What follows are 95 theses about faith and practice in Mennonite Church USA. Each one comes from my own experience as I\u2019ve pondered what appears to be a shrinking moderate voice in the denomination.<\/p>\n
As a high school history teacher for over thirty years, I\u2019ve been pondering the meaning of the five-hundred-year anniversary of Luther\u2019s 95 Theses, and some months ago I began jotting down my own ideas, which eventually led to the following list.<\/p>\n
I write from a moderate\u2019s point of view. I am hopeful for the future of Mennonite Church USA, yet I am also realistic about the nature of church institutions at the end of the reformation age. Perhaps posting these suggestions, musings, and observations on the internet door of our age can help our community discussions. At least that is my hope, so here I stand.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Think before you speak, because attacking a friend causes pain, loss of confidence, and sleepless nights.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Affirm a brother or sister ten times for good things they’ve done, and by then, your theological differences may seem less significant, but if not, at least you will have built a strong foundation for conversation.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hold to the central historic Christian beliefs of the Creeds, the Councils, and historic mainstream Christian beliefs, recognizing that while these change over time, the core of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is central.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hesitate trying out the latest novel ideas about faith and new theological discoveries you\u2019ve come up with just for fun\u2014test them against timeless interpretations of Scripture in the Believers Church tradition.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Welcome the ideas of young people as, together, we seek to faithfully follow Christ, apply Scripture, and interpret the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Learn to live with the tensions that come when two Assembly Resolutions appear to be irreconcilable, since that\u2019s pretty much the way life goes, with unresolvable contradictions that dog us throughout life.<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Confess salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, as outlined in Romans 1:17, and add a Latin word in the margin of your Bible, Sola, or \u201calone.\u201d<\/p>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Avoid looking to political views or governmental policies for Kingdom ethics, moorings, or instruction for living\u2014look instead to the way your community interprets Scripture.<\/p>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Come together with bread and wine in Communion at the foot of the cross, accepting the elements with brothers and sisters who are different than you are.<\/p>\n
10.\u00a0 Confess sins when conviction touches your heart, especially in community during worship, and accept cleansing through the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
11.\u00a0 Talk about theological and lifestyle differences in reasonable, rational, and calm tones, with truth, candor, and honesty, but without rancor, high-mindedness, or self-righteousness.<\/p>\n
12.\u00a0 Forgive one another, love, and engage brothers and sisters who are different so that we do not create even one more denomination, since the 45,000 denominations in the world are enough already.<\/p>\n
13.\u00a0 Work hard to maintain church unity because anything worth keeping or building is difficult, so roll up your sleeves and dig in.<\/p>\n
14.\u00a0 Cook the best food you can for the next pot-luck at church, since the kitchen at church is a great place to work at unity while flipping pancakes, plugging in crockpots, washing dishes, and laughing with one another.<\/p>\n
15.\u00a0 Respect the central administrative and faith bodies of your Conference, as those groups have highly committed men and women who are seeking to find a middle way between the polarizations of the day.<\/p>\n
16.\u00a0 Challenge the central administrative faith body in your Conference, ask them to become more transparent, and to decide key faith issues of doctrine and practice more out in the open.<\/p>\n
17.\u00a0 Think twice before you post opinions about a pastor or leader in a distant state or place, because you may not know enough about the situation to actually have anything worthwhile to say.<\/p>\n
18.\u00a0 Find brothers and sisters with whom you can pray, often, deeply, and in the very Spirit groans of Christ, who hears our cries even before we utter them.<\/p>\n
19.\u00a0 Encourage your pastors often, because they are walking the vale between competing voices that few of us not in such a holy office ever see or ever feel.<\/p>\n
20.\u00a0 Tell your song leaders at church occasionally that you appreciate their work of choosing and leading songs, because such a task, which is often done on a voluntary basis, is hard work, and is difficult to navigate in an age of competing preferences of musical style.<\/p>\n
21.\u00a0 Stop long enough in your church lobby to build church unity, both on the way into the sanctuary, but also on the way out, where we say hello, check in on each other, and speak a word of encouragement that may go a long way to support a friend.<\/p>\n
22.\u00a0 Listen carefully to the academics in your church and learn from those trained in the biological sciences, medicine, law, psychology, educational administration, and theology.<\/p>\n
23.\u00a0 Discuss your beliefs and opinions at Conference delegate tables, and work at the hard business of creating church unity by listening well and then clearly speaking your own opinions.<\/p>\n
24.\u00a0 Help pay for lay members to get to church conventions, like Mennonite World Conference gatherings, as such an investment can yield good returns toward building church unity.<\/p>\n
25.\u00a0 Consider yourself fortunate if you have family reunions where you can test your ideas and beliefs, give and receive feedback, and heatedly debate those who are different than you are, but still come back the next time ready to talk again.<\/p>\n
26.\u00a0 Understand the peril and promise of posting beliefs about the church in social media networks that can positively impact others for needed change, but may also injure and harm in a screen-time digital environment that does not convey a smile, hug, or handshake.<\/p>\n
27.\u00a0 Appropriate a genuine faith in Christ\u2019s saving mercy and grace in our lives, and an understanding of our need for Spirit-led heart transformation, which can lead the church in the direction of unity.<\/p>\n
28.\u00a0 Attend an alumni reunion or reception at the Mennonite College or University you graduated from, check in with friends you haven\u2019t seen for a while, encourage new administrators, and laugh when folks from long ago tell you a good story or a tale.<\/p>\n
29.\u00a0 Give faithfully out of the abundance you\u2019ve been given as a powerful and God-given gift of the Holy Spirit that builds up, undergirds, and strengthens the staff and ministries in those institutions that count on your giving for their sustenance.<\/p>\n
30.\u00a0 Invite new folks who come to church into your home for Sunday noon dinner, and so partake of the very presence of Christ in our lives.<\/p>\n
31.\u00a0 Crochet sweaters for the babies in your congregation, and so bless those you give them to for a long time, perhaps even into the next generation.<\/p>\n
32.\u00a0 Take time to listen to the student who calls you from the school you graduated from, speak to them cordially, learn about the institution you care about, and at the end of the conversation, make a contribution.<\/p>\n
33.\u00a0 Provide feedback to your Mennonite alma mater when they ask for your opinion, and not later when you complain or grumble after the results of the survey have been posted.<\/p>\n
34.\u00a0 Shed a tear when the tensions of denominational differences tear at your soul, whenever it may come, such as during a lovely song in worship, the beauty of a sunset, or the grasp of a baby\u2019s trusting hand around your finger.<\/p>\n
35.\u00a0 Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.<\/p>\n
36.\u00a0 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4.<\/p>\n
37.\u00a0 Read a church periodical so you know what others are thinking and writing about.<\/p>\n
38.\u00a0 Stay in touch with the banter on church denominational web sites so you understand what a variety of people are thinking about.<\/p>\n
39.\u00a0 Attend a church wide convention to find out what others from across the church believe and to see what they look like.<\/p>\n
40.\u00a0 Sing like crazy when a song leader starts a song at church\u2014it may lead to the redemption of your heart and enliven your spirit for the week ahead.<\/p>\n
41.\u00a0 Invite your pastor to play in the praise band at church\u2014he will be glad for the opportunity to do something different in worship than preach.<\/p>\n
42.\u00a0 Teach your Sunday school class when asked, it will be good for your soul and it will help members learn more about you.<\/p>\n
43.\u00a0 Read church periodicals and exercise judicious responses when you read stuff you don\u2019t agree with.<\/p>\n
44.\u00a0 Rejoice when a high school student you teach shows you an article you wrote in a church periodical, even though she took it from a Mennonite church lobby in a distant state when her choir sang in that church\u2014she may get connected to the magazine and the church through it.<\/p>\n
45.\u00a0 Provide copies of your denominational magazine to everyone at church, like your church used to do.<\/p>\n
46.\u00a0 Invite four generations to your Sunday dinner table, eat outside in the warm weather, and feel free to talk about faith, always taking great care to listen well to the younger generation.<\/p>\n
47.\u00a0 When your Conference administrator asks for help at the regional conference assembly, volunteer without hesitation.<\/p>\n
48.\u00a0 Laugh deeply with your grandkids and instill in them the joy of living before they reach the age of one.<\/p>\n
49.\u00a0 Attend other churches whenever you can and enter into their congregational life as if it were your own\u2014because it sort of is.<\/p>\n
50.\u00a0 Joke with those of another generation around your kitchen dinner table\u2014it may be the very Spirit glue needed to keep the church going well in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
51.\u00a0 When your District officer asks you to pray for another church nearby, do it, and often.<\/p>\n
52.\u00a0 Read Christian theology from other traditions, like so far outside your realm of comfort that you begin to authentically examine your own beliefs.<\/p>\n
53.\u00a0 Help the Sewing Circle at church make their next comforter.<\/p>\n
54.\u00a0 Work at a Relief Sale if you are asked\u2014it\u2019s one of the best inter-Mennonite events anywhere.<\/p>\n
55.\u00a0 Hold your fire when a young adult writes something scurrilous or outrageous on the internet\u2014you probably did such a thing once upon a time.<\/p>\n
56.\u00a0 Accept the premise that change is a regular part of the human condition, and if you try to stop change, it\u2019s like attempting to hold back the incoming waves at the ocean.<\/p>\n
57.\u00a0 Ask a group of adults to go to a classic rock concert and have some fun\u2014it\u2019ll help you when it\u2019s time to talk about faith at church.<\/p>\n
58.\u00a0 Go to a bluegrass jam in your community, and if you play an instrument, string it up, tune it, and chord along with the sounds of heaven.<\/p>\n
59.\u00a0 Sing gospel songs with abandon and so bring the lyrics of faith into your soul, your church, and your heart.<\/p>\n
60.\u00a0 Lift your hands in praise and clap when you feel energized by songs that are led at church.<\/p>\n
61.\u00a0 If you live in a Mennonite college town, listen well to a relative from a distant state who laments the loss of youth from his home church who go off to school and never move back home.<\/p>\n
62.\u00a0 When you teach youth about the church and faith, don\u2019t lecture\u2014show them, encourage them, and allow them to talk about new ideas\u2014you did that once.<\/p>\n
63.\u00a0 Make your house a hospitable setting for talking about faith issues, and take time to sit and listen when young adults wonder, prod, and disagree with you or the church.<\/p>\n
64.\u00a0 Mourn the need to release a conservative congregation when your conference delegate session calls you to do so\u2014and do it just as fervently when a progressive church decides to leave.<\/p>\n
65.\u00a0 Wish young adults happy birthday on social media because you may be one of the few in the church still reaching out to them with God\u2019s love.<\/p>\n
66.\u00a0 Pray for the Executive Conference minister in your area\u2014the job must be one of the most challenging in the church.<\/p>\n
67.\u00a0 Drive to the distant denominational Assembly with folks who believe and think differently than you\u2014the hours of talk and listening in the van just might build a bridge or two.<\/p>\n
68.\u00a0 Volunteer when the Gifts Committee at church asks for your help\u2014do it if you can\u2014serving on a Gifts Committee is hard work when people keep saying no.<\/p>\n
69.\u00a0 Look for the continuities of faith in your denomination while welcoming the inevitable changes that come over time\u2014if you don\u2019t believe it look at your high school yearbook and see how much you\u2019ve changed.<\/p>\n
70.\u00a0 Understand the power of the information age\u2014ignore it to your peril\u2014the world has changed as dramatically as it did when Luther and the Anabaptists began using the printing press.<\/p>\n
71.\u00a0 Realize that the world of information changes everything in the church since we learn about events and decisions in distant places instantly, and the playing field of influence and power has completely changed.<\/p>\n
72.\u00a0 Rejoice that a local congregation is still made up of people in pews and chairs who come together regularly to pray, sing, confess, and listen to one another, in person and without the use of information technology.<\/p>\n
73.\u00a0 Enter into prayer for the church with mutuality in mind, seeking a genuine relatedness in a loving and trusting manner.<\/p>\n
74.\u00a0 Pray that God would help you change and accept others who are different, not that God will change others to become more like you.<\/p>\n
75.\u00a0 Accept the reality that most will affirm marriage between a man and a woman as God\u2019s intent, but that others will believe differently and that living with such a tension is tenable and possible within a denomination.<\/p>\n
76.\u00a0 Agree that institutions inevitably change, even religious ones, and that\u2019s a normal human process, and actually much to be desired.<\/p>\n
77.\u00a0 Find the courage to speak from a moderate\u2019s point of view in sharing time during worship, both encouraging others but yet clearly calling for faithfulness to God\u2019s kingdom.<\/p>\n
78.\u00a0 Sit down with those on your right and left and listen to them before opening your own mouth\u2014it\u2019ll work much better that way and it will actually reflect God\u2019s intent for human relationships.<\/p>\n
79.\u00a0 Understand that soundbites from the left or right make the news, but the moderate\u2019s diligent work over decades has the greatest long-term impact.<\/p>\n
80.\u00a0 Listen to the left and right, but stand in the middle, because that\u2019s about the only way civil society or church can survive in the long term.<\/p>\n
81.\u00a0 Engage in a meaningful mission that is larger than yourself, and know that it may never be fulfilled in your lifetime, but still, begin and work at it.<\/p>\n
82.\u00a0 Accept that if you\u2019re a moderate you\u2019ll get run over like roadkill in the middle of the highway, but get at it and don\u2019t be afraid of the traffic.<\/p>\n
83.\u00a0 Refuse to allow institutions to lock people into contours of belief and practice that are based on patterns of the past.<\/p>\n
84.\u00a0 Respect Anabaptist groups who hold to practices such as coverings, plain coats, and traditional ways of life, and do not disparage them, as their communities are probably growing faster and may be more faithful to 16th century beliefs than your more progressive group.<\/p>\n
85.\u00a0 Listen to wisdom from gray haired seniors in the church, but bend your ear closely to the voice of young people who have ideas that will change and strengthen the church for the future.<\/p>\n
86.\u00a0 Travel the highway of church history beliefs and practice, and respect the past, but realize that roads change, they get moved, they vanish, and new roads emerge where none had been before.<\/p>\n
87.\u00a0 Respond with wisdom when those on the left attack you, remaining silent if necessary, and when conservatives criticize your common-sense perspectives, reply in calm and charitable ways.<\/p>\n
88.\u00a0 Lament the loss of the moderate middle, and exercise prudent fear for an increasingly divided public forum, be it the church, the state, or the federal government.<\/p>\n
89.\u00a0 Write a letter to a large Capitol newspaper when you observe congressmen and women acting like middle-school children in the halls of power in Washington, D.C., who refuse to actually listen to members on the other side of the aisle.<\/p>\n
90.\u00a0 Turn off the shallow commentators on the radio who make a fabulous income stirring up the fears of the populace.<\/p>\n
91.\u00a0 Use images and music to communicate in this post-Reformation age, but continue to write and speak because sentences and thoughtful words are still the most effective long term means of building unity.<\/p>\n
92.\u00a0 Attend Homecoming at your Mennonite alma mater and find out how others in your class have changed and grown.<\/p>\n
93.\u00a0 Avoid hardline and predictable theological responses to the issues of the day because a refusal to examine another\u2019s position, on the left, right, or middle, digs you in deeper to the rut you\u2019ve created for yourself.<\/p>\n
94.\u00a0 Challenge the fancy new ideologies coming out of academia that sound cute and trendy, because they\u2019ll quickly vanish if not rooted in historic Biblical teaching that has anchored the church for millennia.<\/p>\n
95.\u00a0 Utilize the perspectives of the global Mennonite church, ecumenical bodies, and interfaith discussions that may be productive for unity in MC USA.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What follows are 95 theses about faith and practice in Mennonite Church USA. Each one comes from my own experience as I\u2019ve pondered what appears to be a shrinking moderate voice in the denomination. As a high school history teacher for over thirty years, I\u2019ve been pondering the meaning of the five-hundred-year anniversary of Luther\u2019s … Continue reading 95 Middle Way Theses<\/span>