Jessica Walter, Ambler
I have to admit, I wasn’t all that excited to go to this year’s Mennonite Church USA convention in Columbus, Ohio. I haven’t been to a convention since my stint as a house manager with Eastern Mennonite University’s production of the play Torba which was performed at the 2001 Nashville assembly. Before then I had only attended as a youth and really enjoyed myself. However, I had a hard time believing going as a delegate would be enjoyable, at all.
But I felt compelled to accept the invitation and participate in the business side of the denomination I hold membership with and work for.
In hindsight, I can say that I am glad to have been a part of the delegate sessions and to have had the opportunity to participate in our denomination in this way.
My delegate table group was comprised of eight people from across a wide spectrum of age, geographical location and life experience. During the week each of them surprised me with their willingness to be open, listen and participate together in the delegate process even when our opinions, perspectives and, sometimes, beliefs differed. This was especially helpful when frustrations with the process and tough topics arose.
During one of the sessions tables were invited to listen to updates on MC USA’s work on producing National Identity materials as per a 2007 Assembly resolution. We then had time to discuss and reflect on where we see challenges engaging our culture in our own ministries.
I was surprised by a rural Ohioan Mennonite pastor who shared that in his church if it is labeled Mennonite, its suspect. He continued to share that his parishioners will readily listen to the perspectives of Christian radio talk shows whose viewpoints are filled with a fearful slant and lack any similarity to the teachings of Christ. Other table members admitted experiencing the same in their congregations.
Another table member, Janet, shared a story of her congregation’s past that is shaping its present. Janet’s congregation is in rural Montana, surrounded by mountains and ranches and no other Mennonite congregations. During the World Wars of the 20th century young Mennonite men across the country were ridiculed, beaten and ostracized in their communities for objecting to serve in the armed forces. The Mennonite community in Montana experienced the same. Janet shared that her church still bares bullet holes from an attack and the pulpit has a large burn mark from a failed bombing attempt. In the face of these acts of violence the Montana Mennonites continued to stand up for their commitment to nonviolence and nonresistance.
However, Janet explained that today with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan her congregation still holds onto the fear of those past attacks and chose to not fly a “Pray for Peace” flag for fear of what the community would say or do.
This story hit me hard. For a while now I’ve been trying to figure out why it is that we, as Mennonites, seem to be proud of our courageous heritage yet act as if we are afraid to really be who our theological ancestors were. I have wondered if the fear caused by the persecution suffered by our ancestors has been passed down from generation to generation. If this is the case why hasn’t the courage been passed down as well?
I’ve heard that it takes ten positive compliments to outweigh one negative critique. This adage suggests that it is the negative that is easier to believe and be formed by than the positive. Is the same true about the spirit of fear? Did the generations that followed our persecuted ancestors, both long past and more recent, pass down only the pain and fear from watching their loved ones get hurt?
I cannot blame them for that, it is human nature to be afraid, especially in the face of violence. But why are we afraid of things we have never experienced and therefore have no cause to be fearful?
We have a choice here: be afraid of what might happen if we do or say anything out of the ordinary or courageously follow Christ where ever he may lead. We can continue to be shaped by the fear of the generations before us or we can trust in God and act from that trust and faith.
What legacy will we leave behind to the next generation of Mennonites?
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.