A study conference on baptism and church membership
The Purpose of a Study Conference
The Mennonite Brethren are a confessional people. As such, we continually seek to hear what God is saying to us. Five hundred years ago, the Anabaptists determined four ways that they could discern the will of God: through Scripture; through the life of Christ; through the voice of the Holy Spirit who resides in each believer; and through the discerning community of faith.
We believe the community of faith working together – such as at a study conference – and guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word, forms a community hermeneutic. That is, we interpret Scripture and choose a direction together. We hope to uphold our Confession of Faith, yet consider the challenge of variant practice in this issue.
The study conference on Baptism and Membership was held in spring of 2004 at the Canadian Mennonite University campus. The papers and responses presented are still available for perusal at the links below.
The Papers
Baptism and membership . . . an alternative perspective
by David Falk
Affirmation by Bruce Enns
Critique by Vidya J. Narimalla
The church without spot or wrinkle
by Walter Unger
Affirmation by Gerry Ediger
Critique by Bruce L. Guenther
Baptism among the Early Christians
by Jon Isaak
Affirmation by Lorraine Dick
Critique by Gay Lynn Voth
MB theology of baptism
by Lynn Jost
Affirmation by Roger Thiessen
Critique by Ed Boschman
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