More than 35 people from seven countries gathered – including Mennonite theologian Rebecca Osiro from Kenya (standing). Photos by Kaeli Evans

GOSHEN, Ind. – More than 35 people from eight countries gathered at Goshen College on August 5-8, for an international consultation on the theme, “Bearing Witness: A New Martyrs Mirror for the 21^st Century?” Hosted by the college’s Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism, the international gathering explored the possibility of a major story-gathering initiative, focused especially on the theme of “costly discipleship.”

According to conference organizer and Goshen College Professor of History John D. Roth, Anabaptist-Mennonite groups have had a long tradition of story telling, particularly stories of those who have suffered or died because of their convictions. In 1562, Anabaptists in the Netherlands secretly published a collection of martyr stories, known as Het Offer des Heeren (Sacrifice Unto the Lord). The book appeared in many subsequent editions, culminating in 1685 with an expanded version of stories called the Martyrs Mirror. The Martyrs Mirror is a richly-illustrated collection of narratives, hymns, confessions and devotional reflections with the theme of suffering for faith.

Since 1685, no further expansions of the book have been published, even though many Anabaptist groups continued to suffer for their faith. Suffering continues today, including in places that the church has expanded internationally, like Indonesia, India, Zimbabwe, Congo and Colombia.

Roth invited scholars and church leaders from a wide range of groups to discuss the possibility of gathering stories of costly discipleship. He described three main reasons for the consultation.

“First, we hope that the project might encourage deeper faithfulness to Jesus among all those who encounter the stories,” he said. “Second, the project should strengthen relationships within and beyond the global Anabaptist church. Finally, we think it is important to stand in solidarity with those who have suffered for their faith, particularly the vulnerable and the voiceless who are easily forgotten in history.”

Goshen College Professor of History John D. Roth, a consultation organizer, leads one of the conversations.

Participants in the consultation affirmed the project, encouraging Roth and co-moderator, Bluffton University Professor of Communication Gerald Mast, to cultivate a broad base of support for the research and gathering phase. The group also identified several important challenges that will need to be addressed as the project continues.

“There can be a danger,” said Jack Suderman, former General Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada, “of speaking about victimization from a perspective of power, or that we use the suffering of others to bolster our own positions.”

Other participants noted the logistical and practical challenges of gathering stories from a global body numbering 1.7 million members. Participants also wrestled with the question of who “qualifies” for inclusion in the project.

Some argued for narrow definitions—focusing the initiative only on individuals from Anabaptist groups who had died for their faith. The majority favored a broader scope that would include some stories of nonresistant Christians outside the Anabaptist tradition, as well as those whose suffering did not necessarily result in death. Roth noted that the title of the consultation, “Bearing Witness,” was an effort to shift the focus from physical suffering to the deeper reasons behind the suffering.

“Originally, the word ‘martyr’ simply meant ‘witness,’” he said. “This project should not be seen as an attempt to make a fetish out of torture, suffering or victimhood. Rather, we are trying to encourage the church to continue to ‘bear witness’ to the faith, even if it should entail great cost.”

A high point of the consultation came on Tuesday morning when various participants shared stories from their own experience. In addition to stories from the church in Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union, Alix Lozano, a Mennonite theologian from Colombia, related a story from her country of what she called “living martyrs.”

For more than a decade, paramilitary groups and the national army of Colombia have fought to control the land owned and farmed by a small rural community in the southern part of the country. Recently, a multinational company also expressed interest in the land, since it is situated in an area rich in minerals.

Last December, the local pastor, who also serves as a community leader, was told that he and his community would need to leave. When he refused, he and his family received a series of death threats. Initially, he took the counsel of outside supporters who encouraged him to take refuge. Recently, however, he has decided to return to his community, accepting the risk of death.

(Right) Bluffton University Professor of Communication Gerald Mast, co-moderator of the consultation, leads one of the sessions.

“He has returned despite all these threats,” Lozano said. “The situation right now is very difficult for him and his family because these armed groups are persistent in moving him and his community. In these communities, their land is their life. When you take their land from them, you take their lives from them as well. This is a story of this community. They’ve opted for a nonviolent way, even if it means individual sacrifice. They are the living martyrs in our context. Even though they are physically alive, the strategy of those who want to remove them has undermined their spirits and threatened their lives.”

When the members of the consultation listened to these stories, Mast said, “we became spiritually united as brothers and sisters in Christ. This experience of growing spiritual closeness convinced me that gathering and sharing stories of costly witness in the coming years will strengthen relationships throughout the global Anabaptist family of faith.”

Gathering these and other stories, Roth said, “will require an enormous amount of work along with great sensitivity and care.” But he and Mast are optimistic about the future and hope to continue moving the project forward.

“We heard from many people from all kinds of settings that they need this resource in their churches and schools and families,” Mast said. “This need was often expressed with some urgency and with the counsel to move beyond discussion toward action and organization and accomplishment of the emerging vision.”

Although the ultimate outcome of the “Bearing Witness” initiative has not been defined, Roth hopes to make significant progress by 2025, which marks the 500^th anniversary of the beginning of the Anabaptist movement.

– By Kaeli Evans

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College Assistant Director of Public Relations Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Maple Scholars gives students the opportunity to participate in independent research projects alongside Goshen College faculty of various disciplines. Each scholar is paired with a faculty member who serves as both colleague and supervisor.

Paul Keim & Marcelle Al-Zoughbi

Marcelle Al-Zoughbi, an elementary education/special education and TESOL double major from Bethlehem, Palestine worked with Professor of Bible and Religion Paul Keim on a project to envision, develop and institute a program of Arabic Studies that embodies the unique ethos of our Anabaptist heritage and equips students for further study and service in the Arab world.

David Housman & Philip Bontrager

Philip Bontrager, a junior informatics major from Goshen, Ind., worked with Professor of Mathematics David Housman on a project developing visualizations to assist in better understanding notions of fairness and their interrelationships in resource allocation problems.

Lisa Horst & Deb Brubaker

Lisa Horst, a 2012 graduate who majored in music education from Goshen, Ind., worked with Professor of Music Debra Brubaker on a project archiving and digitizing field recordings that Professor Emeritus Mary Oyer recorded between 1969 and 1987.

Caleb Hostetler & Kent Palmer

Caleb Hostetler, a senior informatics major from Souderton, Pa., worked with Professor of Informatics Kent Palmer on developing a higher education application for mobile technology.

Rhiannon Jones, a senior biology major from Lafayette, Ind., worked with Professor of Physics Carl Helrich on a project attempting to establish the form of cholesterol structures on phospholipid (biological) membranes experimentally.

Jenna Nofziger & Stan Grove & Nathaniel Tann

Jenna Nofziger, a junior molecular biology/biochemistry major from Archbold, Ohio, and Nathaniel Tann, a 2012 graduate with majors in biology and psychology from East Petersburg, Pa., worked with Professor of Biology Stan Grove on a project generating algal biomass inexpensively enough to allow the derived biofuel to compete with petroleum-based fuels.

Beth Martin Birky & Grace Parker

Grace Parker, a senior English and Bible and religion double major from Wichita, Kan., worked with Professor of English Beth Martin Birky on researching the theme of social justice in the work of Virginia Woolf.

Rebecca Weaver & Lauren Stoltzfus

Lauren Stoltzfus, a senior English writing major from Lancaster, Pa., and Rebecca Weaver, a 2012 graduate with a major in psychology from Harleysville, Pa., worked with Professor of English Ann Hostetler on a project collecting research data on the pedagogy of multicultural literature studied at the college level.

Mara Swartzendruber & Andy Ammons

Mara Swartzendruber, a senior biology major from Albuquerque, N.M., worked with Assistant Professor of Biology Andrew Ammons studied stress on honeybees.

Bob Yoder & Leanna Teodosio

Leanna Teodosio, a junior sociology and Bible and religion major from Lima, Ohio, worked with Campus Pastor Bob Yoder on a project exploring how Goshen College can better support the faith development of students.

Emily Trapp & Bev Lapp

Emily Trapp, a senior music and communications major from Canby, Ore., worked with Professor of Music Beverly K. Lapp on a project analyzing the content of several popular piano methods to determine the balance of creative work and effectiveness of these within the curriculum for developing pianists, with hopes of producing an online resource that summarizes this research to aid piano teachers.

John D. Roth & Kate Yoder

Kate Yoder, a junior art and English writing major from Elkhart, Ind., worked with Professor of History John D. Roth on a project compiling an in-depth bibliography of sources related to Christian martyrdom, the “Martyrs Mirror,” and costly discipleship in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition in preparation for an August international consultation called “Bearing Witness: A New ‘Martyrs Mirror’ for the 21st Century?”

The college’s Maple Scholars program began in 1998. Unlike undergraduate research projects at many larger universities where students work only with graduate students, students in Maple Scholars work with professors who can answer their questions and guide them in their research and learning. Students also get the chance to share their work together in a colloquium each Friday and engage other students across disciplines.

– By Anna Ruth

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

John D. Roth & Steve Nolt

GOSHEN, Ind. — Two Goshen College faculty members have contributed chapters to a recent book that attempts to address the relationship between Anabaptists and evangelicals, and to encourage meaningful dialogue between the two groups. Goshen College Professors of History Steven M. Nolt and John D. Roth contributed essays to the book, The Activist Impulse: Essays on the Intersection of Evangelicalism and Anabaptism (Pickwick, April 2012), edited by Jared S. Burkholder and David C. Cramer.

The Activist Impulse is among the first substantial explorations of the connections and differences between Anabaptists and evangelicals. With contributions from various experts as well as new voices, the book addresses both the historical and theological intersection of these two rich traditions. Each of the essays provides fresh insight on at least one characteristic that both evangelicals and Anabaptists share — a desire to engage society through the pursuit of an active Christian witness.

“While both traditions share this impulse for active witness,” Burkholder said, “there are significant tensions that exist both within these movements as well as in their relationship with each other.” The main goal of the book according to Burkholder “is to revisit the conversation and renew interest in this topic within academic and historical circles.”

Nolt and Roth are authors of two of the 14 chapters. “This book pulls together essays that explore both sides of the evangelical-Anabaptist relationship,” said Nolt. While Nolt focuses on evangelicals and Anabaptists in North America in his essay and Roth addresses the European roots of each group, both chapters reflect on the conversation and interaction between evangelicals and Anabaptists regarding their activist impulses and understandings of one another.

“This book is important because while North American Mennonites are almost always in conversation with evangelicals, some are comfortable with it and some are not,” said Nolt. “Some Mennonites are trying to define themselves as not being evangelical. So the conversation about relationship does exist, but it doesn’t always seem to be thoughtful or fruitful. I think there are certainly thoughtful people in both groups who would benefit from the exploration in this book, and it could encourage even broader conversation.”

Roth agrees that The Activist Impulse “points towards a continuation of the sort of ‘ecumenical’ conversations that are moving forward with Anabaptists/Mennonites.” Nolt adds that the essays might provide some understanding for Anabaptists with a negative view of evangelicalism, and that the book could encourage each group to participate in discussion that might ease tension and promote understanding and healing in what has historically been a contentious relationship.

The Activist Impulse: Essays on the Intersection of Evangelicalism and Anabaptism is available on amazon.com or through Wipf and Stock Publishers directly.

– By Anna Ruth

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College Assistant Director of Public Relations Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values — passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership — prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Saloma Miller Furlong, author of “Why I Left the Amish,” just published by Michigan State University Press, will give a reading and presentation titled, “Two Lives in One: Inside and Outside the Amish.” The presentation, sponsored by Goshen College’s English and History departments and the Mennonite Historical Society, will be on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in Goshen College’s Newcomer Center Room 19 and is free and open to the public.

Miller Furlong was born and raised in an Amish community in Geauga County, Ohio and is a 2007 graduate of Smith College. In her memoir, “Why I Left the Amish,” she recalls her experiences as a child growing up Amish and how, over time, she came to leave the Amish community. During her presentation, Miller Furlong will read from her memoir and engage in a question-and-answer session on her experiences. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College Acting News Bureau Coordinator Alysha Bergey Landis at (574) 535-7762 or alyshabl@goshen.edu.

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 Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report‘s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

GOSHEN, Ind. – An “exciting new chapter” has begun at Goshen College, according to the college’s President James E. Brenneman on March 24 as he launched three institutes, all focused on the college’s distinctive academic strengths as they relate to faith.

“Today, I’m pleased to formally announce the creation and launch at Goshen College of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism, the Institute for Ecological Regeneration and the Institute for Latino Educational Achievement,” said Brenneman at a gathering on campus. “Naming these distinctive programs as identifiable institutes will make explicit the quality of our academic work and I believe these institutes will enhance our vision of becoming a truly interdisciplinary, integrative liberal arts college.”

Academic Dean Anita Stalter added, “An institute is a place of study, reflection, analysis and education. The focus of each institute will be achieved by conducting and collaborating on research, delivering academic programming, and sharing what is learned with others.”

Institute for Ecological Regeneration

The Institute for Ecological Regeneration, under the umbrella of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, “will be committed to bringing renewal and vitality to ecosystems through research and education,” said Luke Gascho, executive director of Merry Lea and director of the institute. “Humankind is part of – not separate from – local, regional, national and global ecosystems. Humans have adversely impacted many natural systems — necessitating the call for transformative practices. The institute will study natural history, biotic and abiotic systems and the intersecting human dynamics. The institute will use the best investigative techniques and apply imagination to achieve an improved care and stewardship of creation. Principles of faith and shalom will guide the choice of actions to bring regeneration to ecological issues.”

The projects and programs of the institute will be designed on the integration of four core themes: land, community, faith and peace. “The intersection of these four themes will create a powerful synergy,” Gascho said. Conducting research, maintaining field collections and data, delivering formal academic courses, hosting symposia and disseminating learnings through various media to an array of publics will achieve the goals of the institute.

“The institute provides a context for studying, integrating and applying the interdisciplinary constructs of resilience of the land, responsibilities of people in community, and commitments to peace and justice,” Gascho said.

The current and planned programs of the institute include the agroecology summer intensive and a sustainability semester in residence for undergraduate students, a master’s in environmental education, and conferences and symposia on topics of ecological stewardship. Undergraduate and graduate students will have direct involvement in the goals of the institute through various research projects.

For more information about the Institute for Ecological Regeneration, visit www.goshen.edu/institutes/eco. Questions about the Institute for Ecological Regeneration can be directed to Dr. Luke Gascho: (260) 799-5869; lukeag@goshen.edu

Institute for Latino Educational Achievement

The Institute for Latino Educational Achievement is the research arm of the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Goshen College. The research agenda of the institute is focused on factors that impact the academic success of Latino students in higher education settings, particularly in small liberal arts colleges in the Midwest.

“Findings from research will be used to improve educational practices at Goshen College that impact the academic success of Latino students,” said Rebecca Hernandez, director for CITL and the institute. “Improving the educational success of Latino students is a relevant issue locally, regionally and globally. The Latino population continues to grow across the United States and it is imperative that the factors leading to their academic achievement be both identified and put into practice in higher education institutions.”

The current and planned research of the institute includes a three-part series titled “Latinos in Northern Indiana”; research on faculty and students of color in the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU); and community, schools and families action research. Undergraduate students, along with faculty and visiting research fellows, will participate in the institute’s research agenda.

For more information about the Institute for Latino Educational Achievement, visit www.goshen.edu/institutes/latino. Questions about the Institute for Latino Educational Achievement can be directed to Dr. Rebecca Hernandez: (574) 535-7775; rhernandez@goshen.edu

Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism

In recent decades, the most dramatic growth in the Anabaptist-Mennonite family of faith — as in the Christian church more generally — has occurred in countries outside of Europe and North America. There are 1.7 million Anabaptist-Mennonites in the world, representing 227 groups in 83 countries. “From the perspective of five centuries of Anabaptist history, this is a phenomenal development that is transforming the character and future of the tradition,” said John D. Roth, director of the Mennonite Historical Library, Goshen College Professor of History and director of the new Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism. “Mennonites in North America are vaguely aware of this transformation, but we have not been clear about the details of what is unfolding or about its larger significance and meaning.”

The institute – a program of the college’s Mennonite Historical Library (MHL), one of the world’s most comprehensive collections related to Anabaptist and Mennonite history– will build on a rich tradition at Goshen College of Anabaptist-Mennonite studies, the unique oncampus resources of the Mennonite Church USA Archives and the expertise of faculty. The institute will help to nurture a new generation of scholarship and exchange explicitly oriented to the global Anabaptist church. “The institute will serve as a visible and vibrant point of intersection between Goshen College students, Mennonite Church USA, the worldwide Anabaptist communion and the rapidly expanding global Christian church,” Roth said.

The current and planned research of the institute includes the Global Anabaptist Wikipedia, a Global Anabaptist History publication series and participation in the Multi-Nation Anabaptist Profile. The current and planned programs of the institute includes regular conferences, international partnerships with Anabaptist Study Centers, visiting scholars and church leaders and hosting of global church partners. Each year, the institute will identify a Goshen College international student who is associated with a Mennonite church to serve as a student intern or research assistant, as well as offering other student research opportunities.

For more information about the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism, visit www.goshen.edu/institutes/anabaptism. Questions about the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism can be directed to Dr. John D. Roth: (574) 535-7433; johndr@goshen.edu

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The collegeÕ’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

GOSHEN, Ind. – Having been involved in Mennonite education nearly his whole life – as a student, parent and professor – Goshen College Professor of History John D. Roth knows the subject of his new book, Teaching that Transforms: Why Anabaptist-Mennonite Education Matters (Herald Press, February 2011),quite intimately.With keen awareness of the significant challenges Mennonite schools face, Roth said, “We are an aging denomination. Membership is declining, as is denominational loyalty. Sunday school attendance is falling. And enrollment at Mennonite schools, colleges and seminaries is not where it could be.”

In response, Roth offers an invitation to an open, vigorous and honest conversation about the future of the Anabaptist-Mennonite witness in North America. “At its heart, education is really the means by which cultures, traditions, churches, the faith, is kept alive and is passed along from one generation to the next, and is transformed and renewed in the passing along,” Roth said. “And so we should be very attentive to education. It’s the responsibility we bear not only to our children, but to all those who are interested in the Christian faith from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.”

The book was a joint project of Mennonite Schools Council (MSC), an organization with a current membership of 34 preK-12 schools throughout the United States and Canada, and Mennonite Education Agency (MEA), the education agency of Mennonite Church USA. “It is imperative for the story of Mennonite education to be told,” said Carlos Romero, MEA executive director. “I am hoping this book will serve as a catalyst for conversations across our church. MSC and MEA are currently working on a plan to provide each Mennonite Church USA congregation with a copy of the book.”

In a readable fashion, Roth presents a compelling rationale for Mennonite education and the distinctive practices that can be expected to be found in all Mennonite classrooms. Along the way, he provides a theological foundation for education from a distinctly Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective, offering a useful framework for ongoing conversations about the appropriate nurture of children and young adults, unique pedagogical practices and goals, and future directions of Mennonite education.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5wLoEPZg5c

Elaine Moyer, former MSC Executive Committee member and now MEA associate director, was privileged to be part of the project from the beginning. “John’s book is the gift and challenge to our schools and churches that MSC intended and will help people engage this topic,” she said. “The book is long overdue; all levels of Mennonite education – prekindergarten through seminary – have been looking for something that would articulate the philosophy of Anabaptist/Mennonite education. John has done a wonderful job in explaining the impact of Anabaptist/Mennonite theology and how that influences the education found in all Mennonite schools.”

Roth writes in the book’s introduction, “In contrast to those in other Christian groups, educators in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition have traditionally not been very explicit or systematic about the educational philosophies that have guided their approach to education. …Like much of Mennonite theology, the Mennonite philosophy of education has tended to be more implicit than explicit. Rather than consciously expressed, it has simply been embodied.

“This book aims to make more explicit what now is implicit behind the practices of Mennonite education – how we teach, what we teach, the overarching goals of our classrooms, the way we think about teaching and learning – all in the hopes that this exploration will stimulate more discussion among board members, administrators, teachers, parents and pastors about the value of Mennonite education. … I believe strongly that the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition has a distinctive gift to offer the world within God’s wider purposes.”

In chronicling the historical context of the formation of Mennonite schools, Roth notes that though they were originally created primarily for Mennonites to be separate from the world and to preserve a legacy of faith, “today these schools embrace a broader mission.” Today, as schools have become more professionalized and there are increased expectations for services and facilities, Mennonite schools are drawing a significant percent of students who are not from Mennonite churches – 62.3 percent in 2010 – and enroll for other reasons.

“We tend to think in congregations and schools that the particularity of an Anabaptist or a Mennonite identity is going to be at cross purposes with the increasingly missional and diverse nature of our student bodies,” Roth said. “And that is a profound challenge that I’m not sure we’re handling very well.”

Instead, he added, “can we embrace our particularities, coming out of the Anabaptist tradition, in a way that is confident, is articulate and welcoming, and do all of that and say, ‘This is who we are.  This is why we think it’s important. We would love to have you become part of this and help us to see ourselves in a new way, but you’re joining something that already has an identity.’”

Despite the challenges, Roth is hopeful – he believes that Mennonite schools have a future. “We have much to offer, and there are growing numbers of people looking for exactly what we have to offer – a tradition of peace, service, justice, community and deep faith in God,” he said, “We can openly, confidently and graciously proclaim our distinct approach to education, a way shaped by a Christ-centered way of reading Scripture, a Christ-centered understanding of relationships with other people, and a Christ-centered view of the church as the visible form of the resurrected Jesus in the world today.”

In addition to being a professor of history at Goshen College for 25 years, Roth also serves as editor of the journal Mennonite Quarterly Review and director of the Mennonite Historical Library on the Goshen College campus. He is the author of numerous books and articles on topics related to Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and history, including Practices: Mennonite Worship and Witness (Herald Press, 2009), Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be (Herald Press, 2006), Beliefs: Mennonite Faith and Practice (Herald Press, 2005), Choosing Against War: A Christian View (Good Books, 2002) and Engaging Anabaptism: Conversations with a Radical Tradition (Herald Press, 1999). Roth and his wife, Ruth, are the parents of four daughters and are active members at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Church in Goshen.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

GOSHEN, Ind. – How do the practices, habits and routines of worship form Christian – and specifically Mennonite – identity? Goshen College Professor of History John D. Roth explores these questions in his new book “Practices: Mennonite Worship and Witness,” (Herald Press, 2009). “Practices” is the final book in his three volume series on Mennonite identity in the 21^stcentury.According to Roth, over the past several decades the Mennonite church has been going through a significant period of change with overall numbers declining and a growing uncertainty about denominational identity. At the same time, the church has also been attracting a significant number of people from outside the Mennonite tradition who are drawn to Anabaptist theology yet unclear about what it means to be a Mennonite.

“It seemed important to have a new statement of what it might mean to be a Mennonite in the 21^st century,” said Roth. “I was invited to try and help the church think through its identity, and to do so in a writing style that was understandable to a broad readership.”

In “Practices,” Roth examines the traditions of Anabaptist-Mennonite worship, focusing especially on how worship is related to ethics and to the church’s mission. Among other expressions of worship, Roth reflects on how distinctive Mennonite practices such as baptism, communion, foot washing and common meals extend beyond the church as a witness to the world.

The book tries to answer head-on the question of “Why bother going to church? Why can’t I just be a good person?” Roth explains how the practices, habits and routines of worship form us in ways that people are not aware of. “How we live is always an expression of what we worship,” Roth said. “Ethics is an extension of worship. The authenticity of a consistent Christian life – a life made possible by the presence of the Holy Spirit and embodied in the person of Christ – is a form of witness that has long been central to the identity of the Mennonite church.”

“Practices” has already received praise from other scholars. J.E. McDermond of Messiah College said, “In this engaging and thought provoking text, John D. Roth moves to a core issue for worship: what is the purpose and desired result of our worship practices? He rightly argues that our acts of worship and our witness are inseparable.”

The first two books in Roth’s series were “Beliefs: Mennonite Faith and Practice” (Herald Press, 2005), and “Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be” (Herald Press, 2007).

The first book, “Beliefs,” focused on basic theological questions, identifying the theological overlap between Mennonites and other Christian groups, while also highlighting some key distinctions of the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. According to Roth, the book consciously recognized a number of on-going questions that the Mennonite church hasn’t resolved, “It is not a tidy summary of beliefs, but instead tries to provide a context for a broader conversation,” he said.

The “Stories” book provides a historical overview of how Mennonites came to be. Like “Beliefs” it acknowledges the “debt we owe to other Christian groups,” Roth said, “while also tracing the unique ways that Anabaptist-Mennonites have lived out the gospel through the centuries.” In this book Roth highlights a number of basic conflicts that keep reoccurring within the Mennonite church. “These conflicts or tensions,” he said, “are an important part of the church’s identity in its struggle to be faithful it the midst of changing contexts.” The book has met with a very positive reception. “People are relieved to know that our conflicts today are part of a bigger picture,” Roth said.

In comparison to the other two books in the trilogy, “Practices,” was “more difficult to write,” Roth said, because the first two were more summaries. “My approach to the topic of worship and ethics was a little more critical of the church,” Roth said. “There is a lot of confusion and energy around worship among Mennonites today, and this book wades into more controversial questions, particularly on the topics of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.”

The series has been read and used throughout the Mennonite Church USA in Sunday school classes, baptism classes, Mennonite college classrooms and as a resource for new Mennonites who are finding their way into the church. “I hope this series contributes in some small way to the renewal of the Mennonite church,” Roth said. “I hope it helps Mennonites to become more comfortable with what it means to be Christians in this distinctive tradition.”

Roth has always thought of his work at Goshen College “as a scholarship for the church.” He said, “I’m a historian by training. But I also want to think of my profession as being in service for the church.”

In addition to being a professor at Goshen College, Roth also serves as director of the Mennonite Historical Library and as editor of “Mennonite Quarterly Review.” He has edited and authored several books, including “Choosing Against War: A Christian View” (Good Books, 2002) and “Engaging Anabaptism: Conversations with a Radical Tradition” (Herald Press, 1999).

The books are available for purchase at the Goshen College Bookstore or on the Herald Press Web site: www.heraldpress.com.

-By Julie Weirich 

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

GOSHEN, Ind. – To add to its already extensive list of original Anabaptist writings, the Mennonite Historical Library (MHL) and Goshen College have recently purchased a rare book of Anabaptist martyr accounts and hymns that pre-dates Martyrs Mirror (first edition, 1660) – the famous 1,290 page book that documents Anabaptist martyrs.

The 1567 fourth edition copy of Het Offer des Heeren (A sacrifice unto the Lord) is only the second known copy in the world – the other can be found in the Amsterdam Mennonite Library. Its anonymous editor gathered together descriptions of the suffering of Dutch Anabaptist martyrs, along with letters they wrote to future generations, eyewitness accounts and hymns written by imprisoned Anabaptists and others describing their deaths.

“Given the central, almost iconic, role that the Martyrs Mirror has held in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition, it makes sense that we would go after the books that helped to shape that text,” said Professor of History John D. Roth, the director of the MHL. “Unlike Martyrs Mirror, the 1567 version of Het Offer des Heeren appeared at a time when Anabaptists were still being martyred. So this is a book that was intended to encourage Christians in the midst of suffering; this is a book that literally survived the era of martyrdom.”

The book, which is small enough to fit in a pocket, describes itself and its contents as including “many lovely examples of men and women who sought Christ Jesus and eternal, everlasting life with faithful and pure hearts, and who have feared God with their innermost souls.”

Along with the 1567 edition, the MHL also owns the 1570, 1578, 1580 and 1595 editions of Het Offer des Heeren.

“Having multiple editions of the same title makes it possible for researchers to trace the evolution of a book – to see what new material or new martyr names have been added or to track shifts in emphasis,” said Roth.

It is especially helpful to scholars because it includes a martyrology – a catalogue of martyrs – in the same book as a collection of about 25 hymns. Outside the Netherlands, the MHL on the Goshen College campus is a primary collection where scholars come to do in-depth research on topics relating to Dutch Anabaptists, said Joe Springer, curator of the MHL.

“The MHL at Goshen College has the largest collection of writings about Mennonites in the world,” said Springer. “[The book] is one more piece researchers can use here.”

Not only can researchers look through multiple editions of the martyrology, but they can also read it alongside books like the Ausbund – the oldest Anabaptist hymnal, which is still used by the Amish in North America today. The earliest (1564) copy of the book can also be found in the MHL.

The MHL, located on the third floor of Goshen College’s Good Library has more than 65,000 volumes including bibliographies, texts and images related to the Radical Reformation, Anabaptists, Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish and other related groups.

The purchase was made possible through special funding from Goshen College and individual donors.

“As you can imagine, books this rare are not cheap. So I’m deeply grateful for the generosity of several friends of the MHL that made it possible for us to add this jewel to our collection,” said Roth.

–By Tyler Falk

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report‘s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Related links:

• Lecture remarks, as prepared for delivery, “Boundaries and Bridges: Do Denominations Matter?” at Goshen College Afternoon Sabbatical. 2/12/08
• Video: “Do Denominations Matter?” convocation by John D. Roth at Goshen College. 2/4/08

“Our beliefs are never ‘free floating’ or ‘universal.’ If anyone tells you that they are part of a nondenominational church, that they have no human-made doctrine, that they just preach the Bible, and are simply ‘Christian,’ don’t believe them. It’s simply not true,” Roth said.“The pastors of nondenominational churches interpret the Bible according to some theological tradition. Their Sunday schools use curriculum that comes from somewhere. They’re going to have some definition of heresy. There will be some behavior that is unacceptable if you’re going to be part of their fellowship.

“Anyone who claims to be ‘nondenominational’ is simply willfully blind to the historical traditions and biblical interpretation that is shaping their understanding of faithful belief and practice,” Roth said.

“It is precisely those churches who have the sharpest clarity about their beliefs and expectations – Mormons, Pentecostals, some Baptists – that are growing the fastest. And the independent churches that are attracting members around sharply focused issues are, in the end, not ‘nondenominational.’ They are simply creating new denominational identities of their own.”

Roth shared those and other perspectives during a major speech, “Boundaries and Bridges: Do Denominations Matter?,” as part of the Afternoon Sabbatical series at Goshen College on Tuesday, Feb. 12 in the Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall.

A Mennonite scholar and church member, Roth said he never gave much thought to denominational questions until he and other Mennonites were asked to participate in a series of formal dialogues initiated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Since then, he has participated in conversations with historians and theologians from other Christian traditions, including Catholic, Swiss Reformed, Pentecostal Christians and leaders of the “Emergent” church.

While some may believe denominations are irrelevant, such distinctions can have abrupt importance. “Perhaps your child or grandchild starts dating someone from a different religious tradition, say, a Christian Scientist who believes that sickness is a problem of the mind rather than the body or a Seventh Day Adventist who worships on Saturday rather than Sunday or someone with very clear views about home schooling and ‘male headship,’” Roth said. “Suddenly you ask yourself ‘Why do they believe these things? How is this going to affect my child? What does this mean for our family gatherings?’”

Roth noted that Goshen College has students from at least 38 different Christian denominations and five other religions. The local telephone Yellow Pages lists 69 different denominational options within easy driving distance of campus. There are 15,000 denominations registered with the IRS, and as many as 34,000 discrete groups of Christians scattered around the world.

Despite the increase in the number of denominations, Roth noted that there has been steady decline in U.S. denominational loyalty, especially among Catholic and mainstream Protestant churches. Whether measured by membership, financial contributions, understanding of distinctive beliefs or trust in institutional leadership, all of the indicators suggest that traditional denominational structures are in the midst of a profound change.

“What is emerging is less a culture of ‘disbelief’ than the rise of what can be called ‘generic Christianity’ – that is, Christianity that attempts to float free from a particular denominational tradition,” Roth said. “Young people talk a great deal about spiritual life. Yet allegiance to traditional denominations is almost not on the radar; it’s simply irrelevant.”

In addition, there has been a dramatic rise in “megachurches,” whose leaders deny or downplay a denominational affiliation, and an increase in churches formed because traditional denominations haven’t taken a strong enough stance on abortion, homosexuality or some other hot-button social or political issue, Roth said.

While some may argue that a declining role of denominations is a positive development, Roth said denominations remain important and that the trend toward “generic Christianity” should be resisted.

“Denominations provide a necessary ballast, stability and accountability to individual congregations,” he said. “Even more important than these practical considerations, is the fact that denominations – of one sort or another – are impossible to avoid, which is to say that there is no such thing as a ‘nondenominational’ church. … The idea that we will be united if we ‘just’ believe the Bible or ‘just” love Jesus’ is an illusion.”

Roth said denominations express their identity “in a particular form, with particular beliefs, practices, rituals and traditions.” Given such differences, one approach to avoiding conflict between Christian denominations and other world religions is to respect and understand differences and to promote a vision expressed in Revelation 7 of people from all nations and tribes gathering together to praise God in a way that transcends their particular differences.

“That’s where history is moving and I want to be on the side of history, finding myself on a path that is joining up with all sorts of other people who are also moving in that direction,” Roth said. “Today, when I encounter other Christians, one of the first things that I want to know is whether you are heading in that direction, too, and if you are, I want to walk alongside you in that journey.”

Roth added, “I want to encourage all of you here today, regardless of your background, to not only find the particular voice of your tradition, but to offer that song as a gift to each other as a gift, not a threat or an imposition, but as something precious enough that you want to share it with others. If you are on that journey of bringing your praises to God, then hold your head high and sing out with gusto. If others are singing, then try to harmonize as best you can.”

Some of the ideas presented during Roth’s lecture, resulting from ongoing discussion on the meaning of denominations, will contribute to the book that Roth is working on, “Practices.” It will be part three of his collection on Anabaptist faith. The first two parts were books published by Herald Press, titled “Stories” (2006) and “Beliefs” (2005). Roth also is also the author of “Choosing Against War: A Christian View” (Herald Press, 2002) and editor of “Mennonite Quarterly Review.”

– By Richard R. Aguirre

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.