As the 500th anniversary of the Reformation approaches, Lutherans from around the world are gathering to reflect how the Spirit has moved since Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany. One of the many ways Lutherans in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod are reflecting is by engaging in dialogue with the Mennonite Church USA.
Historically known as the Anabaptists, Mennonites have had a long history of antagonism with the Lutherans that traces back to the Reformation. Beginning in the 16th century, a handful of believers abandoned the idea that members of a local church on Earth were distinct from the elect who are known only by God. So if you were a member of a church, then you were God’s elect, and if you were God’s elect, then you were a member of a church. Thus “the church” or those “saved” only consisted of God’s elect who were members of a church and demonstrated this by “believer’s baptism,” a person baptized on the basis of his or her profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The Mennonites were called Anabaptists by their persecutors, referring to the practice of baptizing people when they declared their faith in Jesus Christ, even if they had been “baptized” as infants.
For the past 30 years Lutherans and Mennonites have moved toward reconciliation. On June 11, during the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly in South Bend, Ind., more than 500 Lutherans and 25 local Mennonites heard the story of repentance and forgiveness that happened between Lutherans and Mennonites at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Assembly in 2010.
Kathryn Johnson, ELCA director for ecumenical and inter-religious relations, described the moment at the LWF Assembly when Mark S. Hanson, former ELCA presiding bishop and LWF president, unexpectedly asked Lutherans to kneel in support of an action asking forgiveness “from God and from our Mennonite sisters and brothers.”
In response, Mennonites shared words of forgiveness and presented a footwashing tub to Hanson inscribed with the words: “From this day forward, let us love and serve the Lord.”
“The drama and significance of this 30-year process of reconciliation moved the audience,” said André Gingerich Stoner, director of interchurch relations for Mennonite Church USA in a news release published by the Mennonite Church USA.
Following the presentation, 15 Lutheran and Mennonite leaders toured Menno-Hof in Shipshewana, Ind., a nonprofit center that educates visitors about the faith and life of Mennonites and the Amish. The board recently approved the development of an exhibit to tell the story of recent repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation with Lutherans and other Christians.
For William Gafkjen, bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, this gathering was a strong witness to reconciliation in a world that doesn’t always understand reconciliation. “We’re such a broken, fractious, hostile environment against each other that for me to be part of this kind of reconciliation is a strong witness to the gospel and to the power of the Spirit to bring people together who wouldn’t otherwise be together,” he said.
Going forward, Gafkjen sees more activity between Lutherans and Mennonites in local settings, supporting each other in ministry.
“We don’t have to change to be like each other, to be the same as each other, we can honor the differences and still work together,” he said. “So I think that’s where the future is going to be as we move forward, mostly on the local level. We’re going to see more congregations working together, more commitment to the well-being of the community that they share.”
