Beginning Feb. 22 (Ash Wednesday) and culminating on April 8 (Easter), Goshen College students, faculty and staff will provide weekday reflections based on lectionary Scripture passages, available online, by daily e-mail or via RSS feed. To access the devotions or sign up to receive them daily in your inbox, go to:www.goshen.edu/devotions.

Organizers said the devotions will reflect honestly on the Scriptures and offer words of assurances of faith. The spiritual offerings will include poetry, personal stories, reflections and prayers, all intended to more closely examine the call to change and follow Christ.

The popularity of the devotions continues to grow each year and there are now more than 9,000 online subscribers. Since 2001, Goshen College annually celebrates special seasons of the church calendar, particularly Advent and Lent, with online devotions.

Editors: For more information about this release or to arrange an interview, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,:” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report‘s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

GOSHEN, Ind. – As churches and individual Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, Goshen College is again offering an online spiritual resource to help believers make time and space in their hearts and minds to welcome Advent and celebrate Christmas.

Beginning Nov. 21 (the Monday prior to the first Sunday in Advent) and culminating on Christmas Day, Goshen College students, faculty and staff will provide weekday reflections based on the Sunday’s upcoming lectionary Scripture passages, available online at blog.goshen.edu/devotions, by daily e-mail or via an RSS feed. Many writers will reflect on the Advent theme: “Awesome Deeds We Do Not Expect,” taken from Mennonite Church USA worship resources.

Organizers intend the devotions to provide a moment of pause and peace, sharing the thoughts of individual believers to enhance the personal reflections of readers. The short reflections could be used as a centering tool at the start of a day or a way to wind down in the evening. Either way, the writings and Scripture passages can help Christians concentrate specifically on the meaning and mystery of the Advent season.

The popularity of the devotions continues to grow each year and there are now almost 9,000 online subscribers, representing many different denominational backgrounds and countries. And when “Advent devotions” is searched on Google, Goshen College devotions are first on the list. Since 2001, Goshen College annually offers online devotions to celebrate Advent and Lent, special seasons of the church calendar.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College Acting News Bureau Coordinator Alysha Bergey Landis at (574) 535-7762 or alyshabl@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in BarronÕs Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Related links:

• Lecture remarks, as prepared for delivery, “Boundaries and Bridges: Do Denominations Matter?” at Goshen College Afternoon Sabbatical. 2/12/08
• Video: “Do Denominations Matter?” convocation by John D. Roth at Goshen College. 2/4/08

“Our beliefs are never ‘free floating’ or ‘universal.’ If anyone tells you that they are part of a nondenominational church, that they have no human-made doctrine, that they just preach the Bible, and are simply ‘Christian,’ don’t believe them. It’s simply not true,” Roth said.“The pastors of nondenominational churches interpret the Bible according to some theological tradition. Their Sunday schools use curriculum that comes from somewhere. They’re going to have some definition of heresy. There will be some behavior that is unacceptable if you’re going to be part of their fellowship.

“Anyone who claims to be ‘nondenominational’ is simply willfully blind to the historical traditions and biblical interpretation that is shaping their understanding of faithful belief and practice,” Roth said.

“It is precisely those churches who have the sharpest clarity about their beliefs and expectations – Mormons, Pentecostals, some Baptists – that are growing the fastest. And the independent churches that are attracting members around sharply focused issues are, in the end, not ‘nondenominational.’ They are simply creating new denominational identities of their own.”

Roth shared those and other perspectives during a major speech, “Boundaries and Bridges: Do Denominations Matter?,” as part of the Afternoon Sabbatical series at Goshen College on Tuesday, Feb. 12 in the Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall.

A Mennonite scholar and church member, Roth said he never gave much thought to denominational questions until he and other Mennonites were asked to participate in a series of formal dialogues initiated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Since then, he has participated in conversations with historians and theologians from other Christian traditions, including Catholic, Swiss Reformed, Pentecostal Christians and leaders of the “Emergent” church.

While some may believe denominations are irrelevant, such distinctions can have abrupt importance. “Perhaps your child or grandchild starts dating someone from a different religious tradition, say, a Christian Scientist who believes that sickness is a problem of the mind rather than the body or a Seventh Day Adventist who worships on Saturday rather than Sunday or someone with very clear views about home schooling and ‘male headship,’” Roth said. “Suddenly you ask yourself ‘Why do they believe these things? How is this going to affect my child? What does this mean for our family gatherings?’”

Roth noted that Goshen College has students from at least 38 different Christian denominations and five other religions. The local telephone Yellow Pages lists 69 different denominational options within easy driving distance of campus. There are 15,000 denominations registered with the IRS, and as many as 34,000 discrete groups of Christians scattered around the world.

Despite the increase in the number of denominations, Roth noted that there has been steady decline in U.S. denominational loyalty, especially among Catholic and mainstream Protestant churches. Whether measured by membership, financial contributions, understanding of distinctive beliefs or trust in institutional leadership, all of the indicators suggest that traditional denominational structures are in the midst of a profound change.

“What is emerging is less a culture of ‘disbelief’ than the rise of what can be called ‘generic Christianity’ – that is, Christianity that attempts to float free from a particular denominational tradition,” Roth said. “Young people talk a great deal about spiritual life. Yet allegiance to traditional denominations is almost not on the radar; it’s simply irrelevant.”

In addition, there has been a dramatic rise in “megachurches,” whose leaders deny or downplay a denominational affiliation, and an increase in churches formed because traditional denominations haven’t taken a strong enough stance on abortion, homosexuality or some other hot-button social or political issue, Roth said.

While some may argue that a declining role of denominations is a positive development, Roth said denominations remain important and that the trend toward “generic Christianity” should be resisted.

“Denominations provide a necessary ballast, stability and accountability to individual congregations,” he said. “Even more important than these practical considerations, is the fact that denominations – of one sort or another – are impossible to avoid, which is to say that there is no such thing as a ‘nondenominational’ church. … The idea that we will be united if we ‘just’ believe the Bible or ‘just” love Jesus’ is an illusion.”

Roth said denominations express their identity “in a particular form, with particular beliefs, practices, rituals and traditions.” Given such differences, one approach to avoiding conflict between Christian denominations and other world religions is to respect and understand differences and to promote a vision expressed in Revelation 7 of people from all nations and tribes gathering together to praise God in a way that transcends their particular differences.

“That’s where history is moving and I want to be on the side of history, finding myself on a path that is joining up with all sorts of other people who are also moving in that direction,” Roth said. “Today, when I encounter other Christians, one of the first things that I want to know is whether you are heading in that direction, too, and if you are, I want to walk alongside you in that journey.”

Roth added, “I want to encourage all of you here today, regardless of your background, to not only find the particular voice of your tradition, but to offer that song as a gift to each other as a gift, not a threat or an imposition, but as something precious enough that you want to share it with others. If you are on that journey of bringing your praises to God, then hold your head high and sing out with gusto. If others are singing, then try to harmonize as best you can.”

Some of the ideas presented during Roth’s lecture, resulting from ongoing discussion on the meaning of denominations, will contribute to the book that Roth is working on, “Practices.” It will be part three of his collection on Anabaptist faith. The first two parts were books published by Herald Press, titled “Stories” (2006) and “Beliefs” (2005). Roth also is also the author of “Choosing Against War: A Christian View” (Herald Press, 2002) and editor of “Mennonite Quarterly Review.”

– By Richard R. Aguirre

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Beginning Feb. 6 (Ash Wednesday) and culminating on March 23 (Easter), Goshen College students, faculty and staff will provide weekday reflections based on lectionary Scripture passages, available online, by daily e-mail or via RSS feed. Organizers said the devotions will reflect honestly on the Scriptures and offer words of assurances of faith. Many writers will reflect on the Lenten theme: “Out of the depths.”

Organizers hope the daily devotions will provide the opportunity for a moment of pause and peace, presenting the thoughts of believers to accompany individual Lenten devotions. The spiritual offerings will include poetry, personal stories, reflections and prayers, all intended to more closely examine the call to change and follow Christ.

The popularity of the devotions continues to grow each year and there are now more than 5,300 online subscribers, representing many different denominational backgrounds and countries. In four years, there has been a 715 percent growth in subscribers. And when “Lenten devotions” is searched on Google, Goshen College devotions are listed as number four.

One devotion subscriber said, “I look forward to each day’s devotions and have found them very meaningful and inspirational.” Another commented, “I very much appreciate the devotions. They are written by real people, regular people. Thank you for providing this service.”

Since 2001, Goshen College annually celebrates special seasons of the church calendar, particularly Advent and Lent, with online devotions. To access the devotions or sign-up to receive them daily in your inbox, go to: www.goshen.edu/devotions.

Editors: For more information about this release or to arrange an interview, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Lenten online devotions from Goshen College begin Feb. 9 at www.goshen.edu/devotions

Beginning Feb. 9 and culminating on Easter, Goshen College students, faculty and staff will provide weekday reflections based on lectionary Scripture passages, available online or by daily e-mail. Organizers said the devotions reflect honestly on the Scriptures and offer words of the assurances of faith. Many writers will reflect on the Lenten theme: “Marvelous in our eyes!”

Organizers intend the daily devotions to provide the opportunity for a moment of pause and peace, presenting the thoughts of believers to accompany individual Lenten devotions. The spiritual offerings will include poetry, personal stories, reflections and prayers, all intended to more closely examine the call to change and follow Christ.

Goshen College Campus Minister Sylvia Shirk Charles said believers can benefit by observing the Lenten season that leads to Easter. “It is necessary to offer ourselves to God each day of the year, but the Lenten season – as we examine the astonishing gift of Christ’s life and death and new life – can be a time to especially examine ourselves to determine what in our own lives needs to be made new,” she said. “During Lent, we prepare to celebrate resurrection, but we need time for deep reflection. The process can’t all be done in a day.”

Goshen College annually celebrates the special seasons of the church calendar, Advent and Lent, with online devotions. To access the devotions or sign-up to receive them in your inbox, go to: http://www.goshen.edu/devotions .

One devotion subscriber said, “I look forward to each day’s devotions and have found them very meaningful and inspirational.” Another commented, “I very much appreciate the devotions. They are written by real people, regular people. Thank you for providing this service.”

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Online devotions posted daily at www.goshen.edu beginning Ash Wednesday

GOSHEN, Ind. — In the midst of life’s busy-ness, Goshen College will offer a Lenten pause — daily reflections and devotions available online from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 13) to Easter Sunday (March 31).

Through Goshen College’s Web site (www.goshen.edu), the college’s professors, administrators, staff members and students will provide daily reflections, based on revised common lectionary Scripture passages. Readers also can choose to have the devotions delivered to their e-mailboxes each morning or to enrich others with words of their own on the feedback portion of the site.

The series will follow the theme, “Here is an astonishing thing!” offered for Mennonite churches by Builder magazine.

Goshen Campus Minister Sylvia Shirk Charles said the daily devotions should offer a moment of pause and peace, presenting the thoughts of individual believers to accompany anyone’s Lenten devotions. The offerings include poetry, personal stories, reflections, prayers and at least one work of art, all intended to more closely examine how the life of Christ affected the people of his day, and of our day.

Shirk Charles said people of faith should acknowledge the importance of the Lenten season that leads to Easter.

“It is necessary to offer ourselves to God each day of the year, but the Lenten season — as we examine the astonishing gift of Christ’s life and death and new life — can be a time to especially examine ourselves to determine what in our own lives needs to be made new,” Shirk Charles said. “During Lent, we prepare to celebrate resurrection, but we need time for deep reflection. The process can’t all be done in a day.”

The six weeks of daily devotions offer reflections from committed faculty, staff and students, many of whom are actively ministering in the community and at their churches. The online devotions are just a fraction of the Christian resources that exist on campus.

Organizers suggested intentionally taking time to reflect on the themes of the season can be a refreshing way to energize a Christian’s day-to-day walk with God. College spokesperson Ryan Miller said the short reflections could be used as a centering tool at the start of a day or a way to wind down in the evening.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.