Difference between revisions of "Why I Am a Mennonite, Harold Hartzler, April 1999 (United States)"

From Anabaptistwiki
(New page: {{Languages}} ''Return to Stories'' <div style="width:75%"> I was a born Mennonite. That is I was born into a practicing Mennonite family. My father was a descendent of an Ami...)
 
Line 3: Line 3:
  
 
<div style="width:75%">
 
<div style="width:75%">
  I was a born Mennonite. That is I was born into a practicing Mennonite
+
I was a born Mennonite. That is I was born into a practicing Mennonite
    family. My father was a descendent of an Amish Mennonite immigrant. My
+
family. My father was a descendent of an Amish Mennonite immigrant. My
    mother came from the Church of the Brethren and joined the Mennonite
+
mother came from the Church of the Brethren and joined the Mennonite
    church after marriage. Thus for as long as I can remember I regularly
+
church after marriage. Thus for as long as I can remember I regularly
    attended Mennonite church services, as a youth both Sunday morning
+
attended Mennonite church services, as a youth both Sunday morning
    and evening. My father was particularly active in church work. He was a
+
and evening. My father was particularly active in church work. He was a
    teacher at a Mennonite college (Goshen), for many years was a Sunday
+
teacher at a Mennonite college (Goshen), for many years was a Sunday
    School teacher and actively attended all church functions. By example I
+
School teacher and actively attended all church functions. By example I
    accepted the Mennonite Church as normative for my life.
+
accepted the Mennonite Church as normative for my life.
 
          
 
          
 
I was baptized as a 12 year old into the College Mennonite Church in
 
I was baptized as a 12 year old into the College Mennonite Church in
    Goshen Indiana in 1946, along with a small group of friends my age. This
+
Goshen Indiana in 1946, along with a small group of friends my age. This
    was the style for baptism at that time. We would have had a small amount
+
was the style for baptism at that time. We would have had a small amount
    of instruction in the meaning of baptism prior to the actual event which
+
of instruction in the meaning of baptism prior to the actual event which
    took place during a Sunday morning worship service.
+
took place during a Sunday morning worship service.
 
          
 
          
 
At the time of baptism I had little, if any, concept of being sinful
 
At the time of baptism I had little, if any, concept of being sinful
    and receiving forgiveness and being regenerated. I had shortly before
+
and receiving forgiveness and being regenerated. I had shortly before
    baptism "gone forward" at a "revival" tent meeting in Goshen. My father
+
baptism "gone forward" at a "revival" tent meeting in Goshen. My father
    took his family to such meetings whenever they were available locally.
+
took his family to such meetings whenever they were available locally.
    We also went to the tabernacle at Winona Lake in Warsaw Indiana to hear
+
We also went to the tabernacle at Winona Lake in Warsaw Indiana to hear
    revivalist preachers. My going forward was precipitated by an
+
revivalist preachers. My going forward was precipitated by an
    evangelical person coming up to me during the "alter call" and asking if
+
evangelical person coming up to me during the "alter call" and asking if
    I were "saved". Since I couldn't answer in the affirmative and didn't
+
I were "saved". Since I couldn't answer in the affirmative and didn't
    know how to say "no" to this obvious request to "go forward", I simply
+
know how to say "no" to this obvious request to "go forward", I simply
    went forward with her. I did have somewhat of an emotional experience of
+
went forward with her. I did have somewhat of an emotional experience of
    feeling sorry for things I had done which were "wrong" (using "bad"
+
feeling sorry for things I had done which were "wrong" (using "bad"
    language, being occasionally disobedient, etc.). There was prayer for
+
language, being occasionally disobedient, etc.). There was prayer for
    those of us who had gone forward and we were given a little card
+
those of us who had gone forward and we were given a little card
    indicating what had happened, and were instructed to give this to our
+
indicating what had happened, and were instructed to give this to our
    church.
+
church.
 
          
 
          
 
After baptism I was officially a Mennonite. I was a member of the
 
After baptism I was officially a Mennonite. I was a member of the
    College Mennonite Church. I had never heard of Anabaptism nor did I know
+
College Mennonite Church. I had never heard of Anabaptism nor did I know
    much about what the Mennonite Church stood for or what was distinctive
+
much about what the Mennonite Church stood for or what was distinctive
    about the denomination, except for its stance against war. I was very
+
about the denomination, except for its stance against war. I was very
    aware of the peace stance since my entrance into the church took during
+
aware of the peace stance since my entrance into the church took during
    the Second World War, and I was always interested in what was happening in
+
the Second World War, and I was always interested in what was happening in
    the war. My father and his peers were being drafted and going into
+
the war. My father and his peers were being drafted and going into
    alternative service (my father had a health problem and was rejected for
+
alternative service (my father had a health problem and was rejected for
    duty). I remember the consternation of my mother when father went for
+
duty). I remember the consternation of my mother when father went for
    his preinduction physical examination along with some of his friends, and
+
his preinduction physical examination along with some of his friends, and
    then the joy when it was found that he was rejected, but the sadness
+
then the joy when it was found that he was rejected, but the sadness
    surrounding the acceptance of his friends. I remember playing "war" with
+
surrounding the acceptance of his friends. I remember playing "war" with
    nonMennonite friends but being acutely aware that it was, for me, make-
+
non Mennonite friends but being acutely aware that it was, for me, make-
    believe.
+
believe.
 
          
 
          
 
My early experience of being a Mennonite was ambiguous. With my
 
My early experience of being a Mennonite was ambiguous. With my
    Mennonite friends (many of my friends were Mennonite and I had many
+
Mennonite friends (many of my friends were Mennonite and I had many
    friends) I was very comfortable being Mennonite, but with "townies" I
+
friends) I was very comfortable being Mennonite, but with "townies" I
    never mentioned it. In fact, it was only in later years that I learned
+
never mentioned it. In fact, it was only in later years that I learned
    that a few of my "towny" friends attended other Mennonite churches or in
+
that a few of my "towny" friends attended other Mennonite churches or in
    one case a conservative Brethren church. We just didn't talk about this.
+
one case a conservative Brethren church. We just didn't talk about this.
    There was a distinct sense of being "different". There didn't seem any
+
There was a distinct sense of being "different". There didn't seem any
    reason to bring up this difference. Some Mennonite kids kept somewhat to
+
reason to bring up this difference. Some Mennonite kids kept somewhat to
    their "own" group, but others, myself included, wanted to be accepted by
+
their "own" group, but others, myself included, wanted to be accepted by
    everyone and made friends outside the Mennonite group.
+
everyone and made friends outside the Mennonite group.
 
          
 
          
 
During my high school years being Mennonite was not something to brag
 
During my high school years being Mennonite was not something to brag
    about. In Goshen there had been some resentment against those who did
+
about. In Goshen there had been some resentment against those who did
    not give active support to the war effort. So we kept quiet about our
+
not give active support to the war effort. So we kept quiet about our
    Mennonitism. We said little about Goshen College being "our" college.
+
Mennonitism. We said little about Goshen College being "our" college.
    We would never have worn a Goshen College sweatshirt. We would have
+
We would never have worn a Goshen College sweatshirt. We would have
    given verbal loyalty to, perhaps, Notre Dame!
+
given verbal loyalty to, perhaps, Notre Dame!
 
          
 
          
 
My church experience consisted of attending Sunday morning worship
 
My church experience consisted of attending Sunday morning worship
    service followed by Sunday School. The worship service had little
+
service followed by Sunday School. The worship service had little
    impact on my life at that time but Sunday School certainly gave me a
+
impact on my life at that time but Sunday School certainly gave me a
    grounding in the Christian faith. I remember so well the monthly
+
grounding in the Christian faith. I remember so well the monthly
    "temperance" lesson. I very soon came to realize that temperance as
+
"temperance" lesson. I very soon came to realize that temperance as
    taught by my Sunday School teachers really meant abstinence. I later came
+
taught by my Sunday School teachers really meant abstinence. I later came
    to resent this untruth. However learning did take place and I have
+
to resent this untruth. However learning did take place and I have
    basically good feelings about my Sunday School experience. Sunday evening
+
basically good feelings about my Sunday School experience. Sunday evening
    there was youth church until high school when we had MYF meeting. The
+
there was youth church until high school when we had MYF meeting. The
    MYF was very important to me. I had a fine leader who was in seminary
+
MYF was very important to me. I had a fine leader who was in seminary
    and was an outstanding athlete (athletics being very important to me). I
+
and was an outstanding athlete (athletics being very important to me). I
    didn't know many adults who enjoyed athletics and outdoor activities that
+
didn't know many adults who enjoyed athletics and outdoor activities that
    I enjoyed, so having a leader who did enjoy these was important to me and
+
I enjoyed, so having a leader who did enjoy these was important to me and
    my relationship to the church.
+
my relationship to the church.
 
          
 
          
 
My senior year in high school was spent at Hesston Academy in Hesston
 
My senior year in high school was spent at Hesston Academy in Hesston
    Kansas. I was sent there along with my best high school friends by our
+
Kansas. I was sent there along with my best high school friends by our
    parents who, I think, were concerned about our friendship with "townies".
+
parents who, I think, were concerned about our friendship with "townies".
    I had looked forward to a senior year in Goshen High School where I would
+
I had looked forward to a senior year in Goshen High School where I would
    have been one of the "Big Men on Campus". At Hesston I interacted with
+
have been one of the "Big Men on Campus". At Hesston I interacted with
    and became friends with high school and junior college people from across
+
and became friends with high school and junior college people from across
    the country. This exposed me to many variations of Mennonite thought and
+
the country. This exposed me to many variations of Mennonite thought and
    practice. The basic tenor of Hesston was more conservative than what I
+
practice. The basic tenor of Hesston was more conservative than what I
    had been used to.
+
had been used to.
 
          
 
          
 
At Hesston I studied church history for the first time. This was
 
At Hesston I studied church history for the first time. This was
    enlightening for me. There also were teachers and student leaders who
+
enlightening for me. There also were teachers and student leaders who
    were interested in me and my faith development. During this year I
+
were interested in me and my faith development. During this year I
    experienced a renewal in my spiritual life.
+
experienced a renewal in my spiritual life.
 
          
 
          
 
After graduation I enrolled at Goshen College. Here I was exposed to
 
After graduation I enrolled at Goshen College. Here I was exposed to
    the Bible studies required for graduation. This helped to continue my
+
the Bible studies required for graduation. This helped to continue my
    grounding in Christianity and Mennonitism. In these college years and
+
grounding in Christianity and Mennonitism. In these college years and
    the years right after graduation I became a convinced Mennonite.
+
the years right after graduation I became a convinced Mennonite.
 
          
 
          
 
A primary focus drawing me to Mennonitism is the little emphasis
 
A primary focus drawing me to Mennonitism is the little emphasis
    placed upon doctrine and the large emphasis placed on discipleship. When
+
placed upon doctrine and the large emphasis placed on discipleship. When
    I look to scripture for guidance for my faith I am drawn to Matt 25:31-
+
I look to scripture for guidance for my faith I am drawn to Matt 25:31-
    46, the story of the sheep and goats, which I find to be an exhortation
+
46, the story of the sheep and goats, which I find to be an exhortation
    to get out and do unto others as you would have them do to you. To be
+
to get out and do unto others as you would have them do to you. To be
    Mennonite is to be socially active. We must be out in the world healing
+
Mennonite is to be socially active. We must be out in the world healing
    its hurts. I have no ability to believe that one's salvation depends upon
+
its hurts. I have no ability to believe that one's salvation depends upon
    believing certain selected dogmas. For me faith must be in believing
+
believing certain selected dogmas. For me faith must be in believing
    that God exists and responding to the claims of Christ to be His
+
that God exists and responding to the claims of Christ to be His
    followers. I believe that God provides grace whereby we may find
+
followers. I believe that God provides grace whereby we may find
    acceptance by Him even though we are unable to perfectly follow Christ.
+
acceptance by Him even though we are unable to perfectly follow Christ.
    If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins (I Jn
+
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins (I Jn
    1:9).
+
1:9).
 
        
 
        
 
Being a part of a caring church community is another very primary part
 
Being a part of a caring church community is another very primary part
    of being a Mennonite Christian for me. I cannot conceive of a
+
of being a Mennonite Christian for me. I cannot conceive of a
    relationship with God apart from a relationship with His people. It is
+
relationship with God apart from a relationship with His people. It is
    in relating with people that we form our relationship with God. It is in
+
in relating with people that we form our relationship with God. It is in
    doing His will that we find our salvation. It is in the community that
+
doing His will that we find our salvation. It is in the community that
    we are able to discern His will for us. Where two or three are gathered
+
we are able to discern His will for us. Where two or three are gathered
    there His will is found (Matt 18:18-20).
+
there His will is found (Matt 18:18-20).
 
          
 
          
 
The call to live peaceably with all humankind is of vital importance
 
The call to live peaceably with all humankind is of vital importance
    to me. This distinctive doctrine of the churches of Anabaptist origin is
+
to me. This distinctive doctrine of the churches of Anabaptist origin is
    at the center of following Christ. We are to turn the other cheek (Lk
+
at the center of following Christ. We are to turn the other cheek (Lk
    6:29). As I now understand this, it means passive resistance rather than
+
6:29). As I now understand this, it means passive resistance rather than
    nonresistance. We may not stand by when injustice is being done. We
+
nonresistance. We may not stand by when injustice is being done. We
    must be actively working for justice. This may take many forms at
+
must be actively working for justice. This may take many forms at
    different times and under different circumstances (writing letters to
+
different times and under different circumstances (writing letters to
    those in power, standing between the guns of aggressors and their
+
those in power, standing between the guns of aggressors and their
    victims, marching with the powerless in protest of the programs of the
+
victims, marching with the powerless in protest of the programs of the
    powerful against the powerless, etc.). We are to be peaceful but active.
+
powerful against the powerless, etc.). We are to be peaceful but active.
 
          
 
          
 
In summary the Mennonite Christian accepts Christ as our guide for
 
In summary the Mennonite Christian accepts Christ as our guide for
    life, follows Him in actively working for peace and justice for all, and
+
life, follows Him in actively working for peace and justice for all, and
    centers life around the redeemed community, the Church.
+
centers life around the redeemed community, the Church.
  
 
''This essay was completed for an Anabaptist/Mennonite History class at Goshen College in April 1999''.
 
''This essay was completed for an Anabaptist/Mennonite History class at Goshen College in April 1999''.
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
[[Category:Stories]]
 
[[Category:Stories]]

Revision as of 16:21, 6 August 2009

Return to Stories

I was a born Mennonite. That is I was born into a practicing Mennonite family. My father was a descendent of an Amish Mennonite immigrant. My mother came from the Church of the Brethren and joined the Mennonite church after marriage. Thus for as long as I can remember I regularly attended Mennonite church services, as a youth both Sunday morning and evening. My father was particularly active in church work. He was a teacher at a Mennonite college (Goshen), for many years was a Sunday School teacher and actively attended all church functions. By example I accepted the Mennonite Church as normative for my life.

I was baptized as a 12 year old into the College Mennonite Church in Goshen Indiana in 1946, along with a small group of friends my age. This was the style for baptism at that time. We would have had a small amount of instruction in the meaning of baptism prior to the actual event which took place during a Sunday morning worship service.

At the time of baptism I had little, if any, concept of being sinful and receiving forgiveness and being regenerated. I had shortly before baptism "gone forward" at a "revival" tent meeting in Goshen. My father took his family to such meetings whenever they were available locally. We also went to the tabernacle at Winona Lake in Warsaw Indiana to hear revivalist preachers. My going forward was precipitated by an evangelical person coming up to me during the "alter call" and asking if I were "saved". Since I couldn't answer in the affirmative and didn't know how to say "no" to this obvious request to "go forward", I simply went forward with her. I did have somewhat of an emotional experience of feeling sorry for things I had done which were "wrong" (using "bad" language, being occasionally disobedient, etc.). There was prayer for those of us who had gone forward and we were given a little card indicating what had happened, and were instructed to give this to our church.

After baptism I was officially a Mennonite. I was a member of the College Mennonite Church. I had never heard of Anabaptism nor did I know much about what the Mennonite Church stood for or what was distinctive about the denomination, except for its stance against war. I was very aware of the peace stance since my entrance into the church took during the Second World War, and I was always interested in what was happening in the war. My father and his peers were being drafted and going into alternative service (my father had a health problem and was rejected for duty). I remember the consternation of my mother when father went for his preinduction physical examination along with some of his friends, and then the joy when it was found that he was rejected, but the sadness surrounding the acceptance of his friends. I remember playing "war" with non Mennonite friends but being acutely aware that it was, for me, make- believe.

My early experience of being a Mennonite was ambiguous. With my Mennonite friends (many of my friends were Mennonite and I had many friends) I was very comfortable being Mennonite, but with "townies" I never mentioned it. In fact, it was only in later years that I learned that a few of my "towny" friends attended other Mennonite churches or in one case a conservative Brethren church. We just didn't talk about this. There was a distinct sense of being "different". There didn't seem any reason to bring up this difference. Some Mennonite kids kept somewhat to their "own" group, but others, myself included, wanted to be accepted by everyone and made friends outside the Mennonite group.

During my high school years being Mennonite was not something to brag about. In Goshen there had been some resentment against those who did not give active support to the war effort. So we kept quiet about our Mennonitism. We said little about Goshen College being "our" college. We would never have worn a Goshen College sweatshirt. We would have given verbal loyalty to, perhaps, Notre Dame!

My church experience consisted of attending Sunday morning worship service followed by Sunday School. The worship service had little impact on my life at that time but Sunday School certainly gave me a grounding in the Christian faith. I remember so well the monthly "temperance" lesson. I very soon came to realize that temperance as taught by my Sunday School teachers really meant abstinence. I later came to resent this untruth. However learning did take place and I have basically good feelings about my Sunday School experience. Sunday evening there was youth church until high school when we had MYF meeting. The MYF was very important to me. I had a fine leader who was in seminary and was an outstanding athlete (athletics being very important to me). I didn't know many adults who enjoyed athletics and outdoor activities that I enjoyed, so having a leader who did enjoy these was important to me and my relationship to the church.

My senior year in high school was spent at Hesston Academy in Hesston Kansas. I was sent there along with my best high school friends by our parents who, I think, were concerned about our friendship with "townies". I had looked forward to a senior year in Goshen High School where I would have been one of the "Big Men on Campus". At Hesston I interacted with and became friends with high school and junior college people from across the country. This exposed me to many variations of Mennonite thought and practice. The basic tenor of Hesston was more conservative than what I had been used to.

At Hesston I studied church history for the first time. This was enlightening for me. There also were teachers and student leaders who were interested in me and my faith development. During this year I experienced a renewal in my spiritual life.

After graduation I enrolled at Goshen College. Here I was exposed to the Bible studies required for graduation. This helped to continue my grounding in Christianity and Mennonitism. In these college years and the years right after graduation I became a convinced Mennonite.

A primary focus drawing me to Mennonitism is the little emphasis placed upon doctrine and the large emphasis placed on discipleship. When I look to scripture for guidance for my faith I am drawn to Matt 25:31- 46, the story of the sheep and goats, which I find to be an exhortation to get out and do unto others as you would have them do to you. To be Mennonite is to be socially active. We must be out in the world healing its hurts. I have no ability to believe that one's salvation depends upon believing certain selected dogmas. For me faith must be in believing that God exists and responding to the claims of Christ to be His followers. I believe that God provides grace whereby we may find acceptance by Him even though we are unable to perfectly follow Christ. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins (I Jn 1:9).

Being a part of a caring church community is another very primary part of being a Mennonite Christian for me. I cannot conceive of a relationship with God apart from a relationship with His people. It is in relating with people that we form our relationship with God. It is in doing His will that we find our salvation. It is in the community that we are able to discern His will for us. Where two or three are gathered there His will is found (Matt 18:18-20).

The call to live peaceably with all humankind is of vital importance to me. This distinctive doctrine of the churches of Anabaptist origin is at the center of following Christ. We are to turn the other cheek (Lk 6:29). As I now understand this, it means passive resistance rather than nonresistance. We may not stand by when injustice is being done. We must be actively working for justice. This may take many forms at different times and under different circumstances (writing letters to those in power, standing between the guns of aggressors and their victims, marching with the powerless in protest of the programs of the powerful against the powerless, etc.). We are to be peaceful but active.

In summary the Mennonite Christian accepts Christ as our guide for life, follows Him in actively working for peace and justice for all, and centers life around the redeemed community, the Church.

This essay was completed for an Anabaptist/Mennonite History class at Goshen College in April 1999.