Wonder &Word In This Issue: FROM THE PRESIDENT Prophetic Education Ruthann K. Johansen 1

FEATURES Rip Van Winkle Returns to Bethany Richard B. Gardner 2

Why Study ? H. Kendall Rogers 4

Practical Theology Thomas Finger 6

The Importance of Thoughtful Ministry Joshua Brockway 8

BRETHREN ACADEMY Back to the Future Julie Mader Hostetter 10

SERMON CAPSULE Lifelong Students Daniel Petry 12

ALUMNI/AE FOCUS Resourcing the Brethren - and Beyond 14 NEWS Historical Library Collections Restoration Project 16 Brethren Life & Thought: Living Through the “Ands” of Life Julie Garber & Karen Garrett 19

BOOK REVIEW Preaching the Gospel of Mark by Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm 18 BETHANY FRIENDS Models of Stewardship from Two Generations 20

CONGREGATIONS Come . . . and See Again! Ted Flory 22

ALUMNI/AE NEWS 23

A FINAL WORD Education as Liminality Lowell Flory 24 Prophetic Education

As I walked in the European landscape of our Ruthann K. Johansen forebears on the 300th anniversary of the , I reflected on their radical commitment to find, in their study of scripture, the ways of peace. Like the Hebrew prophets and guidance for a faithful way of living in the world. Jesus himself, our forebears questioned prevailing I listened for resonances between the conditions orders and values and listened deeply for God’s that gave rise to their faith and practices and leading in another way. the circumstances of our contemporary lives. From startling similarities between our worlds, In such conditions a small group of individuals I repeatedly asked myself what the purpose with faith in Jesus’ way of love chose another way of education ought to be in the 21st century of being in the world. With courage and radical church and world. I concluded that the faith commitment, they risked wealth and security and inheritance of the Church of the Brethren and its changed the face of religion and societies across denominational seminary carries within it a radical several centuries. Today, confused by greed, educational vision for the 21st century. restless with anxiety and fear, overstimulated with information and distractions, suspicious of From the 16th to the 18th centuries, our the “other” in the next pew or across the world, Anabaptist and Pietist forebears resisted the covetous for the “extraordinary” and dismissive of wedding of the church and the state, giving the “ordinary,” we find that the core testimonies their highest loyalty to God. Today we also face of the Church of the Brethren—the centrality of pressure to marry the church to the state and scripture, simplicity, service, peace and justice, to confuse ideologies for religious faith. In the care for creation and one another as community— fascination with ecclesial and political empire of speak profoundly. Study carried out in the way of the 17th and 18th centuries we see reflected 21st Christ’s love develops a quality of attention, akin to century temptations toward political imperialism. prayer, necessary for the disciplining of the mind, The thirst for imperial power both in our forebears’ heart, and spirit, and opens us as students to the time and in our own is buttressed by military transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Education might. The 17th and 18th century castle fortresses that prophetically embraces the blessedness of the and cannons designed for security differ from world, challenges ignorance, binds up the broken, precision missiles of the 21st century in terms and vibrantly carries a faith inheritance into the of technology but not teleology. Our ancestors’ 21st century is not simply about demonstrating horror at the deaths inflicted by the Thirty Years intellectual prowess or acquiring degrees or War led them to reject war and to accept the professional credentials. An educated faith draws nonviolent love of Jesus Christ. During the 20th us into the image of God’s creation and into the century, we too have faced horrifying death and holy, recreating presence of wisdom and love. destruction and abundant opportunities to choose

FROM THE PRESIDENT Ruthann Knechel Johansen is President of Bethany Theological Seminary.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Rip Van Winkle Returns to Bethany The tale of Rip Van Winkle by Irving is Richard B. Gardner a delightful piece of early American fiction. Set in New York’s Catskill Mountains, the story recounts have come on how Rip, a villager of Dutch descent, wanders up board, a new the mountains and falls into a deep sleep that lasts president and 20 years. When he awakes and returns home, new faculty to he discovers a different world than the one that join those already he left. Indeed, he has slept through the events in place. In of the American Revolution and finds himself in a fact, the faculty new nation. is operating at full strength, As I have shared with faculty colleagues, I feel both in terms of some kinship with Rip as I return to the Seminary numbers and in as its interim academic dean. To be sure, I haven’t terms of the gifts been completely asleep during the five years since needed to carry my retirement in 2003. And the Bethany to which out Bethany’s I’ve returned is still quite recognizable. Classes mission. meet in the same classrooms. The partnership with Earlham School of Religion continues to Another obvious change is the increasing use thrive. And the dean’s office is where it used of newer technologies in the Seminary’s life and to be. Like Rip, however, I have come back to a programs. Electronic communication no longer different place than the one that I left. Familiar simply augments the way we work together; it is landmarks remain, but important changes have now the primary medium for sharing information. occurred as well. Even more important is the role that technology is playing in the educational process. Connections, Bethany’s distributed education program, was The most obvious of these just getting off the ground five years ago. Now changes are some different it plays a major role in making the Seminary more faces among the faculty At an earlier time, accessible. And even residential courses often and administration. When the focal issue was include online components. economics . . . But I left five years ago, there were still colleagues around the most frequently Yet a third change that struck me was a new who could remember the recurring topic in our urgent topic in conversation about the future. At adventure of Bethany’s conversations today is an earlier time, the focal issue was economics. We relocation to Richmond. enrollment. were concerned about how to make and keep the All have since moved on, Seminary financially viable. Given the current state whether to retirement or of the world’s economy, that issue will continue to new assignments. Happily, be with us. But the most frequently however, new colleagues

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU recurring topic in our conversations today is the world, a way attuned to enrollment. How can we grow our enrollment, the love of Christ at work attracting greater numbers of students both from in their lives. And it is this In the midst of the Church of the Brethren and from other markets same prophetic quality that polarized groups and or constituencies for whom Bethany has much to needs to mark the church’s parochial claims to offer? presence in the world that truth, prophetic witness we inhabit, and that needs will seek to expand our In the midst of change and challenge, one of to be evident in the style circles of conversation, the most radical things an institution can do is and substance of education welcoming diversity to return to its roots and to learn afresh from its at Bethany. and cultivating the art underlying vision and values. To my delight, this is of listening. precisely what I found happening when I returned Paradoxically, prophetic to the campus. My colleagues were carrying on witness in our own context a very spirited discussion of the core testimonies requires us to be more open of the Church of the Brethren. They were talking and more resistant at the same time. In the midst about such things as seeking the mind of Christ as of polarized groups and parochial claims to truth, we study Scripture together, our commitment as prophetic witness will seek to expand our circles of peacemakers to embody Christ’s reconciling love, conversation, welcoming diversity and cultivating and our counter-cultural values of simplicity and the art of listening. Within this move, however, for service. greater inclusivity, prophetic witness will contest every view and behavior which hurt and harm Coming into this conversation, I thought at first rather than heal, committed to Jesus’ vision of life that maybe it was Bethany’s way of entering into transformed by the reign of God’s love and justice. the 300th anniversary celebration of the Brethren. That is our challenge—and our great opportunity! The timing was certainly opportune. But I soon discovered that the talk about core testimonies is much more than an exercise in denominational nostalgia. Rather, it is an attempt to refocus our vision and mission in the light of these historic testimonies. It is an attempt to discern how these testimonies can help us find Bethany’s distinctive calling in the world of theological education. It is an attempt to reclaim the past for the sake of the present and future.

As Ruthann Knechel Johansen suggests in her article elsewhere in this issue, one of the most important things we can learn from our core testimonies is their prophetic character. Our forebears confronted the anxious and destructive culture of their day with another way of being in

Richard B. Gardner is Interim Academic Dean at Bethany Theological Seminary.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDUWWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Why Study Theology? H. Kendall Rogers

There are many reasons to study the nearly 2000- the history of year history of theology. First of all, the faith theology. questions of past generations are still questions for us today. We can learn from their experiences Finally, studying thinking about Creation, or the Incarnation, the history of or salvation in Christ, or love of neighbor. By theology can analyzing past discussions of these questions, be an exciting history of theology prepares us for the rigorous adventure in theological debate currently. It can also teach us itself. The idea humility. We see geniuses wrestling out marvelous of a search for insights, but we also see how the most intelligent the Holy Grail of human beings can make mistakes. has inspired writers of legend For me, a very important reason to study the and fiction from history of theology is ecumenical. We live in the the medieval most religiously pluralistic time and place ever. King Arthur Through the history of theology we can learn how stories, to Wagnerian opera, to Monty Python, to our Christian brothers and sisters described their an ‘Indiana Jones’ film, to a recent controversial own particular denominational understandings book and film, The Davinci Code. In the history of – in many ways like our own thinking, in many theology, in contrast, we trace the real, millennia- ways different. Moreover, theology has produced long search to understand the meaning of the powerful ideas that have communion elements. This history is just as shaped our nation and its fascinating as the earlier legend and fiction. history, institutions, and laws. To understand the Church of the Brethren ideas have an important To understand the world around us, at home place in the history of theology. In addition, the world around us, at and abroad, we need to founders of our church studied that history. home and abroad, know something about we need to know something about the history of theology.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU The son of a Church of the Brethren pastor and evangelist, my father was We are all theologians. himself a Brethren pastor God has created each in Iowa, Nebraska, and of us with a mind to Indiana. He liked to tell use, and from time to me about his boyhood, time we will use our including about gathering mind to reflect on our around the family dinner Christian faith. table with his parents and 11 brothers and sisters. My aunt still has the table, a powerful reminder of these meals and discussions. Individuals differed in their opinions, but it was In Schwarzenau they read the Bible, of course, important to the but also books by the church historian Gottfried family that everyone Arnold. We have been doing theology and be present. It was studying the history of theology ever since. Not more important surprisingly, the history of Christian thought for no one to be constitutes a foundational element in a Bethany left out than education. for everyone to agree. Bethany We are all theologians. God has created each of can play the us with a mind to use, and from time to time we role of this will use our mind to reflect on our Christian faith. dinner table for But it is easy to get confused, or to be misled. The the Church of history of theology is filled with sincerely held but the Brethren, a place sadly mistaken ideas. We are all human after all. where Brethren of Study of theology can help us sort out the sound differing experiences and well accepted ideas from the others. With its and opinions can inquisitive students and its dedicated faculty and gather for mindful, heartfelt, sometimes difficult, staff, Bethany is a good place to undertake this but always loving discussion. Please join us! vital work.

H. Kendall Rogers is Professor of Historical Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Practical Theology Thomas Finger

One of my favorite descriptions of theology in some way: comes from James McClendon, a member of the What does my/ Church of the Brethren. McClendon says that our faith say everyone has basic convictions about God, human about this, nature, the purpose of life, etc. These convictions and, how in motivate our actions. But on the intellectual level, light of that, people's convictions are often implicit: they can't should I/we express them clearly; they haven't thought them respond? Every out. Theology, according to McClendon, is the Christian, then, task of articulating these implicit convictions: of does some sort making them explicit. of theology. We do not How do we do this? We seek, first, to discover really have the what our basic convictions really are. Second, we option of doing attempt to understand them clearly. Then, third, theology or not we transform them, which includes connecting doing it, but some of them and finding deeper meaning in only of doing it them. We learn to articulate our convictions in poorly or well. a way that makes them both consistent with each other, and with “whatever else there is.” Seminary theology classes train church leaders "Whatever else there is" refers to other Christian to carry on this process in depth: to discover, traditions, other religions, and other cultures, and understand, transform, and express basic to the values, lifestyles, and convictions through interaction with Scripture; thought patterns of our with past and present ; and with current own society. social, cultural, and spiritual perspectives. The My goal for my study of theology informs and interacts with the students is that their If theology is defined this whole educational program. My goal for my study be a time of way—as making implicit students is that their study be, as McClendon discovery, of developing convictions explicit—it is put it, a time of discovery, of developing understanding, and not, first and foremost, a understanding, and of transformation, equipping of transformation, branch of academic study. them to lead congregations in their own faith equipping them to lead It is a basic activity of discoveries. congregations in their every Christian life. Every own faith discoveries. committed Christian and Theological training like this can supply congregation, when they congregations' needs with leaders who have a face new problems or well-developed personal theology and the ability situations, asks themselves to move a faith community’s theology from the implicit to the explicit level by putting

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU their “theology” into understandable terms. In Bethany students were addition, Such leaders can help congregations enrolled in my classes. develop and maintain a clear understanding Since then, I’ve taught Today’s culture changes about what they are doing and why, without at Eastern Mennonite very rapidly. A church being overwhelmed by the immediate, day-to- Seminary, served as a Fellow that has made its basic day needs of the body of believers. Theology can at Elizabethtown College’s convictions explicit equip leaders and their churches with guidelines Young Center, taught and that can express to address the difficulties and uncertainties of the at an Anabaptist-related its identity will be able day. college in Ethiopia, and to respond clearly and was a member of the Faith yet flexibly to these and Order Commission of changes. the National Council of Churches for 25 years. My ecumenical and interfaith experiences have strengthened, not diluted, my understandings of my own faith and of the roles of individual and corporate theology.

As a scholar in residence teaching theology at Bethany this Theology, in other words, should be practical, year, I bring meaningful, and relevant, and it should help this ecumenical Christians develop and express a sense of perspective into identity. A clear sense of identity serves as the classroom. a guidepost on the faith journey. Today’s Of course, the culture changes very rapidly. A church that term “Christian has made its basic convictions explicit and that theology” itself implies ecumenism. Anabaptist can express its identity will be able to respond theology represents just a piece of this ecumenical clearly and yet flexibly to these changes. A church whole. It is not my ultimate theological norm, whose convictions are only implicit and identity is or standard, for evaluating all theologies. But it unexpressed will usually experience much more is my primary vantage point, or lens, for viewing confusion. the theologies of other Christian traditions and for reference in understanding other faiths. I I am not entirely new at Bethany. My relationship am delighted with the opportunity to join my with the Seminary goes back to the Oak Brook Mennonite voice in dialog with those from the two days. I was a professor at neighboring Northern other historic peace churches, the and the Baptist Theological Seminary for 10 years. The Church of the Brethren, this year at Bethany. two faculties met together on a regular basis, and

Tom Finger is a Scholar in Residence at Bethany Theological Seminary during the 2008-2009 academic year.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDUWWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU The Importance of Thoughtful Ministry It was not so long ago that I wandered throughout Joshua Brockway the hallowed halls of Bethany. In fact, this is my third incarnation at the school. Who knew that faculty member. when I lived at the Oak Brook campus as a child It was soon clear that I would return, this time to Richmond, first as that the number a student and now as a faculty member? Some of Brethren might say that I am like the bad penny that always applicants, or comes back! So why return? The short answer: lack thereof, The need for gifted and skilled pastors in the surprised many Church of the Brethren and church universal is on the faculty. only paralleled by the need for professors to help I found myself form such leaders. Its my hope that I can serve in looking at such a capacity, just as those who have shaped me Bethany with as a scholar and a pastor. an eye towards further graduate I came to this conclusion as I pastored a small work in order congregation during college. While this to help fill community of believers graciously welcomed me what seemed into their midst, it was not long until I showed to be a void of exactly how young and inexperienced I truly was. young Brethren Their grace remained as I delivered weak sermons, scholars. I knew that Bethany would be a place to led simple Love Feast gatherings, and fumbled the receive both the pastoral training which I lacked basic questions in Sunday school conversations. I and the academic formation I needed to set me learned a lifetime of ministry in two years, the core towards the goal of a doctorate. of which was the need for true pastoral formation. My charisma and flair barely It did just that, and now I am back to give what carried me a month. The was so generously given to me. You see, pastoral rest of my tenure relied ministry and the academic study of our faith go upon gracious parishioners, hand in hand. I will never forget the moments wise mentors, and a lot of of learning that took place as faculty met with prayer. When I left that Pastoral ministry and me one on one to discuss theology in a way country congregation, I the academic study of that ultimately shaped the way I live my faith knew that formal training our faith go hand today. While Bethany was not my congregation at Bethany was needed. in hand. the previous two times I walked its halls, it was a Around the same time I place where questions were honored, and faculty watched as the religion walked through them with all their students. department of my college They simply modeled a thoughtful, faithful, and alma mater went through attentive presence with each question and each a long search for an interim

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Our heritage of Pietism, Capable ministers and Radical are both gifted and trained so that when in general, has energy and ideas formed us to see begin to wane as ministry as a gift of they did for me, their the Spirit. There is time of formation at a deep truth to this a place like Bethany vision, yet it does can encourage them not take seriously onward. Paul’s call to the Romans that they student. How much more pastoral can you be? be renewed by the That, to me, is the image of a true pastor. transformation of their minds. Capable ministers are both gifted and trained so that when energy When faced with the hardest of questions, and ideas begin to wane as they did for me, their brought on by real life struggles, the pastor should time of formation at a place like Bethany can be the first person who can listen and set the encourage them onward. If it is true that to those emotions and thoughts within the larger story whom God has gifted, much is required, I hope of God. Without the time set aside to journey simply to break even! through the questions and the tradition for themselves, these pastors risk treading recklessly over the very people for whom they have been called to care.

Joshua Brockway is Instructor in Christian History at Bethany during the 2008/2009 academic year.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Back to the Future As a child, I was fascinated by my neighbor. Julie Mader Hostetter He rose early each morning, spent time by the window reading, and on weekdays went out to garden. He then changed into plain clothes and went to work as the vice-president of the Valley In his essay Trust Bank. In the late afternoon, he worked at commemorating the church or made pastoral visits. Evenings were the 300th spent at church or district meetings, visiting or anniversary of with family. the Church of

the Brethren, Although he was not our pastor, my father spoke Bethany's former with admiration about Dr. Frank S. Carper. Here academic dean was a man without formal seminary training who Dr. Stephen pastored the largest congregation in our town. Breck Reid His library was extensive; he supported higher outlines "The education and lifelong learning. He modeled what Experiment: it meant to be a spiritual and community leader. Theological And when I heard him speak, I was certain that Education in those low, calm tones resembled the voice of God! the Church of the Brethren."* He traces the shift from plural ministry (free ministry), in which Under his leadership, the Palmyra (Pa.) Church training took place through experience and of the Brethren supported seminary students mentoring, to the rise of professional ministry in through summer placements and internships the mid-20th century, when most pastors were and later hired Bethany Seminary graduates seminary trained and the focus was on graduate for second staff positions. Our small town was theological education. In 1977 Bethany began a-buzz when a Bethany a training program, Education for a Shared Seminary-educated woman Ministry (EFSM), and in 1984 the seminary and As our sisters and was hired as director of denomination started the Training in Ministry brothers in mainline Christian education. Who program (TRIM). Both of these programs denominations struggle would have believed acknowledged that professionally trained, with the challenge of that the Church of the solo pastors could not meet the needs of all providing competent Brethren in our traditional congregations (p. 136). pastoral leadership in town was on the cutting congregations with edge in ministry? This declining membership, congregation also reflected *Lines, Places, and Heritage: Essays Commemorating the the Church of the the shifting dynamics in 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren, edited Brethren is again on the ministerial leadership for by Steve Longenecker and Jeff Bach and published by cutting edge in ministry. the denomination. Penobscot Press (2008), is available through Bridgewater College (Va.)

BRETHREN ACADEMY

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, congregations from a ministry training partnership of Bethany Atlantic Northeast, With the leadership Theological Seminary and the Church of the Illinois-Wisconsin, of outstanding Brethren, was established and is housed at the Mid-Atlantic, Middle residential faculty Seminary. The Academy implements the EFSM Pennsylvania, Northern members and adjunct program, and along with the Susquehanna Valley Indiana, Northern faculty, the Master Ministry Center in Pennsylvania, assists districts Ohio, Northern Plains, of Divinity, Master with the TRIM program and their Academy Shenandoah, South of Arts and training Certified Training Systems. With the leadership Central Indiana, programs equip men of outstanding residential faculty members and Southern Ohio, and women in five adjunct faculty, the Master of Divinity, Master of Southern Plains, formats for various Arts and training programs equip men and women Virlina, and Western ministry contexts. in five formats for various ministry contexts. Pennsylvania districts.

As our sisters and brothers in mainline denominations struggle with the challenge As a result of these two tracks for Sustaining of providing competent pastoral leadership in Pastoral Excellence, pastors experienced congregations with declining membership, the transformations that formed their spiritual journeys Church of the Brethren is again on the cutting and informed their congregational ministries. edge in ministry. Seminary-trained pastors A representative of the Church of the Brethren serve local congregations and mentor students Ministry Office, the Academy supports pastors in in seminary and other programs. Smaller meeting the expectations of the 2002 Guidelines congregations are served by those called and for Continuing Education. Through workshops and equipped for ministry through denominational or events sponsored by the Academy, districts and district training programs. denominational agencies, pastors are encouraged and supported in their pursuit of lifelong learning. The Brethren Academy also provides two The Academy is also beginning to explore continuing education tracks through the Lilly continuing education opportunities that share our Endowment Sustaining Pastoral Excellence grant. unique gifts with the larger faith community.

• Vital Pastor: Thus far, 112 pastors have My childhood neighbor modeled for others and completed this program. Focusing on a me an ongoing interest in scholarship, faithfulness, theologically framed question, pastors meet and integrity, and a steadfast commitment to in small groups before and after traveling Christ, the church, and community. As we look to together either in the or abroad the future, the Academy will continue to respond to experience a transcultural immersion. to the needs of the denomination, seminary, and congregations as we implement programs that • Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership: equip women and men for ministry, encourage Over the past six years, this program has lifelong learning and build up the body of Christ. included 26 clergy participants representing

Julie Mader Hostetter is Director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Lifelong Students “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you Dan Petry have one teacher, and you are all students. The greatest among you will be your servant. All But here’s the rub; here’s the part that really who exalt themselves will be humbled, and pinches me. Jesus goes on to say, “ . . . but do all who humble themselves will be exalted.” not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.” That is the disclaimer of all honest (Matthew 23:8, 11-12) pastors: Do not do as we do, for we do not practice what we teach. Matthew 23 is Jesus’ scathing indictment of the religious leaders and teachers of his day. Having Now hear me: Every pastor that I know personally been mercilessly criticized and persecuted by the is striving very hard to walk the talk, to practice scribes and Pharisees, this passage shows Jesus what they preach. Sometimes we do pretty well at taking off his gloves and giving them a taste of it, but sometimes we fail miserably. But Jesus will their own medicine. Jesus did not see himself as not let you use a leadership failure to legitimize a Christian criticizing the leaders of a competing your own disobedience. religion. He, too, was a Jewish rabbi, but he was incensed by the misuse of power on the part Matthew 23 reminds us that we all should do our of some of his brothers in the faith. So in this very best to study and to teach and to preach with passage, Jesus was calling his own to account; he all the integrity we can muster, and we should was chiding his brothers to straighten up. constantly be struggling not only to talk the holy but also to walk the holy. We who are pastors or As a pastor, I have to read Matthew 23, especially Sunday school teachers or deacons or Stephen the first few verses, as a personal indictment. As ministers or members of the board hold our offices Jesus recognized that his fellow rabbis had been not for the privilege and prestige they may bring, given the authority of God to teach, in the same but only as under-shepherds and servants of the way I believe Jesus would One who is worthy of all worship and praise and authenticate the authority obedience. of the licensed and ordained ministers in the As the early Brethren studied the 23rd chapter In any academic of Matthew, they saw Jesus’ prohibitions endeavor, the more Church of the Brethren. Jesus would likely say, “Do concerning titles among his followers. Because we learn, the more of this teaching, Brethren ministers and leaders our eyes are opened whatever they teach you and follow it.” have shied away from special titles that would to what is yet to learn. distinguish or separate one person from another. That holds true for our We have found it best just to call each other faith as well. brother or sister. We are one body in Christ, brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have different roles, but as Jesus said, “you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students.” SERMON CAPSULE

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU During my sophomore year at Manchester In any academic endeavor, College, God called me to ministry. Suddenly I the more we learn, the was facing not just the three years of remaining more our eyes are opened college but three years of seminary as well. So to what is yet to learn. The more we learn I buckled down and aimed for graduation not That holds true for our from Jesus, the only from Manchester College in 1977 but also faith as well. The more farther we go in our for graduation from Bethany Seminary in 1981. we learn from Jesus, discipleship, the more “That’s when I’ll be finished,” I said to myself. the farther we go in our we understand how “That’s when I’ll know what I need to know and discipleship, the more much room there is be able to get on with ministry.” But do you know we understand how much to grow. what I had really learned by the time that President room there is to grow. Warren Groff handed me my Master of Divinity Growing up into the diploma? Somewhat reluctantly, I had to admit likeness of Jesus Christ, that I was going to be a student for the rest of my growing up into the stature of our Lord life. is a lifelong endeavor. Have you gotten to the place in your life where you are always living by the precepts of obedience to God and grace and forgiveness to your fellow man? Are you always living in purity of heart—no lust, no envy, no selfishness, no lying, no dressing up the truth so you look better than you really are? Or do you, like me, still have some things to learn about Jesus and his love? Do you have some things to learn about grace and purity and holiness? If you do, then you’d better hit the Book. You’d better become a lifelong student, a humble follower, a dedicated disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dan Petry is Pastor of the Middlebury (Ind.) Church of the Brethren.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Resourcing the Church - and Beyond Bethany alum Ken Shaffer's work at the Brethren Historical Library and Archives

"Some might think that library archival Ken says that his work is dull, but in reality the job is Bethany degree has endlessly interesting," says Ken Shaffer, been very valuable for director of the Brethren Historical this particular ministry. Library and Archives (BHLA) in Elgin, Ill. "Because of Bethany "I never know when I come in each day faculty members like what kind of questions there might be Dale Brown, Don or what materials or artifacts we might Durnbaugh, Grady receive." Snyder, and Bob Neff, I was schooled Ken, a 1970 Bethany Master of Divinity in Brethren history, graduate, held a similar role at the theology, and writings. Seminary before accepting the position My time at Bethany at BHLA. "I had been working at also introduced me the library which served Bethany and to people with whom Northern Baptist Seminary on the Oak I have worked and Brook campus. A friend suggested I played ever since. For apply for the position at the Brethren me, Bethany is more Historical Library and Archives. After than the education I the position was offered to me, I prayed received; it is also the and struggled about what I should people I met. The do. Both roles whole experience provided the opportunity prepared me well for my vocation, given the fact to serve the church. On that a significant part of my work has centered on the one hand, I knew I the world of the Brethren." would miss the working with the faculty and The mission of BHLA is to collect, preserve, and For me, Bethany is more students at Bethany. On make available information created by Brethren than the education I the other hand, I knew I or about the Brethren. The collection includes received; it is also the could focus more on the many out-of-print resources and unique records for people I met. Church of the Brethren Brethren groups that no longer exist. Ken believes at BHLA. In the end my that as a source of information for historians and feeling that it was time for theologians, genealogists and local congregations, a change won out." Annual Conference committees and Brethren agencies, students and faculty, and pastors and

ALUMNI/AE PROFILE

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU lay people, BHLA meets a unique educational need for Brethren and non- Brethren alike. "One of Ken (center back) takes our most faithful patrons the Brethren Historical is Frank Ramirez, a prolific Committee on a tour of writer of Brethren books, BHLA at the Church of articles, and curriculum. the Brethren General His use of BHLA in his Offices in Elgin, Ill. research and writing is an example of how these resources from the past can be useful in the present." a larger audience was through the During the months public television leading up to the Church of the Brethren 300th series “The History Detectives.” In 2005 staff from anniversary, BHLA experienced a surge in requests. the show contacted BHLA concerning the Brethren "We provided information and/or materials Service certificates they had from the 1940s. for 14 events and displays at the 2008 Annual "We were able to explain what the certificates Conference," Ken noted. "Photos from the BHLA were, how they supported Civilian Public Service, collections and articles by BHLA staff appeared and why Brethren are one of the Historic Peace in Messenger. An often-asked question was, Churches," Ken explained. "We also provided What kind of clothes did the early Brethren wear? pictures and the names of people to contact. The Perhaps the most unusual question was, What certificates and the Church of the Brethren were kind of food did the early Brethren eat?" featured the next year in a segment on one of their programs." BHLA has provided information for books, articles, and video presentations about the role of the However, meeting the needs of individuals can be Church of the Brethren in areas such as the Civil just as rewarding as national attention, such as the Rights Movement, Civilian Public Service camps, recent visit to BHLA by the daughter of Brethren Heifer International, the resettlement of Americans missionaries. "She was delighted to find we of Japanese ancestry during World War II, and the had an extensive collection of letters and reports resettlement of Kalmuck refugees in the 1950s. written by her parents," Ken says. "She made One of the most exciting opportunities to publicize many photocopies and said she would 'read and the past activities of the Church of the Brethren to reread the copies and treasure them always.'”

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Historical Library Collections Restoration Project

One of Bethany Theological Seminary’s major assets is an exceptional collection of rare books. Making up the special collections are portions of the libraries of three separate donors: the William Eberly Hymnal Collection, the Ora Huston English Bible Collection, and more than 4,000 theological titles from the Abraham Cassel Collection. Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., holds nearly two-thirds of the Cassel Collection. Many of the Pennsylvania-German imprints were donated to the Pennsylvania Historical Society in Philadelphia.

Bethany’s collection is especially rich in the works of , including titles by Spener, Francke, Arnold, Böhme and many other Halle scholars. Some volumes date from the early 16th-century Reformation. Included also is a wide range of literature from various sectarian and dissenting movements. Publications of the and Saur Press are among the most valuable items in the collection. Rare Bibles and hymnals from both the Huston and Eberly collections are also featured works in the holdings.

A very generous grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations has made possible the restoration of most of the very valuable volumes. The grant has also allowed the enclosure of each item in the special collections in acid-free clam-shells or hinge boxes. The digitalization of many title pages will make possible their posting on the Seminary web site. All books are fully catalogued and accessible through the Earlham College Lilly Library online catalog. The special collections are available to users in the reading room of the Earlham College Archives, located in the Lilly Library on the Earlham College campus. For hours of operation, visit http://www.earlham.edu/library/content/services/ hours.html or phone 765-983-1287.

NEWS

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Brethren Life & Thought: Living Through the "Ands" of Life Julie Garber & Karen Garrett

The new design for Brethren Life & Thought, and worship, the transcendent and the worldly. debuted at the July 2008 Annual Conference in We know Christ Richmond, Va. The Winter 2008 issue, with its as human and divine. shiny blue cover, caught the attention of most We are living in the BRETHREN who saw it. The new design is more magazine- “already” and the “not LIFE like, especially inside, where articles are printed yet”. Our purpose is in two columns rather than the traditional single defined by devotion to THOUGHT

column academic journal format. The new God and neighbor. We Volume 48 Numbers 1 and 2 format is inviting, accessible, and interesting to a have a long history Winter 2008 broad audience, including seminary faculty and of living together as thoughtful lay people. conservatives and progressives. The Prominent in the new look is a large, beautiful very name of the James Benedict William R. Eberly ampersand (&). The ampersand reflects one journal holds two Vernard Eller David A. Leiter David H. Jensen mission of the journal, which is to be a forum for things in tension: Dean J. Johnson A Journal Published in the Interests of the Church of the Brethr Mary Sue Rosenberger Thomas E. Shoemaker well-conceived and well-argued ideas on important life and thought. Hubert N. Whitten topics in the church. The design is the work of Living day by day in the expert designer Gwen Stamm, who is well-known tensions of the “ands” brings en in Brethren and Mennonite circles for her hand in vibrancy to our faith and helps designing our hymnal cover. us constantly refine our life and thought.

Gwen used the ampersand to replace the word In addition to the new design, the Brethren and in the title of the journal, noting that the Journal Association board and staff are committed ampersand is a highly stylized version of the short to publishing issues in a timely manner. By the word et, meaning “and” in Latin. She purposefully end of 2008, three of the four issues for Volume avoided any single symbol or picture on the cover 53 (2008) should be in the hands of our readers. that would try to convey who the Brethren are. Early in 2009 the Fall 2008 issue should also be Few graphic symbols are capable of capturing the published. With the help of Evangel Press, our essence of anything. printer for the new design, all of the Volume 54 (2009) issues will be published in 2009. Anyone The ampersand, however, says a lot about the interested in becoming a member of the Brethren Brethren. The word and holds together many pairs Journal Association, which is how one subscribes, of ideas in our tradition that are in tension with should contact the Brethren Life & Thought office each other. Faith is both a sense of knowing and at [email protected]. not knowing. Christian life is made up of service

NEWS Julie Garber is Editor and Karen Garrett is Managing Editor of Brethren Life & Thought.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Preaching the Gospel of Mark A conversation with Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm about her new commentary

Wonder & Word: What draws you to the Gospel DOW: My own faith perspective as a member of Mark? of the Church of the Brethren is integral to my interpretation of Scripture. Early in the process Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm: I view the Gospel of of writing, I called together a small group Bible Mark as one of the most dynamic and provocative study (all of whom are members of the Church texts in all of Scripture. It is written with a sense of the Brethren), and their insights are noted of urgency and passion for the reign of God at various places in my book, as well as stories throughout. of other Anabaptists and Pietists. However, this book is intended for an ecumenical audience, W & W: What are the unique features of this and I find connections with others throughout my commentary compared to other commentaries? work. My own Anabaptist/Pietist ears listen for concerns and passions of Jesus that have been DOW: Preaching the Gospel of Mark examines especially dear to our faith tradition—such as the the Gospel in sections of a paragraph or two, reign of God, peacemaking, care of creation and offering biblical exegesis and homiletical neighbor love—and I believe we share many of suggestions for each passage. The exegetical these concerns with other Christians. The idea comments explore important background of studying and exploring Scripture together material and connections to other texts and is not a new idea for the Brethren! I wrote themes in Scripture, and the suggestions for the commentary while listening to Mark with preaching include ideas for sermon development, Anabaptist/Pietist ears, hearing concerns and connections to current issues, and stories that may insights of Jesus that rise to the forefront and are be inspiring and helpful to familiar to us, such as the reign of God, care for preachers and those who creation, and peace and justice. We hear things listen to sermons. that other faith traditions may not have heard.

Mark's Gospel calls W & W: Obviously, an expected use of us to consider anew W & W: Does the commentaries is in sermon preparation. How do Jesus' way of actively commentary approach you see commentaries being useful in daily Bible engaging others in the Gospel of Mark from study? God's just and loving an Anabaptist/Pietist reign. perspective? DOW: This commentary is intended for use in both sermon preparation and daily Bible study or Bible study groups. My hope is that people who want to use it for Bible study will find insights for relating Scripture to their daily living.

BOOK REVIEW

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU W & W: What is the best way to use a sustained study and easy commentary? reference to the larger The invitation to context of Scripture discipleship, the DOW: I encourage readers to review the passages. You can add empowerment of Jesus' introduction given at the beginning of each your own notes and followers, the risk of chapter or section. It is important when looking at insights directly alongside crossing boundaries a particular set of verses to know and appreciate the printed text and keep and serving others, the the larger context. track over time how you certainty of suffering, made use of the text. It’s and the promise of W & W: What is your favorite passage from the important for preachers new life are all part Gospel of Mark? and teachers to select of Mark's vision of both online and print discipleship. DOW: Actually, I have two. The first is chapter 16, resources that reflect verses 1-8: the story of the women who come to careful scholarship and anoint Jesus’ body after his burial. Although they transparency of religious conviction. flee the tomb in terror and amazement and the text tells us that they said nothing to anyone, we W & W: What new insights into the Gospel of know that they had to have shared the good news Mark did you gain as you wrote this commentary? or we would not have the gospel story to tell! I think Mark is trying to encourage those of us who DOW: The Gospel writer’s style causes us to are fearful about sharing the gospel with others— catch our breath as we are pushed into and out in word and deed—that we, like the first witnesses of the world of the text. In every chapter, I found of the empty tomb, are called to share what we something new, alive, and powerful. Through this know of Christ’s resurrection power alive among entire remarkable text, the prophetic power of us. The second passage is chapter 7, verses 24- God seeks transformation and new life among us. 30: the story of Jesus healing the Syrophonecian woman’s daughter from a distance. At first, Jesus denies the woman’s request. But in the end, he Preaching the Gospel follows the lead of the Syrophonecian woman and of Mark is published heals her daughter. Some might be troubled by by Westminster John the thought that Jesus changed his mind. I see Knox Press. that not as a diminishment of Jesus’ power, but an expansion of it.

W & W: Can you compare and contrast print and online Bible study and preaching resources?

DOW: I think there is a place for both. Online resources allow quick access for resources directly related to a set of verses, usually related to the lectionary. Print resources offer reflective,

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Models of Stewardship from Two Generations

Mark and Rhonda Pittman Gingrich’s family Rhonda received financial aid through the Brethren stewardship practices have grown out of the Student Scholarship and Alumni/ae Covenant example both experienced as children. “Both Mark Grant while she was a Bethany student. Alumni/ae and I were raised Covenant Grant recipients pledge in families that to contribute to the Seminary, practiced tithing, supporting Bethany’s commitment and we give a of providing generous financial assistance to new generations of students. While Rhonda is happy to honor this agreement, she says We consider our that is not her primary motivator support to be for giving to Bethany. “The forward-looking so Church of the Brethren played a that the distinctive significant role in Mark’s and my testimonies of our formative years, shaping our faith denomination and values,” she explains. “But can form the faith of we give to Bethany Seminary and new generations. other denominational ministries not out of a sense of the past or preservation. We consider our support to be forward-looking so that the distinctive testimonies of tithe to our local our denomination can form the congregation,” faith of new generations.” says Rhonda, a 1998 graduate ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and alumni/ae representative to the Bethany Board of Trustees. “Beyond that, we give to a Beatrice Myers and Helen Herbst live nearly a variety of causes. Many are related to the Church continent apart amid subcultures of the church of the Brethren. Others uphold the same values that are different, but they’ve maintained a close that we as a denomination identify as important.” personal sisterly tie for 90 years. They both Nine-year-old Sophia and Addison, age five, are have a bright and engaging receptivity to friends expected to tithe from their allowances. they’ve always known or they just met. They are dedicated to their church and to Bethany Seminary and its mission to prepare leadership for the church.

BETHANY FRIENDS

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Beatrice and Helen were southern Pennsylvania either of them who talks the most will likely be girls in their youth, growing up in Hanover. After told “She does.” college, Helen found her way west, settling in La Verne, Calif. Her husband, Albert, was a math Those who have the opportunity to visit with these professor at the . Beatrice ladies are truly blessed. Whether it is spirited remained in Hanover as a career school teacher conversation while sitting in the comfortable and still lives in the residence their parents rocker in Beatrice’s living room or helping juice acquired when the girls were infants. straight-from-the-grove oranges in Helen’s kitchen, the company of these gentle spirits is delightful. Beatrice is a member of the Hanover congregation, Rooted in located in a district a common where prayer coverings upbringing, these are common and some congregations are led by a plural nonsalaried ministry Helen (L) and (free ministry). Helen is a Beatrice (R) haven't member of the La Verne, let differences in Calif., congregation, which their congregations' reflects a unique West expressions of Coast culture and a very faith interfere with open understanding of their care for each church membership and other and their mission. These differences denomination. seem rather secondary to Helen and Beatrice. Both take their Brethren roots and present Brethren two lives have commitments very traveled different seriously and continue to paths through enjoy Annual Conference, National Older Adult their middle years and retirement. The contexts Conference (NOAC), and their respective district in which they live and worship are different. conferences. Nonetheless, the family tie binds them together in a rich sense of togetherness. They receive friends Every year the sisters try to get together for an and visitors with welcoming attitudes, whether extended reunion, often with Beatrice going to they have known them before or not. At ages during the middle of the Pennsylvania that many think of as elderly, they are young in winter. The photo on this page was taken on spirit. Helen’s front porch on one such visit. This past fall they attended NOAC, after which Helen spent Whether age nine or age 90, these devoted several weeks in Pennsylvania. When apart, they Brethren are modeling both the attitudes and talk on the phone regularly. Whoever dares to ask actions of faithful stewardship. We are deeply grateful for their witness and commitment!

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Come . . . and See Again! Ted Flory With God's help we will show our through our lives—caring for one another, helping those in need wherever they may be, striving for simplicity and good Brethren Woods, and Bridgewater College, as stewardship, ever conscious of God's Spirit present well as other agencies like Boy Scouts and the with us. Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic. The Mission from the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren Extravaganza was open during Sunday school Statement of Mission (9:30–10:45 a.m.) and again immediately after morning worship until 12:30 p.m. Attendees viewed the exhibits, talked with representatives Ted (fourth from left) from the various visits with Bridgewater organizations, and congregation members enjoyed fellowship Marie Flory, Lowell and refreshments Miller, Peggy Miller, while they learned and Miriam Holl at the about the impact Bethany exhibit. the Bridgewater congregation has as it reaches out to others.

The Bridgewater Church of the “An exciting opportunity is happening today Brethren, in an effort to be faithful to God’s call to in our social hall. You can be a part of the mission, has always sought to maintain a strong ministries which our congregation supports by balance between financing local church programs attending the ‘Come … and See Again’ Mission as well as supporting outreach ministries. For Extravaganza.” With these words the September example, approximately 25 percent of the 2009 28th Bridgewater Church of the Brethren bulletin Bridgewater budget of $686,000 is allocated to invited people to explore some 20 exhibits outreach. The "Come … and See Again" Mission representing ministries from around the block Extravaganza provided the congregation visible and around the world, all supported by the and tangible confirmation of how the agencies Bridgewater congregation. and organizations benefit from our continued support. Exhibits included Brethren agencies and organizations like Bethany Theological Seminary, Bridgewater Retirement Community, Camp

CONGREGATIONS Ted Flory is Chair of the Bethany Theological Seminary Board of Trustees.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Alumni/ae News Welcome New Alumni/ae! Graduate School Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership Master of Divinity, Peace Studies Emphasis TRIM Brandon Grady, York, Pennsylvania Patricia Arendt, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Master of Divinity Charles Bell, New Castle, Indiana David Beebe, Richmond, Indiana Gilbert Crosby, East Peoria, Illinois Nan Erbaugh, Dayton, Ohio Todd Crowder, Edinburg, Virginia Stephen Hershberger, Woodbury, Pennsylvania Doris Dunham, Bakersfield, California Elizabeth Keller, Richmond, Indiana Robert Eshelman, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania Jason Kreighbaum, Hagerstown, Indiana Aaron Gross, Logansport, Indiana Matthew McKimmy, Blacksburg, Virginia Laura Leighton-Harris, Council Bluffs, Iowa Christina Singh, Allahbad, India James McDonald, Delphi, Indiana Karl Stone, Richmond, Indiana Victoria Minyard, Whittier, California Paula Ulrich, Richmond, Indiana Patricia Muthler, New Enterprise, Pennsylvania Douglas Veal, Richmond, Indiana James Sampson, Forest, Ohio Master of Arts Rick Schrag, McPherson, Kansas Marla Abe, Akron, Ohio Jeffrey Tomson, Camden, Indiana Susan Ross, Fort Wayne, Indiana Keith Whitmer, Staunton, Virginia Certificate of Achievement in Shawn Wilges, Phillipsburg, Ohio Theological Studies Rebecca Zeek, Duncansville, Pennsylvania Mildred Baker, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania EFSM Nick Beam, Pleasant Hill, Ohio Robert Curns, Bergton, Virginia Jerry Sales, Peoria, Illinois Daniel King, Harrisonburg, Virginia Frank Tusing, Broadway, Virginia Published: Vernon Yoder, Garnett, Kansas Herald Press has published Springs of Living Water: Christ-Centered Church Renewal by "Strawberry, please!" Hundreds of alums David S. Young attended the Bethany Ice Cream Social (1970, 1976). at the National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) in September. Several Seminary faculty and staff served guests. Here, Fred Bernhard, advancement associate, and Elizabeth Keller, director of admissions, help David Rogers obtain his tasty treat.

ALUMNI/AE

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Education as Liminality “OK,” you may say, “now you’ve really done it! — Lowell Flory throwing fancy words at me that I can’t even find in my dictionary.” Does this kind of environment threaten My dictionary acknowledges that variations on one’s faith and belief the word liminality exist, but it is not helpful in system? Our students explaining how this word applies to anything that would generally say matters, and to education in particular. no. Learning how to formulate questions A former Bethany faculty member used to say and work through that education at Bethany was an experience in them strengthens their liminality. Any educational process should be, conviction about who for that matter. Liminality refers to being at the they are as spiritual margin, or at a threshold perhaps. It refers to persons and about what encountering new insights, skills, perspectives, they believe as well as or just a new way of being, that may not have what they know. been perceptible before. Education pushes the thresholds of what we are able to understand or The asking of questions receive. doesn’t happen in a vacuum. At Bethany To understand education as just the learning it happens against the of information overlooks the richest aspects of backdrop of Brethren beliefs and practices. It the educational process. Education is not just happens with the guidance of an excellent, diverse information transfer. Education is not equivalent faculty who are committed to Brethren testimonies to indoctrination. Education is at its best when it and who can represent the thinking and experience operates in an environment of asking questions of myriads of others in the literature who may have as much as giving answers. Peter Drucker, dealt with similar questions over the years. management guru and in his later years, social commentator, observed that among the almost As students travel their educational journey limitless variety of leaders he worked with in his at Bethany, they dialog not only with their career, the truly exceptional ones were the ones classroom peers and faculty. They also continue who knew how to ask the right questions. the conversation of centuries’ worth of thinkers, researchers, and prophets as they explore their The educational process may sometimes be seen own thresholds on which their faith formation and as an environment that offers both security and leadership character are built. Your continuing threat at the same time—the security of being able support of this kind of education will significantly to ask questions that may not have always been contribute to our leaders’—and our churches’— acceptable, and the threat of having to face those ability to look and move forward to new vistas. questions. A FINAL WORD Lowell Flory is Executive Director of Institutional Advancement for Bethany Theological Seminary.

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Wonder &Word WONDER & WORD is a magazine MISSION STATEMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES for alumni/ae and friends of Bethany Theological Seminary, published Bethany Theological Seminary as a Ronald Beachley, Hollsopple, Pa. biannually and free of charge by the graduate school and academy seeks John David Bowman, Lititz, Pa. Office of Institutional Advancement. to prepare people for Christian Betty Ann Cherry, Huntingdon, Pa. ministry and to educate those called as Jerry Davis, La Verne, Calif. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ Jim Dodson, Lexington, Ky. Lowell Flory in the cities and communities of the Ray Donadio, Greenville, Ohio world. Martha Farahat, Oceano, Calif. EDITOR Michele Firebaugh, Winnebago, Ill. Marcia Shetler Bethany’s educational program bears Ted Flory, Bridgewater, Va. witness to the beliefs, heritage, and Jonathan Frye, McPherson, Kan. ART and PHOTOGRAPHY practices of the Church of the Brethren Elaine Gibbel, Lititz, Pa. Cover: The Prophetess Anna, in the context of the whole Christian Rhonda P. Gingrich, Minneapolis, Minn. Rembrandt Van Rijn, 1631. Courtesy tradition. Lisa Hazen, Wichita, Kan. Rijk Museum, Amsterdam. Ruthann K. Johansen, Richmond, Ind. Among its values and goals, Bethany John D. Miller Jr., York, Pa. Page 1: Schwarzenau, Germany. Theological Seminary: Rex Miller, Milford, Ind. Courtesy Nevin Dulabaum. Stan Noffsinger, Elgin, Ill. Grounds its education in the confession Nathan D. Polzin, Saginaw, Mich. Page 13: Maestà, Duccio di that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of Connie Rutt, Drumore, Pa. Buoninsegna, 1308-11. Museo the world and in the acceptance of the Carol Scheppard, Bridgewater, Va. dell’Opera del Duomo, Siena, Italy. New Testament as our guide to faith Phil Stone Jr., Harrisonburg, Va. and practice. Paul Wampler, Manassas, Va. Page 14: Courtesy Church of the Brethren General Board/Kendra Flory Features the historic Brethren testimonies of community, peace, Page 15: Courtesy Church of the justice, reconciliation, service, and Brethren General Board simplicity.

Page 21: Gerry Pence Advocates a learning process that grounds theological education in Page 22: Phil Flory spiritual formation within the life and ministry of communities of faith. Pages 2, 4, 10: Jim Chagares Pages 3, 5, 7, 9, 22: Marcia Shetler Affirms a style of education that brings us into close relationships with ADDRESS CHANGES TO: congregations, the world-wide church, Bethany Theological Seminary the peoples of the world, and God’s 615 National Road West creation. Richmond, IN 47374-4019 Seeks to equip the whole church to PHONE better discern its faith and calling. 800-287-8822 E-MAIL Invites into the community persons of Copyright 2008 Bethany Theological [email protected] both genders, and of all races, nations, Seminary. Please request permission to WEBSITE and confessions. reproduce in whole or part. www.bethanyseminary.edu

WWW.BETHANYSEMINARY.EDU Bethany Theological Seminary Non-Profit Organization The Graduate School and Academy of the Church of the Brethren U. S. Postage 615 National Road West Paid Richmond, Indiana 47374 Richmond, IN 765-983-1800 or 800-287-8822 Permit No. 33 E-mail: [email protected] www.bethanyseminary.edu

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Save the Date

Presidential Forum

Weaving Wisdom’s Tent: The Arts of Peace

March 29 - 30, 2009

Watch for more details in early 2009

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