6 June 2021
John D. Roth
13 June 2021
Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld
Guide for study and reflection on Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church: The Report of the Trilateral Conversations between Lutherans, Mennonites and Catholics (2012-2017)
It was with the twin goals of increasing mutual understanding and helping one another grow in faithfulness to Jesus Christ that a trilateral dialogue took place between Lutherans, Mennonites and Roman Catholics, from 2012 to 2017.
The roots of Christian baptism draw deeply on the biblical images of water – an enduring symbol of cleansing, refreshment, and life itself. In the Old Testament, water is often associated with God’s healing presence – a spring in the desert; a life-giving well; or justice that flows “like a mighty river.”
History, theology and pastoral challenges
Learning from the Mennonite-Catholic-Lutheran Conversations on Baptism
Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church
Lutheran-Mennonite-Roman Catholic Trilateral Conversations 2012–2017
Report of the Lutheran-Mennonite-Roman Catholic Trilateral Dialogue Commission
The commission discussed and developed its final report, entitled “Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church,” drafted by professors Theo Dieter (Lutheran, France), William Henn (Catholic, US/Vatican) and John Rempel (Mennonite, Canada). The trilateral commission agreed on a further process to finalize the report, which summarizes the rich discussions that have taken place over the last five years on three fundamental themes.
The Commission developed the general topic of the dialogue “Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church” through papers on “Living out our Baptism,” the theme of the fourth meeting.
The Commission developed the general topic of the dialogue “Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church” through papers on “Baptism: Communicating Grace and Faith.” Professors John Rempel and Fernando Enns (Mennonite), Rev Prof. William Henn (Catholic), and Bishop Emeritus Dr Musawenkosi Biyela (Lutheran) made major presentations.
“I continue to be inspired by the mutuality of our work,” commented John Rempel of Toronto, Ontario, one of the Mennonite participants in the 26-31 January 2014 second meeting of the Trilateral (Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite) Dialogue Commission on Baptism.
An international trilateral dialogue between Mennonites, Catholics and Lutherans began in Rome, 9-13 December 2012.
On behalf of The Lutheran World Federation
Mennonite World Conference
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
95 (January 2021)
In This Issue
Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church: Lutheran-Mennonite-Roman Catholic Trilateral Conversations, 2012-2017
“Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church: A Lutheran Reflection” by Timothy Wengert
“Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church:A Catholic Reflection” by Peter Casarella
“Baptism and Incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church: A Mennonite Reflection”by Irma Fast Dueck
by Thomas R Yoder Neufeld, on behalf of the Faith and Life Commission
This study guide is an aid for member churches of the Mennonite World Conference to receive and process the “Report” (The Report of the Trilateral Conversations between Lutherans, Mennonites, and Catholics, 2012-2017) on the trilateral conversations on baptism. It has been prepared on behalf of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Faith and Life Commission (FLC) by Thomas Yoder Neufeld, Chair of the FLC, with the benefit of consultation with numerous persons in MWC, the FLC and participants in the Trilateral Conversations.
This guide is not a replacement for the rich and carefully worded Report. By distilling the content and adhering to the structure of the Report the guide provides an outline or road map. Readers of the guide are thus directed to the numbered paragraphs in the Report itself (e.g. [§ 120]). Quotation marks identify when specific words or phrases are taken from the Report.
The guide adheres to the structure of the Report:
Throughout the guide readers will find questions for reflection on and testing of the Report. In keeping with the intentions of the participants in the Trilateral Conversations, the questions are intended to lead to a deepening of commitment to baptism and discipleship. Readers are, of course, not limited to these questions.
We give thanks to and for the MWC delegates to the Trilateral Conversations:
We give thanks also for the Catholic and Lutheran conversation partners who journeyed the path of unity in Christ together with them.
Report on the Consultation on Believers’ Baptism
Participants in the Consultation on Baptism in Kingston, Jamaica 08-10 January 2015
It was with the twin goals of increasing mutual understanding and helping one another grow in faithfulness to Jesus Christ that a trilateral dialogue took place between Lutherans, Mennonites and Roman Catholics, from 2012 to 2017. Over the course of the five year period, the dialogue followed the well-established interchurch conversation method of annual one week meetings hosted successively by the communions. At each meeting papers were presented by delegation members as the trilateral commission explored the respective understandings of key theological and pastoral themes related to baptism and incorporation into the body of Christ.
Report on Conversations between the Baptist World Alliance and the Mennonite World Conference
1989-1992