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AEC2001 Plenary Session 2:Church Planting in a
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 | First, there is the importance of story. Anabaptism is a narrative tradition. Stories have been crucial in shaping this tradition. The huge influence of the Martyrs’ Mirror in Mennonite homes through the centuries testifies to this, as do many of the hymns you sing. Recovering the use of storytelling should not be alien to Anabaptist churches. |
| Second, Anabaptism has insisted on the centrality of Jesus and the importance of taking seriously his human life and teaching. Unlike Protestants who concentrated on his death and resurrection, unlike Catholics who proclaimed a divine and distant Christ, Anabaptists encouraged each other to follow Jesus, receive his Spirit, and obey his teachings. More than any other movement in church history, they were captivated by Jesus, inspired and challenged by his teaching, and determined to follow his example. Like Walter Wink, I believe that the story of Jesus has great power and can be deeply attractive to contemporary people. Anabaptist churches with their Jesus-centred approach should be well equipped to tell this story. |
| Third, Anabaptists have also emphasised the importance of following Christ in life. The emphasis of the Reformers was on good news about the past and the ultimate future. The gospel was that past sins can be forgiven and a heavenly future assured. Anabaptists accepted these emphases as valid, but they were more interested in the present and near future – the good news was that it is now possible to follow Christ in life, to walk as he walked, in the power of his Spirit. I have suggested that we live in a culture that is not unduly bothered about past guilt or interested primarily in life beyond death – most people are more interested in how to live successfully and be fulfilled in this life. While we may not want to endorse these priorities uncritically, it may be that we can connect with these concerns by making much more of this Anabaptist emphasis on following Christ in life. This may prove to be an effective starting point. |
| Fourth, Anabaptists have often operated as multi-voiced communities, expectant that the Holy Spirit might speak through even the weakest member. Rediscovering the place of dialogue and developing more interactive forms of learning together is consistent with the tradition. |
So your Anabaptist heritage is a rich resource on which you can draw as you face the challenges of mission today, plant new churches, and work for the renewal and growth of existing churches. There are great advantages too, when exploring new ways of doing things and introducing changes that are necessary but may not be popular with some of your members, in being able to say: "This is not a new idea but a return to our roots."
However, though our heritage may be helpful, some of the church traditions that have grown up over the years may not be. The leaders of a national Christian organisation in Britain recently sensed that the Holy Spirit was calling them to embrace radical change in order to grow and become more effective in mission. At a staff conference, the challenge they heard was: "Let go of your traditions, but hold on to your heritage." Reflecting on this challenge over several months, they discerned with new clarity what constituted their heritage – their fundamental purpose and core values – and reaffirmed this. They also identified many things that had grown up over the years – many of them useful in an earlier generation – which were now unhelpful and were hindering their mission. Perhaps those from Anabaptist churches who decide to plant new churches today in a postmodern context will face a similar challenge and opportunity.
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