Take a Deep Breath
Once in a while it happens. A Mennonite youth pastor will say something to wake the dead. It might be a message inspired by the Holy Spirit bringing conviction of sin and repentance to his flock, or encouragement to keep the lambs following the Shepherd. But these days, it’s more often the promotion of a new program or interesting new experience to keep the sleepy lambs from yawning or wandering away. It might keep their interest, but what exactly is it waking them up to?
For example, take a deep breath and read this Youth Specialties article on contemplative prayer practices written by a Mennonite youth pastor:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/spirituality/contemplative.php
The first practice he promotes is Deep Breathing, recommending a weblink called Authentic Breathing, a site that is based on Taoism (ancient Chinese witchcraft), yoga breathing (pranayama) and self-knowledge.
He also writes about the usual contemplative terms; Lectio Divina, Ignatian Contemplation and Examen, Labyrinths, Taize and Iona.
The pastor recommending these methods to youth lives in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) and works as part-time associate pastor of a Mennonite church. He also speaks at camps, schools, and conventions. His name is mentioned at the end of the Youth Specialties article.
The practices that this Mennonite pastor prescribes are not biblical ways to breathe life into the flock. In fact, this sort of deep breathing and contemplation could lull the sheep into an altered state of consciousness! But it just might cause enough rumblings in the Mennonite Cemetery to make Menno roll over in his grave.
By the way, the Bible teaches us how to deal with false teaching, but it’s possible that many Mennonites do not like to get involved in controversy due to the fact that they’ve been taught to be passive and peaceful. However, the Bible does not condone passivity when it comes to false teachers in the church. Instead, we are instructed to do the following:
• Name Names: In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul identifies false teachers in the church, by name, four times. 2 Tim. 1:15, 2:17, 3:8, 4:14
• Warn the church publicly what the false teachers are teaching. 2 Timothy 2:16-18
• Silence the false teachers. (This means that church leaders shouldn’t allow people to teach false teaching in their churches.) Titus 1:10-11
• Refute the false teachers. Titus 1:9
• Do not give false teachers a platform or otherwise support them in their ministries. 2 John 1:10-11
(spiritoferror.wordpress.com)
Meanwhile, the ROM (Roll Over Menno) Index is rising in Mennonite churches like this one where false teachers are allowed, tolerated and supported in their midst.
(Note: To get a better idea of what contemplative spirituality looks like, read this article called Desert Youth Worker - Disciplines, Mystics and the Contemplative Life, written by the same youth pastor mentioned above.)
