Mennonite Quaintness

[Ernie]

I have witnessed a lot of giving to the poor in Churches we attended, both by the tithes and offerings collected but many other forms of outreaches. It’s an expectation in all American churches I know of.

The difference between churches is whether congregants are expected to give sacrificially, or whether they are free to live luxurious lifestyles, and only give token gestures toward the poor or only give a certain percentage of their income.

Wife: to be fair, I would say that is a similar problem in Anabaptist circles. We have the teaching every now and then, but that doesn’t mean that everybody actually follows it. Maybe it’s better followed in certain congregations that place more emphasis on it, but it’s definitely not universal among the Anabaptists.

I have also seen some of that teaching in evangelical circles, although there’s certain of those circles that get into the prosperity gospel, and then other circles that don’t really bother with anything more than the 10% to the church, if that. Protestants are a very wide group.

I wasn't implying that Anabaptists don't have this problem and that other denominations do have this problem.

[Soloist]

The difference between churches is whether congregants are expected to give sacrificially, or whether they are free to live luxurious lifestyles, and only give token gestures toward the poor or only give a certain percentage of their income.

Wife: to be fair, I would say that is a similar problem in Anabaptist circles. We have the teaching every now and then, but that doesn’t mean that everybody actually follows it. Maybe it’s better followed in certain congregations that place more emphasis on it, but it’s definitely not universal among the Anabaptists.

I have also seen some of that teaching in evangelical circles, although there’s certain of those circles that get into the prosperity gospel, and then other circles that don’t really bother with anything more than the 10% to the church, if that. Protestants are a very wide group.

I wasn't implying that Anabaptists don't have this problem and that other denominations do have this problem.

Wife: I misunderstood you. Sorry about that.

[cmbl]

Honestly I think we can all learn from each other “something”. I’ve said before our orthodox priest friend said they all have a piece of the pie. (denominations)

It's lost to history so I can't quote it exactly, but Wayne in Maine had a post years ago about wishing that Anabaptists could be appreciated for our theology. Instead, when outsiders look at us, all they think of is "pies cooling on the windowsill."

I think the “pies cooling on the windowsill” flows from anabaptist theology naturally like JohnL mentioned earlier in the thread. Anabaptism doesnt offer much in the way of systematic theology, its a (in my eyes) more practical, lived out experience of being a christian.

Can we explore a little more how the pies flow from anabaptist theology? Presumably they stem from women being keepers at home, is there more to it than that?

[Valerie]

Wife: to be fair, I would say that is a similar problem in Anabaptist circles. We have the teaching every now and then, but that doesn’t mean that everybody actually follows it. Maybe it’s better followed in certain congregations that place more emphasis on it, but it’s definitely not universal among the Anabaptists.

I have also seen some of that teaching in evangelical circles, although there’s certain of those circles that get into the prosperity gospel, and then other circles that don’t really bother with anything more than the 10% to the church, if that. Protestants are a very wide group.

I wasn't implying that Anabaptists don't have this problem and that other denominations do have this problem.

Wife: I misunderstood you. Sorry about that.

So did I. It seemed that’s what he was implying.

[Soloist]

It's lost to history so I can't quote it exactly, but Wayne in Maine had a post years ago about wishing that Anabaptists could be appreciated for our theology. Instead, when outsiders look at us, all they think of is "pies cooling on the windowsill."

I think the “pies cooling on the windowsill” flows from anabaptist theology naturally like JohnL mentioned earlier in the thread. Anabaptism doesnt offer much in the way of systematic theology, its a (in my eyes) more practical, lived out experience of being a christian.

Can we explore a little more how the pies flow from anabaptist theology? Presumably they stem from women being keepers at home, is there more to it than that?

Wife: Probably that and also it being a way to make money while still caring for the home. And showing hospitality and giving people stuff when they are sick or have a baby etc.

It’s actually not a bad idea for evangelism because the best way to somebody’s heart might be through their stomach.

[Anthony]

It's lost to history so I can't quote it exactly, but Wayne in Maine had a post years ago about wishing that Anabaptists could be appreciated for our theology. Instead, when outsiders look at us, all they think of is "pies cooling on the windowsill."

I think the “pies cooling on the windowsill” flows from anabaptist theology naturally like JohnL mentioned earlier in the thread. Anabaptism doesnt offer much in the way of systematic theology, its a (in my eyes) more practical, lived out experience of being a christian.

Can we explore a little more how the pies flow from anabaptist theology? Presumably they stem from women being keepers at home, is there more to it than that?

No, i was thinking more that taking the sermon on the mount seriously in behavior and deeds would lead to a heavy emphasis on wholesome family life/homemaking/peaceful living. The pies on the windowsill evokes this.

[barnhart]

It's lost to history so I can't quote it exactly, but Wayne in Maine had a post years ago about wishing that Anabaptists could be appreciated for our theology. Instead, when outsiders look at us, all they think of is "pies cooling on the windowsill."

I think the “pies cooling on the windowsill” flows from anabaptist theology naturally like JohnL mentioned earlier in the thread. Anabaptism doesnt offer much in the way of systematic theology, its a (in my eyes) more practical, lived out experience of being a christian.

Can we explore a little more how the pies flow from anabaptist theology? Presumably they stem from women being keepers at home, is there more to it than that?

I'm not sure how strong the correlation actually is, but I think the kernel of truth there is a cultural rebuke of the isolation, individualism and materialism of modern life.

[Soloist]

I think the “pies cooling on the windowsill” flows from anabaptist theology naturally like JohnL mentioned earlier in the thread. Anabaptism doesnt offer much in the way of systematic theology, its a (in my eyes) more practical, lived out experience of being a christian.

Can we explore a little more how the pies flow from anabaptist theology? Presumably they stem from women being keepers at home, is there more to it than that?

No, i was thinking more that taking the sermon on the mount seriously in behavior and deeds would lead to a heavy emphasis on wholesome family life/homemaking/peaceful living. The pies on the windowsill evokes this.

Wife: First off, I looked up the definition for quaint and one definition would be charmingly old-fashioned, and another would be odd. there’s other definitions, too, but those are the pertinent ones.

Regarding the first definition, I have often thought about how our community reminds me a lot of village/small town life from children’s books and stories from the 1800s etc (think Little House on the Prairie/ Crandma’s Attic genre books). Everybody knows each other and helps each other out, we’ve got the small school house set up where the teacher often stays with a family, and at least in the old days, a lot of those towns only might have one church. There is a beauty in the simplicity and close knit community, but if that’s all people know about us without even knowing that we are a Christian denomination, let alone that we follow the sermon on the mount and believe in sharing the gospel with others, that’s not good.

There are a lot of people who think I’m Amish or from Pennsylvania, have no idea that people can actually convert, don’t even necessarily know we are Christians, ect. I think part of it is just that it’s more unfamiliar in this area of the country. It does annoy me sometimes, but I suppose I’d rather they think of me as quaint (odd) than start thinking of something they saw on the Amish mafia show.

[Valerie]

Can we explore a little more how the pies flow from anabaptist theology? Presumably they stem from women being keepers at home, is there more to it than that?

No, i was thinking more that taking the sermon on the mount seriously in behavior and deeds would lead to a heavy emphasis on wholesome family life/homemaking/peaceful living. The pies on the windowsill evokes this.

Wife: First off, I looked up the definition for quaint and one definition would be charmingly old-fashioned, and another would be odd. there’s other definitions, too, but those are the pertinent ones.

Regarding the first definition, I have often thought about how our community reminds me a lot of village/small town life from children’s books and stories from the 1800s etc (think Little House on the Prairie/ Crandma’s Attic genre books). Everybody knows each other and helps each other out, we’ve got the small school house set up where the teacher often stays with a family, and at least in the old days, a lot of those towns only might have one church. There is a beauty in the simplicity and close knit community, but if that’s all people know about us without even knowing that we are a Christian denomination, let alone that we follow the sermon on the mount and believe in sharing the gospel with others, that’s not good.

There are a lot of people who think I’m Amish or from Pennsylvania, have no idea that people can actually convert, don’t even necessarily know we are Christians, ect. I think part of it is just that it’s more unfamiliar in this area of the country. It does annoy me sometimes, but I suppose I’d rather they think of me as quaint (odd) than start thinking of something they saw on the Amish mafia show.

I never even heard of the Amish until I was close to 30 years old. I do remember in second grade. I heard about people that didn’t allow buttons or pants for women! Apparently a student had gone on vacation probably to Lancaster.

I met my husband who was from IH so he taught me about Amish. I still have not heard anything about Mennonites yet.

It was my Mon who planned the trip for all of our family to go to Lancaster, and that was my first exposure. Admittedly, I was confused about what type of Christianity it was, but to be honest when I would hear people wanting to go to Amish country in different locations. It was all about the food, the restaurants, the pies. For me It was more about wanting to know what made these people live like they did. So it prompted me to be on a journey to learn about their faith of course I really was a fan of what you mentioned little house on the Prairie, but I also saw a lot of problems in worldly Christianity outside of the Anabaptist faith. I appreciate in our own Amish/Mennonite “tourist areas they have a lot of Christian tracts in their stores.

I think the Benefit auctions are an excellent way to learn more about their faith “in action” as well.

[ohio jones]

One of my friends used to say "God doesn't give us apple pies" -- the point being that not everything is handed to us ready-made; the basic ingredients are provided, but it's up to us to make use of them. Some assembly required. Faith without works is dead. Orthopraxy, not just orthodoxy.

I do wish we would have gotten a round to having this conversation last Saturday, though.