Warming relations
What the world needs now is more Coffee Corners. In a time of so much division and strife, it’s refreshing to see people spot a problem and do something about it. The pop-up Hutchinson, Kan., ministry of...
[read more]Jesus’ little flock
Megalophobia is the fear of large things. Jesus spoke favorably of small things, and his followers aren’t wrong to adopt their own skepticism of megachurches. Obsession with church growth (or decline) is a...
[read more]A welcome disruption
To Americans who’ve grown accustomed to long wars with no end in sight, it came as a shock when President Trump said on Dec. 19 that U.S. forces would leave Syria within 30 days. His advisers seemed as...
[read more]Transformed by angels
Of the many dangers, challenges and reasons not to become a sanctuary congregation, pastors of such churches say in interviews that potential legal ramifications seem to worry them least of all. Yes, there is...
[read more]What readers say
One of our favorite responses to a survey we sent with our annual fundraising letter in October was, “I want to know what everyone is thinking.” So do we. But you have to tell us. The beginning of a new...
[read more]Mary’s story, our story
While the star of every Christmas pageant is the Christ child, the Best Supporting Actress nod goes to Mary. The baby, whether a doll or an unpredictable infant, is just so hard to see from way in back. But...
[read more]Two trends to watch
It’s tempting to exaggerate the uniqueness of what is happening to us right now. We say the world is changing faster than ever but forget change is constant. Earlier generations saw massive upheaval, too....
[read more]Big swing falls short
When you swing for the fences, you don’t have to knock one out of the park to help the team win. Mennonite World Review Inc. and The Mennonite Inc. got a runner on base. In the end, things didn’t work out...
[read more]No need for sticker shock
Weapons have no place in churches, whether they are carried by someone concerned with harm or with self-defense. Followers of the God of peace are right to indicate this in a visible way. It is true that a...
[read more]Neighbor vs. neighbor
“You can’t imagine how it is to be hated,” wrote David Koehn and William Frantz, Mennonite pacifist conscripts at Camp Greenleaf in Georgia, during World War I. Can’t we? Compassion compels us to...
[read more]Much to gain if periodicals merge
The future of Mennonite journalism is the talk of the church. The proposed merger of Mennonite World Review Inc. and The Mennonite Inc. has got people thinking about what might be gained or lost in a merger...
[read more]Unconventional thinking for youth
National youth conventions are the canary in several Anabaptist coalmines. Declining participation requires new approaches to our relationship with the leaders of tomorrow’s churches. Faced with steadily...
[read more]Trust not in division
From church divisions to political mudslinging, trust is in short supply. Mennonite Church USA’s Southeast Mennonite Conference voted Oct. 5-6 to leave the denomination. The U.S. election — finally mere...
[read more]598 is not enough
What are the chances that a Mennonite teenager today will go to a Mennonite Church USA college or university? Not that good, and much less than 10 years ago, according to Mennonite Education Agency. Over the...
[read more]No fear of feminism
Is Christian feminism an oxymoron? Is “radical” feminism a threat to Christianity? How can Mennonites contribute to justice and healing as a culture-shifting reckoning with sexual violence — which has...
[read more]Three years exploring Mennoworld
This is my final editorial for MWR. After three years as assistant editor and web editor, I’ve decided to try freelance journalism. It’s been satisfying to connect with people across the Anabaptist...
[read more]Finding the right fit
A pastor who doesn’t fit in one place might flourish somewhere else. In two important cases recently, good pastors had to move on (without leaving their congregations). The reasons, and the changes that...
[read more]Anabaptist Iceland
Despite being well-suited for Anabaptists, Iceland is devoid of them. Perhaps the most literate country in the world just hasn’t heard about our brand of faith yet. Maybe Arctic Circle agriculture’s brief...
[read more]Always among you?
One of the most abused Bible verses is John 12:8, where Jesus says, “You will always have the poor among you.” It’s been interpreted to justify indifference to poverty, as if Jesus were turning away from...
[read more]How free is your church?
Amish Heritage Foundation executive director Torah Bontrager said her Amish upbringing restricted her from thinking critically about how to interpret the Bible or questioning her church’s rules. Yet she grew...
[read more]No space for force
The flaming, flying wheel came out of the sky to whisk Ezekiel off on a grand journey. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal. The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. The “rims...
[read more]Now, no exceptions
Pope Francis’ declaration that the Catholic Church opposes the death penalty in all cases, without exceptions, marks a historic milestone in the Christian witness for nonviolence. The Catholic position...
[read more]Don’t silence the hurting
Sexual-abuse survivor and victims’ advocate Trudy Harder Metzger preaches an important word when she says we should not expect survivors simply to forgive and move on after abuse has stopped. Survivors need...
[read more]Mysterious initials
There’s nothing sacred about the word “Mennonite.” Nor is it anything to be ashamed of. Somewhere between those extremes is a venerable religious identity with a rich history, many positive connotations...
[read more]Peace network overdue
For five centuries, Anabaptists have faced the challenge of pursuing peace. On every continent, in every culture, a defining trait that sets them apart is a commitment to nonviolence. Many conferences and...
[read more]About Me
