Our Life Together Vol.4 Nr. 14 April 6, 1976

This issue starts off with a nice picture to illustrate the theme scripture. Ken Pagaard writes an article titled "The Gospel" to start the issue.

This article is basically a discussion of evangelism. Ken is quite correct in stating that there seemed to be a new emphasis on evangelism. The first few years of community were essentially evangelistic. Community started as a means to help the people that had been won to Christ to have a protected place to grow. But as we began to have more and more people with severe problems (emotionally, mentally and addictive) we concentrated more on healing those we had rather than reach out for more.

The Billy Graham Crusade was a major event, and we were involved at many levels. I was the coordinator for Lay Men's work in the South Bay. I had to contact the pastors to elicit their cooperation and receive lists of their key laymen. Then we arranged training for ushers, counselors etc. It was a big job. I might add that I was "roped" into this position by Clay Ford -- I didn't really volunteer.

Secondly was the "Here's Life Campaign." This was an outreach through the use of advertisement and phone outreach.

Ken's warning about having a shallow interpretation of evangelism was well taken. The Great Commission was to make disciples -- and we really did take this seriously.

Ken continues with the exhortation that we are to evangelize so that we can build the church. In salvation we receive much, but Jesus also demands much. When we share the gospel we must honestly present both sides to the person we are evangelizing.

Tim Pagaard brings another McFoone strip with another truism -- we seek God because that is the way we are made -- not out of obligation.

On this page, Ken concludes his article.


Even though Larry was not the "Professional Director of Christian Education," he did fulfill that function (among several others). He writes about the issue of discipleship with the children. Mary Fountain is the wife of Dave Fountain. Dave was a chaplain in the Navy -- a Commander. Dave and Mary were in the church for several years and then moved to Fallbrook. Finally the moved to Florida and I don't know of their current status. Incidentally, Dave's brother, Dan, is the missionary doctor in Zaire that pops up in OLT from time to time.


"If My People" is continuing. This was a very successful ecumenical ministry at that time.

This is another example of our work with children. The whole church was really involved with them. Our young artists were very good at working with our children.

This is an injunction to pray for our country. While this is always timely, note the date of the issue; it is no accident in 1976 that we are praying for the country and singing the musical "If My People."

The "In the Family" section is always interesting to me -- it brings back memories. Joe Marone was one of the leading guys in the early coffee house days. He was badly injured in an automobile accident. He passed away a number of years ago.


The banner is advertising the House of Abba on Saturday Nights.

Brenda Smith (Gire) always drew delightful pictures of animals and children. I believe that she is still in FBCCV. She lived at Westby Household for several years at the same time as our family. When we left Westby, Brenda moved with us.

Shelly Hendrickson (daughter of Glee Blasingame) was a teenager when she wrote this poem. She is now an Elementary School Teacher and still lives in the area. Once again, I believe that she attends FBCCV.

Our Life Together Vol. 4 Nr. 13 March 30, 1976

This issue starts off with another Abba Graphics cover. I particularly liked the nature themes. All of the "wood working" around the picture looks very 70's.

Ken Pagaard's cover article is about the absolute need for perseverance in the Christian life. I think that this is a truism for all time, but it was especially true during the days in community. Life in community was difficult -- sometimes great -- other times horrid. It was very easy to rationalize dropping out.  We had a lot of drop outs during my seven years in community. Thankfully not all of the drop outs from community were drop outs from the Lord! I have to say that because there was a general feeling of those in community that to leave community was to leave the will of God. Of course that wasn't (isn't) true, but we had a lot of strong feelings in those days. The call was to hang in there. 

Gary Bell starts an article on Christian Friendship. Actually the principles are good for any friendship, but he is really talking about friendship in a Christian setting; community. These principles were very important in maintaining community. Lack of trust, resentments, gossip will quickly destroy community.

McFoone discusses things with C.S. Lewis. He was a very important author in the life of our church and the community during the 70's.

Larry Clark reports on the ministry that he and his wife, Joyce, experienced in Edinboro, PA. He begins by relating an anecdote on the high level of expectancy among the people there.

Larry continues his discussion of how he and Joyce had been able to minister to the people there.

Joyce Clark was the pastor's secretary. She was the main person involved in typing OLT for years. In this article she discusses how she had to come to grips with her own selfishness in order to really love others.

As Joyce continues with her article she deals with the concept of loving another whether we are loved in return or not. The question of how we love one another was a very practical issue within community. We were not doing this in order to fulfill some kind of ideal; we really believed that this was what God wanted. Thus, God was the glue that held us together, but this was seen in the way we were able to love one another.

Clay writes a little article encouraging us to continue to pray for our nation and state. Of course we are always to pray for our government, but this seemed even more of a crucial practice during this bicentennial year.

Carolyn Cool provides us with another article on love; this really was more than a theological issue -- very practical. Carolyn later married Mike Secor. She and Mike are still in the local area. At the time I believe that she was a member of Oaklawn (later to become Bethel) household which was headed by George and Eleanor Burger.

I don't remember much about Harry Orgovan. I do remember playing golf with him a couple of times. I have no idea what ever became of him.

Harry's little article is followed by another prophecy. We usually didn't put a name on them because we wanted to accept them as words from the Lord and not from an individual.

Here I am really going to show my ignorance. I have no idea who "Yes" is. I assume that they  were a popular Christian music group.

The following pages are more practical issues: in the family, money and Pastors week of renewal.