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2008-10-21 issue:

Congregations address ‘divisive issue’

Speakers model dialogue at Franklin Conference forum on politics on Sept. 7

by Anna Groff

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Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., hosts Wednesday evening meetings through Nov. 12 entitled “Our Faith and the Presidential Election.” Pastor Neil Amstutz led the first meeting on Sept. 24; it addressed how to talk about the Nov. 4 election and established some conversation guidelines.

Amstutz led several exercises in which participants named their hopes and fears for the conversations, as well as how they would like to be listened to. Then groups of twos and threes gathered to share stories from their younger years that influenced their political views today, one lesson they learned about politics and who they learned it from. The first night drew double the usual Wednesday night crowd, Amstutz said on Oct. 1.

On Oct. 3, Amstutz also made a presentation at a meeting of primarily Hispanic Christian leaders in the Goshen area to address faith and politics. There was “helpful discussion that moved beyond just this election,” he said on Oct. 7.

Other congregations, including Seattle Mennonite Church and Pittsburgh Mennonite Church, have adult Sunday school classes on faith and politics this fall.

Franklin Mennonite Conference held a conference-wide forum Sept. 7 on the subject of “Mennonites in Government and Politics.” John D. Roth, Goshen (Ind.) College professor and Everett J. Thomas, city council member for Goshen, Ind., were the resource persons.

After the conference, Ray Geigley, conference leadership commission member, said this issue was “getting so divisive in our churches.” Franklin Conference, known as a conservative conference in Mennonite Church USA, has many churches located in heavy military and Republican areas.

Divisive or not, people came together for this forum. Geigley reported over 150 at each session, which is well over what they anticipated.

Thomas defended his political involvement and Roth described his sabbatical from politcs, Geigley said.

“John and Everett modeled for us how Christians should dialogue,” Geigley said, noting that as the forum’s highlight. “You have respect, you listen to one another and you give the other people respect.”

The committee felt anxious at times during the planning and wondered, “will this be helpful or hurtful?” Geigley said. But from the feedback the committee has received, Geigley said he believes the forum provided a positive step.

Thomas and Roth presented two sides to the issue: Geigley said one attendee reported it was refreshing to hear that one can serve as an elected official without feeling less than Christian.

On the other hand, Rochelle Kniss, commission member, noted Roth’s point that choosing not be politically involved does not mean that you are doing nothing.

“I really appreciated the fact that we weren’t questioning scripture,” said Melanie Zook, commission member. “We were simply questioning how involved can we be and still hold allegiance to Christ.”

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