Our Life Together Vol. 4 Nr. 39 October 5, 1976

I find this to be an interesting cover. Of course, it illustrates the lead article by Ken Pagard (He hadn't changed it to the Danish spelling yet.) All of those statements speak to virtues in our American culture, yet all of them can hold us back in our spiritual growth.

Ken's article is unusually short for him. Yet it speaks eloquently to the issue. It is our pride that can keep us from submitting to God. I know that I grew up with the idea that I wanted to be a self-made man. It wasn't until I realized that I wasn't doing a very good job at it that I could relax, submit to God and be made new.

I will talk more about Gary and Georgia at  page 5 where Gary's article concludes.

Once again, McFoone illustrates a great truth. Both of the issues illustrated were points of discussion among the elders. We were not very Baptistic in our practice of communion. We celebrated communion at least every week and sometimes every day. This was a very meaningful time for most of us, but the possibility of it just becoming something routine was very real. We were also a church full of huggers -- McFoone nails it.

I have not read many of the books by Calvin Miller. He is an interesting writer. He doesn't write like a theologian, Bible scholar or preacher; his works are fiction and poetry. I actually met him at the 1000 Pines camp at a Ministers Retreat either in the late 80's or early 90's. I found him quite interesting. Larry gives a good review of our Ministering Community.

I must confess that I had completely forgotten the Eleanor Burger worked in (managed?) the book store owned by the McCullochs. The books she recommended are certainly dated but I also enjoyed being in the store. It was a nice, relaxing place.

Remember, we didn't celebrate Halloween. It was the Fall Festival. It was always a lot of fun.

I remember so well when Jacque and Linda started the sewing ministry. This has always been at the heart of Linda. She loved to sew in those days -- and especially baby and children's clothes. I remember shopping at Sid's Yardage with Linda after returning from Westpac -- he told me how grateful he was for my financial support. Linda still has a heart for the babies and children. Now it is quilts that she makes. She heads up a quilting ministry at Bay View Baptist Church. 

The article by Gary is a neat article about love. He neatly ties in marital love and the love that bound us together in community. Gary and Georgia are still married and serving as missionaries in Belize. If any of you are on Face Book, be sure to Friend Gary so that you can see his This Day in Belize -- it is well worth it. I should also note that the OLT's that I am uploaded are a result of Gary's collection of them. I am in possession of that collection (Gary -- I have it when you want it -- I am taking good care of it.)

I really don't know who wrote all of the information on the next couple of pages on World Hunger, the Biblical Imperative and what we should do about it, but I do find it interesting, because I don't think that much has changed in all of these years. I do remember that for years we fasted every Friday evening for dinner and gave the money to world hunger relief.

Larry's article concludes on this page. Then we have In the Family. One item of interest is that in this article we have the birth of April Wetzel -- this week she posted on Face Book that she was celebrating her 19th wedding anniversary. Where does the time go.

For many years we really had no formal rules for membership other than a profession of faith followed by baptism. We began to see membership as something deeper than merely attending church, so we developed a system of rules for membership. Later I was one of the teachers of the Basic Principles class.

At this point, I had never met Bill Zuspan, but I came to know him in the 90's. He moved to California and became the pastor of the American Baptist Church in Rancho Bernardo. Small world.

Our team camped out in the basement of Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City.

The issue closes with the write of an oral prophecy. There is also a poem by Dawn Schmid. She wrote pretty regularly for OLT.

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. 

Our Life Together Vol. 4 Nr. 37 September 21, 1976

The cover picture represents the hungry children of the world. I believe that this is taken from one of the magazines cited in the interior of the issue.

Ken's article has the take off point of the scripture (Matthew 27:42), "He saved others; he cannot save himself." Ken starts off with the normal response that, of course, Jesus could have saved himself. Then he moves on and states that on the other hand, Jesus had no option. He had to die in order to save us. God himself loves us so much that he had to allow his son to die. Ken then goes on to discuss our partnership with God and that, just as Jesus paid the price, we also must pay the price of laying down our lives for others. I like this article because it is brief, yet sets out this principle that was really preached over and over to those of us involved in the Ministering Community. 

Larry Clark was the man for Quotable Quotes. I liked the quote from Dr. Bob Munger -- I guess it is because I too have reached the metallic age. The article does continue on page six, but stops abruptly in the middle of the quote by Pastor Ed Burgess.

During these years, we always had financial needs, yet our needs were always met. For the most part we actually didn't have a real budget either. It was not unusual to have funds come in unexpectedly. The Renewal Center (or the Campground) was one of the projects -- dreams -- that never got off the ground. We held on to the property until the 1980s when we finally said that we had missed the Lord's timing and this was no longer viable for us. We were always trying to get money for the termite fund. I don't think FBC has been tented and processed for termites yet. Does anybody know?

As always, In the Family is interesting to me. Dan Stolebarger was just starting at Point Loma College. Ron Alsop, Jerry and Kay Owen, Stan and Ruth Jamison, Joyce and Larry Clark, Bob Granigan -- memories from the past.

It is interesting that McFoone pictures the dilemma of "Worship Wars." What kind of music is best to bring the people in. This kind of thinking led to Seeker services years later. It is still bothersome. McFoone is confronted with the real truth at the end. 

Clay Ford was always interested in reaching out to the poor and hungry. I remember the World Hunger Dinner that he hosted at one time. One of the topics at meetings of our Heads of Household was just how much should we identify with the poor. What kind of standard of living should we have. Those of us on staff were paid on the scale of welfare. I know at Westby House we always fasted on Fridays and gave the food money to the poor. 

New Covenant Magazine came out of the Ann Arbor Community which was located near the University of Michigan. It was basically a Catholic Community. I visited there later in 1979 and was teased at a men's Bible Study because I was a Baptist. There were many Catholic Priests who were very active in the leadership of the Charismatic Movement. Father Scanlan was one of those leaders. I don't know actually where he was located. 

This article by J.D. Douglas provides a nice list of scriptures about dealing with the hungry.

Dan and Sharon Stolebarger are about to get married! It is so exciting to see that they continue to serve the Lord. They are currently in Israel. I love reading their updates on Face book. They lived at Westby for some time after they were married. I served as the duty driver for much of the time. I used to take Sharon to work. Great days!

The Quotable Quotes continues on this page. Bill Ebling later became the pastor of First Baptist Church of Bellflower and my mother was his secretary. Bill preached at my mom's funeral. He also later became the interim Executive Minister of the ABCPSW. He is still an old friend.

The little article about advertising on tee shirts looks a little quaint. This practice is pretty standard now. However, I personally agree with the article. I don't like to advertise. I am not a bill board. 

I'm sure that there will be more about Here's Life in future issues. I have some stories about this campaign. Clay and I supervised this.

Then there is the birth notice for Jill Miller. Bud and I were quite close during those days. I miss him but don't know where they are at this time.

I had almost forgotten that Judy used to be the director of the Preschool. She is another lady that continues to serve the Lord. I also hear from her periodically on FB. I remember the Ministry, River of Life -- but it is just that, a hazy memory.

Our Life Together Vol. 4 Nr. 36 September 14, 1976

The Picture not only serves to illustrate the first article but it actually continues on the next page and becomes part of the article itself.

Jerry Jamison and Gary Bell co-author the lead article. Jerry and Gary were a talented duo. They headed up Abbacraft and were involved as young men in leadership of the church at that time. Gary is currently serving as a missionary in Belize -- if on face book read his This day in Belize -- well worth it. Jerry and I actually started seminary together. The article discusses the question of who crucified the Lord. We must each take the blame ourselves. They then give us the word that we should not be pointing the finger at others -- only ourselves. 

We will look at McFoone later. The little article by Ernest Harvey exhorts us to truly see the Lord. I must confess that I don't remember him.

The big article on this page is by Clay Ford, but I would like to bypass it first to look at the Christian Children's Clothes. This was a ministry headed up by Jacque Johns (no Mays) and my good wife, Linda. Jacque and Linda were both talented in their ability to sow and they also both had a heart for children. This was a natural.

Clay's article is a report about the College-Career Conference at Thousand Pines. Clay was an all around leader in the church, but one of his emphases was that of heading up ministry to the young -- particularly young adults. I remember the time that Clay and I picked up Tony Campolo at the airport (before I got out of the Navy.) They both gave me a hard time (I think it was good natured.) However this was when I was thinking about leaving the military. Clay also mentions Virgil Nelson and Lowell Fairley who both became important to me after I became the pastor at First Baptist. My first real involvement with the denomination was as a member of the Hunger Task Force. Virgil was also a member. Lowell had become the Executive Minister for the ABCPSW and helped me greatly as I moved into the pastorate. I remain very grateful to him and was sorry to see him pass away last year. Another small world note is that Lowell's son Brian became one of my best friends as he became pastor at FBC La Jolla.

Mona Pagard was Ken's wife. She was a jewel. Everyone loved her. But she was not only nice, she was wonderfully capable particularly in her work with women and children. By profession, she was a school teacher. Linda and I lived in her the Westby Household headed by Ken and Mona for seven years. We treasure her greatly. She currently lives in the Temecula area with her youngest daughter Katherine and her family.

As I have mentioned before, the "In the Family" column brings back memories. I remember most, but not all of those mentioned.

Tim Pagaard's McFoone deals with the issue of Condemnation vs. Conviction.

Our Life Together Vol. 4 Nr. 35 September 7, 1976

The face of Human Resolve is on the cover. I have no idea who Barron Storey is, but it illustrates the first article very well.

I find it interesting that this issue contains articles, not only by Ken Pagaard, but by two of the next three pastors to follow him. Of course, I directly followed him (and wrote nothing,) Clay followed me and Randy followed Clay and is the current pastor of FBCCV. 

I also found interesting that Clay uses Daniel as the example for resolve since, according to posts on FB, Clay is currently involved in following the Daniel diet. Life's little coincidences are always fun to look at (at least for me.) Of course, Clay's point is that there is great power in our resolve. I think he is right. Randy's article continues on the next page and I will comment there.

Randy writes that he wants to see a time when different kinds of Christians can get along; experience unity. He states that the wrong way is to try to persuade everyone to be like us. We must be tolerant of others. It is love that will bring about unity. Randy has lived this out because he is now Pastor of FBC, an American Baptist Church, but has been a pastor in a church of a different denomination for many years.

Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." Linda Coale has written several little stories for OLT over the years. This one is about the fact that when we are yoked with the Master, Jesus in charge, we don't really lack freedom, we are taken care of.

This is another pithy article by Ken. The last sentence sums it up well. "He has not called us just to follow his orders, or to follow his example. He has called us to let him live his life in us."

Larry Clark provides an exposition and testimony regarding James 5:14-16. He tells how he came to believe it and to put it into practice.

I suppose that "The Lord's Mountain" by Brian Gire is a flyer for an upcoming concert? More Abba Graphics.

I like the artwork "I am the vine, . . ."

I remember Elizabeth Fisher, but have no idea where she is at present. I believe that she wrote several poems for OLT.

Our church library was really neat for its time. Yet, seeing this article, it seems quaint at the present time. It was used a lot during the 70s.

Our Life Together Vol. 4 Nr. 33 August 24, 1976

Once again the cover demonstrates the theme of Acceptance. It shows Jesus accepting us because he became one of us. Dallas Willard in "Divine Conspiracy" states that Jesus doesn't just announce the Good News, he is the Good News.

Ken's lead article on acceptance was not new to those attending First Baptist Church in those days. Certainly it was not new to those living in our Community Households. We were taught to accept people as they are, not as we would like them to be. Of course, to our shame, we didn't always do this. There were a lot of examples of volatile situations that occurred when behavior was bad -- or perceived as bad -- and the reactions began. We became quite familiar with what we called the "sandpaper" ministry. We all tended at one time or another to rub one another the wrong way. But these interactions began to smooth out the rough places in our lives. We need to learn the lesson of acceptance in the church today. Rick Warren makes a point that we should not expect those outside the church to have the same values as those who are believers. Remember, Jesus Christ accepted us just as we were at that time.

Pat Vos, now Frehafer gives a nice testimony about here acceptance with us at 5th and E.

Clay Ford begins an article on this page about our standard of living. He begins by pointing out the ministry of Mother Teresa and Billy Graham's encounter with her. The issue of standard of living was an issue within the community when the Heads of Household would gather together. On one hand, all of us were trying to live a frugal life, but on the other hand, each person's idea of what was necessity and what was not frugal was different. Therefore each household was a little bit different on how we lived. This was sometimes a source of contention.

I believe that the artwork is that of Gary Bell. Art was important to our community -- visual, drama, music and even dance. 

As Clay continues the article, he discusses some of the contention within the different households. I remember in the early 80s when the Share Program started, meeting with Deacon Shelton (sp) who started the ministry. This was a food distribution program which First Baptist became involved in. I asked the deacon where his idea came from. He told me that he had been a successful businessman, but felt called of God to go to Calcutta and serve with Mother Teresa. After serving with her for some time, she told him to return to the United States and develop a program to help the poor in a country with a very different living standard than India. He returned and developed Share.

Then follows and advertisement for workers in Abbacraft. This was also an important ministry in the church, but also nationwide through Christian Bookstores.Of course, it was Tim Pagaard's McFoone challenging people to sign up.

This is a continuation of a report on our ministry in Columbia written by Dale Hunter. Dale was a leader in our church for several years after his return from Columbia. He passed away a few years ago while still too young to leave us. For those who haven't read earlier issues, we had a team living in a Catholic Community called El Minuto. This ministry was quite fruitful. The Priest of that parish, Father Garcia Hererros (sp) was a leader nationally in Columbia in the Renewal in the Catholic Church.

For those who were in the church at that time, the In the Family column is always interesting.

In this day and age, the title "The Homemaker's Ministry" seems dated. Marcia Hadfield was a missionary wife. I can't remember where they were stationed (New Guinea?) If anyone knows, I would be glad to hear from you. Her article is really about creativity. I used to hate anything said about creativity -- I didn't feel creative. I think of art classes in Elementary School where teachers would ask me what I was doing and give a fake smile as they said, "Very nice Richard." My own Granddaughter said to me when she was five -- we were drawing pictures together -- "That's OK Grandpa -- you tried." Yet Marcia has a real point, we are all capable of creativity. I guess my area has been music -- working on preaching -- hoping to learn to write. My wife makes beautiful quilts. Each of us has our own gifts. I am still learning.

The wedding announcement is for Ted and Linda Walker. They have been -- and still are -- faithful missionaries in Israel. I certainly remember them well.

Ken puts his finger on a very real problem. I really feel for the young man/woman who went from Christian Schools to Christian College and then to Seminary then immediately into pastoring a church. I was unprepared for ministry when I first became pastor. Seminary gave me part of the solution. Frankly, 20 years of living in a secular world, working a secular job (Naval Officer) prepared me more. I am thankful that there are options today for more help in the spiritual aspect of the pastorate; I think of John Piippo at Redeemer School of Ministry. There are others. With this said, Pastoral Training still remains an issue.

Ken pleads for articles regarding the Charismatic Renewal in the American Baptist Churches. With this request, Our Life Together became the "Official Newsletter" for the ABCF.

On this page, Marcia Hadfield continues her article. One of the things pointed out in this article is still a real truth; the home can be a wonderful venue for ministry. Hospitality is an important gift for the church (as well as life in general.) The Next page will be for McFoone, right side up.

A good word from McFoone about the issue of a stiff upper lip -- or faking faith -- to carry us through. Whether healing comes supernaturally or through medical efforts, healing is more than pretending that everything is OK. Oh the stories that could be told about situations along this line.

Larry Clark could be relied upon to read widely and report on his reading. I never read the book, but the review is interesting. Larry never read Bultmann -- but I struggled through a large volume for my "Synoptic Gospels" class at Bethel Seminary. I agree with Williams and Larry.

I remember attending the Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts. This became somewhat controversial as years passed. It was a good experience when I attended with a large group from 5th and E. Judy Lind is a name from the past. I remember her well but have no idea where she is at the present time.