In recognition of October as Clergy Appreciation month, this issue of the Leader focuses on pastors and congregations. The articles highlight two aspects of pastoral ministry-the rewarding relationship a leader can and should have with a congregation and the challenges that come with the pastorate, a career pollster George Barna has called the single most frustrating professional occupation in America.
Pastoral ministry today involves more than leading worship services and presiding over celebrations like weddings and baptisms . A recent Rutgers University study reveals that nearly 25 percent of clergy work 60 hours a week or more. An aging population means more people are living with long-term illnesses, requiring a greater demand for hospital and in-home visits. Stressful family situations like divorce and unemployment have created a greater demand for counseling services. Shrinking charitable funds have required clergy to spend more time in outreach and mission work. It is probably not surprising that most pastors surveyed in the Rutgers study said their greatest stress comes not from the work itself but from within themselves and their desire to help as many people as they can.
Statistics suggest that the number of individuals committed to pastoral ministry is decreasing. One Web site promoting Clergy Appreciation Month states that every 27 minutes a pastor leaves the ministry-that's 1,600 a month. The same site states that over the last two decades the vocational life of a pastor has decreased from 20 years to 14. In the face of the trend suggested by these figures, MB Biblical Seminary has embarked on a project that intends to increase the number of young adults who will consider a career in fulltime ministry. MBBS's Hear the Call program is grounded in the belief that the local church is where a leader is born and nurtured.
The local church should also be a place that nurtures the ministry, person and family of the experienced pastor. Several of the articles in this issue deal with this responsibility. In his article on combating stress, MBBS President Jim Holm helps us understand what happens to a pastor-or anyone for that matter-who does not care for his or her own spiritual health. MB pastors who attended the U.S. Conference convention this summer were asked in a Leader questionnaire to share their miniStry challenges Our hope is that their comments can help congregations to think creatively about ways to honor and appreciate our pastoral leaders .
This month brings a shift in our regular columns . A column written by leaders in our denomination will take the place of Chuck's Corner. Chuck Buller, the U.S Conference executive director, will coordinate the new column, called Conference Call. -CF
• OCT. 28-31, 2004-Centcal District Conference convention, Harvey, N.D .
God has entrusted us with the privilege of calling em erging leaders into
NEUFE LD
MB past o rs answer the question : If you could share w ith your congregation one o f the most
icult things about being a pastor, what would it be?
Here
Pastors'
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By John A. Esau
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We w ere driving fro m the local airport on a visit I made to a congreg ation earlier in the year The driver was a longtime committed and active member of his congregatio n . I know him as an honest, clear thinking and highly intui tive leader in that church
His words to me were strong, sharp like a twoedged sword and spoken out of careful observation and experience: "There is no church so bad that it will not benefit from a competent and spiritually healthy pastor ." He paused for a moment and then went on . there is no church so strong that it can withstand the destructive effects of a dysfunctional and incompetent pastor "
There was no need to tell any stories . No diagrams or pictures were added Painful as it was, I knew that his words were perceptive and true. Leadership is not the only issue in our time We have a crisis today with "followership." In our contemporary cynicism, drawn deeply from wells of our culture, we have made leadership a very difficult task. Levels of trust are low Where there is no followership, leadership is impossible , whether in politiCS, business or the church.
But having acknowledged that, it is still true that the single most significant fact in developing healthy, thriving congregations is a well -functiong, competent, spirit1\lally alive pastor who brings intelligence, personal \ sensitivity and energy to the tasks of ministry
Such a pastor can claim authority without becoming an authoritarian Such a pastor will live an incarnational presence with people who will know the pastor to be authentically human, even as the pastor lays claim to the church's office of ministry and the representational role all leadership embodies
I don't like theology formed by slogans They are usually half-truths, intended to elicit emotional rather than thoughtful responses . But some time ago a slogan on somebody's T-shirt caught my eye. It read, "Get it right or get left " That defines the reality of our age, in terms of vocational competence
Is pastoral ministry an impossible responsibility today? No . Hundreds of examples in our congregations
prove that persons can and do thrive in ministry. And when it is done well, the church responds accordingly. Serving in pastoral ministry can be a highly rewarding experience I like to think of it as a gift given to us by God and the church
If you seek to be involved with people in some of the most significant moments of their lives, literally from birth to death, pastoral ministry may be for you . If you love people of all ages as much as you love those your own age, pastoral ministry may be for you
If you seek variety and creativity in your vocation, pastoral ministry may be for you If you look for a calling that struggle!:' with ulti-
mate questions about the meaning of life, about the course of history and about eternal truth, pastoral ministry may be for you.
hIf you need challenges to lifelong learning and growth, pastoral ministry may be I for you. If you thrive on moving back and forth between Significant relations and M ideas and study, pastoral minIStry may be for you . rl
If you love to read and write and ill speak, pastoral ministry may be for you . If "hI!j you love people and are willing to stay in ' touch with their lives, if you love God and long to be in communion with the : Eternal One, pastoral ministry may be 1 for you It, ' (
John A. Esau of North Newton, 15
Minnesota and Kansas and has served as director of ministerial leadership services for the General Conference Mennonite Church, now known as Mennonite Church USA. Ibis article is from Congregations and Pastors ° 1999 by Faith & Life Press, Newton, KS 6 711 4 . Used by permission.
By John Neufeld
Leaders for tomorrow's churches
Our ability to discern leaders
I future of our church.
Ire we ready for the " r challenge?
The story is told of a young adult
who was aske d by an elder in the church, "So you are st ill teaching? When will you make the move and become our pastor?"
r I The reply came quickly, "When the church J asks me to make the change." Within the
year the junior high teacher was a pastor. The church asked him to make a change
:' As a church we are often surprised when people we thought might become pastors or I missionarie s pursue other vocational choices .
I We might even think it odd that someone so / s uited to a vocational ministry should choose '/ some other career. Ironically, we may at the I. same time be suspicious of those who have a sinI' ,W gle -minded pu"uit of ministry'" "".tional
.. .many churches have embraced the nation that leaders are made elsewhere and that we can go "shopping" to find the leader who is suitable to our context. But ideally, the process of producing leaders is less about shopping than it is about birthing. The church is the womb in which we grow leaders. The initiative and responsibility for calling persons into ministry should rest with the congregation.
choice. How do we balance the interest and initiative of the individuals with the call and challenge of the Christian community?
One of the most important decisions churches make is who will lead them. The quality of our discernment process directly affects the future of the church. As we bathe this process in prayer we find that God provides the leaders we need It is amazing that God has entrusted us with the privilege of calling emerging leaders into ministry and discipling them towards maturity.
Shopping for leaders
Sadly, many churches have embraced the notion that leaders are made elsewhere and that we can go "shopping" to find the leader who is suitable to our context. But ideally, the process of producing leaders is less about shopping than it is about birthing. The church is the womb in which we grow leaders. The initiative and responsibility for calling persons into ministry should rest with the congregation. This practice is called discernment. Those called into ministry have a corresponding responsibility to exercise their spiritual gifts for the building up of the church.
Reclaiming the role of the congregation as the discerning community that develops leaders requires that we carefully reflect on how individualistic we have become. We will have to turn and embrace a Gospel
that takes seriously the importance of the community of faith in shaping the ministry of individual believers. The question remains "Who will we follow? " Hopefully the answer is "Those we call among us."
Leaders come in many different shapes and sizes. When we have a shopping mentality, we pick leaders we like and the reasons for our choice are often superficial or obscure When we are committed to growing new leaders we must adjust our thinking in a number of ways. First, we shouldn't just look internally for people we "like" who can do the job. That is to choose from a very select group. Second, we must learn to recognize emerging gifts and abilities in people who may be very different from us in temperament and personal style. Third, we need to learn to recognize undeveloped leadership potential and nurture these people into mature leaders. To do this, we must remember who it is we want to lead us.
Calling is hard work
If the church is going to identify and nurture the next generation of pastors and congregational leaders, we need to embrace certain responsibilities.
• Church leaders will need to accept leadership development as a key function of their ministry.
• Congregations will need to intentionally engage in the discernment and development of spiritual giftedness.
• The local church will need to take the initiative in calling people to consider the challenge of Christian leadership and ministry vocations
• Individuals will need to be open to the church's guidance with respect to accepting leadership opportunities, including the call to pastoral ministry.
We must not underestimate how difficult it is to embrace these responsibilities Even when we embrace this vision for leadership development, we will sometimes find it uncomfortable It will need to be intentional.
Biblical stories
Consider the biblical stories of people being called into ministry. How do these stories shape our thinking and practice?
We see that many leaders are called by the community and have no "dramatic" call. Timothy is an example. However these leaders all have a conviction that they are called and they must be obedient.
We see that when God dramatically calls an individual it is often an unexpected, surprising and sometimes unwelcome event that changes the course of the person's life Examples include Moses, Mary and Paul. To desire or prefer God's dramatic intervention in our deci -
sion-making process is also to reject our responsibility to be discerning people.
We see that leaders grow and change . Examples are Josiah , David and Peter, who started immature and increased in their maturity
Communities always shape their leaders. A strong theme in Scripture is the interaction of God's people and their leaders. Examples here include Joshua and Nehemiah In a very real way, the people of God have always had to discover and recognize their leaders before they could follow them.
Blessing others with our surplus
One indicator of health and vitality in a congregation is to observe how many leaders are produced. The church must, of course , develop men and women to meet internal leadership needs. Churches that do this well are positioned to be sending or reproducing churches. Out of their surplus leadership, they will be able to bless and send gifted and maturing leaders to benefit others.
Too often the church has waited for leaders to show themselves and then embraced them. The downside of this approach is that an individual's sensitivity and obedience to the Holy Spirit is the hinge on which leadership
development turns In some cases self-selecting leaders may approach ministry with inappropriate motivations or with a poorly developed character and skills Not surprisingly, these leaders often do not last.
Alternatively, the church looks for leaders to address a point of need . Unfortunately, need -driven recruitment usually results in a game of musical chairs where leaders are well shuffled but few new leaders are developed These trends frequently result in a shortage of suitable leadership in the church.
For the church to truly fulfill its purpose, we must seize the truth that God has called us to pray to the Lord of the harvest for workers . Then we will need to become attentive to the work that God has given to the church in developing and calling people into ministry.
John Neufeld is director of Hearing the Call and Ministry Quest, initiatives of MB Biblical Seminary designed to help young adults consider the call to full-time ministry and to help Mennonite Brethren congregations and ministries work with these young men and women in that process This article is an excerpt from Finding Leaders for Tomorrow ' s Churches: Discernment Resources for Churches published by Kindred Productions.
Navigating the discerning process
• WHAT A congregation 's belief about calling people into ministry will determine what that church is willing-or not willing- to do Our convictions about the balance of personal initiative and congregational initiative will greatly affect how our church discerns and empowers emerging leaders Exploring these convictions is essential to creating a climate for calling people into ministry vocations
• WHO
1\vo "who" questions must be asked First , "Who does the work of calling people into ministry? " The second question is , ''Who do we call?" or "Who are we looking for? " The answer to the first question is that church leadership must cultivate both a climate and process for calling and sending. The answer to the second question
involves identifying people who s how leadership potential and are teachable A list of age appropriate leadership qualities that help answer the "who " question is included in Finding Leaders for Tomorrow 's Churches: Discernment Resources for Churches published by Kindred Productions
• WHEN
There is always a tendency to be needdriven in our leadership development. While it is important to respond promptly to needs , it is preferable to anticipate and prepare for future needs Leadership development must be a proactive initiative that is worked at continuously
• WHY
The most compelling answer to the "why " ques tion is Jesus ' command , "Pray
therefore , the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest , for the harvest is plentiful , but the workers are few. " Prayer is always the beginning and end of our work but never our only work. As a church we playa central role in the future of God ' s plan by calling people to respond to God 's invitation to join the harvest. The need for more pastors , missionaries and leaders will increase as our vision of God ' s harvest grows.
• HOW
The process a congregation uses to call leaders should be thoughtfully and intentionally adapted to the local context and be bathed in prayer. Resources are available to help guide that process from MB Biblical Seminary 's Hearing the Call initiative .-JN
Improving our "THANK YOU II
This mo nt h many congregations will participate in Pastor Appre ci ation Month, an effort championed by James Dobson of Focus on the Family Most congregations will express appreciation in word--cards and letters of a pp rec iation as well as spoken words shared privately and/or publicly- and in deed- gift certificates, baked goods, cash, donation of labor for home projects , anniversary cruises, etc .
There are other ways- intangible ways-a congregation can exp ress its appreciation to pastoral staff members for their leadership One avenue is to strive as a congregation to better realize the unique ups and downs that come with pastoral ministry and to address those issues To help us think along those lin e s , the Leader invited pastors attending the 2004 U S Conference convention to share their answers to this question :
"If you could share with your congregation one of the most difficult things about being a pastor, what would it
be?" We organized their answers into several categories, summarized their written replies and included some direct comments to illustrate th e point.
Dealing w ith p eople
It seems that people are both a bane and a blessing among pastors "Loving people like Jesus did, " is how one pastor describes this challenge.
"There are so many opinions , likes and desires and pastors have to try to please everyone," writes one pastor "A pastor desires to please God and to do what he believes God has called him to do "
Another pastor writes of having "multiple bosses." This pastor says, "People think they can tell you what to do because they are part of the congregation."
Some pastors note specific challenges, including dealing with conflicts centered on a previous pastor and dealing with the needs of individuals who retain their membership but wh o attend church elsewhere .
Focus on the family Thank your pastor by appreciating his children
CONSIDER A FRESH APPROACH TO Clergy AppreCiation Month this year by focusing on the children in your pastor's family. An indirect means of communication will be just as effective as words or tokens of appreciation directed to the pastor personally- maybe even more so Here are a few suggestions.
• Write individual notes to each child. Be personal. Let the children know you appreciate the times they have made sacrifices. Write about a time when pastoral duties required the family to cancel a planned outing. Perhaps your emergency surgery or another crisis prevented Dad from attending a Little League game or school play.
Note their accomplishments . If a pastor ' s child has taken part in a recent church program , now would be a good time to commend the effort. Maybe a child
does a good job of taking telephone messages or always has a friendly smile Try to make the children feel good about being part of the pastoral family.
• Back up your words . Tangible evidence of your appreciation will make an even stronger point. Unless you know the children well , money will probably be preferable to gifts . Gift certificates from a favorite store would also be welcome . Present the money or gift certificate in a creative manner For instance , write out Scripture verses , clever sayings or even jokes on separate pieces of colored paper Roll each one into a scroll and tie with gold ribbon. Address the scrolls to the children and into one of each child ' s notes roll the money or gift certificate Place the scrolls in a jar or box Tell the children they ' ll each find a surprise in one of the s crolls .
• Make it a party. Invite all children of the pastoral s taff to a party.
Make it a special dress -up affair and plan the program to emphasize the value of the childre n to the church . Or use a more casual approach . Try lunch at McDonald ' s and a trip to the zoo or pack bag lunches and go on a hayride. Your own creative ideas will make children feel special.
• Coordinate with others. If several children are involved , you might want to coordinate your appreciation activitie s. Each individual or small group could adopt one child Coordinating with other individuals will be especially important if you have several pastors on staff. Unless children of each pastor are treated the same , those who are left out may feel unloved
Esther M Bailey is a freelance writer living in Phoenix, Ariz
Change
Pastors "walk a tight rope, " says one "You are pulle d in two directions by those who want change and those who oppose change You want to change enough to meet the needs of those who want change but not change so much that those who don't want to change are upset. There is always a small handful, less than 10 percent, who shake the rope hoping you ' ll fall off."
Another pastor note s the challenge of working with a congregation that has ceased to grow but whose members are unable or unwilling to change Work load
"The mission and work of the church are far beyond a pastor's resources of time , energy and giftedness, " says one pastor. "We simply cannot be all things to all people It is difficult but essential that we set boundaries."
Pastors refer to the amount of responsibility they shoulder and the unrealistic expectations of their congregations One pastor notes that time management is a challenge
Leadership
Pastors note the challenge of casting and setting vision One suggests that congregations create a church governance structure that frees the pastor to lead
Compensation
Adequate compensation packages concern pastors
One pastor suggests that local churches and denominational ministries follow the example of the business and academic world by honoring a pastor by offering compensation (salary) as well as vacation/sabbaticals according to years of service .
Several pastors offered suggestions for how to help pastors address some of these concerns "Pastoral
care goes both ways," wrote one pastor One person noted that sometimes congregations forget to include youth pastors in appreciation activities. Another says that sometimes church members don ' t recognize that pastoral families have needs during times of criSiS, such as the death of a parent or sudden illness in their immediate family.
"Create ways to give us a break, " suggests one pastor. Other suggestions include encouraging a pastoral family by spending time with them . Possible activities include going out for coffee, a Coke, ice cream, pizza or dinner; and inviting the pastoral family for a meal, to a movie, on a trip to the lake or for a walk. "Do not forget them during the holidays," wrote one pastor "It can be a lonely time for them "
Retreat targets pastors' wives A nurturing weekend with God is retreat goal
Pastor ' s wives are invited to enjoy some rest and relaxation this winter when R & R Retreats , a ministry of Belleview Community Church in littleton , Colo ., hosts its first event aimed specifically at pastor ' s wives The retreat is scheduled for Jan 2123 at "The Hideaway " Christian Ministry Centre in Colorado Springs . "We want to encourage these women in their role ," says Diane Andrews , R & R founder and director "We want to give them a weekend to be with God. Many times a pastor ' s wife is busy serving God , but that isn't the same as nurturing your relationship with God ."
1\vo of the three resource speakers will be Andrews , a pastor ' s wife herself for eight years , and Tonya Blessing, a former pastoral staff member from the Denver area who with her husband has established a ministry to pastors. The third speaker has not been confirmed. A priority during the leisurely weekend will be to give participants an opportunity to rest , says Andrews.
The retreat is limited to 30 women , and Andrews anticipates that participants will not all come with the same agenda . But pastors ' wives also share common concerns and experiences. living with criticism and
high expectations top Andrews ' list. big one is seeking quality friendships ," says Andrews A pastor ' s wife is "there for everyone " so finding women with whom a pastor ' s wife feels she can safely share her concerns is difficult and often takes time , says Andrews Balancing home and church , developing a true partnership with her hu sband and fulfilling her own dreams and calling are other common issues. For many pastors' wives the timing of their call to ministry affects how equipped they are to face these challenges. Some women and their husbands talked about ministry issues while they
dated while other couples were called to ministry after marriage
The purpose of R & R Retreats is to "provide an opportunity for women to find rest and renewal through intimate Christ-centered retreats that are tailored to their individual circumstances ." R & R ministers under the umbrella of the Belleview church and is led by a board currendy consisting of Andrews and Belleview members Kim Kvaal , Adele Funk, Kara Moore and Mischelle Gottsch. Individuals interested in attending the January retreat can contact Andrews at 303-9082275.
I am not an expert on that fatigue syndrome we call "burnou t." I am not a therapist or medical doctor who understa nds its causes and cures A search for Web sites that contain the single word "burnout" gives several hundred thousand sites. I can find articles on the causes, symptoms and cures of burnout-for doctors, for businesspersons, for pastors and for ordinary folks. I cannot add any fantastic insights to those already contained on the World Wide Web .
So I won't review all the causes, symptoms and remedies for burnout. Instead I want to tell you something about our God, because burnout can be a doorway to a deeper spirituality and knowledge of and intimacy with our heavenly Father. Burnout can be a good thing That's exactly what God means when he says, "(I) work all things together for the good of those who love me, who are called according to (my) purpose"(Rom . 8 :28, paraphrased).
Burned out
I can write about the goodness of our God in burnout because I've experienced it. And it changed my life. Let me fill in a few of the details so you understand what I mean. I graduated from MB Biblical Seminary in 1975 and went into pastoral ministry. I was a senior pastor, and I was only 25 years old . For the next 23 years, in two congregations, I worked faithfully at the task of church leadership I did some things right and some things wrong
The Lord and the congregations involved will have to judge the success of those ministries . But I know this: For those 23 years of ministry I did not unde rstand how to do self-care or personal soul care I ministered to others, but I
By Jim Ho I m
didn't take time to refresh my own spirit. At the end of 22 years of pastoral experience I wanted out. It took another year to actually leave, but when I walked away from pastoral ministry in 1997 I knew that I did not want to be a pastor again for a long time, maybe never. I had had enough
This is not a reflection on the people of the churches in which I served or the way in which they responded to me. People are people-and in every place a person in leadership will find people who support them and people who don't. The problem was in me-I didn't have energy to continue . I've always been reluctant to use the word to describe myself, but I was burned out.
Lofty goals and good intentions
According to New York psychologist Herbert Fruedenberger, burnout is "a state of fatigue or frustration brought about by a devotion to a cause, a way of life or a relationship that failed to produce the expected reward " Since my experience is as a pastor, that is what I read into the definition . But you can apply it to your own experience . As pastors, we are devoted to a cause, but that cause is often frustrated by the failure of those with whom we work to grab our passion or to share our commitment. As pastors we seek a certain way of life , but we know of our own failures to live all that we profess . Many times we stand in the pulpit preaching more to ourselves than to our listeners. Finally, as pastors we experience relationships that fail to produce the expected reward We invest in people , in their troubles and problems We think we are helping yet sometimes there is no perceived change, no payoff on our investment. This is true for pastors and also for farmers,
business people, doctors and teachers, for married and for single people. Probably no one is immune
Ironically, burnout comes from good intentions. We have lofty goals and we want to reach them. Burnout usually doesn't happen to lazy people. It hits those who work hard, who give their best and who push themselves to the limit and beyond . Burnout begins slowly and creeps up on a person Often it is associated with physical exhaustion and feelings of alienation, cynicism or negativism toward the people or situations with which one works
One Web site says there are three issues associated with burnout. First is role conflict, where one feels pulled in many directions and tries to do everything they think they should without setting priorities . Second is role ambiguity in which one does not know what is expected of them. They know they are to be good at what they do but they don't know for sure how to do that. Third is role overload, when a person cannot say "no " and keeps on taking more and more responsibility until they finally bum out. (See www.fmLuni-passau .delworterklaerungen;burnout.html )
The medical and psychological prescriptions for burnout generally include a list of the things you would expect. Learn to set a few short-term and long-range goals and to focus on them . Get more exercise and eat right. Share your feelings of frustration with a friend. Learn to say "no," learn to delegate, learn to laugh at yourself and at the situation Most important is to answer the question, "What do I want out of life?" and to focus on reaching that goal. There are lots of resources for learning more about burnout. For an article on clergy burnout, check www.churchlink com.au/churchlinklforumlr croucherlstr ess burnout.html.
A burned out prophet
What I want to bring to you is something about God, about what he does to and for his burned out servants. The text is 1 Kings 19, the story of Elijah's desire to die Elijah had just come off the mountaintop after one of the most spectacular events in all of Scripture. Facing off against hundreds of false prophets, Elijah had prevailed upon the living God to send down fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice soaked with 12 barrels of water. God responded with a fire so intense that it burned the sacrifice, melted the altar stones and evaporated the water that had run off the sides . Witnessing this extraordinary event, the people of Israel had immediately- and not surprisingly--declared their devotion to the Lord God . Not only that, but that very evening God sent rain on the land, the first rainfall in over three years. Elijah must have been elated
. The next day, however, was not so rosy. The Queen of Israel, wicked Jezebel, put out a contract on Elijah's life . And he ran . He ran more than 70 miles, until he could run no farther There he collapsed in a heapburned out. Consider Elijah's dilemma with me.
For Elijah, burnout came when things were going well He had just been through the most amazing experience of his life. In fact witnessing that awesome display might be good for several lifetimes . But one of the dangers when things are going well is that we relax our guard. In the midst of success, we often stop working on those things that build the inner life, that sustain the soul. In ministry we give our attention to the public acclaim, to the victories being won, to the good work we are doing. That is a time when burnout can begin We neglect soul care for success
In addition, I think Elijah was suffering from unfulfilled expectations After the people publicly pledged their allegiance to God and after God rewarded that pledge with the first rain in 42 months, Elijah may have thought that everything would be wonderful. People would fall before God, confess their sins and tum forever to the right way: But Jezebel had no intention of repenting. In fact, she never even considered repentance . Revenge was her intention, and Elijah knew she had the means to carry it out. He wouldn't have been the first person she had killed for her own purposes.
Perhaps most important, Elijah was concentrating on his circumstances instead of on his Lord . Elijah had been swept up by the difficulties of the moment, and he lost sight of God He could not see that God might be able to keep working, even through the burnout.
Running away
So how did Elijah respond? He ran That's often a
first response to burnout. Whether in pastoral ministry or some other work, we run Some run to another church or another job Some run to computer games and surfing the Internet Some run to pornography, some run into the arms of another person and some run to self-pity. Some run to other things . You've heard the phrase, "When the going gets tough, the tough go ... " - fill in your own answer We all have one.
But running didn't work for Elijah He couldn ' t run far enough or fast enough to escape the one pervasive feeling that possessed him- the hopeless feeling that there was nothing he could do to escape this problem . There really was no way out. Jezebel would find him wherever he went. For the rest of his life he would have to look over his shoulder In every crowd he would have to be vigilant. He could never sleep a restful night again She would get him He knew it.
Elijah's predicament sounds terrible. The biblical story, however, is not about Elijah . It is a story about God. Ultimately burnout does not have to be about us-it is about God. God did several things for Elijah-wonderful things. And without hesitation I say that this God is still the same and still does wonderful things God's care
First, God let Elijah rest. There have to be times of rest in any life and in any miniStry. God knew and Elijah didn't. So God let him rest-what a gift. Whether you are burned out now or trying to avoid it, one of the most important things to remember is to rest. Leam the discipline of the Sabbath God intends that once every seven days we take a break from our work, even if that work is ministry. Our bodies are designed with a seven-day rhythm We must have a Sabbath That is how we were made
Second, God confronted Elijah with himself, with Elijah . When we take time to rest, we begin to think and we hear God say, ''What are you doing here?" That's what he said to Elijah- twice Our God is such a gracious God He frequendy wants to confront us with ourselves so we see who we are, what we are doing and what he wants us to leam . But because he is gende, he doesn't force his way into our lives He waits to be invited In these times of rest we can invite him in, and he will help us look at who we are, who we have become and who he wants us to be
Third, God gave Elijah a fresh word from God God put on a special display, just for his prophet-a mighty wind, a terrifying earthquake and an awesome fire. Then God spoke in a quiet voice When you and I rest and let God tum the searchlight of his Spirit on us, we will hear his voice . Perhaps we will not hear an audible sound, but we will know that God is speaking to us .
Finally, God gave Elijah fresh energy for his assign -
ment. God says, "Go back the way you came. Do it again You are not alone I am with you In fact, I have 7,000 prophets trying to do the same thing you are doing " I am moved by God's words. Go back to ministry, he says. Go back to your job . You are not alone . I will bring others alongside to work with you
I'm no expert on burnout. But I've come to know the graciousness of our wonderful God After I left pastoral ministry, the Mennonite Brethren seminary invited me to assume an administrative position and serve as an instructor. Being at the seminary proved to be what I call a "Psalm 23" experience It was green pastures, still waters and a quiet restoring of my soul. God led me to a series of books that helped me understand who God is and how he works God led me to a deeper understanding of spirituality and the practice of certain spiritual disciplines . God led me through burnout to himself I can testify there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope on the other side of burnout. I am absolutely convinced that if we take time to meet God, to wait for him, to rest in him and to open ourselves in him, he will speak to us, he will refresh us and he will come to us That is his nature. He cannot be any other way.
After his 70-mile run, his rest, his new awareness of himself and his fresh encounter with God, Elijah left his lonely place to go back to the world of his ministry Wh e n he ran away, he thought he was alone When he went back, he knew that God had more than 7,000 prophets God had 7,OOO--and one
Jim Holm was inaugurated April 25, 2004 as MB Biblical Seminary 's seventh president. He and his wife Shirley live in Fresno, Calif.
• By ovtn m
I LOOK FORWARD TO OCTOBER. IN FACT, sometimes in the middle of summer, knowing October is coming helps me hold on to a positive attitude. I'm not talking about anticipating cooler weather, the harvest or the World Series . I'm talking about Pastor Appreciation Month.
I know, or at least I hope, that my congregation appreciates me year round, but there is something about being intentionally told and shown that appreciation that I look forward to. I'm not writing today, though, to encourage congregations to appreciate their pastors . I'm writing to encourage pastors to appreciate their congregations and members of congregations to appreciate each other.
In January, as I was preparing to begin a sermon series in Colossians, Col. 1:3-4 jumped out at me. "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints " Paul was thankful for and appreciated the faith and love that the Colossian believers, who he had never met, had for Christ and for others. A quick search of Scriptures reveals that Paul was also thankful for the faith, love and partnership of believers in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi and Thessalonica (Rom 1:8; 1 Cor 1:4; Eph. 1 : 15-16; Phil. 1 :3-5; 1 Thess. 1:2 and 2 Thess 1:3) Not only did Paul share with God of his thanks for these believers, it was also important that the people themselves knew Paul was thankful for them. Discovering this prompted two questions in my mind. Am I thankful for the congregation God has given me? Do they know it?
I did some soul searching on the first question. There were many people for whom a ready "Yes, I am thankful for them" came to mind. But there were a few for whom a "yes" answer was harder to come by After a few days interacting with God, God brought me to the place where I could say, "Yes , Lord, I am thankful for each and every person in the congregation you have entrusted to me ." This broUght me to the second question .
D a v i d Prince
A pastor's se rmon preparation prompts his desire to show appreciation for his congregation
Does my congregation know that I am thankful for them, that I appreciate their faith and love? Unfortunately the answer was probably not. The solution God led me to was "Congregation Appreciation Month " I chose February for this celebration , in part because it fit with the timing of the Colossians 1 passage and in part because February marked the two-year anniversary of our ministry at the church . I introduced Congregation Appreciation Month February 8 and spoke from Col. 1:3-8. At the close of the message, I told the congregation that I thanked God for them, for their faith in Christ Jesus and for the love they have for me, my family, each other and others I said I was thankful for their hard work for the kingdom and for their' giving to support the proclamation of the Gospel at home and abroad. I thanked all that were growing in God's Word, all who shared their faith with others and all who served in the various ministries of the church . I challenged them to find reasons to be thankful for and appreCiative of each other in Christ.
On the second Sunday of the month, the day after Valentine's Day, I gave a flower to every woman and a chocolate to every man and child The third Sunday of the month everyone was invited to the parsonage after church for a "Congregation Appreciation!fwo-Year Anniversary Open House " On the last Sunday of the month I concluded by verbally affirming how I appreciated being their pastor. I thanked them for being a congregation that loves and serves Jesus Christ.
I don't know when God will lead me to have another Congregation Appreciation Month or Day But I hope that as members of my congregation were appreciated, they were in turn more appreciative of each other. And I do know that serving the Lord is a whole lot more fulfilling with a thankful, appreciative heart than with a critical, complaining one.
David Prince is pastor of Harvey (ND) MB Church. He and his wife Linda have two sons
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BY PHILIP WIEBE
Learning from Google
How the church can offer spiritual seekers simple "search boxes"
I TEND TO THINK OF THE BOX AS A bad thing. Not a literal box, which works pretty well for storing stuff, but the metaphorical box Most of us try to stay away from that. You know, don ' t box people in, don't put God in a box and all that.
I read an article about another kind of box, though, that got me thinking about its uses beyond moving and storage. The article was about the Google box, which is the most popular search method on the Internet. For those not connected to the web (and may you be blessed, because contrary to popular belief, you can get along without it) the Google box is something you type a word or subject in, and your computer screen will list hundreds of links to corresponding Web sites It's a useful tool. Even though I'm not much of a Net surfer (working on a computer all day inspires me to avoid the thing nights and weekends) I use Google all the time for my informational needs
The article was in a journal at my office about the use of technology in libraries and archives The author complained that librarians have been too reliant on the card catalog search method, which was transferred pretty much wholesale to computers from the old card drawers that used to be in libraries . Apparently as tech-types in the library and archive biz have been promoting more contemporary search methods, a saying has been going around that "only librarians like to search; everyone else likes to find ." It's a bit of a dig against those who are hung up on old ways in a new informational world
"Google has taught us, quite powerfully, " the article said, "that the user just wants a search box . Arguments as to whether or not this is 'best' for the user
are moot-it doesn't matter if it's best if nobody uses it."
I think today's church can learn something from that. We often make things too complicated for seekers An entire catalog of spiritual information tends to get dumped on newcomers, and we kind of leave it up to them to sort it out. But all spiritual seekers really want to start with are some simple search boxes . In the church, this can be accomplished in several ways
First, we need to point people to Jesus. This may seem obvious, but it's not exactly news that Christians can get wrapped up in various sidelines that don't necessarily focus on the church's central mission of knowing Jesus and making him known.
InJohn 1, when Philip told Nathanael the one had come whom Moses and the prophets had written about, Nathanael was skeptical. But instead of listing all the reasons to believe, Philip simply said, "Come and see " (v 46). That's a good place for anyone to start the search
Second , we need to pursue authentic worship. Churchgoers can get so involved in discussions about worship styles, they forget that God isn't interested in style as much as substance By that I mean the substance of our hearts and minds as we look toward him.
Certainly we need to put thOUght into worship style (or perhaps a better term is "presentation") in order to connect with our congregational makeup and those to which we're outreaching . But a far more effective search box for newcomers than any particular style is the genuineness and enthusiasm with which churchgoers worship God When the true desire to know and love him is evident , that is intriguing to onlookers .
Third, we need to provide places for real relational connections In our church's leadership team we've talked about how most people need to "belong" before they "believe " But Christians have tended to stress the opposite "When you believe like us, then you'll really belong." No wonder so many have come and gone .
People are looking for genuine relational connections rather than organizational affiliations When churches provide newcomers with opportunities for these connections, the "search and find" process becomes easier.
Fourth, we need to offer practical Bible teaching. I think one of the shortcomings of the seeker movement was that it backed off too much from giving biblical input into the lives of spiritual searchers . We didn't want to offend people or risk chasing them off with God's often demanding instructions and expectations for us
We should never be shy or embarrassed about preaching and teaching God ' s Word . However, the instruction should always be as practical and doable as possible, according to a person's stage of spiritual development. While we don't want newcomers following a "whatever" kind of spirituality, they also shouldn ' t get too much dumped on them too soon . In my work-related article, the author cautioned against keeping the public from public information by means of complicated search tools . It's a valid warning for the church, too, in our quest to get people acqu ainted with Jesus Just as Google provides an easy Internet search box to help users find information, churches need to provide simple entry points into faith knowledge, just as Jesus did
INQUIRING MINDS
BY MARVIN HEIN
Questions about faith Be life
Learning to read Plautdietsch, the everyday language of early Mennonites
QI can speak and read English, speak and read German and also speak Plautdietsch-but I cannot read it. Where does one learn the orthography of Plautdietsch? (Kansas)
AThis inquiry came as a result of the article in the July issue of the Leader on the translation of the Bible into Low German . For some younger readers I need to say that Low German or Plautdietsch was the common language of many of our grandparents. To those who spoke only "real" or High German, Low German was considered a corrupt language . In some homes Plautdietsch was forbidden . It is the language of the street. In this language you can describe some things so colorfully that it would be taboo in High German . In my childhood Plautdietsch was the language commonly spoken at home or on the street. It was considered too coarse to be used in prayer or in church. So we heard Low German at home and only High German at church. We had a "church language" and an everyday language. You could go to school to learn High German, which I did at age five for one summer, but there was no school for Plautdietsch
When I was a young boy and lived on the same quarter section of land as my grandparents, my Grandma Hein would talk to me in Low German and I would respond in English I could understand her Plautdietsch . I couldn't speak it. I can still understand it, but I lack the vocabulary to speak it. The inquirer's
Low German or Plautdietsch was the common language of many of our grandparents. To those who spoke only "real" or High German, Low German was considered a corrupt language. In some homes
Plautdietsch
was forbidden.
problem is that she does not know how to write Low German although she speaks it and she has a renewed interest in Plautdietsch.
A visit on the Internet reveals 19,000 people in Paraguay for whom Plautdietsch is their first language, 10,000 in the U S , 6,000 in Brazil, possibly 90,000 in Germany, 40,000 in Mexico and 100,000 in Russia, although this figure is likely much less now due to migration .
The decline in spoken Low German has broUght about an unexpected interest in it as a literary vehicle Many culturally assimilated North Americans now see Plautdietsch nostalgically as an artistic doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? E-mail Marvin at mheinl @fresno edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, " c/o Marvin Hein, 3036 East Magill Avenue, Fresno , CA 93 710
repository for ethnic experiences they can only cherish through memory. So there are Low German writers, particularly in Canada, who have produced comic novels, stories and plays This in tum has led to the production of Low German dictionaries This new orthography, more phonetic and slightly anglicized, can be found on the Internet by going to Google and typing in "Plautdietsch ."
The Bible has been produced in Low German and one can go to the Internet and read in Plautdietsch not only the entire Bible but also examples such as parables or stories Jesus told . Moreover, on the Internet you will find a resource that gives every known Low German word and then translates that word into English I almost didn't want to go to bed the night I found all these resources
For those who do not use a computer, there are books available . Two of the best, I am told , are Jack Thiessen's Mennonite Low German Dictionary/Mennonitsch-Plautdietsches Woerterbuch, published by Madison : Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies, 2003, and Reuben Epp's The Spelling of Low German and Plautdietsch: Towards an Official Plautdietsch Orthography published by Reader 's Press of Hillsboro, Kan. , 1996 . Kindred Productions also recommends Herman Rempel's Kjenn Jie Noch Plautdietsch? (Do You StilllVlow Low German?) and a Low German primer, Wie Reden un Lesen Plautdietsch," (We Speak and Read Low German) .
Now this must be far more than the inquirer wanted to know But go to it, all you seekers of knowledge You could just wind up being an expert among very few in the world!
"PARFUMA, PARFUMA, PARFUMA," the poverty stricken elderly woman exclaimed as she cradled a bottle of perfume to her breast, her body slowly swaying to the cadence of her words . It was obvious she had found a treasure .
Another woman found a beautiful, new lady's purse She came over to me and showed me how the zippered pocket on the outside of the handbag would be the perfect place for her Bible .
I was in the Mexican border town of Reynosa with 10 women from our church. We were there on a mission trip to one of the colonias. Our mission was to be the "hands of Jesus" to the poor who live there. A colonia is an area of land (often in a floodplain) which the local government officials have set aside for the poor who have no place else to go People without any other resources can apply for smalllots-21 feet by 51 feet-on which to live . The homes they build are often small one-room shacks constructed with salvaged materials such as wooden pallets and anything else they can find
On this trip we brought many items with us--clothes, shoes, blankets, house wares, baby articles and personal hygiene products-and distributed these goods to the people in the colonia. A small church served as our operations' base. We called our project a 'tienda' (Spanish for store), but the locals referred to it as the "gringo's flea market." Our goods were marked with numbers from one to five. Each family was given 10 coupons with which to "purchase" items of their choice . This system worked well . We also gave each family some beans, rice and a bar of soap
In spite of 95-degree temperatures and humidity just as high , we didn't have any trouble "selling" our blankets . In
For myself, I continue to work through the issue ofpoverty and what my response should be ....
fact, they were among the first items to go. For the record, it gets cold in Mexico at night in the fall and winter months and blankets are a necessity
At one point a woman carrying a small baby came and asked if she could have two corrugated cardboard trays (the kind that holds 24 cans of vegetables) which we had discarded. She put them together on a chair and then laid her baby in this makeshift bed. When I discussed this with one of the missionaries, she told me that the women are so poor that most have no beds or carriers of any kind for their babies They either carry the babies around in their arms or lay them on the ground. At night the babies sleep with their mothers, usually on a mattress on the dirt floor
Our group was so disturbed by this that we have enlisted others to help us and now we are busy making baby bassinets to take down on future mission trips We are using the six-inch flat Rubbermaid storage cases and are making small foam mattresses to fit them Hopefully, this will provide a safe and clean alternative for new mothers and their babies
. For us, some of the women in the colonia now have faces and names we recognize These women smile, laugh and cry just like we do . They want what is best for their children just like we do
Some of us were privileged to visit a few shacks and saw the extreme poverty firsthand It was hard for us to deal with this "I will never complain again about what I don't have," one of our women exclaimed . Another woman expressed her guilt that we had an air-conditioned house to come back to at night while people in the colonia sweltered in the heat. A school teacher in our group said, "I thought I had seen poverty in our town, but I've never seen anything like this before." We came back processing what we had seen and experienced Visiting an area such as this is a life-changing event.
For myself, I continue to work through the issue of poverty and what my response should be. I've decided I can't change what has happened in the past but I can change what I do now and in the future. Instead of feeling guilty, I'm taking action. For the past several years I've been working on de-cluttering my house and getting rid of unused items When I look at some of the stuff I have purchased in the past I can't help but wonder, "What in the world were you thinking when you bought that!" My shopping habits have changed. Oh, I still go shopping but it's now primarily for what I need Window shopping is no longer a recreational activity for me. Instead, I look for clearance sales to find items that can be used in future tienda. Some recent finds include children's shoes at $1.24 a pair, 100-tablet bottles of aspirin for $0 39 and room fans at $3 74 each. Now that's a lot of fun!
The Apostle Paul said it so well "I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need , and I know what it is to have plenty .1 can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Phil. 4 :11 -13) That's what I'm working on.
BY DON MORRIS
No peace fighting the Lord's call
Mission USA director Don Morris shares his story
SO WHO IN THE WORLD IS DON
Morris? Where did he come from? And just how did he get connected to Mennonite Brethren in the first place? Good questions and some that I've even asked myselft In the somewhat famous words of a famous actor whose name I don't remember, me to introduce myself."
I hail from God's chosen land of western Kansas. I grew up on the family farm west of Ulysses I can remember shoveling mud from an early age as we irrigate extensively in that part of the world just to raise a crop . I grew up attending the United Methodist Church with my parents. My parents were very strong in their faith and it was through them that I learned of my own personal need for a Savior. So at the age of nine, at a Ford Philpot Evangelistic Crusade held in Ulysses in December 1965, I trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.
It was in college, and after I had married my high school sweetheart Janna Troxel, that I was baptized at Grace Baptist Church in Manhattan, Kan., byassociate pastor Ken Ediger, currently lead pastor at North Oak Community Church in Hays, Kan Upon returning to Ulysses from college, Janna and I began looking for a church that was alive and well and teaching the Word . We visited many churches and soon found a church home at Ulysses MB Church where Jules Glanzer was the pastor at the time . We joined the church in 1979 . Janna and I got involved in the church and soon were immersed in the regular activities of farming, family life and church life Our three children, Jami, Brian and Brady, were born between 1977 and 1982. We assumed at the time that we would raise them on the farm-
There is no peace in fighting the Lord's call, I can assure you, and now I am very grateful the Lord kept calling me into fulltime ministry.
we never intended to leave. During this time, although I loved the Lord and served in the church, I still was not the spiritual leader at home that I needed to be. My wife prayed often that I would better fill this God-ordained role and it was my prayer that God would give me a hunger and thirst for his Word. The Lord responded to both of these prayers and during the winter months of 1984 I spent many hours reading the Word and ingesting it as never before
The Lord then used that winter's experience to begin the call to ministry. I fought his call with all I was worth . I never intended to leave farming I didn't want to pick up my family and move. I wrestled and wrestled with God, but the call only intensified I thought I could appease the Lord by taking a few biblical correspondence courses during the winter, which I began in 1986. But the call to full-time ministry only became more intense.
I'll skip the details and say that in 1988 I relented and we attended MB Biblical Seminary I can tell you this: the moment I relented was the moment I found contentment and peace There is no peace in fighting the Lord's call, I can assure you, and now I am very grateful the Lord kept calling me into full-time
ministry It has been so rewarding.
After seminary we were called to pastor Pine Acres Church in Weatherford, Okla. This church was ready to move forward and we found a lOving, caring and wonderful group of people in this western Oklahoma town of 13,000 For 13 years we shared life with these great people. It was very, very difficult to leave Pine Acres this past August as we began our work with Mission USA.
It was over a year ago that I was first contacted about being the director of Mission USNIntegrated Ministries. To be honest, I felt totally inadequate-I still do. However, I also know the Lord calls those who have to be dependent upon him, and am I ever dependent on him in this new work!
In my opinion, the ministries of Mission USNIM are so very crucial It is a miniStry geared toward reaching the lost around us . It is very exciting to be a part of a national effort to reach people in the name of Jesus Christ. Through church renewal efforts and new church plants across the U S., intentionally reaching lost people with the Good News becomes very vivid! That is our calling as God's people! Reaching people who don't know Jesus is what we have to be all about if we are to be what he desires us to be as his followers.
It's going to take all of us doing our part and working together to make good things come about through the ministries of Mission USA Will you prayerfully support this concerted national effort to win some to Jesus? I hope so, because I'm certain you'll be blessed if you do . I'm looking forward to getting to know lots of people in our churches Give me a call- write me an e-mail And please, pray for me and for MUSNIM
100 years old and still "growing God's family"
MB hosts centennial event
Long ago, in an area of rich farmland near Yale, S.D ., several families began worshipping together, and a young church was born That congregation , Bethel MB Church, celebrated its 100th birthday during a weekend celebration Aug 14 and 15 As the celebration and the history of the church both demonstrate, Bethel's heritage has been one of outreach and training for ministry.
To be perfectly accurate, the first meetings of the Bethel congregation began more than 100 years ago, in 1902. That's the year that five families moved to the area to farm and raise their families Pastor Tom Cartney says, "It would be unfair to say that they came here to start a church, but it was also true that they couldn't imagine living someplace without a church " So these families began meeting together in their homes A bUilding to house the growing congregation was built in 1904, which is considered the official
founding of the church . Bethel was originally affiliated with the Krimmer MB Conference; the KMBC became part of the MB conference in 1960
The congregation celebrated its centennial with three services, each fOCUSing on the theme, "Growing God's Family: 100 Years of God's Goodness." Leland Kleinsasser, chair of the centennial committee, says the theme reflects the church's commitment to outreach. a rural church, we felt that in the past 100 years, we have grown-not maybe so much in our local congregation by the numbers-but with our outreach program We felt we have reached a lot of people for God, and God's family has grown."
Saturday evening highlighted the church's commitment to overseas missions with a banquet and service at Bethel's sister church, Bethesda Church in Huron, S D Harold Ens, then director of MBMS International, gave the keynote address . The service also featured a flag parade,
representing each country to which the church has sent missionaries. Cartney says it was "pretty impressive " to see a visual display of the many countries touched by this rural church . Sunday's schedule reflected a tradition from the early days of the church, with both morning and afternoon services During the morning, Cartney and former pastors Elton Berg and Gary Janzen spoke about God's faithfulness in past, present and future generations .
In the early days of the congregation, when families came by horse and carriage and stayed for the day, the two Sunday services were bridged with a light lunch of biscuits and coffee . Guests experienced that tradition with a similar lunch of bologna, bread, coffee, salads and cupcakes
The afternoon service was a time of remembering Cartney showed a PowerPoint presentation with photos from the church's history. Jim Hohm, who bears the honor of oldest attending member, led the congregation in German singing, a reminder of a time when services were held exclUSively in German . Then guests were invited to share testimonies and memories of Bethel According to Hohm, many said that Bethel played a key role in their spiritual conversion or that they were glad to have their roots at Bethel. So many wanted to share that not all got a chance to speak. Hohm says it was encouraging to
hear how "the seed that was planted bore fruit ."
One count puts attendance at the celebration at 285 people . Normal Sunday attendance at the church is about 130, so the celebration clearly drew a Significant number of guests Hohm says they "came from all over " Many former attendees came back for the celebration, including an impressive number of former members who are active in or retired fr om full-time miniStry, some from as far away as Texas, California, and South America Guests had ample time for reunion and reminiscing during meals and breaks for fellowship In addition to the missions banquet and the old-fashioned Sunday lunch, guests were treated to root beer floats Saturday evening and a "pop and cookies" break Sunday afternoon
As the church reviews its history, it is clear that much has changed in the last century. The building itself has undergone several additions and remodeling, including the major addition of a larger sanctuary in 1919 The congregation has had 19 pastors since their first, John Z Kleinsasser Attendance has ebbe d and flowed, with a peak of about 3 50 in the 1950s. In the last 25 years, membership has been relatively steady, with current membership at 182
Some changes were gradual, like the transition from German to English in the 1940s Kleinsasser reme mbers other gradual changes, s u ch as a more relaxed attitude toward movies and league sports on Sunday. He remembers when men and women sat on separate sides of the church, and he remembers when a man first crossed that invisible boundary to sit with his wife, followed by a gradual relaxing of that boundary. The practice of footwashing was once practiced with every communion service, then only twice a year, then discontinued altogether in 1967.
Sunday school has changed. At first, Cartney says, its purpose was to teach German to younger generations Now its purpose is to teach scriptural truth to young and old alike Hohm says 90 to 95 percent of the adults in the congregation attend Sunday school.
Music has changed. In Bethel's early days, singing was a cappella . Hohm's uncle first taught members to sing four-part har-
mony. In 1926, permission was granted for the congregation to use an organ to accompany singing . Piano was added in 1927. Today, Hohm says this small congregation has several talented organists, while other area churches are "begging" for such talent. Music style has changed to a more contemporary bent.
But no matter how much some things have changed, some things have remained the same-like the church ' s commitment to outreach. As the Saturday evening celebration showed, overseas missions has always been a priority at Bethel. Cartney says the church "has always been exceptionally involved in missions and continues to be so." Many Bethel members have gone into full-time ministry, either as pastors or pastors' wives, or as overseas missionaries. In addition, the church supports youth that participate in short-term missions Young people from Bethel have recently served in Thrkey, Botswana, Mexico, Afghanistan and Africa . Outreach has taken other forms too Bethel has been involved in the formation of two other churches, Emmanuel MB Church in Onida, S D., and Bethesda Church in Huron, S.D. Bethel members were involved in the founding of a Christian school and camp in the area They continue to support James Valley Christian
School and Byron Bible Camp both corporately and individually. Cartney says the church's outreach has sometimes taken shape as revival meetings One notable revival in 1921 ended with the baptism of 58 people In the 50s and 60s, Bethel's outreach took to the air waves as a radio program called "Words of Life ." Hohm directed the IS-minute program, which included music and a brief message. Another foundational value for Bethel has been integrity in leadership Kleinsasser says that his experience and his research have shown that "every minister we've ever had really preached the gospel." He adds that lay leadership has also been s trong over the years so that no pastor dared to stray from that priority. Cartney ends his term as pastor at Bethel Oct. 1 to become pastor at Community Bible Church in Olathe, Kan ., so the congregation will once again be changing leadership . But Hohm says, "The Lord will take care of us here."
Spiritual training has been another long-standing priority at Bethel. Kleinsasser says, 'M down through the years, the gospel of Christ and the salvation experience have been passed on down to the next generation, and I think that's what keeps Bethel thriving." He points to the church's strong Sunday school program,
its emphasis on Christian education and its support for conference schools as evidence of Bethel's focus on training. The number of guests at the centennial celebration-those who have gone out from Bethel to serve in ministry or missions-could also be seen as evidence of its effectiveness as a training ground
The church's value statement, prominently displayed on the weekly bulletin, describes Bethel as "a place where integrity is honored, training is valued, compassion is expected and outreach is emphasized " Kleinsasser says that, although these values have been formalized only recently, "this is what Bethel has always been about." Cartney adds that a healthy balance between the four values has contributed to the church's longevity.
Even as Bethel looks back at 100 years of rich heritage, they look forward with hopes for continued outreach and plans for a new building. Faced with a 100year-old building needing extensive maintenance and repair, the congregation recently voted to build a new worship center. Although the project is still in the earliest stages, a significant portion of the needed funds has already been raised.
The vision doesn't stop with physical improvements. Although mere survival in a declining rural area is a challenge and several area churches have closed their doors, Bethel plans to keep reaching out. "We hope to survive and we hope to reach out to people," Hohm says, then adds, "People are looking for something spiritual, and if you can't fill that, then I don't think a church will grow or survive."
Cartney says that Bethel has "a clear vision and set of values and my hope would be that they would continue to live those out, reach out into the community and continue to seek to grow the church." He notes that in a rural community, growth may look different than in other settings: "The truth is, if you can maintain your numbers over 25 years-and you know you're going to lose at least six people a year due to graduation and such-then that's actually church growth."
Cartney also hopes Bethel will remain true to its heritage and identity as it reaches out in the future "We're country, rural people," he says. "We grow because we love people and care for people and reach out to people "
Kleinsasser says that planning the centennial celebration and looking back at the church's history has taught him to appreciate their heritage . "I've learned anew that one's history is very, very important," he says. "The present generation can learn from our past." He also says that it's important to remember to give God the credit: "He's the one that has led us and guided us and kept us on firm ground " - Myra Holmes
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leOMB approves confession, begins staff search
Delegates participate in Paraguayan MB anniversary celebrations
The 13th annual International Committee of Mennonite Brethren meeting marked a turning point for the international fellowship. Representatives from 13 of the 19 member conferences met June 21-23 in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Portugal was accepted as a new conference. Two autonomous congregations are now established with several more emerging.
ICOMB representatives approved the appointment of a half-time executive secretary, possibly based in Latin America . The executive secretary will "coordinate our global fellowship and assist delegates with burdensome logistics they face getting to the meetings," says ICOMB secretary David Wiebe of Canada. The ICOMB Executive will serve as the search team.
"We need someone who will be the driving force behind ICOMB," says Rolando Mireles, U S. Conference ICOMB representative. "National leaders really don't need more work, but they are the people that need to be there . A staff person would facilitate (the annual gathering) ."
A global Confession of Faith was accepted. The first draft, created in Abbotsford in 2002, was reviewed by all conferences and in October 2003 , the third and final draft was affirmed.
"Many (lCOMB delegates) felt that if we were a worldwide family we needed to be together in this area," says Mireles "There is also a strong desire that a global theological meeting occur periodically to continue the dynamic, cross-culture development on important matters of faith."
In other business, MBMSI International was asked to sponsor a global mission consultation in early 2005 involving the nine MB Conferences that currently send missionaries outside their country
Initial plans for celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Mennonite Brethren movement were discussed. It was tenta-
tively decided to have an assembly in Germany in 2010 with a tour into Ukraine, the birthplace of the MB church. The Historical Commission was also asked to develop a history project.
ICOMB recognized Harold Ens, former MBMSI executive secretary, for his key role in developing ICOMB in fraternity and to its current level of maturity
In addition to the meetings the group toured schools , a Christian university, a radio and TV station and other ministries owned by the Paraguayan MB Conferences (German and Spanish). A highlight was dinner at a churriscaria-a barbecue style restaurant-with Paraguay's First Lady, Gloria Duarte Frutos Frutos testified to her Christian commitment and the critical importance of the church community at Raices MB (Spanish) Church and requested prayer for her and her husband, President Nicanor Duarte Frutos They need much wisdom and God's protection as he addresses injustices and corruption in the country, she said.
Mireles and executive director Chuck Buller represented the U.S Conference at
the 2004 gathering ICOMB delegates were especially disappointed that the two largest members of the MB family-India and DR Congo-were not represented. The only African delegate who began the trip was unable to join the group in Asuncion Sigueiro Luzembo from the Angola MB Conference got as far as Brazil where he was denied a visa to continue to Paraguay
The support that international leaders can provide for one another is a benefit of the annual gathering, says Mireles. "It has been one of my greatest joys in serving the Lord to be able to meet and work with leaders from all over the world," says Mireles "During these meetings it is amazing how much time is spent in the late evening hours (discussing) the problems that sometimes come up in leadership I think that many times national leaders need someone to listen to them ."
The next ICOMB meeting will be in Japan, April 2005, as they celebrate their 55th anniversary as a conference.-Jrom a report by David Wiebe , [COMB secretary
Canadian MBs adopt new governance structure
marked by spirit of community and energy
Governance mattered at Gathering 2004, the biennial meeting of Canadian Mennonite Brethren held July 7-10 in Toronto.
A proposal to restructure how the denomination is run, based on a relationship model elaborated in Les Stahlke's Governance Matters, generated the keenest response of any recommendation at the convention The proposed structure, described as "a major shift," would see a single executive board at the helm of the conference to provide strategic direction, rather than multiple boards, with management responsibilities entrusted to an exec-
utive director and staff
Armed with questions, concerns or affirmation, large numbers of delegates attended breakout sessions on the proposal They lined up at the microphones in the final plenary session to speak to it, particularly to a motion introduced from the floor that would delay the decision on governance by referring it back to churches . Debate was intense and lengthy, and remarkably respectful. It addressed issues around the recommendation such as the constitution, trust, leadership, generational differences and communication. In the end, delegates chose to proceed rather than wait. They defeated the motion to
refer and passed with a strong majority the subsequent vote on the governance recommendation .
Energy and community
If governance was Gathering 2004's major issue, two words-community and energy-could describe its overall spirit.
Hosted by the Ontario provincial conference, the 87th convention of Canadian MBs was held in Toronto in order to highlight "Love Toronto," the church planting endeavor of the Ontario and Canadian Conferences, under the Key Cities Initiative. It was also held, for the first time, in a hotel. Delegates reacted positively to this innovation. Eating, sleeping and meeting in one location-the DoubleTree International Plaza Hotel-made it possible for people to interact frequently. Perhaps because of more opportunities to viSit, scheduled sessions were well attended . As one seasoned conference goer put it, "There was less conference in the foyer" during the meetings .
A sense of energy infused both the worship and business sessions . The pace was brisk, enhanced by high tech overlaying of sound and visuals and two large screens affording a bigger-than-life view of whoever was speaking Many boards used video clips to report
Some 200 delegates elected to come to the convention early for "Recharge," a day of learning and spiritual refreshment The topics of these seminars ranged from church conflict to homosexuality to leadership. Coordinated by adult ministry director Sharon Johnson, the seminars were grouped into the three foci of the Canadian MB Conference: leadership development, healthy churches and reaching out. The opening celebration featuring Brian Doerksen and his band and speaker
Randy Friesen, director-elect of MBMS International, set a tone of invitation and commitment to Jesus, the one who calls those who are weary, hungry or thirsty. New songs by Brian Doerkse n such as ''You Shine " and "Today" as well as his now classic "Come, now is the time to worship" were repeated in worship sessions led by Gareth Goossen throughout the convention The refrains of the worship music seemed to grow into convention themes, alongside the official theme of "Refresh, Renew, Reach Out."
In addition to Friesen, convention speakers were Reggie McNeal, director of leadership development for the South Carolina Baptist Convention and author of The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church, and Jacquelin Dugas, director for the Centre of Prayer Mobilization for Every Home for Christ International
How the work was done
Gathering 2004 morning sessions were devoted to hearing board reports . Rather than repeating the printed material verbatim, the boards and their ministries presented their recommendations and highlights of the past two years in various and creative ways . There was limited time for discussion but breakouts on the recommendations allowed for more interaction with boards Saturday morning was then devoted to further plenary discussion and voting on the 19 recommendations .
The governance proposal passed with a ballot vote The remaining recommendations-which included several general recommendations (ownership of the conference publications and the financial statements), five staff appointments, four recommendations from the Board of Faith and Life, the naming of Vancouver as Key City #4, two recommendations about the vision and funding approach of MBMSI, and the budgets for the next two years-passed nearly unanimously with a show of hands .
Delegates accepted BFL statements on spiritual warfare, divorce and leadership ministry, baptism and church membership A pastoral covenant was reviewed and will be included in the MB leadership manual , FollOWing the Call Delegates approved budgets of$1, 7 50,000 and $1,800,000 respectively for the next two years
The nominating committee had prepared lists of candidates for eith er a single
executive board or the boards as they currently existed. Because of the proposal on governance, nominations, generally given to delegates early in a convention, were distributed Saturday morning after the proposal on governance passed Nominations to the executive board were affirmed and members were elected to the Board of Faith and Life .
Setting sail
Moored between pots of bulrushes on the stage was a sailboat that carried the Gathering 2004 logo and theme, taken from Jesus' encouragement in Luke 5 to "go out where the water is deeper " This lakeside scene seemed almost lost at times between the screens, musical instruments and necessary gadgetry of a high tech convention, but when the boat was gone Saturday morning (because it was a rental) its absence was conspicuous In its place, however, a cross was shone on the back curtain.
Many delegates had also "put to sea" before the proceedings were quite over Those who s tayed enjoyed a moving conclusion to the week's business and celebration Incoming moderator Willy Reimer
gave a message on identity, from Paul's words, "the God whose I am and whom I serve " in Acts 27 :23. Identity, Reimer said, is determined by ownership, it gives authority, and it gives boldness. After this challenge, communion was celebrated. It was a wonderful end to a convention that some ranked among the best they had ever attended . Delegates had demonstrated that they are not unwilling to work at their conventions, for they engaged strongly in the governance proposal as well as other matters of theology, vision and funding They also experienced the warm pleasure of a four-day family reunion. They were inspired by opportunities to learn, worship and reach out. Many left energized with renewed commitment to Christ and the mission given their denomination They also left with the invitation from Mark Jantzen, moderator of the Alberta MB Conference, to meet again in 2006, in Alberta -by Dora Dueck, reprinted with permission from the MB Herald, the publication of the Canadian MB Conference
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Kroeker spreads the words of the Gospel
Ministry of pastor and radio speaker remembered
AI Kroeker, known to many Mennonite Brethren as the voice of "Words of the Gospel," died July 17, 2004, at the age of 83 . Kroeker served for 12 years as the radio speaker for "Words of the Gospel ," the radio program of U.S. MB's begun in the late 1960s.
From his days as a MB radio speaker to the end of his life, Kroeker is remembered as someone who spread the words of the Gospel in whatever place he served.
"His days as radio announcer for 'Words of the Gospel' were good days for the conference," said Henry Dick, former Pacific District minister, in a tribute to Kroeker at his memorial service weekly programs were inSightful, interesting and biblical. He gave leadership to a
very successful radio ministry."
Kroeker was also a church planter, pastor and teacher He was the church planter and first pastor for Neighborhood Church in Visalia, Calif., and also pastored El Camino Bible Church in Santa Clara, Calif., and Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church. While serving at Visalia, Kroeker also taught Bible classes at Immanuel High School in Reedley, Calif., for two years. Vernon Janzen, who also pastored Neighborhood Church, described Kroeker as a devoted and effective pastor. "The people of Neighborhood Church remember Al as a friendly and caring, evangelistic and spiritually nurturing pastor who served his Lord devotedly and faithfully," Janzen was quoted as saying.
I Kroeker served as interim in five PDC
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congregations as well as in three churches of other denominations. "He studied what an interim pastor should be and do as he prepared the way for the next pastor He was such a giving person and was so well received," said Dick.
Kroeker's most recent role was that of chaplain at Palm Village Retirement Center in Reedley, Calif., where his memorial service was held. He was known as an energetic visionary who encouraged many through his love of God and people.
"Something that he mentioned frequently was that we want an aura of godliness at Palm Village That was his goal and he stimulated our thinking as how best to accomplish it," said Ruth Kliewer who worked with him on the Chapel Support Committee.
Kroeker, a member of Kingsburg Church, was born in Dallas, Ore., July 6, 1921. He was married to Viola Hiebert Kroeker, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Allan and wife Lori of Clovis, Calif., and one daughter, Janine and husband Tim Bergdahl of Kingsburg ; one broth er, Lee Kroeker of Oregon and four grandchildren
The bicentennial of Molotschna, with 58 villages once the largest Mennonite settlement region in what is now Ukraine, was marked with several events during the first week ofJune. The Molotschna region has special significance for Mennonite Brethren: a revival in 1860 among Mennonites in this settlement and neighboring Chortitza led to the founding of the MB Church . The events began with an academic conference, "Molotschna and Its Neighbors," held in several southern cities Researchers, mostly Ukrainian and Russian scholars from seven countries, presented a total of 37 papers . The conference was organised by Canadian historian Harvey Dyck, who was unable to attend due to illness, and co-chaired by Canadian historian John Staples and Ukrainian geographer Nikolai Krylov.
"It was evident that there is a great deal of new interest and appreciation for what the Mennonites contributed to the area during their sojourn," says Abe Dueck, executive secretary of the North American MB Historical Commission.
Several ceremonial events were held including the opening of a photographic exhibit. MB historian Paul Toews of Fresno, Calif., coordinated the collection of 139 historic Molotschna photographs from North American archives and individuals The exhibit is currently displayed in the Zaporozhye museum. A variety of memorial monuments were unveiled, including a monument at the site of a former Mennonite cemetery. Two noteworthy markers were dedicated.
The Svetlodolinskoe , formerly Lichtenau, railroad station was the site of one impressive event, says Dueck. "It was at this station that many Mennonites gathered in the 1920s to board a train to exit the Soviet Union and make their way to new homes in Canada and other places
Many said their final farewells to friends and relatives. Others were later deported from this station to the eastern Gulag " Two stone benches with inscriptions in Ukrainian and German were unveiled in front of the station as a band played and as a group of Mennonites formed a choir and sang in German
A crowd of approximately 1,000 gathered at Moloshansk, formerly Halbstadt, on a Sunday morning to unveil the Settlers' Monument, marking the 200th anniversary of the settlement. The Mennonite International Memorialization Committee for the Former Soviet Union supervised the placement of the monument. Canadian ambassador Andrew Robinson participated in the dedication . Before the dedication, a morning worship service packed the former regional high school. Pastor Jakob Tiessen of the nearby Kutuzovka church conducted the service and Johannes Dyck, formerly of Kazakhstan and now living in Germany, preached. "It was a great opportunity to reflect on the positive and the tragic events of the past and to share the deep faith of the Mennonites with the Ukrainian community that now resides there," says Dueck.
Molotschna and other settlements became very prosperous in their first 100 years and have often been referred to as the Mennonite Commonwealth
in Russia. The Mennonite presence in Ukraine gradually diminished from the late 19th century through the end of World War 2, and today more than 500,000 Russian Mennonite descendants live in North America. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union , some of these descendants, especially in the last decade, have returned to Ukraine as scholars and tourists.
Visitors to this former Mennonite region find that Mennonites are again very active in spiritual and other ministries in the community. 1\vo churches are established, a former girls' school has been renovated to serve as a Mennonite regional relief center specializing in medical and educational projects. Mennonite Central Committee and other agencies are at work in the region. "There is significant potential for a holistic ministry to the community which continues to live in poverty but shows great appreciation for the Mennonites and is open to working with them," says Dueck.-from reports from Paul Toews, Walter Unger and Abe Dueck
MB conferences hold anniversary celebrations
turns 50, Peru is 20
TWO MENNONITE BRETHREN Conferences recently held anniversary celebrations The Spanish Conference of Paraguay celebrated its 50th anniversary and the Peru MB Conference celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The Spanish Conference of Paraguay celebrated its 50th anniversary July 16-18 at Rancho Allegra, a MB camp near Asuncion . Moderator Francisco del Puerta presented challenges facing his conference : evangelism and discipleship; unity; building up leaders; building connections to the world fellowship and perspective beyond their borders; and spirituality based on the values of the Kingdom of God . On Sunday about 300 people assembled in Asuncion for an evening of praise, storytelling, traditional folk music, exhibits and fellowship
Delegates to the 2004 International Committee of Mennonite Brethren attended the celebration prior to their annual gathering held in Asuncion "Being in the churches in Paraguay during their 50th celebration, I was thrilled to see the potential of the youth in the area," says Rolando Mireles, U.S. Conference ICOMB representative . August 29 the Peru MB Conference held an all-day celebration marking the 20th anniversary of a church plant be gun by MBMS International in 1984 . From a home Bible study in Sullana, the Peru MB
Conference has grown to include some 12 established or emerging congregations Nearly 500 people participated in the anniversary celebrations
Harold Ens, representing MBMSI at the anniversary, says, "The presence of nearly 500 Peruvian MBs in one place for the anniversary service was an awesome testimony to God's faithfulness and a visual reminder of the sacrificial ministry of our missionaries and Peruvian workers over the past 20 years. "
Rolando Neyra, current pastor of the Miraflores MB Church in Piura and conference moderator, reported that the conference continues to grow and has vision for expansion His church is making plans to begin a new church plant in the city of Chiclayo starting in 2005 The church plant in the capital city of Lima now meets in the home of missionaries Jose and Esperanza Prada, but with nearly 70 now attending will soon outgrow that and need a facility.
The Pradas shared a vision to see three or four churches planted in Lima and also to plant a church in the southern city of Arequipa in the coming years. "Over the next five to ten years, we would like to see the Peru MB Conference stretch from the frontier with Ecuador in the north to the frontier with Chile in the south," said Neyra - MBMS[ news release and [COMB report
International support for "Mennonite Six" surprises officials
of Vietname se pastor may come soon, family visits allowed
Vietnam e se authorities are apparently surprised by t he widespread negative publicity generated by their treatment of the "Mennonite Six," as the six imprisoned Mennonite pastors and leaders have become known Meanwhile, the leaders have been allowed family visits and some observers expect the tri al for one of the pastors to have be gun last month
It seems authorities were unaware that the Vietnamese Mennonites being held in Ho Chi Minh City prison are part of a global church body, many of whose members have spoken out on behalf of the imprisoned leaders .
Mennonite World Conference and other Anabaptist organizations have formally protested their treatme nt. Other church -related and secular media organizations have published news about the "Mennonite Six" and several countries are putting pressure on Vietnamese authorities regarding the mistreatment of the Mennonite leaders and churches
Some observers expected that Pastor Nguye n Hong Quang may be put on trial as early as September Sources in Vietnam as well as the Christian monitoring group Christian Solidarity Worldwide say that authorities are working hard to "fast track" Quang's trial on charges of "possessing and distributing materials harmful to the State "
O t her sources , however, believe the government needs more time to review evidence to make its case in court A court decision to prosecute would be followed by publication of the indi ctment and th e trial If convicted on these charges, Quang, who was arrested on June 8, could face up to 20 years in pris o n .
Sourc e s also say it is likely that the
four evangelists arrested on March 2 and still held without being charged will face a less serious charge of "resisting an officer doing official duty "
Le Thi Hong Lien, a fe male evangelist , was arrested in early July and is still imprisoned
Months after their arrests, despite a Vietnamese law stating visits must be allowed within 30 days of incarceration, authorities have allowed monitored visits from the families of five of the six being held
Quang's wife and three young children have visited him twice. The mother of brothers Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Huu Nghia was allowed separate visits with them in August. Her visit with one son was cut short when he began to describe how his brother had been severely beaten The father of Pham Ngoc Thach , who was badly beaten when arrested, visited his son in mid-July The wife of Nguyen Van Phuong, who gave birth to the couple's first child just before his March 2 arrest, has also been allowed one visit. Le Thi Hong Lien has not been allowed a family visit because, according to police , she is "uncooperative ."
An August 17 report from ethnic minority Mennonite churches in Gia Lai province says that Christians there are still being arrested In mid-May, two Mennonite evangelists, Ksor Ti No and Ksor Pui Nai, were arrested on unknown charges Their families have not bee n allowed visits .
In late August, Pastor Quang's wife was summoned to the police station where sh e was politely told that it would be best to stop holding meetings in her home, which police said were illegal . When she asked the police to put the request into
writing, they qUickly dropped the matter. Late that night the police came to the house and examined the papers of all who were there
Quang's supporters believe that the authorities' determination to silence him stems from Quang's outspoken advocacy on human rights issues . In 1999, he advised and helped alleged squatter families file petitions of complaint against a land grab for "development. " The confiscated land included the property of the Quang residence and Mennonite church office .
On Aug. 13, the 346 families were told that the 1999 land confiscation order had been reversed The order had , in fact, been reversed Sept. 13, 2003, with a directive to inform the families within 10 days However, authorities waited until two months after Quang's incarceration to make the announcement.
In a related development , representatives from the Hanoi office of the Bureau of Religious Affairs met in August with the president of the Vietnam Mennonite Church, Pastor Nguyen Quang Tcung. They proposed that the church provide information in preparation for granting legal status to the Vietnam Mennonite Church. They requested a detailed history and activities of the church both before and after 1975, a confession of faith, an organizational charter, pre -1975 buildings, current worship groups and locations and the names of pastors, evangelists and volunteers. While many church leaders agree in principle that legal recognition is good, they are concerned that authorities would use detailed information about the believers to further restrict and harass the church, especially in the Central Highlands .-MWC release
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Paraguay to host next MWC assembly
invitation to Pennsylvania welcomed for 2015
Paraguaywill host the 15th Mennonite World Conference assembly to be held in July 2009 .The MWC executive committee reached unanimous agreement on the site at their annual meeting July 29Aug. 4.
The committee had received two invitations for the '09 gathering. The first came from eight Mennonite conferences in Paraguay with a mix of members from Spanish-speaking, German-speaking and indigenous language groups The second invitation, to host the assembly in eastern Pennsylvania, came from Mennonite Church USA, the Brethren in Christ General Conference and the u .S. Conference of MB Churches.
MWC executive secretary Larry Miller and Ray Brubacher, associate secretary for events and administration, studied both 10cations.They reported that a global gathering was feasible in either country and that neither site was free of concerns. Tipping the balance in favor of Paraguay was the fact that the assembly has not been held in Latin America since the 1972 gathering in Brazil.
The executive committee encouraged the u .S. member conferences and the Pennsylvania group to offer an invitation for Assembly 16 in 2015 MWC global gatherings are typically held every six years. Mennonites in Europe have suggested an assembly be held in Europe in 2025, the l00h anniversary of the first MWC gather-
MB schools ranked among the nation's best colleges
BOTH SCHOOLS OWNED BY U.S.
Mennonite Brethren have been ranked among the nation's best. Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif, and Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan., were both noted in US, News & World Report's ')1merica's Best Colleges 2005" issue
Fresno Pacific University is ranked in the top quarter among Western universities-master's There are 124 schools in the regional category and 68 were ranked. The universities-roaster's category is similar to national doctoral universities, according to the US. News, in that they provide a full range of
undergraduate and master's-level programs. Tabor College is ranked among the top private institutions in the Midwest. Thbor placed in the top tier of "best comprehensive colleges -bachelor's," institutions which "focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs-in the liberal arts , which account for fewer than half of their bachelor's degrees, and in professional fields, such as bUSiness, nursing and education " The 324 comprehensive colleges are ranked within four regions: North, South, Midwest and West. - FPU and TC
ing and the SOOth of the first Anabaptist baptism Both events happened in Europe -MWC
WIIfrecI Martens of Fresno, Calif., has been appointed to the Anabaptist Disabilities Network Board. He was one of two new m.,.. bets added to the board this summer and Is the ftrst Mennonite Brethren to serve ADNet, a ministry formed In 2002 to advocate for and serve persons with disabilities and chronIc mental Illness and their famHIes.-ADNET
DesoIatlon Highway, by James R. CoggIns, former editor of the MB Herald, Is the ond John Smyth mystery novel to be Iished by Moody Publishers. The series revolves around Smyth, a magazine editor who gets caught up In assisting with murder Investlgatlons.-MP
Fotbldden, by Wilma Wall, a daughter of MB missionary parents who served In South China, has recently been released by Kregel Publlsh8lS. The novel tells the story of Annie Penner, an American, and Donald Nakamura, a Japanese-AmerIcan, whose budding romance Is threatened by the attack on Pearl Harbor and the formation of Japanese Intemment camps In the U.S.-KP
Mennonite Brethren scholar John E. Toews Is the author of Romans, the latest In the Believers Church Bible Commentary Series published by Herald Press. Toews taught biblIcal studies at Fresno Paclftc College, Tabor College and MB Biblical Seminary. In 2002 he retired as preSident of Conrad Grebe! UnIversity College In Waterloo, Ont.-HP
David Marsh began working last month as the MB Loan Fund director for lending. Marsh, with 17-p1us years of community banking experience, was hired to a newly created position to accommodate the expanding church loan program.-MBF
Jonathan Regier, Hillsboro, Kan., was one of 18 students to receive a Mennonite Mutual AId college scholarship. Awards were based on essays on stewardship submitted by the students. Four students, Incluclng Regier, received $2,500 ad 14 received $1,000 for the 2O()4.OS school year.-MMA
Fighting mosquitoes in Africa
MENNONITE ECONOMIC Development Associates has received a two-year $5.6 million contract from the government of Tanzania to expand its war against mosquitoes and malaria in Africa. The contract will make MEDA the logistics contractor for the new Tanzania National Voucher Scheme, which aims to make insecticide treated mosquito nets or ITNs, affordable to low income families.
The two-year contract, funded by the Global Fund for Malaria, AIDS and TB, is the largest project ever managed by MEDA.
MEDA is a seasoned promoter of insecticide treated mosquito nets, which are regarded as one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria The disease, which is the biggest threat to the health of children in Africa, kills some two million Africans every year and wreaks havoc on fragile economies . Properly used nets, which cover beds at night, have reduced child mortality by as much as 35 percent in some community trials
Insecticides such as DDT have proven to be too damaging to the environment, genetic manipulation of the mosquito is too complicated and vaccines may take more than 10 years to be developed, if they are even poSSible, says Kim Pityn, MEDA's vice-president of international operations
MEDA saw the local business communities as key to providing a lasting distribution system for ITNs, says Pityn. This
approach was often at odds with conventional donor programs that supported the creation of new distribution channels implemented and managed by foreign agencies Expanding MEDA's earlier work with local companies involved in ITN distribution to include project management was the obvious next step, says Pityn.
MEDA will manage the entire logistics component of the National Voucher Scheme A special target for promotion will be prenatal clinics, as pregnant women are highly vulnerable to malaria The project may end up employing 45 people in Tanzania . -MEDA
Women's conference in Ukraine helps churches deal with depression
IN UKRAINE, DEPRESSION HAS often been denounced as a sin by church teachings. In an effort to encourage churches to help rather than judge people dealing with depression , Mennonite Central Committee and Evangelical Christian Baptist churches organized a women 's conference on issues of emotional well-being in June in the city of Zaporozbye The conference dealt with depression , conflict and related issues as problems for the church to recognize and respond to with compassion.
"These are very important issues for Christians to talk about openly," says Lyuda Zolotaryov, a MCC peace worker and an ECB church member. Zolotaryov says she strove to weave academic understanding and biblical teaching into her presentation at the conference
"It was especially good for pastors ' or deacons ' wives to see that it is okay for church people to come to them for help , and that they don ' t need to judge others ' problems but rather to help them ," she says .-MCC
CHURCH
BaptismlMembership
Wolf Point. Mont (Gospel Fellowship Church)-Thomas Christensen, Cassandra, Cortney and Colton Miller were baptized May 9
Hillsboro. Kan. (Parkview)- Dave Goering, Adam and Nolan Dirks, Lane and Wade Holmes, Alysha Claassen, Aaron Stepanek and Shirley Teague were baptized and welcomed as members June 21
David and Martha Fast, David Baker; Lynn and Charlotte Hagaman, Randy, Kerry and Heather Stepanek and Julia Jost joined by transfer
Omaha. Neb. (Iglesia Agua V"lVa)Josefina, Ana, Ruben and Kenny were baptized June 6 Juan Carolos, Maria de los Angeles and Karla were baptized June 24.
Lustre. Mont.- Amanda Lenihan, John Herrin and Coney Zerbe were baptized at Ft Peck Lake and received as members July 18
Weatherford. Okla. (Pine Acres)Megan Carter, Laci Cantrell, Ashlynn Patee, Courtney Patee and Matthew Patee were baptized July 18 Robert and Cary Bolinger and Lindy Dirickson joined by testimony Denver, Colo. (Garden Park)-Andrew Ottoson was baptized and joined the church Aug. 8
Orland, calif (Country Bible)Rebekah Ball was baptized at Family Camp July 4 weekend and David and Donna Wemple and Weston Lower were baptized Aug 15 Reedley, calif.- LeRoy and Vivian Swiney were received into membership Aug 15.
Yale, S D. (Bethel)-Jessica Wedel, Elizabeth Cartney, Betty Macauley, Jordan Stahl, Drew Palmquist, Mesha Macauley and Lee Glanzer were baptized Aug 22 and along with Glen Macauley were welcomed as members Aug. 29
Tulsa, Okla (The Heart)- Brice Clanin, Alex Hendrix, Janice King and Madison Miller were baptized Aug 29
Topeka, Kan.- Brian Hart, Rene Hart, Steven Engbrock, Kimberly Clouse and Brady Qualls were baptized and welcomed to membership Sept 12
Celebrations
Hays, Kan (North Oak Community)-
The congregation celebrated their 25th anniversary Aug 7-8
Groundbreaking for a new sanctuary was part of the celebration Fresno, Calif. (North Fresno)-The congregation celebrated its 35th anniversary and fall kick -off on Sept 12 Dale Warkentin was the speaker and a celebration dinner was held in the evening
Hillsboro. Kan. (Parkview)-The ordination and installation of TIm Sullivan as Southern District minister was held Sept. 26.
Buhler. Kan.- The congregation will celebrate its 125th anniversary Nov 13- 14 A noon meal will follow the Sunday celebration
Olathe. Kan. (Ethiopian Christian Fellowship)-A dedication of their new church facility was held Sept. 26
Bakersfield. calif., (Rosedale Bible)Worship pastor John Biller and his wife Peggy were honored for their 20 years of ministry
Fe llowship
Henderson, Neb.- A Back to School Coffeehouse was held Aug 8 in the family center. School officials and teachers shared about various aspects of education while participants enjoyed flavored coffees, Italian sodas and snacks. TIme was also spent praying for the new school year
Topeka, Kan.- The Personal Touch Quartet celebrated 20 years of singing together with a concert, fellowship and food Sept 10
Bakersfield. calif (Laurelglen)Women were invited to "come as you were and be who you are" for "Denim, Diamonds and Dewars," a women's ministries event Sept 17. Women came dressed in fashions from the past and enjoyed a retro fashion show, Dewar'S sundae bar, Starbucks coffee and inspirational speakers
Weatherford Okla. (Pine Acres)- The annual Pan Providence-another name for a potluck- and fall business meeting was held Sept. 12
Reedley, calif.- Homecoming Weekend Sept 11 - 12 included a motorcycle breakfast ride with Pastor Dennis Fast on Saturday and a combined worship service Sunday morning A " Two -Wheel " show of motorcycles, bicycles and tricycles
NEWS FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
along with a riding course was held in the evening A concert of art, music and motion by Rick Alone followed bring -your-own picnics and tailgate parties
M in istry
Central District Churches-Offerings are being taken to raise $5,000 to help replace the Lakota Gospel Church in Porcupine, S D which was destroyed by fire in June Volunteer help has also been solicited Curtis Hoyt, of Bible Fellowship MB Church, Rapid City, S D , works with Hands of Faith on the reservation and is directing the work The CD C Women's Missionary Society executive committee has made the decision to disband WMS at the district level. The committee reports that many churches have healthy women 's ministries especially designed to meet the specific needs of their churches. They felt the district committee was no longer needed or effective in assisting churches Wichita, Kan. (Lighthouse Community)-The church plant, supported by Southern District MBs and World Impact, began meeting Sept 5 in a church owned by Midway Baptist Church. Co -pastor Daren Busenitz says, "They (the Baptists) are very supportive of this and believe that we are the church to reach out to Oaklawn We will soon be starting Sunday school since we now have the room "
Shafter and Reedley, calif , Salem. Ore. (Kingwood Bible)-The Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus presented a concert Aug 4 in Shafter, in Reedley Aug. 8 and at Kingwood Aug.11 The Kansas chorus was joined at Reedley MB by the West Coast Mennonite Men's Chorus. The Kansas chorus also sang Aug 11 at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acres)Seven high school youth went to Guadalajara, Mexico to work with Rolando and Laura Mireles, MBMS International missionaries, during the summer
Enid. Okla.-Volunteers went to Lighthouse Community Church in Wichita, Kan , to help with canvassing the neighborhood with door hangers announcing their new meeting place Enid members also f o llowed up on contacts made during their earlier visit
Buhler, Kan. - The congregation has committed itself to regularly pray for the city of Buhler Some have committed themselves to walking the neighborhood streets during September and October and praying for every household, business and school.
Bakersfield, calif. (Heritage Bible)-A koinonia fund offering is taken at the door the f i rst Sunday of each month Funds gathered in this second offering are used to meet financial needs in and out of the congregation.
Wichita. Kan. (First)-A spiritual renewal emphasis is planned between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Larry Martens, longtime pastor and former president of MB Biblical Seminary, was the key resource speaker Sept 11 - 12. Martens also gave a leadership seminar The goal of the renewal emphasis is to involve the entire congregation in information gathering, data analysis, strategizing, goal setting and implementation
Nurture
Shafter. calif.- The Christian Education board is implementing a child workers' liability policy to protect children, volunteers and the church Not having had any problems in this area, the committee is taking this proactive step to train leaders, raise awareness and offer guidelines for screening volunteers and nursery workers. All adult volunteers are required to attend one of three training sessions held and to fill out a form
Bakersfield, calif (Laurelglen Bible)START, a leadership event to prepare workers for a new year of ministry, was held Aug. 27 All Sunday school teachers, youth workers, small group leaders and ministry teams were invited
Garden City. Kan. (Garden Valley)The congregation, in conjunction with the local Presbyterian church, sponsored a community service presentation on two theories of war and nonviolence, Aug 15 and 22
Workers
Ferndale, Wash (Good News Fellowship)-A farewell was held for John and Kristi Andres, June 27, as they completed their ministry with the congregation
Meno. Okla. (New Hopedale Mennonite)-A farewell for Pastor Larry and Mary Brashear" was held July 18. James Suderman has accepted a four-month interim pastoral position which began Sept.1. Reedley. Calif.-An evening celebrating Bob and Eileen Plett's 28 years of music ministry was held Aug 1
Gettysburg. S.D. (Grace BibleKarey Gossen and his wife Nettie arrived in August to serve as the new pastor Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglen Bible)Andy Middlekauff began as pastor for growth ministries He, his wife Edith and son Grant began ministry in mid-August. Sheryl Chapman has returned as the part-time ministry worship director. Grace Cabalka moved from part-time to full -time as director of women's ministries.
Indiahoma. Okla. (Post Oak)-Cal Fadenrecht began a one-year interim ministry commitment in August.
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acres)-A farewell for Pastor Don and Janna Morris and family was held Aug. 15 After serving the Pine Acres congregation for 13 years, Morris began as U.S. Director of Mission USAIlM in mid-August.
Dinuba. Calif -Steve and Heidi Schmidt began as youth pastor Sept. 1. An installation dinner was held for new senior pastoral couple Jim and Annett Aiken Aug. 15.
Hillsboro. Kan. (Parkview)-John and Lisa Regier began as youth pastor couple Sept 1.
Olathe. Kan. (Community Bible)-The congregation called Tom Cartney as senior pastor. The Cartneys have been serving the Bethel Church in Yale. S.D. They began serving in Olathe in October.
Lawton, Okla. (Faith Bible)-Leonard and Darlene Reimer have accepted a call to pastoral ministry
Yale. S.D. (Bethel)- A farewell was held for pastor Tom and Amy Cartney and family Sept 26 during the morning worship service, fol -
lowed by a church potluck. The community was invited for dessert
Huron. S.D (Bethesda)-Rich and Beth Wolgamott began serving as the new pastoral couple Oct 3
Worship
Henderson. Neb.-Jon Wiebe of MB Foundation gave the children's and morning message and presented a Good $ense Workshop Aug 29
Minot. N.D. (Bible Fellowship)-Loyal Funk was the guest speaker for Harvest Missions Sunday, Oct. 10
Deaths
BAKER. J.C , Ferndale, Wash , a member of Good News Fellowship Church of Ferndale, was born Feb 20. 1933. to Calloway and Mattie Brown Baker in Seneca. S c., and died July 8,2004, at the age of 71 His wife, Beverly M. Cue Baker, predeceased him He is survived by his wife Susan E. Schroeder Baker; one daughter, Julie and husband Steve Nicolaas; four sons, Michael and fiancee Deb, Gary and wife Diana, Steven and wife Heike and Dean and wife Robin; one stepson, Steve and wife Penni Schroeder; two stepdaughters, Kathy and husband Ted Nussmaum and Starla and husband Nolan Voth; one sister, Bonnie and husband Lucky Miller, 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
BRANDT, ALBERT, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born July 29, 1920, to Klass T. and Barbara Penner Brandt near Main Center, Sask , and died Aug 19, 2004, at the age of 84. On June 10, 1944, he married Lavada Loewen, who survives. He is also survived by one son. Richard and wife Julie of Del Rey, Calif , two daughters, Judy and husband Randy Walker of Clovis, Calif and Linda and husband Bob Ritter of Fresno. Calif. ; one brother, Jake and wife Henrietta of Fresno; two sisters-in -law, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
EWERT. JOHN LANDO, Hillsboro. Kan., a member of Hillsboro MB Church, was born Jan 9, 1920, to Jacob and Anna Ewert in Main Center, Sask , and died Aug. 16,2004, at the age of 84. On Oct 22. 1943, he married Amanda Deckert, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Rachel and husband Steven Behrends of Overland Park, Kan. and Eldora and husband Richard Penner of McPherson, Kan.; one son, Allen and wife Ruth of Wichita, Kan ; two sisters, Leona Ewert of Mountain Lake, Minn and Elsie and husband Marvin Groening of Hillsboro; one brother, Albert and wife Mae Ewert of Dinuba, Calif , six grandchildren and two great grandchildren
GOERTZEN, ALBERT, Kingsburg, Calif , a member of Kingsburg MB Church, was born April 15, 1914, to Jacob F. and Clara Bushman Goertzen at Comins, Mich , and died July 26, 2004, at the age of 90 On Nov 7, 1942, he was married to Rosella Richert, who predeceased him He is survived by two daughters, Helena and husband Lee Voss of Selma, Calif , and Priscilla and husband Steve Rockett of Riverside, Calif.; one son, Gaylord and wife Peggy of Hillsboro, Kan ; one sister; Edna and husband Ed Duerksen of Eureka, Calif.; one brother Wilmer and wife Christine of Moncks Corner, S.c., four grandchildren, five step grandchildren, four great grandchildren and three step great grandchildren
JOST. CHESrER LEE, Bakersfield, Calif., a member of Laurelglen Bible Church, was born July 27, 1921, to Martin and Bertha Golbeck Jost in Hillsboro, Kan., and died May 20, 2004, at the age of 82 On Oct 5, 1941, he married Clella M. Schwendiman, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, David and wife Carol and Duane and wife <;her; one daughter-in-law, Diane David; one brother, Ted Jost, eight grandchildren and one great grandson.
KRAUSE. HERBERT "HERB" KEITH, Bellingham, Wash., a member of Good News Fellowship Church of
Ferndale, Wash., was born Sept. 15, 1945, to Ed and Susie Krause in Kingsburg, Calif., and died July 20, 2004, at the age of 58 On Aug 1, 1969, he married Linda Martens, who survives He is also survived by one son, Darryl and wife Carissa of Lynden, Wash.; one daughter; Denise and husband Shannon Buys of Coupeville, Wash., and three grandchildren
NACHTIGALL, ANNA VOTH, Aurora, Neb , a member of Henderson MB Church, was born July 18, 1910, to John and Katherine Sperling Voth in Enid, Okla , and died Aug. 16,2004, at the age of 94 On Feb. 8, 1931, she was married to Andy Nachtigall, who predeceased her. She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy and husband Melvin Thiessen of Fresno, Calif., and LuElla and husband Marlin Janzen of Hillsboro, Kan.; two sons, Harold and wife Eunice of Aurora, and Dean and wife Carol of York, Penn.; a sister and numerous brothers and sisters-in-Iaws, 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren
NEUFELD. ELDA ESTHER KLIEWER, Fairview, Okla , a member of Fairview MB Church, was born July 25,1915, to Abraham A. and Elisa "Lizzie" Karber Kliewer in rural Fairview and died Aug 30, 2004, at the age of 89 On Oct 11, 1936, she was married to V. Marvin Neufeld, who predeceased her She is survived by one daughter, Carolyn VogtWinter of Fairview; two sons, Leon and wife Karen of Fairview, and Byron and wife Lucy of, Enid, Okla.; two brothers, Herbert and wife Inez Kliewer of Fairview and Ruben and wife Willadene of Plano, Tex.; three sisters-in-law, Mary Kliewer and Mabel Thiessen both of Fairview, and Alma Kliewer of Perryton, Tex , 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren
CORREcnON: The obituary for Mary Wiens in the September issue should have stated Mary Wiens was born Feb. 27, 1950 and died at the age of 54.
Elfrieda Dyck remembered for helping refugees
ELFRIEDA KLASSEN
Dyck, named one of the 20 most influential Mennonite men and women of the past century, died Aug 20 at the age of 87. Dyck, of Scottdale, Penn., and a longtime Mennonite Central Committee worker, was among those honored by The Mennonite, the magazine of Mennonite Church USA.
Along with her husband
Peter J. Dyck, Dyck served with
MCC during and after World War II aiding refugees who began flooding out of war-torn Europe. In 1948 , she served as a refugee worker on the ship Charlton Monarch and led 860 European Mennonite refugees to safety and a new life in Paraguay. Charlton Monarch fell victim to a myriad of engine and crew problems only to become stranded off the coast of Brazil.
A refugee herself, Dyck was 34. THE C HRISTIAN LEADER
born in Donskaja, New Samara, Russia, in 1917 In 1925, at the age of 7, the family of 16 fled Russia and settled in Winnipeg, Man , where she graduated from St. Boniface Hospital in 1939 as a registered nurse.
"Elfrieda and Peter Dyck have spent a lifetime of service ministering to homeless and hungry refugees and to the faith community around the world, " RonaldJ.R. Mathies, MCC executive director says.
"Elfrieda's care for the hurting, her gracious hospitality and her empathetic ear for all those who met her have made her an example of Christian compassion to generations, " Mathies says.
Dyck is survived by her husband Peter of nearly 60 years; two daughters, Rebecca Dyck of Montreal, Que ., and Ruth and husband Jack Scott of Scottdale, five grandchildren and one great grandchild
Cillll{<
CLEARINGHOUSE
Employment-Local Church
First Mennonite Brethren Church of Wichita, Kan., seeks a qualified, experienced part time Director of Worship. Position includes working with FMBC staff in planning and leading blended worship services and directing worship band and vocal team. Requires familiarity with multimedia tools, and a heart for the Gospel. Undergraduate degree is desirable Send or e-mail resume to: Director of Worship, FMBC, 8000 W. 21st., Wichita, KS. 67205. jhildebra ndt@fi rstmbch u rch .com <mailto :jhil
Employment Agency
Mennonite Central Committee is accepting applications for the position of MCC Central States Executive Director. The director provides vision and oversight for all MCC programs in Central States
Familiarity with MCC constituency, strong relational administrative skills and cultural competency required. Experience with budgeting, administration,
Spanish language skills preferred Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. Significant travel time within the U.S. Contact Charmayne Brubaker, 717-859-1151, cdb@mcc.org, or your nearest MCC office for the full job description. Application review begins immediately. Position available January 1, 2005 or sooner if possible.
Wantea=Reclpes
Bible MB Church, Cordell, Okla., formerly Bessie MB Church, is accepting recipes for a cookbook celebrating its 100th anniversary. Members past and present, descendents and friends may contribute. We welcome history of recipes or other notes. Deadline: Oct 31, 2004. Send to e-mail: cordellmb@juno.com, phone : 580832-5821, fax: 580-832-2095, or Bible MB Church, 1020 N Market, Cordell, OK 73632.
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Statement of ownership, management and circulation
Publication title : Christian Leader. Publication number: 0009-5419 Filing date: 09/02104 Issue frequency : monthly. Number of issues published annually: 12 Annual subscription price : $18 Complete mailing address of known office of publication : 315 S Lincoln Box 220 Hillsboro KS 67063. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: same Full names and complete mailing address of publisher. editor and managing editor: Publisher: U.S Conference of MB Churches 315 S Lincoln. Box 220 Hillsboro. KS 67063 ; Editor: Connie Faber 315 S Lincoln Box 220 Hillsboro, KS 67063 Managing editor: none Owner: U.S. Conference of MB Churches. 315 S Lincoln Box 220 Hillsboro. KS 67063 Known bondholders. mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1% or more of total amount of bonds mortgages or other securities: none. Tax status has not changed during proceeding 12 months. Issue date for circulation data: Sept. 2004. Extent and nature of circulation: the first number represents the average number of copies of each issue during the proceeding 12 months. the number in parentheses is the number of copies of a single issue (Sept. 2004) published nearest the filing date (a) Total number of copies: 10 261 (10.106) (b) Paid / requested circulation : 1) paid/ requested outside county mail subscriptions: 9.145 (9 011) 2) Paid in-county subscriptions: 627 (614) 3) Sales through dealers and carriers street vendors counter sales and other nonUSPS paid distribution : 0 (0) 4) Other classes mailed through the USPS: 276 (269) (c) Total paid and/ or requested circulation: 10,048 (9 894) (d) Free distribution by mail : 12 (12) (e) Free distribution outside the mail : 30 (0) (f) Total free distribution : 43 (12) (g) Total distribution : 10.091 (9 906) (h) Copies not distributed: 170 (200) (i) Total : 10.261 (10.106) (j)Percent paid and/ or requested circulation : 99.57 % (99.87 %). I certify that all information furnished is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on PS Form 3526 may be subject to criminal sanctions and/or civil sanctions Signed : Connie Faber
If you have a CD coming due, talk with us about a charitable gift annuity-you may be able to support the U.S. Conference and increase your cash flow at the same time!
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e-mail : info@mbfoundation com
Thank you
Among the people that impact my life for the better are my pastors and their wives and families. Since October is Clergy Appreciation Month, I want to go on record as one that is very thankful for their ministry. Even though this thank you is written for my pasters, I hope it will prompt you to think about what you appreciate about your pastor.
Pastors Gaylord and Vaughn, I am thankful for your creative and thought provoking preaching. Your weekly sermon props and the many stories you tell help us better understand biblical truth. Thanks to your messages, when I see a marshmallow I think about waiting patiently on God. When I look at the veneer finish on my computer desk I remember that being a Christian goes deeper than surface appearance. And because you often illustrate your points with examples from your own lives, I know that being a pastor doesn't exempt you from the problems I face.
I am thankful for your commitment to leading us in worship. Your love for God and your desire to worship him is evident. You have led us to expand the prayer time in our Sunday worship service and now sharing and praying for one another has become an important experience for us.
I appreciate your wives' willingness to share you with the congregation. I wonder how often the needs of someone in our congregation has taken you away from a family event How many evening or early morning meetings does your family accommodate in a month? Most of us anticipate Sunday as a day for worship, leisure and family activities. For your family Sunday represents the ultimate workday. In fact, I imagine your family seldom comes to church Sunday morning in the same car like my family does.
I am thankful that you involve us in the ministry of the church. I am thankful that you encourage and help others with the call God has placed on their heart. Because of your spirit of cooperation, members of our congregation have led us in reading through the Bible, undertaking evangelistic projects, organizing Wednesday evening Bible studies in addition to the ones you lead and organizing mission trips.
I am thankful that you are sticking with us for the long haul. Pastoral ministry is difficult and each stage of a congregation's life brings unique challenges. You have ably led us through transitions and times of change. God is blessing our congregation and he is blessing us through you -CF
Resting in peace
In his article on burnout (page 11) Jim Holm reminds us that one of the things God does for his children when we are overwhelmed with fatigue is to give rest. Rest is an essential ingredient to grounding our lives in what author Christine Sine calls "the quiet rhythms of God's Word and God's ways." Being physically rested and refreshed doesn't seem all that spiritual, but Holm reminds us that it is. God instructs us to rest, and Jesus modeled a life that included times of rest.
We've become a tired generation. We live in a world that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year In just a decade, technology has changed daily life. The ring of a cell phone or the beep of a palm pilot now invade circumstances and places that once provided opportunities for rest and relaxation. Thanks to the Internet we can do lots of things around the clock. We can shop, interact with others, pay bills, research any topic under the sun, entertain ourselves or work from home-even when we should be sleeping.
It's been reported that 20 percent of today's work force works rotating shifts, including policemen, doctors, nurses and firemen .
More and more people are starting their own businesses or working from home, often follOwing no set work schedule. One Web site estimates that over the past century a person's average nightly sleeping time has been reduced by two hours.
In her book Sacred Rhythms, Sine suggests that each of us is searching for "that ideal quality of living in the presence of God and in accordance with God's laws " She writes, "We want to find places to pause for spiritual renewal in the whirlwind of busyness, times to disconnect from the rapid-fire screen images, and ways to turn off the urban clamor. . . (We) want to connect to a rhythm that permeates all that we are and do ."
As we think about the important role rest plays in finding this rhythm, let's make this a corporate priority. How can we encourage one another-including our pastors-to guard times of rest and relaxation? Let's support each other during those seasons in life when we need a break in order to refresh ourselves after a particularly stressful time. Sine says that often God's rhythms are "drowned out by the loud and often strident shouts of our culture." Let us work together in our churches to be voices for quiet wholeness -CF
