There are so many blessings being a part of such a culture but as any other culture we have our imperfections as well.
In this article I will attempt to show the blessings and the imperfections of our culture.
The blessings of our culture are often what people know us for.
Work ethic. We're known as hard workers. When neighbors become sick or unable to do work the Mennonites come to there side and help them out. Once on a flight a man asked if I was a Mennonite seeing my sisters with me. He than proceeded to tell me how the Mennonites had helped his non-Mennonite father harvest his crops after he had gotten hurt and was unable to do it himself. It had left a good impression on the man for the kindness that was shown.
Many times when natural disasters strike an area C.A.M. (Christian Aid Ministries) brings in Mennonites to help with cleanup and rebuilding projects.
Our brotherhood. It's an amazing bond between believers. When a family in the church is struggling financially the church pitches in to help them. Or when a barn or house burns down the men are there to lend there skills to help rebuild.
Along with our brotherhood comes a special connection between believers when two meet in an unlikely place. For example when I was visiting Kenya, Africa we saw some conservative Anabaptists in the safari where we were. Though we didn't get a chance to talk we felt a connection with them knowing they were of like minded beliefs.
Mennonite Food! Of course you've heard of Amish made bread or Amish noodles. Well the since the Amish are a break off of the Mennonites we also carry on the history of delicious food. I've often been intriged how people take special interest in my mother's cooking just because of the fact she's Mennonite.
Our modest lifestyle. No, we don't drive horse and buggy and we have electricity but one thing that stands out is our modesty. Normally a tv would not be a part of the average conservative Mennonite home. Nor would a fancy sports car being parked the garage.
Modesty in dress is also something by which people recognize us for. Ladies ware dresses while men often ware button down shirts or polos with blue jeans. This is done to avoid being immodest and avoiding association with the world's fashions.
The Mennonite's imperfections.
Every church and every culture has there imperfections and Mennonites are often accused of being legalistic and hypocritical in there lifestyle and beliefs. While I recognize there are some who simply are Mennonite because that's what they were brought up as there are others of us who have truly embraced Mennonite beliefs on what we have understood of Biblical truths. To keep this post from bring to lengthy I will not go it to that more but will on a later time.
Are we legalistic? No. As least none of the churches I know of. We ask certain things of the members due to how we have seen the church fall away in the past. We set certain guidelines to help keep our members from backsliding.
One imperfection I have seen in our churches that is slowly being addressed by our generation is the lack of relationship between fathers and sons. I have talked to many men who testify to the lack of relationship with there fathers. Often this keeps sons from opening up to there fathers thus carry emotional hurt from generation to generation. Just recently have men begun to break these generational chains.
While one may highlight the faults in the Mennonite churches I see deep value in being apart of this brotherhood. No, no ones perfect and while some Mennonites may come across as goody two shoes where just people living by who we interpret the scriptures.
Anyone can be Mennonite no matter of race or background. So if you find yourself wondering more, one of the best things to do is to see for your self! Visit a local Mennonite congregation and ask questions! We'd love to have you join us as a part of brotherhood!
