Can anybody help me learn which Anabaptist conferences, or constituencies allow people who are part of the church to serve in law enforcement and/or the military?
If you can also point me to documents that make allowance for certain things or prohibit certain things, that would be great.
Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
-
- Posts: 5513
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2016 2:48 pm
- Location: Central PA
- Affiliation: Anabaptist Umbrella
- Contact:
Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
0 x
The old woodcutter spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge?"
- Josh
- Posts: 24171
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:23 pm
- Location: 1000' ASL
- Affiliation: The church of God
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
The most obvious one is MB US since there are a couple news articles about it.
Anecdotally, FEC does but I can’t find any official policy statements.
Anecdotally, MC USA has members who are police officers, but I also can’t find an official statement of this.
Anecdotally, FEC does but I can’t find any official policy statements.
Anecdotally, MC USA has members who are police officers, but I also can’t find an official statement of this.
0 x
-
- Posts: 5513
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2016 2:48 pm
- Location: Central PA
- Affiliation: Anabaptist Umbrella
- Contact:
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
I found this in the FEC statement of faith.
ARTICLE VII - ATTITUDE TOWARD STRIFE AND MILITARY SERVICE
We believe the teaching of Scripture enjoins believers to love their enemies, to pray for
their persecutors and to overcome evil with good. They are instructed to make every
effort to live peaceably with everyone. (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:18, 12:21)
We do not believe it is God's will to promote strife among individuals, groups, classes, or
nations. Because of this principle and in the light of the historic position of the
Fellowship of Evangelical Churches opposing the bearing of arms in military service and
law enforcement, we uphold our Christian youth who, because of their faith and
conscience, choose to express the law of love uniformly in personal, social and civil
relationships and to seek exemptions from or alternatives to combat service. (Romans
12:20)
We also respect the right of individual conviction and recognize that various positions
will be taken on military service and law enforcement. Therefore, we support those who
choose to serve in agencies of civil government, such as the military or a police force,
because civil government is recognized as God's servant. (Roman 13:4)
ARTICLE VII - ATTITUDE TOWARD STRIFE AND MILITARY SERVICE
We believe the teaching of Scripture enjoins believers to love their enemies, to pray for
their persecutors and to overcome evil with good. They are instructed to make every
effort to live peaceably with everyone. (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:18, 12:21)
We do not believe it is God's will to promote strife among individuals, groups, classes, or
nations. Because of this principle and in the light of the historic position of the
Fellowship of Evangelical Churches opposing the bearing of arms in military service and
law enforcement, we uphold our Christian youth who, because of their faith and
conscience, choose to express the law of love uniformly in personal, social and civil
relationships and to seek exemptions from or alternatives to combat service. (Romans
12:20)
We also respect the right of individual conviction and recognize that various positions
will be taken on military service and law enforcement. Therefore, we support those who
choose to serve in agencies of civil government, such as the military or a police force,
because civil government is recognized as God's servant. (Roman 13:4)
0 x
The old woodcutter spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge?"
- Josh
- Posts: 24171
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:23 pm
- Location: 1000' ASL
- Affiliation: The church of God
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
Ah, the FEC did indeed adopt a statement similar to US MB where they affirm two seemingly contradictory positions.
I vaguely remember meeting someone in an LMC congregation who was a cop, but it’s been a while.
I vaguely remember meeting someone in an LMC congregation who was a cop, but it’s been a while.
0 x
-
- Posts: 16437
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 12:09 pm
- Location: U.S. midwest and PNW
- Affiliation: Christian other
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
If it has not been done, a list of, or a place for, commonly used forum acronyms might be useful?
In “Announcements and Introductions” category?
Possibly with a glossary of sorts?
Some acronyms have double or multiple uses.
Just thought. Does GAMEO have such references?
In “Announcements and Introductions” category?
Possibly with a glossary of sorts?
Some acronyms have double or multiple uses.
Just thought. Does GAMEO have such references?
0 x
Most or all of this drama, humiliation, wasted taxpayer money could be spared -
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
- steve-in-kville
- Posts: 9612
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 5:36 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
- Affiliation: Hippie Anabaptist
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
The COB we attend made it a test of membership years ago. Recently it has allowed for exceptions as far as military service goes. Since there are so many diverse fields available that do not involve combat, the standards were loosened. Example being: USCG rescue swimmers, rescue helicopter pilots, etc.
Not sure about law enforcement, though.
Not sure about law enforcement, though.
0 x
I self-identify as a conspiracy theorist. My pronouns are told/you/so.
Owner/admin at https://milepost81.com/
For parents, railfans, and much more!
Owner/admin at https://milepost81.com/
For parents, railfans, and much more!
-
- Posts: 16437
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 12:09 pm
- Location: U.S. midwest and PNW
- Affiliation: Christian other
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
you tripped a memory.steve-in-kville wrote:The COB we attend made it a test of membership years ago. Recently it has allowed for exceptions as far as military service goes. Since there are so many diverse fields available that do not involve combat, the standards were loosened. Example being: USCG rescue swimmers, rescue helicopter pilots, etc.
Not sure about law enforcement, though.
formerly, on MD, there were several who were active first responders, including firefighters, EMT, etc.
these are gov employees, but they do not bear arms. there may still be a forum presence, of mostly lurkers (?) Ernie is asking about bearing arms in this thread (?) .. how is the matter of being employed by government (which is responsible for law enforcement+military) dealt with in these cases? does “not bearing arms” provide for these exceptions?
the forum has/had some members who formerly bore arms in gov/military, but, from memory, i believe each one of those left those experiences behind when they became CO.
Ernie, i’m pretty sure you could readily recall these members?
(this may be too far away from what you’re wanting for this thread.)
0 x
Most or all of this drama, humiliation, wasted taxpayer money could be spared -
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.
”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
- JimFoxvog
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 10:56 pm
- Location: Northern Illinois
- Affiliation: MCUSA
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
Looking at A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective ( http://mennoniteusa.org/confession-of-f ... esistance/ ) I find these clear words:
As disciples of Christ, we do not prepare for war, or participate in war or military service.
0 x
- steve-in-kville
- Posts: 9612
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 5:36 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
- Affiliation: Hippie Anabaptist
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
Law enforcement is something I'm on the fence on, I will admit. I volunteer with a local search & rescue team and many of us carry a pistol while on search details, but that's more for critters than people. In fact, in light of recent events in our nation, the chief encourages we pack heat!
0 x
I self-identify as a conspiracy theorist. My pronouns are told/you/so.
Owner/admin at https://milepost81.com/
For parents, railfans, and much more!
Owner/admin at https://milepost81.com/
For parents, railfans, and much more!
-
- Posts: 4634
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 5:43 pm
- Location: Holmes County, Ohio
- Affiliation: Gospel Haven
Re: Anabaptists Serving in Law Enforcement and the Military
Is registering for concealed carry the first step toward a military stance?
0 x
Congregation: Gospel Haven Mennonite Fellowship, Benton, Ohio (Holmes Co.) a split from Beachy-Amish Mennonite.
Personal heritage & general theological viewpoint: conservative Mennonite Brethren.
Personal heritage & general theological viewpoint: conservative Mennonite Brethren.