Our Life Together Vol. 4 Nr. 38 September 28, 1976

Although Tim Pagaard was active in doing art work, such as McFoone which has appeared in many issues, I believe that this is his first cover. Tim, correct me if I am wrong. The art work illustrates the short article by Ken on the next page.

I really like the article on Agreement. We must agree on the right things, not just agree. I think we could all think of things where two or more have agreed on some really bad ideas. Ken tells us that it is as we agree with God, we become more in agreement with one another. Good words.

I remember Joanna Smith, but have no idea where she is at the present time. In her article she presents a nice picture of how easy it is to let some "darkness" into our lives. As she says further, when we turn on the lights after we have been in complete darkness, it hurts.

This is Tim's McFoone. A good word for those of us with critical spirits at all times.

In this article Ken presents some historical thought concerning the way God had led the congregation through renewal in the Holy Spirit and then on to a shared life in community. Then he begins to lament the way that some seem to want to turn back. Its interesting that this was written in 76. The community itself didn't completely die until the early 80s. I certainly have though a lot about those years. They changed my life. From all appearances, I live a pretty conventional life, but I am not the same. The relationships that I formed in those years are among the closest that I still have. Incidentally my wife and I live with my daughter, son in law and three grand-children, so our little community is not dead.

 News from the Charismatic Fellowship gives some indication of what was happening among American Baptist in 1976. Once again I am impressed with the travel and ministry that was accomplished by our church in those days. Incidentally, the trip that I made to Lincoln, Nebraska with Ken was my only trip ever with Ken (other that things like the Kansas City Conference and Green Lake.)

The In the Family segment is enjoyable. Of particular interest to me was the note that the Buckinghams moved into Westby.

Frauke used to be such a part of our "family" at Westby. I remember when her husband passed away. This was a tough time for her.

In many ways I like Larry's article. Yet, it seems somewhat anachronistic. This was written in the days of hardcore paternalism. The man was the head. I had found out many years earlier that my wife was a lot stronger in some ways that I was. She was the rock on which I was anchored. I do like his quote from Grapes of Wrath -- I liked the whole book.

I didn't know Conrad Hoover. In fact, I don't suppose any of us at FBCCV knew him. The article is actually from Sojourners Magazine. It is a good article on community. It also gives a picture of community life as seen by Catholic monks. It is also interesting as to how close we were to Sojourners at the time. Many of us had met Jim Wallis. There are still many things that we hold in common with Jim, but as many of us have become more conservative, Jim is still "out there."

I guess that a shocking fact about world hunger is that the situation, rather than improving, has probably gotten worse. 

Billy McArthur wrote a nice testimony. I knew Billy pretty well, but knew his sister much better since his sister Cherie lived at Westby House. I used to pray with Cherie every morning before she went to work in the Navy. I don't know where Billy or Cherie are at this time.

I don't know who put the Teacher's Corner article there.

This page concludes the articles written by Ken and Larry.

The issue in many ways was pretty standard. I liked the fact that we didn't limit OLT to articles that were written by Ken and other leaders.