WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?
The Anabaptist tradition has been wary of creeds and fixed statements of faith. AAANZ is a diffuse and diverse community, with no official criteria for involvement, but these Core Convictions sum up what many of us believe. In the spirit of the Anabaptist tradition these are offered as provisional as we remain open to our understanding developing in fresh ways.
With thanks to the UK Anabaptist Mennonite Network, who first published these Core Convictions.
#1: Jesus is our example, teacher, friend, redeemer and Lord. He is the source of our life, the central reference point for our faith and lifestyle, for our understanding of church and our engagement with society. We are committed to following Jesus as well as worshipping him.
#2: Jesus is the focal point of God’s revelation. We are committed to a Jesus-centred approach to the Bible, and to the community of faith as the primary context in which we read the Bible, discern, and apply its implications for discipleship.
#3: Western culture is slowly emerging from the Christendom era when church and state jointly presided over a society in which all were assumed to be Christian. Whatever its positive contributions, Christendom seriously distorted the gospel, marginalised Jesus, and has left the churches ill-equipped for mission in a post-Christendom culture. As we reflect on this, we are committed to learning from the experience and perspectives of movements such as Anabaptism that rejected standard Christendom assumptions and pursued alternative ways of thinking and behaving.
#4: The frequent association of the church with status, wealth, and force has been inappropriate for followers of Jesus and has damaged our witness. We are committed to exploring ways of being good news to the poor, powerless, and persecuted.
#5: Churches are called to be resource centres for discipleship and mission, multi-voiced worshipping communities that sustain hope as we wait for God’s kingdom, and places of friendship and mutual accountability. We are committed to nurturing and developing such churches, in which young and old are valued, consultative leadership is exercised, and roles are related to gifts rather than gender.
#6: Spirituality and economics are inter-connected. In an individualist and consumerist culture and in a world where economic injustice is rife, we are committed to finding ways of living simply, sharing generously, and working for justice.
#7: Peace is at the heart of the gospel. As followers of Jesus in a divided and violent world, we are committed to non-violence and to learning how to make peace between people, within and among churches, in society, between nations, and with the natural world.
VISION
Jesus is the centre of our faith
Community is the centre of our life
Reconciliation is the centre of our work
MISSION
The Anabaptist Association links people in Australia and New Zealand who share a passion for Jesus, community, and reconciliation, and works to promote and nurture an Anabaptist understanding of the Christian faith and bring healing and hope to others by joyfully following Jesus into the world.
VALUES
Jesus is the focal point of God’s revelation. He is our Example, Teacher, Friend, Redeemer, Lord and even more. He is the source and central reference point for faith and lifestyle, and for an understanding of church that is engaged with society. To follow Jesus is to also worship him.
Communities of faith and churches are called to be centres of discipleship and mission. They are meant to be multi-voiced worshipping communities, places of friendship and accountability, living in God’s kingdom in active anticipation of it’s coming in full. Young and old are valued, consultative leadership is exercised, and roles are related to gifts rather than gender.
Reconciliation is at the heart of the gospel and God’s desire for all of creation. In an often violent world, Anabaptists are committed to Jesus’ way of non-violence and to learning how to make peace between individuals, within and among churches, in society and between nations. Reconciliation also includes living responsibly as caretakers of the Earth.
INTERESTED? WHY NOT FIND OUT MORE?
Take a look at the 28-page pamphlet, “What is an Anabaptist Christian?” by Palmer Becker, a Mennonite pastor from Kitchener, Ontario
Read recent mailings and join our list.
Learn more about online gatherings.