July 1997

• Aging: The finer alternative / p8

• Did we 'reform' the joy out of worship? / pH • Summer side trips / p12 • On site at the annual hispanic convention / p16

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INSIDE JULY

FIRST WORDS

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1997

... from the editor

OST PEOPLE INVOLVED in ministry, whether a multimillion-dollar institution or a children's Sunday school class, take on their assignment with a determination to give it their very best effort. After all, the work is for God's kingdom. In our lead article, Eddy Hall reminds us the line is thin between giving God our best effort and depending on that effort for success (page 4). He sees in the life of Moses a truth that we are best equipped to be successful when we realize our best effort is inadequate, and so we depend on God for empowerment. It is one of God's upside-down kingdom ironies that the way to be strong is to admit our weakness.

Kenneth Gibble makes the case that aging isn't so bad-when you consider the alternative (page 8). He adds that the later years of life are more than a time to enjoy the harvest of past efforts. It's also a time to plant new seeds and tend to our continuing personal growth.

Our BodyLife section is teeming with interesting news.

The lead article, by Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, features the annual gathering of our West Coast hispanic brothers and sisters (page 16). We focus on this event because it's one of the largest gatherings of Mennonite Brethren in the United States, it's a celebration of unity and mission, and it's, well, exciting.

We also have more news about our brothers and sisters in Congo (formerly Zaire), as well as a recap of Esengo's inspiring North American tour (pages 19-21).

You'll want to read about that "other" worldwide assembly of believers that Mennonite Brethren supportthe World Evangelical Fellowship (page 22). Several of our own leaders played a prominent role in this event.

We sadly report the passing oftwo unique "institutions." Most Mennonite Brethren may not know that Joe Mendel was once a world-class athlete; we only knew him as a world-class brother. He died in May at age 91. Meanwhile, the Washington Heights Community Church of Bismarck, N.D., has closed its doors after 30 years of ministry.

It wasn't "successful" in the ways we usually measure success. But it was significant.

And that's not a bad way to be remembered.-DR

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COMING .JULY 10-12, 1997-General Conference convention, Waterloo, Ont. • NOVEMBER 7-9-Southern District Conference convention, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Edmond, Okla.

• NOVEMBER 7-8-Pacific District Conference convention, hosted by Bethany Church, Fresno, Calif.

• NOVEMBER 14-16-Central District Conference conven· tion, Minneapolis, Minn.

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1997 CHRISTIAN

VOLUME 60, NUMBER 7

FEATURES

4 When your best isn't enough It's only when we realize our personal inadequacy that we are qualified for effective work in the kingdom of God. Moses learned that lesson and so can we. BY EDDY HAll

8 Aging: the finer alternative Many people are sensitive about it, but aging doesn't have to mean the end of life. Instead, our later years can be a time of new beginnings and continued significance. BY KENNETH L. GIBBLE

DEPARTMENTS What Readers Say .

Forum ... . . ... . . .. . . .. ... . . . . .

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by Brad Kunkel 11

• Did we 'reform' the joy out of worship?

Ph'lip Side ... . . . . . .. .

by Philip Wiebe 12

• Summer side trips

Inquiring Minds .. . . .. .

• •

. by Marvin Hein 13

'Supping with the devil' The effects of pop culture

On the Journey . ... . . . .

by Rose Buschman 14

• Lesson from a campground

BodyLife . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . ... . .. . .. . .. .

16

• Hispanic rally focuses on praise 16 • Congo MBs continue ministry during transitions 19 • A look back at Esengo's North American tour 20 • MBs host World Evangelical Fellowship 22 • 'Smokey' Joe Mendel finishes his life race 24 • FPU prof experiences Cuban churches 25 • Bismarck ends 30-year ministry 26 • Mennonite magazines feted by EPA 27 • Church notes 27 • Turning Points 28 • Deaths 31

Media Matters . . .

BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Noelle Dickinson, chair; Ph il Neufeld, Dalton Reimer. Herb Schroeder, Kathy Heinrichs W iest MANDATE: THE CHRISTIAN LEADER (ISSN 00095149). organ of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. is published monthly by the U.S. Conference Board of Communications. 315 S. Lincoln.

Hillsboro. KS 67063 . The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events. activities. decisions and issues of their denomination. and to instruct. inspire and initiate dialog so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical! Anabaptist theological tradition .

EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions of our writers and advertisers are their own and do not necrepresent the position of the Christian Leader. the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church. The editors invite free-lance article submissions. but ask that each submission be accompanied with a SASE . The editors reserve the right to edit. condense or refuse all copy submitted for publication; anonymous contributions will not be published.

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Letters for What Readers Say must include the author's name and address. Forum is open to members or attenders of Mennonite Brethren churches.

Essays to Forum can address any issue of relevance and interest to the faith and life of the Mennonite Brethren Church. The essay should be no longer than 800 words and should include the home chu rc h. occupation and a clear photo of the writer.

COMMUNICATION: All correspondence should be addressed to Christian Leader. Box V. Hillsboro. KS 67063 . Phone: (316) 947-5543 . Fax: (316) 947-3266.

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by Burton Buller 34

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• Call for a new ethic

Let's Talk About It . . . . .. . . . . ... ... . .

Editorial . . . . .

ASSISTANT EDITOR Connie Faber

EDITOR Don Ratzlaff

• God sightings

ADDRESS CHANGES: Se nd both old and new address to Circulation Secretary. Box V. Hillsboro. KS 67063 . Allow up to one month for transition .

MEMBERSHIP: The Christian Leader is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse. an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ ed itors .

ART CREDITS: Cover and page 6, CLEO Freelance Photography; pages 4 and 9, Skjold Photography; page 19, MCC photo by Fidele Lumeya; page 21, Ben Matson; page 23, courtesy of MB Herald.

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WHENYOUR BEST ISN'T ENOUGH Brokenness before God is the doorway to spiritual power

By EDDY HALL

N AUGUST 1981, TWO FAMILIES WHO

had just left Ohio a thousand miles behind joined our family in Oklahoma City to help launch a ministry to the poor. Their arrival marked the beginning of the fulfillment of a God-given dream that for nine years, since the vision had first begun to take shape, had been the passion of my life.

During our first year together, the three families bought homes in the multiethnic neighborhood we had chosen for our ministry, all within two blocks of each other. By our second year, two more families had joined us. Several small ministry programs were up and running, and our ministry was providing two staff members for a neighborhood shelter for homeless families.

As the administrator for Community of the Servant, I loved getting to know neighborhood people and responding to their needs.

I loved planning ministry with other community members and trying to build community. I loved speaking in churches, describing our work, challenging people to a more active concern for the poor.

I lived through those days intensely grateful for the privilege of doing such deeply satisfying work. After nine years of waiting, I 4 . THE

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was finally fulfilling the calling for which God had prepared me.

But from time to time my joy was tempered by a nagging problem. I knew that for the ministry to be all God wanted it to be, God had to be in control, guiding our decisions, providing the power to change people's lives. And I knew that for God to consistently guide me, I needed to take time regularly to seek God's guidance. So I decided to set aside time each morning to be alone with God to present my own needs and those of community members and neighborhood people and to seek guidance for my day's activities. At least that was my plan.

Occasionally I actually pulled it off, but more often I plunged into the work I loved with little more than a perfunctory nod in God's direction.

What needed to be done seemed so clear and so urgent that I felt little need to consult God first. I said I needed God's direction, but my actions revealed that I felt I could run the ministry by my own wits, energy and willpower.

This gap between belief and action bothered me, so I began asking God to free me of my illusion that I was capable of directing the ministry myself, to help me feel as powerless to make the ministry succeed on my own as I believed I was.

For almost two years I prayed that prayer, yet saw no answer.

THE DEATH OF ADREAM Then in October 1983, Kim and Becky, one of the original couples in the community and both on ministry staff, came into my office and announced, "We're leaving the Community of the Servant." Two weeks later another couple left. A third family became inactive. The Community of the Servant was dead.

I had given the ministry my best. It had looked to me-and to the churches and individuals backing us-like the ministry was making impressive progress. But now I faced the question: What do you do when 100 percent is not enough, when you have given everything and your life'S caUtng lies in shambles at your feet?

As I considered that question, the pain of failure opened me to God's Spirit. I saw how specific mistakes I had made had contributed to the ministry's collapse: failing to clearly articulate the original vision, insensitivity in decision-making, spending my time administering programs rather than initiating pastoral care to neighborhood people as God had called me to do.

But the underlying reason for the ministry's failure , God showed me, was that I had too often J U L Y

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Brokenness-the destruction of confidence in self-sufficiencyleaves us with two options. The first option is despair. ...

The second option is dependence. relied on my own strength. Through the ministry's death, God had answered my prayer. This confidence-shattering failure had left me broken, accomplishing what two years of good intentions had not: for the first time I felt powerless to minister.

MOSES, BROKEN MAN In my search for what to do next, I turned to the story of Moses. Years before Moses had inspired me as an example of relocation-identi· fying with and living among those you seek to serve. He had given up the educational opportunity, political privilege, and the wealth of Pharaoh's court, choosing instead to suffer with his people (see Heb. 11 :24-26). In my decision to relocate to the inner city to minister, I had identi· fied with Moses.

Moses had watched his people suffer, longing for the day when he could strike a blow for justice. When he saw an Egyptian cruelly beat a Hebrew, Moses saw an opportunity. He killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. That night Moses must have looked back over the day's events satisfied. He had taken his first small step toward liberating his people. Perhaps the next day he would take his second.

The next day he saw two Hebrews fighting.

He asked one of them, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"

The man said, "Who made you ruler and 6'THE

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judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you did the Egyptian?" (Ex. 2:13·14).

His crime discovered, Moses fled Egypt for his life. In 40 years that followed, the question must have returned to haunt Moses a thousand times: "Who made you ruler and judge over us?"

Little could Moses's questioner have dreamed what a world-shattering question that was for Moses. Had he only been imagining aU these years that God had a special mission for him? His miraculous protection at birth, his opportunity for education, his strong desire to help his people-surely these meant something. What had gone wrong? Moses's Hebrew brother gave voice to Moses's profoundest self-doubt, and to his question Moses had no answer.

Every day for the next 40 years Moses would live with the question: What do you do when

you have given all to fUlfill a mission, when you have spared nothing-and still you fail?

What do you do when 100 percent is not enough?

While watching sheep, Moses likely spent thousands of hours agonizing over his brothers and sisters enslaved in Egypt, but whenever he tried to translate his concern into a plan of action, he always wound up at the same place: he was powerless to co anything about it. So shattered was Moses's self-confidence that he may have despaired of ever being used by God. The lesson God wanted to burn into Moses's soul

D E PEN DEN C E

was unavoidable: Moses was not equal to the task.

I identified with Moses's failure and the brokenness it produced. But God wasn't through with Moses, and in that I found hope.

MOSES, SPIRIT-EMPOWERED MAN Out of a burning bush, God spoke: "I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt."

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Ex. 3:10-11).

This was not the Moses of 40 years earlier.

His earlier eagerness had turned to reluctance.

Moses had learned, not just in his head, but deep in his soul, that he was inadequate to the task God was calling him to do. So Moses said, "God, I can't do it. I'm not adequate ."

God's response was, "You're right, Moses. In fact, the reason I can trust you with this assignment is because you know you can't do it.

You're not adequate-but I AM." At the burning bush God began to teach Moses that God's power can work most fully through those who are most convinced of their own powerlessness. God was able to bring deliverance through Moses only because Moses was absolutely certain he alone could not save his people.

Moses accepted God's call and went on to confront Pharaoh, free his people from bondage, and lead them through the Red Sea and into 40 years of miraculous sustenance in the wilderness.

The mission Moses had tried and failed to accomplish in his own strength, he fulfilled by God's power.

RESURRECI'lON OF THE DREAM As I prayed for guidance, I felt that God was giving me a similar call to start again. Because of the people we had lost, success now seemed far less likely. But I felt God was promising that the ministry would be rebuilt "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" (Zech. 4:6).

In the years that followed, God resurrected the community. New people joined. Peace replaced the former discord, and those of us who had come through the community's painful collapse enjoyed a time of healing. The focus of my ministry, in keeping with my call, changed from administration to pastoral care. It seemed to me that God was using me to touch people's needs more than ever before. And when the time did come for our community to disband, it was not

because of broken relationships. In fact, relationships were at their all-time best. It was because God was calling those in leadership to move on.

Why the difference? Where before I had struggled unsuccessfully to discipline myself to seek God's guidance, during those post-resurrection years I felt such a deep need for God's daily intervention that it was easy to start most days with time alone with God. I had learned, not just in my head, but deep in my soul, that without God's daily guidance and power, I would fail.

A CHOICE I never would have asked for brokenness, but when it came I thanked God for it. Through it my prayer that I would feel deeply my need to rely daily not on my own strength but on God was answered.

But brokenness alone doesn't guarantee Spirit-empowered living and ministry. It simply offers the opportunity. It's the open doorway. To enter that doorway requires a choice.

Brokenness-the destruction of confidence in self-sufficiency-leaves us with two options. The ftrst option is despair. We can quit hoping, give up on life, either by committing actual suicide or becoming one of the living dead.

The second option is dependence, falling into the hands of a waiting God. Paul knew what it was to ftnd himself unequal to life's demands: "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure .... Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death." But Paul saw God at work in his suffering: "This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:8-9). Not equal to the demands confronting him, Paul faced a choice: despair or dependence. Out of his brokenness, Paul chose-and learned-dependence.

To become dependable channels of God's power requires deeply learning two spiritual realities. The ftrst is our own powerlessness: "By myself I can do nothing" (In. 5:30). The second is God's power: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13). When we embrace our own powerlessness and throw ourselves in dependence on God's power, only then can we experience for ourselves the great paradox Paul discovered: "When I am weak, then I • am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).

Eddy Hall, who lives in Goessel, Kan., is a churchplanning consultant and serves as copastor of the recently planted Church of the Good Shepherd, a Mennonite cell church.

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THEFINER ALTERNATIVE

BY KENNETH L. GIBBLE

No matter what you use, you are sure to somebody. caution because it's almost impos- offend Not long before his death Canadian sible to talk about aging without novelist Robertson Davies wrote a col· putting your foot in your mouth. lection of short sto· riesaboutaging.ln the introduction to the book, he Back when I was approaching my wrote, "I have grown old." He didn't 40th birthday, I preached a sermon state his age, but he did object to about aging. During the sermon, I euphemisms for aging. At one point happened to mention that before too many years I would be in the category he said, "forgive me; I must leave my typewriter to throw up, for I have just of "middle aged." After the service, a heard someone use that nauseating member of the congregation came up to me and asked, with a sly grin on his expression, 'the twilight years.'" The printed page shows a few dashes, pre· face, "How old are you, Ken?" When I sumably to indicate Davies's absence told him, he said, "Wen, if you don't from his typewriter. The next thing think you're middle·aged yet, exactly on the page has his words as fonows: how long are you planning to live?"

Part of the difficulty in talking "- ab, that feels better."

But maybe the real question about about aging is language. We don't aging is not how to talk about it with· even know what to cau those who out offending anyone. The real quesreach the upper limits of the life span. tion is: How are we to live as people Not many people like to be caUed "old." I once had a man in his 70s ten who are getting older?

The Bible is realistic about aging. me how much he hated being referred to as a "senior citizen." It's no Even in biblical times, when old age longer politicaUy correct to talk about was honored far more than in our people going to an "old folks' home." own time, people needed reminders to treat the elderly with respect. One We say instead that they are residents in a "retirement facility," or even betof the commandments in Leviticus reads: "You shaU rise before the aged, ter, "retirement community." and defer to the old; and you shaU fear What word is best used to describe people who are up in years? your God" (Lev. 19:32).

Golden-agers? The elderly? Retirees?

In Psalm 71, the writer expresses

T'S A SUBJECT I approach with

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one fear of old age, the fear of being abandoned. This fear is given voice in the ninth verse with a prayer: "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent." The prayer is offered to God; but it could also be a plea offered to members of the community.

Temptation to fall into despair confronts people at every stage of life, but it is especially dangerous in the final years. The writer of Ecclesiastes rebuked those tempted to lament the disappearance of the good old days. "Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask this" (Eccles. 7:10).

My favorite Scripture about aging is a wonderfully upbeat verse in the book of Psalms. The KingJames Version of Psalm 92: 14 has the psalmist describing righteous people with these words: "They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shaU be fat and flourishing." That's pretty good, but "fat and flourishing" does have some negative connotations these days.

How much better is the New Revised Standard Version! In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap. sn't that a wonderful image of what the last years of life can be-productive, fruitful years?

What a terrific way to be described when you're 65,75, 85, or older-"always green and fun of sap."

In his essay, Robertson Davies argued that the best gift we can carry with us into old age is curiosity.

Curiosity about what? It doesn't matter, Davies said. "Curiosity about something. Enthusiasm. Zest. That's what makes old age ... a delight. One has seen so much, and one is eager to see more." The title of his essay, by the way, is "You're Not Getting Older, You're Getting Nosier."

Davies warned that when we cease to be curious, curious even about ourselves, we have abandoned

L AT E RYE A R S

hope. He referred to the psychoanalyst Karl lung, who said that the first half of our lives is spent making our place in the world, through study, work and family. The second half of life, ]ung said, is an inward journey, a spiritual search. It's this search, argued Davies, that makes age not a burden and a defeat, but marvelously enjoyable in spite of the limitations of the aging body.

Much as I like what Davies is getting at here, I believe his counsel also carries a subtle danger. It suggests that active engagement with the world is pretty much over; what is left is maintenance, reflection and life review. True, the older years are a time of harvest, but they are also a time of planting. Release from fulltime employment means opportunity for service to community and church.

A 70-year-old woman who serves her church in Seattle, Wash., as director of children's ministries, says she has heard people her age say, "I've done my share. Now it's someone else's turn." To which she replies, "Bosh!" She goes on to give examples of older adults who are busily engaged in doing things for others.

She writes: "We need to realize, as [older people) ...we have much to offer in new and creative ways of serving our Lord. Look around and see the needs.

Be inventive. Ask the Lord where your natural gifts could be a ministry to others. You may fmd it more rewarding than anything you've done in the past. " I like that. I like the fact that someone in her 70s is director of children's ministries. I love it when I see our older adults reaching out to the children in our church.

Supposedly, it was Maurice Chevalier who said, "Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative." That was meant to be funny, of course. And one ofthe saving graces for older adults is a sense of humor.

But there's a serious side to that statement. Old age, in its own way, is a unique blessing. Not everyone gets to

live to old age. We do well to consider the alternative. And when we have considered it, we do even better to ask God to guide us and bless us in our aging. We can resolve, with God's help, to use our time and energy for the glory of God and our neighbor's good.

• Kenneth Gibble, a frequent contrIbutor to the Leader, is a pastor and freelance writer from Chambersburg, Pa.

True, the older years are a time of harvest, but they are also a time ofplanting.

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WHAT READERS SAY

Ask 'the hard questions Paul Toews opened up the discussion about the dismantling of the binational Mennonite Brethren conference in the June Leader. Let me add some further thoughts. If the American and Canadian delegates to the Waterloo Conference decide that a binational convention no longer serves a pur· pose, Mennonite Brethren ofthese two countries will need to ask themselves some difficult questions.

How have we come to this place?

Are finances, a shift toward greater attention to regional or national interests, declining interest, or the efforts being made to globalize Mennonite Brethren endeavors sufficient explanation, or are there others?

The greatest danger in making the shift would probably be that we spiritualize the issue and avoid the effort of trying to gain a genuine insight into what a shift such as this might repre· sent.

My own belief is that a decision to end the binational conventions has much more significant reasons than some of those moderator Ed Boschman indicated in his Executive Council report (Waterloo '97 insert, May Leader).

On the one hand, I believe it represents a tiredness among church leaders that many experience but few are willing to acknowledge. In some sense such tiredness is not unexpected, because we live in trying times and the work of the church can become very heavy indeed.

But such tiredness may also grow out of a lack of vision. And that lack is more difficult to deal with. My own

impression is that our difficulty in sustaining a clear and compelling vision is rooted in Mennonite Brethren history, which as time passes affords us less and less ability to work together with a strong sense of mutual support.

In some senses this is a struggle for all denominations, but perhaps even more so for Mennonite Brethren.

Mennonite Brethren came into being as a result of a convergence of influences-some rooted in historic Anabaptism, some in 19th-century evangelicalism, some in Pietism, some from Baptistic sources, some from Lutheran, some from Moravian brethren. These led to a remarkable awakening that irrevocably changed Russian Mennonite church life and brought into being a church that made a very significant contribution to world miSSions, to worldwide Mennonitism, and to North American-particularly Canadian-evangelicalism.

For a century or more that convergence of streams has lived in what I would describe as a healthy tension.

We've had leaders who could integrate the impulses that originated from these sources in ways that resulted in spiritual renewal, tremendous energy and, on the whole, much good.

But that doesn't appear to be the case any longer. We have groups among us who see little good in our Anabaptist roots, and others who have nothing good to say about evangelicalism. We have some who will support only Mennonite Central Committee and others who will never do so. We have some who acknowledge the Bible as authority in all matters of faith and life and others who have effec-

c.,$... Pontius' Puddle

The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters of relevance to the Mennonite Brethren Church . All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length. Send letters to Christian Leader, Box V, Hillsboro, KS 67063; fax: 316-9473266; e-mail : chleader@southwind.net.

tively excluded it. We have some who will work together within the church with a spirit of mutual accountability and support and others who have no idea what that means. We have those who have recognized the importance of common educational institutions and a common mission through MB Missions/Services or boards of evangelism and others who won't support anything outside their local church.

The attitudes that undergird such differing responses reflect the wells from which we've drunk. When leaders lead us-as has been true in too many cases for nearly two decades now-with little interest in trying to generate genuine appreciation for the major streams which have birthed our denomination, it shouldn't surprise us that we eventually reach the place where we no longer see a reason for coming together.

It may seem reasonable to say we will continue to meet nationally or regionally, but at these levels too there are people who say they cannot see the reason for continuing to meet.

Every step to a smaller geographical area is marginally easier to meet with· in than the one above it, but the issues involved are not qualitatively different. At some point, congregations may not want to meet with anyone except their own members.

We should not avoid asking the question whether the Mennonite Brethren church in North America is in the process of unraveling and whether a decision to end the bi· national conference represents a criti· cal loss of common vision, as a result of which this decision will be merely the ftrst stage.

HaroldJantz Winnipeg, Man.

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FORUM READER ESSAYS

Did we 'reform' the joy out of worship?

RE

CENTLY I became aware of a conversation that followed the duation ceremony at a school affiliated with our denomination. One person noted the affair was pleasingly serene-except for some "whooping and hollering and jumping around" that had occurred at times as graduates were announced. Upon hearing that, the other participant, who has some responsibilities in regard to music at a Mennonite Brethren church, commented that young people do that when they worship anyway, clearly indicating the value which they feel such an expression would have in that context.

That would not be an untypical example of the level of discourse I have experienced repeatedly in our denominational circles regarding this issue of how we express ourselves in worship.

I wonder, however, how aware we are that this is not a new issue for us.

Rather, it played a central role in the very origins of our denomination. This historical development both encourages me to regard the Mennonite Brethren as a called and chosen people as well as challenges me as to how we respond to that call today.

When the Mennonite Brethren denomination was born, the Mennonite church in Russia was spiritually comatose as evidenced by a dead formality in worship and glaringly immoral lifestyles. Sermons and prayers were handed down from generation to generation and read in the gatherings.

By most accounts, few if any members were actually born-again believers.

A rediscovery of the gospel message of salvation through faith sparked a renewal in Russia in the 1850s. Some among the Mennonites began to find in Forum is a column of opinion and comment on contemporary issues facing the Mennonite Brethren Church. Manuscripts expressing an opinion for Forum should aim for a length Of 800 words. Authors must sign articles, identify their church membership and vocation, and include a clear photo of themselves.

BY BRAD KUNKEL

To this day we struggle with the result of having married that which truly needed reforming with that which we would have done well to not only keep but cultivate. their relationship to Christ something both satisfying and exhilarating. They began to meet to celebrate this joyous discovery which was transforming their lives. Some even had the hubris to celebrate communion together, an act which led to their expulsion from the established church. Thus were the "Brethren" established as a group separate from their mother church.

Worship among the Brethren was predictably exciting as they celebrated the joy they had in their newfound relationship to the Lord. The gatherings were informal and spontaneous. People could pray freely, the Word could be preached, and the singing was energetic and celebratory. Manifestations of joy such as hand-clapping, loud hallelujahs, dancing, the use of the tambourine (or even pots and pans) for rhythm, and even the gift of tongues in at least one congregation, characterized the worship of our forebears in the faith.

T

he existing church investigated this movement but found nothing truly offensive about these gatherings "with the exception of the unusual expression of joy." Unfortunately, abuses began to surface among the leadership of the splinter group. In particular, a spir,ltual pride that declared anyone not entering into their worship with the appropriate zeal to be "weak and sick" led to a despotic kind of leadership in some cases. This eventually culminated in the so-called "June Reforms" of 1865, something which was sorely needed to address those issues.

The unfortunate thing is that our worship was also "reformed." The "wild manifestations of joy" were declared to be unpleasing to the Savior.

The tambourine was disallowed. "Loud and exciting music was to be avoided,

and that which was lovely and pleasant was to be cultivated. The joy of the Lord was not ruled out, but was to be expressed becomingly." As a result, within a generation P.M. Friesen found the church in Russia to be melancholic, formalistic and ascetically pious with nary one church in 50 even using music in their services.

Can we allow for the joy of the Lord while at the same time disallowing its expression? I think not. And I think that psychologists, communication theorists and the witness of Scripture would agree that we are whole beings not created to live with our minds, bodies and spirits in dissociation. To this day we struggle with the result of having married that which truly needed reforming with that which we would have done well to not only keep but cultivate.

This is the more telling question: Did God have in mind the Mennonite Brethren people to help do a new work in this world, and did we, with all good intentions, politely decline this invitation? God's will cannot be thwarted, but I think it can be delayed when God fails to find willing servants. Wouldn't it be ironic if now, 130 years later, we find ourselves trying to catch up to those who are saying yes to God's Spirit when God originally intended to use us in the work he is doing to prepare his·bride for the return of Christ?

As I said, I think that we can be encouraged that the Spirit of God was clearly evident in our calling as a denomination, but also challenged to consider how we might recapture the fullness of what he intends for us.

• Brad Kunkel, a member o/the Lincoln Glen MB Church, San Jose, Calif, is a student at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Calif.

JULY

1997

11

PH'UP SIDE BY

PHILIP

WIEBE

Summer side trips I never met a mental sidetrack I didn't like.... If my memory starts to go at 40, I don't see my life changing that much.

F

OR MANY, summer is a season to relax and vacation and unwind a bit from the heavy demands of the rest of the year.

For me, it's almost the opposite. The abundance of trips to take, gatherings to attend, outings to pursue, home and yard projects to undertake, and so on can drive me to distraction. So forgive me for using the following space to go on a number of mental side trips.

• Memory lapse. Not long ago I read an article informing me that one's memory starts to go at age 40.

As one nearing 40 myself, the profound thOUght occurred to me that...well, I can't quite remember at the moment, but when I think of it I'll let you know.

Seriously, the main reaction I have to the prospect of a declining memory is, "What would be different?" My memory was never that great in the first place. Even in grade school I regularly mislaid homework, textbooks, and the ability to multiply fractions. It was partly due to a wandering mind that still hasn't quite learned to negotiate the straight and narrow.

I never met a mental sidetrack I didn't like. That's why simple errands to the bank or store can tum into lengthy meanders through the streets or grocery aisles, wondering why I'm here, where I'm going, and what I originally set out to do. If my memory starts to go at 40, I don't see my life changing that much.

Yet I also realize that some of my memory problems have to do with ...

• Details, details. For me, the ability to remember things is often obscured by the avalanche of details 12 • THE

C H R 1ST I A N

that bury modem life. I thought of this recently when I dropped the universal remote for my TV and VCR, jarring loose the batteries. I had to reprogram the remote by pressing a series of buttons and numbers printed in the owner's manual. Too bad I couldn't remember where the manual was. Having done this before, however, I was fmally able to dredge up the reprogramming sequence from the nether regions of my brain.

What kind of time is this, I wondered, when I have to remember a bunch of numbers merely to safeguard my right to change the channel from the comfort of my sofa?

Today's life is jammed with such details-matters of dubious value that confound the pursuit of real meaning. No wonder Jesus warned that the seeds of spiritual growth are in constant danger of being "choked by life's worries" (Lk. 8:14). Too often, it's in the details.

• Divided kingdoms. Speaking ofTVs and VCRs, it has often been said that the hypocrisy of the entertainment industry is revealed in its protests that violent, immoral programming doesn't affect people's behavior, but By George advertising does! It seems to me this is an example of what Jesus called a divided kingdom. And divided kingdoms cannot stand. We may rightly worry about the dubious influence of popular entertainment on our culture, but by biblical standards it's an industry destined to cave in on itself.

Frankly, I worry less about the effects of the entertainment industry

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than the dangers inherent in other divided kingdoms. Current political practice has pitted "conservatives" against "liberals," one side blasting the other for lack of principle, the other lambasting the first for lack of compassion. Can such a divided kingdom stand? The church has its own share of chasms: conservative versus liberal, contemporary versus traditional, and so on. Can the church endure? In society the public battle between men and women seems to escalate daily. Can human relationships survive?

"Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined" (Mt. 12:25).

• Out of the Spotlight. I was intrigued by a piece about the disappearance of Johnny Carson. Not the literal disappearance, but the fact that after a long, high-proftle career as host of "The Tonight Show," Carson stepped off the stage and has rarely been seen or heard from since. All lucrative offers to pull Carson back into the spotlight have been met with a curt, "Not interested."

Our publicity-mad culture could learn something from that. I'm beginning to wonder if there really is such a thing as "good press." I'm not talking about the "media bias" debate, but simply that pUblicitygood, bad, or otherwise-is a precarious thing.

Jesus understood that. He never felt compelled to explain his actions or seek the spotlight. In fact, he often taught and practiced just the opposite.

In that sense, I think the church gets too preoccupied with getting good press these days. We complain about being ignored or misunderstood and cheer when we're cast in a good light. But should we really care all that much about what kind of press we get?

Far more important than favorable publicity is the simple commitment to "live such good lives" that others "may see your good deeds and glorify God" (1 Pet. 2:12).

INQUIRING MINDS BY

Q A

When we cooperate with secular or even religious organizations in a cause we espouse, are we not "supping with the devil? " (CALIFORNIA)

Apparently this inquiry arises out of some comments I made in a previous issue about my mixed feelings when the church fmds itself on the same side with other organizations with which it shares no spiritual kinship. It can get even more problematic when you may share spiritual kinship, but do not approve of some of the tactics used by the other party. For instance, I share the spiritual moorings of the Christian Coalition, but they often use what I consider to be purely political strategies and "power politics" to effect change.

I'm not suggesting that in such instances we would be "supping with the devil." A more relevant example would be a situation in which Mennonite Central Committee often fmds itself. One of our own Mennonite Brethren MCC administrators, Ed Epp, tells how relief aid arriving for Kurdish refugees in Turkey was in part wasted because of the absence of loading facilities, workers and authorities. It was a nightmare. Two weeks later the U.S. military arrived for the specific purpose of organizing relief efforts. Ed says their efficiency was amazing.

Even to the point of providing cold storage, free workers and 55 helicopters to transport food and medicine where it was so badly needed. Was this "supping with the devil?"

Most of us would probably vote to use such help, given the circumstances. But Epp only amplifies the problem when he says that weeks later the hungry refugees were resentful because they learned these same soldiers were part of their problem, too.

I

MARVIN

HEIN

It is only honest to say that in such relief efforts we will at times compromise just like we do in our personal lives. We pay taxes and support soldiers who destroy lives and property. We don't sell all we have and give it to the poor. Even though we give to the poor through our churches and charities, we also put a fair bit into our retirement funds. It is difficult to remain "pure."

We can share common interests.

We need to be careful we are not sharing common goals. There is a difference. We need much wisdom!

Q

I hear church people complaining about pop culture and its influence in our lives and the church. What do they mean, and what is so wicked about pop culture? (CALIFORNIA)

A

Someone has suggested that "pop" (popular) culture is neither popular nor culture. I doubt that can be substantiated.

There is in our world a way of thinking that results in a way of living that is cultural. That culture is captivating. It appeals to many people, making it popular.

What is pop culture? I have no official definition. But this culture, for the most part, seems to encourage the opposite of such biblical virtues as chastity, frugality, modesty, contentment and simplicity.

Instead popular culture encourages people toward lust for power, restless desire, resistance to moral restraint and it emphasizes free moral autonomy. It is, in a sense, the logical consequence of living as a "me" generation.

Most movements are initiated and sustained by prime movers. It is the same with pop culture. It originates with elites in the entertainment industry for the most part. This industry often does not have our best interests at heart. The p resent

Have a question about a Bible doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? Send it to "Inquiring Minds," c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93 72 7. \

popular culture encourages people to move toward liberation rather than restraint. The Bible also encourages us toward liberation, but not through satisfying all our fleshly and worldly desires.

Unfortunately, we see in the modern evangelical church a good bit of acceptance and adoption of pop culture. We tend to reject authority.

More than prophets in the pulpit, we want entertainers. We choose our church home by what it can do for us, not for how we can serve the people of God. In our attempts to reach people, we often follow the models of Letterman and Disney, mimicking their informal, entertaining ways of presenting the good news.

I'm not suggesting we should not accommodate to some degree. But we shouldn't forget that in the truest sense, our spiritual forebears were counter-cultural believers who were not inclined to accept the popular notions of their day. If pop culture does teach us something, it might be to give us a glimpse of how many false assumptions we have come to believe.

In spite of my negative feelings about our undiscerning acceptance of pop culture personally and in the church, we should also engage the movement. Culture is one of God's gifts, since God has made us capable of creativity. Misusing a gift does not give reason to stop using it. Most of us have not ceased from taking pictures because Playboy uses photography sinfully.

Pop culture does give us insight as to how our world thinks and behaves, and can motivate us to determine more effective ways to witness to the saving grace of God. Paul used, not avoided, popular culture in Athens when he preached about their "unknown God." Culture can be an instrument of God's grace, but it can also be a plague that shuts out his mercies and causes us to depend solely on our own human efforts.

JULY

199 7

13

ON THE JOURl\EY BY

ROSE

BUSCHMAN

Lesson from a campground "That's what God does for us, "I thought to myself. "When the load gets too heavy he helps Pick it up and carries it for US."

M

prints leave a very different pattern from ones seen on a wet, sandy beach.

From our campsite we had a clear view of the dunes, distant craggy mountains and tree-covered hillsides nearby. The next moming, as we sat enjoying the view along with our coffee, orange juice and raisin bread toast (I'm on vacation from cooking, too), my husband said to me, "It is good to be here." It was a spiritual moment we shared and treasured.

As we drove further and crossed mountain ranges over high passes, we experienced the beauty and wonder of God's creation. The mountainsides were resplendent with taU, dark green, stately Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir trees, intermingled with shimmering, shorter lime-green aspens and occasional bald rock spots-a variegated patchwork quilt of greens and grays.

Grassy roadsides were a rainbow of colors with so many wild flowers in bloom. At higher altitudes, crevices were filled with melting snow.

Beside the highway, rushing streams of icy water cascaded over boulderstrewn creek beds.

It was spring time in the Rockies with lots of Kodak moments!

y HUSBAND and I recently rediscovered the joy of camping while on a short vacation along Route 160 in southern Colorado. In years past we used to camp quite often, but somehow more recently we just haven't gotten around to it.

We began camping as a young couple with a small, blue linseed-oilsoaked canvas tent, big enough to hold two cots with sleeping bags and later a portable baby basket. It was a lot of fun until we got caught in a major thunderstorm that left us, and all our stuff, thoroughly soaked.

Sometime later, I lost all interest in tent camping after a poisonous snake was discovered in our campground and my husband had to help the manager kill it. I was pretty upset about that incident, especially since we had an eight-month-old baby asleep in our tent nearby. Slowly, over the years we progressed to a pop-up camper, and now to a minivan.

Our first stop on this summer's trip was at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. What a spectacular sight! My husband tells me that the 500-600-foot sand dunes compare favorably to the great dunes he visited in the Sahara Desert of southern Morocco.

I'm not a hiker, but my husband is. So on this perfect evening he went hiking up into the dunes, while I sat on the sand below, enjoyed the quiet of my surroundings and covered my feet with a big pile of sand. I haven't done that since I waS a little girl. The sand at this site is extremely fine and smooth and feels very soft to the touch. Because it is dry, foot

14 • THE

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A t one point I found myself "Oh, Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made ...then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee: How great Thou art!"

Camping has its educational moments as well. I remember one campsite where I sat and observed a

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bird enjoy the leftover bits of scrambled eggs in a frying pan waiting to be washed. I didn't know birds liked cooked eggs. I was further entertained by a thrush picking up fallen leaves and twigs with its beak and throwing them several inches away.

The bird looked like he was having fun.

On this last trip, at one stop my thoughts were on a rather mundane level. I was trying to figure out how I would organize the mess in the back of our van so that we could find what we needed when we needed it.

As I sat drinking my coffee, a camper in a nearby lot opened the hatchback door of her minivan and-voile-there was my solution. This woman had put a small chest of drawers in the back of her van and had everything organized. Now I know why I didn't get the chest of drawers in my garage cleaned out in time for our church's garage sale this spring. It is destined to become my "organizer" for the next camping trip.

Whenever I think seriously about camping, I am reminded of a picture etched into my permanent memory bank. In]uly 1991, while living in North Mrica, we took a camping vacation to Spain. At one campground, a family with three young boys was setting up their tent for the night. Each boy was expected to carry his belongings into the tent and arrange things properly. The youngest, a child about 4 years old, struggled with his duffel bag. It was too heavy for him and so he managed only a few feet at a time before letting it drop to the ground. I watched as his father came up behind him and put his big hand over the boy's little one. Together they picked up the bag and carried it into the tent.

"That's what God does for us," I thOUght to myself. "When the load gets too heavy he helps pick it up and carries it for us."

This trip gave us time and opportunity to replenish our souls. It was good to be there.

Friendship Evangelism: IIWorksl A Word of Encouragement from Ernie Friesen What do people in Cali, Colombia; Kingsburg, California; Madrid, Spain; Fairview, Oklahoma; and Wichita, Kansas have in common? Many things, even though people live in different cultures and their lifestyles vary. Our ministry experience in each of these settings taught us that people are open and desire to have friendships - friendships that are sincere, genuine, and meaningful. The Lord has enriched our lives with innumerable friendships through the years of cross-cultural and pastoral ministries.

Friendships have been the key to opening the door and sharing the Good News.

What's involved? Tune - time for coffee (preferably hot, though some like it iced) at the coffee shop (coffee bar in Madrid) or in your home. Time for your neighbor - to help paint, mow the lawn, shovel snow, change light bulbs for a widow, bake a loaf of bread, share the garden produce. Time to explore common interests.

Be a friend to help when people hurt. Life is tough. Broken families, marital problems, illness, death of a loved one, loss of a job, financial crisis, drug abuse and other pressures provide opportunities to be a caring friend regardless of the culture. Their hurt may be the door of opportunity to become a carrier of IQve and support.

"Friendship Evangelism" is a method available to every Christian. Learn to cultivate your friendships, be patient and alert to the Spirit's leading for the proper timing to share your faith. Avoid nurturing a relationship with a "hook." Often our attempt to persuade may be premature and trust is lost.

Mission USA is a call to involvement. It is your chance, as a member of an existing church, to trust God, step out and bring others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Friendships offer the open door and opportunity to share with your friends. I believe the Apostle Paul had a word to offer regarding Friendship Evangelism: "Yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him." Why? "I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I receive when I see them come to Christ. (I Cor. 9:22-23, LB). So, what works in reaching out to people?

Friendship is one avenue and offers common ground to every Christian. Take the challenge and ask the Lord to help you explore friendships for Jesus and His Kingdom!

ERNIE FRIESEN is aMission USA representative and Regional Mission Advocate with Mennonite Brethren Boord of Missions/Services. He has missions experience in Colombia, South America (1955-69) and Madrid, Spain (l9l6-8/). He began first pastorate in Orland, Calif. in 1954 and has served MB churches in Kingsburg, Calif. (1969-76), Fairview, Oklo. (1982-93) and WtchilU, Hesston and Holstead, Kansas (1993-96).

MISSION USA BOARI: Ed Boschman, Phoenix, AI. Exerulive Diedor Chuck Buller, '(151100, CA Mike Schuil, Reedley, CA Fred LeononI, Clovis, CA

Phil Glanzer, New Hope, MN

&me Friesen, Wichilo, KS

Lorena Jost, Auroro, NE

Howard Loewen, Fresno, CA lim Geddert, Fresno, CA Ride Eshbaugh, Topeka, KS lim Sullivan, Hillsboro, KS

Clarice Rempel, Buhler, KS

Randy Steilert, Bakersfield, CA Onl Seibel, HiIsboro, KS

Ex Officio Members: Henry Di(k, Fresno, CA Ointon Grenz, Bismork, ND Roland Reimer, WKhilo, KS

BODyLIFE MENNONITE

BRETHREN

NEWS

The praise team made up of representatives from Central California churches led congregational singing in the afternoon.

Gloria a Dios tops hispanic agenda ARTICLES BY KATHY HEINRICHS WIEST, PHOTOS BY STEVE WIEST

Kathy Heinrichs Wiest and her husband, Steve, are members of the Kingsburg (Calif) MB Church.

campus of Los Angeles Baptist High School in cars , buses, and rented vans. (Some churches rented vans so members of the congregation could make the trip, explained Mary Elizondo of Orange Cove in Central California. "Most of our people have cars they get around in at home, but they can't trust them on such a long trip.")

People came from the small farm communities of Central California and from the urban centers of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. Several even flew in from Oregon, where two of the Pacific District's 26 hispanic churches are located. The enthusi· astic congregation ftlled the rows of chairs on the floor of the gym where the unseasonable heat was relieved a bit by large standing fans blowing from each comer of the room.

The sweat glistening on their faces didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the morning session's worship team from

16· THE

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• Annual hispanic gathering showscases diversity of styles, unity of mission

W

HILE ANGLO Mennonite Brethren struggle to resolve their differences over worship styles, their hispanic sisters and brothers don 't seem to let divergent preferences dampen their enthusiasm to gather for worship and inspiration.

Signs of diversity flourished among the 500 people attending the Convencion Anual Hispana , the seventh annual convention of hispanic Mennonite Brethren churches of the Pacific District, held in Los Angeles May 31. Participants converged on the

C H R 1ST I A N

Iglesia de Restauraci6n la Senda Antigua of North Hollywood. The group led off the convention's music with the hard-driving praise songs typical of their pentecostal roots.

Their attire was conservative. The women wore uniform mid-calf-Iength skirts and covered their heads with lace kerchiefs. The men wore longsleeved white shirts and ties. But the music was anything but conservative.

Drums, steel guitars and the constant jingling of tambourines, both on stage and in the crowd, kept the energy level high throughout the singing of all Spanish choruses . Songs were punctuated with the clapping of hands, and singing was interspersed with the hum of murmured prayers, exclamations of praise, and periods of spontaneous applause.

Later, during the morning session, the assembly was blessed with an entirely different expression of wor-

I

B()mLIII

coness or deacon). ship as 10-year-old Ashley Luna Filling four rows of chairs of Iglesia Hermanos Menonitas about a third of the way back on in Parlier sang the country the right side of the aisle, was gospel song "I Should Have another type of "uniformed" parBeen Crucified." With eyes ticipant. Their white silkclosed, I was transported to the screened T-shirts and blue jeans Grand Old Opry by her clear marked these young people as voice singing in English touched the youth choir of EI Faro MB with a country twang.

Church, Reedley, Calif.

Opening my eyes, however, "I've never taught a choir and immediately brought me back to most of them have never sung in the hispanic assembly. Pendanta choir," director Oscar Hernantype banners declaring te exaltadez explained before the promos (we exalt you), te glorifigram began, "but the Holy Spirit camos (we glorify you,) te adomakes them sound like angels!" ramos (we adore you) lined the Their 1O-minute afternoon front of the stage. Behind the concert ranged from a harmonic speakers and singers a bright a cappella rendition of "Jesus blue banner hung, its white letLoves Me" to the contemporary tering announcing the conven"The Name of the Lord ." tion theme: Edificando Hacia el The praise team from North Hollywood leads in worship.

Although most of the youth Futuro (Building Toward the Future) along with a portion of their formed deacons and ushers from the speak little or no Spanish, they theme verse from 1 Corinthians North Hollywood congregation lined thoughtfully included some Spanish 15:58, "Always abounding in the the outside aisles of the auditorium- numbers for the many participants work of the Lord." The Hispanic the women in red blazers with black who spoke no English. It was hard to Council has put concrete goals to that skirts and white lace head coverings, imagine that some of these happy and theme, planning to increase from 26 the men in black suits, white shirts well-behaved youth with the angelic and ties. Each had a badge identifying voices came from gang backgrounds to 30 churches by the year 2000.

During the morning session uni- them as diaconisa or diacono (dea- and abusive family situations that Her-

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Powerina husband's prayer A GUSTIN ALVARADO

the Lord in 1985 at La Paz MB Church in Orosi, Calif. At the hispanic convention he shared his testimony of the difference God made in his life. "I felt free, I wanted to seek the things of the Lord. I wanted to study the Bible and be at all the services."

He and his family began to attend regularly . His wife, Maria, joined him for church and Bible study and entered into the life of the church. Years passed, and he began to notice that she wasn't growing spiritually as he was. Their study of the Bible would often end up in arguments.

Things came to a climax June 3, 1996, when Agustin was called to work early one Sunday morning.

"You get the children ready and I'll be back in time to pick you up for church, " he told Maria. But when he returned she and the children were still in bed sleeping.

"I don't want to hear anything about your church," she barked when he awakened her. He was angry and felt like taking her by force, but instead talked to her. Finally she broke down and cried. "I never have known the Jesus Christ that you know," she admitted to him.

That day she, too ,

With Sam Rezendez translating. the Alvarados tell their story.

acce pted Jesus into her life. "The Lord was patient with me," Maria testified before the assembly. "It was through my husband's prayers that 1 came to know him."

Later Hispanic Council president Sam Rezendez

commented on how glad he was that they were wIDing to teU their story. "It's not so rare to have people like that in our congregations, but it is hard for them to stand up and share their testimony. We need to hear from them."- KJlW JULY

1997

17

Hom \.111

nandez described. (See sidebar.)

A praise team made up of singers and instrumentalists from several Central California Mennonite Brethren churches led the afternoon singing bilingually and in a wide range of styles from the hymn "Cuan Grande Es El" ("How Great Thou Art") to the 1950s pop-style chorus "Resucito" ("He Came Back to Life"). Two members of the group, Ruben Mesa and Michael Elizondo, also presented a duet "Da Me Tu Vida" ("Give Me Your Life") in a style typical of the

American contemporary Christian rock scene.

Toward the end of the day, the music finally turned to what this gringa considers typical hispanic music-the kind you might be serenaded with at your favorite Mexican restaurant. Guitar in hand, Sylvestre Alvarado of Iglesia La Paz in Orosi, Calif., sang" Nunca Ba Bablado Hombre Como Este" ("Never Has a Man Spoken As This One") in true mariachi form.

The styles of dress for worship

were wide-ranging and the music dipped from many different musical wells, but one quality never varied through the long and muggy day. The united spirit and joy of this diverse congregation carried through in all forms of worship. Every congregational song and every special musical presentation was accompanied by enthusiastic worshipers clapping, and shouting amen, alleluia, or gloria a Dios (glory to God).

God was glorified.

Property purchase is a 'miracle of God' T

glesia de Restauraci6n la Senda .!Antigua of North Hollywood has

Uberated from bondage: Members of the EI Faro youth group enjoy lun(h together.

EI Faro is a lighthouse for youth " THEY'RE

COMING IN off the streets," said youth leader Oscar Heman. dez of EI Faro MB Church in Reedley, Calif. "It's just amazing the revival that is happening among our young people. " For the EI Faro congregation of about 120 people, a youth group of 50 is truly amazing. The leaders are in awe of what God is doing.

"Some of these kids come out of really rough backgrounds-parents are gang members, drug addicts. Some have very heavy bondages," Hernandez noted.

But God is changing their lives, says another youth leader, Elena Lopez.

Their commitment to God and to the church is very high. "Like we went to Magic Mountain with them and got back at three in the moming, but they were all there at church the next moming."

Why are they coming? Hernandez says it is because they have found the . sense of family they were missing. "They have found a place of refuge with " 'JS."

The El Faro church is apparently living up to its name. Ellaro means "the lighthouse."-KHW

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seen God at work for them and through them in their search for a church campus.

This congregation, comprised mostly of recent Salvadoran immigrants, was paying $1,000 per month rent on their warehouse-turned-sanctuary. They prayed fervently and God rewarded their diligence with a corner property that had a parsonage, a mobile home suitable for a temporary worship facility, and a permanent sanctuary that had stood partially completed for nine years.

"Finding two-and-a-half acres of land with a good facility on it here in Los Angeles is a miracle of God," declared pastor Rafael Paz. Diligent prayer turned to diligent work as the working families that make up the congregation of just over 100 set about raising the $50,000 needed for the down payment. Even the children got involved, selling candy to contribute to the fund.

Pacific District conference assisted with a loan of $275,000 and a plan for financing the completion of the building over the coming year. Volunteers from the U.S. Conference's lJ-SERV program were recruited to hdp the congregation with construction.

"This is a great victory for the total hispanic community," declared Paz, offering his church as a model for others. "If there is another church that wants to build for the future, they can do it like we did."-KHW

BOD) LII I

Congo Mennonite Brethren faced interruptions in government overthrow • MBMjS's Tshimika optimistic about the future, despite hurdles

I

T WAS BUSINESS as usual-most of the time-for Mennonite Brethren congregations, medical institutions and schools as government and rebel troops battled for control of Zaire, now Congo, reports Pakisa Tshimika, MB Missions/ Services regional secretary for Mrica, who lives in the capital city of Kinshasa.

"During the time when the Democratic Alliance for Liberation of Congo (AFDL) was fighting with government troops to 'liberate' Zaire, our churches went on with their regular ministries," Tshimika says.

But the broader ministries of the conference were affected . MBM/S subsidy funds for April and May, destined for the northern and southern regions under AFDL, were not sent until early June. This delay affected several institutions, including Kikwit Bible Institute, whose partial salaries depend on these funds .

Administrative meetings regarding MBM/S and conference work were postponed. When the conference headquarters was cut off from road and air communication with areas not yet under AFDL control, Tshimika kept in contact with people via shortwave radio. By early June, air travel to and from Kinshasa had resumed, making travel possible to most other cities throughout the country.

The civil war had no major effects on MBM/S or conference medical work in the country, other than the cancellation of regular board and technical meetings scheduled for late April. But schools in the northern and southern regions were closed for a short time. Classes have since resumed; Kinshasa schools reopened

the first week of June. But some parents were hesitant to send their children to school, others lacked the money to pay the school fees .

The war also affected the missionary efforts of the conference. The three Mennonite groups (Mennonite Brethren, Evangelical Mennonite and Mennonite Conference) have joined to plant a church in the Great Lakes .

Region. A couple planning to go to Bukavu delayed their departure when the region was overtaken by rebel forces . In early June, the three conferences decided to resume the project; women display the soybeans donated the family plans to leave as soon as air Two

by Mennonite Central Committee to help off· travel to Bukavu is reestablished. set the food crisis in eastern Congo/Zaire due Tshimika reports the new church to civil war. in Bukavu has become strong. "Close "Political activities are prohibited to 100 people are now meeting on a regular basis," he says. "News from and only those parties willing to subBukavu is encouraging. Several people mit to AFDL are becoming part of the system," he says. "People are taking to are waiting to be baptized."

The initial euphoria rooted in a the streets-students, politicians and change of government has faded, civil servants. Strong opposition is risTshimika reports . "People talked ing, especially in Kinshasa. Tshisekeabout being liberated and democracy di, an 'eternal' opponent, is trying to being finally established. Two weeks be a major player in current political later, the reality of what seems like affairs, but without success."

Despite prohibition to public thousands of years of destruction is sinking in." People are still not paid, demonstrations, many groups are so there is no money for school fees marching, under surveillance of AFDL or for burying the dead. Tshimika says soldiers, to protest Kabila's approach hundreds of people are dying each to government organization. Ambitious plans are being developed for day.

While some people believe their rebuilding the country.

Adds Tshimika: "The 'good guys' new leader, Laurent Kabila, will solve all the country's problems and secure are still waiting to invest in the counsignificant international aid, others try because they want a guarantee of fear the new government is using security before joining the national autocratic strategies similar to Mobutu business community. Only those willSese Seko's approach during his early ing to take chances have remained years as dictatorial president of Zaire, and are among those who promoted corruption nationwide. They are the Tshimika says. ............................................................................................................................................................................. ones who controlled the economy and they also were involved in printing false monies, therefore, sabotag"People talked about being liberated and ing our currencies . Many of these democracy being finally established. Two weeks questions will find their answer within time." later, the reality of what seems like thousands of Tshimika offers several reasons to years of destruction is sinking in." -PAKISA TSHIMIKA be optimistic about the future of the country and its Christian community.

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moting moral and ethical values which were not a priotity under Mobutu's regime, Tshimika says. "In one incidence, one cabinet minister openly professed his Christian value system and asked other people in his cabinet to develop their own to guide all their work and professional lives. " Comments made by five African presidents who spoke at Kabila's investiture gave Tshimika hope for missiological reasons. "Several win-

dows of opportunity are now open for networking with other Christians in Angola, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda," Tshimika says.

"My hope is that Christians will be proactive in looking for ways of reaching out to the unreached. With all the events in the region, more opportunities are available for Mennonites to share their Anabaptist heritage." From a June 3 report by Pakisa Tshimika

Meanwhile, bus drivers reflect fondly on Esengo's North American tour • Congo choir spread joy, fellowship and enthusiasm for mission

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members and their parents from his missionary stint in Congo-Zaire.

"It was a delight to see the first fruits of many missionary efforts," .he says . ."The dancing and the yelling is more of a recent phenomenon ... . In the early days, particularly in the country, the drum and the dance were not permitted in the church."

Esau notes that Esengo's music usually had a biblical story as its base.

"Story is deep-rooted in their culture, " he says.

All three drivers had highest commendation for the gracious hospitality of the churches. Esau says, "The churches accepted the choir with open arms. People went out of their way to accommodate their needs. " Vogt echoes those sentiments.

"The churches who hosted Esengo did a great job." In a number of churches in both the U.S. and Canada, the attendance exceeded all past records for that facility.

The hospitality of congregations was most apparent-and appreciatedduring times of tragedy. Vogt commends the Gospel Fellowship Church of Wolf Point, Mont., for accommodating Esengo in their facility for the night so choir members could mourn together the death of (Katshinga) Mbwala's father.

Damary, whose 5-year-old son died during the tour, felt greatly ministered to and received much personal support from the churches in Winnipeg.

Esau says the choir's "rhapsodic"

HO BETTER to "look back" on "For instance, when we ate in a fastEsengo's recently completed food restaurant in Garden City, Kan., North American tour than the people (Kamanda F.) Damary asked a saleswho spent a lot of time checking rear- man from Oklahoma City if he could share the table where he view mirrors on their was seated. A few minutes behalf during the 19,323- lIThe churches later Damary was witnessmile sojourn.

Three drivers drove the who hosted ing to the salesman. They were especially effective in Esengo tour bus for the 11- Esen"go did a sharing their faith after the member ensemble from great job. ,. concerts in the universities, Congo (formerly Zaire).

-LEONARD VOGT where several prayed to Roy Dick of Fresno drove receive Christ." the California segment in John Esau, who describes himself February; Leonard and Leona Vogt of Fairview, Okla., drove for two months as having graduated from being a through the Pacific Northwest, Alber- farmer, teacher, preacher and missionta, Saskatchewan, parts of the Central ary to be the escort of God's servants District and into Colorado, Kansas and (Esengo), knew some of the choir Oklahoma. John Esau, former missionary to Zaire, now of Nova Scotia, ESENGO NOTES ................................................................................................................................... drove the 22-passenger bus through church service was at City Terrace Bible • Interchurch meetings. Not only did the central states, into Manitoba, Church in Los Angeles and was attended Ontario, Quebec and then North Car- Esengo minister to an ecumenical audiby a predominantly Spanish-speaking oliila before terminating in Washing- ence in India at the Mennonite World audience. They ministered to the FrenchConference, but churches in Calgary, ton, D.C. speaking churches in Quebec. In addition For Leonard Vogt, a former pastor, Alta., and Herbert, Sask., also had interMennonite Good Friday and Easter serto the African-American Mennonite the experience was worthwhile.

Brethren congregations in North Carolina, "After investing two months of our vices. the Esengo group initiated a final Sunday In Montreal, Esengo served at an alllives with their tour, we discovered concert with African-American churches in that people are far more important Congo (formerly Zaire) service with strong Philadelphia . than time. On the other hand, (Esen- representation from Sudan Interior Mis• Universities and VOA. Though go) informed us that we would always sion groups. Because of visa refusals, scheduled for Mennonite Brethren conbe remembered by two statements: Esengo did not visit Europe as planned. gregations, Esengo served at several uniInstead, they ministered at a new-work'Time to go!' and 'Time to eat!' ers' retreat for Mennonite Central Comversities, including Fresno (Calif.) State, "We were constantly impressed Victoria (B.C) University, and Duke Uniwith their deep desire to be witnesses mittee at Akron, Pa., and sang in Menversity (Durham, N.C). for our Lord ... (as) was evident in their nonite churches in Harrisonburg, Va ., For Esengo it was a special treat to be prayer meetings before each concert Durham, N.C., and Washington, D.C. • Interracial opportunities. Upon royally hosted in Washington, D.C., at the and the ways they grasped opportunities to share their faith," Vogt adds. arriving in the United States, Esengo's first Voice of America (VOA) studios for a two20.

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pass. At the store where he bought a new belt, the owner paid for the telephone call to Lenoir and the person who gave him a ride the five miles.

He then took Esau back to the bus after Esau paid for jumper cables and wrenches.

In the meantime, a Czech immigrant, himself a bus driver, together with another man, had stopped to help.

When Esau arrived, the pair WITNESSES: Esengo performing during a February concert at Butler Avenue MB Church in Fresno. had already assessed the situation and were under the vehireception in the African church in St. cle installing an "extra" belt they had Laurent, Montreal, where African-style with them. preaching and singing characterized "Were these angels in disguise or were they three good Samaritans?" the service.

"Most of all," Vogt says, "we were Esau asks. "God sent them." encouraged by the number of young . The Mennonite Brethren in North people in the churches and schools, Carolina waited for three hours for who informed us Esengo's concert the group to arrive; the evening conhad enhanced their appetite for cross- cert began at 10 p.m. and an evening cultural ministry. " "spread" (food) was served at 11 p.m.

Esau feels the enterprise has But the benefits ran two ways. "It has been a real joy for us to serve as helped North American congregations their 'Poppa' and 'Momma' during a realize the value of mission endeavgood portion oftheir tour," Vogt says. ors. He expects the experience to "They challenged us to live closer to have a positive influence on the sendJesus. Their fmal admonition to us as ing church in Congo. we .said good-bye in Akron (pa.) was, As for himself, "I enjoyed doing 'Stay in the Word and in prayer until this service for the Lord." we meet again.'"

Vogt adds, "The bottom line for us Divine attention to their travel was has been to witness a group of people evident when, an hour from Lenoir, from a mission field in Africa bringing N.C,. the bus's alternator belt broke. the gospel to North America and Esau thumbed a ride, after holding up demonstrating the joy of worship." the torn belt, from the third car to -Elmer Martens, MBM/S

hour visit. For Congolese, VOA short-wave is an important radio link w ith the outside world.

• Visas. To get Esengo home to Congo was as difficult as to get them out (see March issue). The group was scheduled to fly home on Air France, but French authorities in Toronto refused even a transit visa through Paris, given the political instability of Esengo's home country. The Swiss consulate would not even entertain an application.

By God's intervention, visas were secured in record time from the South African embassy in Wash ington, D.C.; applications for visas were turned in to the embassy at 9 a.m. and by mid-afternoon, Esengo had visas in hand. As in Kinshasa in January, so in Wash ington,

D.C., the visas came just in time. In both cases a sympathetic embassy official was the human key, not to mention the hard work of RAPTIM Travel service. Esengo traveled home via South African Airlines.

• On the road. Surface bus travel in North America totaled 19,323 miles with only a few minor incidents. The alternator belt incident near Lenoir, N.C., was only one example of God's involvement. Near Emporia, Kan., a similar incident occurred just short of an exit ramp and a mile from Western Auto.

Equally remarkable is the fact that apart from a bad tooth which needed a crown and a bout with malaria by two members, the visitors remained in good health, though often weary. The choir presented 132 concerts in 126 days.-EM

IN BRIEF • MEMENTOS: A variety of Esengo mementos are available to interested churches and individuals, according to MB Mission s/Services, whi ch sponsored the choir's world tour. The musical ensemble of Mennonite Brethren young people from Congo (formerly Zaire) traveled through the United States and Canada thi s winter and spring. An hour-long video of an Esengo performance at Mennonite Central Committee offices in Akron, Pa., is available for $1 2; a limited number of audio cassettes are ava ilable for $6; and honey-gold Esengo t-shirts (extra large) are sell ing for $12 . Orders can be sent to MBM/S offices at 4868 E. Townsend , Fresno, CA 93727-5006 and should include shipping . (MBM/S) • PUBLISHED: A new book by Katie Funk Wiebe, a member of W ichita First MB Church, Wi chita, Kan ., was released this spring by Herald Press . The Store Keeper's Daughter features stories of the Mennonite experience in Russia and how they shaped her Wiebe early years on the Canadian prairies . Meanwhile, Esther L. Vogt, a member of Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church, has had her 24th novel published this spring. The Flame and the Fury, published by Christian Publications at Horizon House, is based on the raids suffered at Lawrence, Kan ., during the Civil War. • APPOINTED: Ed Nachtlgall of Fresno, Calif., will become U.S. director of development at MB Biblical Seminary effective Aug. 15. In 1987, Nachtigal! retired from a 38-year career in education and began an automobile brokerage. He has been associated with the Fresno Pacific University Foundation for six years . Nachtigall is a member of Bethany MB· Church, Fresno. "Ed is a man of Christ-like integrity who has a heart for education and for the Mennonite Brethren church, " says MBBS president Henry Schmidt. The halftime position is jointly sponsored by MBBS and the Board of Trustees.

(MBBS)

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IN BRIEF • CHARGED: Securities fraud charges have been filed against former Mennonite Brethren pastor Dale Briant "TuckH Wilson for soliciting loans on behalf of Faith Metro Church, a now bankrupt congregation in Wichita , Kan . Criminal charges were also filed against Faith Metro senior pastor David Brace, his wife, Tammie; and a Wichita real estate appraiser . The charges were filed following a twoyear investigation into the tactics used to persuade investors and ch urch members to buy bonds and loan money to the financially troubled church . From 1990 through 1995, Brace raised more than $10 million by selling bonds to the public and issuing promissory notes in exchange for cash loans. Brace used the money to construct Faith Metro, buy radio stations and invest in land . The state has also filed civil charges against the firm that sold bonds for Brace. Wilson, a graduate of MB Biblical Seminary and pastor of Hesston (Kan .) MB Church from 1979 to 1982, now lives in Tulsa, Okla .

(Wichita Eagle) • DIRECTOR: Ken Reddig, a member of Mcivor MB Church in Winnipeg, Man., has been appointed director of Mennonite Heritage Centre, a research and archival center located in Winnipeg and operated by the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. Reddig has been the director and conference archivist at the Centre for MB Studies and most recently was on staff at the Provincial Archives of Manitoba . Before beginning his career in archives, Reddig taught at MB Bible College and MB Collegiate Institute, both in Winnipeg , and served for a year as interim pastor at Bible Fe"owship (MB) Church in Minot, N.D. (CMC) • APPOINTED: John Longhurst is joining the staff of Mennonite Economic Development Associates beginning Aug . 1. Longhurst's media experience goes back to the early 1980s when he worked with the MB Herald and MB Missions/Services . For the past 10 years, Longhurst has worked for Mennonite Central Committee Canada as director of media and public relations.

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Mennonite Brethren could feel 'at home' at World Evangelical Fellowship assembly • This global gathering was both similar to and different from the inter-Mennonite conference held in Calcutta earlier this year

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BY JIM COGGINS

T WAS EASY for me to feel at home during the 10th General Assembly of World Evangelical Fellowship held in Abbotsford, B.C. , May 8-15. After all, the gathering was held in my home church, Central Heights MB Church. The chair and vice-chair of the hosting committee were Mennonite Brethren 01em Heidebrecht and John H. Redekop) as was the worship leader (Wayne Loewen).

Given the international flavor of the gathering , comparisons with Assembly 13 of Mennonite World Conference, held this January in Calcutta, India, were inescapable.

WEF participation was broader but thinner. Some 4,500 people attended India 97, including 3,000 from the host country. WEF's Assembly attracted 540 delegates and 100 guests from 87 countries, although celebration events attracted thousands of local attenders.

But, while MWC represents about 1 million people worldwide, WEF represents 150 million Christians in 113 countries.

What struck me was the common faith I shared with these delegates from around the world. Mennonite Brethren say we are "evangelical Anabaptists." While some interpret that label to designate simply one branch of Mennonites, in reality Mennonite Brethren are a hybrid. We have feet in both the Mennonite and evangelical camps-although some Mennonite Brethren clearly favor one foot over the other.

Like MWC, the WEF Assembly was an enriching, multicultural experience. It was an opportunity to visualize an international church. WEF's president (Tokunbo Adeyemo of Kenya) and executive director Qun Vencer from the Philippines) are from the Two-Thirds World, as are the majority of the 13 members of the International Council.

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blessed by one-on-one interaction with delegates from other countries and by learning of the persecuted and suffering yet rapidly growing church around the world.

One of the many memorable moments at the Assembly came at the closing session when the worship team led in the singing of "We will break dividing walls"-between blacks and whites, denominations, rich and poor, men and women, and between the fears of the church and the streets of the world. It had the audience standing and applauding.

As with Mennonites, it is in parts of the Two-Thirds World that the evangelical church is most dynamic, growing the fastest and showing the highest level of commitment. Their leaders show remarkable gifts for vision-setting, evangelism, worship, theology and preaching.

On the other hand, it would also be wrong to assume that all Christians from the Two-Thirds World are great leaders, evangelists and preachers. As was evident in discussions at WEF, some parts of the Two-Thirds World church also suffer from shallow commitment, moral failures and church squabbles.

While some excellent preaching was heard at this Assembly, some contained sloppy hermeneutics and weak delivery and relied more on stories of personal experience than on Scriptural content.

Worldwide evangelicalism is more holistic than North American evangelicalism. These delegates talked of relief and development, combating racism, concern for dying children and a host of other social issuesincluding peace. One of the most moving moments of the Assembly occurred on the last evening when Vern Heidebrecht washed the feet of Jun Veneer, who in tum washed the feet of Thomas, a pastor from Rwanda whose sons had been killed in the recent civil war.

The difficulty of cultural trans mis-

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sion was perhaps more evident at WEF than at MWC. It was a bit disconcerting to see a young Indonesian group in colorful native costumes playing bamboo instruments and then singing in English two Gaither-style songs of a type that was popular in North American churches 30 years ago.

In contrast, African Voice, a group from Kenya, sang songs in tribal languages that caused the Africans in the audience to jump to their feet and begin dancing in the aisles; the dancers were soon joined by some North American whites and others.

Interestingly, that music was closer to the contemporary Christian worship music led by Wayne Loewen than the Indonesian group's music which had been borrowed from North America.

WEF does not have any easy solutions to the women in ministry issue, any more than the rest of us. In one of the most memorable of the evening messages, Judy Mbugua of Kenya urged strengthening women's role in the church ; her examples of the remarkable contributions of African Christian women seemed more compelling than her biblical basis-women should be freed for service as the donkey was freed in Mark 11.

A s far as the national media and .l"l.even the media in the nearby city of Vancouver were concerned, the WEF Assembly did not happen. In a society with an insatiable appetite for the bizarre and unusual, the press even overlooked the story of a pastor who had led an unseen man to Christ through a toilet pipe while in solitary confinement for his faith.

Several years ago, a photo of Kim Phuc, a Vietnamese girl badly burned by u.S. napalm, won a Pulitzer Prize; however, the press was not interested in learning that she has now had a tearful reconciliation with the u.S. officer who ordered the attack (both have since become Christians), or to see her reunited with the pastor who led her to Christ more than 14 years ago.

The assembly did make a favorable impact on the Abbotsford area. The local newspapers covered the event in detail, and were clearly impressed.

Some local Christians were clearly inspired and encouraged and had

ABOVE: luis Palau addresses the Sunday afternoon outdoor rally. RIGHT: Vern Heidebrecht washes the feet of Jun Veneer.

their horizons broadened by the evening and Sunday celebrations .

Many nights the crowd overflowed the I,550-seat sanctuary into a chapel equipped with closed-circuit TV. Unfortunately, local organizers did not take advantage of the attention WEF attracted and use it as an opportunity to invite other people in the community to become followers of Christ .

• One of the world's leading evangelists, Luis Palau, spoke to an openair crowd of 5,000 at a recreational facility on Sunday afternoon, but it gag candidate in the national elections was a crowd of Christians; the com- Canada was having at the time. After munity had not been explicitly invit- the group had left, the Central Heights ed, and Palau's message was geared to youth group emerged from the Christians. church and prayed in the area where • A youth rally on Sunday evening the Bibles were burned. led to a large number of conversions, The local press, who had been invitbut it also was not largely promoted ed to the burning, roundly denounced outside the churches. the gag candidate for his bad taste in • One of the world's leading Chris- burning Bibles while inside Christians tian apologists, Ravi Zacharias, was were hearing stories of Christians being also present. He is of Indian descent tortured and martyred for their faith. and was in a community with a large, The papers also praised Christians for hard-to-reach Indo-Canadian commu- the gentle way in which they respondnity, but he, too, spoke in church, to ed to the affront. a largely Christian audience.

It was some of the most favorable WEF participants also learned that press coverage the Christian commuspiritual warfare is a reality. While the nity has received in Abbotsford in closing session was in progress, a years. small group, including a man dressed in a devil costume, burned Bibles on a Jim Coggins is editor of the Mennobarbecue in the church parking lot. It nite Brethren Herald, a publication of was a publicity stunt for "Sa Tan, " a the Canadian Conference.

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IN BRIEF •

BUILDING: Construction of a new residence hall was approved at the June meeting of the Fresno Pacific University board of trustees . "It is not clear what direction we should go related to the building of the new dorms, " sa id Eugene inns, board president. He describes the 1996-97 academic year as a difficult one financially due to a lower student enrollment and higher than anticipated costs for the cogeneration plant. Nevertheless, the board decided to proceed with construction . Con struction is expected to begin in July. (FPU) • FOOD AID: Lentils supplied by Mennonite Central Committee to the Iranian Red Crescent Society are likely being used to aid victims of the May 10 earthquake that rocked northeastern Iran .

Iran is prone to natural disasters; last year 200 earthquakes occurred there, as well as numerous floods. As a result, MCC provides the IRCS with an annual grant and other items the organization can stockpile so it can respond quickly when disasters strike . In April , R'on Mathies, MCC executive director, visited Iran and observed the IRCS had MCC food in stock. More than 10,000 families were left homeless by the quake.

Since 1990 MCC has provided assistance in Iran through IRCS, the Islamic equivalent of the Red Cross. (MCC)

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FARM AID: Mennonite Central Committee has purchased $15,000 (US) worth of seeds and tools for farmers in eastern Congo (formerly Zaire) to help them begin producing food again . The farmers were victims of refugee looting around four MCC-created refugee camps or were from several towns t hat have gone largely unserved by aid agencies, reports MCC worker Krista Rigalo. MCC also purchased a three-month supply of medicines for 11 area health centers.

"Sighs of relief and cries of elation greeted the seeds, tools and medical supplies," Rigalo says. "Women farmers danced for joy, clanging their hoes with sticks and singing . It was numbing for us to witness the hope these simple hoes represented . Would we have been moved to dance for joy upon receiving a $5 hoe?" (MCC) 24-

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World-class athlete remembered as an 'authentic' hero • South Dakota's 'Smokey' Joe Mendel dies at age 91

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removed from the church roll.

In spite of the rebuff, he still attended services. "I decided I was going to keep on going to church to please Dad," Mendel said in The Times and Life of Smokey Joe Mendel, written by Tim L. Waltner.

It took more than two decades before he joined another Mennonite congregation. But as a member of Ebenezer MB Church, Mendel served as Sunday school teacher and superintendent, choir member, church board chair and deacon. He is buried in the Ebenezer cemetery.

Mendel joined the Bethel MB Church of Yale, S.D., when Ebenezer closed its doors. He was living in a Huron retirement home at the time of his death.

Wrote Thune: "Joe Mendel was truly a South Dakota original. He taught, coached and farmed in South Dakota all his life .... He was the kind of hero I want my kids to know. In a world that is filled with unauthentic people, Joe Mendel was the real thing." -From material supplied by Mennonite Weekly Review.

OR A BRIEF TIME, he was considered the world's fastest human.

But it was "Smokey" Joe Mendel's walk with God and family over the long haul that earned him lasting honor at a memorial service held June 1 in Huron, S.D. Mendel, a former South Dakota sports legend and a longtime member of the former Ebenezer MB Church of Doland, died May 29 at age 91.

"It is rare, indeed, to see throughout the continuum of 91 years, a consistent model of faith in God, character and integrity," wrote John Thune, South Dakota's congressional representative, in the Freeman (S.D.) Courier. "After all, these are the qualities of which true legends are made."

Thune is married to one of Mendel's granddaughters.

Born in Hutchinson County, S.D., as the son of a Krimmer Mennonite Brethren minister, Mendel developed a love for athletics as a boy. In 1926, he single-handedly won the state track meet for Onida (S.D.) High School by winning four individual first places. He was also a football standout in high school.

In 1931, while running for Yankton (S.D.) College, Mendel tied the world record for the 100-yard dash at 9.5 seconds.

Some of his state records stood for more than 60 years. He received many honors for his athletic accomplishments, including charter membership in the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.

But Mendel paid a personal price for his prowess in sports.

The elders of Emmanuel KMB Church, his home congregation, thought Mendel had become too worldly as a result of his achieve· ments. When Mendel returned home after competing in a national track meet in Chicago, "Smokey Joe" poses with the myriad medals and he found that his name had been trophies he won as an athlete at Yankton College.

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Cuban churches are vibrant, says FPU prof • Hugo Zorrilla leads Bible seminars in Cuba and Venezuela

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the revolution has brought about, willingly work within the theological and ministerial space they find in Cuba. These are the Christians who are asking: Why don't North American Christians join with us to protest the inhuman U.S. economic blockade that has caused so much suffering for our people?"

After only a few days at his home in Fresno, Zorrilla left for Caracas, Venezuela, where he was keynote speaker for the National Consultation on Hermeneutics, sponsored by the Latin America Theological Fraternity.

The fraternity explores academic aspects of biblical study from a Latin American perspective.

Zorrilla has worked closely with the Latin American Theological Fraternity for many years. He has published several articles in their journal.

"My contribution was to help the group look more closely at how biblical text is interpreted oy local churches within Latin America," he said.

Zorrilla worked with Mennonite Brethren churches in Colombia until 1972. He was then invited to San]ose, Costa Rica, where he taught in the Latin American Biblical Seminary.

In 1981, he left for work in Spain with the Mennonite Brethren church.

He worked in Spain for eight years, and is currently teaching Spanish, Latin American culture and Bible at the university. -EPU .

RESNO PACIFIC University professor Hugo Zorrilla visited churches in Cuba and Venezuela in late May and June at the invitation of local Christians.

Mennonite Central Committee and FPU sponsored Zorrilla's visit at the suggestion of Semilla, the Mennonite Central American church leadership training center based in Guatemala City.

In Cuba, Zorrilla conducted biblical studies seminars in L.._ _ _Il....a.:illll1lil churches in CamZorrilla aguey, Holguin and Santa Clara. "Christian leaders in these cities had asked me to provide indepth study on the formation of the New Testament," Zorrilla said. He also directed a seminar on Anabaptism and evangelicalism in Havana.

"I was impressed with how the church is thriving in Cuba," Zorrilla said. "Unfortunately, churches in North America often get very inaccurate reports of what is happening in Cuba and with the church there.

Cuban Christians ask what Anabaptism has to say to the church in a country that is undergoing rapid economic, political and social change following the break-up of the former Soviet Union. Cuban Christians wonder how they can be radical Christians in a socialist state.

Zorrilla said Cuban Christians who tend to be more fundamentalist oppose the revolution and downplay its successes and look to the PROMOTION: Members of CrossWise, a music and drama minof Tabor College, are traveling in the Midwest this sumUnited States for eco- istry mer, meeting with precollege students at schools, churches nomic and theological and youth camps to promote the college and encourage help. young people spiritually. College personnel anticipate the "On the other hand," group's presentations of contemporary selections, favorite he adds, "many of the choruses, and worship songs will appeal to all age groups.

Group members pictured above are, left to right, Jodi Seibel, younger Christians who Matt Regier, Juli Franz, Camas Frey, Audrey Mendel, Jason often favor the changes Regier and Angie Peters.

IN BRIEF • FLOOD HELPERS: Manitobans looking for help with flood cleanup can call on Floodbusters, a new Mennonite Central Committee Canada employment program for volunteers between 16 and 29 years old . A tota l of 120 young people from the flood-affected areas, as well as inner-city, aboriginal and newcomer young people, will be paid to help with flood cleanup in rural areas. Working in tea ms of 10 with an MCC Floodbusters leader, the young people will work closely with Mennonite Disaster Service, which is organizing clea nup in southern Manitoba .

Sixty-five percent of the $450,000 Floodbusters budget is provided by the federal government; the remainder will co m e from corporate so urces and funds donated for flood relief. (M ennonite Reporter)

• HUNGER RELIEF: The 200,000 pounds of Mennonite Central Committee canned beef which arrived in North Korea in May may have come just in time . Reports indicate that North Korea's rationing system, as meager as it is- allotting just a daily half-bowl of rice per person- is on the verge of colla pse . Government rations w ere expected to ru n out by June 20. The United Nations estimates 4 .7 million North Koreans- a fifth of the population- risk starvation this summer without massive food aid . MCC is among several international relief agencies responding to the crisis. In addition to the meat, MCC funds purchased corn and rice in April and 13,500 metric tons of red spring wheat which should have arrived in late June. (MCC) • FUND DRIVE: Financial contributions and commitments to the fund drive for a new facility for the Central States program of Mennonite Central Committee have reached $225,000.

When $400,000 has been raised, construction will begin on the volunteer activity center, material resources warehouse and regional offices, says Ron Braun, MCC Central States director and a member of Koerner Heights (MB) Church , Newton, Kan . A fouracre gift of land in North Newton , Kan ., will become the site of the new facility. (MCC)

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Bismarck church ends 30-year 'first aid' ministry • Congregation experienced cycles of growth and decline

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HE WASHINGTON Heights Community Church in Bismarck, N.D., held its last public worship service June 1. The congregation's 30year history is one of cycles of significant growth and numerical decline.

Numbers, however, don't tell the whole story.

"Washington Heights has served the community as a first-aid station to people who would come (into the church) and then move on," says Clinton Grenz, Central District Conference minister who has been a WHCC member. "The congregation has had a healing ministry to fractured families.

"I still meet people who were saved by the personal evangelism of Joe Agee (a former WHCe pastor)," Grenz says. A number of individuals currently in full-time church ministry were part of the WHCt congregation at one time, he adds, although many of these people are working in other denominations.

Bismarck, North Dakota's capital, was a logical place to plant a new church in the early 1960s; a number of Mennonite Brethren people had settled in the city. Tim Stahl served as the church-planting pastor for four years, concluding his ministry in September 1966. The congregation formally joined the Central District Conference a year later with a charter membership of 17.

The fledging group, led by pastor Frank Unruh, moved into a new facility Sept. 30, 1973. Area Mennonite Brethren congregations funded the broadcasting of the Mennonite Brethren radio program, "Words of the Gospel," in Bismarck which helped the new congregation contact families and By 1975, the average worship attendance had grown to 52 while membership grew from 19 to 33 individuals. Joe Agee Jr. accepted a call to be the pastor and served from 1974 to 1980. In 1976, the average worship attendance was up to 87 and member-

ship had reached 42.

Demographic data was encouraging. Agee reported to the CDC convention 'in 1977 that an average of 75 new people a month moved into the city and that the congregation was the only church serving the 1,000 homes north of a major dividing interstate.

The congregation engaged in outreach and evangelism efforts and began an AWANA program for children. In spite of those efforts, the congregation declined in numbers.

Washington Heights entered the 1980s under the leadership of Larry Ediger, who served as pastor from 1981 until 1985. The group experienced only slow growth, but it was enough to reverse a nine-year decline in attendance. The congregation also eliminated their $40,000 debt and began a beneficial sister congregation relationship with the Harvey (N.D.) MBChurch.

When Grenz came to Washington Heights as part-time interim pastor in 1986, attendance had slipped to under 40. In two years, membership grew from 29 to 43 and worship attendance increased from 39 to 67. But in 1989, the congregation experienced the painful loss of several longtime members.

The congregation called Sam Freshwater as their full-time pastor in 1990; he served until the present. Rebuilding the congregation was a top priority and a variety of small groups were begun. The congregation was committed to becoming more self-sufficient;

26.

LEA D E R

THE

C H R 1ST I A N

A place of service: The Washington Heights facility and property are now for sale.

financial assistance from the CDC was decreasing.

But growing the congregation to a viable size proved to be difficult. "Visitors don't return because we don't have the programs they are looking for, nor are they willing to stay and help get the program started," Freshwater re'ported in 1991. Efforts to secure lay leadership in music and worship and child care were unsuccessful.

A Youth Missions International team worked with the congregation to provide children's activities during summer 1994. A carnival held on the church grounds was well attended but attendance was low at the followup backyard Bible camp.

After assisting Washington Heights financially for nearly 30 years, this past year the CDC Church Planting Committee, in cooperation with the CDC Ministries Council, decided to discontinue funding as of Aug. 31, 1996.

The congregation continued meeting with Freshwater as pastor until this spring, when he accepted a call to serve the Bethany MB Church in Fresno, Calif. With the loss of their pastor, the remaining 10 members announced the discontinuance of public worship services "with full agreement and great sadness."

"The purpose of Washington Heights was to serve Mennonite Brethren who moved to Bismarck," Grenz says in retrospect. "In reality, the younger people went elsewhere.

B()!)] till

The congregation had the correct vision but an incorrect mission ."

Grenz says the congregation often had difficulty with outreach ministries targeted to the larger community.

"Another event was a charismatic split in the church," he adds. "A small church just can't recover from a charismatic split."

Grenz says another factor contributed to the demise ofWHCC. "In a growing community a church must accommodate families. Our facilities couldn't accommodate families sizewise, so folks went elsewhere."

The church property is for sale. It is the desire of the membership that the funds be used for church planting or church growth in North Dakota, Grenz says.-Connie Faber

Mennonite magazines recognized by EPA • Four periodicals claim nine awards from evangelical group

F

OUR MENNONITE periodicals, including the Christian Leader, were recently recognized by the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) for journalistic excellence.

As reported in the June issue, the Leader received three "Higher Goals" awards, including first place in "FullColor Cover" for the January 1996 issue designed by Tim Ladwig and Don Ratzlaff titled, "Release Us From Our Racism."

Other awards included second place in "Humor Article" for Don Ratzlaffs piece, "Such a Backward Time" (December 1996) and third place in "Single Theme Section/Issue" for the January 1996 issue on racism. Authors of those articles were Janet E. Boldt, Nzash Lumeya, Spencer Perkins, Don Ratzlaff, Jody Miller Shearer, Dorothy Thompson and Katie Funk Wiebe.

The Menno-

___.... ..tl

An award-winning

effort: focusing on racism.

nite Brethren Herald, a publication of the Canadian Conference, received second place in "Two/Three-Color Cover" for "Brother Menno," designed

by Fred Koop, and third place in "Biblical Exposition" for an article written

by V. George Shillington, "Talking Like a Madman. " The Mennonite, published by the General Conference Mennonite Church, received first place in "Poetry" for a poem written by Jean Janzen titled, "After the Martyrs Exhibit."

Janzen is a member of College Community (MB) Church, Clovis, Calif.

With, the "magazine for radical Christian youth" endorsed by the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, walked away with three awards, including an "Award of Merit" in the youth category for overall excellence. In the "Critical Re-view" category, Greg Hatcher's "Idiots with Guns" won second place. Hatcher also won second place in "Fiction" for "Blind Faith."

EPA is an association of more than 400 periodicals, organizations and individual members.

Dutton, Lucy Entz, Tammy Janzen and Opal Roper were also welcomed as new members.

LODI, Calif. (Vinewood)-Joining the church by baptism May 18 were Ginny Bradsbaw, Mark Bradshaw, Jerry Grauman, Tom Hyzdu, Lindsay Lemburg, Ryan Lemburg, Jeff McAlexander, Andrew Robison, Jon Shinn, Jeremy Stafford and Trudy Smith. Bob Slayback, Lynda Lemburg and Rick Lemburg joined upon confession of faith.

FRESNO, Calif. (North)- Joining the church by baptism May 18 were Tina Chandler, Corey Klaassen, Justin Nixon, Sarah Nixon, Rae and Marj Saltzman, Matt Schellenberg, Rachel Schellenberg, Tanya Blomgren, Ryan Brown, Erica Derksen, Beth Unruh, David Van Sickle and Seth Woods. Jeff Chandler, Roberta Rowe, Tim and Jill Schellenberg, Tim Schellenberg Jr., Betty Wall, James and Christine Aleru, Max and Karen Bowser, Mike Blomgren and Maggie Harper, Ralph and Margaret Cornwell, Wilf and Sandy Derksen, Corriann Unruh and Alexandra Van Sickle were also received into membership.

FRESNO, Calif. (Bethany)-Phillip Kopper, Ryan Kopper, Janice Laband, Jian-

.CHURCH NOTES •

Baptism/Membership

BLAINE, Wash_ (Birch Bay Bible Community)-Dick Dufault, Keith DeVries, Rachel Draper and Ian Eytzen were baptized and accepted into membership in March.

Roger and Joanne Eytzen were also welcomed into membership.

CLOVIS, Calif. (Mountain View Community) - Nieko Olivas and Joe and Kim Podesta were baptized March 16 .... Kyle Hailey, Steve and Pamela Payne and Lisa Gencer were baptized March 25.

CORDELL, Okla. (Bible)-Billy and Tena Arganbright, Brandt Arganbright, Jesse Locke, David and Linda Richardson (associate), Jim and Ellen Scott, Henry (associate) and Betsy Vogt, and Randy, Susan, Jared and Sean Wanzer were welcomed into membership April 27.

CLOVIS, Calif. (College Community)Symphony Murphy , Emily Plett-Myake, Allison Quiring and David Barton were recently baptized and welcomed into membership. Jackie and Richard Block were also received as new members.

ENID, Okla.- Holly Dutton, Brad Siemens and Dave Sc haffer were baptized and received into membership May 4. Mike

DIRECTORY 8 FEATURINC: 2,000 North American hosts (48 states, 9 provinces) • 280 International contacts (65 countries) • 80 communities highlighted. Foldout Map of Places to visit. Features on tourism and lifesty e, travel-related illness, spirituality for the traveler • Tips and Stories. Children and Family Activities • Church Parking lot Project. 21st century edition

A Hospitality Directory For thejears 1997 through 2001

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Priority/Air Mall (add $1) $ Total Enclosed $ Name Address Mail to: Mennonite Your Wt{ Box 1525, Salunga, PA 1753 Phone: (717) 653-1111

J U L Y

1 997

27

Bo!)) til I

ming Liu and Matilde Sanchez were baptized May 18. Phillip Kopper, Ryan Kopper, Jianming Uu, Leslie and Erlene Mark, John Navarro, John and Edith Raymond, Matilde Sanchez, Randy and LaVonne Vogt and Eloise Wall were received into membership.

HESSTON, Kan.-Vern, Jackie and Candis Minor and Ray, Judy, Preston and Traci Neufeld were welcomed as new members May 18.

DELFT, Minn. (Carson)-Ted and Mary Lepp were welcomed into membership May 25.

INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)- Ryan Fast was baptized and welcomed as a new member May 25.

MADERA, Calif. (Madera Ave.)-Marilyn Hobson and Adam Wall were baptized and received into membership May 29. Also welcomed as new members were Debbie Streatch, Tina Gomez-Vidal, Kathryn Younger, and Shelly and Sherman Champ, who were all also recently baptized.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)Daniel and Michelle Flynn, Greg Gibbons, Tracy Tingle, Kevin and Monica Morovich and Mrs. Jonna Donovan were baptized and welcomed into membership June 8.

Wes and Elda Balzer, Henry and Abby Bernal, Mrs. Noel Currin, Albert and Joann Epp, Michael and Beverly Friedman, Toni Gibbons, Larry and Debbie Goens, Meghan Haas, LeRoy and Debbie Hicks, Tim and Unette Holliday, Arlene Johnson, Carolyn Sindell, Darrin and Katy Singleton, and Curtis and Usa Wegley were also welcomed as new members.

•

Celebrations

CLOVIS, Calif. (Mountain View Community)-The congregation celebrated its third anniversary May 4 with a tri-tip lunch. Their verse for this church year is "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Mt.5:8).

BLAINE, Wash. (Birch Bay Bible Community)-The congregation invites friends and former members to join in celebrating their 60th anniversary July 26-27. The weekend schedule includes a soup supper and visiting Saturday and a Sunday worship service and fellowship dinner..

REEDLEY, Calif.-Flowers on the stage June 8 were in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Donald and Waneta Jost.

•

Fellowship

GETTYSBURG, S.D. (Grace Bible)-The youth group hosted a "blue jeans banquet" June 8 for the congregation. The dress code for the event required blue jeans; prizes were awarded for the best and worst attire in several categories.

•

Ministry

CORN, Okla.-Jon and Juana Pritchard and their children were commissioned May 18 as MB Missions/Services workers to Mexico. They will be church planters in Mexico City.

DALLAS, Ore.-Merlin and Peter Brandt, Ron and Grant Pauls and Larry Graber will be part of a Mennonite Central Committeesponsored volunteer work project July 21 to Aug. 4. They will be building a study center among the K'echi Mennonite in Guatemala.

BUHLER, Kan.-The children of Alden and Adina Kliewer hosted a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for their parents June 8 .

FRESNO, Calif. -The Pacific District Board of Home Missions and Mountain View Community Church of Clovis are jointly planting Riverside Community Church in north Fresno. Through door-todoor outreach, more than 70 households have expressed interest in more information (39) about the church or willingness to be part of a home Bible study group (33). Leadership for the church plant is being sought. Ross and Valerie Priebe, who recently agreed to serve as church planters, have resigned.

STORIES OF NEW LIFE

•

WEI YU & SUNNI WANG

EI YU AND Sunni Wang came to Fresno, Calif., from the People's Republic of China as newlyweds in 1990 to pursue graduate studies at Fresno State. They lived in an apartment complex with other Chinese students.

One day in December 1990, Wei and Sunni were visiting with their neighbor and her boyfriend, Feng. Feng had recently come to Christ through his friendship with Chester and Lois Cover of Bethany MB Church in Fresno. Feng suggested they spend time that Christmas with an American family. He invited everyone to an upcoming party at the Covers'.

Wei had no idea who Jesus Christ was .

Through the telling of the Christmas story and in subsequent visits with the Covers and with Feng, Wei began learning .

Sunni's interest was perked also. They

began reading the Bible the Covers had given them and God revealed himself to Wei and Sunni.

"Many things happened to me that made me realize that there really is a God in heaven," Wei says. "Jesus Christ guided me through all the difficulties I faced as a new student in a strange land. I came to believe that he is God." As with most Chinese, coming to faith was not a purely private matter. Wei and Sunni had long discussions together and with Sunni's brother, David, who had also come to study in Fresno.

When it was clear they were of one mind, the three were baptized at Bethany Church on June 7, 1992, where they continue as members and where Wei occasionally treats the congregation to a song .

In 1994, Wei completed his master's

degree in industrial technology and began work as a design engineer. In 1996, Sunni completed her master's in business administration and now works as the international account specialist for a major Fresno firm. This past year, Wei and Sunni purchased a home near Bethany church .

Like many students from the People's Republic of China, Wei and Sunni dream of returning to China one day but have no immediate plans to do so.

28-

LEADER

EDMOND, Okla.-Robin Laverty was baptized and received into the membership of the church June 1. Kent and Holly Stanley were also welcomed as new members ... .

Ray and Alma Friesen and David and Joyce Barfield were received as new members May 18.

OLATIIE, Kan. (Community Bible)-Stuart and Gayle Howland, Valerie Hynick, Annie Huber and Kayli King were baptized June 1 and received into membership June 15.

Chris Giese was also baptized.

•

TURNING POINTS

W

THE

CHRISTIAN

HILLSBORO, Kan. (parkview)-Eldon and Helen Schmidt celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a program and reception June 1.

Hospitality to International Students Program (HISP) is a ministry of the Pacific District Conference and is coordinated

by Patrick Wall. Chester and Lois Cover are members of the HISP board. This story first appeared in the winter issue of the HISP newsletter, WHISPERS.

New, Updated Edition!

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by Edgar Stoesz 8- Chester Raber Well-meaning individuals become board members, but few are given adequate instructions about how to do their job well.

In this personably written manual, two veterans of many boards lucidly address the ideal relationship between a nonprofit organization and its board. They candidly cover the realities that often threaten that relationship, then suggest strategies for overcoming these common difficulties. They include many stories, guidelines, and suggestions.

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P.O. Box 419 • Intercourse, PA 17534 • Call toll-free 800/762-7171 Mastercard and Visa accepted. • Shipping and Handling (add 10%, $2.50 minimum) Available at local bookstores or directly from the publisher

•

dent of MB Biblical Seminary, preached on May 18.

Proclamation

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-Bev Wiens, a church member and professional counselor, was the speaker April 27 for a worship service that focused on addictions. As part of the service, the congregation celebrated with members 10 years of sobriety.

REEDLEY, Calif.-Henry Schmidt, presi-

BLAINE, Wash. (Birch Bay Bible Community)-Erik Johnson, associate pastor at Good News Fellowship in Ferndale, Wash., was the guest speaker May 18.

ULYSSES, Kan.-The congregation dedicated their Worship Together songbooks June 1. Special guest was Clarence Hiebert, chair of the General Conference Hymnal

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•

Workers

ENID, Okla.-Pete Hoffman was commissioned for a summer internship with junior high students May 18.

WlClDTA, Kan. (First)-Mark Willems has resigned as associate pastor to join HOPE NET Agency in Wichita as a pastoral counselor.

INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)-Ryan Thiessen has resigned as youth pastoral intern .

· ANGELS Dan Unra.-u :,;;; ;-. .. ....... "". '''3"".' ••••••• -:

Commission. Hiebert led an instructional workshop Saturday night for the worship teams, choir members and leaders.

.

REAl)

Kindred Productions THE PUBLISHER FOR RESOURCE MINISTRIES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF MENNNONITE BRETHREN CHURCHES

1-800-545-7322 or Fa 1-316-947-3166 or call 947-3151

BISMARCK, N.D. (Washington Heights)-A farewell service was held June 1 for Sam and Lizabeth Freshwater and their family.

Sam has accepted a call to be senior pastor for Bethany MB Church in Fresno, Calif.

The service was also the final service for the 30-year congregation.

Hll.LSBORO, Kan. (parkview)-Roy Keller has accepted the call to serve as visitation pastor. He and his wife, Jean, will be retiring to Hillsboro and beginning their ministry in August .

Seeking HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW about healthcare senior management and professional job openings.

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Australia-New Zealand ......... Feb. 14 - Mar. 8 Vienna: Music & Culture ........Apr. 22 - May 7 Cities of the Apostle Paul ..... May 28 - June 9 Lands of the Bible ........................ June 7 - 22 European Heritage .... ......................July 1 -17 England, Scotland & Wales .......... Aug. 5 - 19

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CHRISTIAN

1011 Cathill Road Sellersville, PA 18960

LEADER

(MHS) SEEKS QUALIFIED, CHRISTIAN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT OUR POSITIONS in our 55 member institutions (acute care, developmental disability, mental health, youth services and retirement communities) across the U.S. You may be interested in a job change or just want to hear about other opportunities. MHS maintains a confidential pool of candidates. When openings occur, MHS notifies eligible individuals about the position. Then that individual may make a direct contact or ask MHS to share their name for consideration.

Please send your name, address and summary of interests (or current resume) to:

_ftt_

MENNONITE HEALTH SERVICES

Resources Development ........ ,T. Human 2160 Lincoln Highway East, Box 6 Lancaster, PA 17602·1150 or fax to 717·293-7854

.DEATHS IECKER, DEAN, Visalia, Calif., a member )f Neighborhood Church, Visalia, was born uly 13, 1938, in Shafter, Calif. , and died -Jov. 2, 1996, at the age of 58. He is surrived by his wife, Elaine Wall Becker, two laughters, Darla Friesen and Deanne Sudernan; two brothers, Kenneth of Salem, Ore., md James of Fresno, Calif.; and five grand:hildren.

IDIGER, J. PETE, Hillsboro, Kan., a mem)er of Hillsboro MB Church, was born May I, 1906, at Henderson, Neb., to Peter C. Lnd Anna Nachtigal Ediger and died May 14, 1997, at the age of 91. On Jan. 17, 1934, he was married to Alice Neomi Schu)er, who predeceased him in 1995. He is ;urvived by one son, Ervin and wife Carrol )f Hillsboro; one brother, Dan and wife of Hawthorne, Calif.; one sister, and husband Allen Mays of Enid, )kla.; two sisters-in-law, Kathryn Ediger md Mildred Ediger, both of Reedley, Calif.; hree grandchildren and six great-grandchillren.

'ANZEN, CORNELIUS ELMER, Dinuba, :alif., a member of the Dinuba MB Church, lVas born June 16, 1897, to Abraham H. and Neufeld Janzen in Wasilevka, Ukraine, md died May 11, 1997, at the age of 99. On 11, 1933, he was married to Martha (rause, who predeceased him. He is surrived by two daughters, Evelyn Ediger of ropeka, Kan., and Vera Heidebrecht of -resno, Calif.; seven grandchildren and four IANZEN, SARA OLGA, Corn, Okla., a memler of the Corn MB Church, was born Nov. ., 1896, in Burrton, Kan., to Peter H. and Ulna Voth Bartel and died April 22, 1997, at he age of 100. On Oct. 17, 1917, she was narried to Cornelius N. Janzen who prede:eased her in 1965. She is survived by one laughter, Ann and husband Raymond of ::orn; one daughter-in-law, Caroline and lusband Harry Reimer of Balko, Okla.; two ;isters, Susie and husband Corney Adrian of ::orn and Esther Bartel of Enid, Okla.; eight 19 great-grandchildren and our great-great-grandchildren.

JOE D., Huron, S.D., a member )f Bethel MB Church, Yale, S.D., was born an. 5, 1906, to David J. and Katherina lofer Mendel and died May 29, 1997, at the Ige of 91. On June 18, 1933, he was maried to Elizabeth Hofer, who predeceased lim in 1984. He is survived by three sons, )on and wife Lavonne, David and wife udy, all of Doland, S.D., and Joe Jr. and ;vife Janet of Brookings, S.D.; three daugh:ers, Marilyn Wolverton of Evergreen, Colo., and husband Jim Weems of Gettysmrg, S.D., and Kathy and husband Darrell 'lofer of Huron; one sister, Esther and husland Walter Kleinsasser of Hillsboro, Kan. ; Z2 grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 20

great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren.

NEUFELD, ARTHUR HENRY, Reedley, Calif., was born May 18, 1901, at Cooper in Blaine County, Oklahoma Territory, to Abraham J. and Julia Goertz Neufeld and died May 15, 1997, at the age of 96. On Nov. 24, 1924, he was married to Leona, who predeceased him in 1991. He is survived by his children, Frances Schmidt of Mariposa, Calif., Andy and wife Vera of Clovis, Calif., Lois and husband Howard Fast of Reedley,

and daughter-in-law Allene Neufeld of Corn, Okla. ; two sisters, one brother, 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

NIX, LAVERNE CARDOZA, of Neighborhood Church, Visalia, Calif., was born June 12, 1936, in Hanford, Calif., and died May 15, 1997, at age 60. She is survived by husband Howard Nix; two daughters, Doreen and husband Bill Puder, and Kelly and husband Thomas Taylor; two stepchildren, Howard and wife Nida Ellis Nix, and Vivian

THANKS/THANKS/THANKS! • To Esengo for your sacrifice in ministering to our churches in North America. You gave 132 concerts in 126 days.

• To churches in Canada and the United States for receiving Esengo with such warmth and reciprocating with a giant handshake of love.

• To hundreds of homes and individuals who extended hospitality and help.

• To donors, churches, individuals and especially youth, who covered major costs of the tour expenses.

• To mission-minded believers who contributed more than $100,000 (mixed dollars) for global mission, the of which will go to Congo.

• To the Fairview Church in Oklahoma for making their bus available for the 19,323 miles of surface travel and especially to the bus drivers, Leonard and Leona Vogt (Fairview),John Esau Nova Scotia), and Roy Dyck (California).

• To our Almighty God for bringing us together as His church and for His awesome miracles in this venture. May the glory be God's.

Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services, Harold Ens, Director Youth Mission International, Randy Friesen, Director The youth of the United States and Canada

ILlIlL ® MISSI Ii J U L Y

I 99 7

•

31

H()m LIII

and husband Bill Weirtz; five brothers, four grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

PUlLMAN, WALTER]., Mitchell, S.D., was born Nov. 27, 1911, to John J. and Anna Walter Pullman in Hutchinson County, S.D., and died May 30, 1997, at the age of 85. On Oct. 14, 1945, he was married to Lydia Hofer, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Mary Lou Kelly and Mavis and husband Jerry Regynski, all of Mitchell; a son, Dwight and wife June of Emery, S.D.; two sisters, Marie Unrun of Freeman and Ann and husband Robert Lee of Rapid City, S.D.; one brother, Amos of Bridgewater, S.D.; five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

REDDIG, KATIlERlNA NICKEL, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Dec. 29, 1904, to Bernhard P. and Anna Loewen Nickel near Buhler, Kan., and died June 13, 1997, at the age of 92. On Sept. 3, 1931, she was married to Willam Reddig, who predeceased her in 1984. She is survived by two daughters, Wanda and husband Dannie Funk of Olathe, Kan., and Dorothy and husband Jacob Reimer of Hesston, Kan. ; one son, Kenneth and wife Willa of Winnipeg, Man.; two sisters, Selma and husband Jim Hall of Tulsa, Okla., and Esther Reed of Vancouver, Wash.; two brothers, John and wife Veatrice Nickel and Edwin and wife Esther, all of Inola, Okla.; one sister-in-law, Erma Klaassen; seven grandchil. dren and 10 great-grandchildren.

SCHLECHT, ANNIE WAHL, Lodi, Calif., a member of Vinewood Community Church, was born Aug. 1, 1909, in Burleigh, N.D., and died April 23, 1997, at the age of 87. In 1932, she married Matt Schlecht, who survives. She is also survived by a sister, Ruth Hochhalter of Lodi.

TIESZEN, WILLIE R., Marion, S.D., a member of Silver Lake MB Church, Freeman, S.D. , was born Sept. 10, 1904, to Peter R. and Nettie Duerksen Tieszen and died April 16, 1997, at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife, Bertha; two sons, Leslie and wife Mary and Burdette and wife Darla, all of Marion; two daughters, Lila and husband Gordon and Norma and husband Michael, all of San Diego, Calif.; one brother, Ed R. and wife Lee of Marion; one Sister, Clara Ensz of Marion; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR-Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif., is looking for an associate pastor of assimilation ministries. Specific duties include visitor and new-believer follow-up, member ministry development, "backdoor" ministries and singles ministry. Please send resume to Pastor Roger Poppen, Laurelglen Bible Church, 2801 Ashe Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309 by July 21 . 1997. For more information call 805-833-2800.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-Thurston Woods Village, Sturgis, Mich., has an immediate opening for an executive director of a Mennonite-sponsored retirement community. The individual will oversee current and future housing, health care and supportive services. Prerequisites include a nursing home administrator's license, a minimum of five years professional leadership experience and a master's degree in health care preferred. The successful candidate will be committed to Christian ministry, identify with and support the mission, goals and values of Thurston Woods Village and possess strong management, interpersonal and communications skills. Thurston Woods Village is a nonprofit Christian retirement community with 118 skilled-care nursing beds, 82 assisted living units and 33 HUD apartments, and $6 million annual budget. There are 120 full-time-equivalent employees. Send resume, salary history and references to J . Randall King, 27440 Banker St. Rd., Sturgis, MI49091-9357, or fax to 616-489-2491 .

Director of Administration and Resources This position carries much of the responsibility for the administrative function of the organization.

Starting date: November 1, 1997 • Location: Akron, Pennsylvania Applications will be accepted through September 12, 1997.

Direct inquiries and applications to: Dwight McFadden, MCC Personnel, 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500 Phone: 717-859-1151 • Fax: 717-859-2171 • email: djm@mcc.org

Youth ministry, Christian education and family ministry are to be facilitated by applicant. Preaching and musical gifts desirable.

(

,- Mennonite .. Central Committee

Mennonite Central Committee and MCC U_ s.

21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500. Akron. PA 17501 -0500

Resume may be sent to the church at: 1301 Stroud Ave. Kingsburg, CA 93631

(7 17) 859-1151 (717) 859-3889

Mennonite Central Committee Canada 134 Plaza Drive. Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9 (204) 261 -6381

or e-mail: bneufeld@telis.org

CHRISTIAN

AVAILABLE

Mennonite Central Committee invites applications for the position of:

Associate Pastor

THE

POSITIONS

WIEBE, FRENA, of Ferndale, Wash., a charter member of Birch Bay Bible Community Church, Blaine, Wash., was born March 22, 1910, to David and Anna Karber at Boyd, Okla., and died May 12, 1997, at the age of 87. On Aug. 25, 1929, she was married to Bernard Wiebe, who predeceased her in 1976. She is survived by one daughter, Doris and husband Harold Fleishauer of Bakersfield, Calif.; two sons, Ray and wife Gladys of Grants Pass, Ore., and Dean and wife Bonita of Bellingham, Wash.; three brothers, nine grandchildren and 13 great• grandchildren.

Kingsburg Mennonite Brethren Church Kingsburg, California

32-

Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Need to sell or acquire property?

Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 40 cents per word, with a $15 minimum. Withhold payment until an invoice is received. The editors reserve the right to tum down inappropriate material. For display (boxed) ad rates, please call us.

VOTH, ALBERT, of Garden City, Kan., a member of Garden Valley MB Church, Garden City, was born June 11, 1908, at Meno, Okla., to Peter D. and Helena Dirks Voth.

OnJan. 27, 1932, he married Emma Unruh, who survives. He is also survived by one son, AI Jr. and wife Shirley of Sublette, Kan.; one sister, Grace Woodrow of Garden City; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Applications are invited fQ[ the position of

Kingsburg, a community of 8,500, is located 20 minutes south of Fresno, Calif. Attendance averages 160. Present staff includes a senior pastor and a part-time minister of music.

C LEA R I N (; H () USE

LEADER

oaoNQ TMf Interactive Study in Our Faith Heritage

Cross " MaW Interactive Study in Restoring Relationships

Jor Christ's,.5Ake Interactive Study in God's Missions Each Faith Family Focus unit contains four lessons designed so youth interact with the core values of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

Guide complete with lesson overview, clear objectives, optional activities, personal stories and student reproducibles.

Video support for Rocking the World and Cross Walkers.

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*

CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM (CPE)

Invitation: TO: Born-again Christians

King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., is seeking volunteers for its Church Partnership Evangelism outreach to ....

Costlperson* 1. NICARAGUA - Managua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. July 5·21, '97 . . . . . . . . . . .. $1,100 2. PARAGUAY - Asuncion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. July 13·29, '97 . . . . . . . . . .. $1,500 3. PERU - Chiclayo, Talara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Aug. 3-26, '97 ...... . ... . $1,200 4. FIJI ISLAND .... . ......... . ... . ....... Aug. 2·19, '97 .... .. . ..... $1,200 5. RUSSIA - Orenburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Sept. 4·27, '97 . . . . . . . . . .. $1,600 6. RUSSIA - Tjumenj, Tobolsk . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 16-31, '97 . . . . . . . . . . . $1,600 7. INDIA - Shamshabad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 31 - Nov. 26, '97 . . . . . . $1,600 NOTE: CONGO (Zaire) Klkwit, postponed until a later date. . . . . . . . . . . . .. $2,000 8. PHILIPPINES - Manilla, Roxas City . .... .. . Jan. 16 - Feb. 9, '98 . .. . . .. $1,200 9. PHILIPPINES - Davo City ........ . . . ... . . Feb. 9-25, '98 . . . . . . . . . . .. $1,200 10. NICARAGUA - Managua . . . . . .. . . . . ... . .. Feb. 7-23, '98 . . . . . . . . . . .. $1,200 11. ARGENTINA - Cordoba . . . . . . .. . . . ... .. .. March 7-23, '98 .. . ....... $1,600 12. PERU - Sullana, Trujillo .. . ..... . . . . . .... . April 4-27, '98 . . . . . . . . . . . . $1 ,200 13. UKRAINE - TchemoV1sky, Odessa ... . ... . . May 16 - June 8, '98 . . ... . . $1,600 14. CONGO - Kinshasha . . . ..... . . .. . .... .. . May 1-25, '98 .. . . . ..... . . $2,000 15. FIJIISLAND - Labasa ... . .. . . ... . .. . .... June 5-22, '98 ..... . . .. .. $1,300 16. PARAGUAY - Asuncion, Chaco . . . .. . ..... July 4-20, '98 . ... . .. . . . .. $1,500 17. UKRAINE - Dnipropetrovsk, Novomoskovsk, Berdyans, Alexandria .. . .... . .. . ..... . . . July 24 - Aug. 18, '98 . . . . .. $1,600 Note: Dates may be subiect to change, pending further confirmation of some campaigns.

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

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

• Between 800-2,800 persons have prayed to accept Christ as their personal Savior and Lord during a two-week CPE campaign. Come and be a part of an enriching spiritual experience---<liscover what God can do through you.

For more Information, contact: CPE office: TeL-Fax: 604-864-3941 , or Evelyn Unruh, 604852-5744; or Peter Loewen, 604-853-3173 or FAX 604-853-6482 Church Partnership Evangelism is a "church-to-church" effort that involves lay members in personal evangelism worldwide. Your application to participate will be forwarded to the C.P.E Executive Committee for processing.

Peter Loewen CPE Promoter

Harold W. Ens MBMIS General Director

) U L Y

1 9 9 7

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33

MEDIA MATTERS BY

BURTON

BULLER

Call for a new ethic The lines between high journalism and tabloid journalism have become much less clear. The public appears to be fed up with this trend. " W E NEED PICTURES and stories in Africa, but first, we're sending you to Haiti." Sitting uncomfortably in Bill Snyder's overcrowded office at Mennonite Central Committee headquarters, I was receiving my first overseas journalistic assignment.

As a fresh college graduate, I had yet to receive my first transcultural experience. So, before sending me off to Africa, my employer thought it wise for me to try Haiti. That way, if I cracked under a load of culture shock, the return trip was short and the ticket not too costly.

I hit Haiti with a load of cameras and recorders hung over my shoulders that would do any young reporter proud. A village hospital was my first stop. Stooping to enter the dim, overcrowded wards, I pulled a camera to my eye. On one bed lay a small, emaciated boy, maybe 10 years old. A rehydration solution dripped into his collapsed veins. I snapped a picture. The flash startled the boy. He struggled to open his blue-glazed eyes. They found mine for an instant, then he fell weakly to the pillow.

That evening, a nurse working the ward informed me the boy had died shortly after I had been there.

Something happened when his eyes met mine. I felt like a participant in his death. Not that I caused it or hastened it in any way. But I was there. By recording the image of him in his final death throes, I felt I had taken something sacred, something that I may not have had a moral right to take.

The picture turned out OK. But it stayed in the flIes, never used to my knowledge. And the young boy has stayed cataloged in the flIes of my

34·

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CHRISTIAN

mind, reappearing at appropriate moments to ask hard questions.

He appeared with me in Ethiopia, where I was coyering refugee camps at the height of famine. A promotion director for another agency was leading a photographic team around the camp. He approached an emaciated young man sitting listlessly on the ground with a loose covering over his shoulders.

Pulling the covering from the unsuspecting man, he motioned for his photographers to snap a picture of the protruding ribs and the extended shoulder blades. Then he walked off, leaving the young fellow to struggle to again cover himself with his own clothing.

I could have snapped the picture. I didn't. The Haitian boy clouded my view.

A

re there limits to the intrusion :we can make in people's lives to tell a story? How do media practitioners decide what to record and how to edit the material they gather? What ethic do they apply?

Recently, ABC News was slapped by a lawsuit by Food lion for using deception to get reporters inside the company to document unsafe foodhandling practices. The jury awarded Food lion $5.5 million in punitive damages, clearly sending a message to the news industry. That message is that limits must apply to how news is gathered and disseminated. Interestingly, the issue of unsafe handling practices was never disputed.

As the popularity of CBS's "60 Minutes" has drawn more and more media agencies into similar kinds of LEADER

journalism, the universe of possible targets for investigative reporting has moved from those truly detrimental to the public well-being to nearly any business, social or religious practice that is somehow different. The lines between high journalism and tabloid journalism have become much less clear. The public appears to be fed up with this trend.

Ethics has not been one of the classes required for media students.

Some point to that fact for the low credibility that news media now enjoy. In an article in the spring 1997 issue of Media Ethics, George Thottam cites a 1996 CNN/Time poll that shows 73 percent of Americans are skeptical about the accuracy of the news they get. Seventy-five percent think that the media indulge in sensationalism; 65 percent think the media are negative.

In a society where the news media has come to play an essential role in creating a citizenry informed about issues important to perpetuating a democratic form of government, this erosion of confidence in news sources stands as an important public issue.

How does one hold news sources accountable? Most major news outlets are now controlled by mega companies who have purchased these sources for the return they provide investors. When your local television station was owned by a local family who was deeply involved in the business and political life of your community, you could take the owner to task for the way stories were reported. How do you do that now that the station has been sold to a multinational company? Or even a national company headquartered half a continent away?

Today, the internal monitor provided by dying Haitian boys at the point of information-gathering seems to have faded. In its place, an external ethical monitor-one that awards huge punitive damages after the damage has been done.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT A

GUIDE

FOR

GROUP

INTERACTION

SESS ION l ' Dependency on God

SESSION 3 Ethics In news lepoltlng

Based on "When Your Best Isn't Enough, n page 4.

Based on Media Matters, page 34.

GET READY - Getting started

GET READY - Getting started

• What is a long-term dream you have had or still have?

• Have you ever purchased a tabloid magazine, or do you just read the headlines while waiting in checkout lines?

GET SET - Examining the issues 1. Review the elements that led to the death of the Community of the Servant. What are the similarities between Hall's and Moses's experiences?

2. What was the underlying reason for the ministry's failure?

3. What led to the ministry's resurrection?

4. What are the options for responding to "the destruction of confidence in self-sufficiency"?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live

1. Have you ever felt you gave 100 percent, but you still failed? In what ways can you identify with Hall's feeling s?

2. What is involved in choosing between despair and dependency? What specific actions would you need to take to make that decision at this time in you r life?

3. What encouragement do you find in the article for moving toward Spirit-empowered living and ministry? From Scripture? From your faith community?

GET SET - Examining the issues 1. What feelings and sensitivities were raised by the Haitian boy?

2. How have the ethics of journalism changed in recent years?

3. Why is the erosion of confidence in news sources an important public issue?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live

1. What can followers of Christ do to hold news sources accountable ?

2. What can we as individuals do to keep our internal monitors sensitized to the value and integrity of others?

3. Are there ways in which we in the church also use unethical means to dispense information to others? What are the results?

SESSION 4 The activity of God

Based on "God Sightings, n page 36.

SESSION 2 Our later years

Based on "Aging: The Finer Alternative, " page 8 .

GET READY - Getting started • Share a "God sighting" you have had this week .

GET READY - Getting started • How do you feel about sharing your age? (a) I' m proud of it, thanks for asking ; (b) I'd rather not say; (c) It's none of your business.

GET SET - Examining the issues 1. Review the Scriptures cited that refer to aging. What other examples from Scripture honor older age or view it as a challenge?

2. What are the benefits of curiosity? What happens to those who are not curious? Would you agree or disagree with Davies's statement?

3. How have you observed older people serving the Lord in creative ways?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live 1. How are older people encouraged to serve in your congregation?

2. If you consider yourself to be "older," what are your God-given gifts through which God wants to reveal himself?

3. Regard less of your present age, what are three goals you have for yourself in the aging process?

GET SET - Examining the issues 1. Highlight the key questions raised in the editorial. With which do you identify?

2 . How mu ch of God do we need to know?

3 . Review Job 38-41 . What is God 's response to Job's questions about the ways in which God worked?

GO - Applying ideas to the way we live

1. Why do we have a need to explain (or "defend") God to others?

2. When or how does God seem most clear and understandable to you?

3. What are the results of trusting in the mystery of God? 4. Identify a time when you have recognized that "God's ways are higher than ours." How is your life enriched when you let God be God?

I r r's I'IIK Anoul Ir IS a project of the Christian Leader and the Southern District Christian Education Commission. Questions by Nadine Friesen.

J U L Y

1 997

·35

EDITORIAL

God sightings

I

'M INCREASINGLY convinced that one of the basic fused , misled or disobedient about God's intent? human needs in this life is to see evidence of God at • A church in North Dakota closes its doors after work in this world. Even those who do not acknowlstruggling for 30 years to be faithful-and "successful"-in edge the existence of a personal God yearn for a meaning, its environment (page 26). We assume God wants a church a power, a presence, that transcends our humanity. to grow and thrive, especially when we perceive the spiriAt the same time, I am increasingly convinced that our tual need to be significant. Is our assumption wrong? Did ability to identify and chronicle the work of God is woefulGod intend something different for this congregation? Or ly limited. Even those of us who freely acknowledge God's did the people simply fail to do their part and God chose existence and power struggle to identify, much less undernot to intervene?

The intent of these questions is not to push us toward stand, God's ways.

In our desperation to make sense of the events of this cynicism. Rather, the intent is to elevate the mystery of life, we make "God sightings." We attribute to God intent God. We humans would prefer that God's involvement and actions that, if we are honest, sometimes reflect more with us be clear, and that God's requirements of us be how we imagine God to be and how we want God to unmistakable. While we can learn much about God's charwork. It's how we make sense of this acter and expectations from Scripture, the While we can leam much application of the Divine into daily life is life-and our faith.

Even in this issue, several articles rarely so plain. Though we can know God perabout God's character beg the question of God's involvement: sonally, we can never know God fully.

Most of us, though, need to feel that we • In our lead article (page 4), the and expectations from author sees in an unsuccessful attempt know enough of God to evaluate our circumto establish an inner-city ministry a God Scripture, the application stances and make decisions. Mystery makes us who uses failure to teach him a lesson uncomfortable; we want clarity. Often, graspon dependence. Did God really orches- of the Divine into daily IHe ing for assurance, we invoke spiritual-soundtrate so many lives for such a singular ing language to convince ourselves of our is rarely so plain. purpose, or is that conclusion the actions and our understanding of God 's author'S best effort to salvage a signifinature. "God spoke to me about that." "God is cant disappointment? Maybe God didn't intend the minleading us to do this." istry to succeed for a different reason. Or maybe the effort When circumstances change, or when the anticipated failed simply because it was poorly conceived or adminisdevelopment does not turn out the way we thought it tered, period. Would that nullify the "lesson" learned? Not would, we often are strangely silent about God's involvement. Or we find other, equally "spiritual," language to necessarily.

• In Forum (page 11), the writer speculates that Mendefend our new course of action-or even to defend God, nonite Brethren might have been called by God to bring a who has not acted as we expected. Sometimes we excuse more lively worship experience into a "spiritually God by citing our lack of faithfulness. Or we scramble to comatose" environment. The suggestion assumes a lot find a lesson that somehow makes sense of our disappointabout what God desires from people and how God goes ment in what we had perceived to be God's activity. about getting it. The author'S suggestion that our forebears, This is not to say we're always wrong in the way we though well-intentioned, may have thwarted God's plan understand God's involvement among us. I only want to through their "reforms" raises another set of questions reaffirm the bottom line that God's ways are higher than about our ability to comprehend the desires of the ours. Rather than allowing these mysteries to frustrate us Almighty. and make us cynical, maybe we should let go of some of the assumptions and boxes we've created to make God • Joe Mendel was a gifted athlete (page 24). He chose, likely with a sense of Divine blessing, to follow those gifts manageable. into the arena of track and field. The elders of his home In the words of C.S. Lewis, God is not "safe, " but God church, though, discerned that such an arena was too is certainly good. Putting our trust in a mysterious God worldly for a Christ-follower. They disciplined Mendel by can be scary. But it is in realizing that God cannot be "figrevoking his membership. Was one of the parties conured out" that vibrant faith ultimately takes root.-DR

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LEA D E R