{"id":5614,"date":"2019-07-29T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-29T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/teaching-resources\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T16:44:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T16:44:50","slug":"teaching-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/teaching-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Mennonite World Conference produces three types of documents approved by the General Council:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>governance documents (pertaining to the function of MWC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>statements (speaking to the MWC family about our values &amp; convictions)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>teaching resources (helping local and national churches reflect on Anabaptist identity and mission)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>On this page you will find links to MWC\u00a0<strong>teaching resources<\/strong>, produced by our Commissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Teaching Resources from the Commission:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-soft-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Heart With Four Chambers: A Theological Foundation for the Work of MWC&#8217;s Four Commissions (Peace, Mission, Faith and Life, and Deacons)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>by Alfred Neufeld Friesen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cAnabaptist tradition\u201d is a historical movement, rooted in the sixteenth century Radical Reformation, of contextualizing the Bible\u2019s apostolic and prophetic legacy as lived out by the early church. Tradition is a historic witness of moments of renewal and contextualization, a dynamic in need of permanent perpetuation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/heart-four-chambers-theological-foundation-work-mwcs-four-commissions\/\">Read &#8220;A heart with four chambers&#8221;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The &#8216;Anabaptist Tradition&#8217; &#8211; Reclaiming its Gifts, Heeding its Weaknesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>by Hanspeter Jecker<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout Scripture God repeatedly confronts his people with this insight: if you want to reach the Promised Land, then remember the path in which God has led you until now (Deuteronomy 8:1-2). The parable of the talents (Matthew 25) invites us, as Anabaptist congregations, to ask ourselves what convictions have been entrusted to us as a treasure from our history, and what things we should readily toss aside in exchange for others. Could it be that certain important biblical perspectives have not yet been heard in the world simply because we do not nurture, develop or know how to appreciate those gifts?! Could it be that even the \u201cAnabaptist tradition,\u201d with all of its weaknesses, holds within itself precisely these treasures, which are not to be buried but rather are meant to be developed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/anabaptist-tradition-reclaiming-its-gifts-heeding-its-weaknesses\/\">Read &#8220;The &#8216;Anabaptist tradition'&#8221;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-soft-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Koinonia \u2013 The Gift We Hold Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>by Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The word <em>koinonia <\/em>has rightly become a central term and concept for Mennonite World Conference. In addresses, publications and programmatic efforts, leaders have been nudging the global Anabaptist community to a deeper relationship with each other. Even when we don\u2019t use the word <em>koinonia <\/em>itself, much of the terminology we use depends on it: meeting needs, mutual encouragement, gift giving and receiving, fellowship, interdependence, solidarity, consensus, communion, community, unity, being \u201ctogether.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/koinonia-gift-we-hold-together\/\">Read &#8220;Koinonia&#8221;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Anabaptist Theology of Service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>by Arnold Snyder<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Anabaptists came to Scripture in what we might today call a \u201cna\u00efve\u201d way;<br>for them, Scripture was simply the written word of God that gave witness to the living God. However, they read Scripture not in search of dogmatic truths, but rather with a real expectation of finding truth and light for their pilgrimage as children of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/anabaptist-theology-service\/\">Read &#8220;An Anabaptist theology of service<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-soft-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identity and Ecumenicity:\u00a0A Theology of Interchurch Hospitality and Denominational Identity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>by Alfred Neufeld Friesen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we speak of the global church of Christ in the context of Mennonite World Conference the apostle Paul\u2019s first letter to the church at Corinth offers a helpful point of reference. In chapter 13, which focuses on the theme of love, Paul recognizes that all human knowledge \u2013 even Christian, theological and denominational knowledge \u2013 is limited. As we do theology we know only \u201cin part\u201d (1&nbsp;Corinthians 13:9), seeing the truth as a \u201creflection in a mirror\u201d (1&nbsp;Corinthians 13:12). Our knowledge, as well as our capacity to understand, is always influenced by our perspective. In the eternal presence of God things will be different (1&nbsp;Corinthians 13:12). But for now this is all we have. In our journey as human beings\u2014limited by time, space, and our five senses\u2014our knowledge is always partial and our understanding of the Truth is shaped by our context and personal perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/identity-and-ecumenicity-theology-interchurch-hospitality-and-denominational-identity\/\">Read &#8220;Identity and Ecumenicity&#8221;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gathered into One<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>by Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The overall title for my three presentations or Bible studies is \u201cGathered into One.\u201d To put<br>it that way refers not only to being one in unity with each other, but to the \u201cOne\u201d in whom<br>our unity is found \u2013 Jesus Christ, \u201cour Peace\u201d (Ephesians 2:14). In this first presentation, I will focus on Christ as the unity we share; in the second, on what Ephesians 4:3 calls \u201cthe unity of the Spirit\u201d; finally, on how we live in and into that unity, how we \u201cwalk\u201d together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tyn_gathering_part_1.pdf\">Read Part I \u201cAll things gathered in Christ\u201d<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tyn_gathering_part_2.pdf\">Read Part II \u201cUnity of the Spirit \u2013 the creation of body and temple\u201d<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tyn_gathering_part_3.pdf\">Read Part III \u201cMaintaining the Unity of the Spirit \u2013 when walking together is hard\u201d<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-soft-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For God so loved the cosmos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>by Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld, Anicka Fast, Doug Graber Neufeld<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCreation care\u201d is taking on ever-increasing urgency. The news reminds us daily of alarming changes in our climate. As the Creation Care Task Force\u2018s survey shows, our sisters and brothers in our global family of faith suffer drought, floods, destructive storms, fire, famine and the devastation brought by war. Diverse species are endangered or even going extinct. We are witnessing terrible violence against God\u2019s beloved creation. And we are increasingly aware of how much we share in the harm, both as sinners and as sinned-against. How do we respond?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/ref3-6-en\/\">Read &#8220;for God so loved the cosmos&#8221;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to&nbsp;<strong>teaching resources<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>statements<\/strong>, the MWC Reference Notebook also contains&nbsp;<strong>Governance documents<\/strong>&nbsp;(guidelines, terms of reference, other documents defining relationships with other organizations) and&nbsp;<strong>other Reference documents<\/strong>&nbsp;(history and teaching) presented at GC but not officially commissioned or approved).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/statements\/\">MWC Statements<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/?_resource_category=reference-document\">All Reference Documents<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Governance Documents<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/\">All MWC Resources<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mennonite World Conference produces three types of documents approved by the General Council: On this page you will find links to MWC\u00a0teaching resources, produced by our Commissions. Teaching Resources from the Commission: A Heart With Four Chambers: A Theological Foundation for the Work of MWC&#8217;s Four Commissions (Peace, Mission, Faith and Life, and Deacons) by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5614","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Teaching Resources - Mennonite World Conference<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"On this page you will find links to MWC\u00a0teaching resources, produced by our Commissions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/teaching-resources\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Teaching Resources - 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