Invite people to follow Jesus
by Michael Danner, Metamora, Ill.
I am as bewildered by J.B. Miller’s embrace of Everett Thomas’ June 17 editorial (“Relationships. Behaviors, Organization”) as I am by the editorial itself. The paragraph Miller quotes as the “goals that should be central” of any reorganization strikes me as the very thing that will ultimately be the demise of Mennonite Church USA. Is our future really dependant upon becoming a better, more efficient, centralized institution that defines faithfulness in terms of institutional support? How does this square with our repeated proclamation that we are people who are centered on Jesus? Have leaders who are not trained in Mennonite seminaries contributed positively to the faith community? Are members who went to public school less faithful and productive in local ministry? Should we ignore the insights of other followers of Jesus because Mennonite Publishing House didn’t publish their books? Is mission work done through organizations or ministries not associated with Mennonite Church USA any less mission work?
What is a total waste of time and energy is directing it toward anything other than Jesus’ mission and becoming faithful to his call. That will bring us in relationship with Mennonite Church USA institutional forms as they enhance that mission, but it better also call us out of our buildings and into our community. If we invite people outside the church to become “Mennonite” instead of followers of Jesus, we are not doing what Jesus called us to.
Associated Issue: Rest for the soul - June 17, 2008
Associated Article: Relationships, behaviors, organization
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