HARRISONBURG Va. (Mennonite Mission Network) — When it comes to communicating its theology outside the denomination, David A. Shank believes the Mennonite Church has some work to do. He commented before delving into an e-mail correspondence with a woman, Laura, who challenged the Mennonite church to “rethink its stance on the war on terror, and ask God to lead you.”
Shank, a retired mission worker in Belgium and Africa, answers heavier theological e-mails sent to Third Way Café and Mennonite Church USA Web sites, often bouncing ideas and responses off of his wife, Wilma. Questions like Laura’s are not unusual, but they are always answered.
Laura continued, “I am a born-again Christian and know you should understand the importance of supporting Israel. … How do you reconcile the Old Testament where God had Israel go in, take the land he gave them, and kill all the idol worshipers of other faiths.”
Shank launched into four or five rounds of e-mails with Laura, challenging whether she really thought Christians were to kill worshipers of other faiths, trying to avoid “verse by verse” wars and explaining the difference between the “old” covenant (testament) and the “new.” Shank ended being disappointed by the exchange. He felt the Mennonite positions were not really understood, which is often the case when giving witness to Jesus’ way of peace.
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Top Ten Unusual Questions sent to Third Way Café in 2005 1. What fasteners are allowed on Mennonite women’s clothing? – Janice 2. Someone told me that the Mennonites make very nice gazebos. We are looking for one and wondered if you could point me in the right direction. – Tammy 3. Are marriages arranged? – Sheena 4. Forgive me this blundering question, but how do Mennonite folks feel about Christmas presents? I’d like to give someone a gift. Thanks and sorry if this question is too dense. I’m afraid I’ve always been a bit thick. – Robert 5. What is your view of the Catholic doctrine of the Pope as infallible vicar of Christ? What do you believe about the seven sacraments of the Catholic church? What is your view of the Real Presence of Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist? How do you interpret, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build this church?” – Alice 6. How long are the church services? (Not that it matters, just curious.) – Lisa 7. Is it true that Mennonites believe that animals have no souls? – Boyles 8. I have seen women wearing the traditional net bonnet, but I have also seen them wearing something similar to a small scarf in white or black. What is the difference? – Lisa 9. In paragraph form tell me who they are, where they came from, their culture, what they do as a group or culture, their religion, Thank you very much, please e-mail me as soon as possible, maybe tomorrow, but please soon. The fate of humanity is in your hands. – David 10. YOU NEED MORE STUFF ON THE MENNONITE FOR GRADE 7 SCHOOL PROJECTS – Brandon [Exact text and capitalization] Photo: Ryan Miller |
In another recent round of correspondence, a man named Don requested a forum for ongoing dialogue with a Mennonite pastor or respondent to reflect on a statement about Jesus on Third Way Café (under “Glimpses of Jesus”) which said, “New-Age thinking often brings people to a very ancient heresy, the heresy of syncretism, where one truth is equally as good and as valid as any other truth.”
Don asked: “Why is it so hard to figure out the truth? How can I know for sure who Jesus was — prophet, Lord, God, or just a man?”
Don said he had tried many Protestant faiths — Catholicism, Islam, Taoism — but still felt empty. How, he asked, can he know what is truth over everything else?
“I am so desperate to know what to do to please God but I have no idea anymore,” he wrote. “I feel so worthless and like such a disappointment.”
After corresponding awhile, Don indicated to David that he would “try the Christian way.” David wrote back, “That’s very good news,” and strongly encouraged him to find Christian friends and a congregation for support.
Several weeks later, Don said he found his dialogue with David to be very helpful, knowledgeable and compassionate. The conversation helped him think about faith, even though he is remains undecided on Christianity and Islam.
“I wish I could give you more of a glowing report of a spiritual turnaround," Don wrote, "but it just is not there.”
Not every conversation ends with conversion. The important thing, according to site creators, is that the conversations begin.
During the first 10 months of 2005 (latest period of figures available), 319 persons sent questions to the Third Way Café (thirdway.com) dealing with everything from gun ownership to coverings, from drinking habits to governance. This figure already surpassed yearlong totals for 2003 and 2004.
In the seven years since Third Way Café launched in 1998, Mennonite Media, a department of Mennonite Mission Network and producers of Third Way Café, has averaged close to 500 e-mail, phone and letter inquiries a year requiring a personal — sometimes deeply theological — response. Questions sent to Mennonite Church USA Web site also are answered by Third Way Café respondents. Jodi Nisley Hertzler responds to most of the questions from her home computer.
“People appreciate the anonymity of sending a question to a Web site. They don’t need to be embarrassed to ask what one recently called ‘blundering’ questions,” said Sheri Hartzler, leader of the team that produces and oversees the website.
The number of questions peaked in 1999, with 747 individual inquiries, but in 2002 Third Way Café posted a glossary of more than 100 items arising directly out of the most routine questions, such as differences between Amish and Mennonite, and confusion over Mennonite/Amish dress, technology, buggies and social customs. The new glossary caused an immediate reduction in the number of e-mails needing a personal answer.
But the number of inquiries has climbed every year since then, resulting in deeper questions especially around peace issues that reflect serious thought and inquiry on the part of Web users.
Frequently inquirers also respond to items in the news. When Pope John Paul II died, some writers wanted to know about differences between Mennonites and Catholics. When Terry Schiavo died in early 2005, “Morgan” asked for Mennonite perspectives. Hertzler referred Morgan to Joseph J. Kotva, Jr.’s "The Anabaptist Tradition: Religious Beliefs and Healthcare Decisions," on "Forgoing life-sustaining treatment" and statements in Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, which is used by Third Way Café as the basis for responding to theological questions.
After Jeff and Carolyn Schrock’s five children were killed in a Washington car accident in November, several people e-mailed Third Way Café, asking that their sympathies be sent to the Schrocks.
“We couldn’t figure out why they were coming to us to pass on sympathies,” Sheri Hartzler reflected. One reader reported that they had found Third Way Café (and apparently information on Mennonites) through a link in an article in a Washington newspaper about the tragedy.
Overall, most correspondence with Third Way Café inquirers continues for only one or two exchanges, but many express appreciation. Cindy wrote, “You have no idea how warm-hearted it made me feel to get a personal reply to my letter. I have checked out your church locations in my area, Salem, Ore. and have found three locations. I am seriously considering going — especially now. Your answers were informative without being condemning or pushy. Your answers are the reason I will pursue further this look at the Mennonite faith.
"God is working through you," she continued. "Thank you for answering His call.”
