Better Together, Part 1
Community is one of the “tentpoles” of Anabaptism, but community is a concern far beyond the EMC church conference. Both statistics and our own experience demonstrate the relevance and necessity of being together. The past few years in particular have shown us our longing and need for community and the fallout when community goes bad.
In this first episode, hosts Jesse Penner and Andrew Dyck interview four guests and ask why this is such an important topic to address. Guests explore the biblical underpinnings of a theology of community and the epidemic of loneliness around us. They also talk about why we need to be in community and its role in providing accountability and assistance.
Join Jesse and Andrew as they interview Layton Friesen, Stuart Murray, Meghan Larissa Good and Steve Bell on why community is worth talking about.
Guests
Steve Bell
Steve Bell is award winning singer, songwriter, and storyteller from Winnipeg Manitoba, who has been performing for over 30 years. In 2022 he was inducted into the Order of Canada. He is also an author and has released 7 book series on the spirituality of the Christian Calendar year called Pilgrim Year.
Dr. Layton Friesen
Dr. Layton Friesen is the Academic Dean of Steinbach Bible College as well as the former conference pastor of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference in Canada, his most recent book is called Secular Nonviolence and the Theo-Drama of Peace.
Dr. Meghan Larissa Good
Dr. Meghan Larissa Good is lead pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church and the theology chair of the Jesus Collective. She is also the author of several books including Divine Gravity: Sparking a Movement to Recover a Better Christian Story.
Stuart Murray
Dr. Stuart Murray is cofounder of Urban Expression and the Anabaptist Mennonite Network as well as director for the Centre for Anabaptist Studies in Bristol. He is the author of about 20 books including The Naked Anabaptist and a new book coming out now called The New Anabaptists: Practices for Emerging Communities.
Resources from this Episode
Secular Nonviolence and the Theodrama of Peace, by Layton Friesen
Divine Gravity: Sparking a Movement to Recover a Better Christian Story, by Meghan Larissa Good
The Naked Anabaptist, by Stuart Murray
The New Anabaptists: Practices for Emerging Communities, by Stuart Murray
The work of Balthasar Hubmaier
Pilgrim Year, by Steve Bell
The Armchair Anabaptist is a Theodidaktos podcast and Theodidaktos is a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.
Executive Producer: Erica Fehr
Producer: Jesse Penner
Hosts: Andrew Dyck and Jesse Penner
Administrative Assistant: Ruth Block
Social Media: Betty Ramones
Audio Engineer: Jesse Penner
Theme Song: “Making Us One,” by Shades
