Thanks for “Era of Realignment” (August), which brought us up to speed on mainstream Anabaptist groups in the United States. Two sentences jumped out at me: “By ‘denomination’ we mean any group, no matter how small, that isn’t subordinate to another.” This speaks — no, shouts — volumes to me. Also: “Conflicts over sexuality, while crucial, don’t tell the whole story.” Oh, yes. It has become clear to me that a major reason for this realignment is simple: Some people don’t want others to tell them what to do. And it is particularly offensive if that other group does something you disagree with. We can’t put up with that. So we have to leave. I’m waiting for the leavers to explain: Who exactly are you willing to kick out of church? Once you start listing, I have a long list for you. 

Mennonites are by far not the only denomination struggling with splits. Methodists, Presbyterians, Southern Baptists, Episcopalians, Lutherans and others all have had the same battles. It’s just embarrassing that a peace church like Mennonites can’t figure this out. I wonder if it all comes down to a lack of humility. If so, how does God look at that lack of humility? Not kindly, I would guess. If a group as diverse as Mennonite World Conference can be united by seven shared convictions, why can’t American Mennonites? 

Brian D. Stucky, Goessel, Kan.

I’m curious why “Era of Realignment” included the Church of the Brethren but excluded other groups with German Baptist Brethren roots.

Jeff Hochstetler, Facebook comment

Editor Paul Schrag responds: Thanks for calling attention to Brethren diversity. The Covenant Brethren, who split from the Church of the Brethren in 2020, are especially relevant to the article’s theme  of realignment.