The Mennonite church has the opportunity to become a dependable partner in the work of dismantling racism. The church as a whole has a record of racism — both overt and covert — that has been attested to...
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In the last few days I have become aware again that “Mennonites” are a minority in Germany. Hardly anyone knows what Mennonites really believe and how they live, and the diversity that exists among us...
[read more]What is a church to do when it is convinced the surrounding community is interested in Mennonite and Anabaptist beliefs but turned off by a Mennonite and Anabaptist name? Two Nebraska congregations from...
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Through prayer, discernment and the congregation’s unanimous affirmation in February, Beatrice (Neb.) Mennonite Church was not supposed to exist right now. But COVID-19 halted plans for a relaunch...
[read more]I appreciated Glen Guyton’s reflections on his life journey from the military to executive director of Mennonite Church USA (“Outsider’s Perspective Shows Value of Belonging,” April 6). With no draft...
[read more]Glen Guyton’s personal story and his quoted comments (“Outsider’s Perspective Shows Value of Belonging,” April 6) give reality to an outlook that I heard long ago and truly believe. Nonethnic...
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The year 2020 did not begin well. We’d all barely finished our portzelky when we were forced to contend with rumors of war and visitations from pestilence. Throughout January, disaster was all around us. But...
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After 52 years, the West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale is switching gears and billing itself as a celebration. A celebration without “Mennonite” in the name. Although its legal incorporated name is staying...
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Let me be honest with you: I don’t want my kids to be evangelical Christians when they grow up. It was only recently, in one of those rare moments of fatherly self-awareness, that I realized this. My teens...
[read more]Taking the M out of MCC seems silly to even imagine. Besides turning Mennonite Central Committee’s name into one that sounds like a Communist Party leaders’ meeting, removing “Mennonite” would...
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In an effort to attract more students who do not identify as Mennonite or Anabaptist, Iowa Mennonite School is confronting a shrinking enrollment by changing its name. The school announced on July 30 it is...
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The timing of information entering our thoughts can create loud clashes. The same week I was rereading the story of Hagar, I heard a plea to not compromise on God’s Word, to hold on to the Bible as our moral...
[read more]Why am I not thrilled about a Mennonite Heritage Week (“Heritage Week Causes Division in Canada”) to be celebrated every year in Canada (or anywhere)? Perhaps there are too many things about us that I...
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WINNIPEG, Man. — It seemed like an inoffensive gesture for the House of Commons to initiate a Mennonite Heritage Week, but reaction from Mennonites has been split, with some concerned the recognition goes...
[read more]It’s innocently called shorthand. The word “Mennonite” can be used to describe a theology, or an ethnicity, or both. Each is valid in its own way. But painful damage is done when we disregard a faith...
[read more]Introduction Every age group in the United States is less religiously involved than it was a generation ago. In particular, the number of youth and young adults dropping out of the church has been growing at...
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Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society’s recent research expanded the pool of groups included under the Anabaptist umbrella. The Community of Christ has moved toward declaring itself a peace church....
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A core concept of social psychology is the idea that people negotiate their identities depending on their contexts. While you are always, in some ways, yourself, some parts of your identity are emphasized and...
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I am not one of those people who says, “I’m not religious, I just love Jesus” or “I don’t belong to any denomination, I’m just a Christian.” Rather, I have sometimes said, “Those who are sure...
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Fifty-seven years ago, a young Mennonite author published a book that turned the Canadian Mennonite world upside down. That author was Rudy Wiebe, and the book was Peace Shall Destroy Many — the first novel...
[read more]I was intrigued by Charlie Kraybill’s response to Ryan Ahlgrim (Letters & Comments, April 15 print edition). I don’t hear much these days about promoting peace across the church in general. But...
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I could not disagree more strongly with Ryan Ahlgrim’s suggestion that the name “Mennonite” be thrown on the trash heap of history (Blog, “It’s time to change the Mennonite name”). I believe the...
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What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “Mennonite”? I immediately think of Mennonite Central Committee relief sales, quilts, suspenders, prayer coverings, farmers, borscht,...
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I grew up on a small mixed farm on the prairies, with a large garden that provided all of our fruits and vegetables for a year as well as providing some produce for market. I definitely took it for granted...
[read more]The Dec. 17 editorial, “Two Trends to Watch,” highlighted the was “loss of trust in institutions.” This should be understood as a deeper loss of connection to institutions. There is an epidemic of...
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