Mosaic Mennonites

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Notes to Pastors

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Teaching on Intercession
You are invited to a prayer and learning opportunity – Sunday, April 3 will be the third and last in a series of teachings by Noel Santiago on Intercession. It will be held at Franconia Mennonite Church, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The topic for the evening will be the Power of Intercession, Hearing God’s voice for another. These teachings have been both practical and inspirational. Pastors, prayer team members and anyone interested in learning more about prayer are invited to attend.

Adopt – A – Street
Adopt – A – Street is a new way of thinking about how to pray for our communities. Come to an information session led by Peter Smith, pastor of Hope Valley Community Church in Red Hill and one of the leaders of UPPEN, a network of churches in the in the Upper Perk region whose focus is prayer for transformation. You are invited to learn more about the Adopt a Street prayer strategy on Sunday, April 3, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. at Franconia Mennonite Church. Use the fellowship hall entrance. Immediately after the Adopt – A – Street session, there will be a light meal before the evening teaching on Intercession. Please register for the afternoon session and meal with Sandy Landes, prayer ministry coordinator.

Worldwide prayer and long-term response needed for Japan

Strasbourg, France – Mennonite World Conference is making plans to walk and work alongside Japanese Anabaptists in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami devastating the northeast of Japan.

An intercontinental teleconference on March 16 brought together MWC officials and representatives from Mennonite, Mennonite Brethren, and Brethren in Christ churches and agencies, including Mennonite Central Committee.

Immediate action is a global call to prayer for the people of Japan. A brief worship resource for churches, including a map that locates Anabaptist churches in Japan, is available on the MWC website (www.mwc-cmm.org). Response from both MWC and service agencies is likely to focus on long-term efforts and relationships rather than emergency relief. Food and water, urgent needs, can be procured locally. Distribution is the major challenge. MWC Deacons Commission leadership will consult with Japanese leaders in considering a solidarity visit, possibly in May or June.

Teleconference participants were grateful for a March 16th early morning message from Nobuyasu Kirai, Japan Mennonite Christian Church Conference (Hokkaido) chair, and Takanori Sasaki, chair of the Japan Mennonite Fellowship composed of several Anabaptist-related churches. The group agreed that careful consultation with these and other leaders in Japan is highest priority as the global church community seeks to identify ways to walk and work with the Japanese churches as they address the needs of the Japanese people.

A working group led by Deacons Commission chair, Cynthia Peacock (Kolkata, India) and secretary, Bert Lobe (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada) and including representatives from churches and service agencies in the MWC community will take further steps and provide updates as plans develop.
– MWC Staff

Pastors engage social media's role in church life

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By Sheldon C. Good
Mennonite Weekly Review
(Reposted by permission from Mennonite Weekly Review.)

CLICK HERE to view photo album

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. — Though online social media should not replace face-to-face interactions, these tools can enhance ministerial leadership.

And social media are nothing more than tools, two consultants told a group of 30 ministry leaders at an educational gathering March 17 at Franconia Mennonite Conference Center.

Most often, social media include Facebook,?Twitter, blogs and online video.

“It’s providing amazing opportunities for pastoral care,” said Scott Hackman, a seminary student and a consultant with MyOhai, LLC.

But people have different views of social media’s functions and effects. The group of pastors described social media as connection, nuisance, virtual community, addicting, time-consuming and a new definition of friends.

Hackman, a former youth minister and salesman, shared how his journey with social media began.

“I was a stay-at-home dad, and I wanted to connect with others who were in a similar context,” he said. “I wanted to see if I could connect with people and actually engage with them.”

So Hackman created Dad Parlor, a Facebook page dedicated to create space for fathers to share and connect.

But a Facebook page — and social media overall — does not replaced the need for face-to-face interaction, he said.

In fact, Hackman believes social media enhance interpersonal relations.

“In Sunday school, someone undoubtedly will say, ‘Hey, I saw this about you on Facebook,’ ” he said.

Hackman acknowledged that “how you lead in person looks different than how you lead on Facebook.”

Hackman and Todd Hiestand, lead pastor at The Well, a church based in Feasterville and a consultant with MyOhai, led the group in an example of crowdsourcing, which taps a group’s collective wisdom by asking people to submit feedback on a question or thought.

Hiestand said he sometimes uses crowdsourcing when preparing for sermons.

“I ask a question via Facebook,” he said, “and people in my community will engage with feedback.”

Hiestand said the way people respond can give him a sense of the pulse of his congregation.

“And sometimes I can then even incorporate that into my sermon,” he said. “It can even get people thinking about a sermon topic before Sunday.”

Hiestand explained some of the available social media tools and a few of his “rules of the tools,” specifically adapted for congregational life.

He acknowledged the misconception that social media offer a quick fix for churches.

“Sometimes people think, well, if I just join social media, my congregation will grow by 400,” Hiestand said. “I actually view it as the opposite. It’s all about building relationships.”

Building connections via social media, he said, is comparable to the long-term, slow process involved in forming interpersonal relationships.

“If you invest the time, you will reap the rewards,” Hiestand said.

He stressed, though, that engagement should be focused on other people, not oneself, as a way to supplement real relationships.

Hiestand described how tools such as Facebook, blogging, video and Twitter all have pros and cons.

“Facebook, for some people, is about sharing that they had macaroni and cheese for dinner,” he said. For others, it’s viewing photos, video and advocating for causes or interests.

No matter how social media are used, Hiestand said, leaders should always remember that even online “you are never detached from your role as a leader.”

Hiestand’s rules also included:

If you wouldn’t say it from the pulpit, don’t say it online.
Don’t be a jerk; rather, be encouraging.
Don’t self-promote.

Hiestand said he constantly reminds himself that “my attitude on social media is going to affect how people interpret my sermon on Sunday.”

Ministry leaders at the gathering use a range of social media and have different opinions about their effectiveness with ministerial leadership.

Dawn Nelson, lead pastor of Methacton Mennonite Church, has a Facebook page but said she only uses it occasionally.

“I use it to keep up with what people are doing, but I also try to check in with them verbally about what they write, in case it is misleading,” she said.

Nelson started a church Facebook page a few years ago but hadn’t used it until recently. Someone now co-administers the page and shares photos on it.

“I hope it will grow,” Nelson said.

Beny Krisbianto, pastor of Nations Worship Center in Philadelphia, sends updates about church ministry projects and special events using Facebook.

Regarding pastoral care, he said, checking Facebook pages of people in his community “is the best way to know what’s going on in their life in that moment.”

Jim Ostlund, pastor of youth and young adults at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, uses all four of the social media discussed at the gathering — Facebook, Twitter, blogs and video.

During worship, he’s also used Skype, an online voice and video chat program.

Social media have become valuable tools “in maintaining ongoing contact and building relationships with congregation members, especially young adults and youth,” he said.

Steve Kriss, director of communication and leadership cultivation with Franconia Conference, said that for pastors, social media can blur public and private life.

“The pastor is always a pastor, and a personal opinion is always a pastoral opinion,” he said. “The pastor’s challenge is to find ways to use the technology purposefully, generatively, hopefully.”

Notes to Pastors

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“Almost Christian”
“Is Your Teen Almost Christian Part 2″ – The discussion will continue on the faith of our teens that began last November. Parents and youth workers, teachers and pastors are invited to a night of conversation and practical application led by Nate Stucky (PhD student, Princeton Seminary) on the new book, Almost Christian: What the Faith of our Teenagers is Telling the American Church. Hosted by Zion Mennonite Church on Thursday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. Check out the face book site “Is Your Teen Almost Christian?”

Training for VISTA Online
Franconia Mennonite Conference has subscribed to VISTA Online and therefore gives congregations the opportunity to have 24/7 access to the most dynamic set of demographic information resources available through VISTA Online. If you or your congregation has never used Vista Online, but would like to learn more about it, they are offering a free two-day seminar in Bethlehem, PA, May 3 – 4 at Moravian Theological Seminary.

The recent addition of the revolutionary new FirstView Maker, the Vista Online set of resources has been dramatically enriched. DAY 1 of this year’s training will provide an introduction to all of the features of the VISTA Online website to assist regional bodies as they do planning for new church development and other regional-level priorities, or work with existing churches to facilitate age level ministries, racial/ethnic ministries, capital fund drives, and other mission and ministry objectives. DAY 1 is designed to provide regional staff and volunteers with a basic understanding of VISTA Online and it will insure that attendees are familiar with the operation and benefits of each feature.

Participants need to attend DAY 1 in preparation for DAY 2. DAY 2 will provide an introduction to the features available on the Link2Lead website to assist local church leaders, and regional body staff as they work with these leaders, to learn who is in their communities, to assess the needs of the population, and to determine how those needs may translate into ministries, programs and services. The Day will include an interactive review of one of Percept’s core demographic reports, FirstView. Also included will be a brief introduction to the Ministry Area Profile, Context, and the Context Guide. DAY 2 is designed to provide regional staff and volunteers with a basic understanding of Link2Lead.com, FirstView, Ministry Area Profile and Context for their work with local churches.

Contact Franconia Mennonite Conference office if you have interest in attending this free seminar.

Notes to Pastors

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Upcoming Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfasts:

Thursday, March 17, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center – “The Why, What & How of Social Media: Engaging Your Community in the Context that is Revolutionizing the Way the World Connects.” Donation of $6 is requested for breakfast.

Thursday, May 5, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast at Methacton Mennonite Church. Andrew Bush, a member of the Methacton congregation, will present and lead a conversation on “Building or Burning Bridges: Searching for a Way Forward in Christian and Muslim Relations.”

Pastors’ Day at Christopher Dock

Christopher Dock Mennonite High School is hosting Pastors’ Day on Wednesday, March 23. All pastors are invited to attend the breakfast at 8:00 a.m. in the Longacre Center Commons. The focus of this year’s day will be on calling young people to ministry. Pastors are welcome to visit classes following chapel and have a complimentary lunch with students.

Notes to Pastors

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Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast

Reminder: The March 17 Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast (8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center) is “The Why, What & How of Social Media: Engaging Your Community in the Context that is Revolutionizing the Way the World Connects.” Resource persons, Todd Hiestand and Scott Hackman, will lead in presentation and conversation about how social media has impacted the way people engage in relationships and how to use it well in your ministry, which is so relationally based. $6 donation for breakfast requested.

Looking Ahead: Two dates to save in your calendar

1. Thursday evening, April 14, 7:00 p.m., Nate Stucky will lead Part 2 of presentation and conversation on the topic, “Is your Teen Almost Christian?” based on a recent book by Kenda Creasy Dean. This evening event will take place at Zion Mennonite Church in Souderton. More details to follow.
2. Thursday, May 5, 8-10 a.m. Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast at Methacton Mennonite Church. Andrew Bush, a member of the Methacton congregation, will present and lead a conversation on “Building or Burning Bridges: Searching for a Way Forward in Christian and Muslim Relations.”

The presentation will highlight the Bush’s experience of working in the Palestinian Muslim community on the West Bank for the last 12 years, and the effectiveness of coming as servants to Muslims neighbors rather than as antagonists. Is the Christian community willing to turn away from its historic animosity towards the Muslims and make the prophetic decision to serve in the character of Christ?
Prior to their ministry in the Middle East, Andrew and his wife, Karen, planted a church in Taos, New Mexico, and spent twelve years in Manila, the Philippines where they planted Harvesters Christian Fellowship which has established a notable ministry in the deepest slums of the city.
Andrew has been an ordained minister since 1984. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Society. He holds graduate degrees in theology from the Ecole Biblique Français in Jerusalem, Israel and the Alliance Graduate Seminary in Manila, the Philippines. Andrew earned his B.A. in architecture at Princeton University.
Andrew teaches missiology at Eastern University, St. David’s, Pennsylvania, and speaks widely in churches throughout the United States, helping them to develop missional congregations and providing specific information concerning mission to the Islamic community. Andrew says, “The greatest challenge the church is facing today is the rapid rise of Islam around the world. As representatives of Christ we stand at a historic hour in which we have the opportunity to show the true love of Jesus to the Muslim world.”
3/3/11

Notes to Pastors

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The March 17 Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast (8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center in Harleysville) is “The Why, What & How of Social Media: Engaging Your Community in the Context that is Revolutionizing the Way the World Connects.” Resource persons, Todd Hiestand and Scott Hackman, will lead in presentation and conversation about how social media has impacted the way people engage in relationships and how to use it well in your ministry, which is so relationally based.

About the presenters:
Todd Hiestand is a Bi-Vocational Missional Pastor in the emerging world of innovative church work. He is the principle designer for 343design as well as the Cultural Architect of MyOhai a Consultancy focused on innovative marketing through online platforms and mediums. Todd directs the communications for Ecclessia Network. Todd sits on the board of Lemonade International and creates their integrated communication strategies using social media platforms.

Scott Hackman is a Bi-Vocational Leader. He is Movement Architect for MyOhai a Consultancy focused on innovative marketing through online platforms and mediums. Scott is a Community Catalyst through the Open Hand Initiative and Co-Founder of One Village Coffee. Scott and his wife are members at Salford Mennonite Church. They have a 16-month-old daughter. Scott is currently finishing a degree from EMS in Congregational Leadership with a focus on Local Mission.

Notes To Pastors

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Summer Courses
Attached is the brochure for two Summer Courses offered by Eastern Mennonite University at the Lancaster location. Both courses can be either audited or taken for credit. The course “Old Testament Text in Context” will meet the requirements for the Gateway course on Biblical Survey and Interpretation. The other course is a timely course as we work at change in our congregations.
As pastors you might also share this with members of your congregation who might have interest.
Thanks for giving this attention.
Noah Kolb
Pastor of Ministerial Leadership

Next Pastors and Leaders Breakfast: Thursday, March 17, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Social media tools are an important way to connect to young adults. Join Scott Hackman and Todd Hiestand for a presentation and conversation around using social media for your congregation or ministry. More information to follow next week. $6 donation for breakfast requested.

Notes to Pastors

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Teaching on Intercession
Pastors: A unique opportunity is available for intercessors and those interested in learning more about intercession. Beginning Sunday, February 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Franconia Mennonite Conference Center, Noel Santiago, will share teaching on this important gift in the life of the church. You are encouraged to tap a few people in your congregation to attend this teaching which will be continued on March 13 and April 3, both Sunday evenings. You are also encouraged to consider attending yourselves for greater understanding and a blessing.

Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast with the Moderators: Pastors and Conference Related Ministry leaders are invited to attend a breakfast at the Mennonite Conference Center, Thursday, February 17, from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Moderator John Goshow and Assistant Moderator Miriam Book welcome you to a time of conversation about the board’s recent decisions and appointment of Ertell Whigham as Executive Minister of Franconia Mennonite Conference. Bring your questions and counsel for a time of open conversation about the changes and future direction.