When economic fortunes change, so should attitudes

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” —Opening line from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, 1859.

We’ve heard from churches that are wondering how to pay staff and service debt in light of rising unemployment, declining investment portfolios and decreased generosity. We’ve had conversations with pastors who want to refinance their home loan and find their personal residence being valued at 30 percent of what it was a year ago. Then there is the donor in his 70’s who frankly stated that he “was born in the depression and now will finish his life during the depression.” Truly, to many of us, these seem like “the worst of times.”

I was reminded recently of a fascinating passage in Matt. 8:23-27. My Bible identifies this section with the title, “Jesus Calms the Storm.” But let’s remember that before Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples were shaken to the very core and honestly thought they were going to drown. It was a furious storm and the waves swept over the boat. The disciples woke Jesus saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” It was “the worst of times”…until Jesus “got up and rebuked the winds and the waves.” Then it became the “best of times” as the disciples marveled at the Lord’s power and the display of his provision.

What would it take for these to become “the best of times”? A rise in the stock market of 40 percent? Real estate or commodities shooting up 30 percent? A recent job loss, restored? To be the benefactor of some extravagant generosity this Christmas? All of these things are out of our control. What would be within our control?

I submit that what is needed is a change of perspective. The worst of times can become the best of times as we change the lens through which we view these times. As in the story of Jesus calming the storm, the disciples received a new perspective. Why didn’t they realize from the beginning that they had no reason to fear, that the God of the universe was riding in their boat?

The apostle Paul recognizes this same challenge when he writes his young assistant in 1 Tim. 6:17-19 and gives him a blueprint for financial discipleship. He says to “command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain.” Does anyone need to be convinced of this point today? I don’t think so.

Now comes the new perspective. Paul goes on to say they should “put their hope in God.” This perspective will make the worst of times “the best of times.” The church needs to rise up and agree that we have too often been arrogant about what we have, that we have placed our hope in wealth rather than in God. This 180-degree shift will turn these worst of times into the best of times. Rather than being focused on the temporal and stirred up by the present circumstances, we need to lay up treasure for ourselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that we may take hold of the life that is truly life.

During this Christmas season and in the midst of these difficult economic times, may our hearts, minds, emotions and pocketbooks reflect a perspective on the eternal, being confident in the God of the universe, who is trustworthy and good. I close with the words from one of my favorite worship songs: “and when the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be his glorious name.”

How should MBBS respond to anonymous attacks?

MB Biblical Seminary faces a dilemma. A variety of blogs have recently popped up on the Internet critical of many evangelical seminaries, with a few choosing to focus specifically on MBBS. A blog, like a newspaper column, offers an opinion. Unlike a newspaper column, a blog can be anonymous. The blogs that are attacking MBBS and Mennonite Brethren conference leaders have no names attached. The blogs give the appearance of being placed by people who have taken classes at MBBS-Fresno, though this is uncertain.

How should a Christian institution confront such mischief? As indicated above, MBBS is not alone in facing this question. At the Willow Creek Leadership Summit in August 2008 Bill Hybels made repeated reference to the pain at Willow Creek, the congregation he pastors, over blog attacks. MBBS too has puzzled over the right response.

Our first response was to chuckle in amusement. The bloggers are clever but harmless, we thought. Then we learned that someone had sent the bloggers’ URL address to many U.S. MB pastors—just ahead of the July national convention. When asked about the blogs, we tried to answer questions directly. Despite these bloggers’ claims to the contrary, we are committed to the MB Confession of Faith and seek to teach the Bible faithfully. Questions continue to swirl.

We’ve hesitated to give the bloggers the satisfaction of a direct response. We wonder: Does a response dignify their methods? Does a response create the impression that there might be some credence to their charges? And what about those who know nothing about the blogs? Will a response now create doubts about the reliability of MBBS? Will the old adage that “where there is smoke, there must be fire” be used to create suspicion about MBBS?

How do you deal with anonymous attacks on your character or against your friend? I appreciate the e-mail I got from an old friend yesterday with the subject line, “Praying for you.” He says in part, “My heart has been praying for you a lot this morning. Yesterday (someone) raised concern over MBBS that stems from the blog that has been circulating. Blogs are often . . . the passion of someone who has not checked carefully the information he is using to draw his conclusions. I am committed to doing my best to influence (them) to respond biblically. You have been a friend for a long time. I will protect that relationship. MBBS is my school and I will do my best to stop the slander that wants to take root.”

The Internet is a tool that can be used for good or ill. While online communities can provide personal support, e-mail can also be a tool for evil. It can be tempting to forward a message without checking its validity. The Bible warns against false accusers. Ghost bloggers are part of a shadow community that may fan the fires of gossip.

For us at MBBS, the bottom line is that anonymous blogging fails to measure up to the biblical injunction to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). The blogger controls the blog space. Attempts to enter a reasoned conversation can be met with contempt and false charges. Christian communication works in the light. Christ-like dialogue is candid but respectful.

Our aim at MBBS is to help pastors prepare for the contemporary world. We do this by helping them anticipate some of the tough questions they may face. Pastors need to be able to help other believers respond appropriately to the divisive issues that are raised in the “marketplace of ideas.” At MBBS we think this means being aware of the various points of view—not just presenting “right answers” that will stop debates.

MBBS welcomes open discussion about the controversies of our time. We have invited the U.S. and Canadian Conference Boards of Faith and Life to converse with us—even examine us. We would be pleased to have direct interaction with you, our supporters, to discuss any questions. An article addressing the theological issues raised by our critics is posted online.

I’ve shared openly with you about our dilemma. I welcome any opportunity to speak personally with you about these issues. We may not agree about every biblical interpretation, but as believers seeking to be faithful to the Bible and its interpretation in the MB Confession of Faith, we will be able to grow through meaningful and direct communication. I welcome your calls, e-mails and visits. Above all, I ask you to pray for MB Biblical Seminary. Please ask God that we will continue to be faithful to our mission of inspiring and equipping men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and to serve and lead in the church and in the world.

Introduction

Connie Faber, Christian Leader editor, and Laura Kalmar, MB Herald editor

In early September Valerie Rempel, MBBS associate academic dean, addressed the seminary student body and spoke candidly about the situation and the questions and emotions that we encounter when a trusted leader admits to a moral failure. Her comments, while directed at one specific situation, also speak to the broader questions, and so we asked her to adapt her address for publication.

 We also solicited comments on this specific situation from Jack Falk, chair of the MBBS board of directors, and our national conference executive directors Ed Boschman and David Wiebe. With regard to the details of Holm’s resignation, we affirm the seminary’s efforts to balance the privacy of those involved with a desire to be open about the underlying reasons for the abrupt resignation. We find it helpful to know that Holm contacted the board of directors himself and confessed the affair, which did not involve a past or current student, to the faculty and staff. 

Commentary

By Valerie Rempel

The news that a trusted leader has disappointed us through personal or moral failure grieves us. We hurt when we learn of disintegrating marriages, of sexual sin or even criminal activity. Often, that grief plays out in multiple forms—shock, sorrow, outrage, disappointment and fear. We find ourselves asking questions: How could this happen? Why didn’t someone stop it? What should we do about it? What if it happens to me? The questions reflect our curiosity but also our anxiety. If someone we view as spiritually mature fails, who of us is safe?

 It is only by God’s grace and mercy that any of us stand, and all Christians should seek to guard themselves from the deceptive power of sin. It is good for us to renew commitments to our spouses and to ourselves, to determine—with God’s grace and help—to live uprightly.

Our anger or fear may also stem from discomfort with the public acknowledgement of failure and uncertainty about how to treat the parties involved. Our inclination may be to keep scandal from staining the church’s witness. In these instances, several issues must guide the Christian community.

First, while it may be true that someone’s moral failure harms the church’s witness, keeping it secret only adds to what has already been deceptive behavior. Pretending that Christians do not face the same temptations or fall into the same kinds of sin that all human beings face is not honest and denies the biblical witness to human failure. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that sin is deceptive by nature. When the church refuses to keep sin hidden it witnesses to the importance of Christian integrity and truth-telling.

Second, in some instances, especially those involving young people or financial misdealings, the offense may be punishable by law. If the offense involves predatory behavior, keeping it secret may increase the likelihood of additional victims. In these cases, the biblical charge to care for the vulnerable must outweigh our desire to handle things privately.

Third, in deciding whether or not to make such information public, it is important to remember that the Bible holds leaders to a high standard (see, for example, James 3:1, or I Timothy 3). This is not because they are super-Christians but because they are charged with the spiritual care of people. This is not to be taken lightly. Because of the public nature of their roles as leaders in the church, their actions have consequences beyond the immediate circle of those who may have been involved in the situation.

When information is made public the intent should not be to hurt or shame people but to liberate the community from the bondage of secrecy. This does not mean that all the details of the situation, the “who did what and where?” that arises from natural curiosity, must be satisfied. Too much information can be burdensome and often serves no useful purpose. Remember that the Bible views gossip as sin, too.

Christian charity should also guide our behavior when deciding whether to release the names of victims or others who may have been intimately involved in the situation.

Of course, not all sin needs to be widely published, either for Christian leaders or others. Still, where sin is present, it is good to remember that the practice of confession—to a confessor or a trusted circle of Christian brothers or sisters—is a Christian discipline of long standing. It is a practice that can free people from the burden of sin, end the deceit and speed the healing work of forgiveness.

The Bible teaches us that our choices have consequences. In the case of Christian leaders the consequences may include release from public ministry. This does not necessarily invalidate their spiritual gifts or the effectiveness of past (or even present) ministries; it does, however, take seriously the effects of sin and especially the loss of trust.

The decision to release someone from a ministry role is a pastoral response to a personal or spiritual crisis. It recognizes the needs of both the leader and the community. Experience suggests that it is difficult to effectively lead when in the midst of personal crisis. This is only compounded when trust has been broken.

It is certainly true that God forgives sin and invites us to be reconciled both with God and each other. In some instances, this may allow for restoration to public ministry at a future date. God often uses wounded healers in very effective ways. Still, restoration to public ministry should be undertaken cautiously and with much discernment. It may not be possible or wise to fully reestablish the trust needed for effective leadership.

Finally, it is important to remember that in all instances of failure the church should seek to be a place of healing and reconciliation.

Additional comments

Jack Falk, MB Biblical Seminary board chair

President Jim Holm’s resignation in August 2008 was especially difficult for the seminary because of the key level of trust placed in him. Dr. Holm informed the board of his extra marital relationship and offered his resignation. The Board acted quickly and appropriately in accepting that resignation. Jim’s actions do not invalidate the message he had, and the seminary continues to have, regarding the need to prepare pastors to serve the church. MBBS was and is a great Mennonite Brethren graduate school providing theological education and training.

We are very fortunate to have an academic dean in Dr. Lynn Jost who is capable and willing to immediately take over as acting president. We have begun the process of filling this role on a regular basis.

The Board together with the administration led by Dr. Jost has moved quickly to address a number of our priorities which include: hosting a summit of North American Mennonite Brethren leaders, preparing for an accreditation visit, preparation of a major funding grant application, planning for the changing delivery and leadership needs of the church and searching for a new president.

I am pleased to report that amidst the normal challenges, the seminary continues to fulfill its mission to inspire and equip men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and to serve and lead in the church and in the world. The board and I have received much support through these leadership changes. I especially value the tremendous support from the two national conference owner representatives David Wiebe and Ed Boschman.

Our board, acting president and faculty remain passionate about our mission and convinced of our ability to deliver on it. Students continue to grow as they are equipped to serve the church, and our faculty is working diligently to give them the theological education and leadership training they want and deserve. We value and need your prayers, your commitment to seminary education and your financial resources to do so.

Ed Boschman, U.S. Conference executive director

Current research indicates that 60 percent of marriages experience adultery, and that up to 40 percent of women and 60 percent of men succumb to infidelity. Astoundingly, in recent decades studies indicate that Christians are just as likely to experience failed marriage as non-Christians.

One wonders if the common responses are adequate: “It happens to the best of us” or “There but for the grace of God go I.” Perhaps it’s time to look each other in the eye and say, “There by God’s grace I will not go.” And to say this with the humble but realistic confidence that is available to us from the One who provides strength to do all things.

Cockiness is not appropriate but neither is casualness. However, humble resolve will honor God, our marriages and the church. While temptation is unavoidable, God promises the necessary strength to escape. For the sake of Jesus, his church and our families, let’s practice humility, offer grace and choose confidence.

David Wiebe, Canadian Conference executive director

 

The resignation of our brother Jim Holm has been a challenge to all of us in leadership in the Canadian Conference. We're sorrowful that his ministry concluded as it id. We're also grateful for the many times he challenged us through pastors' retreats and church ministry. God's Word and truth will still bear fruit. We support Jim and Shirley in prayer as they work through this. We also support the seminary as it regroups. We have full confidence that MB Biblical Seminary will continue to provide quality, spirit-filled ministry training at MBBS ACTS in British COlombia, MBBS-Winnipeg in Manitoba and Fresno, Calif.

Through Regenerate 21-01’s leadership development programs, we’ll continue to partner with the seminary in a complementary way. It’s our hope to see young adults heed the call to pastoral ministry and eventually be ready to serve in our churches. The seminary will be part of that path.— Regenerate 21-01 is a $4 million initiative in the areas of church health, leadership development and out reach that the Canadian Conference approved this summer at its biennial convention.