Photo: Clockwise: Cynthia Loganbill (Wearing red. Executive Board/Hope Mennonite, Wichita), Byron Pellecer (WDC Staff), Hilda Pellecer, Christina Litwiller (Salina (Kansas) Mennonite), Butch Stucky (Salina), June Thomsen (First Mennonite, Newton), Heidi Regier Kreider (WDC Staff). Photo by Jennie Wintermote. 

About 45 people from across Western District Conference (WDC) gathered at First Mennonite Church in Beatrice, Neb., for WDC’s Spring Reference Council.

The day’s theme, “Held Together in Mission: Being Church in the Rural Context,” framed the stories, discussions and questions shared throughout the day.

Table talk focused on the definition of “rural” and how participants’ congregations and WDC are impacted by current realities in the rural context. Table groups also discussed the following: Where do you see God at work in the rural context? What is your vision for the rural church in the future? What are the gifts that rural congregations offer your congregation, WDC and the wider church?

Interspersed with table talk were stories from pastors and laypeople who live and worship in rural contexts. Terry Rediger of Turpin (Okla.) Mennonite Church said, “People are attracted to a church that is having fun together.”

Business owner Louis Goossen, 97, of First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, reflected on the ways the Holy Spirit has been present in his life and will be in our lives and congregations “if we only ask.”

Brandon and Kristi Unruh of Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, Kan., talked about their choice to raise their family in a rural community and reminded the group that “God is around us, working in our lives.”

Harold Thieszen, Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kan., introduced WDC’s Low German Mennonites from Mexico Task Force and the work they do with this undocumented population.

Young pastors Brad Roth of West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge, Kan.; Laura Neufeld Goerzen of First Mennonite of Christian, Moundridge; Brett Klingenberg, Phil Schmidt (Tabor), Peter Goerzen (formerly Grace Hill, current Bethel campus pastor), and Katherine Goerzen (Tabor) shared their reflections on pastoring in the rural context and gave an introduction to an upcoming book project focused on rural ministry.

Brett Klingenberg, First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, used the rural geography of Gage County (Beatrice’s location) to describe the physical boundaries of the creeks around the church. He then compared those “sustaining features” or boundaries to some sustaining features of our Mennonite congregations that can become boundaries to others seeking to join us. He challenged the group not to throw out these features because of their sustaining power but to be intentional in creating crossing points or access points for others to cross these boundaries.

The fall Reference Council will be Oct. 22 in Dallas, Texas, with the theme “Held Together in Mission: Being Church in the Urban Context.” WDC Executive Board member Cynthia Loganbill said she hopes those who attended in Beatrice will also make the trip to Dallas. She added: “WDC is both rural and urban. If we don’t get to know each other’s contexts and settings, how can we effectively work together?” She went on to say, “Now the diversity hits home, and the rural church has a face.”