WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
SPROUTS
November 28, 2017
A weekly communication for:
WDC Churches and Pastors
WDC Executive Board, Commission, Committee and Task Force members
Any content may be used in bulletins and newsletters and
forwarded to congregational leaders and members.
WDC Sprouts is also available at: www.mennowdc.org (Publications)
IN THIS ISSUE:
*Guns and Church
*Prayer Requests
*Coming Events
*Announcements
Guns and Church
by Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister
In a recent blog, Mennonite pastor Horace McMillon said the debate about gun reform in the U.S. is not really a policy discussion, but a religious discussion. He writes, “We have placed our faith in our ability to keep ourselves safe from our neighbors who would harm us, from our government who might oppress us. These are faith-based beliefs, not open to empirical critique. The bloodshed and loss of life in our collective wisdom is tragic. But we say it is the necessary cost of freedom. It is more blood sacrificed on the altar of the God of personal protection.” (to read more, see http://mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/blood-altar-personal-protection/ )
These provocative words remind us that guns and security cannot be separated from the realm of faith. Our nation continues to be shaken by shootings, even in places of worship. Following the mass shooting on Nov. 5 at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, TX, several WDC pastors have shared with me their concerns about the threat of gun violence in church. One pastor said that some members of his congregation are afraid to attend worship, worrying that all churches have become targets of violence. Another pastor wonders if the congregation is at risk of hateful attacks because of the congregation’s stand on peace and justice. Several pastors have expressed anxiety about congregation members owning handguns, particularly when domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or interpersonal conflicts are involved.
What is the role of pastors and other congregational leaders in keeping their people safe? How should Christians define “security?” What does Anabaptist theology say about this? What practical guidelines can help congregations develop security plans? While the news reports that some churches are hiring armed guards or approving concealed weapons in worship, I hear WDC pastors seeking an alternative approach based on Jesus’ message of nonviolence and peacemaking. To discern a faithful response to the threat of gun violence is to wrestle with the challenge of simultaneously protecting the vulnerable, confronting violence, demonstrating God’s love for enemies, and trusting in the ultimate power of good over evil. It is also an opportunity to witness to our faith and offer life-giving hope in the midst of fear or revenge.
A recent article in The Wichita Eagle interviewed local church members about guns. WDC pastor Lois Harder, co-pastor at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church (Wichita, KS) said she has no interest in protecting herself or others by using violence. “I just think it’s completely counterintuitive to everything I understand about the Gospel, about what Jesus taught us about worship,” she said. “Death isn’t the worst thing that could happen to a Christian. There are nonviolent ways of responding to an attack, even if they might be countercultural or counterintuitive. There’s almost always a third way. The way Jesus did things was always a bit different. It was not what people were expecting.”
In a Mennonite World Review article, WDC pastor John Garland tells how San Antonio Mennonite Church received online threats last year after sheltering people released from immigration detention. He said some of the church’s men chose to be greeters and sit in the back of the sanctuary — “not as armed greeters, not as folks who are taking a gun-training class from the church, but people saying, ‘If this threat is real, I will be the first person [to confront it].’ ” Garland said it is common in his area for pastors to carry guns, but he wants to do things differently. To read more, see
http://mennoworld.org/2017/11/13/news/on-guns-do-not-be-conformed/
As your congregation addresses issues of security and violence, what questions do you have? What resources have you found? Here are some suggestions to consider:
- Explore Jesus’ teachings and actions as examples of creative non-violence and resistance against evil.
- Study Mennonite history, to learn from the ways Anabaptists have responded to violence through the centuries.
- Reach out to learn from global Anabaptists who face persecution and violence in today’s world.
- Practice lament, prayer, candle-lighting, or other actions in response to gun shootings in the nation.
- Plan safe spaces for church members to discuss feelings and experiences related to guns.
- Use Mennonite Central Committee’s study guide, “Preventing Gun Violence” at https://mcc.org/sites/mcc.org/files/media/common/documents/mccu.s.gunviolencepreventionguide.pdf
- Develop safety plans for your church. WDC Resource Library has these books on the topic: Safe and Secure: The Alban Guide to Protecting Your Congregation by Jeffrey W. Hanna; and Serving by Safeguarding Your Church by Robert H. Welch
- Learn about general crisis response, using resources such as these in the WDC library: The Little Book of Trauma Healing: When Violence Strikes and Community Security is Threatened – by Carolyn Yoder; Help and Hope: Disaster Preparedness and Response Tools for Congregations – ed. By Amy Gopp and Brandon Gilvin; and Disaster Spiritual Care: Practical Clergy Responses to Community, Regional and National Tragedy – ed by Stephen B. Roberts and Willard W. C. Ashley
These are just a few of my ideas, and I am interested to know what your congregation is learning and doing. May God’s protection, wisdom, and courage be with you as you seek to follow Jesus faithfully in today’s world.
Prayer Requests
Dec 3 – As we anticipate holiday celebrations, let us pray for WDC’s Hispanic pastors in Dallas, TX, as they gather this week for a Christmas dinner.
Dec 10 – As we prepare a place for the Christ-child in this Advent season, let us pray for WDC congregations undergoing construction projects to better serve their communities and members.
Dec 17 – As we anticipate the giving of Christmas gifts, let us thank God for the many different multicultural expressions and gifts in WDC congregations.
Dec 24 – As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us give thanks for the ways Christ’s presence is made visible through WDC congregations.
Coming Events
Dec. 21 – Kansas Leadership Center lunch, WDC Office
Dec. 22-Jan 1, 2018 – WDC Office closed
Jan. 11 – WDC Resource Commission meeting
Jan. 12 – WDC Ministerial Leadership Commission meeting
Jan. 13 – WDC Executive Board meeting
Jan. 18 – WDC Church Planting Commission meeting
Jan. 19-20 – WDC Year of Evangelism Kickoff: Anabaptist Witness, Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS
Feb. 20 – WDC Stewardship Commission meeting
July 27-28 – WDC Annual Assembly, Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton KS; Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge, KS
July 29 – WDC Annual Assembly worship option, Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KS
WDC announcements
- Do you feel called to pray for the Year of Evangelism Kick Off workshop January 19-20? Please contact Kathy Neufeld Dunn at kathynd@mennowdc.org. In addition to encouraging speakers, gifted coaches, and dialogue among congregations, we pray that this initiative is strengthened and led by the Holy Spirit. Be part of the prayer team. Learn more about Year of Evangelism Kick-Off: Anabaptist Witness at: https://mennowdc.org/year-of-evangelism/.
- The WDC office will be closed from December 22 through January 1.
Mennonite church announcements
Advent At Home begins today! Download the free guide for Advent family worship at www.anabaptistfaithformation.org. “Yes! Let It Be!” will help you slow down with your children to ponder and prepare for what it means to receive Jesus.
Western District Conference
2517 North Main, PO Box 306
North Newton KS 67117
316-283-6300; FAX: 316-283-0620
Email: wdc@mennowdc.org
Website: www.mennowdc.org