Rhizome Updates from the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2 AUGUST 2015 Global Anabaptist Profile Celebrates Milestone

ociological surveys may be uncommon evangelistic S tools, but at a recent con- sultation celebrating the conclu- sion of the Global Anabaptist Profile (GAP), Damien Pelende testified that the GAP survey had indeed drawn new people into his church. The GAP, a joint initiative of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism (ISGA) and Mennonite World Conference (MWC), is a two- year project profiling the de- mographics, beliefs, and practices of 24 church conferences in MWC. Pelende, a research associate onlookers committed themselves 30, 2015, research associates like who implemented the GAP sur- to Christ; another time a Catho- Pelende and church leaders from vey in the Mennonite Brethren lic visitor, after reviewing the 21 MWC member churches rep- Church of the Congo, shared survey, decided to become a resenting eighteen different coun- how the survey generated partic- Mennonite. tries analyzed the data collected ular interest in one of the local At the consultation, hosted by from their respective confer- congregations he visited. During the Young Center for Anabaptist ences and shared stories that a worship service dedicated to and Pietist Studies at Elizabeth- gave crucial context to the num- the GAP survey, over twenty town College (Pa.) from July 26- bers. (Continued on pg. 2.) INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Bearing Witness Launches Storytelling Project GAP milestone 1 aomi Tamura sat down the norm is considered very Although the ISGA launched the Storytelling 1 in front of Bearing Wit- important for most people. How- project in 2012, this was the first project N ness’s camera at Men- ever I gave up being the norm to time Bearing Witness has invited Research 3 nonite World Conference live with God.” church members to share their Fellowship (MWC) Assembly and began Tamura’s story was one of more stories in a video format. telling her story. Texts in 4 than twenty stories that were The stories of risk, opposition, Translation “The struggle I have being a Japa- shared and recorded as part of a suffering or sacrifice in the way of nese Mennonite Christian comes storytelling initiative the Bearing Christ shared in Bearing Wit- Korean CO 5 from being a minority,” Tamura Witness Stories Project held ness’s video booth were pro- Editorial 6 said. “In Japanese culture being during MWC Assembly in July. found and moving. (Cont. pg. 4) P A G E 2 GAP Research Associates Reflect

“I learned some new things about my “I’m happy that we do indeed have shared church. Some things were difficult to convictions, that the Holy Spirit is at work hear, but this is a new and deeper level throughout the whole world .” of understanding.” —Marcos Orozco, Evangelical Mennonite —Francis Kamoto, Brethren in Christ Church of Nicaragua Church of Malawi

“This has been a helpful diagnosis of the “The results for the church of the Philipppi- state of our churches together and has nes confirms and affirms what we are confronted us to return to an stronger doing; but they also help us understand identity as Anabaptists.” new things to do.”

—César Montenegro, Evangelical —Regina Mondez, Integrated Mennonite Mennonite Church of Guatemala Churches of the Philippines

Global Anabaptist Profile, cont. from pg. 1 Ground-breaking Church Profile gather quantitative The consultation was the culmination of data about Anabaptist two years of data collection in the pro- groups affiliated with ject led by John D. Roth, director of the MWC, whose mem- ISGA at Goshen College, and Conrad bership has more than Kanagy, professor of sociology at Eliza- tripled in the past bethtown College. In 2013 the same three decades. group had met at Goshen College to Despite this rapid determine the final content of the sur- growth, however, vey, structured around the MWC there have been few “Shared Convictions,” and to receive scholarly attempts to training in methods of survey implemen- understand these tation. groups. Research associates and church leaders from Latin America discuss the results of the Global Anabaptist The survey was then translated into 26 “Demographic data Profile. Photo by Elizabeth Miller. different languages before research has been based largely associates implemented the survey with on estimates,” wrote Roth in a report to Consultation Contextualizes Survey randomly-selected congregations of research associates. “And we know even Results their respective national conferences. less about the theological convictions, Kanagy processed and formatted the worship practices, ethical commitments, Individual presentations from research data prior to the consultation, so that and forms of witness of many specific associates at the consultation were cru- the group could compare their results. Anabaptist-Mennonite groups.” cial for giving context to the survey “I’m not aware of any other church data. "The research associates are the The data collected from the groups who real experts in recognizing the authentic fellowship that has done this work,” have completed the survey paints a com- Kanagy said in his closing remarks on meaning of the results in their church- plex picture of what MWC member es," Kanagy offered. July 29. churches hold in common and the ways Funded and directed by the ISGA, the in which they differ from one another. Consultation participants noted interest- GAP is the first systematic attempt to ing differences in practices and assump-

RHIZOME VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2 P A G E 3 tions regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit, among women in their contexts, since they Mondez from the Integrated Mennonite attitudes toward tithing and political involve- were more likely than men to be illiterate. Churches of the Philippines reflected, “I ap- ment, understandings of church agencies like Even when faced with significant challenges, preciate that despite different languages and Mennonite Central Committee, views on noted Kanagy, the research associates dis- cultures, the numbers communicate [a unity] evangelism, and the role of women in church played incredible perseverance, across culture in ways that words could not.” leadership. courage, and vision in imple- In their individual presentations, research menting the survey and in associates provided critical contextual back- sharing their own contextual ground in their analysis of the data. Marcos interpretations of the results Orozco of the Evangelical Mennonite Church from their respective confer- Conference of Nicaragua (CIEMN) referenced ences. his church’s experience during the Sandinista Profile Suggests Unity Despite War to explain why CIEMN’s results reflected Differences such a strong opposition to military service. “In the 1980s we had to make a strong state- Although the data has not yet ment on military service. We recognized that been thoroughly analyzed, con- we would be killing other brothers in the versation at the consultation church. . . . We were clear that we couldn’t suggested that the results will do this,” Orozco said. be significant for congregations, Research associates and church leaders listen to a national conferences, and global presentation summarizing the results of the Global Research Associates Reflect on Challenges church bodies alike. Anabaptist Profile. Photo by Elizabeth Miller. The consultation also provided a forum for Many church leaders highlighted research associates to share some of their the teaching and discipleship possibilities they “I’m happy that we do indeed have shared challenges in implementing the survey. Del- perceive emerging as a result of the profile. convictions,” said Marcos Orozco. “We note bert Erb from the Argentine Mennonite “We need more teaching on Anabaptism,” some differences in our cultures, but there Church collected data from participating concluded Lawrence Coetzee of Grace Com- are more things that unite us than divide us.” churches in Argentina across a distance of munity Church in South Africa. 2000 km (1243 miles). In the D.R. Congo and Roth and Kanagy are still awaiting data from in the Philippines, access to some of the most Coetzee’s contributed to a recurring conver- two additional church conferences. When the rural and remote congregations proved chal- sation regarding identity. Many at the consul- data is complete, they will release a summary lenging, necessitating mountain travel and tation questioned how such diverse churches of the aggregate results as well as regional fording rivers. At times the travel was har- could share an identity across varying con- comparisons. The full data will also be made rowing, but “God protected us,” Pelende texts. Others wondered how to cultivate a available to the MWC Executive Committee. assured the group. strong sense of theological identity within “The data is not an end in itself,” Roth empha- their national conferences. The written format of the survey also proved sized. “This project is only one step toward a challenging in contexts with higher rates of Yet the data also seemed to suggest that the richer understanding of who we are as a glob- illiteracy . A number of research associates churches represented by the survey do indeed al fellowship and how our churches are put- found that illiteracy led to a low response rate share beliefs and practices in common. Regina ting the gospel into practice.”

Brazilian engineer receives first Schafer-Friesen Research Fellowship

In June and July the Mennonite Historical Library (MHL) hosted Brazilian engineer and researcher Karl H. Kienitz, thanks to the Schafer-Friesen Research Fellowship. The fellowship, made possible by a generous gift of $100,000 from Abraham and Geraldine Schafer Friesen, is awarded annually to researchers interested in using the resources of the MHL.

Kienitz was researching how the theology of lay Anabaptist theologian Pilgrim Marpeck affected the social and ethical aspects of his career of an engineer.

“We are delighted that Karl was the inaugural recipient of the Schafer-Friesen Award,” said MHL Director John D. Roth. “His project is a great example of a creative project that might not have happened without the fellowship.” P A G E 4 Texts in Translation Texts in Translation is an initiative that makes creative theological and historical work from outside North America accessible to new readers. In 2015 thus far Texts in Translation has contributed to the distribution of three new texts:

Life Together in the Spirit was released this year as the seventh title in Mennonite World Confer- ence’s Global Anabaptist-Mennonite Shelf of Literature. First translated to English by the ISGA in 2011, John Driver’s classic text has been updated to include study questions and responses from global Anabaptist theologians. In cooperation with MWC and Plough Publishing, the ISGA made significant contributions in the editing and translation of the final manuscript.

Originally published in English, Marcus Weiand’s PhD dissertation, “Traumatised Communi- ties: On the Way towards Reconciliation,” focuses on reconciliation work and trauma healing within Guatemalan churches. Earlier this year the ISGA contracted Kevin Florentin Sprung, a Goshen College student from Paraguay, to complete a Spanish translation of Weiand’s work, which will serve as a teaching resource for SEMILLA, the Latin American Anabaptist seminary based in Guatemala.

Forward in Faith: A Seventy-Year Journey, 1942-2012. History of the Kenya Mennonite Church was published earlier this year by the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC) as the culmination of collaborative process of writing, editing, and proofing involving a range of leaders within the KMC. The ISGA purchased 50 copies of Forward in Faith to distribute to academic journals and Anabaptist libraries and study centers in North America, hoping to increase awareness and engagement with KMC history beyond Kenya.

Inside Story Headline Bearing Witness Storytelling, cont. from pg. 1

Some, like Mary Win of Myanmar Many shared stories of miracles Tamura closed her sharing with a and Lucy Roca Caballero of Co- they had witnessed, as evidence of message for the global church, lombia, shared about being forced God’s hand in seemingly hopeless “For you who received this mes- out of their home countries by situations. sage please pray for us all in Japan. violence and persecution before Nearly all those who shared a And help us carry the work we do finding refuge and healing in story with Bearing Witness at in Japan.” churches elsewhere. Assembly hoped that their stories Over the coming year, Bearing Others like Américo Aji Cobrera could encourage others in their Witness will be sharing these from Panama told stories of con- own struggles and that their sto- stories and others through its fronting local governments over ries would be received in prayer website at martyrstories.org. injustices they had experienced. by the broader church.

RHIZOME VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2 P A G E 5 Korean CO Released from Prison n July 30 the prayers of Sang-Min’s case was also an exam- many were answered as ple of the possibilities of internatio- O Sang-Min Lee, a Mennonite nal collaboration around the issue conscientious objector from South of conscientious objection. The Korea, was released from prison Institute for the Study of Global three months early. Anabaptism and Bearing Witness Sang-Min’s service in the prison’s initiated an international letter- barber shop was credited to his 18- writing campaign for Sang-Min, Mennonite World Conference sent month prison term, allowing him to “The people leave earlier than his sentence out prayer requests to the global dictated. church during Sang-Min’s trial, and who thought of Justapaz connected Sang-Min with Sang-Min sent a letter to his con- conscientious objectors in Colom- me and prayed gregation, the Grace and Peace bia who also face hardships for Sang-Min enjoying his first for me...As I Mennonite Church in Seoul, reflec- their stance against military service. ting on his choice to refuse military hamburger after being Many others shared Sang-Min’s live, I’m not service and his resulting imprison- released. Photo courtesy of story in their churches or prayed ment: Kyong-Jung Kim. sure how I can for him in their daily prayers. Sang- “I’m thinking a lot of all the people Min faces a new set of challenges as repay this huge I’m thankful for. My support group’s repay this huge light you’ve brought he reenters civilian life, just as those light you’ve care; people that took care of me to me.” who supported him are now simi- well; people who gave me news In the wake of Sang-Min’s release, larly challenged to continue brought to me.” through letters; people who came Kyong-Jung Kim, Northeast Asia strengthening the bonds and con- the long way to see me in the midst Representative for Mennonite nections that grew out of concern of busy schedules; people who sup- World Conference, requests conti- for Sang-Min during his imprison- ported me regularly. nued prayer for the 660 conscien- ment. On top of that, the people who tious objectors who are jailed each Those wishing to contact Sang-Min thought of me and prayed for me… year in Korea and for the Korean are invited to email him at semz87 As I live, I’m not sure how I can church’s peace witness. (at)gmail(dot)com.

Bearing Witness at Mennonite World Conference It was a pleasure to meet so many of you at the Bearing Witness booth and an honor to hear your stories at MWC Assembly! From left to right: Bishop Amos Joseph and Muhagachi from Tanzania with BW staff Angeliky Santos and Elizabeth Miller. The Bearing Witness Booth. Richard Rancap from the Philippines shares a story in an interview with Bearing Witness. “BORN AGAIN” IN THE GLOBAL CHURCH By John D. Roth, director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism

Nearly five years ago—the exact date was In dozens of new settings, what it meant to Last month marked a milestone in a major October 26, 2010—I was “born again” … part of this 500-year-old “Anabaptist- project of the ISGA, and an enormous step again! Mennonite” stream was being stretched, forward for another. As you can read in this For many years, I, along with my colleagues challenged, renewed, transformed, and re- issue of Rhizome, on July 26-30 nearly 40 at the Mennonite Historical Library (MHL), imagined. Research Associates and church leaders met had been conscientious custodians of a long In 2009 I attended the Mennonite World at Elizabethtown College to analyze the tradition of “scholarship for the church” Conference (MWC) assembly in Asunción, results of the Global Anabaptist Profile— bequeathed to us by historians like Harold Paraguay and witnessed first-hand the aston- the first major study of faith and practices of Bender, Guy Hershberger, John Oyer, The- ishing diversity of our global family. I re- Mennonite World Conference churches. ron Schlabach, Shirley Showalter, and Alan turned to Goshen College convinced that Cross-cultural surveys are enormously chal- Kreider. the time had come for a new kind of lenging (the questionnaire was translated These amazingly gifted scholars were com- “scholarship for the church.” After consult- into 26 languages!), and interpreting the mitted to bringing their academic disciplines ing with a wide range of colleagues and results will take time. But the GAP is a into conversation with the life of the friends, the concept of the “Institute for the pioneering initiative—not just for MWC, church. Convinced that the Study of Global Anabaptism” emerged. but also in the world of global Christian scholarship—and we hope that project will life of the mind and spiritual/ “I returned from On October 26, 2010, Goshen ecclesial renewal were inti- College administrators approved bear much fruit. mately related, they offered a Mennonite World a memo of understanding that The Bearing Witness project, with signifi- model that combined scholar- Conference in formally launched the ISGA. The cant support from the Bruderhof, is also ship and teaching with a deep vision and projects of the Insti- now moving into a new phase, with a strong love for the church. In the fall Paraguay convinced tute have been a part of my daily presence on the internet, an expanding of 1985, when I was facing a life ever since. collection of stories (helped especially by a that the time had difficult decision about where I During the past five years, doors host of interviews at the MWC assembly), wanted to teach as a young come for a new have been opened in ways that and work on a new book of testimonies historian, their example have allowed the work of the that will be published later this year. kind of ‘scholarship inspired me to accept a call to ISGA to flourish. A host of insti- Clearly there are enormous challenges and Goshen College. for the church.’” tutions, foundations, and private possibilities still ahead. We continue to In the years since, my col- individuals have supported our operate on a shoestring budget, spending leagues and I have worked vision with generous financial most of our resources to support the work hard to be good stewards of their legacy. contributions. For the past four years I have of others. And I am often behind in my We greatly expanded the holdings of the served as secretary of the MWC Faith and commitments, struggling to find the right MHL, continued to publish The Mennonite Life Commission, a position that has led to balance of priorities. But today, five years Quarterly Review, supported the work of the dozens of new relationships within our after the ISGA was launched, I wake up Mennonite Historical Society, wrote books global fellowship and opportunities for eager to launch into the tasks at hand and and articles, organized conferences, hosted partners hip. more grateful than ever for the opportunity lecturers, and preached in many congrega- For the past three years I have been writing to continue a long tradition of “scholarship tional settings. monthly columns for The Mennonite and the for the church.” Along the way, however, something of Mennonite World Review focused on some Thank you for your support! profound significance was happening within aspect of the global church. My colleagues in the larger Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. the MHL, particularly Joe Springer, have lent INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF All around the world—but especially in their enthusiastic support to the ISGA as GLOBAL ANABAPTISM Africa, Asia, and Latin America—churches we have worked to broaden the scope of Goshen College bearing the Mennonite name were explod- our collection. Last year, the addition of 1700 S Main St ing in growth. And as they did so, they were Elizabeth Miller as a part-time staff person Goshen, IN 46526 translating the good news of the gospel into has been an enormous gift; and more than a Director: John D. Roth the realities of their own cultural context. dozen Goshen College students have Administrative Assistant: Elizabeth Miller participated in some aspect of our work. www.goshen.edu/isga

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