Confession of Faith: Baptism

Mennonites believe that baptism is an important sign of believing in Jesus, being cleansed from sin, declaring publicly that one is committed to following Jesus, and willing to offer one's life even to death for Jesus.  To summarize in the words of my old pastor and one of my mentors Keith Tyson, "Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change."

One of the distinctive parts of Anabaptists, and therefore Mennonites, is the idea that children need to reach an age of accountability before they can be baptized (adult baptism to the exclusion of infant baptism).  This means someone must freely request to be baptized in response to Jesus Christ (babies cannot request this, so we can't baptize babies).

The issue of adult baptism or infant baptism is usually hotly debated between differing denominations, and historically has been the cause of many church splits.  One of the main questions that pops up is, "What if a baby tragically dies and is not baptized?  What will happen to the baby?"  I find myself in the position of simply relying and trusting in Jesus Christ, who shows himself merciful, good, and loving in every regard.  Therefore, does a baby, or a child before the age of accountability need to be baptized in order to get to heaven?  I seriously doubt it, for God's mercy is truly great and good. 

On the flip side, Mennonites do dedicate babies to God - a statement made by the parents publicly that they will raise the child to believe in Jesus as best as can be done.  Oddly, this seems to be the purpose of baptism among those who baptize as infants - many infant baptism denominations later have a period of discernment called "Confirmation," where the faith is learned and committed to before one can have communion. 

Ultimately, we believe baptism is a public declaration of a free choice and commitment to follow Christ, of being forgiven sin, and of dying to this world and raising with Christ.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 11 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-11/

Confession of Faith: The Church in Mission

What is the churches mission?  Sometimes the church becomes misrepresented in what its mission actually is,

especially by human error, like the picture to the right.  Is church a place to lay down the law and hear how sinful we are?  Is church the place to map out the future end of times?  What is the church supposed to do?

Mennonites believe that the church is called to proclaim and to be a sign of the kingdom of God.  We witness Jesus Christ through word and lifestyle, walking together through life as disciples of one teacher (Jesus), and seek to witness among all people - from all nations and ethnic backgrounds.

Witnessing is the best of words to choose when discussing the mission of God.  A witness is someone who has or is seeing a certain event or action, then tells or shows others about that event.  We tell people about Jesus Christ and what he has done for us, and the relationship we have with him; what we avoid is theological arguments surrounding rhetorically aggressive questions that we may or may not know the answer to.

Witnessing includes following Jesus' sacrificial life, as seen in the gospels.  Especially important to Mennonites is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  However, I also find that in following Jesus the Mennonites are following in the footsteps of the prophets, such as Isaiah.  In Isaiah 58, the text says, "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house, when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?"  The Mennonites strive diligently to do these very things. 

The church in mission is nothing more and nothing less than loving God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and with all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  This love relationship with Jesus and others entails the church in mission...both its proclamation and action, never just one, always both.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 10 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-10/

Picture found here:

http://jrwoodward.net/2012/11/monday-morning-medicine-257/

Confession of Faith: Church of Jesus Christ

Mennonites believe that the Church is an assembly of those who have accepted the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ who are then a part of a new and distinct community called disciples, witnessing about the reign of God, accountable to one another, a family united under the headship of Jesus expressing itself in continual love, the visible manifestation of Jesus Christ.

It's amazing how often we "get church wrong."  Stories are pretty much boundless about the hurt and grief people experience in church.  We hear about churches where pastors molest children; where people are "cast out" and abandoned because of sin (when actually that is when people need the most help and love!); where strict codes and interpretations are enforced instead of being lead by Jesus' transforming grace and love.  As Perry Noble, pastor of NewSpring church says (paraphrased) "Church is the only army that shoot their own wounded." 

It's striking that a body of people who are supposed to be forgiving, sacrificing themselves for one another, defined by hope, faith, and love, can be so unforgiving, so hurting, so sinful.  Yet, it should not come to us as a surprise, as church is made up of people who are broken, sinful, and hurting themselves.  The sick are who Jesus calls to himself - so it is no surprise that the church is filled with those who are sick! 

The Mennonites have worked hard, and continue to work hard, to grow and define themselves in church by love.  I, and we, confess that we still "get it wrong."  But the first step is always to admit there is a problem (such as sin) and that we are continually haunted by it, though we are saved by Jesus.  Our eyes are on Jesus though, and we pursue and walk after him as one - a people witnessing to the saving grace of Jesus, not admitting perfection in ourselves; a family who loves one another, but also struggles as any family does; a people willing to forgive, who are also in need of forgiveness; a people loving and learning to love each and every day.  This is the church of Christ.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 9 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-9/

Been hurt by a church? Come try us out - South Union Mennonite Church, 56 State Route 508, West Liberty, Ohio. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m., Worship service at 10:30 a.m every Sunday. We don't promise perfection - we do promise to worship and follow Jesus.

Confession of Faith: Salvation

Mennonites believe through "the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life to all people."  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, Master, and Savior, and we repent of our sin, we are saved by grace through faith.  God worked with grace and mercy through redeeming Israel through wonders and signs, giving Jesus Christ for the healing and forgiveness of our sins, dying on a cross to pave the way for salvation, rising from the dead to conquer sin and death for us, living to show us the way, saving through grace.  The Holy Spirit works in us through this process, to move us to accept salvation, to partner with us in repentance, to share grace and forgiveness in the midst of our sin.

In today's culture, there tends to be some polarized tendencies regarding salvation.  We are either saved by the blood of the cross (no more need be done than say, "I believe and accept Jesus as my Lord and savior!") or that we are saved through being "good people" using Jesus as a moral template for life, but denying the power of the cross and resurrection.

We declare instead that Jesus is indeed savior and Lord through the cross and resurrection, completing the work of conquering sin and death.  However, Jesus also taught a specific way to live, one that requires us to repent (or turn away from) our sins and live instead for God (if we declare Jesus Lord then obedience is implied...we are no longer our own, but Jesus'.  We may have a history as U.S. Americans with the concept, but following Jesus is not a democracy, but a monarchy with Jesus as King and Lord).  When we fail we receive mercy and grace; yet we strive for living like God.  We are transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus through discipleship, a journey that is a process, not a moment; and so we rely on God's grace and forgiveness. 

It's the best sort of tension and paradox: salvation is being saved by grace through faith, and the fruits of salvation appear as we strive for the Kingdom of God and rely on Jesus' works forgiveness, mercy, and grace.   Salvation is the work of God, yet we work out our salvation with fear and trembling..."for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).

Want to learn more? Here is Article 8 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-8/

Confession of Faith: Sin

Mennonites believe that in the beginning sin, or the turning away from God with the purpose of us or idols becoming gods, entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve.  Sin involves our choice of doing unrighteousness and injustice, or by not doing good when we have the choice to.  "Through sin, the powers of domination, division, destruction, and death have been unleashed in humanity and in all of creation."  At the hands of sin, people groups, societies, and nations can be twisted in evil ways.

In today's world, we do not like to talk about sin because sin means that there is a moral code or law to follow, and we are very wary of authority, religion, and "absolutes" like laws.  We find in today's culture a sense that sin is simply a perspective, and changes from situation to situation even then. It does not help when certain groups declare "sin" with anger, hate, and even violent tendencies.  Perhaps this stems from the sin of pride, trying to prove that they who declare what is sinful are better than those in sin. It gets even messier when we start looking at social, cultural, and systematic sins that take place at large levels, almost at the level where we can't even see it.

Into this mixed up, confused situation, the Mennonites proclaim sin simply as turning away from God.  We proclaim hope in Jesus Christ, redeemer and savior of people from sin through the cross and resurrection.  And we teach Jesus model for healing sin - inviting people to meet and encounter Jesus Christ, with love and hope, carrying a cross instead of a protest sign. However, while we proclaim these things, Jesus is working among us still to help us to follow him ever better.

Want to learn more? Here is Article 7 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-7/

Confession of Faith: Creation and Calling of Human Beings

Mennonites believe that God created human beings in the divine image, given a special place among God's creation.  They were created good, for the purpose of stewardship, with the intent of living in loving relationships that are mutually helpful to each other (and equal).  God as made provision for the salvation of humanity and the redemption of creation, particularly through Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God revealed and in whom we find true humanity.

It's interesting to find that today we have (in the USA) the most "liberated" humans.  We strive for equality between genders, struggle against racism, work against present day slavery (sex trade), and look out for human rights.  Yet, we are also aware of  the US and US businesses exploiting the rest of the world.  Instead of being people we are consumers, instead of children of God we are work-horses, instead of individuals we are another sale...and this is in the places of "privilege."   In other places in the world, humans become simply another person to abuse through sweatshops, simply another prostitute, simply another thing. 

The world does not consider humans very valuable, whatever human activists say.  Masses of people are meant to serve the desires of the select few; masses of people never have a face, only a soundless roar ; masses of people are never related to, only thought about in the abstract.

And the Mennonites say, "our identity as human beings rests in God made in the image of God, in whom we find our true humanity."  Humans have a purpose, a name, a story; humans in need are to be helped; those who have much are to share; those who have nothing are to receive; all are to be loved.  Created from dust and destined to be like God...this is the calling of human beings.

Want to learn more? Here is Article 6 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-6/

Reader's Review (in 500 Words or Less): Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

In the midst of the Mennonite confession of faith, I thought it would be appropriate to review a book that is Anabaptist in theology and radical in practice. 

Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw in Jesus for President depict what it means to follow Jesus in a culture that blurs the line between church and state, "in god we trust" and Jesus, a church compromised and a church living out the Sermon on the Mount.  This book begins with the Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) and moves through the Bible and early church history to see where God is at work in the midst of Empire, how followers of Jesus become compromised, and what it looks like when we declare as Christians that we do not have divided loyalties: we are for Jesus and him crucified.

There are several things that really stood out to me as an Anabaptist.  First is the need to declare into a militaristic and consumerist society that there is a different path, a different way that can lived out right where we are through revolutionary practices...like making our own clothes, growing our own food and supporting local farmers, turning off the numbing TV set and instead talking to our neighbors, declining participation in the military to follow Jesus instead.  While sharing many real life stories of how to participate in the life of Christ in everyday life (which is awesome), it simply begged the question, "What does being Christ mean and look like in our small town in our church?"  Some suggestions from Jesus for President are challenging, but doable, while others seem to not fit the community.  So...what different things might we do to follow Jesus?

The second thing that stood out to me was the loving way in which we can talk about following Jesus as our first and only loyalty instead of U.S. American culture or the president.  As a Mennonite pastor, one of the most useful thoughts I found was how to discuss the military (and actually anyone who is exploring a career path) with someone who was interested in it: pray over the person that the fruits of the Spirit are being cultivated in them (p 273). Ultimately this sums up the point of the book - "Who are we becoming as Christians, thinking about all aspects of life, culture, and involvement thereof?  Are we becoming more like Jesus as presented in the gospels?"

One Line Summary: Buy this book, read it and wrestle with it, pass it on (I think that's what the authors would want!).  It offers many good insights that challenge the normal state of faith and practice in US America, and many suggestions and thoughts about what it means to follow Jesus, and him alone, in our society. 

Book Reviewed: Claiborne, Shane, and Haw, Chris. Jesus for President. USA: Simple Way, 2008.