Bluffton University graduates from Illinois Mennonite Conference – Jena O’Brien

BLUFFTON, Ohio— The achievements of more than 230 undergraduate and graduate students were celebrated on Sunday, May 7, 2017, during the 117th Commencement ceremony at Bluffton University.

Undergraduates from Illinois conference include:

Chad Gundy from Flanagan, Ill., earned bachelor’s degrees in math and information technology with a minor in computer science. Chad received the Distinguished Scholar Award for information technology and for mathematics. He was a member of the 2016-17 Pi Delta Society. Chad is a member of Prairieview Mennonite Church.
Rachel Schoener of Flanagan, Ill., earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. Rachel received the Distinguished Scholar Award for social work. She is also a part of the honors program and a member of the 2016-17 Pi Delta Society. Rachel is a member of Prairieview Mennonite Church.

Bluffton University is a liberal arts, residential campus with more than 80 undergraduate majors, minors and programs; and adult degree-completion programs in accounting, organizational management and RN to BSN. Bluffton also has MBA programs and offers master’s degrees in organizational management and education.

Founded in 1899 and affiliated with Mennonite Church USA, the university is located in Northwest Ohio. It has an enrollment of around 1,000 students and 16 NCAA Division III athletic teams.
Bluffton’s 100-year legacy is expressed today in its enduring values of discovery, community, respect and service that are woven into the academic program and campus life. Bluffton students go into the world prepared for life as well as for their chosen vocations.

2017 Women’s Retreat at Menno Haven Camp & Retreat Center

Close to 50 women from across Illinois gathered at Menno Haven on May 5-7 for the 2nd annual Women’s Retreat, sponsored by Illinois Mennonite conference and Illinois Mennonite Women.

Surrounded by the springtime beauty of God’s creation, Asia Frye from Hillsboro, Kansas, spoke on the topic  “Made in the Image of God”. Three sessions, entitled Explore, Embrace, and Encourage, focused on the attributes of God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ. Asia encouraged the group to look for similarities between the Trinity and humanity in general, and then to women, specifically.

Small groups discussed their ideas together, and Asia offered further clarification and reflection. Janice Yoder, with others from First Mennonite Church in Morton, led the worship team, along with Kim Litwiller, from East Peoria Mennonite Church.

Women were offered a variety of activities in which to participate between sessions, such as knotting a comforter, taking a prayer walk, relaxing, and coloring. Asia finished her input on Saturday afternoon, but women were able to remain through Sunday morning to enjoy some additional time for relaxation and fellowship.

Retreat…it does a soul good!

Flower from the woods at Camp Friedenswald

On Monday, May 8, I (Michael) gathered with the conference ministers from Indiana-Michigan, Central District, and Ohio Mennonite Conferences for a time of retreat. We spent time dwelling in Word, walking silently in nature, eating together, sharing about our work, praying together and observing communion together.

This is an important time for me. When I was starting as CEM, I learned to know and trust conference ministers from neighboring conferences.  Leading well in the midst of shifting realities within MC USA and IMC today takes discernment. I am always refreshed and encouraged by my colleagues in ministry. I leave these times with hope and trust that God is indeed at work in and through God’s church.

Please keep our conferences – and all MC USA conferences and conference ministers – in your prayers.

AND, most importantly, make sure you set aside time to retreat. A week, a day, or just a few hours of intentionally entering into silence, prayer, discernment, and listening will do your soul good.

Training Healthy Pastors

Illinois Mennonite Conference is committed to supporting and equipping healthy pastors for local Anabaptist/Mennonite Congregations. Part of that support and equipping is helping pastors maintain healthy boundaries as they navigate the maze of relationships within a ministry. On May 10 and 11, pastor Kristin Jackson (Living Water Community Church) and CEM Michael Danner (IMC), are attending training in Kansas City, MO for this task.

This training is led by FaithTrust Institute, in conjunction with MC USA. FaithTrust Institute leads the way in helping churches create safe spaces for all persons in the church. This two-day training will equip Kristin and Michael to lead the Healthy Boundaries 101 and 201 events for IMC pastors.  In January 2017, the IMC Church Life Team adopted a policy that makes this Healthy Boundary training a requirement for all credentialed leaders within IMC.

This two-day training will equip Kristin and Michael to lead the Healthy Boundaries 101 and 201 events for IMC pastors.  In January 2017, the IMC Church Life Team adopted a policy that makes this Healthy Boundary training a requirement for all credentialed leaders within IMC. By training Kristin and Michael, we will be able to provide this training regularly and in a cost-effective way within the conference.

The next Healthy Boundaries training will be October 14, 2017, at First Mennonite Church of Champaign-Urbana. This training is free for all IMC credentialed leaders. Others are welcome to attend for the cost of course materials and lunch. (around $25).

Please email the conference office with questions, or to sign up for this event.

Transforming Church Conflict

Conflict is a normal part of life, even in the church. This can help church members realize there is no need for surprise or shame when it happens in their church. The important thing is how conflict is handled. The Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches workshop teaches basic skills that will help participants handle church conflict in a healthy way.

Conference Executive Minister, Michael Danner, says, “I recommend this training for all pastors, church leaders, and church members. Church conflict is a matter of when not if. Be prepared to engage in conflict in a healthy way.”

Full details are in the IMC events section below.

Click here for full brochure

“The habits we groove…”

Today on Seth’s blog, he made a point that is useful for congregations.  He wrote:

Who are we seeking to become?

We get what we invest in. The time we spend comes back, with interest.

If you practice five minutes of new, difficult banjo music every day, you’ll become a better banjo player. If you spend a little bit more time each day whining or feeling ashamed, that behavior will become part of you. The words you type, the people you hang with, the media you consume…

The difference between who you are now and who you were five years ago is largely due to how you’ve spent your time along the way.

The habits we groove become who we are, one minute at a time. A small thing, repeated, is not a small thing.

[And the same thing is true for brands, organizations and movements.]

If you look at your congregation and scratch your head, asking “How did we get here?” There is an answer. The answer is found in how you have spent your time back there. It’s pretty predictable, really.

It’s predictable, really. Jesus said that we reap what we sow. But it’s not just the big things, it’s the myriad little things over time.

What habits are you grooving as a congregation? How did you spend your time over the last five years to get you to the point you are today? What new grooves do you need to create today to get where you want to be five years from now?

If you’re curious about creating missional grooves, check out this approach from Michael Frost.

Click here to see Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People