Tuesday, May 10, 2005
'Brimming with Worship' explores music and arts in worship.
By Carrie Eikler
The "Hebrews 12:28--Brimming with Worship" conference brought close to 100 participants from as far away as Florida and Washington state to Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Part of Bethany's centennial celebration, the conference was sponsored by the Rosenberger Memorial Recital Series, the Stephen I. Katonah Endowment for Faith and the Arts, and the seminary. Participants joined together to explore the heights and the depths of music and the arts in worship. Members of the Church of the Brethren as well as local Society of Friends, Disciples of Christ, and Baptist meetings and churches gathered for three days filled with workshops, small group reflection, and a variety of worship experiences.
The conference featured three keynote speakers who enlivened and engaged the discourse on worship: Sally Morgenthaler, James Abbington, and Dena Pence Frantz.
Morgenthaler is the founder of Sacramentis.com, "Re-imagining Worship for a New Millennium." She asked the question, Is there worship after the contemporary? Recognizing that worship and relationships have changed in the "wired" world, Morgenthaler spoke to the complexity of worship in the "contemporary" or "emerging" church. Worship, at its essence, is to be about revelation and response, and most importantly, being engaged with the spiritual needs for worship in one's own community, or what she memorably phrased, "digging deep in our own dirt." Morgenthaler led a series of workshops on "Crafting Worship in the Emerging World."
James Abbington delivered the Saturday morning keynote address. He joined the conference from Baltimore, Md., where he is professor of music at Morgan State University and associate editor of the African American Heritage Hymnal of GIA Publications, Inc. Abbington spoke enthusiastically about the importance of worship being a lifestyle, a circular effect where our ritual informs our lifestyle, which informs our ritual. In the midst of the "worship wars," where we argue over genre rather than gospel, and style rather than substance, Abbington reminded the conference that at the heart of worship is the way people understand and engage God. Abbington led workshops on keyboard literature, choral reading, and music in the African-American tradition.
Dena Pence Frantz, professor of Theology at Bethany, delivered the third keynote address introducing her work on theological understandings making use of visual art. Frantz's address, "Birds and Flames: Occasions for God's Presence," brought insight on how images create corporate experiences as well as interior encounters, opening space for worshipers to dwell with visual structure. Using images of birds and flames, Frantz explored these metaphors for God's presence among us through the Holy Spirit as depicted in art.
Workshops, ranging from banner making to congregational singing, drama to praise movement, team leadership to media in worship, allowed participants to engage topics relevant for their congregations. Small groups allowed participants to share experiences, struggle with questions, and envision what they will take back to their churches. Early evening concerts featured the Richmond Church of the Brethren choir, the joint choir of Bethany and Earlham School of Religion, and handbells.
The conference brimmed with corporate worship. Three different styles were presented in daily worship: a traditional service led by Rebecca Slough, James Abbington, and Nancy Faus; an "emergent" worship service led by Brian Messler, associate pastor at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren, and the West Charleston (Ohio) Church of the Brethren praise band; and an energetic and informative experience of African-American music led by James Abbington.
--Carrie Eikler is a student at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
By Carrie Eikler
The "Hebrews 12:28--Brimming with Worship" conference brought close to 100 participants from as far away as Florida and Washington state to Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. Part of Bethany's centennial celebration, the conference was sponsored by the Rosenberger Memorial Recital Series, the Stephen I. Katonah Endowment for Faith and the Arts, and the seminary. Participants joined together to explore the heights and the depths of music and the arts in worship. Members of the Church of the Brethren as well as local Society of Friends, Disciples of Christ, and Baptist meetings and churches gathered for three days filled with workshops, small group reflection, and a variety of worship experiences.
The conference featured three keynote speakers who enlivened and engaged the discourse on worship: Sally Morgenthaler, James Abbington, and Dena Pence Frantz.
Morgenthaler is the founder of Sacramentis.com, "Re-imagining Worship for a New Millennium." She asked the question, Is there worship after the contemporary? Recognizing that worship and relationships have changed in the "wired" world, Morgenthaler spoke to the complexity of worship in the "contemporary" or "emerging" church. Worship, at its essence, is to be about revelation and response, and most importantly, being engaged with the spiritual needs for worship in one's own community, or what she memorably phrased, "digging deep in our own dirt." Morgenthaler led a series of workshops on "Crafting Worship in the Emerging World."
James Abbington delivered the Saturday morning keynote address. He joined the conference from Baltimore, Md., where he is professor of music at Morgan State University and associate editor of the African American Heritage Hymnal of GIA Publications, Inc. Abbington spoke enthusiastically about the importance of worship being a lifestyle, a circular effect where our ritual informs our lifestyle, which informs our ritual. In the midst of the "worship wars," where we argue over genre rather than gospel, and style rather than substance, Abbington reminded the conference that at the heart of worship is the way people understand and engage God. Abbington led workshops on keyboard literature, choral reading, and music in the African-American tradition.
Dena Pence Frantz, professor of Theology at Bethany, delivered the third keynote address introducing her work on theological understandings making use of visual art. Frantz's address, "Birds and Flames: Occasions for God's Presence," brought insight on how images create corporate experiences as well as interior encounters, opening space for worshipers to dwell with visual structure. Using images of birds and flames, Frantz explored these metaphors for God's presence among us through the Holy Spirit as depicted in art.
Workshops, ranging from banner making to congregational singing, drama to praise movement, team leadership to media in worship, allowed participants to engage topics relevant for their congregations. Small groups allowed participants to share experiences, struggle with questions, and envision what they will take back to their churches. Early evening concerts featured the Richmond Church of the Brethren choir, the joint choir of Bethany and Earlham School of Religion, and handbells.
The conference brimmed with corporate worship. Three different styles were presented in daily worship: a traditional service led by Rebecca Slough, James Abbington, and Nancy Faus; an "emergent" worship service led by Brian Messler, associate pastor at Frederick (Md.) Church of the Brethren, and the West Charleston (Ohio) Church of the Brethren praise band; and an energetic and informative experience of African-American music led by James Abbington.
--Carrie Eikler is a student at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
Christian Citizenship Seminar focuses on conscientious objection.
By Walt Wiltschek
Nearly 100 senior high youth and advisors participated in this year's Church of the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar. The April 23-28 event, which began in New York and ended in Washington, D.C., focused on the topic of conscientious objection to war.
Speakers shared perspectives representing a wide range of viewpoints. Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office and one of the seminar's coordinators, said the program was designed to have youth "struggle with your head, your heart, and your spirit...the things that guide your conscience."
Former conscientious objectors (COs) Enten Pfaltzgraff Eller and Clarence Quay shared the stories of their struggles, as did more more recent COs Andrew Engdahl and Anita Cole. Eller and Quay each chose not to register and instead did alternative service, although Eller's service came after a lengthy court case. Engdahl and Cole arrived at their decisions after entering the military, and they asked for reclassification. "When Jesus said ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,' that has to be now, not later," Eller said. "You have to struggle with where God is calling you and how you're going to follow."
Others, like Indiana pastor Jack Cary, offered a different voice: that of a church that strives for peace but is not pacifist. He said this stance is shared by many in the denomination. Representatives of Selective Service talked about their work to prepare for the eventuality of a military draft and provisions made for alternative service. They assured the group that "no one wants a draft." Center on Conscience and War director J.E. McNeil, meanwhile, said the peace churches must be concerned about such a possibility.
Several speakers addressed a different form of conscientious objection, war tax resistance. Phil and Louise Rieman of Indianapolis and Alice and Ron Martin-Adkins of Washington, D.C., explained why they had decided not to pay the portion of their taxes that support military operations--and the consequences that can come with that choice. Marian Franz of the National Peace Tax Fund provided additional background on this form of witness. "If we say that war is wrong, and we believe war is wrong, then why would we pay for it?" Louise Rieman said.
"It was more than I expected," said Chrissy Sollenberger, a youth participant from Annville, Pa. "I didn't think there was so much about conscientious objection to talk about. I just thought it was saying no to being drafted, but it's so much more than that.... It feels like we have more power now to make those choices."
The Christian Citizenship Seminar is held annually except in National Youth Conference years. It is sponsored by the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
--Walt Wiltschek is a member of the General Board staff and editor of the Church of the Brethren "Messenger" magazine.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
By Walt Wiltschek
Nearly 100 senior high youth and advisors participated in this year's Church of the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar. The April 23-28 event, which began in New York and ended in Washington, D.C., focused on the topic of conscientious objection to war.
Speakers shared perspectives representing a wide range of viewpoints. Phil Jones, director of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office and one of the seminar's coordinators, said the program was designed to have youth "struggle with your head, your heart, and your spirit...the things that guide your conscience."
Former conscientious objectors (COs) Enten Pfaltzgraff Eller and Clarence Quay shared the stories of their struggles, as did more more recent COs Andrew Engdahl and Anita Cole. Eller and Quay each chose not to register and instead did alternative service, although Eller's service came after a lengthy court case. Engdahl and Cole arrived at their decisions after entering the military, and they asked for reclassification. "When Jesus said ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,' that has to be now, not later," Eller said. "You have to struggle with where God is calling you and how you're going to follow."
Others, like Indiana pastor Jack Cary, offered a different voice: that of a church that strives for peace but is not pacifist. He said this stance is shared by many in the denomination. Representatives of Selective Service talked about their work to prepare for the eventuality of a military draft and provisions made for alternative service. They assured the group that "no one wants a draft." Center on Conscience and War director J.E. McNeil, meanwhile, said the peace churches must be concerned about such a possibility.
Several speakers addressed a different form of conscientious objection, war tax resistance. Phil and Louise Rieman of Indianapolis and Alice and Ron Martin-Adkins of Washington, D.C., explained why they had decided not to pay the portion of their taxes that support military operations--and the consequences that can come with that choice. Marian Franz of the National Peace Tax Fund provided additional background on this form of witness. "If we say that war is wrong, and we believe war is wrong, then why would we pay for it?" Louise Rieman said.
"It was more than I expected," said Chrissy Sollenberger, a youth participant from Annville, Pa. "I didn't think there was so much about conscientious objection to talk about. I just thought it was saying no to being drafted, but it's so much more than that.... It feels like we have more power now to make those choices."
The Christian Citizenship Seminar is held annually except in National Youth Conference years. It is sponsored by the General Board's Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
--Walt Wiltschek is a member of the General Board staff and editor of the Church of the Brethren "Messenger" magazine.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
Consultation highlights ways the denomination is woven together.
The 2005 Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration on April 21-24 drew as many as 250 African-American, Mexican, Dominican, Haitian, Indian, Puerto Rican, and Anglo Brethren participants over four days of events. Also in attendance were Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook and moderator-elect Ron Beachley, and church agency staff including general secretary of the General Board Stan Noffsinger, On Earth Peace co-executive Bob Gross, and Bethany Theological Seminary president Eugene Roop and academic dean Stephen Breck Reid.
The gathering was by far the largest since annual cross-cultural consultations began in 1999. A 1996 Urban Ministries Conference at Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren in Decatur, Ind., preceded the 1999 consultation in Kansas City.
Worship services, listening sessions, and times of fellowship were hosted by the seminary, Richmond (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, and Eaton (Ohio) Church of the Brethren. The seminary and area congregations provided food, transportation, and hospitality.
The consultation theme from Colossians 3:12-17--"Woven Together with Love"--was just "a sophisticated way of saying, we are having a dress rehearsal for heaven," said Dennis Webb, pastor of Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, as he led participants in one of the many worship experiences.
Lively multicultural worship two or three times a day was a highlight of the meeting. "What I have enjoyed is seeing brothers and sisters coming from many states to worship together with very different races, and how many are open to more diversity so that all can praise God in different languages," said Alex Sable, of the Maranatha Multicultural Fellowship in Lancaster, Pa. Sermons were given by invited speakers, but worship leaders also facilitated open times of sharing in which participants were encouraged to bring "offerings" of music or testimonies. Prayers were said in Haitian Creole, Spanish, French, and English. Spanish-English translation was available.
A Saturday evening worship service at Eaton featured the Inspirational Choir of First Church of the Brethren and the Brethren in Christ in Harrisburg, Pa., directed by Barton Smith. First Harrisburg's pastor, Belita D. Mitchell, preached. Many of the 300-plus worshipers, including visitors from neighboring congregations, received anointing for cross-cultural ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. Sunday morning worship was at Richmond, where pastor Kelly Burk invited consultation participants and the Inspirational Choir to help lead the service.
Preachers focused on being woven together as Christ's multicultural body. "Woven together is knowing that I love my brother from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Covina!" said Gilbert Romero, pastor of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles. "I want to be woven to you. You're the only church I have."
Bethany dean Stephen Breck Reid examined how the ancient Israelites were woven together in worship at the temple, and compared that to the multicultural experience. He urged participants to take the message of the weekend home with them. "It's important that we go home...to reach folks we haven't talked to yet," he said.
Mitchell spoke about being "well dressed in Christ." Love adds "marvelous beauty" to woven cloth, she said. "When we put on love as our outer garment and our shield, we put on Christ. With the love of God through Christ Jesus, we can become a multicultural church."
A keynote address on the peace of Christ in an American cultural setting of differences between people, values, and even scriptural interpretation, was given by Fumitaka Matsuoka, a former dean of Bethany who is teaching at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif. He called on Brethren to learn a "second language" of caring and compassion taught by scripture. "The Church of the Brethren started as a community that took seriously this second language" of nonconformity, he said. "Being in the world but not of the world--that's a second language." Matsuoka added a plea for Brethren to allow themselves to become vulnerable and exposed to other cultures. "In order to speak the second language, we have to live in more than one world," he said. "That's what the cross-cultural experience is all about."
The consultation also offered time for participants to share about painful experiences of racism and prejudice in the church, as well as suggestions about how to make the denomination multicultural. Several leaders called for honesty about the "hard issues" facing those who gathered. Seminary faculty and members of two Annual Conference study committees--the Intercultural Study Committee and the Study Committee on Doing Church Business--held listening sessions during the consultation (see feature below).
Consultation participants seemed to have no doubt of God's will for the Church of the Brethren--that it is to become multicultural. Some said the very survival of the denomination depends on it becoming multicultural. "This great denomination that has drawn this soul (referring to himself), will draw many more," said Joseph Craddock, lay minister at Germantown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.
"It's wonderful, this event--getting better every year," said pastor Verel Montauban, of Haitian First Church of the Brethren in Brooklyn, N.Y. "When we are here, there is no color, thank God we all are the same."
The event was planned by the Cross-Cultural Steering Committee, aided by the General Board's Congregational Life Ministries. Committee members are Barbara Date, Ruben Deoleo, Sonja Griffith, Robert Jackson, Belita Mitchell, and Gilbert Romero. For more information contact staff members Duane Grady at dgrady_gb@brethren.org or 800-505-1596, or Carol Yeazell at cyeazell_gb@brethren.org or 828-687-1155.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
The 2005 Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration on April 21-24 drew as many as 250 African-American, Mexican, Dominican, Haitian, Indian, Puerto Rican, and Anglo Brethren participants over four days of events. Also in attendance were Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook and moderator-elect Ron Beachley, and church agency staff including general secretary of the General Board Stan Noffsinger, On Earth Peace co-executive Bob Gross, and Bethany Theological Seminary president Eugene Roop and academic dean Stephen Breck Reid.
The gathering was by far the largest since annual cross-cultural consultations began in 1999. A 1996 Urban Ministries Conference at Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren in Decatur, Ind., preceded the 1999 consultation in Kansas City.
Worship services, listening sessions, and times of fellowship were hosted by the seminary, Richmond (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, and Eaton (Ohio) Church of the Brethren. The seminary and area congregations provided food, transportation, and hospitality.
The consultation theme from Colossians 3:12-17--"Woven Together with Love"--was just "a sophisticated way of saying, we are having a dress rehearsal for heaven," said Dennis Webb, pastor of Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, as he led participants in one of the many worship experiences.
Lively multicultural worship two or three times a day was a highlight of the meeting. "What I have enjoyed is seeing brothers and sisters coming from many states to worship together with very different races, and how many are open to more diversity so that all can praise God in different languages," said Alex Sable, of the Maranatha Multicultural Fellowship in Lancaster, Pa. Sermons were given by invited speakers, but worship leaders also facilitated open times of sharing in which participants were encouraged to bring "offerings" of music or testimonies. Prayers were said in Haitian Creole, Spanish, French, and English. Spanish-English translation was available.
A Saturday evening worship service at Eaton featured the Inspirational Choir of First Church of the Brethren and the Brethren in Christ in Harrisburg, Pa., directed by Barton Smith. First Harrisburg's pastor, Belita D. Mitchell, preached. Many of the 300-plus worshipers, including visitors from neighboring congregations, received anointing for cross-cultural ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. Sunday morning worship was at Richmond, where pastor Kelly Burk invited consultation participants and the Inspirational Choir to help lead the service.
Preachers focused on being woven together as Christ's multicultural body. "Woven together is knowing that I love my brother from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Covina!" said Gilbert Romero, pastor of Bella Vista Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles. "I want to be woven to you. You're the only church I have."
Bethany dean Stephen Breck Reid examined how the ancient Israelites were woven together in worship at the temple, and compared that to the multicultural experience. He urged participants to take the message of the weekend home with them. "It's important that we go home...to reach folks we haven't talked to yet," he said.
Mitchell spoke about being "well dressed in Christ." Love adds "marvelous beauty" to woven cloth, she said. "When we put on love as our outer garment and our shield, we put on Christ. With the love of God through Christ Jesus, we can become a multicultural church."
A keynote address on the peace of Christ in an American cultural setting of differences between people, values, and even scriptural interpretation, was given by Fumitaka Matsuoka, a former dean of Bethany who is teaching at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif. He called on Brethren to learn a "second language" of caring and compassion taught by scripture. "The Church of the Brethren started as a community that took seriously this second language" of nonconformity, he said. "Being in the world but not of the world--that's a second language." Matsuoka added a plea for Brethren to allow themselves to become vulnerable and exposed to other cultures. "In order to speak the second language, we have to live in more than one world," he said. "That's what the cross-cultural experience is all about."
The consultation also offered time for participants to share about painful experiences of racism and prejudice in the church, as well as suggestions about how to make the denomination multicultural. Several leaders called for honesty about the "hard issues" facing those who gathered. Seminary faculty and members of two Annual Conference study committees--the Intercultural Study Committee and the Study Committee on Doing Church Business--held listening sessions during the consultation (see feature below).
Consultation participants seemed to have no doubt of God's will for the Church of the Brethren--that it is to become multicultural. Some said the very survival of the denomination depends on it becoming multicultural. "This great denomination that has drawn this soul (referring to himself), will draw many more," said Joseph Craddock, lay minister at Germantown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.
"It's wonderful, this event--getting better every year," said pastor Verel Montauban, of Haitian First Church of the Brethren in Brooklyn, N.Y. "When we are here, there is no color, thank God we all are the same."
The event was planned by the Cross-Cultural Steering Committee, aided by the General Board's Congregational Life Ministries. Committee members are Barbara Date, Ruben Deoleo, Sonja Griffith, Robert Jackson, Belita Mitchell, and Gilbert Romero. For more information contact staff members Duane Grady at dgrady_gb@brethren.org or 800-505-1596, or Carol Yeazell at cyeazell_gb@brethren.org or 828-687-1155.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
Study committee listens to pain and receives calls for action.
The Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee held a listening session at the Cross-Cultural Consultation. The committee asked, "What are the barriers in the Church of the Brethren that keep the church from being multicultural?"
Racism and prejudice were the most painful barriers brought to the committee's attention. Racism remains a fact despite the civil rights movement, said a Hispanic member of a Pennsylvania congregation. "Racism is still 100 percent in America. Because we are surrounded by it, the church is still in it," he said. He told the story of his own transformation from hating Anglos, because of their prejudice against Puerto Ricans, to being able to love all people "who love Christ." Through God he is even learning to love enemies, he said. "That's the way it should be, the way it has to be." He warned the committee, however, that "change is going to hurt."
"We have a lot of work to do because most of us don't recognize the sin in ourselves," said a white participant from Indiana. "It's racism, it's prejudice. It's internal in us." Anti-racism training is crucial for the church, she said. "I pray that more people would be willing to engage in the work of anti-racism training."
An African-American from Maryland pointed to "laziness" that keeps Brethren from educating their children and youth about other ethnic groups. Ingrained racism "goes really deep into the roots of the family of our mainstream members. It's a hard nut to crack." He called on participants in the consultation to "stay determined and stay in the battle."
Language and economic barriers were mentioned several times, in particular by a church leader who identified them as the most problematic barriers for Puerto Ricans. A white pastor from Iowa urged the church to translate other languages into English so that those cultures are heard.
The situation of small rural churches also was of concern. An African-American Pennsylvanian said he hears congregations ask how they can be multicultural in areas where minority ethnic groups are not well represented. An Anglo participant from North Carolina called for the cross-cultural experience to be "brought home" to small rural churches. "I want to bring you home to my church, I want to see you there," she told the group.
Some congregations do not want a cross-cultural group in their midst, said another participant. The church's history of persecution has caused Brethren to build churches in isolated places and to isolate themselves from the world, one person said. That history of fear lives on in many Brethren, "and they fear change," he added. An African-American pastor expressed concern that "we don't do what has been done to us," citing the example of a white family that left a church because they did not feel accepted by the majority ethnic group there.
Institutional barriers in the organization of the denomination were identified. Until the queries that brought the Intercultural Study Committee into being, cross-cultural issues could be not understood in the denomination, said an African-American participant from Pennsylvania. Now, how can what is happening at cross-cultural consultations be organized for the whole church? he asked. A white pastor from Michigan pointed to the Annual Conference election process as a barrier. She called for intentional structuring of the ballot to eliminate gender bias and racial bias. "This is a critical issue," she said. "The denomination needs to be pressed to attend to this."
The committee also heard calls to move beyond talk of barriers, to action. "It's time to do it," said an Illinois pastor, referring to cross-cultural ministries. "This is where God is calling us."
"The first tool to use is prayer," responded a Puerto Rican pastor. Referring to the story of Peter's conversion from anti-Gentile prejudice in Acts, he asked each congregation represented at the consultation to pray continually, "God, change the mind of the Church of the Brethren."
Another tool proposed by a pastor from Illinois was placing cross-cultural leaders in positions of influence in the church. He called on pastors of color to attend meetings of the Ministers' Association, for example, and to serve as district leaders. He warned, however, that those working for change sometimes are hurt in the process. "To do what we intend to do, it's going to take some sacrificial lambs. Who is going to be the sacrificial lamb?"
Others joined in the call for action, including an African-American woman from Ohio who said, "We can't wait for someone to say there's money in the budget. If everyone concerned about this, and every sensitive person gave $1 we could fund a budget for one year of an intercultural agency." Another African-American participant suggested forming a nonprofit agency and foundation for cross-cultural work. An African-American from Michigan gave suggestions for congregations including having a Sunday to bring someone from another ethnicity to church.
Several participants called for cross-cultural evangelism. "Are you telling somebody about Jesus Christ?" asked a Hispanic participant from California. If districts see something they like happening in a congregation, such as evangelism and growth, then the districts need to support it, he said. Another Hispanic participant said that many pastors do not understand that the Great Commission is not just about overseas mission, but also about cross-cultural ministries. "In this country we have all nations, we don't have to go overseas."
Brethren may "fail to recognize the Cross, with a capital C," in "cross-cultural," said a white participant from Atlantic Northeast District. When the cross of Christ is recognized, "then the barriers are broken down."
"We have an awesome task in front of us. We are committed to do our part," committee member Thomas Dowdy responded to the group at the end of the session. The Intercultural Study Committee will bring an interim report to Annual Conference in July. Committee members are chair Asha Solanky, Dowdy, Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff, Ruben Deoleo, Nadine L. Monn, Gilbert Romero, and Glenn Hatfield, ex-officio from the American Baptist Churches USA.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
The Annual Conference Intercultural Study Committee held a listening session at the Cross-Cultural Consultation. The committee asked, "What are the barriers in the Church of the Brethren that keep the church from being multicultural?"
Racism and prejudice were the most painful barriers brought to the committee's attention. Racism remains a fact despite the civil rights movement, said a Hispanic member of a Pennsylvania congregation. "Racism is still 100 percent in America. Because we are surrounded by it, the church is still in it," he said. He told the story of his own transformation from hating Anglos, because of their prejudice against Puerto Ricans, to being able to love all people "who love Christ." Through God he is even learning to love enemies, he said. "That's the way it should be, the way it has to be." He warned the committee, however, that "change is going to hurt."
"We have a lot of work to do because most of us don't recognize the sin in ourselves," said a white participant from Indiana. "It's racism, it's prejudice. It's internal in us." Anti-racism training is crucial for the church, she said. "I pray that more people would be willing to engage in the work of anti-racism training."
An African-American from Maryland pointed to "laziness" that keeps Brethren from educating their children and youth about other ethnic groups. Ingrained racism "goes really deep into the roots of the family of our mainstream members. It's a hard nut to crack." He called on participants in the consultation to "stay determined and stay in the battle."
Language and economic barriers were mentioned several times, in particular by a church leader who identified them as the most problematic barriers for Puerto Ricans. A white pastor from Iowa urged the church to translate other languages into English so that those cultures are heard.
The situation of small rural churches also was of concern. An African-American Pennsylvanian said he hears congregations ask how they can be multicultural in areas where minority ethnic groups are not well represented. An Anglo participant from North Carolina called for the cross-cultural experience to be "brought home" to small rural churches. "I want to bring you home to my church, I want to see you there," she told the group.
Some congregations do not want a cross-cultural group in their midst, said another participant. The church's history of persecution has caused Brethren to build churches in isolated places and to isolate themselves from the world, one person said. That history of fear lives on in many Brethren, "and they fear change," he added. An African-American pastor expressed concern that "we don't do what has been done to us," citing the example of a white family that left a church because they did not feel accepted by the majority ethnic group there.
Institutional barriers in the organization of the denomination were identified. Until the queries that brought the Intercultural Study Committee into being, cross-cultural issues could be not understood in the denomination, said an African-American participant from Pennsylvania. Now, how can what is happening at cross-cultural consultations be organized for the whole church? he asked. A white pastor from Michigan pointed to the Annual Conference election process as a barrier. She called for intentional structuring of the ballot to eliminate gender bias and racial bias. "This is a critical issue," she said. "The denomination needs to be pressed to attend to this."
The committee also heard calls to move beyond talk of barriers, to action. "It's time to do it," said an Illinois pastor, referring to cross-cultural ministries. "This is where God is calling us."
"The first tool to use is prayer," responded a Puerto Rican pastor. Referring to the story of Peter's conversion from anti-Gentile prejudice in Acts, he asked each congregation represented at the consultation to pray continually, "God, change the mind of the Church of the Brethren."
Another tool proposed by a pastor from Illinois was placing cross-cultural leaders in positions of influence in the church. He called on pastors of color to attend meetings of the Ministers' Association, for example, and to serve as district leaders. He warned, however, that those working for change sometimes are hurt in the process. "To do what we intend to do, it's going to take some sacrificial lambs. Who is going to be the sacrificial lamb?"
Others joined in the call for action, including an African-American woman from Ohio who said, "We can't wait for someone to say there's money in the budget. If everyone concerned about this, and every sensitive person gave $1 we could fund a budget for one year of an intercultural agency." Another African-American participant suggested forming a nonprofit agency and foundation for cross-cultural work. An African-American from Michigan gave suggestions for congregations including having a Sunday to bring someone from another ethnicity to church.
Several participants called for cross-cultural evangelism. "Are you telling somebody about Jesus Christ?" asked a Hispanic participant from California. If districts see something they like happening in a congregation, such as evangelism and growth, then the districts need to support it, he said. Another Hispanic participant said that many pastors do not understand that the Great Commission is not just about overseas mission, but also about cross-cultural ministries. "In this country we have all nations, we don't have to go overseas."
Brethren may "fail to recognize the Cross, with a capital C," in "cross-cultural," said a white participant from Atlantic Northeast District. When the cross of Christ is recognized, "then the barriers are broken down."
"We have an awesome task in front of us. We are committed to do our part," committee member Thomas Dowdy responded to the group at the end of the session. The Intercultural Study Committee will bring an interim report to Annual Conference in July. Committee members are chair Asha Solanky, Dowdy, Darla Kay Bowman Deardorff, Ruben Deoleo, Nadine L. Monn, Gilbert Romero, and Glenn Hatfield, ex-officio from the American Baptist Churches USA.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
Two conferences, one great faith walk.
The following is taken from a reflection by Elizabeth Waas Smith on two of the denominational conferences held in April. As a young adult at Mission Alive 2005 held April 1-3 (see the April 13 Newsline), and the Cross-Cultural Consultation, Smith experienced the two gatherings as very different but complementary:
"What struck me was just how Brethren they both were. These two conferences, very different from one another in participants' race, lifestyle, age, chosen leadership, and even culture, were both representative of our denomination.
"Mission Alive 2005 focused on the mission work of the Church of the Brethren: how we can increase our mission work overseas, how we can maintain it, and how we can spread the word of God.... At the Cross-Cultural Consultation the body had no majority; it was made up of all the minorities. As a young person, I felt welcomed and valued for my opinions. There was a lot of talk about how to integrate our denomination. There was discussion about what barriers exist between the different cultures represented in the Church of the Brethren.
"For all the differences of these conferences, at the core they want the same thing. They both want to expand the understanding love of Christ. Mission Alive 2005 focused on spreading that love throughout the world and bringing it to different cultures. The Cross-Cultural Consultation focused on spreading that love among cultures in our own denomination. We are moving toward our goal in different ways, but these two routes will make one great faith walk when they come together."
--Elizabeth Waas Smith is a Brethren Volunteer Service worker at the General Board's BVS office in Elgin, Ill.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
The following is taken from a reflection by Elizabeth Waas Smith on two of the denominational conferences held in April. As a young adult at Mission Alive 2005 held April 1-3 (see the April 13 Newsline), and the Cross-Cultural Consultation, Smith experienced the two gatherings as very different but complementary:
"What struck me was just how Brethren they both were. These two conferences, very different from one another in participants' race, lifestyle, age, chosen leadership, and even culture, were both representative of our denomination.
"Mission Alive 2005 focused on the mission work of the Church of the Brethren: how we can increase our mission work overseas, how we can maintain it, and how we can spread the word of God.... At the Cross-Cultural Consultation the body had no majority; it was made up of all the minorities. As a young person, I felt welcomed and valued for my opinions. There was a lot of talk about how to integrate our denomination. There was discussion about what barriers exist between the different cultures represented in the Church of the Brethren.
"For all the differences of these conferences, at the core they want the same thing. They both want to expand the understanding love of Christ. Mission Alive 2005 focused on spreading that love throughout the world and bringing it to different cultures. The Cross-Cultural Consultation focused on spreading that love among cultures in our own denomination. We are moving toward our goal in different ways, but these two routes will make one great faith walk when they come together."
--Elizabeth Waas Smith is a Brethren Volunteer Service worker at the General Board's BVS office in Elgin, Ill.
Source: 5/10/2005 Newsline
top
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)