4 EDITORIAL Disturbing but not surprising


If you follow the research of the Bar- na Group, you are probably aware of the findings of Six Megathemes Emerge re- leased in December from Barna Group Research in 2010. The megathemes are briefly described as follows: 1. The Christian church is becoming less theologically literate. Some of us will probably remember a time when one’s Christian belief was identified by a particular doctrine alongside some ad- herence to a denomination or some other grouping of believers. In Barna’s words, “What used to be basic, universally- known truths about Christianity are now unknown mysteries to a large and grow- ing share of Americans — especially young adults.” The theological free-for- all that fills airtime and arenas has not done the Christian church any favors. 2. Christians are becoming more in- grown and less outreach-oriented. Christians tend to let the culture deter- mine their world view. In a society that is increasingly self-indulgent, preaching a Gospel of self-sacrifice and submis- sion comes off as unattractive. 3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life. Pop religion focuses on how well I’m doing with little regard of how anyone else is doing. A religion that


promises personal achievement,


comfort, material wealth, and health- for-a-lifetime sells well but is far from the “take no coat” instructions of Jesus. 4. Among Christians, interest in par- ticipating in community action is es- calating.


According to Barna, this is largely driv- en by the passion and energy of young adults. Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the past. Despite this admirable increased em- phasis, engagement tends to wane when a spiritual connection is made to com- munity service. 5. The post modern insistence on tol- erance is winning over the Christian church.


This assertion will make some Chris- tians nervous. We have come to con- sider tolerance important so as not to offend those who may not believe as we do, and Barna agrees that “there is a delicate balance between represent- ing truth and acting in love.” We are not likely prepared to be tolerant of the KKK or offensive practices in the name of our Lord. There are no particular surprises in the list of six megathemes. And, likely, we can all make reliable lists of reasons. Some say this is the age of the meta- phor. Two might apply in this situa- tion: (1) too often we have been farmers ploughing with our eyes off the sight- ing poles and our furrows are crooked. (Mike Bealla’s article


beginning on


Page One and the poster for this issue will help you understand.) and (2) we have too often been tightrope walkers across the Niagara with our eyes on the rushing water below and we’ve lost our balance. The “rethink” has begun and God is with us in 2011.


JW THE JOURNEY The hard work of visioning continues REV. MIKE


BEALLA Director of Connectional Ministries


How does it go? “If I had a dime for every time I was asked how it feels to have finished the work of birthing the new conference, I’d be a rich director of connectional ministries!” While I feel very rich in many ways, it isn’t because I have received a lot of dimes, nor is it because our work as a new annual conference is finished. In- deed, if we truly understand the journey we are on, we should never assume our work is finished. To do so will be to take a God- given “unfrozen moment” and re- vert back to a time of institutional comfort when structure was more important than vision. The Vision Team Report ad- opted during our June 12, 2010, session in Williamsport clearly explained that following the adop- tion of the report we would be living in a time of transition (we referred to it as wilderness time) at least until the end of the current quadrennium in June 2012. (Note: For those who are not versed in our institutional jargon, a “qua- drennium” is a four year period of time during which our denomina- tion focuses on specific emphases and resources to help us in our dis- ciple-making, world-transforming ministries. These blocks of time provide for goals to be set, fruits to be measured, and effectiveness to be evaluated.) The Vision Team referred to this transitional time as Phase One in its report. During


Phase One, leaders


would continue the process of dis- cerning God’s will for the confer- ence which connects us together


for mission and ministry. To this end, the Annual Conference af- firmed the bishops’ appointment of a team of leaders to continue the work of the former Vision Team. The Visioning Leadership Team has been so appointed. It will help guide our work as we live into the vision as a conference of “people alive in mission and ministry as God leads us on a Christ-centered journey of faith,” whose mission is to resource our local churches in their mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transforma- tion of the world.”


Team members include: Rev. Dr. Tim Baer, Jeffrey Barnes, Rev. Mike Bealla, Rev. Arlene Beechert, Rev. Marcelle Dotson, Ray Hamill, Ginger Herbst, Rev. Beth Jones, Rev. Nick Keeney, John Konieczny, Rev. Matt Lake, Jon Seltenheim, Rev. Jim Van Zandt, Rev. Mark Webb, Jerry Wolgemuth, and Bishop Jane Al- len Middleton.


The Visioning Leadership Team will give regular oversight to the “big picture.” They will act as “keepers of the vision” and will help discern the vision for the next quadrennium. They will also serve as caretakers of the alignment of resources, both material and hu- man, ensuring we, as a conference, stay focused on our mission and vision. Finally, they will assess the effectiveness of our ministry plan as it relates to desired outcomes. Questions currently before the team include big picture questions such as:


E-mail your letters to the Editor at link@susumc.org STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 11


JERRY


WOLGEMUTH Director of


Communications BISHOP JANE ALLEN


MIDDLETON Susquehanna Conference


Susquehanna LINK - January/February 2011


CALLED TO GOD’S FRONTIERS Called to be peace makers


After the angel announced the


birth of the Savior Jesus Christ to the shepherds, we read in Luke 2 according to The Message transla- tion, “At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.”


That proclamation from the heavenly host which transformed the darkness of that night


into


bright light was a message of peace to all men and women on earth who please God. What does it mean to receive this message of peace today? What does it mean to please God? What does it mean to be peace makers?


In Isaiah 11 we read of the prophet’s description of a world in which “the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Serving as your bishop, I note churches who have not received a single new member in many years; I learn about squabbling folks in some of our churches; I encounter discouraged and disheartened pas- tors; and I recognize that too often these situations are the result of the failure of folks to live as peace makers.


The sweet spirit of God does not


dwell in those places. There is no spirit of generosity in those places. A selfless commitment to serving others is absent in those places. The little child, born that day long ago in humble surroundings does indeed lead us into a gentler way of living. In so far as we allow that holy child, the Christ, to live within us, we can become peace makers.


Thanks be to God, I also en- counter other congregations in whom Christ dwells. These are churches which do not count the cost of generosity but give joyful- ly and abundantly to others. These are churches where the spirit of love is palpable when one is in the presence of its members. These congregations are constantly en- gaged in praise, prayer, and study in order to become more deeply committed disciples of Christ. The Council of Bishops has is- sued a call to the whole church for a renewed commitment to truly be the beloved community of Christ. (See page 1.) The council has de- clared its desire to deal more hon- estly with the issues of racism and the need to honor the sacredness of every human being, to speak the truth in love in public and private discourse, to act with compassion, and to work for peace and justice in the world.


In our families, in our church- es, in our communities, and even across the earth, we are invited by the huge angelic choir to speak and to live words of peace. As ani- mosities increase, as the rhetoric and personal attack increases in the public sector and in the media, as we watch our young men and women put themselves in harm’s way, surely we long for that day when the wolf will live with the lamb and a little child will lead them.


With God’s help we can an- swer the call to be peace makers, knowing that it must begin in our own hearts. We can allow the little child to usher in the joy and peace not only in the Christmas season, but in all seasons.


COMMENTARY A letter from Martin Van Buren


When Martin Van Buren was governor of New York he wrote this urgent plea to President An- drew Jackson in the 1820s. It might strike a chord with folks in Penns Woods.


The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as “railroads.” The federal gov- ernment must preserve the canals for the following rea- sons:


1. If the canal boats are supplanted by railroads seri- ous unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hos- telers, repairmen, and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farm- ers now employed in growing hay for the horses.


2. Boat builders would suf- fer and decline, whip and harness makers would be left destitute.


3. Canal boats are abso- lutely essential to the defense


of the United States. In the event of unexpected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means for which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.


As you know, Mr. Presi- dent, railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of fifteen miles per hour by engines which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their


way throughout the


countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring livestock and frightening women and chil- dren. The Almighty certainly never


intended that people


should travel at such break- neck speed. I’m quite certain I’m not re- ally ready for the changes that are coming my way in the new year; but I’m equally certain that I’m not willing to sit here in my metaphorical canal boat while the metaphorical trains pass me by. Glad we could get together.


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