15 19 26 When secrets Seminary Resolve surface finds growth to resolve C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R Lost and found THE MAGAZINE OF U.S. MENNONITE BRETHREN JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 T he top Bible verse that Americans read and shared in 2015 was Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” At least that’s according to the 200 million people that use YouVersion, the most popular online Bible app. Reflecting on this verse’s popularity, Her.meneutics editor Kate Shellnut writes that many evangelicals desperately want to be different from the world around them. “We believe that if our faith makes us noticeably unusual, it will attract others to God,” she writes. “Ultimately, though, being different doesn’t attract people. It’s what makes us different that does. And what makes us different is being like Christ…. It is not being unlike the world that defines us; it is being like Christ.” We Mennonite Brethren resonate with the plea to be like Christ. Both our evangelical and Anabaptist traditions em- G phasize this idea. If Romans 12:2 is a significant verse for R today’s evangelicals, 1 Corinthians 3:11 is historically a key O . verse for Anabaptists. Menno Simons, the leader for whom B M Mennonites are named, placed this verse on the title page of S U the more than two dozen books and pamphlets that he wrote: W. If Romans 12:2 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already W laid, which is Jesus Christ.” W is a significant The foundation of any lasting change, whether individual • 2 or corporate, is found in Jesus. Jesus transforms us, and our R verse for today’s response should be to work as his agents of change in our E D families and communities and around the world. “True evan- A E evangelicals, gelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant but L spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of N love,” wrote Simons. A 1 Corinthians 3:11 I Where does the world need to see the church be like T S Christ? In what situations must our faith be spread? Here are I is historically a R three that come to mind. H Followers of Jesus should be among the first to welcome C key verse for refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers to our country, re- gardless of their countries of origin or religious beliefs. Anabaptists. In this election year, followers of Jesus can give witness to virtue and love by having civil conversations with those whose political views are different from our own. Anticipating the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding same-sex marriage, U.S. Mennonite Brethren affirmed a tra- ditional view on marriage. But that doesn’t preclude us from having gay friends and from speaking into their lives. Welcoming refugees, negotiating election year politics and responding to homosexuality are all complex issues. But in all three situations there are too many hurtful and divisive words being tossed around—and all to often Christians are doing the throwing. We are talking when we should be listening. Virtue and compassion lie dormant as we give voice to preju- dice and stereotypes. This year, let us commit to listening more than speaking, and, when we do speak, to seasoning our conversations with words that make us more like Christ and less like the world around us. Connie Faber Editor CONNECTING ONE Family 2 From the editor 6 Chat Room Letters to the editor 5 Conference Call 28 Church Notes By Steve Schroeder A season of change SERVING ONE Lord 13 Looking back, moving forward J A 4 By the Book By Conrad Stoesz N U Why the past shapes our A By Art Azurdia mission and our future R Y / 10 Faith in the middle 15 When secrets 3 F E of life surface B R By Douglas B. Miller By Forest Benedict U A The Bible teaches that genuine Finding a new path when R Y faith requires knowing, trusting pornography addiction has 2 and doing destroyed relationships 0 1 6 PURSUING ONE Mission 24 Mission USA: Connection 7 News Briefs 26 Home Page 17 By Trevor Lee Body Life Resolve to resolve (cid:2)Lost and found 27 (cid:2)Seminary finds new On My Mind opportunities By Kathryn Glanzer (cid:2)“It’s kind of a B-12 shot” The dechurched Center insert — MB Mission Partnering as one family to serve one Lord on one mission, for the transformation of individuals, families and communities. w w w . u s m b . o r g byTheBook CHRISTIAN Art Azurdia L E A D E R A January / February 2016 fter two grueling weeks in Nigeria, I was hoping for some Volume 79 • Number 1 sleep… even at 35,000 feet. My seat assignment placed me next to a perky 20-something who, almost immediately, asked: “So what have you been doing in Nigeria?” Attempting to abbreviate the Connie Faber conversation, I said: “I’ve been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in EDITOR several churches throughout the country.” She responded, “Really? I’m Myra Holmes a Christian. I loveJesus and the Bible.” As our conversation proceeded, ASSISTANT EDITOR she added: “Of course, I loveBuddha and Krishna too, and I’ve also Shelley Plett been exploring Islam. But, of course, they’re all saying the same thing, GRAPHIC DESIGNER aren’t they? Still, I self-identify as a Christian.” Chayne Sturgeon My mind instinctively ran to John 14—the scene in the Upper COVER PHOTO (See story page 17) Room where Jesus’ disciples are reeling in bewilderment. Why? Jesus has announced his imminent departure and that the disciples cannot The Christian Leader(ISSN 0009-5149) is a gathering G accompany him to where he alone must go. To allay their confusion, place for the people, passions and mission of U.S R Mennonite Brethren. The Christian Leaderis published O Jesus provides a word of assurance: He will prepare a place for them . bimonthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite B in his “Father’s house.” Brethren Churches. However, the opinions expressed M Thomas retorts: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so here are not necessarily those of the church as a S U how can we know the way?” Jesus’ classic answer is rightly under- whole. W. stood only when appreciated as the direct response to the inquiry re- COPYRIGHT The articles printed in the Christian W Leaderare owned by the CL or by the author and may garding the way to the Father’s house: “I am the way and the truth W not be reprinted without permission. Unless noted, and the life.” While these three—way, truth, life—are coordinate Scripture quotations are from the New International • 4 terms, the primary emphasis is on the first as the leading theme while Version. R E the other two serve a supportive role. Jesus himself is the way to God, READER PARTICIPATION Letters to the editor should D precisely because he is the truth of God (John 1:14) and the life of be 300 words or less and on one subject. Letters must A be signed and include the writer’s city and state. Let- E God (John 1:4). It is an implicitclaim of exclusivity, reinforced explic- L ters will be edited for clarity, appropriateness and itly in his stunning follow-up: “No one comes to the Father except length. Letters will be published, as space allows, un- N A through me.” The point is unmistakable: Jesus’ self-identification ex- less marked, “Not for publication.” Readers interested TI cludes every other claimant as an alternative way to God. in contributing essays for In My Humble Opinion and S First Person should contact the editor. Freelance arti- I These were the thoughts that shaped my comments to this young cle submissions are welcome; a SASE must accom- R woman. Thankfully, our conversation remained cordial, despite a few pany articles. H C awkward moments. An hour later our meals were served and, after SUBSCRIPTIONS $10 for six issues and $20 for 12 is- finishing, she turned her head toward the window and closed her sues ($15, $30 in Canada; all other countries $25 for eyes. I needed to remind myself: “Awkwardness notwithstanding, I six issues); $1.50 per copy dare never become more politically correct than Jesus. The parame- CORRESPONDENCE: All correspondence, including ters of my inclusivity are determined by him.” subscription questions and address updates, should Eventually, I nodded off to sleep, but as I did, I prayed that the be addressed to Christian Leader Spirit of God would awaken this woman to the saving exclusivity of Box 155, 107 N. Main, Hillsboro, KS 67063-0155 Jesus as expressed in John 14:6—the clarity of which has been ampli- Phone: 620.947.5543 fied most poignantly, perhaps, in the meditation of Thomas à Kem- E-mail: [email protected] pis: “Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living. I am the way which thou must follow; the truth which thou must believe; the life for which MEMBERSHIP The Christian Leaderis a member of the thou must hope. I am the inviolable way; the infallible truth, the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse, an never-ending life.” association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ edi- tors. Art Azurdia is the senior minister of word and worship at Trinity Church in Portland, Ore. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Christian Leader, Box 155, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, Kansas. The Christian Leaderis published by Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 U.S. Conference of MB Churches conferenceCall Steve Schroeder USMB Leadership Board chair A season of change Leaders hope to reduce structural layers, foster networks A s I glance across the landscape of our Mennon- help of our consultant, George Bullard, we have gath- ite Brethren churches in the United States, I’m ered and listened to many key MB leaders from noticing several changes. Some are switching across the nation. Overall they are supportive of our out pews for chairs, some pastors now preach with an denomination but many would like to see us make iPad. Many churches have dropped their Sunday night some changes in the way we do ministry together. It services while others have Sunday services only in the is a mixture of voices with various viewpoints and dif- evening. Some are serving their community one Sun- fering visions being expressed simultaneously about day a month instead of gathering for worship. I don’t the right way forward during times of uncertainty. think that in and of themselves any of these are innately As a result of many hours of prayer, listening, shar- bad or good changes. But they are changes nonethe- ing, dreaming and strategizing, we see a new vision J less—likely in response to shifts in our culture and emerging for our USMB family that will involve some A N shifts in how individual churches are seeking to be changes which we believe will help guide us forward U more effective in ministry. onto a road toward healthiness and vitality as a de- A R It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it has become nomination. Rest assured that none of these changes Y increasingly clear to those of us serving our national have to do with our doctrines or our Confession of / family of churches that our current structures and Faith. Clearly, our confession and our relational con- 5 F E ministries do not seem to be helping us become a nectedness are two of the hinge pins that hold us to- B thriving, healthy denomination. This is no reflection gether as a family. R U on any of our current staff or their work. It has more Rather, the changes we envision have more to do A R to do with a shift in culture, changes in how churches with intentionally linking arms with our MB Y connect with their denomination, the resources that churches, districts, fellowships, agencies and partners 2 are now easily available to all of our churches and a for synergy and strength, reducing our layers of struc- 0 1 movement of networking in our culture that moves ture and fostering a system of networks that promotes 6 quickly and often without regard for their regional or nimble and timely collaboration between multiple national structures. ministry partners. No longer are churches looking as readily to the na- Together we’ve decided to align our resources and tional entity for particular services or resources. They collective efforts around the following: local, national can often find what they need within their church, and global church multiplication, intentional disciple online, in their community or from their district office. making and developing leaders. The measurement In many communities churches are joining hands standard for all we do is whether or not we help local across denominational lines to collaborate in service churches reach their full ministry potential. This is the projects, vacation Bible school or even church plant- essence of our vision. ing efforts. Nationally, new networks of groups and Our Leadership Board together with our district churches, regardless of their denominational ministers is still processing how this will work, and stripe, are emerging along the lines of particular we ask for your prayers. We deeply appreciate those ministry interests, for example Willow Creek Associ- of you who have already been bathing this process in ation of Member Churches or Converge Church prayer. Our desire is to be in step with where Jesus is Planting Network. leading us as a national family of churches. We believe that God has been leading us to re- Steve Schroeder, chair of the USMB Leadership think how Mennonite Brethren do ministry together Board, wrote this update following meetings of the on a national scale. In the past 15 months, with the board and the Strategic Review Team Oct. 12-14. Together we’ve decided to align our resources and collective efforts around the following: local, national and global church multiplication, intentional disciple making and developing leaders. chatRoom Managing boundaries Fifty-five years ago my aunt was dismissed from a Men- Revision in 2014 to Article 13 of the Confession of Faith nonite Brethren church when she married a Lutheran. Pas- formalized that inclusion: “…many of us choose not to par- tors intensely interviewed her and her fiancé about their ticipate in the military…” thus including those who do.  Sim- personal lives and beliefs. They refused him membership ilarly, Article 11 now accommodates the divorced. Clearly, and revoked hers. Mennonite Brethren (congregations) include some non- At issue is how churches manage boundaries: inclusive or conforming members even when contrary to scriptural clar- exclusive. When inclusive, churches are not as concerned ity. Congregations even revise interpretation of Scripture about whether their members fall inside or outside as they and the Confession of Faith to welcome those who were pre- are about drawing all toward the center of belief and prac- viously non-conforming—Mennonite grace and tice. When exclusive, churches guard boundaries with great hospitality.    pains to ensure no nonconforming member remains within; However, Mennonite Brethren continue to exclude les- they engage those nonconformers in a series of intense inter- bians, gays, bisexual, transgender and questioning views painful for all.  (LGBTQ). Given the striking inclusions by Mennonite MB churches have long applied the inclusive model. For Brethren and that the exclusive model results in much pain example, two of my other aunts married MB soldiers. Both and suffering, I wonder why. Others, of course, enthusiasti- were welcomed into MB churches, no interviews or dis- cally welcome your rejects. But what if Article 11 some day G missals despite clear Bible teaching: “Thou shalt not included a statement such as “…many of us are not gay”? R kill.” Despite no ambiguity, these churches were faithful to Phil Kliewer O . Scripture and to the couples and our families.  Fresno, Calif. B M S U W. Meeting the needs of soldiers W W I was all of nine years old when Pearl Harbor was at- new churches and sending missionaries abroad seem ade- • tacked. That incident and World War 2 made a significant quately addressed. Is there a curriculum designed to prepare R 6 impression on me. Patriotism was emphasized and honored ministerial students to serve as chaplains? Are we ignoring E D by many organizations and individuals. Families often dis- an area of need just because we have adopted the peace po- A played small flags, sometimes with the sobering indication of sition? The spiritual needs of our soldiers are just as real as E L those killed in action. those living where we start churches or send missionaries. N Our family’s church, although Mennonite in background, I feel strongly that our MB leadership should be dis- A I did not emphasize, teach or practice the peace position. Uni- cussing this issue and planning to do something about it. T S versal military training was the law and approaching draft Cadence Ministries is an existing organization that could I R age, I had to consider the possibility of conscription. I could serve as a model for such a curriculum in our schools. Their H not reconcile the concept of nonresistance with the knowl- hospitality centers and staff provide home-like facilities near C edge that thousands and perhaps millions had given their military bases both in the U.S. and abroad where soldiers lives so that I and many others could live in a free society. gather for meals, fellowship and Bible study. Through the Although I was never drafted, the issue still lingers in efforts of one couple we support approximately 15 ex-soldiers my thinking. who are now in full-time Christian service. I’m not aware of any consideration being given by our Kenn Pannabecker Mennonite Brethren leaders to addressing a need for a min- Los Gatos, Calif. istry to soldiers. Leadership for existing churches, planting The Bible should guide Thank you for publishing the story by Karen Neufeld in authoritative starting point for all of our discussions about the July/August edition (“My daughter, the pastor”). I en- our faith and its practice. joyed reading it. I was surprised, however, that her call to re- The article went on to imply (at least it did to me) that our visit the issues surrounding women in ministry was made experiences need to be our guide. While I certainly agree after concluding that no resolution would be found through that it is important to reflect on our experiences and God’s “arguing the biblical passages.” I agree that simply to get to- role in them, they cannot serve as an accurate guide without gether for an argument about them would be unhelpful, but the illuminating clarity that the Scriptures provide, regard- a careful re-examination of the relevant biblical passages less of how painstakingly slow the acquisition of that clarity would be very beneficial. In fact, I think that as Mennonite might be. Brethren we have agreed that this is the indispensable and Dave Thiessen Clovis, Calif. newsBriefs Central District focuses on renewal When delegates and guests of the Central District Conference (CDC) gathered for their annual convention Nov. 6-7, 2015, in Sioux Falls, SD, conversation centered around church renewal, a shift from past years when the focus was on church planting. Friday evening’s traditional church planting banquet this year focused on church renewal. Among the speakers was Stephen Stout, representing Faith Bible Church, Omaha, the first church to receive assistance from a new CDC church renewal fund. Delegates unanimously approved a $421,000 budget that includes a decrease in funds earmarked for church planting and an increase in funds for church renewal. Convention attendees recognized Roger Engbrecht, who has announced plans to retire after serving 34 years in the district as a pastor, district minister and, most recently, part-time district minister for ethnic ministries. As Engbrecht retires, Rick Eshbaugh will move from a part-time to a full-time district minister role. Rob Clogg, president of Grace Fellowship International, a counseling ministry based in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., spoke on “A Life Worthy of the Calling” in three general sessions. –CL PDC delegates hear Giving JA N U from church planters Tuesday A R Y Delegates and raises / guests of the 7 F E Pacific District B funds for R Conference U (PDC) conven- A church R tion, held Nov. Y 6-7, 2015, at 2 0 College Com- planting 1 6 munity Church Mennonite Brethren Nearly 80 donors from across (CCCMB), Clo- the country gave a total of vis, Calif., $39,655 to Mission USA on spent the ma- Dec. 1, 2015, during USMB’s jority of the time hearing stories from PDC church planters as well as one-day Giving Tuesday cam- messages from three keynote speakers highlighting each of the PDC paign. The funds include objectives: church health, church planting and leadership development. $20,000 in matching gifts and Throughout the convention, church planters from nine fledgling con- will go directly to new church gregations shared personal stories and examples of the creative ways plants in 2016. While Giving in which these new congregations are connecting with those who don’t Tuesday donations fell short yet know Christ Jesus.  Church planting was also the focus of the Friday of the goal of $60,000, Don evening program that featured church planter Joe White of Neighbor- Morris, Mission USA director, hood Church, Fresno, Calif., as the keynote speaker. thanks those who gave. “Your Church health and leadership development were highlighted by donations really did help as speakers Dennis Fast, pastor of Reedley (Calif.) MB Church, who spoke we plant churches together,” on church health, and Terry Brensinger, president of Fresno Pacific he says. “It really is a partner- Biblical Seminary, who addressed leadership development. ship.” Morris hopes to identify During business sessions, PDC delegates welcomed The Vine Bible more potential church Church of Bakersfield, Calif. and Iglesia Crisitana Fe y Compasion, Inc. planters and begin the of Los Angeles, Calif., as new member congregations. Delegates also process of planting at least approved a spending budget of $513,400 for the 2015-16 fiscal year and four Mennonite Brethren accepted proposed clarifications and updates to the PDC by-laws.—CL churches this year.—CL newsBriefs 5 minutes with... Registration opens in February for national Tim Neufeld summer events When a public radio station from Registration for the 2016 USMB Na- tional Biennial Gathering will open in Germany called to February. Online registration will be interview him last live Feb. 1, and registration brochures August, Tim will be mailed to church offices in Neufeld knew that February. The two-event gathering his little experi- will be held July 27-30 in northwest ment as a fan of the Denver, Irish rock band U2 Colo., be- had become some- ginning thing bigger than with the he could possibly have imagined. Neufeld, a member of North National Fresno (Calif.) Church, turned off his iPhone camera long Pastors’ enough to tell the Christian Leader about his growing role with G Confer- R an international community of U2 fans. O ence, followed by the USMB National . B Convention. Registration materials M Why are you a fan of U2? will include reservation information S U2 is a band of musicians who are Chris(cid:2)ans and U for The Westin Westminster, where all W. activities will be held. The theme for who stand for values similar to those of Anabap(cid:2)sts. W They use music to speak about racism, violence, W both events will be Press On. Registration for the National Con- poverty and jus(cid:2)ce in the mainstream culture in ways • 8 R vention is open to all who attend a they probably couldn’t if they iden(cid:2)fied themselves E USMB congregation. Registration for as a Chris(cid:2)an band. D A the Pastors’ Conference is open to E L USMB pastoral staff and their fami- “Periscope” is the iPhone app that launched your N lies. Visit www.usmb.org for more in- fandom to a new level. How does it work? A formation and online registration. To I T It’s a live streaming video program—just me si(cid:3)ng at S register by phone call 800-257-0515. RI —USMB home with the iPhone on my tripod talking to anyone H who signs in. There’s a chat feature going on constantly C where people are typing their comments—almost like a byTheNumbers radio call­in show. By now I have about 1,500 people from all over the world following my broadcasts. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a How did you get started? federal holiday observed on the It was one of those organic things that happened by accident. 3rd Monday in January. My family and I were driving home from a U2 concert in San Jose (Calif.) when I loaded this new app, turned it on and asked if anyone out there on the web wanted to talk about the con­ 1986 (cid:3) Year first observed cert. Suddenly I had several hundred people listening. 2000 (cid:3) First year all 50 Why have you continued your broadcasts? states officially I see a dynamic hunger in the culture for the values of the observed MLK Day kingdom of God. Many fans write me with ques(cid:2)ons of a spiri­ tual nature—some relate to U2’s underlying biblical themes, 900 (cid:3) Streets named after some ask for prayer. It’s a wonderful virtual community that I, King in 42 US states at least in part, have come to shepherd. and Puerto Rico Follow Neufeld on Twi(cid:2)er and Periscope at @(cid:3)mneufeld or go to www.(cid:3)mneufeld.blogs.com/u2. Watch for his book about U2 scheduled for publica(cid:3)on in Fall 2016. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2013 Interview by Kathy Heinrichs Wiest Leadership Board talks about USMB future The future of U.S. Mennonite Brethren ministries was the primary topic of conversation when the USMB Leadership Board met Oct. 12-14 in Wichita, Kan. The Leadership Board has identified three priorities around which it will align national resources and efforts: local, national and global church multiplication, intentional disciple making and developing leaders. Because the document reviewed by the Leadership Board in October is part of a “work in progress,” Leadership Board chair Steve Schroeder says the document remains confidential. The next step in this process is assigned to the five USMB district ministers, Don Morris, interim USMB executive director, and Jon Wiebe, president and CEO of MB Foundation.  –CL Canadian MBs World Fellowship Sunday discuss sexuality materials available The Canadian Conference of MB U.S. Mennonite Brethren are invited to join Anabaptists Churches (CCMBC) study confer- across the globe Jan. 24 to celebrate World Fellowship Sun- ence “God, Sex and Church: A Theol- day. Each year, Anabaptist-related churches around the ogy of Healthy Sexuality,” held Oct. world are encouraged to worship around a common theme 21–23, 2015, in Winnipeg, Man., fo- on a Sunday close to Jan. 21, that date in 1525 on which the J A cused on pastoral implications, fol- first Anabaptist baptism took place in Zurich, Switzerland. N U lowing the more theory-driven 2013 Mennonite World Conference (MWC) is providing resources A study conference, “Honoring God that mirror the theme of the Global Assembly held last sum- R Y with the Body: A Study on Human mer in Pennsylvania: Walking with God. For more, visit / Sexuality.” Interactions underscored www.mwc-cmm.org. MWC is a global fellowship of Anabap- 9 F the role of relationship as speakers tist-related churches.—MWC EB repeatedly deferred answers to spe- R U cific scenarios. A R During the CCMBC Annual Gen- Y Budding mission leaders gather eral Meeting that preceded the study 2 0 conference, a breakout session un- 1 6 packed a CCMBC communications Some 35 potential mission leaders age 19 to 45 attended a survey, in which respondents gathering Oct. 8-11 hosted by MB Mission, the North strongly affirmed the MB Herald, the American mission agency. The event, part of what MB Mis- CCMBC publication, but asked sion is calling the 2020 Movement, involved speakers, CCMBC to communicate in a music, listening prayer, intercession and group discus- broader range of media. Another sions. The goal was to bring apostolic leaders into local, breakout explored ways that the national and global missions. The vision of the 2020 Move- church planting efforts of CCMBC, ment is to resource and release 20 leaders into local, na- USMB and MB Mission could work tional and global missions by 2020. —MB Mission more closely together. —MB Herald Leaders call for compassion After meeting together Oct. 23-25, 2015, in Buhl, France, European Mennonite leaders released a statement sharing their concerns about the refugee situation in Europe. Walter Jakobeit, represent- ing the Conference of MB Churches in Germany (AMBD), Jose Arrais, representing the Association of the Mennonite Brethren of Portugal (AIMP), and David Wiebe, executive director of the International Community of Mennonite Brethren, were among the 21 signees. “In these people, fleeing now, we recognize the vulnerable face of God himself,” says the statement, posted on the CL website. The leaders “appeal to the compassion in all people of Europe” to “really look at each other. Take care of each other. Listen to each other.” —MWC G R O . B M S U . W W W IN • 10 R THE E D A E L N A I T S I R H C The Bible teaches that genuine faith requires knowing, trusting, doing