Mennonite Church USA, Church of God Engage in Ecumenical Dialogue
Members of the Mennonite Church USA and the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) recently met in Elkhart, IN for their second ecumenical dialogue, 29 September-1 October 2018. Through the presentation and discussion of papers, worship, and fellowship, the team members pursued mutual understanding of each other’s history and theology, sought greater common witness to the gospel, and considered concrete ways that they can share their sense of togetherness in the one body of Christ with other members of their churches.
The theme of this year’s meeting was “Christian Discipleship: Witness, Peace, Simplicity.” Dr. Nancy E. Bedford presented “A Narrow Gate?: Proceeding Along the Way of Jesus by the Spirit.” Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Stephenson presented “A. J. Tomlinson’s Antiwar Sentiments: Theological Reflections.”
Saturday, the 29th began with a welcoming meal for all participants at the home of Rev. Dr. Gayle Gerber Koontz, the onsite coordinator for the meeting. Sunday, the 30th brought worship in local congregations (including Prairie Street Mennonite, Hively Avenue Mennonite, and College Mennonite Churches), lunch hosted by Assembly Mennonite Church, and tours of Mennonite Historical Library and Goshen College.
Monday, the 1st began with worship from the Anabaptist prayer book, Take Our Moments and Our Days, led by Eleanor Kreider, wife of the late Rev. Dr. Alan Kreider, a former dialogue participant on the Mennonite team. Throughout the day, all of the participants discussed the papers presented by Bedford and Stephenson and raised questions for each other in plenary sessions.
Special thanks goes to the MCUSA and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary for funding and meeting space, gracious host churches and families for assisting with accommodations for out of-town guests, Professor John Roth of Goshen College for tours and a lecture, and Elly Chaney for travel planning.
Members of the MCUSA team were: Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, of Lancaster Theological Seminary; Dr. Nancy E. Bedford, of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Rev. Dr. Gerald Shenk,; Rev. Dr. David Boshart, Moderator of the MCUSA; and from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Rev. Dr. Gayle Gerber Koontz and Dr. Jamie Pitts, co-chair.
Members of the Church of God team were: From Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns and Rev. Dr. Jackie D. Johns; and from Lee University, Rev. Dr. David G. Roebuck and Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Stephenson, co-chair.
The first meeting between the two churches took place 16-18 October 2016 at Lee University in Cleveland.
