I recently had two wonderful conversations with John Rempel, a Mennonite scholar and former pastor. He was on retreat at the Hermitage therefore was a captive audience when I first begged a bit of his time for a conversation. What I wanted to talk with him and hear from him was about the state of Mennonite spirituality today, and if there was a place for contemplative spirituality within contemporary Mennonite spirituality. It was an engaging conversation. On his last day of retreat, he requested a follow-up conversation.
One of the primary take-aways for me from these conversations is the conviction that there are seeds of contemplative spirituality within, or indigenous to Mennonite spirituality. This conviction leads to the questions of are how are these seeds nurtured, and who is nurturing them?
We noticed that one of these seeds that had been nurtured was a movement towards a broadening and deepening of expression of Mennonite spirituality in the late 20th century. At the center of that movement was Marcus Smucker and Marlene Kropf at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary; then Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary(ies). These two, with institutional support, created a strong academic and pastoral base to think more deeply about spiritual practices and study within the larger Mennonite church. When both of these people retired, the momentum they created was not taken up by any institution. Without an institutional home the movement waned. This is a loss, arguably a tragic loss. Perhaps, this is also an opportunity.
One of the other seeds of contemplative Mennonite spirituality that was nurtured during this late 20th century was the Hermitage – the retreat center I now direct in southern Michigan. The Hermitage was formed by Gene and Mary Herr and a community of supporters. The Herrs had been deeply formed by and involved with the Mennonite Church and while not officially supported by the denomination, the Hermitage was seen as a Mennonite center exploring contemplative spirituality. While we are still exploring contemplative spirituality, the Mennonite-ness of this place has also waned. While this may be the natural ebb and flow of systems, it too is a loss.
I know my awareness of broader contemporary Mennonite spirituality is limited but I think the loss of an institutional home, or center for contemporary Mennonite spirituality is a critical loss. I know there are a lot of Mennonite individuals and churches interested in and engaging in contemplative spirituality, but without collaborative discussion and institutional support, it will likely remain as scattered little cells.
I will have more conversations with others about Mennonite seeds of contemplation. I hope these will uncover new seeds and new understandings of a contemplative Mennonite spirituality.