CELEBRATION BOUND
U.S. Conference prepares to gather in La Mirada, CA July 17-20
FIRST WORDS ... from the editor
THIS SUMMER we gather in metropolitan Los Angeles for our biennial U.S. Conference convention. You'll want to go if you can . If you've already blocked off July 17-20 and are impatiently counting the days, this issue will prime your pump. But if you can't make it to La Mirada, then consider this issue your convention experience in absentia. Minus the sidetrips to Disneyland, the coffee breaks, the inspiring worship and a lot of enjoyable fellowship with friends old and new.
OK, let's face it. Reading about it isn ' t going to be nearly as much fun as being there . Still, you'll fmd in our feature section a lot of information about your U.S. Conference. We hope you make the time to browse through it.
Conspicuously absent from this issue are our four regular columnists: Philip Wiebe, Marvin Hein, Rose Buschman and Burton Buller. A deluge of letters to the editor (five pages!) and the death of].B. Toews in May claimed more space than we had initially planned. Though we regret depriving you of some good column materialwe had it all laid out and ready to go-we feel the material we are running in its stead is appropriate and significant in its own right.
If letters to the editor are the lifeblood of a publication, then the Leader is alive and doing very well, thank you . Our readers have been prompted to respond to issues such as the Confession of Faith revisions, criticism of our proposed mission to Mormons, and the pros and cons of capital punishment. We welcome reader interaction
The death of ].B. Toews, meanwhile, is one ofthose rare watershed events in the life of our denomination As you will read, no one man has engendered more respect and consideration in Mennonite Brethren circles thanJ.B . Toews. We delayed publication by one week so we could pass on to you some of the reflections and tributes regarding this exceptional servant of the church
If you never had the privilege of meeting ].B. Toews, we hope this issue offers a small measure of what you missed-and what the many of us who knew him gained . We will miss him dearly -DR
COMING
• JULY 17-20-U S Conference biennial convention , La Mirada , Calif
• NOVEMBER 6-8-Central District Conference convention, Lustre, Mont Speaker: Larry Martens, pastor of North Fresno MB Church , Fresno, Calif
• MARCH 20-23, 1999-Estes 99 , the quadrennial national Mennonite Brethren youth convention, Estes Park, Colo
2 -THE CHRISTIAN LEAD E R
Why come to La Mirada '98? The purpose of this event is to ...
• Celebrate the faithfulness of God and the privilege of being special, a "people belonging to God" (1 Peter 2:9).
• Communicate with one another as we "tell of all his wonderful acts" and participate in decision-making as stockholders of the church and its mission
• Connect with others of the family to have a family reunion as we get acquainted with our brothers and sisters from various churches and people groups people with whom we share a common vision.
• Call ourselves to disciplined and dedicated service in dependence upon our faithful Lord and God and the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
With tha launch of a Mission USA church-planting project and the adoption growth among Koreans, the Los Angeles area has become an appropriate place to celebrate our mission.
Reasons to Be Mennonite Brethren - Sense the heart beat of speaker Pierre Gilbert of MB Biblical Seminary
Readers Say
• MBs bid farewell to 1.B. Toews 23
• MBMS International board meetings 27
• Tabor College board endorses strategic plan 28
• Jim Pankratz named dean at MB Biblical Seminary 28
• Church notes 30
• Deaths 32
• Who can forget 1.B.?
CREDITS: Cover design by Brenda Hamm; pages 4 through 26, photos are Leader file photos or courtesy of Integrated Min · istries and MB Foundation; page 31, Steve Wiest.
BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Noe lle Dick inson, chair ; Ph il Neufe ld, Dalton Re imer, Herb Schroeder, Kathy He inrichs Wiest
MANDATE: THE CHRISTIAN LEADER ( ISSN 00095149), organ of the U S Conference of Mennonite Brethre n Churches , is publis hed monthly by the U.S Conference Board of Commun ications, 3 15 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennon ite Brethren members and churches of the events, act ivities, dec isions and issues of their denom ination, and to instruct, insp ire and initiate dialog so members w ill aspire to be fa ithfu l disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical!Anabaptist theo logica l tradition
EDITORIAL POLICY: The views and opinions of our writers and advert ise rs are their own and do not necessar i l y represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennon ite Brethren Ch urch The ed itors invite free ·l ance article submissions, but ask that each submiss ion be accompanied w ith a SASE. The editors reserve the rig ht to edit , condense or refuse all copy subm itted for publication; anonymous contributions will not be pub lished
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A WORD FROM THE CHAIR
This is a wonderful opportunity...
God is faithful! God has so richly blessed Mennonite Brethren, since a humble beginning in 1860 in Russia, and in 1874 in the USA. We now have membe rs or mission enterprises in 22 countries
God is faithful! God has given us educational institutions to provide guidance fo r living and specialized training for leaders God has given us unique opportunities to assist new people groups in evangelism and church planting God has led us to an aggressive approach to renewing the church and reaching our neighbors which we call Mission USA.
God is faithful! Our family has grown Our vision has enlarged God will be faithful to those who walk with him and for him It's time to celebrate!
La Mi rada '98 is open to any and all U.S. Mennonite Brethren . It is our hope that each ch urch will plan to send delegates
I encourage you to join us for th is very important t ime of celebration . - Dennis Fast, chair
Aiming for celebration
This year's U.S . Conference convention has moved from the high altitude of Colorado Springs to a high attitude toward emerging ministry in Los Angeles ... and beyond
PLANNERS FOR THIS SUMMER'S U.S. CONFERENCE
biennial convention, slated for July 17-20, are inviting Mennonite Brethren from across the country to take an urban plu nge into celebration.
After meeting in Colorado Springs for the past five conventions, the convention site shifts to the La Mirada area of Los Angeles, a strategic center for two of the conference's cuttingedge ministries: Mission USA and Integrated Ministries
Earlier this year MUSA, the new renewal and church-planting thrust of the conference, adopted a new project in La Mirada The Journey Community Church, led by Durwin and Beverlee Keck, uses a cell -church strategy for reaching adults in their 20s and 30s.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles area is also the nerve center for a growing connection with Korean congregations that are joining the conference Integrated Ministries, which works with the adoption and assimilation of new people-group churches, is the primary liaison between these churches and the conference
Included on the program is music from the Joong Ang Korean Church o f neighboring Cypress . The church will also host a Saturday evening gathering
of participants The gathering will include an authentic Korean meal.
"The setting of this convention will be different from those of past years," says Dennis Fast, U S Conference chair . "It will provide us an opportunity to sense the pulse of urban America and perhaps gain a new appreciation of the need to penetrate our culture with the good news of the gospel."
Most sessions of the convention will be held in the Holiday Inn Gateway Plaza Convention Center.
Some sessions will be devoted to business, including conference funding c hallenges in light of Mission USA ' s aggressive growth, but the key thrust of this gathering, say planners, is celebration.
"Our family has grown," says Fast. "Our vision has enlarged . God will be faithful to those who walk with him and for him . It's time to celebrate ."
The conventi on program includes thre e banquet settings, music from the Korean and Slavi c c hurches and th e CrossWise group fro m Tabor Col -
lege and several worship sessions led by Jon Wiebe, president of MB Foundation and worship leader at Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan _
Pierre Gilbert, academic dean and associate professor of Old Testament at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif , will be the featured Bible teacher. Gilbert will lead three morning Bible studies from 1 Peter 2:4-12 on the theme of celebration
Attenders can also participate in a "concert of prayer" and choose from seven workshops on themes ranging from the spiritual disciplines to minis-
teeing to families in pain .
The convention is designed to be family-friendly . Child care will be provided and a track of activities for junior high and high school youth will include an inner-city overnight "mission immersion " experience_
The La Mirada location provide s numerous opportunities for families to extend their time at the convention.
The convention site is minutes from attractions such as the Crystal Cathedral, Knott's Berry Farm, Disney-
land, both major league baseball stadi-
urns and numerous shopping centers .
INTRODUCING PIERRE GILBERT, CONFERENCE SPEAKER
Reaso'ns to be Mennonite Brethren
Pierre Gilbert, academic dean at MB Biblica l Seminary in Fresno, Calif , will be the speaker at Celebrate '98 Prior to coming to Fresno, he taught at Institut biblique Laval in Montreal and was a member of a Mennonite 8rethren congregation in St. Laurent, Que The following article first appeared in Le Lien, the French -language publication of the Canadian Conference . In 1996 it appeared in the Mennonite Brethren Herald We reprint it here to introduce Gilbert more fully to his u.s. constituency. - The editors
IIWhY are you Mennonite Brethr en? "
W hen someone asks m e thi s question, I find it somew hat emba rra ssing because I do not have an easy, ready-made answer that people can grasp immediately
The question has been asked of me frequently because I have been doing my best in recent years to encourage my home congregation and others to con-
1. A sincere, deep love
During my 12 years of se rvi ce in Quebec, it refreshed me many times to participate in Mennon ite Brethren convent ions and to visit Mennonite Brethre n churches in Ontario and the West. What stru ck me constantly was th e love and concern for the church in Quebe c
This affection for us in Quebec has been made tribute more generously to the conference.
In spite of the willingness of the brothers and sisters to contribute financially , they can't keep
To be Christian is to be part
of such a community. What an extraordinary antidote to the individualism and painful solitude which characterize from asking why Gilbert our society! we should send the conferen ce money when we have such urgent needs at home
Some have asked me what justification there is for even belonging to such a denomination Others ask what concrete benefits there are to belonging : What's in it for us?
Although such question s make me uneasy, I remain patient, because I am aware that such opinion s result much more from lack of inform ation and from a misunderstand ing of who we are as Mennonite Brethren than from ill will. In an effort to remedy th is situation , I present several reasons why I am proud to be a member of the Mennonite Brethren Churc h.
tangible by the Mennonite Brethren sending us missionaries since the 1960s as well as by financial support I haven't studied the figures , but one can estimate that the Canadian Conference has invested at least $1 .5 to $2 million in Quebec since 1960 We still receive
about $200,000 a year for the support of various ministries
2. Respect and local autonomy
Mennonite Brethren have deliberately shown their respect for the Mennonite Brethren churches in Quebec by encouraging them to develop their own identity In fact, the Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Quebec is one of th e few denominations in Quebec that is solely directed by French Quebecers
3. Model
The experience I have gained over the years as a Quebec representative on Canadian Conference
The Holiday Inn in La Mirada/Buena Park will
be the site for this summer's convention.
Reasons to be MB
Continued from previous page
boards has often been a valuable aid in my responsibilities at Institut bibl ique Laval , in my local church and in the Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Quebec . I have been profoundly influen ced by the manner in which our Mennonite Brethren brothers and sisters handle differences , re solve conflicts and relate to each other
3. Anabaptist theology
The Mennonite Brethren have bequeathed us a theology whose fundamental components constitute precious elements for today Permit me to present several of these elements :
• A missionary and evangelical church. The Mennonite Brethren denomination is one in which the first priority is the communication of the gospel in all its forms This communication is carried out as much by social work (Mennonite Ce ntral.Committee) and the involvement of Christians in society as by planting new churches .
• A biblical theology For all sorts of reasons which are too long to explain , the Mennonites had developed a biblical theology long before the term was invented in the 19th century This perspective has saved us from a great number of theological controversies which have often proved to be as useless as they are exhausting
• A theology of community In Anabaptist theology, to be a Christian is not only a matter between the believer and his God, but also a community matter We believe that it is the church as a commun ity that is to reflect tl\e character of God . To be Chri stian is to be part of such a community . What an extraordinary antidote to the individualism and pa inful solitude which characterize our society!
• Mutual submission . I believe it is healthy for the leaders of local churches to be in submission and answerable to a community larger than their own Not only does this protect members from any un scrupulous leaders who may appear from time to time , but the leaders of the denomination themselves learn to practice subm issive attitudes as they listen to the members of their own congregations .
BOARD MEMBERS
Dennis Fast, chair Hillsboro, Kan.
David Reimer, v chair Reedley , Calif.
Stuart Pederson, sec. Henderson, Neb
Dale Regier, treas. Hillsboro, Kan.
John Quiring Hampton, Neb .
Nick Rempel Buhler, Kan
Marvin Just Jr. Reedley, Calif
James Isbell Jr. Lenoir, N C.
Rolando Mireles
Rio Grande City, Texas
BOARD OF CHURCH MINISTRIES
EVERY FAMILY needs times celebration , These times are made mearungful by memories of past blessings as well as willingness to accept new challenges Our hope is that the 1998 convention of the U S. Conference will be such a time. We have worked hard for a number of years to discover and pursue our vision We have established a firm direction and this is our opportunity to celebrate the faithfulness and goodness of God.
The Board of Church Ministries (BCM) seeks to carry out its ministry with the conference vision in mind. This vision grew out of consultations in the eady 1990s. It states;
"Convinced of God's sacrificial and compassionate love for all people, the transforming power of the gospel in the face of our nation's moral and spiritual deterioration, and the new realities of global missions, we profess our desire to reach our nation with the gospel.
"Therefore, acknowledging our dependence upon God's grace and the power of his Spirit to accomplish it, we seek spiritual renewal and commit ourselves to a renewed effort to evangelize the lost, disciple believers and incorporate them into our churches
"To achieve specific growth goals, we will prioritize the resources of our congregations, conferences and agencies/institutions to call us to holy living, recruit and train gifted leaders, plant new churches, and minister to human need.
We believe God will bless U S. Mennonite Brethren with significant growth in membership and churches-for the glory of God and the advancement of Christ's kingdom into the 21st century."
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The mandate of the Board of Church Ministries is to give vision and direction to the con -
Lynford Becker
ference , to provide spiritual oversight and encourage leadership development as we coordinate the ministries of the various boards of the Conference In this biennium we have :
1. Completed a revision of the document "Dealing Redemptively With Sexual Morallndiscretion Among Church Leaders.» After numerous consultations, including legal counsel, and minor adjustments, this paper has been submitted to the districts and is available for inclusion in the Church Leader's Manual.
2 . Affirmed the continuing ministries of our administrative secretary, Lynford Becker, and our conference minister, Loyal Funk. Lyn takes care of numerous day-to-day operations from the Hillsboro, Kan . , office while Loyal gives primary attention to our growing ministries with nonanglo churches (Integrated Ministries) from his residence in California
3 Taken steps to form a commission under the Board of Church Ministries that will give support to the work of Integrated Ministries . This commission will report both to the Board of Church Ministries and to MBMS International.
PEACE EDUCATION COMMISSION
4. Initiated a plan to partner with our North Carolina churches in calling their ftrst "full·time" pastor. The intention is that this be one of their present pastors who will, in addition to serving his congregation, also develop youth ministry programs within the North Carolina Conference
5. Held consultations on funding our vision
In an attempt to fmd ways to adequately coordinate the fund -raising needs of our conference during this stage of growth and advancement through Mission USA, the Board of Church Ministries is seeking ways to unify all the ministries of the conference toward common goals and shared vision.
6 . Made numerous appointments to ensure that U.S . Mennonite Brethren are adequately represented on the following ministries and agencies:
• Mennonite Central Committee : Paul Toews, Glenn Wiebe;
• Mennonite Disaster Service: Marvin Toews;
• Mennonite Mutual Aid: Lyn Becker, David Faber;
• National Association of Evangelicals: Lyn
Encouraging the way of peace is an ongoing challenge
The mission of the Peace Education Commission is to encourage and promote the study, practice and celebration of peace with God and with each other The Peace Education Commission reports directly to the Board of Church Ministries. Members, appointed by BCM, are : Rose Buschman (new appointee), Don Isaac, Dalton Reimer, Sam Resendez, Katie Funk Wiebe (retiring).
God's desire is that this world be at peace with him and with each other . Division and conflict, nevertheless, abound in this troubled world. Yet it need not be so. Christ came to bring peace And God has called his followers to join in the "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5: 18-20) "Blessed are the peacemakers," Jesus said (Mt. 5:9).
Peacemaking is a mission all followers of God are called to pursue
• Peace Sunday cont inues to be an important expression of the work of the Peace Education Commiss ion Churches of the conference are invited each year to
set aside a particular Sunday to fo cus on the theme of peace This year Peace Sunday was Feb 22.
• The Christian Leader each year devotes the January issue to a theme related to peacemaking This issue provides preparation and potential study material for Peace Sunday . This year the theme was capital punishment. The commission is most grateful for the continuing commitment of the editor and staff of the Leader to begin each year with a peace issue
• Agreeing & Disagreeing in Love Ways of dealing with differences and conflict are learned. Scripture assumes this Many instructions are given in the Bible as to how to live peaceably with God and each other . These learnings have been drawn together in a document entitled "Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love-Commitments for Christians in Times of Disagreement." This document has been affirmed by the Board of Church Ministries and is being forwarded
to the conferen ce as a recommended guide
• Voluntary Service. Voluntary service among Mennonite Brethren has taken different forms in the post-draft age. Earlier ways of promoting voluntary service and connecting volunteers with organizations needing assistance have faded and new directions have emerged The question remains: How might we best promote and organize voluntary service for all ages in the future? This commission, with the support of BCM, is beginning a review in pursuit of an answer to this question during the next biennium Thoughts and prayers in support of this review would be appreciated
Recommendation: The Board of Church Ministries and the Peace Education Commission jointly recommend that the document entitled "Agreeing & Disagreeing in Love " be adopted by the U.S Conference as a guide for Mennonite Brethren churches and members
Becker, Loyal Funk, Winnie Bartel;
• International Committee of Mennonite Brethren : Edmund Janzen ;
• Mennonite World Conference Committee : Larry Martens ;
• General Conference Nominating Committee : Phil Glanzer;
• General Conference Board of Faith and Life : David Reimer;
• General Conference Executive Council : Dennis Fast;
• Peac e Education Commission : Dalton Reimer, Sam Resendez, Don Isaac, Rose Buschman;
• National Youth Committee : Stuart Pedersen, Nick Delgado, Curtis Karber, Rolando Mireles , Kelly Thomas, Lynn Jackson
7 . Reviewed and proposed several changes to the conference bylaws which we are bringing to the convention for ratification .
8. Reviewed ethical issue statements prepared by the Canadian Board of Faith and Life which we are bringing to the convention . It is intended that these resolutions will be useful to church leaders in responding to issues with confidence, aware that the conference has reviewed the issue
9. Met with the General Conference Restructuring Task Force in a dialogue on the future of
the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren It is presently not known what message this task force will bring to the 1999 binational convention. It is imperative that the U S Conference be aware of potential shifts in ministry needs should major changes at the General Conference level be recommended and adopted .
FUTURE AGENDA
While these issues h ave occupied our thinking, there continue to be a number of pressing agenda items for the near future For the next biennium the Board of Church Ministries plans to give attention to the following :
1 The formation of the Integrated Ministries Commission This commission is to include a member of BCM, three representatives from nonanglo cultural groups, and the confere nce minister .
2. The recrui ting of a candidate for the role of conference minister or coordinator of Integrated Ministries who could be mentored by Loyal Funk for future leadership .
3. The strengthening of the faith -and-life component of our assignment .
4. The improvement of our communication and interaction system with the constituency
5 The promotion of adequate funding strategies for conference ministries. -Dennis Fast
Estes '99 may be the largest gathering of MBs ever
THE PURPOSE of the Youth Commission is to p rov ide a life-changing experience w ith Jesus Christ. God willing, we anticipate th is will happen through biblical messages, engaging worship and service opportunities An additional component is the opportunity to experience the full breadth of the dive rsity and g iftedness of the body of Christ as represented by the Mennonite Brethren Ch u rch
Our vision is that 2,400 youth and sponsors wou ld meet at the YMCA o f the Rockies near Estes, Colo., March 2023 , 1999 We see this event as developing relationsh ips and u nity between youth from different areas and motivating them to commit themse lves to se rvice and missions Our prayer is tha t 300-plus will accept Jesus Christ as th eir Lord and
Savio r and that l, OOO-p lus would ta ke a ste p to deeper comm it me nt to serving their Lord . The 26 -membe r Estes ' 99 p lan n ing team is led by a six-membe r admin istrative comm ittee : Stua rt Pedersen, chair, Henderson, Neb., Nick De lgado, Reedley, Calif , Curtis Karber , Fairview, Okla , Rolando M i reles, Rio Grande City, Texas, Kelly Thomas , Lod i, Calif , and Lynn Ja ckson , Hillsboro , Kan
The p lanning for the 1999 Nat ional Youth Conference is well under way We are fo cu sed o n prayer We be li eve God is goi ng t o do great things by his Holy Sp i r it i n the lives of our yo uth . Seve ral of our comm ittee members are resp o ns i b le fo r the lead ing and gu idi ng of p ra yer be fo re, du r ing and aft er the eve nt.
Estes ' 99 has the potential of being one of the largest gatherings of Mennonite Brethren ever The committee desires to be led by God to create an envi ronment that God will use to impact lives. These changes we expect will translate into vibrant future leaders in the body of Christ.
Considering the changes we as a denomination and a country are facing, Estes ' 99 can p laya crit ical part in the celeb ration of God and the bui ldi ng of his ki ngdom
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Our key accomp li shment has been the gathe rin g and un ifying of a very large and diverse committee. God has ex ceeded a ll our expe ctations in thi s area .
INTEGRA TED MINISTRIES / CONF. MINISTER
Ministry to immigrants enters second decade
FORA DECADE, I have been involved in a ministry that focuses on aiding our districtsand beyond-as they relate to new immigrant and ethnic groups This ministry has transpired because the Lord led and blessed - but also because our people prayed, supported and became involved .
Our partners in this venture are numerous : Evangelism Partners, Operation U-SERV volunteers, sister churches, the U. S. Board of Church Ministries (and before them, the U .S. Board of Evangelism), MB Foundation and our districts .
by reaching all people groups-particularly those
Because of this partnership, more than 40 new churches have been added to our districts. Several more are independent, but still have a good working relationship with us who can also reach back into their homelands with the gospel. Because of that, we have estab· lished a close working link with MBMS International.
My involvement with several Bible societies and the National Association of Evangelicals has contributed to this assignment. Our ongoing rela · tionship with the Brethren in Christ is a potential plus for us , but the future is not clearly defmed.
Many new churches in the former Soviet Union and now in Korea have been spawned by the vision and faith of the congregations who have linked with us in the United States.
Our relationships to Slavic, Asian, hispanic, East Indian, Ethiopian and several other cultural Our mission is to fulfill the Great Commission groups have been enlarged and enhanced. Loyal Funk
The planning team consists of 26 people from four cu ltures, five districts, eight states and more than 40 years difference in age The on -site team in 1999, which includes the worship team and support staff, will total more than 50 people. The increase in numbers is a function of several things :
A. We are planning for at least 1,000 more people than in 1990 and 500 more than in 1995 . The needs for counseling, recreation and promotion have changed sign ificantly.
B. We have brought on additional peo· pie to train new team members to take over i n 2003.
C We have brought on addit ional people who represent new and expanding areas of our denomination
Be sure to check our web page : www telcoweb net/mb/estes99 (Note : The brochures have a mispr int on the address It shou ld read as i ndicated here )
GOALS
Our key goals are to orchestrate and administer the conference so that God can change people . We hope that literally hundreds of youth will be motivated to participate in mission projects in the summer of 1999.
To provide for this we have committed the Youth Conference offering to scholarships for mission trips Depending on the offering and available matching funds, we hope this support will range from $20,000 to $50,000
CHALLENGES
We are dealing with how to model and lead our youth in living as a body of Christ. We are people w it h different backgrounds,cultures, preferences and priorities , but one Lord The Estes '99 expe rience can be used by God to draw us together, not into sameness b ut to a un ited focus (Heb 12 : 1-3).
We are also dealing with the challenge of how to handle the logistics of potentially 2,400 people These are good problems but we want to make sure tha t logistics do not get i n the way of God's work
PRAYER NEEDS
• Please pray for commun icat ion and efficiency among the team as we coord inate all the details
• Prayer for sponsors and youth to respond to the opportunity t o gather to celebrate and follow God .
• Pray for changed lives
• Pray for counselors and leaders as they help the youth process their decisions.
• Pray for miss ion opport unities in the summer of 1999 to ha nd le w h at we expect to be a larger -t han -normal number of our yout h part icipating in m ission tr i ps
- Stuart Pedersen
A worship dance team interprets a hymn during a service held at the Joong Ang Church in Cypress, Calif. The Korean connection continues to grow in Southern California.
Where will these churches be 10 years from now? That depends on our ability and readiness to be equal partners with them as we accommodate for the variables that go with culture and language.
CONVENTION PREVIEW
Almost every one of these congregations has connections back to its respective country of origin.
For several years now, Integrated Ministries has been lodged with the Board of Church Ministries . That was a temporary arrangement precipitated by the emergence of Mission USA. Now, BCM has authorized the formation of an overseeing commission which will include the director of Integrated Ministries, a representative appointed by MBMS International, and at least three representatives from the ethnic people groups . Already appointed are Hang Ku Shim (Korean) and Takao Nakamura Oapanese). One or two are pending from the Slavic and hispanic groups. The aim is to reach new people groups where there are substantive critical masses for church planting and evangelism.
NEW APPLICATIONS
Every month I receive several new applications from Slavic and Asian congregations who want to establish working relationships with us. Their primary objective in coming to us is finding an umbrella group with a clear, biblical confession of faith.
Our Confession of Faith, which is biblical and Anabaptist, has been cited as a major reason for applying These congregations also seek consultation, polity instruction and integration into the American church landscape.
It is true that most of these new churches need help rmding meeting facilities. Because of our ability in demographic direction, we are able to help thl Some five churches have found permanent meeting facilities during the last biennium and four are in building programs at this writing.
The congregations that come to us generally range from small (under 50 adults) to mid-sized (400 adults) . A few number 600 to more than 1,000 adults.
WORKING TOWARD ASSIMILATION
In my role as conference minister, I try to help the cross-cultural congregations in our various districts . Once a church is integrated into a district, my work is on an on-call basis. In many cases, this takes the form of a proctoring district minister.
One of our goals is to connect congregations with a common ethnic background and help them find unity and direction. Beyond that, we try to integrate these churches into the broader district as that becomes possible The pace of integration varies according to culture, language and ethnicity.
Where will these churches be 10 years from now? That depends on our ability and readiness to be equal partners with them as we accommodate for the variables that go with culture and language. It also depends upon their growth and maturation .
I see assimilation coming to pass in some locales and more slowly in others because our traditional congregations are increasingly independent. The common bond we once possessed as a body is not as clear as it once was. That is due to our amalgamation into the American evangelical mainstream The passions that once bound us are changing-hopefully for the better, for our unity must rest in our fidelity to the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ.
The need for regular intercession and fervent prayer cannot be exaggerated. If your local church would like to develop a "sister-church" relationship with one of our newer ethnic congregations, please contact me. This would be a noble way to ensure strengthened relationships for the future. -Loy al Funk
Pastor Vyacheslav Tsvirinko of the Slavic Baptist Church of Fresno. an MB congregation of around 100 members. performs a wedding ceremony Slavic Mennonite Brethren continue to grow through conversion and adoption.
BOARDOF
MISSIONUSA
TIe Mission USA purpose statement is straight forward: "To encourage, facilitate and coordinate local church growth and the planting of successful new churches that reach the unchurched. "
MUSA is about two things: church renewal and church planting. Because of that, our board members sit on one of two commissions that are assigned to envision and enable these tasks. Out of these commissions come the recommendations to the board that guide our ministry TIlis entire ministry, we trust, is empowered by the Holy Spirit. His encouragement to represent our denomination in helping to fulfill the Great Commission is our greatest motivation.
On the human side of leadership, we are privileged to enjoy a gifted and highly inspirational executive director, Ed Boschman. Ed and
last fall's Pacific District Conference. The call: "To become everything to everyone to win some."
MISSION USA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BOARD MEMBERS
Chuck Buller, chair
Visalia, Calif
Tim Sullivan, admin.
Hillsboro, Kan.
Ernie Friesen
Wichita , Kan.
Phil Glanzer
New Hope, Minn.
Joe Johns
Weatherford, Ok la
Loretta Jost
Aurora , Neb.
Fred Leonard Clovis, Calif his wife, Carol, returned to the U.S. Conference two years ago to help further define and shape this important ministry. With some 20 years of pastoral ministry that included both church renewal and church-planting ventures, Ed came to our board ideally suited to lead. On behalf of our board, I want to thank Ed and Carol for allowing God to uproot their lives out of British Columbia and bring them to our ministry in Phoenix, Ariz.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
With Ed's capable leadership, our board has accomplished several important goals.
First, we have partnered with our
Stephen Reimer Shafter, Calif.
Clarice Rempel Buhler, Kan
Mike Schu il Reedley, Calif.
Randy Steinert Bakersfield, Calif.
Ex OFFICIO
Henry Dick Fresno, Calif
Clint Grenz
Bismarck, N D
Bruce Porter Fresno, Calif
Roland Reimer Wichita, Kan
Clint Seibel
Hillsboro, Kan.
Jim Westgate Fres no, Calif
Mission USA is God's agenda in post-Christian America
M
ORE THAN 90 PERCENT of our neighbors believe in God. But only 30 percent of them have any kind of meaningful relationship with him.
Our nation has nearly 200 million pre-Christians-which means that, on average, two of every three of our neighbors have not found peace with God through the grace offered by Jesus Christ. Alongside these facts is another reality. The disconEd Boschman nected 70 percent
are at best defining God and the path to him multiple ways (pluralism) and at worst entirely uninformed about "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (ignosticism)
There are signals that we indeed are living in a post-Christian nation. And still, spiritUality is alive and well. Only very few folk choose to be entirely secularist .
Enter Mission USA Enter a vision of renewed emphasis and faithfulness to the invitation ofJesus to make disciples. Enter the refocusing and resourcing of existing churches and the birthing of new churches for the purpose of evangelizing our neighbors. Enter the vision to mobilize everyday
Mennonite Brethren Christians to befriend and develop relationships with people who need to find peace with God.
Enter the voice of one crying from the desert, "Let's win some!"
And now we have begun. To partner with Jesus, in our nation, for the building of his church. In Topeka, Kan., Reedley, Calif., Omaha, Neb., Edmond, Okla., Weatherford, Okla., Phoenix, Ariz., Draper, Utah, and soon, Lord willing, in Minneapolis, Minn. And then?
Mission USA is what God wants to do. Good thing it's our national agenda, too . -Ed Boschman, executive director
Ed Boschman promotes Mission USA at
districts in planting or helping to plant four churches . The flagship church in Phoenix began public services on March 15, 1998. Pastors Brad Klassen and Wayne Loewen are leading Sunday services that average more than 100 people This is truly remarkable, given that the church was started with a core group of around 20 adults.
This type of "parachute" church-planting model, where we start without a mother church, is the most difficult to accomplish. We are pleased that God is blessing the incredible effort of this congregation .
Second, we have begun a new church plant in the Salt Lake City area with Paul and Jini Robie This project is a partnership of the Pacific District Conference, MUSA and the Laurelglen Bible Church of Bakersfield, Calif. The church will begin public services in the next year and continue to plow this unique "soil" until that time.
Third, we have begun a project in La Mirada, Calif , with Durwin and Beverlee Keck as our pastoral couple . This exciting work has a core of about 40 people, many of whom are "Generation X'ers" (adults in their 20s and 30s).
Fourth, we have partnered with the Central District in a church-planting venture in Papillion, Neb. Pastor Rod Anderson and his wife, Donna, are leading a group of about 60 people.
On the church-renewal side, we have focused our energies in helping churches assess their present health and look at strategies for growth through an evaluation mechanism called Mission Analysis To date, 28 churches are participating. The information coming out of this report is helping a number of our churches look at opportunities for growth and evangelism that are indigenous to their communities
Our goals for the coming biennium consist of the following: We would like to plant two churches per year as well as service the ones we have already begun . Our current policies require our church plants to be off our board 's financial subsidy within three years. This enables us to free up money for new projects
A potential project we are looking at with the Central District is a church plant in Minneapolis, Minn Other projects are on the drawing board, but are still too early to talk about at this stage of their development
CHALLENGES
The issues we are dealing with might be categorized along four general themes
First, we need to develop policies and procedures for how partnerships work between districts, local churches and MUSA. We believe we have made great strides in defining these relationships but still have more work to do.
Second, we have the ongoing issue of focusing c hurch renewal in a vastly diverse constituency . We are working more closely with a parachurch agency called Church Resource Ministries to help us train pastors in all aspects of indigenous church renewal.
Third, we have the issue of creating the impetus for church plants before the funding is in place to put them on the map We frequently see opportunities that we are not able to pursue because of funding limitations We hope to develop within our budget some "seed money" that allows us to move ahead with start-up projects prior to biennial budget reviews
Fourth, our board has an ever-present fundraising responsibility We have agreed to be responsible for helping to raise the money we project in our budgets For most of our board members, this amounts to a fund-raising goal of around $10,000. As all of our U.S. Conference boards acc ept responsibility to share in this effort, we recognize a fundamental reality of not backing off our own commitments.
Please pray for the health, safety and spiritual passion of our entire team : Ed and Carol Boschman , secretary Shirley Nachtigal, the executive board and the board of directors.
Pray that God will supply the necessary replacements in board members, the additional resources we need, and the Spirit-led thinking required to fulfill our responsibilities on behalf of the U S. Conference.
GRATITUDE
I want to thank two board members whose terms expire this July . Fred Leonard and Mike Schuil have both played invaluable roles on this board Both men were with us from the beginning in 1995 . Fre d has chaired the church-planting commission and Mike the church-renewal commission. Both men will be greatly missed
When forming a new board, much work goes on behind the scenes that no one else knows about. These m en gave tirelessly to the formation of this board and the planting of ministry seeds that are only now bearing fruit May God bless each of them as they pursue other ministry intere sts. -Chuck Buller
People gather for Copper Hills Community Church's first public service, which was held in March in a movie theater
BOA RD OF
COMMUNICATIONS
THE PRIMARY TASK of the U.S. Board of Communications has been to oversee the work of our monthly conference publication, the Christian Leader.
It is the vision of the board to encourage and support the editors in producing a high-quality publication that informs, challenges and inspires its readers We're convinc ed that the U. S Conference has been blessed with an exceptional publication for a reasonable investment . The quality and depth of this magazine would not be possible without the strong leadership of a capable editor. Don Ratzlaff has been on staff with the Leader for 20 years, serving 13 as editor .
At its most recent meetings in Phoenix in March , the board reluctantly accepted Don 's resignation effective)uly 31. We affirm Don's gifts as a journalist who has demonstrated integrity and commitment to the Mennonite Brethre n Church It has been difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to him
Agenda at the March meetings and since has primarily focused on issues related to this resignation. Given the upcoming change in editors and the potential restructure of the conference,
the board has found this an ate time to evaluate the communication needs of
ing its constituency, and not the conference structure itself
The board has discussed its role in capitalizing on electronic media to communicate within the U. S Conference Given financial and staff limitations , we have no t set a plan into action , but welcome the advice and suggestions of the constituency.
Our search for a new Leader editor is well underway . An interim arrangement is being created if an editor cannot be found by Aug 1 We ask for your prayers for those considering the position and for us as we disce rn the Lord's direction. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this way -Noelle
Dickinson
CHRISTIAN LEADER EDITOR
Our church family is glo bal and diverse
DURING THE past two years , one theme seems to have pervaded our work at the Christian Leader: the growing diversity of the Mennonite Brethren family
The most obvious expression of diversity has been the continuing emergence of an identity that is both multicultural and multinational. The Mennonite Brethren Church, once a monoethnic enclave, is now a global church, with
some 230,000 believers in 17 countries . Even in North America, our family tre e is adding many wonderful new branches Some of the most recent and dramatic growth the U. S Conference The
board has reaffirmed its
belief that the constituency is still best serve d by a
monthly journalistic publication with space for indepth features and reporting
The board believes that the community of Mennonite Brethren believers is served Dest by a publication that stimulates discussion and interac -
has been among Korean and Slavic immigrant groups, though many other branches continue to bear kingdom fruit as well. During these two years, I :ion, thereby promoting comnunity The board also affirms :he value of a journalistic lpproach to the publication . It nust continue to have the free10m to objectively report what it iees in the conference, repre sent -
Issues on topics such as capital punishment reveal our diversity of thought and theology
had the indescribable privilege of encountering our global family on two international reporting trips: the first to Thailand and India in January 1997 for Mennonite World Conference, and the second to the De mocratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) last fall To witness firsthand the challenges and faithfulness of our two largest national
By year's end, we were more convinced than ever that not only are Mennonite Brethren called to continue a global mission, but we are also presented with an opportunity to become a true global family.
conferences (India and Congo) was a professional and spiritual highlight .
During 1997, the Leader covered many events related to the ·MBMS International theme, "Year of Global Mission." Not the least of which was the inspiring whirlwind tour of Esengo, the dynamic choir from Congo. By year's end, we were more convinced than ever that not only are Mennonite Brethren called to continue a global mission, we are also presented with an opportunity to become a true global family as we learn what it means to relate to our international brothers and sisters as equal partners in the kingdom and ministry of God_
I have also been struck during these years by the growing theological diversity among our churches . Several issues surfaced this diversity :
• the 500th anniversary of Menno Simon's birth and the ensuing discussion of what it means to be Mennonite today;
• revising our Confession of Faith-how many doctrinal positions can we honestly say we share as a body of believers;
• spiritual-social issues such as capital punishment, abortion, the role of women in church leadership, worship styles and more;
• the theological identity of new churches we want to plant.
I'm less enthused about diversity on the theological front, to be honest. I know we have much to learn from each other and that God continues to guide our way. I can only hope that through the pages of the Leader we have been challenged to hear each other, respect each other, and to grow toward a semblance of unity of vision and ministry.
Another highlight for me has been the great working relationship I have enjoyed with Connie Faber, our superb assistant editor, and the many writers who have written for the magazine. A particular word of thanks to our four regular columnists: Marvin Hein (Inquiring Minds), Philip Wiebe (Ph'lip Side), Rose Buschman (On the Journey) and Burton Buller (Media Matters) .
A good team of writers can make an editor look pretty good . The affIrmation of readers and colleagues these past two years has been gratifying. As I complete my term as editor in July, I am grateful for the opportunity God and the churches of U.S. Conference have given me to serve through the ministry of journalism.
I pray the next editor will realize the great privilege of this task, understand the Significance of the cause , and experience the same support and encouragement I have received from some wonderful sisters and brothers - Don Ratz laff
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES has as its primary responsibility the management of all legal and financial affairs in behalf of the conference . This includes administering the conference treasury, receipting gifts from churches and individuals, providing the appropriate accounting, preparing an operating budget , and disbursing the income as mandated by budget allocation or donor designation The conference treasurer is appointed by the board and office staff employed as needed for receipting, accounting, etc . Members of the board, together with other appointees, serve on the Board of Directors of MB Foundation. This is a separate incorporation, with specific responsibility for management of endowment funds, planned gifts, estate planning, educational services , a loan program and general stewardship education services to our churches and individuals.
In addition to our five-member board, Dale Regier serves as treasurer; Donna Sullivan is our conference secretary/bookkeeper; Lynford J. Becker assists as administrative secretary.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The dominant activity of the board relates to the work of the foundation. Other activities the past biennium have included:
1. Reviewing and approving policy changes in the Church Workers Group Life Insurance Plan to best serve needs of pastors and churches and assure compliance with new legal regulations.
2 Review and approve policy changes and plan choices for the Congregational Employee Group Health Plan.
3. Prepare a travel and expense reimbursement policy for conference boards and employees .
4 . Responded to requests for salary guidelines for church and conference workers . Guidelines as used by other church groups have been suggested as worthy of consideration; specific guidelines have not been formulated.
The key issue the board must continue to address is that of funding our mission based on our vision for the future How do we communicate the vision, balance a desire for aggressive mission with realism as to gift expectation, deter-
CONVENTION PREVIEW
PAST AND PROPOSED BUDGETS - U.S. CONFERENCE
"Includes support of MSSS fund-raiser
mine the appropriate fund-raising methodologies, etc.?
This is our primary prayer concern. We want to be faithful to our Lord's mandate to tell the good news. We want to grow the church. We want to plant churches. We also want to be faithful and accountable stewards who have a vision for mission but also a realistic sense of how much we can do with the resources available.
Recommendation: In consultation with the Board of Church Ministries, and in fact, all conference boards, a budget of $660,910 is recommended for the 1998-99 fiscal year (see above breakdown).
This represents a significant increase and reflects our vision for growing the church and moving ahead aggressively with Mission USA. The Board of Mission USA and others have done
a magnificent work in fund-raising the past two years . We are suggesting that responsibility should not be theirs alone; we must share in that responsibility. The delegates will need to respond to this challenge and declare their support of the budget or voice concerns. We will have more updated financial information available at convention time
SUGGESTED NORMS FOR 1998-99
Membership 1-49
50-99
100-199
200 & over
BOARD MEMBERS
Ken Neufeld, chair Fresno, Calif.
Randy Long, v. chair Reedley, Calif
Ed Thiessen, sec. Weatherford, Okla. Jim Bartel Hesston, Kan Phil Hamburger Seneca, S.D.
Amount
$10/member
$ 18/member
$25/member
$30/member
MBBS subsidy: $22/member
General Conference: $1 O/member
Financial stewardship expands kingdom work
IT IS EXCITING to see how the Lord has chosen to grow and expand the work of MB Foundation during the past biennium.
MBF is a service agency whose primary mission is to encourage and assist caring Christians in the faithful stewardship of their God-given resources to benefit themselves, their families, and the ministry of the church.
The following are some highlights :
• Friends of MB Foundation used our services to designate approximately $1.8 million for a variety of ministries, such as local churches, conferences, colleges, missions , evangelism, retirement communities and more .
• Funds under management grew by more
than $540,000. Total assets on Dec. 31, 1997, were $29,454,788.
• Over $1.1 million of endowment earnings were distributed to the designated ministries.
• MB Foundation made grants totaling $137,323 for the benefit of the U.S. Conference of MB Churches, Mission USA, MB Biblical Seminary and Mennonite Central Committee.
• $14.8 million in new loans were approved for funding capital improvements and for the purchase of properties throughout the U S Conference.
During 1997, our two field representatives, Eugene Karber and Ivan Wohlgemuth, with a combined experience of more than 20 years, Jon Wiebe
MB FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
MB FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don l. Martens, chair
Fairview, Okla
Ken Neufeld, vice chair Fresno Calif
James Enns, sec Fresno, Calif
Reg Boothe, ass'! sec.
Wichita, Kan
Jim Bartel
Hesston, Kan
Phil Hamburger
Seneca, S D
Dean lost Aurora, Neb
Marvin Jost
Hillsboro, Kan
Randy Long Reedley, Calif
Marvin Reimer
Buhler, Kan
Ed Thiessen
Weatherford, Okla
CONVENTION PREVIEW
MB FOUNDATION STAFF
Jon C. Wiebe
President Hillsboro, Kan
Lynford J. Becker
Vice president
Hillsboro, Kan
Dale Regier
Vice president & treas
Hillsboro, Kan
Eugene Karber
Midwest area rep
Enid, Okla
Arlene Schale
Secreta ry/ receptionist
Hillsboro, Kan
Donna Sullivan
Secretary Hillsboro, Kan
Shawna Vogt
Bookkeeper Hillsboro, Kan
Ivan Wohlgemuth
Western area rep Dinuba, Calif
each began the transition to retirement by significantly reducing their hours Eugene and Ivan remain with us on a part-time basis as we seek re placements.
In a similar vein, LynfordJ. Becker, president of the foundation for seven years and on staff for 12 years, accepted a new assignment as vicepresident. Effective Jan. 1, 1998, I assumed the position of president of MB Foundation . Lynford continues to serve full-time, focusing his efforts on planned giving and constituent relations
In spite of these changes, we continue to believe that our mission is best served by focusing on the following four objectives:
• OBJECTIVE 1: To offer stewardship education resources and services.
Fact: We are deeply committed to our role as encourager and provider of stewardship education. The Giving Project will continue to be our primary resource for equipping the local church .
Challenge: We see as our biggest challenge the need to eliminate the stigma associated with discussing our financial issues in the church . Our goal is to break down the barriers so we may openly discuss money issues within the Christian community
• OBJECTIVE 2: To provide planned-giving options to families and individuals that will fUlfill the donor 's goals and benefit the cause of Christ.
Fact: MBF assists caring Christians in fai t hful stewardship by educating them in proper estate planning and by facilitating the completion of complex gifts (i.e. , securities, real estate, gift annuities, charitable trusts, re tirement accounts and others) . These gifts are routed to the min-
istry of your choice. We are pleased to have your trust as we serve in this function.
Challenge: Leading economists claim that up to $11 trillion will be passed on to the next generation in the coming years. Our challenge will be to channel an appropriate portion of these funds to the ministries of the Mennonite Brethren through the stewardship of our estates .
• OBJECTIVE 3: To manage endowment funds, annuity funds and deposit accounts
Fact: MBF currently manages more than 60 endowment acc ounts with total endowment funds in excess of $10 million. Our gift annuity fund continues to grow and is now about $3.5 million. We are grateful to our many partners (about
700) who are participating in our ministry investment funds The $13 million in this fund provides an operational base for MBF and provides a resource pool for our lending activities.
Challenge: Because the financial health and stability of our conference depends on our ability to raise and preserve these types of funds, to prudently manage their investment is a major challenge. As the complexity of investments and economic changes mount, this facet of foundation work takes on added significance.
• OBJECTIVE 4: To loan funds for churchrelated building, institutional capital improvements, church workers home loans and special needs.
Fact: The demand for loans has never been greater in the history of MBF With more than $20 million currently on loan, it is obvious that ministries in the U.S. Conference are expanding It is our privilege to partner with these churches and institution5 in the fulfillment of their ministry goals.
Challenge: As our loan portfolio grows, so do the management and operational requirements of the program
Be in prayer for us as we face these challenges Pray for staff with a heart for stewardship and for the ministries of our conference Also , pray that our people throughout the United States will have a renewed sense of God's leading as we yie ld our finances to him
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the U S Conference in this unique role. It is our desire to be faithful stewards of the resources which have been entruste d to us by God and by the ge nerous individuals who comprise the U.S. Conference -Jon c. Wi ebe
The new meeting facility of the Memorial Road MB Church. Edmond. Okla.• was one of several building projects supported with loans from MB Foundation.
For investment results that offer twice the return you would get elsewhere
Ministry Investment Fund
Reaeonal1le Annual Return
On Demand Accounts currently pay 4.5 %
Three Year Term Accounts currently pay 5.25 '10
Suggested minimum balance of $250
Immeaeural1le Eternal Return
These funds provide capital needed to make loans to our church8s. colleges. and conference agenoie6, In this way. you are able to partner with tHem in accomplishing their ministry
'your abundance being a supply for their II Cor.8:14-a
Why not diversify your savings by invest i ng In work of the Mennonite Brethren FOY!1datiol1?
Why not consider a fund which you and the cause of Christ'?
For more information about the Ministry Investment Fund call 1-800-551-1547
Two excellent issues
I have just finished reading the May issue. I wanted to write to you after the April issue, but never got around to it. I think the two issues are excel· lent, with several issues well addressed I especially liked the arti· cles by Philip Wiebe ( "Mr. Macho Meets Mr. Sensitivity," May) and Don Ratzlaff ("Desert Wondering ," April).
I am sad that you, Don, are resign· ing as editor. Your sensitivity-there's that word!-to the spirit of our lives as Christians has been what makes this publication worth reading.
I think we need a balance of strength and sensitivity and not always black·and·white extremes . I hope we use each appropriately, not as an attempt to follow some archetype, rules or definitions to please others, but keeping in mind what God has given each of us in regard to attributes, gifts and talents.
The discussion on capital punish· ment Oanuary issue and following) is good to read about I am glad to have heard so many opinions about it and can see both sides have merit
As for which person of God we pray to (Inquiring Minds, May) , I will suspend final judgment until I get enough information or have to make a decision in some life application. I may change my mind or my ways if I find it more appropriate to do so on my journey.
Nancy Keating Aptos, Calif.
Plagued by worthwhlleness
What an absolutely fantastic article in the May issue by Philip Wiebe,
&... Pontius' Puddle
WHAT READERS SAY
titled "Mr. Sensitive Meets Mr. Macho." The timing was perfect. Periodically, I suffer a nauseatingly awful feeling of worthwhileness. Sometimes, I'm so down about it that I can't drag myself out of bed to go to work.
This particular morning, my wife brought in the May Christian Leader and said "Good news! " She knows I'm partial to the writings of Philip Wiebe, particularly his very popular ridiculehimself-for-every-man motif, a sort of substitutiary self-flagellation. It's so funny And his wife, Kim, makes such a perfect Christ figure She-for-everywoman lives the perfect substitutiary life that he-for-every-man can't live
But as I read, I realized this was not enough . I blurted out loud, "Not enough of my sins are covered by Wiebe's self-ridicule and, therefore, how can his wife's perfect life cover my sins?"
"Blow," said my wife, suddenly holding a: hanky to my nose.
Ptptptptptptptptptptpt.
"Don't worry honey," said my particular lamb, "this article is excerpted from a book Wiebe is writing and I'm positive all male characteristics not ridiculed adequately in this article will be covered in the book. I promise I will get you a copy. In the meantime, I'll let you watch 'Home Improve· ment.' Plus, I'm here and I've always doubted you and your talents "
"Lamb, it's been two weeks since you called me a 'whiny sensitive white male' and I miss it," I said. "I haven't closed your spirit and redemptive creativity , have I?"
"Look, I told you not to beg. If you
promise to get up and go to work, I'll wear the pin that you brought me from Portland."
"The one that says, 'My husband is sensitive : He cries when I hit him'?" I asked. "OK!"
"Your lunch money is on the kitchen table. And don't forget to button your lip, er, coat. It's supposed to rain today. "
John D. Kliewer Wichita, Kan.
Those 'worrisome trends'
Thanks to Elmer Thiessen for clearly stating his concerns as well as highlighting some of the "worrisome trends" which appear throughout the revision of our Confession of Faith (Forum, April issue).
Our Sunday school class has also been reviewing this document During the process we raised all of the concerns mentioned by Thiessen, plus others. Many of the revisions sound like New Age philosophy. This similarity is what concerned us the most
We want to encourage members of all Mennonite Brethren congregations to prayerfully and carefully read through the revisions, and ask if these revisions are the truth we can honest· ly say we believe. We also want to encourage all members to voice their concerns to the Board of Faith and life
. "Radical," as defined by Webster's Dictionary, means: (1) "original; basic; complete; thorough ;" and (2) "of extreme or advanced liberal views." While understanding Thiessen to use the second meaning of the word "radical" in his article, we would like to suggest the use of the first meaning of the word. From this definition, we could conclude that these revisions are not "radical" enough because they have come a long way from Simply stating original, basic, complete and thorough biblical truth.
Bruce and Laurel Smith Dinuba, Calif.
• Bravo to Elmer Thiessen 's column last month in regard to the so-
called "new and improved" Confession of Faith. TItiessen makes several good points in his article. I would like to expand somewhat on just one general thought.
As a direct descendant of original Mennonite Brethren like Johann Claassen, I was raised in the classical Anabaptist tradition. I was taught respect for my elders, dedication to God, the value of Christian fellowship and the importance of witnessing in both word and deed. But the notion stressed repeatedly and strongly was that the Holy Bible is the only foundation of our faith. It alone serves as an ample "confession."
I believe in the idea of sola scriptura ("scripture alone")' This principle of theology explains that the Word of God revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures is both necessary and sufficient to the understanding of our faith.
This principle also tells us that while the Bible is the primary foundation of our faith, it by itself is sufficient to reveal to us the plan of salvation that the Father set in motion before time began.
Is any other "confession" really even necessary? Does it seek to put in
lay tenns what the sometimes poetic language of the Scriptures describe? Perhaps that is the overall goal of a "confession of faith," but I believe that at times we rely too much on our fallible and flawed human reasoning. What seems truly ironic to me is that we of the Anabaptist tradition, long known for our defiance of religious authority and for our emphasis of intellectual freedom, are quickly becoming what we have accused Roman Catholics of for centuries. That is, the man-made construction of religious doctrine.
Martin Luther in his wisdom saw the dangers of believing in the "infallibility of man" to pronounce what the faithful should believe. No person or persons are infallible enough or, dare I say, blessed enough to construct a confession of faith that tells their fellow believers what to believe in regard to social issues such as capital punishment or military conscription. We do need a single confession of faith. But that confession has already been provided for us by our loving Creator. And that confession is the Holy Bible
B. W. Schultz Okeene, Okla.
• My family and I have been attending a local Mennonite Brethren church for a few years now. Although we have completed the membership class and truly do feel part of the church community, we will not be pursuing membership for some timesolely because of the revisions to the Confessions of Faith. We find the proposals highly-troubling, and the article by Elmer Thiessen is right on the mark.
Thiessen clearly addressed many of the areas that concern me within the church:
• Feminism;
• "Let's just love everybody and it will be OK;"
• Life issues;
• Itemization of "sins" (Does this mean if something is not listed it's OK?)
• Do we model today's church on the New Testament or do we not?
We Christians are called to live in the world, not of the world. To be leaven and salt-not hip, cutting edge, or tossed to and fro by every wind of teaching. Doctrine is doctrine and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Isn't the Confession of Faith meant to be your state-
Moderator calls for prayer on behalf of task force reviewing binational structures
Sometimes, inaudibly or aloud, we plead out:: case by saying, "The devil made me do it." No dQubt Satan sometimes plays a role through the various tempters assigned to lure us off course. One path, however, which the enemy will never tempt us to leave is the path of prayerlessness.
Reading about Christians who have made a dilference reveals at least one cotrunon thread: They were women and men of prayer Some have said the bottom-line "fear" of Satan and his host is the believer at prayer Myriad writers and teachers have affirmed that prayer is the way God has provided fOr his famIIyto find his heart and to come clear on whom he would have us to be. Richard Foster goes so fitr as to say prayer is the heart's true home . Fewer times than the Father
would like , I'm sure, I have been in the throne room of God. On occasion to adore him , to bask in his presence and offer worship and thanksgiving And sometimes to cry out confession and repentance Mostly, though I have not kept track, I approach God for provision of one kind or another I find comfort in the fact that the prayer Jesus taught his disciples is largely on this theme . So I take courage to invite you to join me again in that place.
We have encouraged each of our national, provincial and district leaders to make praying together a centerpiece at our various conventions and meetings It will not be difficult to know what to pray for
We need to ask for wisdom for the task force which is reviewing the ministry structures of our binational conference . We need to pray that communication will be clear as the infor-
mation is gathered We need to pray that we will discover the mind of ' Christ in the matter of how we will minister together
We need to pray that the church will live out the grace ofJesus for the sake of the lost people in our world. We need to pray that the Father's will be done on earth a$ it is in heaven.
There is every chance that Saran will discourage this in every way available to him. Thankfully, we have full assurance that the Holy Spirit will invite and enable our heartfelt involvement TItis is an invitation to tum him loose in your heart , and to pray in the Spirit, on this occasion , with all kinds of prayers, in the name of Jesus, that his will be done among us
Ed Boschman, moderator General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
ment of doctrine for the Mennonite Brethren Church?
The church in North America has become dangerously weak and polluted with all kinds of worldly teachings such as paganism, humanism and New Age practices, and watered down by compromise in such areas as sexuality, feminism and earth worship
Let's get back to the Word of God and learn to live by his stan dard, not the ever-changing world 's .
Marjorie Dau
Fresno, Calif.
Editors ' note: Lynnjost, chair of the Board of Faith and Life, reports that BFL has processed the feedback to their proposed revisions. Changes have been incorporated to address some of the concerns expressed. He invites readers to review the latest version at the following web site: http://www mbconforglmbc.
About that mission to Mormons
The temptation is to write a book and set the record straight on many of the issues and accusations David Thompson made in his letter regarding the Mission USA church plant in Draper, Utah.
The gracious response is to say simply that our brother in Kansas is writing from a platform of ignorance regarding many of the issues he discusses, and move on. But in defense of a man that I would call a spiritual mentor, brother and friend, I am compelled to set the record straight
I want to answer Thompson's question: What makes Paul Robie an expert on the LOS Church? How about years of study, personal involvement in the lives of several Mormon people seeking a way out of this spiritually debilitating religion of bondage where grace has no place . Not to mention testimonies of former highranking persons in the Mormon church who have found freedom in Jesus Christ, as well as other evangelical pastors in the Salt Lake area
Paul Robie is no armchair theologian. He knows what he believes and why, and is able to defend those beliefs in any forum . He is quite able to discern when another religious society claims to be biblical when it is so clear they are not .
Second, there is not one arrogant bone in Paul's body. Being a true servant requires humility, as our Lord showed us by example There is nothing arrogant about knowing the truth and wanting to let others in on it. Was Jesus arrogant in preaching and ministering to the Jews of his day? Clearly not . Was he casting aspersions on them? No way!
And about true worship If the one true God is not the focus of our worship , how can it be genuine? In the words of an evangelical pastor (exMormon) of one of the largest churches in Utah, "Mormon worship services are dead, boring . Those Mormons that come to our special events or are just checking us out because they have been excommunicated, or are disillusioned with the Mormon church are greatly impressed with our worship services " Big surprise!
I too am a birthright Quaker (five generations, North Carolina) I want to encourage Thompson to build on that pacifism, justice and plain speech by learning more about the Church of Latter-Day Saints, and perhaps even
commercial, listener-supported Christian radio station there for about seven years, I know whereof I speak. Thompson wrote that the "modem church has descended into piteous whining aimed at destroying the foundations of liberty and individualism on which this nation was once based." Since when is stating the beliefs of a group or individual destroying the foundations of liberty and individualism?
Jesus often rebuked the religiOUS leaders of his day for their beliefs, calling them vipers, hypocrites and whitewashed tombs (Mt 12:34; 23:23,27) Apostles Paul andJohn often pointed out erroneous beliefs and took their adherents to task (Galatians 3 and 5; 1 In 4:1) Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers that they should test and prove everything someone says or teaches and hold onto what is true (1 Thess. 5 :21) The only way to know if something is true is to examine it against God's Word. When the doctrines of the LOS Church are measured against the biblical standard, they come up far short of the truth. his ·own beliefs, and witness to his Mormon friends and neighbors. He will soon discover that when discussing spiritual matters with them that his plain speech will not be so plain, as his Jesus is not their Jesus. His heaven is not their heaven, nor is his God their god, or his hell-well, you get the picture In conclusion, the ministry
"It's tragic that so many Christians are naive about the teachings of Christian cults such as the LDS church."
Thompson accused Utah church planter Paul Robie of being wrong for saying Mormons are not Christians Thompson said this because the name of their church is the "Church of jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. ' Unfortunately, the of South Mountain Community Church in Draper is a ministry to all those without Jesus Christ in their lives It is not at war, nor attacking the LOS church . It happens that 49 percent of the populace are registered Mormons.
To Paul and Jini, we love you, and are behind you 100 percent
Glenn Marshburn Chair, Missions Commission Laurelglen Bible Church Bakersfield, Calif.
According to LOS church teachings, Jesus is the spirit-brother of Lucifer who was literally born to "God the Heavenly Father" and one of his many goddess wives
The LOS Church also teaches that members who meet certain requirements (i.e , being married in a Mormon temple, being a full -tithe payer, nonsmoker and nondrinker) can actually themselves become gods and c reate and populate their own planets in the hereafter
Most Latter-Day Saints are very sincere in their beliefs But if one is wor-
• David Thompson obviously knows nothing about the teachings of the Churc h of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints . Having lived in the Ogden , Utah, area for more than 15 years, and having been the manager of a non"Jesus" of Mormonism is not the Jesus of the Bible, who stated to the religious leaders of himself, "Before Abraham was, I am " (In . 8 :58).
shiping a false God, that worship will be to no avail, no matter how sincere the worshiper.
Thompson also accused Christian Leader of an unchristian attack on another religious group and that the magazine refuses to take strong stands on unshakable scriptural issues . It is precisely because of unshakable scriptural issues that Robie is going to Utah to plant a church and that this article was written!
Latter-Day Saints, by and large, are fine, upstanding citizens and good neighbors But one cannot adhere to LOS theology and be a true Christian. Unless a person comes to God recog· nizing he is a sinner who is totally unable to himself atone for that sin nature, and that the only way to get right with God is by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, that person is not a Christian.
It's tragic that so many Christians are naive about the teachings of nonChristian cults such as the LOS church . If we are to successfully evan· gelize the lost for whom Christ died and rose again, we must know who they are and what their beliefs are. We must not be afraid to question and confront others about their beliefs when appropriate We must be bold and loving enough to share the gospel in fulfilling the Great Commission and be always ready to give an answer for the hope we have (1 Pet. 3:15). Not to do so is certainly not loving!
Thanks for your informative article.
Jim Goldring Las Vegas, Nev
• This letter is in support of Mission USA beginning an evangelistic church plant in Utah among people who are 70 to 80 percent Mormon The letter by Oavid Thompson, which was critical of that decision, was striking for a number of reasons We would do well to begin with God The LOS teach there are innumerable gods, although they say "we have to do with only one-the Father Elohim " By saying there are many gods, they place themselves outside the sphere of Christianity . God, for the LOS, is a former man who has a body of flesh and bone. God is declared to have a Father (another "God") and each in tum has his own "father. " This precludes the
eternity of God. He is not the creator, for although our God is not eternal, all matter is so Father God has a wife, the Mother God, and these two continue to procreate all their offspring (humans) born to earthly parents . Because the Mother God is in a state of gestation for nine months, and additional offspring are needed, the Father God has many additional wives. Each one procreates "spirit children " who are born as humans on earth.
At one point, God the Father, flesh and bone, cohabited with his "spirit daughter" named Mary . From that incestuous and adulterous (for she was espoused to Joseph) relationship, Jesus was born Clearly this birth was not a virgin birth as the Scriptures teach
Another crucial matter is their understanding of the source and authority of the Scriptures. The LOS accept the Bible "as it is translated correctly. " Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the LOS, "corrected" the Bible with his own version. Bu t the LOS do not refer to it as authoritative; they use the King James (1611) version .
The second of the three additional volumes of their Scriptures is The Pearl of Great Price Manuscripts of this book survive, but are now in the possession of the LOS in Salt Lake City Experts on early Egypt were able to read the writings. They found them to be rituals for the funeral of the mummified person with which they were dis c overed In no way do they say what Joseph Smith said they contain.
The teaching of the means of salva· tion is crucia as well. The LOS teach that one is saved "by grace through faith, after all he has done." This is the heresy of "Pelagianism "-mixing God 's grace with man's works . Clearly, those who accept this teaching are not saved, for faith in Christ Jesus is the only way
My question would be : 00 those who believe this "another gospel" need to hear of]esus and his gracious and free salvation? Until they re c eive Jesus, these people are dead in their trespasses and sins .
Let's bring the gospel to them as soon as we can!
James P. Wiebe Fresno, Calif.
• Oavid Thompson shows why surface gloss makes a poor sign of faith when he attacks Paul Robie's superior tone in missions to Utah Yes, Mormons are active, upright people-to their credit. But let the reader judge whether a group should be called "Christian" that teaches Adam had an affair with Mary and her offspring , Jesus, was the spirit brother of Satan.
The claim embodied in the name Latter-Oay Saints is that the church did not exist on earth after the apostles died. Luther, Calvin , Knox, Menno Simons- all are "abominations" to God. But Joseph Smith restored apostolic authority, passing it on to Brigham Young and his successors.
Let's see what these "apostles" taught :
Joseph Smith: "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man , and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! Here then is eternal life you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves the same as all gods have done before you . I can taste the principles of eternal life They are given to me by the revelations of Jesus Christ."
Brigham Young: "Though we have it in history that our father Adam was made of the dust of this earth .. .yet it is not so .. .. You may read and believe what you please as to what is found written in the Bible . Adam was not from the dust of this earth. "
Brigham Young: "It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins Yet men c an c ommit sins which it can never remit they must be atoned for by the blood of the man [himself] I know , when you hear my brethren telling about cutting peo · pie off from the earth [killing them] that you consider it is strong doctrine, but it is to save them, not to destroy them .... This is loving your neighbor as yourselves: if he needs help, help him and if he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it "
If there is any rift, remember Joseph Smith broke with Christianity, shouting, "Every church in Christendom is an abomination ." A Mennonite who reconciles Mormons to Christ heals that tear . Peter Stearns Lodi, Calif.
More on capital punishment
As a member of the Mennonite Church, I apologize for this intrusion into the pages of your Mennonite Brethren publication, but I have followed with interest the developments in your denomination_
Regarding capital punishment, I have a problem with what appears to be the growing number of leaders who reject it. While I am a firm believer in nonresistance and peace, I firmly believe it is the right and responsibility of the civil powers to administer capital punishment Permit me to give my reasons
I believe all of us would agree that God is the great giver of life and that he, as the giver of life, has the authority and the right to take life, which all Bible readers know he did on numerous occasions . Would the opponents of capital punishment dare to call upon God for an apology for what he did in this respect?
In the second place, the God who has the right to take life also has the right to designate that authority to civil powers which he has .done . Israel, the church of the Old Testament, functioned as a theocracy-one might say, a union of church and state. God 's chosen people were
authorized and commanded to administer capital punishment. If that fact can be challenged, I should like to know it.
But in the New Testament we have the separation of church and state That fact is established in Romans 13 Paul uses the third person "he" to describe the state and he uses "ye" in reference to the church Failure to make this distinction must be a reason for the confusion and misunderstanding so prevalent. It is , therefore, the duty of the state , not the church , to administer justice and punishment to those who take life.
Members of the Christian community have no right to require the state to live by the standards and principles of the Sermon on the Mount George R Brunk II, editor The Sword and Trumpet Harrisonburg, Va.
• After reading the issue on capital punishment in the Christian Leader, I was pleased to see both sides represented well. However, reading some letters to the editor in subsequent issues attracted my attention and I feel I need to respond to one specific issue: capital punishment not being a deterrent to crime
We find in Deuteronomy 13:11 a
verse that says clearly , "Then all of Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you. "
Also , Deuteronomy 21 :21 says, "Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death; so shall you remove the evil from your midst , and all Israel shall hear of it and fear. "
It seems that God felt that punishment was completely appropriate . These punishments are in response to different sins, and I am not writing to argue about how serious a crime needs to be in order to deserve capital punishment.
My point, rather, is to show that the intent of God 's instruction is to deter the continuation of that or other sins (crime) Punishment has to fol· low ungodly behavior or else that behavior will soon dominate society. Isn't it logical otherwise to ask, "Should we not, then, end incarceration?" Obviously, incarceration is not a deterrent to crime since we still have criminals even though we put them in jail.
But why are we asking the question, "Is capital punishment a deterrent to crime?" Do we not go to the ones who have already committed the crime and ask them if capital punishment would deter them from a crime? I think the answer is obvious .
But how many of us nonprisoners are deterred from committing crimes because of the fear of punishment? Of course, to those who have already committed a crime, incarceration or capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime
But to the rest of us in society , yes , it is a deterrent to crime.
Ken Penner, Ingalls, Kan .
Missing the editor
From a personal and conference point of view, I was sorry to learn that Don Ratzlaff had resigned as editor of the Christian Leader I have worked with Don for 14 years in a variety of contexts I have come to know him as a good friend , an excellent journalist, a creative thinker, a committed churchman and a deeply spiritual Christian He will be missed jim Coggins, editor Mennonite Brethren Herald Abbotsford, B C.
MBs bid farewell to a beloved patriarch
• J.B. Toews, perhaps the most influential MB leader of this century, is laid to rest at 91.
}JFUIl. HOUSE of prominent leaders and members of the Menno· ite Brethren Church gathered May 13 at Butler Avenue MB Church in Fresno, Calif. , to bid farewell to John Benjamin "J-B." Toews, who died May 9 at the age of 91.
A powerful glimpse of J B. 's life was offered through readings by his sons, John E. Toews, president of Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ont.; Paul, director of the Center for MB Studies in Fresno; and James, assistant administrator of the Developmental Disabilities Program Office for the State of Oregon.
They read from their father's autobiography, IB: A Twentieth-Century Mennonite Pilgrim (Kindred Productions).
Three others who had been a part of Toews' life also offered tributes: Henry J . Schmidt, president of MB Biblical Seminary; Abraham Friesen, professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and John B. Toews, professor at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., and a member of the extended family.
Bringing the meditation at the service was Elmer A. Martens, professor emeritus of Old Testament at MBBS, and a long-time colleague of Toews
J-B. Toews earned degrees from the University of Ukraine, Tabor College and Western Baptist Theological Seminary. He also studied at the University of Amsterdam, the University of London and Southwestern Baptist Seminary.
He served as pastor of Mennonite Brethren churches in Buhler, Kan. (1942-45) and Reedley, Calif. (194853) and was administrator of Menno· nite Brethren missions in Hillsboro, Kan., from 1953-63.
In his career in higher education, he was professor and president of Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask. (1932-38) , professor at Freeman
(S D ) Junior College (1940-42), president of MB Bible College in Winnipeg, Man. (1945-48), and professor of missions and practical theology (1963-78) and president (1964-72) of MBBS.
Toews was director of the · Center for MB Studies in Fresno (1972-82) and executive director of the Historical Commission of the General Conference of MB Churches (1972-86).
Following his retirement, he continued his global ministry through writing, lecturing and preaching. His book publications include The Key to FruitfUl Christian Service (1959), The Mennonite Brethren Church in Zaire (1978) , chair of the editorial and translation committee for P . M . Friesen, The Mennonite Brotherhood in Russia, 1789-1910 (1978), A Pilgrimage of Faith : The Mennonite Brethren Church in Russia and North America, 1860-1990 (1993) and IB: A Twentieth-Century Mennonite Pilgrim (1995).
He was preceded in death in by his wife, Nettie Unruh Toews, whom he married in 1933. He is survived by three sons, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one brother -From a report by Kent Gaston,MBBS
J.B. Toews made a lasting impact in myriad church-related roles
• Longtime leader was the church's strongest supporter and critic
WHEN J.B TOEWS died last month at the age of 91, the Mennonite Brethren Church lost a patriarch who for 60 years both championed and challenged the denomination he loved.
Essays in the fall 1997 issue of Direction magazine pay tribute to his contributions to the Mennonite Brethren church as a dynamic preacher, educator, missions executive, archivist , historian and writer
Yet many agree Toews' legacy to the denomination was his commitment to maintaining a historic Anabaptist faith among Mennonite Brethren.
" Our identity crisis (as MBs) is
linked to cultural transition and accommodation and a failure to articulate a theology of change in an era of cultural upheaval," writes Henry J. Schmidt, MB Biblical Seminary president, in his Direction essay . "And yet, J-B. 's strongest critique is leveled not at the culture but at denominational institutions and leaders. His critique focuses on first, our implicit theology, reaction to creedalism, and failure to articulate our history and beliefs in writing, which made us vulnerable in a new culture ."
Paul Toews, one of J .B.' s sons and himself a noted historian, wrote in Direction: "The angle of vision that increaSingly dominated J.B 's view,
J.B Toews. shown here in a 1989 photo
particularly during the last 15 years of his active work in the church, was the belief that Anabaptism, more than Pietism or Fundamentalism, offered a greater possibility for reinvigorating the Mennonite Brethren Church. "
JB . himself wrote in his autobiography, JB: A Twentieth-Century Mennonite Pi/grim :"The Mennonite Brethren Church, as it searches for spiritual renewal, will again find repentance and experience a new beginning to rise to the high purpose of its calling as a renewal movement within the biblical Anabaptist faith "
J B. Toews sp e nt his youth and young adult years in the Molotschna Colony of South Russia This caring church community and the events of the Russian Revolution and its aftermath helped to shape his life. His family first arrived in North
America in 1928 as immigrants to Coaldale, Alta .
"O.B . 's) life story embodies many of the struggles of the Mennonite Brethren world," says Paul Toews. "He knew some of those who established the MB denomina t ion in 1860 and now, 138 years later, he remains in c onversation with some curre nt denomination leaders . His 90 -plus years, rightly positioned between the generations, makes him virtually the last surviving link to the founding fathers "
Toews
's vision for the future motivated him to playa key role in the develo p ment of MBMS International and MB Biblical Seminary.
"The 17 Mennonite Brethren conferences that are now involved in the International Committee of Menno -
nite Brethren began their journey to independence many years ago," says Harold Ens, MBMS International general director. "J.B. recognized that if we are to have effective missions, we must work in partnership with national churches and disciple new Christians so they can form multiplying church movements. "
When Toews began overseeing Mennonite Brethren missions efforts in 1953, he faced a most difficult challenge: the indigenization of native churches reSUlting from foreign mission endeavors, writes Clarence Hiebert in Direction Hiebert, Tabor College professor emeritus of biblical and religious studies, served on the mission board during Toews's tenure as director.
Moving from colonial mission endeavors toward indigenous leader-
'J.8. had a sanctified obsession for God'
• A colleague pays tribute to a man of faith - and faults - who followed a passionate kingdom calling
BY ELMER A. MARTENS
WITH THE DEATH of John B Toews, the Mennonite Brethren family has lost a spiritual guardian and patriarch His passion for God translated into a love for the church, specifically the Mennonite Brethren Church We respected him We loved him . We admired him.
Because of his serious, even authoritative demeanor, he was thought by some to be distant and aloof . Yet his colleagues experienced J.B. (as he was affectionately known) as warm and personal. He was most appreciative for the support of his wife, Nettie.
In his prime years, when he traveled the churches extensively, he knew hosts of persons by name, and also knew their family connections In later years he mellowed
As seminary president, he would touch base briefly almost every morning with faculty, keep abreast of their children's endeavors, and frequently in his travels made an extra effort to contact them
While he had decided views , and was never in doubt that they were correct , he was always gracious When certain seminary faculty wo ul d "take him on ," it wa s to his credit that he listened . Difference
of viewpoint did not threaten collegiality. He retained a most remarkable openness to change
While some in their advanced years become fossilized intellectually , Toews continued until the last to navigate between an older world and an everchanging one
Toews's contribution to the church was exceptiona l. During 60 years of ministry, he led th is family worldwide in a variety of capacities : pastor, educator, missions executive and historian
Ithough his parish even then extended across the continent.
As an executive of the overseas mission effort in the 1950s, Toews traveled the churches stirring up donors, intercessors and volunteers so that in that decade the foreign mission force from North America numbered 200.
During that decade he leveraged, in the best sense of the word, an entire denomination into a missional mode. He was visionary, but also
n his earlier years, he conduc t - analytical. In his time ed revival services and exten - he was the spokespersive Bible studies in the North son for a change in American const ituency His mission strategy from preaching was dynamic , Scri p- an imperial colonial ture-based, persuasive and often model to an indigeanecdotally illustrated from his nization model. He personal life . Hundreds were Toews ' s legacy as an educa- tackled its implementaturned into the narrow path of tor may be unparalleled in tion with gusto The the kingdom of God. (As a spiri - MB history fuller partnership in tually apathetic teenager I responded t o mission which he envisioned did not, howhis altar call in the 1940s ) ever, happen in his lifetime It was one of His forceful biblical expo si tion was the his keen disappointments centerpie ce of m id-century pa stora l min - As a colleague has noted, whatever istries in t he Midwest (Buh ler , Kan ) and project occ upied Toews at the moment on the West Coa st (Reedley , Calif ), was clearly the most important project in
BOD)
ship and mutual partnership was painful for those involved It was threatening to missionaries who had devoted their lives to this work and challenging to many nationals who lacked experience in leadership, Hiebert says.
Toews reflects on this time in his autobiography : "To serve in leadership during a time of major fundamental change is rewarding The process of change, however , can be very painful for those directly affected ."
An important ingredient in the indigenization process was field visits made by Toews and other board members-a first in Mennonite Brethren missions history. Toews ' s direct relational style complicated these field visits , says Hiebert
Toews himself agreed with that assessment, saying that the authoritar-
all the world He was an intense, almost driven person As a publ ic f igure Toews was not without criticism In the changes which he implemented , people were hurt Individuals have been known, even into the final weeks of his life, to have struggled with forgiving Toews
In his passionate focus on advancing God's work he may not have noticed some of the fallout. Through his life he maintained a consistent vision and an unwavering commitment to the work of the church .
His legacy as educator is perhaps unparalleled in Mennonite Brethren history. At Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan , his course called Essentials of Christianity was legendary His tenure as president, whether at Bethany Bible School (1930s) in Hepburn, Sask., at the newly established MB Bible College (1940s) in Winnipeg, Man , or at MB Biblical Seminary (1960s) was marked by movement and change. He forged new directions, often big time. He shaped a program in Winnipeg that produced a generation of church leaders.
At the seminary, he boldly took on the institution 's dispensational theological direction Through changes in curriculum and personnel he turned an institutionand denomination- back to its historic Anabaptist paths
In his teaching and preaching he frequently talked about the "h istorical frame of reference." He never tired of saying ,
ian manner in which he had been raised and schooled in Russia and Canada was intimidating to those with whom he wor ked during this time.
Hiebert adds that Toews 's relational style had changed "radically" since then. This change was evident in his ongoing mentoring relationships with people active in missions Ens says that at MBMSI's annual staff m e etings in March 1998, several staff and board members met with Toews , who shared insights and words of enc ouragement.
Schmidtcommented on Toews's love for people at the May 13 memorial servic e held at Butler Avenue MB Church in Fresno, Calif.
"While many of us admired and benefited from J . B. 's public ministry of preaching, teaching and leading, his
"He who does not know his past does not understand the present and has no direction for the future "
History and the preservation of history became one of his preoccupations in the last two decades of his life
The project of collecting historical materials from local chu rches in Canada and the United States was a gigantic one and could perhaps not have been carried out by any other
Toews's persistence, not to mention the clout of enormous cred ibility, made it happen Mennonite Brethren became conscious of their history and their heritage
His autobiography, t itled )8: A Twentieth -Century Mennonite Pi/grim (1995), indirectly chronicles the story of a people This achievement, somewhat novel to Mennonite Brethren, of retrieving history and anchoring a people historically as well as biblically is without doubt a major legacy.
But while institutions such as the historical centers, now with tentacles worldwide, may be the shadow of the man, it is the man himself who leaves the deepest mark upon his generation He was authentic, a man of integrity J.B was credible; he was passionate
For me his sermon on Philippians 3:10 in a South Saskatchewan town to a packed house on a Sunday afternoon in the 1950s rema ins his trademark : "That I
may know [Christ) and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings "
J.B. had a sanctified obsession for God He was not a saint, but he was a man of God He longed for Mennonite Brethren to wa lk in godly ways . He agonized about the possible fragmentation of North American Mennonite Brethren, and especially their drift from an Anabaptist emphasis on discipleship to an embrace of shallow evangelicalism which touted the benefits of God's salvation but neglected the message about taking up the cross.
He prayed earnestly for the unity of the India Mennonite Brethren Conference
He once said he wrote the book Pilgrimage of Faith (1993) so that when Mennonite Brethren in the future would once more ask for the ancient paths of righteousness, they would have a map to lead them back
The legacy of John B Toews may be the legacy of a straightforward but ancient message: "Repent, the kingdom of God is at hand " •
Elmer A. Martens, Fresno, Calif. , has had a long association with J.8 Toews. Martens was Toews's pastor for a time Later, each assumed the presidency of M88S while the other taught there Martens graciously agreed to write this tribute at the reque s t of the editors
When the church gathered to do business, Toews often had the last word
Toews autographed copies of his book. Pilgrimage of Faith. during the 1993 General Conference convention in Winnipeg. Man. His ability to interpret history and assess trends was considered by some as one of his greatest contributions to the Mennonite Brethren Church.
greatest influence came through his strong focus on personal relationships. His genius as a leader was not in his focus on public image but his relationship with people."
As Toews's tenure with Mennonite Brethren missions was marked by change, so was his work at the MB Biblical Seminary, where he served as president from 1964 to 1972 and as a professor of missions and practical theology from 1963 to 1978.
While at the seminary, Toews wanted to make a significant contribution to Mennonite Brethren higher education, particularly in the area of
IN HIS OWN WORDS
J.B. Toews's two landmark boo ks . J8 : A Twenti et h Century Mennon i te Pi/· gri m and Pilgri mage of Fa i th : Th e Mennonite Brethren Church 18601990 are ava ilable from Kindred Production s, Box V Hillsboro, KS, 67063 . Th e issue of Direction wh ich pays tribute to Toews (Fall 1997) is availab le from Kindred Produ cti o ns, 169 River· ton Ave., Winnipeg . MB R2L 2E5 .
fashioning a more specific Mennonite Brethren identity.
"I was concerned that the character of education efforts did not reflect the passion for a lifestyle of faith and discipleship that had been such a distinctive stamp of our Mennonite Brethren and Anabaptist forebears," Toews wrote in his autobiography.
In 1964, Toews outlined his goals as seminary president. He hoped to develop a joint Canadian/U .S. seminary that would take an Anabaptist approach to the interpretation of Scripture and to the life and character of the church; to upgrade the faculty and academic resources; and to develop adequate campus facilities.
"This represented a radical change in an institution whose first 10 years had been oriented toward an evangelical, dispensational theology," Schmidt writes in Direction.
But during the next 10 years, these goals were achieved. "By 1972, when J.B. resigned from the presidency...he had, in fact, reshaped an institution and , with it, future Mennonite Brethren leadership training ," Schmidt says
During Toews's tenure, the seminary name was changed to MB Biblical Seminary; the curriculum was changed to include a required course in Anabaptist history and theology; and new faculty appointees were committed to an Anabaptist theology, were members of a Mennonite Brethren congregation and were academically qualified in a particular discipline.
Campus development included classroom renovations and construction of student apartments, a prayer chapel and an office/classroom facility. In 1973, the seminary was fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
Afterretiring as MBBS president in 1972, Toews turned his attention to preserving Mennonite Brethren history. For Toews, understanding revival movements, denominational identity, conversions and church growth required "an historical frame of reference," Schmidt says. "His monumental work of establishing the MB archives and an historical research center is a major cpntribution to denominational history and identity. "
Toews served as director of the Center for MB Studies in Fresno for 10 years, beginning in 1972, and as executive director of the Historical Commission of the General Conference of MB Churches from 1972 to 1986.
Toews's frequently stated belief that "a church without the past will soon be a church without a future" motivated him during his retirement years to write numerous articles, two major books, his autobiography and an updated history of the Mennonite Brethren Church.
"My generation knows history through books, " said Schmidt at Toews's memorial service, "but J.B. was living history. He embodied, experienced and shaped the history of the Mennonite Brethren denomination ."
Schmidt writes in Direction that Toews's "ability to interpret history, assess cultural trends, articulate an Anabaptist theology and focus the church in mission , and then to integrate these themes around a biblical theology, was his greatest contribution to a people in constant motion."
-Connie Faber
Global guidelines set for MBMSI through the year 2005
• General Director Harold Ens will stay at the MBMSI helm through duration of guidelines
A LL NEWS WAS good news when 11.MBMS International board members met Apri115-16 in Omaha, Neb.
Harold Ens announced his intention to continue as MBMSI general director through 2005
"We have developed global mission guidelines to lead us in a plan from 1995 through 2005," Ens said, "and I am committed to seeing those guidelines to completion. "
The guidelines commit MBMSI to ministering to unreached people
MB Bible School in Shamshabad, described some of the issues affecting the India Conference. He told of the Missions Committee's leadership role in Muslim ministries and in fund-raising among conference churches
Solomon spoke of the need for a new relationship between the India and North American conferences. While Solomon acknowledges the role of North American missionaries in birthing the India church, he believes that new mission efforts should be done in partnership with the national conference.
"We have developed global
IN BRIEF
DIED : John Esau , a retired MBMS Intern ationa l mis siona ry to Congo and Lithuania , died May 9 after suffering a heart attack May 4 while in the Democratic Republi c of Congo as part of a Church Partnersh ip Evangelism team Esau , 72 , is survived by his wife, Sophie, and six children A memorial was held in Kinshasa May 10 . His body wa s returned to Canada for burial.
(MBMSI)
He outlined areas where MBMSI can continue to assist the India churches. He said the migration of people to the large cities calls for an urban mission strategy. He expressed excitement over a coming missions conference led by Gordon Nickel, resource miSSionary for Muslim ministries. groups in primarily African and Asian urban areas; to increasing partnerships with national Mennonite Brethren conferences; and to economic development and aid in conjunction with evangelism, church planting and leadership training.
mission guidelines to lead us in a plan from 1995 through 2005, and Program director Dave I am committed Dyck reported that shifts of missionaries and budget resources from Latin America toward Asia are continuing on target. The board heard that the fiscal year concluding May 31 is slated to seeing those guidelines to
-HAROLD ENS
"Youth and children's ministry continue to be an area of need," said Solomon, "and there is a need for renewal of women's training programs. Please pray for India."
Local interaction Sunday morning, board and administrative staff members attended churches within a four-hour radius, completion. II
to end with a balanced budget and a 1998-99 operating budget of $4,915,788 was approved.
An international guest and intense local interaction provided fresh insights to board members and MBMSI staff.
"This was a unique event," says board chair Neil Fast . "In addition to evaluating current efforts and planning new initiatives, we were blessed by interaction with many local churches. The presence of E.D. Solomon opened our eyes to the life and character of the growing MB church in India. "
India insights
Solomon, who is treasurer of the India MB Conference Missions Committee and teaches at the Centenary
preaching and reporting on the role of MBMSI in meeting the new challenges of global mission . Board members expressed their appreciation for the warmth of local churches and the many chances to interact.
"A highlight of the weekend was a banquet and prayer concert held Friday night in the Millard Bible Church," says Fast. "We were called to renewal and recommitment to mission, whether that's to the person next door or to someone half-way around the world."
About 80 people attended the event . Leonard Reimer, pastor of the Millard church, led prayer for the churches in the Omaha area. Board members and staff shared prayer needs from around the world -from a report by Brad Thiessen, MBMSI
KILLED: Mennonite Ce ntral Committee worker Krista Hunt Ausland, 26, and four Bolivians were killed May 20 in a bus a ccident. According to reports, the bus on whi ch Au sland and her husband, Aaron, were riding mi sse d a c urve and went over an embankment The co uple were se parated on the crowded bus ; Aaron sustained so me injuries and may require minor surgery . The cou ple were serving a three -year term Krista worked with women's groups and in sup port of rural libraries A native of Spokane, Wash ., Krista and Aaron attended the Tacoma (Wa sh .) Open Bible Church . They would have celebrated their third wedding anniversary May 26 (MCC)
AWARDED: WITH: The Maga zine for Radical Chris tian Youth, published by Faith & Life Press and endorsed by the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, won the top award for youth magazine s at the Evangelical Press As sociation convention held April 27 -29 in Chica go Said the judge : "With a radical look, this publication takes traditional gospel values and package s them in a way that teens will read . WITH succe ssfully use s the youth culture - music , movies, relationships and family- to talk about church values " At the same convention, the Christian Leader won a third place award in the " 1-, 2-, or 3-Color Cover" category for its January 1997 issue , titled "Embattl ed Believers ." The cover, designed by Don Ratzlaff, featured a photo by Dave Klassen of a Burundi woman The Evangelical Press Association embraces 375 periodicals, organ izations and individual member s It s publications have a comb ined circulation of some 19 million readers
IN BRIEF
UNREST: On t he advice of Ind onesia n partners, nine Mennonite Cen tral Co mmittee wo rke rs on Java left t he island wh ere recent rio ts have left 500 people d ead . As of May 18, M CC w orkers living on t he isl and of Sulawesi an d th e provin ce of Irian Jaya , area s wh i ch have b ee n qu iet, will be staying Economi c collapse and di ssa t is fa ction w ith th e go vernme nt led to the recent unre st in the island nat i on M CC's Indon esia progra m is on e of the age ncy 's larg est coun try prog rams with 19 North Americans serving in agricultural. edu ca tio n and hea lth projects M CC also supports programs o f t he Indon esian Mennon ite churches . Indonesi a is home to so me 6 3, 000 M en nonite s Most live on the is land of Java. (MCC)
RECOGNIZED : Two f aculty member s of MB Bibl ical Seminary were re cogni zed during co mmen ce ment activities May 17 . A llen Guenther, professor of Old Testament sin ce 1981 , w as granted profe ssor eme ri tu s status and g ive n a plaqu e in appreciation for hi s servi ce Next year Guenther , who ha s been granted full disability du e to Parkinson's disease , w ill maintain a campus office , lead a mentoring group of firstyear students and teach as his heal th allows AI Dueck, professor of pastora l counseling since 1984, wa s praised for his contributions in the cla ssroom and in writing , for founding counsel ing programs to help Fre sno elementary school students and f or hi s international ministry to mis sionaries . Dueck, who has resigned to tea ch at Fuller Th eologica l Seminary in Pasadena, Calif , was also presented with a plaque of appreciation (MBBS)
SCHOLARSHIPS: Two Mennonite Brethren student s were awarded the Tabor College Pre sidential Scholar ship which will pay nearly 75 percent of their tuition costs for the next four years. Brian Wahl of Fairview (Okla ) MB Church and Brett Thiessen of First MB Church in Wichita , Kan ., were selected from 31 other candidates who qualified for th e schol ar ship based on ACT sco res , grad e- point averag e, i nterviews and f u rthe r t esting (rC)
Tabor board approves proposed growth plan
• Kansas college hopes to add graduate programs and nursing program to attract students
WITH A UNA NIMOUS vote May 15, the Tabor College Board of Directors approved a strategic plan with the intent of enhancing the school's financial viability through enrollment growth.
"This plan has the potential to bring signiflcant change to Tabor College," President David Brandt said. "It is exciting to see the Board of Directors and the college campus be united in pursuing this new plan ."
The plan identifies seven goals and strategies for the college and calls for an addition of graduate programs in accounting and education, and a bachelor of science degree in nursing Tabor will offer a traditional four-year BSN program in addition to an accelerated adult-degree completion program. resulting in a BSN degree from Tabor College Wichita
The plan addresses enrollment growth for traditional and nontraditional programs in two parts. The
first would deal with growth through recruitment of more students into existing programs and retention of students The second deals with growth due to new programs
The plan states that long-term financial stability and viability are best ensured by significantly increasing Tabor's endowment This calls for the college to grow its endowment to $10 million by its 100th anniversary year, 2008
To achieve this goal, the college must broaden its donor base, increase efforts to cultivate planned giving and develop an investment policy to maximize income from the current endowment .
Improved salaries and physical plant improvements are identified as needs that must be met in order for Tabor to remain a strong college.
This plan has undergone significant scrutiny by Tabor staff and has been processed by a strategic planning committee for two years .
"Change of the kind proposed by this plan is not easy," Brandt said "It will require diligence from all parts of Tabor College
"Hard work and much prayer will be the keys to implementation of the strategic plan," he said. -Grace Hiebert, Tabor information services
Pankratz named new academic dean at MBBS
• Former Concord College president will assume new role for fall
lAMES PANKRATZ, former president of Concord College in Winnipeg, Man , has been named academic dean at Bibl!cal effective 1. 'Jim brings enormous strength to the serrunary, says PreSident Henry Schmidt
"The kind of depth, trust and stature he brings as a leader with e xperience in administration and scholarship couldn't have come at a better time ."
Pankratz follows Pierre Gilbert, who served as dean for the 1997-98 school year and resigned to return to the classroom full time in Old Testament.
Pankratz was president of Concord from 1988 to 1997, having joined the faculty in 1985. He is currently on study leave from Concord From 1982 to 1985 he served with Mennonite Central Committee in South Asia and Bangladesh Prior to that, he served Concord (then MB Bible College) as academic dean (1978-1982), dean of students (1976-78) and an assistant professor (1975 to 1982).
Pankratz
Pankratz will teach in the areas of world religion and missions He received his doctorate from McMaster University in Hamilton , Ont , in 1975, where his research focused on the interaction betwe e n Muslims and Christians . His primary teaching areas have included world religions, re ligion and culture, Christian worship and the history of Christianity in Mric a, Asia and Latin America.
Mission USA Partners With Emerging Church in La Mirada
Mission USA's newest approved project is in the birthing stages in La Mirada, California . Pastor Durwin Keck, wife Beverlee and daughter Molly have gathered a nucleus of 40 people and are currently meeting regularly in small groups . They have chosen a cell-based church model, and believe that it is exactly what the people of the Imperial Valley are seeking
Journey Community Church began on November 8, 1997 in the La Mirada home of Durwin and Beverlee Keck. Durwin says, "My greatest sense of God's pleasure comes when I can help believers grow into the freedom of realizing God's unique purpose and identity for them. My heart is to build not just strong ministries, but to build strong people who minister through individual mentoring and a corporate experience of the New Testament 'one another' passages."
Responding to God's leading in their lives, the Kecks began to meet with a core group of people desiring to start a church based on the cell group model. Through this structure they want to present authentic loving relationships to the
MISSION USA BOARD:
Ed B05chman, Phoenix, AZ.,
Chuck Buller, Visalia, CA.
Ernie Friesen, Wichita, KS
Phil Glanzer, New Hope, MN
Joe Johns, Weatherford, OK
unchurched in their area When the core group, which numbers 40 adults, desired to affiliate with a denomination, contacts were made and affirmed with Mission USA and the Pacific District to become part of the Mennonite Brethren Conference Durwin has served with Campus Crusade for Christ and has had pastoral experience with evangelism and ministry to single adults and college/career. Beverlee, who has also worked for Campus Crusade for Christ, works on the staff of Church Resource Ministries . They are uniquely prepared and called to build a fellowship of believers who purpose to reproduce that life by replicating cell groups and congregations
A prayer of thanksgiving, encouragement, and sending forth was shared by Mission USA board members as they laid hands on the Kecks at the March board meeting ,
LoreHa J05t, Aurora, NE
Fred Leonard, Oovis, CA
Stephen Reimer, Shafter, CA
Clarice Rempel, Buhler, KS
Mike Schuil, Reedley, CA
Randy Steinert, Bakersfield, CA
TIm Sullivan, Hillsboro, KS
Ex Officio Members: Henry Dick, Fresno, CA.
Clinton Grenz, Bismark, N.D
Bruce Porter, Fresno, CA
Roland Reimer, Wichita, KS .
Clint Seibel, Hillsboro, KS
Jim Westgate, Fresno, CA
IN BRIEF
TRAINING : People interested in developing understanding and skills for managing and resolving conflict are invited to participate in the Basic Institute in Conflict Management & Mediation Aug 3-7 in Fresno, Calif The training conference is sponsored by the Center for Peacemaking & Conflict Studies of Fresno Pacific University (CPCS)
REBUILDING : Mennonite Disaster Service is currently involved in four United States storm-relief projects MD S is committed to rebuilding at least four homes in Sanford, Fla., damaged by Feb . 22 torn adoes . Volunteers are working in the Gainesville, Fla., area, where a March 20 storm system produced eight tornadoes . Mennonites spared during a deadly April 8 tornado that hit the Birmingham, Ala , area are helping their neighbors MDS volunteers in Warren , Minn , are helping homeowners repair their homes or prepare to rebuild following devastating flooding in 1996 and 1997 The city of Warren is proceeding with a buy-out program to relocate people living in the city' s low-lying areas (MDS)
PEACE: The assassination of a Roman Catholic bishop in late April stunned Guatemalan Mennonites and Mennonite Central Committee workers. BIshop Jose Juan Gerardi, a human rights leader, was murdered two days after releasing a report that accused the army of wid espread abuses during Guatemala's 36-year civil war Many fear the death of such a prominent individual could endanger the peace process begun in 1996 Menopaz, a coalition of Guatemalan Mennonite organizations, requests prayer for Guatemalan p{lstors who risk death by living out their peace commitment. (MCC)
PURCHASE: Land recently purchased in Guatemala City, Guatemala, will soon become the site for the administrative offices of SEMILLA, a seminary ope rat ed by 10 Central American Anabaptist Mennonite conferences The pu rchase was made possible in part by a Mennonite Central Committee contribution of $70,000 MBMS International worker Juan Martinez is the SEMILLA rector (MCC)
I
• CHURCH NOTES
• Baptism/membership
TOPEKA, Kan.-Allen and Gerri Rathke and Tim Yoder were baptized and received as new members May 10. Nancy Farrar, Gerald Reimer, Julie Reimer and Dustin Browning were also received as new members Vladislav Alexandrovich Ruban, a Ukrainian foreign exchange student staying with a church family, was also baptized.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-Mindy Carlisle, Gary and Shannon Korpela, Jennifer Penner, Josh Rempel and Charlene Shenk were baptized April 12 . Rob and Helen Gibson, Debbie Lumpkin, Loren and Connie Stauffer and Jing Zhao and Rong· ping Du were welcomed as members.
BLAINE, Wash. (Birch Bay)-John and Sheryl Sparks, David Sparks, Grady Nace and Roberta Nace were baptized April 12. Tom Morell was welcomed as a new member.
EUGENE, Ore. (North Park)-Jeremy and Beckie Jones, Todd Glender and Angela Kargel were baptized April 12. Ian and Donna Stuart, Ben and Angie Renich, Diane Harris, Michael and Abigail Turner and Maryn Glender were welcomed as members.
HENDERSON, Neb.-Jeff and Rhonda Koehn, Matt Koehn, Philip Patrie, Christian Klopfenstein and Jeff Kroeker were baptized April 19. Nonn and Beth Regier, Becky Hill and Henry and Hulda Goossen were welcomed into membership
DINUBA, Calif.-Denise Eirich, Sarah Grunau, Kate Isaak, Kimberly Enns and Jordan Isaac were baptized April 12.
DENVER, Colo. (Garden Park)-Corky Guy was welcomed as a new member April 19 .
ULYSSES, Kan.-Dallas Bumum was baptized and received as a member April 5.
WICHITA, Kan. (First)-Jeri and Roland Caffee, Bob and Carolee Derksen, Bob and Joyce Wall and Merle and Judi Yoder were welcomed into membership in April.
FRESNO, Calif. (Bethany)-Ling Chen, George Fei and Dorothy Tseng Fei, Kevin Friesen, Marshall Friesen , Spenser Koleen, Nick Patzkowsky, David Stewart, Brett Stroud, Jon Wilson and Kenny Wilson were baptized March 1 and welcomed into membership Jamie Koleen, Mark and Kathy Schroeder, Joshua Schroeder, Doug Thiesen and Larry Tjhen and Lana Liang Tjhen were also welcomed into membership.
• Celebration
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (El Camino)-More than 240 people attended a 40th anniversary Sunday service April 26 Twelve of the Original 44 charter members were present, including Margaret Kugler, who with her husband started a Sunday school program in their home that grew into El Camino Bible Church A noon meal followed the service.
NEW HOPE, Minn.-The congregation celebrated the 30th anniversary of their prekindergarten school during the morning worship service April 26.
HILLSBORO, Kan.-Sanctuary flowers May 3 marked the 60th wedding anniversary of Harvey and Gladys Jantz. Flowers in front of the pulpit April 5 marked the 60th wedding anniversary of Dave and Martha Classen.
FAIRVIEW, Okla.-The family of Herb and Inez Kliewer hosted a 60th wedding anniversary open house April 26.
CORN, Okla.-Ed and Elsie Huebert celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 12
REEDLEY, Calif.-Flowers in the sanctuary April 5 were in honor of Elmer and Loree Jost's 50th wedding anniversary.
INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)-Men met together for a wild-game supper April 25. Fried fish and wild turkey were served Marksman and casting competitions followed a bow hunting and black powder demonstration Mounted wildlife and artifacts were displayed, storytelling and a devotional completed the program
BLAINE, Wash. (Birch Bay)-The congregation had a fellowship dinner in late March for the purpose of becoming better acquainted with recent newcomers to the church family. Child care was provided by the youth group as a fund-raiser.
OMAHA, Neb. (Faith Bible)-Youth groups from Salem MB Church of Bridgewater, S.D., Grace Bible Church of Gettysburg, S.D., and Mountain Lake (Minn ) MB Church will be involved in a summer urban ministry program hosted by Faith Bible June 19·24. One goal of "Storm the City '98" is to challenge and educate Mennonite Brethren youth regarding urban ministry Forty youth and adult sponsors have registered
FRESNO, Calif (No rth)-Janice Porter, pastor of children's ministries, and her husband , Bruce , were resource persons
for Great Britain ' s Youth for Christ spring youth conference.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Lincoln Hills)-The congregation is supporting three youth engaged in summer mission work Rachel Leggett is serving with Child Evangelism in Central America, David Abels is going to Mexico with Amor Ministries and Amy Samuelson is traveling to Brazil.. Members surveyed the neighborhood May 12 about interest in a preschool and day-care center at the church
OMAHA, Neb. (Millard Bible)-The congregation hosted a dinner and prayer concert April 17 as part of MBMS International board meetings held in Omaha. Participants heard firsthand updates regarding the work of MBMSI and prayed for those ministries.
NEW HOPE, Minn.- "Circle of Grace," a five-member musical group from Mountain Lake (Minn.) MB Church, participated in the morning worship service May 3 and gave a full concert in the afternoon
DELFT, Minn. (Carson)-The congregation hosted the Mountain Lake MB congregation for an evening missions program April 19 with Lawrence and Selma Warkentin, MBMS International workers in Germany.
HENDERSON, Neb.-David Dyck, MBMS
International director of programs, was the speaker April 19
OMAHA, Neb. (Millard Bible)-MBMS International board member John Redekop preached April 19. He and MBMSI board member Dean Kliewer talked during the adult Sunday school time about the agency's ministries around the world.
LITTLETON, Colo. (Belleview Acres)Jerry Schemmel spoke April 16 about his experiences while flying aboard United Airlines Flight 232 that crashed in 1989 while flying from Denver to Chicago. Of the 296 people on board, 112 were killed
• Workers
CLOVIS, Calif. (College Community)Pastoral couple Bill and Joyce Braun will be taking a sabbatical June 10-July 8 to participate in the CASAS Program of the Anabaptist Seminary (Semilla) in Guatemala City. The Brauns will also spend a week visiting Nicaragua including Teustepe where a group from their congregation worked with the local Mennonite congregation in 1995.
HAYS, Kan. (North Oak)-Pastor Ken Ediger has been accepted to teach a course in Campus Crusade's International Leadership Academy in Minsk, Belarus, Oct 1529. The academy has North American pastors mentor pastors around the world who have had limited training.
3-4 on the campus of Fresno Pacific University. The doll sold for $70. Altogether the dolls brought in about $450 for the sale, which, despite rainy conditions, raised $203,000 - just $1,000 less than last year.
COLLINSVILLE, Okla. (Westport)-Joel Klassen will serve as the summer youth ministry intern May through August. Klassen is a student at Tabor College.
OMAHA, Neb. (Faith Bible)-Senior pastor Peter John Thomas was ordained May 31. The celebration included a reception, service of praise and worship, and ordination service and building dedication for the newly remodeled facilities.
BETIIANY, Okla. (Western Oaks)-Rocky and Kelley laMarr have accepted the call to serve as pastoral couple. They were commissioned during a May 3 sending service by the Pine Acres Church of Weatherford, Okla. Later that day, they were installed at Western Oaks .
DENVER, Colo. (Garden Park)-The congregation honored their outgoing pastor Chuck Goertz, and his family with a farewell dinner May 3
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Grace Cabalka began her ministry as part-time director of women's ministries May 1. Ruth FitzGerald, part-time worship coordinator for six years, resigned her position effective May 31 Pastoral staff members Bob Hudson and David Buck were recently licensed and Ken McDuff and Ken Cross were recOmmended for ordination
FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News)-The congregation gave its blessing to Erik Johnson, associate pastor of families and youth, and his family April 26 during a sending service. Johnson has resigned his position to begin a new ministry to families The service was preceded by a finger-food potluck. Nathan Corneisen, who served as a youth intern for 18 months, has now assumed the position of youth pastor He will graduate from Western Washington University in December 1998
FREEMAN, S.D. (Silver Lake)-Tony and Maryann Randall were installed as pastoral couple April 19 Tony is a recent graduate of Western Conservative Theological Semi· nary in Portland, Ore , and was a member of Lincoln Hills Bible Church in Sioux Falls, S.D.
SHAFTER, Calif.-Doug and Rachel Harri· son were ordained April 5 for service as missionaries with New Tribes Missions.
PHOENIX, Ariz.-Pastoral couple Ron and June Friesen are helping to "replant" Desert Valley Community Church as Spirit in the Desert Community Church in the DVCC facilities
LODI, Calif. (Vinewood)- Darren Rempel resigned from the pastoral staff effective in March He had been on staff for almost two years. Rempel has not announced his plans
Thirteen·year-old laura Neufeld holds "Michelle," one of 20 thrift store-purchased dolls that she and her mother, Karen Neufeld, refurbished for the West Coast Mennonite Sale and Auction held April
. DEATHS
BALZER, LYDIA M. KLIEWER, Reedley, Calif , a member of Reedley MB Church, was born April 14 , 1911, in Caddo County, Okla. , to Henry and Margaret Gunth e r Kliewer and died April 12, 1998, at the age of 86 . In 1932, she was married to David Balzer, who predeceased her in 1971. She is survived by one son, Oral and wife Mar· lene; one daughter-in -law, Luella Balzer DeFehr; one sister, Margaret and husband Henry Isaac, one brother, John and wife Ruth ; five grandchildren and their spouses, and six great-grandchildren
BEARDSLEY, LEON, Lodi, Calif., a mem o ber of Vinewood Community Church, was born Nov ll, 1911, at Bennington, Okla , and died March 17, 1998, at the age of 86 He was married to Arleen Hanson, who survives. He is also survived by one daughter, Teresa Williams of Lodi; one son, Lester of Modesto, Calif.; one sister, Olena Hall of
Santa Barbara, Calif.; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren
DUERKSEN, IRENE, Fairview, Okla., a member of Fairview MB Church, was born July 8, 1906, to John and Minnie Duerksen and died April 18, 1998, at the age of 91. She is survived by one sister, Alice Just of Fairview and one sister-in-law, Leona Duerksen of Fresno, Calif
ENTZ, RUTH, Reedley, Calif , was born Aug 4, 1916, at Hooker, Okla., to Jacob S. and Anna Willems Jost and died recently at the age of 81. On Nov. 21, 1939, she was married to John A. Entz , who predeceased her She is survived by three children, Kenton Entz, Eloise Wall and Naomi Dick; three brothers, Dave, Donald and Elmer; one sister , Dorothy Reimer; five grandchildren and nine great -grandchildren .
FRIESEN, DANIEL ERSTES, Reedley, Calif., former pastor of the Okeene (Okla ) MB Church, Reedley MB Church, and Corn
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(Okla.) MB Church, was born Feb . 5, 1911, near Hooker, Okla , and died April 15, 1998, at the age of 85 . On Oct. 1, 1933, he was married to Eva, who predeceased him
GlANZE R, MARY ENTZ , Reedl e y, Calif., was born Sept 26, 1905, to Jacob and Anna Entz in Beadle C ounty, S D., and died recently at the age of 92 On June 3, 1928, she was married to Joe Glanzer, who prede· ceased her. She is survived by one daughter-in-law and four grandchildren and their families .
GOERTZEN, H ERMAN , Henderson, Neb , a member of Henderson MB Church, was born April 10, 1911, near Bradshaw, Neb ., and died April 24 , 1998, at the age of 87 On Oct 11, 1935, he was married to Mildred Gustafson, who predeceased him He is survived by two sons, Clyde and wife Lenora and John and wife Charlene, both of Bradshaw ; on e daughter, Margie and husband Robert Arnold of McPherson , Kan ; one brother , Eddie and wife Roselyn of Reedley, Calif ; and one sister-in-law, Clara
U.S . Mennonite Brethren Board of Communications is accepting
and husband Eddie Murbach ; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
GROSS, SARAH j_, a member of Salem MB Church of Freeman , S D , was born Nov 27, 1913, at Freeman to John M.S. a n d Sarah Wipf Hofer and died April 15, 1998, at the age of 84 . One Dec . 7 , 1933, she was married to John M Gross, who survives She is also survived by four children , Rose Peterson and Janice Peterson , both of Huron, S D., John of Sioux Falls , S D , and David of Freeman; six grandchildre n and two great-grandchildren.
HARMS, ANDREW D., Dallas , Or e . , a member of the Dallas MB Churc h, was born Aug . 30, 1914, at Jansen, Ne b ., to Isaac and Maria Doerksen Harms and di e d May 8 , 1998, at the age of 83 On Aug 15, 1941, he was married to Arpa Reime r , who survives He is also survived by two sons, Galen and wife Jonell of Dallas and Marlin and wife Connie of Morro Bay, Calif.; one daughter, Connie and husband AI Wilson of Tualatin, Ore ; one sister, Lena Isaac of Meade , Kan. ; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
He is survived by one son, Charles Hauff and wife Brenda Stone of Bismarck; one daughter, Karen Hauff of St Paul, Minn .; two gra nddaughters and two great-grandsons
KLASSEN, JACOB JR. , was born June 30, 19 14 , to Jacob and Maria Klassen at Herbert, Sask , and died April 17 , 1998 at the age of 83. On Oct 8, 1938, he was married to Ethel, who survives He is also survived by his children Kenne t h and d a ughter Elaine and the ir families .
applications for EDITOR of the CHRISTIAN
Location: Negotiable
LEADER.
Starting date: Aug 1, 1998
Application deadline: Unti l filled
Duties:
Direct the production of the Christian Leader, the monthly magazine of the U.s. MB Conference Tasks include planning, w rit ing , editing , managing staff & wr iters, overseeing layout & printing .
Qualifications :
• Ex cellent writ ing, editing skills
• Unde rstanding of print media and journa listic st yle
• Managerial ski ll s
• Bachelor's degree
• Journalism experience preferred
• Christia n commitment/lifestyle consistent with MB Confession of Faith
Send letter of application and resume to :
Noelle Dickinson, chair
U S. Board of Communications Box V Hillsboro , KS 67063
Fax: 316-947-3266
Phone : 316-947 -2458
e-mail : cnwnews @southwind net
HAUFF, ALBERT, Bismarck, N.D ., a member of the former Washington Heights MB Church in Bismarck, was born Nov 2, 1921, at Harvey, N D , and died April 28, 1998, at the age of 76 . On April 1, 1942 , he married Marie Reile, who predeceased him.
MARTIN, ALBERT "MARTY" j., Weatherford , Okla ., a member of Corn (Okla ) MB Church , was born to J ohn and Sarah Wiens Martin on Aug . 28 , 191 7 , near Corn and died May 6, 1998, at the age of 86 On Nov . 13, 1955, he was married to Norma Bales, who p redeceased him in 1983 On De c 7 , 1985, he was married to Mildred Vogt, who survives . He is also survived by two daughters, Cardova and husband J.D Thompson of Springfield, Mo. , and Brenda and husband Dennis Ostercamp of Oklahoma City, Okla. ; two stepsons , Gaylon Vogt and wife C laren e of Weatherford , Okla , and Terry Vogt and wife Debra of Chanhassen, Minn ; three sist e rs , Helen and husband Pete Schm idt of Corn, Susie and husband Henry Thomas of Soquel, Calif., and Esther and husband Harry Funk of Lehigh , Kan ; two sisters -in-law, Selma Martin of Cimarron, Kan. , and Zerita
Kiesau of Clinton, Okla , and 12 grandchildren .
OlSON, ANNA B., Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born June 12, 1913, to Peter E. and Maria Bese Dahl at Hillsboro, Kan., and died April 12, 1998, at the age of 84. On Dec. 12, 1959, she was married to Fritihop R. Olson, who prede-
MENNONITE BRETHREN FOUNDATION
is accepting applications for two
FIELD REPRESENTATIVES
The MIDWEST FIELD REPRESENTATIVE would work out of the Hillsboro, Kan., office and the WEST COAST FIELD REPRESENTATIVE would be located in cen· tral California_ These are full-time positions, but we are open to a combination of part-time personnel.
DUTIES:
To encourage and assist Christians throughout the U.S . Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in faithful stewardship. Specific responsibili· ties include stewardship education, individual counseling, planned giving, charitable estate planning and Foun· dation-related activity.
QUALIF I CATIONS:
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate
• Aptitude for detail work
• Willingness to learn
• Christian commitment and desire to promote the work of the Me nnonite Brethren
DIRECT INQUIRIES TO:
Attn: Jon Wiebe, President Mennonite Brethren Foundation PO So. V Hillsboro, KS 61063
Phone: 316-947-3151
Fax: 316-941·3266
E-mail: mbfound@southwind net
ceased her in 1972. She is survived by one brother and five sister-in-Iaws and their families.
REGEHR, EDNA L DUERKSEN, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born May 6, 1925, near Hillsboro to Peter A and Marie Winter Duerksen and died May 11, 1998, at the age of 73. On Aug. 27, 1946, she was married to lloyd G. Regehr, who survives She is also survived by two daughters , Mary and husband Jim Regier of Hillsboro and Karen and husband Dick Aldis of Harper, Kan.; one son, Allen and wife Francene of Maize , Kan; one sister, Ethel Bartel of Hillsboro; two sisters-in· law, Lydia Duerksen and Lovisa Duerksen, both of Hillsboro and six grandchildren.
REIMER, DAVID E., Cordell, Okla., was born Nov. 1, 1907 to Henry and Agatha Reimer at Gladwin, Mich., and died recent· Iy at the age of 91. On Feb 17, 1935, he was married to Edna Bartel, who survives. He is also survived by four children, Pearl
and husband Denver Klaassen of Oklahoma City, Okla., Joyce and husband Edwin Vogt of Pleasant Grove, caiif , Betty and husband John McConnick of Vancouver, Wash , and Wayne of San Francisco, Calif.; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
ROBSON, COLTON, Sterling, Kan., was born Sept. 16, 1993 to Terry and Kristin Robson at Wichita, Kan., and died May 7, 1998, at the age of 4 from an accident in his backyard. He is survived by his parents, brother, Jordan; sister, Maryn; three grandparents, Bes Kirby of Larned, Kan., and Tom and Elaine Robson of Buhler, Kan., and great-grandfather Merle Speer of Buhler.
SANDERS, MARGARET, Lodi, Calif., a member of Vinewood Community Church, was born Dec. 28, 1909, near Ridgeville, Man , to Jacob and Christina Rettaler and died Dec. 24, 1997, at the age of 87. On Aug. 12, 1949, she was married to Lee Sanders, who survives. She is also survived by two daughters, Margaret Bigley of
CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM
C.P.E. ITINERARY FOR 1998 AND AN INVITATION to born-again Christians under the sponsorship of MBMS International are seeking volunteers for their evangelism outreach to: C tI • os person
NICARAGUA· Managua
July 18 - Aug. 3, '98
6. UKRAINE - Novomoskovsk, Pavlograd Berdyansk, Alexandria, Kirowograd July 25 - Aug. 18, '98 $1,600
7. PERU - Chiclayo, Talara Aug. 7-30, '98
8. HONDURAS Sept. 5-21, '98 9. PERU - Tumbes Sept. 4-21, '98
10. RUSSIA - Tjumen, Omsk
INDIA - Wanaparty. Nov 7-30, '98 $1,600
15. PERU· Arequipa Nov. 13-20, '98
Note: • only for nationals from the participating countries
• 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-discover 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 CP.E Executive Committee for processing
PETER LOEWEN
HAROLD W ENS
CPE Executive Director MBMS Int'l General Director
Ontario and Teri Scott of Lodi; one son, Bruce Fostey of Canada; one step-son, Jerry Sanders of Wisconsin; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
SEIBEL, RACHEL SEmEL LOEWEN, Reedley, Calif , was born Aug. 27, 1910, to Christian and Karolina Delk Seibel near Hillsboro, Kan., and died April 16, 1998, at the age of 87 On Aug. 9, 1931, she was married to Arthur Loewen, who predeceased her in 1965. In 1974, she was married to Charles Seibel , who predeceased her in 1992. She is survived by one son, Steven Loewen of Merced, Calif.; two daughters, Leola and husband Bruce Rosengren of Fresno, Calif., and Marilyn and husband Alfred Hasler of Saratoga, Calif. ; two sisters , Erna Loewen and Evelyn and husband Wesley Regier; eight sisters-in-law, Esther Seibel, Helen Seibel, Anna Seibel, Irene Seibel, Fern Seibel, Martha and husband Vic Klassen, Adeline and husband Vernon Friesen, and Selma Klippenstein; one brother-in-law, Allen and wife Audie Loewen; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
SCHIMKE, ELIZABETH, Hutchinson, Kan., a member of Harvey (N.D.) MB Church, was born Sept. 16, 1910, to Henry and Elizabeth Faul in Harvey and died April 21, 1998, at the age of 87. On Oct 12, 1930, she was married to Gideon Schimke, who predeceased her in 1969 . She is survived by three daughters, Norma Elgin of Bellevue, Wash., Doris Larson of Los Gatos, Calif., and Sandra Franz of Hutchinson; one sister, Ella Seibel of Harvey; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
TOEWS, JOHN BENJAMIN "J.B.", Fresno, Calif., a member of College Community Church in Fresno and a reknowned leader
in the Mennonite Brethren Church, was born in 1906 in the Molotschna Colony of South Russia to Johann and Margaret Janz Toews and died May 9, 1998, at the age of 91. In 1933, he was married to Nettie Unruh, who predeceased him in 1986. He is survived by three sons , John and wife Arlene , Paul and wife Barbara and James D ; one brother, Henry and wife lIse; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
WALTER, ERVIN J., Freeman, S.D., a member of Salem MB Church in Bridgewater, S D , was born May 9, 1909, near Bridgewater to Joseph and Kathryn Ratzlaff Walter and died April 27, 1998, at the age of 88. He is survived by two sisters, Ida Wollman of Freeman and Bertha Huether of Menno, S.D .; two brothers-in-law, Eli Hofer and Jake E. Hofer, both of Freeman; and their families.
WEDEL, RUBEN, Cordell, Okla., a member of the Cordell MB Church, former missionary to South Texas, and Mennonite Brethren pastor, was born Aug. 9, 1917 , to Henry and Amanda Wedel at Bessie, Okla., and died March 27, 1998. In 1943, he was married to Eva Wiens, who predeceased him in 1984. He is survived by two sons, David and wife Cheryl and Darold; two brothers, Harry and wife Jewell and Art and wife Jesse; three sisters, Lea Javorsky, Rosella Horn and Susie and husband Art Horn; one brother-in-law, Leonard and wife Florence Wiens; six sisters-in-law, Edna Wedel, Mary and husband Bill Goossen, Rosella and husband Harold Regier, Evelyne Wiebe , Sally Wiens and Lydia Nickel; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
CORRECTION from our May issue: Peter Eitzen was a member of Butler MB Church in Fresno, Calif.
CLEARINGHOUSE
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 turn down inappropriate material. For display (boxed) ad rates, please call us.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
STAFF OPENING-The Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church is conducting a search for an additional member(s) of its church leadership team. The new person(s) will join a full-time senior pastor and a part-time visitation pastor. The specific job description(s) will be flexible to match the gifts and abilities of the new members) of the ministry team, but is expected to include work in one or more of the following areas : (1) Youth ministry, middle and high school ; (2) Small-group and discipling program , which would require the development, organization and implementation of the program ; (3) PartiCipation in the planning and organization of worship services. Full- and parttime positions will be considered, with the expectation that one position will be full-time. Seminary training is preferred but not required. We welcome inquiries from those who have interest in joining the ministry team at Parkview Church. Send information and resume to: Parkview Church , Attn: Search Committee, 610 S. Main, Hillsboro, KS 67063
SENIOR PASTOR-Koerner Heights Church of the Mennonite Brethren in Newton, Kan., has an opening for senior pastor. Qualified applicants should inquire to Bill Kliewer (Search Committee chair), 328 Campus Court , N Newton, KS 67117; 316-283-5760
FARM MANAGERS-Ebensburg, Pa. A two-year, full-time, volunteer assignment under the supervision of the Pennsylvania Relief Sale Board chairman and the two elderly farmer owners. Qualifications include commitment to Christian faith, active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking. Further qualifications include knowledge of and experience in farm work/operation; ability to work independently; interest in working closely with older people; patience and flexibility Duties include haymaking, taking care of heifers, building repair and property maintenance. If interested in a job description or application, please contact Prem Dick or Goldie Kuhns in the Human Resources Department. Phone: 717/859-1151 or email: <psd@mcc.org> or <gpk@mcc.org> For further details you may contact Allen Carr, Pennsylvania Relief Sale Chairman , at 717-944-0293.
URGENT OPENING WITH MCG-Legislative associate for domestic affairs, MCC Washington Office Salaried staff position with primary responsibility for U S. domestic issue coverage Qualifications include commitment to Christian faith , active church membership, and nonviolent peacemaking Candidates should have education and life experiences that have exposed them to systemic realities of poverty, racism and injustice; be committed to and knowledgeable of Mennonite or Brethren in Christ church; and demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills Related work experience and masters degree preferred. If interested in a job description or application , please contact Prem Dick or Goldie Kuhns in the MCC Human Resources Department. Phone (717) 859-1151; e-mail: psd@mcc.org or gpk@mcc.org. Applications due June 15 , 1998
MANAGER-Menno House, a hospitality ministry of Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship, seeks individual or married couple for 25 hour/week manager position for guesVresident house in NYC Begin August 1998 Low rent and salary. Live in Christian commun ity Meet guests from around the world. Inquiries: Menno House , 314 East 19th Street, New York , NY 10003
BY JIM HOLM
Who can forget ].B.?
WE SAID GOODBYE to].B. today. ].B Toews, I mean, the last Mennonite Brethren patriarch. He was laid to rest after 91-plus years of life, so many of those spent in Mennonite Brethren leadership. How many lives J B. impacted, how many people for whom he prayed, only God knows But the number would be in the thousands, or tens of thousands.
Who can forget].B.? That marvelous voice that never lost its Russian/German accent, even after 70 years of living in North America? That long index fmger that pointed menacingly toward the audience whenever he spoke, or could beat a chalkboard with enough force to strike oil-if there
the rock, and water would have gushed forth. Who can forget that strange twisting of his jaw when he spoke, that served, presumably, to ease the pressure from a child-
hood neck injury?
you. If they don't like you, they will spit flre at you " I went to that church and found out].B. was right-on both counts It was J B. who explained to me why I was leaving the pastorate to come aboard as a member of the seminary administration "You haven ' t been a very good pastor, Jim," he said. "You 've been a good preacher, but not a good pastor. God wants to develop that side of your character "
That was ].B I don' t want to make it sound as if everything he did was perfect Far from it. He was stubbornwhen he decided he was right, he was right. You could talk to him, but you couldn't often change his mind.
And when he called you to come and visit with him, you had been any? If Moses had had a finger like that he wouldn ' t have needed his stick to hit He called us to know always went with trepidation. He would say, "Come over I want to visit with you about a few things." Everyone knew that phrase "a few things. " It meant he intended to offer some serious correction for your life. But you went Who could refuse].B.? He would begin the conversation with commendation You listened silently, because you knew he would lower the boom. And he did. Always lovingly, but always thoroughly
Who can forget].B., who often in seminary classes referred to a 400-plus page book as a pamphlet, as in, "Your reading assignment for this weekend is this pamphlet "?
that the Lord is God. And we knew.
There could be no
greater tribute to J.B. than that.
As I sat at his memorial service, I wondered how many people could tell a story similar to mine, a story filled with remarkable interventions by this remarkable servant of God. I frrst met].B. while I was a college student, worrying about my future. I was heading toward graduate school, but not seminary. Pastoral ministry did not loom on my horizon. But one day].B. invited me to lunch at The Outpost, his favorite haunt. There he encouraged me, using that fmger, to consider seminary, telling me that God had given me gifts for min· istry . That was].B.
It was J .B. who cornered me midway through my seminary career, when I wasn't certain which direction to go, or even certain I wanted to know which direction to go, to say, "Jim, stop wandering . Put down a stake . Focus your life in some direction and move there . If you find you made a mistake , move the stake But you need to be rooted someplace ." That was ].B . It was ].B. who came alongside me as I was considering my first pastoral assignment The church that had called had been through a lot ofturmoil The previous pastor had left under a cloud. I wondered if I, at 25 years old, could handle such a congregation. ].B said I should go.
"You'll always know where you stand with those peo· pie," be said. "If they like you, they will walk through fire for 36- THE
CHRISTIAN LEADER
But what a godly, wise, caring man When ].B. said he was praying for you, he was praying for you Often he lay awake at night, for hours, praying for people all over the world, by name, intimately That, too, was ].B.
When he spoke at conferences and conventions, a hush fell over the room because his insights were usually on target, and always cut to the center of the point He was pas· sionate for the church, especially the Mennonite Brethren Church. His last two books breathed that passion.
That was ].B. I always thought I was special to him, that I was one of his favorites, because he had given so much important input to my life . But as I sat at his memorial service, I realized that everyone was special to him, that he had lots of favorites, and no favorites . Everyone he knew was his favorite. He poured his life into them all . I was just fortunate enough to be one of those people that crossed his path.
So we said goodbye Reluctantly, because he was a giant . But joyfully, because it was obviously time for him to go . And thankfully, because he was a man of God. The funeral sermon compared him to Elijah. Indeed. He called us to know that the Lord is God. And we knew. There could be no greater tribute to ].B. than that. •
Jim Holm is dean of students and director of constituency relations at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Calif