Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Rose Bender Cook

Trusting in the Spirit Who Brings Unity

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by Rose Bender Cook

Based on a sermon preached at Whitehall (PA) Mennonite on 16 June 2024 from Ephesians 4:1-6. 

Since Pentecost, I have been thinking a lot about the Holy Spirit (#MosaicTogether2024). Mosaic’s strategic plan calls for a common definition of what it means to be Spirit-led. Recently, I have been led to consider how it is the work of the Spirit to bring unity.    

1 Cor 12:13 says, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit to form one body.” (NIV) The implication is that it’s not my job as a pastor or a Mosaic staff member to bring unity to the church.   

And yet I long for unity. Or at the very least, a deep respect and appreciation for one another that allows us to live and minister together in the body of Christ.    

Recently, I invited eight members of the Whitehall congregation to answer questions that would reveal some of our differences: where was your father born? How many languages do you speak? What do you eat for breakfast? I wanted to show how different we are, and that by the power of the Spirit, we have been placed into one congregation– baptized into one large Body of Christ. As it happened, the answers were so different – including the breakfast foods. Only one of these persons was raised Mennonite. 

In his book, Humility Illuminated, Dennis Edwards reminds his readers of the Pauline teaching that the position or current location of believers is in Christ. It’s not our geography, language, or even our theology that should unite us. Rather, it is our position in the body of Christ. That is where the Spirit puts us and that is what makes unity possible.   

Paul reminds the first century Christians in Ephesus that Jesus broke down the dividing wall and created one new humanity. So that, whether they are Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian—they are now one in Christ.  

Of course, we have our own categories of US and THEM—whether its theology, language, practices we consider faithful or unfaithful, worship styles, economic or education levels, what country we were born in, or what last names we have.   

I wonder if Paul were writing a letter to Mosaic Conference—what categories would he have included? “In Christ there is no longer _____ or _____. “  

Though it is the work of the Spirit to unite us, we have a role to play too. Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort (as far as it depends on you) to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 

How do we keep the unity of the Spirit? In verse 2 Paul tells us to be completely humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with one another in love.  

Humility, gentleness, patience, and love that invites me to bear with my siblings in Christ—these are the qualities I need to cultivate.  

I am being convicted that I am not the gatekeeper of the church or the one who needs to create unity. That is the work of the Spirit. I have plenty to do in examining the posture of my own heart and seek to keep the unity the Spirit has already established.    

As a response, my prayer this summer has been something like this:   

Spirit, soften my heart—may it be gentle and humble like Jesus’ 
Grant me patience to see others as you see them,  
To wait upon your timing 
To trust in your transforming work in my own life and in the lives of others. 
And help me swim in the ocean of your abundant and gracious love.
For your kingdom and your glory.
In Jesus name. Amen.   

May it be so.   

Members of Whitehall Mennonite answering questions. Represented were Indonesian, Nicaraguan, Sgaw Karen, Poe Karen persons and people whose ancestors immigrated from Western European countries.

Rose Bender Cook

Rose Bender Cook is the Leadership Minister for Formation and the Mosaic Institute Director. She is also a pastor at Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church.

Workshop on Discernment Available for Mosaic Congregations and Ministries

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by Jennifer Svetlik

During the June Mosaic board retreat, Leadership Ministers Rose Bender Cook and Noel Santiago offered a two-hour interactive equipping workshop to help create more shared language within Mosaic around discernment work.  

In July, Mosaic staff and Pathways Steering Team members, along with board members who were not present at the retreat, joined virtually to participate in this discernment training.  

The groups were invited to reflect on questions such as:  

  1. How would you describe the difference between discernment and decision making? 
  2. What do you think is needed to have a good corporate decision-making process?  What are unhealthy practices that prevent good discernment? 

Quoting from Henri Nouwen, Director of Collaborative Ministries Margaret Zook (Salford [Harleysville, PA]) shared, “As discerning people, we sift through our impulses, motives, and options to discover which ones lead us closer to divine love… Discernment reveals new priorities, directions, and gifts from God.” 

Gary Alloway (Redemption Church of Bristol [PA]) shared, “Discernment assumes I don’t yet have what I need and must be open to imagination and creativity.”  

Others reflected on the importance of setting group ground rules; listening well; asking the right questions; offering enough time for learning, listening, and reflection; finding courage to and having a safe space to speak up; and doing inner spiritual work to listen to God, prior to engaging in the group process.  

“All voices need to be at the table, not just for listening but to be empowered to speak up and be a part of the process,” encouraged board member Maati Yvonne Platts (Nueva Vida Norristown [PA] New Life).  

A communal storytelling of John 9 was also a central piece of the session, to help the group think together about the barriers to discernment or seeing God at work among us or in others. There was individual and group reflection on which of the story’s characters are most relatable, the emotions, motives, and power dynamics present, and how this story speaks into each’s leader’s discernment approaches and challenges.  

Bender Cook and Santiago drew on the book Pursuing God’s Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton to share about healthy group discernment practices. They offered several resources for continued individual and group reflection and processes.  

“The reflection on John 9 was a good springboard for discussion on spiritual vision,” shared Barbara Musselman (Zion [Souderton, PA]), who participated in the board equipping session in Vermont, with her spouse Jim Musselman, who is on the board.  

“I had many takeaways. One of them was that discernment is breaking out of our usual binary of either/or thinking to find a new way of moving forward as co-conspirators in God’s Kingdom.” After the session, Musselman asked Bender Cook and Santiago if they would be willing to lead a similar session with the board and spiritual council at Zion.  

“I look forward to wrestling with this and putting it into practice with my congregation,” she says. 

Bender Cook and Santiago are also open to leading a session for your congregation or Conference-Related Ministry. The workshop can be offered in person or on Zoom and interpretation is available. Bender Cook and Santiago are also available to preach on discernment with the John 9 text. Please reach out to them if interested in these possibilities.  

“Ultimately, we can attend discernment workshops, but the real work begins in how we live into those practices both individually and corporately,” encourages Bender Cook. 

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Editor / Development Coordinator for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family. 

Visioning for the Hard Work of Leadership 

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by Rose Bender Cook

Being an effective leader is hard work. Healthy leaders with integrity, humility, courage, and vision seem rare. In our current political arena, power conflicts and personal agendas prevent collaboration and creative problem-solving. In our congregations, conferences, and denomination, we have similar challenges. It’s a difficult time to lead. Leaders need our prayers.   

This year, I started the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) in Leadership program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). Initially, I spent time assessing my strengths and weaknesses and realized I have blind spots I don’t even recognize yet. As I look back over 13 years as a pastor at Whitehall (PA) and reflect on my new position at Mosaic, I am humbled. This is sacred work. I want to be effective, but even more, I want to be faithful. 

Scripture teaches us much about leadership. I am convicted when I read about Moses’ workaholism, over-functioning, and lack of time with family which had to be corrected by his father-in-law (Exodus 18). I identify with Elijah’s repeated narrative that he was the only one left to do God’s work (1 Kings 19). I am challenged by Esther’s courage to be a voice for her people at great personal risk (Esther 8). I am inspired by Peter’s willingness to adapt when he witnessed the outpouring of the Spirit at Cornelius’ home (Acts 10).

Then, there is Jesus. His times of prayer grounded him so that he wasn’t swayed by the pressure of the crowd (Mark 1: 35-39). He was focused on the plan of the Father, and yet flexible, stopping to raise the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7) and healing the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7).    

As a part of the D.Min program, I was asked to develop a vision statement for my leadership growth.  After prayer, discernment, and some fear and trembling, I submitted this: 

To be grounded, gracious, and Spirit-led–opening space for everyone to take their place at God’s table.   

Each part of that vision invites me to growth and into spaces that are uncomfortable. I wonder if I can live up to this call. Will I apply the discipline it takes to stay grounded? Will I grow in joyful patience and generous love so I can be truly gracious? Will I surrender my ego and agenda to follow the Spirit’s prompting?  

Will I be able to imagine the big table of God (Luke 13: 29-30; 14:21-23) which looks different from the table I would set? How will I clear space for those who have no power to share their voice? How do I welcome others as Christ has welcomed me? (Romans 15:7) How do I love the stranger, the enemy, as well as the brother or sister who comes from a different theological perspective than I do?   

There are plenty of times where it seems easier to throw in the towel on this leadership journey.  According to the scriptures, I am in good company. But I serve a God who is faithful, who always provides what is needed to live into the call we’ve been given.  

I pray for discernment as I listen to the Spirit and for the courage to obey. As I relate to other leaders and those in my care, I want to be loving, tender-hearted, and humble (1 Peter 3:8). This is God’s church, God’s table, God’s mission, and I have been invited to join. Instead of relying on my own leadership abilities, I will trust fully in the One who began this good work and will bring it to completion (Phil 1:6).   

Rose Bender Cook

Rose Bender Cook is the Leadership Minister for Formation and the Mosaic Institute Director. She is also a pastor at Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church.

Creating Opportunities for Jesus-Centered Formation to Talk Across Difference

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ROSE BENDER COOK STAFF PROFILE

by Jennifer Svetlik

“I believe being formed in the way of Jesus means we operate differently than the broader culture around us which divides and puts people into camps,” shares Rose Bender Cook, Leadership Minister for Formation for Mosaic Conference. “In this role, I hope to help those within our Conference explore how we think, respond, talk to, and love one another even when we disagree.” 

Bender Cook has served as Interim Leadership Minister for Formation since October 2023, and in January 2024 transitioned to permanent status. Mosaic Conference has a Leadership Minister for each of its three priorities (missional, formational, and intercultural).  

“In this role, I work with the formation team to equip and support our credentialed leaders, congregations, and Conference-Related Ministries so they can be formed more and more into the image of Christ,” Bender Cook explains.  

“Formation is about the spiritual disciplines and practices that we engage in as disciples of Jesus. It is about being transformed so that we live out the prayer to do God’s will ‘on earth as it is in heaven’.” 

Since 2021 Bender Cook has helped lead Mosaic Institute, first as a curriculum developer and adjunct professor, then as Assistant Director, and then Director. 

“As a pastor, I am always thinking about formation for the congregation I serve, and in this new role, I will be challenged to think more broadly about creating spaces where we can all be formed by the Word of God and the Spirit’s work in one another,” reflects Bender Cook. 

Bender Cook with Whitehall congregation, where she is a pastor, on their annual covenant renewal Sunday in November 2023. Photo by Patti Connolly. 

Originally from Wellman, IA, her first profession was as a social studies teacher for sixteen years. In 2010, she became the pastor of Whitehall (PA) Mennonite. For four years she worked as an adjunct professor for Eastern Mennonite University’s STEP Program, and she has also worked as a research assistant.  

“I have done a lot of curricula writing over the years, so this new role is a perfect combination of teaching, designing curricula, and pastoring,” Bender Cook says. “Through the Pathways process, we have heard that congregations want support in navigating difficult conversations, so that is something we will be working on in 2024,” she adds. 

Through her role as a pastor at Whitehall, Rose served on the Conference credentialing committee for three terms (12 years) and now serves on the ministerial committee.  

Bender Cook snuggles her new grandson at Christmastime. Photo by Rose Bender Cook. 

In her free time, Bender Cook enjoys walking her beagle, Bailey, reading or listening to books, doing puzzles in the winter, playing board games, quilting, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Bender Cook also coached girls’ basketball for over ten years. When she was in high school, she played the six-on-six version (Iowa was the last state to switch to five-on-five). 

“Since November, though, being a grandma tops the list! My grandchild lives about six hours away but whenever I can get a snuggle, I am there for it!” Bender Cook shares.  

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Communication Associate/Editor for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family. 

Mosaic Institute: Finding Our Place in God’s Story 

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By: Rose Bender Cook

All newly credentialed leaders in Mosaic Conference are required to take four courses from the Mosaic Institute. These courses introduce them to Anabaptist history and Mosaic Conference priorities as well as help foster collegial relationships across geography and culture. 

One of the assignments in the first course is called, “Great Cloud of Witnesses.”  Students choose from a list of noteworthy Anabaptists that spans 500 years (e.g., Felix Manz, Christopher Dock, Anne Allebach, Clayton Kratz, and James and Rowena Lark) and present a first-person monologue of their character.   

Over years of teaching this course, I have noticed that the students are less likely to choose from the list of names on the syllabus.  More often, they want to research people that connect their story to the larger Anabaptist story.  These are some recent questions students have asked me: 

  • “Can I research how the Anabaptist movement went to Indonesia?”  
  • “I want to interview Ransford Nicholson and learn about the Jamaican Mennonite Conference.”   
  • “I grew up in the beautiful village of Abiriba, Nigeria, and it had Mennonite doctors and nurses. Can I research how and why they came to that village?”  

As they research and share these new-to-me stories, I am learning history, too.   

During the course, students share their own pathway to Anabaptism. We also learn early Anabaptist history through original source documents and John Roth’s book, Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be.  We learn Mosaic Conference history by going to the Mennonite Heritage Center (Harleysville, PA) and by connecting with congregational leaders and local Conference Related Ministries.   

The students and I hear the story of God’s people in the past and develop relationships that help us imagine God’s future story.  As we learn about people and places like Menno Simons, the Germantown (PA) Meetinghouse, the formation of Norristown (PA) Nueva Vida New Life, we hear the testimony of God’s call to a life of peace and justice after living through genocide in Burundi; we learn what it means to be faithful to God’s call while organizing with the Poor People’s Campaign in New York; and, we hear about experiments of immigrants becoming pastors in predominantly English-speaking congregations.  

Though teaching the traditional curriculum is still important, a higher priority for the Mosaic Institute is that students find themselves in the Anabaptist story and in the even grander story of God’s church. 

Ministers and leaders gathered for a Mosaic Institute course in May 2023. Left to right: Steve Kriss, Executive Minister; Rose Bender Cook, Mosaic Institute Director; Effiem Obasi Otah of Faith Chapel (CA); Marcos Acosta of Homestead Mennonite Church (FL); Joe Paperone, connected to Bethany Mennonite Church (VT); Mukarabe Makinto of Faith Chapel (CA), and Sherilee Samuels of College Hill Mennonite Church (FL).

Photo provided by Rose Bender Cook.

At Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church, where I am one of the pastors, we are in a series called Build Your Church, Lord, and we have been asking members to pray this phrase daily.  I have been amazed (once again) by the church in Acts. In the face of persecution and divisive conflict, the church is still ultimately one of widening the circle of Jewish Christians, Samaritan Christians, Ethiopian Christians, and Gentile Christians.  The Spirit leads the way.  Each group finds its place in God’s story.   

In the current milieu of Christian nationalism and culture wars that seemingly define the issues that divide our congregations and our conference, my experiences with Mosaic Institute classes ground and remind me of the long and wide story of God’s people and God’s church.  I am convinced that our Conference name is both descriptive and prophetic. We are Mosaic, and we are becoming more so—in all the beauty and richness.   

Continue to build your church, Lord.  May your glory and your kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

Rose Bender Cook

Rose Bender Cook is the Interim Leadership Minister for Formation and the Mosaic Institute Director. She is also a pastor at Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church.

Congregational Profile: Whitehall Mennonite Church

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by Rose Bender, pastor

Whitehall Mennonite Church began in the early 1990s when retired pastor, Bob Walter, was out sailing and felt the call to plant a new church in the Lehigh Valley.  He had a dream to create a place for those who were weary from life, giving them a place to belong and to share the good news of the gospel. Despite support from other Franconia Conference churches, forming this new fellowship was a challenge. There were many times that they almost gave up.  But the community people who came found a welcoming home and received lots of practical support. 

Today, WMC carries that same spirit of hospitality and care for the community.  In 2009, the congregation supported a refugee family from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). This experience has changed the face and enlarged the heart of the congregation. Half of the congregation is now Karen-speaking. Karen songs, scripture, and greetings are a part of our common life. Each Sunday we gather after worship to eat together. The variety in food reflects the variety in our congregational culture.  We often say that this eclectic group of people would not be together if it were not for Jesus.  

Pastor Melky wanted those gathered on the last Sunday of 2019 to take a silly picture! (Photo credit: Melky Tirtasaputra)

Born out of a missional experiment, our congregation has always been willing to experiment with new ways of being church together. We have frequently invited young leaders like Samantha Lioi, Danilo Sanchez, and many summer interns to join our work.

Most recently we called Melky Tirtasaputra, a newly-credentialled leader from Nation’s Worship Center (Philadelphia), to be our associate pastor.  This is the first time that an Indonesian pastor will be leading a non-Indonesian congregation in our conference. Melky and his wife, Vina, bring spiritual maturity, hospitality, stability, and an entrepreneurial vision that the congregation needs.  The congregation will provide an opportunity for them to test out their gifts as they prepare to do church planting in the future.  

Pastor Rose Bender gives a congregational gift thanking Pastor Danilo Sanchez for his ministry at WMC. (Photo credit: Melky Tirtasaputra)

The congregational focus for 2020 is “Leadership as Discipleship.”  We have restructured our leadership team to create more opportunities for growth. We also continue to work at increasing our intercultural capacity.  Ah Paung, one of our servant leaders, said, “We practice here for what is already happening around the throne room: many nations, many languages, many tribes praising the living God.”  

Prayer Requests:  

  • Discipleship training and maturity
  • Creativity and stability
  • Openness to the leading of the Spirit 

Together Once More

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by Sue Conrad Howes, Eastern District Conference (West Swamp congregation), with Emily Ralph Servant, Franconia Conference (Director of Communication)

It was a potentially historic day for two Mennonite conferences that split over 170 years ago. 

Photo by Cindy Angela

On November 2, 2019, delegates from Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Conference met together at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church to determine if reconciliation, which seemed unattainable in 1847, would now be possible.

It was hard to imagine that these two groups had been divided at all, as animated conversations and joyful reunions happened throughout the crowded fellowship hall as the delegates arrived. There was even an audible groan when it was announced that the Eastern District Conference delegates needed to move to another gathering room for their morning delegate session.  And so, for the morning, the two groups met separately, with the possibility of reconciliation on the afternoon horizon.

During Eastern District’s morning delegate session, leaders facilitated a discussion over the future and publicly recognized that the vote toward reconciliation was just the beginning of a new journey.  They thanked everyone who had helped to bring them to this point and then led in a time of sharing stories about where delegates were seeing God working in their congregations and ministries. 

Photo by Cindy Angela

Franconia’s morning delegate session included affirming Rose Bender Cook (Whitehall congregation) for a third term and KrisAnne Swartley (Doylestown congregation) for a second term on the Credentials Committee. Chris Nickels (Spring Mount congregation) was affirmed for a third term and Janet Panning (Plains congregation) for a first term on the Ministerial Committee.  Swartley and Panning will serve as committee chairs.  John Goshow (Blooming Glen congregation) and Beny Krisbianto (Nations Worship Center) were thanked for their nine years of service on the Conference Board.

Franconia also welcomed four new Conference Related Ministries: Peace Proclamation Ministries International (out of Plains congregation), Healthy Niños Honduras (birthed out of MAMA Project), Ripple Community Inc (out of Ripple congregation), and Taproot Gap Year (out of Philadelphia Praise Center).  The delegates welcomed a new congregation, Iglesia Menonita Ebenezer (Souderton, PA) and released West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship to transfer to Allegheny Conference.

Photo by Cindy Angela

After a meaningful joint worship in the morning, when credentialed leaders of both conferences who had passed away during the past year were remembered and newly credentialed leaders were introduced, anointed, and then commissioned to anoint others, the two conferences joined together for the afternoon session. Joy Sutter, moderator of Mennonite Church USA (Salford congregation), expressed gratitude to the delegates for demonstrating the path of reconciliation. “You are modeling a new and inspiring path for the future. As you move forward…, may you be blessed,” said Sutter.

The three-year process toward reconciliation, led almost exclusively by conference volunteers, was introduced by the Structure and Identity Task Force.  Sherri Brokopp Binder (Ripple congregation) & Rina Rampogu (Plains congregation) explained the process, the changes proposed, and the next steps, if the delegates voted affirmatively for reconciliation.

The task force had done its work, as few delegates posed questions or expressed any sense of hesitation with the proposal. The two conferences divided, for the last time, to discern and vote.

Photo by Cindy Angela

With the delegates reunited after the vote, John Goshow, Franconia Conference moderator, and Jim Musselman, Eastern District moderator (Zion congregation), shared the results of the historic vote: together, the conferences had voted unanimously for reconciliation.

Spontaneous applause and cheers of affirmation from the delegates erupted while leaders from both conferences shared hugs and broad smiles.  Together, the enthusiastic group sang, “Hosanna, Let Jesus be Lifted Up” and “Praise God from Whom” with gusto and gratitude.

Scott Roth (L) and Steve Kriss (R) lead the Conferences into a time of communion. Photo by Cindy Angela

Following the singing, Steve Kriss, Franconia Conference executive minister, and Scott Roth, Eastern District conference minister, spoke.  “I am rarely speechless,” Kriss admitted. “But we are about to do something that could not happen 150 years ago. We are about to sit together and take communion. For some of you, this split divided families, for some of you this split divided congregations. Today we celebrate the ministry of reconciliation that has been and will continue to be our life’s work.”

Roth reminisced about being charged with the ministry of reconciliation as a youth by adult leaders who knew that the reality of such a merger would be through the work of future generations. Roth shared his joy that the dream he had heard about as a youth was now being realized. “Remember,” Roth said; “although the paperwork is not completed, we are one in the Spirit and we are one in Jesus’ blood.”

Jessica Miller (Perkasie congregation). Photo by Cindy Angela

In the front of the fellowship hall, a pile of rocks had sat all morning, without mention. This column was reminiscent of the Old Testament practice of raising an Ebenezer, commemorating God’s help or celebrating memorable events. This rock structure was not to remain, however.  Instead, each church was instructed to take a rock home, paint it, and return with it to next year’s first assembly as a new conference. The rocks will then be formed into a fountain, representing the new conference, flowing with life.

Conference moderators, John Goshow (Franconia) and Jim Musselman (Eastern District) prepare to celebrate the reconciliation! Photo by Cindy Angela

The day’s events closed with a traditional action, which has been spoken by Franconia delegates to conclude their assemblies for more than a hundred years. On this day, however, delegates of both Franconia and Eastern District made the commitment together, as one gathered body:

“We affirm our desire to continue in and witness to the nonresistant and simple faith in Christ, looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“Kami menegaskani keinginan untuk terus ikut dan menjadi saksi kesederhanaan iman dalam Kristus dan menjadi pembawa damai, terus mencari kepada berkat pengharapan serta memperlihatkan kemuliaan dari kebesaran Tuhan dan juru selamat kami, Yesus Kristus.”

“Afirmamos nuestro deseo de seguir testificando con la fe de no resistencia y sencilla en Cristo, mirando a la esperanza bendita y la venida gloriosa de nuestro gran Dios y nuestro Salvador Jesucristo.”

“Chúng tôi xin xác nhận nguyện-vọng của chúng tôi là tiếp tục và làm chứng cho giải pháp ôn-hòa và đức-tin chân thật trong Ðấng Christ, tiềm kiếm sự hy-vọng hạnh phước, và sự vinh quang của Ðức Chúa Trời đại quyền hiện ra và Ðấng Cứu Chuộc của chúng tôi là Ðức Chúa Giê-xu Christ.”

”我們重申我們的意願是繼續以和平及純正信仰去見證基督的生命，懷著美好的盼望，等候我們偉大的神及救主耶穌基督的榮耀顯現。”

Seeing the New Church

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by Danilo Sanchez, Youth Formation Pastor

The doorbell rang and I knew it was time for baptism class. Four energetic youth stumbled through my door, took off their shoes, and found a place to sit.

“Did everyone bring their Bible and homework?”

One youth held up his English Bible while the others went to the Karen Bible app on their phone. We started the class by going over the homework, which was writing their faith story.

Some shared about Bible quizzes and memorizing Scripture in the refugee camps. Others shared about their Buddhist parents and not knowing anything about Jesus. The one experience they all had in common was camp at Spruce Lake last year. Each of them felt like a spark was lit and they desired to know more about Jesus.

I shared parts of my own faith story with the class and it was a humbling reminder that, despite our different upbringings, we were all called to be Jesus’ disciples.

Many topics in the baptism class, which I taught alongside Pastor Rose and Ah Paung (a Karen leader from Whitehall), were new to the group, and they asked so many questions about the person of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the big story of God. The most foreign topics we discussed were Anabaptist values, which come from our unique perspective on Jesus and Scripture. Through this baptism class, I found myself wondering, “What does Anabaptism mean for youth and young adults today?”

In my upbringing, Anabaptism meant daily discipleship, simple living, non-conformity, and non-violence. What that looked like in the day-to-day was a strong emphasis on holiness in my personal relationship with Jesus, not spending too much money on clothes, and being against war and abortion.

The values of discipleship, simple living, and non-violence are still present in Anabaptism today, but I see our youth and young adults express it in different ways. Simple living doesn’t just mean not being materialistic, but is also about sustainable resources and caring for creation. Non-violence isn’t just about protesting war or abortion, but is also about practicing peace in our schools, better gun laws to stop mass shootings, and preventing sexual abuse in the church. Many of the young Anabaptists emerging today want discipleship to include values like justice and community to fight against racism, sexism, and broadening the circle of people included in the kingdom of God.

While not all our youth understand or believe in those ideas yet, I recognize that the face of Anabaptism is changing and that our values are growing and expanding. I want the youth at Whitehall and the youth in our conference to know that there is space for them in the church and that they belong. The way youth and young adults choose to express their faith may not look like mine or the previous generations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t being faithful to Jesus or Anabaptism.

As a pastor and a leader in the church, I need to make space for youth and young adults to express and explore their faith. One thing I know for sure is that I’m not trying to teach “Christian behavior” or even “Mennonite behavior” but, rather, to present the resurrected Jesus and trust that the same Holy Spirit that spoke to me is speaking to them.

At the end of August, we celebrated Than’s baptism. It was a joyous occasion and an honor to welcome a new brother in Christ. I looked upon the smiling faces of the youth and children as they embraced Than and said, “Here is the new church. Isn’t it beautiful?”