Mennonite Weekly Review

Two Iowa congregations that maintained a “yoked fellowship” for 40 years must now figure out how to unyoke.

Mennonite and Presbyterian members participate in Donnellson, Iowa’s 2004 Fourth of July parade; the float depicts the founding of the two churches. — Photo provided

For almost 40 years, Donnellson Presbyterian Church and Zion Mennonite Church worshiped together every Sunday.

This month the Presbyterian congregation is closing. Active membership has declined to about 15 people, all but one over age 60.

“I hope [Presbyterian members] find the church that continues to nurture them spiritually,” said Audrey Ratzlaff, pastor of both congregations. “This is an incredibly difficult time for them in ways I can’t even understand. I’m trying just to walk with them and offer what I can.”

The Presbyterian members now face several options. A few plan to continue worshiping at Zion Mennonite and may even join, Ratzlaff said. Others have said they will transfer to other Presbyterian congregations.

For those who were baptized as infants and want to join the Mennonite church, the decision whether to be rebaptized will be based on the person’s conscience, in consultation with the pastor and deacons, Ratzlaff said.

“I hope that each congregation and each member of each congregation … can see this as an opportunity that God is opening some new doors,” she said.

Ratzlaff believes the transition provides a time to review Zion’s Anabaptist roots and discover ways to be distinctively Mennonite in the community.

The agreement between the congregations has been to move between the two buildings for worship every four months. The congregations are worshiping in the Presbyterian building for four additional months until it closes at the end of January.

The churches have shared a pastor, a yoked fellowship board and three committees: Christian education, worship and evangelism/outreach. Zion and Donnellson each maintained its own building, membership lists, congregational structure and denomination.