They say there are tw-o things you shouldn't talk about in polite conversation-politics and religion. Where does that leave Christians?
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
II Calif. church on the move PAGE 20
II Three districts prepare for conventions PAGE 22
II MBMSI raising money for Pakistan flood victims PAGE 28
FIRST WORDS from the editor
IF THE ADAGE IS TRUE-that you shouldn't talk about politics or religion at the dinner table-my husband and I are in trouble. Rick is completing his doctorate in political science, and I am the editor of a Christian magazine. Needless to say, our dinner conversations with friends usually include some lively-and sometimes heated-debates.
Putting this issue together was one of the bigger professional challenges of the past year. Politics is a volatile subject, even among Christians. But politics is a big part of our lives in this country, and it is important to look at how Christians should relate to that arena.
Our first feature looks at just how much Christians should be involved in politics. We sought out two of our Mennonite Brethren thinkers and asked them to explore each side of the issue. Their thoughtful responses are included in "To pOlitic-or not?"
Next, we tracked down six Mennonite Brethren involved in politics to see what it is like to walk the halls of government as a Christian. We included their answers in our second feature.
One aspect of politics we tend to forget is the biblical charge to pray for our public officials. John Lapp explores how we should do that in "Praying for our Leaders." In the wake of the Clinton impeachment, Richard Unruh looks at how we can pray for public officials whose behavior violates biblical standards in "How do we pray for a president like that?"
We received a timely submission to our Forum section from someone who has been living in a Muslim country recently. He relates how his experience there influences his perspective on American politics.
I hope that this issue provides you encouragement and some new ways to think about the Christian's role in politics. God bless. -CA
COMING
• OCTOBER 28-31 - Joint Southern and Central District Conference convention hosted by Tabor College.
• NOVEMBER 5-6 - Pacific District Conference convention hosted by Heritage Bible Church, Bakersfield, Calif.
• MARCH 3-4 - U.S. Conference joint board meetings, Central California.
-JULY 27-29 - Biennial U.S. Conference convention, Denver, Colo.
Should Christians be involved in politics? We asked John Redekop and Delbert Wiens to explore both sides of the question.
8 Walking the halls
What is it like being a politician and a Christian? We asked six MBs involved in politics about their experiences.
13 Praying for our leaders
The Bible tells us we should pray for our leaders, but how do we go about doing that? BY JOHN A. LAPP
President Clinton's behavior left many Christians embarrassed and angry. How do we pray for a president like that? BY
RICHARD UNRUH
Philip Wiebe 17
• Political Perspirations Inquiring Minds by Marvin Hein 18
• Loud music and books on stewardship On the Journey by Rose Buschman 19 •A celebrity in the Kingdom
• Fig Garden Bible Church on the move 20
• California church uses phone technology to keep in touch with missionaries 21
• Three U.S. districts prepare for fall regional conventions 22
• Large first-year class drives FPU enrollment increase 24
• New Tabor College students practice their serve 25
• Congolese MB begins joint appointment with North American institutions next year 26
• Help trickles in for Pakistan flood victims 28
• Building ministries goal of MBMSI work in India 30
• She said yes
VOLUME 62, NUMBER 10
OF COMMUNICATIONS:
The Christian Leader (ISSN 0009-5149) is published monthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events, activities, decisions and issues of their denomination, and to instruct, inspire and initiate dialogue so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical/Anabaptist theological tradition. However, the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church.
The editors invite free-lance article submissions, essays to Forum and letters to the editor. Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churches. The essays can address any issue of relevance and interest to the faith and life of the Mennonite Brethren Church and should be no longer than 800 words and include the home church and occupation of the writer. A SASE must accompany articles and forum essays.
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ASSOCIATE
EDITOR
Connie Faber
EDITOR
Carmen Andres
BOARD
Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair; Peggy Goertzen, Phil Neufeld, Dalton Reimer, Herb Schroeder.
5I1ou:·ld C:II••r··i.sti..•·.•••s be .ct:ive i. politics?
rve as:kecl two M,.:noonite
Brett.ren-
• political Icient:ist
Ind a lI:hile.epllerte exp.lore both sides of Illeissue.
BY JOHN REDEKOP
For Christians, the fundamental question is not "if' we should be involved in politics, but "how."
By politics, I mean not only voting and letter writing but also more substantial activity such as submitting briefs to government officials, lobbying tactfully for policy changes, cooperating with government in implementing acceptable policies, being active in a political party and perhaps even being a candidate for elective office. Not all Christians should undertake such involvement, but some should do so.
Sixteenth century Anabaptist reformers shunned all political involvement. In their historic Schleitheim Confession (1527) they not only viewed the "magistracy" as "an ordering of God outside the perfection of Christ"-a theologically sound stance-but also implied that it was part of the realm of "darkness."
Given their experiences under a tyrannical dictatorship, their view makes sense. Its validity for all times and places, however, must be questioned. While government functions outside the perfection of Christ, it is not outside the perfection of God's love as expressed toward the fallen human race.
Before I go into reasons why Christians should approve of certain kinds of political involvement, we should review a few basic observations about politics.
Basic observations
• Government is not evil. The institution of government, as contrasted with some officeholders, is not evil. If government structures were inherently part of Satan's realm, then the New Testament would not emphasize that Christians should submit to the political authorities, obey them, honor them, thank God for them, pay taxes to them, and pray for them (Matt. 22:17-22, Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Tim. 2:1-3,1 Pet. 2:13-17).
• Society can be improved. To a considerable extent, society can be improved. This is hardly controversial. At all levels, enlightened government policies can make society more humane, more peaceful and more civilized.
• Inaction is unacceptable. Political irrelevance is not an option for Christians. Inaction-as practiced by most Christians in Nazi Germany, for examplegreatly influences electoral and policy outcomes and governmental behavior. When Hitler inquired of his
advisors what the Christians were saying, he was informed that most were silent. Silence in the presence of evil does not leave us innocent.
• Political roles are secondary. For Christians, all political involvement-as all involvement in business, organized labor, the professions, organized sport, or any other pursuit-is secondary and conditional. Jesus and his claims come first (Acts 4: 13-20, Acts 5:27-29, Matt. 6:33, Matt. 22:37-38, Luke 9:62).
• Political involvement must be selective. We-or at least some of us-should be willing to serve in this realm, especially at local levels, to the extent that Christian servanthood permits and warrants. We know, however, that much political activity falls below the Christian's priority cutoff line.
Reasons Christians should be involved
• Governments are God's agents. Romans 13 makes the point forcefully-"The authorities that exist have been established by God." The ruler is "God's servant to do you good" but functions also as "God's servant, an agent of wrath." The point is repeated. The "authorities are God's servants." Since God has created the political structures and has chosen to utilize them and to work through them, we have a clear biblical basis for doing likewise.
• God wants righteousness in the political realm. The prophets constantly stressed the point. Significantly, God's requirement applies even to nonbelieving rulers. In Dan. 5:23-30, we read the account of King Belshazzar whose rule was "found wanting." How shall "the authorities" know what is right and what God requires if godly people do not serve as God's agents-his mandated messengersto provide righteous counsel?
Granted, laws cannot usher in the Kingdom of God. They cannot eliminate prejudice, but they can greatly reduce prejudicial behavior. They cannot eliminate immorality, but they can substantially curb evil activity. In any event, politicians and bureaucrats need to hear that 'Christians do not easily-or at all-come to terms with evil.
• Political involvement presents an opportunity to do good deeds. This maxim applies particularly to democracies such as Canada and the U.S. continued on page 6
. BY DELBERT WIENS
be 19S'(}s ana 1"Os save seen an expLosIon of Christian involvement in politics. Is til is a good tbing? My examination of Scripture and. the lives of those in tbe early cbu:rch as well as our Anabaptist ancestors suggest that it is not.
Hilde in the a:nci:ent world vs.the Kingdom of God
Both Matthew and Luke snape tlae story of Jesus-' birth as a COfltest between God anti the rulers of .at day. They justified the:ir tOl,,·down rule by claiming to be U sons of -medialtors between their highest 100S and ordinary people. But iaJesus' »irtn, God. pulls <lown the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly. Jesus is the Son of God in a kingaom tbat is ktuilt from the bottom up through the Spirit-Iuiaed words and actions of the members of that Idngdom.
Altbough tbe Cn,ristiaa churcn later compromised wilm forms of top down governance; the Gospel writers and Paul were cleat that God was scornml of anyone wIlo claimed. to be a special mediator between God and his children. Jesus was the only H$on of Godt who mediated. between @,af1;il and heaven. He ruled by distributing the Spirit of God into the hearts of the cbildren of God who togetner received the wisQom to build up the KingQom. The creation of order an<l goodness in. that KIngdom is the work of Goel mo"ing through eacn of tis-from tile bottom..up.
Bottom-up ancl1:op-down r'u:le in the U.S
The creators of our government were motivate<l both by hatred. of top-down 8ritish royalty and some level of appreciation for God's bottom-u:p rule as imperfectly enacted in the Churcn. Ottr was essentially that of a with a bottofnOO'up structure. The hundreds of small villages and towns were the basic units of politics and the primary locus of identity and loyalty" Property-own lag males were allowed 'to govern tbeir COl1l:munities and to elect those tmey trUsted to represent them at the state and
But this bottom-up structure did not last. Because tae id.eal of freedom from top-down control was so entrepreneurial tycoons created I>usiness empires that were virtuaI:ly unchecked by inten
tionally weak govern,lllent structures. These great bureaucracies underMined th.€: autonomy of smaller communities and sometimes even the states.
In an effort to counter the often venal power of the corporations and then of the unions which .rose to speak for workers, governmental structures were strenlthe;nca and Tile Civil War and the two World Wars of tIlis cel1rtury helped to complete the transformation of our original republic into a system tnat is comprise:cl of top-down organizations. Though a democracy Oft paper (all citizens call vote), we are dominated Dy an oligarchy which has learne<l how to manipulate us ttU7oUighpoUs; the me<lia,
Early Cbristiansand Anaba:ptiists on politics
• Barly Christians. Barly Cflristians did not refuse to be poli:tica!. They ul\aerstood tnat the Gospel called them to the radic3illy political task of buttding a polity £rom tbe tjround \1l'and 1n tbe j>ower and wistiom of the Word witbin. They orga.. nized into ahieraJ!cbyof bottom up structures, from th,e nouse cnurch to the local Christian 'Ctribt'e' with its clergy and bishop) to regional loyalties, and ultimately to tne great centers of Rome and Constantinople. They organized. .:eir own: welfare sys tem ana courts, ana pagans sometimes asked to llave cases Q;(bitrated by these COtlrts since Christian j:ustice was so mucb faster and fairer than the emperor s justice.
Thouan persecuted, th.e Christians proved to be stronger than Rome. There is alwayS a place for tbe serious politics of building the Klngdom of God.
Tb:eir example $ ••es118 that if Christians tocl:ay are political in a simnar way, tbeir efforts can become a basis or a mOdel that wil1 appeal to our national societies when their decJllne into anomie and immoral:ity makes them desperate An example of this is Victim..Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP), an .alternative process of dealing wim criminal offenses. VOltP offers a practical substitute for jail or prison., providing the-opportunity for commufl;icatiofl, responsibility restitution and. reconci1:ia tion between victims aad the offenders.
• Anabaptists Earlier Anab.ptist and Mteltnt> Ilit¢s counseled serious followers ofJesus not be continued on page 7
Though we cannot achieve God's Kingdom by political involvement, wecan achieve some praiseworthy goals by participating in politics.
to
Historical examples of profoundly significant Christian influence on governmental policies abound. As insiders and outsiders, Christians have greatly impacted government decisions.
In Old Testament times, Joseph shaped the wellbeing of many in Egypt and Palestine. In the early 19th century, William Wilberforce and fellow Christians abolished slavery in the British Empire. In the U.S., Martin Luther King exerted pressure to reduce racist politics and practices. In 1979, John Wieler, acting for MCC Canada (a Christian world relief and development organization), negotiated with the Canadian government a national master agreement for refugee sponsorship of "boat people." In Ontario, Christian pressure groups played a key role in the 1994 defeat of a bill that would have paved the way for same-sex marriages.
The biblical imperative to do good deeds must not be defined too narrowly. There is a societal equivalent to the "cup of cold water" (Matt. 10:42). Moreover, opportunity plus ability equals accountability.
• The Christian mandate is inclusive. Christians have an obligation to be a Christian witness in all situations. No individual or institution is exempt from the judgment of God. There is a Christian response to every human situation (Mark 16:15), and the political realm is not exempt.,
• Church and government have overlapping interests and agendas. Since governments now do many tasks that the Christian church pioneered, it is not surprising that much of what governments do is praiseworthy. When governments do things such as strengthen freedom, feed the hungry, aid refugees, assist the elderly and champion human dignity, Christians should endorse, support and, as appropriate, participate.
• Government is the primary educator of our children. In an age of two-parent working families, state sponsored schools often provide the bulk of our children's moral education. If Christians do not playa role in determining educational curriculums, Christian children's education will be left to others.
• Christian integrity is enhanced by appropriate political participation. Deeds validate words. Moses, Esther and the prophets all urged governments to stop oppressing people. Merely proclaiming our beliefs in synagogues and churches carries less credibility and integrity than supportive participation in the decision-making arenas.
• Selective political involvement constitutes a continuation of stewardship responsibilities. Government money is usually our tax money. Given that many western governments now collect almost half of the gross national product as revenues of various sorts, it is surely commendable to utilize opportunities
to influence governmental use of funds. Opportunity to practice stewardship creates responsibility.
• Ethical consistency requires political involvement. For generations) Mennonites have requested and received special government benefits and privileges involving education, religious practices, exemption from military selVice, land ownership and . other matters. Jesus stressed seeking the well-being of others, not primarily our own. The ethical challenge is clear. We must seek the good of our neighbors, especially the needy, the exploited and the marginalized.
Final thoughts
The political realm is established by God and is a suitable arena for Christian service and witness. Though we cannot achieve God's Kingdom by political involvement, we can achieve some praiseworthy goals by participating in politics. While social and political actions are always the fruit-not the rootof the Gospel, political involvement can express Christian love in action.
The state cannot be trusted to define what belongs to Caesar. Informed Christians understand the proper role of governments better than secular authorities. While caution is clearly advisable, not every political compromise involves loss of essentials or a compromise of principle.
Edmund Burke's observation is still timely. "All that is essential for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
•
John Redekop is a political science professor at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. He is the author of numerous books and articles and has served in many positions in North American MB organizations and conferences.
The medieva1 CBrisJia;n Cbrtl'd argrted that ftrst<lass Christians (priests, monks, ann nunsJ' could no:t be soldiers or rulers, thoup secondwclass Christians mi§ht. The various Refo:rtn\l1's saw ebrls tians as citizens of both tile Kirtl-dam of God and,tbe Kingdom of the World, ana political participation acceptable-if mot expected-in the latter.
The Anabaptists insisted that all believe;rs were first elass Christians wbose myalty was primaril, tp the Kingdom of God. TAbS" tbe, t:9tild. n.ot tRIte respons.ibility for the politics of tho kingdoms of 'the world, even in tbe best of top.-.dowft systems. MerIJOj BOQites in Alnerica were long coutlstded not to vote, roll for office, or serve in me miflitary or police.
Pol:iitics .:Rd 1be Christian tocla,
The great powers that dominate our lives are 110t traditional ,,, nor is Wasbing:l:Ofi,. D. C our (except in.<eidetl=taBy, as <ittri:ng with its tax and other But those engage in. politics call avoid beillg ;; to the increasingly demonic powersfhat govern as·. Th:is shoulcl cause serious Cl)ristian'S to .suspect flat citizenship in the Kingdom of God is mcompatihle with official responsibility for national and most state politics. Careful discerAmellt is requ:ired even for local political action.
Being in politics r8<1uires aeception ana,oltea, lying. Many Christians were ril'ktfully turbed by President Cnnion's lies about his rfllati<lR snip With Monica LeWinsky, hut statesmen relU'larly 11« 10 l?rotect national or potiticai itlteJ;0sts. yet, executive and legislative leaders are often focced to make tragic tiecisions--onebas onlf to thirrk of American dantilestine funding of South American death s<luads or the attack on the Daviwan comw
or not?
pound in. Waco., If t.e bombing innocents and othrer gross crimes are neeessary to protect us and if pandering to tnose with. money is necessary to get elected, we should never want a C:}lristian. to be in a position to have to enaage in ei:ther.
C£d:led to be a countercu:lture
Contemllorary Christians should take seriously the caltiDl fo D@ politticat in the way the early C1lris* tiams tile creative po1itics of tne of Goa. We sBould encou:1!afg€ eaclJi otlter to severelY 'limit Qur· exposure to the popular metflia and pastimes. We shoul'd actively build commU'Rities that live according to a biblically based value system rather tile cul:ture of our age. We should -engage in aCl-ivities that meet our nee<ls and tnose of others in a manner differ@nt man the top-down systems around us.
Ttl 00 so is not only a distiAetive."
A lIttmbee of conservatives. ftloving towantl tile same ktna of cQllfcl'ttsion. Cal Thomas and Etl tlohson, who formerly worked with Jerry Falwell in tne Moral Maj:Orlty,. l:lave changed their mintis antt have recently publisheet Blinded hy Might: Can the RelIgious Right Save America? As reviewed in My Desk" in the )tdy Z, issue of Mennonite Weekly Review, Thomas writes., "'Our beliefS abOUT Goa and the Dible' have not changed. What has Changed is tnat we no longer believe tbat our...problems can be altered ... even mainly, ttlroulQ. the political process.." Again, "We failed because we welte unable to redirect a nation ftom tae top down Real cbanse must come from. tile bot , tom up, better yet, from the inside out. 'j
We should not be naive. We cannot "nila com muftittes that are isolateo from tbe '4godless. '1 Like the earl, Christians, we have to construct godly po}:i.. ties in the midst of our and in mil lion for the great blessings, tbey provioe us. But we wiD have to be very discriminating aJaOtlt w.bat in these 4'cities;; we can accept and what we cannot. Even if this tesu1ts in persecution, our deliberate membetsltip in the Ct.., of God is a better gUt to tbe '''cities'' of man than would he our attempts directlY' to reform them. A godly counterculture may be the very best politics tbat Christians can live Amertcaor any other modem nation.•
Delbert Wiens ta.ught ancient history and ophy from 1969 to 1997 at Fresno ty, an MB instltutlon. He is the author 9/Stepnen 1s Sermon and the Structure of lie is a OI1r of C.flege Comm'unity Church in Glouis,Caltf.
DELBERT WIENS
'We asked·six MenDonitellrethren involved in at the MCC Wa;shington Office to serving in .the Montana state is like to walk tltehalls of government.
Jeanette Flaming
• Volunteer, MenCentral Committee Washil)gton Office in Washington, D"C. Meeis a Christian world relief and develop-. mentorganization. The Washington Office monitors legislation, info:rms constituents of issues important to Christians, and advocates for thosewh() lihaveno voice"
• Started VictimOffender ation Program in Danas, Ore., in 1983
•5 years on the FresnoPa:cific University board
•9 years on MCCExecutive Committee
• Member of Dallas (O:re.) MB Church
Don Dahl
• Kansas House of Representatives, Re:publican. 1996 to present
• Presently chairman of the Joint Special Claims Against the State Committee and a member of the Repul.Jlican House Campaign Committee
• Served on Agriculture, Federal & State, Judiciary, Utilities, Local Government, and Rules 8r House committees.
• Member of Hillsboro{Kan.) MQ Church
Jess .' Harder
• Kansas House of Representatives, 1983 1992
• Mayor, Buhle" Kansas. 1957-1961
• Served on Education, Public Health, Government Organization, Local Government, Taxation, and Le,gislative Educational Planning Commission House' committees
• Highschool and· college teacher from 1940-1982
• Served as a member of several MB Southern District com'mittees
.·Member of Buhler (Kan.) MB Cburch
Daryl Toews
•.Montana State Senate, Republican. 1992 to present
• Presently chairs the Education & Cultural Resources and Finance & .' Claims Education committees and is a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher State Board
• Owner of New HorizQns Realty
• Served·as a member of the MB Central Distri<:t Faith and Life Board
•. Member of Lustre (Mon.) MB Church
·I)elores Dalke
• Mayor, Hillsboro, Kan. 1991-95 and 1997 to present
• Presently serves on the Governing Body for League Qf Municipalities fot State: of Kansas
• Served three terms on tbeHillsboro City Council and was a member of tbeRecreation PlanningCommission and Hoqsing Authority
• Current business profes$ion is a real estate and agent for Savillgs 8ank in Hillsboro, Ian.
• Member of Ebenfeld MB Church near Hillsboro, Kan
Cliff Unruh
• Central Region Vice Chairman of the Californla Republican Party
• Republican ·nominee for Congress. in California's 20th Congressional District in 1998
.• Worked with the United States Chamber of Coma private sector pro-business organiza.tion
• Current business flrofession isa consultant for conservative organizations
• Memberof Dinuba (Calif.)
MB Church
did God call you to this profession?
eli h: I had the good fortune to have a friend who challenged my political thinking and got me involved with Young Republicans long before I made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Afterwards, I literally "fell" into a position with the United States Chamber of Commerce as a field representative dealing with political issues that impact business. Seventeen years later, that led to my run for Congress and my position with the CRP (California Republican Party).
Jeanette Flaming: Nine years of involvement with MCC broadened my perspectives and it became clear that we, as Christians, have a responsibility to all whom God created and loves. God calls us to work for justice. Policies and laws significantly impact the lives of all people and through our political system, we can work to seek justice.
Don Dahl: I decided to enter [the election] and left it up to God to either close the door or leave it open. One asks for guidance, has faith in God and then rests with the outcome. Because this decision was a matter of prayer in my life, I considered either victory or defeat as a direct answer.
Jess Harder: A colleague of mine at Hutchinson Community College and a member of the Kansas Senate suggested from time to time that I run for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives. I had never previously thought about doing so, but upon retirement from teaching in 1982, entered the race for a seat and-to my surprise-won the election.
Daryl Toews: The call to serving in public office began 30 years ago when I said I'd go anywhere and do anything God wanted me to do. The opportunity presented itself and there was no peace until I committed to allowing my name to stand for election for the Montana State Senate.
Delores Dalke: I believe that God has a call on our entire life, and it is our responSibility to listen to that call and, through prayer, learn what his call is for our life.
Q: There is an impression that politicians have a great amount of power at their disposal, and this often seems to lead to moral failure. Is that true? How do you protect yourself and your family from that?
Unruh: Yes, influence and celebrity can prove to be a stumbling block. The unfortunate truth is that moral lapses are all around us-in our jobs, our communities, even in the church, as our culture
continues to decline. A political figure's moral ings will generally make the news whereas an unknown executive's moral failings are private.
Flaming: Power often corrupts (not only in the world of politics). There are enormous pressures on politicians that we know little about.
Dahl: First of all, I would like to differentiate between a politician and a statesman. A politician is someone whose main purpose is self. A statesman is someone whose aim is to benefit society based upon a set of principles. Any type of power, not just political, can lead to moral failure because power has a tendency to deplete one's dependency upon God the Father. If one doesn't need to rely on the Father, the spiritual life of the individual will not be fed. The resultant hunger or vacuum in one's soul will suck in what the world has to offer. Protection is provided by being positive to the word of God (Bible study [and] Bible doctrine in the soul), verbal support from Christians and prayer warriors.
Harder: The office more than the individual has the power. You protect yourself by maintaining your integrity.
Toews: Politicians have very little power by themselves. They do have the ability to persuade others to go along with their ideas and hopefully they have earned the trust and respect of their colleagues. This at times leads them to believe they can talk themselves out of situations. Moral failure is probably not more prevalent with politicians, but definitely more noticeable. I try hard not to spend any extended amount of time in or around situations that could lead to compromise.
Dalke: The only "power" which we have as politicians is the ability to serve our constituents. Any other power that we perceive to have is artificial and is of our own making. We must look to God for guidance at all times so we do not get caught up in believing we have power except to serve.
Q: How do you handle the pluralism in our society? There are a lot of different belief systems and agendas out there that differ from or seem to be at outright war with Christianity. How do you represent and relate to those people in your district or profession that do not share your faith or are antagonistic towards Christianity?
Unruh: Buzz words like "pluralism" and "belief systems" are being used to explain away the collapse of American culture. At the same time, those who try to point out the consequences of our society's continued decline are said to be "imposing their Christian
The office more thaD the iudividualbas the :power. You protect yourself by 1D8intaining your' integrity. Harder
-Don'Dah:l If::nonbelievers·ask for theltope that is in me,Ibavea .-eady anSwer. I shar¢DlY faithas·Gtld theft.oly Spiritprovidestbe
beli¢fs" on society and government. Make no mistake about this: Our system of government presupposes a moral people who are responsible for their actions, tell the truth, and hold marriage and family in high regard. Since when are those beliefs exclusively Christian?
Flaming: It is important and challenging to respect all people-to listen and then to articulate your own values and positions. Love and respect for others are powerful representations of our faith. This is not easy to do!
Dahl: There is and always will be until the final judgment the struggle between righteousness and evil. This is nothing new. In the campaign for election, you let people know who you are and for what you stand. If my constituents elect me, then my job is to remain true to my convictions and beliefs regardless of who is pleased or displeased. If one is defeated, so what-it must be the will of God.
Harder: I did not experience antagonism toward Christianity in our district or in the House where I served. Many had a belief system similar to mine.
Toews: The role of our government is to provide a safe, open environment for a pluralistic society to function. Protestants are uniquely qualified to handle the issue of plurality in our society since they have been divided on major issues for nearly 2000 years. We protect the right of everyone to a fair hearing, but are quick to realize that not all ideas have equal value. I believe that the Scripture is infallible
INTERVIEW
Q. A •• ifJevitable topic in politicsflte Clin:f.olt scandal. Chr;s".". responded ;11 a variety o'f ways, from sharks: after .blood to de£/.ring forgiveness. Wha:t do yoa think file appropriate 1=••,,0115e should have beelt? What sltould we as Cltr;$tians learn from these even:'.?
"There is 0:0 doubt in my mi:nd that th.e m:edia baa trem:e:naous j·nflu,ence over th=e perce,ption of the SC8'ncl,.1 and its af:te:rmath hecause somewhere alo,ng the line to seek justice I>eca,me a Ipol:iitical vendetta.¥ I hel:ieve m,ost Ch.rlstia,n.s understand that one can be 'forghreA.; but forg:iveness does not release us firom our lega:1 and moral res:p:onsU,iUty to Ttle one ttdng w=. should I·earn from ttl,e whole e*pe·rience is how tar our society and culture have. isl:le.o" Ii -el,ff Unruh
* We did not have roo. to lnelutle aI' of the questions asked and answers given in this feature. Ife", ;$ an excerpt of answen from o"e of those questions.
and inerrant and that people have inalienable rights. I have committed myself to follow our u.S. and state constitutions. If your idea falls within these perimeters, then it's just a judgment call. If any part of the idea is outside this perimeter it has much less standing. At times, we find little we can agree on so we just respect each other's sincerity of purpose and wait for another day when we can find a common ground. But right now I have to vote my conscience.
Dalke: It is my duty to show compassion to all of those in our society, regardless of their personal beliefs. I believe that our biggest testimony is by our actions and deeds.
Q: How do you share your faith with those in your district or profession who are not Christian?
Unruh: I just try to live it.
Flaming: I've used terms like "as a person of faith," "from a faith perspective" or "as I understand God's call to us." It is important and helpful to appropriately articulate the reasons for our positions and actions, though that is not easy to do.
Dahl: By the example of the way I live my life. I am an ambassador for Christ as every believer is. The Christian also is the "light of the world" and the "salt of the earth." This is a fact. If nonbelievers ask for the hope that is in me, I have a ready answer. I share my Christian faith as God the Holy Spirit provides the opportunity.
1.11 care a,bout th:is iSSUE! very mucn a'A:d have 1:$11: qu:ite a bit of lnvestment j,n' it for ma:ny reaSO'A:S. Ftrsll' g:feat I:eade,rs h,.ve great wea:k messes; this ha,s been true through,ou:t history, i:nel:u(f:i:ng -'the tam:illia:r $t()=ry of Klt3gDav:id:" We· alii carry this inte"eS1ii:ng mil( of failu'es and Second. th,e te=rm I's":ark's afts:r bl:()efl" is a truly ug:I'y, horrible but painfully accu·ra;1le descri:pti:on of uCh:ristia:A" respollses to thls pa:i:nfu:11' troub:li:ng i:ssue .. I ca:r,y m'tlch he8¥i:ness of flea,rt ever tn:is .. It treu:bles me m'Qre than ,cti:ntQR'S f.=j1u:res Th:j'rcl,. i:n Romans werre caUed to pray tor o·u:r Ireacle,rs. M:ow wou:ld it have been cUt "erent if we had aU bee:" ..ra:ying ior CI:iiA1!eA1 For al'llestlers? N,ow we .I<'A.OW wh,y we shou:ld.• n -Jeanette Plaming
POLITICS & THE CHRISTIAN
INTERVIEW EXCERPT-RELATIONSHIPS
·"tl"
flee'S yo,ur 'amilyfeel about your p ••i'ian or yo." irnto'l1ement in the political alena?Yollr cIJurc'ht lias it chilll.eel ,our r.f.:f;on "'I'. wifh friends, family or those in· your church 7
;f#Tlle f:amrly and h'dii\"iclua:15 ion the ch:urch we:revery s:u:pponive, 'thoug:h som:e m:ay have had their clou'bts because of' my affiiUali on., I d,id net a:sk the cllu:rch as a bod, fer support beca:U'se I am a f:i:rm beli:eve:r j:n the separation of chu:rch and Harder
I'My fa:mil:y is very supportive even tt-lough I#m n:ot home for fo:ur months every two years. My church i:s cautiousty supportive"" AU oA:e's rel:atio:nshi:ps cnsn:g:e.. not neces:sarUy fer the better or worse. When one takes a state aftica, one gal:ns an increaiible amount of inrfo:rmation about protecting, car lng and provicli:ng tor the pea... p:le of yo:ur state. One C8:nn:()t carry that load fo:r eight years and not co:me out cl:ifferent. One has a more global view of issues,,;' -Daryl Toews
I;"My fami:ly is extremely supportive, but it is a real bala:Acing act to nave time for my role as mayor, mother, wife 8:ns Businesswoman. My ch:urch i:s supportive and,. 'in fact, had a Sund:ay evening service severa:1 years a9:0 regardiing a C:hristian's rol:e i:n politi:cs I do not feel that my position has changed my relationsh:ip with .mv fam:ify or chu:rch or with my "true friends.'" It is a challenge to deal with those who pretend to be your friend in Graer to obtain what they perceive to be possible gains for them;,\> selves."
-Oelores Dalke
Harder: By trying to be genuine and by not wearing my beliefs on my sleeve. This may sound self-serving, but a colleague once called me the "conscience" of the Legislature.
Toews: I share my faith in this profession the same as I ever have-personal testimony, the four spiritual laws and general attitude towards life.
Dalke: I share my faith by showing compassion, listening to concerns and sharing my personal commitment to my Lord.
Q: Are you different from other politicians or activists because you are a Christian? How?
Unruh: Now how do I answer that? Are Christians incapable of being dishonest? Are non-Christians incapable of telling the truth or holding the same political views as Christians? I am saved. Obviously from the perspective of eternity, that makes me different from those who aren't.
Flaming: MCC and similar faith-based groups are different from most because they advocate primarily for others rather than from personal interest. I've learned much from this. It has integrity among politicians who are constantly pressured by people with personal interests. My perspective is that this focus is also different from most Religious-Right/ Christian voices.
DaW: I, as a Christian statesman, am different from nonbelieving legislators in that I am a new creation in Christ; I am a joint heir with Jesus Christ and belong to the royal family. I am a royal high priest who can boldly come before the throne of grace. My Father has unlimited power.
Harder: How? By drinking 7-UP at the many receptions to which we were invited and in my choice of language and stories. Votes on the issues did not necessarily separate the sheep from the goats.
Toews: I'm different from some politicians in that I have a core set of values that don't change. This makes voting on some issues v¢ry easy because a good argument won't change my vote. Others without strong values struggle on many issues because both sides have good arguments.
Dalke: I believe I am different because I am in office to offer leadership through service rather than to gain personal rewards or glory.
Q: Is there support for Christians among your colleagues?
Unruh: Within the California Republican Party;,· there is overwhelming support for the values that are being attacked as "religious beliefs that have no place in government." I would not, however,charac. terize the support of truth, individual responsibility, and the entire Bill of Rights as being exclusively "Christian." I am a man who wants his country back and I happen to be a Christian.
Flaming: There is support for compassionate, thoughtful, honest insights. MCC Washington Office works collaboratively with many faith-based groups. Most politicians are eager to hear from peQpleof integrity who can bring insight to an issue. MCC itinerates workers with global insights and experiences; this is well received and much appreciated.
Dahl: Yes. Last year the Speaker of the House, the Majority Leader, and the Speaker Pro Tern attended our Wednesday night Bible study. Our Thursday morning prayer group, held in the State Cafeteria, was attended by a good number from both parties.
Harder: I was pleasantly surpriSed to find rna-fly like-minded members in the Kansas House of Representatives.
Toews: There is plenty of support for Christians who truly live their faith without compromise. Those
lam. different from some politicians lo tilat lhave a core set of :values that don't This: makes votisslles very easy a g90d argument· won;'t chaageDly vote.
:-Daryl Toews
INTERVIEW EXCERPT-SCRIPTURE
Q.Are'here certain Scripture passages fha'f you draw strength from or influence your actions? Why those in particular?
"1 am drawn to the Psalms,. Proverbs, and Romans The Psalms for com#ort and reassurance# Prove:rbs to continu:aJly remind me of how I should live and behave# anel Romans for when I that I am not." -Cliff Unrun
"'And what does the Lo'rd require of but to do justice,. to love kJntiness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). I lil<e this verse because it seems to indicate I OOfl't nave to nave a total grasp of every issue nor periorm some great feat. God's requirements are ooa:ble with his hef:p.'6 Toews
6'Two scriptures are very important to me in my service to my community 1 Jud:ge not, th:at you be not EMatt. 7:1) and 'Ask and it wiU be given to you; and you will flnd; knock, and it wUI be opened to you' EMatt These scriptures remind me of tile importance of prayer ana depending on <Sod's will for my life "
-Delores Dallce is it not better to vote for those who have strong moral standardsthan to distance ourselves from poli-tics and allow those who are winning for personal recognition or power to lead us down tbe path of destruction?
-Delores Dalke
people who use their faith only when it is useful are held in contempt by everyone.
Dalke: I feel fortunate to serve in a community that supports Christian involvement at all levels within the community.
Q: If you could tell the Christian in the pew one thing about politics, what would it be?
Unruh: The first several verses of Romans chapter 13 essentially tell us that all governments exist by God's authority. Since we have no monarchy but are self-governed, and since our own Constitution guarantees that ultimate authority resides with the people, we have an obligation and mandate to be involved at some level. If that is merely through our vote, let it be an informed vote. The way I see it, God gave us this form of government and it is only good stewardship to preserve and protect it.
Flaming: We can all be involved in some way to some degree in the spirit of love and care for everyone. The future of the world depends on our participation in God's plan and design of fullness of life for all. So very much is determined politically. Politicians need to hear from those of us who care about the well-being of all people.
Dahl: Don't get the secular government mixed up with Christian responsibilities. Many times we want the government to assume the responsibilities given to Christians and the Church. A great majority, if not aU, of the social problems facing our country are caused by the rejection of Jesus Christ and God's Word. There is such a thing as divine discipline both for individuals and countries for this rejection, but the government seeks to institute remedies that ensure there is no penalty for violating the Word of God,that forgive, pardon or make null and void the consequences of sin. In many instances people rely more on government than on God and have thus made government their god. I thoroughly believe that the solution.s for the problems of today are spiritual
or divine, not human (this includes political activity).
Harder: Maintain the separation between church and state and be a responsible citizen as an individual.
Toews: The political leaders in America truly reflect the spiritual temperature of the church. The only way to change America's social and moral climate is by helping our brothers and sisters believe and act as though absolute surrender to Jesus Christ is the normal Christian life.
Dalke: We have a choice to use our talents, and is it not better to vote for those who have strong moral standards than to distance ourselves from politics and allow those who are winning for personal recognition or power to lead us down the path of destruction?
Q: What advice would you give other Christians considering a career in politics or running for office?
Unruh: Think seriously and prayerfully about your motivations behind running for office. Be honest with yourself. If you are seeking to run to advance yourself, don't run. If you are seeking to run to advance the truth, then run, but only with the 100 percent approval of your spouse, pastor, and employer.
Flaming: Try to see from God's perspective. We all need to do that-and we need help to do that.
Dahl: Thoroughly understand what you stand for and then stick with it. Compromising principles including one's Christian faith is a sure path for defeat in any endeavor.
Harder: Have a thick skin and maintain your integrity.
Toews: If you don't feel such a strong call from God to go into politics that you can't resist, don't go. The physical and emotional price is too great. But if God has called, don't hesitate. It's worth the price.
Dalke: If you feel that God has given you leadership abilities, you should use them .•
SCripture tel,ls us we must pray for our leaders. But h:ow d,o w:e do that?
It is easy to talk about prayer, but it is hard to pray. In our busy, self-sufficient world it is hard to cultivate that discipline of seeking and waiting. It is painful to our egos to hope in God alone, not the power of our selves, our abilities, our institutions, our civilization. Prayer, as Emil Brunner puts it, means "God is at hand! The world is not the ultimate."
It is particularly difficult to talk about prayer and politics since prayer has become a political issue in the u.s. And in contemporary North America, prayer has become an essential part of the public liturgy. Although it is both hard to pray and easy to be skeptical of much public prayer (as Jesus himself suggested in Matthew 6), other texts urge us to pray and keep in mind the politics of the hour in our prayers. Prayer in the Scriptures represents a concern for the political order. Every genuine prayer is a statement of faith that there is a God who created and creates, redeemed and redeems, who is concerned for the well-being of the world. Prayer is a statement of trust in the Being who transcends our finitude, provincialism and politics. Prayer is a statement responding to the one who suffers with us and teaches us the meaning of love and living for others. Prayer is a statement of confidence that, beyond the chaos of the moment, God will indeed encourage and empower people for the building of a new society.
In the midst of the Babylonian exile, Jeremiah said, "Work for the good of the country Pray on its behalf since on its welfare yours depends" Ger. 29:7). Imprisoned in Rome, the apostle Paul says to pray for everyone, but especially "for kings and others in authority so that
we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet" (1 Tim. 2:2).
What is so fascinating about each of these texts is the importance and significance of the political arena for God's people. "On its welfare yours depends." The first task of politics is to provide a peaceful, stable environment for a genuine common good. That common good makes possible a context for the yeast of the kingdom of God to grow and expand.
How to pray
How then should we pray for public officials? The Scriptures say we should pray without ceasing. Prayer is also waiting. Sometimes we hardly know what or how to pray. While prayer is constant, the continuity is less in words than in a way of life. So there must be feet to our prayers, an action that grows out of devotion.
OUf texts say something about prayer at election time. They could be interpreted to say that choosing leadership is incidental to responsible leadership. Many people are in authority. A particular interest of the church ought to be the broad range of civil servants who interpret and administer the laws of the land.
We should pray for members of congress as well as presidents, for justices and judges as well as governors and mayors, and indeed for authorities in all nations as well as our own.
The texts also indicate that as we pray there are certain expectations we might have from leaders and authorities. Peace, safety, freedom of expression and worship, prosperity for all people. That is shalom
BY J 0HN A. LAP P
How do we pray for a president like that?
President ClinTon has not been an .. easy pubUc oft=:kia:! .10 p.'ra.:y fOr. At tlrnes he appears to be a man of deep f:aith, yet he nas exhibited a I:i:Testyle that has many Christians ashamEld and corrte:nlptuo:usof him. The ridicule and EI::is,respect that he has brought upon the presldency through hi'S persona:l and fundraising acti\4ties has also been an embarra:ssnq:ent to the entire n:ation.
How do we pray for a president hKe that?
This i:s a questi:on that has t:roubJed Christians from the most conservative 'to the most lihleral. Sh:ould we have prayed for "the preSloentts re:movat trom offh:e· or that the " r ig:At wing consp:iracyll that was allege:dly trylng to drive him fro:rrl office and neg:ate 1h:e peo:p:le's will as expressed in two e:lectioos would come to naught? 'Should we have prayed for g:enulne repentance on his part or tor forgiveness by th:e American people?
Th:e Apostle Paul makes it quite clear in I Ti:mothy 2:2 that we as Christiilns are to fna:l<e I4'req;uests, prayerS1 intercession and t:n:anksgiving: Tor kings and a:U those in a:ut:nori!ty. U This adrnoniti:on was remark a'o:le considering that Nero, a notoriously cruel ruler, was e:rnperor at the time.
We don't know how the eaorty Chris .. ti:ans prayed Tor Nero who was perse:eut j:ng rath:e:r than embarrassing lhern" but
'the Bible suggests several thing:s that we coula-a:nd olaybe dld-pray for reg:ardiog President CUnton¥
• NumU:ity. The story of N:aaman in 2 Kings demonstrates how obedience to God begins with humUitYt and James 4 Aote:s that humiHty is necessary if one is g:oing to be able to resJst evil desires. A more hurnble Clinton rna:)' not have g:otten himself into the situation he didt and surety would have gotten himse1f out of it more quickly.
• Truthf:t.dness. Matthew 5 points out 'tAe importance of tatting the truth, and
throughout the world. Both texts also imply that the good of the nation is not an end in itself, but rather the context for preaching and living the gospel.
Praying across party lines
Should we pray in a partisan way? Certainly, as partisans of the God who loves the poor, who judges the proud, who redeems the faithful, who wants shalom throughout the world. God's people have to test the spirits, weigh the alternatives, and pray for wisdom. Prayer, then, for us is not so much to decide between one candidate and the other, but rather to see clearly what is truly good for all people.
We should pray with thanksgiving that in the United States there have been and are authorities who in spite of many weaknesses tolerate some freedom of conscience. Pray with thanksgiving that there has been sufficient prosperity to support an immense Christian witness here and throughout the world. Pray for our neighbors and friends, that as they make political decisions they will rise above self-interest and national power to make choices based on the common good of all North Americans and the entire world. Pray for ourselves that we truly
Psalm 43 makes it clear that doing so wlU provide til. right path to :follow. A more 1lr.U1:hTUJ Clln:ton may have spared hlm:self, rds family and the na1mieA consi:derable gri:eT.
• Genuj:ne repe:ntan:ce. t Chronicles 21 ::8 indicates that repentance m:ust precede To:r,:iveness,. A repentant Cllrrton at 'th:e outset ma'y 'nave engen:ciered a rrlore forgiving s!p:jrit on ttle part of the American peo:ple
• Wi:sclom James 3 speaks of wisdom t:hat conles from God a:s being U pure., pe:8ce-levlng, considerate submissive, Tun of m:ercy and Qood fruit. tt A (Unton who w0uld tla'\le sought greater Trom G,oa rather than his lawyers and poUltical handlers may have avo'ided-and spared the country-the traunl8 and hun1iliation of j·rn:peachment.
The writer to 'the Hebrews spea:ks about praying Tor I:eacie:rs that ttleywi:(:l have It a ctear conscience and deslre to Ihle honorab,ty in every way'l E:H:eb. 13::11).. Thls is what we as Chrts:tians shoulci pray for in every J:eader-i:n b:oth t:n:ei::r private and public nves. And we should have done so for Lyndon Johnson a:nd RIchard as we:U as B:nl Clinton,. -Richard Unruh is a professor of political science at Fresno Pacific University, an AIlS institlJ'tioR in Caltf.:t Q:nd a mamba:r of North Fresno MB Church.
are "religious and reverent," working for the shalom of the country and the world. Pray for public officials that they will be conscientious in their performance, wise in the appointment of advisers and administrators, diligent in their concern for peace and justice, daring to rise above the popular in order to ensure that there can be a future. Finally, pray that the God of compassion and mercy will be present in our world, that God will empower the faithful church, that the will of God be done on earth as in heaven.
To talk about prayer also means joining the disciples in their great question to Jesus: "Lord, teach us to pray." With rare eloquence Jesus then taught a prayer that in its fullest meaning demonstrates how prayer and politics can be enjoined at every election, every year, in every place.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven .... For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
This article was adapted with permission from an article by john A. Lapp which appeared in the Gospel Herald, jan. 19, 1985.
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A lesson from Islam
BY A MENNONITE BRETHREN LIVING IN A MUSLIM COUNTRY
More than once I have found myself arguing like a Christian Coalition member even though I am a registered Democrat and political moderate. I strongly defend the rights and responsibilities of Christians, acting ou t of religious conviction, to be involved in the political process. Just as firmly, I believe in the separation of church and state. The dance between these two views is an uncomfortable and tricky one.
Living in a Muslim country has made the issue even more complex in my mind because, more than any other major religion, Islam trusts in the state to enforce faith and morality. I have heard Christians living in Muslim countries praise the morality of Islam and, indeed, the more conservative Islamic countries have outlawed the very things that Christian conservatives find most morally reprehensible such as pornography, abortion, prostitution, "adult" entertainment, interfaith marriage, and even alcohol. They have also legally mandated such religious values as public prayer, modest clothing and tax-funded religious practice.
Conservative Islamic countries have successfully implemented the very laws that the Religious Right is seeking to legislate in America. In my observation, the Christian talk of legally mandating ''Judeo-Christian values" is nearly identical to the talk here of "making Muslim countries." The main difference is that the Muslims have succeeded.
So, what lessons can be learned from these Muslim countries? First of all, legalizing religion works on many levels. In the country we live in, you would have to search long and hard to find alcohol or pornography. Prayer is everywhere (including in the schools) and TV isn't
Forum is a column of opinion and comment on contemporary issues facing the Mennonite Brethren Church. Manuscripts expressing an opinion for Forum should aim for a length of 800 words. Authors must sign articles, identify their church home and vocation, and include a clear photo of themselves.
Despite
the lack of easy answers, I am convinced that over-legislating Christian morality will have a very immoral backlash. It's a lesson I've learned from Islam.
smutty like in America. So far, so good.
But there is a price to be paid for all of this mandated religion. I think that somewhere in the human heart is a strong and natural tendency to personally abdicate that which is externally enforced. If the state does it, we humans tend not to. I've heard conservative Christians argue this very point. When criticizing welfare programs, they point out that Christian social charity declined when the government took responsibility for care of the poor. I foresee this same phenomenon happening in the moral realm if the government takes responsibility for the personal ethics of Americans.
People often complain here that the citizens of this country are very immoral. I think most visitors would agree. I believe this immorality is directly correlated to the fact that the state has a highly developed set of moral laws. The goal of these laws is to force people into morality but the overall effect has been a decline. Obviously, the state can't possibly enforce the personal morality of millions of citizens, so the overall moral climate erodes even as laws multiply and the penalties become harsher. Rather than questioning the very premise of criminalizing personal immorality, most politicians here think the solution is more and more laws. It's a futile pursuit that creates an oppressive society.
It is paradoxical that increased moral liberty would foster personal restraint but it seems so. In a letter to one of our national papers, a Muslim writer wrote that many American Muslims find it harder to follow Islam's strict dietary laws but much easier to obey Islam's moral laws. (I should mention that response writers heavily criticized this writer.) If so, why so?I believe when the
state grants broad moral freedom, it encourages people to develop their own internal morality.
We learned from communism that social theory has to be rooted in a solid understanding of human nature. The "share and share alike" in communist theory sounded idyllic but it didn't account for the reality that humans want to prosper from their hard work. Similarly, the conservative notion of the government helping people to be moral seems idyllic too. However, this theory ignores the reality that people tend to abdicate personal morality if the state moralizes for them.
If I am correct, the Religious Right may reap the very thing we all abhor: increased immorality. I firmly believe that we Evangelical Christians will have a much broader moral impact if we primarily campaign in the arena of free expression rather than the halls of Congress.
So where does this leave us? While I believe in the separation of church and state, I also believe that some minimal level of law is needed to keep society civil. Some will call me a hypocrite for trying to hold these two viewpoints together but, like I said earlier, the religious-secular debate is an uncomfortable dance-a balancing act with many ways to fall off either side of the fence.
Despite the lack of easy answers, I am convinced that over-legislating Christian morality will have a very immoral backlash. It's a lesson I've learned from Islam.
The author of this article is a Mennonite Brethren liVing in a Muslim country. He requests anonymity because his host country restricts open religious expression.
PH'LIP SIDE
BY PHILIP WIEBE
Political perspirations
The widening ideological rift between our two major political parties has become a confounding problem.
It has often been said that one should avoid discussing politics in social situations. A few years ago I learned that the hard way. The discussion among several of us fell to Rush Limbaugh and President Clinton-the former, in the opinion of the majority, being a modern prophet and the latter being, well, something unprintable in a family magazine.
I remarked that we probably needed to be careful about making such judgments either way. Limbaugh wasn't exactly a saint himself, and those tempted to condemn Clinton as a sinner should first remember the term applies to all of us.
Well, you'd have thought I had stomped on the flag, Mom and apple pie. What kind of sacrilege was this? As a chorus of voices took up the proRush and anti-Clinton mantra, I mustered my strength and went with a new strategy. I slipped out of the room and struck up a conversation with someone about the playoffs.
Since then I've wondered if our cultural belligerence regarding political matters stems from the fact that we've come to care more about ideologies than issues. It was astonishing to listen last winter to the split rhetoric surrounding the presidential impeachment proceedings. In response to the president's wrongdoing, one side's position was apparently to pay no heed, while the other's was clearly to take no prisoners. It was like two parents fighting over punishment philosophies while the wayward child sits forgotten. Lost in the moral debate was the real issue-the need to administer swift, reasonable discipline and be done with it.
The widening ideological rift between our two major political par-
ties has become a confounding problem. I've noticed several troubling trends that seem related to it:
• Many people don't take politics seriously anymore. The disgraceful mudslinging and prying into private lives give political proceedings a tabloid feel. It's all entertainment. While many expressed shock and dismay last year over the election of former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura as governor of Minnesota, I have to admit it didn't surprise me much. Now that politics have become entertainment, why not elect an entertainer?
Added to that, the hypocrisy and pandering evident in many politician's positions and actions have come to resemble self-parody. So much lip service is given to reaching consensus and addressing the common good of the people. So little effort is really made toward those ends. No wonder it's hard to take the process seriously.
• Original ideas and unconventional positions often get squashed. Recently Republican presidential hopeful Elizabeth Dole pleased me very much by voicing support for moderate gun control. She failed to please many others in her party, though. How could a Republican do that? It was discouraging to see how diverging from the "accepted" party line, no matter how sensibly, could be met with such resistance.
Why must a Republican who shows pacifistic or environmentalist tendencies get marginalized as a detriment to the party? Why do Democrats who express reservations about abortion and moral relativism get booed and hissed from their own ranks? In such cases ideological purity does little
toward solving real problems.
• Our concept of morality has been ripped down the middle. A few years ago during one of the Democrats' and Republicans' shouting matches about national values, I got to thinking about the way one side accused the other of lackingmorals, and the other side accused the first of lacking compassion. It occurred to me that the parties had managed to split morality exactly in half.
The Bible always defines morality as both being good and doing good. One can't exist without the other. As Jesus told those with overly pious devotion to rules and regulations: "You have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former" (Matt 23:23).
• Political involvement isn't necessarily healthy for the church. Many say it's good that the church has taken to flexing its political muscle after years of indifference. But is it really so good? One political columnist has suggested that it's a scary thing to claim God is on "our side" as opposed to "their side." I tend to agree. Cramming God into human systems and agendas diminishes him-and us. To claim God is behind this party or that ideology not only causes division within the church, it hinders witness outside the church.
I think the church often confuses political clout with social consciousness. People struggled with that in Jesus' day. They expected Jesus to usher in a new political realm, but he had other things on his mind. Once when John sent a couple of his disciples to inquire if Jesus was really "the one" (meaning the political messiah), he answered, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor" (Luke 7:22).
Jesus' statement summarizes the true mission of the church: sometimes through political systems; more often in spite of them.
INQUIRING MIN'DS
BY MARVIN HEIN
QA group of us were visiting and the subject of loud music came up. We have biblical admonition to care for our physical bodies, which includes our hearing. What about loud music in the worship services? (Kansas)
AThe inquirer correctly assumes this is a controversial subject and also confesses that the group in which the subject was discussed was mostly post-60 years of age. Since that's my age category as well, I will confess I have been in groups where this issue is discussed--or attacked.
What does the Bible say? Well, certainly the biblical record does not get so detailed that we have directions about the loudness of music in worship. Yet there are some interesting hints that would indicate that God is not opposed to loudness in worship. Let's examine a few of them:
• "So the people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy. Each day the Levites and priests sang to the Lord, accompanied by loud instruments" (2 Chron. 30:21).
• "The two choirs that were giving thanks played and sang loudly and clearly and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away" (Neh. 12:40a, 42b, 43b).
• "Praise him with the blast (some versions say loud) of the trumpet" (Ps. 150:3).
• "Then the Levites stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout" (2 Chron. 20:19).
From the practice of Israel in worship, I would have to conclude that God holds no grudges against loudness. But some people do. I once pastored a congregation in which one person contended a particular note when played on the organ violated something about her hearing that so disturbed her physically that at times she would have to walk out of the service. How do you deal with that? You can't expect even an
accomplished organist to omit one key in all her repertoire.
While I sympathize with the inquirer's sentiments about loudness, I have to admit that for myself a lot depends on what creates the loudness. I love to hear an organ postlude that belts out one of Mozart's musical creations. But I don't like it coming from an excessive crashing of cymbals or a shattering roll of drums.
Now does that make me a hypocrite? Possibly. It does seem to me that contemporary worship too often places a premium on high decibels. And not just with drums and cymbals, but voices as well.
The conclusion to the matter, however, may be a theological one, though not one derived from biblical passages that encourage loudness. As an aside, I was interested in seeing that about half of the passages translated "loud" in the King James Version are changed to something having to do with "joy" in many modern translations. But back to the theological. The church (Anabaptists especially) is to worship as a community in harmony and oneness. Never should we deliberately promote divisiveness with something that is not theological. Loudness and softness are not theological issues. Peace and orderliness are.
I would like to be part of a church that is sensitive to those who find elements in worship that are offensive. If loudness is physically offensive (actually pains the hearer), should not the "performers" (that's not good theology either) take this into account when they wish to express their joy in worship? Perhaps those who have been reared with high decibel music, and probably suffer hearing loss as a result, should be more sensitive to those who profess to "suffer pain from extreme loudness.
A word to the weak-of-ears. If you finally cannot endure what sounds like noise to you, you may need to walk out. But when you do, don't let it be with a critical, disgusted spirit that may be more sinful than the unwillingness of others to decrease the decibel level.
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? E-mail Marvin at mhein1 @fresno. edu or send your question to «Inquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.
QHave you read some of the recent books on stewardship now making the rounds? What is your evaluation? (California)
ATO be truthful, no. ButI'm intensely interested in stewardship teaching.
I have read that there seems to be almost a plethora of new books in Christian book stores on how we should handle money. Most of the reviews are what prevent me from reading them. God's Money-Back Guarantee, God Wants You To Be Rich and]esus CEO don't sound like titles that would encourage what I consider biblical views of stewardship. The author of The Courage To Be Rich (Suze Orman), for instance, suggests you should believe and tell yourself that you will be prosperous, and then God will look down and say: "I better make that happen."
That modern notion, inherent in theories like the health/wealth gospel, assumes that God exists to serve us at our beck and call. It's a consumerism kind of gospel closely akin to those primitive religions that reduced the gods to charms or magic.
The goal of our spiritual exercises should never be personal empowerment. God owes us nothing. He may choose to trust us with wealth, but it will always be his mercy, not a debt he is paying for our goodness. While God does do good things for us, never should we fall to the temptation of using him as a magic wand. After all, we are here for him, and not the other way around!
ON THE JOURNEY
BY ROSE BUSCHMAN
A celebrity in the Kingdom
Ned Heidner wasn't a celebrity by the world's standards, but he was important in the family of God.
Ned Heidner died on August 23,1999, in Joplin, Mo. He was buried therethree days later. Ned succumbed to a rare form of cancer after a valiant eleven month battle-two major surgeries, chemo and radiation therapy and numerous other medications. Finally, when it became apparent that he could not win this fight, he asked the doctors to take him off all treatment, except for pain medication. A local group was at his bedside singing I Love You, Lord when he breathed his last and went to heaven. He was only 27 years old.
You probably never heard about this event. Reporters and 1V cameras didn't show up at the funeral nor was anyone watching his house to see who came and went. No 1V networks interrupted their programming to bring you the latest bulletin. Not even the local newspaper was there to get interviews.
Ned wasn't a celebrity by the world's standards but he was important in the family of God. Just months before his death he was awarded the Alumni Service Award by his alma mater, a local Christian college. He was the one who put in countless hours wiring the props for the Living Christmas Tree program the college puts on every December. Many more hours were spent computerizing the lighting which accompanied the entire show. Ned won't do that anymore but his legacy will live on.
A local Scout troop, where he was a leader, has set up a scholarship fund in his name. The fund will help needy boys and girls attend scout camps and/or training programs. According to their news release, the scout leaders hope that "this account will offer help to scouts well into the future and will perpetuate Ned's gracious and honorable spirit."
Ned was special to a little 5-year-old girl as well. She insisted on accompanying her father to visit him the week before he died. At first her father was hesitant but eventually he relented.
"She has such a great understanding about Jesus and heaven, that I finally consented," he explains. She took along a drawing and had her father tell the sometimes comatose Ned that it was a picture of her house. Several days later she asked her father if Ned was an angel yet.
"I don't know," her father replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I like Ned," the little girl replied. "I want him to be my guardian angel and that's why I gave him a picture of my house so he could find me."
"Do you think Ned will be your guardian angel?"
"Well, if he's not mine, then some other little girl is very lucky," she assured her father.
Before his bout with cancer, Ned worked for the local Pillsbury Company in its dough production division. He was well-liked and respected as an employee and coworker. His Christian testimony was evident on a daily basis.
I've had trouble dealing with his death. He was a young man,vibrant in spirit, dedicated to serving God and young people as best he could, determined to make his life count for Jesus. Why weren't the doctors and treatments successful? Why weren't the many prayers for healing answered? Why was he cut down in his prime? For me there are no easy answers.
To get some help for my troubled thoughts I read Philip Yancey's book, Where is God When It Hurts? With him
I struggled through the trials of Job, Holocaust survivors, cancer patients and accident yictims who are now paraplegics. I came to realize that "pain and suffering are part and parcel of our planet, and Christians are not exempt from it." God allows his children to die of cancer. Sometimes, there are miracle healings, but at other times, nature is allowed to take its course.
For Christians, the bottom line is that God is with us in our suffering, in our struggles and our tears. We can say with the Psalmist, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Ps. 23:4 NIV).
Ned left us a message. He did not want his family and friends to mourn his death but, instead, to rejoice and celebrate with him that he is with his Heavenly Father.
We visited Ned and his family about one month before his death. At that time he was trying to decide what to do with his belongings. He had some good theology books and wondered to whom he should give them. We told him about a Christian college in India that is looking for some. Immediately he offered to donate his books there.
"I want my life to continue being a testimony to Christ after I'm gone," he told us. That's when I started thinking about writing this column as a tribute to him. His mother graciously gave me permission to share this with you.
In the kingdom of God, Ned was and is a celebrity. He followed the apostle Paul's advice: "Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, goingto-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering ... Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it" (Rom. 12:1, 2b The Message).
After 14 years in a rented warehouse facility, Fig Garden Bible Church celebrated last Easter Sunday in their newly acquired storefront property. Pastor Henry Pauls reports that "with this purchase we're actually saving money each month." The move fits well with Fig Garden's commitment to educate its members in Christian stewardship principles of time, talents and finances.
Fig Garden Bible Church on the move
• New facilities reflect Fig Garden's commitment to good stewardship-with financial and human resources
"The challenge is to not be in a rest position, but to remember the reason we exist here is to bring people to Jesus," says pastor Henry Pauls of Fig Garden Bible Church in Fresno, Calif.
After 14 years in a rented warehouse facility, Fig Garden Bible Church celebrated last Easter Sunday in their newly acquired storefront property. In exchange for the industrial look, dumpsters, and high rent, they now enjoy a shaded office/warehouse park suite they can call their own. A worship auditorium, hospitality area, Sunday school rooms, youth room, nursery, library/prayer room, and office are all part of the new facilities.
Many from the church family worked together remodeling and decorating. Colorful banners and brightly decorated classrooms make the look appealing. The Sunday before the move, the congregation caravaned from the old building to the new. Following a song of thanksgiving, they walked through each room offering dedicatory prayers.
"We knew it would be impossible for
us to buy land and build," says Pauls, "but with this purchase we're actually saving money each month."
The new facilities were financed through the Mennonite Brethren Foundation. This move fits well with Fig Garden's commitment to educate its members in Christian stewardship principles of time, talents and finances.
Fig Garden offers training through Crown Ministry, a stewardship Bible study, and the Network Course, a spiritual gifts study which helps members determine their passion, personality, and gifts. These courses are offered twice a year and are vital for a church that involveslay people at every level of service.
"We are seeking a more inclusive and comprehensive way of doing ministry in the 90s," says Pauls. Fig Garden opens its pulpit to lay men and women with Pauls preaching approximately twothirds of the time.
"I believe God speaks to the church," says Pauls. "Our Spirit-directed worship allows for members of the congregation to share a passage of Scripture or gather
around and pray for someone in need."
Patty Pittman, a member of the worship band, says, "We try not to be too structured. One Sunday our worship service followed a very serious church business meeting. At the last second, we changed the sequence of songs in order to flow with the atmosphere of the moment."
Almost one-third of the congregation are single adults-a blend of college students, single parents and profeSSionals.
"I believe our significant number of singles is due in large part to the fact that we don't have a 'singles ministry,'" says Marci Winans, associate pastor. "Our singles are fully integrated and involved in every area of leadership."
"Marci represents that it's fine to be in ministry and leadership and to be single, serving God with a heart for the church," says Pauls. "Having a woman on staff also multiplies ministry opportunities, because she doesn't have the limitations a male pastor has when it comes to the mentoring, discipleship, and pastoral care of single and married women."
The youth also serve the church body by taking turns in the nursery, children's church, and helping with vacation Bible school. Matt Werum, a college student at Fresno Pacific University (an MB institution) recalls how he got involved.
"I was an atheist in high school," says Werum. "I'd be studying with a friend when all of a sudden she'd announce it was time to go to youth group. The more I went, the more I missed it when I couldn't go. Fig Garden is a very caring, loving, and inviting environment. I saw something very real there and eventually
Church uses phone technology to keep in touch with
miSSionaries
• Recorded messages from congregation's missionaries received by over 200 parishioners.
Phones are ringing off the wall in Bakersfield, Calif., thanks to a new program at Heritage Bible Church aimed at increasing the congregation's interest in worldwide missions.
Utilizing up-to-date, prerecorded messages from the congregation's missionaries and a unique computer system, over 200 HBC parishioners receive a weekly missions update via their telephone. The message serves two purposes - it gives members of the congregation current and specific prayer requests and assures the missionary that the congregation will intercede regarding those requests.
Vernon Reimer, secretary of the HBC missions commission, says, "People have been very excited to be hearing directly from their missionaries. It has greatly increased missions inter-
committed my life to Christ."
The past four summers Werum has been plugged into Fig Garden's VBS program at various levels of responsibility. "I didn't even like kids at first," says Werum. From the first summer when he taught one lesson, to this past year when he emceed the entire program, his attitude has changed.
"I like reaching out to the kids who are off the wall, hard to handle," says Werum. "I usually sit in the back with them and help them calm down."
"Pursuing Christ with Passion and
est, and thus prayer support."
One week it might be MBMS International worker Juan Martinez updating the congregation on his work in Guatemala with SEMILLA, the interMennonite seminary. The next week a prayer request from Phil Bergen, longterm MBMSI worker in Burkina Faso, might be on the recording.
Reimer believes the missionaries also benefit from this program.
"Our missionaries have been even more excited about the phone calls," he says. "It has given them opportunity to give absolutely current news of their ministry, family, and prayer requests."
Steve Snitchler, a member of Heritage Bible, coordinates the technical aspect of the project. He says the process is actually quite simple and one that other congregations could duplicate.
First, Snitchler contacts the selected missionary by telephone to record a 60-90 second update. Then a Watson computer system calls each member of the church, one at a time. When the telephone is answered, the Watson system plays the missionary update. After hearing the message, the individual may choose to hear it again, or simply
Reaching Others with Love" is Fig Garden's motto. Their new location offers opportunities to reach others in their own backyard.
Partnering with College Community MB Church in Clovis, Fig Garden's VBS drew a number of children from the area. "We are gradually becoming more of a neighborhood church," says Pauls. Fig Garden celebrates their love for children with a Family Sunday every eighth week. Targeted at the younger crowd, the morning worship features action songs, drama, innovative Bible
hang up. The computer then calls the next person on the list.
HI have divided our congregation into three lists of about 70 phone numbers per list," says Snitchler. "I try to have the dialer call list number one on Monday night, list number two on Tuesday night, and list number three on Thursday night."
Snitchler says Watson operates continuously for about two hours each evening that calls are made. Approximately 95 outgoing cans are made during that time. For his convenience, Snitchler has installed the system at his business.
Snitchler wishes the missionaries could more fully experience the love and affection that flow from the congregation as a result of their recorded messages.
"All they know is [that] they recorded a message;" says Snitchler. "How it is received, they are unsure," he says.
Snitchler says Watson could easily address this situation. The system could record a brief response (about 10 seconds) from the church members who wanted to send an encouraging word to the missionary. Then a few days later, Watson could call the mis sionary back and play all the return messages. At this time, Heritage has not expanded their system to accommodate these responses.
On the technical side, Snitchler says, "Watson is simply a computer board plugged into an obsolete 8086 computer and runs on DOS version 4.0." Because the company has discontinued manufacturing the Watson board, Snitchler says only a few hundred remain to be -Ellynne Wiebe
games, and children reading Scripture.
One Sunday's lesson resulted in a pizza feed following the morning service. The children helped put together the ingredients as Winans talked about the family of God and how God's love, like the sauce on the pizza, holds people together even though they're as different as pepperoni and cheese.
One Friday per month parents are invited to drop off their children at the church while they enjoy an evening out. This Parent's Night Out is another opportunity for neighbors to be exposed to the caring community of Christ.
More than three-fourths of the adults participate in Fig Garden's Home Fellowship Groups. These small groups integrate college students, retirees, couples, and singles. This is where pastoral care takes place in the "Fig Family." Men's and women's hiking and backpacking trips are annual events at Fig Garden. These outdoor experiences provide times for bonding and making memories.
Fig Garden is looking beyond its borders having recently commissioned Randal and Sachiko Thiessen, its first missionary couple. Sachiko came to the United States as an international student, became a Christian and was baptized at Fig Garden. She and Randal, who was a student at the MB Biblical Seminary when they met, are now serving in Japan with MBMS International, the North American MB mission agency. -Brenda Heinrichs McElroy
Three U.S. districts prepare for fall regional conventions
• Midwest districts will focus on church growth and renewal while the Pacific District shifts its focus to spiritual growth and holiness
For three U.S. Mennonite Brethren regional conferences, fall is the season for weekend district gatherings combining business sessions and inspirational worship times. While the business each regional conference will transact varies, the overriding theme of the worship times is personal and corporate growth.
Central and Southern Districts
Church growth and renewal is the theme of the Central and Southern Conference District conventions Oct. 28-31. For the second time in recent history, these two district conferences will meet simultaneously on the Tabor College campus in Hillsboro, Kan.
Joint workshops on leadership, stewardship, spiritual warfare and church health are scheduled as is a joint session for U.S. and General Conference agency reports. CDC and SDC delegates will participate together in meal and break times and a closing Sunday morning communion service. Three joint worship services will be led by Tabor personnel.
The keynote speaker for these wor-
"Marci represents that it's fine to be in ministry and leadership and to be single, serving God with a heart for the church," says pastor Henry Pauls of Marci Winans, associate pastor. "Having a woman on staff also multiplies ministry opportunities, because she doesn't have the limitations a male pastor has when it comes to the mentoring, discipleship, and pastoral care of single and married women."
ship sessions is Terry Walling. Walling works with Church Resource Ministries as vice president of church revitalization. His ministry goal is to see local churches revitalized through leadership renewal. This past year, a number of CDC and SDC pastors participated in CRM revitalization seminars.
Each district will also meet individually for business sessions.
CDC chair Ron Seibel says the focus of the CDC business sessions will be church planting and the related budget increase.
The CDC is planting two churches in cooperation with Mission USA, the church planting and renewal ministry of the U.S. Conference.
"Because of the joint assemblies we are not able to have the traditional Friday evening church planting banquet which always is the highlight of the convention," says Seibel.
"Extended time will be given for pastor Rod Anderson and his leadership team to present the new ministry in Papillion, Neb.," Seibel says. The Rolling Hills congregation has been meeting for slightly more than one year and recent attendance is above 100. "Ambitious plans are underway to build a new facility on just over three acres of land recently purchased," says Seibel.
Church planter Tom Cartney will share with delegates about the newest church planting venture begun this summer in the Minneapolis/St. Paul suburb of Apple Valley.
"This also is a God-sized venture," says Seibel. "Unlike Rolling Hills, there is no nucleus to start with. So our convention will be a time of challenging the delegation and churches to steps of faith as never before."
While the CDC will focus on church planting, their neighbors to the south will continue the district-wide emphasis on church renewal.
During the past year, pastoral staff members from 20 SDC congregations
participated in Phase I CRM refocusing networks, says SDC chair Daryle Baltzer. Six congregations are currently involved in Phase II.
"We want to bring a freshness to our leaders and then our churches-to refocus their mission," says SDC chair Daryle Baltzer. "(The convention) is another way to continue moving our churches forward."
Congregations are strongly encouraged to send their lay leaders to this year's convention, says Baltzer.
Results of a recent CRM assessment of SDC congregations will also be reported. "Some congregations appear to be healthier than others, which is hardly a surprise," says SDC district minister Roland Reimer. Overall, SDC congregations rated below the suggested norm for healthy growing churches, says Reimer.
"The scores support the need for us to engage in strategic planning as congregations to meet the challenges in the new millennium," says Reimer.
During SDC business sessions, United at the Cross Church of Wichita, Kan., will be accepted into the district. UCC is a joint church planting project of the SDC and World Impact, a national inner city ministry headed by KeithPhillips.
Baltzer says delegates will also hear of plans to plant a congregation in the Oaklawn area of Wichita. This congregation would be the result of World Impact
ministry in that community and would be a "deliberate effort to start a new Mennonite Brethren church."
Pacific District
The focus of recent Pacific District Conference conventions has been church growth and convention planners deliberately shifted that emphasis this year, says Henry Dick, PDC district minister. The PDC convention Nov. 5-6 in Bakersfield, Calif., will focus on personal spiritual growth and holiness.
"We want to be balanced people," says Dick. "Sometimes we have to stop and encourage ourselves to get moving (in evangelism) and sometimes we have to stop and think about our relationship with the Lord."
In the past, afternoon workshops gave participants the opportunity to learn more about church planting, evangelism and related topics. This year workshops have been eliminated in an effort to provide another time for worship.
Using the convention theme, "A vision to last a lifetime," convention speaker Jim Holm will preach three messages from Isaiah 6. Holm is dean of students and director of constituency relations at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. Prior to MBBS, he served as the senior pastor of Reedley (Calif.) MB Church.
Even though spiritual growth is emphasized during times of worship, church growth will take center stage at
Terry Walling (left) is the keynote speaker for the joint convention between the Central and Southern districts. Walling is vice president of church revitalization for Church Resource Ministries. Jim Holm (right) will preach three messages from Isaiah 6 during the Pacific District Conference convention. Holm is the dean of students and director of constituency relations at MB Biblical Seminary.
the Friday night banquet hosted by the Heritage Bible Church congregation.
"The Home Missions banquet is always a highlight of our conference," says Dick.
Business sessions Friday afternoon are devoted to hearing district board reports. The first half of Saturday morning is given to Fresno Pacific University and will include a number of student testimonies.
The remainder of Saturday morning will be given to decision making. Because board recommendations were due to Dick's office the first of October, Dick was not able to summarize at press time those decisions delegates would be considering.
"A major concern of the executive board of our conference is finding ways to integrate 11 language groups into our fellowship," says Dick. "I know there will be recommendations in this area."
The North Carolina District Conference convention was Sept. 25-26. A report of their gathering was not available as of press time and will be included in an upcoming issue of the Leader. -Connie Faber
Church growth is the focus of the Central and Southern district meeting, and wUI take center stage at the Friday night banquet during the Pacific Distrid meeting.
Large first-year class drives FPU enrollment
• Increase
• Total enrollment could reach 1900
It's another year of more, more, more at Fresno Pacific University: More new freshmen, more returning students, more transfer students, and more outside honors.
Total enrollment for the new academic year at Fresno Pacific University, the Mennonite Brethren institution located in Fresno, Calif., could reach 1,900.
Enrollment in the traditional undergraduate program reached 768, which is 38 more than the goal and 78 more than last year's official total, according to the annual six-day census. Total enrollment figures also include 133 students in the Center for Degree Completion, part of the Fresno Pacific School of Professional Studies, and over 1,000 in Fresno Pacific Graduate School.
us. News & World Report again included FPU in its list of western regional universities. Among the strengths the magazine cited are the university's freshman retention rate of 86 percent, its average graduation rate of 53 percent and the 76 percent of students who graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
"We're looking at another great year," says President Allen Carden. "We are very pleased that initiatives and strategies we developed over the past two years to promote growth and quality are
New students performed service projects as part of orientation activities. The work, from cleaning empty lots to repairing a community center, helped neighborhood agencies and acquainted students with opportunities to serve and minister throughout the school year.
producing excellent results, as well as recognition from outside sources."
Undergraduate enrollment goals met
Undergraduate enrollment is up more than 25 percent over the past two years, says Steve Varvis, undergraduate dean. "We've hit our original goal of 750 students and set a new goal of 1,000."
The big news this year is the hike in transfer students. About 129 are expect-
The first week of classes featured food, fun and friendship as well as textbooks. Right, students gather before a volleyball game pitting alumni against current varsity players.
ed in this category, which includes students who come to FPU from community colleges and other institutions, those who "stop out" for a year from regular studies and those who take classes without pursuing a degree.
"This is the best productivity we've had since we started keeping track of these students," says Cary Templeton, assistant dean for admissions. Most years 115-120 students transfer into the university. Last year the figure at this point was 98.
Better counseling of prospective students, dedicated staff members and visibility at community colleges are attracting transfers, Templeton says. The first full-time transfer coordinator was hired two years ago, and this year one parttime staff person and two student interns were added to the effort.
FPU's Cal-Grant guarantee continues to be a factor. Now in its third year, the program, unique to the university, provides enough financial aid to cover tuition for any student who qualifies for a Cal-Grant. "That's starting to become more known at community colleges," Templeton says.
Freshman enrollment figures also show an increase. With 172 freshmen enrolled, the 1998 record of 167 new freshmen has been eclipsed, says Templeton.
"The big gains we had last year have been at least duplicated this year," Templeton says.
Varvis sees that trend continuing. "We expect steady, planned growth in the next four years."
Not only are more students coming to FPU, increased retention efforts are helping more who start to continue their studies. Since hiring its first coordinator of mentoring and retention in October 1997, the university has begun several programs for students and faculty.
"We've had several faculty seminars on how to help students succeed, and we've done the student satisfaction survey to see where students think we're doing a good job and where we can make improvements," says Fay Nielsen, retention coordinator.
Graduate enrollment grows
The graduate school expects to continue, if not surpass, its 12 percent enrollment increase over the past three years, according to Jacqueline Chavanu, school marketing director. "We have had a very steady rise in enrollment over the last three-four years." The fall 1998 enrollment was 1,010 students, up from 885 in 1997 and 882 in 1996.
CDC enrollment is projected at 147 by the end of September, according to director Larry Perryman. The center, which helps older students with some college experience complete their bachelor's degree, recently added a Christian ministries major and a liberal studies program is in the works.
FPU also enrolls 12,000 students annually in its professional studies programs offered locally and throughout the world. -by Wayne Steffen, FPU news service
New Tabor College students practice their serve
• Teams of students H J:ive out what we b:elielle" as they serve the community in Wichita, Kan.
New student orientation activities on the Tabor College campus last mOlltn required the 140 freshmen to practice what the college preaches concerning volunteerism and service.
As has been the case for the past seven tlew students spent tile Saturday morning of New Student Days Aug. 27·30, in Wicnita, Kan., serving at a number of city agencies including World Impact VUlage, Habitat for Humanity, Union Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Haven of Hope and Mennonite Housing.
The new students worketi in teams wi. the other members of their advising grou:p and were led by a faculty ana peer advisor. Projects include<lland· scaping painting; sneetrocking, cleaning ana sorting, and moving Xu,rniture. Tabor philosophy p:fofessor Davia Faber said tbe work helped him to get to know the stutients he would be serving as a faculty aavisor ana to teach them a philosophy aear to the school's heart.
"It teaches tbem what we I>elteve about making a commitment to people who have been marginalized by society lor one reason or Faber says. "It teaches about our commitment to Jesus and gives us a cnance to live out wnat we believe."
Tabor CoHese is tne Mennonite Brethren denominational four-year, Chris", tian liberal arts institution located in Hillsboro, Kan. - TC News Service
"What ultimately drove me from the military was the fact that I was trying to serve two masters and could not."
-Dick Davis Dallas, Texas
Six military veterans tell how their journey of faith led them to become conscientious objectors to war. Contact the MCC office nearest you to borrow or purchase Change of Command.
$38 Cdn/$25 U.S.
Visit the companion website
www.mcc.org/ask-a-vet
Congolese MB begins joint appointment with North American institutions next year
• Dr. Nzash Lumeya will begin working for MB Biblical Seminary and MBMS International in June 2000
Dr. Nzash Lumeya of Kinshasa, Congo, has been appointed jointly by MB Biblical Seminary and MBMS International to teach in the area of missions and Old Testament and to provide global mission leadership for the Mennonite Brethren denomination. His appointment is effective June 1, 2000.
Lumeya is currently dean at University Missiological Center in Kinshasa, a position he has held since 1990. He is also a visiting professor at the Alliance Seminary in Abidjah, Ivory Coast, vice president of the Mrican Theological Initiative and coordinator of the Francophone Mrican Theological Fellowship.
Lumeya has a master's degree (1983) and Ph.D. (1988) in missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., as well as a Diploma from MBBS (1982), and a Th.M. in Theology from Vaux-Sur-Seine in France (1977).
He has taught at Protestant University of Congo, served as senior pastor of Missionary MB Church of Kitambo, and taught at Bangui Evangelical School of Theology in the Central Mrican Republic. Lumeya wrote to MBBS president
Henry Schmidt concerning his MBBS/MBMSI appointment, "I feel that the Lord is guiding us all the way. We're in the Kingdom business. By his grace, our experience with MBBS and MBMSI will enable us to see a larger picture of the MB global family.
"I consider it a great joy and privilege from our Lord," Lumeya wrote. "I'm aware of the great responsibility that comes with this opportunity."
One concern expressed by Schmidt is MBBS and MBMSI's desire that North American schools not deplete leadership resources in the two-thirds world in an attempt to train global leaders.
"I am satisfied with your response that you have trained competent Congolese leaders to carry on the leadership training program in your home country," Schmidt wrote to Lumeya.
The 70,000-plus Mennonite Brethren in Congo, and indeed all Congolese people, have seen a great deal of change and turmoil in recent years in the revolution and transition of power from Mobutu to Kabila. Yet Lumeya reports: "Spiritually there is a revival going on in Kinshasa. A
Dr. Nzash Lumeya
prayer movement is going on in town. Unbelievable and very exciting to see people confessing personal and national sin to Christ for forgiveness."
"The challenge of reshaping global, missional, leadership training among God's people in the new millennium has never been greater or more strategic," Schmidt wrote Lumeya. "Your willingness to take this opportunity, and to respond with energy and commitment to being a major shaper of this process is a special gift to the global Mennonite Brethren Church and the larger Kingdom."
Nzash, 49, and his wife Christine have three daughters, 16, 14 and five years of age. His new assignment will be 60 percent with MBBS and 40 percent with MBMSI. -MBBS press release
The 70,000 plus MBs in the Congo-where Lumeya is from-have seen a great deal of change and turmoil in recent years in the revolution and transition of power from Mobutu to Kabila. In the midst of this, Lumeya reports there is a spiritual revival occurring.
"We're in the Kingdom business. By his grace, our experience with MBBS and MBMSI will enable us to see a larger picture of the MB global family," wrote Lumeya in a letter to Henry Schmidt, president of the MBBS where Nzash will be working 60 percent of his time. He will spend the other 40 percent working with MBMSI.
Mission USA/50S Fund
Introducing the Special Support Fund
In the past two years since the first Mission USA church plant opened its doors in Phoenix, there are an additional 500 to 600 people worshiping every Sunday in new Mission USA and MUSApartnership church plants. Your special gift to the SOS Fund will enable Mission USA to take advantage of unforeseen, unbudgeted, God-given opportunities. Together we will implement our vision for evangelism and church growth/church planting among the U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches.
Your support of the Mission USA/50S fund will:
• Free MISSION USA to partner with church planting pastors who become available between fiscal budget years.
• Free MISSION USA to partner with Districts and local churches when church planting opportunities appear between fiscal budget years.
• Free MISSION USA to respond to opportunities to start new churches on God's timetable.
• See multitudes of people experience personal faith, hope and love in the framework of peace with God and the context of their community.
Giving leadership to Mission USA church planting endeavors are (pictured at right) Steve Reimer, Church Planting Commission Chair, Ed Boschman, Mission USA Executive Director, and Chuck Buller, Mission USA Board Chair.
For more information contact: Ed Boschman, Executive Director, Mission USA 12630 N. 103 Avenue, Ste. 215 • Sun City, AZ 85351 • (623) 825-7112 Fax: 623-825-7135. E-mail: ebmusa@phnx.uswest.net
MISSION USA BOARD:
Ed Boschman, Phoenix, AZ., loretto Jost, Aurora, NE
Chuck Buller, Visalia, CA. Brad Klassen, Glendale, AZ
Karin Enns, Dinuba, CA Nancy laverty, Jones, OK
Phil Glanzer, New Hope, MN Stephen Reimer, Shafter, CA
Joe Johns, Weatherford, OK Randy Steinert, Bakersfield, CA
Tim Sullivan, Hillsboro, KS Gary Wall, lodi, CA
Ex Officio Members: Henry Dick, Fresno, CA.
Clinton Grenz, Bismark, N.D.
Bruce Porter, Fresno, CA
Roland Reimer, Wichita, KS. Clfnt Seibel, Hillsboro, KS
Jim Westgate, Fresno, CA
MBMS International is helping to rebuild houses in the flood ravished southern Balochistan. Each family is given $200 which builds a shelter in this style and houses approximately fifteen people.
Help trickles in for Pakistan flood victims
• MBMSI sets goal of raising $10,000 for flood aid
Southwest Balochistan, a bone-dry region of Pakistan, usually receives only enough rain to sustain the most hearty of plants and toughest of people. But on March 3, 1998, heavy rains in the mountainous north caused the Dasht River to flood, damaging or destroying thousands of homes. The flash floods came so quickly that the inhabitants could do nothing but flee to higher ground. In one village a school building full of children was washed away.
Although firm figures are hard to come by in this remote area, initial reports indicated that over 300 people were killed and 85 villages were com-
pletely destroyed. Tremendous suffering followed when people living with so little had to relocate to higher ground with no shelter or water, and few shade trees.
The Pakistan government provided emergency aid for a few days and then gave $1 million to the Balochistan provincial government for follow-up aid, but none of the funds reached the flooded area. Now, a year and a half later, many continue to live outside or are crowded into makeshift shelters. Most have to travel considerable distances to get water.
Just days after the flooding, Keiko and H.L. Wyatt (Keiko is a former missionary with MBMS International, the North
The Dasht river flooded so quickly that many villagers could do nothing but flee to higher ground. For more than a year, these families have been living in throwntogether huts, often very far from water.
American MB mission agency) visited the affected area around the city of Turbat and began developing plans to help the residents. They cooperated with the National Rural Support Program (NRSP), a governmental-affiliated agency that had already established committees for community organization in many of the 693 villages in Turbat District.
The fact that NRSP was already up and running was a great help, according to H.L. Wyatt. "We could rely on NRSP to take us in to the flooded areas and provide estimates of what needed," he reports.
MBMSI workers Craig and Bridget Hallman surveyed the Turbat work earlier this year. Bridget, a former social worker, was impressed with the principles upon which the NRSP operates.
"The NRSP has carefully implemented policies and procedures that were originally formulated at Harvard University," she says. "Community members play pivotal roles in restructuring their villages, which allows for self-determination."
MBMSI contributed to the initial efforts of the Wyatts and has now approved continued work as a Core Plus project, coordinated by Craig Hallman. Last year, $11,000 was raised by the Wyatts, including $2,000 from MBMSI. This year the agency has donated an additional $ 5,000 and set a fundraising goal of $10,000.
A major focus has been on building sunshelter houses, for use by 12 to 15 peo-
ple. at a cost of $200 each. The homes are made from an assortment of materials including tree trunks, sticks, thatch and mud. The region is so barren that most of the materials need to be trucked in.
In addition to the homes, funds have been used for water supply projects, to buy blankets, fix a water pump, and repair school grounds. The people in this remote district had very little before the floods and are having an extremely difficult time rebuilding their villages now located above the flood plain.
"When we visited the villages around Turbat, Bridget and I marveled at how any human could survive in a region that, in places, looks like pictures from the moon," observes Hallman. "In their terror the people fled to higher ground but this is usually several miles from the river. The few jugs they can carry by donkey or camel is just not enough to sustain a whole village. Everything was so parched, and that was during the cool seasoneven the chickens looked thirsty."
The Hallmans are currently working
Know someone who deserves a journalism ? scholarship •
Each year the Evangelic.al Press Association awards several scholarships to deserving students. They must be 3rd or 4th year undergrads when they receive the grant and planning on a career in print journalism. Applications for the 2000-2001 academic year must be received by March 1,2000. For an application write: The Evangelical Press Association 314 Dover Road Charlottesville, VA 22901 fax: 804 973 2710 74463.272@compuserve.com
with NRSP to drill wells in two villages, at an estimated cost of $650 each. North American-based Life Water International intends to donate a well-drilling rig but Pakistani customs want to charge a prohibitive import duty, which has effectively blocked shipment. Continued work will most likely focus on sunshelter houses and wells.
The work of the Wyatts, NRSP and the Hallmans is really only a drop in the bucket compared to the extensive damage, according to Craig Hallman.
"So far, work has been completed in nine villages and continues in another four; but there are scores of villages that could still use help," he says. "Immediately after the floods, politicians offered help but now other events have pushed this situation from the news. We send a powerful message about the love of God when North American Christians help a people so far away."
Donations may be sent to MBMS International, 4867 E. Townsend Ave., Fresno, California 93727. -MBMS International
STATEMENT
OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION
Publication title: The Christian Leader. Publication number: 0009-5419. Filing date: 9/30/99. Issue frequency: monthly. Number of issues published annually: 12. Annual subscription price: $16.00. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Full names and complete mailing address of publisher, editor and managing editor: Publisher: U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063; Editor-Carmen Andres, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063; Managing editor-none. Owner: U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. Lincoln. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding I percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: none. The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during the preceding 12 months. Extent and nature of circulation: the first number represents the average number of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months (the number in parentheses is the number of copies of a single issue published nearest to filing date, the September 1999 issue).
a. Total number of copies: 10,000 (10,000)
b. Paid/Requested Circulation: 1) Paid/Requested outside county mail subscriptions: 9311 (9344). 2) Paid in-county subscriptions: 574 (574). 3) Sales through dealers and carriers and counter sales: 0 (0). 4) Other: 0 (0)
c. Total paid and/or requested circulation: 9885 (9923)
I certify that all information on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties).-(signed) Carmen Andres, editor, 9/23/99.
IN BRIEF
TOURNEY; This winter Fresno Paciflc University will play host for the first time to the Nati:onal ,Association of Intercollegiate Athletics women1s volleyball nationaJ charnpionship.tournament. FPU announced in late August that Sun-Maid Raisin Growers of Calif.ornla has agreed to be ·the title span sor of 'the 20th annual tournament to be ,held December 1-4. FPU oTfidals are now about half way toward meeting their tour.. na:ment sponsorship goals. tlWe still have a ways to go, II says Dennis Janzent veteran :FPU voUeybaJ:1 coach and cochair of the FPU tournament corru:rnittee. flBut this is a huge step for us. If FPU is an MB Christian university located fn southeast Fresno, (aUf. (:FPU)
SSRVleE: A team of USE RV volunteers recently spent three days working at Fres.. no Padric University replacing old planking on the soccer fie ld bleachers. Harold Voshage and Hennan Reimer TFo:rn the Un .coln elen ehure n in San Jose, Cal·rf ., rerrloved title Qld planks and then sawed, dtilled to fit and bolted on new planks. U$:E R\J i:s aU. S. Conference program designed to involve adults in service pro... Jeets that b:enetit ·M=:B causes. Ted Thiesen coordinates the program. <USSR\/)
LEADERSHI': Four Tabor Callege students were selected to attend the 199:9 N:ational Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values September 16.. 1·9, . in Washington, D. C\ ]:he CQnteren<:e em:pnaslzed a f:undamental Chrlst:ian flrlndple--that in order to lead one must serve. 1t also allowed students Audrey Hay;nest Katie Rotht Lucas I(:iog and Perkins opportunities to die logue on suceessful leadership principles current national leaders based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. TC is an Mil Chdstian Ube:ral arts CQUe:g0 'located in Hi:Usboro, (TC):
RetlE'; l\l1ennonite Central Committee, a Christlan world relief and development (1'g6n=(¥, is working cl=osely wlth partner agencies in thel'v1itddle East to decide on tfte best way to respandto the earthquake tbat shattered a part of Turkey August 17. An assessrn:ent team will visit the area to help datermlne MlCC'S response. Mean\Nhlle, MeC is atcepting donations for relief efforts which wlU be used in p=fograms or channeJed through other organizations. relief agencies have already respond ecl to the lrnmediate needs resulting 'from the quaRe and iT MCC responds it will be to ongoing needs., (MCC)
IN BRIEF
AID: Mennonite Central Committee has joined two partner organizations, the Mid die East Council of Churches and the Iraqi Red Crescent, to providemedicaf supp'ies, sheets and blankets for the people of Najaf and Mosul, Iraq, two cities bombed in the July U.S.lU.K, air strikes. Part of a recent MCC shipment of Canadian Foodgrains Bank food-16 bags of wheat flour and five bags of beans-was also designated to help families of those killed and wounded. In Najaf, where two bombs killed 14 civilians and wounded 18, the relief supplies were sent to the hospital. tn Mosul, more than 55 families of and injured persons have received relief pack ages distributed by the Iraqi Red Crescent that include four quilts, two lightweight blankets, 10 pieces of soap and 10 kilograms of beans per family. (MeC)
BUSINESS: Helping family-run businesses be successful and contented is the a im of a Mennonite Economic Development Associates seminar, tl5taying on Course for a thriving Family Business,lt November 4 at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va. The serninar,which is part of the annuat MEDA convention, features business experts John Fast of the Conrad Grebel College Centre for Family Business; Leonard Geiser, professor of Business and founder and director of the Goshen Co! lege Family Business Program; and Henry Landes, founder and president of the Delaware VaHey Family Business Centre. For more informatIon, or to register, call MEDA at 1 800 665-7026 or send an e mail to nas@meda.org. (MEOA)
DIED: The international Mennonite community tost an influential leader this summer. Funeral services for Zedekia Marwa Kisare, the first bishop of Tanzania Men nanite Church (KMT) who died July 16 at about age 90, drew 2000 mourners including the former ranzanian president Julius Nyerere and other government and church Bishop Kisare served as a Mennonite pastor in Tanzania beginning in 1-950, and was ordained as the first bishop of Tanzania Mennonite Church in 1967, serving rn the post until his retirement in 1995. He will be remembered as the father of KMT, often serving as a spokesman for God's work in Africa. KMT includes 1S language groups and form,er missionary Don Jacobs says, "Bishop Kisare was somehow able to rise above tribal loyalties and affili ations and bring -unity to the whole ch,urch. I' (MWC)
Building ministries goal of MBMSI work in India
• MBMSI responds to letter arising from leadership disputes in India
MBMS International's goal is to continue working with the MB church in India to build broadbased ministries in that country even as persisting leadership tensions there may test those efforts, say mission agency leadership in response to a July letter written by individuals within the India Mennonite Brethren Church.
The letter, addressed to MBMSI, the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren and MB churches in North America, was sent to approximately 100 individuals. It was written but unsigned by individuals opposing the Governing Council of MB Churches of India. The letter accuses certain leaders in the India church of ministry mismanagement and threatens to take legal action against MBMSI if it continues to support the Governing Council's ministries.
"As an outside foreign agency, we are limited in the channels open to us," says Harold Ens, MBMSI general director, explaining why funding goes through the Governing Council. MBMSI support, which totals about $5,000 a month, is sent to various ministries and programs including new villages being reached by about 100 traveling evangelists, new workers being trained in three schools and medical ministry going through the MB Medical Center, Ens says.
Russell Schmidt, MBMSI director for Asia, wrote the mission agency's response to the authors of the letter. "We thanked them for writing down their concerns, because often disputes arise with misunderstandings," says Schmidt. "But we also said our main goal is to participate with the church in India in making disciples of all people groups and to continue to build on ministries
that support that."
MBMSI also responded bye-mail to many of the individuals and agencies who received the letter. It was a difficult task since the mission agency wasn't certain who received the letter, says program director Tim Bergdahl. MBMSI sent the e-mail message to all on-line North American churches and agencies, assuring the constituents that their goal is to be a support to the mission work of the MB church in India and requesting prayer for the India conference.
"We are responding to the letter in ways that we hope may help our brothers and sisters in the India MB Church to be reconciled," wrote Ens in the e-mail, "and with the hope that ministries in which we are partners may continue and expand."
Sharing Christ with unreached people groups living in India and other countries in the 10/40 Window was one of the goals adopted by MBMSI in 1995, says Bergdahl. The 10/40 Window is defined as the region stretching from the 10th parallel north to the 40th parallel north and from the western tip of Africa to the eastern tip of Asia. Since India is home to a large number of MBs who can share the Gospel in their own country, MBMSI has a natural avenue for reaching a significant number of these unreached people, says Bergdahl.
"We have tried to encourage the groups to look beyond issues of owning property and controlling monies and to focus on the greater work of the kingdom," says Bergdahl. "There are thousands and thousands of MBs in local churches who love the Lord, who worship him and who want to serve him."
In its response to the authors of the
IIThere are thousands and thousands of MBs in local churches who love the Lord, who worship him and who want to serve him. "
-Tim Bergdahl, MBMSI program director
letter, MBMSI also upholds reconciliation guidelines made in 1995, says Ens. He and other representatives from the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren helped map out a plan for the two groups to deal with their issues.
"But so far, nothing has developed out of those," says Ens.
Tensions center on property and power issues that developed after MBMSI missionaries left India in the mid-70s due to government pressure. At that time, leadership arose through the Governing Council, the registered group that acts as the clearinghouse for MBMSI support. In 1995, an opposition group emerged and elected its own chair and representatives.
This type of conflict is not unique to Mennonite Brethren in India, say those
familiar with India. Many Christian denominations are experiencing similar struggles.
To facilitate greater partnership between MBMSl and the India MB Church, MBMSI worked with India to establish a mission committee. "The mission committee facilitates the mission activities of the MB church in India," explains Schmidt.
MBMSI workers Werner and Elsie Ann Kroeker help to facilitate cooperation between the North American conferences and the India MB Church and provide mediation if requested, says Ens. Later this year, other MBMSI personnel will travel to India to attend a celebration of mission work. -by Connie Faber with Laurie Oswald of the Mennonite Weekly Review
MEDA: Creating community to help
Detweiler
"I like the chapter aspect of MEDA," says Detweiler Kaufman, who teaches business at Goshen College and is amember of MEDA's Michiana chapter. "You can develop relationships with others who share your interest in helping poor people start their own businesses, find support as you connect your own faith and work, and work with others to help low income people locally."
Henry H. Dick, District Minister Pacific District Conference Mennonite Brethren Church
Baptism/membership
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Lincoln Hills Bible)-Amber Banik, Christie Banik, Melissa Collison, Eric Leggett, Molly Leggett and Jennifer Mendel were baptized in an outdoor service Aug. 29. Chuck Deckert, Kristi Engbrecht, Orlando Hofer, Shawn Mendel, Chris Sperling and Lori Sperling were also received into membership.
OLATHE, Kan. (Community Bible)-Bob Hall, Aaron Dick, Jesse Franz, Eric Haley, Kathryn Meadows, Angelika Perez and Jalaene Perez were baptized Aug. 22. Aaron and Katie Dick, Jesse Franz, Eric Haley, Kathryn Meadows and Angelika and Jalaene Perez were received into membership. Lynee Epp and Mark, Marilyn and Matt Just were received into membership Aug. 29.
WICHITA, Kan. (First)-Les and Linda Grafton, Leo and Gertrude Ritter were welcomed into membership Aug. 22.
FAIRVIEW, Okla.- Warren Heinrichs was welcomed as a new member Aug. 15.
BUHLER, Kan.-Terry and Angie Phillips were baptized Aug. 15 and received into membership. Art and Eva Dick, David and Patty Dick, Ron Engler, Doug and Bonnie Franz and Darren and Heather Schmidt were also welcomed as new members.
Celebrations
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Pine Acres)-The congregation dedicated their new building addition during the morning service Sept. 12. The addition includes a large youth room and other classrooms.
WICHITA, Kan. (First)-The families of George and Flossie Fosnight hosted a 50th wedding anniversary celebration Sept. 11.
FRESNO, Calif. (Bethany)-Flowers were placed in the sanctuary Aug. 8 in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Lews and Lorene Boese.
HILLSBORO, Kan. (Ebenfeld)-The congregation celebrated Stewardship Sunday Aug. 22. A fundraising meal followed during which donations for a basement remodeling project and the annual budget were collected. During the summer, Sunday school classes of all ages had studied principles of Christian stewardship.
Proclamation
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-Henry Schmidt, MB Biblical Seminary president, preached the morning sermon Aug. 22.
DELFT, Minn. (Carson)-For six weeks during September and October, the congregation followed a different Sunday morning schedule. A morning fellowship time took the place of Sunday school and the service that followed included special features for children, sharing times and active participation in worship.
MINOT, N.D. (Bible Fellowship)-Missionaries Rod and Julia Penner-Zook spoke during the morning and evening services Aug. 15. They are Mennonite Brethren missionaries in Germany.
Teaching/Nurture
CLOVIS, Calif. (College Community)-A series of 18 lessons was developed by members of the congregation to explore theological considerations and practical applications of Christian peacemaking. The lessons will be used in junior high and high school Sunday school classes. The series grew out of the congregation's interest in developing an appropriate response to the events in Yugoslavia last spring.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage Bible)-A ninemonth training program designed to model, teach and encourage practical application of biblical principles is being offered to men of the congregation. The program began this fall.
CORDELL, Okla. (Bible)-A seminar on dealing with life's problems, "Emotionally Free," led by Harold Nickel of Santa Paula, Calif., was held Aug. 15-16.
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-Dean Kliewer of Reedley, Calif., presented a Y2K awareness seminar in August. A discussion followed his presentation wh ich was offered at no cost.
Fellowship
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Laurelglen)-A men's retreat is planned for Oct. 1-3.
REEDLEY, Calif.-The congregation had a kickoff weekend Sept. 11-12. Saturday activities included a morning motorcycle ride with Pastor Dennis Fast and an outdoor concert with Barry McGuire and Terry Talbot. A promotion ceremony was held Sunday morning for the children's Sunday school department.
Ministry
INDIAHOMA, Okla. (Post Oak)-The congregation has begun planning for a new multipurpose building to replace the current building which is outdated and in severe disrepair. The new building will include classrooms, a gym/basketball court and a kitchen. It will seat about 400 people and will help the congregation host outreach activities for the community.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Good News)-One Sunday a month is designated as Friendship Sunday and attenders are encouraged to invite friends. This year, the group is also encouraged to invite their friends and/or others from the congregation for lunch that Sunday as well.
WASCO, Calif.-Gabriel and Annette Espinosa are the church planter couple for a new Pacific District Conference church targeting English speaking Hispanics.
ENID, Okla.-Peter Thomas, pastor of Faith Bible Church of Omaha, Neb., will be the resource speaker for an outreach emphasis weekend Oct. 16-17. The congregation had Neighbor Night Aug. 22 to encourage people to get together with friends, neighbors or coworkers in an effort to build relationships.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-The congregation is hosting the International Gift Faire for the Bay Area Mennonite Churches Oct. 15-16. Handi-
crafts including baskets, ornaments, toys, jewelry and home decor items will be sold. Proceeds from the sale benefits the artisans of Ten Thousand Villages, a ministry of Mennonite Central Committee.
MINOT, N.D. (Bible Fellowship)-This month, the congregation is joining with other community churches to host an evangelistic drama, "Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames." In August, members attended an evangelism seminar presented by Bill Fay in preparation for the drama presentation.
WICHITA, Kan. (First)- The second Reachout Golf Tournament was held Sept. 18 at a local golf course. Ron O'Guinne, founder of "All of Us" Christian Ministries and a former national director of racial/denominational reconciliation for Promise Keepers, was the speaker at a lunch that followed the two-man team tournament.
HILLSBORO, Kan. (Ebenfeld)-Mark and Nancy Rogers and their children were commissioned for missionary service to the Ivory Coast. The Rogers serve with SIM International.
Workers
INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)-The congregation held a fellowship dinner Aug. 1 to say farewell to pastoral couple Will and Bonnie Fadenrecht, who have accepted the call to pastor the Salem MB Church of Bridgewater, S.D. David and Elvira Plett of Hillsboro, Kan., will serve the Zoar congregation as interim pastoral couple.
BUHLER, Kan.-Chuck and Carol Taylor have accepted the call to serve as youth pastoral couple beginning in January. Taylor is in his final semester at Columbia Bible College in Columbia, S.C. Pastoral couple Jim and Diane Bartel were honored with a farewell service Aug. 29. Jim had served in worship and Christian education.
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-Steven R. Harms has accepted the call to serve as associate pastor of young adult ministries and began Sept. 20. Harms and his wife Laura and their family have moved to Visalia.
HENDERSON, Neb.-The congregation held a farewell time for pastoral couple Stuart and Regina Pederson Sept. 12.
LITTLETON, Colo. (Belleview Acres)-Daniel Moore began serving as pastor of youth and worship Sept. 1. He is a graduate of Taylor University and received a master's degree in counseling from Colorado Christian University.
DINUBA, Calif.-Barry Lloyd has joined the pastoral staff as associate pastor. Lloyd is a recent graduate of MB Biblical Seminary. He and his wife Jennifer were installed Aug. 22.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible Fellowship)-M ichael Petts of Atlantic, Iowa, has accepted the call to serve as youth pastor and began his ministry in September.
LODI, Calif., (Vinewood)-Curt Vogt has accepted the call as associate pastor. He will serve in the areas of musidworship, newcomer assimilation and Christian education. Vogt and his wife Melissa began their ministry September 12.
Deaths
BROWN, FLORA W., Shafter, Calif., a member of Shafter MB Church, was born Feb. 21, 1896, at Fairview, Okla., to Frederick and Helena Wichert and died Aug. 3, 1999, at the age of 103. On Jan. 29, 1914, she was married to Ben F. Brown, who predeceased her March 15, 1975. She is survived by her eight children, Edna Grunau of Collinsville, Okla., Anna Davison of Fairview, Okla., Ruby Schultz of Fresno, Calif., Esther and husband Elmer Klassen of Pismo, Calif., Minnie and husband AI Nikkel, Fred and wife Yvonne, Elsie and husband Robert Garrison and Wesley and wife Doris, all of Bakersfield, Calif.; one brother, Frank Wichert of Fairview; one sister, Minnie Martens of Fairview; 21 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 46 great great-grandchildren and one great, great, great-grandchild.
FElL, BERTHA, Reedley, Calif, a member of Rosedale Bible Church, was born December 16, 1906, to John and Helena Becker Hodel in Orienta, Ok la, and died June 5, 1999, at the age of 92. In 1926 she was married to Sam Feil, who predeceased her in 1987. She is survived by her children: Gene and wife Julia of Bakersfield, CA, Arly and wife Jan of Shafter, CA, Jona and wife Mary Lou of Bakersfield, CA, Irene and husband Chet Pauls of Fresno, CA, and Luetta and husband Wilbert Reimer of Fresno, CA. She leaves 17 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
FRIDDLE, ROBERT, Minot, N.D., was born July 23, 1919, at Toledo, Ohio, to Roby and Jean Friddle and died Aug. 15, 1999, at the age of 80. On May 22, 1963, he was married to Betty Ewert, who survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Patricia Handy of Erie, Colo., Nova Baranski, Rita Kress and Michelle Knudsen, all of Glenwood, III.; two sons, Steven of Minot and Robert of Grand Forks, N.D., 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
GAEDE, EVELYN SARAH, Shafter, Calif., a member of Shafter MB Church, was born Aug. 12, 1915, to John E. and Lillian Schroeder Unruh at Kansas City, Mo., and died Aug. 11, 1999, at the age of 83. On Sept. 4, 1938, she was married to Leonard Gaede, who predeceased her in 1976. She is survived by two sons, Dennis and wife Helen of Shafter and Stan and wife Judy of Santa Barbara, Calif.; one daughter, Marilyn Bergman of Shafter; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
GOOSSEN, ERNA, Reedley, Calif., was born Aug. 21, 1915, at Henderson, Neb., to John and Katie Janzen and died Aug. 29, 1999, at the age of 84. On June 3, 1934, she was married to William Goossen, who survives. She is also survived by two children, LeRoy and wife Diane and Barbara and husband Tom Bohn; one brother, Hank Janzen of Henderson, Neb., seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
HARTSO, MARTIN, of Lenoir, N.C., a pastor in the North Carolina District for 14 years, was born Sept. 22, 1931, at Sillivan W.V. to Mr. and Mrs. Wade Hartso, Jr., and died Aug. 21, 1999, at the age of 67. He most recently served as pastor of Darby MB Church in Ferguson, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, four sons and five daughters.
KREISS, ED, Visalia, Calif., was born Dec. 13, 1919, at Escondido, Calif., to Isaac and Jennie Kreiss and died Aug. 5, 1999, at the age of 79. On Feb. 7, 1945, he was married to June, who survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Pat and husband Sam Boon; one son, Tim and wife Abigail; two sisters,
Saranita VanMeter and Ruth Kreiss; one brother, Dave; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
LOEWEN, ELMER C., Peabody, Kan., was born Aug. 10, 1915, in Marion County, Kan., to Isaac L. and Agnes Cornelson Loewen and died March 3, 1999, at the age of 83. On June 5, 1941, he was married to Gladys Regier, who predeceased him Dec. 1, 1994. He is survived by one son, Richard of Peabody; three daughters, Judy and husband LeRoy Dick of Hampton, Neb., Janet and husband David Oursler and Jolene Entz all of Peabody; two sisters, 'Rubena Jost of Hillsboro, Kan., and Adena and husband Edwin Feil of San Diego, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and five step great-grandchildren.
NEUFELD, SARAH, Fresno, Calif., was born May 29, 1907 near Henderson, Neb., to Gerhard and Maria Wiens Kornelsen and died March 22, 1999, at the age of 91. In 1932, she was married to Harry Neufeld, who predeceased her in 1973. She is survived by her son Gordon and his wife Rose, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
PENNER, DIETRICH D., Fresno, Calif., of Bethany MB Church, was born Feb. 1, 1914, to Jacob and Susanna Penner in Commanche County, Kan., and died July 31, 1999, at the age of 85. On Oct. 29, 1933, he was married to Martha Harder, who survives. He is also survived by his 10 children, Melvin and wife Norma of Sterling, Colo., Ida and husband Orville Neufeld, of Monument, Colo., Frank and wife Ruth of San Jose, Calif., Clare Trammell of Fresno, Norma and husband Einard Koski of Modesto, Calif., Marilyn and husband Ken Schroeder of Madera, Calif., Don and wife Linda of Fresno, Dorothy and husband Ron Payne of Modesto, James and wife Dianne of Fresno and Edie and husband Brian Radte of Fresno; five sisters, Minnie Brown, Marie Bartel, Agatha Wohlgemuth, Esther Wichert and Evelyn Toews, one brother, Cornelius; 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
PENNER, WALTER A., Hillsboro, Kan., of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Dec. 11, 1911, to William and Martha Penner at McPherson, Kan.,
and died Aug. 20, 1999, at the age of 88. On Dec. 9, 1934, he was married to Lillian Cornelson, who predeceased him in 1988. On Oct. 1, 1988, he was married to Gertrude Munger, who predeceased him April 21, 1992. He is survived by his sister, Esther Unruh of Denver, Colo., one brother, Herbert and wife Jessie of Bakersfield, Calif.; four nephews and their families; two stepdaughters, Sue Branscome of Hutchinson, Kan., and Beverly and husband Norman Cunningham of Ponca City, Okla., a number of step-grandchildren and other nieces and nephews.
ROTH, RAY, of Farm Crest, Penn., formerly of Fresno, Calif., was born Jan. 28, 1912, at Shickley, Neb., to Peter and Barbara Springer Roth. On Feb. 14, 1943, he was married to Ruena Jantz, who predeceased him. He is survived by his two children, Lynn and wife Kathleen and Marcille and husband Mike, one sister, Ellen Clark and six grandchildren.
WARKENTIN, STANLEY, Reedley, Calif., was born April 20, 1934, to Aaron and Mary Warkentin at Kingsburg, Calif., and died Aug. 7, 1999, at the age of 65. On June 18, 1955, he was married to Doris, who survives. He is also survived by his sons, Don and wife Jeanette, Duane and wife Sharon, Jeff and wife Laura, and Karl and wife Stephanie; two brothers, Robert and wife Luella and Jim and wife Adena; one sister, Justina and husband Joe Glanzer and 12 grandchildren.
YOUNG, EDWARD R., Bakersfield, Calif., of Laurelglen Bible Church, was born Sept. 4, 1928, at Hollywood, Calif., and died Aug. 5, 1999, at the age of 70. On Sept. 12, 1950, he was married to Shirley Branson, who survives. He is also survived by his four daughters, Karen and husband Frank Brinkman of Gatlinburg, Ind., Lucia and husband Kevin Young of Cypress, Calif., Shelley and husband Steven Larsen of Portland, Ore., and Kristen and husband Matt Hilliard of Bakersfield, Calif., one sister, Rosemary and husband Ivan Harrison of Discovery Bay, Calif.; one brother, Robert E. Young of Bakersfield, Calif., and nine grandchildren .•
January 27th· February 6th, 2000
1011 Cathill Road
Sellersville, PA 18960
Clearinghouse
Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 40 cents per word, with a $15 minimum. Withhold payment until an invoice is received. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a no-cost ad. Contact the editor for more information.
EMPLOYMENT-CHURCH
Children's Ministry Pastor
Bakerview M.B. Church in Abbotsford is seeking a part-time Children's Ministry Pastor. This position would include leading and coordinating the Christian Education programs for children from birth through grade 6. Submit resume to or request an application from the Board of Children's Ministry, 2285 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 2X4 Canada; phone (604) 859-4611; fax (604) 859-4614; e-mail bakerview@rapidnet.net.
Custodial/Maintenance
Mennonite Brethren Church in Shafter, Calif., is accepting applications for a fulltime janitorial/maintenance person. Duties include janitorial, custodial and light maintenance. Benefits include medical, retirement and housing. Submit resumes to Trustees, PO 1538, Shafter, CA 93263; fax (661) 746-2969; phone (661) 746-4969.
Minister of Music
The Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church is seeking a part-time Minister of Music. This exciting ministry position functions as the Worship Leader and assumes a leadership role in the worship of God through music. The position allows for creative flexibility and is currently established for 10 hours per week. This growing church of 200 is located in a beautiful small community in Central California and has numerous established ministry programs. Please contact Stan Wiest, Chairman, Minister of Music Search Committee at (559) 591-0451 or send your resume to the Kingsburg MB Church, 1301 Stroud Avenue, Kingsburg, CA 93631. -
Youth and Discipleship Minister
Koerner Heights Church in Newton, Kansas, is seeking candidates for a full-time position in youth and discipleship ministries. Responsibilities focus on assimilation and will include developing effective youth leadership teams for an expanding ministry to youth, initiating adult small groups, and providing focus and coordination of ongoing discipleship programs. In the last year, the church has approached and plans to grow beyond its average attendance of 200. Send resumes to Search Committee, c/o Loren Zuercher, 320 N. Meridian, Newton, Kan. 67114, or call pastor Mark Isaac at (316) 283-5696; e-mail khc@southwind.net.
Counseling
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary invites applications for full-time faculty position in counseling. Completed doc-
Israel STUDY Tour
February 7-18, 2800
Co-hosted by Pastor Chuck Buller and Marvand Lela Penner
• Includes biblical Israel sights
• In Jordan, the highlight is Petra
• Amsterdam day visit includes Corrie Ten Boom and Anne Frank homes
• AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
(Optional 5-day Agriculture Extension Available)
For a tour brochure, send a stamped envelope to Lola Penner, 10911 Nevada Hanford, California 93230 or e-maillamp@lightspeed.net
Now is the time to .reserve your place!
HILLSBORO MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH IS
SEARCHING FOR A SENIOR
PASTOR
with leadership, teaching and preaching gifts for a nurturing congregation having:
• average weekly attendance of more than 500
• multiple pastoral staff
•a desire for transforming worship, local outreach & worldwide ministry
• opportunities with Tabor College
If prompted, send your resume to: Pastoral Search Committee Daryle Baltzer, chm. 104 S. Washington Hillsboro, KS 67063
torate, teaching and counseling experience preferred. Starting date either February or August 2000. Contact AcaEMPLOYMENT-EDUCATION
demic Dean, MBBS, 4824 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727 or e-mail mbseminary @aol.com .•
LET'S TALK ABouT IT
A GUIDE FOR GROUP INTERACTION
SESSION 1: To politic-or not?
Based on "To politic-or not?" page 4
GET READY-Getting started
• How do you feel about politics today?
GE:r SET-Examining the issues
1. Why is it important that a Christian's primary allegiance lie with God rather than the state or society?
2. According to Redekop, how can Christians positively influence the political arena?
3. What are some reasons that Wiens says should caution Christians today against serving in political positions?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. Do you think you should be active in the political arena? Why or why not?
2. How do you and your church practice the II crea tive politics of the Kingdom of God"?
SESSION 3: Praying for public officials
Based on "Praying for our leaders, " page 13, and "How do we pray for a president like that?" page 14
GET READY-Getting started
• Do you pray for our public officials? Why or why not?
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. In Lapp·s article, what does Scripture say about prayer and politics?
2. What are some things Lapp indicates that we should pray for when we pray for our public officials?
3. Should we pray in a partisan way?
4. What are some things Unruh notes that the Bible tells us to pray for concerning our leaders?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. What are some things that you will pray for when you pray for your local public officials? Members of state government? Members of the federal government? Members of other governments?
SESSION 2: Walking the halls of government
Based on "Walking the halls, " page 8
GET READY-Getting started
• How have you seen a public officiaPs faith affect his or her actions?
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. Did any of the answers given by those interviewed surprise you? Why?
2. How has the faith of those interviewed affected their actions in the halls of government?
3. What advice about politics did those interviewed give to Christians?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. In your own life, are you different from your colleagues or friends because you are a Christian? How?
2. How do you share your faith with those in your neighborhood or community?
3. In places where you have leadership responsibilities, how does your faith affect your actions?
SESSION 4: A celebrity in the Kingdom
Based on IIA celebrity in the Kingdom, " page 19
GET READY-Getting started
• Whom do you know that is a celebrity in the Kingdom of God?
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. What insights do Christians have when it comes to suffering and dying?
2. What significance does Psalms 23:4 have to Christians struggling with suffering or death?
3. According to Romans 12:1-2, how are we to live our lives?
GO--:"Applying ideas to the way we live
1. What are some ways you live your lIeveryday, ordinary life II so that you can be a testimony to Christ after you are gone?
3. How do you recognize what God wants from you? How do you usually respond?
2. What can you do to help others learn to live their lives as testimoni·es to Christ?
t1ENN RUNDSCHAU CANADIAN-CONFERENCE
3-169 RIVERTON AVE YINNIPEG MB CANADA R2L 2E5
She said yes
Cassie Bernall went to the Columbine High School library to study Shakespeare that day. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went to the library to kill. Witnesses say Cassie was praying as Harris and Klebold made their way through the library with their guns and bombs. Then one of them pointed a shotgun at Cassie.
"Do you believe in God?" he asked.
A pause.
"Yes," Cassie said.
The boy shot her point blank and killed her. She was 17 years old.
There are different versions of that story. Some say one of the boys asked if anyone believed in God, and Cassie stood up and said yes. Others say she added that her killer needed to believe in God, too.
But it really doesn't matter which version you take. It might not have mattered even what she said; she might have been killed anyway.
The point is, she said yes.
And that one word reverberated throughout the world. The media picked up on the story, and major newspapers carried headlines like "Girl's faith a beacon to those she left," "Martyr for her faith" and "A martyr is born."
Why does her utterance of that one word resonate so strongly, especially with Christians?
On a broader level, Cassie's death hit a chord that runs deep in our country's consciousness. We value the freedom to practice religion. We live in a country that has always allowed us to say yes to Christ without fear of imprisonment, exile or death. Cassie's death violated that. Her death was a stark reminder of martyrdom suffered by the early Christians and Anabaptists. Maybe Cassie wasn't specifically hunted down for her faith and beheaded or burned at the stake, but she was singled out, asked the question and died.
Her death also resonates with us because it brings us face to face with the existence and nature of evil. Harris and Klebold did not wake up one day after leading exemplary lives and decide to kill as many of their classmates as they could. There were many decisions that led to that day. Satan tempts each of us every day, and Harris and Klebold kept making decisions to follow the Deceiver rather than God.
What makes that strike home even stronger is Cassie's own short life. Just a few years before, she was headed down the same road as Harris and Klebold. In a recent "20/20" interview, Cassie's parents recounted how she began to withdraw from
their family, dabble in witchcraft and was fascinated with suicide. The most disturbing moment came when they discovered a notebook filled with words of hatred directed toward them and a sketch of two tombstones with their names-eerily similar to the diary found in the bedroom of one of the killers.
But Cassie got off that road. Her parents changed her school. Her mother quit her job so that she could take Cassie to school and pick her up. They forbade her to see her old friends or go anywhere except church. It was hard. They risked driving her away from them for good.
Then, after a trip to the mountains with a youtl? group, Cassie came home with bright eyes. She turned her life over to Christ. "I'm different," she declared, and her life afterward proved it.
That brings me to a deeper reason why Cassie's yes resonates so strongly with us.
We are reminded that it costs something to follow Jesus. Saying yes to Jesus is all consuming. It is total and life changing. Saying yes to Jesus means we give him our hearts, soul and mind-our very lives.
In the Western world, we forget that.
On a basic level, Cassie's death reminds us t:; that there may be a physical cost to following Jesus. Sure, professing Christ has caused me discomfort-even prejudice and ridicule-in work settings and with friends. But my life or family has never been threatened. I haven't had to flee l:: my home or country because of my faith. In u many other countries, this is not the case. Even our own Mennonite Brethren brothers and sisters face this threat. It physically costs them to believe.
But there is another cost-our daily life. The yes we give to Jesus is one that we give each day. Cassie said yes to Jesus many times before the day she said her final yes. Our yes to Jesus is one that requires a multitude of small decisions each day.
Those yeses are harder to say than the ones Harris and Klebold said to Satan. Satan's road is easier because it gives into our selfishness, anger, bitterness, loneliness and torment.
Jesus' road is harder because we must say yes to loving our enemy, forgiveness and suffering. We must say yes to feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. We must say with Jesus, "Yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42b). And we must do this every day.
Cassie's final yes is what made the headlines, but it was her yes to Jesus many times before that which resonates strongly in her final word.
What would you have said? What are you saying now? -CA
