AEC2000

Jack Suderman, one of the prime movers behind the annual Anabaptist Evangelism Council three years ago, concluded the two-day discussion by asking for a consensus or focus from the gathering, re-posing the question that Steve Reid raised: What is the verdict from the jury?

Asked Suderman: "What insight, and what experience can we bring together as counsel and advice to Anabaptists for ministry amidst many peoples?"

Here were some responses:

We need more examples in our research of muti-cultural, multi-racial experiences to instruct our established churches on this "browning" of our society. —Dick Benner

More respect and acceptance for the work God has done in many nations and peoples, what God is doing in the formation, establishment and growth of His church. —Terry Widrick

There is a need to examine, and to redefine how the gospel challenges the people of dominant cultures, our own terms and language. —Mary Mae Schwartzentruber

We can pray for laborers to help set up churches. —Karl McKinney

Question: Can we commit ourselves as a group to follow through on these statements, each one of us, not just the management team? It is important to hear that commitment. —John Powell

We have no authority here, but we should become agents of multi-cultural churches. Move from reflection to action. —Robert Kettering

Need to urge our churches to increase their efforts toward the biblical, historical model of evangelism. It would also be helpful to have an official listing of experiences/opportunities of the urban cross/cultural setting(s). —Art McPhee

The broken world of unreconciled peoples needs to come to the table. Multi-cultural is foundational, though it expresses itself mono-culturally. —Steven Vachon

We will endeavor to bring focus to the contributions of our First Nation (native) brothers and sisters among us. —John Powell

New Life Ministries could create a list of congregations/organizations who are doing these kinds of (multicultural) things. —Allan Howe

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Taken from A New Humanity: Anabaptist Ministry Among Many Peoples (© 2000 New Life Ministries). Permission to reproduce for local church use only is granted. Provided by New Life Ministries, 6404 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46807, through its web site at www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org

 2000-2008 New Life Ministries (www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org). All Rights Reserved.
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