Renewal event stirs up hope for the church.

"Something exciting is stirring in Atlantic Northeast District," according to David Young, chair of the district's Spiritual Renewal Team that sponsored a "Ministry R&R" event for district leaders on April 27. Over 75 people attended the annual retreat, which also included ministers of Southern Pennsylvania District and was hosted by Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. At the end of a day of challenge to personal renewal and renewal of the church, participants "left feeling excited and hopeful for where God is stirring in the midst of our lives and our denomination," Young said.

"It was a day of optimism, hope, and encouragement for the pastors," said Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger, who was one of those who led the group through a reflective journey exploring "Vision, Identity, and Ministry," along with Annual Conference moderator-elect Jim Hardenbrook and Atlantic Northeast District executive Craig Smith.

In an opening meditation, Hardenbrook helped the group reflect on Mark 10, where Jesus asked the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" This became the centering question for the day. Speaking on identity, Hardenbrook also looked at what it means to be apprentices of Jesus Christ and to lead others into discipleship, and affirmed the attractiveness of Brethren identity. Exploring the topic of vision, Noffsinger challenged the group to keep its compass on the risen Christ and to live what that means in terms of the mission of the church. Smith spoke of the courage entailed in pastoral leadership. He encouraged risk-taking adventures, leading the church in the grand adventure of "living in the leap." The retreat closed with prayer groups and anointing.

Source: Newsline 4/30/2004 top