The Brethren Evangelist May-June 2012

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2012 General Conference July 18-22

Ken Hunn, Executive Director

The Manual of Procedure gives a comprehensive purpose statement regarding our upcoming annual gathering…

Conference Is Coming!

When we consider these words written many years ago, several things seem abundantly clear…

• This statement easily passes the missional eye test. It is clear that our forebears were intentional about the “application of the gospel.”

• The vision of General Conference also had in mind the need to “acquaint” the churches with societal issues so relevant to that application. This indicates their desire to understand the dynamics that shape our efforts to each succeeding generation.

• In addition to a clear missional orientation, this event was also intended to focus on the fi tness of the church to engage in such an endeavor. Words like “comradeship,” “effi ciency,” and phrases like “profounder spirituality,” and “evangelistic spirit,” speak to the concern that churches take seriously their capacity to faithfully embrace the Great Commission.

Of course all of these hopes highlight the truth that we are better together. The Scriptures know nothing

“The purposes of the General Conference shall be: the promotion of a sense of comradeship among the membership of The Brethren Church; to bring about increased effi ciency and a profounder spirituality and a missionary and evangelistic spirit in all the churches; to consider and provide for missionary, educational and literary activities of the denomination as a whole; and to acquaint the church with the moral and spiritual welfare of society and to encourage activity looking toward the moral and social uplift of all people through the application of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

of a go-it-alone attitude, especially in regard to our commission. And that’s where you and I come in, as we celebrate this truth in our July event. It would do us well to be in focused prayer for ourselves and all of those who will participate. Many years ago I realized how my own pride and self-serving interests are so diffi cult to keep in check when I am among my peers.

When we gather, our attitude comes with us; for better or worse. Additionally, I’m sure you’ve heard that just showing up is half the battle. It’s true. We are all be-sieged by myriad reasons to simply stay home, play it safe, beware of over-ex-tending, etc. And most of our reasons are

good ones. However I think we often severely under-estimate the power of community. When I rehearse the make or break intersections of my life, I quickly realize that without the gathered church I would have suffered terribly. We all owe so much to each other, and we owe it to the one who redeemed us to do all we can to draw closer to one another. This was h is prayer for us.

Please take a close look at the opportunities high-lighted in this issue; the times of worship, refl ection, fellowship, equipping and instruction. Make plans. It all focuses on this long-standing vision that we gather regularly, and make it count!

“I think we often severely underestimate the power of community.”

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I’m often asked what we should do if someone is in-terested in spiritual things but seems to believe in God outside our own Christian way of seeing God. “How should we confront them?” they ask. I usually respond,

“Don’t confront them. Instead, encourage their search. At least there is wind in their spiritual sails. Naturally they’re sail-ing a little off course (like all of us), but fervency in a slightly immature direction is better than apathy in the right direc-tion.”

I’ve met Muslims who came to faith in Jesus by reading the Qur’an. I’ve know HIndus who found the Savior through botched self-mutilation attempts. I know quite a few New Agers who came to Christ when I encouraged them to keep seeking. Our scriptures seem to indicate that even if we mess it up, the rocks will cry out and donkeys may start talking in English! Jesus is the one who converts people and reorients the disoriented.

Jesus interacted with those who were unclear about their spiritual leanings, so you can be sure we all need to learn to help people process questions, opinions, and assumptions with grace, truth, tact and patience. The deeper you and your communities engage the culture, the more colorful, the more honest they will be. The problems and issues people deal with cannot be kept nice, neat and tidy. The world is confusing, and issues of faith are no different.

The other day, during another yoga class I was taking, I was enjoying what students call “the child’s pose”. Es-sentially you lay on your face with your arms outstretched, palms up. After a long, hard workout, it’s a welcome resting pose. As you quiet your heart and open you hands, receive

wisdom. Breathe out anxiety and know that your life is being guided by someone who actually cares.

As I sat there, my face in a pool of sweat, I was blown away by the peace that came over me as I pondered Jesus because of this New Age instructor. After the class, I walked by the desk where she was sitting and said, “Wow … you re-ally helped the pastor focus back on God today. Thank you very much.”

“You’re a pastor?” she asked, followed quickly by “And I helped you focus on God?”

Just because you may have been walking with Jesus for twenty or thirty years does not mean that your friend without faith or friend with a different faith will not also have spiritual truths to teach you.

“Yep, you did. I have staked my whole future on the life of Jesus, but I fail in faith all the time and get stressed out. This one hour with you every couple days is a place that really helps me center back on what I know.” She smiled and so did I, and our conversations are getting deeper and more focused on Jesus all the time.

I have learned so much about God from doubters and others who are not Christians, sometimes in surprising and shocking ways. Listen deeply to others with whom you are sojourning in faith. Just because you may have been walk-ing with Jesus for twenty or thirty years does not mean that your friend without faith or friend of a different faith will not also have spiritual truths to teach you. By taking a sincere posture of back-and-forth sharing of what you are both learning about God in your daily lives, you’ll be earning a relational right to be heard.

Meekness will be the inner quality of a true apprentice, and it is a quality without which we can’t help people to see and fi nd God

““with a different faith will not also

“with a different faith will not also with a different faith will not also

“with a different faith will not also

“have spiritual truths to teach you.

“have spiritual truths to teach you.have spiritual truths to teach you.

“have spiritual truths to teach you.

““Just because you may have been

“Just because you may have been Just because you may have been

“Just because you may have been

“walking with Jesus for twenty or

“walking with Jesus for twenty or walking with Jesus for twenty or

“walking with Jesus for twenty or

General Conference Featured Speaker

Hugh Halter

This excerpt is from Hugh Halter’s latest book: Sacrilege - Finding Life in the Unorthodox Ways of Jesus

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…after a few more unexplainable “God” mo-ments and some hours spent volunteering down-town with the homeless community, I was standing in my front lawn absorbing our impending journey. I realized for the fi rst time I was really beginning to care about the homeless. I never had. I had always seen them as lazy, most likely criminals, and probably drug addicts. But after serving for several weeks, I began to put names with faces and hear stories that could derail any of us. I began to realize that my stereotypes were not only unfair, but it was untrue. My heart had begun to change toward them. Bottom line, I was changing. Finally. It was incredibly refreshing.

Right at that moment, I was distracted by my neighbor’s lawn. It was about knee high, and it was annoying. The only thing more annoying than their grass was their landscaping. The only thing more annoying than their landscape was the worn-out tire marks in the middle of the lawn where their twenty-four-year-old son (who still lived at home) parked when he came home in the middle of the night.

I quickly became distracted from my noble, righteous journey, and my pious thoughts were replaced with judg-

Taken from Barefoot Church - Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture by Brandon Hatmaker


BrandonHatmaker

…you’re so self-centereded that you didn’t even see her need, and this is exactly what you need to do to change your heart.

““…you’re so self-centereded that

“…you’re so self-centereded that …you’re so self-centereded that

“…you’re so self-centereded that

“you didn’t even see her need, and

“you didn’t even see her need, and you didn’t even see her need, and



“you didn’t even see her need, and you didn’t even see her need, and


““this is exactly what you need to do

“this is exactly what you need to do this is exactly what you need to do

“this is exactly what you need to do

ment and disdain. I live in a really nice neighborhood; why in the world do I always seem to end up living next to the only house that looks like this?

God: “That really bugs you, doesn’t it?”Me: “ Heck yeah, it does. What did I ever do to deserve

this?”God: “Why don’t you do something about it?”Me: “Why would I? It’s not my lawn.”God: “Because she’s a widow who lost her husband fi ve years ago to cancer and she doesn’t know how to start a lawn mower. Because she’s got a loser son who takes ad-vantage of her day after day. Because not only are you a Christian, you’re a pastor. Because you’re so self consumed that you didn’t even see her need, and this is exactly what you need to do change your heart.”

Okay, maybe God didn’t call her son a loser. That was me. But he certainly made his point. So I got out my lawn mower and started cutting. And I wept. Again. Even harder than I did at the altar where I gave up my boots. And I did it every week—both cut her grass and cried. It took a whole fi ve minutes. Quite the sacrifi ce! God made his point.

One day I noticed a plate of homemade cookies sitting by my front door. With it was a note from my neighbor that read, “Brandon, I just don’t know what I’m going to do with you. Thank you so much for cutting my grass. I only hope one day I can repay you for your kindness.”

She already did. I’ve been paid back sevenfold.

Mother Teresa lived by a belief that there is physical, emotional and spiritual need in every community. Need is everywhere, yet we too often fail to see it. If we don’t see it, we won’t be bothered by it. If we’re not bothered by it, we won’t engage it. By our neglect, we become the oppressor.

Jesus knew exactly what he was doing when he told us to serve the least. He knew that if we could serve them, we would become agents of change. Despair would change to hope. The reputation of his bride would change. And along the way, our hearts and minds would change. We need that in the church today.

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A wise grandmotherly friend once told me when your kids say “No I don’t WANT to!” it really means, “No, I can’t.” And when they say, “I CAN’T!” it usu-

ally means, “I don’t want to.”

Great ideas often fail to get implemented not because we lack the will but because we lack the skills. We don’t know how to begin and we don’t know what to do next. Over the last 20 years I have had the opportunity of inter-viewing hundreds of church planters and pastors who had good intentions and great ideas but failed. Their most com-mon lament was, “I did not know what to do next!”

Formal education tends to deliver book-knowledge, and conferences highlight motivators, but there is a gap at the level of practical, skills-oriented training. The con-

ventional wisdom of conferences and conventions is that 50% of attenders are not likely to implement anything, 15% would have done so even without the conference, and the remaining 35% walk away highly motivated, likely to start, but unlikely to succeed without follow-up, accountability or coaching. If that is so, how do we increase the likelihood of success and design “skills-based” training methods that will provide the results we actually want? At its core, it involves three things: a clear Mental Map, Behavioral Defi nitions and Measurable Goals.

The Mental Map is a vision of the destination and the road map leading to it. In our post-modern world, the idea

of a linear series of steps or stages is not always popular, but much of what we learn is a process of adding skill to skill until we achieve mastery. My father used to say, “measure twice, cut once!” The skill of measuring is a prerequisite for moving on to the skill of cutting. A Mental Map for church planting or pastoral leadership lays out the set of key skills and an or-der of acquiring these skills so that new workers and leaders will know the answers to: “What do I DO next?”

Behavioral Defi nitions (science calls these “operational defi nitions”) translate concepts into simple actions. Think of the movie “The Karate Kid.” Picture Daniel-san approach-ing Mr. Miyagi in order to learn karate. He got neither an instruction manual nor a motivational talk. Instead, he was schooled in the elemental behaviors on which almost all karate skills depend: “wax-on, wax-off,” “paint the fence” and “sand the fl oor”. In leadership training, for example, we often quote Hebrews 3:13: “Encourage one another daily.” Do we DO encouragement well? Is it because we don’t WANT to, or because we don’t know how?

A Behavioral Defi nition describes those simple acts that can be put into immediate practice. Here is one example; encouragement is to SEE the good and SAY the good TO someone. Simple as that. Look for something good daily and say it immediately.

Behavioral Defi nitions also clarify what not to do. The opposite concept of “encouragement” is discouragement, but the opposite behavioral defi nition is to see the BAD and say the BAD. Our action word for that is “accusation,” and we know who lies at the heart of that behavior! An accu-rate Behavioral Defi nition is central to skills-based training because it makes it possible to use role-play and demonstra-tion as teaching strategies. Once the simple skill is mastered it becomes the foundation on which a learner can improve and develop their individual style of being an encourager.

“You can only expect what you inspect.” Results matter and results can be measured. This does not take anything


Ron Vandergriend

From Motivation to Mobilization

Mental MapBehavioral Defi nitionsMeasurable Goals

Continued on page 6

From Motivation to Mobilization

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Maybe you’ve heard of Coachnet… someone you know may be being coached, or going through coach training within the Brethren system. But what is this CoachNet thing/And what is coaching/Who

are those people? Well, here are 10 things you should know.

1. CoachNet is a multiplication organization. We are all about helping you make more of the things that are key to God’s kingdom. And we do this with an intentional process we call coaching. You only work on what you want to accomplish.

2. CoachNet (and coaching in general) is built on the belief that you already have what you need to get started. An effective coach draws out what you want to do and focuses on doing it with what you’ve got.

3. CoachNet — and the best coaches — take a posture of listening fi rst. We work really hard to make sure we’re hearing exactly what you’re saying. Where else does that happen? (You should try it. It’s fun!)

4. After all that listening, a good coach — the only kind CoachNet has — follow up with powerful questions… you know, the kind of questions that make you stop and think. You can’t answer a powerful question with an easy answer. These questions will stretch you.

5. Working with CoachNet — or one of our top-quality coaches keeps you fo-cused on what’s most important. You’re probably not going to write a fi ve-year plan, but you WILL make progress toward your goals. One leader recently said, “I get more done as a result of one, one-hour coaching conversation that in a year of meetings.” How about you? Making progress?

6. You can be coached toward any measurable destination. If you can break down the journey into measurable steps, a coach can help you get there.

7. Coaching is a relationship fi rst. Imagine a person who helps you fi nd the answers. And is all about your success. We call that person a coach.

8. The old saying goes “two heads are better than one.” Jesus sent the disciples our two by two. You and a coach, working together, making things happen. See a pattern?

9. It’s fun. Ask any coach (or anyone who’s been coached effectively). There’s a serious joy about fi guring out what you’re on earth to do (and then actually doing it!)

10. Bottom line: coaching works. Got something you need to get done? Got a change you need to make? Need someone to journey alongside of you? Try getting a coach.

Now that you’re armed with all this new information, why wouldn’t you con-sider coaching? CoachNet would love to help you fi nd a coach… or maybe help you get started coaching yourself. The BCNO can help too. There’s plenty of training options available for you! What do you think?

From Motivation to Mobilzation What is

Coaching?Jonathan Reitz explains

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Jonathan Reitz has been CoachNet’s Chief Executive Offi cer since 2009.

Jonathan has worked as a church planter, speaker and workshop present-er, and as a strategic planning partner for congregations and denominations across North & South America.

away from the Spirit, but only introduces discipline into the training process. No matter what evangelism method or strategy you try, for example, at some point you actually have to talk to people about Jesus. Having a Measurable Goal can be as simple as setting a goal of having, say, one interaction a day where you talk about Jesus and you go home and journal the attempt. Measurable Goals help us focus on the critical activi-ties that ultimately put skills into practice. Countable repetitions can eventually lead to mastery of those skills.

Interviewing church planters and pastors who did not achieve the results they longed for was both enlightening and heartbreaking. They had abundant knowledge and deep spiritual motiva-tion, as do most of the emerging work-ers in our churches and schools. If we desire to see the outcomes change for those we lead, we must be prepared to answer their question, “What do I DO next?” Mobilization means action. Let’s move beyond motivation to mobilization and start practicing those behaviors (ac-tions) that will lead us to the results we desire: growing disciples and more new churches!

Ron Vandergriend has trained over 15,000 church planters - starting more than 30,000 churches in 30 diffi cient countries. Ron’s unique approach to training, equipping & releasing leaders into the world will challenge your view- point of global missions, church planting and what it looks like to create a disi-ciple.

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Those of us who lead or have led established churches don’t like to hear it. Those of us who attend and serve and sacrifi ce in and for estab-lished churches don’t like it much either. It’s not

a very popular thing to say in some circles, but experience and numbers paint a fairly clear picture. No methods, no campaigns, no amount of spiritual maturity in your leader-ship team can advance the Kingdom of Heaven faster or more effectively than planting new churches. The operative word is advance.

Ed Stetzer, a church leader and researcher repeatedly says that starting new churches is “the single most effec-tive evangelistic methodology under heaven.” The statistics from one signifi cant North American denomination show that churches 10 years old or older baptize an average of 2.5 persons each year per 100 active members. Churches 10 years old or younger baptize an average of 10.8 persons each year per 100 active members. Respected church leader Lyle Schaller says that “dozens of denominational studies have confi rmed the average new church gains most of its new members (60-80%) from the ranks of people not attending any worshipping body, while churches 10-15 years of age gain 80-90% of new members by transfer from other congregations”. Research also shows that new churches reach more people per dollar invested in ministry than do churches 10 years old and older. By the numbers, church planting should be one of the most passionate pursuits of established churches in order to fulfi ll the Great Commission.

The research and the numbers, however, do not create a negative commentary on your church…or your leader-ship. This does not suggest that established churches and their leaders are inferior to those of new churches. In fact, this data doesn’t say anything negative about your church at all. It merely points the way to the most effective method of accomplishing the kind of world-changing transformation that should be the heart’s desire of every congregation.

The research also doesn’t suggest that established churches should stop trying or investing in working the harvest themselves. Your church still reaches people! Your church still obediently makes disciples who make disciples who make disciples. This is, after all, part of our privilege and our role in the world. What it does suggest, however, is that we should all make the founding of new churches part of our overall evangelistic strategy.

596 38 7How and what your church does to contribute to this

movement can take on as many unique forms as there are unique churches. The fi rst best step is to start with something you know you can do. Contact your District Mission ministry or someone on the MissioChurch team to ask about what is going on in your area and how you and your church can contribute. Here are some ideas of what Brethren churches, groups and individuals are doing to participate in this pow-erful evangelistic movement.

Pray - Join MissioPrayer and receive specifi c requests from planters, regional coordinators, Mission Boards and others involved in church planting.

Connect - Local churches and individuals are beginning to connect with one another to discuss what their inten-tional efforts to multiply disciples, leaders and churches might look like. Find out the who and where and join them in the conversation!

Give - Individuals, churches and Districts are beginning to understand that if we are going to be prepared for what Jesus wants to do in us it is going to take all of our con-tributions to be prepared to step out in obedience with the resources to meet the need. Several churches and districts have built church planting and MissioChurch into their yearly budget.

Look Out - For individuals who have a heart for starting new things that will advance his kingdom. Some churches and districts are asking for more specifi cs on how to steward the callings of persons they are connected to towards church planting.

Your church and your established ministries are the stable platform from which these new missionary endeavors spring into life. What does Jesus want to do in and through your ministry related to advancing his kingdom in these ways? Pray, connect, give and LOOK OUT! May our tribe increase!

241 594946 8585 7272979By the Numbers: Why Plant Churches?

Bill Ludwig

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Bill Ludwig is Church Planting Coordinator and Lead Catalyst for MissioChurch. Bill is involved personally in plant-ing churches in Northeast Ohio and providing leadership de-velopment and internship opportunities for ministry leaders in the region. He has worked in the National Offi ce since 2006.

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At this writing, even during Holy Week, there is no shortage of violence and non-peace examples in our society that come to mind — close to home here in Florida and far away. Trayvon

Martin’s shooting by George Zimmerman is still a number one news story; seven are killed by a student gunman at a religious college in Oakland, CA; six or more city police-men have been killed while on duty in the Tampa Bay area during the past year; a prominent citizen murders his wife because she has an incurable disease, and then commits suicide — plus the war in Afghanistan continues. That’s enough evidence to make my point: There is no shortage of violence all around us!

Therefore, it’s appropriate and newsworthy for followers of the Prince of Peace to focus attention on the other side of the coin — true examples of peaceful instruction and inspiration. Not just feel-good stories, but wise, mature, prac-tical, compassionate examples of peaceful resolutions to deep-seated turmoil or desperate needs in people’s lives.

But fi rst, we can do no better than recall a few examples and directives for genuine Christian living from God’s Word, the Parable of the Good Samaritan (you know the facts), the Matthew 25:34-40 “inasmuch” passage, also:

Bless and don’t curse our persecutors Feed our enemies and give them a drink Conquer evil with good Seek peace and pursue it Put away your sword Never repay injury with injury See that your conduct is honorable in the eyes of all Owe only the debt that binds us to love one another Love your neighbor as yourself Love your enemies Strive for peace with all, and for that holiness without

which no one can see God

… and honor the admonitions in I Peter 3:8-9:

Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compas-sionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no excep-tions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless — that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing (The Message).

Now, some examples: When I need some inspirational stories of Christian Living, I frequently turn to my copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul – STORIES FOR A BETTER WORLD,(available online, Amazon, 2005). Section 2, entitled “Love and Kindness,” relates details of these real-life experi-ences:

*How a visitor to one of the homes of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India, spon-taneously sang to a dying woman and created peace for both of them.

*How a third grader secretly gave her lunches to a sad-looking new classmate.

*How a special gift a little girl received from her grand-father disappeared, but it replaced her inner turmoil with peace that has lasted every day of her life.

*How a woman, abandoned by a husband she had loved for many years, eventually found joy, peace, and happiness through the patience, wisdom, and practical counsel of an old codger.

*How a patient and understanding preschool teacher’s assistant brought lasting peace to a frightened little girl from another culture.

*How a mother, distraught, angry, and strongly unforgiv-ing, eventually met her son’s murderer in prison — chang-ing her life and bringing a peace she never, ever thought possible.

*How an abused kindergarten boy, who refused to speak to a skilled and very, very patient teacher month after month, fi nally emerged from his shell and then surprised her even more on the last day of school.

*How an older female hospital patient, preoccupied with crying out loudly about her terrible pains, was shocked into gentleness and love and peace at the presence of a one-year-old baby girl placed in front of her.

*How one kindergartner’s comforting touch and words to another classmate, whose father had committed suicide, brought more power and peace than anything the teacher could have done or said.

*How a mother, totally frustrated with the unacceptable behavior of her 16-month-old daughter one morning and her own ineffective disciplinary actions, fi nally resorted to loving words and compliments — only to be thankfully sur-prised with the big hug she received!

It’s obvious that we are also to be channels, conveyers, promoters, practitioners, examples, and of course “instru-ments” of God’s Peace. This means not only learning about such noteworthy examples of peaceful and caring lives, but may they prompt us to “go and do likewise” right where we live and work. And when we take such suggestions and motivations seriously, it’s like expanding the Beatitudes to include “Blessed are the encouragers, the comforters, the inspire-ers, and yes the peacemakers… for they are faith-ful servants of the Lord.” Peace, nonviolent peacemaking, works Brethren. Jesus and Paul knew what they were pro-claiming and demonstrating.

Non-Violent PeacemakingNon-Violent PeacemakingNon-Violent PeacemakingPhil Lersch for Brethren Peace Initiative

I Had No Idea I Was So Tired!Pastor Lynn MercerPleasant Hill, Ohio

262-646-7774 or broomtreeminisries.org. They do provide a self-directed guide that has no schedule other than directed conversation around the dinner table with other couples.

A Quiet Place is located near Bryantsville, KY. Rick and Teresa Jenkins offer a retreat facility for full time Christian workers. You may attend with or without your spouse. You can reach them at 859-548-9513 or agaperetreat.org. They offer a fi ve day, self-directed spiritual retreat, free of charge.

Inn Keeper Ministries, located in Lewisburg, Ohio, offers free of charge housing for those in Christian ministry. Bob and Jan Hartenstein can be reached at 937-962-8312 or innkeeperministries.org.

Feel free to contact me at 937-676-2802 or fi [email protected] if you have specifi c questions about hous-ing, meals, etc.

These intentional times of spiritual retreat are not vaca-tion. It is a work assignment. Studies have shown that healthy churches and ministries are marked by stability and longev-ity in their leadership. There is great value in granting those in leadership spiritual retreat time. The hope is that at the end of the retreat, you’ll feel refreshed and more closely connected with the Lord, ready to continue serving with a renewed spirit.

In the NEW DAY in The Brethren Church, we’ve been talk-ing about transformed leaders. This is one way to help those in Christian ministry to position ourselves to be transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ!

If your leaders are too busy doing ministry to get away and hear from God well, they are too busy! If you value your pastors, please consider offering retreat and sabbatical opportunities for them to be refreshed and strengthened while they allow the Spirit to lead them.

I recently returned from a week-long spiritual retreat in Santa Fe, New Mexico followed by the Brethren Pastors and Spouses Retreat in

Phoenix, Arizona, plus a few vacation days with family in Dallas, Texas. As I told those present at our congre-gational business meeting recently, “I had no idea I was so tired! I think I came back with more life than I’ve had since Glen died.”

Our son Glen died in July of 2008, near the end of his edu-cation at Ashland Theological Seminary. It was a sudden, unexpected death. He had epilepsy. His death sucked the very life right out of me.

Oh, I’ve taken vacation time. I’ve been on other spiritual retreats, but this extended three weeks away did more for me than I could have imagined! My energy level is back!

Pastors don’t have to lose a loved one to become exhausted.

A church member recently stated, “I think of a pastor’s life being like that of a farmer’s; on call 24/7!” Yes, there are always more things to do in a day than there are hours to get them done. The stress, the pressure, the spoken and unspoken expectations, and the anxiety that goes with full-time ministry can be overwhelming!

The deacons at Pleasant Hill First Brethren Church gra-ciously offered me an extra week of spiritual retreat in 2012. I would encourage all congregations to offer spiritual retreat to their pastors and I strongly encourage pastors to take it!

On the Sunday morning before I left, I told the congrega-tion what was going to be happening. I also notifi ed them in a newsletter article. If you don’t tell them what’s happen-ing, some people may think that you and your spouse are having marital problems. Just tell them what’s going on! If anyone in the congregation has a problem with your being gone that long, you’ll have others in the congregation who will defend you.

While on an intentional spiritual retreat you’ll have the time to position yourself to nurture a deeper relationship with the Lord. You’ll have time to pray, read, refl ect, journal, rest, relax, and refocus. When you return, the people back home will likely notice the difference!

Although you may know others who have experienced different retreat locations, you may choose to contact one of the following:

Broom Tree Ministries provides fi ve day spiritual retreats for pastors and their spouses, free of charge, in either Michigan or Wisconsin. You can reach Dwayne or Rita Hanon at

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In Memory

Harry Francis Berkshire, 89, of Scott-sdale, Arizona passed away on March 31, 2012 due to complications aris-ing from Parkinson’s disease. He was born on March 1st, 1923, in Mason-town, Pennsylvania to Harry and Eva Berkshire. His father, Harry L. Berkshire owned and operated the Masontown Lumber Company. He had three broth-ers, Edgar, Clayton and Charles, all or-dained pastors in the Brethren Church. Clayton and Edgar are deceased. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Dorothy Berkshire, sons Mark Berkshire and John Berkshire and two grandchil-dren.

Francis was a WWII veteran of the US Army. He served in the 736 Tank Bat-talion as a medic throughout the war in France, Belgium, Austria and Czecho-slovakia. He came home to marry his college sweetheart and complete his studies at Ashland University in Ashland Ohio. He also attended seminary at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville,

Kentucky and Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and later he received a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Francis pastored Brethren churches in Udell, Iowa, Lanark, Illinois and a church plant, Papago Park Brethren in Tempe, Arizona.

In 1970 he began working for the Arizona Department of Economic Security as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He retired as a manager and auditor.

A lifelong interest in genealogy led him to write the Berkshire Family Album, a genealogical study of the Berkshire family going back to the 1700’S. Fran-cis also loved to fi sh, talk on amateur radio and to work in his garage. In his retirement, Francis and Dorothy volun-teered at the Family Attic, a thrift store. Francis cleaned and repaired items for sale. Francis and Dorothy attended Scottsdale Bible Church.

A memorial service was held in Scottsdale on April 27th.

H. Francis Berkshire

Leona M. Long, 86 of LaGrange, Indiana, died Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at Miller’s Merry Manor in LaGrange.

Mrs. Long was born December 3, 1925, in LaGrange County to Weldon J. and Marie Larimer. They preceded her in death. Living her lifetime in LaGrange County, she was a homemaker and a registered nurse at the former LaGrange County Hospital

On October 27, 1946, she married John L. Long in Orland, Indiana. He preceded her in death October 18, 1997

Mrs. Long was a member of Brighton Chapel Brethren Church in Brighton, Indiana,

Leona M. Longwhere she was organist and a member of the Women’s Missionary Society.

Surviving are a daughter, Barbara Ann Long of Fort Wayne, Indiana; a son and daughter-in-law, Bruce A. and Kathleen Long of Aurora, Illinois; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by two sons, John Doug-las Long in 1947 and Robert Charles Long in 1954; a sister, Louise Damer; and a brother, Wayne Larimer.

Funeral services were held on April 7 at Brighton Chapel.

in a youth group or other church activity for kids.

As for worship, we were trying to split time between City Center in Medina and Five Stones in Ashland. When Bill first started with City Center, we were going to Five Stones. The kids and I continued going to Five Stones and Bill would come with us once a month and the kids and Iwould go to City Center once a month. That way we’d be together for church half the time. However, with Bill’s traveling and other things going on, this plan hasn’t worked out well. It’s not an easy thing to be split up on Sunday mornings, so recently we’ve been trying to always be together in Medina. We’re still making adjustments though. It’s also a challenge for me because I love having a powerful, intense worship time. Since City Center is just establishing itself, we don’t have all the equipment and a large band to help

A Publication of the Women’s Missionary Society

May/June 2012

Press On The Missionary in Your Backyard

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heaven-ward in Christ Jesus.”

I feel like a broken record most of the time: When asked how I am,

my reply is always “Too busy!” We are busier at work than we have ever been and it seems like my job responsibilities in-crease daily. Weekends are busy with our children and grandchildren, trying to keep things somewhat caught up at home, paying bills, running errands, grocery shopping, church activities etc., etc., etc. Oh, did I mention time with and for my husband? Are you tired yet? Sometimes I feel like that old cliché, “The hurrier go, the behinder I get!” I have a hard time saying no. I want to do it all and do it all well. I need a vacation!

One-two week vacations never really worked for us. There was never enough money, time off work, kids’ schedules to work around and to be honest, I really don’t like to be away from home for a long period of time. The mini vaca-tions, long weekends, etc. serve as mini vacations and retreats for me to help me regroup, so I am always looking for these kinds of opportunities. I just returned from Indiana District Conference and it was just a wonderful day. I learned a lot and came home encouraged and refreshed. I am looking forward to National Con-ference in July and would like to really encourage you to consider attending. I want to share some of the reasons to take advantage of this opportunity. We all get

The Church Planter’s WifeJennifer Ludwig

Being a church planter’s wife is not an easy job. To make things even more challenging we’re not a typical church planting family in that Bill has another full time job (Church Planting Coordinator for the Brethren Church). Add to that our two kids (Noah, 11 and Emily, 9) are becoming more active after school and my full time job at Ashland University; we have a whole lot on our plate!

It’s challenging for most families to find the time to do everything they need to do (jobs, school, church meetings, soccer, swim team and Sunday worship) while making time to be a family. This is an especially challenging dynamic for our family. One big reason is the distance from Ashland to Medina. Even though it’s only about 50 minutes away, when you add up both ways and then add that time to the time involved with meetings, Bible studies, or other events, that means a late night. This makes it difficult for me to be in a Bible study or small group at our church plant. With the kids being in sports and music activities, we’re pretty much not doing anything together at church except for worship. This is really a challenge for me because it takes me a while to warm up to people and get to know them. It’s difficult to get to know people when you only see them on Sunday morning. This could be more challenging as the kids get older and get more involved with other things close to home. It may be difficult for them to be

Continued on p. 13 Continued on p. 1211

Oak Hill WMS Busy with Service Projects

Tammy Thompson

The ladies of the Oak Hill First Breth-ren Church WMS have been busy as usual. In addition to our regular monthly meetings, we have been fundraising and working on service projects.

In December we prepared and distributed gift bags to our shut-ins. We do this each year in hopes of being a blessing to those who can’t be with us on a regular basis, but of course, we always receive a blessing as well. We served cookies and hot cocoa to the community during the annual town Christmas pa-rade and to our BYIC after their evening of Christmas caroling.

In January we began participating in two additional projects. We restarted a canned food drive to help our local food pantry. We bring items to each WMS meeting and leave a collection box in the church entryway so the entire congre-gation can participate. So far we have delivered a trunk load each month. We also started participating in another local project called the Backpack Ministry. This program provides take-home healthy snacks for local school children who do not have food to eat over weekends or other school breaks. We began by giving a donation, then we decided to make this an ongoing project for our group. We plan to collect a special offering once a month and hopefully get some of our ladies to help with the food packing. We placed a decorated backpack in the church entrance to serve as a visual re-minder of our commitment to this program

We are looking forward to upcoming events such as our second annual Ladies & Girls Tea held at the end of April and our WMS family picnic this summer. It’s good to be Women Meant to Serve.

deliver an intense worship. I know that my need is secondary to the mission of what we’re trying to accomplish at City Center, but I do miss that.

The time is also a challenge. Bill works a full time job as church planting coordi-nator, so anything he does for City Cen-ter for the most part is done on weekday evenings and on Sundays. Currently he devotes one late afternoon/evening on location at City Center. The challenge is that as City Center is evolving, he needs to devote more time and energy. Honest-ly, I have a hard time with the impact this has on our family time, but I understand why it’s needed — it’s like being caught between a rock and a hard place.

On the other end of the challenges are the blessings! One of the biggest blessings is the people at City Center. They’re very aware that Bill has another full time job and also a young family. A few of them are regularly “checking in” with me to make sure Bill isn’t over-extending himself at the expense of our family. What an amazing blessing this is! I grew up as a PK and it’s easy for a pastor to put his family in the “back seat” because he’s involved with ministry. It’s not a traditional job that needs them to work overtime at the office, but its people and ministry that need help, direction, and support. It’s a challenge for pastors to say “no” to people. Bill is no differ-ent, but even though he has a hard time saying “no”, he’s been proactive about empowering and enabling people at City Center to do things. He doesn’t try to do everything himself. He knows that the best way for people to grow spiritually is by growing them into leaders and empower-ing them to do what God is leading them to do. Bill has a team of people (some interns, some members of the congrega-tion) he’s working with to develop their gift of preaching and he has them on a regular rotation to preach.

Karen Little has been a blessing! She’s a member of Park Street’s Joy Circle, WMS. Some of their members have chosen individual wives of church planters and their churches to pray for. She also made a “goodie bag” for me to take to City Center. She brings little things to fill it with about once a month (suckers, little bottles of lotion, etc.). This fulfills those “little unspo-ken needs” that nobody thinks about.

God is moving in City Center and as a result, we’re growing relationships in Medina. Not only are we growing rela-tionships with people, but also relation-ships with businesses that see needs in the community and want to partner with us to meet those needs. We’ve opened a thrift store (alongside Pump House Ministries) to reach people. Our vision is to add a Food Pantry to that space as well. We’re partnering with a local farm to raise produce which will help supply the food pantry. City Center volunteers will regularly visit the land, weeding and harvesting. We’re also partnering with Love Inc. (In the Name of Christ) to reach people in the community. Love Inc. acts as a clearinghouse, taking phone calls from people with needs and connecting them with ministries who are best equipped to meet those needs. Lives continue to be changed as people begin and continue journeys with Jesus!

I’m still new to this process (I think it’s been a year now); our family is continual-ly evolving in this process of church plant-ing. While it’s exciting to imagine where God is going to lead us, the unknowns we’ll encounter on the road sometimes worry me. It’s challenging for me to not be in control and just give it to God.

In closing, I’d like to ask for prayers from those reading who feel led to . . . for direction for our family; for us to discern how we can integrate our family life into the Church life at City Center; for strength for Bill and I to work together to effectively manage the family time we have and to be effective leaders both in the Church and within our family.

Planter’s Wife continued

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physically tired because of our schedules, but more importantly, we get spiritually tired and National Conference is just the kind of mini vacation/or retreat that I am talking about. In the verse above Paul tells us to PRESS ON. Maybe this little acrostic will help you see why National Brethren Conference is “just the ticket” to be able to “Press On” when the going gets rough.

P: Purpose - God has a plan and purpose for us. In the day to day of life, we sometimes neglect what that pur-pose is. God, speaking to us through the conference speakers, musicians, church leadership and representatives from various ministries of the Brethren Church, who motivate and help us remember and redefine our purpose.

R: Reconnect/Reflect/Refresh - Confer-ence is a time to reconnect with friends, Reflect on where we’ve been spiritually, where we are now and where we want to be. It is also a time just rest and let the Lord refresh us.

E: Encourage/Equip - It is a time to be encouraged and become better equipped to go back to our local WMS societies to share new ideas and mo-tivate our ladies to reach out to other women and work to make our societies stronger.

S: Staying Power - The inspiration, camaraderie, teaching, and motivation we receive at conference gives us the re-sources we need to have staying power and not get weary and discouraged in doing what God has called us to do.

S: Stand in the Gap - Conference is a time to learn about what is going on! As we hear about all the new work, wheth-er it be with new church plants, foreign missions, the student ministry at Ashland University, expansion of Ashland Theo-logical Seminary, various camp ministries with kids or the directions the Brethren Church in general, we learn how we can better pray and stand in the gap for those involved.

Ladies! In July during Gen-eral Conference we will gather to share stories, hear reports, learn, laugh and worship our Lord. It’s the ONLY chance we have to

be all together each year. The support, encouragement and love we receive and bestow are not things to be taken lightly. The women of the Brethren Church from all areas of the nation, different stages of life and even around the world GET to meet in Ashland! It is a privilege and the WMS Executive Board feels the respon-sibility. We are working and praying to have a very strong program to bless ALL

O: Opportunities - Conference ac-quaints us with the opportunities for min-istry that are available and suited to our giftedness. As we listen and learn about the work, our hearts are stirred and we begin to discover where our passion for ministry lies.

N: Networking - Conference give us opportunity to spend time with and share ideas with people with whom we are like minded.

Ladies, besides all of the above men-tioned benefits, you won’t want to miss the WMS Luncheon on Thursday of Con-ference. Sherry Van Duyne, our Vice Presi-dent, has a wonderful afternoon planned especially for you! Come, reconnect with old friends, meet some new ones. Let’s learn what WMS is about and become excited about the direction in which God is leading us.

Friends, Fellowship & Lunch with Fanny Crosbywomen — current members or not! Join us on Wednesday from 2:00 - 4:00 at Park Street Brethren Church in the Worship Center and on Thursday from 2:00-4:00 in the Family Life Center (after the Luncheon). The church is located just one short block from the Hugo Young Theater and offers adjacent parking.

LUNCHEON for ALL LADIES

Family Life Center of Park Street Brethren ChurchThursday, July 19, from 11:30-1:30

What makes a successful luncheon??? Since I, Sherry Van Duyne, am respon-sible, I’ll answer this to show you my goals for our time.

Friends, great food, fun and fellow-ship, an enjoyable program and Jesus is honored.

Ladies, I can pray and plan and work really hard to make these goals a reality and I will. BUT, I cannot provide one part… friends.

So here is my deal. You do your part (bring friends) and I’ll do my very best to do mine. I guarantee great food, fun, fellowship and moments to honor Jesus! I also think that our program is very spe-cial – Fannie Crosby, beloved poet and hymn writer, will delight and challenge us through song and her life story.

I really, really hope to see you there!!! Pre-registration is required through the Brethren Church General Conference Registration form available on-line at www.brethrenchurch.org and in the Evangelist.

Sherry Van Duyne National WMS Vice President

Gloria Radcliff National WMS President

Press On continued

WMS Luncheon

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Remembering Pauline Winfield National WMS President

1967-1975

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Pauline derived great pleasure in read-ing the New Testament epistles of St. Paul, especially in the Living Letters, a para-phrase by Kenneth Taylor. She considered each chapter as a letter written to her personally.

Because of her love of music, Pauline probably joined the saints (vs. 7):

“From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,

Through gates of pearl stream in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,Alleluia! Alleluia!”We who knew Pauline Winfield are

blessed. She was a woman meant to serve, and she did. Her ministry among us continues.

Pauline A. WinfieldNovember 21, 1916

- April 14, 2012

The hymn “For All the Saints” was written for Pauline Winfield. Well, not really, since William How wrote it in 1864, long before Pauline was born!

But, based on Hebrews 11, the faith chap-ter, the words are appropriate for her:

“For all the saints who from their labors rest,Who Thee by faith before the world

confessed,Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,Alleluia! Alleluia!”

Pauline was a saint. She was loving and kind, a faithful worker in God’s kingdom wherever she was planted. She expressed the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. She and her husband, Howard, exercised these gifts in rearing four children; among them was Dick, a missionary to Nigeria. Dick and his wife, Kitty, became teachers in the Kulp Bible School.

Perhaps Pauline wrote “I am Happy in the Service of the King,” although it is publicly attributed to Alfred Ackley in 1912. Pauline received much pleasure in serv-ing her King in her local church, the New Lebanon (Ohio) Brethren Church. Over a period of several years, she taught the Sunday School class for high school juniors and seniors, directed the Carol and the adult choirs, was a deaconess, and was president of the local WMS.

Mrs. Winfield’s abilities were evident on the district and national levels, also. She was president of the Ohio district WMS and in 1965 became the national vice president of WMS. This position she held for two years, becoming president when

Mrs. Russell Rodkey retired. Pauline was national president of the

Women’s Missionary Society eight years, from 1967-1975.

She prefaced every decision concerning finances with comments similar to “If giving our offerings is not a joy, we are not plan-ning it properly!” This enthusiasm carried through the membership because these were the national projects successfully sup-ported during her tenure:

* ATS housing,* Revolving Loan Fund for the Argentine

churches, managed by the Missionary Board, to purchase land, build churches and/or parsonages,

* Established a fund with the Brethren Missionary Board for opening a new mis-sion field. Eventually the chosen site was Colombia, South America, with Ken and Jeannette Solomon as the pioneer leaders in 1973.

* The Ronk Memorial Chapel at ATS, * The Brethren Bookstore (The Carpen-

ter’s Shop)Pauline’s philosophy regarding goals was

“not to work for the goals alone, but for the good they accomplish.” Another time she said, “Goals are intended as a ‘target’ for accomplishing our purpose and not a scale by which we measure our good deeds.” She recommended we change the name of the public service to an all-church program, in an effort to create new ideas both in planning and promoting our purpose. WMS is a channel for Christian growth and service; therefore, we should encourage and invite new people to work with us.

She suggested we seek ways to increase the effectiveness of our purpose; then, finding them, implement them whole-heartedly! Their implementation will add purpose and meaning to every WMS activ-ity and activity to every WMS woman for a more effective witness (service) for Christ.

Terminology was adjusted during Pau-line’s presidency. “Goal” was changed to “commitment” because being committed to Christ indicates we are also committed to follow His instructions and example. Goals are an aid for developing a Christ-cen-tered life. And making definite goals for one society might not fit another society so the commitments are quite general, giving only suggestions.

Helping Hands WMS Reflects God’s Love

Esther Mishler

In February the Helping Hands ladies (New Paris, IN) collected 130 stuffed animals and donated them to a distribu-tion center that gives them to children facing some trauma. We have an ongoing blanket project that provides a gift for each newborn in our church family. We try to keep a couple in stock for emergen-cies also. On Easter Sunday our ladies provided a breakfast buffet following sunrise service. About 80 attended and it created an enjoyable fellowship time. In May we will host a Mother/Daugh-ter dinner party and plan inspirational entertainment.

Our main focus is to reflect God’s love and show concern for others by prayer and mailing greeting cards. When we learn of a woman or family in need we try to do something to ease their situation. Our evening meetings were not drawing good attendance, so we now meet in the afternoon and use evening time only for special occasions. Regular meeting attendance varies, yet we always find volunteers willing and ready to help when announcement of a need or project is made to the congregation.

~Joan Ronk

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General Conference Schedule

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2012YOUTHRegistration for the

2012 Engage Youth Conference can be found online at

BYIC.org. The cost for registra-tions received after June 1 is $350, with full payment due by July 16. Registration cost for advisors is $295.

16

Friday, continued

Conference Schedule continued

/Ron Vandergriend Workshop

17

2012 General Conference Registration Wednesday, July 18 - Sunday, July 22 @ Ashland University

Name: __________________________________________ Home Phone: (____) _____ - _________

Address:_________________________________________ City, State, Zip:_____________________

Email Address: _________________________________________________________________________

Complete and Mail, or Register Online at Complete and Mail, or Register Online at Complete and Mail, or Register Online at Complete and Mail, or Register Online at www.brethrenchurch.org

Conferences Cost & Delegate CredentialsEarly Registrations submitted before June 18, $60.00 per person.Early Registrations submitted before June 18, $60.00 per person.Regular Registrations submitted after June 18, $75.00 per person.

Delegate credentials are obtained from your pastor and have been billed to your church. A limited number of district and cooperative credentials may be available through your district organizations. Credentials do not need to accompany your cooperative credentials may be available through your district organizations. Credentials do not need to accompany your registration but need to be submitted by June 18. registration but need to be submitted by June 18. Registration fee does not need to be paid if you are only attending a Ticketed Event.

Total for Registration: $__________

Bringing a group or leadership team with you? Email

Bringing a group or leadership team with you? Email [email protected] before June 18 to discuss discounted group rates.

Housing

Housing is available on the campus of Ashland University in the dormitories (no air conditioning) for attendees of General Housing is available on the campus of Ashland University in the dormitories (no air conditioning) for attendees of General Conference 2012. There are also several area hotels and bed & breakfasts available. We recommend that you make Conference 2012. There are also several area hotels and bed & breakfasts available. We recommend that you make arrangements for housing as soon as possible to assure your stay. Housing at Ashland University includes a linen packet for arrangements for housing as soon as possible to assure your stay. Housing at Ashland University includes a linen packet for sheets, towels and washcloth.Some area hotels offer a discounted rate if you mention “Brethren Conference” while booking your reservation.

Days you will be staying in a dorm: Tuesday ___ Wednesday ___ Thursday ___ Friday ___ Saturday ___ Days you will be staying in a dorm: Tuesday ___ Wednesday ___ Thursday ___ Friday ___ Saturday ___ Cost per room is $45.00 per night.

I prefer to be on a floor with: Women’s restroom/shower _____ Men’s Restroom/shower_____

Total for Housing: $__________Total for Housing: $__________

Continue on other side

Complete and Mail, or Register Online at Complete and Mail, or Register Online at What to expect: General Conference is an opportunity for Brethren Church leaders around the country to gather together to make strategic General Conference is an opportunity for Brethren Church leaders around the country to gather together to make strategic decisions, celebrate what God has done, be refreshed with old and new friendships and take part in leadership development training decisions, celebrate what God has done, be refreshed with old and new friendships and take part in leadership development training that will guide us for the next chapter of our story. 2012 General Conference main sessions will feature Brandon Hatmaker, Ron that will guide us for the next chapter of our story. 2012 General Conference main sessions will feature Brandon Hatmaker, Ron VanderGriend, returning guest Hugh Halter, Executive Director Ken Hunn and Moderator Ron Waters. Beyond Main Sessions, VanderGriend, returning guest Hugh Halter, Executive Director Ken Hunn and Moderator Ron Waters. Beyond Main Sessions, General Conference features various workshops, a ticketed events to celebrate the ministry of Malaysian missionaries David and General Conference features various workshops, a ticketed events to celebrate the ministry of Malaysian missionaries David and Jenny Loi, a chance to deepen friendships, leadership training opportunities, Business Sessions and plenty of opportunities to be Jenny Loi, a chance to deepen friendships, leadership training opportunities, Business Sessions and plenty of opportunities to be encouraged and challenged by one another. encouraged and challenged by one another. General Conference also provides an ideal way for your church leadership to be exposed to all the ways the Brethren Church’s General Conference also provides an ideal way for your church leadership to be exposed to all the ways the Brethren Church’s Church Health Team & MissioChurch Team can come alongside your unique ministry. Whether you are currently stuck in ministry, Church Health Team & MissioChurch Team can come alongside your unique ministry. Whether you are currently stuck in ministry, ready for something different, or excited to plant a new daughter church - wherever you fall on the spectrum we want to walk ready for something different, or excited to plant a new daughter church - wherever you fall on the spectrum we want to walk with you.with you. We look forward to hosting you and assisting in reconnecting you with the vision and mission God has for us. We hope you and We look forward to hosting you and assisting in reconnecting you with the vision and mission God has for us. We hope you and your team will join us.

18

2012 General Conference Registration Wednesday, July 18 - Sunday, July 22 @ Ashland University

Ticketed Events

Elders & Spouses Gathering w/ Dinner Free Event x No. of tickets _____ = $_________Elders & Spouses Gathering w/ Dinner Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 - Location TBAWednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 - Location TBABrethren Ministry Wives - Reception and Fellowship Free Event x No. of tickets _____ = $_________Brethren Ministry Wives - Reception and Fellowship Thursday, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - 5 Stones Quarry Ladies Luncheon $12.00 x No. of tickets _____ = $_________ Thursday, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Park Street Brethren Family Life Center Thursday, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Park Street Brethren Family Life CenterGlobal Dinner - Loi’s Celebration $15.00 x No. of tickets _____ = $_________ Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Park Street Brethren Family Life CenterThursday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Park Street Brethren Family Life CenterGlobal Paradigm Lunch & Workshop $5.00 x No. of tickets _____ = $_________ Friday, 12:00 - 2:30 p.m. - Location TBAFriday, 12:00 - 2:30 p.m. - Location TBAHugh Halter & Brandon Hatmaker - Lunch & Seminar $20.00 x No. of tickets _____ = $_________Hugh Halter & Brandon Hatmaker - Lunch & Seminar Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Location TBA

Total for Events $__________

Ticket sales will end on June 30. Ticket sales will not be available during the week of General Conference.

Kid’s Conference & Nursery

Nursery for children up to 4 years old will be available throughout the conference starting on Wednesday night and concluding Nursery for children up to 4 years old will be available throughout the conference starting on Wednesday night and concluding on Saturday evening. Kids Conference, ages 5 -11, will be provided Thursday morning through Saturday afternoon of General on Saturday evening. Kids Conference, ages 5 -11, will be provided Thursday morning through Saturday afternoon of General Conference. Cost for the nursery or kids conference is $75 for your entire time at General Conference. Nursery and kids Conference. Cost for the nursery or kids conference is $75 for your entire time at General Conference. Nursery and kids conference includes lunch and snacks for all ages. If you are bringing more than 2 kids, contact Conference. Cost for the nursery or kids conference is $75 for your entire time at General Conference. Nursery and kids Conference. Cost for the nursery or kids conference is $75 for your entire time at General Conference. Nursery and kids conference includes lunch and snacks for all ages. If you are bringing more than 2 kids, contact conference includes lunch and snacks for all ages. If you are bringing more than 2 kids, contact [email protected]@brethrenchurch.org to discuss discounted rates. Please go to conference includes lunch and snacks for all ages. If you are bringing more than 2 kids, contact discuss discounted rates. Please go to discuss discounted rates. Please go to www.brethrenchurch.org for more details regarding Kid’s Conference & Nursery care.

Child name(s): ___________________________________________________________ Age(s): ________________

Total CostRegistration Fee : $_____________

Housing: $_____________

Ticketed Events: $_____________

Kids: $_____________

Total Registration: $_____________

Payment Options: I am paying by check which is enclosed. I am paying by check which is enclosed. I am paying by check which is enclosed. Please make checks payable to The Brethren Church. Please make checks payable to The Brethren Church. Please make checks payable to The Brethren Church. Please make checks payable to The Brethren Church. Please make checks payable to The Brethren Church. I am going to pay by credit card. I am going to pay by credit card. I am going to pay by credit card. Please send a bill to my email address. Please send a bill to my email address. Please send a bill to my email address. Please send a bill to my email address. Please send a bill to my email address. I will be paying the full amount before July 1. I will be paying the full amount before July 1. I will be paying the full amount before July 1. Please send a bill to my registration address.

PLEASE MAIL REGISTRATIONS AND FEES TO:Brethren Church General Conference

524 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805

Important Information¥ Registration rates change on June 18. Be sure to register early.

¥ Delegate credentials can be obtained from your pastor, district or

organization. Please submit your credential before June 18.

¥ Updated information regarding 2012 General Conference can be

obtained by visiting our website: www.brethrenchurch.org

¥ Ticketed Event sales will end on June 30th.

¥ If you are bringing a group or leadership team to the conference for the

week or even a session, contact [email protected] to find

group rates before June 18.

¥ Stay connected to brethrenchurch.org to learn how individuals from your

church can watch parts of General Conference through our live broadcast.

19

I, Viseth Hou, am a survivor of “the killing fi eld” as a child in a time of terrible war in Cambodia. I was growing up and attending school when the Vietnamese Invaded Cambo-dia. I went to school during the country’s civil war until I graduated from high school and after that, I joined the army for to help stop “the killing fi eld” and to turn back control to my country. In 1993 the war ended and I was released from the army, but because my family was quite poor; I ended up going nowhere except hanging out with old friends and doing crazy things in the inner city of Phnom Penh.

At Christmas 1993, I attended a Christmas Service where I heard the Four Spiritual laws and accepted Jesus. I joined with Campus Crusade for Christ teams and joyfully served God by sharing our faith through the Jesus Film and planting church new life groups in the community.

In 1996, I married Socheata Ten, who was involved with the Student Ministry actively. We were invited to train for ten months in Singapore. We came back and started by extending our student ministries in all the colleges and uni-versities in Cambodia. In 2000 I was challenged by Campus Crusade leaders to be the National Coordinator; I was in-vited to train and practice in Jakarta, Indonesia to work and serve the Lord among the leaders, professionals and busi-ness people. I was invited to United States in 2004 to share a testimony how God’s hand used me among these infl uential people. On this particular trip I came to know about Ash-land Seminary in Ohio.

In August 2005, I received a letter from Ashland Seminary to come and study. It was a great joy that God answered our prayers of many years for equipping us with a degree in God’s Word. I spent four years in Ashland, Ohio to fi nish my M.Div.

In Ashland, my wife was not just a full time student, but we began searching for Cambodian communities in the Midwest and on the East Coast so that we could help them with training in God’s Word and to share God’s love with Cambodian unbelievers. In my third year of seminary I was called by a student friend of mine, Garry Castro, to meet Rev. Ken Hunn, the Executive Director of the Brethren Church, to share my vision with him; then I had several ap-pointments with Rev. Bill Ludwig, the MissioChurch Director of Church Planting for the Brethren. It became a time when

“Welcome, Pastor Labanca. Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Rosario, Argentina: For those of us who knew and worked with Hector, there is no doubt in our minds that he heard those words in the early hours of Friday morning May 4, 2012, when he was called to his eternal reward. Hector Labanca was a man of the Word and of faith.

I fi rst met Hector in 1948-49 soon after he was saved and joined our Brethren Church in Rosario, Argentina. The follow-ing year he was called to the ministry and began attending the Buenos Aires Bible Institute. Pastor Labanca was a rec-ognized and respected evangelist, pastor and leader, not only in our denomination but by everyone who benefi ted from his infl uence and ministry.

For many years he led our congregation in Rosario, one of the fi rst churches planted by pioneer missionary Dr. Charles F. Yoder when he returned to Argentina in 1941. In that congregation Pastor Labanca met and later married Esther Lembo. Her family was a product of the fi rst missionary efforts of Dr. Yoder, and also invited my parents to visit and join that church in June of 1941 when I was only eight years old. They were the parents of fi ve children, most of whom are heavily involved in God’s work.

Argentine National Coordinator José Rivero communicat-ed the news of Labanca’s departure; “We are sorry to report that this last Friday in the very early hours of the morning, our beloved Pastor Hector Labanca went to heaven. His funeral service was conducted in the church that he pastored for many years. The very next day, Saturday, he was buried in the Protestant Cemetery. The presence of so many pastors from the Rosario area churches who came to express their condolences and give testimony of Pastor Labanca’s minis-terial infl uence was very noticeable. His family was strength-ened with the security of a well-deserved mansion prepared by our Lord for a servant well honored for his fi delity.”

A Memorial to Pastor Hector LaBanca

Viseth Hou Ordained

by Juan Carlos Miranda

From left to right: Rev. Ken Hunn, Rev. Bill Ludwig, Rev. Viseth Hou, Rev. Steven Cole, Socheata Hou, Rev. Paul Stanley

Bill and I carefully sought the will of God for Cambodian church planting and, at last, we knew California was where we should start.

In 2009 we arrived in Stockton, California, serving under Rev. Paul Stanley. We worked in the Carson Oaks Com-munity Church as the Cambodian outreach representa-tives and we did an outreach program, called Khmer Lives College, every Saturday night. Those nights we were able to give testimonies and preach the gospel to hundreds of Khmer People in Stockton. The second year we were able to get visas, so we decided to have our own Khmer language service. It was a time that attracted many older Christians who felt called to help us in this particular ministry.

In the third year now, we thank God we have more fami-lies that are coming to church service. We have seven new families coming to the church. We plan to baptize them soon. On May 20, 2012, I was ordained as an Elder of the Brethren Church to minister in God’s Purpose Church. Please continue to pray for this new ministry. May the Lord continue to bless you all richly.

20

On June 12, 2010, the First Brethren Churcn of Berlin, Pennsylvania opened a Thrift Shop in the garage of the Brick Coffee Shop (formerly the parsonage). We were open on Wednesday and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.

In November the church acquired a new property and began renovating. The new location opened on December 1. After a break in January and February, the shop resumed and by April was open three days a week. The annual yard sale at the church brings in many people for half price clothing (most things are just $1.00).

We jave a good group of volunteers. They enjoy working together and we are very blessed with donations every week. God has certainly blessed us beyond what we ever imagined. We have been passing some clothes on to a church in Shanks-ville. They have a ministry where once a month they give clothes away and we are glad to help them out. We also give to victims of fi res, school children in need, or anyone else that we hear has a need.

At our one-year anniversary our total profi t for the year was $7000. All of the money goes into the mission fund. We feel we are not only helping the mission fund, but more important, providing a service to the community.

Eloise Long

Thrift Shop Serves Communityand Missions

21

Shopping for MissionsGoshen Indiana First Brethren thrift store raises $22,000 for charity in fi rst year

It’s the little thrift shop that could. On the property of Goshen (Indiana) First Brethren Church is a small, brick out-building housing a ministry that has raised $22,000 in its fi rst year for local charities.

The church had a thrift shop previously, but in October 2010, church members decided to revamp the purpose of the store to make it entirely missions focused. Instead of paid staff, they called for volunteers to run the store, launder and sort the merchandise and pick up items. The project is headed by a store board and by four directors, Karri Miller, Sue Bowman, Mary Metzler and Carol Clemens. Several other volunteers help staff the store. Because of the tight space, a church member volunteers the use of his off-campus warehouse for storage.

According to Bowman, one of the main goals of the thrift shop project was to make everything as affordable as possible. Many items are 25 cents, with an “expensive” item, like a winter coat, around eight dollars.

All of those quarters and dollars added up to $22,000 profi t in the fi rst year — 99 percent of which went to minis-tries and mostly local ministries at that.

“We wanted to do something for the community to shop affordably, but at the same time, we had a mission mind-set,” Bowman said. The money comes in and quickly goes out to charities. “That was our new goal,” said co-director Mary Metzler, “to have the money stay here.”

Along with gently used items, the thrift store has a paper and sundries pantry where people can purchase inexpen-sive personal care items that aren’t covered under food stamps. Most items are from 25 to 75 cents. Buyers do not

Information for this story excerpted from the Goshen News, March 10, 2012

have to provide any kind of income-related paperwork to buy the items. They are just restricted to one of each item per household.

The church also donates used blankets to a person who works with the homeless. Donated yarn goes to volunteers who make scarves and hats for cancer patients. Some of the proceeds from the store also provide trolley tokens to people with transportation needs.

The shop organizers have a “use it all” philosophy. The church has partnered with Cross Bars Ministries in Misha-waka, and Pumphouse Ministries in Ashland to take items not suitable for sale at the thrift store, many of which are recycled.

According to the directors, the success of the store is all His doing.

“For years we have not been able to give to mis-sions like this,” Miller said. “This is all for His glory.”

22

Budget Discussion Ken Hunn & Stan GentleInterested in learning more about the Brethren Church’s national budget? Questions, conversation and dialog are all welcome with Ken Hunn and Stan Gentle. Learn how fi nances are allocated and how they support the NEW DAY Vision for the Brethren Church

Leading from the Moderator’s Chair Pat Gravatt - Mt. Olive, VirginiaJoin local Moderator Pat Gravatt for an informal discussion of leading as a Moderator in a local church. Did you know there are resources that can help guide your meetings? Did you know there are tools that can empower you to make your church healthier? Join Pat for this conversation and to meet other Moderators in the Brethren Church.

Nuts & Bolts — Financial and Child ProtectionFinances and children. Two topics that seem simple at fi rst — but are they really? How does your church handle its fi nances? What accountability practices do you have? How do you protect children while they are at your church? Do you provide background checks on volunteers and staff? Find out some helpful hints for both of these topics and how your church can be better protected.

Global Paradigm Shift (Ticketed Lunch Event) Ron VandergriendDo you think church culture has only changed in the United States? What’s happening in the rest of the world? Join Ron Vandergriend for a look at disciple-making around the world and what our role can be in helping these ministries more effective.

Global Partners Updates Ken HunnAre you curious about how our Brethren Church Global Partners are doing in their efforts? Come hear from Ken Hunn and Ministry Team leaders as they update you on all the exciting activities taking place around the world.

Missional PanelIs your whole church not ready to do this “missional” thing yet? What if your women’s ministry, men’s ministry, children’s ministry or youth ministry was passionate about doing something different... could they make a dif-ference? Hear a few stories of Brethren churches having a dramatic impact on the Kingdom even with just a handful of people.

Generis Ron LeeperGeneris is a team of experienced guides who walk with churches and ministries of all shapes, sizes and person-alities to develop generosity – a generosity that permeates the culture. Ready to challenge your congregation to give more, to become a people of generosity? Most individuals will benefi t from a workshop and conversa-tion that is focused on general giving and how to encourage, promote & sustain increased tithing & special giving.

Thursday

Friday

General Conference Workshops

“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:20a

Coaching and Leadership Jonathan ReitzExplore the practical aspects of coaching and identify leaderhsip characteristics important for congrega-tions today.

Saturday

Friday

Church Unique Kevin WilsonClartiy isn’t everything, but it changes everything. Yet clarity is rare in leadership because the chaos of pro-cess is required to achieve it. Clarity is worth it. It creates simplicity, which is beautiful to experience. It creates focus, which is amazing when you sustain it. Clarity enables movement. Movement is waiting for you and is God’s plan for his people.

Intentional Interim Vickie Taylor & Todd RugglesAre you or your church currently in transition? Discover a different way to handle the time in between pastors or during a diffi cult season of your church. Join other churches currently in transition and individuals who are specifi cally trained to help you through this season for discussion and questions.

Spiritual GPS Bill Johnson - Park Street, AshlandThis interactive workshop is designed to help you identify where you are on the spiritual journey so you have an idea of what is coming next, and it is even more specifi cally designed to help you be a better disciple-maker byunderstanding how faith matures across the decades of life with Christ. You will learn to identify seven stages of maturity in Christ-likeness, and you will marvel at the mystery and magifi cence of the spiritual journey.

Join us on Thursday evening for the Global Dinner as we cel-ebrate the ministry of David & Jenny Loi in Malaysia and China. Tickets may be ordered until June 18. Tickets are $15/person. NO TICKETS will be available during General Conference.

The Brethren Evangelist (SSN 0747-4288) is published bi-monthly except July/August by The Brethren Church, Inc., 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792 (telephone: 419-289-1708; email: [email protected]; fax: 419-281-0450.Authors’ views are not necessarily those of The Brethren Church. Subscription rates: Sent free to Brethren Church members; $15.00 per year to others. Member, Evangelical Press Associa-tion. Postage: Paid at Ashland, Ohio or addional mailing offi ce at Mansfi eld, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Brethren Church, 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792. May/June2012, Vol. 134, No. 3

The Brethren Church 524 College Ave.Ashland, OH 44805

Please let us know when you are moving. This will save us much-needed funds for ministry.

Momentum continues to build in our church multiplication movement! While we celebrate the three new churches planted over the last several years, we are pleased to report that:

• Two new churches have been approved for deployment by the Ohio District; Mission Church and pastor Josh Coffee in Columbus, Ohio and City Center Church and Pastor Bill Ludwig in Medina, Ohio. Several additional plants on Ohio are on the drawing board as well!

• Additional new church plants are in the foreseeable future for the Northeast, Southwest, and Northern California Districts. And, several other districts are in preparation for a plant!

• Regional Church Planting Coordinators are in place and/or being identifi ed for Northeast, Ohio, Indiana, Southwest, and Northern California Districts!

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Please complete the information above, detach this form, and mail it to the address below, or call the toll-free-number. Secure contributions may also be made online through PayPal by going to www.brethrenchurch.org/contributions.

Thanks for contributing to the offering!

The Brethren Church524 College Ave.

Ashland, OH 448051-877-289-1708

My gift for the General Conference Offering:

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Conference

Each potential new church plant represents another $25,000 start-up grant that may be needed to get things underway in each locality. God is blessing our vision and efforts to establish new churches. Now is a time to pray for more workers in the harvest. And now is the time for all of us to sacrifi cially give to ensure that we do our part.

As an individual, church group, or congregation, consider today what you might be able to contribute to this year’s General Conference offering for another start-up grant to support Church Multiplication in the Brethren Church. Respond now or with your generous donation at this year’s General Conference!

Offering

The Brethren Evangelist May-June 2012

Documents

Transcript of The Brethren Evangelist May-June 2012