A gentle 'rant'

It's been quite some time since I'd heard such talk, so it caught me by surprise. "Mennonites shouldn't be proselytizing. It imposes our beliefs on others and is triumphalist theology."

The words were spoken with intent to be "pluralistic" and "open minded," but I found them rather "exclusive" and "narrow." With such words, all those not "born Mennonite" (whatever that means) are required to make their own way in seeking healing and hope. In the interest of not imposing, others are prevented from knowing the very thing we've embraced. And we lose the opportunity to present a seamless understanding of peace, service and evangelism--in Christ.

Could we imagine the 16th century Anneken Van Den Hove refusing to speak of her hope in Christ? Or "strong George" Blaurock not sharing his faith, for fear of offending someone? Or Dirk Willems not going back across the ice to care for another human being?

In more recent history, could the church in Ethiopia have remained silent about her faith, or stopped helping others in their need? Such thoughts are absurdities. We can't, with integrity, enshrine Anabaptist movements and then discount their intent--to live out in all ways, the good news of Jesus Christ.

When someone has so completely altered both our "present" and "future"--how can we not share someone who is changing us? Unless, of course, we're not really being changed at all. In which case, we've nothing more, and probably less, to offer than a secular agency. Quite rightly then, the most honest thing we could do is apologize for our presumption, pack up our bags and leave quietly.

But if Christ has become our peace, if the Spirit is conforming us, if God is remaking us--then we have grounds to bring others a message of hope! Not as a marketing ploy to fill our churches, not for personal egos or success. but simply for the sake of others. A weaving of witness, service, peace, and justice--and all soaked deeply in a dye of humility and grace. One of the greatest falsehoods we can embrace is to believe this faith we profess is ours to "have," when it's only ours to give away.

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