The Naked Anabaptist

Questions about life-style and ‘green’ issues abound in our media. The Bible encourages sustainable living as we are called to be stewards of creation. The Mennonite Church has encouraged congregations and individuals towards living this out as well as funding exemplar projects and ministries to demonstrate this practically. How do we make this more fully our story – and then share it with others.

Western culture often seems awash in vengeance. And many Christians lead the way. Numerous surveys in the United States indicate that the more people go to church, the more likely they are to support the death penalty and torture. Does it have to be this way? Since the addiction to vengeance seems in part to be theologically grounded, perhaps a fresh reading of the Bible will provide an antidote.

It sounds so exciting and gritty, moving to the city and exploring how to be church. Working with people from all over the world, with experiences so far removed from our own life experiences. Finding God at work amongst the tower blocks, seeing people discover freedom and life. But what are the realities of Church planting in the inner city, what issues are to be faced if we engage fully in Urban Mission?

Peacemaking is an inherent part of the Christian life. Gene Stoltzfus was involved in the founding of Christian Peacemaker Teams and was the director for 16 years until his retirement. Peacemaking as worked out by CPT includes serious training in the arts of nonviolence, negotiations, human rights work, media, and the integration of Christian spirituality on a day to day basis. CPT also works hard at developing team work and appreciates the importance of diversity within team life including gender equality.

Gareth Higgins writes: “Going to the cinema can be a spiritual experience akin to worship, which can inspire and convict as well as any sermon.” Discussing films, and the relation between films and theology, is all very good, but there is something magical, and potentially spiritual, about dimming the lights and watching films together before we move into discussion.

During the past decade, we have heard much about the ecological crisis facing our planet and how we, as Christians, need to take action. But what kinds of actions should we and our churches be taking? How do we get going on environmental issues?

Under the influence of civic religion, concerns such as peacemaking have usually been considered ‘optional extras’ for Christians - matters best sidelined into a special arena labelled ‘ethics’, where pacifists clash and those who think violence is necessary continue to disagree.