• Faculty and Alumni/ae Book Display -Opeping~nvocation · • Picnic Fellowship Lunch Re:cognitiob 1~anquet • •1" A,L,."- · • Centennial Book and Merchandise Sales • , CJoSIDg \t\tor&hip: Servic.e .. JUNE 2005 VOL.154 NO.6 WWW.BRETHREN.ORG (( 1 . publish with the voice ef thanksgiving1 and tell ef all thy wondrous work/ (Psa. 26: 7b KJV). Editor: Walt Wiltschek Associate Editor/News: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford Publisher: Wendy McFadden Subscriptions: Diane Stroyeck Design: The Concept Mill 8 Absurdly happy: Moderator Jim Hardenbrook Ask Jim Hardenbrook, "How are you?" and he'll often reply, "Blessed. I'm blessed." It's not a trite response; he means it. He feels blessed to be a fol­ lower of Christ and a servant of the church, and his passion for that min­ istry shows. MESSENGER visited him at his Idaho home in January to see a slice in the life of this year's moderator. 12 Westward Ho! A preview of Peoria Annual Conference heads to Illinois this summer. So, will it play in Peoria? Find out the origin of this phrase as well as some of the highlights planned for the July 2- 6 Conference as news director Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford pro­ vides an overview of business, worship, and more. ONTHECOVER It's not unusual to see a big smile 14 Brethren and universal­ break out on Jim Hardenbrook's face, as it did during this Faith ism: A forgotten schism? Expedition trip to Sudan in 2002. A MESSENGER book review on a universalism theme a few months ago Even during the hectic schedule of sparked several letters and questions. That's not new; controversy on this an Annual Conference moderator, topic has been with the church for centuries. Historian David B. Eller revis­ Hardenbrook has continued smiling. its a chapter of Brethren history, centered in Illinois, that explains how In the words of Dan West, he truly Brethren ended up going a different route than the Universalists. is "absurdly happy." Cover photo taken by Janis Pyle. 18 Joshua: Book of conquest in Canaan Following the five books of the Pentateuch, the Israelites find themselves DEPARTMENTS on the brink of the Promised Land. It's a bloody period in biblical life, 2 From the Publisher prompting James F. Myer to ask, "How do you reconcile God's desire for 3 In Touch peace with a book in the Bible about military conquest?" 6 Reflections 7 The Buzz 21 News 20 Mission Alive: 'Wow! God is here!' 26 Media Review Former mission worker Jerry Crouse went into this year's Mission Alive 27 Youth Life 2005 conference with some mixed emotions. He emerged grateful to expe­ 28 Letters rience some facets of Jesus Christ at work in the world. A sidebar gives 31 Turning Points 32 Editorial a few highlights of the event and background on how it came together. Messenger June 2005 FROM THE PUBLISHER How to reach us MESSENGER 1451 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120 recently became acquainted with Abe Martin, a cartoon character who Subscriptions: inhabited the hills of Brown County, Ind., during the early 1900s (and dstroyeck [email protected] whoI just celebrated his 100th "birthday"). Over some 25 years, his rustic Phone: 847-742-5100 observations caught the fancy of people across the country. Fax: 847-742-6103 One of my favorites goes something like this: There's nothing Advertising: wrong with people wanting to tell you everything they know, if messengerads [email protected] they'd just stop there. Phone: 800-323 -8039 As the sea of information grows ever more vast, one might Fax: 847-742-1407 think people would be more cautious with advice. But there Editorial: seems to be no shortage of experts ready to tell us what to [email protected] believe, whether it has to do with foreign policy or the brand Phone: 800-323-8039 ext. 263 of lightbulb that will make us look younger. Fax: 847-742-6103 In the midst of this information overload, there are many WENDY McFADDEN voices claiming to speak for God. Ironically, in a world that Subscription rates: Publisher some decry as too secular, the language of faith has become $16.50 individual rate quite popular. That could be a good thing. But popularity and piety should be eyed $13 .50 church group plan $13 .50 gift subscriptions critically if they are too friendly with each other. Moreover, when any of us are tempted to speak definitively for God, perhaps we If you move, clip address label should pause for a moment and allow the Almighty to put us in our place: "Then the and send with new address to Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 'Who is this that darkens counsel by words MESSENGER Subscriptions, at the without knowledge? . .. I will question you, and you shall declare to me. Where above address. Allow at least five were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understand­ weeks for address change. ing'" (Job 38:1 -4) . Connect electronically: I could say more but, heeding Abe Martin, I'll just stop there. For a free subscription to Newsline, the Church of the Brethren e-mail news report, write [email protected]. To view the official Church of the Brethren website, go to www.brethren.org. A free study guide for each issue of MESSENGER is available on the site; go to keyword "MESSENGER" and click on the study guide link. MESSENGER is the official publication of the Church of the Brethren. Entered as periodical postage matter Aug. 20, 1918, under Act of Congress of Oct. I 7, 19 17. Filin g date, Nov. 1, 1~8 4. Member of the Associated Church Press. Sub scrib er to Religion News Service & Ecumenical Press Service. Biblical qu olali ons, unl ess oth erwi se indicated, are fr om the New Revised Standard Version. MES SENGERi s published 11 times a year by Brethren Press, Church of th e Brethren General Boa rd. Peri odic al postage paid at Elgin, Ill., and at additional mailing office, June 2005. Copyright 2005, Church of the Brethren Ge neral Board. ISSN 0026-0355 . Postma ster: Send address changes to MESS ENGE R, 1451 Dundee Ave. , Elgin, IL 60120. Printed on recycled paper (20% post consumer) Messenger June 2005 INTOUCH AROUND THE DENOMINATION Updates and highlights from the Church of the Brethren districts Cou~te of Brethren Historical Library and Archives Atlantic Northeast: A lay ministry forum was held in two parts of the dis­ trict April 30 and May 1. The sessions Polo (Ill.) Church of the Brethren (seen included worship, personal stories, shar­ here in a 1938 photo) is celebrating its ing from district executive Craig Smith, 100th anniversary in grand style. It and networking opportunities. kicked off the festivities on New Year's Eve, with other events continuing Atlantic Southeast: "A Very, Very through the year. The main Short Course on Evangelism" was anniversary weekend will be Sept. 24- offered for six weeks in April and May 25, with Frank Ramirez giving the by Saint Petersburg (Fla.) First Church of keynote message on Sunday morning. the Brethren. Idaho: Martin Gauby has been leading a study of the book "Reclaiming the Great Northern Plains: The district Commission" for pastors in the district board approved a recommenda­ this spring. tion for an early district confer­ ence next year. The 2006 event Southern Pennsylvania: An Annual Illinois/Wisconsin: Kreston Lipscomb, will be held immediately following Conference briefing and delegate work­ pastor of Springfield (Ill.) First Church of Annual Conference in Des Moines. shop is planned for June 12 at Carlisle the Brethren, was one of six religious (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. leaders who took part in the dedication Oregon/Washington: Congregational service for the new Abraham Lincoln Life Teams staff led a series of workshops Southern Plains: Work days were held Presidential Library and Museum in April. titled "Imagine," focusing on revitaliza­ April 29-30 at Spring Lake Retreat and tion of congregations, in Portland, Ore., Camp Center near Cordell, Okla., to get it Michigan: New Life Christian Fellowship, and Wenatchee, Wash., in mid-May. ready for the summer season. in Mount Pleasant, hosted a "Meet the Moderator" night with Annual Conference Pacific Southwest: The 2005 spring Virlina: A re-dedication service for Camp moderator Jim Hardenbrook on May 14 event focused on "Calling, Training, and Bethel was held April 30, celebrating to preview Conference. Equipping Leaders." The day of speakers retirement of the debt on the Trailblazer II and workshops was held in May in land purchase. Annual Conference secre­ Mid-Atlantic: On Earth Peace presented Scottsdale, Ariz., and Sacramento, Calif. tary Fred Swartz was keynote speaker. the program for the spring middle school The day also included wagon rides, guid­ Shenandoah: District executive Jim lock-in held April 29-30 at Frederick (Md.) ed hikes, a gift show, a historical tour, and Miller and associate executive Joan Church of the Brethren. slide show. Daggett were hit by a truck and their car Middle Pennsylvania: The district's thrown across the road on Interstate 81 West Marva: A district Bible study on Congregational Development Team offered as they returned home from a meeting in May 1 focused on "Life's Spiritual a "Congregations Alive '05: To Empower, April. Both came through the accident Decisions"; it was led in small groups Nourish, and Renew Congregations" event with only a few bruises and scrapes. facilitated by Harold Garber. A district on April 16 in Martinsburg, Pa. youth Bible study was held April 23. South/Central Indiana: Pastors and Missouri/Arkansas: The Missouri/ chaplains gathered April 27 at Anderson Western Pennsylvania: District minister Arkansas District conference, billed as a (Ind.) Church of the Brethren for a sup­ Ron Beachley spoke at this year's "district family reunion," will be the first port/sharing gathering hosted by district women's fellowship spring rally at Center in the denomination this year.