Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Brent Camilleri

The Absurd Economics of Jesus

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by Brent Camilleri, Deep Run East (Perkasie, PA) congregation 

Absurdity. Following Jesus can feel absurd. Perhaps that sounds slightly extreme. However, from the world’s point of view, it might not be all that far from the truth.

On August 19, approximately 20 credentialed leaders from Mosaic Conference gathered (virtually) for the Faith and Life gathering, a time of meditation, reflection, and discussion. Recent gatherings have focused on the theme of “Identity.” This month we centered on the role of our socio-economic status in our identity.

Pastor Nathan Good, of Swamp (Quakertown, PA) congregation, started off our conversation with personal reflections. In his youth and as an adult, Good, like many of us, was not always aware of the ways that his own socio-economic status informed his sense of identity. And yet, we recognized that our financial and social location does, in fact, play a significant role in how we define our own sense of self.

Our discussion time followed, with a time of meditation on Luke 4:16-19, looking at Jesus proclaiming “The Year of Jubilee.” This vision of the Kingdom again seems impractical or absurd by any earthly definition. We then spent time in smaller groups, discussing Matthew 19:16-30, the story of the rich young man. 

Dual themes of guilt and hope arose from our discussions. Guilt and anxiety, mixed with a strong sense of being challenged, were expressed as we recognized that most of us, by living in the United States alone, are in the top 1% of the world’s wealthiest people. Many mentioned that we have underlying anxiety about appearing needy, or that we still find neediness unattractive in some way. It chafes against our desire to be independent, self-sufficient, and responsible.

The scripture in Matthew also contained hope. When Jesus calls us to follow him, he is calling us to something better, healthy, and whole. To all who follow Jesus faithfully, there is the promise of a one hundred-fold return. And although, in many ways, living out the “absurd” economy of Jesus’ Kingdom feels impossible, we are assured that “with God, all things are possible.” 

In the end, socio-economic identity and the upside-down values of God’s Kingdom feel challenging to us because it is challenging. Instead of storing up our treasures on earth, Jesus invites us as his followers to “live with the end in view.” Not only our wealth, but our time, material resources, energy, and attention should be oriented again and again towards the Kingdom of God. Jesus proclaims the renewal of all things, the year of God’s favor. 

We are called to live in ways that welcome that future reality into our present reality. Absurd? Perhaps. Impossible? Without a doubt! But with God, all things are possible.

Zoom Church: A Youth Perspective

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By Kate Hockman, Deep Run East (Perkasie, PA) congregation

I am a teenager, but technology has never been my strong suit. Sure, I’m able to use simple programs like Google, YouTube, and Word. But when the quarantine began and almost everything moved into an online setting, I was not overly confident in my abilities. 

That’s why I was skeptical when our church announced that we would transition to Sunday morning worship online. Soon after, our youth group began meeting virtually as well. Initially, I worried about silly things like my internet connection, delays, and glitches in the system. However, as time went on, I realized that meeting with my church and youth group online was one thing keeping me sane during my time of isolation. 

Deep Run East youth group meets online for the very first time (Photo credit: Brent Camilleri)

No one was expecting how drastically COVID-19 would change our lives a few months ago, and I doubt that many were prepared to adapt to the changes it presented. I have to commend our pastors and church for making online services run so smoothly during this troubling time. 

My church (Deep Run East) used Facebook Live to meet as a congregation to worship on Sundays, so our church still met at 9:00am. While I missed meeting in person on Sundays, waking up a bit later and watching church in my pajamas with my family had its perks as well. I chose to look on the bright side and make the best of the situation we were in. 

Participating in church on the TV was certainly different, but many things still stayed the same. We still sang all the same songs, we heard the same pastors preach, and we were still together through the live comments section. It was fun to watch what others would say during each church service, and I definitely enjoyed using and watching the comment section each week. It was nice to be able to interact with others during a church service. 

Although I enjoyed virtual church on Sunday mornings, I still found myself counting down the days until Wednesday came and we could meet for Youth Group on Zoom. I can’t thank my youth pastor enough for setting up these zoom meetings, since being able to video chat with my friends and youth sponsors was the highlight of my week. 

Often, we would discuss a lesson or devotional then afterwards play some sort of game, like Jackbox TV. These zoom sessions helped me forget about the world around me and my online school work for a while. 

So while technology is not my strong suit and can be very frustrating, I was truly blessed to have it during my time of quarantining. Who knew we would thank God for Zoom a few months ago? Meeting online as a church and youth group was bizarre, but I still enjoyed every service. I felt just as close to God while isolating as I did in person.

100 Inches of Rain

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by Brent Camilleri, Associate Pastor – Deep Run East Mennonite Church

Youth workers take part in a special resourcing seminar at Conference Assembly, Saturday, November 1. (Photo by Cindy Angela)

I am filled with hope any time I find myself in a room full of those who care deeply about the lives of young people and their voice in the church today. And so, I was feeling especially hopeful on Saturday November 2 as I attended Michele Hershberger’s seminar on youth ministry in a post-Christian era entitled “100 Inches of Rain.” Michele began by telling the story of the Choluteca Bridge in Honduras. Rebuilt in 1996, the bridge was an engineering feat. However, in 1998 Hurricane Mitch brought 100 inches of rain to Honduras in a period of just a few days. When the storm passed the Choluteca Bridge was still standing strong but the river had shifted course and no longer ran beneath the bridge, rendering it useless. In many ways this is how church ministry and, in particular, youth ministry feels today. Something has shifted, and the programs and approaches that felt successful two decades ago are no longer effective.   

Michele Hershberger (Photo by Cindy Angela)

And yet, Michele reminded us that this cultural shift isn’t cause for fear, but a challenge that can and should force us to adapt to the new flow of the river. Youth ministry is still vitally important. In fact the church needs its young people to lead today, not ten years down the road. God is in our youth right now, and the church is more resilient and effective when we minister WITH our youth, and not to them. To facilitate this type of ministry that works alongside our youth today, Michele Hershberger pointed out Four Conversions that the church needs to experience.

The first conversion is that we see youth differently. This means viewing them not as “Christians in training” but as fully integrated and vital parts of our communities. A 13-year-old 8th grader might be able to express truths about faith in a more effective way than I ever could. The second conversion that Hershberger highlighted is the need for us to see church differently. This means coming to terms with the fact that the church is not a building, it is US! As such, any time we gather, whether in a coffee shop or on a street corner, the church is there, making disciples who make more disciples…no building necessary. The third conversion that we need to undergo as we minister to youth in our post-Christian context is to see ourselves differently. Each of us is called to a mission field, no matter our age and no matter our profession. Plugged into Jesus, who is our source, we become the “wires” that carry the current of Christ with us everywhere we go. This is to be our primary calling as we follow Jesus and everything else should take a back seat! Perhaps it is a challenging call, but that is more than OK. Our young people are itching for a challenge, something that shows them just how real and important following Jesus is. And truthfully, we could all use a little more challenge in our faith. Michele brought our time to a close by highlighting the final conversion that we need, which is to see our success differently. She reminded us that this is God’s mission, not something that we own. And God invites ALL of us to make disciples, whether we are 12 or 42 or 92. Adults and young people are on this journey of faith together, and we need each other now more than ever as we work out how to faithfully follow Jesus.

Jr. High Bash – Practicing His Presence

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by Jen Hunsberger, Children/Jr. High Director, Blooming Glen Mennonite Church

The annual Jr. High Late Night Bash took place at Dock Mennonite Academy on Friday, March 15, and the house was packed with 190 youth/adults from 15 churches, near and far. The evening was full of games, recreation, music, food, and spiritual encouragement. The night started out with each of us checking out what activities we wanted to try and which friends we wanted to pal around with. We were soon gathered on the main gym bleachers to get an introduction to the night and our first big group game. The game leaders from Spruce Lake showed us what we should do and all of us got onto the gym floor whether we were ready or not! Soon balls were flying and kids were scattered in all directions.

After a few big group games, we filled Dock’s theater for the worship time. It started out with brave volunteers, youth and sponsors, that played minute-to-win-it type games directed by Kyle Rodgers from Franconia Mennonite Church, with the crowd cheering for their favorite competitor. Believe it or not, there may or may not have been some cheating from a certain competitive male youth leader named Mike from Bally (but of course cheaters never prosper and Jess McQuade, Souderton Mennonite Church Jr. High Director, came away with the win!) We then warmly welcomed Brent Camilleri from Deep Run East Mennonite Church to the stage with his band and some lively worship music. The music resonated well with the youth and they were lifting their voices and clapping their hands in time, or not so much, to the music. It was life-giving to say the least.

Next to take the stage was speaker Todd Pearage. He offered a humorous, real-life, you can’t make this stuff up, story that captivated the audience and had us gasping and laughing out loud. He then shared some of his life story and how God works through him to be a “good youth leader” to those he leads. He encouraged us to “Practice His Presence” according to Psalms 139. God knows us, He knows our thoughts, He knows our hearts, He know our ways! Do we act and speak like God is standing next to us all the time? We concluded our worship time with more singing and encouragement to get to know someone new during the night, and to keep our eye out for those that look like they may need a friend and invite them to play!

All participants had the next chunk of time to pick a game of our choice. The inflatable Gaga Pit, 9 square-in-the-air, soccer, basketball, walleyball, dodgeball, Spike ball, giant Dutch Blitz, Nerf games and the inflatable bubble soccer balls were all buzzing with excitement and competition. Midway through the night the smell of pizza filled the building and the snack area was the place to be! There were also table games taking place as snacks were being inhaled by these growing middle schoolers. After we were fueled, we were ready for round two of games and more sweat. All in all, it was a night of action, relationship-building, worshiping our Creator and being encouraged to take part in being a free-spirited youth, if only for a few hours!

Journeying In Faith

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By Steve Kriss, Executive Minister, and Mary Nitzsche, Associate Executive Minister

Brent, Danilo and Mike

As Conference Youth Minister John Stoltzfus completed six years in that role with Franconia Conference in July, he stated, “As a conference we need to continue to ask the question of how we are passing on the faith and work of the church to the next generation. How are we doing as a church in modeling a self-giving faith centered in Jesus Christ? We will need to place our trust and hope in a revealing God who has been faithful for many generations. We trust that the same Spirit that is at work in our lives will continue to live and move in our children and the next generation of the gathered body of Christ.”

The reality of congregational and conference youth ministry is changing. Conference has been aware of this. Two years ago the Board invited a taskforce to review how conference equips youth ministers, leaders and the youth. John was a part of this process. The task force results and recommendations should be available in the next months.

In August, John and his wife Paula relocated to Harrisonburg, VA where Paula began a pastoral role at Park View Mennonite Church.  Before leaving, John helped to develop an interim plan for continuing Conference youth ministry. Recognizing that youth ministry requires the work of many, three youth pastors have volunteered to serve in the following roles for the next school year: Brent Camilleri, associate pastor of Deep Run East, is assuming leadership for facilitating the ongoing monthly youth pastor gathering; Mike Ford, pastor of youth at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, is coordinating the Spring Junior High Late Night Blast; Danilo Sanchez, associate pastor of Whitehall and co-pastor of Ripple, will continue to serve on Mennonite Church USA Youth Ministry Council and be a liaison to the denomination.

Conference is grateful for the willingness and readiness of Danilo, Mike and Brent, who bring long histories of service and leadership in our Conference to carry extra responsibilities over the next months ensuring our youth and their leaders continue to be supported and equipped. This interim arrangement gives Conference time to continue the review process and discernment before making any long-term decisions regarding Conference youth ministry.  We value your prayers for continued discernment in next steps as we together imagine Conference-wide youth ministry into the future that is rooted in our shared Anabaptist values and carries out our shared priorities of (trans)formation that is both missional and intercultural in the way of Christ’s peace.

Seeking and finding God's unfailing love

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Brent Camilleri
bcamilleri@deepruneast.org

seeking_love.jpgI was blessed to grow up in a Christian home with parents who loved the Lord and tried to honor Christ in all that they did. As I grew up they continually encouraged my faith, answered questions I had about being a Christian, and made it clear that I was a child who was loved and cared for by God. My father especially encouraged me to not only say that I was a Christian but also live out my faith through words and actions.

In high school I had a teacher who worked part time with a local youth ministry. He was enthusiastic about his faith and a great mentor to my friends and I. He was the first person to speak to me about my leadership gifts and the possibility of going into ministry. Later in high school my youth pastor, Chris, invited me to do an internship with him because he also saw me as a leader. With Chris’ help I truly started to live out my faith. He encouraged and challenged me to seek after God.

Through that relationship I learned a great deal about youth ministry and, for the first time, felt God calling me to pursue it as a career. My youth pastor affirmed that call and I decided to study youth ministry at Eastern University. There I was able to explore the call to ministry through both study and an internship. I developed strong relationships with my professors and fellow students and was further affirmed in my call to ministry.

After college I served as the youth pastor intern at Deep Run East congregation. Through this time I was able to learn more about myself as a ministering person. I have learned that I am a relational person, I am at my best when I can develop relationships with others and minister out of those relationships.

I have also found that I enjoy teaching and discovering ways to relate scriptural truth through relevant or contemporary illustrations. There is no greater feeling than working with a group of students and seeing them begin to “get” what this whole faith thing is about. Visioning for ministry is also something that excites me and I enjoy finding new and interesting ways to help others live out their faith.

There are certainly many things that I have had to learn as I seek to live out the call that God has placed on my life. Delegation is not a skill that comes naturally to me. I feel it is easier for me to take care of everything myself. However, I’ve quickly discovered shouldering every responsibility is an impossible task and that good administration also means good delegation.

As I continue to grow in my leadership abilities and explore my call, I have found that having a strong group of trusted friends and mentors is a key to my ministry. There is so much to be learned from the experiences of others and I feel my ministry is cultivated through these relationships. I have a group of friends from college that holds me accountable and helps me to remember how fun it is to serve the Lord!

I also meet regularly with a pastoral mentor who has already been through all the things I am now experiencing in my ministry. It is helpful to have someone who can point out where I might be able to improve and who can also keep me from making the mistakes they made in their own ministry. As I continue to learn what it means to be in ministry I am constantly amazed by the unfailing love of God. No matter what stresses I have faced and hiccups I have encountered along the way, God has been faithful to lift me up and keep me going. I look forward to the many new ways I will meet God in the coming years as I follow His calling on my life.