Aug. 16, 2010 issue
MBs examine identity, mission
By Karla Braun Mennonite Brethren HeraldPage:
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LANGLEY, B.C. — Reflecting on the beginnings of the Mennonite Brethren denomination need not lead to an idealized history but rather to an appreciation of distinctions.
John Sankara Rao of India speaks at the “Renewing Identity and Mission” event in Langley, B.C. — Photo by Connie Faber/Christian Leader
So suggested Alfred Neufeld, a theologian and a leader in the Paraguay MB Conference and Mennonite World Conference.
“God has entrusted to us some precious jewels, some considerable talents, so that we might multiply them and do things better in the future,” he said.
Neufeld spoke at the “Renewing Identity and Mission” consultation July 12-14 at Trinity Western University, where Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary is part of a consortium of schools.
“Denominations are not abominations,” Neufeld said. With “humbleness and even gratitude for the historic perspectives and special gifts, every church is able to contribute to the wider body of Christ.”
The event drew about 300 pastors, historians, seminarians and others gathered to examine MB history, theology and practice.
Participants discussed how diverse influences on the movement have always raised questions about what it means to be MB. Those influences have also formed the denomination into a community of believers committed to evangelism, biblicism and a personally experienced faith.
However, assessment of how well MBs actually live out the values professed was largely absent.
Renewal is a feature of the MB church, Neufeld said, but he encouraged the church to recover its “apostolic and prophetic origins” in living out its mission today. As it was at its start in the 1860s, the MB church should be critical not only of the broader culture but also of its own practice, he said.
Listeners zeroed in on ambivalence about identity, particularly at the local church level where some worshipers at “community churches” don’t know the congregation is MB or what that means.
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Comments
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This report struck a chord of interest in the history of Mennonite Brethren sect (?) but failed to explain the identity and origin of the MB folks we have known thru the years in Eastern Oklahoma where both the Eden Mennonite Church and the MBs have happily existed for years. The observation of the writers re "ambivilence about identity..... where some worshipers at community churches don't know the congregation is MB or what it means" is intriguing. The MBs in this region are CLEARLY identified by their lifestyle and dedicated beliefs. Are we talking about the same thing??
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