The Menno-Hof Newsletter

Vol. 17–No. 2 Winter 2008 Mennonite Church USA— Confronting a Landscape of Change By Conrad L. Kanagy CONSIDER THIS hat does it mean to be a Mennonite in the 21st century? How By Joseph Yoder have perceptions of Anabaptist identity changed over time? The Wfrequency with which these questions arise among It’s possible that in my lifetime suggests anxiety and uncertainty about possible responses. The I will see the time when there are transformation of two Mennonite denominations into one, the continued more Amish than Mennonites assimilation of Mennonites in the broader American culture, important in the United States. In fact, I regional differences among Mennonites, and the growth of Racial/Ethnic think it is a very real possibility. congregations challenge efforts to provide answers to these questions. Consider that in 2007 the In 1972 J. Howard Kauffman and Leland Harder launched Church Amish population was 218,025 Member Profile I, a comprehensive survey of five Anabaptist denominations (conservative figure that includes in North America. Joined by Leo Driedger, they conducted a follow-up study members and children) while the in 1989. In 2006, Donald B. Kraybill of the Young Center of Elizabethtown Mennonite and Brethren in Christ College (Pa.) led a three-person team that conducted a profile of three numbered 368,280 (members) denominations—Mennonite Church USA, the Church of the Brethren and in 2006. My assumption is made the Brethren in Christ. The current essay reports initial findings from the on statistics that show the Amish study of Mennonite Church USA. double about every 20 years Mennonite Identity and 90 percent of their youth join When Mennonites in 2006 were asked to identify the two religious words the church. Consider that in the that “best described” them, two-thirds chose “Mennonite” or “Anabaptist.” Mennonite church today only Eighty-four percent of pastors chose these two words as did 41% of Racial/ 30% are in the age group of 18 Ethnic members. to 45. What Conrad Kanagy’s Most Loyal to Their Congregation findings suggest is that the Like other Americans, Mennonites are more committed to their Mennonite church is aging and in congregation than to their denomination or area conference. Thirty-four danger of dying out. This change percent of Mennonite members said they are “very strongly” committed to is more extreme for Mennonites the denomination and 12% to their area conference. In comparison, 58% are than even for “very strongly” committed to their local congregation. denominations. At the same time, more members today (48%) than in 1972 (25%) say I’m suggesting that John Roth, they will always want to remain a member of their denomination. This level professor, had it of loyalty is slightly lower than for Conservative Protestants (52%) in the right when he said, “Never before U.S. but higher than among Mainline Protestants (37%). have Mennonites enjoyed such credibility and support from other More New Members denominations. In ecumenical A major shift among Mennonites over the past three decades has been circles, is the darling the increase in members from other denominations. The percent of “non- child. People express interest cradle” Mennonites—neither parent being Mennonite—has risen since 1972 in and acceptance of traditional from 17% to 26% and the percent who married a spouse from another Mennonite tenets such as peace denomination has risen from 25% to 39% in that same period. and service. Even the Emergent Aging Membership church movement,” he predicted, The average age of Mennonites today is 54 years, five years older “will one day start looking to the than in 1989. More important, however, is the shifting age distribution of Mennonites for authenticity and Mennonites. In 1972, 54% of Mennonites were between 18 and 45 years of grounding. age—within what demographers refer to as childbearing age. This number “But while other Christians declined to 45% in 1989 and is only 30% today. This change has been more are embracing core Mennonite extreme for Mennonites than even for Mainline Protestant denominations, theology, MC USA members which a recent study described as “literally dying out” because of are turning away from their similar changes in their age distribution. Among Mainline Protestant …Continued on page 2 ...Continued on page 2 Landscape of Change ...cont. from page 1 denominations, 42% of members are under 45 years Conclusion of age compared to 53% of Conservative Protestants. These early findings of Mennonite Member Profile Regional Differences 2006 have important implications for Mennonite Mennonites differ in important ways depending on Identity as well as the future of Mennonite Church where they live. For example: USA. Among these implications are both challenges • Mennonites in the West are more likely to have and opportunities: come from other denominations—38% baptized • The growth of members from other than in an “other than Mennonite” congregation Mennonite backgrounds is good news for a compared to 23% in the East and South, and denomination interested in becoming more 22% in the Midwest. missional—calling all people to a primary • Mennonites in the Midwest are most likely to be allegiance to Christ. Integrating these “cradle” Mennonites, with 72% with parents who members into the denomination remains were both Mennonite. a challenge, however, since they are more • Mennonites in the South are less mobile than ambivalent about an Anabaptist identity than other Mennonites, with 40% living in the same are other members. community for 30 years or more. • The shift in age among Mennonites is a • Mennonites in the East are most rural—only critical issue for the denomination. Without a 13% live in cities of 50,000 or more residents major influx of younger persons, questions of compared to 71% of Westerners. Anabaptist identity will take a backseat to the question of mere survival. Growth among Racial/Ethnic Congregations • The findings about Racial/Ethnic members are The growth of Racial/Ethnic congregations is among the most encouraging of this study. Not changing the face of Mennonite Church USA. The only are these members younger on average, term Racial/Ethnic is a self-designation by Mennonite they also bring a rich spiritual diversity to Church USA groups with members that include those Mennonite Church USA. who are African-American, Latino/Hispanic, Native • The shift to Sunday morning worship as the American, Asian and “other than Anglo.” In the past only religious service of the week along with five years, 25% of the denomination’s new members the decline in Sunday school attendance, pose have been Racial/Ethnic compared to just 6% among challenges for pastors and congregations seeking those members who entered the denomination more to influence members who are less engaged in than five years ago. church and increasingly more assimilated in the Increased Assimilation broader culture. In 1972, 36% of Mennonites lived on a farm • The forces of modern and postmodern culture— compared to 12% today. While almost twice as many professionalism, education, individualism and Mennonites reside in large cities (cities with 250,000 suburbanization—continue to shape Mennonites or more residents) today as in 1972, this number still who are more assimilated in the broader culture accounts for less than 10% of all Mennonites. than ever before. In their work, more Mennonites hold business and • The increased political identification of professional occupations compared with three decades Mennonites threatens to polarize members ago—41% today and 23% in 1972. And twice as many around controversial issues. Mennonites have college degrees today (38%) as in • Regional differences make for rich diversity but 1972 (19%). also challenge churchwide discernment efforts.

Greater Political Identification Conrad L. Kanagy, PH.D is Mennonite Member Profile 2006 Director, Associate professor In 1972, 37% of Mennonites claimed no political of Sociology at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa., and an ordained minister in Lancaster Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. identity compared to only 11% today. Increases have This article first appeared in the Feb. 6, 2007 issue of The Mennonite. Reprinted with permission. occurred for both Republicans and Democrats. In 1972, 42% of Mennonites identified themselves as Republicans while 50% did so in 2006. During that Consider This ...cont. from page 1 same period Democrats nearly doubled from 12% to historic beliefs. Many seem to view Mennonite beliefs and 22%. But in the last presidential election, two-thirds traditions as barriers to the unchurched—and so Mennonite of Mennonites who voted did so for George W. Bush. congregations start to become more generically Christian. Changing Church Attendance “Mennonites have been given a gift and are stewards of While the percent of Mennonites who regularly a distinctive theology and practice that other denominations attend church has remained about the same since 1972, now appreciate.” (The Mennonite Weekly, Nov. 26, 2007) church attendance for Mennonites has become largely a At Menno-Hof we have discovered Roth’s critique to “once a week” event, with the percent who attend more be correct. We as Anabaptists, have much to offer to the than once a week dropping from 43% in 1972 to 8% world, other religions and Christians. This is not the time to today. In addition, the proportion who attend Sunday run away from who we are, but to affirm those parts of our school has declined from 71% in 1972 to 53% today. beliefs and traditions that speak to hope and life in Christ. 2008 MEMBERSHIPS Amish Population Growth Menno-Hof memberships are renewed annually October 1 and here are 395 Amish settlements spread entitle you to free admission, REUNION and 15% discount on book across twenty-seven states and the shop and Ten Thousand Villages purchases. We greatly value your TCanadian province of Ontario. In total, support for this ministry. these settlements include approximately Bakalakos, Tim & Nancy Hochstetler Dan A. Riegsecker, Gene & Judy 1,600 church districts (congregations). Nearly Bauman, Ruth Hochstetler, Lonnie & Riegsecker, Glen & two thirds (1,031 of 1,615) of the districts are Beasley, Jerry & Ruth Shirley Jeanne Bender, Robert L. Horst, Cranson Riegsecker, Vernon & Ida found in three states: , Pennsylvania and Berkey, Maurice Horst, Laurence M. Robertson Zabik, Janie Indiana. Since 2000, Wisconsin has had the Birkey, Dee Hostetler, Frank & June Ropp, Leland J. largest number of new settlements, due to a Birky, Luke & Verna Jones, Winford & Ulonda Roth, Willard & Alice surge of migrations from other states as far Bloch, Mr. & Mrs. Walter Kauffman, Maxine Ryan, Bontrager Waite, Phil & Kauffmann, Dottie Schmidt, Kenneth & away as Pennsylvania. Beth Kauffmann, Ivan & Lola Phyllis Observers might expect a traditional group Bontrager, Alvin & Mary Kenagy, Ben & June Schrock, Truman that rejects higher education, car ownership Bontrager, Ellis & Ruby Kinsey, Claude Jr. & Carol Schrock, Wayne & Norma Bontrager, Mark & Clara Klassen, Henry & Betty Short, Marvin and the Internet to be on the wane. On the Bontrager, Sam & Esther Klaus, Raymond Showalter, Conrad & contrary, the Amish population doubles about Bontrager, Warren & Kreider, Alan & Eleanor Lynette every twenty years. The 200 church districts Annabelle Lambright, Goldie Slabaugh, Daniel & Ethel in 1951 grew to 1,615 by 2007. Bontrager, Wilbur L. & Lambright, LaVern O. & Slabaugh, Troy Sarah Esther Smak, Eugene & Rune Large families and strong retention rates Bontreger, Harold Lawrence, Robert R. Smith, Craig C. propel the growth. On average, families have Boone, Aretas Lehman, Dr. L.L. Stankoven, Gary & about seven children, but it’s not unusual Breckbill, Willis & Ina Lehman, Michael Todd Sharon for them to have ten or more. Typically, 90 Brenneman, Virgil Lichti, Tim & Carolyn Stauffer, Don & Elizabeth Brubacher, Walter M. Long, Dave & Charlotte Stevens, Jon & Elaine percent or more of the youth join the church. Burkholder, John R. & Liechty, Lynn Stomper, Richard (A few members do leave after baptism; Susan Maki, Carol & Arnold Stutzman, Donald E. defection rates vary from community to Byler, Henry & Clara Marner, Clair & Juanita Sutter, Earl & Margaret Cerven, Norne Martin, Allen & Ruth Swartzendruber, Edward community.) Although the Amish do not Chiovare, Jane Martin, Richard & Mary seek converts, outsiders may join if they Christner, John Maust, Norman & Swope, Bethany & comply with Amish guidelines. Several dozen Chupp, Harvey & Carolyn Wilmetta Marshall King outsiders have done so. Chupp, Larry & Dorothy Mayercheck, Dave Thackston, B.J. Clemenson, Barbara McKee, Elaine Thomas, Douglas Reprinted with permission www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Population_Growrth.asp Cobb, Ruth E. Metzler, Everett G. Tompkins, Kristine Conat, Paige Ann Miller, Calvin & Darlene Troyer, Floyd & Joyce Cook, Leon & Wendy Miller, Dennis & Vert Troyer, Gladys Cotter, J.D. & Rosemary Miller, Elmer J. Troyer, Ray WINTER VOLUNTEERS Devine, Billie J. Miller, Floyd R. Troyer, Sam Diener, Carrie Yoder Miller, James & Barbara Unzicker, Carl & Arleta ur new volunteer hosts, Carl and Dubovoy, Hugo Miller, John O. Unternahrer, Dan & Arleta Unzicker from Calhan, Duerksen, Belle Miller, Lydia A. Annabelle OColorado are spending three months Element Masters, The Miller, Norman & Carolyn Voigt, William this winter at Menno-Hof. Their tasks include Farmwald, Leon & Esther Miller, Paul & Ruth Vonder Kuhlen, Sandra L. leading tours, relating to visitors and doing Field, William E. Miller, Truman & Joyce Washington, Mr. & Mrs. the winter in-depth housecleaning—a task Friesen, Le Roy V. Miller, Vernon J. & Booker T. Fry, Paul & Rosemary Barbara Weaver, Lisa & Jon Dyck of the long-term volunteers during January, Funk, Virgil & Joyce Miller, Wayne & Leabell Weldy, Miriam February and March. Geiser, Leonard & Linea Mishler, Marc A. & Diana Williams, Angela M. Carl and Arleta are retired teachers, Gering, William & Lucille Mishler, Maurice Wolheter, Julie having taught art and Spanish respectively for Gilliam, Dorothy L. Mishler, Paul & Evelyn Wright, Vanessa many years. Arleta also writes poetry and Carl Glenn, Jesse D. Morris, Pastor Clyde E. Wyse, Aldine is an accomplished horseman. We enjoy their Glick, Maggie Mortenson, Al Wyse, Ron & Susan Goering, Gene & Janet Otto, Eli Yoder, Doris wonderful sense of humor and their ability Goering, Paul & Wilda Pass, Annie Yoder, Esther E. to interact with our visitors. They also enjoy Graber, Adeline Pavloff, Dan & Deborah Yoder, E. Fern spending time with a son and his family who Greaser, Lawrence H. Preheim, John & JoAnn Yoder, Galen & Esther live in the area. Guth, Caryl & Ron Ramer, Titus & Anna Marie Yoder, Harry & Mary Ellen Haarer, Paul W. Regier, Mark & Yoder, Joseph & Jan Hawkins, Dave & Cindy Marlene Kroeker Yoder, Michael J. & You can now get the current issue of Reunion on line at Heritage Historical Library Rheinheimer, Floyd & Ruth Miller-Yoder www.mennohof.org. Also get our Ponderings from the Herschberger, Edith Irene Yoder, Mary Ellen Hershberger, Virgil & Richards, E. Joe & Emma Yoder, Robert & Katherine Hof, (short meditations) and up-to-date happenings under Margaret Richter, Karleen Yoder, Roger & Marolyn “What’s Happening” on our website. We welcome your Hochstetler, Daniel & Arie Riegsecker, Dale & Shirley Zehr, Doug & Miriam response by email or regular mail.

DIRECTOR’S DESK VISITOR COMMENTS

n May 2, 1988 Menno-Hof opened its doors to the general “I have been here before and noted public. This May Menno-Hof will be twenty years old. That, how pictures have been updated in itself, is no small feat. It takes constant vigilance to keep as well as information. Changes O are remarkable!” telling our story in a viable way for our visitors to be able to hear the “good news of Jesus.” Understand that while many people come “An extremely well presented and here to learn more of the story, they are at the explained historical perspective— same time learning the story of a historic people one of the best I’ve seen!” who were so radical in the 16th century that they were able to get themselves martyred. For some of our visitors as they hear the story of this “radical third way,” (neither Catholic or Protestant) many of the ideas of the Anabaptists resonate with them. Ideas like: • The separation of church and state Visitors: • Nonviolence January – December ’07 • Voluntary believer’s baptism 24,892 • Radical discipleship • Service May ’88 – December ’07 What a place like Menno-Hof can do is to share our story in non- 780,335 threatening ways. The challenge for a venue like this is to keep the story fresh and find new and exciting ways to keep retelling the story. For example, our Wall of Faces is getting a fresh look. The next time you visit all Reunion is published quarterly the pictures will be new. The next step is the addition of a flat screen to keep our friends informed TV that will show how Anabaptism has grown throughout the world. of happenings at Menno‑Hof. Today there are more Mennonites in Africa than in the USA and Direct questions or comments to Canada combined. As sophisticated Mennonites begin to lose the Joseph Yoder, director, at jyoder@ historic values of radical Anabaptism the message is catching on in mennohof.org parts of the third world. What will the next 20 years bring for Menno-Hof? Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite —Joseph Yoder Visitors’ Center P.O. Box 701 510 S. Van Buren Street / S.R. 5 Shipshewana, IN 46565 Tele (260) 768-4117 Fax (260) 768-4118 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mennohof.org

NON-PROFIT ORG U S POSTAGE PAID SHIPSHEWANA IN 46565 PERMIT NO 17