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2009-02-17 issue:

What do the church and schools want?

Greg Boyd tells Mennonite leaders 'Mennonite culture' is not the treasure.

by Anna Groff

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Greg Boyd, pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minn., said Mennonites have a precious treasure to offer in the 21st century. In fact, his evangelical church of 2,000 people is considering becoming a Mennonite church.

However, as the plenary speaker at the Mennonite Education Leaders gathering in Pittsburgh Jan. 30-Feb. 1, Boyd encouraged the group to distinguish "culture" from the kingdom of God.

"Cultures are always changing," he said. "The treasure is not Mennonite culture."

Boyd went on to challenge the leaders to offer up Mennonite culture as "a sort of Isaac to God."

Approximately 300 board members and administrators attended the gathering—sponsored by Mennonite Education Agency (MEA), Mennonite Schools Council, Mennonite higher education institutions and Mennonite Early Childhood Network—with the theme “Growing as Trees of Righteousness.”

Boyd also encouraged the Mennonite education leaders to spend time with intentional groups like the Simple Way in Philadelphia to learn from other movements.

When asked whether Mennonite schools should be "sectarian," as in the past, or "integrationist," Boyd said to err on the sectarian side and to boldly emphasize the theological distinctives.

"Be as scandalously flexible with the cultural non-essentials as you are inflexible with kingdom essentials," he said.

Mennonite Education Agency board chair James Rosenberger speaks during questions and answer time with Greg Boyd, keynote speaker. Photo by Jonathan Charles.

In a general session, leaders discussed trends in educational institutions and possible changes.

Bob Bontrager, AACRAO consultant, proposed that Mennonite colleges and universities joined forces with the Mennonite Brethren institutions and reduce the number of colleges and seminaries.

Bontrager said he sees the "reduction of physical campuses expanding the number of points of contact," and perhaps allowing for presences in major cities.

Bontrager’s other suggestions for Mennonite institutions included providing dual enrollment with local community institutions and offering of online programs. He also suggested MEA shift from it’s facilitative role and act as a "think tank."

In another session, Sarah Flanagan, vice president for government relations and policy for National Association of Independent College and Universities described four realities affecting higher education institutions: technology that allows for real communities on the internet; the increased role of government in higher education; the accountability movement and influence of “No Child Left Behind”; and the decreasing cost of public universities.

In other news, Elaine Moyer, principal of Christopher Dock Mennonite School; Bob Rutt, executive director of Penn View Christian School; and Phil Swartley, administrator at Quakertown Christian School introduced GPS 2012, a collaborative strategic plan initiative between the schools and in partnership with Eastern District and Franconia Mennonite Conference to create a “tri-school community” in Eastern Pennsylvania.

"A conversation between schools and the church"
Jan. 31 at Mennonite Education Leaders gathering

What do schools need from the church?
By Loren Swartzendruber, president of Eastern Mennonite University
1. Prayer
2. Names for faculty, staff and board positions
3. Advocacy
4. Accurate information about costs to church members
5. Completion of the Mennonite Education Agency census forms
6. Student aid plans
7. A spirit of love and pride toward Mennonite schools
8. Tolerance

What does the church need from schools?
By Sharon Waltner, moderator of Mennonite Church USA
1. Know that church is relational and humans crave face-to-face contact
2. Communicate about spiritual activities on campus to parents
3. Bring faculty and staff as speakers to our congregations
4. Remember the powerful affect that staff and faculty have on students
5. Use Mennonite Church USA identity symbols
6. Require a course on the "missional paradigm"
7. Encourage all faculty to understand and teach the “missional paradigm,” not just the Bible/religion department

Greg Boyd photo by Jonathan Charles.

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