CHICAGO, IL (March 6, 2007) – Hardly a week goes by that we do not receive a few comments from readers on stories published as part of the Covenant online news report.
We will share from time to time some of those responses generated through the “comments” link attached to each published story. This kind of feedback is very helpful to our Covenant News Service staff as we seek to identify and publish stories of great interest to a broad spectrum of online readers of this report.
Following are comments relating to recently published stories, edited in some cases for length. To read a particular story of interest, search for the headline.
Heavy Snow Forces Churches to Cancel Services
Karl Hallsten of Sierra Vista, AZ, writes: This brought back old memories of walk-in or ski-in Sundays at Bethlehem. When I was Director of Outreach, I plotted where members lived on a map. Over 50 percent lived within one mile. Not sure if that’s still the case – we’ve been gone for 11 years. Those folks are hardy.
Church-Culture Series to Explore Art as Mission
Heidi Griepp of Chicago, IL, writes: This is great! I think any church working with art and liturgy, in particular any church discussing it as missional engagement, should be commended. Can we hear more about what they discuss regarding community art as missional engagement?
CBC to Focus on Helping Faculty, Students Transition
Randy Rodenborg of Wausa, NE, writes: I was very saddened by the news of the CBC closing. However, after scanning through the responses, I felt I should add one more. My son, Ben, had his heart set on going to Ecuador this year. However, the costs of going were just too much to swing for him or for us as a family. It was not that CBC’s expenses were high, but without financial aid to go, and coupled with tuition paid at a state school, the decision was made. Again, I am saddened by the closing. I wish it did not have to be so, but after reading the initial article, it seemed obvious that there just were not enough benefactors to keep CBC open as a ministry. My hat is off to the team of leaders who made the decision and did so compassionately.
Memorial Service Set for Retired Missionary Leonard Hallock
Art Greco of San Rafael, CA, writes: Thanks for this update. I remember Leonard as a man with a fantastic smile and an even better heart. I am blessed to have spent significant time with him while we served in Oregon.
Youth Views Faith Through Lens of Camera
Virginia Ellis of Belmont, CA, writes: I live in the Bay area, but don’t happen to watch this particular station for the news. I may change my mind. A great story and a sensitive reporter! Thanks for including it.
North Park to Host Lectures on Genocide
Jeffrey Jones of Biwabik, MN, writes: What a nice tribute to a great man. I enjoyed all of my classes with Burton in seminary and have enjoyed his books and articles as well. Trust the lectures will be very helpful to all those in attendance.
Covenant Bible College to Close
Bruce Finfrock of Englewood, CO, writes: Please add my comments to the ones already submitted regarding the closing of CBC. My daughter was in the first class of CBC Ecuador when it opened. This was preceded by my leading a work team from Arvada Covenant Church to get the campus ready. I accompanied my daughter down there and was there with the students for the grand opening. My wife and I also attended the graduation the following May. Needless to say it was a shock for all of us when we received the announcement, and are very disturbed that a decision of such magnitude could be made without any communication with its constituents and supporters. In the absence of such a dynamic discipleship ministry, I might suggest the Torchbearers Bible Institutes located all over the world for those looking for something similar to fill the void.
Jody Moreen of Naperville, IL, writes: The Covenant is losing one of its most priceless “diamonds” with the closing of Covenant Bible College. For decades CBC provided a spiritually rich environment that is key to fully train and equip young people to devote themselves to being committed disciples for Jesus Christ. Speaking as a parent of a CBC alumnus, I observed my son and other students’ awesome transformation as they were immersed daily in the true Christian disciplines. No “fast food” spiritual regime here, but a year of intense focus. Worship of God began each day singing praises to God in chapel. Students’ daily experience included bathing oneself in God’s Word, embracing Christian community and prayer, and opportunities to go out and be Jesus’ hands and feet to the needy world surrounding them. Will there be another haven to adequately equip our youth to become full-fledged passionate disciples of Jesus Christ? I pray this treasure that is CBC will not be buried and hidden under a bushel. Spiritual “fast food” will not grow passionate spiritual leaders. They need the full-course feast of daily Christian disciplines.
Linda Nelson of Longview, WA, writes: I am also deeply saddened by the news that all three of the CBCs are closing. I would ditto the comments of Joan Wallgren that it is a real shame that the greater Covenant family was not informed of the dire situation so they could respond with gifts. Was it necessary that all three campuses be closed? CBC had a great impact on our daughter and nieces’ lives, and I am greatly saddened that the church was not informed of the seriousness of the need so that at least one campus could have remained open.
Nancy Reed of Spain writes: How very, very sad to see CBC close. They have greatly encouraged CIPE in their summer Bible School, making the Ecuador campus available for six weeks. As a result, nearly 250 Latin American young adults have been trained and are involved in ministry. When there was an especially noteworthy student at North Park Theological Seminary, my husband, Jerry (Evangelism and Church Growth), commented that either the student had been involved in discipleship or had come from CBC!
Dahlstrom Becomes Fourth Generation North Parker
Lloyd Ahlem of Turlock, CA, writes: I wonder how many other four-generation families there are that have been to North Park. My father was first in our family and all five of my children attended, as did I. Presently we have one fourth-generation student there, Liz Ahlem. We also had Ron Dixon who graduated, got an MSW and now works for CRC-CMB. My granddaughter, Anna Lee, was there for one year. I think the results of a survey would be interesting – there are likely some five-generation folks, too, though not very many.
Older Stories
Occasionally we receive comments about stories published some time ago. Most often, readers come across them while topically perusing search engines or when visiting the online Covenant News Archive maintained by Covenant News Service. We appreciate reader comments at any time about any story that has appeared as part of our online Covenant news report.
Pizza and Bible Studies Draw Jamestown Students
Alex Usher of Medford, OR, writes: That is really cool that you have Bible studies on school campuses. That is something that our church also does and it is exciting to see that there are people doing it all over the place!
Two Churches Seeking Staff Ministry Candidates
Angela Balkovetz of Portland, OR, writes: I was born and raised in Helena, Montana, and was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church and the youth group. That was the best time of my life and I want to tell anyone out there that may be thinking of applying for this job, that it is one of the best places to be. The people at that church are absolutely amazing.
Authors: Church Needs to Embrace Hip-Hop
Jerry Mckinney of Childersburg, AL, writes: Thank you for sharing such great theory on the hip-hop culture according to how you see it. I am a pastor, and having started a youth ministry, I needed to know how other pastors feel concerning hip-hop. I know that it will be here forever, so we must find a way to embrace it and fit it into our church in a positive way.
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