In this issue:
Perspectives: A snapshot of…
- Brethren in Christ Church in South Africa
- Hmong District 20th of the Church of Christ in Thailand
- Igreja dos Irmãos Menonitas de Portugal
- Convención Evangélica Hermanos Menonitas Nivaclé in Paraguay
- Rosedale Network of Churches in the USA
A challenge for the ages
It’s a double – even triple – anniversary for Mennonite World Conference this year.
For one hundred years, Anabaptist-related national churches have been meeting together to acknowledge we are one body of Christ together, and to encourage and help each other in fellowship, worship, service and witness.
For five hundred years, people who identify as Anabaptist have been reading Scripture together, affirming that we follow Jesus as an act of will, not mere happenstance of birth, that we hear God’s voice as we serve together in community and that Jesus’ reconciling work extends to us as individuals and worshipping communities to act as peacebuilders who reject violence in its many forms.
And even beyond that, for seventeen hundred years, despite schisms and divisions, Christians have affirmed the Nicene Creed, a summary of Christian belief that is spoken is worship services around the world.
At a moment when differences between people are creating sharp divisions and hostilities, it is a good time to take note of how we have found unifying threads in the past.
The theme MWC has chosen for this year is “The Courage to Love.” The phrase refers to a famous quote, not by Menno Simons or Pilgram Marpeck, but Ulrich Zwingli, the Reformed Church leader who called on followers of Christ, to “do something courageous, for God’s sake!”
So we are calling each other and ourselves to be courageous. Like the first Anabaptists who defied authorities and even traditions to follow the higher law of love, we are challenging ourselves to action.
God’s love for us is transforming us and setting us free from fear. We can courageously forgive those who offend us. We can boldly take a stand against injustice that makes peace impossible. We can valiantly reach across divides that make “others” of humanity. We can compassionately care for those who have been wounded. We can humbly repent of the times we have missed the mark and been complicit in harm.
This issue of Courier contains reflections on this anniversary and its theme by general secretary César García, and we share snapshots of member churches who form part of our 100-year-old communion.
We pray you are inspired as you read through this issue. We invite you to share your witness as you think about anniversaries: how is your church living out faithfulness in your context? How are you living out the courage to love in these fractious days?
Karla Braun is editor of Courier and writer for Mennonite World Conference. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada.