You know of or about Mennonites, right?
Mennonites — the religious sect…er…the people that distinguish themselves by __________________________.
What does go in the blank, anyway?!
Mennonite used to mean “stuff” like…
- plain living
- modest dressing
- separation from and nonconformity to the world
- nonresistance
- non-involvement in politics
- community brotherhood
- loyalty to the Scriptures
- liveable faith
- women with headship coverings
- disaster relief
- delicious homemade food
- frugality and generosity
- certain generally abandoned ordinances
Now Mennonite might also (or instead) conjure up images of…
- social and political conscience
- wealthy materialists
- mainstream Christianity
- anti-nuclear protests
- women ministers
- ecumenicalists (maybe I mean ecumenists or ecumenics?)
- pro-homosexual declarations
- anti-Israel activism
- bonnet books
So at times some of us cringe to identify ourselves as Mennonite, even if we prepend conservative to it. Or traditional or faithful. Or all three. 😳
Some go so far as to drop Mennonite from their congregational name. Too much baggage with that name, you know; it’s a ruined brand.
They opt for Christian instead. 😯
Pardon me? That’s a hard-to-impugn name? That name has no baggage? It doesn’t suffer from damaged branding? Using that name will create an untarnished image for yourself and/or your church? It declares clearly who I am and what I believe?
I wonder what they say when someone asks them if they’re Mennonite. I assume they admit it, even though their congregational name hides it. Which leads me to another wonderment: In what way does that help the seeker or the general public?
Imagine this exchange between two non-Mennonites, one of them a newcomer in town:
How would that benefit my congregation?
I know, I know — a Mennonite can be (and at times is) denigrated as a follower of some mere mortal ex-priest from the Netherlands.
Well, I’m not a follower of Menno Simons. For all that I know, he might not even fit in my home congregation. But I accept the Mennonite brand name. Embrace it, truth be told.
Sure, it often requires some clarifying and qualifying. But if I were to refer to myself only as a Christian, I would need to do even more clarifying and qualifying.
Imagine a conversation between me and a stranger in a thrift store:
What would that gain?
I am a Mennonite Christian. Mennonite and Christian both bless me with and tie me to rich elements of a rich heritage with which I am pleased and privileged to identify.
Taking on the identity of both of those terms at times causes me discomfort in a not-for-righteousness’-sake way.
Nevertheless, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Neither am I ashamed of the historic Anabaptist life-presentation of Christ’s Gospel.
“Anabaptist?!”
Yes, Anabaptist. But that’s another big subject… 😮
Oh, and a little closing note to some of my readers: I’ve had this on my mind on and off for quite a while, OK? 😉
PS: I am an Oregonian American human that drives a Honda Accord car. I’m also a Mennonite Anabaptist Christian. 😀
You have an amazing way of putting my thoughts, on a topic like this, into words.
Well, Rob, perhaps it’s because your security settings on Google+ are too lax. 😉 Whatever the case, I appreciate your supporting, encouraging comment; thanks!
Umm, just thought I’d point out that most of the churches who call themselves “Thistown Christian Fellowship” were never Mennonite to begin with, and that they believe (very strongly, I might add) in immersion baptism, which is not very Mennonite… just saying =).
Thanks for making that valid observation, Hannah. I should have thought of that when I chose the name (though I was trying to pick something fairly generic). I know some folks that started a new group called “ThatGeographicFeature Christian Fellowship” — and they’re Mennonite. 😀
I’m looking forward to the the thoughts on Anabaptists 🙂
Thanks, Dave — that’s a project well down the road.
Glad to hear your reflection on Mennonite identity. I’m an eagled-eyed observer of the North American Anabaptist-Mennonite scene. The trans-Atlantic link is crucially important for us this side of the pond, where all UK Mennonites could come to tea at our house. Rightly, there’s been a missional move amongst North American Mennonites to step beyond the folkways and renew the Aanbaptist Vision. I’m pleased though, to hear you sticking up for Mennonite identity. When I first came to Anabaptism nearly thirty years ago, it was also the Mennonite Tradition that proved compelling. For what it’s worth, as a UK Mennonite I’m still determined to keep Anabaptist and Mennonite on the same page. I have written extensively on identity these past few years. I even like the Anabaptist-Mennonite hyphen: http://radref.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/in-praise-of-hyphens-reflections-on.html
I appreciate your touching base from “way over there,” Phil. I suppose I’m one of those that overuse hyphens, but I don’t mind a bit. 😀 I certainly am grateful for the supportive tone of your comment. In your above-linked (see, hyphens are terrific!) post, I’m glad to read of someone wanting to keep alive the connection between Anabaptism and Mennoniteism (maybe that second e is unnecessary).
I like what you say, Mark. Mennonites are not the only ones. Many churches are shedding their denominational name and calling themselves This Town fellowship, or Assembly (which is what the word “church” means, I think) or my least favorite Christian Center. Some just call themself by a single word that sort of pertains to the gospel message. We have in our town a church called “Harvest”, another called “Rain,” and one called “The River” and others. It is hard to know what is going on, or what kind of doctrine or experience you might encounter in any of those churches. I heard that many of the Baptist churches in Oregon do not have Baptist in their name, but call themselves Bible Churches, or Communitiy churches. It seems a little disingenuous not to say who you are, as if you want to sort of trick the uninformed into coming to your church.
Thank you, Rebecca. Maybe this move away from denominational branding is part of some grand conspiracy to facilitate a transition to non-denominationalism and then ecumenism (I have no idea if that’s a word and am not disposed to look it up, especially since the spell checker doesn’t red-squiggly it). More seriously, though — your closing statement fits well with my post, so thanks for including it. 🙂
ON JUDGEMENT DAY IT WONT MATTER WHAT “BRAND ” YOUR FROM!! YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ONE AND ONLY GOD IS WHAT WILL MATTER…!
Your comment is very true, Barb, thanks. Though the scope of my post was intentionally focused very narrowly on denominational branding and identity, your comment is a good reminder that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone.