 Read David Fitch's Forward to The UnKingdom of God, by Mark Van Steenwyk
The Challenge of Christian Anarchism for Our TimeWhen we think about anarchism, alot of pictures come to mind: hippies, communes, idealists, protests, idiots who want to blow up everything in sight. If we’re over the age of 40, and have lived any meaningful years trying to meet our obligations as members of society, we look with suspicion. Then, when we hear the qualifier “Christian” attached to the term and come up with ‘Christian anarchism,’ we are even more suspicious. This is an anomaly we say. Christianity is about God reconciling the world to Himself in Christ and restoring the world to peace, order and righteousness. Anarchy is anything but that. Surely this cannot be Christian! At this point in our mental processes we usually shut down. And since this book is about Christian anarchism, we are tempted to dismiss it and move on. So I ask you, in writing this foreword, not to do that, and here’s why: Anarchism, Mark Van Steenwyk tells us, is the belief that “a group of people may live together without being ruled” (p. 50). Instead we can organize our lives in other ways that do not depend on coercive hierarchal authority. In doing so we gain the wherewithal to discern patterns of coercion and exploitation in our own lives and the cultural patterns we live in. We can choose to resist these things around us in the structures in which we live. Suddenly this all sounds very Christian. If we are Christians, we should be doing this right? Theoretically then there is much for a Christian to learn from a good anarchist like Mark Van Steenwyk? David Miller and Taric Leichty of Bellwood Mennonite Church created this video for Taric's installation. If you wonder what pastors do all day, this sneak peek into their daily activities will enlighten and entertain!  Do you sometimes wonder how exactly conference staff could be helpful to your congregation?
Now, the answers to that question are at your fingertips! David Boshart, Tim Detweiler, Shana Peachey Boshart and Ramiro Hernandez each have web pages that explain what they do and how they can help your congregation. See what we can do for you and give us a call. Don't be shy; we are here to help!  Our very own members have written the Advent worship materials for the Fall 2013 Leader magazine, and not only that, but they are so eager to share their material, they are giving a workshop for our churches to guide you personally through the material!
Our gathering in Montana was a wonderful time! To relive it or see what you missed... We have videos of our speaker, Terry LeBlanc, here. AND, you'll find a summary video on that same page. Enjoy!
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Office Manager: P.O. Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029 office@centralplainsmc.org phone: 605-929-3325
Ministry Staff Office: P.O. Box 352, Kalona, IA 52247
Ministry Staff Office: P.O. Box 352, Kalona, IA 52247