March 1995

FIR S TWO R D S from the interim editor

THE CHRISTIAN WITNESS in one of the largest countries in the world has not been eradicated despite years of communist rule J Lorne Peachey describes the two main types of churches in China and the indirect but influential witness of teachers working there under China Educational Exchange, an inter-Mennonite organization sending teachers to China and bringing Chinese educators to North American Mennonite schools. Will the doors into China open even more?

Jesus Christ may have healed your spiritual blindness. But do you still dream the dreams of someone who hasn't felt his healing touch? Denny Lopes shows there's a difference.

Readers again have an opportunity to respond to issues of faith and life. Look for a topic in each of the next few issues. We value your response . We build the church together in this way. -KFW

COMING

• MARCH 25-2S-Estes '95, the quadrennial national youth convention, Estes Park, Colo .

• APRIL 7-S-Mid-Kansas MCC Relief Sale, Hutchinson, Kan.

• APRIL 7-S-West Coast MCC Relief Sale , Fresno, Calif.

• JULY 6-9-60th convention of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Fresno, Calif.

• JULY 25-30-]oint Mennonite Church/General Conference Mennonite Church convention, Wichita, Kan.

• OCTOBER 27-29-Central and Southern districts meeting jointly for their annual convention; hosted by Tabor College.

• OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-Pacific District Conference regional rallies; specific sites and dates to be detennined.

QUOTABLE

• The problem is not only to win souls but to save minds. If you win the whole world and lose the mind of the world, you will soon discover you have not won the world. Indeed it may turn out that you have actually lost the world.-CHARLES MALIK, UNITED NATIONS

CHINNS COMPLEX CHURCH

The growth of Christianity in communist China is near miraculous-but not without challenges

by] . LORNE PEACHEY

ITTING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER with 2,000 Chinese during a twohour church service is a heartwarming experience. The awe on their faces, the meaning with which they sing, their hunger for the gospel-all these you'll never forget .

This church is a member of the ThreeSelf Patriotic Movement (TSPM). That word "patriotic" should have told you that here indeed is a different way to do church.

TSPM had its beginnings in 1950, when the communist government ex -

Part of the crowd of 2,000 at the 10 a.m. worship service, Oct. 9, 1994, at the Dong-guan Christian Church in Shenyang. This photo shows mostly men, since much of the seating-although not all-in this church appears to be segregated by gender. Ushers and attendants the morning Peachey attended were women.

peUed all foreign missionaries from China. Chinese Christians got together and formed the Three-Self church : self-governing , self-supporting , self-propagating Never again, they said, would the Chinese Christian church be run by foreigners.

What they said, or what they called themselves , didn ' t matter for years The government took all church buildings and used them for storage, meetings or education. To identify oneself as a Christian meant exile, if not death.

But changes came in the early 1980s with a new open-door policy and a constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion Churches began to get their buildings back. Remnants of former Protestant denominations got together and organized themselves as a China Christian Council (CCC) to take care of the life and witness of the church, Amity Foundation for social service and relief work, and Amity Press to print Bibles.

And the church began to grow. Bao ]iayuan, TSPM general secretary , says there are 8 to 10 million Protestants in China today; others say it could be as high as 50 million Though that 's still only 1 to 2 percent of the population, CCC estimates that currently three new believer groups start up every two days .

Not nearly all Chinese Christians belong to the CCC's 8,000 churches , however. There are at least 20 ,000 other worship groups , by some estimates. The Chinese call these "meeting points." Some western observers call them "underground churches." These meeting points are mostly small and located in rural areas. They all meet publicly.

Unlike the CCC churches, many of these meeting points do not register with the state. They have a strong distrust of the government. They have seen the communist government make too many changes in the past 50 years The next one may go against them again

Meeting point Christians often also disagree theologically with the CCC churches And then there's the whole matter of trust Some meeting point leaders were imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution, turned in to the state, they say, by leaders still in power in the Three -Self or the CCc.

New regulations

Perhaps the best example of the difference between these two groups of Chinese Christians comes in how they respond to two new government regulations on religion published this year.

((lYle believe post-denominaW tionalism is a gift from God for us for this time, " says

Bao jiayuan, an Amity leader.

The regulations ask churches to register the ir places of meeting and names of their leaders (but not of their members) with local government officials

Three-Self churches have welcomed the regulations . They believe these regulations will help curb persecution and abuses by local cadres, who, without directives from the government in Beijing, sometimes do pretty much what they please with Christians.

Meeting point Christians see it differently . For them the new regulations are a government crackdown , one that will limit their activity. This also appears to be the view of many North American and European church groups hoping to renew mission work in China.

Coping the West

Talk of a rift between these two types of Christians in China is perhaps more Western than it is Chinese. Western influence and intervention does the Chinese church more harm than good , according to Wee-Seng Kual, a native of Singapore, who is currently deputy general manager of Amity Press

One reason the Catholic church is not prospering in China, according to Wee-Seng, is because of outside influences from Rome Meanwhile, Protestants in China have built their own organizations and speak rather proudly of themselves as a "post-denominational church."

Many former Mennonite churches begun through North American mission work have apparently aligned themselves with Three-Self and the CCc. "We believe post-denominationalism is a gift from God for us for this time, " says Bao ]iayuan, an Amity leader. He added that CCC tries to respect the beliefs and practices of Christians associated with smaller denominations in the past , which includes the former Mennonites

Closing the gap

Signs indicate the gap between the registered and the unregistered Chinese Christians may be shrinking Ironically, a past symbol of the

differences between the two may now be bringing them together: the Bible.

CCC has been publishing Bibles since 1982 and distributes them to CCC and meeting point churches. This year Amity Press will print 2.2 million Bibles with government permission. It also celebrated publication of its 8 millionth Bible since its beginning. This makes the Bible the second most widely published book in China-after The Selected Works of Mao Zedong. Amity officials admit they can't meet the demand. Printings are usually sold out within a day and a half. They have plans for an additional press to double capacity and believe they will have no trouble getting government permission to do so.

This year, unity around the Bible got a boost when the Billy Graham Association began using Amity for its Bible distribution work. And more recently, Brother Andrew of Bible-smuggling fame has begun to cooperate with Amity, according to Wee-Seng.

The gap between Chinese Christians may also be bridged by common experiences of mental or physical healing. According to Pastor Bao, up to two-thirds of the new believers coming into the church-both registered and unregis-

'Ii be a Christian in China 1 often means a drastic choice. You can't, for example, be both a Communist Party member and Christian, although there's evidence some Christians may be secret Party members.

Bible production at Amity Press, Jiangsu Province. Last year Amity celebrated the printing of its 8 millionth Bible since its beginning in the late 19805.

tered-do so because of healing in some form in their own lives or in the lives of someone they know.

The leadership gap

Dnity is only one of the issues facing Chinese Christians. Wherever you go, you soon hear about another: leadership. One estimate has no more than 1,200 ministers for 8 to 10 million Christians. That's 6,666 parishioners per pastor at best! And missing is a whole generation of 50and 60-year-old leaders lost to the church, literally and figuratively, during the desperate days of the Cultural Revolution.

Chinese Christians are working hard to fill the void Many churches house seminariessometimes no larger than two or three rooms, with 20 to 40 students. One Chinese pastor in 10 is a woman, yet the seminary student population is more than 50 percent female. Reports are heard of older church leaders reluctant to ordain both young male pastors or women. Congregations often prefer Western tunes and art, though rural churches are beginning to experiment with Scripture songs set to Chinese melodies.

And then there is the state-a continuing concern for Christians who must live under a communist regime To be a Christian in China often means a drastic choice. You can't, for example, be both a Communist Party member and Christian, although there's evidence some Christians may be secret Party members.

The picture of the Chinese church grows ever more complex the more one digs. But, says Wee-Seng from Singapore, "Those of us who live with more freedom must allow the Chinese to find their own way." And who are we to criticiZe how these 8 to 10 million Christians decide to do W

J Lorne Peachey is the editor of Gospel Herald, a weekly publication of the Mennonite Church. In October he spent two weeks in China This article was commissioned by Meetinghouse, a consortium of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ editors.

CHINA EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE

Anewway of doing missions

by]. LORNE PEACHEY

HIS YEAR 22 NORTH

Americans are realizing their dream by teaching at universities in China in the name of the Mennonite church. Why? Lila Brenneman, Wellman, Iowa, teacher at Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu, says, "I love living here. I know what I do has an effect on my students." For Todd Friesen, Harrisonburg, Va., at Beijing University of Science and Technology, the exciting part is

relating to the Chinese church. "It's a challenge for me spiritually."

Lila and Todd currently serve with China Educational Exchange (CEE). In many ways they are the culmination of decades of interest by Mennonites in this mysterious land of the East.

In 1951, China's communist government closed the doors and forced foreign missionaries out. For 30 years, nothing. Then the door cracked, and Goshen (Ind.) College sent its first Study Service Term (SSn students to Chengdu, Sichuan, in 1980.

By this time China wanted English teachers. There was more to do than Goshen College could handle. So a group of missions and relief organizations formed a coalition in 1982, and CEE was born.

Its hub is five mission and service agencies: Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Board of Missions (MC), Commission on Overseas Mis· sions (GC) , Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services, and Eastern Mennonite Missions (Lancaster Conference/MC). Cooperating with CEE for exchanges are 10 North American Mennonite colleges as well as the North American Chinese Mennonite Council, the Mennonite Medical Association, and Mennonite Health Services.

OURROLEIN HI

Mennonite Brethren involvement goes back almost a century. Do we have a future there?

by KATIE FUNK WIEBE

INCE 1901 MEMBERS OF various Mennonite groups have gone to China to establish mission fields. The forerunners of Mennonite Brethren involvement in China were Henry C. and Nellie Bartel of the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church (KMB). They arrived in 1901, after the Boxer Uprising, a violent reaction to "foreign devils" (missionaries) and "secondary devils" (Chinese Christians). About 12 years later Bartel organized the China Mennonite Mission Society, an interMennonite mission agency.

The next to arrive in China were Frank J. and Agnes Wiens in 1912 as independent missionaries but with unof· ficial support of Mennonite Brethren friends. In 1919, after seven lonely years, these pioneers were joined by nine others when the Mennonite Brethren Church in America assumed responsi· bility for the Hakka mission in South China.

In 1945 the conference also accepted the Bartel mission, which was then operating in West China. More missionaries were sent out. But by 1951, following the communist takeover, the last of our missionaries were forced to leave the country.

By this time the church was well established. There were 11 Mennonite Brethren churches in China, with a total of 450 members. Thirty years of silence followed. No word arrived from Men· nonite churches until 1979 when Mennonite Central Committee received a letter that referred to several General Conference Mennonite churches in China.

Mission interest in China reawakened . The board of MB Missions/Services (MBM/S) went on record to support the larger pan·evangelical asso· ciations in an evangelistic thrust, by radio first, to the larger Chinese community . The Far East Broadcasting Company reported receiving more than 6,000 letters during the first four months of 1979. China seemed to be cautiously opening to the West

Jonathan Bartel and Paul Bartel visited China on behalf of MBM/ S in 1980 after an absence of

Missionary A.K. Wiens baptizing a new believer.

33 years. They found the church very much alive. They met with Christians from churches they had once worked with. In some places 40 to 50 Christians gathered, in one place more than 500.

More information about Chinese Christians reached America. The church had undergone a "painful transition to a deinstitutionalized church" with an estimate of 40,000 house churches in the country, totaling about 10 million members.

Two streams of Christianity presently exist in China, the government-sponsored Three-Self Patriotic Movement (self-supporting, self-governing, self·propagating) and house churches. These latter emerged as a reaction to the wave of persecution in the 1970s

In 1980 the Council on International Min-

The connection still glimmers

CHURCHES

MINISTER IN THREE AREAS of China where Mennonite Brethren and Krimmer Mennonite Brethren missionaries served, says Dale Warkentin, MB Missions/Services secretary for Asia. Life for these Chinese Christians since 1950 has been difficult as governmental tolerance has fluctuated. Warkentin visited the former Mennonite Brethren congregation in Fujian Province in 1993 and uses it as an illustration.

Prior to the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, the Shang hand congregation's pastor, who was trained by Mennonite Brethren missionaries, died in prison His wife was publicly humiliated, and the church building confiscated. Today the government has returned several buildings, including one prominently located downtown.

While the current Shanghand congregation is comprised primarily of Mennonite Brethren and former Presbyterians, most of the leaders were trained by Mennonite Brethren missionaries Warkentin estimates two-thirds of the congregation can trace their spiritual roots to the Mennonite Brethren. Many of the older peop le he talked with were aware of their heritage and proudly consider themselves Mennonite Brethren.

Identifying oneself as a Christian in China limits opportunities for education and employment, Warkentin says. For this reason many young people are not baptized until they have established themselves in a career and are married. The Shang hand church has informed Warkentin of baptismal services numbering 30 individuals.

MBM/S is pleased to have renewed connections with the Shanghand church as well as another congregation in northern China, Warkentin says. "We are not trying to reestablish Mennonite Brethren churches, but to reestablish connections in order to encourage one another."-Connie Faber

istries, of which 13 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ agencies are members , heard of the need for a new approach to missions in China by recruiting and sponsoring exchange teachers and other professionals. The China Educational Exchange (CEE) , a cooperative inter-Mennonite presence in China, emerged as the result.

Dale Warkentin, MBMjS secretary for Asia, after an historic visit to the country's interior in early 1993, worshiped with the 100-member Shanghand congregation in Fujian Province, the first official MBMjS contact with the Chinese church in 42 years. The Christians expressed a strong desire for increased interaction.

Warkentin also learned that a church planted by KMB missionaries in Hohhat, Inner Mongolia (1923-48), now has 1,000 members and had built a meetinghouse near that city. 62

Read more about it....

Two books are available for anyone wishing to know more of Mennonite Brethren and Krimmer Mennonite Brethren mission work in China. Shadowed by the Great Wall tells the story from the perspective of missionaries A.K and Gertrude Wiens . Have Cart, Will Travel, by Katie Funk Wiebe, tells the dramatic story of missionary Paulina Foote. The books are available for $1.50 each or $2.50 for both (includes postage and handling). Send orders to Kindred Press, Box V, Hillsboro, KS 67063

Jesus Christ may have healed your spiritual blindness. But do you still dream the dreams of a blind person who hasn't felt his healing touch?

by DENNY LOPES

:

hat dreams do you dream?

T WAS ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS WHEN, IN THE middle of sermon preparation (early Greek word is actually "perspiration")-you find yourself having an out-of-mind experience. This is closely related to an out-of-body experience, but in this case, you have a little more control over where you are and are able to regain your senses when someone enters the room.

During this time I visited Pastor-land, a place where you are allowed to think about obscure sermon illustrations in the privacy of your own mind and can talk to yourself without anyone listening.

-------II hll----

Wealth care for ourselves?

Jim Holm's January column shows his satisfaction with efforts to unplug government-provided benefits Unfortunately, it appears that the conservative mantra he accepts has superceded the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The many New Testament teachings about the poor never give us a chance to waver from Jesus's concern for the downtrodden Whether our stock portfolio is growing or not, or if our taxes are too high, is never to be our primary concern. Shame on us if we cannot see that we have been given the gifts needed to exceU in our economic system. Is it right for us to look down on those who received no such gifts?

Holm accepts the usual rightwing "Christian" mischaracterizations of liberals who see value in government programs to support the "least of these, my brethren." Each trait cited is factually wrong and appears to be quoted from the Limbaugh playbook

Let me attempt to shed some light regarding welfare in America through some easy-to-remember facts:

• Two-thirds of welfare payments support the disabled and the elderly. A good number of our Mennonite grandparents in Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma (and possibly other states) receive welfare for their long-term nursing care.

• Sixty percent of welfare expenditures are for medical costs, not cash payments to individuals. Reduced prevention care, massive intervention in "hopeless" cases, and a few cost controls increase welfare costs in this category.

• Welfare payments to individuals are reduced frequently in most states as a cost-cutting measure . The lobby for poor people is weak and rarely includes organized church support

While Social Security is indexed for inflation (AARP conservatives love this government program, even if CPI overstates actual cost increases), most states pay the same as they did 10 years ago Promoters of plans to cut payments to reduce illegitimate births should note that states with low benefits often have higher rates of teenage

pregnancy.

• Government programs for the poor were expanded in the 1930s, and again in the 1960s, because in both periods it was obvious that private and church efforts to meet the basic needs of the poor were falling far short of decency .

• When unemployment falls below 6 percent, the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, in part, to assure that the 94 percent who are employed face minimal inflation. No amount of job training or personal responsibility will allow aU of the lowest 6 percent to find self-supporting work. Yes, the families of the 6 percent of the unemployed will suffer with the nonworkers, perhaps on very meager welfare payments and the explicit condemnation of far too many Christians.

• Government support for the poor in the United States is dead last in the developed nations as a percentage of the GDP. Are we proud that secular humanists, atheists, or even liberals in Europe are more willing to give a helping hand far beyond that of "Christian" America? Will we squander our witness on wealth care program for ourselves?

Roger D. Harms Wichita, Kan

No monotone ditties

Worship services are going through a change from singing hymns to singing praise choruses. Some churches have eliminated hymn singing all together. On top of this, a group of gifted singers, usually with high-powered mikes, stand in front of us under the guise of "leading us in worship."

They outsing us and are to me personally a distraction. We don't need this kind of entertainment to worship.

I travel around the country and find this trend in all churches we visit. We recently visited a Mennonite Brethren church where the "platform group" was so professional most of the congregation was just listening and not many were singing . Frankly, I don't worship well when we rely on professionalism to "do it" for us in comparison to a worship leader leading us in a worship experience through meaningful hymn singing.

I will concede there is a place for a praise chorus at appropriate times. Who can argue that the chorus "Majesty" will not help us in our worship endeavor? But I certainly do object to monotone "ditties" that are repeated three and four times in a row . Why can't worship leaders seek a balance that blends a chorus or two with hymns instead of an overbalance of choruses? Don Buller Fresno, Calif.

Sensitive pioneers

The article on the assimilation problems facing Latino Mennonite Brethren in the United States was both insightful and instructive Oanuary). Although it does not detract from the major thrust of the article, I believe the statement that "Mennonite Brethren ministry among Latinos began in small South Texas communities in 1937" is in error.

The ministry began much earlier in the state of Oklahoma as part of the activities of the Post Oak Mission to 0,", '" ,,",EREIS L.II(E A LinLE PERSPECTIVE TO RoUtt-! A (,-000 iIRAt>£.

Pontius' Puddle

the Comanche Indians Missionaries A.]. and Magdelena Becker assisted by Anna Hiebert Gomez regularly ministered to Mexican families in work camps near Indiahoma In addition, as early as 1925 about 30 Mexican families regularly attended worship services at Post Oak.

In 1936, following Becker's recommendation, the conference established a separate mission to the many Mexicans living on the outskirts of the city of Lawton, Okla. By that time , according to Becker, he had baptized 85 Latinos at Post Oak. In the first decade the Mennonite Brethren mission workers assigned to Lawton were fluent in Spanish and services were conducted in that language After 1946, due to population shifts, the relocated Lawton View Mission came to minister primarily to whites

Based on my research , the Beckers and Gomez demonstrated commendable sensitivity toward cultural differences-a sensitivity not always matched by the Foreign Mission

Board. Overall these dedicated and overlooked pioneer Mennonite Brethren missionaries related well to non-German-Russian ethnic groups.

Marvin E. Kroeker Ada, Okla.

A Macedonian call

Anyone who has visited Phoenix, Ariz., over the years knows some streets in our fair city can be confusing. A street name will actually change at a given intersection. Palm Glen MB Church has come to one of those intersections. It has voted to change its name to Desert Valley Community Church.

The Bible records several name changes: Jacob was changed to Israel, Abram became Abraham, and Sarai was changed to Sarah. Each change came with a promise. Our congregation also wants to receive a promise from God . As Elisha received the cloak from Elijah and built a ministry from that base, we feel the work begun by Wes Gunther in 1963 is a

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solid base for a new thrust in Phoenix.

To help us celebrate this change, consider a change of your own. Just as Paul received a vision to move to Macedonia to help the Christians there (Acts . 16:19), we need couples who could spend at least a year in this community and make a commitment to Desert Valley Community . We need people who have musical talent, could help lead small groups, and could work with our youth.

Consider a name change in your address: from Reedley to Phoenix, from Hillsboro to Phoenix, from Salem to Phoenix .. . . Come to "Macedonia" and help us!

Ed Toews, pastor Desert Valley Community Church Phoenix, Ariz.

Words of thanks

The Lincoln Hills Bible Church of Sioux Falls, S.D., would like to publicly thank and recognize God's goodness through the generosity of Ebenezer MB Church of Doland, S.D.

Upon the conclusion of Ebenezer's ministry and a 75th anniversary celebration Aug. 21, 1994, the church offered their manual, full -pedal board Conn organ to any Central District church in need of one. This 17-yearold organ is in excellent condition.

The organ became a wonderful early Christmas present to the Sioux Falls church For the past five and one half years the church has enjoyed the use of a similar organ which was privately owned.

Thanks again for your generosity, Ebenezer! Harold Franz Sioux Falls, S.D.

BY PHILIP WIEBE

Marginal thoughts

WHEN WE BOUGHT our house several years ago in one of Salem's "marginal" neighborhoods, we weren't surprised when people wondered about our real estate savvy. Since Kim and I were known to be of relatively sound mind , however, we must have had a reason. "I admire what you ' re doing," someone ventured. "It's great you want to live where you can be such a witness for the Lord ."

Er, well, we appreciated the vote of confidence , but all we really wanted was to buy the best house we could afford. To elaborate a bit, what we were looking for was a bargain. An old but solid place we could fix up to sell at a profit, in order to win the privilege of buying an even bigger fixer-upper to fIX up. So much for Kim and me being of sound mind.

So far, things have worked out pretty well. After we bought our place real estate prices went sky-high Now the people who questioned our savvy give us sly looks and say, "Shrewd." Sure, as if we personally engineered Oregon's real estate boom.

An interesting thing about all this: our house sits about a block from our church In recent years our church has struggled with the same question puzzling many other long-established congregations : How can a middle-class church maintain a viable witness in a mixedclass neighborhood? Someone once suggested, "We need to think in terms of cross-cultural ministry . In this neighborhood our church is like one culture trying to relate to another »

I'm not so sure. Living here has made it plain to us that our neighborhood is far more middle class than otherwise, peopled with working families, retirees and youngish folks like us fIXing up an oldish house to build some equity. OK, there is that long-bearded eccentric at the end of our block who paints his house orange to ward off assassins or possibly space aliens. And we have more serious problems, like the drug and gang activity that can crop up only blocks rather than miles away. But by and large, our neighborhood is pretty mainstream Reaching our neighbors hardly takes a cross-culturalleap. More like a stroll across the street.

In a society obsessed with differences, it's easy to overlook our overwhelming similarities The church can get so worked up figuring out ways to reach people, it can sidetrack itself from actually going out and reaching people .

The barriers aren't always so big as they seem. Years ago, when it appeared to me that the leap from aspiring scribbler to published writer was about the size of the Grand Canyon, I heard some timely words. A Pulitzer Prize -winning author was musing about the early days of his career when inner doubts kept dogging him. "What right do you have to share with others what you think?" Then the answer came: "I have every right. I'm human »

We, too, enjoy the amazing privilege of being human Even better, we bear the awesome blessing of God's good news. What's not to share? These days people are starving for good news "Always be prepared," Peter wrote, "to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have " No cross-cultural hype needed to share hope. Hope is all-cultural.

Another thing: Sometimes when the middle classes talk about crossing cultures to reach other classes , they seem to assume that culture is no barrier when reaching "our own kind. " That worries me. Even while overplaying differences between ourselves and other cultural groups , do we underplay differences between ourselves and ourselves? I mean, what really distinguishes middle-class churchgoers from middle-class church-avoiders?

In some cases , not much. We churchgoers can be just as grim and graceless in our pursuit of material gain and worldly success as the folks next door.

That's another great thing about the good news. Not only is it a ready connection with those who are different from us, it's a disconnection from the obsessions of those like us. There's nothing wrong with owning a suburban home , a late-model car and a diversified stock portfolio. It's how we attain these that can be the problem.

When our career tracks continually run over family and friends, when they whisk us away from meaningful service in the church and the world, that's hardly good news.

In a changing culture, middle-class churches obviously have a lot of adjustments to make But we need not fret over whether we have a relevant message God's good news means hope for those in need, freedom for those in chains . There may be someone in your world who needs to hear the good word immediately. Right in the mirror. €:2

The church can get so worked up figuring out ways to reach people, it can sidetrack itself from actually going out and reaching people.

Ore.

Philip Wiebe lives in Salem ,

BY MA R VIN HEIN

QIn a visit with a Roman Catholic recently, the man said: I believe in the Virgin Birth; I believe that Christ died for our sin, he was buried, rose again, went to heaven, and will come again. But I don't believe in the "new birth." Is this man born again and doesn't know it? (KANSAS)

AThe inquirer poses the question against the backdrop of Romans 10:9; "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

One immediate answer might be : nowhere in the New Testament does it say you have to believe in the new birth to be born again On the other hand, it is incongruous to think that something would happen to you when you don't believe in it But I suppose stranger things have happened.

I would want to ask one question of the person: Have you entrusted your eternal salvation into the hands of this Christ in whom you believe? If the answer is affumative, I would venture to say the person is born again There are many beliefs that new Christians do not believe or understand early in their spiritual pilgrimage. It might even be possible to entrust your life by faith to Christ as Redeemer, and not believe in a literal resurrection. It's difficult for me to understand how that could happen, but I leave room for it nevertheless. So, if I become as charitable as possible, I might say: "Yes, the man may well be born again even though his understanding does not include the idea of new birth. "

On the other hand, we also know that it is possible to hold to a belief intellectually and be totally strange to the experience. After all, the Bible says even the devils believe Jesus was telling Pharisees in that instance that a prescribed doctrinal statement, well formulated and eagerly believed, was not sufficient for entrance into the kingdom of Christ.

The question's answe r lies in the

man's heart. It isn't so much what he believes, but what has happened in his inner being with regard to confessing his sin and trusting his life into Christ's care After all, many young children know little about church doctrine when they are born again, and their salvation does not depend on the knowledge of those doctrines. A lot of adults may be in the same camp.

It's easy to make a categorical statement about a person's salvation when we do not know the heart. I would want to ask the man (or any other person professing Christ) what difference belief has made in the daily walk. A few people are morally good without being Christians, but generally the results of being in fellowship with Christ will be evident in the person's daily walk.

QIs it accurate to say, "God doesn't always give me the desires of my heart, but he will always do what is best? " If so, how does that relate to the verse that says God gives us the desires of our hearts? (KANSAS)

AOur vending-machine culture believes that when you put 50 cents into the machine, out will come the candy bar of your choice. Christians are tempted to read the Bible the same way. "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" (ps . 37:4). Isn't that a straightforward promise from God?

The difficulty arises when we emphasize one part of the verse and ignore the other. This promise is conditional. One translation (The Psalms: A New Translation, The Grail, England, 1963) makes it rather clear "If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant your heart's desire " This is not a blank check issued on God's bank that is available for cashing at our every whim The condition is finding our delight in the Lord . That means more than simply enjoying

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.

being God's child.

A New Testament equivalent appears in Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well " God has never said we can have anything we want . God does not indulge his children like some parents who feel they must give their offspring everything they demand. God knows better than that.

Delighting ourselves in the Lord means that we will come to know just what God wants. When we reach that spiritual plane, our will becomes God's will. We will want what he wants. When we delight in the Lord, we deliberately redirect our emotions. You don't delight in something or someone without affecting your emotions .

The condition of delighting ourselves in the Lord enables God to place new priorities in our lives . Former wishes and dreams are removed because we discover new ambitions and goals. What we once wanted for our own pleasure is now replaced with wishes for what God wants.

This is no grievous nor hesitant transition. We will delight in those new perspectives. No heart is so full of joy and satisfaction as the one tuned to God's desires

The passage infers that we need to expend energy to delight in the Lord . The words indicate an effort of will. We must train our desires. When thos e d e sires become such that we can invite God to inspect them , and he discovers we have found his will to be ours, he will indeed give us the desires of our hearts - because his heart and ours beat as one ff2

around to see who was there only to see no one.

As I walked through a crowd, I would look to see if there was enough space for him to walk through also. When we went into the chapel for the funeral service, my father went in first, followed by my mother and me As I sat down, I automatically looked to make sure there was enough room for Jesus to sit between my mother and me . When the service concluded and we left the chapel, we were surrounded by many people Yet I could feel Jesus walking next to me.

I haven't walked in a garden with Jesus, but he did walk with me in my brother's home, in the airport, in the funeral home, and at the graveside. He sat with me in my car, in the airplane, in the chapel, and in my chair at home when I cried and grieved the loss of my brother. I am thankful for and will always treasure the time Christ spent with me.

Mary Beth Spicher recently moved to Goshen, Ind. Prior to that, she lived in San Jose, Calif., where she was a member of the Lincoln Glen MB Church.

The protection o/angels

BY JIM BARNES

How COULD I let my family know I cared about them and wanted us all to be in fellowship again? The Lord led me to accept a physical and spiritual challenge-a pilgrimage for my family

My plan was to stretch myself by crossing the Sierras-Mineral King to Whitney Portal-alone, in less than 48 hours . I would pray and read Scripture each of the 60 miles .

As a 44-year-old third-grade teacher and regular runner, I'm in pretty good physical shape, but I trained seriously above the 6,000-foot level the three weeks prior to my trip.

After my wife dropped me off at Mineral King on Monday, Aug. 15, I found I'd need to change my route because of forest fIres near Sawtooth Pass. I left at exactly 6 p.m., excited to be on the trail at last.

The adrenaline was pumping so hard that I jogged the fIrst six miles and 2,400 feet with my 22-pound knapsack. Jogging was a big mistake. When I arrived at Franklin Lake , I was already feeling symptoms of altitude sickness. I decided to spent the night there and get an early mOrning start.

The next morning I forced myself to eat and drink something. I climbed the pass and wrote in my journal. The nine-mile drop into Kern Canyon was super. I was back on schedule, though still not feeling well. I ate a bit of lunch and began the 12-mile ascent from 6,000 feet to Junction Meadows at 8,000 feet.

Then my second and third problems began I didn't realize how hot it could get being exposed in that steepsided granite canyon. Heat exhaustion set in. I couldn't drink the water from my plastic sport drink-tainted water bottle, so I began to dehydrate. By the time I arrived at Junction, I was sick to my stomach and weary. My spirit was broken. To achieve the 48-hour crossing, I still had to hike fIve more miles and climb another 2,500 feet that night

After a few hours trying to recuperate, I gave up. I couldn't do it, and climbed into my sleeping bag by 9 p.m , resigned to failure.

I woke up hearing voices calling me to wake up and get started. "You can do it," said one voice. I opened my eyes to darkness and the silence of the mountains. It was 1 a.m., so I rolled over and returned to sleep, thinking it was a dream.

Again the voices wakened me, encouraging me to get started. This time I heard something new: "I'll be with you." As I opened my eyes, fIve figures were standing over me. The face of the one on the extreme left reminded me of a sister-in-law who was praying for me. They said nothing I think I shook my head trying to see more clearly. When I opened my eyes again, I saw nothing but the mountains.

I looked at my watch: 1:30 a.m. I knew I had just witnessed angels encouraging me to continue my pilgrimage by offering their guidance and protection.

Yet would God want me to undertake a risky trip in my weakened physical condition with just a small flash ·

light for an unknown portion of the trail? I considered Samuel. He had to be called three times from his sleep before he obeyed. So I put out a fleece and asked God to keep me awake if he really wanted me to pack up and go.

I was never more awake when I rolled up my bag, packed my gear and left for Wallace Creek at 2 a.m. The next three hours were full of quiet moments of reflection as I felt the presence of God's angels. I cannot begin to tell you the peace I felt and the prayers

Ajterajew

hours trying to recuperate, I gave up. I couldn't do it, and climbed into my sleeping bag by 9 p.m., resigned tojailure.

that were answered regarding my needs that night.

Shortly before 5 a.m., I arrived at Wallace Creek, slept an hour and 15 minutes, and started the fInal part of the trek. I arrived at Whitney Portal on the other side of the Sierras in 47 hours and 35 minutes.

Though I learned many lessons from my spiritual pilgrimage, I can only share a few. First, don't ask God to stretch you unless you really mean it. The stretching experience could be uncomfortable, even downright painful. Second, if you pray for God to change people, he will probably start with you

Finally, God has angels ready to come to your aid. Though they usually cannot be seen, they are there just the same, guiding and protecting from seen and unseen dangers.

Jim Barnes is a member of the Neighborhood MB Church of Visalia, Calif.

Prezas heed the fax of God

• A cross-cultural birth in the Central District

MANY PEOPLE in full-time Christian service talk about their call to the ministry. Walter Preza didn't get a call-he got a fax.

After three years of church-planting work in Laredo, Texas, Preza and his wife, Amalia, had planned to spend two months in their home country of Uruguay Since they were making the trip, the board of MB Missions/Services asked them to deliver a fax machine to the missionaries there

The first fax that came through the machine was for Preza. It was from Garvie Schmidt, chairman of the Central District Church Planting Committee. He was requesting the Prezas's service for six months at the hispanic work in Omaha.

Since they were between assignments, the Prezas felt this was the Lord's leading Now, after two years in Omaha, they continue to be excited about what God is doing among the hispanics.

From the beginning, Iglesia Agua Viva (Church of the Living Water) has shared a church facility with Faith Bible Church, one of the two Englishspeaking Mennonite Brethren churches in Omaha. After Faith Bible has their service on Sunday morning, the hispanic congregation gathers for worship at 1 p m

The core of the Prezas' ministry has been small-group Bible study. They began their work in Omaha by meeting for Bible studies with two families and holding Sunday afternoon worship services . Prezas began Bible studies with

A happy birthday service

THE BIRTH OF A CHURCH, like the birth of child, is a time for celebration. Friends and members of Iglesia Agua Viva (Church of the Living Water) , Omaha, Neb., celebrated its official birth with a service of praise and worship Jan. 29.

The service , attended by about 75 people, included music from adults and children, a drama presented by the youth group, and greetings from various sister churches

Garvie Schmidt, chair of the Central District Conference Church Planting Committee, gave the message. Prayers of thanksgiving were offered by Schmidt, Walter Preza, Iglesia Agua Viva pastor, and Leonard Reimer, pastor of Faith Bible Church which shares facilities with Iglesia Agua Viva. The hispanic congregation served a fellowship meal and led recreational activities following the early afternoon service.

Iglesia Agua Viva was recognized as an emerging church of the Central District Conference last November. It closed its charter later that month with 21 adults. The outreach began in Omaha under the leadership of Manuel and Tammie Cruz in 1990. Walter and Amalia Preza arrived in 1993 to continue the work.-CDC news release

The children of Iglesia Agua Viva contribute a song to congregational worship.

them, in addition to Sunday worship services. Walter hopes to attract new people to the Bible studies, and then integrate them into the church.

In fact, the vision the Prezas have for their church is to give birth to daughter churches. They would like to send their own leaders to begin the Bible studies that would lead to new churches.

One such ministry was already attempted in Schuyler,

for family and others, telling them work is available. Many are moving to the neighborhood of Iglesia Agua Viva.

In this area populated with hispanics, Preza noted there are only five other hispanic churches-four of which are Pentecostal.

Given these options, Schmidt feels the Mennonite Brethren church offers a combination of sound biblical teaching and discipleship .

friends gather as in a reunion. After a two-hour service, they usually fellowship for another hour or two over coffee or a good game of volleyball. In the summer, after the service, they often gather in a nearby park for a barbecue and to pass out tracts in the neighborhood.

Schmidt observed that their service itself reflects the hispanic culture and style "It is more expressive and is free from time constraints," he added. Neb., last summer. Through In this area When ministering among hispanic people, Preza

populated with keeps in mind some special hispanics, Preza noted there are

an initial contact at a second-hand store, a Bible study was formed that attracted as many as 12 people, with leadership from Iglesia Agua Viva However, due to the marital separa- only five other considerations. Although they all speak Spanish, they come from many different places-Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Colombia-with vastly different cultures. Still, most come from a Catholic tradition.

tion of the hosting couple, hispanic the group disintegrated. Yet, the people of Iglesia churches-four Agua Viva still desire to con- of which are tinue contacts and keep the

Preza cautions that before they can successfully start other churches, they need to establish strong leadership in their own congregation. He is seeing

Another characteristic of hispanic people is that they do not relate to a pastor in an office with office hours. Preza said the pastor must go to the people in their homes.

The Prezas overflowed with stories of the joys they have experienced during the past two years. They told of a couple living together who decided to marry after becoming Christians. They ' ve since become active members and leaders in the church.

Another man visited the church as a result of a tract he received. After careful consideration, he turned away from his Catholic background because of his new understanding of baptism.

Several of the youth are leading the singing and learning to play the guitar. door open to future min- Pentecostal. istries. Preza senses the Lord working among the hispanics. He concluded, "It has taken time, but now the church people are taking ownership Growth comes when the core people testify."-Lois Wollman, Omaha

Hispanics, according to Preza, view evidence of this as a strong core of church as a home where family and leaders is emerging, taking responsibility for worship music, leading Bible studies, and actively sharing their faith through handing out tracts .

However, Preza was quick to point out that his intention is for Iglesia Agua Viva, not the Central District Conference, to completely support the daughter churches.

"The idea is to see how the Lord guides," Preza said, referring to the added financial responsibility. In every service since the fIrst one, held Jan. 8, they have taken an offering. Twenty-five percent goes to Faith Bible Church for use of the facility. Much of the remainder is sent to the Central District to be applied toward their subsidy.

Garvie Schmidt has been observing and guiding the emerging ministry. The important thing, he said, is that the people of Iglesia Agua Viva are "giving and demonstrating ownership "

Entry-level factory jobs are attracting immigrants to Omaha, which already has about 35,000 hispanics . Typically, the husband comes, seeking work. After getting a job, he sends

CONVENTION '95

North American conference

to mark MBBS 40th anniversary

• Biennial gathering set for July 6-9 in Fresno, Calif.

PLANNERS OF THE 60th convention of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches are encouraging potential delegates and guests to mark their calendars. The biennial gathering of the 350 North American churches will take place July 6-9 in Fresno, Calif.

In addition to reports from the fIve working boards of the conference, the convention will feature worship, inspirational speakers, workshops and the 40th anniversary celebration of MB Biblical Seminary, located in Fresno.

The theme for the gathering is "A Firm Foundation for a Changing Future," based on 1 Corinthians 3: 11. Plenary sessions will be held at The People's Church, a large air-conditioned facility.

Separate day programs and fun activities are being planned for children and youth on Friday and Saturday, according to Ron Penner, chair of the planning committee.

Reports and recommendations will appear later this spring as an insert in the Christian Leader. Registration information and forms will appear in next month's Leader and will also be mailed to the churches.

TRIBUTE

Death claims D. Edmond Hiebert, beloved educator and writer

• Beloved scholar and servant overcame hearing loss to 'deeply imprint' generations of church workers

THEMENNONITE Brethren Church lost a scholar and servant in the passing of D Edmond Hiebert, retired MB Biblical Seminary professor and author. Hiebert, 84, diedJan. 30.

"He was not a positional leader in the conference; he did not minister, personally, extensively in international circles," said Edmund Janzen , moderator of the General Conference of MB Churches at Hiebert's funeral held Feb. 3. "And yet the life and work of D. Edmond Hiebert have deeply imprinted generations of pastors and educators and laity. "

Hiebert's life as a Bible scholar and teacher was notable in itself, but his accomplishments are magnified because he had to overcome deafness. His colleagues say the disability, which occurred in 1946 at the start of his career, aided rather than hindered him .

"In spite of-or perhaps because of-his inability to hear the voices of other people, Hiebert has seemingly heard the voice of God clearly in his 43 years of teaching at Tabor College and MBBS," wrote Kent Gaston in a 1985 Christian Leader profile of Hiebert.

Hiebert's teaching career began in 1942 at Tabor College, the Mennonite Brethren liberal arts college in Hillsboro, Kan. Two years later he contracted undulant fever and spent 110 days in the hospital fighting the disease, often near death.

He returned to his teaching assignment in fall 1945 only to be plagued by hearing loss, dizziness and impaired vision By the time doctors diagnosed the problem as an aftereffect of the fever, the damage to his hearing was irreversible

Hiebert attempted to learn lip reading but soon turned to note writing as the way to communicate with his family, students and colleagues.

Once his three children reached school age, Hiebert was often greeted

at the supper table by a dinner plate stacked high with papers, notes and messages collected during the day. Twins Dean and Jean were born prior to his illness , but Hiebert never heard the voice of his youngest daughter Alice, who was born just weeks before his hearing loss.

"It was a definite struggle to begin with," Hiebert reflected in the 1985 interview. "I couldn't conceive of how to go on teaching . But because (the deafness) came on gradually over a year and a half, I adjusted to it.

"The undesirability of it never left, but the terror was fmally gone. I knew

that the Lord in his grace could still use me," he said.

When Hiebert returned to the classroom, he was forced to limit his teaching to a lecture-expository approach "It has given me a defmite exegetical approach to the Bible, rather than encouraging a discussion method," reflected Hiebert upon his retirement in 1985. This approach allowed him to "get the Scriptures across to the students."

Hiebert taught New Testament and Greek courses at Tabor for 13 years. In 1955 he joined the faculty of the newly formed MB Biblical Seminary in

Fresno, Calif. He moved to part-time teaching in 1975, then to full retirement 10 years later. During his retirement, he continued to write.

Until the year before his death, Hiebert was well known at the seminary as an active participant in chapels and activities, frequently engaging in impromptu conversations by offering his always-ready pad and pen.

Hiebert became perhaps the world's best-known Mennonite Brethren through his writing. He wrote 17 books, including nine textbooks or commentaries. His primary publishers were Moody Press and Bob Jones University Press. He also wrote manuscripts for 624 Sunday school lessons as editor and writer of the adult study materials for the Mennonite Brethren from 1958-1970. He published hundreds of articles, including dozens of signed and unsigned contributions to pictorial Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias published by Zondervan.

"Obviously, (my deafness) has closed the door to many distractions for me," Hiebert told Direction magazine in 1975. "It has given me a deeper sense of biblical understanding. I probably would never have written the books I have, had I not lost my hearing."

"Through his published works he instructed thousands beyond our household of faith," said Marvin Hein, executive secretary of the General Conference, at Hiebert's memorial service. "With his attention to detail in exposition, he demonstrated reverence for the Word. In his loss of hearing, he taught us to live courageously and triumphantly with disappointment Even in his last earthly hours he modeled the cheerfulness of a life devoted to God."

Hiebert was born July 21, 1910, in Com, Okla., and married Ruth Kopper in 1935. He attended Tabor College for two years, graduated summa cum laude from John Fletcher College in Iowa and completed his master's and doctoral degrees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky While in school Hiebert was pastor of several churches

Hiebert is survived by his wife, Ruth; one son, Dean; daughters, Jean Spansel and Alice Wiens; and five grandchildren.-Connie Faber

go to Mennonite Brethren families whose homes were significantly damaged. The Japan MB Conference will administer these funds.

Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service will provide about $20,000 to relief efforts . The General Conference Mennonite Church will contribute $5,000.

In addition to collecting funds, MCC and Mennonite Disaster Service are supporting relief worker Kazua Akamatsu. When Akamatsu came to "=""_.......-. the United States

last year to learn how Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) operates, he did not suspect his new knowledge would be needed in his home country so soon. Akamatsu and fellow church members of YU-AI Mennonite Church in Sapporo have been wanting to start a Christian disaster service for some time.

"We have no official or private organization to help organize volunteers who want to assist after accidents such as earthquakes and volcanic activity, " says Akamatsu, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mining geology from Hokkaido University.

Akamatsu has participated in the MCC International Visitor Exchange Program (lVEP) since last September. He has worked alongside MDS volunteers repairing earthquake damage in Los Angeles and in flood cleanup in Texas and Georgia. He also spent several weeks at MDS headquarters in Akron, Pa , getting an overview of its administration.

Scheduled to continue his volunteer work in the United States, Akamatsu will spend the second portion of his IVEP experience in his home country, where he will coordinate Mennonite relief efforts in the KobeOsaka area .

Mennonite churches in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Canada have offered to send members to assist in the relief work and cleanup. For the present, the Japan MB Conference has indicated it has enough workers .

The funeral of Wataru Mori, the only known fatality among the Men-

nonite Brethren community, was attended by about 450 persons. Most of those were high school and college friends. MOri, a 22-year-old student, died when the upper stories of his apartment building collapsed as he slept in his first-floor apartment. For

most of his life, Mori had attended the Senboku MB Church south of Osaka. He would have graduated from a Kobe university in March and was planning to begin work for a newspaper company.-MBM/S with Mee and EP news services.

MCC 1994 ANNUAL REPORT CORRECTION

On page 14 of the MCC 1994 Annual Report (inserted in the February issue of the Christian Leader) the pie chart in the top right-hand corner, titled "MCC Consolidated Income (1994) $46,926,000 U.S.," reads: Gifts-in-kind 3.7 million, 7.8%; Cash gifts 15.7 million, 33.4%; Shops, sales, houses 5.8 million, 12.5%; Grants 9.3 million, 19.9%; SELFHELP Crafts 8.2 million, 17.4%; Other 8.5 million, 9%.

It should read: Gifts-in-kind 3.7 million, 7.8%; Cash gifts 13.9 million, 29.7%; Shops, sales, houses 7.6 million, 16.2%; Government Grants 9.3 million, 19.9%; SELFHELP Crafts 8.2 million, 17.4%; Other 4.2 million, 9.0%.

The Past is Present

The Past is Present, a 7-minute video, explains how U.S. bombs dropped on Laos during the Vietnam War continue to maim and kill Lao people. Live bombs still explode in northem Laos, killing farmers who inadvertantly hit them while hoeing and children who mistake them for balls. Tells how MCC and a British ordnance disposal agency are training and equipping Lao teams to safely remove unexploded bombs. For free loan or purchase contact the MCC office nearest you.

"" Mennonite Central

Akamatsu

VISION

Schmidt focuses on needs of u.s. poor

• MBBS prexy challenges students, faculty, church

IF WE WON'T raise taxes, won't reduce the national debt or cut entitlements, who is going to care for the marginalized in our society?" asked Henry Schmidt, MB Biblical

• NEWS BRIEF S

• COMBINING: Representatives from the Southern District and Central District conferences met Feb. 16 to begin planning for their joint 1995 convention to be hosted by Tabor College Oct. 27-29. District leaders plan for joint plenary sessions, meals and banquets in an effort to become better acquainted with ()ne another and with Tabor College Mission USA will be highlighted at an evening banquet and evaluation of the Tabor College Senate structure will also be considered.

• FORECAST: MB Missions/ Services should finish the 1994-95 fiscal year in the black if support does not dwindle during the remaining five months About 58 percent of the $4 . 6 million budget was received by Jan 1. This compares to 51 percent for the previous two years. Both 1992/93 and 1993/94 ended about 11 percent short of the goal. However, the value of the Canadian dollar remains a concern, as two-thirds of MBM/S support comes from Canada. (MBMjS)

• INFO HIGHWAY: Users of electronic mail can now receive regular updates about MB Missions/Services, including prayer requests, news items and announcements.

Seminary president, in his semesteropening address to students and faculty Feb. 3. "Increasingly, it must be the church."

Schmidt said only about five cents of the government's dollar goes to programs for the poor here and abroad, and only 1.5 percent of the gross national product is earmarked for the poor.

Schmidt said Galatians 6 is a call to show kindness-first to the community of faith, then to everyone else. He challenged students to see the church as "the only social institution that

Anyone with access to InterNet mail can receive the information CompuServe, America Online, Prodigy or even a message system should give users access to MBM/S news. Users can expect about one mailing a week. To access MBM/S news from most systems a message can be sent to 74577 334@compuserve.com with the words "subscribe news" in the subject or body of the letter. CompuServe users can send mail directly to 74577.334 (MBMjS)

• AUTHOR: Marlin Thomas, who has been a pastor of several Mennonite Brethren congregations during his career, director of Resources for Living based in Colorado Springs, Colo ., is the author of a new book published by Windflower Communications Resolving Disputes in Christian Groups is designed to assist individuals, families and groups to work out differences in a peaceful manner. Thomas is founder and director of Resources for Living, a conflict and mediation ministry based in Colorado Springs, Colo.

• MIGRATION: Economic hardship continues to keep many Mennonites from Mexico on the move. One place they are seeking employment in increasing numbers is south -

exists more for those outside than inside." He encouraged them to develop a passion for God and prayer, for world evangelism, for world peace and for world hunger.

"It means we will become deeply involved in ministering to the world," Schmidt said. "It will come with a price, but also with a great reward."

Schmidt called for a renewed focus on the economic and multicultural changes of the community in which the seminary is located. Southeast Fresno is home to Fresno Pacific College , the Mennonite Brethren liberal

ern Alberta. Last year, 85 new families had arrived in southern Alberta by November. Because of severe drought conditions and crop failure in Mexico, many more are expected in 1995 . Most find employment on farms. They are offered practical and spiritual help by representatives of the Kanadier Concerns Office of Alberta MCC. (MB Herald)

• NICHE: Average attendance as of November 1994 at the Deaf Community Church in Burnaby, B.C., has risen to 54 . Fifteen people joined the congregation at their charter service on Easter Sunday. The church ministers to a variety of needs, including the hearing family members of deaf people through a wireless translation system, families with deaf children, youth, home Bible study groups and Sunday school. Some attenders commute from a long distance to attend The church is being helped by the Board of Church Extension of the B C. Mennonite Brethren Conference. (MB Herald)

• INNOVATION: The Northview Community Church of Abbotsford, B C., is looking for a part-time pastor of women's ministries The woman filling this position will be responsibleto provide leadership for

women's ministries with a priority focus upon lay staff development This is possibly a first for Mennonite Brethren congregations. (MB Herald)

• YOUTH: A new resource package for youth has been developed by the General Conference Mennonite Church and the Church of the Brethren. Dubbed Generation Why, the package consists of With, a youth magazine dedicated to radical Christian discipleship and YouthGuide, a quarterly newsletter for adults working with youth published by Faith & Life Press Mennonite Brethren formally endorsed With as its youth publication in 1993. (Faith & Life Press)

• DISCONTENT: Since last fall, three congregations have withdrawn from the Northern District of the General Conference Mennonite Church because they don't want to be part of a group with beliefs they see as different from their own Mount Olivet, Bethesda of Marion, S D., and Salem of Munich, N.D., have terminated their membership in the district. Mount Olivet and Bethesda have also withdrawn from the General Conference Mennonite Church ; Salem did so in 1988 Representatives cite a liberal trend in the GCMC. (Mennonite Weekly Review)

BODYLIFE

arts college, MBBS/S and Butler Avenue MB Church. The three groups have begun a joint outreach project to help meet the needs of their neighbors in an area dominated by MricanAmerican, hispanic and Southeast Asian groups

The MB Biblical Seminary enrolled 23 new students for the winter/spring term bringing total enrollment to 178 students The full-time equivalency is 101, up from 99 for summer-fallMBBS release

• CHURCH NOTES

• Baptism/Membership

GARDEN CITY, Kan_ (Garden Valley)Destanie Piper, Natalie Huston, Brad Russell and Jeremy Wissink were baptized Dec. 18.

MOUNTAIN LAKE, Minn.-Bruce and Darla Friesen were welcomed into membersWp by letter of transfer Jan. 22 .

KINGSBURG, Calif.-Amy Adams and Josh Neufeld shared their testimonies and were

baptized Jan. 8. Others joining the church in January were Mike Golbek, Marilyn Lehrman, Keith TItiessen, and Tim and Sandra Kopper

• Ministry

HAYS, Kan. (North Oak Community)-The congregation gave Christmas baskets of small gifts with Scripture verses attached to 34 members of a support group for divorced persons.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Lincoln Hills Bible)The church recently received the organ formerly belonging to the Ebenezer MB Church, Doland, S.D., wWch closed last year. Pastor Roger Engbrecht reports several new families have begun attending services; attendance has exceeded 100 on several occasions

LITTLETON, Colo. (Belleview Acres)-A dedication service was held Jan. 15 for the church's new ministry, Little Lambs Child Care and Preschool Center.

DAlLAS, Ore.-Performer Chuck Neighbors was featured at a dinner theater evangelistic event held Mar. 3 .

• Fellowship

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-Two other Mennonite Brethren congregations in San Jose, the India Community FellowsWp and EtWopian Christian FellowsWp, joined with Lincoln Glen to celebrate World FellowsWp Sunday Jan. 22. Following the worsWp service, participants were invited to a lunch featuring EtWopian, Indian, American and Ger· manjRussian dishes.

MINOT, N.D. (Bible Fellowship)-A father/son banquet Jan 27 featured a sports theme and included a Super Bowl trivia quiz and guest Warren Larson of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

HILLSBORO, Kan. (Parkview)-About 85 Mennonite Central Committee visitors from around the world met for a week-long retreat hosted at Parkview by the the five Mennonite congregations in Hillsboro.

WICHITA, Kan. (First)-Children enrolled in the church's preschool presented a program to the senior adults Feb 2. Afterward, the adults helped the children paint wooden valentines

A new era begins

Nick Rempel (far right), a member of the Tabor College Board of Directors from Buhler, Kan., leads in a prayer of dedication during the inauguration ceremony Feb 17 for H. David Brandt as the 11th president of the school. Also offering prayers for Brandt and his wife, Melva, were (from left) Rolando Mireles, a member of the board from Rio Grande City, Texas, Keith Anderson, campus pastor from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minn , and Joyce Loewen, board member from Wichita, Kan. The featured speaker at the event was Edmund Janzen, moderator of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches from Fresno, Calif. Brandt began his new assignment Feb. 1 He comes to Tabor with 18 years of academic administration in Christian higher education Most recently he was provost at Bethel College in St. Paul.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible FellowsWp)-The Men's FellowsWp sponsored a "Sweetheart Banquet" Feb 11 as an evening out for the women A women's retreat held Jan. 20 21 included group sharing and a panel discussion

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-The men's annual outreach dinner Jan 28 featured testimonies and was designed to support the witnessing efforts of men in the church . The women met for a brunch on a similar theme Feb. 4 .

served with MB Missions/ Services in Colombia and are on a one-year leave of absence from that assignment

KINGSBURG, CaUf.-Byron Neufeld, interim pastor , has accepted a call to continue serving the congregation as senior pastor on a permanent basis He and his wife, Lucy, were formally installed Feb. 26.

REEDLEY, Calif -Nick Delgado has accepted a call to be youth pastor. He and his wife, Michele, were welcomed with a pantry shower Feb. 5.

FRESNO, Calif. (Fig Garden)-Henry Pauls, a senior at MB Biblical Seminary, and his wife, Eleanor, have accepted the call to serve as pastoral couple .

• Youth

CLOVIS, Calif. (College Community)-The seventh and eighth graders participating in a church-sponsored service project were featured on the evening TV news in December. The students assisted the Poverello House in serving meals to 300 people Dec 28, and were interviewed for a report on seasonal acts of kindness

MADERA, Calif. (Bible)-Children participating in the midweek Bible clubs competed for various prizes by creating cardboard-box cars The only stipulation: the cars had to be "driven" to the drive-in movie night Jan. 18.

MINOT, N.D. (Bible Fellowship)-Money collected by children involved in the Wednesday night club program during the year will be given to MB Missions/ Services to support the work of missionaries to Peru, Paul and Maurine Friesen.

BRIDGEWATER, S.D. (Salem)-Members of the youth group were in charge of the annual Youth Sunday service Jan 29 The program featured a high school student instrumental ensemble, skit and MBY choir.

COLUNSVILLE, Okla. (Westport)-A new approach to small-group ministry within the youth group is developing well. "Teams" focus on developing the attitude of Christ.

NEW HOPE, Minn -The MBY and sponsors planned the morning worship service Jan. 29 A noon meal to raise funds for the youth group followed the service.

ULYSSES, Kan.-The senior high youth and sponsors led the Feb. 5 morning service A lunch, followed by a musical program by "The Wedels ," raised funds for the group

HAYS, Kan. (North Oak Community) - The MBY delivered c arnations, complete with a message , during the Feb 12 morning se rvice The c atch: To find out who sent the flower, the recipient had to make a donation to the MBY.

You're invited to California and the 60th General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches this summer.

Dates: July 6-9, 1995

Location: Fresno, California, on the campus of The People's Church, a large air-conditioned facility.

Theme: "A Firm Foundation for a Changing Future" from 1 Corinthians 3: 11

Who's Coming?

The convention is for delegates , guests, pastors, youth and children from all of our 350 churches across North America. For those wishing to piggyback some personal or family vacation onto the convention, there is lots to see and do.

Program highlights:

The convention begins Thursday, July 6, at 7 p.m. and concludes Sunday at noon following convention services in several local churches Highlights will include

• Great times of worship and celebration, including a party on the seminary campus late Saturday afternoon . The seminary is celebrating its 40th year of ministry this year.

• Convention reports and recommendations from our boards: Faith and Life , Missions/Services, Resource Ministries , Seminary, and Trustees. These reports and recommendations will appear in the MB Herald and Christian Leader later this spring .

• Opportunities for dialogue and teaming through a variety of workshops which the conference executive and boards are preparing.

• Chances to connect with people through the Missionaries Reunion, the Seminary Alumni gathering, the MCC alumni lunch, and doubtless other occasions as well.

Children and Youth: We are planning for separate day programs and fun activitie s for children and young people on Friday and Saturday.

Housing: Housing will be available in local motelslhotels (at special convention rates) , RV sites, and homes .

Transportation will be provided from the Fresno Airport upon arrival and between hotels and the convention site

Registration information and forms will appear in next month's Herald/Leader and will also be mailed to your church,

In behalf of the Executive Committee of the General Conference and the Hosting Team ,

Edmund Janzen (Moderator) Ron Penner (Team Chair)

MISSION

For more than 50 years, Palm Village Retirement Community has served seniors. Since our humble begining in a two-story frame house, our campus has grown to include skilled nursing care, residential care and independent living. Today. more than 250 seniors call Palm Village home. For more infonnation, call DAVID REIMER. ExEcUTIVE DIRECrOR (209) 638-6933

. DEATHS

BARTEL, ANNA RUTH, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Hillsboro MB Church and longtime Tabor College employee, was born May 8, 1915, to Gerhard H. and Anna Ratzlaff Bartel near Hillsboro and died Feb. 14, 1995, at the age of 79. She is survived by one brother, Henry F. and wife Anna of Hillsboro; two sisters, Linda R. Dilts of Sedgwick, Kan., and Esther R. Bartel of Hillsboro; and many nieces and nephews.

BECK, ALBERT, SR., Sawyer, N.D., a member of the Sawyer MB Church and former Central District trustee, was born Nov. 28, 1902, to George and Rosina Faul Beck in Brillian Town· ship of Ward County, N.D., and died Dec. 15, 1994, at the age of 92. On March 30, 1924, he was married to Martha Scheurer, who prede· ceased him in 1984. He is survived by two sons, George Beck and Albert Beck Jr., both of Velva, N.D.; six daughters, Evelyn lronhawk of Portland, Ore., Irene Potts of Marshall, Mo., Ruth Clemence of Lenexa, Kan., Doris Ollenburger of Hutchinson, Kan., Lorene Hanneman of South Hutchinson, Kan., and Grace VOg! of Colony, Okla ; one brother, Emmanuel Beck of Minot, N.D.; two sisters, Kate Lautt of Leveen, Ariz., and Helen Augh of Renton, Wash.; 21 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great·great-grandchild

DUERKSEN, JOHN EDWIN, Dallas , Ore , a member of the Dallas MB Church, was born Jan. 14, 1909, to Peter and Katheryn Neufeld Duerksen at Weatherford, Calif., and died Nov. 25, 1994, at the age of 85 On June 30, 1929, he was married to Helen Regehr, who prede-

ceased him in 1960. On Jan. 8, 1961, he was married to Laura Hiebert, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Leon of Milpitas, Calif., Robert of San Jose, Calif., and Joel of Los Gatos, Calif.; one daughter, Lori Wall of Fresno, Calif.; three brothers, AI of Bakersfield, Calif., Ed of Richmond, Calif., and Herb of Salem, Ore.; two sisters, Erma Neufeld and Ruth Goertz both of Dallas; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

FAST, LAVERNE, Fairview, Okla., was born Feb. 16, 1928, to Pete and Susie Wichert Nickel near Orienta, Okla., and died Jan. 15, 1995, at the age of 67. On Jan. 28, 1945, she was married to Eugene R. Fast, who survives. She is also survived by two daughters, Judy and husband Steve Walton of Weatherford, Okla., and Karen and husband Gregg of Fairview; two sons, Ronald and wife Tammy of Muskogee, Okla., and Jim and wife Pam of Fairview; her mother, Susie Nickel of Fairview; two sisters, Marge Brewton of Yukon, Okla , and Ruby Becker of Hillsboro, Kan.; five brothers, Bennie and wife Florence of Carmen, Okla., Herb and wife Rosa Mae of Ringwood, Okla., Alfred and wife Wanda of Wagoner, Okla., Eldon and wife Carol of Helena, Okla., and Melvin and wife Joyce of Enid; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren .

GAEDE, RUBY LEPPKE, Soldotna , Alaska, was born April 17, 1924, to Solomon and Bertha Litke Leppke near Hillsboro, Kan., and died Jan. 25, 1995, at the age of 70 . On April 18, 1943, she was married to Elmer Gaede, who predeceased her in 1991. They were medical missionaries in Alaska for many years. She is survived by one son, Mark and wife Patti of Saudi Arabia; three daughters, Naomi Gaede

Tulip Tnne in Holland April 18 - May 1 Henry D Landes, Pieter & Martha Gotwals Postma

European Anabaptist Heritage July 5- 21 John Ruth & Ruth Jantzi

European PAX July 10-26 Cal Redekop & Henry D. Landes

England/Scotland August 9 - 24 Wibner Martin & Mary Rittenhouse Schwartrzentruber Mexico November 15 - 30 Cal Redekop

Penner of Denver, Colo., Ruth and husband Roger Rupp of Soldotna, Mishal Tooyak Gaede of Fairbanks, Alaska; one brother, Wilbur Leppke of Peabody, Kan.; one sister, Lulu Mae Eisiminger of Hutchinson, Kan ; and seven grandchildren

HOFER, DAVID M., Menno S.D., a life·long member of the Salem MB Church, near Bridge· water, S.D., was born May 17, 1917, to Peter G. and Maria Kleinsasser Hofer in Hutchinson County, S.D., and died Feb. 5, 1995, at the age of 78. On May 12,1946, he was married to Ella Hofer, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, lone Tate of Selma, Calif. , and Veronica and husband Mark Friesen of Aurora, Neb.; two sisters, Emma and husband Melvin Hofer of Bridgewater, S.D., and Lydia and hus· band Walter Pullman of Mitchell , S.D.; one brother, Menno and wife Marcella Hofer of Bloomington, Minn.; and four grandchildren

KORNELSEN, TENA GOSSEN VOGT, Reed· ley, Calif., was born May 9 , 1904, to Cornelius and Margaret Wedel Gossen at Nikolaipol Turkenstan, Russia, and died Dec 14, 1994, at the age of 90. On Aug. 31,1924, she was mar· ried to C.] Vogt, who predeceased her in 1969. She was married to John C. Kliewer, who predeceased her in 1978, and to Henry Kornelsen , who also predeceased her. She is survived by three sons; Roy and wife Jennie of Visalia, Calif., Harley and wife Carol of Mon· roe, Wash., and Harold and wife Linda of San Miguel, Calif.; two daughters, Margie and hus· band Joel Franz of Visalia, and Lorene and hus· band Lewis Boese of Fresno, Calif.; three sis· ters, Marie Dick of Corn, Okla., Margaret Wiebe of Hillsboro, Kan ., and Bertha Fast of Fairview, Okla.; 16 grandchildren, 15 great· grandchildren and five step·children

KROEKER, EARL HAROLD, of Bakersfield, Calif , a member of the Bakersfield MB Church, was born Dec. 23,1917, to Jacob and Zelma Friesen Kroeker at Bakersfield, and died Dec. 18, 1994, at the age of 76. On March 8, 1942, he was married to Edna Wiens, who sur· vives. He is also survived by a son, Earl Jr. of Carlsbad, Calif. ; two daughters, Sharon and husband Lee Bartell of Modesto, Calif., and

Highland Mennonite

Brethren Church of Calgary, Alberta, invites applications for the position of

SENIOR PASTOR

to begin ministry May/June '95

Send resume to:

Pastoral Search Committee 4018 Centre B Street N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2K OW2

Phone: (403) 276-9396

Fax: (403) 276-3884

CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM (CPE) INVITATION

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

PARAGUAY .................................. March 7-22,1995

PERU, Piura & Sullana May 2-18,1995

RUSSIA, Zaporozje, Molotschna, Chortitza, Berjansk June 5-30, 1995

FIJI ISLAND July 10-28, 1995

RUSSIA, Odessa Aug. 14-31, 1995

CANADA, Fraser Valley Sept. 7-21,1995

PERU, Chiclayo ... ........ ..................... Oct. 3-19,1995

INDIA, Gadwal area Nov. 13-30, 1995

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

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

• Each participant must raise or contribute half of the cost: $1,500 .

• Similar campaigns have resulted in 200 to 400 conversions.

• Come and be part of an enriching spiritual experience, discover what GOD can do through you.

For further information, contact:

Evelyn Unruh, 604-852-5744 or CPE 604-864-3941

Peter Loewen, 604-883-3173 or FAX 604-853-6482

Peter Huebert Missions Committee President

Peter Loewen Promoter

POSITION DESCRIPTION

VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, TABOR COLLEGE

POSITION: Vice President for Academic Affairs, Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas Reports to the president and is in charge when the president is absent. Provides administrative leadership for all academic programs and personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS: Should hold a doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree and have administrative and teaching experience in higher education. Good interpersonal relationship skills are essential. Must be committed to the education of a Christian liberal arts/professional education, to Christian ministry, and to the work of the Church

All full-time employees of Tabor College are expected to be persons of Christian commitment who are in accord with the mission and purpose of an evangelical Christian institution. The College continues to provide equal employment opportunity, without regard to race, color, gender, ethnic or national origin, disability, or age in its personnel administration. Minorities and women are especially encouraged to reply.

TABOR COLLEGE: Tabor is an accredited, four-year Christian liberal arts college in the evangelical tradition. It is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Conference of Churches, and a member of the Christian College Coalition Tabor provides educational services in the liberal arts disciplines and selected professional and career areas

APPLICATION: Send nominations or letter of application, resume, and request for application materials to Dr David Brandt, PreSident, Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas 67063

We will be processing applications by March 15, but will continue to receive applications until the position is filled.

Donna and husband Jerry Ezell of Shafter, Calif.; two brothers, Orvil of Bakersfield and Bob of Madera , Calif; one sister, Betty Kobernik of Huachucca City , Ariz ; seven grandchildren; and one great·grandchild

MARTENS, LYDIA ADRIAN, of Buhler, Kan., a member of the Buhler MB Church, was born Jan. 24 , 1904, to Henry H and Katie Unruh Adrian near Loma, N.D., and died Feb . 7, 1994, at the age of 91. On April 18, 1926, she was married to Bernard Martens, who prede· ceased her. She is survived by two daughters, Ruth and husband John Lyle of Perris, Calif., and Eleanor and husband Robert Jones of Hutchinson, Kan ; six grandchildren and II great-grandchildren .

NICKEL, HENRY PETER, Buhler, Kan., a member of the Buhler MB Church, was born Feb 11 , 1911, to P.I. and Sarah Toews Nickel at Inman, Kan., and died Jan . 18, 1995, at the age of 83 On Sept 6, 1936, he was married to Edna Jane Balzer who survives . He is also survived by his children, Jeanette and Clarence Funk of Fresno, Calif., Myrna and Tim Kliewer of Inman, Kan., Dave and Mary Nickel of Oakhurst, Calif , and Sylvia and Rick Allen of Glendale Heights, III ; two sisters , Mary Harms of Buhler, and Helen Krenzin of Sterling, Kan.; three brothers , Ike of Buhler, Frank of Springfield, Mo , and Harold of Santa Paula , Calif.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild

PENNER, HOWARD LEE , Diamond Bar, Calif., was born April 24 , 1927, to Henry and Edna Gaede Penner at IngaUs, Kan , and died Dec. 4 , 1994, at the age of 67 In October 1948 he was married to Lois Gerbrandt, who

predeased him in 1976 On Nov 26, 1976, he was married to Neva Harder, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Rod and wife Susan of Denver, Colo , Duane and wife Lynn of Wichita, Kan. , and Jim and wife Gretchen of Orange , Calif ; a daughter, Diane Denison of Hillsboro, Kan. ; a daughter-in-Iaw, Naomi Penner of Denver; a brother, Paul and wife Olga of Denver; one sister, Shirley and husband Menno Friesen of Goshen , Ind.; and 11 grandchildren

PETERS, CLARA JANZEN, Buhler, Kan., a member of the Buhler MB Church, was born Jan. 1, 1916, to David and Eva Janzen at Inman , Kan., and died Jan. 6, 1995, at the age of 79 On Nov. 24 , 1935, she was married to Abe Peters, who survives. She is also survived by three daughters , Rosella and husband Arlie Hammar of Burrton , Kan . , Irma and husband Joe Waken of Cleveland, Ohio, and Dorothy Perry of Buhler; three sisters, Marie Dirks of Inman, Kan. , Pauline Fast of North Newton, Kan ., and Elsie and husband David Jackson of Newton , Kan . ; one brother, A.D. Janzen of Orlanda, Fla. ; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

SEIBEL, EDWARD, Harvey, N D , a member of the Harvey MB Church, was born July 18, 1936, to Ervin and Ruby Seibel in Harvey, and died Jan. 23, 1995, at the age of 58 On June 7 , 1964, he was married to Arvadell Schuh, who survives He is also survived by a son, Michael of Fargo, N D.; a daughter, Gina Hoffmann of Abilene, Texas; his mother; a brother, Ervin Jr. of Harvey; and two Sisters, Florence Hagen of CoUeyville , Texas, and Mavis Kieper, Rush City, Minn

Big Ben and the sights of London, English countryside, highlands and moors of Scotland and much, much more

For more information on this tour or other tours, please write or caJJ.

April 18 - May 1 Henry D Landes, Pieter & Martha Gotwals Postma

Lands of the Bible May 9 - 22 Ken & Kass Seitz

European Anabaptist Heritage July 5 - 21 John Ruth & Ruth Jantzi

European PAX July 10 - 26 Cal Redekop & Henry D. Landes

England/Scotland August 9 - 24 Wilmer Martin & Mary Rittenhouse Schwartrzentruber Mexico Nov. 15 - 30 Cal Redekop

STEINLE, HULDA M., McPherson, Kan. , a member of the Buhler (Kan ) MB Church, was born July 1, 1906, to John J. and Katherine Sperling Schmidt in McPherson County and died Jan . 16, 1995, at the age of 89. On May 17, 1931, she was married to Sam Steinle, who predeceased her in 1988. She is survived by two sons Sheldon of Little River, Kan., John of McPherson, and Jim of Broken Arrow, Okla ; a daughter, Donna Klassen Mendoza of Oklahoma City, Okla ; two brothers, John Schmidt of Lincoln , Neb , and Clinton Schmidt of Buhler; a sister, Linda Regier of Lawrence, Kan .; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. €2

CLEARINGHOUSE

POSITIONS AVAI L ABLE

DIRECTOR for outstanding day care ministry needed Must meet state guidelines for a director of a day care center-children ages 4.9-12.0 Strong administrative, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required ; as is the ability to do financial planning and bookkeeping for the center Applicants should have a vital faith and sense of ministry. Benefits and salary are in line with community standards for day care directors. Please send resume and request for application to Larry Hart, Pastor, Grace Community Church, 875 Monterey Ave., Capitola, CA. 95010

BETH ANY BIBLE INSTITUT E

Hepburn, Saskatchewan

is inviting applications for the position of

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENTS

The successful applicant will be female with a master's degree in social science and a background in counseling . A commitment to an Anabaptist orientation and personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is essential.

This position will involve classroom instruction, pastoral care to students , residence supervision, and leadership training

Please submit resumes and direct inquiries to : President James Nikkel

Bethany Bible Institute Box 160

Hepburn, SK SOK 1Z0

Phone: 306-947-2175

Fax: 306-947 -4229

Deadline: April 15, 1995

Tulip Tune in Holland

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE is accepting applications for SELFHELP Crafts Buyer (Akron, PA ). This salaried position is available July 1, 1995 Qualifications include a commitment to Christian faith, active church membership and nonviolent peacemaking. Applicants must be committed to the SELFHELP Craft ' s mission , have cross-cultural communications skills and be available to travel 6-8 weeks per year. Interested persons in the United States contact Goldie Kuhns, 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500 , Akron , PA. 19501-0500, phone (717) 859-1151. Interested persons in Canada contact MCC Canada Personnel, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg , MB R3T 5K9, phone (204) 269-9875 Applications due April 10, 1995

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE is accepting applications for Washington Office Legislative Associate for International Affairs (Washington, D.C.). This 2-year position is available August 1995 as a local service or salaried position. Qualifications include a commitment to Christian faith, active church membership and nonviolent peacemaking. Applicants must have a background in U.S. foreign policy issues and working in coalitions and communication and research skills Previous MCC or overseas experience preferred. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply Interested persons contact Goldie Kuhns, 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500, phone (717) 859-1151 Applications due March 17, 1995

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE is accepting applications for Graphic Designer (Akron, Pa.). This 2-3 year position is available June 20, 1995 on a volunteer service or salaried basis Qualifications include a commitment to Christian

ApPLICAT IONS REQUESTED FOR :

DIREcroR OF MUSIC AND WORSHIP

First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita seeks a Director of Music and Worship. The ideal candidate will have a master's degree in music, or equivalent This is the primary staff position for our music ministries including, but not limited to, music, worship and drama. The applicant should demonstrate an ability to orchestrate special events designed to attract individuals in our community.

We are a growing church family of about 600 people. Please submit your resume to :

David Wittich, Chair; Search Committee

First Mennonite Brethren Church 8000 W 21 st Wichita, KS 67205-1744 (3161 722-5885

FAX: (3161 722- 5931

faith, active church membership and nonviolent peacemaking. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with fine arts and graphic design emphasis and practical graphic design experience with computer and print production Interested persons contact Goldie Kuhns, 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500, phone (717) 859-1151. Applications are due March 31, 1995.

Come with us DOWN UNDER

First Mennonite Brethren chun::h

John E. and Anne Friesen

Octob er 16-31, 1995

In Australia Sydney Canberra Melbourne In New Zealand South Island North Island Much More

Discount for June 1 or prior registration

For your free color brochure, write or call 4980 E. Heaton Avenue #10 Fresno, CA 93727 (209) 456-1067

BETHANY BmLE INSTITUTE

H epburn, Saskatchewan is inviting applications for the position of

PRESIDENT

Preference will be given to the candidate who has attained a minimum of a master's degree, who can support the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith and who can demonstrate the following attributes :

• good interpersonal relationships

• leadership in vision and action planning

• ability to establish a constituency support base.

Duties will include administration, constituency relations , and limited classroom instruction

Starting date flexible

Applications must be in by April 30, '95

Please address resumes and inquires to: AJ. Poettcker (Search Committee Chair)

c/ o Lakeview MB Church 1509-29 St. S. Lethbridge, AB TlK 2X6

Phone: 403-327-5854

Fax: 403-329-0117 KINDRED PRESS TO K I NDRED PRODUCTIONS

As a means of expressing its broader mandate The Board of Resou rce Ministries of the Gener al Conference of MB Churches of North America i s pleased to announce a name change: Kindred Press will now be known as

N DRED P R OD U C TI ONS

Kindred P roductions will continue as the publishing house of our Conference but will also be involved in the production of mixed media resources and the distribution of resources from NavPress and other publishers.

believed to be six months or less away from death could ask a physician to prescribe a fatal dosage of drugs. If the doctor agrees, a 15-day waiting period begins. The doctor is expected to determine that patients understand their condition and medical options, are acting voluntarily, and are capable of making health care decisions. A consulting physician is required to verify the first doctor's fmdings. A death caused by a lethal dose of drugs prescribed in this manner would be recorded as a "drug overdose, legally prescribed" rather than as a suicide.

Similar measures have been defeated in recent years in California and Washington State. The Oregon law is the first in the world to decriminalize physican-assisted suicide. Though The Netherlands has accepted euthanasia for nearly two decades, the nation's law enforcers merely ignore laws against the practice that remain on the books. (EP)

WORLD

Churchly challenges

Russian churches find it difficult to respond to the collapse of the government because of their own structural collapses, says Walter Sawatsky, an associate professor of church history at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. "Churches here have almost completely stopped functioning because they lack money. They can't support the local clergy. Pentecostals, and the Orthodox were dependent on foreign aid," he says.

"All money is dissipated into many short-tenn, unrelated projects. There is no systematic infonnation

gathered in the field of religion in Russia right now," he says, even though the volume of North American money has increased significantly from the Soviet years.

Sawatsky spent June through August 1994 in Moscow participating in a seminar on "Church and Religion in Imperial Russia." (Canadian Mennonite Reporter)

ECONOMICS

Granting a wish

The Canadian government has approved a grant of $3.8 million (Cdn.) to expand the Russia program of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

This grant, from the Canadian Department of External Affairs, will enable MEDA to develop a business incubator and credit program in Zelenograd, just outside Moscow. The business incubator will be set up to lease space to up to 30 businesses at one time for a period of up to three years.

MEDA has worked with the evolving Russian business environment since 1990, and has been trying to meet the needs of small and micro-businesses in a variety of ways. (MEDA)

COLLEGES

Agrowing alternative

Evangelical Christian colleges, until recently the choice of only a tiny segment of high school students, are becoming popular with a growing number of students. In the United States, from 1985 to 1993 enrollment rates at Christian College Coalition schools, the largest Christian association of four-year colleges in North America ,

nearly tripled the growth rate of the country's secular four-year-schools. During that period enrollment at U.S. four-year colleges grew 13 percent, while the Chistian Coalition schools' enrollment grew 35 percent.

Not even Christian colleges can pinpoint a clear reason for the revival of evangelical education. They believe it's part of society's shift toward con-

servatism since the 1980s.

The increase also may have its origins in a religious reawakening that has spawned everything from what some call the new spiritualism to a reinvigoration of organized religion. This is especially true for baby boomers, many of whom are facing tough decisions about what is best for their children approaching college age.

(Wichita Eagle)

RESEARCH

Billy's credibility in crisis?

EVANGELIST BILLY GRAHAM has been named to the Gallup Poll's "most admired" list more often than anyone in history_ So it came as quite a surprise when a survey published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy identified his Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) as the "least credible" charitable cause_

In a survey of 96 nonprofit organizations conducted by Nye Lavalle and Associates, the BGEA was named as the "least credible" on the list by 28 percent - beating out the American Civil Liberties Union and National Rifle Association (24 percent). The BGEA also headed the "most opposed" list, with a 32 percent response rate.

Lavalle suggested that Graham's low showing in the survey could be "guilt by association" because of scandals that have hurt other high-profile evangelists, such as Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart and Robert Tilton. Graham's organization was the only one in the survey based on an evangelist who does television outreach.

Unfamiliarity with the Graham organization probably played a factor as well; some 59 percent of those polled said they have never donated to the Graham ministry.

Televangelism expert Steve Winzenburg said Graham is the model of accountability for television evangelists, and spends only 2 percent of air-time on fundraising.

The trade journal Advertising Age responded to Graham's plight by launching a "redeem Billy Graham's image" contest. "Billy Graham doesn't need a donation to further his spiritual crusade; he needs a marketing plan," the magazine suggested. (EP)

Add your piece to the puzzle

YOUR EDITOR, Don Ratzlaff (now on leave), and I have sometimes discussed why readers of the Leader do not respond more. We've come up with various answers:

• They don't read the Leader That being too horrible a thought, we dismiss it at once.

• A secret virus destructs their work whenever they begin a letter with "Dear Editor."

• The mail carrier swipes letters before they reach our office for coffee-break reading.

• Readers of the Leader and other similar periodicals don't see the importance of sharing their thinking in public.

This last answer makes a lot of sense. For some people, it's a bother to put thoughts on paper, then find an envelope, buy a stamp and walk to the mailbox. They think that seeing themselves in print would be like walking naked through

flict, but only temporarily. The two sides met at Jerusalem to decide an issue for which they had no precedent. "After much discussion," writes Luke in Acts 15, they decided how to deal with Gentiles.

That type of discussion can take place in many forums besides a formal conference. Writing a letter to the editor is one of them. Sometimes this public forum is the only way a prophet's voice is heard.

• Another reason for a lack of exchange of ideas is that we do not theologize to any degree at the congregational, district or U.S. conference levels anymore. Theological questions seldom come to the floor when faith and life boards report, unlike the General Conference sessions where the agenda is sometimes dominated by them .

I have long believed that it is important for every believer to be a theologian, a Christ-follower who works consistently at the relationship between faith and his or her immediate life situation. the mall.

Society experiments with various Strength comes to By allowing the church at only one level to make decisions that affect everyone, we are all the losers. Strength comes to the church ways of arriving at truth. People use surveys, polls, and majority votes. The best books are determined by the number of readers, the best movies by box office

the church when all when all have had a part in the discussion and the decision. receipts.

have had a part in

Yet truth is never arrived at by vote or poll. It can only be discovered. And the discussion and we help one another to do that by sharing Holy-Spirit guided insights. A letter the decision. to the editor is a way of teaching each other to think Christianly about the issues that affect our lives. And it also encourages the editor by letting him (or her) know there are interested readers out there.

You may not agree with Letter No . 1 but find a telling grain of truth in Letter No.2. Oswald Chambers writes that "the author who benefits you most is not the one who tells you something you did not know before, but the one who gives expression to the truth that has been dumbly struggling in you for utterance" (My Utmost for His Highest).

I often find this to be the case as I read letters by readers in other periodicals. The Original article may not have been Significant, but the letter writer added a bit of light.

No one person's views should be the determining factor on any matter of faith and life, whether that person is an academic theologian or a talk show host. The early church in Jerusalem is a great example of theologizing together. Some men were saying, "Our bylaws state that every male believer should be circumcized " "No way," said others, "the gospel is for everyone ." The result : con-

We Recommend is a compilation of all the recommendations and resolutions of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches since 1878. Some recommendations, like not attending circuses, not cutting women's hair, are amusing now, yet they reveal an urgent desire to be biblical.

Others, like whether a wife should have anything to do with an excommunicated husband or to buy war bonds are sobering. They show a deep concern about the ethical/moral life of its members.

I'd like to see each congregation come up with a compilation of resolutions which their church accepted over the years. It would trace the theological history of that congregation

Church council and congregational meetings are often dominated by budget concerns that relate to new roofs and parking lots. Yet daily each member deals with how faith relates to pressures in the workplace, what to think about school prayer, how to give when you're ear-high in debt . This self-theologizing is a lonely, difficult task unless undergirded by the community of faith.

At Christmas my daughter received a lOOO-piece jigsaw puzzle, labeled "impossible" because it had no edge pieces and five extra pieces. After long, frustrating hours, we put it together. As an editorial staff, we're looking to each of you to add your piece to complete the puzzle. Who knows, yours may be an edge piece. -KFW