Nevertheless, I think that it is significant for Mennonites to make a stand politically in a non-partisan, kingdom-oriented way. To do this would not to be a part of voting, or at least to gain success through voting. I think that our political participation should look different, and not fit the normal categories of modern politics.

What would that look like? I am honestly not certain. But I know that our approach would be sacrificial and God-dependent, even as Jesus’ was, rather than power-feeding and constituant-dependent.

Steve K

I too hope for that day. But at the same time becoming just another protestant denomination is the last thing we need. A lot of work needs to be done to get not only other protestant denominations but Anabaptist denominations to the point where they are in a general sense of agreement that peacemaking is central to being Christian. Many of those protestants are integral parts of the military industrial complex that has now become the single greatest threat to humanity. They are the decisionmakers who vote for increasing military budgets to half a trillion dollars, they are the CEOs who steer corporations toward the quick buck rather than sustainability and equality.

I’m wondering, though, if it’s ok if the Mennonite church is going into the direction of being just another protestant denomination, if that isn’t such a bad thing. Anabaptists and their thinking have already made an impact.

I’m actually hoping for a day when peacemaking doesn’t get identified as something that “those mennonites, quakers, and radicals do” but instead identified as biblical and central to the call of Christ.

This may be one of the most important topics for Mennonites to discuss. I think it’s certainly the mot important post at YAR. But, you don’t think hooks and eyes vs buttons is an important debate?! ;-)

If I get a chance this afternoon, I’ll post a response from ‘across the pond’.

Hope you’re well.

I am a member of a “city” Mennonite church and have performed some volunteered service as part of trips in support of MDS. I have always felt that the majority of people involved, in both my church and volunteer experiences, were liberal biased politcally, counter to my own conservative leanings, but the joy I have is that good works can still be accomplished despite these differences of opinion.

The idea that dialogue is for the weak is exactly what has led Mennontites to split over ridiculous things like hooks and eyes vs buttons.

It is also very unbiblical. Jesus had conversations with his opponents. He talked to Nichodemus. He yelled at them sometimes. But he also ultimately forgave them.

Dialogue also doesn’t mean abandoning our views of truth. In fact, sometimes it can make our understanding of our own views stronger.

Unfortunately I think there are a lot of Mennonites who hold your view and so I suspect we’ll continue to see Mennonites spending most of their energy on infighting and division over who has the corner on the truth.

I find it amazing that as so many are looking to the anabaptist tradition as a way forward so many Mennonites are wanting to join the miscellaneous evangelical mush which is held together not ‘in Christ’ but in providing a spirituality for the industrial growth complex dressed in the red, white and blue.

The Evangelical Crackup

I think you have delineated a divide that is very often perceived and that stalls a lot of action: the divide between politics and service.

I currently serve as a full-time volunteer. I spent many years advocating for political issues, storming administrator’s offices and causing ruckus and the like.

I don’t make any distinction between the two: politics is service and service is political.

The basic problem is if one thinks one “serves” at a homeless shelter then one is not doing something political. But it says much about one’s priorities and use of time to serve at a homeless shelter rather than auction off junk on eBay to make money (just as an example). It shows political involvement, rather then self-serving involvement

Then, everyone thinks that those who are protesting outside military recruitment offices or lobbying politicians are not serving anybody. Dead wrong. Those who take a stand against sinful systems of oppression serve those whose voices cannot be heard.

Too often Jesus gets pigeonholed as someone who “served” but did nothing political. Or someone who was entirely political and service was just a “nice” thing he did along the way.

Jesus had the most holistic understanding of how to confront evil: cast out demons and cast out the moneychangers. Feed the poor and rebuke the religious authorities who don’t. That’s service, and that’s political, and that’s the kingdom. And we should pray for the Spirit to give us that same guidance.