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2010-01-04 issue:

Five reasons for Mennonite education

by Rachel Nussbaum Eby

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Students, parents and alumni sometimes are challenged for choosing a Mennonite educational institution (of any level). What makes education there better than the education offered by a public institution? It’s a faith-integrated education from an Anabaptist perspective.

1. The whole person
Those who work in Mennonite education want to help students in all aspects of learning: academically, spiritually, socially, physically and emotionally. Students and former students often mention how they have felt accepted and loved for who they are. At the same time, they have been provided a strong academic education and challenged to reach their God-given potential.

2. Spiritual life
Mennonite education partners with families and the church to nurture the spiritual life of students. Spirituality is part of the day-to-day educational experience, allowing students to "soak in" Scripture through Scripture memorization, Bible classes and chapels. Biblical teaching is not only reserved for those times but also is integrated into the entire curriculum. For example, history taught from an Anabaptist perspective values all human life and everyone’s history—regardless of race, socioeconomic status or nationality.

3. Role models of faith
Not only are biblical truths taught, they are also modeled by faculty and staff. Students learn through daily observation how one’s personal faith can affect one's life. Formal and informal mentoring provide moments when faith stories are shared and connections are made. The genuine care of a community, beyond a student’s circle of family and church, expands what it means to be a follower of Christ.

4. Community
Community at Mennonite educational institutions goes beyond a group of positive role models. The community’s culture is based on grace, trust, love, acceptance and accountability. In these safe, nurturing environments, students, faculty and staff form relationships that last a lifetime. Cooperation is emphasized over competition. Rules and discipline based in love and care, not power. Students experience God’s love in new ways as they participate in these Mennonite educational communities.

5. Service to others
Learning to live faithfully in a community of faith is only the beginning. Mennonite educational institutions emphasize, in contrast to secular thinking, that one's life is not for self but for service to others. Whatever one’s future career, one can serve. Students have many opportunities to learn about service—on campus, in the local community, nationally and overseas—to lead students to a lifetime of service and witness.

Mennonite education is chosen time and again due to the fact that the whole experience is greater than the sum of all the reasons that can be listed.

Rachel Nussbaum Eby is director of communications for the Mennonite Education Agency.

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