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Wonder and witness, works and Word
Anabaptists and Pentecostals The Global Anabaptist Project* says: “Pentecostalism is the most rapidly growing expression of Christianity in the world, and Anabaptists are not foreigners to this reality.” Anabaptists around the world experience this by practicing an expression of faith that César García, general secretary of Mennonite World Conference, calls “Mennocostal.” Many Anabaptist-Mennonites today combine…
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Internal Dialogues
“Mennocostal” – Pentecostal Mennonites – may be the best characterization of most Anabaptists in Mennonite World Conference today. The influence of Pentecostalism in Mennonite congregations worldwide is an overwhelming reality. In their study of Mennonite World Conference churches, Conrad Kanagy, Elizabeth Miller, and John D. Roth conclude, “One of the defining differences between MWC members…
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Courier 2022 / 1 April
Feature Wonder and witness, works and Word Perspectives Zimbabwe: Pentecostalism, Anabaptism and the Africa Christian climate India: Together proclaim the “manifold wisdom of God” Germany: Worshipping a living and active Spirit Brazil: Exuberance for the Spirit Canada: The brightest and best MWC leaders An occasion for confession and transformation Joy in the midst of suffering Internal Dialogues Assembly Update…
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How should Mennonite World Conference engage the church with creation care?
This series of stories on the creation care survey has illuminated the importance of issues like climate change in the lives of Anabaptists around the world. We now come to the last question: what should Mennonite World Conference do in response? The Creation Care Task Force is taking your responses as guides for crafting activities…
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Believe and be baptized!
These words of Jesus (Mark 16:16), repeated at Pentecost by the apostle Peter (Acts 2:38) inspire Anabaptists and spur us to action. “Baptism” is in our very name – and our practice is a key marker in our formation as a group of Christ followers. But what is our practice? Sprinkling, pouring or immersion? When…
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An occasion for confession and transformation
A focus on history can easily shade into hero worship – a focus on earthly figures rather than on Jesus, “the founder and perfector of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Preserving historical memories can become a form of nostalgia, or a defense of the dead weight of tradition and the status quo.
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A changed life
At a place where springs appear in the desert east of the Jordan River, a guide explains that this is where John baptized Jesus – at “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (John 1). Modern wooden structures stand where early Christians once built churches. Here, John called crowds to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Repentance meant…
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Anabaptists around the world care for creation
Stories from around the world teach how we respond as faith communities to the challenges of climate change. The 353 responses to the Creation Care Task Force survey contained many stories of churches caring for creation. This month, we highlight responses that emphasize how congregations creatively enact local solutions as faithful response to the injustices…
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Meet your MWC Officers
The Executive Committee delegates responsibility to the officers to provide oversight to the life and work of MWC between its annual meetings. president and vice-president elected by the General Council, the general secretary (ex officio) appointed by the General Council a treasurer appointed by the Executive Committee An officer must be a member of an…
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What would help churches engage more with creation care?
Last month we looked at what activities churches actually do with creation care. This week we look at what they would like to learn more about. In other words, what do churches wish they could do more? 1. Respondents are interested in learning about several key areas of creation care. Respondents believe their churches are…
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Created in the beauty of climate
On 23 September 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that the Intergovernmental Panel report on climate change was “a code red for humanity.” And yet Guterres was hopeful, saying “it is not too late to act to ensure that climate action contributes to international peace and security.” For Guterres, nations must work together because peace…
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To overcome obstacles in unanimity
Austria Mennonitischen Freikirche Österreich (MFÖ) / Mennonite Free Church of Austria The Mennonite Free Church in Vienna is the community in which I had the privilege of growing up. We are a small but incredibly family-oriented church, centred around Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I can identify myself very well with the Mennonites because…
