Mennonite Weekly Review

DETMOLD, Germany — Mennonite Brethren in Germany are seeking reconciliation with other Mennonites.

On May 24, during celebrations of the MB church’s 150th anniversary, MB officials read a statement asking forgiveness for spiritual arrogance, pride and lack of love, for excluding brothers and sisters from their community and for a contemptuous attitude toward other Mennonite churches.

The MB church was founded in Russia in 1860 by a group who felt the Mennonites there needed spiritual renewal.

The statement noted that 50 years ago at Reedley, Calif., the North American Mennonite Brethren Church and General Conference Mennonite Church asked for and granted each other forgiveness and celebrated reconciliation.

The statement was read by Walter Jakobeit, chair of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Brüdergemeinden (Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches), Johann Richert, chair of Bund Taufgesinnter Gemeinden (Union of Baptism-Minded Churches) and Silke Brohl, chair of Verband der Evangelischen Freikirchen Mennonitischer Brüdergemeinden in Bayern (Union of Evangelical Free Church Mennonite Brethren Congregations in Bavaria).

Representatives of several Mennonite conferences gave short responses. Hermann Heidebrecht of Bielefeld, chair of Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur geistlichen Unterstützung in Mennonitengemeinden (Association for Spiritual Support in Mennonite Churches), expressed joy and said all Mennonite churches seek the same goal and desire peace.

Daniel Janzen, speaking for independent Mennonite congregations, said cooperation is possible as it has been for many years on the board of Bienenberg Bible School.

Frieder Boller, chair of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Gemeinden in Deutschland (Association of Mennonite Churches in Germany), gave thanks for the newly opened door and encouraged communication.

Since 1860, MB churches and other Mennonite congregations have crossed paths many times. Both denominations experienced renewal, mission and growth.

The statement confessed that old, unloving patterns of behavior and perception were sinful and expressed sorrow and regret for pride, unkindness and hurtful exclusion of other Mennonite brothers and sisters.

In a concluding prayer, Hans von Niessen, former director of Umsiedlerbetreuung (Resettlers Welfare), asked God for forgiveness and blessings. Church representatives on stage joined hands while the audience expressed their agreement with applause.