MWC should celebrate mission conference in 2027
The 2015 Mennonite World Conference assembly was indeed a significant event for our movement. In response to the question posed in one of the workshops and reported in your excellent coverage, let me suggest that the MWC assembly in 2027 feature the synod of Anabaptist leaders held in 1527 in the German city of Augsburg. At this meeting they came to agreement on some crucial principles, set aside their different views on the end-times and sent themselves as missionaries to various regions in Europe.
In 1925 at the first Mennonite World Conference assembly we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first re-baptism in Switzerland. In 1936 at the third MWC assembly we celebrated the conversion of Menno Simons in the Netherlands. In 2027 we should celebrate the first mission conference of the Anabaptist movement to highlight our calling to be witnesses for the gospel of Jesus Christ to all parts of the world.
Peter Rempel, Winnipeg, Man.
“Cultural Mennonite” reacts to being excluded
Re: “‘Absurd to think an atheist can be a Mennonite” July 6, 2015, page 9.
This letter decrees that a Mennonite is—and only is—a baptized adult believer. For added emphasis it also apparently helps to scold all those who do not vigorously self-identify as a “cultural only” Mennonite. Guilt? Ladle it on brethren—those tongue screws ain’t gonna tighten themselves.
Am I to suppose that we of little-questioning-bumbling-no-faith must strike from the record all those life experiences previously counted as part of a personal Mennonite journey? It was all just the Molotchnian meanderings of an aufyegefallen (backslidden) Menno wannabe? Hands off the heritage! Great-great grandfather a delegate from Russia? Irrelevant happenstance. Tears of joy shed when your daughter was baptized? Meaningless theatrics at best—specious grandstanding, more likely.
It does not matter how many relatives named Corny one may have, how many votes for Jake Epp were cast, or the number of over-priced MCC auction plauts (fruit pastry) bought and consumed. These are simply distractions—knakzote (sunflower seeds) in the wind—no matter how formative they are when taken as a whole, lifetime immersion. Without public declaration, all of it is just a mildly quaint collection of absurd non-sequiturs in the intellectual property for “Mennonite.” Oba nay (surely not)!
Mitchell Toews, Chilliwack, B.C.
Theologically conservative position not respected
Methinks the editor protests too much. Despite editorial laments about the many references to sexuality, the editor recurrently raises the topic. Despite appeals for more respect for our gay members/adherents, I find Canadian Mennonite quite intolerant of theologically conservative positions. Despite all the words since 1985, only occasional articles constructively expounded on our official position about human sexuality.
Our sexuality is an important part of being human. While it is not the prime quality for our identity—especially as Jesus followers—in today’s culture we justifiably need to give it constructive biblically-based attention. Failing to do so has created problems.
Our leaders and institutions unapologetically promote unpopular positions such as peace and justice, despite many members who do not. But they will not take a similar stance on our official position regarding human sexuality. Surely our official position warrants the same respect and attention that is given to the dissenting politicized lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/questioning (LGBTQ) faction.
I find the following principles helpful:
- A good God created a good world and encourages humanity to pursue goodness. Sin distorts much of God’s creation and human relationships
- Among the many distortions of God’s creation are atypical genetic variations, some of which we do not understand or may not have discovered. We cannot confuse them with God’s original good creation. Even so, God loves them all.
- Goodness/Godliness includes respect and justice for people with differing opinions or life styles.l
- The Bible warns us about ignoring God’s principles.
- God created men and women with complimentary bodies. Jesus explicitly affirmed the Genesis record. Despite contrary practices, Biblical marriages are always assumed to be heterosexual. Other expressions of sexual intercourse are condemned. Heterosexual marriage is a common metaphor illustrating the intended relationship between God and God’s people
- There are various expressions of intimate relationships. Sexual intercourse is but one. Its uniqueness warrants healthy boundaries. Distortions minimize it to erotic recreation.
- Our inclinations, feelings and ideologies often mislead us, keeping us from experiencing what God intends for humanity. All must conform to Christ.
- Jesus and our Anabaptist ancestors remind us that wholesome living is determined by joyfully pursuing God’s goodness as revealed in Scripture, often in disciplined and painful ways. For some that has meant celibacy, even in the context of stable heterosexual marriages.
- As church we help each other.
Ivan Unger, Cambridge, Ont.
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