10 PARTNERING TOGETHER AS ONE NATIONAL FAMILY IS IMPORTANT AS WE
In tociays self-focused, McChurch culture, the value of teaming up with other like-minded congregations is often overshadowed by the priorities of the local church. This month six Mennonite Brethren pastors reflect on the benefits that come when our family of churches works together to transform individuals, families and communities.
14 Strive to be missional by Phil Stangland 15 Prepare leaders by Paul Bartel
16 DESTINATIONS AND DETOURS
An interview with Ed Boschman Ed Boschman, U S. Conference executive director, dreams about what new vistas would open up if all U.S. Mennonite Brethren were revved up about seeing people come to Jesus. When Boschman looks back at the miles covered in roughly a year and a half of leading the national MB family, he notes important landmarks, defining crossroads and a few frustrating detours.
18 POCKETBOOK PRIORITIES
by Myra Holmes
In carrying out its ministries, the U.S. Conference relies on the pocketbooks of 200 congregations. But only one-third of the congregations actually open their wallets to the U.S. Conference. What prompts these churches to give? To find out, CL assistant editor Myra Holmes talked with pastors and church members from several faithfully -giving congregations.
[from the editor!
SOMETIMES GOD USES SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS WHAT intrigues us to lead us in his direction. For Canadians Chris and Rebecca Eidse, it was Rebecca's fascination with the American South that started the family's journey that culminated in Chris's appointment as the first North Carolina District Conference youth pastor, a position funded as a partnership between the district and Mission USA, the denomination's church planting and renewal ministry.
Chris and Rebecca enjoyed their life in Winnipeg, Man They had a nice house in a good neighborhood and were starting their own family close to extended family. Chris worked with youth in a tough inner-city community, a job he had loved for eight years. But the couple sensed it was time for a change.
Rebecca's interest in the Carolinas prompted the family to embark on a summer road trip. Their experiences in the South affirmed their desire to pursue a ministry position in the region. So Chris told his ministry director that he would be leaving at the end of the year, posted his resume online and began researching religious worker visas.
A promising opportunity was eliminated when the couple learned that because of their affiliation with a Canadian Mennonite denomination, they would be given an RI visa only if Chris worked with a U.S. Mennonite church. "We didn't know anybody and had no contacts," says Chris. "We had only loose Mennonite Brethren affiliations so we had no idea of the MB churches in North Carolina."
Then one day a friend asked about his plans. "We feel called (to the Carolinas)," answered Chris, "but we don't know of any Mennonite churches that need a pastor, and we've been running into closed doors."
His friend's mouth fell open and a shocked look crossed his face "What did you just say? Because 1 think you just said that you feel called to the Carolinas. 1 just got back from Lenoir, NC, and Chris, there is the perfect spot for you down there."
His friend was right and the rest, as they say, is history. This summer marks five years of ministry in North Carolina, and the Eidse family has prayerfully decided to apply for a Green Card permit to stay. "God continues to open doors for us," says Chris. "Three-fourths of this expensive immigration process has been paid through donations. We have seen our base of financial support slowly shift from our Canadian friends and families to supporters in the States and we are very thankful for this."
Serving the North Carolina Mennonite Brethren churches has deepened his life, says Chris, who challenges us this month (page II ) to continue our denomination's historic support of the very things for which our world is searching. "I grew up in a community in Canada's Bible Belt that had no racial diversity at all. All through my school years 1 never had even one minority in my class. When 1 started working in inner-city Winnipeg, 1 worked with mostly Native Canadians Now in North Carolina our churches are predominantly African-American and 1 continue to be the minority. immersed in a culture very different from the Canadian prairies. This has brought a real richness to our lives "
UP & COMING
• July 14-19 - MWC World Assembly. Asuncion. Paraguay
• July 31-Aug 2- Southem District Conference convention Lene xa. Kan.
• Nov. 5-8 - Central District Conference convention. Yale . SD
• Nov. 6-7 - Pacific District Conference convention, Visalia, Calif
June/July 2009 Vo lume 72 'Numbe r 5
Connie Fab er EDITOR
Myra Holmes ASS ISTANT EDITOR
Shell ey Pl ett GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Th e Chris t ia n Lea der /l SS N 000 9- 51 491 is pub lishe d bi- m on thly by th e U S. Co nfere nce of Men
MANDATE The Chris tIan Leader see k s to inform Mennon ite Breth re n m em bers and churc hes of t he eve nt s. ac t ivi t ies. de ci sions an d issues of th eir den omi nat ion . and t o instru ct. in spire and initiate dia lo gu e so membe rs w ill as pire to be faithful di sciples of Christ as und erstood in th e evan gelicaV Ana ba pti st t heolog ic al t ra dit ion
EDITORIAL PO LICY The views exp ress ed in thi s publ icati on do not ne cessar ily rep rese nt th e pos i tion of the Chris t ian Leader the U S Confe ren ce leadership Board or the Menno nite Breth re n Chu rc h Scr iptu re references are from New Intern ati onal Versi on unless otherwise noted The ed itors invi te free l ance art icle sub m issio ns. A SAS E must accompa ny art i cles
READE R PARTICIPATION The editors invite readers t o share t heir t houg ht s and op inions on topic s relevant t o the Mennoni t e Bre thren Church using lett er s t o t he edi to r an d Forum essays letters to t he editor shou ld be brie f - 30 0 words or less-a nd on one subj ec t. le tters m ust be sig ned an d include the wr ite r's ci ty an d st ate. l ette r s will be ed ite d fo r clari ty. app ropri ate ness and l ength. Letters w ill be published as spa ce allows. unless mark ed Not fo r publi ca ti on." Forum i s open to membe rs or att endee s of Mennon ite Brethren church es. Essa ys should not exceed 800 word s. .and sh oul d includ e the w ri ter's n ame. addre ss. home churc h and occ upa ti on.
COMM UNICATION All correspondence. inclu di ng change of addre ss should be ad dresse d to the Chris tian L eader Box 22 0 Hill sboro KS 67063
Pho ne : 620-947 -55 43 Fa x: 620 -9 47- 3266 E- mail : chri st ian l eaderfau smb org
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MEM B ERSHIP The Chri stia n Leader i s a memb er of t he Evang eli ca l Press Associ at ion and Me et inghouse. an ass ociatio n of Menn oni te and Bre thren in Ch r ist edi t ors.
POSTMASTER Send addre ss ch anges to the Chris t ian Leader. Box 220 Hillsboro KS 67063 Peri od icals postage paid at Hillsboro. Kan sas,
> CONFERENCE CALL
Who knew?
Discovering a fancy word for what I've done for years
Sometimes I get into a reflective and contemplative mode in my personal Bible reading and quiet connection times with God-kind of like listening for that still, small. inaudible voice that people talk about. It's been like this for as long as I can remember. The Psalms and the Gospels in particular tend to take me there. So I read, contemplate and commune with the Holy Spirit and 'listen" with the ear of my soul to what God wants me to "hear."
It is not entirely unlike interacting with good poetry, something I attribute to being an English major and a high school English teacher for some years. Digging out inferences and emotions and between-the-lines meanings is sometimes more about letting them show up than about running them down.
And so it has been and is with the Scriptures. Once the light goes on and an insight shows up, it's so right to let it roll around awhile. Thinking it over and then thinking it over again - kind of like chewing the cud except much tastier in my non-bovine view.
ourselves experiencing together in a group setting what I have described above as a personal joy.
So here's the deal: For this to happen, we need to be willing to slow down. In a an article published in the winter 2009 issue of Leadership magazine. Eugene Peterson takes a shot at pastors by saying strongly that too many of us are in too much of a hurry all the time I took my hit.
But I wonder if it's only us pastors. When was the last time you slowed down long enough to listen carefully to God and his Word? To reflect carefully about what you hear him saying, pray-
o Di gging out inferen ce s and emot ions and bct\yeen·-the-lines meunings is
';o m e t ime s more a bout le
tlin g them show up than funning t hem down.
It is virtually a seamless transition into prayer. When the insight is encouraging, praise is spontaneous. When the insight is sobering or confronting, expressions of humility and dependence are quite natural. And when it's rebuke or correction, prayers of confession and repentance flow freely-at least when pride, ego and stubbornness are in check.
"How it applies" is indelibly written into my memory as a great way to transition from times of focused devotion to life application. The well-worn model-What does it say? What does it mean? How does it apply? -leads inexorably to the matter of how I will live now that I know what I have learned
Sometimes my wife, Carol, and I have experienced the same kind of process in home groups When we engage authentically in small group study of the Bible, it seems to me the process is inevitable. Jesus himself promised that the Holy Spirit would lead us into truth As we give the Holy Spirit our attention and the freedom to do his thing in and among us, we find
ing both through words and open spiritual ears, and then getting on with that long obedience in the right direction?
One more thing. In the same article. I was alerted to something that I had never put together before. This process of personal devotion and Bible study has been around for centuries. Hundreds of thousands of believers for hundreds of years have engaged in and enjoyed the insights that come from Bible study and prayer. I've called it everything from personal devotions to quiet times. Now I'm told it's had a very fancy name for a very long time. Maybe next time when I tell someone I'm going to have my quiet time, 111 say I'm going to do my lectio divina. Who knew?
'1J Comment on this column by going to usmb.orglchristian -Ieader
A letter to North American Mennonite Brethren
I ask for your forgiveness
To my brothers and sisters in the U.S. and Canada :
I am writing to express my deep sorrow and sadness over the pain and hurt which I have caused to the Mennonite Brethren Conference, to the churches, to you, my sisters and brothers, and to the ministry of the kingdom by my actions while serving as president of MB Biblical Seminary. I have broken your trust in me and have betrayed so many of you who were friends of mine and supporters of the seminary. I am saddened beyond words by my actions. While serving in this position, which had been entrusted to me by the church, I became involved in the sin of adultery that led to separation from God and from my marriage . After some time of concealing that sinful activity, I felt compelled by what I believe was the Spirit of God to confess my sin. This led to my termination at the seminary and a subsequent period of brokenness and the beginning of the path of restoration.
Gordon MacDonald, in his book Rebuilding Your Broken World, refers to people like me as broken-world people Certainly that describes my state. I have been broken in several ways, including in my spiritual life, in my marriage and in ministry.
I have confessed my sin to God, to my wife and family, to my colleagues and to the leadership of my church. I have asked for forgiveness from each of them, and now I want to ask for forgiveness from you, my friends and fellow-pilgrims in the Mennonite Brethren church. My actions have hurt you and have hurt the ministry of the seminary and our denomination.
The person betrayed most of all has been my precious wife, Shirley. The hurt and pain which I have brought to her are indescribable I have violated our love and broken the trust which had sustained us
for all of our marriage. The grief which I have brought into her life and the sadness which she now experiences are beyond words. She had entrusted her life to me and that trust has been tom apart. I cannot undo what I have done. I pray that God will rebuild our relationship. Each of us has sought counseling, and we look to God for healing in our marriage . Our prayer is that by the hand of God our union will emerge strengthened. Shirley has been beautifully grace-filled as she has ministered the Spirit of Christ to me in her forgiveness of me and her commitment to work at the restoration of our marriage. I am so grateful for her love and encouragement to me. She truly is a treasure.
I have made myself accountable to a group of men who walk this path of recovery and restoration with me and who guide me in the process of moving forward. I am deeply thankful for their grace as well They have been appointed by the Board of Faith and Life of the Pacific District Conference. I meet regularly with this group, appointed by the BFL, for reflection, guidance and accountability.
The road to recovery is long and very difficult, but by the grace of God I hope to move forward. I am grateful for the prayers and expressions of support which I have received from many of you. Thank you.
I write to ask for your forgiveness, if you can feel the freedom to give it. You need not communicate with me personally. I don't expect that. But I want you to know of my repentance and of my desire to please the Lord.
In Christ, Jim Holm, Fresno, Calif.
[ new 5 fro m the men non t e brethren world]
MB schools feel economic downturn
Budget cuts include faculty, staff
Like other schools and seminaries across the country, the three u.s. Mennonite Brethren institutions of higher education-Fresno Pacific University, Tabor College and MB Biblical Seminaryare feeling the effects of the national economic recession. All have announced budget cuts, including cuts in staff and faculty.
In February, FPU, with a main campus in Fresno, Calif., and centers in North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield, Calif., announced budget reductions totaling 1.3 million that included the elimination of 15 positions including five faculty and 10 staff. The layoff involved no teaching faculty with continuing status.
Jules Glanzer, president at Tabor College, with a main campus in Hillsboro, Kan., and a degree completion center in Wichita, Kan., announced April 3 that cuts for Tabor's 2009-2010 school year will include a reduction of the operating budget by more than $500,000 and the loss of II campus employees, including three full -time faculty and eight administrative and support staff.
And MB Biblical Seminary announced May I that "immediate, across-the-board reductions" would include health and retirement benefits and several full-time faculty and staff positions. Only employees at the Fresno, Calif., campus are affected by the layoffs; the seminary also has campuses in Langley, BC., and Winnipeg, Man.
The three schools report that giving from the U.S . Mennonite Brethren constituency remains strong and point to factors such as reduction in endowment earnings and mandates to balance their budgets as reasons for the cuts.
Lynn Jost, acting president at MBBS, echoes the other presidents when he says, 'We are grateful for the faithful support of our donors. We depend on the prayers of God's people and the support of our owners."
MBBS is co-owned by Mennonite Brethren in the u.s. and Canada; FPU is owned by the Pacific District Conference and Tabor College is owned by the Southern, Central, Latin America and North Carolina District Conferences. - from reports by TC, FPU, MBBS
Graduations held on MB campuses
degree completion program and 100 earned master's degrees. Kent Eaton, dean of the FPU School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences, and Gary Gramenz, dean of the School of Education, delivered commencement addresses
Commencement at the Fresno, Calif., campus of MB Biblical Seminary was May 17. More than 30 graduates were honored with master's or diploma-level degrees Elmer Martens, MBBS president emeritus and Old Testament professor emeritus, delivered the commencement address. During the ceremony, MBBS awarded their annual Community Service Award to Kings View, a Mennonitefounded mental health provider in California, "because their efforts have brought healing and hope to many."
Spring is graduation time at the three Mennonite Brethren institutions of higher education. Fresno Pacific University was the first to hold commencement ceremonies this spring, with about 400 students graduating May 9 in two ceremonies at the Fresno, Calif., campus (pictured above ) Approximately 150 of those graduates came from the traditional undergraduate program, IS0 came from the bachelor's
A total of 129 students were slated to receive degrees from Tabor College, the Mennonite Brethren liberal arts college, at commencement ceremonies held May 23 at the Hillsboro, Kan., campus. One bachelor's degree was awarded posthumously to Marcus Manny, a student killed in an automobile accident in February Two students received associate degrees and 93 received bachelor's degrees from the Hillsboro, Kan ., campus. The Wichita, Kan., school of adult and graduate studies awarded 34 degrees. James Wiebe, a 1979 graduate of Tabor and an entrepreneurial businessman from Wichita, Kan., was the scheduled commencement speaker. - FPU, MBBS, TC
Elmer Martens Festschrift celebrated
MB Biblical Seminary recently celebrated the release of The Old Testament in the Life of God's People. The Festschrift - a collection of essays written and compiled in honor of a scholar and presented during the scholar's lifetimecelebrates Elmer Martens, president emeritus and Old Testament professor emeritus at MBBS and his contribution to Old Testament studies. It includes three essays written by Martens as well as IS others written by former students, colleagues, friends and even one of his professors.
Jon Isaak, former student of Martens and now associate professor of New Testament at MBBS. initiated the project. "I wanted to honor him. to find a way to give ttibute to his lifetime of work," says Isaak.
During the April 3 celebration, Martens reflected on his 50-year ministry as scholar, mentor and churchman. He highlighted his years at the seminary, first as a student. then as teacher, administrator and president. Martens observed that it is not the purpose of a teacher to replicate himself but to assist students to be competent as informed thinkers.
He alluded to the challenges of exegeting the Old Testament and preaching &om it.
Martens said he was both honored and humbled by the event and acknowledged the efforts that went into producing the book. especially the diligent work of the editor. The book, he noted. "is a work of biblical interpretation. a potential help to the church. and stands as a credit to the seminary."
The essays are clustered around three topics - Christian use of the Old Testament. Aligning God's people with God's call for Justice. and Addressing the issue of Land in the Life of God's People-each of which is an area of interest to Martens and is reflected in his own publications.
Among the essayists are former students. Marlene Enns (Paraguay). Douglas Carew (Kenya). Lynn Jost. Ben Ollenburger. Timothy Geddert and Al&ed Neufeld (Paraguay); teaching colleagues. John E. Toews and Pierre Gilbert; and Old Testament scholars Gordon Matties and Waldemar Janzen (Canada) Daniel Block. Paul House. Walter Kaiser and Rolf Knierim. - MBBS
FAST JOINS PRAIRIE VIEW TEAM
Gary Fast, a doctor with extensive experience in mental healthcare and Mennonite Brethren roots, began serving as Prairie View's medical director May 1. Prairie View is a private behavioral and mental health services provider founded by Mennonites in 1954 and located in Newton, Kan.Prairie View
TSHIMIKA WRITES AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Pakisa Tshimika, a leading Mennonite Brethren voice for the Democratic Republic of Congo, has published his autobiography, Grief, Grace and Hope, through Good Books. The book describes his childhood in a remote corner of the ORC and his coming to the United States. It tells about the accident that changed his life, as well as his personal grief over the deaths of many friends and relatives. Today, Tshimika uSeS his doctorate in public health and his energy to help the Congolese and others in need. He is executive director and founder of Mama Makeka House of Hope, a ministry to the ORC. He and his wife, Linda, are members of College Community Church, Clovis, Calif. -Good Books
MBMSI TO BRAZIL
MBMS International's first formal ACTION: Generations team spent four weeks in Sao Paulo, Brazil, serving alongside MBMSI missionaries Jim and Marilou Nightingale. Generations emerged from the desire to target an older demographic and fulfill a need for seasonal workers to experience missions in the winter months. Ed and Kathy Peters, Manitoba, and Ken Penner, Kansas, arrived in Brazil Jan. 14 and spent four days training before heading into three weeks of ministry. -MBMSI
As Gods children we all belong to a spiritual family that is made up of many parts. «For as one body we have many members .. .so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually memb ers on e of another" (Rom . 12:4 -5). W e most often experience this in terms of the local congregation . But we are also members of a larger body - the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches . Our denominati on is called to be one family, serving one Lord, unified by one mission - transforming individufamilies and communities with the good news. We accomplish this mission most effectively when we pull together as 200 congregations The essays that follow highlight this benefit of denominational affiliation . You will read how six pastors complete this statement: Partnering together as one national family is important as we .... Their stories and reflections remind us that together is better. - CF
Partnering together as one national family is important as we ...
work with the larger
THERE IS NOTHING MORE EXCITING THAN seeing people in our communities surrender their lives to God. No church denies this as central to their purpose or mission, but at Grulla MB Church we felt that we needed to be intentional about it. We did not pray to become a particular type of church-traditional, contemporary, modem or relevant. We prayed that we would become Christ's church with his vision, his plan and his purpose.
As we began to seek God for direction, God moved Grulla MB into a new phase that will allow us to do more for his kingdom. God told us what he repeatedly told Joshua: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). This meant that our faithrisk factor had to increase.
If God was going to lead, then he was going to provide the resources needed for us to accomplish his vision for our church. In other words, "If it is his will then it is his bill." And God has faithfully been doing this in every way. Our congregation has continued to be faithful in their giving and God has blessed us through a new parmership with Mission USA and Don Morris.
MUSA's financial assistance only begins to scratch the surface of our parmership. MUSA has joined us in constant prayer and Don has provided words of encouragement and advice drawn from his years of experience. MUSA has been strategic in parmering alongside us in the direction God is leading Don has not dictated our moves or direction but has been very sensitive and supportive in believing with us the vision that God has for Grulla MB Church . Moving into a new phase of renewal brought challenges that we had not considered or foreseen. MUSA has been a catalyst in helping us to better confront these chal-
lenges One specific point of help has been in the area of staffing. Grulla MB has always been very active in serving our community by means of service projects, basketball tournaments, outreach/family events and hosting other Mennonite Brethren church groups who come to serve in South Texas and Mexico.
However, as our vision became clearer we realized we needed to increase our staff in order to cover a wider range of ministry and to develop a team that would better serve the needs of our church and community. By joining with MUSA in prayer and discernment we have been blessed as God has sent the right people for his work at Grulla.
We currently have one full-time pastor and one parttime worship leader, but expect to end the year with at least two more part-time staff that will help in ministering to our youth and children. Increased staffing has helped us be more effective in reaching our community for Jesus and targeting specific areas of ministry that needed more help.
I am amazed and grateful that God wants to use us to increase his kingdom and that he has provided people like Don Morris and Mission USA to help our efforts to reach our community for Jesus. At Grulla we are in a long-dis tance race that requires discipline and sacrifice from those in our ch urch But even now, God is blessing us with small samplings that bear the fruit of our parmership with MUSA. As I write th is we are but a few weeks removed from an Easter weekend in which we rejoiced to celebrate 12 baptisms, five new confessions for Christ and 350 people joining our celebration
Being part of the U.S. Mennonite Brethren famil y really is a good thing for us. It adds value to our church life as we aim to increase the kingdom of God.
Pastor Aaron Hernandez and his wife, Alejandra, have two children and serve Grulla MB Church, LaGrulla, Texas.
Partnering together as one national family is important as we ...
Live our in the worLd
RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU ARE TIRED OF THE term "evangelical Christian" being referred to as a negative thing. For many reasons this term often leaves a bad taste in the mouths of a significant segment of our society. I am especially concerned when I read about our next generation of leaders being cynical.
People in their 20S and 30S are staying away from church more now than at any other time in modem history. The stats show that the majority of this rising generation views us evangelicals as largely irrelevant at best and judgmental bigots at worst . How did we get to this point, and more importantly, what can we do to change this perception?
I believe that this upcoming generation really matters, and if we want to see them embrace the Christian faith we need to figure out how to improve their perception of us. The future of faith in our country depends on it. We as a Mennonite Brethren family have a lot to offer, and I believe we can make a real impact on this changing culture.
Part of our image problem has to do with what we stand against. Evangelical Christians are known for their stance against some pretry controversial things. We take a stance against abortion. gay marriage. embryonic stem cell research and all kinds of things that we believe are sinful. Standing against these things is not the real problem.
The heart of our image problem comes when we are only known for the things we stand against and not for the positive things that we stand for. To mend our image we need to be known for all those great attributes that made Jesus a hero. Imagine if we were known 90 percent of the time for the fruits of the Spirit and only 10 percent for trying to legislate what is right. If so. our efforts could influence the country more than winning a few political victories at the expense of embittering our opponents.
Was Jesus known for his stance against prostitutes or crooked tax collectors? Was Jesus known for his stance against homosexuals and divorcees?
When I think about Jesus I think about the people he stood up for more than the people he stood up against.
Jesus was a champion of the sinful masses. He was known for his outrageous love for people who were a mess. His love for sinful people shocked the culture. There is no doubt that Jesus spoke the truth about sin. but his outstanding love for people formed the lasting impression that built his reputation.
As Mennonite Brethren we have some pretry remarkable beliefs upon which to stand. Here in North Carolina we have a rich history of standing up for racial equality and integration. This sets us apart in an area that has struggled with these concepts in the past. We have a reputation of empowering the underprivileged and teaching the Word of God in a way that is relevant and trustworthy.
Building our reputation on these attributes will continue to attract people that are searching for real meaning and depth in a shallow world. Our U.S Mennonite Brethren family has many great things to stand up for. I hope we are known for our emphasis on community. peace, justice and reconciliation. These are characteristics that people are crying out for. They are focal points for us that can change our image from judgmental to loving. from hypocritical to genuine.
The U.S. Mennonite Brethren family has solidly stood alongside our churches in prayer and support in our quest to shine our light in North Carolina. Together we need to stand and rebuild our reputation as evangelical Christians who are known for their outrageous love of Jesus. Now more than ever we need to stand with one voice saying. "This is who we are." Let's pray that it can be as shocking today as it was 2000 years ago when Jesus spoke his message loud and clear.
Chris Eidse is a Canadian who has served the North Carolina District Conference for the past five years. He and his wife, Rebecca. have two daughters. Eidse is currently an associate pastor at Bushtown MB Church in Lenoir. NC, and is also the NCDC district youth minister. serving youth from six Mennonite Brethren churches.
Partnering together as one national family is important as we ...
together what the Bible teaches
AS CULTURE BEGINS TO EMERGE FROM A DRUNKEN stupor of independence, the church is seeing a resurgence of interest in its unique love-driven interdependence Whereas the church was once viewed as an institution that produces top-down indoctrination, it is increasingly being seen as a place of grace-filled guidance
This desire and tension is not new, as those who follow Christ can attest. We have in our history the record of a church that was likewise in this tension-filled dialogue. The question at hand dealt specifically with how followers of Jesus are to live. How must their lives change because of their allegiance to Christ? What is essential to follow Christ and what is nonessential?
As this church sttuggled with this question , they looked beyond themselves for guidance. They sought direction from those who were in positions of church leadership. This led to one of the first recorded gatherings of church leaders, now referred to as the Council at Jerusalem. Read Acts 15 for more about this gathering
As Christ-followers who gather under the Mennonite Brethren family label, we follow the examples of those before us. Organized as an identified pottion of the kingdom, the Mennonite Brethren denomination strives to live out our faith in the context of a greater gathering of accountability. This means living out our commitment to one another to sttive, arm-in-arm, to corporately follow Christ in a faithful, biblical manner.
Guided by our Confession of Faith, every church united by this common quest seeks after dynamic otthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right practice) . First century Christ-followers needed guidance in changing cultural times as they carried an unchanging message Is that not at least equally as true for Christ-followers today?
As the globe encounters rapid change that knows no geographical or cultural boundaries, the body of Christ continues to be charged with carrying the unchanging message of the good news Immense change once again meets foundational ttuth. It is partially for this reason that as Mennonite Brethren we have resurged in our valuation of the U.S Conference Leadership Board to plot a course. It seems that at no other time in history has the potential magnitude of impact been as great for the Word of God . The church of Christ
is spread throughout this world , encountering questions of biblical interpretation daily This tension -filled ttuth is seen in every mission-focused church. both foreign and domestic What is essential to the Way/Truth/Life, and what is nonessential?
Our quest, therefore, is fraught with great potentials along with great threats. How might the direction of the church been changed had the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15) decided to follow the legalism (a need for circumcision to follow Christ) dictated to them by a powerful Pharisee force? Rather than encouragement to preach the freedom found in Christ, the message could have become diverted with religiously cultural burdens. Simple focus prevailed. They were able to focus on "one mission," which we Mennonite Brethren subsequently rally around . Is the Mennonite Brethren denomination any different? Is there not continued and perhaps a greater need for groups of believers to be spurred on and encouraged as they navigate change? Great potential or great threat exists. The method of sharing the freedom in Christ ye t challenges the message of freedom in Christ
The proverbial winsome tie (i.e shirt and tie) threatens the towel (i.e. the basin and towel that Christ bore). Cultural burdens both within and without the church walls should daily cause us to examine what is essential to ttansformation in Christ and what is nonessential. As I listen to the band Coldplay, eat lunch at the local bar and grill, spend time kneeling in prayer and talk with friends who are considering divorce, I am constantly navigating an unchanging message in perpetually changing times.
Followers of Christ have the unworldly gift of not walking alone. As Christ desi res "ttansformation of individuals, families, and communities " through us, we have the potential of reflecting the same experience of that local church as recorded not so long ago in Acts May we, by God' s grace, echo their response : <There was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message" (Acts 15:31 NLT).
Brad Bonnett is the pastor of Community Bible Church in Mountain Lake, Minn. He and his wife, Sharon, have three children. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist .
Partnering together as one national family is important as we ...
AS I REFLECf BACK ON THE II YEARS THAT
I've lived in Utah as a church planter for the Mennonite Brethren, it is my pleasure to give credit and encouragement to those that made it possible.
South Mountain Community Church began as a dream fueled by a growing distaste for the way the Latter Day Saints Church has successfully dominated an entire culture with a God-dishonoring false gospel called Mormonism. I visited Utah several times during my 10 years as an associate pastor at Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif.
Scott McKinney, a friend from seminary days, was having success reaching disenfranchised LDS in Utah County, the hotbed of Mormonism and home to Brigham Young University and The Mormon Missionary Training Center which processes 30,000 missionaries each year. Scott talked to me about the need for good churches in Utah and drew my attention to a town called Draper at the south end of the Salt Lake valley. At the time, this town had a population of 20,000 and not one Protestant church. The Mormon church was thoroughly entrenched in every aspect of this community-government, education, social networks and religion
With a new passion to try to reach the folks in Draper with the liberating news of the gospel of grace , my wife and I became intent on moving to Draper to start a church. Laurelglen Bible Church was the first to hear of our plan, but soon the Pacific District Conference Board of Home Missions and Mission USA were in the mix and showing interest
By January 1998 all three entities had come together to form a coalition of partners on this project. I was to receive funding for two years minimum with a third year possible. Along with that funding, a Task Force was
formed with representatives from each entity. This Task Force gave encouragement, counsel and accountability. This was a "parachute" church plant-we had no connection to a mother church in Utah and no core group to help us from the beginning-and so these men were especially important in navigating these uncharted waters.
SMCC opened its doors to the public for worship the second week in October 1998. Now SMCC has planted a church in West Jordan, Utah, with Cory and Trina Anderson. We also have two other campuses-one in South Jordan (The Daybreak campus) and another in St. George (SMCC @ the Springs).
All of us attending a Mennonite Brethren church on a weekly basis in Utah are now about 2,000 people. Without the confidence, encouragement and funding from Mennonite Brethren in North America-some funding came from Canada-none of this would have happened.
Each new Utah church plant or campus has had Mennonite Brethren backing The initial investment made into this Draper project has resulted in a great harvest for God. That original investment has not only yielded over 500 baptisms but the ongoing mission of the gospel in Utah. As a Mennonite Brethren partner, SMCC has invested over $500,000 in Utah projects.
Why is it important that the national family of Mennonite Brethren has come alongside SMCC and is involved in other communities for church planting? It is so that God's fame can be continually spread throughout Utah and other places.
Paul Robie is the lead pastor and church planter for South Mountain Community Church in Draper, Utah. He and his wife, Jini, have two sons
Partnering together as one national family is important as we ... strive to be
DOES THE CHURCH SERVE THE DENOMINATION
or does the denomination serve the church? It's clear that either extreme takes us down the wrong path. That is why we at Laurelglen Bible Church seek to simplify our global mission emphasis by sending those in our family Our immediate family is LBC. Our extended family is our Mennonite Brethren churches. This is not to the purposeful exclusion of others . It's simply a result of so much mission activity with our immediate and extended families that we have our hands full, and that is a good thing.
At LBC we almost always support those who emerge from the immediate church family in their area of service and with the mission agency we agree that suits them best. We have the joy and privilege of discipling them over many years through the various ministries of the church and we walk with them as they sense God's call to global mission. It is because of this approach that we end up with a very diverse group of missionaries in the LBC mission family.
Here's the current picture: We have 29 missionary "family units" serving with 13 organizations in 13 different countries. Six of these units are with MBMS International. No other organization has more of our missionaries-not by design ; it's just the way it is right now. We believe the strength of the mission ministry has come through this diversification. We don't believe it has been to the detriment of MBMSI. As LBC's global missions ministry has grown, so has our involvement with MBMSI.
Where has the growth come from? Mostly through a consistent investment in global mission emphasis that creates a cultural mind-set around LBC where we value taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. It occurs through a fall emphasis on supporting the poor around the world, an annual mission conference in the winter and through life -changing short-term - especially summer - mission opportunities. This summer we have 49 people heading out on five LBC teams. There are also at least 12 individuals who will serve on teams with other organizations. This is made possible through generous donors who believe in what we are doing and seek to use their
resources to build into the lives of our young people and adults, many of whom have experienced missions for the first time here.
The investment has paid off dramatically this year Four of our 29 units are heading overseas soon for long-term assignments. All of them have participated in LBC's short-term mission program . Probably the most significant statistic is that over the last 10 years, with the exception of national missionaries and Mennonite Brethren missionaries we have "adopted," all of our new missionaries have been "homegrown. "
How does our connection with the Mennonite Brethren mission family work with all of this? It works because of the mind-set that is already established at LBC and the consistent dialogue and participation we have with MBMSI. The key words are partnership and networking. One comes from trust and the other from communication.
Some examples: It was easy to be one of the first churches to jump on board with the Thailand Team 2000 almost 10 years ago. The Lord connected us to the Delhi Team almost five years ago through a trip I took with MBMSI to Thailand. A visit to north India two years ago with MBMSI has resulted in a growing interest in India And about a year ago, we heard about John and Geri Warkentin who had a vision to serve with MBMSI to help tell the stories of our MB missionaries around the world. Adopting them into our LBC mission family was one of the easiest decisions we ever made. And next month, as a result of our long-term relationship with Otto and Ekk, we are sending one of our homegrown missionaries, Doug and Myra Gentry, to serve with the Ekks in Portugal.
Is MBMSI serving us? Yes, and they are doing a great job. Are we serving MBMSI? Yes, providing finances and people is our calling as part of the Mennonite Brethren family. With God's blessing, the mission agency and the local church can both flourish as we each do our job.
Phil Stangland has been the Pastor of Missions and Evangelism for the past 10 years at Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif. He has led short-term mission teams, taught leaders and visited missionaries all over the world. Phil and his wife, Tanya , have two children
Partnering together as one national family is important as we ...
prepare teadeJu
I BELIEVE IN OUR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
I am a supportive alumnus of Tabor College and MB Biblical Seminary. I have seen dozens of high school students grow in their faith and their commitment to ministry thanks to Ministry Quest. I have watched Tabor College. Fresno Pacific University and MB Biblical Seminary graduates become leaders within communities and local Mennonite Brethren churches.
A meeting I had the other day with four other recent Tabor College graduates serves as an example One is a Mennonite Brethren youth pastor and another is an MBBS graduate who is one of the youngest lead pastors in the Southern District Conference. The third is a current MBBS student who hopes to fulfill a calling as a pastor of a rural Mennonite Brethren church. ' The fourth served as a youth pastor for a couple of years and is committed to helping us plant a Mennonite Brethren church in Kansas City
And yet. when we think about our denomination as a family and these different institutions as a part of that family. we seem disconnected. Certainly money is exchanging hands-many churches are supporting these schools. And these schools have a keen focus on ttaining leaders-particularly Mennonite Brethren-for the church and the world. Yet we are detached from each other. and it would be good for us to become better connected.
We will forge new connections when Tabor College. Fresno Pacific University. MB Biblical Seminary and the local churches band together in partnerships and communication. developing new methods of teaching and training the leaders that will lead our churches in lay and clergy roles. If we truly are a family - and I believe we are-then we have to openly work together. discovering improved ways to partner those among us who are the most gifted educators with those who want to be trained as leaders in the church
We can reconnect churches and institutions by rethinking educational methodology. Traditional methods of leadership
training - primarily on-campus. classroom education - are no longer the choice of many. This is especially true of those pursuing seminary education. although our undergraduate schools are not immune. Mennonite Brethren institutions must change methodologies in the midst of a changing culture.
Leadership development happens in two realms. I t happens through the local churches as people volunteer on committees and boards and serve as deacons. elders. musicians. teachers and small group leaders. It happens at a seminary for those who desire a more thorough and in-depth training. Perhaps as a family of churches it is time we begin thinking creatively of ways to merge these two levels of leadership development Can we find new ways to partner our institutions with the churches in Christian leadership development beyond financial partnerships? These dynamic partnerships are vital to our success with future leadership development.
Ministry Quest is an example of this. This program employs the theological insight of seminary and college professors. the ministry of the local church and the wisdom of lay leaders in local churches to provide a dynamic leadership development program for high school and college students. This program carries enormous potential for leadership development in our churches and illustrates the creative ways our institutions can serve to facilitate that process.
I am completely convinced that as a family of churches. it is vital that we continue to support our educational institutions as they create leaders. I am totally persuaded that as a family of churches. it is essential that we continue to support these institutions as they create leaders and that we support the congregations in their efforts to nurture leaders. However. when we band together as a community of churches. we are able to do much more than we can alone-which is why we are a family
Paul Bartel and his wife. Amanda, are Mennonite Brethren church plantes and have recently moved to Kansas City, MO. to plant a church there. They have two sons.
Destinations and
Ed Boschman Looks at miles covered and the road ahead
Ed Boschman, u.s. Conference executive director, likes nothing more than heading for the open road on his Harley-except, maybe, leading the national Mennonite Brethren family through unexplored territory. So it's appropriate that he was preparing for a week-long trip with his motorcycle buddies when he and CL assistant editor Myra Holmes took time to evaluate the USC «road trip." For Boschman, seeing people come to Jesus is «high-octane fuel," and he dreams about what new vistas would open if all u.S. Mennonite Brethren were rewed up about that. When he looks back at the miles covered in roughly a year and a half of leading the national MB family, he notes important landmarks, defining crossroads and a few frustrating detours. Still, he eyes the road ahead with hope.
CL: We've covered a lot of miles since you took leadership. What have been the high points?
EB: One ofthe challenges that we faced immediately was strengthening our connectedness to and our communication with the constituency. We worked pretty deliberately at that. Another piece was the official launch of our national Board of Faith and Life. These are important pieces that we've been able to put in place that will help us down the road.
We have completed my second Leadership Summit. which gathers our Leadership Board and all of the principal players in our districts and educational institutions and agencies. We made some pretty significant strides there in clarifying that leadership development ought to be a priority for us .
At our July convention. we were able to clarify both our logo and our mission statement. and the convention gave us a mandate to move strongly in the direction of purting flesh and bones on our commitment to partner as "one family with one Lord on one mission for the transformation of individuals, families and communities." I think that was a good thing to celebrate.
CL: You talk a lot about being «one." How are we doing with that?
EB: The 2009 Leadership Summit is an illustration of how I see us working together. As the various agencies and districts reported. two things emerged as signals that we are on the same page. One was stories of transformed lives. clearly evident in a good. solid way throughout the various reports.
The second thing that we are agreed on is leadership development. At the local church level, district level educational institution level and at the ministry level-each of these agencies has said we want to work together and to create a pool of people who are on a path toward ministry and to share the resources we have. We see ourselves working together rather than independently and parallel.
CL: What significant decisions have been made?
EB: Staying with the leadership development theme. I point to the Summit a year ago. I think we made a key decision there that we would prioritize leadership development as a primary. collaborative centerpiece.
The national team rallying around the fact that we want to be "one family with one Lord on one mission" was a clear signal that we are to continue our commitment to being Christ-centered. and that evangelism and outreach ought to be our priority plank undergirding our existence and our purpose for being.
To gather and streamline us as "one family" is the more difficult part. We are somewhat scartered and have multiple agencies. Alongside that. there is the general trend toward more individualism and more local freedom and local initiatives. so it's just more challenging to be able to easily decide how we hold ourselves together.
CL: In what areas have we not accomplished our goals?
EB: As it relates to theological education in our seminary. we are
not today where we would have dreamed. This has been a very difficult year for MB Biblical Seminary. The challenges have been real for several years, and the recent additional challenge of presidential leadership is an added test. The dream that we would be reviewing and reinventing graduate theological education has been to some degree put on hold.
In my enthusiasm or na"ivete, or both, I hoped that by now we would have a greater number of our churches aware of and appreciative of the added value that the national ministry team offers and as a result of that be financial partners That's not happened
Parallel to this is the question of how to connect with the nonAnglo church communities in our family There are about a dozen of these, with Hispanic and Slavic commu.nities the two largest. All of these local churches and communities matter to us, so we are talking about doing some things to better communicate this.
CL: I can guess that one unexpected detour has been the budget.
EB: The economic world in which we live today is different than it was a year ago. When we built last year's enthus iastic, faith-stretching budget, we did not anticipate where we would be right now. We realize that we will have to do our ministry with less funding. This means cutbacks in the church multiplication and renewal initiatives and in our communications initiatives.
At the same time, our fires are still hotly burning. It's tough when you just can't pour as much fuel on them as you want to. CL: Are we on the right road as a denominational family?
EB: I believe there's hope. On properly prioritizing the transformation of individuals, families and communities, there is awakening in some places, but we need to do much better. There is still among us here and there an unwillingness to do as Jesus did or as Paul asked us to do: to be on a mission to seek and save the lost, to do whatever it takes to call people to Christ.
We are sometimes sidetracked by other stuff-process, form and structure stuff or peripheral theological nuancing-and quibble about a whole bunch of stuff that in the end doesn't help us with this core mission. In whatever way I see us getting beyond that stuff, I celebrate, and whenever it appears that we do not maintain the main thing as the main thing, I grieve. My prayer is that well continue to sharpen that focus and make sure we really are a family on that mission .
CL: When yo u look ahead, is t h at one of the challenges-to get our hearts in the right place?
EB: That may well be one of the key challenges for us. What would happen if each of us in one year, or two or three years, would invite the Spirit of God to help us be instrumental in bringing one soul to Jesus? Just one! I think about stuff like that. So the fact that it's not happening in all places and among all people is a burden.
There's something inside of me that yearns for additional sensitivity and openness to the movement and direction of the Holy Spirit. Th is is a time - specifically because it's so tumultuous and unnerving - that we need the nourishment of Scripture and the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we don't lose our way.
-1l Post your comments at usmb orglchristian-leader
Pocketbook priorities
What motivates congregations to give?
They say that two heads are better than one Let me suggest a corollary rule: 200 pocketbooks are better than one. The U.S Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches relies on multiple "pocketbooks" in the form of 200 congregations in carrying out its ministries. When these individual congregations make it a priority to give to the denomination, ministry expands beyond the reaches of any single congregation.
The number of congregations that open their wallets for the U.S. Conference isn't very big-just 65 out of 200. What prompts these churches to give? To find out, I talked with pastors and church members from several faithfully-giving congregations. I learned that a sense of what Mennonite Brethren can do better together is a key motivating factor.
Loyalty helps, especially for congregations that have a significant history with the denomination . Fairview (Okla.) MB Church - now II4 years old-is a good example. Interim pastor Brad Penner says that the influence of loyal givers throughout the church's history means that suppotting denominational ministries is "in the DNA," as Penner says. "It's a good habit that has grown out of the vision and the mission of the forefathers of this congregation "
A church doesn't have to be Ioo-plus to have that sense of loyalty. Those I spoke with - from old and young congregations alike-say: "It's just part of who we are;" " It's our tithe;" "It's nonnegotiable."
At 40-something, Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg, SD, is significantly "younger" than Fairview, but denominational giving habits were similarly established early on. Long-time member Phil Hamburger cites the influence of early pastor Wilfred Fadenrecht: "He instilled that in us."
But loyalty isn't always enough Two pastors of well-established congregations told me that rocky relationships with denominational ministries have impacted their giving, in spite of tradition. One closed the church pocketbook for a number of years before resuming; the other has become more selective in giving.
So what takes a congregation beyond "good habits " and loyalty to motivate giving? Time and again, pastors cite the importance of being part of something larger than themselves. In the end, it's the vision that inspires giving.
''There are things we can do together that we can't do by ourselves," says David Froese, pastor of Heritage Bible Church, Bakersfield, Calif. He points to church planting and evangelism as examples : 'We can expand beyond our borders in a way we couldn't if we
didn't link arms." Others point to Christian education publishing and missions as things we just couldn't do as individual congregations.
The local church benefits from the support of that larger family as well Daniel Clubb. pastor of Shorelife Community Church. Capitola. Calif., appreciates the counsel of district leaders, the budget advice from MB Foundation and the prayer support from conference leaders , to name a few . ''There's something positive about being part of a bigger family," Clubb says.
Personal connections help bring the vision home For example, at Enid (Okla ) MB Church, the church invites conference leaders to come as ofren as is practical, both to preach and to help equ ip the congregation, wh ic h gives a face to denominational ministry. Dinuba (Calif.) MB Church had a part in the founding of Fresno Pacific University and MB Biblical Seminary, both in nearby Fresno. and continues to be actively involved at the schools That feeling of personal investment makes giving easier. according to pastor Jim Aiken
So if loyalty isn't enough and if vision is the bigger motivator, communicating the vision will become increasingly important in the days ahead Some of that responsibility to communicate lies with denominational leaders, and you can be sure the CL will continue to do what we can
But congregations have a responsibility, too. I like what Pat Coyle, pastor of Shafrer (Calif.) MB Church, says : ''Take some time to look into what the district and the conference and the denomination do If you're currently not supporting any of those. look at their vision and decide as a congregation what part you want to have in that." Because it really is true that 200 pocketbooks are better than one. -Myra Holmes
Myra Holmes is the assistant editor of the Christian Leader She and her family worship at Trailhead Church, a Mennonite Brethren church plant in the greater- Denver area
Overlooked
If Debbie Breeden of Hays, Kan., is right, there's an unreached people group in the United States that includes tens of millions of people-children and adults with disabilities. According to 2005 U.S. Census Bureau statistics, 35 million Americans live with severe disability-either mental or physical. Some 16 million have some level of cognitive, mental or emotional disability.
That's a lot of people.
Breeden says that while people with disabilities live in every community, they are too often overlooked by the church-they are ureached. According to the National Organization of Disability, even though many disabled Americans say their faith is important to them, few attend religious services. The good news is that some Mennonite Brethren churches are intentionally including adults and children with special needs. This month we highlight four who are reaching out to this unique unreached group.
Special needs prompt special care
Club Created reaches children and parents
There was a time when Ryen Parker wouldn't even walk into the Club Created classroom at South Mountain Community Church, a Mennonite Brethren congregation in Draper, Utah. He would watch the other kids with special needs sing, play games and learn about Christ's love for them-but he didn't go in.
Ryen has autism, a neurologically based disorder that limits a person's ability to communicate, socialize and regulate behavior. For reasons not yet understood, the incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder, once thought to be a relatively rare condition, has increased significantly in recent years.
Believing that her son would benefit from her church's unique evening program for disabled children, Wendy Parker regularly took her son to Club Created, and after watching for several months, Ryen joined in the fun. And in time, Ryen was ready to attend Sunday school with other children .
Before sending Ryen to Sunday school, Wendy talked to the class about her son 's disability The children listened attentively and asked lots of questions - not about Ryen's disorder but about hi s pets and hobbies. The children didn't conc entrate on their differences but
immediately focused in on the ways that Ryen was similar to them. Today nine-year-old Ryen attends Sunday school with a "buddy" volunteer from the congregation.
Children like Ryen sometimes have behaviors that are difficult to manage in public. So when the South Mountain congregation realized that multiple families in their church were dealing with such children they determined to do something to help. The congregation, already reaching out to the hearing impaired thanks to the addition of a sign language interpreter for its multiple church services, began a program they dubbed Club Created.
The program that initially kicked off in the fall of 2007 was built on the vision of church member Jessica Tottenham, who as a Young Life staff member and Special Olympics volunteer had training to back up her vision. She put together a team of people who helped her prepare and present a monthly evening event geared specifically for children with needs that sometimes precluded them from attending Sunday school or other activities.
Last summer, after some rethinking and retooling, the congregation launched a larger program under the banner SHARE, an acronym
for Support, Help, Access, Respite and Encouragement. SHARE includes Club Created, the Buddy Program that pairs students like Ryen with a caring high school student or adult to shepherd them through Sunday school, and support groups for parents and siblings of disabled children.
While Tottenham continues to lead Club Created, Mike and Jessica Salazar work with the siblings of Club Created children and Wendy Parker, Ryen's mom and South Mountain's children's administrator, volunteers as the coordinator of the parent support group that formally began this fall.
Club Created currently serves about 10 children ages eight through 12, and while a variety of disabilities are represented, most of the children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
To best meet the needs of children who typically do not adjust well to change, the format remains the same each week, and Tottenham says the children have learned the sequence well. The evening begins with games that emphasize important skills that autistic children often lack. For example, a game that has kids throwing and catching a beach ball requires that they talk to each other or get the attention of another student before they throw the ball, a skill autistic children need to practice
Two songs, always the same and always with hand motions, follow the games. Then comes a lesson from Tottenham, a talk that is short and simple but always uses
Scripture. The lessons are repeated for several weeks and many times remind the children that Jesus wants to be their friend.
Then the children divide into two groups to talk about the lesson. Often times the children have gopd questions, but goofy questions are accepted as well as off topic comments about pets or favorite toys. Next is a craft and the evening closes with a prayer.
The parents of Club Created participants instigated an informal support group two years ago when they began talking with each other while they waited for their children.
«Parents needed a night out. They were just hanging on by a thread," says Heidi Sowell, a mother of four boys, two with disabilities.
Parents began bringing chips and salsa to munch as they discussed their shared frustrations, particularly in dealing with people who sometimes completely failed to understand their kids.
Parker has developed more structured parent meetings that offer information, discussion and social time. She says, 'We were intentional in our effort not to over-promise because programs that had disappointed were a common refrain among parents." Although Parker has not found any curriculum that specifically meets the needs of all the parents, just getting together has been helpful. One thing that Parker says parents consistently say they appreciate is the chance to tell their story. One mother says, «It is so refreshing to be able to talk with families who are dealing with the same thing in their lives: a child with special needs ."
Twenty-two year old Mike Salazar, who grew up with a twin sibling with special needs, has a passion for relating to the siblings. He knows from experience that kids need a place to go where they don't feel that they have to watch out for or take care of their siblings, and at South Mountain that place is the SHARE Sibling Support Group, held at the same time as Club Created.
«My other children look forward to going to their class for siblings where they can play games and talk," says Mindy Webster, the parent of an autistic son, in an e-mail. «It makes them feel important too!"
In many families, says Salazar, a role reversal takes place because younger children feel responsible for older siblings who have disabilities.
Salazar says many of us would be surprised by how much kids know about their siblings' challenges and by the concerns that siblings frequently have for their disabled family members. He finds that some children feel shortchanged because of the fact that their parents can never spend time alone with them due to the magnitude of their sibling's needs.
Helping children see their disabled sibling through God's eyes is one of Salazars goals. He emphasizes that people are different from one another and encourages kids to talk about the things that both they and their siblings can do well.
Volunteers, parents and children are equally enthusiastic about SHARE and Club Created. "You can tell the volunteers do it because they love it," says Alexandra O'Keefe, the mother of two young daughters, one with severe disabilities. "What I like is that they have something for everyone in the family," says O'Keefe.
Amanda Watt, the mother of five, says 'her daughter, who has physical and communication disabilities, asks regularly if there is Club Created that day. «I think she likes the attention, games and especially that she isn't the only one different," says Watt.-by Lori Belden Pope, CL newswriter
Nine-year-old Ryen Parker loves spending time with his Club Created buddy, Stephanie Heinhold, a physical therapist who has a special place in her heart for special needs children. Heinhold goes to Sunday school with Parker, who is autistic.
Including adults with special needs
Churches find fullness in reaching out to disabled adults
North Oak Community Church, Hays, Kan., and College Community Church, Clovis, Calif., strive to include adults with disabilities through Sunday school classes tailored to meet their needs. For North Oak, it's a relatively new endeavor while College Community has more experience, but both congregations are learning that they benefit by reaching out.
Debbie Breeden, of North Oak, says congregations must intentionally seek out and include those with disabilities, quoting Jesus' words in Luke 14: "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring [them] in so that my house will be full."
Breeden and Shelley Keller began doing just that at North Oak last year. They noticed two mentally disabled individuals in the pews who wanted to attend Sunday school, but nothing was provided for them. The women developed a Sunday school class with worship, fellowship and Bible study adapted to the students' needs and established "Count Us In," a larger ministry for the disabled.
Including adults with disabilities is nothing new for the California church. Their Friendship Class began several decades ago, flowing out of the character of the congregation.
"Our church is an inclusive church, and there were several church families with special needs children," explains Mari Janzen, chair of the Supportive Care Commission at College Community. 'We felt a responsibility to share worship with them, too."
Currently about six adults regularly attend the class, some of whom started in the class as children.
Their disabilities vary from Down's syndrome to cerebral palsy to other delays and challenges.
The congregation works to include them in the larger church family, too. Sometimes church members visit the class to lead a craft or share about their experiences, and sometimes class members participate in Sunday services with a skit or Scripture.
Both Breeden and Janzen say they and their congregations benefit as they include disabled adults. Both talk about a refreshing joy and honesty in their students and both say they've learned from their students.
'They have so much to give back to the congregation," Breeden says. "Our churches, our houses, are not full without those individuals." -Myra Holmes
Forming a circle of friends
Helping children integrate
Including children with special needs is what Jesus would want us to do, says Jenny Wall, director of children's ministry at First MB Church, Wichita, Kan. "In fact, God is the one who knit these children together," says Wall, "and while we don't understand why he allowed their challenges, we know that he does not make mistakes."
Wall, who began serving in children's ministry two years ago, became alert to children with special needs when two children in the congregation were diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. So First MB developed "Circle of Friends," a program with four components: a buddy system, curriculum activities, positive behavioral support and the Friendship Class.
Circle of Friends currently targets children birth through sixth grade, although Wall expects the program to expand as children grow older. Visits with parents help workers understand the needs of the children. Then, a volunteer is trained to be a 'buddy" to the child in their age-appropriate Sunday school classroom. If a child can't fit into the classroom with their buddy, the volunteer works with them oneon-one in a Friendship Class.
Wall says that knowing each child's specific needs has reduced negative behaviors. And the children connect with both adults and other children in positive ways. 'We have seen growth in each child we have
worked with," Wall says. 'We still have good and not-so-good days, but the good far outweigh the bad. This has been encouraging to the parents and a joy to those who work with the children." -Myra Holmes
Circle of Friends works with parents and adult volunteers to give special needs children at First MB Church a Sunday school experience appropriate for their skill level and abilities.
PHOTO CREDIT : FIRST MB CHUR CH
USC board approves budget
Church planting, publishing to minister with significant cuts
When the U.S. Conference (USC) Leadership Board met May 1-3 in Bakersfield, Calif., the nine board members and USC staff knew decisions made that weekend would significantly shrink the denomination's current church planting and publishing efforts
The 2008-09 fiscal year was projected to be a year of expansion, particularly in church planting. That growth was stunted by the painful decision to close three church plantsone in Oklahoma with the Southern District Conference and one in Washington and another in Oregon with the Pacific District Conference-and the global economic downturn The USC froze spending for the last three months of the fiscal year in an effort to end the year in the black.
Faced with an ongoing decline in church giving, the Leadership Board asked USC staff to prune conference expenses to match realistic projections for church contributions and staff fundraising. While the 2008-09 budget reflected a commitment to ministry groWth, the 2009-10 budget would balance faith and pragmatism and that meant cutting back to the tune of $200,000.
In March USC staff combed through the budget line-by-line and determined that a 48 percent reduction to the Christian Leader publishing lines and a 60 percent cut to the Mission USA progr\lm budget were the best options. So USC staff knew going in to the May board meeting what board member Mart Kolbert, Fresno, Calif., confirmed when he said, "The reality is that you will leave here with less money."
When Ed Boschman, USC executive director, presented the budget, he said, ''This budget says to the constituency that this is a realistic budget that honors what we think churches will actually give "
The 2009-10 budget is built on church contributions of $414,800, the lowest churchgiving budget since 2003 Additional fundraising is budgeted at $200,000, a 30 percent reduction over the 2008-09 fund-raising goal.
The Leadership Board approved a 200910 budget of $707,150. It includes a 15 percent reduction in administrative expenses and a modest budget for the national Board of Faith and Life. Financial support for Mennonite Brethren ministries-Direction journal, Historical Commission, International Community of Mennonite Brethren, Kindred Productions, Center for MB Studies, National Youth Commirtee and Ministry Quest- remain at current levels as does funding to support the denomination's participation in the National Association of Evangelicals, Mennonite Disaster Service, Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee.
Both MUSA director Don Motris and Christian Leader editor Connie Faber affirmed their willingness to work with reduced budgets . ''The reality is that we need to tum the flame down a bit for now, " said Motris They also expressed concern that the budget reductions have the potential to negatively impact the strength of their respective ministries
" We have created some momentum over the past four years," Morris wrote in his report to the board. "I believe now is the time to advance ."
Budget reduction could prompt a shifr in church planting philosophy, Morris said. "We started by saying we'd pour $24,000 or more into a church
plant," Morris told the board, cltmg the church plants in Colorado and South Dakota as examples of this strategy. " Do we shift that now? What model do we want to use? Is church planting and church health high on our priority list?"
Discussions made it clear that the Leadership Board does see church planting and church health as priorities "You should never have to ask the Leaders hip Board if we want to tum the flame down," said Brian Classen, board member from Papillon, Neb. 'We don't. We just might have only four sticks this year and next year well have six."
While the Leadership Board affirmed its commitment to strengthening the conference's communication efforts. budget realities mean the . Christian Leader will be published six rather than 12 times during the 2009 - 10 fiscal year. As part of an overall review of communi-
Leadership Board members Brian Classen , who serves as vice chair, and Kathy Isaac, who is the secretary, visi t during a break at the fall board meeting
cation, the Board asked USC staff to bring to the May meeting recommendation s regarding publishing in Spanish and Rus sian, enh ancing electronic communication and strategies for betrer reac hing younge r adults . The Board also reques ted a report on the Ch rist ian Leader editori al philosoph y Ed itor Faber provided the reports and a th ree-year strategy for introducing language and electronic publication s
Th e Leade rs hip Board deferred action on the publishi n g pl an, specifically the recommendation th at the CL re sume publishing as a monthly publication as funds are avail able. The board reque sted th at the staff do additional
reader research. At its October 2009 meeting the board will continue discussing a publishing strategy that includes print and electronic publish ing.
In order to build up the denomination 's relation ship with USC Slavic churches, the Leadership Board approved using $10, 000 from conference reserves to partner with another denominational agency to hire a minister to Slavic constituents and another $ 10, 000 to initiate a Russian language publication . The funds being tapped for thi s initiative are earma rked for ministry with immigrant congregations
In other bu sines s, the Leadership Board affirmed David Hardt as a new board member replacing Brad Barnes, di scussed the Mennonite Central Committee proposal regarding its restructuring and vision , approved revised bylaws from MB Foundation and Mennonite Health Servi ces and made adjustments to the pastors ' life in surance pl an.
The board appo inted Valerie Rempel to the Mennonite He alth Services Alli ance Board and to the Mennonite World Confe rence Faith and Life Commission and Winnie Bartel to the National Association of Evangelicals executive board. - Con nie Fab er
National boards .. ministry leaders meet
The Leadership Board gathering was the last in a series of four denom in ational meetings April 28 through May 3 that drew 4I Mennonite Breth ren national board and ministry leaders The five -day stretch of con secutive meetings, held in Fresno and Bakersfield. ' Calif., began wi th an informal one-day district ministers' gathering that was followed April 29 -30 by a national Board of Faith and Life meeting and April 30 to May I by the Leadership Summit, both held on the campus of Fresno Pacific University in Fresno
Board of Faith and Life
The Board of Faith and Life (BFL) reviewed progr&lon.seveMt projects, including updating a brochure series on Mennonite Wtel\ beliefs and contemporary issues and reviewing doc uments mlated to pastor credentialing. The nine-member BFL also worked on pJans for the 2010 National Pastors' Orientation, scheduled for April 19-)1, and dis"cussed the Memorandum of Understanding created in 2000 to theological work of the U.S. and Canadian Conferences foDoWIng the divestiture of the binational General Conference Board of Faith abctLi£e.
Under U S. Conference bylaws, adopted in 2.606, oversight to MB Biblical Seminary MBMS Intemationtd and Foundation in matters related to the Confession of Faith and a of informal meetings with each ofthe agencies are intende<t1tQ,explote hoW best oversight can take place. BFL began this series by hostini what chair Larry Nikkel of Hillsboro. Kan. , described as a «non-agenda" meeting with seminaty faculty "The link between BFL -aott the stink nary should be encouraging to the churches we serve." saidl.P1lk: MBBS board chair, thankin g Nikkel at the Leadel$hip S ing with faculty members about Concerns present in the Nikkel has repeatedly affirmed the wisdom of includUig ministers from the Central Pacific and S6uthern as members of the nation al BFL A by-product oftheir 'BFJ.. is the natural opportunity it creates for district ministers to mal fellowship and ministry coordination. as was the case on the
Tuesday before the April BFL meetings Ed Boschman. U S Conference executive director hosted the district ministers' gathering Leadership Summit
The Leadership Summit, introduced in 2004 annually brings together the chief executive officers and board chairs of all U.S. Mennonite Brethren ministries and district' conferences and the nine members of the U.S. Conference Leadership Board
While tbeo cotll{?Onents of Summit gatherings vary each year. a Standing feature and llighlight are the brief ministry updates from those 1'rus fear the national BF:L. MBMS International, MB :f9Phdation.. 'IabQr College, Fresno Pacific Uhiversity and the five <lisLatin America, NQrth Pqcific and SolJtbem---gave reports. Cotrtnton threads running through the reports and financial challenges.
' cal Seminary by interim president Lynn fost. ir faGk boaromember Steve Goossen and faculty membel' John extended ppdate on the seminary's pr6gress in pJan.
S\unmit participants discussed a proposal that denQminational ministries' collaborate to bire a bilingual staffpe,rsort to serve Slavic gn;tgations They discussed working cooperatively in leadership development aMaffumed the value of MiniStry Quest, a program iiUtiated by the grant funds that will expire in the next 12 to 18 months.
Summit participants gave feedback to a proposal from Mennonite 'as 1'0 what vision and smlcture should -guide the , peace, teliehmd service agency in the Ztst ceQ' nite wilL be among denominational CC'l\Oards tMf'Wi1Fgidtei'il) centTallUnsas.in June to$3ke actilln on e , The l..eadelSliip Sdiri'mit l.in:¢luded a brqad dtStussi6n health devotioUS' given by Btetl1leI). pastots Gladysb ana James Faber
The ANTI-AWARDS ceremony
Film festival's "over-the-top" fun has serious side
Beautiful people in tuxedos and finery spill out of limousines and stroll the red carpet toward the theater. Paparazzi scurry for the best angle. Emcees keep the ceremony moving with humor. Actors, filmmakers and directors view the films, hear the nominations and applaud one another. Some receive the coveted awards.
It's not the Oscars, the Golden Globes or the Tonys. It's the annual Kern Youth Network Christian Film Festival, held March 8 this year, featuring the finest creative filmmaking by Christian teens in the Bakersfield, Calif., area.
Joe Brown, youth pastor at Heritage Bible Church, a Mennonite Brethren congregation in Bakersfield, gets credit as founder and director of the festival. Brown was on the lookout for ways to reach out to teens and noticed a gap in opportunities in the creative arts. After consulting with other area youth pastors through the Kern Youth Network, a cooperative youth ministry, Brown hit on the idea of a film competitionwhat he calls "a mockery of the Academy Awards."
"Movies are just fun," Brown says. "I saw it as a good, relevant way to minister to kids, and it seemed like no one else was doing it."
The first festival featured just a few films at a local church, with local celebrities as guest speakers. It was enough of a hit that Brown thought it was worth trying another year. And another. And 15 years later, he's still at it.
Each participating youth group may submit up to three Io-minute films, and each film must be produced by a team of teens, not individuals. That, says Brown, is to encourage teamwork. "It's a great way for the kids to learn to work together," he says .
Teams work hard together. One Heritage Bible participant explains that the process for their film began in July, included shoots at 3:00 in the morning and lots of caffeine and required at least 100 hours of editing.
Fall workshops, initiated in 2006, give teen filmmakers opportunities to learn from industry professionals as they work on their films . Prescreening ensures that entries are wholesome and appropriate. Films are judged on spiritual statement as well as creativity, production quality and originality. Integration of a Christian worldview is essential, and the rules encourage entries that "bring into captivity every frame to the obedience of Christ." Judges include professional actors, producers and directors.
While Hollywood takes the various awards ceremonies quite seriously, Brown says, 'We go over the top to make fun." Organizers and teen filmmakers alike "put on the ritz and the flash" to poke fun-thus the red carpet and paparazzi. The festival's location, in an ornate historic theater boasting the largest screen in Kern County, adds credibility and "a level of Hollywood atmosphere," says Brown.
Sponsors, including Fresno Pacific University, the Mennonite Brethren-owned university based in Fresno, Calif., donate cash for prizes, which are awarded on giant-sized checks in odd amounts: $$43.21 for first place, $509.87 for second and $465.32 for third. That, too, spoofs Hollywood's "obsession with awarding themselves," as Brown says. Oscarlike trophies are awarded in categories such as best actor/actress, screenplay, directing, cinematography, editing and sound, among others.
Folks seem to enjoy the over-the-top fun of it all. This year's festival drew the largest crowd so far, with over 500 teen filmmakers, friends, family and fans attending.
A Heritage Bible Church team accepts their prize for their second place award in the Kern Youth Network Christian Film Festival.
But all the fun has a serious side. For some, the festival is a creative encouragement. For others, it's a spiritual encouragement. For still others, it's a springboard for influencing a not-alwayswholesome segment of American culture.
Brown's mantra is "encourage all." He says, "Some kids, for instance, that might not win anything, learn that it's not about the fame or the prizes. It's just doing a faithful job of expressing their creativity and keeping their faith. Hopefully we can encourage them toward that."
For the sake of encouragement, every nominated entry is recognized and applauded, win or lose. Even those teams that aren't nominated are told to ''keep trying."
Brown says, "God gifts people in creativity and sometimes it just needs to be kindled, fanned into flame. I'm hoping this will awaken an interest in a gifted area and maybe theyll just fly from there."
Although a single annual event has only a limited impact on spiritual growth, Brown sees signs that it contributes. He's noticed one team, for example, grow from pride in their award several years ago to humility and a deeper expression offaith this year.
He compares spiritual growth to building a wall, brick by brick. "Maybe this is just one of those bricks that helps them build their faith."
Brown hopes that the festival will be a springboard for positive influence in the film industry. "What if we could not only have an expression of creativity, but influence rather than be influenced?" Brown asks. "Hollywood has a tremendous influence on our whole society; why not see if we can pay them back a little, reverse the trend?"
One former participant and current festival judge now works for the major production company DreamWorks, where he boldly proclaims his faith . Others have gone on to careers in acting or film production with local companies, and Brown says they exemplify an uncompromising faith in a sometimes compromising industry.
For this year's festival, Heritage Bible youth entered two films, one produced by high school stu-
dents and one produced by junior high students . The high school students walked away with second place for their film, "At the End of Silence," as well as awards for best directors, best application of a biblical theme and best visual effects. The film, codirected by Hannah Brown and Patrick Snitchler, follows two friends, one a Christian and one not, who die at the end of the film. As they converse in the afterlife, the non-Christian confronts the Christian about missed oppottunities to share his faith: "Why did you never tell me?"
Hannah Brown says the team wanted to go beyond a cliche story about inviting a friend to youth group where he might accept Christ. 'We wanted to show the opposite story," she says.
The junior high entry, "Unheard," dealt with two teens, each faced with the choice to ignore the needs around them or to help. Although their film didn't win an award, the festival's goal to "encourage all" seems to be working; already the students are generating ideas for next year's festival.
Hannah Brown says the festival has encouraged her to share her faith in creative ways. She says, "The movies shown may be the only way one person in the audience will hear the gospel, and if we can get that message across and perhaps help someone come to know Christ, then we have been the tools God has used to bring one more person into his family."
Hannah has been involved in the festival for about 10 years, first as a trophy girl, then as a filmmaker, but she won't be back next year. Instead, she11 be at college preparing for a career in the film industry. "I will be taught not only how to make professional films, but also how to share my faith through the films and my life once I enter the working world, perhaps even Hollywood," she says.
Maybe, just maybe, Hollywood will learn a thing or two as a result of this "over-the-top" spoof after all - Myra Holmes
To view 2009 entries from Heritage Bible and to follow plans for next years Christian Youth Film Festival, visit www usmb orglchristian -leader.
Santa Clara church closes
SmaLL church makes big impact in children's lives around the world
El Camino Bible Church, Santa Clara, Calif., held its final service April 12, just one day short of its 51st birthday. The congregation had slowly but steadily declined in attendance to only 18-22 people 'We couldn't keep going without any new people," says church secretary Betty Funk.
El Camino began as a Sunday school in the home of Booth and Margaret Kugler in May 1953 and broke ground on their sanctuary four years later in May 1957.
In the early years ofthe church's history, the congregation was known for outreach to neighborhood children through summer vacation Bible school. Ministry to children and families was expanded through Noah's Ark Preschool, founded in 1972. Noah's Ark will continue to operate on the premises until mid -20IO.
The church was also known for faithfulness in giving to the larger Mennonite Brethren family. "El Camino was a very faithful conference church, contributing to Mennonite Brethren ministries generously and consistently throughout their history," says Gary Wall, district minister for the Pacific District Conference.
Wall adds that a love for one another and for those in need "was part of their DNA." One shining example of the congregation's love for those in need and their heart for mission was their participation in making school kits, which were distributed to children around the world by Mennonite Central Committee, the peace, relief and service agency of North American Mennonites. Even as the congregation processed the decision to close the church , their com-
Mennonilte
July 15 abel 16, 2009 (1- 4:30 p m ) At lhe Hospital of Fundaci6n "VISION"
Fernando de fa Mora, Paraguay Ilrovided from Assembly Site for Assembly partidpants)
Reg/IIra1IOn and cGriIac:ts -
Email: mecficas.menonitas@gmaJl.com
Dr Wilhelm SChrOder + (595) 981 275382
Dc. WesleySdlmidt t (595) 971 227855
Dc. CarIo$ WI8l1$ + (595) 991 761755
FIIIe for A15 MWC Assembly partiGipanIs nIqUeSIed
mitment to the school children of the world ran strong; El Camino gave 1,000 school kits in their final year.
The gift of school kits to MCC is a long-time tradition at El Camino. Every year since 1997, the congregation has pooled their energies and resources for the project: sewing cloth bags, searching out bargains on the supplies and mobilizing young and old for the task of packing the kits
The congregation was inspired in the project by the story of member Anna Franz. As a child Franz had been a refugee in Germany and received a school kit from MCC. Her memory of the thrill of having paper and a pencil of her very own gave members a vivid picture of the difference they could make in a child's life.
The 1,000 kits they made this year was no anomaly. In recent years the small congregation had produced between 700 and 1,000 kits annu ally. Over the years they have made kits for 6,435 children.
'This little church put together more kits than any other church in our region last year. And when you think about it per member it is far more - it comes to about 40 kits per person," says Arnold Baron, M CC material resources supervisor.
Making the kit bags has been a yearround project for several members. One elderly member, Marion Snedaker, used to pick up fabric for a dozen kits every Sunday and return the following Sunday with the completed bags.
Marcella Claassen has also spent a lot of time sewing bags. Her husband, Eldon, threads the drawstrings . As Marcella sews she thinks about the children who will receive these kits . "I like to pretend there's a child across the table from me, watching with their big eyes," she says.
The annual school kit project has been a rallying point for this struggling congregation. As church secretary Funk notes, "It's one thing a little small church can do "Kathy Heinrichs Wiest for West Coast MCC with CL staff
Confused consumer Christians
How rethinking the medium can clarify our message
l1lil1li
How was church today?" Surely I've been asked it a million times and have asked it my fair share as well. But the more I learn about the nature and mission of the church, the more this question rubs me the wrong way.
It assumes that church is an event with a beginning and end, something that happens on a weekly basis . It presumes that the quality of church can be determined based on the quality of music, preaching or teaching.
Even more disturbing is that this question comes from a consumer mind-set. We have become consumers, showing up on Sundays to fill up on the smorgasbord of religious goods and services and going home only to forget that church can't possibly be over, since we are the church. Deep down we really know that the
communication creates a symbiotic relationship that determines how the message is received. So when it comes to the church, the way we «do church" communicates as much about what we believe about the church as does what we say.
If McLuhan is correct, then we have to ask ourselves what we are implicitly communicating to those inside and outside our churches. For example, what does it communicate when we bicker about building projects or worry about worship style? Could it be that the medium - the Sunday morning worship service and all its trappings-has caused us to become consumers, ultimately changing the message that we think we are communicating?
Through many of our worship services and programs, we are subtly communicating that it's really all about what happens
o \Ve have hecor1'1<': COll-:;umcrs. ..;howing Lip on Sundays to fil1 up on th e smorga 'l bord 01 religiolls good.;; .md and go ing home on ly t o forge t that c h urch can't possibly be ()\ cr, since we
arc the
chur ch .
church isn't an event or a building or an institution. But for some reason we have such a hard time living or talking as though the church is actually a people, a community.
Acts 2:42-47 is a passage that communicates a clear understanding of the church as a people who are devoted to Jesus and do life together, often in similar ways to how we «do church" today. The most surprising part of this passage is that this community is a highly inclusive one with a singular and specific focus. The verses that frame this passage (w. 41, 47) speak of the evangelistic efforts of the church. The sole reason for the different functions of the church is showing and telling people about Jesus.
The Great Commandment and the Great Commission give us plenty of reason to believe that calling the world to repentance and to relationship with Jesus is the primary function of the church. Our Confession of Faith (Article 7) communicates this clearly: «Christ commands the church to make disciples of all nations by calling people to repent, and by baptizing and teaching them to obey Jesus. Jesus teaches that disciples are to love God and neighbor by telling the good news and by doing acts of love and compassion."
Still, when we look at our churches it doesn't look as though this is our mission. Why is this? It could be the medium
Marshall McLuhan, a famous communication and popular culture theorist during the first half of the 20th century, coined the phrase «the medium is the message" that says the medium used in
inside the walls. «How was church today?" is a result of the decades-old medium communicating that each Christian is a consumer who comes to church to get something.
The church is not a building or a program or even a worship service. The. church is a community centered upon the person and work of Jesus. This community exists to love, serve and equip each other, so that they might go out into the world, continuing to take God's kingdom to a world in need. Ultimately, the church exists for a singular purpose-to show Jesus to the world and tell the world about Jesus.
So what do we do to change our message? The key is to stop talking about numbers, to step outside the doors of the church building. Our friends at Trailhead Church in Denver, Colo., recognize this and have changed the medium. Every second Sunday they forego a traditional worship gathering and choose to be the church by loving and serving the community.
If the medium is the message, I believe that Trailhead is communicating the mission of the church and message of Jesus crystal clear. This month may we look at our own churches, checking to see if we are creating consumers or servants. May we check our medium and make sure that our message is crystal clear.
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It's a God thing
God has a way of changing our plans
The only. to has the last 16 months in my hfe IS to say It IS a God thmg . It all started a year ago January when I learned that my aunt, in her mid 80S, is dealing with a progressive dementia. So I decided to visit her while she still knew who I was. So I spent a week in British Columbia, visiting her every day. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and myagenda was fulfilled.
God, however, had another plan. While in British Columbia I also visited my siblings and one day overheard my brother, Walt, talk about a ministry trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. My husband, who grew up as a missionary kid in DR Congo, often talks about going back to visit So I asked Walt about his trip and soon knew I had to explore further
Walt arranged for me to visit with Murray Nickel, a medical doctor who is the MBMS International representative for DR Congo, and MBMSI staff member Jam ie Munday. With this additional information, my husband and I deci ded to join a trip-he to visit his Congo roots and I to go along for the ride. That's what I thought, but God had other plans.
When Dr. Murray learned that I had been an educator for many years and had led numerous teacher in-service programs, he suggested that I participate in a teacher education conference in Tembo, a
After we came home , we contacted Pakisa Tshimika, a Congolese now living in Fresno, Calif., who we knew was planning to fill and ship a container of school supplies to Congo. My husband and I arranged to have lunch with him when he visited relatives in
o \\ ' ilh inlorm.ltioll, my IUI ';.h ,md j decided to join J trip- - he to his Congo 1'00(:., 1 to go for the ride. But God h.ld OTh e r pLm'J .
Congolese town on the Angola border There are a significant number of Mennonite Brethren living in the area who sponsor one high school and 28 elementary schools. I agreed to give it a try.
I would be one of three pre senters at a three-day conference; the other two would be Congolese . I was asked to prepare for six hours of workshops with 15 participants in each session I wasn't sure exactly what to plan for, but I knew that I would not have access to electricity. Conflicting e-mails and phone calls from several sources left me in a fog. In frustration, I told the Lord I had no idea what to plan for and how to pack but that he knew. "Help me pack what I need," I prayed . When I got to Tembo, I learned there was a change in plans. Since I had come such a long way, I would be the only presenter I went from six hours of presentations to 16 hours in one minute! Thankfully, years of experience have taught me to improvise and adapt. Even without electricity and with 55 participants, we had a successful conference. In the end I actually had three activities 'left over."
The Lord had helped me pa ck and prepare for the unknown!
Kansas. My agenda was to see if I could arrange to send stuff in that container for the schools in the Tembo area.
That was my agenda, but the Lord had another one. Dr. Pakisa knew of our education program in Tembo and wanted to know more about it. After an extended cronversation, he invited me to be part of an upcoming education corlterence planned for Kinshasa where delegates from three Congo Mennonite Conferen ce s would explore ways to improve the educational programs in their schools.
In the middle of all the se events another "God th ing" happened I am a retired schoolteacher who has no intentions of go ing back to work. Last June the local school district asked if I was willing to work half-time this school year as a math coach in one of the elementary schools. My weekly schedule could be flexible, as long as I worked the number of days my contract specified. Amazingly, this experience has given me a refresher course in current educational practice and is providing the money needed to pay for the trips to the Congo. I could not have made all these arrangements on my own
And so as I write this I'm wondering : What is the next "God thing" going to be?
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... new church plants transform communities.
Thank you for helping Mission USA plant churches, where broken people are finding wholeness in Jesus and are being baptized as his followers. Like ripples on a pond ... new churches change communities .
BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP
Wichita, Kan. (First)-Sam Brucks and Jake Brucks were baptized and received as members May 3. Rebecca Wuthrich was also received as a member
Bakersfield, Calif. (Rosedale)-Cory Gannon , Cody Davis and Rachel Ware were baptized May 3 Rick and Carolyn Barton. Bob and Karen Funk Randy and Lena McMahan, Robby and Amy Shuck, Michael and Michelle Shepherd , Troy and Karen Smith, Keith and Helen Spurlock and Guy and Patty Toone were received as members. Shannon Martinez was baptized Jan 25 and Paul. Gina , Sasha and Spencer Barnett ; Robert and Jenny Dick; Shannon Martinez ; Roger and Sheryle Saunders; and Jeramie and Julie Voss were received as new members
Topeka, Kan (Cornerstonel - Spencer Neill and Diane Neill were baptized April 26 and Shelby Pritchett was baptized March 29 Clay Graber, Cole Graber, Stetson Graber, Dalton Graber, Alex Neufeld, Kassi Simone, Gabriella Adams, Amanda Hiebert and Jesse Hiebert were baptized and rece ived as members March 29.
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acres)-William Hawkins was baptized April 26 Ethan Nikkel, Reagan Nikkel and Raja Matthews were bapt ized March 29 Jay Penner was baptized March 15.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen)-Adalia Luevanos was baptized the weekend of April 18-19 Michaela Dobbs was baptized the weekend of March 21-22.
Fresno, Calif. (North Fresnol-Rogelio Valenzuela , Regis Cumbry, Allan Derfelt, Jason Dickie, Danae Dubberke, Taylor Fulfer, Carlos Guerra, Heather McGill, Rachel Quiring, Lauren Ray, LaToya Rowe and Lala Sabala were baptized and received as members April 12
Reedley, Calif.-Eliu Baltazar, Sarvia Baltazar, Brennan Gilmore , Catherine Obrero, Patricia Obrero, Chad Balakian, Megan Cornel. Steven Harms, Loren Miller, Heather Ritschel, Kinsey Suderman and Robby Suderman were baptized and received as members Apr il 12 Jim and Pam Gilmore, Arpha Macintyre, ELRoy and Erma Ratzlaff and Dan and Vi Suderman were received as members.
Fresno, Calif (Butler)-Lamphom Chareunmuan, Thoom Khoutsavanh and Lisa Lumeya were baptized April 12. Abe and Arlene Klassen were welcomed as members.
Centennial, Colo (Trailhead) - Brad and Cara Hicks, Gerry Goldy, Tana LeCavalier and George LeCavalie r were baptized April 12
Kingsburg, Calif. - Jason Kopper and Jeremy Kuhn were baptized April 12 and rece ived as members April 19 Darren and Shahna Duerk sen were received as members April 19
Bakersfield, Calif. (The Bridge)- Tara deMontmorency, Kaylee Rundle, Grant Sisco, Jeff Katz and Wendy Katz were baptized April 5 Donna Borntreger, Tara deMontmorency, Grant Sisco, Terry and Anita Peters, Christopher Digirolamo , Kacie Peters, Charles and Jill Blackburn, Ron and Sue Braman, Kurt and Alisha Thompson, Brent and Lanelle Bennett and David and Dorothy Sullivan were received as members April 19
Lodi, Calif IVinewood)-Russell and Amber Evans were baptized and received as members April 5 Cassandra Webb and Helen DeGroot - Herrgesell were rece ived as members.
Dinuba, Calif.-Alicia Alvarado, David Beckenhauer, Cody Coats, Aneesha Isaac, Hank Isaak, Erin Islas, Katie Morgan, Elijah Smith, Cass ie Unruh and Pete Yrigollen were baptized and received as members March 29 Ryan and Shannon Coats, Stephen Schultz and Martin Tovar were received as members.
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lake)-David and Kim Beasley, Brian and Sharon Hanson, Steve and Vickie Jackson, Mick and Jenn Johannes, Jim and Lisa LaPierre, Scott and Cassie Lester, Paul and Kristen Mellon, Gavin and Tracie Sis, Jason and Heather Sjodin, Ron and Gina Spencer, Allen and Becky Stoye, Chuck and Judy Whitlock and Pete and Karen Young were received as members in March
Sanger, Calif. (Iglesia La Roca)-Noemi Alvarado, J. Isaias Ceballos, Martin Ambriz Jr • Stacey Alvarado, Jose Melendez and Samantha Ceballos were baptized and received as members March 8.
EASTER EVENTS
Tulsa, Okla (The Heart)-During "Soul Revoluation : ' a 40-day Lent preparation , members were encouraged to connect with God every 60 minutes. Timers were given away as reminders. Weatherford, Okla (Pine Acresl - Some 172 volunteers worked to produce an Easter pass ion play; approximately 1,400 people attended the two performances
Olathe, Kan. (Community Bible)-An Easter sunrise "walking tour" at a local lake and park highlighted the disciples' experience at Calvary, Galilee and the empty tomb
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View)-Nine people made comm itments to Christ on Easter Sunday The Good Friday service April 10 was held over the lunch hour
Lodi, Calif. IVinewood)-A speaker from Jews For Jesus showed the link between Old Testament Passover and the sacrifice of Christ. Activities for children were also provided
Fresno, Calif. (North Fresno)-Easter Sunday included an "Easter path " with interactive stations to help children.
Enid, Okla -In order to be free from distraction and to symbol ize a " blank piece of pape r " on which God can write his will, all color and decoration was removed from the sanctuary during Lent.
Minot, ND (Bible Fellowship)- The congregation experienced a Seder Passover meal March 22 as part of a presentation on "Jesus in the Passover: ' Newton, Kan. (Koerner Heights)-A potluck Easter brunch was served between the two worship services and the services featured 'Who Is Jesus, " a presentation including choir, praise team and dramat ic monologues
Capitola, Calif (Shorelife)-Easter preparation included a Good Friday prayer labyrinth.
Clovis, Calif. (College Community)-Four Parish Groups held Easter brunches and the Easter serv ice included a "flowering of the cross: ' in which congregants pinned flowers on a cross.
Ferndale, Wash. (Good News)- The church hosted a community egg hunt and hot dog picniC April 11.
Blaine, Wash. (Birch Bayl-A sunrise service was held on the property on wh ich the congregation is building its new facility
Grant, Neb. (New Lifel-Easter service included a drama, "The Empty Tomb ," and a choir presentation Littleton, Colo. (Belleview)- The congregation held a round-the-clock prayer vigil in preparation for Easter Huron, SD (Bethesda)- The Easter service included "The Hallelujah Chorus: '
CELEBRATIONS
Fresno, Calif (Mountain View)- The congregation celebrated its 15-year anniversary May 3 with a Sunday noon meal and bounce house and obstacle course for kids.
Sanger, Calif llglesia La Roca)- The bi li ngual congregation celebrated its seventh anniversary March 8. Six people were bapt ized and February birthdays were honored. Elbio Carballo preached on "Bearing fruit that will remain "
WORKERS
Reedley, Calif.-Randy Janzen has accepted a call as the new pastor of music and worship.
Edmond, Okla. (Memorial Road)-Brian Wahl has resigned as youth pastor, effective later this summer Harvey, ND-Oliver Bender is serv ing as interim pasto r.
Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstonel - A commissioning service was held May 3 for Joe Faul, interim youth pastor His interim position has been extended through Jan 31,2010
Ulysses, Kan.-John Ail has accepted the call as pastor. His wife is Tara
Wichita, Kan.(Lighthouse)-Jerry Willhite has moved from part - time to full-time pastor.
Hillsboro, Kan.(Parkview)- John Reg ier has resigned as youth pastor to become director of a local ministry Yale, SD (Bethell-Jeremiah and Amanda Betron have been called as the new pastoral couple, beginning May 24
Inman, Kan.(Zoar)-Dwight Carter assumed the position of senior pastor April 1. He had been serving as associate pastor An installation service for Carter and his wife, Jennifer. was held April 26
YOUTH
Bakersfield, Calif. (Rosedale Bible)-High school youth participated in their version of "The Amazing Race " May 8-10
Hillsboro, Kan. (Parkview)- Two students won cash for the youth group in the MB Foundation's "Giving Meaning to Money" contest. The contest invited youth to flesh out the meaning of stewardship in artistic ways for a chance to win cash for their youth group. Jon Wiebe, president and CEO of MB Foundation, was present March 29 to award David Loewen first place for his ink drawing and Michael Klassen third place for a computer-generated poster
Enid, Okla.-Youth participated in an " Urban Plunge" experience in Wichita, Kan., March 13-15 Tulsa, Okla. (The Heart)- The youth group was awarded second place in the MB Foundation's Giving Meaning to Money contest. The contest invited youth to flesh out the meaning of stewardship in artistic ways for a chance to win cash for their youth group. The youth group 's winning entry was a videotaped skit. Jon Wiebe, pres ident and CEO of MB Foundation. presented their award March 1.
DEATHS
BARCUS, BILL. Fresno, Calif member of North Fresno MB Church. was born Sept. 15. 1916. and died April 14. 2009. at the age of 92 On Nov 2, 1957. he married Anne. who predeceased him Oct. 29. 2008 He is survived by four daughters, Kathryn and husband James Lequieu, Wilma and husband Corky Hansen. Bobbi Hufferd and Judi Rivet, all of Fresno; one sister. Marjorie West. nine grandch ildren and 13 greatgrandchildren
BEIER, ALMA HIEBERT, Fresno. Calif • was born Dec, 5,19 11. to N.N and Susie Hiebert in Mountain Lake. Minn • and died March 9. 2009. at the age of 97 On May 1, 1936, she married Ha r ry Beier. who predeceased her. She is survived by one son, Harry Jr.; three daughte rs. Darlene Harms , Celeste Fox, and Florence Tomei ;
one brother. Waldo Heibert. 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren ,
BERG, LYDIA, Reedley. Calif.• member of Reedley MB Church. was born Dec. 30. 1915. to John P. and Amanda Funk Baltzer near Hillsboro. Kan • and died March 4. 2009. at the age of 93. On June 2. 1938. she married Alfred Berg. who survives. She is also survived by one son. Alfred and wife Janet Berg of Seattle. Wash ; three daughters. Paula and husband Larry Warkentin of Fresno. Calif, Karen and husband Lorin Neufeld of Clovis. Calif.• and Thomasine and husband James Anderson of Westwood. Mass.; one brother. Jona Baltzer of Hillsboro; one sister. Orpha Klassen of Reedley. seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren ,
DRAGE, DENNIS. Enid. Okla .• member of Enid MB Church. was born Aug. 12. 1948. to Elmer and Caroline Jantz Drage in Enid and died March 26. 2009. at the age of 60. He is survived by one brother. Ronnie and wife Rose of Spencerville. Ohio; one sister. Elizabeth Stevens of Enid. one nephew and one niece , DYCK, ARTHUR H.• Corn. Okla .• member of Corn MB Church. was born Nov. 15. 1925. to Henry and Agnes Dyck in Colony Okla,. and died Jan 27. 2009. at the age of 83 On March 17. 1957. he married Katherine Nusz. who survives. He is also survived by two sons. Kenny and wife Bonnie of Corn. and Howard and wife Deborah of Thomas. Okla,; one daughter. Barbara and husband Patrick Fitzgerald of Simi Valley. Calif.; two brothers. Lloyd of Edmond. Okla.. and Barney of Weatherford. Okla ,; one sister. El Lena Showalter of Thomas. Okla.• and 10 grandchildren.
EITZEN, NORMA JEAN, Fairview. Okla .• of Fairview MB Church. was born Nov, 16. 1926. to AW, and Eva Just Epp in Hillsboro. Kan .• and died March 23. 2009. at the age of 82. On March 3. 1946 she married Kenneth Eitzen. who survives, She is also survived by two daughters. Marilyn and husband Don Ratzlaff of Hillsboro. and Jeanette and husband John Glasgow of Altus. Okla,; one brother. Joel Epp of Henderson. Neb ; one sister. Betty Wichert of Fairview. nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
FRIESEN, LELAND "LEE" FRANK. Bethany. Okla .• member of Memorial Road MB Church. Edmond. Okla .• was born Nov. 1. 1933. to Herman and Maria Friesen near Hooker. Okla .• and died March 17,2009. at the age of 75. On July 18.1959. he married Alforetta " Freddie " Friesen. who survives, He is also survived by one son. Bob and wife Sherry of Lindale. Texas ; two daughters. Kathy Friesen of Parachute Colo • and Sandra and husband John Bonham of Perry. Okla ; one sister. Leona and husband Dave Schroeder of Liberal. Kan ; sister-in -law Lela Friesen and brother -in-law William Schroeder. both of Adams. Okla .• and four grandchildren
HEINRICHS, ESTHER. Enid. Okla., member of Enid MB Church , was born June 27, 1918, to Henry and Lizzy Rempel Franz in Buhler. Kan • and died April 1. 2009. at the age of 90 She married Henry Heinrichs, who predeceased her Dec 9. 1983. She is survived by one son. Ron and wife Faith of Hot Springs Village. Ark .; three daughters. LaVida and husband Stan Martens of Tulsa. Okla .• Jodie and husband Greg Marriott of Okmulgee. Okla and Carla and Dee Ricketts of Watauga. Texas. six grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren
HEINRICHS, VIRGINIA ROSE, Ulysses. Kan • member of Ulysses MB Church. was born Feb 4.1924. to Peter and Rose Galusha Barkman in Lehigh. Kan and died April 17. 2009. at the age of 85 On Aug. 1. 1943. she married Abe Heinrichs. who predeceased her in 2006. She is survived by five sons. Roger of Aurora. Colo , Ralph of Wichita. Kan , Jack of Emporia. Kan., Robert of Ulysses. and Phillip of Hillsboro, Ore .; two daughters. Rosann Carter of Ulysses and Cindy Harris of McPherson, Kan .; one sister. Vicki Barkman of Dinuba. Calif.• 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
HINZ, ELSIE. Corn, Okla member of Corn MB Church. was born Jan 2. 1913, to Henry and Christina Merk Fransen in Corn and died April 6, 2009, at the age of 96 In January 1932. she married Alvin C Hinz. who predeceased her in 1994 She is survived by two daughters. Geneva and husband Roger Siemens of Houston. Texas. and Jackie and husband Darrel Bartel of Corn; one son-in-law, Jimmy Belding of Hobart, Okla ; two sisters-in -law, Yvonne Fransen of Arapaho. Okla • and Helen Hinz of Reedley. Calif.• nine grandchildren. 11 great-grandchildren and six greatgreat-grandchildren.
ISAAK, MARGARET. Reedley. Calif., member of Dinuba ICalif J MB Church. was born June 21, 1932, to Abram and Sara Duerksen Funk in Peace River, Alta , and died April 17. 2009. at the age of 76. On Oct. 16. 1955. she married Johnnie Isaak. who survives She is also survived by three sons. Steve and wife Elaine of Reedley. Jody Shelby and wife Debbie of Visalia, Calif., and Lloyd of Selma. Calif ; two daughters Sharron and husband Jem Sentman of Fresno. Calif.• and Shirley and husband Ronnie Arias of Reedley; four sisters. Erna Wiebe. Vera and husband Art Kroeker, Lydia Cramer. and Ann Burrows. and six grandchildren.
JANZEN, GOLDIE SUSAN, Fresno. Calif , of Bethany MB Church. Fresno, was born Nov. 6, 1910. to Jacob land Susie Sawatzsky Claassen in Meade, Kan., and died March 15. 2009. at the age of 98. On Dec 28.1959. she married Frank Janzen, who prede ceased her in 1981. She is survived by two sons. Donovan and wife Irene of North Newton , Kan .• and Joel and wife Lu cille of Tacoma. Wash .; one daughter, Ruby and husband Carl Derksen of LaCanada, Calif.; one daughter-in -
law, Shirley Janzen of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; one sister. Virginia of McPherson, Kan., 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandson.
JANTZ, CLAUDE, Enid, Okla , me mbe r of New Hopedale MB Church, Me no. Okla., was bo rn Dec 9, 1922, to Dan C. and Mary Johnson Jantz, and died March 5, 2009, at the age of 86. On June 30, 1943, he married Vivian Sm ith, who survives He is also surv ived by three ch ildren, Claudia Crabtree and Chris Jantz, both of Enid, and Tom Jantz of Edmond, Okla ; five sisters, Verna Reg ier, Josephine Babb Carol Schmidt, Vera Nickel and Donna Wesse l s nin e grandc hil dre n and 14 great-grandchi l dren
JANTZEN, ALICE. Ringwood Okla member of New Hopedale MB Ch urc h Me no. Ok la was born Se pt. 9, 1916, to Emi l and Minn ie Schroeder Bartel and died April 7, 2009. at t he age of 92 On Sept. 22 1940. she married Lloyd Jantzen. She IS surv ived by fo ur so ns. Ron. Jay, Max and Galen; one daughter. Margie Landrum; one sister Maryan n Buller. nin e grandchi ldren and 10 great-gra ndchi l dre n.
JOHNSON, TED. Fresno, Ca lif , member of North Fresno MB Church. was born Feb 22, 1918, to Ray and Della Ka iser Johnson in Spencer Iowa. and died May 3, 2009, at t he age of 91. He married Bette Johnson. who predeceased him in 1968 He is survived by one son. Neal and wife Karen of Alta Loma. Calif.; one daughter, Carol and husband Ron Jones of Fresno. and several grandchildren and great-grandch ildren.
JOST, RUBENA LOEWEN, Hillsboro Kan member of Ebenfeld MB Church. Hillsboro, was born Aug. 14. 1916. to Isaac and Agnes Cornelsen Loewen in Collinsville. Okla and died Apr il 19, 2009, at the age of 92. On Feb. 10, 1943, she married Francis Jost, who predeceased her in 1997 She is survived by one son, Larry and wife Sherry of Peabody, Kan ; one daughter, Sylvia King of Belmont, Calif.; one sister, Adena Fei l of Vista, Calif, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
KLIEWER, RACHEL MARIE, Fresno, Calif., was born Jan. 4, 1929, to George and Marie Koop Willems in Inman, Kan., and died Feb. 10, 2009, at the age of 80. On Aug 8, 1953, she married Ron Kliewer, who predeceased her in March 2007. She is survived by one son, Douglas and wife Hope; one daughter, Colleen and husband Ron Flickinger; three brothers, Jim, Harold and Paul; three sisters, Pat, Lois and Joan, and th ree grandchildren.
LEPPKE, IDA, Corn, Okla., of Corn MB Ch urch, was born Jan. 15, 1933, to Archie and Elizabet h Schalla Kirkpatrick in Breckinridge, Okla , and died April 11, 2009, at the age of 76. On May 23, 1958, she married Harry Leppke, who survives. She is also surv ived by three sons, Larry and wife Alayna of Cordell, Okla., Marvin and wife Treva of Moore, Okla., and Richard of Mustang, Okla.; three sisters, Frances Truman, Mary Ann Bese and Sylvia and husband Lawrence Clark, all of Enid, Okla., and seven grandchildren
MONCADA, MANUEL, Reedley, Ca if., member of Reedley MB Church, was born Dec. 7, 1959, to Mateo and Eva Moncada in Dinuba, Cali f., and died June 13, 2008, at the age of 48. He is survived by his parents; four sons, Manuel Jr., Jeremy, Eric and John Michael; two daughters, Jessica and Melissa; two brothers, Joe and Rene; three sisters, Rosalie, Alv ina and Cynth ia. and one grandson
PENNER, KENNETH LYLE, Reedley, Calif., of Reedley
MB Church , was born May 16, 1942, to Menno and Lillian Penner and died March 12, 2009, at the age of 66. He is survived by his wife, Georgia; one son, John and wife Tricia; two daughters, Loraine and husband Mike Schellenberg, and Barbara and husband Steve Just; one brother, Bruce and wife Diana; one sister, Darlene and husband Verne Siemens; mother-in-law, Verna and husband Clifford Wright ; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn and husband Don Pitman and Grace Prieb, and 11 grandchildren
SAWATZKY, GOLDIE, Corn, Okla , of Corn MB Church , was born Dec 6, 1918, to Frank and Anna Kliewer Hiebert near Colony, Okla., On June 10, 1943, she marri ed Ike Sawatzky who predeceased her She is survived by one son, Jerry and wife Joyce of Perryton, Texas ; one daughter, Velma and husband Willard Heinrichs of Corn; one sibling, Edna Karber five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
SIMMONS, BErn JEAN, Reedley, Calif., member of Reedley MB Church, was born Nov. 19, 1925, to Abe and Lena Pauls in Reedley and died March 7, 2009, at the age of 83 In 1946, she married Julian L. Simmons, who predeceased her. She is survived by one son, William and wife Valerie of Tacoma, Wash ; one daughter, Carol and husband Bill Goerzen of Dinuba, Calif.; one sister, Doris and husband Vernon Buller of Reedley, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
SMITH, JANE E., Corn, Okla., member of Corn MB Church, was born April 28; 1919, to Harry and Flora Witt Thornhill in Decatur, Ala and died Feb. 20, 2009, at the age of 89 . In 1939, she married Walls Earldon Lane In 1947, she married S. Howard Smith. She is survived by three daughters, Vi rginia Nicholson, Hartselle, Ala , Judy Reimer, Corn, and Frances Jones, Tulsa , Okla., seven grandchildren and several greatgrandchildren
THIESSEN, HULDA BANMAN, Buhler, Kan , member of Buhler MB Church, was born Jan. 13, 1925, to Frank W. and Mary Flaming Banman in Marion County, Kan., and died April 2, 2009, at the age of 83. On June 13, 1987. she married Henry Th iessen, who predeceased her Aug. 10, 1996. She is survi ved by two stepsons, LeRoy and wife Lorene, and Robert and wife Frances, both of Buhler; one brother, Marvin and wife Elma of Goessel, Kan , two brothers- in-la w, Rudy Voth of Goessel and Albert Schmidt and wife Alice of Hesston, Kan., five step -grandchildren, 13 step great -grandchildren.
TOY, EVELYN LOIS. Reedley, Calif., member of Neighborhood MB Church, Visalia, Calif., was born March 31 , 1925, to Cornelius and Anna Brandt in Reedley and died April 14, 2009, at the age of 84. On July 10, 1948, she married Fred Toy, who predeceased her She is survived by one son , Tim and wife Deeahn; one daughter, Lois; two sisters, Eunice and husband Elmer Friesen, and Mildred Warkentin, and five grandchildren
Versatile church leader Dan Neufeld dies
Mennonite Brethren teacher, leader and church planter Dan Neufeld, Kingsburg, Calif.• died March 7 at the age of 91 . Neufeld and his wife, Gladys, served the national Mennonite Brethren family in the 19805 as director of the Christian Service Program, a ministry through which volunteers supported the work of the church in various assignments and locations. The couple traveled widely as they recruited young people for the program and provided guidance for volunteers
But. as his children phrase it. "One job was never enough " Neufeld was also active as a teacher, church planter and church leader, sometimes simultaneously. Educated as a teacher, he taught at a variety of schools, among them Tabor College, the Mennonite Brethren h"beral arts college located in Hillsboro, Kan., and Immanuel High School, a Reedley. Calif., high school founded by Mennonite Brethren Meanwhile, the couple helped plant at
least three Mennonite Brethren congregations . Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church-aru;! Neighborhood Church. Visalia, Calif.• are lasting fruit of those efforts.
In addition, Neufeld served as director of Hartland Christian Camp, a Mennonite Brethren-related ' camp jn California, as a member and leader on the Pacific Djstrict Conference's Board of Home Missions and as a worker for Mennonite Central Committee in Reedley. Calif
Daniel Arnold Neufeld was born Nov 19. 1917, to Arthur and Elizabeth Thiesen Neufeld near Reedley. Calif. He married Gladys Willems in 1941; she survives He is also survived by one son Paul and wife Judy of Wasco, Calif.; three daughters, Christine and husband Sam Wall of Madera, Calif.• Joyce and husband Bill Braun of Clovi s, Calif.. and Phyllis HetsChberger of Fresno, Calif , four grandchfldren and nine great-grandchildren
Lead, follow or what?
Reflections from an experienced follower, leader
There is a common saying that goes, "Lead, follow or get out of the way. " 1bat means you should lead if you can, but if yo u can't then follow the leader. But don't be a stick-in-the-mud w ho stands around and grumbles. Move it along or move it out, dude, you're slowing everyone down!
When it comes to leading, following or getting out of the way, I can tell you what I prefer to do. Get out of the way. Whoops, I'm not supposed to admit that, right? I should try to be a dedicated leader or a cooperative follower. Mostly I've been both. I've led a lot of things and followed others who have led But lately I've wondered if it's worth the effort. In these flakey, faddish times, getting out of the way actually sounds pretty good.
These are tough times for leaders and followers. If you want to be a leader, you'd better get ready for the barrage of passive resistance and outright criticism Criticism has become so popular in our culture that it's created an entire literary genre known as blogging. Anyone who enters even the slightest wedge of limelight becomes a target for cheap shots and rotten tomatoes. It's a wonder that anyone wants to be a leader these days, with all the negativity and nitpicking it attracts.
Following isn't much easier. For one thing, what do you follow? There are th ousands of possibilities. There's a new craze called Twitter, for instance , where people write mini -blogs about the breathless excitement of their daily lives. ("Eating a taco. Yum. Comments?") Those who sign up to receive the blogs and type feedb ack are actually called "followers." There was a buzz recently when actor Ashton Kutcher and news provider CNN raced to get a million followers on their respective Twitter accounts. Kutcher won. Which makes sense. CNN merely gives information on world events, whereas Ashton Kutcher is famous for his cultural contributions towards, uh, being Ashton Kutcher.
So maybe it isn't accurate to say there are thousands of things to follow out there. Probably more like millions . Getting out of the way- way out of the way-sounds better all the time.
But I suppose it's not the answer. I guess that's why I usually end up leading or following even when I feel ambivalent about the whole thing . Somebody has to do it. Though it can be an exasperating job, leaders are needed to step up and show us the way Though there's risk involved, followers are needed to throw their support behind vis ionaries who can change the world, or at least their little comer of it.
For what it's worth, here are a few reflections on leading and following from a longtime leader and follower. I mean me, in case you thought you were finally going to hear from someone smart Sorry about that On to the thoughts
First, it's OK to be a reluctant leader, maybe even preferable I
get worried when someone is too eager to lead. This person might be in it for ego or p restige more than the good of the people. When reluctant leaders fret about their worthiness fo r the job, it shows they care. They want what's best for the fo llowers and don't wan t to let them down .
Second, it's important to be a discerning follower. We shouldn't run after personalities or trends merely because they are popular at
the moment. We should, you know, think a little. Perhaps celebrities aren't the best role models for doing life. Maybe entertainment isn't the most important thing we could pursue. There are all kinds of things we can follow without a second thought. Better to have a second thought, and then a third thought, in order to follow wisely.
Third, it's all right to get out of the way sometimes. Leaders need to take breaks to regain energy and perspective. They also need to sense when it's appropriate to step aside to let new leaders take over. Followers need to get out of the way after they've taken on too many responsibilities and shouldered too heavy a load. A time of rest and reflection can help restore their strength and passion to serve.
Fourth, it's not good to get out of the way and stay there. Sometimes I feel like doing that. Forget the leading or following, I'm outta here. Let someone else deal with all the hassles and heartaches of trying to do good in the world . I have these feelings, but then I get over them. If we don't try to do good, love God and help others, what else is there to get done? Nothing nearly as worthwhile and fun, if you ask me.
Which leaves me with one last thing to write. I am now ready to go eat my taco Comments?
-1l Comment on this column by going to usmb.orglchristian - Ieader
When life gives you lemons
How com munication grows co mmunity
It doesn't matter what circumstances prompt a change, one thing that is a constant about change is that change offers new opportunities. And so assistant editor Myra Holmes and I are doing our best to take the lemons we were handed in May and to make lemonade, to paraphrase an old adage.
For at least the next 12 months, you will receive the Christian Leader every other month rather than monthly. Since it was first published in 1937 as a monthly magazine targeted at young people of the Mennonite Brethren Church, the CL has been published either monthly (the first nine and the past IS years) or biweekly (for 48 years, from 1946 to 1994).
I don't know what prompted the first frequency shift in 1946, but I do know that in 1994 the magazine went from 22 issues to 12 in order to free up funds for Mission USA, a visionary initiative that leaders
\Vhi]e
family can stay connected. There are two areas in which this comparison is helpful.
In our extended families we don't rely on one method of communicating with each other We keep in touch with e-mails, phone calls, Skype, text messages, MySpace, cards, visits and reunions. Variety should also characterize the way U.S. Mennonite Brethren communicate.
We've relied on the Christian Leader for 75 years, and it will continue to be an integral component of a U.S. Mennonite Brethren communication strategy. But what should we add? Is there something else you would like to see us do in print?
There are numerous electronic options available to us today that Peter H. Berg, the first CL editor, could not even imagined. We have some ideas about how to intertwine electronic and print communica-
the timing of this changc in frequcncy rcbtcu more to mone) 1h.1n to yi s ion. our [!o,,11 is th ..1t visioll rather th ..m dolbrs will guide the next se t o f d e ci s io n,; we ma ke about communication in our bmih" of churche". J
saw as a task that would unite all denominational ministries in the U.S for the cause of evangelism.
The current change in the magazine's publishing schedule is prompted not by vision but by economics. As reported elsewhere in this issue, the CL is experiencing a 49 percent reduction in our publishing budget and Mission USA is looking at a 60 percent cut. U .S. Conference ministries, including the CL and Mission USA, are funded by contributions from U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches and individuals.
Unfortunately church giving, which has been steadily increasing from 2002 to 2007, is expected to drop again this fiscal year as it did last year thanks to the current recession.
While the timing of this change in frequency is related more to money than to vision, our goal is that vision rather than dollars will guide the next set of decisions we make about communication in our family of churches. Publishing six not 12 times this fiscal year was a we-don't-have-a choice decision. which means that at some point we will need to decide if we return to a monthly schedule. A second issue that we and most everyone involved in communication is exploring is how best to incorporate new electronic media options into the existing communication strategy.
U.S. Mennonite Brethren are often described as a family-a family of churches spread across 17 states and comprised of at least a dozen cultural groups. Given this diversity. staying connected is both a challenge and a priority. So what guides our strategy for family connectedness?
Thinking about how I remain close to members of my own extended family helps me think about how the Mennonite Brethren
tion but we want our approach to reflect the way you use media. Do you want to follow the denomination on Twitter or see us on FaceBook or MySpace? In what new di rections should the U.S Conference Web site be developed? Would you appreciate receiving an electronic newsletter? Do online discussion groups sound interesting?
My extended family relationships grow stronger the more we communicate with each other. So when it comes to a family of churches. what advice do you have for us about frequency?
Many readers value the CL because it connects them with the wider Mennonite Brethren community- individuals. other churches and denominational ministries events and leaders How many times a year should we connect with one another via the magazine ? Is CL Online updated frequently enough? How about other sections of the Web site?
As we prepare to make changes to the CL and gatb;; feedback on broader communication questions , we will be surveying readers, particularly those under the age of 4 0. If you ate amont the readers selected to participate in a written survey or focus gro\i p, please take advantage of this opportunity to irifluen ce the way in which U.S. Mennonite Brethren communicate in the future . We will periodically post brief surveys at to gather feedback from anyone interested in broader eotnmunication questions with us.
Where will all of these chan ges I'm not cltm1n - Myra and I have a lot of lemons yet to squeeze
But the lemonade will be and sweet if we work together to discover a vision for con nectedness that best serves U S Mennonite Brethren - Connie Faber
CLearing HOUSE --
lO)fment: Ct1urct1
Youth Pastor : Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan. is seeking a strong leader who is passionate about ministry with today's youth Working in a team setting, this person will provide leadership and comprehensive programming for junior and senior high youth and give oversight to a developing college-age ministry.
Resumes can be sent before June 15th to : Parkview MB Church, attn: Youth Pastor Search, 610 S. Main, Hillsboro, KS 67063, or e- mail to: officelClparkviewmb.com. (1/1)
mployment: Seminary
Faculty: Faculty position opening soon in the Marriage , Family & Child Counseling department at MB Biblical Seminary Join the team at MB Biblical Seminary's campus in Fresno, Calif. , a community rooted in the Anabaptist and evangelical traditions. This position will be at the assistant or associate professor level. In addition to a strong emphasis on the integration of counseling and the Christian faith, the semi-
nary's MFCC program includes a priority of helping students grow in a wide range of areas not limited to academic achievement and counseling skills. Teaching and mentoring are prioritized but research is encouraged MFCC faculty functions as part of an interdisciplinary team with Bible, Theology and Miss ions faculty For complete details and resume information, visit www mbseminary.edu/employment (9/11)
iStorical Tour
The Mennonite Heritage Cruise and its international resource team, including historian Paul Toews and genealogist Alan Peters, invites you to join the 15th annual cruise in Ukraine on the Dnieper River and Black Sea in late September 2009. This has been the ultimate 15-day roots discovery experience for 2,500 descendants of Russian Mennonites For details of the cruise Google "Mennonite Heritage Cruise" or phone Marina Unger 1-800-3871488, ext. 2827. (5/5)
• Specific doftar amount
• Percentage of your esIale
• Specific asset
• Residue of your estate
On average, a person spends more than forty years accumulating assets, ten years conserving what has been earned, but not even two hours planning for the distribution of those assets.
The chaos that often occurs following the death of a loved one can be burdensome. This heavy load can be eased, however, through the implementation of an estate plan including a will and possibly even a trust. MB Foundation can help!
