November 2001

FIRST WORDS ___ from the editor

ABOUT

lWO YEARS AGO , I spent about a week in South Texas, Mexico and Central California with Mennonite Central Committee, a Christian world relief and development agency. I talked with and listened to Mexican immigrants in South Texas who lived with their children in shacks with dirt floors and no running water or electricity I met men, women and children who fled Cuba, Mexico and other Central American countries with heart-wrenching stories woven with war, poverty and despair. In Central California, I ate lunch with a group of farm laborers whose living conditions were little better than than those I found in South Texas

For me, those days were a harsh wake-up call. I had no concept that poverty existed on the levels I confronted in South Texas and Central California. Like Darren Duerksen, who wrote the first article in this issue, I began a journey of learning to see through the eyes of poverty.

It's not an easy journey, but as Duerksen says, it is one that we are called to as Christians The people who wrote the articles in this issue have spent time with people who live in poverty Their articles and stories reveal personal journeys as well as explore ways to understand and respond to poverty These articles challenge us to cross the gulf between the wealthy-which includes many of us in North America-and the poor and to begin to see through their eyes.

In addition to our feature section, this issue is packed with responses and thoughts from your fellow readers in What Readers Say and the Forum sections as well as those of our regular columnists. People Proille looks at one couple who strive to use the money God has given them wisely.

In Bodylife, it's evident that things are happening in our denomination . Several articles explore the changes happening at the national level-and we are committed to keeping you updated in future issues on how those changes affect how we do ministry.

God bless. -CA

COMING

_ NOVEMBER 9-10-Pacillc District Conference Convention, Reedley MB Church, Reedley, Calif.

_ FEBRUARY 17, 2002-Peace Sunday

-JULY 25-27, 2002-U.S. Conference and General Conference conventions in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Page 4

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OF

Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair; Peggy Goertzen, Harold Loewen, Phil Neufeld, Dalton Reimer.

The beginning of one North American man's quest to understand poverty in India.

BY DARREN DUERKSEN

Good news for the poor?

I started this journey by looking at what Jesus had to say about poverty. He came for the poor. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor," says Jesus (Luke 4:18).

But what news is good news to the poor?

By using this phrase, Jesus was drawing on some religious language of the day. He was talking about the Year of Jubilee, the time when debts were to be forgiven, properties that had been sold were to be redistributed back to their original owners, and hired Israelite servants and their families were to be released from their servitude. The whole society ultimately benefited from this arrangement. However, the poor in particular were given fresh grace and a new start.

Jesus was saying that, among other things, he was here on earth to bring liberty to the poor. His ministry was for everyone, but he wanted to bring special dignity and release to those that were the lowly and victims of the system of poverty. What was more, he wanted his followers-his church-to do the same.

I instinctually began asking how the church brings dignity and liberty to the poor. Specifically, how does the church respond to poverty like I find in India?

But is this the right question?

In the West, the church does exactly that-it responds to poverty. We can. Poverty generally isn't us, it's them. We are usually the ones with money and resources, so we sense a burden and call to respond to them, the poor.

In India my questioning takes a twist: What does a church do when they are the poor? For many in India, poverty is not something to be responded to but something to be dealt with.

Ninety-nine percent of the India MB church is from lower caste background. Though many have and continue to rise in terms of education, jobs and salary level, the overall church community is still poor by India's standards. Socially and economically, they are a church of the poor.

So, I began to wonder, what does a church of the poor think of poverty?

Living in poverty

In the village of Muchinthala, I spent time with Joseph, an elder of the local MB church, and his wife. Joseph says that, even though he owns two acres of land, he can barely get by. He harvests his tomatoes and other vegetables and sells them in the nearby town every week, making about 100 rupees ($2.50). After paying labor charges, it amounts to even less. He's hoping that his two young boys will

have a better life, so he's sending them to a nearby private school for a better education. Tuition costs 160 rupees ($3.50) a month for both of them to attend.

"How do you manage?" I ask.

He looks down. His wife turns and goes into the kitchen They manage, but not easily-and it isn't easy to talk about .

Joseph's story is not unusual. In another village, I met the pastor of a medium size MB church. He eams approximately 250 rupees ($4.50) a month, plus the rice, eggs and vegetables brought by those members who can't contribute cash. His family of six somehow manages to survive on the income. This income varies, depending often on the rains. Most of the church members are "coolies," or farm laborers. If there are rains, then there are crops for his church members to go and tend. If not, they find other odd jobs, such as cutting stones for construction projects, or they move to the city for a season. Or they simply go without.

This is the church of the poor in India. Not all churches are like this. There are a handful of churches that are quite large and comparatively wealthy. However, the majority of churches and church members are poor. When these churches talk about poverty-iJthey talk about poverty-it's a very different conversation than I'm used to. Most ofthe time, it isn't a question of what they do about someone else's poverty, but how they live with their own.

These encounters left me feeling somewhat confused and helpless. These people obviously love and follow Jesus, but where is the practical, economic good news of the gospel? How are they supposed to experience a "jubilee year?"

Seeking answers

As I met people and heard their stories, I was deeply moved to help them. Imagine what Joseph could do with a few dollars or what his church could do with a small donation

However, as I continued my quest to understand poverty, I found some attitudes and expectationsparticularly towards giving-that I didn't expect

A couple of years ago, an Indian minister from a different denomination wrote to me, asking me for money for bicycles that he and his colleagues could use for evangelism. I sent it to him, saying it was a "one-time gift." I was perplexed when I subsequently received a flood of photos, reports, letters and requests for more money from this same man. Didn't he understand what I meant by "one-time gift?"

When these churches talk about poverty-if they talk about povertyit's a very different conversation than I'm used to. Most of the time, it isn't a question of what they do about someone else's poverty, but how they live with their own.

But things ace different in India and other parts of the world where giving sometimes implies a "patron/client" relationship. In this context, a poorer person looks for a patron to commit to. A relation-

ship is formed and defined as the patron offers financial help, job security and the like, and the client offers his service and devotion. I have only recently realized that, when the minis-

BY LAURIE OSWALD

FL YING CONTINENTAL

Airlines back home from Guatemala City, I felt rich, though I had spent all my cash on souvenirs and barely had enough to pay the $30 tax to leave the country. Relationships forged at Mennonite World Conference meetings left me with this wealth-especlally treasures from new African friends .

I pondered how people with few financial resources can so lavishly enrich souls around them with a passion for Jesus Christ, a deep" hearted laughter, trusting friendship and wisdom and Joy born from suffering When relating with pe0ple from such countries as Ethiopia or the war-tom Democratic Republic of Congo, I was the bigger recipient their huge love for God and people Infused my North American self-depleted from too many Wal-Marts and movies and too few relationship and prayer times with God-with fullness. This fullness blessed me and yet confused me. It caused me to ask: What do I have to share In this relationship? What I brought from my North American context seemed shallow, spiritually and relatlonally Impoverished In comparison. A conversation with Pak-

Isa Tshlmlka of Fresno, Calif , director for MWC's Global Gift Sharing Project, brought some perspective He helped launch the project, which Is Intended to take an Inventory of MWC's member conferences, Including their spiritual and material gifts, professional capacities and human and Institutional resources .

Tshlmlka's work this last year focused on Africa and will continue with the other continents. In nine African workshops, people found much wealth.

"They discovered how many people have theologIcal training and an enormous amount of people trained In other ways," he said. "They found many small groups of people Involved In communltybased programs, and many women Involved In mlcroen-

terprlses, from which they can share technology with other churches. "

Until this exercise, they hadn't considered these human resources as gifts, because they're not listed In the Bible under spiritual gifts, he said. But the exercise helped them to see all their resources as gifts from God.

"When we recognize that all gifts belong to God and came from God, then the question of sharing them Is not an option. It's a must," Tshlmlka said.

Reflecting on his statement, I realized my angst In relating to my African friends was linked to feeling guilty about material wealth and shameful about who I was as a North American.

On the flight home, I met a Lutheran man who had taken youth on a missions trip to Guatemala City to

work In a dump, where the poor found food and shelter In the garbage.

Over breakfast, I lamented going back to the United States where I had so many things and yet sometimes felt so spiritually ImpoverIshed. He wisely urged me to be grateful for North American blessl., for God hadn't given them to hoard but to freely bless others.

As the plane touched down, I looked out the window on our North AmerIcan abundance and realized that we, like our African brothers and sisters, suffer from gift blindness. We also need to see and accept our gifts. Until we do, we can't freely give them away and humbly receive what others can give.

Perhaps North AmerIcans have more riches In dollars and Africans have more riches In souls. But God Isn't counting what we have-only what we give away and what we receive In trust. In his economy, generous, humble hearts are true wealth. •

Laurie Oswald is associate editor of Mennonite Weekly Review. This article is one of several she wrote while reporting on the 2000 meetings of MWC, an international fellowship of churches in the Anabaptist tradition .

ter saw my gift, he saw it as a gesture towards relationship. In India, relationships are never "onetime." My American pragmatism wanted a quick and low-key commitment. What I received was honor, gratitude and respect. The pastor told his church about me, and they thanked God and prayed for me regularly.

Not every request for money or every donation in India implies this type of arrangement. I am becoming more aware, however, that "helping the poor" means much more than just giving money If I want to help, I have to give a bit of myself.

As I continued my quest, I also found some attitudes not so unfamiliar to me as a North American

One Sunday afternoon, I visited a new, small gr0cery shop in a small town. It is the business venture of a single 23-year-old member of the local MB church.

I soon realized that the shop is the "cool" hangout place for other young MB men. While I'm there, one young man drives up on a new Honda motorcycle. A few other well-dressed young men walk up or drive up on scooters. They are all second and third generation MBs and part of a new minority within the Indian MB church-children of parents that grew up on or near to mission compounds.

We began to talk about the poverty in the area They describe their family's economic statuses as middle-class. "It is neither very poor nor very rich," they say.

Then I ask them what they think about poverty and how their church deals with the poor.

One young man, a 23-year-old college student, says that the poor are alliow-caste laborers. It's okay to give them money. If someone gives them money, they in tum give that person their respect and honor.

Another says that a church should help the poor. Their church takes a regular offering to help people , like a member known as "old blind Moses ." Also, every Christmas they give things like blankets and clothes to the poorer people in church.

A third young man says that the poor should pray. How should they pray? I ask. They should pray for a good education, health , to be able to build a small house and to get clothes, says the young man. If the poor really pray to God with an open heart, then God will provide these things. And how will God provide these things? I ask him. Through the rich people, he answers

I am again surprised and perplexed. The Christians in India, I began to realize, are much more diverse than I thought . Some seem resigned to poverty, others seem to ignore it or make it the responsibility of "the rich."

POVERTY

Who are the rich?

As I delved deeper into the question of poverty, I began talking with the Indian church leaders, who add interesting and helpful perspectives.

Joseph, a member of the Shamshabad MB church, is the founder of "Christian Concern," an organization that provides skills training and housing for poorer people. Their purpose, he says, is to "do the gospel. "

"How does a church of the poor deal with poverty?" I ask. He explains that, though most MBs are poor, there are almost always people in their village that are poorer The church needs to teach the believers to help and support those that don 't have enough, he says . Unfortunately, according to Joseph, many Christians don't help because they see the help that comes from foreigners. Joseph agrees that foreigners can help the poor, but not just by giving finances. Joseph says foreigners can help the poor by helping the church to see and help their own poor, as well as help establish economic development and training projects.

What is the best way to help the poor? I asked. Joseph suggests that, through education and training institutes, the poor can be taught practical skills to help them make a living.

V.K. Rufus, the principal of the MB Centenary Bible College in Shamshabad, explains that at times the MB conference has been a "link" to aid organizations like Mennonite Central Committee (a Christian world relief and development agency), as well as other local relief agencies. When the region was hit by a drought a few years ago, the conference was able to facilitate the delivery of wheat and water to outlying villages They have also been able to facilitate the digging of wells

They maintain a hospital in Jadcherla which has provided medical help to the poor. The conference has also encouraged various development initiatives, some which worked well for a time Though these initiatives had to eventually close their doors due to some administrative problems, they were good ideas and concepts that could be taken up again in variousways.

When I asked about the role of North Americans in helping the poor, Rufus gave some helpful insight. He said that North Americans can and should help-but they need to be wise and make sure that aid gets to the true needs Sometimes people will say "I am poor" quite loudly. Though these people may have needs, they can keep aid from going to the really poor people, the genuine cases, who often do not get any aid .

Rufus confides that churches sometimes find it difficult to determine people's true needs and give out

I am more becoming more aware that "helping the poor" means much more than just giving money. If I want to help, I have to give a bit of myself.

Though it's frustrating to not be able to ignore poverty, somehow I'm also glad. Most people in the worldcertainly in Indiacan't ignore it. Why should I?

aid. As a result, some churches feel that it's easiest not to even try and help the poor. He acknowledges, though, that the church should not turn away from the poor. They have a responsibility to help them.

Embarking on the journey

In my "quest" to understand poverty, I find I have more questions than answers. The Indian MB church has learned much as it has dealt with this issue, but has also formed as many opinions on the issue as we in the U.S.

In some ways, we are so much alike-struggling with issues like generosity, who to help and who should take responsibility to help the poor. In others, we are so different-I cannot begin to understand what it would be like to live from day to day

with so little.

So, here I am, three months in India, and I still don't have the answers. What do I do now?

For starters, I want to continue learning to talk about and understand poverty. It's an issue that can't be ignored. It stares me in the face every time I go to the market, take a bus ride or attend a church. But though it's frustrating to not be able to ignore poverty, somehow I'm also glad. Most people in the world--certainly in India--can't ignore it. Why should I?

I'm a student in a most unconventional school, being taught by the poor and those that are surrounded by poverty. As I continue to live here, I want to keep diving into the deep and difficult issues of poverty and learn how to talk about it.

HOW ONE INTER-MENNONITE MINISTRY APPROACHES WORK AND POVER

BY JOHN LONGHURST

DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO minIstry? Usually when we hear that we think automatically of being called to be a pastor, missionary or some other kind of church worker. God does call people to those kinds of tasks, but at Mennonite Economic Development Associates, we believe God also calls people to minister in their everyday occupatlons-a minIstry of dally life. In other words, whatever you do and wherever you work is your place of minIstry, and you have a calling to minister In It. All you have to do is answer the call.

MEDA has two goals Helping Christians recognize their call to ministry through work Is one of them. The other Is to help poor people through a businessoriented approach to development-an approach that emphasizes sound business principles as we provide credit, business training, marketing and technIcal assistance In the developing

world. In a typical year, MEDA helps 10,000 of the world's poor with small loans and business assistance.

How these two goals became part of the same package Is a story that begins In the early 19505, when a small group of successful Mennonite businesspeople decided to share their unique abilities and resources with Mennonite refugees from Europe who had ended up In Paraguay Other church organIzations had provided these refugees with basic essentials such as food and shelter. But something was stili missing: They needed capital to establish businesses that could provide goods and services and Jobs to make their new communities viable But South American banks wouldn't lend them money because they had no collateral or credit history

When word of their need reached North America In 1952,

several Mennonite businesspeople flew to Paraguay at their own expense to see what they could do. A year later, a group of eight businesspeople from different Mennonite conferences decided to fonn MEDA, a new organization that would provide the capital funds the colonies needed to grow and prosper.

The overall philosophy then, as now, was to loan money and provide business training to help Individuals In need to become self-reliant and economIcally self-sufficient

The original Investors c0ntributed a total of $50,000 to start the program (about $500,000 today). The money was loaned at low rates of Interest. As the loans were repaid and some Interest accumulated, other projects were proposed and new loans were made. No funds or gains were returned to the Investors. The result was a thrivIng dairy Industry, as well as a

Also, I want to explore the practicalities of giving, development and partnership and what this looks like in the global MB family.

Most importantly, though, I want to keep listening to my brothers and sisters. I don't always know how to respond right now, but maybe that's okay Maybe I don ' t always need to. I want to hear people's stories-not just the hardships, but also the happy times and joys that God is giving to people, whatever their economic situation. I want to laugh, celebrate and cry with them

The "school" I'm in doesn't give easy answers to poverty It probably never will. However, it does offer hope-hope that one day, even these days, the poor will experience the fullness ofJesus' good news.

This school has plenty of room-too much

tannery and shoe factory .

This first foray by MEDA Into what Is called "microfinance" set the tone for its work up until today Today, as then, MEDA seeks out people who cannot obtain money from local banks because they are poor Today, as then, we enable them to set up or grow small businesses so they can provide for their famIlies, employ their neighbors and enrich their communities . Today, as then, we want to establish Independent and self-sufficient Institutions that aren't dependent on handouts from North America for survival And today, as then, we find that poor people will repay their loans-they are bankable

At this same time, s0mething was happening back in North America in the 1960s-there was a lot of animosity growing between the church and businesspeople Business was seen by many to be corrupt. In the late 1960s and early 1970&, two groups were formed to work at narrowing this gap One was called Church, Industry and Business AssocIates

POVERTY

room-for more students. You don't have to journey to India to enroll Poverty is all too common in the United States. Take your own journey Look poverty in the face-the faces of the men, women and children in your own community who struggle to live from day to day on too little. Talk about it with them and your church. And listen to the stories . Share the hardships and the celebrations.

It's a hard journey-and one that probably won't give you simple answers. But it is a journey we are called to take •

Darren and Shahna Duerksen are on a ninemonth study abroad program as students with MB Biblical Seminary and Fresno Pacific University, an ME school, both located in Fresno, Calif.

(CIBA), and the other was called Mennonite BusIness Associates (MBA). In 1976 the two merged to form Mennonite Industry and Business AssocIates (MIBA) In 1 981,

see their work as ministry, and who wanted to help the poor through a buslness-orlented approach to development, as well as focusing on the unique experience of

Christians In business

form of ministry and enables them to use their skills and resources to help the poor In underdeveloped countries. In addition to funding work in the developing world, MEDA's 3,000 supporters al so want to provide assistance In North America t hrough ASSETS, a business training program that helps low Income people start or expand small businesses Since starting In 1995, ASSETS has helped start

The result? Today MEDA Is an organization that helps Christians see their work as a 136 businesses, strengthened 160 others and created 367 full and part-time Jobs. Helping poor people to Improve their lives, helping Christians to be ministers In dally life-this Is the mission of MEDA. Our task Is to redeem the routines of work and of business, and to put those routines to work for the kingdom of God. •

John Longhurst, director of MEDA 's marketing and media relations attends River East (MB) Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For more information about MEDA , visit www meda org or call (BOO) 665-7026

MIBA merged with MEDA, under MEDA's banner. MEDA later expanded Its vision to Include anyone who wanted to

BY PEA R L SENSENIG

Defining poverty

Some signs of poverty are obvious-poor nutrition, bad housing, lack of medical care-points out Doug. But poverty-and its converse, well-beinginvolves other "quality of life" factors, he says . People also need meaningful work, support structures, healthy communities and an unpolluted environment. That may explain why the couple felt most discouraged about the condition of their friends in Appalachia. Although better dressed and fed than poor people in other countries, Appalachians seemed to feel a deeper sense of despair and hopelessness, observed Yoder-Harms.

"Poverty depends so much on how you view yourself," says Dawn. "It means feeling stuck, being in a place you don't want to be and not seeing a way out." In this time of low employment in most of the United States, official unemployment figures for the Appalachia are high . But the real unemployment situation may be even worse, perhaps as high as 60 percent, because official figures represent only those looking for jobs. Countless people have given up looking because they know they have little chance of getting a job that pays enough to support a family.

Dawn and Doug noticed a similar sense of feeling "stuck" among Angolan refugees in Congo. Local Congolese lived in mud huts beside the Angolan refugees yet didn't seem to feel as poor. Unlike the Angolans , Congolese had no direct experience with any other life. The Angolans, however, mourned their loss of a better life, and clung even more tenaciously to the dream of returning home as war in their homeland dragged on .

Cultural messages

Cultural messages about poverty can also affect poor people. "In Congo we didn't observe negative ideas about poor people," says Dawn. "Everyone lived on a similar barely-making-it level." In Appalachia, Dawn's friend Nell told stories of her childhood when her family had no money but was able to grow what they needed on their farm She had no shoes and milked the cow when the family needed milk. But she never thought of herself as being poor. That all changed in the 1960s when President Johnson launched his War on Poverty and outsiders entered the formerly isolated mountain hollows, bringing with them the message that people living there were poor.

"People began to feel ashamed of who they were," says Dawn 1Vbrought scenes of well-to-do families into tumbledown mountain homes. People began to see that their lifestyle didn't measure up to the image of the American dream; shame and inferiority set in. American society's negative messages

about poverty filtered through-poor people are lazy; they don't try enough or they would succeed.

Yoder-Harms noticed a similar "brokenness of spirit," as Dawn terms it, among Angolans . Portuguese colonizers encouraged Africans to adopt Portuguese culture and despise their own An official assimilation policy even gave special privileges to Africans who adopted Portuguese language and culture. "People would say, 'Our race is worthless, '" recalls Dawn. "They'd say, 'In North America you manufacture cars and here we can't even make mopeds.'" While refugees in Congo, the Angolans continued to run schools with the Portuguese curriculum.

Defining wealth

"Freedom, power and the ability to make choices are so important when thinking about poverty," says Doug Several years ago, Doug worked on a construction crew in Indiana while Dawn attended seminary. "There I was, up on snow-covered roofs, building multimillion dollar homes," recalls Doug. He earned $10 an hour and tried to work as much overtime as possible but it was still difficult to make ends meet for the family of four

"Life was draining. I was so tired, there was nothing left of me when I got home," Doug says. "I knew this was a temporary situation for me, but for many people it's a way of life." The family had support from church and friends and knew no matter how tight their finances they would never be homeless . But this daily grind is typical for many since the U.S. economy has created service industry jobs that do not pay a living wage or offer medical benefits People work hard but still can't support their families

Dawn lists another measure of wealth-encouragement to develop personally. "I was always encouraged to use my gifts, including my gifts for ministry, even before I was ready to do so, " says Dawn. This was not the case for the women she knew in Appalachia. "Many had low self-esteem and had been told repeatedly that they couldn't accomplish much," recalls Dawn. This led to their further personal and financial impoverishment.

More factors at work

"Our culture is quick to define poverty as a personal failing rather than looking at the bigger factors at work," observes Doug, "such as the fact that our economy is based on amassing wealth, not on looking out for the common good." Economic indicators are often based on the amounts of money changing hands, which may show short-term gain but produce poverty in the longer run.

In areas of both Appalachia and Congo people traditionally farmed their land, growing enough food

Poverty depends so much on how you view yourself. It means feeling stuck, being in a place you don't want to be and not seeing a way out.

to feed themselves and a little extra to trade for goods they couldn't make themselves Then large companies-in Appalachia, coal and in Congo, sugar--came and people sold their lands or rights to the land. In both cases, local people ended up working for the companies, which extracted natural resources and then left. "These transitions were good for people sitting in board rooms but not for the community," says Doug.

Yoder-Harms believe the Bible has much to say about wealth and poverty.

ing to free the poor from their oppression Jesus, in particular, sees this as his mission. As he begins his ministry, he announces : 'The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.",

What does this mean for Christians today? "As the gap between rich and poor is widening, the church is called to be a new society, to embody an alternative way of being, to live within our means and not to seek more than we really need ," concludes Doug. "Our commitment to Christ calls us into commitment to each other." • "Our culture tends to view wealth as the well deserved reward for those who have earned it, but the Bible begins with the assumption that everything comes from and belongs to God," says Dawn. "Material blessings are to be used for the good of all people, particularly the weak and the disadvantaged members of society "

She adds, "Acknowledging that poverty is often the result of injustice, the Bible shows God interven-

Pearl Sensenig is a writer and editor in Mennonite Central Committee's communications department. This article first appeared in MCG's a Common Place and is reprinted by permission . A Common Place is available free upon request Call toll-free (888) 622-6337 (Canada.) or (888) 5634676 (U.S.), or email acp@mcc.org

Learn

About how your Investments and spetHI/IW can affect Of beneIit the poor. .MEDA WWW.meda org (800) 665-7026

• MB Foundation mbfound@southwlnd net (800) 551-1547

• Mennonite Mutual Aid www mma-onlfne.org (800) 348-7468

About poverty:

• Stodes fiom below the poverty line by George Beukema Herald Press www.mph org (724) 887-8500

About the poor.

• Ask your pastor or someone In your congregation who works with the poor: Who are they? What are their needs? What contributes to their poverty? How can I help?

Learn to see through the eyes of poverty

Get involved-

• Pray for God to reveal to you what he would have you do In response to poverty.

• Rnd out what your church or community Is already doing to address poverty and Join those efforts

• If your church isn't addressing poverty, Investigate the needs of the poor In your community and plan a response--start an afterschool program, organize a food drive, arrange child care, assist in housing searches, etc

• Buy and eat a meal with someone who asks you for food Of money.

• Volunteer with your children at a homeless shelter or food kitchen

• Start an ASSETS program in your community (see page 8)

• Educate others about povertygive a workshop at your church, talk with your neighbors, etc .

Support organl that address the needs of the poor with donations or volunteering-

• MEDA www rneda org (800) 668-7026

• Mennonite Central Committee www.mcc-onllne.org (888) 563-4676

• Mennonite Disaster Service www mds.mennonite.net (717) 859 2210

• World Vision www worldvlslon org (888) 551-6598

There are many more local, national and world organizations that address the needs of the poor

a story from below the poverty line

SHE SITS IN THE BACK of the church In the chair nearest the door. Even though she arrives before most people, one hardly notices her presence. If she Is noticed, she Is barely acknowledged In the hustle and bustle of the morning's activities Clutched tightly to her chest Is her tattered shopping bag-a precious satchel of her most valued possessions Her dark hair, streaked with gray, seldom washed or properly combed, Is tucked haphazardly under her knit beret. Scars, scabs and sores are positioned about her face, making lookIng at her a dlfftcult and unenchantlng task.

As you watch from a distance you see her lips move, forming words that are heard only by angels that most certainly surround her Imagination, for the space around her Is visibly empty. If by chance you care to listen, or are compelled to listen for some practical purchase, you must bend close to her face-a motion you don't relIsh, for her appearance Is quite disturbing and the smell from her body Is deflnitely uninviting. Her voice Is low and whispery, and her messages coded and incoherent, of little apparent relevance to the Issues of the day.

In those moments when you give her your attention, you wonder from where she

has come.

Your worst fears are Imaglnecl-she Is III, she Is unspeakable; she will touch you or your loved ones, or worse yet, cause a disturbance to our morning's worship. Yet the mystery of her

BY L I A L A RITSEMA BEUKEM ,

In our mind's eye, we have already categorized her, analyzed her, and diagnosed her, without even the Slightest movement of care or conversation Of course we know her. We have seen hundreds like

coming or going does not spur you or others toward discovery. Instead we permit her quiet entrances and exits, uninterrupted and unconnected. We dare not ask or wonder who she Is, why she Is here, or what gift she receives, for that requires Interaction, or perhaps a relationship.

She Is the nameless woman. Homeless Helpless. Needy. We place ourselves above her. Measuring out our pity for her condItion, we distance ourselves from her, for fear she will require more energy than we are able or willing to give.

her-on the street, In the subway, In doorways of abandoned buildings, and we breathe a heavy sigh at the thought of having to deal with what will most certainly be a mountain of problems- the baggage she has brought to us.

Gathering up your courage, you approach her, although you are not yet committed. She reaches out and touches your arm. For a second you look, not Into her eyes, but at the gnarled and crippled hand that brushes your sleeve. Look up, you think to yourself. Look at he,. Her mouth

begins Its motion. Close,. Get close,. Try and listen to what she Is saying.

"How's your father?" she whispers Your father? His heart attack was weeks ago Had she remembered? How had she heard?

"I pray for him everyday," she continues. A tear begins to form In the comer of her eye. "My mother had the same thing. I'm praying for you."

In a second, you are saved. The barriers that separate you from her are down. That unfathomable chasm that existed has been bridged. Not that you yourself crossed It. Not that those of us with our righteousness, opportunity and power crossed the distance. No, we did nothing for our salvation It was a glft-her gift to us. While we were about the business of excl slon, while we were conjurIng up excuses and reasons to Ignore her, keeping her nameless, she was praying for us. She knew our pain. She knew our vulnerability. She knew our name••

Liala Ritsema Beukema is the wife of George Beukema, who is the author of Stories from below the poverty from which this excerpt is taken This excerpt is used by permission from Herald Press, Scottdale, PA 15683

HAT EADERS AY

TERRORIST ATTACKS

An Indian MB Christian perspedive

I would like to record my sorrow for my American brothers and sisters. I participated in the national prayers of mourning Sept. 14. America is deeply hurt by the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. It is sometimes difficult to imagine how deeply the psyche of the mighty nation has been

A question one needs to ask is : What makes a nation mighty? It is not its wealth or its technology, but the grace of God. The justification for a counterattack is an enemy of humanity and has to be subdued with force Are governments

The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church. All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length. Send letters to Christian Leader, 101 N. Capitol Parkway, Montgomery, Alabama 36107 (e-mail: chleader@jps.net).

not ordained by God to deal with the bad elements? Why should there be no response? Yes, there needs to be a response-not one of revenge, but of trying to win over the mind of the enemy This is what Gandhi successfully practiced in India with "truth-force" or Satyagraha.

In the face of war and the possibility that America will use Pakistan as a base to strike from, I would like to draw a few primary lessons from history

In a war there are no morals-friends can easily become enemies and enemies become friends . For example, the U.S. helped the Taliban win war against the USSR a decade ago Also, if America uses Pakistan as a base, it is a matter of choice for Pakistan to transform an ally (Afghanistan) into an enemy. By opening its bases to the U S , Pakistan may be seeking U.S. military, economic and political support in order to guard itself against possible attacks from India. What is just and unjust is very difficult to determine, because in a war victory is

the aim, the method is cruelty. In a War we choose to live with the defeat (in the sense of our vulnerability to evil elements). We also choose to live with human suffering demanded by a prolonged war and the escalation to use the options of nuclear and chemical warheads. The great difficulty is to locate Osama bin Laden. Is he in Mghanistan now? We are not sure. Whether he is there or not, whom are we striking but the poor and the needy in one of the most war-ridden nations of Asia?

The worst is not what is fought on the frontiers but the dislocation after the war is over. The terrorists have unwisely invited such havoc to Afghanistan. I call it the "impact or the potential residue," such as the chaos left over from a war, the training that it takes to keep up with the later challenges and a degraded environment that needs sustained treatment. What about the unforgivable war crimes? In Iraq, it was the dehumanizing effect of prolonged sanctions One can testify to the fact that Iraq was returning to produce weapons of

More ojJinions about SejJtember 11

The responses below were originally printed elsewhere following the terrorist attadcs in the U.S. They were submitted to the Leader for reprinting.

Diplomacy. trust and friendship-not militancy

As a fonner Fresnan and avid Bee reader now living In PakIstan, I would like to add my comments to the many that I am sure are ftoodlng In about recent terrorist attacks. I strongly discourage the United States or NATO from milking a counterattack on AfghanIstan or Osama bin Laden. this will perpetuate an endless cycle of retribution; tsIaeI being the prime ex.. pie of this death trap_The lIIOI8 people killed by the U.S guarantees more radicals and future attacks-a reality we

must consider In our national debate about how to respond to Tuesday's terrorism

As I was writing the ftrst lines of this letter, I received a call from my Muslim neighbor sending her condolences to my family and for America. The stunning carnage In New York has made many more Muslims sympathize with America and doubt the radIcals this goodwill wlilimm. dlately evaporate when the ftrst bomb drops

The hijackers have unwittingly created a sympathetic climate for partnership with moderate Islamic states to defuse radicalism Diplomacy, trust and frlendshlp--not milltancy-ls our only hope for stopping Mure attack

Craig Hal/man Karachi, Pakistan

Editor's Note : This letter first appeared in the Fresno Bee on Thursday, September 13, 2001

Demonstrating

a better way

In my opinion, the actions of Sept. u., 2001, which resulted In the klUlng of men, women and children, could never be justified under any circumstances I was honHled, angry and overwhelmed with sadness as I watched the events of that day and gradually comprehended what had happened I think that all of us who value human life will have Intense feelings about this day for a long time to come. I cannot Imagine how magnified these feelings would be If I had lost an Immediate family member or close friend

The morals and values of

those who supported, planned and carried out this attack, those who were willing to kill men, women and children In an attempt to advance their cause, were demonstrated. Although we don't yet know what their purpose was, It Is clear that to them, taking lives to advance a cause Is acceptable

following the attacks of Sept. u., our own morals and values began to show Many people risked their IIves--and In many cases lost their Ilves--in an attempt to save others Many people gave blood to do their part to help those who were wounded. Many people prayed Many people reached out to C8I8 for those who were hurting most, especially for those who lost immediate family and close friends.

WHAT READEHS SAY

mass destruction, but it is the people who suffer from the sanctions.

Pakistan is my neighbor. India and Pakistan shared the same culture and ancestral heritage before the partition in 1947. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was a brother who saw danger to the Muslem community if he stayed in a Hindu Republic. The British helped India and Pakistan separate. We have a history of sore relations, despite some recent efforts to live as good neighbors. We have yet to work out our peaceful co-existence.

But to be sure, if something happens to Pakistan I do feel the pain as coming from a related region. I see the arms race and the security imbalances continuing after the war is over, whenever it is over. There is no way that the Indian sub-continent would be the same

What about Afghanistan? Long long ago it was a part of the Indian sub-continent. Though religious and political affiliations differ, I do feel for the welfare of these peoples. The masses may not understand the extent of the anger of the international community. The tribal nature of society, poverty, even the polit-

As some semblance of order began to replace the chaos, we also began to think about how we should respond A number of people suggested that even I, as CCHllrector of the Center for Peacemaking, must want to retaliate given the magnitude of this atrocity.

I am outraged by the attacks. We talked about what would be accomplished by retaliation. The response was, ". want them to suffer." When we explored why, It was because they need to "understand what It felt like." Other reasons for wanting to retalIate Included, "I want Justice. I want safety• • want to stop this kind of thing from happenIng In the future." We talked about whether retaliation would accomplish these things and what some of the unintended consequences might be. If we retaliate and kill the planners, supporters and perpetrators' friends and family, what Is the message

ical philosophies have not been helpful to the well-being of this tiny nation. The terrible situations in refugee camps can be heartrending. The breadwinner becomes the beggar.

Therefore we must seek restraint, and counsel. The question is not only will the enemy change, but do we repent of our own deeds? The Bible testifies to the fact that the big nations( e g., Assyria) have always crossed the boundaries of a just War. Humanity needs to grasp the fact that we are brothers and sisters born to love and live together. Giving God the task of revenge is the best we desire.

E. D. Solomon India

Editor's Note: This letter was submitted simultaneously to the MB Herald, a publication of the Canadian MB nation-

editor ofSuverthamaru, a publication of the India MB national conference. He is cu"entlya student at MB Biblical Seminary located in Fresno, Calif.

given about our beliefs In rule by law? Are we challenging their friends and relatives to do what we have done? What are we teaching our children and others who are watching regarding how to respond to experiences of violation? Will we feel safer?

"But we can't let 80m&thing like this go." I agree. And there are many options between doing nothing and massive retaliation. The Idea of holding accountable those who are alive who supported, planned and helped In carrying out the attack Is what I think should be explored There are many options that would respect our basic value for human life and principles of due process that would hold the responsible people accountable.

The leaders of our country have an opportunity to respond In a way that cIemonstrates for the world that we respect the due process and

A perspective on Sept. 11

The attack on the U.S. Sept. 11 by the terrorists is largely because the U.S. sides with Israel. The Arabs hate Israel and wish its annihilation God allowed the formation of Israel 53 years ago even though it seemed doomed from the onset. The Six Day War in 1967, the Oct. 1973 war and the continual atrocities almost did Israel in. But somehow, miraculously, Israel has survived and enlarged its territory and borders.

God has used the help of its gigantic partner, the U.S., to help Israel from being obliterated. Colonel Colin Powell and General Norman Schwartzkopfs leadership against Hussein's invasion of Kuwait intensified the Arab's hatred for the U.S. and Israel. The recent U.S. embassy bombings verify this strongly.

Can we then say that God wants Israel to exist in the midst of her Arab neighbors who wish her annihilated?

For 53 years, Israel has survived. The recent suicide bomber attacks in Israel show the continuation of the war. The American humiliation of Hussein intensifies his hatred for Israel and the U.S . Tryirig to keep Hussein from maintaining a

value human life They can respond In a way that clearly separates the perpetrators' way from our way and demonstrates emphatically that killing men, women and dren Is not an acceptable way to advance one's cause They can respond In a way that shows how totally wrong the attacks were while also displaying civility . Our principles, morals and values will be demonstrated by how we respond I am not thinking only of how our govemment responds but also how each of us responds If we treat those who resemble the perpetrators because of the i r race, ethnlclty or glon as If they condone or support the perpetrators, we reveal our prejudice and lack of a sense of fairness and Justice I, as a Christian, would certainly not want to be put In the same category as those who throughout history have Justified horrible

human atrocities In the name of Christianity.

As Individuals, our feelings will flood us from time to time as we allow the events of September II to sink In Some of those will undoubtfJd. Iy be feelings of anger and a desire for revenge.

I think that in addition to our feelings, our respect for due process, our character, morals and values should restrain us, keep us from becoming what we hate and guide us to demonstrate a betterway

Ron Claassen, Co-director Center for Peacemaking

Editor 's Note : This was originally published in the Fresno Bee as an opinion piece The Center for Peacemaking is located on the campus of Fresno Pacific University, an MB university in central California.

HAT 'ADERS AY

military build up and producing modern war machinery may not have succeeded This attack may prove just that I strongly feel that if this recent attack had been directed at Israel it would have been obliterated. Somehow Israel is miraculously surviving throughout this whole ordeal God is proving to the world that Israel is a force to be reckoned with. God is not finished with Israel yet, as some may think It seems that God's holy angels have built a hedge around Israel.

We live in the end times This attack on the U S is of Armageddon proportions. Churchill rallied his troops from certain defeat to victory and so Bush will rally America's forces to survive this ordeal and come out even stronger than before. Gen 12 :2 says ofIsrael, "I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee." God said this and he will stand by it, make no mistake. Armageddon may be closer than we think.

The world is on a collision course with the time, and time is rapidly running out. God's handwriting is on the wall for the world to see . He is trying to get our attention. The U.S. was taken by surprise, but you can't take God by surprise The forces of evil will not prevail. The world, Hussein, bin Laden, Afghanistan and all will see that God is in control. May the Holy Spirit use God's wake-up call to bring many lost souls to Jesus.

George Schroeder Steinbach, Man

LEADER ISSUES

Thoughts on past issues

I'm always behind reading my Christian Leaders . I just finished the March 2001 issue-'What kind ofwar are we fighting?" How appropriate for today, considering the Sept. 11 tragedy. One of my friends has been fighting race discrimination on her job. I intend to copy the section on spiritual warfare.

The worship style articles (Marvin Hein's "Inquiring Minds" January thru April 2001 columns) are also interesting. I ,,:ent to Tulsa recently to do an outreach for a new church plant. The couple I went with was in my age group (50s), and they do not like the music in their new church at all. I suggested they read Mr. Hein's articles and show them to their pastor. I shared with them that my church does both-<:ontemporary

and traditional music.

Thanks again for a great read. I'm really learning a lot. The job is urgent

as urgent now as in Bible times, we concluded.

Rosalie Smith Com, Okla.

Thank you for staying on course. You certainly know the pulse of the Christian community and the needs abroad.

TheJune 2001 issue with articles by Katie Funk Wiebe and Rose Buschman was outstanding. And wasn't Marvin Hein ("Inquiring Minds',) practical in his approach to gambling?

September's deadly terrorism shows how much the world needs Christ's love and teaching. Something we experienced in Hawaii underscored that for me.

We were visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and nearing the rim of the Kilauea volcano.

"Here, give this to the goddess Pele," a woman pleaded while thrusting a tropical floret into my hand. "It is an offering for the volcano goddess "

"But we believe in God the creator," I protested. She repeated her admonition, and by the desperate expression on her face, I sensed her fear. She had neglected to appease this earthly deity and was determined that I do it for her. "Christ has paid for all our guilt and sin. We don't need to do that kind of thing," I recited as we headed toward the rim of the volcano.

We were walking with our grandson, a student at the nearby Youth With a Mission Bible School. All three of us were startled by the tragic reality of today's sophisticated pagan Society.

Carefully we stepped around the vents or holes where steam seeps out. The stones and lava rocks around these fissures are hot and painful to touch. One area emits sulphur smelling steam and the earth around it is yellow crusted. Viewing the rumpled landscape and walking through a lava tube was interesting, but we could not forget the Peie worshipper.

With gratitude we reminisced at suppertime.

"How fortunate for us that we were taught the Bible stories when we were young," we told our grandson. "We've always known about the true God and could tell your parents and they told you "

"We spend several evenings a week doing outreach," our grandson softly added .

The job to tell the lost of Christ is just

HildaJ. Born Abbotsford, B. C

Questioning evolution

I was pleased to see the Leader has, albeit belatedly, addressed the sticky issue of what Christians believe regarding creation and evolution (August 2001 issue).

I was glad to find that the veracity and infallibility of the Scriptures were affirmed and to read that Professor Kunz advocated not basing one's faith too much on current scientific understandings: "Thomas Aquinas did a wonderful job integrating theology with Aristotle/Greek understandings, but of course that all came crashing down when modern science challenged much of the ancient Greek worldview" ("Talking Faith & Science," August 2001). This crashing down by the challenge of modern science was in fact based on the investigations of people with a biblical worldview that God had created all things with order and design that could be discovered by humans, an understanding which the Greeks did not have The Greeks believed in a world formed piecemeal by random actions of gods begotten by gods begotten by Mother Earth (Gaia) which appeared more or less out of nowhere . In essence, the Greeks believed that the world had developed out of nowhere by chance. These were concepts that the Christian view of creation gave to science.

I have been aware for many years that Christians have strongly held widely varying views on the subject of creation. This has often been on my mind since I encountered the evolutionary views of some of my science professors at Tabor College 20-plus years ago. I had not had extensive exposure to creation/evolution issues before that time, so I have spent part of the intervening time searching the Scripture, whether these things were so and also reading more on the topic. Some of my thoughts and questions follow.

If Genesis 1 was the only account of creation God had given us, it would perhaps be easy enough to ignore the six specific days mentioned and just look at the order in which things were created, which does not pose much of a scientific controversy However, when one considers Genesis 2 and 3, reconciling evolution with the biblical account becomes more challenging.

continued on page 34

Images from Palestine

THE IMAGES WE CARRY IN OUR minds shape the prayers we pray. In the days and weeks after Sept. 11, a number of images were etched into our corporate American memory-planes and flames bursting through the towers of the World Trade Center, the towers crumbling, people fleeing for safety in raining ash. Mennonite Brethren, like many other people of faith, are spurred by these images to gather and pray for all those affected. These images motivate and energize our prayers.

In March of this year, I traveled to Palestine with church leaders from the u.S. and Botswana. We met with people who pleaded with us to pray and to call others in North America to pray as well. After the Sept 11 attacks, Palestinians claim that Israel began escalating their military strikes in Palestine, using world preoccupation with the terrorist attacks in America.

I want to share three more images etched on my mind-images that call us to pray for these people beyond our own boundary lines who continue to be affected by the Sept 11 tragedy.

• The wall of Bethlehem Bible College_ Painted across the entire wall is a life size scene of shepherds cowering in fear before the angel of the Lord The angel is glowing with the message to fear not because of good tidings of great joy.

Bishara Awad, the founder of Bethlehem Bible College, studied at the MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno in the 1970s. Back at home in Bethlehem, Bishara and his brother sensed a pressing need for Bible training in the Arabic language At a meeting of 40 church leaders from aU denominations and with an initial gift of $20, the college was born in 1979 It is currently one of very few-if not the only-Bible college in the world to train in Arabic.

About six weeks after we left the Holy

Forum is a column of opinion and comment on contemporary issues facing the Mennonite Brethren Church. Manuscripts expressing an opinion for Forum should aim for a length of 800 words Authors must sign articles, identify their church home and vocation, and include a clear photo of themselves

BY MARY ANNE ISAAK

Lands, I received news that this time shelling in Bethlehem had hit the college. All the windows in the building were smashed, the building sustained structural damage and one of the adjunct professors leaving late after her evening course was hit by a bullet and wounded.

The shepherds still huddle in terror on the wall, but now, it seems they cower in fear of the bullet holes sprayed across skies of the painting. May this image motivate our prayers ror the citizens of Bethlehem, aching to decipher the message, "Fear not, Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and good will among people" (Luke 2: 10, 14).

• Face of Christ In Gaza Strip. This strip of land-28 miles long and 3.5 to eight miles wide-has a population density higher than any other refugee camp in the world, about 6,000 people per square mile. Alain Epp-Weaver, a worker with Mennonite Central Committee (a Christian relief and development agency), helped our group gain entry into Gaza Strip and brought us to hear Abuna Manuel, a Catholic father in charge of a church and a school within Gaza.

Abuna Manuel told of how the Palestinians of Muslim faith and Christian fuith support each other within Gaza. He told how his people are afraid to come to church because people have been shot when they travel. He told of the Muslim man who offered to take his bus without pay to bring Christian families to their worship on Sunday

In this church in Gaza Strip , a church without much color, there is an altar draped in scarlet. Against the altar leans a large painting of Christ's head, the blood streaking down his face the same scarlet as the altar. While Abuna Manuel spoke, I stared at the image of the suffering Christ and it burned into my memory along with these words, "Faith, hope and charity. Here we need hope Pray for our hope. Let your church know the church in Palestine is suffering. We are in the beginning of the first century This is the Good Friday of the Palestinian people. We hope Easter is coming " • God at work. The third image comes via email On Aug 28, exactly two weeks before the attacks on the U.S., the Israeli military entered Beit Jala . Early in the

morning, soldiers broke into the Lutheran church's compound, which houses an orphanage for 45 boys, ages six to 17. The soldiers entered the church and began firing from the roof. The pastor, Jadallah Shehadeh, was shot at as he tried to reach the church that morning.

In response, a delegation of Christians from several denominations and countries spent hours trying to get to the church and orphanage to distribute food to the boys held captive within. Included were two local pastors and international clergy from the Church of Sweden, from Germany, from the Lutheran World Federation and Alain Epp-Weaver.

After hours of effort, they were allowed into the courtyard of the church. They called to the soldiers inside and tried to engage them in conversation. They contacted the Israeli military commander for Bethlehem, insisting the soldiers leave . They asked the Lutheran Church worldwide to bring pressure on Israel via diplomatic channels And they gathered in the courtyard to sing "How Great Thou Art " in Arabic and English, to pray and to receive a blessing.

About 8:30 p m. the soldiers left the church premises It was a small victory in a larger arena of defeats. The next day church leaders from the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem wrote about the experience, "Sometimes the symbolic irony in this land and this situation is not the least bit subtle It can turn us into cynics or humorists of the absurd, at least on the days it doesn't break our hearts. But yesterday-despite the irony and fear contained in it-was a day of inspiration and hope."

Image number three is an image of God at work when Christians join together to pray for release of the captives, recovery of sight for the blind and freedom for the oppressed •

Mary Anne Isaak is associate pastor at College Community Church (MB) in CloviS, Calif. In March, she participated in a partnership tour to Israel/Palestine, sponsored by Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, as a way to get to know church leaders from African Indigenous Churches in Botswana

BY PHILIP WIEBE

Thoughts in the aftermath

DURING THE WEEKS SINCE THE terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C., it has often been said that Sept. 11 was a day that changed everything. Well, I don't know about everything, but certainly it was a day that changed a lot of things. Obviously the changes were radical for victims of the aggression and their surviving loved ones and colleagues. Life was dramatically altered, too, for many emergency workers, volunteers and military personnel pressed into sudden service And an alarming number of airline and other workers lost their jobs due to severe industry downturns after the attacks. It's also true that our national consciousness has shifted. For a long time the events will be in our thoughts, our conversations, our concerns, our prayers.

In spite of all that, for the majority of us life goes on. Perhaps we'll be a bit jumpier about some things. I admit to being nervous about that cross-country plane trip my wife and I are taking in February. And three suspicious cases of anthrax in Florida are receiving national attention as I write, due to the disease's long association with biological weaponry. The news didn't mention hundreds of others who likely died today from various illnesses and mishaps and acts of violence

Which leads to an interesting reflection Many have said that after Sept. 11 they have felt much less safe. My question is, why did they feel safe before Sept. II? Life has never been safe. Statistically speaking there are greater threats to national safety lurking than hijackers and terrorists, such as getting in the car and driving to work in the morning

But we don't like to think about that We'd rather believe we're in control, even when confronted daily with the myriad of things we can't control. A prime question after Sept. 11 has been: How can we prevent something like this from happening again? The answer is, we can't. At least not entirely Yes, we can take measures and increase security and work at the roots of terrorism, but the reality of living in a free society is that those bent on destroying others can' t always be stopped.

So the question isn't really about how we're ever going to feel safe again, but how we're going to live after this latest reminder that we're never entirely secure on this earth. Of course we Christians would say our hope is in a higher place, in the "kingdom that cannot be shaken" (Heb. 12:28). Yes, that's what we say-perhaps these uncertain times provide a fresh chance to find out if we really mean it.

A couple of other thoughts in the aftermath of Sept. 11:

• The fight against terrorism was quickly proclaimed to be a battle between good and evil. I understand that, but it's important to remember that the other side feels exactly the same way. This attack was carried out by those who believe God is on their side, that America is the Evil Empire, the great satanic force. America is the corrupter of morals, the spreader of greed and gluttony, the exploiter of weak nations and world resources.

The sad truth is, such views are not entirely wrong. In no way does that excuse the heinous deeds of Sept. 11, but it should remind us to be careful about holding unrealistic views of our country as some kind of righteous or holy nation. We're not. The U.S. does

much good in the world, but we also make mistakes and bad policy and poor global choices. Sometimes we put our own comforts ahead of others' survival. So it shouldn't be surprising if some in the world don't share our high opinion of ourselves. In light of that, I was relieved the military strikes didn't start right away, as I feared they might. Some were critical of that fact. They felt we should have bombed first and asked questions later. But what would that have accomplished besides making more enemies and heightening our national reputation as bullies and bigots? Quick revenge may feel good at the moment, but it usually makes things worse in the long run. Now that the strikes have started, I can't help wishing we'd waited longer while strengthening alliances and building global consensus against terrorism. Will this military action really help, or will it merely accelerate the cycle of violence?

• A few days after the attack someone gave me a printout of a U.S. flag with the words "Proud to be an American" on it. Thinking about that, I wondered if pride was really the right thing to feel. I'm privileged to be an American, blessed to be an American, but becoming an American wasn't my doing. I could have been born in Afghanistan, where today I'd be a victim of Taliban totalitarianism, wondering when a U.S. missile is going to land on my head

So pride isn't really what I've felt after Sept. 11, but rather a sadness for the dark side of human nature we all share, and a gratefulness that God loves all us humans anyway. It's good to be an American; better to be a citizen of God's kingdom . •

INQUIRING MINDS

BY MARVIN HEIN

Questions about faith and life

Wbat should be our response to those wbo lnurdered innocents Sept. 11 ?

QWhat ought our response as nonviolent Anabaptists be toward those who so flagrantly and brazenly murdered Innocent Americans and others Sept. 111 (California)

AThis question has come to me in repeated and various forms the last weeks. One of our daughters called home soon after the tragedy and commented, "This is all a bit hard on our Mennonite non-violent position " And so it is. 1 will confess that my initial reaction was very human. We should obliterate all who planned and carried out this dastardly deed and those who aided the criminals in any way.

But my answer so far has been, "I don't know what we as a nation should do, but 1 think 1 know what we should not do." 1 have nothing but the utmost sympathy for those who died and for those left without parents and loved ones. The Bible is clear about my response to them. I need to pray, help as much as 1 am able and love. The New Testament is also clear as to what my personal response should be to my enemies-"love your enemies ." The Bible is not all that clear about what governments should do with other governments or adversaries who wreak havoc upon a nation. Or is it?

I've listened carefully. I've heard the myriad of voices calling for all-out war. When 1 refused to participate militarily in World War 2 and was cursed and threatened, and my peers volunteered or were conscripted for military service, no one outside the Anabaptist camp sympathized with my convictions. 1 have been rather surprised in this crisis to hear voices of moderation from a variety of sources, many of them based on rationale not necessarily religious nor biblical in nature.

An Afghan living in the u.s. testifies that he hates the Taliban and Osama bin Laden. He agrees that something must be done about these monsters. But he has no stomach for bombing Afghanistan. Those we would kill have already been victimized by the Taliban. He knows firsthand about the half million disabled orphans in Afghanistan. He states that this is a country without an economy and food and home to millions of widowsthousands of whom have been buried alive in mass graves. The land is littered with land mines. The farms were destroyed by the Soviets. He says: "Level their houses? Done. Turn their schools into piles of rubble? Done. Eradicate their hospitals? Done. Destroy their infrastructure? Cut them off from medicine and health care? Too late. Already done." What to do then? He says bin Laden will only be destroyed by ground troops, and he's prepared for that.

But then 1 hear my Indian brother, studying irt the u.s and understanding a bit of what this all means to India and their next-door neighbor, Pakistan (see What Readers Say, page 14) . Brother Solomon expresses empathy for the sorrow that runs through our land. He has participated in the prayers during our national mourning. He, too, admits there needs to be a response, but not one of revenge He has seen the chaos and residue that remains after violence. He realizes that violence begets violence. Violence escalated leads to more injustice. Racism blinds even the eyes of righteous persons. Mennonite John Paul Lederach, a veteran in international conciliation, says in "The Challenge of Terror" (www.mcc. orgipeacefmfoAederach html) that military action to destroy terrorism "will be like hitting a fully mature dandelion with a golf dub." By so doing we would make

Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? E-mail Marvin at mheinl@fresno.edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, "c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.

sure the terrorists would be multiplied.

1 read this item in yesterday's paper: "New York's Cardinal Edward Egan, who ministered to the wounded,and dying in the World Trade Center attack, said Monday that retaliation must have no place in the u.S. response to the terrorist strikes. I think that everyone all of us with a sense of justice would say you have to know who is responsible and the penalty must be a penalty invoked with justice."

But how do you penalize with justice? 1 don't profess to have the answer to this question. 1 do know that we oUght also to remember our own actions as a nationthousands killed and maimed in Hiroshima, 500,000 dead strewn across the sands of Iraq, other children dying daily for lack of medications in countries against whom we have sanctions, corporate oppression in Third World countries. This is not to deny that we offer more aid to a hurting world than any other nation in the world. But we need to impose penalties aware that we also need repenting.

Perhaps we should use as much energy to build an international coalition for peace in the Israeli!Palestinian conflict as we are giving to build international coalitions for war. Use international courts of law. Perhaps we should surprise the "enemy" and avoid what they expectGoliath lashing out against the weaker David, thus destroying their myth that because we are the stronger we are bent on their destruction. There is at least a hint of that in our raining down on northern Afghanistan millions of dollars worth of food.

In some of my more thoughtful moments, I wonder if we ought not leave vengeance to God. He has a way of taking care of sinners. But I doubt that we are patient enough to let him do that in his own time. Then again, somewhere 1 remember reading about the blessing that comes to peacemakers: "For they will be called children of God" (Matt. 5:9) •

BY ROSE BUSCHMAN

Watching far from home

SEPT. 11 AT 1:20 A.M., I LEFT

Los Angeles International Airport aboard a Taiwanese airliner bound for Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan It was 4:20 a.m. in New York City. Approximately five hours later disaster struck there. None of us passengers on that 12-hour flight knew anything about it, but I'm sure warning messages were immediately flashed to all pilots around the world .

As I boarded the plane in Taipei bound for my next destination I picked up a Taiwanese English language newspaper, The China Post, and read the screaming headlines: "Attacks destroy World Trade Center." After taking my seat, I scanned the rest of the front page and saw colored pictures of the fireball and the buildings exploding and of people watching in horror. Another headline read: "World watches NYC terror in horror "

I was numb. It was all so unbelievable A small group of men had taken not only the United States, but the world, hostage.

At the next airport I had to pick up my luggage and transfer to an in-country flight. There were uniformed security guards everywhere. Each entrance into the heart of the terminal was guarded by at least three to four men and only ticketed passengers were aUowed in . At one point I stopped for a cup of coffee and several Dunkin' Donuts. This provided a bit of normalcy for the horror I felt.

Finally, five flights and 53 hours after I left home, I landed safely at my final destination. Several people from the school were there to meet me. The school's director immediately answered my husband's urgent email asking for information about my whereabouts, assuring him that I had arrived safely.

I am at a school for missionary chil-

dren on a six-week assignment to teach mathematics while the regular teacher is on medical leave . The school is built on a hilltop overlooking the junglefined valley below where the towns' people have carved out a village for themselves among the tall coconut palms and other lush vegetation The view towards the horizon-the nearby lake with its islands and the surrounding mountains-is breathtaking.

While reports of the tragedy continue to unfold, the stories of solidarity and support from people around the world are heartwarming. We heard of the 24-hour prayer vigils in Hong Kong and the candles in the windows in an Iranian city On Sunday a local diplomat and his family came to our English language church service "to be in solidarity with you and to show that we care." I received an email from Pastor Bruno in Burkina Faso, West Africa, saying that members of his church spent Friday night in prayer for me and for the American people and that people from other churches in the area came and joined with them. My husband sent me an email that my church is praying for me. Others let me know they are praying as well. The list goes on and on. People care

During our English language Sunday church service here we sang the gospel song, "Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go,! Anywhere he leads me in this world below;/ Anywhere without him dearest joys would fade,! Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid."

I find this very reassuring. Coupled with the many prayers I know are being said for me and for the other missionaries here gives me an inner peace that only God can give

Together we read the passage in Lamentations: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed , for his

compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (3 :22-23). People ask me if I would rather be home than here, since I am on a short term assignment I tell them, "No, I'm here because this is where I am supposed to be and I feel at ease about it."

I have not had access to all the 1V and press coverage so what I know is extremely limited . The CNN 1V signal no longer comes in here so we rely on the Internet. I have seen some printouts that came from the CNN web site and they are devastating. Someone printed off a list of 50 countries and all the people they lost in the carnage. A friend emails me the story of a company president who has lost 700 workers-he is devastated.

I was able to see a video of President Bush's address to the nation and to the world, and I am encouraged. Every prayer meeting I have attended here includes a prayer for the President and his advisors that they will do what is right and just. It is my prayer that they will seek justice but not vengeance.

It is the beginning of October as I write this. Some of the questions that keep coming up in my mind are: "What is my responsibility as a Christian in all of this? How should I respond? What is the right thing to do?" I wonder, is this a wake-up call for us as believers in the U S.? Will this bring the revival that we so desperately need? I pray with the hymn writer: "Open my eyes that I may see/Glimpses of truth you have for me /Open my ears that I may hear /Voices of truth so sharp and clear ./ Open my heart and let me prepare /Your loving kindnesses to share ... ./ Silently now I wait for you, /Ready, my God, Your will to do; / Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!" •

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Investing "God's money"

Stewardship and family are lifelong commitments for California businessman

BY CHRIS FUllER

HoW does the youngest of 14 children born on a small family £ann in Kansas go about building the kind of business portfolio that allows him to donate $1.5 million to Mennonite Brethren ministries?

Eighty-year-old Chester Jost of Bakersfield, Calif., did it by making good business decisions and by committing

himself to Provo 3:6. This verse, one of Chester's favorites, says, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Jost came of age during the Depression in the "New Jerusalem," as he refers to Hillsboro, Kan. "We learned to work hard and do the best with what we had," says Jost of his childhood His parents' devotion to God , the family

and farming were the foundation for his lifelong commitment to stewardship and family

After Jost graduated from high school he met Clella, his wife of 60 years. With a quiet sigh and a chuckle , Jost says that while cruising in neighboring Marion, Kan , he and a friend saw two pretty girls standing and talking on the street comer. "I asked her (ClelIa) if she and her friend wanted to go for a ride and get a coke ," says Jost.

Clella got more than a ride to the nearest soda fountain as their love blossomed Nine months into their relationship Chester moved to Bakersfield, Calif., while Ciella remained on her family's Kansas £ann The pair continued their long distance relationship for another month when Chester surprised Ciella with an engagement ring sent through the U.S. mail in August of 1941. Two months later she moved to California and they were married Oct. 5, 1941.

The newlyweds experienced many changes early in their marriage They moved to Bakersfield, Calif. , and]ost, like so many men of his generation, began his three-year term of military service. Jost served as a Sergeant in the Fourth Air Force attached to the base hospital in charge of maintenance.

After the war, Jost and his older brother Martin started a hardwood floor installation business in Bakersfield. In 1960, Chester became the sole proprietor of Jost Floor Covering and today it is the city's oldest continuously family-owned floor covering business. Chester's business grew and so did his family. Two sons, David and Duane, and a daughter, Diane, were born to Chester and Ciella A successful business allowed Chester and Ciella to live comfortably and to develop some investment properties.

The Josts also invested themselves in the Mennonite Brethren church. The JOsts joined Bakersfield MB Church (now Heritage Bible Church) in 1952. In November 1977, a small group of people living in southwest Bakersfield met at the Josts ' home to discuss beginning a new Mennonite Brethren church in their part of town. It was in the Josts' living room that Laurelglen Bible Church was born. On January 15, 1978, the new congregation began meeting in the Youth for Christ building with Elmo and Sarah Warkentin as their pastoral couple Later, Ed Boschman, current

Mission USA executive director, and his wife Carol became the pastoral couple. Today, Laurelglen is the largest Englishlanguage church in the U.S. Conference

One of the business decisions the Josts made in the late 1970s was to build some apartments in San Luis Obispo, on the central coast of California. "And, well, they appreciated in value," Chester says with matter-of-factness.

It is this type of foresight and strategic investment that Ross Merritt of Mennonite Brethren Foundation calls, "good business " This coastal property, which appreciated significantly in the last two decades, has allowed the JOsts to make a generous contribution to Mennonite Brethren charities.

"As we have gotten older we wanted to move out of some of our responsibilities. If we sold the apartments the government would take a chunk of the profits," says Jost of their decision to gift the property to a charitable remainder trust. "The Lord has blessed us in so many ways. It is God's money and we wanted to be able to use it for his work and be good stewards."

This large gift to MB ministries is not the Josts' first significant donation to the denomination . Their lifelong commitment to stewardship of "God's money" led them to MB Foundation twice before.

Three years ago the Josts helped fund the building of a new dormitory at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif An entire floor is named after their fumily. Two years ago Jost and three land development business partners were able to give another significant donation to FPU through the use of a charitable lead trust. This trust allows the owners to gift profits from the land for a specified period of time. At the end of the time the land and all profits revert back to the original owner.

Merritt says the Josts ' most recent gift was "a good business decision and good stewardship all rolled into one "

"The charitable remainder trust allows the Josts to make a substantial gift to MB ministries, bypassing capital gains taxes on the sale of the property and receiving charitable tax deductions and income from the trust for their lifetimes," says Merritt.

In the process of helping Chester and Clella make their charitable gift,

Merritt grew to appreciate the couple ' s commitment to service. "It was very nice working with Chester," says Merritt. The two men prayed as they traveled to visit the Josts' property ''We prayed for God to help the transaction go smoothly," says Merritt.

"The first time I went with Chester to view the property, he took me to a great apple ranch where we both bought a bushel of apples in hopes that our wives would be willing to bake some apple pie," says Merritt "He is just that nice."

Jost speaks highly of MBF as well '10n Wiebe, Lynford Becker and Ross Merritt were very helpful in completing the transaction and sale," says Jost "They were well acquainted with the legal aspects of a charitable remainder trust ."

While the Josts may be getting older, they do not appear to be slowing down. His sons now run the fumily floor-covering bUSiness, but Chester maintains an office and can most frequently be found at Jost Floor Covering during the work week.

The Josts' service to their church and to the Mennonite Brethren denomination continues to be an integral part of their daily lives. Roger Poppen, their current pastor at Laurelglen, describes the JOsts as dedicated servants of Christ who are loyal to the denomination. "They are a good example of faithfulness," says Poppen .

"Chester is still very active. He is involved in the nitty gritty of how the church runs ," says Poppen. "His motivation is always love for the church and he is concerned that we be good stewards of what God has given us " The Josts attend services regularly and are active participants in Laurelglen's Primetime fellowship group for seniors. The Josts' example must have rubbed off on their children as well. All three of the Josts ' grown children and their families attend Laurelglen.

Poppen also appreciates the support Chester has given him personally. "I'm the first non-MB pastor the church has had, and his support has meant a lot to me ."

Chester Jost, once a Kansas farm boy, is now a successful California business man. His story echoes the American dream It also is a story of a couple who fulfilled their Kingdom dream-of acknowledging God in everything they do.•

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Are we changing how we do God's business?

The U.S. Conference adjusts in the midst of international and national change

NBY CARMEN ANDRES

ew staff. A budget breaking $1 million. Rethinking the way to fund ministries. Is the u.s. Conference doing business as usual or is it changing the way it goes about God's work? Conference leaders agree changes have been made-but how much change and what that change entails is up for debate.

Times are changing

The last six years have been marked by growth for the u.s. Conference and the Board of Church Ministries, which includes executive committee members, district representatives, conference ministry chairs and senior staff

• Six years ago, Mission USA, the church planting and renewal ministry of the U.S. Conference, was officially launched. It was birthed from a 1993 powwow of conference leaders and organizations who met in an effort to determine how to best do evangelism and conference ministry in the U.S.

With the ministty's formation and growth came several adaptations to how ministries were traditionally run. For example, MUSA's board is substantially bigger than previous boards and includes district ministers (who had not previously been included on leadership boards). Its budget quickly grew, currently at $628,730 this year-the largest budget of any board by $474,688. In 1999, in the face of growing ministty needs, BCM gave the board permission to hire paid fund-raisers, also a new practice.

• In 1998, delegates to the national convention voted to expand BCM from executive committee members, district representives and conference senior staff to also include senior staff and chairs of

conference ministries. To date, that includes MUSA, Board of Communications, Board of Trustees, Board of Faith and Life, MB Foundation (the stewardship ministty of the U.S. Conference) and MBMSIntemational (the global mission agency of North American churches).

• In 1999, delegates to the General Conference-the joint conference of the Canadian and U.S. national conferences-voted to dissolve the conference and transfer its ministries to the two North American conferences. Since then, the U.S. Conference created a national board of faith and life and invited them and MBMSI, a former GC ministty, to join BCM. Leaders anticipate asking the MB Biblical Seminary, another GC ministty, to join next summer

• In the face of growing ministries and responsibilities, leaders began looking for staff to provide leadership. LastJuly, Loyal Funk was hired as an interim executive conference minister In September, Vyacheslav Tsvirinko was hired as part-time assistant director for Integrated Ministries, a ministry to immigrant people groups, and Ted Goertzen wiU begin working as parttime director of church and constituency relations (see story page 25).

• In aJune meeting, leaders faced a $65,000 shortfaU at the close of the 2000-2001 budget year. Coupled with repeating deficits-seven times in 10 years, though smaller than last year's $65,00O-due to growing ministries and vision and constituency feedback on current fundraising practices, leaders began taking another look at how they raised funds and support from churches and individuals for conference ministries.

At that meeting, BCM directed its executive to create a new model that

moved to a more "unified" approach in budget and funding strategies. In a Sept. 22 meeting, BCM decided to move the supervision of individual fundraisers from boards to BCM starting next budget year, citing the need to be more costeffective and the desire to end the perception among constituency of "competitive fundraising" between ministries.

That's a lot to face in six years for a national denomination with a budget of $1 million, just over 26,000 members, 185 churches and at least 10 national and bi-national ministries.

The way these and other changes interact adds to an already complex process of deciding how best to do God's work in the United States.

How much have we changed?

Most conference leaders agree that the conference has changed in how it goes about ministty-but beyond that there is some difference of opinion

In regard to overall direction and vision of the conference, most leaders say there is no change.

"We haven't changed our vision or mission," says Loyal Funk, interim executive conference minister. "[But] we are raising some questions about refocus."

This is nothing new, adds Funk. "Every generation has to rethink how they are going to do the work of the gospel. I never consider it a bad thing to rethink our modus operandi "

"BCM doesn't see a change, but a continuation of the existing policies, priorities and expectations of the U.S. Conference," says conference chair David Reimer

"The goals are the same," agrees BCM vice-chair Rolando Mireles, who is also moderator for the Latin American MB district in South Texas . "I think we are just trying to refocus ourselves."

Some leaders, however, say there have been significant changes in direction and vision-especiaUy relating to church planting and evangelism.

"[BCM is] struggling to make appro-

priate adaptations to what is going on in our churches," says BCM board member and MUSA board chair Steve Reimer, putting BCM and MUSA board decisions in context of an ever-changing culture. "I don't doubt that every person [on BCM] wants to do the best things We just differ on what ... the right strategies are."

He believes BCM made "a larger decision that the MUSA mandate of church planting and renewal through evangelism are no longer the primary focus" of the conference. This and the decision to move fundraisers from MUSA to BCM supervision, he says, have "eroded the ability of MUSA to accomplish the goals and will of the leaders and constituents who set these priorities."

According to the MUSA chair, board members believe maintaining an internal board development team is imperative to their success. MUSA needs to "aggressively look for funds to support its mandate," Reimer says.

These concerns played a part in the resignation of MUSA executive director Ed Boschman (see page 27)

In an October letter to MUSA supporters, Boschman alerted constituents to the question of U.S. Conference mission and vision. He wrote, "Those changes impacted both [MUSA] itself, and the assignments of the leadership team. One consequence is that the role of the executive director is no longer a good match for the passion and gifts that God has placed in me, so I have resigned from myassignment effective December 1, 2001."

Conference leaders are quick to praise Boschman's leadership in conference church planting efforts and express regret at his resignation.

"I'm sorry to see Ed resign," says David Reimer. "Ed has gifts and talents, and the U S. Conference appreciated those He was a good resource for us for five years."

Mireles agrees. "I appreciate what Ed has done," he says. "I praise God for his ministry and the way he was able to do it He had a way of making people see the vision of MUSA."

But most leaders are quick to differ with those who are concerned that the evangelism and church planting are no longer the conference's priority.

"Winning the lost to Christ and nurturing them in the biblical faith has always been a fundamental priority of the Mennonite Brethren," says Funk. "We've always been a missional people, where the majority of funds go to win-

Two new staff hired

TWO NEW STAFF

people have been hired to serve U S Conference ministries. Vyacheslav Tsvirtnko of Fresno, Calif will serve haif-time as Slavic associate minister with Integrated Ministries and Ted Goertzen of Ulysses, Kan., will serve as director of church and constituency relations on a half.tlme basis.

The two were hired by decision of the U S. Conference Board of Church mlnlstrtes-made up of executive members, minIstry board chairs, district representatlvesandconference staff-durtng a Sept. 22 meeting.

Tsvirtnko will focus prlmartly on serving and enhancing the missions of the Slavic MB churches-the largest group of Immigrant churches In the conference, says c0nference chair David

IReimer. "We will now have more staff time for this to happen "

The addition of Tsvirtnko will free Loyal Funk, U S Conference minister and Integrated Ministries director, to devote more time and energy to his new assignment as U.s Conference executive minister, a position approved by U.S. Conference delegates at the 2000 convention. Funk continues his other roles as well.

In his new role, Goertzen will work with Funk and BCM to build relationships with c0ngregations, says Reimer

"As Ted tells the story [of the work of the U S Conference), it Is hoped that the churches will continue and even increase the support for I the story," says Reimer "And support Is defined as

ning people for Christ. We've always been that way. That's our history."

Mireles says that evangelism "is a focus for everyone in the U.S. Conference not only for MUSA, but also for Integrated Ministries and our districts as they are planting new churches There are also local churches who sense a need and plant a new church as a church."

"We are a missional church," echoes David Reimer. "This is still our priority."

David Reimer suggests that the debate centers more around terms than evangelism itself "We are a people who are struggling with the definition of terms, the strategies for how we do mission and how we reach lost people within the U.S. context."

He says everyone wants a priority on evangelism and church planting, but the term "priority" means different things to different people.

"BCM believes that evangelism and renewal should be a priority for the u S. Conference," he says, adding that BCM's definition of priority is reflected in decisions like creating a new large board, reducing financial resources previously allocated elsewhere and rerouting them

sending workers, sending dollars, sending prayers of support and finding ways to work together "

Goertzen will playa primary role In educating churches about their financial role in conference ministrtes.

"He's going to lead in our districts and churches to raise our core budget," says Funk, adding that ministry boards are expected to "fully participate In whatever way they can "

Rolando Mireles, BCM vice chair, says leaders want to respond to the need to connect with churches beyond "a letter with words "

"We needed someone to go out and talk with people to let them know what's happening with the ministries so they can support us In whatever ways possible." •

to MUSA, expecting all board members to raise money, and deciding to place district ministers on MUSA rather than the Board of Faith and Life or BCM.

Steve Reimer, however, takes the discussion about "priority" to another area.

"MUSA needs to know what price we are willing to pay [for church planting and evangelism]," he says in defining priority. For MUSA this includes addressing issues like patience with new churches that need time to process through MB distinctives and how and when they will partner with the conference either financially or in other ways. He also asks if the perception of some constituency of competitive fundraising might be "a price that's paid" for church planting.

MUSA forwarded their concerns to BCM in a September letter. At the time Of publication, David Reimer reported that the executive members of BCM would meet in October to discuss how best to process these concerns.

Modifing fund-raising

Deciding how best to fund conference ministries has become one of the more debated issues, recently culminating in

the decision to move the supervision of individual fund-raisers from specific boards to BCM. There are several reasons for this decision, says David Reimer.

"[BCM] met in]une because in that fiscal year that had just ended we had spent more money to raise less funds," he says. "We were asking ourselves why. We all wanted increased revenue to do additional ministries as well as fund continued ministries. As we reflected, and as we received feedback from constituency, it led us to believe we needed to alter the way we raise funds."

Prior to 1998, ministries were generally funded from two sources: church giving (which makes up the "core" portion of the budget) and general funds raised from individuals and organizations. In addition, BCM and MUSA board members aggressively raised funds, BCM for conference-wide ministries and MUSA for the church planting and renewal ministry.

In 1998, when faced with the need to find more support for MUSA, other ministry board members committed to raise funds for conference needs, which was largely influenced by the needs of MUSA Fund-raising, however, fell below expected levels. In 1999, BCM members voted to increase the responsibility of boards to raise funds when their ministries' expense went beyond the money provided by the "core" budget.

While more money was raised this way, David Reimer says it wasn't costeffective In addition, BCM leaders heard from constituents who were concerned about the competitive practices of fundraising, he says

In place of the strategies developed in 1998 and 1999, Reimer says the conference is mOving towards a more "unified" approach, which includes hiring staff to relate to churches and individual fundraisers under the supervision of BCM instead of individual boards.

"In]une we committed to use staff to build relationships with existing congregations and validated the use of staff [or fundraisers] to work with individual constituents. How those all work together and how they coordinate together as they present the cause of the ministries of the conference in the future will be determined in the coming months."

Building relationships and support between and with churches is imperative, leaders say.

"Our working together is what makes up part of who we are," says trustee board chair Ken Neufeld "We are not just independent, comer neighborhood churches.

"Individually, we could not have done what we could do together," says Neufeld listing the U.S . ministries like MUSA, the Leader and Integrated Ministries

This working together, says Neufeld, is "our understanding of our faith ."

Funk agrees. "We are a covenant church community. We believe that together we can accomplish gospel work most effectively when it comes to items beyond a local setting, such as church planting, doctrinal statements on behalf of us all through [the Board of] Faith and Life and in our Christian Leader."

All part of doing God's work

In spite of the different opinions, conference leaders stress that they are committed to working with each other to define the best way to go about God's business. In fact, more than one sees the differing opinions as normal, and even a positive sign.

"What we are experiencing is no different than many denOminations," says Steve Reimer.

"It's an opportunity," says Funk "It means we are doing something right," agrees Mireles "People come from all different kinds of backgrounds, and we've got different ideas on how to do something."

The challenge, says Mireles, is to not eliminate differences of opinion but to "keep it as something resolvable under . the basic principles in Scripture... . We need to ask ourselves how we can work together for the betterment of the whole." •

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Boschman resigns from MUSA

Executive

director of church planting, renewal ,. ministry moved "vision from a dream to a reality"

Ed Boschman has resigned from his position as executive director of Mission USA, effective Nov. 30. Mission USA, the church growth and renewal ministry of the u.s. Conference, announced Boschman's resignation Oct 1.

"MUSA was a vision of the U.S. Conference that was born out of a consensus of leaders who endorsed a belief that evangelism through renewal of existing churches and through church planting should become the major focus of the conference," says Steve Reimer, MUSA board chair. "Ed Boschman, as the first executive director of MUSA, moved this vision from a dream to a reality."

Boschman accepted the call to serve as the first MUSA executive director frl 1996, two years after MUSA was formed. He and his wife Carol relocated to Phoenix, Ariz., the site chosen as MUSA headquarters. In addition to providing leadership to the fledgling evangelism ministry at the national level, the Boschmans also helped plant Copper Hills Community Church, the first church plant sponsored by MUSA in partnership with the Pacific District Conference . Boschman brought to his new position extensive pastoral and church planting experience. As the church planting pastor at Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif., he had successfully led the church from a small core to a growing, healthy church that now stands as one of the largest in the U.S. Conference.

In Kelowna, B.C., he led Willow Park Church through a renewal process that included not only significant numerical growth, but also involved giving birth to another church.

"If we could have picked any couple to lead MUSA, Ed and Carol were clearly our first chOice," says Loretta]ost, MUSA vice chair

During his tenure with MUSA, Boschman provided leadership in developing strategies and policies that guided the projects in which MUSA invested. He worked to develop partnerships with district church planting and renewal boards, with local churches and with

individuals. He generated about twothirds of MUSA's growing ministry needs through fundraising. He also initiated new programs in leadership development through internships .

Under Boschman's leadership, MUSA participated in the planting of several new churches, six of which are continuing today with a combined average attendance of nearly 1000. Nine renewal projects were developed in existing churches and over 50 churches participated in a refocusing evaluation. Eighteen individuals were funded as interns, most of whom are either in ministry or in ministry track programs.

"As a young board, we understood that our choice of an executive director would probably be the most important decision we would make," says Chuck Buller, the first chair of MUSA. "We felt blessed and favored when Ed agreed to accept that position It proved to be the right decision MUSA would not have accomplished what it has if Ed had not filled the role of executive director "

Fred Leonard, an original board members who has been a key leader in church planting efforts, says, ''When we interviewed Ed and his wife Carol to be our executive director I was encouraged by

their passion to reach lost people. Over the last five plus years as a conference we have been blessed to have a man at the helm of MUSA who has personally grown in that passion and desire to see people become followers of]esus Christ and grow in their walk with him. Furthermore, in that time he has caused those around him to also grow in the passion for evangelism and discipleship."

Reimer, current board chair, says, "Perhaps Ed and Carol's greatest quality was their uncompromising love for lost people and their desire to bring people into the Kingdom of God. The MUSA theme, 'to be all things to all people in order to win some' was a perfect fit for Ed and Carol.

"And in return, Ed and Carol were the perfect couple to not only manage the ministry of MUSA, but to also model the vision of MUSA in their own lives. The MUSA board and the constituency will miss Ed's leadership " -MUSA release

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Tulsa congregations multiply

Oklahoma church plant celebrates "Launch Sunday" with 150 Sept. 9

It is not very often that the story of a church that closes its doors has a happy ending. But this one does. In late 1997, Parkside MB Church in Tulsa, Okla., sold the church facility in which it had worshiped since 1957. During the previous three years the congregation had worked to refocus its ministries and reconfigure its committees. Now with the sale of its property, the small band faced some tough and unanswered questions Topping the list: Was this the end of Parkside?

The answer to the congregation's future ministry emerged over the next eight months and in July 1998, the Parks ide congregation merged with Westport MB Church of neighboring Collinsville. The two congregations merged with a purpose: to strengthen one congregation so that in five years or less it could plant another church.

On July 29,2001, the Westport congregation held a sending service for 20 of its members, including nine individuals from the Parkside congregation. This core, together with church planters Mike and Kim Miller, was sent to minister in Broken Arrow, Okla., as Community Church of the Heart.

"When Parkside merged with Westport with the dream of there being another MB church started-this was the seed," says Mike Miller.

Miller and his family moved to Broken Arrow the summer of 2000 from Enid, Okla , to serve as lead church planting pastor. The Millers, who served for 10 years as the youth pastoral couple at Enid MB Church, worshipped with the Westport congregation as they built the core group for the new church. Kevin Hisey from Westport joined the Millers as the church plant's worship leader.

Community Church of the Heart started Sunday morning worship services this past August with an average of 50 people. That number tripled Sept. 9 for "Launch Sunday," the church plant's first official public worship service. Miller estimates that for at least 15

households, Launch Sunday was their first time to a CCH service FOllow-up contacts with those first-timers have been positive, says Miller. He anticipates attendance will grow to 75 people during the fall.

A task force that includes representatives from each of the project partners guides the church plant. Those partners are Westport, the Southern District Conference Church Extension and Evangelism Commission and Mission USA, the church growth and renewal

ministry of the U S. Conference. Miller says the support of Mission USA and the presence of a strong MB church in the community were key reasons he and his wife accepted the call to Broken Arrow.

Each partner has played an important role in planting Community Church. MUSA took the lead in calling Miller as the church planter and provides expertise and financial resources CEEC helped to network relationships with other MB churches such as Fairview, Enid and Com and gives administrative leadership. Westport provided personal encouragement and support to the Millers and released 2a-THE CHRISTIAN

some of its members to join the emerging congregation. The Broken Arrow plant has also received support from two Pacific District Conference congregations: Shorelife Community Church of Capitola, Calif., and South Mountain Community Church of Draper, Utah.

Broken Arrow is a natural choice for a church plant For the past 10 years, Broken Arrow has been the fastest growing city in Oklahoma and that growth, says Miller, is projected to continue for another 10 years.

The church plant is targeted at a growing community of 2,000 homes in a two and one-half square mile area. Young families dominate the community as does construction; at least half of the homes were built in the last five years, says Miller.

"People in transition are open to

church and God like they haven't been before," says Miller. "In the Bible belt, people have been in church at some point but aren't regular attenders. Our church is a good time to get a fresh start, we tell them."

Community Church has introduced itself and the Lord to people in the target community via print and personal contacts. Several Oklahoma churches sent volunteers throughout the summer to help distribute door hangers to thousands of homes in the target area and thousands more invitations were sent via mail

"Ink and paper won ' t change people's lives, only God can," writes Miller

in a CCH newsletter, "but they can be used by him."

In visiting with folks who attended the CCH worship service Sept. 9, Miller found over half of them came because they received a flyer or door hanger.

The Millers and others in the core groups have spent time one-on-one developing friendships with non-Christians. Building relationships has also been the focus of large and small group events at Community Church in the year preceding its public ministry.

During the past year, Community Church hosted at least one "family friendly" event each month-trips to the zoo, baseball games and recreational centers, picnics, etc. The September outing to Golf World involved 55 people, 30 of which were new to the church in the previous two weeks.

The Millers have also established core groups that meet weekly in people's homes for worship, Bible study, prayer and fellowship . The core groups initially provided a setting in which the vision for a new church was nurtured.

In March and April the group began meeting once a month for casual Saturday evening worship services. May through July, the group held Core Celebrations twice a month. To begin with, Core Celebrations were held in area hotels. The group's permanent home is the Union 8th Grade Center, located just one-half mile out of the center of the CCH target community. The size of the school cafeteria will allow attendance to grow to 400 people, and that eliminates the need in the future to spend time and energy searching for another facility.

CCH is currently also renting three classrooms for its children's ministry, directed by Amy Ratzlaff, who volunteers her time two days a week to work as the Children's Ministry coordinator. Volunteers also take turns staffing the nursery and Carolyn Regier is the teacher for a preschool children'S church program Children first through fifth grade spend time in the worship service and then leave for a class of their own led by Kim Miller. Once a month, the CCH worship team will lead the children's activities to give the teachers an opportunity to participate in the full worship service, says Miller . -CF

Working across national lines

Leaders of 11 MB national conferences use annual ". meeting to discuss faith, leadership and evangelism

Fifteen men from nine countries and representing 11 Mennonite Brethren conferences plus MBMS International came to Curitiba, Brazil, July 22-24 for the annual meeting of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren held at the local Bible college. The meeting was preceded by a regional consultation of MB Latin American Churches held July 18-22 hosted by the Boqueirao MB Church.

ICOMB is an ll-year-old association formed for the purpose of developing the worldwide mission and ministries of the Mennonite Brethren Church. Part of this is to provide a framework to explore mutual concerns such as the confession of faith, leadership development and evangelism.

The first day of the 2001 meeting was devoted to hearing reports from and praying for each of the conferences. Congo, whose delegation could not attend because the government had run out of passports, sent a report in absentia, as did several others. This opportunity to support other Menno-nite Brethren was a high point for Rolando Mireles of Rio Grande City, Texas, and the U.S. Conference representative.

"To see one conference moved to help another when hearing of the needs was a highlight," writes Mireles in an email interview. "The brothers in our MB circles have a sincere drive to do God's will in this world and want to make a difference. I see the love of Jesus in their faces."

ICOMB discussed new agenda and

reviewed progress on existing projects. The group became especially excited as opportunities for cooperation emerged, says Mireles. One example is ICOMB's commitment to encourage the Mennonite Brethren conference in Mexico, a small conference that is facing a transition in its leadership. An ICOMB delegation headed by vice chair Maximo Abadie of Paraguay was scheduled to visit the country last month to study needs and current ministry opportunities.

Work toward a common Confession of Faith has intensified. Heinrich Klassen of the Bund Taufgesinnter Gemeinden (BTG) Conference in Germany was appointed to spearhead this task. The plan is to have a theologian from each continent or culture group named to a committee which would develop a common confession. The group will meet this coming July in Abbotsford, B.C., in conjunction with the joint U.S. and Canadian conference conventions. When it is ready, the common confession will be approved by each conference.

In other business, ICOMB

$3,000 for flood relief in Kinshasa, Congo, and appointed David Wiebe of Canada to continue developing an ICOMB web site. The site will hopefully be ready in five months and will include the 2002 ICOMB directory information. ICOMB also discussed ways it can minister to the social needs of the worldwide MB family not addressed by other agencies. The 2002 ICOMB meeting will be held in Canada and the 2003 gathering

will be in conjunction with the Mennonite World Conference global assembly to be held in Zimbabwe

ICOMB officers are Alexander Neufeld of Germany as chair, Maximo Abadie of Paraguay as vice chair, David Wiebe of Canada as secretary and Rolando Mireles of the U S. as treasurer

Latin American leaders meet

In a separate international meeting, the future of the church in Latin America was the focus of the Latin American Congress held July 18-20 in Curitiba, Brazil. Five hundred delegates from Mennonite Brethren churches in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela came for the conference hosted by Boqueirao MB Church.Connie Faber with a report published in the MB Herald

onference of Mennonite Brethren Chu n:hes, 315 S lincotn Hills boro KS 67063; EdHor-Ca rm en Andres 315 S Lincofn Hill sbo ro KS 67063 ; Managing ed ltor-none Owner: U S Confe rence of Mennonite Bre thren Chu rches , 315 S lincoln Known bondholders, mortgages and other eecurily holders , owning o r hold ing I percent or more of to tal amoun1 of bonds, mortgeges o r other securities: none The purpose, function and nonprofit s t a tus of th is org an ization and the e xempt status tor federa Income ta x purposes has not changed during the praceding 12 months Extent and nature of ci rcw atlon: the first number represents th e a verage numbe r of copies of each issue during the prec e d ing 12 month s (the numbe r i n parenthe ses is the number o f copies o f 8 si ngle Iss ue p ublished nearest t o flftng date , the Oct_r 200 1 iss ue)

e Total number of copies: 10,200 (1 0 ,100)

b Pa d/Re quested Circula tion : 1) PaldIReque sted outside c0un-

ty mail subscriptions : 9 12 5 (91 2 5) 2) Paid In-county s ubscrip-

ti ons : 534 ( 534) 3) Sales th ro ug h deale rs and ca rrie rs and counter sales : 0 (0) 4) Other: 29 1 (290)

c Total paid and/or requested circulation : 9949 (9950)

d Free distribution by mail : 10 (10)

e Free distribution outside the mail : 0 (0)

f. Total free distribution : 10 (10)

g Total di stribution : 9959 (ggso)

h Copies not d st ributed: 241 (141)

i Total: 10,200 (10 ,100)

Percent paid and/or requested ci rculation: 99 9 (99 9)

I ce rtify that alt nformation on this form s true and complete I understand that anyone who fumtshes false or misleading Infer· mat on on thIS form or who omtts material or information on the form may b e subject to c rim inaJ sanctions ( ncluding fines and imprisonment) and/or ci vi l sa nctions (Including multiple damages and civil penatt ie s) -{slgned) Carmen Andres editor, 10I03I01

MB church made role model

Congregation recognized for its unique use of curriculum for children

This fall, Kingwood Bible Church joined an elite group of about 20 U.S . congregations selected by Group Publishing Company to serve as a Role Model Church for its FaithWeaver Friends curriculum.

''We are honored to be considered for this given our relatively unknown status in the U S., let alone Salem and the Northwest," says KBC pastor Gordon Bergman in an email interview with the Leader. "We are an average fish in a large pond."

As a Role Model Church, Kingwood has made a one-year, renewable commitment to the publishing company to open its doors to individuals wanting to see the curriculum in action. In addition, KBC children's minister Annie Willems is to be available to answer questions via email and by phone .

"This is an awesome chance for networking among churches in our state," says Willems .

In return, Group will provide training for children's volunteers and free registration to its conventions and will make its personnel available at any time for assistance. KBC is also able to provide input into future curriculum units.

Group's FaithWeaver curriculum is designed for use by the entire church, says Willems , "so that everyone, no matter what age, learns the same thing each Sunday-creating a more family friendly atmosphere "

Willems, also interviewed via email, says the material was written for use in

Miracle of Grace at Ebenfeld

Brethren

by Peggy Goertzen

midweek programs and compares FaithWeaver to vacation Bible school programs in which games, snacks: arid songs all reinforce the Bible lesson . "It also includes an amazing small group time where kids get a chance to discuss how that week's Bible lesson relates to them personally," says Willems.

KBC was invited to be a Role Model Church because of the creative way in which Cherrynn Bizik, KBC's children's director, adapted the material to suit KBC's needs. "Originally, Group Publishing was looking for churches that ran the program as written," says Willems, "but they were now seeing the benefit in showing how it can be adapted to fit anyone."

Last fall when Christian education workers at Kingwood went shopping for a new Sunday school curriculum they were looking for something that was , "nothing like school-one that would make all kids feel welcome," says Willems.

"Our church is located in the middle of a fairly low income neighborhood and we have a tough time getting those kids to walk in the door on a Sunday morning," she says. ''We have a mission field in our own back yard ." Neighborhood children are involved in KBC's midweek program and FaithWeaver has helped bring those kids back Sunday morning.

"Kids that we've been trying to reach, kids that we've been praying for-they're now coming," says Willems. "It's an amazing thing to see our congregation interact with those kids and love them with love that only comes from Christ."

When asked how the Role Model program has affected the congregation, Willems says it has broadened the congregation's sense of ownership in children's ministries. Bergman says it has given the church "corporate esteem_"

He says, "The jury is still out on its effect on us. There is no guarantee that anyone will ever come to check us out. But we feel privileged and look forward to possible ministry encounters." - CF

FOOD, SHELTER AND WINTER COMFORTERS FOR REFUGEES

MCC responds to Afghan humanitarian crisis

In response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Mennonite Central Committee is preparing an additional response of food aid and material resources MCC has already committed more than $4 million for aid in Afghanistan since 1995.

MCC is contributing more food, blankets, comforters and cash for local food purchase to assist refugees and those suffering from drought.

According to the U.N refugee agency, the UNHCR, estimates are that some 3.7 million Afghan refugees are now living in Iran and Pakistan, with 1 million more Afghans displaced within their own country. Even before Sept. 11, Afghans fleeing war and hunger were the second-largest group of refugees in the world. The UNHCR is preparing for 1.5 million more Afghans to flee their

country as a result of the current crisis. Already in the pipeline MCC has 616 metric tons of food in Pakistan slated for refugees along the Afghan/Pakistan border. Through the Iranian Red Crescent Society, MCC is providing $200,000 for the local purchase of food, shelter and blankets for refugees along the border with Iran and people still in Afghanistan. Plans are underway for an additional 5,000 metric tons offood grains to be shipped from Canadian Food Grains Bank MCC will also be providing 24,000 comforters for distribution by IRCS. Two containers of 12,000 comforters each were slated to leave from Canada and the U.S. in October.

MCC welcomes cash donations and heavy winter comforters. Call (877) 517-5673. -MCCnews release and website

Paxreunion celebrates peace

About 600 people met Sept. 14-16 in Syracuse, Ind., to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pax, an overseas voluntary service program sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee from 1951 to 1976, even as world events reminded them that peacemakers are needed just as much today. Many young men joined

Pax as an alternative to military service during the years when the United States had a draft and fought wars in Korea and Vietnam. During Pax's 25 years, more than 1,150 men , ages 18-21, served in about 42 countries.

Participants engaged in such projects as building homes for refugees in post-World War II

What I can do in response to Sept. 11

• Drop off groceries, baby-sit kids, assist dally chores for families of those who have been affected by the tragedies, like National Guard service personnel called to active duty

• Volunteer to help police and fire services with preparations for dealing with disaster and terrorist attack preparation and response.

• Reach out to your Arab-American neighbors and foreign visitors People of Arab-ethnlc descent are hurting and afraid Just like the rest of us Seek them out and be a good neighbor. Develop relationships with them

• Leam about the Muslim falth-a little Information can dispel a great deal of fear and misunderstanding Don't be afraid to discuss what you learn with everyone from family and friends to members of the Muslim-American community - adapted from an article by Mike Osborne. special correspondent for ASSIST news service a Christian news service organization

West Germany, developing agriculture in Greece, building roads in Paraguay, providing medical and educational assistance in Vietnam and resettling

indigenous people in Bolivia. Pax broadened their worlds, focused their pacifism and created lifelong friendships, participants say. It shaped their lives and redirected their vocations, as many farm boys became pastors, professors, missionaries and community leaders. -Meetinghouse

MORE NEWS

Canadian MB stats

-The Canadian MB Conference 2000 statistical report released this summer shows a membership growth of three percent, from 33,214 to 34,288. As In most recent years, the largest Increase came In British Columbia, which has almost 50% of the membership In Canada. Average worship attendance In Canadian MB congregations Increased from 41,798 In 1999 to 45,528-a 9% Increase. The Increase In the total number of members and adherents Is even more slgnlflcantfrom about 42,000 In 1998 and about 47,000 In 1999 to almost 57,000 In 2000. In his analysis of the report published In the MB Herald, Abe Dueck notes the widening gap between worship attendance and membership. "Is membership becoming less and less meaning. ful, especially for young people? How can the church address that Issue?" asks Dueck. -MBH

"Women of valor"

-While the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks reduced attendance at the Global Celebration for Women held Sept. 19-21, event coordinator Winnie Bartel of Shafter (Calif.) MB Church says those who did come celebrated their unity as Christian women and had a new awareness of the spiritual battle of the times. Over half of the registrants did not come to Houston because of cancelled flights, the Inability of Intematlonal participants to leave their home countries and fear, according to Bartel. "In continuing to seek God's wisdom In proceeding, It was very obvious to all of the founding partners-we had to proceed," writes Bartel In an Oct. 3 email to Celebration friends and supporters. "The spirit of the c0nference was deeply affected by the urgency of the times." Referring to Gideon's 300 mighty men of valor Bartel says, "ThIs Is who came to Houston-women of valor. Women unafraid to rise up and meet their fears and commit to whatever God would have them do." The Global Celebration was sponsored by 13 Intematlonal women's organizations, Including World Evangelical Fellowship women's commission also chaired by Bartel.

FPU celeb rates enrollment, ranking

Enrollment at Fresno Pacific University reached a milestone this fall, as the traditional undergraduate program grew to more than 900 students. "This is a more than 50 percent increase in the last four years," says Stephen Varvis, dean of the college. ''We are going to celebrate."

Also worth celebrating is a spot on the best value list in the 2002 U.S. News & World Report College Guide. FPU was ranked fifth in the western universities master's category. "This recognition honors the hard work and success of fac-

ulty and staff all over campus who put our students first," Varvis says. In all 905 undergraduate students fill halls and classrooms, up from 821 in the fall of 2000 The graduate school also recorded a strong surge, to 868 this fall from 808 at the same time in 2000. With 165 in the Center for Degree Completion, total enrollment is 1,938, up from 1,705 in September of 2000. Enrollment growth has also brought challenges. living, learning and eating space is at a premium and classes are filling faster. Several projects are

already in the works to alleviate the situation: construction has begun on AIMS Hall of Science and Mathematics, ground will be broken in October for Steinert Campus Center and a fine arts building is in the planning stages. Faculty and staff will meet soon to refine the planning process and continue to manage the growth. -FPU

MB COLLEGE RANKED AMONG THE BEST MIDWESTERN

Magazine gives Tabor regional rank

U.S. News & World Report has featured Tabor College among the best Midwestern comprehensive colleges offering bachelor's degrees in its 2002 "America's Best Colleges" issue . "Measuring quality is among the most difficult of higher education processes," Tabor President Larry Nikkel says. "At Tabor, we have a commitment to the improvement of quality in facilities, programs, personnel and processes. It is rewarding to see that our peers and the external community are recognizing our

REGION IV AND V HOLD RETREATS

quality improvement. "

This year, Tabor was one of approximately 200 schools that were re-ranked when the magazine adopted the Carnegie Foundation's updated classification system , the most widely used system for ranking academic quality The Carnegie Foundation defines a comprehensive college as one focusing on undergraduate education while granting less than 50 percent of its degrees in liberal arts disciplines. -TC

West coast women gather

treat held April 28- I

28 at Yelm, Wash Un LudwIck spoke on the theme "The fellowship, nur- the Region IV- MB Church, spoke Way We Wear Our ture and worship Bay area, Lodl and to the theme "At Hats " ludwick Is were the focus of Orland, Callf.- Peace or In involved in a varl2001 women's retreat held Febru- PIeces." ety of national retreats sponsored ary 23-25, at Mis- Region V evangelical organ!by the Pacific DI. slon Springs, Calif. Includes churches zatlons and Is a trlct Women ' s Mis- Speaker Nadine In Oregon and speaker and consionary Selvlce Friesen, pastoral Washington About sultant specializing

About 50 staff member at 30 people atten6- In women's minwomen attended Hillsboro (Kan ) ed the Region V re- Istrles

MB UNIVERSITY GAINS SPOT ON "BEST VALUE LIST"

BaptismlMembership

Olathe. Kan. (Community)-Patricia Allen. Andrea Haley, TIna Lange, Gina Lowry, Laura Meadows, Jared Miller, Laura Richards, John and Stacey Ross and Austin Way were baptized Sept. 20. Tom and Sherri Baffia, Ron and Kelly Gilbert, Andrea Haley, TIna Lange, Corey and Gina Lowry, Laura Meadows, Jared Miller, Laura Richards, John and Stacey Ross, Austin Way and Lindsey Way were welcomed as new members.

Omaha, Neb. (Faith Bible)-Seven people were baptized Sept 16 Fresno. Calif. (North)-Bill and Mel Hambleton, Monette Taylor and Jason and Lori Hurley were baptized Sept. 9.

Garden City. Kan. (Garden Valley)-Sandra Wiederstein shared her testimony and was baptized Aug. 19.

Bakersfield, calif. (Northwest Community)-Mary Lowe, Judy Willems, Harlan Eirich, Debbie Eirich, Jeff Piepho and Meadow Piepho were recently accepted into membership. Mary Lowe, Alexander Chene and JiIlian Price were baptized July 22 Fresno. Calif. (Fig Garden)HeatherTurner, Nichole The, Michelle Samuels and Danyelle Potts were baptized Aug. 9 Jim and Shirley Holm were welcomed into membership and Diane Reimer reaffirmed her membership with the church

V"1Sa1ia, Calif. (Neighborfloocl)Denise Buskett, Bronson Buskett, Shannon Patrick and Mike Smythe were baptized and received into membership Sept. 23. Jill Smythe, Doug Buskett, Sam Castillo, Kerri Castillo, Steve Smit, Holly Smit, Mike Barlow, Sue Barlow, Chris Shacoski and Julie Shacoski were welcomed as new members by testimony Littleton. Colo. (Belleview)-Penny Fuqua and David and Jennifer Quintanilla were received as members Sept 30.

Salem, Ore. (Kingwood Bible)Rachel Earle, Katelyn Lowen, Doug Siemens, Katie Wagner and Seth Wiebe were baptized in July and August.

Fellowshi p

Buhler, Kan.-A women ' s book club has been organized One book

CHURCH NEWS

will be read in the fall and another in the spring and the participants will then meet to discuss the book. The fall book is • A TIme to Dance · by Karen Kingsbury.

Bakersfield, Card. (Heritage)-The congregation joined with the Mennonite Brethren Filipino and Hispanic congregations of Bakersfield for an inter-fellowship festival Sept 8. The afternoon was spent playing volleyball, basketball and table games and running sack races. Following an evening potluck meal was a fellowship time that included musical numbers in Spanish, English and Tagalog, a meditation preached in English and Spanish and a circle of prayer.

Littleton. Colo. (Belleview)-Each month, pastoral couple M ike and Diane Andrews invite those individuals who are celebrating birthdays and their families to come to their home for cake. The September birthday party was Sept. 7.

Shafter. Calif -Women's Ministries began the new church year with a backyard salad supper Sept. 4 that featured Wanda Bailey as the guest speaker Bailey's husband is the executive director of all the Billy Graham crusades. The Central Valley Billy Graham crusade was held in October.

Ministry

Ferndale, Wash. (Good News)The Northwest MB churches held a regional rally Oct 7 with district minister Henry Dick as the guest of honor. Participants heard reports about Pacific District Conference ministries, had a time of worship and enjoyed desserts and fellowship.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (Uncoln Hills)-A biblical discipleship and counseling ministry called UPLIFT (an acronym for Understanding Principles for living In Freedom Today) has begun and is staffed on a part-time volunteer basis by Herb Schroeder who has pastored MB congregations for 22 years.

Colinsville, Okla. (Westport)-The congregation will hold its annual Harvest Missions Festival Arts and Crafts Fair Nov. 3 The fair will feature more than 40 craft booths, live music, bake sale, dinner featuring sausage, verenika, zwieback and cherry mousse and an auction featuring full-size quilts, baskets, ceramic nativity sets, handmade porcelain

NEWS FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

OTES

dolls, hand-crafted furniture and original works of art. The event benefits mission projects around the world

Fresno, Calif.-Mennonite Brethren congregations in the Central Valley are among the many congregations who were involved with the Billy Graham crusade held Oct. 11-14 at Bulldog Stadium at Fresno State University.

Workers

Fresno, Calif (Bethany)-Bob Kroeker has accepted the call to serve as pastor of pastoral care and visitation

V"1Sa1ia, calif. (Neighborhood)Bob Vogt has accepted the call to serve as senior adults and pastoral care pastor He began in September Mountain Lake. Minn.-Pastoral couple Ron and Kathy Seibel were the guests of honor at a farewell Sept 16

Sioux Falls, S.D. (Uncoln Hills)Tony Randall was installed as senior pastor Sept. 9. A potluck dinner followed the morning worship service. Edmond, 0kIa. (Memorial Road)A.J. and Tammy Regier were installed as associate pastoral couple Aug. 19.

Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritage Bible)-David and Susan Froese have accepted the call to serve as senior pastoral couple. They have most recently pastored Westport MB Church of Collinsville, Okla The Westport congregation hosted a farewell reception for them Oct. 7. Heritage elders were installed during the morning worship service Aug. 12

Lawton. Okla. (Faith Bible)-Russell and Elizabeth Schmidt were installed as pastoral couple July 22 The Schmidts most recently served with MBMS International.

Bakersfield, Calif. (Rosedale Bible)-After serving as interim pastor for four months, John Scoggins was called in April to serve as senior pastor. Scoggins and his wife Sharon previously served Heritage Bible Church of Bakersfield for five years.

Omaha, Neb. (Millard Bible)-The

congregation has called Thom Justice and his family to serve the congregation on an interim basis while the search for a permanent pastor continues.

Deaths

fLEMIN G, HELEN, Bakersfield, Calif , a member of Northwest Community Church of Bakersfield, was born Jan. 3, 1943, and died Jan. 20, 2001 at the age of 58 On June 2, 1961, she was married to Doug Fleming, who survives. She is also survived by two sons, TIm and wife Jennifer of Bakersfield and Tobey of Mesa, Ariz .; one daughter, Terriann Chene of Bakersfield and six grandchildren GOERTZEN. ROYCE HERMAN, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born Oct. 1, 1951, at Henderson, Neb., to Herman and Erma Buller and died at the age of 49 after living with cystic fibrosis since his mid-20s On Dec 23,1972, he was married to Nancy Buller. He is survived by his wife; his parents; three brothers, Dale and wife Julie of Bradshaw, Neb., Mark and wife Jolene of Lincoln, Neb., and Greg and wife Cheryl of Parkville, Mo ; parents-in-law Vernon and Doris Buller of Reedley; three sisters-inlaw, Jeanette and husband Ed Bedrosian of Paso Robles, Calif., Dorothy of Juneau, Alaska, and Jolene and husband Brett Anderson of Troutdale, Ore.; one brother-inlaw, Brad and wife Jennifer of Roseville, Calif ; six nieces and four nephews.

KAHN. ARTHUR HAROLD. Mountain Lake, Minn., of Mountain Lake MB Church, was born Oct. 28,1927, to Jacob G and Marie Adrian Rahn in Mountain Lake Township, Cottonwood County, M inn., and died due to a farming accident July 9, 2001 at the age of 73 On Feb. 20, 1948, he was married to Olga Peters, who died Jan 11, 1976. On Aug. 21, 1976, he was married to Elsie Loewens Suderman, who survives He is also survived by seven children, Lois and husband Jim Marschinke of South Saint Paul, Minn., Arlene Musselman of Perryville Ark., Harlan

CORRECTION: The obituary for Susie Matilda Martin

Thomas published in the September issue states that her husband Henry Thomas predeceased her. That is not correct.

Rahn and wife Joyce of Grant, Neb , Lee Suderman and wife Geraldine of Windom, Minn., Kerry Suderman and wife Deanne of Mountain Lake, and Laurel and husband Michael Brown of Fargo, N.D., 11 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters.

REGIER, EVA ALICE. San Jose, Calif , of Lincoln Glen Church of San Jose, was born April 14, 1914, at Aulne, Kan., and died April 22, 2001, at t h e age of 87. On May 20, 1938, she was married to Henry Regier She is survived by her son Ron and wife Shirley; one daughter, Anita and husband Steven, and five grandchildren.

PA12KOWSKI. ALMA HELEN. Reedley, Calif , a member of Reedley MB Church, was born June 15, 1912, to John P and Helena Gunther and died July 2,2001, at the age of 89 On Jan. 1, 1933, she was married to Jack Patzkowski who predeceased her She is survived by three daughters, Laura and husband Clifford Wiens of Kingsburg , Calif., Barbara and husband Bill Martens of Fresno, Calif., and Mary and husband Roger Vogt of Santa Clara, Calif.; one son, Melvin and wife Sondra Turmon of San Diego, Calif , eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Continued from page 16

Once, I undertook the enlightening task of writing a narrative of the first man and woman from an evolutionary perspective No matter how I bent the story, "evoMng from a lower life form " did not very closely resemble creation of man from the "dust of the ground and breath[ing] into his nostrils the breath of life" (Gen 2 :7) Nor could I come up with a very convincing story line to match "meanwhile, another pair of prehuman creatures reproduced and gave birth to what would be the first fully human female " with "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam , and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man he made into a woman, and he brought her to the man" (Gen 2:21,22 NI<JV)

Some questions to think about :

• If man evolved from lower forms of life, what does it mean to be created in the image of God?

• If there were no real Adam and no real Eve , created firsthand by God, and only gradual evolution from ape-like creatures, was there a Paradise or a real fall into sin?

• If there were many pre-human, sub-human or true early humans, what does the Bible mean when in Romans 5:12 (NIQV), "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned "?

.Additionally, how can the evolutionary process have taken place if death entered the world through Adam 's sin?

• If death did not enter the world because of sin and following it, what is the significance of Romans 6 :23, "The wages of sin is death"?

• If there is no such person as Adam (whose existence is very difficult to

TINER, SANDRA. Bakersfield, Calif., a member of Northwest Community Church of Bakersfield, was born June 8,1952, to Ivan and Alma Eirich at Bakersfield, Calif. and died Nov 3, 2000, at the age of 48. On Dec. 29, 1973, she was married to Paul Tiner, who survives She is also survived by three children, Jared, Kyle and Rachel; her mother, Alma Eirich; two brothers, Myron and Harlan, and one sister, Rosalie Fuentes, all of Bakersfield, Calif

WINTER, LEO, Tulsa, Okla., a member of Westport MB Church , Collinsville, Okla., and a charter member of Parkside MB Church of

WHAT READERS SAY

argue under an evolutionary scenario) , was there such a person as Christ, called the last Adam in 1 Cor 15:45? If so, what did he accomplish? If we did not get into the mess of sin by the sin of one man (and his wife) , how can we hope to get out of it by the work of One? What is the meaning of salvation?

• If we did not all share a common ancestor, then who is to say that we are all sinners? Or that there is any such thing as sin? Or that we need to be saved?

• How can we say that the evolution/creation debate is Sidelining our evangelism efforts and is inconsequential to them when Adam and the way he brought sin in to the world is so closely linked to the New Testament with the work of Christ in redemption?

• If there was no earthly paradise, is there truly a heavenly one?

• Will there even be a resurrection of the dead? If Christ's resurrection was not a victory over sin and its result, death, effective for those who believe out of the whole human race (which is hard to imagine it could be if there was no Adam and Eve, no perfect sinless world and no original sin bringing death , as evolution seems to imply), how can we expect to go to heaven if we die in Christ?

"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep For since by man came death , by Man also came the resurrection of the dead . For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:20-22) . Praise God!

To me the most powerful questions regarding the validity of evolution and

Tulsa, was born Sept 6, 1914, to Carl and Katherine Epp W i nter at Lehigh, Kan., and died May 9, 2001. On July 22, 1939, he was marri ed to Da isy Loewen, who survives He is also survived by two sons, Joel and wife Georg ia of Claremore, Okla., and Dav id and wife Joanne of Tu lsa; one daughter, Rhonda and husband Gilbert Duerksen of Corde ll, Okla ; one siste r, Elda and husband Victor Plett of Tacoma, Wash. ; three sistersi n-law, Rachel and husband Edw i n Sm ith of Bell, Fla., Sarah Winter of Lehigh, Kan. , and Pauline Winter of Hillsboro, Kan , five g r andch il dren and two great g r andchildren •

the relative importance or u nimportance of creation are not raised by reading Genesis, but by reading Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15. I would challenge others to do the same .

Lots Snyder Wichita, Kan.

Open to closer connections?

The "merger (brought) joy and sorrow" to me as well when I read the article by Connie Faber ("Merger b rings joy and sorrow," Sept. 2(01) . There is another way to view the new Mennonite Church USA, beyond the potential for growth of the Mennonite Brethren Church and beyond the desire to carefully deal with those congregations who inquire about joining the MB Church We could begin to explore closer connections between the U.S Conference of M B. Churches and the Mennonite Church USA As Pakisa Tshimika correctly observes, we are fiunily "It is not a question of choice but of obedience " This sense of obedience does not challenge us to incorporate those who choose to opt out of the new structure. The challenge is to open ourselves to closer connections with the Mennonite Church USA. I hope that happens between local churches. I think that it is possible I hope that begins to happen at the level of our denominational leadership.

Yes, the merger has implications for U S. MBs. I trust we truly understand the significance of these events and see our future relationship with the Mennonite Church USA as an opportunity to express the joy of new and closer relationships, not the continued sorrow of unnecessary separation

Bil/Braun Fresno, CA

Clearinghouse

Have a position to fill? looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 53 cents per word, with a $15 minimum Withhold payment until an invoice is received. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a no-cost ad. Contact the editor for more information.

FORSAL&-<OOKBOOKS

Cookbooks

Great CHRISTMAS gifts! The Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church has new cookbooks for sale. They offer over 1300 recipes including German foods The cookbooks are $20, plus $3.50 for shipping and handling Please send your order w ith a check or money order to : Women's Enrichment, Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church, 1600 East State Road, Fairview, OK 73737 .•

EMPLOYMENT-EDUCATION

Faculty

Fresno Pacific University, the only fully accredited private Christian university in California's Central Valley, seeks faculty i n the following areas. Fresno Pacific University serves a diverse population of rel igious, ethnic and national traditions General requ i red faculty qualifications include: demonstration of expertise within the appropriate field (represented by at least a doctorate or a nearly completed doctorate in the field), highly successful college/university level teaching experience, commitment to working within a community of learners, and a Christian commitment and lifestyle consistent w ith university goals Fresno Pacific College, the undergraduate school of the university, seeks faculty in :

• Contemporary Christian Ministries and InterCultural Studies

• Composition and Rhetorical Studies

• Literature/Critical Theory

• Literature and Writing (half-time)

• Program Director in Music Fresno Pacific Graduate School, the graduate school of the university, seeks faculty in:

• Program Director and Faculty in Mathematics Education

• Program Director and Faculty in Technology Education

• Elementary Mathematics Education

• Reading and Literacy Education

Send a letter of application to Office of the Provost, Attn : Dr. John Yoder, Fresno Pacific University, 1717 South Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, California 93702; telephone (559) 453-2031; fax (559 )453-5502 or email blhorn@fresno.edu. Applications will be reviewed beginning November 1, 2001 (undergraduate positions), and December 1, 2001 (graduate positions), and the appointments will be made as soon thereafter as suitable candidates are found FPU, in its hiring practices, does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic or social background, sex, age or physical handicap Women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply Fresno Pacific University is sponsored by the Mennonite Brethren Church Full job descriptions may be viewed online at the Fresno Pacific University Website at: www.fresno.edu, at www cccu.org or at HigherEdJobs.com Information about the university and downloadable application forms are available at www.fresno.edu

EMPLOYMENT-ADMINISTRATIVE

Administrator

Kern Crest Manor is seeking an administrator for its 32-room assisted living facility and associated independent living apartments in Shafter, california. Candidate must have strong management

and organizational skills, with additional strengths in the areas of communication and resident-relations Computer skills are desirable, and an RCFE license will eventually be required Kern Crest Manor is a not-for-profit, church-sponsored facility Please send resume to : Kern Crest Manor, 250 E Tulare Avenue, Shafter CA 93263 •

CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM

Itinerary and Invitation

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

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

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

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

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

For further information , contact:

Church Partnership Evangelism office: telephone/fax: 604-864-3941

Peter Loewen (residence) fax: 604-853-6482

Church Partnership Evangelism is a "church-to-church " effort that involves all bornagain Christians in personal evangelism worldwide Your application to partiCipate will be forwarded to the CPE Executive Committee for processing.

PETER LOEWEN

CPE Executive Director

HAROLD ENS

MBMS International General Director

Monkeys in the trees

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK about the freedom we have as Americans in the wake of Sept. 11. In a widely circulated Romanian newspaper editorial, the author credits freedom with bringing together a nation of people with diverse opinions, backgrounds and cultures. Indeed, we have experienced a welling and moving sense of community.

Freedom from a tyrannical, oppressive or controlling government is a precious thing. Being able to say or print what we want, practice the religion we choose or share the same rights no matter our race are incredible freedoms. We have the choice to use those freedoms responsibly or selfishly. We can abuse them, or-as many have done in the wake of the attacks-we can use them to work towards building our community, giving unselfishly and helping others

This idea of using our freedom to build community resonates with me as a Christian. If we can experience this kind of community because we are free politically, how much more can we experience community because we are free spiritually?

In Christ, we share a community that plunges deeper and wider than a local or national community, because the freedom we share goes beyond freedom from tyranny and oppression. As followers of Jesus, we share the most important freedom of all-freedom from sin.

What does this mean? It means that at the very core of who I am, Jesus resides. It means that, as I abide in him, the Kingdom of God expands in me, healing my life and spilling over into the world around me. It means the voices of sin-pride, lust, selfishness, anger, anxiety and so much more-are "mere monkeys in the trees," as a good friend says. Their chatter and noise, however loud and distracting, do not define me anymore . I am re-made, perfect by Jesus' presence. He defines me now.

This freedom from sin, like the freedom we have as citizens of the U.S., must be used responsibly. The temptation of political freedom is to misuse it. We face the same temptation with spiritual freedom. Sin has been removed from "my inner being" but it is still at work in the "members of my body" (Rom 7:2223). We can still be pulled by the power of sin. Those monkeys in the trees can end up on our backs.

So what do we do with our freedom?

Paul tells us that the "only thing that counts" in regards to our freedom "is faith expressing itseIfthrough love" (Gal. 5:6). He goes on to exhort the followers of Jesus, "Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love The entire law is summed up in a single command : Love your neighbor as yourself' (Gal. 5 : 13-14). "Make every effort," he says elsewhere, "to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3).

This admonition to love and live in unity is imperative. As in any community, believers come to the table with a variety of opinions on how to live our lives and go about God's work. In other words, we disagree. We differ on everything from how to worship in our local church or run a national ministry to how we as Christians should respond to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

So, what do we do when we disagree? As followers ofJesus we are called to live in unity and love even when we disagree. Disagreements in themselves are not sin. In fact, many times they are healthy. They are evidence of heartfelt struggles to understand God's will and purpose for our lives and his work. But if we allow disagreements to lead to fights, quarrels, hate, anger, pride or broken relationships, they've become sin. We need to keep monkeys like that in the trees. As Rolando Mireles says, we need to keep our disagreements "resolvable under the basic principles in Scripture" (see we changing how we do God's business?" page 24) . Jesus is our center, and we must abide in him We must live responsibly with our freedom

So how do we keep our community in unity-and the monkeys in the trees-when we disagree?

A few years ago, MBs adopted a simple one-page statement, "Agreeing and disagreeing in love: Commitments for Christians in times of disagreements " Basically, this statement-based on Scripture-says that we accept conflict as a normal part of our lives, affirm that God walks with us and commit to prayer. We go to each other in a spirit of humility, quick to listen and understand and slow to judge. We must be willing to negotiate and, if needed, be open to mediation. We must also trust in the community-turning the decision over to others ifwe can't reach an agreement or reconcile together. And we believe in the solidarity of the body of Christ.

Paul says our love for each other must be sincere, that we must be devoted to one another in brotherly love, and to live, as much as it is up to us, in peace with everyone (Rom. 12:918) He goes on to ask God, " who gives endurance and encouragement," to give a "spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 13:5-6).

That is the reason we seek unity-that he might be glorified.

Regardless of how you believe worship should be done, a ministry should be run or how we should respond to the Sept. 11 attacks, as Christians we are called to express our faith in love and live in unity We are called to glorify God.

This doesn't mean we can't disagree-in fact, we may never agree on some things. But it does mean we choose to keep the monkeys in the trees. We keep our disagreements "resolvable under the basic principles of Scripture." We choose to live as disciples ofJesus. We choose not to sin in our disagreements.

If we listen to the voices of the monkeys, their chattering will drown out the voice of God. When this happens, our community begins to fray and shatter, and our witness to a hurting and confused world is blemished. Jesus told us that it is by our love that the world knows we are his disciples (John 13:35). The world needs to see that love That love is our witness.

Jesus is at our center. He has freed us from sin and invited us to union with him and each other. We are free now to be an expression of Jesus in the world around us. Keep the monkeys where they belong-in the trees. -CA