wdc-admin, Author at Western District Conference

Cultivating Generous Congregations

What were your early childhood experiences with money? What church experiences and life events have influenced your money attitudes and behavior? These questions are included in a “Money Autobiography” exercise […]

WDC Church Planting Commission Announcement

To support implementation of its new strategic plan, the WDC Church Planting Commission is engaging Nita Nikkel to provide auxiliary church planting support in the coming year. She will assist WDC staff in […]

Preparing our Easter Hope

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you. –1 Peter 3:15 As we move through Lent […]

Lawrence Hart – Obituary Link

Lawrence Hart, Mennonite minister and Cheyenne Peace Chief, died March 6 in Clinton, OK, where he had served previously as pastor of the Koinonia Indian Mennonite Church, a congregation of Western […]

Where Are All the Pastors? Grow Some!

My last article “Why Are There So Few Pastors Out There?” inspired conversation and challenge. One reader suggested that part of the solution to “finding more pastors” is to invite […]

Lament and Love in the Face of War

On February 24, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine. That same morning my devotional reading included Jesus’ words in Luke 6: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the […]

Response to Crisis in Ukraine

As the crisis in Ukraine deepens following the invasion by Russian military forces on February 24, I invite you to join Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) and Mennonite World Conference in offering prayer […]

WDC Church Planting Commission Announces a New Strategic Plan

Church planting. Revitalizing congregations. Fostering relationships with emerging Anabaptist/Mennonite groups. These are the priorities and vision giving shape to the new strategic plan created by the WDC Church Planting Commission. […]

Book Bundles for Group Study and More!

Have you seen the books Herald Press has been publishing recently? They are thinking about and engaging writers who are addressing some of today’s difficult topics–racism, immigration, the opioid crisis, peacemaking, […]

Atrevernos a Conectar con Otros…

Me gusta pensar que si la biblia esta llena de historias de gente y su relación con Dios, es porque al conocer estas historias conectamos con lo que pasa en […]

Photo credit: Nycholas Benaia on Unsplash

Why Are There So Few Ministers Out There?

Search Committees, and frankly, church members not on Search Committees, keep asking me this question: Why are there so few ministers out there looking for a congregation? If you are […]

WDC Staff Announcement

Staff Announcement: Western District Conference announces that Violeta Ajquejay Suastegui will begin February 1 as a part-time Administrative Assistant for WDC, transitioning from the Interim Administrative Assistant role in which she served last […]

Replanting in Nebraska—Becoming Summit Street Church

In replanting our church, one of the hardest parts is trying to not just tell our story to others, but to invite others into the story with us. I’m fortunate […]

God’s Love

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” —John 3:16 I […]

Replanting in Nebraska—Becoming Summit Street Church

In replanting our church, one of the hardest parts is trying to not just tell our story to others, but to invite others into the story with us. I’m fortunate […]

“The Shepherd’s Wish List”

“The Shepherd’s Wish List” –Sarah Klassen, Voices Together Hymnal #871 Barely midnight. All of us hunkered downaround ashes of a fire. The animalsasleep. Our companions: hunger, nagging doubt.Our wants are […]

Rejoice–He’s Coming, Coming for Everyone

A few years ago I ran across “A Waiting Carol” with lyrics by Carol Greene. It’s an Advent song to the tune of “Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel.” My family […]

Resources for Leading Youth in Lament

High/Low check-ina. Ask for highs, lowsb. Then add a simple questioni. What is one thing you’re missing?ii. What is one thing you’re grieving? Make a mini Wailing Walla. Make a […]

Reading the Story of Jesus’ Birth Again for the First Time

Most of us have grown up reading and hearing the story (or stories) of Jesus’ birth. There’s nothing new about it. Right before the pandemic, I heard someone talk about […]

Season of Thanksgiving

In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to say thank you to all who are a part of WDC: staff, pastors, congregations, commission/committee/task force members, volunteers, donors, and others who […]