What should characterize my relationship with the Muslims I know from work. the neighborhood or my leisure activities? Here are some suggestions from someone who has lived among Muslims and who has studied their faith.
14 WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ISLAM? by
Tim Bergdahl
Muslims are often less ignorant of Christianity than Christians are of Islam. But their understanding is based on an Islamic worldview and prompts Muslims to question what Christians hold to be true. How can we prepare for conversations with an inquiring Muslim?
17 TALKING WITH GRANDMA by
Amina
Lunch with her "taxi family" is usually enjoyable but today Amina knows that Grandma will talk to her about finding a good Muslim husband. Then the conversation takes an unexpected tum.
18 CONVERSATIONS WITH A CHILD OF ABRAHAM by
W Marshall Johnston
An educator's life is richer because of Reza Nekumanesh, a devout Muslim who is a former student . Because of their friendship, the educator has found that the world is smaller and less divisive when people of different faiths become friends.
> FiRSTWORDS
[from the editor]
LAsT SPRING TIlE U.S. CONFERENCE LEADERSIflP Board affinned seven core values for U.S Mennonite Brethren. You can read about these core values at www.usmb.orglwhat-we-believe. Identifying core values was one of the tasks assigned to the group by consultant Rick Stiffney in preparation for the strategic planning the board began at its meeting last month. The December Leader will include a report on that meeting and will introduce the members and goals of the newly-formed national Board of Faith and Life.
Three of these core values-We are mission-minded seek peace cultivate relationships-come together in this issue as we look at relationships between Christians and Muslims. The followers of Islam came to our attention on the morning of Sept. II, 2001, when 19 Islamist terrorists hijacked four commercial jet airliners and staged a coordinated suicide attack.
The hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing everyone on board and many others working in the building, causing both buildings to collapse within two hours. destroying at least two nearby buildings and damaging others. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Washington. D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field in rural Somerset County. Pa., after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had redirected toward Washington, D.C. There are no known survivors from any of the flights.
Most of the .2,974 people who died that day were civilians, including nationals of over 90 different countries. Muslims were the new global enemy and the words of Jesus that his disciples should love their enemies took on new meaning. Our writers this month are four disciples of Jesus Christ who count followers of Islam among their friends. This is a topic of interest to us Mennonite Brethren. given our commitment to sharing our faith, building healthy relationships and finding creative, nonviolent ways to address the conflict that is often present in our relationships.
> CL QUESTION
How o&en do you converse with a Muslim?
o Every day
o Weekly
o Monthly
o Occasionally
o Never
Answer this question online at www.usmb.orglchristian-leader. Survey results win be posted online.
Connie Faber
EDITOR
Myra Holmes ASSISTANT EDITOR
Joel Klaassen
Elaine Ewert GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
The Christian Leader IISSN 0009-51491 is published monthly by the U S Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
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Citizens of another kingdom
The presidential election is over-now what?
Chuck Colson's column, The Back Page, in the February z008 issue of Christianity Today was entitled "No Utter Collapse." What Colson says is often of interest to me. He has a perspective that few of us will ever have given both his experiences in high places and his decision to enter a trust-follow relationship with Jesus He's been kicked around quite a bit, and
us. What is it that makes us evangelical? Our commitments to orthodox biblical Christianity, spreading the gospel and promoting righteousness in all spheres of life."
All of this to say, from my perspective, who the president is matters some, but when all is said and done there is another kingdom that matters more. And no matyet it appears to me Colson has held firm in his core convictions and his often very effective practical theology. Anyone who finds and steers a ministry to prisoners
ter what people might think or say of us individually or of the lot of us together, we press on for a higher calling.
AU of this to say, from my perspective, who the president i s matters some, but when aU is said and don e there is another kingdom that matters more. with the kind of impact that he has had deserves some affirmation. Among other things, Jesus calls his followers to exactly that.
By the time you read this article, our nation will have selected the next president of the United States. No doubt somewhere around half of our citizenry, and perhaps some of you, depending on how you voted, will be feeling like the sky may really be falling down this time. That's why what Colson says in his February article matters.
Colson asserts that we need to be careful not to believe everything we read or hear. He refers to New York Times columnist Frank Rich who wrote an article in the fall suggesting, "Inauguration Day z009 is at very least Armageddon for the reigning ayatollahs of the American right." The inference is that the heyday of the CarterlMoral Majority/Christian Coalition era is over.
Colson says Rich and others like him are wrong. Colson suggests that though the evangelical landscape is changing, adjusting and transitioning in various ways, the people who comprise that movement are steady at the helm, 'battling for traditional values ."
Colson writes, 'We're defending life, pursuing justice and caring for the poor Yes, we're beginning to get more involved in environmental issues, thanks to younger evangelicals reminding us that God commanded us to care for his creation. But we do all of this in God's name-which is what sers the secular media's teeth on edge."
He adds, "It would be a tragedy if, regardless of how evangelicals vote, we allowed the media to define
The apostle Paul had that in view when he reminded the Ephesian Christians that they were "no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household" (Eph. z:19).
More graphically, Paul writes to the Philippians that it is important to differentiate between the core values of citizenries. Some give evidence that "their mind is on earthly things " Then he lays it out for the followers of Jesus : "But our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:19-z0).
Too many of the past months have been pierced by the political process that leads up to an election. There were too few moments to make us proud and countless events that were discouraging. Congratulations to those of you who carefully did your homework and then responsibly cast ballots in spite of the turmoil . No matter how you voted, no doubt you lost some and won some.
You may have a knot in the pit of your emotional stomach about the results of Election Day. And for some, the significant national and global economic and political instability and the declining value of your assets adds to that sick feeling.
Here's the deal: Eternal perspective matters! Where our treasure is matters.
A right commitment to the right kingdom matters. Behaving like citizens of Jesus' kingdom no matter who is president matters. His sky is not falling down.
-t Comment on Conference Can by going online to usmb.orglchristian-leader.
> When leaders fail
Questions about how our denomination responds to situations of marital difficulties among our leaders-be they denominational leaders, local church pastors or missionaries-have swirled around our circles numerous times over the past five years or so. These concerns came to the forefront again this fall when Jim Holm resigned as MB Biblical Seminary president due to his involvement in an extramarital relationship. realize these types of situations can cause us to lose trust in our leadership and church structures, so we felt it was important for our denominational periodicals to speak to the problem.
In early September Valerie Rempel, MBBS associate academic dean, addressed the seminary student body and spoke candidly about the situation and the questions and emotions that we encounter when a trusted leader admits to a moral failure Her comments, while directed at one specific situation, also speak to the broader questions, and so we asked her to adapt her address for publication. We also solicited comments on this specific situation from Jack Falk, chair of the MBBS board of directors, and our national conference executive directors Ed Boschman and David Wtebe.
With regard to the details of Holm's resignation, we affirm the seminary's efforts to balance the privacy of those involved with a desire to be open about the underlying reasons for the abrupt resignation. We find it helpful to know that Holm contacted the board of directors himself and confessed the affair, which did not involve a past or current student, to the faculty and staff.-Connie Faber, Christian Leader editor, and Laura Kalmar, MB Herald editor
> COMMENTARY
The news that a trusted leader has disappointed us through personal or moral failure grieves us. We hurt when we learn of disintegrating marriages, of sexual sin or even criminal activity. Often, that grief plays out in multiple forms-shock, sorrow, outrage, disappointment and fear.
We find ourselves asking questions: How could this happen? Why didn't someone stop it? What should we do about it? What if it happens to me?
The questions reflect our curiosity but also our anxiety. If someone we view as spiritually mature fails, who of us is safe?
Some of the anxiety is good: It causes us to search our hearrs and to examine our relationships. None of us is immune from failure and the words of Romans 3:23, which many Christians have memorized, continue to be true: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
It is only by God's grace and mercy that any of us stand, and all Christians should seek to guard themselves from the deceptive power of sin. It is good for us to renew commitments to our spouses and to ourselves, to determine-with God's grace and help-to live uprightly.
Our anger or fear may also stem from discomfort with the public acknowledgement of failure and uncertainty about how to treat the parties involved. Our inclination may be to keep scandal from staining the church's wimess. In these instances, several issues must guide the Christian community.
First, while it may be true that someone's moral failure harms the church's witness, keeping it secret only adds to what has already been deceptive behavior. Pretending that Christians do not face the same temptations or fall into the same kinds of sin that all human beings face is not honest and denies the biblical wimess to human failure. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that sin is deceptive by nature. When the church refuses to keep sin hidden it wimesses to the importance of Christian integrity and truth-telling.
Second, in some instances, especially those involving young people or financial misdealings, the offense may be punishable by law. If the offense involves predatory behavior, keeping it secret may increase the likelihood of additional victims. In these cases, the biblical charge to care for the vulnerable must outweigh our desire to handle things privately
Rempel cont page 29
> Jack Falk, MB Biblical Seminary board chair
President Jim Holm 's resignation in August 2008 was especially difficult for the seminary because of the key level of trust placed in him . Dr. Holm informed the board of his extramarital relationship and offered his resignation
The Board acted quickly and appropriately in accepting that resignation . Jim's actions do not invalidate the message he had, and the seminary continues to have, regarding the need to prepare pastors to serve the church MBBS was and is a great Mennonite Brethren graduate school providing theological education and training
The board has expressed assurance of forgiveness to Dr Holm and has agreed that the Falk cont. page 29
> Ed Boschman, U.S. Conference executive director
For years I've had a fist-sized rock in my office, boldly imprinted with the words "First Stone," a reminder of Jesus' words in John 8 about stoning an woman. And etched into my brain is Paul's warning in I Corinthians 10:12: "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't faUl " Both humility and grace are God's gifts to us , and both are to be reinvested This is a good time to practice humility and grace
Current research indicates that 60 percent of marriages experience adultery, and that up to 40 percent of women and 60 percent of men succumb to infidelity. Astoundingly, in recent decades studies indicate that Christians are just as likely to experience failed marriage as non-Christians
One wonders if the common responses are adequate : "It happens to the best of us" or ' There but for the grace of God go I. " Perhaps it's time to look each other in the eye and say, 'There by God's grace I will not go." And to say this with the humble but realistic confidence that is available to us from the One who provides strength to do all things . Cockiness is not appropriate but neither is casualness However, humble resolve will honor God, our marriages and the church While temptation is unavoidable, God promises the necessary strength to escape For the sake of Jesus , his church and our families, let's practice humility, offer grace and choose confidence
North Carolina churches celebrate growth
Boone congregation hosts district convention
The North Carolina District Conference of MB Churches held its loBth district convention Sept. 19-21, .hosted by the Boone (NC) MB Church. It was a weekend of celebration as all six congregations in the district reported either financial or numerical growth within the last year.
During the Friday night business session congregations reported on the events and budgets of the past year. Delegates heard a youth report and discussed the proposed NCDC budget.
Saturday morning began with the blues as Clyde Ferguson and his son, Clyde Jr., led in worship. "If you closed your eyes you could feel the presence of the Lord and maybe a little bit of BB King as well," says Chris Eidse, district youth minister.
Guest speakers Saturday were Don Morris, Mission USA director, and Steve Prieb, of MB Biblical Seminary. Morris led a seminar on rethinking church. "Don's passion for church planting was evident as he opened the door for our district to not only expand our existing churches but think seriously about planting new ones," says Eidse in his postconvention report about the event.
Prieb focused on identifying and calling out leaders in the church who have character, competence and a deep connection with God.
The convention concluded Sunday morning with a combined worship service. District moderator Terry Hunt spoke from John 6:113 and challenged the district to work together to bring about the changes that are needed for growth. ''Never try to work out a problem depending entirely on your own resources," said Hunt. 'We need to place all that we have into the hands of Jesus so that he can multiply what little we have."
As is tradition, the convention closed with a blessing of the pastors as they continue in their church assignments. The addition of Eric and Gail Hinton as a new deacon couple at Laytown MB Church, Lenoir, was also celebrated.
'The North Carolina MB churches are looking forward to the year ahead," writes Eidse in closing his report. "God is trulyexpanding our horizons."-NCDC report
MDS begins hurricane cleanup
Mennonite Disaster Service, the Mennonite disaster response agency supported by Mennonite Brethren churches and individuals, is working to clean up areas of Texas and Louisiana affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike Jerry Klassen, MDS disaster response coordinator, and Jerry Grosh, director of field operations, investigated sites in both states following the hurricanes . "In some ways, Hurricane Ike may be worse than Katrina," Klassen said in a September report. The difference, he says, lies in terms of geography and evacuations. Ike impacted
a larger area than Katrina , and Houston, Texas, did not require evacuations, leaving many people without basic services.
In Cameron, La , Klassen reports, 'The damages are heartbreaking " MDS plans to open a project site in Cameron in January 2009 using a campsite where MDS has been based in the past. Klassen and Grosh have met with local agencies and have started lining up work for the project in January.
Emergency Response Teams have responded in several areas, including Smith Point, Buna and Evadale , Texas. These
teams help with early cleanup, such as clearing large tree damage with chain saws and tractors.
MDS also released funds to Anabaptist churches in the affected areas to help them care for and house evacuees in the weeks immediately following the hurricanes. For instance, MDS donated $3,500 to various Mennonite churches in Dallas, Texas, to provide evacuees with food, water and shelter.
MDS is accepting contributions for the cleanup effort. Visit www.mds .mennonite.net for more informarion.-MDS
Call for prayer for Indian Christians
Mennonite World Conference has issued a call to prayer for members of the Brethren in Christ Church in India, who now face flooding in addition to persecution. MWC is a global fellowship of Anabaptist-related churches, including the BIC.
The monsoon season from June to September brings needed rain, but flooding in September has affected an estimated three million people. Brethren in Christ churches in Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jagatsighpur, Balesore, Rayagada and Mayurbhanj districts and their members in 30 villages in Orissa and West Bengal face flooding. Some of them lost their houses and household goods as water rose to a height of six feet. Others have lost crops and cannot cultivate their fields. Many are poor and struggling to survive.
An official from the Cuttack office of the BIC Church in India says the town is out of
danger now as the water level is going down. However, some villages have no safe water to drink and people are suffering from diseases related to contaminated water.
Christians are also still suffering from an unprecedented, spreading wave of violence and persecution. Murder, totture, rape, threats and the loss of homes, churches and schools have forced believers to flee, hiding in the jungle or living in relief camps The attacks against Christians began in the Orissa province in late August after the murder of a Hindu leader who had been accused of inciting attacks in 2007. Christians were blamed for his death, but reports say a Maoist group was responsible.
Christians around the world are asked to pray for the safety and health of believers in Orissa and other parts of India also affected by floods, and that they will remain faithful. MWC also asks for prayer for the violence to stop and for peace to reign.-MWC
MCC responds to flooding in Laos
Mennonite Central Committee is planning to distribute about 20 metric tons of seeds to nearly 3,700 people in rural Laos whose crops were destroyed by widespread flooding. MCC is the peace, relief and service agency of Notth American Anabaptists that is supported by many Mennonite Brethren
The Mekong River, which runs along western Laos, flooded to its highest level in living memory in mid-August and caused extensive damage to farmland. MCC is preparing to provide rice and vegetable seeds in Sangthong district, a rural area where MCC carries out public health and agriculture projects in partnership with the local government.
The flooding destroyed rice, com and other crops in Sangthong district, says Kaylie Tiessen , one of three MCC staff members who visited the district in late August to plan MCC's response . "Everything that was in lower-lying land was brown," says Tiessen, of Leamington, Onto "I just kept on thinking
what would I feel like if I woke up one morning and all the crops in the front yard were brown. It would be devastating."
According to a government census, residents of Sangthong district earn an average of $1.35 per day and are among the poorest people in Vientiane Municipality, an area surrounding the capital of Laos. Farmers told MCC that the flooding will make it difficult to feed their families in the coming year and to repay agricultural loans. The farmers gave recommendations for the types of seeds for MCC to distribute.
MCC is preparing to distribute 12 metric tons of rice seeds, 7.5 metric tons of mung bean seeds and about 800 kilograms of other vegetable seeds in 27 villages of Sangthong district. The seed distribution will allow families with irrigated fields to grow rice for themselves, and families without irrigation will be able to sell mung beans in order to buy rice, says Hien Phimmachanh, MCC Laos program administrator -Tim Shenk torMCC
FPU LAUNCHES ART MAJOR
Fresno Pacific University, the Mennonite Brethren university headquartered in Fresno, Calif., has upgraded its art minor to a full major, with concentrations in art administration, graphic arts and studio arts. Faculty members are Rebecca McMillen and Chris Janzen. Students will exhibit their work, tour museums, explore internships and become a part of area art events. Small class sizes will encourage individual attention. The content of the program will equal that of a large university, Janzen says, "but with a community-action based component." McMillen and Janzen plan to build on FPU's history of producing teachers. "Our goal is to get these out-of-the-box skills to the next generation," Janzen says. In addition to education, many fields are open to art graduates. Common job titles include animator, art buyer/consultant, art director, graphic designer, creative director, critic, fine artist, illustrator and industrial designer.-FPU
FOOD FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE
Last spring, Mennonite Brethren congregations in Colombia's Choco region provided a daily community meal for 250 families forced from their homes by Colombia's ongoing armed conflict. Mennonite Central Committee gave $7,500 to the effort, which reached approximately 1,200 people from seven rural communities. MB church leaders were also able to draw on lessons from MCC-sponsored trauma healing work to reach out to the families. Read about MCC's work in Colombia at www.mcc.org/Colombia -MCC
Living in peace with our Mu!:
The good news allows Christians to live in peace with people of other faiths
AT MANY PLACES OF WORK AND LEISURE TODAY, Christians have the opportunity to enter into friendly relationship and meaningful faith conversation with Muslims. This has been the case for many Christians in the Middle East for more than a millennium. The opportunity for most Christians in the United States, however, has come relatively recently. Perhaps because of this, many American Christians have questions about the way in which the relationship with Muslims should play out.
These questions are important, and happily Christians are not left alone in attempting to answer them. They have the guidance of the New Testament, a scripture written in the midst of the missionary discovery of new cultures and religions. Christians also have the wisdom of missionaries who have served Christ long-term among Muslims, and the vision of clear-eyed mission leaders for peaceable gospel witness among Muslims.
For Christians, the basic rule is to approach Muslims with love and respect. Out of that love comes the freedom both to be realistic about Islam and to share with Muslims the good news of God's love demonstrated to the world through the death of Jesus on the cross. Christians will find that they disagree with Muslims on some very basic faith commitments. However, disagreement does not mean that Christians cannot get along well with Muslims. In fact, a commitment to the gospel means that Christians will seek to live in peace with Muslims no matter how deep the disagreement may be.
Much in common, many differences
As people living together, Christians and Muslims have much in common. They share the same humanity and the same basic needs. Christians believe that Muslims are created in God's image just like they are. They believe that Muslims are loved unconditionally by God, and that God demonstrated his love for all of humanity in history in an unmistakable way. Christians believe that all humans are imperfect sinners by God's holy standard, and that Jesus gave his life to save Muslims just as much as any others. They believe that ethnic or cultural distinctions make no difference in the good things which God wants to do for people. All of these understandings carry great promise for peaceful coexistence in a multifaith society.
When Christians and Muslims converse together, they also find many things which are similar in their faiths. For example, they share a belief in a Creator God and the stories of many characters from the Hebrew Bible. Both Christians and Muslims believe that God gave his law to humanity and can expect from his creatures their obedience. Both confess only one God. Many Christians and Muslimsarguably a significant majority of each respective world community-also share a similar philosophical approach to truth.
However, beyond these and similar affirmations Christians and Muslims disagree over who God is and whether he has revealed himself in the world. One of the main reasons for this is that in the process of the formation of Islam, Muslims responded to their perceptions of
Judaism and Christianity. They rejected the Christian confessions of the deity of Jesus and his redemptive death on the cross. These denials became part of the sourcebooks of Islam. Few have described this process as direcdyas has Dutch missionary-scholar Henclrik Kraemer in The Christian Message in a Non-Christian World:
In the years of irs genesis Islam, having originally taken a friendly attitude towards Christianity as the valid religion of revelation for the "nation" of the Christians, became antagonistic towards it by the mouth of its prophet, that is virtually by the mouth of divine revelation. This antagonism to and indignant rejection of some cardinal elements of
explained to Muhammad their belief in the deity of Jesus, and Muhammad denied their claims. According to Muqatil (died A.D. 767) and Wahidi (died 1076), when the Najran Christians first met Muhammad, they asked him, "Why do you vilify and dishonour our master?" In other words, the Christians perceived that the preaching of Muhammad included a belittling of the Lord they held dear.
There is also the evidence of the famous Dome of the Rock, built by the Umayyad caliph i\.bd aI-Malik on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in 691. The ruling caliph ordered a continuous Arabic message to be inscribed along the top of the inner and outer faces of the colonnade which circles the beautiful octagonal building. In the seventh century, the majority of the inhabitants of Jerusalem were Christian. The Arabic inscription proclaims repeatedly that God does
Christians will find that they di sagree with Mu s li ms on some very basic faith commitment s. However, di sagreem e nt does n ot mean that Christians cannot get along well with Muslim s .
Christianity (Jesus' Sonship, His death on the Cross and consequently such doctrines as the Trinity and Reconciliation or Atonement) are incorporated in the Qur'an, the basis of the Moslem faith, and so belong to the system of Islam.
To reject Christianity is with Islam not merely the natutal and intelligible reaction of every religion or world conception that has sufficient vigour in it to want to maintain itself: with Islam it belongs to its religious creed
Many parts of the Qur'an, notably the four longest suras or chapters near the beginning, appear to contain polemic with Christians and Jews . This is certainly how the earliest Muslim commentators on the Qur'an understood these passages. Christians believe that if people want to know what God is like, they need to look at Jesus (John 1:18). Muslims believe that Jesus is a merely human prophet and that to associate what is merely human with the transcendent God is shirk, the gravest sin.
Because these matters are so central to the faith of both Christians and Muslims, to avoid them in faith conversation would be inauthentic and strangely artificial. Christians who hold to the truth of the New Testament will want to affirm both the deity and redemptive death of Jesus. They may also attempt to remove misunderstandings about the meaning of "Son of God," a term with which Muslims have major difficulties.
No salvation to offer
Differences appear to reach back to the origins of Islam in the seventh century. According to the earliest biographies of Muhammad and earliest extant commentaries on the Qur'an, Christians from Najran (in Yemen) came to Medina to make terms with Muhammad when his conquest of the Arabian Peninsula seemed unavoidable. The Christians
not have a son, that God is not "three," that Muhammad is the apostle of God, that God and the angels "pray upon the prophet" and that believers are to do the same. These Muslim statements appear to deny divine glory to Jesus and to claim authority and glory for the prophet of Islam.
The differences between the gospel and Islamic teaching, therefore, go to the heart of each respective faith. Another important example is that Islam does not offer humanity salvation from sin in the terms of New Testament preaching. Muslim scholars explain that in Islam, humanity is not considered to be in need of salvation; therefore, drastic measures like the sacrifice of a righteous prophet are not necessary. The Muslim teaching on crucifixion seems to match this doctrine. Muslims say that Jesus did not in fact die on the cross, but was rather "taken up" by God at the moment when the soldiers were about to seize him.
Partly because of the denials of the death and divine sonship of Jesus, Muslim teaching on the love of God is very different from what Christians affirm from the gospel. Statements on the love of God in the Qur'an, for example, make the love of God for humans conditional on their obedience to God's law and on following the prophet of Islam. There is no command to love either God or humans, nor is human love based on the love of God. God is not 'love" in the Quian.
Significantly for conflicts in the world today, Muslim teaching on response to situations of conflict is very different from what we find in the teaching and example of Jesus. All of the sourcebooks of Islam were written during the conquest and military domination of the Middle East by Muslims. The earliest biographies of Islam's prophet tell a story of military engagement in Medina and throughout the Arabian peninsula. The Qur'an contains 12 commands to fight the enemy and five commands to kill. Islamic Law made these scriptural commands and the story of Islam's prophet normative for Muslim behavior.
All of these matters are best checked in the sourcebooks of Islam themselves and in conversation with orthodox Muslims
whom we have the privilege of meeting. There is a range of diversity in the way in which Muslims interpret their tradition, but there is virtual unanimity that the Qur'an and the traditional words and behavior of Islam's prophet are the twin bases of authority for all.
Compassion and open witness
There is no necessary link between disagreeing on crucial points of faith and Christian anger or antipathy toward Muslims-much less thoughts of political enmity or physical confrontation. Points of deep faith are not settled by force or threat of force, by raising one's voice, by polemical skill or deception or manipulation. (Neither, of course, is anything settled by avoiding crucial issues or trying to smooth them over without open discussion.) Christians make their confession as clearly as possible and attempt to make the best case they can.
If they seek to follow Jesus in their manner, their approach will be invitation not compulsion. They listen carefully and sympathetically in tum to the confession which Muslims make and take the opportunity to challenge truth claims which seem to them false. However, beyond that Christians defer to the relationship between God and each individual and leave each person freedom to consider and respond as each sees fit. The response of the conversation partner does not affect the quality of the ongoing relationship.
A model for the successful combination of compassion and open gospel witness among Muslims is the story of Herb and Ruth Friesen and their children, MBMS International missionaries in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Few knew more about how to serve the physical needs of Afghans in the operating theater and at the front gate. At the same time they risked their lives to introduce Afghans in discrete, appropriate settings to the only One who could save their souls.
Hope for peace
Many who wish for peace between Christians and Muslims today seem to assume that peace will be achieved through finding and highlighting similarities between the two faiths. This assumption deserves examination. Do the New Testament and the behavior of the earliest Christians give us the impression that Christians understood peace to be established by the similarities between the gospel and other faiths? Or was it rather the particularity of the good news about Jesus which allowed Christians to live in peace with people of other faiths in the midst of public persecution and defamation?
"He himself is our peace," writes Paul, and from that basis he hoped for the reconciliation of the most hostile groups of his day. God made peace "through his blood, shed on the cross."
Jesus' teaching and example of peace are unique. It is Jesus who blessed the peacemakers. His command to love the enemy rings out in a world addicted to revenge and the cold arithmetic of "justice ." No such command will be found in the Qur'an.
To the contrary, the Qur'an appears to forbid friendship with the enemy of Allah (Q. 60.1). Ultimately the distinction traces back to the respective concepts of God. In the New Testament concept, humans are to love their enemies because God first showed the way (Matt. 5:45-48).
The command of Jesus to love both neighbor and enemy gives Christians the amazing freedom to engage in significant ways with pe0ple of all cultural and religious backgrounds. Christians may use that freedom both to be realistic about Islam and to share with Muslims the good news of God's love demonstrated to the world through the death of Jesus on the cross. Peace will be at the heart oftheir message, and their message will be the only sure anchor for their peace.
'1J Post your comments to this article by going online to usmb.orglchristian-leader.
Gordon Nickel, whose doctoral dissertation was on the earliest commentaries on the Qur'an, teaches intercultural studies at Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS) in LAngley, Be. He and his wife, (jwenyth, worked among Muslims in Pakistan, India and Germany as MBMS International workers from 1986-2°°3. He is the author of Peaceable Witness Among Muslims, a 1999 Herald Pnm book that provides an evangelical Anabaptist approach to Islam. The Nickels provide a respite home for at-risk children in Vancouver, Be.
OF ISLAM?"
I would have preferred the question, "What do you think of Muslims?" I know my answer to that question: I love Muslims, and I know that God loves them so much that he extends the same grace to them that he has extended to me, though his Son, Jesus Christ. I love to share the Good News but experience has shown me that time and many, many conversations are needed to gain the opportunity to speak and be heard.
Since Sept. II, 2001, non-Muslims have been asking me what I think of Islam, but before that Muslims mostly queried me It is not a bad question, and I have never shrugged it off I have usually felt compelled to meet the question with one of my own, though , which is, 'What Islam do you want me to think about?"
of Islam?
Islam is diverse
There is great disagreement, even acrimony, about the nature of "true" Islam-and not just among Muslims. Before 2001, I held a small collection of books, articles and tapes on the topic of the nature of "true Islam." Since the later part of that year, my collection has grown considerably.
That this is so reveals a bit of the diversity within the unity of Islam, but it also reveals the polari23tion within and without Islam over its relationship to 9/11 and similar acts of terror. So when asked by a Muslim what I think of their religion, I have found it useful to try to understand just what the inquirer thinks their religion happens to be.
There are accepted variations within Islam, different schools as to certain methodologies. There are also variations noteworthy in that each party views the other as something
less than the true (or pure) Islam that they represent. The split between Sunni and Shi'a is familiar to many outside of Islam Perhaps not so familiar are other divisions, contrasting the mystical with the sober, formal with the folk or Arab-based with the local manifestation of faith .
A "post Christian» religion
It is common for Christians to express ignorance of Islam, in any form. It has been and is less common for Muslims to express ignorance of Christianity. Why is this the case?
From the Christian standpoint, Islam is only anticipated in the Bible, not mentioned by name since it had not then been established. The informed student of the Bible has some idea of what to do with revelation different than that contained in Scripture . For example, Galatians 1:7-9 speaks of people who are "trying to pervert the gospel of Christ " At the same time, it should be acknowledged that during their earliest encounters with Islam, Christians wondered whether they were encountering a Christian heresy, a false religion or an instrument of God's wrath.
Islam is a "post-Christian" religion, both in its advent and in its message Its adherents see it as being the most ancient and true of religions, the natural religion of humanity. This can be a little confusing to the nonMuslim. It helps to understand that, as an article of faith, Muslims believe that Islam was always the will of Allah for humanity and that the first man, Adam, is among its prophets . Muslims also believe that Islam was revealed through a series of prophets, only to be corrupted into religions other than what had truly been revealed So in one sense, Muslims see Islam as superior to other religions because it has always been Allah's intent
At the same time , it is an article of faith that this "true" religion was ultimately perfected during the lifetime of Muhammad Muslims accept as evidence of this truth the fact that Allah gave this series of revelations to Muslims after other "religions of the book" were well established; the later word corrects and replaces the earlier word.
Here I am reminded of my years as a civil servant. Nearly every day I received in my inbox revisions to the regulations that guided my work. I would cast aside the old regulations in favor of the new; there was rarely cause to return to those earlier pages. And so Muslims feel little need to consult earlier works , except from curiosity or for polemical purposes
In Muslim eyes
Chronology is not the only proof, however; what timing suggests, revelation makes explicit First of all , the
Qur'an is self-identified as bringing correction , clarity and completeness to Allah's histoty of revealed encounters with humanity In Muslim eyes, the "books" given to the Jews and to the Christians, our Bible, isn't worth reading because Jews and Christians have changed the words to confuse Allah's message . If this were not the case, then there would have been no need for the corrective of Qur'anic revelation. Muslims see Islam as superior to other religions because Allah "capped" revelation with it; nothing else remains to be revealed or will be revealed The Qur'an is not just Allah's latest word; it is his last word and uncorrupted word on his will for humanity.
Secondly, the Qur'an itself has much to say about Christians and Jews, what they believe and how Muslims should relate to them Thanks to the Internet, it is not at all difficult to cull every reference within the Qur'an to Christians and to list these references in chronological order of revelation Doing so reveals a steady progression from suggesting common cause with Christians to warnings that those who claim to follow Christ will not rest until they cause you (the Muslim) to stumble away from the truth and embrace Christian lies
The combined effect of these beliefs is to secure in Muslim hearts a sense of superiority over the Christian faith , a fear that Christians are relentless in their efforts to lead Muslims astray and a belief that they know everything that they need to know about Christianity-from the Qur'an. I have myself met Muslims who have offered that they were experts on Christianity, and indeed all religions, having studied them through the Qur'an This also explains the audacity of the Pakistani Muslim who wrote editorials in local newspapers on the occasions of Christmas and Easter outlining the "true" significance of Jesus Christ, entirely from Muslim sources.
I know of no actual follower of Christ who lives the religion described in the Qur' an as Christianity So Christians do well to inform Muslims of what they actually believe and practice as followers of Christ, recognizing that one's testimony will have its effect, even if it cannot be expected that our words will lead Muslims to admit, ' Well, the Qur'an got that wrong!"
Confronting our ignorance
It would be enough if Christians found themselves defending their understanding of their own religion against erroneous interpretations of it, but there is more. Muslims and Christians have had centuries of encounter, and Muslim arguments against Christianity and in favor of Islam amount to much more than knocking down the "straw men" Christians of the Qur'an. Does it surprise you when I say that, in confronting Muslim ignorance of Christianity, we must also confront our own ignorance?
Sure, Muslims wi1l ask certain questions polemically, but that does not discount the fact that accepting important Christian beliefs on faith should not mean those questions are unanswerable or unthinkable. The Bible encourages us to "always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you" (I Peter 3:15), and that does not mean the answer is "Because I said sol"
It is vital for a Christian to have a solid understanding of Christian basics because an inquiring (or merely engaging) Muslim wi1l have questions about them. As U.S. and Canadian Mennonite Brethren, we have acknowledged 18 articles in our Confession of Faith as representing vital areas of Christian belief and practice. Are you prepared to answer Muslim questions about the Trinity? Do you understand the difference between Christian and Islamic perspectives on revelation? Can
you explain the need for redemption from sin and how that must be accomplished? Is the use of violence within God's will? If we cannot explain, defend and live our confession among ourselves, it is hard to see how we might do so before Muslims
Understanding in truth
I have never wanted to be counted among those accused of comparing the "best" of my religion with the "worst" of another's; neither do I want the other to treat me in that fashion. A "Golden Rule" in regards to religions need not, and I believe must not, require that I accept another's religion as equal in truth to my own, but that each party be understood in truth and not in the projections or wishes of others.
Should Muslims understand Christianity and take the measure of me as a Christian through my adherence to the authority of the Bible and my success (and my weakness) in following the pattern of my master, Jesus Christ? Should Christians understand Islam and take the measure of Muslims through their adherence to the authority of the Qur'an and their success (and failure) in following the pattern of their master, Muhammad? I believe the answer to both questions must be "Yes."
For many years, I struggled with the fact that my academic study of Islam appeared to give me a wider and deeper understanding of Islam than many Muslims. The many times that Muslims begged me to tell them more left me with the conviction that I was not called to make Muslims better, or at least better informed, Muslims. Given what I have already said here about letting the religious speak for themselves, I do not see myself in that role, but I do see the relative value of pressing both Christian and Muslim to be authentic to their foundations.
It is fair for a Muslim to ask a Christian why he or she claims to love Jesus (and live in obedience to the Father), but does not do what he has said or live a life according to the pattern revealed within the Bible. It is also fair for a Christian to ask a Muslim why he or she claims to love Muhammad (and live in obedience to Allah), but does not do what he has revealed or live a life according to the pattern revealed in the Qur'an and sacred traditions .
It is on the basis of these shared values and requirements, the authority of our texts and our adherence to the model for living out each text, that the true nature of our faiths may be compared and contrasted fairly. And that Christian and Muslim can begin a conversation between those who would follow one who despised the sword and carried a cross and those who would follow one who despised the cross and carried a sword.
-1l Post your comments to this article by going online to usmb.orgIchristian-leader.
Tim Bergdahl is currently pastor of Madera Bible Church , Madera (Calif) Bergdahl, a graduate of MB Biblical Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary, served with his wife, Janine, as missionaries to Pakistan from 1990 to 1996. His academic work concentrated on topics related to Islam.
Talking with Grandma
The day my matchmaker encountered God's love
IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT. SWEAT ROLLED down my back and face and I began to pray, "God, please just provide a way out-please just let me go home."
I was visiting my taxi family. I met them almost three years ago because of a business relationship with their son. The four brothers farm and drive taxis to earn their living. Their wives, children and Grandma and Grandpa stay at home. I've been visiting them regularly.
I usually enjoy a crazy and lively time with them in the kitchen or dancing to North African music, but on this day most of the family was away for a beach holiday. Grandma and Grandpa were there with one son and a daughter-inlaw. The house was almost silent. In boredom and discomfort I wished for the luxury of my fan at home.
And there was another issue at hand After lunch, Grandma sat next to me on the couch I didn't want to be alone with Grandma. I'm single. From her perspective, at the age of 32 I am in danger of never getting married.
A woman from a Muslim culture cannot survive as a single Grandma is the most concerned and most aggressive about my marital status When I am alone with her I anticipate another conversation about getting mamed to a single Muslim man she knows. Every few weeks I explain to her, "No, Grandma. I can't marty a Muslim man Because I follow Jesus I must marty a man who also follows Jesus . I am on one path; a Muslim man is on another. Our marriage would cause one of us to compromise. My relationship with Jesus is too important for me to jeopardize it for a man I have family, good friends, a roof over my head and food on my table . God takes care of me better than any man ever could." Though she listens, we go through the same dance every time we see each other.
I was frusttated that in the midst of this hot, stuffy day I was forced to endure the same conversation as she described another rich, educated, good looking and honest Muslim man . Then suddenly the conversation took an incredible tum.
I firmly reminded her that I follow Jesus. She replied, "I know that You are a Christian and you won't marty a Muslim."
I stopped short of my next sentence. Does she finally understand what I've been telling her for more than two years?
Then she asked, "Do you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin?"
From this earnest question arose an incredible opportunity to share the Gospel. I pulled a Spanish hand
fan from my purse and sat next to her to fan us both as I began to share who Jesus is. I told her everything. She listened; she asked questions. We discussed the life in the body versus the life of the spirit. She wanted to know about death-I explained the difference between eternal life and eternal death She is an elderly woman and this subject was very meaningful to her. We talked about how important it is to think about these things because death of the body will lead us to eternallife or death
Toward the end of our conversation the Holy Spirit compelled me to be bold. I told her that I believe she has been deceived in her beliefs about God and that the only path to true, eternal and abundant life is Jesus . I said there is no way for me to convince her about who God really is, but that I pray for her and her family to one day have a relationship with Jesus She was riveted and thankful for my prayers.
I never im agined that I would have the opportunity to share Christ with her of all people I thought she was so hardened, so set in her ways I was humbled by the fact that my own discomfort in the stifling heat made me so ready to escape instead of engage But God didn't answer my urgent plea to go home; he answered my steadfast prayers for an opportunity to share his love with this taxi family . -1l Post your comments to this article by going online to usmb.orgIchristian-leader.
Amina is an American missionary serving in a restricted access country in North Africa. Her fuU name is not given due to the nature of her assignment.
Conversations with a child
Understanding
one another is a gift that we need to keep giving
Ifirst met Reza Nekumanesh in lOCI when he was a student in an Early Christianity class that I taught at Cal State, Fresno. It was really a wonderful class-not only the kind you recognize in retrospect, but one that we knew at the time was special. We had a Buddhist, an atheist, a Sikh, a Deist-and those were just the outspoken ones. We also had many varieties of the Christian faith present.
Reza, a devout Muslim who in 2004 made his pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, was profoundly respectful of our material (and of me: to this day he insists on calling me "Dr. Johnston")-more so than many Christians. Since he was from a Persian family, our conversations helped me understand how my ancient material continues to be processed in the world today Reza always wore his head covering (kufi) and used the proper honorifics for the names of Jesus and the Prophets. He is a devoted family man with seemingly endless energy for his various roles . His wife is a decorated administrator, and we did some bonding over the fact that we were two men fiercely proud of wives more celebrated than ourselves. Their two children are the center of their family life
I saw Reza the next fall after the World Trade Center attacks. Knowing his peaceful nature and some of the difficulties our Near Eastern students had faced on campus, my first question was whether he had been confronted about his beliefs or ethnicity. In his typical fashion, he shrugged it off-these were the vicissitudes of the world.
I believe our Cal State campus became the poorer when Reza graduated: he was a constant presence, affable and full of comity as he cruised around campus on his scooter I took as much joy in congratulating him, a student from another department, on graduation that year as any of my own mentees. It is a great joy when students teach you as much as you do them.
My wife and I went through changes in the next years, as her health fin ally returned after a bout with cancer, and Fresno Pacific University offered jobs that fit our academic and spiritual beliefs much more closely One afternoon, returning to our old haunts at State, we stopped by a new Halal restaurant across the street from the cam-
pus. To our delight Reza had bought it. Cal State had a good intellectual and mensch in their midst again.
Reza is beginning to think of funhering his education, and is more than willing to consider our small Christian college. Our school's interest in comparative religions would obviously profit by his presence, though we have yet to determine if our individualized program will work for him Colleagues who teach about the rise of Islam are eager to use his knowledge in lecture visits to engage the students funher. We are often told that most of the Muslim world is SunoL Although Reza's family is of the Shiite persuasion, a mere layman's knowledge of Iraq shows that the Shi'a perspective is a useful one to understand.
I value all of my conversations with Reza, and a recent one will provide a useful microcosm. We spoke about how a show like Little Mosque on the Prairie makes Islam accessible in a way that no academic treatment can. An attempt to understand the experience of our fellow human beings is a gift we need to give each other. We spoke about how Muslims work hard to bring their historical practices into the present day, just as any faith must; for example, in a religion practiced all over the globe, when does the first lunar sighting of Ramadan come? Christians and Jews can easily point to similar modem world issues.
As we spoke to Reza that pleasant weekend afternoon, in and out of the Zoe Grill came college students, old friends and new customers . A group of Reza's fellow Muslims sat at a nearby table, as a young man was meeting some friends of his wife-to-be, and the young man worked hard to impress them with his wit and potential. All of us who have dated and gone through these counship rituals could identify. In the welcoming atmosphere of his cafe, as at Cal State, Reza Nekumanesh has helped to make this old world smaller and less divisive for all of us children of Abraham. "0 Post your comments to this article by going online to usmb.orgIchristian-leader.
W Marshall Johnston teaches ancient history and classics at Fresno Pacific University, the Mennonite Brethren college in Fresno, Calif
The numbers game
Tabor, FPU hold fast to mission during enrollment ebb and flow
As the academic year begins each fall, college administrators everywhere hold their breath. Will the registered students come? Will the classrooms and residence halls be full? Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University, the Mennonite Brethren institutions of higher education headquartered in Hillsboro, Kan., and Fresno, Calif., respectively, are no exception.
This fall when the heads were counted and the numbers tallied, there was cause for celebration and concern.
Tabor College celebrates record enrollment as they mark the college's centennial, with an official tally of 612 students, the largest in its history The freshman class, with 141 students, is the largest since 1988 The overall full-time equivalent (FTE) is
562 students, an increase of 4.5 percent over last year and the highest in Tabor's history. About 100 of these students, or 74 FTE, are adult studies or graduate program students at the Tabor College Wichita campus in Wichita, Kan
'This is a wonderful way to celebrate our centennial year," says Jules Glanzer, college president, in a press release. 'The future of Tabor is bright because of the people who give of themselves daily to make Tabor a wonderful place where everyone can thrive."
The enrollment stories at Fresno Pacific University and Tabor College illustrate the challenges colleges face annually when setting their budgets.
Meanwhile at FPU, total enrollment held steady, with 2,377 students. Although it's the same raw number as fall 2007, traditional undergraduate enrollment dropped 84 students, from 944 to 860. That number was exactly balanced by an increase of three graduate students and 81 students in degree completion programs, offered through regional centers in North Fresno, Bakersfield and Visalia, Calif.
But raw numbers don't tell the whole story. University administrators expected 90 more traditional undergraduates and 40 more degree completion students. The university based its budget on these estimates, which means some difficult budget decisions must be made to close a gap of roughly $1.5 million .
Some feared such a gap could put jobs in jeopardy, but university president Merrill Ewert says, "No jobs are being eliminated." No salaries are being cut. Staff will be impacted; according to Ewert, cuts include a temporary reduction in the university's match to retirement accounts . Vacation accrual and overload adjunct pay rates will also be temporarily affected. Other strategies include selling some unused property and briefly delaying the opening of a new regional center. New academic initiatives, like one that allows nurses to earn a bachelor's degree, promise to strengthen the university's position for the future.
FPU has reason to believe that national economic stressors impacted its student pool. 'The economy, we think, affected us rather dramatically," says Steve Varvis, FPU vice-president of enrollment management. About 40 students were fully admitted in the degree completion program but pulled out just before classes started, says Varvis. A similar number of undergraduates also pulled out at the last minute. That's a first, Varvis says. Some students told the university they were uncomfortable with the economy. Others indicated they hope to reenroll in spring. Varvis speculates that many potential students enrolled in a new community college where tuition is considerably cheaper.
Ewert explains that FPU draws students primarily from California's Central Valley, an area that was struggling before the
national economic downturn and has been hit especially hard since. Already this summer a study of quality of life by congressional districts put the Valley dead last in the nation. Unemployment and underemployment have skyrocketed and home equity, Ewert says, has "melted away."
Add to these dismal economic factors a late commitment on the part of the state to give financial aid to lower income familiesmonies on which about 40 percent of FPU students rely-and it's no wonder that many families were unwilling to commit to private university tuition.
Varvis notes that the bigger enrollment picture shows that after eight years of strong growth, FPU enrollment has dropped slightly in the last few years, but he's not alarmed. "I don't see it so much as a trend as a couple of bad years we need to work out of."
Even before the university missed this fall's enrollment projections, they hired enrollment consultant Noel-Levitz to help make the most of recruiting and financial aid. The university also uses student satisfaction surveys and informal input to evaluate how well they're meeting the needs ofthe students already enrolled. It's a continual process of evaluating and adjusting.
"Where we're doing it well, we reinforce it, and where we're not doing well, we try to solve it," Varvis says.
Tabor, meanwhile, is not resting on its laurels. 'We're thrilled that we had a good year," says Glanzer, "but we don't make any claims that it11 be that way next year " He says that in the last three decades or so, Tabor has never had more than two consecutive years of enrollment growth. And, he says, Tabor faces similar budget realities as FPU. If not for this increase in enrollment, they, too, would be looking at significant budget adjustments.
Tabor hired the same enrollment consultant, Noel-Levitz, in January 2007-a move Glanzer calls "courageous" on the part of then-president Larry Nikkel, given that faculty sacrificed pay increases to make it possible. But the investment, he says, paid off in this fall's enrollment. Glanzer credits the entire Tabor community for working
hard to implement the strategies of NoelLevitz.
Glanzer and Rusty Allen, vice-president of enrollment management last school year, note that Tabor leveraged financial aid to draw students. Allen describes financial aid as a delicate balancing act: Give too much, and the college's budget will hurt. At the same time, he says, aid is an important consideration for the "frugal" central Kansas families that are the school's 'bread and butter." He speculates that the economic downturn will only make families more reluctant to pay for private education.
So the challenge to continually do better is always before them. Allen says, "You should always be willing to take a look at the data and the trends and ask yourself, 'OK, where do we need to make changes?'" Usually, he says, those changes are "tweaks," not wholesale changes.
One thing that's clearly not up for reevaluation at either school is their sense of mission. Both have similar mission and vision statements that emphasize service, academic excellence and Christ-like values. And both presidents say their mission will not be compromised.
Tabor's Glanzer says that while it's critical to exercise good stewardship when it comes to the business side of running a college, it's equally critical to exercise good stewardship when it comes to the school's mission.
"Both are important and we have to take care of both," Glanzer says. 'We cannot sacrifice one for the other."
FPU's Ewert points to the university's newly-redesigned logo, which says, "Founded on Christ." Ewert says, 'That's our single most important commitment as a university. That's who we are."
That firm foundation gives Ewert confidence as he looks to the future. ''I'm bullish on FPU," he says. 'These are difficult times, make no mistake. It's not the first time that this university-or others-has had to take on some significant challenges. It's not our work we're doing; it's God's work. So we have great confidence that the God whom we serve here is going to help us meet these challenges." -Myra Holmes
Not about the building
For California church, grand opening is about impact on community
The Bridge Bible Church, Bakersfield, Calif., is a congregation that believes their God-given mission is outside the walls of any building.
"Ultimately," says pastor Jeff Gowling, "we believe that the mission that God's given us is not to fill up chairs in a worship center but to get out with the gospel, with God's goodness and with the way that he's our lives and to share that with those around us." Gowling uses words like "missional" and "outside the walls" to describe this fiveyear-old church plant.
So when The Bridge celebrated the grand opening of their first facilities Sept. 19-21, it presented a bit of a dilemma. "Here is this church with this kind of (external) focus that we've really been hit-
ting hard and people have been embracing, and now we're building walls," Gowling explains.
When The Bridge was born in 2003, they had a head start on great facilities. The Bridge is a daughter church of Laurelglen Bible Church, also of Bakersfield, that gave the church plant 25 acres of property on which to build their church home.
The 75 families in the core group began meeting at Bakersfield Christian High School, growing a church and dreaming of future facilities on that land. All the while, the congregation was moving away from a traditional model of church toward a missional model. One example of their missional focus-small group projects designed to build relationships and make a lasting differ-
ence in Bakersfield-was featured in the March 2008 issue of the Leader.
This fall, the congregation completed two buildings-a 45o-seat worship center and a children's ministry building. A threeyear capital campaign and a loan from MB Loan Fund helped fund the project. When it came time to open the doors of their new buildings and take ownership of walls, they dealt with their "dilemma" creatively. 'We decided that we're going to celebrate the grand opening of our building by it not even being about the building," Gowling explains.
The grand opening weekend was dubbed "Impact" to put focus squarely on the church's mission to impact their community. Signs at the church and on lawns playfully counted down the number of days until
A Friday night prayer service was one of several outdoor events planned by The Bridge to emphasize outreach when the Bakersfield congregation dedicated its new worship and children's ministry centers.
"Impact," which generated curiosity and opened conversations.
To de-emphasize the buildings, most of the weekend's events were held outside. The congregation gathered outdoors Friday evening to reflect on what God has done at The Bridge thus far and to thank God in advance for all he's going to do. Although gratitude for the buildings was a natural part of the evening. it was a time 'bigger than the building" Gowling says.
Attendees brought back stakes used at the groundbreaking, which represented people they hoped to impact, and drove them into the ground on a makeshift map of Bakersfield They took a prayer walk to the far comer of the property and erected three crosses as a visual reminder that "God is at work here." Tiki torches and candles played off the idea of spreading light in the community.
The outdoor celebration continued on Saturday as the community was invited for an "interactive tour"-not of the buildings but of the church's mission. Booths, tents and activities demonstrated the church's desire to serve. Guests were invited to pick up a hammer and help with the construction of two houses that will be assembled in Mexico. Or fill bags of food to help the church's ministry to the homeless. Or gather information on work with troubled teens. Or pray for individuals ministering in one of the roughest parts of town.
'There were all of these opportunities for people to see that this is a church that is called to be out there ministering and serving and they have an opportunity to join in serving with us," Gowling says.
The children's building was open so that kids and their parents could see this space designed just for them. To enhance the 'J\ll Stars" focus in the children's ministry, the building features a baseball theme with colorful classrooms, Astroturf-like flooring, bases and even a warning track.
Saturday evening was more structured but srill outside the walls, with one gathering focused on families and one focused on God. Children brought their parents to "Family Experience," an interactive learning time called "F}(" that reinforces concepts from Sunday school curriculum and serves as a conversation starter for families. The Bridge hopes to begin incorporating the FX concept regularly, so the evening served as a kind of "test drive."
Following FX, roughly 400 people worshiped under the stars on a large patio area just outside the new worship center. Gowling says this time was set aside strictly to focus on God, not buildings, not The Bridge and not even the needs of Bakersfield.
Finally, on Sunday morning. the doors to the new worship center were opened and the congregation entered their new sanctuary. Gowling describes the worship center as "a spectacular building. really" -not showy
but well done, with quality lighting and sound. He says that as those who had given toward and prayed for this facility entered for the first time, jaws dropped and tears flowed.
But even in the new building. it wasn't about the building. "What God did that Sunday morning was amazing." Gowling says. "It all came together and God just completely took over and just overwhelmed every aspect and was totally glorified through it."
The worship band, grateful for acoustics better than a school gym, was "rocking." A packed house added to the energy. "Cardboard testimonies" -which describe life before, then after Christ-were received with "thunderous roar of applause at every tum of the cardboard."
Gowling preached the first in a series called, 'Welcome to The Bridge-now get out." He says he felt convinced that it was important to boldly state the mission The Bridge feels called to. "Just so you know, this is who we are; this is where we're going as a church . We hope you want to join us," he says.
"I think a lot of people do," he adds. If numbers are any indicator, he might be right. Total attendance on Sunday morning topped I,400-nearly double the highest attendance for this congregation, which has seen recent growth from 500 to a peak of nearly 800. While it's harder to tally newcomers for the weekend's more informal events, Gowling says he saw plenty of new faces. Some 25 families asked to be part of a small group, even before any announcement about small groups. Many families registered their children for the children's programs.
Apart from numbers, informal response to the weekend was "overwhelming" and positive, Gowling says. Comments from guests indicate that they caught the vision: It's about impacting the community, not about the building.
"If the excitement is about the building, it won't last," Gowling says. "But if the excitement is about fulfilling the mission God has call me to and God has called us to together as a church-that's something people will get behind and that excitement will last and will grow and flourish and make the difference in Bakersfield."Myra Holmes
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The decision by Mennonite Central Committee to co-host a Sept. 25 interfaith dinner and dialogue that included Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and was intended to help build peace has generated considerable discussion and concern among Mennonite and Brethren in Christ constituents, including Mennonite Brethren.
Some 80 people attended an Oct. 1constituency forum hosted by West Coast MCC. At the invitation of Fresno Pacific University president Merrill Ewert, the open meeting was held on the FPU campus in Fresno, Calif., as part of the university's Building a Culture of Peace Week activities. Invitations went out to local pastors and pe0ple who contacted the MCC office about the September event.
By meeting with Ahmadinejad, MCC was taking a stand against the dehumanization of the enemy, former MCC executive director Robb Davis, who was the resource person for the Fresno constituency forum, told attendees. In a meal together with the Iranian leader, MCC would create a sense that "what we saw across from us was a human beingnot beyond the touch of God "
MCC Central States hosted a similar meeting Oct. 20 in Sioux Falls, SD. The South Dakota forum resource person was Patricia Shelly, professor of Bible and religion at Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., and a participant in the Sept. 25 meeting.
Peace dialogue prompts protest
MCC criticized for hosting Iranian president
In his letter inviting interested constituents to the Sioux Falls forum , MCC Central States executive director John Stoesz says, "The intent is to ... allow MCC to better understand why these meetings have been troubling to some even as it describes what led to the decision to engage in them in the first place."
Central States staff and board members have had informal discussions with concerned Mennonite Brethren from Oklahoma. As of press time, no report was available from the South Dakota meeting and no decision had been made as to whether Central States would hold a public forum in Oklahoma.
Mennonite Central Committee, the world relief, peace and development agency of North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ, began working in Iran in 1990 after an earthquake killed more than 30,000 people in two northwestern provinces. Since then, MCC has provided nearly $6 5 million in aid to earthquake sUlVivors, refugees and other people in need in Iran through Iranian partner organizations.
The Sept. 25 interfaith dinner and dialogue featured distinguished speakers such as Kjell Bondevik, former prime minister of Norway, and Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, president of the United Nations General Assembly. But it was the participation of Iranian president Ahmadinejad, notorious for his nuclear ambitions , denial of the Holocaust, saber rattling toward Israel and
alleged support of terrorists, that prompted protests from MCC's constituents and a wide assortment of organizations.
MCC says the event was not intended to honor the president of Iran who was in New York City to address the United Nations General Assembly. Rather, the purpose of the evening was to build understanding between societies that are often divided by animosity.
Arli Klassen, MCC 's executive director, says MCC cosponsored the event out of a commitment to follow Jesus Christ's way of peace. 'i\s Christians, we take Jesus' Sermon on the Mount very seriously and say 'Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you,"' Klassen explained before the event. "Right now the U.S . and Iran are defining each other as enemies and so, as Christians, we are trying to promote dialogue, understanding and bridge building, rather than leading to war "
But others saw the dinner as doing just that.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered Sept. 25 on New York City's 42nd Street
The Sept. 25 international dialogue on the role of religion in building peace that was cohosted by Mennonite Central Committee has drawn criticism due to the participation of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shown here addressing the audience.
across from the Hyatt Hotel to protest the dinner and dialogue attended by about 300 international religious and political figures. Organizers of the protest rally report that representatives from more than 50 Jewish, Chtistian and secular human rights and political groups attended the rally, initially organized by Women International and the Jewish Action Alliance.
The u.s. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a government group that advises the legislative and executive branches, had called on the organizers not to hold the dinner.
"While organizations such as yours espouse the value of mutual understanding through dialogue, in this case we are convinced that this invitation and this platform will be counterproductive," USCIRF chair Felice D. Gaer, said in a letter sent to the cohosts. "President Ahmadinejad has manipulated such dialogues repeatedly into a platform for spreading hatred."
The invitation-only event was sponsored by MCC, American Friends Service Committee, Quaker United Nations Office, Religions for Peace and World Council of Churches in consultation with the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations.
In her opening comments, MCC executive director Klassen said, '1\s a Christian, I believe that we are following Jesus Christ's example and his teaching as we eat together and hold this dialogue despite our many differences."
Klassen noted several areas of high tension in relations between Iran, the U.S. and other nations. Addressing President Ahmadinejad, Klassen raised concerns about his statements on the Holocaust and Israel, Iran's nuclear program and religious freedom in Iran.
'We ask you to find a way within your own country to allow for religious diversity and to allow people to make their own choices as to which religion they will follow," Klassen said. Klassen's opening comments are posted on the MCC Web site, www mcc.orgliran, along with comments
from MCC addressing concerns about the meeting with Ahmadinejad.
Although Klassen, Norway's Bondevik and others raised concerns about religious freedoms and human rights in Iran, MCC says that Ahmadinejad did not address these issues directly. He spoke at length about theological issues, such as monotheism, justice and commonalities among religions .
Ahmadinejad spoke in broad terms about "challenges facing the human community," including poverty, declining morality, the humanitarian costs of war and a lack of religion in public life. He criticized nations such as the u.s. for maintaining nuclear weapons and did not deviate from his previous statements that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
The September event marks the fourth time since 2006 that Ahmadinejad has met with American religious leaders. Each time, Klassen told Religion News Service, it's been at Ahmadinejad's request.
Reflecting on MCC's first meeting with Ahmadinejad in 2006, Davis told the California forum attendees that MCC saw the invitation as an opportunity to wimess. 'We wanted to give (President Ahmadinejad) a glimpse of God's kingdom," he said.
Davis also recalled MCC conversations with U.S. congressional representatives who had expressed fear of meeting the Iranians. 'We are afraid to be the first to meet with this man," the representatives had told MCC By meeting with Ahmadinejad, MCC could open the way for other conversations and wimess to the reality that "Jesus' way is not the way of fear."
In deciding to meet with the Iranian president, Davis said, MCC leaders recognized that "in human terms it was naive and would be misunderstood and misused," but they felt that by failing to act in faith "we would limit the power of God."
Former FPU president Richard Kriegbaum moderated the discussion that followed Davis's remarks Several people who stepped to the microphone expressed support for MCC's engagement with Iran.
A few raised cautions about MCC's involvement in what they viewed as "political activity."
In conversation after the forum, many participants who had come with reservations about MCC's involvement with the Iranian leader expressed satisfaction that their questions had been answered.
Leon Thiessen, who chairs the board for the West Coast Mennonite Men's Chorus, was one. He had received an inflammatory e-mail notice accusing MCC of inappropriately "honoring" Ahmadinejad. The message had concerned him, and he did not know how to respond.
He came away reassured that MCC was doing the right thing and reminded that the purpose of the event was peacemaking dialogue, not to honor any person. In a letter to Men's Chorus board members Thiessen said: 'J\s I sat and listened to the information at the meeting, the first image that entered my mind was that of Jesus having dinner in the home of a tax collector, while the religious establishment stood outside and criticizedhim.
"Even when it may seem to run counter to political agendas," he advised the board, "we must remember that we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, and our first allegiance is to the Eternal King."
The boards of MCC, MCC Canada, MCC U.S. and the provincial and regional MCC offices are comprised of representatives of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ conferences in Canada and the U.S. Allen Hiebert, Hillsboro, Kan., and Laura Schmidt Roberts, Fresno, Calif., represent the U.S. Conference on the MCC binational board. Oscar Luna II, Fresno, Calif., is the Mennonite Brethren representative on the MCC USA board. A list of Mennonite Brethren representatives on regional MCC boards is provided in CL Online coverage of these events.-Connie Faber with MCC reports by Ed Nyce, Kathy Heinrichs Wiest and the MCC Web site These MCC reports are posted at CL Online, www.usmb coml christian-leader along with a statement issued by MCC following the September dinner.
Tabor College turns 100
College dedicates Centennial Plaza and sculpture
The dedication of a new focal point on campus-Centennial Plaza containing the sculpture, "Called to SelVe"was the highlight of the Tabor College Centennial Homecoming Celebration Oct. 3-S·
"The Centennial Plaza is in a perfect location, where everyone can see and experience the mission of Tabor College," said President Jules Glanzer. 'The 'Called to SelVe' sculpture is inspiring, contemplative, moving and one cannot help but be touched by its message."
Former presidents Vernon Janzen, LeVon Balzer, H. David Brandt, and Larry Nikkel were in attendance at the dedication ceremony, as were representatives of the college's additional presidents.
They joined scores of alumni and friends on the campus lawn, which was transformed into a garden of engraved pavestones and flowers. At its center is the new sculpture created by Sandra Storm, a worldrenown artist and Tabor alumnus.
"For many years to come, this plaza will
convey to both the campus community and to visitors that Tabor College is a place where service to God and to others is nurtured and cherished," said Lyndon Vix, Tabor College board chair.
In addition to dedicating a new sculpture, the college also received a Centennial Poem, entitled "Seed for the World," written by Mennonite author and poet Jean Janzen, of Fresno, Calif., and a Centennial Quilt, created by Karen Hauff, of Shoreview, Minn. Hauff, a 1966 graduate, is a member of the college's board of directors .
Two graduates were honored during the Centennial Homecoming Celebration. Andrew Owen, a 1994 graduate selVing as a missionary in Thailand with MBMS International, received the Alumni Medallion Award. Jonah Kliewer, a 19S5 graduate and emeritus professor of voice and choral music, received the Alumni Merit Award. Kliewer died July 12 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, at age 7S.
The Centennial Plaza was conceived by Nikkel, who began the project before his
retirement as president last year. He led the project to completion as the first President Emeritus in the history of the college.
'The story of Tabor is a story of God's faithfulness to a faithful people," Nikkel said. "It is entirely appropriate for Tabor to mark this milestone with the dedication of a plaza upon which the core values of Tabor College are presented with such clarity and power.
"I would suggest that, not only has Sandra Storm captured this spirit of selVice in her sculptures, she has also given us the visual symbols of the gospel itself."
For Glanzer, the dedication ceremony marked the highlight of an unforgettable weekend. "For the past 100 years, God has led Tabor College through the hands of the presidents listed on the plaza," Glanzer said. 'They have shepherded Tabor with integrity of heart and with skillful hands.
"I am standing on the shoulders of many great men who have led Tabor," Glanzer added. 'Their commitment, sacrifice and selVice have been extraordinary."
Past presidents or their representatives
TC board chair Lyndon Vix (at podium) addresses the crowd that gathers for the dedication of the Centennial Plaza.
attended the dedication Representing HW. Lohrenz (1908-1911), the first TC president, was his granddaughter, Lucy McAllwaster, Afton, Minnesota. Ron Braun, of North Newton, Kan., represented the college's second president, Peter C. Hiebert (1932-1934). Hiebert served as chair of the Mennonite Central Committee for 42 years; Braun served in the same organization for 20 years.
Representing A. E. Janzen (1935-1942) was his niece, Evelyn Ediger from Topeka, Kan. Richard Schellenberg, Wichita, Kan., represented his father Peter E. Schellenberg (1942-1951), who was the fourth president. The fifth president was John N. C. Hiebert (1951-1953) and was represented by daughter, Phyllis Martens, Fresno, Calif
The sixth president was Leonard J. Franz, who served from 1953 to 1954 and again from 1956 to 1962. Franz was represented by Marvin Kroeker of Ada, Okla., who served as a member of the history faculty with Franz.
Representing F.C. Peters (1954-1956), the seventh president, was William Johnson of Hillsboro, Kan., who was a member of the faculty during the Peters' presidency. Wesley J. Prieb served as interim president from 1962 to 1963 and was represented by daughter Judy Harder, of Hillsboro, Kan.
Jeanne Janzen, Fresno, Calif., represented her father, Roy Just (1963-1980), the college's eighth president. Vernon Janzen (1980-1987), Fresno, was the ninth president and was present. Vernon Wiebe, who served as interim president from 1987 to 1988, was represented by his wife, Rubena, of Hillsboro.
The loth president was LeVon Balzer (1988-1994) now living in Bella Vista, Ark. Clarence Hiebert, interim president in 1994 and 1995, was represented by his wife Feme, of Hillsboro The 11th president David Brandt, Mechanicsburg, Pa., served from 1995 to 1998 Nikkel, Hillsboro, served as president from 1998 to 2007 and Glanzer is the 13th and current president. - Grant Overstake, Tabor Communications
In his powerful yet compassionate voice, Pastor Rick Warren sounds the clarion call to "remember the reason for the season," taking readers back in time to the most wonderful story of all - the birth of the baby Jesus. When he was just a small boy, young Rick asked his parents if they could celebrate Christmas with a birthday party for Jesus and the tradition began that the Warrens have upheld for over fifty years. Now through stirring imagery and compelling personal insights, The Purpose of Christmas honors the significance and promise of this cherished holiday.
Soaring thru action-packed summer
L AMB Conference partners with MBMSI to host ministry group
North American Mennonite Brethren summer volunteers of all ages soared to new heights and saw plenty of acrion when they participated in short-term ministries offered by MBMS International, the North American Mennonite Brethren mission agency.
SOAR, a 10 to 14-day multigenerational program that sends volunteers to established churches, church plants and inner city ministries in North America and Mexico, currently offers two summer opportunities-one in Canada and the other in the U .S.-as well as a spring event held in Winnipeg, Man English and French-speaking youth joined together for SOAR Montreal held in Quebec, North America's largest unreached people group
SOAR S Texas, directed by MBMSI staff member Craig Jost, brought 53 youth and families , 21 of which came from the Southern District Conference, to the Texas Rio Grande Valley to work with the Latin American MB Conference.
«It was an intense time of discipleship, mission and fun in the warm Texas sun," says Jost, who is the regional mobilizer for the Midwest. '1\ highlight for the Southern District church teams was that we partnered them with teams from the LAMB Conference and with Mennonite Brethren churches in the region. The fellowship, discipleship and friendship that happened was very encouraging. We were all able to experience the power of being part of God's family as we prayed and worked together in God's harvest field "
The SOAR S. Texas participants met for three days of training, prayer and team building and then went to four ministry sites along the Rio Grande River before reuniting for a debrief. They participared alongside local church members in various acrivities such as vacation Bible school, community service projects, prayer walks, community outreach, sports evangelism, orphanage visitation and work projects at local churches.
Michelle Schmidt, pastoral staff member at Bible Church in Cordell, Okla , brought the church's youth group. She says, «SOAR S. Texas showed our youth that God could use them no matter what, that God could move without regard to their age, abilities or fears. Our experience at our ministry location created more boldness within our youth group to share the gospel and it brought us closer to the Lord as we stepped out by faith to share the Gospel with people in the Rio Grande Valley. For me personally, SOAR S Texas helped me see that missions isn't as 'hard' as I thought it would be, and our experience is paving a way for more mission involvement in the future both for me and for our church."
2009 SOAR S. Texas, a joint ministry through MBMSI's office in Wichita Kan., and the Latin American MB Conference, is scheduled to run July 14-24.
This summer MBMS International's ACTION program offered training and debrief sessions in three different cities and sent participants to eight locations. ACTION is a four to eight week program that gives individuals, couples and families cross-cultural mission experiences alongside long -term church planting teams around the world.
ACTION: Fresno sent teams to Berlin, Germany and N'Dorola,
Burkina Faso. ACTION: Montreal sent teams to Portugal, France and Thailand and ACTION : Winnipeg sent teams to DR Congo, Lithuania and Japan .
The four college students who went to N'Dorola, Burkina Faso served with Phil and Carol Bergen, MBMSI missionaries from Shafter, Calif. The Bergens are working with the Nanerige people to translate Scripture from French and Jula into the native tribal language. Six hours worth of stories chronicling the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus have been translated and recorded onto cassettes. The Bergens hope to translate the entire New Testament in the next few years.
While translation is important and time-consuming, so is not getting through daily life, which is why Phil and Carol eagerly welcomed the Fresno team. The team's vision was to make the people of N'Dorola aware of God's presence in the predominately Muslim community by showing his love in pracrical ways. The team helped with everyday tasks such as working the fields, planting trees and tearing down old mud huts. During church services throughout the weeks team members shared their testimonies with the help of a translator.-from MBMSI reports by Craig lost and Natalie Binder
SOAR volunteer Nydia Gonzalez, from Casa de Oracion MB Church in Rio Grande City, Tex., plays with a boy at the orphanage in Carmago, Mexico.
> When leaders fail cant.
Rempel cont. from page 6
Third, in deciding whether or not to make such information public, it is important to remember that the Bible holds leaders to a high standard (see, for example, James 3:1, or I Timothy 3). This is not because they are super-Chtistians but because they are charged with the spiritual care of people. This is not to be taken lightly. Because of the public nature of their roles as leaders in the church, their actions have consequences beyond the immediate circle of those who may have been involved in the situation.
When information is made public the intent should not be to hurt or shame people but to liberate the community from the bondage of secrecy. This does not mean that all the details of the situation, the "who did what and where?" that arises from natural curiosity, must be satisfied. Too much information can be burdensome and often serves no useful purpose. Remember that the Bible views gossip as sin. too.
Christian charity should also guide our behavior when deciding whether to telease the names of victims or others who may have been intimately involved in the situation.
Of course, not all sin needs to be widely published, either for Christian leaders or others. Still, where sin is present, it is good to remember that the practice of confession-to a confessor or a trusted circle of Christian brothers or sisters-is a Christian discipline of long standing. It is a practice that can free people from the burden of sin, end the deceit and speed the healing work of forgiveness.
The Bible teaches us that our choices have consequences. In the case of Christian leaders the consequences may include release from public ministry. This does not necessarily invalidate their spiritual gifts or the effectiveness of past (or even present) ministries; it does, however, take seriously the effects of sin and especially the loss of trust.
The decision to release someone from a ministry tole is a pastoral response to a personal or spiritual ctisis. It recognizes the needs of both the leader and the community. Experience suggests that it is difficult to effectively lead when in the midst of personal crisis. This is only compounded when trust has been broken.
It is certainly true that God forgives sin and invites us to be reconciled both with God and each other. In some instances, this may allow for restoration to public ministry at a future date. God often uses wounded healers in very effective ways. Still, restoration to public ministry should be undertaken cautiously and with much discernment. It may not be possible or wise to fully reestablish the trust needed for effective leadership.
Finally, it is important to remember that in all instances of failure the church should seek to be a place of healing and reconciliation.
-1l Post your comments to this article by going online to usmb.orgIchristian-leader.
V'<Jlerie Rempel is associate professor of history and theology at MB Biblical Seminary and is the acting associate dean on the Fresno, Calif, campus.
Falk cont. from page 6
Pacific District Conference will oversee his restoration and care . We are very fortunate to have an academic dean in Dr Lynn Jost who is capable and willing to immediately take over as acting president. We have begun the process of filling this role on a regular basis
The Board together with the administration led by Dr Jost has moved quickly to address a number of our priorities which include: hosting a summit of North American Mennonite Brethren leaders, preparing for an accreditation visit, preparation of a major funding grant application, planning for the changing delivery and leadership needs of the church and searching for a new president.
I am pleased to report that amidst the normal challenges, the seminary continues to fulfill its mission to inspire and equip men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and to serve and lead in the church and in the world The board and I have received much support through these leadership changes I especially value the tremendous support from the two national conference owner representatives David Wiebe and Ed Boschman
Our board, acting president and faculty remain passionate about our mission and convinced of our ability to deliver on it Students continue to grow as they are equipped to serve the church, and our faculty is working diligently to give them the theological education and leadership training they want and deserve . We value and need your prayers , your commitment to seminary education and your financial resources to do so . - JF
> David Waebe, Canadian conference executive director
The resignation of our brother Jim Holm has been a challenge to all of us in leadership in the Canadian conference We're sorrowful that his ministry concluded as it did We're also grateful for the many times he challenged us through pastors' retreats and church ministry God's Word and truth will still bear fruit . We support Jim and Shirley in prayer as they work through this .
We also support the seminary as it regroups We have full confidence that MB Biblical Seminary will continue to provide quality, spirit-filled ministry training at MBBS ACTS in British Columbia, MBBS -Winnipeg in Manitoba and Fresno, Calif. Through Regenerate ZI - OI'S leadership development programs, well continue to parmer with the seminary in a complementary way It's our hope to see young adults heed the call to pastoral ministry and eventually be ready to serve in our churches. The seminary will be part of that path . Regenerate 21 - 01 is a $4 million initiative in the areas of church health, leadership development and outreach that the Canadian Conference approved this summer at its biennial convention
by Rose Buschman
Superman Dan
Christian pilots are unsung missionary heroes
His name is Dan. He is a quiet, unassuming. The purpose of our visit to Tembo was to conduct a three-day gentle man-very likeable He is also a teacher training workshop for 55 headmasters, teachers and pastors. I met Missionary Aviation Fellowship pilot who some wonderful people there and we had a great time together. However, has, without much fanfare, been going about his all of this would not have been possible without the work of the MAF work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for pilot who brought us there and picked us up after it was completed. the past 16 years. Dan is one of the unsung heroes of missionary work. These pilors I first met Dan on a recent ministry trip. My are the backbone of mission work in areas where other means of transhusband and I were part of a six-member team that portation are often very difficult or nonexistent. They are the lifeline for flew to Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, on a Sunday missionaries and local people as well A recent Wycliffe Bible Translators night in September. We stayed at a guesthouse that newsletter states that many of the Bible translation efforts around the is often used as a base of operations for ministry world would not exist if missionary pilots were not available. groups Monday we visited a C=.· ' rhese l)ilots :.ue the h1ckbone ot mi ss io,n work in a,r"ea s medical clinic that serves a population of about 100,000 in a very where other me ..lns of transportation are often ve ry diHi cuh poor section ofthe city. or none x istent.
Tuesday morning, Dan showed up at our guesthouse with an MAF van to take us to the airport for a flight to a small town on the Angola border. When we arrived at the airport we found that the plane we were to fly had a flat tire. Well, Dan is not only a pilot, he is also an airplane mechanic. So for the next 90 minutes we sat on plastic chairs at the entrance to the hangar and watched as he very carefully repaired the tire.
We took off on the two and one-half hour flight to Tembo, a small town on the Kwango River that forms the boundary between Angola and DRC We landed on a gravel airstrip at the edge of the town and were greeted by a crowd of people, many of them children. Local dignitaries were also there, so after we stepped out of the plane the first order of business was to have pictures taken with them by a local photographer.
As I sat in a van waiting for the passport inspections to be completed, I wondered what was ahead for me in the next few days. Where would we stay and what would we eat? How would the people accept me? As I sat struggling with my thoughts, I saw Dan walk across the field to the office where he had to register his aircraft and complete the requirements for his return flight to Kinshasa. He turned around and waved, giving me a big smile that said to me, "It's going to be alright. Have a great time ." Dan had been there before and was letting me know I would be just fine He was right and I was .
Sometimes pilots are asked to risk their lives to help others. Several years ago while I was in Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea I would watch the early morning takeoffs of at least three MAF pilots each day. Because of dangerous air currents later in the day, they had a fly window of three to four hours in the mornings to take care of their routine flights. I heard one story of a child injured in a serious accident in one of the villages. A MAF pilot and a nurse took off in the late afternoon to pick up the boy and bring him to Sentani where there was a doctor. It was a risky flight, not only in terms of wind problems, but also because they were on a very tight schedule to get back to the airport before it closed at sunset. The local Christian community prayed. In the end they got back with just minutes to spare.
This was my first flight with an MAF pilot. Thank you, Dan, for all you and your fellow pilots do to support ministry efforts in the Congo and around the world.
'1J
Post your comments to this article by going online to usmb.orgI christian-leader.
BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View)- Three people were baptized Oct. 12
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lake)-In October 43 people were received as members
Clovis, Calif. (College Community)-Chris Enns Rempel was baptized and received as a member Oct. 12 Karen Anderson was received as a member Sept. 28.
Gettysburg, SD (Grace Bible)-Joan Aspelin, John and Amy Wager, Elvin and Brittany Hunter and Connor McPeck were baptized July 20. Joan Aspelin and John and Amy Wager were received as members Aug 3.
FELLOWSHIP
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lake)-A women's retreat, scheduled for Nov 14-15, focused on "Different Shoes for Different Seasons "
Draper, Utah (South Mountain)-A one-day women's event Nov 8 featured speaker Will iam P. Young, author of The Shack.
Eugene, Ore. (North Park)-Activities at a women's retreat, scheduled for Oct. 30-Nov 1, included Wii games.
Littleton, Colo. (Belleview Community)-Church women were honored with a complimentary luncheon Oct. 26, while men and children went to a local amusement center.
Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstone Community)-Women hosted a " Mennonite Heritage Dinner" Oct. 25 as a fundraiser. The menu included verenika casserole, zwieback, borscht, sausage and pie.
Fresno, Calif. (North Fresno)-Senior adults took a day trip to a local cheese factory Oct. 24
WichHa, Kan, (First)-A fall women's event Oct. 21 included decor ated tables, a catered meal, fashion show and guest speaker
Grant, Neb. (New Ufe Fellowship)-Oct. 19 was a pastor appreciation potluck.
Bakersfield, Calif, (Laurelglen)-A men's ret reat Oct. 17- 19, called "Wise Guy's Weekend," featured Oregon pastor Steve Walker as speaker and included bowling, golfing and basketball.
Hillsboro, Kan.- The Oct. 12 " Purse-onality" women 's event offered" a closer look at the relationship we have with our purses. " An offering benefited Operation Christmas Child Men, meanwhile, held their annual skeet shooting event called "Meet, Eat and Skeet."
Blaine, Wash. (Birch Bay Bible Community)-Men from Good News Fellowship and Community Bible Fellowship, Mennonite Brethren churches in the area , were invited to a men's breakfast Oct. 11
Fairview, Okla.-A local farm was the site of a Oct. 5 Mexican fiesta
Edmond, Okla. (Memorial Road)-Men and boys held a fish fry and campout Oct. 4
Fresno, Calif. (Bethany)-Women meet at restaurants for lunch once a month. A group of women met to discuss the book The Shack Oct. 7.
Buhler, Kan.-A hot dog roast Sept. 30 for men gave attendees the opportunity to learn about men's ministry
Sioux Falls, SD (Lincoln Hills)-A Fa ll Festival Sept. 27 featured a chili cook-off, an apple pie contest, lawn tractor racing, train rides, inflatables, music and horse-drawn hay rides
Reedley, Calif -An expert on butterflies of the world was the speaker for a senior adult event Sept. 23
Hays, Kan. (North Oak)-A noon potluck Sept. 21 honored pastoral couple Ken and Rachel Ediger for 20 years of service at the church
Denver, Colo. (Garden Park)-Sept. 21 was "Friendship Sunday " Attendees were encouraged to bring a friend, snacks and a game to the church in the evening.
Mountain Lake, Minn (Community Bible)-A hayride was held Sept. 21.
Jordan, Utah (Shadow Mountain) - Men held a breakfast Sept. 6
Meno, Okla. (New Hopedale)-A coffee fellowship is held before Sunday school the second Sunday of each month.
MI NISTRY
Fresno, Calif. (North Fresno) - The church is scheduled to host MBMS International's annual Urban Mission Plunge Nov. 21-23 Among the weekend activities, participants from area MB churches will prepare and serve a Thanksgiving meal to neighbors
Hillsboro, Kan.-Volunteers gathered gently-used basketball and wrestling shoes for middle and high school athletes.
Dinuba, Calif.-Oct. 19 was "Faith in Action Sunday. " Following an early service, volunteers participated in various service projects in the community and on the church campus and then met together for lunch Some of the projects were a free car wash picking up trash in parks, cleaning restrooms. yard work for neighbors and painting over graffiti.
Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstone Community) - Church volunteers worked on landscaping and outdoor maintenance at a local school Oct. 18 for "Topeka Share Fest : a day of "demonstrating the love of Christ in our commun ity."
Bakersfield, Calif. (The Bridge)-Oct. 5 was "Barefoot Sunday " Attendees left some 1,050 pairs of used shoes at the door for distribution through a local ministry
Reedley, Calif - The Sept. 7 morning service focused on "Serving like Jesus. " That evening volunteers worked at projects at the church and in the community, includ ing mailings, a prayer walk, cleanup at local school and nonprofit ministries, blood donations, school kits for Mennonite Central Comm ittee , visitation at a retirement community and a free car wash The day ended with dessert at the church.
Edmond, Okla. (Memorial Road)-The church has established the "Care Pantry" to provide groceries for those within the congregation experiencing difficulty.
PROCLAMATION
Buhler, Kan.- The church is hosting a Nov 15 simulcast seminar, "Lead Now," focus ing on leading ministry to those in their 20s and 30s
Enid, Okla -Oct. 26 was a "Missions Encounter" Sunday Guest speaker was Carlin Weinhauer from Abbotsford, BC Individuals who have participated in short - term mission trips also reported. A Thanksgiving meal followed the service
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain View)-Oct. 17- 19 was "Live the Mission " weekend, with 11 Kenyan leaders as guests and a giving goal of $60,000
San Jose, Calif. (Blossom Valley Bible)-October was designated as missions month
Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstone Community)-Eugene Shoemaker, from the local rescue mission, preached Oct. 12
Rapid City, SD (Bible Fellowship)-Roger Engbrecht, district minister for the Central District Conference, preached Sept. 28.
Kingsburg, Calif.-Randy Friesen of MBMS International preached Sept. 28
Olathe, Kan. (Community Bible)-Wendell Loewen, associate professor of youth , church and culture at Tabor College, spoke at a parenting seminar Sept. 27 and preached Sept. 28
Minot, ND (Bible Fellowship)-A choir from Teen Challenge gave a concert Sept. 14
TEACHING/NURTURE
Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen)-A men 's group that focuses on purity in the face of lust began meeting Oct. 27 A group for women in a relationship with someone battling sexual addiction meets weekly
Yale, SD (Bethel)- The bulletin features information about and prayer requests for a different college student each week
Clovis, Calif. (College Communityl- The church hosted a panel discussion Oct. 19 on ballot initiatives for the upcoming election.
Minot, ND (Bible Fellowshipl-Small groups were organized this fall
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acresl-A sign language class meets weekly.
Eugene, Ore. (North Oakl-Church leaders encouraged the congregation to read through the New Testament beginning Oct. 1, using a Bible reading plan and journaling
Fresno, Calif. (Mountain Viewl-In an event based on the idea of speed-dating, a "Life Group Connection Night" Sept 21 gave participants the opportunity to gather in just one hour information about the church's various small groups. The last Sunday evening of each month is set aside for "Doing Church as a Family," a time of prayer for the church, city and world.
Hays, Kan.(North Oakl-"Square One" is a periodic three-week newcomers small group, beginning with a get-acquainted lunch and continuing with overviews of the church 's history, statement of faith, ministry and vision
Kingsburg, CaUf.-Attendees were encouraged to fast and pray at noon Sept. 10, the start of midweek activities.
WORKERS
Bakersfield, CaUf. (Heritage Biblel-Adam Welch has been hired to lead worship for a new contemporary service
Papillion, Neb. (Shadow Lakel-Josh Muehlbauer is the new high school youth director.
Inman, Kan.(Zoarl-Luke Froese has accepted a call as director of high school ministries
Salem, Ore. (Kingwood Biblel-Dave Van Boven is the new senior pastor
Hesston, Kan.-J L. Martin has been called as the associate pastor of family ministries. He began Nov. 1.
Fresno, Calif. (Butlerl - Amber Bailey served as a summer youth intern this summer
Hillsboro, Kan. (Parkviewl-Jarod Richardson is serving as worship intern WORSHIP
Hesston, Kan.-The ministry and musical group Legacy Quartet led worship Oct. 5.
Fairview, Okla.-The Sunday morning service is rebroadcast on a local channel every Monday evening
Fresno, Calif. (Butlerl-A recent combined service of English, Spanish and Lao congregations included testimonies, some written and translated into English Gettysburg, SD (Grace Biblel- MBMS International worker Sandy Fender shared about missions in Thailand during the service Sept. 14.
Cordell, Okla IBiblel-Musical group Hearts4Him shared songs and testimonies during the service Aug. 31.
YOUTH
Rapid City, SD (Bible Fellowshipl-Middle and high school youth participated in various community service projects Sept. 27 for "Super Service Saturday." Enid, Okla.-Youth participated in a "Mud Bowl"" Sept. 7.
Corn, Okla.-High school youth have set aside one evening each month for service projects.
Clovis, Calif. (College Communityl-Beginning in September, children earned books for children in Kajiji by reading books from the church library. Every page read helped buy books
DEATHS
BLOCK, ABRAHAM L., Henderson, Neb , of Henderson MB Church, was born March 8, 1927, to Jacob J. and Helena Heinrichs Block near Henderson and died Sept. 27, 2008, at the age of 81 On Dec. 1, 1948, he married Irene Buller, who survives He is also survived by one son, Charles and wife Karla of Henderson; one daughter, Susan and husband Bruce Hiebner of Henderson; one daughter-in-law, Lynette Block of Henderson, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild
EWERT, LINDA, Hillsboro, Kan of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Aug. 4, 1922, to Jacob and Sara Heinrichs in Hillsboro and died Aug. 14, 2008, at the age of 86. On Aug. 3, 1951, she married Jacob Ewert, who predeceased her. She is survived by three sons, Tom, Paul and wife LeeAnn, and Lyle and wife Julie; four daughters, Norma and husband Dick Tippin, Sharon and husband Clyde Jost, Marlene and husband Cliff Dick, and Carol and husband Gregg Owens; four brothers, Marvin, Lester, James, and Johnny; three sisters, Adelia Tschiegg, Ruby Arduser, and Lillian Harms, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
FLAMING, WESLEY HARRY, Corn, Okla of Corn MB Church, was born Aug. 17, 1914, to H.H. and Anna Kroeker Flaming near Corn and died Sept. 24, 2008, at the age of 94 On Dec. 14, 1944, he married Luella Kroeker, who predeceased him in 2006. He is survived by three sons, Clayton and wife Jeanette of
Stewardship Solutions
Newcastle, Okla., Vincent of Corn and Brandon and wife Debbie of Carrollton, Texas; one daughter, Dna and husband Ken Willingham of Plano, Texas, and three grandchildren
JANTZEN, JACOB JOHN, Ringwood , Okla., of New Hopedale Church, Meno, Okla., was born Nov. 13, 1921, and died July 25,2008, at the age of 87 On Aug. 13,1944, he married Adalia Leis, who survives He is also survived by three sons, Jerry and wife Sandy of Deer Creek, Okla., Terry and wife Cathy of Las Vegas, NM and Larry and wife Audrey of Ringwood; one daughter, Katherine Osborne of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one brother, one sister, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren
MASON, MYRANDA HOPE, Ulysses, Kan., member of Ulysses MB Church, was born Jan 7, 1992, to Brian and Susan Mason in Johnson, Kan., and died in a traffic accident March 27, 2008, at the age of 16. She is survived by her parents; grandparents, Judy Sthole of Ulysses, June Mason of Ulysses, Garland Mason of Nevada, Mo , and Norman and Margaret Powers of Buhler, Kan.; and three brothers, Jesse Cantrell and Mickey Mason, both of Ulysses, and Dalton Kincaid of Fairfield, Ill.
SCHMIDT, VERA ANN, Wichita, Kan., of First MB Church, Wichita, was born July 6,1938, to Emil and Eva Koehn near Montezuma, Kan , and died Sept. 24, 2008, at the age of 70. She is survived by two daughters, Trina and husband Larry of Colwich, Kan , and Diana and husband Jeff of Wichita; three brothers, Wilbur of Cimarron Kan., Rodney and wife Arlene, and Eldon and wife Jeanette, all of Montezuma; two sisters, Wanda and husband Milton Schmidt, and Laura Powell, all of Montezuma, and four grandchildren.
WILLEMS, LYNDA, Wichita, Kan., of First MB Church, Wichita, was born May 10, 1917, to Henry and Katharine Ediger in Collinsville, Okla , and died Sept. 20,2008, at the age of 91. On Aug. 9, 1942, she married Ed Willems who survives. She is also survived by one son, Leslie; one daughter, Patricia and husband Bill Bennett. two grandsons and six great-grandchildren.
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An undecided decides how to decide
Thoughts on random information and elections
Iheard about some sort of presidential election that was supposed to happen in November. You may have heard about it too. The Republican and Democratic parries nominated some candidates-what were their names? I might have seen a couple of news stories about it.
OK. I really do know the names of the candidates, and there were more than a couple of news stories. Maybe there were five or six. Anyway, you who are reading this already know the names of the new president and vice-president taking office in January. But I don't know yet because I'm writing this before the election. And from where I sit (the midnight blue sofa in the living room) it's hard to tell who's going to win. Or even for whom I'm going to vote.
One day the Republican nominees say something good and I think I'm going to vote for them. The next day the Democrats
sary. During a speech he mistakenly said he would be celebrating his 15th anniversary, which was one year short. I guess you could argue that's a good gaffe. "Honey, our marriage is so exciting it feels like we've been married only 15 years rather than 16!" But I'm still giving Obama minus one point for his shaky memory. What if he'd forget where he put the remote for launching a nuclear missile or something?
But forgetting your anniversary number isn't as big a booboo as bringing down the entire global economy. That's what people believe the Republicans did, according to polls. I hadn't realized that only Republicans abused their credit, defaulted on their mortgages, approved risky bank loans and took ridiculous severance pay. But there you go. So for being an economy-wrecking Republican, presidential nominee John McCain gets minus one point say something sensible and my vote starts leaning that way. The day after that there are goofy statements from both sides my vote starts to feel wary and skirtish.
I suppose that makes me one of those undecided folks. And I'm not even
I hadn't rea1i:ed that only Repuhlicans abused their credit, default e d on their mortgage s , approved risky bank loans and took ridicu10us
sure if I've decided how to decide to quit being undecided. Or something like that. If I count up the things I like and don't like about the opposing candidates, the tally comes out even. How do I break the tie? I'm running out of time to figure out which way my vote will go (easy now, lirtle vote, easy).
Maybe I should try looking past the issues of the day and delve more deeply into the character and integrity of the nominees. I could do research into their public service backgrounds and observe their relationship skills and decision-making techniques and oh never mind. That sounds like too much work. Instead 111 just award the candidates points based on snap judgments, shallow public perceptions and random news bytes You know, the same thing everyone else does these days
For example, I read that vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin wears cool eyeglasses. Demand for her designer frames has increased so much that the manufacturer can't keep up. And also, the "red peep-toe 3-inch heels" she wears (which I think are shoes) have jumped 50 percent in sales. Since fashion trendsetting is critical for getting mentioned in prominent political publications such as People Magazine, Palin gets one point.
I also noticed that Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama made a lirtle blunder when mentioning his wedding anniver-
sevcmncc pay.
Obama gets a point back, though, for being the candidate parents would prefer to be their child's schoolteacher. An actual poll was conducted to figure that out. You may wonder why. Well, it's obvious that such a poll would help Americans discern that OK. I have no idea why. Personally, I'd prefer to have my kids' real teachers teach their classes rather than some boring politician. Still, Ohama gets one point for being. urn, teacherly.
Let's check the point totals so far. Crud, still tied. Using random information might not be so great for making an important decision after all. I guess 111 have to figure out another way to decide how to vote.
Of course, I could listen to all the people yelling that if I were halfway intelligent, or a real American, or a true Christian, or whatever, I would vote THIS way and couldn't possibly make any other choice. Sorry, yellers, that won't help Unless you want me to vote exactly the opposite of you out of annoyance.
But none of this matters to you readers, because for you the election is over. So I offer one more decision. If you don't like how things turned out, you can (I) complain, criticize and forward nasty e-mails about the new heads of state or (2) respect the new leaders, pray for them and stop the gossip when it comes your way.
Only one of these choices comes straight from the Bible. I'm just saying.
-1l Post your comments to this essay by going online to usmb orgIchristian-leader.
Eating with the enemy
Jesus commands us to love our neighbors (Luke 10:27) and to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44), and for many Americans today Muslims are our neighbors. Given estimates that from 2.5 million to more than 6 million Muslims live in the U S., Christians are finding more and more opportunities to interact with Muslims. But Muslims. especially those in the Middle East. are viewed by many Americans as our enemies.
Jesus acknowledges that loving our enemies-and our neighbors-isn't easy, but that, he says, is no excuse. Just how difficult it is to really love enemies is evident by the considerable criticism Mennonite Central Committee has received from constituents as well as other Christians, Jews and a variety of civic organizations for the dinner and meeting it cosponsored Sept 25 in New York City that included Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
I understand these concerns. Ahmadinejad is a controversial leader and Iran is a country with which the U.S. has not had diplomatic relations for nearly 30 years . Ahrnadinejad has publicly denied the Holocaust, called for the destruction of the state of Israel and defied international demands that Iran halt production of enriched uranium.
I also credit MCC for following through on their commitment to be active peacemakers even when it is unpopular. It takes courage to accept an invitation to eat and meet with the «enemy" when it will potentially generate misunderstandings and bad press.
And it did . «No feast with the beast," said one protestor's sign; the executive director of the Anti-Defamation League called the dinner a «perversion of the search for peace." Criticism came from Jewish and Christian groups, as well as MCC's constituents.
Given the criticism, why did MCC go through with the meeting? Through these interfaith discussions, MCC hopes to build bridges between Christians, Jews and Muslims. They also hope to dialogue with Ahmadinejad, although this didn't happen in September since the Iranian president spoke for 45 minutes and then left.
However, MCC leaders say that over the past two years the Iranian president has backed off his most inflammatory comments. They believe Ahmadinejad has gained valuable exposure to Christian and other peacemakers of different faiths. They cannot be sure what impact the meetings have had. But they are certain that Christian peacemaking must begin with a willingness to talk.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies, we say. Doing the right thing isn't always easy or popular. we tell our children. And yet when MCC hosts a dinner and invites an enemy-at the suggestion of that enemy-some of us are uncomfortable while others are downright mad.
Leader readers have shared their concerns about this meeting in personal correspondence with the magazine staff. and Mennonite Brethren have contacted MCC and participated in follow-up forums hosted by MCC. I affirm those people who have done more than privately lament a decision with which they disagree.
I commend MCC staff and board members for listening to their constituents and for sharing the reasons for their decisions. I believe MCC truly understands the concerns that are shared on this issue. and yet the agency feels compelled to continue talking with Ahmadinejad, should he initiate another meeting.
Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that someone hasn't listened to us because the discussion has not persuaded the other person to change her mind. In this case MCC has listened, and I encourage those readers who disagree with the decision to continue meeting with Ahmadinejad to support the agency in its efforts to obey Christ's teachings. - Connie Faber '1J Post your comments to this Editorial by going online to usmb.orgIchristian-leader
Senior Pastor: Garden Valley Church, a Mennonite Brethren church in the diverse community of Garden City, in Southwest Kansas, is seeking a senior pastor to lead a group of approximately 150 believers. Our church has a heart for the community in which God has placed us and a heart for missions-the world in which God has placed others Visit our Web site at www.gardenvalleychurch.com Send resumes and inquires to : Search Committee, c/o Garden Valley Church, 1701 N. 3td Street, Garden City, KS 67846 or e- mail searchcommitteelClgardenvalleychurch com (4/12)
Lead Pastor: Hillsboro MB Church, a congregation of 400+, is seeking a lead pastor with a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. The successful candidate is expected to bring spiritual vision and direction for the church 's mission and programs, have positive relational skills and a strong preaching/teaching ministry The lead pastor is one who desires to lead , develop and partner with other members of the pastoral staff and lay leadership team This intergenerational church is located in a progressive college town. Seminary graduate preferred. Please send resume to Pastoral Search Committee, Hillsboro MB Church, 300 Prairie Pointe, Hillsboro, KS 67063 or e-mail inquiries to: hmbcsearchlClyahoo.com.(7/12)
Principal and Associate VP of Graduate Theological Education: The Association of Canadian Theological Schools IACTS) of Trinity Western University in Langley, B C, Canada is seeking a dynamic and proactive leader as Principal. A consortium of six seminaries , ACTS has operated in the context of Canada 's largest Christian universi-
CLearing HOUSE ---
ty since the 1980s As the Chief Executive Officer of the Consortium , the Principal will champion the mission of the enterprise and advocate for the respective missions of each seminary as related to the common, shared vision As Trinity Western University's Associate Vice President of Graduate Theological Studies, the Principal will be a member of the University's President's cabinet and of the Provost's office. The Search Team will begin processing applications Nov 15, 2008. For more information of the position and the search, please see the TWU Web site: http://www.twu.ca/divisions/hr/join. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply However, in accordance with Canadian government immigration regulations, this advertisement is directed , in the first instance, to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who will be given priority 11/1)
Faculty: Faculty position opening soon in the Marriage, Family & Child Counseling department at MB Biblical Seminary. Join the team at MB Biblical Seminary's campus in Fresno, Calif , a community rooted in the Anabaptist and evangelical traditions. This position will be at the assistant or associate professor level. In addition to a strong emphasis on the integration of counseling and the Christian faith, the seminary's MFCC program includes a priority of helping students grow in a wide range of areas not limited to academic achievement and counseling skills. Teaching and mentoring are prioritized but research is encouraged MFCC faculty functions as part of an interd i sciplinary team with Bible, Theology and Missions faculty. For complete details and resume information, visit www mbseminary.edu/employment. (3/11)
mployment: Agency
HR Director: Mennonite Central Committee U.S. in Akron, Pa., is a Christian relief and development organization with a strong commitment to peacemaking. MCC U.s is seeking qualified applicants for a Human Resources Director to facilitate a network of practitioners across the U S. Three years of expe r ience in human resources management, recruitment and interpretation of employment law are required. A job description is available at www.mcc org/serve Send resume and letter of interest to: Becky Stahly at : rsslClmcc org, or MCC Human Resources, P.O Box 500, Akron, PA 17501 or call 717-859-1151. Application review begins Nov. 14.
