ARTICLES

By Scott Soden 27 Mar, 2024
A Light in the Darkness! Your partners in India continue to work to let the world know that God loves them through services, special projects, relief and development programs, and lighting up the way. In March 2024, the Brethren Church in Rajahmundry celebrated the upgrading of the cross and sign that hangs over the main road right outside the compound. This sign symbolizes the words from John 14:27 that Prasanth spoke when he purchased the land previously seen as cursed: “My peace I give unto you.” For many years, a cross and sign have been hanging, greeting the traveler with this message of peace; now, the entire sign has been cleaned up, and the cross also lights up the night to guide the weary traveler to a place of hope, peace, and light. The cross and sign were hung and dedicated by the laymen's group and prayed over by Nirmala Kumar to mark a significant day and the hope the message brings. Although this makes them a bigger target for radical Hindu groups, the church and its leadership believe that they must continue to shine as a beacon of hope in word and deed for all who seek life, peace, and belonging. As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5: 14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Please keep your partners in India and worldwide in your prayers as they continue to be salt and light to their communities. Enjoy the video they created to mark this special day for the church in Rajahmundry. Scott Soden
By Michael Cook 06 Mar, 2024
While walking through the woods as a family recently, we fell into a dispute about the water we had brought along to drink. And by “we” I mean my oldest and youngest daughters. The center of this disputed water claim was the hydration backpack that my eldest was wearing. The problem wasn’t wearing the backpack; the issue was that our youngest wanted another drink every four steps or so. It was a classic power struggle between the youngest child and the oldest. Solutions were offered. “Maggie, stop being annoying,” was one. I wasn’t sure how helpful – or likely – this solution would be. “Ellie, just let me have a drink and stop complaining,” was another possible but unlikely way forward. Finally, I realized that this was a self-limiting problem. Maggie isn’t very big; how much water could she possibly drink? “Ellie, stop and let her drink all of it she wants. Then she won’t want any more for a while, and she’ll leave you alone.” Ellie was indignant. “She’ll drink it all!” she exclaimed. “She won’t drink it all. There’s plenty of water there for everyone.” “BUT SHE’LL DRINK IT ALL!” Ellie would not be convinced, even though she wasn’t wearing some kid-sized hydration backpack that only held a thimble of water. She was wearing my pack, which holds close to two liters of water. All three of my daughters could have drank until their bellies and bladders were full to the top, and there would still have been water left over. But the fear of not having enough runs deep, doesn’t it? Electric cars typically have a range of approximately 10x the average daily commute. But we stick with internal combustion power because we’re afraid electricity might not have the “juice” when we need it. People are filling storage units as quickly as they can be built. There’s a candy dish calling my name from the next room. I’ve already had a few pieces out of it. Certainly, I’ve had enough. Why do I still want more? What is it inside of us that remains unsatisfied? Why does it so often seem like there’s not enough? Before he was King David, he was simply David, the little brother. As the little brother, he got stuck watching sheep because his older brothers had better things to do. While watching sheep, he came to one of the most profound truths about God recorded in Scripture. Just as David was a shepherd over his sheep, God was the shepherd caring for David. The LORD is my shepherd. I lack nothing. What did David have while shepherding? Probably little more than a bit of food, a big stick, his sling, and a few rocks. And yet he lacked nothing. Why? Because the God of the Universe, the creator and sustainer of all things, was his shepherd. He wasn’t worried about the things he didn’t have. He knew what he did have: a Shepherd-God who had delivered him from a lion and a bear. The LORD is my shepherd. I lack nothing. The fear of not having enough is a tool of the enemy. It keeps us from making big plans and dreaming big dreams. Are we afraid to ask God for audacious blessing? Is it a fear that God won’t give us what we need? Or are we afraid that he actually will? Is God the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, or is he not? Is Jesus the master of the fish and loaves, or is he not? In my own life, I’ve felt the Spirit’s conviction that I’m not dreaming big enough. And I suspect I might not be alone. If the Lord is your shepherd, you lack nothing. Go boldly in the assurance of his care, and seek out the dreams he has for you, your church, and your community.
By Michael Cook 27 Feb, 2024
Nappanee First Brethren Church (NFBC) has been busy these last few months ministering and reaching out to its local community. Since last fall, they’ve rolled out several new ministries and community outreach initiatives that offer hope, healing, and the Gospel to the community. Last October, NFBC launched "Life Groups" which go beyond traditional small groups to connect with communities and serve as mini "house churches." One of the stated goals of Life Groups is to serve as a vehicle for congregants to reach out to unchurched friends and neighbors. The initiative has been met with a good amount of success and has resulted in a number of people becoming reconnected to church through the ministry of these Life Groups. Tom Anders, Senior Pastor of NFBC, notes, "When you start doing what the Lord wants, people start coming out of the woodwork." Beginning in January 2024, NFBC became a local affiliate of Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery, now being used by more than 3500 churches, was birthed out of Saddleback Church in the 1990s, is a Christ-centered 12-step program that uses the principles outlined in the Beatitudes to bring healing to peoples’ “hurts, habits, and hang-ups.” These might range from drug and alcohol addiction to trauma and relational wounds to grief and mental health. On Thursday nights, Celebrate Recovery meets at NFBC. The first hour is the large group session, which includes worship, a review of the Celebrate Recovery principles, a lesson, and testimonies. Then, there’s a brief refreshment time before people move into their small groups, organized by the specific issue the group addresses. The success of Celebrate Recovery extends beyond the meeting, though, as one of its tenets is that participants must engage with a church community. Although Celebrate Recovery is a ministry not intended for outreach, a few participants have found a home at NFBC. Part of the launch of Celebrate Recovery was to air a few radio spots advertising the new ministry on the local Christian radio station Pulse FM. With several satellite towers, Pulse FM has a reach covering roughly half of Indiana and Michigan. Once those radio spots were up and running, NFBC’s advisory team began to feel God inviting them onto the airwaves in a bigger way, and began investigating what it might take to start a regular radio show on Pulse FM. Once the question was asked, God started opening the doors. A parishioner with a metal roofing business was approached and asked if the business would be interested in underwriting the program. “Doing this would cost less than our monthly spend on Facebook!” was the enthusiastic reply. With the sponsor secured, Pastor Tom was ready to bring the Word to the airwaves weekly. And on Sunday, February 4th, 2024, “Living Life Victoriously,” hosted by Pastor Tom Anders, went on the air. You can tune in at 8 pm every Sunday night on Pulse FM to hear his teaching if you’re in the broadcast reach or listen online at pulsefm.com!
By Austin Kaufman 14 Feb, 2024
“‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:20-21 Faithfulness is risky and rewarding. It requires more than just maintenance. Turning a profit points to a job well done. These were the thoughts that challenged our congregation as we reflected on what God has handed Goshen First Brethren Church over the decades. Being a new pastor here, this was an education in history that hit home a few times as I saw family names on plaques and pages, recording the story of GFBC. The conclusion was clear: if our story was the parable of the talents, we were the servant blessed with five (Matt. 25:14ff). But the challenge came when we considered what that servant did with those five talents. He “went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.” (v. 16) This is in contrast to the servant called “wicked and slothful” who buried his one talent, keeping it in pristine condition just as it was given to him (vv. 24, 26). When we considered this example of faithfulness as risk-taking and profit-making versus hiding and maintaining, the “talent” of our building came into focus as one of the blessed deposits with which we have been entrusted. So what does faithfulness look like? This particular building has stood for almost 100 years, with a few additions here and there. The space is abundant and well-kept, but like many church facilities, the lights were off five days of the week. On top of that, my wife and I are native to this area and already own a home, so the same was true for the 5-bedroom parsonage next door. Through the dedication of trustees and volunteers throughout the years, both have been kept in pristine condition. So, we asked the Lord and pondered together what faithful, risky, profiting would look like at 215 W Clinton St. The answer came a couple of months later from a neighbor with a ministry connection. Downtown Ministries is a Christian non-profit organization that seeks to offer second chances to folks in Elkhart County who face adversity of many kinds. Their efforts include transitional houses for women and children, job skills training, financial classes, and addiction recovery. Each one of these initiatives happens in partnership with local churches through individual Christians coming alongside people to offer the support and hope of Christ. As one can imagine there are many people facing this type of adversity in our area, and DTM needed to expand to meet that need. The conversation began with our empty parsonage becoming a safe haven for a single mom seeking a fresh start. But that vision quickly ballooned into keeping the lights on in our building as beacons of hope throughout the week. Currently, the tenant in The Clinton House (parsonage) is working through the DTM classes, started a new job, is receiving spiritual, medical, and mental healing, and is an active member in a local church. The facilities are buzzing at GFBC with classes offered almost every night of the week, that all include a meal shared between students and Christian mentors. Sixteen teens graduated Jobs for Life last year, as well as thirteen adults with more completing the program during just the first quarter of this year. Faith and Finances classes will meet and offer the first Spanish-speaking class in the fall of 2024. Over 20 volunteers from various churches have been trained as champions and allies for these folks, and the need is only growing. Since the partnership began between GFBC and DTM, three more transitional houses have been acquired and connections are being made with local law enforcement, the local school system, and other ministries to bring hope to Goshen. In essence, our partnership with DTM is akin to an investment brokerage, taking the capital of our building and trading with it in the open market of community impact. DTM has leveraged our facility to create positive growth in people’s lives, the community, and the Kingdom. Last year, multiple students came to faith in Christ through Faith and Finances and were baptized as members of a local church. In the Kingdom economy, the risk of loaning our building is paying dividends in a big way. While there's much work ahead—logistics, connections, and equipping disciples for this task—the lesson we've learned at GFBC is clear: Kingdom growth involves investing what we’ve been given, not merely maintaining it. The ongoing risk in this partnership is met with tangible rewards, reminding us that God works through our blessings, like buildings, to build His Kingdom. Our “talents” are not just for our benefit but are opportunities, rather, obligations for investment. “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance.” (Matt. 25:29a) Grace and Peace, Austin Kaufman Pastor Goshen First Brethren Church
By David Miller, UnChurch 07 Feb, 2024
It was 8:30 a.m. on a frigid winter’s day. The four cranky kids, who woke up an hour earlier than normal, were packed into our family minivan and eating breakfast on the way to a church that was several hours away. Our snarky 12-year-old, Josiah, shouted to us from the backseat, “Why do we have to go to another church? Can’t we just stay home and relax?” Let me share a little of the backstory. Sarah and I (David) moved to Indiana six years ago and were so excited to be part of the Midwest Region of the Brethren Church. I had spent a good portion of my life at Oasis Community Church in Gilbert, Arizona, where the closest (and only) nearby Brethren Churches were over two hours away in Tucson. Despite the distance, our three Arizona churches always saw each other as family. We gathered in the summer for church camp near the Mexican border and held a joint church service once a year in addition to other trips down to Tucson to see these friends. When we moved to Indiana, we could not believe our good fortune that there were over 30 Brethren churches in our region! A plan started to form that we now jokingly refer to as “The Brethren Tour.” It started with a strong desire to befriend the Brethren (our people!) and connect with Brethren leaders across the region. So, the scene of packing up the minivan early on a Sunday morning has become a normal one for our kids. We are on a mission to visit every Brethren Church in our region and make as many friends along the way as we can. You might be wondering, as we were at the start, what we would discover on our travels. I am pleased to inform you that God is on the move! Here is just a glimpse of the incredible things He is up to throughout the Brethren communities that we have visited in the past few years. Huntington First Brethren welcomed us with open arms as we started our tour with the church closest to us. They later hosted a church planting and church renewal gathering led by the Midwest New/Renew team, and 10 Brethren Churches were represented. We were really getting some traction on our goal to befriend Brethren at this point! It was at that event that I first met Cole Westwood, a fellow Army Veteran and pastor of Corinth Brethren Church. With that connection, we headed north to Corinth Brethren Church one sunny Sunday morning. We got to hear the testimony of Grace who had spent the summer as a counselor at The Brethren Retreat at Shipshewana, someone we’ve continued a friendship with since. Not too long after I started to meet with the Midwest New/Renew team monthly to talk about church planting and church revitalization, a fellow team member, Fred Youngen, and his church, FBC South Bend, hosted an incredible prayer meeting where Brethren from all over came to pray together and worship God. A very interesting side note: FBC South Bend owns the website that 90% of the churches in our denomination are currently in repentance for coveting their neighbor’s digital property: FirstBrethren.org. Funny enough, we have also met several people along the way who think the official name of our denomination is “First Brethren.” Next, I received an invitation to preach at my good friend Cory Smith’s church, Goshen FBC on Veterans Day. I showed up in my Air Force dress blue uniform and shared about the incredible love Jesus has for military members and veterans, as seen in His interaction with the Centurion in Matthew 8. This started a tradition of sorts, and for the past three years, different churches have invited me to preach on Veterans Day weekend, including Warsaw First Brethren (such loving people!) and College Corner Brethren, who have become our good friends. College Corner has invited our family to join them a number of times for worship, and they are such an encouraging and friendly group of people. Before we ever visited this church (that is nowhere near the corner of a college), I had met and become quick friends with Duane and Bonnie Truss who were volunteers at the VA where I work full-time as a Chaplain. They spoke so highly of their church, College Corner, that I knew we had to visit. Continuing the Brethren tour, we crashed the Sunday morning service at North Manchester FBC. Even though we were ten minutes late, Linda Immel (who would eventually become another good friend) greeted us at the door and made us feel right at home. We loved seeing so many young people gathered together in worship in this congregation and were blessed to be invited over to lunch afterward by Kurt and Heidi Stout, who showed us the mini-farm in their backyard. Since this first encounter, I have grown to love Kurt’s heart for God’s people and his creative ideas for growing the Kingdom. Somewhere along the way, we saw in the regional newsletter that David Loi was going to be guest preaching at Muncie FBC. We jumped at the chance to join our nearby Brethren for this opportunity of a lifetime! I am filled with joy to report that we were not disappointed. David Loi shared his heart for his two children and our Heavenly Father in such a powerful way, that I was brought to tears. In addition to that, we were blown away by the worship team at Muncie FBC! Because of this, Sarah later suggested to the Big Event planning team that this worship team be invited to lead the Saturday night worship at The Big Event last August. I pray those of you who joined us for The Big Event were as blessed as we were to have them lead us into the presence of God! By this time, people were starting to notice that the Millers were popping up all over the place like that speedy animal in the Whack A Mole game. Our friends Lee and Stephanie Compson were on to us and invited us to Milford FBC. While there, Lee let us share with their congregation what God has been up to at Unchurch, the house church that Sarah and I co-pastor in Marion. To our daughter Kloey’s delight, they sang her favorite song, Sanctuary. After worship, I got to meet a very friendly fellow military veteran who has been an integral part of the church’s Gatherer-Shepherd-Elder church revitalization team. In addition to visiting these great churches across the state of Indiana (Illinois, we haven’t forgotten you!), Sarah and I had the opportunity to lead the teen week with Camp Shipshewana called Blaze Camp. We had over 40 kids in attendance from all over the region. We have already had fun seeing some of these teens at different churches we have visited and even a few at Brethren Conference. One of the highlights of the week of conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan was the dinner with the Midwest region on the last night. We ended up sitting at a table with Larry and Bev Baker, who are so full of God’s love and joy that we could not help but become good friends with them. Larry actually turned the tables on me a couple of months ago and attended a service I was leading at the VA hospital. As you might imagine, The Big Event was a dream come true for our family. With all those Brethren in one place, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Sarah was on the planning team and had asked me to emcee the Saturday evening service. I absolutely loved hearing the stories that evening of what God has been up to around the region and the world (thanks to Latha Kumar). It was also wonderful to spend more time with the friends we had made on our travels and build new friendships. Sarah and I hope to see many of you there again next August. Though we have made some headway in The Brethren Tour, we are far from done. We may move a little slower and with more chaos having four kids in tow, but that is part of the fun. Here is the cool part: if you are in the Midwest Region, you could be our next stop. If you want to invite us to your church, reach out to Sarah and me at DSMiller1@gmail.com. Here is a tip: If you have us over for lunch after your church service, you get bumped up in line. For those across the nation (and world), try visiting a nearby Brethren Church and make some new friends. Hope to see you soon! David Miller, Pastor UnChurch Marion, Indiana
By Scott Soden 31 Jan, 2024
Brothers and sisters, last fall I had the privilege to take a trip south to visit our partners in the beautiful country of Peru. It was a two-week whirlwind trip that took me from the jungles of Puerto Maldonado to the coastal village of Pucusana and then back to Lima with our partners there. It was a great trip, and I was encouraged to see how God is at work with our partners. I can tell you it was an incredible journey, and I am eager to share more about it with you in March. Last Christmas, you had an opportunity to pour into the ministry in Pucusana. Over the past few years, they have requested funds to hold a big party for hundreds of children in the area. That ministry was a huge opportunity to express God’s love uniquely and tangibly among groups of children and their parents, where such moments are often in short supply. This year, the request was a little different. Instead of a party, your partner Elena Prado asked for help developing a fully stocked library at the building where all the children and their families could come to visit and learn. We sent the requested funds on your behalf, and off your partners went. They purchased shelves, books, desks, and so much more. Please don’t take it from me, though; here’s the update from Elena herself! “Dear Scott, soon the library will be ready for everyone to enjoy. We must put up the curtains, organize all the books, organize some boxes and papers too, and buy more books. The reading room is now ready. Now students spend time there reading happily. We owe all this great joy to you and to the will of God, who has allowed such poor children access to a good education and reading. I feel so blessed that the Lord's will is being fulfilled according to his plan. We have 134 children who are coming to study. Providing education, values, and the word of Christ to such poor children is a privilege that makes us immensely happy. Thank you, Scott and everyone who makes this possible.” What an impact you are having in Pucusana! Thank you for praying for your partners and supporting Brethren Global Partners like Elena, The Pucusana Project, and the ministry in Peru. Get ready because God is on the move! Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners
By Ron Waters 17 Jan, 2024
Smithville (Ohio) Brethren Church recognized the ordination of Scott A. Fetter as a Brethren elder on Sunday, January 14 2024. Scott’s wife Wendy was set apart as the spouse of a Brethren elder. Participating in the service were leaders and elders of the Smithville church, the North Central Region, and The Brethren Church nationally. Pastor Art Carr spoke on “Celebrating Yes” and noted the many times Scott has said “yes” to the call of the Holy Spirit upon his life. The church also celebrated several other significant events during the service: baptism and confirmation of six persons, ordination of eleven deacons, and installation of church officers, boards, and committees. Scott serves as associate pastor of children and youth at Smithville. Prior to coming to The Brethren Church, Scott had served as a pastoral intern, church planter, associate pastor, and senior pastor in churches in multiple states. Scott had previously completed the course requirements and examination of the North Central Region and the National Board of Oversight. He and Wendy live in Wooster, Ohio, and share four sons, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.
By Michael Cook 13 Dec, 2023
What comes to mind when you think of the word “luxury”? Do you imagine exotic vacations on faraway tropical islands, complete with white sandy beaches and someone nearby to make sure you never find the bottom of your piña colada? Or maybe luxury is embodied in the precision-crafted inner workings of a Swiss-made chronograph all wrapped up in a solid gold case and bracelet. However, I might encourage you to consider beyond the typical categories of luxury experiences and luxury goods when you think about what makes something luxurious. In 2015, noted Swiss-Argentinian designer Alfredo Häberli was invited to create an art installation in cooperation with BMW's automotive design team. Häberli understands luxury; his beautiful armchairs and sofas can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. But when talking about what constitutes luxury, he didn’t mention the materials used to make the pieces. Nor did he mention old-world craftsmanship or modern, minimalist design. So how does Alfredo Häberli define luxury? “For me,” he stated, “silence, space, and time are the luxury goods of the future.” Think about that. Silence, space, and time. As I reflect on those words, it seems to me that “the luxury goods of the future” are actually very, very old. Last month, I had the opportunity to visit the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, for a weekend retreat. The Cistercian monks there live simply. Their motto, ora et labora (“prayer and work”), pretty much sums up their existence. There is silence on the grounds - talking is prohibited except in designated areas. The experience was odd at first, but I learned to welcome the silence. No one had any expectation of small talk in the public spaces. I didn’t have to engage in any kind of chit-chat at all. My introverted heart found the Abbey to be the most peaceful place I’ve ever known. The weirdest thing about it - and I only realized this about 24 hours in - was that I hadn’t seen or heard any advertisements the entire time I was there. My attention, which is usually splintered in countless directions, was able to find rest in the peace and quiet there. Space was abundant at the abbey. The courtyard was an acre or two, filled with statues, trees, and birds. The ceilings in the cathedral were fifty feet or more at the peak, which made the sanctuary seem enormous. But the most space was to be found in the woods across the street, which comprised hundreds of acres and contained many miles of hiking trails. I climbed the four named knobs on the map, each with marvelous views of the surrounding countryside. And during that time, I was reminded why Jesus so often stole away to spend time in the wilderness. When you have access to so much silence and so much space, time does something weird. It stretches out and slows down. I’m not sure how else to explain it. The weekend (plus dinner on Friday and breakfast on Monday) felt more like a whole week. I lingered over my meals because I never had to eat and run off to the next thing. One morning after breakfast, I poured myself a second cup of coffee and sat by the window to watch the birds at the bird feeder. For half an hour, I watched cardinals, jays, sparrows, finches, and the occasional squirrel come and go. I read two books cover-to-cover and started a third. I hiked ten miles on Sunday. During my time, I made it a point to attend a reasonable number of church services; I probably spent 3 or 4 hours in the sanctuary throughout the weekend, and I spent several more hours just sitting quietly with Jesus with no agenda other than enjoying his presence and his creation. No one would ever confuse the Abbey of Gethsemani for a luxury resort. My room was austere but perfectly adequate and featured two small single beds, a desk, plain white walls, and institutional low-pile carpet. Meals were simple as well. Breakfast consisted of oatmeal or cereal. Soups and salads featured prominently for lunch and dinner. Despite the humble accommodation, silence, space, and time were in lavish supply, and the weekend retreat at the Abbey may have been the most luxurious experience I have ever been privileged to enjoy. Michael Cook Ministry Support Specialist The Brethren Church
By Tracy Navarro 13 Dec, 2023
Dear friends, it is with great JOY and AMAZEMENT that we announce how God has been moving at Cheyenne Brethren Church! Our goal for 2023 for Operation Christmas Child was 1,200 boxes, and we nearly met our goal by collecting 1,149 boxes. We believe any amount of OCC boxes is considered a success in our eyes because it's the Lord who blesses the numbers! We are so thankful for the sacrificial work of so many, especially Sue Hurd as coordinator, Carol Poteet who tracks inventory, and Kathy Juniker & Chris Heater who help with logistics. Our whole church gets behind the international ministry of Samaritan's Purse, which is organized by Rev. Franklin Graham. Operation Christmas Child is a passion of our church. We collect items throughout the year for the boxes and have a dedicated room just for OCC storage. We have craft days to make items for the boxes. People take boxes to their place of employment to ask coworkers to join in the blessing. We had dozens of people show up for the packing party, where there was great fellowship and laughter! Both young and old gather to fold, label, pack, apply rubber bands, transfer boxes to our drop-off location, pray, and travel to the Denver, Colorado collection center. Seeing God's people come together for a wonderful purpose is amazing! Placing a smile on a child's face is one of the most rewarding experiences Christ-followers can have. God is so Good! Tracy Navarro Church Social Media Coordinator Cheyenne Brethren Church
By Steven Longenecker 13 Dec, 2023
This month, America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. On December 16, 1773, approximately seventy-five determined Bostonians boarded three ships and dumped 92,000 pounds of tea overboard. The bold action was symbolic because tea was the national drink on both sides of the Atlantic—green, not black, spiked with cobalt by the Chinese to make it greener—but the insurgents also provoked a genuine turning point in the relationship between Britain and many of its North American colonists. As we celebrate this famed national moment, may we then ponder its meaning for Brethren today. The Patriots, dressed as Indians to summon Indigenous bravery rather than to disguise themselves, boarded the first ship, the Dartmouth, at 6 p.m. under a bright moon and the darkness of mid-winter New England. As a large crowd watched from the docks, the faux Indians, working men who knew how to use block and tackle, went about their work in silence, save for the chopping open of chests with hatchets and axes. In three efficient hours, the Tea Party created one of the most celebrated moments of the American revolutionary movement. The Patriot movement was angry because British officials had granted the East India Company the right to sell directly to consignees in North America, bypassing middlemen in London. Consequently, the tea was cheaper than smuggled Dutch tea, but it still bore a hated tax. Moreover, limiting sales to designated consignees in North America created a government-made monopoly for a fortunate few and cut out many other local merchants. Some American leaders thought that the Tea Party was an overreaction. George Washington lamented the assault on private property, and Benjamin Franklin pointed out that the stockholders in the East India Company were not America’s opponents. Across the pond, for the first time British officials contemplated war. Indeed, the Tea Party had a large hand in a deteriorating situation that devolved into a very costly eight-year armed conflict with high casualties and pervasive brutality. The War for Independence was not a gentleman’s war, a popular myth. Brethren nonresistants suffered heavily. The slide from a bitter argument over taxation without representation, a valid complaint, into open warfare remains tragic. The British Isles and British North America shared much in common, including religion. How could such a tragedy have happened? The British-American descent into darkness resembles our situation today with its passion, misunderstandings, and wide gulf between antagonists. This is not to suggest that America is on the cusp of a lengthy, horrible war, but America has already damaged itself and more serious injury is certainly plausible. One of the great contributions of the American Revolution was the empowerment of individual citizens in the public square. In that spirit, let Brethren listen for God’s message for them in these alarming times. How can individual Brethren make a positive contribution to public discourse? God is close, speaks clearly (God does not mumble), and will instruct us. Indeed, the Scriptures are unmistakable about the nearness of God. “Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you” (James 4:8). If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you.” (Revelation 3:20). “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Matthew 7:7-8). And “Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.” (Revelation 22:17), which was a favorite of the early Brethren. Consequently, yea, though we walk through the valley of cable news, Thou art with us. In the cacophony of demagogic politicians and depressing overseas conflicts, God’s still, small voice is discernable. (Sadly, some who suffer from mental illness or difficult health struggle to find God, with good reason. My heart goes out to them. But they are exceptions. For most of us, knock and it shall be opened.) Undoubtedly, the potential descent into national darkness is a religious issue because deteriorating American democracy threatens to hurt individuals. Unrelenting intimidation and harassment of local officials, just one example, is already widespread and inflicts pain on its targets. Thus, religion has a role in political life because of the great capacity for public policy and behavior to help or hurt God’s children. God probably won’t commission concerned Brethren to change the world, but those who pray about it will hear how to contribute to society at large and, specifically, how to relate to our political crisis. As we commemorate the Boston Tea Party, God will counsel concerned Brethren about how to enhance the democracy that the Boston patriots so desired and how to heal the nation that they created. Steve Longenecker is Professor of History, emeritus, at Bridgewater College (VA). Photo by Dipen Patel on Unsplash
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