Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Ken Burkholder

Burkholder Finishes and Reflects on Moderator Role

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By Eileen Kinch

On December 31, 2022, Ken Burkholder concluded his three-year term as Mosaic Conference moderator. In this role, Burkholder gave leadership to the Executive Board, the Executive Committee, and the Conference Assembly.

Prior to being moderator, Burkholder served on the former Franconia Conference Board. “Ken has steadily and graciously led us through our reconciliation process and through a global pandemic, in the midst of complicated denominational relationships,” said Steve Kriss, Executive Minister of Mosaic Conference.  

COVID-19 has defined Burkholder’s time as moderator. His term began in January of 2020, and the lockdown came in March. The Mosaic Executive Board quickly switched from in-person meetings to meetings over Zoom.  Two of the three Conference Assemblies that Burkholder led also took place virtually. “Leadership is about planning and setting a clear vision,” Burkholder pointed out, “but it also requires flexibility to adjust to unexpected situations, such as a pandemic.” 

Mosaic continues to experience the wide-ranging effects of COVID-19. Burkholder observed that current tensions in Mosaic Conference are not new; the same tensions were already present in the former Franconia Conference. Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) actions and COVID-19, however, accelerated these tensions. The polarized, divided atmosphere “raised the temperature and level of anxiety,” and the lack of face-to-face communication made the tensions harder for people to handle. “We need to be talking together, taking communion, and praying together,” Burkholder said. Mosaic needs to heal from the disruption of fellowship. 

We need to be talking together, taking communion, and praying together

KEN BURKHOLDER

Yet there were joys and accomplishments for Burkholder amid the challenges. The Shalom Fund, a mutual aid effort during the pandemic that raised $217,945, was a “terrific testimony to the community … [and to] God’s faithfulness.” The Board was also able to meet in person, but outside, at Spruce Lake Retreat in July 2020 to form Mosaic’s mission and vision statement, as well as to affirm that Mosaic was to be missional, formational, and intercultural. Burkholder was glad that the Board affirmed these biblical and Anabaptist values. 

Ken leads with a tangible love for God and the Church…

ANGELA MOYER WALTER

“Ken leads with a tangible love for God and the Church,” said Angela Moyer Walter, Mosaic’s incoming moderator. “He listens well, laughs readily, and understands the complexities of church leadership. During difficult times, he is humble, honest, and open to the leading of the Spirit.” 

Although Mosaic faces challenges, Burkholder remains hopeful in what God has done, what God is doing, and what God will do. He hopes that Mosaic Conference will focus on where it is united, which is in its vision to embody the reconciling love of Jesus in a beautiful and broken world. He looks forward to focusing primarily on his pastoral team role at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church.  

Mosaic Conference extends it sincerest thanks to Ken Burkholder for his work and trusts that God will be working through him in his future endeavors. 

Eileen Kinch

Eileen Kinch is part of the Mosaic communication team and works with editing and writing. She holds a Master of Divinity degree, with an emphasis in the Ministry of Writing, from Earlham School of Religion.

Preparing for Fall Assembly – “Where is the Lord?”

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by Ken Burkholder

I’m currently reading Conrad Kanagy’s series of books entitled, “A Church Dismantled – A Kingdom Restored.”  With the bold words of a prophet, the keen insights of a sociologist, and the loving heart of a pastor, Kanagy explores the stark challenges and unique opportunities facing the Western church today.  I find these books to be stimulating, provocative, inspiring, and disturbing…all at the same time!   

Drawing parallels with God’s people in exile at the time of the prophet Jeremiah, Kanagy beckons us to regularly be asking, “Where is the Lord?” Amid our challenges, disappointments, uncertainties, and opportunities, we must be attentive to what the Lord is saying and doing among us, always asking, “Where is the Lord?” Kanagy warns against the false “mantles” of the church and cautions us against resisting the movement of the Spirit.  Rather, we’re called to actively join with the work of God’s Spirit in restoring the authentic, Jesus-centered, Spirit-filled Kingdom of God.

As we approach and prepare to gather for Mosaic’s Fall Assembly – with a theme of chesed: God’s constant, steadfast, and faithful love – I urge us, as the people of God, to continue to be prayerfully asking, “Where is the Lord?” What is the Lord saying, and calling us to, at this particular time?  Where is the Lord in our midst?  How can we actively join with the movement of God’s Spirit among us in His work of dismantling and restoration, being open and obedient to His leading?   

In continued preparations for Fall Assembly, I want to highlight a few important updates and reminders, as we seek to discern, “Where is the Lord?” 

How can we actively join with the movement of God’s Spirit among us in His work of dismantling and restoration, being open and obedient to His leading?   

KEN BURKHOLDER

Call to Prayer

Thank you to the many congregations and individuals who’ve participated in the Conference initiative of listening prayer and sharing your feedback with the Conference Prayer Ministry Team.  If you haven’t already submitted your feedback, please do so by emailing Marta Castillo.  And please keep praying for Assembly! 

Listening Task Force

The Mosaic Board appointed this group with a task of leading a conference-wide listening process and reviewing Mosaic Conference’s relationships with MC USA.  The task force is working diligently.  More information can be found here. If your Mosaic community has not had an opportunity to talk with members of the Listening Task Force, please contact any one of the following members: Aldo Siahaan, Jenny Fujita, or Nathan Good. 

The task force will share their findings and recommendations with the Mosaic Board in late September.  In early October, the Board will then provide an update on these findings, and further information, in preparation for Fall Assembly. 

Assembly Scattered

These gatherings will provide an opportunity for additional discernment, learning, and conversation prior to Assembly. Please plan now to join us in October.

Click here to register.

Assembly Gathered

Saturday, November 5, 2022; 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church.  There will NOT be a virtual option this year. Registration opens tomorrow, Friday, September 9. Please encourage all of your delegates to register!

Visit the Assembly Page to Register.

Please continue to check the Conference Assembly website for information and updates: https://mosaicmennonites.org/assembly/

Ken Burkholder

Ken Burkholder is the moderator of Mosaic Mennonite Conference and Lead Pastor of Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church. He previously served for 16½ years as lead pastor of Deep Run East Mennonite Church in Perkasie, PA. Ken is married to Karen (Frankenfield) Burkholder, and has two young adult children – Alyssa and Justin.

Completing a Leg of the Journey

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Merlin Hartman, of Franconia (PA) Mennonite Church, recently completed six years of Conference board service. 

As I have served on the Mosaic Board with Merlin Hartman, I’ve learned how much Merlin enjoys bicycling. I often ask Merlin about his biking, something he does almost daily. In response, Merlin would share, very humbly, of the various places he has been riding, as well as the vast number of miles he has logged (over 25,000 miles, to date).

Recently, Merlin Hartman, of Franconia (PA) Mennonite Church completed another “leg of the journey,” as he concluded six years of service on the Mosaic Conference Board.

At the July 19 meeting, the Board honored and celebrated Merlin’s years of service among us with a delicious meal, sharing of memories and reflections, and presenting Merlin with a gift of appreciation. Our gathering was in the newly renovated Conference offices. While there, we were able to see the three beautiful, wooden Mosaic tables, hand-crafted and donated by Merlin to the Mosaic office.

Two of the three wooden Mosaic tables hand-crafted by Merlin in use at the Mosaic office.

Recently, I asked Merlin a few questions about himself and his service on the Mosaic Board.  

Q: What did you enjoy most about your time of service on the Board? 

Hartman: Getting to know different people from different churches and cultures.  It reminded me of working at Hatfield (PA) Quality Meats, in that I worked with people from 13 countries, speaking six different languages at different times. 

Q: What is a highlight that stands out to you from your six years on the Board? 

Hartman: We had two very good chair people in charge while I was on the Board.  After much discussion, they would sum up the discussion and ask for a vote. 

Q: What advice would you offer to Mosaic Conference moving forward? 

Hartman: After some discussion, I would suggest, before voting, to check out the Bible when disagreements are floating around the Conference. 

Q: What’s a Scripture verse or passage that is particularly meaningful to you and why? 

Hartman: This is hard to narrow down, but I will pick Hebrews 12:1-3.  We are to run with perseverance (don’t give up), run together, get rid of the extra weight, and look to our leader of the race, Jesus. 

Q: What do you like to do for fun (besides biking)? 

Hartman: I have many hobbies.  They are playing many games with family and friends, fishing, woodworking, reading books, and traveling. 

Q: What are adjectives people who know you well would use to describe you? 

Hartman: I am quiet and involved.  I have been on four Boards – Calvary Hour, Franconia Mennonite Church, Penn View Christian School, and Conference. 

Q: What’s something that people would be surprised to know about you? 

Hartman: I would have never made it as a Sunday School teacher if not for my partners the first two years, filling in the times of silence.  They filled in the gap times. 

Merlin Hartman (left) with Conference Moderator (and author), Ken Burkholder (right). Photo by Kristine McClain.

I’ve appreciated Merlin’s contributions to the Board, particularly his genuine Christian faith, calm presence, and the way he is “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19).  Thank you, Merlin, for your commitment and dedication to the Board.  And, thank you, Mary (Merlin’s spouse), for your support and encouragement.

Dancing Together with God

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by Ken Burkholder, Conference moderator

As an Anglo Mennonite, who grew up in Lancaster County, PA, dancing was not a big part of my upbringing.  In junior high, my parents did not allow me to attend dances at my public school.  In high school, I went to a few dances. I bopped around to songs from Huey Lewis and Survivor, with an occasional slow dance to a Lionel Richie ballad.  In recent years, it’s been fun to have a few more opportunities to attempt dancing at wedding celebrations of family and friends. 

The Mosaic Conference Board gathered on August 17-18 to work, while socially-distanced, on vision and mission statements for delegate consideration at this fall’s conference assembly. 

On August 17-18, the Mosaic Mennonite Conference Board met at Pinebrook Retreat Center, a Spruce Lake facility, in East Stroudsburg, PA for a two-day retreat. Our meeting times were outdoors, with masks, and physically-distanced from each other. Pinebrook Retreat Center did a great job in making it possible to have a safe, in-person retreat during a pandemic.  

During our retreat, “dance” came up several times in our conversations, as a metaphor for us stepping into God’s desired future for the conference.  Hopefully, our forebears, who forbade dancing, weren’t turning over in their graves!  

It was noted that each and every person, congregation, and conference constituency group is needed “on the dance floor,” actively participating in the mission God’s collectively calling us to.  Furthermore, it’s vital that we all remain “in step” with Christ, our leader, while also being flexible to the various “rhythms” among us.  We may need to learn some “new moves,” as we seek to live out our deeply-rooted Anabaptist Christian values in fresh, creative ways in this ever-changing culture. No doubt, there will surely be challenges along the way that test our commitment to remain “dance partners” with one another.

Calenthia Dowdy (left), retreat facilitator, listens as conference moderator, Ken Burkholder (right), speaks at the conference board retreat last week at Pinebrook.

I was delighted that we had all twelve conference board members participate in the retreat, along with Steve Kriss and Mary Nitzsche, conference staff. (Gwen Groff, pastor of Bethany (VT) congregation and at-large conference board member, joined us by Zoom from Vermont due to a travel ban).  I am grateful for the guidance of our excellent facilitator, Calenthia Dowdy.  I thank God for the array of gifts and personalities among our board, the rich wisdom, the spirit of collaboration, and the desire to follow Christ’s leading.

Despite meeting outside and with masks on, we still had many opportunities for meaningful conversation, dreaming, and prayer at Pinebrook Retreat.  This resulted in us crafting a vision and mission statement, which you’ll be hearing more about this fall.  

The Board retreat was a meaningful time of team-building and looking to the future, as we anticipate Mosaic Mennonite Conference living into the vision and mission God’s calling us to.  I am infused with energy to actively engage in the “dance” of God’s movement among us.  I hope you’ll join us, as we learn to dance together with God.

A Reflection on “Shalom in the Streets”

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by Ken Burkholder, Conference Moderator (Deep Run East) 

Photo credit: Ken Burkholder

“Shalom in the Streets: Recapturing God’s Vision in Ordinary Places” was the theme for the annual School for Leadership Training (SLT) at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, January 13-15, 2020.  I attend SLT every year (I think this is my 17th year), primarily to connect with former seminary colleagues, faculty, and other church leaders across the denomination. For me, these connections are so attractive that if the theme and speakers are good, it’s a bonus!  

This year’s theme was meaningful, inspirational, and relevant to church ministry.  As the planning committee noted, “The key to thriving in ministry resides not in new answers to large-scale challenges but by truly embracing the very people found in the places where we live and work.”  The theme verse was Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

These final words challenged me to think in a new way. I reflected on how, when the people and community where I minister flourish, I also usually flourish personally, and our congregational life flourishes too. While this could potentially feel overwhelming, one of the keynote speakers reminded us, “Making the world better for one person… makes the world better.”

One particular highlight for me at SLT was hearing Shannan Martin’s key-note presentation. Shannan shared her personal journey about her family (including husband and four children) sensing God’s call to move from the comfortable suburbs into downtown Goshen, Indiana.  I was inspired by her stories of how they have intentionally embraced their community by building authentic relationships with many of their neighbors. In fact, one of Shannan’s family’s rules is that they’re not allowed to invite anyone to their church until they’ve first hosted that person/family in their home.  

Another significant highlight for me was the 20th anniversary celebration dinner and program for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at EMS.  CPE was one of the most valuable and formative experiences for me during seminary. Several areas of focus in CPE, such as insights toward greater self-awareness in how I function as a person and leader, family-of-origin work, family systems theory, and field experience of serving in hospital and retirement community ministry (including several crisis situations) provided me with invaluable preparation for pastoral ministry and ongoing personal growth.  It was a joy being part of the celebration to honor Kenton Derstine, as he is now retiring. Kenton is originally from Franconia Conference, having attended Souderton Mennonite as a child and youth, and has served as the CPE supervisor at EMS for the past twenty years.

Does Church Membership Matter?

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by Mark R. Wenger – Pastoral Team Leader and Pastor of Administration, Franconia Mennonite Church

How does church membership work in Franconia Conference?  How do you become a church member?  What are the requirements and benefits?  What happens to membership when someone stops attending?  What theological understandings underpin church membership? These questions, and more, formed the center of a Faith and Life Gathering of about 30 Franconia Conference credentialed leaders at Salford Mennonite Church on the morning of May 9, 2018.

Framed by Romans 12:4-5, a panel of three pastors led the way into the maze of membership. Nathan Good from Swamp Mennonite Church described their annual membership Sunday where new members are received after a 10-week preparation class, current members re-affirm a membership covenant, and the congregation shares Communion together. This keeps membership and attendance numbers aligned.

Ken Burkholder from Deep Run East Mennonite Church highlighted the importance of a public commitment for becoming a member.  His congregation has a Membership Covenant in the By-laws but stated it isn’t referenced much.  Ken observed a “definite trend” of people who are active in the congregation, but don’t become members.  Others remain members on the books but haven’t been active for years.

Danillo Sanchez spoke about commitment patterns at Ripple in Allentown and Whitehall Mennonite Church.  Typical church membership that grants certain privileges doesn’t fit their context.  Yet in each congregation, participants sign a covenant that highlights three Anabaptist church distinctives.  This annual signing intends to keep commitment current and to remind people what it means to be part of the faith community.

Discussion around tables followed the panel presentation.  A recurring theme: Understandings and practices of church membership are changing.  Earlier, more standard patterns have morphed into contextualized and individualized approaches. Questions that were raised included: can someone who lacks an understanding of core Christian beliefs and practices become a member?  How about someone who is engaged in behaviors considered inconsistent with the Bible or the Confession of Faith? Churches with cemeteries face unique challenges.  Can someone listed as a member still claim a burial benefit ten years after ceasing to attend?  What does church membership mean?  Is it a shell without any filling?  Or an antique no longer relevant? Lots of questions.  Not many answers.

As a point of comparison, I recently joined the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club.  I needed a current member to serve as my sponsor.  Membership dues are payable every month.  I must attend at least two Rotary functions each month to remain a member.

I came away from the Faith and Life Gathering discussion on membership feeling muddled, even conflicted. I agreed with the pastor who said: “We are holding to what we believe, but we’ve become more flexible in our practices.”  But, when does changing practice reveal an implicit shift of core theology?

In my view, church membership and a covenant community remain a worthy investment for congregations.  Jesus and leaders of the early church raised expectations of godly living, while also setting people free from bondage.  A liberating gospel on one side, and covenanted discipleship on the other, are not contradictory.

Congregations that expect a lot of their members tend to be more cohesive than free-for-all associations.  When high-demand churches also offer transformation to participants and engage them in a clear mission, congregations flourish.

Church membership today doesn’t look like it did fifty years ago.  Our congregations are less homogenous; we move around more; accountability feels different.  But the human need for healing and hope, for encountering God, for belonging to a group, and for sharing in bigger mission remains the same.  In my opinion, the vision of church where “each member belongs to all the others” (Rom. 12:5) remains worthy of our best creativity and commitment.

When You Get Older You’ll Understand

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by Ken Burkholder, pastor at Deep Run East Mennonite Church

There was a spirit of anticipation, joy, and camaraderie, at the combined worship service between the Mennonite churches of Deep Run East and Deep Run West on Sunday, August 6. Barry Schmell, who grew up at Deep Run West and is currently a hospital chaplain in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, began his sermon by telling a story about when he was a boy. As a child, Barry would ask his parents why their family drives by three other churches on the way to their church. He also asked them, “why does our family worship at Deep Run West, while many of our relatives worship at Deep Run East?” His parents responded by saying, “When you get older, you’ll understand!”

Well, whether we’re children, or adults, it’s not always easy for us to understand, nor explain, why there are two Mennonite churches across the street from each other both named Deep Run Mennonite.  I routinely hear this question from people in our local community, and those who are newer to the congregation. It’s almost as easy as trying to explain why there are two different Mennonite conferences within close geographic proximity named Franconia and Eastern District!

But, I’m grateful for opportunities, such as this joint worship service, which help to strengthen our connections with one another.  In this service, we incorporated persons from both congregations in the various elements of worship.  There was also an opportunity for people to greet one another, and to pray together in small cluster groups.  A logistical detail to arrange with this joint service is how to handle the offering!  We invited people to bring their offerings forward, and place them in the basket of their choice – one basket marked Deep Run East and one marked Deep Run West.  Our worship service was followed by an informal fellowship time with coffee and baked goods.

My prayer is that occasions such as this joint worship service help to strengthen the bonds of relationship, mutuality, and shared faith between Deep Run East and Deep Run West.  It may even help us all, whether young or older … understand …  how much we share in common!

Retreat Before Moving Forward

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by Paula Marolewski, Franconia Conference Board Member and Elder at Perkiomenville Mennonite Church

What characterizes the culture of Franconia Mennonite Conference (FMC) today? How do we respond to the crowded, complex, fast-paced culture of society around us? How do Conference member churches experience being valued and valuing the whole of the larger conference?

The grounds of Fatima House Retreat Center provided a peaceful backdrop for the Board Retreat.

These were some of the many questions the Conference Board discussed on July 28th and 29th as they met together for a retreat at Fatima House in Ottsville, Pennsylvania. All eleven of the board members were present*, representing eleven different congregations – a quarter of all the churches that comprise the conference. Facilitating the meeting was Jeff Wright of Riverside, CA, Executive Consultant for Urban Expression North America.  Jeff had served as a guide for the Conference’s Vision and Financial Plan a decade ago.

During the time together, the Board spent time in spiritual reflection, as three of the board members (Beny Krisbianto, Angela Moyer, and Ken Burkholder) shared devotions on Jesus’ parables and how the parables spoke to various situations and needs within the Conference. The devotional times flowed into discussions about colliding cultures, conflict and hope, and the future of Franconia Conference and Mennonite Church USA.

One of the key conversations centered on three central questions that everyone – individuals, churches, the conference, and the denomination – should answer:

  1. Who is Jesus to us? [Christology]
  2. What does Jesus want us to do? [missiology]
  3. How does Jesus want us to do it? [ecclesiology]

Jeff emphasized that it is critical to approach these questions in this order. For example, we as Franconia Conference need to first determine who Jesus is to us. The answer to that will become the foundation for our shared culture. Only then can we ask what Jesus wants us to do and how to go about it – these are questions of strategy that build on the foundation of culture.

The Board grappled with all these questions and more – and will continue to do so with the goal of advancing the Kingdom of God in our fallen world. That, after all, is the purpose of a retreat: to prepare to move forward.

*The Board is composed of John Goshow, moderator (Blooming Glen), Angela Moyer (Co-Pastor at Ripple), Beny Krisbianto (Pastor at Nations Worship Center), Gwen Groff (Pastor at Bethany), Jim King (Plains), Paula Marolewski (Perkiomenville), Ken Burkholder, interim chair of the Ministerial Committee (Pastor at Deep Run East), Kris Wint (Pastor at Finland), Smita Singh (Whitehall), Merlin Harman (Franconia), and Steve Kriss, Conference Executive Minister (Philadelphia Praise Center).