Anabaptist educators gather for global conference

August 26, 2015 | Web First
Mennonite Education Agency
Lansdale, Pa.

More than 100 Anabaptist educators attended a global education conference July 16-19, 2015, just before Mennonite World Conference assembly. The summit, held at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, attracted educators and leaders from 13 countries around the world.

Keynote speakers and workshop leaders explored the question: “What is an Anabaptist spirituality?” John D. Roth, director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism, reminded participants that Anabaptist spirituality is “a pedagogy of transformation. We are created for intimacy and shalom. Fear and mistrust result in sin and broken relationships, and like the exiles from Eden, we continue to experience God’s patient work of restoration.”

Hippolyto Tshimanga, Mennonite Church Canada director of Africa, Europe and Latin America ministry, challenged listeners to think of Anabaptist spirituality as, “What you do with that of God in you. The practices of watchfulness, prayer, community, lectio divina, and songs are all transformative exercises that deepen our intoxication with God.”

Paulus Widjaja, professor of theology at Duta Wacana Christianity University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, called educators to "view character formation as peace education. We have to intentionally and purposely acquire certain virtues in order to have the character of a peacemaker,” he said.

The closing keynote address, “Risking Everything to Plant Trees,” was presented by Sara Wenger Shenk, president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind. Wenger Shenk explored how “education is primarily about empowering persons to choose a comprehensive vision of the good.”

On Friday, conference participants visited local Mennonite schools as well as historical and cultural sites. Workshops throughout the four-day conference provided practical applications for educators. Restorative discipline, child safety, curriculum development, Anabaptist pedagogy and online learning were a few of the topics explored.

The group of 100 participants has formed a network of Anabaptist education leaders who hope to continue to work together.

Florente Muaku Kinana, a representative of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Congo said, “This time was wonderful because we were able to share our experiences with each other; what we are doing as Anabaptists in our schools.”

Georgiana Giddie, a participant from India, echoed the words of the other conference participants by saying, “I had a great time sharing and learning. Praise be to God for this unique opportunity to be a part of this experience.”

Due to challenges in obtaining visas, several participants were unable to attend. These persons were remembered throughout the conference with prayer and the visual reminder of an empty table and chairs.

See full coverage of the Mennonite World Conference assembly.

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