• Mennonite World Conference assembly points to future PAGE 22
• Peace education tasks take priority
• u.s. leaders to meet this month in Kansas PAGE 30
FIRST WORDS ••• from the editor
ONE OF THE FIRST BIG ASSIGNMENTS I had as editor of the Christian Leader was covering the July 1999 global consultation of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren, an organization of 18 national MB conferences. That summer, I met sisters and brothers from all over the world-Japan, India, Congo, Colombia, Paraguay and many other countries. Their stories, challenges and insights taught me much and changed the way I saw the world and the church. I continue to be humbled and blessed by encounters with these believers who live outside of North America.
This issue of the Leader focuses on the global AnabaptistMennonite church and the changes that have taken place within it in the past century. For MBs, the change has been dramatic: Congo and India individually now hold more MB believers than Canada and the U.S. combined. This topic actually grew out of the annual gathering of Meetinghouse, an association of editors of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ publications, where we decided to put together articles about the globalization of Christianity and the upcoming 2003 Mennonite World Conference assembly in Africa. Many of the articles in this issue, both in the feature and news sections, are a result of that effort.
It is my hope and prayer that the articles and stories in this issue will challenge and change the way you view the church-and perhaps you will even consider traveling to Africa next summer to personally hear the stories and touch the lives of our brothers and sisters from around the world.
Blessings. -CA
COMING
NOVEMBER 22-23-Board of Church Ministries meeting, Wichita, Kan.
-JANUARY 26, 2003-World Fellowship Sunday 2003
FEBRUARY 16, 2003-Peace Sunday, sponsored by the U.S. Conference Peace Commission.
FEBRUARY 1, 2003-Latin American Mennonite Brethren District Convention
FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1, 2003-U.S. Conference AlIBoards Meetings, Fresno, Calif.
Printing by Valley Offset Printing, Valley Center, Kansas.
ART CREDITS: Cover, MB Church in Shamshabad, India, by Dave Dyck. Page 4, MBMSI. Page 6, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Page 7-8, Canadian Mennonite. Page 11, Heisey photo courtesy of MWC. Page 13, MB Herald.
•
BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Harold Loewen, cochair; Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, co-chair; Peggy Goertzen, Phil Neufeld, Moises Tagle, Dalton Reimer.
The Christian Leader (ISSN 0009-5149) is published monthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events, ' activities, decisions and issues of their denomination, and to instruct. inspire and initiate dialogue so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelicaVAnabaptist theological tradition. However, the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church.
The editors invite free-lance article submissions, essays to Forum and letters to the editor. Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churches. The essays can address any issue of relevance and interest to the faith and life of the Mennonite Brethren Church and should be no longer than 800 words and include the home church and occupation of the writer. A SASE must accompany articles and forum essays.
The Christian Leader is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ editors.
EDITOR'S OFRCE: Carmen Andres, Editor 101 N. Capitol Parkway Montgomery, Alabama 36107 Phone: (334) 834-3338
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ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Connie Faber
EDITOR
Carmen Andres
GI. E YOU ARE JOHN THE BAPTIST. You've spe tm st of your 3D-odd years living in the desert e early part of the first century. You dress in I halr with a leather strap as your belt and live et f locusts and wild honey.
you've come preaching in the desert coun-ot:Jd< ea. Your message is simple and austere: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here." You and your message are authorized by Isaiah's prophecy. You are the "voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord. make straight paths for him.·"
People pour out of Jerusalem, Judea and the countryside to hear you. At the Jordan River, you and your disciples baptize into a new life those who came to confess their sifls.-that's how you got your name. When you realize that some religious leaders are showing up to get baptized just because it is the popular thing to do, you explode. You call them
snakes and then tell them why you are really here: "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry."
But do you really have an idea of how much mightier Jesus Christ will be? Do you really imagine all the changes in store in the century following the life, death and resurrection of the mightier one?
For that matter, could anyone have anticipated with much accuracy such world transforming events as the rise of a new religious movement composed of hundreds of local groups linked directly to one another across ethnic barriers and national boundaries?
Within 100 years, this phenomenon of the Spirit-called a "third race" by some and "Christian" by others-would spread nonviolently across the Roman Empire. In the process it would become the only international communication network, other
MBs around the world
Mennonite Brethren, one of 87 Anabaptist-Mennonite denominations today, began with 18 families in 1860 RU$sia. Until the General Conference Mennonites and the Mennonite Church formally merged last year, MBs were the largest Anabaptist denomination worldwide, currently with over 255,000 formal and fraternal members.
In 100 1Mr! CoIf!rences
• Conference of AnabiJP- ....... MexIco tist Churches in Germany
• Japan MB Conference
• Conference of Christian By centI 1900 eoaeo Members: 14,030 Members: 1,890 Peace Churches of Mexico Europe {Russia]: 7,000*
• Community of P....-Y CtIIoInWa Members: 175 North America: 1,037* Churches of the MennQAfrita:O nlte Brethren of Congo
• Evangelical Convention
• Association of MB V.....ael. Asia: 0 Members: 84,GOO on Paraguayan Mennonite Churches of Colombia
• no conference structure America: 0 .... Brethren Churches Members: 1,800 Members: 60 T ....:8,037
• Paraguayan Mennonite
• Conference of the (Spanish) Ii_ ArgeDtIBy contIMM. 2000 Mennonite Brethren
• United Evangelical
• no conference structure Brethren Conference Africa: 88,600 Church of India (German)
Church of Mennonite
Brethren In Panama Asia: 73,890
Members: 40 Members: n,ooo
Members: 6,810
Members: 860 .......... North America: 59,645 c All....
• Association of the MenEurope: 18,460
• Canadian Conference of
nonite Brethren of Portugal Latln America: 14,515 MB Churches
• Evangelical Church of
• Mennonite Brethren (Cleveloplng) T :25S,1tO Members: 33.426 the Brethren
Members: 860 ...... -Est/mates provided by Center for MB Studies at Tabor
Evangelical Church of Peru Members: 35 of Angola ............. Members: 4,600
• U.S. Conference of ......r A8tIta
• Christian Community of College l!nd taken from P.M. MB Churches ...... .......
• Mennonite Free Church the Mennonite Brethren Friesen's Alt-Evangelis- Members: 26,219
Members: 3B5 erschaft In Russland (1789-
• Fraternal affiliation of Austria Members: 10 the of Mennonitische Sruedy
Members: 4,000
Numbers are approximate 1910); North American num-
• Conference of MB ..... U -IIY and taken from For Everybers are from 1888; Friesen Churches in Germany
• Council of the thing a Season and the 1999 notes that while there were
• Brazilian Convention of
• Conference of Memonlte Brethren Church ICOMS Directory except 7,()OO MB members. there Evangelical Free Churches
Evangelical MB Churches In Uruguay where noted were a total of 16,000-11,000 of Memonite Brethren Members: 3,720
Members: 190 MB Nsouls" in Russia. In Bavaria
than the imperial government and military net· works, covering the entire (Roman) world. It would write all the chapters of a confession of faith (called the Bible), which is still around revealing truth
DURING THE 1980s, when Ethiopian Mennonites were persecuted and had to worship in secret, Mulugeta lewdie was willing to risk his life to spread the gospel.
-When I went into the countryside for church planting, I told my family I might not come bacIc. I might be killed or imprisoned," he says. "Every day I was ready for danger."
His fears were not unfounded. Several Mennonite leaders had been put In prison.
He believes God kept him safe. "God was near to me," lewdle says. "1 felt a special guidance from God in those years."
So did many other members of the Meserete Kristos Church. the Ethiopian Anabaptists' official name. which means "Christ foundation."
God's protection, and the believers' perseverance, produced an amazing result. from 1982, the year Ethiopia's Marxist government declared MKC churches closed. and 1991, when the government fell and the churches were free to meet openly again, the MKC grew tenfold. from 5,000 people to 50,000.
lewdle, now 52, remembers how careful church members had to be when they gathered for worship during the "underground" years.
They met in small groups in homes but didn't arrive
all at once, since that might draw attention.
"There was no singing at all," Zewdie says. -We would tum on radios outside, and when people passed by they couldn't hear the prayer and preaching."
The church grew during the years of persecution for the same reason it's still growing today.
"We give first priority to evangelizing," lewdie says. "Every member is obliged to
2,000 years later.
If a prophet of}ohn's caliber had little inkling of what was going to happen with the people of God within 100 years from the moment in which he
munity of 178,000 people.
That puts Ethiopia among the top six countries In Mennonite membership, along with the United States, Democratic Republic of Congo, canada, India and Indonesia.
Last January, the MKC marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration at what is likely the largest Mennonite church in the world-the 5,OOG-member Misirak church in Addis Ababa.
he joined as a teenager.
The missionaries "taught me what salvation is and how to live as a Christian, and that changed me tremendously," he says.
He has served in various MKC leadership roles. induding national coordinator of church planting, regional coordinator in Addis Ababa and general secretary from 1997 to 2001.
This fall he began his second year of study at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart,Ind.
At home in Ethiopia, he has a wife, Mulunesh Shigute, whom he calls "the backbone of my ministry," and two teenage children.
He plans to continue serving the MKC in whatever role is assigned to him. He has a special interest in leadership training and in peacemaking, both within and outside the church.
"Peace that does not work within the church cannot be extended to the
A risk taker for God
share the gospel with his neighbors."
This emphasis on spreading the Good News has made the MKC one of 2Othcentury Anabaptism's great· est success stories.
Today, the MKC has 88,000 baptized members and a total worshiping com-
Ethiopians date the founding of the MKC to 1951, when workers from Eastern Mennonite Missions, the mission agency of Lancaster Mennonite Conference, baptized the first believers.
lewdie dates his MKC membership to 1965, when
world," he says.
lewdie believes the MKC will continue to thrive and grow.
"We are expecting to take the candle from who have laid a good foundation for us." he says.
- Paul SChrag for Meetinghouse
prophesied, it is hard to imagine that anyone 100 years ago really had any idea of what was going to happen to the Christian church in the 100 years of the 20th century.
'CAN'T TEU YOU exactly how old Lucy Keregero is. There are dues, of course. She's been married for 39 years. She has seven children ages 15 to 34. She is a grandmother of eight. But. irs not appropriate for me to ask how old she is. This Is, after all, Africa.
Lucy is a schoolteacher and the chair of the Mennonite women in the cese of Mosoma on the shores of lake VIc:toria. Tanzanla. exuding delight and openness. "Mama" Lucy (Mama is a term of respect and encIearmerit) Is no orellnary woman.
• met Lucy for the first time just a few weeks ago at a gathering of Mennonite and Brethren In Christ women theOlogians and church leaders in Arusha, hundreds of kilometers from her-home In JUl0s0ma.' had heard:about Lucy a year earlier, and knew. wanted to meet her some day. A young canadian woman, Heather, who had lived with the Keregero family for a year with Mennonite Central Committee's Visitor Exchange Program, had sp0ken warmly to me of her new "mother." Now, a year later, Mama Lucy recalled this young woman with fondness. As Lucy and • spoke, • came to see how Heather had been drawn into Lucy's drde of love.
Mama Lucy Is honest and shar. of herself openly.• quickly became aware of the
The Christian church in the 20th century Amidst all the war and pain of the 20th century, the time and space in which we live has been radically redefined. Through transportation and com-
undercurrents of pain and yearning that are part of her perspective on life and faith. Poverty. AIDS. Drought. Ufe 15 hard for Lucy. ". feel like • have nothing. Others are also very p<)9r. The rain is not coming, and people come and ask, 'Help me,
"we will be able to afford his surgery."
Lucy yearns to retire from teaching and give herself over full-time "to the work of the Lord," visiting her women in the many churches of western Tanzania. But that's not possible.
cal College in East Africa, but is only paid the equivalent of $2 (canadian) per day for that work. their shamba (farm) is not producing anything because the rains have stopped coming for several years. So, Lucy continues to teach elernen-
The tie that binds
tary school children, knowIng that this is the work of the Lord, too.
Marna Lucy will be at the Mennonite World Conference next August. She is looking forward to meeting with many Christians from around the world. The words she uses to describe the small women's conference where we met sum up her approach to new experiences: "These kinds of conferences make our minds to be large instead of small."
help me: And even me, • cannot give."
Lucy's youngest son, now age 15, injured his hip two years agoand needed surgery, but they could not afford it. Now he walks with a limp. "Maybe someday," says Lucy with a sad smile,
There Is simply not enough money. Her husband, a pastor and church leader, receives no payment for his work ("30 shillings here, 50 shillings there"-that's 10 or 15 cents). He teaches English two days a week at the nearby Mennonite Theologi-
At the end of the interview, as I ask Mama Lucy what else she would like to say to the North American Mennonite Church, she looks off into the distance with misty eyes and says, ". am thinking of Heather." And I think, "blessed be the tie that binds.· And I thank God for the international Mennonite family that binds an African with a canadian in such profound ways. -By Adelia Neufeld Wiens for Meetinghouse
munications revolutions, the world has increasingly become a single place. The globe is now the primary functional unit for many spheres of human existence. Older units, such as economies defined by
REBECCA ADONGO
Osiro's passion is to learn more about Islam. With a smile always lurking at the comer of her mouth, her challenging remarks are salted with humor. So, when she says that Christians in Africa need to be very worried about Islam, she soon has her listeners chuckling and shaking their heads at the techniques of that other evangelical faith.
Rebecca, 44, is the mother of five children ranging in age from 11 to 24. She is married to Pastor Joash, a travelling bishop with the Kenyan Mennonite church. A student at St. Paul's United Theological College near Nairobi. Rebecca is making her major Islamic studies so that she can be more effective in ministering to Muslims in Kenya.
For the past few years, Rebecca has been working with an Eastern Mennonite Missions project that targets Muslims with a correspondence program of biblical study and discipleship. She has visited Christian churches all over Kenya to help them be welcoming to new Christians of Muslim background, and she has begun teaching Mennonite women about Muslims so that they may be less frightened of befriending them. UI say. go to your Muslim neighbor and borrow saltl Don't go intending to convert themthat would be a quick way to violence, and besides, God does the converting,
not us." She teaches about the Muslim's respect for prayer-Uif you say you will pray for a Muslim friend, they will really respect that."
Rebecca is driven by her concern for Muslims. Uving on a street that neighbors the largest mosque in her area, and surrounded by Muslims on all sides, Rebecca believes strongly that we need to befriend Muslims "because we are not going to fight by weapons, but by
national states, are but subcomponents of transnational decision-making and action.
This is sometimes called "globalization." And demographically at least, the same thing has hap-
then he or she Is already a Muslim. "How many Muslims are there in Africa, then?'" she asks. "And in Americar
Rebecca may sound like a one-lssue person. She's not. With a growing family, a busy husband and an extended family in western Kenya. there are many demands on her time. As a woman in ministry, she Is aware of all the challenges that face her and other women with gifts in church
to Western culture by turning its back on both the bad and the good. "When women press for their rights of ownership of property, for example, they are told 'that Is not the African way,'''
With her vision and passion for the church, Rebecca hopes to be able to attend the Assembly of the Mennonite World Conference In Bulawayo next year. "MWC is doing well to be peopleoriented rather than culture-
Fighting by faith
faith. We need to let them see that we are not enemies," Muslims believe, says Rebecca. that if a person is not a strong Christian,
work. She recognizes that Issues like gender equality, another passion of hers, are often set aside because African culture Is responding
oriented," she observes. An astute observation by an amazing woman. -By Adelia Neufeld Wiens for Meetinghouse
pened to the church.
In 1910, a great missionary conference took place in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nearly everyone present was European or North American. There were very few Asians and Latin Americans and not a single African. And in their deliberations, the conference delegates divided the world into two parts: the Christianized West and the non-Christianized rest. As a matter of fact, at that time 80 percent of all Christians lived in Europe and North America. Only 20 percent lived in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
But the situation changed radically in the next 90 years. Today, only 40 percent of the two billion Christians in the world live in North America and Europe. The church has gone into recession in Europe and ceased to grow significantly in North America. Growth in the world church is taking place primarily in global South. Nearly 60 percent of all Christians now live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Africa is rapidly becoming the numerical center of the Christian world. One hundred years ago, there were 10 million African Christians. Today there are more than 300 million.
In a word-during the arguably most violent century in world history-the Christian population became authentically global. No longer primarily Euro-American in character as at the beginning of the 20th century, the church is now found in nearly every country of the world.
The Mennonite church in the 20th century
The larger Anabaptist-Mennonite family, of which the Mennonite Brethren are a member, is a microcosm of this historic development. From the 16th century onwards, migration from Europe-both eastward and westward-began to make us a more international people. But globalization of the Anabaptist-Mennonite population began in earnest at the tum of the 19th century. The years 1890 to 1910 saw a burst of activity as missionaries entered India, Zimbabwe, China, Nigeria and Zambia.
In the year 1900 there were approximately 225,000 Anabaptist-Mennonite Christians in the world. Most of them could, with a bit of effort, converse with one another in German or a Germanic derivative. We lived in nine countries, and the five most populous were Russia, Germany, The Netherlands, the U.S. and Canada. About one percent-not more than 2,5DO-lived in Africa, Asia and Latin America. When the first world assembly of Mennonites took place in Basel, Switzerland in 1925, 100 people participated. There was not a single African, Asian or Latin American present.
Today global membership of Anabaptist-Mennonite related churches exceeds 1.2 million baptized
Today, only 40 percent of the two billion Christians in the world live in North
A .£ .America and Europe .... ,riCa is rapidly becoming the numerical center of the Christian world.
believers, representing a Christian community of nearly two million people. We speak at least 75 languages, constitute more than 8,000 local churches and live in more than 60 countries.
Most importantly, more than 55 percent of us live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The largest populations are in the U.S., the Congo, Canada, India, Indonesia and Ethiopia. At the beginning of the 20th century, three European countries were at the top of the list; today none is found in the top six. At the middle of the 20th century, the U.S. and Canada were at the top of the list. Now Congo has outgrown Canada and is rapidly catching up with the U.S. And there are about 20,000 people right now preparing for baptism in Ethiopia, one of the rapidly growing churches in the worldwide Mennonite family of faith. Nearly one-third of all Anabaptist-Mennonite Christians now live in Africa. When the most recent world assembly of Mennonites took place in Calcutta, India, three-quarters of the participants were from Asia, Africa or Latin America.
For Mennonite Brethren, this reversal is even more evident. At the tum of the 20th century, most MBs resided in North America or Russia. Today, 70 percent of MBs live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Congo has over 80,000 members--over three times the number in the U.S. and more than two times the number in Canada. India is not far behind, with 72,000 members.
In a word, during the most violent century in world history, the Anabaptist-Mennonite population became authentically global. No longer primarily
Eurn-American in character as at the beginning of the 20th century, the Anabaptist-Mennonite family is now found in more than 60 countries of the world.
Living in the new world
So, at the beginning of a new century, how do we respond to the numerical transformation of the church that took place in the previous century? How do we envision this whole new world that is already coming so that we can fully play our role in it?
There are many things we can do, but for now I will mention four ways we can respond: thank God, de-center, listen and join the family.
• Thaak God. This new world is a wonderful development. We are no longer alone. God has already assured the future of the church and mightier ones are coming who will be able to respond to the huge challenges of living in this new century. Let's thank God for that.
• De-center. Before any of us can imagine or live in the new world or reality these statistics herald, we must first be willing to acknowledge that our own personal experiences, judgments and actions may not be shared, appropriate or even valid in other cultures and among other peoples. We must be willing to acknowledge that our own experiences, judgments and actions may not be the true or normative reality for all people. We must be open to the experiences, judgments and actions of others around the world-and be willing to talk, pray and reflect with these brothers and sisters as we begin to absorb and adapt to this new world.
In short, we must first realize that our local place is not the center of the world or the church-or perhaps more accurately, not the only center. Indeed, there are many centers in the world and in the church.
• Listening. Next, let's respond by listening to the voices of those who are coming after us--listen to what they are calling us to do next, listen as they now lead the way and invite us to join them in the cause of Christ and the global Body of Christ.
Let's listen to people like Margaret Deyadason, a Mennonite Mother Teresa who lives in the same Calcutta neighborhood as Mother Teresa. like Mother Teresa, Margaret has given her life to the poor, particularly to poor women-many of whom are Muslim. Or Pastor Trung of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Since the end of the Vietnam War, the Mennonite church in Vietnam has no legal recognition and therefore cannot meet openly. Pastor Trung has continued to pastor the flock, often at the cost of questioning by the authorities or brief times of imprisonment. Then there's Ambrocio Porcincula, once a politician who carried weapons and perse-
cuted the church, who put away his weapons after a conversion experience and is now the bishop of the Integrated Mennonite Church in the Philippines. Or Pakisa Tshimika, born in the Congo. Pakisa was a great university athlete and student who was completely paralyzed in an automobile accident shortly before the end of his university studies. While he remains very physically handicapped, Pakisa now travels the world directing the global gift-sharing project of the Mennonite World Conference. Or Bedru Hussein, who grew up in Ethiopia as a Muslim and was converted to Christianity dUring his student years. Bedru was imprisoned for his faith during the communist period in Ethiopia. Now he heads the new Mennonite college in Ethiopia and is vice-president of MWC. It is through Bedru that we know "Hussein" is also a Mennonite name.
You can find people like these all around the world in the Anabaptist-Mennonite family of faith. It is my dream that you would have the chance to hear the voices of these sisters and brothers, meet and share with them, be encouraged by them, be a source of encouragement to them and love them and be loved by them as members of the same family.
.Join the family. You can have that chance in less than a year from now. The next worldwide Anabaptist-Mennonite family reunion is scheduled to take place August 2003 in Zimbabwe in southern Africa. The theme, based on 1 Corinthians 12, is "Sharing Gifts in Suffering and in Joy" in the worldwide family of faith. As at all family reunions, we will have opportunities to worship, teach, learn, sing, eat and play together. More importantly, we will have a chance to connect and stay connected to these people so that the encounter can contribute to our change and the building up of the church in all places.
I invite all of you to come and spend a week with the global family in Zimbabwe and another week in a local Anabaptist-Mennonite community elsewhere in Africa. Send a group of representatives from your church, your district or your ministry. Members of your family from around the worldpeople who already love you even though they have not yet seen you-want to meet you and worship with you. They want to receive from you and your church. And they stand ready to serve you as sisters and brothers in the faith, in times of suffering and in situations of joy.•
Larry Miller is executive secretary of Mennonite World Conference. This article is adapted from an address he gave at Steinbach Bible Col/ege earlier this year.
Today, 60 percent of all Christians-including 70 percent of MB believers-live in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We asked a Mennonite and a Mennonite Brethren to help us understand how this affects MBs, Mennonites, Brethren in Christ and other Anabaptist-Mennonite churches-and why next year's world-wide gathering of Anabaptist-Mennonites in Africa is so important.
es it mean to say that the southern hemichanging the face of Christianity?
Heisey: The measures of growth in the Christian family in the "Two-thirds World" and the shift of the percentages within that family from northern to southern hemisphere are statistics. As most people know, statistics can be used to make any point a writer wants to make. From my perspective, however, two observations offer more insight into these changes than the numbers themselves.
First, just as early Christians moved out from Jerusalem into all directions of the known world (and not just to Rome and Europe as we usually learn) today the Christian family is truly a round-the-world family. Thepromise of Rev. 5:9-that people of every tribe and language and people and nation are within the community praising God-has been fulfilled in our time, and this reality is a great blessing to us all.
Second, members of the Christian family in the Two-thirds World are helping churches everywhere to rediscover our Christian roots. like members of the early Christian movement, believers in many places today live with a lively awareness of the spirit world and a concrete belief that God's Spirit gives them the power they need to respond to the other spirit
Nzash Lumeya was bom in Congo and is the former director of Centro Univenitaire de Missiologie In Kinshasa. Lumeya currently teaches at MB Biblical Seminary In Fresno. calif.
Nancy Heisey is president-elect of Mennonite World Conference. She will become president after Africa 2003. Heisey teaches biblical studies and church history at Eastem Mennonite University in Harrisonburg. Va.
powers of their world. Our southern sisters and brothers, in a way similar to what is recorded in the New Testament, understand that God is at work everywhere and not only in the small corners of our personal lives. As did the early Christians, today's growing churches are carrying out Jesus' healing, liberating ministry in the various settings with a warm invitation that is shaped not by wealth or technology, but by vibrant preaching, loving service and peaceable action.
Nzash Lumeya: The growing number of new faces in African, Asian and Latin American local churches challenge a provincial understanding of Christianity. Christian missiologists such as Paul G. Hiebert and David Barrett affirm that more and more women and men from Two-thirds World countries are confessing and professing the lordship of Christ Jesus. The Good News of Jesus Christ is substantial and trustful, and Christian profession in the southern continents now outnumbers that in the northern. Wilbert Shenk affirms this: "Given the more rapid rate of growth outside of the West, membership in Asia,
Africa, and Latin America where mission efforts had been concentrated since 1851 surpassed that of the historical heartland in Europe and North America by the end of the 20th century."
Barrett says personal beliefin Jesus, change of life style and belonging to a local church seem to be a trend in Africa. Indeed, the communication of Christ in countries south of the equator has transformed people's concept of life. They now owe their lives to God. Idols and shrines no longer occupy the central place in a clan or village.
Christ and his Word have become the ultimate reference to Christians. Worshiping Christ together has consolidated the unity and bond of Christians across ethnic, cultural, linguistic and denominational divi· sions. To attend worship services together is a joyful celebration. Mother tongues are appreciated and used to praise Christ. The cross and resurrection of]esus are becoming a key to interpret daily life in the light of the Scriptures. Prayer glues and unifies local churches in urban settings.
Sharing the love of Christ within local churches and beyond helps these Christians to experience God's
What-and who---is MWC?
MENNONITE WORLD Conference is an international fellowship of Christian churwes who trace their beginning to the 16thcentury Radical Reformation In Europe. Today more than one million believers belong to this faith famlly-at least 55 percent are African. Asian or Latin American. MWC represents 87 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ national churches. including the Mennonite Brethren, In 60 countries on five continents.
A primary ministry of MWC is to create opportunities-a "space"-where member churches experience communion and solidarity. work together on shared concerns and interests and
inueasing,>, become mutually accountable to each other. MWC intends to serve as a global congregation where people of different cultures and nations lire no longer strangers.
.....
• At the beginning of the 21st (entury. more M.nnonites Brethren in Christ live in countries of the global South than in Europe and North America. This shift is continuing and growing.
• European and North American missions undertaken by Mennonites and Brethren in Christ have matured. Churches in the South and in the East are established and strong.
These growing churches are carrying out their own mission work and asking to be seen as brothers and sisters. as equals in shaping vision as we work independently.
• MWC today offers more than world "conferences." MWC's emerging direction may be desuibed as a "communion," pointing to a greater solidarity and accountability taking place within the worldwide family of faith.
• MWC is attempting to lend its international nature to national mission and service agencies as a coordinatIng and supporting agency helping. member churches to share their gifts and resources with each other.
MI.........
MWC provides occasions and networks. pubJlcat10ns and exchanges whetr. Men.. nonites and Bretf1ren In Christ can experience fellowship and be encouraged to live and act more faithfully. Though MWC began as a onc.in-slx-or-'seven..years assembly, its major, emphases arebecoming a growing numHr of programs and projects that aid memHr churches In their life and ministry. Increasingly. the Initiative and leader ship for these activities Is coming from the global South.-from MWC materials. For more information about MWC, visit www.mwccmm.org.
mission to the world. There is a whole growing missionary movement sweeping through our world from churches south of the equator. God is using biblical theological training institutions to equip the saints.
Today, men and women from the South help churches be faithful to Christ and responsible to various national societies (world). Unity of the body of Christ in diversity (culture, language, geography and ethnicity) remains one of the miracles of the Holy in Africa.
5 and will Anabaptism change ._c.AIJ'J._ult?
I like to characterize the changes in the glo Mennonite and Brethren in Christ family-cne of the mainstreams of descendants of the 16th century Anabaptists-as moving from a commitment to our "tradition" to a commitment to our "heritage."
Commitment to Anabaptism as a tradition has focused strongly on the history of the movement in 16th century central Europe and on learning from those experiences and the models of the early leaders
how to follow Christ faithfully. It has also focused on the many traditions that have grown up among the western European, U.S. and Canadian descendants of those early Anabaptists, including everything from styles of mission activity, structures of organizing the church and formal patterns of educating our youth to ethnic details such as singing in four-part harmony and eating special foods.
This history and these traditions are good-they are a gift from God-but they don't necessarily represent faithful Christian living for all the family. So I suggest that Anabaptism is changing and will change to an understanding of Anabaptism as a heritage, a well of resources that help believers in many different settings and circumstances to think through the fundamental question: "What does it mean to faithfully follow Christ in our environment?"
I believe that the responses to this question need to be shaped not only by the details of Anabaptlsm's past history but perhaps even more by the social, economic, religious and political realities of individual locations where churches are growing. In the process
What-and who-----is ICOMB?
MENNONITE.. WORLD Conference isn't the only global organization.
The International Committee of Mennonite Brethren, a formal tion of 18 national ferences (see page 5), Is a unique fellowship within the larger Anabaptist munity. Other Anabaptist groups, suth as the Brethren in Christ, meet together internationally during MWC assemblies but these are often Infonnal gatheringS'.
ICOMB was formed 12 years ago at a meeting held in conjunction with the MWC assembly in Winnipeg, Man., and held its first annual meeting in 1992. At
that time, ICOMB was prisecf Of one continental represetnative each from North America, Africa,Asia, Eurqpe.and two from !,atin America.1n 1997, the mittee restructured itself to include a re"presentatlve from each of the national conferences.
ICOMIJ meets annually to conduct busihess and for Mutual felloWShip and port. At the most recent gathering In Abbotsford, B.C., this ,ummer, tives of 13 of'the.national MB conferences m_e sions that seeM to indicate e growth in the tion. giving provisional acceptance to a global fesslon of fai1h and forming a committee to develop a proposal for hiring a staff person to help manage its continuing de.velopment.
The next meeting of
ICOMB will be held In August 2003 in Zimbabwe in conjunction with the MWC assembly. -Christian Leader
of intelWeaving understandings from the past and grasp its meaning in a global multicultural context. realities of the present, with God's help many beauti- This is a time of showing solidarity in Christ. Comful and vibrant forms of ministry are growing up. In ing together in the name of Christ means that we many ways we may not look all that much alike, but belong to him and to one another. Healthy relationby our common commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord ships with Christ and within the extended family of and to following his way of making peace and justice, Christ is central for Anabaptists. It is part of world we will know that we belong to the same heritage. evangelism Qohn 17:11, 20-26). In going to Zimbabwe, one can visit Anabaptist sisters and brothers from Lumeya: In the South, most Anabaptist Christians were not exposed to some Anabaptist beliefs Angola, Burkina Faso, Congo-Brazzaville, Cabinda, such as non-violence, pacifism, simple life style/shar- Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, ing and mission. The 1980s and 1990s have been Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho,Namibia, Nigeria, South ca, Tanzania, Zambia and others. instrumental in fostering a biblical Anabaptist belief ,.,'6l anchored in Christ (conversion and faith, baptism and the Lord's Supper), community and holistic mission. For the moment Anabaptism from the South and evangelicalism look almost the same theologically.
Leadership and formal and informal training are going to bring a greater change in the future. Differences may occur in areas such as the daily imitation of Christ as the Prince of Peace. Following him instead of local and national powers may produce persecutions and suffering in the permissive global vill1.l8e (Acts 4; 1 Cor. 3:11).
important for Africans to host the ite World Conference assembly in in August 20031
ilsey: One simple reason for holding this gathering in Africa is that it has never been held on that continent before.
Another is that the assembly will provide opportunities for more African Mennonites and Brethren in Christ members to get to know other African brothers and sisters-and, as I noted above, being able to 0 exchange directly with those whose contexts are close to their own should enrich the witness of the different African conferences. (Inter-Anabaptist relationships in Africa are not as well developed as in Latin America or in Asia.)
Third, it is important for Africlln sisters and brothers to have the opportunity to lead the rest of us in worship, share with us their lives as a faith community and demonstrate for us approaches to mission that they are developing. It's one thing to read about these realities in a church periodical but something entirely different to experience first-hand.
Lumeya: Every six years, Mennonite and Brethren in Christ around the world have decided to meet and fellowship together. This is one of the ways we express our unity in Christ and love to one another. This is a time of celebration and praise but also listening to God as we read the Scriptures together and
It important for U.S. and to g01
y: The host church in Zimbabwe is living through very difficult times, both in terms of political uncertainty and in terms of a serious food shortage. These realities mean that North Americans cannot go lightheartedly to the assembly, as if on a simple tourist holiday. But it is important for us to go, to join in the witness there to Jesus' way, to support the church with the presence of many Christian brothers and sisters and to share in a real sense the su1Iering they are undergoing.
We in the North have a habit of viewing ourselves as givers and others as receivers. That temptation might also plague us in attending the assembly in Zimbabwe. But it is my hope that by attending the assembly we can be receivers of God's grace through the lives and witness of our African sisters and brothers. This does not mean that Africans have all the spiritual gifts and Northerners the material gifts to offer each other. Rather, as we go, we offer the gift of solidarity and love and possibly concrete contributions such as fasting or food aid. At the same time, we open ourselves to receive hospitality, spiritual nourishment and new insights into faithful living.
Lumeya: Our sisters and brothers from North America and their siblings in Christ who live around the world stand side-by-side through covenantal love. This tough love to follow Christ goes beyond earthly passport. It is part of our commitment to Christ and loyalty to his worldwide body. Going to Zimbabwe is one way to be both local and global followers of Christ.
In August, I was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The church is praying and excited. "Cornel" This is the leitmotif that rings in my mind when I think of the next MWC assembly in Africa. The Brethren in Christ leaders have opened their arms to welcome North American and other Anabaptists from around the world. Cornel.
I RETURNED recently from Zimbabwe, where our brothers and sisters in the Zimbabwe Brethren in Christ churches are preparing diligently to host the next global assembly of Mennonite World Conference in August 2003 (see UWhat-and who-is MWC, page 12J. But they also realize the current negative image of Zimbabwe overseas and despair that people will not come to the assembly as a result.
Two main concerns seem to be hindering people from deciding to go to Zimbabwe next year:
• people are afraid of the actions and proclamations of the government against white Zimbabwean farmers, or
• they believe that going to Zimbabwe is akin to supporting a corrupt and hateful government.
I'd like to address both concerns.
of violence
The actions of the Zimbabwean government against the white farmers are not broadly supported by the general population. A substantial majority in the urban centers of Bulawayo and Harare are firmly in the opposition camp. Most Zimbabweans would agree, as do many white Zimbabwean farmers, that land redistribution is something that must be dealt
by our famiJu __
with but fairly, with compensation, without violence and without wholesale disruption of the economy. In any case, the farm seizures and any accompanying tensions are isolated to those few areas where white farms are concentrated. Bulawayo, the city that will host the global assembly, is as safe as most any city in North America or Europe.
When I travel I do not stay in hotels but rather In the homes of ordinary church members in both urban andrural areas. I travel alone and take public transport in cities and across countries. In Bulawayo, my host, Ronald Lizwe MOYo, and I walked throughtownship after township. We visited friends and complete strangers. We waded through crowded markets and waited in packed bus ranks. I also traveled alone on public buses to Zambia and back to Harare at the height of the farm seizures. Not once did I encounter hostility as a result of my being white. To the contrary, many ordinary black Zimbabweans approached me and welcomed me.
At a meeting I attended with many BIC leaders, they expressed their frustration and concern that people in Europe and North America were only hearing the words of their presi-
dent instead of the words of ordinary Zimbabweans, who are overwhelmingly hospitable, gentle and gracious. At this point there is absolutely no need for foreigners to fear traveling to Bulawayo.
LooIdneId ........
On the surface it is understandable that some people feel foreigners should not attend the assembly because it would appear to show support for a vile government. With respect, I suggest that those who feel that way are adhering to ideals and principles that have our interests and feelings in mind and not those of our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters •
Are we list_ming to Zimbabweans? Certainly not any of the broad cross section of Zimbabweans I have been in contact with. Our brothers and sisters in the BIC church are imploring us to come. Who are we to say we know better than they whether or not people from North America and Europe should attend? There are times to make symbolic gestures to stand in solidarity against corruption. That stand, in this case, would be seen by our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters as a stand against them. They do not support a North American boycott of coming to Zimbabwe.
That would be considered a decision made in ignorance against the people of the church.
""S'-d
The issue of whether or not Europeans and North Americans will attend the assembly is a large one in church drdes in Zimbabwe. There is great concern and anxiety that the church in Africa will not be supported. There is concern that once again Africa will be the left out continent. Those of us who do not go out of fear or principle will miss out on an immeasurable experience. Statistics, whether relating to HIVAIDS, famine or corruption, always point out the gloom of Africa. Statistics, however, do not and cannot capture that remarkable spirit that is abundant in so much of Africa-a spirit that thrills the soul and helps make Christianity vibrant and powerful even in dire circumstances.
Ronald Lizwe MOYo, Africa 2003 Assembly national coordinator, put it best when he stated simply, ·Shouldn't our brothers and sisters around the world want to support us and stand beside us even If times are bad? In fact. isn't that the time Christ would say they must stand beside us?"
-Ray Dirks, Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery in Winnipeg, Canada
Concerned about MCC
Frankly, it appears that the money used by Mennonite Central Committee's Washington D.C. office would better be used by sending it to the relief work operation, closing the Washington and United Nations offices.
Be advised that the Elder Board of Neighborhood Church (Visalia, Calif.) has notified the Reedley office and the Washington, D.C. office of MCC of the following:
"All moneys donated from the church are to stay at Reedley for MCC relief work. That is, none of those dollars are to be forwarded to the Washington, D.C., MCC office. The Board at my request, has
Mreviewed a good number of [the D.C. office] 'poSition papers' and concluded that we disagree with the majority of them. Thus, the church cannot support your activity financially or in any other way."
Tony Klein Visalia, Calif.
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: editor@usmb.org).
Itinerary
under the sponsorship of MBMS International, invites born-again Christians to serve as volunteers for its evangelism outreach to:
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In Canada call 888-622-6337
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Mennonite Central Committee Cenada 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9 (204) 261-6381 or toll free (888) 622-6337
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Church Partnership Evangelism is a "church-ta-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.
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BY PHILIP WIEBE
Things that haven't changed
I can't help wishing Sept. 11 us "!ore other ways
A COUPLE OF MONTHS ago there was much hoopla surrounding the anniversary of Sept. 11, that terrible day many say changed the United States forever.
Certainly our nation did change. Both the government and public have become more wary and security conscious. Our concept of war has fundamentally shifted as violent splinter groups have defied human sanctity and national allegiance. Many lives have been permanently altered with the loss of family members, colleagues and loved ones. Our national economy still hasn't recovered from post Sept. 11 economic downturns. And the list of changes goes on.
I have a sense, though, that more than a year later some things have not changed at all. In many ways this is good, of course. For most of us life has gone on. We venture out unhesitatingly to work and shop and recreate and worship. We don't leave the house with gas masks or dive into bomb shelters at the slightest insinuation of danger. We continue to move about freely, though perhaps a little more slowly through certain security checkpoints.
I can't help wishing, though, that Sept. 11 had changed our nation more profoundly in other ways.
For one thing, I don't sense that the general public is more aware than in the past of the ways its actions have global influence, for better or worse. After the original Sept. 11, a number of articles came out linking some cultures' hatred of America with its gluttonous consumption of world resources and its relentless peddling of immoral pop culture. I thought such ideas had merit and were worthy of further discussion. Apparently I didn't have much company. It seems to me now that people either are still unaware of the United
States' continuing global exploitations, or more depressing, they don't care. I wish Sept. 11 had changed that.
Another thing I don't 'see is much deepening of daily perspective. For awhile after Sept. 11, there was talk of how it jarred Americans into reflecting on what was really important: relationships rather than entertainment, community rather than individualism, simplicity rather than consumerism. That lasted, what, maybe a month? I look around now and see the same rushing around, grasping for wealth and obsession with superficial amusements as before the towers went down.
I can't see that any great post-Sept. 11 spiritual awakening has happened, either. Let me emphasize that I'm not talking about the revivals God continues to birth in our nation and around the world, just like he was doing before Sept. 11. I just mean that the event itself didn't really inspire a mass returning to churches and places of worship, as some thought it might.
For me such fizzling is explained by a conversation I read about soon after the terror attack. A young woman had returned to church, due to the trauma, after being away for years. An interviewer asked if this was a permanent change. She said no, she just needed to come back for a few weeks to receive some comfort. Then she expected to go back to her normal, spirituality-free life.
I don't know what happened with the woman after that. Maybe God began speaking to her. But her statement is all too familiar in this age of "me." So many approach life as an exercise in what they can get for themselves, rather than how they might discover a higher purpose. You'd think Sept. 11 would have knocked more people to their spiritual senses.
Something else that Sept. 11 didn't change is people's understanding of security. This past September the same questions started all over again. Is our national security adequate? Are we really any safer than we were before?
In a word, no. And it has nothing to do with beefing up homeland security or overseas vigilance. During the anniversary proceedings many said, "I still don't feel safe." And my response again is, "Why did they ever?" Life has always been a risky proposition. Sept. 11 didn't suddenly make us all less safe, it just emphasized what can happen in an unsafe world.
I don't mean we should go around feeling skittish or give up on strengthening national security measures. We just need to realize it's impossible to control everything. If that's where our security lies, it's a hopeless cause.
Finally, I don't think the notion of biblical peacemaking has made much progress. After Sept. 11, when our government was pondering how to respond, I harbored hope that we would pursue firm but nonviolent waYs to reduce terrorist activity in the world. But then the bombs started falling. And now, as I write, we're close to dropping more bombs in our anti-terror campaign.
I realize that force is sometimes unavoidable when dealing with e-ril in the world. The Bible clearly says that God uses governments and nations to punish wrongdoers. But it's also clear that Jesus knew what he was talking about when he said humans needed to get past their "eye for an eye" mentality, to tenaciously seek ways to heal rather than kill.
As the global village gets smaller and smaller, it's the only way we'll keep from destroying ourselves along with our enemies .•
BY MARVIN HEIN
Questions about faith Be life
and divided over Jesus' teachings on peacemaking
QSeveral times in your answers , have noticed a not-so-veiled reference to the fact that you are skeptical of the emphasis on the need for "self-image" by our current generation. 15 not self-image essential to a healthy personality? (California)
AYes, I have been skeptical. Something tells me that a positive overdrawn may well be a negative in the end.
In my early life I had a poor selfimage. The best explanation I can give is that I grew up as a farm boy in the midst of small-city peers. My schoolmates participated in athletics; I was not allowed to do so. My peers went regularly to movies; that activity was on my church's "verboten" list. My early friends knew about alcohol and tobacco. They possessed, by virtue of their parents' lifestyles, a kind of "worldliness" or sophistication inexperienced by me. Being called "Dutch" didn't help either. I really did feel inferior.
I don't hold any grudge against my parents or church for asking me to live by tenets that may have encouraged a poor self-image. I rather appreciate that kind of moral training. While some poor selfimage still arises in me at times, I think I managed, by the grace of God and exp0sure to the real world, to change enough so that some semblance of good selfimage grew in me.
lt seems to me that a consciousness of being a sinner almost necessitates a sense that we are not God's greatest gift to humanity. Salvation by grace should relieve us of some of that shame. But I sense that in a culture where we prize a hearty dose of individualism and where even in our spirituality we treasure the fuzzy, feel-good kind of religious experience, self-image is heightened to the point where it becomes a negative. We
feel so good about ourselves that we don't need God's forgiveness.
My wife, an avid reader of Time, handed me an article from the OCtober 14 issue titled "Lacking in Self-Esteem? Good for You!" Andrew Sullivan explains that several generations of children, especially minorities, have been taught that selfesteem is the essential building block for a healthy life.
Time, never famous for its conservatism or pro-Christian views, goes on to report results of a research project summarized by the New York Times. Among other things, it says: "New research has found that self-esteem can be just as high among D students, drunk drivers and former presidents as it is among Nobel laureates, nuns and New York City fire fighters .... People with high esteem can engage in fur more antisocial behavior than those with low self-worth.... We had a great deal of optimism that high selfesteem would cause all sorts of positive consequences Mostly, the data have not borne that out.... Self-esteem can also be an educational boomerang... :' The writer goes on to illustrate that the schools are filled with students who've been told they can do no wrong and when a teacher gives them aC they become demoralized or extremely angry.
Maintaining a healthy self-image, if also able to absorb criticism, surely must be a good attribute. But something besides Time tells me we have "gone to seed" on something that may be a good thing but has serious consequences when overdone.
QI've noticed that MBs seem to be divided over how to deal with Jesus' teachings on peacemaking. Why is that? (Kansas)
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? E-mail Marvinatmheinl@fresno.eduorsendyourquestionto InquiringMinds.n c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.
AAllow me to respond very briefly and without lots of explanation:
• We are human beings and very difIerent from one another, although we profess to serve the same Lord. Sometimes the Gospel has not filtered down to our daily lives.
• More people among us have not grown up in a tradition where]esus' words about nonviolence have been taken seriously. With all the antitradition sentiment in our culture, serious discipleship can be enhanced by tradition.
• We have many pastors without any background in our position on peacemaking, and we do poorly in providing teaching that would persuade its validity. On the other hand, some of our most avid followers of the peace stance come from "nonethnic" pastors.
•A few people still recall or have heard from parents about Mennonites mistreated by Russian czars. They feel we must defend the democratic way of life at all costs.
• Some people feel strongly that if we benefit from the security and peace of living under a democracy, we owe it to God and the nation to defend against all enemies.
• Others would embrace the "just war" theory that permits going to battle under certain situations.
• Some point to New Testament passages about "the powers that be are ordained of God" (Rom. 13:1) andgovernment not being given the "sword in vain" (Rom. 13:4) as applicable for our government to govern other nations who disagree with us.
• In our churches (and homes) we tend to express our peace convictions only when our young men become subject to a draft. We have not taught peacemaking as a daily Christian lifestyle, appropriate in any and all occasions.
• We have failed to teach that peacemaking has an active role, not just an objector stance to war. •
BY ROSE BUSCHMAN
Balanced focus on life
I RECENTL Y RECEIVED a letter from a young couple who have just returned from an IS-month overseas missions assignment in East Africa. Sue taught math in a school for missionary children and Mark helped with the business operations of the mission. Now a month after their return they write, ''We are really surprised at how much more difficult it is getting used to being back. It is almost on the verge of depressing. Everyone seems so rich yet they don't have time to enjoy life. We are praying that we will tty to maintain a 'balanced' focus on life .... From our time in Africa we learned that true peace and happiness is not found in maintaining the status quo in North America but by being thankful for the blessings God has given us however big or small."
Reading their letter brought back a flood of memories of the reverse culture shock we experienced when my husband and I returned to the U.S. after.living in North Africa for three years. The huge emphasis on money and what money could buy was disturbing. The good life seemed to be based on what people owned and/or could acquire.
Shopping for food was especially difficult for me. I moved from a lifestyle of being thankful if I found what I needed to one of having too much to choose from. In North Africa I was glad to find ketchup, any kind, any size. Back home I was totally overwhelmed by the selection I had to choose from-five different brands, and four sizes of bottles, glass or plastic. And, yes, the store always had ketchup. The same was true for almost everything else I needed. I learned very quickly that when I made a grocery list I had to put the 10
most needed items at the top because I probably couldn't stay in the store long enough to get everything I wanted. I vividly recall one aborted shopping trip when I gave up after finding only six items. Walking to my car with an incomplete purchase, I thought, "This overabundance is all so obscene, when in much of the world even basic items are often not available."
I think what Mark and Sue are looking for is what Millard Fuller calls "living by the theology of enough." Instead of scrambling to get more and more, Fuller says we need to adopt a new way of thinking. Enough is enough. We don't need more even if we can afford it. The theology of enough says we don't need a new car every three years and when we do, it's okay to buy a used one. The theology of enough allows us to use last year's Christmas decorations again and be satisfied with our 10-year-old living room sofa. We don't need the latest gadget or gizmo just because it exists. We don't need our pantty and refrigerator stuffed so full that we wonder where we will put the latest purchases from the grocery store.
However, the theology of enough isn't just about money. It says we don't need to continually seek new ways to be entertained. We can just spend a quiet evening at home reading a book or listening to our favorite music while the 'IV and the computer are turned off. The theology of enough says our kids don't have to be involved in every activity or sport that comes along. They can learn to make choices and live less stressful lives. This also frees us up from continual chauffeur duties and even allows us to have family suppers together during the week.
Clarence Jordan, founder of Koinonia Farm near Americus, Geor-
gia, once said, "The emptier a person is on the inside, the more that person needs on the outside to compensate for that inward emptiness." The theology of enough allows us to take the time to nurture our inner selves rather than to accumulate more "stuff" which becomes the merchandise for next year's garage sale.
In a study of the many religions around the world, Arthur Toynbee found that while the religious leaders disagreed on the nature of the universe, the nature of spiritual life and the nature of God, they all agreed on this: "ff we make materialwealth our paramount aim, this will lead to disaster." Jesus said, "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). He also said that we cannot serve both God and money at the same time (Matt. 6:24).
The theology of enough is liberating. It frees us to follow what James says about true religion, "it is to minister to the widow and orphans in their time of distress" (1:27). It also provides us with the time and resources to lead a life committed to doing God's work as outlined in Matthew 25. Jesus tells us we must feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, provide hospitality to the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and those in prison. He said that if we do these things for others, we do them for him.
The theology of enough helps us focus on others rather than ourselves. It places relationships above material possessions and it helps us be thankful for the blessings God has given us. It allows us to spend less money and time on ourselves and give more to the Lord. I believe this is what Mark and Sue are searching for as they seek to maintain a "balanced focus on life." •
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MWC assembly points to future
Anabaptist family gathering hosted by Africans, held in Zimbabwe
BY CONNIE FABER, WIlli MWC
Africa 2003, hosted this summer by the Brethren in Christ congregations of Zimbabwe, marks the first time the global Anabaptist family is gathering for a Mennonite World Conference assembly on the African continent. MWC assemblies, held every six years, are rooted in the conviction that Anabaptist Christians
from around the world have something essential to learn from each other and that the gathered global church can invigorate local church life.
"In southern Zimbabwe they use the word woza which simply means, 'Come, there is something here for you,'" says Werner Kroeker, a MWC staff member who attends College Community Church in Clovis, Calif. "I wish that we could
hear God saying to us, 'Come. Come, there is something here for you.'''
Africa 2003 offers North American and European Christians from Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches the opportunity to be nurtured by their spiritual children, says Kroeker, who has spent time serving with the India MB Conference. And the current political and economic climate in many African countries should motivate rather than discourage attendance.
"A major reason we should go to Africa is to experience what it means to spend a week with people who live in poverty, who live in a nondemocratic, violent kind of governmental system and who live on the verge of starvation and food shortages. They want us to be there," says Kroeker. "For us to understand that (is) important. It will help us to identify more. It points us to the future. It doesn't necessarily reflect present realities here in North America. It certainly reflects present realities in much of the rest of the Christian world."
Zimbabwe location affirmed
The importance of supporting Zimbabweans in their time of tunnoil is one reason the MWC executive committee reaffirmed this summer their earlier decision to hold the 14th MWC assembly in Zimbabwe.
"We believe the church is called to be present as a sign and announcement of God's love for the world," the executive committee says in a statement from its Aug. 2-6 meeting in Bulawayo. "MWC exists to support member churches wherever they are located. We urge all member churches to accept the responsibilities of interdependence and solidarity with each other."
Since MWC's decision two years ago to meet in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe has been increasingly wracked by social and political instability. President Robert Mugabe's controversial land redistribution program and contested elections have led to allegations of human rights abuses by the government. The land redistribution coupled with a lack of rain for several years have also created food shortages. In addition, safety concerns have been heightened by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S.
To discern their response to these concerns, MWC officials spent time in August in Bulawayo talking with church
leaders and local assembly planners and worshipping in six of the 14 Brethren in Christ congregations in the city.
"The church in Bulawayo would not have the courage to call brothers and sisters from around the world to come here if it were not peaceful," Bishop Danisa Ndlovu told the executive committee. "Our hearts would break if our invitation were turned down." Ndlovu heads the BIC church in Zimbabwe.
Ndlovu encouraged Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from other countries not to stay home because of food shortages or the country's political issues. The church in Zimbabwe would find it helpful for their sisters and brothers to come here to understand better and to discuss together how to meet the challenges facing African churches, he said.
"I would not be human if I would say I am not afraid," Ndlovu said. "But what frightens me are the expectations [of those who will come.]"
At the end of the six days of meetings, the MWC executive had no doubt that the Zimbabwean church could meet expectations. They noted especially that church groups across Zimbabwe are holding monthly prayer sessions for the upcoming assembly, many praying that internationals will not be afraid to come to Bulawayo.
Gathered and scattered
Africa 2003 will include two components: Assembly Gathered in Bulawayo Aug. 2-6 and Assembly Scattered during which visitors will scatter to various locations throughout Africa en route to or returning from Zimbabwe.
Organizers project 1,500 international guests and 4,000 Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from Zimbabwe and Zambia will attend the assembly. The biblical text for the global gathering is 1 Cor. 12, and the theme is "Sharing gifts in suffering and in joy."
Bulawayo, sometimes known as the "City of Kings," is Zimbabwe's second largest city with a population of about one million, and is home to the central offices of the Brethren in Christ Church. It is within one hour of Matopos Hills (by bus) and within five hours of Victoria Falls and some game parks.
Assembly Gathered will meet on the grounds of the 17-hectare Zimbabwe International Trade Fair complex near downtown Bulawayo. The privately
GO AND SEE THE FUTURE
Why go to Zimbabwe?
WHY SHOULD
North American Mennonite Brethren travel to Zimbabwe for the 14th Mennonite World Conference
Assembly? The Leader raised the question with Werner Kroeker, a MWC staff member from College Community Church in Clovis, Calif. His answer focuses on the future of global Christianity.
"1 think that we are just beginning to learn what it means to be part of a global church, n says Kroeker. "Here in this country denominationalism makes a difference to us. In Africa, we Mennonite Brethren have worked with other denominations. The churches in Africa do not divide themselves in all places by Mennonite and Brethren in Christ denominations."
The MWC emphasis on inter-Mennonite partnerships is an
important lesson for North American Christians to see firsthand. "Mennonite World Conference is definitely the direction in which the global church is going. That's particularly true in the South where denominationalism as we have known it in this country is not native to them or is it meaningful to them," says Kroeker. In Asian countries Christians are a very small minority, says Kroeker. "For us to divide ourselves by one Mennonite group or another is pointless. Even dividing ourselves as Anabaptists from other church groups limits the Gospel. I wish we could learn that our common message, our combined message, a unified message coming from North American Christians to the rest of
the world would be a powerful message to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and would result in people coming to Christ."
North Americans who attend Africa 2003 will better understand the difficult circumstances in which many Christians in the world find themselves, says Kroeker. And yet worshipping with African brothers and sisters will be a joyful experience. Africa 2003 worship will also reflect the future of the Anabaptist church. "In the history of the church, the population majority has determined the direction of the church. The majority has now moved to the global South. What does that say to us," asks Kroeker. "Maybe we can go to Africa to see what the church of the future looks like." -eF
AFRICA FIRST TIME MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCE HOSTS
Largest Ble church in Zimbabwe
Africa, with the second largest population of Anabaptists in the world, is host to the first Mennonite World Conference assembly to be held on that continent. MWC member or associate member churches are located in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The Brethren in Christ Church of Zimbabwe, the only Anabaptist-related Christian group in the country, is the official host of Africa 2003. Begun by BIC missionaries from the U.S. in 1898, the church in Zimbabwe has grown to a membership of 29,000 baptized believers in 272 congregations, making it the largest national BIC church
in the world. Approximately 6,000 members live in Bulawayo where the cen· tral BIC church offices are located.
As part of their strategy to evangelize, the mission-
owned facility includes several large halls that seat from 3,500 to 9,000 people, numerous smaller buildings and an open air arena. Dining halls with catered lunches, dinners and teas will be an easy walk across the ZITF complex. The city offers a wide range of lodging accommodations--ranging from basic donnitories to first class hotels and lodges with Western style facilities.
Assembly Gathered will include morning and evening mass meetings for worship, singing, prayer, preaching, Bible study, storytelling and MWC reporting. Each day a different continent will be emphasized: Asia on Tuesday, Europe on Wednesday, Latin America on Thursday, North America on Friday and Africa on Saturday. A closing "World Day" worship service and farewell meal on Sunday will conclude the celebration.
English, spoken fluently by a large majority of Zimbabweans, will be the "platform language" for Assembly Gathered. Simultaneous translation will be
aries established schools, farms, bookrooms, hospitals, clinics and a Bible institute. The first national bishop was installed in 1970. During the 1998 centennial year, the Zimbabwe
provided for Spanish, French, Ndebele, Shona, Tonga and maybe German. Translation into other languages will be arranged informally. . Each afternoon assembly participants can choose from a variety of free-time activities. They can explore the cultures and churches around the world when they visit the Global Church Village, to be located at the ZITF. The village will feature five continental clusters where "life at home" will be portrayed through artifacts, pictures, stories, food, clothing and other creative means. Music, drama, dancing and storytelling will take place on a center stage.
The "Our Family" exhibit, collected from around the world by Winnipeg artist Ray Dirks, will showcase photographic and art pieces about daily life in about 20 Mennonite and BIC communities around the world. Workshops and city tours to cultural and historical sites as well as to church projects are also afternoon options.
Young adults are invited to attend
church commissioned its first missionary to Botswana.
The BIC church in Zimbabwe has supportive relationships with sister churches in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi and the United Kingdom. In neighboring Zambia there are 125 BIC congregations and 13,350 individual members.
Zimbabwean Brethren in Christ have the practice and the facilities to host large groups, says MWC. Averages of 4,000 people regularly attend the Brethren in Christ annual meeting.
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Centre, site of Assembly Gathered, hosts an annual weeklong exhibition featuring about 1,000 companies from 30 countries. -CF
the MWC Youth Summit planned for the days prior to the assembly. Each of the 87 MWC member conferences in five continents is invited to send a representative aged 18 to 25 to make up the summit's core group, but all young people may participate. This forum will discuss dreams and vision youth have for the church as well as important life issues they face.
"(The Global Youth Summit) is very forward looking in terms of where the church is going," says Kroeker. "We hope this will be an encouragement to the churches of the global south. It also represents the reality of the population of these churches-the majority of the people being young people in these churches."
Other groups will meet during Assembly Gathered. The MWC Faith and Life Council will lead afternoon conversations about core beliefs of Mennonite and BIC worldwide. The MWC Peace Council will explore peace convictions and practices in member
bodies. Other meetings include one for global Anabaptist mission agencies, health providers with a focus on
HIV/AIDS, women in theological training and those interested in global economics and urban ministries.
SAFETY. FOOD SHORTAGES AND ABUSES A CONSTANT ISSUE
Each MWC member-conference is represented on the General Council that will meet before and after the
MWC addresses concerns
wrrH fWO·THIRDS of Mennonite World Conference member churches now living in Africa. Asia. and Latin America. MWC leaders face questions about safety. human rights and food shortages each time they prepare a world gathering. While MWC affirms its decision to accept the Invitation of the African churches to hold its world assembly on that continent for the first time ever. it takes seriously the questions that current developments raise.
MWC executive secretary Larry Miller of Strasbourg. France. answers three of the most commonly asked questions about Africa 2003. Excerpts of his remarks are printed here.
• SIaouId MWC ....d a ...... 1..-.......-.
.......... Ina part of world facing serious food shortages?
Food shortages currently face much of southern Africa. not just Zimbabwe. Poverty and hunger are constant issues where the majority of our worldwide family now lives. The MWC-member Brethren In Christ Church in Zimbabwe is currently working with the government. Menno-nite Central Committee and other organizations to find ways to meet the most pressing food needs In their area. They do not see preparing to welcome the world-
wide family of faith to their table incompatible with working to meet the food needs of their neighbors.
During Africa 2003. we will all eat the same food at the same table. Indeed. we will make every effort to extend the table as far as possible. We will also make every effort to assure that we do not eat food that otherwise might have gone to hunger victims. This question .•. could be on the agenda wherever a large church gathering is planned, induding those held In Europe and North America. Are we eating food that could be shared with those who are hungry?
babwe. at the Invitation of the ChUKh there. to stand with them and to worship God with them.
A next question concerns the politicallmplicatlons of taking that stand and worshipping together In that place. In this context.humanrightsiuues are Important and universal issues. I note that the current Amnesty International report documents human rights abuses of various sorts in 152 countries and territories around the world. including France. Germany. Switzerland, Canada and the U.S. Nearly every MWC member church lives In a country on the list. How do we respond as national churches to the situations in our own countries? How do we respond as a global family to the situations In the other countries where our siblings In the faith live?
We are a global church. says Mesach Krisetya. MWC president from Indonesia, and we will get into trouble if we don't hold gatherings because of a country's politics. The bishop of the Brethren in Christ ChUKh in neighboring Zambia says that we go to assembly not In recognition of any governing system, but to identify with the suffering chUKh.
Our first question in situations like these Is: What does it mean to stand with the members of the body of Christ? We go to Zim-
The international political community is not boycotting the country or the people of Zimbabwe. The Commonwealth and the U.S. have aimed their sanctions directly at the leaders of the country. They generally note that the people of Zimbabwe went to great pains to exeKlse their democratic rlghts In the recent elections and should be supported. not sanctioned. for it. ................,
Elections In MaKh 2002 left the country divided.
but generalized violence has not broken out as many predicted. While there continue to be travel advisories in some western countries about specific situations to avoid in Zimbabwe. safety is a relative term In todays world.
Holding a large gathering like Africa 2003 anywhere in the world today Involves some risk. Most Anabaptist Christians today live in places where there 15 risk In dally living In respect to health and security. MWC believes that risks for international visitors are no more pronounced In Zimbabwe than most other places. As a global church. we need to be ready to enter Into each other's realities. pleasant or unpleasant. We are called to be faithful together. and that may Involve some risk. While we acknowledge that acceptable risk varies considerably from person to person. we will guard agClilnst recklessness and cheap heroics.
MWC is also working closely with Zimbabwean churches and medical personnel to provide good medical care for participants In Africa 2003 while they are In the country.
MWC will continue to monitor the political situation across Africa and. in consultation with the Africa 2003 host churches. to make adjustments In assembly plans if any are warranted and useful
Assembly. Lynn Jost of Hillsboro, Kan., and Rolando Mireles of Rio Grande City, Tex., represent U.S. Mennonite Brethren on the General Council. Paul Quiring of Fresno, Calif., serves as the MWC treasurer, an appointed position. Other MBs living in the U.S. and work· ing for MWC are Kroeker of Fresno, Calif., who works with development, Pakisa Tshimika of Fresno who is an associate executive secretary for MWC networks and projects, and Heidi Gray who is a MWC support staff member.
Visiting Africa
Assembly Scattered is designed for registrants to visit other Mennonite and BIC churches throughout Africa for short periods of time, either before or after the meeting in Bulawayo. MWC· related churches will serve as hosts. Par· ticipants will worship in congregations, visit in homes and learn about the chal· lenges of being a Christian in these set· tings. This exchange will also permit Africans who are not able to attend
Assembly Gathered to participate in the worldwide fellowship.
Because August is a heavy travel season across the North Atlantic, MWC encourages Africa 2003 participants to make travel plans as soon as possible and strongly recommends that North Americans join travel groups. "It will be difficult for hosts to accommodate many independent travelers when they are already committed to caring for visi· tors who have reserved time and space for them," says a MWC newsletter. "Please do not burden hospitable African hosts."
A list of tour groups is included in the registration packet sent to all U.S. MB churches. Included in the list is an MBMS International-sponsored tour aimed at young adults ages 20 to 30 led by Jeanine and Greg Yoder and sched· uled for Aug. 2-19. The tour will start in the Democratic Republic of Congo, then continue at Mennonite World Conference in Zimbabwe where the group will attend the Youth Summit and will con·
clude with a debrief in South Africa.
"This trip will give a taste of the global Anabaptist church's passion for mission, worship, discipleship and community," says Jeanine, who traveled for a year with Esengo, an MB Congolese singing group. She currently teaches Christian Contemporary Ministry and Intercultural Studies at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif. Greg is a therapist with youth in crisis, has traveled in the Middle East and was a "missionary kid" in Indonesia.
More information about this tour is available from MBMS International (toll free at 1-888-866-6267) or Greg and Jeanine Yoder (559-497-6750, yodergm@yahoo.com). Cost is estimated at $3,500.
A worldwide gathering is not without expense. In spite of a projected attendance of 5,500 people, MWC treasurer Paul Quiring has told the executive committee that as in past years, registration fees may not cover assembly costs.
The registration fee is the primary
Registration info mailed to churches
Registration packets for Mennonite World Conference Africa 2003 have been mailed to all Mennonite Brethren congregations as well as all other Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregations, denominational offices and agencies. Registration forms can also be accessed for copying on the web sites of MWC (www.mwc-cmm.org) and MTS Travel (www.mtstravel.com), but on-line registration is not possible. A late fee will apply to all registrations postmarked after January 31, 2003.
Africa 2003 will include Assembly Gathered in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Aug. 11-17,2003, and Assembly Scattered hosted by MWC member churches in Africa before and after the Bulawayo event. To allow for
travel time to and from Africa and for attending Assembly Gathered and
from home for two to twoand-one-half weeks.
In addition to a registration form, the packet includes costs for accom· modations, meals, travel to various Assembly Scattered locations,and sightseeing. There is information on a wide range of tour groups, special information for youth and young adults, a program outline for the days in Bulawayo, general information on various topics including medical services, food, weather, money and opportunities for participation.
For more information, contact MWC: phone, (519) 571-0060; fax, (519) 517-1980; e-mail, KitchenerOmwc-cmm.org; or visit the MWC web site (www.mwc-cmm.org). -MWC Assembly scattered, North Americans and Europeans should plan to be away
UCITY OF KINGS": MANY OF THE BENEFITS, FEW OF THE PROBLEMS OF LARGER AFRICAN CITIES
Bulawayo site of MWC assembly
ZIMBABWE'S Bulawayo, the ·City of Kings," will delight thousands of international Mennonite and Brethren in Christ visitors attending the 14th Mennonite World Conference assembly August 11-17, 2003. With a population of about one million, Bulawayo has many of the benefits and few of the problems of larger African cities. It has been said that Bulawayo "grows on a person." For Africa 2003 participants, six days will hardly be enough, say assembly organizers.
MWC leaders who have visited Bulawayo describe Zimbabwe's second largest city as very pleasant and friendly with clean air and safe drinking water. It has wide boulevards with busy traffic, but minimal congestion. One can shop in lively outdoor markets and large department stores. Some sections of the city are densely populated and in others tree-edged streets are lined with huge estate homes.
Assembly Gathered will take place at the 17hectare Zimbabwe International Trade Fair complex near downtown. The controlled access complex, with its landmark Fairspire, has wide pedestrian walkways encircling and radiating from a central
hub. It has several large halls and numerous smaller venues. Dining halls with catered lunches, dinners and teas will be an easy walk across ·the hub" from the large meeting halls.
The exhibition site has developed over 41 years as a renowned trade fair facility. It is neither primitive nor exotic, but clean and comfortable. There are plenty of washrooms and lots of phone lines. Electronic communication is not always dependable, but ·we'll do our best," say officials.
While walking is encouraged, local committees plan to arrange shuttle service from hotels and numerous privately operated "lodges" (bed and breakfasts) where most registrants will be housed. Public transportationbuses, vans and taxis-is another option. It's a 20minute walk to the city core where the Western influence is evident In the department stores, banks and restaurants, but the din of the outdoor markets, the food in the "take-aways" and the throngs of people walking the streets are delightfully African.
Assembly Gathered participants have a choice of two meal plans: one for
means by which MWC covers the costs of Assembly Gathered. The fee is based on a "fair share" principle. Registration amounts are based on how the average income in a resident's country compares with the average income of participants in the host country. The base price for local registrants, set by local
noon meals only and one for both noon and evening meals. Both plans include the morning and afternoon teas. Breakfast is generally included in the cost of lodging. Assembly scat-
church leadership in consultation with MWC, is the equivalent of $5.00 U.S.
Cost estimates for the six days of Assembly Gathered range from $2,500 to $3,000. Additional costs for Assembly Scattered and sightseeing tours will each range from several hundred to more than $1,000, depending on
tered visitors will enjoy a variety of local, generally mildly seasoned cuisine provided by host churches or available in restaurants.
-Ferne Burkhardt, MWC News Editor
I options chosen.
Registrants are encouraged, but not required, to make a donation to the MWC travel fund. The fund assists representatives from MWC member churches outside of North America and Europe by paying a portion of their travel costs. •
NCDC gathers and worships
Convention emphasizes stewardship and worship ,.. and highlights outreach efforts
Every September the close knit North Carolina MB District Conference gathers for what is officially called a convention. Realistically it is a time for leaders and lay members to share their heart. The rather informal schedule and potluck meals enhance the family atmosphere.
This year the convention was held Sept. 27-29 at Hope Christian Outreach in Lenoir, N.C. Three NCDC pastors addressed the theme, "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. "
"The theme comes from a very familiar Proverb," said Reggie Hunt, pastor of Boone MB Church, in an interview after the convention. "However, the application of the proverb may be a little more difficult in our everyday lives. We can avoid leaning on our own understanding when we consistently i apply biblical principles in our lives. I . The conference speakers encouraged the people to consider applying the i I biblical principles of faith, stewardship I and worship." ,I
Terry Hunt, pastor of Bushtown MB Church in Lenoir, spoke about faith and I stewardship. He reminded the audience > that God has given each person the I same amount of time in each day. Hunt Ii defined stewardship as the way in which a person manages the resources God has given. Using numerous Scripture I verses, Hunt talked about the importance of first-fruit giving, of staying focused on biblical stewardship and of having faith in God's ability to provide. Materialism, said Hunt, is "forgetting about the spiritual side of things."
"While the world is consistently saying 'more is better,' we must be accountable to God and not to man," said Hunt in an interview after his message.
Hunt encouraged his listeners to take the advice of the prophet Malachi and "tty God." Hunt said, "See God fulfill his word. If we tty him, he will do it. It may not be limited to monetary matters, but (in) preventing the wear and tear in our lives."
In the second message NCDC moderator James Fox encouraged the delegates to tame the "more monster" by trusting in God. Fox said in his own experience happiness did not automatically come through financial security but through circumstances which allowed him to place his faith in God. Contentment, he said, comes when one is a good manager of the resources God has entrusted. Fox is pastor of Beechbottom MB Church in Newland, N.C. Morris Hatton, Boone MB Church associate pastor, spoke of worship as
"We can avoid leaning on our own understanding when we consistently apply biblical principles in our daily lives. The conference speakers encouraged the people to consider applying the biblical principles of faith, stewardship and worship. "
-Reggie Hunt, pastor of Boone MB Church
an act of the will that gives adoration of God in vocal, audible and visible ways. He encouraged balancing corporate worship with times of individual worship because "as we practice individual worship, we feel free to practice cooperate worship."
In an interview after his message Hatton said, "God inhabits the praises of his people. He comes into our situation. The Bible says we can't thank him for everything, but we can thank him in everything. "
Hatton said, "People want to worship something beyond themselves. We are created to worship, and created to worship the Lord."
The program also included an
update on two outreach efforts. The River Church, led by Pastor Peter Thomas, is a church plant effort located in Brevard, N.C. Robby Ammons represented the church plant and shared about the progress and challenges of the group over the last year.
"One of the tougher challenges for me was the balance of expectations and humility," said Ammons. "Sometimes I would have high expectation for big numbers, when I needed learn a little more humility, being faithful in working with the core group."
Ammons described the church as a core group of people who are learning to conform their lives to the image of God. The group has used "12 Steps for Christians" as resource material and is committed to creating a safe church environment. ''We want to love people in spite of what they have done. We want to share Jesus with them," said Ammons.
The River is preparing for two separate outreach mailings of 10,000 flyers each. The church is also on the radio weekly and has purchased commercials, has a billboard and was noted in a newspaper article. The River's grand opening was Nov. 3.
A second outreach effort was highlighted in a unique way since the convention was held at the new Lenior youth outreach center. NCDC volunteers and members of a Youth Mission International SOAR team have worked to renovate the recently purchased facility.
Asked in a post-convention interview about the ways in which God has blessed the district, Moderator Fox gave praise for the work at Hope Christian Outreach. The center's growth, said Fox, affirms the call felt by conference leaders to build HCO. The district has also been blessed by numeric growth at Boone MB Church and other congregations and by the addition of Reggie Hunt as the district's first full-time pastor. Terry Hunt, pastor at Bushtown MB Church in Lenoir and the youth center director, will become the second full-time pastor in January.
When asked what his spiritual goals are for the NCDC, Fox said unity, spiritual maturity that will lead the congregations to move beyond reoccurring problems and living with a biblical perspective. He challenged the churches to walk in faith and look through spiritual eyes. -from a report by Reggie Hunt
Educating for holistic peace
Consultation prioritizes peace education strategies ,.. that target young adults
Answering the question of how U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches, schools, publications and other institutions can best educate people about peacemaking was the primary focus of a consultation held Sept. 26-28 at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. The U.S. Conference Peace Education Commission and Board of Faith and Life co-sponsored the Peace Education Leadership Consultation.
Event organizers invited those to attend who are directly involved in educating young people and congregations about peace. The invitation list included youth pastors, teachers from MB-supported Christian high schools and Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University, U.S. Conference board members, district ministers, representatives of specific ethnic groups, West Coast Mennonite Central Committee staff members and interested pastors and lay leaders.
While a consultation such as this has no binding authority, BFL chair Lynn lost says the future of peace education will be positively affected as the various representatives "put their hands" to the activities affirmed by the consultation.
"Perhaps the effectiveness of this consultation will best be tested after a year or two in terms of what develops after further conversations," says Peace Education Commission chair Dalton Reimer. Consultations can "only do so much," writes Reimer in an e-mail interview following the consultation. "What happens out of a consultation has to draw in others."
He writes, "Peace education ultimately involves parenting for peace, pastoring for peace, Christian education in churches and schools, opportunities for practicing peacemaking, etc. The question is how do we mobilize ourselves so that this happens in all these settings."
The consultation began Thursday
, evening with a Mexican dinner served and provided by Sanger La Roca MB Church. In the opening session that followed, BFL Chair lost spoke to the topic "What we say that we believe about peace." The session focused on the MB Confession of Faith, particular· Iy Article 12 "Society and State," and Article 13 "Love and Nonresistance."
While lost's presentation focused on what MBs say about peace, Don Isaac's follow-up presentation looked in a broad sense at what MBs actually believe about peacemaking. Isaac, a Peace Education Commission member, walked the 16 participants through the results of a survey he con· ducted this summer of church leaders and educators at Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University.
"The survey tended to reflect support, even though not always as strong as it might be, for the core values we as Mennonite Brethren have traditionally espoused," writes Reimer summa· rizing Isaac's report.
Friday morning Reimer reviewed the current state of peace education in the larger Mennonite world and the field of conflict studies and peacemak· ing. He focused on two issues with which Mennonites have wrestled over the past 50 years: the Christian's rela· tionship to war and the Christian's relationship to culture. He noted that the Mennonite understanding of the "peace position" has moved from one that primarily implied nonparticipation in war to "holistic peacemaking
or peace with God and with each other and the created order."
Following Reimer's presentation, the format of the consultation shifted. Participants were asked to share their peace education experiences and to brainstorm about ways to enhance peace education. Discussion facilitators Larry Dunn, chair of academic programs in peacemaking and conflict studies at FPU, and Valerie Rempel, BFL member and MB Biblical Semi-
nary faculty member, began by breaking the participants into small groups. These groups listed peace education activities that group members had led, participated in or of which they were aware. Each participant then shared a peace education story, and each group selected a representative story to be shared with the larger group. The group then looked at the stories and lists of experiences to determine characteristics of successful peace education efforts, what hurdles were experienced and what surprises were encountered.
Saturday morning the process continued as the group, first working in small groups and then in the larger group, created a prioritized list of dreams and ideas for U.S. MB peace education efforts. Of the IS-item list, half targeted high school students and young adults. Education efforts included both traditional methods-developing curriculum and publishing peace stories in a series of bulletin insertsand newer methods such as using the U.S. Conference web site to share information and resources. Priorities included the theoretical-developing a new concept of shalom -and the practical-inviting every MB church to adopt an annual peace project.
Working together as a large group, the participants discussed what steps to take to tum these dreams into reality. Participants were encouraged to consider how their particular "spheres of influence" could be incorporated into an action plan.
The participants spent Saturday afternoon responding to a request from the Mennonite World Conference Peace Council that each national conference consider several questions in preparation for the 2003 MWC Assembly in Africa. Participants divided into two smaller groups, and each group addressed one of two main themes: peace theology and peace practices.
Other MB agencies that helped sponsor the consultation were the Tabor College Center for MB Studies, Fresno Pacific University Center for MB Studies, Historical Commission of the MB Church, MBBS, Tabor College, Fresno Pacific University and the FPU Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies.-from a PEe report
·Youth SOAR through summer
Youth experience cross-cultural teamwork through ,.. short-term mission
This summer, almost 230 teenagersfrom 17 congregations in the U.S. and Canada participated in Youth Mission International's three SOAR programs. SOAR North Carolina, SOAR Midwest in Reynosa, Mexico and SOAR Pacific in Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico, involved a variety of activities.
In North Carolina the objective was community outreach and construction. Midwest participants served alongside five churches in Reynosa and helped with evening evangelistic rallies held in public centers in Reynosa and sur-
rounding communities. The Pacific program worked with World Impact in Los Angeles and churches in Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico.
''Working with the local churches went really well," says Philip Serez, SOAR director. "It was good to receive from local pastors as they taught us and led us in altar calls."
In addition to reaching out to people with the Gospel, SOAR plants seeds and helps to test the ministry call and potential of young people. In the past eight years, over 2,500 teens and young adults have come through the program's train-
ing, assignment and debrief phase. Many of the high school age participants are now in their college years, further testing their ministry call. Others are serving across North America and abroad as worship leaders and pastors, youth pastors, senior pastors and children's pastors.
"God is planting deep seed among the youth," says Serez. To illustrate, Serez tells the story of one student who was dissatisfied with the status quo when he returned home. "He spent four hours in quiet time, then marched over to his pastor and 'demanded' that he put him to work."
Youth Mission International is a ministry of MBMS International, the global mission agency of Mennonite Brethren churches in Canada and the U.S. Those interested in participating in 2003 SOAR programs should contact Serez at soar@youthmission.org.-LtsaAlveyfor MBMSI
u.s. leaders to meet this month in Kansas
Ministry and conference leaders will discuss budget ,.. and organizational issues in two day meeting
inistry and conference leaders will meet for two full days Nov. 22-23-a half-day more than is usual for Board of Church Ministries meetings.
The agenda is full for BCM, the conference leadership board consisting of executive members, chairs of each ministry, representatives from districts and ministry and conference staff members. In particular, leaders will review the past couple of years, discuss issues related to potential changes in organizational structures and look at the current budget and income levels.
"We also want to take adequate time to pray," says conference vice-chair Chuck Buller. ''We want to have enough time to stop to seek God's counsel."
The past couple of years have been both challenging and busy for ministry and conference leaders, who have faced the demands of a growing conferenceboth in numbers and ministries-with a growing budget. These demands culminated last summer, when delegates to
the national convention voted to support leaders' decision to cut budgets of ministries in order to stem off a growing deficit. During that same convention, delegates also approved new appointments to ministries and BCM.
"This is the first meeting with a number of new people on the board," says Buller, who is himself a new appointment to the executive. ''We want to take time to catch up with decisions made in the last year or two."
Buller also notes that this is the first time leaders have met since the General Conference was officially dissolved I last summer and the last of its ministries transferred to the two North American national conferences. Many of those ministries now have representatives on BCM. ''We need to take time to catch up with those organizations," says Buller.
Leaders will then address the financial challenges of an expanding conference. That entails thinking through mission, core values and organizational structures, says Buller.
"We think some of the funding
issues might be addressed in potential changes in organizational structures that give us a more unified approach," he says.
As part of that process, leaders will hear from Tabor College president and former Mennonite Health Association president Larry Nikkel, who is acting as an informal consultant to BCM executive. Buller reports that Nikkel has helped the executive committee focus on central questions about mission and core values. "He'll be present [at the November meetings) to help present those questions and facilitate some discussion around them," Buller says.
In addition to potential future restructuring, leaders will also take a look at the present. At the end of the first quarter, conference treasurer Dale Regier reports that ministries are spending within the reduced budget agreed on last summer, but income from fund raising and church giving is less than expected.
"Since board spending is within the budget guidelines," writes Regier in his quarterly report, "we need to focus on the reasons for lack of income."
Conference and ministry leaders will also hear ministry reports and look ahead to the 2004 national convention. --eannen Andres
U.s. BOARD OF FAITH AND LIFE ISSUES CALL
MBs called to prayer in face of current threat of war
IN LIGHT OF THE current threat of war, the U.S. Conference Board of Faith and Life has issued a call to prayer. Congregations, small groups and individuals are encouraged to gather and pray for peace among the nations. The following prayer is adapted from the Mennonite Brethren Worship Hymnal (1972):
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open and all desires known.
We confess to you the unrest of the world, to which we contribute and in which we share. Forgive us that so many of us are indifferent to the needs of our fellow human beings.
Forgive our reliance on weapons of terror, our discrimination against people of different race and our preoccupation with material standards. And forgive us for being so unsure of our
MDS TO REBUILD OVERSEAS: At the invitation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mennonite Disaster Service will rebuild 200 homes in Miaonesia destroyed in July by Typhoon Chata'an. MDS is recruiting volunteer carpenters to serve on work teams that will spend six weeks on site and work side by side with dient families and local disaster volunteers. Accommodations and meals will be simple. Contributions are being accepted.-MDS
I good news and so unready to tell it.
o Lord, we pray to you for peace in I this world. We pray for the world's , leaders, that they may seek the welI fare of all people and may act in ways I that preseroe life and promote justice. We pray that you will give President Bush and our Congress a spirit of wisdom so that they will act with I restraint and patience in seeking peaceful resolutions to the present conflict.
Strengthen us so that we may work together for your goodness and your truth; through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
BFL has sent a copy of this prayer to the White House, assuring President I Bush and others of their continuing prayers for God's guidance and direction.-BFL
Canadian MBs host Arab woman'$ re.treat
Mennonite 8rethren helped. h,PSt a retreat for Arabfc.wornen frcNn, across canada, firstof itS kmd. The retrea.t was Ofll8nlzed by Lewlza Youssef, an EgyptianJmmigrantto canada band works joImty with-MBM'Inter· national al16 Family JJfe Network. The hosted June:Uby North Langley Community (Me> featured EnglisfMpealdng presenters -and music 1nArabk. youssef Invited 135 women from several butonly 33 attended. "lfs constaered a shan)e for Atabic men to make themselves a'babysItter (or their (hi"" dren,- says youssef, -so we were content with tile number that,came.Y-oussel reports-that severalWCMMll gave their lives to Jejus 1he retreat and others joined an 0ngoing Bible discussion group•.....fUV
MBMSI PROGRAM SPONSORS EXCHANGli
India professor teaches in Congo
P. MENNO JOEL, dean at MB Centenary Bible College in Shamshabad, India, spent three weeks this summer teaching at Centro Universitaire de Missiologie in Kinshasa, Congo. His assignment was coordinated by Nzash Lumeya, former director of the school who now teaches at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., and funded by Mennonite Central
I Committee.
In India, Joel coordinates the urban outreach of MBs in Hyderabad and Mumbai and directs an MB interfaith ministry working among Muslims. While in Congo, he taught an evangelism course, visited a number of Congolese MB congregations and shared his testimony on a radio broadcast. His meeting with various government
! leaders was treated as a news event by local media.
"Congolese are eager to learn new things and new ideas from new he writes in a recent International Teacher Exchange Newsletter. ''They are very loving, warm heaned and hospitable in spite of their poverty and odd situation." ; The educational i program is . coordinated by Elmer ! Martens of Fresno, Calif., and is a program of MBMS International. -/TEN
MBBS
-linna Morgan, of Calgary, Alta., began work sept. 1 as the MB Biblical Seminary director of advancement and will be based in Calgary. Morgan comes to this assignment with 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in British Columbia and Alberta. Morgan, her husband Ian and daughters, worship with Dalhousie Community Church. -MBBS
MB hired by CAL
-The Center for Anabaptist Leadership has hired three new staff associates including Raul Serradell of Iglesia Sinai MB Church in Sun Valley, Calif. CAL seeks to equip congregations as vital urban mission centers by providing , grassroots training, personal coaching and strategic consulting. Serra dell is a staff associate for urban theological education. He has worked in theological education in Latin America for over 15 years and served with Mennonite Central Committee in Mexico City. He has also worked as an editor, translator, and writer for Anabaptist publishI ers in Latin America and the U.S. He recently served as translator and editor of Jubileo en Espanol. He and his wife Tita have two children: Andres Daniel and David Esteban.-CAL
Tabor makes "best"
-u.s. News & World Report has featured Tabor College among the best Midwestern comprehensive colleges offering bachelor'S degrees in its "America's Best Colleges 2003" issue. Tabor is ranked in the second tier of the "comprehensive colleges-bache lor's" category-a category consisting of 324 institutions that focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than 50 percent of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. The u.S. News ran kings are based on the following criteria: peer assessment, student selectivity, faculty resources, graduate and retention rate, financial resources, alumni giving and graduate rate performance. -TC
RESOURCES HELP CHILDREN EXPLORE BAPTISM AND COMMUNION
Children's resources published
KINDRED Productions, the MB publishing agency recently transferred from the General Conference to the Canadian Conference, announced this summer the publication of children's ministry electives designed by the Canadian MB Conference Christian Education Ministries to help children explore and discover the meaning and significance of baptism and communion. The material does not assume that children are participants but acknowledges that they are present at these celebrations.
The four-week electives--one on baptism and the other on communion-<:an be used
with other curriculum for kids ages six to 12 to "fill gaps that are too important to leave unfilled," says former CEM director Sharon Johnson. The ready-to-use leader's guides are complete with photocopyready student handouts and were written by MB Biblical Seminary graduate Laura Kalmar. A resource pack is also available and includes worship service resources, conversation starters for
adults and kids and "Children and Communion," a pamphlet pub, lished by the Canadian Conference Board of Faith and Ufe.---CF
CALIFORNIA MB UNIVERSITY ALSO RANKED IN COLLEGE GUIDE
FPU enrollment increases again
TOTAL enrollment at Fresno Pacific University for the 2002 fall term is set at 2,049 after about two weeks of classes. Enrollment for Fresno Pacific College, the traditional undergraduate program, was 936, up from 905 at this time in 2001. Graduate enrollment was 858, and 255 students are registered In the Center for Degree
Completion.
College and graduate school figures are based on the 16-day census, which Is considered official for the college but a ·snapshot" for the graduate school and CDC, which have different academic schedules.
The Incoming freshmen represent a rich mix of ethnic backgrounds and church affiliations ••Almost 30 percent of
our Incoming class are students of color," says Cary Templeton, director of enrollment. • Another five percent are the sons and daughters of recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union who now live in the Western United States.· More than 30 denominations are represented in the class, Including Mennonite Brethren at 17 percent.
In other news, FPU is again listed in U.S. News & World Report's 2002-2003 college guide. In addition to the overall rating on the second tier of western universities-master's category, the university also appears on the magazine'S diversity list, a new feature this year. U.S. News also notes strong graduation and student retention rates. -FPU
CHURCH
Baptismlmembership
Hays, Karl. (North oak Community)-Janae Fahrenbruch was baptizedJuly 28. Andy Schmidtberger and Tony Schmidtberger were baptized Sept.l. Mike Hester, Peggy Hester, Mikey Hester, Karen Wasinger, Lynae Wasinger and Shani File were welcomed into membership.
Yale. S.D. (Bethel)-Kristi Wallman, Andrea Wedel. Natalie Wipf, Keith Waldner, Michael Wurtz, Ivan Hover and Tyler Glanzer were baptized Aug. 18.
Reedley. CaIif.-Elisa Ayala, Leanne Schellenberg, 8rian Fast, Amanda Stephens, Aaron Warkentin, Ellen Long, Andrea Warkentin. Rachel Warkentin, Amanda Patricio, Frances Portillo, Sheri Warkentin and Audry Schellenberg were baptized and welcomed into membership. Mary Friesen, Betsi Stiles, Amy Horiuchi, Fred and Evelyn Toy, andVernonand Genevieve Janzen were also welcomed as members Sept. 8.
Enid. Olda.-Brittney Buller and Jolene Hoppe were baptized sept. 15. They and Drew Hoppe were welcomed into membership.
Covis, Calif. (Colege Community)-Hulda Kroeker was welcomed as a new member Sept. 22.
WIChita. Karl. (First)-The congregation heard the faith stories of Kelly and Beth Fort, Matt and Annette Crist, Ron and Kathy seibel, Sid and Winnie Neufeld. and Bob and Carla Calvert and accepted them as members sept. 29.
celebrations
Brevard. N.C. (Tbe River)-This new church, affiliated with the North carolina District, held their grand opening Oct. 27. The group meets at Brevard College, a small liberal arts college. The congregation is comprised of adults, youth and children and is led by Peter John and Jodi Thomas.
Sanger. Calif. (Grace Community)-The church celebrated its first
business meeting sept. 22 following the installation of Lynn and Mary Kauffman as pastoral couple. The congregation also recognized retiring pastor Don Beckenhauer.
Fresno. Calif. (North freRlo)-A dedication service for the new sanctuary addition was held sept. 8 with speaker Alan Doswald, director of Fresno's Evangelicals for Social Action. An all<hurch dinner and musical program concluded the celebration that evening.
Ministry
Edmond, aida. (Memorial Road)-
After recently completing a weeklong Victims Offender Reconciliation Program training session, Pastor Paul Klassen and Nancy Pellow who is an
advocate of the program shared about this ministry Aug. 11.
Denver. Colo. (Garden Park)Mennonite Urban Ministry recently awarded Garden Park a $3,500 grant to continue the free Sunday morning neighborhood breakfast program.
Sioux F. S.D. (UncoIn Hils BIbIe)-The congregation held a carnival as an outreach event Aug. 24.
Weatherford, 0Ida. (Pine Aaes)Celebrate Recovery, a ministry for those struggling with addictions, resumed meeting sept. 12. The evening meetings include a light meal. worship, testimonies. step studies. small groups and refreshments. This is a biblically-based 12step program and six individuals
CHURCHES AND KANSAS COLLEGE REFLECT
have experienced salvation as a result of the Pine Acres group. The congregation is also sponsoring a literacy class that began meeting sept. 19.
Olathe. !CalL (Community BibIe)The congregation invited those working with children in the church as well as others in the community to a CPR and first aid class sept. 8. The class was partially subsidized by the church.
WIChita. !CalL (First}-A mission conference Oct. 12-14 included seminars to provide hands-on training in helping participants understand the NMuslim mind." The seminars focused on religion, culture and traditions and were led by MBMS International personnel. samir and
MBs remember events of Sept. 11
MENNONITE BRETHREN took time in early september to reflect on the year since passenger planes were crashed into the Pentagon, the World Trade Center and a field in Pennsylvania sept. 11 killing more than 3,000 people.
several congregations used the occasion as an outreach opportunity. At Belleview Community Church of UttIeton, Colo., invitation cards were given to all attenders with the request that they be used to invite friends to the sept. 8 worship service. The card said the service would "be a time to remember and honor those who died as well as a time of hope and encouragement to those who live."
New Hope (Minn.) MB Church hosted Greg Bodine, a local hospital chaplain, for their Sept. 15 service. called "september 11 Remembered." The congregation was encouraged to invite friends who do not attend church to hear from this man who served at Ground Zero, site of the World Trade Center.
At College Community Church in Fresno, calif., the Sunday school hour sept. 8 was devoted to a presentation by Richard Unruh, professor of social and political sci-
ence at Fresno Pacific University, about the way in which 2001 was affected by the events of sept. 11. Attenders were encouraged to prayerfully consider how followers of Christ should respond.
Among the congregations that held prayer services Sept. 11 was Pine Aues Church of Weatherford, Okla., which hosted a community remembrance service, and Neighborhood Church In Visalia, calif., which held a commemorative service focused on praying for national leaders and the country. The Enid (Okla.) MB Church opened its sanctuary Sept. 11 for individuals to spend part of the day in prayer. A special time of worship and prayer was hosted by the pastoral staff over the lunch hour.
Tabor College held a public remembrance ceremony Wednesday evening. Sept. 11. The service included prayer. singing and personal reflections. Joel Mathis, a 1995 TC graduate, told of his experiences as a reporter with the Lawrence (Kan) Journal-World. He has traveled across the U.S. reporting on how communities responded to the attacks. The evening ended with a candlelight vigil. -cL
Lewiza Youssef, citizens of Egypt and med ia evangelists to Arabic speaking people, and Tim Bergdahl, a Muslim scholar and former missionary to Pakistan.
Proclamation
Harvey. N.D.-Youth Sunday was Aug. 18 and included a missions report. drama and testimonies. Pictures of the summer youth activities were on display. The youth group had a pizza lunch following the service.
Delft. Minn. (Carson)-The story of Jonah was told during the morning worship service Sept. 1 through a fIVe-act play interspersed with congregational singing, readings and prayer time.
TeachingINurture
Fresno. Calif. (North)-To celebrate the new library location, during the month of September children under the age of 12 could enter a drawing every time he or she checked out material. The library was relocated as part of the recent building project.
WIChita. Kan. (First)-HKids Verse It, H a scripture memorization program that emphasizes foundational scriptural truths, has been introduced. The children in each grade level will be exposed to selected verses during Sunday school, children's church and Wednesday night classes.
Ferndale. Wash. (Good News)-To celebrate the start of a new year Hln_ the-Round Marionettes, H a team of professional marionette puppeteers, gave a special program Sept. 8 during the Sunday school hour.
Bakersfield. Calif. (Laurelglen Bible)-The Kingdom Kids Royal Festival Sept. 13 was a special event for children age two through sixth grade and their parents. The evening included dinner, orientation to the new Sunday school year, games and an opportunity for parents to meet teachers.
Ferndale, Wash. (Good News)The women's moming Bible study began Sept. 17 and is studying The Lord's Prayer using a study guide by Max Lucado.
Reedley. CaIif.-A new women's Bible study called HWednesday Evening Coffee Break Hwill meet during the children's class times and will study the Gospel of Mark. Two Tuesday Bible study groups, one meeting in the moming and the
other in the evening. are studying the life of David using an 11-week study written by Beth Moore.
Reedley. Calif.-A six-week Sunday evening study series called Distinctive Statements of Faith from the MB Church focused on the Confession of Faith and concluded in October. Steve Goossen organized the series. A variety of resource people participated'including MB Biblical Seminary faculty members Jon Isaak and Valerie Rempel, Bob Buxman with Mennonite Central Committee and Dalton Reimer and Duane RuthHeffelbower of Fresno Pacific University. Other speakers were Peter Klassen and Marvin Hein. Goossen said the goal of the series is to promote and pursue the H gospel of love and peace that Christ shared with us."
VISalia. CaRt. (Neighbortlood)Adults are offered three Bible study opportunities this church year. They include Sunday moming dasses that emphasize Bible knowledge as well as friendship and fellowship. small groups that focus on spiritual care and nurture as well as Bible study and an in-depth Bible study on Wednesday nights.
Phoenix, Ariz. (Spirit in the Desert Community)-A monthly prayerand meditation ministry began this fall led by June Friesen, who co-pastors with her husband Ron. The first saturdayof every month, participants are invited to spend the morning in guided group meditation, personal reflection, prayer and meditation and group reflection ona given theme. After a light lunch, those interested can spend time in personal prayer. Friesen also hopes to purchase a house next to the church building with the goal of opening a bed and breakfast prayer retreat center for people of all denominations and financial situations. They hope to have it open by Jan. 1, 2003.
UttIeton. Colo. (Belleview Commanity)-Two women's retreats were recently hosted by Rest and Renewal Retreats, a new ministry of the congregation. The second retreat organized by this ministry was held Aug. 23-25. A third retreat focusing on prayer and journaling was held Oct. 25-26.
Workers
Madera. Calif. (Madera Ave. BibIe)-Virgii and Karen Reimer have accepted the call to serve as pastoral couple.
Buhler. Kan.-lauren Sill recently
resigned as director of ministries. Bakersfield, Calif. (LaureIgIen BibIe)-Tim Hardy accepted the call to serve as pastor of care ministries and began his new ministry Sept. 23. Tim, his wife Lori and their daughters, have been actively involved in the congregation for seven years.
Hillsboro. Kan --Robert Fenstermacher resigned as senior adult min\ister effective Dec. 3' .'
Marshall. Artc.. (Martin Box OIurdt)-Wilmer and Hildegard Thiessen are serving the congregation as interim pastoral couple and began their work in October.
Inman, Kan. (Zoar) -A surprise celebration honoring Elmer and Katherine Ensz for 50 years of pastoral ministry was held during the morning worship service Oct. 6.
Worship
Madera. Calif. (Madera Ave. BibIe)-Sept. 17 Lightshine held its Annual salad Supper where women signed up for Bible studies, were assigned prayer pals and exchanged gifts.
Olathe. Kan. (Community Bible)The church held an outdoor potluck brunch and worship service at Lake Olathe Sept. 1.
Huron. S.D. (Bethesda Church)-A 4O-voice choir representing five area churches, under the direction of Pastor Darren Rempel, gave two performances of the musical HExperiencing God" Sept. 8.
San Jose. Calif. (Uncoln GIen)-A prayer service for those who are unemployed or who are not fulfilled in their jobs was led by the deacons the afternoon of Sept. 22.
Clovis, Cau,. (College Conunlllli· ty)-The communion service Oct. 6 was enhanced by the contributions of several individuals. Linda Gerbrandt baked Hreconciliation bread H for the service. She wove different colored doughs of com meal. whole wheat and rye flour together into one loaf. The worship banner was provided by Pakisa and Linda Tshimika in honor of Pakisa's mother. Makeka Natala who died recently. The banner was a Congolese tablecloth made by a friend of his family. It symbolized the hospitality shown by Makeka to friends and strangers and by the church to Pakisa's family.
Henderson. Neb -Wil Dachtler and Clarence Hiebert led a German hymn sing Sept. 29. The congregation sang 35 selected hymns.
Deaths
CORNELSEN. EUZABETM E. HARDER, Fairview, Okla., a member of Fairview MB Church, was born April 28, 1908, to Abraham A. and Anna Zeih Harder at Orienta, Okla., and died Sept. 3, 2002, at the age of 94. On July 16, 1940, she was married to Peter G. Cornelsen. who predeceased her in 1970. She is survived by one son, Melvin and wife Doris of Fairview; one daughter, Clara and husband John Bowen of Edmond, Okla., four grandchildren, five great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.
ENNS. EDWIN DIETRICH, Reedley, Calif., of Reedley MB Church, was born Jan. 12, 1917, to Dietrich and sarah Fast Enns and died Aug. 27, 2002, at the age of 85. On Jan. 19, 1940, he was married to Dorothy Unruh, who survives. He is also sur· vived by three sons, Raymond and wife Karen, Paul and wife Ruth, and Rodney and wife Tippi; one daughter, Norma and husband Ron Froese; son-in-law Don Pittman and wife Marilyn; one brother, Henry, 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
ENTZ, IRWIN WALTER, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born Aug. 12, 1917, to Herbert H. and Marie Wiens Entz and died September 2002, at the age of 85. On Aug. 31, 1941, he was married to Mary Penner, who survives. He is also survived by three daughters, Donna Janzen of Reedley, Charlotte and husband Steve Berg of Dixon, Calif., Susan and husband Jim Jost of Dinuba, Calif.; two sisters, Ethel Klassen of Reedley, and Bernice and husband Benny Friesen of Fresno, Calif., and five grandchildren.
IWEWER, UUIE REIMER, Corn, Okla., a member of Corn MB Church. was born Oct. 14, 1922, to Cornelius F. and sara Bergmann Reimer near Corn, Okla. and died Sept. 16,2002, at the age of 79. On Jan. 1, 1953, she was married to John Kliewer. who survives. She is also survived by two sons, Warren and wife Eileen and John and wife Lori, all of Weatherford; four sisters, Liesbeth Enns of Ferndale, Wash., Tillie Kopper of Cimarron, Kan., Amie and husband Gus Janzen of Okeene. Okla., and sara and husband Bob Flaming of Cary, N.C.; one brother, Cornelius Reimer, Jr. and wife Delores of Hooker, Okla.; two brothers-in-Iaw, Hank Peters of Corn and Henry Enns of Toutle, Wash., and five grandchildren.
Nun. UNDA SEIBEL SCHIMKE,
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.
EMPLOYMENT-CHURCH
Senior Pastor
Vinewood Community Church of lodi, CA is seeking a Senior Pastor. We are a congregation of about 350 members, seeking a Pastor who provides a strong Bible-centered pulpit ministry and who is a motivationally talented team builder. Applicants should have a sincere love for Christ and a burden for those who do not. A seminary degree and previous pastoral experience is assumed. Interested persons may direct confidential inquiries and send resumes to: Bryan Hyzdu, Search Chairman, 1927 Lakeshore Dr., lodi, CA 95242; (209) 644-7807; e-mail bhyzdu@service1stbank.com. All inquiries should be received by Nov. 30.
Part-time director of Children's Ministry Belleview Community Church in Littleton, Colo. is seeking a part-time director of Children's Ministry to oversee all areas of children's ministry. Currently this includes our Sunday morning Children's Church, Sunday morning nursery, organizing child care for special events and summer Vacation Bible School. This position does require direct ministry with children, but more importantly this person will serve as "player-coach" for our Children's Ministry Team and adult volunteers. This is a quarter-time paid position (810 hours per week). If interested, please submit a resume that includes a statement on why you're interested in this position, a brief testimony, your educational history, and your work and ministry experience. Send to the attention of Mike Andrews, 12472 W. Belleview Ave., littleton, CO 80127 or fax it to 303-973-7653.
Senior pastor
The Dwelling Place (MB), in Kitchener, Ontario seeks a shepherd to guide and direct the congregation into the second phase of growth. A church plant only 2 years old, we seek to impact the community by modelling, teaching and sharing our lives. Planted in an ethnically diverse community, our challenge is to share Christ in relevant ways, increasing God's kingdom. Our prayer is to be relevant in a community that does not know God. Our focus is relationships and caring for one another in meaningful ways. Our desire is to be a group of disciples actively using our spiritual gifts. If you
Harvey, N.D., a member of Harvey MB Church, was born Jan. 29, 1912, to John C. and Katherina Delk Seibel at Harvey and died May 28, 2002, at the age of 90. On June 15,1930, she was married to Edwin G. Schimke, who predeceased her in 1970. On Aug. 2, 1975, she was married to Fred Nutz, who predeceased her in
University
Fundtlmentum Christus
Contad: Sue Kliewer, Human Resources Director
Fresno Pacific University 1717 S. Chestnut Fresno, CA 93702 (559) 453-2245 (office) (559) 453-2007 (fax)
Email: skliewer@fresno.edu
Full job descriptions: www.fresno.edu
Fresno Pacific University, an evangelical Christian university sponsored by the Mennonite Brethren Church, has employment opportunities in the following areas:
Fresno Pacific University:
• Dean of the Graduate School
• Dean of Student Life
• Vice President for Business and Finance
Fresno Pacific College, the Undergraduate College:
• Faculty in Psychology
• Faculty in Music
• Faculty in Mathematics
Fresno Pacific Graduate SChool:
• Faculty in Mathematics Education
• Faculty in Language Development
Fresno Pacific University provides equal opportunity for employment without regard for race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
are excited about working with a team and building strategies for effective spiritual growth Apply now! Please respond with resume and letter of introduction to: The Dwelling Place - Pastor Search Team, 40 Stirling Avenue North, Kitchener, ON N2H 3G5 Canada; or bye-mail to:info@thedwellingplace.ca
EMPLOYMENT-EDUCATION
Faculty and staff openings Columbia Bible College is seeking three faculty members for fall 2003. The desired areas of expertise are:
2000. She is survived by three daughters, Jeanette and husband Marvin Martens of Fairview, Okla., Carol and husband Jerry Martens of Fergus Falls, Minn., and DyAnn and husband Paullngebretson of Bismarck, N.D.; one step-son, Gary and wife Jane of Minot, N.D., 11 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
• Teaching. One instructor in one of following disciplines: Missions/Evangelism, or Social sciences (Sociology, Anthropology), or Bible;
• Registrar; and
• Director of Service Learning (overseeing the Internship and Service Practicum programs). For a full list of qualifications and job description, please consult our website: www.columbiabc.edu/employment. Please forward resume to the attention of Dr. Ron Penner by December 15, 2002. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, this advertisement is directed in the first instance to Canadian citizens or permanent residents .•
PAULS, JOHN R., Inman, Kan., a member of Zoar MBChurch of Inman, was bom Feb. 1, 1923 to Jacob T. and Anna Regehr Pauls in McPherson County, Kan., and died Sept. 1, 2002, at the age of 79. On Oct. 24, 1944 he was married to Frances Dirks, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Keith of
Topeka, Kan., and Mark and wife Miriam of Inman; two daughters, Lorene and husband Steve Hunt of Cornelius, Ore., and Judy and husband Brian Gallagher of Inman; one sister, Anna Ediger of Inman; one brother, Dan Pauls of Parsons, Kan., eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. •
God is breathing
IN THE BEGINNING, God created the heavens and earth. The earth was formless and empty, a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. The Spirit of God-the very breath of God-hovered over the watery abyss.
Then he spoke-and light and life exploded.
This is the biblical creation account, but it also describes what is happening in the world today. This same God-who in a word created light and life-hovers over our world of inky blackness and breathes again and new life explodes right before our eyes.
Brothers and sisters, we are living in an extraordinary time.
Dallas Willard says, "God periodically moves upon his people and in their surrounding culture to achieve his everlasting purposes for that tiny stretch of cosmic time we call 'human history.'" As God moves, powerful shifts occur-like the emergence of the Hebrew people from Egypt, a non-ethnic body of Christ from the Jewish church or, as in recent history, the Protestant Reformation, Pietism and American revivalism.
"It has taken many forms," Willard says, "and has now resurfaced at the beginning of the twenty-fIrst century to meet our present situation. This is, I am sure, part of an incoming tide of God's life that would lift our lives today for our voyage into eternity."
Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, goes one step further. He told the Washington Times, "I believe the greatest spiritual awakening of all time is taking place today. More people are hearing the Gospel. More people are responding to the Gospel. [There are 1many wonderful demonstrations that God is truly working in our time in a way that's truly unprecedented in all of history."
Either way-whether we are simply entering one of history's God-breathed times of spiritual renewal or embarking on the greatest spiritual awakening of all time-a transformation is taking place that indicates we are entering a new era.
A phenomenal shift has occurred in the Christian Church. Mennonite World Conference president-elect Nancy Heisey says "just as early Christians moved out from Jerusalem into all directions of the known world today the Christian family is truly a round-the-world family. The promise of Rev. 5:9-that people of every tribe and language and people and nation are within the community praising God-has been fulfIlled in our time, and this reality is a great blessing to us all" (see page 11).
Today, 60percent of all followers ofJesus-and 70 percent of MB believers-live outside of North America and Europe. That trend is likely to grow. Christianity, now a non-Western religion, is exploding at a rapid rate in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
But not so in North America and Europe.
Theologian Martin Marty says a "spiritual ice belt" stretches from west of Poland, across Western Europe, through North America and into Japan. "In that part of the world," he says, "there are 3,000 fewer Christians now than 24 hours ago, whereas in sub-Saharan Mrica, there are 16,000 more Chris-
tians than 24 hours ago."
Why is that? The answer is many-fold. We North Americans are wealthy-and Jesus warned how difficult rich people will have it. Our culture has infIltrated our world-view. This culture's values have subtly replaced those of our rebirth. Institutionalized or "established" religion, individualism, consumerism, materialism-the list goes on.
The point is, for whatever reasons, many of us in the West have allowed our passion and hearts to cool.
Returning home to Kansas from MWC meetings in Latin Amer· ica, writer Laurie Oswald lamented how impoverished she felt. "When relating with people from such countries as Ethiopia or the war-tom Democratic 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 What I brought from my North American content seemed shallow, spirituallyand relationally impoverished in comparison."
Indeed, my own encounters with believers from Africa, India or Latin America leave me feeling equally blessed and impoverished.
What do we do with this?
Oswald got her answer in a conversation with Pakisa Tshimika, director of MWC's Global Gift Sharing Project. He related working with Africans and helping them realize that their human resources-skills and training in community-based programs, micro enterprises and theology-are gifts and resources from God. Tshimika encouraged her to see her North American resources as gifts from God, too. "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," Tshimika said.
Like the resources of African believers, our North American resources are given to us to bless others. "We also need to see and accept our gifts," reflects Oswald. "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."
To get that kind of wealth, we fIrst must take a look at ourselves. What kingdom do we live in? Do we really believe what God tells us? Do we really believe we are new creatures? Do we define our lives by our faith, by God? Do we get that Jesus is real-and what an overwhelming, world-changing thing that is?
Jesus tells us the kingdom of God is at hand now. We can experience all he promised in our daily life. For many in the global South, this is their reality. They feel the breath of God.
I want 10 be a pntci.God's newllllJ\e 00 this \mdd. I want 10 irl. hi<; breath, hear the thunderci.hi<; v.uds. Oh lo«I, let us be that seeks}UUC fuce. Breath 00 us, melt the ice and set our hearts aflame.
