The New Anabaptists
New churches and communities with Anabaptist convictions and practices are
being planted in the UK. Supported by the Anabaptist Mennonite Network, the
Incarnate project is encouraging pioneers to establish fresh expressions of the
gospel in different contexts and neighbourhoods. It is early days, but we hope
what is planted will offer opportunities to test out the relevance of Anabaptism to
mission in our post-Christendom society.
This new book explores twelve ‘common practices’ that might characterise these
emerging communities.
In 2010, The Naked Anabaptist was published. Written by Stuart Murray, this was
the fruit of conversations with many others about how the Anabaptist vision is
inspiring and challenging followers of Jesus today. It expounded the seven ‘core
convictions’ that comprise the centre of gravity of the Anabaptist movement in the
UK. It sold very well, was translated into several other languages and a revised
edition was published in 2020.
The New Anabaptists is a sequel. It examines the kinds of practices that flow
from the core convictions and are likely to feature in churches, communities and
initiatives that are inspired by the Anabaptist vision. These practices include
Jesus-centred biblical interpretation, peace witness, truth telling, multi-voiced
worship and much else. The book reflects on the significance of these practices
in a post-Christendom and post-colonial environment.
The book includes three chapters by Stuart’s colleagues who reflect on initiatives
they are involved in, all of which have been inspired by the Anabaptist vision.
Juliet Kilpin introduces Peaceful Borders, working with refugees and asylum
seekers. Karen Sethuraman introduces SoulSpace Belfast, an emerging peace
and reconciliation community. Alexandra Ellish introduces the Incarnate project.
The book is an invitation to a conversation. A resource for emerging Anabaptist-
oriented communities. An exploration of how the Anabaptist vision might be embodied in missional communities in 21st-century Britain.