beleaguered Jerusalem. What was it about this man that enabled him to rally and renew a disheartened and weary group of exiles facing hardship and surrounded by enemies?

Our last feature looks to Jesus as an example of leadership. Vern Heidebrecht explores a couple of Gospel passages that give us a closer look at what it takes to be a servant leader, like Jesus.

Though we may be experiencing a leadership crisis, our current leaders are leading us forward. In BodyLife, we introduce a new series of church profiles. Over the next few months, we will be taking "a closer look at who we are" by examining how these individual churches challenge the rest of us to be better servants of Christ. In this issue, we also take a look at the church planting efforts of our districts and national conference.

God bless. -CA

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COMING _ FEBRUARY 20 - Peace Sunday for U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches _ MARCH 3-4 - U.S. Conference joint board meetings, Reedley, Calif.

-JULY 27·29 - Biennial U.S. Conference convention, Denver, Colo.

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FEBRUARY 2000

VOLUME 63, NUMBER 2

FEATURES - LEADERSHIP 4 Where have our leaders gone-and how do we get them back?

Why are a dwindling number of men and women interested in pastoral roles? What can we do to get them back? We asked three MB leaders to give us their thoughts.

9 Leading and following Leadership and followership are integral to the effectiveness of the church. What can we do to be better servants? BY LARRY NIKKEL

12 Rebuilding a people One of the most striking leaders in the Bible is Nehemiah, who not only led his people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days but gave them back hope and new life as well. BY CLINT GRENZ

14 Jesus: the servant leader The church needs leaders-but not just any kind of leaders. The church needs servant leaders, like Jesus. BY VERN HEIDEBRECHT

DEPARTMENTS What Readers Say Ph'lip Side •

by Marvin Hein 19

Worship and General Conference divestiture

On the Journey •

by Philip Wiebe 18

Connecting and disconnecting

Inquiring Minds •

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by Rose Buschman 20

A good time for drawstring bags

BodyLife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 • • • • • • •

A closer look at who we are: Inner city congregation seeks to enlarge family 22 Districts take advantage of a potpourri of church planting opportunities 24 MUSA church plant profiles: different strategies but the same goal 25 Twin cities closure illustrates church planting challenges 28 Carden resigns as Fresno Pacific's 7th president 29 Warkentin announces retirement from MBMSI 30 Dwight Wiebe leaves legacy of service 31

Church News & Notes

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Let's Talk About It

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Editorial

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Through the eye of a needle ART CREDITS: Cover, Sara Russell; pages 9-11, Sara Russell; page 12, The Rebuilding of the Temple by Gustave Dore; page 14, Jesus and the Woman Taken in Adultery by Gustave Dore.

Printing by Valley Offset Printing, Valley Center, Kansas.

EDITOR Carmen Andres

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Connie Faber

BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair; Peggy Goertzen, Phil Neufeld, Dalton Reimer, Herb Schroeder.

The Christian Leader (ISSN 0009-5149) is published monthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events, activities, decisions and issues of their denomination, and to instruct. inspire and initiate dialog so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical/Anabaptist theological tradition. However, the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church.

The editors invite free-lance article submissions, essays to Forum and letters to the editor. Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churches. The essays can address any issue of relevance and interest to the faith and life of the Mennonite Brethren Church and should be no longer than BOO words and include the home church and occupation of the writer. A SASE must accompany articles and forum essays.

The Christian Leader is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ editors..

WESTERN OFFICE: Carmen Andres, Editor 7531 Delta Wind Dr. Sacramento, California 95831 Phone: (916) 424-5710 E-mail: chleader@jps.net MIDWEST OFFICE: Connie Faber, Assistant Editor Box V, 315 S. Lincoln Hillsboro, Kansas 67063 Phone: (316) 947-5543 Fax: (316) 947-3266 E-mail: chleader@southwind.net Subscription rates are $16 for one year, $30 for two years, and $42 for three years ($20, $38 and $54 in Canada); $1.50 per copy. All subscription requests and address changes should be sent to the Circulation Secretary at the Midwest Office. All advertising inquiries should be made to the Western Office.

Postmaster: Send address changes to the Christian Leader, Box V, Hillsboro. KS 67063. Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, Kansas.

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where have our

Why are a dwindling number of men and women interested in pastoral roles? What can we do to get them back?

We asked three MB leaders to give us their thoughts. n Leader: We have heard a variety of minationalleaders refer to the dwindling rs of men and women who are interested in on pastoral roles as a "Ieadership crisiso Do you t mk there is a crisis? Are we alone in this, or are other denominations facing a similar situation?

What is the reason for this crisis?

Ed Boschman: The leadership crisis is apparent If

beyond the U.S. MB constituency. "Minister wanted" ads are everywhere-in evangelical and mainline churches alike. I was told recendy that less than a handful of our current seminary students are aspiring to the pastorate.

It's ironic that about the time one can, in most cases, make a reasonable living in full-time pastoral ministry there are fewer who desire to do so. That fact probably points to the reality that becoming a pastor doesn't have much to do with the salary scale. H it's more about God's anointing, one is left to think that there are a lot ofJonahs out there looking for another ship to board.

Watching the challenges of pastoral ministry as a PK (preacher's kid) certainly delayed my willingness to sign on. Those who consider leadership ministry 4·THE

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in the church will see the challenges of yesteryear multiplied and intensified. Leadership authority is harder to come by; position has litde power in itself.

Followership is less valued because personal freedom is nonnegotiable for many. Theology-anchors and absolutes-was the given of the disciplines and is now politically incorrect; tolerance is now god.

Constructive criticism of leaders has often deteriorated to unscrupulous attack. And philosophies such as secular humanism and religious pluralism have made ministry increasingly difficult.

Harold Ens: I believe that indeed there is something of a crisis as reflected in the large number of vacant pastorates in our churches and the constant struggle to maintain numbers of students preparing for pastoral roles or missionary roles in our seminary. I'm not sure about other denominations, but [ have a sense that we are not alone in this.

As to reasons for this crisis, I can think of several probable reasons. First, in a North American society strongly driven by the need to succeed economically, the pastoral/missionary role is not highly desirable. While support levels have gone up in some cases, many pastors still earn less than other profes-

Ed Boschman Executive Director of Mission USA, the U.S. Conference church planting and renewal ministry

Harold Ens General Director of MBMS International, the mission agency of North American MB churches

Henry Schlllidt President of the MB Biblical Seminary, with campuses in both Canada and the U.S.

what three MB leaders say sionals with similar training and experience in their congregations.

Second, the expectations placed on pastors often lead to a high stress situation. It seems that our "congregational government" model has led to a lack of respect and appreciation for leadership. Too many pastors are burned out and their families detrimentally affected by the expectations, criticisms and actions of their congregations. Many younger leaders don't want to place themselves or their families in such a situation.

Finally, we seem to have lost our passion for giving high priority to "shoulder tapping" promising young men and women in our congregations to help them hear God's call to pastoral or missionary ministry. Instead we place high value on other more "profitable" professions.

Henry Schlllidt: Mennonite Brethren are facing a "crisis" in terms of the numbers and kinds of leaders who are willing to serve in pastoral roles. In a recent survey we discovered the alarming fact that we were only able to identify 45 U.S. MB students in seminary right now-25 at MBBS and 20 in eight other U.S. seminaries. It has also become increasingly difficult to fill the vacancies in senior, associate and youth pastorates in our churches.

The reality is that the generations coming into seminary these days tend to be older-the average Ige at MBBS is 37-and are in mid-career change. rhis means they have life experience but not much

church leadership ministry experience. They tend to go into associate pastor roles for apprenticing and mentoring before becoming senior pastors. A younger set of students are more entrepreneurial in their approach and are choosing to plant new churches rather than to pastor an existing church.

In a recent consultation meeting with eight other seminaries, it is clear that Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, Episcopalians, and Methodists are all experiencing the same leadership shortage.

The reasons for the crisis are multiple.

First, most churches have no ongoing plan for calling out gifted, younger and mid-career leaders and encouraging them to respond to God's call as pastors, evangelists, teachers or missionaries.

Second, pastoring a church used to be "high status-low risk," but today it has become "low status-high risk."

Third, pastoring today is hard work. During a time of rapid cultural and congregational change, leaders must deal with greater diversity, increased resistance to change, heightened expectations and often less support. Underlying the "leadership crisis" is also a "followership crisis" in all of us.

Fourth, leaders have not prioritized the multiplication of leaders as a major component of their calling and ministry. We have paid more attention to multiplying disciples and churches than to multiplying leaders.

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·We need to diSCern people d to be mentore by effective leaders to become the best leaders b theyCan e.

-Ed Boschman CL: What can we do to solve this problem? Are we taking any steps towards that? What practical hing can a congregation do in calling out people to I-time ministry?

EB: Perhaps this underscores that effective church leadership has to be built on the passion and commitment of a person who has the God-given temperament and gifts-both natural and spiritual-to be an effective and persevering leader. If my memory serves me correctly, only around three percent of people fit into this category.

We need to discern people to be mentored by effective leaders to become the best leaders they can be. Churches should identify and monitor the people in the body with ministry gifts-appoint, involve and train them in the spiritual disciplines and faithful service. They could become interns and also be sponsored by the church for continuing education.

Our educational model probably needs to make additional shifts to include more experiential training. Let me add that solid theological training is increasingly important in order to make an impact in the midst of increasing pluralism.

HE: We need to support our pastors and missionaries at a level more consistent with that of other professionals. We need to develop conference level consultants and advisors who will do more to help local churches to love, respect and bless their pastors and families. We might also need to do more of the same for missionaries. We also need to reprioritize the "calling out" function in our congregations.

I can think of a number of things, both from my own personal experience as well as from observation of many congregations that could help. First, encourage the participation of young people in ministry. That was certainly an influence in my life. My home church gave me opportunities in worship, teaching and administration. Too many churches today "demand" a level of professionalism that bor-

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ders on "performance" for anyone ministering on stage. That can block young people from getting a taste for ministry.

Second, encourage and give priority to a "shoulder tapping ministry" in the church. Elders, church councils and other leaders should make a point of mentoring young people in whom they see pastoraVmissionary ministry gifts.

Third, encourage training for minisLry by having a regular scholarship program for those who do decide to go to seminary. The high cost of graduate theological studies can be a major obstacle for some, and financial support can be a very tangible symbol of a congregation's backing.

HS: Pastors and church leadership must intentionally prioritize the "calling out" agenda in local churches. Two questions are good starters for every church and pastor: how many Ephesians 4 leaders have our churches called out in the last 10 years and do we really believe that the role of pastors and church leaders is to multiply leaders?

Second, families, pastors, leaders and churches must redeem ministry as a significant calling. We must elevate not the position of pastor or full-time ministry, but the call of God on people's lives. We must remind them and ourselves that if churches do not call out leaders in the Ephesians 4 category, then, according to Paul, the church cannot come to maturity.

Third, we can make the leadership development issue a serious prayer and conversation agenda at regular church council and elder board meetings.

Fourth, we can "shoulder tap" and encourage young people who are gifted with relational and communication skills to consider pastoral ministry.

Fifth, church councils and pastors can agree that at least 25 percent of pastoral staff time be devoted to the development of current and future church leaders.

It must become part of the pastoral role expectation.

Sixth, we can implement the slogan Harold Penner and I modeled in the early days of Fig Garden Church: "No solo flights." Every leader in every assignment-be it visitation, small groups, prayer teams, youth work, Christian education, etc.-always had an apprentice in training. We had no shortage of leaders.

ion USA recently announced MetroNet n to plant 20 new churches in the next . How does this leadership crisis affect ftIIIlr8IIIIJdl? What will be the challenges of trying to fill Ipits of existing churches as well as the

new ones?

EB: God will provide the leaders! Ifwe don't find them, we'll not achieve our goal.

We are taking some steps to facilitate that. First,

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we are encouraging enrollment in the MBBS Church Planter Residency Program-one year of classroom and one year of on-site church planter training. We are also connecting with the appropriate students at Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University to encourage them to consider church planting. Third, we are pursuing regular contact with the appropriate seminary students. Finally, we are challenging appropriate associate pastors to consider church planting.

HE: I don't think that the current leadership crisis necessarily makes that an unreachable goal. In reality, many younger leaders are looking for opportunities to start something new as a way of avoiding the tensions and crises present in some existing congregations. Of course, that could make it challenging to fill the pulpits of existing churches.

HS: It will not be difficult to capture the commit· ment for Busters and Gen Xers for church planting, evangelism and mission. They have a passion for God, a heart for evangelism and want to serve God. The greater challenge will be to find seasoned, sensitive pastors who have a heart and the leadership skills to revitalize and develop missional churches. Since all the gifts of church planters, pastors, teachers and missionaries build God's kingdom, we must avoid elevating or pitting one ministry against another.

There are obvious reasons why church planting is more attractive to many than pastoring an established church. New churches tend to be "one gener· ational," without a history or tradition, so they cre· ate their own. The music and worship style debate is a nonissue because new people are drawn by whatever style the new church has and that connects with them. Pastoring an established church today is more difficult because it includes three-four generations and leaders must deal with rapid changes, issues that relate to history and tradition plus the ongoing need for revitalization.

Both pastoring and church planting are important ministries. New starts become established churches. It is a fact that the ratio of new converts in new starts is normally higher than in established churches. That is why the role of pastoring is no less missional in that it calls the established church to refocus its mission.

t can we learn from how Mennonite in other countries solve their pastoral

Of course some have solved that through a team of lay leaders or with bi-vocationalleadership. The Japan MB Conference has been exemplary in training its own pastors for all its churches.

HS: In many other countries, churches have a different system of part-time, bi-vocational ministers, and I believe that will also happen in parts of North America. They also have no shortage of leaders who are trained informally and practically. The critical issue for them is getting more formal biblical and theological training. We must continue to keep a strong connection between formal training and the apprenticeship/intern dimension of on-the-job training in local church ministries. We learn the importance of on-the-job training from them.

e have said that we as a people no longer pastorate as a career. Do you agree or 7Why7 ere are plenty of church experiences that I've observeCl and personally encountered that tell me that healthy church families enjoy, appreciate and endorse the pastoral function in the local church.

Those who suggest that there is no reason to value the God-ordained ministries in the church need to read the Bible again. If the sense is that parishioners have become lackadaisical in their support and encouragement of pastoral leaders, I'd like to preach a sermon in those churches to remind them of how great a gift an undershepherd is to the flock.

Elders, church councils andother ea ers . should make ~polnt ofmentorlng

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young people in whom they see • pastoral/missionary gIftS.

ey certainly don't have all the answers, as many-e gregations in our two largest conferences-India and Congo--are also without pastors.

-Harold Ens

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Families, pastors, . ea ers and churches,:] mustreueem . . ministry as a calling.

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-Henry Schmidt

HE: I partly addressed this in the first questionwe don't often provide financial remuneration equal to other professions with similar qualifications. I suppose there are also other aspects to this in terms of whether or not we still see ministry as a "high calling."

They were risk-takers. None of them knew where the call of God would take them nor the implications of their initial yes to God. They kept saying yes to God's call in the midst of failures and successes.

God's faithfulness is a consistent theme in their lives and legacy.

HS: I believe pastoral ministry has been devalued in the past two decades. It is part of the general reaction in culture to institutionalism and leadership. It is related to a shift in values in our families and affluent culture. How many of us as parents today encourage our children to go into pastoral ministry?

Why are young people affirmed when they pursue graduate education in the teaching, medical, legal, sociology and business professions, but when someone says they are going to seminary they have to defend it? "Why would you want to do that?" people ask. If pastoring today has become low status-high risk, why not take up the challenge of raising the status of the ministry profession by following the Jesus servant leadership model?

ere a leader in the last century you ho? Why?

L: M,ving to a more personal level, which biblical leader do you admire most? Why?

EB: As'sumingJesus as my ultimate model and hero,

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I sa I see the apostle Paul as a relational and contextuallifug evangelist who encouraged orthodoxy and appropriate structures to help the church be healthy and reproductive. I wouldn't be offended if someone accused me of having him as a hero of mine.

HE: I admire Moses. He was certainly not perfect, and he had difficulty responding to God's call, but in the end he obeyed and returned to Egypt. He went through a stage of trying to do it all himselfjust as many leaders today do--but with help from his father-in-law, he learned to delegate. In many ways, like Jesus, he learned obedience by the things that he suffered.

HS: Some of us have multiple models. My list of favorites include Abraham, Moses, David, Esther and Paul. They are all marked by obedience to God's call in the midst of challenging leadership opportunities. a-THE

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y Graham strikes me as the kind of man w as helped the cause of Christ globally. I'll never-forget seeing him represent the love ofJesus to Larry King on "Larry King Live." He's maintained passion and integrity of character-and he's been an effective influencer.

Just as much though, I admire the faithful, effective and outreach-minded pastor in the North American mission outpost we call the local church. May his tribe increase.

HE: In terms of an MB leader, I do admire anum· ber of them but was especially inspired by J .B. Toews. He was a powerful figure and not afraid to use his "power" toward the biblical ends in which he believed. He was a bold proclaimer of truth, a deep thinker and a wise strategist. He was an encourager and mentor to younger leaders like myself, even though we did not always agree. J .B. did not remain in the past but kept abreast of new trends and issues and sought to bring biblical reflection to bear on them.

HS: The leader I admire most is ].B. Toews. I admire him for his vision and commitment to Christ, the Kingdom and the church. He reshaped MB global missions and seminary training as no other MB leader. He asked penetrating questions of individuals, leaders and the churches, and he did so with a relational style, a concern for the larger cause and a desire to enhance the mission of the church and train godly, effective servant leaders. No MB leader in the last 40 years has addressed the issue of MB identity and theology as frequently, clearly and consistently as J .B. For 30 years he was a personal friend, mentor and role model. •

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Issues of leadership and "followership" touch every action of the church. How we lead and how we follow will determine the effectiveness of everything we doand it takes both to do the Kingdom building that is at the heart of our calling.

hints for leadin Leadership is a calling.

Take seriously the call to leadership, even if your personal preference tilts in another direction. There are times when a clear sense of duty must be acknowledged. Someone once said to me, "Surely God wouldn't call me to something that I really don't want to do." That is a misguided thought. Was Moses eager to confront Pharaoh? Did Jonah want to go to Nineveh? Did Jesus look forward to his trip to Jerusalem?

Also, resist assuming leadership positions either to meet your ego's demands or satisfy guilt of doing something to satisfy someone else.

When you answer the call to leadership, you are submitting to something that will change who you are.

There is no downside to leadership--only an upside. But the benefits of providing leadership will come with a cost.

The children's game of "follow the leader" may still be played on the playground, but it is on the endangered species list among adults. When you assume a leadership position, you will have to listen in ways you have never listened before. Your words will be misconstrued-sometimes intentionally and sometimes not. In some cases, you will have to forfeit your right to defend yourself. Some people will use every creative mechanism to manipulate you into meeting their personal agendas.

As you confront these pressures, you will find

that God is leading you through a refining fire-a process that will bring depth to the work of grace that he has already begun in you. Before God is finished, you will likely be more sober, somewhat wiser, perhaps more flexible, certainly a person of greater depth and hopefully a person of greater integrity.

As a leader working under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, try to envision what you want to accomplish.

Stephen Covey encourages us to "begin with the end in mind." If your leadership of a team, committee, department or institution is effective, what will be the result? What will this thing you are doing look like? Can you already see it in your mind?

David could see in his mind what the nation of Israel could look like under his kingship. Nehemiah could picture in his mind what a rebuilt temple within the secure walls would look like in Jerusalem. The apostle Paul could see what the emerging church could be.

Elmer Ediger, my early mentor, used to say, "Unless you have a vision for where you want to go, your organization is not going to move."

Realize that this vision for where you want to go cannot be yours alone.

You are probably not called to be a Lone Ranger.

That means the vision you develop will need to be a shared vision of those you are working with. You FEBRUARY

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Ashared vision is compelling.

It creates a pull-

a liftthat empowers and energizes people.

may have a great vision for the future, but if it is yours alone you will spend all of your time forcing, selling or coercing people to follow. It will only be a matter of time before you are discouraged, depleted and burned out.

A shared vision is compelling. It creates a pull-a lift-that empowers and energizes people. Someone has said that if you think you are leading but nobody is following, you are really just out for a walk.

After you develop a shared vision of the future, delegate responsibility and hold each other accountable.

The secular world has developed systems for holding people accountable and makes no apologies for it. Unless we follow through on commitments and asSignments, our efforts and those of others are wasted. Discouragement sets in and we lose the momentum for the vision that called us forward.

Accountability may not be as well established in our church as in our secular structures, but it is equally important. One should not assume that everyone will come to a meeting with their assignments completed. It may be helpful to conclude each meeting with a summary of who is to follow up on various decisions. While it shouldn't be necessary, it may be helpful to touch base with members well in advance of the meeting to assure that they are on schedule and prepared. Too many meetings are a waste of time because of someone's lack of preparation. As time goes on, you learn which people need that advance call and which do not.

Expect some level of conflict within the team you are called to lead.

If the conflict develops around the issue of vision-where you want to go-<1eal with it up front. No team, committee, church or organization can thrive when its members cannot agree upon their direction.

It is less critical-but still important-when the conflict is centered on how we hope to get where we are going. Often there is more than one way to get to our destination. In these cases, center your agenda on exploring the options thoughtfully and with integrity, and then determine-by consensus if possible-which of the options available will most effectively help your team arrive at your destination or goal.

People with a shared vision of the future are quite likely to support anyone of numerous strategies if they feel that their preferred option has received serious consideration. If they feel they were "blown off," they may act out their disappointment or anger in disruptive ways.

When conflict does occur, resist the tendency as

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a leader to take the conflict or criticism personally.

If you do so, you become a part of the problem and lose the ability to act effectively. This is especially difficult because often we as human beings tend to explicitly or implicitly add a personal dimension to our concerns when we express criticism. The ability to not take criticism personally requires some level of maturity and grace. In these situations, it is important to be able to separate the issue from the person. Failing to do this results in rejecting the person along with the issue. This is always destructive.

Pray for the courage to do what you know is rigbt.

In most situations, I have known the right thing to do, yet there were times when I was not sure I had the courage to do what I knew to be right.

It is helpful to live by the simple phrase, "what is right is more important than who is right." Focusing on what is right is unifying. There are times, however, when leaders may have to render judgment about who is right-especially when conflict has escalated to the point of destructiveness.

Realize the leadership you are being called to is much bigger than you alone.

I believe there will come a time when we will stand before a holy God and fall flat on our faces when we see clearly and know fully how God has been at work in, through and about us to accomplish his good will. While we should work with a vision of the results and outcomes we believe will bring honor to God, we must realize that all God requires of us is that we have done our best. It is God who will determine the outcome of our labor.

A frequently stated observation in the professional sports world is that an individual is "playing outside" himself or herself-meaning that the person is attempting to perform beyond his or her ability. As Christian women and men, we have to acknowledge the limits of our abilities and responsibilities and leave the rest to God. A helpful phrase for me is "what you can do is what you can do." I should do what I can, but there are limits to what I can do. I must take satisfaction from having done what I can and be content to leave the rest in the hands of an all powerful and knowing God.

ti 5 for followin We are all followers.

We are all leaders in our families, churches, communities and vocations. But every leader is a follower. Ultimately, we who call ourselves Christians are first and foremost followers. We have signed up as apprentices to Jesus-to learn to love what he loves, hate what he hates and think as he thinks.

Good followers help leaders be effective.

Our commitment to followership is being threatened by the emphasis on individualism promoted by our culture. Our reluctance to submit limits the effectiveness of the very leaders whose gifts we affirm and whom we elect to important positions.

Our commitment to be good followers also affects our ability to call out competent leaders and influences the willingness of competent people to assume leadership positions. An increasing number of people are rejecting positions of leadership within the church because other avenues of service are less frustrating and more rewarding.

We can help leaders be successful in several ways: • Find ways to support your leaders. Do not abandon them after offering affirmation of their leadership gifts by electing them. Few pastoral or lay leaders begin their ministries as accomplished leaders.

They must be developed over time. Congregations give a great gift to their leaders when they support them in the development of their leadership skills.

• Respect the decision making process to which you have agreed. In most of our congregations, we agree that we will discern the mind of God through prayer, discussion and then abide by a vote of the membership where the majority will determine the issue. Once that vote has been taken, we owe it to our leaders to support the decision--even if we personally would have preferred another outcome.

• Find ways to encourage your leaders. Going out to lunch, a pat on the back, a personal note or a quick phone call can refill emotional gas tanks that often are drained in the life of a leader.

Know how to use yourself.

With few exceptions, everyone in a meeting will have an opinion about what is being discussed, and often those opinions will be quite strong. Typically, however, only a few will express their opinions.

Sometimes those most willing to express their opinions are a distinct minority. When only a vocal minority has spoken to an issue that is then soundly rejected by a more silent majority, the congregation is left with a deep feeling of unsettled business.

In a setting like this, we can use ourselves effec-

tively in a couple of ways.

• Address those who have already spoken by paraphrasing what was just said. This will help previous speakers know that they have been understood.

Then contribute your own perspective on the issue.

• Acknowledge both pros and cons of an issue, but then articulate your own position.

When both sides of an issue have been openly addressed, the outcome is less likely to be seen as a rejection of a persona or group and is less likely to lead to feelings of alienation.

Speak only to the issue at hand.

Many of us don't do a good job of resolving petty issues as they occur. Instead we stuff them into an invisible gunnysack that we carry around with us. As a result, it is almost impossible to focus entirely on the issue at hand without having the emotions of previously unresolved issues providing extra fuel to the discussion. This distorts the current issue, often confusing people about why someone feels so strongly about what may be a minor.

Practice the biblical principle of taking care of your anger when it occurs. If you find the residue of previously unresolved issues crowding into the present discussion, try and separate those issues from the one currently being discussed.

Going out to lunch, a pat on the back, a personal note or a quick phone call can refill emotional gas tanks Larry Nikkel is president of Tabor College, an MB that often school in Hillsboro, Kan. Before his appointment, he served as president and chief executive officer of are drained Mennonite Health Services and executive director of in the life of Prairie View, Inc., ofNewton, Kan. He is a member ofHillsboro MB Church. a leader.

Allow each other our opinions.

In some ways the church has taken on a style of operating that more closely resembles that of Republicans and Democrats than a style that resembles a community of "brothers and sisters."

People have opinions about almost everything.

While they may be important, they are still just opinions. We should not elevate opinions to levels where they are confused with doctrine or dogma, but that is what we often do. Many of the issues we deal with in the church are simply opinions about our personal preferences. Let's allow each other opinions and save our real energy for those things that touch the heart of God. •

FEBRUARY

2000

•

11

ERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP in e Bible, but one of the most striking is Nehemiah, sraelite who lived near the end of Old Testant times.

Nehemiah is especially renowned for rebuilding the walls of a ruined Jerusalem-in only 52 days-by recruiting, organizing and motivating an army of volunteers to work sacrificially in the face of hardships and fierce opposition from enemies. A man of decisive action and aggressive leadership in civic and political affairs, Nehemiah shares with Ezra, a priest, the credit for the reconstruction ofJerusalem and the revival ofJudaism after the Babylonian exile.

From the late 580s Be, many of the Jews were exiled in Babylon away from their land and Jerusalem. About 45 years later, Babylon was defeated and some Israelites were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Another group followed 80 years later under Ezra.

Around this time, Nehemiah lived in the capital city of Susa, about 100 miles northeast of the Persian Gulf. He was cupbearer-a high rank among the Persian court officials-ofArtaxerxes I, the king of Persia.

A report came to Nehemiah that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates burned.

He was grief stricken. For days he mourned, fasted, wept and prayed for his people in Jerusalem, then approximately 50,000 exiles in and around the city.

He was deeply concerned over the plight of the Jewish community.

After seeing Nehemiah's great concern for his people, the king granted Nehemiah's request to oversee the rebuilding ofJerusalem and appointed him governor ofJudah. Nehemiah forfeited his own position at the Persian court to serve his nation in the rebuilding ofJerusalem. As a leader, Nehemiah brought new life and hope to his people.

Nehemiah led a tired and hopeless band of exiles to rebuild the crumbled walls around Jerusalem-in 52 days.

But he didn't just rebuild walls. He rebuilt a people.

Character begets methods What makes up a leader like Nehemiah? How was he able to accomplish rebuilding the city walls and the life of his people?

• 10 BY 12 • THE

C H R 1ST I A N

LEA D E R

CLINT

GRENZ

Nehemiah's methods ofleadership were effective only because of the quality of his character. I find eight impressions from his story that reflect his character.

• Prayer. Prayer was not merely an exercise for set seasons or times but an integral part of ordinary living and working.

Nehemiah was a praying leader. His first reaction on hearing of the pitiable plight ofJerusalem was to tum to God in prayer. When the king learned why he was so sad and asked him what he wanted, Nehemiah "prayed to the God of heaven" before he answered (2:4). When the opposition led by Sanballot, an enemy, ridiculed and mocked the Jews who were trying to rebuild the wall, Nehemiah's first response was prayer (4:4).

• Courage. Nehemiah experienced fierce opposition to the rebuilding of the walls ofJerusalem from enemies in the region, yet he displayed courage in the face of great danger. "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in" (6:11).

The firmness and fearlessness displayed by Nehemiah increased the morale of a discouraged people. Morale is always lifted when a leader displays firmness, insight and foresight. A discouraged people like the Jews could not have completed the wall within 52 days without such a courageous leader.

• Concern. Nehemiah's concern for the welfare of the people was so obvious that even his adversaries commented on it: "... they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare ofthe Israelites" (2:10).

Nehemiah identified himself with both his people's sorrows and their sins. So great was his concern when he found out about the condition of his people and Jerusalem, that he fasted, prayed and cried for days (1:4-6). But in the midst of their sorrows, priests, Levites and laity were sinning by bringing in cultic practices and the' worship practices of pagan gods. Nehemiah does not set himself apart from his people, but instead identifies himself with

their sins, saying, "The sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned" (1:6).

• Foresight. Nehemiah thought things through carefully. Once he secured the favorable attention of the king, he asked for letters to the governors through whose territories he was to travel. He also requested letters to the keepers of the king's forests, so that he might obtain the timber necessary "to make beams for the gates of the palace...and for the wall ofthe city" (2:8).

• Decision. Nehemiah was a man of clear decision. He did not defer when he should decide. Procrastination found no place in his energetic energy.

When Nehemiah was granted his request to go to Jerusalem, he left shortly afterwards. He began the repair of the walls a few days after his arrival and completed the project in 52 days (6:15).

• Empathy. Nehemiah possessed the quality of empathy to an unusual degree. He was willing to lend an understanding and sympathetic ear to the problems and grievances of the people-and he took action.

Nehemiah heard the stories of the workers-tired because the wall was in total ruin and the rubble was too much for them to remove-and reports of enemies threatening to kill them. He immediately posted armed guards and organized the families to stand guard. He called the leaders and people together, telling them, "Don't be afraid of them.

Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your house" (4:14).

He also heard the cries of his people protesting against oppression by their fellow Jews. Because of famine, many Jews had no money to buy food. Some had mortgaged their fields and sold their children into slavery to get enough money to live. Nehemiah confronted the nobles and officials, charging them with oppressing their own people. He told them to restore the fields and homes, repay the interest they charged on loans and materials. He then made them publicly and formally vow before the priests what they had promised to do (5:1-13).

• Impartiality. Nehemiah's decisions and actions were characterized by strict impartiality. He manifested no respect of persons-the nobles and rulers received his censure when they deserved it just as freely as did the common people.

Also, his spiritual approach to problems included a healthy realism. He exhibited a practical approach to challenges. He demonstrated a strong belief in God to protect the people yet also a strong sense for the need to protect them from the enemy by guard-

FEBRUARY

A discouraged people like the Jews could not have completed the wall within 52 days without such a courageous leader.

2000.

13

~ ~esus:

the servAnt leAlier

BY VERN HEIDEBRECHT

T

he church needs leaders-but not just any kind of leaders. The need is for "servant leaders."

The difference between servant leaders and leader servants is profound. A servant leader is a servant first and then a leader.

The servant leader's primary goal is to see that others' needs are being met. The test of an effective servant leader is the impact he or she has on others. Are they growing as persons? Are they becoming healthier, wiser, freer, more likely themselves to become servants? Are the least privileged in society benefitting from the ministry of the servant leader?

The Master Principle Jesus is the ultimate model of a servant leader. This is well demonstrated in Mark

10:35-45, where two of his followers, James and John, came and asked Jesus to give them leadership positions, to let them sit at his right and left hand in glory.

• Leadership involves suffering. Jesus replied to James and John that leadership in God's Kingdom means drinking from Jesus' cup and being baptized with Jesus' baptism (10:38), referring to Jesus' suffering and death. James was later martyred and John exiled.

• Leadership is a sovereign call from God. The 10 other disciples were indignant at James' and John's request, but only because they had not thought of it first. Jesus responded that the positions on his right and left hand "belong to those for whom they are prepared" (10:40). We have no right to claim them for our own.

ing the city day and night. "We made our prayer...and set a watch...day and night" (4:9).

• Responsible. Nehemiah carried his assignment-with all its difficulties-right through to a successful conclusion.

He arrived in Jerusalem at night and made a prompt inspection of the city. He then confronted the people with a plan to rebuild the walls. He assigned the people to various gates and walls of the city. When these intensive activities aroused opposition from the surrounding provinces, Nehemiah not only prayed but assigned guards day and night. When his enemies tried to ensnare him, he called upon God, prayed for his enemies and refused to flee.

After Jerusalem was securely enclosed, Nehemiah established a guard system to prevent enemy attack, called for a registration of all people in the province in order to recruit some for settlement in Jerusalem, and supported the people in their religious devotion and activities. He organized the priests and Levites to take care of the tithes and other contributions made by the people, disciplined the officials when religious laxity prevailed and made certain that the Sabbath was observed.

Nehemiah emerges as a man who was vigorous in administration, calm in crisis, fearless in danger, courageous in decision, thorough in organization, disinterested in leadership, persevering before opposition and resolute in the face of threats-a leader who won and held the full confidence of his followers.

14 • THE

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Leadership in the church comes from the call of God. • Leadership in its essence is servanthood. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (10:42-44).

• Leadership is ultimately modeled by Jesus. Jesus reminded his followers, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (10:45).

What leaders do At the time, Nehemiah's methods seemed somewhat vigorous, but he was used by God to achieve spectacular reforms in the life of his nation in an amazingly short time. We can learn a great deal from his methods.

• Raise morale. An important job of a responsible leader is to raise the morale of his colleagues.

Nehemiah's colleagues were continually threatened and intimidated by Sanballot, an enemy leader.

As long as Jerusalem had no wall, Nehemiah's people were afraid and insecure. Sanballot wanted Nehemiah and the people to fail, so he tried to defeat them with a barrage of insults and threats of attack.

Wherever Nehemiah faced criticism, threats or discouragement, he focused on God and prayed. He stimulated his people's faith and directed their thoughts away from the magnitude of their immediate problems to the greatness and trustworthiness of God. Scattered throughout his story are such assurances as: "the God of heaven...will prosper us" (2:20); "Be not afraid...remember the Lord...great and terrible" (4: 14); "Our God shall fight for us" (4:20); and "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (8:10). Faith brings about faith.

Nehemiah also raised morale by being generous with his appreciation and encouragement. He kindled hope in his people and then secured their cooperation in part by recounting what God had done in his life and sharing his vision and utter confidence in God: "...then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's

Practical Principles Servant leadership has three characteristics: identity (the servant leader knows who he is-a follower of Jesus); vision (he sees as God sees and thus is able to lead his people in following God); and community (he leads his church community to be a visionary community following God).

Servant leadership is thus empowering people with vision, authority and resources to get the job done. Canadian evangelist leighton Ford said, "Servant leaders are those who are able to divest themselves of their power and invest it in their followers in such a way that others are empowered, while the leaders end with the greatest power of all, the power of seeing themselves reproduced in others."

John 13:1-15 reveals seven more practical principles of servant leadership, again as modeled by Jesus.

• Servant leadership reveals the full extent of your love. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus showed his followers "the full extent of His love" (13:1). What level of love is evident in our serving of people?

• Servant leadership reaches out without discrimination. The devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus (13:2), yet Jesus washed his feet along with the feet of the other disciples. Do we serve people equally, or only those we like or feel deserve it?

• Servant leadership is motivated by our relationship with God. Jesus knew "that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God" (13:3). It is only as we are secure in our identity as children of God that we can serve people as Jesus did.

• Servant leadership reveals a caring person. Jesus washed his followers' feet (13:4-6), a task performed by household slaves. John Maxwell puts it well: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

• Servant leadership requires that we let Jesus serve us. When Peter raised objections, Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part of Me" (13:8-12).

Unless we receive what God has for us, we

words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work" (2: 18).

• Action in crisis. Nehemiah dealt promptly with pot.ential trouble spots or weaknesses. The people were utterly tired. Accumulated rubbish impeded their progress; their adversaries were intimidating them.

Nehemiah used good tactics. He directed their thoughts to God. He saw to it that they were properly armed. He regrouped them and stationed them at strategic points. He harnessed the strength of the family units. He ordered half of them to work while the other half defended and rested.

Courage returned to the people when they saw that their leader appreciated and grappled with their problems.

• Restore God's Word. Nehemiah also restored the authority of God's Word (8:1-8) and enforced the standards of Scripture.

Among other things, Nehemiah ordered the restoration of the Feast of Tabernacles which had not been observed since]oshua's day (8: 14)-and the work-weary people welcomed this week's holiday and festivities. The Sabbath rest was again enforced (13: 15). The holy vessels were restored (13:9) and tithes were once again brought to the treasury (13:5). The reading of Scriptures induced repentance and confession of sin on the part of both people and priests (9:3-5).

By enforcing the importance and standards of Scripture, spiritual authority was given to Nehemiah's actions.

cannot serve others. We need him to cleanse us, redesign us, rebuke us and nurture us so that we are able to do to others what he has done for us.

• Servant leadership does not require you to lose your position or status. Jesus said, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am" (13:13). When you as a dad serve your child, you remain dad. The same is true for a mother, a pastor or a president.

• Servant leadership reveals the person of Christ. Jesus stated, II Now that I, your lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (13:14-15). •

Vern Heidebrecht is senior pastor of Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, B. C This article is excerpted and adapted from material taught in a course at MB Biblical Seminary's B.C Center. This artide first appeared in the MB Herald.

• Organize. Nehemiah organized. Before making detailed plans he conducted a careful survey and made an objective appraisal of the situation (2:1116). He made a detailed assessment of the personnel available. Each group was entrusted with a specific and clearly defined area of responsibility. He gave adequate recognition to subordinate leaders, mentioning them by name, and the place where each worked. He practiced a wise delegation of responsibility (7:2). He had high standards for the subordinates whom he chose (7:2). And he did not neglect unglamorous paper work-he found and read through the genealogical records and took the time and effort to organize the people through a registration of all the people.

Learning from Nehemiah From Nehemiah we learn that we must use wise and resolute guidance to steer a steady course amid swirling currents.

Today, we are living in a swirling culture as well.

We, too, must think ahead, plan for the future, exhaust all possibilities, envision problems and dream up solutions and then communicate the possibilities and problem-solVing ideas to those who make the decisions-be that a church board, pastor or conference leadership.•

Clint Grenz is district ministerfor the Central District Conference. A retired U.S. army chaplain, Grenz has been a pastorfor 38 years, 15 ofthose with the Mennonite Brethren.

FEBRUARY

2000

•

15

WHAT READERS SAY

Politics issue appreciated I find ''What Readers Say" to be one of the most interesting sections of your magazine, so I thought I would make a small contribution. Your Oct. 1999 issue, which discussed the Christian's involvement in politics, was the most provocative and interesting in recent memory.

As a city councilman, I have a special appreciation for those elected officials who have placed themselves before the electorate, successfully won a seat and then put themselves through the arduous task of studying the appropriate issues and then made the necessary decisions.

These decisions are made before an often critical if not skeptical public and press.

As one of my fellow councilmen said after several months in office, "Things look a whole lot different from up here than they did in the coffee shop."

Our scriptural mandate from Matt. 5 is to be "the light of the world and the salt of the earth." God has given each of us different gifts and talents and so we approach this mandate from different angles. But I believe that those of us who have been privileged to grow up in the church are uniquely equipped to enter the world of politics and make a positive difference in today's world. Character traits that we learned as children-like integrity, honesty and a lifestyle that is consistent in private and in public-are rapidly becoming rare in today's culture. As adults, these foundational qualities can often guide us through the process of making a critical decision when they are correctly applied. I would encourage your readers to "take the plunge" and get involved. You really can make a difference.

One element of public service that I did not see mentioned in your articles was that of "leadership by example." I see the opportunity for us as Christians to show this to our fellow citizens as very valuable, particularly in our smaller communities. It makes community service all

the more challenging when the hometown folks see you not only as a council member/mayor, but as a family man, businessman, church leader and school board member as well.

Keep up the good work. The articles from outside the four walls of the church building are especially appreciated.

Paul Neufeld Wasco, Calif.

Editor's note: Neufeld will completefive consecutivefour-year terms as a city coundl member-four as mayor-in May 2000.

MiI1ennial debate trivial I don't understand why there is a debate about when the millennium starts (Nov. 1999 issue). For Christians it's a mute point because Christ was born four or five BC, and his 2000th birthday was between 1995 and 1997.

To argue about something this trivial goes to show we have way too much time on our hands. We need to get a grip.

Kerrie-Sue Stahl Omaha,NE

Where are our heroes?

I commend the Christian Leader for the wide variety of articles on peace and

C H R 1ST I A N

Katie Funk Wiebe Wichita, Kan.

WANTED

ew~writers

c ~~sponuents

.

The Christian Leader is looking for peoJ11e Who ate: interested in 'Wrltipg assigned news stories and/or wiltinQ<l:o"serve ~~~pondeQts their region, reporting on the news and events occurring in Melll\o.pte Brethren churches throughout the United S~, Wnters will be compeasated.

dir

The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church. All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length.

Send letters to Christian Leader, 7531 Delta Wind Dr., Sacramento, CA 95831 (e-mail: chleader@jps.net).

16 • THE

justice concerns Gan. 2000 issue). Thanks for including the many opportunities for us to "seek peace and pursue it."

I found it interesting yet a little distressing that the 10 main stories for 1999 highlighted boards, agencies and institutions. Was there no story about a man, woman, or young person who dared to speak for the truth of the gospel? While all the stories were significant, boards make a poor substitute for role models and heroes in a child's life.

At a time when celebrities glut the news, it is important to look for the heroes of the faith and to point them out to our children.

The Bible is the story of God working through men and women like Abraham, Moses, Deborah and Joshua. Jesus' ministry was with ordinary people like Mary and Martha, and Thomas. The history of the New Testament church is the story of Paul, Peter and Barnabas, Lydia and others. The story of the Anabaptist movement is the story of men and women who risked and who because of their risking changed the course of one part of the Reformation movement.

So I ask again, where have all the heroes gone? Next year could this list include 10 stories of people who moved the borders of the kingdom of God outward?

Ifyou are interested, please conta~; Associate Editor eo..me Faber31S 8'. Uncoln, Box V, HiJJsboro, Kan. 67063 chleader@southwind.net (316) 947·5S43 LEA D E R

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BY

PHILIP

WIEBE

Connecting and disconnecting The more connected we get with our high-tech paraphernalia, the more dis-

connected we becomefrom each other.

I

t occurs to me that we talk about "connect-

shots via e-mail of my niece's new baby. It Was nice to hear from her as we fired a few The first is in relationships. We want to conmessages back and forth. This nect with others in our families, churches, comprobably wouldn't have happened pre-Internet, when munities and so on. This goes beyond the neither one of us would likemomentary and superficial associations that pass ly have found time for a letter for relationships in our day. "Connecting" encomor phone call.

I could cite many more passes qualities of strength, depth, longevity. It instances in which computechoes Jesus' words about the connection of a ers, cell phones, fax machines husband and wife in marriage: ''What God has and other technological mar· vels really do help us connect joined together, let no one separate" (Matt. 19:6). in our relationships. However, though the communications compaA second way we talk about connies and their sunny advertising would necting is in areas of technology. like us to believe otherwise, probably We're not big TV watchers at our more often connecting in relationships house, but the times we do tune in I'm and connecting into technology are always amazed at the huge number of inversely proportional. The more time commercials involving some form of we give over to pervasive technological electronic communications. The Interadvances, the less time we'll have to net, cell phone companies and various engage in old-fashioned, substantial, other communication services and person-to-person communication. The gadgets seem to dominate the ad more time we invest in honest, heartwaves. The unsubtle pitch is that if and-soul relating, the less time (and you're not connected in these ways, patience) we'll have for the buttonyou're surely missing out. pushing, mouse-clicking, remote-conToday many would argue (especially trolled world we created to serve us-in TV ads) that connecting via technolobut is now recreating us to serve it. gy is practically synonymous with conRecently a column by National Journecting in relationship. Get that cell nal editor Michael Kelly clarified some phone or pager to keep up with the of these feelings for me. He wrote spouse and kids. Get e-mail to stay in about spending New Year's Eve 1999 touch with fur-flung family and friends. at a small-town celebration which feaGet on the Internet to find people everywhere with similar interests and contured a modest illuminated ball to mark the arrival of midnight. The ball cerns. Get into the vast flow of information being broadcast and uplinked and descended halfway down the fire station's flagpole before going dim. downloaded and learn more about this Apparently the extension chord acciworld and its inhabitants.

Certainly there is truth to such dentally got unplugged.

Yet Kelly declared that there was claims. The other day, for example, I enowhere else he'd rather have been in mailed some mission-worker friends spite of (or perhaps because of) the overseas. It's a fast, convenient and low-tech glitch. "What a happy feeling cheap way to communicate. A couple of it was," he wrote, "having watched that weeks earlier I had received some snaping" in a couple of different ways these days.

18 • THE

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LEA 0

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ball drop, and not the other one."

Connecting with 100 or so live people at a community celebration was far superior to flipping through the endless and largely meaningless TV coverage that marked the arrival of 2000.

Reflecting on that, Kelly expressed his sense that, "More and more people are reaching the understanding that they need not acquiesce in-serve as a product for-a commercial culture they find increasingly intrusive and annoying. They can disconnect."

I share the feeling that better relational connection may require more technological disconnection. Regarding the latter, Kelly writes about "how consuming it is to be connected, and largely how pointless." Though there are benefits derived from instant information and communication, often the positives are significantly overshadowed by the negatives. Do we really need to know most of this stuff? We have become a culture drowning in trivia, yet thirsting for meaning. The more connected we get with our hightech paraphernalia, the more disconnected we become from each other.

A couple of years ago I noticed an interview with a successful psychologist who had written a popular'book on relationships. What impressed me most was not the content of her book (though it was by many accounts excellent) but something she mentioned about her home life. Apparently she and her spouse had banished all computers, fax machines, and cell phones from their home. These were already intrusive enough in their busy careers, she said. Home was a time for family and friends and relationships, cut off from the constant interruptions and intrusive information most have come to accept as a fact oflife.

How many of us could or would disconnect like this in order to better connect with one another? I'm guessing not many. So we keep giving over more power and control to our culture of technology, entirely of our own free will. That may be a far scarier scenario than any Y2K crash the doomsday prophets could have fathomed.

Yahweh is Goci noftechnqlogy.,

LESSON #1

Did you 'hear the collective sigh of relief echoed

,

'

throughou~'the ",~6rl d.as the' do k

, moved i, to the ;year 2000?

1 sure di(J! ,Praise , " God ,that Y2 K ,

,

conq::erns were

addressed and- . the ,',', i mpac~ of the' ,rollover to the year , ,', , 20.00" was "minimal. ' ' "

<,'

'

-"

However, 'let us not "

'

.

'

,"

,

, In th~lst century; we-will encounter an ever-increasing. supp!y of technological gadgets, smart sys~em\~nd electromc wizardry. These t9Q1.s ' (tPYs) viill become-eveq more embed<;led iri our everyday life, Already, many peopie find it difficult to, a smgle day without their ce,ll phone; p,erS(lmal ~lectronic pliuuler,or e-mititaccess. Let 1.1S not become so' , depend~nt on tech ologythat We begin to ~ose our dependence 011 God.,

go

'This'temptation t<,? iriisplace 'om trust-is not a new one.' The-psalmist ' described his conviction in tliis:way:' ,~'Some'trust in chariots and som~' in hors~s, but we trust in,the name of,th~Lor~ obr God" (Psa.1.n) 20:7).

.'

,

LESSON #2 , Preparation makes. sense: YZK brought to,ourahention a potential)y'serious and life-threatening pOssibilitr. As a result, people prepareq. They prepared physically, " (storing up heaters, generators, wat,er and food), they prepared mentally (pulling together records anq data) and they prepare<;l'spiritua).ly (seekjng the Crea'torfor comfort and assurance);, :' " : ' '_ ,: , , We,\voulrl 40"~eli to stay prepar.ed,e~p¢ciallY~pirittiaHy~ P~ul, instru'cts ," Timothy to "be prepared: in season, and o-bt of season." , . ,".- -.'

'

LESSON' #3' .' uve~w!t, h an e,ternalperspec;tive. ' SO,far, those prophetic voices which declar~ Christ's reiurn'J1ave, ' proveJ} to ,However, their voices - calling us.to consider , . our future.""7 should not go unnoticed. We 'live out lives aifferently , when we li~e with an l?ternal perspe~tlv.e; .

be;nll~guided.'

be too qu ick to : forget, som~ Qf th~ ,·'Since·the~, you ~av~ been 'raised -'fi~ 'Christ, set your he~soh ~~~s

""I'

''

,

. fro~S:~;~~~: ;e~ '" ofuncerta~'nt¥. "(

above, where Christ IS seated at the nght hand of God. 'Set your, nnnd '

on

~gsabove,n~ on earthlytgs (C~IOSSi":3:1'2V'..

.•...

Thesf! le~50ns a/~9.' f1~P~ fO U$:l~ t~e fmanClal. are~~.

.

• YahwetI is God? money IS ~bt~ I{on()f Him In th~ use and eartU,Ilg, of It. : .

• FiIian~ial preparation is wise. Save for a 'rainy day" plcm. for coHeRe, ' and prepare for re,tirement.

~ ,View fman,cial decision~ from an eternal perspective." Gi~e W9Q(i's work with the hope'of gaining friends for e,ternity., "

_

1

. ' .

" •

.

• Don't let the lessons of Y2K be forgotten as we rush into the 21st, century.

By Jon C, Wieb~.Presi4ent

P'ROFILE

IN STEVVARDSHIP Martha & Lydia Willems Hillsboro, KS Giving has been a way of life for the Willems family as long as they can remember. "We give because of our love for our Lord Jesus," says Martha Willems.

"We have this love to reach out to others."

Lydia, Martha's youngest sister, agrees. ''We were taught to give by our parents and our church. Dad taught us well how to give."

Martha, Lydia, and their sister, Kathryn, are the three surviving children from a family of seven. Kathryn spent fOrty-two years as a missionary in Congo.

Much of her time was s-pent doing translation work in the Kituba language.

Martha also served as a {Ilissionary in Congo. For thirty-six years- she served in different capacities in mission schools, the university in Kinshasa, and a seminary.

Lydia'and her brother, Arnold (now deceased), remained on the family farm near Hillsboro, Kan., and continued a life of service through Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

A desire to contin'Ue giving , financially, yet provide fmancial security for their retirement, led the Willems family to establish a gift annuity with Mennonite Brethren Foundation fot each surviving sibling. Funding of the annuities was made possible through the donation of the family farm to Mennonite Brethren Foundation.

The gift annuitIes provide an annual income for Kathryn, Martha, and Lydia for the rest of their lives, and yet allow for a substantial charitable donation at the end of their lives. The farmly continues to benefit from Arnold's annuity because of the two-life gift annuity he established.

The WIllems family was also motivated to establish their gift annuities afte)" an unfortunate .experience when their sister Anna

The Willems' relationship with Mennonite Brethren Foundation started many years ago. While Martha was in Congo, Arnold opened several Ministry Investment Fund accounts to prepare for their retirement. They are pleased that the relationship continues.

"Our attorney was so impressed with them (the Foundation)," says Martha. "We had no problems."

Lydia adds, ''They were so

Martha and Lydia Willems

passed away. "The attorney had the same 'inheritanee' as the.rest of us when it was all done," says Lydia. ''We didn't want that to happen again."

The family has chosen to benefit several Mennonite Brethren ministries, including MBMS International, Tabor College, and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, as well as their local congregation. Lydia says, "We feel responsible ,for out conference work. If we don't uphold that, who will?"

"The conference has played a very significant role in our lives," says Martha. ''That's where we gtew up. We have our foundation there." ,

knowledgeable, so good to us. ' They rllilde it clear to us so that ' we could un~er~tand." , , Martha and Lyqili are glad they,havl< the opportupity to share what the Lord has given them. "It's all been the Lord's leading," say~ Lydia; Through the e~tablishment of their annuities;'ilie Willems family has provided 'income for their retirement. They will also leave a lasting legacy that testities to the love they hav~ fo~ the Lord.

If you would like more iOformation about gift annuities, please contact our office. We would be glad to_see if 11 gift 'annuity is right for y6u!

gift

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UGo to the great city, and proclaim to it the message." God

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IIWe make our plans... but God determines our steps/II Solomon A NATIONAL LEADERSHIP MEETING It happened in 1993. A representative group of U.S. Mennonite Brethren leaders culminated a series of soul searching meetings with a decision to re-prioritize the reaching of lost people in our nation. In addition, there was strong agreement that this venture would have the support of all our various agencies, institutions, and resources.

The time had come to ramp up the Lord's mandate, and to do whatever was necessary to bring the lost people in our various cities into God's family.

A newly constituted MISSION USA Board was given a mandate to enable the pursuit of that vision.

AN EMERGING VISION The Board of MISSION USA committed itself to both local church revitalization and the planting of new churches. The underlying plan was that renewed local churches, and newly planted churches would choose to be unswervingly committed to doing whatever was necessary to bring lost people into a personal relationship with Jesus.

As various church partnerships and church plants were undertaken, it became clear that it would prove most efficient and effective if we would select specific Target Cities, and invest the largest portion of our resources in those places. This focused approach afforded opportunity for a Biblical community approach to evangelism. Also, good stewardship of personnel and financial resources would be realized. Additionally, the fact that the majority of the U.S. population lives in larger Metroplexes, and that emerging generations value community, relationships and partnerships pointed strongly in the direction of developing networks of churches. We began to envision multiple clusters of community penetrating churches throughout our national mission field.

A MISSION USA BOARD MEETING Momentous! It was nothing less than that. The Board agreed that we needed to affirm a vision and a plan. When it came time for the question, all signaled full-of-faith affirmations to what we believe to be a God-sized vision ...

METRONET i!OOS Now you know. We've committed ourselves to work together across all institutional and district lines to do whatever it takes to launch twenty community reaching churches in the next five years. And as those churches grow in individual and collective strength we envision that they will impact their cities by penetrating broadly as God provides passion and opportunity.

The national Mennonite Brethren leaders were right. Now is the time for us to respond to Jesus' assignment to bring the good news to lost people in our nation. We recognize that there are challenges and uncertainties, but it's a faith-risk; that makes it the right thing to do.

Contact Inmnnation: MISSION USA • 20165 N. 67th Ave. Ste. 120 Glendale,AZ 85308 ebmusa@phnx.uswest.net • www.missionusa.org 623-825-71 12 voice • 623-825-7135 fax

Ed Boschman Executive Director, Mission USA

As we embark on a , New -Year, you may h,ave, made sOqle resolutions' that you are already having a difficult time keeping. Sometimes they fall . by the wayside for a lack of commitment orjust forgetfubiess. Whatever the reason, it is still early in the year, so don't give up yet if you know that' these vows woulq be honoring to God.

lives that is honoring to God. We've all made those, vows that we're going to spend more time in Bible study or prayer. Maybe you want to be more active in the, giving pf your time, talents and treasures ' (Matthew 6:20). How do we ke.ep these commit- , ments? Make an appointment to meet with God eyery day to seek His guidance, just as yqu would ,make an appointment to meet wit!) a friend or have a business meeting. After'all, isn't God your best , friend and a very important business partner?

Of course our , spiritual growth is <;me of those , areas in Our ,

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//Dedu(:;t Now, . . '.' DistrIbute' L'cher N

As ';'e make that commitment to spend time ~ith God, He will begin to direct how we spend our time, talents and treasures. He will help us have the righ~ priorities in our lives if we will first make oUf appointIpents with Him. B/Ross Memtt. StewardshiptPla'llleiGiving Advisor

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Many ,of us have several accounts ~ checking, savings, investing -an ~ccount for every·occasion'" Have you ever considered-an account for giving?, ' . ", "" ," '" ' Through Mennonit,e BrethrE:m Fourl<;!ation" individuals and busin~sses' can establ-ish their 'o~n pe;sona'I,i~ed)jona:tion Account to, channel thei{gifts to ministries, churches and missionaries all over the :vvo~ld,. ' 'I1)rough the' Donation Account you' are ahle to ~et money a,side, receive a tax, deduction, and then- have time to prayerfully consider wtJich organizations, yOl,l wish to benefit from those funds. ,Yo!Jr,(jonation Account may be funded with cCish, stocks, commodities; orother'prope'rty.·, ' - ' . , ", By giving in this manner you ma)( also eliminate carital' gail1s taxOn' gifts of appreciated propertY or' avoiq incomf;l altogether. "!his increases your contribution and provides mqre fundi':lg.for God's work.

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Brethren Foundation Don~tion' AcqJL!nt: :' .. ,_:_,_ Please send me. complete information. on a Mennonite ". ,.",

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Please call 'me to discuss an Account. ~~,__...:...,.----.:...,,-----'-_

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Name' Address

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Mennonite Brethren Feundatio'n, PO Box V, Hillsboro KS 67063-0155 .

Phone: 800-551-1547 Fax: 316-947-:Pl!6 Email: mbfound@southwilld,net

",

MENNONITE BRETHREN FOUNDATION is accepting applications for

STEWARDSHIP / PLANNI:D GIVING ADVISOR Board of Directors Donald l. Martens, Chairman, Fairview OK (Manufacturing/Banking)

This full-time position is responsible for activit)( in the midwest and would be based in Hillsboro, Kansas.

Ken Neufeld, Vice Chairman, Fresno CA (Realtor) E. James Enns, Secretary, Fresno CA (State Auditor, Ret.) Reginald Boothe, Ass't Sec., Wichita KS (Business & Real Estate InterestS) Phil Hamburger, Seneca SO (Agri-businessl Dean Jost Henderson NE {Agri-business) Randy Long, Reedley CA (Attorney/Financial Services) Leon Neufeld, Fairview OK (Agri-b4smess) Marvin Reimer, Buhler KS (BusinesslBanking) Ed Thiessen, Weatherford OK (Financial Services)

Staff .

OUR TEAM IN HILLSBORO KS

DUTIES: To encourage and assist Christians throughout the U.5.

Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in faithful stewardship. Specific responsibilities include planned giving, individual counseling, stewardship education and other Foundation-related activity.

Jon C. Wrebe, President & CEO Dale Regier, Vice President and Treasllrer Kim Kroeker, Bookkeeper

U ALI F1(-;\TIOi"J S:

Donna Sullivan, Secretary

• Strong interpersonal skills

Shawna Vogt, Bookkeeper

• Demonstrated ability to communicate

OUR FIELJ) PERSONNEL Lynford J. Becker, Vice President, Enid OK Ross Merritt, Stewardship/Planned Giving Advisor, Bakersfield CA

• Aptitude for detail work • Willingness to learn • Christian commitment and desire to promote the work of the Mennonite Brethren

DII\ECT IN

UII\IES TO:

Attn: Jon Wiebe, President Mennonite Brethren Foundation PO Box V Hillsboro, KS 67063

315 S. Lincoln • P.O. Box V • Hillsboro, KS 67063 tel: 1-800-551-1547 • fax: 316-947-3266 e-mail: mbfound@south.wind.net

Phone: 800-551-1547 Fax: 316-947-3266 E-mail: mbfound@southwind.net

INQUIHING MINDS BY

Q

Worship is a "hot" subject today in the church. What didJesus mean when he said to the Samaritan woman at the well: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind ofworshipers the Father seeks" (John 4:23)? (California) We know what precipitated the comment from Jesus. The guilt-ridden woman, whose marital history sounds all too similar to some modernday stories, had posed a question about which was the proper place to worship--her people's Mount Gerizim or the Jews' Jerusalem. Jesus' answer is at the heart of the inquirer's question. His response suggests that the answer is not in location but in the object or subject of worship. Samaritans, Jesus said, knew all too linle about the Person to be worshiped. Then follows the statement about the necessity to "worship the Father in spirit and in truth."

Roger Fredrickson, a Baptist pastor and seminary professor whom I learned to appreciate years ago, suggests that Jesus was attempting to shift the woman's focus in worship from a place to a person. The old institutions and places of worship were passing away because God had ushered in a new age.

Jesus was saying that he would be that new place of worship. He was now the temple of God. So the question no longer was where you worshiped, but whom.

Still another commentator suggests that Jesus defines false worship as one that chooses which scriptures to believe (Samaritans were experts here), as ignorant (religion is never safe until a person can tell not only what he believes but also why), and superstitious (it might be dangerous not to do it). That seems to explain quite aptly the kind of worship the Samaritan woman saw as legitimate. To worship in spirit and in truth, Jesus was saying, was to empha-

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size the one who was the spirit (Jesus) and to do so in truth or with proper knowledge of who God is.

God seeks worshipers who are ardent, expectant and intelligent about who God is and what his plans are for the world. The forms seem not to be Jesus' chief concern.

It is interesting to notice in our "seeker-sensitive" evangelical culture that in this passage, at least, it is God who is the seeker. He seeks people to worship him.

I'm confident Jesus was not pitting traditional worship against contemporary, but in any age and with any forms of worship we may do well to ask some questions in light ofJesus' words. In our worship are we seeking people (and no one can deny that we need to search out people as prospective children of God) or will we seek the person who can redeem the "seekers?"

When we worship are we focusing on ourselves and our own needs (or even the needs of others) or on the one who is Spirit? Is the goal of our worship conversion and/or rededication (both of which are very legitimate), or is our worship expressing the worthiness of God? Is our conduct of worship determined by our needs and/or the needs of others, or by the needs of God who wants to be glorified?

It seems to me that to worship in "spirit and in truth" means we will focus on God, who is spirit and truth; we will remind ourselves that he brings not only mercy but judgment; he stands beside us as a friend but also as one to whom we are accountable; and he desires not so much that we feel good but that we are overcome by awe at his glory and worth-ship. Worshiping in "truth" will necessitate holding the Scriptures as basic and with high respect because in them we discover the "truth."

Worship styles are not the real issue.

We can worship in "spirit and in truth" in most any style, but we can also make the mistakes of the Samaritan woman-version of worship in any style of worship.

Q A

What is happening with General Conference "divestiture" ofministries and is the process on schedule? (California) Yes, the process is on schedule.

Plans call for the ministries of Board of Faith and Life and MBMS International to be turned over to the two national conferences (Canada and the United States) at their respective national conventions next July.

The plan calls for negotiating teams comprised of the General Conference Executive Committee, three officers of each national conference and three or four representatives from the ministry being divested. That group has completed its negotiations with the Board of Faith and Life. An initial hearing of the suggested procedure for divesting the MBMSI ministries was held in January and the entire negotiating team will meet in March, when it is hoped plans will be completed for presentation at the July conventions.

A fall 2000 date has been established for the first meetings with the Board of Resource Ministries. The final ministry to be transferred will be MB Biblical Seminary. If all goes according to schedule, BRM and MBBS ministries will be transferred to the national conferences at their biennial conventions in 2002.

The General Conference Executive Committee feels strongly that the binational conference should not be allowed to "die with a whimper" and therefore is already thinking in terms of a celebratory event in connection with the two national conferences in 2002 when both groups would meet in a common location and give praise to God for his goodness through more than a century of service and to ask God to continue to bless our ministries as we forge a new future. Such an event will need the ratification of both national conferences.

Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference poltcy, or other spiritual issue?

E-mail Marvin at mhein1@fresno.edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.

FEBRUARY

2000

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ON THE JOURNEY BY

ROSE

BUSCHMAN

A good time for drawstring bags Mennonite Central Committee offers many opportunities to pull together resources for others-you can start today.

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t's February again. The excitement of Christ-

important to carefully follow the content guidelines. Adding items not on the list means that usual going-ta-work every day. The weather they have to be removed. Also, the notebooks must be the is such that Saturdays need to be spent indoors right size. Thick multiple subinstead of outside working in the yard. So I find ject notebooks can't be used myself looking around for things to do that will and have to be replaced when included in the kits. make this month a little more interesting.

Ayoung woman recently So this is the time when I decide how told me of her family's involvement with many Mennonite Central Committee this kind of a project. Over the years, she school kits I will put together this year. and her mother have made many bags February is when I have the time to and bought school supplies on sale. make the drawstring bags needed to Then her young daughters helped carry the items for each kit. This sumassemble the kits. Even her father got mer, when all the back-ta-school sales involved by packing the bags in boxes occur, I will purchase the needed school and taking them to the MCC office. supplies and fill the bags.

The Southern District Women's MCC distributes a lot of different Retreat includes an MCC school kit prathings, but school kits are one of their ject as part of the convention later this most requested items. They are given month. Women from different churches primarily to refugee children who have are asked to bring the needed supplies no other source of school supplies. In and then the kits will be assembled in 1999, MCC shipped 88,000 school kits several break-out sessions. to countries such as Honduras, Iraq, A church in illinois makes this a yearHaiti, Jordan, Liberia, Russia and ly project. Members from ages two to 94 Yugoslavia (especially Kosovo). The praget involved. While some sew bags, othjected need for this coming year is ers purchase supplies, watch for sales or 100,000 school kits. collect boxes for packing the finished Each kit includes: kits. The job of stringing the drawstrings .4 spiral notebooks (8Y," xlI") 70into the bags is reserved for a 94 year80 pages each old grandmother, who just loves it.

Then the church gets together for a kit • 4 unsharpened #2 pencils assembly party. What started out as a • 1 ruler, flexible plastic (with both 30 cm and 12 in) modest project of 50 kits in 1993 has mushroomed into a projected goal of • I large pink pencil eraser box of 16 to 27 crayons or 12 to 2000 school kits for this year.

20 colored pencils (colored pencils are MCC also distributes several other preferred especially for distribution to types of kits. hot countries) • Health kits include a toothbrush, These items are placed in a finished toothpaste, bar of soap, fingernail clip11" x 16" double drawstring bag made per and a hand towel placed in a drawfrom sturdy but attractive fabric (no sinstring bag. These are used to teach gle knits) with 36" shoe laces for the hygiene to children (especially in drawstrings. These can then do double refugee camps). Some are also used in duty when the bag is worn out. maternal rural education programs to An MCC official told me that it is very encourage better family health care. mas is over for another year. Now it's just the

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• Sewing kits provide the basics for individuals learning to sew and are packed into drawstring bags as well.

They include: a good quality pair of scissors, metric tape measure, white and black spools of thread, thimble, needles, straight pins, hooks and eyes, snap fasteners and safety pins.

• Newborn kits are distributed to church-run hospitals and clinics. They include three baby gowns, four full size cloth diapers, a receiving blanket, four diaper pins and a bar of Ivory soap.

A different kind of MCC project involves recycling old sheets and pillowcases (white, colored or printed) into bandages. For over 50 years, MCC has been sending handmade cloth bandages to many clinics in remote and rural areas around the world. In 1998 alone over 17,000 pounds of bandages were sent to Bangladesh, Haiti, Nicaragua, Russia and Serbia. MCC workers say these bandages are better and less expensive than those available in many local markets and/or used in government hospitals.

To make the bandages, remove and discard the selvage edges. Tear or cut (rotary cutters work great) the material into two, three or four inch-wide strips.

Roll the strips up tightly until the bandage roll measures three inches in diameter. To prevent unraveling, tack the end of the roll with a few basting stitches.

The school kits that I plan to make this year represent just a drop in the bucket of the 100,000 kits needed. But each drop adds up, and soon the bucket will be full. As I pack a kit, I think of each individual child and try to envision the excitement each will experience receiving the treasured supplies.

Don't sew? You can still get involved.

Find someone who would be willing to make the bags for you. Or mobilize a project in your church. Get everyone involved. Summer vacation Bible school programs are excellent places to begin.

For more specific information you can contact the MCC office nearest you or visit their web site at: www.mcc.orgl updates/donating.html

Planting New Churches That Reach Lost People MISSION USA is continuing to respond to the mandate of Mennonite Brethren in America to impact our nation by planting new churches that reach lost people. The MISSION USA Church Planting Commission encourages new church plants and helps cast vision for future projects.

They will be key players together with the District church planting boards in Metro Net 2005, a vision to plant 20 new churches in the next five years. Commission members pictured above are: Phil Glanzer, Brad Klassen, Joe Johns, Steve Reimer (Chairman), Randy Steinert, Fred Leonard and Ed Boschman, Executive Director of MISSION USA. MISSION PHOENIX - Phoenix, Arizona, the first target city selected for Metro Net 2005, was also the site for the first MISSION USA church plant. Copper Hills Community Church is approaching its second anniversary and is part of the Mission Phoenix team. The church recently demonstrated its commitment to outreach and evangelism with donations to MISSION USA and the Pacific District Home Missions Board. New churches are encouraged to give a tithe of their local offerings to outside interests.

Making the presentation to Ed Boschman (above left) and to Randy Steinert, Pacific District Home Mission Board Chairman, is CHCC Pastor Brad Klassen.

Klassen is a member of the MISSION USA Board and will serve on the Mission Phoenix Task Force.

For more information about Metro Net 2005 and church planting projects, contact: Ed Boschman, Executive Director, Mission USA 20165 N. 67th Ave. Suite 120 • Glendale, AZ. 85308 • Phone: (623) 825-7112 Fax (623) 825-7135· E-mail: ebmusa@phnx.uswest.net

MISSION USA BOARD: Ed Boschman, Phoenix, IV. Chuck Buller, Visalia, CA Phil Glanzer, New Hope, MN Joe Johns, Weatherford, OK Loretta Jost, Aurora, NE Brad Klassen, Glendale, IV.

Nancy Laverty, Jones, OK Fred Leonard, Clovis, CA Stephen Reimer, Shafter, CA Randy Steinert, Bakersfield, CA Tim Sullivan, Hillsboro, KS Gary Wall, Lodi, CA

Ex Officio Members: Henry Dick, Fresno, CA Clinton Grenz, Bismark, N.D. Bruce Porter, Fresno, CA Roland Reimer, Wichtta, KS Clint Seibel, Hillsboro, KS Jim Westgate, Fresno, CA

SPECIAL FEATURE: A CLOSER LOOK AT WHO \VE AHE FIRST

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United at the Cross Community Church selVes a multiethnie, low-income neighborhood in the largest city in Kansas. "Wichita has not prepared itse" to embrace these people from other cultures and other languages," says pastor Fred Stoesz (left). "But we, as a church, can be a place for them."

Inner city congregation seeks to enlarge family • "The church in the city is all about being a place where people can find a genuine connection, " says United at the Cross Community Church pastor Fred Stoesz.

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hurch planters Fred and Jolene Stoesz want to be family to those whose relationships are fractured. They want United at the Cross Community Church in Wichita, Kan., to be a place of belonging.

"The church in the city is all about being a place where people can find a genuine connection," says Fred. "Where they can find family again."

United at the Cross Community Church serves a multiethnic, low-income neighborhood in the largest city in Kansas. The congregation is comprised of about 25 families, including hispanics, African-Americans and Caucasians.

From its inception five years ago, UCCC has been nurtured by two "parents." It is a joint church planting venture between the Southern District Con-

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UCCC is a joint church planting venture between the Southern District Conference and World Impact.

Pastor Fred Stoesz and wife Jolene have worked with World Impact for 24 years.

"We are World Impact church planters who also happen to be Mennonite Brethren,.. says Stoesz.

ference and World Impact, a Christian interdenominational missions organization. A number of individual congregations, including First MB Church in Wichita and Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church, have also been involved in the project.

Stoesz and his wife have worked with World Impact for 24 years. In 1994, the couple moved from Los Angeles to Wichita with their children, Aaron, 18, Laura, 16, Marcus, 14, and Lisa, 12.

"We are World Impact church planters who also happen to be Mennonite Brethren," says Stoesz. "I work full-time with World Impact. The MB church plant is part of their vision to plant churches in partnership with a variety of Christian denominations."

The SDC was interested in beginning a ministry using the former Open Bible Church facility located in the southwest side of the city when district leaders became aware that Stoesz shared a similardream.

SPECIAL FEATURE: A CLOSER LOOK AT WHO WE ARE

Harold Kruger has been a member of the SDC task force working with Stoesz.

"We were interested in a church plant," says Kruger. "We had a facility and here was an experienced church planter interested in planting a church, as we were."

After surveying the community, WI agreed to partner with the SDC. Two blocks of federally subsidized apartment projects were specifically targeted.

In the summer of 1995, the project got off the ground. Bible school and community kids' clubs were organized with the help of Tabor College students and Youth Mission International teams. A congregation began to emerge and in February 1996, the group began meeting for Sunday morning worship. In 1999, the congregation chose to affiliate with the Mennonite Brethren and was welcomed as a member of the SDC in October.

An important ministry of the congregation is bringing people to wholeness in Jesus Christ. The Stoeszes say some who attend UCCC have broken marriages while others lack spiritual direction and others have emotions and bodies broken from alcohol and drug abuse.

"My biggest joy is seeing people come to the Lord," Jolene says. "My picture for this church family is that we are a place where people can come into God's wide open arms. Where they can finally be found and finally find their purpose."

Discipling people on their journey with God is both a pastor's joy and challenge, says Fred.

"You see many people come out of hard situations, thrive under your leadership, wake up to spiritual truth and come out of their shell," he says.

In recent months, the congregation has held several baptisms. A half dozen young people help lead in worship while others preach. The congregation recently elected its first elders. Stoesz says he also

The congregation is comprised of about 25 families, including hispanics, African-Americans and Caucasians. Here, second and third grade girls from the surrounding community attend Kids Club, a program operated by the church.

sees UCCC people dedicating themselves to the community.

"But then there are those who start to make headway and then flounder and struggle," he says. "You want to pull them back but you know you can't. They have to be ready to do that themselves."

The vision shared by Fred and Jolene Stoesz and SDC leaders extends beyond the UCCC community to neighboring Oaklawn. ''We have just had our first baptism with a convert from Oaklawn," says Stoesz.

"We have identified a church plant team leader for Oaklawn and will begin an all out effort to establish a new church plant in Oaklawn starting in March."

Stoesz is eager to share the vision for inner city ministry with other Mennonite Brethren.

"We are looking for committed MBs who love the City and the poor to join us in this effort," he says. "United at the Cross looks forward to having a 'sister' church in the Oaklawn community very much like ours."

Stoesz considers himself an interim pastor for UCCc. "As a missionary, I must transition this leadership to long term pastoral care. My ministry will shift to Oaklawn and several additional church plants World Impact is planning for Wichita and beyond, including some in partnership with the MBs." Stoesz is especially interested in targeting Wichita's growing hispanic community. ''Wichita has not prepared itself to embrace these people from other cultures and other languages," he says. "But we, as a church, can be a place for them." -by Connie Faber and Laurie Oswald, Mennonite Weekly Review assistant editor. This article was first printed in the Mennonite Weekly Review.

IN BRIEF HIRED: Wendell Loewen of Hillsboro, Kan., began working Jan. 1, as the Southern District Conference youth minister on a quarter-time basis. Loewen will also continue working as a Tabor College faculty member in biblical and religious studies. One of Loewen's first responsibilities was to assist Hal Penner, SOC Youth Commission chair, in leading a prayer summit for high school students Jan. 8-9.

(SOC) AWARDED: Winners of the 1999 P.M. Friesen History Essay Contest were recently announced by the Historical Commission of the General Conference of MB Churches. Jeanine Janzen, currently studying at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., is the winner of the graduate school/seminary division; Dora Dueck of Winnipeg, Man., is the winner of the college/university undergraduate division; and Tanya Peters of Winnipeg is the winner of the high school division. Janzen, Dueck and Peters will receive $100 for their winning entries. The P.M. Friesen History Essay Contest was established in 1992 to encourage students in their original research and writing. (HC) SPEAKER: Jim Pankratz, MB Biblical Seminary dean and former Concord College president, was the resource speaker for the Southern District Conference pastors' advance Feb. 7-9 at Heart 0' Hills Camp and Conference Center near Tahlequah, Okla.

GIFT: The business collection at Fresno Pacific University's library received a boost in December with the establishment of the Alice Peters Endowment. Peters gave $25,000 to update and expand materials related to business at Hiebert Library.

Peters and her husband Leon established the Leon S. Peters Foundation, which has contributed to many organizations in Fresno. The foundation set up scholarships for business students at FPU and provided the first large gift for McDonald Hall.

ASSEMBLY: The annual Mennonite Health Assembly will meet in Williamsburg, Va., March 23-26. This event, sponsored by Mennonite Health Services and Mennonite Mutual Aid, gathers health care professionals and board members to renew their commitment to health ministry. Featured speakers will include Ginny Thornburgh, director of the Religion and Disability Program at the National Organization on Disability. (MHS)

FEBRUARY

2000

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BODyLIFE MENNONITE

BRETHREN

NEWS

Districts take advantage of a potpourri of church planting opportu nities • Districts embrace different strategies and church planting options

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ay "church planting" and the first thing that comes to the mind of most U.S. Mennonite Brethren is Mission USA and its efforts to plant MB churches in America's cities.

Thanks to the hard work of MUSA executive director Ed Boschman and MUSA board members, word of MUSA's work has spread. MUSA is currently involved with four church planting pro· jects in the Pacific District Conference, one in the Central District Conference and is finalizing its first Southern District Conference project. (See related story

next page.)

District leaders have been eager to work with the national church planting board in church planting ventures.

"Our desire was to work in team with Mission USA," says Gary Janzen who until recently served as the CDC home mission board chairman. "We wanted to show we are in this together. Our dreams centered on Minneapolis, Minn., and Omaha, Neb., and we're waiting for other anchor urban churches to get themselves really established."

But in some cases, church planting projects just don't fit within the parame· ters MUSA has adopted for itself. In these situations, district church planting boards are working on their own and with other agencies to take advantage of their church planting opportunities.

"At this time, Mission USA is still establishing itself," says Joe Johns, MUSA

Students from Tabor College volunteer as teachers for a Bible club at United at the Cross Community Church, a joint church planting project between the Southern District Conference and World Impact.

(See related story on page 22.)

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Pacific District conference associate district minister Jose Elizondo (far left) poses with newly installed pastor Juan Martinez (second from left) with wife Iriam of Iglesia Un encuentro con Jesucristo of Los Angeles and pastor Miguel Garcia (far right) with wife Guadalupe of Iglesia Nueva Jerusalem of Long Beach. Both churches are daughter churches of Iglesia Sinai in Sun Valley and new church plants as well.

board member and Southern District Church Extension and Evangelism Com· mission chair, "and rather than get involved in inner city or ethnic work, they are focusing on suburbia."

Unique inner city partnership When the opportunity to plant an inner city church presented itself about five years ago, the Southern District Conference partnered with World Impact, a national inner city ministry, to plant United at the Cross Community Church in Wichita, Kan. The district owned a church building in the commu· nity and experienced WI staff member Fred Stoesz was available to serve as a church planter. (See related story page 22.) This fall, UCCC was accepted into the SDC as a sister congregation.

"This is an organization that is really fun to work with," says Johns. "They have some of the same (theological) ideas we do. We don't struggle to come to grips with issues that let us work together."

World Impact staff members, includ· ing Wichita director AI Ewert, have Mennonite Brethren connections, and stu·

I

BomLllT

dents from Tabor College, the denominational college in Hillsboro, Kan., volunteer as WI children's Bible club leaders.

The relationship between the SOC and WI has blossomed, says Johns to the extent that "what we're doing with UCCC is opening up other opportunities in Oaklawn (another Wichita inner city community.)" ''We want to develop a cluster of churches," says Johns, "so that they can interact with each other and have support."

Growth by adoption While the SOC is working to plant inner city congregations, the PDC Board of Home Mission spends considerable time working at church growth from another angle-adopting entire ethnic congregations.

During 1999, the board related to 31 congregations, the majority of which were ethnic congregations. At the 1999 annual convention, 11 of these congregations were accepted as PDC members.

Of those, seven are associated with Integrated Ministries, three are hispanic congregations planted as daughter congregations and one was a BHM-initiated

church planting project.

"Our board serves as the gateway into the conference," says BHM director Don Enns. "According to our bylaws, the home mission board is the lead board on bringing in a new church."

While the supervision of transcultural congregations rests with Integrated Ministries director Loyal Funk, the BHM works closely with the congregations in finalizing the adoption process.

In order to become a member of the PDC, a congregation must be financially self-sufficient and be approved for membership by the BHM, the Board of Faith and Life and the Trustees. A meeting between congregational leaders and representatives of the three boards is part of this process.

Supplying information to the 27 board members serving on these three boards is part of Enns' job. "I'm the messenger boy for the boards-keeping them informed," he says.

"Extending the hand of fellowship takes staff," says Enns. "I really see the need for more-and younger-staff if we're to be what I believe God wants us to be," says Enns, a retired educator who

has worked part-time for nine years as a volunteer staff member. ''I'm still a teacher," says Enns, "teaching my seven board members all there is to know about the churches so that their job is a lot easier when they meet four times a year."

When a congregation has been approved for membership by each of the three boards, the PDC Executive Board recommends the congregation be ratified for membership by delegates to the annual PDC convention. Enns says the board is currently working with seven financially self-sufficient congregations for PDC membership in 2000.

Church planting for "any and all" In addition to adopting congregations into the PDC, Enns and Home Mission board members also work with more traditional home mission projects-emerging congregations planted by Mission USA, district agencies and local congregations. Of the 13 congregations currently at this stage, four are being planted in partnership with MUSA and nine are solely PDC projects.

"Mission USA limits itself to urban,

MUSA church plant profiles: different strategies but the same goal • Mission USA and the U.S. districts work together to plant churches in metro areas.

F

rom the beginning, Mission USA has centered its church planting efforts within the desires and goals of the districts. It's a partnership that is working well, says Ed Boschman, MUSA executive director.

The partnership begins with the MUSA board, which includes members of district church planting boards. "'There's real team work because of the joint board status," says Don Enns, director of the Pacific District Conference Board of Home Mission. "Members of our executive board are also on the Mission USA board and some Mission USA members first served on our board."

The first church planting opportunities that emerged for MUSA were in the Pacific District Conference, a district that has grown significantly in the past 10 years. The metro areas of Phoenix, Ariz., Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, Utah, were chosen for POC/MUSA projects. In 1999, a fourth church plant was jointly initiated in Bellingham, Wash.

"There are more resources, more people and probably more opportunities in the Pacific District," says Joe Johns, Southern District Conference Church Extension and Evangelism Commission chair. "But that doesn't mean Mission USA doesn't have a desire to partner with the other districts."

This spring, MUSA will begin its first project with the SOC in the Tulsa, Okla., metro area. "The task force has been appointed," says Johns, "we just need the church planter." Johns antici-

pates announcing the church planter yet this winter. ''We have some innovative concepts that Mission USA has developed in other districts that we are anxious to see at work here in the SOC," says Johns.

In the Central District Conference, leaders had targeted several metro areas as possible sites for church plants. In 1998, MUSA began assisting with the Rolling Hills Church of Papillion, Neb. In 1999, MUSA joined the CDC on a second church planting project, this time in Apple Valley, Minn.

Last month the church planter resigned and the project was discontinued.

Of the five church plants with which MUSA is currently involved, two are daughter congregations, two are pioneer church plants and one is using a cell-church model. While each church plant is unique, the goal is the same, FEBRUARY

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anglo church planting," says Enos, "while the Board of Home Mission works with any and all."

BHM projects cover the gamut. One is a replant ministry targeting upper class anglo neighborhoods in the area of Santa Cruz, Calif. This project is in its third year and local leadership is being shifted from the PDC task force to qualified local leaders.

The HMB also supports Faith Project,

a Christian community ministry in Fresno, Calif., that includes an independent congregation considering MB affiliation.

Seven of the nine emerging congregations are serving hispanic communities.

The newest, New Harvest Center in Wasco, Calif., is targeting young, acculturated English-speaking hispanics.

"English language churches appear to be the way of the future with regard to hispanics," says Enns.

Many of these emerging hispanic con· gregations are initiated and mentored by the PDC Hispanic Council. Council memo ber Sam Resendez serves on the BHM representing the PDC's large hispanic community while Yury Chemyetsky represents the slavic congregations.

"We expect down the road that slavic churches will also want to plant church· es," says Enos. Chemyetsky is currently involved in church planting ventures in

says Boschman: winning people to Jesus Christ.

group's activities. Most importantly, two more young men have committed them· selves to the Lord.

As Cochrane looks ahead, he requests prayer as negotiations are underway for warehouse space. He rejoices that Michael Gurule, a young musician interested in full·time ministry, has committed to serving as the group's worship leader.

This emerging congregation is a daughter congregation of Community Bible Fellowship, a Paciftc District piOneer church plant.

people, including three young people, to "let Jesus be the leader and forgiver in their lives" tops his list of important events of the past six months. Adding Jeff West to the pastoral team and mov· ing worship services out of a rented movie theater were other key events.

Moving to a new school in the heart of their target area has made it possible for CHCC ministries to expand, particularly in the area of children's activities, says Klassen.

As CHCC looks six months down the road, Klassen anticipates a number of significant events that will mark the con· gregation's maturity. The group will select and commission their first elders, become independent of denominational financial support and affiliate with the PDC. Long·term facility needs will also be addressed.

"What this (information) doesn't tell you is the way that God is changing the

Barkley Hills Community Church • Bellingham, Wash.

• Lead pastor: Kelly and Lonelei Cochrane Over the last three months, church planter Kelly Cochrane has spent most of his time praying and meeting with people, introducing them to Jesus Christ and the goal of a new church in northwest Bellingham. He's involved in several weekly men's prayer meetings, Sunday evening worship times in his family's home, distributing door-to-door invitations for special events and has organized Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday outreach events.

A firm core group of 16 adults and children has emerged along with another seven adults who regularly attend the

Copper Hills Community Church • Glendale, Ariz.

• Lead pastor: Brad and Elfie Klassen • WorshipNouth Pastor: Jeff West • Plant Date: March 15, 1998 For Brad Klassen, a pioneer model church planter, the decision of several

Q

South Mountain Community Church in Draper, Utah. held its first publk service in Odober 1998. Joanle Bell (left) talks with children at the church's Vacation Bible School.

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the former Soviet Union.

Keeping track of the immigrant congregations wanting to affiliate with the PDC, the mother-daughter church planting projects, the BHM-initiated church plants and restarts, the Hispanic Council projects and the MUSA partnership church plants keeps Enos and his board busy.

"One of the reasons I can keep up is that there are some hard working board members who do a lot of administrative

wock," says Enns. ''We have board memo bers who really take the bull by the horns."

Financing these PDC church planting projects will require just over $212,000 for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. Of that total, $124,000 is projected to come from church contributions, leaving about $88,000 for the BHM to raise from individuals. ''We are excited that people are giving, designating their gifts to home missions," says Enns. "We have $60,000

already in with nearly three-quarters of the year left."

Enns says building the "DNA of church planting" into the Mennonite Brethren denomination is important for future growth. "I think this mindset is beginning to show signs of development.

I hope it will develop to the pOint where churches will want to daughter churches and will want to use our office as a resource." -GF

lives of people and drawing them to himself," says Klassen. "It is changed lives that is the real stOty here at Copper Hills."

Journey Community Church • La Mirada, Calif.

• Lead Pastor: Durwin and Beverlee Keck Journey Community Church is being planted using a small group model emphasizing relationships. As of December 1999, average attendance at Sunday worship services was just over 40 and about that same number of individuals was also involved in four small groups.

A recent highlight for the congregation was a potluck/worship gathering in early January at the home of church planter Durwin Keck. "People just hung out for hours," says Keck. "It was a good relationship builder."

South Mountain Community Church • Draper, Utah • Lead pastor: Paul and Jin! Robie • Pastor of music and youth: Mike and Joani Bell • First public service: Oct. 11, 1998 Changed lIves also top the list for Paul Robie, pastor of a pioneer church planting venture in the Salt Lake City area.

"God provided a key couple that has opened the door to many disenfranchised Mocmans," says Robie. ''We have seen several come to Christ because of this."

SMCC has also taken important steps in growing not only numerically but also in its worship opportunities. Beginning October 17, the congregation began holding two services. Since then attendance has increased by about 40 individuals.

Also in October, the leadership team challenged the congregation to grow to 200 by 2000. "Our people responded

Rolling Hills Church in Papillion, Neb., is a daughter church of Millard Bible Church in Omaha. Rolling Hills recently purchased 3.5 aues of land and hopes to break ground for a new facility by April. At left, pastor Rod Anderson holds a baptism service.

with incredible enthusiasm and committed to pray for their friends and family that they would invite," says Robie. And in fact, the two Christmas Eve services attracted over 200 people.

Robie anticipates more good things to come. Ten adults were baptized Jan. 16. On Membership Reaffirmation Sunday March 23, all SMCC members will meet together and be challenged to become self-supporting by April 2001.

Robie hopes for regular attendance of over 200 by April 2000 and to add 25 new members by May 2000.

Rolling Hills Church • Papillion, Neb. • Lead pastor: Rod &: Donna Anderson • Plant date: Saturday night services began Sept. 13, 1997, first Sunday service was in March 1998 One step along the road to establishing a strong Mennonite Brethren congregation in the Papillion area was accomplished in 1999 when the congregation purchased 3.5 acres of land at a high-traffic intersection that is projected to grow even busier. The Papillion con-

gregation is a daughter church of the Millard Bible Church in Omaha.

Financing their building project is a major undertaking for the emerging congregation and one that they invite others within the denomination to support. "We're asking for prayer, finances and for people to encourage someone they know in the Omaha area to attend and support this new work," says pastor Rod Anderson.

The congregation hopes to break ground for the new facility by April 2000 and to complete the facility by September 200 1. The congregation has set long term goals in a variety of areas including numeric growth, worship, outreach and the planting of daughter congregations.

During the past six months, Rolling Hills has formed NET (Nurture, Encouraging and Training) groups that meet twice a month. Anderson says interest in NET groups has grown and that relationships within the groups are growing and expanding.

Upcoming outreach activities include a Valentine banquet, Palm Sunday and Easter services and several outdoor events.

The congregation will have their second annual meeting in March and will celebrate child dedication May 14.-GF FEBRUARY

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Bo()yLIFE

dQn't have willing, healthy churches in the right venues. So we're saying we will plant new churches and give them the DNA for evangelism."

MUSA recently challenged the denomination to plant 20 new congregaThe Cartneys were using the pioneer tions by 2005. These congregations will method of church planting in which a be clustered in high population areas. church planter moves to a community Phoenix has been selected as the first and begins a congregation from scratch. target city with a five-year goal of plantThe church planting efforts in Phoenix, ing five new MB congregations in the Ariz., and Draper, Utah, are also pioneer city. These congregations would join church planting projects undertaken by two existing MB churches to form a new the Pacific District Conference and MUSA. hub of MB congregations.

Success rates vary with this method, says While MUSA is targeting suburban Boschman. Some denominations report communities for the start of these netfigures as low as 30 percent while others works, Boschman hopes these congregareport figures as high as 70 percent. tions will develop "tentacles of ministry" ''We are not aiming to be average," says . into other areas of their metronet, Boschman. ''We believe we'll be able to including inner city communities and have a success rate higher than 70 percent. various ethnic groups.

Boschman says the BridgePoint expe"Our vision is holistic," says Boschman. rience will be helpful in future church "Our strategy is to begin this way." planting projects. "The (BridgePoint) Regardless of the strategy, Boschman task force is committed to doing a thorsays the bottom line continues to be ough evaluation," says Boschman. "As reaching unchurched people. the days and weeks go by, we will be "It's still about winning some," he says. able to be objective and learn well the "A corporate vision doesn't get it done. important lessons."

Corporate visions don't bridge people While pioneer church planting comes into the family of God. Individuals do. with its share of risks, Boschman "In the end, if we as individual Menbelieves it's the best method available nonite Brethren Christians will be willfor U.S. Mennonite Brethren. ing to invest our lives in relationships "If we would have willing, healthy with pre-Christians, Mission USA has a churches ready to daughter churches, wonderful future," says Boschman. "If we would be absolutely thrilled," he we resist, it will be uphill all the way." says. "That's not a reality for us. We -eF

Twin Cities closure illustrates church planting challenges • Church planting worth the risk, says MUSA executive director

L

ast month, the Central District Conference and Mission USA discontinued their Minnesota church planting project after church planters Tom and Amy Cartney resigned.

"Tom and Amy did everything we asked them to do," says Phil Glanzer, CDC church planting committee chair.

"They served and worked with diligence and creativity. They were connecting with unchurched people, which was what we as a task force wanted them to do. This experience highlights how challenging church planting is."

Church planting is risky business, but MUSA executive director Ed Boschman wants Mennonite Brethren church planting efforts to beat the odds.

"It's clear that there is risk in church planting," says Boschman. "That is something we know from our global mission efforts and it's something we're beginning to know more about in our domestic church planting."

Mennonite Brethren church planters are involved in planting new congregations using a variety of methods and targeting a variety of people. District conferences and MUSA are working together to plant an MB congregation in five cities.

BridgePoint Church had its start when the Cartneys and their two children moved to the Apple Valley community of the metro MinneapolislSt. Paul, Minn., area in August 1999. The couple had completed a period of training in church planting at the MB Biblical Seminary.

They were working to develop a core group and hoped to begin public worship services this spring.

An important ingredient to a successful church planting project is the church planter. In their letter of resignation, Boschman says the Cartneys say they did not feel they were the appropriate couple for such a church planting project.

"For reasons which we know now and some that we will discover as we discuss the nuts and bolts of what happened, this was not a correct ministry match for Tom and Amy," says Boschman.

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Carden resigns as Fresno Pacific's 7th president • Carden will step down July 31 to pursue teaching.

A

deSice to return to the classroom sparked Allen Carden's decision to leave the presidency of Fresno Pacific University effective July 31, the close of his current term.

"I love this university and its mission and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as your president," he said when announcing his resignation Jan. 10. FPU is a Mennonite Brethren school located in Fresno, Calif.

Teaching, however, remains his first love, as it has throughout Carden's 30 years in Christian higher education. "It is time to move ahead and pursue my interest in working directly with students," he added.

FPU board chairman Eugene Enns honored the university's accomplishments during Carden's presidency. "The university has enjoyed record enrollment, constructed a major building and hosted the 1999 NAJA National Women's Volleyball championship," Enns said.

Since 1997 enrollment in the tradi-

tional undergraduate program has grown from 608 to 792. Overall fall enrollment was 1,805 in 1999, according to official figures. East Hall opened in October 1998. The five-story, $5 million structure holds student residences, academic offices and classrooms. Some 20 teams from across the country participated in the tournament, which took place Dec. 1-4, 1999, in the Selland Arena in downtown Fresno and the Special Events Center on campus. The Sunbirds finished second.

The university also received its largest gift, $6.4 million from the Activities Integrating Mathematics and Science (AIMS) Education Foundation, in April 1998.

The funds will endow two faculty chairs in math and science, provide scholarships and help construct a mathematics/science/technology building.

"Allen has positioned FPU for the 21st century," Enns said. "He has created an awareness of this fine Christian university throughout the Central Valley."

The board of trustees will meet soon to plan the replacement process, Enos said.

Carden came to FPU inJuly 1997. He spent six years as president of Spring

During Allen carden's three-year tenure, the university saw enrollment increases and capital improvements.

Arbor (Mich.) College. In addition to a stint as vice president for academic affairs at Spring Arbor, he also served Biola University as associate provost, associate dean for undergraduate studies, registrar, associate professor of history and admissions counselor. He earned a doctorate in history from the University of California, Irvine; a master's from California State University, Fullerton; and a bachelor's from Biola.

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29

I I

RUln!.I!'1

Warkentin announces retirement from MBMSI • Warkentin served as MBMSI staff member for 12 years after nine years in Indonesia as a missionary

.N

er twenty years of mission service, Dale Warkentin has chosen o take early retirement from his job as church relations director for MBMS International. His retirement takes effect June 30, 2000.

Warkentin began serving with MBMS International in 1975 as a missionary with his family in Indonesia. After serving for 8 years in Indonesia, Warkentin returned to North America and in 1988, he joined the MBMSI staff working in recruitment and church ministries. In addition to these duties, he was the program director for Asia for several years.

"Dale has a deep passion for instilling a mission vision in our churches," says acting general director Dave Dyck. "He consistently prompted all of us to pray more deeply and be more committed to reaching those who have never heard the gospel of Christ."

Warkentin says his parents, Elmo and Sarah Warkentin, were a key influence in his commitment to service. When Warkentin was a young boy, his father developed a health problem and was

given six months to live. "We moved to our cabin to watch him die," Warkentin says. "One day he told God that if he would be healed he would become a preacher...and he threw away all his medication." Not long after, his health was restored. In response, he enrolled in seminary and became a pastor. During his lifetime, Elmo Warkentin started six congregations.

After being challenged at high school summer camp to dedicate his life to the Lord, Warkentin excitedly told his father that he was also going to be a pastor. His father responded, "Don't do it because of me, and don't just think about preaching-do whatever God has you do."

Warkentin says, "This opened the door for the Great Commission. I started to consider the possibility of sharing the Good News globally."

Warkentin was a student at Wheaton College in 1956 when five missionaries, three former Wheaton students, were martyred in Ecuador. The college president challenged the student body to consider who would take their place. "It was a sobering time," Warkentin says, "but many responded to the call and a revival broke out at Wheaton."

Warkentin was the pastor at Ulysses (Kan.) MB Church and First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita, Kan., and

Before serving as church relations director at MBMSI. Dale and his wife. Joyce. were missionaries in Indonesia for nine years. "Going to Indonesia was refreshing," says Warkentin. "Getting rid of everything and taking only what you can carry forces you to focus on what is important and to rely on God." While on staff at MBMSI, Warkentin was involved in developing programs that were centered on the work of mission.

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served as chairman of the US Conference.

Warkentin first heard about the need for a missionary in Indonesia while visiting with MBMS International director Vernon Wiebe. "As he talked, I knew God was saying 'This is what you should do,'" says Warkentin. ''When (Wiebe) asked if I had ever thought of resigning to do this, I immediately answered 'Yes'-that surprised us both.

"It would be great if everyone got that clear a call," says Warkentin, "but it doesn't always happen that way."

He says, "Going to Indonesia was refreshing. Getting rid of everything and taking only what you can carry forces you to focus on what is important and to rely on God. Our kids say that it was the best thing our family did.

"There was an element of integrity in going," Warkentin says. "Instead of talking about sharing the Good News we were doing it overseas. Many people joked that I was a victim of my own preaching."

While in Indonesia, Warkentin taught at a missionary training center helping to prepare Indonesian church planters and community development workers.

After returning to North America in 1984, Warkentin pastored Butler MB Church in Fresno, Calif. His wife Joyce began working at MB Biblical Seminary, filling many roles, most recently as registrar. Four years later, Dale again joined MBMSI. While on staff, Warkentin has been involved in developing programs that are central to the work of mission. "A focus on unreached people has been one of the biggest joys," says Warkentin. Warkentin helped place the first workers in Pakistan with the Baluch and plan the newoutreach in Thailand with the Khmu.

After retiring, Warkentin and his wife plan to remain active in ministry, including global mission. "We would like to use our travel trailer to go different places to volunteer," Warkentin says. "I look forward to more face-to-face communication instead of face-ta-computer."

Warkentin's passion for the unreached continues. "One concern I have is that many don't believe that people without Christ are really lost. I hope we can somehow renew a passion to seek and to save the lost of the world.

We need to see beyond ourselves, to those around the world who need Jesus Christ." -Shelly Spencer ofMBMSI

Ovvight Wiebe leaves legacy of service

IN BRIEF APPOINTED: The U.S. Conference Board of Church Ministries recently reappointed several individuals as Mennonite Brethren representatives to inter-Mennonite organizations. Marvin Toews was re-appointed to Mennonite Disaster Service, Paul Toews of Fresno, Calif., was reappointed to the Mennonite Central Committee board of directors and David Faber of Hillsboro, Kan. was reappointed to the Mennonite Mutual Aid board of directors. Loyal Funk and lynford Becker will serve as the denominational representatives to the National Association of Evangelicals until a new U.S. Conference executive director is hired.

• Former MBMSI and MCC worker died in January. He was 72.

D

wight Wiebe, former MBMS International service and relief secretary, died Jan. 3, 2000, in Dallas, Tex., after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer three weeks before he died. He was 72.

Wiebe served as the director of Domestic Christian Service between 1960 and 1975 under MBMSI (then Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services).

"Dwight recruited many, many young adults during the 60s to enter Christian Service, both here in North America and in overseas settings," says MBMSI general director Harold Ens, who adds that Wiebe recruited him and his wife into the Christian Service program. "I don't know of anyone since in our conference who has done so much to motivate and recruit our young adults to give two years of service to service, ministry and mission."

As part of his job, Wiebe also traveled up and down the states promoting peace education and alternative service to the draft. "No one has done that since," says Tabor College professor Don Isaac.

Wiebe left a strong imprint in the minds of many who knew him.

"When we entered Christian Service, Dwight Weibe was 'Mr. Christian Service,'" say Paul and Judy Neufeld, who served in Nova Scotia in the mid60s. "He was a friend, a mentor, a motivator, an admonisher and an encourager. Thanks, Dwight, for your dedication to the C.S. program during those years. It has made a marked difference in our lives."

Wiebe is also well known in the larger Mennonite community for his many years of service with a variety of organizations.

From 1954 to 1957, Wiebe served as the European Pax Relief Director for

Known as "Mr. Christian Service," Dwight Wiebe was a moving force in motivating young adults to commit .to service, ministry and mission. Wiebe himself served with a variety ~f organizations, including MBMS International and Mennonite Central Committee. He also founded United Education Services, a non-profit venture that provides educational opportunities for Taiwanese students.

Mennonite Central Committee, a Christian world relief and development organization. He also served two years on the MCC central office staff in Akron, Penn.

As Pax Director in Europe, he oversaw a program in which young men did alternative service as conscientious objectors to aid refugees and others in the wake of World War II. Most of the work he directed focused on construction of housing and church building for Mennonite refugees at seven locations in western Germany.

"Many former MCC Pax workers remember Dwight as a mentor who enriched their service experience and challenged them to achieve things beyond their expectations," says Robert Schrag, Mennonite Weekly Review publisher, who worked under Wiebe's direction in Germany dUring the mid-1950s.

After serving with MCC and MBMSI, Wiebe returned to school and 1n 1977 he received his Ph. D. from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., and spent the remaining years of his career developing and managing international education programs. Most recently, he founded United Education Services, a continued on page 33

DIED: Erven Thiesen, a retired MBMS International missionary, died Sept. 9, 1999, at the age of 81. The commitment Thiesen and his wife lorene had to missions began early in their marriage-they applied as missionaries to MBMSI while still on their honeymoon. Individually, Erven and Lorene had each felt a burden for India, but MBMSI needed workers in Brazil, and for 33 years the Thiesens served in that country. They initially directed an orphanage in Curitiba and later served as church planters and as a resource couple to the Brazilian MB churches. They retired in 1998. (MBMSI) DAMAGED: A fire Dec. 9 at the Carson MB Church of Delft, Minn., resulted in smoke damage to the facility. A small boiler furnace malfunctioned during the night igniting the fire which was fortunately extinguished when a safely valve on the boiler released water from the boiler.

The congregation was invited to hold a musical concert scheduled for the morning of Dec. 12 at neighboring Immanuel Mennonite Church. The Carson church bUilding was professionally cleaned the next week and their Dec. 19 Christmas program was held as planned.

ASSEMBLY: The annual Mennonite Health Assembly will meet in Williamsburg, Va., March 23-26. This event, sponsored by Mennonite Health Services and Mennonite Mutual Aid, gathers health care professionals and board members to renew their commitment to health ministry.

Featured speakers will include Ginny Thornburgh, director of the Religion and Disability Program at the National Organization on Disability. (MHS)

FEBRUARY

2000

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31

Bom 1.111 NEWS FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

Baptism/membership BETHANY. Okla. (Western Oaks)-Peter Lewis, Becky Lewis, and Scott Walsh were received as new members Nov. 21.

Celebration INMAN. Kan. (Zoar)-Flowers were placed in the sanctuary Dec. 19 in honor of the 10th wedding anniversary of Eric and Dawn Beye.

REEDLEY. Calif.-Flowers were placed in the sanctuary Dec. 12 in honor of the 65th wedding anniversary of Henry and Sue Enns.

BAKERSRELD. Calif.-Flowers were placed in the sanctuary Dec. 5 in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Henry and Ann Otten.

Workers YALE, S.D. (Bethel}-Harold Loewen has accepted the responsibilities of coordinating pastor. He has already begun this ministry.

BUHLER, Kan.-Mike and Tina Yutzy, former associate pastor couple, have been appointed by MBMS International to serve with the US Center for World Mission in Pasadena, Calif.

TOPEKA, Kan.-Mike Ayers has accepted the call to serve as intem pastor. He and his wife Shana have already begun their ministry.

FAIRVIEW, Okla.-An installation service was held Dec. 12 for pastoral couple Gary and Kathy Janzen.

They began their ministry Dec. 1.

HEINRICHS. DICK. Fresno, Calif., former pastor of Western oaks MB Church in Bethany, Okla., died June 17, 1999. He is survived by his wife Ima and their children.

LIBBY. JOHN. JR., of the Neighborhood Church, Visalia, Calif., was born May 7, 1985, to John Libby and Lori Libby at Lindsay, Calif., and died from leukemia Dec. 18, 1999, at the age of 14. He is survived by his mother Lori; his father, John and wife Crissy; one half-brother, Nicholas; maternal grandparents, Carl and Diane Reeves; and paternal grandparents, John and Barbara Libby.

NACHTIGALL. ANDREW H•• Henderson, Neb., a member of the Henderson MB Church, was born Od. 30, 1908, to Henry and Elizabeth Regier Nachtigall in Hamilton County, Neb., and died Nov. 25, 1999, at the age of 91. On Feb. 8, 1931, he was married to Anna Voth, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Harold and wife Eunice of Aurora, Neb., and Dan and wife Carol of York, Pa.; two daughters, Dorothy and husband Melvin Thiessen of Fresno, Calif., and LuElla and husband Marlin Janzen of Hillsboro, Kan.; one sister, Elma Crossley of Henderson; three brothers, Ben of Reedley, Calif., and Dan and Ed of Fresno; 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

VOGT. JUSTINA LEPPKE, Com, Okla., a member of the Corn MB Church, was born Sept. 23, 1899, to Abraham and Susanna Wiens Leppke at Peabody, Kan., and died Dec. 29, 1999, at the age of 100. On Feb. 1, 1920, she was married to Abraham W. Vogt, who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Barney and wife Martha of Corn, and Leonard and

LITTLETON. Colo•• (Belleview Acres)-Daniel Moore was installed as pastor of worship and youth ministries Dec. 5. A church meal followed the morning service.

Deaths BAlZER, SUSIE, Mountain Lake, Minn., a member of the Mountain Lake MB Church, was born June 15, 1907, to Peter H. and Sarah Wiebe Balzer in Cottonwood County, Minn., and died Dec. 13, 1999, at the age of 92. She is survived by one brother, Albert Balzer and wife Eulah of Hume Lake, Calif., and many nieces and nephews.

DICK. JOHN REGEHR, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Hillsboro MB Church, was born Sept. 30, 1905, to John J. and Katharina Regehr Dick at Margenau, Molotsehna Mennonite Colony, South Russia, and died Dec. 18, 1999, at the age of 94. On Od. 9, 1932, he was married to Tena Dick, who survives. He is also survived by one son, John and wife Carol of Hillsboro; three daughters, Freda and husband Don Peters, Stillwater, Okla., Hilda Just, Owasso, Okla., and Elsie and husband Roland Lekey of Bushton, Kan.; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

ENSZ, VERNIE. Buhler, Kan., a member of the Buhler MB Church, was born July 12, 1914, to Herman and Lizzie Wiens Ensz at Inman, Kan., and died Dec. 11, 1999, at the age of 85. On Sept. 22, 1944, he was married to Bertha Regier, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Larry and wife Betty of Hutchinson, Kan.; one daughter, Judy and husband Rene Claasen of Clovis, Calif.; five brothers, Alvin of Inman, Jake of Halstead, Kan., George and Clarence of Hutchinson, and Wayne of Reedley, Calif.; one sister, Susie Froese of Inman; six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

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wife Leona of Fairview, Okla.; one daughter, Esther and husband Herbert Schmidt of Walnut Cove, N.C.; one daughter-in-law, Mildred Vogt Martin of Corn; one sister, Malinda Stobbe of Reedley, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

WARKENTIN. MATILDA RICHERT. Hillsboro, Kan., of the Hillsboro MB Church, was born Nov. 20, 1901, to Bernhard A. Richert and Kathryn Kliewer near Corn, Okla., and died Dec. 8, 1999, at the age of 98. On May 20, 1923, she was married to George S. Warkentin, who predeceased her in 1990. They served as the pastoral couple for congregations in South Dakota, Minnesota and Kansas. She is survived by one son, Donald and wife Ruth of Boulder, Colo.; one daughter, Mabel and husband Duane Sample of Hobe Sound, Fla.; one sister, Esther Oesch of Bakersfield, Calif.; two brothers, John E. Richert of Menlo Park, Calif., and Leonard Richert of Yuba City, Calif.; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

WIEBE, DWIGHT, Dallas, Tex., of Peace Mennonite Church in Dallas, was born to F.v. and Agnes Wiebe at TIentsin, China, and died Jan. 3, 2000. He was married to Margot Stauffer, who survives. He is survived by one son, Franck and wife Mary Jane; two daughters, Ricki and husband Lou Farris, and Christine and husband Drew Dahl; two brothers, Franklin and wife Frieda and Richard and wife Betty; four sisters, Rachel and husband Waldo Hiebert, Elizabeth and husband Ned Smith, Barbara and husband Les Miller, and Hope and husband Les Ortman; and five grandchildren. •

Palm Village Wiebe leaves legacy of service continued from page 31

non-profit venture that provided educational opportunities for Taiwanese students. He directed that program until his death.

In addition to his job activities, Wiebe was involved with many charitable organizations including Mennonite Mutual Aid. He was active in Peace Mennonite Church in Dallas, Texas.

Wiebe was born to missionaries F.V. and Agnes Wiebe in Tientsin, China.

Wiebe met and married Margot Stauffer, who survives, while working in Germany. He graduated from Tabor College

Academy in Hillsboro in 1948, and in 1951 received his bachelor's degree from Taylor University in Upland, Ind. He completed his master's degree from Purdue University in 1954.

He is also survived by his three children and their spouses, Ricky Farris and husband Lou, Christine Wiebe and husband Drew Dahl and Franck Wiebe and wife Mary Jane Breinholt, five grandchildren and six brothers and sisters. -by Leader staffand Mennonite Weekly Review

Providing Priority Enlr.nee for He.llb C.re I;Reb.bili,.,ive Servkes Patio Homes Assisted Living Health Care Rehab Therapy

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Alzheimer's Care

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FEBRUARY

2000·

33

BOI)Y!JIT

Clearinghouse Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 40 cents per word, with a $15 minimum. Withhold payment until an invoice is received. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a no-cost ad. Contact the editor for more information.

EMPLOYMENT-CHURCH MusicJWorship Staff Position Buhler (KS) Mennonite Brethren Church, a visionary, growing church of over 400, located in an active, rural community 45 miles NW of Wichita, is looking for a Director of Worship and Music. This position includes planning ser-

is accepting applications for

FIELD REPRESENTATIVE

vices, directing the choir, and rehearsing the worship team. Applicants should be able to blend both traditional and contemporary music and demonstrate a vibrant spirit in leading worship. A music degree or equivalent experience is preferred. Submit resume with references to Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church, do Director of Worship and Music Search Committee, 415 N. West St., P.O. Box 347, Buhler, KS 67522; fax: (316) 543-2470; e-mail: buhlermb@ourtownusa.com

Director of Programming Position Buhler MB Church is also seeking a Director of Programming. This position includes overseeing the Christian Education and Family Life Center ministries of the church. Applicants should be gifted administratively and have a visionary ministry outlook. Submit resumes with references to Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church, do Director of Programming Search Committee, 415 N. West St., P.O. Box 347, Buhler, KS 67522; fax: (316) 543-2470; e-mail: buhlermb@ourtownusa.com EMPLOYMENT-EDUCAnON

This full-time position is responsible for activity in the Mid West and would be based in Hillsboro, Kansas.

DUTIES:

To encourage and assist Christians throughout the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in faithful stewardship. Specific responsibilities include planned giving, charitable estate planning, individual counseling, stewardship education and other Foundation-related activity.

QUALIFICA TlONS:

• Strong interpersonal skills • Demonstrated ability to communicate • Aptitude for detail work • Willingness to learn • Christian commitment and desire to promote the work of the Mennonite Brethren

Faculty Positions for 2000·2001 Tabor College is accepting applications for the following faculty positions: Art/Graphic Design (three-quarter time), Psychology (three-quarter time), Music (three-quarter time). Business (full time), and Math/Computer Science (full-time).

Tabor College is an evangelical Christian college affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church. Faculty must be committed to the college's mission. Positions open until filled.

Appointment dependent on funding. Send resume and cover letter to: Dr. Don Fendall, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS 67063; e-mail: lonf@tabor.edu; home page: www.tabor.edu.

Principal Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute invites applications for the position of Principal for the start of the 2000/2001 academic year. M.B.C.!. has a student body of 560 (7-Senior IV) and a professional staff of 40 teachers. Please address inquiries and applications to Search Committee

by February 29, 2000. Address: 180 Riverton Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 2E8; fax: (204)661-5091; e-mail: mbcis@mbnet.mb.ca

FOR SALE-BOOKS Zoar KMB Church history book Remember the loar KMB Church? Relive its history in From the Prairie to the Town-The Pilgrimage of the loar Church from 1879-1999. This 143 page book has 200 pictures. It may be purchased for $20 or just $17 each when ordering three or more. Price includes postage and handling. Please send check or money order to loar MB Church, Box 126, Inman, Kans. 67546.•

SENIOR PASTOR

A

dynamic and catalytic leader

required who will enable our local church body to achieve God's plan and realize our full potential as Christ's representatives in our southwestern Ontario community.

Waterloo Mennonite Brethren church is a Vibrant, diverse and gifted congregation of 1,100 weekly attendees wi:th a history of growth. God has assembled a wealth of resources and provided vision, energy and enthusiasm for His work In our midst.

We are in transition and poised to move to a new level of ministry and Kingdom impact. We, therefore, seek a senior pastor of Godly character, spiritually gifted in leadership and teaching with a passion for outreach.

This servant leader will possess a demonstrated record of relevant, transformational preaching, a team orientation, and the ability to skillfully implement change in a complex environment of diverse backgrounds, interests and affiliations.

,.

DIRECT INQUIRIES TO:

Attn: Jon Wiebe, President Mennoni~ Brethren Foundation

If this sounds like the challenge God has equipped you for and has been preparing you to undertake, contact:

N2K 2E1

p()BQxV

btshuhOgolden.net

HillSboro, KS 67063 Phone: 316-947·3151

Fax: 316-947-3266 E-mail: mbfotlild@.touthwtnd.net 34-THE

CHRISTIAN

Senior Pastor Search Team Waterloo MB Church 24S Lexington Road Waterloo, Ontario. Canada

CORRECTION: Though we strive to be accurate, occasionally something will escape our eagle eyes On page 24 of the December 1999 issue, we mistakenly identified a picture of Sam Rescendez as Gabriel Espinoza. Our apologies.

LEADER

LEI'S TALK ABOUT IT A GUIDE FOR GROUP INTERACTION SESSION 1: Where have our leaders gone?

Based on "Where have our leaders gone-and how do we get them back?" page 4 GET READY-Getting started • Who is one of the Biblical leaders you most admire?

GET SET-Examining the issues 1. What are the increasing challenges for those in ministry that contribute to the "leadership crisis" as described in the article?

2. Identify several Biblical leaders and ways in which they received their call to ministry.

3. What suggestions do Boschman, Ens and Schmidt make for calling out people to ministry?

GO-Applying ideas to the way we live 1. Of the challenges described, which are true of your congregation?

2. How does your church encourage and call people to ministry? What additional steps could you take to "multiply leaders"?

3. How do you affirm and support your present leaders?

4. Who do you know who could use a "shoulder tap" from you?

SESSION 3: Connecting and disconnecting Based on Phil Wiebe's "Ph'lip Side" column, page 1B GET READV-Getting started • What is your favorite method of connecting with friends?

GETSET-&ammmg~e~u~

How does our culture suggest to us that connecting via technology also connects us in relationships?

2. What are the dangers of accepting these subtle messages?

3. What does Scripture teach about connecting with one another? (Romans 12:5,10; 15:5,7, 14; 16:3-6, 16; Galatians 5:13; 6:2; Ephesians 4:2; 5:21; I Thessalonians 5:11)

1

GO-Applying ideas to the way we live 1. Do you agree that more relationship connection requires more technological disconnection?

2. How can we genuinely evaluate our level of connectedness with others?

3. Where do you sense a need to connect or disconnect?

SESSION 2: Leading and following

SESSION 4: Worship

Based on "Leading and following, " page 9

Based on the first question of Marvin Hein's "Inquiring Minds" column, page 19

GET READY-Getting started • When playing "follow the leader," would you rather be a follower or the leader?

GET SET-Examining the issues 1. What are some of the costs of leadership?

2. In light of those costs, why would one still be willing to serve as a leader?

3. Try to think of a person in scripture who dealt effectively or ineffectively with each of the hints given for leadership. Or, take the example of Nehemiah in "Rebuilding a People" and apply his leadership style to the leadership suggestions.

4. Which of those hints do you think is most challenging in the church today? Why is that so?

5. How can leaders find the courage to do what is right in times of conflict? How can others support them in those decisions?

GO-Applying ideas to the way we live 1. Can you think of a leadership challenge that is part of your church family, small group or your own family?

Which of the suggestions given could help to bring resolution and encouragement for all involved?

2. Of the leadership hints, which is the one you most need to surrender to God's continued work in your own life?

III"

GET READV-Getting started • Describe your most recent meaningful worship experience.

GET SET-Examining the issues 1. What would have been the greatest worship questions in the mind of the woman at the well?

2. In what ways did Jesus relate to her in a way that she could understand?

3. What was it that Jesus most wanted to communicate about worship?

GO-Applying ideas to the way we live 1. How can we discern whether or not our worship as individuals and corporately is following Jesus' teaching and is focused more on God than on ourselves?

2. To what extent does true worship depend on us as individuals and to what extent on those who lead the worship?

3. What aspect of worship do you think we most need to encourage in our churches?

I \I, \!lOI I II is a project of the Christian Leader and the Southern District Christian Education Commission, Questions by Nadine Friesen.

FEBRUARY

2000

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35

,

EDITORIAL

Through the eye of a needle

I

NEVER USED TO CONSIDER MYSELF WEALTHY. After all, wealth is Bill Gates, Donald Trump or the Kennedys, right?

My husband and I don't own a boat, jet ski or vacation home. We drive cars over 15 years old. Most of my furniture is cleverly restored. I'm still using the same stoneware dishes I got as wedding presents over 10 years ago. We buy most of our clothes on sale, and most of my 18-month-old daughter's clothes come from family, friends and trips to thrift stores.

So, I didn't think I had much in common with the rich man that approaches Jesus in Mark 10:17-31.

This man has "great wealth"-money, prestige and power.

He wants to know what he can do to inherit eternal life.

Though he seems genuinely well-intentioned, the man mistakenly thinks he can earn his way into the kingdom. Ultimately, Jesus says he must sell everything he has and give to the poor, "and you will have treasure in heaven. !ben come follow me."

The man's face fell and he went away sad, apparently his love for wealth greater than his love for eternal life.

Jesus reflects how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God-in fact, he says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven."

Most of the time, I hear these verses interpreted to mean that this man's love for wealth got in the way of his ability to trust in God. While he idolized his wealth, I didn't see myself as someone who loved my possessions more than God. Recently, however, I realized that I have more in common with the rich man than I thought.

Last fall, I ran across an article on the CNN Web site. They reported that the world's wealthiest 16 percent-the U.S., Europe and Japan-use 80 percent of the world's resources. In the U.S. alone, every man, woman and child is responsible for the consumption of about 25 tons of raw materials each year.

Americans-making up only four percent ofthe world's population-operate one third of the world's automobiles and consume one quarter of the world's global energy supply.

Compared to the rest of the world, I am rich. In fact, many of us who live in North America are very wealthy. Most of us have a solid roof over our heads, jobs and enough to eat. Many of us have cars, retirement plans and health insurance. Most of the rest of the world does not.

Our spending habits also show that we are wealthy. According the World Almanac, while Americans give $157 billion to charity, we spend $462 billion on recreation. Little things around my house cry out wealth-a graduate degree diploma, a stack of CDs, shelves of books, magazines, a full spice rack and Pop Tarts in the cupboard.

To pay for these things-my education, shelter, 15-year-old cars, books, CDs and Pop Tarts-my husband and I must work to

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earn money. Our wealth takes a lot of my attention and energy.

And, unfortunately, I often find I place more emphasis on supporting and maintaining my wealth than I do following Jesus.

These things-money, career, education-are not bad things.

In fact, if they are kept in perspective under God's stewardship, they can be used to further God's kingdom. But, while I may not make an idol of my wealth, I find my wealth does distract me. I am guilty of squandering the rich resources and inheritance I receive from God as I put more energy into material things rather than the nonmaterial-but permanent-things.

It makes sense to me, then, that wealthy people-like us North Americans-have a hard time entering in to the fullness of God's kingdom and the rich life of discipleship in Christ.

So, I wonder, can I enter into the richness and fullness of God's kingdom? With my wealth, is it impossible?

Jesus tells the disciples patiently, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." God gives me all I need to follow him and live in the richness and fullness of his kingdom. He constantly interrupts my life, calling me to make him central above my wealth and everything else. He reminds me that my faith is not just another part of my life-it is my life.

Though we can't earn our way into eternal life or the kingdom of God by what we do, we are still called to action. When I strive to live my faith, God cuts through the haze of distraction my daily life brings. lnstead of working an extra four or five hours a week, I began volunteering at my church's after-school program. As I help the kids struggle through homework and math problems, I feel lucky. I am humbled by the blessings that come from being a servant-which truly are 100 times more than what we believe we are giving up.

I take my daughter with me when I go. She may be too young to remember right now, but I want her to see her father and me in service. If we expose our children to Christian service, 'they will learn early that being a disciple means having God's heart and putting his love into action To have God's heart, I must know him. So I struggle to spend time in Scripture and prayer each day. God transforms and speaks to us in the quiet time we spend with him. In our often hectic and busy lives, this is a must.

I also strive to keep my wealth in perspective and under God's stewardship. When it comes to our possessions, we must "hold them lightly, not tightly."

It is still hard. I struggle to follow him in my imperfect and' human ways. But his grace is bountiful, and his transforming power takes my breath away as he takes me through the needle's eye.·-GA