When traveling, we can determine the fastest route to our destination, or we can take state highways and county roads-the roads less traveled-and see things that we would otherwise miss. The same can be said for our journey through Scripture. Which roads will we travel?
10
DEMONS, PIGS AND HOPE
by Pierre Gilbert
The story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 qualifies as one of the oldest narratives in the Gospels. It is rarely the object of sermons. So what can we learn from this strange story about a naked lunatic, a legion of demons and pigs that commit suicide?
13
WITTY WORD POWER
by Jason Hiebert
We talk about the Bible nourishing, strengthening, teaching and comforting us. But does it make us laugh? We know the Bible testifies to God's love, grace, anger and anguish. But does Scripture reflect God's sense of humor?
16
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
by CL Readers
The founders of our denomination were known as "people of the Book" because of their commitment to Scripture. This devotion to studying and obeying the Bible continues to be at the heart of who we Mennonite Brethren are. Two readers share their love of Bible memory and God's Word.
18
HOW TO MEMORIZE
by Tim Geddert
Try the method for memorizing Scripture used by MB Biblical Seminary students to learn the book of Mark.
> FiRST WORDS
[from the editorl
ONE CHRISTIAN LEADER REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR THAT many of us enjoy reading is Pierre Gilbert, MB Biblical Seminary faculty member currently living in Winnipeg, Man. CL readers aren't the only ones who appreciate Gilbert's perspective. In 2005 and again in 2007 Gilbert received awards from the Evangelical Press Association for his writing of biblical exposition. This month Gilbert contributes the first of several articles we anticipate publishing this year.
Gilbert is originally from Quebec City and his childhood experiences have given him a deep appreciation for what the good news of Jesus Christ can mean. By the time Gilbert was 14, he felt his life was a mess. His mother struggled with chronic depression and attempted suicide more than once. His father was frustrated and overwhelmed by the family's circumstances. Gilbert artended church, but it had lirtle meaning in his life and didn't seem to offer any answers.
"I had no purpose and no reason to live," Gilbert says in a 2002 interview with Mennonite Brethren joumalist Harold Jantz. Gilbert considered suicide, but he "resolved not to go that way. There had to be more to life than what I had experienced," Gilbert tens Jantz.
Then, during a particularly difficult time, a couple of kids from a Baptist church invited Gilbert to attend church with them. Gilbert went and made a surprising discovery: "I found that the Bible had something to say. This was the spark that motivated me to read it."
Gilbert says, "Over the fonowing weeks I began to understand that Christ was more than an historical figure. He was alive and extending to me an invitation to enter into a living relationship with him. One evening, in desperation, I cried to this Jesus. I made a bargain with him. If only he showed me that he was real, I would gladly belong to him. That night, my life changed."
None of his difficult circumstances magically changed, says Gilbert, but "because of my encounter with the living Christ, I had discovered meaning and significance. I now had hope." And that hope is what Gilbert writes about this month in "Demons, pigs and hope."
Gilbert is a firm believer in the power of Scriptureto guide our worldview and to understand God. 'Without Scripture," says Gilbert, 'buman beings are always just a step away from Auschwitz, because only Scripture provides a statement that affirms the absolute value of human beings." Scripture should also motivate us to share our faith. ''What we have in the Scripture is a cure for our deepest illness, that is, our alienation from the person of God," says Gilbert.
> CL QUESTION How often do you engage in personal Bible study?
Answer this question online at www.usmb.orgIchristian-leader. Survey results wiU be posted online
• Ap ril 29-3 0-National Board of Faith and Life meeting
• April30-May 1-Leadership Summit
• May 1-3-Leadership Board meeting
• July 14-19-MWC World Assembly, Asuncion, Paraguay
Conn ie Faber EDITOR
Myra Hol mes ASSISTANT EDITOR
Shelley Plett GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The Chris t ian Leade r USSN 0009 - 51 491 is publishe d monthly by t he U S Co nference of Men non ite Bret hren Churche s
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> CONFERENCE CALL
Just SO you know
Let us know what you think about key issues
There are some things we'd like you to know about U.S. Mennonite Brethren, and we'd like to know what you think of the direction we're setting for our denomination. The U.S. Conference Leadership Board will be meeting this spring and on the agenda will be budget development and planning for the future We'd like your feedback in preparation for this meeting.
Who are we?
Last year the Leadership Board adopted an identity statement for the U.S. Conference that says: 'We are a family of churches committed to living, loving and serving in our troubled world as we share the life-giving message of Jesus." Our identity clarifies that we have committed to being "in the world but not of the world," just as Jesus prayed that it would be (John 17). We have chosen to partner with Jesus in his mission to bring life. Why do we exist?
The mission statement we adopted last year says that U.S. Mennonite Brethren "partner as one family serving one Lord on one mission, for the transformation of individuals, families and communities." Our mission statement is loaded with meaning. Christ is the center. We are family because of our common adoption as daughters and sons of God. We are family because such a relationship provides for us the privileges of accountability, collaborative partnerships and mutual support.
And we are on a mission with Jesus to seek and to save the lost and to make disciples. When Jesus changes a heart and gains a disciple, lives are transformed. The first life changed is the obvious one, and then families and communities are impacted as the good news spreads.
What are our membership realities?
We are a family of about 35,000 members in around 200 churches in five districts. Since 1995 we have added 60 churches and closed eight. Most of our growth has come from the "adoption" of congregations comprised of recent immigrants.
Today, half (109) of our congregations are Anglo, 35 are Slavic, 34 are Hispanic, eight are Ethiopian, six are Korean, six are African-American, three are Japanese, two are Native Indian, two are East Indian and one is Chinese. Check www.usmb.org for more on this.
The U.S. Conference is divided into five regional conferences. The Pacific District Conference has 120 congregations and includes Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The Central District has 24 congregations and covers the largest geographic area: Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. The Southern District has 38 congregations in
Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma. The North Carolina District has six congregations and the Latin American District has nine churches in South Texas.
How does the U.S. Conference add value to Mennonite Brethren congregations?
We provide national leadership, vision development and ministry coordination. We represent the U.S. Conference to the International Community of Mennonite Brethren and other Anabaptist and Christian partners, including Mennonite World Conference, Mennonite Central Commitree and National Association of Evangelicals.
Through Mission USA we invest in church planting and/or renewal in each of the five district conferences. We publish a monthly magazine that is made available to every U.S. Mennonite Brethren household.
We partner with MB Foundation to promote effective kingdom stewardship. We collaborate with our educational institutions- MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno Pacific University and Tabor College. Through MBMS International we partner for global mission. What are our financial realities?
Our annual budget is $903,000.
Only 39 percent of our congregations contribute to the U.S. Conference; they provide about $450,000. The U.S. Conference executive director and Mission USA director raise about $290,000. Our monthly magazine generates $40,000 in advertising income. We appreciate the annual support of MB Foundation in guaranteeing $50,000. Interest earnings, endowments and other sources generate $50,000.
So what do you think?
Are we correctly describing our identity and vision? How can we betrer convey that our denomination has valid grounds for existence? Are;we going in the right direction? Does this look and sound good and right to you? Given current economic realities, what should be reviewed or changed?
111 say it again: We are one family, serving one Lord together to accomplish his plan for such a time as this. We are blessed, as a nation- · al conference, because we know that God's hand is on us. While I absolutely believe that we exist for good, right and godly reasons, I am all ears to your thoughts. Share your ideas and concerns with me over coffee or an e-mail.
'1J Comment on this column by going to usmb.orglchristian-leader
MCC increases relief aid for Gaza
Death toll rises, humanitarian crisis intensifies
In the midst of January air strikes, ground battles and a rising death toll, Mennonite Central Committee partner organizations in Gaza are distributing food, water and blankets to Gazans who have lost their homes. MCC is the peace, relief and service agency of Notth American Anabaptists and is supported by many Mennonite Brethren .
MCC approved an emergency response package Jan. 6 that brings the Illonetary value of MCC's humanitarian responses in Gaza in 2008 and early 2009 to almost $345,000.
The latest emergency response includes shipping a large container of blankets and relief kits to Gaza and providing $30,000 for local purchase of food and other urgently needed supplies . While MCC's partner organizations in Gaza cannot currently receive funds because banks are closed due to the war, they are purchasing food, water and blankets on credit and distributing them to families whose homes have been destroyed .
In addition to humanitarian assistance, MCC is advocating for the
governments of Canada and the United States to work for an end to the fighting . MCC has sent letters to both Canadian and U.S. governments, condemning violence and urging both to insist that all parties allow humanitarian aid to reach the most wlnerable people in Gaza . Before Israel's military operations began Dec. 27, 2008, humanitarian conditions were already desperate in Gaza due to an I8-month economic blockade, says Rick Janzen, a director of MCC's programs in the Middle East and Europe.
M CC partner organizations now report that Gazans live in fear as the death toll and number of injuries continue to rise. The United Nations reports that there is now an almost total blackout in many parts of Gaza. Thousands of homes have been damaged, and it has become increasingly difficult for families to stay in them given the cold weather.
For more information or to donate, visit www .mcc.org . Donations should be designated "Palestine Emergency Assistance." -Gladys Terichow for MCC
MEDA pioneers services for youth
Mennonite Economic Development Associates and The MasterCard Foundation, a private foundation based in Toronto, Ont., recently announced a $5 million program to create inclusive financial services and education for youth in Morocco and Egypt. This five-year program, called Youth Invest, will enable microfinance institutions to develop and test innovative products, reaching approximately 50,000 people between the ages of 15 and 24, especially those living in rural areas . Until recently, microfinance institutions have not focused on poor youth, in part due to the perception of risks associated with serving young people who may lack collateral or work experience.
"Youth Invest will create new insights about the financial needs of youth and new ways to support young entrepreneurs, " says Reeta Roy, president and CEO of The MasterCard Foundation. 'We are pleased to
work with MEDA, which has been a pioneer in economic development and is now expanding the frontiers of youth microfinance "
MEDA will partner with leading microfinance institutions in both countries to study the needs of employed as well as unemployed youth and to design appropriate financial products, such as savings for education or loans to start a small business The program will also provide youth-specific services, including financial and business-related training to develop youth entrepreneurship skills.
MEDA is an association of Christians in business and the professions that has pioneered business solutions to the eradication of poverty in more than 45 developing countries. The MasterCard Foundation is an independent, private foundation with over $1 billion in assets. For more information, visit www.meda.org or www .themastercardfoundation.org. - MEDA
Humanitarian work continues in Somalia
Tunnoi! in Somalia escalated in the last year due to increased political insecurity, drought, flooding and the rising prospect of famine. Somalia is considered by the United Nations to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
For more than a decade, Mennonite Central Committee has provided water, education and financing for women to start their own micro businesses through its support of SAACID, a Somali women's organization. MCC's Global Family Education Sponsorship program supports SAACID in running schools in the capital, Mogadishu, and Adale. MCC is the peace, relief and service agency supported by North American Mennonites, including Mennonite Brethren.
In December 2006, Ethiopia, aided by the United States, invaded Somalia and overthrew the government. Since then fighting between Ethiopian troops, Islamist insurgents, Somali forces and clan militias has continued.
Problems with food importing and distribution have increased due to pirate activity that requires that ships importing food to Somalia have naval protection. Some areas of the war-tom country are inaccessible to aid organizations.
FPU grads told to welcome adversity
LInternational relief organizations estimate the number of internally displaced persons to be more than I.I million, with further estimates of 3.2 million people, one third of the population, in need of humanitarian aid.
According to Raha Janaqow, director of SAACID, the number of temporary camps for displaced persons continues to grow. Even before the most recent influx, SAACID was feeding more than 80,000 people. In 2007, MCC provided nonfood items such as gerry cans and cooking pots to aid in the distribution of food in the soup kitchens that SAACID runs in these camps. SAACID also is distributing dry food, providing maize, sorghum , oil and beans to each family in the camps.
So far, Janaqow says, SAACID has been able to meet the increased need for clean water. MCC provided five 5,ooo-gallon portable water tanks in the last two years for access to potable water. While Somalia has been without public education since 1991, SAACID is also educating in the camps using tents for schools.
Janaqow notes that there are negotiations in Djibouti to address the situation. "For the last eight years, there is a lot of talking," she says, "but nothing happens."-Cathryn Clinton for MCC
Kindred hires SDC staff
any Powell, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, was the guestspeaker fur Fresno Pacific University's fall commencement Dec. 12 Degrees were awarded to 237 new graduates : 138 through bachelors degree completion, 54 from the traditional undergraduate program and 45 from master's programs
Among those receiving degrees were students from two new programs Alicia Hinton, Fresno, was the first to earn a juris doctor from San Joaquin College of Law and a master's in peacemaking and conflict studies from FPU through the first SUch cooperative program in the nation . On the undergraduate side, the first five graduates of the bachelor's degree completion program in criminology and restorative justice were Denise Doyle, Fresno; Roxanne Farias, Fresno; Stuart Jensen, Clovis, Calif.; Rafael Kasdorf, Reedley. Calif ; and Nicole Magano. Pinedale, Calif
The graduates. many who had balanced work, family and higher education. were familiar with the speaker's subject: adversity What they may not have expected was his contention that it's to be rejoiced in rather than feared Adversity is a synonym for opportunity said Powell
1\dIing out a $20 bill. Powell asked who wanted it. Many applauded. He then crumpled the bill. dropped it on the stage and stepped on it. all the while asking people if they were still interested. At last, he gave the straightened money to one ()f the soon-to-be-grads. "No matter what happens to you, you never lose your value "Powell said
FPU is the Mennonite Bretbren..owned university headquartered in Fresno, Cali£.. with centers in Visalia, Bakersfield and North Fresno, Calif - FPU
Kindred Productions, the publishing ann of . North American Mennonite Brethren. has hired Amy Sterk of Newton, Kan •to be its representative for the Southern District Conference beginning Jan 19
Sterk will be contacting churches in the Southern District to build relationships and explain the Kindred Spirits Rewards Program, an incentive program that benefits local churches and Mennonite Brethren ministries In future months KP will be exploring having a representative in each of the five U.S. districts, with two in California.
Effective August zooS, KP closed its shipping office in Hillsboro. Kan ; offices in Wtnnipeg, Man .• remain open . KP expects this to be a temporary move as it rebuilds its base among U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches. Director Mario Buscio says that when orders validate the need for a U S shipping office, KP will choose the best location from which to do that. Meanwhile, Buscio says KP is "working out a plan that win keep the shipping costs to our U.S. churches at current levels that our churches and their members are used to ."-KP
Discover unexplored parts of Scripture
SINCE DISCOVERING THE TOUCH OF Swiss bakery in Stevensville, Mich., our family regularly stops to buy pastries, and then we drive to a secluded park overlooking Lake Michigan and enjoy our sweets while looking out over the lake. If we had stayed on the interstate and never explored this town, we would not have found Touch of Swiss. Our annual road trip to visit my parents would be faster but less rich.
Travelers taking road trips have two choices. We can identify our destination, plot the fastest route, usually involving primarily interstate highways, and reach our goal in the most efficient way possible. Or we can take state highways and county roads-what author William Least Heat-Moon calls the "blue" highways-and see parts ofthe country (and visit bakeries) that efficient travelers all too often miss.
I see myself as a blue highway traveler, but in reality I am, more often than not, an efficient, interstate traveler. Short vacations and long distances overcome my hope of wandering leisurely.
Sometimes in our study of the Bible we are confronted with a similar pair of choices. We can read the parts of Scripture with which we are familiar and which we know have a powerful spiritual impact. Or we can wander through some of the less familiar parts of the Bible and see what we discover. "Blue highway" Bible I study may provide a slower path to growth, but it can be deeply satisfying.
My first experience with blue highway reading came in college. The professor asked our class to read the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew to make whatever observations we thought relevant. One student noticed that five women are mentioned: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, the woman who "had been the wife of Uriah" and, of course, Mary (Matt. 1:6, TNIV).
Why does Matthew include these women? They aren't necessary for the genealogy; Jesus' ancestry is through the men. Why call attention to Tamar? You should read her story in Genesis 38. Among other things, she pretends to be a prostitute, sleeps with her father-inlaw and bears his child.
And what about Bathsheba? By referring to her as the woman "who had been the wife of Uriah," Matthew calls attention to the scandal of King David's affair and his murder of Uriah.
As I thought about these questions I was reminded that God works through people on the margins, not only through people of power. I realized that people whom the dominant religious tradition would reject or even cover up are part of God's way of working in the world. I hope that this has opened me to see God working in people whom I would have otherwise rejected And my life has
been enriched by this awareness.
If I had not been invited to do some blue highway reading, I would have skipped the genealogies to get to the stories surrounding Jesus' conception and birth. And I would have been poorer for it.
I invite you to join me in blue highway reading. Here are a couple of suggestions for your trip.
Explore. Our family has driven from Kansas to Michigan many times over the past couple of decades. We know which restaurants and motels are at which exits. But once in awhile we take a completely new route to see what we can find. Our Bible reading can be the same; instead of always sticking with familiar, favorite passages, find a part of the Bible that you can't remember having read or have only read infrequently.
Slow down. You can't go as fast on a county road as you can on the interstate. When you slow down you start to see more . Slowing down can help us take in new places and can help us see familiar places more clearly. When you see more, you ask more questions, and questions can lead to insight. Slowing down can stir your imagination. As I drive through a small town, I wonder what it's like to live there. As we read slowly we can put ourselves into the story and wonder about the event of which we are a part.
Take along a guide. A guide, especially someone who knows well the area you are visiting, can help answer some of your questions and can point out places you may want to explore further. Ask your pastor or email a professor at MB Biblical Seminary or one of the Mennonite Brethren colleges about a reliable guide to the part of the Bible you are exploring.
Take along a visitor. Perhaps this visitor is someone who has a very different background from your own. Ofren such a person will see things that you have overlooked or see the same things from a different perspective. Conversations with disciples from other religious or ethnic traditions can open up the Bible in profound ways.
Blue highway reading does not fit our busy lifestyles. But it provides an opportunity to explore some hidden wonders in the Bible. And you may find yourself returning to some of those spots over and over again to enjoy the view they provide of God and God's work.
David Faber is professor of philosophy and religious studies at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. He is a member of Ebenfeld MB Church of rural Hillsboro.
'1lPost your comments at usmb.orglchristian-leader questions are available at usmb.orgIchristianleader
What is this story all about? Is it a recipe to cast demons out of people? Mark himself provides a clue in the preceding chapters. The stories he reports in chapters 1-4 all emphasize one thing: the authority and the power of Jesus Christ. If we are going to give the immediate context any consideration then we have to recognize that the primary focus of Mark 5 may well be to illustrate the overwhelming power of Christ.
Hopelessness (Mark 5:1-5)
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the land of the Gerasenes Just as Jesus was climbing from the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit ran out from a cemetery to meet him. This man lived among the tombs and could not be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles-as he often was-he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles No one was strong enough to control him AU day long and throughout the night, he would wander among the tombs and in the hills, screaming and hitting hirnselfwith stones (NLT)
Jesus' arrival in the region of Gerasenes is no accident. He appears on the scene because there is a man in great need, and because it provides an opportunity to demonstrate that he has power over all. So far, Jesus' ministry has been quite effective, but does his power extend beyond his own backyard? The only way to test him is to get Jesus out of his neighborhood and put him faceto-face with a most formidable challenge.
Jesus' incursion in pagan territory is theologically very significant It loudly proclaims that God's offer of salvation is not limited to the Jews or any particular class of people The worst of pagans can be the object of God's love.
Verses 3-5 symbolize the extent to which a human being can be affected by evil. These verses describe a man who is alienated in every possible way. He is alienated from himself, his family and the rest of human society. He is completely out of control, and no one can do anything for him.
Confrontation (vv 6-13)
When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him. He ran to meet Jesus and fell down before him. He gave a terrible scream, shrieking. "Why are you bothering me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? For God's sake, don't torture me!" For Jesus had already said to the spirit, "Come out oj the man, you evil spirit." Then Jesus asked, "What is your name?" And the spirit replied, "Legion, because there are many of us here inside this man. " Then the spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. "Send us into those pigs," the evil spirits begged. Jesus gave them permission. So the evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of two thousand pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake, where they drowned.
In verses 6-10, Mark notes four actions to show that at the sight of Jesus the man regains some measure of control.
He sees Jesus.
He runs to Jesus.
He falls on his knees in front of Jesus.
He shouts at the top of his voice.
The royal title the demons use to refer to Jesus underlines their utter powerlessness in the presence of Jesus. The lie that these evil entities have overwhelming powers is being unraveled. The demons know that this is "game over." They are simply negotiating the terms of surrender.
In verse 9, Jesus asks the demon to identify itself, not so much to gain control over the creature as to demonstrate the extent to which this man had come under the control of these beings. The immediate response from the demon further underlines Jesus' absolute authority.
In contrast to the popular belief of the time, Mark emphasizes in verses II - 13 the very limited range of freedom these spirits actually enjoy. They need permission to enter into the pigs. Taking possession of the pigs is not something they can do on their own authority.
While this text confirms the existence of demonic spirits, their power is extremely limited: I) a '1egion" of demons, possibly 6,000, is not sufficient to completely strip this man of his dignity; z) the pig-demon ratio (z,ooo pigs to 6,000 demons) sends a very subtle message about the real power of these demons. To an audience that believes in the overwhelming power of demons, we have a situation where three demons are insufficient to keep a pig from drowning itself and the demons with it.
The pig incident is no doubt on the strange side of the reality spectrum. But it was critical it happened this way, for how else would people know that this man was indeed under the influence of real demons? Jesus is not just a good psychologist. This man was under the dreadful influence of a legion of demons. The drowning of the pig herd is the incontrovertible demonstration of the overwhelming power of Jesus-not even an army of demons can stand in his presence.
Village idiots never get it! (vv 14-17)
The herdsmen fled to the nearby city and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. Everyone rushed out to see for themselves. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, but they were frightened when they saw the man who had been demon possessed, for he was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane. Those who had seen what happened to the man and to the pigs told everyone about it, and the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
Jesus' intervention does not meet with the grateful response one would expect It is irrelevant that the "demoniac" is sitting. clothed and in full control of himself. The "village idiots" are very upset by the economic cost of this good deed. They want Jesus to leave. They would have preferred to see the demon-possessed man remain in his miserable condition than to see him saved. At the cost of a herd of pigs per man, salvation is just too expensive.
The "village idiots" just don't get Jesus . They never do! This is Mark's way of reminding us of a very sobering truth . There is one thing over which Jesus has no ultimate authority and that is people themselves.
As for the man, he is no longer mad. The redemption brought by Jesus affects every aspect of this man's life: spiritual, mental, physical and social.
Jesus and the liberated man (vv 18-zo)
When Jesus got back into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go, too. But Jesus said, "No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to tell everyone about the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Jesus leaves, not as a concession to anyone, but because his mission is completed. The man wishes to go with Jesus, but Jesus does not let him. When the village idiots come back to their senses, there will be questions, an inquiry will be conducted to find out what went wrong when the strange healer from Galilee showed up and healed the lunatic. The man must stay behind to tell the truth He must go back to his family and reenter the social fabric of his community. The man is healed. He is given a new lease on life, a new identity, a new purpose, a reason to live as God's partner. His responsibility is to tell the truth about the man from Galilee.
• God works in partnership. God has chosen to establish his kingdom by working with human beings (I Cor. 3:9). God never does by himself what he can do in partnership with men and women.
• Redemption impacts every aspect of a person's life, but it affects first and foremost the inner person. If there is no transformation of the heart, the rest is superficial. Mere reform, but no transformation. True redemption begins in the heart of the person, and then redemption extends outward into the community.
Hidden truths
In conclusion, I want to highlight two fundamental truths that this story reveals. These are truths the "world"-that which is opposite of God and his work-has hidden and is still attempring to hide at all costs. For were we to see them plainly, they would transform every person that comes into contact with them and, in time, transform the whole world
Truth '/1:1: No one is beyond the reach of God.
Regardless of what evil has done to a human being. Regardless of the extent to which a man or a woman has given himself or herself to evil. Regardless of the grip evil may have on a person, God has an infinite ability to reach into the human soul and bring redemption No one is beyond the reach of God. Absolutely no one!
Thes e v e r ses describe a man who is alienated in every poss ible way He is completely out of control , and no one ca n do anything for him.
What can we learn?
What can we learn from such a text? Let me propose a few elements of biblical theology and suggest how this text can be for us today.
• Something is wrong with human beings. This story shows the extent to which evil can affect human beings. The debilitating impact of sin and evil on human nature is beyond self-help books and pop psychology. In our everrenewed rush of goodwill and naivety, we too often forget the extent to which men and women can be damaged by evil. Because we forget, we too often prescribe sugar pills to people who need spiritual cancer treatment.
• Sin and evil ultimately result in human alienation. Alienation from ourSelves, from others, and God.
• The story of the demoniac man clearly teaches that God intensely wishes to bring salvation to all men and women, regardless of where they are, who they are and what condition they are in. But God does noi: only wish to reach, he actually does it.
• Jesus did not wait for this man to come to his neighborhood. He actively sought this poor soul. This is the story of God seeking humanity. From the very beginning, God has been calling on men and women to tum to him.
• This text reminds us that there is often, most often in fact, a social cost to the redemption of men and women. God provides the foundation for redemption, but it takes the involvement of real men and women in the lives of other men and women to bring about the emergence of the kingdom of God in the human heart. And that is sometimes costly in terms of human and financial resources. Why? Simple! Keep reading.
This truth implies that we should never give up on anyone or on Christ's ability to redeem even the most unlikely of candidates for salvation. God can reach into the soul of the drug addict. God can reach into the soul of the most hardened criminal. God can reach into the soul of a child born with Down syndrome. God can reach anyone.
Truth '/I:Z: We are free.
Here is the second truth that, as far as the "world" is concerned, must never come to light. Here is the truth that countless human ideologies forever seek to hide from us. Here is the truth that the intellectual elites tell us is a lie, at best an illusion: We are free.
Regardless of what life has thrown at us, we are free. We are free to tum . to God and be healed. No demon, no degree of evil, no amount of abuse, nothing can keep us from turning our face to God and crying for help. The biggest lie is that we can't.
Hope can shine through in the darkest places. There is only one thing that stands in the way of our redemption and that one thing is our own free will. Christ can overcome all obstacles but one: Our own unwillingness to accept his invitation.
Pierre Gilbert is associate professor of Bible and theology at Canadian Mennonite University and MB Biblical Seminary. He lives in Winnipeg, Man.
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WITTY WORD
Humor in the Bible challenges us to rethink our assumptions
THE TOTAL ABSENCE
of humor from the Bible is one of the most singular things in all literature," writes Alfred North Whitehead, a philosopher and theologian from the early 1900s. This is a powerful, uncompromising statement. But is it true? Is there no humor in the Bible?
Non-Christians often think of the Bible as a dull, dry book about a stem, unsmiling God. Even Christians don't recommend it for the laughs. We talk about how the Bible nourishes, strengthens, teaches and comforts us. But we never talk about how it entertains or amuses us. We agree that the Bible testifies to God's love, compassion, sorrow, anguish, anger and joy-but does it reflect God's sense of humor?
Certainly, God has a sense of humor. After all, it was God who gave me a nose big enough to hold spare change. That same God knows what it is to laugh at humanity. This is not laughing in a mean-spirited way, but laughing in the way we chuckle at the foibles of old friends or laugh at ourselves. This is also the laughter that challenges our powerful,
uncompromising views (like the quote by Whitehead above) of how the world is and ought to be.
For instance, take the image of the prophet. The prophet is someone you look up to: John the Baptist preaching repentance in the desert and Jeremiah warning of disaster and mourning the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophet is bold, powerful and righteous. But sometimes the prophet is Jonah. Jonah runs from his assignment and when he finally does preach to Nineveh, his sermon is as anemic as he can make it. This prophet is reluctant, apathetic and indignant. The capstone of the story is when God spares the city. As you read Jonah 4 :1-4, can't you just picture it? Jonah, with his arms crossed and lower lip turned out, stamps his foot and fumes at a God who could dare to be so forgiving. The author
er-into thinking he's slept with her. Is it right? No, but well, it is kind of funny.
A humorous hero
A similar example, but with the imagery in reverse, can be found in Judges 3. Ehud, the judge, gains a private audience with Eglon, the enemy king. Ehud kills Eglon with a surprise attack, locks the door to the room and escapes to safety. A thrilling story, but how does Ehud buy time to get out of enemy territory? The Bible says that when Eglon's servants found the door locked, they thought he was "covering his feet."
Again, this is a euphemism: They thought he had dropped his robes ("covered his feet") and was using the toilet. And so they waited for him to finish. And they waited And
CertainLy, God has a sense of humor. After aLL, it was God who gave me a nose big enough to hoLd spare chang e. That same God knows what it is to laugh at humanity.
is almost daring us not to laugh at the picture of a tiny, selfrighteous prophet.
The punch line
Sometimes the Bible's humor is almost too risque for church. One example is Naomi's plan to find a husband for Ruth, a foreign widow coming to Israel who is very much the outsider (Ruth 3:1-4). The strategy is this: Ruth will wait until Naomi's cousin Boaz has worked all day and had his fill of food and drink. Then she will go lie down beside him, uncover his feet and sleep there until morning. Once Boaz wakes up, hell take care of everything.
If you don't get the punch line, it might help to know that in ancient Hebrew culture, "feet" can serve as a euphemism for genitalia. So Ruth waits until Boaz has finished eating and drinking. and then she goes and uncovers his "feet." And when he wakes up, sees himself uncovered and a woman sleeping beside him, he will assume he must have done something last night to obligate himself!
In this story, the foreign woman-the outsider- is the hero, and she "wins" by tricking the Israelite man-the insid-
waited some more In fact, the Bible says they waited until they were embarrassed for him.
Picture it: The boss is in the bathroom, and the servants are all whispering to one another.
"It's been three hours. Do you think he's okay?"
"I don't know. Go check on him."
"No, you check on him!"
''I'm not going in there!"
Coming at the height of the action narrative, this comical aside seems to throw a little Austin Powers in with our biblical James Bond. What kind of hero gets away by hiding the body in the john?
Temple comedy
Jesus uses humor in his teaching, but his humor is often more pointed than that of Judges, Ruth or even Jonah This is because Jesus is often joking with somebody specific in mind, and his target is almost always a group of legal experts (the priests) that is challenging his teachings and actions.
The best example of this is found in Mark n:z7-I2:40 Jesus is in the temple courts with his disciples. It is almost Passover, and the place is packed with people from all over
the known world. Jesus has been making quite a bit of noise over the past couple of years, and so the Pharisees and other religious leaders think this might be a good time to show this country bumpkin how the big boys in Jerusalem play.
As this group of important men strides purposefully across the temple grounds, more than a few heads tum to follow them. A small crowd stops to listen when the priests begin to talk with the wandering preacher and his group of Galilean followers.
First, the priests challenge Jesus directly. By what authority does Jesus teach? The typical answer is "I studied under Rabbi So-and-so," but everyone knows Jesus hasn't had any formal training. As soon as he admits it, the priests will shame him and run him out of town
But when Jesus brings up John the baptizer, another rebel, he turns the tables on them. He gets the priests to admit that they don't recognize spiritual authority even when it is completely obvious. Perhaps a few of the more insightful bystanders catch Jesus' point and suppress smirks.
Outwitting the priests
Jesus then tells the story of farmers who rent a vineyard and rebel against the rightful owner. They beat, shame and kill his servants and his son The farmers are punished, and the vineyard is given to others Jesus doesn't name any names, but everyone knows that the vineyard is Israel, and the farmers are the religious leaders. Now everyone knows what Jesus is implying. More than a few jaws are hanging slack-this fellow has some real chutzpah to challenge the priests on their home turf!
Jesus caps the argument by asking the Pharisees, "Haven't you ever read the Scripture that says ... ?" Of course they have read it! Their job is to read the Torah, determine what the laws and passages mean and provide a framework for living within the requirements of the Law. By suggesting that they might not have read the text, Jesus underscores his actual point: They read the entire Torah over and over and over again, but never understand it. Unable to mount a comeback, the religious leaders slink off and regroup.
The legal experts come back later with a tricky question about taxes. Should Jews pay Roman taxes? They expect that Jesus will give an answer that they can either use to discredit or imprison him. Some of the people notice that a second confrontation is brewing. They sidle close to hear Jesus' response.
Although the Pharisees intend to trap Jesus in his answer, he skips through the question and pulls them into their own snare. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's," he says. Now you tell me: Did Jesus say "yes" or "no"? Everyone knows the question is a trap, and everyone knows Jesus has just scored another point. By now, people are probably turning their heads so the priests won't see them laughing under their breath, but it's obvious.
Tricks and traps
The Sadducees have one card left. It is a very thorny theological problem, stemming from one of the Jewish laws: If a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry his widow and have children with her, in his name. So if there are seven brothers, and they all marry the woman in tum (but none ofthem fathers any children by her), who will be her husband in the afterlife?
Jesus' reply here is even harsher than what he says earlier: The priests don't know the Scripture or the power of God. They are oblivious to the kind of life God provides, God's power and God's plan for humanity. Now the crowd doesn't even try to stifle their laughter. The priests realize that they won't be able to catch Jesus in his words, and they back off to consider other methods.
Don't get me wrong-Jesus is completely serious in everything he says and does. But there is a way of joking that is appropriate and necessary, even at the most serious times. No, let me correct myself: Humor is necessary especially at the most serious times, because it takes just a little wind out of our sails and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. Like Whitehead, we all tend to make powerful, uncompromising statements that feel definite and concrete. But the humor in the Bible reminds us not to trust in our status as the prophet, the insider, the judge or the expert I know when I read these stories, they give my ample nose a good tweak.
Jason Hiebert is a 2007 graduate of MB Biblical Seminary. He lives and works in Fresno, Calif., where he and his wife, Ilone, attend The Grove Community Church.
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People
Two readers share Bible memory stories
THE VALUE OF KNOWING SCRIPTURE, THE inspired Word of God, is beyond measure. Scripture plays-or should play-an important role in our lives It was their study of the Word of God that sparked a renewal movement among a group of Mennonite families living in southern Russia almost 150 years ago . This regeneration gave birth to the Mennonite Brethren Church and this group of "brethren" came to be known as "people of the Book " Commitment to studying and obeying the Bible is at the heart of who we Mennonite Brethren are.
The Bible, a core value of our denomination, was the focus of the July 2008 issue of the Christian Leader. We included an article written by Tim Geddert, professor of New Testament at MB Biblical Seminary, in which he encouraged people to memorize lengthy passages of Scripture At the end of his article, Geddert invited readers to share their Scripture memory experiences with other CL readers.
Geddert also offered to share his memorization method, and a number of readers took him up on this offer. Their e-mails often included brief stories of the way in which Scripture memory has positively impacted their spiritual growth. One person shared that he plans to memorize the entire New Testament-that's 7,957 verses! A pastor who found Geddert's article on the U S. Conference Web site said that he would like to initiate a Scripture memory program in the church he pastors and asked for Geddert's method .
After reviewing the method, one person writes, 'This is a very different approach to memorizing the biblical text than any I have used before I am very intrigued I'm looking forward to experimenting with your method ."
The response to Geddert's Scripture memory challenge prompts us to revisit the subject of Scripture memory this month Geddert's Scripture memory method is outlined on page 18 and we offer two readers' testimonies to the value of knowing God's Word "by heart." We hope these articles will again remind us to make Bible reading and memorizing a priority in 2009. -Connie Faber, CL editor
A channel for God's Word
My experience with memorized Scripture began when I was a child and memorized Bible verses in Sunday school. After receiving Christ as Savior and Lord at age 14, my friend Ron Kliewer, who discipled me, encouraged me to memorize passages. Also, in a class at Immanuel High School, the teacher required us to memorize a number of verses. I was introduced to the Navigators in my later teen years and completed their topical memory system together with my wife, Genevieve. In fact, we used to share and discuss the verses we memorized on our dates.
But in 1975, while pastoring Neighborhood Church in Visalia, Calif., our Lord inspired me with the challenge of memorizing the III verses of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, Matrhew 5-7. Then the Lord led me to develop this passage into a dramatized presentation. I presented this for the first time as a Sunday moming worship message in 1975. Since then I have been invited to do this presentation 128 times in churches, schools, camps and for tour groups and service and community groups . When presenting memorized Scripture, a wonderful benefit is that I never have to worry about whether I say the right thing, because I am merely being a charinel for God's Word, which is always right.
While serving as Tabor College president from 1980-1987, our Lord again challenged me to memorize another passage: the 155 verses of Ephesians. I do not take any credit or honor for this memorization because it is entirely realized through the guidance and energizing of the Holy Spirit. The Ephesians presentation has also been done a number of times in churches and schools.
Then while serving on the pastoral staff of Mennonite Brethren congregations in Lodi and Visalia, Calif., the Lord enabled me to memorize Mark's Gospel. The memorized dramatization of these 678 verses has also been presented a number of times.
I find the following to be major benefits of having a memory bank of Scripture passages.
I. God's Word is available at any time for the Holy Spirit to use in my life for worship, thanksgiving, conviction, witness and clarification of the truth.
2. Awareness and sharing of memorized Scripture enhances fellowship and relational connecting with God and people.
3. God's Word is available for thought, reflection and prayer at any time-while driving, walking or engaging in other physical exercise, during awake times in bed, while waiting for appointments or events and while traveling.
4. Memorized Scripture deepens a realization of who God is, who people are and who I am.
5. Having Scripture memorized makes it easier to apply God's teaching to real life and has an energizing and empowering effect to understand and do his will. It has a transforming dynamic.
6. Memorized Scripture ·is invaluable in remembering insights, events and experiences that have become associated with Bible passages.
Vernon
E. Janzen, a retired Mennonite Brethren pastor and former president of Tabor College, lives in Reedley, Calif.
By heart
As a child, I was encouraged to memorize Bible verses . Standing away from their context, these verses were still valuable reference points of God's standards and character. They helped develop my foundation because I accepted them as truth. I was able to make some connections between them and my young life.
Later, as an active member of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship at a state university, the leadership group decided to memorize the book of James. The support of the group motivated me to try that big project. I began working, a verse or two at a time, during my lunch break. Seated at my little carrel in the library basement, I ate my packed lunch with an open Bible. Soon I knew the first section and was discovering that it was a great way to get close and personal with God's ways.
Reviewing the passage, I would catch my mistakes or try to remember the next part. The process sparked questions in my mind. Why is that word used? Why doesn't it say it this way? What's the connection between that part and the next part? It was taking me to a deeper level of understanding. And it was fun to discover those insights on my own!
Since then, I've chosen certain chapters and books to put to memory. When I take a special interest in a passage and I'm drawn to leam more, memorization is a wonderful tool to take me further. Many methods of Bible study are available for that same purpose, but leaming Scripture by memory is a simple way to get started without any complicated preparation. Instead of finding guides and digging up the ideas of others, I just start with what I have You can't beat direct contact with God's Word!
Now when I'm out on a walk in God's beautiful world, I can spontaneously lift my voice in praise with an entire Psalm. Or I love to review passages just to focus my mind and continue to soak up the riches that I have yet to discover in those familiar words that I know "by heart."
Sharon J. Weaver attends Hesston (Kan.) MB Church where she helps to lead a womens Bible study. She and her husband, Carl, have two children and are currently "empty nesters. " Early in their marriage, the Weavers lived in Mexico and Mozambique where Carl was a missionary pilot. The couple currently has an aviation business
LOOKING FORA WAY TO MEMORIZE AN ENTIRE book of the Bible? Consider the system I offer to MB Biblical Seminary students who opt to memorize the gospel of Mark. Rote memory puts the brain in neutral and wastes time. So this method at first uses no rote memory.
It is very strenuous and requires lots of discipline and concentration, so I suggest you take short breaks after the brain seems fried. But don't wony if the method makes you feel as though you are not learning anything for the first 50 hours. It is a tried and tested method designed to help someone memorize the book of Mark in about 100 hours. "Trust me," those famous last words! Give this method a try. You won't be sony.
Part I
Look at Mark I:l. Try to say it correctly one time. Yes, only one time! This takes about IS seconds since it is only about 10 words. Now you are done with this verse for now. No review. You won't see it again for weeks.
Now go to Mark 1:2 and say it correctly from memory one time. It takes a few minutes because the second verse is longer than the first. Use whatever method works for you to learn the verse as fast as possible and to correctly say it one time. When you have it, you are done-for now.
Work your way through the entire book of Mark. This will take about eight to 10 hours if you work hard.
Now start again. This time quote Mark 1:1-2 together, but do only as much work as it takes to get it completely correct one time. Then do the same for 1:3-4 then 1:5-6, etc., working your way through the whole book.
It will seem like you don't remember anything from the first time around, but amazingly you will get through the whole book in about the same amount of time, eight to 10 hours, proving it must have helped the first time around
Now start again, doing three verses at a time. Guess how long it will take you? About eight to 10 hours. Then four verses at a time; takes about eight to 10 hours. Then five verses at a time. It takes virtually the same amount of time to work through the book each time.
But by the time you are doing eight verses at a time (after about 60-70 hours of work) you will find that you don't necessarily stop at the end of eight verses. Though you still make lots of mistakes, you can often simply keep going through 10 to IS verses before you are stuck. When you find you are at this stage (Le. after about eight rounds), abandon the first method.
Part 2.
Now work through the whole book, brushing up each hard spot as you reach it but not aiming to get nine consecutive verses perfect. This will take only a few hours each time you work through the book. When you get things "fairly good," start jotting down the reference of each verse where you make a mistake or get stuck.
There might be 400 of them the first time you do this. Then review these verses start to finish and mark off the list all those you get right. Now you might have 200 mistakes. Review these and get rid of those you get correct. Do this over and over until you get the most troubling ones correct.
Now start over again, seeing how many mistakes you make. Last time it was 400, this time probably only half as many. Work on the problem stuff as before.
Then start again. Now you are likely down to 100 mistakes. At this point you are only taking about two to three hours to get through the book each time, so you can do this 10 times and stay within the 100 hours. At this point you should pretty much know the book from memory, virtually perfectly!
Too big?
If it seems too big a chunk to work at the entire book all at once, exactly the same method can be used to learn just chapter I. Then use it on chapter 2, etc. When you reach the end of chapter 16, of course the first ones will be a bit more rusty, but then you can still use the second part of the method over and over until all of the book is memorized.
Tim Geddert is professor of New Testament at the MB Biblical Seminary campus in Fresno, Calif.
Rabbit trails
MB church plant benefits from puppet ministry
As a seminary student in 1978• Steve Treague was required to develop a Is-minute child evangelism presentation that had "kid appeal." Using illusion tricks. Treague dazzled his professor. who in tum encouraged Treague to continue developing his presentation.
The seed was planted, and in 1981, Treague and his wife. Faith, founded Reaching the Children Ministries (RTC) based in Sioux Falls, SD. The purpose of RTC "is to reach children for Jesus, and to have him known to others," according to the organization's Web site, www.riddles.org.
The success of RTC brought the Treagues to the attention of Roger Engbrecht, Central District Conference minister.
Engbrecht, who lives in Sioux Falls and pastored in South Dakota for several years prior to becoming the district minister, introduced the Treagues to Ethiopian Christian Fellowship, a small Mennonite Brethren congregation in Sioux Falls. The members did not have much experience in children's ministry and so the Treagues assisted the immigrant congregation in initiating a children's program.
When Engbrecht learned that the new Mennonite Brethren church plant in Sioux Falls was looking for someone to lead children's church, Engbrecht suggested to church plant pastor Rod Anderson that he contact the couple.
'We had been praying (for a children's church leader)," says
Steve Treague, hiding below Burnnie the Bunn i e while filming the Christmas episode, has created a Dennis the Menace-type of puppet character that is fun fo r Treague, the creator, and children of all ages.
Anderson, who led the launch of Christ Community Church in 2007. 'The Treagues were the first couple we called, and I thought it would be a long shot. But they were in between positions and were looking for an opportunity like this. It all happened very quickly. You don't expect God to answer that fast."
For their part, the Treagues are excited to be part of the Christ Community ministry team, says Steve. The church plant has hired RTC to direct the 45-minute children's service each week. The children meet during the teaching part of the worship service and enjoy the Treague's ''high energy" teaching, says Anderson.
The children's church program, considered a small group at CCC, is a key focus at Christ Community and illustrates Anderson's belief that reaching children before they are in high school with the good news of Jesus Christ is important. In the past few months Anderson says two children have come to Christ through the children's worship time.
The Treagues' involvement in CCC is also an example of the congregation's desire to "promote the cause of Christ through multiple venues," says Anderson. The Sioux Falls congregation has a number of people in the congregation that are involved in outreach ministries, and "that doesn't always happen," says Anderson. Anderson mentions Connie Buskohl, an accountant who coordinates painting lessons for children
and adults in her free time, and Angela Mendel, who runs an equestrian center that offers Bible lessons as part of its summer day camp program.
'The ministry of our church is bigger than us," says Anderson. And so the congregation is invited to atrend RTC events, and the congregation and ministry "cross promote."
From its inception, RTC Inc. has used puppets, radio and television to entertain and teach children of all ages. Originally the Treagues put together a 30-minute show and were hired on several occasions. The gigs quickly grew to include full summers of vacation Bible school and camp opportunities, running from 1981 to 2007.
In 1990 RTC produced Precious In His Sight, a television show that ran until 1994 that featured Bumnie the Bunnie and Riddles the Clown, a mime. For the next three years, Bumnie the Bunnie was the star of a radio program that aired in South America and South Dakota.
'The radio program couldn't feature our original Riddles the Clown character since Riddles was a mime clown," Steve Treague says.
As their most popular puppet at the time, Burnnie became the feature character of the radio series.
"Even though Bumnie was created previous to the radio program, his personality and idiosyncrasies grew with each episode," Treague says
Christ Community Church pastor Rod Anderson appears in a recent eposide of Burnnie: Tails From The Light Side. His dialogue with Burnnie the Bunnie, aka Steve Treague, was largely spontaneous and required both men to think quickly.
As Bumnie's popularity grew, people encouraged Treague to convert the radio program into a television show.
"During the run of the radio program, listeners would comment on how perfectly this program could be transformed into a television series," Treague says. "Television production was very expensive in the '90S. However, in 2007 the development of video technology made it possible to consider turning the old radio show into what is now known as, Burnnie: Tails From The Light Side."
RTC made a fundraising request of $50,000 to individuals and faith-based businesses for the purpose of developing a television show. Through the prayerful search, Treague says, one individual offered to fund the entire purchase of cameras, lighting, sound and props required to begin production.
'J\£ter this initial investment," Treague says, "the entire program now operates on a budget of several hundred dollars per episode, resulting from many individuals donating their time and talents."
As the show's writer, producer, director, composer, editor and the voice of Bumnie the Bunnie, Treague says each month ends "with an empty financial bucket."
"Faith does a few substitute teaching positions each week to help us meet personal expenses," he says. "But production could certainly improve with continued financial support, so we depend of God's provisions to keep us moving forward.
'We continue to pray for God to alert those he has specifically designated to be a part of this television outreach," Treague says. 'We also pray that those whose hearts are touched to reach the children will indeed become prayer warriors and financial supporters of this important program."
One group of people who have caught Treague's vision for ministry are people at Christ Community Church. People from the congregation have become involved in RTC in a variety of ways. Both Anderson and his wife, Donna, have had feature roles in recent programs. Others from CCC have assisted with registration and release forms for the live audiences and several CCC members are on the RTC board of directors.
Treague says the intention of the Bumnie show is to reach children from age five to fifth grade with an "entertaining, yet faith-based program projecting one important Biblical concept per episode.
"Many children do not enter a church building, but their television is on and watched many hours each day," Treague says. "Our intent is to bring God's Word to the children in their own living rooms with a program designed to appeal to both genders
while crossing intergenerational boundaries."
In other words, Treague says, boys and girls of all ages enjoy Bumnie.
"Bumnie's Dennis the Menace personality along with the many interesting set locations and the amazing illusions from the TREGGLLUSIONS Shop and Live Show make this program unique and fun for everyone," Treague says
The show currently airs in Sioux Falls as well as additional cities in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.
Thousands of children are currently able to view Bumnie each week, and the viewing audience is expected to increase with volunteer distributors around the United States contacting local cable access stations. RTC plans to provide the DVD series free of charge to any broadcasting station interested in airing the show. For those unable to view the show on T\T, a free, full episode is available to watch at www.riddles.org.
"Television is an incredibly far-reaching opportunity of outreach," Treague says. "It has been a great blessing to see God's hand intervene in a variety of ways to bring this children's faithbased television series from possibility to production."-Malinda Just, newswriter
··A long time coming"
NC churches, Bushtown MB break ground on new building
Even though God is "an on-time God," as Pastor Terry Hunt says, sometimes God's timing requires human patience. The congregations of the North Carolina District Conference (NCDC) have been learning that firsthand as they've worked toward a vision first cast more than six years ago.
Finally, they're seeing it come to fruition: Bushtown MB Church, Lenior, NC, celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 10,140 square-foot multipurpose building Oct. 22, 2008. The facility will include a full-size gymnasium, kitchen, six classrooms and offices.
"It's been a long time coming," says Hunt, pastor of Bushtown MB and moderator for the NCDC.
The building is a partnership of the Bushtown congregation, the NCDC and Mission USA, the church planting and renewal ministry of the U.S. Conference. As such, it will have both dual purposes and a dual name. Bushtown MB will use the space for worship until they can build a new sanctuary. With the change of location, the congregation will change its name to The Life Center In anticipation of the change, a new Web site has been set up at www.TLCLenoir.org.
At the same time, the district will use the facility for larger gatherings and youth activities. For these purposes, the building will be known as The Hope Center. The six African-American congregations near Lenoir frequently work together, but each is small. None of the churches seats more than 100; most seat 40 or
50. None has a facility large enough to host a large gathering or meal, so the building will provide much-needed space for events like the annual district convention.
The space will be especially used for youth activities. The district employs one district youth minister, Chris Eidse, with financial help from the national MB family. Eidse will host all of the youth activities and events from the new building, including regular youth meetings, monthly youth-oriented worship, after-school tutoring and mentoring, special events and an annual youth conference.
Eidse says the space will "free us up to do all the things we try to do in various creative ways with our youth but that we struggle with."
In the current space, smaller youth activities, such as weekly Bible studies or even a pickup basketball game, require what Eidse calls "creative" use of space Larger gatherings and events, such as vacation Bible school, have been possible only in partnership with churches with larger facilities.
"We do the best we can with what we have," Eidse says, "but this will be a whole step beyond what we've had before."
The new space will also make possible youth activities that simply aren't doable in current facilities. For example, Eidse is planning a spring district youth convention, similar to those in the Southern and Central Districts, as soon as the building is finished.
Both Hunt and Eidse say anticipation and excitement is building. Afrer all, it's been a long wait. The vision for such a facil-
Terry Hunt, pastor of Bushtown MB Church of LenOir, NC, stands on the site where his congregation's new facility is being built. Grading the property, in process when this photo was taken, was one of the unexpected obstacles that emerged during the building process.
ity was cast in 2002 when 16 men gathered to pray overnight for a vision for the district. Hunt says God answered that prayer: 'We left there in the morning in unison, believing God wanted us to have a district building. "
That vision went through several incarnations and many obstacles before the October groundbreaking First, the district leased an old school auditorium, which they dubbed ''The Hope Center." When a new owner terminated that lease, they looked for an existing building to lease or buy, but all leads fell through
Meanwhile, the Bushtown congregation was outgrowing their space. So they began to toss around the idea of parmering with the district on a new facility that both could use Eventually, they were able to purchase 15 acres of land on which to build.
Then came a frustrating series of obstacles. For example, they spent nine months working with a county environmental engineer before they could obtain permits for erosion control and storm water drainage During the delay, fuel and material costs skyrocketed. Grading, initially estimated to cost $25,000, will actually cost over $112,000.
'We've just had a lot of factors working against us," Hunt says.
Nevertheless, Hunt says, God has been at work. He's answered prayer: Just days after delegates at the U.S. Conference convention in July prayed for favor with the county environmental engineer, Hunt emailed conference leaders to announce sudden progress in that area
God has provided finances: Mennonite Brethren from all over the U.S. have been inspired to give, like the Sunday school class in South Dakota that took an offering for the project and scores of individuals who have donated Fairview (Okla.) MB Church has taken a special interest and has given generously. A relationship has grown as they've twice invited Hunt to speak at their annual spring Bible conference.
Hunt says, ''I've seen God's hand directing our footings through this, guiding us each day, providing , giving us wisdom to be able to make the right decision through this whole project."
Given the long wait and history of obstacles, the groundbreaking felt like a milestone. A key part of the celebration was a demonstration of reliance on God's Word. Bushtown leaders placed Bibles sealed in plastic bags in the footers at each comer of the building so that the building and the ministry will be literally and figuratively founded on the Word of God. Following the official groundbreaking, Bushtown held their first meeting at the site as leaders and laypeople p u lled up chairs and held their regular Wednesday evening Bible study. Of course, the groundbreaking doesn't mean the work is done. Hunt says next steps include laying 27,000 bricks and installing about 680 feet of water and sewer line. To save on cost, the work will be done by volunteers. Then, of course, comes sheetrocking, electrical work, painting, finishing and furnishing
Finances continue to be an issue. Hunt estimates that the North Carolina churches still need to raise at least $100,000 in order to complete the project. "God has answered a ton of prayers," Hunt says, 'but we still have a few more miracles we're waiting on." Barring further obstacles , Bushtown and the district hope to begin using the building in April.
The larger Mennonite Brethren family has been a key support as this vision has developed . Mission USA has supported the project and offered financial support "from day one," says Hunt. He says that MUSA director Don Morris has been "instrumental" throughout the process, as have Jon Wiebe and Bruce Jost of MB Foundation, which supplied the loan for the project.
Eidse says the small North Carolina churches have been "stuck" for a number of years, and this new project-and the expressions of support from the larger MB family that make it possible-has encouraged and energized.
"It's just given us the momentum we need to get out of being stuck," Eidse says. He looks forward to new growth and new church plants in the NCDC.
Hunt says the North Carolina churches are "grateful and thankful ... to be part of a larger family of believers in Jesus Christ who are not selfish and who are very generous." He asks the denomination to·continue to pray for the timely completion of this project and for the ministry that will flow out of it.
Those who wish to contribute to the financial needs of the project may designate a gift through Mission USA. Those interested in volunteering time or labor may contact Hunt at 828-758-o540.-Myra Holmes
First Friday connections
Monthly child care ministry touches community families
It's 5:30 on the first Friday evening of the month in Eugene, Ore., and a handful of parents are dropping off eager children of all sizes at the entrance to the North Park Community Church fellowship hall. There to greet them is Terri Kargel, a member of NPCC for 36 years, along with some of the 12 or so people she calls her "First Friday Crew." Children remove coats and Kargel ushers them into a room set up with games, puzzles and close to a dozen other activities such as Legos and jewelry making. The children scarter to choose their favorite activity.
So begins another evening of First Friday Ministry. First Friday was originally the brainchild of Kargel's daughter and NPCC church member, Maryn Glender. Glender, the mother of two biological and four foster children ages four through 10, had the idea of providing a night out for parents of young children as the small North Park congregation was exploring ways to reach out to young families. The ministry was approved by the church council, organized by Kargel and set into motion in August 2008.
The Friday night program is designed to provide parents with care for their children free of charge so they can pursue a "date night" without worry and expense.
Kargel and her husband, Garry, both retired teachers, say they work to create a program that will minister to the children and parents alike.
The first part of the evening is devoted to activities of the children's choosing, followed by a dinner of child-friendly foods prepared by church member Judy Long. Following dinner, the evening is filled with games, typically led by Cheryl Spinelli, whose husband pastors the North Park congregation, singing, crafts and seasonal activities. The evening also includes a biblically oriented movie such as a "Veggie Tales" that Garry Kargel selects. Jim Long runs the audiovisual and sound that turns the worship center into a mini-theater.
Terri Kargel says that the ministry has been advertised by flyers , word of mouth and postcards that church members give to prospective families. She says that she even hands out flyers in Wal-Mart to families she sees with young children . However, she goes on to say that a large percentage of the children that have attended First Friday are from the neighborhood around the church.
The church covers the expenses of the meals, supplies and obtaining copyright privileges. Kargel says that the majority of expenses have been in the initial purchase of games and craft supplies. In putting together her crew of helpers, who range in age from middle school students to 80-year-old Pauline Williams, Kargel made sure all participants were cleared through criminal background checks.
Garry Kargel is an amateur photographer who this fall set up a miniature photo studio at the church, complete with props and backdrop. He took family portraits of at least 10 First Friday families, and gave each family a free eight-bY-Io and four fourby-six photos and a CD of their photos to take home.
While the program is in its infancy, Terri Kargel says it has already spawned new enthusiasm within the church and also a new venture: a science camp planned for next summer. The hope is that the First Friday children will form the core group and that advertising will attract neighborhood children.
The original hope was that children or their parents participating in First Friday would become interested in worshipping at the church as well, a situation that Terri calls "ideal" but admits has not yet happened. What she says has happened is that the children have formed friendships with each other, and parents have expressed a great deal of gratitude for the program.
Pastor Mike Spinelli says that at least half of the children attending First Friday come from single parent homes. He says it has been fun for him to see children enjoy extra attention that parents might not be able to give at home. In summing up the success of the program, Spinelli says it has a been a blessing to be able to "touch the lives of children we might not otherwise have known."- Lori Belden Pope, newswriter
MBBS offers Web-based devotional guide
Easter guide follows success of Advent devotional
Faculty, staff and students of MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., have written an Easter devotional guide, Walking in the Light, which is available on the seminary Web site.
"A project like this serves the church, and that's what we're here for," says MBBS acting president Lynn Jost. 'We've been overwhelmed by the positive response to our Advent devotional, and we're pleased to find this way to serve the church."
The 4o-day devotional guide primarily follows lectionary texts for the season from the Gospel of John; texts from other Gospels and the prophets have also been used The writing has been arranged around the theme of walking, a traditional Anabaptist metaphor for discipleship and one that indicates following Jesus. Light is a common image used in the Gospel of John to refer to Jesus.
'We hope this devotional guide helps people follow Jesus and be immersed in the Word of God as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter," says Jost, who developed the theme for the Lenten devotional.
MBBS distributed 3,500 copies of an Advent devotional written by seminary personnel to alumni, pastors and supporters of the seminary. Positive feedback prompted the seminary to offer something similar for Lent to the broader North American Mennonite Brethren community
'This is a project with a quick turnaround." says Mark Isaac, MBBS director of advancement. 'We began just before Christmas and so we did not have the time or the resources to print and mail the devotional guide. We've really worked hard to put it together and share it as widely as possible.
'1\ devotional guide on the Web can potentially reach every Mennonite Brethren home and beyond-and we hope it willwhereas a limited number of homes can be reached in a print/mailed version." says Isaac.
Faculty from all three MBBS campuses- Fresno. Abbotsford. BC and Winnipeg. Man.-were the primary authors. '1\s a biblical seminary, a project like this allows us to spend time with the Word and share our work with others," says Jost.
the contributions of three faculty members to illustrate the unique contributions of the various authors.
Jost describes Mark Baker as a missionary and evangelist whose heart for leading people to Jesus is evident in his contributions to the Easter devotional guide. Pierre Gilbert is described by Jost as a faculty member who seeks hard after the word of truth in the Bible and in the stories of God's people. Tim Geddert. says Jost, is a biblical scholar who seeks to make living with and in the Word a practical part of daily life.
"Each day's reading lets you see a bit of what we care about and what we are interested in," says Jost.
The Easter devotional guide is a gift from MBBS to its supporting conferences. say seminary staff. '1\s part of our mission of 'inspiring and equipping' people for service and leadership in the church and the world. we seek to empower and enhance the ministry of pastors and people in Mennonite Brethren churches," says Isaac. 'We see this devotional guide as one way we can offer that."
Walking in the Light can be accessed on the seminary Web site under "Resources." A link to the devotional will also be provided on the u.S. Conference Web site (www.usmb.org). Walking in the Light can be read each day online or printed from the Portable Document Format (PDF) . The seminary is also offering to send the Easter devotional guide via a daily e-mail. Interested individuals can contact MBBS at fresno@mbseminary.edu or 1-800-251-6227 to request e-mail delivery.
A printer-friendly version will be sent to churches. and MBBS is asking for the help of church staff in distributing the devotional to church members who are without a computer or who ask for it in printed form.-Sarah Bergen of MB Biblical Seminary with Connie Faber
Wholeness happens at all levels of MAX®- from excellent claims service to special attention from MAX Mutual Aid Ministries. Wholeness is the substance that keeps MAX solid.
Several MBBS staff and some seminary students also contributed. Malinda Nikkel, former MBBS board member. retired Tabor College English professor and experienced lay Bible teacher. served as the proofreader. Are you all "warm and fuzzy" now? Wholeness is more than fluff, it's more than a slogan and it's certainly more than what you would ever expect coming from an insurance company* who prOVides home, farm, church and business insurance.
'These writings reveal the life and character of our seminary community members," says Jost, noting
Progress in Carolina
We welcome and • appreciate your generous support of Mission USA.
Please send your donation to: Mission USA U.S. Conference PO Box 220 Hillsboro, KS 67063 Note "Mission USA" on the memo line
To see more ... come to know HIM!
Construction at the site of the new "Hope Center" in Lenoir, NC
There is a wave of excitement washing over Mennonite Brethren congregations in North Carolina. The Hope Center, a new facility that will be shared among the churches in the district for district conventions, youth activities, meetings, gatherings, weddings, conferences and much more, is under construction in Lenoir, NC.
"This multi-purpose facility will be a great assistance in allowing for ministry and growth in this region;' says Terry Hunt, NC district minister and pastor of Bushtown MB Church in Lenoir. Pastors from the district's churches meet often to discuss how to work together to spread the Good News in this area of North Carolina.
The Bushtown congregation will use the building for regular Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services and will rename their church The Life Center. The current
Bushtown church building is not far from the new location.
This is a joint project of the North Carolina District Conference and Mission USA. Mission USA is assisting with a monthly amount over the next couple of years to help pay for the new building.
Whether or not you live in the NCDC, please help support this project by giving to Mission USA. It's an investment in eternity!
Mi ssion USA is dedicated to helping people find Jesus. - It's an eternal investment! -
Yours, mine or ours
When is our personal faith too personal?
More than ever, our faith has become personal and private, having nothing to do with anyone but "me." Faith is my business-personal relationship with Jesus, silent prayer, private devotions and secret sins. The individualism that has invaded our world has affected Christianity.
Ironically, our lives are more transparent in an ever-connected world. Social networking sites invite us to display our religious beliefs. Our online diaries-oops, I mean blogs-reveal our beliefs to the world and our every move can be captured by someone's camera phone and eventually posted online for all to see. It's no surprise that many of us have stumbled on a friend's MySpace who would be embarrassed if he knew we'd seen it.
As Mennonite Brethren, we don't believe that our faith is "personal and private" and has
nothing to do with anything else. Instead, faith is a public expression, and my life is an open book to those in my community. We encourage each other to do right
cared for and prayed for her? It challenges me to ask whether I care enough for the people on my pew and across the sanctuary to encourage or confront them.
Covenant community means providing safe places for sharing one's hurts and confessing sins. It requires a willingness to confront one another when we are unwilling to deal with sin. It means responding with love and appreciation when we ourselves are confronted with our own sin.
What, then, do we do? We begin by battling the temptation to privatize our own lives and faith. We confess our sins, our doubts and our hurts to one another. We put down the that we're always doing good, and we get real with each other. We open our lives-our views of God, our doubts, our hurrs, our
D
If we view congregations a s covena n t we C;:111
n o longer hide behind Ollr "p e rsonal" faith .
and challenge each other when we see sin.
The MB Confession of Faith says: 'The church is a covenant community in which members are mutually accountable in matrers of faith and life. They love, care and pray for each other, share in each other's joys and burdens, admonish and correct one another."
If our congregations are covenant communities, how do we hold each other accountable without falling to the extreme of religion (rule-keeping) or privatization (turning a blind eye)?
Menno Simons' understanding was simple: 'Therefore take heed. If you see your brother sin, then do not pass him by as one that does not value his soul; but if his fall be curable, from that moment endeavor to raise him up by gentle admonition and brotherly instruction, before you eat, drink, sleep or do anything else, as one who ardently desires his salvation."
For Menno, church discipline was a simple concept: We are as concerned about the spiritual well-being of others as we are of our own. We love those in our community enough to help them be the best they can be.
Only when a congregation decides to enter into a mutually responsible and accountable covenant community can church discipline function healthily. Recently I had a conversation with a friend who had some major struggles during the past year. She needed someone to talk with and to confess her struggles. She looked to her church but couldn't find a single person in the congregation with whom she felt safe enough to share. So she went looking elsewhere, outside her so-called covenant community to find someone safe.
Would her story be different if she felt like her community consisted of mutual accountability and had people who truly loved,
homes, our secret sins and even our checkbooks-to one another. If we view congregations as covenant community, we can no longer hide behind our "personal" faith.
Even more, we can ask people how they are doing and truly listen. We can make eye contact and only say "uh huh" when we mean it rather than fake listening. We can write people cards, notes, e-mails or use other forms of communication. Healthy communication always promotes community and always creates safety.
As singer/songwriter Sara Groves reminds us, this is both difficult and messy. Yet it is what helps us work out our salvation:
"Here in the stillness where thoughts are born here in our frailty we're tattered and tom here in confession here in our mess here in the place where we're mostly undressed-mostly oh honesty, oh honestly, the truth be told for the saving of our soul only the truth and truthfulness can save us now."
This month, may the one who is The Truth shape our lives, and may we care for others' faith as much as our own
'1J Comment on this column by going to usmb orglchristian-leader
by Rose Buschman
Revolution in Iran
Muslims are thirsty for Christ
The title on the front cover of the newsletter caught my attention: "Christian revolution in Iran." It was superimposed on a picture of Iranians in a living room kneeling around a white coffee table. their heads bowed. holding up small communion glasses. The words "Christian" and "Iran" are not usually linked together in the same sentence. so I was intrigued.
This Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) publication (November 2008) has an extensive atticle on what is happening in Iran. The newsletter shows pictures of believers being baptized and others distrib-
uting Farsi New Testaments and Bibles to new Iranian 'Christians . One picture showed Iranian women watching a Christian satellite TV broadcast. I also saw several pictures showing the effects of beatings some of these new Christians have endured as a result of their faith.
learning more about Isa (Jesus). There are dozens of these drivers in various cities who spread the gospel through their work. 'nley say the thirst for Christ is incredible in Iran.
One house church leader and his wife have traveled by bus all over Iran to spread the gospel. They go to a city, find a place to stay and then visit coffee houses, city parks and college campuses looking for people to talk with. The VOM newsletter states: "Sometimes in as little as a week, they have a nucleus of new believers in a city
[] Chri stian s atel1ite 'rv programmin g is ,,1 bi g fac tor in thi s evan gelism eHort . Chri s tian s inv ite their l'vluslim friend s fo r dinner and afterward gather around the TV to wa
t c h so m e
of these program s .
According to this atticle, persecution of Christians is alive and well in Iran. Arrests, totture, imprisonment and death threats are common. Sometimes these beatings lead to death. Ever since the 1979 revolution, Iran has been under Sharia Law. It has laws against evangelism, leaving Islam and large assemblies by Christians. A new law proposed in February 2008 sets the death penalty as the only punishment for a Muslim male who leaves his religion.
In spite of all this, Christianity is spreading significantly around the country. New believers, knowing the possible consequences of their conversions, are still accepting Christ and spreading the Word to others. Since 2004 Iranian Christians have distributed more than 46,000 YOM evangelism videotapes. It is estimated that at least 500 Iranian Muslims are convetting to Christianity every month.
Christian satellite TV programming is a big factor in this evangelism effott. Christians invite their Muslim friends for dinner and afterward gather around the TV to watch some of these programs. VOM says that many Iranians are coming to Christ as a result, but there are also risks for those who produce these TV programs. Even if they don't live in Iran, they have also been threatened with injury, disfigurement and even death. In spite of these threats, TV evangelism goes on.
One story is told of a Christian taxicab driver who has a wooden cross hanging from his rearview mirror and who plays Christian music on his car's cassette player. He greets his passengers with "Hello" and "God bless you." In the car trunk he carries a box of Bibles and is not afraid to hand these out to passengers interested in
and a house church is born. Their single network of house churches has grown from one city to more than 50 cities." Wow!
What amazes me is that these young Christians are so strong in their beliefs that they are willing to face the incredible threats thrown at them. One woman who endured serious totture said of her tormentors: 'We pray for them, that God will guide them. We just believe that they will believe in Jesus one day. We just pray for them that God will guard them and help them ... that maybe these things won't happen to other Christians." These Christians have biblical precedent for this attitude. Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).
When I read of the persecution in the early church, I see Saul (later called Paul) guarding the clothes of the men stoning Stephen and giving approval to his death. On the day that Stephen was stoned, "a great persecution broke out against the church and all except the apostles were scattered Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:I,4).
Persecution increased evangelism efforts in the early church. It still does today. Even Saul, one of the persecutors, had his own dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and became a messenger for the gospel. Later during his own missionary journeys he endured many episodes of persecution himself.
We need to pray for the people of Iran, for the new Christians, for those who are being persecuted and even for those in government. Can you imagine what would happen to President Ahmadinejad, members of his government and others in leadership if ten thousand Christians prayed for them every day?
-1J Comment on this column by going to usmb.orglchristian-leader
> READERS SAY
Discerning Truth
I have also been very concerned about the emerging church making inroads into our denomination. I want to recommend a book that really exposes the origins of the movement with clear links to New Age and worse It is Faith Undone by Roger Oakland (www.lighthousetrails.com). Oakland sees this movement lining up with biblical end time prophecy. Luke 16:15 says ''What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination to God." Let's be doubly sure that what we are aligning ourselves with is not an abomination to God. I am thankful that my pastor is discerning the truth from the error in this movement. I pray that others will do the same.
Loren Groening, Hays, Kan.
Concerned about emerging chmclt
Jules Glanzer's article about the emerging church movement ("Being today's church in today's culture," October 2008) concerns me. But I find that the Bible, the Word of God, has answers. Following are some of the issues of concern in the article:
I. Glanzer: "Their (the emergent people) focus is more on who Jesus is than on what Jesus taught."
This is not "postmodemism" but old-fashioned modernism. The Lord dealt with this directly when he said, 'Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say" (Luke 6:46). Scripture is clear that true belief requires action, which requires sound teaching. The modernistic movement ofthe early 1900S emphasized feeling, community, a loving God and a social gospel, all of which caused a decline in the effectiveness of these churches and denominations.
2. Glanzer: "(The emergent people are ... ) concerned for the kingdom of God."
To be "concerned for the kingdom of God" is usually an indication of confusion. The kingdom of God is composed of those whose heart has been changed by faith in him (from all ages). Thus Nicodemus was told, "Ye must be born again ...." This is the prerequisite for entrance into the kingdom of God.
However, what is inferred here is the kingdom of heaven, Christ's messianic rule, which the author of this article mistakenly attributes to work of the church when he says, 'The church is the catalyst for the kingdom."
No, the church is the messenger of God's grace; Israel is the catalyst for the kingdom when God is ready to usher it in. This is an age-old error promulgated by the Roman church for centuries and is the reason the church has not been "successful." It has not understood what its task is.
3. Glanzer: '1 have learned to never ask an emerging leader what they believe, but rather to ask what they think."
To "attempt to articulate an understanding of God, faith and life" is a fruitless task if it is based on "what they think." God has revealed himself, and what he calls upon us to have is faith in and how to live by his power. Anything else is literally a pooling of ignorance.
4. Glanzer: "Orthopraxy is of high importance; right living trumps right believing."
"Right living" cannot result from believing any of the above and there-
The editors invite readers to share their thoughts and opinions on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church using letters to the editor. Letters should be on one topic, not exceed 300 words and include the writer's name and city. Letters win be edited for clarity, appropriateness and length.
fore it is not "right believing." Someone has said, "Doctrinal misconception lead to practical misconduct." If the church does not know what it believes it will never live "right" (John 8:32) If you know where you are going, any road will lead you there. Thus, right living must start with a firm foundation in the truth, which involves right teaching and right believing.
5. Glanzer: 'What is important is the local church incarnating kingdom values."
In the closing paragraphs there are more of the same expressed from an incorrect knowledge of what the church is. It is not the agency that "incarnates kingdom values." It does not have as its mission to be "involv[edl in political causes" or else the book of Romans would have had clearer directions in that regard.
And thus to invoke the memory of the Anabaptists, and by inference Menno Simons, as the authority and example to follow for these issues runs directly contrary to every fact known of that great movement and its great personages. They stood for the truth of God's Word as they understood it, in spite of the culture, in spite of the preferences of those around them and in spite of the fire that burned many at the stake. They were, as much as they had the tools and time in their lifetime to understand it, committed to "right belief" which did in fact result in "right living."
Evelyn Friesen Hodel, Woodlake, Calif.
Conflict prevention
I am responding to the article in the December 2008 issue of the Christian Leader entitled "Omaha church closes." I for one can't imagine how bad a situation would have to be for the conference to come into a church and shut the doors. With that said, I believe there is a past history in problems of leadership that has culminated in the most recent closing in September of Millard Bible Church that would explain this situation and the conference well knows it.
What concerns me the most is the apparent lack of conference leadership in this situation. Conference leaders were clearly warned about past leadership problems in churches that precede the Millard situation. In our particular situation we asked the conference leadership about past leadership situations in previous churches that resulted in church splits only to be told that there were already problems in the churches. Of course there will be problems in any church, but we are far past normal problems that churches face every day and again the conference isn't an innocent bystander.
For the conference to say that there were already problems in these churches as their excuse for splits, or in this current situation a closing of a church, was a poor answer when the same outcomes are allowed to happen over and over again. No one would think of pouring gas on a fire, but that is exactly what the conference has done. Whatever was said or not said to this congregation when they were considering new leadership was grossly inadequate and must be corrected in the future.
There are examples in Scripture where the Lord himself, as in the case of the temple cleansing or one of Paul's letters where one of the apostles became aware of a problem and dealt with the problem decisively I suspect and fear that our conference is more worried about keeping an appearance of peace rather than dealing with issues underneath the surface of apparently calm waters. The conference leadership needs to be challenged so that church splits or closings because of pastor leadership never happen again.
Gary Kopper, IngaUs, Kan.
BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP
Blaine, Wash. (Birch Bay Bible)-William Bryan, Samantha Stevenson and Jolee Russell were baptized Jan. 11.
Enid, Okla.-Ron Koehn, Larry and Jan Frey, and Kip, Michelle, Carly and Colby Nelson were received as members Dec. 28.
Grant, Neb. (New Life Fellowship)-Mindy Dickinson was baptized Dec. 28.
Gettysburg, SD (Grace Bible)-Jenna Bergland, Doran and Heather Hamburger, Jacob Langer, Grant Lunning, Connor McPeck, David VanderVorst and Will Wager were baptized and received as members Dec 21
Ulysses, Kan.-Susan Ault was baptized and received as a member Dec. 14.
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View)-Eleven people were baptized Dec 14: Colby Campbell, Mac Colbert, Brianna Guevara, Darin Guevara, Elison Hernandez, Marissa Hernandez, Jason Kanoyer, Katie Milam, Alexis Nahigian, George Shaterian and Nathan Warner.
Marshall, Ark. (Martin and Patricia Estes were received as members Dec. 7.
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acres)-Halle Penner, Lindee Hendriex, Raegan Britton and Kaedan Britton were baptized Nov 30.
Hillsboro, Kan.-Violet Bartel and Sandy Bartel were received as members Nov. 23. Mark and Denise Brandt, Tim and Myrna Kliewer, Norma Klemm and Eric and Jenny Rector were received as members Nov. 16.
FELLOWSHIP
Henderson, Neb.-Couples were invited to "Dinner and a Movie" Feb. 15, featuring a romantic meal, a showing of the movie Fireproof and a copy of the book The Love Dare for each couple. Pastor J Epp and his wife, Lisa, hosted a Christmas open house Dec. 21.
Capitola, CaUf. (ShoreUfe)-New administrative pastor Trevor Lee and wife, Jackie, will serve the congregation an authentic British shepherd's pie lunch Feb. 15.
Draper, Utah (South MCMlntain)-A father/daughter Valentine dance, called the "Cinderella Ball, " was held Feb. 6. Men planned a ski day Jan. 24. Cimarron, Kan. (Valleyview Bible)-A Super Bowl gathering Feb. 1 included a chili cook-off, with prizes awarded for best tasting, most original and hottest. Women went to Garden City, Kan., for dinner Jan. 13
A family movie night Jan 11 featured The Ultimate Gift as well as a child-friendly movie.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethany)-Jan. 30 was a father/son night at the church, with a "secret project," guest speaker and dessert.
Hesston, Kan.- A father/son retreat was planned for Jan 30-31 A board game night was held Jan. 17.
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View)-A potluck Jan. 25 featured "southern comfort foods" such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes and BBQ ribs.
Wichita, Kan. (First)-The staff made New Year's cookies and hosted a reception for the congregation Jan. 18.
Yale, SD (Bethell-A group of adults went bowling and had pizza Jan. 18
West Jordan, Utah (Shadow Mountain)-Men and boys went bowling Jan. 17.
Rapid City, SD (Bible Fellowship)-A women's retreat Jan. 16-17 featured the Beth Moore video Loving Well.
Blaine, Wash. (Birch Bay Bible)-Jan. 16 was ''jammie Night" for women at the church. Carolers sang in the neighborhood following the Christmas Eve service.
Hillsboro, Kan,-Jan. 10 was a game night for "girls of all ages."
Clovis, Calif. (College Community)-Women discussed the books they've been reading at a gathering Jan. 9
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Jan 8 was a celebration of small groups at the church, featuring testimonies and a "Best Finger Food Competition."
Balko, Okla. (Crossroads Bible Fellowship)-A New Year's Eve gathering included "undecorating" the church.
Edmond, Okla. (Memorial Road)-Women held a Christmas cookie exchange Dec. 17
MINISTRY
Littleton, Colo. (Belleview Community)- The worship team will play at the local rescue mission once a month, beginning Jan. 18.
Balko, Okla. (Crossroads Bible Fellowship)-A baby shower to benefit a local crisis pregnancy center was held Jan. 18.
Enid, Okla.-The outreach team recently "adopted" a local elementary school and will be reaching out to the children and families. In December, they collected socks, gloves and hats for the students.
Fresno, Calif. (Butler)-Volunteers cleaned up trash in the neighborhood as an expression of love for God and neighbors Jan. 11
Wichita, Kan. (First)-A team of 14 went to Mexico
for a short-term mission trip beginning Jan. 4. A new ministry provides valet parking on Sunday mornings for those who have trouble walking distances, especially during winter weather.
Rapid City, SD (Bible Fellowship)-In December, volunteers donated candies and puzzles for Christmas goody bags to be given to inmates at the county jail.
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View)-Beginning Jan. 17. those from the church and from the neighborhood enjoy "fun and games" on the local elementary school blacktop every Saturday. During the Christmas season. attendees were encouraged to give to various outreach projects in Kenya. Children from the midweek program donated funds for 100 Bibles, 10 mosquito nets, seven grain packages, four sheep and one cow. The congregation raised an additional $3,477 to purchase 10 cows, 23 sheep, six mosquito nets, two grain packages and 39 Bibles.
Buhler, Kan.- The annual children's Christmas program Dec. 21 and Christmas Eve service were streamed live on the church's Web site for the benefit of those who could not attend.
Olathe, Kan. (Community Bible)- The congregation participated in two service projects in the community Dec. 20: One group raked leaves, swept playgrounds and cleaned at an elementary school. Others volunteered as Salvation Army bell ringers.
PROCLAMATION
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Christian counselor and author H. Norman Wright was the scheduled speaker for a Jan. 31 seminar on "Recovering from Loss, Crisis and Trauma."
Gettysburg, SD (Grace Bible)-Roger Engbrecht, district minister, preached Dec. 28.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Gary Wall, district minister for the Pacific District Conference, preached Dec. 6-7.
TEACHING/NURTURE
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen)-A group gathers every Sunday evening to pray specifically for friends and relatives who don't know Christ.
Fresno, Calif. (Butler)- The congregation started the new year with an emphasis on prayer. Prayer was the focus of worship services Jan. 11 and 18, with prayer sign-ups during the week between.
Wichita, Kan. (First)- The prayer ministry team set up an indoor prayer walk Jan 8, with a focus on prayer for governmental leaders. Copies of the prayer prompts were made available for those unable to attend.
Enid, Okla.-A Sunday school class on marriage.
based on the movie Fireproof, began Jan. 4.
Hays, Kan. (North Oakl-Church leadership encouraged the congregation to make January a "month of fasting and praying" to launch the new year.
Hillsboro, Kan. (Ebenfeldl- The congregation marked the new year with a prayer and communion service Jan. 1.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritage Biblel-The congregation marked the new year with "Rockin' Worship and Bold Prayer" Dec. 31.
WORKERS
Harvey, NO-David Prince has resigned as pastor. LaRue Goetz is serving as interim pastor.
Rapid City, SO (Bible Fellowshipl-Peter Thomas has accepted a call as pastor and will begin his ministry in March. His wife is Jodi.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-Rick Bartlett is the new pastor. A commissioning service for his new ministry was held Jan. 4 at Butler MB Church, Fresno, and an installation service was held Jan. 25.
Hillsboro, Kan.-Bill and Roberta Damberg ended their service as interim pastoral couple Dec. 31. Dale Warkentin is now serving as interim.
Wichita, Kan. (Firstl-Jana Hildebrandt is filling the new position of director of outreach and assimilation.
WORSHIP
Cimarron, Kan. (Valleyview Biblel-Jon Wiebe and Andy Shewey of MB Foundation facilitated a Stewardship Sunday Jan 11. The morning consisted of a combined Sunday school class, children's message. sermon and leadership session and initiated a four-to-five week stewardship focus
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lakel-A new sermon series on relationships, based on the popular movie, Fireproof, began in January. In addition, couples were encouraged to study the book, The Love Dare. Kingsburg, Calif.- Jan. 4 was a youth Sunday.
Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstone Communityl-Musician and evangelist Peter Whitebird was the guest during the service Dec 28.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl-Musician Danny Oertli sang during services Dec. 27-28.
Lenoir, NC (Bushtownl-Dec. 21 was a youth Sunday. with youth participating in special morning and evening services.
Buhler, Kan.-Poinsettias decorating the sanctuary Dec. 14 were placed in honor of deceased loved ones.
Cordell, Okla. (Biblel-Adults presented "Christmas Is a Birthday" in the morning service Dec. 21; the children's Christmas program was in the evening. Fresno, Calif. (North Fresnol-"Behold the Child ," a program including choir, instrumentalists and drama, was presented Dec. 14.
Yale, SO (Bethell-The even ing service Dec, 14 featured a Christmas choir cantata, "The Name: Jesus," A sandwich luncheon followed.
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acresl - Children presented "The Christmas County Spelling Bee" Dec. 14, followed by refreshments. ,
Hays, Kan. (North Oakl-Children presented the program, "Let the Children Come Unto Me," during the morning service Dec. 21.
Balko, Okla. (Crossroads Bible Fellowshipl- The Christmas cantata "The Name: Jesus" was presented Dec. 21. Children presented the musical "It All Happened in the Country" Dec. 14.
Rapid City, SO (Bible Fellowshipl-Children presented "3 Wise Men and a Baby" Dec. 17.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritage Biblel-A children's Christmas musical was featured Dec. 14.
Shafter, Calif.- The adult choir presented "The Splendor of Christmas" Dec. 14.
Freeman, SO (SalemI-Children presented "The Signs of Christmas" Dec. 24.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-Children presented "Celebrating Christmas" Dec. 21. Senior high youth participated in a "media fast" Dec. 19-21.
Fresno, Calif. (Butler)-Congregants "explored the meaning of Advent through art and song" at an evening service Dec. 14. Participants were encouraged to bring paintbrushes.
YOUTH
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lakel-High school girls explored purity of mind, body and spirit during a retreat Jan. 23-24.
Capitola, Calif. (Shorelifel-High school youth went on a snow trip Jan. 23-25.
Sioux Falls, SO (Christ Communityl-Middle schoolers went sledding Jan. 11.
Corn, Okla.-Youth and their parents were invited to watch a college football game on a big screen Jan. 8. Team spirit was rewarded with prizes for the bestdressed youth and parent fans.
Bakersfield, Calif. \The Bridgel-Both junior and senior high youth participate in regular "Cook Nights," hosted in homes, which feature meals made by the youth
Hays, Kan. (North Oakl-Youth were invited to a "Prayer Summit" Jan. 2-3 for "some serious time with God."
Shakopee, Minn (Russian EvangelicaLl- The church recently hosted a youth conference with Russian churches from several states. About 1,000 youth attended
OEATHS
DOERKSEN, HULDA DICK, Salem, Ore., of Kingwood Bible Church, Salem, was born Aug. 13, 1914, to Ben and Anna Willems in Bingham Lake, Minn., and died Dec. 17, 2008, at the age of 94. On May 31, 1934, she married Samuel "Sam" Dick, who predeceased her in 1965. In 1972, she married Lee Doerksen, who predeceased her in 1981. She is survived by two daughters, Judy and husband Ed Witzke, and Bonnie and husband Wally Wilson; four stepchildren, Ralph, Ken and Ron Doerksen, and Carol Jean Hawley; one sister, Bertha Fadenrecht of Joes, Colo.; four grandch ildren, nine step-grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren.
JANZEN, FRANCESDORA BISHOP, Fairview, Okla ,
member of Fairview MB Church, was born Nov. 13, 1916, to Edward J and Minerva Anspach Bishop in Grand Island, Neb., and died Nov. 21,2008, at the age of 91. On Sept. 10, 1955, she married Wesley Eugene "Gene" Janzen, who predeceased her. She is survived by two daughters, Ellen and husband Michael Lasseter of Manvel, Texas, and Bonnie and husband Nathan Schroeder of Goddard, Kan.; one brother, Jack and wife Jean of Omaha, Neb., and six grandchildren.
JOST, ELOISE, Hillsboro, Kan., member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Jan. 20, 1927, to A.C. and Laura Eitzen in Hillsboro and died Oct. 15, 2008, at the age of 81. On Aug. 20, 1949, she married OrviLLe Jost, who predeceased her in May 1974. She is survived by one son, Paul and wife Debbie; two daughters, Frederica and husband Ron Stassi, and Dooz Pankratz; two sisters, Martha and husband Dan Penner, and Esther Plenert, and seven grandchildren
JOST, MARVIN G., Hillsboro, Kan ., member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Jan 31, 1918, to George S. and Elizabeth Schroeder Jost near Hillsboro and died Nov. 28, 2008, at the age of 90. On Aug. 18, 1940, he married Rosella Franz, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Dale and wife Shirley of Topeka, Kan., and James and wife Colleen of Tualatin, Ore.; two daughters, Loretta and husband Gaylen Neufeld of Hesston, Kan., and Cheryl and husband Larry Mcjunkin of Akron, Pa.; two brothers, Leroy and wife Janice Jost of Henderson, Neb., and Dean and wife Loretta of Aurora, Neb.; one sister-in-law, Nellie Jost of Hillsboro, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
KESSLER, ROSELLA HILDA, Kingsburg, Calif., member of Kingsburg MB Church, was born April 3, 1923, to Ferdinand and Lydia Graumann in Harvey, NO, and died Dec 22, 2008, at the age of 85. On May 6, 1945, she married Elroy Kessler, who predeceased her Feb. 26, 2008. She is survived by two sons, El and wife Nancy of Kingsburg, and Scott and wife Tammy of Elk River, Minn ; one daughter, Nancy and husband Lon Spero of Elk Grove, Calif.; four brothers, Glenn of Reedley, Calif , Marvin and wife Isolde of Harvey, NO, Roger and wife Elaine of Phoenix, Ariz , and Donald and wife Marion of Hillsboro, Kan .; one sister, Carolee and husband Bob Derksen of Wichita, Kan.; one sister-in-law, Ruby Graumann of Hillsboro, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
LOEWEN, VIOLA JANE, Fresno, Calif., member of North Fresno MB Church, was born July 21, 1928, to Peter and Marie Huebert in Madrid, Neb., and died Jan 5, 2009, at the age of 80 On Sept. 21,1949, she married Carl Loewen, who survives. She is also survived by two sons, Douglas and Jerry, both of Fresno; two daughters, Nancy and Sheri, both of Grand Junction, Colo ; one sister, Estelinne Cockerill, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
ORTMAN, ELMER ELERY, Sioux Falls, SO, member of Lincoln Hills Bible Church, Sioux Falls, was born Feb. 27, 1926, to Henry C. and Adina Ortman near Dolton, SO, and died Nov. 11 , 2008, at the age of 82. On Aug. 13, 1950, he married Loraine Fast, who survives. He is also survived by three daughters,
Margaret and husband Bill Loewen of Sioux Falls, Marilyn and husband Dan Christmore of Wichita, Kan., Shirley and husband John Luce of Sparks, Nev., one brother, Vernon and wife Darlene of Sioux Falls; one sister; Glennys Ortman of Sioux Falls, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
PETERS, FRANKW. , Hillsboro, Kan., of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Feb. 13, 1916, to Jacob and Katie Warkentin Peters in Inman, Kan., and died Nov. 21, 2008, at the age of 92. On May 23, 1937, he married Martha Franz, who predeceased him Sept. 25, 1993. He is survived by one son, Virgil and wife Kay Lani of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters, Neoma and husband Les Flaming of Hillsboro, and Viola and husband Ray Lohrentz of Hillsboro; one sister, Elsie Penner of Medora, Kan., 15 grandchildren, 34 greatgrandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
QUIRING, WILMER ALLAN, Fresno, Calif., member of North Fresno MB Church, was born Aug. 17, 1919, to John E. and Helena Lepp Quiring near Dalmeny, Sask., and died Nov. 12, 2008, at the age of 89. On July 23, 1949, he married Eugenia ''Jean'' Fowler, who predeceased him April 1991. On June 6, 1992, he married Edna Jantz, who survives. He is also survived by one son, John and wife Karen; three daughters, Naomi and husband Yukio Mizumoto, Phoebe and husband Richard Wahl, Lois and husband Steven Ewert; six siblings, Ruby Pauls, Walter Quiring, Louise Quiring, Viola Neufeld, Art Quiring and Sophie Esau, and eight grandchildren.
SUDERMAN, EDNA KOOP, Hillsboro, Kan., member of Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, was born Dec. IS, 1921, to Peter J. and Anna Funk Koop in Hillsboro and died Nov. 24, 2008, at the age of 86. On May 25, 1942, she married Eli Suderman, who survives. She is also survived by two sons, Don and wife June of Hillsboro, and Lyle and wife Julie of Olathe, Kan.; two daughters, Carla and husband Ken Koslowsky of Hillsboro, and Krista and husband Steven Bryant of Concordia, Kan.; one brother, Wallace of Visalia, Calif.; one sister, Lorna Gerbrandt of Sacramento, Calif., seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
THIESSEN, HELEN, Lehigh, Kan., member of Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan , was born June 27,1914, to Gerhard and Helena Klaassen Warkentin near Lehigh and died July 16, 2008, at the age of 94. On June 9, 1935, she married Ike Thiessen, who died Aug. 20, 2008. She is survived by one son, Paul and wife Ella Mae of Wichita, Kan.; four daughters, Joyce and husband Gerald Kessler of Hillsboro, Arlene Schale of Hillsboro, Carol and husband Ken Geabhart of Newton, Kan , and Karen and husband Bryce York of Kansas City, Kan.; two sisters, Mary Thiessen of Hillsboro, and Lydia McDonald of Tulsa, Okla.; one sister-in-law, Elma Warkentin, 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and seven greatgreat-grandchildren.
THIESSEN, ISAAC F., Lehigh, Kan., member of Parkview MB Church, was born Oct. 18, 1912, to Dietrich E. and Agnes Friesen Thiessen near Inman, Kan., and died Aug. 20, 2008, at the age of 95 On June 9,1935, he married Helen Warkentin, who predeceased him July 16, 2008. He is survived by one son, Paul and wife Ella Mae of Wich ita, Kan.; four daughters, Joyce and husband Gerald Kessler of
Hillsboro, Arlene Schale of Hillsboro, Carol and husband Ken Geabhart of Newton, Kan., and Karen and husband Bryce York of Kansas City, Kan.; one brother, Menno Thiessen of Inman, Kan ; one sister, Barbara and husband Menno Franz of Wichita, Kan .• 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
TINDALL, PAT KLASSEN, Fresno, Calif , member of North Fresno MB Church, was born Feb. 28, 1932, to Russell and Victoria Moore in Salamanca, NY, and died Dec. 9, 2008, at the age of 76. On Dec. 26, 1956, she married John Klassen, who predeceased her May 2, 2001. On Nov 26, 2005, she married George Tindall, who survives. She is also survived by three daughters, Vickie and husband Ezequiel Pessoa of Fresno, Nancy of Fresno, Sue and husband Johann Zimmermann of Virginia; one son, John "Bud" Klassen and wife Cleide of Fresno; three stepsons, Andy Tindall, Timothy Tindall and David Tindall; one stepdaughter, Elaine and husband Tim Riley, eight grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.
WIEBE, ART, Hillsboro, Kan., member of Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro, was born Aug. 3D, 1926, to Henry A. and Mary Ens Wiebe in Finney County, Kan., and died Nov. 19, 2008, at the age of 82. On Oct. 12, 1954, he married Ella Voth, who survives. He is also survived by four sons, Carl of the Middle East, Glenn of Hillsboro, Dale of Pine Grove, Calif., and Virgil of St. Paul, Minn.; two daughters, Bev of Hesston, Kan., and Janice ollenburger of Elkhart. Ind.; one brother, Orville of Richmond, Va.; one sister, Betty Phillips of Kingsport, Tenn., and 10 grandchildren.
YARBROUGH, BRIAN KELLY, Clovis, Calif., member of Mountain View Community Church, Fresno, Calif., was born Jan. 3D, 1968, to George and Ruth Yarbrough in Corcoran, Calif., and died Jan. 2, 2009, at the age of 40 On May 27, 1995, he married Shelly Lumley, who survives He is also survived by one son, Cole; one daughter, Emma; his parents; parents-inlaw, Gary Cushing and wife Schatsi, and Susie Lumley; two brothers, Shawn and James; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Josh Lumley and wife Carrie, Jon Lumley, Jim Lumley, Ronnie and husband Richie Liu, and Drew Cushing.
C!.J,w,J, is receiving applications for the position of Minister of Music/Worship. See full job description at www.reedleymbc.org. Please send resume to: RMBC Music Choir; 1362 LSt.; Reedley, CA, 93654 or dennis@reedleymbc.org.
What I want, or maybe not
Driving a sporty Mustang was sweet, but. ..
Recently while my son was hanging out at a friend's house, his parked car got backed into and dented. That made me happy. I mean sad. Really, son! I was sad!
Let me explain. Of course I felt bad for my son because his car would need body work. But Seth would get to use my car while I drove a rental provided by the other party's insurance company. I figured they'd give me some sort of dull compact. It would be Seth's gain. As a minor he couldn't legally drive a rental car, so he'd enjoy my comfy Honda Accord for a week.
However, when I dropped off Seth's car at the shop the rental provided to me turned out to be a Ford Mustang with cool racing stripes. That's when I got happy. And Seth got bummed. Sorry about that, son, but thanks for parking in the wrong place at the wrong
time so I could cruise around in an awesome sports car!
I'm not a car guy, but driving that Mustang was
!::!
Perhaps I didn 't \V<Hlt
down stairs. It was a lot of work. Though I stuck with it and things turned out all right, there were times I really wondered why I ever wanted to be in a band.
In my early 20S, I thought I never wanted to get married. I liked women well enough, but the idea of living with one seemed too complicated. Then one day I suddenly changed my mind when I met the woman of my dreams. Wanting to get married just required meeting the right girl.
"Sorry for doubt in g yOll , littl e (fonda , " 1 murmured. "){)U'rc '!till the car for me ."
pretty sweet. It felt tough and muscular; my Honda seems kind of meek and plain. "Maybe I should get a sports car," I thought. I am about the right age to start a midlife crisis.
Then it snowed. We get a big snowfall in our city about once a decade, so we have maybe two snowplows in town. A lot of the roads don't get cleared. No problem for my frontwheel-drive Honda. For the Mustang-problem. At one point I backed it out of my driveway into the snowy street, put the car in gear, and nothing. I put it in reverse to get some traction and ... nothing. I put it back in drive and pressed ever so lightly on the gas pedal and ... nothing. That is, nothing but the spinning of the rear wheels.
After IS minutes of miniscule maneuvers I got the Mustang to the curb. Then I retrieved my Honda and drove easily to work. Perhaps I didn't want a Mustang after all. "Sorry for doubting you, little Honda," I murmured. ''You're still the car for me."
Life is like that, isn't it? The things we think we want we end up not wanting, and things we think we don't want are what we really want after all.
When I was in high school, for instance, I wanted to get into a real rock band that toured and made albums. And what do you know: A year after I graduated that dream came true. Then I found out being in a band involved more than just jamming on my guitar all day. We had to practice a lot and line up gigs and drive all night and wrestle heavy sound gear up and
I thought I might want to have children. Possibly. As the youngest sibling in my family, I never spent much time around infants. They kind of scared me. But when I held my newborn son for the first time, it was all OK. I knew right away I'd like being a parent. Which was a good way to feel, because once you get a baby they tend to stay around for a while.
Several times I thought I wanted to quit going to church. Not just for a Sunday here or there, but for good. As a pastor's son, I got sick of showing up for every church event there was When I got older I thought I might leave it all behind. Then as a teenager, I finally realized church was about relationships, and I wanted to stay. Getting to know God and hanging out with my fellow believers became a desirable thing
Since then, though, there have been times I've felt frustrated with church and wanted to quit again. But each time this happened, what I thought I wanted turned out not to be what I really wanted. I'd be lost without the fellowship of believers to provide wisdom and give support and occasionally knock me out of my comfort zone.
Without church, I'd probably only hang around with people exactly like me. Since I already annoy myself too much as it is, that's not something I'd want at all.
'1l Comment on this column by going to usmb .orglchristian-leader
What's next?
Christian Leader prior ities for 2009
Reporting on the activities and concerns of the U.S. Conference, our five regional districts, various denominational agencies and local Mennonite Brethren congregations is a priority undertaking for the Christian Leader. We enjoy telling the story of God at work among U.S . Mennonite Brethren.
I believe that anticipating what's next is also central to the work of the Christian Leader. One of our tasks as editors is to put forward issues and direction the U.S Mennonite Brethren Church should consider. Our priorities for this year are reflected in the topic list for 2009.
Evangelism: Interacting with our neighbors and coworkers as if we are missionaries who serve in foreign cultures is becoming a common approach to the Great Commission. Next month we will explore this idea that individual Christians should live "missionally." The changes that occur in our lives when we encounter the resurrected Christ-and our longing to share the good news of our transformation with others-will be the focus of our Easter issue.
Th
e
are making disciples in their congregation and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in their communities.
Our approach to these topics will not be neutral. Our primary writers will be Mennonite Brethren with expertise in the area they are addressing. These men and women, many of whom volunteered to write on a specific subject, will help us think about these topics-some of them potentially contentious-from a Mennonite Brethren perspective.
Some readers may wonder why we publish articles on subjects about which Mennonite Brethren disagree. Issues of faith and life are very important to us-they have eternal implications-and so it's only natural that we feel strongly and
church is call ed to evan ge li ze and to teac h . And so w e wa nt to feature articl es that t each the core va lu es of the Chr isti a n faith a s u n d e rstood in the Anabaptis t t radition and ex pres sed in our Confess ion of Faith .
Core teachings: Evangelicals, says Christianity Today editor Mark Galli, have specialized in "Go and make disciples " and have not been as strong at and teach them all that I have commanded you." The church is called to evangelize and to teach. And so we want to feature articles that teach the core ·values of the Christian faith as understood in the Anabaptist tradition and expressed in our Confession of Faith .
This month's focus on the Bible is an example of a historic Mennonite Brethren core value that is as central to our lives in the 21st century as it was to our founders. This year we will also look at how core teachings intersect with current events and contemporary culture. Affirmation of human life and stewardship of resources are two themes that evangelical Christians are discussing, and we want to reflect on these issues from our denomination's perspective
Throughout the year, we will also draw attention to the unique person and work of Jesus Christ, a core teaching of the Christian faith that is being discussed in our current culture.
Transfonnation: U.S Conference leaders have called on us to be a denomination that partners together for the transformation of individuals, families and communities. and so this summer we will highlight the importance of healthy marriages. And in the news department we will continue to share stories of congregations that
passionately about them . At the CL we choose to express our unity by acknowledging the diversity of opinion within our denomination and by listening to one another with respect and humility. These are our publishing priorities
for 2009, and we look forward to exploring these topics. This year the CL editorial staff is pursuing an additional priority: formulating a communication plan for 2010 that addresses three goals. We are researching publishing something on a regular basis for Mennonite Brethren who read Spanish, regularly publishing something in Russian and attracting a new generation of CLreaders.
While the number of publications will increase, the amount of money the U.S. Conference spends on publications will not. The Christian Leader budget will be reduced to fund these new publications, with the hope that future partnerships with district conferences or local congregations can provide some financial assistance This means the CL will change We are looking at reducing the number of pages published each month and altering the magazine's frequency to free up money for these new projects
As I talk with printing specialists and other denominational magazine editors, a common piece of advice I get is to involve readers in decisions about changes in content, design, frequency and format. So I invite and encourage you, as the opportunity presents itself, to be involved in this process.-CF
'1l Post your comments to this editorial by going online to usmb orglchristian-leader.
Senior Pastor: SaLem MB Church of ruraL Bridgewater, SO, is seeking a Senior Pastor. The pastor is to provide spirituaL and pastoraL Leadership to a group of approximateLy 60 believers. The pastor must have a heart to reach out into the ruraL community and be aware of the chaLLenges of this ministry. Located 45 minutes southwest of Sioux FaLLs, SO, the church is situated in a vibrant farming community. A job description is avaiLabLe upon request. Send resume or inquiry to the chairman of the search committee: Richard WaLter, 26865 433rd Ave., Bridgewater, SO 57319 or e-maiL rewaLterliluniteLsd.com (1/3J
Senior Pastor: Saanich Community Church, in greater Victoria on Vancouver IsLand, BC, is seeking a Senior Pastor. The congregation is a diverse, urban West Coast group, with a passion for sociaL justice, for challenging discourse and for growing together. Our purpose is "to worship God with our whole Lives, build one another up as a community of faith and engage in God's mission in the world:' We seek someone who is passionate about inspiring people to follow Jesus, to live out their faith in community-both in the church and in the world and who has a well-articulated understanding of and commitment to an Anabaptist approach to faith. Greater Victoria is a large urban center with two universities, a college and a beautifuL natural setting. See www.saanichcommunity.ca for details. Contact Carolyn Fast, fastcliltelus.net, with questions, applications. Accepting applications until February 15, 2009. (2/2J
Lead Pastor: HiLLsboro MB Church, a congregation of 400+, is seeking a lead pastor with a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. The successful candidate is expected
to bring spiritual vision and direction for the church's mission and programs, have positive reLationaL skills and a strong preaching/teaching ministry The lead pastor is one who desires to Lead, deveLop and partner with other members of the pastoraL staff and lay leadership team. This intergenerational church is located in a progressive college town. Seminary graduate preferred. Please send resume to PastoraL Search Committee, Hillsboro MB Church, 300 Prairie Pointe, Hillsboro, KS 67063 or e-mail inquiriesto:hmbcsearchlilyahoo.com. (10/12J
Seminal')'
Faculty: Faculty position opening soon in the Marriage, Family & Child Counseling department at MB BiblicaL Seminary. Join the team at MB Biblical Seminary's campus in Fresno, Calif., a community rooted in the Anabaptist and evangelicaL traditions. This position will be at the assistant or associate professor level. In addition to a strong emphasis on the integration of counseling and the Christian faith, the seminary's MFCC program includes a priority of helping students grow in a wide range of areas not Limited to academic achievement and counseling skills. Teaching and mentoring are prioritized but research is encouraged. MFCC faculty functions as part of an interdisciplinary team with Bible, TheoLogy and Missions faculty. For complete details and resume information, visit www.mbseminary.edu/employment. (6/111
Historical Tour
The Mennonite Heritage Cruise and its international resource team, including historian PauL Toews and genealogist ALan Peters, invites you to join the 15th
annual cruise in Ukraine on the Dnieper River and Black Sea in late September 2009. This has been the uLtimate 15-day roots discovery experience for 2,500 descendants of Russian Mennonites. For detaiLs of the cruise Google "Mennonite Heritage Cruise" or phone Marina Unger 1800-387-1488, ext. 2827. (2/51
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