32 an Inspirational Leader 15 Humbly Walking the Road with God GRACE and TRUTH
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www.TheMennonite.org March 17, 2009 Page 8 12 A life lived for the poor, 18 What’s a leader to do? indigenous and disabled 32 An inspirational leader 15 Humbly walking the road with God GRACE AND TRUTH The generosity of Jesus he economic crash of 2008 was essentially a Philippians 2:7 says Jesus took “the very nature spiritual problem of unregulated greed and of a servant.” Slaves were common in Jesus’ day. T uncontrolled selfishness—the dark side of They cleaned up the messes free people made. free market enterprise. The antidote to the poison Jesus cleaned up, set things right in the house of of greed is generosity, says Paul in his letter to the God. In Jerusalem, Jesus went to the center of reli- Christians of Philippi caught in a downward spiral gious power and staged a symbolic, nonviolent of “selfish ambition or vain conceit” (Philippians protest in the temple against the merchants using 2:3). Paul challenges the Christians to get into the the prayer area for Gentiles as an open air market. mind of Jesus, an incredibly generous Jesus. Jesus said, “My house shall be a house of prayer; Jesus was generous in coming to live with us but you have made it a den of robbers” (Luke “in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7). It’s hard for 19:45-46). What would Jesus say to Wall Street? me to imagine moving from my comfortable home Jesus generously risked his life for the sake of in Newton, Kan., to a Muslim village in northern God’s kingdom of justice and righteousness on Africa, living in a one-room, mud-plastered house earth as it is in heaven. He risked his life for God’s with a dirt floor and cooking over an open fire. I’d redeeming work in the world in obedience to Clarence Rempel is feel I had given up a lot to be with people who God’s call on his life. The consequence of boldly pastor of First weren’t even interested in the message I had. Our confronting evil was “death on a cross.” Mennonite Mennonite mission workers have done that. That’s Let’s not confuse Jesus’ death with the ultimate Church in what Jesus did, but at an even more intense level. sacrifice language used in American civil religion. Newton, Kan. Jesus gave up the comforts and joys of triune Soldiers die risking their lives for freedom, com- eternal companionship to enter into the messiness rades and the honor of their nation. I respect their of living with sinful, broken humanity—the courage and sacrifice. But their mission is not hypocrisy, violence, sickness and greed. Jesus God’s, and their methods are not God’s. Soldiers came to share a new vision for living with humility, die trying to kill enemy combatants. Jesus died compassion and mercy. because he refused violent self-protection. He was Jesus demonstrated his generosity by getting committed to overcoming evil with generosity, involved in making things right here on earth. hatred with love, absorbing violence in a non- Wherever Jesus encountered human need, people resistant martyr’s death on a cross. received more than they hoped for. The disabled Because Jesus was obedient to the Father and paraplegic received restored mobility and a rela- was willing to die while being true to God’s way, tionship with God. The hemorrhaging woman was Jesus’ death became the pivotal saving event for all healed in body and restored to dignity in commu- humanity for all of history. nity. Jesus did more than expected. When he put Jesus lived generosity in his incarnation, his on a feast of fish and chips, there were seven don- ministry and his death. Paul says, Let this generos- key-cargo baskets of leftovers. Why so much? At ity of Jesus soak into your mind and permeate another meal, Jesus not only acted as Passover your worldview. Let it transform your selfish and host but took the role of household slave and greedy behavior. Be generous like Jesus was gen- washed the disciples’ dirty feet. erous (Philippians 2:1-11). TM TheMennonite Vol. 12, No. 6, March 17, 2009 The Mennonite is the official publication of Mennonite Church USA. Our mission is to help readers glorify God, grow in faith and become agents of Editor: Everett J. Thomas Offices: healing and hope in the world. The Mennonite (ISSN 1522-7766) is normal- [email protected] 1700 S. Main St. ly published on the first and third Tuesdays of each month (except only one issue in August) by the board for The Mennonite, Inc. Periodical Associate editor: Gordon Houser Goshen, IN 46526-4794 postage paid at Goshen, IN 46526. Subscription rates for one year: $43.95 [email protected] phone: 800-790-2498 fax: 574-535-6050 to U.S. addresses and or $51.45 USD to Canadian addresses. Group rates Assistant Editor: Anna Groff available. Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version [email protected] 722 Main St., P.O. Box 347 unless otherwise noted. The views expressed in this publication do not Advertising, subscriptions: Rebecca Helmuth Newton, KS 67114 necessarily represent the official positions of Mennonite Church USA, [email protected] phone: 866-866-2872 The Mennonite, or the board for The Mennonite, Inc. Bookkeeper: Celina Romero fax: 316-283-0454 [email protected] Postmaster Editorial Assistant: Nora Miller 801 N. Negley Ave. Send form 3579 to: Design: Dee Birkey Pittsburgh, PA 15206 The Mennonite phone: 412 894 8705 1700 S. Main St. Web site: www.TheMennonite.org fax: 412-363-1216 Goshen, IN 46526 2 TheMennonite March 17,2009 CONTENTS 7 6 8 Jesus, go before us How Mennonites in Paraguay gathered, prospered and gave back—Edgar Stoesz 12 A life lived for the poor, indigenous and disabled Helga Dueck and the School for the Deaf in Filadelfia, Paraguay—Katherine Arnoldi 15 Humbly walking the road with God Ernesto Unruh: Enlhet leader, pastor, counselor, world traveler, 25 writer and scholar—Katherine Arnoldi 16 Have a question about the Chaco? Ask Gundolf Niebuhr when you visit the Jacob Unger Museum in Filadelfia, Paraguay.—Katherine Arnoldi 19 Committee looks for new MC USA leader Wants counsel about job description; invites nominations for top staff position 20 Some stores in the West resist contract —Anna Groff 21 Indiana and Brooklyn churches connect 17 22 Five churches to fund MWC delegate DEPARTMENTS 2 Grace and truth The generosity of Jesus—Clarence Rempel 4 Readers say 6 News digest 18 Leadership What’s a leader to do?—Iris de León Hartshorn 26 For the record 30 Mediaculture Be aware of technology’s influence—Gordon Houser 32 Editorial An inspirational leader—Everett J. Thomas Cover: Indigenous Nivacés at a common bike race in the Efeso village in the Chaco in Paraguay. Photo by Egon Rempel March 17,2009 TheMennonite 3 READERS SAY Linking homeless with churches think that a correction needs to be made, perhaps We applaud Jan Johnson’s article, “Friends in even to save my skin. In the quote of me, the arti- Need: Preventing Homelessness Before It Starts” cle says, “[Robb] says many teachers in his dis- (Feb. 17). Jan’s approach is respectful and honor- trict—in a Mennonite community—lead the Lord’s ing of Carol, the friend she is helping stay out of Prayer after the Pledge is recited. ‘Some places homelessness. that wouldn’t fly,’ he adds.” As staff and board members of Bridge of Hope While it is true that this wouldn’t fly in many National, we hear many Christians in churches districts; it actually doesn’t fly in ours either. I across the country asking questions such as, What believe what I said—it could have been due to if I don’t know a “Carol” in my circle of friends, poor cell phone reception that we miscommunicat- This publication neighbors or acquaintances? How do I best welcomes your ed—was that many sports teams say the Lord’s letters, either about befriend “Carol” and not overwhelm her or engage Prayer before or after competition. None of the our content or about in unhealthy “helping.” issues facing the teachers in the district use the Lord’s Prayer in the Mennonite Church Today, in 16 communities across seven states classroom. I’m sorry if there was some misunder- USA. Please keep (with a new location opening in Harrisonburg- your letters brief— standing in our conversation, but it is definitely not one or two para- Rockingham County, Va., this month), Bridge of true that teachers say the Lord’s Prayer in class. graphs—and about Hope affiliates are linking churches in mentoring one subject only. We I do appreciate you taking the time to consider reserve the right to friendships with homeless and at-risk single moth- a correction. My school district and community edit for length and ers and their children (www.bridgeofhopeinc.org). clarity. Publication is will appreciate it. And it will help me feel a bit also subject to space So often we in the church want to reach out in more comfortable about any possible ramifications limitations. Send to friendship, want to be supportive in a way that Adam Robb, Moundridge, Kan Letters@TheMenno- from the district.— . nite.org or mail to brings life, dignity and hope, but we don’t always Readers Say, The know how. At Bridge of Hope, we have found that Keep Communion understanding Mennonite, 1700 S. Main St., Goshen, IN one of our unique roles is in helping equip and Eleanor Kreider’s article in the Feb.