June 2002

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·theil k In.OIn work ether wello REPORTS FROM u.S. AND MULTINATIONAL MENNONITE BRETHREN MINISTRIES FOR THE 24TH BIENNIAL u.s. CONFERENCE OF MB CHURCHES CONVENTION ABBOTSFORD. B.C. JULY 25-27.2002

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HIS IS A UNIQUE ISSUE of the Christian Leader.

Instead of our normal features and news, our pages are filled with reports from our national ministries and multinational ministries with which we partner in preparation for the U.S. Conference of MB Churches convention this summer.

These ministries are possible only because local MB churches from around the country have committed to make them happen. These churches provide volunteers and staff to lead these ministries and the funds to operate them. By working together, we do so much more than we do as individual churches. Because we work together, we plant churches, revitalize congregations and disciple believers across the country. We partner in the MB Biblical Seminary to equip believers to lead in our churches. We help send missionaries around the world and here at home through supporting MBMS International. The list goes on. Read the reports and find out just how much we are doing-together.

Representatives from these U.S. and multinational MB ministries will be reporting to delegates at the U.S. Conference convention this summer-a unique event in itself. The Canadian MB Conference is meeting during the same time and in the same city in order that MBs from the U.S. and Canada can gather and focus on the past, present and future of ministries in North America. During the day, U.S. delegates will deal with the issues facing our national ministries. In the evening, they will join the Canadians in the final and last sessions of the General Conference, the binational conference of North American MBs. It will be a time of celebration, reflection and challenge.

Read carefully the reports in the following pages. This is a critical time for our national ministries. Important decisions are being made. Lend your voice and your prayers to those decisions.

Blessings. -CA

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J6urnina in my Ganes Jer.20:9

Reports from U.S. Conference and multinational ministries, pages 4·26

COMING _JULY 25-27-U.S. Conference and General Conference conventions in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada.

_ NOVEMBER 1-3-eentral District Conference convention, Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg, S.D. _ NOVEMBER 8-9-Pacific District Conference convention.

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VOLUME 65, NUMBER 6

SPECIAL ISSUE - What we do together 4

Come feel the fire U.S. and Canadian MBs will be gathering in July for national conventions by day and a binational convention by night.

S A word from ..• U.S. chair

u.s. CONFERENCE MINISTRIES 6

Board of Church Ministries: Shaping our ministries 6 A word from ... interim executive minister 8 A word from .•. director of church relations 9 Peace Education Commission 10 National Youth Commission 12 Integrated Ministries 13 A word from ... associate director of Slavic ministries

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Mission USA: Thanksgiving, transitions and trust

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Board of Communications: Keeping the bike rolling-for now 16 Give us your input 17 A word from ... Leader editor

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Board of Trustees: Taking steps to financial health

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MB Foundation: Glory to God

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Board of Faith and Life: 5earching for a mission

EDITOR Carmen Andres

ASSOOATE EDITOR Connie Faber

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

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

The editors invite free-lance article submissions, essays to Forum and letters to the editor. Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churches. The essays can address any issue of relevance and interest to the faith and life of the Mennonite Brethren Church and should be no longer than 800 words and include the home church and occupation of the writer. A SASE must accompany articles and forum essays.

MULTINATIONAL MINISTRIES 24

MBMS International: Traversing a changing landscape

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

26

General Conference: U.S. to embrace last GC ministries 26 Over 100 years of ministry 27 MOU: MB Biblical Seminary 28 MOU: MB Historical Commission 29 A word .•. the Historical Commission 30 MOU: Board of Resource Ministries

MAIN OFFICE: Box 220, 315 S. Lincoln Hillsboro, Kansas 67063 Phone: (620) 947-5543 Fax: (620) 947-3266 E-mail: christianleader@usmb.org

DEPARTMENTS In Brief Church News & Notes Editorial . _ • /5 it time to prune or grow-or both?

ART CREDIT: Cover, artwork by Gail Enns.

Printing by Valley Offset Printing, Valley Center, Kansas.

31 33 36

Connie Faber, Associate Editor newseditor@usmb.org EDITOR'S OFFICE: Carmen Andres, Editor 101 N. Capitol Parkway Montgomery, Alabama 36107 Phone: (334) 834-3338 Fax: (253) 369-9423 E-mail: editor@usmb.org Subscription rates are $16 for one year, $30 for two years, and $42 for three years ($20, $38 and $54 in Canada); $1.50 per copy. All subscription requests and address changes should be sent to the Circulation Secretary at the Main Office. All advertising inquiries should be made to the Editor's Office.

Postmaster: Send address changes to the Christian Leader, Box 220, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, Kansas.

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come Mennonite Brethren from the U.S. and Canada to lIather for national conventlons by day and a binational celebration by night.

THEME Like a fire . .• bumlng In my bones (Jer.20:9) WHERE Day sessions U.S. convention Bakervlew MB Church Abbotsford, B.C. canada

Evening sessions celebration 2002 Central Heights MBChurch WHEN July 25-27,2002

THIS SUMMER, Mennonite Brethren from across the U.S. \'Yifi assemble, celebrate and commlt to continue kingdom work together at the 24th biennial U.S. Conference of MB ChurChes Convention in Abbotsford, B.C., Jbty25-27.

This issue of the Christian Leader highlights the wo(k of and issues facing U.S. Conference ministries and several multinational ministries U.S. MBs participate in and support.

It is these ministries-the kingdom work of U.S. Mennoni~ Bcethren-that delegates will be hearing ~ut and making decisions on at the July convention.

"It is impdrtant that we gather and cele· brate the fruit of that kingdom work," writes U.S. Conf~nce chair David Reimer in the convention brochure.

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Cel.bratll)l binationally .

This year-'s sathedng is unique, as it will include joint sessions with the Canadian Conference "Celebration 2002;" a series of evening.sessions to celebrate Over 100 years of ministry of the General Conf~nce of MB Churches (see page 26). Delegates to the 1999 General Conference convention voted to dissolve the binational conference and transfer its ministries to the U.S. and Canadian conferences.

The three evening sessions, held at Central Heights MB Church, will feature music, drama

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and multimedia presentations designed to celebrate the past, present and future of the joint ministries of North American MBs.

U.S. business During the day, U.S. delegates will meet as a U.S. Conference at Bakerview MB Church, where they will worship, hear from various speakers and ministry leaders and make decisions about U.S. and multinational ministries.

Highlights for delegates include: • General Conference decisions. Delegates will be presented with agreements worked out between the U.S. and Canadian conferences as to the ownership and operation of former General Conference ministries (see pages 24-26).

• U.S. Conference budget proposal.

Conference leaders will present a reducedspending budget, down almost half a million from the year before (see page 19).

• Ministry reports. Ministry leaders will present reports of the work of and issues facing the ministries of the U.S. Conference (see pages 6-30).

Youth adivities While delegates are in sessions, junior high and senior high students from the U.S. and Canada will have a variety of opportunities to see God at work as they develop new friendships with other participants, minister to peo-

OFFERING "WORDS OF INSPIRATION" DURING THE U.S. CONVENTION:

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Terry Hunt

Pastor, Chief Cornerstone Mission (Los Angeles, calif.)

Pastor, Bushtown Church (Lenoir, N.C.)

pIe of greater Vancouver and enjoy God's creation through hiking and swimming activities.

The youth track is being organized by Andrew Stanley, Youth Mission International program director, and will be led by a YMI team. YMI is the discipleship and cross-cultural outreach agency of the U.S. and Canadian MB churches.

Child care will be provided for infants through prekindergarten children. Children entering kindergarten through sixth grade will have daytime activities at Bakerview. Children and youth register for their track on their parent's registration form.

Preconvention seminar opportunity On Thursday morning, Tom and Christine Sine, consultants for Christian and secular organizations around the world, will present Living on Purpose, a seminar exploring how Christians can make the connection between their faith and everyday lives.

The seminar is cosponsored by the MB Foundation, a U.S. ministry focusing on faithful

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Rolando Mireles Vice-chair, U.S. Conference (Rio Grande, Tex.)

David Reimer

Chair, U.S. Conference (Reedley, calif.)

stewardship, and Stewardship Ministries of the Canadian Conference. Cost for the seminar is $18 per individual and $24 per couple. Each registrant or couple will receive a free copy of the Sine's latest book, Living on Purpose.

Convention attradions Abbotsford, the "Raspberry Capital of Canada," is located in the center of the Fraser Valley. Framed by Swiss-like peaks, it is home to parks, lakes, gardens and amusement spots.

Nearby Vancouver features Stanley Park which has the Vancouver Aquarium with over 8,000 aquatic animals, including killer whales, with several daily shows. It also has the Miniature Railway and Children's Farmyard. Other interesting attractions include various museums, a zoo, Science World, two botanical gardens, the Butchart Gardens, Gas Town with its must-see one-of-a-kind steam powered clock, beaches and the Grouse Mountain Skyride.

For more information or registration materials, please call (620) 947-3151 or e-mail usconf@southwind.net. •

Berhanu W.........rlam Pastor, Bethel Ethiopian Church of Seattle (Wash.)

MUSIC 8r.

WORSHIP:

sergei Popkov F.mlly Musical guests

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Invitation to feel the fire ON BEHALF of the U.S. Conference of MB Churches, I would like to Invite you to our 2002 convention In beautiful British Columbia.

We are enthused about what God has done. Even more, we are enthused about what God will do!

We trust you will find your accommodations

comfortable and our time together Informative and Inspiring as well.

We look forward to affirming our ministries and charting new courses as we continue to serve the body of Christ.

I hope to see you there.

-David Reimer, U.S. Conference chair

Larry Albright Worship Leader (U.S. Conference and Celebration 2002)

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board of' church minis1:ries LEADERSHIP BOARD PURSUES STAFF. BALANCES OPPORTUNITY AND RISK

Shaping our ministries BOARD MEMBERS David Reimer, chair (Reedley, Calif.)

Rolando Mireles, vice-chair (Rio Grande City, Tex.) Noelle Dickinson, secretary (Newton, Kan.) John Quiring, Central District (Hampton, Neb.) Nick Rempel, Southern District (Buhler, Kan.) Marvin Just, Jr., Pacific District (Reedley, Calif.)

James Fox, North Carolina (Lenoir, N.C.) Rene Pena, LAMB District (Rio Grande City, Tex.) Loretta Jost, Mission USA acting chair (Aurora, Neb.) Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, Board of Communications chair (Kingsburg, Calif.)

John Warkentin, Board of Faith and Life chair (Wichita, Kan.) Ken Neufeld, Board of Trustees chair (Fresno, Calif.)

Dennis Fast. MBMS International board chair (Reedley, Calif.)

Jon Wiebe, president of MB Foundation (Hillsboro, Kan.)

NONVOTING STAFF Loyal Funk, interim executive minister (Arroyo Grande, Calif.)

Dale Regier, treasurer (Hillsboro, Kan.) Carmen Andres, editor of the Christian Leader (Montgomery, Ala.) Harold Ens, general director of MBMS International (Fresno, Calif.)

E-MAIL CONTACT bcm@usmb.org

other related groups both THE BOARD OF CHURCH BOARD OF within the U.S. and abroad Ministries is comprised of QlURCH _ _TRIES and discern the vision for the people from all across the ICM gives vision and direc~ U.S. Conference.

United States. Some board tion to the conference and members represent a district provides spiritual oversight and encourages leadership opportunity plus risk of local churches within the development while coordinatOpportunity plus risk U.S., others represent a mining the ministries of the variequals crisis. To be honest, istry of the U.S. Conference. ous boards of the conference.

This group, in addition to the BCM acknowledges that reali· ty for the U.S. Conference. chair, vice-chair and secretary of the executive committee, form the group of BCM is mindful that as a denomination, we have the opportunity to shape ministry for leaders who provide spiritual oversight, encourage leadership and coordinate the min- years to come. We are also aware that decisions need to be made carefully, as there is istries of the conference. risk associated with the decisions.

BCM meets twice yearly to monitor U.S. • Shaping ministry. BCM members have Conference ministries, communicate with

• •• ••

Part of the team THE WORDS OF PAUL to TImothy-"Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord" (2 TIm. 1:2)-form my prayer for our conference of churches. The church belongs to him who saved, Justified and Is sanctifying us dally In Christ. We need to sense 0: his holy presence In all of ~ our lives and In the work ~ he has entrusted to us. ~ May we be faithful to 15 that high and holy calling.

Wodd... ln ministry As Interim executive conference minister, the Board of Church Ministries (our leadership board) assigned me to oversee, nurture and encourage as they seek the Lord's direction for our national ministries.

Our conference Is made up of 188 churc~ es In five districts across the nation, all sharIng a commonality In vision, mission and soil6-THE

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darlty. As national leaders, our assignment Is to work with the various boards and ministries that In many cases Involve districts In their mission and goal setting.

This Includes the sharing of vision and goals of our mission, which was defined anew In 1990 and resulted In the Inception of Mission USA (our church planting and renewal ministry) In 1994. Our mission Is essentially the Great Commission (Matt.

28:16-20): reaching the lost and seeing them baptized and In fellowship with a local church. In the local church they are nurtured In the teachings In all of SCripture and as amply outlined In our Confession of Faith and Its commentary. To do less Is to fall short of our biblical mandate. All boards remain committed to carrying out our assignments from the conference and Its churches.

been involved with shaping the ministry and priorities of the last decade. The u.s. Conference is fortunate to have board members that have been directly involved with staffing and program decisions in those 10 years.

Recently, BCM decided to pursue two activities that will enable the conference to plan for the future: a self-study and a review of the structure of the conference. We will conduct a conference-wide self-study in collaboration with the Board of Communications, examining the needs and wishes of the churches within the U.S. in regards to conference ministries. In our review of structure, we will collaborate with outside resources to address the affirmation of purpose and identification of most effective structures to obtain goals associated with that purpose.

• Pursuit of staff members. BCM's search committee for an executive director has been active. The committee has talked to varying degrees with seven candidates. Each time, the discernment process led to the decision by the candidate not to allow his name to stand for consideration. BCM is grateful to Loyal Funk for having accepted the call to serve as interim executive director while the committee continues its search.

Loyal gives energy and insight in his role and will serve until an executive minister is selected.

WorIdng together With the dissolution of our binational General Conference, some notable transfers of work and oversight have come to the U.S. Conference. These Include: • the creation of a U.S. Board of Faith and Ufe; • establishing a new working rei. tlonshlp with MBMS Intematlonal; and • working with Canada In the ~ ductlon and sales of Mennonite Brethren literature and materials with Kindred Productions, an MB publishing

house.

Our long-standing national ministries continue In their work. The Board of Communications continues with the awesome assignment of providing Information to our churches and membership. The potential of new media opens new doors of communication, which are In progress. The Board of Trustees and MB Foundation are stewardship oversight agencies that are vital to our good fiscal health.

The U.S. Conference does not live In Isolation from other ministries In our relationships to a number of Mennonite cooperative ventures like Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Mutual

Loyal's acceptance of the interim position left a considerable workload for Integrated Ministries, a ministry he continues to serve as director. To address this need, BCM is pleased that Vyacheslav Tsvirinko is providing ministerial support to churches involved with the conference through 1M. He is a gifted person, and we appreciate having his service.

To address the challenge of securing funding for ministry, BCM has engaged Ted Goertzen. We affirm his heart for stewardship, and we believe we are seeing early fruit of his labors. His work, along with that of other staff members and volunteers, has resulted in new and/or increased support from churches. In addition, Ted has a strategy to continue to raise funds to enable ministry (see page 8).

We trust that the crisis we face as a U.S. Conference will be successfully addressed through the continued vision and diligence of all our boards, the meeting of our financial strategies through the strategies delivered by staff members and the Board of Trustees, and the countenance of our Father as we seek to labor in his vineyard.

Affirming ministry As a group, BCM wants to affirm our ministries: • Board of Communications. (See pages 16-18 for report.) This group provides general editorial

Aid and others. This goes beyond our continent to the IntematJonal Committee of Mennonite Brethren and MennonIte World Conference. Beyond our Immediate conference we continue to have relationships with other evangelical agencies such as the National Associ. tlon of Evangelicals.

At times, this list Is both challenging and almost awesome. These relationships require attention and stewardship of talent and cooperation to Insure that we do not Just do busy work but accomplish our strategtc mission alms and goals. At times It calls for prioritizing and this Is a task that SCM constantly evaluates.

St.w.......p ch8lleng.

The transfer of ministries from the General Conference to the two North Amertcan conferences has created a new stewardship challenge for us.

Church support and giving to prior General Conference ministries are now needed urgently at our national level If we are to carry forward those endeavors. We remind our churches that prior General Conference support and giving now need to be directed to our U.S. Conference treasury In Hillsboro, Kan..

Some churches, for whatever re. sons, have not supported the proposed giving goals to the extent required to fund our challenges. We appeal to each church to consider being a participant In our U.S. ministries so that no vital work remains undone.

We recently appointed Ted Goertzen as our director of church relations. His assignment Is to Inform, challenge and gain a united vision for our ministries.

This Includes challenging every church In our conference to participate In attaining our approved budgets. He Is uniquely qualified and dedicated to this vision. We encourage you to open doors to him by Invitation or when he requests an audience with you. the MB tHIn None of us serve In our ministries for our own benefit but for the good of the entire conference. We see all of our boards In their assignments as vital and necessary to attain our common goals.

Your faithful advice and consent, Intercessory prayer and participation In our mutual work Is both needed and solicited. We are your servants, 8nd we depend on you to continue on the team of U.S. MB churches. -Loyal Funk

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direction and policy of our monthly magazine, the Christian Leader. In addition, this group created a web site that will enable many people to learn about U.S. MBs. • Board of Faith and life. (See page 22 for report.) This group was created in 2000 in order to provide spiritual guidance to the U.S. Conference. BCM appreciates their efforts in providing new pastor orientation on a national basis as well as providing written documents as they pertain to spiritual matters.

• Board of Trustees. (See page 19 for report.) This entity administers legal and fiduciary responsibility for the U.S. Conference. In addition, this ministry provides funds for eligible retired ministers. BCM approved the annual budget and bylaw revisions that will be presented by the trustees for approval by delegates at the convention.

• Mission USA. (See pages 14-15 for report.) BCM wants to encourage this group to continue to plant churches, renew churches and win the lost for the kingdom. We celebrate the news of church planting from places across the country-Draper, Utah; Phoenix, Ariz.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Boone, North Carolina. Further, we are heartened to hear of the churches that have sought renewal and utilized the resources offered by MUSA.

• Integrated Ministries. (See pages 12-13 for report.) BCM greets many new family members who have joined the U.S. MB family as a result of this ministry. Some family members appreciate the spiritual stability and guidance as they learn a new culture, others accept]esus as their savior as they are drawn to a group of believers committed to meet the needs of recent immigrants. We are encouraged by the fact that many churches that joined the conference through the work of 1M have begun to share in the financial support of U.S. ministries. BCM continues to encourage increased involvement in U.S. boards and ministries by those attending churches served by 1M. • MBMS International. (See pages 24-25 for report.) MBMSI was the first General Conference ministry to be transferred from the binational North American conference to the U.S. and Canadian Conferences (see page 26).

We welcome to BCM the mission board of our global mission agency as it also partners with the Canadian MB Conference. We have become painfully aware of global conflict where lines seem to be drawn along religious identification. It is vital that we keep our witness in such a world.

In addition to providing leadership for current U.S. ministries, BCM is also working with

A WORD FROM . . . DIRECTOR OF CHURCH RELATIONS

Being faithful in face of national trends IN THE LAST several years there has been a decrease In giving to nonprofit organizations. George Barna of the Barna Research Group has surveyed those that primarily give to churches and found that both the number of givers and the amount given have significantly decreased In the ~ last three years. several factors contribute ~ to the decline, Including giving patters ~ within generational groups of donors and ~ the lack of loyalty to what the previous generation felt was Important. !!i 81.When we compare the national trends with the Instructions that God teaches his followers, we find a discrepancy. We need to remember that the motive for giving Is to be love for God and fellow man, not loyalty to personalities or organizations that will pass with time.

The U.S. Conference, along with other Mennonite Brethren agencies, has felt the decline In financial support. So, It Is our desire to communicate more clearly the work of the conference ministries a1d the results of those ministries. We want to work together with the churches of the U.S. Conference and seek ways to help our churches be effective where

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they are located and to be an extension of the churches In areas to which they cannot go.

To assist the churches In their own minIstries and to continue the ministries of the U.S. Conference, we are seeking financial support In three ways: • We seek Individuals and businesses to participate In the new Grant Underwriter Program. This will give Individuals and businesses the opportunity to "underwrite" the core budget of the conference ..... for as little as $25 per month.

• We seek to work with churches to Increase their su~ port of the conference ministries• • We seek Individuals and churches that will partner In funding selected projects of Mission USA (our national church planting and renewal ministry).

Either we can succumb to the national trends or we can tum to the Instructions In God's Word and be faithful with that which he has made us stewards. In our faithfulness we ean be generous so that "through us your generosity will result In thanksgiving to God" (2 Cor. 9:11). -Ted Goertzen

WHAT

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TOGETHEH:

PEACEMAKINC

bcrYl: peace educat:ion cOrYlrYlission

COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS PEACE SUNDAY, PEACE CONSULTATION

Finding ways to be peacemakers COMMISSION MEMBERS Dalton Reimer, chair (Fresno, Calif.)

Don Isaac, secretary (Hillsboro, Kan.) Rose Buschman (Garden City, Kan.) Sam Resendez (Del Rey, Calif.)

E-MAIL CONTACT peaceOusmb.or9

THE MISSION of the Peace education Commission Is to advance God's vision for sha/om-or peace-wlthln the U.S. Conference.

Activities of the Commission Include the following: • Peace Sunday. Peace Sunday Is an annual activity sponsored and promoted by the Peace Education Commission for the U.S. Conference. Peace Sunday this year was February 17. In addition to public notices of Peace Sunday In the Christian Leader, the commission again sent two communications to the churches encouraging their partlcl~ tlon In Peace Sunday.

The first was an early notice, the second a follow-up reminder.

The commission encourages the churches of the conference annually to participate In this Sunday as an expression of our collective witness to peace In this world.

• Christian

Leadft,. Each year the commission works with the editor of the ChTistlan Leader In establishing the direction for the Jan-

Canada to take ownership of former ministries of the General Conference (see pages 24-30). BCM recommends the acceptance of the memoran· dums of understanding as presented on pages 27-30 of this issue of the Christian Leader, which provide the direction for the transfer and ownership of these ministries by the two national MB conferences.

In addition, we want to inform delegates of

PEACE EDUCATIOIlI COMMISSIOII God's vision for his world is shalom, or peace. Aministry of SCM, the mission of

the Peace Education Commission is to advance that vision within the supporting constituency. uary peace Issue. This year's focus--"You are not alone: Voices around the world and at home crying out for peace"-was particularly motivated by the events of sept. 11. This Issue brought together contributions from the International Mennonite Brethren community, the U.S. Board of Faith and LIfe ("What do we believe?") and the Peace Education Commission ("What can we do?").

The commission affirms BF\. and the Leader for their leadership In addressing the Issue of peace. We look f0rward to continuing to work In partnership with BFl. and the Leader, as well as others.

• Voluntary Service.

The commission continues to believe that voluntary service Is a core value that should be nurtured among us as Mennonite Brethren.

After several years of Information gathering and exploring options, the chair

of the commission has developed an Initial draft of a possible church-based, decentralized and administratively low-cost and efficient model of voluntary service for the 21st century.

Such a program will need an Institutional home.

Where that home should be remains an open question.

• Peace Educ8tlon C0nsultation. The commission, together with the Board of Faith and life, Is organizing a leadership consultation on peace education In our conference, churches and schools for this coming fall In Fresno.

Such a consultation seems timely, given the heightened Interest In peacemaking post Sept.

11 and also an Invitation from the peace council of the Mennonite World Conference to provide Input from the U.S. Conference for the gathering next year of the Mennonite World Conference.

We are called to be at peace with God and with each other-ln our families, neighborhoods and world.

Proclaiming and realizing this holistic call to peace Is what Is so desperately needed In our world today.

-Dalton Reimer, chair

our commitment to: • validate the ministries of all entities within the U.S. Conference; • promote strategies that are efficient and pro· mote unity; • create realistic budgets to carry out U.S. ministries; and • commit to see that money is raised for all U.S. ministries. -David Reimer, chair

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WIIAT

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TOC;ETHER:

VOLTII

YOUTH COMMISSION PLANNING 2003 GATHERING

Changing the lives of our youth PlANNING TEAM Stuart (chair) and Regina Pederson (Cimarron, Kan.) Jeral Gross (Platte, S.D.) Rod Jost (Hillsboro, Kan.) Curtis and Debbie Karber (Fairview, Okla.)

Judy Kim (Burbank, Calif.)

Wendell Loewen (Hillsboro, Kan.) Eun Ji Park (Glendale, Calif.)

Rod Reed (Fresno, Calif.)

Philip Serez (Fresno, Calif.)

Robert Saenz (Edinburg, Tex.) Larry and Lisa Shinn (Lodi, Calif.)

Jeremiah Tesfamichael (Aurora, Colo.)

Jodi Thomas (Arden, N.C.) Kelly Thomas (Visalia, Calif.)

Stan Velichko (Portland, Ore.) James Wilfong (Lenoir, N.C.) E-MAIL CONTACT estes2003@yahoo.com

THE PURPOSE FOR the 2003 national youth conference Is "to bring high school students together to experience God In significant ways that result In Ilfe-changlng conversions, commitments and unity In the body of Christ."

E••• 2003 We are gathering the youth of our U.S. churches at Estes Park, Colo., In March 2003. These young people and their sponsors will represent an eve....ncreaslng variety of languages, cultures, colors and experiencesIncluding Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Slavic, American Indian, African American, Hispanic, Ethiopian, Caucasian and everything In between. this Is the future Mennonite Brethren church In the U.S. It Is a privilege to work with these future leaders and be part of Introducing these leaders to one another. The members of the planning team are blessed to be used

IlATIOIIAL YOUTH COMMISSIOII A ministry of ~ NYC plans the national youth conventIo", . . .11y held every four years. The commission strives to make the event a life. changing experience with Jesus Christ through biblical messages, engaging worship and service opportunities. to build up the unity of the people of our conference.

More thu fun We are gathering for more than a good time. The program Is designed to lead the youth to experience God through worship, teaching, training, fellowship and service.

• National speakers Tom Tuff)' and lori Sallerno will combine to bring flve keynote messages centered on the Word of God. • Rod Jost Is gathering a conference-wlde group of musicians to lead the youth In the worship of our God. • Youth Mission Intern.

tlonal (a short-tenn mission program for youth) Is direct· Ing an Immersion experience In Boulder, Colo.

• seminars will be available to train youth and sponsors In areas of their choice.

• Fellowship will be available through meals, games, free time, small groups and Chrlst-centered drama and music.

• There will be dally opportunities for IndMduai and group prayer.

• The closing session of worship and communion will focus on reviewing what God has done and will do.

• Our mission offering will support the refurbishing of the youth center In lenoir, N.C. this work led by James Wilfong, district youth pastor of the North Carolina trIct, will be assisted by YMlled SOAR groups In 2003.

In addition, the late evenings will feature some special events. CPR Improve Comedy and Maddogs and Englishmen will each share the word of God from a light-

D"

ES'I'IiS PAM. COLOIlYO: The Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest surround YMCA of the Rockies with spectaadar mountain scenery, wildlife habitat.

miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. Youth have access to arts and aatts. miniature golf. aoss country sid and snowshoe rental, hiking, horseback riding and other activities.

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bcm: na1:ional you1:h commission hearted perspective. Monday night there will be a variety of opportunities Including a concert. The concert group has not been detennlned at this point.

Cll8nged 11v. .

We are gathering to be

changed-and only God truly chMgee lives. Our tIMtme, "The eatl," Is taken from Luke 9:23: "And he w. saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross dally, and follow me.'''

The youth will be challenged and encouraged to respond to God In three ways: • Converslon-"The Call" to be saved. Salvation Is what each and every Individual needs.

• Commltment-"The Call" to be actively followIng. New life Is expressed In obedle~ to Jesus Christ.

• Communlty-"The Call" to be united together In Jesus Christ. Our differences are God's gifts made available for the building up of the body of Christ.

A L..:~~: Estes 2003 is all about gathering with youth from allover the country to seek the Lord through worship and his Word. Youth will have opportunities for spiritual growth, deeper commitments to service and finding out more about who they are-and have fun doing it.

Youth will be challenged by nationally known speakers, immersion mission experiences and training seminars. Fellowship will be available through meals, games, free time, small groups and Christ-eentered drama and music. There will be daily opportunities for individual and group prayer, with a dosing session of worship and communion focusing on reviewing what God has done and will do in their lives.

PuttIng It all .........

It Is my privilege and pie. sure to serve on the Estes 2003 team. It Is a great blessing to work slcJe.by-slcle with 19 of my brothers and sisters on the Planning Team-a team which will grow to over 50 when the event finally takes place.

There are also hundreds of sponsors and parents, all givIng of their gifts and time.

It Is exciting to be part of God's work. Praise God for all he .,. done, Is doing and will do. Praise God for all his pe0ple. Praise God for the privIlege of answering "The Call."

-Stuart Pederson, chair

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March 22-25 $215/person

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JUNE

2002

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MINISTRY FINDS HOME FOR IMMIGRANT CHURCHES IN RECORD NUMBERS

Other sheep of the fold ~TED

IIIIMSTRIB To fulfill the Great Commis-lion by reaching all people groups. particularly those who can also reach back Into their homelands with the Gospel. Integrated Ministries also focuses on aiding U.S. district.t-and beyondas they -relate to new immigrant and ethnic groups.

E-MAIL CONTACT im@usmb.org

"OTHER SHEEP I have that are not of this fold," our Lord says In John 10.

It Is this focus on the "other sheep" that charac> tertzes Integrated Ministries, our national ministry to ImmIgrant people groups.

In 1988, the U.S. Conference set this ministry In place with defined goals: plant at least 15 ethnic churches by the year 2000. this goal was part of a challenge handed down by delegates from Canada and the U.s. during the 1987 convention of the General Conference. The two national c0nferences were challenged to a 30 percent growth by the year 2000, Including plants In 10 major North American cities. this was to Include 50 ethnic churches. Delegates to the U.s. Conference In 1990 afftrmed this challenge, stating that by the year 2000 we would seek to plant or gain 30 new churches, one-half of which should be with Immigrant groups.

By the end of the year 2000, Integrated Ministries had recommended 45 ethnic churches Into membership In the U.s. Conference. As of today, there are 60 ethnic churches In membership. this growth was possible because of the partnerships of districts, MBMS International, Mennonite Brethren Foundation and donors to Evangelism Partners (a program of joint ventures between the conference, distrlctsandothero~n~

tlons). In addition to the 60 In membership, 11 other churches not In our official

12 • THE

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membership received

not yet know Jesus Christ.

considerable advice and

These churches also do mis-

consultation.

sionary work back In Ethiopia.

• There are two Japanese congregations In Fresno and Bonita, Calif., which are sponsored by the Japan Mennonite Brethren Conference.

1M provides fellowship with and consultation to these churches.

• OUr major effort on the West Coast among HispanIcs was transferred to the Pacific DIstrIct In the year 2000. The move was made In order to retain and support the covenantal arrangement among the many Hispanic MB churches In that district.

The encouragement by prayer and support for this ministry has been notable and strong. WIthout you, none of this could have been

Our ethnic churches-the larger portion coming from Slavic, Korean, Ethiopian and Hispanic people groups-are found In all three of our larg. er districts, but work In the other two districts Is also active. Weekly, over 12,000 people attend these new additions to our conference.

In this last year, the work of this ministry has expanded and grown: • To help manage the growth, Vyacheslav Tsvlrlnko was hired as associate SlavIc director on a half-tlme basis. He has aided In dilIgent shepherding of our SlavIc churches and In the expansion of vision and mlssion of 1M. Twenty-eeven healthy, Indigenous Slavic churches are In official membership today.

• Twelve Korean churches are In our membership.

These churches minister to the Korean language people but are also moving Into bilingual ministries. Over a half million Korean people reside In Los Angeles and Orange County, and many of them have never been Introduced to Christ. Our Korean MB churches are proactive In this endeavor.

• We now have six Ethiopian churches In our membership with four more In process. The concentra. tlon of this people group Is In large cities. several are In stages of building or acquirIng church facilities. All are aggressive In evangelism to the many Immigrants who do

done.

Where do we go from ....?

"The ftelds are white unto harvest•••the laborers few" (John 4:35) and until Christ returns, there should be no tumlng back or abatement In our efforts.

An average of one new local church applies to our fellowship each month. Normally It Is about an 18-month process before these come Into official membership.

Why do these churches become Mennonite Brethren churches? It Is because of our clear evangellcalj Anabaptist covenant rei. tIonshlps. Let us maintain our efforts and see the glory of God enlarged, "like a fire •••bumlng In my bones" (Jer.

20:9). -Loyal Funk, direotor

A WORD FROM . . . ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF SLAVIC MINISTRIES

Helping Slavics find a new home TWENTY-SIX CHURCHES of recent Immigrants from the former Soviet Union Joined the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches In the last decade. Slavic Ministries, a part of Integrated Ministries, Is called to serve these churches and aid them In a range of Issues.

What are these Issues? What are the people In these churches expe~ s enclng? And how can-and do-we :..~ :3 help them? :::

i o ~

Finding a new home ~ It Is over 13 years since the ~ start of the massive Immigration of g evangelical Christians from the for- v mer Soviet Union to the U.S. Thousands upon thousands of people left their homeland and relocated to the "land of opportunity."

They quickly realized that Immigration Is not an adventure always full of fun and Joy. Deep pain Is often associated with such a move. Pain comes In culture shock and dissatisfaction with new lifestyles, new clothing styles, new food, new weather and new forms of housing. Pain comes with the discovery of how difficult It Is to overcome the language barrier. Pain comes with the realization that everything that was left behind was left forever-and there Is no way back. Pain comes In a sense of guilt In leaving a country where there Is a great need for workers In the Kingdom of God. Immigration Is painful, and Immigrants are people suffering not so much from physical needs as from emotional stress.

For the struggling Immigrants, church Is the place where the native language prevails with long lasting tradItions and rituals. It becomes the place of escape, shelter and comfort. The church restores meaning to life again. In the church the people feel connected with their homeland and values. Support for ministry back home Is provided through the church, easing the guilt of betraying ministry by having left. In the church, natural and spiritual gifts of the person can be used, giving them a sense of satisfaction and meaning. The church fills a very significant role In the life of the Immigrant.

Church life The life of most Immigrant churches Is twofold.

• First, church life Is focused on addressing Intemal

Issues, Including organizational structure, development of different ministries with the church In a new environment and In purchasing church facilities.

• Second, church life Is focused on supporting overseas missions In their homeland. Every church supports missionaries In the former Soviet Union. Every summer groups of young people go back to Russia, the Ukraine and other republics to participate In Christian youth camps and evangelism. Some pastors, In addition to serving their churches In America, travel overseas on a regular basis to participate In ministry at their former homes. Immigrant churches support radio and TV ministries In the former Soviet Union.

Local outreach ministry Is done by a number of pastors, but It Is largely directed to Russian speaking people. Not all Immigrants are believers and the challenge to win these for Christ Is always present.

Needing help Being new In America and trying to establish themselves and do ministry provides Slavic Immigrant churches with many challenges. This places them In a position where they are In need of help from someone who understands them and their culture as a people.

Not long ago, MBs themselves were Immigrants from Russia. Out of this history, the U.S. Conference provides help to these new Immigrants In several ways. Help comes In the form of counsel and advice, legal and financial, and orientation Into the complex religious world of American society and how brothers In Christ experience fellowship. Help also comes In the form of loans from the MB Foundation for purchasing church facilities. These loans aid the Immlgrant churches In solving a major problem-havlng a place of worship. Immigrants are very grateful for these forms of assistance.

Through establishing the Slavic Ministries, the U.S. Conference aides Slavic churches In addressing many needs. The challenge of this ministry Is to establish and nurture a strong and healthy two-way brotherly communIcation between MB constituencies. It Is Indeed a challenging task, and because of this, your prayers are desperately needed. -Vyaches/av Tsvirinko

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2002

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lYIission usa

NEW CONGREGATIONS, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE

Thanksgiving, transitions an _._USA

BOARD MEMBERS:

MISSION USA was estabto witness it firsthand. Two of lished at the U.S. Conference our board meetings this bienMission USA exists to convention in 1994, and nium were hosted at locaencourage, fadHtate and tions from our first board meeting of new church plants. coordinate mritalilatlon and The interaction with the in 1995, MUSA embraced the I'epfOdudien In existing vision of the denomination church planting teams, visitchurches and.~"'" of new churches, both for the ing with attendees and jointo emphasize evangelism in pf winning lost ing them for worship brought the context of church plantthe family of.God. ing, church renewal and celebration and focus to the leadership development. workofMUSA • We are thankful for the partnerships God Today, we will acknowledge the faithfulness of our God with thanksgiving, note the has given us to enlarge the ministry. We thank transitions that have taken place and reaffirm the districts and local churches for their partthat we are trusting God for the future. nerships in church planting and renewal. Our institutions and individuals with expertise thanksgiving have been valuable contributors.

• With deep appreciation, we also thank We thank God for his faithfulness and for the impact that he has allowed this ministry to those who have invested their lives in leaderhave dUring the past seven years. ship and ministry with MUSA. • He has blessed us with leadership that Transitions helped to establish policies and procedures that have and will continue to guide us in This past year has included major transitions for MUSA. As vision issues became diverchurch planting, church renewal and leadergent, working together in the context of the ship development.

U.S. Conference resulted in a number of sig• We thank God for interns who sought training through MUSA and for the mentors and nificant changes.

The decision by the Board of Church Minchurches that helped shape them for ministry.

• We are thankful for the new churches and istries (the conference leadership board) to the church planting teams that have led them, adopt a new budget strategy altered the fundthe miracle of renewal and new life and the joy ing paradigm MUSA was operating under.

Because of the redefinition of MUSA's position in the context of U.S. Conference ministries, executive director Ed Boschman submitted his resignation to the board in September of last year. We also accepted the resignations of two board members and released the three members of the MUSA development team. Subsequently the Phoenix office was closed and the position of office secretary ended. After our spring board meetings, MUSA chair Steve Reimer, whose term technically ended in September 2001, terminated his MUSA service as well. The board will continue to evaluate its current position and decide future direction.

Loretta Jost acting chair (Aurora, Neb.) Nancy Laverty (Jones, Okla.)

Fred Leonard (Clovis, Calif.)

Bill Loewen (Goddard, Kan.) Gary Wall (Lodi, Calif.)

Phil Glanzer, Central District Home Missions Board (New Hope, Minn.)

Joe Johns, Southern District CEEC (Weatherford, Okla.)

Randy Steinert, Pacific District Home Missions Board (Bakersfield, Calif.)

::=:7m.

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS: Clint Seibel, Tabor College representative (Hillsboro, Kan.) Tim Neufeld, Fresno Pacific University representative (Fresno, Calif.)

Jim Holm, MBBS representative (Fresno, Calif.)

Roland Reimer, Southern District Minister (Wichita, Kan.) Roger Engbrecht, Central District Minister (Sioux Falls, S.D.) Henry Dick, Pacific District Minister (Fresno, Calif.)

E-MAIL CONTACT musa@usmb.org

SEPT. 2000: Pacific District Home Missions Board member Randy Steinert hands Copper Hills Community Church pastor Brad Klassen a baton, symbolizing the Arizona church's move from a church plant to a freestanding church. The Pacific District and Mission USA partnered to plant CHCC

~

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Trust We are trusting God for the future. MUSA will continue to partner in existing projects.

We value our relationships with the districts and supporting churches in MUSA church plants Community Church of the Heart (Broken Arrow, Okla.) and The River (Phoenix, Ariz.). We plan to participate in the preliminary development of a second church plant in Utah.

In view of budget and staff realities, we will be cautious regarding future projects.

The heart of Mission USA is still to prioritize evangelism among Mennonite Brethren in the U.S. in the context of church planting, church renewal and leadership development. We thank all who have affinned this vision and ask you to be in prayer with us. We will continue to honor God with praise and thanksgiving for what he has done, work as he leads us and trust him for the future. -Loretta]ost, acting chair OIURalRENEWAL: Mission USA works with lead-

en from local MB churches, like the leadership of Greenhaven Neighborhood Church in saaamento, calif., to help the congregations reprioritize evangelism and outreach and to resource them to be more effective at that part of their ministry.

Let's Celebrate Together!

123 years 1879-2002

Enjoy 3 evenings of music, drama, testimonials and much more as we celebrate together the conclusion of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

July 25-27, 2002 7:00-8:30 p.m.

IN BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA GENERAL CONFERENCE OF MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCHES

Held in conjunction with the Canadian and Conventions held in day-time sessions.

u.s.

For more information contact: Marvin Hein at 559-452-1713 or mhein1@fresno.edu • U.S. MB Conference website: www.rcisite.com/usmb Canadian Conference website: www.mbconf.ca • General Conference website: www.mbconf.org Central Heights Church, Abbotsford, British Columbia. Registration not required.• Childcare for children to age 5.

JUNE

2002

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boa.-d of' cOrT1rT1unicat:ions

CUT BACKS CALL FOR REEVALUATION OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

Keeping the bike rollingBOARD MEMBERS Kathy Heinrichs Wiest chair (Kingsburg, Calif.), boc.kwiestOusmb.org Harold Loewen (Carpenter, S.D.), boc.hloewen@usmb.org Peggy Goertzen (Hillsboro, Kan.), boc.pgoertzen@usmb.org Phil Neufeld, Secretary (Denver, Colo.), boc.pneufeld@usmb.org Dalton Reimer (Fresno, Calif.), boc.dreimerOusmb.org

STAFF Carmen Andres, leader editor (Montgomery, Ala.), editorOusmb.org Connie Faber, leader associate editor (Hillsboro, Kan.), newseditorOusmb.org

HOW SLOW CAN YOU links us together is more IIOARDOF ride a bike and still stay important than ever. At the COMMUIIICA'J'IO-. upright? The only way to same time, however, we BCKfadlltates communkafind out is to keep slowing must face the reality that tIoft ameng the church8s and down until you fall. funding is inadequate. people of ttle U.S. Conference The Board of CommuniOur loss of momentum of MB Churches and auiits the conference and its dlurch-' cation's core ministry, the is not a recent phees in utilizing communications nomenon. Nearly 10 years Christian Leader, has resources. ago the conference decided crossed over that line. It is toppling for lack of momento begin a new endeavor in tum. At current funding levels we cannot outreach and evangelism. Our board shared continue to publish the Leader. in the recognition that outreach is core to our Christian calling and took budget cuts As we meet for our biennial convention and watch the bike grind to a stop we have to voluntarily to free up funding to get that face the question: Are there ways to restore effort up and running. We applied the brakes the momentum or is it time to switch to a on the communications bicycle, cutting back the Leader from a biweekly to a monthly new mode of transportation? What kind of vehicle can we keep on the road? publication schedule and soon afterward We on the board fervently believe that the changing to a cheaper paper quality and ministry of the Christian Leader has been printing process.

Our dreams of pursuing multilanguage and continues to be vital to the cohesiveness of the community we call the U.S. publications, developing international comConference. Today, communication that munications links or branching out into

Give us your input THE CHRISTIAN Leader Is your ~ zlne-the publication of the people who make up the U.S. Conference. Now Is the time for you to speak out and let your board know what kind of ministry you want to support via the offerIng money that goes to conference communications.

• Speak to

your board mem-

ber. We are all very Interested In hearing what you have to say. Catch

16 • THE

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us at conventions, give us a call, send an e-mail (see board member list, above, for e-mail addresses). Let us know what needs to be preserved and where we can scale back. Where would you Invest the money If you needed to continue this ministry with a sharp cut In funding? What creative Ideas are out there to Increase Leader funding without compromising Its purpose?

• Write. letter to the editor. this Is probably the most read portion of the Leader and has been a great forum for discussion

of Ideas. Publish your suggestions for others to read and respond.

• Speak out at the COlIventlon this ...nuner. We will use our "reporting" time this year as a listening time.

Come ready to process the questions that our board must answer In this year of evaluation.

• Respond to the reedenhlp -.rYey. About 10 percent of you will receive our regular readership survey In the mall this summer. this year It Is more Important than ever that we hear from our readers. Please take the time to ftilit out.-KHW

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A WORD FROM . . . LEADER EDITOR

Times are changing IF I HAD TO USE ONE WORD to describe my life over the past year, "change" would be 88 good as any other. Last year, my husband was offered a one-year vIsiting professor position In Alabama. We prayed about It. We thought long and hard about It. Then we accepted and moved our family from :Ii Northern Callfomla to the deep South. ~ Some of the changes were hard. We left ~ dear friends and a wonderful church congre- ~ gallon. FamIly was no longer a three-hour C drive away but at least two plane rides. And those mosquitofree Northem California evenings are now but a dream.

But some of the changes were good. We met new friends. We found a dynamic and warm church family. And fog-free falls and winters go quite a way In making up for the mosqulto-filled summers.

other vehicles of communication were put on hold as we tightened up our budget and attempted to preserve the essence of the publication we felt was vital to the health of the conference. Like others in the conference, we believe that evangelism and church planting are important, so we deliberately slowed down the communications bicycle to help those efforts get started.

Since then the communications bicycle has begun to wobble. At the last biennium we had just finished a year in which all ministries took a 23 percent cut in conference funding. As slow as we were traveling at that point, we could hardly stay upright. A small withdrawal of principle from the communications endowment (established when the MB Publishing House was sold in 1983) kept the bike from toppling over in 2000.

We weathered that year, and saw the conference restore our funding the next year, but ·deficits in the overall conference budget have forced an even more dramatic slowdown. The proposed drop in conference funding from 1150,000 (budgeted in 2001-02) to just $90,000 (proposed for 2002-03) is more than just slowing the pace. There is no way for the Christian Leader to publish for $90,000. This bicycle is going down.

Our board has looked at the situation and has decided we cannot let the Leader simply topple over for lack of momentum. To eliminate the conference's single most important connecting link without a plan to address our

Now the Leader Is facIng some potential changes In Its future (see "KeepIng the bIke roiling-for now," page 16). Just as famIly decIsIons come with dedIcated prayer, research and thought, decisIons made about the Leader will come with the same. We are InvestIng tIme, funds and prayer In determl...

Ing what God and his family want for amI...

Istry In communIcatIon. We have no Idea what the Mure holds, but we are taking steps to be able to make wise decisions when the time comes. You play a vital role In those decisions. The Leader, the national web slte--and all the other mInistries of the U.s. Conference-are your mInistries.

They are the kingdom work we can do only because we choose to do It together. Give us your Input (see opposite).

Blessings. -Carmen Andres, editor

communications needs is irresponsible. This bike has to stay on the road at least until the needs can be assessed and plans laid for the future. This year we will draw on our endowment to supplement conference funding of the Leader and keep the bike rolling.

So that's where we are today-riding this bike at the pace we must to keep from toppling over, and diligently examining our options for the future. Perhaps it is time to get off this bike and put our energy into a different form of transportation: the possibilities for vehicles of communication are endless, from the traditional printed materials to the various electronic media available today. Or maybe this is exactly the bike we need and we should find a way to keep it on the road: funding sources are also varied and we might consider possibilities for renewed funding for conference communications.

As we look at our options we keep before us our mission of facilitating communication among the churches and people of the conference and helping the conference use communications resources to further God's work. We are hopeful of God's leading as we seek to be good stewards of the resources and task he has entrusted to us. -Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair

MORE FROM SOC

Editor to continue from Alabama Last year our Leader editor, Carmen Andres, informed us that her husband's employment was taking them to live in MontJUNE

2002

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gomery, Ala.-far from any local Mennonite Brethren church connections. The Board approved Carmen continuing as editor from her new location with the understanding that her move may be only temporary.

At our 2002 meetings we learned that her family would be staying in Montgomery for one more year. While the board feels it is best for the Leader editor to be part of the life of a local MB church, we also recognize that this will be a transitional year for conference communications (see BOC report) and decided to ask Carmen to stay on through the transition.

Connie Faber will continue in her role as assistant editor from the Leader's main office in Hillsboro, Kan. Both Carmen and Connie continue to offer vital gifts to the conference and have played key roles in helping us address important issues of faith and life and keeping us

informed about the individuals, congregations, activities and events that bind us together as a people. -Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair

New web site on-line Over the last couple of years, volunteers have been working to put together a web site for the U.S. Conference. About a year ago, we hired a designer and, earlier this year, we launched the site: www.usmb.org. While the site is simple, it provides information about each of the U.S. Conference ministries, what we believe and even information about MB churches across the country. We'd like to thank Phil Neufeld (BOC member), Don Isaac (Hillsboro, Kan.) and Larry Bartel (Denver, Colo.) for the time and energy they dedicated to this project in addition to their commitments to other U.S. Conference and MB ministries. -Carmen Andres, Leader editor

PROPOSED 2002-2003 BUDGET FOR U.S. CONFERENCE MINISTRIES ,

PROJECTED "CORE" INCOME FOR U.S. CONFERENCE MINISTRIES: $541,000 1JCM-S'36,770

MUSA-$142.ooo

1M-$90,ooo

BOC-$90,ooo 80T-$74,000.......-

BFL-$8,OOO

CORE INCOME PROJJCTED TO COME.fROM:;.spedaftunar.......... ($.10;508). dIut'ch c6nfifbutlons f$350.000). former G-.l Conference IMome ($75.080). endowment earnings ($5.500)

~ ·CORE" INCOME

D

ADDITIONAL INCOME Income in addition to core funds provided by Conference

try endowment) :,

~'0.860 (ftD~ Semina

Board of Church Ministries:

,.

Funds support items like U.S. Conference Peace Education, International Committee of Mennonite Brethren, General Conference ministries in transition, a North Carolina youth pastor and conference staff

,

2002-2003 BUDGET: $147,630 :, 2001-2002: $141.440 :, :, : 2002-2003 BUDGET: $90,000

:

.,

Integrated Ministries: 1-_ _..._ _-.... : Funds support staff and projects related to immigrant churches and people groups (including Ethnic Ministries, which receives funds designated by churches and donors; see boxed-in sidebar to right)

: : :

2001-2002: $93.800

Mission USA:

2002·2003 BUDGET: $197,000

.

.

,

2001-2002: $628.730

$S3,708 (one-time withdrawal from- endowment fund)

Board of Communications: Funds support the Christian leader. national web site and staff

:,

I

1---.,---

$49,000 (advertisIng, endowment earnings, subscriptions, etc.)

Board of Faith" life:

.:

Funds support projects

-"""f'---.. .

Board of Trustees: I·....

Funds support items like Conference staff, Minister Retirement Assistance payments, debt repayment and partial support 1 for an MBBS fundraiser

2002-2003 BUDGET: $192,907 I

,

/,

, $50,000

·

$19,600 (Ministers Ret/lement Fund, Seminary Fund)

$100,000

.

2001-2002: $205.733

2002-2003 BUDGET: $8,000 2001·2002: $8.080

2002-2003 BUDGET: $93,600 2001-2002: $69.233

$150.000 $200.000

:200:2·:2003 PROJECTED SPENDING FOR U.S. CONFERENCE MINISTRIES: $7:29,137

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projected $2.203.370 is expected to be designated by churches and donors for additional ministries or outside agencies. These funds are in addition to the ·core· funds. .U-SERV • OlUROl PLANTINGI DONOR ADVISED

$S5.ooo (fundralslng)

Funds support church plant and renewal projects. interns and communication projects

ADDITIONAL MINISTRIES SUPPORTED BY CONFERENCE: A

• NAnONAL YOUTH

MINISTRIES • ETHNIC MINISTRIES: Slavic. Korean.

Hispanic. Ethiopian • CONTRIBUnONS TO OTHER AGENOES: MB Biblical Seminary.

MBMS International, Youth Mission International. Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service

board of' t:rust:ees TRUSTEES BRING RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONTINUE KINGDOM MINISTRIES

Taking steps to financial heal·'-.. ·_· , THE MISSION statement of

• The suggested giving guidelines ("norms") for local church giving to the conference vision are being adjusted to reflect higher expectations as well as the incorporation of the former General Conference "norm," since the U.S. Conference will be assuming the former General Conference functions (see page 26).

• The annual budgets for the next few years will have a deficit reduction line item of $24,000 per year in order to amortize the accumulated deficits of the last two years.

• For the time being, a "leaner" budget is being proposed (see budget graph, left). This means cutbacks for various conference ministries; however, conference leadership and the various boards are committed to fiscal responsibility.

The Board of Trustees expresses deep gratitude and appreciation for all the churches and individuals who have contributed in funding the vision of the U.S. Conference. Together we will continue to do more in kingdom ministries.

-Ken Neufeld, chair

BOARD OF TRUSTEES The board's primary responsibility Is the man· agement of all legal and financial affairs In behalf of the conference.

the U.S. Conference as paraphrased from the bylaws is "to build and maintain a strong Mennonite Brethren identity in the U.S. byaflinning, clarifying and proclaiming Mennonite Brethren insights and interpretations of Scripture, to initiate and coordinate new ministries of church planting and evangelism, including cross-cultural evangelism, to encourage faithful discipleship in all matters of faith and life, and to encourage leadership development at all levels of church life."

The past two years have been years of struggling to meet the budgets of the conference, and various boards have alluded to this problem. We anticipate closing the current fiscal year with a deficit of $180,000, which includes a brought-forward deficit from the prior fiscal year of $65,000.

A fund-raising axiom is that "money follows vision." When shortfalls occur, it causes one to ask, "Are we in tune with the vision?"

The Solutions The Board of Trustees in conjunction with the Board of Church Ministries has taken the following steps to address the financial health of the U.S. Conference: • The conference employed Loyal Funk as interim executive director. The U.S. Conference needed someone at the helm to tend to the vision. This position had been vacant since the retirement ofLynford Becker.

• The conference employed Ted Goertzen as director of church relations. The vision of the U.S. Conference needed to be shared and interpreted among our churches. The goal is to encourage every church to do more in terms of their commitment to the Conference, especially those churches that have not been giving at all or are giving much below the suggested giving guidelines. Progress has already been made in this area.

U.S. Conference endowment fund has been established to encourage long-term planned gifts to the Conference.

• Bylaw revisions are being brought by the BOT that will encourage an even broader base of participation and representation.

.A

BOARD MEMBERS Ken Neufeld, chair (Fresno, Calif.)

Dale Boese, vice-chair (Salem, Ore.) Phil Hamburger (Seneca, S.D.) Leon Neufeld (Fairview, Okla.)

STAFF Dale Regier, treasurer (Hillsboro, Kan.) Donna Sullivan, bookkeeper (Hillsboro, Kan.)

E-MAIL CONTACT bot@usmb.org

NOTI!S ON GRAPH BELOW:

.1996-1999 receipts include special fundraislng in amounts ranging from $40.480 to $141,068.

• Beginning in 1999-00, leaders began using "corelcore+" designations: core being from church giving and special income and core+ from special fundralsing.

• Church giving goals: income if all U.S. MB churches met church giving goals. currently determined by membenhIp.

BUDGET AND SPENDING HISTORY ;

;

I

I I I I

Projected : Actually budget : spent

. Actual

Actual receipts

I I

, $336,952

1995-96

$428,060 : $336,652

1996-97

569,140

1997-98

588,530

I I I I

1998-99

649,910

core core+ 1999·00 total core core+ 2000·01 total core core+ 2001-02 total core core+ 2002-03 total

372,000 226,600

383,327 209,086

366,830 194,459

598,600

592,413

561,289

486,370 467,230

430,264 203,913

379,360 189,777

953,600

634,177

569,137

348,586 259,776

381,015 78,315

608,362

459.330

506,993 580,252 1,087,245

541,000 $55,000 596,000

I I

I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I J

464.370

I I I I

I I

$253,707

$475,258

235,298

569,140

284,031

.4~6.-..~03.

471,517

$265,000

350,030 310,000

,

592.289

I I I

572,551

I

Church giving goals

443,688 542,096 .

NA

church giving

260,000 ,

541,342

I I I I I I

Projected: church : giving I J I

I I I

I I

275,812

-

I

308,500

276,405

,.

308,500

315,000

NA 425,000

I I I I I I I I I

JUNE

470,892

, .. -

281,980

593,995

(estimated) 294,471

930,841

NA

NA

2002

•

19

MENNONITE BRETHREN FOUNDATION WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE GOOD $ENSE MINISTRY. The purpose of The Good Sense Ministry is to help Christian leaders build year-round financial stewardship ministries in their local church and to assist in the growth process that moves believers toward spiritual and financial freedom.

Mennonite Brethren Foundation is available to assist the local church in implementing the Good Sense Ministry. This support might include leadership meetings to cast a vision to start a stewardship ministry that stimulates spiritual growth, teaching assistance for the Good Sense Budget Course, and other equipping opportunities for stewardship leaders. Contact us for more information!

- BRETHREN - FOUNDATION-

~

315 S. Lincoln. P.O. Box 220 • Hillsboro, KS 67063 tel: 800-551-1547 • fax: 620-947-3266 e-mail: mbfound@southwind.net Good $ense Ministry Movement © 2002 Willow Creek Community Church

rnb i'oundat:ion

MINISTRY GROWS IN FACE OF SAGGING ECONOMY

Glory to God! "GLORY TO GOD" was the ment Fund eclipsed $17.1 standard refrain often repeatmillion (up 11 percent) and Me FOUNDA'I"IOII M8 foundation Is a service ed (in Slavic) at the recent our Loan Fund grew to $24.6 agency whose primary dedication of the "house of million (up eight percent). mlsslon Is to encoarl1ge and prayer" for Slavic Christian Our MB friends continue assist ChrIstIans In the Center of Tacoma, Wash. to be very generous even faithful sttwardshlp of their during this mild recession.

In 1995 the congregation CIod-gIven resources to We consider it a privilege to located a large telephone serbenefit themselv~ their vice center for sale with an be a conduit, facilitating gifts tam"les and the.ministry of asking price of $980,000. The between generous stewards the church. church asked God to give it and the charities they wish to to them for $3oo,ooG-and support. During 2000/2001, $2,271,704 was distributed through the founthey bought it for $290,000. Since then, they . have invested heavily in extensive remodeldation to the various ministries our donors ing. The final phase included a sanctuary seat- support. Contributions received reached an ing 1,500 and school classrooms. It is already all time high during this past biennium of filled to capacity-and they are wondering $4,124,438. how God will lead next.

Mennonite Brethren Foundation was able Significant events to partner with Slavic Christian Center by Dec. 28, 2000, marked the 10th anniverfinancing the extensive remodeling for the sary of the MBF. Since our beginning 94 sanctuary and school. However, the partneryears ago when the General Conference continued on page 22 ship extended well beyond the local church and MBF. The partnership also included nearly 1,000 investors and donors that make the work of the MBF a reality. The apostle Paul said, "we work together as partners who belong to God" (1 Cor. 3:9a). As partners belonging to God, what you and MBF are doing together is significant.

Our partnership in the ministry of MBF is helping to seek the lost, make disciples, and train the leaders of tomorrow. Dollars and cents are being transformed into changed lives-one disciple, one church and one com. munity at a time. For all of this, we humbly say "glory to God."

BOARD MEMBERS Ken Neufeld, chair (Fresno, Calif.)

Lynn Schneider, vice chair (Huron, S.D.) E. James Enns, secretary (Fresno, calif.)

Don Martens, asst. secretary (Fairview, Okla.)

Reginald Boothe (Wichita, Kan.) Dan Ray (Fresno, Calif.)

Marvin Reimer (Buhler, Kan.)

E-MAIL CONTACT mbfoundOsouthwind.net

House of Prayer. MBF helped the Slavic Christian

Center of Tacoma. Wash., to remodel their church campus. including a sanctuary seating 1.500already filled to capacity.

Financial highlights After a decade long expansion, the U.S. economy has sagged, halted and sputtered for 24 months. However, the stewardship ministry of MBF has been anything but stagnant. Our growth over the last two years is a reflection of the generosity of the people we serve and the faithfulness of God. During the two years since our last biannual convention, we have continued to experience healthy growth as total assets reached over $42.5 million representing 23 percent growth in 2000 and 2001. Ministry InvestJUNE

2002.21

board of fai1:h and life NATIONAL TRANSITIONS DOMINATE BFL CONVERSATION

Searching for a mission BOARD MEMBERS John Warkentin, chair (Wichita, Kan.) J. Edward Epp (Henderson, Neb.) LynnJost (Hillsboro, Kan.) David Loyola (La Grulla, Tex.) Valerie Rempel (Fresno, Calif.)

E-MAIL CONTACT bf/@usmb.org

FOR TWO YEARS we have of Faith shapes the work of our BOARD OF been a board in search of a misconference. .AITIIAND .... sion. It is not that there is no As we have explored ways to e.-tMI III :1000, .... job description-the by-laws list do that, however, we have con............... II at least six functions (see inset tinually floundered on the at right). Instead, we search for question of mission. What is our mission because our nationour organizing "center" as the al conference is still trying to Mennonite Brethren Church in tIIIIIc.; - - - - • fF· . ._ ..... --clarify its own mission following the United States? Is it church the dissolution of the General planting? Is it church adoption?

Conference two years ago.

Is it church renewal? Or is it ...........IdlI ..

Following are some of the something else? If we knew, we tIIne ... things to which we put our would be better able to help as hand this past biennium: a board of faith and life.

• collaborated with the Because these issues have Canadian Board of Faith and dominated our board conver.......Life in staging a study confersations for the past two years, c•• ence on the subject of spiritual we will encourage the followwarfare; ing actions: • hosted an annual Pastor's • put into place a full-time Orientation in cooperation with MB Biblical U.S. Conference executive director who will Seminary; and give visionary leadership to the U.S. Conference; and • edited a series of pamphlets on current faith and life issues which are currently in the • convene a consultation of leaders to printing and distribution process. hammer out our mission as Mennonite While these accomplishments satisfy some Brethren in the United States. of the stated functions of our board, they fail It has been pure joy to work with my sister to reflect what preoccupied us these past two and brothers this past biennium on this board. years. We have taken seriously our mandate to I commend them to our conference as special see that the Mennonite Brethren Confession gifts from God. -byJohn Warkentin, chair

....., ,_ ...., .................... ............., , . ..... .,......, ....

-....._,-,...,...,.. . ....

---

............. '.I

MB Foundation, con't Board of Trustees was established, there have been many significant milestones and historical firsts.

• In 1904 we received our first planned gift on record.

• 1954 marked the year our first investment account was established.

• In 1957 we issued our first Charitable Gift Annuity.

• During the 1980s it was determined that restructuring was necessary to gain maxi-

22 • THE

mum effectiveness. As a result, our stewardship function was shifted to the U.S. Conference and we were subsequently incorporated as Mennonite Brethren Foundation Dec. 28, 1990.

• We first became trustee of a charitable trust in 1992.

Further restructuring has taken place during 2002 as MBF prepares to launch Mennonite Brethren Loan Fund Jan. I, 2003. The purpose of this organizational change is to provide better management of our Loan Fund and

C H R 1ST I A N

LEA D E R

..

facilitate our efforts to raise capital. The MB Foundation Board of Directors will maintain complete control of MB Loan Fund. Additionally, this change will provide a separation of liability between those assets, which we steward for donors and MB ministries, and those assets serving as capital for our Loan Fund.

Looking ahead As we enter the next biennium, we will strengthen our resolve to fulfill our calling:

• to encourage and assist individuals in faithful stewardship for the benefit of Mennonite Brethren and MB organizations and to assist in strengthening the long-term financial condition of those ministries; and • to provide all fiscally responsible capital requirements of the U.S. Conference of MB Churches and affiliated MB organizations.

Let us work together in partnership to the glory of God. - Jon c. Wiebe, president & CEO

.-

~

.y

Asimple vow - 'for better, for worse' - seems an understatement of life's most complex calling.

Everyday chaos that never appears in wcdding-<1ay dreams. Re;ponsibilities that grow faster dIan a toddler's shoe size.

But dlere's help. Your MMA counselor ha." health, life, and disability Insurance plans to protect your fwnily - in sickness and in hea1dl. MMA's many Investing services provide secure footing toward your future. MMA supports young families in odler ways, too. It fund.. educational resources such as Stewardship University courses on budgeting, fitness, faith, and more.

To locate your nearby MMA counselor - another lifelong partner - call (800) 348-7468. Because that 'for richer, for poorer' promise will be put to the test

IIInI --

r-,

MMA

4P

Stewardship Solutions

n"lbn"lS

international

SERVING CHURCHES, SERVING PARTNERS, SERVING MISSIONARIES

Traversing a changing landsc..,,~ BOARD MEMBERS: Dennis Fast. chair (Reedley, Calif.)

Marlene Wall (Wichita, Kan.) Delores Friesen (Fresno, Calif.)

Gary Janzen (Fairview, Okla.)

STAFF: Harold Ens, general director (Fresno, Calif.)

E-MAIL CONTACT mbmsi@mbmsinternational.org

A Khmu boy. In Thailand, the team of Fritz and Susl Peters, Katherine Henshaw and Japanese missionary Hlromi Takeda Is nurturing local Khmu pastors and reaching out to their community. At the same time, they are developing agricultural projects that provide Income and the ability for children to receive an education.

MBMS INTERNATIONAL have to directly raise funds . . . . _iEiCiAiATIOIIAL for their own support. plants churches through MBMSI is tile ....at millioi evangelism (proclaiming the Today, it is often easier for a . . . , of North Ame,*" MI Gospel), discipleship (menmissionary to raise their own churches. support than for the agency toring and training) and social ministry (living out the Gospel)-min. to raise funds for its general budget and then istry to the heart, body and mind. supply missionary salaries.

For over a century, MBMSI has sent Men• We're seeing a decrease in the number nonite Brethren missionaries from the U.S. of missionaries who are sent to assignments planned by MBMSI and funded from its core and Canada to the rest of the world. As we look at the body of over 250,000 Mennonite budget (49 people at this time). An increasing Brethren members around the world today, number of those on our core mission teams (nine people) are sent from other MB conferwe see how God has blessed MB mission efforts of the past. ences including Colombia, Japan, Congo and A host of changes is altering the face of Germany. The number of Mission Associatesmissionaries whose support does not come Mennonite Brethren mission. from MBMSI core budget-is increasing (cur• In the past, MBMSI decided where and rently 60 people). how to do mission. Today, individual MB MBMSI is now one year into a redefined churches are setting their own mission agendas, working with a wide range of mission identity that seeks to balance a strong strategic agencies. focus with a desire to serve churches, serve our partners, serve our missionaries.

• In the past, the decision of where a mis· To that end, Mike Yutzy (out of Wichita, sionary served was usually made by the agenKan.) and a team of staff in Fresno, Calif., are cy. Today, missionaries often come to the agency with a clearly defined vision for their working directly with churches: meeting with church missions committees and pastors to ministry and location. help develop the church's vision, leading mis• In the past, missionary salaries and minsion seminars and providing resource materi· istry costs were provided for out of the agency's core budget, so that missionaries did not al. It often includes teaching Sunday school groups and preaching on Sunday morning.

MBMSI strengths include 100-plus years of experience planting MB churches and building MB conferences, a strong theology of mission, a committnent to unreached people groups and dedication to working with Mennonite Brethren from other countries.

It's time to use our expertise and relationships to build on the passion and energy that North American Mennonite Brethren have for mission.

Short-term ministries MBMSI has several short-term mission programs including Youth Mission International, the Pastors Overseas Program and Global Volunteer construction teams.

• Youth Mission International provides mission experiences for youth and young adults. YMI programs include SOAR (for ages 15-18 years), ACTION (for ages IS-plus) and 24-THE

CHRISTIAN

LEADER

TREK (a six- to nine-month program for ages 20-plus).

YMI is more than just a short-term mission program. Each YMI experience includes an orientation that provides spiritual nurture and time of ministry training and a debrief that helps participants process their experiences and learn how to apply them to their life back home.

From]anuary 2001 to February 2002,805 youth and young adults participated in YMI. • The latest addition to these short-term ministries is Church Partnership Evangelism and Discipleship. On two-week campaigns, CPED participants are paired with believers from other countries to witness door-to-door, sharing their testimony and inviting people to accept Christ as their Savior. CPED works at the invitation of a local church in the receiving country. The inviting church commits to follow up with those who make a personal commitment to Christ, and disciple them in their faith.

Last year, the program sent 235 participants to 14 countries.

With the drawing together of our short-term ministries, we can provide a seamless range of opporturiities to churches and individuals of all ages. We are constantly working to improve the quality and effectiveness of short-term ministry so that they are a reinforcement of longterm mission.

that connect with their passions and interests.

It is becoming more difficult to raise funds for the general core budget. This Some constituents and impacts the agency's ability to plan for the placement of new con/tNgat/ons may think they . . missionaries or for major new supporting AtSMSI when they . . not. advances. The challenge M8MSI does not receive liliy portion of ahead for MBMSI is to capture the insight and endeavors of glring tINIf I. deslpated for the U.S. MB churches and find ways to Conference. In onIer for At8MS' to build strong Mennonite rece/re a donation tINIf I. sent to the Brethren mission around the U.S. eolflerence, the donlltlon must be world.

This year, MBMSI has expedesl/lllated specifically to M8",SI. rienced a shortfall in giving.

As of February 28, giving by MB individuals and churches was over $300,000 behind what we had budgeted to receive.

This shortfall is typical of nonprofit agencies across the country. We believe the funding shortfall will turn around within the coming year, as we work with churches to develop their mission vision and help them put into action the mission projects that God has placed on their hearts.

Audited financial statements of the 20012002 fiscal year will be available at the U.S. convention in]uly. -by Dennis Fast, board chair, and Harold Ens, general director

Financial report MBMSI's mission programs are funded in two ways. Projects and missionaries financed through the core budget are guaranteed to be supported as long as the entire core budget is funded through the regular giving of churches and individuals. The core budget for 2001-02 is set at $4.4 million and for 2002-03 is set at $4.52 million.

Projects and missionaries financed through the core-plus budget are funded on an individual basis. Money must be raised specifically for each core-plus budget item. Core-plus ministries include short-term mission participants, Mission Associates who serve in joint appointments with other mission agencies and many special projects such as roofs for church buildings overseas. The core-plus budget for 200102 is $1.8 million and for 2002-03 is set at $2 million.

Increasingly, Mennonite Brethren are giving their financial support to specific ministries Children orphaned by AIDS. In Botswana. Bryan and Teresa Born train church lay leaders in basic Bible knowledge and literacy. As HIV/AIDS grips the nation. they walk alongside their friends and neighbors. providing pastoral care and HIV/AIDS lifestyle counseling.

JUNE

2002

•

25

gene ....al confe ....ence minis1: .... ies SEMINARY, HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND BOARD OF RESOURCE MINISTRIES

u.s. to embrace last GC mini TRANsmON TEAMS MB BIBLICAL SEMINARY AND HISTORICAL COMMISSION David Reimer, U.S. Conference chair (Reedley, Calif.)

Nick Rempel, Southern District representative to Board of Church Ministries (Buhler, Kan.) John Quiring, Central District representative to Board of Church Ministries (Hampton, Neb.) BOARD OF RESOURCE MINISTRIES David Reimer, U.S. Conference chair (Reedley. calif.)

Dennis Fast, MBMS International board chair and representative to Board of Church Ministries (Reedley, Calif.)

John Quiring, Central District representative to Board of Church Ministries (Hampton, Neb.)

AS THE U.S. CONFERistries to the ownership of G..-nAL ca_ _ CE ENCE of Mennonite the U.S. and Canadian Con,At the July 1999 General Brethren Churches, we meet ferences. This transfer is conference convention. every two years to celebrate completed by a "transfer deregates from Canada and God's goodness, to support team" negotiating a "memothe U.S. v~d to dissolve the ministries that we commit to randum of understanding." bilUltional c.merence and transfer Its ministries to the accomplish together, and to The U.S. transfer team then U.s. and canadian give direction to our efforts. reports its progress to the conferenc.., ThoH ministries At our 2002 convention, Board of Church Ministries, induded~ eo.rd of F.ith and we will spend time together the U.S. Conference leaderute, M8M5lntematlonal, MB reviewing the ministries of ship board (see page 6).

Biblical Seminary, Historical the General Conference Conlmlssion and the Board of BCM gives interim direction Resource Ministries.

Board of Resource Ministries, to the Transfer Team. FolHistorical Commission and lowing the approval of BCM, the MB Biblical Seminary. As you hear from the memorandum of understanding is submitthese ministries at the convention, we can cele- ted to the national conferences in convention brate God's goodness and show support for for approval. (Earlier work led to the approval those ministries. In addition, we will spend by delegates of memorandums of understandtime giving direction to these ministries. ing for the Board of Faith and Life and MBMS International at the 2000 convention.)

History BCM recommends the adoption of the Delegates at the General Conference conmemorandas of understanding as shown on vention in 1999 decided to transfer its minpages 27-30. -David Reimer, HCM chair gene ....al confe ....ence his1:o .... y

BlllAnONAL CONFERENCE AT AN END

Over 100 years of ministry ORGANIZED In southem RUI8Ia In 1860, the Mennonite Brethren church was born as a result of spiritual revival In the larger ~ nlte Church. This revival came about as groups of believers met In homes for fellowship and Bible study.

They called themselves Brethren because of the close apIrItuaIldnshlp they felt as a result of these

meetings. . Membars of the MB -church . . . . Immigrating to North Amertca In 1874, and the first MB church was established In Hillsboro,

26 • THE

Kan., that same year. In 1900, MBs In North America accepted the first MB C0nfession of Faith, which defined them as a separate denomination and clarlfted their beliefs. Over the years, MBs In North AmerIca worked together to support ministries In missions, publishing, theoIog1cal educ. tlon and guidance and maintaining historical archives.

In 1954, Canada and the U.S. fonned their own nati0nal conferences but continued partnerlng together through the General Conference to support and operate many

C H R 1ST I A N

LEA D E R

ministries b1nat1onally.

In 1999, 76 percent of delegatas to the General Conference convention voted to dissolve the North Amerl-

can conference and transfer Its ministries to the Canadian and U.s. conferences.

The end of the General Conference seems to be a culmination of the move towards decentralization begun In the 19505, with the fonnatlon of two national conferences. For some, the vote to end the conference left a deep sense of loss for the conference that remained successful and full

of potential. For others, It brought the opportunity for the national conferences to strengthen and run the minIstries more effectively.

Over the past three years, ownership of the General Conference minIstrles-MBMS International, Board of Faith and life, MB Biblical Seminary, Board of Resource MInIstries and the Historical Commission-were negotiated by members of teams from Canada, the U.S., General Conference executive committee and the minIstries. -Christian Leader

\\' HAT

WED ()

TOG E THE R:

jvI L L TIN A T ION A L

mou: rnb biblical seminary MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING

MB Biblical Seminary . . BIBLICAL ~

i""'"

The ntission of MBBS Is to and equip men and women to ltv. as disciples of Jesus Christ and to serve and ~_ in the daurda and in the WOI'fd. OUr de.ree ptograms form the center of this mlssIon.

THIS MEMORANDUM Is entered Into between the U.S. Conference of Men~ Ite Brethren Churches and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churc'" es In order to set forth their agreement to assume the ownership and operation of Mennonite Brethren Biblical

seminary.

Through this memorandum the national conferences commit themselves to the ongoing viability and vitality of a single seminary owned Jointly by the national conferences which will serve the constituency through multiple teaching centers In both the U.S. and Canada.

Legal Status .... OwnershIp • As It has previously, MBBS will continue to operate as a nonprofit religious corporation In both the U.S. and Canada.

• MBBS will be owned jointly by the U.S. Conference of MB Churches and the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.

Governance • MBBS will be govemed In accordance with the bylaws which are expressly approved by the partnerlng national conferences.

• As Indicated In the bylaws, the MBBS board of directors will be responsible for the govemance of MBBS. The board guards the mission and mandate of MBBS and serves as the fiduciary for the Institution.

In fulfilling this role, the board Is responsible for hlr·

Ing and supervising the presIdent and oversees the phIlosophy, finances and cur· rlculum of MBSS. • Primary responsibility for the delivery of MBSS's leadership training mandate lies with regional councils established for each of MBSS's regional teaching centers. These councils will recommend faculty and administrative personnel for appointment by the board, develop and Implement recruiting and funding strategies and manage the budget for their respective teaching centers.

Accountability MBBS will be accountable to the partnerlng national conferences In the following ways: • The bylaws of MBSS will provide that the partnerIng national conferences shall elect a majority of the members of the MBSS board of directors.

• The MBSS board of directors will provide full reports to the partnerlng national conferences at their conventions.

• The bylaws will provide that the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of MBSS can only be amended by action of the partnerlng national conferences.

F1nanclalllHltters • This memorandum does not change the ownership of any assets held by or for the benefit of MBSS or alter MBSS's status as a beneficiary under any endowment, annuity or other similar Instrument.

• National conference funding of MBBS's operations will be based upon a per member nonguaranteed nonn forwarded by Individual churches to the national c0nferences for distribution to MBSS. Additional funding may come from grants, estates, Interest eamlngs, Individual gifts, etc.

• The norm established by each national conference shall reflect an equitable contribution to the operations of MBSS and secure the financial viability of the Institution. Any adjustment to the norm shall be made Jointly by the national conferences In consultation with MBSS. • The national conferences will assist MBSS In communicating the suggested norm to the local churches.

Future reviews The agreements set forth In this memorandum of understanding and the relationships established herein and In the accompanying bylaws will be reviewed Jointly by the national conferences during the 200607 conference year to determine whether any changes are desired.

Should the national conferences at any time decide to discontinue their Joint operation of a single semInary, the then-exlstlng assets of MBSS will be equitably divided taking Into account factors such as the origin of the assets and historical contributions to the formation and support of the Institution•• JUNE

2002

•

27

\X' HAT

\\1 E DOT 0 GET HER:

M Li L T J NAT JON A L

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING

MB Historical Commission M8 HBTOIaCAL c:oMMlSSIOII The qlmmission is charged with the coDedion and preservation of materials relating to the MB churches

of the U.s. and canada.

THIS MEMORANDUM Is entered Into between the U.S. Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches In order to formalIze their agreement regardIng the ongoing operation of the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission.

Introduction Since 1969, the Historical Commission of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches has been charged with the collection and preservation of historical materials relating to the Mennonite Brethren churches of the U.S. and Canada. It has served as a clearinghouse and coordInating agency between the various Mennonite Brethren regional archival centers and has also over· seen the Fresno center and Its work of collecting General Conference archival materials. The national conferences recognize the value of these responslblll· ties and desire to continue the work of the commission following divestiture of the General Conference ministries to the national conferences.

The national conferences acknowledge and affirm that the Mennonite Brethren of North America have a rich history, which must not be forgotten. The work of the Historical Commission has been critical to securing that heritage for future generations. In addItion, the commission has

28 • THE

C H R 1ST I A N

LEA D E R

been Instrumental In preserving the history of the greater MB community, from local congregations to MB conferences around the world. The national confer· ences feel strongly that the discontinuance of a bInational North American conference must not Jeopar· dlze the preservation of the denomination's historical foundations. The national conferences, therefore, agree to covenant together to continue the mandate and ministry of the Historical Commission through a binational partnership.

Legal status The present work of the General Conference HistorIcal Commission will be continued by a binational commission, which will be known as the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission. The commission will not have a separate legal existence but will operate under the legal charter of the MB Biblical Seminary In both the U.S. and Canada.

Membership and structure The commission will be composed of six members and should Include, but not necessarily be limited to, Individuals with competence In historical research and archival work. Members shall be selected as follows: • two elected by the Canadian conference; • two elected by the U.S. conference; • one appointed by each

of the national conferences.

All commission members must be members In good standing of a church congregation, which Is a member of one of the national conferences.

Commission members will serve four-year terms.

Any limit on the number of consecutive terms served by a member will be determined by the respective national conferences. Terms will be staggered In order to allow for continuity and bal· ance of membership.

The commission will organize Itself by selecting a chair, associate chair and secretary from among Its elected and appointed members, to serve for terms to be determined by the commission. The chair and associate chair will come from different national conferences and the nationality of the persons filling these roles will altemate between the two conferences.

In addition, one representative from each of the regional archival centers (currently located In Hillsboro, Fresno, Winnipeg and Abbotsford) shall sit on the commission as ex officIo members.

Representatives of historIcal committees from other MB national conferences may be Invited to particIpate with the commission as liaison members. In the future, consideration may be given to formally adding additional member confer· ences to the commission and/or evolving the commls-

WHAT

\X'E

DO

TOGETHEH:

:V1l'LTINATlO!\iAL

A WORD FROM . . . MB HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Nurturing faith "The lines to me have fallen in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance." -Psalm 16:6 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN, with the writer of the Psalms, can rejoice at the goodly heritage that we have.

Ours Is a remarkable story that, like the history of the Hebrews as recorded In the SCriptures, merits our attention. It Is Instructive, for It Is the story of God's graciousness, heroic faith commitments and perseverance In the face of great odds. It Is the story of a small beginning In South Russia that today numbers more than 250,000 people around the globe. It Is the story of blbllcallncamatlons In many cultural forms with all committed to one Lord, one faith and one hope.

The Scriptures are full of many Instructions to remember the past and to pass on from one generation to the next the story of God's work among us. An Important part of the work of the Historical Commission Is to assist conferences and congregations In preserving and remembering that witness. The commission was formed as a General Conference agency In 1969 and until 2002 worked under Its umbrella. We now begin as an agency working directly with both the Canadian and U.S. national conferences. We look forward to this new and closer relationship with both national conferences.

We seek to preserve that rich history thrOUgh a network of archival Institutions that collect conference records, congregational records, Institutional records and the personal papers of many Individuals who have worked among us. In the U.S., we have worked for many years very closely with the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies In Hillsboro and Fresno. Professionals, assisted by volunteers, ensure the preservation and accessibility of Important conference and congregational records. Both have appropriate physical environments

slon Into an Intematlonal Committee of Mennonite Brethren-based agency.

Funding Each national conference shall provide the commls-

slon with an annual grant of

$15,000. The accounting of this bUdget shall be done through the offices of MBSS, but shall be separate and apart from funding provided by the national

conducive to the preservation of these materials.

In this work of preserving the essential historical materials of the past we also work together with MB conferences around the world.

This past year we have worked with the India Mennonite Brethren HIstorical Commission, with the development of a Mennonite Brethren archive In Congo and with the Aus~0: trlan Mennonite Brethren Confer~ ence. In years past we have also worked with conferences In South ~ America and with Auss/edle, ~ (recent Mennonite emigrants from ~ Russia to Germany) communities.

We have exchanged materials and we have also assisted financially In the development of appropriate local facilities. In addition, for several years the Historical Commission has provided lectures for Aussledle, to reacquaint them with their rich spiritual heritage. We treasure the global collaborative fratemlty of MB historians and archivists that has developed In the past decade.

Our work In North America, In addition to preservation of archives, has been the production of numerous book publications, several videos, the Profiles of Mennonite Faith series, various symposia and lectureships.

We have also provided churches and educational Institutions with recommendations for library holdings. Our P.M. Friesen History Essay Contest has sought to encourage our students to examine the MB past.

This wlde-ranglng ministry Is designed to articulate the richness of the past, Its relevance for the present and to encourage the kind of biblical faithfulness that has been the hallmark of the Anabaptlst-Mennonlte Brethren story. It Is the nurture of that strong faith to which the commission Is dedicated and to which It pledges to work In this new relationship with the U.S. Conference of MB Churches. -Paul Toews, director

e

conferences for the operation of MBSS.

Future review The agreements set forth In this memorandum of understanding and the reia-

tlonshlps established herein will be reviewed Jointly by the national conferences during the 2006-07 conference year to determine whether any changes are desired••

JUNE

2002·

29

rTlOU: board of' resource rTlinis1:ries

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING

Board of Resource Ministries BoARD OF RESOURCE MINISTRIES BRM develops and provides resources distinctive in Mennonite Brethren theology. maldng many of those materials available through Kindred ProductJons. the North American MB publishing house.

THIS MEMORANDUM Is entered Into between the U.S. Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches and the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches In order to set forth their agreement regarding the ongoing minIstry of the Board of Resource Ministries of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches following divestiture of that ministry by the General Conference.

Canadian Conference ow........lp, governance and operation of BRM The ministry of BRM, Including the pUblishing work of Kindred Productions, will be transferred to the Canadian Conference.

Upon such transfer, the entire ministry of BRM/Klndred Productions will become the sole responsibility of the Canadian Conference.

The following principles will serve as the basis for the Integration of the BRM/Klndred Productions ministry Into the Canadian Conference structure: • The task of product development will be shared by existing and/or newly created boards of the Can. dian Conference.

• Kindred Productions will be directly accountable to an existing and/or newly created board of the CanadIan Conference.

• The promotion and marketing of resources will be handled by the existing staff structure of Kindred

30.THE

CHRISTIAN

LEADER

Productions.

• At the present, It Is not anticipated that the position of executive director of BRM will be retained.

U.s. Conference participation While the U.S. Conference will no longer be an owner of BRM/Klndred Productions, It recognizes the Importance of denominationally distinct materials and desires to continue to be a participant In that ministry.

This participation may Include the following: • Encourag1ng and pr0moting denominationally distinct materials through the U.S. Conference c0nstituency.

• Working, on a proJectby-project basis, with KIndred Productions In the development and marketing of materials for use In the U.S. Conference. In 80 doing, the U.S. Conference recognizes that It would hold the status of a cu. tomer, rather than an owner, of Kindred Productions.

• The establishment of a formal communications link between Kindred Produc> tlons and a board of the U.S. Conference In order to allow the U.S. Conference to be aware of materials being produced by Kindred Prod~ tlons and assist In the promotion of such materials.

Financial matters Upon the transfer of KIndred Productions to the Canadian Conference, the Canadian Conference will assume full responsibility

for the obligations and liabilities of Kindred Productions.

In order to assist the Canadian Conference In assuming the full responsIbility for Kindred Prod~ tlons, the U.S. Conference will provide an annual payment of $7,500 to the Can. dian Conference for a period of five years (or as long as Kindred Productions remains In existence, whichever Is shorter).

Because the only assets of BRM/Klndred Prod~ tlons consist of Inventory, which Is almost completely offset by a liability to the Canadian Board of Stewardship Ministries, It Is agreed that no division of assets Is necessary and that the BRM ministry, Including Kindred Productions, may be transferred to the Canadian Conference "as Is;" except that, the General Conference will make the financial adjustments necessary to assure that at the time of transfer, Kindred Productions Is essentially In a "zero balance sheet" position.

Future Review The agreements set forth In this memorandum of understanding and the rei. tlonshlps established herein will be reviewed Jointly by the national conferences during the 2006-07 conference year to determine whether any changes are desired. However, the national conferences shall be free to conduct such a joint review prior to 2006-07 If they both agree••

IN BRIEF NEWS FROM THE MENNONITE BRETHREN WORLD

TEN STUDENTS GRADUATE IN CANADA

Seminary celebrates graduation on Fresno campus THIRTEEN STUDENTS from Mennonite Brethren congregations were among the 18 students who graduated from the Fresno, Calif., campus ofMB Biblical Seminary in ceremonies held April 28.

Eight students, including five MBs, received the master of divinity degree.

Six are preparing for North American pastoral ministry, and two for international pastoral ministry. Of the nine graduates receiving the master of arts degree, three are preparing for pastoral ministry, five are seeking to be marriage and family counselors and one will pursue teaching. Eight are MB. The diploma graduate is currently in doctoral studies and plans to secure a pastoral ministry position in Fresno.

Juan Martinez, former MBMS International missionary and currently Hispanic ministries program director at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif.,

gave the commencement address.

The 500 guests enjoyed a variety of music including an African American

rendition of Amazing Grace, an Indonesian instrumental group playing bamboo instruments and a mariachi band that welcomed the congregation as they gathered for a reception. The ceremony was held at First Baptist Church in Fresno.

Ten of the 70 students to graduate from the Associated Canadian Theological Schools in Abbotsford, B.C., were registered with MBBS. -MBBS

COMMENTARY

RESIGNS AS VP FOR ADVANCEMENT AT TABOR

RELEASED: A

Braun to join MBF JACK D. BRAUN,

Tabor College vice president for advancement, has announced his resignation effective June 30.

He will begin work July 1 as a stewardship/ planned giving advisor with Mennonite Brethren Foundation, the stewardship ministry of the U.S. Conference.

Braun has spent 36 years at Tabor and has filled many roles including professor of drama, women's residence hall

head resident, dean of students and vice president of student development. He has served in his current role for the past seven years.

As a stewardship/ planned giving advisor, Braun will be responsible for facilitating charitablegiving,donorcontact, planned giving, charitable-estate planning and educating people in biblical stewardship. His efforts will focus on the Central and

Southern districts. Braun will work from the MBF office in Hillsboro, Kan., while MBF advisor Lynford Becker will continue to work from his home in Enid, Okla. Ross Merritt of Fresno, Calif., is the third MBF advisor.

Organizations like local MB churches, MB schools, MBMS International and the U.S. Conference and its ministries benefit from MB Foundation services.

-TC

commentary on Ephesians has been released In the Believers Church Bible Commentary Series published

by Herald Press of Scottdale, Penn.

Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld, who teaches In New Testament and Peace Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo In Ontario, Is the author of the commentary that also Includes essays, blbllogr. phles, charts, a map and an Index. EphesIans Is the 15th commentary In the Believers Church Bible Commentary series, sponsored In part by the Mennonite Brethren Church. -HP JUNE

2002

•

31

I" BI{II I

MCC ONE OF SPONSORS FOR RELIEF SHIPMENT TO WEST BANK

MORE Food aid arrives in Bethlehem NEWS ~ MBF Ie Willow Creek -MB congregations have access to another stewardship education resource thanks to a partnership MB Foundation has fonned with Willow Creek Associ. tlon of Barrington, III., to promote Good $e1lSB. The purpose of Good $e1lSB Is to help congregations develop ongoing stewardship ministries that will disciple people In the biblical principles of resource management as part of helping them become fully devoted Christ followers, says MBF president Jon Wiebe.

Leaders In participating congregations will be trained by MBF representatives to offer the Good $ense course In budgeting basics, and to provide Individual budget counseling. -MBF

~USERV at work -Grace Community Church of sanger, Calif., participated In the USERY program In April. Charlie Ewert of the Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church and Lee Willems of Reedley (Calif.) MB Church volunteered to pressure wash and paint the exterior of the church facility that Includes three wings and a garage. USERY Is a ministry of the U.S. Conference In which skilled volunteers assist local congregations with facility projects. -USERV

A FOOD CONVOY organized by a group of Christian organizations, including Mennonite Central Committee, arrived in Israel's West Bank April 15. An earlier convoy took food to the Jenin refugee camp, where thousands of refugees fled their homes April 11.

The convoy, which arrived in Bethlehem, carried cartons filled with food such as lentils, beans, oil, sugar, tuna and tomato paste. Each carton is designed to sustain a family of five for a week to 10 days.

"We need and appreciate the food, but what we really need is our freedom,» says George Dalil, a public school principal in the West Bank city of BeitJala. Dalil helped distribute the cartons to an estimated 1,000 families in Beit Jala, Bethlehem and Beit Sahour.

Organized by MCC

Promote your values through a sales career Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) has opportunities for highly motivated individuals interested in a full-time career in insurance and financial services. Candidates will need to become licensed to sell life and health insurance as well as securities. A training allowance, plus bonuses, is available to qualified applicants. Opportunities exist in many areas of the U.S.

~orth Koreans are often shocked to

team that the newborn kits, school kits and canned meat shipped by MeMonlte Central Committee are prepared by volunteers, says Kathl Zellweger, who distributes MCC aid In North Korea, because resources In North Korea are 80 scarce.

Children suffer the most from shortages.

Studies show that the average North Korean child Is more than two years behind In physical development compared to South Koreans, says Zellweger. MCC Is working to avert malnutrition In North Korea by providing food to orphanages and pregnant and nursing women as well as supporting three cooperative farms. In 2001, MCC contributed more than $1.4 million for aid to North Korea. -MCC

THE

C H

R 1ST

A N

families are running low on funds and food.

The aid convoy's arrival into Bethlehem happened to coincide with a four-hour lifting of the round-the-clock curfew the Israeli military has imposed on Bethlehem's citizens. It was the first opportunity in two weeks for most residents of Bethlehem and its neighboring towns to get out and stock up on supplies before the curfew was reimposed. -MCC

/

~Amazed by gifts

32 •

and four other Christian organizations (Catholic ReliefSennces, World Vision, Caritas International and the Pontifical Mission for Palestine), the Bethlehem convoy was one of six to West Bank cities that have been under curfew and Israeli military siege since the end of March.

High unemployment, restricted movement and curfews have eroded economk conditions in the city to the point where even middle-class

MMA is a church-related organization that helps Anabaptists practice biblical stewardship. MMA offers expertise in pursuing stewardship solutions through insurance and financial services as well as charitable-giving programs and fraternal benefits.

Send resume to: joy Liechty P.O. Box 483 Goshen, IN 46527 (800) 348-7468 Ext 202 joy.liechty@mma-online.org www.mma-online.org

LEA 0

E R

CHUHCH NE\VS

CHURCH

NE Baptism/membership

Buhler, Kan.-Rick and Tracy Kirchoff shared their testimonies and were welcomed as members April 17.

Ferndale, Wash. (Good News)Kevin and Petra Karber, Duane Smith, Tim and Lisa Smith, Rachel Unger, Tim Koehn, Jathan Kellar and Michaela Bennett were welcomed as members April 7.

Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen Bible)-Sean Cove, Milena Nord and Heather Rooke were baptized and received as members Feb. 3.

Angi Crenshaw, OJ. Crenshaw, Jack Pandol, Katie Seals and Valerie Thomas were baptized Feb. 10 and welcomed into membership. Marie Marshall and Bob and Jackie Shipman were baptized Feb. 17 and received as new members. Beverly Allen, Jennifer Davis, Carolyn Pandol, Paul Redman, Melissa Amaya, David Higdon, Nathan Olds and Chet and Judy Pohle shared their testimonies Feb. 17 and were welcomed into membership.

Cordell, Okla. (Bible)-Michelle Schmidt was welcomed into membership Feb. 10 by letter of transfer.

Celebrations Henderson, Neb.-The congregation commissioned Ryan and Erica Wilson for full-time ministry March 10. Following an evening fellowship meal, the couple shared their testimony and were welcomed into church membership. The Wilsons plan to attend seminary.

Dinuba, Calif.-The congregation held dedication services for their remodeled sanctuary March 17 using the theme "Celebrating the renewing power of thanksgiving." The combined morning worship included music by the children and sanctuary choirs. Guests for the afternoon service were City Manager Ed Todd and Pacific District Conference Minister Henry

Dick. The service featured the high school worship team. A dinner followed.

Fellowship Enid, Okla.-The congregation held a talent show called "March Gladness" in the Family Life Center March 10. The evening included various talent numbers, music, door prizes and a basketball contest. Frito pies and drinks were served. On April 12, Rick McNary, a ventriloquist, and his sidekick Skyler were the guest speakers at the Friendship Fun Night. Adults were invited to bring a friend and enjoy a light supper.

Visalia, calif. (Neighborhood)Pastor Steve Harms spoke to the men and teenage boys who attended a men's weekend retreat May 3-5 at Camp Sugar Pine. The weekend was organized to encourage spiritual growth and provide an opportunity for bonding.

Henderson, Neb.-Pastoral couple J Edward and Lisa Epp are hosting "pastor's huddles" throughout the year with the goal of having everyone in the congregation in their home. Each month, 10 to 12 people are invited to join the pastor and his family at their home on a Sunday evening for fellowship and dessert.

Ministry Yale, S.D. (Bethel)-New Life Fellowship Church of Omaha, Neb., the Central District Conference's newest church plant, shared their ministry and vision with the congregation May 12.

The church plant team also expressed their appreciation for their host's financial support.

Madera, Calif. (Madera Ave. Bible)-The evening service April 7 featured favorite homemade chocolate desserts, sharing and music-and supported a local agency. The offering benefited the Madera Community Hospital

NEWS FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

OT.ES of MB Foundation at the evening service April 14.

Teddy Bear Cuddle Club.

Com, Okla. -The annual Oklahoma Mennonite Disaster Service meeting was hosted March 24 by the congregation. The afternoon program included discussions of the damage caused by ice storms in western Oklahoma as well as reports on the cleanup work in Cordell, Okla., after a recent tornado. A light supper was served after the meeting.

Workers

Teacher/nurture Lawton, Okla. (Faith Bible)-The congregation sponsored a marriage workshop April 19-20 at the Quartz Mountain Conference Center for married couples, engaged couples and church staff and lay couples interested in starting and leading relational marriage ministries. "More than married" gave instruction and direct experience of biblical principles of relationship as it relates to marriage.

Wichita, Kan. (First)-A parenting panel April 21 during the second Christian education hour featured five parents who talked about their successes and failures in parenting .... The goal of this year's Kids Can Give Project is to raise $2,500 towards the purchase of sports equipment for the Good News Clubs in Siauliai, Lithuania.

The year-long offering project got a shot in the arm this spring when a class party for the group that collected the most funds during a four-week period was sponsored by the project organizers.

Bellingham, Wash. (Community Bible)-The biblical themes of contentment and stewardship were highlighted by MB Foundation representative Ross Merritt when he spoke to combined adult Sunday school classes April 14. The CBF senior adult group hosted Merritt April 15 at their bimonthly potluck lunch. He provided an estate planning seminar.

Blaine, Wash. (Birch Bay Bible)Ross Merritt told about the work

Dinuba, Calif.- Grayson Piepgrass is pursuing professional enrichment and related activities as part of a April 29 to July 31 sabbatical from his responsibilities as senior pastor. Piepgrass will take classes at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., will spend two weeks in Mennonite Central Committee offices in Washington, D.C. in a pastoral internship and will visit MBMS International missionaries Melvin and Gudrun Warkentin in Paraguay and Vic and Marty Wiens in Brazil. He will also attend the General Conference and U.S. Conference conventions in Abbotsbord, B.C. Henderson, Neb.-Wil and Dee Dachtler were welcomed April 24 as associate pastor couple. Ice cream was served following the evening praise and prayer service and a grocery shower was organized to welcome the Dachtlers.

Worship Fresno, calif.-The combined chOirs of Butler Avenue MB Church, North Fresno MB Church and Fresno Pacific University gave a special concert April 21 at the Sunnyside High School Performing Arts Theatre. The program featured two pieces: "Missa Festiva" and "Gospel Mass."

Youth Fresno, Calif. (Bethany)-To raise money for youth group activities, the congregation could hire the youth group to "flamingo" a house of the donor's choice.

Flamingo "insurance" was also available for those who wanted to protect their lawn from the flock of 20 flamingo yard ornaments that migrated nightly from yard to yard. continued on page 35

J U N E

200 2

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33

<:111 I{( II

NI \\"

"SUFFERING IS PART OF OUR EXISTENCE•••"

Ministry continues after wife's death THE BRANDNEW DENTAL clinic In the remote village of Moto Grosso, Brazil, was a dream come true In 2001 for newlyweds Brian and Seon Karber. As missionaries with Unevangellzed Relds Missions International the couple hoped to develop Indigenous Christian church workers while also providing dental care for the community.

Today Brian continues this ministry, but he does so without his bride. 5eon Jeong Baek Karber died Jan. 14, 2002, Just one month shy of her 32nd birthday, of a mysterious Illness originally diagnosed as Dengue Fever. She used the clinic only twice before her death.

Karber was the Interim youth pastor at Good News Fellowship In Ferndale, Wash., before moving to Brazil In January 1996 as a missionary with UFMI. Karber's assignment was to coordinate Christian medical and dental missionary team visits from UFM headquarters In Boa Vista. Karber met Seon In 1998 when she volunteered at the dental clinic In Moto Grosso, a village he visited often. The couple dated by correspondence, In Portuguese, and were married two years later.

Seon was born In South Korea and Immigrated to Brazil at age five with her Christian parents and two siblings. She graduated from the State University of Sao Paulo as a dentistsurgeon and spent four years working with another dentist before opening her own practice In 1996. In 1998, she felt the call of God to full-time missionary dental service. She left her practice In 1999 and studied for one year at Baptist Theological semInary In Sao Paulo. On Feb. 26, 2000, she was married to Karber. The couple began raising funds for the dental 34·THE

CHRISTIAN

COMMUNITY

alm Village is more than

clinic and In 2001 returned to Moto Grosso to begin construction on the clinic as well as their home.

While the Karbers raised the funds for the clinic, the entire Macushl pe0ple helped with the construction.

Frame wood was gathered from the forest and carried the half-hour walk back to Moto Grosso. 580n was among the villagers who packed mud Into the framed walls. A box catching rainwater off the roof provided "running" water for the office and a cornpressor with a gasoline mptor was used for drills and other equipment.

58on's funeral, which drew more than 400 people, was held at her horne church In Sao Paulo, the UnIfied Korean Presbyterian Church.

"Seon's considered the first Korean missionary to die In the field on Brazilian soli," said Karber In a February 27 article pUblished In the Lynden Tribune. "I think her pastor really wanted to honor her. He considered her a hero by serving her Lord."

Following his wife's death, Karber spent several weeks In Whatcom County before returning to Brazil March 6. His focus for the next year will be dlsclpllng and training the church leaders of Moto Grosso.

"Suffering Is part of our existence," said Karber. "Everybody suffers. Why should I be different? Those who really trust In the Lord don't give up. I can't go back. I've got to go forward." -Connie Faber LEADER

P

a retirement community.

It's a neighborhood of friends, living and working together.

Located in Reedley, Cali£, Palm Village serves more than 260 residents in nursing, assisted living and independent living Patio Homes.

For more information, call

PALM VILLAGE RETIREMENT

COMMUNITY

701 W. Herbert Reedley, CA 93854 www.palmvillage.com C.C.R.C. Lie. U00404809

15) Admissions, room assignments and services are

-= prOVided withoul regard to race, color, national origin, disability or age.

Clearinghouse Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is S3 cents per word, with a $15 minimum. Withhold payment until an invoice is received. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a no-cost ad.

EMPLOYMENT-CHURCH

Associate Pastor Hesston MB Church (Kansas) is seeking a person to provide vision, leadership and training for youth ministry. Primary responsibility and time commitment is with senior high youth.

Oversight of junior high ministries is also included. Hesston is located 30 miles north of Wichita. Send resume to: Hesston MB Church, 610 W. Randall, Hesston, KS 67062; or e-mail Steve Toews at pastor@hesstonmb.org. See complete job description at our web site at www.hesstonmb.org

EMPLOYMENT-EDUCATION

Vice"president for advancement Reports directly to the President. Provides leadership of all advancement programs and personnel of the College. Plans and annually meets goals of the fund-raising programs of the College, including Annual Fund, Capital Campaigns, Corporate and Foundation Grants, and Major Donors; monitors and coordinates programs for Alumni, Church Relations, Publications and Information Services. Bachelor's Degree required, Master's preferred. Management or administrative experience preferred, ability to work with a church constituency and committed to developing the Advancement Department as an integral part of organizational health. Must enjoy working with people and be willing to travel. Send nominations or letter of application, resume, and request for application materials to Larry W. Nikkel, president, Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS 67063, Tabor College Web site: www.tabor.edu

EVENTS

Summer mediation institute Mennonite Conciliation Services and Eastern College are sponsoring a summer mediation and Facilitation Training Institute July 8-12, 2002, at Eastern College campus in St. Davids, Penn. The cost is $450 ($500 for registrations received after June 7); some scholarship assistance is available. For more information, visit www.mcc.org/us/peaceandjustice/mes.htmlor contact MCS at PO Box 500, Akron, Penn.

17501; (717) 859-3889; mes@mccus.org. •

Church News, can't Deaths ISAAC, WENDY SUE-ANN VIUOEN, Wichita, Kan., a member of First MB Church, was born April

~

Itinerary and Invitation

CPE, under the sponsorship of MBMS International, invites born-again Christians to serve as volunteers for its evangelism outreach to:

CAMPAIGN COUNTRY

CAMPAIGN CITY

CONGO Kinshasa ANGOLA Luanda-Menongue INDIA NIGERIA Warri-Lagos NICARAGUA PARAGUAy UKRAINE Zhytomyr CHILE Iquitos, Arica PERU DOMINICAN REP Santo Domingo MALAWI

COSTA RICA MOZAMBIQUE FUJI ISLAND .. Suva HONDURAS PHILIPPINES MEXiCO UKRAINE Lugansk Region PHILIPPINES KENYA Kisumu PERU INDIA VENEZULA URUGUAy Montevideo

CAMPAIGN DATES

DONATION REQUIRED OF EACH VOLUNTEER

Jul. 3-21 Jul. 3-21 Jul. 3-21 Jul. 10-28 Jul. 11-28 Jul. 11-28 Jul. 17-Aug. 4 Jul. 19-Aug. 4 Aug. 8-25 Aug. 8-25 Aug. 14-31 Aug. 15-Sep. 1 Sep. 3-20 Sep. 4-22 Sep. 5-22 Sep. 11-29 Sep. 12-29 Sep. 12-29 Sep. 27-0ct. 13 Oct. 2-20 Oct. 3-20 Nov. 6-24 Nov. 9-24 Nov. 16-Dec. 1

1,800 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,100 1,500 1,800 1,250 1,100 1,500 1,800 1,100 1,800 1,200 1,100 1,300 1,100 1,600 1,300 1,800 1,250 1,800 1,100 1,500

NOTE: Dates may be subject to some changes, pending further confirmation of some campaigns.

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

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

• Between 800 and 2800 persons have prayed to accept Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord during a two-week CPE campaign. Come and be part of an enriching spiritual experience-discover what God can do through you.

For further infonnation, contact: Church Partnership Evangelism office: telephone/fax: 604-864-3941 Peter Loewen (residence) fax: 604-853-6482 Church Partnership Evangelism is a "church-to-church" effort that involves all bornagain Christians in personal evangelism worldwide. Your application to participate will be forwarded to the CPE Executive Committee for processing.

PETER LOEWEN

HAROLD ENS

CPE Executive Director

MBMS International General Director

23,1971, to Matthew and Muriel Viljoen at Bloemfontein, South Africa, and died April 11, 2002, at the age of 30. She died from complications of a four-year battle with Arnold Chiara Malformation with Hind-brain Crowding, which meant that her skull was too

small for her brain. On Nov.13, 1993, she was married to James Isaac, who survives. She is also survived by three sons, Asher, Reuven, and Judah, of the home; her parents; a brother, David of Cape Town, South Africa; three sisters, Debbie Viljoen of Cape

Town, Anne MacDonald and husband David of Vitenhage, South Africa, Beth Fort and husband Kelly of Wichita,; parents-in-law, Don and Connie Isaac of Hillsboro, Kan.; and sister-in-law, Christy Zimmerman and husband Lance of St. Joseph, Mo. •

J U N E

2002

•

35

--

-

EDITORIAL

Is it time to prune or grow-or both?

DELEGATES TO NEXT MONTH'S u.s. Conference conventipn will come with a garden shears in one hand and fertilizer in the other. They will use both on our national ministriesbut the trick will be to know when to prune and when to encourage new and continued growth.

The reports from the national and binational MB ministries in this issue of the Leader bear witness to the complex situations facing our conference and the critical decisions that need to be made. We MBs know what is important to us: reaching the lost, discipling believers and healing the hurting. But we must decide how to reflect that in our organizational structure and how and where we spend our money.

As we go about deciding where to prune and where to use fertilizer, we must be aware of the following two issues: • The u.s. Conference is growing. We are growing in number. We are planting new churches, nurturing existing congregations and welcoming new churches into our family.

This growth is a result of existing national ministries supported by local MB churches like yours and mine. We can do much when we work together.

The u.S. Conference is also growing by taking ownership for ministries once the responsibility of the General Conference. By the end of this summer, General Conference ministries-MBMS International, Board of Faith and Life, MB Biblical Seminary, Board of Resource Ministries and the Historical Commission-will be under national conference oversight in one form or another (see pages 26-30). The Board of Church Ministries, our primary national leadership board, has taken some steps to address this growth by enlarging the board to include representatives from all ministries.

• Money has not matched growth. While many local MB churches continue to increase their financial support for national ministries, over half of our congregations aren't giving at all.

We used to be able to get by with that, but our burgeoning ministries need a growing financial base. There are many theories as to why congregations aren't financially supporting these ministries-from the individualism of our culture and giving patterns of generations to unawareness of the ministries themselves. Whatever the case, the funds are not coming in.

So, what is the solution?

Delegates to the July convention will be asked to affirm the decision made by ministry leaders to prune back u.S. Conference ministries for the time being in the hope that new growth can be encouraged in the future.

This March, leaders were faced with conflicting goals: support and encourage fresh and continued growth among old and new national ministries yet live within the funds supplied by u.S. MB congregations and donors to these ministries. In the face of an increasing debt, ministry leaders decided to curb their programs and vision for one year while they determine how to deal with both growth and the need for additional funds.

Should delegates affirm this decision? Yes, but with the

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understanding that denominational leaders follow through on the four key steps they themselves identified as essential to the future of our conference.

• New personnel need time to work. We need to give adequate time to newly hired Interim Executive Minister Loyal Funk and Director of Church Relations Ted Goertzen to raise funds and to work with local churches to increase giving. This new effort, begun at the end of last year, has already begun to bear fruit-12 congregations have given to the conference for the first time and church giving is up 12 percent.

• Alternative funding and structures need to be explored. We are heartened by BCM's decision to convene a "think session" of leaders and outside resource people during the 2002-03 fiscal year to explore alternative funding and structure models (see page 7). We also heartily support the decision to conduct a conference-wide self-study. If we are to wisely answer the questions facing our ministries, we must have the resources and information do so. Exploring our options and finding out what our churches need is a solid step in this direction.

• Priority should be given to staff issues. Time is of the essence. These steps must not fall victim to our denomination's efforts to run its ministries with volunteers and minimal staff.

The team assigned to organize the discussion and self-study is made up of dedicated volunteers from MB churches and ministries-but they are just that: volunteers with many other pressing responsibilities. We need committed staff to give direction and vision toward these efforts and our ministries.

At its March meeting, leaders affirmed the importance of securing a u.S. Conference executive director. The Board of Faith and Life reissued that call in its report (see page 22). Our volunteer leaders and existing staff are simply stretched too thin to adequately meet the challenges facing us.

• Priority should be given to ministry. In order for our national conference ministries to flOUrish, the budget must make it possible for both staff and ministry. While all ministries will feel the crunch of next year's proposed budget, two are severely affected: Mission USA and the Leader (see pages 1418). Along with approving the proposed budget, BCM also approved additional fundraising efforts for Mission USA and the direction of any surplus funds to the Board of Communications. What good does it do to have staff for the Leader or plans for a new church plant if funds are not in place for the publication of a magazine or church planting and renewal?

We take heart that we are growing. Our ministries, like vines twining through the world, are being used by God to change people's lives. If leaders follow through with the four steps outlined above and congregations financially support these ministries, chances are that pruning will produce a new and healthier U.S. Conference. Any way you look at it, the key to flourishing U.S. Conference ministries is in the hands of the delegates and the churches they represent. -the editors