Christianity on the margins

Canadian Mennonite University took 12 students on a study tour to the United Kingdom this summer led by Professor Irma Fast Dueck. The students explored the theme of Christianity on the Margins at the Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival, which brought out over 20, 000 participants. Students travelled to Coventry, England, and Glasgow, Scotland, followed by a week of reflection on the Isle of Iona. Ben Borne and Gabrielle Lemire reflect on their experiences.

Q: How did you see Greenbelt or Iona engaging with the theme, Christianity on the margins?

Gabrielle: I found Greenbelt refreshing and stimulating because it engaged such a variety of content. Greenbelt is an arts and social justice festival offering experiences for all ages and interests. I found myself attending many talks where I learned about everything from other faiths and marginal Christian groups to lent programs for doubters in a church. Even more important than the talks were the experiences available at Greenbelt: a communion service set to trance music for example. What Greenbelt offered in its music, sessions, theatre, worship and activities pushed the envelope and asked of the participant: what does it really mean to be Christian?

Another significant part of the experience was who I met. Greenbelt brings out people that have all sorts of feelings towards the institutional church: tired, engaged, frustrated, inspired, hopeless, hopeful . . .

These factors and many others, like camping in unusual amounts of mud, played important roles in creating a space to engage with a different side of Christianity. This is perhaps a hidden side: Christianity on the margins.

Ben: Iona is a marginal place. Iona is a three-by-two-mile island that draws in many Christian sojourners who are looking for a place to rest and reflect. The island itself is rather barren, fully exposed to the eye of God. There is nowhere to hide from who you are. Many people come with deep hurts or conflict about faith, or maybe they come with no faith at all. Many are confused in their marriage, divorce, sexuality, and so on. Iona is a place that gathers in the lost and the marginalized of the church—those who sit on the outside. It offers a space to reorient or re-imagine the self in relation to Christianity, and sends people on their way with some healing, inspiration and probably many more questions.

Q: How has this experience impacted you?

Gabrielle: My experience on the study tour challenged me to face the unknowns in my faith. Encountering people of other cultures has continued to push me towards the admission that my own values and reason are not universal. However, I have also been invited into the awareness that the Spirit of God is working in people, places and ways that my values or reason would not have allowed. Sometimes I expect far too much from theology, and far too little from God.

Ben: My main concern is the large demographic of people who sit on the margins of the church, looking in and finding nothing for themselves. Is the Mennonite Church offering an intentional space to reorient and re-imagine the self in relation to the Christian faith? Is there a space, like Iona, to wrestle with deep hurts in a safe community? Might this kind of place allow for the unseen wounds on our bodies to be exposed and healed?

As a young adult, I’ve been craving this kind of church to be modeled in our Canadian context, without having to go across the pond. I think it is safe to assume that I am not the only one. How can we re-invigorate a new sense of authenticity, understanding, and community within the church? How can we welcome those who sit on the edges to jump in and feel safe? These are the questions that both Gabrielle and I are left mulling over. We welcome you into this journey to the edge of Christianity, a place of wildlife where paths are to be forged.

Gabrielle Lemire is in her fourth year at Canadian Mennonite University studying Biblical and Theological Studies with a Math minor. She is a member at McIvor Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg.

Ben Borne is in his fourth year at Canadian Mennonite University, studying Biblical and Theological Studies, with a Communications & Media, and Music minor. He currently attends Hope Mennonite Church in Winnipeg.