We are Mennonites, but what does that mean?

This is one of the most frequently heard questions we encounter as we visit various Mennonite churches in East Africa. What does the name mean? In a culture of many languages, the name “Mennonite” is sometimes misinterpreted due to poor understanding of English, “Men of the night!” Not exactly an association with which we concur.

Print of Dirk Willems saving the life of  a prison guard,
in obedience to Jesus' command to "love your enemies."

We begin by telling the story of the beginnings of our forefathers’ faith during the reformation period. They love the story of the fifteen young men who read the Bible and began following the teachings of Jesus in their daily lives, and who rebaptized each other as a witness to their salvation on the basis of personal faith in Jesus. They meet Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, George Blaurock, and learn to know of the risks they took for their faith, their persecution and their perseverance even to death. They are shocked by the story of Dirk Willems who loved even his enemy as Christ said he should (for the story, go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Willems).

And finally they meet Menno Simons who strengthened the believers through his teaching and writing and brought them together into fellowships, and who gave us the name “Mennonite.” From there the story goes on to explain how persecution spread the church through Europe into Russia, to USA and Canada. Later the Mennonite denomination was brought to Asia, Africa and South America through mission efforts that grew out of spiritual renewal in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Pastors and their wives from Tanzania Mennonite Church,
Eastern Diocese,at a leaders' seminar in October 2015

Of course, hearing the story is not an end in itself. The story raises new questions for these leaders. Can ordinary believers baptize others without being ordained? Is a church without a pastor still a church? What is the Mennonite way of baptism? What is true faith? What does salvation mean? Is it okay if we move, even dance, when we sing? Can a Mennonite join the army or serve as a policeman?

Those questions lead into teaching Anabaptist faith and perspectives, emphasizing that the 16th century Anabaptists were students of the Bible. From hearing radio preachers and others, they ask questions about Sabbath observance, expressions of the Holy Spirit, prosperity gospel, and mode of baptism. Sixteenth century Anabaptists emphasized the centrality of Jesus and his teachings, applied to both faith and daily living. They learn how the teachings were applied in the 16^th century, but we encourage them not to simply duplicate the forefathers’ actions and interpretations but to follow their example of asking what Jesus’ teaching means in their culture and situation today. When they go to the Bible for answers to faith questions, they grow spiritual roots and become more firmly established as they encounter teachings of other faiths.

Pastor Zedekiah Achoro, lead pastor, Shirati Mennonite
Church, and Bishop John Nyagwegwe, North Mara Diocese, 
under the tree where the first Mennonite missionaries set up 
their camp in 1934.

We have developed a course, What does the Bible say?, which helps leaders to go deeper into the foundational beliefs of Anabaptist faith such as salvation, discipleship, church, leadership etc. We have also translated several resources on Anabaptist faith. Our own faith and thinking has been challenged as we have been able to tell the Mennonite Story over and over again and it’s been exciting to contribute to the leaders’ understanding and growth.