219th Annual Conference Peoria, Illinois July 2-6, 2005

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Theme

The church has always been in need of a call to remember Jesus. Sometimes the need came about because of persecution; sometimes there was heresy; sometimes there were distractions; always there was/is the temptation to focus on ourselves.

It is not uncommon to hear the question, “What would Jesus do?” Or among the Brethren, “What is the mind of Christ?” Those are very legitimate questions.

However, after a year of traveling and visiting throughout our denomination, that included listening, teaching, preaching, prayer, and reflection, I noticed a consistent need and longing within our denomination and, indeed, our world. This desire is deeper than what can be answered with a trivialized slogan or a cute bumper sticker. This desire is hard to communicate succinctly but it has something to do with “knowing Christ” (Philippians 3:10). People not only want to know what Jesus would “do.” They want to know what he “did” and they want him to show them how to live.

The book of Hebrews calls a group of Christians to reconsider Jesus. In the midst of their persecution and questions the writer asks them to take another look at Jesus; to consider him. I’m convinced such an exercise would be good for us.

Therefore, I’m going to challenge every member of the denomination to read a gospel every month between now and Peoria.

The theme for the 2005 Annual Conference in Peoria, Ill., originally proposed by me, that has now been affirmed by the Program and Arrangements Committee, is “Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus.” The primary text for the theme can be found in Hebrews 12:1-4.

–Jim Hardenbrook, 2005 Annual Conference Moderator

Saturday, July 2: “I Love to Tell the Story” from Hebrews 12:1-4, with a special emphasis on verse 2, and Luke 2:8-18.
Sunday, July 3: “By Faith–Experiencing the Smile of God” from Hebrews 11:6, Psalm 4:6-7, and Hebrews 11:7-9.
Monday, July 4: “Duties, Devils, and Distractions” from Luke 10:38-42 and Luke 9:23.
Tuesday, July 5: “Let’s Look Toward Our Head, Who Is Jesus Christ” from Hebrews 12:1-4.
Wednesday, July 6: “Abundant Life” from John 10:10; “Discipleship” from Luke 9:23, and “Don’t Lose Heart” from Hebrews 12:3-4 and 12-13.

I wanted Jesus to be central to this logo–both conceptually and graphically. I chose light as the symbol which illustrates where we should fix our eyes: in a dark place (no matter how large) we look to light (no matter how small) as if our lives depend on it. Our Christian lives depend on being able to see the Light in the darkness. But this is not just any light, and it is not just for Christians; it breaks the bounds of darkness and goes out into the world in the form of the cross.

The barbed wire has several levels of meaning: when used as a fence for animals, its purpose is to hinder and entangle–like the sins and distractions which Paul calls us to throw off. When barbed wire is used for people, its purpose is to restrict and exclude–it becomes a symbol of injustice and oppression. Finally, the form of the barbed wire suggests the crown of thorns–when used on Jesus its purpose was to wound and shame. It is this shame that Jesus scorned so that he could take a seat at the right hand of the throne of God. The Light overcomes sin, injustice, and shame, and by grace transforms them for the glory of God.

We have not endured nearly what Jesus did, but we also must persevere on the path before us; we draw encouragement and inspiration from our sisters and brothers in faith, but look to Jesus, who for our sake overcame his suffering, and gave us grace to transform our own.

–Rosanna Eller McFadden is a free-lance artist and homemaker, and a member of Creekside Church of the Brethren in Elkhart, Ind.