Why are Mennonite Brethren joining liturgical churches?

Some of my children have joined the Anglican church. And it’s happening in other Mennonite Brethren families too. A number of our people, “born and bred” MBs, are joining mainline churches such as Anglican and Greek Orthodox, which only a generation ago were anathema to us. What’s attracting them?

I asked a number of these former MBs that question. Here I offer some of their responses as a starting point for further dialogue.

One attraction is the historical link that a liturgical church has with the past. This gives, especially to youth, a sense of connectedness and roots as well as a voice of authority. “Though it’s completely opposite to the church experience I was used to, I feel like I’ve come home,” says Wendy (Hoeppner) Walker, Sask. (Orthodox). “I appreciate their claim to historicity, the direct line from the apostles . . . and what that means. . . . There’s lots of freedom in that; in being guided by the church.”

Jonathan Goossen, Sask. (Orthodox) who began attending the Orthodox church six years ago, says that he felt troubled by “the showiness and ‘fadiness’ of evangelical churches that seem to mirror North American culture. The Orthodox church to a great extent grew up apart from that. [It] seems untouched by western pop culture.”

Andy Siebert, Man. (Anglican) believes that because of the rapid change and uncertainty of our times the “affluent youth of North America long for the prophetic voice of Christ’s body.” This voice, he says, “doesn’t seek to merely add Christianity to how we are already living, but is rooted in the creeds of the world historical body.”

Ironically, although our forefathers rejected liturgy as too restrictive, it is in liturgical churches that some find greater freedom. Bob and Marlene Wiens, Alta. (Anglican) say, “We feel less pressure to conform; the emphasis is on the sacrament and not on a covenant to which one has to adhere in order to belong.”

Matthew Siebert, Man. (Anglican) finds that the liturgy and early church doctrine provide “a deeper foundation” for his beliefs than an “arbitrary selection of biblical passages.” He also sees the democratic approach of Mennonite Brethren as restrictive because it tends to create “a general fear of intellectual inquiry . . . a democratic fear of elitism.” He wonders whether, under pressure to conform, potential leaders of the MB church find no place because they “feel condemned for not having a simple faith.”

Music is an important factor. Jonathan Goossen explains, “I’m a big fan of choral music. I felt frustrated with the choruses [in Mennonite circles] and – not to be judgmental – the lack of creativity. In the Orthodox church the hymns are those that have fed people for a thousand years. They have words you live in. As you grow they grow.”

My sons both sing in the Anglican church choir. When they faithfully attend Wednesday night practices, I remember how in my youth that was a rite of passage for every member. Then, when we modernized with worship teams, the church choirs became obsolete. Now the pendulum swings back. Kimball Siebert, Sask. (Orthodox) says, “The music was one of the initial attractions. I was tired of hearing rock bands.” As an introspective person, he sought quiet instead of “revved up energy.” He says, “I need to come down a few notches. I find chant music does that.”

How do MB families respond to their relations choosing a church not in the evangelical tradition? “Far and away the most difficult thing [in the transition] are the family ties,” says Jonathan Goossen. “I’m so blessed and amazed by my parents’ acceptance. Though there’s no denying the fact that we’ve argued.”

“I don’t ever regret joining the Orthodox church,” Wendy Walker says. “My only regret is the tension it puts on my family. My parents are at a loss and yet they’re really good – we have completely open dialogue. Not everyone is so fortunate.”

Before interviewing these people I thought a major loss they’d feel would be leaving behind the rich heritage of their Mennonite roots. However, only a few mentioned this as a loss. “Mennoniteness itself is being lost,” comments Jonathan Goossen. “The Mennonite Brethren church is moving toward the mainstream evangelical church.”

As I reflect on these conversations, I’m reminded that for many years I formed part of what I’ll call the Mennonite construction project to maintain a solid fence between our yard and the Anglican/Orthodox/Catholic yard. In that fence there was no gate. Is it time to stand on tiptoe and peer over our fence? Might we, like those interviewed, also see God’s footprints through that other yard?

Dorothy Siebert is print editor at Family Life Network, Winnipeg, and an MA candidate in biblical studies at Providence Seminary. She attends Crossroads MB Church.