Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

At Home, Far from Home

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By Jennifer Svetlik, Salford congregation

“Even though I am far away from my home, I feel like I am home. I feel welcome and encouraged as I learn from the Franconia Conference culture and work with people from different backgrounds. We have a sense of unity and community here,” says Hendy Stevan Matahelemual, Franconia Conference’s Pastor of Formation and Communication.

Hendy in one of his favorite places: the desert!

Hendy was raised in Bandung, Indonesia, 100 miles south of the capital, Jakarta. He was educated in law and for nearly 10 years he worked in a law office as well as the music entertainment industry. After Hendy found Christ in his community, he was baptized again and made a commitment to dedicate his life to God. In 2008 he started volunteering in his church, Elshaddai Creative Community, in music ministry and leading a cell group. He got married to his wife Marina, got a promotion in his job, and felt ready to settle down. 

“My hometown is a nice city up in the mountains with great weather. Ever since I was born I always expected to stay in Bandung,” Hendy describes. 

But after the transformation in his spiritual life, Hendy felt that God wanted him to move from his city. He prayed to God to understand this feeling and had a sense that he might be called to move to Jakarta to plant a church with other members of his cell group. 

While he was still praying about it, Marina came home one day after her work as a secretary in their church, where she learned from their pastor that an Indonesian pastor in New York City was seeking someone to help do ministry there. “Well let’s go then,” Hendy replied, mostly joking. But later their pastor invited Hendy to seriously consider the idea. 

Hendy and Marina accepted this calling, and Hendy resigned from his job working in the entertainment business. But unexpectedly, for two years in a row, his visa to come to the U.S. was rejected. Patiently he worked as a pastor in their church in Bandung until his visa was finally approved. 

Hendy, Levi, Marina and Judah on a winter road trip to New Hampshire

For over two years Hendy was a pastor at Bethany Church in Queens, also providing counseling and community outreach. Hendy became acquainted with staff and pastors within Franconia Conference and began studies at Eastern Mennonite University toward an MA in Christian Leadership, which he received earlier this year. Hendy received a call to serve as the pastor of Indonesian Light Church in south Philadelphia. So Hendy, his wife Marina and their two children, Judah and Levi, moved once again. 

Hendy has also served in his conference role since May and helps to plan worship services for conference-wide events, shares stories through articles and creating videos, and supports the Conference’s social media work. Hendy is part of the new Youth Formation Team, coordinating events that offer training and resources to youth leaders and youth ministers, and he’s also a member of the Faith and Life Committee, which gathers credentialed leaders together quarterly for theological reflection and dialogue.

Additionally, Hendy serves on the conference’s Intercultural Team which provides training and resources for intercultural formation. “Revelation 7:9 provides a vision of what God wants us to be as a church,” Hendy shares. The scripture says, “There was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Hendy says that this and other scriptures provide encouragement and a biblical base for how the church can grow and learn from each other, as people of different cultures. 

“This is complicated work; in a conference that is predominantly white, recognizing that every group has its own dominant culture at work, to redefine norms together so that every culture can have a voice, and that each church’s expression of loving God, loving people, and serving the community is lifted up,” Hendy says. 

Hendy has found the mutual transformation of his intercultural work to be a rewarding part of his Conference ministry, as he and colleagues “work together as the family of Christ, even though we come from different backgrounds.”

Hendy is excited to continue to grow in his ministry with Franconia Conference. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, swimming, and going on road trips. Recently, his family drove to MC USA Convention in Kansas City from South Philly—a 17-hour drive! 

 

Update from the Business & Implementation Committees

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by Sherri Brokopp Binder, Ripple congregation, with Emily Ralph Servant, Director of Communication

Both the Implementation Committee and Business of the Conference Committee have been meeting over the summer, gathering feedback, and working on proposals for the logistics of a future reconciled conference in preparation for Franconia and Eastern District Conferences’ upcoming decision at Conference Assembly, November 1-2, 2019.

Sherri Brokopp Binder, member of the Structure Team, addresses delegates at Spring Assembly.

The Implementation Committee is responsible for thinking through how the reconciliation will take place, practically.  As part of this, they are developing bylaws for the new conference based on the work of the Structure Team and other committees.  To support the new bylaws, they are also updating documents like those that outline the roles of Delegates, Leadership Ministers, and so forth.

The Business of the Conference committee is responsible for developing a clear list of services provided to congregations by the Conference.  They are discussing business matters and how they should be managed through the reconciliation, including ensuring that the budget reflects and is supportive of the mission and vision of the new Conference.

Together, the two committees are contributing to the legal documents required to complete the reconciliation.  These documents will be available to delegates for review at the Assembly Scattered meetings, scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, 7:00 pm at Nations Worship Center in Philadelphia; Thursday, October 3, 7:00 pm at Salem Mennonite Church in Quakertown, PA; Tuesday, October 8, 7:00 pm EST (online) on a ZOOM video conference; Thursday, October 10, 9:00 am at Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville, PA; as well as additional meetings scheduled in Vermont & California.  

Committee members:

Business/Finance
Task Force:  Mark Reiff (Doylestown), Rina Rampogu (Plains)
Staff:  Conrad Martin (Blooming Glen)
Eastern District:  Jim Gunden (Zion)
Franconia:  John Goshow (Franconia board; attends Blooming Glen)

Implementation:
Task Force:  Scott Roth (Perkiomenville), Sherri Brokopp Binder (Ripple)
Staff:  Mary Nitzsche (Perkasie)
Franconia:  Ken Burkholder (Franconia board; attends Deep Run East)

 

Pressing On – Congregational Profile: Mennonite Bible Fellowship

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by Julia Heck, Mennonite Bible Fellowship

Morris Mennonite Bible Fellowship is a small congregation, located in Tioga County, PA.  It is in a valley, nestled between five gorgeous mountains.  Planted in 1953, this congregation was a mission outreach of Franconia Mennonite Conference.  Some of the original workers were Sam Landis, Clayton Godschall, Bob Felton, and Willard Bergey.  Bob Felton was the first pastor.  Later, Arthur Kolb was called to serve here.  Then, in 1969, Paul and Faith Benner were called to move to the Morris area.  So, they left Finland Mennonite Church with three small children and moved to Wellsboro.  Paul became pastor in 1970, and they have been faithful to this congregation and community ever since.  Since 2008, John Brodnicki, Paul’s son-in-law, has taken the place as senior pastor, with Paul filling in as needed.

The community in Morris consists mainly of life-long residential families.  In many cases, several generations have called Morris “home”.  To fit into the community, a person needs to commit to long-term presence here.  The saying goes that either you have to be born into it or bury someone here before you become a local.

The Benner family has lived in the area for around 50 years.  This has allowed us to live life as a part of the community.  We owned and ran the local general store for 13 of those years, allowing us to share common ground with many from the community.  Paul worked as a carpenter/contractor, while pastoring.  Others from the congregation have taken up occupations or started businesses in the area, so people can get to know them.  Rose and Nelson Yoder ran the Witt-Yoder Personal Care Home for several years.  John Brodnicki works in forestry, while pastoring.  Others have worked in garages, counseling, retail, medical and mental health, ski lodges, printing, restaurants, running people to healthcare visits, and cleaning and providing care in homes.

We have several people from the community who come to the church for special events.  When asked, they claim Mennonite Bible Fellowship as their church, even when they don’t attend Sunday services.  We are often asked to perform funerals and weddings for people in the community.  We are a small group, so we often work alongside other local congregations to provide holiday services and VBS.  This builds the Christian community around us and we all appreciate the feeling of inclusion.

Thursdays are special.  Several women from the congregation meet with community women to knot comforters and fellowship over the noon meal.  Sometimes they go on outings together, which promotes feelings of ownership and belonging.  Walking beside these women, through illness, death, abusive situations and times of joy, allows us to bond very closely with them.

Other ministries include prison ministry, visitation, senior banquets and working with local fire/ambulance fund-raisers to name a few.  Recently we participated in the local Trunk or Treat and Easter egg hunt.  Those of us who are employed minister through friendship ministry at work.

The needs are great in Tioga County.  Drugs and depression, both monetarily and emotionally, bind many souls.  Family division is devastating the vast majority.  Most churches are teetering to survive.  The “old faithfuls” come as much as they can, but many suffer illness.  Young families stop by, but when there are no other children there, they move on.

Many children have grown up at MBF and have spread out for various reasons.  Employment that sustains a young family is tough to find in the area.  The Christian community is suffering, so the hopes of finding a Christian spouse are low.  But God has called a few of us to return and carry on the work of the mission.

Despite all of this, we press on.  We want to remain faithful for those who do reach out for companionship, support, and prayer.  We feel that being present and available is our best witness.

If you feel called to a new adventure in ministry, please come by and check us out.  The people are warm and eager to greet anyone who stops by.  At Sunday services we offer worship, sharing and prayer time, sermons, monthly life stories, Sunday school and monthly fellowship meals.  Wednesdays, we have evening prayer gatherings.  Thursday the women’s group meets.  Support is offered any time needs arise.

Please pray for our congregation, and if you can, stop in for a visit.

Prayer requests:

  • that they would see and respond to the opportunities God provides to connect with and serve people in the community in ways that bring glory to God and draw people to Jesus
  • that they would be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit each day.

For more information, contact Pastor John Brodnicki at 570-353-2407 or Pastor Paul Benner at 570-353-7866.

 

Jesus is the Center

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by Tim Moyer & Diane Bleam, Bally congregation, with Andrés Castillo

Over the last year, Bally (PA) Mennonite Church has been moving toward a “centered-set” rather than “bounded-set” approach to church. After about 6 months of processing on the theory of being centered-set and how it might work, we discovered the book Blue Ocean Faith by Dave Schmelzer. This book offered insights into practical applications of how churches can function as centered-set.  

Pastor Tim Moyer explains centered-set vs. bounded-set to Conference staff at a recent staff meeting held at Bally.

A bounded set can be depicted as a circle with congregational members (us) inside the circle and all other people outside (them).  Congregations spend huge amounts of energy defining and defending the boundaries.  When the boundary needs to be redrawn, people get hurt, angry, and disillusioned.  It creates a split between people.  A bounded set environment is more prone to tension. Since much energy goes into the boundary, accomplishing things can be unnecessarily hard, because some people see defending the boundary as defending their faith.

In a centered-set approach, all energy points towards Christ, who is the center. People are treated as equals and are either moving towards or away from Christ. Everyone is being constantly challenged and supported to draw closer to the center. People feel more comfortable in a supportive environment and tension diminishes.

Centered and bounded sets are not reflective of theological positions, instead, they are mindsets adopted by congregations that guide them in the way that they express their faith.

A diagram demonstrating “centered-set”

Bally congregation has intentionally shifted to a centered-set approach to expressing our faith after significant congregational processing.  For four and a half months we designated our Sunday school hour for congregational input and discussion.  We presented the centered-set concepts, facilitated discussion in small groups, collected ideas from the congregation, and envisioned new ministries.

Since adopting a centered-set model of expressing our faith, we’ve found that spontaneous ministries and changes have surfaced among us. For example, at one of our Council meetings while discussing our facility’s rental fees, we confronted ourselves with the question, “Why do we have lower rates for members than we do for all other people if we are a centered-set church?” We realized that our fees were a boundary and now charge the same for members and all other people who desire to use our facilities.

Another example would be our practice of inviting attendees to share testimonies and short sermons regarding how Christ is working in their lives.  We also launched a monthly Sunday morning breakfast where we started inviting VBS families, our church’s preschool families, and families we encounter from other ministries. The breakfast runs during Sunday School, and people are welcome to attend church; however the main purpose of the breakfasts is to establish relationships.

“Community Outreach” now seems an outdated term at Bally.  “Community Connections” is now the title for that committee which better describes how we interact with the broader community. Not only have we changed our view of the community surrounding our church, but we have also noted changes within our congregation–there seems to be much more energy and enthusiasm for ministries and relationship building.  

In centered-set congregation, the additional energy is used  to encourage all to move toward Christ. Instead of programs and rules, the focus should be on building relationships so that people can walk alongside and support each other in faith. Perhaps the most important part of a centered set, however, is to remember that Jesus is the center.

Justice, Mercy, Humility

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(Reprinted with permission from TheMennonite.org)

by Joy Sutter

At the end of service on the Dock Mennonite Academy Board of Trustees, each departing trustee receives a fraktur with a favorite Bible verse. Following my term, I was asked which verse I wanted on my fraktur, and I requested Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Leadership requires much ongoing personal development, and Mennonite values of justice, mercy and humility are ones to incorporate into daily life. Authentic servanthood leadership is something to aspire to, but it takes perseverance, practice and resilience.

As the new moderator of Mennonite Church USA, I am looking forward to learning and growing as I serve in the church. I want to act justly, love mercifully and walk humbly with my God over the next two years. This is easier said than done, and all leaders in the church need grace for when they fail. Sometimes people with the best leadership potential say no to church leadership positions, afraid of failure and ultimately of criticism. We are missing out on the sharing of significant leadership gifts in the church.

Tom Yoder Neufeld, our speaker for the Bible studies during the Delegate Assembly at MennoCon19, proclaimed that “the church is a mess,” to which we replied, “Thanks be to God.” Messiness is part of any leadership journey and has the wonderful possibility to lead to new beginnings.

Even in the midst of our church messiness, I believe there is hope for the future. If we practice listening more than talking, if we continue to mentor our youth into leadership roles, and if we lead with a transparent spirit, our beloved Mennonite church will grow and thrive. Our words and actions as leaders matter a whole lot. Please provide prayerful and other kinds of support to our MC USA Executive Board staff, conference and constituency leaders, pastors and others who provide important leadership to our denomination.

My hope for the church is that the Spirit of God will continue to move in our midst as we all lead, grow and pray together. Practice listening more than talking. Practice being in difficult conversations with others. Practice hospitality and practice washing or spraying each other’s feet. Together our leadership can make a difference in MC USA.

Joy Sutter is moderator of Mennonite Church USA and a member of Salford congregation

Looking to the Future of Conference Related Ministries

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by Margaret Zook, Living Branches, with Emily Ralph Servant

The Conference Related Ministries (CRMs) Task Force has been charged with proposing a plan for new and improved ways of relating to organizations associated with both Eastern District and Franconia Conferences after the two conferences form a new Conference next year.

Both conferences recognize the wealth of services provided by CRMs and the growth and potential of these ministries.    Now, moving toward reconciliation between these two historic Conferences, there is a recognition that now is time to talk about the future.   CRM leadership were invited to participate in three listening sessions, in which they talked with the task force committee and recommended revisions to what had been proposed by the Structure and Identity Task Force.

Anne Kaufman-Weaver leads a conversation on cultural humility at this summer’s Conference Related Ministries resourcing event. Photo by Emily Ralph Servant.

These gatherings provided space to discuss questions like: How has the relationship with the Conferences helped in nurturing established organizations and empowering new ministries in the past?  How can the relationship between Conference Related Ministries and the broader Conference be mutually beneficial?  What are ways to enhance communication, support leaders in the CRMs, and improve relationships between CRMs and the Conference structure?    

What may prove to be most important moving forward is communication.   There are some CRMs who have been ministering for 100 years and others that are just birthing; renewed communication between CRMs, the Conference, congregations, and the community is desired and needed for the future.   Support can better happen if lines of communication are open and encouraged.

The final proposal, which will be shared in Assembly Scattered gatherings in October, will include a new CRM committee with board representation.  This will allow CRM leadership new avenues for building connections within the conference structure and among conference congregations as well as creating a new space for CRMs to speak into our conference’s life together.

Representatives of diverse Conference Related Ministries share stories of where they see the Spirit working in the many cultures of their ministry contexts. Photo by Emily Ralph Servant.

Each CRM has a unique ministry, each has a community, each has responded to a need and has founders or a board of directors who believe in its mission, and each has developed a unique set of skills, professions, and responses.  Many CRMs offer resourcing, workshops, and services to the wider church community on topics such as aging, memory loss, music, mental health issues, welcoming those with disabilities, and parenting.  Others provide opportunities to serve our communities at home and internationally, spreading the Good News through medicine, dental care, humanitarian aid, peace and justice advocacy, evangelism, microloans, and disaster recovery.  Still others offer space for children (and adults) to meet God in classrooms, around campfires, and in stories from the past.

For the new Conference, this is a valued resource.   These organizations and leaders represent a rich variety of missions to share with the broader community, which provide unique opportunities for our Conference to engage in new and creative ways.    We as Anabaptists have been charged to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.”   Our CRMs have brought these words to life.  May it continue to be so.   

 

Holy Leisure

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by Luke Hertzler, MIP at Whitehall and Ripple congregations

My Ministry Inquiry experience this summer at RIPPLE and Whitehall congregations helped me think differently about keeping Sabbath. Growing up I was not really taught about Sabbath. I knew the basics: You go to church on Sunday. You hang out with family. You eat meals together. As I got older, and especially in college, Sundays became the perfect day for homework since Friday and Saturday were full of activities. Then when Monday came around, I was confused about why I was so tired at the beginning of the week.

When I first began my internship, the pastors were planning out my schedule with me, and one of the first things they had me put on my calendar (on repeat) was “Monday=Sabbath.” After that meeting, I remember thinking how it was one of the first times in my life that I had truly devoted one day to ultimate rest.

“God gave the Israelites the law and Sabbath to change their Egyptian mindset of productivity,” Pastor Rose Bender told me. I’m a doer, so dedicating a day to take a break from running around crazily turned out to be a beautiful experience. I’ve soaked in slow mornings that start off with a good breakfast and scripture. I’ve fallen back in love with prayer. I’ve practiced introspection of my personal state, questions, and possible callings. I’ve experienced many little observations that remind me of the Holy Spirit’s presence. I’ve meditated in nature, putting things into God’s hands and being excited for what’s ahead.

Some Whitehall youth and I enjoyed the view of the valley from our evening hike. (Photo courtesy of Ser Luther)

Even though this contemplative nature of Sabbath was the most meaningful, I also found that I enjoyed a Sabbath that included fun activities and the deepening of relationships. For example, one day I went to Hershey Park with a friend I hadn’t seen in over a year. Another day, I went for a hike with some Whitehall youth to see a view of the valley. The other week, I drove to Beltzville State Park to swim in the lake, run some trails, and rollerblade in the parking lot. Throughout the whole summer, I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the many different forms of Sabbath, intertwining personal reflection, social interaction, and play.

The rooftop was always my favorite place to read in solitude or gaze at the evening sky. (Photo courtesy of author)

Sabbath has also provided me with energy for engaging in ministry with others. I am an introvert by nature, but I also love people, so Sabbath was the perfect amount of time in solitude to prepare me for my day-to-day encounters in the community. My thoughts were clearer, my actions were more purposeful, and that enabled me to be my best self throughout the rest of the week. 

This summer, I believe I have only scratched the surface of what Richard Foster, in his book Prayer, calls “holy leisure.” “It is a sense of balance in life: activity and rest, work and play, sunshine and rain. It means the ability to carry on the activities of the day filled with the cosmic patience of God.” Holy leisure means living life reflexively, where my heart, mind, and actions are on the same page. As I continue on in life, that balance is what I desire for my week, and whatever ministry experiences come my way, I’m excited to continue exploring the life-giving spaciousness that is Sabbath.

The Folly of “I Don’t Need You”

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by Josh Meyer, Leadership Minister

Josh Meyer (right), Pastor of Discipling and Preaching at Franconia Mennonite Church, leads a baptism service.

I am a denominational mutt.  I was born and dedicated at a Baptist church.  I spent my formative teenage years in a Lutheran congregation.  In college I attended a charismatic Vineyard fellowship.  I’ve worshiped at an evangelical megachurch.  I spent my first 5 years of ministry in a mainline United Methodist context.  And for the past 7 years I’ve found my home in a Mennonite church family.

One of the benefits of this diverse ecclesial background is that it formed in me an appreciation for various expressions of faith and a deeply ecumenical understanding of the Body of Christ.  We’re not all the same, and that’s okay.  Paul writes about the value of this kind of diversity in 1 Corinthians 12.  Though we are made up of many parts, we are one body. 

I’ve commonly understood this illustration as applying to the local church congregation.  God has gifted each of us in unique ways; we don’t all have the same gift, but we all have something to contribute to the Body of Christ.  A person’s gift could be music or serving or administration.  It may be related to budgeting and finance, or working with children, or teaching the Bible.  There are many different kinds of gifts, and no one gift is more important than any other. 

While this is certainly one faithful, helpful way of understanding Paul’s image, I’ve been challenged recently to think about the metaphor in terms of the larger global Church.  “Many parts” can refer to individuals, but can also refer to congregations and denominations.  And “one Body” can refer to a local church, but it can also refer to the global, worldwide Church.

Therefore, just like the eye can’t say to the ear, “I don’t need you,” and just like someone who’s gifted in music can’t say to someone who’s gifted in administration, “I don’t need you,” in the same way:

  • Protestants can’t say to Catholics, “We don’t need you.”
  • Anabaptists can’t say to Lutherans, “We don’t need you.”
  • Charismatic believers can’t say to Reformed believers, “We don’t need you.”
  • Conservative Mennonites can’t say to liberal Mennonites, “We don’t need you.”
  • Progressives can’t say to traditionalists, “We don’t need you.”

We’re all part of the same Body: the body of Christ.  There is a beauty in our diversity, and what unites us and makes us one isn’t that we’re identical, but that we all share a common commitment to Christ.  This isn’t to suggest our distinctive Anabaptist beliefs don’t have value – there’s incredible value in our particular expression of faith, and there are many things we can humbly offer as gifts to the larger Church.  It is important to emphasize, however, that our highest calling is not being Mennonite.  Our highest calling and great privilege is being followers of Jesus. 

We don’t have a monopoly on the Way of Jesus.  There are good, faithful, honest, brilliant, Bible-believing, God-honoring, Jesus-loving, Spirit-filled people in other parts of the Body as well, in other churches, other conferences, other denominations.  And we need them.  We need them to be faithful to who God’s called them to be, and we need to be faithful to who God’s called us to be, recognizing that while we may not look the same, we’re still part of the same Body.

My hope and prayer for Franconia Conference is that we would see other churches – both those within our conference and those beyond it – not as our competition but as our partners.  We’re not all the same and we don’t all agree on everything, but we’re called to love and bless and pray for and work with our sisters and brothers in Christ who are committed to the missional, intercultural, and transformational work of God in our collective midst.   

A version of this article appeared in the July 2019 issue of The Mennonite.