How COMFORTABLE are visitors and newcomers when they attend your church? In this issue we elevate the concept of becoming hospitable churches. And you can't say we didn't make the subject "practical." At least three articles carry down-to-earth ideas for enhancing the user-friendliness of your congregation. Our first article comes to us courtesy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Their checklist, which begins on page 4, looks pretty transferable to Mennonite Brethren.
Following that on page 7, Karen Franklin aims to prove that our efforts to be friendly don't have to be glum affairs-or cost a lot either. Her ideas for "party evangelism" have been tested in her own congregation. Our own Connie Faber adds ideas she collected from our own churches. Laurel B. Schunk's article, page 12, gets down to the real heart of the matter: Are we willing to welcome people beyond our tradition and comfort zone? Her real-life experience should generate some sincere introspection within each of us.
With this issue, we're happy to introduce a new regular feature. Since the day I became editor (which is to say, for a long time now), I've wished for an ongoing feature that would deal with media usage. Now we have one. "Media Matters" is the name we've given to a new column written by Burton Buller. Many of you will know Burton as the gifted crafter of documentary films. The Henderson, Neb., native now directs MB Communications, a multimedia ministry of the Manitoba MB Conference. Though he's currently based in Canada, he's still a "homeboy" in our hearts. Welcome aboard, Burton.-DR
COMING
SEPTEMBER 26-28-General Conference consultation and Council of Boards, Fresno, Calif.
OCTOBER 12-27-Southern District regional rallies:
Oct. 12-Tulsa, Okla.
Oct. 13-Fairview, Okla.
Oct. 19-Cimarron, Kan.
Oct. 20-Buhler, Kan.
Oct. 21-Wichita, Kan.
Oct. 26-Denver, Colo.
Oct. 27-Topeka, Kan.
OCTOBER 25-26-Central District annual convention, Harvey, N.D.
NOVEMBER 8-9-Pacific District annual convention, hosted by Laurelglen Bible Church, Bakersfield, Calif.
-JANUARY 6-12, 1997-lndia 97, Assembly 13 of Mennonite World Conference, Calcutta, India.
FEATURES - Theme: Hospitable churches
4
Hosts for Christ
Wonder how to make your congregation more user-friendly for visitors and neWcomers? Have we got (15) ideas for you!
7 Join the party!
Seekers who feel uncomfortable coming to church services might prefer informal gatherings. Here are some church-tested ideas for outreach-minded party animals. BY KAREN FRANKLIN
8 Adventures in hospitality
We've collected some hospitality hints from our own congregations. And we're happy to pass them along. BY CONNIE FABER
12 Hinder them not
We say we're a friendly church that wants to grow. But are we ready for the Pinkstons? BY LAUREL B. SCHUNK
DEPARTMENTS
What Readers Say . Ph'lip Side
•A moderate proposal
Inquiring Minds by Marvin Hein 16
• Proclaimers with mixed motives
• Bride-centered weddings On the Journey
• Plant a mustard seed Miscellanea Media Matters
• NATIONAL CONVENTION COVERAGE: On board with Mission USA 18
• MBM/S ends in the black-despite decline in income 24
• MBs in Siberia run a popular camp for kids 24
• Kansas team serves in Lithuania 25
• Mutant television viruses Editorial
• Beyond the hoopla
ART CREDITS: Cover and pages 4, 5, 7 and 8, CLEO Photography; page 10, Leader file photo by Wally Kroeker; page 12, Ed Wallo witch,' pages 18-20, Leader staff photos; page 25, MCC photo by Ben Falk.
Don Ratzlaff
Connie Faber
BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Noelle Dickinson (acting chair), Jeanie Klaassen, Herb Schroeder, Kathy Heinrichs Wiest
MANDATE: THE CHRISTIAN LEADER (ISSN 00095149), organ of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, -is published monthly by the U.S. Conference Board of Communications, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events, activities, decisions, and issues of their denomination, and to instruct, inspire and initiate dialog so that they will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelicalj Anabaptist theological tradition.
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ASSISTANT EDITOR
EDITOR
FORTRESS OR FAMILY?
Most of us apply the idea of #hospitality# to our homes. But this Christian ministry applies as much-or more-to the household of God.
How open is your congregation to visitors and seekers? How well does it receive and accept newcomers?
With this issue we want to encourage the growth of userfriendly churches. Toward that end, we offer the fC?/Iowing articles with the hope that the practical ideas and experiences within them might help us begin to remove some of the barriers that keep us from expressing the love of Christ to a searching world.-the editors
os s
T ALMOST SOUNDS PRESUMPTUOUS TO be acting as hosts for Christ. Yet that is precisely wrhat early followrers of our Lord wrere trying to do wrhen they established their hospices to provide lodging for strangers, travelers and underprivileged. They tried to treat each guest as if they wrere entertaining the Christ hifilself.
Hospitality growrs out of this effort to provide a cordial and generous wrelcofile. The congregation that takes such a task seriously wrill defilonstrate wrhat it says it is, the body of Christ. Hospitality really is not difficult, but its ifilportance clearly suggests that it be done intentionally and not left to happenstance. The followring checklist can help.
[1] .1
Public invitation. Has your community seen one symbol in the past month that your congregation is alive and open to receiving visitors-an advertisement in your local newspaper (preferably more than a staid listing of service times), flyers delivered to homes, a special event open to the public, a banner flapping brightly in front of the church, a bake sale, ice cream social, car wash, or even a worship service on the church lawn when the weather permits?
12. . . '.1 Effective signs. Is your church sign easily visible and perpendicular to the road or street and is its information (times of services, etc.) up-to-date?
•
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Accommodating parking. Will visitors to your church be able to find a parking space easily? Is your parking lot clearly identified? At least a block away from the church on the main artery, plant a "Visitors' Parking" sign leading to the parking lot. Reserve a dozen spaces for visitors and people with disabilities. Instruct parking lot attendants to keep those places available, and if the spaces fill up, suggest that they offer to park the visitor's car for him or her.
141
Early welcome. Are visitors made to feel welcome already on the parking lot?
Umbrellas could become the most memorable thing about your congregation on a Sunday morning, especially if worshipers are arriving in a downpour. Ushers or parking lot attendants may make a lasting impression on visitors if they have umbrellas handy to help people arrive comfortably. Ask each usher and attendant to bring an umbrella on Sunday morning or buy several and have them available near the door of the church building.
[2J
Pleasing entrances. Is the entrance to your church building bright and happy, giving visitors an impression that the congregation is a place where good news is emphasized? A coat of light paint and some wall decorations often can turn an institutional entrance into a place that gives the feeling of a warm and comfortable homecoming. Can persons who are physically challenged enter with relative ease?
161
Directional help. Are the locations of bathrooms, Sunday school office, infant nursery, etc., clearly evident? The location of bathrooms in particular may create anxiety for people visiting a congregation for the first time. Just inside the door place a sign to assist the stranger in finding the various facilities and offices. At the junction of each new hallway, place another sign giving directions.
A checklist of 15 traits of a welcoming cong (ega tion I
7I
Sociable greeters. Are the greeters persons who have a special gift of hospitality? While some congregations may want to give all members an opportunity to serve as greeters, certain people who are outgoing, good listeners, able to recognize visitors and capable of engaging them in conversation should always be on hand as well. It's not a bad idea to train special members for this important function. Greeters should not ask if the people are new to the congregation. A simple introduction like, "Hi, I don't think I've met you before. My name is ," will do just fine.
181
Caring nursery. What impression will the visitor get from your infant nursery? While genuine hospitality needs to extend also to infants in the worship service, some parents of younger children are embarrassed by the children's restlessness during the service and will not attend unless there is a place where they feel their children are safe and secure in a nursery. Cribs and furnishings need to be attractive and comfortable. Cleanliness is a must. Attendants
Some parents of younger children will not attend unless there is a place where they feel their children are safe and secure in a nursery_
HOSPITABLE CHURCHES
need to appear mature, friendly, and understanding.
191
Readily available bulletins. Does the visitor need to hunt for a bulletin-or even know that one is needed? Be sure that not only are ushers standing at the entrance to the sanctuary with bulletins in hand but that bulletins are also placed in other places where they can easily be picked up. And once the worshiping stranger is seated and begins to look at the bulletin, be sure every detail is clearly written and printed in an appealing way.
110 I
Name tags? What about name tags? They can be intimidating to people who are worshiping for the first time in a congregation. Sometimes they don't want to be singled out. Some congregations expect every member to wear a tag and are able to recognize their visitors as those not wearing one!
1111
Fellowship time. If your congrega• tion has a coffee/refreshment time, does it really say, "In Christ's name, welcome"? If it doesn't, it can be the most discouraging and lonely time on Sunday morning for the visitor. Remember, if the first-time visitor works up the courage to join the fellowship time, he or she is probably hoping to meet some potential friends. Week after week, long-term members must be reminded to be hospitable. Don't wait for the evangelism committee to do the evangelizing for your congregation. It's everybody's job to show hospitality to strangers. We can introduce ourselves, introduce our guests to other parishioners, bring them a cup of coffee or cider, perhaps ask if they would like a tour of the church. Being friendly may be the best and only opportunity we will have to witness to our faith and to the importance our church has for us.
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Written records. Do you make sure • all visitors sign the guest book (or card or pad) so you can have a record of their names and addresses?
1131
Follow-up. Of course, this is a useless exercise if no one follows up with a visit to the person's home. Is that done in a systematic way?
The follow-up contact should be brief, but it is surprisingly effective in expressing welcome. One frequently cited study found that 85 percent of first-time visitors who were called on within 36 hours after their visit returned the following Sun-
day; 60 percent returned if visited within 72 hours; only 15 percent returned if visited within 10 days. However, if the pastor made the initial visit, those percentages were cut in half!
A simple way some congregations demonstrate hospitality is to take a freshly baked pie or cake to the visitor's home either on Sunday afternoon or by 6 p.m. on Monday. The caller simply rings the doorbell, and when an adult answers, says, "Hello. I'm from Church. We just wanted you to know how delighted we are that you visited our congregation today (or yesterday). We thought you (and your family) might enjoy this little token of our appreciation. Maybe we'll see you again." Pies can be purchased from some restaurants or some members might enjoy baking frozen pies prior to the brief visits.
If the visits are conducted unannounced, the follow-up calls, whether by telephone or in person, should not take more than a few moments. Longer visit needs to be arranged in advance. People are busy, and leisure time is treasured.
1141
Pastoral involvement. The pastor's role in evangelizing worshiping strangers can be significant. After all, the pastor is the person the visitor saw and heard throughout the worship service. Although it is important that a layperson call on the prospective member, the pastor needs to follow up somehow. Often a telephone call will suffice, or the pastor may want to arrange a lunch at or near the visitor's work place. In some cases, the situation may warrant a lengthier call at the person's home.
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Ongoing contact. What kind of hospitality do you demonstrate after the initial contact? What happens later can be every bit as important. When people join a congregation and find no comfortable place to fit into the activities, statistics show they often grow passive about their membership in a short time. Consider making follow-up calls three or four months after a person has joined. It will be a call to express concern, asking how the congregation is or is not fulfilling its commitment to the new member and reviewing opportunities for the new member to become involved in the life and mission of the congregation.
Informal functions may be the best way to introduce new people to your family of believers. Here are some proven ideas that almost any group can do-without a big budget or the formal blessing of a church committee.
BY KAREN FRANKLIN
NFORTUNATELY, SOME PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME RESERVATIONS about going to church as they do about visiting the dentist. Even if they think they need to go, lllisconceptions about church or the fear of being put into an a"Wkw"ard situation keep thelll at hOOle. That's "Why one of the Olost effective "Ways to get people interested in church is to invite theOl to a party rather than a "Worship service.
In the relaxed setting of a party-or some other social function-newcomers can get to know people from the church. Before long, they will notice their new acquaintances are caring, helpful people who are interested in them and who have fun being together. Newcomers may even eventually realize this group has found some answers to their most pressing questions and want to go to church to discover the truth for themselves.
If your church doesn't regularly have functions that are newcomer-friendly, or if you are looking for new ideas, here are some that have been successful in the church we attend. All can be done with a minimum amount of cash. The only requirements are a little planning, a few volunteers, and someone with initiative to get the ball rolling.
DINNER 8. In Romans, Paul says we are to "practice hospitality," but sometimes we need a little nudge. Dinner 8 encourages couples to get to know others in the church, and also lets them introduce their friends to other church members in the comfort of their own home. Here's how it works.
Members who want to participate sign up. A coordinator then puts them in groups of six and assigns one person or couple from each group to
Adventures in hospitality
HOSPITABLE CHURCHES
MENNONITE BRETHREN
cong regations offer hospitality to visitors and newcomers in a variety of ways. Food is a common ingredient-everything from cookies to full meals. At our request, participants at the U.S. Conference convention in Colorado Springs in July volunteered an assortment of ideas.
Hungry hearts and stomachs
"We do what is now semicommon-giving a plate of homemade cookies to people who visit for the fi rst time," says Brad Schmidt, pastor of Roseville Oaks Community Church, a church plant in Roseville, Calif. The cookies are delivered on the Saturday following the initial visit as a reminder of church the next day.
"A recent wrinkle in this practice is that we have begun also giving a plate of cookies to the ROCC families that invited the visitors," Schmidt says. "We want to reward them for reaching out."
Members of the evangelism committee at Her-
In the relaxed setting of a party-or some other social function-newcomers can get to know people from the church.
arrange the first dinner. Each group of six will have dinner together three times, with households taking turns hosting. The host for the month will also invite two other persons or a couple, making it a party of eight. The invitees can be coworkers, neighbors, family members, new church attenders, or whomever the host wishes to introduce to the group.
Dinner 8 tips:
• Have each group decide if the host will prepare the entire meal, or if other members will contribute each time by bringing an entree, such as a salad or dessert
• Have each group decide if it wants to include children or hire child care. Including children enhances the family atmosphere; providing child care contributes to uninterrupted
itage Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif., visit guests and also leave a plate of cookies. The pastoral staff at Millard Bible Church in Omaha, Neb., visits the homes of guests bearing a jar of preserves. The label on the jar includes a message from the church.
The North Fresno MB Church in Fresno, Calif., goes "mugging." A church mug filled with candy and information about the congregation is delivered personally to visitors. "We know it's not original," says staff member Janice Porter, "but it's great."
"It sounds simple, but having people in your home is best," says Porter. This past summer Porter and her husband, Bruce, put together a Fourth of July barbecue, complete with' fireworks, for young families. "We focus on the needs of specific group we have over and have it as our project to make them feel special," she says.
Open homes
Some congregations intentionally use homes as part of their outreach and welcoming ministry.
This past spring, Millard Bible tried the Dinner 8 idea. Fifteen couples at Millard Bible formed groups of three couples each. Each household hosted one meal or activity for the other two with the added responsi-
HOSPITABLE CHURCHES
fellowshipfor adults.
In our Dinner 8 group we invited two couples fairly new to our church. Stacy and Denise had attended for about a year; Bruce and Tracey had attended only for two months. A week after our second dinner, Denise's mother had surgery. Although the surgery seemed to go well, Denise was alarmed at the severe sideeffects her mother was experiencing from a medication. Denise tried to talk to the doctor about the situation, but didn't feel satisfied with his answers.
In desperation she called Tracey, the new friend she'd met and grown to trust through our Dinner 8 group. Tracey, a nurse, got out her medical books and was able to give Denise the information-and reassurance-she needed. In turn, Tracey felt like she was an part of her new church body.
BARN PARTY. Involving children can open doors to relationship with their parents. Around Halloween, a singles group from our church organizes a party for our church kids in a barn outside of town. The kids (up to sixth grade) are encouraged to invite friends from their schools and neighborhoods who don't attend church.
bility of inviting unchurched friends or church newcomers to attend. Pastor Leonard Reimer reports that the church potentially contacted 15 new households using these dinners.
Newcomer teas for women are sponsored by the Heritage Bible women's ministries about every three months. An equal number of regular and new attenders are invited so participants can talk one-on-one during the morning. The format enables guests to learn more about each other and for newcomers to learn why others enjoy Heritage, says coordinator Betty Eirich. Guests are invited personally rather than by written invitation. Tea time is kept to 60 minutes. The women meet in homes and the group is kept small-10 or 12 people total. Eirich reports that women who came to the first teas three years ago have asked to help with later ones.
Heritage is also planning additional events with newcomers in mind. A day of informative seminars is planned for women Sept. 28 and an evening meal for couples combining new and regular attenders is a goal for later this year.
New attenders at Buhler (Kan.) MB Church are invited to a reception hosted by pastoral couples Brent and Joan Warkentin and Nick and Clarice Rem-
The children have a great time wearing their costumes (no scary costumes allowed), and the parents from church have a chance to meet the other parents as they stand around and watch their kids participate in the games.
Barn party tips:
• If you have a wide range of ages, divide the kids into several age groups and rotate through three or four game stations.
• Assign different groups in your church to be in charge of refreshments and goodies for take-home sacks.
One year I invited Evan, the assistant manager from work, to bring his son to the barn party. They didn't come. At Easter, Evan turned down an invitation to our worship service. Then in summer he married a woman who had two children. When I invited him to the barn party that fall, he showed his wife the flyer I'd given him. She thought it sounded like fun and they came.
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE. Moving a household is rarely what most people would consider a party, but with a dozen or more people carrying boxes, the dreaded task can be made much more enjoyable and actually be completed in just a few
pel. ;'It's just a big party," Warkentin says. In an effort to keep it informal, guests are invited by letter and no RSVP is required.
The pastors share their personal stories and talk about the history of the Buhler church and its Mennonite Brethren heritage. Guests are invited to talk about their own history and to ask questions. The receptions are held every three or four months. Last month, Rempels hosted about 20 new people for a backyard ice cream social.
The Lustre (Mont.) MB Church is located 35 miles from the nearest restaurant. This inconvenience gives the congregation the natural opportunity to invite newcomers to eat in homes after Sunday worship services. The hospitality committee coordinates the efforts.
"This provides great times of fellowship and helps visitors become better connected with the church family," says pastor J Epp. Epp reports that newcomers can generally count on four to six "free" lunches thanks to this generous congregation.
Sunday morning strategies
Sunday morning activities, such as visiting after church and Sunday school, offer opportunities for cre-
HOSPITABLE CHURCHES
from p. 9
atively welcoming guests. The Roseville congregation meets at an elementary school, which requires them to dismantle equipment following the service. Worshipers have about 10 minutes to visit and mingle beforetear-down begins. During this time, ROCC regulars are encouraged to look for those they know the least and then work their way down to those they know the best. IIThis guarantees that visitors are greeted and helps to discourage cliquishness," Schmidt says.
Attendance in a young couples Sunday school class at the Reedley (Calif.) MB Church hovered around 15 several years ago. So three members appointed themselves as a class leadership team. They changed the purpose of the class, altered the physical setting, and gave their group a new name designed to be more inclusive. Today, the U-R-US class has 100 people on its roster and has spawned a second class. The classes are built around the assumption that Sunday school can be an outreach tool of the congregation.
Teachers Mike Schuil and Jeff McFall say building relationships with non-Christians is essential. IIlf you know what the Bible teaches, but are not reaching out to others, you need to cut down on church meet-
Giving people a job makes them feel a part of the group, and working together provides plenty of opportunities for fellowship.
hours. The people on the receiving endwhether new attenders or old faithfuls-are always grateful.
Moving day tips:
• Make sure the people moving have everything boxed up and ready. If they need boxes, ask around. Someone in your church probably works at a place where boxes are routinely discarded. Have that person collect them for you.
• Have the people moving label their boxes "Kitchen," "Basement," "Master bedroom," etc., so movers can put them in the right rooms.
• If the people are moving out of a place larger than a one-bedroom apartment, encourage them to rent a truck, or consider renting one for them. Moving vans save time and wear and tear on furniture. For short-distance moves, they're
ings and get involved with the unsaved," Schuil says.
Newcomers are not formally introduced during Sunday school but are informally helped to feel part of the group. Class time is proceded by a coffee break during which newcomers are greeted by at least three IIregulars" and asked out to lunch.
Class leaders recognize the role eating together plays in fostering friendships. Sunday morning breakfasts are held regularly and class socials are planned monthly. Class members are encouraged to invite unchurched friends to social events since "anything you like doing, others like," says McFall.
Schuil and McFall say the content of their Bible lessons hasn't changed, only the way the material is presented. They make use of round-table discussion groups and strive to make the lessons fun, upbeat and contemporary. Home Bible studies are organized to encourage mature Christians. However, non-Christians are also invited to participate.
Does your congregation have an effective way of welcoming new people? Let us spread the word. Send your ideas to Christian Leader, Attn: Hospitality, Box V, Hillsboro, KS 67063, or fax them to us at (316) 947-3266. If we get enough, we'll pass them along. -Connie Faber
Adventures in hospitality
Cont'd
HOSPITABLE CHURCHES
fairly inexpensive .
• Have someone bring cleaning products and a vacuum cleaner. When the loaded moving van pulls away, several people can stay behind and clean up.
Invite new attenders and nonattending friends to help. Giving people a job makes them feel a part of the group, and working together provides plenty of opportunities for fellowship.
Brenda, who worked with a woman from our church, occasionally attended our worship services and singles' events after returning from a Memorial Day weekend rafting trip with the singles group. In fall, she bought a house. It took only three pickup trucks, a few trunks, and about a dozen people to transfer most of the contents of her one-bedroom apartment.
When her brother showed up at the house to help an hour and a half later, he was astounded to find the work finished. He said many of his friends had promised to help him move out the week before, but only two had shown up. Brenda continued attending our church and, after about a year, became a Christian.
VALENTINE'S DINNER/COUPLES NIGHT OUT.
Instead of a dinner at the church, give the banquet committee a break and go out to eat. And don't forget: getting there can be half the fun.
For Valentine's Day a few years ago, our church made reservations at a restaurant in a small town about 25 miles away. We met at the church and piled in a rented school bus. Traveling as a group gave us a chance to visit with others and reminisce about our school bus days.
Dinner tips:
• Have the restaurant reserve a separate room for your group
• Let each couple know the approximate cost beforehand.
After the dinner, our pastor stood and toasted his wife. Other men followed suit, saying what they appreciated about their wives. Hearing 12 men praise their wives made a deep impression on a couple who was visiting.
Jerry had been friends with Steve, his coworker, for several years. Their two families had gotten together a few times, but Steve and Jazz, his wife, had never come to any church-related events-until the Valentine's dinner. After that special night, they regularly attended our church.
The next year, Jazz was heartbroken when she discovered they wouldn't be able to attend the Valentine's dinner.· She told Jerry's wife the past year had been the best year ever, and the Valentine's dinner was when it had all started.
SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS. Most people hate those silly games you have to play at bridal and baby showers, right? Next time, skip the games and use the occasion to truly encourage the wifeto-be or new mom. Have a sharing time where women of the church can affirm the guest of honor in her new role, comment on her positive qualities, and give timely advice from their own experiences.
When Rhonda, a single woman in her 30s, adopted a baby from China, she said our assistant pastor's wife saying, "I think you'll be a great mom," gave her confidence.
Men don't have to be excluded either. Showers for couples can be especially meaningful. Even after five years, Tobi still remembers some of the advice she and David received at their wedding shower, such as a reminder to be polite to each other, and not take each other for granted.
More important than the specific advice, however, is the wonderful feeling of love and support that stays with the couple.
At the shower for David and Tobi's first baby, many of the men commented on David's patient, gentle nature and predicted those qualities would help him become a good father. "I think it gave him more confidence," Tobi says. "It helps if other people think you'll do good."
Shower tips:
• For couples showers, have snack foods (sandwiches, nachos, etc.) along with the cake and punch.
• Set a time limit.
Showers probably won't bring in many unchurched people. But setting aside time to share important insights can foster closeness and camaraderie in your church group. In tum, that closeness is what is going to attract others when they do visit.
The key to getting new people involved is inviting them repeatedly. Often people turn down several invitations before they finally accept. Even if after your best efforts no one new shows up to an event, that's OK. Use the time to build up the body and grow closer as a group. Then gear up for the next time.
In time, maybe the description of the early church in Acts will also describe your church: "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
• Karen Franklin is a free-lance writer from Wichita, Kan.
* Names have been changed throughout this story.
T WAS THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE, THE ONE WHERE every attender received the large Hershey bar. Our fafilily had invited the Pinkston* fafilily to attend, a filother and three teenage children "Who'd been asked to leave our forfiler church. For us their ousting had been the last stra"W. If those three handsome, but definitely odd, children "Were not "Welcofile, "We didn't "Want to be part of that church either.
For several years my husband, John, and our older children had befriended the three young teens. We knew only a little about their background, which included a father who was in jail for dealing drugs. When they were asked to leave the former church, we adopted the mother too.
Linda Pinkston cared. She had struggled to get her kids into church. Two of them had accepted Christ and been duly baptized. Then they were rejected. But why?
The reasons, as best we could determine, were dubious. First, Denny, the church moderator's son, had become involved with a gang. David, Linda's oldest son, refused to mess with gangs and tried to talk Denny out of hanging with them. Denny didn't listen, his father lost control of him, and someone had to be blamed.
ThenJames, the Christian education leader's son, turned punk. Again David listened to James and tried to counsel him. But James refused, and someone had to be blamed.
And David, Marie and Jarrod became the scapegoats.
Linda struck us as odd, but incredibly hardworking. Each day she prepared hot, nutritious, bountiful meals for her children. She was obviously bright; she organized a summer reading club, where she read the classics to children in their lower-class neighborhood. David and Marie were gifted; Jarrod had a learning disability and couldn't read, but he could play the piano like an angel-by ear.
So much potential, so little support. Anywhere. And once the leaders of our former church turned them away to save their own troubled kids, the Pinkstons had even fewer social resources. So we took this family to our new church, which had a wonderful youth program. That Christmas Eve, in spite of their assumed adolescent apathy, the big Hershey bars really impressed them. I still remember Jarrod's eyes when the deacon handed him one. "This is for me? Really?"
HINDER HEM aT
Growing means moving beyond our comfort zone
BY LAUREL B. SCHUNK
Some members of the church reached out to them. But I remember the expressions on a few faces when they looked at]arrod's earrings, tattoos and wacky haircut. To tell the truth, ]arrod looked dreadful, like a motorcycle gang member. But he was invariably sweet and gentle with our 8-year-old son. Some folks didn't want them at church because they were so different, so threatening. After an initial trial run, ]arrod and David didn't come back.
But Linda loved the new church. She kept bringing Marie, in hopes of securing a church home for her, a place in the youth group. Bill, the leader of the youth group, stepped right up to take her in and love her. This man's name is surely on the top of the list for extra rewards when he reaches heaven.
One thing we didn't know: Linda was a paranoid schizophrenic under a psychiatrist's treatment. She had a prescription she was told to take for her fantasies. Sometimes she was sure a train was running through her house in the middle of the night. And she would talk about the strange man in a white car who followed her everywhere. But Linda didn't want to take the medication. She said it made her feel like a druggie.
So, two months after the Christmas Eve service, once she'd made sure Marie would be taken care of in the youth group, Linda bought a gun and shot herself. The gunshot ended her life, and it tore holes in ours. We kept asking why. Why didn't we know? Different church leaders felt the aftershock too. One asked, "What should we have done differently?"
I didn't know. I couldn't even guess.
I thought of conversations Linda and I had had, of long walks talking about the Bible, about God's love. She was a believer, born again when her mind was right, I know that. The one important thing I should have known I learned too late: She was mentally ill and didn't want us to know.
The biggest question remains: Did church members want people like Linda and]arrod in
our church? The Pinkstons didn't dress very well. The kids, while well fed and well cared for, as far as Linda was able, always looked a little dirty around the edges. Did we want them sitting in church next to us or next to our kids?
In her excellent book Worship Evangelism (Zondervan, 1995), Sally Morgenthaler writes that churches are missing out by not bringing in the seekers, those not just church hopping. Most church members want only their own kind sitting next to them in the pews. Is that true of us too?
Morgenthaler cites figures from George Barna that indicate that between 1991 and 1994, 5,000 new churches were started in the United States at a cost of $1 billion. At the same time, the percentage of born-again Christians dropped from 40 percent of the population to 35 percent.
Since 1980, the number of born-again Christians in the rest of the world, however, grew from 6.2 percent to 9.9 percent-and at a fraction of the dollar cost of building 5,000 U.S. churches. In Latin America alone, evangelical church membership grew during those same years from 18.6 million people to 59 million.
Barna asks: Do we want to grow? Or do we want to keep our "holy huddle" intact? Do we budge from our comfort zones?
According to Barna's research, unbelievers see church members as attending church every week but as being more judgmental and rejecting than other people. They see us as professing to hate the sin and love the sinner, but in practice we condemn anyone different from us.
Many do. But then again, many do not.
For me and many others, the question is this: Do we treat each of these unlovely persons the way we would treat Christ? Or do we reject them and preach at them, or point fingers at their failings? •
Laurel B. Schunk, a free-lance writer, attends First MB Church in Wichita, Kan.
Our Holy Spirit theology
I offer a comment on the statement in the July editorial that "Mennonite Brethren have no formal theology of the Holy Spirit."
The three editions of the Confession of Faith of the Mennonite Brethren contain a very clear statement on our doctrine on the Holy Spirit. Historically this doctrine has been very central for the Mennonite Brethren. The Zionsbote registers 103 articles on the Holy Spirit. The General Conference study conferences of the 1950s and 1960s record a series of study papers defining Mennonite Brethren understanding of doctrine and practice in relationship to the Holy Spirit. The study conferences of the 1970s and 1980s wrestle more with social issues related to marriage and divorce, abortion, and questions of social ethics in the light of Scriptures.
The culture of relativism, which recognizes no absolutes of truth, is widely accepted by Mennonite Brethren and has removed all discussions of doctrine and lifestyle from our conference agendas in recent years.
].B. Toews Fresno, Calif.
IlJJ I read in tandem the July editorial ("Listening to the Spirit?") and a Christianity Today article Oune 17 issue) analyZing Gordon D. Fee's book, Paul, The Holy Spirit, and the People of God. The two read together are enlightening. Gordon Fee is "must reading" for all pastors and hopefully also for many constituents.
We should encourage opening the window of our mind and spirit to the doctrine and ministry of the Holy Spirit. We should never forget that the Holy Spirit came to exalt the Lord Jesus. We should always be more enamored of the Giver than the gifts, as exemplified by those who draw attention to their devotion more than to the Lord of the Church.
WHAT READERS SAY
To say Mennonite Brethren have no formal theology of the Holy Spirit is not accurate for me personally. I have
beel} at numerous study conferences during which the doctrines of the Trinity and specifically the Holy Spirit were studied and chronicled. Prior to 1981 a number of study conferences on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit were held.
Without the Spirit's witness, we would have no assurance and would lack the capacity to believe. I want to read the eternal Word, allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate and then exalt God manifest in the flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ who came as the true God/Man.
Loyal Funk Bakersfield, Calif.
Eds. note: The statement in the editorial about our lack of a formal theology of the Holy Spirit was based on the dearth of materials available to the average member-or pastor, for that matter. Our Udoctrine J7 of the Holy Spirit in the current Confession of Faith is 39 words long. Well-reasoned and thoughtful papers from study conferences held 20 to 40 years ago may exist somewhere in our archival centers, but who can readily find them? And even if we could, are our assumptions still the same in this generation?
Currently, the General Conference Board of Faith and Life is in the midst of a major revision of the Confession of Faith with plans to produce a companion commentary and pastoral helps. Maybe this will bring more of our theology into the open.
Worship and worshiper
Steve Toews's article, "Repetition in Worship Singing: Bane or Blessing?" Ouly) hit the nail on the head regarding the real issue of worship-and it has nothing to do with repetition in singing or the style of the music sung. The issue in worship is not the substance of the worship service but the substance of the worshiper. If we put our greatest energy in planning and performing a worship service that is "correct" in its order and content, and feel that in itself is worship, we have done nothing but recreate the Old
Testament system of worship, sans animal sacrifice, or perhaps created a "Protestant mass." In such a system, worship is in what we do.
As believers, we worship "by the Spirit of God" (phil. 3:3). Our worship involves the transformation of our minds and lives (Rom. 12:1-2). Form and appearance, while pleasing, have no guarantee of substance. God rejected the sacrifice, assemblies and songs of the Israelites, opting instead for a life that was obedient to him (Amos 5:21-24). Our worship is the offering of ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Rom. 12:1).
So, perhaps the reason we have difficulty worshiping together on a Sunday morning is not because we can't agree on an acceptable form of worship, but because we haven't been about the business of worshiping on a daily basis. Not in the sense of private devotions, but in a life surrendered to God and seeking to serve him-doing God's agenda, not ours. This is true worship in our New Testament day.
As a worship leader, I seek music that is God-centered, biblically accurate, well-crafted in its particular genre, and stylistically appropriate to the participants.
Although music no doubt stirs the soul,its main focus should not be the sound of the music itself nor "blessing" the singer. Its purpose is to give communal testimony to who God is and to aid the participants in expressing it: Any worship style that has as its primary focus the blessing of the participants is not honoring nor acceptable to God.
Brad Vogel Inman,Kan.
The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters to the editor in response to our articles or of relevance to the Mennonite Brethren Church. All letters must be signed and may be edited for clarity and length. Send letters to Christian Leader, Box \( Hillsboro, KS 67063. Or fax them to us at (376) 947-3266.
PH'LIP SIDE
BY PHILIP WIEBE
A moderate proposal
No
matter what our political or ideological inclinations may be, a dose of moderation would make us all feel better.
IT OCCURRED TO ME recently that I'm not a moderate because I've chosen to be a moderate, but because I can't help it. I've become convinced that I occupy that fuzzy territory between conservative Republican and liberal Democrat because of genetics.
My parents testify to my lifelong moderate nature. They tell me I was a child given neither to fits of melancholy nor hyperactivity, that I tended to approach life in a measured (or possibly puzzled) manner.
One of my earliest childhood memories bears that out. At 3 years old I was riding my tricycle leisurely in front of our Dallas, Ore., home when the high-strung kid from across the street streaked by on his own trike, pedaling furiously and hollering, "Bet you can't do this!"
I distinctly remember thinking, "Bet I could, but why would I want to?"
That's pretty much been my thinking ever since. As various trends, fads and philosophies have streaked by over the years, I've usually found myself asking, "Why would I want to? Would this be something to embrace, reject, or a little of both?" As a true moderate, often my answer has been "a little of both. "
I'm typing this, for instance, on a powerful computer with the latest software but no CD ROM or Internet connection. A moderate setup. While I'm quite attached to my word-processor and other applications, I remain wary of tapping into technology that comes across like a glorified TV set-it may have its uses, but seems mainly committed to providing mindless entertainment.
The concept of moderation has enjoyed a long and fruitful history. Greek philosophers were big on it, as was the Hebrew philosopher Solomon. Jesus often talked about considering life and measuring costs, and the Apostle Paul had quite a bit to say about moderation in conduct and in relation to leadership qualities. Since then countless leaders, thinkers and writers have hailed the concept and practice of moderation in numerous forms and arenas. In the recent history of our own society, we could say that moderation has been held in high esteem as a desirable character quality.
One wonders if that's still true. It's tempting to say we live in a culture of extremists, with all the crazy things people do these days. Showing moderate tendencies can get you in trouble. I find it interesting that in recent months President Clinton has been criticized from the left for not being liberal enough and candidate Dole from the right for not being conservative enough. Both blasted for being too moderate. That's what happens when you try and get in the middle of things.
Not that I think some moderate third party should be pushing a moderate candidate. That would be scary. I shudder to imagine a president like me pressed to take a stand on issues. "I could take a hard line on these," I hear myself thinking, "but why would I want to?"
Some would argue, in fact, that our current slug-it-out system of politics is exactly what leads to modera-
tion. The old checks and balances routine. Some seem to think that we'd be better off with an all-Republican or all-Democrat government, but I'm not so sure. Either vision gives me a headache. Suddenly, our current checks and balances mess looks pretty good.
Then again, maybe more moderates exist out there than I thought. In a survey I saw about something nonpolitical, the statistic most amazing to me was that about 20 percent of the survey participants identified themselves as conservatives, 20 percent as liberals, and 50 percent as moderates. I realize surveys, in representing infinitesimal slices of the opinionating public, can be dubious barometers of national feeling. Still, that moderate statistic gives me hope. More people than I'd realized might be willing to admit that each side has its pluses and minuses.
Granted, moderation has its drawbacks. When I find myself shifting from the middle ground to the top of the fence, I have to remind myself of Jesus's jolting words about lukewarm people. At times I hear myself inquiring, "Why would I want to?" when I really should be asking, "What do I need to do?" I don't think all the moderates in the world uniting would necessarily accomplish much, other than making forsome extremely uneventful news coverage.
But in this election season, a little moderation couldn't hurt. Would it kill Republicans to admit Democrats have displayed more concern for the poor and hurting among us? Would it destroy Democrats to grant that Republicans have shown more resolve in matters of basic morality and responsible living? Would we go down with the ship to say that our side may not be all right nor the other side all wrong?
I could go on, but I mean to speak less of the politics of moderation than of its spirit. No matter what our politicalor ideological inclinations may be, a dose of moderation would make us all feel better.
INQUIRING MINDS
BY MARVIN HEIN
QIf Paul could bless the preaching of some who proclaimed Christ out of a nasty, competitive spirit, should we bless those who do aChristianly" acts but whose theology, in our view, falls far short of being acceptable? (MINNESOTA)
AThe inquirer refers to Philippians 1:15-18, where Paul speaks of some who preached Christ "out of envy and rivalry." Paul goes on to say that they preached "out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains." Paul surprisingly adds: "Whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."
Paul's words are puzzling. We would think the apostle should be greatly concerned about anyone who preached insincerely. Could we rejoice in competitive preachers, those hoping both to advance themselves and afflict us while we were imprisoned?
It is clear here the issue is not the message, but the motive. With the Judaizers who brought false doctrine, Paul had no patience or blessing. He stood like a rock for truth. But for Christ-proclaimers who were blatantly nasty, he thanked God. How could he do that?
Two things were planted firmly in Paul's mind: (1) the preaching of Jesus to the world is never one person's business, but the work of the corporate church; (2) people who preach Jesus do not have to be perfect saints for God to bless their preaching. Paul had a powerful trust in God's power to innovate good out of human failure. He knew he could not reach everyone. So he thanked God for Jesus-proclaimers even when they ridiculed Paul in the process. Wrong theology he could not endure; wrong motives he could
stomach quite readily.
Paul also trusted Christ to bring good out of the mixed natures of people. In so doing, Paul must have admitted his own mixed motives. He knew that no preacher is "Simonpure" in his sincerity. We all want to be admired for our eloquence or charm or wisdom. A sovereign God blesses the truth even when it comes from unfit and unworthy vessels.
So can God also bless the words of those whose motives and methods seem anti-Christian to us? Can the Lord honor the antiabortionist who works in a crusading, vindictive, perhaps even violent fashion to preserve life, so long as it is done in Christ's name? Can we bless the preacher who hardly to the Bible in his sermons and speaks mostly about feeling confident that you can overcome through Christ? Should we thank God for the charismatic who insists that healing is in the atonement, while we are quite convinced that the health-andwealth gospel is not the Jesus way?
The Bible says we are to examine beliefs to see if they are true. At the same time, Paul would instruct us to be more charitable with those whose methods and motives do not fit ours. My own toleration level isn't quite up to Paul's, but I suspect I need to raise that level for a lot of God's pro claimers and workers.
Qheard you voice objections to the cultural practice of making marriage ceremonies bride-centered. What do you mean by that? (CALIFORNIA)
AThis question arose during a coffee-break conversation where the president of a Mennonite Brethren theological institution, who had recently escorted his daughter down the aisle, and I, who will do the same in several weeks,
Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? Send it to 'inquiring Minds, c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.
were comparing notes. Someone recalled I had once put myself squarely in the line of fire by suggesting that modern weddings place so much attention on the bride that we may well forget who the real center of the service is.
So allow me to vent my prejudices! If the wedding was simply a civil ceremony officially uniting two persons in marriage, I would not object to focusing on the bride. But most of our weddings are intended to be services of worship. Worship has only one focus. We human beings may be the "players" in offering our praise to God, but we certainly are not the objects of worship. If we were to be consistent in that view, we would not, when we hear the first notes of Lohengrin's "Wedding March" processional, all stand in our pews, face the direction from which the bride appears, and "ooh and ah" as we inspect her wedding dress and radiant smile as she marches down the aisle.
It strikes me that, in order to make the service pleasant and personal, often the remarks and ceremony are geared not so much to worship as to the two people being married.
There is good reason for a wedding congregation to sing a hymn. All become engaged in worship. There is real purpose in having Scripture read in a wedding service. It reminds people of God's involvement in this impending relationship. It makes sense to have a meditation in connection with the service, and one based on Scripture, if we believe the Word to be a central ingredient in worship.
In short, let's make some effort to let the marriage service reflect the glory of God. That does not mean we will remain impersonal or morbidly sober during the ceremony. It simply means that the Lord, who likened his relationship with the church to a bride and groom, should be the one who receives the primary honor at a wedding.
ON THE]OURNEY
BY ROSE BUSCHMAN
Plant a mustard seed
God)s strategy isto use (insignificant people) to make a significant difference in the lives of others.
IT'S BEEN CALLED the "Mustard Seed Conspiracy." In his book by this name, Tom Sine suggests that each person can plant a small seed and make a big difference in today's troubled world. He talks about God's strategy-using "insignificant people" to make a significant difference in the lives of others.
Jesus said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God .... It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade" (Mk. 4:30-32).
Two people were having coffee together one morning and discussing the plight of the refugees in Bosnia. What could be done to help? Together they came up with the idea of refugee kits, which included personal hygiene products, medicines, a towel and other supplies worth about $ SO per kit.
A description of the project was published in the Mennonite Weekly Review and other periodicals. Within a matter of months more than 1,000 such kits arrived at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) headquarters together with money for shipping them overseas. The overwhelming response surprised even the organizers. A mustard seed became a big tree. The big payoff came when a Muslim refugee father expressed delight and surprise that a Christian family would send the kit to them.
Shirley read an MCC news release titled "Weep for the Children of
Haiti." The writer talked about her experiences working with about 100 malnourished children at the Missionaries of Charity Feeding Hospital. One paragraph caught Shirley's attention: "They have no toys other than one rattle attached to each bed. Their only sources of amusement are the volunteers [one for every 20 children] and one another."
Shirley decided to do something about it. She wrote to MCC asking what toys might be appropriate for these babies. She started making colorful mobiles for baby cribs and collected toys for toddlers. Copies of the story were shared with her Sunday school class, who also began adding to her toy collection. Soon a big box of toys, rattles and mobiles will be on its way to Haiti. Shirley cares and is making a difference.
Elvera, a retired university music professor and choral director, recently conducted a men's chorus concert in a Mennonite church. The chorus included eight men from a nearby prison. For a number of months she traveled 60 miles two or three times a week to practice with the prisoners. She taught them to read music, sing songs in German, Latin and Spanish as well as English. Sometimes the men from the church accompanied her to the prison to practice with the inmates.
At the concert, one of the inmates paid tribute to Elvera. "We appreciate you so much. 'You have given us new life inside those prison fences." She was quoted as saying, "Can you imagine what it must be
like for the inmates to receive this kind of affirmation when you have been told all your life that you are worthless? Over the years, I've been involved with many wonderful music events, but this one changed my life and hopefully, it changed other people's lives, too." One person cared and made a big difference.
David is a medical doctor who spends a part of his vacation each year in a developing country helping to upgrade the skills of doctors in his specialty. He presents seminars on the latest techniques, brings current medical textbooks and other equipment as needed. For the past two years he has been able to provide a growth hormone for a young boy who has grown 20 centimeters since receiving the needed treatment. He was also able to bring a hearing aid for another child.
Just before leaving on one such trip, David received a frantic call from a doctor in one of the pediatric hospitals he was scheduled to visit. This hospital was completely out of IV antibiotics. Could he bring some? David collected what he could and took it with him.
David also shares his faith with the people he meets. On a trip to a country where Christianity is strictly censored, a doctor asked him one evening to take a walk with him. David was not able to tell his wife or anyone in his party where he was going. He trusted God for his safety and during this walk David was able to share Christ with this doctor, who became a Christian. David cares enough to make a difference.
I'm a schoolteacher, so each summer I shop at back-to-school sales for enough notebooks, rulers, pencils, erasers, and colored pencils to fill a number of MCC school kits. For children in refugee camps and areas of famine, these kits are the only school supplies they will get. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that I, too, can make a difference. Care to join the conspiracy? What mustard seed could you plant?
Boschman, kneeling at the front of the stage, prays for empowerment and unity on behalf of Mission USA and its partners in ministry.
had asked representatives of the Mission USA Board, the college presidents and their wives, district ministers and their wives, and parents to kneel and raise clasped hands in unity. He then asked others to come forward and helphold their hands to symbolize support.
On board!
• Colorado Springs '96 demonstrated hale and hearty support for the maiden voyage of Mission USA and the new executive director who will steer it
MOTIVATION, instruction and something of a churchly coronation made for an uplifting and unifying mix at the U.S. Conference convention held July 26-29 on the campus of Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Participants were motivated through spirited worship sessions, insightful speakers (see sidebar, p.22) and the musical and dramatic contributions of two Fresno Pacific College student groups.
Instruction came by way of workshops, reports and two lengthy presentations from the keynote speaker, Robert E. Logan. Logan, vice president for new church development with Church Resource Ministries, Fullerton, Calif., spoke each time for
more than an hour on his specialty, renewal and church planting.
His talks were a fitting foundation for the centerpiece of this gathering: the official blessing and commissioning of Mission USA and its newly chosen executive director, Ed Boschman.
Mission USA debut
At the 1994 convention, delegates had affirmed the concept of Mission USA as a united, national catalyst for renewal and church planting, giving it a green light to enter the developmental stage.
At this gathering, a newly constituted board of directors gave its first report (see sidebar, p.19). In addition to organizing itself, hammering out a mission statement and mapping out
initial strategies, the board was enthused about presenting perhaps its most significant accomplishment so far: the recruitment of a full-time director.
"My biggest fear a few months ago was that I would come here and have to ask you to keep praying for us as we continued our search for an executive director," said Chuck Buller, board chair. That fear evaporated, he said, when Boschman, well-known for his successful church-developing ministries in the U.S. and Canadian conferences, agreed to take on the new assignment with Mission USA.
"I can't tell you how thrilled we are with the way God answered our prayers," said Buller, who noted that Boschman was at the top of their candidate list when they began their search. Prior to accepting his new role, Boschman was pastor of a growing church in Kelowna, B.C.
On hand for affIrmation
Though he doesn't officially begin his new assignment until September, Boschman and his wife, Carol, were on hand to bask in the affirmation of the delegation and to accept its formal commissioning.
Ed
Boschman
But Boschman also challenged his listeners to think seriously about the task ahead. In his convention-ending address on Monday morning, he made it clear who, in truth, would make or break Mission USA.
"There is a sense in which it is quite possible to say, 'Mission USA is a good idea. Let's just hire someone to do it,'" Boschman said. "I want you to know that I can't do it Ed and Carol can't do it, but God can. God will use Ed and Carol. He will use you."
A team approach
The team approach has been a key thrust of Mission USA's development.
The concept was birthed in 1993 when leaders from Mennonite Brethren agencies and institutions gathered to consider the financial direction of the denomination.
But the development of a new renewal and church planting thrust "is not a fad, or a trend, or a politically correct response for MBs," Buller insisted. "Mission USA is a new effort among MBs to fulfill an old vision: the Great Commission It will require new wineskins."
Commitment to the success of Mission USA was the thread that unified this gathering. The reports of the other three U.S. Conference boards-
and even General Conference ministries such as MB Missions/Services, MB Biblical Seminary and Youth Mission International-communicated clearly every intention of cooperating with and promoting the objectives of Mission USA.
The two U.S. colleges weren't left out either. Richard Kriegbaum, Fresno Pacific president, and David Brandt, Tabor College president, led an informal and entertaining presentation Sunday night. It included a panel-like discussion with the district ministers of the three largest districts. Their topic: how the colleges could link arms with the districts and local con-
Mission USA creates 'new wineskins' in first term
IN ITS FIRST report to a U.S. convention, the board of Mission USA listed its initial accomplishments and pointed to an expectant future.
Starting from ground zero following the 1994 convention, Mission USA has been developing "new wineskins" in order to "steward an old vision," said Chuck Buller, board chair. Buller highlighted several accomplishments:
• Shaping a board. With 17 members, Mission USA is by far the largest of the four U.S. boards. Buller said the number of members may be reduced in the years ahead, but at the outset it was "important to have representatives of like-minded conference agencies."
• Writing a mission statement. The end product-"To encourage, facilitate and coordinate local church growth and the planting of successful new churches that reach the unchurched"-led to the formation of two commissions within the board, said Buller. One
commission will oversee renewal and growth in existing churches, the other will focus on starting new churches.
Mike Schuil, Reedley, Calif., who leads the renewal commission, said a key component of their work will be leadership development. The commission will work closely with Youth Mission International and the two U.S. colleges to develop internships and mission opportunities for the growth of the local church.
Fred Leonard, Clovis, Calif., who leads the church-planting commission, compared the confer-
ence's past experiences with church planting with his own efforts to learn to water ski. "Even if we've fallen 21, 22 times, we may get up the 23rd time."
One component of the commission's plan is to develop church-planting interns, who will work alongside successful church planters before launching new works.
• Forging partnerships with congregations. Representatives from two congregations talked about their new linkages with Mission USA.
Jim Holm, pastor of the Reedley MB Church, described his congrega-
tion's efforts to begin a second worship service oriented toward reaching seekers. Holm said Mission USA's involvement has been primarily counsel and encouragement. Since starting the second service several months ago, total attendance has increased by 10 percent, Holm said.
For the Topeka (Kan.) MB Church, Mission USA assistance has included some funding help to enable the church to add needed staff. Members Robert and Verla Dick described the process of a congregation retooling itself for outreach and more effective ministry. As one of the first of Mission USA's "target churches," they admitted: "We feel very vulnerable. This is a big step."
• Calling its f1rst fulltime staff. A highlight of the board's report was the formal commissioning of Mission USA's newly recruited executive director, Ed Boschman, and his wife, Carol. Board members surrounded the couple and several led in prayer.-DR
Henry Dick (left) and Buller flank the Boschmans during commissioning.
gregations to enhance ministry and outreach.
The presidents' presentation ended with a powerful demonstration of cooperation and mutual support. Ed Boschman invited the presidents and their wives, the district ministers and their wives, the Mission USA board chair, and representative parents to kneel onstage and clasp hands. He then invited others who felt so led to stand behind the others and join hands with them. Boschman then led the delegation in a prayer of partnership and unity.
Large budget passes easily
One challenging component of Mission USA's strategy is funding. To get the effort off the ground, delegates were asked to approve a total conference budget of $569,140 for the coming year-33 percent more than the previous year's budget ($428,080) and a whopping 120 percent more than was actually spent last year ($258,111).
But the boards of Trustees and Mission USA also came with a plan for raising the money-without raising giving norms for churches. In addition to those church contributions, the strategy includes grants from MB Founda-
tion, contributions from district home missions boards, and commitments from each member of the Mission USA Board and Board of Church Ministries (BCM) to raise funds on their own ($10,000 and $2,500, respectively). A key component of the plan, a two-year "credit line" of up to $200,000 through MB Foundation, was approved earlier this year.
The budget discussion-or lack ofreinforced the appearance of unity prevailing at the convention. And when the vote was called for, not one dissenting vote was indicated.
"I was prepared for quite a bit more discussion on that," Dennis Fast, U.S. Conference chair, said afterward. "I read (the vote) as people saying, 'You guys have said it, and you're committed to raising it-go do it' .... The fact that we had a clear strategy spelled out, and enthusiastic people behind it, really helped."
Cross-cultural expansion
Almost lost in the hoopla surrounding Mission USA was the significant strides made by the U.S. Conference in cross-cultural growth. During the past two years, while the Mission USA board organized itself, cross-cultural work has been carried out under the
rubric of "Integrated Ministries" and placed under the oversight of BCM.
Loyal Funk, who directs the work as u.s. Conference minister, reported that adopting congregations of recent immigrants has added 10 dialects and more than 8,000 worshipers to the u.s. Conference in the past four years. Most of those worshipers are part of the 14 Russian-speaking Slavic congregations that have formally joined the conference. Funk said at least eight more Slavic applications are in process.
The Slavic contingent was represented at Colorado Springs only by Vyacheslav Tsvirinko, pastor of the Slavic Evangelical Missionary Church in Fresno, Calif. Speaking carefully but fluently in English, Tsvirinko noted in a brief testimonial, "Even my Russian is too poor to adequately express our appreciation (for your help)."
Funk also introduced one of the newest Mennonite Brethren pastors, Berhanu Waldemariam, who is leading the emerging Bethel Ethiopian Church in an attempt to reach the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Ethiopians living in the greater Seattle, Wash., area.
Participation continues to slide
If the varied cultures of the U.S. Conference were sparingly represented, so was the rest of the constituency. The upbeat spirit of the convention was tempered by the realization that it was poorly attended. Of the 237 people who registered, only 149 were delegates. Both totals were the lowest since the U.S. Conference began meeting in Colorado Springs in 1986 (see box, p.23).
"The biggest disappointment from our perspective was the numbers," said Fast after the convention. On the bright side, he added, except for the noticeable lack of cross-cultural representation, the cross section of participants-in regard to age, gender and geography-"was a pretty good mix."
Representation from lay members was also low; less than a third of the 149 registered delegates were not either a pastoral staff member, board
Roland Reimer, SDC minister, responds to a question posed by Richard Kriegbaum (left) and David Brandt (third from left) during the college presidents' presentation. Clint Grenz, CDC minister, and Henry Dick (right), PDC minister, wait for their turn to respond.
member or agency representative-or married to one.
Fast said planners had anticipated that the delegation would be mostly church leaders, given the attendance trend at recent denominational gatherings. The speakers and program were tailored especially for leaders, as reflected in the convention theme, "Guiding the Church into the 21st Century: Leadership That Makes a Difference."
"We thought if that's the trend, maybe we should gear up for it," Fast said. "And we felt (the leadership emphasis) fit well with where the U.S. Conference is at in terms of trying to turn a corner. And that corner requires leadership. "
A public resolution
The convention may have indeed turned a corner in least one regard. For the first time since the national conference was formed in 1954, delegates were asked to consider a formal resolution addressing a current social issue.
The resolution condemned violence and racism as exhibited in the burning of Mrican-American church buildings and other recent terrorist acts.
It was ratified without dissent when a second draft included an admission that racial barriers also exist in the Mennonite Brethren Church (see accompanying sidebar).
While adults condemned random acts of senseless violence across the country, youth who attended the convention in Colorado Springs were committing "Random Acts of Senseless Kindness" (RASK) in the local community. Junior high and high school attenders, led by a Youth Mission International team, handed out balloons, flowers and coffee to the homeless and other residents.
What historians will someday say of the work of adults who came to Colorado Springs '96 remains to be seen. Mission USA may well be the ship that guides U.S. Mennonite Brethren into the 21st century. It certainly was christened by leaders with a high tide of unity and enthusiasm. But all involved readily admit the participation of all Mennonite Brethren, empowered by the Spirit, will be needed to keep it afloat.-DR
Resolution puts MBs on the record against racism, violence
THECOLORADO Springs '96 delegation made history of sorts when it passed a Board of Church Ministries resolution condemning the burning of African-American church buildings.
In one sense, a statement against violence and racism in America could hardly be considered a landmark. Still, the fact that a U.S. Conference delegation formally addressed a social issue for public consumption is at least unprecedented.
While the General Conference, which includes the churches of the United States and Canada, has been known to pass such statementsthough not since the 1970s-the U.S. Conference has pretty much stuck to resolutions about church-related polity, principles and programming.
Dennis Fast, chair of the U.S. Conference and Board of Church Ministries (BCM), said the idea to pro-
RESOLUTION TEXT
pose a resolution came to HCM in a letter from a constituent. "The letter said here we have MBs in the U.S. together-shouldn't we say something about what's going on around us?" Fast said in a post-convention interview.
While BCM has had a "faith and life" component to its job description, that element of leadership has in the past taken a backseat to more immediate administrative concerns, Fast said. "We want to be more faithful to that mandate in the future."
He said BCM chose to focus on the church burnings because the issue reflects the traditional commitments of Mennonite Brethren to peace and reconciliation as well as the U.S. Conference's commitment to cross-cultural ministry "We just felt this was right for us," he said. Is it a precedent for future conventions? "It's likely," Fast said. "We felt affirmed in doing it." -DR
"BE IT RESOLVED that in response to recent arsons, bombings and destructive acts against houses of worship across the U.S., which are examples of a continued and often growing spirit of violence in society, on our streets and in our homes, we as the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, meeting for convention in Colorado Springs, July 26-29, 1996:
• "Acknowledge that barriers continue to exist that prevent people of varying racial and cultural backgrounds from living together in harmony and mutual respect. We confess that such barriers exist among us as well.
• "Are aware that detrimental attitudes exist and acts of violence are carried out against those of differing racial and cultural backgrounds, sometimes in the name of religion and even Christianity, which do great harm to individuals and damage to the cause of Christ.
• "Do hereby declare our opposition to such acts, as well as to the attitudes of fear, protectionism and hostility that promote them. We declare our concern for the disrespect that at times expresses itself in the Christian community toward government and toward people of differing opinions. We believe that in Christ, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus' (Gal. 3:28).
• "Do hereby afftrm the reconciling work of agencies such as Mennonite Disaster Service, Mennonite Central Committee and others, and commit ourselves to demonstrating love and compassion to victims of violence in its many forms and in these ways seek to fulftll the law of Christ which calls us to, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (and to) Love your neighbor as yourself' (Mt. 22:37, 39)."
COLORADO SPRINGS '96
Speakers call for Christ-like leadership
FOUR SPEAKERS delivered five keynote messages during Colorado Springs '96. Each message related to an aspect of leadership.
Dennis Fast, U.S. Conference chair, opened the convention with a message on the theme, "Leadership Is About Relationships." He challenged leaders to exercise their role as Jesus did, in a mutually caring relationship, not as dictatorial CEOs.
Fast ended his message with a footwashing service, 1990s style. Providing basins of warm water and washcloths, he invited participants to wash each other's hands in a symbolic gesture of mutual cleansing from inappropriate motivations and actions.
Eldon Busenitz, pastor of the Bethesda MB Church, Huron, S.D., spoke the following day on the theme, "The Personal Quality of Dynamic Leaders." He reminded leaders that they are responsible primarily to God, not to' the whims of their followers.
Ed Boschman, Mission USA executive director-elect, closed the convention with a powerful message on "Empowered Leadership: The Margin of Difference." He reminded his audience that the work of the Lord, especially the ambitious goals of Mission USA, must be done in the Power of the Lord-or even the most energetic of efforts are useless.
The featured speaker, Robert E. Logan, vice president of new church development for Church Resource Ministries, used two extended presentations to talk about envisioning and resourcing church growth. He challenged leaders to follow an easily reproducible model of church growth that sees leadership development as an important aim at the local-church level.
Soundbites from their messages follow.
DENNIS FAST:
"What many of us in leadership have in common is the lack of formal training .... "
•
"Not too long ago we trusted people because of their position. Now we trust the people we know. If we are to lead the church into the 21st century we will need to let people get to know us."
•
"A concern I have for the church and conference is that in our attempts to learn from the business models, at times it feels like we have bought into a top down style of leadership. In our desire to be more effective and more efficient we have started looking more like the world we hope to win. I've sensed that we leaders don't even trust each other. How are we to lead our followers in honesty and trust?"
•
"Can we be honest as leaders of conference ministries and agencies? Can we act, speak and respond to one another with integrity? I confess that I share with some of you a tendency to
question others' motives. In conversations I hear some of us wondering about hidden agendas. My friends, that is not relating honestly. Our challenge is to not only be honest but to affirm each others' integrity."
ELDON BUSENITZ:
"What a difference it makes to realize we live our lives in the. presence of God. We're so conscious of the human audience. People are not the primary audience. They are just eavesdropping. God is the audience .... In this age of seeker-sensitive services are we losing that? I hope not."
•
"We have greatly complicated the course we are to be on. For Paid it was to know God and make him known. The leader who is going to guide the church into the 21 st century is going to have to say no to a lot more stuff. There is tremendous pressure and opportunity to do so much. Everything from being president of the Rotary Club to playing Solitaire on the computer."
•
"When it came to sticking with the Word of God, Paul was narrow minded. He did not try to change it or reinterpret it to tickle the ears of his audience or his culture We are pressured to find a way to accommodate anything and everything. To say we are focused on the Word of God is not popular today."
BOB LOGAN:
"Unless God shows up, we might as well go home. Jesus said, 'Apart from me you can do nothing.' Spiritual empowerment is critical."
•
"If you talk to the average nonchurched person they'll give you 20 seconds because they think the church is irrelevant .... How do you get cultural relevance? One word: listen. Listen to the people you're trying to reach If you go out and talk to unchurched people they will practically tell you how to lead them to the Lord."
•
"It's possible for the power of God to be released and to still squander the har-
Bob Logan
Dennis Fast
Eldon Busenitz
vest Reproducible (outreach) systems empower ordinary people to do extraordinary things. If you don't get it down to an easy system then only superstars can play. Christianity is a movement of common people. Regular folks getting the job done."
•
"We really don't believe that God can do a great and wonderful thing. We pray that he will pour out his blessing but if he did we might not know what to do with it."
•
"Healthy churches reproduce. It's the very nature of the church unless we do something (to inhibit growth.) Do you know who the chief blockers are to the multiplication of the church? It's the pastors. Very often lay leaders are more open to reach the harvest."
•
"The amount we care about lost people is directly related to how much we pray for the workers to go out and is directly related to how much energy and effort we give to raising up leaders to send to the harvest."
•
"Worship will be better in heaven. Fellowship will be better in heaven. But you can't make disciples in heaven."
ED BOSCHMAN:
"Do you ever get caught having said too much? We get face to face sometimes with
Ed Boschman
our own self-serving schemes and self-protecting schemes. Then we go on, stubbornly refusing to admit it, or confess it, or to leave the old way. We stick with it."
•
"Following Jesus is about experiencing the grace of Jesus rather than cramping up my own personal strength. It has to do with experiencing the empowerment of God present. Following Jesus is about loving Jesus enough to lay it on the line. Fol-
lowing Jesus is about being in a relationship with him "
•
"We don't have to beg God to send the Holy Spirit among us. He is among us I am talking about the energy of the Spirit of God for the day in and day out Christian life which demonstrates the presence of Jesus and invites others to the family of God."
•
"I have spent too much of my life trying desperately to manage the Holy Spirit. It is not right. It's sin. I have resolved that the years God gives me for the future are going to be years which I say to the Spirit of God, 'Manage me. Manage our churches. Manage our denomination. Manage our ministry. Because when he manages there will be no crashing and burning because he empowers.'"
A DWINDLING DELEGATION
REGISTRATiON
TOTALS for the five biennial conferences held on the campus of Colorado College since 1986 have steadily declined. (The 1990 convention was held in Wichita, Kan., as a business-only lead-in to the General Conference convention that was held in nearby Hillsboro.)
I IN BRIEF
• APPOINTED: MB Foundation has appointed Jon C. Wiebe, Lakewood, Colo., as vice president for financial services beginning Sept. 1. Wiebe was most recently senior financial analyst Isupervisor at Norwest Bank. Wiebe and his wife, Ellynne, are members of Belleview Acres Church, Littleton, where he served as worship leader and she as Christian education director. They graduated from Tabor College in 1986. The Wiebe family has relocated to Hillsboro, Kan. (MBF)
• FINANCES: Tabor College ended its 1995-96 fiscal year with a balanced budget but fell short of meeting its annual fund goal by $111,500. "Revenue sources exceeded original projections in many areas and conservative budget adjustments made during the year helped offset the shortfall in the annual fund giving and allowed for a balanced budget outcome," says Kirby Fadenrecht, vice president for business and finance. Overall, Tabor enjoyed record-breaking giving this past year with more than $2 million in restricted and unrestricted gifts received. Many of these gifts benefit the capital campaign for the Solomon L. Loewen Natural Science Center. (TC)
• FETED: Tabor College has been selected by Money magazine as one of the best educational vaJues in the nation. The September issue of the national financial magazine rated Tabor 60th in its list of the top 100 values: The magazine used 16 measures of educational quality-including student-faculty ratio and entrance exam scores-and compared those with tuition and fees. The magazine looked at more than 1,000 schools. (Money)
• FACILITIES: Fresno Pacific College dedicated a new 16,000-square-foot facilities management plant Aug. 19. FPC president Richard Kriegbaum, board member Eugene Enns, city councilman Sal Quintero and Fresno Chamber of Commerce president Doug Davidian participated in the program. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests toured the new facilities and were served a breakfast buffet in the bus garage. (FPC)
BRIEF
• AWARDED: The John Templeton Foundation awarded $10,000 to Fresno Pacific CoHege for offering an outstanding class that explores the relationship between science and religion. Faculty member Michael Kunz developed the winning course, calfed "History and Philosophy of Science. II The Templeton Science and Religion Course Program is one of more than 40 projects, studies, award programs and publications of the foundation which was formed in 1987 to encourage the pursuit of scientific and reltgious knowledge. (FPC)
• SERVICE: Matt G. Wiens of Fresno, Calif., is beginning a one-year Mennonite Central Committee SALT assignment in Asuncion, Paraguay. Wiens is a member of College Community Church in Clovis, Calif., and has attended Goshen (Ind.) College. SALT (Serving And Learning Together) International is a one-year program for young adults interested in living, learning and working overseas. (MCC)
• PUBLISHED: Calvin and Carolyn Richert, members of the Community Bible Church, Olathe, Kan., have pubIrshed their first book, The Think Space. The guidebook for parents and child-care providers outlines a childmanagement technique described as a positive alternative to /ltime-out." The Richerts direct a preschool in their home.
• GROWTH: An Indonesian Mennonite congregation in northern Sumatra numbering 120-1.50 continues to grow and has started Bible studies in three other nearby towns. In March, 11 people were baptized through the ministry of a church-planting project led by Tiansa Ginting, an Indonesian church planter working with PIPKA, the mission arm of the Muria Mennonite Church of Indonesia. He and about 25 other PI PKA workers receive assistance from MB Missions/Services. The Sumatra congregation meets in a tent in Ginting's back yard. Construction has begun on a permanent facility, thanks in part to a $4,300 gift from an unidentified MB Missions/Services donor. (MBMjS)
MBMjS ends fiscal year in black despite decline 'in income
II Donors favoring nonbudgeted giving to special projects over gifts to general budget
THANKS IN PART to increased giving by U.S. Mennonite Brethren, MB Missions/Services has ended its fiscal year with a positive year-end balance of $100,653. U.S. giving increased by $8,000 during the 1995-96 fiscal year.
Nine months into the fiscal year, MBM/S officials were concerned that decreased giving would mean a possible deficit of $500,000 by year's end. Thanks to increased giving and budget cuts, MBM/S finished the year with a modest budget surplus.
"In terms of total giving, Mennonite Brethren are still very generous and mission-minded," says Harold Ens, general director. "We have sometimes failed to notice that or give credit for that because we're constantly straining to meet the budget."
But MBM/S administrators remain concerned about declining contributions to the general budget and increased giving to nonbudgeted special projects.
Overall contributions from North American Mennonite Brethren to the 1995-96 budget sagged 6.1 percent compared to the previous year-a "major" decline, according to MBM/S. Total donations to nonbudgeted special projects in 1995-96 exceeded a million dollars, indicating that "churches and individuals prefer to choose and control where their dollars go," says Gary Hardaway, secretary for communications and public relations.
As donors channel funds into nonbudgeted special projects, MBM/S struggles to pay its missionaries, Hardaway says.
"Both board and administration strongly desire to preserve the historical support system by which churches systematically support the MBM/S budget at $100 per member," Hardaway says. "However, with actual budget support at around $70 per member-and falling-the questions
grow more urgent: is the handwriting of a new era, requiring a new strategy, on the wall?" , At their spring meeting the MBM/S board discussed a proposal requiring new missionaries to personally raise 50 percent of their total support package. The proposal did not pass. (MBMjS)
MB camp in Siberia to serve 740 kids
II MCC funding to help keep rustic facility available for use
THE FACILITIES are crude and the mosquitoes merciless, but hundreds of children can hardly wait their turn to camp in a forest of beautiful birch trees at Ivanovka, Siberia. The camping program is an outreach ministry of the Omsk-area Mennonite Brethren Church Conference, which is affiliated with the Evangelical Baptist Convention. This year the camp is serving 740 children, 60 percent of them ethnic Russians.
With the current chaotic economic climate of the former Soviet Union, the camp relies heavily upon its volunteers' 'creativity and resourcefulness. Essential to the program are Bible stories; the children relish these as well as the opportunity to play games and do crafts.
Inventive reenactments of Bible stories, with the forest as the stage, capture the imaginations of the children, who have grown up without TV or videos, says Walter Bergen, former Mennonite Central Committee country representative for the former Soviet Union.
One year, campers learned stories of Jesus's healings and memorized the exact words Jesus used as he healed various people. At the end of their camping experience, the children went out into the forest to locate church members who were dr'essed as the Bible characters. If the camper remembered what Jesus said, the "character" stood up and was healed.
The camp has no buildings; cooking, eating and activities are done in the open. Small tents are provided for sleeping. When it rains, camping is especially challenging, since many children lack proper clothing and
bedding. Two types of mosquitoes and myriad other small biting flies and insects are relentlessly pesky.
These circumstances are no obstacle for the children who come from isolated communities and endure long Siberian winters. The chance to be with other children and to run free for a few days is cherished.
Nikolia Duerkmann, conference executive of the small but active group of churches in western Siberia, developed the camping ministry several years ago. He and church members believe the church's future lies in its ability to relate to children.
Twenty-four churches support the camping ministry. Each day a different congregation brings food, milk and whatever supplies are needed. Church members use their vacation time to serve as camp volunteers.
Mennonite Central Committee began providing monetary help to the camping program in 1994 when the church conference could no longer finance it. Emigration to Germany was reducing the number of church members and available workers (from 2,600 to 1,700), inflation and ruble devaluation were increasing costs, and more children than ever wished to attend camp.
A sister-camp relationship has also been established with Camp Crossroads, a ministry of Canada's Ontario MB Conference. This year children
and staff in the two camps exchanged letters. For the past several years campers at Camp Crossroads have given their offerings and shared their resources with the Siberian camp.
(Emily Will, MGG)
Kansas team serves in Lithuania project
Group does facility repair, meets with MBMjS workers
TWELVE
Mennonite Brethren from Kansas traveled from the geographic center of the United States to the Baltic country of Lithuania, the geographic center of Europe, for a short-term mission trip, July 12-27.
The Lithuania-96 Team was composed of 10 people from First MB Church in Wichita, Kan., and two from Hesston (Kan.) MB Church: team leader Nancy Boothe, Mike and Sharon Gerken, Duane and Vonda Kinser, Dave McCutcheon, Monica O'Rourke, Laurel Schunk, Tim Shy, and Hubert Wiebe, Wichita; and Richard and Rosemary Prieb, Hesston. Their destination was Siauliai, Lithuania, where they lived in the third-floor dorm of the Lithuanian Christian Fund castle for two weeks. The team members learned to manage the bus, do marketing, and the cur-
rency skills needed for their stay.
Team members accomplished a lot of work in an 18th-century baronial mansion housing Lithuanian Christian Fund offices. Lithuanian Christian Fund administers charitable funds and is the umbrella organization for Christian publishers in the country.
According to Mike and Sharon Gerken, 104 windows in the secondfloor LCF offices were scraped, caulked, weather-stripped, routed for new latches, sanded and painted; 15 doors and 10 radiator panels were sanded, primed, and painted; and the ceilings and upper walls in two baths primed and painted.
Gerken says the trip was God's plan for him. "If this trip hadn't been planned for the two weeks that Learjet Aircraft Plant always closes down for summer break, Sharon and I couldn't have gone."
The team met several Mennonite Brethren missionaries in Lithuania: Canadians Ernie and Elfrieda Reimer and Tim and Carolyn Gartke of Siauliai; and Californians Bob and Susan Gulack of Panevezys. Ernie Reimer gave the team Lithuanian history lessons. Lithuania is several centuries older than either the United States or Canada and the culture reflects its European heritage. Lithuania has been a Christian country longer than the United States has existed, Reimer said.
The team also met Julie and Andrew Hershey-Bergen, MB Missions/Services workers in St. Petersburg, Russia. Julie's parents, Jay and Donna Hershey, are members of First MB Church.
At an evening service in Klaipeda, the team heard Harry MacDonald, a U.S. teacher for Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. He said that since Lithuania is small and off the beaten track, few North Americans visit, so it seems unimportant. Yet as the geographic center of Europe, Lithuania can play an important part in spreading the gospel to the former Soviet republics.
MacDonald compared Lithuania to Thessalonica, the geographical center of the New Testament world. People from all nations passed through Thessalonica to conduct business; as a result, they were exposed to the gospel and carried it back to their own lands.-Laurel B. Schunk
Campers in Siberia reenact a Bible story; the major camp activity is full-fledged, energetic dramatization of Bible stories, carried out among graceful Siberian birches.
IN BRIEF
• WONDERS: A recent baptism held by the Mennonite Brethren church in Klaipeda, Lithuania l was enhanced by a series of unusual events. During the early morning baptism officiated by two church leaders, a rainbow appeared and a dove swooped down, skimming the water between the crowd on the shore and the individuals In the water. After the 12 young men and women were baptized, the rainbow disappeared. MBM/S workers Bob and Susan Gulack participated in the morning service. (MBMjS)
• POLITICS: Jerry Moran, a member of North Oak Community Church in Hays, Kan' is the Republican nominee for the U.S. Congress from Kansas's First District. Morant an attorney and two-term member of the Kansas Senate, won the Republican primary elec tion in August. If elected, Moran would be the first Mennonite Brethren in the United States elected to national office. Moran and his wife, Robba, have two daughters.
• FUND-RAISING: The second MB Missions/Services Golf Classic, held July 20 in Chilliwack, B.C., netted more than $5,000 for global outreach. Organizer Steve Klassen, who is MBMjS secretary for constituency ministries in Canada, reports that the interest generated for missions is as important as the dollars raised. After a barbecue lunch, YMI director Randy Friesen spoke to the group regarding the needs of today/s youth. (MBMjS)
• REGISTERED: Through mid-August, 2,946 people have registered for India 97, Assembly 13 of Mennonite World Conference to be held in Calcutta in January. The final registration total is expected to be at least 3,500. About 500 people from the United States have registered, 190 from Canada, 150 from Europe, 130 from Asia/Middle East (non-Indian), 54 from Latin America, 32 from Afdca and 1,890 from India. About $250,000 in Travel Fund contributions have been received or pledged, which is enough to bring all delegates to the assembly. More funds are needed to cover other related costs. (Mennonite Weekly Review)
.CHURCH NOTES
• Baptism/Membership
OMAHA, Neb. (Millard Bible)-Sam Preis, Justin Wendel, Monte Lange, Bill DuBord, Kim DuBord, Anita Snyder, Amelia Bracken and Zachery Lange were baptized Aug. 3 during an outing at Louisville Lake.
BRIDGEWATER, S.D. (Salem)-Alisa Mendel, Joy Pullman, Jessica Dowden, Tabitha Dowden, Ken Glanzer, Matthew Glanzer, Jared Hofer and Philip Klassen were baptized at Silver Lake Aug. 4 and received as members. Chauni Glanzer, Rhonda Glanzer and Tammy Klassen were also accepted into membership.
DENVER, Colo. (Garden Park)-Maxine Dyck was baptized and received into membership Aug. 4.
• Celebrations
GARDEN CIlY, Kan. (Garden Valley)Roger and Grace Hamilton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a receptionJuly 14.
YALE, S.D. (Bethe1)-Ben and Elsie Hofer celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house July 28.
FRESNO, Calif. (North)-Flowers marked Chester and Lois Cover's 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 4.
BUHLER, Kan.-Dave and Clara Franz cel-
FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News)-The children of Winfred and Alyce Reimer hosted a 50th wedding anniversary reception for their parents Aug. 10.
• Facilities
HAYS, Kan. (North Oak)-The congregation has approved a plan to construct additional classrooms and handicapped accessible restrooms and to remodel the foyer and nursery facilities. The eventual goal is to build a worship center, additional classrooms and an office complex.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-The congregation met in the fellowship center for several weeks in July while the sanctuary, narthex and adjoining rooms were repaired, painted and new carpet installed. ebrated their 65th wedding anniversary Aug. 11 with an open house hosted by their children
• Fellowship
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-Central District pastors, spouses and families met for a retreat July 24-25 prior to the U.S. Conference convention.
SHAFTER, Calif.- The congregation showed "The Home Coming" Aug. 11 as part of the local ministerial association's Sunday specials.
FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News)-Families were invited to camp at Silver Lake Park Aug. 23-25.
TOUR MAGINATION
November 14-25, 1996
Our Leader Cal Redekop will introduce you to:
* German-Speaking Mennonite Settlements in Chihuahua
* Spectacular Copper Canyon via the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway
* Tarahumara Indians, Paquime Ruins
* Spanish-Speaking Mennonites in Sinaloa
Call 1-800-565-0451 or write TourMagination
22 King 51. 5., Suite 401 Waterloo, ON N2J 1N8
1011 Cathill Road
Sellersville, PA 18960
Reg.# 1567624
Mission USAClaiming this land lor Christ.
ission USA believes that local churches are the key to reaching individual lives, and ultimately this nation, with the gospel.
u.s. Mennonite Brethren churches are uniquely equipped to offer hope through Jesus Christ to the people of this nation. It will require a unified effort on the part of all U.S. Conference churches, organiza tions and institutions to resource and empower this effort.
Mission USA is now involved in several projects throughout the U.S. Conference and desires to serve the churches and the Conference increasingly in renewal, growth and church planting.
A project taking place this summer in the Central District illustrates how working together can impact and enlarge a ministry opportunity. Those involved were:
• Mission USA
• Henderson MB Church
• Central District Youth Commission
• Omaha Faith Bible Church
• Tabor College
Mission USA and the Henderson MB Church each contributed toward an honorarium that would enable three interns to spend the summer in a variety of endeavors. Jason Quiring and Scott Goossen, each having served an internship at Henderson for part of the summer of '95, were selected.
Five young women applied for the third position and all (Marie Martens, Alicia Kliewer, Jennifer Gloystein, Deanne Wiebe and Andrea Hitzemann) were asked to serve as a team. The Henderson church
MISSION USA BOARD:
assumed the ministry expenses at the local level and supervision was provided by Jerry Ediger, Youth Pastor, and Garvie Schmidt, Pastor.
One of the projects the interns helped develop and implement was a leadership retreat for District youth. Retreat scholar.. ships were made available through the Central District Youth Commission. The interns also spent a week in one of the District churches - the Omaha Faith Bible Church.
Here, together with the pastor, Peter Thomas, the interns experienced a brief exposure to urban ministry. The result was lives touched with the Good News and a vision was born for an intern placement in Omaha next summer. One of the interns, Jason Quiring, is a Biblical and Religious Studies major at Tabor College, where faculty and administration have provided instruction, counsel and mentoring.
As the summer ends, one project is completed but the results live on to grow and prosper. Young leaders of tomorrow have been encouraged on their way, churches and institutions have been strengthened and blessed in doing Kingdom work and Mission USA and the vision of the U.S. Conference is growing and being claimed by the Menno nite Brethren constituency to whom it belongs.
MISSION USA invites you to join hands with others to 'Claim This Land For Christ.' Your prayers, participation and gifts are necessary to implement this vision for the future of our nation.
Chuck Buller, Visalia, Calif. Clarice Rempel, Buhler, Kan. Tim Geddert, Fresno, Calif. Mike Schuil, Reedley, Calif. Steve Schroeder, Bellingham, Wa. Ex Officio Members: Fred Leonard, Clovis, Calif. Clint Seibel, Hillsboro, Kan. Henry Dick, Fresno, Calif. Tim Sullivan, Hillsboro, Kan. Jim Weems, Gettysburg, S.D. Clinton Grenz, Bismark, N.D. Neil DeFehr, Fresno, Calif. Ernie Friesen, Wichita, Kan. Roland Reimer, Wichita, Kan. Loretta Jost, Aurora, Neb. Howard Loewen, Fresno, Calif.
IN BRIEF
• GATHERING: The convention of 'Mennonite Economic Development Associates, scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 3, will focus on the artistic side of ning a company and the role of business as a supporter of the arts. Speakers include Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus/CEO and The Path, and Howard Brenneman, CEO of Men· nonite Mutual Aid. 1I Renowned operatic tenor Ben Heppner will perform a benefit concert Nov. 2, (MEDA)
• RETREAT: IIUnsere Schute" (German for 11 our school ll ), a retreat for retirees hosted by Tabor College, attracted 26 people for a week of intellectual and recreational stimulation July 8-12. Activities included tours to area points of interest and classes on topics ranging from the Internet to the 1996 election. "The week was so positive," says coordinator Connie Isaac. tlThis is a brand new program. People who have enjoyed it will go home and talk about it and get others interested, 1/ (re)
• RESTRUCTURE: Three Mennonite Canadian colleges are moving toward the goal of forming an ite, institution. Concord College, a Mennonite Brethren college, Menno Simons College, operated by an independent association of Mennonites, and Canadian Mennonite Bible College, owned by the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, hope to form a tri-college federation. The participating coHeges have joint faculty sessions to discuss issues related to the proposal. (MB Herald)
• OUTREACH: Two years ago, ethnic conflicts in Rwanda prompted Mennonites in neighboring Zaire to offer humanitarian aid to refugees in eastern Zaire. Now the three Mennonite conferences, in col1aboration withMB Missions/Services, Africa Inter-MennoniteMission, and Mennonite Central Committee t are sending two missionary couples into the region. A local congregation already exists, thanks to the efforts lay leadershipl including MCC workers Fidel and Christa lum'ey, who are associated with a Kinshasa Mennonite Brethren church. (MBMjS)
DINUBA, Calif.-A salsa contest and music by a Christian mariachi band July 14 kicked-off the annual summer Sunday evening series. Other events in the series included family films, various sports events and testimonies by area athletes.
MADERA, Calif. (Madera Ave.)-A church family campout was held at Aspen Hollow July 25-28.
OLATHE, Kan. (Community Bible)-The intergenerational Sunday school hour July 28 included musical numbers, skits, readings and demonstrations to celebrate the variety of God's gifts.
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Pine Acres)The congregation held an outdoor worship service and picnic at Means Park Aug. 11.
INMAN, Kan. (Zoar)-The church coed slowpitch game Aug. 11 pitted "The Young" (junior high through age 25) against "The Old" (age 26 and up). Games were organized for younger children and watermelon was served.
KINGSBURG, Calif.-An evening allchurch social Aug. 18 featured a hoedown theme complete with a ranch settings, food, music and "back porch jawin' ."
CORDELL, Okla. (Bible)-Former Russian opera singer Yury Bogachev and his wife, Valentina, a professional musician, presented a musical program Aug. 18. The Corn MB Church was invited to attend.
l-Ministry
HILLSBORO, Kan. (Ebenfeld)-A group of children attended a "Youngsters' Workday" in July sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee Workroom in Newton. They learned to tie a quilt, helped pack soap and washed shipping barrels.
ENID, Okla.-Ten high school students , and four adults traveled to N aolinco, Mexico, to work with missionaries Phil and Peggy Templin July 13-19. The group conducted Bible school classes for children and assisted with construction projects. Children from the Enid congregation raised more than $380 through their VBS to purchase Spanish Bibles for the children of Naolinco.
CORN, Okla.-Dan and Linda Stobbe, Alvin and Orpa Epp, Herb and Ella Vogt, Marvin and Elsie Vogt and Art Dyck formed a U-SERV team that traveled to Omaha, Neb., to assist with a project at Faith Bible Church. U-SERV is a short-term service program of the U.S. Conference.
CHURCH PARTNERSHIP EVANGELISM (CPE)
Invitation: TO: Born-again Christians; FROM: Evangelical churches
King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., is seeking volunteers for its Church Partnership Evangelism outreach to
*Canadian dollars
• Team up with national Christians and witness for Christ door to door.
• Some knowledge of the country's language is helpful.
• Similar campaigns have resulted in 200 to 400 conversions. Come and be part of an enriching spiritual experience, discover what GOD can do through you.
For more information, contact: Evelyn Unruh, 604-852-5744 or CPE 604-864-3941 Peter 604-853-3173 or FAX 604-853-6482
Maybe you are interested in one, two or more campaigns. Please let us know if you find this to be valuable work for the Lord. I would ask you to bring this information to your friends and churches. We will need many volunteers in 1996.
Loewen Promoter
1. UKRAINE.
ZAIRE, AFRICA, Kikwit
NICARAGUA.
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IN BRIEF
• REBUILDING: Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers wilt join Sept. 8 with members of the Mt. Zoar Baptist Church, Boligee, Ala., to dedicate the congregation's newly rebuilt meetinghouse. The previous structure burned Jan. 11 and was rebuilt this summer by more than 250 MDS volunteers. Green ribbons from MDS constituent churches will be presented to the Mt. Zoar congregation at the dedication as symbols of hope from Anabaptist friends. (MDS)
• INTERVENTION: Four male Mennonite Central Committee workers in Port-au-Prince Haiti became a Jlliving wall'J between a crowd of about a hundred and aman tied to a telephone pole during a three hour standoff. The angry mob was intent on killing the man, whom they had caught stealing a goat. The four MCC workers stepped in to prevent his death. Other workers eventually located civil authorities wiHing to intervene and the thief was taken into custody. Since the Aug. 2 event, MCC workers have visited with the jailed man and are considering additional ways of promoting a Christian peace witness among local Christians. (MeC)
• PLEADING: Mennonite Central Committee volunteer Susan Seitz addressed Burundians via radio in midJune with a plea for peace. She said that since 90 percent of Burundians are Christians, love should characterize their actions. Seitz' 5 plea came after she and fellow MCC worker Keith Miller witnessed the aftermath of a massacre. Upon returning June 12 to Kibimba after a short trip, the two covered government soldiers had slaughtered at least 71 civilians,ranging from toddlers to an 80-year-old man. After caring for the wounded, the two MCCers photographed fresh graves and interviewed eyewitnesses. They drew up a list of the names of the dead, gave it to United Nations observers, then left the country. From Kenya, Seitz spoke on a radio program beamed into Burundi in the local language. She described what she and Miller had seen, then made her plea for peace. (MCC)
COLLINSVILLE, Okla. (Westport)-As part of an "Acts of Kindness" adventure July 14, members distributed cold pop to passing motorists, passed out ice cream in area parks, visited shut-ins and delivered welcome baskets to new neighbors.
DINUBA, Calif. (Templo Calvario)"Cruising for Jesus," a car show with an evangelistic thrust, was held Aug. 3.
NEW HOPE, Minn.-Lee and Elaine Unruh, Frank and Erma Sawatsky, Helen Loewen, Susandhra Friesen, Angie Lacy, Grason Gallagher-Stow and Phil Glanzer traveled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota Aug. 9-12. They did repair work at Gospel MB Church, where Ed and Belva Matthews serve as the pastoral couple.
Proclamation
RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible Fellowship)-Joe and Jan Walter, retired MB Missions/Services workers to Peru, Colombia and Mexico, spoke at the evening service July 7.
MOUNTAIN LAKE, Minn.-Clint Grenz, Central District minister, preached July 14 in the morning and at a joint evening service with Carson MB (Delft) Church. Grenz and his wife, Carol, recently traveled to Thailand to minister to MB Missions/Services workers there.
BRIDGEWATER, S.D. (Salem)-Pastor George Klassen and his daughter, Karen, preached the morning message together July 21 Karen was commissioned Aug. 4 for her term in Europe with the InterMenno Trainee Program.
HESSTON, Kan.-Mike Andrews, associate pastor at First MB Church in Wichita, Kan., was the morning speaker July I4 Daryle
Baltzer of Tabor College preached July 28.
ADAMS, Okla.-Troy Wedel of Mennonite Mutual Aid was the guest speaker Aug. 4.
DELFT, Minn. (Carson)-The morning service Aug. 4 was held at Bingham Lake Park. Bruce and Lori Miller presented a program called "Clowning Around for Jesus."
VISALIA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-Rod Zook, MB Missions/Services worker to Germany, preached Aug. 11.
FRESNO, Calif. (Butler)-Steve and Bobbie Friesen and their children, who have served with MBM/S in Japan, participated in worship services Aug. 11. Steve spoke in the traditional and contemporary services and the family led the Sunday School hour for children age two through grade six.
• Workers
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Heritage Bible)Phil Stangland, pastor of outreach/education, was honored with a farewell July 21. He ,and his wife, Tanya, have served the church for six years.
ULYSSES, Kan.-Dave and Elvira Plett concluded their interim assignment Aug. 4 and were guests of honor at an all-church hamburger fry.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Greenhaven)Derk Madden has accepted a call to serve as pastor, effective in September. He recently graduated from Western Seminary and served as minister to single adults at a Covenant church in Redwood City, Calif. He and his wife, Connie, have an infant son.
TOPEKA, Kan.-Kevin Friesen has accepted the position of part-time pastor of youth. He and his wife, Brenda, have been directing the youth program on a volunteer basis.
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 25-26, 1996
Come participate in defining the roles of legislation and the church in restorative justice.
1996 TRAINING SEMINARS
Lancaster, PA I Fresno, CA August 19-21 October 22-24 (pre-conference)
BALKO, Okla.-Dewayn and Marilyn Isaac will begin serving as pastoral couple this fall. They are moving from Clinton, Okla., where they served a General Conference Mennonite congregation.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Rosedale Bible)Brad and Gina Willems began serving as youth pastor couple Sept. 1.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible Fellowship)-The congregation's new pastoral couple for youth, Glenn and Marissa Krispense, were welcomed with a picnic Aug. 21.
COLLINSVILLE, Okla. (Westport)-Phil Plett was installed as associate pastor of worship and discipleship Sept. 8. He and his wife, Sharon, recently served as pastoral couple at Community Bible Church in Olathe, Kan.
ENID, Okla.-Don Smith will serve as interim pastor through October.
HENDERSON, Neb.-Stuart Pederson has accepted an invitation to serve as senior pastor. He and his wife, Regina, have been the pastoral couple at Emmanuel MB Church in Onida, S.D A farewell and commissioning service was held Aug. 25 for youth pastor Jerry Ediger. Ediger begins a new ministry in South Carolina in September.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Lincoln Hills Bible)Bob Freye began serving as full-time minister of youth and Christian education Sept. 1.
MINOT, N.D. (Bible Fellowship)-Interim pastoral couple Bob and Wanda Kroeker were welcomed with a grocery shower Sept. 4.
.DEATHS
LAUTT, JENNIFER CAROLYNE, Hillsboro, Kan., of Parkview MB Church, was born Aug. 15, 1976, to Mark Lautt and Chris (Lautt) Pfaff at Yuma, Ariz., and died in a car accident July 26, 1996, at the age of 19. She is survived by one daughter, Brooklyne of the home; adoptive mother Ellen Lautt of Hillsboro; her father of Amarillo, Texas, and her mother of Fargo, N.D.; three brothers, Aaron of Hillsboro, Paul of Sacramento, Calif., Jonathan of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; a sister, Grace Brown of Tucson, Ariz.; three half-sisters, Michaela Pfaff of Fargo, Jessica and Kimberly Lautt of San Antonio, Texas; a half-brother, Nathan Friez of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and grandparents Ed Stone of Yuma and Sharleen Jones of Fargo.
PETERS, CALVIN MONTGOMERY, Dinuba, Calif., of Kingsburg (Calif) MB Church, was born Oct. 15, 1992, to Henry and Ann Peters, at Reedley, Calif., and died in an accident July 11, 1996, at the age of 3. He is survived by his parents; a brother, Marcus, and a sister, Miranda, both of the home; grandparents, Alvin and Anna Peters and Ray and Joanne Thiesen; 15 aunts and uncles, and 20 cousins.
REIMER, LYDIA, Corn, Okla., a member of the Corn MB Church, was born Jan. 27, 1921, to David and Martha Reimer at Corn, and died Aug. 12, 1996, at the age of 75. She is survived by four sisters, Edna and husband John Ratzlaff of Hillsboro, Kan., Melba and husband Paul Friesen of Corn, Martha Ann and husband Harvey Kliewer of Corn, and Lois and husband Don Heinrichs of Garden City, Kan.; three step-sisters, Hazel and husband Jon Frey of Reedley, Calif., Edith of Reedley, Georgiana of California; and one sister-in-law, Alma Reimer of Oklahoma City.
STELTING, BENA JANZEN, Hillsboro, Kan., a member of the Hillsboro MB
Church, was born Jan. 30,1911, to Frank and Elizabeth Bergen Janzen at Rush Lake, Sask., and died Aug. 15, 1996, at the age of 85. On Sept. 30, 1930, she was married to J ona Stelting, who predeceased her in 1972. She is survived by her son, Raymond and wife Marilyn of Needham, Mass.; two daughters, Mary and husband Carman McLellan of Johnson City, Tenn., and Alma of Wichita, Kan.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
SCHELLENBERG, SARAH ENNS, Reedley, Calif., a member of the Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church, was born Nov. 12, 1902, to Dietrich M. and Sarah Buller Enns at Buhler, Kan., and died Aug. 11, 1996, at the age of 93. On June 3, 1924, she was married to John A. Schellenberg, who predeceased her in 1976. She is survived by three sons, Melvin and wife Adeline, Charles and wife Sherma, and Harvey and wife Annie; one daughter, Dorothy and husband Carl Wall; four brothers, Jack Enns, Henry Enns, Edwin Enns, and Richard Enns; nine grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. •
CLEARINGHOUSE
Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Need to sell or acquire property? Reach U. S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 40 cents per word, with a $15 minimum. Withhold payment until an invoice is received. Clearinghouse copy must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the desired month of publication. The editors reserve the right to turn down inappropriate material. For display (boxed) ad rates, please call us.
POSITION AVAILABLE
DEAN, UNDERGRADUATE DIVISION-Seeking qualified person for the leadership in the undergraduate division. The dean initiates and assists in curriculum development and review and provides administrative leadership for the undergraduate faculty through five divisional directors. Terminal degree in an academic discipline desired. For full-time description and application form, wrote or phone Dr. Howard J. Loewen, Academic Vice President, Fresno Pacific College, 1717 S. Chestnut, Fresno, CA 93702; (209) 453-2023. Position begins June 1, 1997. Women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply. Fresno Pacific College is a dynamic Christian liberal arts college of the Mennonite Brethren Church. All candidates for faculty positions must share the college's Christian commitment.
DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE-Looking for a resource for dynamic daily devotions written from an evangelical Anabaptist perspective? Try Rejoice!, the interMennonite devotional booklet. Rejoice! mines the riches of God's wisdom throughout the Old and New testaments. Each day features a 300-word devotional message, complete with key verse and motivational prayer. Writers for Rejoice! are from the Mennonite Brethren, General Conference Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Church. For more information about Rejoice!, contact your local church office, or Kindred Productions, Box V, Hillsboro, KS 67063; or phone (316) 947-3151.
HAPPY TIMES
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ARSON
Color-blind burnings?
Has the burning of churches in the United States been primarily racially motivated? Perhaps not, according to an article written by Fred Bayles, a national writer for the Associated Press. Data for the past six years indicates that the number of arsons was up for both black and white churches, Bayles reports. Such fires -have "only random links to racism," and this year's toll is well within the range that insurance industry experts expected, based on past years.
Bayles reports conspiracy or racial hatred were implicated in fewer than 20 of the 73 black church fires recorded since 1995. Loreta Worters, a spokesperson for the Insurance Informa-
tion Institute, described church arson as "a crime that has been going on for a long time and affects all religions and races."
According to the National Fire Protection Association, church fires have been steadily dropping since 1980, when 1,420 were recorded. But in 1994 there were still 520 church arson attacks nationwidean average of 10 a week. Thirty percent of all church fires are attributed to arson-twice the average rate for structural fires in this country. (EP)
RELIGIONS
Muslims on the increase worldwide
The percentage of the world's population which practices the Christian faith has remained the same in
the last 25 years, while the number of Muslims has grown dramatically, according to religion statistician David B. Barrett.
In 1970, Christianity was the largest religion worldwide, with 33.7 percent of the world's population. Despite massive missionary outreach and evangelism in the last quarter-century, that figure has remained the same, while the percentage of the Muslim population has doubled, from 15.2 to 19.4 percent. The reason for this dramatic growth is largely due to a higher birth rate among the Muslim people.
The third largest group is comprised of the "nonreligious," totaling 15.1 percent of the population. By the year 2000, Barrett expects this group to fall below the 15 percent mark,
as it did in 1970. Hindus make up 12.6 percent of the world's population. Atheists are declining from 4.6 to 3.8 percent; 19 million Sikhs represent 0.32 percent, and those adhering to the Jewish faith remain (as in 1970) at 0.23 percent worldwide.
Within the Christian faith, half of all believers are Catholic. But Barrett predicts that tbe number of Catholics will diminish by 5 percent during the next few years, as it has in the recent past. (EP)
AIDS
The wages of drug use
Intravenous drug use is responsible for most cases of AIDS among women and heterosexual men, according to federal health officials.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 85 percent of the 17,686 AIDS cases reported in 1995 among heterosexual men and 66 percent of the 10,777 cases among women could be traced to intravenous drug useeither by the person who developed AIDS or by a sex partner.
Male homosexual activity continues to be the biggest cause in the growing AIDS epidemic, accounting for more than 60 percent of all cases. (EP)
PRAYER
Youth form largest prayer gathering
Students all over the world will be gathering on Sept. 18 at the flagpoles of
MB Circles ... by Lorlie Barkman
schools, churches, courthouses and elsewhere to pray for local and national concerns. See You at the Pole (SYATP) has been recognized as the largest youth prayer gathering in history, with 2.5 million participating worldwide in 1995.
SYATP began as a student-initiated, student-led movement, and has remained so for the past six years. It was begun in 1990 when small groups of high school students gathered spontaneously at their schools to pray. Later that year, 20,000 youth were challenged to meet at their flagpoles early on a September morning. More than 45,000 turned out to pray, and SYATP was born. (EP)
AL TERNATIVES
Scared straight
The church-produced Halloween attraction "Hell House," which dramatizes real-life horrors ranging from abortion to teen suicide, is being marketed nationwide by the Abundant Christian Life Center, creator of the spectacle.
BEYOND BELIEF
The church is selling how-to kits for $149, and a CD of sound effects for an additional $15. Last year's "Hell House" attracted 5,000 visitors at $5 per head, netting the church a $17,000 profit. (EP)
TEENAGERS
A pastoral presence
Nick Rademacher has a guardian angel-like it or not. The 17-year-old high school student's penchant for skipping school frustrated his parents, but they didn't know how to control him. The answer came from their pastor, Dave Mundy of Greeley Missionary Baptist Church, who agreed to follow the young man to school and stay with him throughout the school day. Watching people to keep them from doing wrong comes naturally to Mundy, who worked as a police officer before entering the ministry. Rademacher's parents pay for Mundy's lunch, and the pastor works on writing sermons while Nick is in class. (EP)
Sometimes you feel like a nut
AMERICAN novelty musician Ray Stevens once recorded a song about a squirrel getting loose in a church service. Life has imitated art in England, where a ferret recently ran up a vicar's cassock .as he knelt in prayer. Stephen Grey of St. Michael's Church in the northern England town of Bamford, said he knew something was wrong when a woman in the congregation screamed and jumped up on a pew.
"It went three times around my cassock," he told the Daily Telegraph. "1 was trained to carryon regardless, but I must admit the prayers speeded up a bit toward the end."
The sharp-toothed rodent was finally ejected from the church, but not before it bit a parishioner's thumb. (EP)
Mennonites are named after him, but what do we really know about Menno Simons, the 16th century reformer? To mark the SOOth anniversary year of his birth, we decided to interview him. Posthumously. These are his actual words. Really. We'll carry excerpts in each issue during 1996.
r;y All the truly regenerated and spiritually minded conform in all things to the Word and ordinances of the Lord. Not because they think to merit the atonement of their sins and eternal life. By no means. In this matter they depend upon nothing except the true promise of the merciful Father, given to grace to all believers through the blood and merits of Christ, which blood is and ever will be the only and eternal medium of our reconciliation; and not works, baptism, or the Lord's Supper. For if our reconciliation depended on works and ceremonies, then grace would be a thing of the past, and the merits and fruits of the blood of Christ would end. Oh, no, it is grace, and will be grace to all eternity; all that the merciful Father does for us miserable sinners through his beloved Son and Holy Spirit is grace.
But isn't choosing to believe in Jesus, in one sense, a kind of "good works"? It's something we do, right?
r;y I have read recently that they write that there is but one good work which saves us, namely, faith, and but one sin that will damn us, namely unbelief. I will let this pass without finding fault, for where there is a genuine, true faith, there also are all manner of genuine good fruits. On the other hand, where there is unbelief, there are also all manner of evil fruits. Therefore, salvation is properly ascribed to faith, and damnation to unbelief.
Next: The changed life
SOURCE: The Complete Writings of Menno Simons
MEDIA MATTERS
BY BURTON BULLER
Mutant television viruses
Are our lives being conditioned and enriched by close encounters with the culture in which we find ourselves?
ATER A DAY of unreturned phone calls and a joyless ride in rush hour traffic, ad arrives home at 5:30 p.m. His cellular phone is still ringing as he walks in the door. Mother, working nearer home, managed a 5:00 arrival. By then, their two children had already spent an hour watching TV, having arrived home from school at 4:00. They'll manage to get in another two or three hours before they go to bed.
Brief hellos. A quick meal at 6:30. Discussion about the day's school activities, followed by homework. Load the dishwasher. A fast load of laundry. An hour of office catch-up work that should have been done while a fellow employee wasn't doing his. Evening devotions. After paging through the latest news magaZine, time to catch a few minutes of Leno or Letterman. Finally, a fitful sleep kindly overcomes the consciousness.
Sound familiar? A scenario not far from an average North American family's experience. By the time these hypothetical children graduate from high school, they will have spent more than 15,000 hours in front of the television. Together with their parents, they spend onethird to one-half of their waking hours ingesting media in one form or another.
Have we become media junkies? Some assert that violence and lawlessness in society is a by-product of increased television usage. Is the media numbing us to the spiritual and cultural values of our past? Or are our lives being conditioned and enriched by close encounters with
the culture in which we find ourselves in the final decade of this millennium?
From what little research we have available, we find that Mennonites believe the media does not influence them very much.
Douglas Rushkoff, in his recent book, Media Virus! Hidden Agendas in Popular Culture, offers some interesting insights. For him, all exposure to media is a learning experience. We tend to learn the most when we think we are learning the least-because our defenses are down. When "relaxing" with the media, the "viruses" containing the agendas of their creators implant themselves most efficiently in our minds.
RUShkOff sees all mass media as a part of a monolithic system of interconnected interests that truly has a life of its own. As with any organism, its purpose is self-preservation. Any thought or idea present in the system that is contrary to the self-interest of the media organism will be isolated and destroyed, just as a body isolates and destroys foreign viruses.
To be successful at implanting alternative values-Rushkoff calls them agendas-into the media, one must implant these as a virus designed to mutate often enough to keep ahead of the media's natural defense systems. He sees many television programs as having strong agendas meticulously designed to evade the natural defenses of the media and to implant themselves
deep into our minds. Many of these show up in kids' television.
Although there is much that media cannot do, certain values can be, and likely are, deeply influenced by what we and our children watch. For one thing, it is from the media that we learn to be Americans and Canadians. Here we learn what is valuable, what issues need to be discussed among ourselves and by our political representatives. Here we learn where we fit into the North American socioeconomic categories. In other words, here we learn not what to think, but how to think. In the battle for hearts and minds, teaching someone how to think beats telling them what to think any day.
Churchgoing children who spend 15,000 hours in front of television learning- how to be Americans and Canadians, will spend about 1,500 hours in religious instruction by the time they leave high school. Should the principle of tithe apply in this situation? Somehow 10 percent religious instruction versus 90 percent indoctrination into the ways of popular culture doesn't seem balanced.
I hope we are doing better in our own families.
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT
A GUIDE FOR GROUP INTERACTION
SESSION 1: Hospitable churches
Based on "Hosts for Christ, " page 4.
GET READY-Getting started
• Share your last experience as a visitor in a church.
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. In what ways did Jesus and the early church show hospitality?
2. Review the hospitality checklist. Which do you see or experience in your church?
3. What does it mean for us today to follow the instruction given in Romans 12: 13 and 1 Peter 4:9?
4. Has hospitality become more challenging for churches or individuals today? If so, why?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. What is your congregation's greatest strength when it comes to hospitality? Its greatest weakness?
2. Select three of the 15 suggestions that would be most beneficial for the ministry of your church.
3. Identify specific people and plans that would help those suggestions become reality.
SESSION 2: Moving beyond our comfort zone
Based on "Hinder Them Not, II page 13.
GET READY-Getting started
• Identify a time you felt like you didn't Iffit."
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. Is our difficulty in relating to people who are different than ourselves due to our lack of desire, interest, education-or something else?
2. Think of things Jesus might say to us about relating to families like the Pinkstons and identify the Scriptures in which these things are taught.
3. Who are the Pinkstons in your life and your congregation slife?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
Reflect on Barna's questions for you and your church:
1. Do we want to grow?
2. Do we want to keep our "holy huddle" formation?
3. Do we refuse to budge from our comfort zones?
4. What specific steps could we take to be more accepting and encouraging to people?
SESSION 3: Is their life beyond extremes?
Based on Ph'lip Side, "A Moderate Proposal, II page 15.
GET READY-Getting started
• Name one IItrend yll activity to which your response would be JlWhy would I?"
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. In what ways is moderation positive and in what ways is it negative?
2. Share some examples from Scripture that would encourage moderation and some that would resist it.
3. In what ways does moderation-or lack of it-influence our impact on non-Christians?
4. Is Wiebe's last statement an appropriate goal for disciples of Christ? Why or why not?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. How can believers help each other answer the question IIWould this be something to embrace reject, or a little of both?"
2. Is it practical or biblical to think we can provide II checks and balances" for one another? If SOl how?
3. What is one area in your life in which you feel God is calling for more moderation? In what area do you need more passion and action?
SESSION 4: Media/s influence
Based on Media Matters, "Mutant Television Viruses, II page 34.
GET READY-Getting started
• If asked to share the number of hours you spent viewing television this past weekI would you feel (a) proud (b) embarrassed, or (c) clueless?
GET SET-Examining the issues
1. To what extent do you agree with Rushkoff that IIAII exposure to media is a learning experience and we tend to learn the most when we think we are learning the least"?
2. As you reflect on your own recent television viewing, to which positive and negative IIvalues virus l1 were you exposed?
3. If Jesus lived among us today, how do you think he would relate to media? Which television programs would he watch and why?
GO-Applying ideas to the way we live
1. What are the implications/results of the ratio between the amount of exposure to religious instruction compared to popular culture?
2. How should we as individuals and as the church respond to this imbalance?
3. What would you like to see changed in your own personal or family's television viewing habits?
4. How do you, or can weI help children and ourselves identify Christlike and non-Christlike II viruses"?
Beyond the hoopla
THE ATMOSPHERE in Colorado College's Packard Hall was rarified and unified. It was the last session of Colorado Springs '96, the national convention of the u.S. Conference. Symbolically, practically, and universally, delegates had affirmed Mission USA as the new renewal and church-planting thrust of the U.S. Conference. They had officially and joyously commissioned an executive director and his wife to lead it.
The appointee, Ed Boschman, was now delivering his "inaugural address," as it were. He is a gifted speaker. Expectations were high.
Obligatory opening joke-well told. Funny, too.
Then a few introductory comments. Smooth.
Finally, Boschman turned his attention to Mission USA. The delegation was ready.
"There is a large sense in which it is quite possible to say, 'Mission USA is a good idea ,'" he began. (Absolutely. You know it. Praise the Lord.)
" ... 'Let's just hire someone to do it' ... " (Right on. You the man, Ed.)
"I want you to know ," he continued. (Lay it on us. Tell it like it is.)
" ... that I can't do it." (. ...)
In that moment, truth cut through the enthusiasm and splash of Colorado Springs '96. Like a knife.
There's a fair amount of skepticism out there about Mission USA. You didn't hear it on the floor of this convention. The dynamics of the event didn't lend itself to that kind of feedback. Beyond that, most of us want so badly for it to work that we fear a word of doubt might jinx it. And no true-blue Mennonite Brethren wants to be blamed for jinxing a renewal and church-planting thrust.
But the skepticism is there. Some will point to the many emotional-and mostly unsuccessful-evangelism forays our conference has blessed in the past. Others note that Mission USA has been primarily a leadershipdriven movement, that the grass roots is only marginally interested in denominational ventures. A few wish Mennonite Brethren would get beyond their fetish with church growth and take on a broader agenda of churchly concerns.
gifted as he is, is Ed Boschman, as
I recognize some sobering truth in each of these criticisms. But for me, the skepticism runs to a deeper concern, one that strikes closer to home: We inadequate for the task don't really want to grow.
of leading us to numerical
nirvana.
This is what it revealed: Mission USA, as carefully and boldly planned as it has been, is not the solution to the malaise and stagnant conversion growth of the U.S. Conference. Ed Boschman, as gifted as he is, is inadequate for the task of leading us to numerical nirvana.
And now he had admitted it out loud.
But the speech wasn't over. Lest delegates hastily recall his commissioning and send him packing back to Canada, Boschman finished his train of thought: " ... Ed and Carol can't do it, but God can. God will use Ed and Carol. He will use you."
God can.
Do you believe those two words? In the days following the convention, the question has played over and over in my mind. The logical, theologically conditioned half of my brain quickly concedes the point. Of course God can use Mission USA to bring renewal and growth to the U.S. Conference. God can do anything.
But the other side of my brain-the side shaped by experience, observation, and an intuitive grasp of human nature-needs convincing. This is the side of the brain that processes much of my work as a journalist. It's the side that listens to the corridor talk as closely as the podium talk. It's the side that tries to weigh not only what should be, but what is and has been.
Or, more accurately: We don't really want to love. You see, the issue for me is not membership numbers. The issue is being a faithful church that loves others like Christ did.
If the truth be known, we like our close-knit congregations just the way they are. The makeup of our Bible studies and classes suits us just fine. We recognize that a growing number of people are alienated from Christ in our community, and that social mores are declining as a result. But as long as we can afford a better security system for our home and church, we're content to let them reap their just deserts.
I can say that without looking down my holier-thanthou nose because I reached that conclusion by looking into my own heart first. And then I extrapolated it to the rest of you. That's what journalists do. And not without justification, in this case. The evidence is out there.
Elsewhere in this issue, we've published some articles that list some great ideas for welcoming visitors, strangers and seekers into our congregations. Sort of a Mission USA-like theme. But the most important article of the bunch is the one written by Laurel B. Schunk on page 12. She cuts through the hoopla too: Until we earnestly want to broaden the holy huddle beyond our individual and corporate comfort zone, all our clever ideas and dynamic programs aren't worth a hill of beans.
So I bless Mission USA and Ed Boschman, but I know they can't succeed. Unless God changes my heart. And yours.
