Mennonite Church USA
News Release:
Mennonite pastor helps Mennonite Church USA
to work with other denominations
by Laurie L. Oswald
NEWTON, Kan. (MC USA) — Believing that Christ wants the church to be one is
one thing. But it’s quite another to believe that working for the common
cause of Christ with other faith traditions is good for Mennonite Church
USA.
Andre Gingerich Stoner, pastor of missions at Kern Road Mennonite Church in
South Bend, Ind., knows the difference — and he’s made the leap. What’s
more, he’s inviting his Anabaptist faith family to work with other faith
traditions to build up Christ’s body and to sharpen their own expression of
God’s reign in the world.
In his new role as director of interchurch relations for Mennonite Church
USA, Andre coordinates efforts on behalf of Executive Leadership. In a
one-eighth time-position, he helps Mennonite Church USA to enter into
relationship and conversation with other Christian denominations.
He coordinates the work of four groups that met together for the first time
at an interchurch consultation. These groups are exploring how Mennonite
Church USA can and should relate to Christians of other traditions at the
local level, in theological conversation, on peace issues and through
interchurch associations. He succeeds Al Meyer, of Goshen, Ind., who served
as volunteer in the role for many years.
“In my involvement at the local level, I’ve learned that different parts of
the body all need each other,” says Andre , who has worked at Kern Road for
12 years. “We have much to learn from each other, and we can do more
together than we can do alone.
“All denominations have important things to learn and important things to
share. People tell us that they appreciate how much Anabaptists have to
teach in understanding Jesus’ call to discipleship in our daily lives,
commitment to community life and peace- and justice-making efforts.”
“As Mennonites, we need to embrace the fact that God seems to be doing
something new. Being open will help us and the other faith traditions to be
all that God intends us to be in faithfulness to Jesus Christ.”
Jim Schrag, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, agrees that building
interchurch relations is an idea whose time has come. “Andr”s experience
and competence in interchurch relations will help us seize the day,” Jim
says. “We’re not inventing something — we’re just trying to keep up with
the growing interdependence among denominations. Part of being missional is
learning how to relate to other Christians and finding common cause in Jesus
Christ for the sake of God’s kingdom.”
This ministry for Andre may also be an idea whose time has come. At several
junctures on his spiritual journey, he’s intersected with many types of
Christians. This new role invites him to share some of what’s he’s learned
along the route.
Andre served for one year through the Mennonite Board of Missions voluntary
service program with the Sojourners Community in Washington, DC. He spent
seven years in West Germany on two assignments with Mennonite Central
Committee. From 1984 to 1987 he worked with Church and Peace, a European
ecumenical peace church network. From 1987 to 1991 he lived next to a U.S.
nuclear weapons base, engaging in dialogue with Christians in the military
and providing support to military conscientious objectors during the first
Gulf War.
He received his master’s degree in theological studies from Associated
Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., and joined the pastoral team
at Kern Road, where he supports outreach and service ministries. Kern Road
coordinates most of its ministry to the community with congregations from
other denominations. He and his wife, Cathy, and their four children — ages
1 to 11 — live in South Bend’s near northwest neighborhood.
“We are the only Mennonite church in St. Joseph County, and so we cooperate
with a host of other congregations in other traditions in projects like
Habitat for Humanity, Ten Thousand Villages, a local tutoring program and
peace witness,” he said.
Kern Road also participates in events that bring various faith traditions
together for worship and fellowship. For example, the Mennonites and
Catholics in northern Indiana are planning a Catholic-Mennonite gathering
for April 24 in South Bend (see sidebar).
Andr’ says this event is only a microcosm of what’s happening throughout the
denomination. “We’d be surprised by how many places Mennonite Church USA is
already involved in interchurch conversations and community ministries, he
says. “Part of my work is to invite people to send us stories of what is
happening in their locations, so we can learn from others throughout the
church.”
“I know we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg.”
Laurie L. Oswald is news service director for Mennonite Church USA.
Sidebar: Interchurch events across Mennonite Church USA by Laurie L. Oswald
NEWTON, Kan. (MC USA) – Andre Gingerich Stoner, the new director of
interchurch relations for Mennonite Church USA, invites people to be aware
of the various interchurch events that are happening in their regions. He
also invites members of Mennonite Church USA to share stories of the ways
their congregations or groups are involved in interchurch dialogues,
ministries and fellowships. Those who want to share these stories may call
or e-mail him at 1-866-866-2872: AndreGS@MennoniteUSA.org.
The following are a sampling of upcoming conversations between Mennonites
and Christians of other traditions:
Unlocking Our Inheritance: Anabaptist Reconciliation and Healing
Conference, Swiss Reformed Pastors and Leaders Meeting together with
Anabaptists from all denominations, April 7-9, 2005 in New Holland, Pa., for
more information: www.anabaptistreconciliation.org
Traveling the Tradition II: An Orthodox-Anabaptist Discussion, April 15-16,
Lancaster, Pa., for more information call 717-285-3610.
Northern Indiana Catholic-Mennonite Gathering, April 24 in South Bend, Ind.,
for information call 574-291-0924.
Bridgefolk: “Friendship on the Bridge: Mennonites and Catholics Together,”
July 21-24 on the Eastern Mennonite University campus in Harrisonburg, VA.
More information at www.bridgefolk.net.