XPERTS TELL us one of the keys to growth, both numerical and spiritual, is longer pastorates ..YetJ.B.
Toews reports in his book, A Pilgrimage of Faith, that the average length of a Mennonite Brethren pastorate is less than four years.
Why the turnover? Toews reports that from the church member's perspective, too many pastors come in without understanding the needs and desires of the people they are charged to lead. The other side of the coin, though, is that today's average member has high expectations of their church and pastor. We've been conditioned to expect instant and tangible results. And the code of our success-oriented, corporate culture says, if it isn't working, fIre the CEO.
Toews suggests the way we Mennonite Brethren choose our pastors has a lot to do with our high turnover rate. But that's fodder for another issue. In this one, we explore our responsibility to nurture and develop the pastors we choose. Simply put, to a large degree congregations can either make or break their pastor.
Ray Bystrom begins by· outlining some of the challenges of being a pastor in these changing times. A CL survey provides some insight into how our pastors feel about themselves. Roland and Lois Reimer follow that with a list of "love" suggestions. Chuck Goertz addresses the personal side of it through a letter to his daughter.
Enjoy and apply.-DR
COMING
• APRIL 7-9-Consultation '94: "Ordaining, using and misusing authority in the church," Denver, Colo. Sponsored by the General Conference Board of Faith and Life.
• APRIL 22-23-"Hope for the Journey," MCC regional conference on sexual abuse and family violence, hosted by the Hillsboro MB Church
• JULY 23-26-Biennial convention of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• MARCH 25-28, 1995-Estes '95, the quadrennial national youth convention, Estes Park, Colo.
QUOTABLE
• To what extent has the goal of evangelical spirituality become selffulfillment rather than less a quest to know God and more a means to achieve the good life? 'In short, have evangelicals so tamed the gospel to accord American habits that it has been shorn of its radical power to convict and convert? NATIlAN O. HATCH and MICHAEL S. HAMILTON in Christianity Today, Oct. 5, 1992
FEATURES - Theme: Building pastor morale
4 Pressure in the pulpit
Being a pastor in the '90s may be one of the toughest vocations around. Expectations can easily outpace a pastor's sense of effectiveness. BY RAY BYSTROM
7 Testing the trenches
A Christian Leader survey reveals that our pastors are generally fulfilled, but finances and family top their list of concerns.
10 40 ways to love your pastor
What's the difference between a happy and effective pastor and one who is struggling and inneffective? Maybe you. BY ROLAND AND LOIS REIMER.
12 Dear Sara
A pastor writes to his daughter about the joys and privileges of his calling. Maybe someday it could be her calling too. BY CHUCK GOERTZ
DEPARTMENTS
What Reader Say 14
Ph'lip Side by Philip Wiebe 16
• Questions of commitment Education by Kathy Heinrichs Wiest 18
• Under the hood (7): John E. Toews Inquiring Minds by Marvin Hein 20
• Pessimism about the future
• God as a hardener of hearts
Bodylife 22
• U.s. boards affirm Vision 2000 plan 22
• Dissension grows in India 23
• FPC receives largest deferred gift 24
• Tabor College closes chapel doors 24
• Physician joins Pine Ridge ministry team 25
• Lao church in Mountain Lake, Minn., baptizesnine 26
• Church notes 26
• Deaths 28
Musings by Jim Holm 31
• Prejudice, inside and out Editorial. by Don Ratzlaff 32
• Free to die, free to live
ART CREDITS: Cover, Skjold Photographs; pages 4, 7, 10 and 13, Dynamic Graphics.
BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: David Reimer, chair; Harold Franz, Jeanie Klaassen, Malinda Nikkel, Dalton Reimer
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Deborah Penner
Don Ratzlaff
IN THE PULPIT
Increasing demands and expectations make being a pastor in the '90s one of the most demanding vocations around
by RAY BYSTROM
UGENE WAS THREE YEARS INTO HIS FIRST pastorate. From the outside, everything looked good. The recently planted congregation W"as organized for ministry and self-supporting, and a neW" sanctuary had been built. Eugene's tninistry W"as affirmed by the congregation and praised by the denomination. But Eugene felt like a failure as a pastor and a person. He had no time for his spouse and children-or for God. His capacity for love and prayer had atrophied. In desperation, he went to the church board and presented his resignation, telling them he had tried to change, but could see no way out but to start over somewhere else.
Eugene is not alone. Every few days, another pastor gets out of bed and says, "That's it. I quit." Reasons vary, but research confinns the pressures on a pastor are enormous. Archibald Hart, a seminary professor who is himself a fonner pastor, teaches a course on the emotional hazards
of the ministry. He is convinced that "there is no other vocation as demanding as the pastorate when the incumbent is dedicated and committed to the work. "
Now I don't want to give the impression that being a pastor is always a tough assignment. Many have long, fruitful and enjoyable experiences serving God and the local church. But I wish to draw attention to the pressures so that both pastors and churches can be aware of those pressures and be prepared to meet the challenges of pastoring in the 1990s.
The difficulty in pastoring today's church has less to do with marital and
family problems or local church situations, or even denominational realities, and more to do with the nature of the pastorate and recent changes in it.
Nature of the pastorate
Being a pastor is a unique vocation, which by nature contributes to the pressures pastors experience.
• People oriented. Pastoring is all about working with people. People are the focus. When people work together for a time, there is bound to be misunderstanding, miscommunication and mistrust.
People are also the problem. A Peanuts cartoon strip by Charles Schultz shows Charlie Brown announcing his desire to become a physician. Lucy responds, "You can't be a doctor, you don't love humanity." Charlie replies, "Lucy, you are wrong. I do love humanity. It's people I can't stand."
The literature about pastoral burnout identifies people, not money, as the major source of stress and frustration. Pastoring demands exceptional relational skills.
• Unstmctured time. Pastoring is not an eight-to-five job. The work is never done. One of the advantages of my current job as teacher is that when I go home at five, it's finished. I'm no longer on duty. I may work in the evening, but it's work of a different kind.
But pastors are always on duty. There is no clearly defined point when they are off-duty, resulting in pastors who are "eaten up" by their work. They need to structure their work so there are clear boundaries.
• Pastoral isolation. Pastors are often called to serve congregations far from family and friends, creating wrenching disruptions of relationships. It's also often difficult to be a pastor and a friend to a person in the congregation. It's a role conflict not easily resolved without sacrificing either the pastoral or friendship role.
Further, a pastoral role, even with multiple leadership, tends to set one apart. As a result, pastors are often lonely people. Indeed, the loneliness
may increase the longer one is in the pastorate. Pastors need friends outside the congregation
• Unrealistic expectations. The "walk-on-water" syndrome is still alive in our churches. People have always had a tendency to idealize the pastor. If a congregation sees the pastor as the "savior apparent," success is impossible.
Pastors are human and bound to fail. Too often that results in pastors who suffer of self-respect and respect of others. Archibald Hart says, "Depression can be a direct result of failing to live up to the expectations the pedestal position creates."
• Inadequate yardsticks. How does one defme faithful ministry? It's difficult to measure "success" in the ministry. When should a pastor feel successful? Every pastor knows success is more than counting bucks, bodies and buildings. But there is lack of criteriafor measuring accomplishments in the pastorate. The results of pastoring are not as tangible as in other vocations. Thus, pastors often experience feelings of futility and depression. Like all of us, they need to know that their work truly makes a difference.
These are the characteristics of the pastorate that place pressure on pastors. But there are other problems.
Changes in the pastorate
Changes in society have influenced the way churches function. According to Lyle Schaller, four dozen changes in Pontius' Puddle
The ((walk-on-water" syndrome is still alive in our churches. People have always had a tendency to idealize the pastor.
Testing the
A CL survey suggests our pastors are generally fulfilled, but not frustrations
OW ARE MENNONITE
Brethren pastors holding up under the challenges of pastoring in the '90s? To find out, the Leader developed a morale survey several months ago and sent it to every English-speaking u.s.
pastor. Two-thirds returned their surveys to us. So what did we fmd out? You can see for yourself by reviewing the results that follow. But here are some higWights:
• The good news is that a large majority ofD.S. pastors are finding satisfaction in their work. About 71 percent said they could easily remain in the pastorate indefmitely and more than 85 percent said they could enthusiastically recommend pastoral ministry to a young and gifted person in their congregation.
• Preaching and teaching are the ministry functions that generate the most personal satisfaction; conference involvement is the least satisfying.
• More than 40 percent of our pastors feel their present salaries are less than adequate for their living expenses; nearly 78 percent are concerned about their financial future, and more than a third are "doubtful" they will be economically secure in retirement.
• When it comes to staffmg our churches, 42 percent of our pastors feel their church is not adequately staffed to fulfill the ministry vision the congregation has for itself. Nearly two-thirds think their congregations are not adequately staffed to meet their personal ministry vision for the congregation.
.More than 85 percent of our pastorS feel the ministry expectations their congregation has of them are reasonably attainable.
• Almost all our pastors feel they have the freedom to
do things outside the church, but only about half feel they have the time to pursue them.
• Almost three-fourths of our pastors spend between three and six evenings each week with church-related responsibilities.
• More than three-fourths of our pastors feel loved and afftrmed by their congregations.
• Almost 87 percent of our pastors invest more than 40 hours a week into their work; one-ftfth put in more than 60 hours.
• The majority of pastors under the age of 55 are dissatisfied with the quantity and quality of time they spend with their families.
• Only about half of our congregations provide their pastor significant enrichment or retooling opportunities.
• About two-thirds of our pastors have friends within the church or community with whom they can meet regularly for encouragement and sharing, but accountability and support are commonly expressed needs.
We hope the results of the survey provide additional insight into the lives of our pastors. Perhaps pastoral oversight committees can use the results as a discussion starter with their staff. All of us can use these results to help us pray more specifically and intentionally for the people we've called to shepherd us. -The editors
PERSONAL FINANCES
1. Considering our living expenses, I feel my salary is:
More than adequate, 5%
Adequate, 54%
Less than adequate, 41 %
2. Given my present flnancial situation, I am I will be economically secure in retirement.
Confident, 12%
Hopeful, 50%
Doubtful, 35%
No answer, 3%
3. I am concerned about my flnancial future:
Frequently, 17%
Occasionally, 61%
Rarely, 22%
4. If we felt my spouse needed to work outside the home to supplement our income, our congregation/leadership probably would:
Free my spouse to do so, 86%
Allow it, but grudgingly, 10%
Raise my salary so my spouse wouldn't have to work, 3%
Discourage it, 0%
Forbid it, 0%
No answer, 1%
5. If my spouse wanted to work outside the home for reasons other than rmancial need, our congregation/leadership probably would:
Free my spouse to do so, 76%
Allow it, but grudgingly, 16%
Discourage it, 7%
Forbid it, 1%
TASKS & STAFF
1. Rank the functions of ministry according to personal satisfaction ("1" being most satisfied) [Numbers indicate those who designated the function with a ((1 "]:
Preaching, 45
Teaching, 15 (20 marked "2")
Visitation, 4
Counseling, 4
Evangelizing, 7
Administration/planning, 1
Relationships, 12 (11 marked "2")
Conference involvement, 1
2. The full-time equivalency of our entire pastoral staff is: None, 4%
Less than 1.0, 1% 1.0,46%
NUTS & BOLTS
1. My position is "officially":
Full-time, 88%
Half-time, 5%
Other, 7%
2. My family status:
Single, 0%
Married, no children, 1%
Married, children at home, 59%
Married, children home/grown, 7%
Married, children grown, 33%
3. My age:
25 or younger, 0%
26-35,11%
36-45,45%
46-55,22%
Older than 55,22%
4. I have served in the pastoral ministry for
Less than one year, 1%
1-3 years, 9%
4-10 years, 30%
11-20 years, 29%
More than 20 years, 30%
5. I consider my present church setting to be: Urban, 60% Rural, 39% Both, 1%
6. Membership of my present congregation:
50 or less, 22%
51-100,24%
101-200,31%
251-400,11%
More than 400, 12%
7. The average age of my (adult) congregation is:
A good mix of ages, 57%
Predominantly 45 and under, 24%
Predominantly 46 and older, 18% No answer, 1%
8. My annual salary is:
Less than $15,000, 14%
$15,000-$20,000,9%
$20,000-$25,000, 24%
$25,000-$30,000, 18%
$30,000-$35,000, 16%
More than $35,000, 18%
1.1-1.9,15%
2.0, 15%
2.0-2.9,3%
3.0,13%
4.0 or more, 3%
3. The hours per week of secretarial help I have at my disposal:
o hours, 22%
1-10 hours, 29%
11-20 hours, 21%
21-30 hours, 5%
31-40 hours, 21%
More than 40 hours, 1%
4. To achieve the ministry vision I sense our congregation has for itself, our staff (pastoral, secretarial, etc.) is:
More than adequate, 5%
Adequate, 51 %
Less than adequate, 42%
No answer, 1%
5. To achieve the needs/goals I envision for our congregation, our staff (pastoral, secretarial, etc) is:
More than adequate, 3%
Adequate, 30%
Less than adequate, 66%
No answer, 1%
EXPECTATIONS
6. My relationship with the board that oversees my ministry is:
Good, helpful to ministry, 70%
OK, but not particularly helpful, 28%
Stramed, but workable, 3%
Antagonistic, 0%
7. I would rate the ministry expectations my congregation has of me as pastor to be:
Too high, impossible to achieve, 11 %
High, but possible, 39%
About right, 46%
Low, no challenge, 0%
Apathetic, 0%
No answer, 4%
8. I would rate the lifestyle expectations my congregation has of me as pastor and my family to be:
Too high, impossible to achieve, 3%
High, but possible, 33%
ways to love your pastor
In these uncertain times, your pastor and his family need all the hugs they can get
by ROLAND & LOIS REIMER
ATILE WEARY ... DRAINING ... MORE AND more demanding." Those are some of the "Ways pastors describe their ministry today.
Across denominational lines and district boundaries, pastors find the challenge of their calling increasingly difficult in these tumultuous times.
Providing effective pastoral leadership in today's world is increasingly difficult. Caught between the rising demands of diverse congregations in an increasingly secular culture, plus the shrinking worth of our dollars and heavy demands on time, pastors are personally and professionally experiencing critical situations and demanding circumstances.
For that reason, we need to underscore some basic ways the people of God-you and I-can build up our pastors. The Scriptures strongly and repeatedly encourage us to "love one another." Why exclude our pastoral leadership from that injunction?
During our ministry to pastors and their families, we have come up with
six basic ways you and your congregation can love your pastor.
1. Affirm your pastor more often. Whatever the situation, showering pastors and their spouses with honest expressions of love and affirmation is appropriate (1 Thess. 5: 1213). Don't worry about immediately overdoing it for fear of creating inflated egos. If that becomes a problem, most congregations have people whose behavior will counter such dangers. Our affirmations may just help balance out the criticisms.
2. Equip your pastor with ministry "tools." Let's give pastors the equipping resources that will help them be God's persons and do God's work. A "pastor's tool kit" should
include time and money for attending seminars and workshops. Avoid referring to these times as "vacation." The same is true when referring to denominational meetings, conventions and retreats.
Equipping also means securing current books, periodicals, videos and cassettes as well as an appropriate office/study with secretarial personnel (salaried or volunteer) and modern equipment such as telephone, fax, computer and photocopier.
3. Include the pastoral family. Many times, pastoral families serve in communities without the benefit of lifelong friendships and biological family ties. You and I can help fill that void. For example, consider including your pastor and his family at holiday dinners. Such thoughtfulness is always appreciated.
4. Serve alongside your pastor. The work of being a pastor is widespread and unending. With a belief system emphasizing multiple leadership, we Mennonite Brethren should serve alongside our pastors in practical ways. No one on Planet Earth is so multigifted nor omnipresent that they can or should fulfill all
the expectations most congregations have.
5. Have a forgiving spirit. In a high-pressure role with unrealistic expectations, pastors will inevitably make mistakes. Even leaders with godly character and spirit-filled attitudes will inadvertently err and offend, sometimes seriously.
When we fail to forgive our pastors, we create an environment that fosters perfectionism, stifles freedom, creates legalism and ignores the grace of God. Those who "keep score" of wrongs will never enjoy the relationship with pastors which God has intended (1 Cor. 13:5).
6. Pray for your pastor. Prayer is a strategic priority too often neglected. Jesus, who modeled helpful prayer habits for his disciples, found his closest friends asleep rather than attending him with prayer (Lk. 22:45). The apostle Paul rejoiced in the prayers of the congregations he served and solicited them for himself and others (Eph. 6:18-20).
In these times, being a pastor isn't a day at the beach. We expect and even demand much from our ministers-and usually get it. We dare not fail at supporting them with regular, honest intercession. Nothing has been appreciated more in our own pastoral ministry than the notes, cards and calls from those who genUinely cared for us over the years.
35 more loving ideas ...
Beyond these six basic acts of love, how else can we demonstrate our support for our pastoral families? We decided to ask them. A survey of the pastors and spouses in our district resulted in this list of suggestions:
1. Pray for your pastor and pastoral family regularly. Find out if they have specific needs so you can pray more specifically.
2. Speak words of affirmation and encouragement to them often-for who they are as well as for their ministry.
3. Send cards and greetings at special occasions-birthdays, anniversaries, and difficult times in their
lives. Remember the anniversaries of their times of loss, like a death in the family.
4. Give them a ticket to a concert, or to a bed-and-breakfast.
5. Offer to take care of their children so they can have an evening out.
6. Share your home with them during transition times, moving, etc.
7. Celebrate milestones in the pastor's ministry, like five- and 10-year anniversaries in your congregation.
8. Include the spouse's name when giving a love gift at Christmas or other occasions.
9. Invite them to your home for dinner, or to watch a video and eat popcorn together.
10. Take them something warm and tasty from the oven.
11. Give them a hug and tell them you love them.
12. Allow your pastor to admit a need, fault, error, without judgment or criticism.
13. Speak well of them to your friends and let the good news get around.
14. Give your pastor computer assistance, \vithout calling attention to "how much help is needed."
15. Support the priorities the family has established for building family strengths and traditions.
16. Give a surprise birthday party for the spouse.
17. Offer to clean their house for special occasions, when someone in the family has been ill, or has a longterm care need.
18. Give a salary increase without the pastor hinting that he would really appreciate one.
19. Be open to changes in ministry styles, allow for different gifts and personality styles to be expressed.
20. Stop by the office to ask about the needs of the pastor.
21. Share your recreational resources with them, like a cabin, boat, etc.
22. Give the gift of conversation about things other than the ongoing concerns of the church.
23. Make phone calls to the home at appropriate times, unless it is an
emergency. Avoid mealtimes, early mornings and late-night calls.
24. Give a sabbatical after an agreed upon time of service. This is a good way to keep the pastor on the cutting edge.
25. Be willing to follow your pastor's leadership. Commitment to the direction of a pastor's ministry is needed as much as love and appreciation.
26. When a particularly strenuous time has concluded, send them on a paid vacation for a week as a surprise.
27. Redecorate or even remodel the parsonage when needed.
28. Fill the pantry with groceries when a new pastoral family arrives, or just to encourage them along the way.
29. Have fun times together. Laughter is good medicine.
30. Confront in love if differences or distance develops.
31. Discover your pastor's "Top Ten List of Favorite Books" and buy him one. You might read it frrst. His sermons may become more interesting and illustrations more familiar.
32. Call the pastor and spouse by name to their partner, rather than by title. Avoid asking, "May I speak with your husband?" or "Would you ask the pastor to call me?"
33. Offer to become a "research assistant" by collecting illustrations, stories, quotes, cartoons. And promise not to be offended if not all of them are used.
34. Surprise him by writing a note on a church newsletter and/or Sunday bulletin informing him you read it from cover to cover-rather than simply calling attention to the errors in it.
35. Share your compliment and joy when hearing of his/their accomplishments. $2
Roland and Lois Reimer are the district minister couple for the Southern District Conference. They live in Wichita, Kan.
you wanted to be closer to Jesus by studying the Bible for yourself. Another part of my joy as a pastor is studying the Word of God and discovering more about him. We were created to enjoy and glorify God. I have the privilege of giving more time to Bible study than most people. That doesn't mean I'm more holy. It just means that I can spend more time focused on what we were created for. It means I can spend more time teaching the Bible, especially to new followers of Jesus, which I enjoy the most.
Do you remember the time your mother and I returned from the Southern District pastors'retreat? We talked about the fellowship we had with people who had the same commitment we had to the same King.
You tell us again and again how you enjoy being with King's Kids because there you feel a common excitement and purpose. The things you have in common are what bind you together. God's family is also bound together because we serve a cause that is larger than we are. Most people want to be part of the "biggest" or the "best." In God's service, you are.
Finally, being the pastor is the greatest job in the world. Where else can you do exactly what you were created for? Or enjoy the company of people who have a purpose beyond themselves, with so much in common, regardless of who they are? Or see frrsthand the creator of the universe at work? The bonus is that God arranges for you to love it.
Whatever you decide to do, you can serve the King, but I would recommend career service.
Love, Dad
Chuck Goertz is pastor of the Garden Park Church, Denver, Colo.
KINDNESS ISN'T OUTMODED
I appreciated Brad Kunkel's essay, "I fasted from Rush Limbaugh" (Forum, January). I've been trying for sometime to express my own feelings about the "dittoheads" phenomenon with no success.
I know that Limbaugh is in the entertainment business, and people can take their entertainment where they wish, but I've been disappointed in brothers and sisters in Christ who adopt what seems to me to be Limbaugh's mean spiritedness. It's easy to be judgmental and point fingers; it's hard to follow Christ and treat others as mercifully and graciously as God treats us.
I'm distressed to hear Christians denigrate the Clintons with fierceness and unkindness. I remember David refusing to kill Saul when he had the chance and the verse he followed when he treated his king with honor and respect, even though Saul was mad with jealously. Exodus 22:28 says to neither blaspheme God nor curse the ruler of God's people. We don't have to approve of everything the president does. In fact, we should try to keep our leaders accountable. But God has his hand in our affairs, and I believe he wants Clinton in the White House.
I hate to see the polarization over politics so prevalent among us Christians. We need to be concerned with personal morality, without forgetting to be concerned with the poor and oppressed-in ways that don't include being judgmental. Where are the Christians who take Christ's teachings seriously about those who need spe-
Pontius' Puddle
PRO- L\t=EAt=\ER- DEATH. Q.p
ARE you
cial help in our rich, materialistic culture? I know they're here, they're just being outshouted by the vocal types like Rush Limbaugh, who make a living out of being outrageous.
"Be ye kind, one to another." Kindness is outmoded, but I think it's making a comeback. Essays like Kunkel's give me hope!
Laurie Schunk Wichita, Kan.
PROUD TO BE A 'DITTOHEAD'
I'm proud to be a "dittohead" of Rush Limbaugh. I read Brad Kunkel's essay the very afternoon I listened to Rush's radio program. The program was so uplifting. Indeed, he was criticiZing infidelity, immorality, condoms, homosexuality and the list went on to include the killing of the unborn and the sinful lifestyle some Americans are tolerating.
As long as Rush is criticizing sin, I'll keep praying for him.
Erna Lee Kusch Fairview, Okla.
GENI1..E DISAGREEMENT
We are writing to express gentle disagreement with Paul and Frances Hiebert, who are good friends, and by implication, disagreement with the the "convention leadership" (What Readers Say, Nov. 30).
The Hieberts, the convention leaders and a variety of letter writers since then have argued that we should not use the biblical argument against those who advocate having women in pastoral leadership. What argument are we supposed to use when for many of us this is the sole basis for
our position?
It is true that some Mennonite Brethren (and others) argue for women in pastoral leadership on the basis of their interpretation of Scripture. Others, however, state quite plainly that they support women in pastoral leadership even though they admit Scripture is opposed to it.
In between are a group who say that Paul had a cultural bias and that we must make allowance for that bias in interpreting Scripture. It is true that cultural context must be considered in interpreting Scripture; however, we believe that those who argue for women in pastoral leadership on this basis have given far too much weight to cultural bias; apply their method to other topics, and one could approve homosexual acts, incest, and almost any number of other evils.
Arguing on Scriptural grounds is not a stumbling block. Rather, it represents the only way we as a conference can go forward. It is a challenge to those who support women in senior pastoral ministry. To convince us, you do not have to make us feel guilty, convict us of gender bias or accuse us of power-seeking. All you have to do is one simple thing-convince us that Scripture allows women in pastoral leadership. Then we will gladly join you in advocating women pastors and get past our current troubling debate.
It is very uncomfortable to be seen as denying women an "equal" role, and we would gladly be relieved of the responsibility. However, as much as we would like to give in, we want to be faithful to Scripture more.
Convincing us on Scriptural grounds was precisely what Your Daughters Shall Prophesy did not do. It argued around some passages and ignored others. It convinced us that women could prophesy, that we have mistranslated and misinterpreted some passages, that women should do more ministry than some previously thought. But the case that women should be senior pastors has not been made.
jim andjackie Coggins Abbotsford, B.C.
GENDER SEGREGATION?
It is "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" as I write this. Rather than a cause for reflection on passive, white, liberal guilt, this day is an opportunity to learn from the lives and words of great civil rights leaders. It is an opportunity to determine that the evils and injustices of discrimination and segregation are never repeated in my neighborhood, church, city or country. This comes not so much from social-democratic dogma, but more from the call of justice and freedom of the Old Testament prophets.
There was a particularly heinous ideology, actually written into law, that was used to keep blacks "in their place." It was phrased so subtly as to come off sounding positive to the white majority and even to many blacks. This twisted philosophy said that blacks were, in fact, equal to whites, but that they were simply separate. A black person was not lower than a white person, but had a different place and a different role to play in society.
Segregation, which was born of this ideology, was passed off as a logical and helpful way to give order to society. Blacks could be barred from any establishment, neighborhood, church, school, role or position, not because they were less than equal, but because it simply was not their place. Many churches bought into this idea and the Bible was used to justify and defend it, as it had been used to defend slavery in an earlier period.
Racial segregation no longer officially exists, but the philosophy behind it lives on in other forms. In the church, including the Mennonite Brethren Church, it emerges in the form of sex segregation. "Of course women are equal to men-they just have a different role!," we say. Or, "Sure, women are intelligent, but they simply weren't meant to lead!" Or, "There are lots of ways for women to serve. Those who desire to be pastors are just overambitious opportunists (our adaptation of 'uppity blacks')." "OK, maybe women have what it takes to be pastors, but the Bible says "
I am not suggesting that there is a conspiracy to discriminate against women. Rather, an ugly form of prejudice has become institutionalized in
our churches and homes, and both those with the power and those without have found comfort and stability in the status quo. The idea of change brings discomfort and threatens instability for everyone and is terrifying. The fact that prejudice has been tied in the past to Scripture makes it even
more terrifying, because voices for change appear to be attacking the Word of God, rather than an evil philosophy.
But the debate over "hard" passages is a misguided discussion, for both sides. All of Scripture demands justice and announces the good news that Jesus has come to set people free -not only from their personal sins, but also from the sins of their oppressors. The attempts of our forerunners in the faith to make sense out of the gospel's revolutionary ideas in their world, which we stumble across as "hard," should not be used by us to justify our own misguided ideas.
The time has come for change. The time has come to "declare the year of
the Lord's favor" to the women in our families, in our churches and in our society. It will be painful, awkward and even chaotic. But it will be right and just. It will be good news.
Barry Esau Fresno, Calif.
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Questions of commitment.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, something happened in the church I attended that was so shocking, so unheard of, nobody knew quite what to think. Members scratched their heads in wonder and amazement: "What happened? Where did we go wrong?"
A family had left the church.
If that happened now-one family lost over several years-we might also scratch our heads in wonder and amazement. Then we'd whoop, "Praise the Lord! Where did we go right?"
Today plenty of churches would be tickled to lose only one family occasionally, rather than lots of folks constantly.
Blame this mass migration on the culprit of your choice: an overly traditionalist church; an overly modernist culture; an overly mobile society; or whatever. But let me point the finger back at ourselves for a moment. How genuinely are you committed to your local church body?
I bring this up because commitment has become negotiable. Today's average church commitment is more or less conditional. Not that commitment doesn't have conditional elements-all are called to "test the spirits" to maintain fruitful, Christ-centered congregations. But biblical commitment has always been defined in prickly terms like perseverance, service, sacrifice. Not exactly cousin to the comfortably convenient conditional commitments of today.
How committed are we? To help test your own church ties, I pass along a few questions I've asked myself in recent years.
1. Am I more concerned with getting fed than feeding? "We're looking for a church where we can really get fed," I hear a lot of church-hoppers saying these days. And getting fed is good-unless we miss the fact that much of the food-service work is ours. To those looking only to get fed, the Hebrew writer scolds: "Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's Word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!" (Heb. 5:12).
Our roots in a local church may start with getting fed, but they won't deepen until we feed others and feed ourselves. "Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves," (Heb. 5:14, my emphasis). Are we more interested in getting fed than feeding? If so, commitment can always be swayed by tastier treats served elsewhere.
2. Am I seeking enjoyment over joy?
After lines of people told a pastor how much they enjoyed a service, one person growled, "I didn't enjoy the service at all." The pastor wasn't sure how to take that until the growler added, "But I needed it."
Ah, someone was awake. Worship meetings aren't occasions for tickling ears, but lifting hearts. Too often we confuse the pursuit of joy with the pleasure of enjoyment. But the latter doesn't require the inner toil of change. If personal enjoyment is more important to us than joyful and painful transformation, then church commitment will last only as long as the fun.
3. Do I value programs over people? "Sure, we loved the people in our old congregation," I've heard church-hoppers say, "but where were the programs for this, or that, or the other?" Hmm. Does the quality of church life really depend on the quantity of programs? No, it depends on the qualities of people. "The whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Eph. 4:16, my emphasis).
When programs become ministry itself, rather than "power outlets" for ministers (us), commitment can become as changeable as cable television-we'll always find better programs on other stations.
4. Am I more interested in fitting in than fitting together? Fitting in with church life is important-to a point. The problem comes when we confuse community life with lifestyle cloning: "Whereas a community attempts to be an inclusive whole, celebrating the interdependence of the different callings of all," writes Robert Bellah in Habits of the Heart, "lifestyle is fundamentally segmental and celebrates the narcissism of similarity."
Today we see a church celebrating similarity in excess: people roam the pews looking for "their" age group and worship style, "their" political biases and demographic slot. But true commitment depends less on fitting in than fitting together: "Now you are Christ's body, and indiVidually members of it" (1 Cor. 12:27).
Do our local church commitments hang on the ease of the fellowship, the enjoyment of the atmosphere, the taste of the spiritual food? Or are they tied up in faithful, joyful, transformational service to the collective community of faith? If the former, our ties will indeed be light. $2
If personal enjoyment is more important to us than joyful and painful transformation, then church commitment will last only as long as the fun.
Philip Wiebe lives in Salem, Ore.
Scholar with a warm heart
BY KATHY HEINRICHS WIEST
on their vigilant dad.
lJNDER fHE HooD
Profiles of Otlr Seminary Faculty
SEVENTH IN A SERIES
JOHN E. TOEWS does not like surprises. A man who finds satisfaction in planning and preparing in advance, Toews is an astute observer of what goes on around him.
As his 50th birthday approached several years ago, he became even more watchful. A dinner invitation to the home of colleague Henry Schmidt 'was met with great suspicion. Probably a cover for a surprise party, he figured.
On the way he studied the neighborhood for familiar cars. Finding none, he scrutinized the house, searching for some slipup that would give away the surprise. With no signs of party preparation as they invited him inside, he relaxed, relieved that he and his wife, Arlene, were in for a quiet dinner with the Schmidts.
A tour of the house gave him a chance to inspect some of Schmidts' recent remodeling work and also stumble upon the surprise-some 20 friends packed into a bedroom. Toews's children had pulled a coup
Toews's eye for detail may make it difficult to plan a surprise party, but when it comes to studying the Word of God it is a definite asset, say colleagues.
"John Toews is our premier theologian and New Testament scholar," says Edmund Janzen, Fresno Pacific College Bible professor.
"He may be misread because he's so scholarly, but I've also seen his deep affection for the church," Janzen added. He characterized Toews as having "a combination of a clear head and a warm heart."
Toews's "clear head" has, in recent years, focused on the question of how the Mennonite Brethren Church can live out its biblical mandate in contemporary culture.
What can Mennonite Brethren offer the culture in which they live? Toews identifies three things:
•a faith that is centered in the life and teachings of Jesus;
•a church that is made up of people who have voluntarily chosen to follow Christ;
•a community of accountability with other believers.
Much of his work and thought has been focused on what he calls
JOHN TOEWS - THE BIO
Name: John E. Toews
Birth: July 20, 1937, Saskatoon, Sask.
Family: Wife, Arlene (Classen), a second-grade teacher; three grown children: Delora, Dawn, and Mark
Education: B.A., history, Tabor College; M.A., European intellectual history, Wichita State University; Ph.D., New Testament studies, Northwestern University-Garrett Theological Seminary
Years on faculty: 17
Position: Professor of New Testament; formerly academic dean and acting president Present church involvement: College Community Church, Clovis, Calif; secretary of the General Conference; member of the General Conference Board of Faith and Life
Most influential book: Paul and Palestinian Judaism, by E.P. Sanders
Best advice ever received: Leaders cannot be defensive
Hobbies/interests: Work ("1 enjoy my work so much that it is my hobby"), reading history and cultural analyses, bike riding (12 miles every other day), yardworkjgardening Fondest wish for the MB Church: That we would be biblically faithful and culturally relevant during a time of major change in the culture and in the church
"unhooking ethnicity and our theology." The Mennonite Brethren Church is unique among Christian denominations, but, he contends, that uniqueness is not based in ancestry or in knowing how to make the "right" ethnic foods.
"You can be a Swede, a German, a Korean or an Indian with [a Mennonite Brethren] kind of faith," he insists.
While many church leaders concentrate on identifying the needs and trends within their local community, Toews concerns himself mainly with what he called the "macro picture."
The obvious advantage of analyZing broader trends within a culture is that application can be made in many situations. More importantly, said Toews, is the way it "depersonalizes the issue," helping people gain perspective on their problems.
A church which is wrestling with the issue of worship style, for example, may feel the conflict to be intensely personal, focused on the idiosyncrasies and self-centeredness of individuals in the church.
A macro view, Toews says, shows there are significant differences between the culture of older members who tend to advocate a more traditional approach and that of the younger members who are looking for something different to satisfy their needs.
When the parties in a conflict can
Toews: Premier theologian, committed to the church.
see that the battle is larger than merely their own taste and ·preference, they can approach the problem from a more objective point of view, he asserts. The knowledge that a church's conflicts and struggles are "normal," helps to deflate anxiety and calm emotions.
Toews sees his role, in part, as stating the issues sharply so that the points of disagreement are clear. Seminary president Henry Schmidt agrees that clarifying issues is one of Toews's gifts.
"He sharpens the issue for people so they have to choose whether to agree or disagree, but there is always an openness for dialogue and debate," Schmidt says.
Toews's approach sometimes surfaces hidden conflicts. While admitting that "I create more conflict than I resolve," he does not concede that creating conflict is, in itself, a mistake.
"As long as we can talk about the disagreements and work on resolution it's healthy," he says. "It's when we can't talk about them that I get worried."
Yet, not all fights are healthy. "We need a certain amount of polarity, but when things get too polarized it's unhealthy. Some people get so angry you can't even talk with them."
At that point, Toews does not believe in fighting things out to a bitter end. "When grace and Christian civility are lost, those of us who generated the conflict by focusing the issues have to pull back," he says. "Others will have to pick up the issue" and find resolution in a less volatile atmosphere. Matters can be resolved best when there is "less emotional baggage," he says.
The starting place for all issues of church conduct, according to Toews, must be the Bible. Although he reads widely from authors who analyze the culture and identify trends, he is concerned with what the Bible says and how it applies in a contemporary context.
Says Toews, "I want to be very biblical-to interpret and live out the text the way it was originally intended in ways that are relevant today." ef2
Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, a free-lance writer from Kingsburg, Calif., is a member of the Kingsburg MB Church.
BETHANY
BIBLE INSTITUTE
is accepting applications for the position of INTERIM
ASSOCIATE PASTORS are required for the PORTAGE AVENUE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Effective August 1, 1994 (one- or two-year term)
Qualifications desired:
• deep commitment to Christ and the church, reflecting an Anabaptist theology
• relational and administrative strengths to give leadership to the music department
• ability in choral directing, program planning and worship leadership
• ability to give vocal instruction
• experience in the classroom
• interest in contemporary Christian music
• master's degree preferred
Send resume before March 37, 7994 to: President
Bethany Bible Institute
P.O. Box 160
Hepburn, SK
SOK lZ0
Phone: (306) 947-2175
Fax: (306) 947-4229
11M Y Tabor College academic experience has been very positive. The faculty are willing to assist me with my class work and talk with me about career opportunities for the future. "
Matt Yoder Freshman Buhler, Kansas
DTabor College
Christ-centered education 400 S. Jefferson Hillsboro, KS 67063 1-800-TABOR
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Our mission statement is:
We are a city-wide church which challenges people with the claims of Christ, nurtures faith through the Word. and affirms them for service through celebrative worship. Christian education. preaching. music and fellowship groups.
We will communicate Christ and His message to our families. to our city and the world.
We are looking for people who would like to help us pursue these aims. Candidates must of course love the Lord and His church. and should have strengths in several areas: worship. music. youth ministries. adult ministries. evangelism. Christian education.
Direct inquiries and resumes to: Bill Dyck. Chair. Personnel Committee Portage Avenue MB Church 1420 Portage Avenue Winnipeg. MB R3G OW2
Telephone (home): (204) 837-1188
HEIN
QYou have suggested in the past that we should pray for, not taunt, our president. How can you say this when progress in social issues made during past administrations is erased with a stroke of the pen in the current administration?
(CALIFORNIA)
AI share some of your pessimism as I see crime and perversion increase, and as government leaders seem to do the very things that will increase the deterioration of our culture. It's tough to listen to the news these days.
The more I've pondered that spirit of pessimism within me the more I've become persuaded that we who follow Christ really have no right to be so "storm-conscious" that we cannot see the safety of the harbor. Could it be that our theology (if we have one) is too self-centered?
William A. Holmes, in a World magazine article, recently helped me see a new perspective on the sometimes overwhelming evil among us. He suggested that our culture's negligence of history, our preference for the hereand-now, and our over-emphasis on the personal (individualism), all combine to deceive us. He says God's influence in the world doesn't stop where our noses end. God embraces all of time and space. We think only of a "personal" Savior. God is certainly that, but much more. God is working with nations as well as individuals.
God is working with lots more than our small lifetimes. We dare not forget that the church has a 2,000-year history and apparently God is not fmished with us even now.
In our moments (or days) of pessimism we should recall Jesus's experience with the disciples. After following Jesus's advice to go to the other side of the lake, a fierce wind rocked their boat while Jesus slept. The disciples, understandably, were swamped both with water and discouragement. But Jesus sternly rebuked them for their lack of trust. They had lost sight of God's sovereignty. They saw only wind and storm. They saw history only as far
as the end of their noses. If Jesus hadn't intended for them to get to the other he never would have suggested the trip.
What would Jesus say to us in our boats as we watch the news and become overwhelmed? Would he say, "Where is your faith?" Would he remind us that his church has millenniums of history and we should recognize its progress and worldwide spread?
While our eyes are peeled on the storm, Jesus reminds us, "I am with you always." While our ship rocks and threatens to crash against the rocks, Jesus says: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore " (Mt. 28:18-19).
QMennonite Brethren have traditionally taken the Arminian view on free will versus God's sovereignty. So how do we deal with Scripture that emphasizes God's sovereignty over people's hearts, as in Exodus, where it says God hardened Pharaoh's heart, or Romans 8 and 9, where Paul says, ((God has mercy and hardens whom he wants to harden?" (CALIFORNIA)
AThe theme of "hardening" occurs 20 times between Exodus 4 and 14. In half of those occurrences, God himself is the hardener. Does God author evil and then hold someone else responsible? That's the crux of the inquirer's question.
In Isaiah 6: 10 the prophet is instructed to tell the people that God is going to "render the hearts of this people insensitive, their ears dull, and their eyes dim." Augustine apparently based his views on predestination as a logical outcome of these words.
New Testament writers were well acquainted with this Isaiah passage, quoting it on several occasions (Mk. 4:12, In. 12:40, et al.) These New Testament writers, however, seem to place more responsibility on the hearer, hence sound more Arminian.
An Old Testament scholar-friend of
Do you have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? Send it to ('Inquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.
mine says he favors the position that God, by giving repeated opportunityto which the hearer (in this case Pharaoh) persistently responds negatively-is an indirect agent in the hardening of a person's heart.
That seems to be the way the New Testament writers use Isaiah 6:10. The context in Mark 4:12 is that, in spite of all the ministry and signs in Jesus's day, the end result was not so impressive in terms of numbers.
W. Kaiser, in Hard Sayings of the Old Testament, says we must remember that all God's prophecies to his prophets have a suppressed "unless you repent" attached to them. Few prophecies are unconditional. Only those promises connected with nature and our salvation have no dependence on us. So he points out that Pharaoh, not God, initiated the process by hardening his own heart 10 times during the first five plagues. But after the fifth plague, Pharaoh apparently reached the limits of his circumscribed freedom. The Bible then says God initiated the hardening.
Generally speaking, the biblical calls to repent assume that the condition is reversible. Pharaoh could have cooperated with God, just as King Cyrus did later. Pharaoh had simply gone too far in his refusal to heed God's warnings. God had not initiated the hardness, but his sovereignty gave him just cause to "cement" Pharaoh's stubbornness after repeated refusals.
Perhaps Mennonite Brethren are like what the late G. W. Peters told his classes: "As Anabaptists we are neither Calvinists, nor Arminians, but Calminians. " $2
Geoffrey Oola has new-found hope for a record cassava crop this year.
By 1990 blight stunted more than 90 percent of the cassava plants in northern Uganda. As harvests dwindled church leaders asked MCC agriculturist Neil Rowe-Miller, of Goshen, Ind., to help them find ways to boost yields.
Neil experimented with Nigerian disease-resistant cassava varieties; church members planted samples in their fields. Together they measured results and discovered several new varieties that out -yielded local plants four to one.
Some 39 MCC agriculturists, like Neil, help farmers in 13 countries worldwidE increase food production, raise and plant trees.
MCC currently needs 16 additional agriculturists. If you, or someone you know, would like to serve with MCC, call Personnel Services (717)859-1151; in Canada, (204) 261-6381.
Moving from 'Vision' to 'Mission'
BCM will recommend adoption of Vision 2000 thrust at July convention
THE FRUIT OF Vision 2000, the leadership-driven movement to empower renewal, evangelism and church-planting efforts in the United States, will be brought to this summer's national convention for approval by the churches.
Though the details of implementation are still to be determined, the Board of Church Ministries (BCM) endorsed the work and general recommendation of the Vision 2000 task force during the annual joint board meetings of the U.S. Conference, held in Wichita, Kan., Feb. 24--26.
BCM will bring to Colorado Springs '94 the task force's general proposal to mobilize for a coordinated renewal and mission thrust at the national
level. The five-person task force recommended the creation of "a new Mission USA agency" and a board of overseers to implement the goals of Vision 2000. But BCM backed off from dictating the form and structure of Mission USA. Instead, BCM is in the process of appointing an interim steering committee, which will be charged with "fleshing out" the mechanism needed to fulfill the Vision 2000 mandate (see box).
The new Mennonite Brethren agency envisioned by the task force would have a primary mandate of networking, coordinating and resourcing the outreach efforts of local churches and district home mission boards. The agency, and its board of overseers, would be staffed and funded adequately to carry out its mandate. The new entity would replace the existing U.S. Board of Evangelism/Christian Service (BOE/CS)
With BCM's action, the work of the
Pointing the direction for change...
WHAT WILL MISSION USA, the proposed mission mechanism of the U.S. Conference, seek to accomplish? The mandate suggested by the Vision 2000 task force and endorsed by the Board of Church Ministries (BCM) included the following goals:
1. Promoting renewal and providing human, financial and educational resources.
2. Developing a strategy for reaching our nation with the gospel.
3. Participating with districts and local churches in new church plants, both within and beyond recognized district boundaries.
4. Networking with all appropriate institutions and agencies.
5. Developing adequate staff to implement the vision, by employment or contract.
6. Promoting the calling out, training and placement of workers.
7. Developing a public relations/communications program.
8. Calling our churches to prayer and support of the vision.
Determining how to reach those goals is now in the hands of the interim steering committee appointed by BCM. A more definitive proposal is expected in time for consideration at this summer's biennial convention in Colorado Springs.-DR
Vision 2000 task force was formally concluded. The names of the new steering committee had not been fmalizedat press time, but would include representatives from the task force, the BOE/CS and the district home missions boards. Some or all of the members of this interim committee could be nominated for the permanent Mission USA board, which would be affmned by the Colorado Springs convention.
A year of reflection
Vision 2000 began last February as an ad hoc gathering of conference, agency and institutional leaders in Wichita to talk about chronic funding shortages for U.S. ministries. The focus of the discussion quickly shifted from budget concerns to the need for renewal and growth in U.S. churches and the growing opportunities for impact in cross-cultural ministries. The group recommended to BCM a new outreach thrust featuring unprecedented coordination between conference institutions and agencies, and adequate funding and staff to carry it out.
BCM endorsed the initiative and appointed the five-member task force to spearhead a research-and-development process. The process included a national needs survey, 13 regional listening sessions, and presentations at the fall conventions of the three largest district conferences.
Last December, a modified configuration of the original Wichita group met with the task force in Los Angeles to talk about next steps. That group recommended the creation of an empowered "mission" board and staff and suggested that the other three boards of the U.S. Conference-BCM, Trustees and Communications-be combined into one "maintenance" board. The latter option was mentioned in the task force's report to BCM, but was not offe-red as a recommendation.
The task force report provoked lively debate and questions about implementation and structural changes. During the opening joint session of all boards, Reginald Boothe, Wichita, a member of the Board of Trustees,
asked a question that became a central topic of conversation throughout the weekend: If the Mission USA proposal is ratified in Colorado Springs, what really will change? Could the task force list specific things that would be different under the new strategy?
Jim Holm, Reedley, Calif., a member of the task force, said specific, tangible changes were hard to list because many of the details would be worked out by the new steering group. But he listed several broader changes:
• The home missions boards will cooperate more closely than ever before. It was conceivable, he added, that one district might even help sup-
port a project in another district for a time if it seemed advisable to do so.
• MB Missions/Services would become more involved in funding mission projects in the United States.
• More paid staff would be available to devote attention and energy to the work of renewal and growth.
• For the first time, the seminary, colleges and MBM/S would be working together toward a common goal.
Grass-roots support?
At least two other concerns were raised during the weekend. The first was whether the Mission USA proposal would have broad support in the constituency or be seen as a top-down mandate from leadership with little
BeM to recommend a phaseout of the MBBS subsidy guarantee
THOUGH THE MISSION USA proposal dominated this year's U.S. Confer
•.• ence joint boards meeting, the Board of Church Ministries (BCM) announced it will bring a second significant recommendation to Colorado Springs. Citing the continuing inability of the churches to meet their commitment, BeM will recommend that the U.S. Conference no longer guarantee a predetermined subsidy for the MB Biblical Seminary, beginning with the 1996-97 fiscal year.
The recommendation will state that the conference fully fund the $302,000 guarantee for the 1993-94 fiscal year, which ends May 31, and the full guarantee for 1994-95. But it will guarantee only $275,000 for the 199596 fiscal year.
Bob Vogt, BCM chair, stressed the board's intention that after the 199596 year, the U.S. Conference would continue to help raise funds for the seminary, but it would no longer guarantee a specific amount. The U.S. and Canadian conferences have each committed themselves to a guaranteed subsidy since 1975, when the seminary became a General Conference institution. Vogt did not speculate how the recommendation would affect the Canadian Conference's commitment.
Over the past several years, U.S. churches have annually generated about $250,000 toward the guarantee. But that has not been enough to meet the required amount. To make up the shortfall, the Board of Trustees in the past has contributed funds from MB Foundation earnings-funds some leaders felt could have been used to underwrite the budget needs of u.s. ministries.
Rather than subsidize the deficit last year, the Board of Trustees decided the churches needed to take responsibility for their commitments and borrowed the money to cover the deficit. U.S. churches continue to owe almost $67,000 on that loan.
During the Wichita meetings, treasurer Dale Regier reported that contributions from the churches this year are about the same as last year, raising the likelihood of another loan to cover the projected deficit.
"We simply felt we could not continue doing that year after year," Vogt told the joint boards. He said BCM's proposal, if ratified by the convention, gives the seminary time to plan for its fiscal needs once the guarantee is dropped.-DR
grass-roots support.
Boothe, a land developer by trade, specifically mentioned the importance of getting pastors on board if the broader constituency was to catch the vision of Mission USA. "Until we light the ftre in our pastors, it will not reach Reg Boothe," he said.
The other concern was whether Mission USA would be seen as an attempt to centralize power in the U.S. Conference and away from the congregations and districts that must actually carry out the work of outreach.
Bob Vogt, U.S. Conference chair from Dinuba, Calif., said district leaders had been involved in Vision 2000Mission USA from the beginning. The thrust of the new agency, he said, would be networking and coordination, not directing strategy and implementation.
Dennis Fast, a task force and BeM member from Hillsboro, Kan., said Mission USA could help unify the 150 congregations from across the country around a traditional heartbeatrenewal and evangelism.
"We need a glue, a rallying point, right now-something that is not issue oriented," he said. "We (BCM) believe (the goal of Mission USA) is not something we will argue about as it moves along." -Don Ratzlaff
DISSENSION
India now has double trouble
II Maverick General Council attempts leadership coup
THE INTERNAL strife that has pummeled the 65,000-member Mennonite Brethren Church of India increased in January with the surprise election of a rival Governing Council. Both councils are now claiming legitimacy and recognition, according to North American leaders.
Last September, the 14 national Mennonite Brethren conferences around the world observed a week of prayer and fasting in behalf of the India conference. The newly formed International Committee of Mennonite Brethren (lCOMB) also issued a
SERVICE
Physician joins Pine Ridge team
III Henderson, Neb., native will address
abuse problems
ANEW PHYSICIAN on the Pine ..L .1Ridge Reservation in southwestern South Dakota is pleased to be part of ambitious grass-roots efforts to address alcoholism and other serious health problems and to revive Indian pride.
Merlin Friesen of Henderson, Neb., started a two-year Mennonite Central Committee assignment at the Porcu.pine Clinic this past December. He and his family join MCC workers Patty and Rob Burdette, who have been in the community a year and a half.
The clinic, a project of the Lakota community, resulted from dissatisfaction with inadequate care from the federal Indian Health Services. Private foundations fund the clinic, and individual supporters donate medicines.
The clinic, envisioned and administered by local Lakota people, reflects a revival of tribal pride, according to Friesen.
The Wounded Knee massacre of Dec. 29, 1890, is still felt in the community as a recent trauma, Friesen says. It was a severe blow to Lakota identity, which is only now being recovered.
"It's exciting to jump in to what seems to be the rebuilding of a culture," he says.
The massacre occurred when federal cavalry were disarming a group of Lakota people, who had fled in fear following a military intervention. A scuffle broke out and a shot was frred, resulting in soldiers opening artillery. About 200 Lakota people were killed.
The Lakota community, with state public health workers, is "taking an aggressive approach to combating alcohol and substance abuse," Friesen says. "When we arrived in Pine Ridge, we were surprised at how many sobriety messages we heard, such as the number of 'sobriety dances' sponsored over the holidays."
Friesen describes his work as "routine, mostly pediatric care." He adds,
"Partially due to short life expectancy; the average age on the reservation is 18. We have a large percentage of young patients."
He is especially concerned about fetal alcohol syndrome, believed to affect up to 25 percent of Lakota children. The syndrome can cause longterm learning difficulties.
As the clinic's only physician, Friesen sees his role as "filling a stafft..flg gap" for two years while ClLflic directors develop a long-range personnel plan. In addition, Friesen has joined the staff in community-based educational efforts, including home visits and speaking on local radio.
According to Friesen, the clinic is "impressive and multipurpose, including community health services, a dental clinic and an ambulance garage, for which they are working at getting a
licensed ambulance service." Clinic directors planned to open a kidney dialysis center adjacent to the clinic by the end of February. Kidney failure due to diabetes is common.
Friesen believes that white u.S. culture, though seeming to understand Native American issues, needs to work more closely to right past wrongs.
"From the Indian viewpoint, white hand-wringing has gone on for more than a hundred years, but when it proves convenient to infringe upon Indian land or other rights, white people still do so," Friesen says. "What the Lakota people want to see now is action behind the words, and hopefully MCC's role will include approaching injustices with action."
Mennonite Brethren have two mission churches on the Pine Ridge Reservation.-Emily Will, MCC
TRANSITIONS
MBBS appoints Olfert as Canadian fund-raiser
HARRy OLFERT of Winnipeg, Man., has been appointed to a half-time assignment in fund-raising and donor development at MB Biblical Seminary Fresno, Calif. '
Olfert most recently served as director of development at Menno Simons College from 1992-93, as independent fund-raising consultant from 1990-92 and as campus administrator at MBBS from 1981-88.
. Olfert will maintain a Winnipeg base and work in seminary development m Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. (MBBS)
Ediger resigns as chair of Board of Faith and Life
GERRY EDIGER, Winnipeg, Man., has resigned from the General Conference Board of Faith and Life, citing health reasons. He had been serving as chair of the board since last summer.
ROLAND REIMER, Wichita, Kan., assistant chair of BFL, will serve as chair, according to Edmund Janzen, chair of the General Conference.
"It is never easy to 'switch horses in midstream,' but of necessity, this is what we are doing," Janzen wrote in a letter to General Conference Executive Council members and registrants to the BFL-sponsored consultation scheduled for April 7-9 in Denver, Colo. The consultation will continue as planned, according to Janzen. (GCMBC)
Prieb to lead Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission
GARRY PIuEB has been appointed executive secretary of the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, effective Aug. 1. Prieb was formerly on staff at the Bethany Church (MB) of Fresno, Calif., and planted two Mennonite Brethren churches in British Columbia: the Cedar Park Church of Delta, and the Discovery Community Church of Campbell River. He also has served with Mennonite Central Committee in Zaire as a teacher.
A graduate of Fresno Pacific College and MB Biblical Seminary, he is the son of Mennonite Brethren missionaries Arnold and Rose Priebe (AIMM) Garry Prieb
CROSS-CU L TU RAL
Immigrant church baptizes nine
II Mountain Lake, Minn., group holds first baptism
NINE YOUNG people were baptized last November at the first baptismal service of the Lao Christian Fellowship of Mountain Lake, Minn.
The Lao church is supported by a number of Mountain Lake area congregations, including the Mountain Lake MB Church and the Carson MB Church of Delft.
Up to 100 people attend the Lao Fellowship, which started in August 1992, filling a need for Laotian families who frrst arrived in Mountain Lake in 1988. Today, 170 Laotians are residents in this town, with a total population of 2,000.
This past December, Kong and Sang Chanthaluck, who operate a local restaurant, publicly committed their lives to Jesus Christ. "Today is a great day for my family and me," said Chanthaluck. "We want to be a Christian family and want to be one with all Christians. "
He testified he had a dream where he was struggling to climb a mountain. "I was climbing over rocks and passing through thick brush," he said. "Then someone showed me a path that was already prepared for me. I took the path [that God had provided] and was joyfully able to continue my journey up the mountain."
The Chanthalucks have removed the ancestral shrine from their restaurant and replaced it with a cross to symbolize their new faith. Tong Chitchalerntham, Lao Fellowship pastor, is tutoring the couple with a Bible correspondence course.-From a General Conference Mennonite Church news release
.CHURCH NOTES
A heart for the homeland
Pictured above is some of the humanitarian aid that has arrived in the Ukraine. Aware of the poverty in their former homeland, several Slavic Mennnonite Brethren churches on the West Coast recently have sent containers filled with flour, sugar, cereal, rice and other goods to the former Soviet Union. The congregation in Seattle, Wash., sent three containers in October and November and two more in December. The Vancouver, Wash., congregation sent four to Georgia. The Otti Street Church of Portland, Ore., shipped one to Rokenettna, Ukraine. The Seattle church shipped one container in the fall, and two more in February. (Photo by Esther and
DINUBA, Calif. (Templo Calvario)-Five new members were added to the congregation Jan. 30, four by baptism and one by testimony. The new members are Hector Maldonado, Delfis Maldonado, Manuel Otero, Cesar Espinosa and Berenice Espinosa.
FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News Fellowship)-The congregation recently welcomed Ben and Anjie Altschwager, Sterling and Marsha Donalson and Tanya Willert into membership.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible Fellowship)Mitzi Bowling, Daniel Garland, Jason Garland, Randy Gaskins, Nathan Kung, Thomas Kung, Lauri Odeen, LeAnn Odeen, Jennifer Odeen, Scott Powell and Marius Vulcan were baptized Jan. 9. Dale BueWer, Sheryl Garland, Millie Holle, John Kung, Pat Kung, Kelly Nixon, Elain Odeen, Tom Odeen, Donna Vulcan, Monty Zantow and Tammy Zantow were received into membership by testimony and transfer that day.
BALKO, Okla.-Max and Carla Stewart, Gary and Pallia Tice and Brian Sager were welcomed into membership Jan. 23.
REEDLEY, Calif.-John Booker was baptized and received into membership Jan. 23.
INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)-Mary Goering was received into membership Jan. 30.
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Pine Acres)Casi Bailey, Adrienne Camden, Autumn Camden, James Camden, Reggie Miller, Dustin Rouse, Mason Schmidt, Marisa Segroves, Matthew Segroves and Megan Segroves were baptized and received into membership Jan. 30. Norma Evans, Terry and Sherwana Gathers, Don and Jean Roberts, Edna Uzzell and Karen Rouse were also welcomed into membership that day.
HILLSBORO, Kan. (Parkview)-The church hosted a Friendship Banquet Feb. 13. The program included music by a trio from the First MB Church of Wichita, Kan., skits and the song "Friends," sung by Steve Greenhaw.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-The church family celebrated the 16th anniversary of the church's founding with an evening potluck supper Jan. 9.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage Bible)Elbert and Ruth Tiede placed flowers in the sanctuary Jan. 16 in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.
Gordon Balisky)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-The Christian education staff launched a 17week parenting class Jan. 17. It features the video series, "Growing Kids God's Way: Biblical Ethics for Parenting."
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (EI Camino Bible)Eight children and their families were dedicated to the Lord Jan. 9.
KINGSBURG, Calif.-Brian Klassen resigned his half-time position as youth pastor, effective the end of February, in order to seek full-time employment. Klassen and his wife, Kelly, will continue as volunteer sponsors for the junior high youth group.
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-Chris Walsh concluded his formal ministry as youth pastor Jan. 31 to continue his studies at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage Bible)Jenny Crossman recently started as parttime director of children's ministries. A former elementary school teacher, Crossman was previously Mother's Day Out director at Fullerton Evangelical Free Church.
FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News Fellow-
ship)-The church has called Al and Vi Kroeker to serve as interim pastoral couple. They began their ministry Feb. 20.
COARSEGOLD, Calif. (Mountain Bible)Peter and Donna Johnston were licensed and installed as pastor couple of this emerging church in December. Formerly the Resurrection Fellowship of Oakhurst, Calif., the congregation changed location to a residential area between Oakhurst and Fresno, and meets at the Coarsegold Elementary School. A membership charter will open in the coming weeks.
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Pine Acres)Don Roberts was installed as minister to seniors Feb. 20. Roberts and wife, Jean, served most recently as the pastor couple of the Garden Valley MB Church of Garden City, Kan.
FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News Fellowship)- To raise funds, the high school youth served an Italian dinner and presented a talent show Feb. 13.
TIJLSA, Okla. (parkside)-Chris Shaefer, a member of the youth group and a student at East Central High School, arranged for pastor Mark Isaac to speak to fellow East Central students following a Feb. 15 shoot-
ing incident at a nearby fast-food restaurant. Several East Central students were shot during the incident. Isaac addressed the school's Bible study group Feb. 22 Allison Basinger, a member of the youth group, has been accepted as a summer missionary to Canada with Youth Mission International.
.DEATHS
BULLER, SARAH, Fresno, Calif., a member of the Bethany Church, was born Jan. 25, 1889, to John and Maria Pankratz Sperling in Hamilton County, Neb., ,and died Jan. 19, 1994, at the age of 104. On Sept. 30, 1909, she was married to Henry Franz Buller, who predeceased her. She is survived by three daughters, Ann Penner and Zelma Nickel, both of Fresno, and Elzara (Corky) Mullen of Madera, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
BULLER, WALTER J., Reedley, Calif., a member of the Reedley MB Church, was born Mar. 11, 1920, to David and Lena Sperling Buller in Henderson, Neb., and died Feb. 2, 1994, at the age of 73. On Mar. 9, 1951, he was married to Viola Buller, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Chuck and wife Hughien of Visalia, Calif.; one daughter, Beverlee and husband
A record 86 Southern District pastors, staff members and spouses attended the annual "Staff Advance" (retreat) at Cross Wind Conference Center at Hesston, Kan., Feb. 7-9. Resource persons for the event were Herb and Doris Kopp of Edmonton, Alta. Herb is pastor of the Lendrum MB Church and is former editor of the Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Durwin Keck of Cerritos, Calif.; one brother, Harry Buller of Reedley; one sister, Clara Murbach of Fresno, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
FRIESEN, BERTIIA, Com, Okla., a member of the United Mennonite Church of Premont, TeX\as, was born June 21, 1908, to John and Helen Jantzen Friesen in Weatherford, Okla., and died Jan. 24, 1994, at the age of 85. She is survived by two sisters, Martha Wohlgemuth of Premont, and Matilda Boldt of Reedley, Calif.
FRIESEN, BEN M., Hillsboro, Kan., was born Apr. 18, 1907, to Bernhard H. and Margaret Beier Friesen near Bingham Lake, Minn., and died Feb. 7, 1994, at the age of 86. On May 31, 1931, he was married to Lydia Dick, who predeceased him. He is survived by two sons, Dennis and wife Bette Friesen of Ankeny, Iowa, and Jim and wife Joanne Friesen of Denver, Colo.; a daughter, Marilyn and husband Ray Stelting of Needham, Mass.; two brothers, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
GOERTZEN, CLARENCE MENO, Clara City, Minn., a member of the Mountain -Lake (Minn.) MB Church, was born Nov. 10, 1921, to Jacob and Anna Goertzen at Pierre, S.D., and died Jan. 28, 1994, at the age of 72. On Aug. 4, 1946, he was married to Agnes Fast, who predeceased him in 1987. On Aug. 18, 1989, he was married to Helen Bulthius, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Gerold and wife Bernice of Brunswick, Ohio, Gordon and wife Linda of Windom, Minn., and Galvin of Columbus, Ohio; three daughters, Gloria and husband Michael Podolny of Albuquerque, N.M., Gwendolyn and husband Todd Vinopal of Esco, Minn., and Glenda and husband Greg Parkhurst of Logan, Utah; two brothers, Albert of Los Angeles, Calif., and Wilmer and wife Christine of Moncks Corner, S.C.; two sisters, Marie Davis of Bakersfield, Calif., and Edna and husband Ed Duerksen of San Francisco, Calif.; nine grandchildren, seven step-children and 14 step-grandchildren.
HAGEN, ALLEN LEE, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Hillsboro MB Church, was born Sept. 3, 1926, to Simon and Agnes Suderman Hagen near Hillsboro, and died Feb. 14, 1994, at the age of 67. On Sept. 21, 1947, he was married to Dorothy Neufeld, who survives. He is also survived by four sons, Gary and wife Grace of Minneapolis, Minn., Roger and wife Helen, Randy and wife Vianne, and Terry and wife Cheryl, all of Hillsboro; one brother, Lowell and wife Ethel of Lincoln, Neb.; two sisters, Carol and husband Frank Vogt of Herington, Kan., and Joan and husband Robert Engbrecht of Freeman, S.D.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
HINZ, ALVIN C., Corn, Okla., a member of the Com MB Church, was born May 1, 1906, to Emil and Lena Hinz near Corn,
and died Jan. 15, 1994, at the age of 87. On Jan. 3, 1932, he was married to Elsie Fransen, who survives. He is also survived by three daughters, Earlene and husband Jimmie Belding of Hobart, Okla., Geneva and husband Roger Siemens of Houston, Texas, and Jackie and husband Darrel Bartel of Coin; three brothers, Ed of Reedley, Calif., Leonard B. of Waco, Texas, and Vernon of Ft. Worth, Texas; one sister, Martha Grecian of Orange, Calif.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
HOFFMAN, ANNA, Lodi, Calif., a member of the Vinewood Community Church, was born Apr. 13, 1913, in Eureka, S.D., and died Jan. 21, 1994, at the age of 80. In 1933 she was married to Albert Hoffman, who predeceased her in 1990. She is survived by two sons, Mervin of Pine Grove, Calif., and James of Lodi; three brothers, Leo Hoff, Vernon Hoff and Glen Hoff; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
HORCH, ESTHER, Winnipeg, Man., a member of First Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, was born July 30, 1909, to C.N. and Tina Hiebert in Mountain Lake, Minn., and died Jan. 29, 1994, at the age of 85. On June 29, 1932, she was married to Ben Horch, who predeceased her. She is survived by two brothers, Erwin Hiebert of Boston, Mass., and Clarence Hiebert of Hillsboro, Kan.; three sisters, Martha Richert of Bakersfield, Calif., Ruth Kroeker of Winnipeg, Man., and Naomi Dyck of Fresno, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
JANZEN, DAVID AARON, Fresno, Calif., was born Sept. 6, 1991, to Joel and Judy Janzen, and died Jan. 26, 1994, at the age of 2 from pneumonia. He died following his third bone marrow transplant for Severe Combined Deficiency Syndrome. In addition to his parents, who are members of the Bethany Church of Fresno, he is survived by grandparents Edmund and Mary Janzen and Jack and Lee Hiebert; a great-grandmother, Minnie Brown; and several aunts and uncles.
JOST, JOHN B., Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Parkview MB Church, was born Oct. 31, 1906, to John R. and Helena Baerg Jost in Texas County, Okla., and died Jan. 21, 1994, at the age of 87. On Oct. 6, 1928, he was married to Susie Wohlgemuth, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Ken and wife Jean of Marion, Kan., and John W. and wife Susan of Fallon, Nev.; two daughters, Virginia and husband Henry Bestvater of Newton, Kan., and Margaret and husband Joel Enns of Camino, Calif.; three brothers, Alfred, Menno and Harold Jost, all of Hillsboro; five sisters, Kathleen Hiebert of Fresno, Calif., Margaret Goertzel of Wichita, Kan., Edna Janzen of Newhall, Calif., Melinda Smith of Landsdale, Pa., and Ellen Ewy of Reedley, Calif.; 10 grandchidlren and 10 great-grandchildren.
OLLENBURGER, EDWIN CHARLES, Hillsboro, Kan., retired pastor and a member of the Hillsboro MB Church, was born Sept. 6, 1911, to Charley C. and Mary Wichert Ollenburger in Beaver County, Okla., and died Jan. 23, 1994, at the age of 82. On Mar. 25, 1934, he was married to Esther Wiens, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Elvera Fox and Rosalie Nickel; one son, Ben; three brothers, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
REIMER, MENNO F., Bellingham, Wash., a member of the Birch Bay MB Church, was born Feb. 25, 1904, to Cornelius and Elizabeth Funk Reimer at Com, Okla., and died Jan. 8, 1994, at the age of 89. On Apr. 22, 1928, he was married to Martha Lau, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Eldred and wife Kay of Lynden, Wash.; four daughters, Elizabeth and husband Harold Fast of Bellingham, Doreen Bartel of Bakersfield, Calif., Clarice and husband Nick Rempel of Buhler, Kan., and Jean and husband Al Fleming of Bakersfield; one son-in-law, Harry Fast and wife Pauline of Ferndale, Wash.; 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
SUDERMAN, OLGA BALZER, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Ebenfeld MB Church, was born Dec. 6, 1906, to Gotthilf and Sophia Renke Winter in McClusky, N.D., and died Jan. 19, 1994, at the age of 87. On Jan. 2, 1930, she was married to Jacob P. Balzer, who predeceased her in 1973. On May 26, 1979, she was married to John H. Suderman, who survives. She is also survived by five daughters, Mavis Vix of Sawyer, N.D., Marcella Picraux and Rhoda Guerin, both of Denver, Colo., Arva Deutschendorf of Newton, Kan., and Rita Smith of Wichita, Kan.; one son, Orman Balzer of Denver; three step-daughters, Betty Friesen of Wichita, Jennie Marsh of Newton, and Joanne Funk of Lake Zurich, Ill; one sister, Esther Eitzen; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, seven stepgrandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren.
THIESSEN, ALVINA PENNER, Shafter, Calif., a member of the Shafter MB Church, was born Jan. 23, 1910, in Escondido, Calif., and died Feb. 5, 1993, at the age of 83. In 1936 she was married to Dan Thiessen, who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Frank of Wasco, Calif., and Dan and wife Carolyn of Hillsboro, Kan.; one daughter, Bonnie and husband Paul Hooge of Bakersfield, Calif.; one brother, Frank Penner of Tehachapi, Calif.; two sisters, Kay Frances Penner of Shafter, and Jewel Wedell of Paso Robles, Calif.; and three grandchildren.
TOEWS, ROLAND,. Wolf Point, Mont., a member of the Lustre (Mont.) MB Church, was born May 31, ,1918, to Jacob J. and marie Toews, and died Oct. 26, 1993, at the age of 75. On Apr. 15, 1943, he was married to Susie Unrau, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Arnold of Lustre, and MAR CHI
Lyman of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Joan Williams of Lustre; two brothers, Harold of American Falls, Idaho, and Raymond of Lustre; three sisters, Rosella Toews of Glasgow, Mont., Marjorie Reimche of Martin, N.D., and Amanda Wall of Lustre; and seven grandchildren.
WIENS, SARAH BERG, Reedley, Calif., a member of the Bethany Church (MB) of Fresno, Calif., was born Sept. 28, 1903, to John W. and Marie Buller Berg near Goessel, Kan., and died Jan. 27, 1994, at the age of 90. OnJan. 3, 1941, she was married to Sam Wiens, who predeceased her in 1993. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
WILLEMS, PETER B., Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Parkview MB Church, was born Dec. 18, 1903, to George and Anna Block Willems and died Dec. 8, 1993, at the age of 89. On May 5, 1926, he was married to Hannah Plett, who predeceased him. He is survived by two daughters, Ethel and husband Willis Kleinsasser of Reno, Nev., and Rubena and husband Bill Hiebert of Orland, Calif.; one son, Edwin and wife Jeanne of Houston, Texas; one brother, John of Reedley, Calif.; six sisters, Mary Willems, Ann Isaac, Helen Willems and Esther Willems, all of Reedley, Eva Classen of Fresno, Calif., and Martha Klema of Kansas City; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. $2
CLEARINGHOUSE
OPPORTUNITIES
THE NORTH FRESNO Mennonite Brethren Church invites applications for the newly created position of pastor of children and family ministries. The person called will join a staff of three in a growing, urban church. Desired qualifications include: post-baccalaureate training in this or related field; experience in this or similar ministry; ability to relate to persons of all ages. For a position description, or to send a resume, write to: Dr. Joel Wiebe, Chair, Pastoral Search Committee, North Fresno MB Church, 5724 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93710. Applications will bereceived until a suitable candidate is appointed.
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE is recruiting participants for two Youth Discovery Teams. A singing team with Colombia will run 12/94 to 5/95. Applicants must be 18-24, hispanic, speak Spanish, be U.S. citizens and strong singers. Non-hispanic Spanishspeakers will be considered after 6/15/94. A singing team with the Zambia Brethren in Christ Church will run 1/95-8/95. Applicants must be 18-24 and strong singers. Applications for both teams are due 6/15/94. Contact MCC, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500, phone (717) 859-1151.
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE is accepting applications fur two canner operators. This two-year volunteer service position begins April 1994. Canners travel November-April to some 30 meat-canning sites in 11 states. Summer is spent in Akron, Pa. Applicants must have faith in Jesus Christ, be committed to peacemaking and have a church membership. Must be single, male, at least 21 years old, physically strong/healthy, with good mechanical aptitude. MCC prOVides training for Commercial Drivers Licensing.
To apply, contact your regional or provincial MCC office or Goldie Kuhns, 21 South 12th Street, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500, phone (717) 8591151. In Canada contact MCC Canada Personnel, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9; phone (204) 261-6381.
MENNONITE MUTUAL AID has two openings in the Information Systems Department. The persons chosen for these positions will be responsible to analyze, design, develop and/or purchase business software for an AS/400 and PC-LAN environment.
• PROGRAMMER/ANALYST-PROJECT LEADER. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor's degree and at least 2-5 years of managerial, professional, or technical experience in such areas as applications development, insurance, financial services, accounting, etc. This person will have strong skills in leadership, working with people, communications, planning and organizing. May also lead a team of people involved in the applications development activities mentioned above.
• JUNIOR PROGRAMMER/ANALYST. To qualify, candidates must have or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree in management information systems, business, finance, accounting, computer science, mathematics, etc. Candidates will also have potential to develop strong skills in leadership, working with people, communications, planning and organizing.
Applicants for both positions must pass an aptitude test. MMA offers an excellent, smoke-free working environment and a competitive benefit package. Send resume to: Mennonite Mutual Aid Human Resources Dept., P.O. Box 483, Goshen, IN 465270483.
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE is accepting applications for two positions within SELFHELP Crafts. All MCC workers must demonstrate a personal Christian faith, active church membership and commitment to nonviolent peacemaking.
• GENERAL MANAGER of the Ephrata (Pa.) SELFHELP Crafts of the World store. Qualifications include retaif and retail management experience and knowledge and strong support of SELFHELP Crafts. Overseas experience is preferred. Position includes
managing operation of gift shop, tea room and Gallery at Artworks.
• SELFHELP CRAFTS COMPUTER SERVICES MANAGER, Akron Pa. Qualifications include: College degree or equivalent experience in systems analysis and design, experience administering Novell NetWare. Position involves both administration and analysis/programming duties.
These two-year positions, salaried or volunteer service, are available April 1994. Interested persons contact Goldie Kuhns, 21 S. 12th St., P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA; (717) 859-1151. Applications due March 7.
NOTICES
NORTH OAK COMMUNITY CHURCH in Hays, Kan., has about 100 used copies of the Mennonite Brethren Church Hymnal, copyright 1953, to give away. Contact Ken Ediger, pastor, 3000 Oak St., Hays, KS 67601; phone (913) 628-8887.
MCC EAST AFRICA ALUMNI - An MCC East Coast Africa Reunion will be held July 1-3, 1994, at the Laurelville (Pa.) Mennonite Church Center. Please place this date on your calendar. Program and registration information will be available soon. If you wish for more information on the reunion or can provide information on updated addresses contact Ruth Detweiler, 222 N. 11th Street, Akron, PA 17501.
FOR SALE
ESTATE SALE! REDUCED PRICE! Condo for sale, 4980 E. Heaton, Unit 108, Fresno, Calif. Two blocks from Fresno Pacific College and MB Biblical Seminary. Two bedrooms, two baths, large living area, attached garage, large covered patio, inside utility, choice locationwithin a 34-unit complex with clubhouse facilities. $69,950. Troy or Sara Evans (209) 434-1505 or Virginia Just (209) 251-6056.
FOR SALE: Two bedroom free-standing condo, Fresno, Calif. One block from Fresno Pacific College and the Butler Avenue MB Church, two blocks from MB Biblical Seminary. The neighbors within the complex are the best incentive for living in this home. (714) 756-8434.
European Anabaptist Heritage, Aug. 1-18, Cal Redekop & Hen ry Landes European Fall Harvest, Sept. 22-0ct. 6, Wilmer Martin & John Ruth
Rhine River cruise, Cave of the Anabaptists, majestic Alps, memorable
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PA 15683 800-296-6789
Free to die, free to live
FOR WHAT WOULD you be willing to die? The question seems so removed from the tranquillity of our middle-class lives that it's hard even to imagine a plausible scenario to frame the question.
Accident, illness and crime can rip life from us without consent. But for what would we willingly hand over our existence on this earth-give up all that we are, have and aspire to? Is there anything in our lives we would consider more valuable than life itself, to which we would hold on even at the cost of a bullet, beating or burning?
Most of us feel obligated to yes. For me, family springs quickly to mind-my wife and children without hesitation. Some friendships are so strong that I think I could choose death with no more than a second thought. I'd like to think I, would give up my life even to save a stranger's-, but I honestly don't know.
Judging by gun sales in this country, a lot of people would be willing to die-and kill-for their possessions. Frankly, I can't think of a thing lawn that is worth anyone's life, especially my own.
I might be willing to die for my country-if the cause was truly just. Even if my faith convictions prevent me from killing for it.
with ultimate values. What could be so worthy of our suffering and pain? What is so valuable that we would give up our very life to preserve it, protect it, redeem it?
When faced with that same question, this is the answer Jesus gave: You are that valuable; I am that valuable. You and I-stubborn, selfish, unreliable, ungrateful, imperfect as any humans can be-were worth dying for. The King of kings, with the glory and riches of heaven at his fingertips, gave up everything because you and I were more precious, more significant to him than all of that. Jesus believed it was more important that we live than that he live.
People who know they have been redeemed at the cost of another's life can never again live or die onlyfor themselves.
And what about those faith convictions? Would you be willing to die for your Christian beliefs? That scenario has become less hypothetical for me in recent days, thanks to the arrival in our community of a traveling exhibit called "Mirror of the Martyrs." Tastefully yet powerfully presented, the exhibit highlights the sacrifices .of the many hundreds of Anabaptist martyrs. But it also reminds us that the path of Christian discipleship is stained with blood of all types. People who laid it all on the line for what they believed about Christ and his call upon their lives.
And it wasn't just death. But also torture, terrible torture. Beatings. The rack. Whips. Tongue screws. Disfigurement and dismemberment. And then to sing hymns of praise even as the executioner torched the kindling at their feet.
And they endured it all willingly. I ask again: For what would you be willing to die? To answer that question-honestly, without romantic notions-is to wrestle
That is the message of Easter. Can you fathom it? I'm not sure it's possible to fully comprehend it. But until the mystery of it overcomes us, humbles us, empowers us, I'm not sure we can willingly die for anything or anyone else. And if and when that truth does begin to envelope us, I'm not sure we can be satisfied to live for anything or anyone else either. People who know they have been redeemed at the cost of another's life can never again live or die only for themselves.
What I wish this Easter for me and for you-for the Mennonite Brethren Church-is a renewed sense of the martyr's power. Political scientists know that social control is rooted in the perception that an authority person or party can punish and ultimately extinguish its citizens. Remove the fear of death and you remove control.
The Anabaptists of the 16th century were so feared by the church-state powers because these radical Christfollowers were quite willing to die for what they believe. And in their willingness to die, they were empowered to fully live their beliefs, without fear and constraint. And the gospel grew.
I don't know if this generation of U.S. Mennonite Brethren will ever face .the threat of physical death because of our faith convictions as our forebears did. But I would wish for each one of us the willingness to die-to lay our day-to-day lives on the line-in reckless pursuit of Christ's call because of what Christ did for us. Until we are,prepared to die for Christ, we can never fully live for him.-DR
