WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SPROUTS

 October 16, 2018

A weekly communication for:

WDC Churches and Pastors

WDC Executive Board, Commission, Committee and Task Force members

Any content may be used in bulletins and newsletters and

forwarded to congregational leaders and members.

WDC Sprouts is also available at:  www.mennowdc.org (Publications)

IN THIS ISSUE:

*Proclaiming the gospel, is proclaiming Jesus Christ

*Announcements

Proclaiming the gospel, is proclaiming Jesus Christ

     by Byron Pellecer, Associate Conference Minister (Texas-Based)

In the last few weeks I have been reflecting on Paul’s letter to the Romans. I have been greatly impressed by the experience of Paul’s conversion and commitment to the Great Commission. They are convictions so deep that he is willing to risk everything, even life itself.

None of this was more powerful and valuable to Paul than to believe, live and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why we constantly see him inviting people to enter the kingdom of God, live within the kingdom and share the kingdom of God.

The initiative and consummation of salvation begins and ends with God, human beings are incapable of salvation by themselves. That is why it is necessary to teach, preach and practice that human beings are not at the center of the universe, God is.

The contemporary challenge that we must face is that God should be at the center of our lives individually and communally.

God is not a theory, or a “concept” for table, class or small group discussion, nor is the kingdom a utopia – both are real. It is through Scripture, tradition and experience that humans have been invited to allow God to journey with them so that they might be redeemed.

But it is also true that, to this initiative and invitation of God, there must be a human response. Salvation is not inherited, it is accepted and live out. This human response is called faith, that is, to fully believe in the Grace of God. “But the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17, Habakkuk 2: 4).

Like Paul and early Christians, we too are challenged to believe that holistic salvation is made possible in Jesus Christ. This challenge also includes that is worth to believe and trust Christ’s gospel. It is through this same gospel that we learn that right relationships with God and humanity are possible. Furthermore, it teaches us how.

So, in every practice in the life of the church including growth, revitalization and church planting, one must keep in mind these words … “For no one can lay another foundation than that which is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NLBH) Therefore, to proclaim the gospel is to proclaim Jesus Christ.

—

Proclamar el evangelio, es proclamar a Jesucristo
By Byron Pellecer

En las últimas semanas he estado reflexionando sobre la carta de Pablo a los romanos.

Me he impresionado en gran manera la experiencia de la conversión y compromiso de Pablo con la Gran Comisión. Son convicciones son tan profundas que está dispuesto a arriesgarlo todo, hasta la vida misma.

Nada de esto era más poderoso y valioso para Pablo que creer, vivir y anunciar el evangelio de Jesucristo. Es por eso por lo que le vemos constantemente invitando a la gente a que entre en el reino de Dios, viva dentro del reino y a que compartan el reino de Dios.

La iniciativa y consumación de la salvación empieza y termina con Dios, el humano es incapaz de la salvación por sí mismo. Es por eso por lo que se hace necesario enseñar, predicar y practicar que el ser humano no está en el centro del universo. En cambio, Dios sí está en el centro del universo y el desafío contemporáneo es el que Él debe estar en el centro de nuestras vidas individual y comunitariamente.

Pero también es cierto que, a esta iniciativa e invitación de Dios, deber haber una respuesta humana. La salvación no se hereda, se acepta y se vive. A esta respuesta humana se la llama fe, es decir creer plenamente en la Gracia de Dios. “Más el justo por la fe vivirá” (Romanos 1:17, Habacuc 2:4).

Al igual que el apóstol, nosotros también necesitamos estar convencidos que en el Evangelio de Jesucristo está la salvación integral. Que vale la pena creer y confiar plenamente en el evangelio y que por medio del evangelio se puede tener una relación correcta e integral con Dios y con la humanidad.

Así que en toda práctica en la vida de la iglesia incluyendo crecimiento, revitalización y plantación de nuevas obras, siempre se debe tener en cuenta estas palabras…

“Pues nadie puede poner otro fundamento que el que ya está puesto, el cual es Jesucristo.”

(1 Corintios 3:11 NBLH). Entonces, proclamar el evangelio es proclamar a Jesucristo.

WDC announcements

  1. The next Leadership Lunch will be on Thursday, October 25 from 12-1:30 pm at the WDC office.  The topic is:  “Speak from the Heart (Intervene Skillfully)”.  All are welcome to attend this conversation on Kansas Leadership Center concepts, even if you haven’t attended a KLC training.  Bring your own lunch.  (To join this meeting by Zoom video conference: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/278585015, Or iPhone one-tap:  US: +16699006833, 278585015#  or +16468769923, 278585015#, Or Telephone:  Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 646 876 9923, Meeting ID: 278 585 015)
  1. Tell your Jesus story of how God’s saving love transforms you, your church, your community, and the world around us at the “Telling the Jesus Story” testimony event, Year of Evangelism.  Join us October 26-27 at Iglesia Luz del Evangelio, Dallas, TX, or ride the van with others, leaving from North Newton, KS.  Register at:  https://mennowdc.org/year-of-evangelism/
  1. 10 weeks until Christmas!  10 weeks to prepare your children’s Christmas program, Christmas Eve service, and your heart to celebrate the coming of Christ.  Stop by (or contact) the Resource Library for great books, DVDs, studies, scripts, and more to help you prepare this year.   crlib@mennowdc.orgor 316-283-6300
  2. The WDC Israel-Palestine Task Force encourages you to get to know your Jewish neighbors as our MC USA delegate resolution, “Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine” invites us to do.  If you live near Wichita, KS, you have an opportunity to take a fun first step by attending Congregation Emmanu-El’s Deli Day.  Enjoy some New York-style Jewish cuisine, take a tour of the synagogue, and maybe make a new friend.  November 11, 11 am-5 pm (dine-in 11 am-2 pm), 7011 E Central, Wichita, KS.  Questions?  Call 316-684-5148.
  1. CHICKEN BBQ at Tabor Church, Newton KS, Thurs., Nov. 1, 5-7 pm.  Serving the BEST BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans, Slaw & Ice Cream in Marion County.  Donations go to Mennonite Men Join Hands Program & Tabor Building Project. GPS address:  891 Chisholm Trail, Newton.  You will NOT be disappointed with the GOOD food & fellowship.
  1. Enjoy BBQ & Bluegrass at the First Mennonite of Halstead’s Annual Hog Roast on Sunday, October 21, at the Gazebo in the Scout Park in Halstead (3rd & Locust St).  Bring lawn chairs for the come and go event featuring music by “Kilometer 81” (the Ken & Amy Regier Family) and a pulled pork dinner.  Proceeds will support New Hope Shelter in Newton and ongoing relief efforts at Academia Menonita Betania in Puerto Rico which serves children kindergarten through 10th grade and was severely damaged by hurricanes in 2017.  In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the church directly south of the park at 427 W 4th.
  1. Faith Mennonite Church, Newton, KS, has 150-200 metal chairs they are getting rid of, if you are interested, contact Mike Schmidt at (316) 648-2570 for more details.

Camp Mennoscah announcements

  1. We can fill your empty hours!  Camp Mennoscah would be happy to share projects with you, if the recent rain is keeping you from work you would otherwise be doing.  Give us a call at 620-297-3290 or email olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org!  No hour will be lost and no project forgotten!
  1. Limited time before the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats, October 26-28 and November 2-4 are here!  Register online at www.campmennoscah.orgor call us at 620-297-3290.  It’s a relaxing and fun-filled time to spend time with other croppers and crafters, as well as spend some time in God’s creation!
  1. Christmas Gathering for all Camp Mennoscah volunteers!  Put it on your calendar, wonderful counselors and program directors and cooks and nurses and staffers!  We’re gathering on December 15 at 2:30pm for conversation, cookies, games and great fun.  Families invited to join.
  1. Ever wanted to be a Camp Mennoscah host?  Now’s your chance!  We’re looking for people to help host weekends.  This could mean helping with dishes, starting the campfire, making popcorn, or any number of other delightful things we do when groups are at camp.  Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.orgor call 620-297-3290.  We’d love to help you attain your dream of hosting!

Mennonite church announcements

  1. MC USA’s annual Mennonite Heritage Sunday takes place Sunday, October 28.  Worship resources created by Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition members are available at mennoniteusa.org/heritage2018.
  1. Bethel College, North Newton, KS, seeks to hire a Development Officer to lead the strategic execution and management of a comprehensive annual giving program.   For more information about the opening, please visit https://www.bethelks.edu/about/who-we-are/career-opportunities/current-position-openings#development-officer or contact Megan Kershner at mkershner@bethelks.edu.
  1. Resilience: Nepal – Join MCC on an epic trekking journey through Nepal, April 1-19 of 2019. Participants will spend twelve days hiking through Nepal to see how MCC partner organization Shanti Nepal is working with community strengths at the grassroots level to address vulnerabilities to natural disasters and visit KOSHISH to see how they’re supporting mental health and rehabilitation for those living with severe trauma and psychosocial distress. MCC is seeking college students, trauma studies researchers and practitioners, mental health professionals, engineers and ANYONE who enjoys hiking and is interested in learning more about what resilience looks like in the context of MCC in Nepal! Contact jordanpenner@mcc.organd check mcc.org/nepal-learning-tour for more information.
  1. A Loaded Conversation an invitation to talk about guns: Guns are part of our lives, whether or not we own or use them. With encouragement and input from pastors and others in the church, MCC U.S. has created this resource to help congregations stay at the table to address the topic of guns. This print resource includes a conversation guide, ways to engage, Bible studies and worship resources. Download the resource and find more ways to engage on the topic at mcc.org/loaded-conversations.
  1. The Trail of Death:  A Pilgrimage of Remembrance, Lament and Transformation:  June 3-13, 2019.  Participants in this nine-day pilgrimage will trace the route of the US military’s 1838 forced removal of Potawatomi people from their ancestral homeland in northern Indiana to present-day Osawatomie, Kansas.  This AMBS can be taken for credit or Audit.  ambs.edu/trailofdeath
  1. Invite AMBS Professor David B. Miller, D.Min., of the AMBS Church Leadership Center, to your congregation or organization to preach or teach on topics such as the missional church, Christian leadership, holistic witness, healthy boundaries and more.  One-on-one pastoral consultations are also available.  ambs.edu/workshops
  1. The first MennoCon19 newsletter is out now with lots of great details about what to expect at the MC USA convention in Kansas City, Missouri.  Read it at mennoniteusa.org/ConventionLetter1.

WDC Sprouts announcement guidelines:  Announcements pertain to Western District Conference (WDC) ministries and churches, institutions with which WDC has formal relationships, and Mennonite Church USA agencies and ministries.  

Western District Conference

2517 North Main, PO Box 306

North Newton KS  67117

316-283-6300; FAX:  316-283-0620

Email:  wdc@mennowdc.org

Website:  www.mennowdc.org