Around the Table

Guests: Jason Dotterer Dave Lanz

Guests: Les Kaeb, Kirk Plattner

Guests: Mike Leman, Frank Sauder, Jeff Wiegand

Guests: Mike Leman, Frank Sauder, Jeff Wiegand Show notes: Lots of interesting scriptural observations on "the Church", including in the OT. Fascinating comparisons/contrasts of the Church today to the Church in the Wilderness with Moses. Lots of good thought-provoking ideas (reign of King David, baptism, worldly pursuits, denominations, OT congregational splits). God works with the enti...

Guests: Wayne Hartzler, Fred Witzig, Ken Wuethrich Show notes: Jesus taught closeness(personal) and reverence together. How we started using these pronouns German Bible refers to God using familiar language. Language has changed over the past 80 years. How do we navigate this language change in the church? Emphasize heart reverence. Support those who desire to continue use of thee/thou language to...

Guests: Tony Manz, Steve Ringger, Brent Walder

Guests:   Tony Manz, Steve Ringger, Brent Walder

Guests: Brian Wenninger, Kevin Knapp

Guests:  Brett Lanz, Adam Uhler, Paul Virkler Show notes: Share where we serve (our situations). Attempt to follow the biblical model. Leadership and membership work together. Biblical examples of leadership. Our roles are not completely defined scripturally. Why increase in ordained deacons? Expectation for increased elder responsibilities; more communication needed for our congregations. Respons...

Guests: Lynn Fiechter, Trent Meiss, Ted Witzig, Jr. Show notes: Importance of and definition of terms. We are seeking to keep from yielding to societal pressures. Consider our purpose and vision. Need to embrace biblical truth and show compassion to others (both are needed and biblical). Is our church position changing? Recap of unchangeable truth. Sin is wrong, regardless of what it is (Jesus die...

Guests:  Matt Kaufmann, Mark Streitmatter, John Wiegand Show notes: Evangelism risks. How do we keep from being negatively influenced by the world? Our foundation is critical. We are to conform to Christ. Recognize the influences around us. Interesting observation: risks are all around us whether we prioritize evangelism or not. Maturity is important in navigating challenges.  New believers should...

Guests: Matt Kaufmann, Mark Streitmatter, John Wiegand Show notes: Opportunity for us to grow and discipleship is fundamental to who we are. How is it fundamental and deeply rooted? Discipleship is a way of life. Discipleship and evangelism are inseparable. Discipleship is an intentional conversation with believers. Evangelism is an intentional conversation with unbelievers. Our gifting needs to b...

Guest:  Rod Bajema, Lucas Frank, Nick Gutwein, Greg Lehman Show notes: Affirmations and cautions around doctrine of discipline. Should not be used to manipulate or punish. God ultimately punishes unrepentant sin in judgement. Caution against the thought that God will not punish unrepentant sin. Affirm that God wants a right relationship with Him. Affirm God's design that we be in community. &...

Guests:  Frank Sauder, Lynn Stieglitz

Guests: Rod Bajema, Lucas Frank, Nick Gutwein, Greg Lehman Show notes: What was it like to study discipline? God desires that we have a peaceful/restful relationship with Him. Many scriptures regarding discipline. Discipline should be mostly proactive. It expresses God's love. Restores a right relationship. Reviewed updated SoF statement. Various forms of discipline. Value of spiritual discip...

Guests: Bruce Frank Joe Gerber Show notes: God can relate to us because of the incarnation. Incarnation models selflessness, servant leadership, humility, and obedience to the Father, Incarnation brought us our perfect example. Incarnation is a model for preaching the gospel. Incarnation is a model for sacrificial living. Incarnation was necessary for salvation.

Guests: Brad Eisenmann, Lynn Fiechter, Wayne Hartzler, Nick Gutwein, Ben Wiegand Show notes: Arranged in 3 buckets. Update process evolved from 3 documents to one document. Not to be just a document used in counseling converts, but one that impacts every phase of our life. Onward Media to help put a discussion guide together. Emphasis on the document live on the website. Written by the Holy Spirit...

Guests: Isaac Funk, Jonathan Sauder, Mark Streitmatter Show notes: Purpose: develop biblical principles on discerning emerging technologies (ET). Defined what it is. Examples of ET. Historically, some have been fearful of ET. Culture we grew up in influences how we view ET. Important to have conversations about ET to learn how to use technology well. Technology is a tool to accelerate what we can...

Guests: Tim Funk Kyle Walter Carla Wuethrich Show notes: Why the image of God is a relevant topic How does it help us understand God and our relationship with him? Helps us balance out who we are with what we do. Has both a vocational and relational aspect. Jesus is the ultimate image of God who came to earth. Image of God is also our identity; this identity is also personally unique. How does sin...

Guests Joe & Heidi Gerber Adam Uhler

Guests: Crystal Frank, Tim Funk, Blake Widmer Show notes: We need to look to the Bible for how to be godly men & women, not our culture. Two teams looking at this: one team of brothers and one team of sisters. Additional communications planned. Teams contain brothers & sisters from various ages, cultural contexts, urban/rural, & linguistic environments. 5 stages to be investigated (1-w...

Guests: Jeff Grimm, Peggy Jackson, Ted Steffen, Michelle Strahm, Ted Witzig, Jr. Show Notes: How can our congregations help support and protect church leadership? Get to know your elder/ordained deacon couple; get to know their needs. Remember your leader's children at home when travelling for church business. Offer to sit with children in church. Give grace to leader's children like you...

Guests: Jeff Grimm, Peggy Jackson, Ted Steffen, Michelle Strahm, Ted Witzig, Jr. Show notes: Tools - Wellness assessment to examine how we are doing; email goes out quarterly to look at various areas; coach newly ordained couples; promote mentoring within elder body; facilitate elder/wife meeting at a conference once a year. What is 360 Wellness? Approved ad hoc committee to help church leadership...

Guests: Jason Dotterer Lucas Frank Show notes: Reason(s) for different format. Benefits of different format. Challenges with changing format. Changed format allows addressing more issues due to audience having multiple choices. Identified items (format) that have not changed. Resulted in better attendance than recent past conferences. Increased fellowship periods. Remain focused on Jesus and his W...

Guests: Gwen Leuthold, Gina Martin, Ron Messner Show notes: Looking at additional ways to communicate events to singles and to connect. Humans, not just singles, have an inherent need for connection. Singles desire more healthy and meaningful interactions with all brothers & sisters. Receiving compliments, notes, and cards (little things) are very important to singles. Take the time to build r...