I was not raised Mennonite. In fact, when I first met my husband Jeff, I was immediately turned off by the fact that he was a Mennonite. My experience with that tradition was extremely limited. I just knew they dressed very differently than me and they probably didn’t use electricity or drive cars. They also thought they needed to do certain works to earn their salvation and they might not be saved.
After addressing the worst of these misunderstandings I had, Jeff and I began to discuss theology. When Jeff explained to me that one of the distinctives of Anabaptist theology is a Christ-centered hermeneutic, I countered, “That’s not distinctive to Anabaptists; that’s just biblical!” As we discussed and compared our theology, I couldn’t find very much difference. I’m sure it helped that we had both received formal Bible training at non-denominational schools.
As we discussed the theological distinctives of Anabaptism, the only one that seemed unique to me was the doctrine of non-resistance. Though I personally believed in non-resistance, I had never been part of a church or organization that included this in their doctrinal statement and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Out of concern for unity in the body of Christ, I worried that this was an unnecessary and highly controversial doctrine to emphasize. My concerns were elevated in the first year of our marriage when Jeff was rejected from a pastoral position he applied for because of his views on non-resistance. At the same time, I grew in my respect for him and his convictions, and I saw that there is a cost to standing on this teaching of scripture. I also grew increasingly aware of how much Christian nationalism had replaced biblical Christianity in many American churches. At the same time, I often felt like an outsider in our conference because I wasn’t sure I fully embraced making such an emphasis on this doctrine that seemed to be so central to what it means to be a Mennonite.
Enter 2020 and the most polarizing political climate in my lifetime so far.
My respect and appreciation for our conference grew by leaps and bounds as I watched many in the Evangelical world descend into an abyss of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories and a politically-motivated apocalyptic cult. After scrolling past post after post of bizarre Facebook feeds, I found myself increasingly blessed and refreshed by the words of wisdom in the CMC women’s Connections Group on Facebook and in the Beacon articles.
I am passionate that we have something unique to offer a world that is hungry for Jesus and weary of political division.
Only recently, however, did the dots fully connect and I understood that the very different, Christ-centered messages being promoted by CMC were related to this controversial doctrine I had initially had reservations about. At this year’s Multiply conference, we heard numerous messages on this topic. In one of them, Roger Hazen explained that non-resistance is more than simply avoiding military service. Our doctrine of non-resistance is closely connected with the belief, based on Christ’s teachings, regarding the separation of church and state. I realized that while Anabaptists are not the only Christians who believe in the separation of church and state, their emphasis on this distinctive, coupled with non-resistance, has seemed to keep CMC anchored in a biblical worldview focused on Christ while so many other Christians have become distracted and embroiled in politics.
Prior to the conference, Jeff and I visited Menno-Hof (an information center on Amish and Mennonites). I was choked to tears numerous times as I reflected on the history of our movement and the boldness, courage, and sacrificial love of the early Anabaptists—men and women who deliberately chose not to seek power or safety in government, but rather to sacrificially follow the example of Christ.
This year’s Multiply conference was the first conference where I no longer felt like an outsider in CMC. Even though I will probably never feel comfortable calling myself a Mennonite (since I want to be identified with Jesus and his global church rather than a specific tradition), I have realized how much I deeply embrace Anabaptist theology, believing our doctrines to be consistent with the teachings of Jesus, and I am passionate that we have something unique to offer a world that is hungry for Jesus and weary of political division. I also love our emphasis on reaching the lost in unreached people groups and planting churches in America. I’m excited to be part of a conference that is aiming to focus on Christ and proclaim HIM! Let’s keep moving forward in this mission together!
Reprinted from Connections, August 2021.
6 Responses
Thank you, Jessica, for your reflection here. It’s helpful to me and my understanding of your tradition. I’ve been reading “Jesus and John Wayne” (Kristin DeMes Komez) and am struck by the contrast between the prevailing evangelical posture of tough, militaristic, white Christian nationalism and the anabaptist way.
Thanks for sharing your journey. My older brothers were in the military so I wanted to be grounded biblically in my belief. Your testamomy was encouraging.
A very moving testimony — thanks for sharing!
I love what you said here, and I identify with you.
“I will probably never feel comfortable calling myself a Mennonite (since I want to be identified with Jesus and his global church rather than a specific tradition), I have realized how much I deeply embrace Anabaptist theology, believing our doctrines to be consistent with the teachings of Jesus, and I am passionate that we have something unique to offer a world that is hungry for Jesus and weary of political division.”
Thanks for sharing!
A very encouraging report/testimony.
Powerfully and clearly stated. Thank you for articulating this!