Mennonites and Rob Bell
Kindred Productions is a ministry of the Mennonite Brethren Churches in North America for both the Canadian Conference and the US Conference. One of the recommended resources for youth by Kindred Productions is Nooma by Rob Bell (see here).
Many Christian parents are very concerned about Rob Bell’s influence in church youth groups. Especially after the recent interfaith gathering this month in Seattle, Washington, called Seeds of Compassion where Rob Bell shared the stage with the Dalai Lama. His comments may be viewed at this link:
Rob Bell’s Comments at Seeds of Compassion
http://youthministries.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/rob-bells-comments-at-seeds-of-compassion/
Other Mennonite organizations that promote Rob Bell are the following:
Summer 2008 Reading Lists for Eastern Mennonite Seminary
http://www.emu.edu/seminary/courses/syllabi.htm
“Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality” by Rob BellMennonite Church Canada
Resource Centre
http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/resourcecentre
There are also countless Mennonite churches who have purchased the Nooma series for their youth groups, such as Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church, for example, in Ontario, Canada (see here).
These are only examples, as there is not enough time or space to list them all on ROM. There is no denying the fact that Rob Bell is very popular in Mennonite churches. Parents have every right to be very concerned about what their teenagers are watching and learning under the direction of their youth pastors (who seem to find it more convenient to pop in a top selling DVD than to study and teach from the Bible).
Much more information can be found about Rob Bell and his teachings on the links below:
Rob Bell, Mars Hill and Velvet Elvis—Repainting the Christian Faith
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/robbell.htm
Rob Bell’s Abstract “Elvis” - A Critique of Velvet Elvis
by Pastor Bob DeWaay,
http://www.crossroad.to/Excerpts/biblical-teaching/DeWaay/bell-elvis.htm
