US district MB conventions

Delegates learn what it takes to plant new churches

Planting new churches a priority

LUSTRE, MONT.

Creating and maintaining healthy churches was the focus Nov. 6-8 at the Central District Conference convention in Lustre (Mont.) MB Church. Although a smaller than usual crowd was on hand, enthusiasm was strong for planting new churches and growing healthy congregations.

Rod Anderson, pastor of Rolling Hills Church in Papillion, Neb., reported on his church, which was recognized as an emerging church at last year's convention. The church meets in a rented facility that doubles as a Christian music store during the week. Options for the building, including purchasing, are being considered. Attendance is 68, and Anderson's goal is to double that by next fall. Young people are being targeted for the Saturday service and young families for the Sunday service. Delegates took an offering to assist in the $5,000 the church needs in order to add a worship leader to its staff.

Faith Bible Church is a growing ministry in urban Omaha made up of three congregations: Iglesia Agua Viva (Hispanic), a "Boomer-Builder" (for people ages 33-60) and Wellspring (for people ages 14-33). Pastor James Epp of Wellspring spoke about the challenges of inner city ministry; Steve Stout recounted testimonies of lives changed through Good Neighbor Ministries, a ministry arm of the church.

The newest CDC ministry venture is targeted for Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., a church planting goal introduced at last year's convention. Demographics show that the area is diverse in culture, race and economics. Mountain Lake MB Church and New Hope MB Church, both in Minnesota, will be working to plant a church. Two church planting couples, consisting of a pastor and a worship leader, are still needed for this ministry. The effort is a partnership of the CDC and Mission USA, the national resourcing ministry for renewal and outreach.

CDC minister Clint Grenz said that several churches have participated in Mission Analysis, a church-renewal tool promoted by Mission USA. He challenged churches to take the self-study, which stresses eight essential elements to church growth.

George Klassen of the Board of Trustees challenged delegates to increase church giving in order to help support the new churches. Churches gave $4,000 more this year than last, ending the year in the black. However, Klassen said church-giving norms were not met for this year. Delegates approved the transfer of $20,000 from receipts to the CDC's church grant fund, which is available for churches to expand facilities or to church plants.

Also approved was the $185,500 budget for 1999. This is $10,000 less than last year's budget; the CDC spent less last year than was budgeted.

Keynote speaker Larry Martens, pastor of North Fresno MB Church, Fresno, Calif., explained how churches of any size can use small groups to turn a crowd into a community. He said studies show people like to be in small groups because of the need for community and spirituality. He used passages in Acts to explain that the early church used small groups effectively by incorporating love, worship, learning, serving and reaching.--from The Christian Leader

Delegates urged to keep busy while they wait for the Lord

DINUBA, CALIF.

The theme was "While We Wait", but no one showed signs of idling at the Pacific District Conference convention Nov. 6-7. Speakers celebrated the work of the churches and challenged delegates to keep busy for the Lord.

Roger Poppen, conference chair, reminded delegates that Jesus is coming soon. He asked, "What do we do while we wait? We can either waste time or we can do something productive." He read the new PDC mission statement: "PDC exists to assist member churches in church health, church planting and leadership development."

Jose Elizondo, pastor of Iglesia El Buen Pastor in Orange Cove, Calif., said, "Our objective is that the world may believe that God sent Jesus. This job of evangelism has no end. There are always more fields, and the harvest is ready." Noting that the PDC worships in 10 different languages, he stressed the need for unity and love.

Keynote speaker Berhanu Waldemariam, pastor of Bethel Ethiopian Church in Seattle, Wash., said the world expects a lot from the church, but the church has a great task because many people don't know the Bible or who Jesus is. Christians need to work while they wait, and they need to get excited, he said.

Barbara Janzen, chair of Women's Missionary Service, reported that in its 50-year history, WMS has contributed over $1 million to the church.

At the Home Missions banquet, Dave Thiessen, secretary of the Board of Home Missions, opened with a fictional MB stock exchange. Business is good when stock prices are up and money is coming in, he said. "How can we measure how well the church is doing? If people are coming to church, business is good." Value of PDC church plants is going up, he added.

Paul Robie, church planter in Draper, Utah, told of the difficulties of planting a Mennonite Brethren church in Utah. When the church started last year, he said, they had four people (his own family). On Oct. 11, there were 60 people. He said he was encouraged by the support and prayer he has felt.

Durwin and Beverlee Keck spoke about their experiences planting a church in La Mirada, Calif. Working in southern California is "almost foreign missions, " Keck said. "We sometimes lose track of how dramatically our culture has changed." In the past, Keck said, evangelism meant bringing people to Christ, then into the church. Now, "you bring them into the community, and they decide whether they want to follow Christ."

Mark Thompson, pastor of ShoreLife Community Church in Capitola, Calif., reported that 95 percent of people in Santa Cruz County are unchurched. He described various things they are doing to reach the community. Associate pastor Dave Cree described a ministry to young people that began with a skateboarding ramp in the church parking lot.

Testimonies from Northwest Community Church, Bakersfield, Calif., and Spirit in the Desert Community Church, Phoenix, Ariz. were featured.

Allen Carden, president of Fresno Pacific University, highlighted:

* Record-setting enrollment figures, including the largest freshman class and largest total enrollment.

* The dedication of East Hall, a five-story residence building, with classrooms and offices, and the construction of a new track facility.

* A $6.4 million gift from AIMS Education Foundation for science, math and technology facilities, scholarships and faculty positions.

* A feasibility study for offering doctorates.

* Delegates accepted three churches into the conference: Light of the Gospel Church, Spokane, Wash. (Slavic); Iglesia Sinai, Sun Valley, Calif.; and Christian Fellowship Church, South Shafter, Calif. (both Hispanic).

* The Executive Board recommended that Jose Elizondo be hired as part-time associate district minister, giving special attention to Hispanic churches.

* Delegates voted to increase the maximum amount for a church planting grant from $50,000 to $75,000.--from The Christian Leader

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