Reaffirming faith in Christ, community, dialogue seen as
keys in bringing together divided churches
April 13, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC - As the presidential race heats up, a
conference convened in the heart of the Nation's capitol explored the divisive
effect that politics and culture have had on the Church. The Anabaptist Peace Center - Washington, DC
and Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office cosponsored the
conference, entitled "Bridging Divides:
Uniting the Church for Peacemaking" on April 11 and 12. The conference sought to strike a
conversational tone between presenters and participants to help both explore
how churches can overcome political divisions to remain united in purpose, even
if they are not united politically.
Friday evening's session featured presentations by Celia
Cook-Huffman of Juniata College, Nathan Yoder of Eastern Mennonite Seminary,
and Myron Augsburger. These speakers
focused on the resources we have in our own stories and faith that can equip us
for bridging divides. The key was
learning our own stories and the stories of others, and strengthening our faith
in the entirety of Christ, not just skipping Christ's life and highlighting
only the birth and death of Christ.
Saturday morning's panelists were Michelle Armster of
Mennonite Central Committee and Chris Bowman of Oakton Church of the
Brethren. Both presenters highlighted
the importance of community. When that
community is in conflict, it cannot legislate its way out of trouble. Instead, it must work relationally. The goal is not necessarily to have everyone
agree but rather to learn to live and love one another in spite of and even
celebrating the differences and tensions that exist in the community.
The third and final session included Steven Brown, Minister
at Calvary Community Church in Hampton, VA and Phil Jones, Director of the
Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office. Both Brown and Jones offered advice on how the church can work
together in the world around them. They
suggest that engagement needs to go beyond just material needs to truly meeting
people where they are. This goes beyond
the traditional social gospel actions that come easily for Brethren and
Mennonites. Indeed, as Steven Brown
puts it "issues that are close to the heart of God are issues of peace." This broadens the church's peacemaking
mission beyond only rejecting participation in war, but working for the
transformation of the world around us and the society we find ourselves so
firmly entrenched in and a part of.
The conference concluded with the annual Hymn Sing for
Peace, held this year in the shadow of the Capitol at the reflecting pool. Held every spring, the Hymn Sing for Peace
provides a unique opportunity to publicly express Christ's message of peace in
a way that engages rather than confronts.
