Five years ago a simple traffic accident led to a shooting that left a policeman with lots of questions. The policeman and his pastor began to wrestle with issues like justice, the use of force and protecting the innocent. In this article, the two men reflect on the ways in which faith and Scripture have impacted their thinking and offer some conclusions.
13 HOLDING DUAL CITIZEN SHIP by Pierre Gilbert
There are a number of ways in which Christians can be involved in the affairs of sOciety, including politics But Christians-and non -Christians-don't always agree on the best way to demonstrate our allegiance to country. But because Christians are first citizens of the kingdom of God, there is one critical area in which we are compelled to serve the earthly nations
16 CONFESSION OF FAITH: SOCIETY AND STATE
> FiRST WORDS
(from the editor]
ADVERTISING IS NOT A MAJOR REVENUE STREAM FOR THE Christian Leader. Ad prices cater to Mennonite Brethren ministries and accommodate inter-Mennonite agencies like Mennonite Central Committee. The magazine's postal classification limits the amount of advertising we can sell each month and usually MB and inter-Mennonite ads fill our quota. The Leader is rarely contacted by for-profit businesses interested in advertising, and when they do the price I quote quickly ends the conversation .
Two months ago I got a call from Grace Hill Media, a full-service public relations and marketing firm in Hollywood that promotes entertainment that affirms the beliefs, values and worldview of what they call the "faith community." I met the folks at Grace Hill two years ago when the firm hosted a private screening for those of us attending the annual Evangelical Press Association convention of a new movie they were promoting, "The Cinderella Man " A question and answer time with the firm's representatives followed the screening. It was an interesting and stretching conversation, as Grace Hill representatives and editors and writers from a variety of denominations and with a wide range of opinions evaluated the film and discussed issues that arise when Christians become involved in the entertainment industry.
We were told that Christians, including those at Grace Hill Media, are exerting their influence in Hollywood, positively affecting the content of TV shows and movies in ways the general public will never know. It could be that "Evan Almighty," the movie connected to the material promoted in the ad on page 39, won't be all that successful. I may regret opening the door to this kind of advertising. But as I was reminded over and over again at Anaheim '07, God is at work everywhere and "everywhere" includes the movie theater.
Seeing God at work means putring aside our preconceived ideas about a place like Hollywood, and that, I've decided, is easier said than done During the Tourformation component of the 2007 national Mennonite Brethren youth convention, the Reedley (Calif.) MB Church youth group visited The Oasis, a mentoring program in Hollywood that targets at-risk children and teens. Hollywood is home to more than television and movie companies and the stars they create. Violent gangs and hundreds of runaways, drug addicts and prostitutes live in Hollywood And God is at work in Hollywood, among the rich and famous and the homeless and forgotten. - CF
> QUOTABLE
"When I was young, I thought I knew the answer to almost everything, and I cringe when I look back at some of those ill-considered remarks. The world is complex, and as I've grown older I've learned that foreign-policy issues, for example, usually aren't as easy as they may seem on the surface. "-Billy Graham in a recent e-mail interview with the Minneapolis (Minn.) Star Tribune describing how his views have changed through the decades.
> UP & COMING
lIJ uly 5 - 9 - Central District Conference C onvention , Rapid C ity, SD
llAug 2 - 3 - Southem District Conference Pastors' Gathering, Hays, Kan
llAug. 3 - 5 - Southem District Conference Convention , Hays, Kan
• Nov 2 - 3 - Pacific District Conference Convention , Shafter, Calif.
Connie Faber EDITOR
Myra Holmes ASSISTANT EDITOR
E lain e Ewen GRAPHIC DESIGNER
MANDATE The Christian Leader IISSN 0009-5149) is publi shed monthly by the U.s Con fere nce of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Breth ren members and churches of th e events, activities, decisions and issues of their denomi nation, and to instruct, inspire and initiate dialogue so members will aspire to be fa ithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangel icaVAnabapt ist th eological tradit ion
EDITORIAL POLI CY The views expressed in this publication do not necessari ly re prese nt the position of the Chris t ian Leader, th e U S Confe r en ce Lea dershi p Boa rd or th e Menn onite Breth r en Church Scripture referen ces ar e from New International Version unless otherwise noted The editors invit e freelance article subm issions A SASE must accompany articles.
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CONNIE FABER
> READERS FORUM
Remembering four years of war in Iraq
Anniversary service offers prayers, protest
For most Americans the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq came and went without any change in behavior
What about those of us who are convinced that God's will is for peace? What about those of us who are uncomfortable with the fortns that most public protests take and with the do-nothing silence of most of our fellow citizens? Is there anything we can or should do or say?
The fourth anniversary was a somber time More than 3,200 members of the military from our families, churches and communities have died and we know that some 20 Iraqis die for each American death. Millions of Iraqis are refugees from their homes and communities, and a religious civil war has begun in their coun-
from the teachings of Jesus. She explained that her sculpture, on which she had labored for six months, symbolized for her the fragility of the natural world around us . But, she continued with deep emotion, the ongoing war in Iraq made it impossible for her to leave her tile intact We live in a shattered world, she said and with that she stru ck the tile once with a hammer, breaking it into pieces
The service did not end with lamentations and brokenness but with hope. We are aware, especially during the recent Easter season, that just as God can bring life out of death he can bring try. Hundreds of billions of our dollars have been spent. Our president recently commirted additional American personnel and resources to a "surge" in spite of the opposition of a majority of Americans, the recommendations of a bipartisan commission and most military experts and the decisions of many coalition partners to withdraw their troops.
\. fo st 01 us are well aware, at level. of the inj us ti ce " , cnormous suffering and the mas"i\'c tinarlcial hum a n costs 01 W;.lr. Yet mo"t of manage to go about our cvcrydav lives a" if everything i-. h;'lSic"lllv () K, N
Mennonite Peacemakers, an infortnal organization of Mennonites in the Fresno, Calif., area, sponsored a "Service of Prayer and Protest" Sunday evening. March 18, as part of a "Christian Peace Witness for Iraq." Among the nearly 100 participants in the service at College Community Church in Clovis, Calif., were members of several of the Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite churches in the Fresno area as well as members of other Protestant and Roman Catholic congregations and a few persons who are not affiliated with any congregation Some attendees had also participated in a much larger public protest rally held earlier in the day.
The service was in three parts, each of which included Bible readings, Christian songs and hymns and prayer In the first part of the service we recalled God's vision for peace. Along with other reminders from Scripture, songs and prayers that God's will is for peace, we read together the liturgical version of Article 13 on "Love and Nonresistance" from the MB Confession of Faith. "Give us the patience to wait on your judgments, rather than taking vengeance ourselves," we read. "Give us strength to yield, returning evil with good. and trusting in the power of your love, rather than our own love of power "
We lamented our "ruptured" world in the second part of the service. Most of us are well aware, at some level. of the many injustices, enortnous suffering and the massive financial and human costs of war. Yet most of us still manage to go about our everyday lives as if everything is basically OK Lamentations are not a usual part of our lifestyles . But for many of us in the service, a "Potter's Lament" shocked us out of our customary apathy
Potter Lynette Ratzlaff displayed a large tile into which she had sculpted images , in relief, of grass in seed, representing the cycle and fragility of life Around the border she had written Luke 12:28, a text
good out of even the most desperate of evils . Watercolor artist Janice Leppke illustrated this by demonstrating how she uses residue from previous "mistakes" as a foundation for a new painting on the same paper We read together a commitment that includes the words, "We call on one another to financially support relief efforts in Iraq through our denominations. We call on the President and Congress to lead the way in funding international reconstruction of Iraq and providing humanitarian aid for shattered Iraqi families, for such assistance is the most effective path to real security for all people around the world." After lighting candles as symbols of the light of hope, attendees gave sentence prayers of confession for our sins of silence and complicity and for peace and reconciliation in conflicts near and far. We concluded by singing. "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow." Immediately following the service. attendees prepared 43 relief kits for people in Iraq.
For some this service went too far, for others it did too little. But many of us who attended the service were grateful to Mennonite Peacemakers (http ://peacemaking.com/mennos/) for providing us with an opportunity to express our deeply held conviction that God is a God of peace and that those of us who carry the name of Christ should be a people of peace.
Robert Enns and his wife Ruth are members of College Community Church . Mennonite Brethren. in Clovis, Calif The couple retired from the Fresno Pacific University faculty in 2000 They have served several terms in Japan with MBMS International most recently as volunteer tea chers and pastors from 2002 to 20 05
> READERS SAY
What does <Cmissional" involve?
The article by Don Morris about the future of the church really disturbed me ("Missional," the March 2007 Conference Call column). Morris states, "the missional Christian movement is about releasing our church people to take the message of Jesus into the world." Whoa! What are we supposed to do "outside the church" that we are not now doing? Do we need a new "movement" to foster the growth and effectiveness of the church? Maybe we need a return to basics
We have cut back on Wednesday night prayer services, Sunday evening services, etc., because we say people will not come. That is true, especially in Mennonite Brethren churches on the West Coast. I submit we have allowed our culture to influence us. Simply doing away with "church," as suggested, is not going to cause a revival or a desire to worship our God when the culture pulls us in the other direction.
I exhort us to "not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is " (emphasis mine.) There is a strong place for corporate worship and having a focal place to deliver those services. What is to take the place of our activity of worship when Morris suggests "their church will be out among people"? Is he suggesting home church or what?
I agree we have to "think outside the box," as Morris suggests, but to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" doesn't make sense to me. Let's look for ways to influence the culture rather than capitulating and being manipulated by the culture. Case in point: Some current church services are not much different from attending an entettainment venue. I implore us to search for a new emphasis on the meaning of worship and what we as believers need to do to practice the art of meaningful worship.
A look at large, growing churches reveals a myriad of services and activities that meet the needs of people. What is this all about, that all of a sudden we need to "go to the people"? I thought that was our mission all along
Don Buller Fresno, Calif
Pastoral failure
In response to the article written by Tim Neufeld, I must say I disagree with the cavalier way of generalizing pastoral moral failure ("Lessons from the Ted Haggard scandal," Readers Forum, January 2007).
The title of a pastor does not influence the quality of one's character. The title does not make the pastor. Many of our churches use these titles, both small and large, congregational- and pastor-led. I personally know pastors of several large Mennonite Brethren churches with this "evil" title, and they do not fit Neufeld's description.
Neufeld mistakenly equates the larger size, leadership style of a congregation with the propensity for a pastor to fall. But we know this not to be the case and can name a quick dozen churches that have lost their pastors to moral failure even though they did not fit Neufeld's mold.
Neufeld also states that the Haggard offense was dealt with poorly. Before making such an amazing claim against a part of the body of Christ, did he actually contact Haggard's church to find out what the process was? I did and found out that. they have a process in place. Do we as MBs have a set process and is it so much better that we can criticize others?
In response to "ignoring the larger issue," not all of us know someone who is homosexual. It is not as much of a part of our lives as the writer assumes. Saying that homosexuality is wrong is not rrite, it is biblical. Actually it is biblical several times over. Since when did the simple teachings of Scripture become trite? Since when did the authority and practical use of Scripture as described in 2 TImothy 3:6 become trite? Would we be willing to say that anyone who says the Bible teaches that war and injustice are wrong is just being trite?
Sam
Sarkissian Fresno, Calif
A noisy problem
Noise is getting to be a real problem. Those of us with hearing aids are having a terrible time because the sounds we hear are compressed in our hearing aids into the range we can hear. Thus amplified sounds are very loud. My hearing aids are preset to nonnal conversation that is 70 decibels so I cannot tum them off. This leaves me two choices: leave the sanctuary until the singing is over or stay home where I can adjust the volume on the Tv. It is difficult to have a handicap people make light of. If this continues, the older members will have to leave.
Eunice Wiens Wolf Point, Mont.
Conflict threatens peace, new government in DR Congo
Armed face-off leaves citizens dead, wounded and stranded
AblOOdY conflict in late March threatened the young democracy of Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a report by Mukambu Ya'Namwisi Eric, coordinator of the Council for Peace and Reconciliation in the Congo and pastor of a Mennonite Church in Congo.
Although last year's democratic elections established a new political structure and institutions, Jean Pierre Bemba, who lost the election to Joseph Kabila, was unwilling to accept defeat. Bemba decided to lead what he called a republican opposition and refused to respect a deadline to integrate his soldiers into the national military.
On the morning of March 22, the head of the Congolese Armed Forces deployed troops, who were already in position for a face-off with Bemba's military. The first shots were fired in the middle of Kinshasa, the location of many of the key institutions of the capital, including offices, markets, elite schools and embassies.
No advance warning was given to the general population to leave the conflict zone.
The street fight lasted two days, with tragic results. Though the number of casualties is contested, it is agreed that there were well over 100 killed and 200 wounded. Students, bank administrators and many office workers were
unable to leave their buildings for days. In a
city where so many live from hand to mouth,
being unable to circulate is a major hardship, particularly for the poor.
While many among the population are satisfied to see Bemba's military neutralized for the time being, Mukambu says the challenge will be to continue building peace and rebuilding the country.
'The institutional structures of the country have been put in place, but it will take time for them to fully take control," says Mukambu. 'We must not allow the destruction of these efforts through violence, in a country where the population lives in abject misery."-MWC
MWC pleads for action in Zimbabwe
Mennonite World Conference has appealed to the United Nations and the African Union to exert their influence on the government of Zimbabwe to change its destructive actions against its own people A March 29 lerter addressed to Ban Kimoon, UN secretary general, and John Kufuor, AU president, points out that the desperate situation in Zimbabwe calls for a more energetic response than the quiet diplomacy which has been ineffective .
The letter follows the March II violent attack by police on participants in a peaceful prayer meeting near Harare, the Zimbabwean capital. One person was reported killed and several were seriously in jured This incident is just one recent example of ongoing oppression and disregard for human rights Poverty, unemployment, skyrocketing inflation and insecurity are causing
profound suffering while citizens flee and become refugees . At the same time, international organizations, including churches, are hampered in their efforts to help
The MWC letter condemns all violence in Zimbabwe and calls for immediate and positive dialogue between leaders in the country, the region and the global community of nations The complete text of th e letter can be viewed at www .mwccmm.orglNews/MWC/o70329rlsz htrnl
In order to "stand in visible communion with the Zimbabwe church at this time of unabared duress," MWC is organizing an international delegation to visit the Zimbabwean Brethren in Christ Church Aug 17-29, 2007 MWC associate general secretary Pakisa Tshimikia is organizing and will lead the delegation . Mennonite World Conference is a communion of Anabaptist-related churches linked to one another in a worldwide community of faith .-MWC
Call to prayer and advocacy
ThiS month, Colombia's Mennonite churches are calling on congregations in Canada and the U.S. to join in a unified cry for justice, peace and healing in the wartom South American country. As government forces, paramilitary and guerrillas vie for power and territory in Colombia, thousands of people are dying and millions are left homeless
North American churches are asked to come together May 20 with those in Colombia to worship, reflect and pray for victims, perpetrators and peacemakers. May 21, churches are called to make a public witness by speaking with government officials, holding public vigils, sharing stories and advocating for jusrice and peace in Colombia.
Colombia is home to the world's second largest internally displaced population, surpassed only by Sudan. It faces the largest humanitarian catastrophe in the hemisphere, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs.
The country has the highest number of killings in the hemisphere; the worst armed conflict; some of the gravest violations of humanitarian law; and one of the most inequitable distributions of wealth. Two-thirds of the country's population lives in poverry and approximately 97 percent of ctimes committed
go unpunished. Severe economic injusrices and social inequalities exist alongside and exacerbate the conflict.
Despite negotiations between the government and the paramilitary, killings and displacements continue. Human rights workers are also concerned that as paramilitaries demobili7e, fighters are forming other armed groups. Peace and justice workers, including Mennonites, are calling urgendy for a well-monitored process of jusrice, truth and reconciliation
A human rights report compiled by a Mennonite Central Committee worker and MCC partner organizations documents the murders of more than two dozen church members between January 2004 and July 2006. Numerous church members are among the 3.5 million people who have been forced to flee their homes because of the conflict. Churches urge a collective call for peace, justice and an end to violence and inequity.
MCC is providing an online packet of worship resources and advocacy material for the days of prayer and advocacy at mcc.orglus/washingtonldays Additional articles and material about Colombia can be found at mcc .org/colombia. MCC is the relief, service and peace agency of North American Mennonites. -MCC
MBBS offers church health course
MB Biblical Seminary will offer a course that addresses one of the key issues facing pastors : the health of their congregations. The course, Leadership for a New Day: Emerging from Church Dysfunction to Congregational Health , will be taught by Dan Unrau and held at the seminary' s Fresno, Calif. campus June 4-8.
"A survey of Mennonite Brethren pastoral trends this past year found that one of the key factors influencing a pastor's decision to resign is congregational conflict," says MBBS academic dean Lynn Jost. "Dan's course is one way of resourcing pastors for ongoing effective ministry."
The course can be taken as a one-day seminar June 4 or as an accredited course June 4-8 A travel bursary of up to $300 is available to
those coming in for the course from outside of California who register for three units of credit. By melding biblical texts and their truth with personal and churchly stories of success and failure, and weaving in the wisdom of family systems theory, Unrau says he hopes to "bring insight, strategies, hope and encouragement for the creation of the kind of emergent churches that only transformative leadership can foster ." Unrau has 23 years of pastoral experience, has written two books and is a sought-after storyteller and speaker.
The deadline for tegistration is May IS Information and registration materials are available from Lori James at registrar@mbseminary edu Detailed course information is also on the seminary's Web site at www.mbseminary edu - MBBS
60 YEARS OF CANNING MEAT
Volunteers from 60 years of Mennonite Central Committee's meat canning efforts are invited to come to a reunion in Syracuse, Ind., Aug. 11-12. For six decades, MCC's mobile meat canner has traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada, resulting in millions of pounds of meat for hungry people around the world. For more information about the reunion, go to www.mcc.orglcanning.-MCC
BYSTROM AUTHORS COMMENTARY
Raymond O. Bystrom, professor of pastoral ministries at MB Biblical Seminary, has written Living Today with an Eye for Eternity. The commentary on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, known as the Pastoral Letters, is part of Kindred Productions' Luminaire Studies. Living Today with an Eye for Eternity is written in narrative style and is suitable for personal study or group interaction It is available from the publisher at www.kindredproductions.com.-MBBS
SEMINARY INCREASES ALUMNI EFFORTS
MB Biblical Seminary has been increasing alumni relations efforts for graduates of the seminary's three campuses. The program begins with new graduates receiving a gift as a welcome into their new phase of relationship with the seminary. Efforts also include a quarterly email newsletter, a twice-annual mailing of In Touch magazine and a fall alumni phonathon. Alumni are also eligible for free class audits and can submit updates or links to personal blogs on MBBS's Web site, www.mbseminary.edu.-MBBS
on icte
When is it appropriate to use force to resolve a conflict?
TIM: As mE MENNONITE COMMUNITY has assimilated many non -Mennonites into our congregations, the use of force and even violence is a topic that creates tension We all want justice, but we define justice in many different ways. David and I have had many talks on this subject as we processed an experience he had as part of the local sheriff's department. We hope that sharing our thoughts will provide some insight into the proper use of force and the time and reasons behind such use
David: It began with a traffic accident and our efforts to find the driver who we thought might be injured. The search took my supervisor to the home of the cars owner and he soon radioed me to alro come to the home. When I arrived, my two supervisors were in a standoff with people who were shouting and agitated. When the young man who was the subject of our search saw me he thought he needed to make an escape. He broke through a gate and ran to the back of his residence We three officers pursued him and cornered him in the backyard.
My supervisor repeatedly shouted at the young man to stop running As he tried to climb a six-foot fence, my supervisor finally tazed him When the five-second tazer ceased, the young man shouted various obscenities at us and continued to try to escape. He was tazed a second time. FinaUy he feU to the ground I attempted to handcuff him What happened next was a surprise.
I was hit over the head The other officer said I dropped to my knees, but I don't recall what happened. I do remember backing away from a silhouette. I couldn't teU who it was. I do remember seeing stars and a white tee shirt At the time I was thinking, "This dude just hit me. I need to get away." It was at that point that I heard gunfire.
I wasn't sure who had shot, one of us or one of them I recovered in
time to hear my supervisor tell our dispatcher that we needed an ambulance. He reported we had a man down . The supervisor bolted into the yard. He was following the man who had been shot. The "white tee shirt" ran 18 feet before he fell.
I learned later what had happened. The father of the suspect followed us as we pursued his 20-year-old son. While we were attempting to make an arrest, the father found a two-by-four and struck me on the back of my head He was preparing to hit me again when my supervisor shot him. He was gone within less than a minute
Tun: Each officer is required in training at the police academy to study a manual of "defensive techniques." These techniques seek to minimi2e the use of force if at all possible. The officer is to methodically begin the process of evaluation at each potential crime scene, first with the use of reason
David: Because emotions run high whenever the police arrive on a scene my job is to not become emotional in dealing with suspects. At the academy and in police training. we are required to study stress management so we learn to keep ourselves from becoming a part of the unfolding drama . We learn to recognize rapid breathing. rapid thought processes and the tendency to stay focused (staring) when tense.
Tim: An officer first tries to ease the situation with calm discussion. If this doesn't work there is a logical progression that is to be systematically followed. This includes verbal direction , then the use of soft empty hand techniques, hard empty hand techniques and then the use of intermediate weapons. Finally, when deadly threat or force is imminent, deadly force is used in response. It was exactly this line of response that was used when David was attacked
So is it wrong for a believer to be a police officer as some Mennonites have historically maintained? Is the use of force a violation of the principle of nonviolence? That is the question David asked himself following the shooting .
David: I think I speak for the vast majority of police officers when I say our main goal is to help people. The last thing we want to do is be in a situation where we have to take someones life Now this is a crazy world, and there are people who may want to be in a shoot-out. I don 't. The Bible teach es us to love one another as Christ laved
TIM D A V D A V I S ID WI AND DOW S
us. But there is a lot of evil activity out there, and many people don't keep the laws of society. They think the laws don't apply to them I feel like our job is necessary to prevent anarchy.
Tim: Over the course of the next five years, David processed this distressing event in his mind. During the first period, which was most intense, he spent many sleepless nights replaying the nightmarish scene in his mind. He wondered how he might have acted differently. He wondered about his own responsibility. Perhaps he should have been aware of the father in hot pursuit. Maybe he was responsible for putting his senior officer in the position of having to discharge his weapon What about his own guilt? And, because he was not the officer who used his weapon, he was only off of work for three days before he was back on the job, carrying a mountain of psychological baggage back to the street. Was there any help ftom God in dealing with this stress?
David: I have come to see our job as being afulfillment of Romans 13 We are an agent of wrath to "bring punishment on the wrongdoer. " Our job is difficult. We have many restrictions in terms of what we may and may not do.
For example, force can be used only to bring about compliance. We have a force continuum we have to
apply. Sometimes an officer's presence is enough to bring a resolution to a conflict. Sometimes we have to use an escalating scale in order to restore peace to a situation. For example, if I were to take a person to the floor without cause I can be charged with battery just like any other citizen. If I have cause, then this does not constitute battery because I am making a lawful arrest.
I struggled with all of these issues until I realized that God wants a police force to maintain order in society. Without police, the criminals would run society. When I came to peace with that truth, I resolved my struggle.
Tun: But the question yet to be answered has to do with the crucial differentiation between the use of force and the use of aggression. The force necessary to contain a violent person is not in and of itself evil. In fact, it is seen in Romans 13 as a principle of maintaining order in society.
Aggression, on the other hand. can be defined as "an act of hostility." This is what some officers might do if they themselves do not use force to control a suspect but instead use aggression and beat or seek to hann a suspect due to their own heightened emotions. Thus the line is defined between right and wrong. The reasonable use of force is the proper response to criminal behavior. The aggressive use of force is wrong.
David: There are times when I am working a crime scene that I find myself becoming too emotionaUy involved. It is at this point that I know I need to call for backup in order to not cross the line between a legitimate use of force and the use of aggression.
Tun: Why is this line between aggression and "reasonable use of force" so important? Because it helps all of us to understand a more godly perspective in our daily lives. For example, should a parent ever discipline in anger? Is it possible to discipline a child without some use of reasonable force even if that simply means retuming a child to a bed that he/she might constantly seek to escape?
Should teachers and administrators use "reasonable" force in dealing with an out-of-control child? How can they
not? What about a woman being attacked by a rapist? Does nonresistance mean there should be no use of force or rather that there should be no "hostile retaliation"? Does it mean a reasonable use of force is not only pennissible but is also advisable (cf. Matt. 24:43)?
David and I came to agree that a reasonable use of force is required and biblically justified. It boils down to the heart or the intent of the use of force. When we as people lose our loving and reasonable perspective we become abusive. Again. we become violent.
So a good response for a parent in a tense situation would be to call for backup, i.e. work with the other parent rather than explode in anger. It would be a good response to defer punishment until emotional intensity has subsided. In other words, wait until your emotions have "calmed down" before disciplining This would apply universally in practice. Does this mean that the reasonable use of force is always right? Absolutely not .
David: I believe my job is to "protect and serve, upholding the laws of the State of Kansas." As long as those laws are consistent with biblical values, I have a place in law enforcement. For example, 1 Corinthians 13:7 states, "Love always protects." The focus of my job is the protection of the innocent. If there came a time when the government asked me to violate the spirit of Scripture. I could no longer do this job.
Tim: David and I recognize the great dedication of many Anabaptists who may disagree with this position. Many Mennonites have died at the hands of ruthless killers because they did not make a distinction between force and aggression. We honor these people and their commitment to the gospel. Yet we recognize that we live in a time when people are again being required to make critical decisions regarding the use of force.
If I were on an airplane that was hijacked would I avoid any use of force? Am I being compassionate in trying to subdue a hijacker in order to save the lives of the innocent? The key, we would argue, is that protection of the innocent is a loving act. It is something the police would do if they were present in the situation. At the same time we recognize the very human tendency toward hostile emotions and aggression. Aggression, the desire to hatm, we denounce. Where do we Christians draw the line in regard to Romans 13?
David: I believe there is not only a place for Christians in police work, but I would prefer to have officers hold to this biblical standard. This is the only position that values redemptive justice in society along with the biblical definition of godly force. We have seen too many situations of police abuse on the news because this principle was not foUowed.
Tun: And what of Officer Widows' peace of mind and soul? It took nearly five years until the final court settlement was resolved. The superior officer was vindicated by the state in his use of deadly force in defense of David. The family received a financial settlement to resolve the case out of court.
But the real peace of mind for David came as his conscience accepted the fact that God has ordained the "reasonable" use of force as a means of providing a stable and just society. I agree with him, by force of reason.
Tim Davis is senior pastor at Garden Valley Church in Garden City, Kan. David Widows serves as a member of the Gang Unit with the Finney County (Kan.) Sheriffs Department.
BY PIERRE GILBERT
There are a number of ways in which Christians can be involved in the affairs of society, including politics. But there is one critical area in which Christians are compelled to serve.
Christians view themselves as citizens of the kingdom of God. They are expected to act and live as kingdom citizens and to give it their primary allegiance. But Christians are also citizens of earthly nations and are expected to grant at least some degree of allegiance to their country. For better or for worse, Christians hold dual citizenship What are the implications of dual citizenship, particularly as it pertains to political activism in America?
An ideological clash
This may seem like a simple question, but Christians disagree in significant ways about what constitutes legitimate political and social action Take Mennonites for instance . In sharp contrast to the not-so-distant past, political activism is now perceived as an essential tool to promote the peace and justice agenda considered by many as one of the fundamental expressions of Anabaptism
But Mennonite activism is not ideologically neutral. From the hberalleft to the conservative right, all shades of the political spectrum are represented in the Mennonite constituency. I would even go so far as to state that the Mennonite community reflects the culture war that has increasingly characterized North American politics since 9/11.
Those who position themselves at either end of the political spectrum tend to view their stance as the natural default position for faithful Christians. Contrary to what some believe, this type of attitude is not unique to conservative Christians. While the left-wing Mennonites may deplore the apparent confusion of religion with right-wing politics, they do not fare much better. If Jesus were to appear today they assume he would be a strident supporter of Green Peace, be present at all the anti-war manifestations and drive an environmentally friendly Honda Hybrid.
Liberal left-wing Mennonites tend to deal with societal issues according to a list of priorities that starts with a broad concern for peace and justice and usually entails a systematic denunciation of American foreign policy and capitalism . Gender issues, aboriginal rights, gay and lesbian rights , the
environment and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict otherwise receive much of their attention.
On other issues of morality, left-wing Mennonites tend to be less vocal: ahottion, same-sex marriage, the rise of secular humanism and the corresponding mounting public dismissal of conservative Christianity do not rank as high on the agenda. An interesting illustration of
for thousands of years.
The members of the British parliament who enacted the law and those officers who enforced it did not for one moment believe that such a practice could be defended on the basis of the kind of postmodem multicultural mush we now find in most Western countries and which holds in equal esteem every culture, irrespective of practice and belief. The British knew the practice was wrong and did their best to stamp it out. The
This issue is obviously not uniqu e to Mennon ites. It conce r ns all Christian s and cannot be avoided, in part, becau se of this very "dual citiz enship" which defines our present situation
this mitigated approach towards this category of moral issues can be found on the Peace and Justice Support Network Web site of Mennonite Church USA where, after voicing a clear opposition to ahottion, the document then proceeds to qualify that stance. The critical question is not so much what the denomination believes but whether irs members have the right to make "our beliefs the law of the land " To attempt to weigh in on such issues is seen as coercion, domination and control; "the violent assertion of our righrs."
Conservative evangelicals, in contrast, view the advancement of certain positions through the political arena as an appropriate form of Christian involvement. This issue is obviously not unique to Mennonites. It concerns all Christians and cannot be avoided, in part, because of this very "dual citizenship" which defines our present situation.
Search for universal values
One of the main factors behind the sentiment that the church must engage the public sphere is the conviction that the message of Scripture has a universal character We believe, for instance, that the Ten Commandments and the prophetic calls to act justly and to love mercy represent universal truths.
While a vast majority of Christians would not promote a blurring of the separation of church and state by attempting to legislate belief in the Christian God, those who work and promote justice and mercy will admit that they do so because of their conviction that these truths derive from the moral nature of God himself and have a claim on our culture by virtue of God's sovereignty over all (2 Cor. 10:5).
One example will suffice. While it is commonplace to vilify the British for their involvement in India in the 19th century, until British tule a widow was required to mount the funeral pyre of her husband and be cremated along with him. In 1829 the British prohibited the rite of sati that had been prevalent in India
issue was not whether the British should impose the Christian faith but whether they
would sanction practices that violated a moral standard they regarded as absolute and universal.
From biblical revelation, we derive a number of fundamental values that we hold as universal and consequently as good and appropriate in any context. The intrinsic value of each individual human being as made in the image of God, the notion of human dignity, the defense of the poor and compassion for the weak and the rejection of magic and superstition are primary examples of such truths.
Since the intent of God's prescriptions is to promote life, we believe that if a society adopts even the most basic moral principles
found in Scripture it will thrive as a just and compassionate society where individuals enjoy personal freedom and dignity. But if a community rejects the beliefs and values essential to the maintenance of a healthy society it will decay. and people will bear the price of the resulting moral corrosion.
This is where the point of the dilemma appears. Does knowing what may be best for our society give us some right to forcefully promote our beliefs? While some Christians would balk at the notion of "imposing" any beliefs most would agree that we do have an obligation to contribute to shaping our community. The question of course. is how can we do so with biblical integrity?
Biblical precedents
To the exiled community in Babylon. Jeremiah unexpectedly exhorts his people to embrace the future God is putting before them The exiles are to make this new place their home and seek the welfare of the city in which they live (Jer. 29:7). Christian community development workers often use this passage to justify the kind of aggressive political activism that is often needed to bring about the redemption of social structures and entire neighborhoods.
In Romans I3=!. Paul exhorts his readers to submit "to the governing authorities " While Paul does not primarily intend to provide a basis for Christian social activism. this passage does pro-
vide some helpful elements for our discussion.
In contrast to ancient Rome where citizens had little say in the politics of the land. Americans playa critical role in the formation of their government and its policies. In a democratic system citizens are called to shape the society in which they live. Whether Paul could foresee the implications of his writings for a society such as ours is open for debate. But at the very least. we can assume that the injunction to submit to authorities in the context of a democratic system does imply that Christians are obligated to help shape the society they live in to the best of their knowledge and abilities. since this is what such a political system expects of its citizens. This would also be perfectly compatible with the principle of partnership that is intrinsic to relationship between God and humanity.
A blueprint for political activism
Through divine revelation Christians have been given a set of universal truths. Because these truths reflect ultimate reality. it is believed that they will promote life in cultures that adopt them. The community of faith must and should seek the welfare of those around as an expression of Christ's love for all.
Christian interaction with the world can occur at three different levels. I am indebted to the Canadian sociologist Fernand Dumont for the model that is outlined here. For more details. see http://www.cmu.calfacultylpgilbert/articles/duatcitizen.shtrn1.
First. Christian scientists and scholars seek to discover the coherence of the world for its own sake. In that respect they and their non-Christian counterparts seek the same goal and share common methods. The Christian and the non-Christian pursue their profession in the context of a Judeo-Christian framework that views the universe as an object of investigation that has intrinsic coherence.
Second. Christians and non-Christians alike pursue objectives that transcend the search for coherence. Scientific investigation ultimately strives to improve the quality of human life. Cancer researchers do not simply seek the most efficient way to destroy cancer cells; they ultimately seek a cure for a disease that devastates real persons
When it comes to intervening in this sphere. Christians will undoubtedly disagree with each other about ideology and strategies. But as long as there is no attempt at using the powers of the state to impose allegiance to a specific religion. I contend that Christians benefit from a broad range of action . If those who identify with the left wish to lobby against military action and U.S. foreign policy. so be it. If conservative evangelicals wish to use their political clout to restrict access to abortion and crusade against same-sex marriage - why not?
I see no compelling moral. philosophical or theological argument that would prohibit aggressive political activism. It is a gross overstatement to suggest that using generally accepted political and social levers to promote "Christian" values is tantamount to coercion.
women to accept the Gospel of Christ. To embrace the lordship of Jesus Christ is the greatest act of self-determination; it is an act that cannot be legislated. The missionary enterprise belongs to the realm of loving, even if urgent, persuasion: 'We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20).
The act of evangelism is by definition nonpolitical. It is noncoe r cive, as no law can be enacted to force men and women to accept the Gospel of Christ.
Third, there is, however, a sphere of action that is unique to the Christian. It touches on the fundamental illness that infects humanity. It is an affliction the Bible refers to as sin. The remedy for this "cancer" is infinitely beyond the reach of modem science. The only cure for this condition is found in a personal encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. The reason why this sphere belongs exclusively to the realm of Christian action is linked to the fact that the diagnosis of the disease and its cure are derived from biblical revelation and not from nature. It is a confessional statement and not something that can be verified through philosophy or empirical science.
The evangelistic enterprise belongs to this third sphere. It is an exercise in telling the good news of friendship with God, of healing and eternal salvation. The act of evangelism is by definition nonpolitical. It is noncoercive, as no law can be enacted to force men and
The responsibility of sharing the good news with those around us derives from our status as citizens of the kingdom . It is something Christians must engage in whether the state approves of it or not. In cases where the state's injunctions conflict with this imperative, our allegiance to God must then supersede all others.
As "aliens" in the city and "dual cirizens," it is our mandate and responsibility to seek the common good. This involves much more than doing charity work or promoting some social cause. It implies the necessity to defend and uphold ttuth. For if we fail to do so, the foundation on which everything good rests will inexorably erode, leaving in its wake a trail of untold suffering for generations to come. As the church goes, so does the rest of the world.
Pierre Gilbert is associate professor of Bible and theology at the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif, and the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Man Gilbert adapted this article from the chapter he contributed to Out of the Strange Silence: The Challenge of Being Christian in the 21st Century, published by Kindred Productions.
Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith: Article 12 Society and State
The State as Instituted by God
We believe that God instituted the state to promote the wellbeing of all people . Christians cooperate with others in society to defend the weak, care for the poor and promote justice, righteousness and ttuth Believers witness against corruption, discrimination and injustice, exercise social responsibility, pay taxes and obey all laws that do not conflict with the Word of God
God has given governments authority to maintain law and order and to punish wrongdoers Followers of Christ respect and pray for those in authority so that peaceful order may prevail We deplore the loss of life in the exercise of state -sanctioned violence
Christian Allegiance in Society
The primary allegiance of all Christians is to Christ's kingdom, not the state or society. Because their citizenship is in heaven, Christians are called to resist the idolatrous temptation to give to the
state the devotion that is owed to God As ambassadors for Christ, Christians act as agents of reconciliation, and seek the well -being of all peoples . Because Christ forbids the swearing of oaths, we simply affirm the truth in legal transactions . Believers do not participate in secret societies which demand the swearing of oaths or which otherwise conflict with a Christian's allegiance to Christ and the church At all times believers are called to live as faithful witnesses in the world, rejecting pressures which threaten to compromise Christian integrity
Scripture references : Exod 20 :13, 16; Lev 19:II; Ps 82:3-4; Jer 29:7; Dan. 2:21, 3:17-18, 4 :17; Matt. 5:13-16, 33-37, 6:33, 17:24 -27, 22 :17-21; John 15 :19, 17:14-18; Acts 5:29; Rom 13:1-7; I Cor 5:9-13; 2 Cor. 6:14 -18; Eph. 5:6-13; Phil. 1:27,3:20; 1 TlDl. 2:1 -4; Titus 3:1-2; James 5:12; 1 Pet 2:13-17
Boldly going ··Everywhere"
Youth convention moves to the city, experiments with new format
Anaheim '07 will go down in the national Mennonite Brethren youth convention history book as a groundbreaking event. Slightly less than 1,100 high school students and sponsors attended the youth convention held March 31 to April 3 at the Anaheim (Calif.) Hilton Hotel.
Anaheim '07 was the first time the youth convention :
• had a hands-on format that included ministry tracks designed to encourage kids to use their gifts and skills in God's kingdom and an all-day ministry experience that involved all attendees.
• was hosted by Tabor College, Fresno Pacific University and MB Biblical Seminary, the three U.S MB educational institutions. The convention received a $20,000 grant from Ministry Quest, the seminary's high school leadership program.
• was held in an urban center. Previous conventions had been held in mountain settings and at full-service conference centers that were adequate but offered limited programming versatility. The hotel venue relieved planning
team members of a number of responsibilities, including security, room assignments and maintenance duties
The list of firsts is impressive. Impressive because changing both the location and the format significantly altered the convention in a host of ways Impressive because doing something for the first time means that one can never-or at least seldom-say, "Well, last time we .... " Impressive because it worked .
"The comments from youth leaders, students and the evaluations all suggest this was successful," says co-chair Tim Neufeld 'The conference was a new model, and new models are risky. We weren't sure how things would work out. While numbers were down, the outcomes were up . Attendees caught a vision for some core Anabaptist values, experienced incamational ministry, were challenged to live mission ally and had fun!"
'1\11 of our dreams seemed to come together," said co-c hair Rick Bartlett in an interview immediately aher the convention The dreams that became Anaheim'07 first emerged three years ago when Bartlett, Neufeld and Wendell Loewen agreed to serve as co-chairs of the 2007 youth convention
The three men represent the three U.S. Mennonite Brethren educational institutions- MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno Pacific University and Tabor College, respectively - and so for the first time in the youth convention's 32-year history the schools would directly support the event "Having the three institutions do this is a really good idea," says Bartlett. The three then recruited additonal individuals representing each of the districts to form the ?-member planning team .
From the beginning, the co-chairs were committed to giving the 2007 convention a strong ministry emphasis. This goal led them to shift the venue to a large urban center with sufficient numbers of faith-based ministries to offer every convention attendee the potential to serve or minister in some way.
A significant factor in the decision to hold the convention in the greater Los Angeles area, says Loewen, was the hope that holding the quadrennial event in the Pacific District Conference would increase PDC ownership. Knowing that it would be important to gamer buy-in from the PDC and to "sell" the new location and format to youth workers, 18 months prior to the national youth convention the co -chairs hosted a Youth Leaders' Summit at the Anaheim Hilton. Youth workers toured the hotel and surrounding areas and heard about the new format.
Unlike typical conventions that are speaker-focused, the Anaheim '07 program gave equal "weight" to three events: general sessions with speaker Roy Crowne, Sunday's three-hour ministry track sessions designed to develop students' gifts and interests, and Monday's Tourformation intended to expose students to needs and service opportu-
Monday night speaker Tim Peters toLd conferees he attended the nationaL Mennonite Brethren youth convention 20 years ago. At the convention he committed himseLf to go anywhere God caLLed him and has spent the last 15 years working in Los Angeles.
Students join reporting team
Ateam of student reporters helped the Leader staff get a handle on the many experien ces students had while attending Anaheim '07, a convention that took its theme " Everywhere " to heart. These 17 students agreed to take notes or write an essay describing what they did and how they responded to the general sessions, Ministry Track seminar and Tourformation activities
We used the notes and essays to write the reports published here and have posted the students' work- in some cases a portion of what was submitted and in other cases the entire essay- on the U S Conferen ce Web site at www usmb org During the convention , continual posts were made on the
Anaheim '07 blog by co- cha ir Tim Neufeld and additional information and photos have been added following the convention . The blog can be read at http ://www anaheim07 typepad com These Web sites offer a glimpse of the many ways in which our students were impa cted by the challenge to see God at work everywhere and to serve him anywhere
Thanks to our student reporters (pictured left to rightl : Back row : Zach Buller, Memorial Road MB Church of Edmond, Okla .; Stephanie Hicks, Copper Hills Community Church, Glendale, Ari z ; Jenny Adrian , Buhler (Kan 1 MB Church; Grant Stutzman , New Hope Bible Church of Grants Pass, Ore ; David Vogel, Hillsboro
(Kan 1 MB Church ; Korinne Ernst. Neighborhood Chu rc h of Visalia, Calif ; Abby Faul , Harvey (NDI MB Church and Shay St ucky of Bushtown MB Church in Lenoir , NC. Front row: Jacob Pena , Mission (Texasl MB Church; J ulia Baker of College Community Chu rc h in Clovis, Calif.; Katie Kirkindoll of Nei ghborhood Church; Whitney Allen of Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan ; Thaddeus Ni chols of Hesston (Kan 1 MB Church; Amanda Faber of Ebenfeld MB Chu rc h in Hillsboro, Kan ; Nicole Simmons of Bushtown MB Church; and Suzanna Quiring of North Fresno MB Church of Fresno, Calif Not pictured is Clint Kroeker of Henderson, (Neb 1 MB Church .- th e editors
nities in greater LA. These three events were intended to emphasize core Anabaptist values : incamational ministry, spriritual nurture and formation in community, engaging the world with the gospel and every believer's call to be a min ister. Leader reports of these three components follow. Essays about these experiences by student reporters are included in our Anaheim'07 online coverage, posted on the U S Conference Web site at www usmb org.
The convention schedule included morning prayer times, daily youth leader meetings and a variety of late night events, the most popular of which was '1\naheim Idol," modeled after the popular 1V show '1\merican Idol. " A guided indoor prayer path was a new feature available throughout the convention.
While youth group time was built into the Sunday schedule, sponsors were encouraged to debrief with their students throughout the convention Sharing the hotel Saturday and Sunday with two other large groupsyouth attending a dance competition and clinic held in the Anaheim Hilton and a cheerleading competition held at the nearby Anaheim Convention Center-gave sponsors the unexpected opportunity to talk with youth about a number of lifestyle issues and the truth of the convention focus: God is at work everywhere
Youth groups had their largest block of free time Sunday afternoon. Students enjoyed the hotel swimming pool and hot tubs, made a quick visit to nearby Disneyland or Disney' s California Adventure or walked to Downtown Disney, an outdoor pedestrian mall with speciality shops,
restaurants and entertainment. Students visited nearby beaches; one group found that a stretch limo proved to be stylish and economical. Students were asked to always stay in groups, not so much because of safety concerns but because it would make it easier for sponsors to keep track of them
Students were housed on boys' and girls' floors , a request the Hilton staff found unusual but accommodated. In an effort to let groups control their own food costs, youth groups were responsible for their own meals . A 10- to 20-minute walk took groups to any of 43 restaurants along Harbor Boulevard and in Downtown Disney Many groups brought snacks and food for breakfast Buhler (Kan ) MB Church came with a volunteer crew that prepared and served three meals a day to almost 40 students and sponsors.
Representatives from the U.S. Conference, MB Biblical Seminary, MBMS International, Fresno Pacific University, Tabor College, Columbia Bible College, Canadian Mennonite University, Avante Records, Mennonite Central Committee, Samaritan's Purse and Mennonite Mission were on hand to talk with students and
And the winner is ...
Photo contest winners announced
Students attend ing Anaheim '07 w ere invited to subm it three of their best convention photos to the Chris tian Leader photo contest. The five contest ca tegories were orga nized aro und Anaheim '07 even t s, and the catch - all category for free time, travel and candid photos wa s th e overwhe l m ing favo rite Add itional Leader staff photos and all w inn i ng entri es in t he photo contest are published in ou r onl ine Anaheim '07 report at www usm b org
Anaheim '07 numbers
Given the change of location and format, Anaheim '07 cochairs were pleased with the turnout, but had hoped for a higher number of participants from the Pacific District Conference Records show that Estes '03 was attended by 1,406 students and sponsors from 67 congregations compared to Anaheim '07 with an attendance of 1,075 students and sponsors from 53 congregations
sponsors. Other exhibitors that lined the hallway outside the general session meeting room included Ephraim Clothing. One Time Blind and Door of Hope.
In the eyes of co-chairs Neufeld, Bartlett and Loewen Anaheim '07 was a success. 'This surpassed my expectations," said Bartlett and the students seem to agree. Conferees completed a written evaluation Tuesday morning and 80 percent agreed or agreed strongly that the confence was "better than expected." Overall, the evaluation was overwhelmingly positve. 'These are the kinds of results the planning team was hoping and praying for." says Neufeld.
While responses to the new model have been positive, no one is predicting either the location or the format of the 20n national youth convention. Attendance from Central and Southern district conferences dropped from the 1993 youth convention by about 340, says Neufeld, while the Pacific District saw several churches participate for the first time and the North Carolina District doubled their attendance. 'The tricky part to understand is whether the decline in attendance is due to the change in location or a trend in conferencing for small denominations," says Neufeld.
While the details ofthe next convention are anyone's guess, history tells us that God will use the event to impact Mennonite Brethren young people.-Connie Faber
Left: Anaheim Idol, an open mic competition, was the most popular of the late night options. The final round featured five contestants, including Kelsey Unruh of Hillsboro, Kan. The winner was Tyler Suderman, also of Hillsboro. Photo by Elissa Richert, photo contest winner. Above: A popular destination during free time was Downtown Disney where Melissa Just, Jessica Williams and Alisa Lynn, all of Olathe, Kan., made a new "friend" at the Lego Store. Photo by Sarah Guensche, photo contest winner.
Students commit to going Anaheim '07 general sessions encourage action
If Sunday's Ministry Track sessions were designed to develop gifts and interests, and Monday's Tourformation experiences were designed to expose students to needs and service opportunities. Anaheim 'ois general sessions challenged students to act on what they had learned. Sessions challenged students to go "everywhere" in four stages: "God is everywhere," 'We're from everywhere," 'The need is everywhere," and 'We're going everywhere. " And students responded to that challenge by the hundreds Saturday's opening session set the stage for the event by welcoming students to Los Angeles and focusing on God's presence "everywhere," even in the city. The emphasis was especially relevant because of the convention's urban location-one that generated concerns from some youth leaders and parents during planning stages, says co-chair Rick Bartlett. Organizers wanted to show that God is at work in the city as well as in more traditional Mennonite Brethren locations, says Bartlett.
A stage set featuring a city skyline helped underline the theme. Professional sound and lighting created a youthful. concert-like atmosphere. Representatives from the Pacific District Conference board of youth ministries generated enthusiasm-and got students there on time- with giveaways such as T-shirts. pizzas and iPods before each session. Trent Voth of Tabor College and Andi Baier of MBMS International hosted the sessions.
Opening night award-winning Canadian musician Amanda Falk helped students focus on God's presence with her original songs, including a chorus written specifically for Anaheim '07 and inspired by the theme "Immanuel, God is with us He is here," she sang. Falk sang several times during the conference but didn't limit her involvement to entertainment. becoming an integral part of the conference in many ways (see article, page 23.)
Worship was led by groups from Fresno Pacific University and Tabor College. two of the three MB educational institutions sponsoring the conference. FPU's worship team led Saturday and Sunday sessions, while i268 from Tabor led Monday and Tuesday
sessions. Each also participated in late-night options. Heather Lemon provided sign language interpretation throughout sessions, and even hearing participants expressed appreciation for the added depth her expressive style brought to worship.
When keynote speaker Roy Crowne, national director for Youth for Christ in Britain, took the stage, he told students that it was appropriate to hold such a youth conference in Los Angeles, a "broken" place, because in such places and in experiences with 'lost and broken people" students would encounter God. Using Luke 19 as the text for the evening, he emphasized that Jesus wept over the city. He also told the story of his personal transformation as he invested in the life of an impoverished II -year-old boy.
"Tonight is the beginning of a journey," Crowne said. He invited students to ask God to show them what he sees in the city and to feel what he feels as he looks on the people so that they can do what God would do.
When Crowne issued an invitation for students to stand to show a commitment to allowing God to use them to transform lives and communities, the majority of the 1,100 attendees stood. In addition, at least five students responded to an invitation to surrender to Christ for the fitst time
Sunday's general session, after students had spent the day exploring interests and honing gifts through Ministry Tracks, focused on 'We're from everywhere." Several features helped students grasp that theme locally, historically and globally. A video of various youth groups arriving at the Anaheim Hilton illustrated the districts and churches represented at the conference and was greeted with cheers as students celebrated their home state and local church.
Co-chair Wendell Loewen, associate professor of youth, church and culture at Tabor College, presented a concise, generational-friendly history of the Mennonite Brethren, saying, "You're part of a big story." A live-link video conversation with Saji and Bindu Oommen, workers with MBMS International in Delhi, India, helped emphasize the global nature of the theme.
Preceding page: photo by Jason Hildebrandt, photo contest winner. Below: Performers with One Time
Speaker Roy Crowne.
"I want you to understand tonight that you have a story," Crowne then told studentsa story which can be a powerful tool to touch lives of others. Crowne talked about the first disciples, what he called a "motley bunch," and read I Corinthians 1: 26-29, which talks about God choosing and using the foolish, weak and lowly for his purposes. 'We are from everywhere," Crowne said. "but what unites us is this mission."
At the end of the evening. students again had an opportunity to respond to the message. Crowne invited them to come forward to indicate a willingness to use their own story for the mission of God. Again, many responded, and Crowne asked them to stand quietly. inviting the Holy Spirit to "drop a place" for potential ministry into their mind
Crowne also invited students who felt burdened by sin or shame to come forward to pray for forgiveness. and many more responded. Youth leaders and friends also came forward to join in prayer and support.
Monday's session capitalized on Tourformation experiences in Los Angeles with the theme, ''The need is everywhere." A video presentation recapped the day's experiences, and two students shared briefly about their service experience in the city A video and student interview about Ministry Quest, a leaders hip
Blind illustrate the challenge of giving God control of our lives. Above:
development program, offered one option for students wishing to further explore ministry.
One Time Blind, the drama troupe that supplemented general sessions throughout the conference, challenged students through skits that emphasized the need to act on faith. Students seemed responsive, at times interacting with the actors. During a skit that featured a devil character challenging the audience to "prove that God loves you," students shouted out answers, brought a Bible onto stage and even gave the actor a group hug.
Then Tim Peters, a native of Hillsboro, Kan., and Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, shared his personal story and challenged students to respond to the need they had seen that day. "Did you see broken people today?" he asked. "What is going to be your response?"
Peters identified with students, saying, ''Twenty years ago, I was sitting in your seat." He told how he was once "so rural and so white" that he was ignorant of the needs in the city. Then, at the 1987 national MB youth conference in Glorietta, NM, Peters responded to a challenge by speaker Ridge Bums to "go anywhere, any time, to do anything that God wanted." That commitment eventually led him to Us Skid Row, where he served for 12 years, and to Door of Hope, the ttansitional housing and restoration program for homeless families in Pasadena, Calif., that he now manages.
"If God can use me," Peters told students, "he can use you."
Peters challenged students to commit, as he did, to serving "everywhere, every time, doing everything that God wants," and he asked those who were serious about that commitment to stand as an indication. Again, hundreds responded.
The final session Tuesday morning sent the Anaheim '07 participants back home with the theme, "We're going everywhere."
Students were given an immediate and tangible way to begin putting feet to their commitments through an offering to help those affected by California's cittus freeze. The offering totaled just under $5,000 and will be disttibuted through Mennonite Centtal Committee.
Crowne took the stage one more time to issue a final challenge to students "I want to call you to go everywhere," Crowne told students. He said that as they go, they must be genuine and must back up their words with loving actions He gave examples of what that has looked like in his life, but said he didn't know what that challenge might mean in the lives of the students.
'Tm excited about the potential in this room," he said.
As has become traditional, the national youth convention closed with communion as youth groups gathered to share the Lord's Supper, pray and reflect. Then nearly 1,100 students and sponsors dispersed with Crowne's words echoing in their ears: "Go for it Let's change our nation in Jesus' name." - Myra Holmes
Falk contributes more than music
Falk an integral part of youth convention
Amanda Falk, an award-winning Canadian musician with Mennonite Brethren roots, went beyond entertaining Anaheim '07 attendees. Falk, who grew up in an MB family in Niverville, Man., has won numerous awards in the Canadian music world, including the 2006 Juno Award-comparable to the U.S. Grammy Award-in the Contemporary Christian Record of the Year category.
Falk treated Anaheim '07 attendees to several original songs during general sessions, offered a late-night concert, critiqued contestants in the 'i\naheim Idol" competition and participated in Monday's Tourformation activities. Falk also led a Sunday Ministry Track session, a modified version of the "Ultimate Pajama Party" she hosts with Beautiful Unique Girl, a ministry of Family Life Network.
The pajama party is a four -hour event designed to counter negative body image and relationship messages in the popular culture and "to show junior and senior high girls that they are beautiful and valuable, simply because they were created by God," as the B.U.G. Web site states. B.U.G. events for junior and senior high girls are currendy offered through youth groups throughout Canada, and organizers hope to expand the ministry to the U.S.
As with the Ultimate Pajama Party, participants in Falk's Ministry Track were encouraged to dress in their pajamas and bring pillows for an intimate time of sharing and group discussion led by Falk. Julia Baker, a senior from College Community Church, Clovis, Calif., describes the session as an emotionally cleansing and empowering experience. "So many girls need to hear this message to get rid of their own garbage and fully embrace the freedom we are given through knowing our value comes from God our creator," says Baker Baker's essay about the seminar is posted on the U.S. Conference Web site, www.usmb.org. Information on Amanda Falk or Beautiful Unique Girl is available at www .AmandaFalk .com and www .bugirl.com. - MH
Comedy and improv participant Grant Stutzman of Grants Pass, Ore., was one of the 586 conferees who chose a gift development ministry track on Sunday morning. Maria Loewen and others in the children's ministry track worked with play dough and other kidfriendly learning aids. More than 100 photography ministry track participants, i ncluding Sabrina Sawatzky and Kim Bartel, spread around the Anaheim Hilton Sunday morning to practice their skills.
Equipped to serve
Ministry tracks instruct and inspire students
Showing students that God can use their abilities, gifts and interests to minister to others was the goal of ministry tracks, one of several new features introduced at Anaheim '07. While a typical convention schedule includes morning group sessions followed by seminars, at Anaheim '07 the Sunday morning group session was omitred and students spent all of the morning in one of 35 ministry tracks.
Track leaders were encouraged to make their sessions as hands-on and creative as possible. The goals of the threeto four-hour ministry track seminars were to help students think theologically about the topic of choice, enhance their skills and send them back to their home congregations with a sense of mission.
When students registered for the convention, they also signed up for ministry tracks. In order to offer personal atrention to each conferee, the original goal was to have no more than 30 students in each seminar. In some cases that meant adding additional leaders after registrations were in.
Ministry track options were grouped into three areas: gift development, sports and special interest. Seminar leaders included Fresno Pacific University, Tabor College, MB Biblical Seminary and MBMS International personnel, Mennonite Brethren pastors and denominational ministry personnel.
Just over half the conferees attended a gift development track. For the first hour, the 142 students who signed up for worship-related tracks heard from Anaheim '07 co-chair Tim Neufeld, an experienced worship leader, about what worship is-and isn't.
"I am active in leading worship in Sunday morning services and Wednesday evening classes," writes student reporter David Vogel of Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church. " As Tim spoke, I began to understand that I am not in front holding a microphone for entertainment but to help direct the audience's praise to God."
Following Neufeld's challenge, the group divided into interest areas: acoustic guitar, drums, singing, sound, technology and worship dance. Student reporter Whimey Allen of Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan., participated in the technology track and appreciated the reminder that technical aspects of a service are meant to draw people into worship "The biggest thing I took home was the encouragement to be behind the scenes," she writes, "and remembering that things gone unseen on this earth will be rewarded in heaven."
The gift development track also included fine arts options such as drama. drawing. filmmaking and writing. Photography. with 104 registered participants. was the most popular of all ministry track options. Also included in the gift development category were seminars on prayer. discovering spiritual gifts. preaching. evangelism and children's. youth and outdoor ministry.
Leader student reporter Zach Buller of Memorial Road MB Church in Edmond, Okla.. says he came away from the drama Ministry Track with a new appreciation for the way in which drama can help people understand Scripture and he was inspired to bring drama into his congregation's worship times.
The children's ministry track was both hands-on-think Play Dough-and challenging, says reporter Katie Kirkindoll of Neighborhood Church in Visalia. Calif. "Children are now dealing with things that most high school students are facing," she writes. "Children as young as preschool are dealing with divorce, abuse and other tragedies they should not have to face at such a young age." Conferees were challenged to pray for children and to treat them respectfully.
More than 200 conferees traveled to area parks and gyms to improve their basketball. football. skateboarding. soccer. Ultimate Frisbee or volleyball skills and were challenged to view athletics as a ministry opportunity. One group of athletes heard from a Fellowship of Christian Athletes speaker. 'We heard about the 'spirit of the game' and how we can reflect our faith in the way we playas well as through our lifestyle." writes Clint Kroeker. a student reporter from Henderson (Neb.) MB Church who attended the Ultimate Frisbee track.
Another 268 conferees signed up for one of eight special interest tracks about developing cross-cultural friendships. cross-cultural missions. engaging pop culture. identity issues for young women. leadership and sex and dating.
One insight student reporter Sarah Lichius gained in the leadership track was the realization that everyone is a leader. 'l\nyone can be a leader even if they don't intend to be because all that is needed is one person influencing another." Lichius attends Bible
Fellowship Church in Rapid City. SD.
Two dozen conferees. including student reporter Abby Faul of Harvey (ND) MB Church, attended Palm Sunday worship services at area churches. The group visited First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood where they attended a service the congregation holds at a nearby nightclub. "I was amazed that we were actually going to church in a nightclub," writes Faul. "But what really amazed me was that it didn't matter to these people that the night before girls were dancing on the tables or that the congregation was made up of people from all races. ages and backgrounds. They were here to learn about God."
Ministry tracks were intended to encourage conferees to use their gifts in their home congregations and communities. Students from several ministry tracks put their talents to work at Anaheim '07. Volunteers from two ministry trackssinging and worship dance-helped lead worship in one general session. Short films created by students in the filmmaking track were shown. Students in the writing track were asked to join the Leader's student reporters pool and artists and photographers were invited to submit artwork and photos to the magazine for publication. - CF
Red and blue Anaheim '07 backpacks were everywhere. The backpacks, distributed during registration, were filled with snacks provided by the Pacific District Conference, a water bottle courtesy of Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University and a convention booklet.
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On the road with Tourformation
1,075 participants minister throughout LA in historic outing
The 2007 national Mennonite Brethren youth convention took its theme "Everywhere" on the road Monday morning when everyone boarded 18 rented school buses plus vans and chartered buses. They traveled to ministry sites, churches and agencies in the greater Los Angeles area for a combination tour and spiritual formation experience that organizers called Tourformation.
"It was a monumental task, getting over 1,000 people out to various sites," says Wendell Loewen, the co-chair who oversaw the project. Just getting everyone on the right bus was a process that kept him awake the night before, said Loewen at the youth workers' meeting Monday morning. And it turned out that transportation 'biccups," as one organizer called them, were the day's biggest challenge. So it's no wonder that more than one Tourformation team member celebrated the fact that 1,075 people left the Hilton that morning and the same number returned.
Youth groups remained intact for Tourformation. This enabled sponsors and other adult volunteers to keep track of students and to help teens reflect on their experiences. Unexpectedly spending two hours in LA traffic was for many a new experience. Everyone brought along lunch money. In some cases, an inexpensive lunch
was brought in and at other locations participants purchased their meal at local restaurants.
The ministry sites were varied and when taken together illustrate the racial and socioeconomic diversity of LA. Referring to this diversity. World Impact missionary David Gutierrez said, "If we reach LA, we reach the world."
Just cleaning up trash proved to be a dramatically different experience for two groups. A Nebraska group picked up trash along posh Sunset Beach under the supervision of a smartly dressed state park ranger. More than one passerby thanked them for their work. Meanwhile, a casually dressed ministry staff member cautioned an Oklahoma group to hide any sort of repulsion they might feel as they cleaned up a backyard in inner city Watts. Unseen neighbors would be watching their reactions, she warned.
Tourformation assignments were announced after groups arrived at the convention. Two-thirds of the attendees-a total of 680 students and spon-
sors-went into Los Angeles where they were hosted by World Vision, World I mpact and the Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row The Oasis, a ministry to at-risk children and teens in Hollywood, hosted 50 MB guests. That left about 300 students and sponsors who spread out among various Orange County sites including a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, senior center, two food banks, several youth centers, an orange grove and a beach.
Securing good ministry sites and accommodating size requests of the host sites was a priority, says Loewen . Keeping transportation costs within the budget was also considered when selecting sites. Two Orange County sites cancelled the day before the event and had to be quickly replaced.
'1\11 of our sites had good ministry and service potential," says Loewen in a post-convention e-mail interview "Students were disap-
pointed by the more servicellabor sites, but these work sites were thrilled to get some much needed help. "
Students from North Fresno Church, Fresno, Calif., spent the day in a gang-controlled Santa Ana neighborhood working with Kid Works. 'We first assisted the maintenance man Bill by reorganizing a large storage room," writes student reporter Suzanna Quiring. ' Though this did not directly influence the lives of the at-risk children Kid Works reaches out to, working alone the project would have taken Bill weeks, and we managed to finish it in a matter of hours "
Since Anaheim '07 planning team members had limited connections with faith-based agencies in the LA area, they relied on two key volunteers . DOOR national director Glenn Balzer and DOOR volunteer coordinator Heidi Aspinwall did much of the legwork for Tourformation, provided orientation for participants, oversaw loading the buses and stayed in contact with group leaders while they were onsite . DOOR, which recently opened a site in Hollywood, is an organization that provides urban missions, service and learning experiences. Balzer, a former Mennonite Brethren pastor, and Loewen agree that pulling off something as complex as Tourformation was possible thanks to the DOOR staff.
An impressive view
ThiS month 's cover photo was taken on the roof of LA's Union Rescue Mission Built in 1994 t his $29 million. five - story fa ci lity serves the 10,000 people who live in the ci ty's 50-squareblock Skid Row LA has 90,000 homeless people and its Rescue Mission is the largest facility of its kind in the country Members of the First MB Church youth group from Wichita , Kan , are pictured in the foreground and the skyscrapers of the city's Financial District are in th e ba ckground Numbering dose to 100 people , the First MB group was the largest at the convention
The view from the roof was an important part of her visit to Skid Row, writes student reporter Stephanie Hicks of Copper Hilts Community Chu rc h in Glendale, Ariz "From there (the roofl so many aspe cts of my perspe ctive changed ," she writes "As my vis ual perspective of the city changed from th e r ich, thriving comfortable areas to the dirty, condemned and tragi c areas, the perspective of my heart and mind changed to things that were so much more real and important. As I return home I know my attitude toward the homeless in my city will never be the sa m e as I now seen them as individuals deserving of Chr ist's love through me." - CF
Before sending students out the doors, Balzer provided a brief orientation, a condensed version of the material he shared with sponsors earlier in the convention. Among other things, he warned participants to avoid wearing gang colors-red, blue and purple-and that meant the Anaheim'07 backpacks stayed at the hotel. Taking photos of group members was OK but one should always ask before taking photos of strangers, said Balzer. Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University student interns, called Ground Level Leaders, accompanied each group. Sponsors were given phone numbers to call in case of an emergency.
Given that most youth groups were divided into smaller groups once they arrived at their ministry site, participants returned with lots of stories. Several of these are posted on the U.S. Conference Web site, www.usmb.org
Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg, SD, was one of II groups that worked at World Vision. The small group that included student reporter Clarissa Berglund was assigned to do a prayer walk around the neighborhood. The group stopped to talk with a man doing some work on the exterior of his home.
"He was polite but it seemed like he just wanted us to leave," writes Berglund. "One of the leaders in our group asked if he needed prayer about anything, and he immediately opened up to us." He told the group he was a Christian and shared his story with them. ''When he was done sharing. the whole group joined and had a time of prayer It's amazing how God put us there right when that guy needed us," writes Berglund.
A group from Mission (Texas) MB Church had a similar experience. Mission was among the 24 youth groups that visited Skid Rowand they were encouraged to visit with people they encountered on the street. Student reporter Jacob Pena and his group talked with a man who said he was a James Brown impersonator. Sponsor Rachel Rodriguez offered him a bag of S1lbway food. 'We all prayed for him," writes Pena. 'l\£terwards he told us, 'It must have been God's will for you to have come here and talked to me.'"
Amanda Faber from Ebenfeld MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan., also visited Skid Row 'This experience opened my eyes and heart to the hurt and need that is prevalent in the inner city," she writes. "I was amazed at the optimism and trust in God of the people at the Union Rescue Mission. As I reflect on the image of Skid Row in the shadow of downtown skyscrapers, I am reminded that God is a God of everything and everywhere "
When asked what he hoped participants took away from their Tourformation experience Balzer said, 'i\n appreciation for what God is doing in the city and a willingness to explore God's calling in a new way." Given the responses of Leader student reporters, it appears that Balzer's hopes were realized. - Connie Faber
Students wait for instructions at the World Vision warehouse in Watts. World Vision hosted over 300 conferees during Monday's Tourformation. Photo by Ian Wohlgemuth, photo contest winner. Previous page: Conferees board school buses to travel to Los Angeles and Orange County area ministry sites.
Youth group T-shirts, such at these from Grulla, Texas, Indiahoma, Okla., and Weatherford, Okla., were popular at the convention.
Labyrinth prayer experience
Prayer path encourages reflection, action
Throughout Anaheim '07, students and youth leaders had the opportunity to walk a prayer labyrinth and "experience prayer in a form that they had not experienced before," says co-chair Tim Neufeld.
Prayer labyrinths, or prayer paths, have roots in medieval times and are designed to aid in prayerful reflection The path inward symbolizes a journey toward God, letting go of distractions and spiritual hindrances At the center, participants are invited to linger in communion with God before journeying back outward to take God's love into the world.
The II stations of the Anaheim '07 prayer path included music, meditations, art, videos and various symbolic activities. For example, participants dropped stones into a bucket of water, symbolic of releasing worries or concerns to God, and planted seeds as a commitment to care for God's creation Participants walked the labyrinth slowly, guided by a personal CD player and headphones
The Anaheim labyrinth was ini-
Ptiated by Fresno Pacific University' s Neufeld and implemented by FPU interns, who set up the stations and served as hosts The basic plan for the stations and sch ematic for the labyrinth was prov ided in a purchased kit; interns added creative touches such as candles that lit the way and created a reflective mood
The labyrinth was available to all Anaheim partic ipants during the entire con ference Neufeld estimates that at least 75 people went through the labyrinth, with a constant flow of participants even at early-m orning and late-night hours
At t he final statio n, students had the opportun ity to record thoughts and responses. Excerpts from that journal indicate that it was a positive experience for many. One student committed to missions during the time. Another, who responded to an invitation to serve d uring one of the sessions, writes, "The setup of the labyrinth just allowed God to connect with me in a huge way. I feel called to serve him for the rest of my life "
Another says the time was an opportunity to address some personal struggles: "I finally really sat with God and really talked to him about it." Several more express general appreciation for the oppottunity to " be still and know God and to reflect on my relationship with him and others," as one student puts it.
For an online prayer path experience similar to the Anaheim laby rinth , VISIt www.yfc co.ukllabyrinth/online.html - MH
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Ministry trip mobilizes youth
Post-convention trip to Ensenada builds on Anaheim '07 theme
Aiream of 100 Mennonite Brethren from five churches participated in a five-day mission trip to Ensenada, exico, immediately following Anaheim '07, the U.S. Mennonite Brethren youth convention. Reedley (Calif.) MB Church, Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church, Heritage Bible Church of Bakersfield, Calif., Harvey (ND) MB Church and Good News Fellowship of Femdale, Wash., took in the postconvention ministry trip sponsored by MBMS International. The intergenerational team of students, young adults, sponsors and pastors was led by MBMSI Fresno-based short-term mission coordinator Andi Baier, MBMSI Mexico missionary Joan Godard and Craig Tost, MBMSI regional mobilizer based in Wichita, Kan
Pastor Joe Brown of Heritage Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif.• says Ensenada was a practical follow-up to the Anaheim convention. 'The conference provided tremendous information and fellowship . We were encouraged to love God and each other, and our time in Mexico provided us with many opportunities to put this into practice. Orientation was a crash course in cross-cultural mission work."
David Prince, pastor of Harvey (ND) MB Church, says that the Ensenada trip gave the youth in his group the "opportunity to put into practice the call to service. It helped them realize that they can serve God anywhere and under any condition if they are willing, obedient and will trust him. Ensenada was the highlight of our IO-day trip and I'm excited to see how God will use our students' experience in Ensenada to impact Harvey for Christ."
Ensenada participants were divided into six teams and were hosted by a local church where they slept. ate and served. This proved to be a valuable arrangement because the youth were partnered with local believers and were able to see how they lived and did mission on a regular basis, says Baier
The Ensenada pastors were touched by the teams' desire to follow their lead and engage in outreach for their city. Vacation Bible school, sports ministries, youth discipleship and other church-tailored ministry events were some of the activities the youth used in outreach over the week. Sarah Schale, a youth participant says, "Preparing for crafts and games was tedious, but we were so glad we took the time to do it when we saw how much fun the kids were having."
For many participants, the Ensenada trip was a time to refocus on what it practically looks like to serve others and live in mission. "When I first came here (Ensenada) I didn't see the people through God's eyes," says Jarred Zeek, another participant. "Now things are different. I can finally see what God sees . The people here have a special place in my heart, and I will pray for them each and every day."
Not just the mission participants were changed; on the third day of ministry 21 kids accepted Jesus during VBS "It was truly amazing," an exuberant youth exclaimed . 'The kids gave their total attention during the skits and songs. We all formed close relationships with the kids; it was a shame to leave so soon."
Near the end of the week, Baier challenged the kids to commit to global missions 'We all have been given the command by Jesus to go into the world," says Baier. "Being mobilized isn't just about going; it is also praying, giving and supporting others . Missions is truly a mindset and lifestyle . When God 's love for others fills you - it's hard not to move!"
Katy Michelle. a youth from Heritage Bible Church. responded to Andi's challenge: 'When we met together and she (Baier) wanted us to go out on mission trips all over the world. I was thinking that that would be something I'd really love to do!"
Brown reflects on the overall experience: ''I'm thrilled with the spiritual maturity our kids displayed They worked hard and stayed focused on the task at hand. I'm not saying they're perfect. just that they really love Jesus and the children that God placed in front of them. It was good to watch God work in and through our kids."
When asked how the Harvey group benefited from their time in Mexico, Prince says four areas stand out. 'They found that serving God and others can be a joy not a chore They recognized that they could be used of God . They saw and experienced that joy. happiness and contentment is a result of a passion for God and not dependent upon having material things. And. their relationships with each other were strengthened as a result of serving together ." -MBMSllLeader staff
The Harvey. NO. youth group along with MBMS International staff members are ready for their drive to Ensenada, Mexico for a post-convention ministry experience.
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Launched! CHRtST
Launch Sunday for Christ Community Church, a Mennonite Brethren church plant in Sioux Falls, SO, was April I. Speaking about that church plant pas- . tor Rod Anderson says,IIYou can always tell it is going to be a good day when •.•
The church trailer comes unhitched while en route; A member's car horn won't stop beeping because the car thinks someone is trying to take the car, and that person is Its owner; A guItar string breaks Just mInutes prior to the servIce."
But even with all of these obstacles, It was an awesome service and an equally awe-some demonstration of God's grace at work. As a sign of the church'S launch, the congregation released balloons at the end of the serv(Fe, a reminder that thw tto be a wit E!$f fo r out In faith for •
We are expanding our sma I
Call me Grandma
Instead of stuff, we give our grandchildren experiences
It's over II years ago that we got the exciting news . Our son and daughter-in -law came for a weekend visit With sheepish grins on their faces they handed us a gift sack. In it we found a baby bottle, pacifier and two bibs which read " I love grandpa" and " I love grandma." It was a day of excitement and rejoicing for me. Finally I, too, would become a grandmother! I still have that gift package. Now,
ing our quiet time. This year I got out myoId fourth grade reader and read some of my favorite stories. Granddaughter *2 wanted to read more out of this reader and enjoyed this connection to my childhood.
()ur five-year - old gr ..md son poimed out 1h ..11 he h ..1<.1 put a h ..1PPY 1..1ce on
each page. "That means we had a go od time each day," he expbincd 10 me.
On our way from their house to ours we stopped to shop for some disposable cameras. I like to give one to each child. They take pictures during the week that each child uses to make their own scrapbook of this visit. I got out my box of stickers and some colored markers and allowed their creativi10 years later, we have three grandchildren ages 10, eight and five.
A few weeks ago this long-awaited granddaughter and her two younger siblings came for a week-long visit. The children enjoy this special time at our home We, the grandparents, also think their visit is special-but I must admit I now know why God made mothers young. As much as is possible, I try to clear my schedule of other activities so that I can give the children my undivided attention. When grandpa comes home from work he does the same.
Several years ago we decided that instead of giving our grandchildren stuff (they have plenty of that!) we would give them experiences. So one of our activities this time was to visit the local zoo that this year featured a three-day old alpaca who at times had trouble figuring out which of the adults was his mama. The nine-day-old baby camel stayed very close to his mother. We saw the red pandas and the elephants. We read the warning sign on the rhino pen and remembered a previous visit which gave credibility to that sign . The sea otters put on a great show for us and made us laugh. Seeing the animals through the eyes of children is a treasured experience.
Friends of ours who live on a farm invited us to come visit them. This is the year of the babies. On this farm we found a foal that was only several weeks old that the children got to pet. The little baby chicks under a warming light were "so cute "
The children enjoy playing games with their grandpa. I think he enjoys it just as much as they do. One of their favorites is Generosity where you win by how much money you have in your heavenly treasure chest not by how much you have in the bank It's an excellent game that teaches Christian values.
We have two dishpans (one full of age -appropriate videos and one of books) that are hauled out and used dur-
ty to take over. Our five-year-old grandson pointed out that he had put a happy face on each page. 'That means we had a good time each day," he explained to me .
While picking up the cameras we came across a display of shoes and winter boots. "Look, Grandma," the girls exclaimed. 'These shoes are just $2.00 each." Others were just $3.00. All were 75 percent or more off their regular prices
My grandchildren know that my hobby is finding bargains that can be used in our ministry in Mexico. These shoes were not suitable for Mexico but just the week before I had received a letter from an organization that collects shoes for Eastern Europe and Russia and distributes them primarily to orphanages I made a quick decision that I would use these shoes as a teaching tool for my grandchildren.
We got several carts and piled in the shoes. At that price I could afford to be generous. We had fun trying to find room in the car to pack them all in. After we got home the children helped me pack them up and take them to the UPS place for shipping.
Later in the day my grandson came to me, obviously deep in thought. "Grandma," he said, "when we help you get those shoes packed up, are we really doing this for the boys and girls who don't have any?"
"Yes," I replied 'We are, but we are also doing it for Jesus, because he said that if we do something like this for children who need shoes, we are really doing it for him."
"Good, " he said as he walked away.
You aren't a biological grandma or a grandpa? Become an adoptive grandparent. Surely there are families or single moms or dads in your neighborhood or in your church who need you and would love to adopt you. It's so much fun being a grandma and a grandpa . It's also a ministry!
by Marvin Hein
Annihilation or prolonged agony?
Interpreting biblical contradictions about hell
QHave we evangelicals made God into a monster (referring to heD) or does «fire" or "sulfur" have a redeeming purpose? (California)
AThis question came as a result of a previous anicle on why hell and heaven are not preached from our pulpits as they once were. But this inquiry comes from a reader who feels that our usual interpretation of hell as an eternal and everlasting fire may be a view contrary to the nature of God. In shon, could a loving and gracious God consign anyone to a fire that never ends?
There are those, evangelicals included, who believe that the biblical meaning of the "wicked tormented day and night for ever and
son. C. B. Baird of Oxford maintains that eternal conscious torment is assigned only to the Devil, Beast, etc., of Revelation. I have always assumed that "forever and ever" meant just that, but I must admit I have never studied the descriptive words and phrases carefully. Since the New Testament descriptions of hell consist of seemingly contradictory forms, we might be wise to question how literally some of the descriptions ought to betaken.
I appreciate the words of Pastor Leslie Mark: "My own view is that hell will be unspeakably terrible, ever" does not necessarily mean an endless fate. , . , I I" II I ( , ,I' ( " ,11 h
Much of our biblical information about hell D It c..ln he S31u unqua tftcc y t 1at , IOU IS ,,1 10C .10t comes from. the Revelation . Some schol.ars of justicc and me rc y. How to hring two make the that parts of Revelanon loocthcr is morc th ..1n wc hunh1ns Will wtth say that the WIcked will torment forever , 0 ') " ( d k " ' . 1, and ever while other pomons ofthe same book ,,1II 0 ur h ncst a11 e c ncst min ( S. say the wicked experience the second death
Passages cited from Revelation include: "the smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night" (14 :n); "fire came down from heaven and devoured them . .. and the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (sulfur) and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever" (20:9-10); "butthe fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their pan in the lake which bums with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (21 :8).
One writer asks: " Something must be wrong. How can the wicked both die the second death and yet live forever and ever in agony because they will bum forever?"
Such arguments are reinforced by referring to passages like Deut. 15:17 where we read, 'be shall be your servant forever." Obviously a person can be a servant only as long as he or she lives, so forever does not necessarily mean what we usually think .
There are endless arguments between people who believe in "annihilation"- eventual destruction-and insist that sinners eventually will be burned up-go up as smoke and no longer exist-and those who feel just as strongly that the punishment will go on and on and on forever.
C. S. Lewis believed that the condemned experience an increasing conscious loss that ends eventually in the obliteration of the per-
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy or other spiritual issue? Send your question to "Inquiring Minds," c/o Marvin Hein, 3036 &st Magill Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710 or e-mail Marvin at marvinhein @sbcglobal net.
should be avoided at all costs, is irreversible and that Christ is the only one who can deliver us from its clutches It will be so terrible I'm not much interested in the details but shudder at the thought of them. I know that God does not delight in the death of the wicked and must be infinitely grieved at man's determination to reject the offer of escape."
It can be said unqualifiedly that God is a God both of justice and mercy. How to bring those two attributes together is more than we humans will accomplish with all our finest and keenest minds. The doctrine of eternal punishment can cause us to exaggerate the wrath and justice of God at the expense of his mercy and love. On the other hand, the doctrine of annihilation might well tend to cause us to exaggerate the love and mercy of God and diminish the heinousness of sin and the wrath and justice of God.
Many, many questions will remain unanswered. Some things are cenain. Whatever it is, hell is a reality. Wherever and how it is, hell is terrible Hell ought to be and can be avoided God desires that no one be punished in hell. In Jesus Christ's death and resurrection God has provided an escape from hell and its punishment
BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP
Littleton, Colo. (Belleviewl-Justin Carr, Emily Steepleton and Scott and Sherrie LaChance were baptized and received as members April 15. Matthew and Rachel Burden, Darlene Harder, Kay Maynard, Lori Carr and Dan Steepleton were also received as members.
Reedley, talif.-Heather Albright, Brittney Balakian, Tamara Boldt, Taylor Boldt, Breann Ensz, Janel Ensz, Jonathan George, Emily Guenther, Christa Harms, Valentine Hoffman, Keilah McFall, Selah McFall, Ryan Neufeld, Aaron Panttaja, Stacy Peters, Daniel Reimer, Ryan Rhames, Eric Rosedale, Chelsea Schellenberg, Cole Sorenson and Rainie Thiessen were baptized and received as members April 8 Terry Cain and Betty Stiles-Nickel were also received as members
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain Viewl - Trevor Bohny, Jake Cavanaugh, Gary Christensen, Seth deFonseka, Carley Ladd, Greg Lanson and Rowen Shaterian were baptized April 1. Rachel Kelley, Sara Magana, Gil Marlatt, Dora Rios-Aguilar and Kim Winter were baptized Jan. 28.
Blaine, WIsh. (Birch Bayl-Jay and Vivian Wheeler and George and Delores Train were received as members March 25.
Dinuba, CaUf - Sandy Lindholm, Scott Marple, Hannah Camp, Brian Isaak, Karissa Isaak, Samuel Isaak, Joseph Larralde, Sean Morgan and Theron Morgan were baptized and received as members March 25 Barney and Yolanda Kodur, Joe and Sonya Morgan and David Unruh were also received as members
Wichita, Kan. (Firstl-Sam Calvert and Kevin Neslage were baptized March 25
Hesston, Kan.-Jena Kluver, Brandy Quinn, Naomi Toews and Joanna Waggoner were baptized and received as members March 25.
Lustre, Mont.-McKaylah Lenihan, Danah Olfert, Michaelene Sweeney, Clancy Ortmann, Joy Reddig, Tommy Leland and Sarie Gillett were baptized recently, along with two international exchange students, Qui Qui from China and Michael from Taiwan Trisha Reddig was recently accepted as a new member.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritage Biblel-James and Donna Gibson, Ed and Ronda Schade, Michael Perreira and Donald Price were baptized and received as members March 18
Collinsville, Okla. (Discovery Biblel-Bill & Kathy Bush, Gwenda DeGidts, Mandi Ingram, Sandra Ingram, Brad and Becky Johnson, Mark and Karen Kirk, Gary and Heather Koenig, Wade and Carol
Sanders, Cory and Lisette Welscher and James West were received as members Feb 18.
Bakersfield, Calif (Laurelglenl-Natalie Sincla ir, Karissa Scattone, Martha Medina, Joshua Cazares and Faranak Shahsahebi were baptized April 8. Carl Dean, Jeff Goodspeed, Derick Martin and Lindsay Vercammen were baptized the weekend of March 17-18 Chris and Elisia Danforth, Carl and Christy Dean, Leonard and Jackie Denney, Deborah Flint, Chris and Pau l McCullah, Sam and Elizabeth Qsar and Lindsay Vercammen were received as members March 24-25
FELLOWSHIP
Wichita, Kan (Firstl - A lunch to honor and encourage si ngle parents was held April 29; activities for ch ildren were provided
Fresno, CaUf.(Bethanyl-"A Night in Italy" for girls age four through sixth grade and their fathers was held April 27
Littleton, Colo. (Belleviewl-Instructed by a chef, women gathered to cook and eat Thai food April 21 Enid, Okla -March 25 was an evening of live and video comedy for families
Buhler, Kan -College and career-age adults were invited to wear green and participate in a St. Patrick's Day treasure hunt March 17.
MINISTRY
Fresno, CaUf. (North Fresnol-An Easter Eggstravaganza in a neighborhood park April 6 featured games, crafts, a Bible story, an egg hunt and lunch
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl-Seventy volunteers painted, cleaned and redecorated 12 dorm rooms and four bathrooms March 17 at a Teen Challenge women's facility.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-Women collected items such as lotion, nail polish and shower gel for baskets to be given to senior women at a local residential home on Mother's Day.
Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstone CommunitylVolunteers joined others in the community to clean up neighborhoods April 21 The church voluntee rs met for breakfast and joined other community volunteers for lunch after a morning of work
Garden City, Kan (Garden Valleyl- The ch urch recently donated 236 books to the county jail.
TEACHING/NURTURE
Fresno, Calif (North Fresnol-Pastors and leaders host a time of healing prayer once a month.
Littleton, Colo. (Belleviewl-The congregation participated in 83 hours of praye r leading up to Easter The 83 hours began with a kick-off service April 4 and ended just before Sunday morn ing worship Members signed up for hour- long slots to pray at the church
WORKERS
Collinsville, Okla (Discovery Bible FellowshiplMike Frantz is now full-time pastor of outreach
WORSHIP
San Jose, Calif. (Blossom Valleyl-Easter worship April 8 included a free petting zoo, continental breakfast and Starb uck 's coffee.
Reedley, Calif.-A fellowship time between Easter services Apri l 8 included refreshments, a floral cross for fresh-cut flowers, an empty tomb for children to explore and fami ly photos later made available on CD free of charge.
Centennial, Colo. (Trailheadl-The church plant joined with Belleview Community Church, Littleton, Colo , for a Good Friday service at Belleview April 6 Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acresl-A speaker from Jews for Jesus presented "Christ in the Passover" during the evening service March 18
Freeman, SD (Salemi-The church co-hosted several days of pre-Easter Spiritual Life Services, together with a local Mennon ite church, March 18-20
Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl- The church recently provided a prayer ministry room for members to use during or after worship The room included a place for reflective prayer with ministry team members, hand washing to demonstrate a desire to cleanse from sin, a candle to demonstrate a comm itment to "be a light: the Lord 's Supper and a burden box to write out concerns and trust them to God.
Yale, SD (Bethell-A Maundy Thursday service and supper included sharing about points from the seven-week sermon series on the last sayings of Christ.
Garden City, Kan. (Garden Valleyl-Questions submitted abo ut a recent sermon series on prophecy were addressed in the morning sermon March 18
YOUTH
Enid, Okla. - Wendell Loewen , professor of yout h, church and culture at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan , spoke on Youth Sunday, Ap ril 22 The day also included a sem inar on teens, a meal, discussion and a question and answe r ti me
Huron, SO IBethesdal-Youth at the Souled Out Center, some dressed for summer, enjoyed a beach party March 25, including food, sand, hoo la hoops, surfing and the limbo
Wichita, Kan.IFirstl-Members were invited to wear a bracelet wi th the name of a student attending the Anaheim '07 national youth convention March 31April 3 as a rem inder to pray for that student.
Minot, ND-The youth hosted a mystery supper and talent program March 18
Reedley, Calif.- Third and fou rth graders led a worship service at a local senior care center Marc h 18 Nine students from the church's after -school ministry recently accepted Christ.
Fairview, Okla.-Eight junior high youth made new commitments to Christ March 7
DEATHS
BALTZER, EVELYN LEONA, Collinsville, Okla., a member of Discovery Bible Fellowsh ip, Collinsville, was born July 28,1917, to Henry S and Helena Jost in Flowing Wells, Sask , and died Dec. 2, 2006, at the age of 89. In 1938, she married Earl Baltzer, who predeceased her. She is survived by three sons, Daryle and wife Marie of Wichita, Kan., Dennis and wife Margie of Talala, Okla. , and Don and wife Susan of Scottsdale, Ariz.; one brother, Bert and wife Alice of Hillsboro, Kan ; one sister,
CHURCH news a m II
Viola Hiebert of Newton, Kan , eight grandchildren and 17 great -grandchildren
FRIESEN, PEARL J., Reedley, Calif., a former member of Reedly MB Church. was born June 6,1916, to Heinrich G. and Katharina Reimer Nickel in Reedley and died March 8, 2007, at the age of 90. In 1940, she married Alvin J. Kliewer, who predeceased her in 1968 In 1971, she married Abe Fadenrecht, who predeceased her in 1985. In 1988, she married Reuben Friesen, who predeceased her in 2004 She is survived by two sons, Ge ne Kliewer and wife Evie of Ritzville, Wash , and Gerald Kliewer and wife Ivanka of Grants Pass, Ore.; one daughter, Elaine and husband Ken Peterson of Rosevi lle, Calif ; three brothers, Clarence of San Jose, Calif., Earl and wife Mary Jane of Reedley, and Hank and wife Jeanette of Fresno, Calif., five grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren
HALVA, FRED, Denver, Colo , former member of Garden Park MB Church, Denver, was born May 18, 1921, in Niobrara, Neb , and died March 1, 2007, at the age of 85 On Dec 3, 1954, he married Janice Ratzlaff, who survives. He is also survived by four daughters, Kathy Halva of Denver, Karen and husband Griff Thompson of Arvada, Colo , Diane and husband Mike Egner of Westminster, Colo ., Debra and husband Dan Skinner of Boise, Idaho; two sisters, Lyd ia Haug of Omaha, Neb , and Margaret English of Denver, and seven grandchildren
KROEKER, LYDIA PENNER, Corn, Okla , a member of Corn MB Church, was born May 20,1915, to Peter F. and Martha Ratzlaff Penner in Balko, Okla., and died April 2, 2007, at the age of 91. On April 12, 1936, she married Sam Kroeker, who predeceased her in 1984 She is survived by two daughters, Larena Krewall of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Diane and husband Ron Mauch of Edmond, Okla.; one sister, Ruby and husband Fred Treu of Milwaukee, Wisc., four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
LOHRENZ, LEANDER MLEEM JOHN, Lawrence, Kan., a former member of Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan., was born June 26,1928, to Jacob W. and Mary Seibel Lohrenz and died Feb 20, 2007, at the age of 78 On Sept. 2, 1957, he married Marguerite Hardesty, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Mark Lohrenz of Lawrence; two daughters, Lee Ann of Santa Ana, Calif., and Lori and husband Earl Teague of Keller, Texas; one step-sister, Arlene Rempel of Peabody, Kan , and five grandchildren
PAULS, DAVID WILLIAM, Buhler, Kan., a member of Buhler MB Church, was born July 1, 1917, to Henry C. and Marie Friesen Pauls in Hutchinson, Kan., and died Feb. 21, 2007, at the age of 89. On April 24, 1943, he married Virginia Lee Unruh, who survives. He is also survived by one daughter, Joan and husband Alden Dick of Buhler; one brother, Ike and wife Linda of Buhler, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren
Church plants celebrate milestones
Two Mission USA church plants, Trailhead Church in Ce ntennial, Colo , and Christ Community C hurch in Sioux Falls, SD, recently celebrated milestones in their growth and developm ent
Trailhead Church celebrated their missionary mind -set by commissioning the entire congregation during the service March 4 "We see ourselves as a missionary church ," says church planting pastor Jeff Nikkel.
He says that, for a variety of reasons, people in Denver "don 't want to go to church ." So rather than working to bring people to Sunday services, Trailh ead trie s to think like missionaries, going into their community with both pra ctical good works and words of hope "It 's not just a pa stor thing," Nikkel says . ' W e recogn ize that we 're all called in this together."
Conferen ce gu ests from both district and national level s- incl uding Don Morris , director of MU SA, Tim Sull ivan , Southern District Conference district minister, and Tom Canney, pastor of Community Bible Church, Olathe, Kan ., and member of the
project team - led the congregation in a commissioning litany, asking Trailhead to commit to wimessing to and serving their community, to being an authentic community of believers and to supporting their pastors . Then the guests and congregation gathered to pray over Trailhead's pastoral leadership , Jeff and Lianne Nikkel and Gary and Melanie Aronhalt .
Nikkel reports that the fledgling congregation recently was able to rent office and storage space, has been blessed by "people who have stepped up" in areas such as financial management and children's ministry, and is experiencing exciting growth and depth in their small groups
Christ Community C hurch celebrated their official launch service April I. "Our prayers were that we would begin to impact and reach the community in which the church meets ," says church planting pastor Rod Anderson "God graciously answered our requests "
A core group of about 45 people worked hard to get the word out through radio , two mailings , door hang ers and
personal invitations Some 60-plus people attended the launch , including C entral District C onference minister Roger Engbrecht and several visitors from the area .
To demonstrate the church's desire to '1aunch out in faith" as a wimess for C hrist, artendees launched balloons at the conclusion of the service The congregation prayed that as the balloons were carried into the community, so God would carry the members of the church plant, sometimes to new places. "If we are responsive to his directives , we will land where it is most beneficial," says Anderson
As a way to build upon the momentum generated by the launch, Anderson began a four - part sermon series April IS that explored basic questions such as the existence of God, the trustworthiness of the Bible, the identity of Jesus and the question of suffering Anderson asks for continued prayer for th e young church, "that we might reach the unchurched, de -churched and fed -up-with -church with the joy of a relationship with C hrist."- MH
CALL FOR PAPERS
Paul and Politics
2008 Janzen Lectureship & Symposium celebrating the work of John E. Toews March 28-29, 2008 Fresno Pacific University and MB Biblical Seminary campuses. Fresno. Calif The Janzen lectureship in Biblical Studies was created in 2003 to promote careful scholarship in biblical interpretation. as well as the witness of the Christian church. As the 2008 Janzen lecturer. John E Toews. PhD. will present on his most recent scholarship on Paul and politics These presentations [Thursday evening and Friday morningl will be followed by a symposium Friday afte rn oon and evening celebrating Toews' 40 -year contribution to the Mennonite Church , Mennonite higher education and scholarship. Papers may critically engage Toews' scholarship [issues, themes, approaches, etc'! or may reflect on his contribution to the church or to higher educat ion as teacher or administrator Send proposals of no more than 200 words and a one-page CV with full contact information and institutional affiliation to Dr. Laura Schmidt Roberts, lrobertslilfresno edu by Sept. 15,2007 The day following the sympo-
sium, March 30, is open for excursions to Yosemite, San Francisco or the Central Coast. [2/61
EMPLOYMENT: CHURCH
Senior Pastor: Koerner Heights MB Church of Newton, Kan., is seeking applicants for a full-time Senior Pastor. KHC has a regular attendance exceeding 200 people meeting in simultaneous multivenue services Resumes may be sent to Search Committee, c/o Koemer Heights Church, 320 N Meridian, Newton, KS 67114 or via e-mail tordbraunlilcox net. [1/11
Senior Pastor: Faith Bible Church [Mennonite Brethrenl in Omaha, Neb., is looking for a Senior Pastor The church is a small, urban congregation [100 +1 in an English-Latino neighborhood with an established AWANA program and a great outreach to the community. Seminary graduate preferred. Please send resume to: Pulpit Search Committee, Faith Bible Church, 1555 So. 27th Street, Omaha , NE 68105 or emails to davidlesliebrownlilmsn com [2/21
Bi-Vocational Urban Pastor: Lighthouse Community Church is looking for a pastor. LCC is located in a low-income area in Wichita, Kan The thurch, planted by
Kindred Productions
Manager
Kindred Productions (KP) is looking for a manager to lead this international publishing ministry.
KP's purpose is to provide quality Anabaptist mixed media resources to equip people for Christlike living and ministry.
KP serves as the publisher for Mennonite Brethren churches across North America.
Interested in finding out more?
Contact Cam Rowland at communications@mbconf ca or call 1-888-669-6575.
World Impact, is a part of the Mennonite Brethren denomination and is four years old. Weekly attendance is 40-50 If interested in applying or discussing this opening please contact either Matt Penner at 316-651-0858 or Sonja at lccpastorsearchlilhotmail.com [2/31
Youth Pastor: Birch Bay Bible Community Church, a Bible-based, 150 member congregation in Birch Bay, Wash , is seeking a Jr.ISr High Youth Pastor. This leader will possess strong, biblical leadership qualities and a love and passion for the Lord and for youth. Must have training andloryouth ministry experience For more information, or to send a resume: bbbccliljuno.com attn: youth pastor search committee in subject line or mail to 7039 Jackson Road, Blaine, WA 98230 [3601371 - 2300 [1/11
Youth Pastor: Shafter MB Church, a multigenerational congregation in California's southern San Joaquin Valley, is accepting resumes for the position of Youth Pastor For more information please contact the church at smbclilshaftermb.org or call 661746-4969 . Resumes can be sent to Shafter MB, PO. Box 1538, Shafter, CA 93263, attn Youth Pastor Search Committee. [2/21
Youth Pastor: Vinewood Community Church in Lodi, Calif., is seeking a Youth Pastor to disciple high school and junior high school students and to direct a strong, committed youth worker team As the lead person on the student ministries team, the Youth Pastor is responsible to provide leadership in guiding, training and assisting students from 7th grade through college to a life devoted to Christ and participation in his church. College degree and youth ministry experience are preferred For more information please e-mail vinewood IiIvi newood c hurch .com Resumes can be sent to Search Committee at vinewoodlilvinewoodchurch.com or faxed to [2091 369-1900 or mailed to 1900 W. Vine Street, Lodi, CA 95242 [2/21
CURRICULUM
Gather 'Round: Hearing and Sharing God 's Good News is the Bible-based curriculum that connects church and home Gather 'Round emphasizes service and peacemaking, and nurtures children , youth, and adults in becoming followers of Jesus. Find sample sessions, Bible outlines and more at www gatherround org [2/31
CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY
Canadian Mennonite Un iversity (CMU) invites ap pl ications and nominations for the position of Vice President Academic, effective January 1,2008. Th e VP Academic is responsib le for providing ove rall leadership for academic projects and programs, academic policies, and academic personnel for all of CMU, and is a key member ofthe CMU leadershi p tea m.
In add it ion to normal academic credentia ls, it is anticipated that the successfu l candidate w ill have:
• Academic administrative experience
• Strong inter-personal skills
• A creative, entrepreneurial bent
• A personal comm itment to the church and the mission ofCMU
CMU i s a dynamic Christian university with two campuses a "stand alone" campus offering fu ll un iversity degree programs, and a program centre (Menno Simons College) located at and affiliated with t he University of Winnipeg. For more informati on on CMU or the pos ition visit www.cmu ca or contactthe President at ggerbrandt@cmu,ca
Processing of applications and nom inations will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled Please rep ly v ia mail or e-mail to: Canadian Mennonite University; Susan Warkentin, Director of Human Resources; 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.; Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2, or swarkentin@cmu ,ca
Philip Wiebe
Voluntourists step up
Travel reports encourage pursuing specific interests
During the past few summers we've taken a week's vacation at Sunriver, a woodsy resort community in central Oregon Here's a list of activities I enjoyed the last couple of times: golfing, swimming, biking, kayaking, waterskiing, spelunking (if one can use that tenn about tramping through a lava tube), hot-tubbing, rock climbing (well , really just rock wall climbing at the recreation center), hanging around the resort village drinking latres and
dining at the historic Pine Tavern in nearby Bend.
Though I've thought that doing lots of different stuff all week has been fun, perhaps I'm wrong. At
least according to the Great Source of All Knowledge, by which I mean the Internet There I've read travel reports encouraging me to pursue more specific kinds of «tourism."
For example, I saw a write-up that invited me to try «food tourism." That's where I'd go to a city or region known for gounnet dining to partake of various expensive meals and regional delicacies. But if I went as a food tourist to, say, San Francisco, would it be acceptable to do other touristy stuff? Could I visit Fishennan's Wharf or Marine World? Maybe for the gounnet vacationer these places would be considered tacky
I also saw a report about «golf tourism" packages to tropical locales such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, Bali and Mauritius. I like golf and certainly wouldn't mind playing in these places But if I'm going tropical, the itinerary will involve a little golf and a lot of beach and water time, rather than the other way around. Here in Oregon I can play golf any time, but I can't go snorkeling without freezing my fins off.
I've noticed that one can become a «space tourist." Private citizen Charles Simonyi recently blasted off for a 13day trip to the international space station. That sounds exciting, but it does come at a cost of $20 million. I'd ask my wife if we could take a trip like that, but she would probably say no because it would deplete most of our vacation budget and we wouldn't get to go anywhere else for a while.
Another type of vacation I could try is in the area of «sports tourism." One article suggested spending a few days driving between cities to take in several Major League Baseball games. The problem for me is that the nearest teams are in Seattle and Oakland, about 800 miles apart I think 111 just stay home and
watch the games on Tv.
A new vacation ttend I saw was something that could be described as «freighter tourism." Travelers get passage on a container ship and simply go wherever the boat goes. The meals and accommodations are basic, and there are no fancy shows or excursions like you get on a regular cruise. That sounds pretty good. You all take the freighter and that will
\Vh en you only ge t one or two a you have to try and rack a lot in.
leave more room for me on the comfy cruise ship.
There are other «tourisms" I could mention. «Eco tourists" travel to remote natural and cultural spots and live close to the land. 'i\dventure tourists" go for thrilling activities such as mountain climbing or whitewater rafting. "Canine tourists" visit the homes and chomping grounds of world-famous dogs. All right, I made that last one up. Then again, these days you never know.
Though a lot of these specialized tourisms sound interesting, I doubt 111 ever book a vacation as a food tourist, sports tourist, space tourist or any of the others When you only get one or two vacations a year, you have to try and pack a lot in. Thus you spend the week at Sunriver as a golfswim-hike-bike-cave-dine-latte tourist It may not sound trendy but it works.
Recently I read about one more intriguing type of travel that a CNN Web report called «voluntourism " The piece said these kinds of trips are on the rise. For example, one vacationer traveled in rural Honduras not only visiting Mayan ruins, but also as a volunteer worker building latrines and pig pens. He said it was fun to see how most of the world lives «and try to help them out. " The report said more Americans seem to be feeling that way, judging by the increase in vacation packages available «with a charitable or humanitarian purpose."
I find that encouraging. And it also gives me a good feeling about the church. Sometimes I get discouraged that Christians often seem behind the cultural times rather than ahead of the curve. But here is one area where churches have been a pioneering force. They were sending out workers to help and serve, care and heal, build and sustain long before anyone thought to call it a kind of tourism . And theyl1 keep doing it long after most of the tourists have gone off to chase the next big travel trend.
Harvest time
We reap what we sow at national youth conventions
We are told in the Bible that we reap what we sow and in my estimation Anaheim '07 was halVest time. Since 1975, U.S. Mennonite Brethren have invested human and financial resources in quadrennial national youth conventions. More Mennonite Brethren come together for these conventions than for any other denominational event. Given that high school students have only one chance to attend a national MB youth convention, the event generates considerable excitement, not to mention fundraisers.
For more than three decades Mennonite Brethren youth have been challenged at these conventions to put feet to their faith. Countless have stood to indicate their willingness to selVe God anytime, anywhere and in anyway. But have they followed through? That would make for an interesting research project. In the absence of hard data, I think anecdotal evidence suggests that the answer is yes
I quit counting the number of national MB youth convention alumni walking the halls of the Anaheim Hilton Youth pastors like Kelly Thomas, who was seIVing at least his second stint on the convention planning team. College students like Joanna Chapa, who attended Estes '03 as a high school junior. Four years later she was patt of the Anaheim '07 planning team and helped lead worship during two general sessions as a member of the Tabor College worship team i268. Volunteer youth workers like BJ and Denise Heizelman who have invested themselves in young people for more than 20 years.
Sometimes we think saying yes to God means saying yes to the "uttermost parts of the earth." We forget that God calls some of us to Jerusalem Our local churches, district conferences and national agencies are blessed with men and women who have answered God's call to go anywhere, including home . Some of us are selVing the Mennonite Brethren church today because we said yes to God at a national MB youth convention.
For some national MB youth convention "graduates" like Tim Peters, the Monday evening speaker at Anaheim '07, saying yes to God has led them to ministry opportunities outside the denomination. Earlier in the day, Tim had hosted some 300 conferees who visited Los Angeles' Skid Row. That evening Tim shared his story. When Tim attended the national MB youth convention, Ridge Bums was the speaker Ridge challenged the 807 high school youth at Glorieta '87 to commitment themselves to being used by God "anyplace, anytime." Ridge cautioned the students, 'This commitment is for Christians who are willing to be sold out to Christ." Tim told the audience, " was willing to make that commitment."
Tim returned to Kansas firm in his intention but uncertain what that commitment would mean. He stayed in touch with Ridge , who in 1988 established the Center for Student Ministries, a short-term mission
agency that brings young people to urban centers. While Tim was a student at Tabor College, Ridge invited him to come to Los Angeles as a CSM intern.
Tim told Anaheim'07 students about his first night on the third floor of a hotel on Us Skid Row. He described gang members hanging around outside and prostitutes waiting inside. He told of rats and roaches and sleeping with his mouth shut. He described visiting different ministry sites the next day and roaming Skid Row with Ridge that next night on a prayer walk What he saw touched his heart
Tim signed on as a summer intern and "by the end of the summer I didn't want to leave," he said. After graduating from Tabor, Tim returned to Skid Rowand has spent the last 1$ years living in inner city LA, ministering for II of those years to people who live in the very same hotel he slept in that first night. Tim currently manages a transitional home homeless families and continues to host high school and college student urban immersion experiences.
"If God can use me, he can use you," Tim told the Anaheim '07 conferees. Referring back to his commitment at Glorieta '87 Tim said, "I didn't know where I was going .! just knew I was willing. How many of you are willing to make the commitment I made 20 years ago?" I wasn't surprised when hundreds of young people stood.
When I got back to the Leader office, I read the magazine's article about Glorieta '87. Two comments caught my eye. The first is a statement by Steve Schroeder, the first "graduate" of a national MB youth convention to selVe as chair. "Someday, maybe eight or 12 years from now, one of you will be standing in my place," he told the crowd. That crowd included Tim Peters. ·The second is the closing paragraph in which editor Don Ratzlaff writes that for many conferees the difference that Glorieta '87 made in their lives would "show itself in a myriad ways for a lifetime to come "
Most of the time farmers don't sow and reap at the same time But that's what we did at Anaheim'07 Seeds were planted in the lives of hundreds of youth and we saw the fruit of earlier conventions. We need to commit ourselves as a denomination to supporting the 2011 convention so that the cycle will continue -CF
