Are we followers of Menno Simons, or followers of Jesus Christ?
The term Mennonite defines our culture, not our deity. Why not change the name of the church to reflect this? Maybe something along these lines:
Mennonite Christian Church
Mennonite Church of Christ
Church of Christ from a Mennonite Perspective
On the other hand, putting the name Jesus Christ in the title of the church doesn't guarantee that you will find him there - take the Mormons for example.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Cartoon Network, Cartoon Violence
Parents, do your children a favor, and DO NOT allow them to watch Cartoon Network.
One of my 6-year-old son's best friends watches Cartoon Network almost exclusively, and it shows when they get together to play. Anytime they engage in creative play, the neighbor boy turns the most harmless of objects into components of some epic battle. Worst of all, if my son takes the creative play in a direction that clashes with the neighbor boy's plot, he gets very angry to the point of violence (if I wouldn't step in). All of this I attribute to the likes of Cartoon Network and its plethora of violent shows.
The easy answer would be, "Don't let your son play with him anymore". But that doesn't work because we have agreed to get him off the school bus and let him come to our house for a half hour until his dad can pick him up. I really think he is a good kid, but the effects of violent cartoons are quite evident with him. A few days ago I decided I'd had enough of the violent play, so I told them to stop. It wasn't popular with the neighbor boy, but I don't really care - my son doesn't need to be exposed to such violence.
On Saturday my son asked what kind of TV we needed to get Cartoon Network. I told him cable TV, but that we were never going to get it because it is a waste of time and money. I also told him about how most of the cartoons on Cartoon Network were violent, and tried to explain that Jesus taught that we should avoid hate, anger, and violence. Hopefully some of it will sink in.
My son is a naturally caring, loving person; and I will not stand idly by and let him be turned into another product of the secular world. If you care for the future of your children, and the human race, I would suggest you do the same. Turn off Cartoon Network... and actually, while you are at it, just turn the TV off altogether and play outside or read some books together.
One of my 6-year-old son's best friends watches Cartoon Network almost exclusively, and it shows when they get together to play. Anytime they engage in creative play, the neighbor boy turns the most harmless of objects into components of some epic battle. Worst of all, if my son takes the creative play in a direction that clashes with the neighbor boy's plot, he gets very angry to the point of violence (if I wouldn't step in). All of this I attribute to the likes of Cartoon Network and its plethora of violent shows.
The easy answer would be, "Don't let your son play with him anymore". But that doesn't work because we have agreed to get him off the school bus and let him come to our house for a half hour until his dad can pick him up. I really think he is a good kid, but the effects of violent cartoons are quite evident with him. A few days ago I decided I'd had enough of the violent play, so I told them to stop. It wasn't popular with the neighbor boy, but I don't really care - my son doesn't need to be exposed to such violence.
On Saturday my son asked what kind of TV we needed to get Cartoon Network. I told him cable TV, but that we were never going to get it because it is a waste of time and money. I also told him about how most of the cartoons on Cartoon Network were violent, and tried to explain that Jesus taught that we should avoid hate, anger, and violence. Hopefully some of it will sink in.
My son is a naturally caring, loving person; and I will not stand idly by and let him be turned into another product of the secular world. If you care for the future of your children, and the human race, I would suggest you do the same. Turn off Cartoon Network... and actually, while you are at it, just turn the TV off altogether and play outside or read some books together.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Prosperity Gospel
One of the biggest loads of hooey out there is the idea that if you live according to God's will, paying tithing and keeping his commandments, you will be rewarded in this life.
Get it out of your mind right now. It is not God that provides financial wealth, but man's own doings. Atheists and Christians alike, from all walks of life, have been equally blessed [*cough*] with money. Attributing financial wealth as a reward for faithfulness only justifies greed - and there's enough of that in the secular world as it is.
The ONLY thing that a faithful Christ-centered life will gain you is hope for life after death. Any reward in this life is from man, and not God. Still, we should thank God for every blessing that we do have, no matter how meager or extravagant it may be.
Get it out of your mind right now. It is not God that provides financial wealth, but man's own doings. Atheists and Christians alike, from all walks of life, have been equally blessed [*cough*] with money. Attributing financial wealth as a reward for faithfulness only justifies greed - and there's enough of that in the secular world as it is.
The ONLY thing that a faithful Christ-centered life will gain you is hope for life after death. Any reward in this life is from man, and not God. Still, we should thank God for every blessing that we do have, no matter how meager or extravagant it may be.
A Capella Hymns vs. Rock Bands
One of the biggest struggles right now for all Christian churches is how to keep the younger generation interested in coming to church. One way to keep the 'text generation' interested is to adopt a more upbeat style of worship -- complete with drums, electric guitars and fully amplified stage vocals.
I have experienced both types of services -- my home church stays mainly with the a Capella hymns, but I've been to several different churches that use the 'worship band' model. Both have their merits, and I think that both are pleasing to the One we are praising, our Father in Heaven.
One excellent example of this struggle is documented by Shane Hipps, lead pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale, Arizona: Music at Trinity (video link)
I agree with much of what Pastor Hipps has to say, but I do have a slightly different take on some of it. He states that hymns are sung from the neck up, while 'praise songs' are sung from the neck down... but I find this is not always the case.
For those with perfect pitch looking for 'choir quality' singing, I suppose hymns can be a very cerebral experience, but for someone like me, who has no formal music training, it's just as much from the heart as any ditty accompanied by instruments. In fact, I find a more heart-felt connection with many of the old favorite hymns, and I find it more spiritually moving to harmonize with those around me as we praise our God in one accord. If everyone is participating, it is an experience that can move mountains.
The praise and worship band concept is also great for those who don't have formal vocal training, as there are instruments to harmonize with, and amplified voices to mask any mistakes they may make. But, in my experience with several different churches using this style, it becomes more about the performance on stage than it is about the singing praise to our God. In all cases, I could not hear any of the voices around me, much less my own voice. All I could hear was that which was being blasted through the loudspeakers. I know there are many who feel the spirit move in such an environment, but I am not one of them.
The harsh reality of the situation is that, unless we find a way to teach newcomers and the younger generation how to sing hymns, we are going to lose our Mennonite heritage of four-part harmony. I can follow along in the hymnal, trying to harmonize with those around me as the notes rise and fall, but I really don't know what I'm doing because nobody has ever taught me how to sing hymns. It's just assumed that if you are a Mennonite, you know how to sing in four parts. We either get proactive about this situation and teach, or we sit idly by and let an important part of our culture slip away with the passing of the baby boomers. Then we will have no choice but to sing with the accompaniment of musical instruments.
I have experienced both types of services -- my home church stays mainly with the a Capella hymns, but I've been to several different churches that use the 'worship band' model. Both have their merits, and I think that both are pleasing to the One we are praising, our Father in Heaven.
One excellent example of this struggle is documented by Shane Hipps, lead pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale, Arizona: Music at Trinity (video link)
I agree with much of what Pastor Hipps has to say, but I do have a slightly different take on some of it. He states that hymns are sung from the neck up, while 'praise songs' are sung from the neck down... but I find this is not always the case.
For those with perfect pitch looking for 'choir quality' singing, I suppose hymns can be a very cerebral experience, but for someone like me, who has no formal music training, it's just as much from the heart as any ditty accompanied by instruments. In fact, I find a more heart-felt connection with many of the old favorite hymns, and I find it more spiritually moving to harmonize with those around me as we praise our God in one accord. If everyone is participating, it is an experience that can move mountains.
The praise and worship band concept is also great for those who don't have formal vocal training, as there are instruments to harmonize with, and amplified voices to mask any mistakes they may make. But, in my experience with several different churches using this style, it becomes more about the performance on stage than it is about the singing praise to our God. In all cases, I could not hear any of the voices around me, much less my own voice. All I could hear was that which was being blasted through the loudspeakers. I know there are many who feel the spirit move in such an environment, but I am not one of them.
The harsh reality of the situation is that, unless we find a way to teach newcomers and the younger generation how to sing hymns, we are going to lose our Mennonite heritage of four-part harmony. I can follow along in the hymnal, trying to harmonize with those around me as the notes rise and fall, but I really don't know what I'm doing because nobody has ever taught me how to sing hymns. It's just assumed that if you are a Mennonite, you know how to sing in four parts. We either get proactive about this situation and teach, or we sit idly by and let an important part of our culture slip away with the passing of the baby boomers. Then we will have no choice but to sing with the accompaniment of musical instruments.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Amen Brother
Immediately after the release of the 'The Open Letter', a church periodical [The Mennonite] published an article about it: Open letter calls for 'radical hospitality'.
In the article, they also included a response from Mennonite Church USA - one which reinforced the definition of marriage as one man and one woman, but which also came across a little too 'tip-toey' for me. But then I guess they need to be a little more careful about the wording of their letters.
So why the big amen? Not for either of those letters, but for the comment in response at the bottom of the page written by Sanford C. Oyer [See link above]. That is the kind of response I like to see. There's been enough tiptoeing around this issue in the name of sensitivity. It's time to call it like the Bible sees it. Amen, brother Oyer!
In the article, they also included a response from Mennonite Church USA - one which reinforced the definition of marriage as one man and one woman, but which also came across a little too 'tip-toey' for me. But then I guess they need to be a little more careful about the wording of their letters.
So why the big amen? Not for either of those letters, but for the comment in response at the bottom of the page written by Sanford C. Oyer [See link above]. That is the kind of response I like to see. There's been enough tiptoeing around this issue in the name of sensitivity. It's time to call it like the Bible sees it. Amen, brother Oyer!
LGBT Defined
What does LGBT mean? Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual / Transgendered
Lesbian = Females who feel the need for intimacy with other females.
Gay = Males who feel the need for intimacy with other males.
Bisexual = Someone, male or female, who feels the need for intimacy with both genders.
Transgendered = Those who feel their God-given gender is a false or incomplete description of themselves.
What is the common denominator among these definitions? Feel
The LGBT pushers want acceptance because their sinful actions are based on how they 'feel'. So that's it, we push aside God's Divine wisdom in favor of the feelings (and failings) of human beings. We are not here to obey God's commandments, but to love and nourish everyone, because what people feel inside is more important than what God has intended for us. Forget about monogamous, faithful relationships; if you feel you were meant to be intimate with more than one woman at a time, or be swinger with another couple, go ahead - because it's about how you feel. We will love you, accept you, and share communion with you just the same. Forget about those antiquated commandments, they're all about hate anyway - it's about love and acceptance.
Not.
Lesbian = Females who feel the need for intimacy with other females.
Gay = Males who feel the need for intimacy with other males.
Bisexual = Someone, male or female, who feels the need for intimacy with both genders.
Transgendered = Those who feel their God-given gender is a false or incomplete description of themselves.
What is the common denominator among these definitions? Feel
The LGBT pushers want acceptance because their sinful actions are based on how they 'feel'. So that's it, we push aside God's Divine wisdom in favor of the feelings (and failings) of human beings. We are not here to obey God's commandments, but to love and nourish everyone, because what people feel inside is more important than what God has intended for us. Forget about monogamous, faithful relationships; if you feel you were meant to be intimate with more than one woman at a time, or be swinger with another couple, go ahead - because it's about how you feel. We will love you, accept you, and share communion with you just the same. Forget about those antiquated commandments, they're all about hate anyway - it's about love and acceptance.
Not.
A Monster Created
It appears as though the stage is set for the upcoming Columbus 2009 Mennonite convention. The folks at Pink Menno plan to make their presence known, with the intention of full inclusion for practicing sexual deviants. The founder of the Pink Menno website made this comment on another Mennonite blog, "We’re creating a movement to blanket MC USA convention in Columbus this summer in a sea of pink supporters of full lgbt inclusion in the church."
There is no need for dialogue. There is no need to tiptoe around the central issues for fear of offending someone who feels they were made to practice that which God has called a sin. Without using the Bible "as a weapon", the decision that Mennonite Church USA must make on this issue is clear - and it is the same decision that has already been made. God intended marriage for one man and one woman, and he still intends it to be that way.
With all due respect and radical love, either get over it or start your own LGBT Mennonite Church. Jesus sat and ate with the tax collectors and sinners, but that doesn't mean he didn't expect them to change their ways if they were to follow him. Likewise, if you want full inclusion into a church which professes to worship this very same Christ, you must first cast aside your sinful ways. If we allow full inclusion without a requirement of repentance, then we may as well just paste the Bible on the wall and throw darts at it.
If you are going to the Columbus convention, be prepared for a push for the inclusion of gays in the church - and be prepared to vocalize your opposition.
There is no need for dialogue. There is no need to tiptoe around the central issues for fear of offending someone who feels they were made to practice that which God has called a sin. Without using the Bible "as a weapon", the decision that Mennonite Church USA must make on this issue is clear - and it is the same decision that has already been made. God intended marriage for one man and one woman, and he still intends it to be that way.
With all due respect and radical love, either get over it or start your own LGBT Mennonite Church. Jesus sat and ate with the tax collectors and sinners, but that doesn't mean he didn't expect them to change their ways if they were to follow him. Likewise, if you want full inclusion into a church which professes to worship this very same Christ, you must first cast aside your sinful ways. If we allow full inclusion without a requirement of repentance, then we may as well just paste the Bible on the wall and throw darts at it.
If you are going to the Columbus convention, be prepared for a push for the inclusion of gays in the church - and be prepared to vocalize your opposition.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Fellow Mennonites, Let Your Voice Be Heard
My Fellow Mennonites,
If you oppose the acceptance of practicing homosexuals in your congregations, now is the time to find your voice and stand firm against this latest surge. The 'radical hospitality' activists are not the only ones allowed to be vocal - speak your mind and let your pastors, your elders, and the entire Mennonite Church know that you affirm the definition of marriage as it is described in the Bible, and in the Confession of Faith. Keeping silent will only allow blatant sin to infiltrate our halls of worship.
As much as the 'radicals' would like to detach Jesus' message from the rest of the Bible, it simply can't be done without nullifying the validity of the entire book. Jesus' main message is that of love and forgiveness, but that should not be confused with accepting the ways of the world, especially when those ways are in direct contradiction with God's commandments. We are to treat all persons with love and respect, and without condemnation; but we are also to hold each other accountable for our actions, and in order to do so, we must also be able to identify that which is sinful.
The Bible is not a book that is meant to be changed depending on the culture reading it, and it does not make exceptions for sin simply because that sin has become accepted practice by the heathens in the secular world. As a heterosexual male, I have natural urges that, if followed, would be in direct contradiction with biblical teachings, yet they are perfectly acceptable in the modern secular world.
Is this where we are at in the Mennonite Church? Are we ready to accept any and all sexual activity as natural and acceptable to God? I, for one, am not - and I will let that be known to any and all who will hear it.
If you oppose the acceptance of practicing homosexuals in your congregations, now is the time to find your voice and stand firm against this latest surge. The 'radical hospitality' activists are not the only ones allowed to be vocal - speak your mind and let your pastors, your elders, and the entire Mennonite Church know that you affirm the definition of marriage as it is described in the Bible, and in the Confession of Faith. Keeping silent will only allow blatant sin to infiltrate our halls of worship.
As much as the 'radicals' would like to detach Jesus' message from the rest of the Bible, it simply can't be done without nullifying the validity of the entire book. Jesus' main message is that of love and forgiveness, but that should not be confused with accepting the ways of the world, especially when those ways are in direct contradiction with God's commandments. We are to treat all persons with love and respect, and without condemnation; but we are also to hold each other accountable for our actions, and in order to do so, we must also be able to identify that which is sinful.
The Bible is not a book that is meant to be changed depending on the culture reading it, and it does not make exceptions for sin simply because that sin has become accepted practice by the heathens in the secular world. As a heterosexual male, I have natural urges that, if followed, would be in direct contradiction with biblical teachings, yet they are perfectly acceptable in the modern secular world.
Is this where we are at in the Mennonite Church? Are we ready to accept any and all sexual activity as natural and acceptable to God? I, for one, am not - and I will let that be known to any and all who will hear it.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Bible Speaks For Itself
In the argument on homosexuality, the words of the Bible are all too often left out of the discussion. But the words are clear:
Genesis 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
'Nuff said.
Genesis 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Romans 1:21-3221For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
John 8:11"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
'Nuff said.
Monday, April 13, 2009
My View of the Open Letter
On April 5, 2009, several Mennonite pastors took it upon themselves to publish an open letter to Mennonite Church USA, and to congregations in general, regarding the issue of gays and lesbians within the church.
Here is the letter: An Open Letter to Mennonite Church USA
As an active member of the Mennonite Church, I see several fundamental issues with taking such a radically 'hospitable' stance on something that the Bible so clearly defined as a sinful and unnatural practice. To accept practicing homosexuals via 'Radical Hospitality', without acknowledging the need to turn away from their sinful desires, is to throw out Divine wisdom and adopt the wisdom of the world.
My view tends to fall more in line with that of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches: Homosexuality: A Firm Response
From John 8:1-11, we see the following passage about an adulterous woman:
I will be so bold as to predict that this letter, and those behind it, will lead to another split of the Mennonite Church. It may just be a small splinter group that branches off to follow this perverted idea of Christ's gospel, but it will be division none the less.
Here is the letter: An Open Letter to Mennonite Church USA
As an active member of the Mennonite Church, I see several fundamental issues with taking such a radically 'hospitable' stance on something that the Bible so clearly defined as a sinful and unnatural practice. To accept practicing homosexuals via 'Radical Hospitality', without acknowledging the need to turn away from their sinful desires, is to throw out Divine wisdom and adopt the wisdom of the world.
My view tends to fall more in line with that of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches: Homosexuality: A Firm Response
From John 8:1-11, we see the following passage about an adulterous woman:
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
I will be so bold as to predict that this letter, and those behind it, will lead to another split of the Mennonite Church. It may just be a small splinter group that branches off to follow this perverted idea of Christ's gospel, but it will be division none the less.
About This Blog
This blog represents the views of one Mennonite, and is not intended to be a representation of the views expressed by the greater Mennonite Church. I welcome any and all comments, but reserve the right to censor any comments that may be deemed inappropriate or offensive.
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