Stories

In Christ, free to love

Dear friends, brothers and sisters, good morning and Namaste. In this Assembly 16 of Mennonite World Conference Pennsylvania 2015, we are again celebrating our common Anabaptist/Mennonite faith and life in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So on... more/más/suite

Resisting North American “Magic Kingdom” Worship

Exploring our shared commitment to worship As a global communion of Anabaptist-related churches, we share a common commitment to gathering regularly for worship. Yet our tremendous diversity means that we carry out this commitment in very different... more/más/suite

The Interdependent Existence

Global Communion and Why It Matters: Exploring our shared commitment to being a worldwide family As Mennonite World Conference, we share a commitment to being a worldwide communion ( koinonia ) of faith and life. Together, we seek to be a fellowship... more/más/suite

Giving and receiving in the mission of the global church: A concrete action

Our brother Hippolyto has reminded us of something we must never forget: mission is holistic, and thus, evangelism is comprehensive. In specific terms, we understand that this means that the good news must be proclaimed regarding all areas of human... more/más/suite

Obedience – a treasured inheritance

Reflections on being a disciple of Christ As I reflect on my Christian journey, one inheritance from my church, the Brethren in Christ, that I treasure is the simple teaching to be obedient as a disciple of Christ. It is a teaching that is life-... more/más/suite

Global Communion and why it matters

Exploring our shared commitment to being a worldwide family As Mennonite World Conference, we share a commitment to being a worldwide communion (koinonia) of faith and life. Together, we seek to be a fellowship that transcends boundaries of... more/más/suite

The church must be about holistic mission

Since the Bangkok World Missionary Conference which took place at the turn of the years 1972/1973, in Thailand, there has been a feeling of uneasiness regarding “mission” within the churches in the Western World. At Bangkok, representatives of the... more/más/suite

The United States: Diversity, dynamism and paradox

A context for Anabaptist witness The United States was formed, in 1776, as the first modern republic. Its founders believed they were engaging in a pioneering political experiment and granted relatively generous freedom of conscience to diverse... more/más/suite

An Open Hand, Not a Handout

Economic Inequality: Exploring our shared commitment to pursuing shalom As a global communion of Anabaptist-related churches, we share a common commitment to pursuing shalom. In this pursuit, we believe in seeking justice and sharing our resources,... more/más/suite

Walking with God

I was 17 years old when an army captain asked me, “What would you do if our battalion was attacked tonight? What would you do if someone came and shot you?” “I would pray,” I responded. At that instant, I felt a sharp pain on my head. The captain... more/más/suite

Europe: Old stories and new hope

When Conrad Grebel baptized his friends in the evening of 25 January 1525 in Zurich, Switzerland, little did he know that this small act would mark the start of the worldwide family of faith that we now are as Mennonite World Conference. From... more/más/suite

Walking in Doubt and Conviction

The Holy Spirit’s mercy irons us in our trials “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Peter 1:3). Peter begins this letter with praise to God. This praising to God is a celebration of worship. This expression of blessing to God... more/más/suite

What I found at PA 2015 and will take home with me:

Paulus Hartono, Indonesia Being a part of the throngs at PA 2015 made Paulus Hartono of Indonesia reflect on his early life and how unlikely it is that he found his way to this place. Now a Mennonite pastor and highly active in peace work in Solo (... more/más/suite

Spain: Old churches in new Europe

Christianity is experiencing rapid decline in Europe. We have gone in the past two or three generations from being an outwardly Christian culture, to something post-Christian. In general, statistics from Mennonite World Conference indicate that the... more/más/suite

Walking in Conflict and Reconciliation

Light and hope for those in darkness Today, world security is threatened by international, intertribal and even interreligious conflicts. Sometimes, security forces have conflicts with the very people they are supposed to protect. Terrorism has... more/más/suite

Not So With Us

Power in Church Leadership: Exploring our shared commitment to doing church together As a global communion of Anabaptist-related churches, we share a common commitment to doing church together. We also acknowledge that the church needs leaders who... more/más/suite

A Blessing or a Curse?

Power in Church Leadership: Exploring our shared commitment to doing church together As a global communion of Anabaptist-related churches, we share a common commitment to doing church together. We also acknowledge that the church needs leaders who... more/más/suite

Walking in Receiving and Giving

Author advisory (below) “Rock on”: Fulfilling the bidirectional royal law We are a peace church because we are first and foremost a Jesus church and Jesus leads us in the way of peace. We care about justice because we care about Jesus and he cares... more/más/suite

Inspiration and reflection: Hospitality

Piring bukan beling: Hospitality not hostility Indonesians are famous for their hospitality. If you visit their home, they will serve you food and drink. In the villages, the housewife will cook the family’s only chicken to serve a guest. I learned... more/más/suite

Beyond Domination and Control

Power in Church Leadership: Exploring our shared commitment to doing church together As a global communion of Anabaptist-related churches, we share a common commitment to doing church together. We also acknowledge that the church needs leaders who... more/más/suite